bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolic Predictors of Cardiorespiratory Fitness Responsiveness to Continuous Endurance and High-Intensity Interval Training Programs: The TIMES Study—A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Castro Alex , Ferreira Antonio Gilberto , Catai Aparecida Maria , Amaral Matheus Alejandro Bolina , Cavaglieri Claudia Regina , Chacon-Mikahil Mara Patrícia Traina
Published: September 2024

Background/Objectives: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) levels significantly modulate the risk of cardiometabolic diseases, aging, and mortality. Nevertheless, there is a substantial interindividual variability in CRF responsiveness to a given standardized exercise dose despite the type of training. Predicting the responsiveness to regular exercise has the potential to contribute to personalized exercise medicine applications. This study aimed to identify predictive biomarkers for the classification of CRF responsiveness based on serum and intramuscular metabolic levels before continuous endurance training (ET) or high-intensity interval training (HIIT) programs using a randomized controlled trial. Methods: Forty-three serum and seventy intramuscular (vastus lateralis) metabolites were characterized and quantified via proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), and CRF levels (expressed in METs) were measured in 70 sedentary young men (age: 23.7 ± 3.0 years; BMI: 24.8 ± 2.5 kg·m−2), at baseline and post 8 weeks of the ET, HIIT, and control (CO) periods. A multivariate binary logistic regression model was used to classify individuals at baseline as Responders or Non-responders to CRF gains after the training programs. Results: CRF responses ranged from 0.9 to 3.9 METs for ET, 1.1 to 4.7 METs for HIIT, and −0.9 to 0.2 METs for CO. The frequency of Responder/Non-responder individuals between ET (76.7%/23.3%) and HIIT (90.0%/10.0%) programs was similar (p = 0.166). The model based on serum O-acetylcarnitine levels [OR (odds ratio) = 4.72, p = 0.012] classified Responder/Non-responders individuals to changes in CRF regardless of the training program with 78.0% accuracy (p = 0.006), while the intramuscular model based on creatinine levels (OR = 4.53, p = 0.0137) presented 72.3% accuracy (p = 0.028). Conclusions: These results highlight the potential value of serum and intramuscular metabolites as biomarkers for the classification of CRF responsiveness previous to different aerobic training programs.
Analysis of the Respiratory Activity in the Antarctic Yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa M94C9 Reveals the Presence of Respiratory Supercomplexes and Alternative Elements
Authors: Reyes-Rosario Daniel , Pardo Juan Pablo , Guerra-Sánchez Guadalupe , Vázquez-Meza Héctor , López-Hernández Georgina , Matus-Ortega Genaro , González James , Baeza Marcelo , Romero-Aguilar Lucero
Published: September 2024

The respiratory activities of mitochondrial complexes I, II, and IV were analyzed in permeabilized Rhodotorula mucilaginosa cells and isolated mitochondria, and the kinetic parameters K0.5 and Vmax were obtained. No difference in substrate affinities were found between mitochondria and permeabilized cells. The activities of the components of the mitochondrial respiratory chain of the Antarctic yeast R. mucilaginosa M94C9 were identified by in-gel activity and SDS-PAGE. The mitochondria exhibited activity for the classical components of the electron transport chain (Complexes I, II, III, and IV), and supercomplexes were formed by a combination of the respiratory complexes I, III, and IV. Unfortunately, the activities of the monomeric and dimeric forms of the F1F0-ATP synthase were not revealed by the in-gel assay, but the two forms of the ATP synthase were visualized in the SDS-PAGE. Furthermore, two alternative pathways for the oxidation of cytosolic NADH were identified: the alternative NADH dehydrogenase and the glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. In addition, an NADPH dehydrogenase and a lactate cytochrome b2 dehydrogenase were found. The residual respiratory activity following cyanide addition suggests the presence of an alternative oxidase in cells.
Bacterial N-Acyl Homoserine Lactone Priming Enhances Leaf-Rust Resistance in Winter Wheat and Some Genomic Regions Are Associated with Priming Efficiency
Authors: Soleimani Behnaz , Lehnert Heike , Schikora Adam , Stahl Andreas , Matros Andrea , Wehner Gwendolin
Published: September 2024

Leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) is a common disease that causes significant yield losses in wheat. The most frequently used methods to control leaf rust are the application of fungicides and the cultivation of resistant genotypes. However, high genetic diversity and associated adaptability of pathogen populations hamper achieving durable resistance in wheat. Emerging alternatives, such as microbial priming, may represent an effective measure to stimulate plant defense mechanisms and could serve as a means of controlling a broad range of pathogens. In this study, 175 wheat genotypes were inoculated with two bacterial strains: Ensifer meliloti strain expR+ch (producing N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL)) or transformed E. meliloti carrying the lactonase gene attM (control). In total, 21 genotypes indicated higher resistance upon bacterial AHL priming. Subsequently, the phenotypic data of 175 genotypes combined with 9917 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a genome-wide association study to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and associated markers for relative infection under attM and expR+ch conditions and priming efficiency using the Genome Association and Prediction Integrated Tool (GAPIT). In total, 15 QTLs for relative infection under both conditions and priming efficiency were identified on chromosomes 1A, 1B, 2A, 3A, 3B, 3D, 6A, and 6B, which may represent targets for wheat breeding for priming and leaf-rust resistance.
Lignin Nanoparticles: Transforming Environmental Remediation
Authors: Khan Pirzada , Ali Sajid , Jan Rahmatullah , Kim Kyung-Min
Published: September 2024

In the face of escalating environmental challenges driven by human activities, the quest for innovative solutions to counter pollution, contamination, and ecological degradation has gained paramount importance. Traditional approaches to environmental remediation often fall short in addressing the complexity and scale of modern-day environmental problems. As industries transition towards sustainable paradigms, the exploration of novel materials and technologies becomes crucial. Lignin nanoparticles have emerged as a promising avenue of exploration in this context. Once considered a mere byproduct, lignin’s unique properties and versatile functional groups have propelled it to the forefront of environmental remediation research. This review paper delves into the resurgence of lignin from an environmental perspective, examining its pivotal role in carbon cycling and its potential to address various environmental challenges. The paper extensively discusses the synthesis, properties, and applications of lignin nanoparticles in diverse fields such as water purification and soil remediation. Moreover, it highlights the challenges associated with nanoparticle deployment, ranging from Eco toxicological assessments to scalability issues. Multidisciplinary collaboration and integration of research findings with real-world applications are emphasized as critical factors for unlocking the transformative potential of lignin nanoparticles. Ultimately, this review underscores lignin nanoparticles as beacons of hope in the pursuit of cleaner, healthier, and more harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature through innovative environmental remediation strategies.
A “Talking” between Gold Nanoparticle and a Luminescent Iridium(III) Complex: A Study of the Effect Due to the Interaction between Plasmon Resonance and a Fluorophore
Authors: Candreva Angela , Ricciardi Loredana , Szerb Elisabeta I. , La Deda Massimo
Published: September 2024

This paper explores a novel synthesis and characterization of silica-coated gold nanorods (AuNRs) embedding a highly emissive cyclometalated iridium(III) complex, denoted as Ir1. We investigate the optical properties and the interplay between the metal compound and gold plasmon, observing how the emission of Ir1 incorporated into the nanoparticles shows two emission bands, one in the blue and the other in the green-orange range of the visible spectrum. To obtain a clearer picture of what we were observing, we synthesized analogous nanosystems, from which it was possible to highlight the effect of different features. Based on what we observed, we proposed that the fraction of the iridium(III) complex in direct contact with the surface of the gold nanoparticle undergoes a “demixing” of the excited state, which, for cyclometalated iridium complexes, is generally considered a mixed LC+MLCT state. This preliminary study sheds light on the complexity of the “talking” between a fluorophore and a plasmonic system, highlighting the importance of considering the emitter typology when modeling such systems.
Back to the Origin: Mechanisms of circRNA-Directed Regulation of Host Genes in Human Disease
Authors: Yuan Haomiao , Liao Xizhou , Hu Ding , Guan Dawei , Tian Meihui
Published: September 2024

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been shown to be pivotal regulators in various human diseases by participating in gene splicing, acting as microRNA (miRNA) sponges, interacting with RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), and translating into short peptides. As the back-splicing products of pre-mRNAs, many circRNAs can modulate the expression of their host genes through transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational, and post-translational control via interaction with other molecules. This review provides a detailed summary of these regulatory mechanisms based on the class of molecules that they interact with, which encompass DNA, mRNA, miRNA, and RBPs. The co-expression of circRNAs with their parental gene productions (including linear counterparts and proteins) provides potential diagnostic biomarkers for multiple diseases. Meanwhile, the different regulatory mechanisms by which circRNAs act on their host genes via interaction with other molecules constitute complex regulatory networks, which also provide noticeable clues for therapeutic strategies against diseases. Future research should explore whether these proven mechanisms can play a similar role in other types of disease and clarify further details about the cross-talk between circRNAs and host genes. In addition, the regulatory relationship between circRNAs and their host genes in circRNA circularization, degradation, and cellular localization should receive further attention.
Investigation of the Vitamin D Metabolite Ratio (VMR) as a Marker of Functional Vitamin D Deficiency: Findings from the SarcoPhAge Cohort
Authors: Ladang Aurélie , Gendebien Anne-Sophie , Kovacs Stéphanie , Demonceau Céline , Beaudart Charlotte , Peeters Stéphanie , Alokail Majed S. , Al-Daghri Nasser M. , Le Goff Caroline , Reginster Jean-Yves , Bruyere Olivier , Cavalier Etienne
Published: September 2024

Background: The vitamin D metabolite ratio (VMR) has recently been identified as a potentially better indicator of vitamin D deficiency than 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) alone. This study aims to validate these findings by demonstrating that VMR is more strongly correlated with parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels than 25(OH)D and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25(OH)2D). In addition, the study investigates VMR as a more effective predictor of mortality than 25(OH)D and 24,25(OH)2D. Methods: The SarcoPhAge cohort is a Belgian cohort of community-dwelling older adults. Levels of 25(OH)D and 24,25(OH)2D were measured in 204 serum samples collected at the second year of follow-up using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS), and VMR was calculated using the formula: VMR = (24,25(OH)D/25(OH)D) × 100. Vitamin D deficiency cut-offs were defined at 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL, 24,25(OH)2D < 1.2 ng/mL, or VMR < 4% according to previously proposed cut-offs. Participants were followed for up to 9 years. Results: A total of 35 individuals (17.2%) had 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL, 40 individuals (19.6%) had 24,25(OH)2D < 1.2 ng/mL, and 14 individuals (7.0%) had VMR < 4%. All three markers, 25(OH)D, 24,25(OH)2D, and VMR, were independently associated with PTH levels, with VMR showing the strongest correlation (rho: −0.292; p < 0.0001). When categorized into quartiles, only 24,25(OH)2D and VMR showed significant increases in PTH levels across quartiles (p = 0.002 and p < 0.0001, respectively). When cut-offs for low vitamin D status were applied, patients with low VMR had the highest rate of all-cause mortality. However, in a Cox proportional hazard regression model, both low VMR profile and low 25(OH)D profile were risk factors for all-cause mortality. Conclusions: This study confirms that VMR is an efficient biomarker for assessing functional vitamin D deficiency.
Advances in Leishmania Vaccines: Current Development and Future Prospects
Authors: Ayala Andreina , Llanes Alejandro , Lleonart Ricardo , Restrepo Carlos M.
Published: September 2024

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania. As approved human vaccines are not available, treatment and prevention rely heavily on toxic chemotherapeutic agents, which face increasing resistance problems. The development of effective vaccines against human leishmaniasis is of utmost importance for the control of the disease. Strategies that have been considered for this purpose range from whole-killed and attenuated parasites to recombinant proteins and DNA vaccines. The ideal vaccine must be safe and effective, ensuring lasting immunity through a robust IL-12-driven Th1 adaptive immune response. Despite some success and years of effort, human vaccine trials have encountered difficulties in conferring durable protection against Leishmania, a problem that may be attributed to the parasite’s antigenic diversity and the intricate nature of the host’s immune response. The aim of this review is to provide a thorough overview of recent advances in Leishmania vaccine development, ranging from initial trials to recent achievements, such as the ChAd63-KH DNA vaccine, which underscores the potential for effective control of leishmaniasis through continued research in this field.
Temperature Interference on ZIKV and CHIKV Cycles in Mosquitoes and Mammalian Cells
Authors: Salles Tiago Souza , Martins-Duarte Erica Santos , Meneses Marcelo Damião Ferreira de , Moreira Monica Ferreira , Ferreira Davis Fernandes , Azevedo Renata Campos , De Souza Wanderley , Caldas Lucio Ayres
Published: September 2024

Temperature is a determining factor for the viral cycle. In this study, we investigate the effect of different temperatures on the cycles of two important arboviruses—Zika (ZIKV) and Chikungunya (CHIKV)—in Vero (mammalian) and C6/36 (mosquito) cells. We compare genome quantification to infectivity at 28 °C and 37 °C in both cell types. Virus–cell interaction was also examined by transmission electron microscopy, allowing the observation of phenomena such as virus-surfing and giant forms for CHIKV, as well as the the scarcity of ZIKV in C6/36 cells compared to its cycle in mammalian cells.
Oral Microbiota and the Risk of Gastrointestinal Cancers—A Narrative Literature Review
Authors: Knop-Chodyła Kinga , Kochanowska-Mazurek Anna , Piasecka Zuzanna , Głaz Aneta , Wesołek-Bielaska Ewelina Weronika , Syty Kinga , Forma Alicja , Baj Jacek
Published: September 2024

The human body is colonized by trillions of microorganisms in a symbiotic relationship. The oral cavity represents one of the most abundant microbial habitats in our body. Advances in sequencing techniques provide a more detailed understanding of the oral microbiota and how imbalances between bacteria, the phenomenon of dysbiosis, can affect not only the development of dental caries or inflammation within the oral cavity but also systemic diseases and cancers in distant locations. This narrative review evaluates the relationship between oral microbiota and its impact on gastrointestinal cancers. Using the keywords “oral microbiota ‘AND’ gastrointestinal cancers”, the PubMed Web of Science and Scopus databases were searched for articles published between 2014 and 2024. Based on the review, the relationship between oral microbiota and oral, esophageal, gastric, colorectal, hepatocellular, and pancreatic cancers was described. Potential oncogenic mechanisms exploited by the microbiota such as the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, induction of abnormal immune responses, and disruption of cell metabolic pathways were assessed. Further research and a thorough understanding of the impact of the oral microbiota on the development of cancers of the gastrointestinal tract may play a key role in their prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in the future.
Toxicity of Common Acaricides, Disinfectants, and Natural Compounds against Eggs of Rhipicephalus annulatus
Authors: Ibrahium Samar M. , Abdel-Baki Abdel-Azeem S. , Gadelhaq Sahar M. , Aboelhadid Shawky M. , Mahran Hesham A. , Al-Quraishy Saleh , Reyad Abdulrahman , Kamel Asmaa A.
Published: September 2024

Ticks pose a significant threat due to their ability to lay thousands of eggs, which can persist in the environment for extended periods. While the impact of various compounds on adult and larval ticks has been studied, research on their efficacy against tick eggs is limited. This study evaluated the ovicidal activity of commercial acaricides, disinfectants, and natural products against Rhipicephalus annulatus eggs using the egg hatch assay (EHA). Deltamethrin and cypermethrin caused a non-significant inhibition of hatching (IH%), even at concentrations higher than the recommended levels. By contrast, the acaricides chlorpyrifos, phoxim, and amitraz significantly inhibited hatching at all tested concentrations. Ivermectin also demonstrated significant IH% at various concentrations but did not fully inhibit the hatching process. Among the disinfectants tested, Virkon-S®, TH4, and Chlorox showed insignificant effects, whereas formalin achieved an IH% of only 34.1% at a high concentration of 200 mg/mL. Natural products, carvacrol and thymol, exhibited significant ovicidal activity, with a significant IH%. In a semi-field application, phoxim (0.5 mg/mL) and deltamethrin (0.05 mg/mL) were sprayed on tick eggs on pasture soil from a farm. The results indicated that phoxim-treated eggs had a 40% IH%, while deltamethrin-treated eggs showed only an 8.79% IH%. In conclusion, the acaricides amitraz, phoxim, and chlorpyrifos, as well as the natural products carvacrol and thymol, caused significant toxicity to R. annulatus eggs.
Review on Photoacoustic Monitoring after Drug Delivery: From Label-Free Biomarkers to Pharmacokinetics Agents
Authors: Kim Jiwoong , Choi Seongwook , Kim Chulhong , Kim Jeesu , Park Byullee
Published: September 2024

Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is an emerging noninvasive and label-free method for capturing the vasculature, hemodynamics, and physiological responses following drug delivery. PAI combines the advantages of optical and acoustic imaging to provide high-resolution images with multiparametric information. In recent decades, PAI’s abilities have been used to determine reactivity after the administration of various drugs. This study investigates photoacoustic imaging as a label-free method of monitoring drug delivery responses by observing changes in the vascular system and oxygen saturation levels across various biological tissues. In addition, we discuss photoacoustic studies that monitor the biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of exogenous contrast agents, offering contrast-enhanced imaging of diseased regions. Finally, we demonstrate the crucial role of photoacoustic imaging in understanding drug delivery mechanisms and treatment processes.
Antimicrobial Effect of Waterborne Polyurethane-Based Cellulose Nanofibril/Silver Nanoparticles Composites and Acacia concinna (Willd.) DC Extract (Shikakai)
Authors: Taung Mai Lu Lu , San H’ng Paik , Aung Min Min , Uyama Hiroshi , Mohamed Ainun Zuriyati , Bahrin Ezyana Kamal , Masarudin Mas Jaffri , Mohamad Zulkifli Azra Afrina binti , Chew Tung Woey
Published: September 2024

Antimicrobial coatings are becoming increasingly popular in functional material modification and are essential in addressing microbial infection challenges. In this study, the phytochemical and antimicrobial potential of aqueous, 80% methanol and 80% ethanol pod extracts of Acacia concinna (Willd.) DC (AC) and its application in the green in situ (one pot) synthesis of silver nanoparticles on Cellulose nano fibrils (CNF) and Waterborne polyurethane (WPU) were prepared. The phytochemical evaluation of Acacia concinna crude extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, terpenoids, saponins, steroids. The surface plasmon Resonance peak of CNF/AC-AgNPs was 450 nm and the FTIR result confirmed functional groups such as carbonyl, phenols and carboxyl were present which was important for the bio-reduction of silver nanoparticles. The crude AC aqueous pods extract against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria compared with AC ethanol and AC methanol extracts. The WPU/CNF/AC-AgNPs composite dispersion was also good in terms of its antibacterial activities. The WPU/CNF/AC-AgNPs nanocomposites could be applied as bifunctional nanofillers as an antimicrobial agent in food packaging systems and other biological applications.
Impact of Shape Transformation of Programmable 3D Structures on UV Print Quality
Authors: Pivar Matej , Muck Deja
Published: September 2024

The field of 3D and 4D printing is advancing rapidly, offering new ways to control the transformation of programmable 3D structures in response to external stimuli. This study examines the impact of 3D printing parameters, namely the UV ink thickness (applied using a UV inkjet printer on pre-3D-printed programmable structures) and thermal activation, on the dimensional and surface changes to high-stress (HS) and low-stress (LS) programmable samples and on print quality. The results indicate that HS samples shrink in the longitudinal direction, while expanding in terms of their height and width, whereas LS samples exhibit minimal dimensional changes due to lower programmed stress. The dynamic mechanical analysis shows that UV ink, particularly cyan and CMYK overprints, reduces the shrinkage in HS samples by acting as a resistive layer. Thicker ink films further reduce the dimensional changes in HS samples. Thermal activation increases the surface roughness of HS structures, leading to the wrinkling of UV ink films, while LS structures are less affected. The surface gloss decreases significantly in HS structures after UV ink application; however, thermal activation has little impact on LS structures. UV ink adhesion remains strong across both HS and LS samples, suggesting that UV inks are ideal for printing on programmable 3D structures, where the colour print quality and precise control of the shape transformation are crucial.
Tensile Properties of Cattail Fibres at Various Phenological Development Stages
Authors: Hossain Mohammed Shahadat , Rahman Mashiur , Cicek Nazim
Published: September 2024

Cattails (Typha latifolia L.) are naturally occurring aquatic macrophytes with significant industrial potential because of their abundance, high-quality fibers, and high fiber yields. This study is the first attempt to investigate how phenological development and plant maturity impact the quality of cattail fibers as they relate to composite applications. It was observed that fibers from all five growth stages exhibited a Weibull shape parameter greater than 1.0, with a goodness-of-fit exceeding 0.8. These calculations were performed using both the Least Square Regression (LSR) and Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) methods. Among the estimators, the MLE method provided the most conservative estimation of Weibull parameters. Based on the Weibull parameters obtained with all estimators, cattail fibers from all five growth stages appear suitable for composite applications. The consistency of shape parameters across all five growth stages can be attributed to the morphological and molecular developments of cattail fiber during the vegetative period. These developments were confirmed through the presence of calcium oxalate (CaOx) plates, elemental composition, and specific infrared peaks at 2360 cm−1 contributing to the strength, cellulose peaks at 1635 cm−1, 2920 cm−1, and 3430 cm−1. In conclusion, it was found that the mechanical properties of cattail fiber remain similar when harvested multiple times in a single growing season.
Regulation of the Phase Structure in the Crystallizing Curing System PCL–DGEBA
Authors: Plyusnina Irina O. , Nikulova Uliana V. , Khasbiullin Ramil R. , Shapagin Aleksey V.
Published: September 2024

Qualitative and quantitative aspects of the formation of various types of phase structures, sizes and compositions were considered. For the studied polycaprolactone–epoxy resin/4,4′-diaminediphenylsulfone system, a phase diagram characterized by amorphous separation with a lower critical solution temperature was constructed and its evolution was traced with increasing conversion degree of epoxy groups. A method is proposed for determining the temperature–concentration parameters that determine the type of phase structure of composite materials, based on the optical interferometry method. All types of phase structures and features of structure formation in the phase reversal region and at its boundaries have been studied using optical and scanning electron microscopy methods. The dimensions of the structural elements were determined and their correlation with the temperature and concentration regimes of the system’s curing was established. The composition of phases in cured compositions was studied using FTIR spectroscopy, DSC and scanning electron microscopy. It is shown that by varying the temperature–concentration parameters of curing reactive thermoplastic systems, it is possible to specifically regulate the type of phase structure, phase sizes and their composition, which determine the operational properties of the material.
Systematic Investigation on the Swelling Response and Oil Resistance of NBR Using the Prediction Models Determined by the Modified Flory–Huggins Interaction Parameter
Authors: Jing Yiran , Liu Guangyong
Published: September 2024

The equilibrium swelling test was employed to determine the swelling response of Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) with various acrylonitrile (ACN) contents, and the three-dimensional solubility parameter (HSP) and modified Flory–Huggins interaction parameter (χHSP) were used to establish the prediction model of the oil-resistant property. The results indicate that the energy difference (Ra) between NBR and solvents calculated by HSP values can be correlated with the swelling response qualitatively with an inversed “S-shape”, and high swelling response occurs at Ra < 8 MPa1/2 for NBR. For the purpose of establishing the prediction model, the new modified χHSP value has been calculated and fitted with the swelling response using exponential and logarithmic fittings, respectively. Two prediction models considering all the possible influencing factors have been obtained to determine the swelling response and oil resistance of NBR-based rubber products in bio-fuels, represented by the bio-diesel and IRM 903 test oil in this work. The swelling response of NBR can be evaluated precisely, and high swelling regions can be predicted and avoided in the new emerging fuels through the prediction models. Thus, the oil resistance of NBR-based rubber products, such as seals, holes and gaskets can be well predicted now.
Synthesis and Redox Activity of Polyenaminones for Sustainable Energy Storage Applications
Authors: Kotnik Tomaž , Menart Svit , Adam Žan , Bitenc Jan , Ciber Luka , Grošelj Uroš , Petek Nejc , Štefane Bogdan , Svete Jurij , Genorio Boštjan
Published: September 2024

In the search for novel polymeric molecules that could be used as electroactive materials, seven novel polyenaminones were prepared in high yields by the transaminative polymerization of resorcinol-derived bis-enaminones with m- and p-phenylenediamine and with 2,5-diaminohydroquinone. The obtained polymers show very low solubility in organic solvents and absorb UV light and visible light at wavelengths below 500 nm. All the obtained polymeric products were tested for redox activity in a Li battery setup. The 2,5-diaminohydroquinone-derived compound showed the best redox activity, with a maximum capacity of 86 mAh/g and relatively good capacity retention, thus confirming the hydroquinone group as the primary redox-active group. Other potential redox-active groups, such as resorcinol and conjugated carbonyls, showed limited activity, while variations in the phenylene groups and the substitution of phenolic groups in the resorcinol residue did not impact the electrochemical activity of the polymers. Their electrochemical properties, together with their previously established chemical recyclability, make polyenaminones promising scaffolds for the development of materials for sustainable energy storage applications.
Synthesis, Morphology, and Biomedical Applications of Plasma-Based Polymers: Recent Trends and Advances
Authors: Rahman Khan Mohammad Mizanur , Asrafali Shakila Parveen , Periyasamy Thirukumaran
Published: September 2024

The achievement of large-scale applications of plasma-based polymers in biomedical sectors does not satisfy the appropriate level although a substantial amount of research is already performed. In this context, further investigations are necessary to design and synthesize plasma polymers for biomedical applications. Among the polymeric materials, plasma-based polymers have attracted substantial attention owing to their numerous advantages like faster processing, lower costs, eco-friendly waste, biocompatibility, and versatility, making them excellent materials for biomedical applications. Further, polymer synthesis using plasma polymerization techniques can avoid the time-consuming conventional multistep synthesis procedure. Plasma polymerization also offers a significant solution to overcome the numerous difficulties in the traditional approach where polymers can be directly attached to the desired surface using a plasma process, without disturbing the growing chain, and, thus, prevent an additional process such as grafting. Nevertheless, the design of appropriate plasma-based synthesis methods, optimization of the plasma process parameters, and exploration of polymer-based biocompatibility approaches are still challenging research areas. Regarding the surface morphological features of these plasma polymers, they possess several characteristics, such as wettability, adhesion capacity, and so on, that are important considerations in biomedical applications. In this review, numerous recent approaches to plasma polymerization methods along with different precursor phases used for such kind of synthesis of polymeric materials are discussed. The morphological aspect of the synthesized plasma polymers connected with biomedical applications is also reported in this review. Finally, promising aspects of plasma polymers for biomedical applications are briefly reported in this work. This review may offer an extensive reference for upcoming perceptions of plasma-based polymers and their applications in biomedical sectors.
Hydrodynamic Characteristics of Preloading Spiral Case and Concrete in Turbine Mode with Emphasis on Preloading Clearance
Authors: Luo Yutong , Li Zonghua , Zhang Shaozheng , Ren Qingfeng , Wang Zhengwei
Published: September 2024

A pump-turbine may generate high-amplitude hydraulic excitations during operation, wherein the flow-induced response of the spiral case and concrete is a key factor affecting the stable and safe operation of the unit. The preloading spiral case can enhance the combined bearing capacity of the entire structure, yet there is still limited research on the impact of the preloading pressure on the hydrodynamic response. In this study, the pressure fluctuation characteristics and dynamic behaviors of preloading a steel spiral case and concrete under different preloading pressures at rated operating conditions are analyzed based on fluid–structure interaction theory and contact model. The results show that the dominant frequency of pressure fluctuations in the spiral case is 15 fn, which is influenced by the rotor–stator interaction with a runner rotation of short and long blades. Under preloading pressures of 0.5, 0.7, and 1 times the maximum static head, higher preloading pressures reduce the contact regions, leading to uneven deformation and stress distributions with a near-positive linear correlation. The maximum deformation of the PSSC can reach 2.6 mm, and the stress is within the allowable range. The preloading pressure has little effect on the dominant frequency of the dynamic behaviors in the spiral case (15 fn), but both the maximum and amplitudes of deformation and stress increase with higher preloading pressure. The high-amplitude regions of deformation and stress along the axial direction are located near the nose vane, with maximum values of 0.003 mm and 0.082 MPa, respectively. The contact of concrete is at risk of stress concentrations and cracking under high preloading pressure. The results can provide references for optimizing the structural design and the selection of preloading pressure, which improves operation reliability.
Numerical Simulation Study on Dynamic Interaction between Two Adjacent Wells during Hydraulic Fracturing
Authors: Xu Wenjiang , Jiang Weidong , Xu Yantao , Guo Bumin
Published: September 2024

The heterogeneity in fracture formation significantly influences the hydraulic fracture propagation among adjacent wells, underscoring the urgency to comprehend the underlying fracture mechanisms. Specifically, in shale gas or oil extraction fracturing operations, stress interactions among neighboring fracturing clusters, or mutual interference during the propagation of parallel fractures, are commonplace. At present, there is relatively little research on the sensitivity parameters of adjacent borehole fracture propagation morphology. Consequently, we employed ABAQUS software 2022 to construct a numerical model simulating the fracturing of adjacent boreholes in opposing directions. Upon validating the model’s fidelity, we systematically explored the influence of various engineering and geological factors on fracture morphology and propagation length. Our findings revealed a three-phase evolution: independent fracture propagation, subsequent mutual repulsion, and, ultimately, mutual attraction. It is worth noting that increasing the elastic modulus from 10 GPa to 80 GPa, and increasing the crack length by 16.30%, is beneficial for crack propagation, while the horizontal stress difference profoundly shapes the crack mode, but has a relatively small impact on the overall crack length. When HSD increases from 0 MPa to 15 MPa, the total crack length only changes by 1.24%. In addition, the filtration coefficient of the reservoir is a key determining factor that has a significant impact on the morphology and length of cracks generated by adjacent boreholes. Increasing the filtration coefficient from 1 × 10−14 m3/s/Pa to 5 × 10−12 m3/s/Pa reduces the total length of cracks by 60.77%. Notably, an optimal injection rate exists, optimizing fracturing outcomes. Conversely, the viscosity of the fracturing fluid exerts a limited influence on fracture morphology and length within the confines of this simulation, allowing for the selection of a suitable viscosity to ensure smooth proppant transport during actual fracturing operations. In designing fracturing parameters, it is imperative to aim for sufficient fracture propagation length while harnessing “stress interference” to foster the development of intricate fracture networks. Ultimately, our research findings serve as a solid foundation for engineering practices involving hydraulic fracture propagation in adjacent boreholes undergoing opposing fracturing operations.
Waste Zinc–Carbon Battery Recycling: Focus on Total Material Recovery
Authors: Ranskiy Anatoliy , Gordienko Olga , Ishchenko Vitalii
Published: September 2024

Currently, less attention is paid to zinc–carbon batteries, although they are still widely used and are among the major types of batteries collected and recycled. The recycling technologies currently in use do not allow the complete recovery of resources, are not self-sufficient and require additional financing. Therefore, this paper aims to study the possibility of complete recycling of waste zinc–carbon batteries and to suggest the practical use of the final products generated in the recycling process. The possibility of complex processing of spent zinc–carbon batteries using mechanical separation and processing of the battery’s components (steel case, zinc electrode, graphite electrode, polypropylene and paper insulators) is justified. The separation of spent electrolytes from other components of batteries with hydrochloric acid was studied. It was shown that the extraction of Zn2+ and NH4+ cations takes place following the addition of an equivalent amount of Na3PO4 solution and water-insoluble NH4ZnPO4 salt sedimentation. Waste agglomerate (mixture of MnO2, MnO(OH), and graphite) was regenerated to its initial composition (MnO2, graphite) at a temperature of 300–325 °C; manganese (III) hydroxide was oxidized to manganese (IV) dioxide. Thermal destruction of polypropylene and paper insulators with additional introduction of polyethylene into the primary mixture produced pyrolysis liquid, pyrocarbon and pyrolysis gas as products. The practical use of the products obtained and compliance with the environmental requirements of the suggested method of waste batteries recycling were shown.
Gathered: A Theology for Institutions in a Changing Church
Authors: Benac Dustin D.
Published: September 2024

Practical theology has historically engaged in sustained theological reflection on the practices of the Church that intersect with the practices of the world. As field of study, it engages in interdisciplinary engagement that combines social and theological forms of reasoning and analysis. As a broader field of praxis, it seeks to support the conditions where people of faith are formed, and communities of faith may flourish. In both expressions, practical theology exists in a dynamic relationship to institutions (e.g., congregations, denominations, universities) and contributes research and praxis that supports the future of institutions and the faith they mediate. While institutions are often the source and site of practical theology, “institutions” are taken for granted as a clearly-identifiable social form and a fixed expression. However, transnational changes in congregations and related faith-based institutions require an account of the nature and role of institutions within practical theology. In this gap, this paper advances a two-part argument: first, institutions are sites of multimodal gathering, creating containers for various forms of encounter where individuals and communities gather around a shared context, shared stories, shared practices, shared resources, and a shared journey. Second, theology for institutions can be sustained by attending to five modes of institutional engagement and analysis that are marked by attention to shared context, narratives, practices, resources, and a journey. Three sections advance this argument. The first part introduces three different situations of institutional encounter to question the relationship between theology and institutions amid a changing organizational landscape. The second part engages Alasdair MacIntyre as an interpretive framework to identify the gap of institutions in the field of practical theology. The third part concludes by detailing the structure of a theological account that resolves this gap in the field and may attend to the forms of gathering institutions provide.
Tuberculosis-Induced Immune-Mediated Necrotizing Myopathy: A Challenging Case Scenario in a Non-Endemic Country
Authors: Colpani Agnese , Astorri Davide , De Vito Andrea , Madeddu Giordano , Panese Sandro , Geremia Nicholas
Published: September 2024

Background and Clinical Significance: Tuberculosis (TB) poses a significant global health challenge; although low–middle income countries carry the heaviest burden, its diagnosis and treatment can be challenging in any country. The clinical picture can be complex and vary from person to person, with autoimmune complications that can hinder TB diagnosis and treatment. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 38-year-old man from Bangladesh who had recently arrived in Italy through the Balkan route. He presented with TB in the cervical lymph nodes and long-standing chronic myalgias. While a wide range of TB-triggered autoimmune entities can be found in the literature, this case is the first to describe immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM) triggered by active TB. Conclusions: IMNM has been previously associated only with other infections like SARS-CoV-2 and Dengue. The successful diagnosis and management of TB-induced IMNM was achieved through a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach involving rheumatologists, immunologists, and infectious diseases specialists, showcasing an innovative treatment strategy and adding new insights into the complexities of TB and IMNM.
Control of a Hexapod Robot Considering Terrain Interaction
Authors: Arrigoni Stefano , Zangrandi Marco , Bianchi Giovanni , Braghin Francesco
Published: September 2024

Bioinspired walking hexapod robots are a relatively young branch of robotics. Despite the high degree of flexibility and adaptability derived from their redundant design, open-source implementations do not fully utilize this potential. This paper proposes an exhaustive description of a hexapod robot-specific control architecture based on open-source code that allows for complete control over a robot’s speed, body orientation, and walk gait type. Furthermore, terrain interaction is deeply investigated, leading to the development of a terrain-adapting control algorithm that allows the robot to react swiftly to the terrain shape and asperities, such as non-linearities and non-continuity within the workspace. For this purpose, a dynamic model derived from interpreting the hexapod movement is presented and validated through a Matlab SimMechanicsTM simulation. Furthermore, a feedback control system is developed, which is able to recognize leg–terrain touch and react accordingly to ensure movement stability. Finally, the results from an experimental campaign based on the PhantomX AX Metal Hexapod Mark II robotic platform by Trossen RoboticsTM are reported.
Virtual Hand Deformation-Based Pseudo-Haptic Feedback for Enhanced Force Perception and Task Performance in Physically Constrained Teleoperation
Authors: Yamamoto Kento , Zhu Yaonan , Aoyama Tadayoshi , Hasegawa Yasuhisa
Published: September 2024

Force-feedback devices enhance task performance in most robot teleoperations. However, their increased size with additional degrees of freedom can limit the robot’s applicability. To address this, an interface that visually presents force feedback is proposed, eliminating the need for bulky physical devices. Our telepresence system renders robotic hands transparent in the camera image while displaying virtual hands. The forces applied to the robot deform these virtual hands. The deformation creates an illusion that the operator’s hands are deforming, thus providing pseudo-haptic feedback. We conducted a weight comparison experiment in a virtual reality environment to evaluate force sensitivity. In addition, we conducted an object touch experiment to assess the speed of contact detection in a robot teleoperation setting. The results demonstrate that our method significantly surpasses conventional pseudo-haptic feedback in conveying force differences. Operators detected object touch 24.7% faster using virtual hand deformation compared to conditions without feedback. This matches the response times of physical force-feedback devices. This interface not only increases the operator’s force sensitivity but also matches the performance of conventional force-feedback devices without physically constraining the operator. Therefore, the interface enhances both task performance and the experience of teleoperation.
A Novel Framework for Spatiotemporal Susceptibility Prediction of Rainfall-Induced Landslides: A Case Study in Western Pennsylvania
Authors: Xiong Jun , Pei Te , Qiu Tong
Published: September 2024

Landslide susceptibility measures the probability of landslides occurring under certain geo-environmental conditions and is essential in landslide hazard assessment. Landslide susceptibility mapping (LSM) using data-driven methods applies statistical models and geospatial data to show the relative propensity of slope failure in a given area. However, due to the rarity of multi-temporal landslide inventory, conventional data-driven LSMs are primarily generated by spatial causative factors, while the temporal factors remain limited. In this study, a spatiotemporal LSM is carried out using machine learning (ML) techniques to assess rainfall-induced landslide susceptibility. To achieve this, two landslide inventories are collected for southwestern Pennsylvania: a spatial inventory and a multi-temporal inventory, with 4543 and 223 historical landslide samples, respectively. The spatial inventory lacks the information to describe landslide temporal distribution; there are insufficient samples in the temporal inventory to represent landslide spatial distribution. A novel paradigm of data augmentation through non-landslide sampling based on domain knowledge is applied to leverage both spatial and temporal information for ML modeling. The results show that the spatiotemporal ML model using the proposed data augmentation predicts well rainfall-induced landslides in space and time across the study area, with a value of 0.86 of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), which makes it an effective tool in rainfall-induced landslide hazard mitigation and forecasting.
Fast Exclusion Candidate Identification Based on Sparse Estimation for ARAIM Fault Exclusion Process
Authors: Qi Hangtian , Cui Xiaowei , Lu Mingquan
Published: September 2024

Advanced receiver autonomous integrity monitoring (ARAIM) is an integrity technique for a global navigation satellite system (GNSS), centered on the multiple hypothesis solution separation (MHSS) test, which assesses the consistency between a subset and the all-in-view solution. Successful fault exclusion (FE) in ARAIM relies on identifying exclusion candidates that ensure no faults among the remaining satellites, a process requiring computationally expensive MHSS tests. The existing methods guide exclusion candidate searches based on the size of the normalized solution separation statistics, i.e., the normalized absolute difference between the subset solution and the all-in-view solution. However, in scenarios involving more than one satellite fault, these statistics can become unreliable due to fault diversity and interactions, perhaps misleading the FE process and causing its failure. To overcome this issue, our study proposes employing sparse estimation to simply identify satellite faults in one go, leveraging the sparsity of faulty satellites compared to the total number of observations in civil aviation GNSSs. Unlike the existing methods, which infer the fault likelihood indirectly through solution separation statistics, our approach represents an improvement that directly indicates potential exclusion candidates. Our experiments demonstrate that this method is fast and accurate. As a fundamentally different approach, it serves as a valuable complement or an alternative to the existing methods, enhancing the success and efficiency of the ARAIM FE process.