bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of Antibacterial Hydrogels Based on Biopolymer Aloe Vera/Gelatin/Sodium Alginate Composited With SM‐AgNPs Loaded Curcumin‐Nanoliposomes
Authors: Saenchoopa Apichart , Plaeyao Kittiya , Talodthaisong Chanon , Thet Tun Wonn Shweyi , Nasomjai Pitak , Lapmanee Sarawut , Somsakeesit La‐or , Hutchison James A. , Kulchat Sirinan 
Published: January 2025

AbstractTo address the rising prevalence of bacterial infections and the need for innovative therapeutic solutions, this study has developed a novel antibacterial hydrogel composite composed of Aloe vera, gelatin, sodium alginate, and Sterculia monosperma‐silver nanoparticles (SM‐AgNPs) loaded curcumin‐nanoliposomes (NLPs). The aloe vera/gelatin/sodium alginate hydrogels (AGS) are prepared using different weight ratios of Aloe vera, gelatin, and sodium alginate, aiming to optimize mechanical properties and biocompatibility for biomedical applications. The incorporation of SM‐AgNPs and curcumin‐loaded NLPs enhanced the hydrogels' antibacterial properties. Characterizations of the hydrogels are performed by using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. Additional examinations, such as water absorption analysis, rheology measurements, thermal stability, and injectability, along with pH and temperature responsiveness, are also conducted. The AGS‐3 hydrogel formulation, with a 1:5:3 ratio of Aloe vera to gelatin to sodium alginate, exhibited significant performance in all tests, making it suitable for further experiments. Furthermore, antimicrobial activity assays showed that AGS hydrogels containing SM‐AgNPs/NLP composites effectively inhibited the growth of both gram‐positive Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) and gram‐negative Escherichia coli (E.coli) bacteria. These results indicate that the SM‐AgNPs/NLP‐AGS hydrogel is a promising material for biomedical applications including wound healing, infection prevention, and targeted drug delivery.
Design Optimization of Pressurized Gyration Technology: Orifice Height Level Effects on Production Rate and Fiber Morphology
Authors: Alneyadi Ahmed , Delbusso Angelo , Harker Anthony , Edirisinghe Mohan 
Published: January 2025

AbstractElectrospinning and pressurized gyration are two widely adopted methods for polymeric fiber production, valued for their simplicity, versatility, and relatively low environmental impact. Despite its advantages, electrospinning has notable limitations, including low production efficiency and significant safety concerns. Pressurized gyration, however, offers greater productivity and a safer, more sustainable process, making it an excellent candidate for industrial scaling. To fully realize this potential, optimizing the pressurized gyration process is essential for enhancing efficiency and achieving sustainable large‐scale fiber production. In this study, the effects of vessel orifice height on the production rate and fiber morphology in pressurized gyration are explored. A series of experiments is conducted using a 15 wt.% polycaprolactone (PCL) solution, with vessels of identical diameter but differing orifice heights 7.5, 15, and 22.5 mm tested under pressures of 0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 MPa, all at a constant rotational speed of 13 000 rpm. The 7.5 mm orifice height demonstrates the highest production rate under pressure while increasing orifice height led to finer fiber diameters, better alignment, and smaller beads. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing vessel design, along with process and solution parameters, for scaling up pressurized gyration fiber manufacturing to meet industrial demands.
Preparation of CuO/Al2O3 and NiO Loaded Form‐Stabilized Composite Phase Change Materials with Improved Thermal Properties and Comparison of their Thermal Energy Storage Characteristics
Authors: KÜÇÜKER Beyza Nur , MERT Hatice Hande 
Published: January 2025

AbstractAlumina supported copper oxide (CuO/Al2O3) and Nickel Oxide (NiO) loaded polymer composite matrices supported n‐hexadecane (HD) based composite phase change materials (PCMs) are prepared and characterized. The polymer composites assigned as supporting matrices for shape‐stabilization of PCM are synthesized by emulsion‐templating approach, and the composite PCMs are prepared by impregnation of HD into polymer composite matrices. The effect of CuO/Al2O3 and NiO particles of different sizes used as heat transfer promoters in the supporting matrices, on the morphological properties, thermal stabilities, and latent heat storage characteristics (LHS) of the composite PCMs are evaluated using different characterization methods. The melting temperature of the obtained composite PCMs is found to be ≈18 °C and the latent heat of melting values varied in the range of 95.0−114.5 J g−1. The heat transfer properties of the composite PCMs are investigated by performing a T‐History test for obtaining heat storage and release curves. The composite PCMs with NiO loaded supporting matrices are exhibited higher thermal stability and heat storage capacity in addition to enhanced thermal conduction properties than the CuO/Al2O3 included composite PCMs. According to the results, it is revealed that shape‐stabilized, thermally enhanced composite PCMs are remarkable energy storage materials with the potential for use in low‐temperature thermal energy storage systems.
Impulse Control Disorders and Effort‐Based Decision‐Making in Parkinson's Disease Patients with Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation
Authors: Amstutz Deborah , Petermann Katrin , Sousa Mario , Debove Ines , Maradan‐Gachet Marie Elise , Bruhin Lena C. , Magalhães Andreia D. , Tinkhauser Gerd , Diamantaras Andreas , Waskönig Julia , Lachenmayer Lenard Martin , Pollo Claudio , Cazzoli Dario , Nef Tobias , Husain Masud , Krack Paul 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundImpulse control disorders (ICD) are common side effects of dopaminergic treatment in Parkinson's disease (PD). Whereas some studies show a reduction in ICD after subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN‐DBS), others report worsening of ICD or impulsivity.ObjectiveThe aim was to study ICD in the context of STN‐DBS using an objective measure of decision‐making.MethodsTen PD patients performed an effort‐based decision‐making task alongside neuropsychiatric and cognitive evaluation before and 4 months after STN‐DBS. Further, 33 PD patients underwent the same experimental procedures just once after an average 40 months of chronic STN‐DBS. Participants were examined preoperatively in the medication on state and postoperatively in the medication on/stimulation ON state. Mixed linear models were used to assess the impact of ICD and STN‐DBS on acceptance rate and decision time in the task while controlling for motor symptom burden, cognitive measures, and dopaminergic medication.ResultsResults revealed an increased willingness to exert high levels of effort in return for reward in patients with ICD, but acceptance rate was not modulated by chronic STN‐DBS. Further, ICD, cognitive processing speed, and STN‐DBS were all identified as positive predictors for faster decision speed. ICD scores showed a tendency to improve 4 months after STN‐DBS, without an increase in apathy scores.ConclusionsChronic STN‐DBS and ICD facilitate effort‐based decision‐making by speeding up judgment. Furthermore, ICD enhances the willingness to exert high levels of effort for reward. Both STN‐DBS and dopaminergic medication impact motivated behavior and should be titrated carefully to balance neuropsychiatric symptoms.
A Low‐Cost 4x4 Butler Matrix‐Fed Patch Antenna Array for Millimeter Wave Applications
Authors: Lin Chang‐Keng , Lin Ding‐Bing , Chang Mon‐Li 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTA low‐cost, low‐profile, high‐performance antenna array based on a 4×4 series‐fed patch with elliptical slots is presented in this article for fifth‐generation millimeter‐wave communications (5G mmWave). The antenna array can be manufactured easily on a two‐layer printed circuit board because of its simple design and lack of complex structures. It is designed for the Ka‐band (n257 band) with an impedance bandwidth of 3.1 GHz, covering the range from 26.1 GHz to 29.2 GHz. There is a fractional bandwidth of about 11.2%, several times greater than the fractional bandwidth of a series‐fed antenna. Within the impedance bandwidth, the radiation gain exceeds 11 dBi, with a maximum gain of 18.25 dBi. The radiation efficiency reaches an impressive 94% and the aperture efficiency reaches 44.6%. The isolation between the four excitation ports is less than −30 dB. Additionally, the 70% impedance bandwidth features right‐hand elliptical polarization with a 3:1 axial ratio. It also has an excellent beam steering range (theta angle: ). The following section will provide a detailed description of the antenna array and an analysis of the resonance frequencies. Further, the array antenna is combined with the Butler matrix network to form a beamforming function. Finally, the measured results agree well with the simulation results. This low‐cost, low‐profile, high‐performance antenna array will promote the popularization of 5G mmWave communications, which will be widely used worldwide.
Variational Phase‐Field Fracture Approach in Reactive Porous Media
Authors: Mollaali Mostafa , Yoshioka Keita , Lu Renchao , Montoya Vanessa , Vilarrasa Victor , Kolditz Olaf 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTWe present a comprehensive model to simulate fracture nucleation and propagation in porous media, incorporating chemical reactions. This model integrates three main processes: fluid flow in porous media, reactive transport, and the mechanical deformation of fractured porous media using a variational phase‐field approach. To account for chemical reactions, we use the geochemical package PHREEQC, coupled with a finite‐element transport solver (OpenGeoSys), to model reactions in both thermodynamic equilibrium and kinetically, considering changes in porosity. To represent chemical damage, we introduce a variable that ranges from intact material to fully damaged material. This variable accounts for changes in porosity as a result of chemical reactions, separate from the mechanical damage represented by the phase‐field variable. We test our model through various examples to showcase its ability to capture fracture nucleation and propagation driven by chemical reactions. Our model is implemented within the open‐source finite element framework OpenGeoSys.
Finite Strain Analysis With the Dual Mesh Control Domain Method
Authors: Areias P. , Srinivasa A. R. , Moleiro F. , Reddy J. N. 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTThe Dual Mesh Control Domain Method (DMCDM), developed by Reddy (J.N. Reddy. “A dual mesh finite domain method for the numerical solution of differential equations.” Int J Comput Methods Eng Sci, 20(3):212–228, 2019), is an alternative to the classical weak‐form Galerkin finite element method. An advantage of DMCDM is that it combines the interpolation capabilities of the finite element method with the direct use of an integral form of the balance laws. Furthermore, it is easily extensible to mixed formulations, resulting in simpler than traditional finite element formulations. In this work, we extend DMCDM to the fully finite strain case with plasticity. We introduce a new discretization algorithm for finite strain problems, which includes a mean‐dilatation technique to solve the volumetric locking problem. Assessment is supported by five linear and five finite strain benchmark problems, one of them being 3D. Finite strain solutions were found to be stable, exempt from hourglassing, and also locking‐free. Results are found to be competitive with classical F‐bar and B‐bar elements, with a simpler formulation.
Population Using Tobacco for Pain Relief: A Preliminary Cross‐Sectional Study in Japan
Authors: Yamada Keiko , Chiba Satoko , Iseki Masako , Tabuchi Takahiro 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTBackgroundThere is a complex relationship between tobacco use and pain. Nicotine provides temporary pain relief but increases the risk of chronic pain. This study aimed to investigate use of tobacco for pain relief and its association with demographic and medical characteristics in Japan.MethodsWe used a web‐based survey to recruit 2000 individuals aged 20–69 who had experienced pain in the previous month. They answered questions on demographics, smoking status, lifestyle, socioeconomic status, and medical information. Smokers were asked if they smoked tobacco to relieve pain. Those who responded “strongly agree” or “agree” were labeled as using tobacco for pain relief. We used analysis of covariance to test the associations among smokers' background characteristics by whether they used tobacco for pain relief.ResultsOverall, 6.6% of smokers with pain (3.5% with acute or subacute pain and 8.8% with chronic pain) used tobacco for pain relief. These individuals were generally younger, more likely to be treated for schizophrenia and use analgesics, with higher pain severity, more catastrophic thinking about pain, and a centralized symptom. However, they were less likely to engage in regular exercise.ConclusionsOverall, 6.6% of smokers (3.5% with acute or subacute pain and 8.8% with chronic pain) used tobacco to relieve their pain, even though most of them also received medical treatment and used pain medication. Healthcare providers and policy makers should account for this population of smokers in their planning.
Endoscopic Versus Microscopic Stapedotomy: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Albazee Ebraheem , Alajmi Hamad , Aldoukhi Ali , Alali Abeer Waleed 
Published: January 2025

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the safety and efficacy of endoscopic versus microscopic stapedotomy in patients with otosclerosis.Data SourcesPubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and CENTRAL.Review MethodsEligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were assessed for bias using Cochrane's instrument. The specific outcomes included the mean duration of surgery, the mean gain in air‐bone gap (ABG), and the rates of chorda tympani nerve (CTN) injury, CTN manipulation, facial nerve (FN) injury, tympanic membrane (TM) perforation, dysgeusia, dizziness, and pain score. Continuous data were analyzed using mean difference (MD) or standardized mean difference (SMD), and dichotomous data with risk ratio (RR), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsEleven RCTs with 515 patients were analyzed. There was no significant difference between both groups in the mean duration of surgery (MD = −10.42, 95% CI [−26.26, 5.43]), mean gain in ABG (MD = 1.04, 95% CI [−0.48, 2.57]), CTN injury (RR = 0.46, 95% CI [0.20, 1.04]), FN injury (RR = 1.00, 95% CI [0.11, 9.27]), TM perforation (RR = 0.99, 95% CI [0.23, 4.25]), and dizziness (RR = 0.79, 95% CI [0.41, 1.53]). However, endoscopic stapedotomy significantly reduced the need for CTN manipulation (RR = 0.58, 95% CI [0.35, 0.96]), dysgeusia (RR = 0.33, 95% CI [0.19, 0.57]), and pain score (SMD = −1.59, 95% CI [−2.22, −0.97]).ConclusionEndoscopic stapedotomy significantly reduces dysgeusia, CTN manipulation, and pain compared to microscopic stapedotomy, with similar surgery durations, audiometric gains, and comparable risks of CTN injury, TM perforation, FN injury, and dizziness.
Discovery of novel sulfonamide derivatives containing pinacolone moieties as fungicide candidates against Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Liu Wei , Liu Chaojie , An Ni , Qi Zhiqiu , Bin Huaiyu , Wu Xilun , Liu He , Wu Yuanhua , Li Xinghai 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBACKGROUNDBotrytis cinerea is one of the most serious plant diseases and severely threatens agricultural production. The rapidly intensifying resistance makes most commercial chemical fungicides lose control efficacy. Developing new fungicides with novel structures and modes of action is an effective measure to solve this problem.RESULTSIn this work, 29 novel sulfonamide compounds containing pinacolone scaffolds were designed and synthesized based on the active substructure splicing strategy. The biological activity assay on three kinds of Botrytis cinerea strains manifested that these compounds exhibit moderate to excellent antifungal activity. Compounds 3a‐1 and 3a‐11 displayed the highest in vitro antifungal activity similar to control agents carbendazim, procymidone, and boscalid. Compound 3c had the lowest EC50 value of 1.96 μg/mL against strain PJ‐02 compared to boscalid (6.90 μg/mL). Bioassay results on strawberry fruits and tomato pots indicated that compounds 3a‐1 and 3a‐11 also possess superb in vivo antifungal activity compared to control agents. The electronic conductivity measurement results showed that compound 3a‐1 can significantly increase the membrane permeability of Botrytis cinerea mycelium. Scanning electron microscopy observation revealed that compound 3a‐1 could cause the Botrytis cinerea mycelium to twist and break, and inhibit mycelium branching. Density functional theory calculation and molecular electrostatic potential distribution were also used to analyze the activity mechanism of target compounds.CONCLUSIONDue to their excellent antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea, these novel sulfonamide derivatives containing pinacolone scaffolds could be considered qualified fungicide candidates. Preliminary exploration of the mechanism suggests that this kind of compound may possess a novel mode of action. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.
Entrainment and detrainment statistics of a stationary shallow cumulus cloud
Authors: Huang Jingzi , Burridge Henry C. , de Roode Stephan R. , van Reeuwijk Maarten 
Published: January 2025

AbstractA fully resolved shallow cumulus cloud simulation (albeit at a lower Reynolds number than in the atmosphere) is performed in a quiescent environment to investigate instantaneous entrainment and detrainment. Despite constant boundary conditions and environment, the cloud displays cyclic puff‐like behaviour, indicating that puffs are an intrinsic feature of the system not linked to thermals in the sub‐cloud region. The cloud dynamics are examined via both Reynolds‐averaged statistics and conditionally averaged statistics. The Reynolds‐averaged statistics reveal that the majority of entrainment occurs over the upper part of cloud and that the cloud creates an intrusion at about its half height (about 1,000 m) through which it detrains. Using a novel technique that enables direct evaluation of instantaneous entrainment and detrainment fluxes, we examine instantaneous entrainment and detrainment at two interfaces: (1) the cloud boundary, which separates the cloud from the environment; and (2) the updraught boundary, which separates the rising flow (updraught) from the descending flow (subsiding shell). The data show that the entrainment and detrainment rates are a factor of 2 larger than those estimated from the bulk assumption, consistent with other studies. Furthermore, entrainment is strongly correlated to the rising puffs, as evidenced by conditioning the statistics on the instantaneous buoyancy.
The Disturbed Fault Diagnosis for Discrete‐Time Euler–Lagrange System With Multi‐Sensors Based on χ2$$ {\chi}^2 $$‐Detection
Authors: Dong Qian , Tong Tianchi , Yuan Wenying , Sun Jinsheng 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTThis article investigates the sensor fault diagnosis problem of the discrete‐time Euler–Lagrange (EL) system with multi‐sensors. Firstly, the discrete‐time EL system is converted into a second‐order non‐linear discrete‐time system using the famous Dragon Gekuta method. Secondly, the proposed strategy leverages the multi‐sensors data fusion framework, employing multiple local unscented Kalman filters for state estimation. Moreover, the convergence of the local estimation is analyzed such that the local estimation errors are stable in faults‐free case. Thirdly, considering the sensor fault in the presence of process and measurement noises, the residual signal based on the local estimation error is designed to detect and isolate faults. The fault detection and isolation logic is conducted using detection, where the threshold is determined through the cumulative distribution function of distribution. Finally, a single‐link robot is used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed fault diagnosis based on the multi‐sensors data fusion.
Event‐Triggered Integral Reinforcement Learning Control Based on Recursive Terminal Sliding Mode
Authors: Jia Chao , Li Yashuai , Wang Hongkun , Song Zijian 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTFor a class of continuous‐time non‐linear systems with saturated input and unknown non‐linear disturbance, a novel event‐triggered integral reinforcement learning (IRL) control strategy based on recursive terminal sliding mode (RTSM) is proposed in this paper. Firstly, a novel performance index function is designed based on RTSM and a two‐player zero‐sum game, and the robust control problem with saturated input and unknown disturbance can be transformed into an optimal control problem. To avoid the requirement of drift dynamics, the IRL technique is introduced. Secondly, a critic neural network is used to approximate the optimal value function, which not only simplifies algorithm implementation structure, but also relaxes initial admissible control in the learning of neural network weights. Then, considering the event‐triggered mechanism, the asymptotic stability of the closed‐loop system and the uniformly ultimately boundedness of weight estimation errors are proved by utilizing the Lyapunov theory. Finally, simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control method.
Development and Testing of Row‐Controlled Weeding Intelligent Robot for Corn
Authors: Zhang Ya‐wei , Liu Meng‐nan , Chen Du , Xu Xiu‐ming , Lu Jinbo , Lai Han‐rong , Wen Changkai , Yin Yan‐xin 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTCorn row‐controlled weeding is a critical crop field management aspect. Corn row‐controlled weeding robots suffer from large errors in seedling and weed identification algorithms, lack of row weeding actuators in dry fields, and low integration of automated devices for identification, navigation, and weeding. Therefore, this paper investigates an intelligent robot for row‐controlled weeding, which could realize the integrated automatic operation of seedling and weed identification, row line acquisition, automatic navigation, and row‐controlled weeding. We present a fully integrated, autonomous, and innovative solution for row‐controlled weeding robots to overcome the difficulties of weeding to row. The solution constructs a seedling and weed identification model based on the YOLOv5 model and an improved boundary loss function. It also investigates a real‐time extraction method for corn seedling strips based on region‐of‐interest updates. In addition, we developed an intelligent control device that can realize row‐controlled weeding and depth control, adjusting weed height, depth of entry, and weed spacing. Finally, a fully autonomous weeding robot system was developed and integrated. Field tests showed that the intelligent robot could continuously cruise autonomously for weeding, with a weeding rate higher than 79.8% and a seedling injury rate lower than 7.3%. These efforts have laid a solid foundation for the future commercialization of intelligent weeding robots.