Similar Peak Research Articles

Elevational patterns of bird alpha and beta diversity in Haba Snow Mountain, Southwestern China: Implication for conservation

Understanding environmental patterns of species diversity is essential for nature reserve planning and biodiversity conservation. In this study, we explored the birds’ alpha and beta diversity along the elevational gradients in Haba Snow Mountain Nature Reserve (hereafter, HBSM), a global biodiversity hotspot, and studied which environmental factor is the main driver in explaining alpha and beta diversity patterns. Our results indicated that taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic alpha diversity consistently exhibited hump-shaped patterns with similar peaks. After controlling for species richness, both functional and phylogenetic alpha diversity increased with elevation, and the peaks at 3400–3700 m. Mean pairwise functional distance remained nearly constant along the elevation band, whereas mean pairwise phylogenetic distance shown hump-shaped pattern, and the predicted MPD peaked at the fifth band (3100–3400 m a.s.l). The functional and phylogenetic structure of bird communities in HBSM were more clustered along the elevation gradients, suggesting environmental filtering likely drove the assembly processes. Additionally, primary productivity (NDVI and/or habitat heterogeneity) and/or precipitation were robust predictors of variation in most diversity metrics. For multiple-site beta diversity, we observed that high turnover component in taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic dimensions, indicating distinct bird assemblages across various elevational bands. In pairwise beta diversity, the spatial turnover of taxonomic and phylogenetic aspects was higher than nestedness, revealing species replacement occurs relatively frequently between evolutionarily related species with similar niche and functional traits. Overall, our findings highlight the importance of considering both different dimensions and multifaceted diversity when assessing elevational patterns of bird diversity. This study also provides valuable insights into the structuring mechanisms of bird communities and informs conservation planning along elevational gradients in HBSM, and offers a comprehensive case on species richness along elevational gradients.

A preliminary investigation of banana pseudo-stem (Musa cavendish) for pulp and paper production: morphology, chemical composition, FTIR, XRD and thermogravimetric analysis

Abstract In today’s world, the use of paper and cardboard increasing but the availability of raw materials and the environmental impact on the paper industry is a big concern. To address these concerns, researchers are exploring the potential of agricultural waste products as raw materials for pulp production. This study uses morphological, chemical composition, FTIR, XRD, and thermogravimetric analysis to examine the potential of banana pseudo-stem as a raw material for paper pulp to address environmental concerns and raw material shortages in the paper industry. The study reveals favorable characteristics for papermaking, including long fiber length (1750 μm), thin cell wall thickness (9.7 μm), and large lumen diameter (22.15 μm). The chemical composition of banana pseudo-stem contains cellulose (44.93 %), hemicellulose (23.7 %), and Klason lignin (11.1) showing its suitability for pulp production. FTIR analysis highlights the functional groups present on the banana pseudo-stem. The XRD analysis shows that it has a similar cellulosic peak and crystallinity index with common raw materials used in pulp production. The thermogravimetric analysis shows that the banana pseudo-stem has high thermal stability. The findings demonstrate that banana pseudo-stem, both by itself and in combination with other raw materials, might be a potential raw material for the pulp production.

Nondestructive and quick differentiation between loupe-clean low-alkali natural and hydrothermal synthetic aquamarines: Constraints of infrared spectroscopy

A considerable increase in the price of natural aquamarine has led to the emergence of hydrothermal synthetic aquamarine as a cheap substitute in the market. In this study, comparative analysis was conducted between natural aquamarine obtained from Altay Prefecture in Xinjiang, China, and hydrothermal synthetic aquamarine in the Chinese market to distinguish them with loupe-clean clarity. Nondestructive tests including microscopic observation, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible–near-infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy were conducted. The two samples were low-alkali aquamarine, dominated by type Ⅰ H2O, and the infrared spectra showed similar water-related peaks, exhibiting weak absorption bands related to Cl− at 2736 and 2449 cm−1 and CO2 in the crystal channels at 2358 cm−1. Apart from the strong irregular and distinctive growth patterns, infrared absorption bands at 3313 and 4060 cm−1 due to the N–H bond (derived from ammonium halide used in crystal growth) vibrations were found to be present only in hydrothermal synthetic aquamarine. This study reveals implications for identifying hydrothermal synthetic aquamarine when the internal features of loupe-clean aquamarine are not obvious.

Adrenaline Auto-Injectors for Preventing Fatal Anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis affects up to 5% of people during their lifetime. Although anaphylaxis usually resolves without long-term physical consequences, it can result in anxiety and quality of life impairment. Rarely and unpredictably, community anaphylaxis can cause rapid physiological decompensation and death. Adrenaline (epinephrine) is the cornerstone of anaphylaxis treatment, and provision of adrenaline autoinjectors (AAI) has become a standard of care for people at risk of anaphylaxis in the community. In this article, we explore the effectiveness of AAIs for preventing fatal outcomes in anaphylaxis, using information drawn from animal and human invivo studies and epidemiology. We find that data support the effectiveness of intravenous adrenaline infusions for reversing physiological features of anaphylaxis, typically at doses from 0.05 to 0.5 μg/kg/min for 1-2 h, or ~ 10 μg/kg total dose. Intramuscular injection of doses approximating 10 μg/kg in humans can result in similar peak plasma adrenaline levels to intravenous infusions, at 100-500 pg/mL. However, these levels are typically short-lived following intramuscular adrenaline, and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic outcomes can be unpredictable. Epidemiological data do not support an association between increasing AAI prescriptions and reduced fatal anaphylaxis, although carriage and activation rates remain low. Taken together, these data suggest that current AAIs have little impact on rates of fatal anaphylaxis, perhaps due to a lack of sustained and sufficient plasma adrenaline concentration. Effects of AAI prescription on quality of life may be variable. There is a need to consider alternatives, which can safely deliver a sustained adrenaline infusion via an appropriate route.

3D hydrodynamic simulations of white dwarf–main-sequence star collisions – I. Head-on collisions

ABSTRACT Recently inaugurated telescopes, such as the MeerKAT radio telescope and the upcoming Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time, will be able to detect millions of transient events in the night sky. Stellar collisions between white dwarfs (WDs) and main-sequence (MS) stars may be detectable among such transients. Simulations will play a key role in characterizing these events and selecting targets for follow-up. We present 3D smoothed particle hydrodynamics models of dynamical interactions between a $0.6\ {\rm M}_{\odot }$ WD and 0.3, 0.6, and $1.2\ {\rm M}_{\odot }$ MS stars within globular cluster environments. Utilizing a 34-isotope nuclear network, we investigate the energetics, gas morphologies, and mass-loss properties of these collisions for different stellar mass ratios. Our models predict an overabundance of $^{13}$C, $^{15}$N, and $^{17}$O isotopes relative to solar abundances. Moreover, we find that the time-scale of the collisions is too short and maximum temperatures too low for any significant hydrogen burning or triple-alpha reactions to occur. This combined with a negligible production of elements heavier than neon may be key signatures in distinguishing these events from other transient events with similar peak bolometric luminosities ($\sim\!\! 10^{38}\!\!-\!\!10^{41}$ erg s$^{-1}$).

Large-Scale Triaxial Test on Mechanical Behavior of Coral Sand Gravel Layered Samples

Layered structures comprising coral sand and gravel have been observed in hydraulic filled foundations in the coral reefs in the South China Sea, leading to anisotropy in their physical and mechanical properties. However, the effect of a layered structure on the strength and deformation of the coral soil foundation remains unclear. In this study, a series of large-scale triaxial compression tests and step-loading tests were carried out on four types of samples, i.e., clean coral sand, clean coral gravel, sand-over-gravel layered sample, and gravel-over-sand layered sample, to investigate the impact of confining pressure and the layered structure on the strength and failure modes of these soils. The results indicate that the stress–strain relationships of all samples predominantly exhibit strain hardening under drained conditions. Under identical confining pressures, the peak strength of clean coral sand is the lowest, while that of coral gravel is the highest. The peak strengths of the two layered samples fall between these extremes, with the gravel-over-sand layered sample exhibiting higher strength. All four samples have similar peak friction angles, slightly exceeding 40°. The difference in peak strength among the four types of samples is attributed to the variations in cohesion, with the cohesion of clean coral gravel being up to four times that of clean sand, and the cohesion of layered samples falling between these two. Both clean sand and clean gravel samples exhibit a bulging phenomenon in the middle, while the layered samples primarily exhibit bulging near the coral gravel layer. In the step-loading tests, the bearing capacity of the layered samples falls between those of clean coral sand and coral gravel, with the gravel-over-sand layered samples demonstrating higher strength. Moreover, the p-s curve of the gravel-over-sand layered samples obtained from the large-scale triaxial apparatus under a confining pressure of 400 kPa resembles that from the plate load tests on the same samples.

Energy Flux Method for Wave Energy Converters

Hydrodynamic tools reveal information as to the behaviour of a device in the presence of waves but provide little information on how to improve or optimise the device. With no recent work on the transfer of power (energy flux) from a wave field through the body surface of a wave energy converter (WEC), we introduce the energy flux method to map the flow of power. The method is used to develop an open-source tool to visualise the energy flux density on a WEC body surface. This energy flux surface can also be used to compute the total power capture by integrating over the surface. We apply the tool to three WEC classes: a heaving cylinder, a twin-hulled hinged barge, and pitching surge devices. Using the flux surfaces, we investigate power efficiency in terms of power absorbed to power radiated. We visualise the hydrodynamic consequence of sub-optimal damping. Then, for two pitching surge devices with similar resonant peaks, we reveal why one device has a reduced power performance in a wave spectrum compared to the other. The results show the effectiveness of the energy flux method to predict power capture compared to motion-based methods and highlight the importance of assessing the flux of energy in WECs subjected to different damping strategies. Importantly, the tool can be adopted for a wide range of applications, from geometry optimisation and hydrodynamic efficiency assessment to structural design.

Analytical Spectral Semi-quantitative Dating Method of Printed Text Toner Using Raman Spectroscopy and the Fluorescence signal of Paper Sheet Cellulose

Abstract: The chemical processes that occur during the surface degradation of document paper under the influence of external factors were studied by Raman spectroscopy. The possibility of comparing the same processes occurring on clean free paper and under printed text toner letters is of interest. It is assumed that the transformation of cellulose can occur at different rates in the areas of paper exposed to direct atmospheric and light exposure and in the areas containing an intermediate layer of the toner. The most stable temporal changes occur in the region of C–C–C and C– C–O vibrations of glycosidic rings in the short-wavelength region of the Raman spectrum. Background: The main areas of research in the field of document dating, mainly focused on chromatographic methods. These methods are based on studying the dynamics of evaporation of volatile ink components. There is also a variety of chromatography techniques, including gas chromatography, ion chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. This indicates the wide range of approaches and techniques used to determine the age of written materials. However, all these methods are used mainly during the first two years after writing the document details, which does not allow examining documents that are more than two years old. Methods: Raman spectroscopy was used as the main research method. The object of the study was sheets of white A4 paper with printed text printed on them, produced on a laser printer. The subject of the study was areas of paper free of text, as well as areas of paper under toner. The integrated fluorescence of a paper optical brightener based on stilbene was studied in the wavelength range of 400–500 nm. Also, all objects were studied using optical microscopy. Results: The comparison of peak intensity values averaged over 10 brands over the years made it possible to reveal the following regularities: – the ratio of peaks in the paper spectra from which the toner was removed is greater than in the blank paper spectra, and the difference becomes less noticeable as the age of the paper decreases. The ratio of the intensity of the 330 cm-1 peak to the intensity of the 1603 cm-1 peak: the older the document becomes, the lower the average ratios of these peaks in both the blank paper spectra and in the spectra of paper from which the toner has been removed. –the intensity of the peak in the region of 280 cm-1 and 1 086 cm-1 of the Raman shift increases with decreasing the age of the toner-free paper.– a gradual increase in the intensity of the 380 cm-1 peak is observed when comparing the paper samples from which the toner was removed for 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022. Regularity was also found in the change in the ratio of the average statistical values of the peak at 280 cm-1 in the spectra of the paper under the toner to a similar peak in the spectra of the paper free from text: the value of this ratio decreases with decreasing the paper age. At the same time, the paper fluorescence signal is an informative parameter that makes it possible to establish some facts from the document’s history. With artificial document aging, a significant broadening of the dispersion region and the appearance of its “splitting” into two or three strata are observed in the distribution of the fluorescence signal level of a paper sheet relative to the average value. The average fluorescence signal of a naturally aged sheet decreases with the age of the document. Conclusion: As a result of research, it has been established that Raman spectroscopy can be successfully used as a method for dating documents. When comparing the degree of degradation of the surface of open areas of paper and areas protected by toner of printed text, different effects of external factors on these areas were established, leading to different rates of degradation processes. The use of Raman peak intensity ratios for paper components in exposed areas compared to peaks under printed text further expands the methodology. The emphasis on spectral methods, in particular fluorescence signal distribution and Raman spectroscopy, to detect surface changes is well justified. It demonstrates a holistic approach to document analysis, taking into account both the chemical changes observed using Raman spectroscopy and the fluorescence signal distribution that may indicate signs of artificial aging through light exposure. This combination of methods appears to be reliable for assessing the age of documents and can make significant contributions to the field of forensic document examination.

Cannabis pollen sources and dispersal in the Iberian Pyrenees during the last century: Preliminary results and proposals for future studies

Meta-analyses of past pollen records have provided insights into the historical biogeography of Cannabis across the Iberian Peninsula (IP), with the southern Pyrenean flank being key to understanding cannabis cultivation and use during the Middle and Modern ages. However, studies on more recent times are rare. This paper offers a high-resolution comparison of the last century, particularly the significant Cannabis pollen peak observed in the mid-elevation Lake Montcortès between 1980 and 2000 CE, which was absent in the nearby highland Lake Sant Maurici. The Montcortès peak is linked to a phase of extensive hemp cultivation (1972–2006 CE) in the southeastern lowlands. The absence of a similar peak in Sant Maurici, despite the presence of other lowland pollen taxa, notably Olea and Quercus, suggests regional differences in pollen origin and dispersal likely influenced by wind patterns and rainfall. Studies on Cannabis pollen sources and dispersal are comparatively scarce and insufficient to provide a regional picture across the IP, similar to Olea or Quercus. However, the available data suggest that cannabis pollen is abundant mostly locally, in the vicinity of cannabis crops. The persistent presence of Cannabis pollen in Montcortès after 2000 CE likely reflects ongoing illegal cultivation. The study recommends combining paleoecological and aerobiological surveys to better understand pollen dynamics in the Iberian Pyrenees, with suggestions for future research based on these findings.

Synthesis, Crystal and Electronic Structures, and Magnetic and Electrical Transport Properties of Bismuthides NdZn0.6Bi2 and (La0.5RE0.5)Zn0.6Bi2 (RE = Pr or Nd).

Bismuth is a good constituent element for many quantum materials due to its large atomic number, 6s26p3 orbitals, and strong spin-orbital coupling. In this work, three new bismuthides, NdZn0.6Bi2, (La0.5Pr0.5)Zn0.6Bi2, and (La0.5Nd0.5)Zn0.6Bi2, were grown by a metal flux method, and their crystal structures were accurately determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. These new bismuthides belong to the RE-T-Pn2 (RE = La-Lu, T = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, or Zn, and Pn = P, As, Sb, or Bi) family, are isostructural, and crystallize in the HfCuSi2 structure type. The bismuth elements have two possible oxidation states, Bi3- and Bi-, which were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Two binding energy peaks of 155.91 and 161.23 eV were observed for Bi atoms within NdZn0.6Bi2, and similar binding energy peaks were detected in NdBi and LiBi. XPS also confirmed the trivalent nature of Nd, which was further verified by magnetic measurements. Additionally, magnetic measurements revealed that NdZn0.6Bi2 exhibits an antiferromagnetic transition around 3 K, while the mixed-cation compounds do not show any magnetic transition down to 2 K. Electronic transport measurements reveal weak magnetoresistance in all three compounds, with a maximum value of ∼25% at 2 K and 9 T for (La0.5Nd0.5)Zn0.6Bi2.

Highly efficiency up and down -conversion photoluminescence in Er/Tm/Yb co-doped lutecia-stabilized zirconia single crystals

High-quality transparent cubic lutecia-stabilized zirconia and LSZ:Yb1Er0.05Tm0.5 single crystals were grown by the optical floating zone method for the first time. For comparison, YSZ and YSZ:Yb1Er0.05Tm0.5 single crystals were also grown. No absorption peaks were observed in the 200 ∼1100 nm range in the transmission and absorption spectra of LSZ and YSZ, indicating that both crystals are excellent matrix crystals. The absorption spectra of LSZ:Yb1Er0.05Tm0.5 and YSZ:Yb1Er0.05Tm0.5 crystals exhibit several absorption peaks at 377, 408, 462, 488, 516, 679, 785 nm and a strong broad absorption band in the 836 ∼ 1050 nm range. The up-conversion photoluminescence of the LSZ:Yb1Er0.05Tm0.5 crystal excited by a 980 nm laser exhibited several distinct emission peaks at 300, 372, 476, 531, 548, 642 and 798 nm; similar emission peaks were observed in the up-conversion photoluminescence spectrum of the YSZ:Yb1Er0.05Tm0.5 crystal, except for the absence of the 300 nm peak. The intensity of the emission peaks of the former was higher than that of the corresponding peaks of the latter. Power curves indicated that the 300 nm emission is a four-photon up-conversion process, the 372 nm and 476 nm emissions are three-photon processes, and the 548 nm and 642 nm emissions are two-photon processes. Under excitation at 379 nm, the down-conversion photoluminescence spectra of the LSZ:Yb1Er0.05Tm0.5 and YSZ:Yb1Er0.05Tm0.5 crystals showed emission peaks at 450, 457, 511, 531 and 637 nm, the peak intensities of the former are higher than those of the latter, which is due to the former with higher density and lower phonon energy as compare to the latter. These results indicate that LSZ:Yb1Er0.05Tm0.5 single crystal has advantages over YSZ:Yb1Er0.05Tm0.5 single crystal for luminescence in photonic devices.

Generation of isotopically enriched giant Lincang Batholith by disequilibrium melting of the heterogeneous lower crust

Deciphering the origin of granitoids with enriched isotopic compositions is essential to understanding the mechanism of continental growth and reworking. Establishing their origin is also an effective solution to the decoupled interpretations between geochemical and isotopic observations in competing petrogenetic models. This paper reports on the whole-rock major and trace elements, Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopes, and zircon UPb age and Hf isotope data of samples from the Late Triassic Lincang Batholith in SW China. The hornblende-bearing granodiorites are weakly peraluminous, whereas the coeval biotite monzogranites are generally strongly peraluminous. These two types of granitoids show identical and extremely enriched isotopic compositions with (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios of 0.71991 to 0.74302, whole-rock εNd(t) values of −13.5 to −10.1, and εHf(t) values of −13.4 to −10.3, as well as a large variation of zircon εHf(t) values of −17.6 to +0.6. The inherited zircons from both suites of samples show similar age peaks (ca. 950 Ma and ca. 1150 Ma), trace element concentrations, and εHf(t) variations to those of the detrital zircons from the Lancang Group. These similarities indicate that these rocks are most likely derived from the anatexis of the Lancang Group that is mainly composed of quartz schist, sericite schist, greenschist, chlorite albite schist, and minor eclogite. On the other hand, the Lancang Group is characterized by more enriched isotopic compositions than the granitic batholith with whole-rock εNd(225 Ma) value of −13.3 and εHf(225 Ma) value of −19.1, but identical to those of the average εHf(225 Ma) values of inherited and detrital zircons (−18.1 and − 16.3). This isotopic fractionation between the granitoids and the Lancang Group may result from disequilibrium melting of the Lancang Group with different dissolution behavior of accessory minerals (i.e., zircon, monazite, apatite, titanite, etc.). The Lincang Batholith is on average more silicic and richer in incompatible elements than the upper continental crust, suggesting that the isotopically enriched giant granitic batholith is a mature magmatic response to continental reactivation and reworking.

Dual ProGlide vs ProGlide and Angio-Seal for Femoral Access Hemostasis After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Randomised Comparative Trial

BackgroundVascular complications increase morbidity and mortality after transcatheter aortic valve replacements (TAVR), often related to failures in vascular closure devices (VCDs). We intended to compare the dual Perclose ProGlide (PP) strategy and the hybrid combination of PP and Angio-Seal (AS) for femoral access hemostasis after TAVR. MethodsA randomised controlled trial with 257 patients comparing dual PP with 1 PP and 1 AS (AS+PP) for vascular closure after transfemoral TAVR was conducted. The primary end point was the composite of TAVR access site–related vascular complications and life-threatening type 2/3 or 1 bleeding according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium 3. Secondary end points included additional VCD use and significant peripheral ischemia related to arteriotomy closure within 1 year. Modified VCD failure, defined as failure to achieve hemostasis within 5 minutes or requiring additional endovascular manoeuvres, was also recorded. ResultsThe AS+PP combination yielded lower rates of the primary end point (18.2% vs 29.8%; P = 0.0381), vascular complication (18.2% vs 29.8%; P = 0.0381), additional VCD use (0.8% vs 19.0%; P < 0.0001), and modified VCD failure (9.9% vs 33.1%; P < 0.0001) than the dual PP. Bleeding complication rates were similar between the 2 groups. Three-month follow-up vascular duplex tests showed similar common femoral artery (CFA) diameters and peak systolic velocities (PSVs) between the 2 groups, but those with additional intervention had higher PSVs and smaller CFA diameters than those without. ConclusionsCombined PP+AS for large-bore femoral access hemostasis after TAVR promises to be more effective and safer than dual PP in terms of vascular complications. Moreover, additional intervention for vascular complications resulted in smaller CFA diameters. Clinical Trial RegistrationNCT05491070

P135 FITNESS INFLUENCES THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EXERCISE BLOOD PRESSURE AND LEFT VENTRICULAR STRUCTURE: EVIDENCE FROM THE EXERCISE STRESS TEST COLLABORATION (EXERTION) STUDY

Background. A hypertensive response to exercise is associated with left ventricular (LV) remodelling, a principal sign of hypertensive heart disease. Fitness may modify this relationship, making clinical interpretation of peak exercise systolic blood pressure (SBP) challenging. This study examines the influence of fitness on the relationship between peak exercise SBP and LV structure. Methods. Cardiovascular structure and function (LV mass index (LVMI), LV relative wall thickness (RWT), cardiac output (CO) and total peripheral resistance (TPR)) were assessed at rest by echocardiography on 4,309 individuals (aged 58.6±12.7 years,52.0% male). SBP was measured at peak treadmill exercise, and fitness (exercise duration (minutes)) was grouped into thirds. Multiple regression analysis was conducted with fitness as an interaction term with peak exercise SBP, adjusted for age, sex, pre-exercise SBP, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) history. Results. Peak exercise SBP was similar across low (180±26.5mmHg), moderate (181±26.3mmHg) and high (182±24.5mmHg) fitness groups. Fitness modified the relationship between exercise SBP and LVMI; each 5mmHg increase in exercise SBP was associated with LVMI in moderate [0.27(0.10–0.43) and high [0.25(0.06–0.43)] fitness groups, which was not observed among those with low fitness [-0.05(-0.22–0.12)]. RWT increased with higher peak exercise SBP at all fitness levels (all p&lt;0.001), with higher values among those with low fitness. Prevalence of LV concentric remodelling was highest in those with low fitness (29.9%) and lowest in those with high fitness (10.8%). A lower CO and higher TPR were observed in the low fitness group (7.5±2.5L/min and 14.3±5.1mmHg min/L) compared to those with high fitness (10.9±3.1L/min and 9.2±2.09mmHg min/L). Conclusion. Whilst a small effect, fitness modified the peak exercise SBP-LV structure relationship, such that for similar peak exercise SBP, those with low fitness exhibit a more adverse LV remodelling, with lower CO and higher TPR, compared to those with higher fitness. Considering fitness when interpreting SBP and cardiac imaging results from exercise stress testing may be relevant in identifying CVD risk and optimal patient management.

Extraction, characterization and evaluation of antimicrobial activity of chitosan from adult Zophobas morio (Fabricius, 1776) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

The increasing demand for chitosan has led to the exploration of alternative sources, including insects. In this study, chitosan was extracted from Zophobas morio beetles with 19.17 % yield. FTIR and Raman Spectroscopy showed similar peaks in Z. morio chitosan (ZC) and commercial chitosan (CC). ZC showed low crystallinity (40.96 %) and high thermal residual mass (42.7 %) than CC. SEM imaging of ZC displayed pores ranging from 10 μm to 0.3 μm. EDX mapping revealed the homogenous presence of C, N and O elements. ZC exhibited low molecular weight (435.95 kDa) and low intrinsic viscosity (317.95 cm3/g) than CC (680.20 kDa and 480.87 cm3/g, respectively). Degree of deacetylation of ZC and CC was 96.24 % and 78.26 %, respectively. ZC showed antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 13883), Proteus mirabilis (ATCC 29906), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212) and Candida albicans (ATCC 90028) with zones of inhibition ranging from 5 mm to 11 mm. The minimum bactericidal concentration of ZC against K. pneumoniae and P. mirabilis was lower than CC. This study suggests the applicability of insect chitosan as an antimicrobial agent in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Preparation and Characterization of Chitosan-Gelatin Film for Wound Dressing

This study aims to explore the effect of various components of chitosan gelatin on its characteristics. The method used was drying at room temperature using petridish for 2-3 days, by mixing all raw materials with chitosan : gelatin weight ratio of 1:0, 0:1, 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1. The dried film was taken and tested for film characteristics. The analysis conducted was FTIR analysis, swelling analysis, and degradation analysis. The results of the swelling analysis showed that the more the addition of gelatin composition, the percentage of swelling increased as shown in the ratio of 1:2, namely 85.178%, 144.072%, 102.068%, 184.660%, 135.272%. Meanwhile, the degradation test results showed that the chitosan and gelatin films with various composition variations increased as the test time progressed. FTIR analysis revealed that gelatin (Ge), chitosan (Ch), and chitosan-gelatin mixture (Ch-Ge) with 1:1 ratio had similar absorption peaks.

Low-Temperature Synthesis of Linear Carbon Chain inside Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Linear carbon chain (LCC) has attracted much interest concerning its structure and applications. It has been reported that LCC possesses higher strength, elastic modulus, and stiffness than any known material, which provides a possibility for LCC as a new composite material, yet its chemical stability remains an issue [1]. Therefore, finding a method to efficiently synthesize LCC has become a meaningful research topic in recent years. A landmark study on LCC synthesis was given by using double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) as the template combined with a high-temperature annealing treatment at 1460°C to acquire long chains composed of more than 6,000 carbon atoms [2]. Except for DWCNTs, LCC synthesis starting from single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) as templates was also reported. However, given the instability of SWCNTs at higher temperature [2] the synthesis efficiency is not as good as for DWCNTs. As far as we know, there is still no report on an efficient LCC synthesis inside SWCNTs. Herein, we report the low-temperature (400°C) efficient LCC synthesis starting from a SWCNT template.To this end, a SWCNT dispersion [3] underwent a surfactant exchange process and was fabricated into a SWCNT film by the filtration method. The SWCNT film was annealed under 400°C in an argon atmosphere to synthesize LCC. Raman spectroscopy (laser wavelength 532 nm) was used to characterize the efficiency of the LCC synthesis. A strong peak at 1863 cm-1 appeared after annealing, originating from the well-known C-mode of the linear carbon chain [4] thereby confirming its existence inside SWCNTs. SWCNTs synthesized by a low-pressure alcohol catalytic chemical vapor deposition (ACCVD) method [5] were also adopted for the LCC synthesis template, resulting in a similar LCC Raman peak at 1863 cm-1. We attribute this successful low-temperature LCC synthesis to the appropriate surfactant which could be encapsulated inside CNTs and converted to LCC during the annealing process.Keywords: Linear Carbon Chain, Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes, Surfactants

Influence of Hydrothermal Temperature on the Physical Characteristics and Photocatalytics Activity of TiO2 for Degradation of Amoxicillin

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a photocatalyst material widely used for environmental remediation applications. In this research, TiO2 material was synthesized using the hydrothermal method at various temperatures (150°C, 180°C, and 200°C). Based on the Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) data, it was found that all the synthesized materials showed similar absorption peaks, and Ti-O-Ti bonds were detected, which is a characteristic of TiO2. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that all the synthesized materials were TiO2 anatase with different crystalline sizes. The synthesized TiO2 using the hydrothermal temperature of 180°C showed the smallest crystalline size of 86.81 nm. Based on the analysis of the band gap energy, it was found that wider band gap energy was obtained at higher hydrothermal temperatures. The band gap energies of the synthesized materials are 3.18 eV, 3.19 eV, and 3.21 eV for hydrothermal temperatures of 150°C, 180°C, and 200°C, respectively. The photocatalytic activity of the three synthesized materials was tested in the photodegradation experiment of amoxicillin under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. As a result, it was found that TiO2 synthesized at 180°C has the highest photocatalytic activity by degrading 100% of amoxicillin compounds within 120 minutes.

Comparative Analysis of Neuromuscular Activation Patterns Associated with Force between Semi-Professional Female Soccer Players with Previous Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery and Healthy Players in Thigh Musculature Related to Valgus Collapse

This study investigates electromyography activation and force development differences in key lower limb muscles between female football players with previous anterior cruciate ligament injuries compared with healthy players. Twenty-two semi-professional players were divided into ACL-injured (n = 11) and non-injured groups (n = 11). Participants underwent maximal voluntary isometric contractions while electromyography activation, peak and average, and peak torque of force were measured. Results indicated significant differences in electromyography activation patterns between anterior cruciate ligament players and non-injured players, particularly in biceps femoris and gluteus maximus muscles. These differences were also evident when comparing between limbs within anterior cruciate ligament players. Interestingly, both groups exhibited similar peak torque of force during maximal contractions, suggesting a compensatory neuromuscular strategy that supports a return to sport based on kinetic and kinematic factors. However, these findings underscore persistent muscle integration imbalances potentially contributing to the high rate of anterior cruciate ligament reinjury. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of evaluating electromyography activation alongside force development in understanding neuromuscular adaptations post anterior cruciate ligament injury. These insights emphasize the need for comprehensive rehabilitation strategies that address muscle imbalance to mitigate the risk of recurrent anterior cruciate ligament injuries in female football players.

Arterial input function estimation compensating for inflow and partial voluming in dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI.

Both inflow and the partial volume effect (PVE) are sources of error when measuring the arterial input function (AIF) in dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI. This is relevant, as errors in the AIF can propagate into pharmacokinetic parameter estimations from the DCE data. A method was introduced for flow correction by estimating and compensating the number of the perceived pulse of spins during inflow. We hypothesized that the PVE has an impact on concentration-time curves similar to inflow. Therefore, we aimed to study the efficiency of this method to compensate for both effects simultaneously. We first simulated an AIF with different levels of inflow and PVE contamination. The peak, full width at half-maximum (FWHM), and area under curve (AUC) of the reconstructed AIFs were compared with the true (simulated) AIF. In clinical data, the PVE was included in AIFs artificially by averaging the signal in voxels surrounding a manually selected point in an artery. Subsequently, the artificial partial volume AIFs were corrected and compared with the AIF from the selected point. Additionally, corrected AIFs from the internal carotid artery (ICA), the middle cerebral artery (MCA), and the venous output function (VOF) estimated from the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) were compared. As such, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the correction method with different levels of inflow and PVE in clinical data. The simulation data demonstrated that the corrected AIFs had only marginal bias in peak value, FWHM, and AUC. Also, the algorithm yielded highly correlated reconstructed curves over increasingly larger neighbourhoods surrounding selected arterial points in clinical data. Furthermore, AIFs measured from the ICA and MCA produced similar peak height and FWHM, whereas a significantly larger peak and lower FWHM was found compared with the VOF. Our findings indicate that the proposed method has high potential to compensate for PVE and inflow simultaneously. The corrected AIFs could thereby provide a stable input source for DCE analysis.