bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sulforaphane’s Multifaceted Potential: From Neuroprotection to Anticancer Action
Authors: Otoo Raymond A. , Allen Antiño R.
Published: October 2023

Sulforaphane (SFN) is a naturally occurring compound found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower. It has been widely studied for its potential as a neuroprotective and anticancer agent. This review aims to critically evaluate the current evidence supporting the neuroprotective and anticancer effects of SFN and the potential mechanisms through which it exerts these effects. SFN has been shown to exert neuroprotective effects through the activation of the Nrf2 pathway, the modulation of neuroinflammation, and epigenetic mechanisms. In cancer treatment, SFN has demonstrated the ability to selectively induce cell death in cancer cells, inhibit histone deacetylase, and sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy. SFN has also shown chemoprotective properties through inhibiting phase I metabolizing enzymes, modulating phase II xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes, and targeting cancer stem cells. In addition to its potential as a therapeutic agent for neurological disorders and cancer treatment, SFN has shown promise as a potential treatment for cerebral ischemic injury and intracranial hemorrhage. Finally, the ongoing and completed clinical trials on SFN suggest potential therapeutic benefits, but more research is needed to establish its effectiveness. Overall, SFN holds significant promise as a natural compound with diverse therapeutic applications.
Heterointerface Engineered Core-Shell Fe2O3@TiO2 for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Storage
Authors: Miao Zeqing , Gao Kesheng , Li Dazhi , Gao Ziwei , Zhao Wenxin , Li Zeyang , Sun Wei , Wang Xiaoguang , Zhang Haihang , Wang Xinyu , Sun Changlong , Zhu Yuanyuan , Li Zhenjiang
Published: October 2023

The rational design of the heterogeneous interfaces enables precise adjustment of the electronic structure and optimization of the kinetics for electron/ion migration in energy storage materials. In this work, the built-in electric field is introduced to the iron-based anode material (Fe2O3@TiO2) through the well-designed heterostructure. This model serves as an ideal platform for comprehending the atomic-level optimization of electron transfer in advanced lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). As a result, the core-shell Fe2O3@TiO2 delivers a remarkable discharge capacity of 1342 mAh g−1 and an extraordinary capacity retention of 82.7% at 0.1 A g−1 after 300 cycles. Fe2O3@TiO2 shows an excellent rate performance from 0.1 A g−1 to 4.0 A g−1. Further, the discharge capacity of Fe2O3@TiO2 reached 736 mAh g−1 at 1.0 A g−1 after 2000 cycles, and the corresponding capacity retention is 83.62%. The heterostructure forms a conventional p-n junction, successfully constructing the built-in electric field and lithium-ion reservoir. The kinetic analysis demonstrates that Fe2O3@TiO2 displays high pseudocapacitance behavior (77.8%) and fast lithium-ion reaction kinetics. The capability of heterointerface engineering to optimize electrochemical reaction kinetics offers novel insights for constructing high-performance iron-based anodes for LIBs.
Synergistic Antibiofilm Action of Cinnamomum verum and Brazilian Green Propolis Hydroethanolic Extracts against Multidrug-Resistant Strains of Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Their Biocompatibility on Human Keratinocytes
Authors: Meccatti Vanessa Marques , Martins Karoline Moura Chagas , Ramos Lucas de Paula , Pereira Thaís Cristine , de Menezes Raquel Teles , Marcucci Maria Cristina , Abu Hasna Amjad , de Oliveira Luciane Dias
Published: October 2023

The accumulated dental biofilm can be a source of oral bacteria that are aspirated into the lower respiratory tract causing ventilator-associated pneumonia in hospitalized patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the synergistic antibiofilm action of the produced and phytochemically characterized extracts of Cinnamomum verum and Brazilian green propolis (BGP) hydroethanolic extracts against multidrug-resistant clinical strains of Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in addition to their biocompatibility on human keratinocyte cell lines (HaCaT). For this, High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of the plant extracts was performed; then the minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal concentrations of the extracts were determined; and antibiofilm activity was evaluated with MTT assay to prevent biofilm formation and to reduce the mature biofilms. The cytotoxicity of the extracts was verified using the MTT colorimetric test, evaluating the cellular enzymatic activity. The data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s tests as well as Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn’s tests, considering a significance level of 5%. It was possible to identify the cinnamic aldehyde in C. verum and p-coumaric, caffeic, and caffeoylquinic acids as well as flavonoids such as kaempferol and kaempferide and Artepillin-C in BGP. The combined extracts were effective in preventing biofilm formation and reducing the mature biofilms of A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa. Moreover, both extracts were biocompatible in different concentrations. Therefore, C. verum and BGP hydroethanolic extracts have bactericidal and antibiofilm action against multidrug resistant strains of A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa. In addition, the combined extracts were capable of expressively inhibiting the formation of A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa biofilms (prophylactic effect) acting similarly to 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate.
Annona cherimola Seed Extracts Trigger an Early Apoptosis Response and Selective Anticlonogenic Activity against the Human Gastric Carcinoma Cell Line SNU-1
Authors: Macuer-Guzmán Johan , Giovagnoli-Vicuña Claudia , Bernal Giuliano , Lobos-González Lorena , de la Fuente-Ortega Erwin , Araya-Castillo Michael , Ibáñez Cristian
Published: October 2023

The aim of this study was to evaluate, for the first time, the antiproliferative, apoptotic and diminishing effects of the anchored growth-independent capacity of an ethanol macerate extract from the Annona cherimola seed (EMCHS) in the human gastric cancer cell line SNU-1. The cells treated with EMCHS (20 μg/mL) significantly reduced the capacity to form clones of the tumor cell. Moreover, 50 μg/mL of EMCHS extract induced apoptosis, as was shown by the Annexin-V assay. UHPLC-MS/MS analysis detected two acetogenins (Annonacinone and Annonacin) in the EMCHS, which could be largely responsible for its selective antiproliferative effect. The identification of fatty acids by GC-FID showed the presence of eight fatty acids, among which was, oleic acid, which has recognized activity as an adjuvant in antitumor treatments. Taken together, our results indicate that the EMCHS seems promising for use as a natural therapy against gastric cancer disease.
Cannabidiol-Loaded Lipid-Stabilized Nanoparticles Alleviate Psoriasis Severity in Mice: A New Approach for Improved Topical Drug Delivery
Authors: Zamansky Mark , Yariv Doron , Feinshtein Valeria , Ben-Shabat Shimon , Sintov Amnon C.
Published: October 2023

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a promising natural agent for treating psoriasis. CBD activity is attributed to inhibition of NF-kB, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17A. The present study evaluated the anti-psoriatic effect of cannabidiol in lipid-stabilized nanoparticles (LSNs) using an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis model in mice. CBD-loaded LSNs were stabilized with three types of lipids, Cetyl alcohol (CA), Lauric acid (LA), and stearic-lauric acids (SALA), and were examined in-vitro using rat skin and in-vivo using the IMQ-model. LSNs loaded with coumarin-6 showed a localized penetration depth of about 100 µm into rat skin. The LSNs were assessed by the IMQ model accompanied by visual (psoriasis area severity index; PASI), histological, and pro-psoriatic IL-17A evaluations. Groups treated with CBD-loaded LSNs were compared to groups treated with CBD-containing emulsion, unloaded LSNs, and clobetasol propionate, and to an untreated group. CBD-loaded LSNs significantly reduced PASI scoring compared to the CBD emulsion, the unloaded LSNs, and the untreated group (negative controls). In addition, SALA- and CA-containing nanoparticles significantly inhibited IL-17A release, showing a differential response: SALA > CA > LA. The data confirms the effectiveness of CBD in psoriasis therapy and underscores LSNs as a promising platform for delivering CBD to the skin.
Identification of Absorption Spectrum for IED Precursors Using Laser Photoacoustic Spectroscopy
Authors: Bratu Ana-Maria , Petrus Mioara , Popa Cristina
Published: October 2023

Among the many commonly encountered hazards, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) remain the primary threat to military and civilian personnel due to the ease of their production and the widespread availability of their raw materials and precursors. Identifying traces of potential precursors is the first step in developing appropriate control measures. An interesting approach is to identify the precursors that are released around the site as they are handled and transformed into the final IEDs. CO2 laser photoacoustic spectroscopy can offer the spectral characterization of a number of explosives-related compounds without sample preparation. Benzene, toluene, acetone, and ethylene glycol absorption spectra were determined in the IR region between 9.2 and 10.8 µm. Each substance emitted a unique photoacoustic response corresponding to its chemical composition that could be further used to identify the explosive material.
Sintering, Mechanical and Optical Properties of TiB2 Composites with and without High-Energy Milling
Authors: Taraborelli Simone , Failla Simone , Sani Elisa , Sciti Diletta
Published: October 2023

TiB2 is a promising material for several fields including impact-resistant armor, wear-resistant coatings, cutting tools and crucibles given its physical, mechanical and chemical properties, especially due to the combination of high hardness and exceptional wear resistance. It is however very difficult to sinter below 2000 °C, even under mechanical pressure; moreover, the low fracture toughness limits the applicability of the ceramic material. By using sintering additives, it is possible to improve the sintering process and increase the mechanical properties since the additives react with oxidized layers and form secondary phases. In this study, different preparation methods and various combinations of additives (B4C, Si3N4 and MoSi2) via hot pressing sintering have been explored. Through the synergy between optimized process and tailored composition, an almost fully dense material was obtained at 1700 °C with hardness of 24.4 ± 0.2 GPa and fracture toughness of 5.4 ± 0.2 MPa m1/2. However, the highest hardness (24.5 ± 0.2 GPa) and density values were obtained for only the high-energy-milled sample with WC-Co media, featuring a core–shell grain structure. Finally, optical properties for selected samples were measured, identifying the high-energy-milled TiB2 as the sample with the highest spectral selectivity α/ε and solar absorptance.
Carbon Nanofibers Decorated by MoS2 Nanosheets with Tunable Quantity as Self-Supporting Anode for High-Performance Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Dang Liyan , Yuan Yapeng , Wang Zongyu , Li Haowei , Yang Rui , Fu Aiping , Liu Xuehua , Li Hongliang
Published: October 2023

Two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is considered as a highly promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its unique layer structure, large plane spacing, and high theoretical specific capacity; however, the overlap of MoS2 nanosheets and inherently low electrical conductivity lead to rapid capacity decay, resulting in poor cycling stability and low multiplicative performance. This severely limits its practical application in LIBs. To overcome the above problems, composite fibers with a core//sheath structure have been designed and fabricated. The sheath moiety of MoS2 nanosheets is uniformly anchored by the hydrothermal treatment of the axial of carbon nanofibers derived from an electrospinning method (CNFs//MoS2). The quantity of the MoS2 nanosheets on the CNFs substrates can be tuned by controlling the amount of utilized thiourea precursor. The influence of the MoS2 nanosheets on the electrochemical properties of the composite fibers has been investigated. The synergistic effect between MoS2 and carbon nanofibers can enhance their electrical conductivity and ionic reversibility as an anode for LIBs. The composite fibers deliver a high reversible capacity of 866.5 mA h g−1 after 200 cycles at a current density of 0.5 A g−1 and maintain a capacity of 703.3 mA h g−1 after a long cycle of 500 charge–discharge processes at 1 A g−1.
Analysis of Hazy Ga- and Zr-Co-Doped Zinc Oxide Films Prepared with Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet Systems
Authors: Luo Yu-Tang , Zhou Zhehan , Wu Cheng-Yang , Chiu Li-Ching , Juang Jia-Yang
Published: October 2023

Co-doped ZnO thin films have attracted much attention in the field of transparent conductive oxides (TCOs) in solar cells, displays, and other transparent electronics. Unlike conventional single-doped ZnO, co-doped ZnO utilizes two different dopant elements, offering enhanced electrical properties and more controllable optical properties, including transmittance and haze; however, most previous studies focused on the electrical properties, with less attention paid to obtaining high haze using co-doping. Here, we prepare high-haze Ga- and Zr-co-doped ZnO (GZO:Zr or ZGZO) using atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) systems. We conduct a detailed analysis to examine the interplay between Zr concentrations and film properties. UV-Vis spectroscopy shows a remarkable haze factor increase of 7.19% to 34.8% (+384%) for the films prepared with 2 at% Zr and 8 at% Ga precursor concentrations. EDS analysis reveals Zr accumulation on larger and smaller particles, while SIMS links particle abundance to impurity uptake and altered electrical properties. XPS identifies Zr mainly as ZrO2 because of lattice stress from Zr doping, forming clusters at lattice boundaries and corroborating the SEM findings. Our work presents a new way to fabricate Ga- and Zr-co-doped ZnO for applications that require low electrical resistivity, high visible transparency, and high haze.
Chloroplast Genome Engineering: A Plausible Approach to Combat Chili Thrips and Other Agronomic Insect Pests of Crops
Authors: Bulle Mallesham , Sheri Vijay , Aileni Mahender , Zhang Baohong
Published: October 2023

The world population’s growing demand for food is expected to increase dramatically by 2050. The agronomic productivity for food is severely affected due to biotic and abiotic constraints. At a global level, insect pests alone account for ~20% loss in crop yield every year. Deployment of noxious chemical pesticides to control insect pests always has a threatening effect on human health and environmental sustainability. Consequently, this necessitates for the establishment of innovative, environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and alternative means to mitigate insect pest management strategies. According to a recent study, using chloroplasts engineered with double-strand RNA (dsRNA) is novel successful combinatorial strategy deployed to effectively control the most vexing pest, the western flower thrips (WFT: Frankliniella occidentalis). Such biotechnological avenues allowed us to recapitulate the recent progress of research methods, such as RNAi, CRISPR/Cas, mini chromosomes, and RNA-binding proteins with plastid engineering for a plausible approach to effectively mitigate agronomic insect pests. We further discussed the significance of the maternal inheritance of the chloroplast, which is the major advantage of chloroplast genome engineering.
Genetic Variability in Carotenoid Contents in a Panel of Genebank Accessions of Temperate Maize from Southeast Europe
Authors: Šimić Domagoj , Galić Vlatko , Jambrović Antun , Ledenčan Tatjana , Kljak Kristina , Buhiniček Ivica , Šarčević Hrvoje
Published: October 2023

Carotenoids are an abundant group of lipid-soluble antioxidants in maize kernels. Maize is a key target crop for carotenoid biofortification focused on using conventional plant breeding in native germplasm of temperate areas traced back partially to traditional cultivars (landraces). In this study, the objectives were to determine the variability of lutein (LUT), zeaxanthin (ZEA), α-cryptoxanthin (αCX), β-cryptoxanthin (βCX), α-carotene (αC), and β-carotene (βC) contents in the grain of 88 accessions of temperate maize from the Croatian genebank, and to evaluate the relationships among the contents of different carotenoids as well as the relationships between kernel color and hardness and carotenoid content. Highly significant variability among the 88 accessions was detected for all carotenoids. On average, the most abundant carotenoid was LUT with 13.2 μg g−1 followed by ZEA with 6.8 μg g−1 dry matter. A Principal Component Analysis revealed a clear distinction between α- (LUT, αCX, and αC) and β-branch (ZEA; βCX, and βC) carotenoids. β-branch carotenoids were positively correlated with kernel color, and weakly positively associated with kernel hardness. Our results suggest that some genebank accessions with a certain percentage of native germplasm may be a good source of carotenoid biofortification in Southeast Europe. However, due to the lack of association between LUT and ZEA, the breeding process could be cumbersome.
Modeling of the Statistical Distribution of Tracheids in Conifer Rings: Finding Universal Criterion for Earlywood–Latewood Distinction
Authors: Belokopytova Liliana V. , Zhirnova Dina F. , Yang Bao , Babushkina Elena A. , Vaganov Eugene A.
Published: October 2023

The quantitative description of growth rings is yet incomplete, including the functional division into earlywood and latewood. Methods developed to date, such as the Mork criterion for conifers, can be biased and arbitrary depending on species and growth conditions. We proposed the use of modeling of the statistical distribution of tracheids to determine a universal criterion applicable to all conifer species. Thisstudy was based on 50-year anatomical measurements of Pinus sylvestris L., Pinus sibirica Du Tour, and Picea obovata Ledeb. near the upper tree line in the Western Sayan Mountains (South Siberia). Statistical distributions of the cell wall thickness (CWT)-to-radial-diameter (D) ratio and its slope were investigated for raw and standardized data (divided by the mean). The bimodal distribution of the slope for standardized CWT and D was modeled with beta distributions for earlywood and latewood tracheids and a generalized normal distribution for transition wood to account for the gradual shift in cell traits. The modelcan describe with high accuracy the growth ring structure for species characterized by various proportions of latewood, histometric traits, and gradual or abrupt transition. The proportion of two (or three, including transition wood) zones in the modeled distribution is proposed as a desired criterion.
Evaluation of the Effect of Organic Matter from Invasive Plants on Soil Nematode Communities
Authors: Jakubcsiková Michaela , Demková Lenka , Renčo Marek , Čerevková Andrea
Published: October 2023

Invasive plants can cause loss of biodiversity and degradation of ecosystems with varying degrees of impact on soil communities. Little is known about how the organic matter of these invaders in the soil affects soil properties and nematode communities. We performed a pot experiment with non-invaded grassland soil and organic matter from two invasive plants, Fallopia japonica and Solidago gigantea, to assess and compare the composition and function of the nematode communities and soil properties. We tested five treatments: (1) non-invaded grassland soil (S), (2) 100% decayed organic matter from F. japonica (OMF), (3) 100% decayed organic matter from S. gigantea (OMS), (4) 50% soil plus 50% organic matter from F. japonica (S/OMF), and (5) 50% soil plus 50% organic matter from S. gigantea (S/OMS). Analysis of nematode composition was conducted over five months from May to September. The number of identified genera and diversity index was highest in the S treatment. The soil moisture content was highest, pH and the diversity index were lowest and herbivorous nematodes were absent in OMF and OMS treatments. The addition of OMF and OMS to soil decreased the soil pH and moisture content and increased the contents of organic carbon and total nitrogen. In S/OMF, the abundance of herbivores was lower than in S and the abundances of bacterivores and fungivores decreased during the study period. In the S/OMS, a significantly high diversity index was observed, similar to that in the S treatment. The selected ecological and functional indices differed between S/OMF, S/OMS and S, but not significantly. Our findings indicated that the organic matter from the two invasive plants could differentially contribute to interactions with nematode communities. A decrease in productivity and the slowing of nutrient cycling demonstrated by the decrease in the abundances of bacterivores and fungivorous nematodes may be common adding organic matter of invasive plants to soil. A decrease in the abundance of herbivores after the application of organic matter of F. japonica could potentially be used as an ecologically friendly management strategy against plant parasitic nematodes.
Overexpression of IlHMA2, from Iris lactea, Improves the Accumulation of and Tolerance to Cadmium in Tobacco
Authors: Li Cui , Wang Qinghai , Hou Xincun , Zhao Chunqiao , Guo Qiang
Published: October 2023

Long-distance transport cadmium (Cd) from roots to shoots is a key factor for Cd phytoremediation. Our previous study indicated that heavy metal P1B2-ATPases, IlHMA2, was involved in improving the accumulation of Cd via mediated long-distance transport Cd, contributing to the phytoremediation in Cd accumulator Iris lactea. However, whether the overexpression of IlHMA2 could enhance the accumulation and tolerance to Cd remains unclear in plants. Here, we generated transgenic tobacco overexpressing IlHMA2 and tested its effect on the translocation and accumulation of Cd and zinc (Zn), as well as the physio-biochemical characteristics under 50 mg/L Cd exposure. The overexpression of IlHMA2 significantly increased Cd concentrations in xylem saps, resulting in enhanced root-to-shoot Cd translocation compared with wild-type. Meanwhile, overexpressing IlHMA2 promoted Zn accumulations, accompanied by elevating proline contents and antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD, POD, and CAT) to diminish the overproduction of ROS in transgenic tobacco. These pieces of evidence suggested that higher Zn concentrations and lower ROS levels could tremendously alleviate Cd toxicity for transgenic tobacco, thereby improving the growth and tolerance. Overall, the overexpression of IlHMA2 could facilitate Cd accumulation and enhance its tolerance in tobacco exposed to Cd contaminations. This would provide a valuable reference for improving Cd phytoremediation efficiency.
Flavonoid Biosynthesis Pathway May Indirectly Affect Outcrossing Rate of Cytoplasmic Male–Sterile Lines of Soybean
Authors: Lin Chunjing , Duan Yuetong , Li Rong , Wang Pengnian , Sun Yanyan , Ding Xiaoyang , Zhang Jingyong , Yan Hao , Zhang Wei , Peng Bao , Zhao Limei , Zhang Chunbao
Published: October 2023

(1) Background: Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is important for exploiting heterosis. Soybean (Glycine max L.) has a low outcrossing rate that is detrimental for breeding sterile lines and producing hybrid seeds. Therefore, the molecular mechanism controlling the outcrossing rate should be elucidated to increase the outcrossing rate of soybean CMS lines; (2) Methods: The male–sterile soybean lines JLCMS313A (with a high outcrossing rate; HL) and JLCMS226A (with a low outcrossing rate; LL) were used for a combined analysis of the transcriptome (RNA–seq) and the targeted phenol metabolome; (3) Results: The comparison between HL and LL detected 5946 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 81 phenolic metabolites. The analysis of the DEGs and differentially abundant phenolic metabolites identified only one common KEGG pathway related to flavonoid biosynthesis. The qRT–PCR expression for eight DEGs was almost consistent with the transcriptome data. The comparison of the cloned coding sequence (CDS) regions of the SUS, FLS, UGT, and F3H genes between HL and LL revealed seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) only in the F3H CDS. Moreover, five significant differentially abundant phenolic metabolites between HL and LL were associated with flavonoid metabolic pathways. Finally, on the basis of the SNPs in the F3H CDS, one derived cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (dCAPS) marker was developed to distinguish between HL and LL soybean lines; (4) Conclusions: The flavonoid biosynthesis pathway may indirectly affect the outcrossing rate of CMS sterile lines in soybean.
Effect of Soil Environment on Species Diversity of Desert Plant Communities
Authors: Sun Jie , Wang Nai’ang , Niu Zhenmin
Published: October 2023

Desert ecosystems possess an astonishing biodiversity and are rich in endangered species. This study investigated characteristics of species diversity and soil environmental factors in three major deserts of China’s Alxa Plateau. The Alxa Desert included 183 plant species belonging to 109 genera and 35 families. The highest numbers of plant species belonged to the Compositae, Gramineae, and Chenopodiaceae families. The research area belongs to the semi-shrub and small semi-shrub deserts in temperate deserts. Species diversity was low, with the Shannon–Wiener index (H′) of shrub-herb = shrub > herb > tree. The Pielou evenness index (E) of shrub herb vegetation was the lowest, indicating more enriched species and fewer sparse species in the community, and that these types of vegetation had the characteristics of rich and obviously dominant species. Redundancy analysis (RDA) and correlations between the comprehensive plant community biodiversity index and soil factors indicated that soil-available phosphorus (NP), organic matter (SOM), and electrical conductivity (EC) had significant impacts on community species diversity. The herbaceous shrub community exhibited the highest H′, Simpson index (D), species richness index (S), soil moisture (SW), and soil nutrients. Planting Calligonum mongolicum, Ephedra membranacea, Artemisia annua, and Phragmites australis to form a typical desert shrub community for community diversity protection is recommended to effectively protect and restore desert ecosystems.
Self-Healing Antimicrobial Silicones—Mechanisms and Applications
Authors: Kowalewska Anna , Majewska-Smolarek Kamila
Published: October 2023

Organosilicon polymers (silicones) are an important part of material chemistry and a well-established commercial product segment with a wide range of applications. Silicones are of enduring interest due to their unique properties and utility. Recently, new application areas for silicone-based materials have emerged, such as stretchable electronics, wearable stress sensors, smart coatings, and soft robotics. For this reason, research interest over the past decade has been directed towards new methods of crosslinking and increasing the mechanical strength of polyorganosiloxanes. The introduction of self-healing mechanisms may be a promising alternative for such high-value materials. This approach has gained both growing research interest and a rapidly expanding range of applications. Inherent extrinsic and intrinsic self-healing methods have been used in the self-healing of silicones and have resulted in significant advances in polymer composites and coatings, including multicomponent systems. In this review, we present a summary of research work dedicated to the synthesis and applications of self-healing hybrid materials containing polysiloxane segments, with a focus on antimicrobial and antifouling coatings.
Dual-Pulsed Laser Ablation of Oyster Shell Producing Novel Thin Layers Deposed to Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Cocean Georgiana , Cocean Alexandru , Garofalide Silvia , Pelin Vasile , Munteanu Bogdanel Silvestru , Pricop Daniela Angelica , Motrescu Iuliana , Dimitriu Dan Gheorghe , Cocean Iuliana , Gurlui Silviu
Published: October 2023

Dual-pulsed (DPL) laser deposition using oyster shells as targets was studied in order to find out if this method can replace the use of high-power pulsed lasers. Aspects related to changes in the morphological structure of the thin layer but also to the chemical composition of the obtained thin layer were analyzed and compared with the target as well as with the thin layers obtained with a higher power pulsed laser in a single-pulsed (SPL) regime. Orthorhombic structures were noticed with Scanning Electron Microscopy for the thin film obtained in DPL mode compared to the irregular particles obtained in SPL mode. The deacetylation process during ablation was evidenced by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, resulting in chitosan-based thin films. The effect of the obtained thin films of chitosan on the cells of baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) was studied. Restoration of the yeast paste into initial yeast was noticed mainly when the hemp fabric was used as support for the coating with yeas which was after that coated with chitosan thin film produced by DPL method.
Unfolding of Lignin Structure Using Size-Exclusion Fractionation
Authors: LaVallie Audrey , Andrianova Anastasia A. , Schumaker Joshua , Reagen Sarah , Lu Shelly , Smoliakova Irina P. , Kozliak Evguenii I. , Kubátová Alena
Published: October 2023

The heterogeneous and recalcitrant structure of lignin hinders its practical application. Here, we describe how new approaches to lignin characterization can reveal structural details that could ultimately lead to its more efficient utilization. A suite of methods, which enabled mass balance closure, the evaluation of structural features, and an accurate molecular weight (MW) determination, were employed and revealed unexpected structural features of the five alkali lignin fractions obtained with preparative size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). A thermal carbon analysis (TCA) provided quantitative temperature profiles based on sequential carbon evolution, including the final oxidation of char. The TCA results, supported with thermal desorption/pyrolysis gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (TD-Py-GC-MS) and 31P NMR spectroscopy, revealed the unfolding of the lignin structure as a result of the SEC fractionation, due to the disruption of the interactions between the high- and low-MW components. The “unraveled” lignin revealed poorly accessible hydroxyl groups and showed an altered thermal behavior. The fractionated lignin produced significantly less char upon pyrolysis, 2 vs. 47%. It also featured a higher occurrence of low-MW thermal evolution products, particularly guaiacol carbonyls, and more than double the number of OH groups accessible for phosphitylation. These observations indicate pronounced alterations in the lignin intermolecular association following size-exclusion fractionation, which may be used for more efficient lignin processing in biorefineries.
Anti-Obesity Effects of Chitosan and Its Derivatives
Authors: Shagdarova Balzhima , Konovalova Mariya , Varlamov Valery , Svirshchevskaya Elena
Published: October 2023

The number of obese people in the world is rising, leading to an increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders. The search for medications including natural compounds for the prevention of obesity is an urgent task. Chitosan polysaccharide obtained through the deacetylation of chitin, and its derivatives, including short-chain oligosaccharides (COS), have hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and antioxidant properties. Chemical modifications of chitosan can produce derivatives with increased solubility under neutral conditions, making them potential therapeutic substances for use in the treatment of metabolic disorders. Multiple studies both in animals and clinical trials have demonstrated that chitosan improves the gut microbiota, restores intestinal barrier dysfunction, and regulates thermogenesis and lipid metabolism. However, the effect of chitosan is rather mild, especially if used for a short periods, and is mostly independent of chitosan’s physical characteristics. We hypothesized that the major mechanism of chitosan’s anti-obesity effect is its flocculant properties, enabling it to collect the chyme in the gastrointestinal tract and facilitating the removal of extra food. This review summarizes the results of the use of COS, chitosan, and its derivatives in obesity control in terms of pathways of action and structural activity.
Dynamic Surface Properties of α-Lactalbumin Fibril Dispersions
Authors: Noskov Boris , Loglio Giuseppe , Miller Reinhard , Milyaeva Olga , Panaeva Maria , Bykov Alexey
Published: October 2023

The dynamic surface properties of aqueous dispersions of α-lactalbumin (ALA) amyloid fibrils differ noticeably from the properties of the fibril dispersions of other globular proteins. As a result, the protocol of the application of ALA fibrils to form stable foams and emulsions has to be deviate from that of other protein fibrils. Unlike the fibrils of β-lactoglobulin and lysozyme, ALA fibrils can be easily purified from hydrolyzed peptides and native protein molecules. The application of the oscillating barrier method shows that the dynamic surface elasticity of ALA fibril dispersions exceeds the surface elasticity of native protein solutions at pH 2. ALA fibrils proved to be stable at this pH, but the stability breaks at higher pH levels when the fibrils start to release small peptides of high surface activity. As a result, the dynamic surface properties of ALA coincide with those of native protein solutions. The ionic strength strongly influences the adsorption kinetics of both fibril dispersions and native protein solutions but have almost no impact on the structure of the adsorption layers.
Study on Residence Time Distribution of Particles in a Quasi-Two-Dimensional Batch Discharge Silo Using the Multi-Simulation Averaging Method
Authors: Zhu Jingzhen , Xu Wentao , Zheng Rongyao , Wang Can , Li Xiwen
Published: October 2023

As the primary carrier for storing and transporting particles, the silo is widely used in the production process. The RTD is a promising method for studying the silo discharge process and has not been studied enough. This paper presents a study on the residence time distribution (RTD) and flow pattern of particles in a two-dimensional flat-bottom batch discharge silo under gravity using experiments and the discrete element method (DEM). Meanwhile, a multi-simulation averaging method is proposed to eliminate local fluctuations in the residence time. The results are as follows. The mean flow rate is 16.85 g·s−1 in simulations, which is only 2.7% larger than the experimental value. In the central area of the silo, the residence time contour lines take on elliptical shapes and the trajectories of particles are straight lines. The particles are distributed along the elliptical residence time contour lines all the time during the discharge process until they flow out of the silo. The particles near the side wall of the silo swiftly flow with a constant acceleration to the central line of the silo along the upper horizontal surface, which has become avalanche slopes, and then flow down the outlet together with the particles in the radial flow region. In this study, an elliptical distribution law during the silo discharge process was funded for the first time. An improved radial flow model was proposed with a higher accuracy and clearer physical meaning, which will be helpful in silo design and scaling up in industrial applications.
Characteristics and Genesis of Biomarker Assemblages of Mesozoic Coal Measure Source Rocks in the Kuqa Depression, Tarim Basin, China
Authors: Zhang Wenjun , Zhang Wenyu , Lin Shumin , Ke Xing , Xiang Wei , He Taohua , Zhang Min
Published: October 2023

The Tarim Basin, a significant region of coal-derived gas generation in China, has widely dispersed coal measure source rocks, especially in the Kuqa Depression. The typical coal measure strata from the Kuqa River and Kapushaliang River sections in the Kuqa Depression were systematically sampled. According to a conventional geochemical analysis (including materials and lithology), a total of 25 typical coal measure source rock samples were chosen for chromatography and chromatography–mass spectrometry examination. It was demonstrated that there were significant discrepancies in the coal source rock samples, particularly the coal rock from the Kuqa River section and the Kapushaliang River section. The specific performance of the Kuqa River section was characterized by a high Pr/Ph ratio (up to 9.29), a low gammacerane ratio, a low abundance of tricyclic terpane, and an “L”-type distribution of regular steranes, all of which are consistent with the properties of humic coal found in freshwater lakes that have undergone partial oxidation. The Kapushaliang River section, by contrast, exhibited a low Pr/Ph ratio (<1.0), a high gammacerane ratio, a concentration of tricyclic terpane comparable to that of hopane, and a distribution of regular steranes in a “V” shape, all of which indicate a strongly reduced saline water environment. Additionally, the degree of thermal evolution is not the key factor resulting in the above biomarker diversity within the CSRs, which was supported by the poor correlation between the maturity parameters (Ro%, Tmax °C), the sedimentary environment-related parameters (such as Pr/Ph and Ga/C31H), and the biogenic-related parameters (such as ∑tricyclic terpane/∑ hopane and ∑sterane/∑hopane). A comparative analysis suggested that transgression-related changes in the redox conditions and parent materials triggered the biomarker diversity within the CSRs, resulting in a large difference in the hydrocarbon-forming parent materials between the two abovementioned outcrop sections. These might provide some insight for hydrocarbon exploration from CSRs, which have been attracting increasing attention in China, with proven coal reserves are ranked first in the world.
Research on Quantitative Evaluation Methods of New Energy Accommodation Factors under Synergistic Scenes
Authors: He Guangyu , Zhang Xinyan , Cui Ku , Wang Xianlan , Zhang Hongtu , Wang Zhilei
Published: October 2023

In light of the recent announcement of the primary construction objectives of the modern energy system during the “14th Five-Year Plan”, the renewable energy industry has experienced rapid growth. The accurate assessment of the effects of renewable energy accommodation driven by various factors under the synergistic influence of “Source-Grid-Load-Storage” is vital for guiding the scientific planning and rational arrangement of the future energy system. For this purpose, this paper comprehensively considers boundary conditions such as power demand, load characteristics, cross-regional transmission characteristics, renewable energy resources and output characteristics, as well as energy storage characteristics. Based on the principle of simulation of time series production, this paper establishes a model for evaluating renewable energy accommodation and introduces a continuous optimization solution method. Taking the renewable energy accommodation of the power grid in a Chinese region as a case, this paper constructs 16 representative scenes that satisfy the development plans of various factors in the region. In conjunction with the simulation results of these 16 scenes, this paper uses the Shapley value method to determine the increased accommodation capacity of renewable energy promoted by multiple factors under the synergistic effect. The analysis results show that the Shapley value method examines the entire development process from the current situation to the synergistic scenes. By comprehensively weighing all development scenes regarding the increased accommodation capacity of various factors, this paper quantifies the effects of each factor under the synergistic scenes.
Lower Paleolithic Shaped Stone Balls—What Is Next? Some Cultural–Cognitive Questions
Authors: Assaf Ella , Baena Preysler Javier , Bruner Emiliano
Published: October 2023

Shaped stone balls (SSBs) were an integral part of human culture across the Old World for nearly 2 million years. They are one of the oldest implements made and used by humans. In this significant era, which was characterised by biological and cultural transformations, these round implements were a stable hallmark throughout the Lower Paleolithic period and beyond. However, while much research progress has been made in other stone tool categories, and despite the increased research efforts in recent years, attempts to define SSB function and typology have remained inconclusive, and broader cultural and cognitive aspects related to their production techniques, use and dispersal have yet to be explored in depth. What is the significance of their continuous presence and wide geographical distribution? What do these imply regarding the cognitive abilities of Oldowan and Acheulian humans? In this paper, we turn the spotlight on these enigmatic items. We address unresolved issues and explore the ergonomic and perceptual properties stimulated by the geometry of these items. We show that stone ball variability matches (modern) human hand palm variability. Moreover, when using SSBs in percussion activities, they are handled with the entire palm. Following, we discuss the role of SSBs in the context of socio-cultural processes. We suggest that SSBs reflect some of the earliest evidence in human history of a specific form that was conceptualised and recurrently acted upon.
An Image Stereo Matching Algorithm with Multi-Spectral Attention Mechanism
Authors: Quan Zhenhua , Wu Bin , Luo Liang
Published: October 2023

With the advancement of artificial intelligence technology and computer hardware, the stereo matching algorithm has been widely researched and applied in the field of image processing. In scenarios such as robot navigation and autonomous driving, stereo matching algorithms are used to assist robots in acquiring depth information about the surrounding environment, thereby improving the robot’s ability for autonomous navigation during self-driving. In this paper, we address the issue of low matching accuracy of stereo matching algorithms in specular regions of images and propose a multi-attention-based stereo matching algorithm called MANet. The proposed algorithm embeds a multi-spectral attention module into the residual feature-extraction network of the PSMNet algorithm. It utilizes different 2D discrete cosine transforms to extract frequency-specific feature information, providing rich and effective features for cost computation in matching. The pyramid pooling module incorporates a coordinated attention mechanism, which not only maintains long-range dependencies with directional awareness but also captures more positional information during the pooling process, thereby enhancing the network’s representational capacity. The MANet algorithm was evaluated on three major benchmark datasets, namely, SceneFlow, KITTI2015, and KITTI2012, and compared with relevant algorithms. Experimental results demonstrated that the MANet algorithm achieved higher accuracy in predicting disparities and exhibited stronger robustness against specular reflections, enabling more accurate disparity prediction in specular regions.
Deep Multi-Branch CNN Architecture for Early Alzheimer’s Detection from Brain MRIs
Authors: Mandal Paul K. , Mahto Rakeshkumar V.
Published: October 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that can cause dementia and result in a severe reduction in brain function, inhibiting simple tasks, especially if no preventative care is taken. Over 1 in 9 Americans suffer from AD-induced dementia, and unpaid care for people with AD-related dementia is valued at USD 271.6 billion. Hence, various approaches have been developed for early AD diagnosis to prevent its further progression. In this paper, we first review other approaches that could be used for the early detection of AD. We then give an overview of our dataset and propose a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture consisting of 7,866,819 parameters. This model comprises three different convolutional branches, each having a different length. Each branch is comprised of different kernel sizes. This model can predict whether a patient is non-demented, mild-demented, or moderately demented with a 99.05% three-class accuracy. In summary, the deep CNN model demonstrated exceptional accuracy in the early diagnosis of AD, offering a significant advancement in the field and the potential to improve patient care.
Physical-Vapor-Deposited Metal Oxide Thin Films for pH Sensing Applications: Last Decade of Research Progress
Authors: Nur-E-Alam Mohammad , Maurya Devendra Kumar , Yap Boon Kar , Rajabi Armin , Doroody Camellia , Bin Mohamed Hassan , Khandaker Mayeen Uddin , Islam Mohammad Aminul , Kiong Tiong Sieh
Published: October 2023

In the last several decades, metal oxide thin films have attracted significant attention for the development of various existing and emerging technological applications, including pH sensors. The mandate for consistent and precise pH sensing techniques has been increasing across various fields, including environmental monitoring, biotechnology, food and agricultural industries, and medical diagnostics. Metal oxide thin films grown using physical vapor deposition (PVD) with precise control over film thickness, composition, and morphology are beneficial for pH sensing applications such as enhancing pH sensitivity and stability, quicker response, repeatability, and compatibility with miniaturization. Various PVD techniques, including sputtering, evaporation, and ion beam deposition, used to fabricate thin films for tailoring materials’ properties for the advanced design and development of high-performing pH sensors, have been explored worldwide by many research groups. In addition, various thin film materials have also been investigated, including metal oxides, nitrides, and nanostructured films, to make very robust pH sensing electrodes with higher pH sensing performance. The development of novel materials and structures has enabled higher sensitivity, improved selectivity, and enhanced durability in harsh pH environments. The last decade has witnessed significant advancements in PVD thin films for pH sensing applications. The combination of precise film deposition techniques, novel materials, and surface functionalization strategies has led to improved pH sensing performance, making PVD thin films a promising choice for future pH sensing technologies.
Research on Fine-Grained Image Recognition of Birds Based on Improved YOLOv5
Authors: Yi Xiaomei , Qian Cheng , Wu Peng , Maponde Brian Tapiwanashe , Jiang Tengteng , Ge Wenying
Published: October 2023

Birds play a vital role in maintaining biodiversity. Accurate identification of bird species is essential for conducting biodiversity surveys. However, fine-grained image recognition of birds encounters challenges due to large within-class differences and small inter-class differences. To solve this problem, our study took a part-based approach, dividing the identification task into two parts: part detection and identification classification. We proposed an improved bird part detection algorithm based on YOLOv5, which can handle partial overlap and complex environmental conditions between part objects. The backbone network incorporates the Res2Net-CBAM module to enhance the receptive fields of each network layer, strengthen the channel characteristics, and improve the sensitivity of the model to important information. Additionally, in order to boost data on features extraction and channel self-regulation, we have integrated CBAM attention mechanisms into the neck. The success rate of our suggested model, according to experimental findings, is 86.6%, 1.2% greater than the accuracy of the original model. Furthermore, when compared with other algorithms, our model’s accuracy shows noticeable improvement. These results show how useful the method we suggested is for quickly and precisely recognizing different bird species.