bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improvement of the Quality of Recycled Concrete Aggregate Subjected to Chemical Treatments: A Review
Authors: Forero Javier A. , Brito Jorge de , Evangelista Luís , Pereira Cláudio
Published: April 2022

The main factor that alters the quality of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) is the paste adhered to the natural aggregate (NA). Since it causes weakening of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between the aggregate and the cementitious paste, it becomes a determining factor for the mechanical behavior of concrete. It turns out that it is critical to enhance this interface by improving the surface of the aggregate or by removing the paste adhered to the NA. Considering the variety of methods for removing paste adhered to RCA—namely using acids such as hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and phosphoric acid (H3PO4), among others—this paper presents a review of treatments for the removal of adhered paste using acidic solutions on the RCA, and their influence on the mechanical properties and durability of concrete produced with RCA. Pearson’s correlation was used in the statistical analysis to determine the linear relationship of the main factors—for instance, immersion time, acidic solution, and aggregate size—involved in the removal of the paste in the RCA.
Controlling the Size and Porosity of Sodalite Nanoparticles from Indonesian Kaolin for Pb2+ Removal
Authors: Ulfa Maria , Masykur Abu , Nofitasari Amanah Firdausa , Sholeha Novia Amalia , Suprapto Suprapto , Bahruji Hasliza , Prasetyoko Didik
Published: April 2022

Mesoporous sodalite nanoparticles were directly synthesized from Indonesian kaolin with the addition of CTABr as a mesopore template. The studies highlighted the importance of aging time (3–12 h) and temperature (50–80 °C) on increasing surface area and mesoporosity of sodalite. Indonesian kaolin was used without pre-treatment and transformed to sodalite following the initial molar composition of 10 Na2O: 2 SiO2: Al2O3: 128 H2O. Characterization data revealed the formation of high surface area sodalite with mesoporosity at increasing aging temperatures and times. The presence of CTABr as templates produced sodalites nanoparticles with smaller aggregates than the non-template sodalite. The sodalite sample obtained at 80 °C of crystallization temperature for 9 h (S80H9) displayed the highest mesopore volume (0.07612 cm3/g) and the highest adsorption capacity of Pb2+ (212.24 mg/g). Pb2+ was suggested to adsorb via ion exchange with the Na+ counter cation and physical adsorption.
Effect and Mechanism of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Used as a Phase Change Composite on Cement Paste
Authors: Zhang Chunpeng , Pang Chaoming , Mao Yunrui , Tang Zhiyuan
Published: April 2022

The use of phase change materials (PCMs) in the construction industry is one of the primary strategies for addressing the building industry’s present excessive energy usage. However, since PCMs must be enclosed before being used in construction, their efficiency is limited and their compatibility with concrete is poor. Thus, polyethylene glycol (PEG), a sequence of PCMs that may be put directly into concrete, is the target of this research. The fluidity, mechanical properties, thermal properties, hydration process, and hydration products of PEG-600 cement slurry were examined by TAM, XRD, FTIR, DSC, MALDI, etc., methods in this study. Furthermore, we tested the thermal properties of PEG-800 to confirm that the same depolymerization of PEG occurred in an alkaline environment. When PEG, with a molecular weight of 600 (PEG-600), dose was increased to 10%, both compressive and flexural strength fell by 19% and 18%, respectively. The phase change points of both PEG-600 cement paste and PEG-800 cement paste decreased to 10~15 °C, and the enthalpy of the phase change was about 6 J/g. Additionally, it was discovered that PEG entered the reaction during the hydration step. PEG underwent depolymerization and subsequently formed a complex with Ca2+. However, due to the large dose of PEG used in this investigation, a self-curing effect of PEG in concrete was not seen. The findings of this research suggest a novel use for PCMs: PEG may be directly applied to concrete to fulfill both mechanical and thermal requirements. Additionally, the number of hydration products and phase compositions remained almost constant.
Preliminary Study of the Fresh and Hard Properties of UHPC That Is Used to Produce 3D Printed Mortar
Authors: Gimenez-Carbo Ester , Torres Raquel , Coll Hugo , Roig-Flores Marta , Serna Pedro , Soriano Lourdes
Published: April 2022

Three-dimensional printed concrete (3DPC) is a relatively recent technology that may be very important in changing the traditional construction industry. The principal advantages of its use are more rapid construction, lower production costs, and less residues, among others. The choice of raw materials to obtain adequate behavior is more critical than for traditional concrete. In the present paper a mixture of cement, silica fume, superplasticizer, setting accelerator, filler materials, and aggregates was studied to obtain a 3DPC with high resistance at short curing times. When the optimal mixture was found, metallic fibers were introduced to enhance the mechanical properties. The fresh and hard properties of the concrete were analyzed, measuring the setting time, workability, and flexural and compressive strength. The results obtained demonstrated that the incorporation of fibers (2% in volume) enhanced the flexural and compressive strength by around 163 and 142%, respectively, compared with the mixture without fibers, at 9 h of curing. At 28 days of curing, the improvement was 79.2 and 34.7% for flexural and compressive strength, respectively.
A Review of Flow Characterization of Metallic Materials in the Cold Forming Temperature Range and Its Major Issues
Authors: Joun Man-Soo , Razali Mohd Kaswandee , Jee Chang-Woon , Byun Jong-Bok , Kim Min-Cheol , Kim Kwang-Min
Published: April 2022

We focus on the importance of accurately describing the flow behaviors of metallic materials to be cold formed; we refer to several valuable examples. We review the typical experimental methods by which flow curves are obtained, in addition to several combined experimental-numerical methods. The characteristics of four fundamental flow models including the Ludwik, Voce, Hollomon, and Swift models are explored in detail. We classify all flow models in the literature into three groups, including the Ludwik and Voce families, and blends thereof. We review the experimental and numerical methods used to optimize the flow curves. Representative flow models are compared via tensile testing, with a focus on the necking point and pre- or post-necking strain hardening. Several closed-form function models employed for the non-isothermal analyses of cold metal forming are also examined. The traditional bilinear C-m model and derivatives thereof are used to describe the complicated flow behaviors of metallic materials at cold forming temperatures, particularly in terms of their applications to metal forming simulations and process optimization.
Exploring the Mechanical Properties and Performance of Type-I Collagen at Various Length Scales: A Progress Report
Authors: Bose Shirsha , Li Simin , Mele Elisa , Silberschmidt Vadim V.
Published: April 2022

Collagen is the basic protein of animal tissues and has a complex hierarchical structure. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the mechanical and structural stability of biological tissues. Over the years, it has become a material of interest in the biomedical industries thanks to its excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability and low antigenicity. Despite its significance, the mechanical properties and performance of pure collagen have been never reviewed. In this work, the emphasis is on the mechanics of collagen at different hierarchical levels and its long-term mechanical performance. In addition, the effect of hydration, important for various applications, was considered throughout the study because of its dramatic influence on the mechanics of collagen. Furthermore, the discrepancies in reports of the mechanical properties of collagenous tissues (basically composed of 20–30% collagen fibres) and those of pure collagen are discussed.
Effects of the Water/Cement Ratio on the Properties of 3-3 Type Cement-Based Piezoelectric Composites
Authors: Wang Jian-hong , Sun Hao-xin , Dong Ying-ge , Cheng Zhi , Liu Wei
Published: April 2022

In this work, 3-3 type porous lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramics were fabricated by incorporating particle-stabilized foams using the gel-casting method. Then, Portland cement pastes with different water/cement ratios (w/c) were cast into the porous ceramics to produce cement-based piezoelectric (PZT-PC) composites. The effects of w/c on phase structure, microscopic morphology, and electrical properties were studied. The results showed that the amount of hydrated cement products and the density of the PZT–PC composites increased with the increase of w/c from 0.3 to 0.9 and then decreased till w/c achieved a value of 1.1. Correspondingly, the values of both εr and d33 increased with the density of the PZT–PC composites, resulting in less defects and greater poling efficiency. When w/c was maintained at 0.9, the 3-3 type cement-based piezoelectric composites presented the greatest Kt value of 40.14% and the lowest Z value of 6.98 MRayls, becoming suitable for applications in civil engineering for structural health monitoring.
Fluorine Effect for Improving Oxidation Resistance of Ti-45Al-8.5Nb Alloy at 1000 °C
Authors: Gui Wanyuan , Liang Yongfeng , Qin Jingyan , Wang Yongsheng , Lin Junpin
Published: April 2022

In-depth analyses of the anti-oxidation behavior and structure of γ-TiAl alloys are of great significant for their maintenance and repair in engineering applications. In this work, fluorine-treated Ti-45Al-8.5Nb alloys and fluorine-treated oxidized specimens with artificial defects were prepared by isothermal oxidation treatment at 1000 °C. Several characterization methods, including SEM, EDS, XRD and TEM, were used to evaluate the surface microstructure of the fluorine-treated Ti-45Al-8.5Nb alloys and fluorine-treated oxidized specimens with artificial defects. The results indicate that the fluorine promoted the formation of an outer protective film of Al2O3, which significantly improved the oxidation resistance. The microcracks of oxidized specimens with the artificial defects provided a rapid diffusion passage for Ti and O elements during the 1000 °C/2 h isothermal oxidation treatment process, resulting in the quick growth of TiO2 toward the outside. The fine Al2O3 constituted a continuous film after the 1000 °C/100 h isothermal oxidation treatment. In particular, Al2O3 particles grew toward the substrate, which was ascribed to the good oxidation resistance and adhesion. These results may provide an approach for the repair of protective oxide film on the surface of blades and turbine disks based on γ-TiAl alloys.
The Impact of Autologous Platelet Concentrates on the Periapical Tissues and Root Development of Replanted Teeth: A Systematic Review
Authors: Khurshid Zohaib , Asiri Faris Yahya I. , Najeeb Shariq , Ratnayake Jithendra
Published: April 2022

Introduction: In many cases, the replanted teeth may undergo resorption or ankyloses. Recent studies show that autologous platelet concentrates (APCs) may improve the outcomes of tooth replantation. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize and critically appraise the currently available literature on the use of APCs before tooth replantation. Methodology: An electronic search was conducted on the following research databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, ISI Web of Science, EMBASE and Scopus. The following medical subject heading (MeSH) keywords used were: ((tooth replantation) OR (replanted tooth) OR (teeth replantation) OR (replanted teeth)) AND ((autologous platelet concentrate) OR (platelet-rich plasma) OR (platelet-rich fibrin) OR (autologous platelet)). The studies’ data was extracted, and the research’ quality was rated using the CARE and ARRIVE protocols. Results: Ten case reports and three animal studies, one cell study and one study, which included both animal and in vitro experiments, were included in this review. In majority of the studies, APCs improved the outcomes of tooth replantation. However, there were various sources of bias in the most of the research, which may have influenced the results. Conclusions: Although majority of the studies indicate that APCs may improve outcomes of tooth replantation, majority of the studies contained numerous sources of bias. Additionally, the sample size of the included subjects is inadequate to predict the clinical efficacy of APCs in management of replanted teeth. Large-scale, multi-center and long-term studies are required to ascertain the efficacy of APCs in improve the outcomes of tooth replantation.
Development and Analysis of Coding and Tailored Metamaterial for Terahertz Frequency Applications
Authors: Ramachandran Tayaallen , Faruque Mohammad Rashed Iqbal , Islam Mohammad Tariqul , Khandaker Mayeen Uddin , Alqahtani Amal , Bradley D. A.
Published: April 2022

This study represents the development and analysis of the types of metamaterial structures for terahertz frequency. Recently, investigations about unique coding metamaterial have become well-known among the scientific community since it can manipulate electromagnetic (EM) waves by utilizing various coding sequences. Therefore, several coding and tailored metamaterial designs were compared and numerically analyzed the performances in this research work. The 1-bit coding metamaterial made up of only “0” and “1” elements by adopting two types of unit cells with 0 and π phase responses were analyzed for the coding metamaterial. Moreover, for the numerical simulation analyses, the well-known Computer Simulation Technology (CST) Microwave Studio software was adopted. This investigation focused on the frequency ranges from 0 to 5 THz. On the other hand, the proposed designs were simulated to find their scattering parameter behavior. The comparison of coding and tailored metamaterial revealed slight differences in the RCS values. The coding metamaterial designs manifested RCS values less than −50 dBm2, while tailored metamaterial designs exhibited less than −60 dBm2. Furthermore, the proposed designs displayed various transmission coefficient result curves for both types of metamaterial. Moreover, the bistatic far-field scattering patterns of both metamaterial designs were presented in this work. In a nutshell, the 1-bit coding metamaterial with a unique sequence can influence the EM waves and realize different functionalities.
Aging Behavior of High-Viscosity Modified Asphalt Binder Based on Infrared Spectrum Test
Authors: Zhang Wenxuan , Li Qiang , Wang Jiaqing , Meng Yuanpeng , Zhou Zhou
Published: April 2022

In the rapid development of sponge city construction in China, porous asphalt pavement has been widely used. The high-viscosity modified asphalt used for porous asphalt pavements is utilised in a complex aging environment. In this study, infrared spectroscopy was used to test the changes in the functional groups of high-viscosity modified asphalt under the influence of ultraviolet radiation intensity, high temperature, and water corrosion conditions. The research results showed that under the influence of several environmental factors, the high-viscosity modified asphalt has no chemical reaction but does undergo physical changes. From the perspective of the functional group index, the carbonyl index is more suitable for evaluating the degree of ultraviolet aging, and the sulfoxide group index is more suitable for evaluating the effect of temperature on aging. The high-viscosity modified asphalt aging kinetic models, established with different functional group indexes as indicators, have different activation energies. The aging kinetic model established with the carbonyl index is more suitable for simulating traditional thermal-oxidative aging. This study provides a better plan to reveal the influence of different environmental factors on the aging performance of high-viscosity modified asphalt under complex environmental conditions.
Preparation and Adsorption Properties of MCM-41 with Novel Gemini Ionic Liquid Surfactants as Template
Authors: Yang Xuzhao , Bai Yarong , Li Qing , Wang Jun
Published: April 2022

A mesoporous molecular sieve was prepared by the hydrothermal synthesis method with symmetric Gemini surfactant 1,3-bis(hexadecyldimethylammonio)-propane dibromide, symmetric Gemini ionic liquid surfactant 1,3-bis(3-hexadecylimidazolium-1-yl) propane dibromide and self-designed asymmetric Gemini ionic liquid surfactant 1-(3-(hexadecyldimethylammonio)prop-1-yl)-3-hexadecylimidazolium dibromide as the template agent. The structure characterization results for mesoporous molecular sieves show that the material possesses a hexagonal pore structure with uniform channels. The mesoporous silica that was synthesized with self-designed asymmetric Gemini ionic liquid surfactant as the template agent possesses the largest surface area and its pore size and specific surface area are, respectively, 3.28 nm and 879.37 m2/g. The adsorption properties of the prepared MCM-41 for crystal violet were investigated, and the adsorption thermodynamics and kinetics were investigated. The results show that adsorption equilibrium can be reached under pH = 9 and 35 °C for 50 min, and the quantity of adsorption can reach up to 464.21 mg/g. The adsorption process belongs to Langmuir isothermal adsorption, conforming to second-order adsorption kinetics, and the adsorption process is an endothermic process.
Encouraging Students’ Motivation and Involvement in STEM Degrees by the Execution of Real Applications in Mathematical Subjects: The Population Migration Problem
Authors: López-Díaz María Teresa , Peña Marta
Published: April 2022

This paper presents a simplified model of the population migration problem, addressed to first-year engineering students in order to show them the use of linear algebra tools. The study consists of predicting the census in the city centre and in the suburbs, determining the city population equilibrium point, and making a sociological interpretation of population flows. This practical problem is part of the seminar “Applications of Linear Algebra in Engineering”, which is being held at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-BarcelonaTech (UPC). This seminar consists in the learning of linear algebra by the implementation of real applications where mathematical tools are required to resolve them. This paper presents an application of linear algebra to the population migration problem and analyses students’ appreciation through anonymous surveys and personal interviews. The surveys assessed students’ motivation towards the subject of linear algebra and their learning of mathematical concepts. Personal interviews were conducted for students in order to let them express in detail their opinion about the seminar. The results confirm that the introduction of real applications in the learning of mathematics increases students’ motivation and involvement, which implies an improvement in students’ performance in the first courses of STEM degrees.
Customer Behaviour Hidden Markov Model
Authors: Jandera Ales , Skovranek Tomas
Published: April 2022

In this work, the Customer behaviour hidden Markov model (CBHMM) is proposed to predict the behaviour of customers in e-commerce with the goal to forecast the store income. The model consists of three sub-models: Vendor, Psychology and Loyalty, returning probabilities used in the transition matrix of the hidden Markov model, deciding upon three decision-states: “Order completed”, “Order uncompleted” or “No order”. The model outputs are read by the Viterbi algorithm to estimate if the order has been completed successfully, followed by the evaluation of the forecasted store income. The proposed CBHMM was compared to the baseline prediction represented by the Google Analytics tracking system mechanism (GA model). The forecasted income computed using CBHMM as well as the GA model followed the trend of real income data obtained from the store for the year 2021. Based on the comparison criteria the proposed CBHMM outperforms the GA model in terms of the R-squared criterion, giving a 5% better fit, and with the PG value more than 3 dB higher.
Deploying Big Data Enablers to Strengthen Supply Chain Resilience to Mitigate Sustainable Risks Based on Integrated HOQ-MCDM Framework
Authors: Hsu Chih-Hung , Li Ming-Ge , Zhang Ting-Yi , Chang An-Yuan , Shangguan Shu-Zhen , Liu Wan-Ling
Published: April 2022

In the face of global competition, competitive enterprises should pursue sustainable development, and strengthen their supply chain resilience to cope with risks at any time. In addition, big data analysis has been successfully applied in a variety of fields. However, the method has not been applied to improve supply chain resilience in order to reduce sustainable supply chain risks. An approach for enhancing the capabilities of big data analytics must be developed to enhance supply chain resilience, and mitigate sustainable supply chain risks. In this study, a decision framework that integrates two-stage House of Quality and multicriteria decision-making was constructed. By applying this framework, enterprise decision-makers can identify big data analytics that improve supply chain resilience, and resilience indicators that reduce sustainable supply chain risks. A case study of one of China’s largest relay manufacturers is presented to demonstrate the practicability of the framework. The results showed that the key sustainable supply chain risks are risks regarding the IT infrastructure and information system efficiency, customer supply disruptions, transport disruptions, natural disasters, and government instability. To reduce risk in sustainable supply chains, enterprises must improve the key resilience indicators ‘financial capability’, ‘flexibility’, ‘corporate culture’, ‘information sharing’, and ‘robustness’. Moreover, to increase supply chain resilience, the following most important big data analysis enablers should be considered: ‘capital investment’, ‘building big data sharing mechanism and visualisation’, and ‘strengthening big data infrastructures to support platforms and systems’. This decision framework helps companies prioritise big data analysis enablers to mitigate sustainable supply chain risks in manufacturing organisations by strengthening supply chain resilience. The identified priorities will benefit companies that are using big data strategies and pursuing supply chain resilience initiatives. In addition, the results of this study show the direction of creating a fruitful combination of big data technologies and supply chain resilience to effectively mitigate sustainable risks. Despite the limited enterprise resources, management decision-makers can determine where big data analysis enablers can be most cost-effectively improved to promote risk resilience of sustainable supply chains; this ensures the efficient implementation of effective big data strategies.
Diagnostic Value of microRNA-375 as Future Biomarker for Prostate Cancer Detection: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Nitusca Diana , Marcu Anca , Seclaman Edward , Bardan Razvan , Sirbu Ioan , Balacescu Ovidiu , Bucur Adina , Ursoniu Sorin , Marian Catalin
Published: April 2022

Background and Objectives: Responding to the need for additional biomarkers for the diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa), mounting studies show that microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) possess great potential as future promising diagnostic tools. However, the usefulness of these miRNAs is still highly debated, as the degree of inconsistency between study designs and results is still elevated. Herein, we present a meta-analysis evaluating the diagnostic value and accuracy of circulating miR-375, as it is one of the most studied types of miRs in PCa. Materials and Methods: The diagnostic accuracy of miR-375 was evaluated using the QUADAS-2 tool, analyzing different statistical parameters. The seven studies (from six articles) that matched our selection included 422 PCa patients and 212 controls (70 healthy volunteers + 142 with benign prostate diseases). Results and Conclusion: We obtained a p-value of 0.76 for sensitivity, 0.83 for specificity, 16 for DOR, 4.6 for LR+, 0.29 for LR−, and 0.87 for AUC (95% CI 0.83–0.89). Our results confirm that miRNA-375 has high diagnostic potential for PCa, suggesting its usefulness as a powerful biomarker. More comprehensive studies are warranted to better assess its true value as a diagnostic biomarker for this urologic disease.
Characterization and Roles of Membrane Lipids in Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Welch Morgan , Secunda Cassandra , Ghimire Nabin , Martinez Isabel , Mathus Amber , Patel Urja , Bhogoju Sarayu , Al-Mutairi Mashael , Min Kisuk , Lawan Ahmed
Published: April 2022

Obesity has reached global epidemic proportions and it affects the development of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease and other metabolic diseases. Membrane lipids are important structural and signaling components of the cell membrane. Recent studies highlight their importance in lipid homeostasis and are implicated in the pathogenesis of fatty liver disease. Here, we discuss the numerous membrane lipid species and their metabolites including, phospholipids, sphingolipids and cholesterol, and how dysregulation of their composition and physiology contribute to the development of fatty liver disease. The development of new genetic and pharmacological mouse models has shed light on the role of lipid species on various mechanisms/pathways; these lipids impact many aspects of the pathophysiology of fatty liver disease and could potentially be targeted for the treatment of fatty liver disease.
Thin-Film Transistors
Authors: Chien Feng-Tso , Chang Yu-Wei , Liu Jo-Chin
Published: April 2022

Thin film transistors (TFTs) are key components used in a variety of fields such as solar cell, active-matrix liquid crystal displays (AM-LCDs), pixel switches, peripheral driver circuit and flexible electronics [...]
Preparation and Properties of Thin-Film Composite Forward Osmosis Membranes Supported by Cellulose Triacetate Porous Substrate via a Nonsolvent-Thermally Induced Phase Separation Process
Authors: Han Jian-Chen , Xing Xiao-Yan , Wang Jiang , Wu Qing-Yun
Published: April 2022

A porous substrate plays an important role in constructing a thin-film composite forward osmosis (TFC-FO) membrane. To date, the morphology and performance of TFC-FO membranes are greatly limited by porous substrates, which are commonly fabricated by non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) or thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) processes. Herein, a novel TFC-FO membrane has been successfully fabricated by using cellulose triacetate (CTA) porous substrates, which are prepared using a nonsolvent-thermally induced phase separation (N-TIPS) process. The pore structure, permeability, and mechanical properties of CTA porous substrate are carefully investigated via N-TIPS process (CTAN-TIPS). As compared with those via NIPS and TIPS processes, the CTAN-TIPS substrate shows a smooth surface and a cross section combining interconnected pores and finger-like macropores, resulting in the largest water flux and best mechanical property. After interfacial polymerization, the obtained TFC-FO membranes are characterized in terms of their morphology and intrinsic transport properties. It is found that the TFC-FO membrane supported by CTAN-TIPS substrate presents a thin polyamide film full of nodular and worm-like structure, which endows the FO membrane with high water permeability and selectivity. Moreover, the TFC-FO membrane supported by CTAN-TIPS substrate displays a low internal concentration polarization effect. This work proposes a new insight into preparing TFC-FO membrane with good overall performance.
Study on Reductive Smelting of High-Iron Red Mud for Iron Recovery
Authors: Yang Xuewei , Chen Xin , Zhang Tingan , Ye Jiayuan , Lv Guozhi , Zhang Jinshan
Published: April 2022

In this paper, the characteristics and current problems associated with red mud and the progress of research on iron extraction from high-iron red mud are briefly described. By adding conditioning materials to red mud and quenching and tempering, the iron tailings extracted from red mud were reconstructed by heating to form molten tailings in the laboratory. A thermodynamic analysis of the iron reduction reaction during tailings reconstruction was performed, and the best conditions for iron extraction by calcified slag reduction were verified. The contents of CaO, Al2O3 and Na2O in the reduced tailings were 37.07, 37.67 and 0.48%, respectively. According to X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses, the main crystalline phases in the calcified extracted iron tailings were C2AS and CT, which aggregated and met the expected composition standard for calcified extracted iron tailings.
Comparison of SP, SMAT, SMRT, LSP, and UNSM Based on Treatment Effects on the Fatigue Properties of Metals in the HCF and VHCF Regimes
Authors: Chen Rui , Xue Hongqian , Li Bin
Published: April 2022

This paper aims to provide a better understanding regarding the effects of shot peening (SP), surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT), laser shock peening (LSP), surface mechanical rolling treatment (SMRT), and ultrasonic nanocrystal surface modification (UNSM) on the fatigue properties of metals in high-cycle fatigue (HCF) and very-high-cycle fatigue (VHCF) regimes. The work in this paper finds that SMRT and UNSM generally improve the high-cycle and very-high-cycle fatigue properties of metals, while SP, SMAT, and LSP can have mixed effects. The differences are discussed and analyzed with respect to the aspects of surface finish, microstructure and microhardness, and residual stress. SMRT and UNSM generally produce a smooth surface finish, while SP and SMAT tend to worsen the surface finish on metals, which is harmful to their fatigue properties. In addition to inducing a plastic deformation zone and increasing microhardness, surface treatments can also generate a nanograin layer and gradient microstructure to enhance the fatigue properties of metals. The distribution of treatment-induced residual stress and residual stress relaxation can cause mixed effects on the fatigue properties of metals. Furthermore, increasing residual stress through SP and SMAT can cause further deterioration of the surface finish, which is detrimental to the fatigue properties of metals.
Exceptional Phase-Transformation Strengthening of Fe50Mn20Cr20Ni10 Medium-Entropy Alloys at Cryogenic Temperature
Authors: Wang Zhong , Qin Mingjie , Zhang Min , Yang Huijun , Qiao Junwei , Wang Zhihua
Published: April 2022

Cobalt-free Fe50Mn20Cr20Ni10 medium-entropy alloys were developed with the metastable engineering strategy at cryogenic temperature. The phase formation rules were calculated and the stacking fault energy was estimated at different temperatures. The uniaxial tensile tests were carried out at a cryogenic temperature and the mechanical properties were completely investigated, displaying excellent strain-hardening capacity. The deformation mechanisms were systematically explained by forest dislocation, twinning strengthening, and phase-transformation strengthening at cryogenic temperature. The precipitation of the second phase sacrifices some ductility, but still achieves excellent strong-plastic synergy.
Comparative Study on the Hardness and Wear Resistance of the Remelted Gradient Layer on Ductile Iron Fabricated by Plasma Transferred Arc
Authors: Xiao Botao , Yan Xuefang , Jiang Wenming , Fan Zitian , Huang Qiwen , Fang Jun , Xiang Junhuai
Published: April 2022

Repairing the worn surfaces of wear-resistant workpieces, such as rollers, is one of the main application fields of surface treatment, but the repairing time is often not considered. In fact, the repairing time is very important, since it affects the repair quality and service life of wear-resistant workpieces. In this paper, a remelted gradient coating was prepared on a ductile iron plate by plasma transferred arc to simulate the repair treatment of wear-resistant workpieces. First, two positions in the remelted gradient coating were defined, i.e., the top of the gradient remelted layer was defined as M1, and the position where the hardness was two-thirds of the top of the remelting layer was defined as M2. Next, the time taken to repair the workpiece when the working surface reached M2 was proposed. Finally this method was verified by a comparative study on the microhardness and wear resistance of the M1 and M2. In this paper, the M2 was located at a ~0.5 mm from the top of the remelted gradient layer. The results show that the microhardness of the position of the M1 was higher than that of the position of the M2. However, the wear resistance of the M1 was worse, as confirmed by the wear rates. At the same time, cracks and fragments were observed on the worn surface of the M1 and M2 positions. Furthermore, the coefficient of friction (COF) of the position of M1 was noted to be first higher and subsequently lower than that of the position of M2, owing to the grinding ball entering the substrate. The abrasion mechanisms of both regions were observed to be complex, including oxidative wear, adhesive wear, delamination wear, and/or fretting wear. The experimental data indicate that it is feasible to determine the repair time according to the microhardness of workpieces.
Serum Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein (CETP) and Sortilin (SORT) in Patients with Psoriasis with Relation to Systemic Treatment
Authors: Nowowiejska Julia , Baran Anna , Krahel Julita A. , Kamiński Tomasz W. , Maciaszek Magdalena , Flisiak Iwona
Published: April 2022

Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disease, which is tightly associated with metabolic disorders. Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and sortilin (SORT) are molecules engaged in lipid metabolism of proatherogenic properties. They have been hardly ever studied in psoriasis before. Serum CETP and SORT concentrations were measured in 33 patients with plaque-type psoriasis before and after 12 weeks of treatment with methotrexate or acitretin. There was no significant difference in CEPT and SORT serum concentrations between patients and controls. Positive correlations between CETP after the treatment with acitretin and activity of transaminases (R = 0.65, R = 0.56, respectively) were noted. CETP was positively related with triglycerides (R = 0.49), glucose (R = 0.54) and CRP (R = 0.64) before the treatment with methotrexate, which all disappeared afterwards. Systemic therapy with methotrexate caused normalization of SORT concentration. There was significant correlation between SORT and WBC (p < 0.01) and CRP (p < 0.05). CETP and SORT cannot be used as individual biomarkers. Nevertheless, they show some interesting relations with other parameters. Increased concentration of CETP perhaps could investigated as a marker of liver side effects of acitretin treatment in psoriatics. SORT could be considered as a new indicator of metabolically induced inflammation in psoriasis. Methotrexate may be preferred in patients with high SORT concentrations. Further studies are needed to establish their exact role in psoriatic patients.
Fuzzy Logic and Genetic-Based Algorithm for a Servo Control System
Authors: Torres-Salinas Hugo , Rodríguez-Reséndiz Juvenal , Cruz-Miguel Edson , Ángeles-Hurtado L.
Published: April 2022

Performing control is necessary for processes where a variable needs to be regulated. Even though conventional techniques are widely preferred for their implementation, they present limitations in systems in which the parameters vary over time, which is why methods that use artificial intelligence algorithms have been developed to improve the results given by the controller. This work focuses on implementing a position controller based on fuzzy logic in a real platform that consists of the base of a 3D printer, the direct current motor that modifies the position in this base, the power stage and the acquisition card. The contribution of this work is the use of genetic algorithms to optimize the values of the membership functions in the fuzzification of the input variables to the controller. Four scenarios were analyzed, in which the trajectory and the weight of the system were modified. The results obtained in the experimentation show that the rising and setting times of the proposed controller are better than those obtained by similar techniques that were previously developed in the literature. It was also verified that the proposed technique reached the desired values even when the initial conditions in the system changed.
Uniform Tumor Spheroids on Surface-Optimized Microfluidic Biochips for Reproducible Drug Screening and Personalized Medicine
Authors: Azizipour Neda , Avazpour Rahi , Weber Michael H. , Sawan Mohamad , Ajji Abdellah , Rosenzweig Derek H.
Published: April 2022

Spheroids are recognized for resembling the important characteristics of natural tumors in cancer research. However, the lack of controllability of the spheroid size, form, and density in conventional spheroid culture methods reduces the reproducibility and precision of bioassay results and the assessment of drug-dose responses in spheroids. Nonetheless, the accurate prediction of cellular responses to drug compounds is crucial for developing new efficient therapeutic agents and optimizing existing therapeutic strategies for personalized medicine. We developed a surface-optimized PDMS microfluidic biochip to produce uniform and homogenous multicellular spheroids in a reproducible manner. This platform is surface optimized with 10% bovine serum albumin (BSA) to provide cell-repellent properties. Therefore, weak cell-surface interactions lead to the promotion of cell self-aggregations and the production of compact and uniform spheroids. We used a lung cancer cell line (A549), a co-culture model of lung cancer cells (A549) with (primary human osteoblasts, and patient-derived spine metastases cells (BML, bone metastasis secondary to lung). We observed that the behavior of cells cultured in three-dimensional (3D) spheroids within this biochip platform more closely reflects in vivo-like cellular responses to a chemotherapeutic drug, Doxorubicin, rather than on 24-well plates (two-dimensional (2D) model). It was also observed that the co-culture and patient-derived spheroids exhibited resistance to anti-cancer drugs more than the mono-culture spheroids. The repeatability of drug test results in this optimized platform is the hallmark of the reproducibility of uniform spheroids on a chip. This surface-optimized biochip can be a reliable platform to generate homogenous and uniform spheroids to study and monitor the tumor microenvironment and for drug screening.
Computational Valuation of Darcy Ternary-Hybrid Nanofluid Flow across an Extending Cylinder with Induction Effects
Authors: Alharbi Khalid Abdulkhaliq M. , Ahmed Ahmed El-Sayed , Ould Sidi Maawiya , Ahammad Nandalur Ameer , Mohamed Abdullah , El-Shorbagy Mohammed A. , Bilal Muhammad , Marzouki Riadh
Published: April 2022

The flow of an electroconductive incompressible ternary hybrid nanofluid with heat conduction in a boundary layer including metallic nanoparticles (NPs) over an extended cylindrical with magnetic induction effects is reported in this research. The ternary hybrid nanofluid has been synthesized with the dispersion of titanium dioxide, cobalt ferrite, and magnesium oxide NPs in the base fluid water. For a range of economical and biological applications, a computational model is designed to augment the mass and energy conveyance rate and promote the performance and efficiency of thermal energy propagation. The model has been written as a system of partial differential equations. Which are simplified to the system of ordinary differential equations through similarity replacements. The computing approach parametric continuation method is used to further process the resultant first order differential equations. The results are validated with the bvp4c package for accuracy and validity. The outcomes are displayed and analyzed through Figures and Tables. It has been observed that the inverse Prandtl magnetic number and a larger magnetic constant reduce the fluid flow and elevate the energy profile. The variation of ternary hybrid NPs significantly boosts the thermophysical features of the base fluid.
Design and Simulation of Logic-In-Memory Inverter Based on a Silicon Nanowire Feedback Field-Effect Transistor
Authors: Baek Eunwoo , Son Jaemin , Cho Kyoungah , Kim Sangsig
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we propose a logic-in-memory (LIM) inverter comprising a silicon nanowire (SiNW) n-channel feedback field-effect transistor (n-FBFET) and a SiNW p-channel metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (p-MOSFET). The hybrid logic and memory operations of the LIM inverter were investigated by mixed-mode technology computer-aided design simulations. Our LIM inverter exhibited a high voltage gain of 296.8 (V/V) when transitioning from logic ‘1’ to ‘0’ and 7.9 (V/V) when transitioning from logic ‘0’ to ‘1’, while holding calculated logic at zero input voltage. The energy band diagrams of the n-FBFET structure demonstrated that the holding operation of the inverter was implemented by controlling the positive feedback loop. Moreover, the output logic can remain constant without any supply voltage, resulting in zero static power consumption.
Enhanced Phonon Antibunching in a Circuit Quantum Acoustodynamical System Containing Two Surface Acoustic Wave Resonators
Authors: Yin Tai-Shuang , Jin Guang-Ri , Chen Aixi
Published: April 2022

We propose a scheme to implement the phonon antibunching and phonon blockade in a circuit quantum acoustodynamical system containing two surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonators coupled to a superconducting qubit. In the cases of driving only one SAW resonator and two SAW resonators, we investigate the phonon statistics by numerically calculating the second-order correlation function. It is found that, when only one SAW cavity is resonantly driven, the phonon antibunching effect can be achieved even when the qubit–phonon coupling strength is smaller than the decay rates of acoustic cavities. This result physically originates from the quantum interference between super-Poissonian statistics and Poissonian statistics of phonons. In particular, when the two SAW resonators are simultaneously driven under the mechanical resonant condition, the phonon antibunching effect can be significantly enhanced, which ultimately allows for the generation of a phonon blockade. Moreover, the obtained phonon blockade can be optimized by regulating the intensity ratio of the two SAW driving fields. In addition, we also discuss in detail the effect of system parameters on the phonon statistics. Our work provides an alternative way for manipulating and controlling the nonclassical effects of SAW phonons. It may inspire the engineering of new SAW-based phonon devices and extend their applications in quantum information processing.
Optical Whispering-Gallery-Mode Microbubble Sensors
Authors: Zhao Xuyang , Guo Zhihe , Zhou Yi , Guo Junhong , Liu Zhiran , Li Yuxiang , Luo Man , Wu Xiang
Published: April 2022

Whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) microbubble resonators are ideal optical sensors due to their high quality factor, small mode volume, high optical energy density, and geometry/design/structure (i.e., hollow microfluidic channels). When used in combination with microfluidic technologies, WGM microbubble resonators can be applied in chemical and biological sensing due to strong light–matter interactions. The detection of ultra-low concentrations over a large dynamic range is possible due to their high sensitivity, which has significance for environmental monitoring and applications in life-science. Furthermore, WGM microbubble resonators have also been widely used for physical sensing, such as to detect changes in temperature, stress, pressure, flow rate, magnetic field and ultrasound. In this article, we systematically review and summarize the sensing mechanisms, fabrication and packing methods, and various applications of optofluidic WGM microbubble resonators. The challenges of rapid production and practical applications of WGM microbubble resonators are also discussed.
Pre-Growth Environmental Stresses Affect Foodborne Pathogens Response to Subsequent Chemical Treatments
Authors: Singh Amandeep , Yemmireddy Veerachandra
Published: April 2022

Foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes are known to survive under different environmental stresses with an effect on their physiological properties. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different environmental stresses on the foodborne pathogens response to subsequent chemical treatments. Three types of pathogens Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes were subjected to different environmental stresses: (i) Desiccation (ii) high salt (iii) low pH, and (iv) temperatures (14, 23, and 37 °C) during their growth. The cells harvested at their early stationary growth phase were subsequently subjected to chlorine (100 or 200 ppm), peracetic acid (40 or 80 ppm), and 0.5% lactic acid treatments. The results showed that pre-growth stress conditions have significant effect on the reduction of tested pathogens depending upon the type of chemical treatment. Salmonella showed the highest sensitivity against all these treatments when compared to E. coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes. In addition, Listeria monocytogenes showed the highest percentage of sub-lethally injured cells. These findings highlighted the need to consider pre-growth conditions as an important factor for the validation of physical and chemical intervention treatments.
Systematic Study of Legacy Phosphorus (P) Desorption Mechanisms in High-P Agricultural Soils
Authors: Szerlag Kathryn Daria , Elavarthi Monica , Siebecker Matthew G. , Gu Chunhao , McCrone Conner , Sparks Donald Lewis
Published: April 2022

Repeated manure additions containing phosphorus (P) in excess of crop needs have led to many agricultural soils with high levels of soil P (i.e., legacy P), particularly in the Delmarva region (USA). Due to the potential for P release, it is important to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms of P desorption and solubilization. Agricultural soils with high legacy P were collected from the Delmarva Peninsula, and soil P pools were determined using a suite of wet chemical and spectroscopic techniques, including a modified Hedley sequential extraction and X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. Five different desorption solutions were used to investigate P removal efficiency to assess release mechanisms. The results indicate that sulfate can have a stronger competition for P desorption than silicate, especially in the ditch sample with 21% labile P and 44% P adsorbed to iron and aluminum (via Hedley extraction). Additionally, linear combination fitting results of the ditch sample indicate 10.5% organic P and 73.9% P associated with iron and aluminum. This is an important finding because sulfate is a prevalent ion in sea water, and many agricultural soils with high legacy P in the Delmarva coastal area are threatened by sea level rise and inundation.