bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Photocatalytic and Electrochemical Application of Combustion‐Synthesized Nb2O5/MgO/Fe2O3 Nanocomposites
Authors: Alam Mir Waqas , Alsulaim Ghayah M. , Alsharif Shada A. , Alnahdi Kholoud M. , Almuhawish Nourah F. , Awad Mohammed 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTThe development of advanced nanocomposites has the potential to greatly enhance the detection of hazardous chemicals in the environment. This research focuses on synthesizing and characterizing Nb2O5/MgO/Fe2O3 nanocomposites to address existing limitations and offer sustainable solutions. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) study confirms the phase formation and crystalline nature of the nanocomposites with an average particle size of 55 nm. Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirms the presence of functional groups in the nanocomposite. UV–visible spectroscopy of the prepared Nb2O5/MgO/Fe2O3 nanocomposite reveals synergistic interactions among the phases, leading to a remarkable reduction in the bandgap (2.2 eV). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provides insights into the surface morphology of the nanocomposite. Zeta potential analysis reveals a surface charge of −32.5 mV, indicating excellent stability. Photocatalytic studies show effective dye degradation at an optimized catalyst concentration of 20 mg in 40 ppm dye solutions under UV irradiation. Furthermore, its porous structure and high surface area contribute to superior photocatalytic degradation of azo dyes and efficient electrochemical detection of mercury chloride and dextrose in 0.1 M of HCl medium. Additionally, the photocatalytic efficiency of Nb2O5/MgO/Fe2O3 was evaluated for the degradation of azo dyes, such as fast orange red and direct green dyes, under UV irradiation. Systematic optimization of variables including catalyst dosage, dye concentration, and irradiation time significantly enhanced photocatalytic performance. The results confirm the nanocomposite's strong potential in environmental remediation through effective photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants and its advanced sensing capabilities for detecting hazardous substances, which make this a versatile material with impactful applications in wastewater treatment and electrochemical sensing.
Synthesis and Performance Analysis of Temperature‐Resistance and Salt‐Tolerance Polymer AM/NVP/DMDAAC
Authors: Bai Yang , Zhang Tailiang , Tang Yi , Li Qing , Huang Tao 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTThe primary issues with pre‐crosslinked particle water shutoff agents are their susceptibility to decomposition at high temperatures and diminished swelling performance in highly mineralized environments. The PAVC was prepared using acrylamide (AM), N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone (NVP), and dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride (DMDAAC) as monomers, with N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker and 2,2′‐azobis(2‐methylpropionamide) dihydrochloride (V50) as an initiator through solution polymerization. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis were employed to characterize the structure and morphology of the synthesized PAVC particles. Performance tests showed that the PAVC exhibits excellent thermal stability, with a swelling ratio of 12.89 g/g at 130°C without losing strength. The polymer exhibits strong salt resistance, with a minimal difference in swelling ratio only 0.58 g/g between 3 × 104 mg/L and 15 × 104 mg/L NaCl solutions, and just 0.98 g/g between 1 × 104 mg/L and 5 × 104 mg/L CaCl₂ solutions. The PAVC exhibited good oil–water selectivity, swelling minimally in kerosene (expanded 0.3 g/g at 30 h). In simulated formation water at 120°C and a concentration of 20 × 104 mg/L, the PAVC achieved a plugging rate of 97.2% and showed excellent resistance to scour capability.
H∞$$ {H}_{\infty } $$ filtering for 2D continuous‐discrete Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy systems in finite frequency band
Authors: El‐Amrani Abderrahim , Noura Hassan , Ouladsine Mustapha , El Adel El Mostafa 
Published: February 2025

AbstractThis paper focuses on the design of
filtering for two‐dimensional (2‐D) continuous‐discrete Takagi–Sugeno (T–S) fuzzy systems. The frequency of disturbance input is assumed to be known and to reside in a finite frequency (FF) domain. The objective is to provide a new design sufficient condition via linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) formulation, ensuring both the stability of the filtering error system and
performance level in specific FF domain. Finally, an illustrative example is provided to demonstrate the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Volumetric Assessment and Graph Theoretical Analysis of Thalamic Nuclei in Essential Tremor
Authors: Bianco Maria Giovanna , Caligiuri Maria Eugenia , Calomino Camilla , Bonacci Maria Celeste , Aquila Valerio , Buonocore Jolanda , Augimeri Antonio , Sarica Alessia , Vaccaro Maria Grazia , Quattrone Aldo , Quattrone Andrea 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTIntroductionEssential tremor (ET) is a neurological disorder primarily characterized by upper limb action tremor. It is widely recognized that the thalamus is implicated in ET pathophysiology, playing a central role in treatment approaches. This study aimed to explore thalamic morphology, assessing macrostructural changes and intrinsic thalamic networks in ET patients.MethodsA total of 109 ET (41 with and 68 without resting tremor) and 81 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled in the study. An automatic probabilistic segmentation of thalamic nuclei was employed on T1‐weighted MRI images using FreeSurfer 7.4. Subsequently, volumetric data were extracted, and graph theoretical analysis was applied on the cortical–thalamic nuclei network, assessing global and local network properties.ResultsNo significant differences were observed in the volume of thalamic nuclei between ET patients and HC. ET patients exhibited significant alterations in the global thalamic network, suggesting a less efficient brain network in comparison with HC. ET patients also showed local alterations of thalamic network such as lower eccentricity and path length in the ventral nuclei and reduced efficiency in the pulvinar, indicating a less interconnected network. No significant differences were observed between ET patients with and without rest tremor.ConclusionOur study demonstrates reduced global and local efficiency of brain networks in ET patients, suggesting impaired communication and interconnection between brain regions. These findings confirm the involvement of the ventral lateral and pulvinar nuclei as key regions in tremor pathophysiology in ET patients, supporting the targeting of these regions for therapeutic approaches.
An Electrochemical/Thermodynamic Analytical Model for Hard‐Pack Lithium‐Ion Batteries in Engineering Education
Authors: Wang Ligang , Li Hangyang , Huang Zhiliang , Wu Peng , Huangfu Jiayuan 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTModeling lithium‐ion battery states plays a crucial role in supporting engineering education, yet applying existing models in the classroom poses challenges. This paper presents an electrochemical/thermodynamic analytical model with 19 parameters for hard‐pack lithium‐ion batteries, providing efficient and compact MATLAB code as an instructional tool for engineering education. The paper elucidates the mechanisms of electrochemical/thermodynamic behavior evolution in lithium‐ion batteries under thermal abuse and develops a state evaluation model based on ordinary differential equations. The highly nonlinear dynamic problem is discretized into a series of static problems, which are solved using the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm. The MATLAB program is applied to prismatic and cylindrical lithium‐ion batteries, yielding critical venting points and state evolution curves, such as temperature, pressure, gas production, heat generation rate, and reaction rate. The comprehensive results vividly demonstrate the evolution of electrochemical and thermodynamic behavior in lithium‐ion batteries, aiding students in grasping complex concepts within the course. The modeling and solution process, along with the discussion of algorithm parameters, are expected to enhance students' programming skills and engineering thinking. The proposed algorithm demonstrates second‐level efficiency and good convergence, highlighting its potential for classroom applications.
Intrinsic brain network stability during kainic acid‐induced epileptogenesis
Authors: Jafari Nastaran , He Lingna , Khalil Charbel Bou , Yeh Hsiang J. , Harris Neil G. , Stern John M. , Engel Jerome , Bragin Anatol , Li Lin 
Published: February 2025

AbstractObjectiveAltered intrinsic brain networks have been revealed in patients with epilepsy and are strongly associated with network reorganization in the latent period. However, the development and reliability of intrinsic brain networks in the early period of epileptogenesis are not well understood. The current study aims to fill this gap by investigating the test–retest reliability of intrinsic brain networks in the early stage of epileptogenesis.MethodsWe used the rat intrahippocampal kainic acid model of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Three sessions of resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI) data were acquired over a 2‐week period from 9 sham control rats and 12 rats that later developed spontaneous epilepsy (KA). A group independent component analysis (GICA) approach was used to identify the intrinsic brain networks. Both within and between networks were identified, and test–retest reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).ResultsOur results showed good‐to‐excellent within‐network stability of resting‐state functional brain connectivity in most intrinsic brain networks in sham control rats and in the KA group, except for frontal cortex (FCN) and hippocampal networks (HPN). Further analysis of the between networks showed an increase in variation in the KA brain compared to the sham controls.SignificanceOverall, our study demonstrated a “moderately stable” phase of the intrinsic brain network in a 2‐week latent period window, with an altered between‐ and within‐network connectome feature.Plain Language SummaryThis fMRI study explored how brain connectivity changes in healthy animals compared to animals in the latent period of epilepsy. We found that functional connectivity increased during the latent period compared to the control group, and this increase persisted across all tested sessions. Additionally, brain networks became less stable in the epilepsy group, particularly in the frontal cortex and hippocampus. These observations provide further insight into how brain networks change and persist during the early stages of epileptogenesis.
Interacting Treatments With Endogenous Takeup
Authors: Kormos Máté , Lieli Robert P. , Huber Martin 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTWe study causal inference in randomized experiments (or quasi‐experiments) following a factorial design. There are two treatments, denoted and , and units are randomly assigned to one of four categories: treatment alone, treatment alone, joint treatment, or none. Allowing for endogenous non‐compliance with the two binary instruments representing the intended assignment, as well as unrestricted interference across the two treatments, we derive the causal interpretation of various instrumental variable estimands under more general compliance conditions than in the literature. In general, if treatment takeup is driven by both instruments for some units, it becomes difficult to separate treatment interaction from treatment effect heterogeneity. We provide auxiliary conditions and various bounding strategies that may help zero in on causally interesting parameters. We apply our results to a program randomly offering two different treatments to first‐year college students, namely, tutoring and financial incentives, in order to assess the effect of the treatments on academic performance.
Synthesis and Characterization of Bioactive Glass via CTAB Modified Sol‐Gel Method for In Vitro Biological Activities
Authors: Bakare Fetene Fufa , Ewente Bethelhem Gashaw , Akililu Tsion Chuni , Jara Allah Dekama , Gonfa Getachew Megersa 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTBone defect repair methods have significant drawbacks and limitations. The discovery and development of bioactive glasses (BGs) have greatly advanced the treatment of bone diseases. BGs can uniquely bond to living tissues, including bone, due to the formation of a hydroxyapatite (HAp) layer on their surface. These glasses synthesized using various catalysts and structure‐directing agents to enhance their biological activities. However, most catalysts generate toxicity, alter pH levels, and work at high concentrations. Similarly, many surfactants have limited surface areas, poor capacity to create well‐defined mesoporous structures, and potential toxicity, reducing the bioactivity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability of the BGs. To address these issues, this study evaluates a bioactive glass synthesized via the sol–gel process, using low concentration CTAB as a structure‐directing agent and citric acid as a catalyst. The phase composition, surface morphology, specific surface area, inner structure, crystal structure, elemental composition, and functional groups of the samples were characterized using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), energy‐dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), and Fourier‐transform infrared microscopy (FTIR) techniques, respectively. The in vitro bioactivity was tested by soaking samples in simulated body fluid and analyzing the HAp layer formation using XRD, SEM, and FTIR. In addition, the in vitro biocompatibility, and an in vitro biodegradability were measured. 0.3 M of CTAB (BG3) exhibited a larger specific surface area with spherical‐shaped particles and pore volume with a mesoporous structure results better in bioactivity and biodegradability. Furthermore, all samples exhibited cell viability above 70%, indicating that the prepared materials are biocompatible. The findings highlight the potential of CTAB‐modified BGs for biomedical applications, especially in bone repair and regeneration.
Plant and Animal Protein Intake and Transitions From Multimorbidity to Frailty and Mortality in Older Adults
Authors: Vázquez‐Fernández Aitana , Caballero Francisco F. , Yévenes‐Briones Humberto , Struijk Ellen A. , Baylin Ana , Fung Teresa T. , Lopez‐Garcia Esther 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTBackgroundMultimorbidity is the most common chronic condition experienced among older adults. It is unknown which amount and source of protein influences the development of frailty and mortality in patients with multimorbidity. We aimed to examine the association of plant and animal sources of protein intake with frailty and mortality among this type of patients.MethodsThis longitudinal study included 1868 participants aged ≥ 60 years from the Seniors‐ENRICA cohort in Spain with multimorbidity, defined as having 2 or more clinician‐diagnosed chronic diseases. Habitual diet was assessed at baseline (2008–2010) with a validated computerized diet history. Participants underwent repeated physical examinations (in 2013, 2015 and 2017) for assessment of frailty (≥ 3 criteria from the frailty phenotype: low physical activity, slow walking speed, muscle weakness, weight loss and exhaustion). All‐cause mortality was assessed up to January 2022. Analyses were conducted using Cox proportional hazard models and multistate models adjusted for sociodemographic, lifestyle and other dietary factors.ResultsMean consumption of protein was 90.2 (standard deviation [SD]: 26.8) g/day, which represents 18.7% of the total energy intake and 1.23 (0.39) g per kg of body weight per day. Plant protein represented 6.16% of the energy intake, while animal protein represented 12.5%. During a median follow‐up of 12.9 (range: 11.7–13.9) years, we documented 196 incident cases of frailty and 490 deaths; of these mortality cases, 83 individuals died after a frailty diagnosis. Higher intake of total protein was associated with decreased risk of frailty (hazard ratio [HR] for tertile 3 vs. tertile 1: 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.45, 0.96; p trend: 0.03). In multistate models, higher fish protein intake decreased the risk in the progression from multimorbidity to frailty (HR per 1‐SD increment: 0.81 [95% CI: 0.68, 0.97]), and higher plant protein decreased the risk of progressing from multimorbidity to mortality (0.86 [0.75, 0.98]). In the progression from frailty to mortality, estimates for total, plant and animal protein showed increased risk (HR for 1 SD increment in total protein: 1.38 [1.05, 1.81]; HR for plant protein: 1.29 [1.01, 1.67]; HR for animal protein: 1.41 [1.04, 1.92]). No significant associations were found between meat protein and dairy protein in any transition.ConclusionsIn individuals with multimorbidity, higher protein intake, especially fish protein, was associated with lower risk of subsequent frailty, whereas plant protein intake was associated with lower risk of mortality. Higher total protein intake, however, might be detrimental in patients with multimorbidity and frailty.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02804672.
Fingerprinting of Semi‐Refined Flaxseed Protein Using Raman Spectroscopy and Multivariate Analysis: Pulsed Electric Field (PEF)‐Assisted Alkali and Aqueous Extraction Methods Alter Composition and Protein Conformation
Authors: Punzalan Jervee M. , Hartono Peter , Fraser‐Miller Sara J. , Leong Sze Ying , Sutton Kevin , Moggre Gert‐Jan , Oey Indrawati , Gordon Keith C. 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the structural modifications of semi‐refined flaxseed protein extracts (SRFPE) during pulsed electric field (PEF)‐assisted extraction at varying energy levels in both alkaline and neutral conditions. Raman spectroscopy coupled with principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to analyze spectral band markers to monitor alterations in secondary and tertiary protein structures, with complementary radar chart visualization providing rapid, at‐a‐glance assessment of structural modifications. Compositional fingerprints revealed distinct Raman bands and changes: the presence of diverse amino acids (C–H stretch at ~2933 cm−1); increased phenolic compounds (COO stretch at 1604 cm−1 and aromatic ring stretch at 1633 cm−1) with PEF treatments applied between 347 and 534 kJ/kg in alkaline conditions; and minor contributions from carbohydrates and lipids. PCA effectively distinguished between α‐helical structures (1659 cm−1) predominant in aqueous extracts and β‐sheet structures (1671 cm−1) in alkaline extracts, for SRFPE obtained without PEF treatment or those PEF‐treated with up to 139 kJ/kg. Protein tertiary structure analysis revealed tryptophan residues predominantly in hydrophilic environment (I1360/I1340 ratio <1), increased solvent exposure of tyrosine residues (I850/I830 >1), varying hydrogen bonding strengths from W17 frequencies (878–883 cm−1), and disulfide bond conformations (500–550 cm−1) showed t‐g‐t conformer predominant in PEF treated (347–534 kJ/kg) alkali extracts, while g‐g‐g and g‐g‐t conformers predominated in SRFPE obtained without PEF treatment or those PEF‐treated with no more than 139 kJ/kg. Raman spectroscopy with PCA enabled rapid and non‐destructive monitoring of extraction‐induced molecular changes by distinguishing and evaluating protein structures and non‐protein components in complex samples.
Clinical Efficacy of Sialendoscopy‐Assisted Stone Removal for Non‐Palpable Hilar and Intraglandular Submandibular Sialoliths
Authors: Lee Han Cheol , Park Ju Ha , Kwak Moon Su , Kim Dae Hyun , Park Young Min , Lim Jae‐Yol 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the efficacy of sialendoscopy in retrieving non‐palpable submandibular stones located in the hilum or deeper parenchyma compared to traditional non‐endoscopic transoral stone removal techniques.MethodsSeventy patients with non‐palpable submandibular hilar or intraparenchymal stones underwent sialendoscopy‐assisted stone removal (SASR). Seventeen patients with hilar stones treated with non‐endoscopic transoral stone removal (TOSR) were the control group. Parameters evaluated included stone characteristics (size, number, location, mobility, and accessibility) as well as outcomes (success rate, operation time, complications, recurrence, and functional recovery).ResultsThe SASR group had four stones in the intraparenchymal glands, two of which were located inferior to the mylohyoid. Complete stone removal was achieved in 69 out of 70 patients (98.57%) in the SASR group. However, one patient had a sialolith measuring less than 2 mm in the intraparenchymal and inferior to mylohyoid that could not be removed. TOSR procedures were exclusively performed to remove hilar stones. Nevertheless, one patient in the TOSR group was unsuccessful in retrieving a 5‐mm hilar stone, resulting in an overall success rate of 94.12%. The operation duration was much longer in the SASR group than in the TOSR group. However, the TOSR group had a significantly higher incidence of acute complications (41.18%), such as swelling, pain, or tongue numbness, compared to the SASR group (7.14%).ConclusionSialendoscopy is a valuable adjunct to the transoral combined approach for retrieving non‐palpable submandibular stones, especially those in the hilum or deeper parenchyma. A precise preoperative assessment of stone location is crucial for determining the appropriate surgical intervention.Study DesignRetrospective review.SettingTwo academic tertiary medical centers.Level of Evidence3
Organocatalytic Condensation Polymerization for Synthesis of High Performance Aliphatic Polycarbonate
Authors: Yao Hongxin , Zuo Yongkang , Zhang Jikai , Yang Hongjun , Zhang Guangzhao 
Published: February 2025

AbstractAliphatic polycarbonate (APC) with long alkyl segments has received much attention for its biodegradability and biocompatibility. However, owing to its low molecular weight, it usually exhibits poor mechanical properties limiting its application. Here,a novel two‐step condensation polymerization procedure by using an organic catalyst (t‐BuP2) to synthesize high molecular weight APC is presented. The introduction of branching and hydrogen bonding in the polymerization would significantly improve its thermal and mechanical properties. The APC exhibits a melt temperature ≈80 °C, tensile strength of 17.7 ± 0.9 MPa, and impressive elongation at a break of 1136 ± 25%. This study provides a facile procedure to synthesize high‐performance APC via condensation polymerization.