bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The relationships between quality of life with health literacy, social support and resilience in older stroke survivors: A structural equation model
Authors: Chen Mei , Li Jinghong , Chen Chunyan , Zhao Qinghua , Huang Huanhuan 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAimTo the determinants and the underlying mechanism of health literacy, social support, and resilience on the health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) among older stroke survivors.DesignA cross‐sectional design was applied at four comprehensive hospitals in Chongqing via convenience sampling from January 2020 to June 2021.MethodsHealth literacy, social support, and resilience were designed as independent variables, and HRQoL was measured as a dependent variable. Structural equation modelling with the bootstrap method was used to test the hypotheses.ResultsThe theoretically derived model exhibited a good fit (χ2/df ratio = 2.830, GFI = 0.987, CFI = 0.978, RMSEA = 0.066). Health literacy (β = 0.12, p < 0.05) and social support (β = 0.14, p < 0.05) directly affect HRQoL. Resilience (β = 0.40, p < 0.01) also mediated the relationship between health literacy, social support, and HRQoL. The three variables explaining 29.0% of HRQoL variance.Patient or Public ContributionThere was no direct patient or public involvement in the design, conduct, or reporting of this study. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling from four comprehensive hospitals in Chongqing, and their perspectives or contributions were not explicitly sought. The study focused on examining the determinants and underlying mechanism of health literacy, social support, and resilience on the health‐related quality of life among older stroke survivors. Nonetheless, the findings of this research may inform the development of interventions aimed at improving the health‐related quality of life in post‐stroke older patients.
Production of gamma‐polyglutamic acid microgel by Bacillus species: Industrial applications and future perspectives
Authors: Pal Priti , Singh Akhilesh Kumar , Sarangi Prakash Kumar , Sahoo Uttam Kumar , Singh Harikesh B. , Subudhi Sanjukta , Singh Thangjam Anand 
Published: September 2024

Abstractγ‐Polyglutamic acid (γ‐PGA) microgel, produced by Bacillus spp., represents a promising biomaterial with diverse industrial applications due to its biodegradability, biocompatibility, and nontoxic nature. This review explores the current methodologies in the industrial production of γ‐PGA microgel, emphasizing the optimization of fermentation conditions, genetic engineering of Bacillus strains, and advances in downstream processing techniques. Key applications in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and environmental management are discussed, highlighting its role in drug delivery systems, as a biocontrol agent, and in wastewater treatment. Future perspectives include enhancing production efficiency through synthetic biology, expanding its application scope, and addressing economic and regulatory challenges to facilitate broader adoption. The integration of innovative technologies and multidisciplinary approaches is crucial for the sustainable development and commercial success of γ‐PGA microgel.
A wideband flexible antenna utilizing PMMA/PVDF‐HFP/PZT polymer composite film and silver‐based conductive ink for wearable applications
Authors: Douhi Saïd , Boumegnane Abdelkrim , Chakhchaoui Nabil , Eddiai Adil , Cherkaoui Omar , Mazroui M'hammed 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe relentless drive towards miniaturization and seamless integration of electronic components in wireless communications and wearable devices has significantly increased the demand for flexible, cost‐effective composites with high dielectric constants and low losses. This study presents a wideband, low‐profile, and flexible antenna with excellent on body radiation performance for wearable applications. The antenna is designed using a low‐loss composite film based on PMMA‐PVDF‐HFP‐PZT and silver‐based ink. The proposed flexible antenna exhibits a wide bandwidth of 132.16% with a voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) of less than two. It achieves a peak gain of 2.76 dBi at 2.92 GHz and maintains a maximum radiation efficiency of 80% across the 1.26–6.17 GHz frequency range. These characteristics demonstrate that the antenna is an effective solution for achieving high data rates and reliable communication links. The antenna's suitability for wearable applications is assessed by testing it on a simulated human body and analyzing its behavior under physical deformation. The results under bending showed only a minimal frequency detuning, which is negligible given the antenna's wide operational bandwidth. The specific absorption rate (SAR) analysis shows values of approximately 1.88 W/kg at 3.5 GHz with an input power of 0.5 W, and 0.279 W/kg at 5.8 GHz with an input power of 0.45 W, which complies with established safety limits for exposure. Overall, these results suggest that the proposed antenna is a viable solution for integration into wearable medical devices, such as a doctor's chest badge, enabling noncontact interactions and reducing the risk of bacterial contamination.
Multifunctional strain sensor with adjustable conductive network for wearable applications
Authors: Huang Qiaoling , Feng Yuanyuan , Dai Xinming , Guo Shuang , Ma Shuning , Abdelsalam Amir A. , Han Sensen 
Published: September 2024

AbstractWearable sensors based on nanomaterials have recently elicited keen research interest and potential for a new range of flexible devices. This paper presents a simple method for the preparation of laser‐induced porous graphene (LIG) and discusses its application in monitoring human vital signs. LIG formed on a polyimide (PI)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite material exhibits inherent high stretchability (over 30%), eliminating the need for transfer processes used in LIG prepared by laser scribing on PI films. LIG/CuSO4 composite materials, with different concentrations of Cu particles, show tunable mechanical and electronic properties based on laser‐induced graphene. The fabricated LIG demonstrates good cyclic stability and a nearly linear resistance response to tensile strain, making it suitable for wearable electronic devices, the maximum strain value and linear response to applied strain from 3% to 79%. The sensor exhibits a fast response time and high sensitivity, enabling real‐time detection of human pulse, joint motion, and complex dynamics. The multifunctionality advantages of LIG flexible sensor offer potential applications in next‐generation wearable electronics.
Improved hydrolytic resistance of polylactide biocomposite films reinforced by rice husk before and after accelerated aging
Authors: Wang Wei , Ye Guangchao , Zhang Ying , Bian Xiujie , Lin Peng , Dong Yuanyuan , Hao Pengfei , Wang Xiang 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe enhanced durability of biobased polylactide (PLA) is a critical prerequisite for it to be considered a viable alternative to petroleum‐based polymers for long‐term applications. Leveraging the performance improvements achieved through interface construction, PLA‐biomass composites have garnered considerable interest and have been widely utilized as a completely degradable material. The hydrolytic behavior of PLA biocomposites in photo‐hydrothermal environments was examined in this study in relation to the impact of biomass components and the specifically designed interface. We observed that biomass could act as an effective stabilizer in the composites, leading to a 25.6% reduction in the hydrolysis reaction rate constant. This stabilization occurs as biomass impedes the diffusion of water molecules and the extension of PLA molecular chains across various hydrothermal environments, thereby enhancing the hydrolytic resistance of PLA. The intriguing aspect is that this stabilizing effect of biomass could be moderated by an interface created through surface treatment, which facilitates enhanced transfer of active small molecules during the photolysis‐hydrolysis process. Consequently, this approach presents a novel method for producing PLA biocomposites that offers excellent hydrolytic resistance, an adjustable degradation cycle, and expected potential applications in advanced packaging and agricultural domains.Highlights
Biomass significantly enhances the hydrolysis resistance of polylactide (PLA) biocomposites.
This stability boosts due to the obstructive and shielding effects of biomass.
Effective interface could regulate the usable life of PLA biocomposites.
The role that biomass/ interfaces play also applies to PLA photodegradation.
Photo‐hydrolysis mechanism is not affected by biomass or designed interface.
Manufacturing and characterization of continuous carbon fiber reinforced polyphenylene sulfide filaments via melt impregnation method
Authors: Sidim Gizem , Dogu Mustafa , Ozbek Belma 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe utilization of continuous fiber‐reinforced thermoplastic composites (CFRTP) in additive manufacturing technology (AM) is envisioned to enable the production of high‐performance parts with enhanced mechanical properties. In the production of CFRTP filaments, ensuring proper impregnation plays a crucial role in improving the characteristics of the produced filament. Carbon fiber (CF) reinforced polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) composites find applications in secondary aerospace parts, automotive structural parts, and chemical process applications. Continuous CF‐reinforced PPS filaments enable the production of lightweight, high‐performance parts with mechanical strength, heat, and chemical resistance in AM. In the present study, continuous CF‐reinforced PPS filaments were produced using the melt impregnation method for use in fused deposition modeling technology. Filament diameter, geometrical evenness, and effective fiber impregnation are important criteria in filament production. An impregnation mold was designed and manufactured to provide impregnation. The influence of three different pin angles (56°, 70°, and 82°) on impregnation and mechanical properties has been investigated by developing an impregnation die for CFRTP filament production. Tensile testing, fiber content analysis, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscope analysis were performed on the produced filaments. Furthermore, increasing the pin angle leads to an increase in both the spreading and impregnation of fibers.Highlights
Impregnation die for effective wetting of fibers with polymer.
Significance of pin angle in fiber spreading and wetting with polymer.
Application of test standards for fiber content.
Proanthocyanidins as the marker of amomum fruit from three botanical origins based on comprehensive profiling with LC–MS and GC–MS combined with chemometrics
Authors: Deng Kai , Long Huali , He Qingqing , Hou Jinjun , Zhang Zijia , Zhou Jing , Zhou Yang , Shen Minmin , Yan Qiang , Wu Wanying 
Published: September 2024

AbstractIntroductionAmomum fruit, also known as Sharen, serves as both a functional food and a traditional Chinese medicine with significant pharmacological activities. However, there are three botanical origins of Amomum fruit: Amomum villosum Lour. (AVL), Amomum villosum Lour. var. xanthioides T. L. (AVX), and Amomum longiligulare T. L. Wu (ALW).ObjectiveConducting a comprehensive chemical composition analysis of Amomum fruit from three botanical origins aims to identify potential differences in metabolic characteristics.MethodsTo annotate the metabolic characteristic ions of multi‐origin Amomum fruit, we employed metabolomic techniques, including ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with linear ion trap‐Orbitrap–tandem mass spectrometry (MS) and gas chromatography–MS, in conjunction with feature‐based molecular networking technology. Additionally, chemometrics was utilized to examine the correlations between the various botanical origins.ResultsA total of 201 non‐volatile and 151 volatile metabolites were annotated, and most of the proanthocyanidins and flavonoids were identified by feature‐based molecular networking. Additionally, 61 non‐volatile and 45 volatile feature ions were screened out for classification. Principal component analysis, orthogonal projection to latent structures discrimination analysis, and heat map analysis were employed to clearly distinguish the metabolite profiles of Amomum fruit from different origins. Hierarchical clustering analysis indicated that proanthocyanidins C1 and C2, as well as proanthocyanins oligomers, show significant differential expression between AVX and AVL, which could be the new quality markers for the classification.ConclusionClassification of the botanical origin of Amomum fruit based on LC–MS characteristic ions proved to be more advantageous. This study introduces new strategies and technical support for the quality control of Amomum fruit and facilitates the identification of unknown compounds for future research.
Prediction of Ca2+ Binding Site in Proteins With a Fast and Accurate Method Based on Statistical Mechanics and Analysis of Crystal Structures
Authors: Basit Abdul , Choudhury Devapriya , Bandyopadhyay Pradipta 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTPredicting the precise locations of metal binding sites within metalloproteins is a crucial challenge in biophysics. A fast, accurate, and interpretable computational prediction method can complement the experimental studies. In the current work, we have developed a method to predict the location of Ca2+ ions in calcium‐binding proteins using a physics‐based method with an all‐atom description of the proteins, which is substantially faster than the molecular dynamics simulation‐based methods with accuracy as good as data‐driven approaches. Our methodology uses the three‐dimensional reference interaction site model (3D‐RISM), a statistical mechanical theory, to calculate Ca2+ ion density around protein structures, and the locations of the Ca2+ ions are obtained from the density. We have taken previously used datasets to assess the efficacy of our method as compared to previous works. Our accuracy is 88%, comparable with the FEATURE program, one of the well‐known data‐driven methods. Moreover, our method is physical, and the reasons for failures can be ascertained in most cases. We have thoroughly examined the failed cases using different structural and crystallographic measures, such as B‐factor, R‐factor, electron density map, and geometry at the binding site. It has been found that x‐ray structures have issues in many of the failed cases, such as geometric irregularities and dubious assignment of ion positions. Our algorithm, along with the checks for structural accuracy, is a major step in predicting calcium ion positions in metalloproteins.
Mechanism of Iron‐Catalyzed C—H Alkenylation of Pivalophenone Derivatives With Unsymmetric Internal Alkynes
Authors: Santoro Stefano 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTThe mechanism of an iron‐catalyzed C—H alkenylation of pivalophenone derivatives with unsymmetric internal alkynes is investigated in details by means of density functional theory calculations. It is shown that the reaction begins with two consecutive ligand exchanges, followed by a fast and reversible oxidative addition C—H activation step. Next, an alkyne insertion into the Fe—H bond, two isomerization steps, and a reductive elimination afford the final product. The reductive elimination is the turnover‐limiting step of the process, and also determines the regiochemical outcome of the reaction. The origin of the regioselectivity is proposed to be the steric repulsion between the bulky trimethylsilyl group and the aromatic fragment in the reductive elimination step leading to the not observed regioisomer.
Modification and testing of SWAT for paddy field water consumption and yield
Authors: Chen Jialong , Li Yalong , Luo Wenbing , Yu Lei , Zou Zhike , Wang Wenjuan , Huang Shaozhe , Tang Chi , Ye Lei , Xiao Xue 
Published: September 2024

AbstractSWAT model is one of the primary tools for assessing irrigation district water management and water‐saving measures. However, its incapacity to consider the diverse growth and water requirements of paddy during various growth stages, as well as the insufficient availability of external water sources. This study introduces the Penman‐Monteith equation and Jensen model into the SWAT framework, setting crop coefficients, crop base coefficients, and growth stage sensitivity indices based on the different growth stage. Additionally, modifications are made to the external water source available for irrigation and paddy field leakage modules, establishing a distributed agricultural hydrological model suitable for accurately simulating water balance elements and paddy yield in multi‐source irrigation districts. The Yangshudang watershed in the Zhanghe irrigation district is chosen for the evaluation of the modified model's simulation performance, with a quantitative assessment of water‐saving and yield‐increasing effects. The results demonstrate that the modified model effectively meets the requirements for simulating paddy evapotranspiration of various growth stages, yield, agricultural irrigation water consumptions, and runoff, exhibiting a notable enhancement in performance. As two common water‐saving measures in irrigation areas, intermittent irrigation and irrigation district renovation were used as two water‐saving scenarios in the simulation of the modified SWAT model. Under intermittent irrigation, the watershed experiences a 6.58% reduction in net irrigation water use. In the scenario with irrigation district renovation, the water resources in the watershed are utilized more efficiently. The modified model from this study can be applied for assessing the synergistic effects of irrigation district water‐saving and yield‐increasing measures, providing crucial insights for the formulation of irrigation district water‐saving strategies and water resource optimization plans.
Novel FRET‐based Immunological Synapse Biosensor for the Prediction of Chimeric Antigen Receptor‐T Cell Function
Authors: Lee Hae Nim , Lee Soojin , Hong Jisu , Yoo Hyejin , Jeong Jiyun , Kim Yong‐Woo , Shin Hyun Mu , Jang Mihue , Lee Chang‐Han , Kim Hang‐Rae , Seong Jihye 
Published: September 2024

AbstractChimeric antigen receptor (CAR)‐T cell therapy has revolutionized cancer treatment. CARs are activated at the immunological synapse (IS) when their single‐chain variable fragment (scFv) domain engages with an antigen, allowing them to directly eliminate cancer cells. Here, an innovative IS biosensor based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) for the real‐time assessment of CAR‐IS architecture and signaling competence is presented. Using this biosensor, scFv variants for mesothelin‐targeting CARs and identified as a novel scFv with enhanced CAR‐T cell functionality despite its lower affinity than the original screened. The original CAR promoted internalization and trogocytosis, disrupting stable IS formation and impairing functionality are further observed. These findings emphasize the importance of enhancing IS quality rather than maximizing scFv affinity for superior CAR‐T cell responses. Therefore, the FRET‐based IS biosensor is a powerful tool for predicting CAR‐T cell function, enabling the efficient engineering of next‐generation CARs with enhanced antitumor potency.
Multi‐locus genome‐wide association study for grain yield and drought tolerance indices in sorghum accessions
Authors: Tsehaye Yirgalem , Menamo Temesgen M. , Abay Fetien , Tadesse Taye , Bantte Kassahun 
Published: September 2024

AbstractDrought is a significant factor that causes yield loss in essential cereal crops such as sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], necessitating the development of drought‐tolerant varieties adaptable to various water conditions. This study aimed to pinpoint drought‐tolerant sorghum lines and genomic regions for tolerance by utilizing 216 sorghum accessions in stressed and non‐stressed environments at two locations. Genetic diversity was evident among accessions in terms of grain yield under different watering regimes. Drought stress indices such as the stress tolerance index, mean productivity, geometric mean productivity, harmonic mean productivity, yield stability index, and yield index were identified as effective measures for selecting drought‐tolerant sorghum. Cluster analysis classified genotypes into four groups based on their association with grain yield, highlighting Acc. #28546 and Acc. #216739 as highly drought tolerant across environments. This study identified 32 and 22 quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) for drought indices and grain yield under stress and non‐stress conditions, respectively, at two locations, with five common QTNs linked to multiple drought indices. Colocation analysis revealed that these QTNs were associated with known stay‐green‐related quantitative trait loci (QTLs), and 47 putative genes near these QTNs potentially influenced drought tolerance traits. It is suggested that accession selection considers multiple indices for robust evaluation. Understanding the identified genes and their functions provides insights into the genetic mechanisms governing plant responses to drought stress, offering prospects for developing improved drought‐resistant sorghum varieties through further genetic research.
Effect of dietary medicinal plants on physiological responses of broiler chickens challenged with Campylobacter jejuni
Authors: Nazari Zaynab , Shirzadi Hassan , Taherpour Kamran , Rahmatnejad Enayat , Khatibjoo Ali 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundPhytogenic additives would be helpful to alleviate the adverse effect of Campylobacter jejuni on the performance and physiological responses of broiler chickens.ObjectiveThis experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of Echinacea purpurea (EP) and Thymbra spicata (TS) on the performance, nutrient digestibility, serum biochemistry, intestinal morphology, intestinal microbiota and immune responses of broilers challenged with C. jejuni from 0 to 42 days of age.MethodsA total of 240 male broiler chickens were divided into 6 groups and fed various diets: a control diet; the control diet supplemented with EP at 0.25% (EP25) or 0.50% (EP50); the control diet supplemented with TS at 0.25% (TS25) and 0.50% (TS50); or the control diet containing erythromycin at 55 ppm. Chicks were orally challenged with C. jejuni on Days 21 and 23 of age.ResultsEP and TS25 diets enhanced European production efficiency factor, feed conversion ratio and digestibility of dry matter and organic matter. TS25 increased duodenal villous height (VH) and surface area on Day 42 of age. EP25 diet increased ileal VH compared to control and erythromycin diets. Diets containing certain EP25 and TS increased the Bifidobacterium population and decreased C. jejuni population on Day 39 of age. EP50 and TS50 diets increased antibody titration against Newcastle disease virus.ConclusionsIn conclusion, EP and TS dietary supplementation improved performance, microflora, intestinal morphology and immune responses in C. jejuni‐challenged broilers.