bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of Silicon Content in a Blast Furnace via Machine Learning: A Comprehensive Processing and Modeling Pipeline
Authors: Raza Omer , Walla Nicholas , Okosun Tyamo , Leontaras Kosta , Entwistle Jason , Zhou Chenn
Published: January 2025

Silicon content plays an important role in determining the operational efficiency of blast furnaces (BFs) and their downstream processes in integrated steelmaking; however, existing sampling methods and first-principles models are somewhat limited in their capability and flexibility. Current data-based prediction models primarily rely on a limited set of manually selected furnace parameters. Additionally, different BFs present a diverse set of operating parameters and state variables that are known to directly influence the hot metal’s silicon content, such as fuel injection, blast temperature, and raw material charge composition, among other process variables that have their own impacts. The expansiveness of the parameter set adds complexity to parameter selection and processing. This highlights the need for a comprehensive methodology to integrate and select from all relevant parameters for accurate silicon content prediction. Providing accurate silicon content predictions would enable operators to adjust furnace conditions dynamically, improving safety and reducing economic risk. To address these issues, a two-stage approach is proposed. First, a generalized data processing scheme is proposed to accommodate diverse furnace parameters. Second, a robust modeling pipeline is used to establish a machine learning (ML) model capable of predicting hot metal silicon content with reasonable accuracy. The method employed herein predicted the average Si content of the upcoming furnace cast with an accuracy of 91% among 200 target predictions for a specific furnace provisioned by the XGBoost model. This prediction is achieved using only the past shift’s operating conditions, which should be available in real time. This performance provides a strong baseline for the modeling approach with potential for further improvement through provision of real-time features.
Active Disturbance Rejection Control—New Trends in Agricultural Cybernetics in the Future: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Tu Yu-Hao , Wang Rui-Feng , Su Wen-Hao
Published: January 2025

With the development of smart and precision agriculture, new challenges have emerged in terms of response speed and adaptability in agricultural equipment control. Active Disturbance Rejection Control (ADRC), an advanced control strategy known for its strong robustness and disturbance rejection capabilities, has demonstrated exceptional performance in various fields, such as aerospace, healthcare, and military applications. Therefore, investigating the application of ADRC in agricultural control systems is of great significance. This review focuses on the fundamental principles of ADRC and its applications in agriculture, exploring its potential use and achievements in precision agriculture management, intelligent agricultural control, and other agricultural control sectors. These include the control of agricultural machinery, field navigation and trajectory tracking, agricultural production processes, as well as fisheries and greenhouse management in various agricultural scenarios. Additionally, this paper summarizes the integration of ADRC with other control technologies (e.g., LADRC, SMC) in agricultural applications and discusses the advantages and limitations of ADRC in the aforementioned areas. Furthermore, the challenges, development trends, and future research directions of ADRC in agricultural applications are examined to provide a reference for its future development.
Event Knowledge Graph for a Knowledge-Based Design Process Model for Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Guohui Chen , Haruna Auwal , Youze Chen , Lunyong Li , Noman Khandaker , Li Yongbo , Eliker K.
Published: January 2025

Additive manufacturing (AM) technology is gaining acceptance as a strategic manufacturing technique for allowing new product development. Due to ongoing process improvement, design for AM (DFAM) has become a major issue in harnessing AM’s production and development possibilities to achieve design freedom. The classical design process model does not encompass all the knowledge available to take advantage of design freedom. Therefore, a conceptual and in-depth analysis of design alternatives is necessary to determine the manufacturing process. As a result, this research proposed a design process model for a DFAM to attain design freedom with a unique approach and resource selection steps for fused deposition modeling (FDM) that uses an information model based on evolving knowledge and addressing the challenges. The proposed design process model uses an event knowledge graph (EKG) to outline the product manufacturability from the perspective of DFAM limitations. Event-based knowledge representation provides causality information for knowledge-based reasoning in causality analysis tasks. A relationship-aware mechanism is then used to express events on the graph that are directed from entities to occurrences to efficiently extract the most relevant details. Thus, this implements a step-by-step approach to process and resource specifications during the design stage. Consequently, it offers a comprehensive learning approach for establishing and modeling intrinsic relationships to attain flexibility and design freedom. The efficacy and feasibility of the proposed approach are verified by using an application case study of an intake system based on the airflow sensing rate and controls how much air is fed into the engine.
Recovery of Neodymium from Spent Hard Disk Drivers by Microwave Treatment and Magnesium Liquid Extraction
Authors: Fironda Sabina Andreea , Badea Ioana Cristina , Burada Marian , Piticescu Radu-Robert , Licu Lidia
Published: January 2025

Rare earth elements (REEs) possess unique physical and chemical properties that render them indispensable in various industries, including electronics, energy production and storage, hybrid and electric vehicles, metallurgy, and petro-chemical processing. The criticality of REE underscores the need to enhance the efficiency of primary resource extraction and promote circularity through increased recycling from secondary sources. This paper provides a brief overview of REE recovery from secondary sources, particularly waste from electronic and electric equipment (WEEE). The discussion encompasses direct reuse of magnets, short-loop recycling (direct recycling), hydro- and pyrometallurgical processes, highlighting microwave (MW) technology. Original results are presented, focusing on the recovery of neodymium (Nd) from permanent magnet scraps from hard disk drives (HDD-PC) using microwave-assisted liquid metal extraction (LME) with magnesium (Mg) as the extractant. The subsequent separation of Nd from the Mg-Nd alloy via vacuum Mg distillation that is reused in the process is described. The experimental study demonstrates that the LME process, conducted in a microwave furnace, is a viable method for recovering Nd from permanent magnet scraps, which are essential for reducing the environmental impact of REE extraction and promoting a circular economy. By separating Nd from the alloy through vacuum distillation (450–550 mmHg), at temperatures of 850–900 °C for 8 h, a Nd sponge with a content of 95–98 wt.% Nd was obtained. The extracted content of Nd in the Mg alloy increases with increasing temperature and holding time. It was found that ≈ 97% of the Nd in the scrap was extracted from 2 to 5 mm crushed scrap at 800 °C for 8 h, using a LiF-LiCl-MgF2 protecting flux in a furnace Ar atmosphere.
A Novel Multi-Task Learning Framework for Interval-Valued Carbon Price Forecasting Using Online News and Search Engine Data
Authors: Liu Dinggao , Wang Liuqing , Lin Shuo , Tang Zhenpeng
Published: January 2025

The European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) serves as the cornerstone of European climate policy, providing a critical mechanism for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Accurate forecasting of the carbon allowance prices within the market is essential for policymakers, enterprises, and investors. To address the need for interval-valued time series modeling and forecasting in the carbon market, this paper proposes a Transformer-based multi-task learning framework that integrates online news and search engine data information to forecast interval-valued EU carbon allowance futures prices. Empirical evaluations demonstrate that the proposed framework achieves superior predictive accuracy for short-term forecasting and remains robust under high market volatility and economic policy uncertainty compared to single-task learning benchmarks. Furthermore, ablation experiments indicate that incorporating news sentiment intensity and search index effectively enhances the framework’s predictive performance. Interpretability analysis highlights the critical role of specific temporal factors, while the time-varying variable importance analysis further underscores the influence of carbon allowance close prices and key energy market variables and also recognizes the contributions of news sentiment. In summary, this study provides valuable insights for policy management, risk hedging, and portfolio decision-making related to interval-valued EU carbon prices and offers a robust forecasting tool for carbon market prediction.
Deferred f-Statistical Convergence of Generalized Difference Sequences of Order α
Authors: León-Saavedra Fernando , Et Mikail , Temizsu Fatih
Published: January 2025

Studies on difference sequences was introduced in the 1980s, and since then, many mathematicians have studied this kind of sequences and obtained some generalized difference sequence spaces. In this paper, using the generalized difference operator, we introduce the concept of the deferred f-statistical convergence of generalized difference sequences of the order α and give some inclusion relations between the deferred f-statistical convergence of generalized difference sequences and deferred f-statistical convergence of generalized difference sequences of the order α. Our results are more general than the corresponding results in the existing literature.
Efficient Robot Localization Through Deep Learning-Based Natural Fiduciary Pattern Recognition
Authors: Mena-Almonte Ramón Alberto , Zulueta Ekaitz , Etxeberria-Agiriano Ismael , Fernandez-Gamiz Unai
Published: January 2025

This paper introduces an efficient localization algorithm for robotic systems, utilizing deep learning to identify and exploit natural fiduciary patterns within the environment. Diverging from conventional localization techniques that depend on artificial markers, this method capitalizes on the inherent environmental features to enhance both accuracy and computational efficiency. By integrating advanced deep learning frameworks with natural scene analysis, the proposed algorithm facilitates robust, real-time localization in dynamic and unstructured settings. The resulting approach offers significant improvements in adaptability, precision, and operational efficiency, representing a substantial contribution to the field of autonomous robotics. We are aiming at analyzing an automotive manufacturing scenario to achieve robotic localization related to a moving target. To work with a simpler and more accessible scenario we have chosen a demonstrative context consisting of a laboratory wall containing some elements. This paper will focus on the first part of the case study, with a continuation planned for future work. It will demonstrate a scenario in which a camera is mounted on a robot, capturing images of the underside of a car (which we assume to be represented by a gray painted surface with specific elements to be described in Materials and Methods). These images are processed by a convolutional neural network (CNN), designed to detect the most distinctive features of the environment. The extracted information is crucial, as the identified characteristic areas will serve as reference points for the real-time localization of the industrial robot. In this work, we have demonstrated the potential of leveraging natural fiduciary patterns for efficient and accurate robot localization. By utilizing deep learning, specifically convolutional neural networks. The experimental results suggest that this approach is not only feasible but also scalable across a wide range of applications, including industrial automation autonomous vehicles, and aerospace navigation. As robots increasingly operate in environments where computational efficiency and adaptability are paramount, our methodology offers a viable solution to enhance localization without compromising accuracy or speed. The proposal of an algorithm that enables the application of the proposed method for natural fiduciary patterns based on neural networks to more complex scenarios is highlighted, along with the efficiency of the method for robot localization compared to others.
Prognostic Value of Procalcitonin in Febrile People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (PLWH) Admitted to the Emergency Department
Authors: Celani Luigi , Carbone Luigi , Ceppa Francesco , Piccioni Andrea , Della Polla Davide Antonio , Chiuchiarelli Marta , Cingolani Antonella , De Matteis Giuseppe , Murri Rita , Gasbarrini Antonio , Franceschi Francesco , Covino Marcello
Published: January 2025

Background and Objectives: The management of HIV patients presenting with fever in the Emergency Department (ED) remains a challenging clinical scenario. Accurate risk stratification and prognostic indicators are crucial for timely intervention and improved patient outcomes. Procalcitonin (PCT) has emerged as a promising biomarker for assessing the severity and prognosis of various infectious diseases. The study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of procalcitonin (PCT) in HIV patients admitted to the Emergency Department for clinical suspicion of infection and assess its association with in-hospital mortality. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on febrile HIV-positive patients admitted to the Emergency Department. Clinical data were collected from 2018 to 2022. Patients were categorized based on PCT levels (>0.5 ng/dL), clinical findings, comorbidities, and viro-immunological status. Results: We investigated data from 289 HIV-positive patients (74% male). The median age of the sample was 54 years [IQR: 42–62], 100 (35%) patients presented detectable viremia, and the median value of CD4+ T lymphocytes was 358 [IQR: 104–531]. Elevated PCT levels (≥0.5 ng/dL) were detected in 69 (23.8%) patients. A significant association was observed between elevated PCT and increased mortality risk (p < 0.05). The mortality rate among patients with detectable HIV viremia was higher compared to those with undetectable viremia (p = 0.02). Moreover, deceased patients had statistically lower CD4+ values compared to survivors (61 [IQR: 14–186] vs. 370 [IQR: 136–548], p < 0.001). Conclusions: In febrile HIV patients admitted to the Emergency Department, elevated procalcitonin levels, low CD4+, and detectable viremia are associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality.
Integrating Temperature History into Inherent Strain Methodology for Improved Distortion Prediction in Laser Powder Bed Fusion
Authors: Setien Iñaki , Chiumenti Michele , San Sebastian Maria , Moreira Carlos A. , Caicedo Manuel A.
Published: January 2025

Powder bed fusion–laser beam (PBF-LB) additive manufacturing enables the production of intricate, lightweight metal components aligned with Industry 4.0 and sustainable principles. However, residual stresses and distortions challenge the dimensional accuracy and reliability of parts. Inherent strain methods (ISMs) provide a computationally efficient approach to predicting these issues but often overlook transient thermal histories, limiting their accuracy. This paper introduces an enhanced inherent strain method (EISM) for PBF-LB, integrating macro-scale temperature histories into the inherent strain framework. By incorporating temperature-dependent adjustments to the precomputed inherent strain tensor, EISM improves the prediction of residual stresses and distortions, addressing the limitations of the original ISM. Validation was conducted on two Ti-6Al-4V geometries—a non-symmetric bridge and a complex structure (steady blowing actuator)—through comparisons with experimental measurements of temperature, distortion, and residual stress. Results demonstrate improved accuracy, particularly in capturing localized thermal and mechanical effects. Sensitivity analyses emphasize the need for adaptive layer lumping and mesh refinement in regions with abrupt stiffness changes, such as shrink lines. While EISM slightly increases computational cost, it remains feasible for industrial-scale applications. This work bridges the gap between simplified inherent strain models and high-fidelity simulations, offering a robust tool for simulation-driven optimisation.
Extraction and Assessment of Features Using Shannon Entropy and Rényi Entropy for Chatter Detection in Micro Milling
Authors: Zheng Zehui , Jing Xiubing , Song Bowen , Song Xiaofei , Chen Yun , Li Huaizhong
Published: January 2025

Chatter is a common phenomenon in micromachining processes that adversely affects machining quality, reduces tool life, and generates excessive noise that contributes to environmental pollution. Therefore, the timely detection of chatter is crucial for sustainable production. This paper presents an investigation on the extraction of two types of features, i.e., probability-related and entropy-related, using Shannon entropy and Rényi entropy algorithms, respectively, for chatter detection in micro milling. First, four chatter features were examined using actual machining tests under stable, weak-chatter, and severe-chatter conditions. Second, the proposed chatter features were systematically assessed by combining the characteristic change rates, threshold intervals, and computation times. The results demonstrated that the proposed features can effectively detect the occurrence of chatters at various severity levels. It was found that the probability-related features exhibit better sensitivity compared to entropy-related features, and the features extracted from Shannon entropy algorithm are more sensitive than the Rényi entropy algorithm.
Designing Chip-Feed High-Gain Millimeter-Wave Resonant Cavity Antenna (RCA) Array and Optimization of Beam Steering Metasurface
Authors: Sayem Abu Sadat Md. , Esselle Karu P. , Thalakotuna Dushmantha N. , Attygalle Manik , Singh Khushboo
Published: January 2025

In this article, a chip-fed millimeter-wave high-gain antenna system with in-antenna power combining capability is presented. A low-profile resonant cavity antenna (RCA) array is fed by multiple spherical dielectric resonators (DRs), demonstrating its multi-feed capabilities. Each of the DRs is fed by two microstrip resonators on a planar circuit board. A printed superstrate is used in the proposed RCA as the partially reflecting superstrate (PRS), which makes the antenna profile small. To increase the directivity and gain, a 2 × 2 RCA array is developed. The demonstrated design shows a prominent peak gain of 25.03 dBi, a radiation efficiency of more than 80% and 3.38 GHz 3 db gain-bandwidth while maintaining a low profile. To steer the beam of the demonstrated 2 × 2 RCA array in a wide angular range with a low side-lobe-level, two planar all-dielectric passive beam steering metasurfaces have been designed and optimized. A detailed analysis of the optimization procedure is presented in this article. This numerical investigation is vitally important for realizing beam steering metasurfaces with suppressed side-lobe-level, wide bandwidth, excellent efficiency and less complexity.
Homogeneity of Electro-Mechanical and Optical Characteristics in Ring-Shaped MEMS Shutter Arrays with Subfield Addressing for Interference Microscopy
Authors: Kästner Philipp , Elsaka Basma , Iskhandar Mustaqim Siddi Que , Liebermann Steffen , Donatiello Roland , Liu Shujie , Hillmer Hartmut
Published: January 2025

We present a MEMS array-based approach for micro-irises called “ring shutter”, utilizing subfield addressing for applications in advanced micro-optics, such as interference microscopy. This experimental study is focused on investigating the homogeneity of electro-mechanical and optical characteristics within and between subfields of a lab demonstrator device. The characterization aims to ensure crosstalk-free and swift optical performance, as demonstrated in a previous study. For this purpose, the transmission in the initial state, actuation voltages, and response dynamics are measured for each electrode and the entire device, and the results are thoroughly compared. The measurements are conducted by expanding an existing optical actuation setup via tailored 3D-printed apertures, to isolate selected rings and zones. Evaluation of measurement data confirms the stable and crosstalk-free operation of the ring shutter. Both angular and radial homogeneity are robust and follow the expectations in the experiment. While transmission, actuation voltage and closing time slightly rise (up to 25%) with increased radial position represented by five discrete ring sections, the characteristics for different angular zones remain nearly constant. Response times are measured below 40 µs, actuation voltages do not exceed 60 V, and the overall transmission of the ring shutter yields 53.6%.
Taxane-Producing Fungi Isolated from Taxus globosa Tree Bark
Authors: Guevara-Sánchez Jocelyn Guadalupe , Aguilar-Uscanga María Guadalupe , Ledesma-Escobar Carlos Augusto , Castro-Martínez Claudia , Condé Renaud , Sachman-Ruíz Bernardo , del Moral Sandra
Published: January 2025

The taxane molecules extracted from the bark of trees from the Taxus genus demonstrate anticancer activity and are the main components of the drug paclitaxel. Even though a great deal of research has been carried out to produce them synthetically, this manufacturing is still dependent on Taxus cell culture. Furthermore, these processes are not suitable for steady taxane production. Therefore, the search for alternative sources of taxane production has generated growing interest amongst the scientific community. The use of endophytic fungi for the obtention of taxane constitutes an attractive alternative. Here, we present an analysis of the taxane production of several microorganisms through LC–QTOF MS/MS. We isolated 21 endophytic fungus strains, identified through sequencing of their internal transcribed spacer region (ITS). The phylogenetic analysis showed the presence of 11 different Fungus genera, namely Aspergillus, Trichoderma, Neurospora, Penicillium, Curvularia, Arcopilus, Biscogniauxia, Hypoxylon, Sordaria, Xylariales, and Gelasinospora. These fungi have been previously described to synthetize distinct metabolites of medical interest, hence supporting the study of their potential taxane production. Here, we report the production of taxadiene by some of these fungi, namely Aspergillus sp. (1.35 μg/L), TgO (0.7 μg/L), Trichoderma harzianum (0.13 μg/L), and Hypoxylon sp. (0.3 μg/L). Furthermore, we also detected the production of baccatin III, a crucial precursor component of the drug paclitaxel. This is the first report of taxane production by fungi phylogenetically related to the Arcopilus and Endoxyla genera.
The Efficacy of Calcium Hypochlorite and Peroxyacetic Acid Treatments in Inactivating Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli on Alfalfa Seeds and Sprouts
Authors: Kim Myung-Ji , Dejonghe Wim , Manohar Murli , Chen Jinru
Published: January 2025

For several decades, recurring outbreaks of human gastrointestinal infections associated with contaminated sprouts have posed an enduring challenge, highlighting the necessity of controlling the etiological agents on contaminated sprout seeds. This study investigated the efficacy of calcium hypochlorite and peroxyacetic acid treatments in inactivating the cells of four enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) isolates—viz. E. coli O157:H7 K4492, F4546, and H1730, as well as E. coli O104:H4 BAA-2326—on alfalfa seeds and sprouts. The 2–3 log CFU/g of EHEC cells inoculated to sprout seeds became undetectable (≤1.40 log CFU/g) after treatment with the two sanitizers, even with the enrichment steps. Sprouts grown from calcium hypochlorite- and peroxyacetic acid-treated seeds had mean EHEC populations that were 4.54–4.60 log CFU/g and 1.25–1.52 log CFU/g lower, respectively, compared to those on sprouts grown from the untreated control seeds. Significantly (p ≤ 0.05) different from one another, the mean populations of the four EHEC isolates on harvested sprout samples were in the descending order of E. coli O157:H7 K4492, F4546, H1730, and E. coli O104:H4 BAA-2326. The results suggest that both sanitizing treatments effectively suppressed EHEC growth on alfalfa seeds and sprouts, but their effectiveness was bacterial-isolate-dependent.
Magnetite Texture and Geochemistry in the Takab Ore Deposit (NW Iran): Implications for a Complex Hydrothermal Evolution
Authors: Wagner Christiane , Boudouma Omar , Rividi Nicolas , Orberger Beate , Nabatian Ghasem , Honarmand Maryam , Monsef Iman
Published: January 2025

The massive magnetite deposit from Takab (NW Iran) is hosted in amphibolite layers intercalated with the chemical and terrigenous sediments of the Takab BIF. A comprehensive textural and chemical study allowed three types of magnetite (Mt) to be distinguished. Mt1 forms large (≤1 mm) inhomogeneous grains surrounded and locally invaded by magnetite Mt2. Oscillatory zoning is present in Mt1 and Mt2. Mt3 forms bands aligned along fracture planes. Mt3 may contain hematite relicts and is porous in proximity to hematite. Mt1 shows variable and higher Si (up to 1.4 wt. %), Al, Ca, and Mg and lower Fe content (68 wt. %) than Mt2. Mt3 has the lowest Si (<0.3 wt. %) and highest Fe (71 wt. %) contents. The temperature of formation decreases from Mt1 (600 °C) to Mt2 (500–550 °C) and Mt3 (380–440 °C). Mt1 likely formed in a reducing Si-rich environment. The close spatial relationship, sharp compositional boundaries, similar crystallographic structure of Mt1 and Mt2, and porosity in Mt2 suggest a fluid-assisted coupled dissolution of Mt1 and precipitation of Mt2 (CDR process). Microfracturing allowed the penetration of oxidizing fluid and the formation of platy hematite bands. Mt3 (mushketovite) formed after hematite by interaction with a reducing lower temperature fluid through a redox transformation.
Bioavailable and Bioaccessible Fractions of Potentially Toxic Elements in Copper Mining Wastes in the Southeastern Amazon
Authors: Pereira Gabriela , Pereira Wendel , Ramos Sílvio , Guimarães José , Covre Watilla , Dias Yan , Fernandes Antonio
Published: January 2025

The Brazilian Amazon presents several artisanal and industrial Cu mines that generate significant amounts of waste. The objective of this study was to evaluate the risks to the environment and human health based on the bioavailable and bioaccessible concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs; Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in artisanal and industrial Cu mining areas in the Carajás Mineral Province (CMP), eastern Amazon. For this purpose, samples (0–20 cm depth) were collected from natural forest soils (considered as a reference), as well as areas where artisanal mining wastes (artisanal overburden–AO and artisanal rock waste–AR) and industrial mining tailings (IT) were deposited. Total PTE concentrations were obtained via acid digestion, bioavailable concentrations were obtained via sequential extraction, and oral bioaccessible concentrations were obtained via the simple bioaccessibility extraction test. Environmental indices were obtained from PTE concentrations. The results indicated contamination by elements such as Mo, Cr, Ni, and Cu, mainly in AR, which had the highest contamination levels. Sequential extraction revealed that most PTEs are in residual form, suggesting low environmental risk from the bioavailable fraction. The bioaccessible concentrations of Cr and Ni were associated with health risks for children in AR. The results of this study will be important for protecting the environment and public health in artisanal mining areas in the region.
Understanding Intrinsic Electrochemical Properties of NiCo–Metal–Organic Framework-Derived NiCo2O4 as a Li-Ion Battery Anode
Authors: Park Byoungnam , Kim Soomin
Published: January 2025

This study explores the electrochemical properties of additive-free NiCo₂O₄ derived from NiCo–metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as a high-performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), excluding the effect of additives. NiCo-MOF was synthesized via an ultrasonic-assisted method and deposited on stainless steel foils using alternating current electrophoretic deposition (AC-EPD). The resulting thin films exhibited outstanding cycling stability and rate performance, maintaining a specific capacity of ~1200 mAh/g over 250 cycles at a high current density of 2.35 A/g, with nearly 100% Coulombic efficiency. Differential capacity analysis revealed enhanced redox activity at 0.8 V and 1.7 V during lithiation and delithiation, attributed to the decomposition of NiCo₂O₄ into metallic Ni and Co, followed by their oxidation to Ni2⁺ and Co3⁺, respectively. The gradual activation of electroactive sites, coupled with improved electrode kinetics and structural adjustments, contributed to the observed capacity increase over cycles. These findings underscore the potential of NiCo₂O₄ as a robust and efficient anode material for next-generation LIBs.
Deterministic Fabrication of Fluorescent Nanostructures Featuring Distinct Optical Transitions
Authors: Rikers Marijn , Bashiri Ayesheh , Barreda Ángela , Steinert Michael , Choi Duk-Yong , Pertsch Thomas , Staude Isabelle
Published: January 2025

The precise and deterministic integration of fluorescent emitters with photonic nanostructures is an important challenge in nanophotonics and key to the realization of hybrid photonic systems, supporting effects such as emission enhancement, directional emission, and strong coupling. Such integration typically requires the definition or immobilization of the emitters at defined positions with nanoscale precision. While various methods were already developed for creating localized emitters, in this work we present a new method for the deterministic fabrication of fluorescent nanostructures featuring well-defined optical transitions; it works with a minimal amount of steps and is scalable. Specifically, electron-beam lithography is used to directly pattern a mixture of the negative-tone electron-beam resist with the europium complex Eu(TTA)3, which exhibits both electric and magnetic dipolar transitions. Crucially, the lithography process enables precise control over the shape and position of the resulting fluorescent structures with a feature size of approx. 100 nm. We demonstrate that the Eu(TTA)3 remains fluorescent after exposure, confirming that the electron beam does not alter the structure the optical transitions. This work supports the experimental study of local density of optical states in nanophotonics. It also expands the knowledge base of fluorescent polymer materials, which can have applications in polymer-based photonic devices. Altogether, the presented fabrication method opens the door for the realization of hybrid nanophotonic systems incorporating fluorescent emitters for light-emitting dielectric metasurfaces.
Maternal Serum and Cord Blood Leptin Concentrations in African Newborns: Relationship to Birth Weight and Gender
Authors: Castaldi Maria Antonietta , Castaldi Salvatore Giovanni , Guida Maurizio , Di Carlo Costantino , Sarno Laura
Published: January 2025

Background: Leptin, a protein predominantly produced by adipocytes, plays a crucial role in regulating energy balance, inflammation, immunity, and fetal growth. During pregnancy, maternal serum leptin levels increase, peaking in the second trimester, with placental production contributing to this rise. Leptin has also been identified in fetal tissues, and its concentration in umbilical cord blood correlates with birth weight. This study aimed to evaluate serum and umbilical cord blood leptin concentrations in rural Burundian women living in marginal nutritional conditions, and investigate potential gender differences in fetal leptin levels. Methods: We analyzed data from 38 healthy singleton pregnancies (20 male and 18 female newborns) delivered at Hôpital Autonome de Ngozi, Burundi. Leptin concentrations were measured in maternal and umbilical cord blood samples. Results: Our results revealed that neonatal leptin levels were significantly higher in female compared to male newborns, consistent with findings in other populations. Leptin concentrations in umbilical cord blood were positively correlated with neonatal birth weight and the Kaup index, while maternal leptin levels did not show such associations. Conclusions: Despite the challenging nutritional environment in this rural African setting, our findings suggest that leptin’s role in fetal growth regulation may transcend maternal nutritional status. The gender difference observed in leptin levels could be linked to genetic or epigenetic factors rather than fat content or reproductive hormones. This study supports the notion that leptin may be an important regulator of fetal development, even in malnourished populations, and underscores the need for further research to elucidate its mechanisms in pregnancy.
Research Progress on the Degradation of Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) by Bifidobacteria
Authors: Cai Ruitao , Zhang Jie , Song Yingte , Liu Xiaoyong , Xu Huilian
Published: January 2025

The purpose of this study was to investigate the degradation mechanism of Bifidobacterium on breast milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and its application in infant nutrition. The composition and characteristics of HMOs were introduced, and the degradation mechanism of HMOs by Bifidobacterium was described, including intracellular and extracellular digestion and species-specific differences. The interaction between Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides in the process of degrading HMOs and its effect on intestinal microecology were analyzed. The effects of HMO formula milk powder on the intestinal microbiota of infants were discussed, including simulating breast milk composition, regulating intestinal flora and immune function, infection prevention, and brain development. Finally, the research results are summarized, and future research directions are proposed to provide directions for research in the field of infant nutrition.
Pediatric Wernicke Encephalopathy: A Systematic Review
Authors: Oudman Erik , Wijnia Jan W. , Bidesie Janice R. , van Dam Mirjam J. , Oey Misha J. , Smits Sterre , van Dorp Maaike , Postma Albert
Published: January 2025

Background: Wernicke Encephalopathy (WE), a neurological disorder often linked to alcohol use, can also occur under non-alcoholic conditions, including in pediatric populations. Methods: This systematic review examines 88 pediatric WE cases reported over the past 30 years, encompassing diverse etiologies such as cancer (25 cases), gastrointestinal diseases (19), malnutrition (17), psychiatric disorders (13), obesity surgery (5), renal disease (4), COVID-19 (2), PICU complications (1), hyperemesis gravidarum (1), and a genetic mutation (1). Results: Prodromal symptoms included nausea (60%) and vomiting (55%). In total, 37% of the patients received parenteral nutrition without thiamine before WE diagnosis, often progressing to Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome (WKS). Key findings revealed the classic triad of WKS, eye movement disorders (80%), mental status changes (75%), and ataxia (63%), with MRI demonstrating high diagnostic sensitivity (85%). Treatment varied widely; higher parenteral thiamine doses correlated with faster recovery and better outcomes, while insufficient dosages led to adverse effects. Full remission was achieved in 61% of cases, with improved outcomes in more recent reports due to refined dosing protocols. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of early recognition of nausea and vomiting as predictors of pediatric WE and the critical need to incorporate thiamine in parenteral nutrition for children. Optimal dosing remains vital for recovery, particularly in severe cases.
Fluoroquinolone-Mediated Tendinopathy and Tendon Rupture
Authors: Duman Ezgi , Müller-Deubert Sigrid , Pattappa Girish , Stratos Ioannis , Sieber Stephan A. , Clausen-Schaumann Hauke , Sarafian Victoria , Shukunami Chisa , Rudert Maximilian , Docheva Denitsa
Published: January 2025

The fluoroquinolone (FQ) class of antibiotics includes the world’s most prescribed antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and ofloxacin that are known for their low bacterial resistance. This is despite their potential to trigger severe side effects, such as myopathy, hearing loss, tendinopathy, and tendon rupture. Thus, healthcare organizations around the world have recommended limiting the prescription of FQs. Tendinopathy is a common name for maladies that cause pain and degeneration in the tendon tissue, which can result in tendon rupture. Whilst there are several identified effects of FQ on tendons, the exact molecular mechanisms behind FQ-mediated tendon rupture are unclear. Previous research studies indicated that FQ-mediated tendinopathy and tendon rupture can be induced by changes in gene expression, metabolism, and function of tendon resident cells, thus leading to alterations in the extracellular matrix. Hence, this review begins with an update on FQs, their mode of action, and their known side effects, as well as summary information on tendon tissue structure and cellular content. Next, how FQs affect the tendon tissue and trigger tendinopathy and tendon rupture is explored in detail. Lastly, possible preventative measures and promising areas for future research are also discussed. Specifically, follow-up studies should focus on understanding the FQ-mediated tendon changes in a more complex manner and integrating in vitro with in vivo models. With respect to in vitro systems, the field should move towards three-dimensional models that reflect the cellular diversity found in the tissue.
Multifunctionality and Possible Medical Application of the BPC 157 Peptide—Literature and Patent Review
Authors: Józwiak Michalina , Bauer Marta , Kamysz Wojciech , Kleczkowska Patrycja
Published: January 2025

BPC 157, known as the “Body Protection Compound”, is a pentadecapeptide isolated from human gastric juice that demonstrated its pleiotropic beneficial effects in various preclinical models mimicking medical conditions, such as tissue injury, inflammatory bowel disease, or even CNS disorders. Unlike many other drugs, BPC 157 has a desirable safety profile, since only a few side effects have been reported following its administration. Nevertheless, this compound was temporarily banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in 2022 (it is not currently listed as banned by the WADA). However, it has not been approved for use in standard medicine by the FDA and other global regulatory authorities due to the absence of sufficient and comprehensive clinical studies confirming its health benefits in humans. In this review, we summarize information on the biological activities of BPC 157, with particular reference to its mechanism of action and probable toxicity. This generated the attention of experts, as BPC 157 has been offered for sale on many websites. We also present recent interest in BPC 157 as reflected in a number of patent applications and granted patents.
Prevention and Treatment of Peritoneal Dialysis-Associated Fibrosis with Intraperitoneal Anti-Fibrotic Therapy in Experimental Peritoneal Fibrosis
Authors: Sun Chiao-Yin , Hsieh Yu-Ting , Lu Shang-Chieh , Huang Chi-Ying F.
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD) often results in peritoneal damage and fibrosis, impairing peritoneal membrane function and leading to ultrafiltration failure. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of nintedanib and pirfenidone in preventing and treating PD-associated peritoneal fibrosis using experimental models. Methods: An animal model of peritoneal fibrosis and cultured mesothelial cells were utilized to evaluate the effects of nintedanib and pirfenidone. Histological analysis, molecular techniques, and RNA sequencing were employed to assess the fibrosis, inflammation, and gene expression. The key outcomes included changes in the peritoneal structure, inflammatory markers, and transcriptional regulation. Results: Induced peritoneal fibrosis resulted in significant structural and histological changes. Treatment with nintedanib and pirfenidone effectively prevented peritoneal thickening and reduced excessive fibrosis deposition. Both agents ameliorated the inflammatory responses by lowering inflammatory marker expression, inhibiting cytokine activity, and decreasing macrophage infiltration. Molecular analyses revealed the suppression of inflammation-related transcription regulators and cytokine receptors. RNA sequencing identified glucose-induced gene expression changes and demonstrated significant modulation by the treatments. In animal studies with established fibrosis, these agents reduced peritoneal inflammation and slowed fibrosis progression. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that intraperitoneal administration of nintedanib and pirfenidone shows promise as an anti-fibrosis therapy for preventing and treating peritoneal fibrosis associated with PD. These findings highlight the potential of targeted interventions to improve the long-term outcomes for PD patients.
Mechanistic Investigation into Crystallization of Hydrated Co-Amorphous Systems of Flurbiprofen and Lidocaine
Authors: Xu Xiaoyue , Grohganz Holger , Knapik-Kowalczuk Justyna , Paluch Marian , Rades Thomas
Published: January 2025

Background: It is generally accepted that water as a plasticizer can decrease the glass transition temperatures (Tgs) of amorphous drugs and drug delivery systems, resulting in physical instabilities. However, a recent study has reported an anti-plasticizing effect of water on amorphous lidocaine (LID). In co-amorphous systems, LID might be used as a co-former to impair the plasticizing effect of water. Method: Flurbiprofen (FLB) was used to form a co-amorphous system with a mole fraction of LID of 0.8. The effect of water on the stability of co-amorphous FLB-LID upon hydration was investigated. The crystallization behaviors of anhydrous and hydrated co-amorphous FLB-LID systems were measured by an isothermal modulated differential scanning calorimetric (iMDSC) method. The relaxation times of the co-amorphous FLB-LID system upon hydration were measured by a broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS), and the differences in Gibbs free energy (ΔG) and entropy (ΔS) between the amorphous and crystalline phases were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Results: It was found that the crystallization tendency of co-amorphous FLB-LID decreased with the addition of water. Molecular mobility and thermodynamic factors were both investigated to explain the difference in crystallization tendencies of co-amorphous FLB-LID upon hydration. Conclusions: The results of the study showed that LID could be used as an effective co-former to decrease the crystallization tendency of co-amorphous FLB-LID upon hydration by enhancing the entropic (ΔS) and thermodynamic activation barriers (TΔS)3/ΔG2) to crystallization.
Comprehensive Omics Analysis Reveals Cold-Induced Metabolic Reprogramming and Alternative Splicing in Dendrobium officinale
Authors: Zhan Xinqiao , Li Zhangqun , Pang Minxia , Yao Guoxiang , Mao Bizeng
Published: January 2025

Dendrobium officinale is an economically important orchid species that is sensitive to cold stress. Understanding the molecular and metabolic mechanisms underlying its response to cold is crucial for developing strategies to improve its cold tolerance. In this study, we constructed a comprehensive cold stress response dataset for D. officinale and characterized its regulatory landscape in response to varying cold stress conditions. The glycine metabolism-related genes Dca003913 and Dca022726 play pivotal roles in both cold and drought stress adaptation, and their expression is not upregulated by hormones or fungi infection. Carbohydrate metabolism showed specific dynamic changes in freezing injury cells, which involved a variety of hormonal responses. The abundance of sphingolipids was notably higher in the freezing treatment (FT) compared to the freezing recovery (FR) plants, indicating specialized metabolic adaptations at different cold intensities. An alternative splicing (AS) analysis identified 368 DAS genes, with spliceosome pathways significantly enriched. Three key ubiquitination proteins (PKU64802, XP_020672210, and PKU75555) were found to regulate splicing factors, which showed increased abundance in cold stress. This study highlights the roles of metabolic reprogramming and RNA splicing in cold adaptation, revealing a complex molecular network activated in response to cold stress.
Probing the Physicochemical, Nanomorphological, and Antimicrobial Attributes of Sustainable Silk Fibroin/Copaiba Oleoresin-Loaded PVA Films for Food Packaging Applications
Authors: Santos Daniel S. , Matos Robert S. , Pinto Erveton P. , Santos Samuel B. , da Fonseca Filho Henrique D. , Prioli Rodrigo , Ferreira Irlon M. , Souza Tiago M.
Published: January 2025

We explore the development of biodegradable poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) films loaded with silk fibroin (SF) functionalized with copaiba oleoresin (SFCO) for potential use in active food packaging. The films were characterized, showing significant improvements in both their physicochemical and nanomorphological properties. Films containing 10% SFCO exhibited superior mechanical strength, with a Young modulus of 145 MPa and an elongation at break of 385%, compared to the control film with 42 MPa and 314%, respectively. The films also demonstrated barrier properties, with water vapor transmission rates (WVTRs) as low as 25.95 g/h·m2. Antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was significantly improved, showing inhibition zones of up to 10 ± 1 mm and a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 100 µg∙mL−1. Three-dimensional nanomorphological analysis via atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed increased roughness in films with higher SFCO content, with root mean square (RMS) roughness values ranging from 2.70 nm to 11.5 nm. These results highlight the potential of SFCO-loaded PVA films as robust, eco-friendly alternatives to conventional packaging materials. They provide improved mechanical and antimicrobial properties, essential for extending the shelf life of perishable foods and advancing sustainability in the packaging industry.