Copper-filled vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (Cu@VACNTs) were grown directly on Cu foil substrates of 0.1 mm thicknesses at different temperatures via plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). By circumventing the need for additional catalyst layers or intensive substrate treatments, our in-situ technique offers a simplified and potentially scalable route for fabricating Cu@VACNTs with enhanced electrical and thermal properties on thin Cu foils. Comprehensive analysis using field emission scanning microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) mappings, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed uniform Cu filling within the VACNTs across a range of synthesis temperatures (650 °C, 700 °C, and 760 °C). Field emission (FE) measurements of the sample synthesized at 700 °C (S700) showed low turn-on and threshold fields of 2.33 V/$\mathsf{\mu }$m and 3.29 V/$\mathsf{\mu }$m, respectively. The findings demonstrate the viability of thin Cu substrates in creating dense and highly conductive Cu-filled VACNT arrays for advanced electronic and nanoelectronics applications. Full article

I demonstrate the usage of planetary nebulae (PNe) to infer that a pair of jets shaped the ejecta of the core-collapse supernova (CCSN) SN 1987A. The main structure of the SN 1987A inner ejecta, the ‘keyhole’, comprises two low-intensity zones. The northern one has a bright rim on its front, while the southern one has an elongated nozzle. An earlier comparison of the SN 1987A ‘keyhole’ with bubbles in the galaxy group NGC 5813 led to its identification as a jet-shaped rim–nozzle structure. Here, I present rim–nozzle asymmetry in planetary nebulae (PNe), thought to be shaped by jets, which solidifies the claim that jets powered the ejecta of SN 1987A and other CCSNe. This finding for the iconic SN 1987A with its unique properties strengthens the jittering-jets explosion mechanism (JJEM) of CCSNe. In a few hundred years, the CCSN 1987A will have a complicated structure with two main symmetry axes, one along the axis of the three circumstellar rings that was shaped by two opposite 20,000-year pre-explosion jets, and the other along the long axis of the ‘keyhole’ that was shaped by the main (but not the only) jet pair of the exploding jets of SN 1987A in the frame of the JJEM. Full article

This paper presents the basic assumptions of the concept of a new technology for the valorisation of chromium tannery waste. It assumes the use of an integrated system of the thermal pressure hydrolysis process and membrane filtration techniques for the recovery of chromium compounds and the use of a separated organic matter during anaerobic fermentation. According to the assumptions of the developed technological concept, at the first stage, the crushed mixture of chromium tannery waste is decomposed in the process of thermal pressure hydrolysis using appropriate process conditions in an alkaline environment. Then, the liquid product of this process (the so-called hydrolysate) is processed using centrifugal force separation and ultrafiltration. Such activities enable the recovery of chromium compounds for rawhide currying and concentration of organic matter (fats, proteins) with energy potential. Research carried out under conditions similar to real operating conditions proved that chromium compounds recovered from waste can be successfully used in the processing of cowhides intended for the production of footwear. The industrial implementation of the developed technology for valorising chromium tannery waste would enable the transition from a linear to a circular economy. Full article

Based on the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of clonidine in previous studies, we hypothesized that clonidine could accelerate wound healing in rats by regulating the expression of related cytokines. In this study, the wound healing effect of clonidine was evaluated using an excision wound model in diabetic rats and a HaCaT cell model. The wounds were treated daily with topical clonidine. The results analyzed by ImageJ2 software show that the wounds of the rats that were treated with 15 ng/mL clonidine recovered faster, and the wound size was also significantly reduced compared to the control group. Western blot assays determined that clonidine induced an increase in the expression of vascular growth factors, namely, Ang-1, Ang-2, and VEGF. Moreover, clonidine demonstrated a rescuing effect on JAK2 within the JAK/STAT pathway by inhibiting SOCS3 expression, leading to decreased SOCS3 levels and increased expression of JAK2 and phospho-STAT3. Histopathological analysis revealed that clonidine promoted complete epithelial repair and minimized inflammation in skin tissue. Additionally, clonidine stimulated HaCaT cell proliferation in vitro and enhanced cellular energy levels in the presence of AGEs. In conclusion, clonidine promoted vascular growth and wound healing by stimulating the expression of cytokines that are beneficial for wound healing. Full article

(1) Background: Head and neck cancer treatment, including advanced techniques like Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT), presents challenges for maintaining patient quality of life (QoL). Thus, thoroughly investigating how radiation therapy (RT) affects patients has been proved essential. Derived by that, this study aims to understand the complex interactions between not only RT and QoL but also symptom severity, and treatment-related toxicities in three distinct time points of patient’s treatment; (2) Methods: To achieve that, EORTC-QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-H&N35 questionnaires were used in combination with EORTC_RTOG scoring criteria and Spearman’s rho statistical analysis for 74 patients with cancer undergoing VMAT radiation therapy; (3) Results: The results revealed a significant improvement in the Overall Health Index post-treatment, indicating a temporary decline during therapy followed by subsequent recovery, often surpassing pre-treatment QoL levels. Concurrently a reduction in symptomatology was observed, notably in pain, swallowing difficulties, and dry mouth, aligning with prior research indicating decreased symptom burden post-treatment. However, Spearman’s correlation coefficient analysis at two distinct time points during therapy uncovered varying degrees of correlation between dosimetric data at Organs at Risk (OARs) and reported symptoms, highlighting potential limitations in using QoL questionnaires as sole indicators of treatment efficacy. Our investigation into the correlation between dosimetric data, toxicity, and symptoms focused on the relationship between radiation doses and oral mucositis levels, a common toxicity in head and neck cancer patients. Significant associations were identified between toxicity levels and dosimetric parameters, particularly with OARs such as the parotid glands, oral cavity, and swallowing muscles, underlining the utility of the EORTC method as a reliable toxicity assessment tool; (4) Conclusions: To summarize, current research attempts to underscore the importance of refining QoL assessments for enhanced patient care. The integration of dosimetric data, symptom severity, and treatment-related toxicities in the QoL outcomes of head and neck cancer patients undergoing VMAT radiation therapy, can lead towards the optimization of treatment strategies and the improvement of patient outcomes in future patient-centered radiation therapy practices. Full article

Glycine, a simple amino acid, is not only essential due to its potential insufficiency in vivo, but also has significant metabolic functions. It serves as a crucial building block for proteins. At the same time, as a bioactive molecule, it regulates gene expression for cytoprotection, protein configuration and activity, and other critical biological processes, including glutathione synthesis. The intriguing, beneficial effects of glycine in medical applications have piqued the research community’s interest in recent decades. This work delves into the compelling discoveries about the pivotal role of glycine in cardiovascular health and its intricate mechanisms of action for alleviating several medical conditions. Glycine’s broad spectrum of impact spans numerous diseases, encompassing not only acute myocardial infarction, aortic dissection, and cardiac hypertrophy, but also transplant rejections of aortic allografts, insulin resistance, and endothelial dysfunction, thereby providing a comprehensive understanding of its medical applications. Full article

The number of confirmed positive tests of various sexually transmitted infections has grown recently in the United Kingdom. The objective of this study is to propose a deterministic compartmental model to investigate gonorrhoea spread in Northern Ireland between 2012 and 2022. The differential equation based model includes both symptomatic and asymptomatic spread, spontaneous recovery and treatment compartments. After fitting our model to the monthly number of new positive tests, we found that the basic reproduction number is approximately $1.0030$. In addition, we derive the endemic equilibrium of the model, which exists if and only if ${\mathcal{R}}_0>1$. The sensitivity analyses of the basic reproduction number and the endemic values of the compartments of treated individuals indicate that infection spreading time can have a significant impact on gonorrhoea spread. Full article

Algorithms, indispensable to understand Artificial Intelligence (AI), are omnipresent in social media, but users’ understanding of these computational processes and the way they impact their consumption of information is often limited. There is a need for Media and Information Literacy (MIL) research investigating (a) how MIL can support algorithm literacy (AL) as a subset of competences and with what working definition, (b) what competences users need in order to evaluate algorithms critically and interact with them effectively, and (c) how to design learner-centred interventions that foster increased user understanding of algorithms and better response to disinformation spread by such processes. Based on Crossover project research, this paper looks at four scenarios used by journalists, developers and MIL experts that mirror users’ daily interactions with social media. The results suggest several steps towards integrating AL within MIL goals, while providing a concrete definition of algorithm literacy that is experience-based. The competences and design considerations are organised in a conceptual framework thematically derived from the experimentation. This contribution can support AI developers and MIL educators in their co-design of algorithm-literacy interventions and guide future research on AL as part of a set of nested AI literacies within MIL. Full article

We report the case of a 28-year-old male with uncontrolled human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection who presented with extensive ulcerated lesions with dark lamellated crusting on his face, torso, and limbs. The patient had a rapid plasma reagin (RPR) titer of 1:512, indicative of syphilis. A skin biopsy revealed granulomata surrounded by lymphocytes, histiocytes, and plasma cells, with spirochetes visible on immunohistochemical staining. The patient’s rash resolved with hyperpigmented scarring after penicillin and doxycycline treatment. This severe form of secondary syphilis has been termed malignant syphilis, lues maligna, ulceronodular syphilis, or rupioid syphilis. We propose a single descriptive name for this entity, ulceronodular-rupioid syphilis. In 1969, Fisher proposed criteria for malignant syphilis based on lesion appearance, histopathologic findings, high RPR values, and rapid response to treatment. We found that the Fisher criteria were imprecise with respect to specific histopathologic findings, the quantitation of RPR values, and what constitutes rapid response to treatment. Thus, we examined an additional 74 cases from the literature and propose new diagnostic criteria based on rash appearance, histopathologic characteristics, non-treponemal and treponemal test positivity, and response to therapy. We also found that uncontrolled viremia, and not a low CD4 count, is a major risk factor for ulceronodular-rupioid syphilis in HIV patients. Full article

Compounds was born in 2021 as an interdisciplinary journal with a clear vocation towards the scientific community and a tool to present its scientific achievements in an open access format that would allow a rapid and efficient dissemination of its scientific results in the field of chemistry [...] Full article

With the increase in the adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, the security threat they face has become more pervasive. Recent research has demonstrated that most IoT devices are insecure and vulnerable to a range of cyber attacks. The impact of such attacks can vary significantly, from affecting the service of the device itself to putting their owners and their personal information at risk. As a response to improving their security, the focus has been on attacks, specifically on the network layer. However, the importance and impact of other vulnerabilities, such as low-level Radio Frequency (RF) attacks, have been neglected. Such attacks are challenging to detect, and they can be deployed using non-expensive equipment and can cause significant damage. This paper explores security vulnerabilities that target RF communications on popular commercial IoT devices such as Wi-Fi, Zigbee, and 433 Mz. Using software-defined radio, a range of attacks were deployed against the devices, including jamming, replay attacks, packet manipulation, protocol reverse engineering, and harmonic frequency attacks. The results demonstrated that all devices used were susceptible to jamming attacks, and in some cases, they were rendered inoperable and required a hard reset to function correctly again. This finding highlights the lack of protection against both intentional and unintentional jamming. In addition, all devices demonstrated that they were susceptible to replay attacks, which highlights the need for more hardened security measures. Finally, this paper discusses proposals for defence mechanisms for enhancing the security of IoT devices against the aforementioned attacks. Full article

Consumption of garlic leads to the persistence of “garlic breath” due to the presence of malodorous sulfur volatiles which may persist for as long as 24 h. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of yogurt and its components on the deodorization of garlic sulfur volatiles in breath and study the roles of these components in deodorization. Raw garlic was consumed with different treatments and at different times for breath analysis. Different components were mixed with the garlic for headspace analysis. Volatiles were measured using selected-ion flow-tube mass spectrometry. Consuming yogurt at the same time as garlic was more effective than consuming it before or after. Yogurt was the most effective at deodorization, followed by the emulsion, then protein or fat alone. Decreasing the pH of protein solutions increased deodorization because changes to the structure of the proteins exposed more binding sites for the volatiles, while decreasing the pH of water or fat had no effect on deodorization. Whey protein deodorized better than casein due to the presence of more cysteine binding sites for volatiles. This study proposes that the fat, protein, microbial culture, and water in yogurt have synergistic effects on the deodorization of garlic volatiles. This study’s findings can help in the development of novel products targeting sulfur volatiles, with broad applications for mitigating malodors produced by garlic. Full article

This study aimed to explore how dark personality traits influence the interplay between embitterment and jealousy. We first assessed the appropriateness of the scales used to assess jealousy, personality, and embitterment for our study population, examining their performance across different relationship statuses and ensuring their reliability. Then, through correlation, regression, and moderation analyses, we investigated the relationships among these measures. Our results revealed that Machiavellianism and narcissism act as moderators in the embitterment–jealousy relationship. Specifically, Machiavellianism moderated associations between overall embitterment and its psychological state and behavioral jealousy, while narcissism moderated connections between total embitterment and its psychological state, behavioral jealousy, cognitive jealousy, and overall jealousy. Furthermore, the combined influence of a longer relationship duration and higher levels of embitterment and Machiavellianism contributed to total jealousy scores. These findings deepen our comprehension of jealousy’s intricacies and the underlying factors at play. Full article

Three decades after A. P. de Silva’s seminal paper introduced the concept of logic gates at the molecular level, the field of molecular logic gates (MLGs) has witnessed significant advancements. MLGs are devices designed to perform logical operations, utilizing one or more physical or chemical stimulus signals (inputs) to generate an output response. Notably, MLGs have found diverse applications, with optical detection of analytes emerging as a notable evolution of traditional chemosensors. Organic synthesis methods are pivotal in crafting molecular architectures tailored as optical devices capable of analyte detection through logical functions. This review delves into the fundamental aspects and physical–chemical properties of MLGs, with a particular emphasis on synthetic strategies driving their design. Full article

Worldwide zinc deficiency in the soil under cereal production is a common problem affecting the yield and nutritional value of several crops. Bioaugmentation of soil zinc with zinc-solubilizing bacteria can be a promising option for increasing the zinc nutrition to crops. The objectives of the study were to evaluate Bacillus paramycoides for improving yield, zinc nutrition, and zinc availability in rice grown under sodicity stress caused by alkali water irrigation. Treatments included T₁: control, T₂: substrate, T₃: Bacillus paramycoides, T₄: control (T₁) + zinc sulphate, T₅: substrate (T₂) + zinc sulphate, and T₆: Bacillus paramycoides (T₃) + zinc sulphate. Rice yield, zinc content, and uptake, and apparent zinc recovery were not altered by Bacillus paramycoides. The different fractions of zinc measured after 30 and 60 days after transplanting of the rice remain unaffected by the inoculation of Bacillus paramycoides. Further, an equal number of zinc-solubilizing bacteria present in the rice rhizosphere of control plots after 30 days of transplanting suggests the importance of the native rhizospheric microbiome in zinc nutrition. It is concluded that the application of Bacillus paramycoides in sodicity-stressed rice did not provided additional benefits in terms of zinc nutrition and yield. Further investigation will be required to improve the apparent zinc recovery of crops in those areas, where alkali water is continuously utilized for irrigation. Full article

Carbon aerogels represent a distinctive category of high surface area materials derived from sol-gel chemistry. Functionalizing these aerogels has led to the development of composite aerogels with the potential for a wider range of applications. In this study, the technique of lyophilization was employed to fabricate aerogel composites consisting of inorganic salts and cellulosic fibers. Cellulose carbonization can occur through chemical dehydration by heat treatment in an inert atmosphere. X-ray diffraction analysis spectra and scanning electron microscopy images indicate that the formed polymeric composites contain partially carbonized cellulose fibers, amorphous carbon, and calcium carbonates. CaCO₃ primarily forms through the reaction of CaCl₂, which moistens cellulose or amorphous carbon fibers with CO₂ in ammonia fumes. The water loss in 3D structures was analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible-near-infrared spectroscopy. Depending on the synthesis method, 3D structures can be created from partially or completely dehydrated cellulose fibers. The aerogels were examined for their ability to support the growth of bacterial biofilm and then adorned with metal silver and AgCl to produce bactericidal products. Due to their open pores and CaCO₃ content, these aerogels can serve as durable and environmentally friendly thermal insulators with bactericidal properties, as well as a medium for absorbing acidic gases. Full article

The identification of reliable physiological and biochemical indicators for assessing tomato salt tolerance can increase the efficiency of plant breeding to create new varieties and lines. The purpose of our study was to identify available physiological and biochemical relevant characteristics for assessing the sensitivity to sodium chloride salinity of different tomato genotypes at the seedling stage. A complex analysis was carried out based on indicators such as biomass growth, water content of plant tissues, content of readily soluble salts, sodium and chlorine ions, photosynthetic pigments, carotenoids, phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Additionally, the stomata area of the upper and lower epidermis was taken into account. The comprehensive assessment carried out made it possible to reliably divide the eight studied tomato varieties into two groups: sensitive (Belyij Naliv, Geya, YaLF, Paradigma) and tolerant (Recordsmen, Yuryevskij, Bych’e Serdce, Astrakhanskij). Tomato genotypes that can be classified as sensitive (in order of increasing sensitivity to high concentrations of NaCl (150 mM)) were Belyij Naliv > Geya > YaLF ≥ Paradigma. Tomato genotypes that can be classified as resistant to salt stress (in order of increasing tolerance to high concentrations of NaCl (150 mM)) were Recordsmen < Yuryevskij < Bych’e Serdce < Astrakhanskij. The advisability of only using complex physiological and biochemical indicators to obtain relevant assessments for salinity tolerance at the early stages of tomato plant development has been demonstrated. Full article

The paper demonstrates a novel methodology for Content-Based Image Retrieval (CBIR), which shifts the focus from conventional domain-specific image queries to more complex text-based query processing. Latent diffusion models are employed to interpret complex textual prompts and address the requirements of effectively interpreting the complex textual query. Latent Diffusion models successfully transform complex textual queries into visually engaging representations, establishing a seamless connection between textual descriptions and visual content. Custom triplet network design is at the heart of our retrieval method. When trained well, a triplet network will represent the generated query image and the different images in the database. The cosine similarity metric is used to assess the similarity between the feature representations in order to find and retrieve the relevant images. Our experiments results show that latent diffusion models can successfully bridge the gap between complex textual prompts for image retrieval without relying on labels or metadata that are attached to database images. This advancement sets the stage for future explorations in image retrieval, leveraging the generative AI capabilities to cater to the ever-evolving demands of big data and complex query interpretations. Full article

The citral chemotype of Camphora officinarum Nees ex Wall. is a promising industrial plant that contains an abundance of citral, which is widely used in medical, chemical, food, and other fields. For a more in-depth exploration, the dynamic characteristics of its essential oil (EO), oil compositions (OCs), and oil cells during leaf development were determined in the present study. The leaf phenotype changed rapidly from the 1st to the 4th week after leaf bud germination. The oil yield (OY), obtained via supercritical carbon dioxide extraction, reached the highest value of 2.82% ± 0.20% in the 12th week. Leaf development is a prerequisite for the production of EO, and the difference in the OY was not significant after leaf maturation. The OCs, analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), mainly included aldehydes, alcohols, and hydrocarbons. Different types of compounds accumulated differently during leaf development: the highest relative content of alcohol in the OCs was 30.18% in the 2nd week, while that of aldehyde was 76.11% in the 6th week. In total, 130 OCs were detected, and two isomers of citral, namely, geranial and neral, had the highest relative levels of 51.12% (12th week) and 28.63% (6th week), respectively. The OY was closely related to the developmental stage of the oil cells. In the 1st–2nd weeks, the oil cells were mostly in the non-essential oil stage and essential oil-forming stage, with a lower OY; oil cells reached saturation in the 12–24th weeks, with a higher OY. Transmission electron microscopy showed that osmium droplets were present in large quantities during leaf development and gradually integrated into the vacuoles, finally making the vacuoles become oil bladders for oil storage. In conclusion, EO may have new uses due to the different OCs in leaf development; additionally, the microscopic changes in C. officinarum provide a reference for the cellular mechanism of EO accumulation. Full article

The modeling of transient flows of liquids through tubes is required for studies in water hammer, switched inertance hydraulic converters, and noise reduction in hydraulic equipment. While 3D gridded computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods exist for the prediction of dynamic flows and pressures in these applications, they are computationally costly, and it is more common to use 1D methods such as the method of characteristics (MOC), transmission line method (TLM), or frequency domain methods. These 1D methods give good approximations of results but require many orders of magnitude less computation time. While these tubes are typically curved or coiled in practical applications, existing 1D solution methods assume straight tubes, often with unknown deviation from the curved tube solution. This paper uses CFD simulations to determine the correction factors that can be used for existing 1D methods with curved tubes. The paper also presents information that can be used to help evaluate the expected errors resulting from this approximation. Full article

Contamination with cadmium (Cd) is a prominent issue in agricultural non-point source pollution in China. With the deposition and activation of numerous Cd metal elements in farmland, the problem of excessive pollution of agricultural produce can no longer be disregarded. Considering the issue of Cd pollution in farmland, this study proposes the utilization of cross-linked modified biochar (prepared from pine wood) and calcium alginate hydrogels to fabricate a composite material which is called MB-CA for short. The aim is to investigate the adsorption and passivation mechanism of soil Cd by this innovative composite. The MB-CA exhibits a higher heavy metal adsorption capacity compared to traditional biochar and hydrogel due to its increased oxygen-containing functional groups and heavy metal adsorption sites. In the Cd solution adsorption experiment, the highest Cd²⁺ removal rate reached 85.48%. In addition, it was found that the material also has an excellent pH improvement effect. Through the adsorption kinetics experiment and the soil culture experiments, it was determined that MB-CA adheres to the quasi-second-order kinetic model and is capable of adsorbing 35.94% of Cd²⁺ in soil. This study validates the efficacy of MB-CA in the adsorption and passivation of Cd in soil, offering a novel approach for managing Cd-contaminated cultivated land. Full article

Over the past decade, 3D printing with concrete has been widely adopted worldwide. The primary drivers for this innovation are the reduction in manual labor and the more efficient use of natural resources. New materials that are suitable for 3D printing are developed, which are characterized by rapid setting and robust physical and mechanical properties. In this study, for the first time, ternary gypsum–cement–pozzolanic (GCP) composites were developed and evaluated for use in 3D printing. These composites are associated with durability in water as Portland cement (PC) while maintaining the rapid hardening properties of gypsum. Two types of secondary gypsum—recycled plasterboard gypsum (RG) and phosphogypsum (PG)—were used as the calcium hemihydrate component. The compressive strength test showed that 37 MPa can be achieved, which is comparable to that of traditional PC-based 3D printable mixtures. For the first time in a 3D print test, it was experimentally proved that GCP mixtures have good stability and buildability up to 35 layers. According to Life Cycle Analysis, elaborated material gives a carbon footprint reduction of up to 40%, compared to traditional PC mortar, thus supporting the sustainable use of this innovative composite. Full article