bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role and Mechanism of Innate Immune Regulation in Overcoming Oxaliplatin Resistance and Enhancing Anti-Tumor Efficacy in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Wang Xiaoqing , Xi Meili , Lu Xing , Tan Xiangshi
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: The reversal effect of cGAMP, as a STING pathway regulator, on oxaliplatin resistance in colorectal cancer was investigated, and its mechanism was proposed. Methods: The efficacy and mechanism of the cGAMP and oxaliplatin combination for oxaliplatin-resistant colorectal cancer through a nude mouse tumor model were investigated and analyzed, and a western blot analysis of tumors was applied. Results: The reversal effect of cGAMP on oxaliplatin resistance in colorectal cancer was investigated, and its mechanism was proposed. After OXA treatment, the IC50 values of HCT116 and HCT116/L cells were 9.04 μmol/L and 47.04 μmol/L, respectively. In nude mouse tumor models, the combination of cGAMP and oxaliplatin significantly reversed the resistance of oxaliplatin to primary drug-resistant HCT116/L colorectal cancer, and the tumor inhibition rate increased from 8% (oxaliplatin alone) to 60% (combination). In the HCT116 nude mouse transplanted tumor model, the combined treatment of cGAMP and oxaliplatin also showed a more significant tumor inhibition effect than oxaliplatin alone, and the tumor inhibition rate increased by 39%, indicating that cGAMP had a considerable improvement effect on oxaliplatin acquired resistance. These results fully demonstrated the synergistic effect of cGAMP and oxaliplatin. Western blot results showed that cGAMP enhanced the sensitivity of oxaliplatin-resistant tumor cells by down-regulating the expression of p-PI3K and p-AKT and up-regulating the expression of p53 protein. Conclusions: cGAMP, as an immunomodulator against oxaliplatin resistance, shows a potential application prospect in treating oxaliplatin-resistant colorectal cancer.
Advances in Ferroptosis Research: A Comprehensive Review of Mechanism Exploration, Drug Development, and Disease Treatment
Authors: Wang Haojie , Xie Yuanyuan
Published: February 2025

In recent years, ferroptosis, as an emerging modality of programmed cell death, has captured significant attention within the scientific community. This comprehensive review meticulously canvasses the pertinent literature of the past few years, spanning multiple facets. It delves into the intricate mechanisms underpinning ferroptosis, tracks the evolution of its inducers and inhibitors, and dissects its roles in a diverse array of diseases, as well as the resultant therapeutic implications. A profound exploration is conducted of the functional mechanisms of ferroptosis-related molecules, intracellular pathways, metabolic cascades, and signaling transduction routes. Novel ferroptosis inducers and inhibitors are introduced in detail, covering their design blueprints, synthetic methodologies, and bioactivity profiles. Moreover, an exhaustive account is provided regarding the involvement of ferroptosis in malignancies, neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular ailments, and other pathologies. By highlighting the pivotal status and potential therapeutic regimens of ferroptosis in various diseases, this review aspires to furnish a thorough and profound reference framework for future investigations and clinical translations in the ferroptosis domain.
Modulation Format Identification Utilizing Polar-Coordinate-System-Based Features for Digital Coherent Receivers
Authors: Liang Shuai , Hao Ming , Xiao Ruyue , Liang Shuang , Jin Wei , Chen Lin , Tang Jianming
Published: February 2025

Modulation format identification (MFI) is one of the most critical functions embedded in digital coherent receivers in elastic optical networks (EONs). In view of inherent amplitude and phase characteristics of received signals, different modulation formats exhibit a set of notable features in the polar coordinate system, based on which an MFI scheme incorporating the Gaussian weighted k-nearest neighbors (KNN) algorithm was proposed to identify polarization division multiplexed (PDM)-QPSK/-16QAM/-32QAM/-64QAM/-128QAM signals. The performance of the proposed scheme was numerically verified in 28GBaud coherent optical communication systems. The numerical simulation results show that, to achieve 100% correct identification rates for all of the five modulation formats, the required minimum optical signal-to-noise ratios (OSNRs) were less than their relevant thresholds corresponding to the 20% forward error correction (FEC). The tolerable ranges of the residual chromatic dispersion (CD) for QPSK, 16QAM, 32QAM, 64QAM, and 128QAM were −1920 ps/nm~1920 ps/nm, −720 ps/nm~360 ps/nm, −1200 ps/nm~1680 ps/nm, −600 ps/nm~360 ps/nm, and −600 ps/nm~480 ps/nm, respectively. Meanwhile, the results demonstrate the maximum tolerable differential-group delay (DGD) for the QPSK, 16QAM, 32QAM, 64QAM, and 128QAM signals were 34 ps, 16 ps, 20 ps, 6 ps, and 1.2 ps, respectively. In addition, the simulated results also show that the proposed MFI scheme is robust against the fiber nonlinearities, even if the launch power is increased to 4 dBm.
An FBG-Based Hard Landing Monitoring System: Assessment for Drops on Different Soils
Authors: Brindisi Angela , Vendittozzi Cristian , Travascio Lidia , Belardo Marika , Ignarra Michele , Fiorillo Vincenzo , Concilio Antonio
Published: February 2025

This study aims to develop an integrated monitoring system using a fiber Bragg grating sensor network to record the structural response of a landing gear system under operational loads to detect hard landing conditions on soils with different absorbing characteristics and to differentiate between soil types during landings. This paper refers to drop tests carried out at a drop tower of the test article, an integrated leaf spring landing gear with fiber Bragg grating sensors, measuring strain to evaluate landings from different heights on different soil types: hard soil, sand, and gravel. Cross-correlation and fast Fourier transform analyses can help to assess the repeatability of the impact tests, to assess the developed system as very reliable in detecting landing conditions and ensure very low error in the accuracy of the sensor placement, or to assess whether different impacts under different conditions produce consistent responses.
Influence of Thickness and Mass Ratio on Terahertz Spectra and Optical Parameters of Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia
Authors: Yu Miao , Liu Chenxi , Miao Yinxiao , Liu Lin , Wei Dawei , Hu Fangrong , Yu Haiyuan , Mei Hao , Shang Yong , Feng Yang , Pei Yanling , Gong Shengkai
Published: February 2025

Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) is an important material in thermal barrier coatings (TBCs), which are widely applied in aviation engines and ground gas turbines. Therefore, the quality inspection of the YSZ layer is of great significance for the safety of engines and gas turbines. In this work, the YSZ powder is mixed with Polytetrafluoroethylene (also known as teflon) in different mass ratios and pressed into tablets with different thicknesses. A terahertz time-domain spectroscopy system is used to obtain their time-domain spectra, and their frequency spectra are then obtained by fast Fourier transform. Based on theory formulas, we obtained the frequency-dependent curves of the absorption coefficient, refractive index, and absorbance of the YSZ tablets. The results show that the YSZ tablets have characteristic absorption peaks in the terahertz band, and these peaks are affected by the mass ratio of YSZ to teflon and the thickness of the tablets. Finally, we conducted a terahertz Raman spectroscopy test of the YSZ tablets for the first time. The results show that in the range from 0 to 1600 cm−1, there are about ten strong Raman peaks. More importantly, these peaks are approximately independent of the mass ratio and the thickness of tablets. This study is of great significance for the nondestructive testing of TBC quality using terahertz spectroscopy technology.
Optimization of Process Parameters for Steel Wire-Reinforced Polylactic Acid Composites Produced by Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Turkoglu Turker , Kilinc Ahmet Cagri
Published: February 2025

The mechanical performance of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)-produced polymer composites is highly dependent on processing parameters; however, most studies focus on unreinforced polymers, leaving a gap in understanding how these parameters influence continuous wire-reinforced composites. This study addresses this gap by investigating the effect of hatch spacing and layer thickness on the tensile properties of steel wire-reinforced PLA composites. The Taguchi method was employed to systematically optimize mechanical performance, using an L9 orthogonal array to evaluate tensile strength across different process conditions. The results showed that layer thickness was the most influential factor, contributing to 75.861% of the total variance (F = 60.90, p = 0.001), followed by hatch spacing (21.647%, F = 17.37, p = 0.010). The highest tensile strength of 231.61 MPa was obtained at a hatch spacing of 0.4 mm and a layer thickness of 0.2 mm, confirming the importance of optimizing these parameters to improve interfacial bonding and minimize defects. Signal-to-Noise (S/N) ratio analysis further validated these optimal conditions, with the highest S/N ratio of 47.29 observed under the same settings. This study provides a structured approach to optimizing process parameters for metal-reinforced polymer composites, contributing to the development of stronger, more reliable FDM-produced composite materials.
AI-Driven Fault Detection and Maintenance Optimization for Aviation Technical Support Systems
Authors: Kabashkin Igor , Perekrestov Vladimir , Pivovar Maksim
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the integration of customization and personalization approaches in aviation maintenance through Aviation Technical Support as a Service (ATSaaS) platform. Through a comprehensive survey of 86 small and medium-sized airlines, combined with mathematical modeling of fault detection systems, the study develops and validates a hybrid framework that integrates traditional maintenance approaches with AI-driven solutions. The comparative analysis demonstrates that the hybrid model significantly outperforms both pure customization and pure personalization approaches, achieving a 95% fault detection rate compared to 75% for customization-only and 88% for personalization-only models. The hybrid approach also showed superior performance in predictive maintenance effectiveness (96%), operational downtime reduction (92%), and cost optimization (90%). The research presents three architectural frameworks for ATSaaS implementation—customization-based, personalization-based, and hybrid—providing a structured approach for different airline categories. Large airlines, with their extensive technical expertise and complex operational requirements, benefit from enhancing their customized maintenance programs with personalization tools, improving overall maintenance efficiency by 23%. Simultaneously, smaller operators, often constrained by limited resources, can use ATSaaS platforms to access sophisticated maintenance capabilities without extensive in-house expertise, reducing operational costs by 35% compared to traditional approaches. The study concludes that the successful integration of customization and personalization through ATSaaS platforms represents a promising direction for optimizing aviation maintenance operations, supporting the industry’s movement toward data-driven, adaptive maintenance solutions.
Right Out the Gate: A Performative Auto-Ethnography on Race, Place, and Faith
Authors: Radwan Jon , Kariotis Angela
Published: February 2025

Racial justice rhetoric is approached via collaborative auto-ethnography and oral interpretation, demonstrating how race, place, and faith intersect in a community devoted to religion and education. Community narratives wield immense power, but they are never complete. Stories and the cultures that retell them are alive and growing, so finding a voice can influence change. When racial justice voices are gradually over-written and forgotten, archival research and a commitment to engaged scholarship can identify and hold up historical leaders as role models. This article reintroduces a largely forgotten Catholic leader, Monsignor Thomas G. Fahy, into higher education’s narrative on race. Freie’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed provides a theoretical frame for an auto-ethnography relating pentimento “un/re/discovery” of Fahy leading to a digital oral/aural performance of some of his most enlightened speeches. Northern New Jersey saw widespread civil unrest and violence in the 1960s, and rather than turn away, Fahy turned “right out the gate” to listen and collaborate with Newark’s racial justice activists. Conclusions include a need for sustained attention to historical justice leaders in nurturing positive futures and the socio-political power of storytelling as a digital/oral rhetorical form.
The Concept of Quantum Teleportation for Remote Control of a Car-like Mobile Robot
Authors: Numbi Joslin , Zioui Nadjet , Tadjine Mohamed
Published: February 2025

We describe a quantum teleportation protocol for exchanging data between a mobile robot and its control station. Because of the high cost of quantum network systems, we use MATLAB software to simulate the teleportation of data. Our simulation models the dynamic motion of a car-like mobile robot (CLMR), considering its mass and inertia and the environmental viscosity. Our remote control method accurately reproduces a mathematical model of the CLMR’s real-world motion. The CLMR’s trajectory is represented by differential equations, with the velocity calculated using the Jacobian matrix. The velocity inputs are teleported from the control station to the CLMR, enabling it to move. Nevertheless, physical constraints cause the deviation of the robot’s trajectory from the predicted trajectory. To correct this deviation, the CLMR’s current position is teleported to the control station. Before implementing this protocol, we calculate the quantum teleportation circuit, and we use quantum gates in matrix form to simulate the data teleportation process. The protocol’s accuracy is assessed by comparing the original data and teleported data, and a good match is obtained. This study demonstrates the feasibility of quantum teleportation for remotely controlling real-time robotic systems over long distances and in environments that interfere with classical wireless communication.
A Multidimensional Analysis Approach Toward Sea Cliff Erosion Forecasting
Authors: Krivova Maria , Olsen Michael J. , Leshchinsky Ben A.
Published: February 2025

Erosion poses a significant threat to infrastructure and ecosystems on coastlines worldwide. Public infrastructure such as US 101—a critical conduit linking coastal communities and renowned destinations—can be costly to maintain due to erosion hazards. Erosion is episodic and varies both spatially and temporarily; hence, forecasting erosion patterns to identify vulnerable infrastructure is immensely challenging. This study presents an innovative Geographic Information Systems (GIS) algorithm to forecast sea cliff erosion progression utilizing imagery datasets (hereafter referred to as ‘rasters’). This approach is demonstrated for an approximately 300 m segment of sea cliffs near Spencer Creek Bridge in Beverly Beach State Park, Oregon, USA. First, Digital Elevation Model (DEM) rasters are created from multiple epochs of terrestrial lidar point clouds using two approaches: Triangular Irregular Networks (TINs) and Empirical Bayesian Kriging (EBK). These DEMs were integrated into a multidimensional raster to generate trend rasters. Based on these trend rasters, forecast DEMs were created based on several different combinations of training and forecast epochs. The forecast DEMs were evaluated against the original lidar data, to calculate residuals to determine optimal model parameters. It was revealed that four combinations warrant particular attention: EBK with harmonic and linear regression of trend rasters, and TIN with harmonic and linear regression of trend rasters. These methods demonstrate consistent decreases in residuals as the number of epochs used for interpolation increases. Under these circumstances, it is expected that the forecasting DEMs will exhibit residuals lower than 10 cm. This outcome is contingent on the condition that the time between the epochs used for prediction and the forecasted epochs does not increase.
Drivers’ Perspective on Traffic Safety and Impacts from the Surrounding Landscape: A Case Study of Serbia
Authors: Sentić Ivana , Živojinović Ivana , Đorđević Jasmina , Tomićević-Dubljević Jelena
Published: February 2025

Due to the high volume of traffic on European highways and the increased percentage of traffic accidents and fatalities, traffic safety is imperative in the planning and design of highways. While highway safety design construction standards have been extensively researched, insufficient attention has been given to the influence of the surrounding landscape on traffic safety and to drivers’ awareness about the danger of the same. Thus, the aim of the research was to assess drivers’ perceptions of various factors impacting highway traffic safety (climatic impacts from the surrounding landscape, landscape vegetation that follows the roadway, and animals) beyond specific engineering features (roadway surface, traffic signs, highway junction points). A survey of 138 drivers was conducted to assess driver awareness of traffic safety on the research section of a highway in Serbia. This highway is part of the Serbian highway that is a key connection within the European road network, forming an integral part of several major routes. The survey revealed that drivers, regardless of gender or experience, primarily associate traffic safety with well-built roads and good visibility during driving. While the impacts of climatic elements from the surrounding landscape were acknowledged, drivers do not strongly attribute any danger to traffic safety from these factors due to their lack of visibility. This is reflected in the notable number of traffic accidents, impacted by these factors, on the studied highway (e.g., 12% of the total number of accidents during 2022). Vegetation and animals did not play a significant role in the respondents’ answers, which should not be the case; however, their absence in the highway landscape and along the roadway led to a lack of observed quality by drivers. This underscores the need for the scientific community and policymakers to delve deeper into these issues with a broader perspective, and to elevate highway safety standards accordingly.
More Sustainable but More Dangerous Cities: The Role of Communication Campaigns in Protecting Vulnerable Road Users
Authors: Faus Mireia , Alonso Francisco , Esteban Cristina , Velarte José Luis
Published: February 2025

The transition towards a sustainable mobility model encourages an increase in the use of soft modes of transport, and thus an increase in the number of vulnerable road users, especially in urban areas. In Spain, this group of users, comprising pedestrians, cyclists, users of personal mobility vehicles and motorcyclists, accounted for 62,258 victims in road accidents in 2023, 46% of the total, with 7258 dead or seriously injured representing 65.6% of the total. Different strategies to protect vulnerable road users, including communication campaigns, are regularly developed to increase safe travel behaviour. In this context, this study analyses the campaigns issued by the Directorate General of Traffic since 1960 aimed at vulnerable road users. Only 28 campaigns met the established inclusion criteria, representing 23.5% of the total. Thus, the period 2011–2024 has seen the lowest prevalence of this type of campaign, coinciding with a context characterised by the emergence of new forms of micro-mobility that are more sustainable but also more exposed to risks. Due to this complex environment, it is recommended to increase the prevalence of campaigns targeted at vulnerable users and to maximise their effectiveness using emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data, and delivered through a combination of traditional and digital media.
Tracing Anthropogenic and Environmental Impacts on River Water Quality: Sustainable Perspective on Contrasting Environments
Authors: Abushandi Eyad
Published: February 2025

This paper represents a comparative study of two rivers, namely, the Andarax River, Spain, and the River Liffey, Ireland, considering different climatic conditions and human activities and their influences on most water quality parameters. Water samples collected from different sampling sites along each river were analysed for field parameters such as the pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), and nitrates, phosphates, and potassium (NPK) levels of floodplain soil. Spatial changes were assessed using various geostatistical methods such as the Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression (MLR), and water quality index (WQI). The Andarax River had a higher TDS and was turbidly higher with EC due to agricultural activities and the naturally higher evaporation in the semiarid climate. In contrast, DO levels varied widely in the River Liffey, especially in reaches under the influence of urbanisation and agricultural runoff. The artificial surface and agriculture are the strongest negative determinants of water quality in both rivers, with artificial surfaces contributing about 35.72% to the DO variation. The WQI identified the water quality in the Andarax River as poor to very poor in certain locations, while the River Liffey exhibited a good to medium quality overall, although with localised degradation in areas of high human activity. The results of this study are important for developing targeted remedial measures in diversified climate conditions and a customised water sustainability plan to address the challenges of each area.
TCM-AVC Model: A Systematic Literature Review on Value Co-Creation in B2B and Research Agenda
Authors: Ullah Fawad , Lei Shen , Newton Jon K. , Lund Daniel W.
Published: February 2025

The frequency of publications on value co-creation (VCC) in marketing has significantly increased. However, in business-to-business (B2B), it is underexplored, and there is no consensus regarding its antecedents and consequences. This systematic literature review (SLR) aims to identify, define, and categorize the antecedents and consequences to have a better comprehension of VCC in B2B. We conducted a comprehensive search for the keyword value co-creation, B2B, relationships, antecedents, consequences, and relationship quality in the Web of Science (WoS) core collection database and Scopus. By following Denyer and Tranfield’s five-step approach for SLR, we established research questions and selected, analyzed, and synthesized the relevant studies. We also followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA 2009, 2020) guidelines for screening articles, which led us to the analysis of 39 relevant articles. Our findings contribute to the research of VCC through the identification and categorization of antecedents and consequences of VCC into 20 initial groups, respectively, which provided a holistic view. Furthermore, notably, we revealed that the 39 papers employed 30 theoretical frameworks and models, which guided us to the presentation of the Theories Context Methods—Antecedents Value Co-creation Consequences model (TCM-AVC). The model further reduced the initially identified 20 groups into 6 and 5 categories of antecedents and consequences, respectively. Additionally, the findings extracted from those papers were segregated into eight novel streams, which opened fresh avenues for future research. These findings collectively enrich our understanding and provide practical implications for business practitioners in regards to the implementation of short-, medium-, and long-term sustainable VCC strategies to be effective and sustainable co-creators.
An Improved Crayfish Optimization Algorithm: Enhanced Search Efficiency and Application to UAV Path Planning
Authors: Huang Qinyuan , Sun Yuqi , Kang Chengyang , Fan Chen , Liang Xiuchen , Sun Fei
Published: February 2025

The resolution of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) path-planning problem frequently leverages optimization algorithms as a foundational approach. Among these, the recently proposed crayfish optimization algorithm (COA) has garnered significant attention as a promising and noteworthy alternative. Nevertheless, COA’s search efficiency tends to diminish in the later stages of the optimization process, making it prone to premature convergence into local optima. To address this limitation, an improved COA (ICOA) is proposed. To enhance the quality of the initial individuals and ensure greater population diversity, the improved algorithm utilizes chaotic mapping in conjunction with a stochastic inverse learning strategy to generate the initial population. This modification aims to broaden the exploration scope into higher-quality search regions, enhancing the algorithm’s resilience against local optima entrapment and significantly boosting its convergence effectiveness. Additionally, a nonlinear control parameter is incorporated to enhance the algorithm’s adaptivity. Simultaneously, a Cauchy variation strategy is applied to the population’s optimal individuals, strengthening the algorithm’s ability to overcome stagnation. ICOA’s performance is evaluated by employing the IEEE CEC2017 benchmark function for testing purposes. Comparison results reveal that ICOA outperforms other algorithms in terms of optimization efficacy, especially when applied to complex spatial configurations and real-world problem-solving scenarios. The proposed algorithm is ultimately employed in UAV path planning, with its performance tested across a range of terrain obstacle models. The findings confirm that ICOA excels in searching for paths that achieve safe obstacle avoidance and lower trajectory costs. Its search accuracy is notably superior to that of the comparative algorithms, underscoring its robustness and efficiency. ICOA ensures the balanced exploration and exploitation of the search space, which are particularly crucial for optimizing UAV path planning in environments with symmetrical and asymmetrical constraints.
Improving Infrastructure Cluster Design by Using Symmetry
Authors: Dakić Vedran , Kovač Mario , Knezović Josip
Published: February 2025

Symmetry in IT system design is essential for improving efficiency, consistency, and manageability in data center operations. Symmetry guarantees that all system elements—be it hardware, software, or network configurations—are crafted to be consistent, thereby minimizing variability and streamlining operations. This principle is especially pertinent in cluster computing, where uniform server configurations facilitate efficient maintenance and consistent system performance. Symmetric designs reduce variations among nodes, alleviating performance discrepancies and resource imbalances commonly encountered in heterogeneous environments. This paper examines the advantages of symmetric configurations via an experimental analysis of the lifecycle management process. The findings indicate that clusters constructed with a symmetric server architecture enhance operational efficiency. From a lifecycle management standpoint, symmetry streamlines hardware provisioning and maintenance, diminishing complexities related to Day-1 and Day-2 operations. Furthermore, by guaranteeing consistent performance across all servers, symmetric designs facilitate a more predictable quality of service (QoS), reducing bottlenecks and improving overall system stability. Experimental results indicate that, when properly configured, symmetric clusters surpass asymmetric configurations in sustaining QoS, especially during peak loads or hardware failures, owing to their enhanced resource allocation and failover mechanisms. This research highlights the significance of symmetry as a fundamental principle in cluster-based data center architecture.
Subject-Specific Mapping of Excess Manganese Accumulation in the Brain of Welders Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging Relaxometry
Authors: Monsivais Humberto , Dydak Ulrike
Published: February 2025

Chronic overexposure to manganese (Mn) can occur in occupational settings, such as welding, leading to increased Mn levels in the brain. Excess brain Mn accumulation may result in neurotoxicity, which is characterized by Parkinsonian-like symptoms including motor and cognitive dysfunctions. In this work, we demonstrate a novel methodology for personalized diagnosis and spatial characterization of abnormal Magnetic Resonance Imaging R1 (R1 = 1/T1) relaxation rates arising from excessive Mn accumulation in welders’ brains. Utilizing voxel-wise population-derived norms based on a frequency age-matched non-exposed group (n = 25), we demonstrate the ability to conduct subject-specific assessments and mapping of Mn exposure using MRI relaxometry. Our results show elevated R1 in multiple brain regions in individual welders, but also extreme between-subject variability in Mn accumulation, debasing the concept that high exposures correlate with uniformly high Mn deposition in the brain. Consequently, the presented personalized methodology serves as a counterpart to group-based comparison, which allows for understanding the level of individual exposure and the toxicokinetics of Mn accumulation. This work lays a foundation for improved occupational health assessments and preventive measures against neurotoxic metal exposure.
Acyclic Cucurbit[n]uril-Enabled Detection of Aflatoxin B1 via Host–Guest Chemistry and Bioluminescent Immunoassay
Authors: Wu Shaowen , Feng Ke , Niu Jinlu , Xu Jintao , Mo Hualian , She Xiaoman , Yu Shang-Bo , Li Zhan-Ting , Yan Shijuan
Published: February 2025

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a highly toxic secondary metabolite produced by Aspergillus species, represents a significant health hazard due to its widespread contamination of agricultural products. The urgent need for sensitive and sustainable detection methods has driven the development of diverse analytical approaches, most of which heavily rely on organic solvents, posing environmental challenges for routine food safety analysis. Here, we introduce a supramolecular platform leveraging acyclic cucurbit[n]uril (acCB) as a host molecule for environmentally sustainable AFB1 detection. Screening various acCB derivatives identified acCB6 as a superior host capable of forming a stable 1:1 complex with AFB1 in an aqueous solution, exhibiting a high binding affinity. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy confirmed that AFB1 was deeply encapsulated within the host cavity, with isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) experiments and molecular dynamics simulations further substantiating the stability of the interaction, driven by enthalpic and entropic contributions. This supramolecular host was incorporated into a scaffold-assembly-based bioluminescent enzyme immunoassay (SA-BLEIA), providing a green detection platform that rivals the performance of traditional organic solvent-based assays. Our findings highlight the potential of supramolecular chemistry as a foundation for eco-friendly mycotoxin detection and offer valuable insights into designing environmentally sustainable analytical methods.
Numerical Modelling of Coupled Thermal–Hydraulic–Mechanical Processes in Unsaturated Soils During Freezing and Thawing
Authors: Soltanpour Sara , Foriero Adolfo
Published: February 2025

Most existing studies investigate the effect of the overburden pressure and external temperature on the freezing process in unsaturated soils. However, the hydraulic and thermal properties of soil have a significant outcome as well. For this purpose, a coupled Thermal–Hydraulic–Mechanical theory, to investigate unsaturated fine sands, is developed and deployed in a finite element method simulation with COMSOL Multiphysics. Validation of the model’s accuracy is achieved by comparing the numerical to the experimental soil freezing and thawing results published in the literature. After validating the model’s reliability, five cases are simulated to examine the impact of soil particle thermal conductivity and saturated hydraulic conductivity on the freezing and thawing processes. Results indicate that the saturated hydraulic conductivity has a slightly greater effect on the position of the freezing front and on the amount of heave than particle thermal conductivity. Finally, this study shows the effect inflicted by the temperature gradient, water flux, and vertical stress build-up on both thermal and hydraulic properties during the freeze–thaw cycles.
Effectiveness of Eco-Engineering Structures to Promote Sediment Particles Retention in Estuarine Salt Marshes
Authors: Gonçalves Carlos , Verdelhos Tiago , Caçador Isabel , Oliveira Paulo J. Venda , Marques Diana , Veríssimo Helena
Published: February 2025

Salt marshes, which provide vital ecosystem services and play a key role in coastal protection, require innovative restoration strategies to enhance their resilience to sea level rise (SLR) in the context of ongoing climate change. This study evaluated the effectiveness of various eco-engineering structures in promoting sediment accretion within a temperate estuary (Mondego estuary, Portugal). Five experimental cells were tested: (1) a control cell with bare soil, (2) a cell with autochthonous vegetation, (3) a cell with a wooden palisade, (4) a cell with geotextile fabric, and (5) a cell with geotextile bags filled with sand. Sediment accretion was measured seasonally from 2019 to 2022, and sedimentation rates and patterns were compared across the different structures. Environmental variables, including precipitation and tidal flow, were also monitored to assess their influence on sediment dynamics. Results indicated that eco-engineering structures enhanced sedimentation compared to the control. The highest accumulation was observed near the wooden palisades and geotextile bags, particularly in areas aligned with the river flow. This study underscores the potential of eco-engineering approaches to promote localized sediment stabilization and enhance marsh resilience. However, long-term monitoring and adaptive management are essential to address challenges associated with SLR and hydrodynamic variability. The findings provide valuable insights for designing effective and targeted restoration strategies in estuarine environments.
Delineation and Morphometric Characterization of Small- and Medium-Sized Caspian Sea Basin River Catchments Using Remote Sensing and GISs
Authors: Tabunshchik Vladimir , Dzhambetova Petimat , Gorbunov Roman , Gorbunova Tatiana , Nikiforova Aleksandra , Drygval Polina , Kerimov Ibragim , Kiseleva Mariia
Published: February 2025

This investigation endeavors to demarcate the boundaries of small- and medium-sized river catchments within the Caspian Sea drainage basin, with a specific focus on the Northeastern Caucasus, Azerbaijan, and Iran regions. A multi-faceted approach was employed, incorporating various remote sensing methods to select key areas, including the catchments of the Sunzha, Sulak, Ulluchay, Karachay, Atachay, Haraz, and Gorgan rivers. Subsequently, geoinformation systems (GISs) and topographic maps were utilized to determine the morphometric characteristics of these catchments, accompanied by an assessment of the accuracy of remote sensing data. The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy and suitability of digital elevation models (DEMs) with a spatial resolution of 30 m per pixel (including ASTER DEM, ALOS DEM, NASADEM, Copernicus 30 m DEM, and SRTM 30 m DEM) and 90 m per pixel (Copernicus 90 m DEM and SRTM 90 m DEM) for delineating small- and medium-sized Caspian Sea basin river catchments. For the DEMs that successfully and accurately delineated watershed boundaries, the morphometric characteristics of the river basins were calculated. This research has yielded novel findings regarding the morphometric characteristics (area, perimeter, ruggedness of the catchment line (roundness coefficient), maximum height, minimum height, average height of the river basin, maximum slope of the surface, average slope of the surface, length of the main watercourse, basin shape parameter (catchment elongation coefficient), shape coefficient, length of the river basin, average river basin slope, and average width of the basin) of individual mountainous small- and medium-sized rivers in the Northeastern Caucasus, Azerbaijan, and Iran, with the catchments of the aforementioned rivers serving as exemplars. The practical significance of these results lies in the fact that such detailed morphometric characteristics of catchments have been obtained for the first time, and their boundaries have been clarified (burned out according to various DEMs), which can serve as a basis for decision-making processes and contribute to the development of operational environmental monitoring of the state of rivers and their catchments.
On the Origin of Sediment Ripples
Authors: Zanke Ulrich , Kloker Markus J.
Published: February 2025

As soon as a granular sediment has been set in motion by the currents of droppable fluids or by wind, sand waves form as smaller ripples or larger dunes. The relevance of this phenomenon lies in the roughness effect against the currents and the influence on sediment loads. Likewise, their physical understanding helps us to estimate past flow conditions by means of fossilized sand waves, as well as those on distant planets with proven ripples and dunes, such as Mars and Titan. In the literature, diagrams exist based on observations for the conditions under which the various forms of sand waves develop. However, the cause of their formation is unclear. Various theories have been discussed regarding the further development of ripples once they have formed, but none of them explains the fundamental mechanism that generates the very first ripples. These occur simultaneously over a large area and almost instantly, with a fairly even distance from crest to crest. This contribution presents a solution for how this is possible based on hydrodynamic instability.
Ką gali pasakyti XVI a. pabaigos Lietuvos Metrikos knygų-kopijų kodikologija apie originalių knygų fizinį pavidalą (kritinės pastabos)
Authors: Karalius Laimontas
Published: February 2025

Codicological descriptions of late 16th-century Lithuanian Metrica bookcopies reveal the history of these manuscripts’ production, the organisation of the rewriting work and their later archival history right up to the present day – the 21st century. This article discusses the established codicological (paleographic) methods that are used in Lithuanian Metrica historiography to help distinguish the text from no-longer-extant original books from the additions made by subsequent rewriters when adapting them to the particular needs of the day and enabling easier searching for information in the books of the Lithuanian Metrica. For this purpose, I have used the studies by Egidijus Banionis (1948–1993) dedicated to the genesis of the early (pre-1506) original Lithuanian Metrica books. In the context of this research, an assessment was made of Oleg Chroruzhenko’s latest attempt from 2008 to use the codicological characteristics of these book-copies to answer questions about the physical nature of the original books and their structure.
Vokietijos ir Rusijos karinių bei politinių veikėjų R. G. A. von der Goltzo, P. Bermonto, G. Noske‘s, A. Winnigo atsiminimai kaip šaltinis Baltijos šalių moderniojo valstybingumo genezei tirti
Authors: Butkus Zenonas
Published: February 2025

This article analyses the memoirs of Germany’s and Russia’s military and political figures Rüdiger Gustav Adolf von der Goltz, Pavel Bermondt, Gustav Noske and August Winnig, which are first of all analysed as a source for researching the genesis of modern statehood in the Baltic States. All the above authors of these memoirs admit and testify that they did not approve of nor support the emergence of the Baltic States’ statehood. Only Winning, as Germany’s representative for those states, formally gave his recognition when forced to do so by international circumstances, mostly under duress from the Entente countries, while Bermondt, factually supported by R. von der Goltz, tried to compromise the statehood of the Balts using military measures that the minister of war Noske and the entire German government did not even try to contain, whereas the Entente countries were incapable of doing so. Thus, international circumstances after World War I not only created the conditions for the emergence of the Baltic States’ statehood but also acted as obstacles for this statehood to exist, as the imperial aspirations of Germany, as well as Russia, remained vibrant and were still effective in the Baltic Sea region.
The Protection of Human Dignity, Honour and Reputation in ECtHR Case-law Concerning the Right to Respect for Private Life (Article 8 ECHR)
Authors: Mateeva Ekaterina
Published: February 2025

Human dignity is considered to be “the mother of all human rights”. It is absolute and cannot thus be restricted. The protection of human dignity is the core principle embodied in the set of rules on human rights. The provision of article 8, § 1 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR) lays down that everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence. On various occasions, ECtHR considered that despite the lack of an explicit mention of a human’s reputation and one’s dignity and honour within the text of Article 8 of ECHR, they are still being encompassed by the protective function of this provision. A reasoning is found in the notion that the aforementioned protective function embodies “the right for private life” thus including the human right to a dignified existence. Still, ECtHR did point out that Article 8 ECHR is a possible means to provide legal protection to honour, reputation and dignity solely “where primarily the internal aspect of honour is at stake”, more specifically, when one’s self-assessment and self-value are harmed. On the contrary, whenever the external aspect of honour has been harmed, i. e., reputation and public assessment of an individual, this should be considered as a freedom of expression case under Article 10, para. 2 ECHR (corresponding to Article 39, paragraph 2 of the Bulgarian Constitution).
On Some Challenges in Drawing the Allocation Under Several National Legal Acts
Authors: Glushkova Maria
Published: February 2025

A properly drafted and enforced allocation is the culmination of a legal dispute. It puts an end to the dynamically evolving civil legal relations through the expected fair statutory satisfaction of all creditors. The activity of drafting allocations under the relevant national legal provisions is quite underrated and little known among legal practitioners in Bulgaria. The legal doctrine lacks a thorough and comprehensive study of the subject and the case-law is extremely controversial. These circumstances give rise to a need to explore and present the subject in its comprehensiveness and completeness in the present study.
Legal Protection of the Secret Invention. Rights of the Inventor and the Patent Holder
Authors: Maneva Veselina
Published: February 2025

This article analyses the legal regime of the secret invention in the current legislation. The essence of the exclusive right arising from the issued patent and its limitation with a view to the protection of the national security and defence of the country have been investigated. It has been established that the absence of publication of the application and of the issued patent is an obstacle to claiming infringement. The hypotheses of the „free use“ of the patented secret invention are considered. A comparison is made between the rights of the inventor, the patent holder and the user of the invention. Analysed the provisions, relating to the determination of the remuneration of the inventor. Special regard is attributed to the procedure for considering appeals against decisions to terminate proceedings at the Patent Office and to requests for the invalidity of a secret patent, indicating the shortcomings in the current legal framework. A proposal de lege ferenda was formulated to amend the patent law.
As Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais (DCNs) para as Licenciaturas em Ciências da Religião: impactos e efeitos na contratação de docentes para o Ensino Religioso escolar na rede pública municipal da microrregião de Juiz de Fora- MG
Authors: Rodrigues do Couto Vinicius , Sidnei Musskopf André
Published: February 2025

O cerne deste estudo é o acompanhamento da adaptação dos certames municipais realizados a partir da homologação da Resolução CNE/CP 5/2018 na microrregião de Juiz de Fora. O estudo se concentrou em abordar e distinguir brevemente a trajetória do Ensino Religioso e da Ciência da Religião no Brasil nas esferas legislativas e educacionais, direcionando para a criação dos cursos de Licenciatura em Ciência(as) da(s) Religião(ões). Aponta-se para a adoção da CRE como ciência de referência para o ER designada de “educacionalização da CRE”. A hipótese e a conclusão foram que os concursos e contratações de professores/as nos municípios estão em processo de adequação ao disposto na resolução. A metodologia se concentrou em uma análise discursiva dos editais disponibilizados nos sites das prefeituras entre 2018 e 2024. O material coletado foi agrupado em: concursos públicos; processos seletivos; processos seletivos simplificados, e apresentados em seções no artigo. Predominantemente, foram registradas contratações temporárias conforme apresentado na tabela em anexo. Foi identificado que a ausência de um consenso na adoção da nomenclatura da formação docente impactou na classificação de alguns municípios. Desse modo, conclui-se que dentre os municípios: 8 estão adequados; 1 o resultado é inconclusivo; 5 se encontram em processo de adequação; 1 foi considerado como não adequado. Nos 18 municípios restantes, não foram identificadas realização de certames, ficando inconclusiva a informação do oferecimento do componente curricular ER nas escolas municipais.
Em face de uma perspectiva conservadora:
Authors: Coelho Antonio Carlos
Published: February 2025

O espiritismo brasileiro, quando introduzido no século XIX, foi amplamente considerado uma proposta progressista e emancipadora. Baseado nas ideias de Allan Kardec, o espiritismo visava conciliar ciência, filosofia e religião, promovendo o progresso moral e intelectual da humanidade. Contudo, ao longo do tempo, observou-se que muitos segmentos do movimento espírita no Brasil passaram a adotar posturas mais conservadoras, especialmente em questões relacionadas às mudanças sociais e políticas. O objetivo deste estudo é investigar as motivações e influências que sustentam essa ruptura entre o espiritismo de caráter progressista do Livro dos Espíritos e sua adaptação conservadora no Brasil. A questão central que buscamos compreender é como e por que essa dualidade se manifesta. Para isso, utilizamos uma metodologia baseada em levantamento bibliográfico em redes midiáticas, priorizando discursos e estudos relevantes, além de uma consulta sistemática a referências especializadas. Uma conclusão importante deste trabalho é a identificação de uma tendência conservadora na prática dos valores espíritas, que ajusta o discurso kardequiano, desviando o foco da transformação social cotidiana e cidadã para uma evolução espiritual futura, legitimando, no presente, a preservação de estruturas e valores considerados essenciais para a estabilidade social.