bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Post-Conflict Urban Landscape Storytelling: Two Approaches to Contemporary Virtual Visualisation of Oral Narratives
Authors: Alkhateeb Ghieth , Storie Joanna , Külvik Mart
Published: March 2024

Armed conflicts and resulting displacement disrupt people’s sense of place, leading to an imbalance in the people–place relationship, exaggerated by rehabilitation efforts that overlook the sense of place among conflict- and displacement-impacted communities. A continuous landscape narrative that extends from pre- to post-conflict times contributes to recreating the essence of lost landscapes and therefore reconnecting their sense of place. Focusing on a Syrian city that hosted internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the aftermath of the Syrian conflict, this study aims to structure a virtual landscape and narrative depiction of conflict-impacted landscapes. This study proposes a storytelling approach for narrative construction and an AI-powered visualisation approach to revive the image of the elusive landscapes. This study utilised qualitative research methods through in-depth, semi-structured interviews for data collection and an online survey for exploring the perception of virtual landscape images generated with AI text-to-image models (DALL.E 2 and Bing Image Creator). This study indicates that narratives, supported by AI visualisation, are reliable for comprehending landscape transformation and changes in the sense of place. The two approaches can serve as rehabilitation initiatives in post-crisis settings to recall images of elusive landscapes to save them from being lost forever.
How Mediterranean Ecosystem Deals with Wildfire Impact on Soil Ecosystem Services and Functions: A Review
Authors: Francos Marcos , Colino-Prieto Fernando , Sánchez-García Carlos
Published: March 2024

Wildfires are a common phenomenon in Mediterranean environments. This study seeks to synthesize the main results of existing studies from the last decade on this topic and to highlight the need for managing soil impacted by wildfires in the Mediterranean environment. Researchers have found that the impact of fire during a forest fire on the soil, and the subsequent consequences on soil ecosystem services and functions, is great and produces negative consequences for the soil. The physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil have been extensively analyzed, and a very high number of studies during the last ten years have been performed on different study areas with a common component: the Mediterranean ecosystem. However, the effects of these fires on the multifunctionality of the soil itself, ecosystem services, and soil functionality, which they provide to humans, have not. It is therefore essential to know the impact of fires in a fire-prone ecosystem such as the Mediterranean one on the soil and how these services and functions are affected. In this way, the decision can be taken to carry out restoration measures, especially after very severe forest fires and if the recurrence is high. This conclusion is even more important in the context of global change in which more severe and recurrent fires are expected, and therefore actions to be considered are expected to be more necessary to avoid land degradation, as many of the studies compiled here have shown.
Correction: Elsherbeny et al. 2-(3-Bromophenyl)-8-fluoroquinazoline-4-carboxylic Acid as a Novel and Selective Aurora A Kinase Inhibitory Lead with Apoptosis Properties: Design, Synthesis, In Vitro and In Silico Biological Evaluation. Life 2022, 12, 876
Authors: Elsherbeny Mohamed H. , Ammar Usama M. , Abdellattif Magda H. , Abourehab Mohammed A. S. , Abdeen Ahmed , Ibrahim Samah F. , Abdelrahaman Doaa , Mady Wessam , Roh Eun Joo , Elkamhawy Ahmed
Published: March 2024

In the original publication [...]
Influence of Intraoperative Active and Passive Breaks in Simulated Minimally Invasive Procedures on Surgeons’ Perceived Discomfort, Performance, and Workload
Authors: Bonsch Rosina , Seibt Robert , Krämer Bernhard , Rieger Monika A. , Steinhilber Benjamin , Luger Tessy
Published: March 2024

Laparoscopic surgeons are at high risk of experiencing musculoskeletal discomfort, which is considered the result of long-lasting static and awkward body postures. We primarily aimed to evaluate whether passive and active work breaks can reduce ratings of perceived discomfort among laparoscopic surgeons compared with no work breaks. We secondarily aimed to examine potential differences in performance and workload across work break conditions and requested the surgeons evaluate working with passive or active work breaks. Following a balanced, randomized cross-over design, laparoscopic surgeons performed three 90 min laparoscopic simulations without and with 2.5 min passive or active work breaks after 30 min work blocks on separate days. The simulation included the following tasks: a hot wire, peg transfer, pick-and-place, pick-and-tighten, pick-and-thread, and pull-and-stick tasks. Ratings of perceived discomfort (CR10 Borg Scale), performance per subtask, and perceived workload (NASA-TLX) were recorded, and the break interventions were evaluated (self-developed questionnaire). Statistical analyses were performed on the rating of perceived discomfort and a selection of the performance outcomes. Twenty-one participants (9F) were included, with a mean age of 36.6 years (SD 9.7) and an average experience in laparoscopies of 8.5 years (SD 5.6). Ratings of perceived musculoskeletal discomfort slightly increased over time from a mean level of 0.1 to 0.9 but did not statistically significantly differ between conditions (p = 0.439). Performance outcomes of the hot wire and peg transfer tasks did not statistically significantly differ between conditions. The overall evaluation by the participants was slightly in favor regarding the duration and content of active breaks and showed a 65% likelihood of implementing them on their own initiative in ≥90 min-lasting laparoscopic surgeries, compared with passive breaks. Both passive and active breaks did not statistically significantly influence ratings of perceived discomfort or perceived workload in a 90 min simulation of laparoscopic surgery, with an overall low mean level of perceived discomfort of 0.9 (SD 1.4). As work breaks do not lead to performance losses, rest breaks should be tested in real-life situations across a complete working shift, where perceived discomfort may differ from this laboratory situation. However, in this respect, it is crucial to investigate the acceptance and practicality of intraoperative work breaks in feasibility studies in advance of assessing their effectiveness in follow-up longitudinal trials.
Modeling of Charge-to-Breakdown with an Electron Trapping Model for Analysis of Thermal Gate Oxide Failure Mechanism in SiC Power MOSFETs
Authors: Qian Jiashu , Shi Limeng , Jin Michael , Bhattacharya Monikuntala , Shimbori Atsushi , Yu Hengyu , Houshmand Shiva , White Marvin H. , Agarwal Anant K.
Published: March 2024

The failure mechanism of thermal gate oxide in silicon carbide (SiC) power metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs), whether it is field-driven breakdown or charge-driven breakdown, has always been a controversial topic. Previous studies have demonstrated that the failure time of thermally grown silicon dioxide (SiO2) on SiC stressed with a constant voltage is indicated as charge driven rather than field driven through the observation of Weibull Slope β. Considering the importance of the accurate failure mechanism for the thermal gate oxide lifetime prediction model of time-dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB), charge-driven breakdown needs to be further fundamentally justified. In this work, the charge-to-breakdown (QBD) of the thermal gate oxide in a type of commercial planar SiC power MOSFETs, under the constant current stress (CCS), constant voltage stress (CVS), and pulsed voltage stress (PVS) are extracted, respectively. A mathematical electron trapping model in thermal SiO2 grown on single crystal silicon (Si) under CCS, which was proposed by M. Liang et al., is proven to work equally well with thermal SiO2 grown on SiC and used to deduce the QBD model of the device under test (DUT). Compared with the QBD obtained under the three stress conditions, the charge-driven breakdown mechanism is validated in the thermal gate oxide of SiC power MOSFETs.
Perfect Tracking Control of Linear Sliders Using Sliding Mode Control with Uncertainty Estimation Mechanism
Authors: Hoshina Tomoya , Yamada Takato , Deng Mingcong
Published: March 2024

This paper aims to achieve precise position control of a stage used in semiconductor exposure apparatus. The demand for smart devices, such as smartphones, is rapidly expanding, and their performance is expected to continue to improve. To manufacture these devices, it is necessary to miniaturize semiconductor devices and improve productivity. The precise control of semiconductor exposure apparatus is important for the manufacture of ultra-small semiconductor devices. The stage of semiconductor exposure apparatus uses a linear motor, and this paper performs high-precision perfect tracking control of this stage. Perfect tracking control is a control method that always follows the command value while the command value changes moment by moment, and requires high accuracy. In high-precision positioning, uncertainty in the stage model has a significant impact. Therefore, this paper proposes a method to reduce tracking errors due to the influence of uncertainty by performing uncertainty compensation using sliding mode control with the estimated value of uncertainty. The estimation of uncertainty uses a method that combines Kernel LMS with an observer. Instead of the widely used Gaussian kernel, this paper uses a generalized Gaussian kernel that allows for finer parameter settings. Furthermore, this paper proposes a method to adaptively optimize the shape parameter of the generalized Gaussian kernel. Our simulations and experiments confirm that the proposed method improves tracking performance compared to conventional sliding mode control.
Medical Image Classifications Using Convolutional Neural Networks: A Survey of Current Methods and Statistical Modeling of the Literature
Authors: Mohammed Foziya Ahmed , Tune Kula Kekeba , Assefa Beakal Gizachew , Jett Marti , Muhie Seid
Published: March 2024

In this review, we compiled convolutional neural network (CNN) methods which have the potential to automate the manual, costly and error-prone processing of medical images. We attempted to provide a thorough survey of improved architectures, popular frameworks, activation functions, ensemble techniques, hyperparameter optimizations, performance metrics, relevant datasets and data preprocessing strategies that can be used to design robust CNN models. We also used machine learning algorithms for the statistical modeling of the current literature to uncover latent topics, method gaps, prevalent themes and potential future advancements. The statistical modeling results indicate a temporal shift in favor of improved CNN designs, such as a shift from the use of a CNN architecture to a CNN-transformer hybrid. The insights from statistical modeling point that the surge of CNN practitioners into the medical imaging field, partly driven by the COVID-19 challenge, catalyzed the use of CNN methods for detecting and diagnosing pathological conditions. This phenomenon likely contributed to the sharp increase in the number of publications on the use of CNNs for medical imaging, both during and after the pandemic. Overall, the existing literature has certain gaps in scope with respect to the design and optimization of CNN architectures and methods specifically for medical imaging. Additionally, there is a lack of post hoc explainability of CNN models and slow progress in adopting CNNs for low-resource medical imaging. This review ends with a list of open research questions that have been identified through statistical modeling and recommendations that can potentially help set up more robust, improved and reproducible CNN experiments for medical imaging.
On the Application of Fractional Derivative Operator Theory to the Electromagnetic Modeling of Frequency Dispersive Media
Authors: Deogan Aneesh S. , Dilz Roeland , Caratelli Diego
Published: March 2024

Fractional derivative operators are finding applications in a wide variety of fields with their ability to better model certain phenomena exhibiting spatial and temporal nonlocality. One area in which these operators are applicable is in the field of electromagnetism, thereby modelling transient wave propagation in complex media. To apply fractional derivative operators to electromagnetic problems, the operator must adhere to certain principles, like the trigonometric functions invariance property. The Grünwald–Letnikov and Marchaud fractional derivative operators comply with these principles and therefore could be applied. The fractional derivative arises when modelling frequency-dispersive dielectric media. The time-domain convolution integral in the relation between the electric displacement and the polarisation density, containing an empirical extension of the Debye model, is approximated directly. A common approach is to recursively update the convolution integral by approximating the time series by a truncated sum of decaying exponentials, with the coefficients found through means of optimisation or fitting. The finite-difference time-domain schemes using this approach have shown to be more computationally efficient compared to other approaches using auxiliary differential equation methods.
Research Progress on Thermal Conductivity of High-Pressure Die-Cast Aluminum Alloys
Authors: Liu Yixian , Xiong Shoumei
Published: March 2024

High-pressure die casting (HPDC) has been extensively used to manufacture aluminum alloy heat dissipation components in the fields of vehicles, electronics, and communication. With the increasing demand for HPDC heat dissipation components, the thermal conductivity of die-cast aluminum alloys is paid more attention. In this paper, a comprehensive review of the research progress on the thermal conductivity of HPDC aluminum alloys is provided. First of all, we introduce the general heat transport mechanism in aluminum alloys, including electrical transport and phonon transport. Secondly, we summarize several common die-cast aluminum alloy systems utilized for heat dissipation components, such as an Al–Si alloy system and silicon-free aluminum alloy systems, along with the corresponding composition optimizations for these alloy systems. Thirdly, the effect of processing parameters, which are significant for the HPDC process, on the thermal conductivity of HPDC aluminum alloys is discussed. Moreover, some heat treatment strategies for enhancing the thermal conductivity of die-cast aluminum alloys are briefly discussed. Apart from experimental findings, a range of theoretical models used to calculate the thermal conductivity of die-cast aluminum alloys are also summarized. This review aims to guide the development of new high-thermal-conductivity die-cast aluminum alloys.
Leakage and Thermal Reliability Optimization of Stacked Nanosheet Field-Effect Transistors with SiC Layers
Authors: Li Cong , Shao Yali , Kuang Fengyu , Liu Fang , Wang Yunqi , Li Xiaoming , Zhuang Yiqi
Published: March 2024

In this work, we propose a SiC-NSFET structure that uses a PTS scheme only under the gate, with SiC layers under the source and drain, to improve the leakage current and thermal reliability. Punch-through stopper (PTS) doping is widely used to suppress the leakage current, but aggressively high PTS doping will cause additional band-to-band (BTBT) current. Therefore, the bottom oxide isolation nanosheet field-effect transistor (BOX-NSFET) can further reduce the leakage current and become an alternative to conventional structures with PTS. However, thermal reliability issues, like bias temperature instability (BTI), hot carrier injection (HCI), and time-dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB), induced by the self-heating effect (SHE) of BOX-NSFET, become more profound due to the lower thermal conductivity of SiO2 than silicon. Moreover, the bottom oxide will reduce the stress along the channel due to the challenges associated with growing high-quality SiGe material on SiO2. Therefore, this method faces difficulties in enhancing the mobility of p-type devices. The comprehensive TCAD simulation results show that SiC-NSFET significantly suppresses the substrate leakage current compared to the conventional structure with PTS. In addition, compared to the BOX-NSFET, the stress reduction caused by the bottom oxide is avoided, and the SHE is mitigated. This work provides significant design guidelines for leakage and thermal reliability optimization of next-generation advanced nodes.
Achieving High-Precision, Low-Cost Microfluidic Chip Fabrication with Flexible PCB Technology
Authors: Vanhooydonck Andres , Caers Thalissa , Parrilla Marc , Delputte Peter , Watts Regan
Published: March 2024

Soft lithography has long remained the state of the art to generate the necessary micropatterning for molded microfluidic (MF) chips. Previous attempts to use printed circuit boards (PCBs) as a cheap and accessible alternative to expensive lithographed molds for the production of PDMS MF chip prototypes have shown their limitations. A more in-depth exploration of using PCBs as a mold substrate and a novel methodology of using flexible PCBs to produce highly accurate MF chips is reported here for the first time. Cross sections highlight the improved accuracy of this method, and peel testing is performed to demonstrate suitable adhesion between the glass substrate and PDMS cast. Positive cell growth viability showcases this novel method as a high-accuracy, high-accessibility, low-cost prototyping method for microfluidic chips while still maintaining all favorable properties provided by the PDMS material.
Protective Effects and Mechanisms of Esculetin against H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis, and Pyroptosis in Human Hepatoma HepG2 Cells
Authors: Luo Ying , Chang Tenglong , Huang Shiting , Xiang Jing , Tang Shuangyang , Shen Haiyan
Published: March 2024

Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of many diseases. Esculetin is a natural coumarin compound with good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, whether esculetin can protect HepG2 cells through inhibiting H2O2-induced apoptosis and pyroptosis is still ambiguous. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of esculetin against oxidative stress-induced cell damage in HepG2 cells. The results of this study demonstrate that pretreatment with esculetin could significantly improve the decrease in cell viability induced by H2O2 and reduce intracellular ROS levels. Esculetin not only apparently reduced the apoptotic rates and prevented MMP loss, but also markedly decreased cleaved-Caspase-3, cleaved-PARP, pro-apoptotic protein (Bax), and MMP-related protein (Cyt-c) expression, and increased anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl-2) expression in H2O2-induced HepG2 cells. Meanwhile, esculetin also remarkably reduced the level of LDH and decreased the expression of the pyroptosis-related proteins NLRP3, cleaved-Caspase-1, Il-1β, and GSDMD-N. Furthermore, esculetin pretreatment evidently downregulated the protein expression of p-JNK, p-c-Fos, and p-c-Jun. Additionally, anisomycin, a specific activator of JNK, blocked the protection of esculetin against H2O2-induced HepG2 cells apoptosis and pyroptosis. In conclusion, esculetin can protect HepG2 cells against H2O2-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis, and pyroptosis via inhibiting the JNK signaling pathway. These findings indicate that esculetin has the potential to be used as an antioxidant that improves oxidative stress-related diseases.
Catalytic Transformation of Nitroarenes to Amines over Ba(1−x)SrxTiO3 (0 < x < 1) Perovskites in Water
Authors: Kuźniarska-Biernacka Iwona , Garbarz-Glos Barbara , Skiba Elżbieta , Maniukiewicz Waldemar , Monteiro Marta , Bąk Wojciech , Szydłowski Dariusz , Freire Cristina
Published: March 2024

This work is focused on the application of lanthanide-free perovskite Ba1−xSrxTiO3 (0 < x < 1) in valorization of toxic pollutants as 4-nitrophenol (4-NPh). The series of perovskites were fabricated by facile, one-step solid-state preparation method and characterized via various techniques: elemental analysis (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry, ICP-OES), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and dielectric properties (impedance spectroscopy, IS). The methods confirmed the assumed composition, structure and high purity of the materials. The results showed that substitution of Ba2+ by Sr2+ in the perovskite crystal lattice influenced the dielectric properties of samples and the size of the grains. The absorption and catalytic properties of Ba(1−x)SrxTiO3 (0 < x < 1) series were evaluated in reduction of 4-NPh in water using NaBH4 as reducing agent. No adsorption of 4-NPh was found for all the materials during 180 min of contact (experiment without reducing agent), and the best catalytic performance was found for the Ba(1−x)SrxTiO3 (x = 0.3) sample. The catalytic transformation of 4-NPh to 4-APh follows a pseudo-first-order model, and the catalysts can be easily regenerated via mild annealing (300 °C).
Glycosylation Modulates the Structure and Functions of Collagen: A Review
Authors: Tvaroška Igor
Published: March 2024

Collagens are fundamental constituents of the extracellular matrix and are the most abundant proteins in mammals. Collagens belong to the family of fibrous or fiber-forming proteins that self-assemble into fibrils that define their mechanical properties and biological functions. Up to now, 28 members of the collagen superfamily have been recognized. Collagen biosynthesis occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum, where specific post-translational modification—glycosylation—is also carried out. The glycosylation of collagens is very specific and adds β-d-galactopyranose and β-d-Glcp-(1→2)-d-Galp disaccharide through β-O-linkage to hydroxylysine. Several glycosyltransferases, namely COLGALT1, COLGALT2, LH3, and PGGHG glucosidase, were associated the with glycosylation of collagens, and recently, the crystal structure of LH3 has been solved. Although not fully understood, it is clear that the glycosylation of collagens influences collagen secretion and the alignment of collagen fibrils. A growing body of evidence also associates the glycosylation of collagen with its functions and various human diseases. Recent progress in understanding collagen glycosylation allows for the exploitation of its therapeutic potential and the discovery of new agents. This review will discuss the relevant contributions to understanding the glycosylation of collagens. Then, glycosyltransferases involved in collagen glycosylation, their structure, and catalytic mechanism will be surveyed. Furthermore, the involvement of glycosylation in collagen functions and collagen glycosylation-related diseases will be discussed.
Preparations of 25 wt% of Pyraclostrobin Nanosuspension Concentrate (SC) Using Lignosulfonate-Based Colloidal Spheres to Improve Its Thermal Storage Stability
Authors: Tang Qianqian , Sun Yu , Li Jinnuo , Zhou Mingsong , Yang Dongjie , Pang Yuxia
Published: March 2024

Improving the thermal storage stability of nanosuspension concentrate (SC) prepared from low-melting-point pesticide is a recognized problem. In this work, using pyraclostrobin as the raw material, 25 wt% of pyraclostrobin nano-SC was prepared through a water-based grinding method, and the optimal grinding conditions were obtained as follows: a grinding time of 23 h, D-3911 as dispersant and a dispersant dosage of 12 wt%. The pyraclostrobin nano-SC D90 size prepared based on this best formula was 216 nm. Adding glycerin could improve the stability of nano-SC at room temperature, but its thermal storage stability was still poor. For this problem, sodium lignosulfonate and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (NaLS/CTAB) colloidal spheres were prepared through electrostatic and hydrophobic self-assembly and characterized. The delamination and precipitation of nano-SC can be significantly improved by adding an appropriate amount of colloidal spheres, and the nano-SC D90 size decreased from 2726 to 1023 nm after 7 days of thermal storage. Farmland experiments indicated the control efficiency of pyraclostrobin nano-SC against flowering cabbage downy mildew disease was about 30% higher than that of SC. Especially after adding the wetting agent, the effect of nano-SC could be comparable to that of commercial Kairun (currently the best pyraclostrobin formulation in the world).
Quantifying the Hydrophobic Effect per CF2 Moiety from Adsorption of Fluorinated Alcohols at the Water/Oil Interface
Authors: Peychev Boyan , Arabadzhieva Dimitrinka , Minkov Ivan L. , Mileva Elena , Slavchov Radomir I.
Published: March 2024

Amphiphilic fluorocarbon substances are a trending topic of research due to their wide range of applications accompanied by an alarming environmental and health impact. In order to predict their fate in the environment, use them more economically, develop new water treatment methods, etc., a better understanding of their physicochemical behavior is required. Their hydrophobicity in water/oil systems is particularly sensitive to one key thermodynamic parameter: the free energy of transfer of a perfluoromethylene group from oil to water. However, for the –CF2– moiety, the transfer energy values reported in the literature vary by more than ±25%. Due to the exponential relationship between this energy and the adsorption constants or the partition coefficients, such an uncertainty can lead to orders of magnitude error in the predicted distribution of fluorinated species. We address this problem by presenting an experimental determination of the hydrophobic effect of a –CF2– moiety with a greater certainty than currently available. The transfer energy is determined by measuring the interfacial tension of water|hexane for aqueous solutions of short-chained fluorotelomer alcohols. The obtained results for the free energy of transfer of a –CF2– moiety from oil to water are 1.68±0.02×RT0, 1.75±0.02×RT0, and 1.88±0.02×RT0 at 288.15 K, 293.15 K, and 303.15 K, respectively.
Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Polysaccharide from Fructus Ligustri Lucidi Incorporated in PVA/Pectin Hydrogels Accelerate Wound Healing
Authors: Xi Yanli , Hu Lianxin , Chen Xiang , Zuo Lili , Bai Xuesong , Du Weijie , Xu Na
Published: March 2024

In cutaneous wound healing, an overproduction of inflammatory chemokines and bacterial infections impedes the process. Hydrogels can maintain a physiologically moist microenvironment, absorb chemokines, prevent bacterial infection, inhibit bacterial reproduction, and facilitate wound healing at a wound site. The development of hydrogels provides a novel treatment strategy for the entire wound repair process. Here, a series of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi polysaccharide extracts loaded with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and pectin hydrogels were successfully fabricated through the freeze–thaw method. A hydrogel containing a 1% mixing weight ratio of FLL-E (named PVA-P-FLL-E1) demonstrated excellent physicochemical properties such as swellability, water retention, degradability, porosity, 00drug release, transparency, and adhesive strength. Notably, this hydrogel exhibited minimal cytotoxicity. Moreover, the crosslinked hydrogel, PVA-P-FLL-E1, displayed multifunctional attributes, including significant antibacterial properties, earlier re-epithelialization, production of few inflammatory cells, the formation of collagen fibers, deposition of collagen I, and faster remodeling of the ECM. Consequently, the PVA-P-FLL-E1 hydrogel stands out as a promising wound dressing due to its superior formulation and enhanced healing effects in wound care.
Regulating Effect of Exogenous α-Ketoglutarate on Ammonium Assimilation in Poplar
Authors: Liu Xiaoning , Wu Liangdan , Si Yujia , Zhai Yujie , Niu Mingyi , Han Mei , Su Tao
Published: March 2024

Extensive industrial activities and anthropogenic agricultural practices have led to substantial ammonia release to the environment. Although croplands can act as ammonia sinks, reduced crop production under high concentrations of ammonium has been documented. Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) is a critical carbon source, displaying pleiotropic physiological functions. The objective of the present study is to disclose the potential of AKG to enhance ammonium assimilation in poplars. It showed that AKG application substantially boosted the height, biomass, and photosynthesis activity of poplars exposed to excessive ammonium. AKG also enhanced the activities of key enzymes involved in nitrogen assimilation: glutamine synthetase (GS) and glutamate synthase (GOGAT), elevating the content of amino acids, sucrose, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) metabolites. Furthermore, AKG positively modulated key genes tied to glucose metabolism and ATP synthesis, while suppressing ATP-depleting genes. Correspondingly, both H+-ATPase activity and ATP content increased. These findings demonstrate that exogenously applying AKG improves poplar growth under a high level of ammonium treatment. AKG might function through sufficient carbon investment, which enhances the carbon–nitrogen balance and energy stability in poplars, promoting ammonium assimilation at high doses of ammonium. Our study provides novel insight into AKG’s role in improving poplar growth in response to excess ammonia exposure.
Camel-Derived Nanobodies as Potent Inhibitors of New Delhi Metallo-β-Lactamase-1 Enzyme
Authors: Ben Abderrazek Rahma , Hamdi Emna , Piccirilli Alessandra , Dhaouadi Sayda , Muyldermans Serge , Perilli Mariagrazia , Bouhaouala-Zahar Balkiss
Published: March 2024

The injudicious usage of antibiotics during infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria leads to the emergence of β-lactamases. Among them, the NDM-1 enzyme poses a serious threat to human health. Developing new antibiotics or inhibiting β-lactamases might become essential to reduce and prevent bacterial infections. Nanobodies (Nbs), the smallest antigen-binding single-domain fragments derived from Camelidae heavy-chain-only antibodies, targeting enzymes, are innovative alternatives to develop effective inhibitors. The biopanning of an immune VHH library after phage display has helped to retrieve recombinant antibody fragments with high inhibitory activity against recombinant-NDM-1 enzyme. Nb02NDM-1, Nb12NDM-1, and Nb17NDM-1 behaved as uncompetitive inhibitors against NDM-1 with Ki values in the nM range. Remarkably, IC50 values of 25.0 nM and 8.5 nM were noted for Nb02NDM-1 and Nb17NDM-1, respectively. The promising inhibition of NDM-1 by Nbs highlights their potential application in combating particular Gram-negative infections.
Study of Laser-Induced Multi-Exciton Generation and Dynamics by Multi-Photon Absorption in CdSe Quantum Dots
Authors: Zhang Peng , Wang Yimeng , Su Xueqiong , Zhang Qiwen , Sun Mingyu
Published: March 2024

Multi-exciton generation by multi-photon absorption under low-energy photons can be thought a reasonable method to reduce the risk of optical damage, especially in photoelectric quantum dot (QD) devices. The lifetime of the multi-exciton state plays a key role in the utilization of photon-induced carriers, which depends on the dynamics of the exciton generation process in materials. In this paper, the exciton generation dynamics of the photon absorption under low-frequency light in CdSe QDs are successfully detected and studied by the temporal resolution transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy method. Since the cooling time of hot excitons extends while the rate of auger recombination is accelerated when incident energy is increased, the filling time of defect states is irregular, and exciton generation experiences a transition from single-photon absorption to multi-photon absorption. This result shows how to change the excitation. Optical parameters can prolong the lifetime of excitons, thus fully extracting excitons and improving the photoelectric conversion efficiency of QD optoelectronic devices, which provides theoretical and experimental support for the development of QD optoelectronic devices.
Evolution of Food and Nutrition Policy: A Tasmanian Case Study from 1994 to 2023
Authors: Murray Sandra , Gale Fred , Adams David , Dalton Lisa
Published: March 2024

Food security is a concept with evolving definitions and meanings, shaped by contested knowledge and changing contexts. The way in which food security is understood by governments impacts how it is addressed in public policy. This research investigates the evolution of discourses and practices in Tasmanian food and nutrition policies from 1994 to 2023. Four foundational documents were analysed using qualitative document analysis, revealing persistent food insecurity issues over three decades. The analysis identified a duality in addressing the persistent policy challenges of nutrition-related health issues and food insecurity: the balancing act between advancing public health improvements and safeguarding Tasmania’s economy. The research revealed that from 1994 to 2023, Tasmania’s food and nutrition policies and strategies have been characterised by various transitions and tensions. Traditional approaches, predominantly emphasising food availability and, to a limited extent, access, have persisted for over thirty years. The transition towards a more contemporary approach to food security, incorporating dimensions of utilisation, stability, sustainability, and agency, has been markedly slow, indicating systemic inertia. This points to an opportunity for future policy evolution, to move towards a dynamic and comprehensive approach. Such an approach would move beyond the narrow focus of food availability to address the complex multi-dimensional nature of food security.
Dietary Patterns, Food Intake and Health: New Evidence from Epidemiological and Genetic Studies
Authors: Yang Qian , Sun Yangbo
Published: March 2024

Our special issue gathered 11 articles in the field of nutritional epidemiology, some of which applied newly developed statistical methods to make causal inference [...]
Description and Analysis of Research on Death and Dying during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Published in Nursing Journals Indexed in SCOPUS
Authors: Cuellar-Pompa Leticia , Rodríguez-Gómez José Ángel , Novo-Muñoz María Mercedes , Rodríguez-Novo Natalia , Rodríguez-Novo Yurena M. , Martínez-Alberto Carlos-Enrique
Published: March 2024

Aim: To offer an overall picture of the research published regarding the different aspects of death and dying during the COVID-19 pandemic in journals covering the field of nursing in the Scopus database. Design: bibliometric analysis. Methods: The metadata obtained were exported from Scopus for subsequent analysis through Bibliometrix. Using the VOSviewer co-word analysis function, the conceptual and thematic structure of the publications was identified. Results: A total of 119 papers were retrieved, with the participation of 527 authors. The publications were found in 71 journals covering the nursing area. The main lines of research revolved around the keywords “palliative care” and “end-of-life care” in regard to the ethical, psychological, and organizational challenges faced by the health professionals who cared for these patients. Conclusion: The results obtained offer a range of data and images that characterize the scientific production published on this topic, coming to the conclusion that, due to the multifaceted and multidisciplinary approach to the experience of death, care, and accompaniment in the dying process, bibliometric maps improve the comprehensive understanding of the semantic and conceptual structure of this field of research. This study was retrospectively registered with the OSF Registries on the 14 March 2024.
Novel Dry Hyaluronic Acid–Vancomycin Complex Powder for Inhalation, Useful in Pulmonary Infections Associated with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Magi María S. , de Lafuente Yanina , Quarta Eride , Palena María C. , Ardiles Perla del R. , Páez Paulina L. , Sonvico Fabio , Buttini Francesca , Jimenez-Kairuz Alvaro F.
Published: March 2024

Polyelectrolyte–drug complexes are interesting alternatives to improve unfavorable drug properties. Vancomycin (VAN) is an antimicrobial used in the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pulmonary infections in patients with cystic fibrosis. It is generally administered intravenously with a high incidence of adverse side effects, which could be reduced by intrapulmonary administration. Currently, there are no commercially available inhalable formulations containing VAN. Thus, the present work focuses on the preparation and characterization of an ionic complex between hyaluronic acid (HA) and VAN with potential use in inhalable formulations. A particulate–solid HA-VAN25 complex was obtained by spray drying from an aqueous dispersion. FTIR spectroscopy and thermal analysis confirmed the ionic interaction between HA and VAN, while an amorphous diffraction pattern was observed by X-ray. The powder density, geometric size and morphology showed the suitable aerosolization and aerodynamic performance of the powder, indicating its capability of reaching the deep lung. An in vitro extended-release profile of VAN from the complex was obtained, exceeding 24 h. Microbiological assays against methicillin-resistant and -sensitive reference strains of Staphylococcus aureus showed that VAN preserves its antibacterial efficacy. In conclusion, HA-VAN25 exhibited interesting properties for the development of inhalable formulations with potential efficacy and safety advantages over conventional treatment.
3D Printing Direct Powder Extrusion in the Production of Drug Delivery Systems: State of the Art and Future Perspectives
Authors: Aguilar-de-Leyva Ángela , Casas Marta , Ferrero Carmen , Linares Vicente , Caraballo Isidoro
Published: March 2024

The production of tailored, on-demand drug delivery systems has gained attention in pharmaceutical development over the last few years, thanks to the application of 3D printing technology in the pharmaceutical field. Recently, direct powder extrusion (DPE) has emerged among the extrusion-based additive manufacturing techniques. It is a one-step procedure that allows the direct processing of powdered formulations. The aim of this systematic literature review is to analyze the production of drug delivery systems using DPE. A total of 27 articles have been identified through scientific databases (Scopus, PubMed, and ScienceDirect). The main characteristics of the three types of 3D printers based on DPE have been discussed. The selection of polymers and auxiliary excipients, as well as the flowability of the powder mixture, the rheological properties of the molten material, and the printing temperatures have been identified as the main critical parameters for successful printing. A wide range of drug delivery systems with varied geometries and different drug release profiles intended for oral, buccal, parenteral, and transdermal routes have been produced. The ability of this technique to manufacture personalized, on-demand drug delivery systems has been proven. For all these reasons, its implementation in hospital settings in the near future seems promising.
Engineered Hybrid Vesicles and Cellular Internalization in Mammary Cancer Cells
Authors: Kim So Yun , Guk Dagyeong , Jeong Youngdo , Kim Eunji , Kim Hansol , Kim Sung Tae
Published: March 2024

Extracellular vesicles play an important role in intercellular communication, with the potential to serve as biomaterials for nanocarriers. Combining such extracellular vesicles and liposomes results in advanced drug delivery carriers. In this study, we attempted to fabricate hybrid vesicles using a membrane fusion method and incorporated an anticancer drug. As a result, we successfully prepared nanosized uniform hybrid vesicles and evaluated their physicochemical characteristics and intracellular uptake mechanisms via endocytosis in various cell lines. Compared to liposomes, the hybrid vesicles showed better physical properties and a relatively higher reduction in cell viability, which was presumably dependent on the specific cell type. These findings suggest that fusion-based hybrid vesicles offer a novel strategy for delivering therapeutic agents and provide insights into the types of extracellular vesicles that are useful in fabricating hybrid vesicles to develop an advanced drug delivery system.
Beneficial Effects of Castanea sativa Wood Extract on the Human Body and Possible Food and Pharmaceutical Applications
Authors: Žitek Makoter Taja , Tancer Verboten Mojca , Mirt Ivan , Zupančić Katarina , Cör Andrejč Darija , Knez Željko , Knez Marevci Maša
Published: March 2024

The aim of this review was to investigate the potential use of Castanea sativa wood extract as a food supplement and to evaluate its beneficial properties for human health. The results of the limited amount of studies suggest promising properties, including potential anti-inflammatory effects. The literature indicates that the extract, which is rich in bioactive compounds such as tannins, offers promising therapeutic possibilities for the treatment of conditions associated with chronic inflammation. Consequently, interest in its use in food and pharmaceuticals is growing. Phytochemical studies have reported antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, and anti-inflammatory, anticancer, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, and neuroprotective activities. A suitable extraction method and solvent is crucial for the isolation of bioactive compounds, being green extraction technologies outstanding for the industrial recovery of chestnut wood’s bioactive compounds. Nevertheless, it is important to emphasize the importance of adhering to regulatory guidelines and obtaining the necessary approvals from regulatory authorities to ensure product safety and compliance. The regulation of herbal medicinal products with proven efficacy and traditional herbal medicinal products is well defined, monitored by authorized bodies, and subject to strict control measures. It is noteworthy that medicinal products are subject to stringent quality testing to ensure safety and efficacy in use, whereas there are no comparable regulatory standards and specific labeling requirements for dietary supplements. When using herbal products, compliance with established standards in health research is essential.
Potential of Chitosan for the Control of Powdery Mildew (Leveillula taurica (Lév.) Arnaud) in a Jalapeño Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Cultivar
Authors: Jiménez-Pérez Omar , Gallegos-Morales Gabriel , Espinoza-Ahumada Cesar Alejandro , Delgado-Luna Carolina , Preciado-Rangel Pablo , Espinosa-Palomeque Bernardo
Published: March 2024

One of the phytopathogens that cause severe damage to jalapeño pepper is Leveillula taurica (Lév.) Arnaud, the causative agent of powdery mildew. Synthetic fungicides are currently employed for its control, contributing to adverse effects on human health and the environment. The main objective of this research was to identify the causal agent of powdery mildew and assess the efficacy of chitosan in powdery mildew control on jalapeño pepper. The following treatments were evaluated in laboratory and greenhouse conditions: T1 = 0.0125% chitosan, T2 = 0.0025% chitosan, T3 = 0.05% chitosan, T4 = 0.1% chitosan, T5 = 0.2% chitosan, T6 = tebuconazole 25% (1.8 mL/L water), and T7 = control (water). Symptomatology results indicated that L. taurica is indeed the causative agent of powdery mildew. Treatments T4 and T5 exhibited the lowest percentages of incidences and severity, hence achieving higher control efficacy in the laboratory (57.70 ± 3.85 and 65.39 ± 3.85) and greenhouse (56.67 ± 4.08 and 70 ± 8.16%) compared to T6 (control efficacy, 38.46 ± 0.00% in the laboratory and 50 ± 0.00% in the greenhouse). The chitosan derived from shrimp had a significant impact on the cell walls of L. taurica spores and mycelium. Consequently, chitosan emerges as a viable organic alternative to fungicides for controlling powdery mildew in jalapeño pepper.
Hybridization in the Subtribe Alopecurinae Dumort. (Poaceae) According to Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis: Different Ploidy Level Tells Different Origin of the Groups
Authors: Gnutikov Alexander A. , Nosov Nikolai N. , Punina Elizaveta O. , Loskutov Igor G. , Shneyer Victoria S. , Chekrygin Sergei A. , Rodionov Alexander V.
Published: March 2024

We performed next-generation sequencing of the 18S rDNA–ITS1–5.8S rDNA region along with traditional Sanger sequencing of rbcL, matK, ndhF, and ITS1–5.8S rDNA–ITS2 to clarify the hybridization pattern in the subtribe Alopecurinae and in the genus Alopecurus in particular. Our data support the hybrid origin of Alopecurus × brachystylus from hybridization between A. geniculatus (sect. Alopecurium) and A. pratensis (sect. Alopecurus). Moreover, in the rDNA of hybrid A. × brachystylus, only A. aequalis-like ribotypes from tetraploid A. geniculatus participated. Surprisingly, we found the traces of introgression of A. arundinaceus-like ribotypes not only in hybrid A. × marssonii (A. geniculatus × A. arundinaceus) but in A. aequalis s. str. as well. A high-polyploid group from the section Alopecurus, A. aggr. alpinus has undoubted hybrid origin: e. g., A. brachystachyus has rDNA from the sect. Alopecurium. Alopecurus alpinus, with its allies, is clearly distinct from other members of the sect. Alopecurus (especially by maternal line) and thus we can re-establish a previous opinion about the separate group to which A. alpinus belongs. Species from the section Colobachne (presumably Alpine grasses from Ancient Mediterranean region) probably hybridized with the A. alpinus group. Even A. myosuroides (sect. Pseudophalaris) that could be referred to the separate genus has ribotypes common with the species of the section Alopecurium (A. aequalis, A. geniculatus) in one of the accessions. Additionally, we found that the possible polyphyletic origin of the genus Limnas. Limnas stelleri is very close to Alopecurus magellanicus according to NGS data, while L. malyschevii is more or less distinct from other studied species of the genus Alopecurus.
Effect of Biostimulant, Manure Stabilizer, and Manure on Soil Physical Properties and Vegetation Status
Authors: Novák Václav , Šařec Petr , Látal Oldřich
Published: March 2024

Food production sustainability is one of contemporary agriculture’s fundamental challenges. Farmers are currently facing high input prices in crop production and declining organic matter in the soil. For this reason, a field experiment was established to assess the effect of the biostimulant NeOsol (NS), the manure stabilizer Z’fix (ZF), farmyard manure (FM), and their combination in farm practice. In situ measurements provided information on the change in bulk density (BD), unit draft (UD), saturated hydraulic conductivity (SHC), and cone index (CI). Furthermore, the vegetation status was investigated via vegetation indices, and the yield and quality parameters were assessed. Management of the experimental field resulted in an overall decrease in BD over time for the treated variants compared to the control (CL). The decrease with time was also verified in the case of UD and CI at the depth zone of 10–20 cm. Variants FM (by 8.0%), FM_NS (by 7.3%), and FM_ZF_NS (by 3.8%) proved to have lower UD values than CL. An overall increase in SHC and in yield was observed over time. Concerning SHC, only FM (by 58.5%) proved different from CL. The yield of all the treated variants, i.e., NS (by 8.2%), FM (by 10.8%), FM_NS (by 14.1%), FM_ZF (by 17.8%), and FM_ZF_NS (by 20.1%), surpassed CL. Simultaneously, none of the examined treatments proved to have any adverse effect either on soil or on plant-related variables.