Search Results (224)

Sustainable economic development requires transparent and consistent institutional communication from monetary authorities to maintain long-term financial stability and public trust. This study investigates the latent authorial structure and stylistic heterogeneity of central bank communications by applying stylometric analysis and unsupervised machine learning to official announcements of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT). Using a dataset of 557 press releases from 2006 to 2017, we extract a range of linguistic features at both sentence and document levels—including sentence length, punctuation density, word length, and type–token ratios. These features are reduced using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and clustered via Hierarchical Clustering on Principal Components (HCPC), revealing three distinct authorial groups within the CBRT’s communications. The robustness of these clusters is validated using multidimensional scaling (MDS) on character-level and word-level n-gram distances. The analysis finds consistent stylistic differences between clusters, with implications for authorship attribution, tone variation, and communication strategy. Notably, sentiment analysis indicates that one authorial cluster tends to exhibit more negative tonal features, suggesting potential bias or divergence in internal communication style. These findings challenge the conventional assumption of institutional homogeneity and highlight the presence of distinct communicative voices within the central bank. Furthermore, the results suggest that stylistic variation—though often subtle—may convey unintended policy signals to markets, especially in contexts where linguistic shifts are closely scrutinized. This research contributes to the emerging intersection of natural language processing, monetary economics, and institutional transparency. It demonstrates the efficacy of stylometric techniques in revealing the hidden structure of policy discourse and suggests that linguistic analytics can offer valuable insights into the internal dynamics, credibility, and effectiveness of monetary authorities. These findings contribute to sustainable financial governance by demonstrating how AI-driven analysis can enhance institutional transparency, promote consistent policy communication, and support long-term economic stability—key pillars of sustainable development. Full article

A polyamidoamine-based hydrogel (H-M-GLY) and its montmorillonite-based composite (H-M-GLY/MMT) were studied as selective cleaning materials for cultural heritage conservation. H-M-GLY was synthesized from a glycine-based polyamidoamine oligomer with acrylamide terminals (M-GLY) through radical polymerization at pH 7.3 and had a basic character. The M-GLY oligomer was in turn synthesized from N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide and glycine in a 1:0.85 molar ratio. H-M-GLY/MMT was obtained by cross-linking a 1:0.1—weight ratio—M-GLY/MMT mixture at pH 4.0, to promote polyamidoamine-MMT interaction. The composite hydrogel absorbed less water than the plain hydrogel and proved tougher, due to montmorillonite’s electrostatic interactions with the positively charged M-GLY units. Scanning electron microscopic analysis showed that MMT was uniformly dispersed throughout the hydrogel. Both hydrogels were subjected to ink bleeding tests on papers written with either iron gall or India ink. Microscopic observation revealed neither bleeding nor release of hydrogel fragments. Being basic, H-M-GLY successfully deacidified the surface of aged paper. H-M-GLY/MMT, swollen in a 1:9 ethanol/water solution, was found to be effective in removing wax, known to trap carbonaceous particles and form dark stains on artistic artifacts. This study demonstrates the great potential of polyamidoamine-based hydrogels as versatile selective cleaning systems for cellulosic and other cultural heritage materials. Full article

In this work, redox-responsive chitosan derivatives were prepared by crosslinking with disulfide-bridged dicarboxylic acids. Taking into account that structural variations in diacids can lead to significant differences in properties, especially swelling capacity, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of increasing alkyl chain length and hydrophobicity. Two dicarboxylic acids of different hydrophobic character and chain length were used: dithiodiglycolic acid (DTGA) and dithiopropionic acid (DTPA). The resulting materials were fully characterized. Despite their structural similarity, the derivatives exhibited distinct behaviors: DTGA derivatives formed stable hydrogels, whereas DTPA ones remained compact upon contact with water. These results were confirmed by swelling measurements and oscillatory rheology. The EDC:COOH molar ratio was also evaluated, revealing a strong effect on the degree of crosslinking. Moreover, DTGA systems prepared at a 1:1 ratio showed significantly higher swelling than those synthesized at 3:1. Regarding redox responsiveness, it was assessed by quantifying thiol content before and after reduction with sodium borohydride, and reversibility was assessed through reduction–oxidation cycles. Finally, preliminary experiments evaluated the materials’ ability to incorporate benzalkonium chloride as a model biocide, and their release was tested in the presence of thiosulfate-reducing bacteria, providing initial insight into their behavior in redox-responsive delivery systems. Full article

The use of advanced wound dressings can significantly support the skin healing process by maintaining optimal conditions for tissue regeneration. In this study, foam-like dressings composed of agarose and chitosan, enriched with vitamin C, were developed using a simple and cost-effective freeze-drying method. Three types of chitosan with varying molecular weights (low, medium, high) were used to investigate their impact on the biological, physicochemical, and mechanical properties of the resulting foams. All fabricated biomaterials were biocompatible, non-toxic, and did not promote cell adhesion to their surfaces. The foams exhibited highly porous, hydrophilic microstructures with excellent fluid absorption capacity (~20 mL/g) and sustained vitamin C release over the first 24 h. Chitosan molecular weight had no significant effect on biological properties, but influenced samples’ wettability and mechanical parameters. The hydrophilic character of samples was observed in all tested biomaterials, with the strongest enhancement of hydrophilicity noted for the low molecular weight variant. The highest tensile strength was observed in samples prepared with medium molecular weight chitosan. The results indicate that among the analyzed variants, agarose-chitosan foam biomaterials containing medium molecular weight chitosan exhibited the most favorable properties, making them the most promising candidates for the treatment of wounds with excessive exudate. Full article

Donor–acceptor (D–A) cyclopropanes are important precursors in the synthesis of complex molecules due to their bidentate character and high reactivity. Among them, cyclopropane-1,1-dicarbonitriles are less commonly reported in modern literature, primarily because of the high reactivity of the nitrile groups and their limited compatibility with metal-catalyzed processes, which is caused by the geometrical constraints imposed by the linear cyano substituents. While the cyano groups can be seen as a limitation, they also offer synthetic versatility by serving as handles for further functionalization. In this work, we performed a cycloaddition reaction with mercaptoacetaldehyde, leading to a new class of DA cyclopropanes bearing a thiazole moiety. This one-pot, two-step transformation requires only a single purification step. The resulting thiazolyl-substituted cyclopropanes were subjected to ring strain-release reactions, showing reactivity comparable to the parent cyclopropane-1,1-dicarbonitriles. Full article

Environmentally friendly coated urea prepared using a waterborne polymer coating material is essential for promoting green and sustainable practices in modern agriculture. However, significant efforts are still urgently needed to address the undesirable properties of waterborne polymer coatings, i.e., poor hydrophobic properties and numerous micropores. Herein, dual nano-SiO₂ and siloxane-modified waterborne-polymer-coated urea was successfully developed. The characteristics of waterborne-polymer-coated urea before and after modification were compared. The results demonstrate that nano-SiO₂ and siloxane modification improved the hydrophobicity (water absorption decreased from 119.86% to 46.35%) and mechanical strength (tensile strength increased from 21.09 to 31.29 MPa, and the elongation at break exhibited an increase of 22.42%) of the waterborne polymer coatings. Furthermore, the –OH number of the modified coatings was decreased, while the coating surface formed a nano-scale rough structure, prolonging the nitrogen (N)-controlled release period from 7 to 28 days. Overall, the proposed novel dual-modification technique utilizing waterborne polymer coatings highlights the significant potential of eco-friendly coated urea with renewable coatings in modern agriculture. Full article

The Second Vatican Council and its Decree Orientalium Ecclesiarum played a significant role in the life of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. Vatican II became a moment of unity as all the Ukrainian Greek Catholic bishops, including the newly released from exile Josyf Slipyj, gathered in Rome. The bishops had the unique opportunity to form a synod of bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. This synod would help to unite the UGCC faithful scattered around the world into one ecclesial structure and preserve their Eastern Catholic identity in the diaspora. The laity, theologians, and most bishops were in favor of convening the UGCC synod of bishops. However, many challenges arose after the council, as the Vatican Curia did not allow the Ukrainian bishops to form a synod. The decree Orientalium Ecclesiarum brought a new perspective to the understanding of the Eastern Catholic Churches and their ecclesiology. The decree was actively used in UGCC discussions to support the convocation of a UGCC synod. Unfortunately, the Vatican did not confirm the legal character of the document, and its canonical power with respect to the UGCC synod was questioned. This paper will analyze the discussions and argumentation of the Ukrainian patriarchal lay movement, theologian Victor Pospishil, bishops, the Roman Curia, and their role in the convocation of the UGCC synod in 1980. Full article

The effectiveness and uses of chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) in drug delivery systems are examined in this work. Important results include the improved drug encapsulating efficiency: CNPs showed up to 90% encapsulation for different therapeutic agents. Furthermore, the research shows that CNPs provide extended-release patterns, greatly enhancing medication bioavailability especially for hydrophobic compounds. One interesting outcome was the greater drug stability in acidic surroundings, which are common in the stomach, where CNPs turn into a gel and later inflate in the intestine where the drug is released. Moreover, CNPs showed a 2–3-fold improvement in the absorption of encapsulated pharmaceuticals relative to traditional formulations, therefore indicating their capacity to overcome the problems of low oral bioavailability. These nanoparticles’ pH-sensitive character produced a 50–70% increase in drug release at certain pH values, hence maximizing therapeutic results. Significantly less systemic toxicity was seen in the in vivo tests, and at therapeutic dosages there were no noted side effects. Histological study confirmed the biocompatibility and non-toxicity of CNPs, therefore attesting their fit for long-term usage. These results highlight the great potential of CNPs in providing effective, focused, continuous drug release, hence improving therapeutic effectiveness and patient compliance. Full article

In this article, we consider the roles of transcrustal magma- and fluid-conducting faults (TCMFCFs) in the formation of mineral deposits, showing the importance of deep sources of heat and hydrothermal solutions in the genesis and history of deposit formation. As a result of the impact on the lithosphere of mantle plumes rising along TCMFCFs, intense block deformations and tectonic movements are generated; rift systems, and volcanic–plutonic belts spatially combined with them, are formed; and intrusive bodies are introduced. These processes cause epithermal ore formation as a consequence of the impact of mantle plumes rising along TCMFCF to the lithosphere. At hydrocarbon fields, they play extremely important roles in conductive and convective heat, as well as in mass transfer to the area of hydrocarbon generation, determining the relationship between the processes of lithogenesis and tectogenesis, and activating the generation of hydrocarbons from oil and gas source rock. Detection of TCMFCFs was carried out using MMSS (the method of microseismic sounding) and MTSM (the magnetotelluric sounding method), in combination with other geological and geophysical data. Practical examples are provided for mineral deposits where subvertical transcrustal columns of increased permeability, traced to considerable depths, have been found; the nature of these unique structures is related to faults of pre-Paleozoic emplacement, which determined the fragmentation of the sub-crystalline structure of the Earth and later, while developing, inherited the conditions of volumetric fluid dynamics, where the residual forms of functioning of fluid-conducting thermohydrocolumns are granitoid batholiths and other magmatic bodies. Experimental modeling of deep processes allowed us to identify the quantum character of crystal structure interactions of minerals with “inert” gases under elevated thermobaric conditions. The roles of helium, nitrogen, and hydrogen in changing the physical properties of rocks, in accordance with their intrastructural diffusion, has been clarified; as a result of low-energy impact, stress fields are formed in the solid rock skeleton, the structures and textures of rocks are rearranged, and general porosity develops. As the pressure increases, energetic interactions intensify, leading to deformations, phase transitions, and the formation of chemical bonds under the conditions of an unstable geological environment, instability which grows with increasing gas saturation, pressure, and temperature. The processes of heat and mass transfer through TCMFCFs to the Earth’s surface occur in stages, accompanied by a release of energy that can manifest as explosions on the surface, in coal and ore mines, and during earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Full article

Uranium-containing high-entropy alloys (HEAs) exhibit great potential as a novel energetic structural material, attributed to their excellent performance in impact energy release, superior mechanical properties, and high density. This study investigates the effects of Ta content on the phase stability, lattice constant, density, elastic constants, polycrystalline moduli, and electronic structure of (UNbMoHf)_54−xTa_x high-entropy alloys (where x = 2, 6, 10, 14, 18), utilizing a combination of density functional theory (DFT) calculations and the special quasi-random structure (SQS) approach. Our findings confirm that these alloys maintain stable body-centered cubic structures, as evidenced by atomic radius difference and valence electron concentration evaluations. Analysis of elastic modulus, Cauchy pressure, and Vickers hardness indicates that Ta incorporation enhances mechanical properties and increases the anisotropy of these alloys. Furthermore, investigations into the electronic structure reveal that adding Ta reduces metallic character while increasing covalent characteristics, enhancing the contribution of Ta’s d-orbitals to the total density of states and intensifying covalent bonding interactions between Ta and other elements such as Nb, Mo, and U. These findings provide theoretical guidance for the design of high-performance UNbMoHfTa HEAs with tailored properties. Full article

Background/Objectives: Mebeverine hydrochloride (MBH) is an antispasmodic agent used to regulate bowel movements and relax intestinal smooth muscle, but its application is limited by specific side effects; therefore, this study investigates the effects of previously synthesized MBH-loaded silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on smooth muscle contractile activity and their anti-inflammatory potential as an alternative delivery system. Methods: The interactions of AgNPs with cholinergic inhibitors, selective antagonists, Ca²⁺ blockers, and key neurotransmitters were analyzed. In vitro, albumin denaturation suppression and ex vivo assays evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of AgNPs-MBH, validated using a DFT in silico approach. To comprehensively assess the systemic impact and IBS treatment potential of AgNPs-MBH, we also examined in vitro their antimicrobial activity and hepatic cell responses, as the liver is a key organ in evaluating the overall safety and efficacy of nanoparticles. Additionally, the drug-release capabilities of Ag NPs were established. Results: Our findings indicate that AgNPs with MBH do not affect blocked cholinergic receptors, but their effects are more pronounced and distinct in amplitude and character than MBH. MBH-loaded AgNPs showed a lower anti-inflammatory effect than MBH but were still better than diclofenac. They also affected hepatic cell morphology and proliferation, suggesting potential for enhanced therapeutic efficacy. Drug-loaded AgNPs are considered not bactericidal. Conclusions: Based on our results, drug-loaded AgNPs might be a promising medication delivery system for MBH and a useful treatment option for IBS. Future in vivo and preclinical experiments will contribute to the establishment of drug-loaded AgNPs in IBS treatment. Full article

The use of product and service brands by popular movie characters has long been a powerful marketing tool, boosting brand awareness and enhancing brand image. Product placement—the appearance of brands in films—not only increases visibility but also provides vital financial support for film production, particularly in big-budget blockbusters. However, an interesting question arises: to what extent do filmmakers and brands align brand values with the personalities of film characters? Is the goal solely to maximize exposure, or is there a conscious effort to create authentic pairings that resonate with audiences? This study examines the appearance of product and service brands in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, focusing specifically on two main characters: Iron Man (Tony Stark) and Captain America (Steve Rogers). We analyzed 11 Marvel Studios films released between 2008 and 2019, documenting brand appearances and evaluating their alignment with the characters’ personalities. By applying personality typology models (Aaker, Mark and Pearson, MBTI, NERIS Type Explorer), we developed detailed profiles of both the movie characters and the associated brands. The findings reveal that while brand placements are extensive, there is often a deliberate effort to pair them with characters in ways that reinforce authenticity and strengthen audience connections. This benefits filmmakers, audiences, and brands alike by enhancing credibility and fostering emotional engagement. Full article

Investigations carried out on 72 fluid samples from 59 sites spread over the area surrounding the Sea of Marmara show that their geochemical and isotopic features are related to different segment settings of the North Anatolian Fault Zone (NAFZ). We collected fluids from thermal and mineral waters including bubbling and dissolved gases. The outlet temperatures of the collected waters ranged from 14 to 97 °C with no temperature-related geochemical features. The free and dissolved gases are a mixture of shallow and mantle-derived components. The large variety of geochemical features comes from intense gas–water (GWI) and water–rock (WRI) interactions besides other processes occurring at relatively shallow depths. CO₂ contents ranging from 0 to 98.1% and helium isotopic ratios from 0.11 to 4.43 Ra indicate contributions, variable from site to site, of mantle-derived volatiles in full agreement with former studies on the NAFZ. We propose that the widespread presence of mantle-derived volatiles cannot be related only to the lithospheric character of the NAFZ branches and magma intrusions have to be considered. Changes in the vertical permeability induced by fault movements and stress accumulation during seismogenesis, however, modify the shallow/deep ratio of the released fluids accordingly, laying the foundations for future monitoring activities. Full article

Background: Ophioglossum vulgatum Linn. is a medical herb widely distributed in Southwest China. It has been used for the treatment of various diseases, including wounds or dermatitis, since ancient times, but little is known about its pharmacological and pharmaceutical chemistry. Methods: The ethyl acetate fraction of O. vulgatum (OpvE) was prepared with the reflex extraction and fractional extraction method. Its components were detected and identified with the UPLC-Q/TOF-MS system and the SCIEX OS database. The related biological activities and the underlying mechanisms were predicted by computational analysis. HaCaT cells were treated with gradient concentrations of OpvE, and a CCK-8 assay was performed to determine the cell viability. The OpvE-pretreated HaCaT cells were exposed to H₂O₂ or LPS for antioxidative and anti-inflammatory assessment. DPPH, GSH, SOD, and MDA kits were used to evaluate oxidative stress. A serially diluted microbiota assay and a disc diffusion assay were used to evaluate anti-Staphylococcus aureus activities. The transcription of genes was semi-quantitatively studied by reversed real-time PCR. Protein levels were determined with western blotting. Results: The extract ratio of OpvE was 2.00 ± 0.12% (g/g). A total of 21 ingredients were identified. The computational analysis found that the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway might be a crucial target of OpvE. OpvE (7.5~125 μg/mL) stimulated HaCaT cell proliferation and migration by stimulating the over-expressed collagen type I alpha 1 Chain (COL1A1) and fibronectin 1 (FN1) and upregulating PI3K/AKT/GSK3-β signaling pathway. In the antioxidative assay test, 250 μg/mL OpvE scavenged obvious 97.28% DPPH-released free radicals. Pretreatment of OpvE inhibited H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress and protected against LPS-induced inflammatory injury by respectively regulating the Nrf2/HO-1/COX2 and TLR4/MYD88 signaling pathways. OpvE also showed anti-S. aureus properties with a MIC of 1.2 mg/mL, and with this concentration, OpvE produced an 8.3 ± 0.16 mm inhibition zone on a bacterial plate. Conclusions: This work highlighted the phytochemical character and some bioactivities, as well as the underline mechanism, which would support the further studies and application of O. vulgatum Linn. Full article

The process of normal (N) zone propagation in three superconducting YBaCuO thin films with different Pearl length values was theoretically studied. The point appearance of the N zone was found to result from powerful energy release caused by micro-sized magnetic cumulation. Solutions of the heat equation for hot electrons, diffusing to ~15 nm depth into the edge of the Pearl length, were obtained for the two length cases. The hot electron thermalization induced a transition to N state at the aforementioned depth due to fast exceeding of T_c, followed by flash high temperature growth. In the third case, we considered a process of crack branching when the superconducting current concentrated at the tips, followed by the transition to N state caused by exceeding j_c. The superfast reaction of the superconductor allowed it to restore the energy loss at the Pearl length in all cases. This explains the step propagation process of the N zone with velocities up to 2.7 × 10³ and 1.1 × 10³ m/s in the first and second cases. In the third, the propagation can reach the detonation wave velocity of about 1 × 10⁴ m/s. It is concluded that the process of the N zone propagation has the character of a combustion wave. Full article