bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Osteoinductive Properties of Autologous Dentin: An Ex Vivo Study on Extracted Teeth
Authors: Mazzucchi Giulia , Mariano Alessia , Serafini Giorgio , Lamazza Luca , Scotto d’Abusco Anna , De Biase Alberto , Lollobrigida Marco
Published: June 2024

Over the last decades, a variety of biomaterials, ranging from synthetic products to autologous and heterologous grafts, have been recommended to conserve and regenerate bone tissue after tooth extraction. We conducted a biochemical study on ground extracted teeth that aimed to evaluate the osteoinductive and osteoconductive potential of dentin by assessing the releases of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-2), osteocalcin (OC) and osteonectin (ON) over time (24 h, 10 days and 28 days). Twenty-six patients, who required the extraction of nonrestorable teeth, were enrolled in the study according to the inclusion criteria, as follows: thirteen young patients 18 to 49 years of age (UNDER 50), and thirteen patients of 50 to 70 years (OVER 50); a total of twenty-six teeth were extracted, ground and analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). All ground teeth released BMP-2, OC and ON at each time point; no differences were observed between the UNDER-50 and OVER-50 patients. The results of the study support the use of autologous dentin as osteoinductive material for bone regeneration procedures, irrespective of patients’ ages.
The Impact of Audit Characteristics on Earnings Management: Evidence from Dubai Banks
Authors: Jameel Sinan Zuhair Mohammed , Al-Sendy Ali Malallah , Hamoudi Kubra Muhammad Taher
Published: June 2024

This study investigated the impact of audit committee characteristics on earnings management based on data collected from the annual reports of banks operating in Dubai from 2010 to 2022. The audit committee’s independence and the number of members had a statistically significant effect on earnings management. Nevertheless, auditor reputation, gender, financial expertise, time commitment, and the number of meetings insignificantly affected earnings management. The implications of this study benefit both business leaders and investors, who aim to observe the actual state of their company’s finances by strengthening the auditing process.
New Meroterpenoids and α-Pyrone Derivatives Isolated from the Mangrove Endophytic Fungal Strain Aspergillus sp. GXNU-Y85
Authors: Wang Chungu , Wang Fanfan , Tao Pingfang , Shao Yuanling , Li Qing , Gu Minmin , Liao Zhixin , Qin Feng
Published: June 2024

Two new meroterpenoids, aspergienynes O and P (1 and 2), one new natural compound, aspergienyne Q (3), and a new α-pyrone derivative named 3-(4-methoxy-2-oxo-2H-pyran-6-yl)butanoic acid (4) were isolated from the mangrove endophytic fungal strain Aspergillus sp. GXNU-Y85, along with five known compounds (5–9). The absolute configurations of those new isolates were confirmed through extensive analysis using spectroscopic data (HRESIMS, NMR, and ECD). The pharmacological study of the anti-proliferation activity indicated that isolates 5 and 9 displayed moderate inhibitory effects against HeLa and A549 cells, with the IC50 values ranging from 16.6 to 45.4 μM.
Nanoliposomal Encapsulation of Capparis spinosa Extract and Its Application in Jelly Formulation
Authors: Zahedi Younes , Shaddel Rezvan , Salamatian Masoumeh , Szumny Antoni
Published: June 2024

This research aimed to encapsulate the Capparis spinosa fruit extract to increase its stability for incorporation into food products such as jelly or jelly powder. After extraction, the nanoliposomes containing the extract were prepared in ratios of 60-0, 50-10, 40-20, and 30-30 lecithin-to-cholesterol. The effects of lecithin-to-cholesterol concentrations on the related parameters were then evaluated. The results showed that the average particle size was in the range of 95.05 to 164.25 nm, and with an increasing cholesterol concentration, the particle size of the nanoliposomes increased. The addition of cholesterol increased the zeta potential from −60.40 to −68.55 millivolt. Furthermore, cholesterol led to an increase in encapsulation efficiency, and even improved the stability of phenolic compounds loaded in nanoliposomes during storage time. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the successful loading of the extract. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) analysis revealed nano-sized spherical and almost-elliptical liposomes. For jelly powders, the water solubility index ranged from 39.5 to 43.7% (p > 0.05), and the hygroscopicity values ranged between 1.22 and 9.36 g/100 g (p < 0.05). In conclusion, nanoencapsulated Capparis spinosa extract displayed improved stability and can be used in jelly preparation without any challenge or unfavorable perception.
Synthesis and Cheminformatics-Directed Antibacterial Evaluation of Echinosulfonic Acid-Inspired Bis-Indole Alkaloids
Authors: Holland Darren C. , Hayton Joshua B. , Kiefel Milton J. , Carroll Anthony R.
Published: June 2024

Synthetic efforts toward complex natural product (NP) scaffolds are useful ones, particularly those aimed at expanding their bioactive chemical space. Here, we utilised an orthogonal cheminformatics-based approach to predict the potential biological activities for a series of synthetic bis-indole alkaloids inspired by elusive sponge-derived NPs, echinosulfone A (1) and echinosulfonic acids A–D (2–5). Our work includes the first synthesis of desulfato-echinosulfonic acid C, an α-hydroxy bis(3′-indolyl) alkaloid (17), and its full NMR characterisation. This synthesis provides corroborating evidence for the structure revision of echinosulfonic acids A-C. Additionally, we demonstrate a robust synthetic strategy toward a diverse range of α-methine bis(3′-indolyl) acids and acetates (11–16) without the need for silica-based purification in either one or two steps. By integrating our synthetic library of bis-indoles with bioactivity data for 2048 marine indole alkaloids (reported up to the end of 2021), we analyzed their overlap with marine natural product chemical diversity. Notably, the C-6 dibrominated α-hydroxy bis(3′-indolyl) and α-methine bis(3′-indolyl) analogues (11, 14, and 17) were found to contain significant overlap with antibacterial C-6 dibrominated marine bis-indoles, guiding our biological evaluation. Validating the results of our cheminformatics analyses, the dibrominated α-methine bis(3′-indolyl) alkaloids (11, 12, 14, and 15) were found to exhibit antibacterial activities against methicillin-sensitive and -resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Further, while investigating other synthetic approaches toward bis-indole alkaloids, 16 incorrectly assigned synthetic α-hydroxy bis(3′-indolyl) alkaloids were identified. After careful analysis of their reported NMR data, and comparison with those obtained for the synthetic bis-indoles reported herein, all of the structures have been revised to α-methine bis(3′-indolyl) alkaloids.
Triazine and Fused Thiophene-Based Donor-Acceptor Type Semiconducting Conjugated Polymer for Enhanced Visible-Light-Induced H2 Production
Authors: Liu Jian , Zhang Shengling , Long Xinshu , Jin Xiaomin , Zhu Yangying , Duan Shengxia , Zhao Jinsheng
Published: June 2024

Conjugated polymers have attracted significant attention in the field of photocatalysis due to their exceptional properties, including versatile optimization, cost-effectiveness, and structure stability. Herein, two conjugated porous polymers, PhIN-CPP and ThIN-CPP, based on triazines, were meticulously designed and successfully synthesized using benzene and thiophene as building blocks. Based on UV diffuse reflection spectra, the photonic band gaps of PhIN-CPP and ThIN-CPP were calculated as 2.05 eV and 1.79 eV. The PhIN-CPP exhibited a high hydrogen evolution rate (HER) of 5359.92 μmol·g−1·h−1, which is 10 times higher than that of Thin-CPP (538.49 μmol·g−1·h−1). The remarkable disparity in the photocatalytic performance can be primarily ascribed to alterations in the band structure of the polymers, which includes its more stable benzene units, fluffier structure, larger specific surface area, most pronounced absorption occurring in the visible region and highly extended conjugation with a high density of electrons. The ΔEST values for PhIN-CPP and ThIN-CPP were calculated as 0.79 eV and 0.80 eV, respectively, based on DFT and TD-DFT calculations, which revealed that the incorporation of triazine units in the as-prepared CMPs could enhance the charge transfer via S1 ↔ T1 and was beneficial to the photocatalytic decomposition of H2O. This study presents a novel concept for developing a hybrid system for preparation of H2 by photocatalysis with effectiveness, sustainability, and economy.
Essential Oil from Vietnamese Peperomia leptostachya Hook. & Arn. (Piperaceae): Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Cytotoxic Activities, and In Silico Analysis
Authors: Nguyen Hien Minh , Pham Ty Viet , Vo Hung Quoc , Nguyen Hoai Thi , Nguyen Linh Thuy Khanh , Nguyen Bao Chi , Chung Khanh Linh , Ho Duc Viet
Published: June 2024

This study is the first to investigate the chemical composition and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities of Peperomia leptostachya leaf oil. A yellow oil was obtained through hydro-distillation, with a yield of 0.1% (w/w). The GC-MS analysis revealed 66 compounds, constituting 99.6% of the oil. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons predominated (70.4%), followed by monoterpene hydrocarbons (13.2%), oxygenated sesquiterpenes (12.4%), non-terpenic compounds (2.0%), and oxygenated monoterpenes (1.6%). Major constituents included germacrene D (25.1%), (E)-caryophyllene (17.4%), bicyclogermacrene (6.6%), α-pinene (6.2%), and β-pinene (4.7%). The assessment of antioxidant capacity via 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay yielded a weak effect, with an IC50 value > 100 µg/mL. The inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 cells was quantified using the MTT assay, showing an IC50 value of 15.15 ± 0.68 µg/mL. Furthermore, cytotoxic effects on SK-LU-1 cell line growth were evaluated using the sulforhodamine B assay, resulting in an IC50 value of 37.45 ± 2.43 μg/mL. The anti-inflammatory activity was notable among the analyzed bioactivities of this oil. By employing a computational model, the predominant secondary metabolites in the essential oil were selected as candidates for interaction analysis with cyclooxygenase-2, an enzyme implicated in the inflammatory response. Our findings suggest that P. leptostachya leaf oil could serve as a potential source of natural compounds with prospective therapeutic effects in treating inflammatory conditions.
Research Progress on the Extraction and Purification of Anthocyanins and Their Interactions with Proteins
Authors: Xue Hongkun , Zha Min , Tang Yingqi , Zhao Jianduo , Du Xiaopeng , Wang Yu
Published: June 2024

Anthocyanins, as the most critical water-soluble pigments in nature, are widely present in roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and fruit peels. Many studies have indicated that anthocyanins exhibit various biological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, hypoglycemic, vision protection, and anti-aging. Hence, anthocyanins are widely used in food, medicine, and cosmetics. The green and efficient extraction and purification of anthocyanins are an important prerequisite for their further development and utilization. However, the poor stability and low bioavailability of anthocyanins limit their application. Protein, one of the three essential nutrients for the human body, has good biocompatibility and biodegradability. Proteins are commonly used in food processing, but their functional properties need to be improved. Notably, anthocyanins can interact with proteins through covalent and non-covalent means during food processing, which can effectively improve the stability of anthocyanins and enhance their bioavailability. Moreover, the interactions between proteins and anthocyanins can also improve the functional characteristics and enhance the nutritional quality of proteins. Hence, this article systematically reviews the extraction and purification methods for anthocyanins. Moreover, this review also systematically summarizes the effect of the interactions between anthocyanins and proteins on the bioavailability of anthocyanins and their impact on protein properties. Furthermore, we also introduce the application of the interaction between anthocyanins and proteins. The findings can provide a theoretical reference for the application of anthocyanins and proteins in food deep processing.
New Hydroxylactones and Chloro-Hydroxylactones Obtained by Biotransformation of Bicyclic Halolactones and Their Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Grabarczyk Małgorzata , Duda-Madej Anna , Romanenko Fedor , Maciejewska Gabriela , Mączka Wanda , Białońska Agata , Wińska Katarzyna
Published: June 2024

The aim of this study was to obtain new halolactones with a gem-dimethyl group in the cyclohexane ring (at the C-3 or C-5 carbon) and a methyl group in the lactone ring and then subject them to biotransformations using filamentous fungi. Halolactones in the form of mixtures of two diasteroisomers were subjected to screening biotransformations, which showed that only compounds with a gem-dimethyl group located at the C-5 carbon were transformed. Strains from the genus Fusarium carried out hydrolytic dehalogenation, while strains from the genus Absidia carried out hydroxylation of the C-7 carbon. Both substrates and biotransformation products were then tested for antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant strains of both bacteria and yeast-like fungi. The highest antifungal activity against C. dubliniensis and C. albicans strains was obtained for compound 5b, while antimicrobial activity against S. aureus MRSA was obtained for compound 4a.
Flexible Substrate-Compatible and Efficiency-Improved Quantum-Dot Light-Emitting Diodes with Reduced Annealing Temperature of NiOx Hole-Injecting Layer
Authors: Xu Shuai-Hao , Xu Jin-Zhe , Tang Ying-Bo , Meng Shu-Guang , Liu Wei-Zhi , Zhou Dong-Ying , Liao Liang-Sheng
Published: June 2024

The growing demand for wearable and attachable displays has sparked significant interest in flexible quantum-dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs). However, the challenges of fabricating and operating QLEDs on flexible substrates persist due to the lack of stable and low-temperature processable charge-injection/-transporting layers with aligned energy levels. In this study, we utilized NiOx nanoparticles that are compatible with flexible substrates as a hole-injection layer (HIL). To enhance the work function of the NiOx HIL, we introduced a self-assembled dipole modifier called 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoic acid (4–CF3–BA) onto the surface of the NiOx nanoparticles. The incorporation of the dipole molecules through adsorption treatment has significantly changed the wettability and electronic characteristics of NiOx nanoparticles, resulting in the formation of NiO(OH) at the interface and a shift in vacuum level. The alteration of surface electronic states of the NiOx nanoparticles not only improves the carrier balance by reducing the hole injection barrier but also prevents exciton quenching by passivating defects in the film. Consequently, the NiOx-based red QLEDs with interfacial modification demonstrate a maximum current efficiency of 16.1 cd/A and a peak external quantum efficiency of 10.3%. This represents a nearly twofold efficiency enhancement compared to control devices. The mild fabrication requirements and low annealing temperatures suggest potential applications of dipole molecule-modified NiOx nanoparticles in flexible optoelectronic devices.
High-Entropy Alloy Activating Laves-Phase Network for Multi-Component Metallic Coatings with High Hardness
Authors: Yan Ao , Chen Guoxing , Ying Huiqiang , Yang Xiao , Kou Zongde , Tang Song , Fan Longlong , Chen Xiang , Zhu He , Zhu Zhiguang , Ren Yang , Lan Si
Published: June 2024

The low hardness and poor wear resistance of laser-cladding 316L stainless steel impose significant constraints on its practical applications. In this study, a strategy for strengthening laser-cladding 316L stainless steel with WMoTaNb refractory high-entropy alloy as a reinforcement material is proposed. The results confirm that the coating primarily comprises a body-centered cubic (BCC) Fe-based solid solution, a network-distributed hexagonal Fe2X (X = W, Mo, Ta, and Nb) Laves phase, and a diffusely distributed face-centered cubic (FCC) (Ta, Nb)C phase. The Fe-based solid solution distributes along columnar and fine dendrites, while the Laves phase and (Ta, Nb)C phase are in the inter-dendrites. The presence of a significant number of network Laves phases exhibiting high strength and hardness is the primary factor contributing to the enhancement of coating microhardness. The hardness of the composite coating is increased by nearly twice compared to that of the 316L coating, resulting in an improved wear resistance. The present work can shed light on designing and fabricating 316L stainless steel coating with enhanced hardness and wear resistance.
Synthesis of Ag-Doped Tetrahedral Amorphous Carbon Coatings and Their Antibiofilm Efficacy for Medical Implant Application
Authors: MubarakAli Davoodbasha , Kim Sung-Min , Ko Yu-Been , Kim Jung-Wan , Jang Young-Jun , Lee Sang-Yul
Published: June 2024

Tetrahedral amorphous carbon (taC) is a hydrogen-free carbon with extensive properties such as hardness, optical transparency, and chemical inertness. taC coatings have attracted much attention in recent times, as have coatings doped with a noble metal. A known antimicrobial metal agent, silver (Ag), has been used as a dopant in taC, with different Ag concentrations on the Ti64 coupons using a hybrid filtered cathodic vacuum arc (FCVA) and magnetron sputtering system. The physiochemical properties of the coated surface were investigated using spectroscopic and electron microscopy techniques. A doping effect of Ag-taC on biofilm formation was investigated and found to have a significant effect on the bacterial-biofilm-forming bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa depending on the concentration of Ag. Further, the effect of coated and uncoated Ag-taC films on a pathogenic bacterium was examined using SEM. The result revealed that the Ag-taC coatings inhibited the biofilm formation of S. aureus. Therefore, this study demonstrated the possible use of Ag-taC coatings against biofilm-related complications on medical devices and infections from pathogenic bacteria.
Optically Active Oxygen Defects in Titanium Dioxide Doped with Inorganic Acid Ions
Authors: Xu Bin , Duan Xuehui , Zhou Tao , Hao Jinliang , Qin Haotian , Zhao Youcai , Ye Wei , Cao Jianglin
Published: June 2024

Doping inorganic acid ions represents a promising pathway to improving the photocatalytic activity of TiO2, and oxygen vacancy has been regarded as the determinant factor for photocatalytic activity. A series of samples doped with Cl−, NO3−, and SO42− was prepared via a simple sol–gel method. Two different oxygen vacancies in the crystal layer of NO3−/TiO2 and Cl−/TiO2 were found, and those are [Ti3+]-V0-[Ti3+] and [Ti3+]-Cl, respectively. The photocurrent of NO3−/TiO2 with [Ti3+]-V0-[Ti3+] is significantly greater than that of Cl−/TiO2 with [Ti3+]-Cl. The least oxygen vacancy is in the gel layer of SO42−/TiO2, and the negligible photocurrent is due to difficulty in forming a stable sol. Furthermore, the process conditions for the application of TiO2 were investigated in this work. The optimal process parameters are to adjust the solution to pH = 3 during sol–gel preparation, to adopt 550 °C as the calcination temperature, and to use an alkaline electrolyte, while the rest of the preparation conditions remain unchanged. This work reveals a new avenue for designing efficient photocatalysts for air pollutant degradation.
Integrative Approach to Risk Factors in Simple Chronic Obstructive Airway Diseases of the Lung or Associated with Metabolic Syndrome—Analysis and Prediction
Authors: Streba Liliana , Popovici Violeta , Mihai Andreea , Mititelu Magdalena , Lupu Carmen Elena , Matei Marius , Vladu Ionela Mihaela , Iovănescu Maria Livia , Cioboată Ramona , Călărașu Cristina , Busnatu Ștefan Sebastian , Streba Costin-Teodor
Published: June 2024

We conducted an epidemiological non-interventional cross-sectional and case-control study from 1 January 2023 until 26 May 2023 in Oltenia region, southwestern Romania. Throughout the research, 160 consecutive patients were included from two different clinical departments (1—Pneumology; 2—Diabetes and Nutritional Diseases). Subjects were voluntary adult individuals of any gender who expressed their written consent. The clinical data of the patients were correlated with the exposure to behavioral risk factors (diet, lifestyle, exposure to pollutants) to identify some negative implications that could be corrected to improve the quality of life of patients with simple chronic obstructive airway diseases of the lung or associated with metabolic syndrome (MS). In the first group of patients with respiratory diseases, there was a higher degree of exposure to toxic substances (43.75%) compared to the second group of patients with diabetes (18.75%); it is also noticeable that in the first group, there were noticeably fewer individuals who have never smoked (25%) compared to the second group (50%). Respiratory function impairment was observed to be more severe in overweight individuals. In the group of patients with known lung diseases, a positive correlation was noted between the presence of MS and respiratory dysfunctions of greater severity. Additionally, potential exacerbating factors affecting lung function, such as direct exposure to toxins and smoking, were considered. Potential secondary factors exacerbating respiratory dysfunction were considered by correlating biochemical parameters with dietary habits. These included reduced consumption of vegetables, inadequate hydration, and increased intake of sweets and products high in saturated or trans fats (commonly found in junk food), primarily due to their potential contribution to excess weight. Compared to patients without MS, the severity of the pulmonary function impairment correlated with the number of criteria met for MS and, independently, with an increase in weight.
Mediation Effect of Social Distancing on Neonatal Vitamin D Status and Related Clinical Outcomes during the Coronavirus Disease-19 Pandemic
Authors: Jun Jin Su , Kim Dong Joon , Kim Seung Chan , Yeom Jung Sook , Park Ji Sook
Published: June 2024

Background: We analyzed the impact of social distancing (SD) on vitamin D status and associated morbidity in neonates during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: Serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD) and clinical characteristics of newborn infants before (2019) and during SD (2021) were compared. Results: A total of 526 neonates (263 in 2019 and 263 in 2021) were included. The rate of vitamin D deficiency in neonates (47.1% vs. 35.4 %, p = 0.008) decreased and the rate of maternal vitamin D intake increased (6.8% vs. 37.6%, p < 0.001), respectively, during SD compared to those in 2019. The rates of hypocalcemia (12.5% vs. 3.8%, p < 0.001) and respiratory illness (57.0% vs. 43.0%, p = 0.002) decreased during SD. Neonatal vitamin D deficiency during SD was associated with maternal vitamin D supplementation (odds ratio [OR] = 0.463, p = 0.003) but was not associated with SD (OR = 0.772, p = 0.189). The mediation effect of SD on neonatal morbidity by neonatal vitamin D status was statistically insignificant. Conclusions: SD might affect the increased maternal vitamin D intake and decreased neonatal vitamin D deficiency. However, neonatal morbidity was not affected by SD, even with neonatal vitamin D status changes.
Placental Epigenome Impacts Fetal Development: Effects of Maternal Nutrients and Gut Microbiota
Authors: Basak Sanjay , Mallick Rahul , Navya Sree Boga , Duttaroy Asim
Published: June 2024

Evidence is emerging on the role of maternal diet, gut microbiota, and other lifestyle factors in establishing lifelong health and disease, which are determined by transgenerationally inherited epigenetic modifications. Understanding epigenetic mechanisms may help identify novel biomarkers for gestation-related exposure, burden, or disease risk. Such biomarkers are essential for developing tools for the early detection of risk factors and exposure levels. It is necessary to establish an exposure threshold due to nutrient deficiencies or other environmental factors that can result in clinically relevant epigenetic alterations that modulate disease risks in the fetus. This narrative review summarizes the latest updates on the roles of maternal nutrients (n-3 fatty acids, polyphenols, vitamins) and gut microbiota on the placental epigenome and its impacts on fetal brain development. This review unravels the potential roles of the functional epigenome for targeted intervention to ensure optimal fetal brain development and its performance in later life.
Improving Antimicrobial Properties of GelMA Biocomposite Hydrogels for Regenerative Endodontic Treatment
Authors: Dorterler Ozgul C. , Akgun Berre , Alper Mehlika , Ayhan Fatma
Published: June 2024

Regenerative endodontics is a developing field involving the restoration of tooth structure and re-vitality of necrotic pulp. One of the most critical clinical considerations for regenerative endodontic procedures is the disinfection of the root canal system, since infection interferes with regeneration, repair, and stem cell activity. In this study, we aimed to provide the synthesis of injectable biopolymeric tissue scaffolds that can be used in routine clinical and regenerative endodontic treatment procedures using Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA), and to test the antimicrobial efficacy of Gelatin methacryloyl/Silver nanoparticles (GelMA/AgNP), Gelatin methacryloyl/Hyaluronic acid (GelMA/HYA), and Gelatin methacryloyl/hydroxyapatite (GelMA/HA) composite hydrogels against microorganisms that are often encountered in stubborn infections in endodontic microbiology. Injectable biocomposite hydrogels exhibiting effective antimicrobial activity and non-cytotoxic behavior were successfully synthesized. This is also promising for clinical applications of regenerative endodontic procedures with hydrogels, which are proposed based on the collected data. The GelMA hydrogel loaded with hyaluronic acid showed the highest efficacy against Enterococcus faecalis, one of the stubborn bacteria in the root canal. The GelMA hydrogel loaded with hydroxyapatite also showed a significant effect against Candida albicans, which is another bacteria responsible for stubborn infections in the root canal.
Mechanical, Dielectric and Flame-Retardant Properties of GF/PP Modified with Different Flame Retardants
Authors: Li Jingwen , Sun Yiliang , Zhang Boming , Qi Guocheng
Published: June 2024

With the rapid development of electronic information technology, higher requirements have been put forward for the dielectric properties and load-bearing capacity of materials. In continuous glass fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites, polypropylene matrix is a non-polar polymer with a very low dielectric constant and dielectric loss, but polypropylene is extremely flammable which greatly limits its application. Aiming at the better application of flame retardant-modified continuous glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites (FR/GF/PP) in the field of electronic communication, the effects of four different kinds of flame retardants (Decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), halogen-free one-component flame retardant (MONO), halogen-free compound flame retardant (MULTI), and intumescent flame retardant (IFR)) on the properties of FR/GF/PP were compared, including the mechanical properties, dielectric properties and flame-retardant properties. The results showed that among the FR/GF/PP, IFR has the highest performance in mechanical properties, MULTI has better performance in LOI, DBDPE and IFR have better performance in flame retardant rating, and DBDPE and IFR have lower dielectric properties. Finally, gray relational analysis is applied to propose an approach for selecting the optimal combination (flame retardant type and flame-retardant content) of comprehensive performance. In the application exemplified in this paper, the performance of IFR-3-modified GF/PP is optimized.
Design of Scanning Units for the Underwater Circumferential-Scanning LiDAR Based on Pyramidal-Shaped Reflectors and a Rapid Detection Method for Target Orientation
Authors: Zha Bingting , Xu Guangbo , Chen Zhuo , Tan Yayun , Qin Jianxin , Zhang He
Published: June 2024

Challenges have been observed in the traditional circumferential-scanning LiDAR underwater to balance between the detection range and the sealing performance. To tackle these challenges, a new scanning unit is presented in this paper, employing a pyramidal-shaped reflector for enhanced performance. Furthermore, an innovative magneto–electric detection module comprising Hall switches and magnetic rings is introduced. It can facilitate the accurate identification of the reflector’s edge, thereby enhancing the precision of the target-orientation detection. A rapid target orientation coding method based on split-frequency clocks is proposed on FPGAs. It can output the target’s initial and termination orientation codes immediately after capturing it, exhibiting a significantly low output delay of 20 ns and a high detection resolution of 15°. Finally, a prototype is fabricated to validate the design in this paper. The experimental results demonstrate that the scanning unit enables reliable scanning and orientation recognition of the target. In addition, it is trustworthy in receiving echo signals when the laser passes through glass and then an aqueous medium.
Dynamic Slicing and Reconstruction Algorithm for Precise Canopy Volume Estimation in 3D Citrus Tree Point Clouds
Authors: Li Wenjie , Tang Biyu , Hou Zhen , Wang Hongbo , Bing Zongyu , Yang Qiong , Zheng Yongqiang
Published: June 2024

Crop phenotyping data collection is the basis for precision agriculture and smart decision-making applications. Accurately obtaining the canopy volume of citrus trees is crucial for yield prediction, precise fertilization and cultivation management. To this end, we developed a dynamic slicing and reconstruction (DR) algorithm based on 3D point clouds. The algorithm dynamically slices nearby slices based on their proportional area change and density difference; for each slice point cloud, the average distance of each point from others is taken as the initial α value for the AS algorithm. This value is iteratively summed until it reconstructs the complete shape, allowing the volume of each slice shape to be determined. Compared with six point cloud-based reconstruction algorithms, the DR approach achieved the best results in removing perforations and lacunae (0.84) and exhibited volumetric consistency (1.53) that closely aligned with the growth pattern of citrus trees. The DR algorithm effectively addresses the challenges of adapting the thickness and number of canopy point cloud slices to the shape and size of the canopy in the ASBS and CHBS algorithms, as well as overcoming inaccuracies and incompleteness in reconstructed canopy models caused by limitations in capturing detailed features using the PCH algorithm. It offers improved adaptive ability, finer volume computations, better noise reduction, and anomaly removal.
Two-Dimensional Space-Variant Motion Compensation Algorithm for Multi-Hydrophone Synthetic Aperture Sonar Based on Sub-Beam Compensation
Authors: Wu Haoran , Zhou Fanyu , Xie Zhimin , Tang Jingsong , Zhong Heping , Zhang Jiafeng
Published: June 2024

For a multi-hydrophone synthetic aperture sonar (SAS), the instability of the platform and underwater turbulence easily lead to two-dimensional (2-D) space-variant (SV) motion errors. Such errors can cause serious imaging problems and are very difficult to compensate for. In this study, we propose a 2-D SV motion compensation algorithm for a multi-hydrophone SAS based on sub-beam compensation. The proposed algorithm is implemented using the following four-step process: (1) The motion error of each sub-beam is obtained by substituting the sonar’s motion parameters measured in the exact motion error model established in this study. (2) The sub-beam’s targets of all targets are compensated for motion error by implementing two-phase multiplications on the raw data of the multiple-hydrophone SAS in the order of hydrophone by hydrophone. (3) The data of the sub-beam’s target compensated motion error are extracted from the raw data by utilizing the mapping relationship between the azimuth angle and the Doppler frequency. (4) The imaging result of each sub-beam is obtained by performing a monostatic imaging algorithm on each sub-beam’s data and coherently added to obtain high-resolution imaging results. Finally, the validity of the proposed algorithm was tested using simulation and real data.
Enhancing Seasonal PM2.5 Estimations in China through Terrain–Wind–Rained Index (TWRI): A Geographically Weighted Regression Approach
Authors: Peng Boqi , Xie Busheng , Wang Wei , Wu Lixin
Published: June 2024

PM2.5 concentrations, closely linked to human health, are significantly influenced by meteorological and topographical factors. This study introduces the Terrain–Wind–Rain Index (TWRI), a novel index that integrates the Terrain–Wind Closed Index (TWCI) with relative humidity to quantitatively examine the coupling effect of natural elements on PM2.5 concentration and its application to PM2.5 inversion. By employing Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) models, this study evaluates the inversion results of PM2.5 concentrations using TWRI as a factor. Results reveal that the annual average correlation between TWRI and site-measured PM2.5 concentrations increased from 0.65 to 0.71 compared to TWCI. Correlations improved across all seasons, with the most significant enhancement occurring in summer, from 0.51 to 0.66. On the inversion results of PM2.5, integrating TWRI into traditional models boosted accuracy by 1.3%, 5.4%, 4%, and 7.9% across four seasons, primarily due to the varying correlation between TWRI and PM2.5. Furthermore, the inversion results of coupled TWRI more effectively highlight the high value areas in closed areas and the low value areas in humid areas.
LUCA: A Sentinel-1 SAR-Based Global Forest Land Use Change Alert
Authors: Mullissa Adugna , Saatchi Sassan , Dalagnol Ricardo , Erickson Tyler , Provost Naomi , Osborn Fiona , Ashary Aleena , Moon Violet , Melling Daniel
Published: June 2024

The Land Use Change Alert (LUCA) dataset was developed for effective and timely monitoring of global forest changes that are mostly associated with human activities. Near- real-time changes of forest land use are mapped at 0.05 ha minimum mapping unit for all forest types across the Earth’s ecoregions, every two weeks. LUCA is based on Sentinel-1 cloud penetrating synthetic aperture radar (SAR) observations to circumvent limitations of optical imagery from pervasive cloud cover over forested areas globally, and especially in the tropics. The methodology is based on a combination of time-series change detection and machine learning analytics to achieve high accuracy of alerts across all ecoregions and landscapes globally with an average area-adjusted users and producers accuracy of 83% and 63%, respectively. The bi-weekly global alert maps capture forest clearing associated with deforestation and industrial timber harvesting, along with forest degradation associated with selective logging, fragmentation, fire, and roads. The product was developed and released publicly through Google Earth Engine to allow for the rapid assessment of land use change activities, quantifying patterns and processes driving forest change and dynamics across forest ecoregions. LUCA is designed to help monitor a variety of emission reduction programs at the local to regional scales and play a key role in implementing regulations on deforestation-free products.
Recent Progress in Sludge-Derived Biochar and Its Role in Wastewater Purification
Authors: Zhou Yujun , Gao Jiamin , Yang Xuran , Ni Hao , Qi Junwen , Zhu Zhigao , Yang Yue , Fang Di , Zhou Lixiang , Li Jiansheng
Published: June 2024

As the by-product of wastewater treatment, a large amount of sludge is generated annually. Turning this waste into a resource is a feasible and sustainable strategy to reduce potential environmental risks and recover energy. As a way to realize the international goal of carbon dioxide emission peak and carbon neutrality, producing biochar from sludge has gained worldwide attention. This review evaluates recent progress in synthesis techniques for biochar of sludge origin. Different preparation techniques and their key affecting factors are compared and described. The obtained sludge-derived biochar could be employed for eliminating aqueous pollution or purifying wastewater, mainly through adsorption and catalytic reactions. The removal of various pollutants by sludge-derived biochar and its related mechanisms are discussed and summarized in detail. This review will be conducive for a comprehensive understanding of recent progress in sludge-derived biochar study and for guiding the purposeful production of biochar, as well as for developing wastewater purification technology based on sludge-derived biochar.
Circular Economy and Buildings as Material Banks in Mitigation of Environmental Impacts from Construction and Demolition Waste
Authors: Oliveira Jordana de , Schreiber Dusan , Jahno Vanusca Dalosto
Published: June 2024

The circular economy is one of the main strategies for mitigating the environmental impacts of civil construction due to the generation of construction and demolition waste (CDW). In this transition, evaluating alternatives for using buildings as material banks is a way to make the process of reusing construction components more efficient. Thus, the article aimed to evaluate the state of the art of publications on the relationship between the circular economy in civil construction and the conceptual model of buildings as material banks to mitigate the environmental impacts of CDW. The authors chose the methodological design of Systematic Literature Review, using the Scopus and Web of Science databases for research, with the following search strings: (“construction” or “civil construction” or “built environment” or “construction industry”) and (“circular economy” or “circular construction”) and (“material banks” or “BAMB” or “buildings as material banks” or “building stocks” or “building materials”) and (“construction waste” or “demolition waste” or “CDW” or “construction and demolition waste” or “environmental impacts”). After a screening in which only articles published in journals were selected, from 2013 to 2023, inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, to evaluate only those that had a direct relationship with CDW management through circular economy strategies and buildings such as banks of material. As a result, 93 articles remained, which were analyzed using a quantitative and qualitative approach. The predominance of applied studies was also noted through case studies that evaluate the management of materials and waste in the urban environment. The qualitative analysis, carried out using a SWOT matrix, highlighted the strengths of the buildings, such as material banks, the potential reduction of resource extraction and urban mining, and promoting the circulation of construction products. However, the recycling of waste, such as aggregates, still stands out as the main end-of-life strategy adopted, even without occupying the top of the waste hierarchy.
Assessing China’s Sustainable Development of ICT in Education: A Delphi Approach
Authors: Xing Danxia , Zhao Teng , Xie Chuanbing
Published: June 2024

The evaluation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Education (ICTE) has become a crucial aspect in educational management. While previous attempts have been made to develop evaluation frameworks for ICTE, many existing frameworks fail to include information from multiple sources and are thus not sufficiently accurate. This study aims to address this gap by identifying core dimensions and indicators from various stakeholders in ICTE practices. Accordingly, a set of guidelines for a more comprehensive evaluation of ICTE development is generated. By applying these guidelines, a Comprehensive Evaluation Framework for ICT in Education (CEF-ICTE) is developed and validated using the Delphi methodology. The results reveal that the most pertinent dimensions for ICTE evaluation are ICT infrastructure and digital resources, followed by ICT usage, personnel support, and ICT management. Key indicators identified include the average frequency of online services utilized by students per week and the percentage of schools implementing basic data applications for management purposes. These findings underscore the importance of prioritizing certain indicators in evaluating ICTE. The present study offers a valuable tool for comprehensively assessing ICTE development and may provide policymakers with essential support for setting priorities and allocating educational resources where they are most urgently needed.
Bioplastics and the Role of Institutions in the Design of Sustainable Post-Consumer Solutions
Authors: Silva Vivian Lara , Freire Maria Teresa de Alvarenga , De Almeida Oroski Fábio , Trentini Flávia , Costa Larisse Oliveira , de Batista Vitor G. T.
Published: June 2024

This article aims to understand the role of institutions, especially meso-institutions, in the construction of definitions of bioplastics that foster sociotechnical changes, so that a single language with epistemic quality can be defined for global governance in the solution of environmental problems arising from the plastic production chain. To this end, through a narrative literature review and documentary research on European and Brazilian legislation, this article applies theory to the case of the global definition of bioplastics. Clearly, the creation of definitions matters to institutions and global governance, since they ensure that these definitions follow the criteria of coherence, determination and epistemic quality. On the other hand, it is noted that these criteria are not met in the case of the definition of bioplastics, which suffers from a lack of global standardization. Furthermore, we conclude that the lack of a globally standardized definition of bioplastics promotes negative effects, such as greenwashing. Critical topics such as renewable contents and the biodegradability and compostability of materials are essential to a deeper comprehension of sustainability. From this perspective, this study highlights the intricate interplay between technological advancements and established standards in the rapidly evolving bioplastic market, which is underscored by a lack of clear definitions. Meso-institutions emerge as pivotal actors in bridging the gap between market demands and scientific progress that facilitate the development of standards and regulations essential to the sustainable dissemination of bioplastics.
Digital Policy Quality and Enterprise Innovation: The Case of China’s Big Data Comprehensive Pilot Zone
Authors: Zhao Rui , Fan Jingbo
Published: June 2024

In the context of promoting sustainable development and innovative growth, few studies have examined the signaling role of digital policy texts and its effects on enterprise innovation. Focused on the pilot project of China’s National Big Data Comprehensive Pilot Zone (NBCPZ), this article applies the modified PMC index model to measure the quality of the 81 digital policies issued by the NBCPZ from 2016 to 2022 and uses a regression model to assess the impact of the digital policies’ quality on the enterprise innovation levels. The results show that the quality of digital policies released by NBCPZ in China shows temporal fluctuation and regional heterogeneity. High-quality digital policies positively promote enterprise innovation, and this relationship exhibits heterogeneity based on enterprise and industry characteristics. High-quality digital policies can enhance enterprises’ innovation level by optimizing the regional data innovation environment and enhancing the willingness of enterprises to innovate with data. These findings reveal the potential effects of digital policy in fostering sustainable enterprise practices and driving enterprise innovation capabilities.
Carbon Deposition Characteristics in Thermal Conversion of Methane for Sustainable Fuel
Authors: Zhang Xiaorong , Wang Jie , Song Zhanlong , Pang Yingping
Published: June 2024

Low-carbon powertrains and sustainable fuels are closely linked as they both aim to reduce carbon emissions and transition away from reliance on fossil fuels. The methane from biogas, biomass, and organic waste can serve as an alternative energy source to traditional fossil fuels. The process of obtaining sustainable fuel (e.g., hydrogen and syngas) from methane is commonly confronted with the problems of carbon deposition on metal oxide. The study of carbon deposition characteristics during methane thermal conversion processes is particularly crucial for low-carbon powertrains. Herein, the carbon deposition on CoAl2O4 and strongly alkali-etched CoAl2O4 (CoAlvO4) spinel oxides from the CH4 stage was investigated. We demonstrate that reaction time, calcination temperature, and reaction temperature have no effect on the compositions of carbon deposition, and the material itself plays a crucial role in carbon deposition. The graphitization degree for CoAlvO4 is lower than that for CoAl2O4. The strong alkali etching in CoAl2O4 only affects contents in different composition carbon deposition. This is mainly attributed to the introduction of Al3+ vacancies by alkali etching, which efficiently tunes the surface electronic structure in CoAl2O4. These findings guide designing efficient and clean low-carbon powertrains, especially in the development of removal carbon deposition technologies and catalysts.
How Digital Transformation Enables Corporate Sustainability: Based on the Internal and External Efficiency Improvement Perspective
Authors: Li Yang , Zhao Tianye
Published: June 2024

The promotion of the simultaneous advancement of digitalization and sustainability has emerged as a crucial concern for achieving high-quality economic growth within the framework of the ‘dual-carbon’ objective. Based on the micro data of Chinese A-share listed companies between 2009 and 2022, this paper systematically examines how digital transformation affects the ESG performance of enterprises in order to explore the effective path for digitalization to promote the sustainable development of enterprises. The results indicate that implementing digital transformation can enhance the ESG performance of enterprises, which in turn boosts their capacity for sustainable development. The test of the mechanism indicates that enhancing internal total factor productivity and optimizing external financial allocation efficiency are the key strategies for driving ESG performance improvement in companies through digital transformation. Further analysis reveals that the improvement effect of digital transformation on corporate ESG performance is more prominent in state-owned enterprises, non-heavily polluted industries, central and western, and low-marketization regions. In addition, while digital transformation enhances the ESG performance of enterprises themselves, it also creates beneficial ripple effects on the ESG metrics of their suppliers and customers, ultimately boosting the sustainable growth of the entire supply chain. The conclusions of this paper help to deepen the potential value of digital transformation and provide policy and practical insights for achieving sustainable economic development.