Literature Data Research Articles

Phenolic Bisabolane Sesquiterpene Derivatives from an Arctic Marine-derived Fungus Aspergillus sydowii MNP-2

Background:: Filamentous fungi in the genus Aspergillus are well known for their important roles in production of bioactive secondary metabolites with diversely chemical structures and potential application in pharmaceutical industry. Objective:: The present study aimed to investigate the phenolic bisabolane sesquiterpene (PBS) derivatives from an Arctic marine-derived fungus Aspergillus sydowii MNP-2. Methods:: In this study, antimicrobial activities were carried out according to the broth microdilution assay, nitric oxide (NO) production in mouse macrophages (RAW264.7) and BV2 microglial cells was used to detect the inhibitory effect of compounds in inflammatory reactions, and in vitro inhibitory cell proliferation activity was determined by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Results:: In this work, chemical investigation of an Arctic marine-derived strain A. sydowii MNP-2 led to the isolation of 11 PBSs (1-11) using various chromatographic methods. Their chemical structures were unambiguously determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry analyses as well as comparison with literature data. It is noteworthy that compounds 1, 7 and 11 were firstly obtained from A. sydowii. Antimicrobial assay showed that these chemicals had no potent inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans with MIC values > 16 μg/mL. Additionally, the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- induced inflammation in mouse macrophages (RAW264.7) and BV2 microglial cells were all below 10% for compounds 4-6 and 8, indicating almost negligible anti-inflammatory efficacy. Among the tested compounds 4-6 and 8 for tumor-cell proliferation inhibition activities, compound 5 demonstrated the strongest inhibitory effect against human acute promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-6) with a 44.76% inhibition rate. Conclusion:: In the present study, 11 PBS derivatives were purified and characterized from the solidand liquid-state fermentations of the Arctic marine-derived fungus A. sydowii MNP-2. Unfortunately, none of these metabolites had significant antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, or tumor-cell proliferation inhibition activities.

Three-dimensional personalized porous polyethylen cranioplasty in patients at increased risk of surgical site infection

BackgroundSurgical site infection (SSI) is the most consistently reported complication of cranioplasty. No material showed a categorical superiority in the incidence of infection. Porous polyethylene (PE) is considered a low risk material regarding SSI. However, the literature data are very limited. Thus, our objective was to verify the assumed low incidence of SSI after PE cranioplasty in patients at high risk of SSI. The primary objective was the infection rate, while secondary objectives were implant exposure, revision and cosmetic results.MethodPatients who underwent three-dimensional (3D) personalized PE cranioplasty in the period 2014–2023 were evaluated prospectively. Only patients with an increased risk of SSI, and a satisfactory clinical conditions were included in the study.ResultsThirty procedures were performed in 30 patients. Cranioplasty was performed 23 times after hemispheric decompressive craniectomy, five times after limited size craniotomy and two times after bifrontal decompressive craniectomy. Risk factors for the development of infection were 18 previous SSIs, 16 previous repeated revision surgeries, four intraoperatively opened frontal sinuses and two times radiotherapy. Neither infection nor implant exposure was detected in any patient. All patients were satisfied with the aesthetic result. In two cases, a revision was performed due to postoperative epidural hematoma.ConclusionsThree-dimensional personalized PE cranioplasty is associated with an extremely low incidence of SSI even in high-risk patients. However, our conclusions can only be confirmed in larger studies.

Online homework assignments: A case study for 5<sup>th</sup> grade of primary school in Greece

There is a growing body of scientific literature and research data recognizing the value of using online homework. Online homework may transform the way students learn outside the classroom, offering a dynamic and interactive approach to reinforcing learning objectives. This paper explores the concerns of educators arising from the integration of the online homework assignment and presents an educational intervention for 5<sup>th</sup> grade students. The aim of the intervention was to engage students in online homework as a supplementary material to the educational process. Results from the evaluation of the intervention are presented and the benefits of the intervention are highlighted. Although there are various technological, pedagogical and social challenges that need to be addressed, online homework can contribute to a more positive learning environment. Teachers who assign online homework seem to help enhance students’ intrinsic learning motivation so that students may achieve better learning outcomes.

Machine Learning Approach to Support Taxonomic Discrimination of Mayflies Species Based on Morphologic Data.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) offer objective solutions in the elaboration of taxonomic keys, such as the processing of large numbers of samples, aiding in the species identification, and optimizing the time required for this process. We utilized ML to study the morphological data of eight species of Americabaetis Kluge 1992, a diverse genus in South American freshwater environments. Decision trees were employed, examining specimens from the Museu de Entomologia da Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFVB/Brazil) and literature data. Eleven morphological traits of taxonomic importance from the literature, including frontal keel, shape of the mouthparts, and abdominal color pattern, were analyzed. The decision tree obtained with the Gini algorithm effectively differentiates eight species (40% of the known species), using only eight morphological characters. Our analysis revealed distinct groups within Americabaetis alphus Lugo-Ortiz and McCafferty 1996a, based on variations in abdominal tracheae pigmentation. This study introduces a novel approach, integrating AI techniques, biological collections, and literature data for aid in the Americabaetis species identification. It provides a valuable tool for taxonomic research on contemporary and extinct mayflies.

Alpinia zerumbet Anxiolytic and Antidepressant Effects: A Literature Review

Studies demonstrated that many elderly individuals suffer from depressive and anxiety disorders. The drugs used to treat these disorders cause adverse effects such as sedation, gastrointestinal discomfort, and locomotor deficits, which are often responsible for treatment abandonment. Literature data also describe that older people may be refractory to pharmacological treatments used to combat depressive and anxiety disorders, which is potentially worrying due to the suicide risk associated with these conditions. Previous research reported the medicinal plant's beneficial potential in psychiatric disease treatment due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic actions. This paper reviews the Alpinia zerumbet actions, a medicinal plant with antidepressant and anxiolytic effects, through increases in noradrenergic neurotransmission and decreases oxidative stress on the central nervous system by increasing antioxidant activity. Moreover, Alpinia zerumbet also causes a reduction in IL-6 and elevates BDNF levels in the hippocampus, contributing to its antidepressant, anxiolytic, and anti-inflammatory actions. The adverse effects reduction, combined with the fact that there is no toxicity when ingested by humans and increased longevity, suggests that this medicinal plant is promising for older individuals treatment who suffer from depression and anxiety.

Research on Urban Renewal Design in the Context of the Future Community Concept

As urbanization accelerates, traditional cities face numerous challenges such as aging infrastructure, limited community functions, and inadequate environmental sustainability. The concept of the "future community," as an innovative approach to urban development, emphasizes the application of smart technologies, enhanced community participation, eco-friendly designs, and diversified economic growth, providing a new direction for urban renewal. This study aims to explore the application of the future community concept in urban renewal design through a combination of literature review, case studies, and data analysis, systematically analyzing the core characteristics of future communities and their impact on urban renewal. The research selects typical urban renewal cases from both domestic and international contexts, constructs a relationship model between future communities and urban renewal, and proposes a series of design strategies such as participatory design, smart technology integration, sustainable green design, and mixed-use development. Comparative analysis reveals that the future community concept significantly improves social inclusiveness, technological application levels, and environmental sustainability, while also boosting economic vitality. The use of data tables further validates the effectiveness of these design strategies, providing empirical support for urban planning and design. The study concludes that while the future community concept offers important guidance for urban renewal, challenges such as technological, financial, and policy issues must still be overcome during implementation. Finally, the paper offers relevant policy recommendations and future research directions to provide theoretical and practical references for building more livable, intelligent, and sustainable urban communities.

Vitamin D deficiency and thyroid cancer: is there a true association? A prospective observational study.

Literature data indicate a correlation between vitamin D deficiency and thyroid cancer (TC). We conducted this observational study to test this hypothesis. We studied 327 consecutive thyroidectomy cases, and compared patients with TC and those who had benign thyroid disease (BTD). In total, 183 cases with well-differentiated TC (group B) were compared with 144 cases of BTD (group A). We defined 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)VitD) values <10ng/ml as severe vitamin D deficiency (15.4%), 10-30ng/ml as inadequacy (70.4%) and >30ng/ml as adequate (14.2%). We further used a cut-off point of 30ng/ml (used in a recent meta-analysis) to classify patients as vitamin D deficient or not. There was no statistically significant difference in the following: age, size of the thyroid gland, preoperative calcium levels, preoperative parathormone and vitamin D levels, body mass index and anti-thyroid antibodies. Only thyroid-stimulating hormone and weight of the thyroid gland were found to differ. There was no significant difference in mean vitamin D levels (group A = 19.82ng/ml [sd 9.59] vs group B = 19.69ng/ml [sd 11.34]; p = 0.917). The same was found when we compared the two groups according to the three categories of vitamin D values (deficiency, inadequacy, adequacy; p = 0.485) and when we performed the analysis based on all threshold levels (10, 20 and 30ng/ml; p = 0.328). Using various statistical methods, no correlation was found between vitamin D deficiency and differentiated TC (overall, microcarcinomas, macrocarcinomas). Based on our results, no correlation between vitamin D deficiency and TC was confirmed, contradicting and questioning the results of two recent meta-analyses.

The Possibility of Using Waste from Dye Sorption for Methane Production

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of sorption of Basic Red 46 (BR46) dye by lignocellulosic biomass on the susceptibility of the sorbed waste to anaerobic decomposition by anaerobic digestion. The research material used in the experiment consisted of two types of biomass: stalks with leaves and inflorescences after mowing Canadian goldenrod (Solidago canadensis L.) (GB), and rapeseed hulls (RHs) after oil pressing. During the anaerobic decomposition of RHs, 732.30 NmL/gVS and 646.63 NmL/gVS of methane were obtained from the non-sorbed substrate and the plant material after dye sorption, respectively. Similarly, in the variants using Canadian goldenrod, the production was 220.70 NmL/gVS and 183.20 NmL/gVS. The GB sorbent sorbed 34% more BR46 dye than the RH sorbent, which is likely to have resulted in the accumulation of VFA and contributed to the partial inhibition of methane production. In light of the obtained results and the literature data, it is concluded that there is a possibility of effective use of dye sorption waste for methane production.

Regulations of Immune Response by Astragalus in Animal Asthma Models: A Meta-analysis

Background Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition by airway inflammation. Traditional Chinese medicine, is commonly used to treat it. Astragalus is known for its immunoregulation, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. Purpose To systematically evaluate the efficacy of Astragalus in asthma animal models using meta-analysis methods. Methodology A systematic search was performed in various databases, such as China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang Data, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases for animal studies on Astragalus intervention in asthma models, with the search period extending up to September 2023. Two researchers performed independent literature screening and data extraction. The quality of the included studies was assessed by the Systematic Review Center for Laboratory Animal Experimentation (SYRCLE) animal experiment bias risk assessment tool. Meta-analysis was performed with RevMan (version 3.6.1). Results A total of 25 experiments were included. Meta-analysis indicated that Astragalus can significantly reduce total leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and eosinophils in animal models of asthma. It also downregulated the expression levels of interleukin-4 and interleukin-5, while upregulation of interferon-γ and interleukin-10 expression was observed; however, the impact on macrophages was found to be not statistically significant ( p &gt; 0.05). Conclusion Our systemic review suggested the potential efficiency of Astragalus in asthma treatment in China, although its mechanism is still unclear. The functions of Astragalus may be associated with attenuating airway inflammation through the regulation of immune response.

Performance analysis of refuse‐derived fuel gasification plant with carbon capture and storage for power, heating, and hydrogen production

AbstractAmong various waste‐to‐energy technologies, gasification is one of the most promising, because of high efficiency, feedstock flexibility, and carbon capture potential. This case study is focused on comprehensive analysis of integrated gasification combined cycle‐based plant with refuse‐derived fuel (RDF) as feedstock and carbon capture. As there are hardly any studies focused on simulation of waste gasification with carbon capture, most of which are lacking important process specifics, this study addresses existing research gap. Process flowsheets are developed in detail according to literature data for various process configurations and simulated in AspenPlus software, while obtained results on material and energy balance were used for estimation of plant efficiency and performance indicators. Waste generation data in Novi Sad, Serbia, were used for determination of RDF flowrate. Configurations include different syngas cleaning pathways, final products (power, heating, and hydrogen) and co‐gasification with coal. Cogeneration increases overall plant efficiency from 27%–36% (power production only) to 63%–76%. High net hydrogen efficiencies, around 58%, compensate lower power and thermal energy production in hydrogen‐based configurations. Overall, co‐gasification produces better results due to higher feedstock heating value. Obtained results will be used in further research for environmental and economic evaluation to provide multi‐level assessment of proposed processes.

Profiling 32 alkaloid compounds from Macleaya cordata by UPLC-DAD–QTOF-MS/ms

Macleaya cordata is a traditional herb medicine with alkaloids as the main bioactive substance. To identify alkaloid compounds from M. cordata, its crude extract was obtained with 0.2 mol/L hydrochloric acid, and alkaloid compounds in the demineralised extract by organic solvents from crude extract were qualitatively and quantitatively analysed by UPLC-DAD–QTOF-MS/MS. Through systematic analysis of retention times, mass spectrometry data, and diagnostic fragmentation pathways and rules, 32 alkaloids were rapidly unambiguously identified or tentatively deduced by comparison with standard MS spectra or literature data. Among them, 16 minor ­alkaloid compounds including nandazurine, hydroxychelidonine, capauridine, (-)-dicentrine, leptopine, adlumidine, takatonine, (2, 3)-trans-N-(p-hydroxyphenethyl)ferulamide, 9-ethoxyaristololactam, thalicminine, cassythidine, acetylisocorynoline, oxynitidine, crinasiatine, zanthoxyline, and 7,9-dimethoxy-2,3-methylendioxybenzophenanthridine were found in M. cordata for the first time. The abundant alkaloids might be responsible for the bioactivity of M. cordata, which laid a foundation for the study of quality control, livestock, and clinical applications of M. cordata.

Poly-L-lactic acid in the correction of age-related changes in facial skin

Age-related changes in the skin of the face and neck are the result of a number of interrelated biochemical processes occurring in various tissues (dermis and epidermis, subcutaneous fat, musculoskeletal apparatus and bone tissue). Currently, there are a number of minimally invasive techniques to correct age-related changes in the skin of the face, but the discussion regarding the clinical efficacy and duration of retention of the effect in correcting age-related facial changes continues. Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) is popular with specialists and is used as an effective method of correcting involutive changes in the skin of the face, however, despite the extensive experience of its use, there is not enough research in foreign and domestic literature to study the duration of retention of the effect of drugs based on poly-L-lactic acid. The article presents an analysis of the data of modern literature devoted to the study of the effectiveness of the use of poly-L-lactic acid as a method of correcting age-related changes in the skin of the face.

The Spatial–Temporal Evolution and Driving Factors of the Coastal Tourism Economy in China

Tourism has emerged as a pivotal element of China’s economic development, particularly within its coastal cities. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of China’s coastal city tourism economic development, focusing on 53 coastal cities. Through a meticulous combination of literature analysis and data crawling, a robust database is constructed, encompassing tourism resources and revenues. This study delineates the spatial–temporal evolution pattern of China’s coastal city tourism development and employs geo-detector methods to quantitatively analyze the impact factors driving this evolution. Key findings reveal distinct trends in the coastal tourism economy of China from 2009 to 2019, characterized by spatial stability, similar trends in adjacent spatial units, and localized spatial structures. Notably, factors such as actual foreign investment, the presence of star-rated guesthouses, tourism industry employment, airport activity, and import–export trade volume exert significant influence on the domestic tourism economy. Similarly, tourism employment, airport activity, availability of star-rated hotels, import–export trade, and utilization of foreign capital emerge as influential factors shaping inbound tourism. Policy recommendations emphasize the need for government intervention to optimize tourism development strategies for coastal cities. This entails balancing resource exploitation with environmental protection and enhancing the quality of tourism services, fostering sustainable growth and long-term prosperity.

Study on Influencing Factors and Control Points of Design Estimate of Landscaping Engineering

In recent years, China’s landscaping projects have developed vigorously, and the growth rate of urban garden green space areas has been maintained at about 5%. Overall, with the development of the national economy and the support of macro policies, people’s demand for close to nature and beautify the environment is gradually increasing, which has brought new growth momentum for the development of the landscaping industry. Simultaneously, from the perspective of future economic development and urban development, the landscaping industry still has a lot of room for development. However, with the rapid development of landscape engineering, the problem of cost control of landscape engineering is becoming more prominent, the phenomenon of budget overestimation is common, and there are many factors affecting the cost of landscape engineering, which brings difficulties and challenges to the analysis of its influencing factors and cost management. How to scientifically analyze the influencing factors and control the cost has become an important link in the landscaping project. To solve the above problems, this paper takes the design stage of landscaping engineering as the background, takes the design estimate of landscaping engineering as the research object, through literature research and data collection, fully excavates the main influencing factors of the design estimate stage of landscaping engineering, analyzes the key points of cost control, and provides reference ideas and directions for the later cost management and control.

Magnetisation of the Aurivillius phase with m = 4 revisited

ABSTRACT We report the successful synthesis of the Aurivillius phase Bim+1Fem−3Ti3O3m+3 with m = 4 via the solid-state reaction method. X-ray diffraction confirms the structure as a four-layer Aurivillius phase, and elemental analysis (EDA) shows no impurities. The magnetic properties, including temperature-dependent FC and ZFC magnetisation, were measured from helium to room temperature, aligning well with literature data. These dependences, when plotted on double logarithmic scales, show linear behaviour. However, a significant difference between simulated and experimental magnetisation profiles was observed. The simulation predicted a logistic S-shaped temperature dependence, which was not reflected in the experimental results. To address this discrepancy, we analyzed the noisy experimental data by applying the least squares local linear filter before differentiation. This analysis revealed a hidden pattern that matches the theoretical predictions, suggesting that the observed magnetisation profile results from the simultaneous contributions of two magnetic phases in the m = 4 Aurivillius multiferroic: the Aurivillius phase and an ensemble of oxygen vacancies associated with F+ defects.

Assessing Heatwave-Related Deaths among Older Adults by Diagnosis and Urban/Rural Areas from 1999 to 2020 in Slovenia

Background: The association between mortality and heatwaves is well documented. Heatwaves frequency, intensity, and duration increase with global climate change. The most vulnerable group for dying during heatwaves is older people. Knowing which diseases contribute to a higher number of deaths during heatwaves is important for planning appropriate public health preventive measures. Methods: We assessed the short-term association between the number of deaths for older adults (75+ years) and heatwaves in the years 1999 to 2020 in Slovenia. We estimated the relative risks (RR) with a 95% confidence interval for the number of deaths for the observed diagnosis (all causes, circulatory, respiratory) and urban vs. rural areas associated with heatwaves in Slovenia for each year, comparing the number of deaths during heatwaves with reference days. Results: Most years showed no significant increase in deaths during heatwaves for those aged 75 and older. However, in 2006, 2007, 2014, and 2015, there was a significant increase in deaths during heatwaves. For the general population, heatwaves were associated with an increase in deaths due to all causes: 10% more in 2006 and 26% more in both 2007 and 2014. For those aged 75 and older, heatwaves were associated with an increase in deaths due to all causes: 22% more in 2007, 27% more in 2014, and 28% more in 2015. For those aged 75 and older, heatwaves were associated with an increase in deaths due to circulatory system diseases: 25% more in 2006, 33% more in 2007, 30% more in 2014, and 27% more in 2015. Regarding urban vs. rural areas, in 2006 and 2012, the elderly in urban areas were more affected, with 33% and 26% more deaths, respectively. In contrast, in 2007, 2014, and 2015, old age population in rural areas was more affected, with 29%, 26%, and 31% more deaths, respectively. Conclusions: According to the literature data, older adults are most susceptible to the effects of extreme heat due to physiological changes that occur with aging, chronic diseases, certain medications, a sedentary lifestyle, and social isolation. The results of our study will help in planning appropriate preventive public health measures to better protect older adults during the next heatwaves in Slovenia.

A comprehensive modeling, analysis, and optimization of two phase, non–isobaric, and non–isothermal PEM fuel cell

This study models a non-isobaric, non-isothermal two-phase flow in a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEM-FC), focusing on conservation equations for mass, energy, and momentum across its components. Verification involves comparing PEM-FC performance and temperature distribution with experimental and literature data, showing consistent agreements. Results indicate that increasing cathode channel pressure enhances membrane moisture and reduces power loss. Higher oxygen partial pressure improves PEM-FC performance, whereas increased anode channel pressure heightens ohmic losses and lowers output voltage. Temperature distribution reveals highest temperatures near the cathode catalyst layer due to electrochemical reactions. Adjusting pressures in cathode and anode channels affects these temperatures accordingly. PEM-FC power density is optimized using various algorithms, with simulated annealing proving most effective. Optimal values for gas diffusion layer thickness, electrode porosity, and inlet humidity are determined. Under constant current density, power density increases by 6 % compared to baseline conditions, demonstrating effective parameter optimization for enhancing PEM-FC performance.

Risk prediction models for autogenous arteriovenous fistula failure in maintenance hemodialysis patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to systematically retrieve and evaluate published risk prediction models for autogenous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) failure post‐formation in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients, with the goal of assisting healthcare providers in selecting or developing appropriate risk assessment tools and providing a reference for future research.MethodsA systematic search of relevant studies was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang Database, VIP Database, and CBM Database up to February 1, 2024. Two researchers independently performed literature screening, data extraction, and methodological quality assessment using the Prediction Model Risk of bias (ROB) Assessment Tool.ResultsA total of 4869 studies were identified, from which 25 studies with 28 prediction models were ultimately included. The incidence of autogenous AVF failure in MHD patients ranged from 3.9% to 39%. The most commonly used predictors were age, vein diameter, history of diabetes, AVF blood flow, and sex. The reported area under the curve (AUC) ranged from 0.61 to 0.911. All studies were found to have a high ROB, primarily due to inappropriate data sources and a lack of rigorous reporting in the analysis domain. The pooled AUC of five validation models was 0.80 (95% confidence interval: 0.79–0.81), indicating good predictive accuracy.ConclusionThe included studies indicated that the predictive models for AVF failure post‐formation in MHD patients are biased to some extent. Future research should focus on developing new models with larger sample sizes, strict adherence to reporting procedures, and external validation across multiple centers.

Age-related changes in sleep spindle characteristics in individuals over 75 years of age: a retrospective and comparative study

BackgroundSleep and its architecture are affected and changing through the whole lifespan. We know main modifications of the macro-architecture with a shorter sleep, occurring earlier and being more fragmented. We have been studying sleep micro-architecture through its pathological modification in sleep, psychiatric or neurocognitive disorders whereas we are still unable to say if the sleep micro-architecture of an old and very old person is rather normal, under physiological changes, or a concern for a future disorder to appear. We wanted to evaluate age-related changes in sleep spindle characteristics in individuals over 75 years of age compared with younger individuals.MethodsThis was an exploratory study based on retrospective and comparative laboratory-based polysomnography data registered in the normal care routine for people over 75 years of age compared to people aged 65–74 years. We were studying their sleep spindle characteristics (localization, density, frequency, amplitude, and duration) in the N2 and N3 sleep stages. ANOVA and ANCOVA using age, sex and OSA were applied.ResultsWe included 36 participants aged > 75 years and 57 participants aged between 65 and 74 years. An OSA diagnosis was most common in both groups. Older adults receive more medication to modify their sleep. Spindle localization becomes more central after 75 years of age. Changes in the other sleep spindle characteristics between the N2 and N3 sleep stages and between the slow and fast spindles were conformed to literature data, but age was a relevant modifier only for density and duration.ConclusionWe observed the same sleep spindle characteristics in both age groups except for localization. We built our study on a short sample, and participants were not free of all sleep disorders. We could establish normative values through further studies with larger samples of people without any sleep disorders to understand the modifications in normal aging and pathological conditions and to reveal the predictive biomarker function of sleep spindles.

Application of photothermal beam deflection spectrometry for non-destructive evaluation of advanced materials: a state-of-the-art review

Abstract The progress made in lasers and data acquisition systems has paved the way for innovative non-destructive evaluation methods based on the photothermal phenomenon. Beam deflection spectrometry (BDS) is a photothermal spectroscopic technique that offers ultra-sensitivity, high signal-to-noise ratios, and reduced sample preparation requirements. These advantages provide precise assessment of advanced material (AM) properties. This review presents a comprehensive in-depth analysis, thus helping researchers to understand the potential and future perspectives of BDS along with the theory, instrumentation, and application supported by the literature data. The objective of this review is also to present the possibilities of BDS in the characterization of AMs, including organic, inorganic, and hybrid organic–inorganic materials in the form of thin films, coatings, composites, and nanomaterials.