bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phosphoproteomic Reveals That Phosphoglycerate Kinase 2 Suppresses Hypoxanthine Accumulation in Broiler
Authors: Ma Manting , Yang Xin , Kong Shaofen , Yuan Rongshuai , Zhou Zhen , Nie Qinghua , Cai Bolin
Published: November 2024

Recent studies have found that the amount and proportion of meat flavor–related metabolites differ among different parts of muscle, which is partly attributed to their diverse myofiber type composition. However, the genetic regulatory factors behind these meat flavor–related metabolites remain unclear. Here, to systematically identify the differences in meat flavor–related metabolite of different parts of muscle and explore their genetic causes, metabolome and transcriptome were performed by using breast and drumstick muscle in Guangming‐2 chicken. Meat flavor–related metabolite‐gene networks were constructed, and phosphoglycerate kinase 2 (PGK2), which was found to be negatively correlated with flavor–related metabolites such as hypoxanthine, lysine, and glycerophospholipids, was selected for further identification. AlkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5)–mediated m6A demethylation enhances RNA stability of PGK2. Lentivirus‐mediated PGK2 overexpression and knockdown chicken models were constructed to study the function of PGK2. Gain‐ and loss‐of‐function analysis revealed that PGK2 promoted a switch from slow‐twitch to fast‐twitch fibers and suppressed the accumulation of hypoxanthine in vivo. Moreover, phosphoproteomic results demonstrated that PGK2 was involved in myofiber type transformation and meat flavor–related metabolite accumulation by modulating protein phosphorylation. Our findings deepen the understanding of the regulatory role of protein phosphorylation in meat flavor–related metabolite accumulation in broiler.
Evaluation of ComBat Harmonization for Reducing Across‐Tracer Differences in Regional Amyloid PET Analyses
Authors: Yang Braden , Earnest Tom , Kumar Sayantan , Kothapalli Deydeep , Benzinger Tammie , Gordon Brian , Sotiras Aristeidis
Published: November 2024

Differences in amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer pharmacokinetics and binding properties lead to discrepancies in amyloid‐β uptake estimates. Harmonization of tracer‐specific biases is crucial for optimal performance of downstream tasks. Here, we investigated the efficacy of ComBat, a data‐driven harmonization model, for reducing tracer‐specific biases in regional amyloid PET measurements from [18F]‐florbetapir (FBP) and [11C]‐Pittsburgh compound‐B (PiB). One hundred thirteen head‐to‐head FBP‐PiB scan pairs, scanned from the same subject within 90 days, were selected from the Open Access Series of Imaging Studies 3 (OASIS‐3) dataset. The Centiloid scale, ComBat with no covariates, ComBat with biological covariates, and GAM‐ComBat with biological covariates were used to harmonize both global and regional amyloid standardized uptake value ratios (SUVR). Variants of ComBat, including longitudinal ComBat and PEACE, were also tested. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and mean absolute error (MAE) were computed to measure the absolute agreement between tracers. Additionally, longitudinal amyloid SUVRs from an anti‐amyloid drug trial were simulated using linear mixed effects modeling. Differences in rates‐of‐change between simulated treatment and placebo groups were tested, and change in statistical power/Type‐I error after harmonization was quantified. In the head‐to‐head tracer comparison, ComBat with no covariates was the best at increasing ICC and decreasing MAE of both global summary and regional amyloid PET SUVRs between scan pairs of the same group of subjects. In the clinical trial simulation, harmonization with both Centiloid and ComBat increased statistical power of detecting true rate‐of‐change differences between groups and decreased false discovery rate in the absence of a treatment effect. The greatest benefit of harmonization was observed when groups exhibited differing FBP‐to‐PiB proportions. ComBat outperformed the Centiloid scale in harmonizing both global and regional amyloid estimates. Additionally, ComBat improved the detection of rate‐of‐change differences between clinical trial groups. Our findings suggest that ComBat is a viable alternative to Centiloid for harmonizing regional amyloid PET analyses.
CAT rs1001179 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Identifies an Aggressive Clinical Behavior in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: Galasso Marilisa , Salaorni Vittoria , Moia Riccardo , Mozzo Valentina , Lovato Ester , Cosentino Chiara , Perbellini Omar , Gambino Simona , Lovato Ornella , Carazzolo Maria Elena , Ferrarini Isacco , Quaglia Francesca M. , Donadelli Massimo , Romanelli Maria G. , Visco Carlo , Krampera Mauro , Gaidano Gianluca , Scupoli Maria T.
Published: November 2024

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by an extremely variable clinical course. Although several parameters have been shown to be associated with clinical outcomes in patients with CLL, there remains substantial intragroup clinical heterogeneity in otherwise molecularly and staging homogeneous CLL subgroups. We have recently shown that high catalase (CAT) expression identifies patients with an aggressive clinical course and that higher CAT expression is associated with the presence of the rs1001179 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) T allele in the CAT promoter. Herein, we genotyped CLL patients for CAT rs1001179 SNP in an exploratory study (n = 235) and in a sequential independent validation study (n = 531). Time‐to‐event modeling analyses for time‐to‐first‐treatment (TTFT) from the two patients' cohorts showed that TT genotype was associated with a shorter TTFT, independently of other currently used prognostic parameters in CLL. Moreover, the TT genotype identifies CLL patients with a faster clinical progression even within subgroups of patients with low‐risk biological and clinical hallmarks. In conclusion, our data show that the TT genotype identifies CLL patients with a shorter TTFT, pointing to this SNP as a possible prognostic factor, which can improve patients' risk stratification leading to better patient management and personalized therapeutic choices.
A 47.0‐kyr record of mercury deposition in lake sediments from Dahu swamp in the East Nanling Mountains, southern China: Implications for paleoclimatic and environmental changes
Authors: Li Tianhang , Zhong Wei , Quan Mingying , Wang Xiaojun , Yu Jian
Published: November 2024

In this study, we provide an ~47.0‐kyr mercury (Hg) deposition record derived from a lacustrine sedimentary sequence in Dahu swamp in the eastern Nanling Mountains, China. The results indicate that organic matter (OM) input played a role in Hg accumulation, whereas the contribution of inorganic weathering detritus had a negligible impact. On the other hand, evolution of the plant community and wildfire events were also important factors affecting Hg accumulation. Compared to arboreal plants, lower (herbs and ferns) plants had stronger absorption and enrichment ability for Hg thus favoring enhanced Hg accumulation in the sediments. We therefore infer that Hg deposition in Dahu sediments was greatly controlled by changes in climatic conditions. Relatively dry and cold climatic conditions, which resulted in reduced arboreal plant communities and increased lower plants, would favor an increased Hg accumulation rate; furthermore, dry conditions may cause more wildfire events thus leading to enhanced release of Hg into the environment and increased contribution of Hg to the sediments, whereas relatively wet and warm conditions would result in the opposite situation. The record of Hg deposition demonstrates a synchronous orbital‐scale variation trend with the intensity of the East Asian summer monsoon. Period analysis reveals several millennial‐ and centennial‐scale cycles similar to solar insolation, together with several millennial events of increased Hg concentration and accumulation rate, which coincided with the corresponding Heinrich events, suggesting joint impacts of solar irradiation and the action of melting water as well as changes in zonal atmospheric circulation on Hg accumulation in Dahu sediments.
Isobutyrate exerts a protective effect against liver injury in a DSS‐induced colitis by inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress
Authors: Liu Haiyang , Du Yongqing , Wang Zhengyi , Fang Xiuyu , Sun Haowen , Gao Feng , Shang Tingting , Shi Baoming
Published: November 2024

Background

Short‐chain fatty acids have been reported to have anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant functions; whether isobutyrate, a short‐chain fatty acid, is protective against liver injury in a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)‐induced colitis and its molecular mechanism is unknown. In this study, DSS was used to induce a liver injury from a colitis model in piglets, which was expected to prevent and alleviate DSS‐induced liver injury by feeding sodium isobutyrate in advance.

Results

The results showed that sodium isobutyrate could restore DSS‐induced histopathological changes in the liver, inhibit the activation of the toll‐like receptor 4/myeloid differentiation primary response 88/nuclear factor kappa‐B signaling pathway, and then reduce the DSS‐induced release of pro‐inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin 1β, and interleukin 6, reducing inflammatory response. Moreover, we found that sodium isobutyrate could play an antioxidant and apoptosis‐reducing role by maintaining reduced mitochondrial function.

Conclusion

In conclusion, sodium isobutyrate has a preventive and protective effect on liver injury in a DSS‐induced colitis. There is a potential application prospect for it in treating ulcerative‐colitis‐induced liver injuries. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Epimedium polysaccharides ameliorate ulcerative colitis by inhibiting oxidative stress and regulating autophagy
Authors: Zhao Linxian , Jiang Tao , Zhang Yuxin , Shen Zhen
Published: November 2024

BACKGROUND

Epimedium polysaccharide (EPS) is a bioactive compound derived from the traditional Chinese herb Epimedium brevicornum. The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effects of EPS on ulcerative colitis (UC) and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms involved.

RESULTS

The findings showed that EPS treatment mitigated UC symptoms, including weight loss, anal bleeding, elevated disease activity index (DAI), and colon shortening. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Alcian blue–periodic acid–Schiff (AB‐PAS) staining demonstrated that EPS alleviated histopathological damage and improved the integrity of the colonic mucosa. Mechanistically, EPS was found to substantially decrease inflammation by inhibiting the Toll‐like receptor 4/nuclear factor‐κB (TLR4/NF‐κB) signaling pathway and to alleviate oxidative stress through modulation of the Kelch‐like ECH‐associated protein 1/nuclear factor erythroid‐derived 2‐like 2 (Keap1/Nrf2) pathway. Notably, EPS failed to exert protective effects against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐induced UC in Nrf2‐knockout (Nrf2−/−) mice. Additionally, Western blotting and immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that EPS facilitated autophagy via the adenosine monophosphate‐dependent protein kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin (AMPK/mTOR) pathway. In vitro experiments revealed that EPS effectively suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐mediated cellular damage and oxidative stress by regulating Keap1/Nrf2 pathway. Transcriptomic analysis of LPS‐treated Caco‐2 cells following EPS treatment revealed a significant up‐regulation of Nrf2 expression.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the findings of this study suggest that EPS exerts protective effects against DSS‐induced UC through the inhibition of the TLR4/NF‐κB signaling pathway, regulation of the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway, and promotion of autophagy via the AMPK/mTOR pathway. Consequently, EPS may represent a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of UC. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Degradation, Classification, and Management of Soils From Alluvial‐Gold Mine Spoils in the Southeastern Peruvian Amazon
Authors: Velásquez Ramírez M. G. , Nazario Rios J. C. , Gobin A. , Pillaca M. , Thomas E. , Guerrero Barrantes J. A. , Román U. , Becerra Lira E. , Muñoz Ushñahua A. , Nascimento Herbay P. , Rodriguez Achata L. , Garate‐Quispe J. , Malpica S. , Russo R. , Abril M. , Dionisio L. F. S. , Corvera Gomringer R. , del Castillo Torres D.
Published: November 2024

Artisanal and Small‐Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) carried out by individual miners or small enterprises with limited capital, significantly contribute to land degradation and loss of biodiversity‐rich forests in the Amazon. Due to limited information on the edaphic conditions crucial for restoring these degraded areas, a soil evaluation method was employed in representative locations of the Peruvian Amazon, including two native communities and one protected natural area. The categorization of ASGM‐degraded areas into cultural landscape units was confirmed and validated. Sentinel‐2 and UAV remote sensing revealed over 122,000 ha of deforestation since the 1980s. Surface and soil profile assessments identified extreme new soil conditions with low chemical and physical fertility, characterized by coarse texture and rock fragments, which hinder revegetation, especially during prolonged dry seasons. These degraded soils were classified as Entisols and Technosols according to Soil Taxonomy and the World Reference Base. Over time, natural regeneration and plantations improved soil formation, aligning with recognized soil classification systems. Under current management practices, restoration planning should prioritize selected shrub and tree species, and consider soil amendments to initiate soil recovery. This approach aligns with self‐sustaining successional stages and contributes to the objectives of Land Degradation Neutrality, Appropriate Mitigation and Adaptation Actions, and Sustainable Development Goals.
Afforestation With Xerophytic Shrubs Promoted Soil Organic Carbon Stability in a Hyper‐Arid Environment of Desert
Authors: Zhao Guangxing , Tariq Akash , Zhang Zhihao , Nazim Muhammad , Graciano Corina , Sardans Jordi , Dong Xinping , Gao Yanju , Peñuelas Josep , Zeng Fanjiang
Published: November 2024

In desert ecosystems, afforestation with xerophytic shrubs has the potential to significantly increase soil nutrient levels by mitigating wind and soil erosion. Nevertheless, further investigation is required to elucidate the changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions and stability on different soil depths with afforestation years. We collected soil samples from the 0–20, 20–60, and 60–100 cm depths of three xerophytic shrublands ages (3, 7, and 10 years), with a natural desert as the control, in a hyper‐arid desert region. We investigated the variations of SOC fractions (stable and active C) and stability (stability index and MAOC:POC ratios) after afforestation. The results showed that the rate of increase in SOC fractions and stability did not follow a linear trajectory with afforestation years. Instead, they accelerated around 7 years but then decreased after 10 years. The increase in SOC stability was primarily attributed to the greater increase in stable C within the total SOC pool. Afforestation increased the concentration of ROC from 0.26 to 0.89 g kg−1 and MAOC from 0.11 to 0.78 g kg−1. Afforestation increased SOC stability by 74.36%–231% compared to the CK in the 0–100 cm. SOC stability in the 60–100 cm was higher than that in the 0–20 cm layer, while SOC stability varied insignificantly across soil layers. The strongest direct positive impact on SOC stability was attributed to changes in soil physicochemical properties rather than soil microbial biomass or aggregate stability. These findings contribute to our understanding of the importance of afforestation in increasing SOC stability in desert ecosystems.
Perspective on the Coevolutionary Role of Host and Gut Microbiota in Polyphenol Health Effects: Metabotypes and Precision Health
Authors: Espín Juan Carlos , Jarrín‐Orozco María Paula , Osuna‐Galisteo Leire , Ávila‐Gálvez María Ángeles , Romo‐Vaquero María , Selma María Victoria
Published: November 2024

“Personalized nutrition” aims to establish nutritional strategies to improve health outcomes for non‐responders. However, it is utopian since most people share similar nutritional requirements. “Precision health,” encompassing lifestyles, may be more fitting. Dietary (poly)phenols are “healthy” but non‐nutritional molecules (thus, we can live without them). The gut microbiota influences (poly)phenol effects, producing metabolites with different activity than their precursors. Furthermore, producing distinctive metabolites, like urolithins, lunularin, and equol, leads to the term “polyphenol‐related gut microbiota metabotypes,” grouping individuals based on a genuine microbial metabolism of ellagic acid, resveratrol, and isoflavones, respectively. Additionally, (poly)phenols exert prebiotic‐like effects through their antimicrobial activities, typically reducing microbial diversity and modulating microbiota functionality by impacting its composition and transcriptomics. Since the gut microbiota perceives (poly)phenols as a threat, (poly)phenol effects are mostly a consequence of microbiota adaptation through differential (poly)phenol metabolism (e.g., distinctive reductions, dehydroxylations, etc.). This viewpoint is less prosaic than considering (poly)phenols as essential nutritional players in human health, yet underscores their health significance in a coevolutionary partnership with the gut microbiota. In the perspective on the gut microbiota and (poly)phenols interplay, microbiota metabotypes could arbiter health effects. An innovative aspect is also emphasized: modulating the interacting microbial networks without altering the composition.
Synthesis of Fused sp3‐Enriched Imidazoles
Authors: Lysenko Viacheslav , Portiankin Anton , Shvydenko Tetiana , Shishkina Svitlana , Nazarenko Kostiantyn , Kostyuk Aleksandr
Published: November 2024

A synthetic approach to imidazoles annulated to saturated six‐membered cycles featuring S, SO2, NH, NCbz was developed. It was achieved by combining the Neber rearrangement and the Marckwald reaction. The Neber rearrangement applied to cyclic ketones allowed us to prepare in hundred gram quantities previously unknown α‐amino ketones. Unstable tosyl ketoximes were used without purification immediately after their preparation. α‐Amino ketones react with potassium thiocyanate and cyanate in almost a quantitative yield affording highly pure imidazol‐2‐thiones or imidazol‐2‐ones. Desulfurization of imidazole‐2‐thiones using Raney nickel led to the formation of previously unknown 2‐unsubstituted fused imidazoles in high yields.
Remeshing in the finite cell method for different types of geometry descriptions
Authors: Sartorti Roman , Düster Alexander
Published: November 2024

The numerical structural analysis of problems with complex geometries can be challenging, especially if standard finite elements are used. In contrast, immersed methods, such as the finite cell method, relieve the mesh generation such that simply shaped elements/cells can be used. Then, the domain boundary is considered during the numerical integration. In finite strain analysis, the elements/cells face large distortions, especially the cells that are intersected by the boundary. When the solution fails, remeshing can be applied to continue the simulation. This process is currently limited to geometries described by a triangulated surface. Therefore, the present work shows an alternative way of describing the deformed geometry by interpolating the displacement field. In this work, the inverse distance approach, and radial basis functions (RBF) with and without a constant extension are applied. It turns out that RBF with constant extension leads to the most robust results compared to the other methods. Moreover, different geometry description types are tested, and the present approach leads to promising results.
Reliability of Commercial TOPCon PV Modules—An Extensive Comparative Study
Authors: Gebhardt Paul , Kräling Ulli , Fokuhl Esther , Hädrich Ingrid , Philipp Daniel
Published: November 2024

Tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) is poised to emerge as the predominant technology in photovoltaic (PV) cells, yet accelerated aging tests point towards significant reliability issues that remain unresolved. This study conducts a comparative analysis of 20 TOPCon PV module types, utilizing a range of electrical characterization and accelerated aging assessments. This investigation provides a detailed evaluation of the electrical performance, resulting in an energy rating of the modules, establishing a benchmark for cutting‐edge TOPCon technology. While some failure modes, such as LeTID, appear to be noncritical, the findings confirm previously identified degradation pathways in TOPCon modules due to moisture penetration. During UV exposure, a novel degradation pattern was observed during the indoor tests, showing severe losses (up to −12% after 120 kWh/m2), followed by recovery after humidity freeze testing, which may influence outdoor performance and the outcomes of certification tests (IEC 61730‐2, Sequence B). The results highlight the areas of need for more targeted testing and technological refinement.
The metabolic and physiologic impairments underlying long COVID associated exercise intolerance
Authors: Leitner Brooks P. , Joseph Phillip , Quast Andres Figueroa , Ramirez Maria Alejandra , Heerdt Paul M. , Villalobos Jose G. , Singh Inderjit
Published: November 2024

Data from invasive CPET (iCPET) revealed long COVID patients have impaired systemic oxygen extraction (EO2), suggesting impaired mitochondrial ATP production. However, it remains uncertain whether the initial severity of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection has implications on EO2 and exercise capacity (VO2) nor has there been assessment of anerobic ATP generation in long COVID patients. iCPET was performed on 47 long COVID patients (i.e., full cohort; n = 8 with severe SARS‐CoV‐2 infection). In a subset of patients (i.e., metabolomic cohort; n = 26) metabolomics on venous and arterial blood samples during iCPET was performed. In the full cohort, long COVID patients exhibited reduced peak EO2 with reduced peak VO2 (90 ± 17% predicted) relative to cardiac output (118 ± 23% predicted). Peak VO2 [88% predicted (IQR 81% ‐ 108%) vs. 70% predicted (IQR 64% ‐ 89%); p = 0.02] and EO2 [0.59(IQR 0.53–0.62) vs. 0.53(IQR 0.50–0.48); p = 0.01) were lower in severe versus mild infection. In the metabolomic cohort, 12 metabolites were significantly consumed, and 41 metabolites were significantly released (p‐values < 0.05). Quantitative metabolomics demonstrated significant increases in inosine and succinate arteriovenous gradients during exercise. Peak VO2 was significantly correlated with peak venous succinate (r = 0.68; p = 0.0008) and peak venous lactate (r = 0.49; p = 0.0004). Peak EO2 and consequently peak VO2 impact long COVID patients in a severity dependent manner. Exercise intolerance associated with long COVID is defined by impaired aerobic and anaerobic energy production. Peak venous succinate may serve as a potential biomarker in long COVID.
3‐year quality of life, functional performance, and long‐term survival after acute pulmonary embolism; A prospective study
Authors: Mehdizadeh Kasra , Kalantari Sepideh , Mohammadi Mahsa , Farrashi Melody , Kaviani Raheleh , Farmani Danial , Naghshbandi Mona , Moosavi Jamal , Mohebbi Bahram , Bakhshandeh Hooman , Pouraliakbar Hamid Reza , Barco Stefano , Klok Frederikus A. , Sadeghipour Parham
Published: November 2024

Our prospective study investigates the 3‐year trajectory of disease‐specific quality of life (QoL) using the PEmb‐QoL questionnaire, functional performance via 6‐min walk tests, and the 5‐year survival following acute pulmonary embolism (PE) and explores their association with patient demographics and clinical characteristics. We highlight that PE‐specific QoL improves over time despite no significant changes in cardiopulmonary performance.
A 3D LEO Channel Model Based on GBSM for Satellite‐Ground Communication Scenario
Authors: Su Zhaoyang , Yin Yi , Duan Xianglong , Han Zijie , Zhou Tao , Liu Liu
Published: November 2024

Low earth orbit (LEO) satellites have the characteristics of low communication delay, low deployment cost, and wide coverage, which have become an important component of the 6G air‐space‐ground integrated information network. However, satellite‐ground communication has a large propagation distance, complex fading, and fast terminal movement speed, causing the channel characteristics different from terrestrial communication networks. Therefore, channel modeling is necessary when deploying a satellite‐ground communication network. In this paper, a 3D geometry‐based stochastic model (GBSM) is proposed for satellite‐ground communication links. The proposed channel model includes several environments such as urban, suburban, and rural. Based on this model, the channel impulse response (CIR) can be obtained, and the closed‐form expression of spatial‐temporal correlation function and Doppler power spectrum density are derived. Through simulation, the characteristics of large‐scale fading and small‐scale fading are analyzed, which depict the significant differences from the terrestrial networks. The relevant results can provide contributions to the design of future satellite‐ground communication systems.
Applications of the Cu(I)‐Catalyzed Aryl Amidation in Total Synthesis of Complex Molecules
Authors: Hu Xin , Huang Hai‐Jin , Ji Cong‐Bin
Published: November 2024

Copper‐catalyzed aryl amidation reactions have received increasing interest in recent years and have been widely applicable in the total synthesis of a diverse range of structurally complex natural products. This review covers the synthetic assembly of a wide range of natural products, with copper‐catalyzed aryl amidation being the key conversion process.
Lemon Peel‐Extracted Recyclable Copper Oxide Nanoparticles for Methylene Blue Dye Adsorption: Optimization, Isotherms, Kinetics, Thermodynamics, and Reusability Study
Authors: Yadav Sangita , Sharma Gaurav , Malik Shiksha , Khyalia Pradeep , Gupta Asha
Published: November 2024

Researchers are exploring sustainable methods for synthesizing metal oxide nanoparticles to address wastewater pollution, which poses a global threat to aquatic life and human health. The present research aims to biosynthesize recyclable Lemon peel‐extracted copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) to remove methylene blue dye via adsorption. Our approach involves a comprehensive range of techniques, such as FTIR, XRD, SEM‐EDX, Zeta potential, and UV‐VIS, to thoroughly characterize the NPs. SEM analysis confirmed that the CuO NPs, with an average size of 64.5 nm and a nearly spherical shape, exhibited a zeta potential value of – 16.34, indicating their relative stability. Optimized conditions for the 92.20% adsorption efficiency for methylene blue dye were pH at 6, contact time of 90 min, 0.06 g of adsorbent dose, 10  ppm dye conc., and Temp. 27 °C. Langmuir 1‐based maximum adsorption capacity (qm) was 617.28 mg/g for CuO NPs. Langmuir 1 and Freundlich are the most suitable isotherm models for experimental data, supporting Physi‐chemisorption and chemisorption as rate‐limiting steps in the exothermic adsorption process. A reusability study of up to three cycles proved the sustainability of the materials.
Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of Selenium Nanoparticles: Bioactivity Insights
Authors: Tışlı Büşra , Nejati Omid , Torkay Gülşah , Giray Betül , Bal‐Öztürk Ayça , Bakırdere Sezgin
Published: November 2024

Selenium is a well‐known element that can be toxic and potentially harmful in excessive amounts. In this study, the microwave‐assisted synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNP) was achieved using glucose as a green reductant, resulting in reduced toxicity. This method provides a rapid, cost‐effective, and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional SeNP synthesis techniques. The antioxidant activity of the SeNPs was assessed using the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, while their antibacterial properties were tested against both Gram‐positive (E. coli) and Gram‐negative (S. aureus) bacteria using the agar diffusion method. Additionally, the cytotoxicity of SeNPs towards the Beas2B cell line was evaluated using the MTT viability assay at various concentrations. Results produced confirm the successful synthesis of SeNPs with notable antioxidant and antibacterial properties through a simple and economical approach, indicating potential applications in various fields.
Comparative Study on Architecture‐Dependent Electrochemical Properties of Aluminum Anode Materials for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Pham Kien Trung , Nguyen Hung Tran , Le Thu Chau Uyen , Vu Thien Tri , Le Thanh Huu , Le Hieu Trung , Le Hang T. T. , La Duong Duc
Published: November 2024

This study presents a comparative study on architecture‐dependent electrochemical properties of anodes made from aluminum particles and aluminum foil for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) application. The purity and other physicochemical features were analyzed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methods. The electrochemical characteristics were determined by cycling voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD) tests. The obtained results demonstrated that, due to the architecture nature of aluminum foil, the aluminum foil electrode had better conductivity and higher nucleation overpotential compared to the aluminum particles electrode, which involved other components such as PVDF as binder and carbon super P as conductive agent. Thus, the CV curves of the aluminum foil electrode showed sharper redox peaks with higher peak intensity. In addition, the aluminum foil electrode provided significantly higher initial capacity than that of the aluminum particles electrode. However, the architecture of the foil anode rendered it extremely prone to volume expansion during cycling, resulting in a fast and complete capacity fading just after 13 cycles. The anode made from aluminum particles, in contrast, witnessed slower capacity decay and ultimately stabilized at approximately 50 mAh g−1 for extending cycles.
High‐Quality Subsurface Construction of Perovskite Film for Efficient and Stable Solar Cells
Authors: Bao Qinhui , Xing Chuwu , He Miao , Nie Zhiwei , Wang Rihua , Wan Chunsheng , Zhang Tianjin , Wang Duofa
Published: November 2024

The subsurface of perovskite (PVK) triggers non‐radiative recombination and initiates film degradation due to the impurities and defects. This study investigates the limitations of the conventional surface post‐treatment and proposes an innovative pre‐treatment strategy to achieve complete impurity elimination and defect passivation of the subsurface. The considerable activity of unannealed PVK films provides a sufficient basis for effective subsurface modification. Following the pre‐treatment, the cadmium ions (Cd2+) can occupy the lead (Pb) vacancies or substitute lead ions(Pb2+), while the introduced ionic ions (I‐) are able to fill the ionic (I) vacancies. The stronger ionic bond between Cd2+ and I− helps prevent the loss of I‐, leading to a reduction of defects in film, inhibiting non‐radiative recombination and ionic migration at the interface. This innovative strategy successfully eliminates impurities and passivates defects, resulting in a perovskite subsurface characterized by high crystallinity, low defect density, and minimal impurity. These enhancements contribute to enhanced open circuit voltage (VOC)and fill factor (FF), leading to an impressive power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 24.49%. Notably, after 1600 h of aging in ambient air, the cell retained 87% of its initial performance.
Prospects of Improving Efficiency and Stability of Hybrid Perovskite Solar Cells by Alumina Ultrathin Films
Authors: Kot Małgorzata , Gawlińska‐Nęcek Katarzyna , Henkel Karsten , Flege Jan Ingo
Published: November 2024

Over the last few years, the influence of low temperature (≤80 °C) and, in particular, of room temperature, atomic layer deposited alumina (ALD‐Al2O3) on the properties of the underlying hybrid perovskites of different compositions and on the efficiency and stability of the corresponding perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is extensively investigated. The main conclusion is that most probably thanks to the presence of intrinsic defect states in the ALD‐Al2O3 and in the perovskite layers, charge transfer and neutralization are possible and the entire lifetime of the PSCs is thus improved. Moreover, the migration of mobile ions between the layers is blocked by the ALD‐Al2O3 layer and thus the occurrence of hysteresis in the current density–voltage characteristics of the PSCs is suppressed. Considering the uniform and nondestructive surface coverage, low thermal budget, small amount of material required, and short duration of the established ALD‐Al2O3 deposition on top of hybrid perovskites, this additional, but fully solar cell technology‐compatible, process step is most likely the most effective, cheapest, and fastest way to improve the efficiency and long‐term stability of PSCs and thus increase their marketability.
Conservative preconditioning techniques for efficient compressible and incompressible flow simulations on unstructured meshes
Authors: Khorasani Mahdi Moghadas , Mohammadi Adnan , Djavareshkian Mohammad Hassan
Published: November 2024

Three preconditioning methods suggested by Eriksson, Choi, Merkel, and Turkel have been utilized within a 2D upwind Euler flow solver designed for unstructured grids. These strategies efficiently address the complexities of steady inviscid flows at low Mach numbers. The conservative formulations of the preconditioning matrices are rigorously derived. This implementation enables a more accurate evaluation of high‐gradient flows. Extensive simulations are conducted on various flow scenarios, including flows over the NACA0012 airfoil, a multi‐element three‐element airfoil, and a smooth bump with varying Mach numbers, to validate the effectiveness of the aforementioned preconditioning strategies. Compared to the non‐preconditioned approach, the results demonstrate significant accuracy and convergence speed improvements for all three preconditioning methods. These strategies exhibit remarkable efficiency for low Mach and incompressible flows. Among the three approaches, the Turkel preconditioner stands out with its optimal condition number, leading to superior performance. For low Mach numbers, convergence is accelerated by up to 88%, while at transonic speeds, it still achieves a notable 38% increase in convergence speed. Additionally, the preconditioning techniques preserve solution accuracy near challenging stagnation points. This study establishes a unified conservative framework for assessing preconditioning approaches and highlights their ability to resolve the complex fluid physics of low Mach number flows on unstructured grids. The findings underscore the significance of employing such strategies to enhance accuracy and computational efficiency in evaluating high‐gradient flows.
Introduction
Authors: Lampoltshammer Thomas J. , Solvak Mihkel , Homburg Vincent
Published: November 2024

This chapter introduces some technological and policy developments that are at the heart of the mGov4EU project. In the mGov4EU project, various pilots implement and validate enhanced infrastructure services for electronic voting, smart mobility and mobile signing, using mobile devices most of us nowadays naturally expect as a default way of accessing services. The pilots aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of providing cross-border information to enhance cross-border mobility and cross-border collaboration in the European Union. The pilots also demonstrated how enhanced electronic identities and trust services (eIDAS) and Single Digital Gateway Regulation (SDGR) layers can accommodate once-only, digital-by-default and mobile-first principles.

For this to result in user-centric, user-friendly mobile public services, stakeholders’ roles (including but not limited to end users’ experiences and requirements) have to be identified, architecture core building blocks have to be assembled, implementations have to align with EU eIDAS and SDG regulations and, with the eSignature interoperability system and the Digital Wallet System, ethics, security and privacy requirements have to be taken into account and evaluated. The long-term viability has to be ensured. This first chapter briefly introduces all these relevant angles and describes how the various chapters will focus on how specific challenges were tackled and what lessons learnt could be drawn.
Cross-Border Mobile Government Services: Exploring Business Model Dynamics in mGov4EU
Authors: Lampoltshammer Thomas J. , Sellung Rachelle , Dedovic Stefan
Published: November 2024

The mGov4EU project represents an ambitious effort to revolutionise European mobile government services. It aims to develop an ecosystem that integrates state-of-the-art digital wallet approaches within the framework of eIDAS and SDG. This initiative is pivotal in fostering a seamless interface between citizens, businesses, and public administrations, enhancing the efficiency and user experience in accessing government services. Despite its potential, the mGov4EU project confronts many challenges, including legal compliance, technical interoperability, user acceptance, and the formulation of viable and sustainable business models. These challenges are particularly pronounced in the public sector, where traditional business strategies may not align seamlessly with innovative digital service models. This chapter focuses on examining the business model aspects of the mGov4EU project. It explores the strategies and priorities of the project’s partners, particularly in the context of sustaining and scaling the project outcomes within the European framework. It reflects on decisions, as well as challenges accordingly.
Summary
Authors: Schmidt Carsten , Lampoltshammer Thomas J. , Homburg Vincent
Published: November 2024

The preceding chapters present lessons from 3 years of work in the mGov4EU project. This chapter summarises and synthesises the key findings and takeaways based on experiences gathered in 3 years of working with pilots in the mGov4EU project. Concerning the mGov4EU reference architecture, it is concluded that technical challenges could be addressed with a dedicated eID app to allow for app-to-app interaction, tighter integration between mobile applications and service provider applications and alternative wallet-based authentication protocols. Studies of mobile government users identified users’ lack of awareness and reluctance to use biometric functionalities in mobile devices, highlighting the critical role of a well-designed user interface. It was also found that identity wallets come with accessibility risks and data protection concerns, for which solutions are proposed. Overall, it is concluded that mGov4EU’s results are reusable and sustainable.
Implementation and System Integration
Authors: Prünster Bernd , Czerny Roland , Corici Andreea Ancuta , Wich Tobias
Published: November 2024

Cross-border authentication based on provisions of the European eIDAS Regulation and cross-border data exchange according to the European Single Digital Gateway Regulation (SDGR) are usually implemented using Web technologies. Consequently, the solutions currently deployed are tailored toward usage scenarios involving Web browsers on traditional end-user devices such as desktop computers or laptops. Such solutions are often difficult to apply to mobile devices like smartphones, since these devices come with different characteristics, capabilities, and limitations. Enabling cross-border authentication and cross-border data exchange on mobile devices hence requires new technical solutions and respective implementations that take into account the special requirements of current mobile devices. This chapter elaborates on the technical details of this issue. It identifies practical technical challenges in implementing eIDAS and SDG-based cross-border authentication and data exchange involving mobile end-user devices. This chapter also discusses strategies to overcome these challenges and evaluates proposed strategies by means of technical implementations relying on state-of-the-art mobile technologies. It then establishes how cross-border authentication based on the eIDAS Regulation and cross-border data exchange based on the SDG Regulation are indeed feasible on mobile devices and show directions toward suitable implementations.
Meanings, Experiences, and Perspectives on Non-Motherhood in a Spanish Context
Authors: Morero Beltrán Anna , Samaranch Elisabet Almeda
Published: November 2024

The number of women not having children in Spain is increasing. Official data reveals that, since the 1990s, the total fertility rate in Spain has been below 1.5 children per woman. More precisely, the number of women who remain childless in Spain rose from 11 per cent for women born in 1945 to 20 per cent for those born in 1965, and it is estimated to reach 25 per cent for women born in 1975. This means that one out of every four women in this latter generation will not become a mother, making it the Spanish generation with the fewest number of children in the last 130 years. Despite the fact that existing research has determined that poor material or family conditions are the main reason for not having children, the number of women who freely choose non-motherhood is increasing. This chapter explores the various reasons why Spanish women choose non-motherhood. To this end, we conducted a series of interviews with a group of women fitting this profile and asked them to explain why they opted to remain childless. Our survey included questions specifically designed to explore and examine the arguments provided by our interviewees, to identify those aspects of their life experiences that led them to reject motherhood, and to understand the lived realities of being a non-mother. The chapter is also careful to contextualize this study within contemporary Spanish culture and society.
Alternative Happy Endings? A Qualitative Study of Non-Mothers in Lithuania
Authors: Šumskaitė Lina
Published: November 2024

Women’s experiences of non-motherhood have not been adequately analysed in Lithuania until recently. Women in Lithuania, as in other Eastern European countries, experience the pressure of pro-natalist society to have children. Their decisions whether and when to have children are often not free, as they are influenced by circumstances and internalized cultural beliefs. In this chapter, I analyse the narratives of 12 reproductive-age women (29-47 years old), interviewed in 2017. The findings show that for most of the interviewees, normative preconceptions continue to prevail and influence them. The qualitative interviews examined in this chapter demonstrate the fact that reproduction remains central to women’s lives in Lithuania. Only a few women felt comfortable with not having children. This reveals that the pressure for motherhood remains strong in Lithuania, and experiences of non-motherhood do not yet hold sufficient weight to represent a valid and alternative pathway towards a happy life.
Increasing Phylogenetic Clustering of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Communities in Roots Explains Enhanced Plant Growth and Phosphorus Uptake
Authors: Frew Adam , Aguilar-Trigueros Carlos A.
Published: November 2024

Temporal variation during the assembly of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal communities within plant roots have been posited as critical drivers of the plant-fungal symbiotic outcomes. However, functional implications of these dynamics for the host plant remain poorly understood. We conducted a controlled pot experiment with Sorghum bicolor to investigate how temporal shifts in AM fungal community composition and phylogenetic diversity influence plant growth and phosphorus responses to the symbiosis. We characterised the root-colonising AM fungal communities across three time points and explored their community assembly processes by analysing their phylogenetic diversity and employing joint species distribution modelling with the Hierarchical Modelling of Species Communities (HMSC) framework. We found strong AM fungal turnover through time with a high phylogenetic signal, indicating recruitment of phylogenetically clustered AM fungal species in the host. This temporal phylogenetic clustering of communities coincided with marked increases in plant biomass and phosphorus responses to the AM fungal symbiosis, suggesting that host selection for specific fungi may be a key determinant of these benefits.
Is underweight associated with poorer diet, nutrient status, bone and cardiometabolic health, and school performance in Danish 8-11-year-olds?
Authors: Aurup Anne V. , Strandberg-Larsen Katrine , Andersen Rikke , Biltoft-Jensen Anja , Lauritzen Lotte , Damsgaard Camilla T.
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Underweight, i.e. low body mass index for age and sex, may indicate undernutrition, but despite high prevalence, this aspect is largely overlooked in children in high-income countries. We explored if dietary intake, nutrient status, body composition, bone mineralization, cardiometabolic markers and school performance differed in schoolchildren with underweight compared to normal- and overweight.

Methods

We used cross-sectional data from 815 Danish 8-11-year-old children collected in 2011. Intake of foods, macronutrients and key micronutrients (vitamin D, vitamin B12, calcium, iron, zinc and selenium) was assessed by 7-day dietary records. Measurements included anthropometry, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and tests of attention and reading skills. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for biomarkers of iron, long-chain n-3 fatty acids and vitamin D status as well as blood lipids, insulin and growth markers.

Results

Eighty-three (10.2%) children had underweight and were shown to have a lower intake of energy, red meat, protein and zinc and higher intake of added sugar than children with normal- and overweight. They also had higher fish intake relative to overweight, but blood biomarkers did not differ between groups. Children with underweight had lower fat percent and bone mineralization compared to peers with normalweight, but apart from lower insulin, they did not differ in overall cardiometabolic health or school performance.

Conclusion

Although we found some differences in diet, there were no considerable differences in nutrient status, cardiometabolic health or school performance between children with underweight and their normalweight peers. However, the lower bone mineralization is a concern and needs further investigation.