bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Studies on Sorption and Release of Doxycycline Hydrochloride from Zwitterionic Microparticles with Carboxybetaine Moieties
Authors: Racovita Stefania , Trofin Marin-Aurel , Vasiliu Ana-Lavinia , Avadanei Mihaela , Loghin Diana Felicia , Mihai Marcela , Vasiliu Silvia
Published: July 2024

The aim of this study was to examine the use of zwitterionic microparticles as new and efficient macromolecular supports for the sorption of an antibiotic (doxycycline hydrochloride, DCH) from aqueous solution. The effect of relevant process parameters of sorption, like dosage of microparticles, pH value, contact time, the initial concentration of drug and temperature, was evaluated to obtain the optimal experimental conditions. The sorption kinetics were investigated using Lagergren, Ho, Elovich and Weber–Morris models, respectively. The sorption efficiency was characterized by applying the Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm models. The calculated thermodynamic parameters (ΔH, ΔS and ΔG) show that the sorption of doxycycline hydrochloride onto zwitterionic microparticles is endothermic, spontaneous and favorable at higher temperatures. The maximum identified sorption capacity value is 157.860 mg/g at 308 K. The Higuchi, Korsmeyer–Peppas, Baker–Lonsdale and Kopcha models are used to describe the release studies. In vitro release studies show that the release mechanism of doxycycline hydrochloride from zwitterionic microparticles is predominantly anomalous or non-Fickian diffusion. This study could provide the opportunity to expand the use of these new zwitterionic structures in medicine and water purification.
O-Sialoglycoprotein Endopeptidase Deficiency Impairs Proteostasis and Induces Autophagy in Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Teng Hua , Chen Siyi , Liu Fang , Teng Yanling , Li Yunlong , Liang Desheng , Wu Lingqian , Li Zhuo
Published: July 2024

The OSGEP gene encodes O-sialoglycoprotein endopeptidase, a catalytic unit of the highly conserved KEOPS complex (Kinase, Endopeptidase, and Other Proteins of small Size) that regulates the second biosynthetic step in the formation of N-6-threonylcarbamoyladenosine (t6A). Mutations in KEOPS cause Galloway–Mowat syndrome (GAMOS), whose cellular function in mammals and underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, we utilized lentivirus-mediated OSGEP knockdown to generate OSGEP-deficient human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). OSGEP-knockdown hESCs exhibited reduced stemness factor expression and G2/M phase arrest, indicating a potential role of OSGEP in the regulation of hESC fate. Additionally, OSGEP silencing led to enhanced protein synthesis and increased aggregation of proteins, which further induced inappropriate autophagy, as evidenced by the altered expression of P62 and the conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II. The above findings shed light on the potential involvement of OSGEP in regulating pluripotency and differentiation in hESCs while simultaneously highlighting its crucial role in maintaining proteostasis and autophagy, which may have implications for human disease.
Targeting Cancer Stem Cells with Radioimmunotherapy: The Case of the Ovarian Cancer Stemness-Associated Biomarker L1CAM
Authors: Todorov Tihomir Zh. , Schibli Roger , Béhé Martin , Grünberg Jürgen
Published: July 2024

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a dynamic population of tumor cells characterized by long-term self-renewal, high tumorigenicity, resistance to conventional therapies such as radio- and chemotherapy, and capacity to recapitulate the tumor heterogeneity. Similar to other tumor cells, CSCs need to carry critical mutations and epigenetic changes to acquire their aberrant phenotype. Confirmed in various hematologic and solid malignancies, the critical need to deepen our understanding of CSC biology, including identification of CSC biomarkers, and develop novel CSC-targeted therapies has been clearly recognized. Here, we review the L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) as a CSC-associated biomarker in ovarian cancer. Furthermore, we inform on the promising potential of anti-L1CAM radioimmunotherapy with 161Tb as a novel CSC-targeted therapeutic approach to overcome CSC radioresistance in comparison to 177Lu.
The Physics of Preference: Unravelling Imprecision of Human Preferences through Magnetisation Dynamics
Authors: Maksymov Ivan S. , Pogrebna Ganna
Published: July 2024

Paradoxical decision-making behaviours such as preference reversal often arise from imprecise or noisy human preferences. Harnessing the physical principle of magnetisation reversal in ferromagnetic nanostructures, we developed a model that closely reflects human decision-making dynamics. Tested against a spectrum of psychological data, our model adeptly captures the complexities inherent in individual choices. This blend of physics and psychology paves the way for fresh perspectives on understanding the imprecision of human decision-making processes, extending the reach of the current classical and quantum physical models of human behaviour and decision making.
Higher Education Students’ Perceptions of GenAI Tools for Learning
Authors: Daher Wajeeh , Hussein Asma
Published: July 2024

Students’ perceptions of tools with which they learn affect the outcomes of this learning. GenAI tools are new tools that have promise for students’ learning, especially higher education students. Examining students’ perceptions of GenAI tools as learning tools can help instructors better plan activities that utilize these tools in the higher education context. The present research considers four components of students’ perceptions of GenAI tools: efficiency, interaction, affect, and intention. To triangulate data, it combines the quantitative and the qualitative methodologies, by using a questionnaire and by conducting interviews. A total of 153 higher education students responded to the questionnaire, while 10 higher education students participated in the interview. The research results indicated that the means of affect, interaction, and efficiency were significantly medium, while the mean of intention was significantly high. The research findings showed that in efficiency, affect, and intention, male students had significantly higher perceptions of AI tools than female students, but in the interaction component, the two genders did not differ significantly. Moreover, the degree affected only the perception of interaction of higher education students, where the mean value of interaction was significantly different between B.A. and Ph.D. students in favor of Ph.D. students. Moreover, medium-technology-knowledge and high-technology-knowledge students differed significantly in their perceptions of working with AI tools in the interaction component only, where this difference was in favor of the high-technology-knowledge students. Furthermore, AI knowledge significantly affected efficiency, interaction, and affect of higher education students, where they were higher in favor of high-AI-knowledge students over low-AI-knowledge students, as well as in favor of medium-AI-knowledge students over low-AI-knowledge students.
Conformational, Electrochemical, and Antioxidative Properties of Conjugates of Different Ferrocene Turn-Inducing Scaffolds with Hydrophobic Amino Acids
Authors: Kovačević Monika , Roca Sunčica , Jadreško Dijana , Mrvčić Jasna , Hanousek Čiča Karla , Čakić Semenčić Mojca , Barišić Lidija
Published: July 2024

The incorporation of different ferrocene scaffolds into the peptide sequences induces the formation of hydrogen-bond-based secondary structural elements that are frequently observed in natural peptides and proteins. There are three simple ferrocene scaffolds for conjugation with amino acids and peptides that serve as templates for ferrocene peptidomimetics, namely ferrocene-1,1′-dicarboxylic acid (Fcd, I), 1′-aminoferrocene-1-carboxylic acid (Fca, III), and ferrocene-1,1′-diamine (Fcda, V). Here, we have investigated their ability to induce the turn structure upon conjugation with Val, Leu, and Phe. Furthermore, we also wanted to determine whether the branched side chains of Val, Leu, and Phe interfere with intramolecular hydrogen bonding (IHB). For these purposes, we performed a detailed spectroscopic analysis by measuring the concentration, temperature, and solvent dependence of the IR, NMR, and CD spectra. The effect of the different ferrocene scaffolds on the antioxidant activity of the prepared peptides was tested using the DPPH and ABTS methods, and was further rationalized using electrochemical measurements. It was found that the ferrocene scaffold has the greatest influence on the hydrogen bonding pattern, while the influence of the side branches of the amino acids is less relevant.
Advances in the Integrated Pest Management of Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.): A Global Perspective
Authors: Cruces Luis , de la Peña Eduardo , De Clercq Patrick
Published: July 2024

Since ancestral times, quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) has been cultivated in the Andean regions. Recently, this pseudocereal has received increasing international attention due to its beneficial properties, such as adaptation and resilience in the context of global change, and the nutritional value of the grains. As a result, its production areas have not only increased in the highlands of South America but have also expanded outside of its Andean origins, and the crop is currently produced worldwide. The key pests of quinoa in the Andean region are the gelechiid moths Eurysacca melanocampta and Eurysacca quinoae; in other parts of the world, new pest problems have recently been identified limiting quinoa production, including the gelechiid Scrobipalpa atripicella in North America and Europe and the agromyzid fly Amauromyza karli in North America. In this review, the status of quinoa pests in the world is presented, and different aspects of their integrated management are discussed, including sampling methodologies for pest monitoring, economic threshold levels, and various control strategies.
The Effects of the Use of Plyometric Exercises with and without the Ball in the Development of Explosive Strength in Volleyball
Authors: Esposito Giovanni , Altavilla Gaetano , Giardullo Giuseppe , Ceruso Rosario , D’Isanto Tiziana
Published: July 2024

Volleyball primarily focuses on technical and tactical training with a ball. However, there is growing interest in integrating fitness training into volleyball practice, particularly to enhance explosive strength through plyometric methods, but there is a lack of a direct scientific comparison between training with and without the ball. This study aimed to compare the effects of two training protocols on volleyball players. One protocol combined plyometric exercises with technical gestures (wall drills) using the ball, while the other protocol excluded the ball during plyometric exercises. Twenty male volleyball players (aged 18.6 ± 0.3 years, height 189.8 ± 2.2 cm, weight 79.4 ± 1.6 kg) were divided into experimental (with ball) and control (without ball) groups. The analysis of the results highlights significant improvements in both the squat jumps (SJs) and the countermovement jumps with arm swing (CMJas) for both groups. While there were no significant differences between the groups for SJ, significant differences emerged in CMJas, indicating varied training effects. Specifically, the interaction effect was significant (p = 0.004), demonstrating a meaningful distinction in performance improvements between the two groups. The effect size of the interaction is moderate (ηp2 = 0.37, 95% CI: 0; 0.91). These results suggest that incorporating a ball into plyometric training can be beneficial for developing explosive strength in a different way, thereby improving performance due to the motivational stimulus provided. However, given the specificity of the sample and the training protocols used, further studies are needed to confirm these results and evaluate their applicability to a larger sample of volleyball players.
A Systematic Review of the Effects of EEG Neurofeedback on Patients with Schizophrenia
Authors: Oprea Dan Cătălin , Mawas Iasmin , Moroșan Cătălina Andreea , Iacob Vlad Teodor , Cămănaru Eliza Mihaela , Cristofor Ana Caterina , Dobrin Romeo Petru , Gireadă Bogdan , Petrariu Florin Dumitru , Chiriță Roxana
Published: July 2024

Schizophrenia is a neuropsychiatric disorder affecting approximately 1 in 300 people worldwide. It is characterized by a range of symptoms, including positive symptoms (delusions, hallucinations, and formal thought disorganization), negative symptoms (anhedonia, alogia, avolition, asociality, and blunted affect), and cognitive impairments (impaired memory, attention, executive function, and processing speed). Current treatments, such as psychopharmacology and psychotherapy, often do not fully address these symptoms, leading to impaired everyday functionality. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in neuromodulation due to computer and engineering science making extraordinary computational advances. Those put together have reinitiated the spark in the field of neurofeedback (NF) as a means for self-regulation and neuromodulation with the potential to alleviate the daily burden of schizophrenia. We review, in a systematic way, the primary reports of electroencephalogram (EEG)-based NF as a therapeutical tool for schizophrenia. The main body of research consists mostly of case studies and case reports. The results of a few randomized controlled studies, combined with case studies/series, underscore the potential use of NF as an add-on treatment option for improving the lives of suffering individuals, being sustained by the changes in brain function and symptomatology improvement. We aim to provide important evidence of neuromodulation using NF in patients with schizophrenia, summarizing the effects and conclusions found in several clinical trials.
Enhancing Supplier Selection for Sustainable Raw Materials: A Comprehensive Analysis Using Analytical Network Process (ANP) and TOPSIS Methods
Authors: Masudin Ilyas , Habibah Isna Zahrotul , Wardana Rahmad Wisnu , Restuputri Dian Palupi , Shariff S. Sarifah Radiah
Published: July 2024

Background: This research endeavors to enhance supplier selection processes by combining the Analytic Network Process (ANP) and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) methodologies, with a specific focus on sustainability criteria. Method: Initially comprising 21 sub-criteria derived from prior research, the selection criteria are refined to 17, eliminating redundant elements. The core principle guiding this refinement is the comprehensive coverage of economic, social, and environmental dimensions, essential for sustainable supplier evaluation. Results: The study’s outcomes underscore the paramount importance of economic criteria (0.0652) in supplier selection, followed by environmental (0.0343) and social dimensions (0.0503). Key sub-criteria contributing significantly to this evaluation encompassed consistent product quality, competitive raw material pricing, proficient labor capabilities, recycling potential, punctual delivery performance, and effective waste management practices. Conclusions: These sub-criteria are thoughtfully integrated into the sustainable assessment framework, aligning seamlessly with the economic, environmental, and social criteria.
High–Strength Porous TiNbZrTaFe Alloys Fabricated by Sintering of Nanocomposite Powder Precursor with Space Holder Technique
Authors: Li Yuhua , He Yuxin , Zhao Rong , Niu Libin , Qu Juxin , Zhang Lai-Chang
Published: July 2024

Although introducing high porosity in biomedical Ti alloys can reduce their elastic modulus and promote new bone ingrowth, relieving the stress–shielding effect and implant failure, this also causes a decline in the alloys’ mechanical strength. In this work, a new preparation method for the high–strength and high–porosity Ti65Nb23.33Zr5Ta1.67Fe5 (TNZTF, at.%) alloy was suggested by sintering nanocomposite powder precursor in combination with the use of a space holder technique, in which NH4HCO3 is adopted to achieve a porous structure. The highly porous TNZTF alloy possesses a homogeneous fine–grained microstructure consisting of equiaxed α–Ti and a small amount of FeTi2, the latter of which is distributed in the β–Ti matrix. Through adjusting the mass fraction of NH4HCO3, a novel high–porosity, and high–strength TNZTF alloy with a low modulus was successfully prepared. The porous alloy with the addition of 30 wt.% NH4HCO3 exhibits a porosity of 50.3 ± 0.2%, a maximum strength of 327.3 ± 2.1 MPa, and an elastic modulus of 12.2 ± 0.3 GPa. The strength enhancement is mainly attributed to the unique fine–grained microstructure, which is obtained by the crystallization of the amorphous phase and the ductile–brittle mixed fracture mechanism. The prepared porous TNZTF alloy possesses higher mechanical strength and well–matched elastic modulus, showing great potential as an implant material.
Examination of Novel Titanium-639 Alloy as a Means of Balancing Strength and Ductility through Molybdenum Addition Rather than Prolonged Aging Heat Treatment
Authors: Mujahid Shiraz , Boostani Alireza Fadavi , Paudel YubRaj , Oppedal Andrew , Paliwal Bhasker , Rhee Hongjoo , El Kadiri Haitham
Published: July 2024

Manufacturing titanium alloys with simultaneous enhancement in strength and ductility has motivated extensive research into various strategies for regulating the arrangement and texture of α and β phases. The present study explores a novel α + β titanium alloy, TIMETAL 639 (Ti-639), produced by replacing a portion of vanadium in Ti-64 with molybdenum. The low diffusivity and β-stabilizing effects of molybdenum help retain bimodal characteristics within solution heat-treated Ti-639 microstructures. EBSD and TEM were used to examine β-phase evolution after thermal processing and recrystallization of new globular α grains within pre-existing colonies in a depleted bimodal microstructure. These depleted bimodal colonies in solution heat-treated Ti-639 also led to lower misorientation spreads and dislocation densities within neighboring primary α grains. Quasi-static compression along the plate normal direction demonstrated the ability of the depleted bimodal microstructure to simultaneously enhance strength and ductility in Ti-639 (~90 MPa stronger, ~6% higher failure strain) versus identically processed Ti-64. Only one solution heat-treatment step (1 h at 900 °C) is needed to achieve these properties in Ti-639, whereas comparable properties in Ti-64 required prolonged aging heat treatment (24 h at 600 °C) after the same solution heat-treatment step, making Ti-639 a viable α + β alloy candidate.
Spatiotemporal Analysis of Total Suspended Solids in Water Bodies and Mapping Mining Areas in Suriname and French Guiana
Authors: Pereira Breno Mello , Lobo Felipe de Lucia
Published: July 2024

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) has made several environmental impacts, resulting in the significant siltation of water bodies due to the deposition of sediments on riverbanks. Based on this perspective, this study aims to investigate the water bodies and regions most impacted by mining activities, especially in relation to the increase in the Total Suspended Solids (TSS) caused by ASGM, focusing on the territories of Suriname and French Guiana, over the period from 2017 to 2023, through the creation of an algorithm in Google Earth Engine. This research also aims to map and describe active mining in this region using the Classification and Regression Tree (CART) method, which achieved an overall accuracy of 82% and a kappa index of 0.77. The results reveal that from 2017 to 2024, there was an increase of 148.09 km2 in mining, with an average increase in TSS of up to 167 mg/L in water bodies most affected by mining activities. Finally, the continued importance of using remote sensing technologies, such as GEE, together with innovative methodological approaches, to monitor and manage natural resources in a sustainable manner is highlighted.
Cytotoxicity and Chemotaxonomic Significance of Saponins from Wild and Cultured Asparagus Shoots
Authors: Chileh-Chelh Tarik , López-Ruiz Rosalía , García-Cervantes Ana M. , Rodríguez-García Ignacio , Rincón-Cervera Miguel A. , Ezzaitouni Mohamed , Guil-Guerrero José L.
Published: July 2024

The shoots of Asparagus L. are consumed worldwide, although most species belonging to this genus have a restricted range, and several taxa remain unstudied. In this work, a total of four taxa from different locations were scrutinized and compared with cultivated A. officinalis. All shoots were screened for saponins via LC-MS, and in vitro antiproliferative activities against the HT-29 colorectal cancer cell line were assessed via the MTT assay. The total saponins (TS) contained in the crude extracts ranged from 710.0 (A. officinalis) to 1258.6 mg/100 g dw (A. acutifolius). The richness of the compounds detected in this work stands out; a total of 47 saponins have been detected and quantified in the edible parts (shoots) of five taxa of Asparagus. The structure of all the saponins found present skeletons of the furostane and spirostane type. In turn, the structures with a furostane skeleton are divided into unsaturated and dioxygenated types, both in the 20–22 position. The sum of dioscin and derivatives varied largely among the studied taxa, reaching the following percentages of TS: 27.11 (A. officinalis), 18.96 (A. aphyllus), 5.37 (A. acutifolius), and 0.59 (A. albus); while in A. horridus, this compound remains undetected. Aspachiosde A, D, and M varied largely among samples, while a total of seven aspaspirostanosides were characterized in the analyzed species. The hierarchical cluster analysis of the saponin profiles clearly separated the various taxa and demonstrated that the taxonomic position is more important than the place from which the samples were acquired. Thus, saponin profiles have chemotaxonomic significance in Asparagus taxa. The MTT assay showed dose- and time-dependent inhibitory effects of all saponins extracts on HT-29 cancer cells, and the strongest cell growth inhibition was exercised by A. albus and A. acutifolius (GI50 of 125 and 175 µg/mL). This work constitutes a whole approach to evaluating the saponins from the shoots of different Asparagus taxa and provides arguments for using them as functional foods.
2-Amino-N-Phenethylbenzamides for Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment
Authors: Milusheva Miglena , Stoyanova Mihaela , Gledacheva Vera , Stefanova Iliyana , Todorova Mina , Pencheva Mina , Stojnova Kirila , Tsoneva Slava , Nedialkov Paraskev , Nikolova Stoyanka
Published: July 2024

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal (GI) disorder characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort. Mebeverine is an antispasmodic that has been widely used in clinical practice to relieve the symptoms of IBS. However, its systemic use usually leads to side effects. Therefore, the current paper aimed to synthesize more effective medicines for IBS treatment. We used ring opening of isatoic anhydride for the synthesis in reaction with 2-phenylethylamine. In silico simulation predicted spasmolytic activity for 2-amino-N-phenethylbenzamides. The newly synthesized compounds demonstrated a relaxation effect similar to mebeverine but did not affect the serotonin or Ca2+-dependent signaling pathway of contractile activity (CA) in contrast. Having in mind the anti-inflammatory potential of antispasmodics, the synthesized molecules were tested in vitro and ex vivo for their anti-inflammatory effects. Four of the newly synthesized compounds demonstrated very good activity by preventing albumin denaturation compared to anti-inflammatory drugs/agents well-established in medicinal practice. The newly synthesized compounds also inhibited the expression of interleukin-1β and stimulated the expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), and, consequently, nitric oxide (NO) synthesis by neurons of the myenteric plexus. This characterizes the newly synthesized compounds as biologically active relaxants, offering a cleaner and more precise application in pharmacological practice, thereby enhancing their potential therapeutic value.
Insights into the Interaction Mechanisms of Peptide and Non-Peptide Inhibitors with MDM2 Using Gaussian-Accelerated Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Deep Learning
Authors: Yang Wanchun , Wang Jian , Zhao Lu , Chen Jianzhong
Published: July 2024

Inhibiting MDM2-p53 interaction is considered an efficient mode of cancer treatment. In our current study, Gaussian-accelerated molecular dynamics (GaMD), deep learning (DL), and binding free energy calculations were combined together to probe the binding mechanism of non-peptide inhibitors K23 and 0Y7 and peptide ones PDI6W and PDI to MDM2. The GaMD trajectory-based DL approach successfully identified significant functional domains, predominantly located at the helixes α2 and α2’, as well as the β-strands and loops between α2 and α2’. The post-processing analysis of the GaMD simulations indicated that inhibitor binding highly influences the structural flexibility and collective motions of MDM2. Calculations of molecular mechanics–generalized Born surface area (MM-GBSA) and solvated interaction energy (SIE) not only suggest that the ranking of the calculated binding free energies is in agreement with that of the experimental results, but also verify that van der Walls interactions are the primary forces responsible for inhibitor–MDM2 binding. Our findings also indicate that peptide inhibitors yield more interaction contacts with MDM2 compared to non-peptide inhibitors. Principal component analysis (PCA) and free energy landscape (FEL) analysis indicated that the piperidinone inhibitor 0Y7 shows the most pronounced impact on the free energy profiles of MDM2, with the piperidinone inhibitor demonstrating higher fluctuation amplitudes along primary eigenvectors. The hot spots of MDM2 revealed by residue-based free energy estimation provide target sites for drug design toward MDM2. This study is expected to provide useful theoretical aid for the development of selective inhibitors of MDM2 family members.
Potential of Anti-Leukotriene Drugs as New Therapeutic Agents for Inhibiting Cholangiocarcinoma Progression
Authors: Kito Yusuke , Kachi Kenta , Yoshida Michihiro , Hori Yasuki , Kato Akihisa , Sahashi Hidenori , Toyohara Tadashi , Kuno Kayoko , Adachi Akihisa , Urakabe Kenji , Kataoka Hiromi
Published: July 2024

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a cancer with a poor prognosis due to difficulties in diagnosis and limited treatment options, highlighting the urgent need for new targeted therapies. In a clinical setting, we found that leukotriene levels in bile were higher than in serum. Immunohistochemical analysis of surgically resected samples also revealed that CysLT receptor 1 (CysLTR1) was more highly expressed in CCA than in normal bile duct tissue, prompting us to investigate leukotriene as a potential therapeutic target in CCA. In vitro studies using CCA cell lines expressing CysLTR1 showed that leukotriene D4, a major ligand of CysLTR1, promoted cell proliferation, with increased phosphorylation of AKT and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). Additionally, treatment with two clinically available anti-allergic drugs—zileuton, an inhibitor of CysLT formation, and montelukast, a CysLTR1 inhibitor—had inhibitory effects on cell proliferation and migratory capacity, accompanied by the reduced phosphorylation of AKT and ERK1/2. Furthermore, the simultaneous administration of both drugs synergistically enhanced the inhibitory effect on cell proliferation. Our study suggests that use of these drugs may represent a novel approach to treat CCA through drug repositioning.
The Impact of the CB2 Cannabinoid Receptor in Inflammatory Diseases: An Update
Authors: Rakotoarivelo Volatiana , Mayer Thomas Z. , Simard Mélissa , Flamand Nicolas , Di Marzo Vincenzo
Published: July 2024

The emergence of inflammatory diseases is a heavy burden on modern societies. Cannabis has been used for several millennia to treat inflammatory disorders such as rheumatism or gout. Since the characterization of cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, the potential of cannabinoid pharmacotherapy in inflammatory conditions has received great interest. Several studies have identified the importance of these receptors in immune cell migration and in the production of inflammatory mediators. As the presence of the CB2 receptor was documented to be more predominant in immune cells, several pharmacological agonists and antagonists have been designed to treat inflammation. To better define the potential of the CB2 receptor, three online databases, PubMed, Google Scholar and clinicaltrial.gov, were searched without language restriction. The full texts of articles presenting data on the endocannabinoid system, the CB2 receptor and its role in modulating inflammation in vitro, in animal models and in the context of clinical trials were reviewed. Finally, we discuss the clinical potential of the latest cannabinoid-based therapies in inflammatory diseases.
Multimodal Dictionaries for Traditional Craft Education
Authors: Zabulis Xenophon , Partarakis Nikolaos , Bartalesi Valentina , Pratelli Nicolo , Meghini Carlo , Dubois Arnaud , Moreno Ines , Manitsaris Sotiris
Published: July 2024

We address the problem of systematizing the authoring of digital dictionaries for craft education from ethnographic studies and recordings. First, we present guidelines for the collection of ethnographic data using digital audio and video and identify terms that are central in the description of crafting actions, products, tools, and materials. Second, we present a classification scheme for craft terms and a way to semantically annotate them, using a multilingual and hierarchical thesaurus, which provides term definitions and a semantic hierarchy of these terms. Third, we link ethnographic resources and open-access data to the identified terms using an online platform for the representation of traditional crafts, associating their definition with illustrations, examples of use, and 3D models. We validate the efficacy of the approach by creating multimedia vocabularies for an online eLearning platform for introductory courses to nine traditional crafts.
Performance Enhancement of Ti/IrO2-Ta2O5 Anode through Introduction of Tantalum–Titanium Interlayer via Double-Glow Plasma Surface Alloying Technology
Authors: Guo Mingshuai , Liu Yueren , Xin Yonglei , Xu Likun , Xue Lili , Duan Tigang , Zhao Rongrong , Xuan Junji , Li Li
Published: July 2024

Ti/IrO2-Ta2O5 electrodes are extensively utilized in the electrochemical industries such as copper foil production, cathodic protection, and wastewater treatment. However, their performance degrades rapidly under high current densities and severe oxygen evolution conditions. To address this issue, we have developed a composite anode of Ti/Ta-Ti/IrO2-Ta2O5 with a Ta-Ti alloy interlayer deposited on a Ti substrate by double-glow plasma surface alloying, and the IrO2-Ta2O5 surface coating prepared by the traditional thermal decomposition method. This investigation indicates that the electrode with Ta-Ti alloy interlayer reduces the agglomerates of precipitated IrO2 nanoparticles and refines the grain size of IrO2, thereby increasing the number of active sites and enhancing the electrocatalytic activity. Accelerated lifetime tests demonstrate that the Ti/Ta-Ti/IrO2-Ta2O5 electrode exhibits a much higher stability than the Ti/IrO2-Ta2O5 electrode. The significant improvement in electrochemical stability is attributed to the Ta-Ti interlayer, which offers high corrosion resistance and effective protection for the titanium substrate.
Tailoring the Lithium Concentration in Thin Lithium Ferrite Films Obtained by Dual Ion Beam Sputtering
Authors: Prieto Pilar , Hernández-Gómez Cayetano , Román-Sánchez Sara , París-Ogáyar Marina , Gorni Giulio , Prieto José Emilio , Serrano Aida
Published: July 2024

Thin films of lithium spinel ferrite, LiFe5O8, have attracted much scientific attention because of their potential for efficient excitation, the manipulation and propagation of spin currents due to their insulating character, high-saturation magnetization, and Curie temperature, as well as their ultra-low damping value. In addition, LiFe5O8 is currently one of the most interesting materials in terms of developing spintronic devices based on the ionic control of magnetism, for which it is crucial to control the lithium’s atomic content. In this work, we demonstrate that dual ion beam sputtering is a suitable technique to tailor the lithium content of thin films of lithium ferrite (LFO) by using the different energies of the assisting ion beam formed by Ar+ and O2+ ions during the growth process. Without assistance, a disordered rock-salt LFO phase (i.e., LiFeO2) can be identified as the principal phase. Under beam assistance, highly out-of-plane-oriented (111) thin LFO films have been obtained on (0001) Al2O3 substrates with a disordered spinel structure as the main phase and with lithium concentrations higher and lower than the stoichiometric spinel phase, i.e., LiFe5O8. After post-annealing of the films at 1025 K, a highly ordered ferromagnetic spinel LFO phase was found when the lithium concentration was higher than the stoichiometric value. With lower lithium contents, the antiferromagnetic hematite (α-Fe2O3) phase emerged and coexisted in films with the ferromagnetic LixFe6-xO8. These results open up the possibility of controlling the properties of thin lithium ferrite-based films to enable their use in advanced spintronic devices.
Electronic Logistic Management Information System in Public Health Facilities and Its Implications for the Medicine Supply Chain in Singida District Council, Tanzania
Authors: Milulu Anwar , Mwita Stanley , Basinda Namanya
Published: July 2024

The effective management of the medicine supply chain is crucial for ensuring the availability of essential medicines and supplies in public health facilities. This study aimed to determine the utilization of the electronic logistic management information system (e-LMIS) in public health facilities and its implications for the medicine supply chain. A mixed methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, was used. The study included 106 healthcare providers from 35 public health facilities in Singida District. Six key informants were interviewed using a qualitative method. Of the 106 participants, 62.3% said they were somehow competent in e-LMIS utilization. In in-depth interviews, respondents underscored the system’s utility for tracking stock levels, procurements, and managing orders. Staff shortages and a lack of customized training were mentioned as major challenges hindering efficiency in managing drug supplies. This study highlighted the positive impact of e-LMIS on various aspects of the medicine supply chain, including the timely submission of orders and enhanced inventory management. Sustained management support and the regular utilization of the e-LMIS system are crucial for building and maintaining competence among healthcare providers, thereby optimizing the medicine supply chain and ultimately improving healthcare delivery.
Development and Characterisation of Functional Bakery Products
Authors: Guiné Raquel P. F. , Florença Sofia G.
Published: July 2024

This review focuses on a set of studies about functional bakery products. The literature search was performed on scientific databases ScienceDirect, PubMed, MDPI, BOn, and SciELO, based on some eligibility criteria, and a total of 102 original research articles about functional bakery products were selected. The studies were analysed according to the types of products, functional properties, functional ingredients, their sources, and the types of measurements described. Results showed that breads were the most frequently analysed products. Most of the products were rich in fibre and antioxidants or were gluten-free. Of the 102 studies, 92 analysed physical properties, 81 involved chemical analyses, 50 involved sensorial analyses, and eight reported microbiological analyses. The most frequent physical properties were texture and colour, while the most frequent chemical components were fibre and minerals. For sensorial properties, colour and texture were particularly evaluated, which were also the most frequently measured physical properties. The studies presented various successful strategies for the fortification of bakery products with functional components, demonstrating their ability to meet consumer needs and potentiate industry growth. This review highlights the relevance of functional bakery products in the current food panorama, contributing to increased knowledge and stimulating discussions about the impact of functional bakery products in promoting healthier eating.
Hybrid Solid Polymer Electrolytes Based on Epoxy Resins, Ionic Liquid, and Ceramic Nanoparticles for Structural Applications
Authors: Muñoz Bianca K. , Lozano Jorge , Sánchez María , Ureña Alejandro
Published: July 2024

Solid polymer electrolytes (SPE) and composite polymer electrolytes (CPE) serve as crucial components in all-solid-state energy storage devices. Structural batteries and supercapacitors present a promising alternative for electric vehicles, integrating structural functionality with energy storage capability. However, despite their potential, these applications are hampered by various challenges, particularly in the realm of developing new solid polymer electrolytes that require more investigation. In this study, novel solid polymer electrolytes and composite polymer electrolytes were synthesized using epoxy resin blends, ionic liquid, lithium salt, and alumina nanoparticles and subsequently characterized. Among the formulations tested, the optimal system, designated as L70P30ILE40Li1MAl2 and containing 40 wt.% of ionic liquid and 5.7 wt.% of lithium salt, exhibited exceptional mechanical properties. It displayed a remarkable storage modulus of 1.2 GPa and reached ionic conductivities of 0.085 mS/cm at 60 °C. Furthermore, a proof-of-concept supercapacitor was fabricated, demonstrating the practical application of the developed electrolyte system.
Characterization Methods to Determine Interpenetrating Polymer Network (IPN) in Hydrogels
Authors: Cona Ceren , Bailey Katherine , Barker Elizabeth
Published: July 2024

Significant developments have been achieved with the invention of hydrogels. They are effective in many fields such as wastewater treatment, food, agriculture, pharmaceutical applications, and drug delivery. Although hydrogels have been used successfully in these areas, there is a need to make them better for future applications. Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) can be created to make hydrogels more adjustable and suitable for a specific purpose. IPN formation is an innovative approach for polymeric systems. It brings two or more polymer networks together with entanglements. The properties of IPNs are controlled by its chemistry, crosslinking density, and morphology. Therefore, it is necessary to understand characterization methods in order to detect the formation of IPN structure and to develop the properties of hydrogels. In recent studies, IPN structure in hydrogels has been determined via chemical, physical, and mechanical methods such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and rheology methods. In this paper, these characterization methods will be explained, recent studies will be scrutinized, and the effectiveness of these methods to confirm IPN formation will be evaluated.
Clinical Effects of Interproximal Contact Loss between Teeth and Implant-Supported Prostheses: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Nery James Carlos , Manarte-Monteiro Patrícia , Aragão Leonardo , da Silva Lígia Pereira , Brandão Gabriel Silveira Pinto , Lemos Bernardo Ferreira
Published: July 2024

Dental rehabilitation with implants is a clinical reality in clinical practice. The Interproximal Contact Loss (ICL) between implant-supported prostheses adjacent to natural teeth is a relatively common occurrence. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the possible clinical effects of the periodontium regarding the ICL between teeth and implanted-supported prostheses. We also identified the main ICL assessment tools described in the literature. This study was registered on the PROSPERO (CRD42023446235), was based on the PICO strategy, and followed the PRISMA guidelines. An electronic search was carried out in the PubMed, B-on, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases without setting a time limit for publications. Only systematic reviews and comparative clinical trials were included and analyzed. Nineteen publications were eligible for meta-analysis, with thirteen retrospective and six prospective clinical trials. A total of 2047 patients and 7319 prostheses in function were evaluated, and ICL was found in 51% with a confidence interval of 0.40 to 0.61. As ICL assessment tools, dental floss was used in 65%, matrices were used in 30%, and X-ray images were used in 5% of cases. The clinical follow-up ranged from 1 to 21 years, with 50% between 1 and 3 years, 25% between 3 and 10 years, and 25% between 10 and 21 years. ICL was found to occur more frequently in the mandible. No statistically significant difference existed between the anterior (55%) and posterior (47%) oral regions. On the mesial surface, ICL ranged from 13% to 81.4%, possibly due to the different follow-up periods and the diversity of methods used in the assessment. No differences were found for ICL between single or multiple implanted-supported prostheses. Food impaction was the most common effect of ICL and was more prevalent on the implant-supported prosthesis’s mesial surface in the mandible’s posterior region. There was evidence of peri-implant mucositis but without progression to peri-implantitis, and the form of retention or the number of elements was not relevant.
Jewish Nationalism in Israel: A Measurement
Authors: Ridge Hannah M.
Published: July 2024

Since Israel’s founding, being a “Jewish state” has been central to its self-representation. However, Israel has struggled to identify what that means. This article examines the strength of Jewish nationalism in Jewish Israeli public opinion. It draws on a recent survey of 200 Jewish Israelis for a qualitative and quantitative investigation of public responses to religious nationalist statements. These findings offer a utilizable survey short scale for measuring Jewish nationalism and to understand how Jewish Israelis are interpreting these statements. This study is a necessary step to empirically evaluating religious nationalism in the “Jewish state”.
Meditation Hindrances and Breakthroughs: A Multilevel First-Person Phenomenological Analysis
Authors: Sparby Terje , Eilinghoff-Ehlers Philip , Lewandovski Nuri , Pachernegg Yannick , Schnitzler Luis , Edelhäuser Friedrich
Published: July 2024

This article explores the topic of meditation hindrances and breakthroughs. In the traditional literature, meditation hindrances are seen as phenomena counteracting meditative activity. However, hindrances are also seen as grounds for meditative growth and breakthroughs. In current meditation research, there is an effort to understand negative effects, sometimes referred to as challenging, adverse, or harmful effects. Little is known about how people experience and deal with meditation hindrances, and especially how they experience the dissolution of hindrances (breakthroughs). The method applied to shed light on this is an innovative and multilevel phenomenological method, which includes biographical exploration, daily notetaking and reflection, and micro-phenomenology. The participants consisted of a group of five people, and the setting was a 6-day meditation retreat. We offer a new perspective on this research not only by developing the concept of meditation hindrances but also by suggesting and showing how negative effects may be part of a process leading up to a breakthrough, where the negative aspect dissolves, potentially giving rise to positive outcomes.
Ambivalence or Melancholia: The Ontogenesis of Religious Sentiment
Authors: Huo Chuansong , Ju Fei
Published: July 2024

The psychoanalytic explanation of religious sentiment is genetic, meaning that it probes the psychological processes behind the formation of such sentiment. Freud ascribed the genesis of religious sentiment to human infantile helplessness and ambivalence towards the father. This explanation encounters a dilemma when confronted with the sense of completeness and infinity in religious sentiment and fails to address components related to death, such as the transcendent and surmounting nature of the believer’s fear of death. Experience has shown that numerous religious sentiments occur through a process of emotional transformation, from a melancholic state of extreme mental anguish to a state of blissful, complete joy. This process, from a psychogenetic perspective, is essentially a defense of the self-preservation impulse. In this transformation, the ego removes chronic suffering by identifying itself with the superego. Therefore, the ego undergoes a symbolic death, through which it regains the energy of life.
Eddy-Induced Chlorophyll Profile Characteristics and Underlying Dynamic Mechanisms in the South Pacific Ocean
Authors: Hou Meng , Yang Jie , Chen Ge
Published: July 2024

Many studies have consistently demonstrated that the near-surface phytoplankton chlorophyll (Chl) levels in anticyclonic eddies (AEs) are higher than in cyclonic eddies (CEs) in the South Pacific Ocean (SPO), using remote sensing data, which is attributed to higher phytoplankton biomass or physiological adjustments in AEs. However, the characteristics of the Chl profile induced by mesoscale eddies and their underlying dynamic mechanism have not been comprehensively studied by means of field measurement, and the influence mechanism of environmental factors at different depths on Chl has not been investigated. To fill this gap, we utilized Biogeochemical-Argo (BGC-Argo) data to investigate the relationships between Chl concentration and environmental factors at different water layers and the underlying dynamic mechanisms of mesoscale eddies in the SPO. Our findings indicate that the same environmental factor can have different effects on Chl at different depths. Within a mixed layer (ML), the elevated Chl levels in AEs result from both physiological adjustments and increased phytoplankton biomass, and the former plays a more dominant role, which is induced by enhanced nutrient availability and weakened light, due to the deepening ML in AEs. At depths ranging from 50 m to 110 m, and between 110 m and 150 m (near the depth of pycnocline or the bottom of the euphotic zone), the dominant factor contributing to higher Chl levels in CEs is phytoplankton physiological adaptation driven by reduced temperature and light. At depths exceeding 150 m (beyond the euphotic zone), higher Chl in AEs is primarily caused by high phytoplankton biomass as a result of downwelling by eddy pumping. This work should advance our comprehensive understanding of the physical–biological interactions of mesoscale eddies and their impacts on primary productivity throughout the water column, and it should provide some implications for understanding the biogeochemical processes.