bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Utilization of waste polyethylene terephthalate felt in hybrid polymer composites: A sustainable approach for recycling and mechanical property enhancement
Authors: Liu Song , Jamil Abuzar , Yu Ruiwen , M.N. Prabhakar , Lee Dong Woo , Song Jung‐il 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as a continuous fiber reinforcement is utilized in hybrid arrangement with flax fiber in thermosetting polymer composites to provide alternative for PET recycling. The flexure properties and Izod impact energy of different hybrid configurations are compared with their virgin counterparts. Moreover, engineering data for Pure PET/VE (Vinyl ester) composite and pure flax/VE composite are generated to perform analytical and numerical analysis as well. The results from the flexural test show that the interlaminar hybridization of flax/PET has no significant contribution to the flexural strength compared with the virgin flax/VE and PET/VE composites but the modulus exhibited an increment of almost 50% in both 8/2 and 5/5 flax/PET hybrids. The absorbed energy during Izod impact was maximum for PET/VE composite and 2/8 flax/PET hybrid. The 5/5 flax/PET hybrid showed a 50% drop in the energy absorbed during the Izod impact test. The engineering data generated from the virgin composites was useful in predicting the modulus of hybrid composites using the classical lamination theory (CLT) with a maximum deviation of 18%, moreover, the flexural strength for the hybrids was closely predicted using the numerical analysis tool with a maximum deviation of 15%. Overall, the waste PET felt showed potential to be used in interlaminar hybrid arrangements with natural fiber to complement each other in mechanical properties in addition to being an alternative for not only recycling but manufacturing sustainable structures.
Enhanced biodegradable copolymers: Synthesis and characterization of high molecular weight poly(L‐lactide‐r‐ε‐caprolactone)
Authors: Dongyang Liu , Qi Xia , Wuyou Ye , Shinuo Zhang , Wenjie Yu , Zhengzhe Zhou , Zhongyong Fan 
Published: December 2024

AbstractSemi‐crystalline poly(L‐lactide‐r‐ε‐caprolactone) (P(LLA‐r‐ε‐CL)) as an important biodegradable material applied in biomedical devices has attracted much attention from researchers. A series of high molecular weight P(LLA‐r‐ε‐CL) semi‐crystalline copolymers attached with various monomer molar ratio of L‐lactide (LLA) and ε‐caprolactone (ε‐CL) with up to 2.9 × 105 g/mol were synthesized first time by ring‐opening copolymerization under high vacuum condition. The chemical composition, chain sequence microstructure and their relationship of P(LLA‐r‐ε‐CL) were characterized by 1H NMR and 13C NMR. Spectra results shown that as the ε‐CL content increased from 3 mol% to 15 mol%, the average LLA sequence length decreased from 80.4 to 19.6 units. With decrease of LLA sequence length, the glass transition temperature (Tg), melting temperature(Tm) and the crystallinity (χc) of copolymers had a reduction. Meantime, it resulted in a high degradation rate of samples in enzyme‐catalyzed condition. With loss of rigid crystal and plasticization from soft ε‐CL segment, P(LLA‐r‐ε‐CL) had an improved toughness as the elongation at break reaching 195.5%, while still had a considerable tensile strength of 49.2 MPa. Further data analysis exhibited an exponential relationship between LLA sequence length and mechanical performance. Additionally, biocompatibility assessments through CCK‐8 and Live/Dead cell assays confirmed the good cytocompatibility of the enhanced biomedical materials.
Registration of three long grain rice germplasm lines containing improved blast resistance with the Ptr gene, low chalk, excellent milling quality, and good yield
Authors: Jia Yulin , Gibbons James , Jackson Aaron K. , Box Heather , Zhao Haijun , Wang Xueyan , Jia Melissa H. , Famoso Adam , Groth Don 
Published: December 2024

AbstractRice blast disease (caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae B.C. Couch) is the most threatening disease of rice (Oryza sativa L.) worldwide. Three rice germplasm lines, designated as CS272 (Reg. no. GP‐151, GSOR 201), CS324 (Reg. no. GP‐152, GSOR 202), and CS353 (Reg. no. GP‐153, GSOR 203) were selected from among nine 900 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross of the US‐adapted cultivars ‘Cybonnet’ (PI 636726) and ‘Saber’ (PI 633624). These Cybonnet–Saber (CS) RILs were officially released by the USDA‐ARS and the University of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station in cooperation with Louisiana State University, Crowley, LA. These three RILs have resistance to blast as determined under greenhouse conditions and uninoculated field trials conducted in Puerto Rico in 2017 and Crowley in 2018 and 2019. The RILs were resistant to most blast races as determined in inoculated greenhouse tests, resistant to leaf blast when tested in an upland blast nursery in Crowley, and resistant to panicle blast under flood conditions in Puerto Rico and Crowley. These CS RILs contain the major blast resistance gene Ptr identified on chromosome 12 originating from the Cybonnet parent. These three CS RILs are superior in panicle size and have many agronomic and grain‐quality characteristics comparable to or better than those of both parents. The CS RILs can be used in rice‐breeding programs for improving blast resistance, quality, and yield.
Plasma‐Assisted Nitrogen Fixation for Mars: A Simulation Study on in Situ Resource Utilization
Authors: Luo Yuqing , Li Jiacheng , Yin Yuran , Liu Dawei 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTThis study explores nitrogen fixation in the Martian atmosphere using plasma technology. By combining microwave and dielectric barrier discharges (DBD), nitrogen was converted into water‐soluble nitrogen fertilizer (N₂O₅) for agriculture. Despite the low pressure and temperature of Mars, optimized discharge conditions and reactor design significantly boosted the generation efficiency of N₂O₅ precursors, NO₂, and O₃ production. The microwave discharge achieved NOx concentrations of 63.6 ppm, close to experimental values; adjusting DBD pressure to 760 Torr enhanced O₃ concentration by 105 times, yielding 3.8 mol/m³ N₂O₅. The findings lay a technological foundation for future Martian ecosystem development and highlight the need for further experimental validation and system optimization.
Development of Green Synthesized Novel Carbon Dots from Ruta Graveolens L. for Fluorescent and Intracellular Sensing of Mercury Ions in Pico‐molar (pm) Concentration
Authors: Joseph Neethu , Balachandran Manoj 
Published: December 2024

AbstractGreen nanotechnology, which uses carbon nanomaterials for environmental remediation, is the pioneer among the prevailing approaches for the production and characterization. In the present study, highly fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) from Ruta Graveolens (ARH‐CD) is developed, and its efficacy as a fluorescent sensor and biomarker is investigated. They act as a fluorescence sensor for Hg2+ over an extensive concentration range of 1 picomolar (pm) to 1 molar (m), with a detection limit as low as 26.75 pm. The studies reveal ARH‐CD as an effective biomarker for intracellular toxicity analysis and a fluorescent probe for multi‐colored (blue, green, and red) imaging of HEK293 cell lines. After 24 h of incubation, it is found that the ARH material reveals noticeable biocompatibility and visible fluorescence, with a viability of 98.88% at 5 µg mL−1 and over 78.33% even at a concentration of 100 µg mL−1. The IC50 value for the MTT assay for cell viability results is calculated to be 224.56 ± 4.67 µg, which further confirms the appreciable biocompatibility of the ARH‐CD. The obtained samples are effective in being inspected for the intracellular detection of Hg2+ and serve as a possible candidate for cell imaging.
A Chlorine Dioxide Sustained‐Release System Based on Cellulose Porous Microspheres: A Novel Approach for Grape Preservation
Authors: Liu Yijun , Xu Shuyan , Zhang Zhiqiang 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTPorous microspheres were fabricated utilizing the sol–gel phase transfer method of microcrystalline cellulose, exhibiting a three‐dimensional porous structure with notable adsorption capabilities. Employing these cellulose microspheres as the carrier, sodium chlorite as the precursor and acid as the activator, the microspheres physically adsorbed sodium chlorate to a level of 20.029 mg/g. Subsequently, a chlorine dioxide (ClO2) sustained‐release system was prepared through a chemical reaction with the citrate‐adsorbed cellulose microspheres in a sealed environment, theoretically yielding a cumulative ClO2 release of 11.957 mg/g. The release profile of ClO2 was found to be significantly influenced by factors such as temperature, humidity, the type of acid activator and the content of the hygroscopic agent. Notably, the rate of ClO2 release from the wet cellulose microsphere sustained‐release system could be modulated by adjusting the temperature. By fitting the release data to an S‐curve, the underlying release pattern was elucidated. Mathematical modelling revealed that the operation of the sustained‐release system encompasses two distinct stages: the reaction stage and the diffusion release stage. Water serves as a prerequisite for initiating the reaction stage, leading to an induction period in the dried cellulose microsphere release system. During this induction period, water absorption triggers the chemical reactions, allowing for the adjustment of ClO2 release amount and duration through variation in the hygroscopic agent content. These findings demonstrate the adjustability of the ClO2 sustained‐release system, positioning it as a promising green bactericidal agent for use in the preservation packaging of fruits and vegetables. When applied to grape preservation, the effectiveness of the sustained‐release chlorine dioxide system was assessed by monitoring key indicators such as grape decay rate, firmness, soluble solids content and titratable acidity. The results confirmed that the ClO2 sustained‐release system demonstrated favourable preservative effects on grapes, effectively prolonging their storage duration to over 5 days without compromising grape quality or altering their natural flavour.
Migration and Health Policy: Applying the Nexus to Safety Issues of Migrants Crossing the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Maatouk Christopher , Germanos Orestis , Khattab Yousef , Aad Anna‐Maria , Aboelhassan Youssry Mohamed Elsawy Ibrahim , Gandour Georges , Hafeez Hamza Shafiq , Vicerra Paolo Miguel Manalang , Budhathoki Shyam Sundar , Lucas David , Canals Maria Luisa , Lucero‐Prisno Don Eliseo 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTThe Mediterranean Sea is the risky path utilized by migrants primarily seeking economic and physical security in Europe. Drowning is the most lethal among the many hardships they face on their way. In the pursuit of protecting individuals between countries of origin and destination, many European Union (EU) member states worked to decrease the number of migrants, most notably including the action involving the European agenda issued in 2015 when such migration peaked. Recognizing the nexus of migration and health policy underscores the imperative to develop comprehensive healthcare strategies that address the unique needs of migrant populations, promoting equitable access to healthcare services and safeguarding public health across borders. In an attempt to tackle the problem by its roots, European states established cooperation with third countries and provided multifaceted support, that is, economic assistance and personal safety, among others, to developing countries. They also relocated migrants to different parts of the region to decrease the stress faced by only selected countries. However, this plan, like other approaches, faced challenges. Despite their focus on enforcing the migration laws, the lack of unification of these laws hinders cooperation. Unifying the migration laws between EU members, a strict policy requiring the return of migrants at sea to their points of origin and making legal migration more accessible would render the process safer for all sides. A “New Pact on Migration and Asylum” has been proposed, but it still needs to be agreed on in full, and action must be taken. Moreover, these solutions could be joined by training programs in the countries of origin, in the hopes of securing employment in the country of destination, hence benefiting both countries. In addition, each EU country could partner with developing economies to create such job opportunities and build strong cooperative relations.
Instrumental peer mentoring using visual arts to support university students: A scoping review
Authors: Aldossary Maryam S. , Smith Cindy A. , Paris Lisa F. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractHigher education institutions have devoted substantial efforts to providing first‐year students with resources and support to successfully navigate their academic journey. The rapid challenges at the academic and social levels lead to the need for more inclusive and innovative supporting methods. This scoping review explores the use of shared activities in an instrumental peer mentoring context to promote the academic and social engagement of university students. The focus of this review is to explore the extent of utilising shared art activities in peer mentoring contexts and identify evidence of using these activities to enhance metacognitive skills to promote first‐year students' experience. Following the PRISMA statement for scoping reviews, relevant published studies were searched in seven databases according to the eligibility criteria. A total of 430 articles were identified across the fields of peer mentoring, art‐based interventions and metacognition. There were 43 articles included, data extracted and synthesised. The purpose was to examine three groups of research, including peer mentoring for university students, particularly those that utilise collaborative activities overall, art‐based interventions and, finally, research on metacognitive strategies when used within instrumental activities to enhance student university experiences. Results of the scoping review indicate that students in their first year of university might benefit from instrumental peer mentoring programmes that provide a link between visual arts and metacognitive insights. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Growth of Highly‐Ordered‐Crystalline Indium‐Gallium‐Oxide Thin‐Film via Plasma‐Enhanced ALD for High Performance Top‐Gate Field‐Effect Transistors
Authors: Kim Min Jae , Bang Seon Woong , Hur Jae Seok , Yoon Seong Hun , Choi Cheol Hee , Chung Sang Won , Oh Jeong Eun , Kim Yena , Park Bang Ju , Lee Jeonga , Yang Hoichang , Ha Daewon , Cho Min Hee , Jeong Jae Kyeong 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThis study introduces a novel method for achieving highly ordered‐crystalline In2‐xGaxO3 [0 ≤ x ≤ 0.6] thin films on Si substrates at 250 °C using plasma‐enhanced atomic‐layer‐deposition (PEALD) with dual seed crystal layers (SCLs) of γ‐Al2O3 and ZnO. Field‐effect transistors (FETs) with random polycrystalline In2‐xGaxO3 channels (grown without SCLs) show a mobility (µFE) of 85.1 cm2 V−1s−1, attributed to high indium content. In contrast, FETs with highly ordered In2‐xGaxO3 grown via SCLs exhibit superior performance, with µFE reaching 95.5 cm2 VV−1s−1 and enhanced reliability due to the uniform growth of high‐quality bixbyite films. The role of γ‐Al2O3 and ZnO SCLs in enabling this growth and the correlation between cation composition, crystalline structure, and electrical properties are comprehensively analyzed. This approach provides new insights into the high‐quality bixbyite In2‐xGaxO3 system, offering an alternative to conventional amorphous or polycrystalline structures. The highly ordered crystalline structure paves the way for advanced applications in 3D heterogeneous semiconductor chips, expanding beyond displays to include memory, logic, and artificial intelligence devices.
Employing a Mental Model Framework to Explore Systems Thinking
Authors: Schaffernicht Martin F. G. , López‐Astorga Miguel , Rojas‐Barahona Cristian A. , Castillo Ramón D. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTThis article conceptualizes systems thinking from the perspective of mental models. It portrays systems thinking as a combination of perception, prior knowledge and reasoning processes for guiding decision‐making in complex, dynamic situations. Systems thinking is mostly considered as a skill, and assessment instruments are based on the observable products of thinking. However, there is a lack of research on the cognitive processes involved in generating mental representations of complex dynamic systems, deriving possible behaviours and decisions. Thus, we propose a conceptual framework that combines mental models of dynamic systems and the cognitive theory of reasoning with mental models of possibilities. This theory identifies an intuitive and a deliberative reasoning process describing how the deliberative process influences the mental model of the perceived situation. While remaining compatible with the existing literature on systems thinking, this framework addresses this gap. Through examples, the study illustrates how the distinct levels of systems thinking knowledge of three stylized agents lead to different models, even when the reasoning process is identical. Boundary mismatch errors in the represented structure lead to errors in judging‐system behaviours as necessary, possible or impossible, leading to different decisions. Based on this finding, several new research questions are proposed concerning the dynamics of the cognitive processes and mental models over the iterations of dynamic decision‐making in laboratory experiments. We close with a call for more research to move beyond the current limitations.
Partnerships to Improve Access to Healthcare for Refugees and Immigrants in Philadelphia
Authors: Deffler Jessica , Salas-Tam Chelsea , Gosnay Jenna , Altshuler Marc 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe United States has welcomed refugees since World War II. Currently, the world is experiencing an unparalleled refugee crisis that calls for action by nations across the globe. There are over 82 million people who are forcibly displaced from their homes today (UNHCR Global Trends, Forced displacement in 2020. [cited 2021 Sep 28]. Available from: https://www.unhcr.org/flagship-reports/globaltrends/). Over the last decade, Philadelphia has become home to hundreds of refugees from countries in Southeast and Central Asia, Africa, the Middle East, as well as many others. For newly arrived refugees, finding stable housing, medical care, and employment is difficult due to cultural, language, and socioeconomic barriers. To provide comprehensive care to refugees in Philadelphia, a network of medical providers and social services was formed in 2010. Through the Philadelphia Refugee Health Collaborative, refugees access medical care and refugee resettlement services upon arrival. More recently, inspired by the need for a patient-centered medical home with collocated medical and social services, the Hansjorg Wyss Wellness Center opened in 2021 and serves both refugees and immigrants in the community. This case study explores the partnership journey to serve refugees and immigrants in Philadelphia.
Building Partnerships and Confronting Challenges: Implementation of an Ebola Virus Vaccine Clinical Study During an Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Bausch Daniel G. , Kavunga-Membo Hugo , Grais Rebecca F. , Imbault Nathalie , Roberts Natalie , Kanwagi Robert , Watson Deborah , Tamfum Jean-Jacques Muyembe ,   on behalf of the DRC-EB-001-JnJ Ebola Vaccine Study (TUJIOKOWE) Team
Published: December 2024

AbstractResearch, especially clinical trials, during outbreaks often poses enormous challenges, and up until very recent times was often considered almost impossible. However, for diseases such as Ebola virus disease, which are seen almost exclusively in outbreak form, outbreaks are the only opportunity to perform studies and accrue knowledge. Here, we discuss our experiences and lessons learned implementing a clinical study of an Ebola virus vaccine during an outbreak of that disease in 2018–20 in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Keys to success is these settings include forging partnerships with diverse and complementary experience and skills, working out clear roles and responsibilities, communicating and engaging with the community as an essential partner, and maintaining flexibility to adapt to unexpected events. Progress in these complex settings requires both quick action to implement studies as soon as possible, coupled with patience, realizing that results often come with a sequential long-term approach across outbreaks as opportunities arise. Despite the many challenges, where the political will is there and the right team assembled, significant progress can be made, contributing both to control of the present outbreak and prevention or enhanced control of the next one.
Building Partnerships to Empower Women Through Home Self-Sampling for Sexual and Reproductive Tract Infections
Authors: Phiri Comfort R. , Chola Namakau , Bustinduy Amaya L. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThis team actively created strong bonds with stakeholders to successfully research the validity and feasibility of rolling out sexual and reproductive health (SRH) self-screening programs. The success of this effort relied on local and external support from all involved, from the field to the policy-making level. This resulted in a novel transdisciplinary approach to integrate surveillance for well-researched infections, such as HIV and human papillomavirus, with less understood and hence neglected diseases, such as female genital schistosomiasis. Active support from local institutions was also crucial. In this chapter we will elaborate on the experience of the first partnership built to integrate several SRH issues in an endemic community in Zambia, with a special emphasis on how the partnership was developed. Through the prism of a case study, we review the lessons learned that could be applied widely across different sectors as a woman-centered approach. Barriers to implementation are also discussed.
Social Movement and Empowerment in Shaping Global Health Priorities: Past, Present, and Future Perspectives from India
Authors: Bilimale Anil S. , Arathi Rao P. , Nayar Kesavan Rajsekharan , Som Meena , Penugondla Anjana , Xavier Ashok Gladston 
Published: December 2024

AbstractSocial movements can play an important role in shaping the policies and local implementation of sustainable development goals and global health priorities. A major challenge is to understand the interconnectedness of the origins of social movements and their processes required to empower them. It is important to understand the pivotal role of people, partnerships, products, and policy to ensure solidarity, social security, system strengthening, and social justice. In addition to flagging existing challenges in the system, social movements can be instrumental in bringing substantive changes to systems and policies that are then reflected on the ground. A few prominent social movement examples from India are used to illustrate successful approaches that have led to lasting policy changes and positive health outcomes in local communities. Successful initiatives have focused on ensuring comprehensive coverage, community participation, collaboration with stakeholders, empowerment of women, and approach focused on equity to attain equality for healthcare access among women, underprivileged and hard to reach population. These efforts can inform future visions of global health partnerships with social movements.