bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adsorptive Removal of Hazardous Eriochrome Black T and Its Metal Complexes from Aqueous Media Using Spent Coffee Grounds
Authors: Jamhour Rasheed M. A. Q. , Al-Msiedeen Ashraf , Al-Faraheed Rand , Esaifan Muayad , Jamhour Mohannad 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
An adsorbent was prepared from the spent coffee grounds (SCG) waste by simple washing and tested for its effective use as a low-cost adsorbent for removing eriochrome black T, an azo dye from wastewater, and its metal ion complexes that might be present in industrial water. Various factors were assessed, such as contact time, pH, adsorbent dose, initial dye concentration, and temperature using a batch method and fixed bed column adsorption. Fourier-transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, (SEM) scanning electron microscope, and BET techniques were employed for characterization. The adsorption capacity of EBT at an equilibrium time was 4.95 mg/g and for [EBT-Zn+ 2], [EBT-Pb+ 2], and [EBT-Cu+ 2] complexes were 4.53, 4.72, and 4.70 mg/g, respectively. In the column study, the adsorption capacity increase for EBT and [EBT-Zn+ 2] at a flow rate of 3 ml/min to be 143.8 and 138.4 mg/g. The removal of EBT and its complexes were illustrated by the kinetic data in a good fit with the models of pseudo-second-order and Freundlich isotherm. The calculated thermodynamic parameters such as ΔG°, ΔH°, and ΔS° showed that the adsorption of EBT and EBT-M was feasible, spontaneous, and exothermic at a temperature range of 298–333 K. The results from this study confirmed the effectiveness of inexpensive and eco-friendly waste as an option for the adsorption and remediation of polluted water.
Measurement of radon concentration in soil gas and radon exhalation rate from soil samples along and across the Main Central Thrust of Garhwal Himalaya, India
Authors: Singh Krishna Pal , Chandra Subhash , Panwar Pooja , Joshi Abhishek , Prasad Ganesh , Gusain G. S. , Ramola R. C. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The present study focuses on measuring radon concentrations in soil gas at various depths, radon exhalation rate (surface and mass) from soil samples, and gamma dose rate along and across the Main Central Thrust of Garhwal Himalaya, India. Radon concentration in soil gas, surface, and mass exhalation rates were measured using a portable Smart radon monitor (RnDuo). Furthermore, the gamma dose rate was measured using a pocket radiation monitor. The soil gas radon concentration was varied from 15 ± 4 to 579 ± 82 Bq m-3 at a depth of 25 cm, 10 ± 2 to 533 ± 75 Bq m-3 at a depth of 30 cm, and 9 ± 1 to 680 ± 95 Bq m-3 at a depth of 35 cm. The surface and Mass exhalation rates were found 3 ± 0.7 to 98 ± 3 Bq m−2 h−1 (with AM ± SD = 36 ± 28 Bq m−2 h−1) and 1 ± 0.2 to 95 ± 2 m Bq kg−1 h−1 (with AM ± SD = 30 ± 22 m Bq kg−1 h−1), respectively. The gamma dose rate for the present study area varies from 0.011 ± 0.05 to 0.28 ± 0.05 µSv h−1 with a mean value of 0.17 ± 0.05 µSv h−1. The correlation analysis between the exhalation rates (Mass and surface) and radon concentration of soil gas at various depths was carried out in the current study.
Tropism and infectivity of duck adenovirus type-3 virus in chickens
Authors: Xu Bin , Dai Yin , Wang Qingfeng , Sun Jiayu , Liu Kewei , Liu CuiYan , Liu Hongmei , Li Jinchun , Chen Fangfang 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background
Duck adenovirus type-3 (DAdV-3) seriously affects the health of ducks, however, the pathogenicity of the virus in chickens remains unknown. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the pathogenicity and major pathological changes caused by DAdV-3 in chickens.
Results
The specific fragment of the virus was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the evolutionary tree showed that the isolated virus belonged to DAdV-3, named HE-AN-2022. The mortality rate of chicks was 100% after subcutaneous inoculation at the neck, while the mortality rate of eye-nose drop inoculation was correlated with the number of infections, with 26.7% of chicks dying if exposed to multiple infections. The main symptoms of chicks before death were hepatitis-hydropericardium syndrome (HHS), ulceration of the glandular stomach and swollen bursa with petechial hemorrhages. Histopathological examination showed swelling, necrosis, lymphocyte infiltration and alkaline inclusion bodies in multiple organs. The results of quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) showed that DAdV-3 could infect most organs of chickens, and the gizzard, glandular stomach, bursa, spleen and liver carried the highest amount of virus. Surviving chicks produced extremely high antibody levels. After infecting chickens with DAdV-3 derived from Muscovy ducks, no amino acid mutation was observed in the major mutation regions ORF19B, ORF66 and ORF67 of the virus.
Conclusion
DAdV-3 can infect chickens, causing classic HHS with ulceration of the glandular stomach and swollenbursa with petechial hemorrhages, leading to high mortality in chickens.The major variation domains did not change after infection with the virus in Muscovy ducks and chickens. This is the first study to report the of DAdV-3 in chickens, and this study provides a new basis for the prevention and control of the virus.
Association between gut microbiota and psoriasis: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zhang Jin , Xiang Yang , Shen Yingjie , Chen Jiqiu , Liu Lei , Liu Qingsong , Jin Jian , Zhu Shihui 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background:
Research has found that the composition of gut microbiota is related to psoriasis and its subtypes. However, the causal effect of gut microbiota on psoriasis is still unclear.
Methods:
A two sample Mendelian randomization randomized study was conducted using the aggregated statistical data of intestinal microbiota in the meta-analysis of the largest available genome-wide association studies conducted by the MiBioGen Alliance. The summary statistical data for psoriasis, arthropathic psoriasis, and psoriasis vulgaris are from the FinnGen Alliance R7 release. Reverse variance weighting, maximum likelihood, MR Egger, weighted median, weighted model, MR-PRESSO, and cML MA were used to examine the causal relationship between gut microbiota and psoriasis, arthropathic psoriasis, and psoriasis vulgaris. In the forward Mendelian randomization randomization analysis, reverse Gregor Mendel randomization analysis was performed on bacteria found to have causal relationships with psoriasis, arthropathic psoriasis and psoriasis vulgaris. Cochran's Q statistics are used to quantify the heterogeneity of Instrumental variables estimation.
Results:
A higher genetically predicted abundance Odoribacter was associated with a reduced risk of psoriasis. While a higher genetically predicted abundance of Ruminiclostridium5 was associated with an increased risk of psoriasis. The genetically predicted relative abundance of Verrucomicrobiae, Verrucomicrobiaceae, Akkermansia, Verrucomicrobiales were positively associated with arthropathic psoriasis. A higher genetically predicted abundance of Rikenellaceae served as protective factors for arthropathic psoriasis. Specifically, a higher genetically predicted Atinomycetaceae, Eubacterium fissicatena group, Lactococcus, and Actinomycetales were associated with a higher risk of psoriasis vulgaris. In contrast, higher genetically predicted Odoribacter was a lower risk of psoriasis vulgaris. No significant heterogeneity or level pleiotropy of Instrumental variables estimation was found.
Conclusion:
This MR study offer novel perspectives regarding the prevention, advancement, and therapy of psoriasis by concentrating on specific bacterial groups. Additional research is required to specify the exact mechanism relating the association between gut microbiota and psoriasis along with its classifications.
Microstructure and hot corrosion property of a Si-Co-Y diffusion coating deposited on TiAl-Nb alloy
Authors: Li Xuan , Lv Wei , Xie Xiaoqing , Wei Zekun , Zhang Xuyi , Jia Lina , Zhou Dedong 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Si-Co-Y diffusion coatings were deposited on TiAl-Nb alloy using pack cementation process. The influence of activators and deposition temperatures on the coating structures was investigated, alongside the coating formation process and hot corrosion performance of the optimized coating in molten salt of 25%NaCl+75%K2SO4 at 850 ℃. The results show that a dense and compact Si-Co-Y diffusion coating can be prepared on TiAl-Nb alloy, with a multi-layered structure including an outmost layer of (Ti,X)Si2 (X represents Co, Al, Nb, Y), an outer layer composed of TiSi2+Ti5Si4+Ti5Si3 mixtures, a middle layer of Ti5Si3, and an inner layer of TiAl2. The coating prepared with AlCl3·6H2O and NH4Cl had many pores. Increase in deposition temperature led to a higher coating growth rate within the range of 1050-1100 oC, but temperature exceeding 1100 ℃ caused the formation of intensive holes in the coating. Hot corrosion tests at high temperatures proved that the Si-Co-Y diffusion coating prepared on TiAl-Nb alloy exhibited excellent hot corrosion resistance in 25%NaCl-75%K2SO4 molten at 850 oC. A protective hot corrosion product scale composed of a TiO2+Na2SiO3+Na2TiO3 outer layer and an Al2O3 middle layer, formed on coating after hot corrosion for 50 h. The scale can effectively inhibit the inward diffusion of corrosion medial of O, Cl and S elements.
Structural characterization and macromolecular structure construction of non-stick coal in Chicheng Mine
Authors: Jia Jinzhang , yang qiang , Liu Baogang , Wang Dongming 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Given that coal is not a homogeneous substance, it is of great significance to identify and quantify the structural characteristics thereof for comprehensive analysis. In this paper, the non-caking coal in Chicheng Coal Mine was selected as the research object. The C, H, O, N, and S contents in the coal sampleswere obtained by element/industrial analysis experiments. The structural characteristics of aromatic, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and oxygen-containing functional groups in the experimental coal samples were obtained by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) experiments. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) experiments wereperformed to obtain the occurrence state of N and S elements in coal samples. Nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) experiments provided the carbon skeleton structural information of the coal samples. The macromolecular structure model of non-caking coal in the Chicheng Coal Mine was established on this basis. The molecular formula of non-caking coal in Chicheng Coal Mine was determined to be C207H181O32N3S.The13C NMR-predicted spectrum of the model showed good consistency with the 13C NMR-experimental spectrum obtained from the experiments, providing researchers with reference to the construction ideas and methods of molecular structure models of different coal samples.
VR interventions aimed to induce empathy: a scoping review
Authors: Trevena Lee , Paay Jeni , McDonald Rachael 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Purpose
To assess the methods and outcomes of virtual reality (VR) interventions aimed at inducing empathy and to evaluate if VR could be used in this manner for disability support worker (DSW) training, as well as highlight areas for future research.
Methods
The authors conducted a scoping review of studies that used VR interventions to induce empathy in participants. We searched three databases for articles published between 1960 and 2021 using “virtual reality” and “empathy” as key terms. The search yielded 707 articles and 44 were reviewed.
Results
VR interventions largely resulted in enhanced empathy skills for participants. Most studies agreed that VR’s ability to facilitate perspective-taking was key to inducing empathy for participants. Samples were often limited to the context of healthcare, medicine, and education.
Conclusions
This literature provides preliminary evidence for the technology’s efficacy for inducing empathy. Identified research gaps relate to limited studies done, study quality and design, best practice intervention characteristics, populations and outcomes of interest, including lack of transfer and data across real-world settings.
The non-vesicle extracellular DNA induces cell transformation associated with horizontal DNA transfer
Authors: Cruz-Sigüenza DA De La , Reyes-Grajeda JP , Velasco-Velázquez MA , Trejo-Becerril Catalina , Pérez-Cárdenas Enrique , Chávez-Blanco Alma Delia , Taja-Chayeb Lucía , Domínguez-Gómez Guadalupe , Ramos-Godinez Pilar , González-Fierro Aurora , Dueñas-González Alfonso 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Extracellular DNA (exDNA) is a source for liquid biopsy used for cancer diagnosis, therapy selection, and disease monitoring due to its non-invasive nature and ease of extraction. However, exDNA also participates in cancer development and progression by horizontal transfer. In humans, exDNA circulates complexed with extracellular vesicles (EV) and macromolecular complexes such as nucleosomes, lipids, and serum proteins. The present study aimed to demonstrate whether exDNA not associated with EV induces cell transformation and tumorigenesis. For that purpose, the supernatant of the SW480 human colon cancer cell line was processed by ultracentrifugation to obtain a soluble fraction (SF) and a fraction associated with EV (EVF). Primary murine embryonic fibroblast cells (NIH3T3) underwent passive transfection with these fractions, and cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, cell transformation, and tumorigenic assays were performed. Next, exDNA was analyzed by electronic microscopy, and horizontal transfer was assessed by human mutant KRAS in recipient cells via PCR and recipient cell internalization via fluorescence microscopy. The results showed that the SF but not the EVF of exDNA induced proliferative and antiapoptotic effects, cell transformation, and tumorigenesis in nude mice, which were reduced by digestion with DNAse I and proteinase K. These effects were associated with horizontal DNA transfer and exDNA internalization into recipient cells. The present results suggest pro-tumorigenic effects of exDNA in the SF that can be offset by enzyme treatment. Further exploration of the horizontal tumor progression phenomenon mediated by exDNA is needed to determine whether its manipulation may play a role in cancer therapy.
Polymer lipid hybrid nanoparticles encapsulated with Emodin reverse multidrug resistance of breast cancer via IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway
Authors: Gu Honghui , Meng Fansu , Yang Lina , Li Qi , Chen Zhong , Cai Tiange , Yang Zhenjiang , Cai Yu 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Multidrug resistance (MDR) is one of the main reasons affecting the efficacy of chemotherapy in breast cancer (BC). Our previous studies constructed polymer lipid hybrid nanoparticles encapsulated with Emodin (EMO) (E-PLNs) and proved that they can inhibit epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and reverse MDR in BC. This study aims to explore the mechanisms by which the EMT involved in MDR and the E-PLNs exerted effects. The prepared E-PLNs were characterized by Dynamic light scattering, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray and differential scanning calorimetry. The effects of drugs or treatments were evaluated by detecting apoptosis, invasion, EMT markers, and drug-resistant related proteins of drug-resistant breast cancer cells in vitro. The results showed that IL-6 could promote proliferation, EMT, invasion and MDR of MCF-7/ADR cell by activating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, and these effects could be reversed by AG490 or E-PLNs. E-PLNs might be an effective MDR reversal agent for BC.
Effect of Ni2+ and Co2+ Substitution on the Characteristics of the Strontium Aluminium Hexaferrite (SrAl2Fe10O19)
Authors: Joshi Himani , Kumar A. Ruban 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The nickel and cobalt substituted strontium aluminium hexaferrite Sr1 − xNixAl2Fe10O19/Sr1 − xCoxAl2Fe10O19 (x = 0.1, 0.2) were synthesized via the sol-gel auto-combustion technique using glycine fuel. The particles formed in hexagonal crystal structure with space group P63/mmc. The field-emission scanning microscopy was adopted for morphological analysis, and the images revealed the plate-like formation of the particles. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the presence and oxidation states of all the elements. The vibrating sample magnetometer studies were taken to determine saturation magnetization (Ms), coercivity (Hc), squareness ratio (Mr/Ms), and energy product (BHmax) values. The electric studies disclosed the presence of relaxations in the system, which was interpreted through Koop and Maxwell-Wagner's model.
Fractal Dimensions and Machine Learning for Detection of Parkinson’s Disease in Resting-State EEG
Authors: Lal Utkarsh , Chikkankod Arjun Vinayak , Longo Luca 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Parkinson's Disease (PD) is an incurable neurological disorder that degenerates the cerebrospinal nervous system and hinders motor functions. Electroencephalography (EEG) signal analysis can provide reliable information regarding PD conditions. However, EEG is a complex, multi-channel, and non-linear signal with noise that problematizes identifying PD symptoms. A few studies have employed Fractal Dimension (FD) to extract distinguishing PD features from EEG signals. However, no exploratory study exists, as per our knowledge, on the efficiency of the different FD measures. We aim to conduct a comparative analysis of the various FDs that, as feature extraction measures, can discriminate PD patients who are ON and OFF medication from healthy controls using ML architecture. This study has implemented and analyzed several techniques for segmentation, feature extraction, and ML models. The results show that K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) classifier with Higuchi FD and 90% overlap for segmented window delivers the highest accuracies, yielding a mean accuracy of 99.65% for PD patients ON medication and 99.45% for PD patients OFF medication, respectively. The model accurately identifies the signs of the disease in resting-state EEG with almost equivalent accuracy in both OFF and ON medication patients. To enhance the interpretability in our study, we leveraged XGB's feature importance to generate brain topographic plots. This integration of Explainable AI (XAI) enhanced the transparency and comprehensibility of our model's classifications. Additionally, a comparison between the performance of FD and a few Entropy measures has also been drawn to validate the significance of FD as a superior feature extraction measure. This study contributes to the body of knowledge with an architectural pipeline for detecting PD in resting-state EEG while emphasizing Fractal Dimension as an effective way of extracting salient features from EEG signals.
Ultrafiltration study of the polysulfone membrane modified with branched polyethyleneimine
Authors: Vala Smit , Gawali Sapna Ajay , Jampa Surendra Sasikumar , Sinha Manish Kumar , Khuntia Snigdha 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

This work discussed the fabrication of polysulfone (PSF) ultrafiltration membranes with hydrophilic behaviour by adding branched polyethyleneimine (PEI) as an additive. By directly blending the base polymer and the additive in the organic solvent, the casting solution is prepared. An asymmetric ultrafiltration membrane was fabricated by the phase inversion method. The presence of PEI was confirmed by comparing the IR spectra of the plain PSF membrane and the modified PSF membrane. A scanning electron microscope was used for the comparison of morphological changes in plain and modified membranes. The membrane was characterised with respect to bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption, pure water flux, permeability, compaction factor, humic acid (HA) rejection, and water uptake. The fouling resistance behaviour is prompted due to the presence of hydrophilic PEI chains in the membrane. As a result, pure water flux and flux recovery ratio increased from 28.84 to 326.54 L/m2h and from 0.526 to 0.954 L/m2hkPa for the modified membrane with respect to the plain membrane, respectively.
Mulching effect on water management in agro-ecological systems: a review
Authors: Shaikh T. N. , Patel Janki R. , Patel B. H. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

The rapidly growing world population, inadequate accessible freshwater resources, and frequent erratic changes in climate have stressed human beings and compelled them to take vital initiatives to prevent water wastage. Water conservation efforts are also intensified in the world's largest water-consuming agriculture sector. The water use efficiency in agronomy has already been enhanced by the adoption of the drip irrigation method, intended to supply water directly to the crop, rather than the land around, thereby minimising water losses up to 70% occurring through evaporation and distribution. Mulching in association with drip irrigation in arid crop agronomy leads to mitigating vigorously water stress in agriculture. Mulch is a layer of natural or synthetic or combination material applied to the surface of the soil as a protective medium between the soil and the atmosphere. Entirely, it is an efficient medium for soil moisture conservation, and soil temperature control, adds nutrients to the soil by preventing leaching and more efficient use of fertilisers, resistor to erosion losses, suppressing the weeding and improving the visual look of landscapes. This review paper covers various aspects of mulch, emerging as a dynamic water and soil management tool without affecting the value of crops in agriculture.
Simulation of current and future water demands using the WEAP model in the Annaba province, Northeastern Algeria: a case study
Authors: Berredjem Abdel Fatah , Boumaiza Ahlem , Hani Azzedine 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The Annaba province in Algeria is currently facing significant challenges due to water shortages and intermittent water distribution. This study utilizes the Water Evaluation And Planning (WEAP) system to assess present and future water supply and demands in Annaba province, Algeria. Five scenarios, including a reference, climate change, desalination, leakage reduction, and water reuse, are evaluated. The analysis reveals that the region faces significant water shortages and intermittent distribution, with projected annual water demand reaching 148 Mm3 by 2070. Climate change amplifies the demand by 8%, resulting in a projected water demand of 151 Mm3 by 2070. The industrial sector exhibits the highest unmet water demand, while the domestic and agricultural sectors also face challenges. Alternative scenarios, such as water efficiency and desalination, offer potential for eliminating industrial unmet water demand. Scenario 5 (managed aquifer recharge) reduces industrial unmet water demands by 36% to 23 Mm3 by 2070, while scenario 4 (leakage reduction and water reuse) decreases unmet domestic demands to 24 Mm3. This study emphasizes the need for water management strategies including efficient water use, infrastructure investment, public education on conservation and reuse, and industry adoption of water-saving technologies. Overall, this study addresses the difficulties and challenges associated with water scarcity in Annaba province.