bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Cross-Section on Low-Temperature Fracture Toughness of Marine Engineering Steel Thick Plate
Authors: Zheng Kuan , Zhang Liqin , Hu Chengyang , Hu Lei , Wu Kaiming
Published: February 2025

The cross-section effect leads to variations in the microstructure and thickness of marine engineering steel thick plates, which may result in delaminated tearing and a reduction in material plasticity and fracture toughness. The microstructural characterization of the matrix and the regions near the impact fracture at different depths by the thickness of the thick plate, as well as the crack propagation mechanism, was investigated. The low-temperature fracture toughness at the surface, quarter-thickness, and center at −40 °C were found to be 204 J, 215 J, and 98 J, respectively. Near the impact fracture, the grains of the test steel exhibit significant deformation. The grains at the surface experience fragmentation, leading to grain refinement and the formation of serrated cracks. At the quarter-thickness, cracks display large-angle deflection, and the deflection at the center is notably reduced, accompanied by an increase in the number of voids. In this study, the influence of the cross-section effect on the fracture toughness of marine engineering steel thick plates is thoroughly investigated. The experimental results provide theoretical guidance for the design and production of thick plates with optimal strength and toughness. This study primarily examines the influence of the cross-section effect on the microstructure and low-temperature fracture toughness of the investigated steel. Furthermore, it not only examines the microstructure of the base metal but also employs electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) technology to characterize and analyze the microstructure near the crack, thereby exploring the influence of the cross-section effect on the fracture mechanism of the investigated steel.
Manufacturing and Properties of Jute Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites—A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Iqbal Raiyan Mohammad , Ahammad Raju , Arifuzzaman Md , Islam Md Shariful , Islam Md Mainul
Published: February 2025

Jute fiber-reinforced composites have become a promising alternative to synthetic fiber composites because of their favorable environmental characteristics, cost efficiency, and good mechanical properties. The present review provides a comprehensive examination of the manufacturing processes and mechanical properties of polymer composites reinforced with jute fibers. This study investigates the influence of several fabrication methods, such as hand lay-up, compression molding, injection molding, pultrusion, etc., on the mechanical properties of the composites. It also provides SWOT analyses of various manufacturing processes of jute fiber-reinforced composites. Important aspects, including fiber orientation, fiber/matrix adhesion, and the effects of different surface treatments on improving mechanical characteristics, such as tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact resistance, are discussed. The difficulties associated with moisture absorption, degradation, and the lack of uniformity in jute fibers, as well as approaches to alleviate these problems, are presented. The goal of this study is to establish a basis for future investigation and advancement in enhancing the mechanical properties of jute fiber-reinforced composites.
Controlled Synthesis and Absorption Mechanism Study of FCI@UFC Absorbents
Authors: Yang Wenfei , Gao Zhan , Zhang Yong , Shi Hao , Wang Andong , Fan Weijie
Published: February 2025

Flaky carbonyl iron (FCI) powder is a typical absorbing material with excellent magnetic loss performance. However, its single absorption mechanism, narrow effective absorption bandwidth (RL < −10 dB), poor corrosion resistance, and high density restrict the application of FCI in marine environments. In this study, carbonized urea-formaldehyde resin (UFC)-coated flaky carbonyl iron (FCI@UFC) composites were prepared by in situ polymerization and pyrolysis. Various characterization techniques were employed to investigate the phase structure, microstructure, absorption performance, and corrosion resistance of FCI@UFC. The results showed that FCI@UFC effectively combined the magnetic loss of FCI and the dielectric loss of the porous carbon layer, achieving a wider effective absorption band (EAB) with a smaller thickness. When the simulated absorption layer thickness was 1.2 mm, the EAB ranged from 10.32 to 18 GHz, which demonstrated excellent microwave absorption performance. Additionally, the porous carbon coating slowed down the direct reaction between the corrosive medium and FCI, and the porous structure could also accommodate electrolytes, maintaining a stable electrochemical environment. As a result, FCI@UFC exhibited a higher corrosion potential (−0.472 V) and a lower corrosion current (1.45 × 10−7 A/cm2), indicating good corrosion resistance. This work provides new insights for the preparation of composite materials with excellent microwave absorption and corrosion resistance in practical applications.
New Approximation Formula of Digamma Function with Bounded Remainder
Authors: Mahmoud Mansour , Alofi Abdulaziz S. , Zurayyir Mohammed A.
Published: February 2025

This study establishes the new approximation formula for the Digamma function ψ(s)=lns−12s−112ss2+θ(s),136<θ(s)<15;s>0, as well as some of its inequalities, where θ(s) is a continuous function. We demonstrate numerically that our results are superior to some recent results.
PRNet: A Priori Embedded Network for Real-World Blind Micro-Expression Recognition
Authors: Liu Xin , Wang Fugang , Zeng Hui , Chen Yile , Zheng Liang , Chen Junming
Published: February 2025

Micro-expressions, fleeting and often unnoticed facial cues, hold the key to uncovering concealed emotions, offering significant implications for understanding emotions, cognition, and psychological processes. However, micro-expression information capture presents challenges due to its instantaneous and subtle nature. Furthermore, it is affected by unpredictable degradation factors such as device performance and weather, and model degradation issues persist in real scenarios, and directly training deep networks or introducing image restoration networks yields unsatisfactory results, hindering the development of micro-expression recognition in real-world applications. This study aims to develop an advanced micro-expression recognition algorithm to promote the research of micro-expression applications in psychology. Firstly, Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) are employed to build high-quality micro-expression generation models, which are then used as prior decoders to model micro-expression features. Subsequently, the GAN priors of deep neural networks are fine-tuned using low-quality facial micro-expression images. The designed micro-expression GAN module ensures that the generation of latent codes and noise inputs suitable for micro-expression GAN blocks from the deep and shallow features of deep neural networks. This approach controls the reconstruction of facial structure, local details, and accurate expressions to enhance the stability of subsequent recognition networks. Additionally, a Multi-Scale Dynamic Cross-Domain (MSCD) module is proposed to dynamically adjust the input of reconstructed features to different task representation layers. Doing so effectively integrates reconstructed features and improves the micro-expression recognition performance. Experimental results demonstrate that our method consistently achieves superior performance on multiple datasets, achieving particularly significant performance improvements in micro-expression recognition for severely degraded facial images in real scenarios.
Association of Voltage-Gated Potassium Channel Polymorphisms with the Risk and Prognosis of Epilepsy in the Saudi Population: A Case–Control Study
Authors: Alghamdi Mansour A. , AL-Eitan Laith N. , Otaif Mansour Y. , Rababa’h Doaa M. , Alasmar Maryam K. , Al-Garni Abdulaziz M. , Saleh Rayyh A. M. , Abdel Ghaffar Nawal F.
Published: February 2025

Background and Objectives: Epilepsy, known as an unprovoked seizure, arises from the human brain. Genetics plays a fundamental role in the development and progression of the disorder. This study aimed to investigate the influence of voltage-gated K+ channels on the risk of epilepsy. Materials and Methods: Several genetic variants were examined using PCR sequencing. This case–control study was conducted on 296 individuals who were diagnosed with epilepsy, in addition to 293 healthy participants. Results: This study revealed that within KCNAB1, both rs3755631 and rs4679773 are correlated with epilepsy, and the p-values = 0.04 for both allelic associations. In addition, regarding the KCNJ10 gene, we found that rs2820585, rs946420, rs1186679, rs61822012, and rs1186685 were significantly correlated with epilepsy risk (p-values = 0.034, 0.045, 0.021, 0.048, and 0.018), respectively. Conclusions: From the current study, we conclude that voltage-gated potassium channels can impact epilepsy risk and can also interfere with the prognosis of epilepsy.
Biocompatibility, Corrosion Resistance, and Wear Resistance of TiNbZr-Based Composites Reinforced with Borides
Authors: Ozerov Maxim , Sokolovsky Vitaly , Gazizova Marina , Povolyaeva Elizaveta , Tagirov Damir , Yapryntsev Maxim , Yunusov Firuz , Nadezhdin Sergey
Published: February 2025

TiNbZr-(Ti,Nb)B composites were produced by vacuum arc melting; the weights of TiB2 in the charge mixture were 0.7 wt. % (Alloy A) and 4.0 wt. % (Alloy B). In addition, unreinforced TiNbZr alloy specimens were fabricated without the addition of TiB2. The microstructure of the TiNbZr-(Ti,Nb)B composites consisted of the TiNbZr β matrix and (Ti,Nb)B fibers. The (Ti,Nb)B fibers had a needle-like shape with an average diameter of ~0.4 and ~2.0 µm for Alloys A and B, respectively. The volume fraction of borides was found to be ~2.5 and ~12.4% for Alloys A and B, respectively. The presence of 12.4 vol.% of (Ti,Nb)B reduced the corrosion resistance of Alloy B in comparison with that of the TiNbZr alloy and Alloy A, which showed rather similar values of corrosion resistance. It was found that the addition of the TiB2 to the TiNbZr alloy led to a decrease in the friction coefficient; when adding 0.7% TiB2 to the alloy (Alloy A), the friction coefficient decreased from 1.15 to 1.13, and when the percentage of TiB2 in the alloy increased to 4% (Alloy B), the friction coefficient decreased by ~2 times from 1.15 to 0.58. The full biocompatibility of TiNbZr-(Ti,Nb)B composites was demonstrated; no significant differences from the unreinforced state and alloy were found.
Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of Radiation Characteristics in Gas–Iron Ore Particle Reactive Flow Processes at an Industrial-Scale in a Hydrogen-Based Flash Smelting Furnace
Authors: Feng Yuchen , Li Mingzhou , Lai Shiyu , Huang Jindi , Wan Zhanghao , Xiao Weilin , Long Tengwei
Published: February 2025

Iron smelting is one of the primary sources of carbon emissions. The development of low-carbon ironmaking technologies is essential for the iron and steel industry to realize the “dual carbon” ambition. Hydrogen-based flash ironmaking technology eliminates traditional pretreatment steps such as sintering, pelletizing, and coking while using hydrogen as a reducing agent, significantly reducing carbon emissions. In the present work, a computational fluid dynamics approach is employed to conduct an in-depth analysis of the radiative properties inside the reaction shaft of a flash smelting furnace. The results illustrate that the lowest gas absorption coefficient and volumetric absorption radiation along the radial direction appear at y = 2.84 m, with the values of 0.085 m−1 and 89,364.6 W/m3, respectively, whereas the largest values for these two variables in the axial direction can be obtained at h = 6.14 m with values of 0.128 m−1 and 132,841.11 W/m3. The reduced incident radiation intensity under case 1’s condition led to distinct differences in the radiative temperature compared to the other four cases. The spatial distributions of the particle absorption and scattering coefficients exhibit excellent consistency. The thermal conductivities of all investigated cases depict similar trends along both the axial and radial directions. Volumetric emissive radiation presents a non-linear trend of first increasing and then decreasing, followed by the rise as the height decreases. This study highlights the critical role of hydrogen-based flash ironmaking technology in reducing carbon emissions and provides valuable insights into the radiative characteristics of its reaction shaft under different operating conditions.
Electrospun Polycaprolactone (PCL) Nanofibers Induce Elongation and Alignment of Co-Cultured Primary Cortical Astrocytes and Neurons
Authors: Nutt Kayleigh , Dombros-Ryan Zoe , Birea Ruxandra , Franks Emily Victoria , Eastham Sarah , Godwin Morgan , Adams Chris F. , Chari Divya Maitreyi , Jenkins Stuart Iain
Published: February 2025

Neuromimetic in vitro models, simulating in vivo architecture/organization, are urgently needed to reduce experimental reliance on live animals. Our group recently reported a novel brain tissue derivation protocol, simultaneously deriving all major cortical cell types (including immune cells) in a facile protocol, generating a network of neurons in a single growth medium, which was interfaced with nanomaterials. This represents a significant advance, as tissue engineers overwhelmingly use diverse methods to derive and combine individual brain cells for materials-interfacing. However, this multicellular model lacked cellular directionality/structural organization (unlike the highly organized cortical circuits in vivo). Synthetic nanofiber constructs are of high value in tissue engineering, providing directional cues for cells. Most neuro-nanofiber studies employ simple monocultures of astrocytes/neurons and commonly use peripheral neurons rather than central nervous system populations. Here, we have interfaced our complex brain model (neurons/astrocytes derived simultaneously) with randomly oriented or aligned polycaprolactone (PCL) fiber meshes. Both cell types showed targeted extension along aligned fibers versus coverslips or random fibers. A new analysis method developed in-house demonstrated that peak orientations for astrocytes and neurons correlated with aligned nanofibers. Our data support the concept that nanofiber scaffolds can achieve organized growth of mixed cortical neural cell populations, mimicking neural architecture.
Design and Implementation of a Lightweight and Energy-Efficient Semantic Segmentation Accelerator for Embedded Platforms
Authors: Li Hui , Li Jinyi , Li Bowen , Miao Zhengqian , Lu Shengli
Published: February 2025

With the rapid development of lightweight network models and efficient hardware deployment techniques, the demand for real-time semantic segmentation in areas such as autonomous driving and medical image processing has increased significantly. However, realizing efficient semantic segmentation on resource-constrained embedded platforms still faces many challenges. As a classical lightweight semantic segmentation network, ENet has attracted much attention due to its low computational complexity. In this study, we optimize the ENet semantic segmentation network to significantly reduce its computational complexity through structural simplification and 8-bit quantization and improve its hardware compatibility through the optimization of on-chip data storage and data transfer while maintaining 51.18% mIoU. The optimized network is successfully deployed on hardware accelerator and SoC systems based on Xilinx ZYNQ ZCU104 FPGA. In addition, we optimize the computational units of transposed convolution and dilated convolution and improve the on-chip data storage and data transfer design. The optimized system achieves a frame rate of 130.75 FPS, which meets the real-time processing requirements in areas such as autonomous driving and medical imaging. Meanwhile, the power consumption of the accelerator is 3.479 W, the throughput reaches 460.8 GOPS, and the energy efficiency reaches 132.2 GOPS/W. These results fully demonstrate the effectiveness of the optimization and deployment strategies in achieving a balance between computational efficiency and accuracy, which makes the system well suited for resource-constrained embedded platform applications.
The Potential Role of rpoS and ompR in the Acid Resistance and Desiccation Tolerance of Cronobacter malonaticus Strains
Authors: Alsonosi Abdlrhman M. , Ibrahim Khaled M. , Elgamoudi Bassam A. , Agena Mahmoud B. , Forsythe Stephen J.
Published: February 2025

In this study, the acid resistance and desiccation tolerance of 20 strains of Cronobacter malonaticus were explored, and their genetic variances with respect to their survival in stressful conditions were identified by genomic analysis. The strains showed significant variances in acid tolerance when exposed to simulated gastric acid (pH 3.5) for 2 h. Strain 685 demonstrated less viability, suggesting greater susceptibility. Desiccation in infant formula also yielded sub-lethally injured cells, with variable strain recovery, highlighting strain 685 as the strain with the lowest recovery. Strains were determined to contain single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ompR and rpoS genes, suggesting loss-of-function mutations and potentially elucidating the stress sensitivity mechanism of strain 685. This study underscores the importance of genetic factors in C. malonaticus resilience and the necessity for developed detection methods for assessing food safety risk, especially in relation to powdered infant formulas. Our results provide important information on the pathogenic potential of C. malonaticus and help guide future research priorities to mitigate risks associated with foodborne pathogens.
Utilizing Multifractal and Compositional Data Analysis Combined with Random Forest for Mineral Prediction in Goulmima, Morocco
Authors: Wu Yanbin , Sun Li , Qu Zhiguang , Yu Wenming , Zhang Peng , Jing Guoqing , Shen Pengliang , Tian Shujuan , Wang Qicai , Liu Hua , Wu Fafu , Liu Jiangtao , Xiao Keyan , Tang Rui
Published: February 2025

Morocco is rich in Mississippi Valley Type (MVT) copper deposits. Currently, geochemical surveying is being conducted in the Goulmima region in pursuit of breakthroughs in mineral exploration. This paper focuses on the delineation of prospecting targets in the Goulmima area based on the ongoing 1:100,000 geochemical survey work in Morocco. The study employs compositional data transformation to perform isometric log-ratio (ilr) transformations on raw data, followed by the Spectrum-Area (S-A) fractal processing, and then uses the Random Forest (RF) algorithm for mineral prediction. Finally, the prediction results are further delineated using the Concentration-Area (C-A) fractal model to identify high-probability areas, marking two prospecting targets. The results show: (1) the ilr transformation reduces the closure problem of the original data and improves their symmetry, thereby more effectively revealing the spatial structural features of the elements; (2) the principal component analysis (PCA) performed on the ilr-transformed data successfully identifies two main element combinations, representing high-temperature hydrothermal environments (Mo-Sn-Ti-W-U) and low-temperature mineralization environments (CaO-Pb-Zn), consistent with the regional mining history; (3) the application of the S-A multifractal model effectively distinguishes between anomalies and background distributions in the geochemical data of the study area, and combines fault buffer zones as the basis for mineral prediction; (4) the C-A fractal model further subdivides the prediction results, dividing potential mining areas into high, medium, and low probability zones, and ultimately identifies two prospecting targets.
Petrogenesis of the Large-Scale Serpentinites in the Kumishi Ophiolitic Mélange, Southwestern Tianshan, China
Authors: Gao Limin , Xiao Wenjiao , Tan Zhou
Published: February 2025

The Kumishi ophiolitic mélange contains well-preserved large-scale serpentinites and their accompanying granulites in the eastern South Tianshan Accretionary Complex (STAC), southwestern Altaids. Previous studies have mainly focused on the thermodynamic conditions and tectonic setting of granulites. However, the petrogenesis of the widespread serpentinites in the Kumishi ophiolitic mélange remains largely unexplored. In this paper, petrological, geochemical, and geochronological studies were carried out on the Kumishi serpentinites, as well as the host sediment and intermediate–felsic volcanic rocks. The serpentinites show variable LOI values of 8.3–16.5 wt% and relatively consistent SiO2/(sum oxides) ratios of 0.81, which demonstrate that the major elements of their protoliths have been preserved well during serpentinization. Multi-trace element and REE diagrams suggest that the protoliths of the Kumishi serpentinites have experienced varying degrees of refertilization, with distinct natures seen between the Yushugou, Tonghuashan, and Liuhuangshan serpentinites. Zircon U-Pb chronology of the Tonghuahsan serpentinites yields a mean age of 355.8 ± 7.3 Ma (MSWD = 1.0, N = 26). Detrital zircons from the host sediment record a maximum depositional age of 375 ± 10 Ma (MSWD = 0.4, N = 3), with a peak at ca.419 Ma. Subduction-related volcanic rocks yield ages of ca.437 Ma. Hence, clues are provided to the petrogenesis of the Kumishi serpentinites, with calls for future in-depth works from an isotopic perspective.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Docking Studies of Some New Chalcone Derivatives to Alleviate Skin Damage Due to UV Light
Authors: Mishra Arun Kumar , Thajudeen Kamal Y. , Shekhar Chandra , Singh Mhaveer , Singh Harpreet , Kumar Arvind , Paliwal Sarvesh Kumar , Hossain Emdad , Salam Shahana
Published: February 2025

Increasing cases of sunburn is one of the serious problems across the globe. In this connection, there is an urgent requirement for some effective sun screening agents. In the search for the same, nanoemulsions of some new synthesized and characterized chalcone derivatives were prepared and evaluated in vitro and in vivo. In order to meet the said objective, in the first step, vanillin was reacted with 4-aminoacetophenone in the presence of 15% sodium hydroxide and ethanol to synthesize the target compounds (C-1 to C-5). Progress of reaction was monitored using thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The crystals of purified compounds were characterized using spectroscopic techniques such as Infrared (IR) spectroscopy, 1H-NMR spectroscopy, 13C-NMR, and mass spectrometry. We prepared the nanoemulsions of the final compounds (C-1 to C-5) and subsequently evaluated them for in vitro sun protection factor activity. The concentration of the nanoemulsions, consistently ranging from 0.88 to 0.91 mg/mL across all formulations, demonstrated a high degree of consistency. The range of particle size varied from approximately 172 to 183 nm, with low polydispersity index values (approximately 0.11 to 0.15). The negative zeta potentials recorded for all the formulations (ranging from −35.87 mV to −39.30 mV) showed that the nanoemulsions are electrostatically stable enough to keep them from sticking together. The pH values of the nanoemulsions ranged narrowly from approximately 5.00 to 5.16, which indicated the compatibility of emulsion with biological systems and the potential to reduce irritation or instability during administration. The viscosity of the nanoemulsions varied between 2.00 and 2.12 cP. In silico studies were performed using MMP-I and MMP-2 as target receptors. For in vitro SPF evaluation, the Mansur equation was employed. COLIPA guidelines were compiled for in vivo SPF evaluation. The nanoemulsions derived from compounds C-3 and C-4, designated as C-3NE and C-4NE, were more effective as anti-aging agents. Findings suggested the possible scope of further synthesis of newer synthetic derivatives of chalcones for furfur development nanoemulsions for better SPF activity.
Formation of Homogeneous Nanostructure via Interference of Square Flattop Femtosecond Laser Pulses
Authors: Sumimoto Takemasa , Miyaji Godai
Published: February 2025

We report on the formation of homogeneous nanostructures using a two-step ablation process with square flattop beams of femtosecond (fs) laser pulses. The Gaussian beam output from a ytterbium fs laser system was converted to a square flattop beam by a refractive beam shaper and a square mask. This beam was split into two with a diffraction optical element, and then the downsized beams were spatially and temporally superimposed on a titanium surface. In the first step, the interference fringes of these two beams formed grooves with a period of 1.9 µm through ablation. Next, the surface was irradiated at normal incidence by a single beam to form a homogeneous line-like nanostructure with a period of 490 nm in a 53 μm square area. This nanostructure had a constant period and was formed over 95% of the laser-processed area, indicating that the ratio between the nanostructure and modification area was over six times larger than that for a Gaussian beam.
Open Midline Decompression with Ligament Reconstruction for Multiple-Level Spinal Stenosis in Elderly Patients
Authors: Kim Shin-Jae , Lee Sang-Ho , Bae Junseok
Published: February 2025

(1) Background: Multiple lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a degenerative disease that is increasingly prevalent with global aging. Multilevel fusion surgery is burdensome to perform in elderly patients, especially with osteoporosis and underlying disease. This study introduces open midline decompression (OMD) with ligament reconstruction as an alternative stabilization technique for elderly patients with multilevel LSS. (2) Methods: A retrospective review included 42 elderly patients aged 70 or older diagnosed with LSS at three or more levels and who underwent OMD with ligament reconstruction. Pre- and postoperative clinical and radiologic data were analyzed. (3) Results: Thirty-three patients underwent three-level surgeries, and twelve patients underwent four-level surgeries. The mean operative time was 240 ± 42.2 min (74.6 ± 14.9 min per level) with a mean blood loss of 282.9 ± 167.1 cc. Clinical outcome (VAS) and quality of life parameters (SF-12) showed significant improvement after surgery. Postoperative MRI showed sufficient decompression. Dynamic X-rays showed improvement in instability after surgery, but it was statistically insignificant. (4) Conclusions: OMD with ligament reconstruction provides effective neural decompression while preserving the posterior arch and offers soft stabilization with artificial ligaments. It is a safe and viable surgical option for elderly patients with multilevel LSS.
Autism, ADHD, and Their Traits in Adults with Obesity: A Scoping Review
Authors: Makin Lauren , Meyer Adia , Zesch Elisa , Mondelli Valeria , Tchanturia Kate
Published: February 2025

Introduction: Autism and ADHD shape behaviours related to food, exercise, and body image, potentially influencing obesity treatment outcomes, as seen in eating disorder research. Resultantly, autistic and ADHD patients with obesity may have distinct experiences and differences compared to non-autistic and non-ADHD patients. This review maps existing literature on autism and ADHD in adults with obesity. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, six databases (Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, CENTRAL, and Scopus) were searched for studies on autism and/or ADHD (diagnosed, probable, or traits) in adults with obesity. Screening and data extraction were conducted twice independently for each record. Results: Thirty-one studies were included, with 1,027,773 participants. Two case reports described successful use of weight loss drugs in autistic people with obesity. Eight prevalence studies suggested ADHD is overrepresented in obesity, regardless of binge eating status. Nineteen studies examined clinical profiles: ADHD patients had lower socioeconomic status, poorer health-related quality of life, increased impulsivity, cognitive inflexibility, and neuroticism, alongside lower agreeableness, conscientiousness, self-directedness, and cooperativeness. ADHD patients also exhibited higher psychopathology, problematic alcohol use, and disordered eating. Eight studies assessed treatment responses, noting poorer outcomes from behavioural programs and obesity pharmacotherapy, but similar post-surgical weight outcomes, despite increased complications. Two studies considered ADHD-specific treatment adaptions, one reporting a successful trial of ADHD medication for weight loss and the other reporting on switching to transdermal ADHD medications after bariatric surgery. Conclusions: This review underscores the need for more research on autism and obesity. For ADHD, findings suggest frequent co-occurrence with obesity, but lived experiences and tailored interventions remain underexplored.
Mediterranean Diet Adherence in Celiac Patients: A Nested Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Peresztegi Míra Zsófia , Szakács Zsolt , Vereczkei Zsófia , Dakó Eszter , Dakó Sarolta , Lada Szilvia , Lemes Klára , Holczer Miklós , Farkas Nelli , Bajor Judit
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: The Mediterranean diet (MD) reduces cardiovascular risk, which is higher in celiac disease (CD). We aimed to investigate adherence to the MD in newly diagnosed CD patients, CD patients on a gluten-free diet (GFD), and in a non-celiac control group. Additionally, we aimed to establish an association between GFD and MD adherence. Methods: In this nested, cross-sectional Hungarian study, MD adherence was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS), and GFD adherence was assessed using the Standardized Dietitian Evaluation (SDE). Results: A total of 215 subjects were enrolled, 128 of which were CD patients on a GFD for a minimum of 1 year, 24 were newly diagnosed CD patients, and 63 were non-CD healthy control subjects. Although the control subjects had a higher mean MDS, the groups did not differ statistically significantly from each other (CD on GFD: 5.55 ± 1.57, newly diagnosed CD: 5.35 ± 1.81, controls: 6.05 ± 1.73; p > 0.05)—all groups had suboptimal scores. Both CD groups consumed fewer whole grains than the controls (p < 0.001). Adequate GFD adherence was associated with higher MDS (5.62 ± 1.54 vs. 4.71 ± 1.21, respectively; p = 0.009). Conclusions: Our study highlights the low adherence to MD in celiac patients with insufficient consumption of whole grains. Adherence to GFD is associated with better MD adherence, which underlines the role of dietary education during follow-up. Targeted nutritional counseling could improve the quality of diet in CD patients to reduce cardiovascular risk.
Prevalence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Salmonella in Retail Meat Collected from Different Markets in Sichuan, China
Authors: Zeng Hang , Yang Donghai , Huang Nanxi , Li Yonglin , Chen Jiazhen , Yu Zhongjia , Tang Jie , Jiang Zhenju
Published: February 2025

Salmonella is one of the most significant zoonotic and foodborne pathogens, and it is the leading cause of bacterial diarrhea. In this study, 156 retail meat samples were collected from three supermarkets and one local wet market in Sichuan, China, including 96 chicken samples and 60 pork samples. The prevalence of Salmonella in these samples was analyzed, and 91 samples (58.33%) tested positive, with 60 (62.5%) positive chicken samples and 31 (51.67%) positive pork samples. From these positive samples, 190 Salmonella isolates were confirmed by double PCR. Subsequent serotyping identified nine serovars, with the predominant ones being S. London (58.94%), S. Typhimurium (12.58%), and S. Enteritidis (10.60%). Antibiotic susceptibility test revealed that 168 isolates (88.42%) were resistant to at least one antibiotic, and 150 isolates (78.95%) were resistant to three or more antibiotics. The highest resistance rates were observed for ampicillin (83.16%), followed by tetracycline (76.31%) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (67.37%). In the disinfectant susceptibility test, Salmonella isolates exhibited higher resistance rates to benzalkonium bromide (100%) and benzalkonium chloride (97.37%), while showing a lower resistance rate to potassium monopersulfate triple salt (33.6%). These findings highlight the high prevalence of Salmonella and its significant resistance to antibiotics and disinfectants, indicating that effective measures must be implemented to ensure the microbiological safety of retail meat.
Characterization of the Antibiotic and Copper Resistance of Emergent Species of Onion-Pathogenic Burkholderia Through Genome Sequence Analysis and High-Throughput Sequencing of Differentially Enriched Random Transposon Mutants
Authors: Padilla Jonas J. , da Gama Marco A. S. , Barphagha Inderjit , Ham Jong Hyun
Published: February 2025

The prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacterial pathogens resulting from the intensive usage of antibiotics and antibiotic compounds is acknowledged as a significant global concern that impacts both human and animal health. In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the genomes of two emergent onion-pathogenic species of Burkholderia, B. cenocepacia CCRMBC56 and B. orbicola CCRMBC23, focusing on genes that are potentially associated with their high level of antibiotic and copper resistance. We also identified genes contributing to the copper resistance of B. cenocepacia CCRMBC56 through high-throughput analysis of mutated genes in random transposon mutant populations that were differentially enriched in a copper-containing medium. The results indicated that genes involved in DNA integration, recombination, and cation transport are important for the survival of B. cenocepacia CCRMBC56 in copper-stressed conditions. Furthermore, the fitness effect analysis identified additional genes crucial for copper resistance, which are involved in functions associated with the oxidative stress response, the ABC transporter complex, and the cell outer membrane. In the same analysis, genes related to penicillin binding, the TCA cycle, and FAD binding were found to hinder bacterial adaptation to copper toxicity. This study provides potential targets for reducing the copper resistance of B. cenocepacia and other copper-resistant bacterial pathogens.
Association Between Bullying/Cyberbullying and Subjective Vitality in Children and Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Mental Toughness
Authors: Ramírez-Espejo Pablo , Rusillo-Magdaleno Alba , Ruiz-Ariza Alberto , Torre-Cruz Manuel J. de la
Published: February 2025

Background: Previous research has examined to what extent the relationship between bullying/cyberbullying (victims and perpetrators) and psychological well-being is mediated by different cognitive–emotional variables. Objectives: The present study aimed to analyze whether mental toughness acted as a mediating variable in the relationship between bullying, suffered and perpetrated, and subjective vitality. Methods: Three hundred and twelve students in their final year of Primary Education and Compulsory Secondary Education, aged between 11 and 17 years, gave their responses to different self-report measures. Results: The results showed that perceived mental toughness significantly mediated the relationship between victimization and perpetration of aggressive acts through the use of electronic devices and levels of subjective vitality. A similar mediating effect was observed for occasions when the adolescent engaged in bullying acts during face-to-face interactions. Conclusions: It is concluded that high levels of mental toughness may act as a protective mechanism, reducing or mitigating the loss of subjective vitality resulting from being victimized in a virtual environment, as well as from perpetrating aggressive acts during face-to-face interactions and through the use of technological media.
Prevalence of Clostridium perfringens Encoding the netF Toxin Gene in Dogs with Acute and Chronic Gastrointestinal Diseases
Authors: Wessely Victoria , Suchodolski Jan S. , Cavasin João P. , Holz Mara , Busch-Hahn Kathrin , Unterer Stefan
Published: February 2025

Several recent studies have reported a significantly greater prevalence of Clostridium perfringens encoding the novel pore-forming netF toxin gene in dogs with acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome. However, the presence of netF in other canine diarrheal diseases remains poorly characterized. This retrospective, cross-sectional study aimed to describe the prevalence and abundance of netF-positive C. perfringens in fecal samples from 352 dogs with acute and chronic gastrointestinal diseases. Dogs were divided into five groups: acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (AHDS), acute diarrhea (AD), chronic enteropathy (CE), exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), and healthy controls (HCs). The abundances of C. perfringens 16S rRNA, the C. perfringens enterotoxin gene and the C. perfringens netF gene in fecal samples were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In total, 7 of 15 (46.7%) dogs with AHDS, 10 of 75 (13.3%) dogs with AD, 2 of 120 (1.7%) dogs with CE, 1 of 12 (8.3%) dogs with EPI, and 1 of 130 (0.8%) HC dogs tested positive for netF. This study provides further evidence that NetF may be a significant contributor to the etiology of AHDS and potentially to a subset of acute nonhemorrhagic diarrhea cases, while it was only rarely detected in chronic gastrointestinal disease phenotypes.
Reflective Semiconductor Optical Amplifier Chip with Low Ripple for C-Band External Cavity Narrow-Linewidth Laser
Authors: Li Shaojie , Yu Haiyang , Bao Haotian , Ren Menghan , Liu Jianguo , Liu Zeqiu , Cao Yulian
Published: February 2025

The main characteristic of a reflective semiconductor optical amplifier chip (RSOA) is that it does not generate optical resonance under electric pumping and maintains the operation state of spontaneous emission. In this paper, a Nb2O5/SiO2/Nb2O5/SiO2 (four-layer Nb2O5/SiO2) film system is employed as the coating material for the output facet of the RSOA. The 3 dB spectral width of the spontaneous emission spectrum from this RSOA reaches 79.4 nm, with a ripple of less than 1 dB occurring across this wavelength range. Notably, around the 1550 nm wavelength, the ripple is as low as 0.5 dB. This represents the best performance reported for this type of chip. The RSOA is packaged as a narrow-linewidth external cavity laser. Under test conditions of 25 °C and 180 mA, the external cavity laser produces an output power of 12.6 mW and achieves a linewidth of 299.8 Hz. Furthermore, by adjusting the Fabry–Pérot (FP) standard cavity, filtering, and other external cavity parameters, the lasing spectrum of the narrow-linewidth external cavity laser based on the RSOA is tunable across a wavelength range from 1535.83 nm to 1561.42 nm, which shows the usability of the proposed ROSA for a C-band external cavity narrow-linewidth laser.
Enhancing Thin Film Properties of Chitosan–Collagen Biocomposites Through Potassium Silicate and Tannic Acid Integration
Authors: Kaczmarek-Szczepańska Beata , D’Amora Ugo , Zasada Lidia , Michalska-Sionkowska Marta , Miłek Oliwia , Łukowicz Krzysztof , Osyczka Anna Maria
Published: February 2025

Chitosan and collagen are natural polymers widely used in biomaterials science; however, their inherent low stability and solubility present several challenges to obtain formulations suitable for potential clinical applications. In this study, tannic acid (TA) was employed as a cross-linker to improve the properties of thin films made from chitosan and collagen. In addition, potassium silicate (PS) was added as an inorganic filler, to produce innovative biocomposite films. The impact of TA and PS on physicochemical (i.e., material homogeneity, surface free energy, degradation, and stability roughness of surface), antioxidant, hemocompatibility, as well as cellular responses was evaluated. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of TA significantly enhanced the physicochemical properties of the chitosan/collagen-based films. The addition of 5% PS resulted in an increase in surface free energy and a decrease in roughness parameters. Furthermore, both surface free energy and cellular responses improved with the increased TA concentration in the biocomposite firms. Meanwhile, the hemolysis rate remained below 5%, indicating the potential suitability of these materials for medical applications, such as coatings or scaffolds for bone or skin wound healing.
A Novel 3D-Printing Model Resin with Low Volumetric Shrinkage and High Accuracy
Authors: Ling Long , Lai Theresa , Chung Pei-Ting , Sabet Sara , Tran Victoria , Malyala Raj
Published: February 2025

This study aims to assess and compare the shrinkage, accuracy, and accuracy stability of a novel 3D-printing model resin and eight commercially available 3D-printing model resin materials. The experimental model resin was developed by our 3D-printing proprietary resin technology. Eight commercially available 3D-printing model resins were included for comparison. The AcuVol video imaging technique was used to test volumetric shrinkage. Full-arch tooth models were printed for each model resin via digital light processing (DLP) technology. The 3D average distance between the scanned model and the designed CAD digital file was applied to determine the dimensional accuracy of the 3D-printed full-arch tooth models. One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test (p < 0.05) were utilized to analyze the average values of volumetric shrinkage and 3D average distance (dimensional accuracy). The experimental model resin showed significantly lower volumetric shrinkage (7.28%) and significantly higher or higher accuracy and accuracy stability (11.66–13.77 µm from the initial day to four weeks) than the other commercially available model resins (7.66–11.2%, 14.03–41.14 µm from the initial day to four weeks). A strong correlation was observed between volumetric shrinkage and dimensional accuracy (Pearson correlation coefficient R = 0.7485). For clinically successful modelling applications in restorations, orthodontics, implants, and so on, the new 3D-printing model resin is a promising option.
Investigation of the Foaming Morphology of Polypropylene Molded via Microcellular Injection Assisted by Water Vapor and Gas Counter Pressure
Authors: Chen Shia-Chung , Gan Chao-Yuan , Liu Yan-Jun , Feng Ching-Te
Published: February 2025

The microcellular injection molding (MuCell®) process, which uses supercritical fluid (SCF) as a foaming agent, is considered an important green molding solution to reduce product weight, molding energy, and cycle time and to improve the foam quality. However, maximizing the foaming density while keeping size uniformity in the foaming cell requires further attention. In this study, H2O and the SCF N2 were employed as cofoaming agents in the MuCell® process of polypropylene (PP). Owing to the different critical points of N2 and H2O, bubble nucleation was expected to occur in interactive ways. Various process parameters were investigated, including the SCF N2 content, the moisture content adsorbed within the resin under targeted PP weight reductions of 30% and 40%, the melt and mold temperature conditions, and the gas counter pressure. The resulting foaming morphology was examined to evaluate the foam quality in terms of the foaming density and bubble size distribution. The bubble coalescence, particularly in the skin layer, was examined, and the associated gas permeability flow rate was measured. The results indicated that H2O-assisted foaming led to bubble coalescence and allowed for gas penetration in the direction of the part thickness direction, resulting in an overall increase in foaming density, particularly in the skin layer. Under high SCF N2 and H2O contents, the solid skin layer disappeared, regulating the gas permeability from one surface side to the other. Under the optimized process parameters, the gas permeability flow rate in the filter-like foaming PP material reached 300–450 mL/min. The application of gas counter pressure also helped increase the foam density and bubble coalescence, enhancing the gas permeability in the PP material to about 500 mL/min. These results demonstrate the potential application of microcellular injection molding using water as a cofoaming agent in moisture-release devices.
Electrochemical Tuning of Ni-Fe Catalysts Using Various Techniques for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution in Alkaline Media
Authors: Topak Ali , Toprak Döşlü Serap
Published: February 2025

The search for cost-effective and scalable electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) remains a critical challenge in advancing sustainable energy technologies. This study presents a novel approach to optimizing nickel-iron (Ni-Fe) alloy coatings on graphite (G) electrodes through a strategic combination of composition tuning, nickel modification, and various electrochemical optimizations. Unlike conventional studies, which primarily focus on static alloy compositions, this work systematically investigates the impact of dynamic nickel modification durations on the catalytic performance and conductivity of Ni-Fe alloys. By addressing the conductivity limitations caused by iron oxidation, the study demonstrates the enhanced HER kinetics achieved with a Ni-modified G/Ni%95Fe%5-Ni(60s) electrode. Electrochemical and structural analyses reveal the synergistic effects of nickel modifications on improving active site accessibility, reducing overpotential, and increasing hydrogen production efficiency. This work introduces a scalable methodology for tailoring Ni-Fe catalysts, offering significant advancements in the development of robust, cost-effective electrocatalysts for industrial-scale hydrogen production.
Numerical Modelling of Rail Straightening in a Nine-Roller Vertical and Nine-Roller Horizontal Straightener System
Authors: Woźniak Dariusz , Skubisz Piotr , Zygmunt Tomasz , Żak Sylwester
Published: February 2025

This study addresses the reduction of residual stresses in rails for interoperable railway tracks with standard and enhanced operational properties, designed for the construction of high-speed and conventional-speed railway lines, characterized by very good flatness of the rolling surface and increased safety indicators resulting from a low level of residual magnetism. The article presents results of research aimed at reducing residual stresses in 120 m railway rails to comply with the requirements of the standard PN-EN 13674-1, that is, a maximum value of 155 MPa in the foot, 220 MPa in the head, and −200 MPa in the web of a rail. Numerical computations were used for designing set-ups of vertical and horizontal straighteners. Straightener and material models were developed and boundary conditions were established for stress calculations to be performed considering the selected set-ups, indicating the possibility of reaching stress levels as low as 120 MPa. The results of the calculated cases were verified by tensometer experimental measurements, which allowed the formulation of guidelines for reliable prediction of representative stress estimators in points of interest as an aid in selection of favorable set-ups of 9-roller straighteners.