The Scientific World Journal最新文献

The use of sustainable materials in the construction industry has recently gained significant attention. Limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) is arising as a viable alternative to ordinary Portland cement (OPC). However, few studies were found focusing on the durability of LC3. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis to assess the evolution of LC3 durability research using data extracted from the Scopus and Web of Science databases covering the period 2017-2025. A total of 21 articles were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and VOSviewer to evaluate publication trends, author productivity, journal sources, and geographical distribution. Results indicate a growing research interest, with publications peaking in 2023-2024. India, China, and Switzerland lead the field. Despite this progress, research gaps persist regarding LC3 performance under freeze-thaw cycles, alkali-silica reaction, elevated temperatures, and combined environmental exposures. Addressing these gaps through international collaboration and comprehensive testing is vital for advancing LC3's global adoption in sustainable construction.

Core facilities are important infrastructures that support scientific research, technological development, and innovation in health. Their concept has evolved in recent decades, incorporating new characteristics and functionalities that highlight their importance in scientific field. In Brazil, these units gained relevance in the late 1990s, accompanying the expansion of science, technology, and innovation policies in health. The objective of this study was to investigate the concepts of core facilities present in the literature, understand their insertion in Brazilian context, propose categories of conceptual analysis for core facilities, and define a concept that encompasses the main characteristics of these multiuser research support units. To this end, an analytical review was conducted through an extensive search for documents published between 1990 and 2024, involving scientific articles, technical-managerial documents, and research funding notices. The various definitions of core facility were evaluated, their main characteristics mapped, the Brazilian context assessed, eight categories of conceptual analysis identified and described, and, based on these, a new concept for these structures proposed. The results contribute to scientific literature and may be valuable for both researchers and science and technology managers in understanding their scope of action, in inferring their impact on biomedical sciences, and in building a management model appropriate for core facilities that support scientific research in the health field.

Producing clean and renewable energy is the aim of many countries worldwide. Wind is one of the most vast renewable energy sources. High-quality wind is available at high altitudes. To harvest such energy, wind turbines should reach such high altitudes. An airborne wind turbine system is conceptually designed to harvest wind energy at relatively high altitudes regardless of location. A glider is designed to carry a small wind turbine mounted at its nose. The glider is connected to the ground through a tether and electric wires to transmit power from the flying generator to the ground station. The resulting model airplane has a square wing with a Selig high-lift, low-Reynolds-number airfoil section (S1223-il) and a wingspan of 2 m. Tail airfoil sections are NASA airfoil 0012. The total mass of the glider is 3.35 kg. The aerodynamic design analysis is performed through CFD simulation. The forces and loads obtained from the CFD analysis are transferred to finite element software to perform structural analysis. Overshooting in lift and drag forces occurs in both cruise and nose-up flights. Such overshoot behavior is eliminated by the wind turbine rotation effect. The developed model meets the design objectives successfully, since both structural and CFD analyses show the aircraft's capability to carry the load. The CFD results prove that the glider is stable when the center of gravity is forward, and stability is achieved within 0.2 s. When the wind turbine is installed, there is slight oscillation in the lift force, but stability is reached within the design target of 0.2 s.

Rat taro is a potential plant as a raw material for medicine. Rat taro contains an active compound that is useful as an anticancer, antibacterial, and antioxidant. Standardization of raw materials is important to obtain reproducible effects and safe consumption. This study is aimed at obtaining an appropriate drying method to produce high-quality rat taro simplicia from the tuber and leaf. The drying methods applied were sun drying, modified sun drying covered with black fabric, and oven drying. Simplicia of rat taro was made from the tuber and leaf. Simplicia quality was observed for moisture content, dry weight yield, ash content, water- and alcohol-soluble essence, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity (IC₅₀). The results showed that the average drying temperature for the tuber was around 37.5°C-39°C, and for the leaf, it was 32.5°C-37°C. The drying time for the tuber was around 15-16 h, and for the leaf, it was 20-26 h. The average moisture content of rat taro simplicia ranged from 8.27% to 10.84%. The water-soluble extract content of the tuber was around 10.92%-12.81%, and of the leaf, it was 35%-39.10%. Alcohol-soluble extract content of the tuber was 1.88%-2.28%, and of the leaf, it was 6.35%-9.19%. The flavonoid content of the tuber was around 0.2-0.3 mg QE/g, and of the leaf, it was 4.1-5.6 mg QE/g. The IC₅₀ value of the tuber was around 6477.70-8847.77 ppm, and of the leaf, it was 585.01-1189.63 ppm. The results revealed that the drying method influenced antioxidant activity (p = 0.028) and flavonoid levels (p = 0.009) in rat taro simplicia. The moisture content, antioxidant activity, and flavonoid content of the leaves were higher than the tubers. The most effective drying method for rat taro simplicia was oven drying at 37°C-38°C, which yielded flavonoid contents of 0.3 mg QE/g in the stems and 5.6 mg QE/g in the leaves, along with antioxidant activities of 6477.70 ppm in the stems and 585.01 ppm in the leaves, representing the best results obtained.

Fluoride (F) is an essential strategy for caries control, with fluoridated dentifrices being the most effective form of its use. Studies have shown that salivary sediment retains more F than the supernatant, contributing to its maintenance in the oral environment. This study was aimed at evaluating the bioavailability of F in salivary sediment after the use of a high-F dentifrice during the nocturnal period. In this in vivo crossover study, 10 participants used a dentifrice containing 5000 ppm F and collected saliva during diurnal and nocturnal periods. These samples were analyzed to compare F concentrations in the salivary supernatant and sediment using an ion-specific electrode. A two-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis, considering the factors "saliva compartment" and "period," with a significance level of 5%. No significant differences were observed between the two periods at baseline (p > 0.05); however, in both periods, F levels were significantly higher in the sediment than in the supernatant (p < 0.05). Immediately after brushing, a peak in F concentration was observed in all compartments, followed by a gradual decline over time. After 2 h, F retention remained consistently higher in the sediment compared to the supernatant, especially during the nocturnal period (p < 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) confirmed higher F bioavailability at night, with values (mean ± SD, μg F/mL.min^-1) of 3590.1 ± 450.0 for nocturnal sediment, 2598.2 ± 209.9 for diurnal sediment, 2526.7 ± 579.2 for nocturnal supernatant, and 2078.4 ± 442.8 for diurnal supernatant (p = 0.03). These findings demonstrate that bedtime brushing with a 5000-ppm F dentifrice effectively prolongs F retention in the oral environment, especially in the salivary sediment.

Trial registration: Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (REBEC) identifier: RBR-10bhvcr4.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2024/6949281.].

Ruppia maritima, a seagrass, was investigated for its potential antioxidant, antidiabetic, antibacterial, cytotoxic, and analgesic activities. The acetone extract of its leaves (AERM) was studied using in vitro, in vivo, and in silico methods. To determine its secondary metabolites, the total phenolic and flavonoid content was measured. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays, while antidiabetic potential was assessed through the alpha-amylase inhibition assay. The disc diffusion method was used to examine antibacterial effects, and cytotoxicity was determined using both the brine shrimp lethality assay and the MTT assay on HeLa cells. Analgesic activity was tested via the acetic acid-induced writhing test and formalin-induced paw licking test. Quantitative analysis revealed that AERM contained 19.04 ± 1.91 mg/g of phenolics and 14.71 ± 1.09 mg/g of flavonoids. The extract demonstrated antioxidant activity with IC₅₀ values of 87.92 μg/mL (DPPH) and 209.75 μg/mL (ABTS). Antidiabetic testing indicated an IC₅₀ of 132.05 μg/mL, likely due to α-amylase inhibition. Strong antibacterial effects were observed, with efficacy comparable to the standard drug pefloxacin. In cytotoxicity assays, AERM showed an LC₅₀ of 31.41 μg/mL in brine shrimp and a dose-dependent reduction in HeLa cell viability. At doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg, AERM produced significant analgesic effects (p < 0.001) in both the acetic acid and formalin-induced pain models. Molecular docking and ADME/T analyses suggested high binding affinities, good pharmacokinetic properties, and a nontoxic profile. Overall, the results indicate that AERM has promising pharmacological potential as a natural therapeutic agent. However, further studies with larger sample sizes, repeated trials, and broader dose-response evaluations in various animal models are essential to confirm these findings.

Background: Immunization is one of the most successful and cost-effective public health interventions worldwide. Approximately 62% of zero-dose children live in just 10 countries, including Ethiopia. In West Arsi Zone, findings from the rapid convenient survey (RCS) were inconsistent with DHIS-2 reports.

Objective: The objective was to determine the proportion of zero-dose vaccination and identify associated factors among children aged 12-35 months in West Arsi Zone, June-August 2023.

Methods: We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study on 1456 children selected using multistage stratified random sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with mothers/caretakers and record reviews using an ODK questionnaire. Data were cleaned and analyzed in Stata 16. Binary logistic regression identified factors associated with zero-dose vaccination. Variables with p < 0.25 and practical significance were included in multivariable regression; statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: The proportion of zero-dose vaccination was 9.62% (8.10-11.13). The main reasons included unawareness of the need for vaccination (29.57%) and unavailability of the vaccines/vaccinators (15.59%). Factors associated with higher odds of zero-dose vaccination were as follows: living in kebeles where health posts lacked refrigerators (AOR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.25-3.45), communities without social mobilization for immunization (AOR = 2.63, 95% CI: 1.44-4.80), caregiver unawareness of HEWs (AOR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.02-3.07), poor immunization knowledge (AOR = 3.08, 95% CI: 1.83-5.21), negative (AOR = 4.24, 95% CI: 2.25-7.97), or neutral attitude (AOR = 4.21, 95% CI: 2.36-7.52) toward immunization, waiting times > 30 min (AOR = 2.83, 95% CI: 1.67-4.97), lack of health education at the facility (AOR = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.44-4.27), mothers with no ANC (AOR = 4.08, 95% CI: 2.32-7.16), home delivery (AOR = 4.07, 95% CI: 2.30-7.20), and female children (AOR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.10-2.78).

Conclusions: Zero-dose vaccination is consistent with RCS findings and is unacceptably high compared to the national targets (100% Pentavalent 1 coverage nationally; 98% per district). Interventions should focus on increasing community awareness, ensuring vaccines and vaccinator availability, and promoting equal care for male and female children.

Introduction: Nitrile biotransformation has garnered significant attention in recent years due to its widespread applications in various industries. This study is aimed at investigating the ability of haloalkaliphilic bacteria from extremely haloalkaline lakes in Kenya to produce unique nitrilases with nitrile-degrading potential.

Methodology: A combination of enrichment and isolation was done on a mineral supplemented with either butyronitrile or isobutyronitrile, colorimetric assays, nesslerization method, Bertholet reaction, and molecular characterization.

Results: Sixty bacterial isolates were recovered, of which 14 exhibited 6 nitrilase and 8 nitrile hydratase enzyme activities. The isolates, affiliated with Bacillus agaradhaerens, Bacillus halodurans, Bacillus xiamenensis, Bacillus cellulosilyticus, Nesterenkonia alba, Nesterenkonia aethopica, Nesterenkonia sp. YIM, Alkalilimnicola sp. AKP2, and Alkalilimnicola haloduran species, demonstrated optimal growth at pH 8.0-9.0, 5% salt concentration, and 28°C-40°C temperature. Notably, the nitrilase and nitrile hydratase enzymes exhibited optimal pH activity at 7.0-7.5.

Conclusion: This study identifies novel bacterial isolates from Kenyan soda lakes with the ability to produce nitrilase and nitrile hydratase enzymes, which can be utilized for the hydrolysis of nitrile to carboxylic acid, ammonia, and amide.

Significance and impact of study: The identification of bacterial strains capable of degrading nitriles into acids and amide compounds that are environmentally safe and beneficial to the green industry highlights a promising approach for mitigating the harmful effects of toxic nitriles in the environment. Biodegradation of nitriles by bacteria from soda lakes offers a sustainable solution to reduce ecological damage. Techniques such as enzymatic assays, colorimetric methods, the Berthelot reaction, and the two-step nesslerization method are essential for isolating and characterizing nitrile-degrading bacteria. The discovery of these biocatalysts not only advances green catalyst research but also holds significant potential for applications in organic synthesis, biotechnology, and environmental remediation.

Background: Wild edible plants supplement households' food supply as seasonal or emergency foods in different communities of Ethiopia. However, local people consume them without considering their nutritional values.

Objective: This study is aimed at evaluating the nutritional value, antinutritional, antioxidant, and phytochemical profiles of Saba comorensis (Bojer ex A.DC.) Pichon fruits, Syzygium guineense (Wild.) DC. subsp. macrocarpum (Engl.) F. White fruits, and Dioscorea praehensilis Benth. tubers consumed in Dibatie district, western Ethiopia.

Methods: Juices of edible plants were used to determine pH, acidity, and total soluble solid. Lyophilized powders were analyzed to determine vitamin C, proximate composition, minerals, antinutritional factors, antioxidant capacity, and phytoconstituents.

Results: The S. comorensis fruits had the highest (p < 0.05) acidity, vitamin C, and total soluble solid. The studied plants contained 2.50%-15.50% crude fiber, 0.75%-4.00% crude fat, 4.38%-10.50% crude protein, 59.63%-68.83% carbohydrate, and 267.75%-324.08 kcal/100 g energy. The studied plants had minerals like calcium (522.27-995.04 mg/100 g), iron (19.80-111.94 mg/100 g), magnesium (923.25-1592.18 mg/100 g), manganese (0.50-5.72 mg/100 g), potassium (591.69-1357.71 mg/100 g), sodium (0.60-17.17 mg/100 g), and zinc (1.00-1.74 mg/100 g). The tested plants had 65.11-70.67 mg/100 g phytates, 170.00-790.00 mg/100 g oxalates, and 196.51-11147.55 mg CE/100 g tannins. S. comorensis fruits showed substantial DPPH free radical scavenging activity with an IC₅₀ value of 0.07 mg/mL, because they were significantly (p < 0.05) the highest in phenolics, flavonoids, and alkaloids.

Conclusion: The investigated plants were rich suppliers of valuable macro- and micronutrients and phytochemicals, along with considerable antinutritional and antioxidant properties. Thus, they require special conservation and management measures for sustainable usage by the local communities and Ethiopian people as a whole.