bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimized time dependent exfoliation of graphite for fabrication of Graphene/GO/GrO nanocomposite based pseudo-supercapacitor
Authors: Zainab Sana , Fraz Sajal , Awan Saif Ullah , Hussain Danish , Rizwan Syed , Mehmood Waqar 
Published: August 2023

AbstractHigh capacitance devices (Supercapacitors) fabricated using two-dimensional materials such as Graphene and its composites are attracting great attention of the research community, recently. Synthesis of 2D materials and their composites with high quality is desirable for the fabrication of 2D materials-based supercapacitors. Ultrasonic Assisted Liquid Phase Exfoliation (UALPE) is one of the widely used techniques for the synthesis of graphene. In this article, we report the effect of variation in sonication time on the exfoliation of graphite powder to extract a sample with optimal properties well suited for supercapacitors applications. Three different graphite powders (hereafter termed as sample A, sample B, and sample C) were sonicated for duration of 24 h, 48 h and 72 h at 60 °C. The exfoliation of graphite powder into graphene, GO and GrO was studied using XRD and RAMAN. AFM and SEM were further used to examine the layered structure of the synthesized nanocomposite. UV–visible spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetery were used to measure the band gaps, and capacitive behavior of the samples. Sample B exhibited a remarkable specific capacitance of 534.53 F/g with charge specific capacity of 530.1 C/g at 1 A/g and energy density of 66 kW/kg. Power density varied 0.75 kWh/kg to 7.5 kWh/kg for a variation in current density from 1 to 10 A/g. Sample B showed capacitive retention of 94%, the lowest impedance and highest degree of exfoliation and conductivity as compared to the other two samples.
Two-step hot isostatic pressing densification achieved non-porous fully-densified wood with enhanced physical and mechanical properties
Authors: Maturana J. C. , Guindos P. , Lagos J. , Arroyave C. , Echeverría F. , Correa E. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractA new two-step densification method for wooden materials entitled hot isostatic pressing (HIP) is proposed. This method has the advantage over previous densification methods that can achieved almost the full densification of wood, reaching values up to 1.47 kg/m3, which exceeds any value ever reported for a hardwood species. Furthermore, it can preserve about 35% of the original volume, in comparison to other methods which typically can preserve only 20% of the volume. Although not tested in this investigation, in principle, the HIP method should be capable of densifying any shape of wood including circular and tubular cross sections because the main densification mechanism is based on gas pressure that is equally exerted in the entire surface, rather than localized mechanical compression, which can only be effective with rectangular cross sections. In the first stage of the two-step proposed method, the compressive strength of the anatomical wood structure is reduced by delignification, and, in the second, a full densification is achieved by hot isostatic pressing under argon atmosphere. Three tropical hardwood species with distinct anatomical characteristics and properties were used to test the method. The HIP-densified wood’s microstructural, chemical, physical, and mechanical properties were assessed. Apart from the high densification values and volume preservation, the results indicate that proposed method was effective for all the tested species, showing homogenous density patterns, stable densification without noticeable shape recovery, and enhanced mechanical properties. Future research should test the HIP method in softwoods and consider the ring orientation in order to enhance the control of the densified geometry.
The association between working memory precision and the nonlinear dynamics of frontal and parieto-occipital EEG activity
Authors: Chang Wen-Sheng , Liang Wei-Kuang , Li Dong-Han , Muggleton Neil G. , Balachandran Prasad , Huang Norden E. , Juan Chi-Hung 
Published: August 2023

AbstractElectrophysiological working memory (WM) research shows brain areas communicate via macroscopic oscillations across frequency bands, generating nonlinear amplitude modulation (AM) in the signal. Traditionally, AM is expressed as the coupling strength between the signal and a prespecified modulator at a lower frequency. Therefore, the idea of AM and coupling cannot be studied separately. In this study, 33 participants completed a color recall task while their brain activity was recorded through EEG. The AM of the EEG data was extracted using the Holo-Hilbert spectral analysis (HHSA), an adaptive method based on the Hilbert-Huang transforms. The results showed that WM load modulated parieto-occipital alpha/beta power suppression. Furthermore, individuals with higher frontal theta power and lower parieto-occipital alpha/beta power exhibited superior WM precision. In addition, the AM of parieto-occipital alpha/beta power predicted WM precision after presenting a target-defining probe array. The phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) between the frontal theta phase and parieto-occipital alpha/beta AM increased with WM load while processing incoming stimuli, but the PAC itself did not predict the subsequent recall performance. These results suggest frontal and parieto-occipital regions communicate through theta-alpha/beta PAC. However, the overall recall precision depends on the alpha/beta AM following the onset of the retro cue.
Snoring-related polygenic risk and its relationship with lifestyle factors in a Korean population: KoGES study
Authors: Ryu Borim , Lee Sejoon , Heo Eunjeong , Yoo Sooyoung , Kim Jeong-Whun 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWhereas lifestyle-related factors are recognized as snoring risk factors, the role of genetics in snoring remains uncertain. One way to measure the impact of genetic risk is through the use of a polygenic risk score (PRS). In this study, we aimed to investigate whether genetics plays a role in snoring after adjusting for lifestyle factors. Since the effect of polygenic risks may differ across ethnic groups, we calculated the PRS for snoring from the UK Biobank and applied it to a Korean cohort. We sought to evaluate the reproducibility of the UK Biobank PRS for snoring in the Korean cohort and to investigate the interaction of lifestyle factors and genetic risk on snoring in the Korean population. In this study, we utilized a Korean cohort obtained from the Korean Genome Epidemiology Study (KoGES). We computed the snoring PRS for the Korean cohort based on the UK Biobank PRS. We investigated the relationship between polygenic risks and snoring while controlling for lifestyle factors, including sex, age, body mass index (BMI), alcohol consumption, smoking, physical activity, and sleep time. Additionally, we analyzed the interaction of each lifestyle factor and the genetic odds of snoring. We included 3526 snorers and 1939 nonsnorers from the KoGES cohort and found that the PRS, a polygenic risk factor, was an independent factor for snoring after adjusting for lifestyle factors. In addition, among lifestyle factors, higher BMI, male sex, and older age were the strongest lifestyle factors for snoring. In addition, the highest adjusted odds ratio for snoring was higher BMI (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.76–2.23), followed by male sex (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.28–1.86), older age (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.03–1.35), polygenic risks such as higher PRS (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.08–1.29), drinking behavior (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.03–1.35), late sleep mid-time (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.02–1.33), smoking behavior (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.82–1.19), and lower physical activity (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.85–1.00). Our study identified that the UK Biobank PRS for snoring was reproducible in the Korean cohort and that genetic risk served as an independent risk factor for snoring in the Korean population. These findings may help to develop personalized approaches to reduce snoring in individuals with high genetic risk.
Functionalization of octaspherosilicate (HSiMe2O)8Si8O12 with buta-1,3-diynes by hydrosilylation
Authors: Stefanowska Kinga , Nagórny Jakub , Szyling Jakub , Franczyk Adrian 
Published: August 2023

AbstractHydrosilylation with octaspherosilicate (HSiMe2O)8Si8O12 (1) has provided hundreds of molecular and macromolecular systems so far, making this method the most popular in the synthesis of siloxane-based, nanometric, cubic, and reactive building blocks. However, there are no reports on its selective reaction with 1,3-diynes, which allows for the formation of new products with unique properties. Therefore, herein we present an efficient protocol for monohydrosilylation of symmetrically and non-symmetrically 1,4-disubstituted buta-1,3-diynes with 1. The compounds obtained bear double and triple bonds and other functionalities (e.g., Br, F, OH, SiR3), making them highly desirable, giant building blocks in organic synthesis and material chemistry. These compounds were fully characterized by 1H, 13C, 29Si, 1D NOE, 1H–13C HSQC NMR, FT–IR, and MALDI TOF MS, EA, UV–Vis, and TGA analysis. The TGA proved their high thermal stability up to 427 ℃ (Td10%) for compound 3j.
Physical exercise induces mental flow related to catecholamine levels in noncompetitive, but not competitive conditions in men
Authors: Karsai István , Nagy Zsófia , Nagy Tamás , Kocsor Ferenc , Láng András , Kátai Emese , Miseta Attila , Fazekas Gábor , Kállai János 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe study aimed to reveal physical exercise conditions and catecholamine response-dependent differences while an individual experiences a flow state (FS) following noncompetitive and competitive running drills. Urine laboratory catecholamine levels were measured using a standard clinical method during pre- and post-physical exercises. The noncompetitive task involved intermittent running drills, from an absolute beginning up through exhaustion. Initially, the drill is performed individually then later competing alongside other runners. Twenty-two males (mean age: 40.27; SD: 5.4; min–max: 31–49 years) were selected in accordance to the following criterion: healthy status without using medication, routine forms of training (running, cycling or swimming) ideally performed with regularity, at least three times per week, 45 min per session. During the noncompetitive task, a high FS experience was associated with a low level of catecholamines, (noradrenaline and adrenaline) while in parallel, the high FS was associated with a low concentration of homovallinic acid. During competitive conditions, the FS-related catecholamine level changes have not yet been found. In conclusion, the low concentration of the circulating catecholamines supports the transient hypofrontality hypothesis regarding the FS experiences. Furthermore, synchronized noradrenaline and adrenaline neurosecretion play an essential role in the manifestation and the prolongation of FS in noncompetitive exercise conditions.
Time delays shape the eco-evolutionary dynamics of cooperation
Authors: Roy Sourav , Nag Chowdhury Sayantan , Kundu Srilena , Sar Gourab Kumar , Banerjee Jeet , Rakshit Biswambhar , Mali Prakash Chandra , Perc Matjaž , Ghosh Dibakar 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWe study the intricate interplay between ecological and evolutionary processes through the lens of the prisoner’s dilemma game. But while previous studies on cooperation amongst selfish individuals often assume instantaneous interactions, we take into consideration delays to investigate how these might affect the causes underlying prosocial behavior. Through analytical calculations and numerical simulations, we demonstrate that delays can lead to oscillations, and by incorporating also the ecological variable of altruistic free space and the evolutionary strategy of punishment, we explore how these factors impact population and community dynamics. Depending on the parameter values and the initial fraction of each strategy, the studied eco-evolutionary model can mimic a cyclic dominance system and even exhibit chaotic behavior, thereby highlighting the importance of complex dynamics for the effective management and conservation of ecological communities. Our research thus contributes to the broader understanding of group decision-making and the emergence of moral behavior in multidimensional social systems.
Dependence on the socio-economic system impairs the sustainability of pasture-based animal agriculture
Authors: Muñoz-Ulecia Enrique , Bernués Alberto , Briones-Hidrovo Andrei , Casasús Isabel , Martín-Collado Daniel 
Published: August 2023

AbstractLivestock systems contribution to environmental change is controversial. Pasture-based systems are considered a sustainable alternative due to their adaptation to the use of local natural resources. However, they have limited productivity per product unit and, in Europe, depend on public economic support. Furthermore, they are heterogeneous in farm structure and resources use, which may determine their sustainability. We use emergy accounting to assess the sustainability of mountain pasture-based cattle systems and analyse the variability among farms. Emergy accounting assesses the sustainability performance of complex systems (i.e., farming systems) and their interaction with other systems (i.e., the environment and the socio-economic system) focusing on the origin, quality and quantity of the energy required for the system to function. Results show that pasture-based systems largely use local natural renewable resources but depend largely on the wider socio-economic system given their reliance on public economic support and purchased animal feeds. This economic dependence turns out in most farms largely using non-renewable resources. Increasing self-produced feeds and grazing on natural pastures can reduce the dependence on the socio-economic system and improve farm sustainability.
Extracellular matrix stiffness aggravates urethral stricture through Igfbp3/Smad pathway
Authors: Li Kaixuan , Ding Ke , Zhu Quan , Han Feng , He Xi , Tan Shuo , Wu Ziqiang , Zheng Zhihuan , Tang Zhengyan , Liu Yanling 
Published: August 2023

AbstractUrethral stricture refers to the narrowing of the urethral lumen. While previous studies have hinted at inflammation as the initial driver of this condition, the reasons and mechanisms behind its progression remain largely unknown. By Atomic force microscope (AFM), researchers measured the matrix stiffness of urethra to be 5.23 ± 0.37 kPa for normal tissue and 41.59 ± 2.48 kPa for stricture urethral scar. Similar results were observed in rat urethral stricture models, where the matrix stiffness of normal urethra was 4.29 ± 0.82 kPa, while 32.94 ± 7.12 kPa for urethral stricture scar. Notably, the matrix stiffness increased in rat models over time. To further investigate, polyacrylamide hydrogels were employed to mimic different levels of stiffness for normal and stricture condition. Interestingly, higher matrix stiffness led to an increased fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition (FMT) in rat urethral fibroblasts, indicated by enhanced expression of α-SMA and Collagen I, as well as changing in the morphology of fibroblast. RNA-seq analysis suggested that Igfbp3/Smads might regulate the progressive FMT in urethral stricture. In the experiment where the expression of Igfbp3 was inhibited, increasing matrix stiffness lose the potential to stimulate FMT progression and the expression of p-Smad2/3 decreased. On the contrary, overexpression of Igfbp3 promoted the process of FMT in urethral fibroblasts. In conclusion, Igfbp3/Smad pathway appeared to be involved in the progression of urethral fibrosis. This finding suggested that Igfbp3/Smad might be an promising target for future research and treatment in this filed.
The effect of dual-task on jump landing kinematics and kinetics in female athletes with or without dynamic knee valgus
Authors: Zamankhanpour Mina , Sheikhhoseini Rahman , Letafatkar Amir , Piri Hashem , Asadi Melerdi Shakiba , Abdollahi Sajjad 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIt has been indicated that dual tasks may multiply the possibility of injuries due to divided attention. This study aimed to investigate the effect of dual-task on kinematics and kinetics of jump landing in female athletes with and without dynamic knee valgus. In this study, 32 recreational athletes between 18 and 30 years old were recruited and divided into with (n = 17) and without (n = 15) dynamic knee valgus groups. The 3-D positions of retroreflective markers were recorded at 200 Hz using a 8-camera Kestrel system (Motion Analysis Corporation, Santa Rosa, CA), while ground reaction forces were synchronously recorded at 1000 Hz using 2 adjacent force plates (FP4060-NC; Bertec Corporation, Columbus, OH). Kinematics and kinetics of jump landing were recorded while counting backward digits as a dual task, and also without counting backward digits as a single task. One-way repeated measures of variance were used to analyse data at the significant level of 95% (α < 0.05). The study found that the dual-task affected the angles and moments of hip, knee, and ankle joints (P < 0.05) in both groups. Additionally, the effect of the dual-task differed significantly between the two groups in the angles hip flexion (P < 0.001), knee abduction (P < 0.001), and ankle internal rotation (P = 0.001), as well as the moments hip flexion (P < 0.001), hip abduction (P = 0.011), knee flexion (P = 0.017), knee internal rotation (P < 0.001), ankle dorsiflexion (P = 0.046), ankle eversion (P < 0.001), and ankle internal rotation (P = 0.046). Athletes with dynamic knee valgus may have been less able to protect themselves during the landing and are more prone to lower extremities injuries. As a result, using kinematics and kinetics in athletes with dynamic knee valgus during landing may help identify potential mechanisms associated with risk factors of lower extremity injuries and ACL injuries as well.
Long-term outcomes of Baerveldt glaucoma implant surgery in Japanese patients
Authors: Iwasaki Kentaro , Komori Ryohei , Arimura Shogo , Orii Yusuke , Takamura Yoshihiro , Inatani Masaru 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThis study evaluated the long-term surgical outcomes of Baerveldt glaucoma implant (BGI) surgery in patients with refractory glaucoma (204 eyes/204 patients). Surgical failure was defined by: < 20% reduction in preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), or criterion A (IOP > 21 mmHg), criterion B (IOP > 17 mmHg), or criterion C (IOP > 14 mmHg). Reoperation, loss of light perception vision, or hypotony also denoted failure. The probability of success at 5 years postoperatively using criteria A, B, and C was 72.4%, 49.7%, and 24.4%, respectively. The mean IOP decreased significantly from 32.7 ± 9.7 mmHg preoperatively to 13.1 ± 3.9 mmHg at 5 years; the mean number of glaucoma medications also decreased from 3.7 ± 1.2 to 1.8 ± 1.9 (both P < 0.01). The number of previous intraocular surgeries was significantly associated with failure in the multivariable analysis for criterion B (hazard ratio 1.30; P < 0.01) and criterion C (hazard ratio 1.19; P = 0.031). Early and late postoperative complications occurred in 82 (40.2%) and 28 (13.7%) eyes, respectively. Postoperative interventions were performed in 44 eyes (21.6%). BGI surgery resulted in significant long-term decreases in IOP and the number of glaucoma medications. BGI surgery is effective for refractory glaucoma. However, postoperative interventions due to complications are required in numerous cases.
Surgical treatment of specific Unified Classification System B fractures: potentially destabilising lesser trochanter periprosthetic fractures
Authors: Zhao Wei-Qiang , Li Xu-Song , Fan Meng-Qiang , Yao Zhi-Yuan , Song Zhou-Feng , Tong Pei-Jian , Huang Jie-Feng 
Published: August 2023

AbstractTo investigate the clinical effects of specific Unified Classification System B (UCS B)-lesser trochanter periprosthetic fractures and determine whether they occur only with non-cemented stems. A retrospective analysis of 28 patients with specific UCS B2 fractures who underwent two surgical treatments, longer stem revision and internal fixation (LSRIF) and open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), was performed. The patients were assessed at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months and annually thereafter. Fracture healing, complications, Harris Hip Score (HHS), and the Short Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36) quality of life score were assessed at each follow-up. At the time of the last follow-up, seven patients had been lost: three were lost to contact, two died, and two were hospitalised elsewhere and unavailable for follow-up. The remaining 21 patients were followed for an average of 49.3 ± 15.4 (range: 24–74.4) months. Their average fracture healing time was 13.5 ± 1.1 (12–15.4) weeks. Complications included three cases (10.71%) of thrombus, one (3.57%) of heart failure, and one (3.57%) of pulmonary infection. There were no revisions due to prosthesis loosening, subsidence, or infection. At the last follow-up, the HHS, SF-36 mental score, and SF-36 physical score were recorded, LSRIF vs. ORIF (82.9 ± 6.6 vs. 74.7 ± 3.9, p = 0.059; 50.9 ± 7.6 vs. 38 ± 1.4, p = 0.012, and 51.7 ± 8.4 vs. 39.7 ± 3.4, p = 0.032, respectively). Specific UCS B2 fractures mostly occur with non-cemented stems. LSRIF with cables is the main treatment, while ORIF is an option for those elderly in poor condition.
Deuteration of Pd-activated C(sp2)–H bonds in the solid state
Authors: Bjelopetrović Alen , Barišić Dajana , Juribašić Kulcsár Marina , Halasz Ivan , Ćurić Manda , Lukin Stipe 
Published: August 2023

A novel approach for deuteration of C–H bonds in a ball mill at ambient temperature using Cys-d4 as D-source is developed. In situ Raman, ex situ spectroscopic and DFT data allowed identification of intermediates and insight into the reaction course.
Effect of topical 1% atropine sulfate on intraocular pressure in normal horses
Authors: Herring Ian P. , Pickett J. Phillip , Champagne Erin S. , Troy Gregory C. , Marini Michele 
Published: August 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the effect of topical 1% ophthalmic atropine sulfate on intraocular pressure (IOP) in ocular normotensive horses.Animals StudiedEleven clinically healthy horses.ProceduresIOP was measured bilaterally twice daily, at 8amand 4pm, for 5 days. No medication was applied for the first 2 days of the study. Thereafter, one eye of each horse was treated with 0.1 mL of topical 1% atropine sulfate ointment twice daily (7amand 7pm) for 3 days. The contralateral eye served as a control. In eight of the horses, an additional IOP reading was taken 3 days following cessation of the atropine treatment.ResultsThere was no significant difference in the IOP of control vs. treatment eyes in the pretreatment period, days 1 and 2 (P= 0.97 and 0.55, respectively). During the treatment period, treated eyes of 10 of the horses had significantly lower IOP than control eyes (P= 0.03). The mean IOP reduction in treated eyes, relative to untreated eyes, was 11.2%. One horse had a significant rise in IOP in the treated eye compared to the remaining study animals. The IOP of control eyes did not vary significantly over the observation period (P= 0.27). There was no significant variation in IOP between the 8amand 4pmmeasurement (P= 0.9).ConclusionsTopical 1% atropine sulfate causes a small, but significant decline in IOP in most ocular normotensive horses. Because topical atropine may elevate IOP in some horses, it should be used with caution in the treatment of glaucoma in this species.