bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Ti, Bi, W, Zn, and Pb nanoparticles on the radiation shielding properties in transparent medium: a Monte Carlo study
Authors: Nikrah A. , Taherparvar P. , Sadremomtaz A. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Recently, researchers have tried to examine novel materials
to enhance radiation shielding in hospitals and medical centers as a
replacement for regular shielding materials such as lead and
concrete. To assess the impact of new radiation shield materials,
this study is devoted to the examining the silicon shields as well
as silica and tellurium glasses containing nanoparticles and
micro-particles. For this purpose, using Monte Carlo code MCNPX, the
role of Ti, Bi, W, Zn, and Pb particles in silicon shields, also
tellurium and silica glasses incorporating Bi2O3, ZnO,
TiO2, WO3, and PbO particles in nanometer and micrometer
scales with proportions of 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%,
and 45% are examined. The MCNP results demonstrate a strong
agreement with the XCOM data, with a relative difference less than
2.11% across all samples. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) test has
been conducted to evaluate the consistency between the simulated
data and the XCOM data, with the maximum vertical deviation (Dmax)
less than 0.01%. The results show the improvement of radiation
protection characteristics following the particle size reduction
from micrometers to nanometers in all shields. Moreover, it was
observed that increasing the proportion of nanoparticles in the
shields enhances the protective properties. As a result, the shields
containing the smallest size and accommodating the highest number of
particles exhibit the best radiation shielding properties. Finally,
the tellurium glasses doped with 45% nanoparticles of WO3
demonstrated the best shielding properties.
Changes in high-latitude surface energy balance driven by snowpack and vegetation dynamics under warmer climate
Authors: Mekonnen Zelalem A , Riley William J , Shirley Ian A , Bouskill Nicholas J , Grant Robert F 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
With rapid climate warming, expected changes in snowpack and vegetation will alter the seasonal surface albedo of high-latitude ecosystems. The extent to which these albedo changes may affect surface energy balances and thus soil temperatures is uncertain, but represents a potentially important component of ecosystem feedbacks to climate change. Here, we apply a well-tested process-rich ecosystem model, ecosys, to examine changes in seasonal surface albedo and soil temperature driven by climate-induced snowpack and vegetation changes across Alaska under a warmer twenty-first century climate. Under the Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 climate change scenario, the modeled changes in surface albedo exhibited large seasonal and spatial variations. We found spring albedo decreases driven by increases in snow-free periods (>20 d) and an extended growing season length that resulted in greater gains in leaf area index (LAI) in most parts of Alaska. In contrast, we modeled increases in summer and winter albedo (despite modeled increases in LAI) across much of the boreal forest due to an increased proportion of aspen, which has a higher leaf albedo than the currently dominant black spruce. Modeled latent heat fluxes generally increase across the twenty-first century, particularly during the spring and summer. Overall, climate warming and changes in surface energy fluxes resulted in a 3.5 ± 0.50 °C increase in spatial- and annual-averaged top 10 cm surface soil temperatures across Alaskan ecosystems by the year 2100, with larger increases in tundra than boreal forest regions. We conclude that under warmer climates, seasonal variations in albedo and surface energy fluxes are particularly pronounced during the spring and summer, driven by changes in snowpack and vegetation dynamics.
Lung dECM matrikine-based hydrogel reverses bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis by suppressing M2 macrophage polarization
Authors: Zhu Xinglong , Yang Ying , Mao Shengqiang , Liu Qin , Li Yanan , Yang Yongfeng , Gao Mengyu , Bao Ji , Li Weimin , Li Yi 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background. Recent studies have shown promising results using decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) matrikines-based hydrogel as attractive strategies for preventing and alleviating fibrosis. Methods & Results. Porcine lung decellularization and pepsin digestion were used to prepare the lung dECM hydrogel. Proteomic analysis revealed that the lung dECM hydrogel was enriched in glycoproteins, collagens, laminins, fibrinogen, held receptors, and bound growth factors. With porous structures and good mechanical properties and stability, the lung dECM hydrogel showed low cytotoxicity and good biocompatibility both in vitro and in vivo. The lung dECM hydrogel was further administered to verify the safety and effectiveness of reversing pulmonary fibrosis in a bleomycin induced rat model. The results revealed a relatively complete alveolar structure with less inflammatory infiltration and a reduced amount of collagen fiber deposition. TMT quantification proteomic analyses revealed significant downregulation of proteins, pathways, and interactions involved in the regulation of ECM components, tissue remodeling, inflammation, and the cytoskeleton and indicated that fibrosis-related proteins were obviously downregulated and inflammation-related proteins were significantly changed, particularly in macrophages, after administration of the lung dECM hydrogel. Opal multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC) staining of lung tissue revealed that the inflammatory response was regulated by the lung dECM hydrogel, as indicated by a decrease in the number of CD3+ T cells and macrophages and the suppression of M2 macrophage polarization. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that downregulated ficolin signaling was enriched in macrophages after lung dECM hydrogel administration, and the findings were verified in lung tissue by mIHC. Additionally, the effects of ficolin B proteins on macrophage polarization were proved in vitro. Conclusion. This study suggested that the lung dECM hydrogel can reverse pulmonary fibrosis by suppressing M2 macrophage polarization through downregulation of the ficolin signaling pathway. Thus, the dECM hydrogel represent a promising class of biological materials for use in regenerative medicine.
Tuning oxygen vacancies in complex oxides using 2D layered materials
Authors: Luo Jiangbo , Zhu Xudong , Lian Xu , Zheng Yuntian , Thottathil Reshmi , Chen Wei , Liu Song , Ariando A , Hu Junxiong 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
The hybrid interface between 2D materials and complex oxides offers a rich platform to explore fascinating physical phenomena like helical edge states, broken-symmetry phases, and giant magnetoresistance. While current research primarily focuses on the influence of complex oxides on layered 2D materials, the reverse—how layered 2D materials affect complex oxides—remains largely unexplored. Here, we examined the impact of graphene layers on the formation of oxygen vacancies in SrTiO3 (STO) during high-temperature annealing. Our findings, supported by Raman spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, indicate that increasing the number of graphene layers progressively leads to a reduced oxygen vacancy content in STO, demonstrating the efficacy of graphene in modulating oxygen vacancy formation in bulk STO. Additionally, using photoluminescence, we showed that graphene layers can tune the in-gap states induced by oxygen vacancies in STO. Our first principal calculations further revealed that graphene layers increase the energy barrier for the outward diffusion of oxygen atoms, thereby inhibiting the formation of oxygen vacancies in STO. These results highlight a new route for tailoring the physical properties of complex oxides by engineering the interface with layered 2D materials.
MXenes: exploiting their unique properties for designing next-generation thermal catalysts and photocatalysts
Authors: Ighalo Joshua O , Smith Morgen L , Mayyahi Ahmed Al , Amama Placidus B 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
MXenes possess a range of exceptional properties that can be harnessed in catalyst design for thermal and photocatalytic reactions. Herein, we share our perspective on how these properties can be exploited to address challenges in different catalytic reactions, thereby highlighting their potential in catalysis. For thermal catalysis, fundamental properties include their layered structure, reducibility of their surface, partial oxidation ability, basicity/acidity, and electrophilicity. In photocatalysis, MXenes exhibit beneficial properties such as transparency, electrical conductivity, tunable Fermi level, photo-corrosion resistance, and plasmonic resonance. Two fundamental characteristics that underpin MXenes’ superiority over many other traditional catalysts are the tunability of their properties to meet specific application needs and the low dimensionality of their structure, which enables nanoscale phenomena to be harnessed. While significant progress has been made in the MXenes field, we assert that the potential for MXenes in catalytic applications is vast and largely underexplored. As we mark a decade of MXene research, we anticipate significant advancements in their catalytic applications, positioning them as critical materials for future breakthroughs.
Intrinsic and defect-related magnetism of MnBi2Te4(Bi2Te3)n family from the Bulk to two-dimensional limit
Authors: Yang Shiqi , Ye Yu 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
The van der Waals MnBi2Te4(Bi2Te3)
n
family, encompassing MnBi2Te4(n = 0), MnBi4Te7(n = 1), MnBi6Te10(n = 2), and MnBi8Te13(n = 3) etc, has attracted considerable interest owing to its intriguing combination of intrinsic magnetism and non-trivial band topology. This unique blend offers a fertile ground for investigating the engineering of magnetic states and the interplay between magnetism and topology. A comprehensive understanding and manipulation of their magnetic properties in single-crystal bulk and two-dimensional (2D) forms are imperative for the advancement of applications in quantum technology. This review presents an extensive overview of recent experimental and theoretical inquiries into the magnetic characteristics of MnBi2Te4(Bi2Te3)
n
(n = 0, 1, 2, 3) spanning from the bulk to the 2D realm. It delves into intrinsic and defect-related magnetism and its modulation under diverse external fields. The elucidations provided herein aspire to enhance the understanding of magnetic phenomena in magnetic topological insulators, underscoring the potential for tailoring magnetic states to propel future quantum devices.
Van der Waals growth of monolayer transition metal dichalcogenide superconductors on ultra-flat graphene
Authors: Fu Zihao , Wan Zihao , Wang Hui , Yu Kun , Feng Yichen , Fang Zhi , Xi Xiaoxiang , Li Dong , Zhou Zhenjia , Pan Anlian , Gao Libo 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Two-dimensional (2D) superconductors have desirable physical properties and a wide range of potential applications. However, many 2D superconducting materials have poor structural integrity and performance at thicknesses down to monolayer. Therefore, they are still hardly exploited in large-scale practical applications. In this study, we demonstrate a growth strategy based on the two-step vapour deposition process and van der Waals (vdW) ultra-flat graphene as a buffer layer, and thereafter realize the wafer-scale monolayer transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) films, especially for 2D TMD superconductors. By comparing different non-vdW and vdW growth substrates, we demonstrate that ultra-flat graphene films provide an atomically smooth surface and effectively isolates oxygen-dangling bonds, and finally promote the superconducting behaviours of monolayer NbSe2 and TaS2 films. This growth strategy could also be extended to other wafer-scale TMD films and be of both fundamental and technological significance in the development of wafer-scale monolayer TMD-based devices.
Fabrication of PDMS based flexible capacitive tactile sensor array with inkjet printed silver electrodes for robotic object grasp control
Authors: Mary Catherine V G , Paul Binu , Sharon Antony , Antony Aldrin , Viswanathan Daleesha M 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Human interactive robots deployed for advanced services such as nursing and elderly assistance systems, operate in close proximity to humans in a home environment, unlike the conventional industrial robots. For the adaptive and safe interaction with humans, it is important to endow the sense of touch to such robots. Tactile sensors are embedded on the robotic body to perceive touch. The existing rigid tactile sensors have limited flexibility and conformability to robot surfaces. This paper presents the development of tactile sensors for robots to detect human touch, biomimicking the flexible nature of human skin. To emulate flexibility, we propose the fabrication of flexible capacitive tactile sensors based on polymers like Polyimide (PI) and Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). PI is used as the substrate to develop 3 × 3 array by thermal evaporation. PDMS is used as the dielectric between silver electrodes printed on Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate adopting the state of the art and cost-effective inkjet printing. The sensitivity evaluation of the fabricated sensor was carried out using a customized force measurement setup. The pressure sensitivity of 0.32% /KPa was obtained. Force sensitive resistor (FSR) was integrated with the tactile sensor array to estimate force at contact location and was placed on the custom 3D printed robotic arm, for object grasp control. This novel tactile sensor module (TSM) can potentially offer improved user experience in human-robot interaction (HRI) as in Robotic elderly assistance systems.
CSTR parameter identification and PID control optimization based on improved swarm intelligence algorithm
Authors: Wang Ronglin , Wang Haibo , Liu Jieting , Li Pengtao , Zhao Chuanzhe , Song Yadi 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
To address the challenges posed by time delay and nonlinearity in the production process of typical thermal engineering systems such as continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTR), which make system parameter identification and temperature control difficult, an improved firefly algorithm is proposed for system parameter identification. This algorithm demonstrates higher identification accuracy compared to the original firefly algorithm. Subsequently, a combination of an improved sparrow search algorithm (BCGSSA) and PID control is applied to the temperature control of the CSTR system. This approach significantly enhances the dynamic performance of the CSTR system. The improved algorithm (BCGSSA) exhibits excellent control accuracy and robustness.
QR-DeepONet: resolve abnormal convergence issue in deep operator network
Authors: Zhao Jie , Xie Biwei , Li Xingquan 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Deep operator network (DeepONet) has been proven to be highly successful in operator learning tasks. Theoretical analysis indicates that the generation error of DeepONet should decrease as the basis dimension increases, thus providing a systematic way to reduce its generalization errors (GEs) by varying the network hyperparameters. However, in practice, we found that, depending on the problem being solved and the activation function used, the GEs fluctuate unpredictably, contrary to theoretical expectations. Upon analyzing the output matrix of the trunk net, we determined that this behavior stems from the learned basis functions being highly linearly dependent, which limits the expressivity of the vanilla DeepONet. To address these limitations, we propose QR decomposition enhanced DeepONet (QR-DeepONet), an enhanced version of DeepONet using QR decomposition. These modifications ensured that the learned basis functions were linearly independent and orthogonal to each other. The numerical results demonstrate that the GEs of QR-DeepONet follow theoretical predictions that decrease monotonically as the basis dimension increases and outperform vanilla DeepONet. Consequently, the proposed method successfully fills the gap between the theory and practice.
Stigmas experienced by sexual and gender minority people with HIV in the Dominican Republic: a qualitative study
Authors: Budhwani Henna , Ruiz De León Ingrid , Waters John , Nash Princess , Bond Christyenne L , Varas-Díaz Nelson , Naar Sylvie , Nyblade Laura , Paulino-Ramírez Robert , Turan Janet M 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
As part of a study to test the feasibility and acceptability of the Finding Respect and Ending Stigma around HIV (FRESH) intervention to reduce stigmas and improve HIV viral suppression, our team collected qualitative data from men who have sex with men (MSM) with HIV, transgender women with HIV, and HIV healthcare providers for their perspectives on different stigmas in Dominican Republic healthcare settings.

Purpose
We aimed to develop an understanding of the causes, consequences, and domains of stigma among sexual and gender minorities with HIV in Dominican Republic HIV clinics.

Methods
Data collection occurred in Santo Domingo and Santiago (2020-2021) and included four focus groups with MSM with HIV (n = 26), in-depth interviews with transgender women with HIV (n = 14), and in-depth interviews with HIV healthcare providers (n = 16). All data collection occurred in person and was audio recorded. Standardized guides were used for focus groups and in-depth interviews. Using a deductive process, 2 research associates thematically coded data in the NVivo software.

Results
On average, focus groups were 81 minutes, provider in-depth interviews were 24 minutes, and transgender women in-depth interviews were 32 minutes. We identified 4 key themes that mapped to 4 domains of stigma affecting MSM and transgender women with HIV: migrant stigma, religious stigma, sexual and gender minorities (SGM) stigma, and HIV stigma. All participant types noted the persistence of stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings in the Dominican Republic. The consequences of these stigmas were reported as being significant, including attempted suicide.

Conclusions
Interventions to reduce stigma experienced by SGM populations with HIV should address structural barriers, including inner and outer contexts of HIV care provision and cultural norms and values that propagate stigma. Findings offer insights about which stigmas could be targeted in future studies and how to potentially address stigma to improve population health in the Dominican Republic.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Autologous vs Irradiated Homologous Costal Cartilage Grafts for Dorsal Augmentation Rhinoplasty
Authors: Liyanage Dinithi , Vayalapra Sushanth , Murdeshwar Himani , Suresh Jonathan James , Usman Hamza , Bailey-Lewis Elisha , Bailón-Valdez Zaira , Khajuria Ankur 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Autologous costal cartilage (ACC) is commonly used for dorsal augmentation rhinoplasty because of its availability and strength, despite risks such as hypertrophic scarring and pneumothorax for the patient. Irradiated homologous costal cartilage (IHCC) offers an alternative, potentially mitigating these complications. Previous reviews comparing these materials have been methodologically weak. The aim of this study is to perform a robust systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the outcomes of ACC and IHCC in dorsal augmentation rhinoplasty to guide clinical decision making in nasal reconstruction. Medline, Embase, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed by 2 independent authors. The primary outcomes of interest were warping, revision rates, infection rates, and displacement. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation and Cochrane's ROBINS I tool, respectively. Thirty-six articles were reviewed, including 1 comparative and 35 single-arm studies (ACC: 29, IHCC: 8), encompassing 2526 patients from 13 countries. Adverse events included warping (ACC: 6%, P &lt; .0001; IHCC: 6%, P &lt; .0001). Resorption rates were 1% for ACC (P = .06) and 3% for IHCC (P &lt; .0001). Revision surgery rates were similar (ACC: 4%, P &lt; .001; IHCC: 4%, P &lt; .001), as were infection rates (ACC: 1.8%, P = .03; IHCC: 1.3%, P = .03). Current evidence does not demonstrate the superiority of ACC or IHCC for dorsal augmentation rhinoplasty. Both grafts are viable, with the choice guided by patient and surgeon preferences. Prospective, high-quality data with standardized outcomes are needed to improve clinical decision making.

Level of Evidence: 2 (Risk)
Oxidation of thiol groups in membrane proteins inhibits the fertilization ability and motility of sperm by suppressing calcium influx
Authors: Nakao Satohiro , Shirakado Kazuki , Tamura Kana , Koga Reiri , Ikeda-Imafuku Mayumi , Ishima Yu , Nakagata Naomi , Takeo Toru 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
The redox state of thiol groups derived from cysteine residues in proteins regulates cellular functions. Changes in the redox state of thiol groups in the epididymis are involved in sperm maturation. Furthermore, the redox state of thiol groups in proteins changes during the process of sperm capacitation. However, the effect of the redox state of thiol groups in sperm membrane proteins on the fertilization ability of sperm has not been studied. Therefore, in this study, we oxidized thiol groups in sperm membrane proteins using 5,5-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB), which is a thiol-selective oxidizing agent, and examined the effect of oxidation of these thiol groups on the fertilization ability of sperm. Oocytes and sperm were obtained from C57BL/6 J mice, and Jcl:ICR mice were used as recipients for embryo transfer. Oxidation of the thiol groups by DTNB decreased the in vitro fertilization rate, and removal of the zona pellucida recovered the fertilization rate. DTNB treatment decreased the amplitude of the lateral head, which is an indicator of hyperactivation, and suppressed an increase in the intracellular calcium ion concentration, which is essential for hyperactivation. These findings suggest that oxidation of thiol groups in sperm membrane proteins can decrease the fertility of sperm by suppressing calcium ion influx and hyperactivation.
A novel three-dimensional model of infantile haemangioma
Authors: Mitra Raka , Hale Tracy K , Fitzsimons Helen L , Gray Clint , White Madeleine P J 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
Infantile haemangioma (IH) is vascular tumour in infants that exhibits rapid proliferation and angiogenesis followed by gradual involution. Ten per cent of cases are associated with disfiguring complications that require medical intervention with beta blockers, surgery or laser therapy.

Objectives
To improve our understanding of the disease mechanisms of IH with an in vitro three-dimensional model.

Methods
We isolated and expanded CD31+ endothelial cells (HemECs) from patient-derived IH cell lines and grew them as spheroids in STEMdiffTM Endothelial Expansion Medium. The cells were then embedded in an extracellular matrix hydrogel with reduced growth factors to initiate angiogenic sprouting.

Results
HemEC spheroids expressed CD31, glucose transporter 1, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, CD44, vimentin and CD133 but not smooth muscle actin, indicating their similarity to immature IH blood vessels and their angiogenic potential. Proteomic analysis revealed similar homology in terms of protein expression in spheroids and IH tissue. The high-throughput application of the three-dimensional angiogenesis model was tested using propranolol to inhibit sprouting of spheroids with increased toxicity response.

Conclusions
This study reports the development of a three-dimensional model of IH that closely resembles the angiogenic features of IH for molecular analysis and drug screening.