bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epoxy‐hemp and epoxy‐flax composites filled with glass dust for enhanced thermal insulation: An analytical and experimental study
Authors: Saran Chandra Sekhar , Satapathy Alok 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis article reports on an analytical and experimental investigation on the effects of fiber and filler reinforcement on the effective thermal conductivity (keff) of epoxy‐based composites. This research aims at enhancing the thermal insulation capability of fiber reinforced composites by adding an industrial waste, WGD (waste glass dust) as particulate filler. For this, an analytical model is proposed to estimate the keff values of particle filled polymer composites with and without fiber reinforcement. The results computed from the proposed correlations are then validated with some previously reported investigations. For an experimental validation, hemp and flax fiber reinforced epoxy based hybrid composites are fabricated with WGD as the fillers in varying weight fractions of 0 to 0.2. Effects of filler content on keff of fiber‐polymer systems are studied. Their keff are measured by a Unitherm Model 2022 instrument. It is found that the predicted and measured values are in good agreement. It is observed that the keff of the epoxy composites reduced from 0.359 to 0.297 W/m K with increase in the WGD weight fraction from 0 to 0.2. The keff of hybrid composites are also reduced by 27% and 15.53%, respectively, with 20 wt% addition of WGD.Highlights
Hybridization of natural fiber based polymer composites.
Utilization of waste glass dust as functional filler.
Model development for heat conduction across hybrid composite system.
Insulation capability enhancement of epoxy using fiber/filler reinforcements.
Low cost thermal insulation materials using green materials and industry waste.
Self‐healing and reprocessing of saturated hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene‐based networks enabled by dynamic covalent chemistry
Authors: Lopez Lara Jessica , Zayas Manuel S. , Blankenship Jacob , Bates Christopher M. , Self Jeffrey L. , Read de Alaniz Javier 
Published: January 2024

AbstractHydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) is found in many applications due to its ease of manufacturing, useful mechanical properties over a wide temperature range, and reactive hydroxyl chain ends. Typically, HTPB is crosslinked with isocyanates to form polyurethane thermosets. Limitations of this approach include the use of toxic isocyanates and the oxidative instability of backbone alkenes. In this work, saturated HTPB is used to form reprocessable covalent adaptable networks that are capable of stress relaxation and reprocessing, without relying on isocyanates or unstable alkenes. This approach introduces dynamic chemistry to the HTPB network via chain extension and subsequent crosslinking with 4‐methyl caprolactone (4mCL) and a novel bislactone crosslinker. Using benzenesulfonic acid (BSA) as a transesterification catalyst, stress relaxation times range from 150 to 8 min at temperatures of 70 to 100 °C. Despite crosslinking, these networks behave elastically, as evidenced by strain‐at‐break values of 93% for pristine samples, and dynamically, as shown by a strain‐at‐break of 72% after reprocessing the damaged samples. Shape reprogramming is also demonstrated by straining the crosslinked networks and heating to elevated temperatures where bond exchange occurs. These findings illustrate the advantageous properties that can be achieved by using cheap commodity building blocks to achieve dynamic properties. We anticipate that valorizing commodity polymers into reprocessable thermosets will be of utility in applications that lack other viable recycling pathways.
Explosion incidents associated with comprehensive studies on methyl ethyl ketone peroxide under thermal decomposition: A review
Authors: Gong Lingzhu , Yu Gending , Li Jingling , Chen Jinfeng , Chen Rongguo , Huang Jiale , Wang Lei , Huang Zhikun , Huang Jiulai , Duh Yih‐Shing 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis review gathered and discussed the available results on the thermal hazards, thermal kinetics, decomposition mechanism, autocatalytic behavior, thermal explosion, deflagration ability, and incompatibility hazards associated with the thermal decomposition of methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKPO). The present review constructed a diagram showing all activation energy Ea and log A values for the thermal decomposition of MEKPO. Some disagreement exists in the values of Ea and log A (unit: s−1 M1−n) derived from differential scanning calorimetry; thus, more extensive studies must be conducted to resolve disputes. Nearly no literature exists on the thermal explosion and deflagration ability of MEKPO, and the reactions of MEKPO with incompatible contaminants remain unclear. Concerning the complex decomposition mechanism of MEKPO, experimental determination and identifications of intermediates have not been obtained. Available technology must be improved to enable the collection of accurate data on thermal hazards, thermal kinetics, decomposition mechanisms, explosion and deflagration phenomena, autocatalytic behavior, and incompatibility. This review has integrated an up‐to‐date summary of the most recent approaches and offers perspectives regarding future research. These current findings can serve as a reference for completing subsequent experimental investigations, theoretical studies, and designs of inherently safer measures for producing or handling MEKPO.
Ginkgetin exhibits antifibrotic effects by inducing hepatic stellate cell apoptosis via STAT1 activation
Authors: Wang Chaoyang , Bai Yaowei , Li Tongqiang , Liu Jiacheng , Wang Yingliang , Ju Shuguang , Yao Wei , Xiong Bin 
Published: January 2024

AbstractLiver fibrosis affects approximately 800 million patients worldwide, with over 2 million deaths each year. Nevertheless, there are no approved medications for treating liver fibrosis. In this study, we investigated the impacts of ginkgetin on liver fibrosis and the underlying mechanisms. The impacts of ginkgetin on liver fibrosis were assessed in mouse models induced by thioacetamide or bile duct ligation. Experiments on human LX‐2 cells and primary mouse hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were performed to explore the underlying mechanisms, which were also validated in the mouse models. Ginkgetin significantly decreased hepatic extracellular matrix deposition and HSC activation in the fibrotic models induced by thioacetamide (TAA) and bile duct ligation (BDL). Beneficial effects also existed in inhibiting hepatic inflammation and improving liver function. In vitro experiments showed that ginkgetin markedly inhibited HSC viability and induced HSC apoptosis dose‐dependently. Mechanistic studies revealed that the antifibrotic effects of ginkgetin depend on STAT1 activation, as the effects were abolished in vitro after STAT1 silencing and in vivo after inhibiting STAT1 activation by fludarabine. Moreover, we observed a meaningful cross‐talk between HSCs and hepatocytes, in which IL‐6, released by ginkgetin‐induced apoptotic HSCs, enhanced hepatocyte proliferation by activating STAT3 signaling. Ginkgetin exhibits antifibrotic effects by inducing HSC apoptosis via STAT1 activation and enhances hepatocyte proliferation secondary to HSC apoptosis via the IL‐6/STAT3 pathway.
Current understanding and future directions of cruciferous vegetables and their phytochemicals to combat neurological diseases
Authors: Kakarla Ramakrishna , Karuturi Praditha , Siakabinga Queen , Kasi Viswanath Matte , Dumala Naresh , Guntupalli Chakravarthi , Nalluri Buchi N. , Venkateswarlu Kojja , Prasanna Vani Sai , Gutti Gopichand , Yadagiri Ganesh , Gujjari Lohitha 
Published: January 2024

AbstractNeurological disorders incidences are increasing drastically due to complex pathophysiology, and the nonavailability of disease‐modifying agents. Several attempts have been made to identify new potential chemicals to combat these neurological abnormalities. At present, complete abolishment of neurological diseases is not attainable except for symptomatic relief. However, dietary recommendations to help brain development or improvement have increased over the years. In recent times, cruciferous vegetables and their phytochemicals have been identified from preclinical and clinical investigations as potential neuroprotective agents. The present review highlights the beneficial effects and molecular mechanisms of phytochemicals such as indole‐3‐carbinol, diindolylmethane, sulforaphane, kaempferol, selenium, lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamins of cruciferous vegetables against neurological diseases including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, Huntington's disease, autism spectra disorders, anxiety, depression, and pain. Most of these cruciferous phytochemicals protect the brain by eliciting antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties. Regular dietary intake of cruciferous vegetables may benefit the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases. The present review suggests that there is a lacuna in identifying the clinical efficacy of these phytochemicals. Therefore, high‐quality future studies should firmly establish the efficacy of the above‐mentioned cruciferous phytochemicals in clinical settings.
Dissipative Landau‐Zener Transitions in a Three‐Level Bow‐Tie Model: Accurate Dynamics with the Davydov Multi‐D2 Ansatz
Authors: Zhang Lixing , Gelin Maxim F. , Zhao Yang 
Published: January 2024

AbstractLandau‐Zener (LZ) transitions in the three‐level bow‐tie model (3L‐BTM) in a dissipative environment are investigated by using the numerically accurate method of multiple Davydov Ansätze. The 3L‐BTM coupled to a single harmonic mode is first considered, and evolutions of transition probabilities for selected values of model parameters are studied and interpreted with the aid of the energy diagram method. Then the 3L‐BTM coupled to a boson bath of a continuum spectral density is explored. The simulations demonstrate that sub‐Ohmic, Ohmic and super‐Ohmic boson baths have substantially different influences on the 3L‐BTM dynamics, which cannot be grasped by the standard phenomenological Markovian single‐rate descriptions. Novel bath‐induced phenomena are also described, which are absent in two‐level LZ systems.
Effective vocabulary interventions for young emergent bilinguals: A best‐evidence synthesis
Authors: Bengochea Alain , Sembiante Sabrina F. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis best‐evidence synthesis appraises the design and outcome characteristics of vocabulary intervention studies conducted with preschool through 6th grade emergent bilingual (EB) children and spotlights rigorously designed studies for which effects could be better attributed to instructional features. Twenty‐nine selected studies were analysed for the design characteristics of attrition, random assignment, and baseline equivalence as well as the outcome characteristics of reliability and outcome alignment. Following suggestions from the What Works Clearinghouse (2020) guidelines, levels of evidence for effectiveness were determined for each treatment‐comparison group contrast. Studies meeting effectiveness standards were further analysed to determine intervention impacts (i.e., effect size) on EBs' English word learning. Analyses revealed that 17 studies (59% of the sample) were experimental and employed random assignment whereas baseline equivalence was established for most of the 12 quasi‐experimental studies (41% of the sample). Attrition did not plague the majority of vocabulary intervention studies. The outcome measures of all but one study showed satisfactory reliability indices, 85% of which showed alignment across treatment and comparison groups. Thirty‐six measures (65% of measures) across 21 reviewed studies (72% of studies) met acceptable levels of evidence of effectiveness. Most studies employed standardised vocabulary measures to assess EBs' growth in breadth rather than depth of vocabulary knowledge. The significance of outcome measures with large, medium and small posttest effect sizes are discussed relative to their oral/written, receptive/expressive, definitional/contextual and depth/breadth vocabulary characteristics. Implications address significant knowledge gaps regarding EBs' English vocabulary intervention and highlight issues and recommendations.
A review of existing methods used to assess demand for integrated education in Northern Ireland
Authors: Early Erin , Devine Paula , Liu Minchen , Schubotz Dirk 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe education system in Northern Ireland (NI) is complex with the diversity of management structures reflecting religious affiliation and academic selection. Within the system, integrated education provides a mechanism to promote reconciliation among divided communities. Integrated education has been aided by legislation—most recently, the Integrated Education Act (NI) 2022, which places responsibility on the Department of Education and the Education Authority to encourage, facilitate and support integrated education. However, there is no standardised or agreed operational methodology on assessing demand for this. This study aims to examine the current approaches to assessing demand for integrated education in NI by collating existing evidence from key stakeholders and reviewing academic literature. Publicly available information was synthesised from the websites of key stakeholders, and a rapid literature review was conducted to identify methods used in NI and internationally to ascertain demand for education provision. The literature review returned limited results, and the review of key stakeholders' websites illustrated that although existing methods used in NI monitor support in principle for integrated education, they do not capture the full range of factors considered by parents when selecting a school. As a result, the findings indicate a mismatch between articulated preferences for integrated education, the availability of places in integrated schools, and the uptake of these. This study concludes that although existing methods provide part of the evidence jigsaw necessary to assess demand, alternative approaches must be considered to acknowledge the existing complexities within the education system and wider societal structures in NI.
Stimuli‐responsive fluorescent hydrogels: Strategies and applications
Authors: Lei Mengying , Wang Qian , Gu Ruirui , Qu Da‐Hui 
Published: January 2024

AbstractStimuli‐responsive fluorescent hydrogels are three‐dimensional networked polymeric materials with tunable luminescence and dynamic properties, which play an important role as a water‐rich soft material in the fields of information encryption, bionic actuation, bioimaging, environmental monitoring, and luminescent materials. Compared with conventional hydrogels, their unique luminescent properties allow the visualization of microscopic dynamics within the polymer network. By rational inclusion of dynamic motifs, such as photoswitches, AIEgens, lanthanide complexes, and host–guest complexes, these materials are endowed with tunability of emission, shape, and phase in time and space in response to environmental effectors. In this review, we summarize the fabrication strategies that are mainly used by recently reported stimuli‐responsive fluorescent hydrogels and the applications of these materials.
Are rescue workers still at risk? A meta‐regression analysis of the worldwide prevalence of post‐traumatic stress disorder and risk factors
Authors: Martínez Albert , Blanch Angel 
Published: January 2024

AbstractRescue workers (policemen, firefighters, emergency medical staff, etc.) experience intense stress due to rescuing and helping victims of accidents, terrorist attacks, violent crimes, and natural disasters. Overexposure and ineffective coping with such stressful events may lead to developing Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Meta‐regression procedures were applied to examine moderators such as the sample sex composition, age, working experience, occupation, country, or type of PTSD evaluation. The 9.8% PTSD prevalence found here was virtually the same compared with earlier findings from 10 years ago. There was a large heterogeneity, however, associated with geographical location and the instrument used to evaluate PTSD. The main findings revealed that rescue workers are a high‐risk group with increased levels of Post‐traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Moreover, PTSD prevalence could depend on a great extent on geographical and cultural factors, and on the type of PTSD evaluation.
Anisotropy of Anion Diffusion in All‐Inorganic Perovskite Single Crystals
Authors: Dong Shunhong , Hu Yaoqiao , Zhang Xuanyu , Guo Zhu , Chen Rui , Mao Lingling 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIon diffusion is a fundamentally important process in understanding and manipulating the optoelectronic properties of semiconductors. Most current studies on ionic diffusion have been focusing on perovskite polycrystalline thin films and nanocrystals. However, the random orientation and grain boundaries can heavily interfere with the kinetics of ion diffusion, where the experimental results only reveal the average ion exchange kinetics and the actual ion diffusion mechanisms perpendicular to the direction of individual crystal facets remain unclear. Here, the anion (Cl, I) diffusion anisotropy on (111) and (100) facets of CsPbBr3 single crystals is demonstrated. The as‐grown single crystals with (111) and (100) facets exhibit anisotropic growth with different halide incorporation, which lead to different resulting optoelectronic properties. Combined experimental characterizations and theoretical calculations reveal that the (111) CsPbBr3 shows a faster anion diffusion behavior compared with that of the (100) CsPbBr3, with a lower diffusion energy barrier, a larger built‐in electric field, and lower inverse defect formation energy. The work highlights the anion diffusion anisotropic mechanisms perpendicular to the direction of individual crystal facets for optimizing and designing perovskite optoelectronic devices.
Determination of the Maillard reaction products in complementary rice, flour, and noodles by high performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector
Authors: Hou Jian‐bo , Zhang Wen‐hua , Zhang Ya‐qin , Mao Ren‐yi , Zhu Ze‐long , Hu Xiao‐li , Xu Xin , Qiu Hui , Liang Ying 
Published: January 2024

AbstractA method was established for the simultaneous determination of furosine, furanone, and four furfural compounds (5‐hydroxymethylfurfural, furfural, furyl methyl ketone, and methyl furfural) in complementary rice, flour, and noodles for infants and young children by high performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector. The sample was extracted using oxalic acid aqueous solution as a solvent, and the protein was removed using trichloroacetic acid. Then the six Maillard reaction products were separated by an Eclipse XDB‐C18 column with a gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.6 mL/min using acetonitrile‐0.1% trifluoroacetic acid solution as the mobile phase, detected by a diode array detector and quantified by external standard method. The linear ranges of the six Maillard reaction products were 250–20000 μg/100 g with the correlation coefficients greater than 0.999, and the limits of quantification ranged from 250 to 1000 μg/100 g (S/N ≥ 10). The recoveries of the six Maillard reaction products ranged from 71.2% to 100% with a relative standard deviation of 0.9%–4.9%. The real sample analysis results showed that 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural was detected in two cookie samples, the contents of which were 335 μg/100 g and 436 μg/100 g, respectively. There are no studies on the detection of the six Maillard reaction products in rice, flour, and noodles in the previous reports. The established method provided reference for the quantification of expiration date in complementary rice, flour, and noodles for infants and young children.
Enhancing Pre‐Service Teachers' Global Englishes Awareness with Technology: A Focus on AI Chatbots in 3D Metaverse Environments
Authors: Lee Seongyong , Jeon Jaeho , Choe Hohsung 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAlthough Global Englishes (GE) research continues to grow in English language teaching (ELT), the role of technology in enhancing GE awareness remains underexplored. Addressing this gap, the study investigates the potential of English as a lingua franca (ELF) interactions with artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots in raising GE awareness. Using a quasi‐experimental design, 97 South Korean pre‐service English teachers were divided into a control group (CG, n = 32) and two experimental groups (EG1, n = 31; EG2, n = 34) for 16‐week teacher‐training courses. The CG received no GE instruction, while EG1 conducted a presentation task and EG2 interacted with AI chatbots in 3D metaverse environments. We used a mixed‐methods approach of pre‐ and post‐test surveys and interviews. ANCOVA results for survey data showed that both tasks had positive effects on all facets of GE awareness (e.g., acceptance of one's local English, acceptance of other Englishes, native‐speakerism, ELF confidence and intention, and willingness to incorporate GELT into teaching), with the AI chatbot task exerting a stronger effect on ELF confidence and intention. For practical implications, the findings outlined pedagogical strategies for integrating GELT into computer‐assisted (CA) language learning. Theoretically, we proposed the CA‐GELT approach for future research in the era of generative AI technology.
Improved application of immobilized Enterobacter cloacae into a bio‐based polymer for Reactive Blue 19 removal, an eco‐friendly advancement in potential decolorizing systems
Authors: Nazari Negin , Jookar Kashi Fereshteh , Nazari Niayesh 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe widespread use of highly complex synthetic dyes like reactive dyes in the textile industry has some adverse environmental impacts and deserves close attention. Biological treatment of these effluents utilizing various species of bacteria with remarkable efficiency in dye removal is still considered promising. Our current study deals with immobilizing an isolated bacterial strain into calcium alginate (Ca/Alg) gel beads and using it to treat pernicious pollutants like synthetic dyes. A potential Reactive Blue 19 (RB19)‐degrading Enterobacter cloacae strain A1 was isolated from the Kashan textile industry and was characterized by 16S rDNA gene sequencing. The decolorization ability of strain A1 was assessed by time‐based studies using free bacterial cells/immobilized in Ca/Alg. Based on the results of the 16S rDNA gene sequencing, it appears that strain A1 belonged to E. cloacae, with a 99.74% similarity. The findings suggest that immobilized strain A1 accomplished maximum decolorization activity compared with the free cells. The immobilized strain could utterly decompose and decolorize 0.05 mg/mL of RB19 within 48 h, while the free bacterial strain decolorized RB19 within 5 days. Moreover, Ca/Alg gel beads can maintain their efficiency for over three decolorization cycles. Further infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GC/MS) investigation declared complete RB19 decomposition on reaction products. Artemia salina was used to investigate the toxicity of dye and its degraded metabolites. The LC50 values signified the pure dye as very toxic with 0.01 mg/mL concentration, while after‐treatment products showed no toxic effect on larvae. This immobilization technique increased the applicability of bacterial strain for dye removal. It was beneficial for the decolorization of RB19 from textile wastewater due to a remarkable reduction in time. Notably, strain A1‐immobilized beads can maintain their activity for three consecutive decolorization cycles without a considerable decrease in efficiency.Practitioner Points

The remarkable capacity of immobilized Enterobacter cloacae strain A1 for Reactive Blue 19 (RB19) removal
Immobilized A1 strain showed two‐fold higher removal than free one over 48 h
A promising method for enhancing RB19 decolorization
Decolorization was due to degradation based on UV–Vis, FTIR, and GC/MS analysis
Non‐toxic posttreatment products for Artemia