bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Replacing Feldspar by Philippine Black Cinder on the Development of Low-Porosity Red Stoneware
Authors: Echavez Fel Jane A. , Lumasag Liberty R. , Bato Beverly L. , Simplicio Alyssa May Rabadon , Cahigao Jade P. , Aligno Elly U. , Dispo Roben Victor M. , Dionio Sherlyn Keh D. , Saladaga Christian Julle C. , Virtudazo Raymond V. Rivera , Bernardo-Arugay Ivyleen C.
Published: April 2023

Stoneware is a ceramic material with low porosity and high mechanical properties, such as the modulus of rupture. It is essentially made of clay, feldspar and quartz and is sintered to create a mixture of glass and crystalline phases. With the projected growth rate of the global ceramics market size and the country’s development plan for 2023–2028, it is imperative that alternative raw materials for the manufacture of ceramic products be sourced so that the importation of these materials, such as feldspar, be minimized, if not eliminated. Cinder in the Philippines is mainly used as a filling material in pavements and residential areas. In this study, this resource is utilized as partial and full replacement of feldspar in a typical ternary diagram for stoneware production. Bars were formed from different formulations by the slip casting method and were sintered at 1200 °C. Physical and mechanical properties of the bars, such as shrinkage, loss on ignition, water absorption, apparent porosity and modulus of rupture were determined. Thermo-physical analyses were also carried out on the raw materials and on formulated powders. Meeting the requirements of the various quality standards for ceramics, the partial replacement of feldspar with black cinder (LF, LFBQ and LFBH) is feasible for wall and roof applications while full replacement of feldspar with black cinder (LB) is suitable for wider use as wall, floor, vitrified, industrial and roof tiles.
Integrated Identification of Lithology Using Seismic and Magnetic Anomaly Data for Granite and Gneiss Basement: A Case Study of the LiShui Depression in the East China Sea Basin
Authors: Wu Haichao , Zhang Tao , Tang Huafeng , Lu Baoliang , Dong Zhe
Published: April 2023

Granite and gneiss buried hill reservoirs are controlled by their lithology and dark mineral content. Therefore, lithological identification and dark mineral content analysis are important research tools in the early stage of buried hill exploration. In this paper, the relationships between the seismic facies and lithology, magnetic susceptibility, and magnetic anomalies of granite and gneiss are analyzed based on the lithological characteristics of the LiShui depression (LS depression) in the East China Sea Basin (ECSB). The waveform classification method is used to identify granite and gneiss, and the waveform classification results reveal that areas with continuous distribution of a single seismic trace model or two seismic trace models represent good continuity, and can be interpreted as gneiss. Areas with a mixed distribution of multiple seismic trace models represent chaotic and poor continuity, which can be interpreted as granite. The mixed linear zone with multi-seismic trace models is a fault zone, and the rock is cataclasite. In addition, reduction to the pole (RTP) and downward continuation technique for magnetic data processing were used to determine the dark mineral content. Overall, the granite and gneiss can be divided into three types based on magnetic anomaly data: high, moderate, and low magnetic anomaly areas. The areas in which granite with moderate and low magnetic anomalies is distributed are the favorable exploration target areas. The above method provides a technical means of lithological identification in the early stage of buried hill exploration.
Geological Characteristics and Paleoenvironmental Evolution of Fine-Grained Sediments in the Third Member of the Xujiahe Formation in the Western Sichuan Depression, SW China
Authors: Lu Yunfei , Tian Jingchun , Liang Qingshao , Lin Xiaobing
Published: April 2023

This study investigated, in detail, the characteristics of the Late Triassic fine-grained sediments in the third member of the Xujiahe Formation (Xu-3 Member), in the Western Sichuan Depression, and the paleoenvironmental evolution during their deposition through petrological interpretation, mineralogical composition characterization, and element geochemical analysis. According to the mineralogical composition, the Xu-3 Member can be divided into two petrological types, namely clayey fine-grained felsic sedimentary rocks and lime fine-grained felsic sedimentary rocks. The main mineral components are siliceous, clay, and carbonate minerals. Through the cluster analysis of major elements, all samples could be divided into two types with different major elemental characteristics. Trace elements exhibited distinct Sr depletion, relative enrichment of large ion lithophile elements, and high field strength elements. Two REE enrichment patterns were observed, which could be attributed to differences in the provenance area and tectonic background. The paleoclimate of the sedimentary area was warm and humid, but it was hotter and drier in the southern and central parts of the depression. The change trend of paleo-productivity was consistent with the paleoclimate. The waters in the sedimentary environment were mainly brackish water to saline water, with fresh water in the southern part of the depression. The paleo-redox conditions of the waters were mainly sub-oxidation to sub-reduction, but the southern part of the depression was more oxidative. The provenance area experienced a moderate degree of chemical weathering under a warm and humid paleoclimate, same as the depositional area. However, the depositional environments differed between the northern and south-central parts of the depression.
New 6′-Amino-5′-cyano-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-1′H-spiro[indole-3,4′-pyridine]-3′-carboxamides: Synthesis, Reactions, Molecular Docking Studies and Biological Activity
Authors: Dotsenko Victor V. , Jassim Nawras T. , Temerdashev Azamat Z. , Abdul-Hussein Zainab R. , Aksenov Nicolai A. , Aksenova Inna V.
Published: April 2023

The purpose of this work was to prepare new isatin- and monothiomalondiamide-based indole derivatives, as well as to study the properties of the new compounds. The four-component reaction of 5-R-isatins (R = H, CH3), malononitrile, monothiomalonamide (3-amino-3-thioxo- propanamide) and triethylamine in hot EtOH yields a mixture of isomeric triethylammonium 6′-amino-3′-(aminocarbonyl)-5′-cyano-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-1′H- and 6′-amino-3′-(aminocarbonyl)- 5′-cyano-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3′H-spiro[indole-3,4′-pyridine]-2′-thiolates. The reactivity and structure of the products was studied. We found that oxidation of spiro[indole-3,4′-pyridine]-2′-thiolates with DMSO-HCl system produced only acidification products, diastereomeric 6′-amino-5′-cyano-5-methyl-2-oxo-2′-thioxo-1,2,2′,3′-tetrahydro-1′H-spiro-[indole-3,4′-pyridine]- 3′-carboxamides, instead of the expected isothiazolopyridines. The alkylation of the prepared spiro[indole-3,4′-pyridine]-2′-thiolates upon treatment with N-aryl α-chloroacetamides and α-bromoacetophenones proceeds in a regioselective way at the sulfur atom. In the case of α-bromoacetophenones, ring-chain tautomerism was observed for the S-alkylation products. According to NMR data, the compounds consist of a mixture of stereoisomers of 2′-amino-6′-[(2-aryl-2-oxoethyl)thio]-3′-cyano-2-oxo-1′H-spiro[indoline-3,4′-pyridine]-5′-carboxamides and 5′-amino-3′-aryl-6′-cyano-3′-hydroxy-2-oxo-2′,3′-dihydrospiro[indoline-3,7′-thiazolo[3,2-a]pyridine]-8′-carboxamides in various ratios. The structure of the synthesized compounds was confirmed by IR spectroscopy, HRMS, 1H and 13C DEPTQ NMR studies and the results of 2D NMR experiments (1H-13C HSQC, 1H-13C HMBC). Molecular docking studies were performed to investigate suitable binding modes of some new compounds with respect to the transcriptional regulator protein PqsR of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The docking studies revealed that the compounds have affinity for the bacterial regulator protein PqsR of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with a binding energy in the range of −5.8 to −8.2 kcal/mol. In addition, one of the new compounds, 2′-amino-3′-cyano-5-methyl-2-oxo-6′-{[2-oxo-2-(p-tolylamino)ethyl]thio}-1′H-spiro-[indoline-3,4′-pyridine]-5′-carboxamide, showed in vitro moderate antibacterial effect against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and good antioxidant properties in a test with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical. Finally, three of the new compounds were recognized as moderately active herbicide safeners with respect to herbicide 2,4-D in the laboratory experiments on sunflower seedlings.
Recovery of Rose Flower Waste to Formulate Eco-Friendly Biopolymer Packaging Films
Authors: Dintcheva Nadka Tz. , Morici Elisabetta
Published: April 2023

Considering the circular principles of materials and investigating the possibility to use waste materials before their final disposal, in this work, dry rose flower (DRF) and rose flower waste (RFW), after oil extraction, have been considered as suitable materials for the formulation of biopolymer packaging films. Both DRF and RFW particles have been characterized by spectroscopy analysis, and their radical scavenger ability has been investigated. Moreover, DRF and RFW particles have been added by melt mixing to PolyLactic Acid (PLA), and formulated PLA-based films have been studied through rheology analysis, mechanical test, differential scanning calorimetry, and microscopy observations. Finally, the influence of both DRF and RFW particles on the photo-oxidation behavior of PLA has been evaluated by subjecting thin films to UVB exposure, and the progress of degradation has been monitored following the accumulations of oxygen-containing groups in time. Obtained results suggest that both DRF and RFW have a beneficial effect on the photo-oxidation behavior of PLA, and they can slow down PLA degradation upon UVB exposure. Therefore, PLA-based composite materials could be considered a good candidate for applications as packaging films.
Emerging Advancements in Piezoelectric Nanomaterials for Dynamic Tumor Therapy
Authors: Yu Qian , Shi Wenhui , Li Shun , Liu Hong , Zhang Jianming
Published: April 2023

Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases, having spurred researchers to explore effective therapeutic strategies for several centuries. Although efficacious, conventional chemotherapy usually introduces various side effects, such as cytotoxicity or multi−drug resistance. In recent decades, nanomaterials, possessing unique physical and chemical properties, have been used for the treatment of a wide range of cancers. Dynamic therapies, which can kill target cells using reactive oxygen species (ROS), are promising for tumor treatment, as they overcome the drawbacks of chemotherapy methods. Piezoelectric nanomaterials, featuring a unique property to convert ultrasound vibration energy into electrical energy, have also attracted increasing attention in biomedical research, as the piezoelectric effect can drive chemical reactions to generate ROS, leading to the newly emerging technique of ultrasound−driven tumor therapy. Piezoelectric materials are expected to bring a better solution for efficient and safe cancer treatment, as well as patient pain relief. In this review article, we highlight the most recent achievements of piezoelectric biomaterials for tumor therapy, including the mechanism of piezoelectric catalysis, conventional piezoelectric materials, modified piezoelectric materials and multifunctional piezoelectric materials for tumor treatment.
Heat Treatment and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis Strain Sweep Effects on the Phase Structure and Morphology of an Fe-28Mn-6Si-5Cr Shape Memory Alloy
Authors: Popa Mihai , Popa Florin , Pricop Bogdan , Cimpoeșu Nicanor , Lohan Nicoleta-Monica , Kicsi Gabriel , Istrate Bogdan , Bujoreanu Leandru-Gheorghe
Published: April 2023

Fe-Mn-Si-based shape memory alloys (SMAs) have been extensively investigated since 1982 for various useful properties that enhance the development of different applications such as anti-seismic dampers for very tall buildings, pipe joints, or rail fasteners. In particular, the Fe-28Mn-6Si-5Cr (mass. %) alloy has been mainly used in vibration mitigation or self-adjustable axial displacement applications. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), performed by strain sweeps (SS), enables the monitoring of the evolution of storage modulus and internal friction variations with increasing strain amplitudes at different constant frequencies and temperatures. Thus, applying dynamic bending with various frequencies and amplitudes that actually represents an isothermal mechanical treatment. In the present paper, an Fe-28Mn-6 Si-5Cr (mass. %) SMA was cast by ingot metallurgy, hot-rolled, and water quenched in order to obtain thermally induced martensite and avoid the occurrence of cooling cracks. The influence of the holding time, between 2 and 10 h, at 1050 °C and the effects of DMA-SS performed at three different frequencies were analyzed by a differential scanning calorimetry, an X-ray diffraction, and a scanning electron and atomic force microscopy. The effects of the holding time and mechanical treatment on the structure and morphology of martensite plates were corroborated with the results of the thermal analysis.
Effect of Nanographene Coating on the Seebeck Coefficient of Mesoporous Silicon
Authors: Nar Sibel , Stolz Arnaud , Machon Denis , Bourhis Eric , Andreazza Pascal , Boucherif Abderraouf , Semmar Nadjib
Published: April 2023

Nanographene–mesoporous silicon (G-PSi) composites have recently emerged as a promising class of nanomaterials with tuneable physical properties. In this study, we investigated the impact of nanographene coating on the Seebeck coefficient of mesoporous silicon (PSi) obtained by varying two parameters: porosity and thickness. To achieve this, an electrochemical etching process on p + doped Si is presented for the control of the parameters (thicknesses varying from 20 to 160 µm, and a porosity close to 50%), and for nanographene incorporation through chemical vapor deposition. Raman and XPS spectroscopies confirmed the presence of nanographene on PSi. Using a homemade ZT meter, the Seebeck coefficient of the p + doped Si matrix was evaluated at close to 100 ± 15 µV/K and confirmed by UPS spectroscopy analysis. Our findings suggest that the Seebeck coefficient of the porous Si can be measured independently from that of the substrate by fitting measurements on samples with a different thickness of the porous layer. The value of the Seebeck coefficient for the porous Si is of the order of 750 ± 40 µV/K. Furthermore, the incorporation of nanographene induced a drastic decrease to approximately 120 ± 15 µV/K, a value similar to that of its silicon substrate.
Carbohydrate Intake and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies
Authors: Jo Unhui , Park Kyong
Published: April 2023

The purpose of this study is to understand the conflicting results from previous studies on the association between carbohydrate intake and cardiovascular disease (CVD) by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the most recent scientific evidence. A systematic review used three electronic databases to gather literature on the association between carbohydrate intake and CVD. Considering the discrepancies, either fixed or random effect models were chosen to determine the effect size, and sensitivity analysis results, as well as publication bias, were also presented. The meta-analysis found that individuals with the highest carbohydrate intake had a 1.15-fold increased risk of CVD compared to those with the lowest intake (hazard ratio, HR: 1.15, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.07–1.23). Further subgroup analysis revealed that this association was only present in Asia, with a 1.52-fold increased risk (HR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.17–1.97), while no associations were seen in the Americas, Europe, and Oceania. The relationship between carbohydrate intake and CVD was non-linear, with a marked escalation beyond 60% of total energy from carbohydrates. Our findings suggest that a high-carbohydrate diet may raise the risk of CVD, particularly in Asian populations. This association may be due to the higher carbohydrate consumption and genetic variations found in Asia.
Protective Effect of Hydrogen-Rich Saline on Spinal Cord Damage in Rats
Authors: Kayabaş Murat , Şahin Levent , Makav Mustafa , Alwazeer Duried , Aras Levent , Yiğit Serdar , LeBaron Tyler W.
Published: April 2023

The anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of molecular hydrogen, delivered as hydrogen-rich saline (HRS), on spinal cord injury was investigated. Four-month-old male Sprague Dawley rats (n = 24) were classified into four groups: (1) control—laminectomy only at T7-T10; (2) spinal injury—dura left intact, Tator and Rivlin clip compression model applied to the spinal cord for 1 min, no treatment given; (3) HRS group—applied intraperitoneally (i.p.) for seven days; and (4) spinal injury—HRS administered i.p. for seven days after laminectomy at T7–T10 level, leaving the dura intact and applying the Tator and Rivlin clip compression model to the spinal cord for 1 min. Levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured in blood taken at day seven from all groups, and hematoxylin–eosin (H & E) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) were used to stain the tissue samples. IL-6 and TNF-α levels were significantly lower in the group treated with HRS following the spinal cord injury compared to the group whose spinal cord was damaged. A decrease in apoptosis was also observed. The anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effect of IL-6 may be a clinically useful adjuvant therapy after spinal cord injury.
Bioactivity of Falkenbergia rufolanosa Methanolic Extract: Assessment of Its Effect on Methyl-Thiophanate Induced Bone and Blood Disorders
Authors: Feki Amal , Kammoun Intissar , Eleroui Malek , Kallel Rim , Megdiche Fatma , Hariz Liwa , Boudawara Tahia , Kallel Choumous , Kallel Hatem , Pujo Jean Marc , Ben Amara Ibtissem
Published: April 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the potentiality of a mineral and antioxidant-rich methanolic extract of the red marine alga Falkenbergia rufolanosa (FRE) against methyl-thiophanate (MT)-induced toxicity in adult rats. The animals were allocated into four groups: controls, MT (300 mg/kg), MT + FRE, and FRE-treated group for 7 days. Our results demonstrated severe mineral perturbations due to MT treatment, especially in calcium and phosphorus levels in plasma, urine, and bone. Similarly, the hematological analysis revealed increased red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells associated with striking genotoxicity. Interestingly, a significant rise in lipid peroxidation and advanced oxidation protein products level in erythrocytes and bone were noted. Meanwhile, a depletion of the antioxidant status in both tissues occurred. These biochemical alterations were in harmony with DNA degradation and histological variation in bone and blood. In the other trend, data showed that treatment with alga improved MT-induced hematotoxicity, genotoxicity, and oxidative stress in the blood and bone. Osteo-mineral metabolism and bone histo-architecture were also noted. In conclusion, these findings demonstrated that the red alga Falkenbergia rufolanosa is a potent source of antioxidant and antibacterial agents, as revealed by the in vitro analysis.
Novel Bovine Serum Albumin-Decorated–Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Able to Modulate Apoptosis and Cell-Cycle Response in Ovarian, Breast, and Colon Tumoral Cells
Authors: Tincu Robert , Mihaila Mirela , Bostan Marinela , Teodorescu Florina , Istrati Daniela , Badea Nicoleta , Lacatusu Ioana
Published: April 2023

A novel nanoscale approach was developed for the improved cellular internalization of hybrid bovine serum albumin–lipid nanocarriers loaded with piperine (NLC-Pip–BSA) in different tumor cells. The effect of the BSA-targeted–NLC-Pip and untargeted-NLC-Pip on the viability, proliferation, and levels of cell-cycle damage and apoptosis in the colon (LoVo), ovarian (SKOV3) and breast (MCF7) adenocarcinoma cell lines was comparatively discussed. NLCs were characterized concerning particle size, morphology, zeta potential, phytochemical encapsulation efficiency, ATR-FTIR, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The results showed that NLC-Pip–BSA showed a mean size below 140 nm, a zeta potential of −60 mV, and an entrapment efficiency of 81.94% for NLC-Pip and 80.45% for NLC-Pip–BSA. Fluorescence spectroscopy confirmed the coating of the NLC with the albumin. By MTS and RTCA assays, NLC-Pip–BSA showed a more pronounced response against the LoVo colon cell line and MCF-7 breast tumor cell lines than against the ovarian SKOV-3 cell line. Flow cytometry assay demonstrated that the targeted NLC-Pip had more cytotoxicity and improved apoptosis than the untargeted ones in MCF-7 tumor cells (p < 0.05). NLC-Pip caused a significant increase in MCF-7 breast tumor cell apoptosis of ~8X, while NLC-Pip–BSA has shown an 11-fold increase in apoptosis.
An Apology for a Dynamic Ontology: Peirce’s Analysis of Futurity in a Nietzschean Perspective
Authors: Rossella Fabbrichesi
Published: April 2023

Ontology is a part of metaphysics; it concerns what there is. Is it possible to consider being and reality not in a traditional metaphysical way—that is, not as a ground, an origin, a cause, but as a movement, a flux, a dynamogenic principle? I will set out from a seminal aphorism by Nietzsche, occurring in Human, all too Human (§2): “A lack of the historical sense is the hereditary fault of all philosophers. But everything has evolved; there are no eternal facts, as there are likewise no absolute truths. Therefore, historical philosophising is henceforth necessary, and with it the virtue of diffidence”. I will then move on to explore Peirce’s late thought, starting from a passage in a letter to W. James, where the author supports a “futurist” interpretation of reality—as he had in the juvenile writings—and speaks of “the reality of the public world of the indefinite future as against our past opinions of what it was to be.” This can be defined as a process of “mellonization,” that operation of logic by which what “is conceived as having been is conceived as extended indefinitely into what always will be”. Similarly, in the Preface to Human, all too Human Nietzsche writes: “Our destiny rules over us, even when we are not yet aware of it; it is the future that makes laws for our today”. I will try to read some Peirce’s statements in a Nietzschean perspective within the context of the plan to develop a dynamic and historical ontology; and I will try to read the “enigma” of Nietzsche’s Eternal recurrence from a Peircean perspective.
Transmission Matrix-Inspired Optimization for Mode Control in a 6 × 1 Photonic Lantern-Based Fiber Laser
Authors: Zhou Qiong , Lu Yao , Li Changjin , Chai Junyu , Zhang Dan , Liu Pengfei , Zhang Jiangbin , Jiang Zongfu , Liu Wenguang
Published: April 2023

A photonic lantern is a coherent beam combination device that can increase the fiber laser brightness by adaptively controlling the input light properties, such as phase, intensity, and polarization. However, the control effect is closely related to the initial optical field, which affects the convergence speed to obtain the optimum solutions. In this work, we propose a novel control strategy using the prior structural information of the photonic lantern. Taking a 6 × 1 photonic lantern as an example, we calculate the transmission matrix of the photonic lantern. The initial optical field conditions, fed as the control inputs, for various mode outputs can be obtained. Compared with the random and equal amplitude control methods, the preset method from the transmission matrix presents a significant improvement of the desired mode content. Our optimization method is generally useful for adaptive control systems to improve their performance, taking advantage of their own structural information.
Quantitative Phase Contrast Microscopy with Optimized Partially Coherent Illumination
Authors: Zhuo Kequn , Wang Yang , Ma Ying , An Sha , Zalevsky Zeev , Zheng Juanjuan , Gao Peng
Published: April 2023

This paper presents a partially coherent illumination quantitative phase contrast microscopic (PCI-QPCM) prototype. In the PCI-QPCM prototype, the light scattered by a rotating diffuser is coupled into a multi-mode fiber, and the output light is used as the illumination for PCI-QPCM. The illumination wave has a constrained spectrum with a diameter of tens of micrometers, which can reduce speckle noise and will not broaden the dc term of the object wave. In the Fourier plane of the object wave, grating-masked phase shifters generated by a spatial light modulator (SLM) allow for measuring the intensity of the undiffracted and diffracted components of the object wave, as well as the phase-shifted interference patterns of the two. Quantitative phase images can be reconstructed from the recorded intensity images. The proposed PCI-QPCM was demonstrated with quantitative phase imaging of a transparent waveguide and a phase-step sample.
Wafer Eccentricity Deviation Measurement Method Based on Line-Scanning Chromatic Confocal 3D Profiler
Authors: Qu Dingjun , Zhou Zuoda , Li Zhiwei , Ding Ruizhe , Jin Wei , Luo Haiyan , Xiong Wei
Published: April 2023

The wafer eccentricity deviation caused by misalignment between the center of the wafer and rotary table will lead to edge image distortion and quality degradation of the defect signals during automated inspection. However, wafer end jump and edge topography change will bring great challenges to the accurate measurement of micrometer deviations. A new wafer eccentricity deviation measurement method based on line-scanning chromatic confocal sensors (LSCCSs) is proposed. Firstly, the LSCCS with Z-axis submicron resolution used in the experiment acquires the 3D profile height of the wafer edge as the turntable rotates, and the edge distance is calculated at each rotation angle. Secondly, a robust Fourier-LAR fitting method is used to fit edge distance serial to reduce sensitivity to outliers. Finally, the wafer eccentricity deviation that is equal to the wafer center coordinate can be calculated using the wafer eccentricity deviation model. In the simulated experiment, the results show that the eccentricity deviation measurement accuracy was insensitivity to noise and reached the micron level. Additionally, the measurement uncertainty of eccentricity deviation coordinate Xw,Yw was (0.53 µm, 1.4 µm) in the actual data of the 12-inch wafers.
Studies of the Mechanism of Nucleosome Dynamics: A Review on Multifactorial Regulation from Computational and Experimental Cases
Authors: Shi Danfeng , Huang Yuxin , Bai Chen
Published: April 2023

The nucleosome, which organizes the long coil of genomic DNA in a highly condensed, polymeric way, is thought to be the basic unit of chromosomal structure. As the most important protein–DNA complex, its structural and dynamic features have been successively revealed in recent years. However, its regulatory mechanism, which is modulated by multiple factors, still requires systemic discussion. This study summarizes the regulatory factors of the nucleosome’s dynamic features from the perspective of histone modification, DNA methylation, and the nucleosome-interacting factors (transcription factors and nucleosome-remodeling proteins and cations) and focuses on the research exploring the molecular mechanism through both computational and experimental approaches. The regulatory factors that affect the dynamic features of nucleosomes are also discussed in detail, such as unwrapping, wrapping, sliding, and stacking. Due to the complexity of the high-order topological structures of nucleosomes and the comprehensive effects of regulatory factors, the research on the functional modulation mechanism of nucleosomes has encountered great challenges. The integration of computational and experimental approaches, the construction of physical modes for nucleosomes, and the application of deep learning techniques will provide promising opportunities for further exploration.
Effect of Starch Type and Pre-Treatment on the Properties of Gelatin–Starch Foams Produced by Mechanical Foaming
Authors: Martin Torrejon Virginia , Song Hang , Wu Bingjie , Luo Guidong , Song Jim
Published: April 2023

Incorporating biopolymers in packaging foams can contribute to a more circular packaging system, utilizing renewable and compostable materials. Gelatin, with its favorable physicochemical properties, allows for producing gelatin foams via mechanical foaming, a well-established and low-investment process. To improve foam properties, starch can be added to the gelatin formulation. However, the variability in the properties of starch powders can impact the polymer blend and, consequently, the properties of the dry foam. This study aimed to investigate the impact of different starch powders from different botanical origins (tapioca and corn) and treatments (native or pregelatinized) on the properties of gelatin–starch foams produced by mechanical foaming. The study successfully produced foams with densities of approximately 45–50 kg/m3 and compression properties comparable to EPS (expanded polystyrene) foams. The starch type and pre-treatment significantly influenced the properties of the foam. Pregelatinized starches exhibited slightly higher densities due to lower foamability caused by higher viscosity. Using starch exhibiting total loss of birefringence led to denser foams with greater compression properties than those with starch with a certain degree of crystallinity remaining. Therefore, selecting the appropriate starch type is crucial when developing starch-based materials to ensure optimal material and processing properties align with application requirements.
Cloning, Expression, and Characterization of a Highly Stable Heparinase I from Bacteroides xylanisolvens
Authors: Pei Jia-Lu , Wei Wei , Wang Ding-Ran , Liu Cai-Yun , Zhou Hua-Ping , Xu Chen-Lu , Zhang Ye-Wang
Published: April 2023

Heparinase I (Hep I), which specifically degrades heparin to oligosaccharide or unsaturated disaccharide, has an important role in the production of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). However, low productivity and stability of heparinase I hinders its applications. Here, a novel heparinase I (BxHep-I) was cloned from Bacteroides xylanisolvens and overexpressed in soluble form in Escherichia coli. The expression conditions of BxHep-I were optimized for an activity of 7144 U/L. BxHep-I had a specific activity of 57.6 U/mg at the optimal temperature and pH of 30 °C and pH 7.5, with the Km and Vmax of 0.79 mg/mL and 124.58 U/mg, respectively. BxHep-I catalytic activity could be enhanced by Ca2+ and Mg2+, while strongly inhibited by Zn2+ and Co2+. Purified BxHep-I displayed an outstanding thermostability with half-lives of 597 and 158 min at 30 and 37 °C, respectively, which are the highest half-lives ever reported for heparinases I. After storage at 4 °C for one week, BxHep-I retained 73% of its initial activity. Molecular docking revealed that the amino acids Asn25, Gln27, Arg88, Lys116, His156, Arg161, Gln228, Tyr356, Lys358, and Tyr362 form 13 hydrogen bonds with the substrate heparin disaccharides in the substrate binding domain and are mainly involved in the substrate binding of BxHep-I. These results suggest that the BxHep-I with high stability could be a candidate catalyst for the industrial production of LMWH.
One-Pot Synthesis of Double-Network PEG/Collagen Hydrogel for Enhanced Adipogenic Differentiation and Retrieval of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells
Authors: Lee Hwajung , Hong Hye Jin , Ahn Sujeong , Kim Dohyun , Kang Shin Hyuk , Cho Kanghee , Koh Won-Gun
Published: April 2023

Hydrogels are widely used in stem cell therapy due to their extensive tunability and resemblance to the extracellular matrix (ECM), which has a three-dimensional (3D) structure. These features enable various applications that enhance stem cell maintenance and function. However, fast and simple hydrogel fabrication methods are desirable for stem cells for efficient encapsulation and to reduce adverse effects on the cells. In this study, we present a one-pot double-crosslinked hydrogel consisting of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and collagen, which can be prepared without the multi-step sequential synthesis of each network, by using bio-orthogonal chemistry. To enhance the adipogenic differentiation efficiency of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), we added degradable components within the hydrogel to regulate matrix stiffness through cell-mediated degradation. Bio-orthogonal reactions used for hydrogel gelation allow rapid gel formation for efficient cell encapsulation without toxic by-products. Furthermore, the hybrid network of synthetic (PEG) and natural (collagen) components demonstrated adequate mechanical strength and higher cell adhesiveness. Therefore, ADSCs grown within this hybrid hydrogel proliferated and functioned better than those grown in the single-crosslinked hydrogel. The degradable elements further improved adipogenesis in ADSCs with dynamic changes in modulus during culture and enabled the retrieval of differentiated cells for potential future applications.
Ontology-Based Semantic Modeling of Coal Mine Roof Caving Accidents
Authors: Jin Lingzi , Liu Qian , Geng Yide
Published: April 2023

The frequency of roof-caving accidents ranks first among all coal mine accidents. However, the scattered knowledge system in this field and the lack of standardization exacerbate the difficulty of analyzing roof fall accidents. This study proposes an ontology-based semantic modeling method for roof fall accidents to share and reuse roof fall knowledge for intelligent decision-making. The crucial concepts of roof fall accidents and the correlations between concepts are summarized by analyzing the roof fall knowledge, providing a standard framework to represent the prior knowledge in this field. Besides, the ontology modeling tool Protégé is used to construct the ontology. As for ontology-based deep information mining and semantic reasoning, semantic rules based on expert experience and data fusion technology are proposed to evaluate mines’ potential risks comprehensively. In addition, the roof-falling rules are formalized based on the Jena syntax to make the ontology uniformly expressed in the computer. The Jena reasoning engine is utilized to mine potential tacit knowledge and preventive measures or solutions. The proposed method is demonstrated using roof fall cases, which confirms its validity and practicability. Results indicate that this method can realize the storage, management, and sharing of roof fall accident knowledge. Furthermore, it can provide accurate and comprehensive experience knowledge for the roof fall knowledge requester.
Dual Role of Sugarcane Waste in Benthic Microbial Fuel to Produce Energy with Degradation of Metals and Chemical Oxygen Demand
Authors: Aleid Ghada Mohamed , Alshammari Anoud Saud , Alomari Asma D. , A. Almukhlifi Hanadi , Ahmad Akil , Yaqoob Asim Ali
Published: April 2023

One of the most advanced systems of microbial fuel cells is the benthic microbial fuel cell (BMFC). Despite several developments, this strategy still has a number of significant flaws, such as instable organic substrate. Waste material (sugarcane) is used as a substrate in this work to address the organic substrate instability. The process was operated continuously for 70 days. A level of 300 mV was achieved after 33 days of operation, while the degradation efficiencies of Pb (II), Cd (II), and Cr (III) were more than 90%. More than 90% of the removed chemical oxygen demand (COD) was also recorded. The measured power density was 3.571 mW/m2 at 1000 external resistance with 458 internal resistance. This demonstrates that electrons are effectively transported throughout the operation. The Bacillus strains are the most dominant bacterial community on the surface of the anode. This research’s mechanism, which involves metal ion degradation, is also explained. Finally, parameter optimization indicated that pH 7 works efficiently. In addition to that, there are some future perspectives and concluding remarks enclosed.
Constraints on Research in Biological and Agricultural Science in Developing Countries: The Example of Latin America
Authors: Galina Carlos S. , Martínez José F. , Murphy Bruce D.
Published: April 2023

Science is an international effort, receiving contributions from researchers across the globe. The capacity of a country or a region to generate and publish quality research varies greatly according to the location examined. Among the factors that dictate the quantity and quality of scientific research are the availability of infrastructure and human resources, the traditions related to research endeavors, and, most significantly, local governmental support for research. There are several conditions that both individually and cooperatively limit research activities in Latin America, such as insufficient governmental support, a paucity of material and technical resources, heavy teaching loads, the absence of peer networks, and multiple constraints on publication. This commentary has been developed to discuss each of the issues that permit and, more frequently, limit biological and agricultural research endeavors in Latin America.
New Age and Environment: New Forms of Spirituality and Lifestyle in the Context of Secularization?
Authors: Pinto Tiago , Vilaça Helena
Published: April 2023

From the middle of the 20th century, the rise of anthropocentric beliefs partly inherited from the Abrahamic religions led to a change in mentality about ecosystems. The measurable signs of environmental exploitation and destruction and their consequences for human health, the shift to post-materialist values, and the growth of ethical philosophies (Land ethics, the Gaia Hypothesis, and Deep Ecology) were predictors of global ecological awareness. Progressively, human cultures (which are inseparable from religion) have become a priority for understanding relationships with the natural world. Alongside beliefs, individual subjectivities, influenced by the New Age, also positively affect sustainable values and practices. One of the community manifestations that demonstrate this is the ecovillage phenomenon. The sociological study of these new social realities influenced by the New Age is a relevant field of research in the frame of secularization or the criticism of this paradigm.
«Ipse Perspicis Scilicet»: The Relation between Army and Religion in Constantinian Propaganda
Authors: Corona Encinas Álex
Published: April 2023

This study aims to explore the connection between religious and military spheres in Constantinian propaganda. The extensive use of propaganda and the notorious public discourse which involves the dynamics of power during Late Antiquity show how religion and the military played a key role. This principle reaches a singular meaning in the case of emperor Constantine I. To this extent, this paper considers several kinds of sources, which include legal, literary, and numismatic, among others. An analysis of the political uses of imperial constitutions by the emperor (especially CTh 7.20.2) can be of particular interest in order to address the ideas of self-representation and the politics of legitimation. Ultimately, the paper highlights the importance of imperial propaganda in Later Roman society, as well as the transformations in Constantine’s public discourse, where the connection between army and religion shows an evolution from the previous ways of understanding imperial power and where the bond of the ruler with a supreme divinity is a central issue.
Pastoral Care and Mental Health in Post-Pandemic South Africa: A Narrative Review Exploring New Ways to Serve Those in Our Care
Authors: Moodley Janice K. , Hove Rabson
Published: April 2023

COVID-19 has had severe consequences for congregants worldwide. During the period of lockdown regulations, congregants were isolated from pastoral care when such care was most needed. Social distancing, wearing masks, and other regulations changed how we worshiped, fellowshipped, discipled, counselled, comforted, and loved those in our care. The role of pastoral care as a pillar of mental well-being became overwhelmingly evident as the dying, the grieving, the physically and mentally ill, the abused, the starving, the destitute, and the vulnerable were isolated and alienated. The pandemic has had untold consequences on congregant mental health, especially in resource-poor contexts in South Africa, where adequate psychological services cannot cope with needs. This article uses the narrative approach to explore the possible role pastoral care can play in addressing the exacerbation of mental health issues post-pandemic in South Africa. The state of psychological services in South Africa is explored in order to contextualise the need for innovative ideas to address the complexity of mental health issues in South Africa. Recommendations are made for how pastoral care may be utilised to alleviate the mental health crisis that has emerged following the pandemic at an individual and community level. Hopefully, this article will foster critical dialogue between theological and psychological scholarship for the purposes of alleviating the complex mental health issues that persist in South Africa and have been exacerbated by the pandemic.
Theology and Liturgical Principles at the Service of Evangelization—Towards a Catholic Renewal
Authors: Sawa Przemysław
Published: April 2023

Evangelization is not only about the preaching of the kerygma (prophetic evangelization) but also has a liturgical tone (priestly evangelization) and a charity aspect (royal evangelization). When looking for ways to conduct new evangelization, we cannot neglect the liturgical aspect, especially the celebration of the Eucharist and dynamics of the church year. In this respect, the article presents the basic opportunities created by the liturgical reality for the evangelization of both the faithful and others who happen to be present at a celebration, or watching it. The article shows what tensions exist between the liturgical regulations and requirements of evangelization, but also points to various moments in the Eucharist, liturgy of sacraments or various aspects of the liturgical year which have been left unexploited. The author identifies specific challenges for liturgical evangelization and points to how to deal with them in practice. This expresses the eucharistic and liturgical spirituality of the postconciliar renewal of the Church.
Two-Way Generation of High-Resolution EO and SAR Images via Dual Distortion-Adaptive GANs
Authors: Qing Yuanyuan , Zhu Jiang , Feng Hongchuan , Liu Weixian , Wen Bihan
Published: April 2023

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) provides an all-weather and all-time imaging platform, which is more reliable than electro-optical (EO) remote sensing imagery under extreme weather/lighting conditions. While many large-scale EO-based remote sensing datasets have been released for computer vision tasks, there are few publicly available SAR image datasets due to the high costs associated with acquisition and labeling. Recent works have applied deep learning methods for image translation between SAR and EO. However, the effectiveness of those techniques on high-resolution images has been hindered by a common limitation. Non-linear geometric distortions, induced by different imaging principles of optical and radar sensors, have caused insufficient pixel-wise correspondence between an EO-SAR patch pair. Such a phenomenon is not prominent in low-resolution EO-SAR datasets, e.g., SEN1-2, one of the most frequently used datasets, and thus has been seldom discussed. To address this issue, a new dataset SN6-SAROPT with sub-meter resolution is introduced, and a novel image translation algorithm designed to tackle geometric distortions adaptively is proposed in this paper. Extensive experiments have been conducted to evaluate the proposed algorithm, and the results have validated its superiority over other methods for both SAR to EO (S2E) and EO to SAR (E2S) tasks, especially for urban areas in high-resolution images.
The Spatial Analysis of Vegetation Cover and Permafrost Degradation for a Subarctic Palsa Mire Based on UAS Photogrammetry and GPR Data in the Kola Peninsula
Authors: Krutskikh Natalya , Ryazantsev Pavel , Ignashov Pavel , Kabonen Alexey
Published: April 2023

Subarctic palsa mires undergo substantial transformation under climate impacts, and today a reliable marker of their degradation is the vegetation cover. We studied the correspondence between the surface traits of palsa degradation, as expressed in the vegetation composition, and the interior condition of permafrost within subarctic palsa mires in the central part of the Kola Peninsula. We have employed a set of methods to collect the data, including geobotanical relevés, unmanned aerial system (UAS) photogrammetry, and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey. Based on RGB orthophoto values and morphometric variables, we produced a land cover classification (LCC) consistent with the vegetation classes identified during field measurements. The outcome proves that the additional morphometric predictors improve the accuracy of classification algorithms. We identified three major patterns in GPR cross-sections defining (i) permafrost in palsas, (ii) water saturated peat, and (iii) the regular peat layer. As a result, our GPR data demonstrated a high correlation with land cover classes and pointed to some vegetation features controlled by the peat deposit inner structure. Under our results, palsas with thawing permafrost can be appraised using sequences of LCC. This is primarily the lichen hummock—tall shrub—carpet vegetation (LH–TSh–C) sequence from palsa top to foot. We have also detected an asymmetric configuration of permafrost in some palsas in the west-to-east direction and hypothesized that it can relate to the wind regime of the area and snow accumulation on the eastern slopes. Our results highlight that the combined application of the remote UAS photogrammetry and GPR survey enables a more precise delineation of the lateral degradation of palsas.
Accuracy Enhancement and Feature Extraction for GNSS Daily Time Series Using Adaptive CEEMD-Multi-PCA-Based Filter
Authors: Li Yanyan , Han Linqiao , Liu Xiaolei
Published: April 2023

Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) positions include various useful signals and some unmodeled errors. In order to enhance the accuracy and extract the features of the GNSS daily time sequence, an improved method of complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition (CEEMD) and multi-PCA (MPCA) based on correlation coefficients and block spatial filtering was proposed. The results showed that the mean standard deviations of the raw residual time sequence were 1.09, 1.20 and 4.79 mm, while those of the newly proposed method were 0.15, 0.20 and 2.86 mm in north, east and up directions, respectively. The proposed method outperforms wavelet decomposition (WD)-PCA and empirical mode decomposition (EMD)-PCA in effectively eliminating low- and high-frequency noise, and is suitable for denoising nonlinear and nonstationary GNSS position sequences. Furthermore, feature extraction of the denoised GNSS daily time series was based on CEEMD, which is superior to WD and EMD. Results of noise analysis suggested that the noise components in the original and denoised GNSS time sequence are complex. The advantages of the proposed method are the following: (i) it fully exploits the merits of CEEMD and WD, where CEEMD is first used to obtain the limited intrinsic modal functions (IMFs) and then to extract seasonal and trend features; (ii) it has good adaptive processing ability via WD for noise-dominant IMFs; and (iii) it fully considers the correlation between the different components of each station and the non-uniform behavior of common mode error on a spatial scale.