bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biochemistry of Bacterial Biofilm: Insights into Antibiotic Resistance Mechanisms and Therapeutic Intervention
Authors: Azeem Kashish , Fatima Sadaf , Ali Asghar , Ubaid Ayesha , Husain Fohad Mabood , Abid Mohammad
Published: January 2025

Biofilms, composed of structured communities of bacteria embedded in a self-produced extracellular matrix, pose a significant challenge due to their heightened resistance to antibiotics and immune responses. This review highlights the mechanisms underpinning antibiotic resistance within bacterial biofilms, elucidating the adaptive strategies employed by microorganisms to withstand conventional antimicrobial agents. This encompasses the role of the extracellular matrix, altered gene expression, and the formation of persister cells, contributing to the recalcitrance of biofilms to eradication. A comprehensive understanding of these resistance mechanisms provides a for exploring innovative therapeutic interventions. This study explores promising avenues for future research, emphasizing the necessity of uncovering the specific genetic and phenotypic adaptations occurring within biofilms. The identification of vulnerabilities in biofilm architecture and the elucidation of key biofilm-specific targets emerge as crucial focal points for the development of targeted therapeutic strategies. In addressing the limitations of traditional antibiotics, this review discusses innovative therapeutic approaches. Nanomaterials with inherent antimicrobial properties, quorum-sensing inhibitors disrupting bacterial communication, and bacteriophages as biofilm-specific viral agents are highlighted as potential alternatives. The exploration of combination therapies, involving antimicrobial agents, biofilm-disrupting enzymes, and immunomodulators, is emphasized to enhance the efficacy of existing treatments and overcome biofilm resilience.
The Role of the SR Protein 9G8 in the Drosophila Intestine to Regulate Lipid Metabolism
Authors: Voskoboynikov Roman , DiAngelo Justin R.
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Metabolic diseases in humans, such as obesity or type 2 diabetes, arise from defects in the body’s ability to take in and store nutrients such as carbohydrates and triglycerides. Previous studies in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, have identified SR proteins, mRNA splicing factors that regulate splice-site selection, as regulating lipid storage in the fly fat body. However, whether SR proteins function in other tissues to regulate nutrient metabolism is not known. Methods: We focused on studying the role of SR proteins in intestines by decreasing their levels in the fly gut and measuring the concentrations of lipids and glycogen. Results: We further characterized the intestinal functions of 9G8, an SR protein, which displayed an increase in organismal lipid levels when knocked down in the intestine but had less triglyceride storage in isolated intestines. Interestingly, decreasing 9G8 in the intestine resulted in increased intestinal expression of five fatty acid synthesis/elongation enzyme genes, as well as four triglyceride lipase genes, which may contribute to the triglyceride phenotypes we observed in 9G8-RNAi flies. Conclusions: These data suggest that 9G8 regulates whole body and intestinal lipid homeostasis by altering the expression of lipid metabolic enzyme genes in the fly intestine.
Study on Influence of Mechanical Behavior of AZ31 Magnesium Alloy Based on GTN Damage Modeling
Authors: Wang Peijie , Ma Chuanchuan , Xue Chun , Chu Zhibing
Published: January 2025

Damage mechanisms are a key factor in materials science and are essential for understanding and predicting the behavior of materials under complex loading conditions. In this paper, the influence of different directions, different rates and different model parameters on the mechanical behavior of AZ31 magnesium alloy during the tensile process is investigated based on the secondary development of the VUMAT user subroutine based on the GTN damage model and verified by the tensile experiments at different loading rates and in different directions. The results show that AZ31 magnesium alloy exhibits significant differences in mechanical properties in radial and axial stretching, where the yield strength is lower in the radial direction than in the axial direction, and the elongation is the opposite. Moreover, the maximum stress and elongation of the material decreased with the increasing tensile rate, revealing the importance of the loading rate on the material properties. Compared with the existing studies, this paper determines the GTN model parameters of the AZ31 magnesium alloy extruded state bar by theresponse surface method combined with the optimization algorithm and obtains the parameter set that can accurately describe the damage behavior of this material. The study also found that the nucleation-averaged plastic strain (εN) has the most significant effect on the maximum stress and fracture point of the stress–strain curve by the sensitivity analysis of six key parameters of the GTN model, while the other parameters change the shape of the curve and the local features to different degrees. Further analysis shows that the differences in yield strength and elongation can be attributed to the differences in basal slip, twinning behavior and dynamic recrystallization in the microstructure, which provides an important guidance for the optimization of the microstructure of AZ31 magnesium alloy. This study not only reveals the influence law of loading conditions on the mechanical properties of AZ31 magnesium alloy but also provides a theoretical basis and reference for understanding the damage mechanism of magnesium alloy and optimizing its mechanical properties.
Study on Refined Crushing Technology of RAP and Mechanical Properties of RAP-Doped Cement-Stabilised Macadam Base
Authors: Liu Peilin , Li Bo , Guo Fucheng , Wu Xu , Yao Tengfei
Published: January 2025

In order to study the effect of the crushing process on the fine separation of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and the mechanical properties of cement-stabilised aggregate mixed with RAP, four crushing processes, namely small mesh hammer crushing, hammer crushing, jaw crushing, and double roller crushing, were used to separate the aggregate from asphalt in RAP materials. The effect of crushing on the grading characteristics and agglomeration condition of RAP material was investigated. RAP cement-stabilised aggregates were prepared and analysed for their mechanical properties and micro-morphology using RAP materials obtained from fine separation. The relationship between the RAP material properties and the mechanical properties of the RAP-added cement-stabilised aggregate was analysed on the basis of the tests. The results showed that crushing breaks down large-size RAP materials, leading to grade refinement, and that hammer crushing was the most effective in reducing the grade variability. The highest agglomerate dissociation rate of RAP material above 4.75 mm after small mesh hammer crushing treatment was 96.9%, and the residual mass ratios of RAP material in two grades of 0~3 mm and 3~5 mm after hammer crushing were lower than 90%. The unconfined compressive strength, splitting strength, and compressive resilience modulus of RAP cement-stabilised aggregate after crushing were greater than those of the uncrushed RAP cement-stabilised aggregate, and the crushing increased the amount of RAP in the mix to 60%. Compared with the unadulterated RAP cement-stabilised aggregate, the hydration products of the RAP cement-stabilised aggregate were reduced after crushing, and there were obvious gaps and discontinuities between the RAP material and the cement paste. The RAP gradation and agglomeration condition correlated strongly with the mechanical properties of the mixes, with RAP coarse aggregate agglomerates being the main cause of gradation variability. This paper provides theoretical support for the proposal of a pretreatment process to reduce the variability of RAP-doped cement-stabilised aggregate and improve the mechanical properties, and the research results are conducive to the recycling of high-volume RAP materials in the base.
Influence of Different Mixing Methods for Cementitious Capillary Crystalline Waterproofing Materials on the Self-Healing Capacity of Concrete Under Various Damage Types
Authors: Wang Haoyu , You Wei , Ji Guojin , Wang Liang , Yao Guoyou
Published: January 2025

Cementitious Capillary Crystallization Waterproofing Material (CCCW), as an efficient self-healing agent, can effectively repair damage in concrete structures, thereby extending their service life. To address the various types of damage encountered in practical engineering applications, this study investigates the impact of different mixing methods for CCCW (including internal mixing, curing, and post-crack repair) on the multi-dimensional self-healing performance of concrete. The self-healing capacity of concrete was evaluated through water pressure damage self-healing tests, freeze–thaw damage self-healing tests, mechanical load damage self-healing tests, and crack damage self-healing tests. The results show that the curing-type CCCW mixing method exhibited the best self-healing effect in repairing water pressure, freeze–thaw, and load damages, with corresponding healing rates of 88.9%, 92.7%, and 90.5%, respectively. The internally mixed CCCW method was also effective for repairing load damage in concrete, while the repair-type CCCW mixing method demonstrated the weakest repair effect on these types of damage. For concrete with induced pre-existing cracks, the internally mixed CCCW method, after 28 days of water-immersion curing, exhibited a significantly higher crack self-healing ability, with a self-healing ratio of 333.8%. Optical microscopy observations revealed that the crack surfaces were almost fully sealed, with a substantial deposition of white crystalline material at the crack sites. Further analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) provided insights into the surface morphology and phase characteristics of the self-healed cracks, indicating that calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) were the main products responsible for crack healing.
A Novel Inverse Analysis Method for Mechanical Parameter Acquisition in SiCf/SiC Composites and Its Application to Turbine Disc Damage Assessment
Authors: Wang Wenjun , Zeng Qi , Li Chaochao , Li Min , Cao Liang , Chen Guoqing , Cao Peng
Published: January 2025

Obtaining the mechanical parameters of SiCf/SiC composites quickly and accurately is crucial for the performance evaluation and optimal design of novel turbine disc structures. A representative volume element (RVE) model of 2D woven SiCf/SiC composites was developed using CT scanning and machine learning-driven image reconstruction techniques. The stress-strain curve was obtained by uniaxial tensile test, and the anisotropic mechanical parameters were obtained by inverse analysis using a non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II). Subsequently, the uniaxial tension simulation was carried out based on the RVE model and mechanical parameters. The results show that the simulation curve is in good agreement with the test, and the errors of initial modulus and peak stress were 3.98% and 2.75%, respectively. Finally, the finite element models of the turbine disc with two braiding schemes were established to simulate the damage of the turbine disc. And the simulation results were verified by a centrifugal test. The failure modes of the two kinds of turbine discs are similar to the centrifugal test results, and the maximum rotating speed was close to the test results. The findings of this study provide a novel solution for obtaining the anisotropic mechanical parameters of SiCf/SiC composites with different woven schemes.
Scheduling Model and Algorithm for Transportation and Vehicle Charging of Multiple Autonomous Electric Vehicles
Authors: Wang Xiaoli , Zhang Zhiyu , Jiang Mengmeng , Wang Yifan , Wang Yuping
Published: January 2025

Autonomous electric vehicle (AEV) services leverage advanced autonomous driving and electric vehicle technologies to provide innovative, driverless transportation solutions. The biggest challenge faced by AEVs is the limited number of charging stations and long charging times. A critical challenge is maximizing passenger travel satisfaction while reducing the AEV idle time. This involves coordinating passenger transport and charging tasks via leveraging the information from charging stations, passenger transport, and AEV data. There are four important contributions in this paper. Firstly, we introduce an integrated scheduling model that considers both passenger transport and charging tasks. Secondly, we propose a multi-level differentiated charging threshold strategy, which dynamically adjusts the charging threshold based on both AEV battery levels and the availability of charging stations, reducing competition among vehicles and minimizing waiting times. Thirdly, we develop a rapid strategy to optimize the selection of charging stations by combining geographic and deviation distance. Fourthly, we design a new evolutionary algorithm to solve the proposed model, in which a buffer space is introduced to promote diversity within the population. Finally, experimental results show that compared to the existing state-of-the-art scheduling algorithms, the proposed algorithm shortens the running time of scheduling algorithms by 6.72% and reduces the idle driving time of AEVs by 6.53%, which proves the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed model and algorithm.
Nonlinear Neutral Delay Differential Equations: Novel Criteria for Oscillation and Asymptotic Behavior
Authors: Batiha Belal , Alshammari Nawa , Aldosari Faten , Masood Fahd , Bazighifan Omar
Published: January 2025

This research deals with the study of the oscillatory behavior of solutions of second-order differential equations containing neutral conditions, both in sublinear and superlinear terms, with a focus on the noncanonical case. The research provides a careful analysis of the monotonic properties of solutions and their derivatives, paving the way for a deeper understanding of this complex behavior. The research is particularly significant as it extends the scope of previous studies by addressing more complex forms of neutral differential equations. Using the linearization technique, strict conditions are developed that exclude the existence of positive solutions, which allows the formulation of innovative criteria for determining the oscillatory behavior of the studied equations. This research highlights the theoretical and applied aspects of this mathematical phenomenon, which contributes to enhancing the scientific understanding of differential equations with neutral conditions. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the results, the research includes two illustrative examples that prove the validity and importance of the proposed methodology. This work represents a qualitative addition to the mathematical literature, as it lays new foundations and opens horizons for future studies in this vital field.
Development and Application of Lactobacillus plantarum PSCPL13 Probiotics in Olive Flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) Farming
Authors: Abbas Muhammad Aleem , Kim Hae-Jung , Lee Ga-Yeong , Cho Hae-Yeon , Al Jawad Sayem Syed , Lee Eon-Bee , Lee Seung-Jin , Park Seung-Chun
Published: January 2025

Aquaculture has grown significantly, contributing to global food security and sustainability; however, intensified fish farming has increased disease susceptibility and antibiotic resistance. This study assessed the probiotic potential of Lactobacillus plantarum PSCPL13 (hereafter, PSCPL13), isolated from the intestines of Japanese eels, for enhancing the health of olive flounder. After screening 16 Lactobacillus isolates, PSCPL13 was selected because of its potential broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against many pathogens, such as Vibrio and Edwardsiella. This strain exhibited high acid and bile salt tolerance, which is crucial for intestinal survival. Molecular characterisation confirmed PSCPL13 to be L. plantarum. It was resistant to all tested antibiotics and exhibited significant enzyme activity. In vivo assays in olive flounder revealed that the body weight and length of the fish were significantly higher, while the prevalence of pathogens was lower in their gut microbiota. Regarding haematological parameters, the treated groups exhibited lower eosinophil counts and higher IgM levels, suggesting enhancement of the immune system. These findings indicate that PSCPL13 is a potential probiotic that can be used in aquaculture for naturally improving fish health, growth and immunity, in addition to combating antibiotic resistance and reducing environmental impacts. These findings not only highlight the potential of PSCPL13 in sustainable aquaculture but also provide a foundation for the development of future probiotics.
Bioremediation of Heavy Metal-Contaminated Solution and Aged Refuse by Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation: Further Insights into Sporosarcina pasteurii
Authors: Zhuang Dingxiang , Yao Weiheng , Guo Yan , Chen Zhengzheng , Gui Herong , Zhao Yanyang
Published: January 2025

Recently, the ability of microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) to remediate heavy metals has been widely explored. Sporosarcina pasteurii was selected to remediate heavy metal-contaminated solution and aged refuse, exploring the feasibility of Sporosarcina pasteurii bioremediation of heavy metals and analyzing the changes in heavy metal forms before and after bioremediation, as well as the mechanism of remediation. The results showed that Sporosarcina pasteurii achieved remediation rates of 95%, 84%, 97%, and 98% for Cd, Pb, Zn, and Cr (III) in contaminated solution, respectively. It also achieved remediation rates of 74%, 84%, and 62% for exchangeable Cd, Pb, and Zn in aged refuse, respectively. The content of exchangeable Cr (III) before bioremediation was almost zero. The content of heavy metals with exchangeable form and carbonate-bounded form in aged refuse decreased after bioremediation, while the content of heavy metals with iron–manganese oxide binding form and residual form increased. Simultaneously, the presence of Fe and Al components in aged refuse, as well as the precipitation of calcium carbonate produced during the MICP process, jointly promotes the transformation of heavy metals into more stable forms.
Implementation of 2% Chlorhexidine Bathing to Reduce Healthcare-Associated Infections Among Patients in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Chang Hsu-Liang , Liu Tzu-Ying , Huang Po-Shou , Chen Chin-Hwan , Yen Chia-Wen , Chen Hui-Zhu , Kuo Shin-Huei , Chen Tun-Chieh , Lin Shang-Yi , Lu Po-Liang
Published: January 2025

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) significantly increase morbidity, mortality, length of hospital stays, and costs, particularly among ICU patients. Despite standard interventions, catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) and central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) remain major HAI contributors. This study evaluated the efficacy of daily 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing in reducing HAI incidence, specifically CAUTI, CLABSI, and multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), in a 20-bed ICU at a regional hospital. Using a prospective, uncontrolled before-and-after design, we compared traditional soap-water bathing (pre-intervention period) with CHG bathing over a one-year intervention and one-year post-intervention follow-up. The total number of patients and patient days admitted to the ICU per year were around 1330–1412 patients and 6702–6927 patient days, respectively, during 2018–2020. Results showed a significant reduction in HAI incidence rates from 3.43‰ to 0.58‰ (p < 0.05) during the intervention and sustained benefits post-intervention. Incidences of CAUTI and CLABSI decreased markedly (p < 0.05), with reduced MDRO isolates, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococci, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Our findings support the implementation of daily CHG bathing as an effective strategy to reduce HAI and MDROs in ICU settings.
Natural and Synthetic Flavylium Derivatives: Isolation/Synthesis, Characterization and Application
Authors: Dăescu Diana-Ionela , Păușescu Iulia , Benea Ioana Cristina , Peter Francisc , Todea Anamaria , Zappaterra Federico , Alexa Andreea Anda , Buzatu Alina Ramona
Published: January 2025

Given the natural origins of flavylium derivatives, their chemical modifications, and their large potential uses in food, medicine, or green chemistry, the present review is a comprehensive study of flavylium-derived compounds. Several topics such as the green extraction and isolation techniques of flavylium derivatives including their chemical modifications and various characterization tools such as NMR, HPLC, and mass spectrometry are discussed in the review. Furthermore, the use of these derivatives in medicine, food, and materials science is presented, highlighting their relevance and the need for further investigation. Therefore, by examining the advantages and disadvantages of natural and synthetic sources, the review asserts the increased relevance of flavylium-based compounds in active molecules.
Stable RuIr Nanoalloy Catalyst for Levulinic Acid Hydrogenation Reaction
Authors: Wang Jingru , Dong Xianshu , Fan Yuping , Wang Yingyong , Guo Xiangyun
Published: January 2025

Hydrogenation of levulinic acid (LA) represents a significant approach for producing the high-value biomass-based platform compound γ-valerolactone (GVL). In this study, an efficient RuIr alloy bimetallic catalyst supported on SiC was synthesized and applied for the aqueous hydrogenation of LA into GVL under mild conditions. The RuIr/SiC catalyst exhibited high LA conversion and GVL selectivity (both > 99%) in water at 0.2 MPa H2 pressure and 25 °C. The excellent performance is attributed to the synergistic interaction between Ru and Ir nanoparticles on the semiconducting SiC support. Furthermore, the catalytic activity of the RuIr/SiC alloy remained basically unchanged after five cycles, confirming the high stability of the bimetallic alloy catalyst.
An Experimental and Quantum Chemical Calculation Study on the Performance of Different Types of Ester Collectors
Authors: Wu Di , Chen Jianhua , Li Yuqiong
Published: January 2025

Ester collectors have rapidly developed into the main flotation collectors for copper sulfide minerals since they were developed. In this study, the collecting performance of four collectors, O-isopropyl-N-ethyl thionocarbamate ester (IPETC), 3-pentyl xanthate acrylate ester (PXA), O-isobutyl-N-allyl-thionocarbamate (IBALTC), and O-isobutyl-N-isobutoxycarbonyl-thionocarbamate (IBIBCTC), was investigated through microflotation tests, microcalorimetric measurements, and quantum chemical calculations. The results of the microflotation tests show that IBALTC and IPETC have stronger collecting abilities than IBIBCTC and PXA; the order of collecting ability is IBALTC > IPETC > IBIBCTC > PXA. The microcalorimetry test also shows that the adsorption heat of the former two is higher. Quantum chemical calculations show the energy difference between the HOMOs of the collector and the LUMOs of minerals. The electrostatic potential extremum around S atom and the first ionization potential of IPETC and IBALTC are similar and were smaller than IBIBCTC and PXA, which shows that the collecting ability of the former two is similar and stronger than the latter two. Among the collectors, the S atom polarizability, electrophilic, and nucleophilic attack index of IBALTC are the largest, indicating that its electronic deformation capability and nucleophilic properties are the strongest, which results in the strongest coordination interaction with the copper ions in copper sulfide minerals and thus the highest collecting ability. The S atom polarizability, electrophilic, and nucleophilic attack index of PXA are the smallest, indicating that its electronic deformation capability and nucleophilicity are the weakest, and its collecting ability is the weakest. The coordination between collector and mineral surface was analyzed theoretically. The research results are of great help to the design and development of ester collectors.
Gold(III) Ions Sorption on Amberlite XAD-16 Impregnated with TBP After Leaching Smart Card Chips
Authors: Zinkowska Karolina , Hubicki Zbigniew , Wójcik Grzegorz
Published: January 2025

Owing to the intensive development of electrical and electronic equipment, there is an increasing demand for precious metals, which are often used for its production. Due to their scarce supply, it is important to recover them from secondary sources. A promising way to recover precious metals are impregnated resins. In this research, Amberlite XAD-16 was impregnated with TBP at the weight ratios of 1:2 and 1:3 using the ‘warm impregnation’ method. Studies were carried out on the sorption of Au(III), Pd(II), Pt(IV), and Rh(III) ions from the model chloride solutions as well as the real solution formed after leaching the smart card chips. Only Au(III) ions were efficiently sorbed on the prepared impregnated sorbents. The best results were obtained at 6 M HCl and the sorbent mass: 0.1 g/25 mL. The maximum sorption capacity for the impregnated sorbents was: 147.91 mg/g (ratio 1:2) and 149.66 mg/g (ratio 1:3). Recovery of Au(III) ions from the real leaching solution was: 97.36% and 97.77%, respectively. The Langmuir isotherm was the best-fit model for the experimental results. Thermodynamic studies proved that the investigated sorption process is spontaneous and exothermic. The desorption process can be easily carried out with 1 M HCl/1 M TU.
A Novel Molecularly Imprinted Electrochemiluminescence Sensor Based on Mxene Quantum Dots for Selective Detection of Oseltamivir in Biological Samples
Authors: Guo Wei , Yan Shiqiang , Xiao Chaoqiang , Shi Dayong , Hua Qing , Hao Xiaowen , Zhang Wenjuan , Zhuang Xuming
Published: January 2025

Oseltamivir is a drug that has been widely used to prevent and treat influenza A and B. In this work, an ultrasensitive, simple, and novel electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor combined with molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP-ECL) based on a graphene-like two-dimensional material, Mxene quantum dots (MQDs) was constructed to selectively detect oseltamivir. A molecularly imprinted polymer membrane containing an oseltamivir template was constructed by electropolymerization and elution of modified MQDs on a glassy carbon electrode. Under optimized experimental conditions, the MIP-ECL sensor could detect oseltamivir in the range of 10−10 to 10−6 M (R2 = 0.9816), with a low limit of detection of 6.5 × 10−11 M (S/N = 3), and the recovery rates of oseltamivir in biological samples were 92.21–104.2%, with relative standard deviations of 3.70%~5.70%. The developed MIP-ECL sensor provides a new idea for detecting oseltamivir, which was successfully applied to the determination of oseltamivir in serum samples, indicating great potential for application in clinical diagnostics.
Improving Anti-Corrosion Property of Aluminium Alloy by Fabrication MAO Coating via Mixing Titanium Potassium Oxalate into Electrolyte
Authors: Song Wei , Xing Yasheng , Song Zhen
Published: January 2025

Titanium potassium oxalate had been mixed into the electrolyte to improve the anti-corrosion property of the micro arc oxidation coating on the surface of the aluminium alloy. The surface and cross-section of the coating at different titanium potassium oxalate concentrations had been observed by scanning electron microscopy, showing that when the titanium potassium oxalate concentration was 10 g/L, the coating compactness was better. Additionally, the element content of the coating had been studied by the energy dispersive spectrometer, and results proved that the coating consisted of Al, O, Ti, Si, and P. The Ti increased with the increase in titanium potassium oxalate concentration. The X-ray diffractometer had been employed to analyze the crystalline structure of the coating. Then, it was found that after the micro arc oxidation, an alumina oxide coating was prepared on the surface of the aluminium alloy, and the Al2O3 and TiO2 characteristic peak was observed. Furthermore, the electrochemical workstation was used to test the anti-corrosion of the coating. It was proved that when the titanium potassium oxalate concentration was 10 g/L, the open circuit voltage, corrosion current, corrosion potential, and impedance of the coating were improved, and the anti-corrosion property of the aluminium alloy had been strengthened.
Discriminating Analysis of Metal Ions via Multivariate Curve Resolution–Alternating Least Squares Applied to Silver Nanoparticle Sensor
Authors: Rossi Andrea , Cuccioloni Massimiliano , Pellegrino Francesco , Giovannetti Rita , Alladio Eugenio
Published: January 2025

Heavy metals are life-threatening pollutions because of their great toxicity, long-term persistence in nature and their bioaccumulation in living organisms. In this work, we performed multivariate curve resolution–alternating least squares analysis of UV-Vis raw spectra received by a colorimetric sensor constructed on mercaptoundecanoic acid functionalized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs@11MUA) to detect Cd2+, Cu2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, and Zn2+ in water. This combined approach allowed the rapid identification and quantification of multiple heavy metals and showed adequate sensitivity and selectivity, thus representing a promising analytical and computational method for both laboratory and field applications such as environmental safety and public health monitoring.
Electromagnetic Wavefront Engineering by Switchable and Multifunctional Kirigami Metasurfaces
Authors: Wang Yingying , Shi Yang , Li Liangwei , Zhu Zhiyan , Liu Muhan , Jin Xiangyu , Li Haodong , Jiang Guobang , Cui Jizhai , Ma Shaojie , He Qiong , Zhou Lei , Sun Shulin
Published: January 2025

Developing switchable and multifunctional metasurfaces is essential for high-integration photonics. However, most previous studies encountered challenges such as limited degrees of freedom, simple tuning of predefined functionality, and complicated control systems. Here, we develop a general strategy to construct switchable and multifunctional metasurfaces. Two spin-modulated wave-controls are enabled by the proposed high-efficiency metasurface, which is designed using both resonant and geometric phases. Furthermore, the switchable wavefront tailoring can also be achieved by flexibly altering the lattice constant and reforming the phase retardation of the metasurfaces based on the “rotating square” (RS) kirigami technique. As a proof of concept, a kirigami metasurface is designed that successfully demonstrates dynamic controls of three-channel beam steering. In addition, another kirigami metasurface is built for realizing tri-channel complex wavefront engineering, including straight beam focusing, tilted beam focusing, and anomalous reflection. By altering the polarization of input waves as well as transformation states, the functionality of the metadevice can be switched flexibly among three different channels. Microwave experiments show good agreement with full-wave simulations, clearly demonstrating the performance of the metadevices. This strategy exhibits advantages such as flexible control, low cost, and multiple and switchable functionalities, providing a new pathway for achieving switchable wavefront engineering.
Correction: AlTawari et al. Nusinersen Treatment for Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Retrospective Multicenter Study of Pediatric and Adult Patients in Kuwait. Neurol. Int. 2024, 16, 631–642
Authors: AlTawari Asma , Zakaria Mohammad , Kamel Walaa A. , Shaalan Nayera , Elghazawi Gamal Ahmed Ismail , Ali Mohamed Esmat Anwar , Salota Dalia , Attia Amr , Elanany Ehab Elsayed Ali , Shalaby Osama , Alqallaf Fatema , Mitic Vesna , Bastaki Laila
Published: January 2025

In the published publication [...]
Visual Noise Mask for Human Point-Light Displays: A Coding-Free Approach
Authors: Senra Catarina Carvalho , Sampaio Adriana Conceição Soares , Lapenta Olivia Morgan
Published: January 2025

Human point-light displays consist of luminous dots representing human articulations, thus depicting actions without pictorial information. These stimuli are widely used in action recognition experiments. Because humans excel in decoding human motion, point-light displays (PLDs) are often masked with additional moving dots (noise masks), thereby challenging stimulus recognition. These noise masks are typically found within proprietary programming software, entail file format restrictions, and demand extensive programming skills. To address these limitations, we present the first user-friendly step-by-step guide to develop visual noise to mask PLDs using free, open-source software that offers compatibility with various file formats, features a graphical interface, and facilitates the manipulation of both 2D and 3D videos. Further, to validate our approach, we tested two generated masks in a pilot experiment with 12 subjects and demonstrated that they effectively jeopardised human agent recognition and, therefore, action visibility. In sum, the main advantages of the presented methodology are its cost-effectiveness and ease of use, making it appealing to novices in programming. This advancement holds the potential to stimulate young researchers’ use of PLDs, fostering further exploration and understanding of human motion perception.
Creatine Supplementation Beyond Athletics: Benefits of Different Types of Creatine for Women, Vegans, and Clinical Populations—A Narrative Review
Authors: Gutiérrez-Hellín Jorge , Del Coso Juan , Franco-Andrés Arturo , Gamonales José M. , Espada Mário C. , González-García Jaime , López-Moreno Miguel , Varillas-Delgado David
Published: January 2025

Creatine monohydrate supplementation is widely used by athletes in high-intensity, power-based sports due to its ability to enhance short-term performance by increasing intramuscular phosphocreatine (PCr) stores, which aid in ATP resynthesis during intense muscle contractions. However, emerging evidence suggests that creatine monohydrate offers benefits beyond athletic performance. This narrative review explores the literature supporting the advantages of creatine supplementation in women, vegans, and clinical populations. In women, who typically have lower baseline intramuscular creatine levels, supplementation may help alleviate fatigue-related symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle, particularly during the early follicular and luteal phases. For vegans and vegetarians, who often have reduced creatine stores due to the absence of creatine-rich animal products in their diet, supplementation can improve both physical and cognitive performance while supporting adherence to plant-based diets. Additionally, creatine supplementation holds potential for various clinical populations. It may mitigate muscle wasting in conditions such as sarcopenia and cachexia, support neuroprotection in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Huntington’s, improve exercise capacity in cardiovascular diseases, and enhance energy metabolism in chronic fatigue syndrome. Creatine may also aid recovery from traumatic brain injury by promoting brain energy metabolism and reducing neuronal damage. In conclusion, creatine monohydrate supplementation can enhance physical performance, cognitive function, and overall health in women, vegans, and clinical populations by addressing creatine deficiencies, improving energy metabolism, and supporting recovery from physical and neurological challenges. Most available evidence supports the effectiveness of creatine monohydrate, which should be considered the preferred form of creatine supplementation over other variants. Additionally, proper creatine dosing is essential to maximize benefits and minimize potential adverse effects that may arise from chronic ingestion of excessively high doses.
Nutritional Status of Patients with Neoplasms Undergoing Ambulatory Chemotherapy and Associated Factors
Authors: Neto Luiz Claudio Barreto Silva , Enriquez-Martinez Oscar Geovanny , Grippa Wesley Rocha , Marcarini Julia Anhoque Cavalcanti , Santos Thayná Borges , Mawandji Nina Bruna de Souza , Gomes Karoline Neumann , Schuab Sara Isabel Pimentel de Carvalho , Minarini Etreo Junior Carneiro da Silva , Nunes Karolini Zuqui , Bolsoni-Lopes Andressa , Lopes-Júnior Luís Carlos
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Cancer, a leading cause of mortality globally and in Brazil, is influenced by environmental and behavioral factors, often linked to nutritional deficiencies such as low body mass index and muscle wasting, exacerbating prognostic outcomes and mortality rates. Timely nutritional interventions during chemotherapy are pivotal, necessitating continuous nutritional assessment for effective patient care management. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of non-metastatic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and identify factors influencing their nutritional status. Patient evaluation involved sociodemographic data, clinical profiles, anthropometric measurements, blood biochemical analyses, and nutritional status classification employing the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) criteria. Statistical analysis was performed using R software. Results: Suspected malnutrition was identified in 5.81% of patients, with a significant association observed with gender, indicating a higher prevalence among men. Cancer stages II and III, along with a positive family history, correlated with heightened risk of malnutrition. Patients with suspected malnutrition exhibited older age, lower weight, body mass index (BMI), and reduced circumferences, underscoring the necessity of comprehensive nutritional assessment for optimized patient management during treatment. Conclusions: This study underscores a notable prevalence of malnutrition, particularly among patients with lower weight and BMI, affirming the reliability of PG-SGA criteria.
Role of Medical Nutrition Therapy as Treatment of Sarcopenia in Older People with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Gaglio Alessia , Grancini Valeria , Giacchetti Federico , Mirani Marco , Orsi Emanuela , Resi Veronica
Published: January 2025

Background: Globally, the progressive increase in the aging population has led to social and health problems associated with age-related chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and sarcopenia. Recent studies have highlighted that sarcopenia and diabetes have a bidirectional relationship. Nutritional therapy is a key element in the treatment of both sarcopenia and diabetes. To date, there are no nutritional guidelines for the management of sarcopenia in T2DM. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a muscle-targeted nutritional intervention in older people with sarcopenia and type 2 diabetes based on the Italian nutrition guidelines. Methods: A total of 211 subjects (117 M and 94 F) affected by T2DM with a mean age of 74 ± 6.0 years were screened for sarcopenia, using EWGSOP2 diagnosis criteria, and enrolled to receive personalized dietary plans with two main targets: a daily energy intake of 25–30 kcal/kg body weight and a daily protein intake of at least 1.1–1.2 g/kg body weight. Results: In total, 34 subjects (24 M and 10 F) were sarcopenic with a prevalence of 16%, which was higher in men. After six months of treatment, handgrip strength increased by 0.83 kg (19.57 ± 5.70 kg vs. 20.40 ± 6.10 kg, p = 0.649), protein intake improved (0.91 ± 0.28 g/kg body weight vs. 1.03 ± 0.40 g/kg body weight, p = 0.115), and the glycated hemoglobin decreased (7.39 ± 0.49% to 6.82 ± 0.98%, p = 0.010). Seven younger subjects had an improvement of sarcopenia with a decrease in HbA1c (7.50 ± 0.59% vs. 6.91 ± 0.79, p = 0.19). The difference over time in the consumption of saturated fatty acids (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.33–1.09, p = 0.096) and simple sugars (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.80–1.01, p = 0.090) appeared to be associated with an improvement of sarcopenia status. A total of 177 subjects did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of sarcopenia, and 148 subjects were assessed. The handgrip strength (26.22 ± 9.36 vs. 26.18 ± 9.24 kg, p0.974) and the glycated hemoglobin (7.21 ± 1.07 vs. 7.27 ± 0.98%, p = 0.735) remained stable over time, while protein intake at six months increased (0.81 ± 0.29 vs. 0.91 ± 0.29 g/kg body weight, p = 0.024). Four people were diagnosed with sarcopenia at follow-up, with a lower handgrip strength test result. These subjects were older and had worse glycemic control (HbA1c + 0.5%). Conclusions: Lifestyle modification is important to prevent or reverse the development of the disease. Nutritional therapy in this population is therefore aimed at meeting all nutritional needs and promoting better glycemic control, in terms of glycated hemoglobin, in order to reduce the development of sarcopenia. Although promising, the intervention requires validation in larger studies with control groups.
Sarcopenia in MASLD—Eat to Beat Steatosis, Move to Prove Strength
Authors: Crişan Dana , Avram Lucreţia , Morariu-Barb Andreea , Grapa Cristiana , Hirişcau Ioana , Crăciun Rareş , Donca Valer , Nemeş Andrada
Published: January 2025

The connections between sarcopenia and various chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes (T2DM), metabolic syndrome (MetS), and liver disease have been highlighted recently. There is also a high occurrence of sarcopenia in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) patients, who are often disregarded. Both experimental and clinical findings suggest a complex, bidirectional relationship between MASLD and sarcopenia. While vitamin D, testosterone, and specific drug therapies show promise in mitigating sarcopenia, consensus on effective treatments is lacking. Recent focus on lifestyle interventions emphasizes dietary therapy and exercise for sarcopenic obesity in MASLD. Challenges arise as weight loss, a primary MASLD treatment, may lead to muscle mass reduction. The therapeutic approach to sarcopenia in morbidly obese MASLD patients also includes bariatric surgery (BS). BS induces weight loss and stabilizes metabolic imbalances, but its impact on sarcopenia is nuanced, underscoring the need for further research. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive review of the interplay between sarcopenia and MASLD and offer insight into the most recent therapeutic challenges and discoveries, as sarcopenia is often overlooked or unrecognized and poses significant challenges for managing these patients.
Ecological Condition of the Benthos in Milford Haven Waterway: the Centre of the UK’s Oil and Gas Industry in an Area of High Conservation Value
Authors: Warwick Richard M. , Tweedley James R. , Camplin Michael , Bullimore Blaise
Published: January 2025

This study determined the environmental condition of the benthos of Milford Haven Waterway, an area that is arguably the most vulnerable in the UK to anthropogenic activities, including the potential effects of a major oil spill in 1996, using historical data on the macrobenthos more than a decade later in 2008, 2010 and 2013. These data show a gradual decline in numerous univariate diversity measures from the outer (marine) to inner (estuarine) stations. Taxonomic distinctness generally falls within the expected range, and most stations have above-average values compared with other monitoring stations around the UK. The W-statistics for Abundance/Biomass Comparison (ABC) plots are usually strongly positive and never negative. There was a sequential change in community composition from the outer to inner stations, which was strongly related to salinity, and, to a lesser extent, sediment granulometry. None of the species regarded as indicators of organic pollution were prominent in the macrobenthic community of Milford Haven Waterway. On this basis, although there are some slight indications of environmental perturbation at particular sites in certain years, it can be concluded that the benthic communities of Milford Haven Waterway are in a healthy state. This study provides a baseline against which the potential effects of any future environmental accidents and/or the increased industrial development can be assessed.
Visible Light Broadband Achromatic Metalens Based on Variable Height Nanopillar Structures
Authors: Li Yongyang , Huang Haiyang , Zhang Cong , Shang Xiangshuo , Liu Yang , Hu Junyan , Shan Dengyu , Tang Naiyun , Li Wei
Published: January 2025

Metalenses have excellent modulation capabilities in terms of phase, amplitude, and polarization of light, significantly reducing the size and complexity of imaging systems, and showing great application prospects. However, like traditional optical meta-atoms, ordinary metalenses suffer from a significant chromatic aberration problem because it is difficult to design the phase distribution for different wavelengths on a single-layer metalens. To address this, various methods for correcting chromatic aberration in metalenses have been proposed and demonstrated, such as spatial multiplexing, material hybridization, and increasing the cross-sectional diversity of metalens meta-atoms. In this paper, a novel design method is used, which expands the parameter space by increasing the cross-sectional diversity of the metalens meta-atoms to provide the phase required for focusing different wavelengths, combined with particle swarm optimization for phase compensation. The multi-level metalens designed by this method achieves a constant and approximate focal length in the visible wavelength range of λ = 450–650 nm, with a polarization-independent absolute focusing efficiency of about 17%, and a numerical aperture (NA) of 0.31 for a lens diameter of 100 μm. This improves the imaging quality.
Thermoregulation and Endocrine Response During Exercise in Pregnancy
Authors: Filipec Manuela , Đurin Marinela Jadanec
Published: January 2025

Pregnancy is followed by complex and intense physiological changes in the maternal body, whose goal is to provide all the needs of the mother and the growing fetus. The endocrine system and thermoregulation integrate physiologic responses and play an important role in maintaining homeostatic conditions during exercise in pregnancy. Changes and adaptations during exercise in pregnancy are conditioned by the influence of numerous metabolic and biochemical events, which act on the target tissues through physiological mechanisms. Many hormones are released during exercise and a variety of cells are responsible for a number of different responses. Pregnancy involves changes in thermoregulation that lead to an increase in heat production and its preservation. Physiological mechanisms that enable the release of excess body temperature in order for the body to maintain an ideal temperature during exercise are increased, such as sweating and vasodilation of blood vessels. The reaction of a mother to exercise training depends on the exercise duration and intensity of training, the nutrient profile, and the level of fitness. Exercise has many improving effects on functional aspects of tissues and organs, resulting in improved health and/or performance.