bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Selenium Deficiency on the Offspring Growth and Blood Glucose Mechanisms of C57BL/6J Mice
Authors: Xu Wenhui , Gong Jiayu , Chen Yifei , Chen Yiru , Chen Shutong , Wu Yanyan , He Yuan , Li Chenxu , Yu Haitao , Xie Lin
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to explore the effects and mechanisms of maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and selenium (Se) deficiency on the growth and glucose metabolism of offspring. Female C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups as follows: a control group, a GDM group, a Se deficiency group, and a GDM with Se deficiency group. GDM animal models were established via S961. Pregnant mice fed their offspring until weaning. Then, offspring continued to be fed with a basic diet until adulthood. Body weight and fasting blood glucose were measured weekly. Se content, oxidative stress indicators, and the protein expression of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway were detected. GDM increased susceptibility to obesity in lactating offspring, with gender differences observed in adult offspring. The effect of Se deficiency on SOD activity only appeared in female offspring during adulthood but was shown in male offspring during weaning though it disappeared during adulthood. GDM and Se deficiency increased the risk of abnormal glucose metabolism in female offspring from weaning to adulthood but gradually decreased in male offspring. The influence on the expression of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway-related proteins showed the same trend. GDM and Se deficiency affected the growth and glucose metabolism of offspring through oxidative stress and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway-related proteins, and gender differences existed.
Elucidating the Pharmacological Properties of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Ginger) on Muscle Ageing by Untargeted Metabolomic Profiling of Human Myoblasts
Authors: Mohd Sahardi Nur Fatin Nabilah , Jaafar Faizul , Tan Jen Kit , Mad Nordin Mariam Firdhaus , Makpol Suzana
Published: October 2023

(1) Background: Muscle loss is associated with frailty and a reduction in physical strength and performance, which is caused by increased oxidative stress. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is a potential herb that can be used to reduce the level of oxidative stress. This study aimed to determine the effect of ginger on the expression of metabolites and their metabolic pathways in the myoblast cells to elucidate the mechanism involved and its pharmacological properties in promoting myoblast differentiation. (2) Methods: The myoblast cells were cultured into three stages (young, pre-senescent and senescent). At each stage, the myoblasts were treated with different concentrations of ginger extract. Then, metabolomic analysis was performed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS). (3) Results: Nine metabolites were decreased in both the pre-senescent and senescent control groups as compared to the young control group. For the young ginger-treated group, 8-shogaol and valine were upregulated, whereas adipic acid and bis (4-ethyl benzylidene) sorbitol were decreased. In the pre-senescent ginger-treated group, the niacinamide was upregulated, while carnitine and creatine were downregulated. Ginger treatment in the senescent group caused a significant upregulation in 8-shogaol, octadecanamide and uracil. (4) Conclusions: Ginger extract has the potential as a pharmacological agent to reduce muscle loss in skeletal muscle by triggering changes in some metabolites and their pathways that could promote muscle regeneration in ageing.
Association of Chrononutrition Indices with Anthropometric Parameters, Academic Performance, and Psychoemotional State of Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Borisenkov Mikhail F. , Tserne Tatyana A. , Popov Sergey V. , Smirnov Vasily V. , Dorogina Olga I. , Pecherkina Anna A. , Symaniuk Elvira E.
Published: October 2023

Adolescents are an at-risk group for circadian misalignment. The contribution of sleep–wake rhythm instability to the psychoemotional, cognitive, and weight disorders of adolescents has been studied in sufficient detail. At the same time, there is insufficient information about the association between chrononutrition indices and the well-being of adolescents. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between chrononutrition indices and academic achievement, psychoemotional state, and anthropometric indicators in adolescents. The study involved 12,759 students in grades 6–11 of secondary schools, aged 14.2 ± 1.7 years old; 57.2% of whom were girls. Participants provided personal data, frequency and time of meals during the day and at night, on weekdays and weekends, and completed the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale and the Yale Food Addiction Scale. There is a U-shaped association between eating mid-phase (EPFc), eating jetlag (EJL), and eating window (EW) with GPA, ZSDSI, and FA. At the same time, the frequency of night eating (NE) is linearly associated with the studied parameters. NE is the strongest predictor of ZSDSI (β = 0.24), FA (β = 0.04), and GPA (β = −0.22). EPFc, EJL, and EW practically do not differ in the strength of their association with the studied indicators. ZSDSI is most closely associated with the chrononutrition indices. There is a weak negative association between BMI and EW (β = −0.03) and NE (β = −0.04). Thus, circadian eating disorders are more often observed in adolescents with poor academic performance, high levels of depression, and food addiction.
Regional and Age-Related Variations in Blood Calcium Levels among Patients with Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax malaria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kotepui Kwuntida Uthaisar , Mahittikorn Aongart , Wilairatana Polrat , Masangkay Frederick Ramirez , Kotepui Manas
Published: October 2023

Despite several studies examining the relationship between calcium levels and malaria, inconsistencies and varied results remain in the literature. This study aimed to synthesize the evidence on the association between blood calcium levels and malaria severity. A systematic literature search was conducted in the Embase, Scopus, PubMed, Ovid, and Google Scholar databases. The studies that investigated calcium levels in participants with malaria were reviewed and included for synthesis. The quality of included studies was assessed based on a standardized checklist by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklists. The thematic synthesis had been used for qualitative synthesis. For the quantitative synthesis, the meta-analysis was performed to estimate the pooled effect sizes for differences in calcium levels between groups of participants using a random effect model using Hedge’s g as a measure of effect size. Out of the 4574 identified records, 14 studies were reviewed. The thematic synthesis across these studies noted a consistent theme: reduced calcium levels in malaria patients compared to uninfected controls. However, the meta-analysis encompassing three specific analyses—comparing calcium levels between malaria patients and controls, severe and non-severe malaria cases, and fatal cases versus survivors—showed no significant difference in calcium levels. The statistics were as follows: (1) p = 0.15, Hedge’s g: −1.00, 95% CI: −2.37–0.38, I2: 98.97, 9 studies; (2) p = 0.35, Hedge’s g: −0.33, 95% CI: −1.02–0.36, I2: 81.61, 3 studies; and (3) p = 0.71, Hedge’s g: −0.14, 95% CI: −0.91–0.62, I2: 87.05, 3 studies. Subgroup analyses indicated that regional disparities, especially between Africa and Asia, and participant age groups may influence these outcomes. While a trend of decreased calcium levels in malaria patients was observed, the meta-analytical results suggest regional and age-related variations. Further investigations should emphasize these differences to better guide clinical management, prognostic applications, and the crafting of policies concerning malaria’s metabolic effects.
Prospective Association between Total and Trimester-Specific Gestational Weight Gain Rate and Physical Growth Status in Children within 24 Months after Birth
Authors: Wang Ke , Shang Bingzi , Ye Peiqi , Wei Qian , Zhang Yunhui , Shi Huijing
Published: October 2023

In this study, our aim was to investigate the potential correlation between the mother’s total gestational weight gain (GWG) rate and the trimester-specific GWG rate (GWGR) with the physical development status of the child within 24 months of age. We utilized linear regression models and linear mixed effects models to explore both time point and longitudinal relationships between GWGR and children’s anthropometric outcome z-scores at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months. To examine the critical exposure windows, we employed multiple informant models. We also conducted a stratified analysis considering pre-pregnancy BMI and the gender of the children. Our findings revealed notable positive associations between total GWGR and z-scores for body mass index for age (BMIZ), head circumference for age (HCZ), weight for age (WAZ), length for age (LAZ), and weight for length (WHZ) across different trimesters of pregnancy (pint < 0.05). The GWGR during the first two trimesters mainly influenced the relationship between total GWGR and BMIZ, WAZ, and LAZ, while the GWGR during the first trimester had a significant impact on the correlation with HCZ (0.206, 95% CI 0.090 to 0.322). Notably, the associations of GWGR and children’s BMIZ were pronounced in male children and pre-pregnancy normal-weight women. In conclusion, our study findings indicated that a higher GWGR during each trimester was associated with greater physical growth during the first 24 months of life, especially GWGR in the first and second trimesters.
Opportunities for Maximizing the Dietary Quality of Fad Diets
Authors: Phelan Jessica M. , Joyce Jillian M. , Bode Katherine , Rosenkranz Sara K.
Published: October 2023

The quality of American diets, measured by the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), has remained stable and low since 2005. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025 call for research analyzing dietary patterns to determine how guidelines might be altered to increase healthy eating. The present paper seeks to determine the dietary quality of popular fad dietary patterns among Americans. A definition of “fad diet” was created, and Google Trends© was searched for popular diets to determine popular dietary patterns based on the fad diet definition. Finally, eight dietary patterns were identified for inclusion. One-week sample menus were created for each dietary pattern, maximizing alignment with the DGAs but staying within the dietary pattern parameters, and then scored according to the HEI 2015 to determine the dietary quality. Total HEI scores ranged from 26.7 (Carnivore) to 89.1 (Low-FODMAP); the six highest total HEI scores were in the range of 77.1–89.1 out of 100 points. This analytical approach showed that some of the included popular fad dietary patterns have the potential to attain a high dietary quality. Rather than suggesting one “best” diet or dietary pattern, there is opportunity to maximize dietary quality in the context of dietary patterns that are considered fad diets.
The Association between Oxidative Balance Score and Urinary Levels of 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine among Japanese Adults
Authors: Nanri Hinako , Hara Megumi , Nishida Yuichiro , Shimanoe Chisato , Li Yun-Shan , Kasai Hiroshi , Kawai Kazuaki , Higaki Yasuki , Tanaka Keitaro
Published: October 2023

The oxidative balance score (OBS), wherein higher OBSs indicate lower oxidative stress, was designed to assess a composite measure of multiple pro-oxidant and antioxidant effects on an individual’s oxidative stress status. This study aimed to evaluate whether OBSs were inversely associated with urinary levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)–an oxidative stress marker–among Japanese adults. This cross-sectional study was based on data obtained during 2010–2012. Overall, 7552 participants from the J-MICC Study Saga who answered a self-administered food frequency questionnaire were recruited for the final analysis. OBSs were calculated from 11 pro-oxidant and antioxidant lifestyle factors, including dietary intake, physical activity, and alcohol and smoking status. Urinary 8-OHdG values were corrected by creatinine level (ng/mg creatinine). Our findings revealed a higher total OBS was significantly associated with lower urinary 8-OHdG/creatinine levels after adjustment for covariates in men and women (p for trend < 0.01 in both sexes). We performed a multiple regression analysis of the association between OBSs and urinary 8-OHdG/creatinine levels stratified by age, body mass index (BMI), and menopausal status and found consistent negative associations in most groups for both sexes. No significant differences in the 60–64 age group for women (standardized β = −0.09, p = 0.13) or BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 for men (standardized β = −0.18, p = 0.17) were observed. A higher OBS had a strong inverse association with urinary 8-OHdG/creatinine levels in men and women among Japanese adults. The OBS might be a useful tool for evaluating the roles of oxidative stress-related lifestyle factors, including diet.
Celiac Disease Dietary Adherence on the Rural–Urban Continuum
Authors: Posterick Amy , Ayars Candace L.
Published: October 2023

Poor adherence to a gluten-free diet for those with celiac disease is a well-established risk factor, leading to gastrointestinal symptoms, malabsorption of nutrients, and psychiatric complications. Previous studies have shown that those outside urban areas encounter unique barriers to dietary adherence and are less likely to engage in health management behaviors than those in urban regions. This study aimed to examine the relationship between gluten-free dietary adherence and individual, relationship, and community factors, including the geographic location of residence on the rural–urban continuum, for 253 adults with celiac disease living in the United States. Those with celiac disease residing in urban regions had significantly better dietary adherence than those residing in nonurban areas (p < 0.05). Those living in nonurban communities had, on average, poor enough adherence scores to suggest ongoing intestinal damage from gluten consumption. Geographic location, age, years since diagnosis, and annual income significantly predicted compliance with a gluten-free diet for those with celiac disease, accounting for nearly 20% of the variance. Those living outside urban areas with a lower income, younger age, and more recent diagnosis of celiac disease had the worst dietary adherence, placing them at the most risk for ongoing disease progression and complications.
Dietary Habits, Meal Timing, and Meal Frequency in Kuwaiti Adults: Analysis of the Kuwait National Nutrition Surveillance Data
Authors: Alkhulaifi Fatema , Al-Hooti Suad , Al-Zenki Sameer , AlOmirah Husam , Darkoh Charles
Published: October 2023

Dietary habits, including meal frequency, meal timing, and skipping meals, have been extensively studied due to their association with the development of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). This study describes dietary habits, meal timing, frequency, skipping meals, and late-night eating in Kuwaiti adults. Kuwait National Nutrition Surveillance System data were utilized to reach the objectives of this study. The findings reveal that approximately 54% of the adults in Kuwait eat after 10 p.m., 29% skip breakfast, and 9.8% skip dinner. Furthermore, adults in Kuwait consume 4.4 meals per day on average. Women skip breakfast more often and have more extended night fasting than men (p < 0.001). Married adults skip breakfast and dinner less than unmarried adults (p < 0.001). In conclusion, this descriptive study provides valuable insights into the dietary habits of Kuwaiti adults, emphasizing the importance of further investigating the association between meal timing, meal frequency, and the prevalence of NCDs in Kuwait.
BMI Increases in Individuals with COVID-19-Associated Olfactory Dysfunction
Authors: Vilarello Brandon J. , Jacobson Patricia T. , Tervo Jeremy P. , Gallagher Liam W. , Caruana Francesco F. , Gary Joseph B. , Saak Tiana M. , Gudis David A. , Joseph Paule V. , Goldberg Terry E. , Devanand D.P. , Overdevest Jonathan B.
Published: October 2023

(1) Background: Reports suggest COVID-19-associated olfactory dysfunction (OD) may result in alterations in dietary behaviors and perceived weight change, but few studies using psychophysical evaluation of post-COVID-19-associated chemosensory dysfunction and body mass index (BMI) exist. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of both quantitative and qualitative features of COVID-19-associated OD on BMI; (2) Methods: Recruitment of thirty-one participants with self-reported OD in the form of quantitative loss with and without qualitative features. Surveys with questions specific to qualitative olfactory function, Sniffin’ Sticks tests, and BMI measures were completed at two visits, one year apart. Group differences were assessed with Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and the Holm–Bonferroni method; (3) Results: Individuals with persistent quantitative OD (n = 15) and self-reported parosmia (n = 19) showed statistically significant increases in BMI after 1 year (p = 0.004, adjusted α = 0.0125; p = 0.011, adjusted α = 0.0167). Controls with transient quantitative OD (n = 16) and participants without self-reported parosmia (n = 12) showed no statistically significant changes in BMI over the same time period (p = 0.079, adjusted α = 0.05; p = 0.028, adjusted α = 0.025); (4) Conclusions: This study shows an association between COVID-19-associated OD and BMI, suggesting olfaction may play a role in altering dietary habits and nutrition in this population. Larger study cohorts are needed to further evaluate this relationship.
Plasma Phospholipid Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Associations with Neurocognition
Authors: Ling Jinjie , Keilp John G. , Galfalvy Hanga C. , Cardino Vanessa N. , Ahmed Alyina , Burke Ainsley K. , Fenton Jenifer I. , Mann J. John , Sublette M. Elizabeth
Published: October 2023

Neurocognitive deficits are implicated in major depressive disorder (MDD) and suicidal behavior, and cognitive function may be affected by blood levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Neuroprotective functions have been described for omega-3 (n-3) PUFAs, while omega-6 (n-6) PUFAs exhibit broadly opposing activities. Both classes of PUFAs are linked to MDD and suicidal behavior. However, few studies have investigated the relationships between PUFAs and neurocognitive function with respect to MDD or suicidal behavior. Among participants with MDD (n = 45) and healthy volunteers (HV, n = 30) we assessed performance on tasks of attentional capacity and executive function and its relationship to plasma phospholipid PUFA levels, expressed as a percentage of total plasma phospholipids, for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA%), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA%), and arachidonic acid (AA%). Regression models tested the correlations between PUFA levels and task performance in three groups: MDD with a history of suicide attempt (SA, n = 20), MDD with no attempts (NA, n = 25), and HV. Interaction testing indicated a significant positive correlation of EPA% with continuous performance test scores in the NA group (F = 4.883, df = 2,72, p = 0.01), a measure of sustained attention. The AA% correlated negatively with performance on two executive function tasks, object alternation (beta = −3.97, z-score = −2.67, p = 0.008) and the Wisconsin card sort (beta = 0.80, t-score = −2.16, df = 69, p = 0.035), after adjustment for group and age, with no group effects. Our findings suggest a role for PUFA imbalance in attentional functioning and executive performance; however, no MDD-specific effect was observed.
Factors Associated with Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamases and Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Bloodstream Infections: A Five-Year Retrospective Study
Authors: Tofarides Andreas G. , Dimitriou Panagiotis , Nikolopoulos Georgios K. , Rogkas Dimitrios , Flourou Christina , Khattab Elina , Kasapi Diamanto , Azina Chara , Christaki Eirini
Published: October 2023

Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the leading causes of nosocomial infections. It has been estimated that nosocomial infection by Klebsiella pneumoniae comprises 3–8% of all nosocomial infections. Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infections (BSIs) occur worldwide with varying mortality. Resistant strains, like those producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) and carbapenemases, are becoming increasingly common, especially in hospital settings, posing therapeutic challenges. In this article, we aimed to study the epidemiology and risk factors of BSIs due to resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains in the period 1 January 2014–31 December 2018 at the Nicosia General Hospital, the largest tertiary hospital in Cyprus. Data on demographics, co-morbidities, prior hospitalization, prior intensive care unit (ICU) admission, previous antimicrobial use, nosocomial acquisition of the infection, the presence of a prosthetic device or surgery, and the primary site of infection were retrospectively recorded. Associations between the detection of ESBL Klebsiella pneumoniae BSIs and factors/covariates were examined using logistic regression. This study involved 175 patients with BSI caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae. Of these, 61 BSIs were caused by ESBL strains, 101 by non-ESBL, and 13 by carbapenem-resistant (CR) strains. In univariable analyses, age, sex, heart disease, antimicrobial use during current admission, previous hospitalization (ward or ICU), and primary BSI were associated with the presence of an ESBL strain. Antibiotic use during current admission and heart disease remained statistically significantly associated with ESBL Klebsiella pneumoniae BSI in multivariable models. Antibiotic use during current admission, respiratory infection, and a recent history of surgery were more prevalent among CR Klebsiella pneumoniae BSI patients than among non-CR Klebsiella pneumoniae BSI patients. Our study showed that recent antimicrobial use and heart disease were associated with BSI due to ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae. This finding could inform clinical practice in hospital settings.
The FDA’s New Guideline “Generally Accepted Scientific Knowledge” (GASK): An Opportunity to Expedite the Approval of Biosimilars
Authors: Niazi Sarfaraz K.
Published: October 2023

The US FDA’s new guideline suggests using “Generally Accepted Science Knowledge” (GASK) to develop nonclinical testing protocols for developing drugs and biologicals to remove unnecessary testing. Interpreting acceptable scientific knowledge as a rational approach has motivated the author to suggest substantial changes to the development of biosimilars, as demonstrated in this paper. The FDA can accept these suggestions without requiring any legislative change to the Act that defines such requirements. Suggested here is the waiving of clinical efficacy testing due to its lower sensitivity compared to analytical and functional testing and pharmacokinetic profiling. Also questioned is the need to test pharmacodynamic markers that do not correlate with clinical response and find new biomarkers requiring extensive testing to validate their use. Should the FDA accept these scientifically rational suggestions, it will significantly reduce the time and cost of approving biosimilars without safety or efficacy risk, as justified based on acceptable scientific knowledge and rationality.
Photoacoustic Tomography Combined with Ultrasound Mapping for Guiding Fine-Needle Aspiration of Thyroid Nodules: A Pilot Study
Authors: Wen Yanting , Wu Dan , Liu Xiaotian , Xie Yonghua , Zhang Jing , Yang Ying , Wu Yun , Jiang Shixie , Jiang Huabei
Published: October 2023

This study aims to explore the feasibility of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) under dual modal photoacoustic tomography(PAT)/ultrasound (US) imaging. A total of 25 patients who have thyroid nodules with thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TIRADS) 3 and 4 (malignant risk <85%) were recruited. The specimens obtained from the PAT/US-guided FNAB were collected for cytology analysis. Cytological diagnoses for the 25 patients were classified in perspective of the Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology diagnostic category (DC) I: 4%(1/25); DC II: 12% (3/25); DC III: 20% (5/25); DC IV: 8% (2/25); DC V: 32% (8/25); and DC VI: 24% (6/25). The DC I nodule exhibited inadequate cytology and had structural characteristic of predominant calcifications in PAT/US mapping. The DC V-VI nodules showed lower photoacoustic (PA) signals compared to the DC I-IV nodules. Regions with a high PA signal demonstrated a significant number of erythrocytes in FNAB cytology. Moreover, nodules with microcalcifications did not show a significant difference compared to their surroundings in the PA signal, while nodules with macrocalcifications gave higher PA signals compared to their surroundings. The conclusions are as follows: combining US with PAT can evaluate the structure and function of thyroid nodules in vivo. This study demonstrates that dual modal PAT/US imaging has the potential to be an effective clinical tool to guide FNAB of thyroid nodules.
Analysis of the Impact of Electrochemical Properties of Copper-Doped Electrode Membranes on the Output Force of Biomimetic Artificial Muscles
Authors: Ji Yingxin , Wang Keyi , Zhao Gang
Published: October 2023

In this study, a biomimetic artificial muscle electroactive actuator was fabricated using environmentally friendly sodium alginate extract. Ultrasonic agitation was employed to embed ultrafine copper powder within a mesh-like structure formed by multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), aimed at reducing the internal resistance of the composite electrode membrane and enhancing its output force performance. Focused gallium ion beam-scanning electron microscopy observations, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis, and surface morphology imaging confirmed the successful incorporation of the ultrafine copper powder into the MWCNT network. Additionally, we designed and constructed an output force measurement apparatus to assess the output performance of biomimetic artificial muscles (BMAMs) doped with varying quantities of ultrafine copper powder. Electrochemical testing results demonstrated that the artificial muscles exhibited optimal performance when doped with a mass of 1.5 g, yielding a maximum output force of 6.96 mN, an output force density of 30.64 mN/g, and a peak average rate of 0.059 mN/s. These values represented improvements of 224%, 189%, and 222% compared to the electrode membrane without the addition of ultrafine copper powder, respectively.
Highly Flexible and Foldable Paper-Based Thermoelectric Generator Prepared with Post-Treatment-Free PEDOT:PSS Hybrid Ink
Authors: Chen Guixiang , He Zhenhang , Liu Zhen , Li Xin , Yao Zhengyin , Zhang Peng
Published: October 2023

Paper-based thermoelectric (PTE) generators have recently emerged as a green technology that can help alleviate environment pollution and the energy crisis. In this work, a PTE generator was prepared by coating a post-treatment-free thermoelectric ink consisting of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) doped with 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium:tricyanomethanide (EMIM:TCM) onto the card paper. By tuning the molar concentration of the EMIM:TCM to 0.17 M and with hot-pressing, the PTE generator showed a decent power factor (PF) value of 6.82 μW m−1 K−2, which was higher than the values of PTE in the literature. This phenomenon could be attributed to the synergistic effect of high-performance thermoelectric ink (i.e., PF = 175 μW m−1 K−2 when deposited on glass slide) and the hot-pressing. The hot-pressing enhanced the packing density of cellulose fibers and the associated PEDOT:PSS hybrid, which enabled the formation of long-range conductive paths. In addition, the PTE had good mechanical stability, indicated by no significant change of the power factor values after cyclic folding 10,000 times. Moreover, the structure of as-prepared PTE could be easily tuned into different shapes that are promising for the preparation of flexible wearable thermoelectric generators.
Structure–Property Correlation in Natural Rubber Nanocomposite Foams: A Comparison between Nanoclay and Cellulose Nanofiber Used as Nanofillers
Authors: Wongvasana Bunsita , Thongnuanchan Bencha , Masa Abdulhakim , Saito Hiromu , Sakai Tadamoto , Lopattananon Natinee
Published: October 2023

Nanocomposite foams of natural rubber (NR) with 5 phr of two kinds of nanofillers, nanoclay (NC) and cellulose nanofiber (CNF), were produced using the latex mixing method and foaming with azodicarbonamide. The effect of the nanofiller on the structure and mechanical properties of NR foams was investigated through SEM, TEM, tensile tests, WAXD, and compression set measurements. Smaller cells with a narrower distribution were attained in the NC/NR foam when compared to the NR and CNF/NR foams, and the expansion ratio was larger due to the suppression of the shrinkage in the NC/NR foam. The foaming of the NR nanocomposites reduced the size of the filler aggregates and improved the dispersion and alignment of nanofillers in the cell walls. The addition of NC and CNF enhanced the tensile strength of the NR foam by 139% and 62%, respectively, without sacrificing the excellent strain of the NR, due to the acceleration of the strain-induced crystallization and small size of the filler aggregates. The compression set of the NR foam could also be reduced in the NC/NR foam compared with the NR and CNF/NR foams.
Multifaceted Shape Memory Polymer Technology for Biomedical Application: Combining Self-Softening and Stretchability Properties
Authors: Chitrakar Chandani , Torres Marc Anthony , Rocha-Flores Pedro Emanuel , Hu Qichan , Ecker Melanie
Published: October 2023

Thiol-ene polymers are a promising class of biomaterials with a wide range of potential applications, including organs-on-a-chip, microfluidics, drug delivery, and wound healing. These polymers offer flexibility, softening, and shape memory properties. However, they often lack the inherent stretchability required for wearable or implantable devices. This study investigated the incorporation of di-acrylate chain extenders to improve the stretchability and conformability of those flexible thiol-ene polymers. Thiol-ene/acrylate polymers were synthesized using 1,3,5-triallyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione (TATATO), Trimethylolpropanetris (3-mercaptopropionate) (TMTMP), and Polyethylene Glycol Diacrylate (PEGDA) with different molecular weights (Mn 250 and Mn 575). Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the complete reaction among the monomers. Uniaxial tensile testing demonstrated the softening and stretching capability of the polymers. The Young’s Modulus dropped from 1.12 GPa to 260 MPa upon adding 5 wt% PEGDA 575, indicating that the polymer softened. The Young’s Modulus was further reduced to 15 MPa under physiologic conditions. The fracture strain, a measure of stretchability, increased from 55% to 92% with the addition of 5 wt% PEGDA 575. A thermomechanical analysis further confirmed that PEGDA could be used to tune the polymer’s glass transition temperature (Tg). Moreover, our polymer exhibited shape memory properties. Our results suggested that thiol-ene/acrylate polymers are a promising new class of materials for biomedical applications requiring flexibility, stretchability, and shape memory properties.
Laser-Induced Graphene Formation on Polyimide Using UV to Mid-Infrared Laser Radiation
Authors: Fiodorov Vitalij , Trusovas Romualdas , Mockus Zenius , Ratautas Karolis , Račiukaitis Gediminas
Published: October 2023

Our study presents laser-assisted methods to produce conductive graphene layers on the polymer surface. Specimens were treated using two different lasers at ambient and nitrogen atmospheres. A solid-state picosecond laser generating 355 nm, 532 nm, or 1064 nm wavelengths and a CO2 laser generating mid-infrared 10.6 µm wavelength radiation operating in a pulsed regime were used in experiments. Sheet resistance measurements and microscopic analysis of treated sample surfaces were made. The chemical structure of laser-treated surfaces was investigated using Raman spectroscopy, and it showed the formation of high-quality few-layer graphene structures on the PI surface. The intensity ratios I(2D)/I(G) and I(D)/I(G) of samples treated with 1064 nm wavelength in nitrogen atmosphere were 0.81 and 0.46, respectively. After laser treatment, a conductive laser-induced graphene layer with a sheet resistance as low as 5 Ω was formed. Further, copper layers with a thickness of 3–10 µm were deposited on laser-formed graphene using a galvanic plating. The techniques of forming a conductive graphene layer on a polymer surface have a great perspective in many fields, especially in advanced electronic applications to fabricate copper tracks on 3D materials.
‘Bleeding Catholicism’: Liberation Theology’s Demise and the Emergence of Pentecostalism in Latin America
Authors: Recio Huetos Javier
Published: October 2023

This essay examines the apparent decline of Liberation theology and the rise of Pentecostalism in Latin America. Due to the retreat of Liberation theology from the forefront of public discourse in 1989 and the larger loss of emancipatory philosophy, Catholicism in Latin America has experienced bleeding, losing adherence to charismatic religions over time. Through an examination of the socio-religious landscape, this study seeks to determine whether there is any relationship between the growth of Pentecostalism and the demise of Liberation theology in a Neoliberal Age. This study aims to shed light on the complex relationships that exist between social shifts, religious concepts, the evolving religious landscape, and the social order in Latin America.
Simulating the Land Use and Carbon Storage for Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) under Multi-Scenarios in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area: Integration of Remote Sensing Data and the RF–Markov–CA–InVEST Model
Authors: Li Guiyuan , Cheng Guo , Liu Guohua , Chen Chi , He Yu
Published: October 2023

Rapid industrialisation and urbanisation have moved contemporary civilization ahead but also deepened clashes with nature. Human society’s long-term evolution faces a number of serious problems, including the climate issue and frequent natural disasters. This research analyses the spatiotemporal evolution features of land use remote sensing data from 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020. Under the Nature-based Solutions (NbS) idea, four scenarios are established: Business as Usual (BAU), Woodland Conservation (WLC), Arable Land Conservation (ALC), and Urban Transformation and Development (UTD). The RF–Markov–CA model is used to simulate the spatiotemporal patterns of land use for the years 2025 and 2030. Furthermore, the InVEST model is utilised to assess and forecast the spatiotemporal evolution features of carbon storage. The findings show that (1) the primary land use categories in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area (TGRA) from 2005 to 2020 are arable land and woodland. Arable land has a declining tendency, whereas woodland has an increasing–decreasing trend. (2) The WLC scenario exhibits the greatest growth in woodland and the lowest drop in grassland from 2020 to 2030, indicating a more stable ecosystem. (3) The TGRA demonstrates substantial geographic variation in carbon storage from 2005 to 2030, with a broad distribution pattern of “higher in the north, lower in the south, higher in the east, lower in the west, with the reservoir head > reservoir centre > reservoir tail”. (4) In comparison to the other three scenarios, the WLC scenario sees a slower development of construction and arable land from 2020 to 2030, whereas the ecological land area rises the highest and carbon storage increases. As a result, the WLC scenario is the TGRA’s recommended development choice. The study’s findings have substantial implications for the TGRA’s ecological preservation and management, as well as for the optimisation of ecosystem carbon cycling and the promotion of regional sustainable development.
Rangeland Brush Estimation Tool (RaBET): An Operational Remote Sensing-Based Application for Quantifying Woody Cover on Western Rangelands
Authors: Holifield Collins Chandra , Skirvin Susan , Kautz Mark , Winston Zachary , Curley Dustin , Corrales Andrew , Bishop Andrew , Bishop Nadine , Norton Cynthia , Ponce-Campos Guillermo , Armendariz Gerardo , Metz Loretta , Heilman Philip , van Leeuwen Willem
Published: October 2023

Much of the western United States is covered by rangelands used for grazing and wildlife. Woody plant cover is increasing in areas historically covered by grasslands and can cause numerous problems, including losses in wildlife habitat, forage for grazing, and overall losses in soil health. Land managers and conservationists are working to control these increases in woody plants, but need tools to help determine target areas to focus efforts and resources where they are most needed. In this work, we present RaBET (Rangeland Brush Estimation Tool), which uses transparent, well-understood methodologies with remotely sensed data to map woody canopy cover across large areas of rangelands. We demonstrate that our process produced more accurate results than two currently available tools based on advanced machine learning techniques. We compare two methods of map validation: traditional field methods of plant canopy measurements; and aircraft-based photography, which decreases the amount of time and resources needed. RaBET is a remote sensing-based application for obtaining repeatable, accurate measures of woody cover to aid land managers and conservationists in the control of woody plants on rangelands.
Analysis of the Vertical Distribution and Driving Factors of Aerosol and Ozone Precursors in Huaniao Island, China, Based on Ground-Based MAX-DOAS
Authors: Ou Jinping , Hu Qihou , Xing Chengzhi , Zhu Yizhi , Feng Jiaxuan , Ji Xiangguang , Zhang Mingzhu , Wang Xinqi , Li Liyuan , Liu Ting , Chang Bowen , Li Qihua , Yin Hao , Liu Cheng
Published: October 2023

Urban air pollution has become a regional environmental problem. In order to explore whether island areas were affected by the urban development of surrounding areas, in this paper, we systematically study the vertical distribution characteristics of atmospheric components, meteorological drivers, potential pollution sources, and the population health risks of fine particulate matter in island cities in China. The vertical profiles of three atmospheric pollutants (aerosols, NO2, and HCHO) in the lower troposphere of Huaniao Island in the East China Sea (ECS) were obtained using ground-based multi-axial differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS). The results show that the aerosol extinction coefficients, NO2, and HCHO were primarily distributed at altitudes below 1 km, and the atmospheric pollutants in Zhoushan were obviously affected by high-altitude transfer. The main meteorological driving factors of aerosols, NO2, and HCHO were different at different altitudes. The key factor contributing to the high column concentrations of NO2 and HCHO in the upper air (greater than 400 m) was the transport of pollutants brought about by changes in wind speed. By exploring the main potential sources of atmospheric pollutants, it was found that the main sources of aerosols, NO2, and HCHO are coastal cities in the Yangtze River Delta, including southeast Zhejiang Province, southeast Fujian Province, Shanghai, ECS, and the Yellow Sea. Compared with aerosols and HCHO, local primary emissions are an important source of NO2, which are mainly related to industrial activities in Zhoushan Port. In addition, using the expose-response function model, the number of attributable cases of PM2.5 air pollution in Zhoushan City in 2019 accounted for 6.58% of the total population. This study enriches our understanding of the vertical distribution characteristics of atmospheric composition and health risk assessment on Chinese islands.
Remote Sensing of Planetary Boundary Layer Thermodynamic and Material Structures over a Large Steel Plant, China
Authors: Ren Xinbing , Zhao Liping , Ma Yongjing , Wu Junsong , Zhou Fentao , Jia Danjie , Zhao Dandan , Xin Jinyuan
Published: October 2023

Air pollutants emitted by industries can significantly affect local air quality and jeopardize human health, and the study of the boundary layer thermodynamic structure and diffusion capacity over industrial plants can be beneficial for the improvement of corporate air pollution control measures. The continuous high temporal and spatial resolution monitoring of the boundary layer structure (thermal, dynamic, and material) by advanced remote sensing instruments over a single strong industrial source (steel plant) in Shanxi Province, China, from May to June 2021 revealed the boundary layer characteristics under the influence of a single strong local anthropogenic influence. Strong nocturnal temperature inversions and grounded temperature inversions were prone to occur over industrial sources. The local wind field was characterized by significant daily variations, with the whole-layer airflow during the daytime dominated by southwesterly winds. At night, under the influence of radiation, topography, and surface, the airflow was dominated by easterly winds with low speeds (less than 2 m/s) in the low altitude range of 100 m, while the wind direction was still dominated by southwesterly winds with higher speeds in the altitude of 100 m. In addition, the average atmospheric diffusion capacity increased significantly with height in the 500 m altitude range, with an increase in rate of about 2~3 times/50 m, and continued to show a discontinuous increasing trend above 500 m. Combined with the wind direction and wind speed contours, it can be seen that the pollutants can be effectively dispersed at a height of 100 m. The thermal and turbulent boundary layer heights were highly consistent, and the material boundary layer height was significantly higher than the thermal and turbulent boundary layer heights during the daytime when convection was strong.
Quantitative Analysis of Tidal Creek Evolution and Vegetation Variation in Silting Muddy Flats on the Yellow Sea
Authors: Zheng Guanghui , Wang Yan , Zhao Chengyi , Dai Wen , Kattel Giri Raj , Zhou Dian
Published: October 2023

Coastal wetland ecosystems around the world are facing serious challenges due to rapid economic development, climate change, and sea level rise. These factors have a great influence on the tidal creek network and vegetation ecosystem. Accordingly, based on long-term time-series remote sensing images, the evolution characteristics of tidal creeks and vegetation in silting muddy flats on the Yellow Sea were analyzed, and different quantitative methods were used to describe the relationship between tidal creeks and vegetation. The results showed that the total number of tidal creeks exhibited a downward trend, while the number of small creeks increased over time. The total length of the tidal creeks decreased at a rate of 16.1 km per year during the study period. The length of three-grade tidal creeks, the patch area ratio of Suaeda salsa, and a low vegetation coverage had a great influence on the average return flow length (LOP). LOP was negatively correlated with the patch area ratio of S. salsa, but positively correlated with the reclamation area, both significantly. With the increase in the patch area ratio of S. salsa, the total length of the tidal creeks increased by 12.95 km, and LOP decreased by 35.35 m.
Surface Reflectance and Aerosol Retrieval from SPOT-VGT and PROBA-V in the Mission Exploitation Platform Environment
Authors: Luffarelli Marta , Franceschini Lucio , Govaerts Yves , Niro Fabrizio , De Grandis Erminia
Published: October 2023

Observations acquired by the SPOT-VEGETATION and PROBA-V missions offer a unique opportunity to improve our understanding of the climate, providing global and continuous data over the land surface over 20 years. The possibility of generating a long-term climate data record from the entire archive, stored on the Mission Exploitation Platform (MEP), is here explored. For this purpose, in the framework of the ESA-funded SPAR@MEP project, the Combined Inversion of Surface and Aerosols (CISAR) algorithm has been applied to the SPOT-VGT and PROBA-V archive, following the harmonization of the observations according to the Fidelity and Uncertainty in Climate data records from Earth Observations (FIDUCEO) principles. CISAR has been applied to the full 20-year harmonized archive over key areas, as well as to one year of global acquisition from PROBA-V, processed at 5 km resolution, to derive aerosol single-scattering properties and surface reflectance. The retrieval is evaluated in terms of consistency among the three sensors and against reference datasets, including ground-based observations, models, and other sensor products. This activity has revealed the importance of characterizing the radiometric uncertainty for every processed pixel.
Chaotic Mapping Lion Optimization Algorithm-Based Node Localization Approach for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Motwakel Abdelwahed , Hashim Aisha Hassan Abdalla , Alamro Hayam , Alqahtani Hamed , Alotaibi Faiz Abdullah , Sayed Ahmed
Published: October 2023

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) contain several small, autonomous sensor nodes (SNs) able to process, transfer, and wirelessly sense data. These networks find applications in various domains like environmental monitoring, industrial automation, healthcare, and surveillance. Node Localization (NL) is a major problem in WSNs, aiming to define the geographical positions of sensors correctly. Accurate localization is essential for distinct WSN applications comprising target tracking, environmental monitoring, and data routing. Therefore, this paper develops a Chaotic Mapping Lion Optimization Algorithm-based Node Localization Approach (CMLOA-NLA) for WSNs. The purpose of the CMLOA-NLA algorithm is to define the localization of unknown nodes based on the anchor nodes (ANs) as a reference point. In addition, the CMLOA is mainly derived from the combination of the tent chaotic mapping concept into the standard LOA, which tends to improve the convergence speed and precision of NL. With extensive simulations and comparison results with recent localization approaches, the effectual performance of the CMLOA-NLA technique is illustrated. The experimental outcomes demonstrate considerable improvement in terms of accuracy as well as efficiency. Furthermore, the CMLOA-NLA technique was demonstrated to be highly robust against localization error and transmission range with a minimum average localization error of 2.09%.
Confirmation of Dissipative Sensing Enhancement in a Microresonator Using Multimode Input
Authors: Rajagopal Sreekul Raj , Ke Limu , Sandoval Karleyda , Rosenberger Albert T.
Published: October 2023

Optical microresonators have proven to be especially useful for sensing applications. In most cases, the sensing mechanism is dispersive, where the resonance frequency of a mode shifts in response to a change in the ambient index of refraction. It is also possible to conduct dissipative sensing, in which absorption by an analyte causes measurable changes in the mode linewidth and in the throughput dip depth. If the mode is overcoupled, the dip depth response can be more sensitive than the linewidth response, but overcoupling is not always easy to achieve. We have recently shown theoretically that using multimode input to the microresonator can enhance the dip-depth sensitivity by a factor of several thousand relative to that of single-mode input and by a factor of nearly 100 compared to the linewidth sensitivity. Here, we experimentally confirm these enhancements using an absorbing dye dissolved in methanol inside a hollow bottle resonator. We review the theory, describe the setup and procedure, detail the fabrication and characterization of an asymmetrically tapered fiber to produce multimode input, and present sensing enhancement results that agree with all the predictions of the theory.