bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Pathophysiological Approach to Reduce Peritumoral Edema with Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Large Incidental Meningiomas
Authors: Chang Cheng-Siu , Huang Cheng-Wei , Chou Hsi-Hsien , Tu Hsien-Tang , Lee Ming-Tsung , Huang Chuan-Fu
Published: October 2022

Background: Peritumoral edema may be a prohibitive side effect in treating large incidental meningiomas with stereotactic radiosurgery. An approach that limits peritumoral edema and achieves tumor control with SRS would be an attractive management option for large incidental meningiomas. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with large incidental meningiomas (≥2 mL in volume and/or 2 cm in diameter) treated with gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) between 2000 and 2019 in Taiwan and followed up for 5 years. The outcomes of a pathophysiological approach targeting the dural feeding artery site with a higher marginal dose (18–20 Gy) to enhance vascular damage and the parenchymal margin of the tumor with a lower dose (9–11 Gy) to reduce parenchymal damage were compared with those of a conventional approach targeting the tumor center with a higher dose and tumor margin with a lower dose (12–14 Gy). Results: A total of 53 incidental meningiomas were identified, of which 23 (43.4%) were treated with a pathophysiological approach (4 cases underwent a two-stage approach) and 30 (56.7%) were treated with a conventional approach. During a median follow-up of 3.5 (range 1–5) years, tumor control was achieved in 19 (100%) incidental meningiomas that underwent a single-stage pathophysiological approach compared with 29 (96.7%) incidental meningiomas that underwent a conventional approach (log-rank test: p = 0.426). Peritumoral edema developed in zero (0%) incidental meningiomas that underwent a single stage pathophysiological approach compared to seven (23.3%) incidental meningiomas that underwent a conventional approach (log-rank test: p = 0.023). Conclusions: Treatment of large incidental meningiomas with a pathophysiological approach with GKRS achieves similar rates of tumor control and reduces the risk of peritumoral edema. GKRS with a pathophysiological approach may be a reasonable management strategy for large incidental meningiomas.
Alkylated Polyphenyl Ethers as High-Performance Synthetic Lubricants
Authors: Lu Renguo , Tani Hiroshi , Koganezawa Shinji , Hata Masayuki
Published: October 2022

Lubricants exhibiting both thermal and chemical stability that consequently generate less hydrogen during friction are required to avoid the hydrogen embrittlement of moving mechanical components. The present work studied the effects of the length and number of alkyl chains on the tribological properties of polyphenyl ethers (PPEs), which feature good thermal and radiation resistance. PPEs were found to have much lower friction coefficients compared with a poly-alpha-olefin and alkyldiphenyl ether, and the effect of the running-in process on friction appeared to be negligible. The formation of polymers on the friction track evidently decreased the friction coefficients of the lubricants and the wear rates were almost zero for all the PPEs, indicating excellent anti-wear properties. Analyses with a quadrupole mass spectrometer connected to a friction tester under vacuum indicated negligible hydrogen generation from 4P2E, which had no alkyl chains, after the running-in. R1-4P2E, having a C16H33 chain, showed hydrogen desorption similar to that of the alkyldiphenyl ether, which had a C18H37 alkyl chain. R2-4P2E, with two C16H33 chains, produced significant hydrogen, but with a long induction period; thus, it provided good wear protection. Although alkyl chains increased the risk of hydrogen generation, PPEs with such chains may have applications as standard lubricants.
Bio-Inspired Artificial Receptor with Integrated Tactile Sensing and Pain Warning Perceptual Abilities
Authors: Zhao Xin , Tang Gangqiang , Zhao Chun , Mei Dong , Ji Yujun , Xiang Chaoqun , Li Lijie , Li Bo , Wang Yanjie
Published: October 2022

Inspired by the mechanism of touch and pain in human skin, we integrated two ion-sensing films and a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer together to achieve a bionic artificial receptor with the capacity of distinguishing touch or pain perception through ion-electrical effect. The ion-sensing film provides the carrier of touch or pain perception, while the PDMS layer as a soft substrate is used to regulate the perception ability of receptor. Through a series of experiments, we investigated the effects of physical properties of the PDMS layer on the sensing ability of an artificial receptor. Further, contact area tests were performed in order to distinguish touch or pain under a sharp object. It is revealed that the pressure threshold triggering the touch and pain feedback of the artificial receptor presented an increasing trend when the elastic modulus and thickness of the PDMS substrate increase. The distinction ability of touch and pain becomes more pronounced under higher elastic modulus and larger thickness. Furthermore, the induced pain feedback becomes more intense with the decrease of the loading area under the same load, and the threshold of pain drops down from 176.68 kPa to 54.57 kPa with the decrease of the radius from 3 mm to 1 mm. This work potentially provides a new strategy for developing electronic skin with tactile sensing and pain warning. The pressure threshold and sensing range can be regulated by changing the physical properties of the middle layer, which would be advantageous to robotics and healthcare fields.
Yaw Stability Research of the Distributed Drive Electric Bus by Adaptive Nonsingular Fast Terminal Sliding Mode Control
Authors: Zhu Huimin , Zhang Feng , Zhang Yong , Su Liang , Gong Gang
Published: October 2022

Due to the high center of gravity of distributed drive electric buses, it is crucial to enhance their stability and sliding mode control (SMC) is an effective method to enhance vehicle yaw stability. However, the traditional SMC needs to know the upper limits of the interference term in advance and select a better switching gain to obtain a better control effect, which is impossible for vehicle control. To solve the existing problems, an improved adaptive nonsingular fast terminal sliding mode (ANFTSM) control is presented to enhance the stability of distributed drive electric bus. An uncertainty term is introduced as a switching term in the sliding mode variable and the switching gain in the controller is obtained by parameter adaptation without knowing any uncertainty information. In addition, to enhance the stability of the vehicle in real-time, an adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) for the weighting factor in the sliding surface is adjusted. A co-simulation of Matlab/Simulink–TruckSim is performed to verify the effectiveness of the algorithm under two typical conditions. The results indicate that the proposed control can follow the ideal value better which improves handling stability and chattering is weaker. Furthermore, the proposed control requires fewer control actions, and also reduces the motor torque variation.
Hydrodynamics Simulations and Analyses of a Fluid Lubricated Screw-Nut Pair
Authors: Su Zhe , Feng Xianying , Li Hui , Liu Yandong , Lu Ziteng
Published: October 2022

A new method is proposed to solve the hydrodynamics performances of a fluid lubricated screw-nut pair using FLUENT. Before the simulations, the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model of the gap flow field is built, based on some approximation rules. During the simulations, the dynamic mesh technology is employed to realize the real-time update of the grids of the computational domain. For a given velocity perturbation, the stiffness and damping coefficients of the system are solved using the finite difference method, and the influences of the perturbations on the system are compared among different ranges. With the fluid–solid interaction and the real-time restriction of the restrictors considered, the system is solved under different loading conditions. A more accurate solution method for the dynamic stiffness and damping coefficients is provided, and the dynamics characteristics of the system after loading are analyzed. On this basis, a qualitative and quantitative comparison is carried out between the method based on the simplified Reynolds equation and the proposed method in this paper, showing the latter superiorities in illustrating the field. A general understanding of the dynamics properties under different loading conditions of the system is obtained through this research, providing a basis for the precision control of the system in the future research.
Ball Milled Gd Flakes Subjected to Heat Treatments: Structure, Magnetic and Magnetocaloric Properties
Authors: Svalov Andrey V. , Neznakhin Dmitriy S. , Arkhipov Andrey V. , Andreev Sergey V. , Selezneva Nadezhda V. , Larrañaga Aitor , Kurlyandskaya Galina V.
Published: October 2022

Gd flake samples were prepared by conventional ball milling technique starting from rapidly quenched Gd ribbons and followed by vacuum annealing in different conditions. Heat treatments were conducted in a vacuum at selected temperatures up to 600 K. The structural features, magnetic and magnetocaloric properties were comparatively analyzed. The change in magnetic entropy was calculated using an experimental set of magnetic isotherms measured in a wide range of temperatures. The variations in the refrigeration capacity and the exponent of the magnetic entropy change in the external magnetic field were carefully calculated and analyzed.
Multifractal Characteristics on Temporal Maximum of Air Pollution Series
Authors: Masseran Nurulkamal
Published: October 2022

Presenting and describing a temporal series of air pollution data with longer time lengths provides more concise information and is, in fact, one of the simplest techniques of data reduction in a time series. However, this process can result in the loss of important information related to data features. Thus, the purpose of this study is to determine the type of data characteristics that might be lost when describing data with different time lengths corresponding to a process of data reduction. In parallel, this study proposes the application of a multifractal technique to investigate the properties on an air pollution series with different time lengths. A case study has been carried out using an air pollution index data in Klang, Malaysia. Results show that hourly air pollution series contain the most informative knowledge regarding the behaviors and characteristics of air pollution, particularly in terms of the strength of multifractality, long-term persistent correlations, and heterogeneity of variations. On the other hand, the statistical findings found that data reduction corresponding to a longer time length will change the multifractal properties of the original data.
Open-Source Computational Photonics with Auto Differentiable Topology Optimization
Authors: Vial Benjamin , Hao Yang
Published: October 2022

In recent years, technological advances in nanofabrication have opened up new applications in the field of nanophotonics. To engineer and develop novel functionalities, rigorous and efficient numerical methods are required. In parallel, tremendous advances in algorithmic differentiation, in part pushed by the intensive development of machine learning and artificial intelligence, has made possible large-scale optimization of devices with a few extra modifications of the underlying code. We present here our development of three different software libraries for solving Maxwell’s equations in various contexts: a finite element code with a high-level interface for problems commonly encountered in photonics, an implementation of the Fourier modal method for multilayered bi-periodic metasurfaces and a plane wave expansion method for the calculation of band diagrams in two-dimensional photonic crystals. All of them are endowed with automatic differentiation capabilities and we present typical inverse design examples.
OCPHN: Outfit Compatibility Prediction with Hypergraph Networks
Authors: Li Zhuo , Li Jian , Wang Tongtong , Gong Xiaolin , Wei Yinwei , Luo Peng
Published: October 2022

With the rapid development of the online shopping, the pursuit of outfit compatibility has become a basic requirement for an increasing number of customers. The existing work on outfit compatibility prediction largely focuses on modeling pairwise item compatibility without considering modeling the whole outfit directly. To address the problem, in this paper, we propose a novel hypergraph-based compatibility modeling scheme named OCPHN, which is able to better model complex relationships among outfits. In OCPHN, we represent the outfit as a hypergraph, where each hypernode represents a category and each hyperedge represents the interactions between multiple categories (i.e., they appear in the same outfit). To better predict outfit compatibility, the hypergraph is transformed into a simple graph, and the message propagation mechanism in the graph convolution network is used to aggregate the neighbours’ information on the node and update the node representations. Furthermore, with learned node representations, an attention mechanism is introduced to compute the outfit compatibility score. Using a benchmark dataset, the experimental results show that the proposed method is an improvement over the strangest baselines in terms of accuracy by about 3% and 1% in the fill-in-the-blank and compatibility prediction tasks, respectively.
Deep-Learning-Based Complex Scene Text Detection Algorithm for Architectural Images
Authors: Sun Weiwei , Wang Huiqian , Lu Yi , Luo Jiasai , Liu Ting , Lin Jinzhao , Pang Yu , Zhang Guo
Published: October 2022

With the advent of smart cities, the text information in an image can be accurately located and recognized, and then applied to the fields of instant translation, image retrieval, card surface information recognition, and license plate recognition. Thus, people’s lives and work will become more convenient and comfortable. Owing to the varied orientations, angles, and shapes of text, identifying textual features from images is challenging. Therefore, we propose an improved EAST detector algorithm for detecting and recognizing slanted text in images. The proposed algorithm uses reinforcement learning to train a recurrent neural network controller. The optimal fully convolutional neural network structure is selected, and multi-scale features of text are extracted. After importing this information into the output module, the Generalized Intersection over Union algorithm is used to enhance the regression effect of the text bounding box. Next, the loss function is adjusted to ensure a balance between positive and negative sample classes before outputting the improved text detection results. Experimental results indicate that the proposed algorithm can address the problem of category homogenization and improve the low recall rate in target detection. When compared with other image detection algorithms, the proposed algorithm can better identify slanted text in natural scene images. Finally, its ability to recognize text in complex environments is also excellent.
Personal Traits and Digital Entrepreneurship: A Mediation Model Using SmartPLS Data Analysis
Authors: Sobaih Abu Elnasr E. , Elshaer Ibrahim A.
Published: October 2022

Technological advancements have created a plethora of opportunities for entrepreneurs to develop and extend their business operations. Hence, internet has promoted to the emergence of digital entrepreneurship as a growing form of entrepreneurship among many entrepreneurs, especially digital natives. This research examines to what extent personal traits of digital natives’ impact on their digital entrepreneurship intention. The research examined the direct impact of the big five personal traits, i.e., openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism, on digital entrepreneurship intention and the indirect impact through personal attitude. For this purpose, a pre-examined questionnaire was directed to senior students in computer sciences and information technology colleges at public universities in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The results of structural equation modeling using SmartPLS (version 4) confirmed a direct positive and significant impact of the big five personal traits on personal attitude. However, the results revealed that the impact of the big five personal traits (except agreeableness) on digital entrepreneurship intention were positive but insignificant. Additionally, a mediating effect was confirmed for personal attitude in the link between personal traits and digital entrepreneurship intention among senior students in KSA higher education. The results contributed to the research gap in relation to personal traits and its impact on personal attitude and ultimatly on digital entrepreneurship intention, especially among digital natives. Several impactions were merged and discussed for scholars, policy makers and educators in higher education institutions.
Connect2NFT: A Web-Based, Blockchain Enabled NFT Application with the Aim of Reducing Fraud and Ensuring Authenticated Social, Non-Human Verified Digital Identity
Authors: Bellagarda Jagger , Abu-Mahfouz Adnan M.
Published: October 2022

As of 2022, non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, the smart contract powered tokens that represent ownership in a specific digital asset, have become a popular investment vehicle. In 2021, NFT trading reached USD 17.6 billion and entered mainstream media with several celebrities and major companies launching tokens within the space. The rapid rise in popularity of NFTs has brought with it a number of risks and concerns, two of which will be discussed and addressed in this technical paper. Data storage of the underlying digital asset connected to an NFT is held off-chain in most cases and is therefore out of the NFT holders’ control. This issue will be discussed and addressed using a theoretical workflow developed and presented for a system that converges NFTs and verifiable credentials with the aim of storing underlying NFT digital assets in a decentralized manner. The second issue focuses on the rise of NFT infringements and fraud within the overall NFT space. This will be discussed and addressed through the development of a practical application, named “Connect2NFT”. The main functionality of this practical application will enable users to connect their Twitter social media accounts to the NFTs they own, thus ensuring that potential buyers or viewers of the NFT can comprehensively conclude who is the authentic owner of a specific NFT. An individual performance analysis of the proposed solution will be conducted in addition to being compared and evaluated against similar applications. Thorough development, implementation, and testing has been performed in order to establish a practical solution that can be tested and applied to current NFT use cases. The theoretical NFT storage solution is a minor but equally important contribution in comparison.
Protection Strategy Selection Model Based on Genetic Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Li Xinzhan , Zhou Yang , Li Xin , Xu Lijuan , Zhao Dawei
Published: October 2022

Industrial control systems (ICS) are facing an increasing number of sophisticated and damaging multi-step attacks. The complexity of multi-step attacks makes it difficult for security protection personnel to effectively determine the target attack path. In addition, most of the current protection models responding to multi-step attacks have not deeply studied the protection strategy selection method in the case of limited budget. Aiming at the above problems, we propose a protection strategy selection model based on the Genetic Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm. The model firstly evaluates the risk of ICS through the Bayesian attack graph; next, the target attack path is predicted from multiple angles through the maximum probability attack path and the maximum risk attack path; and finally, the Genetic Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm is used to select the most beneficial protection strategy set for the target attack path under limited budget. Compared with the Genetic Algorithm and Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm, the Genetic Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm proposed in this paper can handle the local optimal problem well. Simulation experiments verify the feasibility and effectiveness of our proposed model.
Conic Duality for Multi-Objective Robust Optimization Problem
Authors: Muslihin Khoirunnisa Rohadatul Aisy , Rusyaman Endang , Chaerani Diah
Published: October 2022

Duality theory is important in finding solutions to optimization problems. For example, in linear programming problems, the primal and dual problem pairs are closely related, i.e., if the optimal solution of one problem is known, then the optimal solution for the other problem can be obtained easily. In order for an optimization problem to be solved through the dual, the first step is to formulate its dual problem and analyze its characteristics. In this paper, we construct the dual model of an uncertain linear multi-objective optimization problem as well as its weak and strong duality criteria via conic duality. The multi-objective form of the problem is solved using the utility function method. In addition, the uncertainty is handled using robust optimization with ellipsoidal and polyhedral uncertainty sets. The robust counterpart formulation for the two uncertainty sets belongs to the conic optimization problem class; therefore, the dual problem can be built through conic duality. The results of the analysis show that the dual model obtained meets the weak duality, while the criteria for strong duality are identified based on the strict feasibility, boundedness, and solvability of the primal and dual problems.
Equisetin Targets Intracellular Staphylococcus aureus through a Host Acting Strategy
Authors: Tian Jiayao , Chen Shang , Liu Fei , Zhu Qian , Shen Jianzhong , Lin Wenhan , Zhu Kui
Published: October 2022

Mammalian cells act as reservoirs of internalized bacteria to circumvent extracellular antibacterial compounds, resulting in relapse and reinfection diseases. The intracellular persistence of Staphylococcus aureus renders most traditional antibiotics useless, due to their inadequate subcellular accumulation. To replenish our antibiotic arsenal, we found that a marine-derived compound, equisetin, efficiently eliminates intracellular S. aureus by potentiating the host autophagy and inducing mitochondrial-mediated ROS generation to clear the invading S. aureus. The remarkable anti-infection activity of equisetin was validated in a peritonitis-infected mouse model. The marine product equisetin utilizes a unique dual mechanism to modulate the host–pathogen interaction in the clearance of intracellular bacteria. Thus, equisetin is an inspiring host-acting candidate for overcoming intracellular pathogens.
Microalgae as an Efficient Vehicle for the Production and Targeted Delivery of Therapeutic Glycoproteins against SARS-CoV-2 Variants
Authors: Dehghani Jaber , Movafeghi Ali , Mathieu-Rivet Elodie , Mati-Baouche Narimane , Calbo Sébastien , Lerouge Patrice , Bardor Muriel
Published: October 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome–Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can infect various human organs, including the respiratory, circulatory, nervous, and gastrointestinal ones. The virus is internalized into human cells by binding to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor through its spike protein (S-glycoprotein). As S-glycoprotein is required for the attachment and entry into the human target cells, it is the primary mediator of SARS-CoV-2 infectivity. Currently, this glycoprotein has received considerable attention as a key component for the development of antiviral vaccines or biologics against SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, since the ACE2 receptor constitutes the main entry route for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, its soluble form could be considered as a promising approach for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 infection (COVID-19). Both S-glycoprotein and ACE2 are highly glycosylated molecules containing 22 and 7 consensus N-glycosylation sites, respectively. The N-glycan structures attached to these specific sites are required for the folding, conformation, recycling, and biological activity of both glycoproteins. Thus far, recombinant S-glycoprotein and ACE2 have been produced primarily in mammalian cells, which is an expensive process. Therefore, benefiting from a cheaper cell-based biofactory would be a good value added to the development of cost-effective recombinant vaccines and biopharmaceuticals directed against COVID-19. To this end, efficient protein synthesis machinery and the ability to properly impose post-translational modifications make microalgae an eco-friendly platform for the production of pharmaceutical glycoproteins. Notably, several microalgae (e.g., Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Dunaliella bardawil, and Chlorella species) are already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as safe human food. Because microalgal cells contain a rigid cell wall that could act as a natural encapsulation to protect the recombinant proteins from the aggressive environment of the stomach, this feature could be used for the rapid production and edible targeted delivery of S-glycoprotein and soluble ACE2 for the treatment/inhibition of SARS-CoV-2. Herein, we have reviewed the pathogenesis mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 and then highlighted the potential of microalgae for the treatment/inhibition of COVID-19 infection.
Features of Cathodic Plasma Electrolytic Nitrocarburizing of Low-Carbon Steel in an Aqueous Electrolyte of Ammonium Nitrate and Glycerin
Authors: Tambovskiy Ivan , Mukhacheva Tatiana , Gorokhov Ilya , Suminov Igor , Silkin Sergey , Dyakov Ilya , Kusmanov Sergei , Grigoriev Sergey
Published: October 2022

The possibility of using an aqueous non-toxic electrolyte of ammonium nitrate and glycerin for the cathodic plasma electrolytic nitrocarburizing of low-carbon steel is considered in this paper. Surface morphology and roughness, element and phase compositions, and microhardness of the modified layer were investigated. Kinetic calculations of the processes of nitrogen and carbon diffusion into the steel surface are proposed, taking into account their mutual influence. Wear resistance was studied under dry friction conditions with tool alloy steel as a counter-body. Corrosion studies are performed using potentiodynamic polarization curves in 3.5% sodium chloride solution. The plasma electrolytic nitrocarburizing in an aqueous electrolyte with ammonium nitrate and glycerin is established to increase surface hardness up to 980 HV due to the formation of a nitrocarburized layer with 1.35 ± 0.12% carbon and 0.32 ± 0.08% nitrogen concentration. The influence of erosion in electrolyte plasma and high-temperature oxidation on the morphology and surface roughness is shown. The presence of a dense oxide layer, low surface roughness, and high hardness of the diffusion layer favor a decrease in the friction coefficient by 1.3 times, weight wear by 1.8 times and corrosion current density by 1.4 times.
Effect of Brazing Filler Metals and Welding Parameters on Laser Welding-Brazing Joints of WC-Co to S1045
Authors: Ma Shuyue , Li Benben , Ma Yifan , Zhang Pengyu , Xu Peiquan
Published: October 2022

Laser welding-brazing was used to join cemented carbide WC-Co and steel dissimilar materials. In this study, high-speed welding was adopted. The effect of welding parameters and brazing filler metals on the macrostructure, elemental diffusion, micro hardness and thermomechanical behavior was analyzed using optical metallography, scanning electron microscopy, electron probe micro-analysis, hardness test, and finite element method (FEM) based on thermo-elastic-plastic analysis. The experimental results show that increasing laser power is helpful to the increase of maximum welding speed. However, FEM also shows that increased welding speed leads to residual stress concentration, especial in the vicinity of jig. It is still a challenge to optimize laser power welding speed for a given brazing filler metal. The results show: when using pure copper, silver and nickel (thickness is less than 0.5 mm) as brazing filler metal, the combination, laser power of 1.2 kW and welding speed at 0.1 m/s, leads to complete penetration with good weld formation. However, when using Cu/Invar/Ni as brazing filler metal, laser power should increase to 1.7 kW if we still using a higher welding speed (0.1 m/s). Although a trial of high speed welding in laser welding-brazing exhibits feasibility, as-welded joints still have much more brittle risks due to the higher residual stresses.
Multi-Objective Optimization of Selective Laser Melting Processes for Minimizing Energy Consumption and Maximizing Product Tensile Strength
Authors: Zhu Chengcheng , Chen Xiaoming , Wu Honglin , Zhu Jun , Peng Tao , Lv Jingxiang , Wu Yihang
Published: October 2022

As a sustainable manufacturing technology, selective laser melting (SLM) is a typical additive manufacturing (AM) method with high flexibility and material efficiency. However, SLM is intrinsically energy-intensive than conventional machining processes. By contrast, part quality, especially the tensile strength, is critical for applying SLM technology. Therefore, this study aims to minimize the process energy consumption and maximize the part tensile strength by optimizing three essential process parameters, namely laser power, scan speed, and overlap rate. First, single track and single layer experiments are applied to determine the constraints of process parameters. Then, analytical and statistical models are used to calculate energy consumption and part tensile strength. Finally, the process parameters to achieve compromised optimal solutions are located using the nondominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II). A case study of a waveguide part manufactured via the SLM process is employed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Results showed that both energy consumption and part tensile strength could be improved moderately using the proposed method. This study can potentially guide the process parameter selection for new material AM processes and improve the AM product quality.
Effect of Structural Induced Stress on Creep of P92 Steel Pipe to Elbow Welds
Authors: Li Yong , Hu Lei , Yan Jialing , Ji Xiangyu , Wang Wanli
Published: October 2022

Pipe to elbow welds are usually identified as the weakest parts in the pipeline system of ultra-supercritical boilers due to the structural induced stress arising from internal steam pressure, and the constraint of supports and hangers. The finite element (FE) method has been applied to investigate the effect of structural induced stress on creep evolution in pipe to elbow welds. The results show that compressive axial structural induced stress can significantly increase the creep strain near the pipe’s outer surface. In contrast, the creep strain near the pipe’s inner surface is clearly accelerated by tensile axial structural induced stress. Compared with free deformation conditions in the pipe ends, when subject to a compressive axial structural induced stress under −30 MPa, the equivalent creep strain in the fine-grained heat affected zone (FGHAZ) at the 12:00 position on the outer surface increases by about 13.7 times. In the case of a 30 MPa tensile axial structural induced stress, the equivalent creep strain increases by about 83.3% in the FGHAZ at the 12:00 position on the inner surface. The maximum creep strain of the pipe to elbow weld in the ultra-supercritical boiler after creep for 5000 h is 1.9% and located at the 10:30 position in the FGHAZ on the pipe’s outer surface, which makes it the weakest part of the welded joint. The location of a crack in a pipe to elbow weld after running for 20,000 h is in agreement with the simulation results.
Early-Stage M23C6 Morphology at the Phase Boundary in Type 304L Austenitic Stainless Steel Containing δ Ferrite
Authors: Kim Hong-Pyo , Park Yun-Min , Jang Hyoung-Min , Lim Sang-Yeob , Choi Min-Jae , Kim Sung-Woo , Kim Dong-Jin , Hwang Seong-Sik , Lim Yun-Soo
Published: October 2022

The early-stage M23C6 morphology at the phase boundary between austenite and δ ferrite grain in Type 304L austenitic stainless steel was investigated with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The M23C6 has coherency with austenite grains at phase boundary. The phase boundary between the M23C6 and austenite grains has curved appearance. The curved phase boundary might be a faceted interface composed of (111) plane and the other low-index planes on the atomic scale. The M23C6 morphology at the phase boundary was identified to be a complex pyramid-like shape that has {111}, {110} and {100} interfaces. The slight deviation in the angle measured between edges of carbide in the TEM images from that calculated between edges expected from the M23C6 morphology might be attributed to multilayer growth in the interior region of the M23C6 face.
Evaluation of 20 Elements in Soils and Sediments by ED-XRF of Monochromatic Excitation
Authors: Xing Yan , Zhang Haihan , Yang Zhen , Song Wei , Long Wenqi , Zhu Ruirui , Chang Ruixue , Zhang Linlin
Published: October 2022

There is an urgent need for the accurate analysis of heavy metal contamination in the field of ecology and environmental sciences, especially in the case of trace heavy metals, such as cadmium. Using doubly curved crystals (DCC) to achieve the monochromatic X-ray excitation of the sample to be measured and a silicon drift detector (SDD) to collect the fluorescence of the sample elements, combined with an algorithm analysis of the fundamental parameters (FP), the monochromatic energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (MED-XRF) system significantly improved the detection limits of the target elements. The detection limits, precision, and accuracy of the MED-XRF acquisition for 20 elements, including cadmium, lead, and arsenic, were evaluated and compared with the Determination of Inorganic Elements in Soil and Sediment Wavelength-Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry report and tested on the actual samples. The test results showed that the detection limit of the inorganic elements in soil and sediment determined by MED-XRF was mostly better than the industry standard, especially the detection limit of Cd, which was 0.04 mg/kg. The accuracy and correctness fully met the requirements for daily laboratory testing and, as a quality control tool, the actual sample testing and laboratory ICP-MS results were consistent. The research conducted in this project constituted a useful attempt to expand and improve the analytical methods for inorganic elements in soil and sediment, showing that MED-XRF is superior to conventional ED-XRF and WD-XRF and is the current new method of analysis for a low content of Cd in soil. MED-XRF offers a very important contribution to research on soil census, conservation, the rational use of agricultural land, and soil restoration and improvement, and provides strong support for field testing.
Numerical Simulation and Application of Tundish Cover Argon Blowing for a Two-Strand Slab Continuous Casting Machine
Authors: Li Yang , Wu Chenhui , Xie Xin , Chen Lian , Chen Jun , Yang Xiaodong , Ma Xiaodong
Published: October 2022

During continuous casting, argon blowing from tundish cover (ABTC) can greatly prevent the flow of the remaining air and decrease the reoxidation of molten steel in tundish. In the current study, a numerical model based on a tundish of a two-strand slab continuous casting machine was established to investigate the feasibility and evaluate the protective casting effect of the ABTC process. The influence of operation parameters, including sealing schemes of tundish cover holes and the argon flow rate of the remaining oxygen content, were studied in tundish. Then, industrial trials based on the operation parameters from the numerical model were carried out to evaluate the protective effect of ABTC. The results indicate that the ABTC process has a great protective effect in avoiding increasing levels of nitrogen and losing titanium and aluminum. With the ABTC process applied, the average increment of nitrogen (△w[N]) in steel from the end of RH to tundish decreases by 90% from 10 × 10−6 to 1 × 10−6, the average loss of titanium (△w[Ti]) by 12.7% from 63 × 10−6 to 55 × 10−6, and the amount of aluminum (△w[Al]) decreases by 7.1% from 70 × 10−6 to 55 × 10−6. The injecting hole and baking holes should be sealed during the period of empty tundish to efficiently discharge the air. In order to ensure that the oxygen volume fraction in tundish is less than 1%, the argon flow rate should be ≥220 Nm3/h during the period of empty tundish and ≥80 Nm3/h during the period of normal casting.
Synthesis of Complex Concentrated Nanoparticles by Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis and Lyophilisation
Authors: Simić Lidija , Stopic Srecko , Friedrich Bernd , Zadravec Matej , Jelen Žiga , Bobovnik Rajko , Anžel Ivan , Rudolf Rebeka
Published: October 2022

The development of new multicomponent nanoparticles is gaining increasing importance due to their specific functional properties, i.e., synthesised new complex concentrated nanoparticles (CCNPs) in the form of powder using ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP) and lyophilisation from the initial cast Ag20Pd20Pt20Cu20Ni20 alloy, which was in the function of the material after its catalytic abilities had been exhausted. Hydrometallurgical treatment was used to dissolve the cast alloy, from which the USP precursor was prepared. As a consequence of the incomplete dissolution of the cast alloy and the formation of Pt and Ni complexes, it was found that the complete recycling of the alloy is not possible. A microstructural examination of the synthesised CCNPs showed that round and mostly spherical (not 100%) nanoparticles were formed, with an average diameter of 200 nm. Research has shown that CCNPs belong to the group with medium entropy characteristics. A mechanism for the formation of CCNPs is proposed, based on the thermochemical analysis of element reduction with the help of H2 and based on the mixing enthalpy of binary systems.
Epidermal Microbiomes of Leopard Sharks (Triakis semifasciata) Are Consistent across Captive and Wild Environments
Authors: Goodman Asha Z. , Papudeshi Bhavya , Doane Michael P. , Mora Maria , Kerr Emma , Torres Melissa , Nero Moffatt Jennifer , Lima Lais , Nosal Andrew P. , Dinsdale Elizabeth
Published: October 2022

Characterizations of shark-microbe systems in wild environments have outlined patterns of species-specific microbiomes; however, whether captivity affects these trends has yet to be determined. We used high-throughput shotgun sequencing to assess the epidermal microbiome belonging to leopard sharks (Triakis semifasciata) in captive (Birch Aquarium, La Jolla California born and held permanently in captivity), semi-captive (held in captivity for <1 year in duration and scheduled for release; Scripps Institute of Oceanography, San Diego, CA, USA) and wild environments (Moss Landing and La Jolla, CA, USA). Here, we report captive environments do not drive epidermal microbiome compositions of T. semifasciata to significantly diverge from wild counterparts as life-long captive sharks maintain a species-specific epidermal microbiome resembling those associated with semi-captive and wild populations. Major taxonomic composition shifts observed were inverse changes of top taxonomic contributors across captive duration, specifically an increase of Pseudoalteromonadaceae and consequent decrease of Pseudomonadaceae relative abundance as T. semifasciata increased duration in captive conditions. Moreover, we show captivity did not lead to significant losses in microbial α-diversity of shark epidermal communities. Finally, we present a novel association between T. semifasciata and the Muricauda genus as Metagenomes associated genomes revealed a consistent relationship across captive, semi-captive, and wild populations. Since changes in microbial communities is often associated with poor health outcomes, our report illustrates that epidermally associated microbes belonging to T. semifasciata are not suffering detrimental impacts from long or short-term captivity. Therefore, conservation programs which house sharks in aquariums are providing a healthy environment for the organisms on display. Our findings also expand on current understanding of shark epidermal microbiomes, explore the effects of ecologically different scenarios on benthic shark microbe associations, and highlight novel associations that are consistent across captive gradients.
Microbiome of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. Reveals a Potential Association with Non-Photosynthetic Cyanobacteria
Authors: Procter Miranda , Kundu Biduth , Sudalaimuthuasari Naganeeswaran , AlMaskari Raja S. , Saeed Esam E. , Hazzouri Khaled M. , Amiri Khaled M. A.
Published: October 2022

Citrullus colocynthis grows in the sandy desert soil of the Arabian Peninsula with limited access to water, aside from occasional precipitation or dew. Understanding its ability to produce water-filled fruit and nutrient-rich seeds despite the harsh environment, can be useful for agricultural applications. However, information regarding the microbiome of C. colocynthis is lacking. We hypothesized that C. colocynthis associates with bacteria that aid its survival, like what has been observed in other desert plants. Here, we used 16S rRNA gene data to gain insight into the microbiome of C. colocynthis to identify its associated bacteria. In total, 9818 and 6983 OTUs were generated from root, soil, and leaf samples combined. Overall, bulk soils had the highest alpha diversity, followed by rhizosphere and root zone soils. Furthermore, C. colocynthis is associated with known plant-growth-promoting bacteria (including Acidobacteria, Bacterioidetes, and Actinobacteria), and interestingly a class of non-photosynthetic Cyanobacteria (Melainabacteria) that is more abundant on the inside and outside of the root surface than control samples, suggesting its involvement in the rhizophagy process. This study will provide a foundation for functional studies to further understand how C. colocynthis-microbes interactions help them grow in the desert, paving the path for possible agricultural applications.
Screening of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Strains from Sourdoughs for Biosuppression of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae and Botrytis cinerea in Table Grapes
Authors: Petkova Mariana , Gotcheva Velitchka , Dimova Milena , Bartkiene Elena , Rocha João Miguel , Angelov Angel
Published: October 2022

Grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) are an essential crop for fresh consumption and wine production. Vineyards are attacked by several economically important bacterial and fungal diseases that require regular pesticide treatment. Among them, Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (Ps. syringae) and Botrytis cinerea (B. cinerea) infections cause huge economic losses. The fresh fruit market has shifted to functional natural foodstuffs with clear health benefits and a reduced use of chemicals along the production chain. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have a biopreservative effect and are applied to ensure food safety in response to consumers’ demands. In the present study, the possibilities of using microorganisms with a potential antimicrobial effect against Ps. syringae and B. cinerea in the production of table grapes were investigated. LAB of the genus Lactiplantibacillus can be a natural antagonist of pathogenic bacteria and fungi by releasing lactic acid, acetic acid, ethanol, carbon dioxide and bacteriocins in the medium. The present study focuses on the characterization of nine Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (Lp. plantarum) strains isolated from spontaneously fermented sourdoughs. Species-specific PCR identified the isolated LAB for partial recA gene amplification with an amplicon size of 318 bp. RAPD-PCR analysis showed the intraspecific diversity of the individual strains. Thirteen plantaricin-like peptides (PlnA, PlnB, PlnC, PlnD, PlnEF, PlnG, PlnI, PlnJ, PlnK, PlnN, PlnNC8, PlnS, and PlnW) produced by isolated Lp. plantarum strains were detected by PCR with gene-specific primers. The key features for future industrial applications were their antimicrobial properties. The culture medium and cell-free supernatant (CFS) were used to establish in vitro antimicrobial activities of Lp. plantarum strains against Ps. syringae and B. cinerea, and inhibition of phytopathogen development was observed. The inhibitory effect of the CFS (cell-free supernatant) of all strains was assessed by infecting table grapes with these pathogens in in vivo experiments. Lp. plantarum Q4 showed the most effective suppression of the pathogens both in vitro and in vivo, which indicates its potential use as a biocontrol agent against berry rot and grey rot on grapes, caused by Ps. syringae and B. cinerea.
Viral Diagnosis of Hepatitis B and Delta: What We Know and What Is Still Required? Specific Focus on Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Ceesay Amie , Bouherrou Khaled , Tan Boun Kim , Lemoine Maud , Ndow Gibril , Testoni Barbara , Chemin Isabelle
Published: October 2022

To achieve the World Health Organization’s (WHO) goals of eradicating viral hepatitis globally by 2030, the regional prevalence and epidemiology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis delta virus (HDV) coinfection must be known in order to implement preventiveon and treatment strategies. HBV/HDV coinfection is considered the most severe form of vira l hepatitis due to it’s rapid progression towards cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver-related death. The role of simplified diagnosticsis tools for screening and monitoring HBV/HDV-coinfected patients is crucial. Many sophisticated tools for diagnoses have been developed for detection of HBV alone as well as HBV/HDV coinfection. However, these advanced techniques are not widely available in low-income countries and there is no standardization for HDV detection assays, which are used for monitoring the response to antiviral therapy. More accessible and affordable alternative methods, such as rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), are being developed and validated for equipment-free and specific detection of HBV and HDV. This review will provide some insight into both existing and diagnosis tools under development, their applicability in developing countries and how they could increase screening, patient monitoring and treatment eligibility.
Microorganisms Special Issue “How Do Food and Probiotics Influence the Composition and Activity of the Gut Microbiota?”
Authors: LaPointe Gisèle , Rogers Michael A.
Published: October 2022

We are a product of the foods we chronically consume, and life expectancy correlates with the quality of our diet [...]