bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wind Energy Potential Ranking of Meteorological Stations of Iran and Its Energy Extraction by Piezoelectric Element
Authors: Agah Mohammad , Sajadian Khalil Allah , Khanali Majid , Sadeghi Seyed Mohammad Moein , Khanbazi Mehdi , Marcu Marina Viorela
Published: September 2022

Piezoelectrics have been used in several recent works to extract energy from the environment. This study examines the average wind speed across Iran and evaluates the amount of extracted voltage from vortex-induced vibrations with the piezoelectric cantilever beam (Euler–Bernoulli beam). This study aims to compute the maximum extracted voltage from polyvinylidene fluoride piezoelectric cantilever beam at the resonance from vortex-induced vibration to supply wireless network sensors, self-powered systems, and actuators. This simulation is proposed for the first-ranked meteorological station at its mean velocity over six years (2015–2020), and the finite element method is used for this numerical computation. The wind data of 76 meteorological stations in Iran over the mentioned period at the elevation of 10 m are collected every three hours and analyzed. Based on the statistical data, it is indicated that Zabol, Siri Island, and Aligudarz stations had recorded the maximum mean wind speed over the period at 6.42, 4.73, and 4.42 m/s, respectively, and then energy harvesting at the mean wind speed of top-ranked station (Zabol) is simulated. The prevailing wind directions are also studied with WRPLOT view software, and the wind vector field of 15 top-ranked stations is plotted. For energy harvesting simulation, periodic vortex shedding behind the bluff body, known as vortex-induced vibration, is considered numerically (finite element method). The piezoelectric cantilever beam is at a millimeter-scale and has a natural frequency of 630 Hz in its mode shapes to experience resonance phenomenon, which leads to maximum extracted voltage. The maximum extracted voltages for three piezoelectric cantilever beams with the natural frequency of 630 Hz with the wind speed of 6 m/s are 1.17, 1.52, and 0.043 mV, which are suitable for remote sensing, supplying self-power electronic devices, wireless networks, actuators, charging batteries, and setting up smart homes or cities. To achieve this, several energy harvesters with various dimensions should be placed in different orientations to utilize most of the blown wind.
A Systematic Review of a City in a City: An Aerotropolitan Perspective
Authors: Ndaguba Emeka Austin , Cilliers Jua , Ghosh Sumita
Published: September 2022

The purpose of this research is to demystify literature on aerotropolis using systematic review. Literature on aerial life and aeronautical studies suggests that airports are frequently cited outside urban centres. However, recent events surrounding the growth of aerotropolis contradicts existing realities. In fact, the pull and push factors constitute the life cycle of aerotropolis in urban enclaves. In generating data for this study, Dimensions, an artificial intelligence databank, was adopted, and a hybrid method which combines both VOSviewer and Citespace software was the preferred analytical tool for analysis. Key findings were imperative in establishing certain parameters regarding aerial life, including but not limited to knowledge about the technologies adopted, quality of stakeholders, in addition to existing relationships of urban space, urbanisation, and geography. Furthermore, two recurrent themes were identified, such as the development in ICT, and smart technologies, which corresponds with the multiple potentials that exist for developing sustainable airports, such as eco-innovation, greenovation, and social innovation. This study contributes to the concept of transit-bound tourism, a concept we coined to depict the role tourism can play in transit philosophy and economics.
Development of a Model for the Implementation of the Circular Economy in Desert Coastal Regions
Authors: Cabrera-González Mayuki , Ramonet Fernando , Harasek Michael
Published: September 2022

Food production is the main challenge for developing arid regions due to the restricted access to fresh water. This study combines the environmental know-how of two coastal desert regions on the American continent with similar geographical characteristics to propose a general model for a circular economy in stressed environmental conditions. The Atacama Desert, located in Chile, is the driest place on Earth. Due to the lack of rainfall in decades, the possibility of growing food is almost impossible. The Desert of Sonora, in the northwest of Mexico, is known for its extreme aridity and temperatures over 50 °C in summer. Both deserts have continuously growing cities ranging from 400,000 to 900,000 inhabitants, where access to and management of freshwater represents an issue. A circular economy model was developed. Critical parameters for this model considered: the utilisation of solar energy for water desalination and energy production, integrated with hydroponic farming and water dosing with hydrogels for food production; microalgae for biofuels; seaweed for biochemicals; anaerobic digestion for organic waste management and nutrient recovery from wastewater sludge treatment. Regional policies and governance are needed to incentivise the adoption of circular economy models.
Modelling of Water and Nitrogen Flow in a Rain-Fed Ridge-Furrow Maize System with Plastic Mulch
Authors: Zhu Wei , Qiao Ruiquan , Jiang Rui
Published: September 2022

Soil water and nitrogen are two important factors in the agro-ecosystem of the Loess Plateau, China. The ridge-furrow maize system with plastic mulch (RFPM) is a widely used measure to increase crop yield in the Loess Plateau area. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the RFPM on soil water and inorganic nitrogen (N) distribution, especially with regard to the risk and dynamic of nitrogen losses, by using Hydrus-2D. The study was conducted over two consecutive years and consisted of two treatments: (i) the RFPM with the split application of nitrogen in 2013 (160 + 60 kg N ha−1, sowing and jointing stage) and (ii) the RFPM with a one-time fertilizer in 2014 (220 kg N ha−1, sowing stage). The results showed that the dynamic of soil water and nitrogen was clearly illustrated by Hydrus-2D, especially with regard to the nitrogen losses and utilization. The RFPM improved soil water consumption in both the ridge and the furrow; the soil water content was obviously fluctuating during the maize growing season, and the degree of fluctuation decreased as the depth increased. The soil NH4+-N concentration was mainly accumulated in the surface soil layer +15–10 cm; the highest NH4+-N concentrations were 69.12 and 104.62 mg·kg−1 in 2013 and 2014, respectively. The highest NO3−-N concentrations were 130.86 and 198.20 mg·kg−1 in 2013 and 2014, respectively. There was an exchange of NO3−-N between the ridge and the furrow when urea was applied in the furrow. The one-time fertilizer caused a high risk of NH3 volatilization; they were 20.40 and 27.41 kg N ha−1 in 2013 and 2014, respectively, which accounted for 9.27% and 12.46% of the N fertilizer inputs in 2013 and 2014, respectively. The rate of nitrite leaching was higher in the furrow than the ridge. However, a proper ratio of the split application of nitrogen would contribute to the NO3−-N leaching reduction; the NO3−-N leaching amounts were 18.13 and 31.26 kg N ha−1, which accounted for 8.24% and 14.21% of the N fertilizer inputs in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Our study indicates, therefore, that the RFPM with a split application of nitrogen would be more effective for the nitrogen losses; the RFPM is a suitable system for agriculture in the rain-fed area of the Loess Plateau, with the benefits of water-use efficiency and non-point source pollution reduction.
Does Economic Growth Lead to an Increase in Cultivated Land Pressure? Evidence from China
Authors: Wu Xi , Wang Yajuan , Zhu Hongbo
Published: September 2022

With economic growth, people’s living standards improve, and more cultivated land is needed to meet food demand. Meanwhile, the economic growth and urban expansion in China since 1978 has led to the loss of considerable amounts of cultivated land. Thus, the contradiction between “economic growth” and “food security” becomes increasingly prominent. Studying the impact of economic growth on cultivated land population support pressure is the basis for easing this problem. This study uses the cultivated land pressure index to represent cultivated land population support pressure, and explores the relationship between economic growth and cultivated land pressure based on the panel data of 31 provinces in China from 2000 to 2017. The feasibility generalized least squares estimation and the fixed effect model based on Driscoll and Kraay standard errors are used. The results show that: (1) the impact of economic growth on cultivated land pressure is an N-shaped or U-shaped curve; and (2) there are regional differences in the impact of economic growth on cultivated land pressure. The cultivated land pressure in economically developed regions and main grain production regions responds slowly to the impact of economic growth. Therefore, some policy recommendations are put forward, such as paying attention to cultivated land protection and controlling disorderly urban expansion.
Operation LiLi: Using Crowd-Sourced Data and Automatic Alignment to Investigate the Phonetics and Phonology of Less-Resourced Languages
Authors: Hutin Mathilde , Allassonnière-Tang Marc
Published: September 2022

Less-resourced languages are usually left out of phonetic studies based on large corpora. We contribute to the recent efforts to fill this gap by assessing how to use open-access, crowd-sourced audio data from Lingua Libre for phonetic research. Lingua Libre is a participative linguistic library developed by Wikimedia France in 2015. It contains more than 670k recordings in approximately 150 languages across nearly 740 speakers. As a proof of concept, we consider the Inventory Size Hypothesis, which predicts that, in a given system, variation in the realization of each vowel will be inversely related to the number of vowel categories. We investigate data from 10 languages with various numbers of vowel categories, i.e., German, Afrikaans, French, Catalan, Italian, Romanian, Polish, Russian, Spanish, and Basque. Audio files are extracted from Lingua Libre to be aligned and segmented using the Munich Automatic Segmentation System. Information on the formants of the vowel segments is then extracted to measure how vowels expand in the acoustic space and whether this is correlated with the number of vowel categories in the language. The results provide valuable insight into the question of vowel dispersion and demonstrate the wealth of information that crowd-sourced data has to offer.
Identification of Metabolites with Antibacterial Activities by Analyzing the FTIR Spectra of Microalgae
Authors: Sukhikh Stanislav , Prosekov Alexander , Ivanova Svetlana , Maslennikov Pavel , Andreeva Anna , Budenkova Ekaterina , Kashirskikh Egor , Tcibulnikova Anna , Zemliakova Evgeniia , Samusev Ilia , Babich Olga
Published: September 2022

Biologically active substances from microalgae can exhibit antioxidant, immunostimulating, antibacterial, antiviral, antitumor, antihypertensive, regenerative, and neuroprotective effects. Lipid complexes of microalgae Chlorella vulgaris and Arthrospira platensis exhibit antibacterial activity and inhibit the growth of the Gram-positive strain Bacillus subtilis; the maximum zone of inhibition is 0.7 ± 0.03 cm at all concentrations. The carbohydrate-containing complex of C. vulgaris exhibits antibacterial activity, inhibits the growth of the Gram-positive strain B. subtilis, Bacillus pumilus; the maximum zone of inhibition is 3.5 ± 0.17 cm at all concentrations considered. The carbohydrate complex of A. platensis has antimicrobial activity against the Gram-negative strain of Escherichia coli at all concentrations, and the zone of inhibition is 2.0–3.0 cm. The presence of mythelenic, carbonyl groups, ester bonds between fatty acids and glycerol in lipid molecules, the stretching vibration of the phosphate group PO2, neutral lipids, glyco- and phospholipids, and unsaturated fatty acids, such as γ-linolenic, was revealed using FTIR spectra. Spectral peaks characteristic of saccharides were found, and there were cellulose and starch absorption bands, pyranose rings, and phenolic compounds. Both algae in this study had phenolic and alcohol components, which had high antibacterial activity. Microalgae can be used as biologically active food additives and/or as an alternative to antibiotic feed in animal husbandry due to their antibacterial properties.
Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of Heat Shock Protein 20 Genes in Maize
Authors: Qi Huanhuan , Chen Xiaoke , Luo Sen , Fan Hongzeng , Guo Jinghua , Zhang Xuehai , Ke Yinggen , Yang Pingfang , Yu Feng
Published: September 2022

Maize is an important cereal crop worldwide and is sensitive to abiotic stresses in fluctuant environments that seriously affect its growth, yield, and quality. The small heat shock protein (HSP20) plays a crucial role in protecting plants from abiotic stress. However, little is known about HSP20 in maize (ZmHSP20). In this study, 44 ZmHSP20s were identified, which were unequally distributed over 10 chromosomes, and 6 pairs of ZmHSP20s were tandemly presented. The gene structure of ZmHSP20s was highly conserved, with 95% (42) of the genes having no more than one intron. The analysis of the cis-element in ZmHSP20s promoter demonstrated large amounts of elements related to hormonal and abiotic stress responses, including abscisic acid (ABA), high temperature, and hypoxia. The ZmHSP20s protein had more than two conserved motifs that were predictably localized in the cytoplasm, nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, peroxisome, mitochondria, and plasma. Phylogenetic analysis using HSP20s in Arabidopsis, rice, maize, and Solanum tuberosum indicated that ZmHSP20s were classified into 11 categories, of which each category had unique subcellular localization. Approximately 80% (35) of ZmHSP20 were upregulated under heat stress at the maize seedling stage, whereas the opposite expression profiling of 10 genes under 37 and 48 °C was detected. A total of 20 genes were randomly selected to investigate their expression under treatments of ABA, gibberellin (GA), ethylene, low temperature, drought, and waterlogging, and the results displayed that more than half of these genes were downregulated while ZmHSP20-3, ZmHSP20-7, ZmHSP20-24, and ZmHSP20-44 were upregulated under 1 h treatment of ethylene. A yeast-one-hybrid experiment was conducted to analyze the binding of four heat stress transcription factors (ZmHSFs) with eight of the ZmHSP20s promoter sequences, in which ZmHSF3, ZmHSF13, and ZmHSF17 can bind to most of these selected ZmHSP20s promoters. Our results provided a valuable resource for studying HSP20s function and offering candidates for genetic improvement under abiotic stress.
A Study on Data Analysis for Improving Driving Safety in Field Operational Test (FOT) of Autonomous Vehicles
Authors: Shin Seok-San , Kang Ho-Joon , Kwon Seong-Jin
Published: September 2022

In this study, an autonomous driving test was conducted from the perspective of FOT (field operational test). For data analysis and improvement methods, scenarios for FOT were classified and defined by considering autonomous driving level (SAE J3016) and the viewpoints of the vehicle, driver, road, environment, etc. To obtain data from FOT, performance indicators were selected, a data collection environment was implemented in the test cases, and driving roads were selected to obtain driving data from the vehicle while it was driven on an actual road. In the pilot FOT course, data were collected in various driving situations using a test vehicle, and the effect of autonomous driving-related functions on improving driving safety was studied through data analysis of discovered major events.
Multi-Objective Optimization of a Small Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbine Blade for Generating the Maximum Startup Torque at Low Wind Speeds
Authors: Akbari Vahid , Naghashzadegan Mohammad , Kouhikamali Ramin , Afsharpanah Farhad , Yaïci Wahiba
Published: September 2022

Generating a high startup torque is a critical factor for the application of small wind turbines in regions with low wind speed. In the present study, the blades of a small wind turbine were designed and optimized to maximize the output power and startup torque. For this purpose, the chord length and the twist angle were considered as design variables, and a multi-objective optimization study was used to assess the optimal blade geometry. The blade element momentum (BEM) technique was used to calculate the design goals and the genetic algorithm was utilized to perform the optimization. The BEM method and the optimization tools were verified with wind tunnel test results of the base turbine and Schmitz equations, respectively. The results showed that from the aerodynamic viewpoint, the blade of a small wind turbine can be divided into two sections: r/R < 0.52, which is responsible for generating the startup torque, and r/R ≥ 0.52, where most of the turbine power is generated. By increasing the chord length and twist angle (especially chord length) in the r/R < 0.52 section and following the ideal chord length and twist angle distributions in the r/R ≥ 0.52 part, a 140% rise in the startup torque of the designed blade was observed with only a 1.5% reduction in power coefficient, compared with the base blade. Thereby, the startup wind speed was reduced from 6 m/s for the base blade to 4 m/s for the designed blade, which provides greater possibilities for the operation of this turbine in areas with lower wind speeds.
Vibration Measurement and Numerical Modeling Analysis of Transformer Windings and Iron Cores Based on Voltage and Current Harmonics
Authors: Jiang Peiyu , Zhang Zhanlong , Dong Zijian , Yang Yu
Published: September 2022

The operating condition and structural state of the converter transformer are closely related to vibration. Abundant harmonics aggravate the vibration of windings and iron cores, resulting in frequent mechanical structural failures, which seriously affect the stable operation of the power system. Traditional research mainly focuses on the vibration of AC transformers without harmonics and there is no in-depth discussion of the vibration mechanism and the numerical calculation model of windings and iron cores under harmonics. In addition, the influence of harmonics, winding connection method and other factors on the vibration characteristics are not clear. Therefore, this paper analyzes the voltage and current harmonic components and contents, establishes a harmonic-vibration numerical model and compares the vibration time-frequency characteristics with or without harmonics and different valve side winding connections through vibration measurement experiments. Finally, a combined simulation analysis reveals the contribution of the windings and core to the tank. The results show that the tank vibration amplitude and dominant frequency will increase under harmonica and the valve side current will affect the dominant frequency. Among these results, when there are harmonics, the amplitude increases by three times, the vibration dominant frequency changes from 100 Hz to 400 Hz and the frequency spectrum widens to 2000 Hz. In particular, the contribution of the winding vibration under the harmonic current will exceed the iron core. The research results reveal the influence of converter transformer harmonics on vibration, which can provide a theoretical basis for numerical calculation of vibration and monitoring of operating conditions and guide the design of structural vibration reduction to reduce mechanical failures caused by vibration.
Extended Tanh-Function Method and Its Applications in Nonlocal Complex mKdV Equations
Authors: Wang Xiaodong , Wu Jianping , Wang Yazi , Chen Can
Published: September 2022

In order to construct the multiple traveling wave solutions of the nonlocal modified Korteweg de Vires (mKdV) equation, the modified tanh-function approach for local soliton equations is extended to a nonlocal complex mKdV equation. The central idea of this method is to use the solution of the Riccati equation to replace the tanh function in the tanh function (THF) method. As an application, we investigate a new traveling wave solution for the nonlocal complex mKdV equation of Ablowitz and Musslimani. Moreover, some exciting diagrams show the underlying dynamics of some given solutions.
A Model of Optimal Production Planning Based on the Hysteretic Demand Curve
Authors: Semenov Mikhail E. , Borzunov Sergei V. , Meleshenko Peter A. , Lapin Alexey V.
Published: September 2022

The article considers a hysteretic model of consumer behaviour in mono-product markets. Demand generation with regard to an individual consumer is modeled using a non-ideal relay with inverted thresholds. Therefore, the sales rate is defined as an analogue of the Preisach converter. The article considers the problem of the optimal production, storage, and distribution of goods, taking into account the hysteretic nature of the demand curve. The problem is reduced to a non-classical optimal control problem with hysteretic non-linearities. The latter is solved using Pontryagin’s maximum principle. The adopted economic model is based on the binary relationship of consumers to the product: the product is bought or the product is not bought. Transitions between these states are determined within the framework of our model only by the price of the goods; therefore, only the operator of a non-ideal relay can accurately describe such a dependence. The article presents the results of computational experiments illustrating the theoretical assumptions.
Application of Exponential Temperature Dependent Viscosity Model for Fluid Flow over a Moving or Stationary Slender Surface
Authors: Akbar Saddam Sultan , Mustafa Meraj
Published: September 2022

The problem of laminar flow around a moving thin needle or slender surface with free stream velocity is analyzed when viscosity is supposed to have an exponential temperature dependency. Additionally, the temperature dependence in thermal conductivity is retained. Consideration of variable viscosity and thermal conductivity makes the governing equations coupled and non-linear. A self-similar solution of the problem is achieved, which depends on a parameter θw, which is the quotient of wall and ambient temperatures. A comparison of present findings is made with those of inversely linear temperature-dependent viscosity and constant viscosity cases. The size of the needle plays an important part in enhancing thermal boundary layer thickness. The expressions of skin friction coefficient and local Nusselt number in case of exponential temperature dependent viscosity are just derived in this study. An important observation is that computational results are qualitatively like those noticed for the case of inversely linear temperature dependency.
Association between Microbiome-Related Human Genetic Variants and Fasting Plasma Glucose in a High-Cardiovascular-Risk Mediterranean Population
Authors: Asensio Eva M. , Ortega-Azorín Carolina , Barragán Rocío , Alvarez-Sala Andrea , Sorlí José V. , Pascual Eva C. , Fernández-Carrión Rebeca , Villamil Laura V. , Corella Dolores , Coltell Oscar
Published: September 2022

Background and Objectives: The gut microbiota has been increasingly recognized as a relevant factor associated with metabolic diseases. However, directly measuring the microbiota composition is a limiting factor for several studies. Therefore, using genetic variables as proxies for the microbiota composition is an important issue. Landmark microbiome–host genome-wide association studies (mbGWAS) have identified many SNPs associated with gut microbiota. Our aim was to analyze the association between relevant microbiome-related genetic variants (Mi-RSNPs) and fasting glucose and type 2 diabetes in a Mediterranean population, exploring the interaction with Mediterranean diet adherence. Materials and Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study in a high-cardiovascular-risk Mediterranean population (n = 1020), analyzing the association of Mi-RSNPs (from four published mbGWAS) with fasting glucose and type 2 diabetes. A single-variant approach was used for fitting fasting glucose and type 2 diabetes to a multivariable regression model. In addition, a Mendelian randomization analysis with multiple variants was performed as a sub-study. Results: We obtained several associations between Mi-RSNPs and fasting plasma glucose involving gut Gammaproteobacteria_HB, the order Rhizobiales, the genus Rumminococcus torques group, and the genus Tyzzerella as the top ranked. For type 2 diabetes, we also detected significant associations with Mi-RSNPs related to the order Rhizobiales, the family Desulfovibrionaceae, and the genus Romboutsia. In addition, some Mi-RSNPs and adherence to Mediterranean diet interactions were detected. Lastly, the formal Mendelian randomization analysis suggested combined effects. Conclusions: Although the use of Mi-RSNPs as proxies of the microbiome is still in its infancy, and although this is the first study analyzing such associations with fasting plasma glucose and type 2 diabetes in a Mediterranean population, some interesting associations, as well as modulations, with adherence to the Mediterranean diet were detected in these high-cardiovascular-risk subjects, eliciting new hypotheses.
An Ionic Supported Liquid Membrane for the Recovery of Bisphenol A from Aqueous Solution
Authors: Aldwaish Manal , Kouki Noura , Algreiby Azizah , Tar Haja , Tayeb Rafik , Hafiane Amor
Published: September 2022

In this work, a flat supported liquid membrane (FSLM) was applied for the extraction of bisphenol A (BPA) from aqueous solutions, using an ionic liquid as a carrier. The liquid membrane consists of tricaprylmethylammonium chloride (aliquat 336®) diluted in 2-octanol. Furthermore, to obtain the best transport efficiency, the impacts of various experimental parameters were investigated. These parameters included aliquat 336® concentration, the concentration of BPA in the feed phase, the pH of the feed phase, the concentration of NaOH in the receiving phase, the polymeric support nature, the percentage of extractant in the organic phase, and the solvent nature. The optimum conditions of the experiment were 50% (v/v) aliquat 336®/2-octanol as the organic phase, a transport time of 8 h, and 1 × 10−2 mol L−1 NaOH as the receiving phase. The BPA was successfully recovered (the recovery percentage was about 89%). Supported liquid membrane-based aliquat 336®/2-octanol displayed an acceptable stability with re-impregnation after 5 days of operation.
High-Strain Rate Spall Strength Measurement for CoCrFeMnNi High-Entropy Alloy
Authors: Ehler Andrew , Dhiman Abhijeet , Dillard Tyler , Dingreville Remi , Barrick Erin , Kustas Andrew , Tomar Vikas
Published: September 2022

In this study, we experimentally investigate the high stain rate and spall behavior of Cantor high-entropy alloy (HEA), CoCrFeMnNi. First, the Hugoniot equations of state (EOS) for the samples are determined using laser-driven CoCrFeMnNi flyers launched into known Lithium Fluoride (LiF) windows. Photon Doppler Velocimetry (PDV) recordings of the velocity profiles find the EOS coefficients using an impedance mismatch technique. Following this set of measurements, laser-driven aluminum flyer plates are accelerated to velocities of 0.5–1.0 km/s using a high-energy pulse laser. Upon impact with CoCrFeMnNi samples, the shock response is found through PDV measurements of the free surface velocities. From this second set of measurements, the spall strength of the alloy is found for pressures up to 5 GPa and strain rates in excess of 106 s−1. Further analysis of the failure mechanisms behind the spallation is conducted using fractography revealing the occurrence of ductile fracture at voids presumed to be caused by chromium oxide deposits created during the manufacturing process.
Effect of Replacing Coke with Biomass Fuel on Sinter Properties and Pollutant Emissions
Authors: Liu Chao , Kang Yue , Zhang Yuzhu , Xing Hongwei , Xue Guijun
Published: September 2022

In the iron-ore-sintering process, the use of biomass charcoal instead of coke breeze can reduce the emission of flue gas pollutants and alleviate the energy crisis of fossil fuels. However, the direct application of biomass charcoal to iron ore sintering is bound to affect the sinter properties. The effects of biomass charcoal addition on the sintering ore properties and flue gas pollutants emission were studied through sintering cup and related performance test experiments. Meanwhile, the influence mechanism of biomass charcoal instead of coke breeze on iron ore sintering was expounded. The experimental results show that with an increase in biomass charcoal, the vertical sintering rate increased, the internal pore structure developed rapidly, and the pollutant emission decreased gradually. When the biomass charcoal content was less than 40%, the sinter strength and yield were stable and slightly improved with the increase in biomass charcoal. When the biomass charcoal content was higher than 40%, the metallurgical properties of sinter degraded sharply, making it difficult to meet the production requirements. The comprehensive effect of biomass charcoal on the sinter suggests that the suitable biomass charcoal addition was 40%; under this condition, the reduction in SO2 and NOx was 28.2% and 25.7%, respectively.
Recent Developments in Research on Porous Metals and Foamed Metals
Authors: Hasanzadeh Rezgar , Moradian Milad
Published: September 2022

The new open Special Issue of Metals, “Recent Developments in Research on Porous Metals and Foamed Metals”, aims to highlight original and review papers on new scientific and applied research and provide outstanding contributions to the community’s understanding of metal foams and related synthesis, fundamentals, characterization, and applications [...]
Dietary Patterns, Metabolomic Profile, and Nutritype Signatures Associated with Type 2 Diabetes in Women with Postgestational Diabetes Mellitus: MyNutritype Study Protocol
Authors: Hasbullah Farah Yasmin , Yusof Barakatun-Nisak Mohd , Ghani Rohana Abdul , Daud Zulfitri ’Azuan Mat , Appannah Geeta , Abas Faridah , Shafie Nurul Husna , Khir Hannah Izzati Mohamed , Murphy Helen R.
Published: September 2022

Women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus (post-GDM) have an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases including type 2 diabetes (T2D). Current diabetes screening is based on the oral glucose tolerance test without nutritional assessments, even though unhealthy dietary patterns were found to expedite disease progression in women post-GDM. While a healthful dietary pattern reduces T2D risk, limited data support a dietary pattern tailored to the Asian population, especially in the Malaysian context. Metabolomic profiles associated with dietary patterns in this population are also lacking. The proposed study aims to investigate both components of dietary patterns and metabolomic profile, known as nutritype signatures, and their association with T2D in women post-GDM. The comparative cross-sectional study will involve a minimum of 126 Malaysian women post-GDM aged 18–49 years. Dietary patterns will be analysed using principal component analysis. Plasma and urinary metabolites will be quantified using one-dimensional proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy. The aim of the study is identifying the nutritype signatures associated with T2D. The findings will support the development of early prevention measures against T2D in women post-GDM.
Trends in Occurrence and Phenotypic Resistance of Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci (CoNS) Found in Human Blood in the Northern Netherlands between 2013 and 2019
Authors: Berends Matthijs S. , Luz Christian F. , Ott Alewijn , Andriesse Gunnar I. , Becker Karsten , Glasner Corinna , Friedrich Alex W.
Published: September 2022

Background: For years, coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) were not considered a cause of bloodstream infections (BSIs) and were often regarded as contamination. However, the association of CoNS with nosocomial infections is increasingly recognized. The identification of more than 40 different CoNS species has been driven by the introduction of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Yet, treatment guidelines consider CoNS as a whole group, despite increasing antibiotic resistance (ABR) in CoNS. This retrospective study provides an in-depth data analysis of CoNS isolates found in human blood culture isolates between 2013 and 2019 in the entire region of the Northern Netherlands. Methods: In total, 10,796 patients were included that were hospitalized in one of the 15 hospitals in the region, leading to 14,992 CoNS isolates for (ABR) data analysis. CoNS accounted for 27.6% of all available 71,632 blood culture isolates. EUCAST Expert rules were applied to correct for errors in antibiotic test results. Results: A total of 27 different CoNS species were found. Major differences were observed in occurrence and ABR profiles. The top five species covered 97.1% of all included isolates: S. epidermidis, S. hominis, S. capitis, S. haemolyticus, and S. warneri. Regarding ABR, methicillin resistance was most frequently detected in S. haemolyticus (72%), S. cohnii (65%), and S. epidermidis (62%). S. epidermidis and S. haemolyticus showed 50–80% resistance to teicoplanin and macrolides while resistance to these agents remained lower than 10% in most other CoNS species. Conclusion: These differences are often neglected in national guideline development, prompting a focus on ‘ABR-safe’ agents such as glycopeptides. In conclusion, this multi-year, full-region approach to extensively assess the trends in both the occurrence and phenotypic resistance of CoNS species could be used for evaluating treatment policies and understanding more about these important but still too often neglected pathogens.
A Concise Synthesis of Sacidumlignan B
Authors: Zhuang Zhiyuan , Luo Zhenbiao , Yao Sichen , Wang Yawen , Peng Yu
Published: September 2022

A short synthesis of racemic Sacidumlignan B was achieved for the first time. The key steps included a formal reductive coupling between the diaryl ketone and the crotyl bromide, and the subsequent Friedel–Crafts cyclization, which led to an efficient construction of dihydronaphthalene skeleton in this 2,7′-cyclolignan natural product.
Selectivity Tuning by Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADESs) for Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Cytinus hypocistis—Studies of Antioxidative, Enzyme-Inhibitive Properties and LC-MS Profiles
Authors: Zengin Gokhan , Cádiz-Gurrea María de la Luz , Fernández-Ochoa Álvaro , Leyva-Jiménez Francisco Javier , Carretero Antonio Segura , Momotko Malwina , Yildiztugay Evren , Karatas Refik , Jugreet Sharmeen , Mahomoodally Mohamad Fawzi , Boczkaj Grzegorz
Published: September 2022

In the present study, the extracts of Cytinus hypocistis (L.) L using both traditional solvents (hexane, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, ethanol, ethanol/water, and water) and natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) were investigated in terms of their total polyphenolic contents and antioxidant and enzyme-inhibitive properties. The extracts were found to possess total phenolic and total flavonoid contents in the ranges of 26.47–186.13 mg GAE/g and 0.68–12.55 mg RE/g, respectively. Higher total phenolic contents were obtained for NADES extracts. Compositional differences were reported in relation to antioxidant potential studied by several assays (DPPH: 70.19–939.35 mg TE/g, ABTS: 172.56–4026.50 mg TE/g; CUPRAC: 97.41–1730.38 mg TE/g, FRAP: 84.11–1534.85 mg TE/g). Application of NADESs (choline chloride—urea 1:2, a so-called Reline) allowed one to obtain the highest number of extracts having antioxidant potential in the radical scavenging and reducing assays. NADES-B (protonated by HCl L-proline-xylitol 5:1) was the only extractant from the studied solvents that isolated a specific fraction without chelating activity. Reline extract exhibited the highest acetylcholinesterase inhibition compared to NADES-B and NADES-C (protonated by H2SO4 L-proline-xylitol 5:1) extracts, which showed no inhibition. The NADES extracts were observed to have higher tyrosinase inhibitory properties compared to extracts obtained by traditional organic solvents. Furthermore, the NADES extracts were relatively better inhibitors of the diabetic enzymes. These findings provided an interesting comparison in terms of total polyphenolic content yields, antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory properties (cholinesterase, amylase, glucosidase, and tyrosinase) between traditional solvent extracts and NADES extracts, used as an alternative. While the organic solvents showed better antioxidant activity, the NADES extracts were found to have some other improved properties, such as higher total phenolic content and enzyme-inhibiting properties, suggesting functional prospects for their use in phytonutrient extraction and fractionation. The obtained results could also be used to give a broad overview of the different biological potentials of C. hypocistis.
GC-MS/MS Determination of Steroid Hormones in Urine Using Solid-Phase Derivatization as an Alternative to Conventional Methods
Authors: Temerdashev Azamat , Nesterenko Pavel , Dmitrieva Ekaterina , Zhurkina Kseniya , Feng Yu-Qi
Published: September 2022

Solid-phase analytical derivatization (SPAD) is a promising hybrid sample preparation technique combining the clean-up and preconcentration of the sample in a single step. In this work, a novel SPAD method based on the preparation of trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives of steroid hormones (testosterone, estrone, DHT, estriol, estradiol, and progesterone) in Phenomenex Strata C18-E (100 mg, 1 mL) cartridges has been developed and applied for their GC-MS/MS determination in human urine samples. The proposed procedure allows the detection and quantification of steroids with limits of 1.0–2.5 and 2.5–5 ng/mL, respectively. These characteristics are comparable with those obtained with a conventional liquid–liquid extraction, while the recovery of analytes in the proposed SPAD procedure is higher. The major advantages of SPAD are a short derivatization time, high efficiency, and the possibility to automatize the procedure. However, its cost-effectiveness in routine practice is still questionable.
Preparation, Characterization and Study of the Dissociation of Naproxen from Its Chitosan Salt
Authors: Medeiros Ricardo S. , Ferreira Ana P. G. , Venâncio Tiago , Cavalheiro Éder T. G.
Published: September 2022

Salts of naproxen (NAP) with chitosan (CTS) and reticulated chitosan (CEP) were prepared under optimized conditions to maximize the yield of reaction. The objective was to evaluate the dissociation in water, which can guide studies of release of the drug from biopolymeric salts in pharmaceutical applications. Higher salification was found after 24 h of reaction at 60 °C in a molar ratio 1:1.05 (CTS:NAP, mol/mol), resulting in a degree of substitution (DS) of 17% according to 13C NMR, after neutralization of the –NH2 group of the biopolymer by the carboxylic group of the drug. The presence of NAP salt is evidenced by FTIR bands related to the –NH3+ group at 856 cm−1, a decrease in crystallinity index in XRD diffractograms as well as changes in mass loss ratios (TG/DTG/DTA) and increased thermal stability of the salt regarding CTS itself. The CEPN crosslinked salt presented a DS = 3.6%, probably due to the shielding of the –NH2 groups. Dissociation studies revealed that at pH 2.00, dissociation occurred faster when compared to at pH 7.00 in the non-reticulated salt, while the opposite was observed for the reticulated one.
The Identification of APOBEC3G as a Potential Prognostic Biomarker in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and a Possible Drug Target for Crotonoside
Authors: Ma Chenchen , Liu Peng , Cui Siyuan , Gao Chang , Tan Xing , Liu Zhaopeng , Xu Ruirong
Published: September 2022

The apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic subunit 3G (APOBEC3G) converts cytosine to uracil in DNA/RNA. Its role in resisting viral invasion has been well documented. However, its expression pattern and potential function in AML remain unclear. In this study, we carried out a bioinformatics analysis and revealed that the expression of APOBEC3G was significantly upregulated in AML, and high expression of APOBEC3G was significantly associated with short overall survival (OS). APOBEC3G expression was especially increased in non-M3AML, and correlated with the unfavorable cytogenetic risks. Additionally, Cox regression analyses indicated APOBEC3G is a hazard factor that cannot be ignored for OS of AML patients. In molecular docking simulations, the natural product crotonoside was found to interact well with APOBEC3G. The expression of APOBEC3G is the highest in KG-1 cells, and the treatment with crotonoside can reduce the expression of APOBEC3G. Crotonoside can inhibit the viability of different AML cells in vitro, arrest KG-1 and MV-4-11 cells in the S phase of the cell cycle and affect the expression of cycle-related proteins, and induce cell apoptosis. Therefore, APOBEC3G could be a potential drug target of crotonoside, and crotonoside can be considered as a lead compound for APOBEC3G inhibition in non-M3 AML.
Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala Berry Promotes Antioxidant Response and Suppresses Glutamate-Induced Cell Death via SIRT1/Nrf2 Survival Pathway in Hippocampal HT22 Neuronal Cells
Authors: Nantacharoen Wanchanok , Baek Seung Joon , Plaingam Waluga , Charoenkiatkul Somsri , Tencomnao Tewin , Sukprasansap Monruedee
Published: September 2022

Excessive glutamate neurotransmitters result in oxidative neurotoxicity, similar to neurodegeneration. An indigenous berry of Thailand, Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala (CNP), has been recognized for its robust antioxidants. We investigated the effects and mechanisms of CNP fruit extracts on antioxidant-related survival pathways against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. The extract showed strong antioxidant capability and had high total phenolic and flavonoid contents, particularly resveratrol. Next, the protective effects of the CNP extract or resveratrol on the glutamate-induced neurotoxicity were examined in HT22 hippocampal cells. Our investigation showed that the pretreatment of cells with the CNP extract or resveratrol attenuated glutamate-induced neuronal death via suppression of apoptosis cascade by inhibiting the levels of cleaved- and pro-caspase-3 proteins. The CNP extract and resveratrol suppressed the intracellular ROS by increasing the mRNA expression level of antioxidant enzymes (SODs, GPx1, and CAT). We found that this extract and resveratrol significantly increased SIRT1 expression as a survival-related protein. Moreover, they also promoted the activity of the Nrf2 protein translocation into the nucleus and could bind to the promoter containing the antioxidant response element, inducing the expression of the downstream GPx1-antioxidant protein. Our data illustrate that the CNP extract and resveratrol inhibit apoptotic neuronal death via glutamate-induced oxidative neurotoxicity in HT22 cells through the activation of the SIRT1/Nrf2 survival mechanism.
Ni-Coated Diamond-like Carbon-Modified TiO2 Nanotube Composite Electrode for Electrocatalytic Glucose Oxidation
Authors: Kang Yi , Ren Xuelei , Li Yejun , Yu Zhiming
Published: September 2022

In this paper, a Ni and diamond-like carbon (DLC)-modified TiO2 nanotube composite electrode was prepared as a glucose sensor using a combination of an anodizing process, electrodeposition, and magnetron sputtering. The composition and morphology of the electrodes were analyzed by a scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray detector, and the electrochemical glucose oxidation performance of the electrodes was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The results show that the Ni-coated DLC-modified TiO2 electrode has better electrocatalytic oxidation performance for glucose than pure TiO2 and electrodeposited Ni on a TiO2 electrode, which can be attributed to the synergistic effect between Ni and carbon. The glucose test results indicate a good linear correlation in a glucose concentration range of 0.99–22.97 mM, with a sensitivity of 1063.78 μA·mM−1·cm−2 and a detection limit of 0.53 μM. The results suggest that the obtained Ni-DLC/TiO2 electrode has great application potential in the field of non-enzymatic glucose sensors.
Variation of Proteolytic Cleavage Sites towards the N-Terminal End of the S2 Subunit of the Novel SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Sublineage BA.2.12.1
Authors: Schilling Nadine Anna , Kalbacher Hubert , Burster Timo
Published: September 2022

The prevalence of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants is also accompanied by an increased turnover rate and additional cleavage sites at the positions necessary for priming the Spike (S) protein. Of these priming sites, the proteolytically sensitive polybasic sequence of the activation loop at the S1/S2 interface and the S2′ location within the S2 subunit of the S protein are cleaved by furin and TMPRSS2, which are important for the infection of the target cell. Neutrophils, migrating to the site of infection, secrete serine proteases to fight against pathogens. The serine proteases encompass neutrophil elastase (NE), proteinase 3 (PR3), and cathepsin G (CatG), which can hydrolyze the peptide bond adjacent to the S1/S2 interface. SARS-CoV-2 might take the opportunity to hijack proteases from an immune response to support viral entry to the cell. The region near S704L within the S2 subunit, a novel amino acid substitution of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineage BA.2.12.1, is located close to the S1/S2 interface. We found that NE, PR3, and CatG digested the peptide within this region; however, the S704L amino acid substitution altered cleavage sites for PR3. In conclusion, such an amino acid substitution modifies S2 antigen processing and might further impact the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) binding and T cell activation.
Aptamer Selection Based on Microscale Electrophoretic Filtration Using a Hydrogel-Plugged Capillary Device
Authors: Takao Junku , Nagai Reina , Endo Tatsuro , Hisamoto Hideaki , Sueyoshi Kenji
Published: September 2022

This study reports a novel aptamer selection method based on microscale electrophoretic filtration. Aptamers are versatile materials that recognize specific targets and are attractive for their applications in biosensors, diagnosis, and therapy. However, their practical applications remain scarce due to issues with conventional selection methods, such as complicated operations, low-efficiency separation, and expensive apparatus. To overcome these drawbacks, a selection method based on microscale electrophoretic filtration using a capillary partially filled with hydrogel was developed. The electrophoretic filtration of model target proteins (immunoglobulin E (IgE)) using hydrogel, the electrokinetic injection of DNAs to interact with the trapped proteins, the elimination of DNAs with weak interactions, and the selective acquisition of aptamer candidates with strong interactions were successfully demonstrated, revealing the validity of the proposed concept. Two aptamer candidates for IgE were obtained after three selection cycles, and their affinity for the target was confirmed to be less than 1 nM based on their dissociation constant (KD) values. Therefore, the proposed method allows for the selection of aptamers with simple operations, highly effective separation based on electrophoresis and filtration, and a relatively cheap apparatus with disposable devices.