bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
β‐alanine supplementation in adults with overweight and obesity: a randomized controlled feasibility trial
Authors: Matthews Joseph J. , Creighton Jade V. , Donaldson James , Swinton Paul A. , Kyrou Ioannis , Bellary Srikanth , Idris Iskandar , Santos Lívia , Turner Mark D. , Doig Craig L. , Elliott‐Sale Kirsty J. , Sale Craig 
Published: January 2025

AbstractObjectiveOverweight and obesity are characterized by excess adiposity and systemic, chronic, low‐grade inflammation, which is associated with several metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and tolerability of β‐alanine supplementation and to explore the effects on cardiometabolic health and cardiovascular, hepatic, and renal function in adults with overweight and obesity.MethodsA total of 27 adults (44% female; mean [SD], age: 58 [10] years, BMI: 31.1 [2.9] kg/m2, hemoglobin A1c: 39.8 [4.3] mmol/mol) received β‐alanine (4.8 g/day) or a matched placebo for 3 months. Feasibility and tolerability outcomes included adherence, side effects, recruitment, attrition, and blinding, and exploratory outcomes included biochemical markers, blood pressures, and transthoracic echocardiography parameters. Data were analyzed using a Bayesian approach presented with 95% credible intervals (CrI).Resultsβ‐alanine was well tolerated and adhered to (adherence: placebo, 0.91 [95% CrI: 0.84–0.95]; β‐alanine, 0.92 [95% CrI: 0.85–0.95]), and side effects remained at or below baseline throughout. The probability that β‐alanine supplementation affected cardiometabolic, cardiovascular, or clinical biochemical outcomes was low.ConclusionsSustained‐release β‐alanine supplementation is well tolerated and adhered to in adults with overweight and obesity. Future research should consider more advanced metabolic conditions, which may benefit from longer duration supplementation.
Sensitivity and Specificity of a Signaling Question for Surveillance of Cognitive Functioning in Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Hardy Steven J. , Connolly Megan E. , Forman Sydney , Nickel Robert S. 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTBackgroundSickle cell disease (SCD) confers neurological risks that contribute to cognitive and academic difficulties. Clinical guidelines state that cognition should be monitored using signaling questions. However, evidence is lacking regarding the extent to which signaling questions accurately identify children with cognitive issues.ProcedureCaregivers of youth with SCD between ages 7 and 16 years (n = 89) responded to a signaling question about their child's academic performance: “How would you rate your child's academic performance relative to their peers?” Response choices included below grade level, on grade level, or above grade level. Youth with SCD completed the Wechsler Intelligence Scale of Intelligence, Fifth Edition to assess cognitive functioning.ResultsMost children were described by caregivers as being on grade level (67%), followed by below grade level (21%), and above grade level (11%). Cognitive testing revealed that 36% of participants had a low IQ (≤85; i.e., ≥1 SD below the mean), 60% had an IQ within normal limits (86–114; i.e., <1 SD below or above the mean), and 4% had a high IQ (≥115; i.e., ≥1 SD above the mean). Academic performance grouping was significantly associated with differences across cognitive domains (all p < 0.001). Cognitive functioning varied by academic grouping for younger (ages 7–11; all p ≤ 0.002) but not older children (ages 12–16; all p ≥ 0.05). The signaling question's sensitivity for identifying those with cognitive difficulties was low (42%–54%); specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value estimates were acceptable (87%–93%, 74%–84%, and 53%–79%, respectively).ConclusionsAsking caregivers of children with SCD to report on academic performance is a simple method of monitoring cognition. Children rated as below grade level should be referred for cognitive screening or evaluation. However, this question will likely result in a high rate of false negatives, and additional questions may be necessary to determine when to refer patients without obvious academic concerns.
Engineering a Novel T‐Cell Epitope‐Based Vaccine Targeting PRAME in Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Bayat Zeynab , Majidi Zahra , Taherkhani Amir , Samie Lida 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTPRAME, a cancer/testis antigen, is often expressed abnormally in various cancers, making it a hopeful candidate for cancer immunotherapy. This study aimed to create a vaccine targeting PRAME using immunoinformatics methods. The PRAME protein sequence was obtained from UniProtKB, and a TLR4 agonist sequence from Mycobacterium tuberculosis was included as an adjuvant. Potential T‐cell epitopes were forecasted using the IEDB server and assessed for their antigenicity, lack of allergenicity, and binding affinities to human and murine MHC molecules. Selected epitopes were then combined into a multi‐epitope structure using suitable linkers. The vaccine's physical and chemical properties, 3D structure, and interaction with TLR4 were examined through computational analyses. Five promising MHC‐I and five MHC‐II epitopes from PRAME were pinpointed and incorporated into the multi‐epitope vaccine and the TLR4 agonist adjuvant. The vaccine displayed advantageous biochemical traits, including high stability, solubility, and antigenicity. Molecular docking simulations showcased a steady interaction between the vaccine and TLR4, with a binding energy of −250.5 kcal/mol. Molecular dynamics analyses confirmed the structural stability and minimal distortion of the vaccine‐TLR4 complex. This study introduces a fresh approach to vaccine design targeting PRAME, a cancer‐related antigen. The vaccine structure exhibits promising physical, chemical, and immunological characteristics, suggesting its potential to trigger robust cellular and humoral immune responses against PRAME‐positive cancers.
Addressing transferability and stability in Raman spectrometers
Authors: Rose Bjarke 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThe invention of lasers has enabled the widespread use of Raman spectroscopy in scientific laboratories, and recently Raman spectroscopy has been applied in industrial environments as well. Based on Ibsen Photonics' experience as an OEM supplier of Raman spectrometers for various applications, this article reviews key concerns that must be addressed when designing a Raman spectrometer for industrial applications.
Creating a virtual reality by ion beam technology
Authors: Gebhardt Mandy 
Published: January 2025

AbstractAmong the most significant technological challenges associated with augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) glasses is the production of optical waveguide combiners. For both technologies, surface relief gratings (SRG) are used as the in‐couplers and out‐couplers of the light into the near‐eye displays. This article shows the manufacture of slanted SRGs using ion beam processing as a crucial component of the waveguide.
A Unified Resource Allocation Framework and Impact Evaluation for NGSO Satellite Constellations
Authors: Pachler Nils , Jose Garau‐Luis Juan , Crawley Edward F. , Cameron Bruce G. 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTThe new era of satellite communications will rely on thousands of highly flexible spacecraft capable of autonomously managing constellation resources, such as power or frequency. Previous work has focused on the automation of the individual tasks that compose the resource allocation problem (RAP). However, two aspects remain unaddressed: (1) A unified method that autonomously solves the RAP under nongeosynchronous conditions is still to be developed, and (2) the cost–benefit of using optimization methods remains to be studied. Note that these studies are critical for satellite operators to take appropriate decisions concerning the automation of communications constellations operations. To close this gap, this work proposes an adaptive framework to solve the RAP for high‐dimensional nongeosynchronous satellite constellations. The proposed framework uses a divide‐and‐conquer approach that solves each step of the RAP, leveraging different optimization algorithms at the subproblem level to produce a valid and efficient allocation of resources over long time horizons. When comparing the proposed method against scalable greedy solutions, the former achieves up to four times more constellation capacity and reduces the overall consumed power by up to a factor of 3. The cost–benefit analysis reveals which RAP subproblems should be prioritized depending on the operator's objectives. Studying diverse operational conditions, we find that optimization methods enhance capacity consistently yet might raise power consumption due to trade‐offs in the routing algorithms.
Novel Microwave‐Assisted Combustion Synthesis of AlFeO3 for Sonodegradation of Pollutants; Quantum Simulation of Adsorption on AlFeO3 Using Monte Carlo Adsorption Locator
Authors: Akbarzadeh Ali Reza , Parvaz Sina , Esmaeili Mir Saeed , Emami Seyedeh Golsa , Malekshah Rahime Eshaghi 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThis study introduces a novel microwave‐assisted combustion method for synthesizing AlFeO3 perovskite, a promising catalyst for environmental remediation. The synthesized perovskite was characterized using various techniques: FT‐IR, XRD, XRF, BET, VSM, EDAX, DRS, Raman, and FE‐SEM. The optimal operating conditions for Rhodamine B(RhB), Remazol Golden Yellow RNL (RGY), and α‐lipoic acid (ALA) ultrasonic degradation processes were established (30, 15, and 20 mg/L), (5, 5, and 9), and (1.00, 1.75, and 1.50 g/L), respectively. The addition of oxidants like H2O2 and K2S2O8 significantly enhanced the degradation efficiency. Furthermore, the antibacterial properties of the catalyst were assessed. Computational simulations using Monte Carlo adsorption locator were conducted to investigate pollutant molecules adsorption, orientation, and interaction energy on the catalyst surface, revealing spontaneous adsorption with negative binding energies. This study provides valuable insights into the potential application of AlFeO3 perovskite as an effective catalyst for environmental remediation.
Influence of Nitrogen Doping and Pre‐Carbonization on the Performance of Lignin‐Derived Activated Carbon for Supercapacitor Applications
Authors: Noor Navid , Rego Arjun , Plavniece Ance , Kaare Katlin , Schouten Anja , Espinoza Alejandra Ibarra , Volperts Aleksandrs , Kruusenburg Ivar , Higgins Drew 
Published: January 2025

AbstractNanostructured carbons are widely used as active materials for supercapacitor applications owing to their high specific surface area and electrical conductivity. Biomass waste‐derived materials can be sustainably produced. In this work, highly porous activated carbon was prepared from lignin waste for supercapacitor applications, and the effects of nitrogen doping and a pre‐carbonization treatment on the final performance were investigated. Particularly, activated carbonized lignin (ACL) and activated lignin (AL) samples were prepared with or without a pre‐carbonization step, respectively, and with or without nitrogen doping. Nitrogen doping of the samples was found to decrease the capacitance owing to the loss of critical oxygen‐containing functional groups, which provide pseudocapacitance. Meanwhile, the use of a pre‐carbonization treatment greatly improved the surface area and capacitance of the materials. Sorptometry analysis indicated that ACL and AL have high specific surface areas of 3174 and 2289 m2 g−1, respectively. ACL achieved a specific capacitance of 306.4 F g−1 and 292.1 F g−1 in 1 mol L−1 KOH and H2SO4, respectively. Furthermore, the contribution of a pre‐carbonization treatment to improve the surface area and maintain the presence of oxygen‐containing functional groups was identified as beneficial towards improving the pseudocapacitance properties of the porous carbon materials.
A New Feature Level‐Based Multi‐Biometric Identification System to Enable Secure and Reliable Communication Systems for Next‐Generation Smart Cities
Authors: Mohammed Bayan Omar 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTThe concept of smart cities, which aims to improve urban lifestyles through innovative technologies and policies, has gained significant momentum over the last few years. As we transition into the next‐generation smart city era, it is crucial to review some of the fundamental technologies driving this evolution. Among these, security‐related challenges necessitate the implementation of effective authentication systems. This paper introduces a novel feature‐based multi‐biometric identification system designed to provide secure and reliable communication frameworks for next‐generation smart cities. The use of multi‐modal biometric identification for twins has long been a fascinating and valuable area of research. Because of its high reliability and acceptance, this approach significantly advances the domain of biometric identification for twins. The unique characteristics of twins are determined by variations in features extracted during the multi‐modal biometric process. However, many of these extracted features are superfluous, expanding the search space and complicating the generalization process. Therefore, the primary challenge lies in isolating the most salient features capable of accurately identifying twins through multi‐modal biometrics. To address this challenge, this research proposes an improved twin multi‐modal biometric identification framework. The proposed method employs a fusion of Dis‐Eigen features with the SailFish optimization algorithm to enhance both accuracy and efficiency. In this study, unique biometric features of twins were extracted and simplified using the Dis‐Eigen process, after which the Sailfish algorithm was applied to optimize model parameters and improve identification accuracy. As a result, the intra‐class similarity error decreased, while the inter‐class similarity error increased, improving twin identification. Consequently, several classifier applications achieved an identification rate exceeding 93%.
Micrometer‐Sized Liposome‐Based Systems: A Hierarchical Breakdown
Authors: Hamada Shogo , Sugiyama Hironori , Zhang Yiting , Iwabuchi Shoji , Hiroi Soichiro , Maruyama Toshiki , Balaji Yuktesh , Kumagai Sota , Murata Satoshi , Toyota Taro 
Published: January 2025

AbstractLiposomes have attracted attention as a compartment for various synthetic biomolecular systems, including artificial cells and drug delivery carriers. Notably, micrometer‐sized liposomes (MSLs) have emerged as a key platform for engineering de novo biomolecular systems, extending beyond their role as model compartments in scientific research. However, there is still a lack of reviews on MSLs from the perspective of artificial systems across various disciplines from basic sciences to applied sciences and to engineering. In this review, we aim to fill this gap by providing a hierarchical breakdown that offers a systematic overview of MSL design and experimental methods. Primarily targeted at readers new to the field, our review presents a unified description of MSL‐based functional systems and guidance on experimental details such as lipid composition and preparation methods. Our approach seeks to present a consolidated perspective of functionalized liposomes as an artificial system, contributing to advancements across various disciplines.
Third‐Party International Student Pathway Providers: Stakes for TESOL and Higher Education
Authors: Jordan Jay 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTPrivate entities offering US‐based colleges and universities access to international student recruitment networks have expanded in recent years as institutions seek to bolster their international prestige and their enrollment revenue. Many resulting third‐party partnerships also provide curricular “pathway programs” and co‐curricular support for students who may not otherwise be admissible. The relative novelty of these programs, especially in the United States, has so far limited scholarly research. This report seeks to raise awareness of such programs among TESOL scholars, teachers, and administrators, as well as others who are often directly impacted by trends in international education. I briefly summarize the history and current landscape of third‐party pathway programs, describe and analyze emerging themes from scholarly literature, and suggest next steps for research and practice.
Acute Pancreatitis: An Update of Evidence‐Based Management and Recent Trends in Treatment Strategies
Authors: Beij Astrid , Verdonk Robert C. , van Santvoort Hjalmar C. , de‐Madaria Enrique , Voermans Rogier P. 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTAcute pancreatitis is a common gastrointestinal disease leading to hospitalisation. Recent advancements in its management have primarily focussed on the development of early phase medical interventions targeting inflammatory pathways, optimisation of supportive treatment (including fluid resuscitation, pain management and nutritional management), appropriate use of antibiotics, implementation of minimally invasive interventions for infected necrosis, and the necessity of follow‐up for long‐term complications. These advancements have significantly improved personalised management and overall outcomes of acute pancreatitis. Despite these efforts, early‐phase medical interventions to mitigate disease progression are still lacking and acute pancreatitis remains a heterogeneous disease. Future research and clinical trials are imperative to further optimise current strategies and develop new therapeutic approaches. This review presents an evidence‐based approach to the management of acute pancreatitis, highlighting recent developments.
Perturbations of positive semigroups factorized via AM- and AL-spaces
Authors: Barbieri Alessio , Engel Klaus-Jochen 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
In this note we extend perturbation results for positive

$$C_0$$

C
0

-semigroups on AM- and AL-spaces generalizing them to arbitrary Banach lattices in case the perturbation can be factorized appropriately. The abstract results are applied to domain perturbations of generators, a heat equation with boundary feedback and perturbations of the first derivative.
Asymptotic behavior of the equivalent Timoshenko linear beam model used in the analysis of tower buildings
Authors: Akil Mohammad , Dell’Oro Filippo , Fragnelli Genni , Régnier Virginie , Soufyane Abdelaziz 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
We study the asymptotic properties of a continuous Timoshenko linear beam model immersed in a three-dimensional space and used in the analysis of tower buildings. Assume that the bending and axial behaviors are coupled on the one hand, while the shear and torsional behaviors are coupled on the other hand. If the displacement vector is totally damped and the rotational vector is undamped, or if the rotational vector is totally damped and the displacement vector is undamped, then the system is proved to be exponentially stable, under some assumptions on the physical parameters involved in the problem. We also consider the case when the bending and axial behaviors and/or the shear and torsional behaviors are uncoupled. In this situation, the stability properties are different if the rotational or the displacement vector is damped or not: the system can be exponentially stable, polynomially stable or even unstable.
The effect of semi-cured elements on the quality of integrated composite structures
Authors: Radhakrishnan Arjun , Mavrogordato Mark , Zivkovic Petar , McMahon Turlough , Kratz James 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
There is a demand to ramp up the rate of production of primary aerostructures and as such new processing methods are required. This study investigates a two-stage process for integrating composite structures. In Stage 1, a series of doublers are infused and semi-cured to a target degree of cure (α). In Stage 2, these doublers are integrated into a preformed stiffened panel, to increase thickness locally, followed by infusion. The impact of this integration on quality in terms of thickness and void content of the semi-cured doublers is assessed through the processing stages. The results indicate that semi-curing elements to a higher degree of cure (α = 0.74) around the gel point (α = 0.70) of the epoxy matrix have minimal impact on the relative quality of the final structure. However, at a lower semi-cure (α = 0.47), the void (> 100 µm) content increased from 0.8 to 1.92% during the secondary stage. Tracking the thermal profile of the semi-cured elements through the stages combined with a Cure-Temperature-Transition diagram shows that at a lower degree of cure, the resin in the semi-cured doublers will be in a liquid phase during Stage 2 leading to the potential for resin reflow.
Year-to-year differentiation of black tea through spectroscopic and chemometric analysis
Authors: Yorulmaz Hilal , Cavdaroglu Cagri , Donmez Ozge , Serpen Arda , Ozen Banu 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
The compositions of food products such as tea can vary significantly from one harvest year to another, primarily due to factors such as shifting climatic conditions, and plant periodicity. These fluctuations in composition can significantly affect the overall product quality. Spectral methods combined with chemometric techniques can provide efficient tools to monitor and assess these variations. In this study, 205 black tea samples from two consecutive harvest years were analyzed using mid-infrared, UV–visible, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Mid-infrared spectra were collected for both infused and powdered samples, while only the infused samples were used for the other spectroscopic methods. The study used partial least-square discriminant (PLS-DA) and orthogonal partial least-square discriminant analyses (OPLS-DA) to differentiate samples by harvest year. These models, applied after various data transformations, achieved high correct classification rates. Mid-infrared spectroscopic data yielded rates of 93.33% and 90.33% for powdered and infused samples, respectively. Fluorescence and UV–visible spectra also showed excellent prediction accuracy, with success rates of 98.3% and 100%. The results indicate that these spectroscopic methods, combined with chemometric differentiation, are valuable tools for monitoring year-to-year changes in black tea.
Improvements in the aromatic composition of Tempranillo Blanco grapes after being sprayed with three concentrations of urea either at pre-veraison or veraison
Authors: Murillo-Peña Rebeca , Martínez-Vidaurre José María , Garde-Cerdán Teresa 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Primary aromas are important to define the quality of grapes and wines. This work studied the effect of the foliar application of urea in Tempranillo Blanco grapevines. The goal was to assess the effect of applying three doses of urea at two phenological stages (pre-veraison and veraison) on the volatile composition of Tempranillo Blanco grapes, during two seasons. The urea treatments did not have an impact on the vineyard yield or general parameters of the grapes. Nevertheless, these treatments modified the grape volatile composition. Specifically, the lower urea dose improved terpenoids, C13 norisoprenoids, and benzenoid compounds. The application moment had a slight effect on grape volatile compounds. Moreover, the concentration of some terpenoids increased when urea was applied at veraison. Climatic conditions, especially warm and dry weather, were the main factors that modified the volatile compounds, stimulating the synthesis of C13 norisoprenoids and benzenoid compounds. Consequently, foliar applications of low urea concentrations could be an interesting viticulture practice in order to improve volatile compounds in Tempranillo Blanco musts.