bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hybrid Heuristic for Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows and Compatibility Constraints in Home Healthcare System
Authors: Saksuriya Payakorn , Likasiri Chulin
Published: June 2022

This work involves a heuristic for solving vehicle routing problems with time windows (VRPTW) with general compatibility-matching between customer/patient and server/caretaker constraints to capture the nature of systems such as caretakers’ home visiting systems or home healthcare (HHC) systems. Since any variation of VRPTW is more complicated than regular VRP, a specific, custom-made heuristic is needed to solve the problem. The heuristic proposed in this work is an efficient hybrid of a novice Local Search (LS), Ruin and Recreate procedure (R&R) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). The proposed LS acts as the initial solution finder as well as the engine for finding a feasible/local optimum. While PSO helps in moving from current best solution to the next best solution, the R&R part allows the solution to be over-optimized and LS moves the solution back on the feasible side. To test our heuristic, we solved 56 benchmark instances of 25, 50, and 100 customers and found that our heuristics can find 52, 21, and 18 optimal cases, respectively. To further investigate the proficiency of our heuristic, we modified the benchmark instances to include compatibility constraints. The results show that our heuristic can reach the optimal solutions in 5 out of 56 instances.
Fusion of Infrared and Visible Images Based on Optimized Low-Rank Matrix Factorization with Guided Filtering
Authors: Ji Jingyu , Zhang Yuhua , Lin Zhilong , Li Yongke , Wang Changlong , Hu Yongjiang , Huang Fuyu , Yao Jiangyi
Published: June 2022

In recent years, image fusion has been a research hotspot. However, it is still a big challenge to balance the problems of noiseless image fusion and noisy image fusion. In order to improve the weak performance and low robustness of existing image fusion algorithms in noisy images, an infrared and visible image fusion algorithm based on optimized low-rank matrix factorization with guided filtering is proposed. First, the minimized error reconstruction factorization is introduced into the low-rank matrix, which effectively enhances the optimization performance, and obtains the base image with good filtering performance. Then using the base image as the guide image, the source image is decomposed into the high-frequency layer containing detail information and noise, and the low-frequency layer containing energy information through guided filtering. According to the noise intensity, the sparse reconstruction error is adaptively obtained to fuse the high-frequency layers, and the weighted average strategy is utilized to fuse the low-frequency layers. Finally, the fusion image is obtained by reconstructing the pre-fused high-frequency layer and the pre-fused low-frequency layer. The comparative experiments show that the proposed algorithm not only has good performance for noise-free images, but more importantly, it can effectively deal with the fusion of noisy images.
Modeling of Two-Phase Flow Parameters of a Multi-Channel Cylindrical Cyclone
Authors: Chlebnikovas Aleksandras , Selech Jarosław , Kilikevičius Artūras , Przystupa Krzysztof , Matijošius Jonas , Vaišis Vaidotas
Published: June 2022

The variation in the two-phase flow parameters in a cylindrical body of new geometry and principle of operation are considered for a device for separating solids from air flow, solving the problem of numerical flow modeling. The aim of this research was to analyze the changes in the parameters of a multi-channel cylindrical cyclone in a mathematical model and to compare it with the results of the examined physical model. Studies on the numerical modeling of cyclones are reviewed, and models and equations for complex vortex flow description are applied. Differential equations were numerically solved by the finite volume method using the standard turbulence models of k–ε and RNG k–ε. Numerical modeling of the velocities, pressures, and volumes of both phases of the two-phase flow was performed. The simulation of the volume distribution of the second phase (glass particles) in the cyclone structure at flow rates of 10.9 m/s, 13.9 m/s, and 21.9 m/s was performed. The values obtained were compared with the physical model of the cyclone in question. The mean relative error was ±6.9%.
Electric Field Distribution and Dielectric Losses in XLPE Insulation and Semiconductor Screens of High-Voltage Cables
Authors: Nadolny Zbigniew
Published: June 2022

This article presents the electric field distribution E and dielectric losses ΔPdiel. in the insulation system of high-voltage cables. Such a system consists of inner and outer semiconductor screens and XLPE insulation. The aim of this study was to compare the values of E and ΔPdiel. between semiconductor screens and XLPE insulation. The objects of the research were high-voltage cables of 110 kV, 220 kV, 400 kV, and 500 kV. The geometrical dimensions of the cables, especially the radii of individual layers of insulation, as well as the electrical properties of the screens and XLPE, were taken from the literature. Semiconductor screens and XLPE insulation were treated as a system of three concentric cylinders. When determining the electric field distribution, both the electrical permittivity and electrical conductivity, which, in the case of semiconductor screens, play important roles, were taken into account. The obtained results prove that both the electric field distribution E and dielectric losses Pdiel. are significantly larger in XLPE insulation than in semiconductor screens. The intensity E in XLPE insulation is about four orders of magnitude greater than the intensity in semiconductor screens. Dielectric losses ΔPdiel. in XLPE insulation are about eight orders of magnitude greater than the losses occurring in semiconductor screens.
Development of Novel Ecto-Nucleotide Pyrophosphatase/Phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1) Inhibitors for Tumor Immunotherapy
Authors: Wang Xiang , Lu Xing , Yan Daojing , Zhou Yajun , Tan Xiangshi
Published: June 2022

The cyclic guanosine monophosphate–adenosine monophosphate synthase–stimulator of interferon genes–TANK-binding kinase 1–interferon regulating factor 3 (cGAS-STING-TBK1-IRF3) axis is now acknowledged as the major signaling pathway in innate immune responses. However, 2′,3′-cGAMP as a STING stimulator is easily recognized and degraded by ecto-nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1), which reduces the effect of tumor immunotherapy and promotes metastatic progression. In this investigation, the structure-based virtual screening strategy was adopted to discover eight candidate compounds containing zinc-binding quinazolin-4(3H)-one scaffold as ENPP1 inhibitors. Subsequently, these novel inhibitors targeting ENPP1 were synthesized and characterized by NMR and high-resolution mass spectra (HRMS). In bioassays, 7-fluoro-2-(((5-methoxy-1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl)thio)methyl)quina-zolin-4(3H)-one(compound 4e) showed excellent activity against the ENPP1 at the molecular and cellular levels, with IC50 values of 0.188 μM and 0.732 μM, respectively. Additionally, compound 4e had superior selectivity towards metastatic breast cancer cells (4T1) than towards normal cells (LO2 and 293T) in comparison with cisplatin, indicating that compound 4e can potentially be used in metastatic breast cancer therapy. On the other hand, compound 4e upgraded the expression levels of IFN-β in vivo by preventing the ENPP1 from hydrolyzing the cGAMP to stimulate a more potent innate immune response. Therefore, this compound might be applied to boost antitumor immunity for cancer immunotherapy. Overall, our work provides a strategy for the development of a promising drug candidate targeting ENPP1 for tumor immunotherapy.
Transcriptome Analysis of Fusarium–Tomato Interaction Based on an Updated Genome Annotation of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici Identifies Novel Effector Candidates That Suppress or Induce Cell Death in Nicotiana benthamiana
Authors: Sun Xizhe , Fang Xiangling , Wang Dongmei , Jones David A. , Ma Lisong
Published: June 2022

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (Fol) causes vascular wilt disease in tomato. Upon colonization of the host, Fol secretes many small effector proteins into the xylem sap to facilitate infection. Besides known SIX (secreted in xylem) proteins, the identity of additional effectors that contribute to Fol pathogenicity remains largely unexplored. We performed a deep RNA-sequencing analysis of Fol race 2-infected tomato, used the sequence data to annotate a published genome assembly generated via PacBio SMRT sequencing of the Fol race 2 reference strain Fol4287, and analysed the resulting transcriptome to identify Fol effector candidates among the newly annotated genes. We examined the Fol-infection expression profiles of all 13 SIX genes present in Fol race 2 and identified 27 new candidate effector genes that were likewise significantly upregulated upon Fol infection. Using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, we tested the ability of 22 of the new candidate effector genes to suppress or induce cell death in leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana. One effector candidate designated Fol-EC19, encoding a secreted guanyl-specific ribonuclease, was found to trigger cell death and two effector candidates designated Fol-EC14 and Fol-EC20, encoding a glucanase and a secreted trypsin, respectively, were identified that can suppress Bax-mediated cell death. Remarkably, Fol-EC14 and Fol-EC20 were also found to suppress I-2/Avr2- and I/Avr1-mediated cell death. Using the yeast secretion trap screening system, we showed that these three biologically-active effector candidates each contain a functional signal peptide for protein secretion. Our findings provide a basis for further understanding the virulence functions of Fol effectors.
Abundance and Niche Differentiation of Comammox in the Sludges of Wastewater Treatment Plants That Use the Anaerobic–Anoxic–Aerobic Process
Authors: Zhang Sheng-Nan , Wang Jian-Gong , Wang Dan-Qi , Jiang Qiu-Yue , Quan Zhe-Xue
Published: June 2022

Complete ammonia oxidizers (comammox), which directly oxidize ammonia to nitrate, were recently identified and found to be ubiquitous in artificial systems. Research on the abundance and niche differentiation of comammox in the sludges of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) would be useful for improving the nitrogen removal efficiency of WWTPs. Here, we investigated the relative abundance and diversity of comammox in fifteen sludges of five WWTPs that use the anaerobic–anoxic–aerobic process in Jinan, China, via quantitative polymerase chain reaction and high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and ammonia monooxygenase gene. In the activated sludges in the WWTPs, comammox clade A.1 was widely distributed and mostly comprised Candidatus Nitrospira nitrosa-like comammox (>98% of all comammox). The proportion of this clade was negatively correlated (p < 0.01) with the dissolved oxygen (DO) level (1.7–8 mg/L), and slight pH changes (7.20–7.70) affected the structure of the comammox populations. Nitrospira lineage I frequently coexisted with Nitrosomonas, which generally had a significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) with the DO level. Our study provided an insight into the structure of comammox and other nitrifier populations in WWTPs that use the anaerobic–anoxic–aerobic process, broadening the knowledge about the effects of DO on comammox and other nitrifiers.
Preservation of Cerebellar Afferent Pathway May Be Related to Good Hand Function in Patients with Stroke
Authors: Shin Bo Kyung , Park Hae-Yeon , Rim Hanee , Jung Ji Yoon , Paek Sungwoo , Yoo Yeun Jie , Yoon Mi-Jeong , Hong Bo Young , Lim Seong Hoon
Published: June 2022

Many chronic stroke patients suffer from worsened hand function, and functional recovery of the hand does not occur well after six months of stroke. Therefore, predicting final hand function after stroke through acute phase imaging would be an important issue in counseling with the patients or their family. Thus, we investigated the remaining white matter integrity in the corticospinal tract (CST) and cortico-ponto-cerebellar tract (CPCT) at the acute stage of stroke and chronic hand function after stroke, and present the cut-off value of fiber number (FN) and fractional anisotropy (FA) of CST and CPCT at the acute stage for predicting final hand function after the recovery period. This retrospective case-control study included 18 stroke patients who were classified into two groups: poor hand function with stroke (n = 11) and good hand function with stroke (n = 7). DTI was done within two months ± 15 days after onset, and the Jebson’s Hand Function test was conducted 6–12 months after onset. The investigation of white matter was focused on the values of FN and FA for CST and CPCT, which were measured separately. The normalized (affected/non-affected) FA and FN values in the CPCT in the good hand function group were higher than those in the poor hand function group. The normalized FN and FA values in the CST were not significantly different between the poor hand function group and the good hand function group. The normalized cut-off value that distinguished the good hand function group from the poor hand function group was 0.8889 for FA in the CPCT. The integrity of the CPCT in the acute stage was associated with hand function in the chronic stage after a stroke. Ultimately, the integrity of the CPCT in the early stage after onset can be used to predict chronic hand function. Based on these results, cerebellar afferent fiber measurements may be a useful addition to predict hand function and plan specific rehabilitation strategies in stroke patients.
Landslide Displacement Prediction Based on Time-Frequency Analysis and LMD-BiLSTM Model
Authors: Lin Zian , Ji Yuanfa , Liang Weibin , Sun Xiyan
Published: June 2022

In landslide displacement prediction, random factors that would affect the performance of prediction are usually ignored by using a time series analysis method. In order to solve this problem, in this paper, a landslide displacement prediction model, the local mean decomposition-bidirectional long short-term memory (LMD-BiLSTM), is proposed based on the time-frequency analysis method. The model uses the local mean decomposition (LMD) algorithm to decompose landslide displacement and obtains several subsequences of landslide displacement with different frequencies. This paper analyzes the internal relationship between the landslide displacement and rainfall, reservoir water level, and landslide state. The maximum information coefficient (MIC) algorithm is used to calculate the intrinsic correlation between each subsequence of landslide displacement and rainfall, reservoir water level, and landslide state. Subsequences of influential factors with high correlation are selected as input variables of the bidirectional long short-term memory (BiLSTM) model to predict each subsequence. Finally, the predicted results of each of the subsequences are added to obtain the final predicted displacement. The proposed LMD-BiLSTM model effectiveness is verified based on the Baishuihe landslide. The prediction results and evaluation indexes show that the model can accurately predict landslide displacement.
Three-Point Boundary Value Problems of Coupled Nonlocal Laplacian Equations
Authors: Qu Huizhen , Zhou Jianwen , Zhang Tianwei
Published: June 2022

This paper discusses a kind of coupled nonlocal Laplacian evolution equation with Caputo time-fractional derivatives and proportional delays. Green function and mild solution are firstly established by employing the approach of eigenvalues’ expansions and Fourier analysis technique. By the properties of eigenvalues and Mittag–Leffler functions, several vital estimations of Green functions are presented. In view of these estimations and some appropriate assumptions, the existence and uniqueness of the mild solution are studied by utilizing the Leray–Schauder fixed-point theorem and the Banach fixed-point theorem. Finally, an example is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of our main results.
Random Forest Winter Wheat Extraction Algorithm Based on Spatial Features of Neighborhood Samples
Authors: Wang Nayi , Fan Xiangsuo , Fan Jinlong , Yan Chuan
Published: June 2022

In order to effectively obtain the winter wheat growing area in a large part of the Guanzhong plain, this paper proposes a random forest Guanzhong plain winter wheat extraction algorithm based on spatial features of neighborhood samples using the 250 m resolution spectral imager (MERSI) of the FY-3 satellite as the data source. In this paper, first, the training and validation samples were obtained by constructing a neighborhood sample space sampling model, then the study area was classified using an integrated learning random forest Classifier, and finally the classification data obtained from different time phases were fused using voting game theory to obtain the final classification result map. The land use change and winter wheat distribution change from 2011 to 2014 were also analyzed. The experimental results showed that the overall accuracy of winter wheat obtained after random forest fusion processing was the highest compared with the traditional algorithm, reaching 98.63%. At the same time, LANDSAT 8 images were used to obtain the distribution of winter wheat, and the distribution areas obtained from MERSI data and LANDSAT 8 images were generally consistent in terms of spatial distribution as shown by the distribution areas at the county scale.
A Joint Learning Model to Extract Entities and Relations for Chinese Literature Based on Self-Attention
Authors: Liang Li-Xin , Lin Lin , Lin E , Wen Wu-Shao , Huang Guo-Yan
Published: June 2022

Extracting structured information from massive and heterogeneous text is a hot research topic in the field of natural language processing. It includes two key technologies: named entity recognition (NER) and relation extraction (RE). However, previous NER models consider less about the influence of mutual attention between words in the text on the prediction of entity labels, and there is less research on how to more fully extract sentence information for relational classification. In addition, previous research treats NER and RE as a pipeline of two separated tasks, which neglects the connection between them, and is mainly focused on the English corpus. In this paper, based on the self-attention mechanism, bidirectional long short-term memory (BiLSTM) neural network and conditional random field (CRF) model, we put forth a Chinese NER method based on BiLSTM-Self-Attention-CRF and a RE method based on BiLSTM-Multilevel-Attention in the field of Chinese literature. In particular, considering the relationship between these two tasks in terms of word vector and context feature representation in the neural network model, we put forth a joint learning method for NER and RE tasks based on the same underlying module, which jointly updates the parameters of the shared module during the training of these two tasks. For performance evaluation, we make use of the largest Chinese data set containing these two tasks. Experimental results show that the proposed independently trained NER and RE models achieve better performance than all previous methods, and our joint NER-RE training model outperforms the independently-trained NER and RE model.
Development of CNN-Based Data Crawler to Support Learning Block Programming
Authors: Park HuiJae , Kim JaMee , Lee WonGyu
Published: June 2022

Along with the importance of digital literacy, the need for SW(Software) education is steadily emerging. Programming education in public education targets a variety of learners from elementary school to high school. This study was conducted for the purpose of judging the proficiency of low school-age learners in programming education. To achieve the goal, a tool to collect data on the entire programming learning process was developed, and a machine learning model was implemented to judge the proficiency of learners based on the collected data. As a result of determining the proficiency of 20 learners, the model developed through this study showed an average accuracy of approximately 75%. Through the development of programming-related data collection tools and programming proficiency judging models for low school-age learners, this study is meaningful in that it presents basic data for providing learner-tailored feedback.
Oral Supplementation with Z-Isomer-Rich Astaxanthin Inhibits Ultraviolet Light-Induced Skin Damage in Guinea Pigs
Authors: Honda Masaki , Kageyama Hakuto , Zhang Yelin , Hibino Takashi , Goto Motonobu
Published: June 2022

The effect of oral supplementation with astaxanthin of different Z-isomer ratios on ultraviolet (UV) light-induced skin damage in guinea pigs was investigated. Astaxanthin with a high Z-isomer content was prepared from the all-E-isomer via thermal isomerization. Intact (all-E)-astaxanthin and the prepared Z-isomer-rich astaxanthin were suspended in soybean oil and fed to guinea pigs for three weeks. The UV-light irradiation was applied to the dorsal skin on the seventh day after the start of the test diet supplementation, and skin parameters, such as elasticity, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and pigmentation (melanin and erythema values), were evaluated. The accumulation of astaxanthin in the dorsal skin was almost the same after consumption of the all-E-isomer-rich astaxanthin diet (E-AST-D; total Z-isomer ratio = 3.2%) and the Z-isomer-rich astaxanthin diet (Z-AST-D; total Z-isomer ratio = 84.4%); however, the total Z-isomer ratio of astaxanthin in the skin was higher in the case of the Z-AST-D supplementation. Both diets inhibited UV light-induced skin-damaging effects, such as the reduction in elasticity and the increase in TEWL level. Between E-AST-D and Z-AST-D, Z-AST-D showed better skin-protective ability against UV-light exposure than E-AST-D, which might be because of the greater UV-light-shielding ability of astaxanthin Z-isomers than the all-E-isomer. Furthermore, supplementation with Z-AST-D resulted in a greater reduction in skin pigmentation caused by astaxanthin accumulation compared to that of E-AST-D. This study indicates that dietary astaxanthin accumulates in the skin and appears to prevent UV light-induced skin damage, and the Z-isomers are more potent oral sunscreen agents than the all-E-isomer.
Production of Carotenoids and Phospholipids by Thraustochytrium sp. in Batch and Repeated-Batch Culture
Authors: Leyton Allison , Shene Carolina , Chisti Yusuf , Asenjo Juan A.
Published: June 2022

The carotenogenic thraustochytrid Thraustochytrium sp. RT2316-16 was grown in batch and repeated-batch cultures using different feeds containing glucose, or glycerol, and yeast extract, for the production of lipids, phospholipids and carotenoids. RT2316-16 produced canthaxanthin, astaxanthin and β-carotene. The effects of biotin, ascorbic acid, light and temperature were evaluated in some of the experiments. In 2-day-old batch cultures, the combined mass percentage of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in total lipids was between 16.5% (glycerol-based medium in the dark; biomass concentration = 4.2 ± 1.1 g L−1) and 42.6% (glucose-based medium under light; biomass concentration = 3.3 ± 0.1 g L−1), decreasing to 3.8% and 6.1%, respectively, after day 4. In repeated-batch cultures, the total lipids in the biomass increased after glucose or glycerol was fed alone, whereas the total carotenoids (168 ± 7 μg g−1 dry weight (DW)) and phospholipids in the biomass increased after feeding with yeast extract. The biomass with the highest content of phospholipids (28.7 ± 4.3 mg g−1 DW) was obtained using a feed medium formulated with glycerol, yeast extract and ascorbic acid. Glycerol was the best carbon source for the production of a biomass enriched with total lipids (467 ± 45 mg g−1 DW). The composition of carotenoids depended strongly on the composition of the feed. Repeated-batch cultures fed with yeast extract contained canthaxanthin as the main carotenoid, whereas in the cultures fed only with glucose, the biomass contained mainly β-carotene.
Dispersive Membrane Microextraction of Substituted Phenols from Honey Samples and a Brief Outlook on Its Sustainability Using Analytical Eco-Scale and Analytical GREEnness Metric Approach
Authors: Chandrasekaram Kumuthini , Alias Yatimah , Mohamad Sharifah
Published: June 2022

Honey is part and parcel of our daily nutrition, but in recent times it has been reported to be tainted by the presence of polar substituted phenols purported from the use of pesticides, herbicides, antimicrobial agents, etc. Honey’s viscous nature and matrix complexity often result in analytical chemists resorting to derivatization for the detection of polar analytes such as substituted phenols. This study aims to overcome the matrix effect without derivatization and offer a more sustainable solution with notable sensitivity and selectivity using dispersive membrane microextraction alongside high-performance liquid chromatography (DMME–HPLC) with sporopollenin–methylimidazolium-based mixed matrix membrane (Sp–MIM-MMM). The DMME–HPLC approach successfully determined the presence of mono- and disubstituted phenols from unspiked honey samples with concentrations ranging from 7.8 to 154.7 ng/mL. The sustainability of the proposed method was also validated using the Analytical Eco-Scale (AES) and the Analytical GREEnness Metric (AGREE) where an excellent score of 94 and the encouraging score of 0.72 were recorded, respectively.
Cellulose Nanocrystals Crosslinked with Sulfosuccinic Acid as Sustainable Proton Exchange Membranes for Electrochemical Energy Applications
Authors: Selyanchyn Olena , Bayer Thomas , Klotz Dino , Selyanchyn Roman , Sasaki Kazunari , Lyth Stephen Matthew
Published: June 2022

Nanocellulose is a sustainable material which holds promise for many energy-related applications. Here, nanocrystalline cellulose is used to prepare proton exchange membranes (PEMs). Normally, this nanomaterial is highly dispersible in water, preventing its use as an ionomer in many electrochemical applications. To solve this, we utilized a sulfonic acid crosslinker to simultaneously improve the mechanical robustness, water-stability, and proton conductivity (by introducing -SO3−H+ functional groups). The optimization of the proportion of crosslinker used and the crosslinking reaction time resulted in enhanced proton conductivity up to 15 mS/cm (in the fully hydrated state, at 120 °C). Considering the many advantages, we believe that nanocellulose can act as a sustainable and low-cost alternative to conventional, ecologically problematic, perfluorosulfonic acid ionomers for applications in, e. fuel cells and electrolyzers.
Effects of Pulsed Magnetic Field Melt Treatment on Grain Refinement of Al-Si-Mg-Cu-Ni Alloy Direct-Chill Casting Billet
Authors: Bao Xinyu , Ma Yonglin , Xing Shuqing , Liu Yongzhen , Shi Weiwei
Published: June 2022

Al-Si-Mg-Cu-Ni alloy is widely used in the manufacture of high-performance car engine parts. Coarse, dendritic α-Al and large primary Si are common in Al-Si-Mg-Cu-Ni alloy DC casting billet, which is harmful to the performance of the final product. In this paper, a pulsed magnetic field melt treatment technique was applied to the melt in the launder of a DC casting platform to modify the α-Al and primary Si in the billet. A transient numerical model was established to analyze the electromagnetic field, flow field and temperature field in the melt during the pulsed magnetic field treatment. The effect of the magnetic energy on the clusters in the melt was analyzed. We found that during the pulsed magnetic field melt treatment, the number of clusters close to the critical size was increased due to the cluster formation work being reduced by the magnetic energy, which facilitated nucleation and refined the solidification structure. Furthermore, the flow velocity increased, and temperature homogenized in the melt during the pulsed magnetic field melt treatment, which benefitted the clusters close to the critical size distributed and maintained in the melt uniformly. The experimental results show that the α-Al and primary Si were small and homogeneous following the pulsed magnetic field melt treatment. The size of α-Al and primary Si was reduced by 25.6–44.4% and 32.2–54.1%, respectively, in the billet center compared to the conventional process.
Long-Term Ultrasonic Benchmarking for Microstructure Characterization with Bayesian Updating
Authors: Zhang Feng , Song Yongfeng , Li Xiongbing , Ni Peijun
Published: June 2022

Ultrasonic non-destructive characterization is an appealing technique for identifying the microstructures of materials in place of destructive testing. However, the existing ultrasonic characterization techniques do not have sufficient long-term gage repeatability and reproducibility (GR&R), since benchmarking data are not updated. In this study, a hierarchical Bayesian regression model was utilized to provide a long-term ultrasonic benchmarking method for microstructure characterization, suitable for analyzing the impacts of experimental setups, human factors, and environmental factors on microstructure characterization. The priori distributions of regression parameters and hyperparameters of the hierarchical model were assumed and the Hamilton Monte Carlo (HMC) algorithm was used to calculate the posterior distributions. Characterizing the nodularity of cast iron was used as an example, and the benchmarking experiments were conducted over a 13-week transition period. The results show that updating a hierarchical model can increase its performance and robustness. The outcome of this study is expected to pave the way for the industrial uptake of ultrasonic microstructure characterization techniques by organizing a gradual transition from destructive sampling inspection to non-destructive one-hundred-percent inspection.
Synthesis of Ti-Cu Multiphase Alloy by Spark Plasma Sintering: Mechanical and Corrosion Properties
Authors: Shichalin Oleg O. , Sakhnevich Vladimir N. , Buravlev Igor Yu. , Lembikov Aleksey O. , Buravleva Anastasia A. , Azon Semen A. , Yarusova Sofia B. , Danilova Sakhayana N. , Fedorets Alexander N. , Belov Anton A. , Papynov Evgeniy K.
Published: June 2022

To study the material based on the binary system Ti + Cu (50% atm), samples were produced from powders of commercially pure metals and additionally ground in a ball mill (final size about 12 µm) by spark plasma sintering. The following intermetallic phases were obtained in the materials: CuTi2, TiCu, and Ti3Cu4. The materials have a hardness of 363 and 385 HV (800 and 900 °C), a microhardness of 393 and 397 µHV, a density of 4.24 and 5.23 kg/m3, and resistance to corrosion in acids (weight gain + 0.002% after 24 h of testing according to ISO 16151 for a sample with 900 °C—the best result in comparison with steel 308, AA2024, CuA110Fe3Mn2). The hardness value varies due to the presence of pure metal agglomerates. The relationship between the temperature of spark plasma sintering and the characteristics of the material (material parameters improve with increasing temperature, segregation is reduced) is revealed.
A Critical Review on Al-Co Alloys: Fabrication Routes, Microstructural Evolution and Properties
Authors: Sfikas Athanasios K. , Gonzalez Sergio , Lekatou Angeliki G. , Kamnis Spyros , Karantzalis Alexandros E.
Published: June 2022

Al-Co alloys is an emerging category of metallic materials with promising properties and potential application in various demanding environments. Over the years, different manufacturing techniques have been employed to fabricate Al-Co alloys, spanning from conventional casting to rapid solidification techniques, such as melt spinning, thus leading to a variety of different microstructural features. The effect of the fabrication method on the microstructure is crucial, affecting the morphology and volume of the precipitates, the formation of supersaturated solid solutions and the development of amorphous phases. In addition, the alloy composition has an effect on the type and volume fraction of intermetallic phases formed. As a result, alloy properties are largely affected by the microstructural outcomes. This review focuses on highlighting the effect of the fabrication techniques and composition on the microstructure and properties of Al-Co alloys. Another goal is to highlight areas in the field that are not well understood. The advantages and limitations of this less common category of Al alloys are being discussed with the scope of future prospects and potential applications.
Dietary γ-Aminobutyric Acid Supplementation Inhibits High-Fat Diet-Induced Hepatic Steatosis via Modulating Gut Microbiota in Broilers
Authors: Chen Qu , Hu Dan , Wu Xiaoting , Feng Yuyan , Ni Yingdong
Published: June 2022

The present study aims to investigate the effect of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on liver lipid metabolism and on AA broilers. Broilers were divided into three groups and fed with low-fat diets, high-fat diets, and high-fat diets supplemented with GABA. Results showed that GABA supplementation decreased the level of triglyceride (TG) in the serum and liver of broilers fed high-fat diets, accompanied by up-regulated mRNA expression of genes related to lipolysis and β-oxidation in the liver (p < 0.05). Furthermore, GABA supplementation increased liver antioxidant capacity, accompanied by up-regulated mRNA expression of antioxidant genes (p < 0.05). 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that GABA improved high-fat diet-induced dysbiosis of gut microbiota, increased the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes phylum and Barnesiella genus, and decreased the relative abundance of Firmicutes phylum and Ruminococcus_torques_group and Romboutsia genus (p < 0.05). Moreover, GABA supplementation promoted the production of propionic acid and butyric acid in cecal contents. Correlation analysis further suggested the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes negatively correlated with hepatic TG content, and positively correlated with cecal short chain fatty acids content (r > 0.6, p < 0.01). Together, these data suggest that GABA supplementation can inhibit hepatic TG deposition and steatosis via regulating gut microbiota in broilers.
Azospirillum brasilense Bacteria Promotes Mn2+ Uptake in Maize with Benefits to Leaf Photosynthesis
Authors: Housh Alexandra B. , Waller Spenser , Sopko Stephanie , Powell Avery , Benoit Mary , Wilder Stacy L. , Guthrie James , Schueller Michael J. , Ferrieri Richard A.
Published: June 2022

Azospirillum brasilense is a prolific grass-root colonizing bacteria well-known for its ability to promote plant growth in several cereal crops. Here we show that one of the mechanisms of action in boosting plant performance is through increased assimilation of the micronutrient manganese by the host. Using radioactive 52Mn2+ (t½ 5.59 d), we examined the uptake kinetics of this micronutrient in young maize plants, comparing the performance of three functional mutants of A. brasilense, including HM053, a high auxin-producing and high N2-fixing strain; ipdC, a strain with a reduced auxin biosynthesis capacity; and FP10, a strain deficient in N2-fixation that still produces auxin. HM053 had the greatest effect on host 52Mn2+ uptake, with a significant increase seen in shoot radioactivity relative to non-inoculated controls. LA-ICP-MS analysis of root sections revealed higher manganese distributions in the endodermis of HM053-inoculated plants and overall higher manganese concentrations in leaves. Finally, increased leaf manganese concentration stimulated photosynthesis as determined by measuring leaf fixation of radioactive 11CO2 with commensurate increases in chlorophyll concentration.
How Curcumin Targets Inflammatory Mediators in Diabetes: Therapeutic Insights and Possible Solutions
Authors: Hussain Yaseen , Khan Haroon , Alotaibi Ghallab , Khan Fazlullah , Alam Waqas , Aschner Michael , Jeandet Philippe , Saso Luciano
Published: June 2022

Diabetes mellitus is a multifactorial chronic metabolic disorder, characterized by altered metabolism of macro-nutrients, such as fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Diabetic retinopathy, diabetic cardiomyopathy, diabetic encephalopathy, diabetic periodontitis, and diabetic nephropathy are the prominent complications of diabetes. Inflammatory mediators are primarily responsible for these complications. Curcumin, a polyphenol derived from turmeric, is well known for its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. The regulation of several signaling pathways effectively targets inflammatory mediators in diabetes. Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities against a wide range of molecular targets have been shown to have therapeutic potential for a variety of chronic inflammatory disorders, including diabetes. Curcumin’s biological examination has shown that it is a powerful anti-oxidant that stops cells from growing by releasing active free thiol groups at the target location. Curcumin is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent that targets inflammatory mediators in diabetes, and its resistant form leads to better therapeutic outcomes in diabetes complications. Moreover, Curcumin is an anti-oxidant and NF-B inhibitor that may be useful in treating diabetes. Curcumin has been shown to inhibit diabetes-related enzymes, such as a-glucosidase, aldose reductase and aldose reductase inhibitors. Through its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and its suppression of vascular endothelial development and nuclear transcription factors, curcumin has the ability to prevent, or reduce, the course of diabetic retinopathy. Curcumin improves insulin sensitivity by suppressing phosphorylation of ERK/JNK in HG-induced insulin-resistant cells and strengthening the PI3K-AKT-GSK3B signaling pathway. In the present article, we aimed to discuss the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of curcumin in diabetes regulated by various molecular signaling pathways.
Influence of Convective and Vacuum-Type Drying on Quality, Microstructural, Antioxidant and Thermal Properties of Pretreated Boletus edulis Mushrooms
Authors: Popa Miruna , Tăușan Ioan , Drăghici Olga , Soare Amalia , Oancea Simona
Published: June 2022

Freshly harvested Boletus edulis mushrooms are subjected to rapid loss of quality due to the high moisture content and enzymatic activity. Drying time, quality characteristics, microstructural and thermal properties were studied in mushrooms ground to puree subjected to hot air drying (HAD), freeze drying (FD) and centrifugal vacuum drying (CVD). The influence of hot water blanching and UV-C pretreatments was additionally investigated. The rehydration ability of mushroom powders was improved by FD, especially without pretreatment or combined to UV-C exposure. The HAD and CVD, with no pretreatment or combined to UV-C, ensured good preservation of phenolics and antioxidant activity of dried mushrooms. The total difference in color of mushroom pigments extracted in acetone was lower in samples dried by CVD and higher in ones by FD. Blanching before HAD produced whiter product probably due to the reduced polyphenoloxidase activity. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis showed fewer physical changes in FD-samples. Heat-induced structural changes were noticed by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetry (TG) and Derivative Thermogravimetry (DTG) analysis, in particular of biopolymers, confirmed by ATR-FTIR analysis. Based on our complex approach, the UV pretreatment of mushrooms could be a better alternative to water blanching. Centrifugal vacuum emerged as a new efficient drying method in terms of bioactive compounds, color and thermal stability, while FD led to better rehydration ability and microstructure.
In Vitro and In Vivo Genotoxicity Assessments and Phytochemical Analysis of the Traditional Herbal Prescription Siryung-Tang
Authors: Seo Chang-Seob , Jung Mi-Sook , Shin Hyeun-Kyoo , Lee Mee-Young
Published: June 2022

Siryung-tang (SRT) is a traditional herbal prescription containing Oryeong-san and Soshiho-tang that is used to treat digestive system diseases. We performed safety evaluations of SRT based on genotoxicity and developed an assay for quality control using high-performance liquid chromatography with a photodiode array detector. Genotoxicity was evaluated based on bacterial reverse mutation (Salmonella typhimurium TA1535, TA98, TA100, and TA1537, and Escherichia coli WP2 uvrA), chromosomal aberration (Chinese hamster lung cells), and micronucleus (mouse) tests. Quality control analysis was conducted using a SunFire C18 column and gradient elution with a distilled water–acetonitrile mobile phase system containing 0.1% (v/v) formic acid for 12 markers (5-(hydroxy-methyl)furfural, 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, liquiritin apioside, liquiritin, coumarin, baicalin, wogonoside, cinnamaldehyde, baicalein, glycyrrhizin, wogonin, and atractylenolide III). SRT showed no genotoxicity in three tests. Ames tests showed that SRT at 313–5000 μg/plate did not significantly increase the number of revertant colonies with or without metabolic activation among five bacterial strains. Moreover, in vivo micronucleus testing showed that SRT did not increase the frequency of bone marrow micronuclei. The number of chromosomal aberrations associated with SRT was similar to that observed in the negative controls. The 12 markers were detected at 0.04–16.86 mg/g in a freeze-dried SRT sample and completely eluted within 45 min. The extraction recovery was 95.39–104.319% and the relative standard deviation value of the precision was ≤2.09%. Our study will be used as basic data for the safety and standardization of SRT.
2-Phosphonobutane-1,2,4,-Tricarboxylic Acid (PBTC): pH-Dependent Behavior Studied by Means of Multinuclear NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Kretzschmar Jerome , Wollenberg Anne , Tsushima Satoru , Schmeide Katja , Acker Margret
Published: June 2022

Although 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4,-tricarboxylic acid, PBTC, has manifold industrial applications, relevant and reliable data on the protonation of PBTC are poor. However, these data are critical parameters for ascertaining PBTC speciation, especially with regard to a sound structural and thermodynamic characterization of its metal ion complexes. A rigorous evaluation of pH-dependent 1H, 13C, and 31P chemical shifts along with accessible scalar spin–spin coupling constants (J) was performed in order to determine the pKa values of PBTC in 0.5 molal NaCl aqueous solution by means of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The phosphonate group revealed pKa values of 0.90 ± 0.02 and 9.79 ± 0.02, and the pKa values associated with the carboxylic groups are 3.92 ± 0.02, 4.76 ± 0.03, and 6.13 ± 0.03. Supported by DFT-calculated structures revealing strong intramolecular hydrogen bonding, the sequence of deprotonation could be unambiguously determined.
Enzymatic Synthesis of Novel and Highly Soluble Puerarin Glucoside by Deinococcus geothermalis Amylosucrase
Authors: Ding Hsiou-Yu , Wang Tzi-Yuan , Wu Jiumn-Yih , Tsai Yu-Li , Chang Te-Sheng
Published: June 2022

Puerarin (daidzein-8-C-glucoside) is an isoflavone isolated from several leguminous plants of the genus Pueraria. Puerarin possesses several pharmacological properties; however, the poor solubility of puerarin limits its applications. To resolve this poor solubility, Deinococcus geothermalis amylosucrase (DgAS) was used to modify puerarin into more soluble derivatives. The results showed that DgAS could biotransform puerarin into a novel compound: puerarin-4′-O-α-glucoside. The biotransformation reaction was manipulated at different temperatures, pH values, sucrose concentrations, reaction times, and enzyme concentrations. The results showed that the optimal reaction condition was biotransformed by 200 μg/mL DgAS with 20% (w/v) sucrose at pH 6 and incubated at 40 °C for 48 h, and the optimal production yield was 35.1%. Puerarin-4′-O-α-glucoside showed 129-fold higher solubility than that of puerarin and, thus, could be further applied for pharmacological use in the future.
Mushroom Polysaccharide-Assisted Anticarcinogenic Mycotherapy: Reviewing Its Clinical Trials
Authors: Sivanesan Iyyakkannu , Muthu Manikandan , Gopal Judy , Oh Jae-Wook
Published: June 2022

Of the biologically active components, polysaccharides play a crucial role of high medical and pharmaceutical significance. Mushrooms have existed for a long time, dating back to the time of the Ancient Egypt and continue to be well explored globally and experimented with in research as well as in national and international cuisines. Mushroom polysaccharides have slowly become valuable sources of nutraceuticals which have been able to treat various diseases and disorders in humans. The application of mushroom polysaccharides for anticancer mycotherapy is what is being reviewed herein. The widespread health benefits of mushroom polysaccharides have been highlighted and the significant inputs of mushroom-based polysaccharides in anticancer clinical trials have been presented. The challenges and limitation of mushroom polysaccharides into this application and the gaps in the current application areas that could be the future direction have been discussed.
Synthesis and Structure Elucidation of Novel Spirooxindole Linked to Ferrocene and Triazole Systems via [3 + 2] Cycloaddition Reaction
Authors: Altowyan Mezna Saleh , Soliman Saied M. , Haukka Matti , Al-Shaalan Nora Hamad , Alkharboush Aminah A. , Barakat Assem
Published: June 2022

In the present work, a novel heterocyclic hybrid of a spirooxindole system was synthesized via the attachment of ferrocene and triazole motifs into an azomethine ylide by [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction protocol. The X-ray structure of the heterocyclic hybrid (1″R,2″S,3R)-2″-(1-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-5-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carbonyl)-5-methyl-1″-(ferrocin-2-yl)-1″,2″,5″,6″,7″,7a″-hexahydrospiro[indoline-3,3″-pyrrolizin]-2-one revealed very well the expected structure, by using different analytical tools (FTIR and NMR spectroscopy). It crystallized in the triclinic-crystal system and the P-1-space group. The unit cell parameters are a = 9.1442(2) Å, b = 12.0872(3) Å, c = 14.1223(4) Å, α = 102.1700(10)°, β = 97.4190(10)°, γ = 99.1600(10)°, and V = 1484.81(7) Å3. There are two molecules per unit cell and one formula unit per asymmetric unit. Hirshfeld analysis was used to study the molecular packing of the heterocyclic hybrid. H···H (50.8%), H···C (14.2%), Cl···H (8.9%), O···H (7.3%), and N···H (5.1%) are the most dominant intermolecular contacts in the crystal structure. O···H, N···H, H···C, F···H, F···C, and O···O are the only contacts that have the characteristic features of short and significant interactions. AIM study indicated predominant covalent characters for the Fe–C interactions. Also, the electron density (ρ(r)) at the bond critical point correlated inversely with the Fe–C distances.