bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental and Computational Investigation of the Oxime Bond Stereochemistry in c-Jun N-terminal Kinase 3 Inhibitors 11H-Indeno[1,2-b]quinoxalin-11-one Oxime and Tryptanthrin-6-oxime
Authors: Matveevskaya Vladislava V. , Pavlov Dmitry I. , Kovrizhina Anastasia R. , Sukhikh Taisiya S. , Sadykov Evgeniy H. , Dorovatovskii Pavel V. , Lazarenko Vladimir A. , Khlebnikov Andrei I. , Potapov Andrei S.
Published: June 2023

11H-Indeno[1,2-b]quinoxalin-11-one oxime (IQ-1) and tryptanthrin-6-oxime are potent c-Jun N-terminal kinase 3 (JNK-3) inhibitors demonstrating neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity. However, the stereochemical configuration of the oxime carbon–nitrogen double bond (E- or Z-) in these compounds was so far unknown. In this contribution, we report the results of the determination of the double bond configuration in the solid state by single crystal X-ray diffraction and in solution by 1D and 2D NMR techniques and DFT calculations. It was found that both in the solid state and in solution, IQ-1 adopts the E-configuration stabilized by intermolecular hydrogen bonds, in contrast to previously assumed Z-configuration that could be stabilized only by an intramolecular hydrogen bond.
Cannabidiol-Loaded Nanoparticles Based on Crosslinked Starch: Anti-Inflammatory Activity and Improved Nose-to-Brain Delivery
Authors: Eydelman Ilya , Zehavi Na’ama , Feinshtein Valeria , Kumar Dinesh , Ben-Shabat Shimon , Sintov Amnon C.
Published: June 2023

Cannabidiol (CBD) has previously been shown to inhibit inflammatory cytokine production in both in vitro and in vivo studies of neurodegenerative diseases. To date, the CBD treatment of these diseases by quantitative targeting directly to the brain is one of the greatest challenges. In this paper, we present a new particulate system capable of delivering CBD into the brain via the intranasal route. Intranasal administration of CBD-loaded starch nanoparticles resulted in higher levels of cannabidiol in the brain compared to an identically administered cannabidiol solution. The production and the characterization of starch-based nanoparticles was reported, as well as the evaluation of their penetration and anti-inflammatory activity in cells. Cannabidiol-loaded starch nanoparticles were prepared by crosslinking with divanillin, using the nanoprecipitation method. Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity in vitro was performed using the BV2 microglia cell line. The starch nanoparticles appeared under electron microscopy in clusters sized approximately 200 nm in diameter. In cultures of lipopolysaccharide-induced inflamed BV2 cells, the cannabidiol-loaded starch nanoparticles demonstrated low toxicity while effectively reducing nitric oxide production and IL-6 levels. The anti-inflammatory effect was comparable to that of a glucocorticoid. Starch-based nanoparticle formulations combined with intranasal administration may provide a suitable platform for efficacious cannabidiol delivery and activity in the central nervous system.
Intranasal Nanotransferosomal Gel for Quercetin Brain Targeting: I. Optimization, Characterization, Brain Localization, and Cytotoxic Studies
Authors: Elkomy Mohammed H. , Zaki Randa Mohammed , Alsaidan Omar A. , Elmowafy Mohammed , Zafar Ameeduzzafar , Shalaby Khaled , Abdelgawad Mohamed A. , Abo El-Ela Fatma I. , Rateb Mostafa E. , Naguib Ibrahim A. , Eid Hussein M.
Published: June 2023

Numerous neurological disorders have a pathophysiology that involves an increase in free radical production in the brain. Quercetin (QER) is a nutraceutical compound that shields the brain against oxidative stress-induced neurodegeneration. Nonetheless, its low oral bioavailability diminishes brain delivery. Therefore, the current study aimed to formulate QER-loaded transferosomal nanovesicles (QER-TFS) in situ gel for QER brain delivery via the intranasal route. This study explored the impacts of lipid amount, edge activator (EA) amount, and EA type on vesicle diameter, entrapment, and cumulative amount permeated through nasal mucosa (24 h). The optimum formulation was then integrated into a thermosensitive gel after its physical and morphological characteristics were assessed. Assessments of the optimized QER-TFS showed nanometric vesicles (171.4 ± 3.4 nm) with spherical shapes and adequate entrapment efficiency (78.2 ± 2.8%). The results of short-term stability and high zeta potential value (−32.6 ± 1.4 mV) of QER-TFS confirmed their high stability. Compared with the QER solution, the optimized QER-TFS in situ gel formulation exhibited sustained release behavior and augmented nasal mucosa permeability. CT scanning of rat brains demonstrated the buildup of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in the brains of all treatment groups, with a greater level of GNPs noted in the rats given the transferosomal gel. Additionally, in vitro studies on PCS-200-014 cells revealed minimal cytotoxicity of QER-TFS in situ gel. Based on these results, the developed transferosomal nanovesicles may be a suitable nanocarrier for QER brain targeting through the intranasal route.
Ensemble-Learning and Feature Selection Techniques for Enhanced Antisense Oligonucleotide Efficacy Prediction in Exon Skipping
Authors: Zhu Alex , Chiba Shuntaro , Shimizu Yuki , Kunitake Katsuhiko , Okuno Yasushi , Aoki Yoshitsugu , Yokota Toshifumi
Published: June 2023

Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-mediated exon skipping has become a valuable tool for investigating gene function and developing gene therapy. Machine-learning-based computational methods, such as eSkip-Finder, have been developed to predict the efficacy of ASOs via exon skipping. However, these methods are computationally demanding, and the accuracy of predictions remains suboptimal. In this study, we propose a new approach to reduce the computational burden and improve the prediction performance by using feature selection within machine-learning algorithms and ensemble-learning techniques. We evaluated our approach using a dataset of experimentally validated exon-skipping events, dividing it into training and testing sets. Our results demonstrate that using a three-way-voting approach with random forest, gradient boosting, and XGBoost can significantly reduce the computation time to under ten seconds while improving prediction performance, as measured by R2 for both 2′-O-methyl nucleotides (2OMe) and phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs). Additionally, the feature importance ranking derived from our approach is in good agreement with previously published results. Our findings suggest that our approach has the potential to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of predicting ASO efficacy via exon skipping. It could also facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies. This study could contribute to the ongoing efforts to improve ASO design and optimize gene therapy approaches.
Development of pH-Responsive Hyaluronic Acid-Conjugated Cyclodextrin Nanoparticles for Chemo-/CO-Gas Dual Therapy
Authors: Lee Eunsol , Lee Eun Seong
Published: June 2023

In this study, we fabricated γ-cyclodextrin (γCD)-based nanoparticles (NPs) for dual antitumor therapy. First, γCD (the backbone biopolymer) was chemically conjugated with low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (HA; a tumoral CD44 receptor-targeting molecule) and 3-(diethylamino)propylamine (DEAP; a pH-responsive molecule), termed as γCD-(DEAP/HA). The obtained γCD-(DEAP/HA) self-assembled in aqueous solution, producing the γCD-(DEAP/HA) NPs. These NPs efficiently entrapped paclitaxel (PTX; an antitumor drug) and triiron dodecacarbonyl (FeCO; an endogenous cytotoxic gas molecule) via hydrophobic interactions between PTX and FeCO with the unprotonated DEAP molecules in γCD-(DEAP/HA) and a possible host–guest interaction in the γCD rings. The release of PTX and FeCO from the NPs resulted from particle destabilization at endosomal pH, probably owing to the protonation of DEAP in the NPs. In vitro studies using MCF-7 tumor cells demonstrated that these NPs were efficiently internalized by the cells expressing CD44 receptors and enhanced PTX/FeCO-mediated tumor cell apoptosis. Importantly, local light irradiation of FeCO stimulated the generation of cytotoxic CO, resulting in highly improved tumor cell death. We expect that these NPs have potential as dual-modal therapeutic candidates with enhanced antitumor activity in response to acidic pH and local light irradiation.
Development of an Alcohol Dilution–Lyophilization Method for the Preparation of mRNA-LNPs with Improved Storage Stability
Authors: Shirane Daiki , Tanaka Hiroki , Sakurai Yu , Taneichi Sakura , Nakai Yuta , Tange Kota , Ishii Itsuko , Akita Hidetaka
Published: June 2023

The lipid nanoparticle (LNP) is one of the promising nanotechnologies for the delivery of RNA molecules, such as small interfering RNA (siRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA). A series of LNPs that contain an mRNA encoding the antigen protein of SARS-CoV-2 were already approved as RNA vaccines against this infectious disease. Since LNP formulations are generally metastable, their physicochemical properties are expected to shift toward a more stable state during the long-time storage of suspensions. The current mRNA vaccines are supplied in the form of frozen formulations with a cryoprotectant for preventing deterioration. They must be stored in a freezer at temperatures from −80 °C to −15 °C. It is thought that therapeutic applications of this mRNA-LNP technology could be accelerated if a new formulation that permits mRNA-LNPs to be stored under milder conditions were available. We previously reported on a one-pot method for producing siRNA-encapsulated LNPs by combining freeze-drying technology with the conventional alcohol dilution method (referred to herein as the “alcohol dilution–lyophilization method”). In this study, this method was applied to the preparation of mRNA-LNPs to provide a freeze-dried formulation of mRNA LNPs. The resulting formulation can be stored at 4 °C for at least 4 months.
Recent Advances in Zein-Based Nanocarriers for Precise Cancer Therapy
Authors: Huang Wenquan , Yao Fei , Tian Shuangyan , Liu Mohao , Liu Guijin , Jiang Yanbin
Published: June 2023

Cancer has emerged as a leading cause of death worldwide. However, the pursuit of precise cancer therapy and high-efficiency delivery of antitumor drugs remains an enormous obstacle. The major challenge is the lack of a smart drug delivery system with the advantages of biodegradability, biocompatibility, stability, targeting and response release. Zein, a plant-based protein, possesses a unique self-assembly ability to encapsulate anticancer drugs directly or indirectly. Using zein as a nanotherapeutic pharmaceutic preparation can protect anticancer drugs from harsh environments, such as sunlight, stomach acid and pepsin. Moreover, the surface functionalization of zein is easily realized, which can endow it with targeting and stimulus-responsive release capacity. Hence, zein is an ideal nanocarrier for the precise delivery of anticancer drugs. Combined with our previous research experiences, we attempt to review the current state of the preparation of zein-based nanocarriers for anticancer drug delivery. The challenges, solutions and development trends of zein-based nanocarriers for precise cancer therapy are discussed. This review will provide a guideline for precise cancer therapy in the future.
Cinnamaldehyde Loaded Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) Microparticles for Antifungal Delivery Application against Resistant Candida albicans and Candida glabrata
Authors: Rizzo Silvia , Di Vito Maura , Mazzinelli Elena , Favuzzi Ilaria , Torelli Riccardo , Cacaci Margherita , Arcovito Alessandro , Sanguinetti Maurizio , Garzoli Stefania , Nocca Giuseppina , Bugli Francesca
Published: June 2023

Researchers have explored natural products to combat the antibiotic resistance of various microorganisms. Cinnamaldehyde (CIN), a major component of cinnamon essential oil (CC-EO), has been found to effectively inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi, and mildew, as well as their production of toxins. Therefore, this study aimed to create a delivery system for CIN using PLGA microparticles (CIN-MPs), and to compare the antifungal activity of the carried and free CIN, particularly against antibiotic-resistant strains of Candida spp. The first part of the study focused on synthesizing and characterizing the PLGA MPs, which had no toxic effects in vivo and produced results in line with the existing literature. The subsequent experiments analyzed the antifungal effects of MPs-CIN on Candida albicans and Candida glabrata, both resistant (R) and sensitive (S) strains and compared its efficacy with the conventional addition of free CIN to the culture medium. The results indicated that conveyed CIN increased the antifungal effects of the product, particularly towards C. albicans R. The slow and prolonged release of CIN from the PLGA MPs ensured a constant and uniform concentration of the active principle within the cells.
Hybrid Finite Element–Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics Modelling for Optimizing Cutting Parameters in CFRP Composites
Authors: Abena Alessandro , Ataya Sabbah , Hassanin Hany , El-Sayed Mahmoud Ahmed , Ahmadein Mahmoud , Alsaleh Naser A. , Ahmed Mohamed M. Z. , Essa Khamis
Published: June 2023

Carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) is increasingly being used in various applications including aerospace, automotive, wind energy, sports, and robotics, which makes the precision modelling of its machining operations a critical research area. However, the classic finite element modelling (FEM) approach has limitations in capturing the complexity of machining, particularly with regard to the interaction between the fibre–matrix interface and the cutting edge. To overcome this limitation, a hybrid approach that integrates smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPHs) with FEM was developed and tested in this study. The hybrid FEM-SPH approach was compared with the classic FEM approach and validated with experimental measurements that took into account the cutting tool’s round edge. The results showed that the hybrid FEM-SPH approach outperformed the classic FEM approach in predicting the thrust force and bounce back of CFRP machining due to the integrated cohesive model and the element conversion after failure in the developed approach. The accurate representation of the fibre–matrix interface in the FEM-SPH approach resulted in predicting precise chip formation in terms of direction and morphology. Nonetheless, the computing time of the FEM-SPH approach is higher than the classic FEM. The developed hybrid FEM-SPH model is promising for improving the accuracy of simulation in machining processes, combining the benefits of both techniques.
Conformal Cooling Channel Design for Improving Temperature Distribution on the Cavity Surface in the Injection Molding Process
Authors: Nguyen Van-Thuc , Minh Pham Son , Uyen Tran Minh The , Do Thanh Trung , Ha Nguyen Canh , Nguyen Van Thanh Tien
Published: June 2023

Mold heating is an essential process in plastic injection molding. Raising the temperature of the mold before injecting liquefied plastic can ease the mold-filling process. A cooling channel can be used to transport high-temperature fluids for this purpose, such as hot water or oil. This dual purpose is a cost-effective solution for heating the mold because the target temperature is easily achieved using this method. In addition, a conformal cooling channel (CCC) can provide more efficient mold heating than a straight cooling channel. This study used the response surface methodology to determine the optimum CCC shape for heat distribution in a mold, and the simulation results confirmed its optimization. The average temperature of the mold using a CCC was better than that using a straight cooling channel, and the heat zone was uniform across the mold surface.
Control of Tire Wear Particulate Matter through Tire Tread Prescription
Authors: Ha Jin U. , Bae Seok H. , Choi Yu J. , Lee Pyoung-Chan , Jeoung Sun K. , Song Sanghoon , Choi Choong , Lee Jae S. , Kim Jaeyun , Han In S.
Published: June 2023

This study aims to analyze tire wear particulate matter (TWP) from tread rubber with different formulations and to compare the concentration of TWP with different wear devices. The TWP generated during the abrasion of truck and bus radial (TBR) tires were examined, and the effect of using different types of rubber and carbon black (CB) were investigated. When natural rubber (NR) was solely used as the tire tread rubber material, there was a higher concentration of 5–10 µm TWP. However, when the tread formulation consisted of NR mixed with butadiene rubber, the TWP concentration decreased. Changing the type of CB also reduced the amount of TWP in the 2.5 µm size range. The TWP concentration in the specimens increased with increasing speed and vertical load. The TWP generated during the abrasion tests using wear testers and tire simulators exhibited similar trends. These findings suggest that modifying tire tread formulations can effectively control the distribution and amount of TWP generation.
Platinum Black/Gold Nanoparticles/Polyaniline Modified Electrochemical Microneedle Sensors for Continuous In Vivo Monitoring of pH Value
Authors: Ming Tao , Lan Tingting , Yu Mingxing , Wang Hong , Deng Juan , Kong Deling , Yang Shuang , Shen Zhongyang
Published: June 2023

Continuous in vivo monitoring (CIVM) of pH value is essential for personalized medicine, as many diseases are closely related to acid–base imbalances. However, conventional pH meters are limited in their ability to perform CIVM due to excessive blood consumption, large device volume, frequent calibration, and inadequate real-time monitoring. There is thus an urgent need for a portable method for CIVM of pH value. To address this need, we propose a minimally invasive, continuous monitoring solution in the form of an implantable pH microneedle sensor (MNS) in this study. The MNS is based on the integration of an acupuncture needle (AN) and a Ag/AgCl reference electrode. We fabricate the sensor by electrochemically depositing platinum black and gold nanoparticles onto the AN and further modifying it with polyaniline to increase its sensitivity to hydrogen ions. The pH value is obtained by calculating the open circuit voltage between the modified AN and the reference electrode. The resulting MNS demonstrates excellent selectivity and a high nernstian response to pH (−57.4 mV per pH) over a broad range (pH = 4.0 to pH = 9.0). Both in vitro and in vivo experiments have verified the performance of the sensor, showcasing its potential for biomedical research and clinical practice. The MNS provides an alternative to conventional pH meters, offering a less invasive and more convenient way to perform CIVM of pH value. Moreover, this electrochemical implantable sensor based on AN and silver wires provides a simple and sensitive method for continuous in vivo detection of other biomarkers.
Profitability of Chemically Cross-Linked Collagen Scaffold Production Using Bovine Pericardium: Revaluing Waste from the Meat Industry for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Cruz Bosques José Arturo de la , Ibarra Sánchez José de Jesús , Mendoza-Novelo Birzabith , Segovia-Hernandez Juan Gabriel , Molina-Guerrero Carlos Eduardo
Published: June 2023

The meat industry generates a large amount of waste that can be used to create useful products such as bio-implants, which are usually expensive. In this report, we present an economic analysis of a continuous process for large-scale chemically cross-linked collagen scaffold (CCLCS) production in a Mexican context. For this purpose, three production capacities were simulated using SuperPro Designer® v 12.0: 5, 15, and 25 × 103 bovine pericardium units (BPU) per month as process feedstock. Data indicated that these capacities produced 2.5, 7.5, and 12.5 kg of biomesh per batch (per day), respectively. In addition, Net Unit Production Costs (NUPC) of 784.57, 458.94, and 388.26 $USD.kg−1 were obtained, correspondingly, with selling prices of 0.16 ± 0.078 USD.cm−2, 0.086 ± 0.043 USD.cm−2, and 0.069 ± 0.035 USD.cm−2, in the same order. We found that these selling prices were significantly lower than those in the current market in Mexico. Finally, distribution of costs associated with the process followed the order: raw materials > facility-dependent > labor > royalties > quality analysis/quality control (QA/QC) > utilities. The present study showed the feasibility of producing low-cost and highly profitable CCLCS with a relatively small investment. As a result, the circular bioeconomy may be stimulated.
Study of Factors Influencing Moisture Susceptibility of Warm-Mix Asphalt Using the Surface Free Energy Approach
Authors: Liu Liping , Liu Lingxiao , Yu Ying
Published: June 2023

The application of warm-mixing technology brings considerable economical and environment benefits by decreasing the mixing temperature during warm asphalt mixture (WMA) production. However, the possible water residue also generates concerns for moisture susceptibility. For deep investigation on the influencing factors and mechanisms of the moisture susceptibility of WMA, surface free energy (SFE) tests and laboratory tests are applied in this research. A novel indicator based on SFE, namely, effective adhesion work, is proposed to assess the asphalt–aggregate adhesion with different moisture contents. Then, given the mixing procedure of the dry-mixing method, an advanced three-phase model as a form of asphalt–aggregate-warm mixing additive is introduced, improving the conventional two-phase asphalt–aggregate model for better reflecting the separate addition of warm-mixing additives during mixing. Afterwards, the influence of aggregate type, asphalt type, aggregate moisture content, warm-mixing agent type, and the warm-mixing process on the moisture susceptibility of WMA is analyzed utilizing the models and indicators proposed. Finally, the validity of the SFE indicator is verified by comparing the calculation of effective adhesion work with freeze–thaw splitting test results. The results show that all of the above factors impact the moisture susceptibility of WMA by influencing the interfacial adhesion, with the effect of moisture content being the most significant. Meanwhile, effective adhesion work and the three-phase model brought out in this research are proven to be feasible to characterize the adhesion properties of WMA, offering theoretical support to the research on warm-mixing technology.
Fast, Multiple-Use Optical Biosensor for Point-of-Care Glucose Detection with Mobile Devices Based on Bienzyme Cascade Supported on Polyamide 6 Microparticles
Authors: Braz Joana F. , Dencheva Nadya V. , Tohidi Shafagh D. , Denchev Zlatan Z.
Published: June 2023

Non-invasive glucose determination provides major advantages in health monitoring and protection. It enables widespread point-of-care testing, which is affordable, sensitive, specific, rapid and equipment-free. This work reports on the development and analytical performance of a colorimetric biosensor in detecting glucose in human urine. Highly porous polyamide microparticles were synthesized as the support for the glucose oxidase (GOx) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) dyad, which was immobilized randomly or consecutively—first HRP and then GOx. The latter system was superior, as GH@PA-C showed much higher activity than the random system, and it was used to prepare the biosensor, along with the 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine chromogen. When in contact with urine, the biosensor displayed a strict linear correlation between the color difference and the glucose concentration in urine in the range of 0.01–3.0 mM, as established by the CIELab image processing algorithm and UV-VIS measurements. The biosensor acted in 20 s and had a detection limit of 30.7 µM in urine, high operational activity at pH = 4–8 and unchanged detection performance after 30 days of storage. Its unique feature is the possibility of multiple consecutive uses without the serious deterioration of the recovery and dispersion values. These characteristics can open the way for new routines in non-invasive personal diabetes detection.
Chitosan-Based Composite Membranes with Different Biocompatible Metal Oxide Nanoparticles: Physicochemical Properties and Drug-Release Study
Authors: Baroudi Alia , García-Payo Carmen , Khayet Mohamed
Published: June 2023

Chitosan (CS) composite membranes were prepared using different biocompatible metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs): titanium dioxide (TiO2); iron oxide (Fe3O4); and aluminum oxide (Al2O3). For each nanoparticle, the CS-based composite membranes were prepared with two NPs contents in the CS solution, high (H) and low (L) NPs concentrations. To establish both concentrations, the NPs saturation point in the CS polymeric matrix was determined. The influence of NP concentrations on the physicochemical properties of the CS films was assessed. The prepared CS membranes were characterized with different techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and zeta potential. It was found that the addition of NPs in the CS matrix improved both swelling and mechanical properties. Nanocomposite CS membranes could be prepared using Al2O3 NPs. Swelling experiments revealed different pH-sensitive mechanisms, which might be beneficial in biomedical applications since solute permeation through CS-based composite membranes could be controlled by adjusting environmental conditions. When aspirin transport (ASA) through the prepared membranes was carried out in different release media, SGF (simulating gastric fluid) and SIF (simulating intestinal fluid without enzymes), it was observed that the Fickian diffusion coefficient (D) was conditioned by the pH of the release solution. In SGIT (simulating gastrointestinal transit) medium, a transition time (ttrans) was detected due to the shrinkage of the CS polymeric chains, and the drug release depended not only on the Fickian’s diffusion but also on the shrinkage of the biopolymer, obeying Peppas and Sahlin equation.
Conjugated Polymer Modifying TiO2 Performance for Visible-Light Photodegradation of Organics
Authors: Coromelci Cristina Giorgiana , Turcu Elvira , Doroftei Florica , Palamaru Mircea Nicolae , Ignat Maria
Published: June 2023

Up to now, the use of TiO2 has been considered a promising advanced technology for organic pollutants removal from air or water, since it has high biological and chemical stability, high photoactivity, low toxicity, and low-cost production. However, there are issues to be addressed in enhancing TiO2 performance, and one of the current key issues is redesigning UV-active photocatalysts and making them active in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. This way, solar light absorption will be insured, and thus, a more efficient photocatalyst could be obtained. For this reason, conjugated polymers and their derivatives are considered to act as photosensitizers, being able to shift the TiO2 activity from the UV to the visible region. Therefore, this study focuses on the synthesis of TiO2/conjugated polymer systems, which was accomplished by the deposition of poly-3,4-ethylene-dioxy-thiophene (PEDOT [-C6H4O2S-]n), a low-band semiconductor with an excellent stability due to its extending π-conjugated electron system, on titania nanoarchitecture. First of all, a TiO2 nanoarchitecture was synthesized by an ultrasound-assisted sol–gel method. Then, TiO2/PEDOT systems were obtained and characterized by using different techniques such as X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance, and N2 sorption measurements. The synthesized composites confirmed their mesoporosity and lower band gap values compared to bare titania, which clearly shows the ability to work as photocatalysts under visible-light activity. Further, we demonstrated that an organic pollutant, Congo Red dye, used as a model molecule could be photodegraded with the synthesized TiO2/PEDOT systems, with efficiencies of up to 95% in the case of TconvPEDOT under UV light and up to 99% for TconvPEDOT under visible-light irradiation, accomplishing in this way a successful synthesis of visible-light-activated titania photocatalyst.
Research Progress of a Pesticide Polymer-Controlled Release System Based on Polysaccharides
Authors: Zhang Zan , Yang Ni , Yu Jie , Jin Shuo , Shen Guangmao , Chen Hanqiu , Yuzhen Nima , Xiang Dong , Qian Kun
Published: June 2023

In recent years, with the development of the nanomaterials discipline, many new pesticide drug-carrying systems—such as pesticide nano-metal particles, nano-metal oxides, and other drug-carrying materials—had been developed and applied to pesticide formulations. Although these new drug-loading systems are relatively friendly to the environment, the direct exposure of many metal nanoparticles to the environment will inevitably lead to potential effects. In response to these problems, organic nanomaterials have been rapidly developed due to their high-quality biodegradation and biocompatibility. Most of these organic nanomaterials were mainly polysaccharide materials, such as chitosan, carboxymethyl chitosan, sodium alginate, β-cyclodextrin, cellulose, starch, guar gum, etc. Some of these materials could be used to carry inorganic materials to develop a temperature- or pH-sensitive pesticide drug delivery system. Herein, the pesticide drug-carrying system developed based on polysaccharide materials, such as chitosan, was referred to as the pesticide polymer drug-carrying system based on polysaccharide materials. This kind of drug-loading system could be used to protect the pesticide molecules from harsh environments, such as pH, light, temperature, etc., and was used to develop the function of a sustained release, targeted release of pesticides in the intestine of insects, and achieve the goal of precise application, reduction, and efficiency of pesticides. In this review, the recent progress in the field of polysaccharide-based polymer drug delivery systems for pesticides has been discussed, and suggestions for future development were proposed based on the current situation.
Dealing with Death in a Secular Society: The Case of Muslim Burials in Spain
Authors: De León Juan Luis , Basterretxea Iziar
Published: June 2023

Death is not only a universal biological fact; for the individual it is the “event horizon”. This fact has important symbolic meanings and complex social consequences. Any society, secular or not, must manage this reality. What response is given to the question of religious phenomenon in general, and to funerary practices in particular, in a secular society in which individuals with different religious sensibilities coexist? This article aims to analyse the response given by the Spanish state to the questions raised regarding burials by Muslim communities, the most widespread minority group in Spain as a whole. This response, which would be framed within what could be called a ‘cooperation model’, has encountered some difficulties as a result of the territorial organisation of the Spanish state. Despite this, the willingness to cooperate on the part of both the administrations that make up the state and the Islamic communities has made a situation of stable coexistence possible.
Secularization Theory’s Differentiation Problem: Revisiting the Historical Relationship between Differentiation and Religion
Authors: Flatt Kevin N.
Published: June 2023

Much theorizing about secularization tells a “differentiation story” that puts a historical process of structural differentiation at the center of its understanding of secularization. The heart of the story is the claim that the increasing differentiation of social spheres over time freed the “secular” spheres of life (politics, economics, etc.) from religious control or domination. This conceptual framing has been widely shared by scholars in the field, not only by adherents of the classical secularization paradigm, but also their leading critics in the supply-side and historicist–revisionist schools. While the story sometimes serves a purely descriptive function, at other times it is used to explain secularization (i.e., differentiation causes secularization). A close examination of the differentiation story, however, raises questions about the historical accuracy and theoretical plausibility of some of its core assumptions. Aspects of the differentiation story that require critical reconsideration include the empirical accuracy of its historical generalizations, its underspecified notion of “spheres,” and its explanatory assumption that some spheres are innately or properly nonreligious.
‘Loca Deserta’, ‘Silvae Condensae’ and ‘Abrupta Montium’: How Crusaders Viewed Nature in the Balkans
Authors: Luchitskaya Svetlana
Published: June 2023

The Crusaders who followed Via militaris or Via Egnatia to the Holy Land traversed the vast and more or less unknown region of the Balkans, where they found themselves in an unfamiliar natural environment. This article explores the physical and psychological effects experienced by the Crusaders in this environment as recorded in their chronicles and accounts of pilgrimages. The purpose of this study is to investigate how nature affected the Crusaders and what they thought about it. When chroniclers write about nature in the Balkans, they emphasize its desolation, inaccessibility and remoteness from any established society and civilization. The portrayals of the wild and treacherous environment align with the stories about the Balkan people and their brutish customs, “barbarous” language, and way of life. Overall, these descriptions are based on the contrasting concepts of ‘nature’ and ‘culture’, ‘barbarism’ and ‘civilization’, ‘chaos’ and ‘order’, and so forth.
Is the Spiritual Man Pentecostal? Watchman Nee’s Perspective on the Charismatic Experiences
Authors: Zhao Pan
Published: June 2023

Watchman Nee (Ni Tuosheng, 1903–1972), one of the most prominent theologians in Republican China (1911–1949), developed a “spiritual theology” that is concentrated on the work of the Holy Spirit. This theological perspective shares parallels with Pentecostal-Charismatic theology. This paper examines Nee’s attitude toward Pentecostalism and the charismatic experience. First, based on his teaching of the three-stage work of the Holy Spirit, Nee argued that the inner guidance of the Holy Spirit was more important than any external manifestation and that the “baptism of the Holy Spirit” in the Pentecostal-Charismatic movement was not a personal experience that Christians should pursue. Second, in terms of subjective experience, Nee’s trichotomous view of human nature as consisting of spirit, soul, and body suggested that many charismatic experiences originate in the soul and need to be overcome. Third, concerning the spiritual world, Nee regarded as the work of evil spirits those charismatic experiences that occur in irrational and unconscious situations. Nee’s negative stance towards Pentecostalism and the charismatic experience serves as a means of distinguishing his spiritual theology from Pentecostalist-Charismatic movements. Both Nee’s theology and his church practices reveal a strong elitist element, in stark contrast to Pentecostalism.
Local Pasts and International Inspirations: The Heritagisation and Caminoisation of Pilgrimage Landscapes in Norway
Authors: Lunde Hannah Kristine
Published: June 2023

Through the case of St Olav Ways, the aim of this article is to shed light on the ways in which the contemporary pilgrimage phenomenon in Norway is developed through a combination of interpretations of local religious history and inspiration from international pilgrimage developments, the Camino de Santiago in particular. Pilgrimage is increasingly becoming visible as a contemporary phenomenon in Norway, as in several other European countries where pilgrimage was long discredited as a religious practice. From the 1990s, pilgrimage routes leading to historical shrines have been developed, initiated by agents ranging from grassroot enthusiasts to governmental ministries. This is analysed as the heritagisation of religion and Caminoisation. In a broader perspective, this pertains to how interfaces between the spheres of religion, politics and cultural heritage management are central to the development of contemporary pilgrimage landscapes. A further aim of this article is to demonstrate the importance of taking administrative and political processes into account for pilgrimage studies. The study is based on ethnographic fieldwork and document analysis.
A Medieval Daoist Drug Geography: The Jinye Shendan Jing as a Novel View on the Circulation of Medical Knowledge in Asia
Authors: Stanley-Baker Michael , Pettit J. E. E. , Yang Dolly
Published: June 2023

This article studies the Taiqing jinye shendan jing 太清金液神丹經 (Grand Clarity Scripture of Divine Elixir Made from Liquid Gold, hereafter Scripture of Liquid Gold), attributed to Ge Hong 葛洪 (283–343 CE), to examine the intersection of religion, science and medicine in China. Passages from the Scripture of Liquid Gold describe the healing powers of drugs and highlight ways medieval writers imagined the transmission of medical knowledge, as well as the specific places producing potent substances. The text provides a view that contravenes standard narratives of foreign medical migration that vector into China via Buddhist channels. As such, we argue that it provides a novel view of medical migration in its time period. As one of the early sources on physical geography and trade goods from Southeast Asia, it is an important resource for early knowledge of the region and is one of the earliest examples of possible Daoist religio-technical continuities between the regions.
An Inversion Method for Geoacoustic Parameters in Shallow Water Based on Bottom Reflection Signals
Authors: Wang Zhuo , Ma Yuxuan , Kan Guangming , Liu Baohua , Zhou Xinghua , Zhang Xiaobo
Published: June 2023

The inversion method based on the reflection loss-grazing angle curve is an effective tool to obtain local underwater acoustic parameters. Because geoacoustic parameters vary in sensitivity to grazing angle, it is difficult to get accurate results in geoacoustic parameter inversion based on small-grazing-angle data in shallow water. In addition, the normal-mode model commonly used in geoacoustic parameter inversion fails to meet the needs of accurate local sound field simulation as the influence of the secant integral is ignored. To solve these problems, an acoustic data acquisition scheme was rationally designed based on a sparker source, a fixed vertical array, and ship drifting with the swell, which could balance the trade-off among signal transmission efficiency and signal stability, and the actual local acoustic data at low-to-mid frequencies were acquired at wide grazing angles in the South Yellow Sea area. Furthermore, the bottom reflection coefficients (bottom reflection losses) corresponding to different grazing angles were calculated based on the wavenumber integration method. The local seafloor sediment parameters were then estimated using the genetic algorithm and the bottom reflection loss curve with wide grazing angles, obtaining more accurate local acoustic information. The seafloor acoustic velocity inverted is cp=1659 m/s and the sound attenuation is αp=0.656 dB/λ in the South Yellow Sea. Relevant experimental results indicate that the method described in this study is feasible for local inversion of geoacoustic parameters for seafloor sediments. Compared with conventional large-scale inversion methods, in areas where there are significant changes in the seabed sediment level, this method can obtain more accurate local acoustic features within small-scale areas.
Adversarial Examples in Visual Object Tracking in Satellite Videos: Cross-Frame Momentum Accumulation for Adversarial Examples Generation
Authors: Zhang Yu , Wang Lingfei , Zhang Chenghao , Li Jin
Published: June 2023

The visual object tracking technology of remote sensing images has important applications in areas with high safety performance such as national defense, homeland security, and intelligent transportation in smart cities. However, previous research demonstrates that adversarial examples pose a significant threat to remote sensing imagery. This article first explores the impact of adversarial examples in the field of visual object tracking in remote sensing imagery. We design a classification- and regression-based loss function for the popular Siamese RPN series of visual object tracking models and use the PGD gradient-based attack method to generate adversarial examples. Additionally, we consider the temporal consistency of video frames and design an adversarial examples attack method based on momentum continuation. We evaluate our method on the remote sensing visual object tracking datasets SatSOT and VISO and the traditional datasets OTB100 and UAV123. The experimental results show that our approach can effectively reduce the performance of the tracker.
Evaluating the Performance of Sentinel-3A OLCI Products in the Subarctic Northeast Pacific
Authors: Vishnu Perumthuruthil Suseelan , Costa Maycira
Published: June 2023

The subarctic northeast Pacific (SNEP) is a high-nitrate, low-chlorophyll (HNLC) region in the ocean, where phytoplankton growth and productivity are limited by iron. Moreover, there is a limited application of high spatial (300 m) and temporal resolution (daily) ocean color (OC) satellite imagery in studying the phytoplankton dynamics in this region. To address this issue, we aim to validate the remote sensing reflectance (Rrs; sr−1(λ)) and chlorophyll-a (Chla) concentration derived from the Polymer atmospheric correction algorithm against in situ data for the SNEP obtained during 2019 and 2020. Additionally, we performed qualitative analysis using weekly binned surface Chla maps to determine whether the product reflects the general pattern over a latitudinal and longitudinal domain. We processed the daily Level-1 image using Polymer and binned them weekly using Graphic Processing Tool (GPT). The validation results indicate that Polymer exhibits higher radiometric performance in the blue and green bands and fails to represent in situ Rrs in the red band. Furthermore, the Polymer slightly over- and underestimates reflectance between 0.0012 and 0.0018 sr−1 in the green band. On the other hand, excellent agreement was found between satellite-derived versus in situ Chla, followed by a slight overestimation of in situ Chla in the range from 0.17 to 0.28 mg/m3. The weekly binned Chla spatial map revealed a spatially homogeneous distribution of surface Chla in Central Alaska, but a substantial increase in Chla (≥0.7 mg/m3) was recorded toward Southeast Alaska (SEA) and the British Columbia (BC) shelf. Furthermore, Chla derived from latitudinal and longitudinal transects indicates high Chla toward 57°N and −135°W, respectively. Overall, the results of this study emphasize the need to obtain high-quality matchups from under-sampled oligotrophic waters, which are crucial for satellite validation, in addition to highlighting the importance of using high spatial and temporal resolution satellite imagery to study phytoplankton dynamics in the SNEP.
Sentinel-2 Time Series and Classifier Fusion to Map an Aquatic Invasive Plant Species along a River—The Case of Water-Hyacinth
Authors: Mouta Nuno , Silva Renato , Pinto Eva M. , Vaz Ana Sofia , Alonso Joaquim M. , Gonçalves João F. , Honrado João , Vicente Joana R.
Published: June 2023

Freshwater ecosystems host high levels of biodiversity but are also highly vulnerable to biological invasions. Aquatic Invasive Alien Plant Species (aIAPS) can cause detrimental effects on freshwater ecosystems and their services to society, raising challenges to decision-makers regarding their correct management. Spatially and temporally explicit information on the occurrence of aIAPS in dynamic freshwater systems is essential to implement efficient regional and local action plans. The use of unmanned aerial vehicle imagery synchronized with free Sentinel-2 multispectral data allied with classifier fusion techniques may support more efficient monitoring actions for non-stationary aIAPS. Here, we explore the advantages of such a novel approach for mapping the invasive water-hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in the Cávado River (northern Portugal). Invaded and non-invaded areas were used to explore the evolution of spectral attributes of Eichhornia crassipes through a time series (processed by a super-resolution algorithm) that covers March 2021 to February 2022 and to build an occurrence dataset (presence or absence). Analysis of the spectral behavior throughout the year allowed the detection of spectral regions with greater capacity to distinguish the target plant from the surrounding environment. Classifier fusion techniques were implemented in the biomod2 predictive modelling package and fed with selected spectral regions to firstly extract a spectral signature from the synchronized day and secondly to identify pixels with similar reflectance values over time. Predictions from statistical and machine-learning algorithms were ensembled to map invaded spaces across the whole study area during all seasons with classifications attaining high accuracy values (True Skill Statistic, TSS: 0.932; Area Under the Receiver Operating Curve, ROC: 0.992; Kappa: 0.826). Our results provide evidence of the potential of our approach to mapping plant invaders in dynamic freshwater systems over time, applicable in the assessment of the success of control actions as well as in the implementation of long-term strategic monitoring.
Surface Subsidence of Nanchang, China 2015–2021 Retrieved via Multi-Temporal InSAR Based on Long- and Short-Time Baseline Net
Authors: Gao Hua , Xiong Luyun , Chen Jiehong , Lin Hui , Feng Guangcai
Published: June 2023

Urban land subsidence threatens the safety of urban buildings and people’s lives. The time series interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) technology can provide us with large-area, high-resolution, and high-precision ground deformation monitoring. In this study, the time series InSAR technology and the strategy with long- and short-time baseline networking are used to obtain the surface deformation along the line of sight of Nanchang City based on the six-year (from December 2015 to December 2021) Sentinel-1 data. Longer datasets and better baseline strategies allow us to obtain more stable deformation results of Nanchang City than other researchers. The results of surface deformation show that the overall surface of Nanchang City is stable, but there are several obvious subsidence funnels. We carried out a field survey on four areas with significant surface subsidence. We considered that these subsidence areas may be related to soil compaction, building construction, and groundwater extraction. Based on the surface deformation results around the subway line, we analyzed the impact of subway construction on the surface along the line and identified the sections that need to be focused on by the managers to prevent the deformation area from affecting the surrounding buildings and subway line operation safety.