bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular Design and Mechanism Study of Non-Activated Collectors for Sphalerite (ZnS) Based on Coordination Chemistry Theory and Quantum Chemical Simulation
Authors: Tang Xiaoqin , Pan Yilang , Chen Jianhua , Chen Ye
Published: December 2024

Sphalerite flotation is generally achieved by copper activation followed by xanthate collection. This study aims to propose a design idea to find novel collectors from the perspective of molecular design and prove the theoretical feasibility that the collector can effectively recover sphalerite without copper activation. To address this, 30 compounds containing different structures of sulfur atoms and different neighboring atoms were designed based on coordination chemistry. Twelve potential collectors were screened, and their properties and interactions with a hydrated sphalerite (110) surface were evaluated. Compound 27 (C2H4S22−) showed the greatest reactivity, suggesting that the double-coordination structure of two sulfhydryl groups is an effective molecular structure for direct sphalerite flotation. The DFTB+ and MD results demonstrate that 1,2-butanedithiol (C4H10S2), having a similar coordination structure to compound 27, has the potential to replace the traditional reagent scheme of sphalerite flotation. The strong reagent–surface interaction is attributed to the overlap of Zn 3d with S 3p orbitals, the most negative electrostatic potential, the relatively high EHOMO and low average local ionization energy, and the eliminated steric hindrance effect. It is expected that this study can provide a design idea for the targeted design and development of novel reagents for complex sulfide ore flotation.
In Vitro Study of Antiviral Properties of Compounds Based on 1,4-Dioxane Derivative of Closo-Decaborate Anion with Amino Acid Ester Residues Against Influenza Virus A/IIV-Orenburg/83/2012(H1N1)pdm09
Authors: Garaev Timur M. , Yudin Ilya I. , Breslav Natalya V. , Grebennikova Tatyana V. , Matveev Evgenii Y. , Eshtukova-Shcheglova Elizaveta A. , Avdeeva Varvara V. , Zhizhin Konstantin Y. , Kuznetsov Nikolay T.
Published: December 2024

New derivatives of the closo-decaborate anion [B10H9–O(CH2)2O(CH2)3C(O)–L–OCH3]2− (An) (1: L = Trp; 2: L = His; 3: L = Met; 4: L = Ala(2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl) (Pld) were synthesized and isolated as tetraphenylphosphonium salts (Ph4P)2An. Anions 12−; 22−; 32−, and 42− contain a pendant functional group from the L-tryptophan methyl ester, L-histidine methyl ester, L-methionine methyl ester, or methyl 2-amino-3-(2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)propanoate (-Trp–OCH3, -His–OCH3, -Met–OCH3, or -Pld–OCH3) residue, respectively, bonded with the boron cluster anion through the oxybis[(ethane-2,1-diyl)oxy] spacer. This pacer is formed as a result of the nucleophilic opening of the attached dioxane molecule in the [B10H9O(CH2)4O]− starting derivative. Sodium salts of the target compounds were isolated and used in biological experiments. It was established that among compounds Na2An (An = 1–4), not all are capable of inhibiting the cytopathic effect of the virus in vitro. Sodium salts Na2An have a low toxic effect on a monolayer of continuous canine embryonic kidney (MDCK) cell line. Compounds Na21 and Na22 had IC50 of 5.0 and 20.0 μg/mL, respectively, while for compounds Na23 and Na24, IC50 values could not be achieved at the concentrations studied. The studies performed for molecular docking of the anionic part of 12− and 22− with the transmembrane domain of viroporin M2 show some differences in the location of these two ligands inside the M2 canal pore.
Exploring pH Dynamics in Amino Acid Solutions Under Low-Temperature Plasma Exposure
Authors: Villavicencio Cecilia Julieta Garcia , Silva Beatriz de Campos , Matara Anesu , Ptasinska Sylwia
Published: December 2024

Low-temperature plasma (LTP) offers a promising alternative for cancer therapy, as it targets malignant cells selectively while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. Upon interaction with an aqueous solution, LTP generates reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and thereby influences the solution’s pH, which is a crucial factor in cancer proliferation and response to treatment. This study investigated the effects of LTP on the pH of aqueous solutions, with a focus on the effect of LTP parameters such as voltage, frequency, and irradiation time. In addition, it explored the influence of solution composition, specifically the presence of the amino acids, glycine and serine, on pH changes; these amino acids are known to play significant roles in cancer proliferation. Our results indicated that LTP induces acidification in deionized water, in which the extent of acidification increased proportionally with plasma parameters. In glycine-containing solutions, pH changes were concentration-dependent, whereas serine-containing solutions maintained a constant pH across all tested concentrations. To investigate potential changes to the structural properties of glycine and serine exposed to LTP that could be responsible for different pH responses, we analyzed the samples using FTIR spectroscopy. A significant decrease in absorbance was observed for solutions with low concentrations of amino acids, suggesting their degradation.
Determination of Tire Wear Particle-Type Polymers by Combination of Quantitative Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Soxhlet Extraction
Authors: Günther Marcel , Kirimlioglu Sayilik Gizem , Imhof Wolfgang
Published: December 2024

Tire wear particles (TWPs) are among the most relevant sources of microplastic pollution of the environment. Nevertheless, common analytical methods like IR and Raman spectroscopy are highly impaired by additives and filler materials, leaving only thermogravimetric methods for chemical analysis of TWPs in most cases. We herein present quantitative NMR spectroscopy (qNMR) as an alternative tool for the quantification of the polymeric material used for the production of tires, including natural rubber (NR), styrene–butadiene–copolymer (SBR), polyethylene–co-propylene (EPR) and polybutadiene (BR). Limits of quantification (LOQ) between 3 µg and 43 µg per sample and recovery rates of 72–92% were achieved for all tested polymer types. The first results of combining these measurements with Soxhlet extraction as a sample preparation tool are presented alongside the qNMR experiments.
Nutritional Risks of Heavy Metals in the Human Diet—Multi-Elemental Analysis of Energy Drinks
Authors: Czarnek Katarzyna , Tatarczak-Michalewska Małgorzata , Wójcik Grzegorz , Szopa Agnieszka , Majerek Dariusz , Fila Karolina , Hamitoglu Muhammed , Gogacz Marek , Blicharska Eliza
Published: December 2024

Background: In recent years, the consumption of energy drinks (EDs) by adolescents and young adults has increased significantly, so concerns have been raised about the potential health risks associated with excessive ED consumption. Most analyses on EDs focus on the caffeine content. Research on the content of minerals (essential and toxic) in energy drinks can be considered scarce. Therefore, there is a need for research stating the actual status of heavy metal content in commercially available energy drinks. Methods: This research presents the determination of the total concentrations of macro-elements and trace elements (TEs), such as Na, K, Mg, Ca, Al, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, B, Zn, V, Sr, Ba, Pb, Cd, and As in nine samples of energy drinks using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) techniques. Results: The order in the content of macro-minerals in the EDs was as follows: Na > K > Mg > Ca. The results showed that ED 1, ED 3, and ED 7 samples had the highest micro-mineral concentrations. All the samples had a hazard quotient and hazard index < 1, indicating no non-carcinogenic risk from exposure to single or multiple heavy metals in both the adolescent and adult age groups. Some samples exceeded the threshold limit of acceptable cancer risk for As, Ni, and Cr in both adolescents and adults. Conclusions: This assessment showed that in addition to health implications based on the caffeine content of EDs, there might be a carcinogenic risk associated with the toxic element content of these beverages. This research also highlights notable differences in the TE levels among various ED brands, which may have important implications for consumer well-being and health.
Practical Recommendations for the Diagnosis and Management of Lysosomal Acid Lipase Deficiency with a Focus on Wolman Disease
Authors: de las Heras Javier , Almohalla Carolina , Blasco-Alonso Javier , Bourbon Mafalda , Couce Maria-Luz , de Castro López María José , García Jiménez Mª Concepción , Gil Ortega David , González-Diéguez Luisa , Meavilla Silvia , Moreno-Álvarez Ana , Pastor-Rosado José , Sánchez-Pintos Paula , Serrano-Gonzalo Irene , López Eduardo , Valdivielso Pedro , Yahyaoui Raquel , Quintero Jesús
Published: December 2024

Lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL-D) is an ultra-rare lysosomal storage disease with two distinct phenotypes, an infantile-onset form (formerly Wolman disease) and a later-onset form (formerly cholesteryl ester storage disease). The objective of this narrative review is to examine the most important aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of LAL-D and to provide practical expert recommendations. The infantile-onset form occurs in the first weeks of life and is characterized by malnourishment and failure to thrive due to gastrointestinal impairment (vomiting, diarrhea, malabsorption), as well as systemic inflammation, hepatosplenomegaly, and adrenal calcifications. Mortality is close to 100% before one year of life in the absence of specific treatment. The later-onset form can be diagnosed in childhood or adulthood and is characterized by chronic liver injury and/or lipid profile alterations. When LAL-D is suspected, enzyme activity should be determined to confirm the diagnosis, with analysis from a dried blood spot sample being the quickest and most reliable method. In infantile-onset LAL-D, the initiation of enzyme replacement therapy (sebelipase α) and careful nutritional management with a low-lipid diet is very urgent, as prognosis is directly linked to the early initiation of specific treatment. In recent years, our knowledge of the management of LAL-D has increased considerably, with improvements regarding the initial enzyme replacement therapy dose and careful nutritional treatment with a low-lipid diet to decrease lipid deposition and systemic inflammation, leading to better outcomes. In this narrative review we offer a quick guide for the initial management of infantile-onset LAL-D.
A Novel In Vivo Method Using Caenorhabditis elegans to Evaluate α-Glucosidase Inhibition by Natural Products for Type 2 Diabetes Treatment
Authors: de Torre María Pilar , Vizmanos José Luis , Cavero Rita Yolanda , Calvo María Isabel
Published: December 2024

Background: Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, or type 2 diabetes, is one of the diseases of greatest concern worldwide, and research into natural compounds that are capable of regulating glycemia and insulin resistance is therefore gaining importance. In the preclinical stages, Caenorhabditis elegans is considered a promising in vivo model for research into this disease. Most studies have been carried out using daf-2 mutant strains and observing changes in their phenotype rather than directly measuring the effects within the worms. Methods: We evaluated the in vitro α-glucosidase inhibition of two oral formulations of Origanum vulgare before and after a simulated gastrointestinal digestion process. After confirming this activity, we developed a method to measure α-glucosidase inhibition in vivo in the C. elegans wild-type strain. Results: The crude extract showed a similar IC50 value to that of acarbose (positive control), before and after gastrointestinal digestion. Formulation 1 also showed no differences with the positive control after digestion (111.86 ± 1.26 vs. 110.10 ± 1.00 µL/mL; p = 0.282). However, formulation 2 showed a higher hypoglycemic activity (59.55 ± 0.85 µL/mL; p < 0.05). The IC50 values obtained in the in vivo assays showed results that correlated well with the in vitro results, so the proposed new method of direct quantification of the in vivo activity seems suitable for directly quantifying the effects of this inhibition without the need to measure changes in the phenotype. Conclusion: A novel, simple and reliable method has been developed to directly determine pharmacological activities in an in vivo model of wild-type C. elegans. This allows the hypoglycemic activity to be directly attributed to in vivo treatment without quantifying phenotypic changes in mutant strains that may arise from other effects, opening the door to a simple analysis of in vivo pharmacological activities.
Paradoxical Interventions in Psychotherapy: A Scoping Review on ‘How’ and ‘When’ They Should Be Employed
Authors: Viguer José V. , Díaz Amelia , Martín Martha
Published: December 2024

There is solid evidence supporting the therapeutic effectiveness of paradoxical interventions, those in which the patient is encouraged to maintain or increase the behavior or thought that s/he wants to remove. However, their use in recent years has been scarce, and there is little detailed information on how this kind of intervention should be employed. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to elucidate the particularities of its execution through a scoping review of the scientific literature. A search in Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycArticles, Psicodoc, and PsycINFO databases was performed, and 20 articles were selected that meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results suggest that there is some controversy regarding when and how paradoxical interventions should be employed. However, paradoxical interventions appear to be especially indicated to treat sleep difficulties and high-reactant patients. There are also indications that paradoxical interventions could be potentially effective in the treatment of recursive anxiety. Further research is needed on the particularities of paradoxical interventions’ execution.
How Do Religious Women Cope with Marital Conflict and Hardship? Article 2
Authors: Lyman Elizabeth M. , Marks Loren D. , Dollahite David C. , Leavitt Chelom E. , Chamberlain Tamara M. , Cooper Christina N.
Published: December 2024

Frequent and unresolved conflict is a significant relationship risk factor for divorce, but it has also been shown that religion strengthens marriages, specifically in ways that give direction and motivation for couples in resolving marital conflict or other marital hardships. Thus, a study of how successful religious couples resolve conflict is pertinent in helping us better understand how to strengthen marriages and families. Our qualitative study of 113 highly religious women of diverse faiths and races found that women’s perceived relationship or connection with God reportedly impacted conflict resolution and coping with marital hardship. Results suggest greater reconciliation and unity with the women’s husbands through couple and relational processes, but more often through personal and psychological processes. We found that religious involvement led women to resources that strengthened their marriage. Resources discussed include (a) prayer, (b) scripture study, and (c) involvement in a faith community. This paper is the second in a two-part series.
Exploring the Utility of the Muse Headset for Capturing the N400: Dependability and Single-Trial Analysis
Authors: Hayes Hannah Begue , Magne Cyrille
Published: December 2024

Consumer-grade EEG devices, such as the InteraXon Muse 2 headband, present a promising opportunity to enhance the accessibility and inclusivity of neuroscience research. However, their effectiveness in capturing language-related ERP components, such as the N400, remains underexplored. This study thus aimed to investigate the feasibility of using the Muse 2 to measure the N400 effect in a semantic relatedness judgment task. Thirty-seven participants evaluated the semantic relatedness of word pairs while their EEG was recorded using the Muse 2. Single-trial ERPs were analyzed using robust Yuen t-tests and hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) to assess the N400 difference between semantically related and unrelated target words. ERP analyses indicated a significantly larger N400 effect in response to unrelated word pairs over the right frontal electrode. Additionally, dependability estimates suggested acceptable internal consistency for the N400 data. Overall, these findings illustrate the capability of the Muse 2 to reliably measure the N400 effect, reinforcing its potential as a valuable tool for language research. This study highlights the potential of affordable, wearable EEG technology to expand access to brain research by offering an affordable and portable way to study language and cognition in diverse populations and settings.
Towards Accurate Photogrammetry Using Molded Markers
Authors: Auzmendi Iriarte Iñigo , Saez de Egilaz Oier , Gonzalez de Alaiza Martinez Pedro , Herrera Imanol
Published: December 2024

Traditional marker-based photogrammetry systems often require the attachment and removal of a sticker for each measured point, involving labor-intensive manual steps. This paper presents an innovative approach that utilizes raised, cross-shaped markers, referred to as ‘molded markers’, directly embedded into composite pieces. In this study, these markers, commonly employed in other industrial processes, serve as fiducial markers for accurate photogrammetry. A two-stage detection algorithm is developed to accurately identify their centers: initial approximate detection by a Faster R-CNN model, followed by accurate localization using a classical cross center detection algorithm. This study investigates the pertinence of using polarimetric images to guarantee the highest detection rate and accuracy even in adverse lighting conditions. Experimental results demonstrate the viability of using these markers in accurate photogrammetry systems, achieving a median accuracy of 0.170 (interquartile range (IQR) 0.069 to 0.368) mm/m while enhancing automation and system usability.
Trends and Innovations in Wearable Technology for Motor Rehabilitation, Prediction, and Monitoring: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Lobo Pedro , Morais Pedro , Murray Patrick , Vilaça João L.
Published: December 2024

(1) Background: Continuous health promotion systems are increasingly important, enabling decentralized patient care, providing comfort, and reducing congestion in healthcare facilities. These systems allow for treatment beyond clinical settings and support preventive monitoring. Wearable systems have become essential tools for health monitoring, but they focus mainly on physiological data, overlooking motor data evaluation. The World Health Organization reports that 1.71 billion people globally suffer from musculoskeletal conditions, marked by pain and limited mobility. (2) Methods: To gain a deeper understanding of wearables for the motor rehabilitation, monitoring, and prediction of the progression and/or degradation of symptoms directly associated with upper-limb pathologies, this study was conducted. Thus, all articles indexed in the Web of Science database containing the terms “wearable”, “upper limb”, and (“rehabilitation” or “monitor” or “predict”) between 2019 and 2023 were flagged for analysis. (3) Results: Out of 391 papers identified, 148 were included and analyzed, exploring pathologies, technologies, and their interrelationships. Technologies were categorized by typology and primary purpose. (4) Conclusions: The study identified essential sensory units and actuators in wearable systems for upper-limb physiotherapy and analyzed them based on treatment methods and targeted pathologies.
The Ion Formation and Quantitative Response of Isoprene, Monoterpenes and Terpenoids in Ion Mobility Spectrometry with Atmospheric-Pressure Chemical Ionization as a Function of Temperature
Authors: Mayer Thomas , Petrich Ralf , Borsdorf Helko
Published: December 2024

Ion mobility spectrometry is successfully used as a sensor technology for different applications. A feature of this method is that characteristic ion mobility spectra are obtained for each measurement rather than a sum signal. The spectra result from the different drift velocities of ions in a drift tube at atmospheric pressure. In this study, we investigated the ion formation processes and the quantitative response of isoprene, monoterpenes and monoterpenoids as a function of the temperature of the spectrometer using a tritium ionization source. These substances are important target analytes in atmospheric monitoring and in the analysis of essential oils in different matrices. A drift tube temperature above 120 °C permitted the most sensitive detection of isoprene and monoterpenes, while 80 °C was sufficient for the sensitive detection of most terpenoids. Dimer ions were formed for isoprene over the whole temperature range. The ionization processes of monoterpenes and terpenoids were strongly influenced by the temperature. At temperatures of 40 °C, adduct ions were formed in addition to MH+ ions for monoterpenes. Enhanced temperatures provided a single peak with the same drift time for all monoterpenes. Structural differences influenced the ion formation of terpenoids, and much more complex spectra were obtained. The nature of the product ions changed depending on the temperature.
The Influence of Green Innovation and Digital Transformation on the High-Quality Development of Enterprises: The Mediating Role of ESG Management
Authors: Xi Lei , Wang Hui
Published: December 2024

As the effects of the global ecological and environmental crisis continue to escalate, nations around the world are compelled to explore new economic development models aimed at mitigating environmental damage. As an important driving force for economic development, green innovation; digital transformation; and environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) have become inevitable choices for pursuing sustainable development in business. Taking Chinese high-tech enterprises as the research object, this study draws on resource-based theory, innovation economics theory, stakeholder theory, and internal organization theory to verify the feasibility of green innovation and digital transformation for enterprises to achieve their goals in high-quality development. Implementing correlation analysis, factorial decomposition, and multiple regression techniques and other methods, hypothesis testing was conducted on the premise of limited questionnaire samples to explore the impact of green innovation and digital transformation on the high-quality development of enterprises and the intermediary effect of ESG management between green innovation, digital transformation, and the high-quality development of enterprises. The results show that green innovation and digital transformation play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of enterprise development; ESG management acts as a partial intermediary in the relationship between green innovation and the high-quality development of enterprises. ESG management serves as a partial intermediary between digital transformation and high-quality development of enterprises. Using the bootstrap method for a robustness test, the conclusion of ESG management mediation is still valid. Based on observation and data, this study provides concrete evidence that ESG management promotes the high-quality development of enterprises and provides practical references for enterprises to form a sustainable development model and government departments to improve ESG management.
A Comprehensive Review on Technologies for Achieving Zero-Energy Buildings
Authors: Wang Yushi , Hu Beining , Meng Xianhai , Xiao Runjin
Published: December 2024

The booming of the building industry has led to a sharp increase in energy consumption. The advancement of zero-energy buildings (ZEBs) is of great significance in mitigating climate change, improving energy efficiency, and thus realizing sustainable development of buildings. This paper reviews the recent progress of key technologies utilized in ZEBs, including energy-efficient measures (EEMs), renewable energy technologies (RETs), and building energy management system (BEMS), aiming to provide reference and support of the wider implementation of ZEBs. EEMs can reduce energy demand by optimizing the envelope design, phase change materials integration, efficient HVAC systems, and user behavior. The renewable energy sources discussed here are solar, biomass, wind, and geothermal energy, including distributed energy systems introduced to integrated various renewable resources and meet users’ demand. This study focuses on the application of building energy management in ZEBs, including energy use control, fault detection and diagnosis, and management optimization. The recent development of these three technologies mainly focuses on the combination with artificial intelligence (AI). In addition, this paper also emphasizes possible future research works about user behavior and zero-energy communities to improve the energy efficiency from a more complicated perspective.
The Attitudes of Xizang Residents Toward Tourism Development Based on Structural Equation Modeling
Authors: Teng Junzhe , Li Jihang , Yuan Lin , Zhao Junmeng , Wang Xinyan
Published: December 2024

With the rapid development of tourism, it has not only injected new vitality into Tibet’s economy but also had a profound impact on the lifestyle, cultural heritage, and social environment of its residents. While the prosperity of tourism brings economic opportunities, it also poses challenges to Tibet’s unique culture and ecological environment. In this research, we focus on Lhasa and Nyingchi as the study areas, analyzing the impact of tourism development on the economy, social culture, and environment from the perspective of the local residents’ perception and the residents’ willingness to participate in tourism. By constructing a structural equation model of local residents in Tibet with a total of 37 items in five dimensions, including economic perception, socio-cultural perception, environmental perception, tourism development attitude, and participation intention, perception characteristics were described based on a total of 677 questionnaires in Nyingchi City and Lhasa City. The economic, socio-cultural, and environmental dimension indicators were determined in positive and negative ways, and the characteristics and development trends of tourism in Tibet were discussed in depth. Positive economic, socio-cultural, environmental, and environmental perceptions display a significant positive correlation with tourism participation intention, and negative economic perception has a negative correlation with tourism participation intention. At the same time, we found that economic perception had the most significant impact on the residents in Tibet, and we put forward corresponding suggestions according to the current problems facing current tourism development. This study is of great value for the development of the tourism industry in Tibet.
Green Innovation in Business: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis of Trends, Contributors, and Future Directions
Authors: Zhang Jianhua , Taqi Syed Ali , Akbar Aqsa , Darwish Jumanah Ahmed , Abbas Salman , Alam Sajjad , Gao Yarui , Shahbaz Muhammad Qaiser , Butt Nadeem Shafique
Published: December 2024

Evolving from an ethical consideration to a strategic imperative, green innovation (GI) compels businesses to continually enhance their processes to achieve sustainable growth. Based on bibliometric analysis of 594 Web of Science (WOS)-sourced articles from 2000 to 2023 using VOSviewer-1.6.20 and Bibliometrix-4.3.0, this study sheds light on the existing trends of green innovation, its contributors, and potential future directions in today’s business landscape. Our findings unveil significant insights from GI literature; an upward growth trajectory in publications; limited collaboration among researchers and institutions (notable collaborative networks among countries include China, Spain, and the United Kingdom); and trending GI terms and themes include green intellectual capital, GI efficiency, green product innovation, green absorptive capacity, green knowledge acquisition, big data, etc. These insights serve as a comprehensive guide for practitioners and scholars navigating the study of GI within the business and management sphere.
Repair of Retrorsine-Induced DNA Damage in Rat Livers: Insights Gained from Transcriptomic and Proteomic Studies
Authors: Long Yun , Wang Yiwei , Song Zijing , He Xin , He Yisheng , Lin Ge
Published: December 2024

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are common phytotoxins that are found worldwide. Upon hepatic metabolic activation, the reactive PA metabolites covalently bind to DNAs and form DNA adducts, causing mutagenicity and tumorigenicity in the liver. However, the molecular basis of the formation and removal of PA-derived DNA adducts remains largely unexplored. In the present study, Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were exposed to retrorsine (RTS), a representative PA, at a human-relevant dose of 3.3 mg/kg/day for 28 days. The rats were divided into three groups: control, RTS-28 (sacrificed after continuous RTS exposure), and RTS-161 (sacrificed at 133 days post-RTS-exposure). The multi-omics analyses demonstrated the involvement of homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) repair pathways as a response to PA-induced DNA damage. Additionally, the characteristic guanine adducts induced by RTS exposure were in accordance with the higher expression of XPA and XPC, indicating that nucleotide excision repair (NER) and base excision repair (BER) also contributed to repairing RTS-induced DNA damage. Furthermore, we also showed that DNA damage persisted after PA exposure, and mutagenically related repair errors might occur due to the prolonged genotoxic effects. The present study lays the foundation for bridging PA-derived DNA adducts, DNA damage, DNA repair, and the follow-up mutagenesis and carcinogenesis associated with PA exposure.
Investigation of the Impact of a Vehicle Front Hood Striker Geometry on Static Stiffness Performance
Authors: Pinzaru Valerian , Bujoreanu Carmen , Rapeanu Ovidiu
Published: December 2024

The front hood striker assembly, integral to the hood structure, experiences bending due to various factors such as repeated opening and closing, road impacts, and aerodynamic forces. This paper presents a numerical and experimental study of various striker assembly geometries, focusing on their effects on static stiffness performance. A static load is applied to generate displacement and calculate stiffness as the load-to-displacement ratio. It was discovered that by increasing the bending angle of the striker wire, an increase in section moment of inertia is achieved for the Z direction and an increase in the static stiffness on this particular direction, while for the Y direction a stiffness loss is observed for angles bigger than 95 degrees. Therefore, by improving the shape and the bending angle of the striker wire a good level of stiffness can be achieved while reducing the thickness and overall weight of the striker reinforcer.
Optimization of Cholesterol-Loaded Cyclodextrin Combined with Soybean Lecithin as a Cryoprotectant for Rooster Sperm
Authors: He Mengqian , Xu Jiehuan , Sun Lingwei , Wu Caifeng , Zhang Shushan , Gao Jun , Zhang Defu , Dai Jianjun
Published: December 2024

There are many applications of soybean lecithin (SL) and cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) in sperm freezing processes. To the best of our knowledge, there have been few cases of the combined use of SL and CLC in freezing rooster semen. We investigated the effects of CLC, SL, and their combination on rooster sperm cryodamage. Three experiments were conducted: experiment 1, SL (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2.0%); experiment 2, CLC (1.25 mg, 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg); and experiment 3, CLC + SL (2.5 mg + 0.25%, 2.5 mg + 0.5%, 2.5 mg + 1%, 2.5 mg + 1.5%). Semen samples were cryopreserved using a programmed cryostat, followed by the determination of post-thaw sperm quality, antioxidant indices, and hatching. The results showed that the combination of 2.5 mg CLC + 0.5% SL had the most significant synergistic effect on cryodamage, and the viability (56.69%), motility (54.35%), mitochondrial activity (54.23%), plasma membrane integrity (53.52%), acrosome integrity (54.71%), and antioxidant activity (MDA concentration: 5.65 nmol/mL; SOD activity: 152.73 U/mL) were significantly greater than those of the other combinations (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, the combined CLC and SL addition group did not substantially increase the fertilization and hatching rates of frozen semen compared with the addition of 2.5 mg CLC. In conclusion, the addition of 2.5 mg CLC and 2.5 mg CLC + 0.5% SL enhanced the quality and fertility of frozen rooster sperm.
Augmented Reality in the Classroom—Mentor Teachers’ Attitudes and Technology Use
Authors: Wyss Corinne , Bäuerlein Kerstin
Published: December 2024

The education sector is becoming increasingly interested in augmented reality (AR) technology. Research has revealed that AR offers a multitude of benefits in supporting learning. Nevertheless, the implementation of AR in the classroom remains limited. As teachers play a pivotal role in the integration of AR in the classroom, it is essential to understand their perspectives to comprehend the factors hindering the widespread adoption of AR at schools. However, few studies have explored teacher attitudes towards integrating AR into educational practice. The present questionnaire study thus seeks to elucidate the perspectives of 158 mentor teachers in German-speaking Switzerland on the implementation of AR in the classroom. The findings suggest that although mentor teachers have a moderately positive attitude towards AR, they have only limited experience with the technology and appear to lack the requisite technical and pedagogical skills and resources. Furthermore, certain teacher characteristics impact the perception of AR as a useful tool and its integration into teaching practice. Teachers seem to require enhanced information, training, and support if augmented reality (AR) is to become a prevalent feature in schools in the future. To this end, further studies need to consider teacher characteristics in more detail.
Research on the Structure, Design, and Control of a Variable Transmission Ratio for Active Steering Systems in Commercial Vehicles
Authors: Ma Yingkai , Fu Zhijun , Zhang Xiang , Zhao Dengfeng
Published: December 2024

In this paper, a variable gear ratio for active steering systems with a double planetary gear configuration is presented to optimize the steering performance of commercial vehicles. First, a variable transmission ratio system with a dual-row planetary gear mechanism is developed in ADAMS/Car, where the steering mechanism’s transmission ratio can be adjusted according to different driving conditions, thereby improving the vehicle’s stability and sensitivity. Second, a new type of dual-inverter permanent magnet synchronous motor (DPMSM) has been designed to solve the power limitation problem in the electric drive steering of commercial vehicles. Finally, the step steering and lane change driving scenarios are chosen for co-simulation using ADAMS/Car and MATLAB to evaluate the proposed method’s effectiveness. The co-simulation results show that the proposed variable transmission ratio and control strategy can effectively improve the steering sensitivity and stability of commercial vehicles.
Continuity of care in general practice and secondary care: retrospective cohort study
Authors: Beaney Thomas , Woodcock Thomas , Aylin Paul , Majeed Azeem , Clarke Jonathan
Published: December 2024

Background: Better continuity in primary and secondary care is linked to improved health outcomes, but it is unclear whether the sociodemographic determinants of continuity are the same in both settings and whether continuity measures in each setting are associated. Aim: To examine the determinants of relational continuity in general practice (GP) and fragmented outpatient specialty care in people with clusters of Multiple Long-Term Conditions (LTCs) and the association between continuity in each setting. Design and Setting: A cohort of patients ≥18 years registered to general practices in England throughout 2019, and with linked hospital outpatient records. Patients with two or more of 212 LTCs and with at least three GP and three outpatient appointments were included. Method: The Continuity of Care Index (COCI) was calculated separately for visits to the same i) GP and ii) outpatient specialty and we calculated associations of sociodemographic factors and number of LTCs with COCI scores. We also assessed the association between indices in each setting using univariable and multivariable fractional logit regression. Results: Of 1,135,903 patients, 56.2% were ≥60 years. Age was the strongest determinant of continuity in GP, whereas number of LTCs was the strongest determinant in secondary care. Although statistically significant (p<0.001) the relationship between the COCI in GP and outpatients was clinically insignificant in both univariable and multivariable models. Conclusion: We found a lack of strong association between continuity of care in GP and outpatient settings. This suggests that fragmented hospital care is not mitigated by increased continuity in GP.
MESTRE DIDI E A CARTILHA NAGÔ DE UM ARTISTA NEGRO BAIANO
Authors: Rezende Alcanfor Lucilene , Garcia Basso Jorge
Published: December 2024

O artigo analisa o contexto de produção de uma cartilha destinada ao ensino da língua iorubá para crianças e adultos, criada e escrita na década de 1960 por Deoscóredes Maxiliano dos Santos (1917-2013), mais conhecido como Mestre Didi, personagem marcante da cultura baiana da segunda metade do século XX. Trata-se de um estudo fundamentado na história cultural das edições escolares para abordar a cartilha em sua materialidade como um artefato pedagógico da cultura afro-brasileira e fonte documental, que nos aponta a família de santo nagô baiana como uma comunidade-escola. Na perspectiva da história social, buscamos articular o estudo da cartilha às experiências de Mestre Didi no interior dessa confraria religiosa, que se consolidou em um núcleo aglutinador de elaboração e transmissão de conhecimentos. Tal instituição vigorou historicamente como um centro de manutenção de um complexo civilizatório iorubá-descendente na Bahia, do qual a cartilha de Mestre Didi é um documento valioso. Ela dialoga com a cultura escolar pela escolha do método de alfabetização, pela organização e estrutura das lições, ligadas aos saberes e fazeres cotidianos dessa comunidade litúrgica.
CUORE PARA A ESCOLA ELEMENTAR DOS DOIS LADOS DO ATLÂNTICO (ENTRE FINS DO SÉCULO XIX E INÍCIO DO SÉCULO XX)
Authors: Claudia Panizzolo Profa. Dra. , Ascenzi Anna
Published: December 2024

Entre as décadas finais do século XIX e as primeiras décadas do século XX houve distribuição e circulação de livros italianos entre os imigrantes e seus descendentes.  Silabários, livros de leitura, de religião, de aritmética, de história, de geografia, de cantos, entre outros que seguiam o programa curricular vigente na Itália, atravessaram o Atlântico para serem adotados nas escolas italianas em São Paulo. O objeto de investigação deste artigo, o centenário e ainda publicado Cuore, de Edmondo De Amicis, cuja primeira edição data de 1886, na Itália, para assim tornar-se um grande sucesso editorial ganhou traduções e foi adotado nas escolas paulistas. A intenção neste artigo é compreender, de um lado, as políticas educacionais que regraram a produção de livros escolares para as escolas italianas no exterior, e de outro lado, as motivações que levaram à circulação e a distribuição para escolas italianas e paulistas, entre fins do século XIX e início do século XX. Ancorado nos referenciais da História Cultural e História da Educação e mobilizando o corpus conceitual em especial de Chartier (1994,1996,1998, 2004) acerca da produção e representação foram definidos os procedimentos, os instrumentos, as fontes e as direções de análise. A análise documental toma como fonte privilegiada além do Cuore, a imprensa, os relatórios de cônsules, ofícios, despachos, circulares ministeriais e anuário das escolas italianas e da instrução pública paulista.
Constelação Sci-Fi
Authors: Finkler Lachowski Victor
Published: December 2024

Esta pesquisa investiga as contradições do capitalismo no cinema de ficção científica a partir de filmes nos quais os meios de comunicação possuem relevância em suas narrativas: They Live (1988), Bacurau (2019) e Videodrome (1983). A discussão teórica se realiza à luz da Teoria Crítica Frankfurtiana, utilizada por ser uma abordagem materialista histórico-dialética que possibilita analisar produções culturais a partir de uma crítica à lógica produtiva a qual estas obras são atreladas, bem como dos conteúdos artísticos das obras fílmicas. A metodologia utilizada é o Método das Constelações, que busca a relação dialética entre ideias e fenômenos. Como resultados, as ideias observadas e desenvolvidas para formação da constelação são as que nomeiam os eixos de análise: Indústria Cultural, Luta de Classes e Dominação Tecnológica, desenvolvidas por meio da estrutura de Conspiração dentro dos fenômenos, de maneira que a Origem da Ficção Científica, a Revolução Industrial Burguesa e o desenvolvimento do capitalismo imperialista, são mediados por uma vasta dimensão alegórica de objetos, locais, núcleos de personagens e cenas.
torno dos processos do diário do Homem Permanecido: construindo uma paisagem a partir do encontro do corpo do homem com a terra
Authors: Annes Luiz Rodolfo
Published: December 2024

Este artigo apresenta algumas reflexões em torno dos processos de criação da minha tese de doutorado, que a partir de um diário ficcional intitulado O diário do Homem Permanecido ou notas daquele que escapou do afogamento, relata sonhos e desejos do personagem Homem Permanecido, que criei há mais de vinte anos e está presente em diversas das minhas obras. Ele aparece no início dos anos 2000, em desenhos de pequeno formato que remetem a anotações e tratam de um homem solitário em uma paisagem inóspita. Atualmente, tenho trabalhado no diário que dá voz a pensamentos e sentimentos desse homem. O recorte escolhido para esse artigo aborda as relações de proximidade entre o homem e a terra, presentes nos textos do diário e em desenhos. A partir de um diálogo com as obras, podemos perceber a construção de um outro olhar para a paisagem que foge a uma tradição europeia da pintura e propõe uma experiência sensível do espaço. Essa experiência se dá a partir da conexão física, no encontro entre os corpos do personagem e da terra, propondo-se, assim, um outro olhar para o tema.
Imagens feitas por Inteligência Artificial:
Authors: Souza Magnolo Talita
Published: December 2024

A Inteligência Artificial generativa desencadeou uma revolução em várias esferas da sociedade (Boden, 2020), com criação de conteúdos novos e autênticos. Apesar de fascinante, este novo modo de criar fez surgir questões referentes à autoriae perspectivas sobre criatividade e autonomia (Santaella, 2023), a ressignificação do passado e o eminente medo da tecnologia. Este artigo busca explorar, através de uma revisão bibliográfica, os dilemas éticos (Coeckelbergh, 2024) e os vieses algorítmicos (Faustino & Lippold, 2023) na criação de imagens através de plataformas de IA. Para além deste entendimento, o trabalho propõe categorizar, com base nas teorias sobre memória (Benjamin, 2012; Halbwachs, 1990; Huyssen, 2014), as novas formas de rememoração, através de criações imagéticas que remetem ao passado. Este percurso utilizará, como apoio metodológico, a Análise de Conteúdo (Krippendorff, 2004; Sanglard, 2017; Sampaio e Lycarião, 2021). A intenção é compreender como a memória é retratada, reconstruída ou ressignificada pelas ferramentas de geração deimagens com Inteligência Artificial e compreender quais são os dilemas emergentes dessa nova forma de rememorar.
Antidiabéticos orais na prevenção de recorrência de evento isquêmico: revisão sistemática.
Authors: Araujo Luis Miguel Moraes , Conti Cristiane Fiquene , De Oliveira Márcio Moysés
Published: December 2024

Introdução. O acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) é um problema cerebrovascular bem prevalente que se associa com condições de desregulação glicêmica, como o diabetes mellitus e a pré-diabetes. Objetivo. Analisar a efetividade e a segurança do uso de medicamentos antidiabéticos orais na prevenção da recorrência de evento cerebral isquêmico. Método. Revisão sistemática envolvendo o uso de antidiabéticos orais para a prevenção de novos eventos isquêmicos em pacientes que tiveram acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico (AVCi) ou ataque isquêmico transitório (AIT) com resistência à insulina ou pré-diabetes. Resultados. no artigo incluído nesta revisão foi possível observar que em um total de 3876 participantes, com acompanhamento mediano de 4,8 anos, houve uma diminuição na quantidade percentual de recorrência de novos eventos isquêmicos, ocorreram 155 AVC em 138 pacientes no grupo intervenção, e 222 AVC em 181 participantes no grupo placebo (risco em 5 anos, 8,0% em comparação com 10,7%; HR, 0,75; IC 95%, 0,60–0,94; P=0,01). Os resultados se mantiveram mesmo após ajuste para características basais (HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.59–0.92; P=0,007). Pacientes no grupo intervenção apresentaram bem mais casos de edema, ganho de peso, falta de ar, e fraturas do que os pacientes do grupo placebo, mas sem diferença significante para qualquer tipo de câncer, hospitalização e mortalidade. Conclusões. A pioglitazona apresentou uma tendência favorável como tratamento preventivo para novo AVC em pacientes pré-diabéticos ou com resistência à insulina, especialmente para alguns subgrupos de acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico. Ainda assim, mais estudos precisam ser realizados para confirmar tais dados.