bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data Preprocessing for Vibration Analysis: Application in Indirect Monitoring of ‘Ship Centrifuge Lube Oil Separation Systems’
Authors: Zamorano Marta , Avila Deivis , Marichal Graciliano Nicolás , Castejon Cristina
Published: August 2022

Air quality can be affected by merchant ships, so it is important to regulate emissions that are produced, as well as to use energy efficiently. In this sense, the cleanliness of the oil used in lubrication is essential to achieve a better use of energy and reduce losses in marine engines. For that, it is vital to carry out good maintenance strategies. Therefore, it is important to develop techniques that allow condition monitoring during engine operation. In order to detect potential problems as soon as possible, it is common to analyze vibratory signals, since sustainable changes in the rotating frequency and its harmonics can be detected, which was the objective of this work, by analyzing the time-frequency domain using wavelet packet transform. A methodology to select the optimal function (mother wavelet) and the best patterns to monitor, in order to determine the state of the purifiers of the marine lube oils, was carried out, including intelligent classification systems. Specifically, this document considers centrifugal oil lubricant separators systems, since the monitoring of these systems can determine the condition of different mechanical systems.
Numerical Simulation of an Air-Bubble System for Ice Resistance Reduction
Authors: Ni Bao-Yu , Wei Hongyu , Li Zhiyuan , Fang Bin , Xue Yanzhuo
Published: August 2022

Ships sailing through cold regions frequently encounter floe ice fields. An air-bubble system that reduces friction between the hull and ice floes is thus considered useful for the reduction of ice-induced resistance. In this study, a numerical analysis procedure based on coupled finite volume method (FVM) and discrete element method (DEM) is proposed to simulate complicated hull-water-gas-ice interactions for ice-going ships installed with air-bubble systems. The simulations reveal that after turning on the air-bubble system ice floes in contact with the hull side wall are pushed away from the hull by the gas-water mixture, resulting in an ice-free zone close to the side hull. It is found that the drag reduction rate increases with the increase of ventilation, while the bow ventilation plays a deciding role in the overall ice-resistance reduction. The proposed procedure is expected to facilitate design of new generations of ice-going ships.
Lifecycle Environmental Benefits with a Hybrid Electric Propulsion System Using a Control Algorithm for Fishing Boats in Korea
Authors: Kim Seongwan , Jeon Hyeonmin , Park Chybyung , Kim Jongsu
Published: August 2022

In Korea, fishing boats account for 65,452 out of 71,174 coastal ships, and aging ships are a leading cause of environmental problems and economic loss. To solve this problem, the government has enacted a policy to promote the development and distribution of environmental vessels. Electric propulsion systems and hybrid systems are suggested as alternatives. However, to study whether this hybrid system is environmentally friendly, a system for measuring the performance of conventional diesel-powered ships was developed and measured. A case study applying the battery hybrid system was analyzed through a Matlab/Simulink simulation, and the effect of reducing the carbon dioxide emissions by 7.6% was verified. In addition, comparing with a case where the load-sharing optimal control was introduced, we proved that the carbon dioxide reduction with the controller was 10.7%. By applying the results of this study to various countries with different fuel production processes through the LCA technique, it was confirmed that the battery hybrid system is eco-friendly from the energy production stage, rather than unconditionally, according to the national power production method. Additional research is needed to reflect the aging trend of the entire fleet and to create a detailed category classification through future research.
Hydroelastic Response to Oblique Wave Incidence on a Floating Plate with a Submerged Perforated Base
Authors: Mohapatra Sarat Chandra , Soares C. Guedes
Published: August 2022

A hydroelastic model is developed of a floating flexible structure in the presence of a submerged perforated base connected with mooring lines under oblique wave action. Using the velocity decomposition method, the analytical solution of the referred model is obtained in finite water depth. The convergence of the analytical solution for different oblique wave incidences is examined, and the present results of deflection amplitude are compared with experimental datasets and the numerical results available in the literature. The effects of oblique wave incidence, along with various design parameters on the reflection, transmission, and dissipation coefficients, as well as structural displacements, are analysed through hydroelastic analysis. Further, the effect of oblique incidence angle on the free oscillation hydroelastic waves in two wave modes is investigated by deriving the free motion velocity potential in a wave basin.
Fatal Lodderomyces elongisporus Fungemia in a Premature, Extremely Low-Birth-Weight Neonate
Authors: Asadzadeh Mohammad , Al-Sweih Noura , Ahmad Suhail , Khan Seema , Alfouzan Wadha , Joseph Leena
Published: August 2022

Many rare yeasts are emerging as pathogens, causing invasive infections in susceptible hosts that are associated with poor clinical outcome. Here, we describe the first and fatal case of Lodderomyces elongisporus fungemia in a premature, extremely low-birth-weight neonate after spontaneous vaginal delivery. The bloodstream isolate was identified as C. parapsilosis by the VITEK 2 yeast identification system and as L. elongisporus by PCR-sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA. Antifungal susceptibility testing data for the isolate, performed by the broth microdilution-based MICRONAUT-AM assay, showed susceptibility to all nine antifungal drugs tested. Despite the initiation of treatment with liposomal amphotericin B, the patient died on the same day that the blood culture yielded yeast growth. This is the first report of L. elongisporus bloodstream infection in a neonate as the previous nine cases reported in the literature occurred in adult patients. The crude mortality rate for invasive L. elongisporus infection is 50%, as only 5 of 10 patients survived.
Fungal Species from Rhododendron sp.: Discosia rhododendricola sp.nov, Neopestalotiopsis rhododendricola sp.nov and Diaporthe nobilis as a New Host Record.
Authors: Chaiwan Napalai , Jeewon Rajesh , Pem Dhandevi , Jayawardena Ruvishika Shehali , Nazurally Nadeem , Mapook Ausana , Promputtha Itthayakorn , Hyde Kevin D.
Published: August 2022

In the present study, we report two new asexual fungal species (i.e., Discosia rhododendricola, Neopestalotiopsis rhododendricola (Sporocadaceae) and a new host for a previously described species (i.e., Diaporthe nobilis; Diaporthaceae). All species were isolated from Rhododendron spp. in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China. All taxa are described based on morphology, and phylogenetic relationships were inferred using a multigenic approach (LSU, ITS, RPB2, TEF1 and TUB2). The phylogenetic analyses indicated that D. rhododendronicola sp. nov. is phylogenetically related to D. muscicola, and N. rhododendricola sp. nov is related to N. sonnaratae. Diaporthe nobilis is reported herein as a new host record from Rhododendron sp. for China, and its phylogeny is depicted based on ITS, TEF1 and TUB2 sequence data.
Azole Resistance and cyp51A Mutation of Aspergillus fumigatus in a Tertiary Referral Hospital in Taiwan
Authors: Hsu Tsun-Hao , Huang Po-Yen , Fan Yun-Chen , Sun Pei-Lun
Published: August 2022

Azole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus has increasingly been reported worldwide. Its major mechanism of resistance is mediated by mutations in cyp51A. The objective of this study was to test the antifungal susceptibilities of A. fumigatus isolates from Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (CGMH), the largest tertiary referral hospital in Taiwan, and to investigate cyp51A mutations in azole-resistant strains. A. fumigatus isolates preserved in the Research Laboratory of Medical Mycology of CGMH from 2015 to 2021 were used. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed using the YeastOneTM method. Isolates with high minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against antifungals were further tested using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) broth microdilution method. Mutations in the cyp51A in azole-resistant strains were detected by Sanger sequencing. The overall prevalence of azole-resistant isolates was 1.77% (two out of 113 isolates). The two azole-resistant strains had tandem repeats (TR) in the promoter region and mutations in the cyp51A gene (TR34/L98H and TR34/L98H/S297T/F495I). One strain showed intermediate susceptibility to voriconazole, and its Cyp51A protein had five amino acid substitutions (F46Y/M172V/N248T/D255E/E427K). TR34/L98H and TR34/L98H/S297T/F495I are the most prevalent cyp51A mutations in Taiwan, mediating azole resistance based on current publications and our results. YeastOneTM was validated as a rapid tool for the antifungal susceptibility test; however, further confirmation by CLSI should be considered when MIC values of voriconazole, posaconazole, and amphotericin B are close to the clinical breakpoints or ecological cutoff values.
Antifungal Activity of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles against Root Rot Disease in Cucumber
Authors: Kamel Said M. , Elgobashy Samah F. , Omara Reda I. , Derbalah Aly S. , Abdelfatah Mahmoud , El-Shaer Abdelhamed , Al-Askar Abdulaziz A. , Abdelkhalek Ahmed , Abd-Elsalam Kamel A. , Essa Tarek , Kamran Muhammad , Elsharkawy Mohsen Mohamed
Published: August 2022

Metal oxide nanoparticles have recently garnered interest as potentially valuable substances for the management of plant diseases. Copper oxide nanoparticles (Cu2ONPs) were chemically fabricated to control root rot disease in cucumbers. A scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence (PL) were employed to characterize the produced nanoparticles. Moreover, the direct antifungal activity of Cu2ONPs against Fusarium solani under laboratory, greenhouse, and field conditions were also evaluated. In addition, the induction of host-plant resistance by Cu2ONPs was confirmed by the results of enzyme activities (catalase, peroxidase, and polyphenoloxidase) and gene expression (PR-1 and LOX-1). Finally, the effect of Cu2ONPs on the growth and productivity characteristics of the treated cucumber plants was investigated. The average particle size from all the peaks was found to be around 25.54 and 25.83 nm for 0.30 and 0.35 Cu2O, respectively. Under laboratory conditions, the study found that Cu2ONPs had a greater inhibitory effect on the growth of Fusarium solani than the untreated control. Cu2ONP treatment considerably reduced the disease incidence of the root rot pathogen in cucumber plants in both greenhouse and field environments. Defense enzyme activity and defense genes (PR1 and LOX1) transcription levels were higher in cucumber plants treated with Cu2ONPs and fungicide than in the untreated control. SEM analysis revealed irregularities, changes, twisting, and plasmolysis in the mycelia, as well as spore shrinking and collapsing in F. solani treated with Cu2ONPs, compared to the untreated control. The anatomical analysis revealed that cucumber plants treated with Cu2ONPs had thicker cell walls, root cortex, and mesophyll tissue (MT) than untreated plants. Cucumber growth and yield characteristics were greatly improved after treatment with Cu2ONPs and fungicide. To the best of our knowledge, employing Cu2ONPs to treat cucumber rot root disease is a novel strategy that has not yet been reported.
Polygenic Risk Score and Risk Factors for Gestational Diabetes
Authors: Perišić Marija Majda , Vladimir Klemo , Karpov Sarah , Štorga Mario , Mostashari Ali , Khanin Raya
Published: August 2022

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common complication of pregnancy that adversely affects maternal and offspring health. A variety of risk factors, such as BMI and age, have been associated with increased risks of gestational diabetes. However, in many cases, gestational diabetes occurs in healthy nulliparous women with no obvious risk factors. Emerging data suggest that the tendency to develop gestational diabetes has genetic and environmental components. Here we develop a polygenic risk score for GDM and investigate relationships between its genetic architecture and genetically constructed risk factors and biomarkers. Our results demonstrate that the polygenic risk score can be used as an early screening tool that identifies women at higher risk of GDM before its onset allowing comprehensive monitoring and preventative programs to mitigate the risks.
Reconstruction of Large Soft Tissue Defects in the Distal Lower Extremity: Free Chain-Linked Bilateral Anterolateral Thigh Perforator Flaps versus Extended Latissimus Dorsi Musculocutaneous Flaps
Authors: He Jiqiang , Guliyeva Gunel , Wu Panfeng , Qing Liming , Yu Fang , Tang Juyu
Published: August 2022

Background: Reconstruction of the large soft-tissue defects in the lower extremity still constitutes a challenge for plastic surgeons. This retrospective study was conducted to compare the surgical and clinical outcomes of the chain-linked bilateral anterolateral thigh perforator flaps and extended latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap in the reconstruction of the large soft tissue defects of the lower extremity. Methods: From January 2012 to December 2021, 34 patients aged between 20 and 66 years received chain-linked bilateral anterolateral thigh perforator flaps (15 cases) or extended latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flaps (19 cases) for the reconstruction of extensive soft-tissue defects in the lower extremity. The two groups were homogeneous in terms of age, etiology, comorbidities, and flap area. In addition, the intraoperative data, outcomes, complications, and long-term follow-up results were collected and analyzed. Results: The extended latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap group had a shorter operation time (271.8 ± 59.5 min vs. 429.6 ± 51.9 min), harvest time (58.9 ± 24.8 min vs. 152.7 ± 41.4 min), and anastomosis time (27.2 ± 10.4 min vs. 53.7 ± 8.1 min) than the chain-linked bilateral anterolateral thigh perforator flaps group (p < 0.05). Based on patient self-assessment, the donor site temporary muscle weakness in the extended latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap group was significantly more than that in the chain-linked bilateral anterolateral thigh perforator flaps group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Both methods can repair large defects and restore the function of the injured limbs at a single stage. However, considering the operation time and flap-harvesting time, the authors recommend the extended latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap, especially for those who cannot tolerate a prolonged surgery.
Breaking Cournot: The Effects of Capacity-Adjusting Technology
Authors: Arend Richard J.
Published: August 2022

The technological improvements modeled for Cournot competition have primarily focused on production cost reductions and scope effects. We consider a case where the technology improves the ability to affect the production capacity constraints instead. We find that although such technological progress entails public benefits in the form of greater consumer surplus and social welfare, it is likely to have limited and even sometimes harmful private effects (e.g., to firm profits). We formally model this technological improvement possibility through the relevant variants of oligopolies and rival technological asymmetries. We describe and discuss the strategic implications for managers and policy-makers considering investing and exploiting such capacity-adjusting technologies. We also flesh out the many core areas for future work to follow up on in our initial unique results.
High Resolution-Based Coherent Photonic Radar Sensor for Multiple Target Detections
Authors: Chaudhary Sushank , Sharma Abhishek , Khichar Sunita , Tang Xuan , Wei Xian , Wuttisittikulkij Lunchakorn
Published: August 2022

The last decade witnessed remarkable growth in the number of global road accidents. To minimize road accidents, transportation systems need to become more intelligent. Multiple detection of target vehicles under adverse weather conditions is one of the primary challenges of autonomous vehicles. Photonic radar sensors may become the promising technology to detect multiple targets to realize autonomous vehicles. In this work, high-speed photonic radar is designed to detect multiple targets by incorporating a cost-effective wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) scheme. Numerical simulations of the proposed WDM-based photonic radar is demonstrated in terms of received power and signal to noise (SNR) ratio. The performance of the proposed photonic radar is also investigated under diverse weather conditions, particularly low, medium, and thick fog. The proposed photonic radar demonstrated a significant range resolution of 7 cm when the target was placed at 80 m distance from the photonic radar sensor-equipped vehicle. In addition to this, traditional microwave radar is demonstrated to prove the effectiveness of the proposed photonic radar.
Comparative Analysis of Soil Quality Assessment and Its Perception by Rice Farmers
Authors: Mir Shakeel Ahmad , Naikoo Nasir Bashir , Wani Fehim Jeelani , Chesti M. H. , Khan Inayat , Dar Eajaz Ahmad , Divya Bodiga , Kumar Navaneet , Kaushik Prashant , El-Serehy Hamed A. , Mushtaq Muntazir
Published: August 2022

The present study was conducted in three villages of district Budgam in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, to find out how farmers differentiate the quality of soils and to determine the level of concurrence between farmers perception and scientific assessment of soil quality. Five fields in each village were selected and ranked on the basis of soil quality indices computed from the minimum data set of indicators, including plant available nutrients N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, OC, BD, WHC (water holding capacity), CEC (cation exchange capacity) as well as microbial count. The respondents ranked the same 5 selected fields on the bases of their experience and perceptions of soil quality. The study reveals that 58% of farmers ranked the best soils correctly whereas, the percentage of farmers who ranked 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th soils correctly was 40, 30, 40, and 45%, respectively. The study found that a greater number of farmers from the remotest village Dalwash were able to judge the soils properly, thereby indicating more profound knowledge and better cognitive abilities to understand soils in the local context. The results divulged by the current study highlight the remarkable local soil knowledge of the farmers and therefore, linking this knowledge system with scientific concepts would prove valuable for sustained land-use management.
Climate Change Effect on Water Use Efficiency under Selected Soil and Water Conservation Practices in the Ruzizi Catchment, Eastern D.R. Congo
Authors: Bagula Espoir M. , Majaliwa Jackson Gilbert M. , Mushagalusa Gustave N. , Basamba Twaha A. , Tumuhairwe John-Baptist , Mondo Jean-Gomez M. , Musinguzi Patrick , Mwimangire Cephas B. , Chuma Géant B. , Egeru Anthony , Tenywa Moses M.
Published: August 2022

Concerns have been raised on the effectiveness and sustainability of Soil and Water Conservation (SWC) practices as adaptation options to climate change and high intra– and inter–annual rainfall variabilities in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This study was conducted in the Ruzizi Plain, a dryland area, to assess the performance of maize (Zea mays L.) under two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP 4.5 and 8.5) and two SWC practices (tied ridges and conventional tillage). The AgMIP’s Regional Integrated Assessment (RIA) approach was used to simulate Water Use Efficiency (WUE) under the Cropping System Model–Crop Environment Resource Synthesis (CSM–CERES–Maize) of the Decision Support System for Agro–technology Transfer (DSSAT). The model was calibrated using experimental data from nine cropping seasons (2011–2018) and 100 farms. The model sensitivity was assessed as a function of temperature, water, and SWC practices for the same environments. Initial conditions of crop management practices were used as input data for CSM–CERES–Maize. Current climate data were extracted from AgMERRA datasets corrected with local data for the period of 1980 to 2021. Future climate projections (2022–2099) were obtained after down−scaling the data from the 29 General Circulation Models (GCMS) of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 5 (CMIP5) and subsetted to five GCMs based on climate regimes. GCMS results were a strong indicator that climate change in this DRC dryland will result in an increase in average annual temperatures for both RCP 4.5 and 8.5, with the highest increase (3.05 °C) under hot/dry conditions for RCP8.5 and the lowest (1.04 °C) under cool/dry conditions for RCP 4.5. All the models selected for five climate regimes for 2022–2099 showed no change in the rainfall trends for RCP 4.5 (p > 0.05). The models projected yield declines of 5–25%, with less yield losses under tied ridges as an adaptation practice. The use of efficient SWC practices could therefore be a promising strategy in reducing potential losses from climate change in drylands of eastern DRC.
Research on Digital Experience and Satisfaction Preference of Plant Community Design in Urban Green Space
Authors: Chen Xinyi , Wang Yuyang , Huang Tao , Lin Zhengsong
Published: August 2022

In the context of carbon neutrality, it is increasingly important to reduce carbon and increase sinks, and urban green spaces play an important role in carbon sinks. In this paper, we used virtual reality (VR) and photoplethysmographic (PPG) technology to evaluate subject satisfaction regarding urban green space plant community landscape scenes using physiological eye movement and heart rate variability (HRV) data and psychological data obtained according to positive and negative emotional adjectives (PANA). The results of the study showed the following. (1) The physiological data showed the highest visual interest in single-layer grassland. The compound layer of tree-shrub-grass composite woodland communities resulted in the strongest comfort level. (2) The psychological subjective satisfaction evaluation scores were, in descending order: tree-shrub-grass composite woodland (T-S-G) > single-layer grassland (G) > tree-grass composite woodland (T-G) > single-layer woodland (T). (3) The correlation between interest, comfort, and subjective satisfaction was significant, which verified the feasibility of the model of “interest + comfort + subjective evaluation = comprehensive satisfaction”. The results of the study provide theoretical guidance for landscape design based on human perception preferences in the context of carbon neutrality as well as for the implementation of sustainable landscapes to achieve a win–win situation in which carbon sequestration and oxygen release benefits and aesthetics can coexist. The combined physiological and psychological evaluation model can also be applied to other landscapes.
On the Exploration of Social Development during a Historical Period in the Eastern Tienshan Mountains via Archaeological and Geopolitical Perspectives
Authors: Cao Huihui , Wang Yongqiang , Qiu Menghan , Shi Zhilin , Dong Guanghui
Published: August 2022

Natural and social environment changes have played important roles in social evolution in different times and spaces. Geopolitical change, in particular, might play a decisive role in social evolution during historical periods. The eastern Tienshan Mountains was a transportation hub for communication between the East and the West, where the natural environment is fragile and the social environment has been complex during the historical period. However, geopolitical change and its impact on local social development remain unclear due to fragmented historical records and limited studies. This study investigates the spatiotemporal variations of military facilities in the Hami region, and compares historical documents and archaeological and paleoclimate records to discuss geopolitical changes and social evolution during the historical period in the eastern Tienshan Mountains. A total of 84 visible organic remains from 38 historic beacon towers and 8 dak sites in the Hami region of the eastern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, northwestern China, were collected and the radiocarbon (14C) dates of these ruins were systematically determined with accelerator mass spectrometry. The dating results show that these sites were mainly built during two major periods: ca. 600–900 cal AD and ca. 1600–1950 cal AD, which roughly correspond to the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD) and the Qing Dynasty (1636–1912 AD) in ancient China. Human settlement intensity was high during the Han, Tang, and Qing dynasties, and relatively low when the area was controlled by nomadic or local regimes. This suggests that agricultural empires and nomadic/local regimes adopted different strategies for regional management. Climate change might have affected geopolitical patterns, which, in turn, profoundly influenced human activities and social evolution in the eastern Tienshan Mountains over the last two millennia. This study systematically reveals the spatiotemporal variations of beacon towers and dak ruins in the region through a large number of reliable direct 14C dating, it reveals the remarkable differences in human activities in the eastern Tienshan Mountains under different administrations, and it explores the influence of geopolitics and climate change on social evolution in the eastern Tienshan Mountains from a multidisciplinary perspective.
‘Getting the Science Right’? Epistemic Framings of Global Soil and Land Degradation
Authors: De Donà Matteo
Published: August 2022

International environmental advisory bodies are tasked with the daunting challenge of collecting and synthesizing knowledge about a specific issue-area by speaking in one ‘global scientific voice’. However, the ‘type of knowledge’ issuing from these bodies can hardly meet the expectations of ‘getting the science right’, as scientific issues inevitably end up being framed in different ways. Although accounts of contestation between various knowledge claims are abundant in the literature focusing on international advisory bodies, the implications of these tensions for science–policy interplay remain poorly understood. In particular, analyses of and reflections on the relationship between knowledge outputs and particular institutional arrangements are underdeveloped. This paper attempts to address this gap, postulating a link between knowledge outcomes and institutional design. By introducing the concept of ‘epistemic framings’, it explores the different ways in which soil and land degradation issues are framed by scientific advisory bodies at the global level. The analysis, conducted through the Qualitative Content Analysis (QCA) method, suggests that international scientific advisory bodies may frame epistemic issues in ways that are influenced by the policy setting to which they are institutionally bound. Further research on the dynamics of science–policy interaction at the global level could test the assumptions made in this paper and shed light on the structural (including institutional design) and agential factors influencing advisory bodies’ epistemic framings.
Temperature Increase and Damage Extent at Retinal Pigment Epithelium Compared between Continuous Wave and Micropulse Laser Application
Authors: Miura Yoko , Inagaki Keiji , Hutfilz Alessa , Seifert Eric , Schmarbeck Benedikt , Murakami Akira , Ohkoshi Kishiko , Brinkmann Ralf
Published: August 2022

Continuous wave (CW) and microsecond pulse (MP) laser irradiations were compared regarding cell damage and laser-induced temperature rise at retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The RPE of porcine RPE-choroid-sclera explants was irradiated with a 577 nm laser in CW or MP mode (5% or 15% duty cycle (DC)) for 20 ms or 200 ms at an average laser power of 20–90 mW. Cell viability was investigated with calcein-AM staining. Optoacoustic (OA) technique was employed for temperature measurement during irradiation. For 200 ms irradiation, the dead cell area (DCA) increased linearly (≈1600 µm2/mW) up to the average power of 40 mW for all modes without significant difference. From 50 mW, the increase of DCA of MP-5% significantly dropped to 610 µm2/mW (p < 0.05), likely due to the detected microbubble formation. OA temperature measurement showed a monotonic temperature increase in CW mode and a stepwise increase in MP mode, but no significant difference in the average temperature increase at the same average power, consistent with the temperature modeling. In conclusion, there is no difference in the average temperature rise between CW and MP modes at the same average power regardless of DC. At lower DC, however, more caution is required regarding mechanical damage due to microbubble formation.
Evaluation of the Upper Arch Morphological Changes after Two Different Protocols of Expansion in Early Mixed Dentition: Rapid Maxillary Expansion and Invisalign® First System
Authors: Cretella Lombardo Elisabetta , Paoloni Valeria , Fanelli Silvia , Pavoni Chiara , Gazzani Francesca , Cozza Paola
Published: August 2022

Background: The objective of this retrospective study was to analyze the morphological changes of the upper arch after two protocols of expansion, the Invisalign® First system and rapid maxillary expansion (RME), in mixed dentition by means of geometric morphometric analysis (GMM). Methods: Digital dental casts of 32 children treated either with RME (RME group: 17 subjects; mean age 8.1 years) or the First system (First group: subjects; mean age 8.4 years) were collected. For both the RG and FG, pre-(T1) and post-treatment(T2) digital models were created. A total of 14 landmarks were digitized and GMM was applied. Procrustes analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were performed. Results: The PC1 resulting from the T2–T1 comparison in the RG g showed statistically significant morphological changes in the posterior region of the upper arch shape, without significant variations in the anterior region. The comparison of the T2–T1 changes in the FG showed an increase in the transverse dimension at the level of the canine and the first deciduous molar widths, with morphological variation in the anterior region due to frontal teeth alignment. Conclusions: The First system induced shape modifications of the upper arch during expansion in contrast to RME. The FG presented an improvement in the maxillary arch shape, while the RG maintained the initial triangular shape.
Folic Acid Reinforces Maize Tolerance to Sodic-Alkaline Stress through Modulation of Growth, Biochemical and Molecular Mechanisms
Authors: Aljuaid Bandar S. , Mukherjee Soumya , Sayed Amany N. , El-Gabry Yasser Abd El-Gawad , Omar Mohamed M. A. , Mahmoud Samy F. , Alsubeie Moodi Saham , Darwish Doaa Bahaa Eldin , Al-Qahtani Salem Mesfir , Al-Harbi Nadi Awad , Alzuaibr Fahad Mohammed , Basahi Mohammed A. , Hamada Maha M. A.
Published: August 2022

The mechanism by which folic acid (FA) or its derivatives (folates) mediates plant tolerance to sodic-alkaline stress has not been clarified in previous literature. To apply sodic-alkaline stress, maize seedlings were irrigated with 50 mM of a combined solution (1:1) of sodic-alkaline salts (NaHCO3 and Na2CO3; pH 9.7). Maize seedlings under stressed and non-stressed conditions were sprayed with folic acid (FA) at 0 (distilled water as control), 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 mM. Under sodic-alkaline stress, FA applied at 0.2 mM significantly improved shoot fresh weight (95%), chlorophyll (Chl a (41%), Chl b (57%), and total Chl (42%)), and carotenoids (27%) compared to the untreated plants, while root fresh weight was not affected compared to the untreated plants. This improvement was associated with a significant enhancement in the cell-membrane stability index (CMSI), relative water content (RWC), free amino acids (FAA), proline, soluble sugars, K, and Ca. In contrast, Na, Na/K ratio, H2O2, malondialdehyde (MDA), and methylglycoxal (MG) were significantly decreased. Moreover, seedlings treated with FA demonstrated significantly higher activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) compared to the untreated plants. The molecular studies using RT-qPCR demonstrated that FA treatments, specifically at 0.2 mM, enhanced the K+/Na+ selectivity and the performance of photosynthesis under alkaline-stress conditions. These responses were observed through up-regulation of the expression of the high-affinity potassium-transporter protein (ZmHKT1), the major core protein of photosystem II (D2-Protein), and the activity of the first enzyme of carbon fixation cycle in C4 plants (PEP-case) by 74, 248, and 225% over the untreated plants, respectively. Conversely, there was a significant down-regulation in the expression ZmSOS1 and ZmNHX1 by 48.2 and 27.8%, respectively, compared to the untreated plants.
Preterm Labor and Preterm-PROM at a Lower Gestational Age Are Associated with a Longer Latency-to-Delivery Even in Patients with the Same Intensity of Intra-Amniotic Inflammation: “Carroll-Model” Revisited
Authors: Sohn Jeong-Won , Choi Eun-Saem , Park Chan-Wook , Moon Kyung-Chul , Park Joong-Shin , Jun Jong-Kwan
Published: August 2022

A previous study by Carroll et al. demonstrated that the time from preterm-PROM to delivery was longer at a lower gestational age (GA) when the membranes rupture, although the presence or absence of intra-amniotic inflammation (IAI) was not examined in that study. However, patients with either preterm labor (PTL) or preterm-PROM at a lower GA had more frequent IAI, which was associated with a shorter amniocentesis-to-delivery (ATD) interval as compared with inflammation-free amniotic fluid (AF). Up to now, there is no information about whether PTL and preterm-PROM at a lower GA are associated with a shorter or longer latency to delivery in cases with the same intensity of IAI. The objective of the study is to examine this issue. AF MMP-8 was measured in 476 singleton early preterm-gestations (21.5 < GA at amniocentesis < 34 wks) with PTL (n = 253) and preterm-PROM (n = 223). Patients were divided into three groups according to GA at amniocentesis (i.e., group-1: <26 wks; group-2: 26–30 wks; group-3: 30–34 wks). IAI was defined as an elevated AF MMP-8 (≥23 ng/mL), and IAI was classified into either mild IAI (AF MMP-8: 23–350 ng/mL) or severe IAI (AF MMP-8 ≥ 350 ng/mL). ATD interval was examined according to GA at amniocentesis in the context of the same intensity of IAI (i.e., inflammation-free AF, mild IAI, and severe IAI) among pregnant women with either PTL or preterm-PROM. IAI was more frequent at a lower GA in cases with PTL (group-1 vs. group-2 vs. group-3; 59.5% vs. 47.4% vs. 25.1%; X2test, p = 0.000034 and linear by linear association [LBLA], p = 0.000008) and in those with preterm-PROM (group-1 vs. group-2 vs. group-3; 69.2% vs. 50.0% vs. 32.0%; X2test, p = 0.000104, and LBLA, p = 0.000019). Of note, cases without IAI at a lower GA had a longer ATD interval in both PTL (Spearman’s rank correlation test, γ = −0.360, p = 0.000003) and preterm-PROM (γ = −0.570, p = 0.000001) groups. Moreover, the lower the GA, the longer the ATD interval, even among patients with mild and severe IAI in both PTL (Spearman’s rank correlation test; mild IAI, γ = −0.290, p = 0.039; severe IAI, γ = −0.299, p = 0.048) and preterm-PROM (mild IAI, γ = −0.565, p = 0.000013; severe IAI, γ = −0.363, p = 0.015) groups. In conclusion, PTL and preterm-PROM at a lower GA are associated with a longer latency to delivery, even in patients with the same intensity of IAI. This finding suggests that a more intense IAI may be needed for spontaneous preterm birth at a lower GA.
Structural Design and Synthesis of Novel Cyclic Peptide Inhibitors Targeting Mycobacterium tuberculosis Transcription
Authors: Stephanie Filia , Saragih Mutiara , Tambunan Usman Sumo Friend , Siahaan Teruna J.
Published: August 2022

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases in the world. Although several established antitubercular drugs have been found, various factors obstruct efforts to combat this disease due to the existence of drug-resistance (DR) TB strains, the need for lengthy treatment, and the occurrence of side effects from drug–drug interactions. Rifampicin (RIF) is the first line of antitubercular drugs and targets RNA polymerase (RNAP) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). Here, RIF blocks the synthesis of long RNA during transcription initiation. The efficacy of RIF is low in DR-TB strains, and the use of RIF leads to various side effects. In this study, novel cyclic peptides were computationally designed as inhibitors of MTB transcription initiation. The designed cyclic peptides were subjected to a virtual screening to generate compounds that can bind to the RIF binding site in MTB RNAP subunit β (RpoB) for obtaining a new potential TB drug with a safe clinical profile. The molecular simulations showed that the cyclic peptides were capable of binding with RpoB mutants, suggesting that they can be possibility utilized for treating DR-TB. Structural modifications were carried out by acetylation and amidation of the N- and C-terminus, respectively, to improve their plasma stability and bioavailability. The modified linear and cyclic peptides were successfully synthesized with a solid-phase peptide synthesis method using Fmoc chemistry, and they were characterized by analytical HPLC, LC-ESI-MS+, and 1H NMR.
Metallographic Study and Sliding Wear Optimization of Nano Si3N4 Reinforced High-Strength Al Metal Matrix Composites
Authors: Kumar Ashish , Rana Ravindra Singh , Purohit Rajesh , Saxena Kuldeep K. , Xu Jinyang , Malik Vinayak
Published: August 2022

The strongest among the all-aluminum alloy series is 7xxx due to its unique composition of alloying elements, making it perfect for automotive and aerospace applications. The present research included manufacturing of Si3N4 reinforced aluminum alloy (AA) 7068 nanocomposites via stir casting combined with ultrasonication, followed by a bottom pouring technique. The Si3N4 reinforcement has been conducted in different fractions (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2%) by weight. The microstructure characterization of prepared composites was conducted using FESEM, EDS, and elemental mapping. The microstructure of the AA7068 matrix was significantly refined after incorporating Si3N4 nanoparticles. The hardness of alloy increased with reinforcement addition and maximized at 1.5 wt.% due to the combined effect of hard Si3N4, difference in thermal co-efficient, Hall-Petch, and Orowan strengthening mechanism. The wear resistance significantly increased after incorporating (Si3N4)np in the alloy by increased load-bearing capacity and hardness of nanocomposites. The wear of alloy and nanocomposites is mainly due to the adhesion, two-body, and three-body abrasion mechanism. Optimization of wear parameters was completed using the Taguchi approach. The L-25 orthogonal array was selected to perform the wear test, and, later, the ANOVA tool was used to understand the percentage contribution of each factor. The load has the maximum contribution of 65.67%, followed by reinforcement wt.% and sliding distance. Minimum wear loss was noticed when the wear test was conducted on optimum wear parameters (1.5 wt.% reinforcement, 10 N load, and 400 m sliding distance). Hardness and wear behavior were oppositely influenced by the clustering of particles found at 2 wt.% nanocomposites.
Strain Engineering in Ni-Co-Mn-Sn Magnetic Shape Memory Alloys: Influence on the Magnetic Properties and Martensitic Transformation
Authors: Xia Qinhan , Tan Changlong , Han Binglun , Tian Xiaohua , Zhao Lei , Zhao Wenbin , Ma Tianyou , Wang Cheng , Zhang Kun
Published: August 2022

Ni-Mn-Sn ferromagnetic shape memory alloys, which can be stimulated by an external magnetic field, exhibit a fast response and have aroused wide attention. However, the fixed and restricted working temperature range has become a challenge in practical application. Here, we introduced strain engineering, which is an effective strategy to dynamically tune the broad working temperature region of Ni-Co-Mn-Sn alloys. The influence of biaxial strain on the working temperature range of Ni-Co-Mn-Sn alloy was systematically investigated by the ab initio calculation. These calculation results show a wide working temperature range (200 K) in Ni14Co2Mn13Sn3 FSMAs can be achieved with a slight strain from 1.5% to −1.5%, and this wide working temperature range makes Ni14Co2Mn13Sn3 meet the application requirements for both low-temperature and high-temperature (151–356 K) simultaneously. Moreover, strain engineering is demonstrated to be an effective method of tuning martensitic transformation. The strain can enhance the stability of the Ni14Co2Mn13Sn3 martensitic phase. In addition, the effects of strain on the magnetic properties and the martensitic transformation are explained by the electronic structure in Ni14Co2Mn13Sn3 FSMAs.
The Impact of Microwave Drying on the Structure of Exemplary Soils—Insights Using X-ray Microtomography
Authors: Kaczmarek Łukasz , Jastrzębska Małgorzata , Wejrzanowski Tomasz
Published: August 2022

In the field of soil drying methods, rapid microwave heating is progressively replacing conventional techniques. Due to the specific heat transport caused by microwaves, the drying process can significantly modify soil structure, which, in turn, can influence mechanical and filtration characteristics. In this study, we compared structural changes of exemplary non-cohesive (medium quartz sand (MSa)) and cohesive soil (silty clay mainly composed of kaolinite (siCl)). The sample materials were subjected to three different drying methods: air-drying, conventional oven (CO) drying, and microwave oven (MO) drying (MO). Soil structure was studied using X-ray microtomography (XµCT) and described in detail by image analysis methods. The study showed that the analyzed types of heating had a negligible effect on the structure of the sands, but a significant impact in the case of silty clay. Such a phenomenon is discussed and explained in this paper. The study advances the testing of soils microwave drying in a geotechnical laboratory.
Temperature Optimization by Using Response Surface Methodology and Desirability Analysis of Aluminium 6061
Authors: Gutema Endalkachew Mosisa , Gopal Mahesh , Lemu Hirpa Gelgele
Published: August 2022

Because aluminium is a lightweight and low-density material, its alloys, such as Al 6061 alloy, are extensively used in numerous automobile, defense, and aviation components. This study aims to develop a predictive model to investigate the impact of tool nose radius on the CNC turning process of Al 6061 alloy and better recognize the implications of operating machining considering cutting speed, rate of feed, cutting depth, and tool nose radius. The trials were carried out by using the response surface methodology (RSM), with an Al2O3 coated carbide tool as the cutter and an Al 6061 workpiece as the material. A mathematical model of the second-order was created. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) approach was used to analyze the performance characteristics of the turning operation. Individual desirability values from the desirability function analysis for the multi-responses are used to construct a composite desirability value. The ideal parameter levels were determined by using the composite desirability value, and the significant impact of parameters was assessed by using the analysis of variance. The minimum temperature attained at the machining parameters are 98.0 m/min cutting speed, 0.26 mm/rev rate of feed, 0.893 mm cutting depth, and 0.84 mm tool nose radius. The best total desirability value is 23.615 °C, indicating that the experimental results are close to the predicted values.
Optimization of Structural and Processing Parameters for Selective Laser Melting of Porous 316L Bone Scaffolds
Authors: Xu Shubo , Zhang Sen , Ren Guocheng , Pan Yuefei , Li Jianing
Published: August 2022

In the implantation of porous bone scaffolds, good mechanical properties of the scaffold are a prerequisite for the long-term functionality of the implanted scaffolds, which varies according to the structure and the forming process. In this study, the influence of the forming parameters and structure of the Selective Laser Melting (SLM) process on the mechanical properties of 316L stainless steel bone scaffolds was investigated using finite element simulation combined with experimental methods. The mechanism of the influence of the process parameters and structure on the mechanical properties of bone scaffolds was summarized using static compression finite element numerical simulations, compression experiments, hydrodynamic simulations, forming numerical simulations and SLM forming experiments. The results show that the magnitude of residual stress and the distribution of defects under different process parameters had a strong influence on the microstructure and properties of the scaffold, and the residual stress of the Body-Centered Cube (BCC) structure formed at an energy density of 41.7 J/mm3 was significantly reduced, with less surface spheroidization and fewer cracks on the melt pool surface. The smallest grain size of 321 nm was obtained at an energy density of 77.4 J/mm3, while in terms of mechanical properties, the optimization of the structure resulted in an 8.3% increase in yield strength and a reduction in stress concentration. The predictions of stress, deformation, and forming quality during construction with different process parameters, achieved using finite element analysis, are basically in agreement with the experimental results, indicating that the best process parameters for forming BCC structural supports were determined by using finite element simulation combined with experiments; moreover, the distribution and evolution of residual stresses and defects under different process parameters for constructing BCC structures were obtained.
A Comprehensive Review of Biodegradable Polymer-Based Films and Coatings and Their Food Packaging Applications
Authors: Gupta Vatsla , Biswas Deblina , Roy Swarup
Published: August 2022

Food sectors are facing issues as a result of food scarcity, which is exacerbated by rising populations and demand for food. Food is ordinarily wrapped and packaged using petroleum-based plastics such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and others. However, the excessive use of these polymers has environmental and health risks. As a result, much research is currently focused on the use of bio-based materials for food packaging. Biodegradable polymers that are compatible with food products are used to make edible packaging materials. These can be ingested with food and provide consumers with additional health benefits. Recent research has shifted its focus to multilayer coatings and films-based food packaging, which can provide a material with additional distinct features. The aim of this review article is to investigate the properties and applications of several bio-based polymers in food packaging. The several types of edible film and coating production technologies are also covered separately. Furthermore, the use of edible films and coatings in the food industry has been examined, and their advantages over traditional materials are also discussed.