bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synergistic protection of borate and silicate salts composite for controlling the chloride-induced pitting and uniform corrosion of steel reinforcement bars embedded in mortars
Authors: Hussain Raja Rizwan , Alhozaimy Abdulrahman , Al-Negheimish Abdulaziz , Singh D. D. N. , Ahmed Mshtaq 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn this study, the efficacy of the combined effect of borate and silicate alkali metal salts added to mortars for controlling the chloride-induced uniform and localized corrosion of embedded steel rebars is examined. The individually added salts in mortars are found to have insignificant effects in terms of reducing the uniform corrosion rate and localized damage. However, their combination (0.50% sodium tetra borate + 0.10% sodium silicate added with respect to the weight of the binder) provides complete protection to reinforcements tested for long durations under wet/dry treatments with mortars in saline water and laboratory atmospheres. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, direct current cyclic polarization, polarization resistance, and visual observations are used for quantitative and qualitative evaluations of the protective effects of the tested additives. X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis of the corrosion products formed on the embedded steel surfaces help explain the possible mechanisms behind the considerable improvement in the inhibitive effects of a mixed composition of borate and silicate. This combination also improves the compressive strength and workability of the mixed concrete. The results reveal that the synergistic protection provided by a mixture of borate and silicate can be attributed to the co-deposition of an iron-boron + ferrosilicate + cortensitite (an iron-silicon phase) film on the rebar surface.
Elastic wave prospecting of water-conducting fractured zones in coal mining
Authors: Zhao Bingchao , He Shenglin , Bai Kun , Lu Xiaoxiao , Wang Wei 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn order to understand the development law of water-conducting fractures in overlying strata during the mining process of coal seam, an elastic wave exploration method based on key stratum theory is proposed to predict the height of water-conducting fracture zone. Taking Yushen mining area as the background, the development and evolution of fractures and the three-dimensional distribution characteristics of water-conducting fracture zone are studied by combining well-ground microseismic monitoring, high-density three-dimensional seismic exploration, borehole investigation, FLAC3D numerical simulation and similar physical simulation tests. The results indicate that the trial mining face's fracture-to-coal ratio ranges from 25.86 to 30.76, with the maximum fracture-to-coal ratio near the cutting eye at 30.76 and the minimum in the central portion of the trial mining face at 25.86. The primary characteristics of rock mass fracture distribution in the mined area are the development of fractures predominantly along high-angle and even vertical bedding planes. Within the fracture zone, fractures increase from top to bottom, with high-angle fractures developing in the lower section and high-angle and horizontal fractures developing simultaneously in the upper section. The water-conducting fracture zone undergoes a developmental process from inception to development, reaching its maximum height, and eventually stabilizing as coal seam mining progresses, overlying rock subsides, strata separation, and damage formation. The three-dimensional shape of the water-conducting fracture zone in the roof of the Yushen mining area exhibits a morphological pattern where the height of the fracture zone gradually decreases from the cutting eye towards the goaf. It also transitions from high to low along both sides and from the periphery towards the interior of the working face. In the trend and strike directions, it exhibits saddle-like characteristics. By comparing the monitoring results, the rationality of the elastic wave prospecting method for predicting the height of water-conducting fracture zones based on critical layer theory was verified. This research holds significant reference value for coal mining under similar geological conditions, especially in terms of water preservation during mining operations.
Comparative life cycle assessment of environmental impacts and economic feasibility of tomato cultivation systems in northern plains of India
Authors: Kumar Rohit , Bhardwaj Arvind , Singh Lakhwinder Pal , Singh Gurraj , Kumar Anupam , Pattnayak Kanhu Charan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractTo meet the growing demand for vegetable production and promote sustainable agriculture, it is imperative to implement effective input management and adopt eco-friendly farming practices. This study aims to compare the environmental impacts of conventional and organic tomato cultivation in the northern plains of India. This study utilizes SimaPro 9.1.1 software for a comprehensive cradle-to-farm gate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), assessing production stages, identifying key environmental factors, and incorporating ReCiPe Midpoint and Endpoint methods with one-hectare as a functional unit. Findings reveal that conventional cultivation is more affected by fertilizer application and transplanting, while organic cultivation emphasizes transplanting and irrigation. Organic cultivation contributes 904.708 kg CO2, while conventional cultivation contributes 1307.917 kg CO2 to Global Warming potential. Switching to organic cultivation leads to a significant 35.04% decrease in all impact categories. Using the endpoint method, organic cultivation achieves a notable 27.16% reduction, scoring 58.30 compared to conventional cultivation's 80.04. The LCA analysis of tomato cultivation highlights Fertilizer application as the predominant environmental concern, emphasizing the need for sustainable techniques to minimize waste and mitigate environmental impacts. This study recommends imposing restrictions on fertilizer and pesticide use and formulating effective policies to promote the adoption of sustainable practices.
Prevalence of diabetic kidney disease and the associated factors among patients with type 2 diabetes in a multi-ethnic Asian country
Authors: Wan Kim Sui , Hairi Noran Naqiah , Mustapha Feisul , Mohd Yusoff Muhammad Fadhli , Mat Rifin Halizah , Ismail Mastura , Moy Foong Ming , Ahmad Noor Ani 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe actual prevalence of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Malaysia is unknown. We aimed to determine the prevalence of DKD and its associated risk factors among T2D patients in Malaysia. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted using the year 2022 clinical audit dataset from the National Diabetes Registry. DKD was defined as albuminuria, a decreased glomerular filtration rate, or both. Among 80,360 patients, 62.2% were female, 68.4% were Malay, and the mean age was 61.4 years. A total of 56.7% (95% CI 56.4–57.1%) of patients were found to have DKD. Increasing age, male sex, Malay ethnicity, longer duration of diabetes, overweight, obesity, hypertension, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic foot ulcer, nontraumatic lower-extremity amputation, ischaemic heart disease, stroke, insulin, higher numbers of antihypertensive agents, antiplatelet agents, poorer HbA1c control, higher systolic blood pressure, non-achievement of triglyceride target, and non-attainment of HDL-cholesterol goal were independent risk factors associated with DKD. Clinicians, program managers, and health policymakers should target modifiable factors to manage DKD and prevent its progression to end-stage kidney disease in Malaysia.
Identification of HDAC9 and ARRDC4 as potential biomarkers and targets for treatment of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Liu Jing , Meng Lingzhen , Liu Zhihong , Lu Ming , Wang Ruiying 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWe aimed to identify the key potential insulin resistance (IR)-related genes and investigate their correlation with immune cell infiltration in type 2 diabetes (T2D). The GSE78721 dataset (68 diabetic patients and 62 controls) was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and utilized for single-sample gene set enrichment analysis. IR-related genes were obtained from the Comparative Toxicology Genetics Database, and the final IR-differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened by intersecting with the DEGs obtained from the GSE78721 datasets. Functional enrichment analysis was performed, and the networks of the target gene with microRNA, transcription factor, and drug were constructed. Hub genes were identified based on a protein–protein interaction network. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and Random Forest and Boruta analysis were combined to screen diagnostic biomarkers in T2D, which were validated using the GSE76894 (19 diabetic patients and 84 controls) and GSE9006 (12 diabetic patients and 24 controls) datasets. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to validate the biomarker expression in IR mice and control mice. In addition, infiltration of immune cells in T2D and their correlation with the identified markers were computed using CIBERSORT. We identified differential immune gene set regulatory T-cells in the GSE78721 dataset, and T2D samples were assigned into three clusters based on immune infiltration. A total of 2094 IR-DEGs were primarily enriched in response to endoplasmic reticulum stress. Importantly, HDAC9 and ARRDC4 were identified as markers of T2D and associated with different levels of immune cell infiltration. HDAC9 mRNA level were higher in the IR mice than in control mice, while ARRDC4 showed the opposite trend. In summary, we discovered potential vital biomarkers that contribute to immune cell infiltration associated with IR, which offers a new sight of immunotherapy for T2D.
Impact of media supplements FGF2, LIF and IGF1 on the genome activity of porcine embryos produced in vitro
Authors: Rosenbaum Bartkova Alexandra , Nemcova Lucie , Strejcek Frantisek , Gad Ahmed , Kinterova Veronika , Morovic Martin , Benc Michal , Prochazka Radek , Laurincik Jozef 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn this article, we focused on the impact of precisely chemically modified FLI maturation medium enriched with fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and its potential to improve the efficiency of in vitro production of porcine embryos. We hypothesized that enhancing the composition of the maturation medium could result in an elevated production of embryos in vitro and can affect EGA. FLI medium resulted in a significantly higher rate of oocyte blastocyst maturation and formation compared to the control DMEM medium. In addition, immunocytochemical labelling confirmed the detection of UBF in 4-cell FLI parthenogenic embryos, suggesting similarities with natural embryo development. Through RNAseq analysis, upregulated genes present in 4-cell FLI embryos were found to play key roles in important biological processes such as cell proliferation, cell differentiation, and transcriptional regulation. Based on our findings, we demonstrated the positive influence of FLI medium in the evaluation of in vitro embryo production, EGA detection, transcriptomic and proteomic profile, which was confirmed by the positive activation of the embryonal genome in the 4-cell stage of parthenogenetically activated embryos.
Going to extremes: progress in exploring new environments for novel antibiotics
Authors: Quinn Gerry A. , Dyson Paul J. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe discoveries of penicillin and streptomycin were pivotal for infection control with the knowledge subsequently being used to enable the discovery of many other antibiotics currently used in clinical practice. These valuable compounds are generally derived from mesophilic soil microorganisms, predominantly Streptomyces species. Unfortunately, problems with the replication of results suggested that this discovery strategy was no longer viable, motivating a switch to combinatorial chemistry in conjunction with existing screening programmes to derive new antimicrobials. However, the chemical space occupied by these synthetic products is vastly reduced compared to those of natural products. More recent approaches such as using artificial intelligence to ‘design’ synthetic ligands to dock with molecular targets suggest that chemical synthesis is still a promising option for discovery. It is important to employ diverse discovery strategies to combat the worrying increase in antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Here, we reconsider whether nature can supply innovative solutions to recalcitrant infections. Specifically, we assess progress in identifying novel antibiotic-producing organisms from extreme and unusual environments. Many of these organisms have adapted physiologies which often means they produce different repertoires of bioactive metabolites compared to their mesophilic counterparts, including antibiotics. In addition, we examine insights into the regulation of extremotolerant bacterial physiologies that can be harnessed to increase the production of clinically important antibiotics and stimulate the synthesis of new antibiotics in mesophilic microorganisms. Finally, we comment on the insights provided by combinatorial approaches to the treatment of infectious diseases that might enhance the efficacy of antibiotics and reduce the development of AMR.
A partial energy current‐sharing method for interleaved LLC converter with phase shift current balance module
Authors: Chen Hui , Ren Guohai , Yao Lihai 
Published: March 2024

AbstractA partial energy current‐sharing method for an interleaved LLC resonant converter with a phase shift current balance module (CBM) is presented in this paper. The current sharing is achieved by controlling the phase shift angle of the bridge in the CBM. The proposed method maintains excellent soft‐switching performance, minimizes power losses, and ensures high overall efficiency as only partial energy is processed. This method simplifies current sharing in the resonant converter by using phase shift control, making it easy to implement and extend to multiple phases. A 500‐kHz two‐phase interleaved LLC prototype was built to validate the effectiveness of this method in achieving current balancing.
Periodicity from X-ray sources within the inner Galactic disk
Authors: Mondal Samaresh , Ponti Gabriele , Bao Tong , Haberl Frank , Campana Sergio , Hailey Charles J. , Mandel Shifra , Mereghetti Sandro , Mori Kaya , Morris Mark R. , Rea Nanda , Sidoli Lara 
Published: March 2024

Aims. For many years it had been claimed that the Galactic ridge X-ray emission at the Galactic Center (GC) is truly diffuse in nature. However, with the advancement of modern X-ray satellites, it has been found that most of the diffuse emission actually comprises thousands of previously unresolved X-ray point sources. Furthermore, many studies suggest that a vast majority of these X-ray point sources are magnetic cataclysmic variables (CVs) and active binaries. One unambiguous way to identify these magnetic CVs and other sources is by detecting their X-ray periodicity. Therefore, we systematically searched for periodic X-ray sources in the inner Galactic disk, including the GC region.
Methods. We used data from our ongoing XMM-Newton Heritage Survey of the inner Galactic disk (350° ≲l ≲ +7° and −1° ≲b ≲ +1°) plus archival XMM-Newton observations of the GC. We computed the Lomb-Scargle periodogram for the soft (0.2–2 keV), hard (2–10 keV), and total (0.2–10 keV) band light curves to search for periodicities. Furthermore, we modeled the power spectrum using a power-law model to simulate 1000 artificial light curves and estimate the detection significance of the periodicity. We fitted the energy spectra of the sources using a simple power-law model plus three Gaussians, at 6.4, 6.7, and 6.9 keV, for the iron K emission complex.
Results. We detected periodicity in 26 sources. For 14 of them, this is the first discovery of periodicity. For the other 12 sources, we found periods similar to those already known, indicating no significant period evolution. The intermediate polar (IP) type sources display relatively hard spectra compared to polars. We also searched for the Gaia counterparts of the periodic sources to estimate their distances using the Gaia parallax. We found a likely Gaia counterpart for seven sources.
Conclusions. Based on the periodicity, hardness ratio, and the equivalent width of Fe K line emission, we have classified the sources into four categories: IPs, polars, neutron star X-ray binaries, and unknown. Of the 14 sources for which we detect the periodicity for the first time, four are likely IPs, five are likely polars, two are neutron star X-ray binaries, and three are of an unknown nature.
Copper-Catalyzed [4+1] and [4+2] Reactions through Tandem ­Remote Propargylation/Cyclization/Isomerization with an Amine or a Hydrazine
Authors: He Zhi-Tao , Sun Yu-Ze , Lin Guo-Qiang 
Published: March 2024

AbstractTwo novel copper-catalyzed cyclization reactions involving a remote propargylic substitution/cyclization/isomerization cascade are disclosed. Derivatives of the seldomly studied heterocycles thieno[2,3-c]pyrrole and thieno[2,3-d]pyridazine are conveniently synthesized in moderate to good yields from primary amines or arylhydrazines through [4+1] and [4+2] reactions, respectively. Preliminary mechanistic experiments corroborated the occurrence of the designed cascade reactions.
A CASSCF/MRCI trajectory surface hopping simulation of the photochemical dynamics and the gas phase ultrafast electron diffraction patterns of cyclobutanone
Authors: Miao Xincheng , Diemer Kira , Mitrić Roland 
Published: March 2024

We present the simulation of the photochemical dynamics of cyclobutanone induced by the excitation of the 3 s Rydberg state. For this purpose, we apply the complete active space self-consistent field method together with the spin–orbit multireference configuration interaction singles treatment, combined with the trajectory surface hopping for the inclusion of nonadiabatic effects. The simulations were performed in the spin-adiabatic representation, including nine electronic states derived from three singlet and two triplet spin-diabatic states. Our simulations reproduce the two previously observed primary dissociation channels: the C2 pathway yielding C2H4 + CH2CO and the C3 pathway producing c-C3H6 + CO. In addition, two secondary products, CH2 + CO from the C2 pathway and C3H6 from the C3 pathway, both of them previously reported, are also observed in our simulation. We determine the ratio of the C3:C2 products to be about 2.8. Our findings show that most of the trajectories reach their electronic ground state within 200 fs, with dissociation events finished after 300 fs. We also identify the minimum energy conical intersections that are responsible for the relaxation and provide an analysis of the photochemical reaction mechanism based on multidimensional scaling. Furthermore, we demonstrate a minimal impact of triplet states on the photodissociation mechanism within the observed timescale. In order to provide a direct link to experiments, we simulate the gas phase ultrafast electron diffraction patterns and connect their features to the underlying structural dynamics.
A pipe arrangement structure triboelectric nanogenerator for mechanical energy harvesting and sports training monitoring
Authors: Duan Zhiyuan , Ge Nan , Hong-Kwan Cho , Sin-Young Song 
Published: March 2024

Recently, intelligent wearable sensors applied in the field of smart sports have attracted much attention. Hence, we designed a pipe arrangement structure triboelectric nanogenerator (PA-TENG), and it can obtain mechanical energy and monitor sports motion. The triboelectric materials are composed of a polydimethylsiloxane layer attached to a silicone tube and nylon layer. The conductive copper attached to the silicone tube surface serves as a conductive electrode of the PA-TENG. Meanwhile, the soft silicone tube can endow the PA-TENG device with the ability to sense pressure. The results indicate that this silicone tube substrate can effectively adsorb conductive copper layers, and the conductive electrode layer still maintains good conductivity stability at different bending angles (15°–90°). The PA-TENG can achieve the maximum output power of 1.03 mW (matched load: 6 MΩ). The results indicate that the PA-TENG can attain the open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 190.05 V and the short-circuit current (Isc) of 1.98 μA. The transfer charge (Qsc) of the PA-TENG can arrive at 139.01 nC. The PA-TENG can drive the light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which demonstrates good practicality. Moreover, the PA-TENG can be installed on human joints (fingers, arms, knees, feet, etc.) as a monitoring sensor for various sports training, providing real-time sensing data for training. This research provides a novel pipe arrangement substrate for the wearable sports training sensor.
Final report, ongoing key comparison BIPM.QM-K1, ozone at ambient level, comparison with NPL, June 2022
Authors: Viallon Joële , Idrees Faraz , Moussay Philippe , Wielgosz Robert , Marval Jesus , Sweeney Bryan , Cheong Jody 
Published: March 2024

Main text
As part of the ongoing key comparison BIPM.QM-K1, a comparison has been performed between the ozone national standard of United Kingdom maintained by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and the common reference standard of the key comparison, maintained by the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM). The instruments have been compared over a nominal ozone amount fraction range of 0 nmol mol−1 to 500 nmol mol−1.
To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database https://www.bipm.org/kcdb/.
The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Exploring ion mobility mechanisms in poly indolequinone polymers: a case study on black soldier fly melanin
Authors: Ambrico M , Mostert A B , Ambrico P F , Phua J , Mattiello S , Gunnella R 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBlack soldier fly (BSF) melanin is a new supply of the brown-black pigment eumelanin. Given that eumelanin is a model bioelectronic material for applications such as medical devices and sensors, understanding BSF melanin’s electrical properties is important to confirm its viability as an advanced material. Presented here is a systematic, hydration dependent alternating current study of BSF melanin utilising both H2O and D2O vapours. There is a clear difference between the vapours, enabling a thorough analysis including Nyquist plots with model circuit analysis, broad band dielectric spectroscopic modelling as well as applying the Trukhan model to understand free ion concentration and mobility changes as a function of hydration. We find that BSF melanin behaves similarly to previous reports on synthetic systems, and the analysis here sheds additional light on potential charge transport changes. Significantly, a key finding is that there are two different mobility mechanisms for ion transport depending on hydration.
Antiferromagnetically ordered topological semimetals in Hubbard model with spin-orbit coupling
Authors: Goyal Garima , Singh Dheeraj Kumar 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
We examine the possible existence of Dirac semimetal with magnetic order in a two-dimensional system with a nonsymmorphic symmetry by using the Hartree–Fock mean-field theory within the Hubbard model. We locate the region in the second-neighbor spin–orbit coupling vs Hubbard interaction phase diagram, where such a state is stabilized. The edge states for the ribbons along two orthogonal directions concerning the orientation of in-plane magnetic moments are obtained. Finally, the effect of the in-plane magnetic field, which results in the stabilization of the Weyl semimetallic (WSM) state, and the nature of the edge states corresponding to the WSM state for ribbon geometries are also explored.