bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bioethanol Production from Decaying Oranges and Pineapple Juice Using Ethanol Tolerant-Yeast
Authors: Omoolorun, J. B.  , Afolabi, F. T.  , Olufemi, S. E.  , Adeyemo, S. M.  
Published: December 2023

Scientists across the globe ought to harness ways of getting alternative sources of energy which will be renewable, sustainable, efficient, eco-friendly, and cost effective because of the global energy crises owing to the cost of production, transportation and distribution of fossil fuel products. In Nigeria, decaying fruits always constitute a major environmental pollution during the harvesting season. This study screened, selected the best starter, and produced bioethanol from the juice obtained from decaying oranges and pineapple through the process of fermentation and distillation. Samples were collected from different locations within Ile-Ife and transported aseptically to the Laboratory. Microbiological and physicochemical assessment of the isolated strains were on yeast maintenance media. The cell biomass, pH, temperature, brix level, titratable acidity, specific gravity and ethanol yield were monitored during fermentation from day zero to day fourteen. Screening of the isolates obtained from a previous study was carried out to select the best starter for the production of bioethanol.
S.cerevisae and K. marxianus and showed efficient physico-chemical attributes from the screening of the yeast isolates; a temperature of 30oC and pH 6 was the optimum for the growth of isolates tolerating 20% v/v absolute ethanol. Cultures were inoculated singly and in combination, S. cerevisiae gave the highest reduction in brix level from 2.2o at the onset and it reduced to 0.3o at the 21st day of fermentation while the least reduction was seen in K. marxianus. Mixed culture of S. cerevisiae and K. marxianus gave the highest reduction in brix level from 2.0o at the onset to 0.1o, pH reduced from 4.7- 3.3 while the cell biomass increased, and the temperature increased from 30oC to 34.5oC at the end of fermentation. Titratable acidity in the fermenting fruits juice increased from 0.23 to 1.76, the specific gravity reduced while the alcohol content increased from zero to 25.63 as the fermentation progressed and a reduction on day 21 (1.67) was observed.
The use of decaying plant biomass or fruit waste can be a rich and cheaper source of substrate for different yeasts strains endogenous to the biomass for the production of environmental-friendly biofuel. This can also be employed as a waste management option and an alternative solution to environmental pollution and the global energy crises.
Irrigation Water Use Payments and Policies in Developing Countries
Authors: Sattarov R. A.  
Published: December 2023

Nowadays, water tariffs in economic developing countries are considered one of the important factors and it is not a secret that one of the reasons for the water crisis in Central Asian Countries is the growing demand for water resources. The resource is becoming scarce like in other continent of earth. It is measured as the most important natural resource and abundant liquid on earth. In this study irrigation water charging case of Uzbekistan and foreign practices, model of tariffs for water services and pricing elements have been analyzed. Irrigation water charging methods in different countries are used in different ways.
Aromatic Hydrocarbons—Benzene and Other Alkylbenzenes
Authors: Kerzic Patrick J. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Benzene and its alkyl derivatives are monocyclic aromatic compounds (arenes). The compounds are of considerable economic importance as industrial raw materials, solvents, and components of innumerable commercial and consumer products, and as precursors in the production of drugs, plastics, synthetic rubber, and dyes. The aromatics differ vastly in chemical, physical, and biological characteristics from the aliphatic and alicyclic hydrocarbons. The aromatics are typically more toxic to humans and other mammals than are the aliphatic and alicyclic hydrocarbons; toxic effects of prime importance are the toxicity of benzene to the hematopoietic system resulting in aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and acute myeloid leukemias (AML) as a result of chronic exposures, and central nervous system effects with acute exposures for the class. The simplest single‐ring aromatic hydrocarbon compound is benzene, the nonsubstituted ring system. When one methyl group is attached to the ring, methylbenzene or toluene is formed, and with two attached methyl groups, dimethylbenzene or xylene is formed. Xylene occurs in three isomeric forms: ortho (1,2)‐, meta (1,3)‐, and para (1,4)‐dimethylbenzene. Other important substituted benzenes are phenol (hydroxy‐) and aniline (amino‐). The hemimellitenes and mesitylenes possess three methyl groups, durene four, and the penta and hexamethylbenzenes, five and six methyl groups, respectively. Other industrially important compounds are ethylbenzene and isopropylbenzene or cumene.
Enhancing Faculty Development Through Compiled Verbal Feedback on Clinical Teaching From Trainees
Authors: Katz Guy , Miloslavsky Eli M. , Fernandes Ana D. , Bolster Marcy B. 
Published: December 2023

ObjectiveFeedback from fellows‐in‐training (FITs) is important for faculty development and to enrich clinical teaching. We sought to evaluate the effectiveness of traditional online evaluations and a novel compiled verbal feedback mechanism.MethodsAn annual feedback system was implemented in our rheumatology division in which FITs provided verbal feedback on all faculty to a facilitator who compiled, deidentified, and shared the feedback with individual faculty members. FITs also completed standard online annual evaluations of faculty. FITs and faculty completed surveys assessing the perceived effectiveness and confidentiality of each feedback mechanism.ResultsThirteen of 15 eligible faculty and all 4 eligible FITs completed both surveys. Responses by FITs and faculty regarding the quality of online evaluations were generally unfavorable or neutral. Faculty responses regarding compiled verbal feedback were more favorable in all questions and significantly more favorable with respect to the feedback's ability to explain strengths (54% favorable for online evaluations vs 100% for compiled verbal feedback), the feedback's specificity (0% vs 54%), and the feedback's actionable nature (15% vs 62%). All FITs’ responses regarding quality of compiled verbal feedback were favorable. FITs had concerns regarding confidentiality with both online evaluations (0% favorable) and compiled verbal feedback (25% favorable), though FITs had less concern for future faculty interactions with compiled verbal feedback (100% favorable) than with online evaluations (0% favorable).ConclusionCompiled verbal feedback by FITs produced more actionable and effective feedback for faculty, with less concerns regarding future faculty interactions compared with traditional online evaluations. Further study of this method across different programs and institutions is warranted.
Increased Expression of MiRNA‐1 Contributes to Hypobaric Hypoxia‐Induced Skeletal Muscle Loss
Authors: Srivastava Sukanya , Mondal Samrita , Rathor Richa , Srivastava Swati , Suryakumar Geetha 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe present study aims to analyze the role of microRNA‐1 in the regulation of skeletal muscle loss under hypobaric hypoxia (HH). Male Sprague Dawley rats (n = 10) weighing 230–250 g are divided into two groups, control and HH exposure for 7 days at 25 000 ft. After the hypoxia exposure, the animals are sacrificed and hindlimb skeletal muscles are excised for further analysis. Studies found the potential role of miR‐1 (myomiR) as a biomarker under different atrophic conditions. Prolonged exposure to HH leads to enhanced expression of miR‐1 in skeletal muscle as compared to unexposed controls. The Bioinformatics approach is used to identify the validated targets and the biological processes of miR‐1. The target prediction tools identify PAX3 and HSP70 as major targets for miR‐1. Exposure to HH significantly reduces PAX3 and HSP70 expression during 7 days of HH exposure, which further enhances the activity of FOXO3, MSTN, and ATROGIN known for the progression of skeletal muscle atrophy in relation to control rats. This study indicates the increased expressions of miR‐1 and reduced expression of PAX3 and HSP70 lead to impaired myogenesis in skeletal muscle under HH. Further, enhanced expression of muscle degradation genes such as FOXO3, MSTN, and ATROGIN under HH exposure causes skeletal muscle protein loss.
ZIF‐67‐Derived Antivirus Cobalt Hydroxide LDH Nanosheets Produced through High‐Concentration Cobalt Ion‐Assisted Hydration
Authors: Wu Ben , Zhang Guofang , Ji Jiawen , Luo Rong‐Hua , Chen Junkang , Liu Feng‐Liang , Coy Emerson , Moya Sergio E. , Li Qi , Suo Xiaoman , Chen Xinyue , Zheng Yong‐Tang , Li Yang , Wang Guocheng 
Published: December 2023

AbstractIn this study, a novel strategy is developed for the first time, referred to as high‐concentration cobalt ion‐assisted hydration (HCCAH) utilizing zeolitic imidazolate framework‐67 (ZIF‐67) as a precursor, to produce independent and flat α‐cobalt hydroxide nanosheets (CHN). These nanosheets offer abundant contact sites for binding with virus surface proteins. The formation of CHN involves the in situ transformation from ZIF‐67, due to the matching of the hydrolysis rate of ZIF‐67 and in situ growth rate of cobalt hydroxide orchestrated by high concentration of cobalt ions. Notably, the CHN contains a higher proportion of trivalent cobalt, which is shown to enhance the binding with the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) Spike protein and induce protein structural denaturation, as demonstrated by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Antiviral experiments using pseudovirus and authentic viruses have confirmed the promising antiviral performance of CHN. Furthermore, both in vitro and in vivo experiments have demonstrated the excellent biocompatibility of CHN. This research opens up new possibilities for the application of cobalt hydroxide nanosheets and serves as a valuable reference for the design of antiviral nanomaterials.
E‐Suture: Mixed‐Conducting Suture for Medical Devices
Authors: Rauhala Onni J. , Ma Liang , Wisniewski Duncan J. , Shao Shan , Schumacher Brandon , Lopez Jose Ferrero , Kaspers Mara , Zhao Zifang , Gelinas Jennifer N. , Khodagholy Dion 
Published: December 2023

AbstractModern implantable bioelectronics demand soft, biocompatible components that make robust, low‐impedance connections with the body and circuit elements. Concurrently, such technologies must demonstrate high efficiency, with the ability to interface between the body's ionic and external electronic charge carriers. Here, a mixed‐conducting suture, the e‐suture, is presented. Composed of silk, the conducting polymer poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS), and insulating jacketing polymers,the resulting e‐suture has mixed‐conducting properties at the interface with biological tissue as well as effective insulation along its length. The e‐suture can be mechanically integrated into electronics, enabling the acquisition of biopotentials such as electrocardiograms, electromyograms, and local field potentials (LFP). Chronic, in vivo acquisition of LFP with e‐sutures remains stable for months with robust brain activity patterns. Furthermore, e‐sutures can establish electrophoretic‐based local drug delivery, potentially offering enhanced anatomical targeting and decreased side effects associated with systemic administration, while maintaining an electrically conducting interface for biopotential monitoring. E‐sutures expand on the conventional role of sutures and wires by providing a soft, biocompatible, and mechanically sound structure that additionally has multifunctional capacity for sensing, stimulation, and drug delivery.
Activatable Nanoprobes for Dual‐Modal NIR‐II Photoacoustic and Fluorescence Imaging of Hydrogen Sulfide in Colon Cancer
Authors: Wang Shuhan , Zhang Xuan , Zhang Yiping , Zhu Kang , Liu Xing , Zhang Jieping , Wang Guoyu , Liu Daojia , Zhao Kuaile , Wang Xin , Chen Junqiang , Song Jibin 
Published: December 2023

AbstractHigh hydrogen sulfide (H2S) expression has been shown to play a crucial role in tumor growth and proliferation in colon cancer. So far, most probes used for monitoring H2S offer single‐modal imaging, which makes the collection of accurate information for tumor diagnosis difficult. In the present study, a novel dual‐modal imaging probe in the second near‐infrared (NIR‐II, 950‐1700) window is proposed and constructed by coating a uniform shell of polydopamine (PDA) on the surface of cuprous oxide (Cu2O)‐conjugated downconversion nanoparticles (DCNPs). Of note, DCNP‐Cu2O@PDA is in the “on” state, with emission centered at 1550 nm (irradiation using a 980nm laser) in non‐neoplastic tissues. Colon tumors with endogenous H2S overexpression can induce the in situ transformation of Cu2O to copper sulfide (Cu2‐XS）. Owing to the competitive absorption between Cu2‐XS and DCNPs at a wavelength of 980 nm, the generated DCNP‐Cu2‐XS@PDA exhibits a quenched NIR‐II fluorescence (FL) signal. Meanwhile, Cu2‐XS exhibits a strong absorbance at 1250 nm, enhancing the NIR‐II photoacoustic (PA) signal accompanied by NIR‐II FL attenuation. The switching in PA and FL signals at the tumor site offered “double assurances” for the accurate monitoring of H2S.
Dual‐Functional Lithium Nitrate Mediator Eliminating Water Hazard for Practical Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Wang Yan , Ouyang Zhaofeng , Wang Shuo , Zhao Xiaoju , Xu Qiuchen , Yuan Bin , Yue Xinyang , Liang Zheng , Geng Shitao , Tang Shanshan , Sun Hao 
Published: December 2023

AbstractWater, an unwelcome guest in current battery industry, has been strictly prohibited in almost all the battery production procedures. In particular, the requirement for an extremely low water content (below 20 ppm) in electrolyte has necessitated the use of water‐free raw materials and ultradry conditions, which resulting in significantly higher material cost, energy consumption, and production complexity. Here, it is shown that lithium nitrate (LiNO3) can efficiently restore water‐containing electrolyte for Li metal full batteries through a simple and scalable approach. The dual‐functional NO3− anion not only exhibits strong interaction with water molecules which suppresses the hydrolysis of hexafluorophosphate anion, but also contributes to a robust solid‐electrolyte interphase (SEI) that improves the electrochemical reversibility of Li metal plating and stripping process. These enable the first practical Li metal/LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 full cell with a negative/positive electrode capacity (N/P) ratio of 3.8 using a water‐containing electrolyte, which delivers a high energy density of 511 Wh kg−1 and impressive cycling stability of 240 cycles. Remarkably, the introduction of LiNO3 can tolerate moist raw materials for electrolyte preparation, and revitalize moist electrolytes after 5‐day storage, which provides a new paradigm to overcome the water hazard in the current battery industry.
Columnar Liquid Crystal Enables In‐Situ Dispersing of Excess PbI2 Crystals for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Bao Huayu , Wang Shirong , Liu Hongli , Li Xianggao 
Published: December 2023

AbstractExcess PbI2 has been deemed as indispensable component to boost the efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, the random aggregation of PbI2 crystals seriously disturbs the transport behavior of the carrier and accelerates the degradation of perovskite film. Herein, an effective strategy to in situ disperse excess PbI2 crystals via the columnar liquid crystal (T6TE) is developed. Rapid self‐assembly induced by intermolecular π–π interaction enables T6TE to form the ordered columnar phase with “edge‐on” orientation in perovskite. The columnar T6TE can efficiently disperse excess PbI2 crystals with the merits of strong negative electrostatic potential and highly steric hindrance. Target perovskite deserves preferable crystallization and reconstructed surface, leading to reduced defects density, less residual stress, and efficient carrier transport. Besides, the T6TE significantly impedes the degradation of perovskite film and the formation of Pb0 defects. Resultant T6TE‐assisted PSCs achieve the champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 24.27% for mixed Cs+‐FA+‐MA+ perovskite. The PCE of a larger area (1 cm2) device reaches to 21.50%. The unencapsulated device maintains ≈85% of the initial PCE after 1500 h storage in the atmosphere with 40–60% relative humidity. This work provides a new strategy to in situ disperse excess PbI2 by incorporating columnar liquid crystal for the first time.
Efficient Silicon Solar Cells through Organic Self‐Assembled Monolayers as Electron Selective Contacts
Authors: Prasetio Adi , Pradhan Rakesh R. , Dally Pia , Ghadiyali Mohammed , Azmi Randi , Schwingenschlögl Udo , Allen Thomas G. , De Wolf Stefaan 
Published: December 2023

AbstractEffective charge carrier‐selective contacts are a crucial component of high‐performance crystalline silicon (c‐Si) solar cells. Organic materials deposited via self‐assembly on the c‐Si surface are promising candidates for simplified, scalable, and cost‐effective processing of charge extraction layers. This study investigates the application of nPACz self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs), based on carbazole and phosphonic acid groups, where n (= 2, 4, or 6) is the aliphatic chain length, to facilitate electron extraction in c‐Si solar cells by tuning the work function of aluminum (Al) at the rear contact. So far, these SAM molecules are mainly applied as the hole‐selective layer in state‐of‐the‐art perovskite and organic solar cells, via anchoring on a metal oxide electrode. Here, by inserting 2PACz between amorphous silicon passivated c‐Si and Al, an electron‐selective contact with a contact resistivity of 65 mΩ cm2 is achieved and a power conversion efficiency of 21.4% with an open‐circuit voltage of 725 mV and a fill factor of 79.2% is demonstrated. Although the 2PACz displays some instability in this study, its initial performance is comparable to those achieved with conventionally used n‐type amorphous silicon. This study highlights the potential of solution‐processable organic SAMs in forming carrier‐selective contacts for c‐Si heterojunction solar cells.
Isonitriles as Alkyl Radical Precursors in Visible Light Mediated Hydro‐ and Deuterodeamination Reactions**
Authors: Quirós Irene , Martín María , Gomez‐Mendoza Miguel , Cabrera‐Afonso María Jesús , Liras Marta , Fernández Israel , Nóvoa Luis , Tortosa Mariola 
Published: December 2023

AbstractHerein, we report the use of isonitriles as alkyl radical precursors in light‐mediated hydro‐ and deuterodeamination reactions. The reaction is scalable, shows broad functional group compatibility and potential to be used in late‐stage functionalization. Importantly, the method is general for Cα‐primary, Cα‐secondary and Cα‐tertiary alkyl isonitriles. For most examples, high yields were obtained through direct visible‐light irradiation of the isonitrile in the presence of a silyl radical precursor. Interestingly, in the presence of an organic photocatalyst (4CzIPN) a dramatic acceleration was observed. In‐depth mechanistic studies using UV/Vis absorption, steady‐state and time‐resolved photoluminescence, and transient absorption spectroscopy suggest that the excited state of 4CzIPN can engage in a single‐electron transfer with the isonitrile.
Modeling the curing kinetics of two thermoset adhesives under varying temperature conditions
Authors: Zhang Xiumin , Liu Jianhua , Xia Huanxiong , Ao Xiaohui , Zhao Yuxi , Zhou Jiechen , Fu Zhihao 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThis paper presents detailed curing kinetics models for two thermoset adhesives. The cure kinetics were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry in both anisothermal and isothermal modes. The Sestak–Berggren autocatalytic model was applied to describe the anisothermal cure kinetics of the two adhesives with the Malek and undetermined coefficients methods determining their kinetic parameters. The Kamal autocatalytic model was adopted for the isothermal curing processes with the Kenny analytical‐graphical method determining the kinetic parameters. A modified Kamal model was developed by introducing a concept of the maximum degree of cure (DOC) and temperature‐depended kinetic parameters to describe the isothermal cure kinetics of the adhesive with a typical exothermic peak, and an extended Kamal model was further proposed by adding an initial‐phase‐control term to the modified Kamal model to describe the isothermal cure kinetics of the adhesive with two exothermic peaks. The results showed that the presented curing kinetics models with the determined parameters can precisely predict the evolutions of the DOC of the two thermoset adhesives in both anisothermal and isothermal modes.
Binder‐free, non‐carcinogenic surfactant‐based cellulose‐rich bagasse foams as acoustic panels
Authors: Bikumalla Keerthi , Bhuvana Thiruvelu , Tiwari Anjali , Chandraprakash C. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractToward identifying environmentally friendly sound‐absorbing materials, the fabrication of biodegradable bagasse foams and their acoustic absorption and transmission loss were investigated. 10‐mm‐thick bagasse foams were fabricated using different concentrations of four non‐carcinogenic surfactants: sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), sodium bicarbonate (SB), potassium oleate (PO), and polyoxyethylene sorbitol ester (T20). Electron microscopy revealed that the foams comprised microfibers with a 10%–25% porosity. The foams were found to be thermally stable up to 300 °C. While foams fabricated using SDS were found to have a maximum increment in acoustic absorption (by 200%), those made of T20 had a mild decrease in absorption. The increment in absorption was attributed to the decrease in crystallinity and increase in porosity of microstructure, and the decrement to the decrease in viscous nature. Minimal changes were observed in the transmission loss of the foams. The results presented here demonstrate a simple, scalable green method to fabricate porous biodegradable foams of bagasse, without using any binder or filler, suitable for acoustic insulation that fits sustainable development objectives.