bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Keratin Gel From Chicken Feathers Waste Obtained by Mercaptoethanol Extraction
Authors: Mattiello Sara , Guzzini Alessandro , Perinelli Diego Romano , Bonacucina Giulia , Gunnella Roberto , Lupidi Giulio , Santulli Carlo 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTProtein gels prepared by keratin extracted from chicken feathers show potential applications as engineered materials. Feathers are an abundant waste material, whose principal component is keratin, which may have gelling properties not yet sufficiently studied so far which are strongly dependent on the extraction method adopted. The aim of the study is to explore the properties of gels obtained through mercaptoethanol extraction and dialysis process and to evaluate their structural characteristics. The keratin hydrogels were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy through which it was possible to identify the secondary structure of the protein on hydrated and dry gel. Moreover, the morphological analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with the rheological analysis showed how the consistency of the gels is maintained on a wide range of loads and frequencies. Furthermore, the biocompatibility of the gels was investigated for the release of subcutaneous drugs using curcumin, an antioxidant polyphenol compound. The fastest release was obtained at pH 7.4, corresponding to physiological conditions.
Eco‐friendly enhancement of mechanical properties in 3D carbon felt reinforced epoxy/aluminum sandwich composites via NaCl‐based anodizing and triton X‐100 modification
Authors: Taieh Nabil Kadhim , Fahad Eman Abd Alhadi 
Published: October 2024

AbstractTo address the challenges of achieving strong adhesion between aluminum face sheets and composite cores (3D carbon felts) in sandwich structures, this work presents a novel approach that prioritizes safety, environmental sustainability, and ease of processing. The 3D CFs/Epoxy core was modified with Triton X‐100 in amounts from 0 to 10 wt% of the epoxy resin. The aluminum alloy face sheets were anodized at voltages from 0 to 11 V, using a NaCl‐based anodizing process. The technique of anodizing can enhance the bond between the aluminum face sheets and the 3D CFs/epoxy core, resulting in improved mechanical performance of the composite, including flexural and compressive testing, as well as dynamic mechanical analysis. The composite, embedding 3D CFs foam in epoxy resin, has a storage modulus 65.1% higher than pure epoxy at 2070 MPa. In addition, increasing Triton X‐100 content (1–10 wt%) decreases the storage modulus from 1886 to 1314 MPa and the glass transition temperature from 68.3 to 62.8 °C. Additionally, with Triton X‐100 concentrations of 1 to 10 wt%, the flexural modulus of the epoxy reinforced by 3D CFs drops from 3951.8 to 2400 MPa, and the flexural strength decreases by 55.3% from 174 to 112 MPa, indicating reduced structural rigidity. For sandwich composites with anodized aluminum face sheets, a 7 V anodizing voltage boosts the flexural modulus from 17.8 GPa (0 V) to 36.2 GPa. At 7 V, compressive strength and strain rise by 346.9% and 995.5%, respectively. Flexural toughness peaks at 11239 KJ/m3 with 5 wt% Triton X‐100.Highlights
Developed new sandwich epoxy composites consisting of anodized aluminum sheet treated with NaCl and modified 3D carbon felts epoxy composites using Triton X‐100.
Aluminum face sheets underwent an anodization at different voltages (0, 5, 7, 9, and 11 volts), aiming to enhance the bonding between the aluminum sheets and the 3D CFs/epoxy core.
Triton X‐100 was utilized to modify the epoxy matrix at various concentrations (0 to 10 wt%) for improving the flexibility of the sandwich core.
The sandwich composites incorporating the un‐anodized face sheet have shown flexural modulus of about 17.8 GPa. The modulus achieves its maximum value of 36.2 GPa when anodized at 7 V, indicating a 103% increase.
The flexural strength of sandwich composites increases by 13% (272 MPa) when the Triton X‐100 concentration is raised to 5 wt%, compared to the 240 MPa flexural strength of the Al face sheet anodized at 7 V.
Determination of nut varieties and their detection in festive cookies by MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry
Authors: Kuckova Stepanka , Kaderabkova Lucie 
Published: October 2024

RationaleNuts contain a large amount of essential fatty acids, amino acids, and whole range of minerals and vitamins valuable for human health, yet certain risks are associated with their consumption, of which allergic reaction is the most important. Considering the growing number of people suffering from allergies caused by allergens of protein origin, the aim of this work is to find out whether nuts can be distinguished from each other on the basis of contained proteins.MethodsA total of eleven raw and subsequently heat‐treated nuts (almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, coconuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, peanuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, and walnuts) were analyzed using MALDI‐TOF (matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight) mass spectrometry with the subsequent finding of characteristic m/z values for each analyzed nut. No previous method for protein extraction was used.ResultsThe characteristic values were used to verify the composition of seven types of festive cookies – six commercial products and one “unknown” cookie, where it was not known in advance, which nut it was made from.ConclusionsThe procedure, together with the found characteristic m/z values, could serve to rapidly identify the plant origin of nut products.
Advanced Palladium Nanosheet‐Enhanced Phototherapy for Treating Wound Infection Caused by Multidrug‐Resistant Bacteria
Authors: Li Shanshan , Lu Mingzhu , Dai Chenxi , Xu Bolong , Wu Nier , Wang Lin , Liu Chao , Chen Fangzhou , Yang Haokun , Huang Zhijun , Liu Huiyu , Zhou Dongsheng 
Published: October 2024

AbstractWith the increasing spread of multidrug‐resistant (MDR) bacteria worldwide, it is needed to develop antibiotics‐alternative strategies for the treatment of bacterial infections. This work develops a multifunctional single‐component palladium nanosheet (PdNS) with broad‐spectrum and highly effective bactericidal activity against MDR bacteria. PdNS exerts its endogenous nanoknife (mechanical cutting) effect and peroxidase‐like activity independent of light. Under near‐infrared region (NIR) light irradiation, PdNS exhibits photothermal effect to produce local heat and meanwhile possesses photodynamic effect to generate 1O2; notably, PdNS has catalase‐like activity‐dependent extra photodynamic effect upon H2O2 addition. PdNS+H2O2+NIR employs a collectively synergistic mechanism of nanoknife effect, peroxidase/catalase‐like catalytic activity, photothermal effect, and photodynamic effect for bacterial killing. PdNS+H2O2+NIR causes compensatory elevated phospholipid biosynthesis, disordered energy metabolism, increased cellular ROS levels and excessive oxidative stress, and inhibited nucleic acid synthesis in bacteria. In mice, PdNS+H2O2+NIR gives >92.7% bactericidal rates at infected wounds and almost the full recovery of infected wounds, and it leads to extensive down‐regulation of proinflammatory pathways and comprehensive up‐regulation of wound healing pathways, conferring elevated inflammation resolution and meanwhile accelerated wound repair. PdNS+H2O2+NIR represents a highly efficient nanoplatform for photoenhanced treatment of superficial infections.
This Microtubule Does Not Exist: Super‐Resolution Microscopy Image Generation by a Diffusion Model
Authors: Saguy Alon , Nahimov Tav , Lehrman Maia , Gómez‐de‐Mariscal Estibaliz , Hidalgo‐Cenalmor Iván , Alalouf Onit , Balakrishnan Ashwin , Heilemann Mike , Henriques Ricardo , Shechtman Yoav 
Published: October 2024

AbstractGenerative models, such as diffusion models, have made significant advancements in recent years, enabling the synthesis of high‐quality realistic data across various domains. Here, the adaptation and training of a diffusion model on super‐resolution microscopy images are explored. It is shown that the generated images resemble experimental images, and that the generation process does not exhibit a large degree of memorization from existing images in the training set. To demonstrate the usefulness of the generative model for data augmentation, the performance of a deep learning‐based single‐image super‐resolution (SISR) method trained using generated high‐resolution data is compared against training using experimental images alone, or images generated by mathematical modeling. Using a few experimental images, the reconstruction quality and the spatial resolution of the reconstructed images are improved, showcasing the potential of diffusion model image generation for overcoming the limitations accompanying the collection and annotation of microscopy images. Finally, the pipeline is made publicly available, runnable online, and user‐friendly to enable researchers to generate their own synthetic microscopy data. This work demonstrates the potential contribution of generative diffusion models for microscopy tasks and paves the way for their future application in this field.
A Theoretical Perspective for Ammonia Synthesis: Nitric Oxide or Nitrate Electroreduction?
Authors: Wang Qianxiao , Guo Pu , Li Huan , Long Jun , Yang Shaoxue , Xiao Jianping 
Published: October 2024

AbstractAmmonia is an important raw material for agricultural production, playing a key role in global food production. However, conventional ammonia synthesis resulted in extensive greenhouse gas emissions and huge energy consumption. Recently, researchers have proposed electrocatalytic reverse artificial nitrogen cycle (eRANC) routes to circumvent these issues, which can be driven by electrocatalysis and sustainable electricity. Here, a theoretical and computational perspective on the challenges and opportunities with the comparison with experimental results: electrochemical reduction of nitrate (eNO3RR) and nitrite (eNO2RR), electrochemical reduction of nitric oxide (eNORR) combined with oxidative nitrogen fixation are presented. By comparison, the N2→NO→NH3 route is proposed as the most promising in case the NO solubility can be solved well in reactor design. Its high efficiency of ammonia production is demonstrated. Instead, the eNO3RR can be another choice because it is non‐toxic and the solid‐liquid interface is usually efficient for electrochemical reactions, while its low selectivity at low overpotentials is an issue. These fundamentals highlight the potential and key factors of eRANC as an efficient and sustainable route for ammonia production.
A Pseudo‐catalytic Network Motif for Thiol‐based Chemical Reaction Networks
Authors: Zhigileva Ekaterina A. , Puchkin Ilia A. , Semenov Sergey N. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe construction of chemical reaction networks (CRNs) is a formidable challenge because of their holistic and nonlinear nature. One approach to constructing CRNs involves combining fragments with distinctive properties, known as network motifs. Thiol chemistry is widely used in the construction of CRNs, with motifs available for positive and negative feedback loops. However, a simple catalytic motif has been lacking. Here, we developed a pseudo‐catalytic motif using the reaction between cystamine and organic thiocyanates, which operates through a nucleophilic chain mechanism. Although similar to thiol autocatalytic systems, this reaction does not involve a doubling of the number of thiol species at any stage. The reaction is high‐yielding and produces 2‐amino‐2‐thiazoline. Its pseudo‐catalytic nature manifests itself in the nearly linear relationship between the reaction rate and the amount of free thiols added at the beginning of the reaction. We demonstrated that this reaction can be regulated by external, time‐dependent thiol signals and integrated into larger CRNs. We believe that this system will be a valuable addition to thiol chemistry, enabling the construction of CRNs with interesting functionalities.
Integrated Analysis of Serum and Tissue microRNA Transcriptome for Biomarker Discovery in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Wang Xinfeng , Li Zhuoran , Zhang Chengyan 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTGastric cancer (GC) poses a significant global health challenge, demanding a detailed exploration of its molecular landscape. Studies suggest that exposure to environmental pollutants can lead to changes in microRNA (miRNA) expression patterns, which may contribute to the development and progression of GC. MiRNAs have emerged as crucial regulators implicated in GC pathogenesis. The largest GC serum miRNA dataset to date, comprising 1417 non‐cancer controls and 1417 GC samples was used. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of miRNA expression profiles. Differential expression analysis, co‐expression network construction, and machine learning models were employed to identify key serum miRNAs and their association with clinical parameters. Weighted Gene Co‐expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) and immune infiltration analysis were used to validate the importance of the key miRNA. A total of 1766 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified, with miR‐1290, miR‐1246, and miR‐451a among the top up‐regulated, and miR‐6875‐5p, miR‐6784‐5p, miR‐1228‐5p, and miR‐6765‐5p among the top down‐regulated. WGCNA revealed that modules M1 and M5 were significantly associated with GC subtypes and disease status. MiRNA‐target gene network analysis identified prognostically significant genes TP53, EMCN, CBX8, and ALDH1A3. Machine learning models LASSO, SVM, randomforest, and XGBOOST demonstrated the diagnostic potential of miRNA profiles. Tissue and serum miR‐187 emerged as an independent prognostic factor, influencing patient survival across clinical parameters. Gene expression and immune cell infiltration were different in tissues stratified by miR‐187 expression. In summary, the integration of differential gene expression, co‐expression analysis, and immune cell profiling provided insights into the molecular intricacies of GC progression.
Prediction of metachronous advanced colorectal neoplasia by KRAS mutation in polyps
Authors: Martínez‐Roca Alejandro , Cubiella Joaquín , García‐Heredia Anabel , Guill‐Berbegal David , Baile‐Maxía Sandra , Mangas‐Sanjuán Carolina , Sala‐Miquel Noelia , Madero‐Velazquez Lucía , Alenda Cristina , Zapater Pedro , González‐Núñez Clara , Iglesias‐Gómez Agueda , Codesido‐Prado Laura , Díez‐Martín Astrid , Kaminski Michal F. , Erichsen Rune , Adami Hans‐Olov , Ferlitsch Monika , Pellisé María , Holme Øyvind , Dekker Evelien , Bretthauer Michael , Jover Rodrigo ,   For the EPoS Study Group
Published: October 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe potential of molecular markers in the removed polys as reliable predictors of metachronous lesions is still uncertain.AimOur aim was to evaluate the role of somatic mutations in KRAS in polyps of patients with high‐risk adenomas to predict the risk of advanced polyps or colorectal cancer (CRC) within 3 years.MethodsA total of 518 patients were prospectively enrolled. The included patients had adenomas ≥10 mm, high‐grade dysplasia, villous component or ≥3 more adenomas at baseline and were scheduled to undergo surveillance colonoscopy at 3 years ± 6 months. Somatic KRAS mutation was performed on 1189 polyps collected from these patients. At surveillance, advanced lesions were defined as adenomas with a size of ≥10 mm. High‐grade dysplasia or villous component, serrated polyps ≥10 mm or with dysplasia or CRC.ResultsAt baseline, 81 patients (15.6%) had KRAS mutations in at least one polyp. Patients with KRAS mutated polyps had more frequent villous histological lesions and size ≥20 mm. In the multivariate analysis, adjusted for age and sex, only age (odds ratios [OR], 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–1.09; p < 0.001), ≥5 adenomas (OR, 3.92; 95% CI, 1.96–7.82), and KRAS mutation (OR, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.48–4.34; p < 0.01) were independently associated with the development of advanced lesions at surveillance.ConclusionsOur results show that, in patients with high‐risk adenomas, the presence of somatic mutations in KRAS is an independent risk factor for the development of advanced metachronous polyps.
The Rule of Law in Troubled Waters: Narrating Rights, Democracy and Challenges
Authors: Lorenz Astrid , Anders Lisa H. , Müller Dietmar , Němec Jan 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThis chapter analyses the rule of law discourses in the parliaments of Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia regarding rights, democracy and challenges. Since 1989, the term ‘rule of law’ has become widely used, especially by (opposition) MPs, who mentioned it when denouncing problems. As we show in this chapter, the term became a trigger word, associated with various shortcomings, conflicts and accusations, and with the increasing relevance of the judiciary, which was perceived as politicised in some parliaments. The handling of rights was very controversial in some parliaments while a topic of minor relevance in others. The relationship between the rule of law and democracy seemed less uncontroversial at first glance, but it was disputed in certain parliaments and periods. The chapter also demonstrates that a number of aspects were described as challenges to the rule of law across party lines, often with country-specific narratives. Finally, established rhetorical divides existed regarding some challenges to the rule of law. To substantiate our interpretations, we provide various illustrative quotes.
PIRLS 2021 and PISA 2022 Statistics Show How Serious the Pandemic Losses Are
Authors: Crato Nuno , Patrinos Harry Anthony 
Published: October 2024

AbstractPIRLS 2021 and PISA 2022 are the first international large-scale surveys that assessed students worldwide after the COVID-19 pandemic school closures. As expected, they reveal devastating learning losses for students of most countries and regions although in a few of them average results were able to progress despite the pandemic. For many countries and regions, the recent student learning losses add to previous losses. This chapter discusses these setbacks and highlights the main conclusions from different countries’ experiences. Unsurprisingly, the key factors are the curriculum, which needs to be streamlined and made more rigorous and better structured; the assessment, which needs to be regular, frequent, and to combine national standardized testing with formative tools; and the targeted support for struggling students.
United States: The Size and Variation of the Pandemic Learning Losses
Authors: Hanushek Eric A. , Strauss Bradley 
Published: October 2024

AbstractRecent international and national assessments point to the substantial learning losses that resulted from school disruptions during the pandemic. The United States, which entered the pandemic with achievement near the OECD average, had rather average pandemic learning losses and came out of the pandemic at roughly the same international ranking as before the pandemic. The learning losses from the pandemic foretell substantial economic costs related to the lower skills of those in the COVID-19 cohort. At the same time, there was substantial heterogeneity in achievement losses across states and across individuals, leading to disproportionate economic impacts on some individuals and states. Unlike the other economic costs of the pandemic, those from learning losses are future costs that are yet to accrue and that can be ameliorated by public action—but the time for feasibly addressing them is quickly running out.
Chile: From Closure to Recovery: Tracing the Educational Impact of COVID-19
Authors: Hofflinger Álvaro , Rodríguez-Ramírez Rony , Vegas Emiliana 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThis chapter analyzes the effects of school closures in Chile, the nation with the longest period of school closures among OECD countries. Using data from PISA (national level) and SIMCE (student level) in 2022, we examine the association between school closures and students’ GPA, attendance rates, and math and reading scores. Our findings show that, on average, students’ attendance rates and math and reading scores experienced a decline, while their annual GPA increased after 2020. The results also show that school closures affect students differently depending on their demographic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Poland: Education During and After COVID-19 Pandemic and Educational Reforms
Authors: Gajderowicz Tomasz , Jakubowski Maciej 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe COVID-19 closures lasted at least 26 weeks in Poland, longer than in most EU countries. The Polish government’s response revealed inadequacies in planning and execution. Evidence from international and national studies shows that the related achievement decline is equivalent to at least one year of education and probably more immense for some students. We calculate that the lower estimate of the achievement decline is associated with reduced GDP growth by 0.35% points. The estimated wage loss per student over a 45-year working life sums up to an economic loss of 7.2% of Poland’s 2021 GDP.
Ergebnisse der Analyse
Authors: Kneifel Malte 
Published: October 2024

ZusammenfassungIn diesem Kapitel erfolgt die Präsentation und Diskussion der Ergebnisse der digital gestützten Analyse des der Untersuchung zugrundeliegenden Textkorpus. Diese erfolgt der Reihe nach anhand von vier Textgruppen: 1) autos, causas e informaciones, memorias, Protokolle; 2) cuentas, conciertos; 3) cartas, peticiones; 4) Testamente. Der Präsentation der Ergebnisse werden zunächst jeweils relevante Vorbemerkungen zur Textgruppe vorgeschaltet. Darauffolgend wird exemplarisch eine Detailanalyse eines repräsentativen Textpaars aus der Textgruppe abgebildet, um den Analyseprozess zu verdeutlichen und um fokussiert Ergebnisse anhand zweier Einzeltexte zu präsentieren. Davon ausgehend werden in der Folge für jede Textgruppe globale Analyseergebnisse präsentiert und erörtert, um schließlich ein Fazit hinsichtlich des Zusammenhangs von Textproduktion und Translation, und somit der Herausbildung einer Textproduktionstradition mit und durch Translation, in der jeweiligen Textgruppe zu ziehen.
Fazit und Schlussbetrachtungen
Authors: Kneifel Malte 
Published: October 2024

ZusammenfassungIn diesem Kapitel werden die Ergebnisse der Analyse vor dem Hintergrund des der Arbeit zugrundeliegenden Erkenntnisinteresses als empirische Erkenntnisse synthetisiert und darauf aufbauend theoretische Erkenntnisse abstrahiert. Auch wird ein Ausblick auf weitere einschlägige Forschungsmöglichkeiten und -Lücken gegeben, die aus den Erkenntnissen der vorliegenden Arbeit resultieren.