bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spinel structure of activated carbon supported MFe2O4 composites as an economic and efficient electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction in neutral media
Authors: Sabaa Hanaa M. , El-Khatib K. M. , El-Kady Mohamed Y. , Mahmoud Sawsan A. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractFor more sustainability and marketing of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) in wastewater treatment, the sluggish kinetics of cathode oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and platinum scarcity (with its high cost) should be swept away. So, this work aimed to synthesize metal ferrite (MFe2O4; M = Mn, Cu, and Ni) -based activated carbon composites as inexpensive ORR cathode catalysts. The composites were synthesized using a facile modified co-precipitation approach with low-thermal treatment and labeled as MnFe2O4/AC, CuFe2O4/AC, and NiFe2O4/AC. The as-synthesized catalysts are physicochemically characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared microscopy (FTIR), Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and electron spin resonance (ESR). The electrochemical catalytic performance toward ORR was studied in a phosphate buffer solution (PBS) at neutral media via cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV). MnFe2O4/AC has the highest onset potential (Eonset) value of − 0.223 V compared to CuFe2O4/AC (− 0.280 V) and NiFe2O4/AC (− 0.270 V). MnFe2O4/AC also has the highest kinetic current density (jK) and lowest Tafel slope (− 5 mA cm−2 and − 330 mV dec−1) compared to CuFe2O4/AC (− 3.05 mA cm−2 and − 577 mV dec−1) and NiFe2O4/AC (− 2.67 mA cm−2 and − 414 mV dec−1). The ORR catalyzed by MnFe2O4/AC at pH = 7 proceeds via a 4e− -kinetic pathway. The ESR is in good agreement with the electrochemical analysis due to the highest ∆Hppvalue for MnFe2O4/AC compared to CuFe2O4/AC and NiFe2O4/AC. Thus, MnFe2O4/AC is suggested as a promising alternative to Pt- electrocatalyst cathode for MFCs at neutral conditions.
Graphical Abstract
Generalized multiplicative stochastic processes arising from one-dimensional maps with noise
Authors: Haruna Taichi , Nakajima Kohei 
Published: September 2022

AbstractWe propose a class of generalized multiplicative stochastic processes obtained by introducing an endo-perspective into one-dimensional maps with additive noise. We define an internal state for the noisy dynamics of a given one-dimensional map and study its statistical behavior. We found intermittency characterized by two power-laws in the dynamics of the internal state for the logistic map and the BZ map with noise which exhibit different noise-induced phenomena, namely, noise-induced chaos and noise-induced order, respectively. We show that the power-laws can be explained in a unified way from the theory of generalized multiplicative stochastic processes.
A semidefinite programming approach for the projection onto the cone of negative semidefinite symmetric tensors with applications to solid mechanics
Authors: Padovani Cristina , Porcelli Margherita 
Published: September 2022

AbstractWe propose an algorithm for computing the projection of a symmetric second-order tensor onto the cone of negative semidefinite symmetric tensors with respect to the inner product defined by an assigned positive definite symmetric fourth-order tensor $${\mathcal {C}}$$
C
. The projection problem is written as a semidefinite programming problem and an algorithm based on a primal-dual path-following interior point method coupled with a Mehrotra’s predictor-corrector approach is proposed. Implementations based on well-known symmetrization schemes and on direct methods are theoretically and numerically investigated taking into account tensors $${\mathcal {C}}$$
C
arising in the modelling of masonry-like materials. For these special cases, indications on the preferable symmetrization scheme that take into account the conditioning of the arising linear systems are given.
Are chrome extensions compliant with the spirit of least privilege?
Authors: Picazo-Sanchez Pablo , Ortiz-Martin Lara , Schneider Gerardo , Sabelfeld Andrei 
Published: September 2022

AbstractExtensions are small applications installed by users and enrich the user experience of browsing the Internet. Browsers expose a set of restricted APIs to extensions. To be used, extensions need to list the permissions associated with these APIs in a mandatory extension file named manifest. In particular, Chrome’s permission ecosystem was designed in the spirit of the least privilege. Yet, this paper demonstrates that 39.8% of the analyzed extensions provided by the official Web Store are compliant with the spirit of least privilege. Also, we develop: (1) a browser extension to make aware regular users of the permissions the extensions they install; (2) a web app where extensions developers can check whether their extensions are compliant with the spirit of the least privileged; and (3) a set of scripts that can be part of the vendors’ acceptance criteria such that when developers upload their extensions to the official repositories, the scripts automatically analyze the extensions and generate a report about the permissions and the usage.
Magnetic nanodrug delivery in non-Newtonian blood flows
Authors: Fanelli Claudia , Kaouri Katerina , Phillips Timothy N. , Myers Timothy G. , Font Francesc 
Published: September 2022

AbstractWith the goal of determining strategies to maximise drug delivery to a specific site in the body, we developed a mathematical model for the transport of drug nanocarriers (nanoparticles) in the bloodstream under the influence of an external magnetic field. Under the assumption of long (compared to the radius) blood vessels the Navier-Stokes equations are reduced, to a simpler model consistently with lubrication theory. Under these assumptions, analytical results are compared for Newtonian, power-law, Carreau and Ellis fluids, and these clearly demonstrate the importance of shear thinning effects when modelling blood flow. Incorporating nanoparticles and a magnetic field to the model we develop a numerical scheme and study the particle motion for different field strengths. We demonstrate the importance of the non-Newtonian behaviour: for the flow regimes investigated in this work, consistent with those in blood micro vessels, we find that the field strength needed to absorb a certain amount of particles in a non-Newtonian fluid has to be larger than the one needed in a Newtonian fluid. Specifically, for one case examined, a two times larger magnetic force had to be applied in the Ellis fluid than in the Newtonian fluid for the same number of particles to be absorbed through the vessel wall. Consequently, models based on a Newtonian fluid can drastically overestimate the effect of a magnetic field. Finally, we evaluate the particle concentration at the vessel wall and compute the evolution of the particle flux through the wall for different permeability values, as that is important when assessing the efficacy of drug delivery applications. The insights from our work bring us a step closer to successfully transferring magnetic nanoparticle drug delivery to the clinic.
Hybrid limited memory gradient projection methods for box-constrained optimization problems
Authors: Crisci Serena , Porta Federica , Ruggiero Valeria , Zanni Luca 
Published: September 2022

AbstractGradient projection methods represent effective tools for solving large-scale constrained optimization problems thanks to their simple implementation and low computational cost per iteration. Despite these good properties, a slow convergence rate can affect gradient projection schemes, especially when high accurate solutions are needed. A strategy to mitigate this drawback consists in properly selecting the values for the steplength along the negative gradient. In this paper, we consider the class of gradient projection methods with line search along the projected arc for box-constrained minimization problems and we analyse different strategies to define the steplength. It is well known in the literature that steplength selection rules able to approximate, at each iteration, the eigenvalues of the inverse of a suitable submatrix of the Hessian of the objective function can improve the performance of gradient projection methods. In this perspective, we propose an automatic hybrid steplength selection technique that employs a proper alternation of standard Barzilai–Borwein rules, when the final active set is not well approximated, and a generalized limited memory strategy based on the Ritz-like values of the Hessian matrix restricted to the inactive constraints, when the final active set is reached. Numerical experiments on quadratic and non-quadratic test problems show the effectiveness of the proposed steplength scheme.
A randomized controlled trial assessing the safety and efficacy of palmitoylethanolamide for treating diabetic-related peripheral neuropathic pain
Authors: Pickering Emily , Steels Elizabeth L. , Steadman Kathryn J. , Rao Amanda , Vitetta Luis 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
Peripheral neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes. The management of the associated neuropathic pain remains difficult to treat.

Objective
This study explored the safety, tolerability and efficacy of a palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) formulation in treating diabetic-related peripheral neuropathic pain (PNP). Secondary outcomes included systemic inflammation, sleep and mood changes in patients diagnosed with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and PNP.

Design
This study was a single-centre, quadruple-blinded, placebo-controlled trial with 70 participants receiving 600 mg of PEA or placebo daily, for 8 weeks, with a 94% rate of study participation completion. Primary outcomes were neuropathic pain and specific pain types (the BPI-DPN and NPSI). The secondary outcomes were sleep quality (MOS sleep scale), mood (DASS-21), glucose metabolism and inflammation.

Results
There was a significant reduction (P ≤ 0.001) in BPI-DPN total pain and pain interference, NPSI total score and sub-scores, except for evoked pain (P = 0.09) in the PEA group compared with the placebo group. The MOS sleep problem index and sub-scores significantly improved (P ≤ 0.001). DASS-21 depression scores significantly reduced (P = 0.03), but not anxiety or stress scores. Interleukin-6 and elevated C-reactive protein levels significantly reduced in the PEA group (P = 0.05), with no differences in fibrinogen between groups (P = 0.78) at treatment completion. There were no changes in safety pathology parameters, and the treatment was well tolerated.

Conclusions
The study demonstrated that the PEA formulation reduced diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain and inflammation along with improving mood and sleep. Further studies on the mechanistic effectiveness of PEA as an adjunct medicine and as a monotherapy pain analgesic are warranted.

Clinical Trial Registration
Registry name: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR), Registration number: ACTRN12620001302943, Registration link: https://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=380826, Actual study start date: 20 November 2020.
Habitat diversity and peat moss cover drive the occurrence probability of the threatened ground beetle Carabus menetriesi (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in a Bavarian mire
Authors: Harry Ingmar , Assmann Thorsten , Dormann Carsten F. , Skarbek Carl J. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractWithin the Natura 2000 network, there is a legal imperative to protect endangered species. A lack of knowledge about habitat requirements for these species undermines the ability to make informed decisions about appropriate conservation measures, especially for isolated populations that may have developed habitat preferences specific to their region.Carabus menetriesiis an endangered ground beetle found in Europe and warrants protection under EU law. We collected occupancy data ofC. menetriesiusing live pitfall traps over two seasons in 2016 and 2018 at a protected nature reserve in southern Bavaria, Germany. Here, we present the results of a patch-occupancy modeling approach to determine habitat preferences forC. menetriesiat this site. Our model shows that increasingSphagnumcover and habitat diversity led to higher occupancy levels forC. menetriesiat this site, while tree cover was negatively correlated with occupancy, but increased the detectability of the species.Implications for insect conservationMeasures for protecting theC. menetriesipopulation at the study site were taken in accordance with our results. Areas with high tree cover were thinned at several sites, although the success of this measure has yet to be determined. Our findings about habitat diversity suggest that expansion of low intensity grazing in the area, a measure that was suggested as a result of our survey and is currently in process of implementation, might benefit the species. Whether our results can be transferred toC. menetriesipopulations in different habitats remains to be investigated, however, our methodological approach with regard to both the data collection and analysis can be used to assess other populations and provide important information about relevant habitat parameters for that population. This will allow conservation managers to make well-informed decisions about conservingC. menetriesi,or indeed other similar carabid species with isolated populations.
Insights into the electrocatalytic behavior of nitrogen and sulfur co-doped carbon nanotubes toward oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline media
Authors: Rambabu Gutru , Turtayeva Zarina , Xu Feina , Maranzana Gael , Emo Mélanie , Hupont Sébastien , Mamlouk Mohamed , Desforges Alexandre , Vigolo Brigitte 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThis study examines the effect of pretreatment and doping to enhance the ORR activity of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Melamine and thio-urea are chosen as precursors for mono and co-doping, respectively. A series of samples with pristine and pretreated CNTs are prepared and characterized physicochemically by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electrochemically by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV). The obtained results show that co-doping is an effective way for improving ORR activity, due to the synergistic effect of N and S for changing the charge and spin density, respectively. Moreover, thio-urea favors the proportion of pyridinic and graphitic nitrogen configurations within doped samples. As a consequence, our synthesis method gives samples with superior ORR activity. The maximum ORR activity is obtained for NS-OX-CNTs which shows an over potential of 0.95 V vs RHE at 0.1 mA/cm2, which is comparable to Pt/C (0.98 V vs RHE). The electron transfer number (n) is calculated as 3.9 at 0.4 V which suggests that the ORR proceeds through a dominant 4 e− path. These comparable half-cell results to that of Pt/C pave the way for further testing as cathode materials for anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFC).
Graphical abstract
Silibinin-modified Hydroxyapatite coating promotes the osseointegration of titanium rods by activation SIRT1/SOD2 signaling pathway in diabetic rats
Authors: Tao Zhou-Shan , Wang Hai-Sheng , Li Tian-Lin , Wei Shan 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to investigate the role of Silibinin (SIL)-modified Hydroxyapatite coating on osseointegration in diabetes in vivo and in vitro and explore the mechanism of osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1. RT-qPCR, Immunofluorescence, and Western blot were used to measure the expression level of oxidative Stress Indicators and osteogenic markers proteins. Moreover, CCK-8 assay was conducted to detect cell viability in hyperglycemia. Alizarin red staining and alkaline phosphatase staining were used to examine osteogenic function and calcium deposits. The diabetic rat model receive titanium rod implantation was set up successfully and Von-Gieson staining was used to examine femoral bone tissue around titanium rod. Our results showed that intracellular oxidative stress in hyperglycemia was overexpressed, while FoxO1, SIRT1, GPX1, and SOD2 were downregulated. SIL suppressed oxidative stress to promote osteogenic differentiation. Additionally, it was confirmed that SIL promoted osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 and obviously restored the osseointegration ability of diabetic rats. Further study indicated that SIL exerted its beneficial function through activation SIRT1/SOD2 signaling pathway to restore osteoblast function, and improved the osseointegration and stability of titanium rods in vivo. Our research suggested that the SIL-modulated oxidative Stress inhibition is responsible for the activation of the process of osteogenic differentiation through activation SIRT1/SOD2 signaling pathway in hyperglycemia, providing a novel insight into improving prosthetic osseointegration in diabetic patients.
Toward a More Comprehensive Understanding of Pathogenic Beliefs: Theory and Clinical Implications
Authors: Gazzillo Francesco 
Published: September 2022

AbstractAccording to Control-Mastery Theory, an integrative cognitive-dynamic theory of mental functioning, psychopathology, and psychotherapy process, functional psychopathology derives from pathogenic beliefs. Pathogenic beliefs associates a healthy and adaptive goal to a danger, are generally developed during the developmental period to adapt to traumas and are unconsciously tested by patients in psychotherapy to be disproved. We propose the existence of pathogenic beliefs that are mainly encoded as bodily tensions, sensations, emotions, intensions, mental images and expectations, and only secondarily or not at all as words. These non-verbal pathogenic beliefs painfully affect patients’ bodily states, emotions and behaviours without the patients being able to understand the reasons of their own sensations, reactions and actions. In order to disprove these non-verbal pathogenic beliefs in therapy, it is not enough that clinician help their patients make them explicit; clinicians have also to adapt their overall attitude, non-verbal and paraverbal communications, and to adjust the setting, the nuances and the “atmosphere” of the therapeutic relationship according to the specific developmental traumas that gave rise to these beliefs, the goals thwarted by them and to how the patient test them. The disconfirmation of pre-verbal pathogenic beliefs may also be facilitated by psychotherapy techniques that address the problems of patients on a bodily level. In order to disprove preverbal pathogenic beliefs, an embodied corrective emotional experience is needed.
Effect of reaction time, heating and stirring rate on the morphology of HAp obtained by hydrothermal synthesis
Authors: Szterner Piotr , Biernat Monika 
Published: September 2022

AbstractHydroxyapatite (HAp) whiskers were prepared in reaction of calcium lactate pentahydrate and orthophosphoric acid. Synthesis were carried out in different conditions with using hydrothermal reactor. The benefit of the hydrothermal technique is the simple and precise control of the HAp crystals morphology, which is achieved by employing varying initial concentrations of starting reagents as well as different conditions of synthesis. The effect of time of synthesis, stirring and heating rate of the reaction on HAp morphology and composition was investigated. During the synthesis the following experimental parameters were varied independently: time of synthesis (3, 5, 7 h), stirring rate (0, 62.5, 125, 250, 500, 750 rpm), the reaction heating rate (0.2, 0.5, 0.7, 1.0, 1.5, 2.5 °C min−1). All syntheses were carried out with the constant molar Ca/P ratio of 1.67 in starting solutions, which is equivalent to that of stoichiometric HAp. The Ca2+ ion concentrations in starting solutions for synthesis were 0.05 and 0.1 mol dm−3. Syntheses were carried out under 20 bar. The obtained products were characterized using different method like XRD, SEM, and FTIR. It was shown that the significant majority of samples prepared were identified as pure HAp.
Phenotypic and environmental correlates of natal dispersal movements in fragmented landscapes
Authors: Robles Hugo , Ciudad Carlos , Porro Zeno , Fattebert Julien , Pasinelli Gilberto , Tschumi Matthias , Vila Marta , Grüebler Martin U. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractContextNatal dispersal critically influences eco-evolutionary dynamics and the persistence of spatially structured populations. As both short- and long-distance movements contribute to population persistence in fragmented landscapes, understanding dispersal requires assessing phenotypic and environmental effects on a wide range of distances.ObjectivesTo assess phenotypic and environmental correlates of dispersal movements in fragmented landscapes.MethodsWe radio-tracked juvenile middle spotted woodpeckers in fragmented landscapes to assess phenotypic and environmental effects on emigration age, transfer duration (in days), and transfer distances.ResultsLarge fledglings and those in good condition emigrated earlier than smaller individuals and those in worse condition. Birds in better condition also reduced transfer duration. Overall, females dispersed earlier, remained shorter at transfer and moved further than males. However, while females increased transfer distances with increasing connectivity, males increased distances with decreasing connectivity. Emigration age increased with decreasing patch size and increasing patch quality, and with decreasing population density in patches with soft edges. Both transfer duration and distance increased with decreasing population density.ConclusionsThe correlations between phenotypic traits of fledglings and their posterior movements suggest that early-life conditions influenced dispersal through carry-over effects. Early emigration from low-quality and high-populated patches can be a behavioural mechanism to quickly escape adverse natal conditions, but population density effects were modulated by edge hardness. Finally, because reductions in connectivity led to similar transfer distances between sexes through a reduction in female distances, a lack of sex-biased dispersal can be a previously overlooked effect of habitat isolation that may alter eco-evolutionary dynamics.
Development and characterization of microsatellite primers for Triops granarius (Branchiopoda: Notostraca) using MiSeq technology
Authors: Ahmed Lina , Al-Najjar Yousef , Cramer Emily R. A. , Thareja Gaurav , Suhre Karsten , Chen Kuei-Chiu 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
Next-generation sequencing technology has allowed for the rapid development of microsatellites, neutral polymorphic markers that can be used for the analysis of population structure.

Methods and Results
In this study, we performed whole-genome sequencing using the Illumina MiSeq system and de novo assembly to design microsatellite primers for Triops granarius populations in Qatar. The developed microsatellites are suitable for future studies of genetic structuring among geographically isolated freshwater pools. A total of 23 different primer pairs produced typical microsatellite results, with each pair successfully amplified in up to 40 individuals. Only five of the loci produced a significant departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

Conclusions
Some of the underlying mechanisms regarding the few loci that deviated from HWE may be further investigated to determine the source of deviation. As T. granarius is the most widely distributed species of the family, the development of these molecular markers would be useful for conducting population genetics and biogeographical studies broadly.