bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revolutionizing shale drilling with potassium chloride-based natural deep eutectic solvent as an additive
Authors: Rasool Muhammad Hammad , Ahmad Maqsood
Published: September 2023

Shale instability is a significant problem, accounting for approximately 70% of wellbore challenges during drilling operations. To address this issue, shale inhibitors are commonly added to drilling mud to stabilize the encountered shale formations. Ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents have been recognized as effective shale inhibitors due to their environmental friendliness and effectiveness. However, despite their advantages, these solutions still lack full environmental sustainability, leading researchers to explore more natural alternatives like Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES). This study focuses on the synthesis and application of a NADES composed of Potassium Chloride (KCl) and glycerine, aiming to enhance the environmental profile and efficacy of shale inhibitors. The NADES was prepared with a 1:8 molar ratio at a temperature of 60 °C. Characterization analyses, including Fourier Transform Infrared and Thermogravimetric Analysis, confirmed the formation of bonds between –(OH) and Cl− and demonstrated the NADES's thermal stability up to 200 °C. Incorporating 3% NADES into water-based mud, prepared following API 13B-1 standards, resulted in significant improvements in mud rheology. Specifically, the addition of 3% NADES reduced filtrate volume by 14.2% and mud cake thickness by 19.2%. Furthermore, the 3% NADES exhibited remarkable inhibition of clay swelling by 69.23% and demonstrated a shale recovery rate of 58%. When compared with 3% KCl and 3% 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (EMIM-Cl), the NADES-based mud outperformed both in terms of efficacy. These findings were further supported by additional analyses, including d-spacing measurements (XRD), Zeta Potential, Surface tension, and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy. Additionally, the rheological behavior of the NADES-based mud aligned with the Yield Power Law at both 25 °C and 100 °C. The study's findings contribute to the advancement of greener drilling practices and highlight the applicability of KCl-based NADES as a potential drilling fluid additive.
Facile and green synthesis of CuS-activated carbon nanocomposite from Sargassum siliquastrum biomass for fast and efficient removal of eosin yellow dye
Authors: Hasan Ibrahem M. A. , Assaf Fawzy H. , Tawfik Ahmed R.
Published: September 2023

Sargassum spp. comprise significant amounts of biomass which can be risky for environmental and economic activities; thus, taking the advantage of this underutilized raw material could make a significant contribution to long-term sustainability. In this study, Sargassum siliquastrum (SS) brown alga was successfully transformed into CuS nanoparticles–activated carbon (CuS NPs–AC) composite for adsorption of the hazardous dye eosin yellow (EY) from aqueous solutions. The CuS NPs–AC sorbent was characterized through FTIR, XRD, SEM-EDX, and SBET analyses. Characterization results revealed the successful formation of CuS NPs–AC nanocomposite. Results of the adsorption process indicated that EY was efficiently removed with a percentage of 99.6% at the optimum conditions; pH 7, 120 min contact time, 2 g/L CuS NPs–AC dose, and 300 mg/L initial EY concentration. Adsorption data fitted well with pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm model with a monolayer adsorption capacity of 303.03 mg/g at 328 K. Thermodynamic analyses revealed that the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. The adsorbent showed high selectivity towards EY and followed a three-stage intraparticle diffusion mechanism. The potent adsorption of EY by CuS NPs–AC nanocomposite was attributed to electrostatic attraction, π-π stacking, halogen bonding, and hydrogen bonding. This study developed a reliable and cost-effective adsorbent for removing EY dye from water.

Graphical Abstract
Green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and their antibacterial activity and photocatalytic degradation
Authors: El-Khawaga Ahmed M. , Elsayed Mohamed A. , Gobara Mohamed , Suliman Ahmad A. , Hashem Amr H. , Zaher Ahmed A. , Mohsen Mostafa , Salem Salem S
Published: September 2023

Many research papers are currently being written about various methodologies for the green synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles. In this study, ZnO nanoparticles were prepared by green synthesis method using baker’s yeast (
Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The characterization of the produced ZnO nanoparticles involved the utilization of XRD, FTIR, SEM, and TEM. The investigation involved the assessment of the antimicrobial potential and photocatalytic degradation efficacy of the synthesized materials through the utilization of Eriochrome Black T (EBT). The results indicate that the ZnO nanoparticles exhibit a spherical morphology, exhibiting diameters ranging from 13.0 to 20.0nm, with an average particle size of 15.0nm. The antimicrobial efficacy against (S. aureus) gram-positive and (E. coli) gram-negative bacteria was tested through the conduction of zone of inhibition (ZOI) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests. This research focused on the study of the photocatalytic-degradation of EBT in the presence of ultraviolet light. The experiments focused on the impact of various factors, such as pH levels, initial EBT concentration, and nanocatalyst dosage, on the observed photocatalytic efficiency. In the in vitro ZOI and MIC results assay, it was observed that ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) exhibited greater efficacy against gram-positive S. aureus, with a ZOI measuring 23.1 mm and a MIC of 0.625 μg/ml. In contrast, the effectiveness of ZnO-NPs against gram-negative E. coli was comparatively lower, as indicated by a ZOI of 17.0 mm and a MIC of 1.250μg/ml. The greatest EBT elimination, which achieved 83.0% in equilibrium, was found employing 20.0mg of ZnO NPs at pH 3.0, according to the photocatalytic activity results. The synthetic ZnO NPs are powerful antibacterial agents that are effective against tested bacteria and may be used in the treatment of wastewater.
Advancement of a RGBW-LED pen for diaphanoscopic illumination with adjustable color and intensity with tests on ex-vivo porcine eyes in terms of retinal risk and correlated color temperature
Authors: Fehler Nicole , Schneider David , Hessling Martin
Published: September 2023

Diaphanoscopic illumination has the disadvantage that the intraocular spectrum is red-shifted due to transmission properties of the eyewall. This red-shift should be counteracted as well as the retinal risk should be reduced with adjusting the spectral distribution of the illumination light. Likewise, the illumination spectrum has to be adapted to the eye color of the patient. With the further development of a red, green, blue and white light-emitting diode (RGBW-LED) diaphanoscopy pen, the intensities of each color can be varied. The functionality of the LED pen is tested on ex-vivo porcine eyes. By measuring the transmission of the sclera and choroidea, the photochemical and thermal retinal hazard and the maximum exposure time are determined according to the standard DIN EN ISO 15004-2:2007. With this RGBW-LED pen the intraocular space can be illuminated clearly of up to 1.5 h without potential retinal damage according to DIN EN ISO 15004:2-2007. By adjusting the illumination spectrum the red-shift can be compensated and retinal risk can be reduced. By varying the LED intensities, the correlated color temperature in the eye can also be varied from cold white to warm white appearance as comfortable to the ophthalmologist. Additionally, a simple adjustment of the illumination to the eye color of the patient is possible. Using this RGBW-LED pen, the ophthalmologist can set the desired intraocular color appearance, which he prefers for special applications. He could also adjust the illumination to the eye color as this would reduce retinal hazard.
Depositional model of clastic and carbonate rocks in a continental rift basin: a case study of the Paleogene Shahejie Formation in the Cangdong Depression, Bohai Bay Basin
Authors: Zhao Shaoze , Li Yong , Xu Yingjiao , Zhang Tanfeng , Mu Liangang , Wu Xuesong , Pu Xiugang , Yang Peng , Yuan Xuehua
Published: September 2023

The study of a clastic and carbonate rock depositional model in a continental rift basin is helpful to better understand the sedimentary processes active in continental rift basins. However, the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics and controlling factors of clastic and carbonate rocks in continental rift basins are still unclear. Therefore, the sedimentary characteristics of the clastic and carbonate rocks in the Paleogene Eocene Shahejie Formation (Es) are analysed via seismic, well log, core, thin section, and geochemistry data. Then, the impacts of tectonic movement, sediment supply and hydrologic conditions on sedimentary characteristics are discussed, and a depositional model is finally established. Five 3rd-order sequences, named SQ1–SQ5 from bottom to top, are identified in the Es. Fan delta, braided delta, meandering river delta, and lake sedimentary systems are identified in the Es; clastic rock sedimentary systems are identified in SQ1–SQ4, while concurrent clastic and carbonate rock sedimentary systems are identified in SQ5. During the SQ1–SQ4 period, the palaeogeomorphology formed by differential faulting activity or fault interactions and the inherited palaeogeomorphology resulted in different distributions of the sedimentary systems. The changes in accommodation space and sediment supply caused by tectonic movement led the delta to prograde or disappear. During the SQ5 period, the clastic rock sedimentary systems underwent a transition into clastic rock and carbonate rock sedimentary systems as a result of rift weakening, broad crustal thermal subsidence, sediment supply reduction and high-salinity lake water. This study provides a typical case for the evolution characteristics of the clastic rock and carbonate rock systems in continental rift basins, identifies changes in the tectonic, sediment supply, and hydrologic characteristics during their mutual transformations, and provides an important reference for hydrocarbon reservoir prediction.
Zooming in on Dewey, Democracy, and Subjectivity in Postdigital Education
Authors: Berg Dag-Erik
Published: September 2023

Digital tools, such as video conference technology, are currently transforming people’s behaviour, social relations, and learning processes in higher education. But the digital tools used in teaching and learning are also part of a dynamic capitalism. This article focuses on democracy and subjectivity in higher education and outlines a critical approach in this context. I revisit John Dewey’s philosophy to reflect on digital tools and the goals of education in a democratic society. Published more than a century ago, Dewey’s seminal book Democracy and Education is relevant as a constructive approach to combining learning, experience, habits, and tools. Dewey argued that dualisms between mind and matter, knowledge and nature, undermine a democratic society. For Dewey, a society would require communication and the sharing of experiences whilst education would require democratic aims beyond the individual. Yet the contemporary challenges include a ‘digital gaze’ where the technology makes subjects more visible and observed. Foucault’s analytics of power thus becomes a constructive supplement to Dewey’s focus on participation and modes of inquiry to fully examine subjectivity and democracy in postdigital higher education.
Analysis of polycarbonate degradation at melt/FeCr-alloy interfaces as a function of the alloy composition by means of combinatorial thin film chemistry
Authors: Theile-Rasche C. , Meng T. , de los Arcos T. , Grundmeier G.
Published: September 2023

Interfacial reactions at the polycarbonate (PC)/FeCr-alloy interface during melt contact were studied as function of the Fe:Cr ratio within the alloy. Thin Fe/Cr films with lateral composition gradients were deposited by magnetron sputtering; the analysis of the films was done with microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The local interfacial polymeric film formation could be therefore directly correlated with the Fe:Cr ratio. The local thickness and structure of the formed polycarbonate residue was analyzed by means of imaging ellipsometry, atomic force microscopy as well as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy under grazing incidence and XPS. Moreover, confocal fluorescence microscopy of the PC melt/alloy interface could reveal the formation of minor degradation products in the interphase region. The results show that already an Fe:Cr ratio of 2 : 1 leads to a strong inhibition of the thermal degradation in comparison to the unalloyed iron, and that in general, the enrichment of chromium in the passive film leads to an effective suppression of interfacial PC degradation. The data contributes to improving the mechanistic understanding of the role of iron during this process. Additionally, a critical concentration of chromium in the alloys used for PC processing can be deduced.
Microbial responses towards biochar application in potentially toxic element (PTE) contaminated soil: a critical review on effects and potential mechanisms
Authors: Yang Xiao , You Miao , Liu Siyan , Sarkar Binoy , Liu Zhaoshu , Yan Xiulan
Published: September 2023

Soil harbors a huge diversity of microorganisms and serves as the ecological and social foundation of human civilization. Hence, soil health management is of utmost and consistent importance, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. One of the most hazardous contaminants in soil matrix is potentially toxic elements (PTEs), which can cause stress in soil indigenous microorganisms and severely jeopardize soil health. Biochar technology has emerged as a promising means to alleviate PTE toxicity and benefit soil health management. Current literature has broadly integrated knowledge about the potential consequences of biochar-amended soil but has focused more on the physical and chemical responses of the soil system than microbiological attributes. In consideration of the indispensable roles of soil microbials, this paper first introduces PTE-induced stresses on soil microbials and then proposes the mechanisms of biochar’s effects on soil microbials. Finally, microbial responses including variations in abundance, interspecific relationships, community composition and biological functions in biochar-amended soil are critically reviewed. This review thus aims to provide a comprehensive scientific view on the effect of biochar on soil microbiological health and its management.

Graphical Abstract
Consumer–brand relationship in the phygital age: a study of luxury fashion
Authors: Bartoli Chiara , Nosi Costanza , Mattiacci Alberto , Bertuccioli Francesca
Published: September 2023

This study focuses on hybrid consumption experiences that originate from encounters between the physical and the digital realms. The aim is to analyze brand-driven phygital environments to uncover the relationship between consumers and brands that is established within hybrid consumption spaces. Given its exploratory nature, the study adopts a mixed-methods qualitative type of research design; it includes a multiple-case analysis, a diary-based survey, and a focus group, and it concentrates on five phygital projects of four Italian luxury fashion brands. The analysis reveals nine relevant building blocks of phygital brand environments (PBEs) that pertain to the direction of experience, the environmental features, and customers’ reactions. Moreover, the study provides an early interpretative framework regarding the effects that these constituents of PBEs exert on the consumer-brand relationship (CBR). The work uncovers relevant managerial implications highlighting brand-driven phygital spaces as strategic tools for luxury fashion companies to provide consumers with additional relational value that is generated through encounters between physical stores, digital technology, humans and brands.
Examining the impact of Green Riyadh Project on alleviating urban heat island effects
Authors: Imam Ayman
Published: September 2023

The increase of land surface temperature (LST) because of the urban growth and spatial expansion specially in developing country have shown many negative impacts on the health and quality of life of people, nowadays some cities experience much warmer temperatures than nearby rural areas, causes what is known as the urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon. This study investigates alterations in vegetation and land surface temperature over space and time due to the Green Riyadh Project, employing remote sensing techniques. Multi-temporal Landsat images of the study area from 2018 and 2022, were processed in order to derive The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and LST are being considered. Change detection methods were used to indicate the changes between the two time periods. Based on the results of this study, NDVI values show that the vegetated areas in Riyadh have not increased between (2018 and 2022). While the LST values show that the total area of UHIs has increased between (2018 and 2022). The change detection in vegetation indicates that there was a decrease in vegetation, mostly in urban areas. Where the change detection of surface temperature indicates huge areas where temperature has increased, mostly in the rural are-as, leaving few areas where the temperature has decreased. This means that the present amount of vegetation has still not made an impact in terms of decreasing the LST. Therefore, there is a need for more effort to be made in increasing the green areas within the urban environment of Riyadh.
Fluorescence imaging deformability cytometry: integrating nuclear structure with mechanical phenotyping
Authors: Muñoz Hector E. , Lin Jonathan , Yeh Bonnie G. , Biswas Tridib , Di Carlo Dino
Published: September 2023

Mechanical measurements of cells can provide unique insights into cell state and disease processes. The overall mechanical properties of cells can be heavily affected by the stiffest organelle, the nucleus. However, it is challenging to fully characterize internal nuclear structures in most cell mechanical measurement platforms. Here, we demonstrate single-cell deformability measurements of whole cells and stained nuclei in a fluorescence imaging flow cytometry platform. We also introduce bending energy derived metrics as a way to normalize measurements of cytoskeletal cortex and nuclear shape changes of cells and demonstrate the utility of relative deformability distributions to characterize populations of cells. We apply the platform to measure changes in cell biophysical properties during the process of NETosis, whereby neutrophils undergo drastic nuclear restructuring. We characterize cell size, deformability, and nuclear structure changes and their correlations in thousands of neutrophils undergoing NETosis, a process implicated in development of critical disease states, such as sepsis. This platform can aid in understanding heterogeneity in deformability in cell populations and how this may be influenced by nuclear or internal structure changes.

Graphical Abstract
Primary Mathematics
Authors: Baker Penelope , Callingham Rosemary , Muir Tracey
Published: September 2023

Primary Mathematics: Integrating Theory with Practice is a comprehensive introduction to teaching mathematics in Australian primary schools. Closely aligned with the Australian Curriculum, it provides a thorough understanding of measurement, geometry, patterns and algebra, data and statistics, and chance and probability. The fourth edition provides support for educators in key aspects of teaching: planning, assessment, digital technologies, diversity in the classroom and integrating mathematics content with other learning areas. It also features a new chapter on the role of education support in the mathematics classroom. Each chapter has been thoroughly revised and is complemented by classroom snapshots demonstrating practical application of theories, activities to further understanding and reflection questions to guide learning. New in this edition are 'Concepts to consider', which provide a guided explanation and further discussion of key concepts to support pre- and in-service teachers' learning and teaching of the fundamentals of mathematics.
Attributes that Influence Consumers’ Preferences for Choosing Locally Grown Food Sources During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Seo Frank , Hudson Darren
Published: September 2023

The objective of this study is to identify attributes that influenced consumers’ preferences when selecting locally grown food across different sources during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. We estimated the willingness to pay (WTP) for locally grown food sources. Results showed that respondents valued Freshness, Accessibility, Variety, and Risk Shift attributes, respectively. In addition, community-supported agriculture (CSAs) have the lowest WTP among other sources, and respondents valued CSAs’ general weaknesses more than their advantages when choosing where to purchase locally grown food. However, we found that increasing community outreach levels positively affects choice probabilities for CSAs over other sources.
The Person and the Mirror: On the Colonial Force of Corporate Law
Authors: Bryan Bradley
Published: September 2023

Buried within the everyday deployment of business vehicles by Indigenous governments as a seemingly neutral way to pursue economic development are also legal notions of corporate personhood and representation. While it is occasionally suggested that corporate law is itself part of the problem of colonialism, the idiomatic notions of “representation,” “legal personhood,” and “business as neutral” form an opaque curtain that hides colonizing tendencies within the legal structures used by Indigenous peoples. This article explores these colonial tendencies at play in Canadian corporate law, showing how corporate law’s deployment of the “legal person” sits at odds with Indigenous juridical orders.
Exercise as a community treatment for obesity and the metabolic disease epidemic
Authors: Scholler John , Otis Jeffrey S.
Published: September 2023

The obesity epidemic has continued to rise at an alarming rate and has increased health complications in children, adolescents, and adults. Resistance training, aerobic training, and a combination of the two have been shown to be effective at reducing excess adiposity and improving outcomes of obesity. The continued development of programs, community centers, or medical exercise facilities prescribing these treatments is nearing an absolute necessity to slow the advancing nature of obesity and related metabolic diseases. In this brief review, we summarize the effectiveness of these three training paradigms from a population-centric perspective.
Segregated Economies in an Integrated World: The Gendered Consequences of Exchange Rate Movements in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Simmons Joel W.
Published: September 2023

I argue that exchange rates are an underappreciated explanation for the significant variation in the extent of female labor force participation in developing countries. Occupational segregation in developing countries is such that women working outside of the home tend to be segregated in labor-intensive export-oriented industries. Consequently, when an overvalued exchange rate increases export prices, it reduces commensurately the demand for female labor. This causes some women to drop out of the labor force. Data from over 150 low- and middle-income countries between 1990 and 2015 support this argument.
Illegal Fossil Export Is More Than an Irritator to the Global South
Authors: Moutinho Sofia
Published: September 2023

More than 2,000 researchers have signed an open letter requesting the repatriation of a dinosaur fossil to Brazil. Some say the case highlights a pattern of scientific colonialism in paleontology.
Observed Cloud Type‐Sorted Cloud Property and Radiative Flux Changes With the Degree of Convective Aggregation From CERES Data
Authors: Xu Kuan‐Man , Zhou Yaping , Sun Moguo , Kato Seiji , Hu Yongxiang
Published: September 2023

Cloud‐radiation interactions are a critical mechanism for convective self‐aggregation, especially the longwave radiative cooling of low clouds and environments. In this study, two data products from CERES observations combined with MERRA‐2 reanalysis are used to understand the changes of cloud properties and radiative fluxes by cloud type with the degree of convective aggregation at the 1000‐km scale, which is represented by the number of cloud objects (N), simple convective aggregation index (SCAI), modified SCAI (MCAI) or convective organization potential (COP). The changes with SCAI are similar to those with N as an index, agreeing with previous studies using grid‐averaged properties. For changes from weak to strong degrees of aggregation using N and SCAI, area fractions of middle‐ and high‐level cloud types decrease by up to 4% but those of low‐level cloud types increase by up to 2%, and more infrared radiation is emitted to space (2–8 W m−2) from optically thin cloud types but more solar radiation is reflected (2–4 W m−2) from optically‐thick cloud types. However, using COP (MCAI to lesser extent), area fractions of optically‐thick cloud types increase, which emit less infrared radiation and reflect more solar radiation, whereas the area fractions of low‐level clouds decrease. These results can be explained by greater expansion of cloud object sizes for COP than MCAI/SCAI as the degree of convective aggregation increases, which also explains the difference between SCAI and MCAI pertaining to the opposite changes of optically‐thick high‐level clouds. These results can have implications for understanding convective self‐aggregation.
Hydrogeomorphic Response of Charcoals During River Transits and Its Impact on the Carbon Cycle
Authors: Roy Biswajit , Baidya Disha , Jain Vikrant
Published: September 2023

Natural or anthropogenic‐induced biomass burning produces large amounts of charcoals, which enter riverine or lacustrine systems mostly via surface runoff processes. Charcoal storage and cycling within large riverine systems can play a crucial role in mediating long‐term carbon sink across transient reservoirs, thereby influencing the global carbon budget. However, natural processes governing the transport and storage of charcoal particles in large terrestrial reservoirs such as the Indo‐Gangetic region still remain unknown. To understand charcoal movement and accumulation across upland and lowland transient reservoirs, we characterized spatial distribution and morphology of different charcoal forms (>125 μm and <125 μm) from bedload and floodplain sediments of the Yamuna sub‐basin (YSB), India. Both >125 μm and <125 μm charcoal forms in bedload and floodplain sediments did not exhibit similar spatial distribution patterns, indicating the segregation of charcoal particles influenced by variable flow regimes. Attrition with sediments breaks down fragile charcoals (leaves) quickly compared to the woody forms, resulting in dominant woody microforms in transient deposits. Higher stream power and limited stable bedform development in upland mountainous regions restrict charcoal storage. During lowland riverine transits, reduced stream power conditions allow increased floodwater inundation and finer clay substrate availability, facilitating an exponential increase in charcoal storage. However, increased discharge from peninsular rivers into the YSB leads to erosion and redistribution of sediment, including charcoal particles, and reduced charcoal storage in lowland transient areas. Such diverse dispersal pathways and fate of charcoal particles across riverine transits highlight the influence of regional hydrogeomorphic processes on the overall carbon cycle within transient reservoirs.
Ultra-broadband spectrometer on a chip of picometer scale resolution
Authors: Karabchevsky Alina
Published: September 2023

A reconfigurable photonic integrated circuit was developed to operate as an ultra-broadband spectrometer on SiN chip resolving spectral lines with picometer precision and thermal stability of ±2 °C.
Drought as a possible contributor to the Visigothic Kingdom crisis and Islamic expansion in the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Camuera Jon , Jiménez-Espejo Francisco J. , Soto-Chica José , Jiménez-Moreno Gonzalo , García-Alix Antonio , Ramos-Román María J. , Ruha Leena , Castro-Priego Manuel
Published: September 2023

The Muslim expansion in the Mediterranean basin was one the most relevant and rapid cultural changes in human history. This expansion reached the Iberian Peninsula with the replacement of the Visigothic Kingdom by the Muslim Umayyad Caliphate and the Muslim Emirate of Córdoba during the 8th century CE. In this study we made a compilation of western Mediterranean pollen records to gain insight about past climate conditions when this expansion took place. The pollen stack results, together with other paleohydrological records, archaeological data and historical sources, indicate that the statistically significant strongest droughts between the mid-5th and mid-10th centuries CE (450–950 CE) occurred at 545–570, 695–725, 755–770 and 900–935 CE, which could have contributed to the instability of the Visigothic and Muslim reigns in the Iberian Peninsula. Our study supports the great sensitivity of the agriculture-based economy and socio-political unrest of Early Medieval kingdoms to climatic variations.
Superhard bulk high-entropy carbides with enhanced toughness via metastable in-situ particles
Authors: Hu Jiaojiao , Yang Qiankun , Zhu Shuya , Zhang Yong , Yan Dingshun , Gan Kefu , Li Zhiming
Published: September 2023

Despite the extremely high hardness of recently proposed high-entropy carbides (HECs), the low fracture toughness limits their applications in harsh mechanical environment. Here, we introduce a metastability engineering strategy to achieve superhard HECs with enhanced toughness via in-situ metastable particles. This is realized by developing a (WTaNbZrTi)C HEC showing a solid solution matrix with uniformly dispersed in-situ tetragonal and monoclinic ZrO2 particles. Apart from a high hardness of 21.0 GPa, the HEC can obtain an enhanced fracture toughness of 5.89 MPa·m1/2, significantly exceeding the value predicted by rule of mixture and that of other reported HECs. The toughening effect is primarily attributed to the transformation of the metastable tetragonal ZrO2 particles under mechanical loading, which promotes crack tip shielding mechanisms including crack deflection, crack bridging and crack branching. The work demonstrates the concept of using in-situ metastable particles for toughening bulk high-entropy ceramics by taking advantage of their compositional flexibility.
Bacterial cell-size changes resulting from altering the relative expression of Min proteins
Authors: Vashistha Harsh , Jammal-Touma Joanna , Singh Kulveer , Rabin Yitzhak , Salman Hanna
Published: September 2023

The timing of cell division, and thus cell size in bacteria, is determined in part by the accumulation dynamics of the protein FtsZ, which forms the septal ring. FtsZ localization depends on membrane-associated Min proteins, which inhibit FtsZ binding to the cell pole membrane. Changes in the relative concentrations of Min proteins can disrupt FtsZ binding to the membrane, which in turn can delay cell division until a certain cell size is reached, in which the dynamics of Min proteins frees the cell membrane long enough to allow FtsZ ring formation. Here, we study the effect of Min proteins relative expression on the dynamics of FtsZ ring formation and cell size in individual Escherichia coli bacteria. Upon inducing overexpression of minE, cell size increases gradually to a new steady-state value. Concurrently, the time required to initiate FtsZ ring formation grows as the size approaches the new steady-state, at which point the ring formation initiates as early as before induction. These results highlight the contribution of Min proteins to cell size control, which may be partially responsible for the size fluctuations observed in bacterial populations, and may clarify how the size difference acquired during asymmetric cell division is offset.
Exploring the link between essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Yoo Sang-Won , Ha Seunggyun , Lyoo Chul Hyoung , Kim Yuna , Yoo Ji-Yeon , Kim Joong-Seok
Published: September 2023

Epidemiological studies have reported a link between essential tremor (ET) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Recent studies have suggested ET as a possible neurodegenerative disease whose subgroup contained Lewy bodies in the brainstem, as in PD. PD with antedated ET (PDconv) might exhibit traits different from those of the pure form of ET or PD. This study aimed to unveil the interplay between PD and premorbid ET, which might be the core pathobiology that differentiates PDconv from PD. The study included 51 ET, 32 PDconv, and 95 PD patients who underwent positron emission tomography using 18F-N-(3-fluoropropyl)-2beta-carbon ethoxy-3beta-(4-iodophenyl) nortropane and 123I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine myocardial scintigraphy to analyze central dopaminergic and peripheral noradrenergic integrity. The results show that PDconv group followed the typical striatal pathology of PD but with a delay in noradrenergic impairment as it caught up with the denervating status of PD a few years after PD diagnosis. Whereas the two PD subtypes displayed similar patterns of presynaptic dopamine transporter deficits, ET patients maintained high densities in all subregions except thalamus. Presynaptic dopaminergic availability decreased in a linear or quadratic fashion across the three groups (ET vs. PDconv vs. PD). The age at onset and duration of ET did not differ between pure ET and PDconv patients and did not influence the striatal monoamine status. The myocardium in PDconv patients was initially less denervated than in PD patients, but it degenerated more rapidly. These findings suggest that PDconv could be a distinctive subclass in which the pathobiology of PD interacts with that of ET in the early phase of the disease.
Decolourization of azo Lanasyn Navy M-DNL dye by Trichothecium roseum toward green mycoremediation
Authors: Ali Sally A.
Published: September 2023

The treatment of azo dye effluent from the dyeing process, as well as the sustainable development of the environment, can all be achieved through the use of green mycoremediation. In this in vitro study, Trichothecium roseum was isolated by the sedimentation technique from the environment of an unplasticized polyvinyl chloride pipe manufacturing plant and used to decolourize and optimise the biosorption percentage of Azo Lanasyn Navy M-DNL dye. T. roseum was also used to test the decolourization percentage of the dyes Lanasyn Navy M-DNL, Isolan Black 2S-LDN, and Isolan Yellow 2S-GLN. The outcomes showed that Lanasyn Navy M-DNL dye has the highest decolourization percentage (94%). Lanasyn Navy M-DNL dye was also found to be adsorbed onto the surface of T. roseum using scan electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy investigations. Under ideal optimisation parameters, the biosorption percentage of Lanasyn Navy M-DNL dye by beads of immobilised T. roseum cells was 96%, 97%, 96%, 97%, and 96%, respectively, for beads number 60, fresh weight 1 g, incubation temperature 25 °C, pH 6, dye concentrations 10 mg/l, and sucrose concentrations 10 g/l. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms show good agreement between the Freundlich adsorption isotherm model and the adsorption process. Also, the elution cycle was found to be effective enough to be employed for five cycles using sixty beads of immobilised T. roseum cells. The current study suggests that T. roseum is an influencer of Lanasyn Navy M-DNL dye biosorption to create a successful green strategy for handling Lanasyn Navy M-DNL dye-contaminated effluents.
Silk wastes and autoclaved degumming as an alternative for a sustainable silk process
Authors: Gaviria A. , Jaramillo-Quiceno Natalia , Motta Antonella , Restrepo-Osorio Adriana
Published: September 2023

Silk degumming is considered the first point in the preparation of silk-based materials since this process could modify the silk fiber and the properties of its related products. This study evaluated the differences in morphology, secondary structure, amino acid content, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of two types of raw materials, defective cocoons (DC) and silk fibrous waste (SW), degummed by chemical (C) and autoclaving (A) methods. Subsequently, silk fibroin films were prepared by dissolving each type of degummed fibers, and thermal and structural films properties were determined. The findings demonstrated that autoclaving is an efficient alternative to remove silk sericin, as the resulting fibers presented improved structural, thermal, and mechanical properties compared to those obtained by the chemical method. For films preparation, autoclave resulted in a good option, but dissolution parameters need to be adjusted for defective cocoons. Furthermore, similarities between the physicochemical properties of fibers and films from both fibrous wastes suggest that SW is a promising raw material for producing fibrous resources and regenerated silk fibroin materials. Overall, these findings suggest new recycling methods for fibrous waste and by-products generated in the silk textile production process.
Multi-method joint monitoring study on strata behavior in shallow seam mining under bedrock gully
Authors: Chai Jing , Ma Zhe , Zhang Dingding , Yang Jianfeng , Huang Zhiming , Qiu Fengqi
Published: September 2023

The Baijigou Coal Mine in Helan mountain mining area is alpine gully landform, and the double key stratums are cut by the gully. A two-dimensional physical similarity model under this condition was established in the laboratory. The strain field, deformation field and pressure field of the model are jointly and accurately monitored by BOTDA, DIC and pressure sensors. The rock behavior in shallow coal seam mining under bedrock gullies are studied. In the mining stage under the gully, the deformation of overburden is intense because overburden is thin, and the surface is easy to form a depression basin. In the mining stage far away from the gully, the deformed rock mass lacks horizontal support in the process of deflecting to the lower goaf, and the movement rock is in a multilateral block. The multilateral block rock periodically deflects and rotates, resulting in the periodic deformation and break of the inferior key stratum. At the mining stage of away from the gully, nine times of roof weighting occurred. And there are large and small periodic weighting phenomenon with the average roof pressure concentration coefficient is 1.37. The distance between the peak point of advance abutment pressure and the coal wall is 6–18 cm, and the influence distance decreases with the advancing of the working face. The inferior key stratum has a significant impact on the weighting process and the weighting strength. In the mining stage under the mountaintop, large downward inclined tension crack is prone to produce in the slope on the side of the stope line, and the roof weighting is the most severe. In the mining stage close to the gully, the overburden falls in layers from bottom to top, and the overburden at the slope toe is prone to slip. At the mining stage under the mountaintop and close to the gully, five times of roof weighting occurred. And the roof weighting concentration coefficient is 1.46 on average. The distance between the peak point of advance abutment pressure and the coal wall is always kept at 6–16 cm, and the influence distance is 33–41 cm. The study can provide a reference for mining design and ensures safe and efficient mining in this condition.
Functional interaction of aortic valve and ascending aorta in patients after valve-sparing procedures
Authors: Reil Jan-Christian , Marquetand Christoph , Busch-Tilge Claudia , Ivannikova Maria , Rudolph Volker , Aboud Anas , Ensminger Stephan , Schäfers Hans-Joachim , Stierle Ulrich , Reil Gert-Hinrich
Published: September 2023

Pressure recovery (PR) is essential part of the post stenotic fluid mechanics and depends on the ratio of EOA/AA, the effective aortic valve orifice area (EOA) and aortic cross-sectional area (AA). In patients with advanced ascending aortic aneurysm and mildly diseased aortic valves, the effect of AA on pressure recovery and corresponding functional aortic valve opening area (ELCO) was evaluated before and after valve-sparing surgery (Dacron graft implantation). 66 Patients with ascending aortic aneurysm (mean aortic diameter 57 +/− 10 mm) and aortic valve-sparing surgery (32 reimplantation technique (David), 34 remodeling technique (Yacoub)) were routinely investigated by Doppler echocardiography. Dacron graft with a diameter between 26 and 34 mm were implanted. EOA was significantly declined after surgery (3.4 +/− 0.8 vs. 2.6 +/− 0.9cm2; p < 0.001). Insertion of Dacron prosthesis resulted in a significant reduction of AA (26.7 +/− 10.2 vs. 6.8 +/− 1.1cm2; p < 0.001) with increased ratio of EOA/AA (0.14 +/− 0.05 vs. 0.40 +/− 0.1; p < 0.001) and pressure recovery index (PRI; 0.24 +/− 0.08 vs. 0.44 +/− 0.06; p < 0.0001). Despite reduction of EOA, ELCO (= EOA corrected for PR) increased from 4.0 +/− 1.1 to 5.0 +/− 3.1cm2 (p < 0.01) with reduction in transvalvular LV stroke work (1005 +/− 814 to 351 +/− 407 mmHg × ml, p < 0.001) after surgery. These effects were significantly better in patients with Yacoub technique than with the David operation. The hemodynamic findings demonstrate a valve-vessel interaction almost entirely caused by a marked reduction in the ascending AA with significant PR gain. The greater hemodynamic benefit of the Yacoub technique due to higher EOA values compared to the David technique was evident and may be of clinical relevance.
DNA sequencing at the picogram level to investigate life on Mars and Earth
Authors: Basapathi Raghavendra Jyothi , Zorzano Maria-Paz , Kumaresan Deepak , Martin-Torres Javier
Published: September 2023

DNA is an incontrovertible biosignature whose sequencing aids in species identification, genome functionality, and evolutionary relationships. To study life within the rocks of Earth and Mars, we demonstrate, in an ISO5 clean room, a procedure based on nanopore technology that correctly identifies organisms at picogram levels of DNA without amplification. Our study with E. coli and S. cerevisiae DNA samples showed that MinION sequencer (Oxford Nanopore Technologies) can unequivocally detect and characterise microbes with as little as 2 pg of input with just 50 active nanopores. This result is an excellent advancement in sensitivity, immediately applicable to investigating low biomass samples. This value is also at the level of possible background contamination associated with the reagents and the environment. Cultivation of natural and heat-treated Martian analogue (MMS-2) regolith samples, exposed to atmospheric water vapour or in increasing water concentrations, led to the extraction of 600–1000 pg of DNA from 500 mg of soil. Applying the low detectability technology enabled through MinION sequencer for a natural low biomass setting, we characterised the dry MMS-2 and found few soil-related organisms and airborne contaminants. The picogram detection level and the procedure presented here, may be of interest for the future Mars sample Return program, and the life research and planetary protection studies that will be implemented through the sample safety assessment.
Emergent metallicity at the grain boundaries of higher-order topological insulators
Authors: Salib Daniel J. , Juričić Vladimir , Roy Bitan
Published: September 2023

Topological lattice defects, such as dislocations and grain boundaries (GBs), are ubiquitously present in the bulk of quantum materials and externally tunable in metamaterials. In terms of robust modes, localized near the defect cores, they are instrumental in identifying topological crystals, featuring the hallmark band inversion at a finite momentum (translationally active type). Here we show that the GB superlattices in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional translationally active higher-order topological insulators harbor a myriad of dispersive modes that are typically placed at finite energies, but always well-separated from the bulk states. However, when the Burgers vector of the constituting edge dislocations points toward the gapless corners or hinges, both second-order and third-order topological insulators accommodate self-organized emergent topological metals near the zero energy (half-filling) in the GB mini Brillouin zone. We discuss possible material platforms where our proposed scenarios can be realized through the band-structure and defect engineering.
Correlation of NICU anthropometry in extremely preterm infants with brain development and language scores at early school age
Authors: Fu Ting Ting , Barnes-Davis Maria E. , Fujiwara Hisako , Folger Alonzo T. , Merhar Stephanie L. , Kadis Darren S. , Poindexter Brenda B. , Parikh Nehal A.
Published: September 2023

Growth in preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is associated with increased global and regional brain volumes at term, and increased postnatal linear growth is associated with higher language scores at age 2. It is unknown whether these relationships persist to school age or if an association between growth and cortical metrics exists. Using regression analyses, we investigated relationships between the growth of 42 children born extremely preterm (< 28 weeks gestation) from their NICU hospitalization, standardized neurodevelopmental/language assessments at 2 and 4–6 years, and multiple neuroimaging biomarkers obtained from T1-weighted images at 4–6 years. We found length at birth and 36 weeks post-menstrual age had positive associations with language scores at 2 years in multivariable linear regression. No growth metric correlated with 4–6 year assessments. Weight and head circumference at 36 weeks post-menstrual age positively correlated with total brain volume and negatively with global cortical thickness at 4–6 years of age. Head circumference relationships remained significant after adjusting for age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Right temporal cortical thickness was related to receptive language at 4–6 years in the multivariable model. Results suggest growth in the NICU may have lasting effects on brain development in extremely preterm children.
Experimental demonstration of passive microwave pulse amplification via temporal Talbot effect
Authors: Pepino Vinicius M. , da Mota Achiles F. , Borges Ben-Hur V.
Published: September 2023

The temporal Talbot effect is a passive phenomenon that occurs when a periodic signal propagates through a dispersive medium with a quadratic phase response that modulates the output pulse repetition rate based on the input period. As previously proposed, this effect enables innovative applications such as passive amplification. However, its observation in the microwave regime has been impractical due to the requirement for controlled propagation through a highly dispersive waveguide. To overcome this challenge, we employed an ultra-wide band linearly chirped Bragg grating within a standard microwave X-Band waveguide. By utilizing backwards Talbot array illuminators aided by particle swarm optimization, we achieved passive amplification with a gain of 3.45 dB and 4.03 dB for gaussian and raised cosine pulses, respectively. Furthermore, we numerically verified that with higher quality substrates this gain can be theoretically increased to over 8 dB. Our work paves the way for numerous applications of the Talbot effect in the microwave regime, such as temporal cloaking, sub-noise microwave signal detection, microwave pulse shaping, and microwave noise reduction.