bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of vegetation restoration in karst areas on soil nitrogen mineralisation
Authors: Wu Jianghong , Gong Xianghuan , Shu Yingge 
Published: December 2024

Background
Nitrogen mineralization plays a critical role in the ecosystem cycle, significantly influencing both the ecosystem function and the nitrogen biogeochemical cycle. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the evolutionary characteristics of soil nitrogen mineralization during the karst vegetation restoration to better understand its importance in the terrestrial nitrogen cycle.

Methods
This study analyzed from various stages of vegetation growth, including a 40-year-old woodland, 20-year-old shrubland, 15-year-old shrubland, 5-year-old grassland, and nearby cropland. The aerobic incubation technique was used for 35 days to evaluate soil N mineralization characteristics and their correlation with soil environmental factors. The study focused on examining the variations in soil N mineralization rate (NMR), N nitrification rate (NR), net nitrification rate (AR), and NH4+-N and NO3--N levels.

Results
Nitrate nitrogen, the primary form of inorganic nitrogen, increased by 19.38% in the 0–40 cm soil layer of the 20-year-old shrubland compared to the cultivated land. Soil NH4+-N levels varied during the incubation period, decreasing by the 14th day and rising again by the 21st day. Soil NO3−-N and total inorganic nitrogen levels initially increased, then declined, and eventually stabilized, reaching their highest levels on the 14th day. During vegetation restoration, the soil NR and NMR decreased gradually with increasing incubation time. The 15-year shrub, 20-year shrub, and 40-year woodland showed the potential to increase soil NR and NMR. Furthermore, the 15-year shrub and 20-year shrub also increased soil AR. The Mantel test analysis indicated positive correlations among total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), total potassium (TK), silicon (Si), AR, NR, and NMR. While available phosphorus (AP) and NMR demonstrated positive correlations with NR and NMR. Furthermore, TN, TP, TK, and Si were found to be positively correlated with AR, NR, and NMR, whereas AP and NO3--N showed negative correlations with AR, NR, and NMR. It is worth noting that NH4+-N had the greatest effect on AR, while the bulk density (BD) significantly affected the NR. Furthermore, ammonium nitrogen (AN) and soil organic carbon (SOC) were identified as the primary contributors to NMR. This study provides a theoretical basis for comprehending the influence of vegetation restoration on soil nitrogen mineralization and its role in ecosystem restoration.
Effect of seedling size on post-planting growth and survival of five Mexican Pinus species and their hybrids
Authors: Ponce-Figueroa José Alberto , Antúnez Pablo , Hernández-Díaz José Ciro , Prieto-Ruíz José Ángel , Carrillo-Parra Artemio , López-Serrano Pablito Marcelo , Wehenkel Christian 
Published: December 2024

Background
Seedling growth and survival depend on seedling quality. However, there is no experimental evidence showing that the seedling dimensions of the abundant, economically important and widely distributed tree species Pinus arizonica, P. durangensis, P. engelmannii, P. leiophylla, and P. teocote and their hybrids effectively improve survival and growth in reforestations and plantations in Mexico. Therefore, the aim was to evaluate the influence of initial morphological parameters of 2,007 nursery seedlings of these species and their hybrids on their growth and survival 44 months after planting in the Sierra Madre Occidental, Mexico.

Methods
Spearman’s coefficient (rs) and the unbiased conditional pseudo coefficient of determination (R2c) between each specific predictor and each response variable and their 95% confidence interval (CI95%) were determined using Random Forest, generalized linear model, and bootstrapping. By bootstrapping, the potential environmental heterogeneity inside the trial fields and its impact on the results were also quantified.

Results
Among the studied species and their hybrids moderate correlations were observed between the nursery seedling dimensions and the plant dimensions 44 months after planting. However, only weak significant correlations were found between survival rate (SR) and height (H) (rs = 0.10) and between SR and robustness index (HRCD) both before planting (rs = 0.06). Also, weak significant R2c values of the seedlings RCD, H and HRCD were detected with respect to the corresponding RCD, H and SR 44 months after planting, respectively. Furthermore, the predictor variable “seed provenance” (with 23 provenances) significantly explained the variation in the post-planting RCD, H and SR of the seedlings, with R2c values ranging from 0.10 to 0.15. The low width of the CI95% shows that the environmental conditions in the trial fields were quite homogeneous.

Discussion
The results also show that the inclusion of “confounding” variables in the statistical analysis of the study was crucial. Important factors to explain this low association could be the strong damage observed caused by pocket gopher, the typically low winter-spring precipitation in both field trials and adaptation factors. The study findings provide preliminary insights and information aimed at helping to design more appropriate standards for nurseries.
Determinação do ponto de equilíbrio em leilões reversos: aplicação do modelo alice aos leilões de energia brasileiros
Authors: Ferreira Heitor Lopes 
Published: December 2024

O Brasil, desde 2004, adota o mecanismo de leilão reverso, denominado Ambiente de Contratação Regulado (ACR) para a compra de energia elétrica de diferentes fontes, renováveis e não renováveis, abrindo oportunidades para empresas privadas explorarem um mercado que está em franca expansão no Brasil e no mundo. Os estudos sobre os ambientes de leilões é integrante da Teoria dos Jogos, cuja principal prerrogativa prevê a existência de interação estratégica entre os agentes em processos de tomada de decisão sob o enfoque racional. Dentro desse cenário, o presente artigo apresenta o modelo ALICE como alternativa para determinação do ponto de equilíbrio (PE), à luz da Teoria dos Jogos, que permite aos empreendimentos que participam destes leilões, avaliarem a probabilidade de vitória e maximização de suas receitas. Possibilidade esta não prevista pelo clássico modelo de Cournot, quando os cenários são caracterizados pela existência de limitação de preço, desconhecimento da demanda e custo variável zero para geração de energia. As unidades de análise foram as usinas geradoras de energia brasileiras cuja fonte é a biomassa. Os dados analisados demonstraram que o modelo ALICE apresentou resultados robustos quando comparado ao modelo de Cournot, adaptou-se as limitações imposta pelos leilões reversos propiciando melhores utilidades e probabilidades de vitórias concretas.
Varied Analysis of Acid Dissociation Constants by Cyclic Voltammetry and UV-Visible to Determine the Aqueous Solubility of a New Diisopropylammonium Phenylsulfonate Molecule
Authors: Seye Dame , Faye Déthié , Lo Momath , Diop Cheikh A.  B. , Dieng Mamadou , Diop Cheikh A. K. , Fall Modou 
Published: December 2024

The determination of dissociation constant, solubility and thermodynamic parameters are very important physico-chemical parameters in substances and their knowledge is of fundamental importance for the validation of a pharmaceutical ingredient target. The determination of these parameters for an agent candidate target diisopropylammonium phenylsulfonate (besylate) (PhSO3-iPr2NH2) was determined by voltammetric and UV-visible methods.
The voltammetric method gave pKa1= 3.03±0.21 and pKa2= 10.23±0.59, while the UV-visible method determined two pKas values, pKa1= 2.21±0.04 and pKa2= 10.77±0.42 respectively. The thermodynamic parameter values calculated for the enthalpy (∆H) and entropy (∆S) of PhSO3-iPr2NH2 are of the order of ∆H= 3429.96±82.30 KJ.mol-1and ∆S = 11.85 ± 0.26 KJ.mol-1.K-1. These values suggest that the crystalline molecule is stable and the dissociation process is endothermic.
In addition, the Gibbs free energy of the molecule decreases with increasing temperature which confirmed the stability PhSO3-iPr2NH2 crystalline. The solubility shows values between 1.3 and 70 mg/mL for pH values between 2.75 and 10.5 and reaches its maximum Smax = 70mg/mL at pH equals 2.75 and 10.5.
All these physico-chemical properties of PhSO3-iPr2NH2, which are within the range of active pharmaceutical ingredients, could make it an excellent candidate of pharmaceutical ingredient. On the other hand, these results demonstrated the reliability and effectiveness of the voltammetric and UV-visible methods for the the determination of physico-chemical properties of molecules.
Combining Cleaning and Disinfection – An Alternative Approach for Preventing the Contamination of Blood Products
Authors: N Gatt , J.P. Gialanze, , N. Spiteri, , V. Zammit, 
Published: December 2024

Aim: Disinfection products and protocols have been devised to provide safe blood and blood derivatives for transfusion; however, sepsis is still the leading cause of transfusion reaction fatalities. This raises the question whether disinfection on its own is sufficient for preventing such outcomes and whether cleaning of the arm prior to disinfection can further reduce the amount of skin commensals responsible for the contamination of blood products.
Methodology: One of the blood donor’s arms was disinfected according to the standard protocol and swabs were taken before and after disinfection (Scenario 1). The other arm was cleaned with a hypoallergenic soap-free and alcohol-free wipe and then disinfected (Scenario 2). Swabs from this arm were taken before cleaning, after cleaning and after disinfection. Tryptone soya agar plates were inoculated and incubated at a temperature which facilitates bacterial and fungal growth.
Results: A rate reduction was set and plates that failed this criterion were due to coagulase negative staphylococci. The commonest bacteria identified was Staphylococcus epidermidis. Less fungi were isolated on the after-disinfection plates that failed disinfection and these were Penicillium sp. and Cladosporium sp. Resultant colony counts from both Scenarios were statistically analysed and resulted in a significant reduction of bacterial colony counts post disinfection; however, the after disinfection plates of Scenario 2 had a lower average of colony counts than Scenario 1. Cleaning the skin prior disinfection resulted in a significant reduction of bacterial colony count and leading to a higher average of bacterial reduction in Scenario 2 than Scenario 1. Although Scenario 2 had a reduction rate of 98.3% which was more than that of Scenario 1 which had a reduction rate of 97.5%, there was no statistically significant difference (P=0.293) between the outcomes.
Conclusion: Cleaning the skin prior to disinfection reduces the bacterial load on the skin which makes the disinfection process more effective and reduces the probability of contamination of blood products.
Doping and Decorating 2D Materials for Biosensing: Benefits and Drawbacks
Authors: Chia Hui Ling , Mayorga‐Martinez Carmen C. , Pumera Martin 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe rapid advancements in the field of materials science, especially nanoscience, have played a critical role in the advancement of sensors, in particular the development of novel transducer platforms. Sensors are devices that respond to specific phenomena with recordable and analytically useful output signals and have found their way into a myriad of applications in daily life. Some of these applications include the measurement of glucose and cholesterol levels and detection of emerging infectious diseases for biomedical purposes, environmental monitoring, and food analysis. 2D materials proffer numerous advantageous physical, chemical, electronic, and optical attributes such as large specific surface areas, excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, an abundance of catalytic sites, ease of functionalization, and tuneable electronic structures, allowing them to hold promising potential for the development of sensors with high sensitivity. Although layered materials demonstrate many beneficial attributes for the development of sensors, the properties and electronic structure of layered materials can be fine‐tuned via doping or decorating to enhance the sensing performance. This review highlights the current progress of electrical and optical sensors based upon metal‐decorated and metal‐doped 2D materials and examines the effects of decorating and doping 2D materials for sensor developments.
Bioinspired Development of an In Vitro Engineered Fracture Callus for the Treatment of Critical Long Bone Defects
Authors: Bolander Johanna , Mota Carlos , Ooi Huey Wen , Agten Hannah , Baker Matthew B. , Moroni Lorenzo , Luyten Frank P. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractCell‐based regenerative constructs provide hope for the restoration of tissue function in compromised biological conditions such as complex bone defects. A strategy mimicking the cascade of events of postnatal fracture healing suggests an implant design where progenitor cells provide the driving force for the construct's tissue forming capacity, while framing biomaterials provide cells with 3D cues to direct cellular processes. Large bone defects mainly heal through the formation of an intermediate endochondral fracture callus. The authors aimed to develop an in vitro engineered fracture callus manufactured by bioprinting to provide a spatially organized tissue construct based on: i) in vitro 3D primed human periosteum derived cells and ii) biocompatible thiol‐ene alginate hydrogels, mimicking the cells and extracellular matrix present in the different zones of the callus. Cell viability and maintained osteochondrogenic differentiation upon bioprinting is confirmed in vitro. In vivo assessment displays that the developed biomaterials provided essential 3D cues that further guided the cells in their tissue forming process in the absence of additional stimulatory molecules. The reported findings confirm the appeal of a biomimetic approach to steer tissue development of in vitro engineered constructs and illustrate the suitability of bioprinting methodologies for the fabrication of living regenerative implants.
Construction of Nickel‐Based Dual Heterointerfaces towards Accelerated Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution via Boosting Multi‐Step Elementary Reaction
Authors: Zhou Peng , Tao Li , Tao Shasha , Li Yinchang , Wang Dongdong , Dong Xinwei , Frauenheim Thomas , Fu Xianzhu , Lv Xingshuai , Wang Shuangyin 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe introduction of composite components to construct heterointerfaces is an important way to improve the electrocatalytic performance of materials. However, selecting appropriate components to accelerate the elementary reaction rates of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline media is still in challenge. Here, a Ni‐CeF3‐VN multi‐component material is successfully constructed, which exhibits excellent HER catalytic activity (33 mV at 10 mA cm−2). The experimental and computational results show that the Ni‐VN and Ni‐CeF3 dual heterointerfaces can effectively promote the transfer of OH− adsorption site from Ni to VN and optimize the adsorption energy of intermediate H respectively, which together accelerate the rate of the multi‐step hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline solution and thus lead to a significantly improved HER performance compared to the pure Ni. Furthermore, the solar to hydrogen (STH) efficiency can reach 10.34%. This work provides an effective guide for the design of high‐efficiency multicomponent materials in the future.
Cobalt‐Nanoporous Carbon Functionalized Nanocomposite‐Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Contactless and Sustainable Self‐Powered Sensor Systems
Authors: Rana S. M. Sohel , Zahed Md Abu , Rahman M. Toyabur , Salauddin M. , Lee Sang Hyun , Park Chani , Maharjan P. , Bhatta T. , Shrestha Kumar , Park Jae Yeong 
Published: August 2021

AbstractTriboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), which operate in contactless mode and avoid physical contact, are highly attractive for self‐powered sensor systems aiming to achieve long‐term reliable operation and reduce rubbing friction. Herein, an ultra‐flexible and high‐performance contactless double‐layer TENG (CDL‐TENG) is first designed and fabricated using a metal–organic framework‐based cobalt nanoporous carbon (Co‐NPC)/Ecoflex with MXene/Ecoflex nanocomposite layer for self‐powered sensor applications. The porous structure of the Co‐NPC provides a high‐surface‐area of the nanocomposite and the charge storage layer of the MXene/Ecoflex nanocomposite accumulates more negative charge to improve the functionality of the CDL‐TENG two and three times, respectively. Compared with Ecoflex film‐based TENGs, the fabricated CDL‐TENG exhibits an eight‐fold slower decay rate owing to charge trapping characteristics, which were confirmed by surface potential measurements. The CDL‐TENG shows excellent humidity and acceleration sensitivity of about 0.3 V/% and 2.06 Vs2 m−1. The CDL‐TENG also offers non‐contact position detection performance in the 20 cm range. Furthermore, the CDL‐TENG is successfully integrated with mobile‐vehicles and an intelligent robot to perform obstacle and human‐motion detection. Finally, a contactless door‐lock password authentication system was demonstrated. These multifunctional benefits make it useful for numerous applications, including artificial intelligence, human‐machine interfaces, and self‐powered sensors.
Multifunctional Triboelectric Nanogenerator‐Enabled Structural Elements for Next Generation Civil Infrastructure Monitoring Systems
Authors: Zhang Qianyun , Barri Kaveh , Kari Sadra R. , Wang Zhong Lin , Alavi Amir H. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThere is a critical shortage in research needed to explore a new class of multifunctional structural components that respond to their environment, empower themselves and self‐monitor their condition. Here, the novel concept of triboelectric nanogenerator‐enabled structural elements (TENG‐SEs) is proposed to build the foundation for the next generation civil infrastructure systems with intrinsic sensing and energy harvesting functionalities. In order to validate the proposed concept, proof‐of‐concept multifunctional composite rebars with built‐in TENG mechanisms are developed. The developed prototypes function as structural reinforcements, nanogenerators, and distributed sensing mediums under external mechanical vibrations. Experiential and theoretical studies are performed to verify the electrical and mechanical performance of the developed self‐powering and self‐sensing composite structural components. The capability of the embedded structural elements to detect damage patterns in concrete beams at multiscale is demonstrated. Finally, it is discussed how this new class of TENG‐SEs can revolutionize the large‐scale distributed monitoring practices in civil infrastructure and construction fields.
Promoting Energy Transfer via Manipulation of Crystallization Kinetics of Quasi‐2D Perovskites for Efficient Green Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Guo Zhenyu , Zhang Yu , Wang Bingzhe , Wang Liding , Zhou Ning , Qiu Zhiwen , Li Nengxu , Chen Yihua , Zhu Cheng , Xie Haipeng , Song Tinglu , Song Lei , Xue Haibo , Tao Shuxia , Chen Qi , Xing Guichuan , Xiao Lixin , Liu Zhiwei , Zhou Huanping 
Published: August 2021

AbstractQuasi‐2D (Q‐2D) perovskites are promising materials applied in light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) due to their high exciton binding energy and quantum confinement effects. However, Q‐2D perovskites feature a multiphase structure with abundant grain boundaries and interfaces, leading to nonradiative loss during the energy‐transfer process. Here, a more efficient energy transfer in Q‐2D perovskites is achieved by manipulating the crystallization kinetics of different‐n phases. A series of alkali‐metal bromides is utilized to manipulate the nucleation and growth of Q‐2D perovskites, which is likely associated with the Coulomb interaction between alkali‐metal ions and the negatively charged PbBr64– frames. The incorporation of K+ is found to restrict the nucleation of high‐n phases and allows the subsequent growth of low‐n phases, contributing to a spatially more homogeneous distribution of different‐n phases and promoted energy transfer. As a result, highly efficient green Q‐2D perovskites LEDs with a champion EQE of 18.15% and a maximum brightness of 25 800 cd m–2 are achieved. The findings affirm a novel method to optimize the performance of Q‐2D perovskite LEDs.
Large‐Sized Graphene Oxide Nanosheets Increase DC–T‐Cell Synaptic Contact and the Efficacy of DC Vaccines against SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Zhou Qianqian , Gu Hongjing , Sun Sujing , Zhang Yulong , Hou Yangyang , Li Chenyan , Zhao Yan , Ma Ping , Lv Liping , Aji Subi , Sun Shihui , Wang Xiaohui , Zhan Linsheng 
Published: August 2021

AbstractDendritic cell (DC) vaccines are used for cancer and infectious diseases, albeit with limited efficacy. Modulating the formation of DC–T‐cell synapses may greatly increase their efficacy. The effects of graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets on DCs and DC–T‐cell synapse formation are evaluated. In particular, size‐dependent interactions are observed between GO nanosheets and DCs. GOs with diameters of >1 µm (L‐GOs) demonstrate strong adherence to the DC surface, inducing cytoskeletal reorganization via the RhoA‐ROCK‐MLC pathway, while relatively small GOs (≈500 nm) are predominantly internalized by DCs. Furthermore, L‐GO treatment enhances DC–T‐cell synapse formation via cytoskeleton‐dependent membrane positioning of integrin ICAM‐1. L‐GO acts as a “nanozipper,” facilitating the aggregation of DC–T‐cell clusters to produce a stable microenvironment for T cell activation. Importantly, L‐GO‐adjuvanted DCs promote robust cytotoxic T cell immune responses against SARS‐CoV‐2 spike 1, leading to >99.7% viral RNA clearance in mice infected with a clinically isolated SARS‐CoV‐2 strain. These findings highlight the potential value of nanomaterials as DC vaccine adjuvants for modulating DC–T‐cell synapse formation and provide a basis for the development of effective COVID‐19 vaccines.
A Wavelength‐Tunable Multi‐Functional Transistor with Visible‐Light Detection and Inverse Photomemory for Logic Gate and Retina Emulation
Authors: Shi Qianqian , Liu Dapeng , Dai Shilei , Huang Jia 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe multi‐functional phototransistor is essential for the realization of highly‐integrated multi‐functional electronics. Herein, inverse photomemory is discovered from the organic phototransistor based on dinaphtho[2,3‐b:2′,3′‐f]thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene (DNTT)/diarylethene (DAE) bilayer structure. With the incorporation of the photoactive DAE dielectric layer, the integration of high‐performance photodetection and photomemory in one device is realized. The function of the device can be switched by changing the wavelength of the incident light. The devices exhibit positive photosensing performances under the stimulation of 450 nm monochromatic light, can be switched to inverse photomemory transistors under the stimulation of 365 nm monochromatic light, and recover to the pristine state when applying a positive gate voltage and 600 nm illumination. The I450/Idark ratio of positive photosensing and the Idark/I365 ratio of inverse photomemory are high up to the order of 106 and 107, respectively. In addition, the photonic logic gate and the retina emulation have been successfully demonstrated. In addition, the device can be operated as a light‐stimulated synaptic transistor. The typical synaptic behaviors (excitatory postsynaptic current, paired pulse facilitation, memory, and learning behaviors) have been successfully demonstrated. The development of multi‐functionalized phototransistors provides a promising configuration for multi‐functional and highly‐integrated systems.