Journals
2025 EN
Araújo Nara Juliana Santos · Silva Camila Aparecida Pereira · Bezerra Vanessa Lima
+13 more
Antimicrobial resistance remains one of the major challenges to global public health, compromising the effectiveness of treatments and contributing to increased morbidity and mortality associated with bacterial infections. Among the mechanisms involved, efflux pumps—such as NorA, expressed in resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus —are particularly noteworthy. These transport proteins actively expel antibiotics from the cell, reducing their intracellular concentration. In this context, natural compounds have been explored as potential resistance inhibitors, with a focus on the triterpene lupeol, known for its pharmacological properties. This study evaluates the activity of lupeol against the NorA efflux pump using in vitro assays and in silico modeling. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) is determined by broth microdilution, and pump inhibition is assessed via ethidium bromide‐induced fluorescence. SYTOX Green assays indicated that lupeol does not compromise bacterial membrane integrity. Although lupeol presented a MIC ≥ 1024 μg mL −1 , it demonstrates significant inhibition of NorA activity. Molecular docking reveals a binding energy of –7.112 kcal mol −1 and interactions with key residues of the protein, outperforming the CCCP control. These findings suggest that lupeol acts as a modulator of bacterial resistance, with potential application as a therapeutic adjuvant in the treatment of infections caused by multidrug‐resistant S. aureus.
Journals
2025 EN
Kollbek Kamila · Jarosiński Łukasz · Dąbczyński Paweł
+6 more
ABSTRACT In the era of global energy crisis, more attention is paid to efficient energy harvesting from renewable sources. Solar power is one of those widely utilized, yet the efficiency of devices converting energy needs to be constantly improved. One of the ideas is to create solar cells that benefit from 2D van der Waals structures combined with other materials such as TiO 2 and conductive polymers. Such hybrid solar cells show higher power conversion compared to non‐composite photovoltaic devices. In this work, a TiO 2 /MoS 2 heterojunction created in the magnetron sputtering process was covered with a P3HT polymer coating. Composite multilayer systems were investigated (TEM, XRD, Raman spectroscopy and TOF‐SIMS) to define the composition, optical properties and solar energy conversion potential. The photovoltaic response of the multilayer system was successfully improved by MoS 2 band gap engineering based on the quantum size effect. Furthermore, TiO 2 /MoS 2 /P3HT revealed enhanced optical properties and improved charge transport performance with reasonable energy band alignment. The photovoltaic efficiency of hybrid cells doubled compared to previously published work and reached 2.7%. Furthermore, the photovoltaic performance of the solar cells based on TiO 2 /MoS 2 /P3HT exhibited an improvement compared to that of the solar cell based on TiO 2 /P3HT or MoS 2 /P3HT.
Journals
2025 EN
Silva Josiane R. C. · Oliveira Lucas B. · Silva Jessica O.
+4 more
ABSTRACT The aerospace industry is continually seeking materials that offer higher performance and lower environmental impact. In chemical propulsion, ammonium dinitramide (ADN) represents a significant advance in this direction as a potential replacement for ammonium perchlorate in solid propellant formulations. Additionally, ADN has a promising application as a monopropellant. Known since the end of the 1980s, the synthesis of ADN still presents some challenges such as high cost, low yield, and high hazard. This scenario motivates continuous studies in the search for alternative and more advantageous routes. This work aims to study and improve two intermediates of ADN, namely potassium sulfamate (PS) and nitronium salt, focusing on obtaining high yield and lower hazard. It was possible to synthesize and characterize intermediates with considerable yield (∼90% to PS and ∼70% to nitronium trifluoroacetate) to be used in the follow‐up steps of the ADN synthesis. Complementary molecular quantum chemistry calculations were employed to evaluate the molecular properties of the intermediates.
Journals
2025 EN
Pereira Patrícia · MoralesSilva Tiago · Coelho Rosamara Souza
+7 more
Abstract BACKGROUND Silicon (Si) fertilization has been well‐documented to enhance plant resistance against insect pests by increasing the abrasiveness and toughness of leaf tissues. Additionally, Si also interacts with the jasmonic acid pathway, which modulates antiherbivore induced defenses, including the emission of herbivore‐induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) that attract natural enemies. In this study, we examined the influence of Si fertilization on the attractiveness of nocturnal HIPVs from maize plants infested with the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith), to the predatory earwig Doru luteipes (Scudder). RESULTS In laboratory assays, we found that Si fertilization did not alter the attractiveness of nocturnal constitutive volatiles to the nocturnal predator D . luteipes . However, upon infestation with FAW larvae, Si‐fertilized plants emitted a volatile blend that was more attractive to D. luteipes . Although the composition of HIPVs emitted by non‐fertilized and Si‐fertilized plants was similar, the terpene neryl acetate was exclusively detected in the HIPV blend from Si‐fertilized plants. Tests with synthetic neryl acetate demonstrated that the terpene alone was attractive to the earwig at the specific concentration found in the HIPV blend emitted by Si‐fertilized plants. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that Si fertilization primes indirect defenses by specifically increasing the amount of neryl acetate in the HIPV blend, which is responsible for the enhanced attractiveness to the predatory earwig. Thus, Si can act as a priming agent of indirect plant defenses, potentially increasing the recruitment of the predatory earwig once plants are infested by FAW, thereby contributing to suppress insect pest populations. © 2025 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Journals
2025 EN
Brziak Matúš · Urban Kamila
Abstract Research on Self‐regulated Learning (SRL) increasingly emphasises contextual factors, highlighting the contingent, dynamic and temporal nature of self‐regulation. However, the experiential aspect of how learners actually perceive and engage with SRL still remains relatively unexplored. While SRL emphasises active learner involvement in learning, phenomenology explores subjective experiences and meaning construction. The present work aims to establish a connection between SRL and phenomenology by developing a theoretical foundation and identifying a suitable methodology. To achieve this, we propose methodological refinements and illustrate them through examples of future studies. After briefly introducing SRL and phenomenology, we discuss an ongoing paradigmatic shift towards more holistic, context‐sensitive approaches in SRL research; we give examples of existing studies employing phenomenological methods, and comment on the methodological approaches they most commonly use. Then, we make the case for employing methodology inspired by the recent enactive phenomenological approach, as well as contemporary descriptive phenomenology, providing several examples of possible future studies. We conclude by addressing the methodological challenges and ethical considerations inherent in these approaches, ultimately illustrating how this integration opens up new ways to understand learning processes.
Journals
2025 EN
Fačevicová Kamila · Filzmoser Peter · Hron Karel
ABSTRACT Correspondence analysis (CA), a well‐known method for analyzing the relationships between rows and columns of a table, has been reformulated to link to the logratio methodology of compositional data by using the limiting case of the power transformation. The resulting methodology investigates relative rather than absolute information, and it is invariant with respect to rescaling rows or columns. The latter properties also hold for the analysis of compositional tables, where the table is first decomposed into an independent and an interaction part. It is shown that the analysis of the interaction part is equivalent to CA, but in addition, the variance contributions can be determined. Both concepts also allow for an inclusion of weights to suppress undesirable variance, and it is shown that the equivalence between weighted CA and the analysis of weighted compositional tables again holds. This equivalence allows us to make use of the mathematical framework of weighted compositional tables, the so‐called Bayes spaces, to get a deeper understanding of CA and to construct extensions to multi‐factorial tables (cubes, etc.).
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Journals
2025 EN
Neto João G. de Oliveira · Abreu Kamila R. · Neto Otávio C. da Silva
+3 more
Abstract New polymeric spheres of sodium alginate (AlgNa) containing dicarboxylic acids—maleic acid (MA) and oxalic acid (OA)—were developed for adsorption of copper metal from water. Water adsorption capacity, elementary composition, structural, morphological, vibrational, and thermal properties were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), intumescence degree (IG), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. SEM data revealed that functionalization with dicarboxylic acids affects the morphology and surface of the AlgNa matrix. Sample containing MA (0.35 ± 0.004 g) absorbs more water than the OA sphere (0.28 ± 0.007 g). XRD patterns showed that the AlgNa–MA and AlgNa samples exhibit an amorphous nature, whereas the AlgNa–OA sample has a partially crystalline phase. Adsorption experiments were conducted to analyze whether the synthesized spheres could be optimized to reach the best performance in copper adsorption. The adsorbents were most efficient at the highest dosage used (250 mg), corresponding to removal percentages of 84.54 ± 3.97% (AlgNa), 94.21 ± 3.04% (AlgNa–MA), and 84.22 ± 3.39% (AlgNa–OA). The energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy maps validated the incorporation of Cu 2+ ions on the surface of the adsorbents. Kinetic and isotherm assays confirmed the highest efficiency of AlgNa–MA spheres.
Journals
2025 EN
Orwat Bartosz · Shi ZhongEn · Ma CianHuei
+14 more
Abstract Metal halide perovskites are ideal candidates for indoor photovoltaics (IPVs) due to their tunable bandgaps, which allow the active layers to be optimized for artificial light sources. However, significant non‐radiative carrier recombination under low‐light conditions has limited the full potential of perovskite‐based IPVs. To address this challenge, an integration of perylene diimide (PDI)‐based sulfobetaines as cathode interlayers (CILs) is proposed and the impact of varying alkyl chain length (from 1,2‐ethylene to 1,5‐pentylene) between the cationic and the anionic moieties is examined. The respective four PDI materials are synthesized almost qualitatively using a one‐step microwave‐assisted process. All of them show adequate thermal stability and energy levels suitable for the desired application as CILs. Moreover, their degradation temperature, LUMO level, conductivity, and performance in model devices are found to change positively along with the alkyl chain length increase. Among the tested derivatives, the compound equipped with the longest alkyl chain (PDI‐C5‐S3) stands out for its superior electrical conductivity and enhanced ability to lower the silver cathode work function. When incorporated into Cs 0.18 FA 0.82 Pb(I 0.8 Br 0.2 )‐based wide‐bandgap perovskite solar cells (PSCs), the PDI‐C5‐S3 interlayer lead to an outstanding power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.04% under one‐sun illumination and a remarkable 40.72% under 3000K LED (1000 lux) conditions.
Journals
2025 EN
Yun Peng · Kulaixijiang Kamila · Pan Jiang
+8 more
Abstract Background Methylated stool DNA (sDNA) is a reliable noninvasive biomarker for early colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis. However, there are barely any diagnostic panels that can achieve both a sensitivity and specificity exceeding 90% simultaneously. Objective We aimed to identify a novel methylated sDNA panel and model for the early diagnosis of CRC. Methods We conducted methyl‐CpG binding domain isolated genome sequencing (MiGS) on CpG island methylation phenotype (CIMP)‐positive ( n = 3) and CIMP‐negative CRC tissues ( n = 3) and their corresponding normal adjacent tissues. Subsequently, by utilizing both the aforementioned data and public datasets, we identified a set of promising methylated sDNA markers for CRC. Next, we validated 5 of these genes using pyrosequencing in CRC patients ( n = 31). Then, we developed a combined diagnostic model (CDM) for CRC based on the methylation status of PRDM12 , FOXE1 , and SDC2 by a Training cohort ( n = 231). Finally, the performance of CDM was evaluated in an independent multicenter Validation cohort ( n = 800). Results A total of 1062 participants were included in this study. The area under the curve (AUC) of the CDM was 0.979 (95% CI: 0.960–0.997), and the optimal sensitivity and specificity were 97.35% and 99.05%, respectively, in the training cohort ( n = 231). In the independent validation cohort ( n = 800), the AUC was 0.950 (95% CI: 0.927–0.973), along with the optimal sensitivity of 92.75% and specificity of 97.21%. When CRC and advanced adenoma (AAD) were used as diagnostic targets, the model AUC was 0.945 (95% CI: 0.922–0.969), with an optimal sensitivity of 91.89% and a specificity of 95.21%. The model sensitivity for nonadvanced adenoma patients was 68.66%. Conclusion The sDNA diagnostic model CDM, developed from both CIMP‐P and CIMP‐N, exhibited exceptional performance in CRC and could serve as a potential alternative strategy for CRC screening.
Journals
2025 EN
Kamaruzaman Nor Kamila · Duong Hang · OngLim Anna Lisa
+7 more
ABSTRACT The COVID‐19 pandemic precipitated a global emergency and governments employed various strategies to increase COVID‐19 vaccine coverage across the population, including vaccine mandates. No comparative study has evaluated the development, implementation, and structure of COVID‐19 mandatory vaccination policies in the Southeast Asia region. This paper uses a modified 5Ss systematic conceptual framework—which is composed of scope, sanctions, severity, selectivity, and salience—to analyse the operation of COVID‐19 mandatory vaccination policies in Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Using document analysis, we describe and compare COVID‐19 Immunisation Programmes, implementation of vaccine mandates, exemptions, and enforcement in the four countries. It finds that their COVID‐19 Immunisation Programmes included mandates despite formal statements that the vaccinations were voluntary. Differences include the declarations of emergency, policy amendments and measures that underpin mandates; the severity of sanctions applied to the unvaccinated; how people opt out or avoid enforcement; and governance arrangements demonstrating varying levels of responsibility at different levels of government. Our comparative analysis leads us to propose a new continuum of available COVID‐19 vaccine sanctions based on their degree of severity, which can be used for future analysis. Future studies should determine the effectiveness of these policies to inform future pandemic strategies to achieve high vaccine coverage.