Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Stefania Albonetti, Changwei Hu, Shunmugavel Saravanamurugan
Summary: In this Editorial, the Guest Editors introduce the significance and challenges of the sustainable transformation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, as well as outline the contents of the Special Issue with contributions from scientists around the world.
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Norio Shibata, Dinesh Talwar
Summary: The unique properties and applications of fluorine-containing molecules have had significant impact across different scientific fields, from small to large molecules. This special issue provides a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art in fluorine chemistry.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Charles D. Nichols, David E. Nichols
Summary: Psychedelics, a relatively recent field of research, have shown profound therapeutic potential for various psychiatric disorders. This special issue provides a comprehensive review of the basic science of psychedelics, aiming to enhance our understanding of their effects on brain function.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Christoph J. Brabec, Martin Heeney, Youngkyoo Kim, Christine K. Luscombe
Summary: Organic solar cells are gaining attention as a renewable energy source due to their Earth-abundant materials and low energy production. The Guest Editors introduce this field and discuss the contents of the Special Issue.
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Andres R. Alcantara, Pablo Dominguez de Maria, Jennifer A. Littlechild, Martin Schurmann, Roger A. Sheldon, Roland Wohlgemuth
Summary: In this article, the authors discuss the importance of biocatalysis in sustainable industrial chemistry and provide insights into future prospects for the field.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lili Anglister, Israel Silman, Hermona Soreq
Summary: This special issue covers a wide range of topics and disciplines presented at the XVIth International Symposium on Cholinergic Mechanisms. The authors discuss recent developments in the field, including the association of cholinergic transmission with important neurological and neuromuscular diseases in the central and peripheral nervous systems.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mychael V. Lourenco
Summary: This preface introduces a special issue of the Journal of Neurochemistry on Brain Proteostasis. Proper control of protein homeostasis is crucial for brain physiology and its imbalance can contribute to various neurological and neurodegenerative disorders. Understanding the processes involved in protein synthesis, folding, stability, function, and degradation in brain cells is essential for promoting brain function and finding effective therapies for neurological disorders. This special issue includes review and original articles that explore the roles of protein homeostasis in sleep, depression, stroke, dementia, and COVID-19, providing important insights into this growing and exciting field.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Karen J. Smillie, Michael A. Cousin, Sarah L. Gordon
Summary: The synapse is the connection formed between a presynapse, which releases neurotransmitter, and a postsynapse, which transduces the chemical signal. Over the past decade, presynaptic dysfunction has been recognized as a key mediator in various neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. This special issue will focus on the disrupted presynaptic molecules and mechanisms in these conditions, as well as potential therapeutic approaches.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
Gildas Merceron, Thomas Tuetken, Robert Scott
Summary: Vertebrate teeth, composed mainly of bioapatite, are highly mineralized dermal tissues that are resistant to physical and chemical alteration over long periods of time. They provide valuable information about taxonomic classification, phylogenetic relationships, feeding ecology, and climate conditions of fossil species. This special issue includes 21 papers that explore the use of dental proxies in understanding diet and ecological habits, covering experimental studies, real-world observations, and fossil case studies.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Operations Research & Management Science
Nenad Mladenovic, Panos M. Pardalos, Angelo Sifaleras, Rachid Benmansour
Summary: This special issue features selected papers from two recent International Conferences on Variable Neighborhood Search, which took place in Greece in 2018 and Morocco in 2019.
OPTIMIZATION LETTERS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Applied
Gareth S. Parkinson, Phillip Christopher
Summary: This special issue focuses on determining the structure and mechanisms of single-atom catalysis.
TOPICS IN CATALYSIS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Applied
Sebastian Collins, Paola Quaino
Summary: This special issue presents various theoretical and experimental strategies to understand and explain the physical chemistry principles underlying Catalysis and Surface Science.
TOPICS IN CATALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Yougui Song, Junsheng Nie, Chunhui Song, Jinbo Zan
Summary: This special issue focuses on the climate and environmental changes in Central Asia during the Cenozoic era and explores their forcing mechanisms. Through 33 publications, covering various themes from present to past, it provides important insights into the tectonic and climate changes in the Asian interior.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Thomas Servais, David A. T. Harper, Wenhui Wang
Summary: This special issue presents different perspectives on the Ordovician radiations, featuring 16 selected papers that provide insights into the various radiations that occurred during the Ordovician Period. The study suggests that the Cambrian and Ordovician radiations are actually artificially separated by the late Cambrian 'Furongian Biodiversity Gap', and a long-term early Palaeozoic radiation is becoming more visible.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Arun Deo Singh, Ann Holbourn, Wolfgang Kuhnt
Summary: This special issue contains thirteen research articles on recent advances in Indian Ocean Paleoceanography and Paleoclimate. The articles discuss various topics such as the evolution of the tropical Indian Ocean, acidification, monsoon variability, and the effects of external forcing and internal feedbacks. The findings highlight the acidification of deep waters, shifts in oxygen levels, and changes in monsoon patterns, which were influenced by global climate change and greenhouse gas concentrations. Overall, the articles contribute to a better understanding of the paleoceanography and paleoclimate of the Indian Ocean and its relationship to global climate change.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Kun Fang, Minghao Miao, Huiming Tang, Shixun Jia, Ao Dong, Pengju An, Bocheng Zhang
Summary: This study analyzes the failure mechanism of a physical slope model under excavation through multi-field monitoring. The results show that the relative displacement and triangular shear plane reflect the deformation behavior of the slope, and the arch ring expands and deforms during excavation. The failure time of the slope can be effectively predicted using the inverse velocity method. Multi-field monitoring can reveal the behavior of the slope model from different perspectives and provide new insights into the failure mechanism of the slope.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Jie Tan, Changdong Li, Jia-Qing Zhou, Huiming Tang
Summary: This study systematically compares the fluid flow in filled fractures with open fractures and porous media based on pore-scale simulation results. The filling medium has a dual role in altering the flow regime, and a new semi-empirical model is proposed to estimate the fluid flow through filled fractures.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Kun Fang, Ao Dong, Huiming Tang, Pengju An, Bocheng Zhang, Minghao Miao, Bingdong Ding, Xiaolong Hu
Summary: Physical modelling is an effective method for studying landslides under laboratory conditions. This study evaluates the performance of a multismartphone measurement system for landslide model tests. The system shows high trueness and precision at millimetre and submillimetre levels. It can be used to monitor landslides and accurately measure deformation.
Review
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Kun Fang, Huiming Tang, Changdong Li, Xuexue Su, Pengju An, Sixuan Sun
Summary: This article provides an overview of the application of centrifuge modelling in landslide science. It discusses the experimental principles, various triggering factors for landslide models, and methods for mitigating landslides in centrifuge. The behaviors of centrifuge models, including deformation and failure mechanisms, are also discussed. Based on this review, a best-practice methodology for preparing a centrifuge landslide test is proposed, along with suggestions for further research efforts.
GEOSCIENCE FRONTIERS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Fumeng Zhao, Wenping Gong, Huiming Tang, Shiva P. Pudasaini, Tianhe Ren, Zhan Cheng
Summary: Land subsidence caused by over-exploitation of groundwater resources poses a significant hazard in many large cities globally. Assessing infrastructure risks under the threat of land subsidence is crucial for urban planning and design. This study proposes an integrated approach combining land subsidence, ground fissures, and elements at risk. Time-series Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) is used to study ground surface deformation, and differential settlement is assessed using an angular distortion index. Land use classification analysis is conducted to identify potentially affected elements using optical and radar images with an object-based approach. Finally, a risk matrix integrating differential settlement, ground fissures, and land use classification results is employed to assess land subsidence risk. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through a risk assessment of land subsidence in Xi'an, China, and the advantages of synergetic land use classification over pixel-based classification are illustrated.
ENGINEERING GEOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Kun Fang, Huiming Tang, Jichen Zhu, Zijin Fu, Pengju An, Bocheng Zhang, Chunyan Tang
Summary: A simplified geomechanical model was proposed to investigate the deformation behaviors of necking-type slopes. Three physical models of necking-type slopes were built according to the model, and preliminary calculations related to the arching effect were conducted. The evolution stages of necking-type slopes were presented based on the formation and disappearance of the arching effect. The proposed model and physical models provide guidance for the establishment of geomechanical and physical models of landslides.
JOURNAL OF EARTH SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Yunfeng Ge, Jenny Liu, Xiong Zhang, Huiming Tang, Xiaolong Xia
Summary: An innovative approach was developed to automatically measure cracks on concrete using 3D point clouds collected by a terrestrial laser scanner. The approach integrates various techniques to characterize the cracks and accurately determine their dimensions. The developed method was validated using two cases of surface cracks, and it showed good agreement with manual measurements and projection method.
JOURNAL OF INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Sehrish Habib, Adnan Khan, Salman M. M. Ismail, R. A. Shakoor, Ramazan Kahraman, Elsadig Mahdi Ahmed
Summary: A smart self-healing epoxy coating system using modified halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) and 8-hydroxyquinoline (8HQ) as a corrosion inhibitor was designed for corrosion protection of steel. The loaded HNTs were capped with cobalt (II) to achieve controlled release of the inhibitor. The smart coatings exhibited excellent corrosion inhibition performance due to the efficient release of the loaded inhibitor from the capped HNTs. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of 8HQ in mitigating corrosion through controlled and efficient release of the inhibitor.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Yanjie Zhang, Bilal M. Ayyub, Wenping Gong, Huiming Tang
Summary: Landslides frequently disrupt roadway networks in mountainous regions worldwide. This paper establishes a risk assessment framework based on risk theory and complex network theory to combine landslide susceptibility mapping along roadways and impact assessment on the roadway network. The proposed framework was illustrated through a case study of the roadway network in Fengjie County, China, and identified critical road segments highly susceptible to landslides. The results can support adaptive strategies for landslide mitigation, preparedness, and emergency response services, as well as improve roadway plans to reduce exposure and associated consequences.
Article
Engineering, Geological
Kongming Yan, Fawu Wang, Weichao Liu, Bo Zhang, Jie Gao
Summary: Two large rock avalanches occurred in Zhijin County, China, in Baiyan and Baiwu villages on 8 May 2022 and 12 April 2020, respectively. Despite having similar geological, hydrological, and topographical settings as well as triggering factors, the two avalanches had different mobility. A detailed on-site investigation using unmanned-aerial-vehicle-based photogrammetry and satellite imaging technologies revealed that the avalanches were collaboratively triggered by multiple loading effects such as underground coal-mining vibration, karstification, and cumulative precipitation. The cliff failure was influenced by the strength of the rock mass and joint development, while the runout was controlled by the dynamic performance of the soil on the potential sliding surface. The Baiyan avalanche had significantly longer runout and higher mobility compared to the Baiwu case due to the liquefaction performance of the sliding surface consisting of coarse soils in the transition area. Both avalanches briefly followed a physics-based statistical evaluation method called the energy line.
Article
Engineering, Geological
Yunfeng Ge, Qian Chen, Huiming Tang, Bei Cao, Wakeel Hussain
Summary: This paper proposes a method for rapid and quantitative estimation of geological strength index (GSI) using 3D point clouds generated through non-contact measurement methods. The method includes acquiring point clouds using a terrestrial laser scanner, identifying discontinuities through artificial neural networks (ANN) and density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN), extracting geometric information for the detected discontinuities, and estimating GSI according to the detection and characterization of discontinuities. The application results show that 3D point clouds can provide an objective and efficient way to obtain GSI values of rock mass and can be used as a potential alternative to the traditional GSI estimation method.
ROCK MECHANICS AND ROCK ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fumeng Zhao, Wenping Gong, Tianhe Ren, Jun Chen, Huiming Tang, Tianzheng Li
Summary: This study proposes a method that integrates InSAR and the random forest method for improved permafrost stability mapping on the Tibetan Plateau. The ground deformation rate is first studied using InSAR, and the relationship between environmental factors and permafrost stability is mapped using the random forest method. The trained random forest model is then applied to map permafrost stability in the whole study area.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Junaid Saleem, Zubair Khalid Baig Moghal, Adriaan S. Luyt, R. A. Shakoor, Gordon McKay
Summary: Spin coating is commonly used to prepare thin films with uniformity and controlled thickness. However, it has not been successful in producing free-standing thin films of polyolefins due to their insufficient strength. In this study, we have achieved free-standing thin films of polyolefins, such as polyethylene, with varying thickness. These films can be used for hydrophobic coating, filtration membranes, and oil-sorbents.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Junaid Saleem, Zubair Khalid Baig Moghal, Rana Abdul Shakoor, Gordon McKay
Summary: The use of PP in disposable items such as face masks, gloves, and personal protective equipment has increased significantly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the presence of microplastics and nanoplastics in the environment. Upcycling waste PP into useful products provides a sustainable solution for managing plastic waste and promoting a circular economy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Yang Ye, Changdong Li, Yawu Zeng, Huiming Tang
Summary: In this study, a three-dimensional discrete element model considering random microcracks was used to investigate the variability of mechanical parameters of rock. The results showed that the presence of microcracks significantly affected the coefficient of variations and average values of the mechanical parameters. The parametric study indicated that the effect of random microcracks on the coefficient of variations was significant, while the effect of grain size variation was negligible.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ROCK MECHANICS AND MINING SCIENCES
(2023)
