bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Lightweight Hybrid Model with Location-Preserving ViT for Efficient Food Recognition
Authors: Sheng Guorui , Min Weiqing , Zhu Xiangyi , Xu Liang , Sun Qingshuo , Yang Yancun , Wang Lili , Jiang Shuqiang
Published: January 2024

Food-image recognition plays a pivotal role in intelligent nutrition management, and lightweight recognition methods based on deep learning are crucial for enabling mobile deployment. This capability empowers individuals to effectively manage their daily diet and nutrition using devices such as smartphones. In this study, we propose an Efficient Hybrid Food Recognition Net (EHFR–Net), a novel neural network that integrates Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Vision Transformer (ViT). We find that in the context of food-image recognition tasks, while ViT demonstrates superiority in extracting global information, its approach of disregarding the initial spatial information hampers its efficacy. Therefore, we designed a ViT method termed Location-Preserving Vision Transformer (LP–ViT), which retains positional information during the global information extraction process. To ensure the lightweight nature of the model, we employ an inverted residual block on the CNN side to extract local features. Global and local features are seamlessly integrated by directly summing and concatenating the outputs from the convolutional and ViT structures, resulting in the creation of a unified Hybrid Block (HBlock) in a coherent manner. Moreover, we optimize the hierarchical layout of EHFR–Net to accommodate the unique characteristics of HBlock, effectively reducing the model size. Our extensive experiments on three well-known food image-recognition datasets demonstrate the superiority of our approach. For instance, on the ETHZ Food–101 dataset, our method achieves an outstanding recognition accuracy of 90.7%, which is 3.5% higher than the state-of-the-art ViT-based lightweight network MobileViTv2 (87.2%), which has an equivalent number of parameters and calculations.
The Effects of Ying Yang Bao on Nutritional Status of Children Aged 6–60 Months in Underdeveloped Rural Areas of China
Authors: Feng Jing , Wang Yongjun , Liu Tingting , Huo Junsheng , Zhuo Qin , Gong Zhaolong
Published: January 2024

The Ying Yang Bao (YYB) intervention, a national policy in China, has been implemented for over two decades. Most previous studies have focused only on the short-term effects of YYB, while the long-term effects remain unexplored. This study was designed to evaluate the long-term effects of YYB in children aged 6–60 months. A sample of 4666 children was divided into intervention and control groups. Information on basic characteristics, physical examination, YYB consumption, etc., was obtained annually from 2018 to 2021. T-tests or chi-square tests were used to compare differences between the groups for continuous or categorical variables. Children in the intervention group showed greater incremental improvements in hemoglobin levels and physical development (p < 0.05). Prevalence of anemia, underweight, and stunting were lower in the intervention group than in the control group (all p < 0.05). Two-level regression models were constructed to assess the long-term effects of YYB. YYB reduced the risk of anemia and wasting by 37% (OR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.52–0.75) and 49% (OR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.39–0.67), respectively. This study indicates that YYB could significantly improve the nutritional status of children aged 6–60 months in underdeveloped rural areas of China.
Why Acute Undernutrition? A Qualitative Exploration of Food Preferences, Perceptions and Factors Underlying Diet in Adolescent Girls in Rural Communities in Nigeria
Authors: Sosanya Mercy E. , Freeland-Graves Jeanne H. , Gbemileke Ayodele O. , Adesanya Oluwatosin D. , Akinyemi Oluwaseun O. , Ojezele Samuel O. , Samuel Folake O.
Published: January 2024

Background: Adolescent girls are nutritionally vulnerable due to their rapid growth and increased nutrient requirements. Nigeria has the sixth-largest population in the world. This study qualitatively explored the food preferences, perceptions of nutritive value and factors underlying food consumption of adolescent girls in rural communities in Nigeria. Methods: The data were collected via the free listing of foods and focus group sessions conducted in the Hausa language with 48 unmarried adolescent girls. The discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed, translated into English, and analyzed using a deductive thematic framework. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 13.0 ± 2.7, and almost half (48%) had a primary school education. A total of 19 and 23 foods were identified as preferred, and perceived as nourishing, respectively. The top 10 foods present on both free lists overlapped considerably in terms of cognitive salience. The focus group themes included nutrition knowledge, food preferences, autonomy, household food allocation, courtship practices, and agricultural landscapes and economic access. The participants had minimal knowledge of nutrients and food groups, and their preferred foods were limited in diversity. The key factors in food preferences were desirable health effects, sensory attributes, and the contribution of foods to a desirable body image for marriage. Household food choices depended on parents. Thus, a desire for independence was an incentive for early marriage, mostly at 13 to 17 years. Gender inequities in household food distribution (quantity) and animal protein intake were reported. The participants believed that boys need more food for strength to impregnate girls. As part of a courtship practice, the girls received gifts of animal source foods from potential suitors. The food options were limited by financial challenges and low agricultural diversity. Conclusion: To interrupt the cycle of inadequate food consumption and undernutrition in these adolescent girls, policy makers need to promote nutrition education and address the underlying determinants of inequitable access to nutritious foods.
Dads at Mealtimes: Associations between Food Security, Household and Work Chaos, and Paternal Feeding Practices among Australian Fathers Living with Disadvantage
Authors: So Jeffrey T. H. , Nambiar Smita , Byrne Rebecca , Gallegos Danielle , Baxter Kimberley A.
Published: January 2024

Understanding how fathers engage in feeding while experiencing disadvantage is important for family-focused interventions. A cross-sectional online survey involving 264 Australian fathers was conducted to explore feeding involvement and the relationships between feeding practices, food insecurity, and household and work chaos. Practices related to coercive control, structure, and autonomy support were measured for two age groups (<2 years and 2–5 years). Multivariable linear regression was used to examine the associations for each practice. Three-quarters of the sample were food insecure, impacting adults more than children, and correlated with household chaos. Food insecurity was associated with increased ‘persuasive feeding’ and ‘parent-led feeding’ in younger children. Household chaos was positively associated with coercive control practices in both younger and older child groups, with the strongest associations for ‘using food to calm’ and ‘overt restriction’, respectively. In older child groups, household chaos was negatively associated with ‘offer new foods’ and ‘repeated presentation of new foods’. Structure practices had no significant relationships with any factors, and work chaos did not predict any feeding practices. These findings emphasize a need for societal and structural support to address food insecurity and household chaos. Tailored strategies are crucial to support fathers in responsive feeding.
Gram-Negative ESKAPE Bacteria Surveillance in COVID-19 Pandemic Exposes High-Risk Sequence Types of Acinetobacter baumannii MDR in a Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Cureño-Díaz Mónica Alethia , Plascencia-Nieto Estibeyesbo Said , Loyola-Cruz Miguel Ángel , Cruz-Cruz Clemente , Nolasco-Rojas Andres Emmanuel , Durán-Manuel Emilio Mariano , Ibáñez-Cervantes Gabriela , Gómez-Zamora Erika , Tamayo-Ordóñez María Concepción , Tamayo-Ordóñez Yahaira de Jesús , Calzada-Mendoza Claudia Camelia , Bello-López Juan Manuel
Published: January 2024

The interruption of bacteriological surveillance due to the COVID-19 pandemic brought serious consequences, such as the collapse of health systems and the possible increase in antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, it is necessary to know the rate of resistance and its associated mechanisms in bacteria causing hospital infections during the pandemic. The aim of this work was to show the phenotypic and molecular characteristics of antimicrobial resistance in ESKAPE bacteria in a Mexican tertiary care hospital in the second and third years of the pandemic. For this purpose, during 2021 and 2022, two hundred unduplicated strains of the ESKAPE group (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii) were collected from various clinical sources and categorized by resistance according to the CLSI. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) complemented by the Tukey test was performed to search for changes in antimicrobial susceptibility profiles during the study period. Finally, the mechanisms of resistance involved in carbapenem resistance were analyzed, and the search for efflux pumps and high-risk sequence types in A. baumannii was performed by multilocus analysis (MLST). The results showed no changes in K. pneumoniae resistance during the period analyzed. Decreases in quinolone resistance were identified in E. coli (p = 0.039) and P. aeruginosa (p = 0.03). Interestingly, A. baumannii showed increases in resistance to penicillins (p = 0.004), aminoglycosides (p < 0.001, p = 0.027), carbapenems (p = 0.027), and folate inhibitors (p = 0.001). Several genes involved in carbapenem resistance were identified (blaNDM, blaVIM, blaOXA, blaKPC, blaOXA-40, and blaOXA-48) with a predominance of blaOXA-40 and the adeABCRS efflux pump in A. baumannii. Finally, MLST analysis revealed the presence of globally distributed sequence types (ST369 and ST758) related to hospital outbreaks in other parts of the world. The results presented demonstrate that the ESKAPE group has played an important role during the COVID-19 pandemic as nosocomial antibiotic-resistant pathogens and in particular A. baumannii MDR as a potential reservoir of resistance genes. The implications of the increases in antimicrobial resistance in pathogens of the ESKAPE group and mainly in A. baumannii during the COVID-19 pandemic are analyzed and discussed.
Pathogen Discovery in the Post-COVID Era
Authors: Guo Cheng , Wu Jian-Yong
Published: January 2024

Pathogen discovery plays a crucial role in the fields of infectious diseases, clinical microbiology, and public health. During the past four years, the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of early and accurate identification of novel pathogens for effective management and prevention of outbreaks. The post-COVID era has ushered in a new phase of infectious disease research, marked by accelerated advancements in pathogen discovery. This review encapsulates the recent innovations and paradigm shifts that have reshaped the landscape of pathogen discovery in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Primarily, we summarize the latest technology innovations, applications, and causation proving strategies that enable rapid and accurate pathogen discovery for both acute and historical infections. We also explored the significance and the latest trends and approaches being employed for effective implementation of pathogen discovery from various clinical and environmental samples. Furthermore, we emphasize the collaborative nature of the pandemic response, which has led to the establishment of global networks for pathogen discovery.
Herpesviruses and SARS-CoV-2: Viral Association with Oral Inflammatory Diseases
Authors: Banks Jonathan M. , Capistrano Kristelle J. , Brandini Daniela A. , Zaidi Filza , Thakkar Pari , Rahat Rani , Schwartz Joel , Naqvi Afsar R.
Published: January 2024

The oral cavity is a niche for diverse microbes, including viruses. Members of the Herpesviridae family, comprised of dsDNA viruses, as well as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), an ssRNA virus, are among the most prevalent viruses infecting the oral cavity, and they exhibit clinical manifestations unique to oral tissues. Viral infection of oral mucosal epithelia triggers an immune response that results in prolonged inflammation. The clinical and systemic disease manifestations of HHV have been researched extensively, and several recent studies have illuminated the relationship between HHV and oral inflammatory diseases. Burgeoning evidence suggests the oral manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 infection includes xerostomia, dysgeusia, periodontal disease, mucositis, and opportunistic viral and bacterial infections, collectively described as oral post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). These diverse sequelae could be a result of intensified immune responses initially due to the copious production of proinflammatory cytokines: the so-called “cytokine storm syndrome”, facilitating widespread oral and non-oral tissue damage. This review explores the interplay between HHV, SARS-CoV-2, and oral inflammatory diseases such as periodontitis, endodontic disease, and peri-implantitis. Additionally, the review discusses proper diagnostic techniques for identifying viral infection and how viral diagnostics can lead to improved overall patient health.
Medication Dosage Impact on Mortality in Old-Age Individuals with Schizophrenia: A National Cohort Study
Authors: Li Jia-Ru , Yeh Ling-Ling , Lin Ji-Yu , Pan Yi-Ju
Published: January 2024

As the prevalence of old-age individuals with schizophrenia (OAS) increases in a society undergoing demographic aging, the exploration of medication choices becomes increasingly crucial. Due to the current scarcity of literature on OAS, this study seeks to examine how the utilization and cumulative dosages of psychotropic medications influence both overall and cause-specific mortality risks within this population. A national cohort of 6433 individuals diagnosed with OAS was followed up for 5 years. This study involved comparing the mortality rates associated with low, moderate, and high dosages of antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and sedative/hypnotic drugs against the ‘no exposure’ category, based on individual dosages. Cox regression was employed for survival analyses to compare overall mortality and specific-cause mortality across various dosage groups. The exposure variable examined was the dosage of a specific psychotropic medication. Covariates were adjusted accordingly. The analysis revealed that patients on low/moderate antipsychotic doses had improved survival compared to non-exposed individuals. Moderate antipsychotic use corresponded to reduced cardiovascular disease mortality risk. Similarly, those exposed to antidepressants had enhanced survival in low and moderate doses. Sedative-hypnotic exposure was linked to decreased mortality risk in low doses. This study observed that low/moderate antipsychotic doses in older adults with schizophrenia were associated with decreased all-cause mortality, emphasizing the significance of precise medication selection and dosing. It underscores the need for vigilant polypharmacy management and tailored medication strategies in addressing the complexities of treating OAS.
Vaccines to Treat Substance Use Disorders: Current Status and Future Directions
Authors: Lu Tangsheng , Li Xue , Zheng Wei , Kuang Chenyan , Wu Bingyi , Liu Xiaoxing , Xue Yanxue , Shi Jie , Lu Lin , Han Ying
Published: January 2024

Addiction, particularly in relation to psychostimulants and opioids, persists as a global health crisis with profound social and economic ramifications. Traditional interventions, including medications and behavioral therapies, often encounter limited success due to the chronic and relapsing nature of addictive disorders. Consequently, there is significant interest in the development of innovative therapeutics to counteract the effects of abused substances. In recent years, vaccines have emerged as a novel and promising strategy to tackle addiction. Anti-drug vaccines are designed to stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies that bind to addictive compounds, such as nicotine, cocaine, morphine, methamphetamine, and heroin. These antibodies effectively neutralize the target molecules, preventing them from reaching the brain and eliciting their rewarding effects. By obstructing the rewarding sensations associated with substance use, vaccines aim to reduce cravings and the motivation to engage in drug use. Although anti-drug vaccines hold significant potential, challenges remain in their development and implementation. The reversibility of vaccination and the potential for combining vaccines with other addiction treatments offer promise for improving addiction outcomes. This review provides an overview of anti-drug vaccines, their mechanisms of action, and their potential impact on treatment for substance use disorders. Furthermore, this review summarizes recent advancements in vaccine development for each specific drug, offering insights for the development of more effective and personalized treatments capable of addressing the distinct challenges posed by various abused substances.
Nietzsche Was No Perspectivist
Authors: Lewin Michael
Published: January 2024

There is a widespread agreement that Nietzsche has developed a kind of position or doctrine called ‘perspectivism’. Scholars go on and develop metaphysical, semantic, epistemic, and psychobiological interpretations of the supposed Nietzschean perspectivism or even ‘perspectivisms’. They engage in debates about whether this perspectivism is relativistic, realistic, or anti-realistic and what the tenets of perspectivism are. In this paper, I suggest putting an end to this practice. I examine Nietzsche’s explicit mentions of the term ‘perspectivism’, the problems associated with the misunderstanding of this term as a label, attempts to reconstruct perspectivism based on explicit mentions of ‘perspective’ and related vocabulary, and doctrinal assumptions scholars try to connect with this terminology.
24-Epibrassinolide Reduces Drought-Induced Oxidative Stress by Modulating the Antioxidant System and Respiration in Wheat Seedlings
Authors: Avalbaev Azamat , Fedyaev Vadim , Lubyanova Alsu , Yuldashev Ruslan , Allagulova Chulpan
Published: January 2024

Brassinosteroids (BRs) represent a group of plant signaling molecules with a steroidal skeleton that play an essential role in plant adaptation to different environmental stresses, including drought. In this work, the effect of pretreatment with 0.4 µM 24-epibrassinolide (EBR) on the oxidant/antioxidant system in 4-day-old wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.) was studied under moderate drought stress simulated by 12% polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG). It was revealed that EBR-pretreatment had a protective effect on wheat plants as evidenced by the maintenance of their growth rate, as well as the reduction in lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakage from plant tissues under drought conditions. This effect was likely due to the ability of EBR to reduce the stress-induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and modulate the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Meanwhile, EBR pretreatment enhanced proline accumulation and increased the barrier properties of the cell walls in seedlings by accelerating the lignin deposition. Moreover, the ability of EBR to prevent a drought-caused increase in the intensity of the total dark respiration and the capacity of alternative respiration contributes significantly to the antistress action of this hormone.
An Integrative Approach to Selected Species of Tanacetum L. (Asteraceae): Insights into Morphology and Phytochemistry
Authors: Giuliani Claudia , Bottoni Martina , Milani Fabrizia , Spada Alberto , Falsini Sara , Papini Alessio , Santagostini Laura , Fico Gelsomina
Published: January 2024

In this work, we studied Tanacetum vulgare, Tanacetum parthenium, and Tanacetum corymbosum (Asteraceae) cultivated at the Ghirardi Botanic Garden (Toscolano Maderno, Brescia, Northern Italy) of the University of Milan. An integrative research approach was adopted: microscopic and histochemical, with special focus on the secretory structures responsible for the productivity of secondary metabolites; phytochemical, with the analysis of the essential oil (EO) profiles from the air-dried, flowered aerial parts collected in June 2021; bio-ecological, with emphasis, based on literature data, on the ecology and biological activity of the main EO components. In all three species, two basic trichome morphotypes (flagellar non-glandular and biseriate glandular) occurred with different distribution patterns. The glandular ones produced terpenes, along with flavonoids. A high level of chemical variability in the EO compositions emerged, specifically for qualitative data. T. vulgare profile was more complex and heterogeneous than those obtained from T. parthenium and T. corymbosum, with camphor as the predominant compound, followed by farnesol and α-santalone, respectively. Finally, the obtained scientific findings were made available to the visitors of the botanic garden through new dissemination labeling that highlights the “invisible”, microscopic features of the plants, from an Open Science perspective (“Botanic Garden, factories of molecules…work in progress”—Lombardy Region Project Lr. 25/2016, year 2021).
A Comprehensive Review of Microalgae and Cyanobacteria-Based Biostimulants for Agriculture Uses
Authors: Chabili Amer , Minaoui Farah , Hakkoum Zineb , Douma Mountasser , Meddich Abdelilah , Loudiki Mohammed
Published: January 2024

Significant progress has been achieved in the use of biostimulants in sustainable agricultural practices. These new products can improve plant growth, nutrient uptake, crop yield and quality, stress adaptation and soil fertility, while reducing agriculture’s environmental footprint. Although it is an emerging market, the biostimulant sector is very promising, hence the increasing attention of the scientific community and agro-industry stakeholders in finding new sources of plant biostimulants. Recently, pro- and eucaryotic microalgae have gained prominence and can be exploited as biostimulants due to their ability to produce high-value-added metabolites. Several works revealed the potential of microalgae- and cyanobacteria-based biostimulants (MCBs) as plant growth promoters and stress alleviators, as well as encouraging results pointing out that their use can address current and future agricultural challenges. In contrast to macroalgae biostimulants, the targeted applications of MBs in agriculture are still in their earlier stages and their commercial implementation is constrained by the lack of research and cost of production. The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview on the use of this promising new category of plant biostimulants in agriculture and to highlight the current knowledge on their application prospects. Based on the prevailing state of the art, we aimed to roadmap MCB formulations from microalgae and cyanobacteria strain selection, algal biomass production, extraction techniques and application type to product commercialization and farmer and consumer acceptance. Moreover, we provide examples of successful trials demonstrating the beneficial applications of microalgal biostimulants as well as point out bottlenecks and constraints regarding their successful commercialization and input in sustainable agricultural practices.
Conserving Marine Forests: Assessing the Effectiveness of a Marine Protected Area for Cystoseira sensu lato Populations in the Central Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Mancuso Francesco Paolo , Sarà Gianluca , Mannino Anna Maria
Published: January 2024

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are vital for biodiversity conservation, yet their effectiveness in preserving foundation seaweeds remains understudied. This study investigates the diversity and distribution of Cystoseira sensu lato (including Cystoseira, Ericaria, and Gongolaria, hereafter referred to as Cystoseira s.l.) populations in an MPA located in the central Mediterranean Sea, comparing them with those in two unprotected sites. We hypothesized MPA Cystoseira s.l. populations would display higher diversity and structure compared to outside unprotected sites. Results revealed a total of 19 Cystoseira s.l. species at depths of 0–20 m, with the MPA exhibiting a higher diversity than unprotected sites. Thus, MPAs can play a crucial role in fostering the diversity of Cystoseira s.l. populations. However, no significant differences were observed among the MPA’s protection zones, raising questions about the zoning effectiveness. Additionally, our survey uncovered a substantial presence of non-indigenous seaweeds within the MPA. In conclusions, while MPAs improved Cystoseira s.l. diversity compared to unprotected sites, the varying efficacy of protection within MPA zones suggested a necessity for site-specific conservation strategies. The presence of non-indigenous seaweeds emphasizes ongoing challenges. This study provides a baseline for understanding Cystoseira s.l. population dynamics, crucial for future monitoring and conservation efforts in the face of global change.
Biochar Production and Characteristics, Its Impacts on Soil Health, Crop Production, and Yield Enhancement: A Review
Authors: Khan Shahbaz , Irshad Sohail , Mehmood Kashf , Hasnain Zuhair , Nawaz Muhammad , Rais Afroz , Gul Safia , Wahid Muhammad Ashfaq , Hashem Abeer , Abd_Allah Elsayed Fathi , Ibrar Danish
Published: January 2024

Rapid urban expansion and a booming population are placing immense pressure on our agricultural systems, leading to detrimental impacts on soil fertility and overall health. Due to the extensive use of agrochemicals in agriculture, the necessity to meet the expanding demand for food has also resulted in unsustainable farming practices. Around the world, biochar, a multipurpose carbonaceous material, is being used to concurrently solve issues with enhancing soil fertility, plant growth, and development under both normal and stressful circumstances. It improves water retention, fosters nutrient absorption, and promotes microbial activity, creating a fertile environment that supports sustainable and resilient agriculture. Additionally, biochar acts as a carbon sink, contributing to long-term carbon sequestration and mitigating climate change impacts. The major benefit of biochar is that it helps the adsorption process with its highly porous structures and different functional groups. Understanding the elements involved in biochar formation that determine its characteristics and adsorptive capacity is necessary to assure the viability of biochar in terms of plant productivity and soil health, particularly biological activity in soil. This paper focuses on the development, composition, and effects of biochar on soil fertility and health, and crop productivity.
Comprehensive Characterization of Global Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Collection Using Agronomic Traits, β-Glucan Level, Phenolic Content, and Antioxidant Activities
Authors: Desta Kebede Taye , Choi Yu-Mi , Yoon Hyemyeong , Lee Sukyeung , Yi Jungyoon , Jeon Young-ah , Wang Xiaohan , Park Jin-Cheon , Kim Kyeong-Min , Shin Myoung-Jae
Published: January 2024

This study characterized the diversity of 367 barley collections from 27 different countries, including 5 control cultivars, using several phenotypic traits. Morphological traits, including spike type, grain morphology, cold damage, and lodging rate, exhibited wide variations. Eighteen accessions matured early, while four accessions had longer culm and spike lengths than the controls. The ranges of total phenolic content (TPC), β-glucan content, ABTS•+ scavenging activity, DPPH• scavenging activity, and reducing power (RP) were 1.79–6.79 mg GAE/g, 0.14–8.41 g/100 g, 3.07–13.54 mg AAE/100 g, 1.56–6.24 mg AAE/g, and 1.31–7.86 mg AAE/g, respectively. Betaone, one of the controls, had the highest β-glucan content. Two accessions had β-glucan levels close to Betaone. Furthermore, 20 accessions exhibited increased TPC compared to the controls, while 5 accessions displayed elevated ABTS•+ scavenging activity. Among these, one accession also exhibited higher DPPH• scavenging activity and RP simultaneously. Based on the statistical analysis of variance, all the quantitative traits were significantly affected by the difference in origin (p < 0.05). On the other hand, grain morphology significantly affected biochemical traits. Multivariate analysis classified barley accessions into eight groups, demonstrating variations in quantitative traits. There were noteworthy correlations between biochemical and agronomical traits. Overall, this study characterized several barley varieties of different origins, anticipating future genomic research. The barley accessions with superior performances could be valuable alternatives in breeding.
Preparation and Characterization of Perfluoropolyether-Silane@Ethye Cellulose Polymeric Microcapsules
Authors: Song Zijian , Chen Ruijie , Huang Zilang , Gong Yucheng , Zhao Haitao
Published: January 2024

A novel polymeric microcapsule was designed and synthesized using perfluoropolyether silane (PFPE-silane) as a superhydrophobic core material and ethyl cellulose (EC) as a shell material. The effects of the stirring rate and the core-to-shell ratio on the synthesized microcapsules were investigated. The physicochemical properties of the polymeric microcapsules were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, laser particle size analysis, and wettability analysis. The results showed that when the stirring rate was 650 rpm and the core-to-shell ratio was 1:1, well-distributed and uniformly dispersed microcapsules could be obtained. The results also indicated that the prepared polymeric microcapsules were spherical particles with micropores on the surface, and they had an average particle size of 165.71 μm. The EC shells could effectively prevent the thermal decomposition of PFPE-silane during cement hydration, and the PFPE-silane also exhibited excellent hydrophobicity. The specially designed structure of this polymeric microcapsule suggests its potential for enhancing the corrosion resistance of reinforced concrete structures.
Study of Low-Velocity Impact Behavior of Hybrid Fiber-Reinforced Metal Laminates
Authors: Fang Yuting , Sheng Dongfa , Lin Zhongzhao , Fei Peng
Published: January 2024

In this paper, the low-velocity impact behavior and damage modes of carbon/glass-hybrid fiber-reinforced magnesium alloy laminates (FMLs-H) and pure carbon-fiber-reinforced magnesium alloy laminates (FMLs-C) are investigated using experimental, theoretical modeling, and numerical simulation methods. Low-velocity impact tests were conducted at incident energies of 20 J, 40 J, and 60 J using a drop-weight impact tester, and the load–displacement curves and energy–time curves of the FMLs were recorded and plotted. The results showed that compared with FMLs-C, the stiffness of FMLs-H was slightly reduced, but the peak load and energy absorption were both greatly improved. Finally, a finite element model based on the Abaqus-VUMAT subroutine was developed to simulate the experimental results, and the damage modes of the metal layer, fiber layer, and interlayer were observed and analyzed. The experimental results are in good agreement with the finite element analysis results. The damage mechanisms of two kinds of FMLs under low-velocity impacts are discussed, providing a reference for the design and application of laminates.
Biomass- and Carbon Dioxide-Derived Polyurethane Networks for Thermal Interface Material Applications
Authors: Jang Ji Won , Cha Inhwan , Choi Junhyeon , Han Jungwoo , Hwang Joon Young , Cho Il Gyu , Son Seung Uk , Kang Eun Joo , Song Changsik
Published: January 2024

Recent environmental concerns have increased demand for renewable polymers and sustainable green resource usage, such as biomass-derived components and carbon dioxide (CO2). Herein, we present crosslinked polyurethanes (CPUs) fabricated from CO2- and biomass-derived monomers via a facile solvent-free ball milling process. Furan-containing bis(cyclic carbonate)s were synthesized through CO2 fixation and further transformed to tetraols, denoted FCTs, by aminolysis and utilized in CPU synthesis. Highly dispersed polyurethane-based hybrid composites (CPU–Ag) were also manufactured using a similar ball milling process. Due to the malleability of the CPU matrix, enabled by transcarbamoylation (dynamic covalent chemistry), CPU-based composites are expected to present very low interfacial thermal resistance between the heat sink and heat source. The characteristics of the dynamic covalent bond (i.e., urethane exchange reaction) were confirmed by the results of dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and stress relaxation analysis. Importantly, the high thermal conductivity of the CPU-based hybrid material was confirmed using laser flash analysis (up to 51.1 W/m·K). Our mechanochemical approach enables the facile preparation of sustainable polymers and hybrid composites for functional application.
Comparison of the Properties of Pullulan-Based Active Edible Coatings Implemented for Improving Sliced Cheese Shelf Life
Authors: Erceg Tamara , Šovljanski Olja , Tomić Ana , Aćimović Milica , Stupar Alena , Baloš Sebastian
Published: January 2024

The development of active edible coatings with improved mechanical and barrier properties is a huge challenge. In this study, active edible coatings for sliced cheese have been developed using pullulan (Pull) in combination with two different biopolymers, chitosan (CS) and gelatine (Gel), and a combination of hydrolats as a source of active compounds with antimicrobial effects. In comparison to the monolayer coating, the bilayer coating system demonstrates improved barrier and mechanical properties. A preliminary assessment of the antimicrobial effect of lemongrass and curry plant hydrolats has revealed that both hydrolats exhibited antimicrobial activity against the targeted bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, albeit at different levels. The obtained results suggest that a mixture of 1.56% lemongrass and 12.5% curry plant hydrolats yielded a lower fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) value. Bilayer coating systems (Pull/CS and Pull/Gel) with an incorporated mixture of hydrolats have demonstrated effectiveness in both cases: artificial contamination before application of the coating system and after application of the coating system. In both contamination scenarios, the coating systems consistently effectively limited bacterial proliferation, indicating the antimicrobial effect of the hydrolat mixture in the coating layers. In the case of artificial contamination before applying the coating system, both coatings demonstrated antimicrobial effectiveness, but the formulation with chitosan had a biocide effect, while the other, with gelatine, had only a bacteriostatic effect in a long-term setting. In the second case, both Pull/CS and Pull/Gel coatings demonstrated effectiveness in inhibiting bacterial growth regardless of the moment of contamination of the sample; the Pull/CS coating showed slightly better antimicrobial activity, achieving complete elimination of bacteria earlier compared with the Pull/Gel coating system.
Development of a Novel Energy Saving and Environmentally Friendly Starch via a Graft Copolymerization Strategy for Efficient Warp Sizing and Easy Removal
Authors: Zhu Yuhan , Guo Fei , Li Jing , Wang Zhen , Liang Zihui , Yi Changhai
Published: January 2024

Warp sizing is a key process in textile production. However, before the yarn/fabric finishing, such as dyeing, the paste adhering to the warp must be eliminated to ensure optimal dyeing properties and the flexibility of the fabric. Therefore, the sizing will often consume a lot of energy and produce a lot of industrial wastewater, which will cause serious harm to the environment. In this study, we have developed an energy saving and environmentally friendly starch-based slurry by modifying natural starch with acrylamide. The paste has excellent viscosity stability and fiber adhesion, and exhibits excellent performance during warp sizing. In addition, the slurry has good water solubility at 60–70 °C, so it is easy to desize at low temperatures. Because of this, the sizing of the warp can be deslimed directly from the yarn during subsequent washing processes. This work can not only reduce some costs for the textile industry, but also achieve the purpose of energy conservation and emission reduction.
Fabrication and Optimization of Electrospun Shellac Fibers Loaded with Senna alata Leaf Extract
Authors: Aung Wah Wah , Krongrawa Wantanwa , Limmatvapirat Sontaya , Kulpicheswanich Pattranit , Okonogi Siriporn , Limmatvapirat Chutima
Published: January 2024

Single-fluid electrospinning creates nanofibers from molten polymer solutions with active ingredients. This study utilized a combination of a fractional factorial design and a Box–Behnken design to examine crucial factors among a multitude of parameters and to optimize the electrospinning conditions that impact fiber mats’ morphology and the entrapment efficiency of Senna alata leaf extract. The findings indicated that the shellac content had the greatest impact on both fiber diameter and bead formation. The optimum electrospinning conditions were identified as a voltage of 24 kV, a solution feed rate of 0.8 mL/h, and a shellac–extract ratio of 38.5:3.8. These conditions produced nanosized fibers with a diameter of 306 nm, a low bead-to-fiber ratio of 0.29, and an extract entrapment efficiency of 96% within the fibers. The biphasic profile of the optimized nanofibers was confirmed with an in vitro release study. This profile consisted of an initial burst release of 88% within the first hour, which was succeeded by a sustained release pattern surpassing 90% for the next 12 h, as predicted with zero-order release kinetics. The optimized nanofibers demonstrated antimicrobial efficacy against diverse pathogens, suggesting promising applications in wound dressings and protective textiles.
Classification of the Crosslink Density Level of Para Rubber Thick Film of Medical Glove by Using Near-Infrared Spectral Data
Authors: Jongyingcharoen Jiraporn Sripinyowanich , Howimanporn Suppakit , Sitorus Agustami , Phanomsophon Thitima , Posom Jetsada , Salubsi Thanapol , Kongwaree Adisak , Lim Chin Hock , Phetpan Kittisak , Sirisomboon Panmanas , Tsuchikawa Satoru
Published: January 2024

Classification of the crosslink density level of para rubber medical gloves by using near-infrared spectral data combined with machine learning is the first time reported in this paper. The spectra of medical glove samples with different crosslink densities acquired by an ultra-compact portable MicroNIR spectrometer were correlated with their crosslink density levels, which were referencely evaluated by the toluene swell index (TSI). The machine learning protocols used to classify the 3 groups of TSI were specified as less than 80% TSI, 80–88% TSI, and more than 88% TSI. The 80–88% TSI group was the group in which the compounded latex was suitable for medical glove production, which made the glove specification comply with the requirements of customers as indicated by the tensile test. The results show that when comparing the algorithms used for modeling, the linear discriminant analysis (LDA) developed by 2nd derivative spectra with 15 k-best selected wavelengths fairly accurately predicted the class but was most reliable among other algorithms, i.e., artificial neural networks (ANN), support vector machines (SVM), and k-nearest neighbors (kNN), due to higher prediction accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score of the same value of 0.76 and no overfitting or underfitting prediction. This developed model can be implemented in the glove factory for screening purposes in the production line. However, deep learning modeling should be explored with a larger sample number required for better model performance.
Review on Frontal Polymerization Behavior for Thermosetting Resins: Materials, Modeling and Application
Authors: Luo Tingting , Ma Yating , Cui Xiaoyu
Published: January 2024

The traditional curing methods for thermosetting resins are energy-inefficient and environmentally unfriendly. Frontal polymerization (FP) is a self-sustaining process relying on the exothermic heat of polymerization. During FP, the external energy input (such as UV light input or heating) is only required at the initial stage to trigger a localized reaction front. FP is regarded as the rapid and energy-efficient manufacturing of polymers. The precise control of FP is essential for several manufacturing technologies, such as 3D printing, depending on the materials and the coupling of thermal transfer and polymerization. In this review, recent progress on the materials, modeling, and application of FP for thermosetting resins are presented. First, the effects of resin formulations and mixed fillers on FP behavior are discussed. Then, the basic mathematical model and reaction-thermal transfer model of FP are introduced. After that, recent developments in FP-based manufacturing applications are introduced in detail. Finally, this review outlines a roadmap for future research in this field.
NH2-MIL-125-Derived N-Doped TiO2@C Visible Light Catalyst for Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Wang Wenbin , Qiang Wei , Chen Chuntao , Sun Dongping
Published: January 2024

The utilization of titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a photocatalyst for the treatment of wastewater has attracted significant attention in the environmental field. Herein, we prepared an NH2-MIL-125-derived N-doped TiO2@C Visible Light Catalyst through an in situ calcination method. The nitrogen element in the organic connector was released through calcination, simultaneously doping into the sample, thereby enhancing its spectral response to cover the visible region. The as-prepared N-doped TiO2@C catalyst exhibited a preserved cage structure even after calcination, thereby alleviating the optical shielding effect and further augmenting its photocatalytic performance by increasing the reaction sites between the catalyst and pollutants. The calcination time of the N-doped TiO2@C-450 °C catalyst was optimized to achieve a balance between the TiO2 content and nitrogen doping level, ensuring efficient degradation rates for basic fuchsin (99.7%), Rhodamine B (89.9%) and tetracycline hydrochloride (93%) within 90 min. Thus, this study presents a feasible strategy for the efficient degradation of pollutants under visible light.
Synthesis, Characterization and Catechol-Based Bioinspired Adhesive Properties in Wet Medium of Poly(2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate-co-Acrylamide) Hydrogels
Authors: Romero-Gilbert Sebastian , Castro-García Matías , Díaz-Chamorro Héctor , Marambio Oscar G. , Sánchez Julio , Martin-Trasancos Rudy , Inostroza Matías , García-Herrera Claudio , Pizarro Guadalupe del C.
Published: January 2024

Hydrogels consist of crosslinked hydrophilic polymers from which their mechanical properties can be modulated for a wide variety of applications. In the last decade, many catechol-based bioinspired adhesives have been developed following the strategy of incorporating catechol moieties into polymeric backbones. In this work, in order to further investigate the adhesive properties of hydrogels and their potential advantages, several hydrogels based on poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-acrylamide) with N′N-methylene-bisacrylamide (MBA), without/with L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) as a catecholic crosslinker, were prepared via free radical copolymerization. 2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and acrylamide (AAm) were used as comonomers and MBA and DOPA both as crosslinking agents at 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 mol.-%, respectively. The polymeric hydrogels were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermal analysis and swelling behavior analysis. Subsequently, the mechanical properties of hydrogels were determined. The elastic properties of the hydrogels were quantified using Young’s modulus (stress–strain curves). According to the results herein, the hydrogel with a feed monomer ratio of 1:1 at 0.3 mol.-% of MBA and DOPA displayed the highest rigidity and higher failure shear stress (greater adhesive properties). In addition, the fracture lap shear strength of the biomimetic polymeric hydrogel was eight times higher than the initial one (only containing MBA); however at 0.5 mol.-% MBA/DOPA, it was only two times higher. It is understood that when two polymer surfaces are brought into close contact, physical self-bonding (Van der Waals forces) at the interface may occur in an –OH interaction with wet contacting surfaces. The hydrogels with DOPA provided an enhancement in the flexibility compared to unmodified hydrogels, alongside reduced swelling behavior on the biomimetic hydrogels. This approach expands the possible applications of hydrogels as adhesive materials, in wet conditions, within scaffolds that are commonly used as biomaterials in cartilage tissue engineering.
Transparent and Flexible Actuator Based on a Hybrid Dielectric Layer of Wavy Polymer and Dielectric Fluid Mixture
Authors: Mahanthappa Mallappa , Ko Hyun-U , Kim Sang-Youn
Published: January 2024

Transparent and flexible vibrotactile actuators play an essential role in human–machine interaction applications by providing mechanical stimulations that can effectively convey haptic sensations. In the present study, we fabricated an electroactive, flexible, and transparent vibrotactile actuator with a dielectric layer including a dielectric elastomer and dielectric fluid mixture. The dielectric fluid mixture of propylene carbonate (PC) and acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) was injected to obtain a transparent dielectric layer. To further improve the haptic performance, different weight ratios of dielectric fluid (PC: ATBC) were injected. The fabricated vibrotactile actuators based on a transparent dielectric layer were investigated for their electrical and electromechanical behavior. The proposed actuators generate a large vibrational intensity (~2.5 g) in the range of 200–250 Hz. Hence, the proposed actuators open up a new class of vibrotactile actuators for possible use in various domains, including robotics, smart textiles, teleoperation, and the metaverse.
MXene/Cellulose Hydrogel Composites: Preparation and Adsorption Properties of Pb2+
Authors: Yang Qiang , Zhang Jia , Yin Hairong , Guo Junkang , Lv Shenghua , Li Yaofeng
Published: January 2024

In this work, acrylic cellulose hydrogel, a typical natural polymer adsorbent, was modified using MXene through in situ polymerization to create a synthetic inorganic–polymer composite known as MXene/cellulose hydrogel. FTIR, XRD, SEM, and thermogravimetric analyses were applied to characterize the chemical structure and micromorphology. The MXene/cellulose hydrogel was utilized for the removal of Pb2+ from wastewater. Under optimal experimental conditions (initial Pb2+ concentration of 0.04 mol/L, adsorption time of 150 min, pH = 5.5, and MXene doping content of 50% at 30 °C), a maximum adsorption capacity of 410.57 mg/g was achieved. The MXene/cellulose hydrogel corresponded with the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation model and exhibited a better fit with the Freundlich isotherm model.