bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crowdsourced Indicators of Flora and Fauna Species: Comparisons Between iNaturalist Records and Field Observations
Authors: Kwon Hyuksoo , Seo Bumsuk , Kim Jungin , Lee Heera
Published: January 2025

Cultural ecosystem services provide intangible benefits such as recreation and aesthetic enjoyment but are difficult to quantify compared to provisioning or regulating ecosystem services. Recent technologies offer alternative indicators, such as social media data, to identify popular locations and their features. This study demonstrates how large volumes of citizen science and social media data can be analyzed to reveal patterns of human interactions with nature through unconventional, scalable methods. By applying spatial statistical methods, data from the citizen science platform iNaturalist are analyzed and compared with ground-truth visitation data. To minimize data bias, records are grouped by taxonomic information and applied to the metropolitan area of Seoul, South Korea (2005–2022). The taxonomic information included in the iNaturalist data were investigated using a standard global biodiversity database. The results show citizen science data effectively quantify public preferences for scenic locations, offering a novel approach to mapping cultural ecosystem services when traditional data are unavailable. This method highlights the potential of large-scale citizen-generated data for conservation, urban planning, and policy development. However, challenges like bias in user-generated content, uneven ecosystem coverage, and the over- or under-representation of locations remain. Addressing these issues and integrating additional metadata—such as time of visit, demographics, and seasonal trends—could provide deeper insights into human–nature interactions. Overall, the proposed method opens up new possibilities for using non-traditional data sources to assess and map ecosystem services, providing valuable information for conservation efforts, urban planning, and environmental policy development.
Accentedness Perception in L2: An Investigation of Thai Monophthong Pronunciation of Chinese Students
Authors: Hou Peng , Kraisame Sarawut
Published: January 2025

This paper aims to investigate the Thai monophthong pronunciation of Chinese students speaking Thai as a second language (L2), and to examine how native Thai listeners perceived these Chinese-accented Thai monophthongs. This study involves an acoustic analysis targeted on the Thai monophthongs articulated by Chinese students of Thai (n = 15) in a picture description task in terms of duration and quality. The participants exhibited varying proficiency levels in different monophthongs, with the greatest difficulty being with Thai back monophthongs and certain central monophthongs, including /ɔ, ɔː/, /o, oː/, and /ɤː/. Moreover, a perception experiment among 30 native Thai listeners proved that Chinese students’ pronunciation of Thai monophthongs had varying levels of impact on accentedness perception. Specifically, /ɯ/, /ɤ/, /o/, /ɔ/, and their long counterparts significantly influenced accentedness perception. Conversely, /i/, /e/, /ɛ/, /a/, /u/, and their long counterparts showed less robustness in predicting the level of accentedness. Among the whole Thai monophthong inventory, teachers should prioritize those monophthongs that significantly influence accentedness perception for teaching Thai pronunciation to Chinese students.
NGF-TrkA Axis Enhances PDGF-C-Mediated Angiogenesis in Osteosarcoma via miR-29b-3p Suppression: A Potential Therapeutic Strategy Using Larotrectinib
Authors: Hou Sheng-Mou , Cheng Ching-Yuan , Chen Wei-Li , Chang En-Ming , Lin Chih-Yang
Published: January 2025

Angiogenesis plays a critical role in osteosarcoma (OS) growth and metastasis. While nerve growth factor (NGF) is implicated in cancer progression, its role in OS angiogenesis remains unclear. This study explored NGF’s effects on angiogenesis and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Analysis of GEO (GSE16088) data identified five angiogenesis markers significantly upregulated in OS tissues. In vitro experiments demonstrated that NGF enhanced HUVEC tube formation by upregulating platelet-derived growth factor C (PDGF-C) expression and suppressing microRNA-29b-3p (miR-29b-3p). The results of tube formation assays confirmed that NGF stimulation significantly increased the angiogenic capacity of MG63/NGF cells compared to MG63 cells. Furthermore, larotrectinib, a TrkA inhibitor, effectively reduced the migration and invasion abilities of MG63/NGF cells in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that the NGF-TrkA axis promotes PDGF-C-mediated angiogenesis by inhibiting miR-29b-3p signaling. Larotrectinib could serve as a potential therapeutic agent targeting NGF-mediated angiogenesis in OS, offering a promising avenue for treatment.
Unlocking the Potential of Cecostomies: A Valuable Lifesaving Procedure in Emergency Surgery for Colonic Obstructions
Authors: Popazu Constantin , Toma Alexandra , Mihalache Daniela , Duca Oana-Monica , Firescu Dorel , Voicu Dragoș F.
Published: January 2025

Background: Colonic obstructions present a serious medical emergency that requires prompt surgical intervention to prevent life-threatening complications. Cecostomy, a procedure involving the creation of an opening in the cecum to decompress the colon, serves as one surgical approach for managing these obstructions. The aim of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness and benefits of cecostomies in emergency surgical settings, with a focus on recent clinical studies and case reports. Cecostomy is highlighted as a bridge procedure in cases such as obstructive carcinomas, providing data on success rates, relative survival, and clinical effectiveness. The importance of the patient’s condition and surgeon expertise in selecting cecostomy as a procedure is emphasized. Further comparative research is suggested to optimize the selection criteria, providing a strong, clinically oriented conclusion. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify studies and case reports focusing on the application of cecostomies in cases of acute colonic obstruction. Articles were selected based on their relevance to emergency surgery, the effectiveness of cecostomies, and patient outcomes in various clinical scenarios, including obstructive carcinomas and colonic pseudo-obstructions. Results: The analysis reveals that cecostomies provide rapid decompression and effective relief from colonic obstruction, particularly when immediate intervention is needed to prevent bowel perforation or ischemia. In several cases, cecostomies act as a bridge to more definitive surgical treatments, such as resection and anastomosis, and are associated with reduced morbidity and mortality. The selection of cecostomy as a preferred procedure depends on the patient’s condition, location of the obstruction, and surgeon expertise. Conclusions: Cecostomies play a crucial role in the emergency management of colonic obstructions, offering a viable and sometimes lifesaving alternative for rapid decompression. Understanding the indications and appropriate use of cecostomies can enhance patient outcomes and provide surgeons with effective strategies for managing acute colonic obstructions. Further research is warranted to refine selection criteria and to compare outcomes between cecostomies and other decompressive techniques in emergency settings.
The Microstructures, Mechanical Properties, and Energetic Characteristics of a Novel Dual-Phase Ti40Zr40W10Mo10 High-Entropy Alloy
Authors: Cao Yuxian , Geng Ruming , Yang Cheng , Han Shun , Lei Simin , Li Yong , Wang Chunxu
Published: January 2025

High-energy structural materials (ESMs) integrate a high energy density with rapid energy release, offering promising applications in advanced technologies. In this study, a novel dual-phase Ti40Zr40W10Mo10 high-entropy alloy (HEA) was synthesized and evaluated as a potential ESM. The alloy exhibited a body-centered cubic (BCC) matrix with Mo-W-rich BCC precipitates of varying sizes, which increased proportionally with the W content. The compressive mechanical properties were assessed across a range of strain rates, revealing that the W10 HEA sustained a compressive strength of 2300 MPa at a strain rate of 3000 s−1. This exceptional performance is attributed to the uniform distribution of circular Mo-W-rich BCC precipitates. Conversely, in the W13 HEA, the aggregated and large Mo-W-rich precipitates deteriorated its dynamic properties. Furthermore, deflagration behavior was observed during dynamic deformation of W10, highlighting its potential as a high-performance ESM.
T700 Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Resin Composite Material Hygrothermal Aging Model
Authors: Lu Jinjie , Zheng Chuanxiang , Wang Liang , Dai Yuchen , Wang Zhenyu , Song Zhaobo
Published: January 2025

The hygrothermal aging model, based on Fick’s second law of diffusion, characterizes the degradation of engineering constants in T700 carbon fiber/epoxy resin composites. It focuses on changes in the tensile modulus, shear modulus, and transverse Poisson’s ratio due to moisture absorption and temperature variations. The model validates through mass change observations before and after seawater immersion, along with surface morphology assessments and tensile experiments. The results reveal that the saturated moisture absorption rate for single-layer laminates in seawater immersion is 0.35%. Short-term seawater immersion at room temperature (≤60 days) does not induce cracks or defects (≥10 μm) on the composite’s surface. The composite’s modulus decreases as moisture absorption increases, with the longitudinal tensile modulus dropping by an order of 10−5%, while the other engineering constants decrease by an order of 10−3%. The modulus also decreases with rising temperature; the closer the temperature is to the matrix’s glass transition, the faster the modulus declines, with the longitudinal tensile modulus decreasing by 0.84%, and the other engineering constants decreasing by 100%. This research provides valuable insights for the engineering applications of composite materials in marine environments.
Nano-Fibrillated Bacterial Cellulose Nanofiber Surface Modification with EDTA for the Effective Removal of Heavy Metal Ions in Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Fujita Sayaka , Sasa Ryosui , Kinoshita Nanami , Kishimoto Ryota , Kono Hiroyuki
Published: January 2025

Nano-fibrillated bacterial cellulose (NFBC) has very long fibers (>17 μm) with diameters of approximately 20 nm. Hence, they have a very high aspect ratio and surface area. The high specific surface area of NFBC can potentially be utilized as an adsorbent. However, NFBC has no functional groups that can bind metal ions, limiting its potential applications. In this study, the hydroxyl groups on the surface of NFBC were chemically modified with EDTA monoanhydride to convert NFBC into a metal adsorbent. The fiber morphology and crystal structures of the modified NFBC were almost identical to those of the unmodified NFBC, suggesting that the surface hydroxyl groups of NFBC were well-conjugated with the EDTA groups. Surface-modified NFBC preferentially adsorbed transition metals in aqueous solutions, such as Cu(II), Hg(II), Pb(II), and Cd(II), but hardly adsorbed Mg(II) and Cr(VI). The adsorption of heavy metal ions can be explained by the pseudo-second-order kinetics of the chemisorption process and the Langmuir isotherm model. Furthermore, the EDTA-modified NFBC is a renewable and recyclable adsorbent. The results of this study indicate that surface-modified NFBC can be utilized as a biosorbent for heavy metal removal in chemical, food, pharmaceutical, and other industrial fields.
Analysis of the Impact of Graphite Addition on the Tribological Properties of Composites with Polyester–Glass Recyclate
Authors: Hajdukiewicz Grzegorz , Komarov Aleksander I. , Orda Dmitry V. , Panasiuk Katarzyna
Published: January 2025

Composites are increasingly being modified with various types of fillers and nanofillers. These materials have attracted much attention due to the improvement in their properties compared to traditional composite materials. In the case of advanced technologies, adding additives to the matrix has created a number of possibilities for use in many industries, from electronics to mechanics. Mechanical recycling of composites allows them to be reused as a filler in new composite materials; however, a decrease in their strength parameters is observed, and hence, new possibilities of their use are sought. The main objective of this research was to analyze the effect of the graphite content on the tribological and structural properties of composites with polyester–glass recyclate. Composite materials with 10% polyester–glass recyclate and an additive in the form of graphite in the amounts of 0%, 2%, 5%, 10% were made using the hand lamination method and their mechanical properties were verified. Then, using a universal tribometer operating in rotational motion with friction without lubrication, the influence of nanoadditives on the change in the coefficient of friction (µ) and the change in the coefficient K (the rate of a mass wear) of the obtained composites was investigated. This study showed that adding graphite in the amount of 2%, 5%, and 10% changes the nature of tribological wear of the obtained composite material. The coefficient K (mass wear rate) also changes. The addition of 10% graphite significantly changes the coefficient of friction without lubrication in a pair with a steel counter-sample.
Growth of Oxide and Nitride Layers on Titanium Foil and Their Electrochemical Properties
Authors: Kim Song Hyeon , Kim Young-Il
Published: January 2025

The surface of titanium foil can be modified by heating in the air, in a N2 flow, and in an NH3 flow. Upon heating in the air, the elemental Ti gradually transforms to Ti3O at 550 °C and to rutile TiO2 at above 700 °C. Treatment in a N2 flow leads similarly to Ti3O at 600 °C and TiO2 at 700 °C, although the overall reaction is slower. Meanwhile, nitridation in the N2 flow is minimal, even at 900 °C. Heat treatment in an NH3 flow produces nitride phases through the ammonolysis of the hexagonal Ti. With an ammonolysis at 900 °C, trigonal Ti2N and cubic TiN form together while, at higher temperatures, TiN is dominant. The TiN layer can also be obtained via the ammonolysis of the TiO2 coating, that is, by the sequential treatments of Ti in the air and then in an NH3 flow. The titanium nitride layers have particulate microstructures and varying degrees of porosity, depending on the ammonolysis temperature and time. The TiO2-derived TiN has a significantly higher capacitance than TiN derived directly from Ti. The optimally prepared TiN specimen exhibits an areal specific capacitance of 66.2 F/cm2 at 0.034 mA/cm2.
Techno-Functionalities of White Bean Protein Concentrate: A Comparative Study with Soy and Pea Proteins
Authors: Azevedo Paula Zambe , Costa Juliana Eloy Granato , Matos Jessica da Silva , de Souza Breno Rodrigues , Rodrigues Sueli , Fernandes Fabiano André Narciso , Silva Vanelle Maria , Vidigal Márcia Cristina Teixeira Ribeiro , Stringheta Paulo Cesar , Martins Evandro , Campelo Pedro Henrique
Published: January 2025

The study of the techno-functional properties of novel plant-based proteins has gained importance due to their as alternatives to conventional proteins in food systems. This work evaluated the techno-functional and structural properties of white bean protein concentrate (WBPC) in comparison with commercial soy and pea proteins. The WBPC exhibited a higher foaming capacity (FC) at neutral pH and excellent foam stability (FS) at both tested pH levels, outperforming the commercial proteins. Although the WBPC’s gelation occurred only at concentrations above 16% and its water-holding capacity (WHC) was lower than that of the soy and pea proteins, the WBPC showed a high binding capacity for nonpolar molecules, excelling in its oil-holding capacity (OHC) and forming stable emulsions, which are relevant for stabilization in food products. Additionally, WBPC can form more rigid gel networks, suitable for systems requiring greater mechanical strength. These techno-functional properties indicate that WBPC is a promising alternative source for the plant-based food industry, helping to meet the demand for innovative, sustainable products and contributing to the diversification of protein sources.
Assessing Air-Pocket Pressure Peaks During Water Filling Operations Using Dimensionless Equations
Authors: Fuertes-Miquel Vicente S. , Coronado-Hernández Oscar E. , Sánchez-Romero Francisco J. , Saba Manuel , Pérez-Sánchez Modesto
Published: January 2025

Air pockets can become trapped at high points in pipelines with irregular profiles, particularly during service interruptions. The resulting issues, primarily caused by peak pressures generated during pipeline filling, are a well-documented topic in the literature. However, it is surprising that this subject has not received comprehensive attention. Using a model developed by the authors, this paper identifies the key parameters that define the phenomenon, presenting equations in a dimensionless format. The main advantage of this study lies in the ability to easily compute pressure surges without the need to solve a complex system of differential and algebraic equations. Numerous cases of filling operations were analysed to obtain dimensionless charts that can be used by water utilities to compute pressure surges during filling operations. Additionally, it provides charts that facilitate the rapid and reasonably accurate estimation of peak pressures. Depending on their transient characteristics, pressure peaks are either slow or fast, with separate charts provided for each type. A practical application involving a water pipeline with an irregular profile demonstrates the model’s effectiveness, showing strong agreement between calculated and chart-predicted (proposed methodology) values. This research provides water utilities with the ability to select the appropriate pipe’s resistance class required for water distribution systems by calculating the pressure peak value that may occur during filling procedures.
Amygdala Nuclei Atrophy in Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: Insights from High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Peiseniece Evija , Zdanovskis Nauris , Šneidere Kristīne , Kostiks Andrejs , Karelis Guntis , Platkājis Ardis , Stepens Ainārs
Published: January 2025

Background and Objectives: Cognitive impairment affects memory, reasoning, and problem-solving, with early detection being critical for effective management. The amygdala, a key structure in emotional processing and memory, may play a pivotal role in detecting cognitive decline. This study examines differences in amygdala nuclei volumes in patients with varying levels of cognitive performance to evaluate its potential as a biomarker. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study of 35 participants was conducted and classified into three groups: the normal (≥26), moderate (15–25), and low (≤14) cognitive performance groups based on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging at 3.0 T scanner was used to assess amygdala nuclei volumes. Results: Significant amygdala atrophy was observed in multiple amygdala nuclei across cognitive performance groups, with more pronounced changes in the low-performance group. The right hemisphere nuclei, including the lateral and basal nuclei, showed more significant differences, indicating their sensitivity to cognitive decline. Conclusions: This study highlights the potential of amygdala nuclei atrophy as a biomarker for cognitive impairment. Additional research with larger sample sizes and longitudinal designs is needed to confirm these findings and determine their diagnostic value.
Design of Interface ASIC with Power-Saving Switches for Capacitive Accelerometers
Authors: Cai Juncheng , Cai Yongbin , Li Xiangyu , Wang Shanshan , Zhang Xiaowei , Di Xinpeng , Wang Pengjun
Published: January 2025

High-precision, low-power MEMS accelerometers are extensively utilized across civilian applications. Closed-loop accelerometers employing switched-capacitor (SC) circuit topologies offer notable advantages, including low power consumption, high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and excellent linearity. Addressing the critical demand for high-precision, low-power MEMS accelerometers in modern geophones, this work focuses on the design and implementation of closed-loop interface ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits). The proposed interface circuit, based on switched-capacitor modulation technology, incorporates a low-noise charge amplifier, sample-and-hold circuit, integrator, and clock divider circuit. To minimize average power consumption, a switched operational amplifier (op-amp) technique is adopted, which temporarily disconnects idle op-amps from the power supply. Additionally, a class-AB output stage is employed to enhance the dynamic range of the circuit. The design was realized using a standard 0.35 μm CMOS process, culminating in the completion of layout design and small-scale engineering fabrication. The performance of the MEMS accelerometers was evaluated under a 3.3 V power supply, achieving a power consumption of 3.3 mW, an accelerometer noise density below 1 μg/√Hz, a sensitivity of 1.65 V/g, a measurement range of ±1 g, a nonlinearity of 0.15%, a bandwidth of 300 Hz, and a bias stability of approximately 36 μg. These results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed design in meeting the stringent requirements of high-precision MEMS accelerometer applications.
Exploring Nanoplastics Bioaccumulation in Freshwater Organisms: A Study Using Gold-Doped Polymeric Nanoparticles
Authors: Schirinzi Gabriella F. , Bucher Guillaume , Passos Marisa Sárria Pereira de , Modesto Vanessa , Serra Miguel-Ángel , Gilliland Douglas , Riccardi Nicoletta , Ponti Jessica
Published: January 2025

The evaluation of nanoplastics bioaccumulation in living organisms is still considered an emerging challenge, especially as global plastic production continues to grow, posing a significant threat to humans, animals, and the environment. The goal of this work is to advance the development of standardized methods for reliable biomonitoring in the future. It is crucial to employ sensitive techniques that can detect and measure nanoplastics effectively, while ensuring minimal impact on the environment. To understand nanoplastics retention by freshwater organisms, phyto- and zooplankton, and mussels were exposed to gold-doped polymeric nanoparticles synthesized in our laboratory. The results demonstrated that measuring gold content using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), along with confirmation of its presence through electron microscopy in selected exposed samples provides insight into the accumulation and release of nanoplastics by organisms playing a relevant ecological role at the early levels of aquatic food webs.
Monte Carlo Simulations in Nanomedicine: Advancing Cancer Imaging and Therapy
Authors: Chow James C. L.
Published: January 2025

Monte Carlo (MC) simulations have become important in advancing nanoparticle (NP)-based applications for cancer imaging and therapy. This review explores the critical role of MC simulations in modeling complex biological interactions, optimizing NP designs, and enhancing the precision of therapeutic and diagnostic strategies. Key findings highlight the ability of MC simulations to predict NP bio-distribution, radiation dosimetry, and treatment efficacy, providing a robust framework for addressing the stochastic nature of biological systems. Despite their contributions, MC simulations face challenges such as modeling biological complexity, computational demands, and the scarcity of reliable nanoscale data. However, emerging technologies, including hybrid modeling approaches, high-performance computing, and quantum simulation, are poised to overcome these limitations. Furthermore, novel advancements such as FLASH radiotherapy, multifunctional NPs, and patient-specific data integration are expanding the capabilities and clinical relevance of MC simulations. This topical review underscores the transformative potential of MC simulations in bridging fundamental research and clinical translation. By facilitating personalized nanomedicine and streamlining regulatory and clinical trial processes, MC simulations offer a pathway toward more effective, tailored, and accessible cancer treatments. The continued evolution of simulation techniques, driven by interdisciplinary collaboration and technological innovation, ensures that MC simulations will remain at the forefront of nanomedicine’s progress.
High-Aspect-Ratio Shape Replica Mold Fabrication Using Nanoimprinting and Silver Ink as Etching Mask
Authors: Enomoto Keisuke , Taniguchi Jun
Published: January 2025

Effective high-aspect-ratio molds that minimize vacuum processes are becoming increasingly important for producing metalenses and other devices. To fabricate a high-aspect-ratio structure, a metal film must be used as a mask for dry etching, typically achieved via vacuum deposition. To avoid this vacuum process, we devised a method to develop an etching mask in the air using silver ink. The manufacturing method involved filling the mold with silver ink, baking it, removing silver from the convex parts of the mold with a polyethylene terephthalate film, and placing silver from the concave parts of the mold on top of the ultraviolet (UV)-cured resin using ultraviolet-nanoimprint lithography. The transferred pattern had silver on the convex parts, which was used as a mask for the oxygen dry etching of the UV-curable resin. Consequently, high-aspect-ratio resin shapes were obtained from three types of nano- and micromolds. Additionally, a high-aspect-ratio resin with silver was used as a replica mold to form a silver pattern. This process is effective and allows high-aspect-ratio patterns to be obtained from master molds.
Risk-Prioritised Versus Universal Medical Nutrition Therapy for Gestational Diabetes: A Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Smith Roslyn , Boaro Madeline , Mak Ka , Wong Vincent
Published: January 2025

Background: The optimal application of medical nutrition therapy (MNT) in treating gestational diabetes remains uncertain. MNT involves individualised nutrition assessment and counselling, which is labour-intensive and is not the sole type of intervention offered by clinical dietitians. Objective: To determine whether pregnancy outcomes differed for individuals with gestational diabetes who were offered MNT on a risk-prioritised (RP) versus universal basis. Methods: Observational data from two cohorts of individuals who were offered MNT only if they met the high-risk criteria following general group-based dietary education (RP1, n = 369; RP2, n = 446) were compared with a baseline cohort who were universally offered at least one MNT consultation (UM, n = 649). The RP1 cohort were seen during community-wide COVID-19 restrictions in 2021, while RP2 were seen after restrictions had lifted in 2022. Furthermore, the RP approach primarily utilised telemedicine, while the UM approach was delivered in person. Results: MNT consultations halved under the RP approach (59 vs. 119 sessions per 100 diagnoses for RP2 vs. UM) and saved more than 20 h of dietitian time per 100 diagnoses (95 vs. 73 h for RP2 vs. UM). No significant increases were observed (p < 0.05) for any pregnancy outcomes in the RP cohorts compared with the UM cohort, including usage of diabetes medications, maternal weight gain below and above target, early deliveries, induced deliveries, emergency caesarean sections, large- and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants, infant macrosomia, neonatal hypoglycaemia and neonatal intensive care admissions. The use of both basal insulin (27% vs. 33%, OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.84) and metformin (6% vs. 10%, OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.88) was lower in the RP1 cohort during pandemic restrictions compared with the UM cohort; however, these differences were not retained in the RP2 cohort. Additionally, there were fewer SGA infants under the RP approach, particularly for the RP2 cohort (6% vs. 11% for RP2 vs. UM, OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.89). Conclusions: Risk-prioritised MNT was a more efficient dietetic service approach to gestational diabetes than the universal MNT model, with comparable pregnancy outcomes. Similar approaches may represent a strategic way to address sustainable health service planning amidst the rising global prevalence of this condition. However, further research is needed to investigate consumer perspectives, wider service impacts and post-partum maternal and child health outcomes.
Ex Vivo Propagation of Pinctada Birnavirus Using Mantle Tissue Fragment Culture: Application for Measuring Replication at Different Temperatures, TCID50 Assay, and UV Sensitivity
Authors: Matsuyama Tomomasa , Atsumi Takashi , Kiryu Ikunari , Umeda Kousuke , Morimoto Natsuki
Published: January 2025

Pinctada birnavirus (PiBV) is the causative agent of summer atrophy in pearl oyster (Pinctada fucata (Gould)). The disease, which induces mass mortality in juveniles less than 1 year old and abnormalities in adults, was first reported in Japan in 2019. Research on the disease has been hindered by the lack of cell lines capable of propagating PiBV. We established an ex vivo method for PiBV propagation using mantle tissue, the primary infection site of the virus. The method was used to investigate the proliferation characteristics of the virus at different culture temperatures and the sensitivity of the virus to UV radiation. The marginal zone of the mantle was found to be the most suitable for PiBV replication in terms of both viral yield and reproducibility. PiBV showed optimal propagation at an incubation temperature of 25 °C, with minimal to no increase at 15 °C or 32.5 °C. Using the tissue culture infectious dose 50 (TCID50) measurement system developed in this study, we found that PiBV propagation was no longer detectable after UV irradiation at 6150 J/m2 or higher. The tissue fragment culture method developed in this study is expected to facilitate both ex vivo experiments and PiBV research.
Pulmonary Delivery of Antibiotics to the Lungs: Current State and Future Prospects
Authors: Dallal Bashi Yahya H. , Mairs Rachel , Murtadha Rand , Kett Vicky
Published: January 2025

This paper presents a comprehensive review of the current literature, clinical trials, and products approved for the delivery of antibiotics to the lungs. While there are many literature reports describing potential delivery systems, few of these have translated into marketed products. Key challenges remaining are the high doses required and, for powder formulations, the ability of the inhaler and powder combination to deliver the dose to the correct portion of the respiratory tract for maximum effect. Side effects, safety concerns, and disappointing clinical trial results remain barriers to regulatory approval. In this review, we describe some possible approaches to address these issues and highlight prospects in this area.
Investigations of Long-Acting Formulations in Children, Adolescents, and Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review
Authors: Bertagnolli Lynn , Deng Zhengyi , Davy-Rothwell Melissa , Abrams Elaine J. , Flexner Charles , Weld Ethel D.
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Long-acting and extended-release drug delivery strategies have greatly improved treatment for a variety of medical conditions. Special populations, specifically infants, children, young people, and pregnant and postpartum women, could greatly benefit from access to these strategies but are often excluded from clinical trials. We conducted a systematic review of all clinical studies involving the use of a long-acting intramuscular injection or implant in infants, children, young people, and pregnant and postpartum people. Methods: Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Library trials were searched. Studies published from 1980 through 2018 were included. After abstract review and duplication removal, full-text articles were obtained for further review, reviewed by two independent reviewers, and disagreements were resolved by a third reviewer. Results: a total of 101 studies of long-acting therapeutics were completed in these populations, and most (80%) of these had a sample size of <100 individuals. Therapeutics for only a small pool of indications were examined in these studies, with 72% of the studies investigating hormonal contraception or other types of hormonal treatments. Only 9.3% of the studies in children and 16.7% of the studies in pregnant people collected any pharmacokinetic (PK) data. Conclusions: Long-acting formulations may behave differently (both pharmacokinetically and pharmacodynamically) in childhood, adolescence, and pregnancy as compared to non-pregnant adulthood. Therefore, it is imperative to increase and improve upon the studies investigating long-acting formulations in order to close the knowledge gap and improve care and treatment in these special populations.
Impact of Deactivated Mine Waste Substrates on the Growth and Cu, As and Pb Accumulation in Tubers, Roots, Stems and Leaves of Three Solanum tuberosum L. Varieties
Authors: Coelho Ana R. F. , Simões Manuela , Reboredo Fernando H. , Almeida José , Cawina Joaquim , Lidon Fernando
Published: January 2025

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the world’s third most popular vegetable in terms of consumption and the fourth most produced. Potatoes can be easily cultivated in different climates and locations around the globe and often in soils contaminated by heavy metals due to industrial activities. This study assessed heavy metal accumulation in different organs of three S. tuberosum L. varieties (Agria, Désirée, and Red Lady) grown in different substrate formulations containing slag and waste from the Caveira polymetallic sulfite mine in Portugal. Results reveal that Cu, Pb, and As accumulation in the different organs of the plant depends on variety and substrate formulation, with tubers exceeding reference values from the literature. Tubers accumulated less Cu (varying between 17.3 and 32 mg/kg), Pb (varying between 5 and 27.6 mg/kg) and As (varying between 4 and 14.8 mg/kg) compared to other plant organs, and the Désirée variety exhibited high Pb (with a maximum of 27.6 mg/kg) accumulation in tubers compared to the remaining varieties. Although the phenological development of plants was not impacted, substrate formulation played a critical role in the plant’s metal uptake. The Agria variety presented a lower contamination risk in tubers, but potato cultivation in contaminated soils can present a risk to human health.
Bridging Experimentation and Computation: OMSP for Advanced Acrylate Characterization and Digital Photoresin Design in Vat Photopolymerization
Authors: Okoruwa Leah , Tarak Fatih , Sameni Farzaneh , Sabet Ehsan
Published: January 2025

Vat photopolymerization (VPP) is an additive manufacturing method that requires the design of photocurable resins to act as feedstock and binder for the printing of parts, both monolithic and composite. The design of a suitable photoresin is costly and time-consuming. The development of one formulation requires the consumption of kilograms of costly materials, weeks of printing and performance testing, as well as the need to have developers with the expertise and knowledge of the materials used, making the development process cost thousands. This paper presents a new characterization methodology for acrylates that allows for the computerization of the photoresin formulation development process, reducing the timescale to less than a week. Okoruwa Maximum Saturation Potential (OMSP) is a methodology that uses attenuated total reflection (ATR-FTIR) to study the functional group of acrylates, assigning numerical outputs to characterize monomers, oligomers and formulations, allowing for more precise distinguishment between materials. It utilizes the principles of Gaussian normal distribution for the storage, recall, and computerization of acrylate data and formulation design without the need to database numerous files of spectral data to an average coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.97. The same characterization method can be used to define the potential reactivity of acrylate formulations without knowing the formulation components, something not possible when using properties such as functionality. This allows for modifications to be made to unknown formulations without prior knowledge of their contents. Validation studies were performed to define the boundaries of the operation of OMSP and assess the methodology’s reliability as a characterization tool. OMSP can confidently detect changes caused by the presence of various acrylates made to the photoresin system and distinguish between acrylates of the same viscosity and functionality. OMSP can compare digitally mixed formulations to physically mixed formulations and provides a high degree of accuracy (R2 of 0.9406 to 0.9964), highlighting the future potential for building foundations for artificial intelligence in VPP; the streamlining of photoresin formulation design; and transforming the way acrylates are characterized, selected, and used.
Novel Co-Polyamides Containing Pendant Phenyl/Pyridinyl Groups with Potential Application in Water Desalination Processes
Authors: Arriaza-Echanes Carolina , Terraza Claudio A. , Tundidor-Camba Alain , Sanhueza Ch. Loreto , Ortiz Pablo A.
Published: January 2025

This study explores the development and evaluation of a novel series of aromatic co-polyamides featuring diverse pendant groups, including phenyl and pyridinyl derivatives, designed for water desalination membrane applications. These co-polyamides, synthesized with a combination of hexafluoroisopropyl, oxyether, phenyl, and amide groups, exhibited excellent solubility in polar aprotic solvents, thermal stability exceeding 350 °C, and the ability to form robust, flexible films. Membranes prepared via phase inversion demonstrated variable water permeability and NaCl rejection rates, significantly influenced by the pendant group chemistry. Notably, pyridinyl-substituted membranes achieved water fluxes up to 17.7 L m−2 h−1 and a NaCl rejection of 37.3%, while phenyl-substituted variants provided insights into the interplay of hydrophobicity and porosity. These findings highlight the critical role of pendant group functionality in tailoring membrane performance, offering a foundation for further structural modifications to enhance efficiency in water treatment technologies.
A Purely Real-Valued Fast Estimator of Dynamic Harmonics for Application in Embedded Monitoring Devices in Power-Electronic Grids
Authors: Luo Xiao , Zou Caihai , Wu Haoqiang , Gao Boyang , Sun Hongjian , Jin Zongshuai
Published: January 2025

Dynamic harmonic estimation is important for the monitoring and control of power-electronic grids. But the high-precision dynamic harmonic estimation algorithms usually have a heavy computational burden and occupy a large memory space, making them difficult to implement in the embedded platform. Thus, the motivation of this paper lies in providing an estimator with low computational complexity and less storage space consumption. A purely real-valued fast dynamic harmonics estimator is proposed. Firstly, a purely real-valued estimation model is established based on the Taylor series expansion on the time-varying amplitude and phase angle. Secondly, the estimation filter bank is computed in the least-squares sense, and the corresponding estimation error is theoretically analyzed. Finally, the purely real-valued fast dynamic harmonics estimator is designed. The advantage includes significantly reducing the computational complexity and memory space consumption while maintaining high-precision estimation. The testing results show that the proposed estimator can achieve the highest harmonics estimation precision under dynamic conditions. The frequency error, magnitude error, and phase angle error are less than 5 × 10−2 Hz, 7 × 10−1%, and 8 × 10−2 degrees, respectively, which verifies the advantage of high-precision estimation. The proposed estimator achieves a computational speed-up of approximately 430, 396, and 330 times compared to the Prony method, ESPRIT method, and iterative Taylor Fourier transform method, respectively. The computational load rate for executing the proposed estimator on the embedded prototype using C6748 DSP for estimating 50 harmonics is approximately only 2.05%, which verifies the advantage of a low computational load rate.
Removal of Primamycin La from Milk Sample Using ZnCl2-Activated Biochar Prepared from Bean Plant as Adsorbent: Kinetic and Equilibrium Calculations
Authors: Şahin Muradiye , Arslan Yasin , Luna-Domínguez Carlos Roberto , Luna-Domínguez Jorge Humberto , Cozza Ronaldo Câmara
Published: January 2025

In this study, porous biochar (PvBC) was obtained by the pyrolysis of bean (phaseolus vulgaris) plant at 600 °C, and then activated biochar (PvBCZn) was synthesized by ZnCl2 activation at an equal biomass ratio (1.0:1.0). Some analytical techniques (SEM-EDX (scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy), TGA/DTA (Thermogravimetric/Differential Thermal Analysis), BET (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller), FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) and XRD (X-ray diffraction)) were used to characterize both PvBC and PvBCZn. In addition, their antibiotic sensitivity, water solubility, moisture content and swelling behavior were investigated in detail. Furthermore, both PvBC and PvBCZn were used for the adsorption of primamycin la, an anti-inflammatory drug used in veterinary medicine whose active ingredient is oxytetracycline, in a milk sample. The effect of both pH and adsorbent dosage on the adsorption capacity was investigated. Based on adsorption studies, while the maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) of PvBCZn was found to be 188.48 mg/g, that of PvBC was found to be 122.49 mg/g. According to these results, PvBCZn is an excellent adsorbent for the removal of primamycin la from milk samples. The Langmuir isotherm model and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model were more suitable to describe the adsorption behavior of primamycin la. The PvBCZn adsorbent exhibited rapid removal exceeding 75% in the first 20 min and reached equilibrium after about 50 min. In addition, studies on the desorption and reusability of PvBCZn were carried out under the same optimum experimental conditions. The qmax value of PvBCZn was found to be 171.40 mg/g even in the fifth cycle, confirming the idea that it is a potential adsorbent for the removal of primamycin la. At the same time, the antimicrobial activity of PvBCZn against Escherichia coli bacteria increases its potential to be used in both purification systems and hygiene products.
State of Charge Estimation of Single-Flow Zinc-Nickel Batteries Based on the Improved Unscented Kalman Filter and Extended Kalman Filter Algorithm
Authors: Song Chunning , Gu Haijing , Zhang Yu
Published: January 2025

Single-flow zinc–nickel batteries are a novel type of flow batteries that feature a simple structure, large-scale energy storage capacity, and low cost. The state of charge (SOC) is a crucial indicator of battery performance, providing essential data for the management and control of the battery management system. However, in the estimation of SOC using a traditional unscented Kalman filter, the covariance matrix P often falls into a non-positive definite state during the decomposition steps, leading to algorithm failure. To address this issue, this paper incorporates the singular-value decomposition method into the unscented Kalman filter, resulting in an improved unscented Kalman filter algorithm. Considering the potential low accuracy of a single filtering method for SOC estimation, the improved unscented Kalman filter algorithm is combined with the extended Kalman filter for joint estimation. Experimental comparisons demonstrate that the improved unscented Kalman filter and extended Kalman filter joint estimation achieve higher estimation accuracy compared to using the improved unscented Kalman filter alone.
Finite Element Simulation of Injection Mold Design Integrating Different Structures of Conformal Cooling Channels
Authors: Zhao Meiyun , Tang Zhengcheng
Published: January 2025

Injection molding (IM) is a process in which completely melted plastic material is injected into the mold cavity under high pressure at a specific temperature, and the molded product is obtained after pressure holding, cooling, and demolding. During the mold cooling process, the conformal cooling channel system can improve the uniformity of mold temperature, reduce warping deformation, and significantly improve product accuracy. However, the cost consumption of conformal cooling channels for the cavity and core of injection molds is significant, which is a distinct disadvantage. This paper proposes an innovative conformal cooling channel. Compared with conventional cooling channels, the warpage of plastic parts has been reduced by 0.3401 mm. Moreover, the cooling time difference between C2 and C4 is relatively small, about 7.9 s. Among them, C4 takes the shortest time, C1 takes the longest, and C4 is 4.371 s shorter than C1. Compared with C1, the cooling efficiency of C4 has increased by 35.48%. In addition, from a commercial value perspective, many mold manufacturing companies’ real production applications are better suited for using conformal cooling channels alone on the injection mold core. This paper establishes injection molding models under different working conditions, simulates the cooling of dynamic mold temperature molds, and analyzes the effects of fluid media and various fluid rates on mold temperature changes. The results indicate that the cooling effect of cooling water is significantly better than that of cooling oil at the same fluid rate. When the fluid rate increases from 0.75 L/min to 6 L/min, the effect of cooling oil on the temperature change in the mold is significantly higher than that of cooling water. The influence of mold temperature on the cooling medium’s fluid rate tends to stabilize once the cooling medium’s flow rate reaches a specific value.