bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optically Guided High-Frequency Ultrasound to Differentiate High-Risk Basal Cell Carcinoma Subtypes: A Single-Centre Prospective Study
Authors: Bozsányi Szabolcs , Boostani Mehdi , Farkas Klára , Hamilton-Meikle Phyllida , Varga Noémi Nóra , Szabó Boglárka , Vasanits Flóra , Kuroli Enikő , Meznerics Fanni Adél , Lőrincz Kende , Holló Péter , Bánvölgyi András , Wikonkál Norbert M. , Paragh Gyorgy , Kiss Norbert
Published: November 2023

Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer in the Caucasian population. Currently, invasive biopsy is the only way of establishing the histological subtype (HST) that determines the treatment options. Our study aimed to evaluate whether optically guided high-frequency ultrasound (OG-HFUS) imaging could differentiate aggressive HST BCCs from low-risk tumors. Methods: We conducted prospective clinical and dermoscopic examinations of BCCs, followed by 33 MHz OG-HFUS imaging, surgical excision, and a histological analysis. We enrolled 75 patients with 78 BCCs. In total, 63 BCCs were utilized to establish a novel OG-HFUS risk classification algorithm, while 15 were employed for the validation of this algorithm. The mean age of the patients was 72.9 ± 11.2 years. Histology identified 16 lesions as aggressive HST (infiltrative or micronodular subtypes) and 47 as low-risk HST (superficial or nodular subtypes). To assess the data, we used a one-sided Fisher’s exact test for a categorical analysis and a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy. Results: OG-HFUS distinguished aggressive BCC HSTs by their irregular shape (p < 0.0001), ill-defined margins (p < 0.0001), and non-homogeneous internal echoes (p = 0.004). We developed a risk-categorizing algorithm that differentiated aggressive HSTs from low-risk HSTs with a higher sensitivity (82.4%) and specificity (91.3%) than a combined macroscopic and dermoscopic evaluation (sensitivity: 40.1% and specificity: 73.1%). The positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV, respectively) for dermoscopy were 30.2% and 76.8%, respectively. In comparison, the OG-HFUS-based algorithm demonstrated a PPV of 94.7% and an NPV of 78.6%. We verified the algorithm using an independent image set, n = 15, including 12 low-risk and 3 high-risk (high-risk) with two blinded evaluators, where we found a sensitivity of 83.33% and specificity of 91.66%. Conclusions: Our study shows that OG-HFUS can identify aggressive BCC HSTs based on easily identifiable morphological parameters, supporting early therapeutic decision making.
Mesoporous Layered Double Hydroxides: Synthesis for High Effective Uranium Ions Sorption from Seawater and Salt Solutions on Nanocomposite Functional Materials
Authors: Balybina Valeria A. , Dran’kov Artur N. , Shichalin Oleg O. , Savel’eva Natalia Yu. , Kokorina Nadezhda G. , Kuular Zhanna C. , Ivanov Nikita P. , Krasitskaya Svetlana G. , Ivanets Andrei I. , Papynov Evgeniy K.
Published: November 2023

A series of sorption materials based on layered double hydroxides (Co-Fe LDH, Ni-Fe LDH, and Zn-Ti LDH) were obtained by a facile and environmentally friendly method of coprecipitation. A low particle size of no more than 10 µm was achieved. The use of transition metals makes it possible to obtain compounds that are mechanically and chemically stable in aggressive environments. XRD analysis revealed that the compounds have a highly organized crystalline structure. Using SEM, it was determined that Co-Fe LDH and Ni-Fe LDH had a loose, highly dispersed surface structure, while Zn-Ti LDH had a monolithic surface structure. U(VI) adsorption on the obtained materials in solutions containing Na2CO3, Na2SO4, KNO3, NaCl, K3PO4, and NaHCO3, was studied in batch mode. The degree of purification in the presence of these salts reached 99.9%, while the distribution coefficient Kd reached 105 mL/g. Sorption capacity qmax and equilibrium adsorption constants Kf and KL for U(VI) adsorption in batch mode (for 24 h) from distilled and seawater were determined using the Freundlich and Langmuir equations. The highest sorption capacity of 101.6 mg/g in seawater and 114.1 mg/g in distilled water was registered for Co-Fe-LDH. The presence of competing ions in seawater can reduce sorption efficiency by up to 40%. The provided research allowed us to conclude that the obtained materials, Co-Fe LDH, Ni-Fe LDH, and Zn-Ti LDH are promising for the sorption removal of U(VI) from aqueous media of medium salinity.
Preparation and Properties of Flexible CuI/Polyvinylpyrrolidone Nanocomposite Thermoelectric Film
Authors: Han Xiaowen , Zuo Xinru , Liu Ying , Wang Zixing , Cai Kefeng
Published: November 2023

A facile preparation method for flexible p-type CuI/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanocomposite thermoelectric (TE) film is developed. First, CuI powder was synthesized by a one-pot method; second, PVP was coated in situ with the CuI powder; third, the CuI/PVP nanocomposite film was prepared on a nylon membrane by vacuum filtration and then hot-pressing. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation indicates that the film consists of CuI nanograins with an average size of ~15 nm and PVP distributed at the inner wall of nanopores and the surface of the CuI nanograins. The composite film shows a large Seebeck coefficient of ~605 µVK−1 and a power factor of ~8.05 µWm−1K−2 at 300 K. The nanocomposite film also exhibits excellent flexibility (~96% of initial electrical conductivity retention after being bent 1000 times along a 4 mm radius rod). A single-leg TE module outputs a voltage of ~3.6 mV when the temperature difference is 6 K. This work provides a fast, simple, and environmentally friendly method by which to prepare flexible CuI/PVP nanocomposite TE film with a large Seebeck coefficient, which could be used as a wearable sensor.
Multi-Response Optimization of Abrasive Waterjet Cutting on r-GO-Reinforced Fibre Intermetallic Laminates through Moth–Flame Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Rajamani Devaraj , Kumar Mahalingam Siva , Balasubramanian Esakki
Published: November 2023

Laminated metal-composite structures, also known as fibre metal laminates (FMLs), have emerged as prominent engineering materials in various industries, particularly in the domains of aircraft and automobile manufacturing. These materials are sought after due to their enhanced impact and fatigue resistance capabilities. The machining of FMLs plays a crucial role in achieving near-net shapes for the purpose of joining and assembling components. Delamination is a prevalent issue encountered during the process of conventional machining, thus rendering FMLs are challenging materials to machine. This study aims to investigate the cutting process of novel fibre intermetallic laminates (FILs) using the abrasive water jet (AWJ) cutting technique. The FILs consists of carbon and aramid fibers that are adhesively bonded with a resin matrix filled with reduced graphene oxide (r-GO) nano fillers. Moreover, these laminates contain embedded Nitinol shape memory alloy sheets as the skin materials. Specifically, the study aims to investigate the impact of different factors, such as the addition of reduced graphene oxide (r-GO) in the laminates (ranging from 0 to 2 wt%), traverse speed (ranging from 400 to 600 mm/min), waterjet pressure (ranging from 200 to 300 MPa), and nozzle height (ranging from 2 to 4 mm), on the material removal rate (MRR), delamination factor (FD), and kerf deviation (KD). ANOVA was used in the statistical analysis to determine the most influential parameters and their effects on the selected responses. The optimal AWJC parameters are determined using a metaheuristic-based moth–flame optimization (MFO) algorithm in order to enhance cut quality. The efficacy of MFO is subsequently compared with similar well-established metaheuristics such as the genetic algorithm, particle swarm algorithm, dragonfly algorithm, and grey-wolf algorithm. MFO was found to outperform in terms of several performance indices, including rapid divergence, diversity, spacing, and hypervolume values, among the algorithms compared.
A pH-Responsive DNA Tetrahedron/Methotrexate Drug Delivery System Used for Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment
Authors: Jin Yi , Ge Xingyu , Xu Yinjin , Wang Siyi , Lu Qian , Deng Aidong , Li Jingjing , Gu Zhifeng
Published: November 2023

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that leads to progressive and aggressive joint inflammation. The disease process is characterized by the activation of macrophages, which then release tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), accelerating tissue damage. Tackling tissue damage is a crucial target in the treatment of RA. In this study, a macrophage-targeted and pH-response DNA tetrahedron/methotrexate drug delivery system was constructed by loading methotrexate (MTX) onto a DNA duplex. MTX was used as a drug model, and a pH-response DNA tetrahedron (TET) was used as the drug carrier, which was modified with hyaluronic acid (HA) to target macrophages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of TET as an effective drug carrier for the treatment of RA. On this basis, we successfully prepared TETs loaded with MTX, and in vitro assays showed that the MTX-TET treatment could successfully target macrophages and induce macrophages to polarize to M1 phenotype. At the same time, we also injected MTX-TET intravenously into collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model mice, and the redness and swelling of the paws of mice were significantly alleviated, proving that the MTX-TET could successfully target inflamed joints and release MTX to treat joint swelling. In addition, the histochemical results showed that the MTX-TET could reduce synovitis and joint swelling in CIA mice, reduce the level of inflammatory factors in vivo, and improve the disease status while maintaining a good biosafety profile. This study showed that the MTX-TET treatment has beneficial therapeutic effects on RA, providing a new strategy for the clinical treatment of RA.
Advances in Therapeutic Contact Lenses for the Management of Different Ocular Conditions
Authors: Ioniță Mariana , Vlăsceanu George Mihail , Toader Alin Georgian , Manole Marius
Published: November 2023

In the advent of an increasingly aging population and due to the popularity of electronic devices, ocular conditions have become more prevalent. In the world of medicine, accomplishing eye medication administration has always been a difficult task. Despite the fact that there are many commercial eye drops, most of them have important limitations, due to quick clearance mechanisms and ocular barrers. One solution with tremendous potential is the contact lens used as a medication delivery vehicle to bypass this constraint. Therapeutic contact lenses for ocular medication delivery have attracted a lot of attention because they have the potential to improve ocular bioavailability and patient compliance, both with minimal side effects. However, it is essential not to compromise essential features such as water content, optical transparency, and modulus to attain positive in vitro and in vivo outcomes with respect to a sustained drug delivery profile from impregnated contact lenses. Aside from difficulties like drug stability and burst release, the changing of lens physico-chemical features caused by therapeutic or non-therapeutic components can limit the commercialization potential of pharmaceutical-loaded lenses. Research has progressed towards bioinspired techniques and smart materials, to improve the efficacy of drug-eluting contact lenses. The bioinspired method uses polymeric materials, and a specialized molecule-recognition technique called molecular imprinting or a stimuli–responsive system to improve biocompatibility and support the drug delivery efficacy of drug-eluting contact lenses. This review encompasses strategies of material design, lens manufacturing and drug impregnation under the current auspices of ophthalmic therapies and projects an outlook onto future opportunities in the field of eye condition management by means of an active principle-eluting contact lens.
What Do You Need to Know? A Systematic Review and Research Agenda on Neuromarketing Discipline
Authors: Singh Prakash , Alhassan Ibrahim , Khoshaim Lama
Published: November 2023

The neuromarketing phenomenon has led to a makeover in the marketing area, and its application in the business world has generated a better insight into understanding diverse consumer behavior. This comprehensive study delves into the multifaceted world of neuromarketing. Employing a systematic literature review approach and reviewing 51 articles from the Web of Science database, the study aims to provide a holistic view of the neuromarketing field, offering valuable insights and directions for future research and practical application in the business and academic world. The key results of this study are classified into six distinct research themes: 1. Evolution of Neuromarketing, 2. Neuromarketing Definitions and Neuromarketing Tools, 3. Neuromarketing in Practice, 4. Social Value of Neuromarketing, 5. Neuromarketing and Consumer Behavior, and 6. Neuromarketing for Sustainable Business Development. The results of the study are based on the 4W framework (What, Where, Why, and How) and the TCCM framework (Themes, Contexts, Characteristics, and Methodology). The study underscores the significance of neuromarketing to businesses and serves as a provocative call to action for businesses to study its potential which traditional marketing techniques may overlook. This study is notable for its investigation of theoretical evolution, definitions, tools, practices, social value, and influence on consumer behavior within the discipline. Its contribution unfolds to sustainable business development, where neuromarketing can facilitate sustainable products and practices by understanding consumer behavior. This study presents valuable insights and sets the stage for future research through theoretical advancements in neuromarketing. It further acts as a foundational resource for marketers and researchers in augmenting their theoretical and practical acumen.
Spatiotemporal Analysis of Urban Sprawl and Ecological Quality Study Case: Chiba Prefecture, Japan
Authors: Aurora Ruth Mevianna , Furuya Katsunori
Published: November 2023

The Japanese City Planning Act aims to control urban sprawl and promote compact urban development. Despite Japan’s aging population, urban sprawl remains a concern in shrinking sprawl situations. This impacts ecosystem services owing to the loss of natural areas. Ecological quality is regarded as a basic parameter for preventing urban sprawl. This study examined urban sprawl, ecological quality, and their relationship in Chiba Prefecture within the spatial context of the metropolitan region. Utilizing Shannon entropy and landscape metrics for urban sprawling studies, the analysis revealed a gradual shift towards compact development at the center, while the urban periphery was unevenly distributed. The remote sensing ecological index (RSEI), supported by remote sensing, assesses ecological quality. Despite some limitations, the average RSEI indicated moderate quality, offering a suitable human environment. Pearson’s calculations were used to determine the inverse correlation between urban sprawl and ecological quality. Chiba’s slight increase in sprawl was attributed to the transition from non-compact to eco-city development. The proposed plans were formulated based on similar urban sprawl and RSEI patterns in other cities for further sustainable compact development.
Influence of the Friction Coefficient on the Stress Distributions and Contact Pressure in Press-Fits via Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Izard Eulalia , Garcia-Martín Roberto , Rodríguez-Martín Manuel , Lorenzo Miguel
Published: November 2023

Press fits are a simple and effective method for assembling a shaft into a hub for different applications in the mechanical engineering field. This method consists of forcing to pass a shaft into a hub via axial insertion. As a result of the difference in the diameters of both components of the shaft and hub, a radial interference is generated, causing a contact pressure at the interface shaft–hub. Contact pressure and the friction coefficient are key factors influencing the maximum transmitted torque. So, in this study, different scenarios for the assembly of a press fit were simulated using finite elements (FE) in order to reveal the influence of this key parameter on the manufacturing-induced stresses in the hub. This way, different friction conditions were considered in terms of the friction coefficient from the frictionless case to a case of high dry friction. In addition, different hub geometries were analyzed including conventional hubs and chamfer hubs with optimal geometry that allows lowering the localized stress concentrations at the hub edges. This way, a more realistic estimation of the final stress state of a press fit is obtained. According to the obtained results, the friction coefficient is revealed as a key parameter in the resulting stress field, causing a non-uniform distribution of stress that can affect the mechanical performance of the press-fit assembly.
A Comparative Analysis of the Magnetization Methods Used in the Magnetic Nondestructive Testing of Reinforced Concrete Structures
Authors: Frankowski Paweł Karol , Chady Tomasz
Published: November 2023

This work presents how significantly the proper selection of the magnetization method can improve almost all parameters of the magnetic method and affect the effectiveness of the evaluation of reinforced concrete (RC) structures. Three magnetization methods are considered in this paper: opposite pole magnetization (typical solution), same pole magnetization, and (as a reference point) no magnetization. The experiments are carried out in a three-dimensional (XYZ) space. Measurements along each of the axes are discussed in a separate section. The results show that the appropriate selection of the magnetization method can affect noise reduction, signal strength, and the separation of measurements carried out on different samples. This paper also discusses the situations when the magnetization may change the shape, cause deformations of waveforms, affect the area testing, and be used to significantly increase the efficiency of simultaneous evaluation of three basic parameters of RC structure. Experiments and simulations have proven that properly applied magnetization may strongly affect the evaluation’s effectiveness, making the magnetic method one of the most promising techniques in testing RC constructions.
The Development and Study of a New Silylated Polyurethane-Based Flexible Adhesive—Part 2: Joint Testing and Numerical Modelling
Authors: Rodrigues Vasco C. M. B. , Marques Eduardo A. S. , Carbas Ricardo J. C. , Youngberg Michael , Dussaud Anne , Beygi Reza , da Silva Lucas F. M.
Published: November 2023

The need for more sustainable adhesive formulations has presented the possibility of using silane-based adhesives in the automotive industry. In this work, a dual-cure two-component silylated polyurethane resin (SPUR) adhesive was tested in single-lap joints, to assess in-joint behaviour at room temperature under quasi-static conditions for aluminium substrates. The effect of two different overlap lengths, 25 and 50 mm, was also considered. A numerical model was built using cohesive zone modelling in finite element software, to reproduce the mechanical behaviour of the joint. The model was fed with data experimentally withdrawn from the first part of this paper. A triangular-shaped cohesive zone model (CZM) law was chosen as the adhesive behaviour was highly elastic and lacked yielding phenomena. The experimental results served as the base for the numerical validation, allowing accurate CZM parameters to be successfully determined.
MOF-808 as an Efficient Catalyst for Valorization of Biodiesel Waste Production: Glycerol Acetalization
Authors: Mirante Fátima , Leo Pedro , Dias Catarina N. , Cunha-Silva Luís , Balula Salete S.
Published: November 2023

Glycerol is the main residue in the biodiesel production industry; therefore, their valorization is crucial. The acetalization of glycerol toward fuel additives such as solketal (2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-methanol) is of high interest, promoting circular economy since it can be added to biodiesel or even fossil diesel to improve their quality and efficiency. Straightforward-prepared metal–organic framework (MOF) materials of the MOF-808 family were applied to the valorization of glycerol for the first time. In particular, MOF-808(Hf) was revealed to be an effective heterogeneous catalyst to produce solketal under moderate conditions: a small amount of the MOF material (only 4 wt% of glycerol), a 1:6 ratio of glycerol/acetone, and a temperature of 333 K. The high efficiency of MOF-808(Hf) was associated with the high amount of acid centers present in its structure. Furthermore, its structural characteristics, such as window opening cavity size and pore diameters, were shown to be ideal for reusing this material for at least ten consecutive reaction cycles without losing activity (conversion > 90% and selectivity > 98%). Remarkably, it was not necessary to wash or activate the MOF-808(Hf) catalyst between cycles (no pore blockage occurred), and it maintained structural integrity after ten cycles, confirming its ability to be a sustainable heterogeneous catalyst for glycerol valorization.
Investigating the Phase Transition Kinetics of 1-Octadecanol/Sorbitol Derivative/Expanded Graphite Composite Phase Change Material with Isoconversional and Multivariate Non-Linear Regression Methods
Authors: Xu Jun , Li Yuanyuan , Cheng Xiaomin
Published: November 2023

Organic composite phase change materials (PCMs) have been extensively studied, and it is important to investigate the effect of added components on the phase change process of the organic matrix. Herein, the phase transition process of the composite PCM with 1-octadecanol (OD) as the matrix adsorbed by a network framework composed of 1,3:2,4-di-(3,4-dimethyl) benzylidene sorbitol (DMDBS) and expanded graphite (EG) was measured using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) at several linear heating rates. Using isoconversional and multivariate non-linear regression methods, a two-step consecutive reaction model for the composite PCM was established, while the apparent activation energies and pre-exponential factors were determined. The reaction mechanism of the first step was altered compared to pure OD, while the activation energies significantly decreased at the initial stage of the phase transition process and increased at the later stage. Combined with microscopic morphology analysis, the main reasons were the size and nanoconfinement effect. The predictions of the composite PCM under various conditions suggested that the composite PCM had a wider available temperature range compared to pure OD. This research provided a new idea for the in-depth study of the phase transition process of organic composite PCMs, which was helpful for the evaluation of organic composite PCMs.
Synthesis and Luminescent Properties of Barium Molybdate Nanoparticles
Authors: Gancheva Maria , Iordanova Reni , Koseva Iovka , Avdeev Georgi , Burdina Gergana , Ivanov Petar
Published: November 2023

BaMoO4 was obtained via facile mechanochemical synthesis at room temperature and a solid-state reaction. An evaluation of the phase composition and structural and optical properties of BaMoO4 was conducted. The influence of different milling speeds on the preparation of BaMoO4 was explored. A shorter reaction time for the phase formation of BaMoO4 was achieved using a milling speed of 850 rpm. A milling speed of 500 rpm led to partial amorphization of the initial reagents and to prolongation of the synthesis time of up to 3 h of milling time. Solid-state synthesis was performed via heat treatment at 900 °C for 15 h. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), infrared (IR) and UV diffuse reflectance (UV-Vis) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy were carried out to characterize the samples. Independently of the method of preparation, the obtained samples had tetragonal symmetry. The average crystallite sizes of all samples, calculated using Scherrer’s formula, were in the range of 240 to 1540 Å. IR spectroscopy showed that more distorted structural MoO4 units were formed when the compound was synthesized via a solid-state reaction. The optical band gap energy of the obtained materials was found to decrease from 4.50 to 4.30 eV with increasing crystallite sizes. Green- and blue-light emissions were observed for BaMoO4 phases under excitation wavelengths of 330 and 488 nm. It was established that the intensity of the PL peaks depends on two factors: the symmetry of MoO4 units and the crystallite sizes.
Numerical Study on Aerodynamic and Noise Responses of Rotor with Ramp Increase in Collective Pitch Based on Time-Accurate Free-Wake Method
Authors: Hu Zhiyuan , Xia Runze , Shi Yongjie , Xu Guohua
Published: November 2023

Research on helicopter transient maneuvering flight noise is a hotspot and challenging topic in the fields of helicopter design and application. A new time-accurate free-wake (TAFW) method and the Fowcs Williams-Hawkings (FW–H) equations are applied to analyze the aerodynamic and noise responses of a rotor subjected to a ramp increase in collective pitch, in hover, and in forward flight. First, a TAFW algorithm suitable for rotor aerodynamic simulation in steady-state flight and transient maneuvers is developed using modified third-order upwind backward differentiation formulas. Then, to verify the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed method, various parameters are calculated for two scenarios and compared with corresponding results from experiments by the University of Maryland: the Langley 2MRTS rotor and the NACA rotor with ramp increases in collective pitch. Finally, the influence of collective pitch increase rate, the total increase of collective pitch, and the start and stop azimuth of ramp increase on the aerodynamic and loading noise responses of the rotor are analyzed in hover and forward flight conditions. The results show the ramp increase in collective pitch will affect the loading noise in three timescales: short-term, medium-term, and long-term. The change of the loading noise is greater when the collective pitch increase rate is greater, and the start and stop azimuth angles of the ramp increase are also important factors affecting the aerodynamic load distribution and directionality of the noise.
Analytical Modelling of the Slot Opening Function
Authors: Di Gerlando Antonino , Ricca Claudio
Published: November 2023

The slot opening function, also called relative air gap permeance, is a function which, multiplied by the flux density distribution of a slotless geometry, gives the flux density distribution of a slotted configuration. Here, the magnetic field inside the air gap of a multi-slot surface facing a smooth one was studied, by solving the Laplace equation inside the air gap, in terms of a Fourier series. To obtain the Fourier coefficients, at first, the conformal mapping analytical solution of a single-slot configuration along the smooth surface, was considered. Then, the principle of superposition of the single-slot lost flux density distributions was applied to obtain the multi-slot distribution. The approach is valid in general, and in the case of interference among the flux density distributions of adjacent slots, where their mutual effect cannot be neglected. The field distributions obtained by using the proposed slot opening functions were compared with FEM simulations, showing satisfactory agreement. The numerical accuracy limits were also analysed and discussed.
A Systematic Approach to Delay Functions
Authors: Angstmann Christopher N. , Burney Stuart-James M. , Henry Bruce I. , Jacobs Byron A. , Xu Zhuang
Published: November 2023

We present a systematic introduction to a class of functions that provide fundamental solutions for autonomous linear integer-order and fractional-order delay differential equations. These functions, referred to as delay functions, are defined through power series or fractional power series, with delays incorporated into their series representations. Using this approach, we have defined delay exponential functions, delay trigonometric functions and delay fractional Mittag-Leffler functions, among others. We obtained Laplace transforms of the delay functions and demonstrated how they can be employed in finding solutions to delay differential equations. Our results, which extend and unify previous work, offer a consistent framework for defining and using delay functions.
A Two-Dimensional Variant of Newton’s Method and a Three-Point Hermite Interpolation: Fourth- and Eighth-Order Optimal Iterative Schemes
Authors: Liu Chein-Shan , El-Zahar Essam R. , Chang Chih-Wen
Published: November 2023

A nonlinear equation f(x)=0 is mathematically transformed to a coupled system of quasi-linear equations in the two-dimensional space. Then, a linearized approximation renders a fractional iterative scheme xn+1=xn−f(xn)/[a+bf(xn)], which requires one evaluation of the given function per iteration. A local convergence analysis is adopted to determine the optimal values of a and b. Moreover, upon combining the fractional iterative scheme to the generalized quadrature methods, the fourth-order optimal iterative schemes are derived. The finite differences based on three data are used to estimate the optimal values of a and b. We recast the Newton iterative method to two types of derivative-free iterative schemes by using the finite difference technique. A three-point generalized Hermite interpolation technique is developed, which includes the weight functions with certain constraints. Inserting the derived interpolation formulas into the triple Newton method, the eighth-order optimal iterative schemes are constructed, of which four evaluations of functions per iteration are required.
Seismo-VLAB: An Open-Source Software for Soil–Structure Interaction Analyses
Authors: Kusanovic Danilo S. , Seylabi Elnaz E. , Ayoubi Peyman , Nguyen Kien T. , Garcia-Suarez Joaquin , Kottke Albert R. , Asimaki Domniki
Published: November 2023

In the fields of structural and geotechnical engineering, improving the understanding of soil–structure interaction (SSI) effects is critical for earthquake-resistant design. Engineers and practitioners often resort to finite element (FE) software to advance this objective. Unfortunately, the availability of software equipped with boundary representation for absorbing scattered waves and ensuring consistent input ground motion prescriptions, which is necessary for accurately representing SSI effects, is currently limited. To address such limitations, the authors developed Seismo-VLAB (SVL v1.0-stable) an open-source software designed to perform SSI simulations. The methodology considers the integration of advanced techniques, including the domain decomposition method (DDM), perfectly matched layers (PMLs), and domain reduction method (DRM), in addition to parallel computing capabilities to accelerate the solution of large-scale problems. In this work, the authors provide a detailed description of the implementation for addressing SSI modeling, validate some of the SVL’s features needed for such purpose, and demonstrate that the coupled DRM–PML technique is a necessary condition for accurately solving SSI problems. It is expected that SVL provides a significant contribution to the SSI research community, offering a self-contained and versatile alternative. The software’s practical application in analyzing SSI and directionality effects on 3D structures under seismic loading demonstrates its capability to model real-world earthquake responses in structural engineering.
Stretch-Energy-Minimizing B-Spline Interpolation Curves and Their Applications
Authors: Ni Qian , Xie Chen
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we propose a new method to construct energy-minimizing cubic B-spline interpolation curves by minimizing the approximated stretch energy. The construction of a B-spline interpolation curve with a minimal approximated stretch energy can be addressed by solving a sparse linear system. The proof of both the existence and uniqueness of the solution for the linear system is provided. In addition, we analyze the computational cost of cubic B-spline curves with an approximated stretch energy, which is close to that of the ordinary interpolation method with cubic B-splines without the requirement of stretch energy.
A Resource Allocation Scheme for Packet Delay Minimization in Multi-Tier Cellular-Based IoT Networks
Authors: Li Jin , Guan Wenyang , Tang Zuoyin
Published: November 2023

With advances in Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, billions of devices are becoming connected, which can result in the unprecedented sensing and control of the physical environments. IoT devices have diverse quality of service (QoS) requirements, including data rate, latency, reliability, and energy consumption. Meeting the diverse QoS requirements presents great challenges to existing fifth-generation (5G) cellular networks, especially in unprecedented scenarios in 5G networks, such as connected vehicle networks, where strict data packet latency may be required. The IoT devices with these scenarios have higher requirements on the packet latency in networking, which is essential to the utilization of 5G networks. In this paper, we propose a multi-tier cellular-based IoT network to address this challenge, with a particular focus on meeting application latency requirements. In the multi-tier network, access points (APs) can relay and forward packets from IoT devices or other APs, which can support higher data rates with multi-hops between IoT devices and cellular base stations. However, as multiple-hop relaying may cause additional delay, which is crucial to delay-sensitive applications, we develop new schemes to mitigate the adverse impact. Firstly, we design a traffic-prioritization scheduling scheme to classify packets with different priorities in each AP based on the age of information (AoI). Then, we design different channel-access protocols for the transmission of packets according to their priorities to ensure the QoS in networking and the effective utilization of the limited network resources. A queuing-theory-based theoretical model is proposed to analyze the packet delay for each type of packet at each tier of the multi-tier IoT networks. An optimal algorithm for the distribution of spectrum and power resources is developed to reduce the overall packet delay in a multi-tier way. The numerical results achieved in a two-tier cellular-based IoT network show that the target packet delay for delay-sensitive applications can be achieved without a large cost in terms of traffic fairness.
A Finite-Dimensional Integrable System Related to the Kadometsev–Petviashvili Equation
Authors: Liu Wei , Liu Yafeng , Wei Junxuan , Yuan Shujuan
Published: November 2023

In this paper, the Kadometsev–Petviashvili equation and the Bargmann system are obtained from a second-order operator spectral problem Lφ=(∂2−v∂−λu)φ=λφx. By means of the Euler–Lagrange equations, a suitable Jacobi–Ostrogradsky coordinate system is established. Using Cao’s method and the associated Bargmann constraint, the Lax pairs of the differential equations are nonlinearized. Then, a new kind of finite-dimensional Hamilton system is generated. Moreover, involutive representations of the solutions of the Kadometsev–Petviashvili equation are derived.
Mathematical Models for Forecasting Unstable Economic Processes in the Eurozone
Authors: Akaev Askar , Zvyagintsev Alexander , Devezas Tessaleno , Sarygulov Askar , Tick Andrea
Published: November 2023

In an unstable economic climate, all market participants want to know is when is the timing to overcome a recession, and what measures and means to use for economic recovery. In this regard, the process through which the Eurozone economy has gained momentum since the summer of 2022 has been a volatile one. This was reflected in a sharp rise in the price level, followed by a sharp rise in the ECB interest rates. The purpose of this paper is to provide short-term forecasts of the main parameters of monetary and fiscal policy by the euro area monetary authorities, based on a model developed by the authors. The distinctive feature of the presented and proposed model lies in the particularly careful selection of the parameter values based on actual statistical data. The statistics used for the proposed model cover the period from 2015 to December 2022. The simulation results show that the European Central Bank (ECB) needs to maintain a policy of high interest rates for a period of 12 to 14 months, which will help to bring inflation down to 2–3 percent in the future and move to a stage and phase of sustainable economic growth.
Electrotransport Properties of Perfluorinated Cation-Exchange Membranes of Various Thickness
Authors: Falina Irina , Loza Natalia , Brovkina Marina , Titskaya Ekaterina , Timofeev Sergey , Kononenko Natalia
Published: November 2023

The present work discusses the influence of the thickness of MF-4SK perfluorinated sulfonic cation-exchange membranes on their electrotransport properties in hydrochloric acid solutions. It is found that diffusion permeability and conductivity are primarily determined with the specific water content of the membranes and increase with their increase. Analysis of the contribution of reverse diffusion through the membrane to the value of the limiting current shows that it can reach 20% for membranes with a thickness of 60 μm. A study of the characteristics of the fuel cell with perfluorinated membranes of different thicknesses shows that the membrane thickness affects both the ohmic resistance of the membrane-electrode assembly and the diffusion limitations of proton transport in polymer electrolytes.
Adsorptive Membranes Incorporating Ionic Liquids (ILs), Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) or Graphene Oxide (GO) for Metal Salts Extraction from Aqueous Feed
Authors: Qalyoubi Liyan , Zuburtikudis Ioannis , Abu Khalifeh Hadil , Nashef Enas
Published: November 2023

Water scarcity is a significant concern, particularly in arid regions, due to the rapid growth in population, industrialization, and climate change. Seawater desalination has emerged as a conventional and reliable solution for obtaining potable water. However, conventional membrane-based seawater desalination has drawbacks, such as high energy consumption resulting from a high-pressure requirement, as well as operational challenges like membrane fouling and high costs. To overcome these limitations, it is crucial to enhance the performance of membranes by increasing their efficiency, selectivity, and reducing energy consumption and footprint. Adsorptive membranes, which integrate adsorption and membrane technologies, offer a promising approach to address the drawbacks of standalone membranes. By incorporating specific materials into the membrane matrix, composite membranes have demonstrated improved permeability, selectivity, and reduced pressure requirements, all while maintaining effective pollutant rejection. Researchers have explored different adsorbents, including emerging materials such as ionic liquids (ILs), deep eutectic solvents (DESs), and graphene oxide (GO), for embedding into membranes and utilizing them in various applications. This paper aims to discuss the existing challenges in the desalination process and focus on how these materials can help overcome these challenges. It will also provide a comprehensive review of studies that have reported the successful incorporation of ILs, DESs, and GO into membranes to fabricate adsorptive membranes for desalination. Additionally, the paper will highlight both the current and anticipated challenges in this field, as well as present prospects, and provide recommendations for further advancements.
Review on the Application and Development of Biochar in Ironmaking Production
Authors: Wang Shijie , Chai Yifan , Wang Yici , Luo Guoping , An Shengli
Published: November 2023

In recent years, the concept of green, low-carbon and clean energy consumption has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and countries have actively advocated the use of new energy. In the face of problems such as resource shortage and environmental pollution, we began to explore the use of new fuels instead of coal for production. Biomass resources have the characteristics of being renewable and carbon neutral and having large output. As an energy utilization, it is helpful to promote the transformation of the energy structure in various countries. Applying it to ironmaking production is not only conducive to energy conservation and emission reduction in the ironmaking process but also can achieve efficient utilization of crop waste. By introducing the source and main preparation methods of biochar, this paper expounds the main links and advantages of biochar in the ironmaking process and puts forward the direction of biochar in ironmaking in the future.
Secondary Metabolites from the Nematode-Trapping Fungus Dactylellina haptotyla YMF1.03409
Authors: Lei Hongmei , Zhang Guangke , Zhao Peiji , Li Guohong
Published: November 2023

As a representative nematode-trapping fungus, Dactylellina haptotyla can capture and kill nematodes by producing traps, known as adhesive knobs. In this paper, the strain of D. haptotyla YMF1.03409 was studied by means of medium screening, fermentation, and purification and identification of crude extracts. Eighteen compounds were obtained from D. haptotyla YMF1.03409, including two new metabolites, nosporins C (1) and D (2). The known metabolites were identified to be 3-chloro-4-methoxybenzaldehyde (3), 3-chloro-4-methoxybenzoic acid (4), 2-chloro-1-methoxy-4-(methoxymethyl)benzene (5), 3-hydroxy-3-methyloxindole (6), nicotinic acid (7), succinic acid (8), 3,4-dihydroxybutanoic acid (9), 5′-O-methyladenosine (10), uridine (11), 2′-deoxyuridine (12), thymidine (13), 3-(phenylmethyl)-2,5-morpholinedione (14), methyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (15), 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid bis(2-methyl heptyl) ester (16), β-sitosterol (17), and 3β,6α-diol-stigmastane (18). The bioactive assay showed that these compounds had no obvious nematicidal activity against the nematodes Meloidogyne incognita and Panagrellus redivivus.
Improvement of the Genome Editing Tools Based on 5FC/5FU Counter Selection in Clostridium acetobutylicum
Authors: Boudignon Eglantine , Foulquier Céline , Soucaille Philippe
Published: November 2023

Several genetic tools have been developed for genome engineering in Clostridium acetobutylicum utilizing 5-fluorouracil (5FU) or 5-fluorocytosine (5FC) resistance as a selection method. In our group, a method based on the integration, by single crossing over, of a suicide plasmid (pCat-upp) followed by selection for the second crossing over using a counter-selectable marker (the upp gene and 5FU resistance) was recently developed for genome editing in C. acetobutylicum. This method allows genome modification without leaving any marker or scar in a strain of C. acetobutylicum that is ∆upp. Unfortunately, 5FU has strong mutagenic properties, inducing mutations in the strain’s genome. After numerous applications of the pCat-upp/5FU system for genome modification in C. acetobutylicum, the CAB1060 mutant strain became entirely resistant to 5FU in the presence of the upp gene, resulting in failure when selecting on 5FU for the second crossing over. It was found that the potential repressor of the pyrimidine operon, PyrR, was mutated at position A115, leading to the 5FU resistance of the strain. To fix this problem, we created a corrective replicative plasmid expressing the pyrR gene, which was shown to restore the 5FU sensitivity of the strain. Furthermore, in order to avoid the occurrence of the problem observed with the CAB1060 strain, a preventive suicide plasmid, pCat-upp-pyrR*, was also developed, featuring the introduction of a synthetic codon-optimized pyrR gene, which was referred to as pyrR* with low nucleotide sequence homology to pyrR. Finally, to minimize the mutagenic effect of 5FU, we also improved the pCat-upp/5FU system by reducing the concentration of 5FU from 1 mM to 5 µM using a defined synthetic medium. The optimized system/conditions were used to successfully replace the ldh gene by the sadh-hydG operon to convert acetone into isopropanol.
Unusual Oligomeric Laccase-like Oxidases from Ascomycete Curvularia geniculata VKM F-3561 Polymerizing Phenylpropanoids and Phenolic Compounds under Neutral Environmental Conditions
Authors: Renfeld Zhanna V. , Chernykh Alexey M. , Baskunov Boris P. , Gaidina Anastasya S. , Myasoedova Nina M. , Egorova Anna D. , Moiseeva Olga V. , Gorina Sophya Yu , Kolomytseva Marina P.
Published: November 2023

The unique oligomeric alkaliphilic laccase-like oxidases of the ascomycete C. geniculata VKM F-3561 (with molecular masses about 1035 and 870 kDa) were purified and characterized for the first time. The ability of the enzymes to oxidize phenylpropanoids and phenolic compounds under neutral environmental conditions with the formation of previously unknown di-, tri-, and tetrameric products of transformation was shown. The possibility to obtain industrially valuable compounds (dihydroxybenzyl alcohol and hydroxytyrosol) from caffeic acid using laccase-like oxidases of C. geniculata VKM F-3561 has been shown. Complete nucleotide sequence of the laccase gene, which is expressed at the peak of alkaliphilic laccase activity of the fungus, and its promoter region were determined. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequence, the nearest relationship of the isolated laccase gene with similar genes of fungi of the genera Alternaria, Bipolaris, and Cochliobolus was shown. Homologous model of the laccase structure was predicted and a proton channel was found, which was presumably responsible for the accumulation and transport of protons to T2/T3-copper center in the alkaliphilic laccase molecule and providing the functional activity of the enzyme in the neutral alkaline environment conditions.
Optimal Papanicolaou Smear Conditions for Manual Microdissection of Single Target Cells
Authors: Okayama Kaori , Kakinuma Mao , Tajima Saki , Nagasawa Norika , Ishii Yasuyoshi , Oda Mizue , Kimura Hirokazu , Okodo Mitsuaki
Published: November 2023

This study aimed to investigate the optimal conditions for Papanicolaou (Pap) smear to increase the success rate of target cell isolation through manual microdissection (MMD) and prevent cell spread. Pap smears were prepared using an HPV42-positive SurePath™ liquid-based cytology case, and 46 and 50 koilocytes were used in wet and dried Pap smears, respectively, to verify the success rate of target cell isolation using MMD based on the HPV detection rate. During MMD, the microscopic examination of both specimens revealed that cells in dried smears could be easily identified; however, cell debris remained in the surrounding area after MMD. Although it was difficult to observe cells in wet smears, there was no cell debris. When the needle tip was immersed in DNA lysate after cell isolation through MMD, a difference in cell solubility was found between dry and wet smears. HPV42 was detected in 94.7% and 97.4% of dried and wet Pap smears, respectively, via polymerase chain reaction genotyping using lysed cell solution; the detection rates were not significantly different. The isolation of target cells from wet Pap smears using MMD reduced the risk of contamination and increased the success rate of HPV detection. This study might facilitate the identification of new CIN-derived HPV-infected cells using MMD with wet Pap smears.