bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Three‐dimensional porous magnetic polyaniline supported Ag nanoparticles nanocomposites as an efficient and recyclable catalyst for nitrophenol reduction
Authors: Huang Huabo , Li Cheng , Zhang Qi , Huang Juan , Ji Jiayou , Liu Yulan , Li Liang 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAg nanoparticles (Ag NPs) nanocomposites are promising catalysts for nitro compound reduction, but simultaneously meeting the requirements of high catalytic activity, stability, recyclability and facile preparation is highly difficult. Herein, the three‐dimensional (3D) porous magnetic polyaniline (PANI) was synthesized using phytic acid (PA) as the dopant/crosslinker, and a recyclable PANI/Ag NPs nanocomposite (PMPA) was obtained through the in situ redox between PANI and AgNO3. Characterization results demonstrate that PMPA exhibits a typical 3D porous structure constructed by coral‐like PANI framework with well‐dispersed Ag NPs (10–20 nm) firmly anchored. The PMPA can efficiently catalyze the 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP) reduction, with a reaction rate constant of 9.5 × 10−3 s−1 (and 1067.4 s−1 g−1), which is highly competitive to the previously reported high‐performance Ag NPs catalysts. This is probably due to the favorable mass/electron conduction of 3D porous structure and strong interaction between PA and Ag. Moreover, the magnetism renders PMPA recyclability via a simple magnetic attraction, and the reaction rate constant remains at a high level after six reuse cycles, up to 4.8 × 10−3 s−1. This work highlights the important role of 3D porous PANI in structure of Ag NPs nanocomposites, and paves a new way to develop recyclable catalysts with facile preparation and high catalytic performance.Highlights
Facile synthesis via in situ reaction between 3D porous PANI and AgNO3.
Stable dispersion and strong anchor attributed to phytic acid.
Conductive porous structure to facilitate mass/electron transportation.
Outstanding catalytic performance for 4‐NP reduction and recycle by magnetism.
Quasi‐static axial crushing of multi‐tubular foam‐filled carbon fiber reinforced composite structures
Authors: Khan Tabrej , Alshahrani Hassan , Abd‐Elaziem Walaa , Umarfarooq M. A. , Sebaey Tamer A. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIn automotive design, a key aspect in limiting injuries in the event of collision is the ability of vehicle's structures to absorb high quantities of energy. Recently, automobiles have been designed with materials such as carbon fiber‐reinforced polymers to replace the conventional metallic materials, to boost structural safety and fuel efficiency. In this study, various combinations of carbon fiber‐reinforced plastic and Kevlar‐reinforced polymer composite tubes were assembled to form multi‐tubular composites and their crushing properties were investigated under quasi‐static axial compression. A total of five different combinations were designed and tested. The results showed that the addition of intermediate tubing system in the hollow composite tubes significantly improved the load‐bearing and energy absorption capabilities of the composite tubes. In addition, these configurations were also filled with polyurethane (PU) foam. It was shown that, apart from specific energy absorption (SEA), all the other parameters, such as peak load, mean load, crushing force efficiency, and overall energy absorption ability, were enhanced with the addition of foam. The SEA parameter showed inconsistent behavior, and this was attributed to the weight addition caused by the addition of foam in the composite tubes.Highlights
This study examined the crashworthiness properties of multi‐tubular structures.
Placing of intermediate tubing showed great improvement in absorption capacity.
The system with carbon‐based intermediate tubes performed the best.
Filling PU foam within the structures also improved the load‐bearing properties.
The SEA was seen to reduce with the addition of PU foam.
Scaffold fabrication for tissue engineering based on radiation copolymerization of polymer blends: (I) Zein/poly (vinyl butyral) blends
Authors: Mahdy Sanna R. , El‐Samanody El‐Sayed A. , Khatab Mai , Abdel‐Monem Yasser K. , Korraa Soher , Senna Magdy M. H. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe main objective of this work is to fabricate scaffold material for tissue engineering and using Vero (monkey kidney cells)/Paulownia tomentosa cells as model cells. For this objective, copolymer blends of poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) and Zein, the main constituent, have been fabricated as thin films. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and x‐ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the copolymer blends. The findings showed that Zein component degradation caused the gel fraction percentage to decrease with higher irradiation doses. Zein's thermal characteristics are also decreased by the addition of PVB polymer, but they are improved by irradiation to 10 kGy through promoting phase adhesion and the generation of free radicals at boundary surfaces. Vero (Monkey kidney) cells proliferate more rapidly in the blend Zein/PVB (85/15%) irradiated to 45 kGy than in the unirradiated one. On the other hand, the Paulownia tomentosa cells proliferation was died.Highlights
Copolymer blends of Zein and PVB were prepared by gamma irradiation.
The copolymers were fabricated as scaffold material for tissue engineering using monkey kidney cells.
PVB and Zein copolymer were characterized by FT‐IR, SEM, DSC, and XRD.
The Zein/PVB (85/15%)—45 kGy has monkey kidney cells proliferation better than unirradiated one.
Differences in mucilage properties and stomatal sensitivity of locally adapted Zea mays in relation with precipitation seasonality and vapour pressure deficit regime of their native environment
Authors: Berauer Bernd J. , Akale Asegidew , Schweiger Andreas H. , Knott Mathilde , Diehl Dörte , Wolf Marc‐Philip , Sawers Ruairidh J. H. , Ahmed Mutez A. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWith ongoing climate change and the increase in extreme weather events, especially droughts, the challenge of maintaining food security is becoming ever greater. Locally adapted landraces of crops represent a valuable source of adaptation to stressful environments. In the light of future droughts—both by altered soil water supply and increasing atmospheric water demand (vapor pressure deficit [VPD])—plants need to improve their water efficiency. To do so, plants can enhance their access to soil water by improving rhizosphere hydraulic conductivity via the exudation of mucilage. Furthermore, plants can reduce transpirational water loss via stomatal regulation. Although the role of mucilage and stomata regulation on plant water management have been extensively studied, little is known about a possible coordination between root mucilage properties and stomatal sensitivity as well as abiotic drivers shaping the development of drought resistant trait suits within landraces. Mucilage properties and stomatal sensitivity of eight Mexican landraces of Zea mays in contrast with one inbred line were first quantified under controlled conditions and second related to water demand and supply at their respective site of origin. Mucilage physical properties—namely, viscosity, contact angle, and surface tension—differed between the investigated maize varieties. We found strong influences of precipitation seasonality, thus plant water availability, on mucilage production (R2 = .88, p < .01) and mucilage viscosity (R2 = .93, p < .01). Further, stomatal sensitivity to increased atmospheric water demand was related to mucilage viscosity and contact angle, both of which are crucial in determining mucilage's water repellent, thus maladaptive, behavior upon soil drying. The identification of landraces with pre‐adapted suitable trait sets with regard to drought resistance is of utmost importance, for example, trait combinations such as exhibited in one of the here investigated landraces. Our results suggest a strong environmental selective force of seasonality in plant water availability on mucilage properties as well as regulatory stomatal effects to avoid mucilage's maladaptive potential upon drying and likely delay critical levels of hydraulic dysfunction. By this, landraces from highly seasonal climates may exhibit beneficial mucilage and stomatal traits to prolong plant functioning under edaphic drought. These findings may help breeders to efficiently screen for local landraces with pre‐adaptations to drought to ultimately increase crop yield resistance under future climatic variability.
Influence of side chain lengths in mechanophore‐containing polyisobutylene‐graft‐polystyrene
Authors: Mehringer Kyle D. , Vagholkar Parth K. , Davis Brad J. , Kemp Lisa K. , Ma Guorong , Storey Robson F. , Gu Xiaodan , Thornell Travis L. , Wedgeworth Dane N. , Simon Yoan C. , Morgan Sarah E. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPolymer architecture plays an important role in morphology and mechanochemical response. Here, graft copolymers containing mechanophores at the backbone‐arm junction are synthesized through a combination of post‐polymerization modification of butyl rubber and controlled radical polymerization. A series of graft copolymers with 70:30 or 50:50 polyisobutylene:polystyrene (PIB:PS) volume fractions were synthesized by changing the grafting density and arm length to keep the volume fractions constant. The morphologies for these polymers are disordered but show a decreasing domain size with shorter arm lengths, and the samples with a greater number of PS side chains show greater domain mixing. Using pulsed ultrasound experiments, we found greater backbone scission occurs for polymers with a greater number of short grafts per chain than the long grafts with fewer grafting points. Finally, mechanophore activation is greater for samples with arm molecular weights ≥13 kg/mol, attributed to exceeding the cutoff molecular weight for PS.
A high‐strength flexible transparent reprocessable polyurea film based on dual dynamic noncovalent interactions
Authors: Zhang Yanan , Li Lin , Ma Yuanhao , Lu Xun 
Published: August 2023

AbstractTo address the issues that waste of resources and environmental pollution caused by discarded materials, dynamic bonds are widely introduced into polymers to endow them with reprocess ability. However, there are some obvious issues in existing research such as poor toughness, low fracture elongation, and inability for repeated reprocessing of materials. Considering above problems, this study introduces dense hydrogen bonding and cation–π interactions into the polyurea system, and develops a high‐performance transparent film based on dual dynamic non‐covalent interactions, which enables the film to be reprocessed. Through the synergy of the dual non‐covalent networks, the film exhibits a high tensile strength of 79.6 ± 3.9 MPa and good hardness (pencil hardness of 4H, elastic modulus of 2.69 GPa). It can effectively resist the scratching of copper brush and maintain more than 97% of its initial mechanical strength after being reprocessed five times. In addition, the film has good adhesion to various substrates, as well as high flexibility (0.5 mm) and excellent optical properties (high light transmission of 91.1% and low haze of 0.94%). This study proposes a novel approach to enable polymer materials to be reprocessed and demonstrates the preparation of a film with great potential in optical protection and wearable devices.
Effects of pharmacological doses of niacin on subacute glucocorticoid‐induced testicular damage in rats
Authors: Azimi Zangabad E. , Shomali Tahoora , Roshangar L. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractGlucocorticoid excess adversely affects male reproduction. This study evaluates effects of pharmacological doses of niacin on testicular structure and function in dexamethasone‐treated rats. Adult rats (48) were randomly assigned to 6 equal groups: (1) Negative control (NC): normal rats; (2) Positive control (PC): dexamethasone at 7 mg/kg/day by intraperitoneal injections for 7 days; groups 3–6 (N50, N100, N200, and N400): dexamethasone and concomitant treatment with niacin at 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day by oral gavages. Testicular weight and volume of PC rats were significantly lower than the NC group (p < .05). Testicular volume of rats in the N50 and N200 groups was statistically similar to the NC group. Significant decreases in serum testosterone with a slight LH increase were detected in the PC group. Nacin at 50 mg/kg reversed serum testosterone to NC levels and increased serum LH concentration. Niacin only slightly increased epididymal spermatozoa number while all groups of niacin‐treated rats had significantly higher percentages of motile spermatozoa compared with the PC group. Hypospermatogenesis, germ cell degeneration and depletion, epithelial vacuolization, and degenerated Leydig cells were observed in PC rats. Lesions were relatively milder in niacin‐treated rats. Johnsen scores were also significantly higher in niacin‐treated rats. Niacin reduced apoptosis as shown by TUNEL assay. In conclusion, niacin administration at pharmacological doses dose‐dependently ameliorates the destructive effects of dexamethasone on sperm motility, Johnsen score, and testicular cell apoptosis in rats with the latter can be considered a decisive mechanism for its positive effects on testis.
Next‐generation methods for early disease detection in crops
Authors: Trippa Daniela , Scalenghe Riccardo , Basso Marcos Fernando , Panno Stefano , Davino Salvatore , Morone Chiara , Giovino Antonio , Oufensou Safa , Luchi Nicola , Yousefi Sanaz , Martinelli Federico 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPlant pathogens are commonly identified in the field by the typical disease symptoms that they can cause. The efficient early detection and identification of pathogens are essential procedures to adopt effective management practices that reduce or prevent their spread in order to mitigate the negative impacts of the disease. In this review, the traditional and innovative methods for early detection of the plant pathogens highlighting their major advantages and limitations are presented and discussed. Traditional techniques of diagnosis used for plant pathogen identification are focused typically on the DNA, RNA (when molecular methods), and proteins or peptides (when serological methods) of the pathogens. Serological methods based on mainly enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) are the most common method used for pathogen detection due to their high‐throughput potential and low cost. This technique is not particularly reliable and sufficiently sensitive for many pathogens detection during the asymptomatic stage of infection. For non‐cultivable pathogens in the laboratory, nucleic acid‐based technology is the best choice for consistent pathogen detection or identification. Lateral flow systems are innovative tools that allow fast and accurate results even in field conditions, but they have sensitivity issues to be overcome. PCR assays performed on last‐generation portable thermocyclers may provide rapid detection resultsin situ. The advent of portable instruments can speed pathogen detection, reduce commercial costs, and potentially revolutionize plant pathology. This review provides information on current methodologies and procedures for the effective detection of different plant pathogens. © 2023 The Authors.Pest Management Sciencepublished by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Epinodosin suppresses the proliferation, invasion, and migration of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by mediating miRNA‐143‐3p/Bcl‐2 axis
Authors: Chen Huiping , Li Yamei , Liu Yixian , Zhao Ying , Xu Fang , Yang Shuangshuang , Yu Mengdan , Zou Min , Zhang Jintao 
Published: August 2023

AbstractEpinodosin has shown antibacterial and antitumor biological characteristics in the documents. We found that Epinodosin has an effective inhibitory effect on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, the potential roles and mechanisms of Epinodosin in ESCC remain unclear. We performed many experiments to clarify the effect and mechanism of Epinodosin on ESCC. In this study, cell viability, invasion, migration, and apoptosis were determined by 3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl)‐2,‐diphenytetrazoliumromide (MTT), Transwell, and flow cytometry. The differentially expressed miRNAs were screened through RNA transcriptome sequencing. The expression levels of miRNA‐143‐3p and some proteins were measured by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot. The anticancer effects of Epinodosin in vivo were determined by a nude mouse model. Epinodosin suppressed cell proliferation/invasion/migration and induced ESCC cell apoptosis. Epinodosin remarkably affected the protein expression of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. The animal experiments demonstrated that Epinodosin could attenuate the growth of ESCC tumors in nude mice. The expression of p53, Bim, and Bax was upregulated, while that of Bcl‐2 was downregulated in tumor tissues. In conclusion, Epinodosin suppresses cell viability/invasion/migration, while induces ESCC cell apoptosis by mediating miRNA‐143‐3p and Bcl‐2, and can markedly attenuate the growth of ESCC tumors in nude mice.
Effect of geometrical and electronic alteration on the n → π* vertical excitation energy and thermodynamic stability of locked azobenzene (LAB) with protein confinement
Authors: Cholasseri Rinsha , Parameswaran Pattiyil 
Published: August 2023

AbstractLocked azobenzenes (LAB) derivatives are recognized as photoswitchable potassium ion channel blockers. Here we report the effect of tetraethyl ammonium ion (TEA) substituent and KcsA K+‐ion channel protein environment on the thermodynamic stability and vertical excitation energy of locked azobenzene. The complete active space self‐consistent field (CASSCF and state‐averaged CASSCF, SA2‐CAS) with complete active space perturbation theory (state‐averaged CASPT2, SA2‐CASPT2) and our own n‐layered integrated molecular orbital and molecular mechanics—mechanical embedding (ONIOM‐ME) followed by electronic embedding (ONIOM‐EE) methods were employed for the study. The Z‐isomer of LAB is thermodynamically more stable as compared to E‐isomer. The substitution of tetraethyl ammonium ion does not influence the thermodynamic stability. On the other hand, the thermodynamic stability is reversed in the protein environment. Furthermore, the vertical excitation energies (VEE) and geometrical parameters show that the photochemistry of LAB is unaffected by para‐substituted TEA. However, geometrical changes imposed by the protein on the confined LAB‐TEA decreases the VEE.
Seasonality regulates the taxonomic and functional compositions of protists responding to climate warming in forest ecosystems
Authors: Li Fangfang , Sun Anqi , Liu Xiaofei , Ren Peixin , Wu Bing‐Xue , Shen Ju‐Pei , Bi Li , He Ji‐Zheng , Yang Yusheng , Hu Hang‐Wei 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIntroductionProtists are unicellular eukaryotes including important predators, parasites and phototrophs, and play pivotal roles in organic matter decomposition, biogeochemical nutrient cycling and various ecosystem functions. Unravelling the impact of climate warming on soil protists is paramount in predicting how these microorganisms will continue to provide essential ecosystem services in the face of changing climatic conditions.Materials and MethodsWe examined the effects of 5‐year simulated climate warming scenario, with temperatures increased by 4°C above ambient levels, on the diversity and community composition of soil protists, as well as their interactions with other microorganisms in both natural and plantation forest ecosystems during three seasons: summer, autumn and winter.ResultsWe found a season‐dependent response of protists to climate warming, with a significant decrease in protist diversity during winter in natural forests. Furthermore, we identified significant alterations in the community compositions of protists during summer in both natural and plantation forests, as well as during winter in both forest types, under warming. Our analysis pinpointed specific functional protist taxa, such as consumers, parasites and phototrophs, which exhibited significant shifts in their relative abundances under warming. Additionally, we found that warming facilitated trophic interactions between protists and bacteria, while also strengthening interactions between bacterial and fungal communities. Warming could induce direct modifications in protist community compositions or indirectly affect them by modifying bacterial and fungal communities, as revealed by structural equation modelling.ConclusionThese findings demonstrate the substantial impact of warming on the taxonomic and functional compositions of protists in forest ecosystems, with the magnitude of these effects varying across seasons. Our study implicates that ongoing climate warming could have significant consequences for the profiles of soil protists, as well as their trophic interactions with bacteria and fungi, highlighting the importance of considering these effects for the sustainable provision of ecosystem functions.
Task‐oriented resource prediction and adjustment algorithm for space‐based information network
Authors: Wang Yufei , Liu Jun , Chen Meili , Xu Sai , Hou Yinnian 
Published: August 2023

SummaryThe tasks of a space‐based information network are complex and diverse, but the resources of a space‐based environment are minimal. The existing methods are challenging to match task demand to resource supply accurately. Aiming at the problem of accurate prediction from task to resource, we propose a resource prediction adjustment strategy. First, we propose a multidimensional resource prediction algorithm based on improved particle swarm optimization and back propagation (IPSO‐BP) neural network. The improved PSO is used to optimize the weight and threshold of BP neural network to make up for the defects that BP neural network is easy to fall into local minimum and the predicted output value is not unique. Second, to meet the quality of service (QoS) of tasks, we propose a density‐based performance evaluation algorithm (DPEA) to adjust resources. This method uses the idea of local sensitive hash to select the evaluation subset for the configuration task, then dynamically selects the nearest neighbors of the configuration task, and uses the idea of weighted average to evaluate the QoS performance index of the configuration task. Simulation results show that the proposed resource prediction and adjustment strategy effectively reduces the scheduling time overhead and improves resource utilization.
A Review on Biodiesel Production, Analysis, and Emission Characteristics from Non‐Edible Feedstocks
Authors: Jamil Farrukh 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBiodiesel produced from different edible and non‐edible feedstocks is a viable alternative option for fueling a combustion engine. However, the widespread use of edible sources for biodiesel production may lead to food versus fuel controversy. Oil from non‐edible feedstock is best possible solution for problems that inhibits biodiesel production on commercial scale. This study presents the potential of different non‐edible feedstock for biodiesel production. Several aspects such as extraction technologies used for extracting oil from non‐edible sources and biodiesel production pathways from non‐edible feedstocks are discussed. The quality of biodiesel should be assured before its commercialization by different physical and chemical characterization techniques are used. In particular, the emission comparison of biodiesel derived from the different non‐edible feedstocks is discussed. Based on this study, the non‐edible feedstocks have the potential to produce biodiesel but still it has a long way to go. This is due to non‐edible feedstock is in the R&D phase and needs more research to eliminate additional treatment steps compared to edible feedstock for economic aspects. Furthermore, there has been a trade off in emission properties of biodiesels produced from non‐edible feedstocks which must be removed or evaluated for pilot scale investigations before commercialization.