bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fractional‐Order Kinetics Modeling of Starch Thermal Degradation
Authors: Roldan‐Cruz César , García‐Hernandez Angeles , Fonseca‐Florido Heidi Andrea , Vernon‐Carter Eduardo Jaime , Alvarez‐Ramirez Jose 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe thermal decomposition modeling of starch granules (rice, maize, and potato) is investigated in this work. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) under nitrogen conditions and different heating rates is carried out. First, a model‐free analysis is carried out to determine the variability of the activation energy with the relative conversion. The results reveal that the sequence of activation energy is rice > maize > potato. In turn, the activation energy is positively correlated (ρ  =  0.98) with the relative crystallinity determined by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Then, a fractional‐order version of the Sestak–Berggren equation is used to model the starch thermal decomposition. A least‐squares approach is used to estimate the underlying parameters by fitting non‐isothermal TGA curves. The results show that the parameters depend on the heating rate, but more strongly on the XRD relative crystallinity. Overall, the results reported in this study indicate that fractional‐order kinetics models provide an accurate description of the starch thermal degradation, without the use of the traditional TGA heuristic methods used for parameter estimation.
Using a smartphone‐based digital fundus camera for screening of retinal and optic nerve diseases in veterinary medicine: A preliminary investigation
Authors: Sebbag Lionel , Ofri Ron , Arad Dikla , Handel Karin W. , Pe'er Oren 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundOphthalmoscopy is a valuable tool in clinical practice. We report the use of a novel smartphone‐based handheld device for visualisation and photo‐documentation of the ocular fundus in veterinary medicine.MethodsSelected veterinary patients of a referral ophthalmology service were included if one or both eyes had clear ocular media, allowing for examination of the fundus. Following pharmacological mydriasis, fundic images were obtained with a handheld fundus camera (Volk VistaView). For comparison, the fundus of a subset of animals was also imaged with a veterinary‐specific fundus camera (Optomed Smartscope VET2).ResultsThe large field of view achieved by the Volk VistaView allowed for rapid and thorough observation of the ocular fundus in animals, providing a tool to visualise and record common pathologies of the posterior segment. Captured fundic images were sometimes overexposed, with the tapetal fundus artificially appearing hyperreflective when using the Volk VistaView camera, a finding that was less frequent when activating a ‘veterinary mode’ that reduced the sensitivity of the camera's sensor. The Volk VistaView compared well with the Optomed Smartscope VET2.LimitationThe main study limitation was the small sample size.ConclusionsThe Volk VistaView camera was easy to use and provided good‐quality fundic images in veterinary patients with healthy or diseased eyes, offering a wide field of view that was ideal for screening purposes.
Temperature dependence investigations of molecular interactions and excess thermodynamic parameters of binary mixtures of ionic liquids and water using Flory's statistical theory
Authors: Sirohi Archana , Upmanyu Arun , Dhiman Monika , Kumar Pankaj , Singh Devinder Pal 
Published: April 2024

AbstractFlory's Statistical Theory (FST) has been applied to investigate excess thermodynamical parameters viz., excess enthalpy, excess entropy, and excess Gibbs free energy for eight binary mixtures of ionic liquids and water at different concentration and temperatures. The concentration and temperature dependent variations of excess enthalpy suggest that ionic liquid mixtures exhibit an endothermic nature and the presence of weak dispersive forces among their constituents. The positive excess Gibbs free energy of mixing points out that the pure components do not mix thoroughly for the systems under study. Overall, these binary systems are thermodynamically unfavorable suggesting that the mixing of ionic liquids and water is not energetically favored or spontaneous. Experimental molar volumes are compared with those calculated using FST and these values show excellent agreement. It affirms the validity of FST's application to these systems. Additionally, some partial properties have also been determined to explore the solute‐solvent interactions. The Redlich‐Kister (R‐K) polynomial model has been applied to excess thermodynamical parameters The high R2 values and low standard deviation values confirm the validity of fitting the RK polynomial model to the functions obtained using FST of liquids for these systems within the given temperature range.
Microwave‐assisted green synthesized TiO2 mediated nano photocatalytic degradation of prulifloxacin: A mechanistic study
Authors: Ahmad Waseem , Arora Anshika , Rana Rinku 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe present investigation reports an effective, environmentally benevolent method for the removal of pharmaceutical waste from the contaminated water. Popular fluoroquinolone antibiotic prulifloxacin residue was taken as a sample of contaminant. Different irradiation conditions were used to explore the ability of TiO2 nanoparticles in the photodegradation of prulifloxacin. Aqueous lichen extract was used to fabricate the TiO2 nanoparticles. The assessment of the physical and chemical properties of the fabricated materials was examined by using well‐established analytical methodologies. The UV–vis spectra depicted the surface plasmon resonance peak at 282 nm. The XRD spectra revealed the particle nature of the developed nanomaterials and the result of the XRD spectrum depicted that the average diameter of the fabricated materials was found to be in the range of 20–30 nm. The FTIR spectra depicted the characteristic band at 750 cm−1, which corresponded to the Ti─O stretching mode of vibration. The SEM micrograph of the developed nanoparticles exhibited the irregular morphology of the developed nanoparticles. The present report critically analyzes the possible route of the degradation of prulifloxacin in the presence of microwave‐assisted green synthesized TiO2 NPs. The photodegradation of the prulifloxacin was not notably influenced by reactive oxygen species. Diverse analytical techniques were utilized to perform the structural analysis of the photoproduct. Results of the proposed investigation indicate that the rate of the photodegradation of prulifloxcin is highest when the drug is irradiated at 310 nm light in the presence of TiO2 NPs.
Degradation of several chlorophenols using advanced oxidative processes: Major and minor products
Authors: Lebedeva Olga E. , Buchelnikov Anatoly S. , Kalashnikova Yulia V. , Ustinova Maria N. , Solovyeva Anna A. , Gudkova Elena A. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis study focuses on finding direct evidence of oxidative degradation of chlorophenols. The aim of the study was distinguishing major and minor degradation products. Several chlorophenols with different numbers of chloride substituents (2‐chlorophenol, 2,4‐dichlorophenol, and 2,4,5‐trichlorophenol) were chosen for a thorough study. UV photolysis, Fenton, and photo‐Fenton processes were tested as advanced oxidative processes. Photo‐Fenton appeared to result in higher conversions of mono‐ and dichlorophenols. Conversions of trichlorophenol were comparable for all the processes under this study. Formic and acetic acids were shown to be the major products. Their formation was confirmed by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Other possible products are minor and are formed in negligible concentrations. The degradation methods can be considered harmless techniques of inactivating the chlorophenols, leading to the formation of products of low toxicity.
Impact of water‐in‐diesel emulsion on compression ignition engine's emissions and its challenges—A detailed review
Authors: Onuoha Chiamaka Prisca , Etim Ini‐ibehe Nabuk , Oguzie Emeka Emmanuel 
Published: April 2024

AbstractCompression ignition engines/diesel engines release greenhouse gases like particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and, unburnt hydrocarbons which pose environmental and human health risks. Water‐in‐diesel emulsion (WiDE) has emerged as a cost‐effective alternative fuel for reducing the emission of these gases in diesel engines. This paper reviews the effectiveness of using emulsion fuel in engines to reduce harmful emissions as well as the challenges associated with WiDE, which include emulsion stability and corrosion. The review is based on available experimental results from various studies in the literature. While there are a few conflicting outcomes among researchers, the majority of results support the benefits of using WiDE in a compression engine as the PM and NOx emissions, significantly decreased. The decrease in NOx is a result of the flame reaching a lower peak temperature during combustion. The reduction in PM occurs as a result of the micro‐explosion process, which enhances combustion efficiency. Even though WiDE significantly reduces the environmental impact of diesel engines, this study also shows that WiDE faces stability problems and enhances the corrosion of materials. The development of a systematic methodology that can accurately measure emulsion stability, the in‐depth study of the impacts of surfactant dosage, water content and temperature on the corrosion behavior of metals in WiDE and also the development of anti‐corrosion intervention suggestions have been suggested based on the analysis of earlier research.
Removal of antiretroviral drugs from wastewater using activated macadamia nutshells: Adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherms, and thermodynamic studies
Authors: Simelane Lindokuhle , Mahlambi Precious , Rochat Sebastien , Baker Ben 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAntiretroviral drugs (ARVDs) have been extensively employed in health care to improve the quality of life and lifecycle longevity. However, overuse and improper disposal of ARVDs have been recognized as an emerging concern whereby wastewater treatment major recipients. Therefore, in this work, the activated macadamia nutshells (MCNs) were explored as low‐cost adsorbents for the removal of ARVDs in wastewater samples. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmet–Teller (BET), and Powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD). The highest removal efficiency (R.E) was above 86% for the selected analytes nevirapine, abacavir, and efavirenz. The maximum adsorption capacity of the functionalized MCN adsorbent was 10.79, 27.44, and 38.17 mg/g for nevirapine, abacavir, and efavirenz for HCl‐modified adsorbent. In contrast, NaOH modified had adsorption capacities of 13.67, 14.25, and 20.79 mg/g. The FTIR showed distinct functional groups OH and CO, which facilitate the removal of selected ARVDs. From studying kinetics parameters, the pseudo‐second‐order (R2 = 0.990–0.996) was more dominant than the pseudo‐first‐order (R2 = 0.872–0.994). The experimental data was most fitted in the Freundlich model with (R2 close to 1). The thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermic. The study indicated that MCNs are an eco‐friendly, low‐cost, and effective adsorbent for the removal of nevirapine, abacavir, and efavirenz.Practitioner Points
Modification macadamia nutshell with HCl and NaOH improved physio‐chemical properties that yielded high removal efficiency compared with raw macadamia nutshells.
Modification of macadamia by HCl showed high removal efficiency, which could be attributed to high interaction such as H‐bonding that improves adsorption.
The macadamia nutshell as an adsorbent showed so much robustness with regeneration studies yielding to about 69.64% of selected compounds.
Polynomial stability for Lord–Shulman porous elasticity with microtemperature and strong time delay
Authors: Ramos Anderson J. A. , Araujo Anderson L. A. , Freitas Mirelson M. , Santos Manoel J. Dos , Noé Alberto S. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn this paper, we study a porous thermoelastic system with microtemperature and strong time delay acting on the volume fraction equation. The thermal effect of microtemperature is based on the Lord–Shulman theory (J Mech Phys Solids. 15(5) (1967), 299–309.), while the strong delay is motivated by Makheloufi's et al. recent work (Math Meth Appl Sci. 44 (2021), 6301–6317.). To prove the well‐posedness of the system, lack of exponential stability and the polynomial decay with optimal rate, we use the semigroup theory of linear operators.
Investment Arbitration, Corruption and Illegality: South Korea
Authors: Kim Joongi 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis chapter provides an overview of Korea’s investment treaty regime and its provisions and practice concerning corruption and illegality. It further analyzes how these issues have featured in cases related to Korea and Korean investors. Korea has become a leading exporter and significant importer of foreign direct investment. To protect and promote inbound and outbound investment, Korea has established one of the most wide-ranging and extensive regimes of international investment agreements in the world, primarily through an array of bilateral investment treaties and free trade agreements with investment chapters. However, their provisions related to corruption and illegality are generally not developed. For instance, most of Korea’s treaties do not include an explicit requirement for the host states to take measures against corruption. Korean treaties also vary in terms of how they require foreign investments to be made in accordance with host state laws. Korea’s passivity regarding such provisions seems unaffected by foreign investors increasingly commencing arbitrations against the country recently and Korean investors also becoming more active in bringing outbound claims. While the extent that corruption or illegality features in cases brought by Korean investors remain largely unknown, some of the cases against Korea have corruption and illegality related elements. There is no indication that Korea may become more proactive in terms of corruption provisions, but there are some signs it is pursuing more and clearer legality provisions. Nevertheless, it is foreseeable that Korea might become more proactive in promoting both types of provisions in future treaties as part of its commitment to transparency.
Does Corruption Hinder Foreign Direct Investment and Growth in Asia and Beyond? The Grabbing Versus the Helping Hand Revisited
Authors: Khalid Ahmed M. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractCorruption is considered a major issue globally, particularly for developing countries, as it takes away important resources resulting in huge costs to the economy. This is especially true in the case of attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in the host country. However, the theoretical literature contains counter-arguments, with some scholars agreeing with the above argument while others suggest that, in some cases, corrupt practices facilitate business transactions, thus helping to attract FDI. This chapter further explores this literature. It first provides a review of the theoretical and empirical literature on corruption–growth and corruption–investment relationships. This is followed by some interesting details on the cost of corruption. Subsequently, some econometric analysis is performed to verify the ‘grabbing hand’ and ‘helping hand’ views on the impact of corruption. The empirical findings of this chapter support a grabbing hand view for the top 20 (least corrupt) countries while the evidence suggests a helping hand view for the bottom 20 (most corrupt) countries. The author also finds evidence supporting a non-linearcorruption–growth and corruption–investment relationship for the sample of the 20 most corrupt countries. He believes that these are interesting findings and could have important policy implications.
Multi-Tiered International Anti-Corruption Cooperation in Asia: A Review of Treaties and Prospects
Authors: Yan Yueming , Liu Tianyu 
Published: April 2024

AbstractEffective international cooperation is essential for combating the pervasive and far-reaching problem of transnational corruption. This chapter focuses on the anti-corruption commitments and cooperation among Asian countries in the context of international investment. It firstly examines the legal framework against corruption in Asia at both the international and regional levels, encompassing both ‘hard law’ and ‘soft law’ instruments. In addition, the chapter presents a comprehensive analysis of the anti-corruption provisions in international investment agreements concluded by Asian countries. The review of these agreements reveals that provisions of direct anti-corruption obligations imposed on investors are still elusive among Asian investment agreements, whereas provisions that demonstrate states’ general commitments to combatting corruption are more common. The chapter highlights the importance of more nuanced treaty-making practices in addressing corruption, as well as the need to align commitments made under investment agreements with those of other international instruments aimed at tackling corruption.
Rebalancing Asymmetries Between Host States and Investors in Asian Investor–State Dispute Settlement: An Exception for Systemic Corruption
Authors: Jarrett Martin 
Published: April 2024

AbstractConsider the following case. An investor is building an apartment complex. Halfway into developing this multi-million-ducat investment, a government department starts demanding bribes, which is business as usual for it. The investor initially resists, but eventually caves in. Years later, the host state seeks to use the investor’s participation in this corruption against it in an investment-treaty arbitration. The applicable investment treaty stipulates that only lawfully made investments are protected, with the result that the investor must fail. Any arbitral tribunal would be uncomfortable with this outcome. The degree of wrongfulness of the investor’s conduct pales in comparison to the host state's, noting that the host state has let many of its governmental departments become dens of corruption. But the arbitral tribunal’s hands are apparently tied. The terms of the applicable investment treaty are clear: the investor's claim must be denied, with an asymmetric outcome that effectively benefits the state. This chapter unties arbitral tribunals’ hands. It lays down another path for these tribunals to follow in such cases, one which avoids this outcome, yet remains honest to the tenets of international investment law.
Dark Matter searches with photons at the LHC
Authors: Roy Subhojit , Wagner Carlos E. M. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
We unveil blind spot regions in dark matter (DM) direct detection (DMDD), for weakly interacting massive particles with a mass around a few hundred GeV that may reveal interesting photon signals at the LHC. We explore a scenario where the DM primarily originates from the singlet sector within the Z3-symmetric Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (NMSSM). A novel DMDD spin-independent blind spot condition is revealed for singlino-dominated DM, in cases where the mass parameters of the higgsino and the singlino-dominated lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP) exhibit opposite relative signs (i.e., κ < 0), emphasizing the role of nearby bino and higgsino-like states in tempering the singlino-dominated LSP. Additionally, proximate bino and/or higgsino states can act as co-annihilation partner(s) for singlino-dominated DM, ensuring agreement with the observed relic abundance of DM. Remarkably, in scenarios involving singlino-higgsino co-annihilation, higgsino-like neutralinos can distinctly favor radiative decay modes into the singlino-dominated LSP and a photon, as opposed to decays into leptons/hadrons. In exploring this region of parameter space within the singlino-higgsino compressed scenario, we study the signal associated with at least one relatively soft photon alongside a lepton, accompanied by substantial missing transverse energy (ɆT) and a hard initial state radiation jet at the LHC. In the context of singlino-bino co-annihilation, the bino state, as the next-to-LSP, exhibits significant radiative decay into a soft photon and the LSP, enabling the possible exploration at the LHC through the triggering of this soft photon alongside large ɆT and relatively hard leptons/jets resulting from the decay of heavier higgsino-like states.
Hebammen als Influencer bei der Hautpflege atopisch prädisponierter Neugeborener
Authors: Staubach-Renz Petra , Schulz Sara , Weyer-Elberich Veronika , Peveling-Oberhag Adriane , Zimmer Sebastian , Wegner Joanna , Sohn Anna , Mann Caroline , Lang Berenice M. 
Published: April 2024

Zusammenfassung
Einleitung
Die Prävalenz atopischer Erkrankungen ist weiterhin hoch. Erste Studien deuten darauf hin, dass die Primärprävention mit regelmäßiger Basispflege das Auftreten von atopischer Dermatitis bei Säuglingen beeinflussen könnte, allerdings ist die Datenlage nicht ganz eindeutig. Hebammen spielen eine wichtige Rolle bei der Betreuung von Frauen in der Peripartalzeit und damit auch in der Beratung zu Themen wie Hautpflege, Stillen und Ernährung des Neugeborenen und jungen Säuglings. Ziel dieser Studie war es, die Pflegeempfehlungen für Neugeborene durch Hebammen zu ermitteln.

Methoden
Wir führten eine Querschnittsbefragung unter deutschen Hebammen mittels Fragebogen zum Thema Hautpflege von Neugeborenen durch.

Ergebnisse
Es wurden 128 Fragebögen ausgewertet. Die häufigsten Empfehlungen waren pflanzliche Externa auf öliger Basis (34,9 %) und klares Wasser (34,0 %). Etwa 70 % der Hebammen gaben an, verschiedene Optionen zu empfehlen, wenn in der Familie eine atopische Diathese bekannt ist. Bemerkenswert war, dass die meisten Empfehlungen der Hebammen unabhängig vom Vorliegen einer atopischen Diathese dennoch identisch waren. Substanzielle Pflegeprodukte werden nur „bei Bedarf“ verwendet.

Schlussfolgerung
Schulungsprogramme für Hebammen zum Thema „Pflege und Stärkung der Hautbarriere“ unter Berücksichtigung der geltenden Leitlinien zur Allergieprävention sollten durchgeführt werden.
Breaking barriers in electrochemical biosensing using bioinspired peptide and phage probes
Authors: Campuzano Susana , Pedrero María , Barderas Rodrigo , Pingarrón José M. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractElectrochemical biosensing continues to advance tirelessly, overcoming barriers that have kept it from leaving research laboratories for many years. Among them, its compromised performance in complex biological matrices due to fouling or receptor stability issues, the limitations in determining toxic and small analytes, and its use, conditioned to the commercial availability of commercial receptors and the exploration of natural molecular interactions, deserved to be highlighted. To address these challenges, in addition to the intrinsic properties of electrochemical biosensing, its coupling with biomimetic materials has played a fundamental role, among which bioinspired phage and peptide probes stand out. The versatility in design and employment of these probes has opened an unimaginable plethora of possibilities for electrochemical biosensing, improving their performance far beyond the development of highly sensitive and selective devices. The state of the art offers robust electroanalytical biotools, capable of operating in complex samples and with exciting opportunities to discover and determine targets regardless of their toxicity and size, the commercial availability of bioreceptors, and prior knowledge of molecular interactions. With all this in mind, this review offers a panoramic, novel, and updated vision of both the tremendous advances and opportunities offered by the combination of electrochemical biosensors with bioinspired phage and peptide probes and the challenges and research efforts that are envisioned in the immediate future.
Graphical Abstract