bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SAPEVO-PC: Integrating Multi-Criteria Decision-Making and Machine Learning to Evaluate Navy Ships
Authors: Costa Igor Pinheiro de Araújo , Costa Arthur Pinheiro de Araújo , Moreira Miguel Ângelo Lellis , Castro Junior Marcos Alexandre , Pereira Daniel Augusto de Moura , Gomes Carlos Francisco Simões , Santos Marcos dos
Published: August 2024

The selection of a navy ship is essential to guarantee a country’s sovereignty, deterrence capabilities, and national security, especially in the face of possible conflicts and diplomatic instability. This paper proposes the integration of concepts related to multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methodology and machine learning, creating the Simple Aggregation of Preferences Expressed by Ordinal Vectors—Principal Components (SAPEVO-PC) method. The proposed method proposes an evolution of the SAPEVO family, allowing the inclusion of qualitative preferences, and adds concepts from Principal Component Analysis (PCA), aiming to simplify the decision-making process, maintaining precision and reliability. We carried out a case study analyzing 32 warships and ten quantitative criteria, demonstrating the practical application and effectiveness of the method. The generated rankings reflected both subjective perceptions and the quantitative performance data of each ship. This innovative integration of qualitative data with a quantitative machine learning algorithm ensures comprehensive and robust analyses, facilitating informed and strategic decisions. The results showed a high degree of consistency and reliability, with the top and bottom rankings remaining stable across different decision-makers’ perspectives. This study highlights the potential of SAPEVO-PC to improve decision-making efficiency in complex, multi-criteria environments, contributing to the field of marine science.
Numerical Determination of Anisotropic Permeability for Unconsolidated Hydrate Reservoir: A DEM–CFD Coupling Method
Authors: Li Ruirui , Han Zhenhua , Zhang Luqing , Zhou Jian , Wang Song , Huang Fuyou
Published: August 2024

Natural gas hydrate (NGH) is considered as a type of clean energy to replace coal and oil. During exploitation, permeability is one of the key parameters controlling production efficiency, reservoir stability, and greenhouse gas sequestration. Limited by experimental and numerical simulation tools, in current research, the directionality of permeability is usually ignored. In this work, a DEM–CFD coupling simulation method is developed to compute the anisotropic permeability. The sedimentary process of reservoir sediments is reconstructed, enabling the acquisition of numerical models that possess pore structures consistent with the actual fabric characteristics. The fluid transport process in various directions can be simulated with a finite element method. Taking the natural gas hydrate reservoir in the Shenhu area of the South China Sea as an example, the proposed method is validated and applied to explore the effect of compaction stress on permeability anisotropy. With the increase in compaction stress, the permeability anisotropy exhibited a rapid initial increase, followed by a sustained stabilization. The primary cause is the rearrangement of sediment particles. The non-spherical particles are driven to align in a predominantly horizontal orientation, thereby enhancing anisotropy. The proposed method provides a tool for the efficient exploitation of hydrate resources.
Ship Maneuvering in Shallow and Narrow Waters: Predictive Methods and Model Development Review
Authors: Maljković Mislav , Pavić Ivica , Meštrović Toni , Perkovič Marko
Published: August 2024

The maneuverability of ships is influenced by several factors, including ship design, size, propulsion system, hull shape, and external conditions such as wind, waves, and currents. The size, shape, and arrangement of the hull, rudder, and propeller are decisive for maneuverability. Hydrodynamic forces such as bank effect and squat significantly impact the maneuverability of large ships in narrow channels. With the increasing trend of building ever-larger ships, the demand to evaluate the maneuvering performance of the ship at the design stage has become more critical than ever. Both experimental and computational methods are used to obtain accurate maneuvering characteristics of vessels. In this study, the methods for predicting ship maneuvering characteristics are analyzed using a systematic review based on the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). This article contributes to a deeper understanding of the hydrodynamic capabilities of ships and identifies possible future challenges in the field of ship hydrodynamics. The findings inform educators and the shipping industry about the importance of predicting the maneuvering performance of ships, with an emphasis on the education and training of seafarers needed to make timely decisions in critical situations.
Continuous Field Determination and Ecological Risk Assessment of Pb in the Yellow Sea of China
Authors: Zhang Zhiwei , Pan Dawei , Liang Yan , Rahman Md. Abdur , Wang Xiaofeng
Published: August 2024

Field determination and ecological risk assessment of dissolved lead (Pb) were performed at two Yellow Sea sites in China using a continuous automated electrochemical system (CAEDS). This CAEDS instrument includes an automatic triple filter sampler and an electrochemical detection water quality analyzer, which might be operated automatically four times daily. The dissolved Pb concentrations varied from 0.29 to 1.57 μg/L in the South Yellow Sea over 16 days and from 0.32 to 2.28 μg/L in the North Yellow Sea over 13 days. During the typhoon and algal bloom periods, the Pb concentration was as high as ten times greater than usual. According to the calculation of contamination factors (Cf) and subsequent analysis, seawater quality was classified as Grade II. Through species sensitivity distribution (SSD) method experiments and ecological risk analysis, an average risk quotient (RQ) below 1 for both areas was obtained, indicating a low-to-moderate ecological risk. This system will be helpful for Pb monitoring and assessment in seawater and contribute to the biogeochemical cycling study of Pb.
Localization of an Underwater Multitonal Source by Using a Vertically Distributed System in Deep Water
Authors: Li Hui , Zhang Yingchao , Yu Liang , Xu Zhezhen
Published: August 2024

This paper presents a localization method for an underwater multitonal source by using a vertically distributed system in deep water. The system is composed of two kinds of nodes. One is a node at large depth, and the other is a node covering most of the water column. The former and latter are utilized to estimate the source range and depth, respectively. Specifically, the proposed method estimates the source range by matching the spatial arrival angle measured by the first kind of node with the replicas calculated by the acoustic model. Based on the estimation value of the source range, the second kind of node is utilized to estimate the source depth by using an incoherent time reversal method. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through numerical simulations. The effects of the measurement error and the sound speed profile mismatch on the performance of the proposed method are also analyzed.
Joint Ship Scheduling and Speed Optimization for Naval Escort Operations to Ensure Maritime Security
Authors: Qiao Xizi , Yang Ying , Jin Yong , Wang Shuaian
Published: August 2024

Maritime transport is crucial for global trade, as over 80% of goods are transported by sea. Recent conflicts have exposed the vulnerability of shipping routes to disruptions. Therefore, devising an optimal plan for naval escort operations is critical to ensure that ships are safely escorted. This study addresses the naval escort operation problem by constructing a mixed-integer programming model that integrates escort scheduling of the warship with the speed optimization of liner ships, aiming to minimize overall cargo delay and fuel consumption costs while ensuring the protection of all ships. The results indicate that as the number of container ships increases, ships wait longer before departure with the warship, leading to a higher average delay cost per ship. For instances with a single ship type, ships have similar sailing speeds on different legs. The proposed model balances cargo delivery timeliness with carbon emission reduction, enhancing economic viability and environmental sustainability in crisis-prone maritime scenarios. Future research should explore real-time data integration and adaptive strategies to improve naval escort operations’ robustness and responsiveness.
Synergistic Integration of Multiple Wave Energy Converters with Adaptive Resonance and Offshore Floating Wind Turbines through Bayesian Optimization
Authors: Meduri Aghamarshana , Kang HeonYong
Published: August 2024

We developed a synergistic ocean renewable system where an array of Wave Energy Converters (WEC) with adaptive resonance was collocated with a Floating Offshore Wind Turbine (FOWT) such that the WECs, capturing wave energy through the resonance adapting to varying irregular waves, consequently reduced FOWFT loads and turbine motions. Combining Surface-Riding WECs (SR-WEC) individually designed to feasibly relocate their natural frequency at the peak of the wave excitation spectrum for each sea state, and to obtain the highest capture width ratio at one of the frequent sea states for annual average power in a tens of kilowatts scale with a 15 MW FOWT based on a semi-submersible, Bayesian Optimization is implemented to determine the arrangement of WECs that minimize the annual representation of FOWT’s wave excitation spectra. The time-domain simulation of the system in the optimized arrangement is performed, including two sets of interactions: one set is the wind turbine dynamics, mooring lines, and floating body dynamics for FOWT, and the other set is the nonlinear power-take-off dynamics, linear mooring, and individual WECs’ floating body dynamics. Those two sets of interactions are further coupled through the hydrodynamics of diffraction and radiation. For sea states comprising Annual Energy Production, we investigate the capture width ratio of WECs, wave excitation on FOWT, and nacelle acceleration of the turbine compared to their single unit operations. We find that the optimally arranged SR-WECs reduce the wave excitation spectral area of FOWT by up to 60% and lower the turbine’s peak nacelle acceleration by nearly 44% in highly occurring sea states, while multiple WECs often produce more than the single operation, achieving adaptive resonance with a larger wave excitation spectra for those sea states. The synergistic system improves the total Annual Energy Production (AEP) by 1440 MWh, and we address which costs of Levelized Cost Of Energy (LCOE) can be reduced by the collocation.
Side-Scan Sonar Image Generator Based on Diffusion Models for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles
Authors: Zhang Feihu , Hou Xujia , Wang Zewen , Cheng Chensheng , Tan Tingfeng
Published: August 2024

In the field of underwater perception and detection, side-scan sonar (SSS) plays an indispensable role. However, the imaging mechanism of SSS results in slow information acquisition and high complexity, significantly hindering the advancement of downstream data-driven applications. To address this challenge, we designed an SSS image generator based on diffusion models. We developed a data collection system based on Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) to achieve stable and rich data collection. For the process of converting acoustic signals into image signals, we established an image compensation method based on nonlinear gain enhancement to ensure the reliability of remote signals. On this basis, we developed the first controllable category SSS image generation algorithm, which can generate specified data for five categories, demonstrating outstanding performance in terms of the Fréchet Inception Distance (FID) and the Inception Score (IS). We further evaluated our image generator in the task of SSS object detection, and our cross-validation experiments showed that the generated images contributed to an average accuracy improvement of approximately 10% in object detection. The experimental results validate the effectiveness of the proposed SSS image generator in generating highly similar sonar images and enhancing detection accuracy, effectively addressing the issue of data scarcity.
Hedonic Models Incorporating Environmental, Social, and Governance Factors for Time Series of Average Annual Home Prices
Authors: Bailey Jason R. , Lindquist W. Brent , Rachev Svetlozar T.
Published: August 2024

Using data from 2000 through 2022, we analyze the predictive capability of the annual numbers of new home constructions and four available environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors on the average annual price of homes sold in eight major U.S. cities. We contrast the predictive capability of a P-spline generalized additive model (GAM) against a strictly linear version of the commonly used generalized linear model (GLM). As the data for the annual price and predictor variables constitute non-stationary time series, we transform each time series appropriately to produce stationary series for use in the GAMs and GLMs in order to avoid spurious correlations in the analysis. While arithmetic returns or first differences are adequate transformations for the predictor variables, we utilize the series of innovations obtained from AR(q)-ARCH(1) fits for the average price response variable. Based on the GAM results, we find that the influence of ESG factors varies markedly by city and reflects geographic diversity. Notably, the presence of air conditioning emerges as a strong factor. Despite limitations on the length of available time series, this study represents a pivotal step toward integrating ESG considerations into predictive time series models for real estates.
Assessing the Dynamics of Land Use/Land Cover Changes between 1974 and 2016: A Study Case of the Bustillos Basin Using Remote Sensing
Authors: Valencia-Gaspar Saúl , Mejía-Leyva Fernanda , Valles-Aragón María C. , Martinez-Salvador Martin , Hernández-Quiroz Nathalie S. , Nevarez-Rodríguez Myrna C. , López-Serrano Pablito M. , Vázquez-Quintero Griselda
Published: August 2024

Land use and land cover changes (LULC) are one of the main factors in global environmental change, as well as one of the main causes of soil and biodiversity loss. The main objective of this research was to determine the dynamics of land use changes in the Bustillos basin located in the municipality of Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua, Mexico. The research consisted of the processing and analysis of satellite images from Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM5) and Landsat Operational Land Imager (OLI8). From the classifications obtained through satellite images, six categories of land use were obtained and later were compared through the use of a cross-tabulation matrix. The results showed that the use of remote sensors applied to the evaluation of the dynamics of land use changes allowed for knowing the changes that occurred in a period of 43 years. To compare the land use of the years 1974 and 2016, maps were obtained with soil covers. This served as the basis for the analysis of the changes that occurred. In this way, it was possible to determine the growth of the urban area (7851.48 hectares) due to the development of economic activity and the increase in population. The category that had a more significant increase was the agricultural areas with a gain in surface of the sub-basin of 28,334.23 hectares. The grassland class lost 21,385.28 hectares; this area was associated with the class of agricultural areas and urban areas. The oak–pine forest had losses of 9150.03 hectares, as well as the pine forest (586.06 hectares). Finally, the class of water bodies lost 228.02 hectares. The results showed that the implementation of dynamic LULC using geographic information systems could be adopted as a planning tool to manage LULC in the Bustillos basin in the future.
Identifying Trade-Offs and Synergies of Production–Living–Ecological Functions and Their Drivers: The Case of Yangtze River Urban Agglomerations in China
Authors: Zheng Liang , Wang Yajing , Yang Hui , Bi Yuzhe , Xu Lei , Wang Ying
Published: August 2024

Urban agglomerations are products of urban development, and their regional spaces and functions are more diverse than other cities, which have very high spatial and functional complexity. It is important to clarify the relationships between production–living–ecological (PLE) functions in urban agglomerations to achieve sustainable development. In this study, we took the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River Urban Agglomerations (MRYRUA) as an example to construct an evaluation index system of regional PLE functions in urban agglomerations. Then, the Pearson correlation model and geographically weighted regression were applied to investigate the relationships between PLE functions and their driving forces. The results showed that the PLE functions in the MRYRUA increased from 2008 to 2018, with the level of the ecological function being higher than the production and living functions. The relationships among PLE functions were dominated by synergies in most cities, though trade-offs had become more evident in the last few years for the whole study area. Trade-offs and synergies among PLE functions were influenced by both natural and socioeconomic factors, with the latter having a stronger effect. Our findings provide a reference for understanding the spatial variations and trade-offs among PLE functions in MRYRUA as well as for balancing the development of PLE functions.
Landscape Reconstruction with Earth-and-Timber Medieval Stronghold—Immersive Geovisualization
Authors: Zawadzki Jakub , Medyńska-Gulij Beata
Published: August 2024

This study focuses on the problem of reconstruction and immersive visualization of cultural heritage objects such as medieval strongholds. Geomatics-specific methods were applied, based on the use of reference data such as maps, topographic databases, LIDAR, aerial photography, and three-dimensional modeling. Search and transformation of reconstructed historical data were also carried out according to various historical–geographical–archaeological theories. The result of the work was the creation of a desktop application that presents the interactive landscape reconstruction as an immersive geovisualization of a typical medieval Eastern European earth-and-timber stronghold in two time periods and in its current state. Conclusions include the changes in land topographical levels, demonstrating how the topographical level has changed over time, and data identification to categorize and process it in order to visualize cultural heritage objects such as medieval strongholds in today’s landscape.
Assessment of the Impacts of Climate and Land Use Changes on Water Yield in the Ebinur Lake Basin
Authors: Yang Xinxin , Gu Xinchen , Zhang Pei , Liu Jing , Zhang Wenjia , Long Aihua
Published: August 2024

The Ebinur Lake Basin is an ecologically sensitive area in the arid region of northwest China. In recent years, the ecological environment in the basin has continued to deteriorate, and the ecosystem function has been seriously degraded. However, among the functions of the ecosystem in the Ebinur Lake Basin, the water production function is considered to be the core upholding the ecological equilibrium and security of the basin. Water production can reflect the environmental service function, which is essential for the economic vitality and ecological well-being of the basin. The factors that impact water yield are diverse; moreover, of these, climate change and land use conversion are particularly significant. Therefore, understanding how these changes affect water yield will help to formulate proper water management strategies in the basin. Using the InVEST model, this study examined how the water yield evolved and was distributed across the Ebinur Lake Basin between 2000 and 2020 while considering both the temporal and spatial dimensions. Using this foundation, the scenario analysis approach was utilized to explore the impact of climate change and land use conversion on water yield by controlling the variables, and the response of the water yield to climate and land use change was discussed. It was concluded that water yield was on an upward trend from 2000 to 2010, was on a downward trend from 2010 to 2020, and declined from 2000 to 2020 as a whole. Regarding the water yield distribution, higher-water-producing areas were found predominantly in the northwest and southeast and along the higher-altitude rim of the basin. Among the various land categories, the primary types were grassland and unused land, both of which equally and substantially contributed to the water yield, contributing over 85% to the overall water yield. The response of the water yield varied significantly among various land use types when their areas changed, and the land conversion over this period contributed to a slight decline in water yield across the basin. The influence of climate change on water yield in the Ebinur Lake Basin during the study period surpassed that of land use by a wide margin, constituting more than 86% of the total impact. This study can provide relevant information for relevant policies and decisions on the optimal allocation of land use in the Ebinur Lake Basin and can provide scientific development for the comprehensive evaluation of water resources and sustainable development of the basin.
Optimizing Maize Productivity and Soil Fertility: Insights from Tillage, Nitrogen Management, and Hydrochar Applications
Authors: Iqbal Waleed , Khan Ahmad , Jamal Aftab , Radicetti Emanuele , Elsadek Mohamed Farouk , Ali Mohammad Ajmal , Mancinelli Roberto
Published: August 2024

Enhancing soil fertility and maize productivity is crucial for sustainable agriculture. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of tillage practices, nitrogen management strategies, and acidified hydrochar on soil fertility and maize productivity. The experiment used a randomized complete block design with split-split plot arrangement and four replications. Main plots received shallow tillage and deep tillage. Subplots were treated with nitrogen (120 kg ha−1) from farmyard manure (FYM) and urea, including control, 33% FYM + 67% urea (MU), and 80% FYM + 20% urea (MF). Acidified hydrochar treatments H0 (no hydrochar) and H1 (with hydrochar, 2 t ha−1) were applied to sub-sub plots. Deep tillage significantly increased plant height, biological yield, grain yield, ear length, grains ear−1, thousand-grain weight, and nitrogen content compared to shallow tillage. MU and MF improved growth parameters and yield over the control. Hydrochar effects varied; H1 enhanced yield components and soil properties such as soil organic matter and nitrogen availability compared to H0. Canonical discriminant analysis linked deep tillage and MU/MF nitrogen management with improved yield and soil characteristics. In conclusion, deep tillage combined with integrated nitrogen management enhances maize productivity and soil properties. These findings highlight the importance of selecting appropriate tillage and nitrogen strategies for sustainable maize production along with hydrochar addition. These insights guide policymakers, agronomists, and agricultural extension services in adopting evidence-based strategies for sustainable agriculture, enhancing food production, and mitigating environmental impacts. The implication of this study suggests to undertake long-term application of hydrochar for further clarification and validation.
Autonomic Dysfunction and Cardiac Performance in Pregnant Women with Hypertensive Disorders: A Comparative Study Using Heart Rate Variability and Global Longitudinal Strain
Authors: Bogdan Carina , Apostol Adrian , Ivan Viviana Mihaela , Sandu Oana Elena , Petre Ion , Petre Izabella , Marc Luciana-Elena , Maralescu Felix-Mihai , Lighezan Daniel Florin
Published: August 2024

(1) Background: Pregnancy induces significant physiological adaptations with substantial impacts on the cardiovascular system. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs) are connected to significant risks of maternal and fetal complications, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality across the globe. This study focuses on evaluating autonomic dysfunction by analyzing heart rate variability (HRV) and assessing cardiac performance through global longitudinal strain (GLS) using speckle tracking echocardiography, as well as examining diastolic function in pregnant women with HDP compared to healthy pregnant controls. (2) Methods: A case–control study was conducted involving pregnant women diagnosed with gestational hypertension (GH), preeclampsia (PE), or severe preeclampsia (SPE) as the case group, and healthy pregnant women as the control group. HRV was measured to evaluate autonomic function, GLS was assessed using speckle tracking echocardiography, and diastolic function was evaluated through standard echocardiographic parameters. Data were analyzed to compare cardiac performance and autonomic regulation between the HDP and control group, as well as among the different HDP subgroups. (3) Results: The HDP group exhibited significantly reduced HRV parameters compared to healthy controls, indicating notable autonomic dysfunction. Speckle tracking echocardiography revealed lower GLS among women with HDP, particularly in those with SPE, compared to the control group. Diastolic dysfunction was also present in the HDP group. (4) Conclusions: HRV and GLS are valuable non-invasive tools for detecting autonomic dysfunction and cardiac performance impairments in pregnant women with hypertensive disorders. These findings suggest that autonomic and cardiac dysfunctions are prevalent in HDP.
Sticky Bone as a New Type of Autologous Bone Grafting in Schatzker Type II Tibial Plateau Fracture Case Report
Authors: Stanciugelu Stefan Iulian , Patrascu Jenel Marian , Florescu Sorin , Marian Catalin
Published: August 2024

Background: Schatzker type II fractures usually need to be grafted. Autograft bone from the iliac crest represents the gold standard, but it comes with high rates of morbidity on the donor side. Sticky bone is one of the regenerative therapies that aims to find new solutions to treat bone defects and to overcome the limitation of conventional options regarding bone grafts, due to their content in growth factors, which offer osteo-induction and osteo-conduction properties. Notably, regenerative dentistry has been at the forefront of applying these products in bone regeneration, demonstrating that PRF produces a highly promising “sticky bone” when combined with bone chips. To the best of our knowledge, this grafting technique has not been used in the orthopedic field to date. Methods: The subject was a 53-year-old woman with a Schatzker type II tibial plateau fracture, for which a new autologous bone grafting technique, i.e., sticky bone, was used for the treatment of the fracture. Results: This case reports the effectiveness of sticky bone as autologous bone graft used in Shatzker type II tibial plateau fracture. As an indispensable component of regenerative medicine, it seems to be an ideal biologic graft with a fibrin-rich structure that provides effective treatment in impressed tibial plateau fractures. Conclusion: Sticky bone showed promising results and should be considered in the future as an appropriate bone implant.
Correction: Tsoi et al. Overexpression of BQ323636.1 Modulated AR/IL-8/CXCR1 Axis to Confer Tamoxifen Resistance in ER-Positive Breast Cancer. Life 2022, 12, 93
Authors: Tsoi Ho , Shi Ling , Leung Man-Hong , Man Ellen P. S. , So Zi-Qing , Chan Wing-Lok , Khoo Ui-Soon
Published: August 2024

In the original publication (doi: 10 [...]
The Electromagnetic Noise Level Influence on the Laser Micro-Perforation Process Specific to Automotive Components
Authors: Rusu Alexandru-Nicolae , Dumitrascu Dorin-Ion , Dumitrascu Adela-Eliza
Published: August 2024

This article focuses on the influence of generated electromagnetic noise (energy) during the micro-perforation process. This study aims to investigate the critical parameters and effects of using laser technology in the processing of textile materials for airbags. Different levels of electromagnetic noise and material thicknesses were investigated to ensure the quality of manufactured parts and the best component performance. A factorial analysis (DOE) was developed to evaluate the influence of electromagnetic noise levels over pull test results and its effect on the micro-perforation process. The overall inferential analysis concludes a significant influence of the noise levels on micro-perforation processing. The detailed analysis suggests that 1.2 V is an optimal level of electromagnetic noise where the material maintains its mechanical properties in a more predictable and consistent manner. Additionally, the factorial design provides significant evidence for an interaction and main effects’ influences of analyzed factors. The obtained results in this study have demonstrated that monitoring and controlling the noise level have beneficial effects over the laser processing. This ensures that the safety aspect of the produced parts is entirely upheld and protected. Also, this research contributes to improving the manufacturing process and ensures that high-quality products are obtained, being suitable for use in sensitive applications such as automotive airbags.
Micronized Shell-Bioaggregates as Mechanical Reinforcement in Organic Coatings
Authors: Rodríguez-Gómez Francisco Javier , Calovi Massimo , Rossi Stefano
Published: August 2024

Shells are primarily composed of calcite and aragonite, making the inclusion of micronized shells as bio-based fillers in organic coatings a potential means to enhance the mechanical properties of the layers. A water-based coating was reinforced with 5 wt.% Acanthocardia tuberculata powder, 5 wt.% Mytilus galloprovincialis powder, and 5 wt.% of an LDPE/ceramic/nanoceramic composite. An improvement in abrasion resistance was achieved using micronized seashells, as demonstrated by the Taber test (evaluating both weight loss and thickness reduction). Additionally, Buchholz hardness improved with powders derived from Mytilus galloprovincialis. No significant differences were observed among the samples in terms of color and gloss after 200 h of UV-B exposure. However, the delamination length from the scratch after 168 h of exposure in a salt spray chamber indicated that the addition of particles to the polymeric matrix resulted in premature degradation, likely due to the formation of preferential paths for water penetration from the scratch. This hypothesis was supported by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements, which revealed a decrease in total impedance at 0.01 Hz shortly after immersion in a 3.5% NaCl solution. In conclusion, the particle size and shape of the micronized shells improved abrasion resistance without altering color and gloss but led to a decrease in the coating’s isolation properties.
Preparation and Properties of Polyimide/Polysulfonamide/Polyethylene Glycol (PI/PSA/PEG) Hydrophobic Nanofibrous Membranes
Authors: Wang Zijia , Chang Yawen , Jia Siyang , Liu Fujuan
Published: August 2024

In this study, polyimide (PI) and polysulfonamide (PSA) were used as base materials, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) was added to successfully prepare PI/PSA/PEG nanofiber membranes through electrospinning technology. Subsequently, water etching was performed on the membranes, utilizing the water solubility of PEG to form the rough wrinkled structure, further enhancing the surface hydrophobicity. The experimental results showed that under the conditions of a spinning voltage of 10 kV, PI/PSA mass fraction of 15 wt.%, and PEG-to-PI/PSA mass ratio of 1/3, the obtained fiber membranes exhibit a uniform morphology (an average diameter of 0.73 µm) and excellent hydrophobicity (the initial water contact angle (WCA) reaching 130.4°). After PEG water etching, the surface of the PI/PSA/PEG hydrophobic membranes formed the rough wrinkled structure, which not only improved their mechanical properties but also further enhanced their hydrophobicity (the initial WCA increasing to 137.9°). Hence, fiber membranes are expected to have broad application prospects in fields such as waterproofing and moisture permeability.
Characterizing Short-Time Aging Precipitation Behavior of a Novel Nickel–Iron-Based Alloy via Electrical Performance
Authors: Cai Junjian , Qian Chengkai , Huo Xin , Liu Qu , Li Kejian , Ji Wen , Li Zheng , Yang Zhengang , Cheng Jun , Fan Manjie , Cai Zhipeng
Published: August 2024

In this paper, the precipitation behavior and its effect on resistivity in a new type of nickel–iron-based alloy during short-term aging were investigated. During the aging process, the γ′ phase increases in average size and decreases in number, with its area fraction fluctuating over time. This fluctuation is caused by the mismatch in the redissolution and growth rates of the γ′ phase. As the area fraction of the γ′ phase increases, the content of solute atoms in the matrix that scatter electrons decreases, lowering the resistivity of the alloy. Additionally, the continuous precipitation of M23C6 at grain boundaries during aging causes the resistivity to gradually increase. This paper explains the fluctuation in the total amount of γ′ phase during short-term aging and proposes a new method for characterizing the precipitation behavior of the γ′ phase in the novel alloy using the relative trend of resistivity changes.
Silicon Carbide Nanowire Based Integrated Electrode for High Temperature Supercapacitors
Authors: Sha Shiyu , Liang Chang , Lv Songyang , Xu Lin , Sun Defu , Yang Jiayue , Zhang Lei , Wang Shouzhi
Published: August 2024

Silicon carbide (SiC) single crystals have great prospects for high-temperature energy storage due to their robust structural stability, ultrahigh power output, and superior temperature stability. However, energy density is an essential challenge for SiC-based devices. Herein, a facile two-step strategy is proposed for the large-scale synthesis of a unique architecture of SiC nanowires incorporating MnO2 for enhanced supercapacitors (SCs), arising from the synergy effect between the SiC nanowires as a highly conductive skeleton and the MnO2 with numerous active sites. The SiC@MnO2 integrated electrode-based SCs with ionic liquid (IL) electrolytes were assembled and delivered outstanding energy and power density, as well as a great lifespan at 150 °C. This impressive work offers a novel avenue for the practical application of SiC-based electrochemical energy storage devices with high energy density under high temperatures.
Synthesis of MnFe2O4 Spinel on Rusted Q235 Steel Surface and Its Corrosion Resistance Properties
Authors: Feng Bai-Ao , Miao Xu , Zhang Ting-An
Published: August 2024

Corrosion of steel is an issue that cannot be ignored in contemporary society. Due to large-scale corrosion, it is urgent to develop a surface treatment process that enhances the corrosion resistance of steel, allowing for application in various scenarios as needed. This study aims to investigate a novel surface treatment process to extend the service life of corroded Q235 steel, reduce its sensitivity to corrosion, and enable its use in multiple environments. This study employs the sol-gel method, using manganese nitrate solutions of varying concentrations to treat the surface of Q235 steel after different electrolysis times. The optimal conditions for precursor preparation were found to be a Mn2+ concentration of 0.1 mol/L and an electrolysis time of 2 h. Electrochemical tests using NaCl solutions of different concentrations revealed a significant reduction in the corrosion current for the composite coating based on Q235 steel treated with this method in NaCl solutions with wt.% = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Furthermore, the resistance to corrosion was strongest in the NaCl solution with a concentration of 1 wt.% where the corrosion current decreased from 24.8 µA/cm2 to 6.79 µA/cm2. Additionally, the coating was found to be diffusion-controlled in the early stages of the corrosion process and charge transfer-controlled in the later stages. The MnFe2O4 spinel coating demonstrated the greatest enhancement in corrosion resistance in the wt.% = 1 NaCl solution.
The Optimization of Picking in Logistics Warehouses in the Event of Sudden Picking Order Changes and Picking Route Blockages
Authors: Ueno Daiki , Hirata Enna
Published: August 2024

(1) Background: This work focuses on improving the efficiency of warehouse operations with the goal of promoting efficiency in the logistics industry and mitigating logistics-related labor shortages. Many factors are involved in warehouse operations, such as the optimal allocation of manpower, the optimal layout design, and the use of automatic guided vehicles, which together affect operational efficiency. (2) Methods: In this work, we developed an optimal method for operating a limited number of workers or picking robots in a specific area, coping with cases of sudden disruptions such as a change in picking order or the blockage of aisles. For this purpose, the number of pickers, the storage capacity, and other constraints such as sudden changes in picking orders during the picking process, as well as blockages in the aisles of a warehouse site, are considered. The total travel distance is minimized using Gurobi, an optimization solver. (3) Results: The picking routes were optimized in three different scenarios using the shortest route between the starting point and the picking points, resulting in up to a 31% efficiency improvement in terms of the total distance traveled. (4) Conclusions: The main contribution of this work is that it focuses on the day-to-day work situations of sudden changes in the picking order and the presence of route blocks in real-world logistics warehouse sites. It demonstrates the feasibility of responding to sudden disruptions and simultaneously optimizing picking routes in real time. This work contributes to the overall efficiency of logistics by providing a simple, yet practical, data-driven solution for the optimization of warehouse operations.
Validation of a Multi-Strain HIV Within-Host Model with AIDS Clinical Studies
Authors: Tuncer Necibe , Ghods Kia , Sreejithkumar Vivek , Garbowit Adin , Zagha Mark , Martcheva Maia
Published: August 2024

We used a previously introduced HIV within-host model with sensitive and resistant strains and validated it with two data sets. The first data set is from a clinical study that investigated multi-drug treatments and measured the total CD4+ cell count and viral load. All nine patients in this data set experienced virologic failure. The second data set includes a unique patient who was treated with a unique drug and for whom both the sensitive and resistant strains were measured as well as the CD4+ cells. We studied the structural identifiability of the model with respect to each data set. With respect to the first data set, the model was structurally identifiable when the viral production rate of the sensitive strain was fixed and distinct from the viral production rate of the resistant strain. With respect to the second data set, the model was always structurally identifiable. We fit the model to the first data set using nonlinear mixed effect modeling in Monolix and estimated the population-level parameters. We inferred that the average time to emergence of a resistant strain is 844 days after treatment starts. We fit the model to the second data set and found out that the all the parameters except the mutation rate were practically identifiable.
Preface to the Special Issue on “Advances in Machine Learning, Optimization, and Control Applications”
Authors: Liu Wanquan , Xiu Xianchao , Li Xuefang
Published: August 2024

Over the past few decades, data science and machine learning have demonstrated tremendous success in many areas of science and engineering, such as large-scale pattern recognition, computer vision, multiagent control, industrial engineering, etc [...]
Fixed-Point Theorems Using α-Series in F-Metric Spaces
Authors: Ozturk Vildan , Turkoglu Duran
Published: August 2024

Fixed-point theory, which has been developing since 1922, is widely used. Various contraction principles have been defined in the literature. In this work, we define rational-type contraction and weak Choudhury type contraction using α-series in F-metric spaces and prove common fixed-point theorems for sequences of self-mappings. This method is based on the convergence series of coefficients. Our results are the generalized version of the results in the literature. Finally, we apply our main results to solve an integral equation and a differential equation.
Mechanism of Takifugu bimaculatus Skin Peptides in Alleviating Hyperglycemia in Rats with Type 2 Diabetic Mellitus Based on Microbiome and Metabolome Analyses
Authors: Xu Min , Chen Bei , Qiao Kun , Liu Shuji , Su Yongchang , Cai Shuilin , Liu Zhiyu , Li Lijun , Li Qingbiao
Published: August 2024

In this study, we aimed to explore the hypoglycemic effects of a hydrolysate on Takifugu bimaculatus skin (TBSH). The effect of the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory activities from different TBSH fractions was investigated on basic indexes, gut hormones, blood lipid indexes, viscera, and the gut microbiota and its metabolites in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The results showed that the <1 kDa peptide fraction from TBSH (TBP) exhibited a more potent DPP-IV inhibitory effect (IC50 = 0.45 ± 0.01 mg/mL). T2DM rats were induced with streptozocin, followed by the administration of TBP. The 200 mg/kg TBP mitigated weight loss, lowered fasting blood glucose levels, and increased insulin secretion by 20.47%, 25.23%, and 34.55%, respectively, rectified irregular hormonal fluctuations, lipid metabolism, and tissue injuries, and effectively remedied gut microbiota imbalance. In conclusion, TBP exerts a hypoglycemic effect in rats with T2DM. This study offers the potential to develop nutritional supplements to treat T2DM and further promote the high-value utilization of processing byproducts from T. bimaculatus. It will provide information for developing nutritional supplements to treat T2DM and further promote the high-value utilization of processing byproducts from T. bimaculatus.
The Clinical Course of the Late Toxicity of Definitive Radiotherapy in Cervical Cancer
Authors: Lee So Jung , Kim Myungsoo , Kwak Yoo-Kang , Kang Hye Jin
Published: August 2024

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the clinical course and characteristics of late toxicity over time following the completion of definitive radiotherapy (RT) in patients with cervical cancer. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 60 patients with cervical cancer who underwent pelvic external beam radiotherapy followed by intracavitary brachytherapy. Late toxicity was assessed for the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract and bladder organ at 6, 12, 24, 36, and >36 months post-RT. We examined the onset and prevalence of late toxicity at each time point. Clinical remission and interventions for managing late toxicity were also investigated. Results: The peak onset of lower GI toxicity occurred 12 months after RT completion, with a median symptom duration of 9.9 months (range, 0.1–26.3 months), and exhibited its highest prevalence rate of 15.5% at 24 months post-RT. Most GI toxicities developed and resolved within three years post-RT, with a prevalence rate of 8.1% at three years, followed by a decreasing trend. Bladder toxicity first peaked at 24 months post-RT and continued to occur beyond 36 months, showing the re-increasing pattern in the prevalence rate after 36 months (23.5%). In terms of clinical remission, 66.7% of lower GI toxicities (12 of 18 patients) and 60% of bladder toxicities (9 of 15 patients) achieved complete remission by the last follow-up date. Conclusions: Late toxicities of the GI and bladder following definitive RT in cervical cancer are partially reversible and exhibit distinct patterns of onset and prevalence over time. A systematic follow-up strategy should be established for the early detection and timely intervention of late toxicity by understanding these clinical courses.
Effector Pt9226 from Puccinia triticina Presents a Virulence Role in Wheat Line TcLr15
Authors: Wang Bingxue , Chang Jiaying , Mapuranga Johannes , Zhao Chenguang , Wu Yanhui , Qi Yue , Yuan Shengliang , Zhang Na , Yang Wenxiang
Published: August 2024

Effectors are considered to be virulence factors secreted by pathogens, which play an important role during host-pathogen interactions. In this study, the candidate effector Pt9226 was cloned from genomic DNA of Puccinia triticina (Pt) pathotype THTT, and there were six exons and five introns in the 877 bp sequence, with the corresponding open reading frame of 447 bp in length, encoding a protein of 148 amino acids. There was only one polymorphic locus of I142V among the six Pt pathotypes analyzed. Bioinformatics analysis showed that Pt9226 had 96.46% homology with the hypothetical putative protein PTTG_26361 (OAV96349.1) in the Pt pathotype BBBD. RT-qPCR analyses showed that the expression of Pt9226 was induced after Pt inoculation, with a peak at 36 hpi, which was 20 times higher than the initial expression at 0 hpi, and another high expression was observed at 96 hpi. No secretory function was detected for the Pt9226-predicted signal peptide. The subcellular localization of Pt9226Δsp-GFP was found to be multiple, localized in the tobacco leaves. Pt9226 could inhibit programmed cell death (PCD) induced by BAX/INF1 in tobacco as well as DC3000-induced PCD in wheat. The transient expression of Pt9226 in 26 wheat near-isogenic lines (NILs) by a bacterial type III secretion system of Pseudomonas fluorescens EtHAn suppressed callose accumulation triggered by Ethan in wheat near-isogenic lines TcLr15, TcLr25, and TcLr30, and it also suppressed the ROS accumulation in TcLr15. RT-qPCR analysis showed that the expression of genes coded for pathogenesis-related protein TaPR1, TaPR2, and thaumatin-like protein TaTLP1, were suppressed, while the expression of PtEF-1α was induced, with 1.6 times at 72 h post inoculation, and TaSOD was induced only at 24 and 48 h compared with the control, when the Pt pathotype THTT was inoculated on a transient expression of Pt9226 in wheat TcLr15. Combining all above, Pt9226 acts as a virulence effector in the interaction between the Pt pathotype THTT and wheat.