bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trading Marble for Steel: Early Roman Import of Carrara Marble into the Alps—The Example of the Magdalensberg Trading Post in Noricum
Authors: Prochaska Walter
Published: August 2023

The annexation of the Noricum Kingdom by the Roman Empire in 16 BC brought an increase in the trading relations between the empire and its northern neighbours. A first hub for these relations was the emporium on the Magdalensberg in Noricum Mediterraneum (today southern Carinthia/Austria). During the last decades, archaeological investigations of this settlement in a remote mountainous area revealed, inter alia, different kinds of marble decoration and architecture. Provenance analyses using a combination of different methods, including isotope analysis, trace element analysis and the analysis of inclusion fluids, show that the marbles used on the Magdalensberg are of different origins. Widely used were medium- to coarse-grained Alpine marbles from Roman quarries of the region of Gummern. Prominently used for plates, tiles, profiles, etc. were several types of fine-grained marbles of different origins. One group definitely originated from the quarries of Carrara (Carrara white and Carrara Bardiglio), testifying to the trading relations with northern Italy after the integration of Noricum into the Roman Empire. A database for the Carrara Bardiglio marble is presented and discussed. For the use of these data by further investigators, the numerical data are given as online material.
An Organofluorine Isoselenocyanate Analogue of Sulforaphane Affects Antimetabolite 5-Fluorouracil’s Anticancer Activity: A Perspective for New Combinatory Therapy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Milczarek Małgorzata , Cierpiał Tomasz , Kiełbasiński Piotr , Małecka-Giełdowska Milena , Świtalska Marta , Wietrzyk Joanna , Mazur Maciej , Wiktorska Katarzyna
Published: August 2023

Antimetabolites, especially 5-fluorouracil, are commonly used clinically to treat breast, colon, and other cancers. However, their side effects and inefficiency in monotherapy have prompted further searches for new combinations. Thus, the anticancer effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and the sulforaphane analogue, 4-isoselenocyanato-1-butyl 4′-fluorobenzyl sulfoxide (ISC), were tested in in vitro and in vivo models of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) as a new option for this treatment-resistant and aggressive type of breast cancer. A synergic interaction between 5-FU and ISC was observed in the TNBC in vitro model MDA-MB-231 cell line, which led to enhanced antiproliferative effects. The results of in vitro studies were confirmed by in vivo tests, which demonstrated stronger tumor growth inhibition and additive interactions between 5-FU and ISC in the murine TNBC model. Moreover, the results of the body mass and blood analysis showed the safety of the tested combination. The mechanistic study revealed that the combined treatment triggered apoptosis and necrosis, as well as inhibited cell migration.
Understanding of the Effect of the Adsorption of Atom and Cluster Silver on Chitosan: An In Silico Analysis
Authors: Rodríguez-Juárez Alejandro , Carmona-Álvarez Veronica , Díaz-Monge Fernando , Chigo-Anota Ernesto , Zaca-Moran Orlando
Published: August 2023

In this work, the structural, electronic, and optical stability properties of the chitosan monomer (M-Ch) and atomic silver complex are reported, as well as a unitary cell of a silver cluster in the gas phase and acetic acid. The generalized gradient approximation HSEh1PBE/def2-TZVPP50 results established the structures’ anionic charge (Q = −1|e|) and the doublet state (M = 2). The high cohesive energy indicates structural stability, and the quantum-mechanical descriptors show a high polarity and low chemical reactivity. Also, the quantum-mechanical descriptors present a low work function that shows the structures are suitable for applications in light-emitting diodes. Finally, the electronic behavior observed by the |HOMO-LUMO| gap energy changes depending on the atomic silver incorporated into the complex.
Access and Modulation of Substituted Pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazole-4,6-(2H,5H)-diones
Authors: Ejjoummany Abdelaziz , Elie Jonathan , El Hakmaoui Ahmed , Akssira Mohamed , Routier Sylvain , Buron Frédéric
Published: August 2023

The first access to polyfunctionnalized pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazole-4,6-(2H,5H)-dione derivatives is reported. The series were generated from diethyl acetylenedicarboxylate and arylhydrazines, which afforded the key intermediates bearing two functional positions. The annellation to generate the maleimide moiety of the bicycle was studied. Moreover, an efficient palladium-catalyzed C-C and C-N bond formation via Suzuki–Miyaura or Buchwald–Hartwig coupling reactions in C-6 position was investigated from 6-chloropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazole-4,6-(2H,5H)–diones. This method provides novel access to various 1,6 di-substituted pyrrolo[3,4-c] pyrazole-4,6-(2H,5H)–diones.
Antimicrobial, Antibiofilm, and Anticancer Activities of Syzygium aromaticum Essential Oil Nanoemulsion
Authors: Shehabeldine Amr M. , Doghish Ahmed S. , El-Dakroury Walaa A. , Hassanin Mahmoud M. H. , Al-Askar Abdulaziz A. , AbdElgawad Hamada , Hashem Amr H.
Published: August 2023

In the current study, clove oil nanoemulsion (CL-nanoemulsion) and emulsion (CL-emulsion) were prepared through an ecofriendly method. The prepared CL-nanoemulsion and CL-emulsion were characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and a transmission electron microscope (TEM), where results illustrated that CL-nanoemulsion droplets were approximately 32.67 nm in size and spherical in shape, while CL-nanoemulsion droplets were approximately 225.8 nm with a spherical shape. The antibacterial activity of CL-nanoemulsion and CL-emulsion was carried out using a microbroth dilution method. Results revealed that the preferred CL-nanoemulsion had minimal MIC values between 0.31 and 5 mg/mL. The antibiofilm efficacy of CL-nanoemulsion against S. aureus significantly decreased the development of biofilm compared with CL-emulsion. Furthermore, results illustrated that CL-nanoemulsion showed antifungal activity significantly higher than CL-emulsion. Moreover, the prepared CL-nanoemulsion exhibited outstanding antifungal efficiency toward Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus brasiliensis, A. flavus, and A. fumigatus where MICs were 12.5, 3.12, 0.78, 1.56, and 1.56 mg/mL, respectively. Additionally, the prepared CL-nanoemulsion was analyzed for its antineoplastic effects through a modified MTT assay for evaluating apoptotic and cytotoxic effects using HepG2 and MCF-7 cell lines. MCF-7 breast cancer cells showed the lowest IC50 values (3.4-fold) in CL-nanoemulsion relative to that of CL-emulsion. Thus, CL-nanoemulsion induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells by inducing caspase-8 and -9 activity and suppressing VEGFR-2. In conclusion, the prepared CL-nanoemulsion had antibacterial, antifungal, and antibiofilm as well as anticancer properties, which can be used in different biomedical applications after extensive studies in vivo.
Observation of Two-Step Spin Transition in Graphene Oxide-Based Hybrids with Iron(II) 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole Spin Crossover Nanoparticles
Authors: Lalioti Nikolia , Charitos Alexander , Parthenios John , Malina Ondrej , Polaskova Michaela , Petr Martin , Tangoulis Vassilis
Published: August 2023

A novel experimental protocol based on a reverse micellar method is presented for the synthesis of graphene oxide (GO)-based hybrids with spin crossover nanoparticles (SCO NPs) of the 1D iron(II) coordination polymer with the formula [Fe(NH2trz)3](Br2). By introducing different quantities of 0.5% and 1.0% of GO (according to iron(II)) into the aqueous phase, two hybrids, NP4 and NP5, were synthesized, respectively. The morphological homogeneity of the NPs on the surface of the GO flakes is greatly improved in comparison to the pristine [Fe(NH2trz)3](Br2) NPs. From the magnetic point of view and at a low magnetic sweep rate of 1 K/min, a two-step hysteretic behavior is observed for NP4 and NP5, where the onset of the low-temperature second step appeared at 40% and 30% of the HS fraction, respectively. For faster sweep rates of 5–10 K/min, the two steps from the cooling branch are progressively smeared out, and the critical temperatures observed are T1/2↑ = 343 K and T1/2↓ = 288 K, with a thermal width of 55 K for both NP4 and NP5. A Raman laser power-assisted protocol was used to monitor the thermal tolerance of the hybrids, while XPS analysis revealed electronic interactions between the SCO NPs and the GO flakes.
Evaluation of the Usefulness of Topological Indices for Predicting Selected Physicochemical Properties of Bioactive Substances with Anti-Androgenic and Hypouricemic Activity
Authors: Wardecki Dawid , Dołowy Małgorzata , Bober-Majnusz Katarzyna
Published: August 2023

Due to the observed increase in the importance of computational methods in determining selected physicochemical parameters of biologically active compounds that are key to understanding their ADME/T profile, such as lipophilicity, there is a great need to work on accurate and precise in silico models based on some structural descriptors, such as topological indices for predicting lipophilicity of certain anti-androgenic and hypouricemic agents and their derivatives, for which the experimental lipophilicity parameter is not accurately described in the available literature, e.g., febuxostat, oxypurinol, ailanthone, abiraterone and teriflunomide. Therefore, the following topological indices were accurately calculated in this paper: Gutman (M, Mν), Randić (0χ, 1χ, 0χν, 1χν), Wiener (W), Rouvray–Crafford (R) and Pyka (A, 0B, 1B) for the selected anti-androgenic drugs (abiraterone, bicalutamide, flutamide, nilutamide, leflunomide, teriflunomide, ailanthone) and some hypouricemic compounds (allopurinol, oxypurinol, febuxostat). Linear regression analysis was used to create simple linear correlations between the newly calculated topological indices and some physicochemical parameters, including lipophilicity descriptors of the tested compounds (previously obtained by TLC and theoretical methods). Our studies confirmed the usefulness of the obtained linear regression equations based on topological indices to predict ADME/T important parameters, such as lipophilicity descriptors of tested compounds with anti-androgenic and hypouricemic effects. The proposed calculation method based on topological indices is fast, easy to use and avoids valuable and lengthy laboratory experiments required in the case of experimental ADME/T studies.
Hierarchical Self-Assembly and Conformation of Tb Double-Decker Molecular Magnets: Experiment and Molecular Dynamics
Authors: Lawes Patrick , Boero Mauro , Barhoumi Rabei , Klyatskaya Svetlana , Ruben Mario , Bucher Jean-Pierre
Published: August 2023

Nanostructures, fabricated by locating molecular building blocks in well-defined positions, for example, on a lattice, are ideal platforms for studying atomic-scale quantum effects. In this context, STM data obtained from self-assembled Bis(phthalocyaninato) Terbium (III) (TbPc2) single-molecule magnets on various substrates have raised questions about the conformation of the TbPc2 molecules within the lattice. In order to address this issue, molecular dynamics simulations were carried out on a 2D assembly of TbPc2 molecules. The calculations are in excellent agreement with the experiment, and thus improve our understanding of the self-assembly process. In particular, the calculated electron density of the molecular assembly compares well with STM contrast of self-assembled TbPc2 on Au(111), simultaneously providing the conformation of the two Pc ligands of the individual double-decker molecule. This approach proves valuable in the identification of the STM contrast of LnPc2 layers and could be used in similar cases where it is difficult to interpret the STM images of an assembly of molecular complexes.
The Association of Vitamin D during Pregnancy and mRNA Expression Levels of Inflammatory Factors with Preterm Birth and Prelabor Rupture of Membranes
Authors: Alifu Xialidan , Si Shuting , Qiu Yiwen , Cheng Haoyue , Huang Ye , Chi Peihan , Zhuang Yan , Zhou Haibo , Zhang Libi , Ainiwan Diliyaer , Peng Zhicheng , Liu Hui , Yu Yunxian
Published: August 2023

The aim of this study was to elucidate the association between vitamin D (VD) and the risk for preterm birth (PTB) and prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM). This study included two parts, with a cohort study and a case-control study. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin vitamin D [25(OH)D] levels in three trimesters in the cohort study and maternal 25(OH)D before delivery in the case-control study were measured. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect relative mRNA expression levels of the inflammatory factors associated with pyroptosis in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC), placenta and fetal membranes. Multinomial logistic regression and the Wilcoxon test were applied to analyze the associations. In the cohort study, 6381 pregnant women were included. We found that VD deficiency in T3 (PTB without PROM: OR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.02–3.55, Term PROM (TPROM): OR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.59–0.98) and less change of 25(OH)D between T1 and T3 (PTB without PROM: OR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.07–5.06, TPROM: OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.56–0.96) were associated with the increased risk of PTB without PROM, while there was a decreased risk of TPROM. Neither VD, nor the increase of VD during pregnancy was associated with the premature rupture of membranes preterm delivery (PPROM). In the case-control study, there were no associations between VD during delivery and PTB or PROM (TPROM: OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 0.52–3.44); PTB without PROM: OR = 1.66, 95% CI: 0.33–8.19; PPROM: OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 0.42–3.40). The mRNA expression of NLRP1 (NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 1) (p = 0.0165) in PBMC in the TPROM group was higher than that in the term group, and IL-18 (p = 0.0064) was lower than that in the term group. Plasma 25(OH)D in T3 and the increase of 25(OH)D between T1 and T3 were associated with a lower risk for PTB without PROM but a higher risk for TPROM. Further studies are warranted to clarify the association between VD and PTB and PROM and its mechanism.
Effectiveness of Whey Protein Supplementation during Resistance Exercise Training on Skeletal Muscle Mass and Strength in Older People with Sarcopenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Cuyul-Vásquez Iván , Pezo-Navarrete José , Vargas-Arriagada Cristina , Ortega-Díaz Cynthia , Sepúlveda-Loyola Walter , Hirabara Sandro Massao , Marzuca-Nassr Gabriel Nasri
Published: August 2023

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of whey protein (WP) supplementation during resistance exercise training (RET) vs. RET with or without placebo supplementation on skeletal muscle mass, strength, and physical performance in older people with Sarcopenia. Methods: Electronic searches in the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, SPORTDiscus, Epistemonikos, and CINAHL databases were performed until 20 January 2023. Randomized clinical trials conducted on sarcopenic adults aged 60 or older were included. The studies had to compare the effectiveness of the addition of supplements based on concentrated, isolated, or hydrolyzed whey protein during RET and compare it with RET with or without placebo supplementation on skeletal muscle mass and strength changes. The study selection process, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment were carried out by two independent reviewers. Results: Seven randomized clinical trials (591 participants) were included, and five of them provided data for quantitative synthesis. The overall pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) estimate showed a small effect size in favor of RET plus WP for skeletal muscle mass according to appendicular muscle index, with statistically significant differences compared with RET with or without the placebo group (SMD = 0.24; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.42; p = 0.01; I2 = 0%, p = 0.42). The overall pooled mean difference (MD) estimate showed a significant difference of +2.31 kg (MD = 2.31 kg; 95% CI, 0.01 to 4.6; p = 0.05; I2 = 81%, p < 0.001) in handgrip strength in the RET plus WP group compared with the RET group with or without placebo. The narrative synthesis revealed discordance between the results of the studies on physical performance. Conclusions: WP supplementation during RET is more effective in increasing handgrip strength and skeletal muscle mass in older people with Sarcopenia compared with RET with or without placebo supplementation. However, the effect sizes were small, and the MD did not exceed the minimally important clinical difference. The quality of the evidence was low to very low according, to the GRADE approach. Further research is needed in this field.
The Effects of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.F.) Wall. Ex Nees and Andrographolide on Neuroinflammation in the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Bosco Francesca , Ruga Stefano , Citraro Rita , Leo Antonio , Guarnieri Lorenza , Maiuolo Jessica , Oppedisano Francesca , Macrì Roberta , Scarano Federica , Nucera Saverio , Bava Irene , Palma Ernesto , Muscoli Carolina , Hancke Juan , De Sarro Giovambattista , Mollace Vincenzo
Published: August 2023

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) affect millions of people worldwide, and to date, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases are the most common NDs. Of the many risk factors for neurodegeneration, the aging process has the most significant impact, to the extent that it is tempting to consider neurodegenerative disease as a manifestation of accelerated aging. However, genetic and environmental factors determine the course of neurodegenerative disease progression. It has been proposed that environmental stimuli influence neuroplasticity. Some clinical studies have shown that healthy lifestyles and the administration of nutraceuticals containing bioactive molecules possessing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have a preventive impact or mitigate symptoms in previously diagnosed patients. Despite ongoing research efforts, the therapies currently used for the treatment of NDs provide only marginal therapeutic benefits; therefore, the focus is now directly on the search for natural products that could be valuable tools in combating these diseases, including the natural compound Andrographis paniculata (Ap) and its main constituent, andrographolide (Andro). Preclinical studies have shown that the aqueous extract of Ap can modulate neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative responses, reducing inflammatory markers and oxidative stress in various NDs. Therefore, in this review, we will focus on the molecular mechanisms by which Ap and Andro can modulate the processes of neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation, which are significant causes of neuronal death and cognitive decline.
Histone Modification of Colorectal Cancer by Natural Products
Authors: Geng Zijun , Chen Meiqi , Yu Qixuan , Guo Shuoxi , Chen Tianli , Liu Da
Published: August 2023

Natural products play important roles in the pathogenesis of many human malignancies, including colorectal cancer, and can act as a gene regulator in many cancers. They regulate malignant cell growth through many cellular signal pathways, including Rac family small GTPase 1 (RAC1)/PI3K/AKT (α-serine/threonine-protein kinase), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Wnt/β-catenin pathway, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), Janus kinase and signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), the Notch pathway, Hippo pathway, and Hedgehog pathway. In this review, we describe the epigenetic roles of several natural products, e.g., platycodin D (PD), ginsenoside Rd, tretinoin, Rutin, curcumin, clove extract, betulinic acid, resveratrol, and curcumin, in colorectal cancer, including their impact on colorectal cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, migration, and anti-chemotherapeutic resistance. The aim is to illustrate the epigenetic mechanisms of action of natural products in cancer prevention and treatment, and to provide (1) a theoretical basis for the study of the role of epigenetics in influencing colorectal cancer; (2) new directions for studying the occurrence, development, and prognosis of colorectal cancer; and (3) new targets for treating and preventing colorectal cancer.
Antispasmodic Effect of Valeriana pilosa Root Essential Oil and Potential Mechanisms of Action: Ex Vivo and In Silico Studies
Authors: Ybañez-Julca Roberto , Pino-Ríos Ricardo , Quispe-Díaz Iván , Asunción-Alvarez Daniel , Acuña-Tarrillo Edwin , Mantilla-Rodríguez Elena , Minchan-Herrera Patricia , Catalán Marcelo , Zevallos-Escobar Liz , Vásquez-Corales Edison , Yáñez Osvaldo , Gutiérrez-Alvarado Wilfredo , Benites Julio
Published: August 2023

Infusions of Valeriana pilosa are commonly used in Peruvian folk medicine for treating gastrointestinal disorders. This study aimed to investigate the spasmolytic and antispasmodic effects of Valeriana pilosa essential oil (VPEO) on rat ileum. The basal tone of ileal sections decreased in response to accumulative concentrations of VPEO. Moreover, ileal sections precontracted with acetylcholine (ACh), potassium chloride (KCl), or barium chloride (BaCl2) were relaxed in response to VPEO by a mechanism that depended on atropine, hyoscine butylbromide, solifenacin, and verapamil, but not glibenclamide. The results showed that VPEO produced a relaxant effect by inhibiting muscarinic receptors and blocking calcium channels, with no apparent effect on the opening of potassium channels. In addition, molecular docking was employed to evaluate VPEO constituents that could inhibit intestinal contractile activity. The study showed that α-cubebene, β-patchoulene, β-bourbonene, β-caryophyllene, α-guaiene, γ-muurolene, valencene, eremophyllene, and δ-cadinene displayed the highest docking scores on muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and voltage-gated calcium channels, which may antagonize M2 and/or M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and block voltage-gated calcium channels. In summary, VPEO has both spasmolytic and antispasmodic effects. It may block muscarinic receptors and calcium channels, thus providing a scientific basis for its traditional use for gastrointestinal disorders.
Performance of HQAM/XQAM Laser Communication System in Anisotropic Non-Kolmogorov Ground–HAP–Satellite Uplink
Authors: Jiang Xuewen , Wang Yi , Lu Wangyue
Published: August 2023

Satellite laser communication can achieve high-speed, high-precision, and high-security broadband communication without being constrained by the electromagnetic spectrum, which has attracted attention. So, this paper proposes the use of a high-altitude platform (HAP) under anisotropic non-Kolmogorov turbulence to improve the communication performance of the system. Cross quadrature amplitude modulation (XQAM) and hexagon quadrature amplitude modulation (HQAM) are applied to the ground–HAP–satellite (G-H-S) laser communication system. Considering the combined effects of uplink light intensity scintillation, beam wander, and the angle of arrival fluctuation, the G-H-S system’s bit error rate (BER) closure expression is derived under the EW distribution. Simultaneously, the relationship between the G-H-S system’s signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and BER under different anisotropic factor u values is simulated and compared with the traditional ground–satellite (G-S) system. The results show that the communication performance of the G-H-S system with HQAM modulation is better. In addition, the effects of the zenith angle, receiving aperture, transmitter beam radius, and beam divergence angle on the BER performance of the system are also studied. Finally, the correctness of the analysis results is verified via Monte Carlo simulation. This research will benefit the design and optimization of satellite laser communication systems.
Pervaporation and Gas Separation Properties of High-Molecular Ladder-like Polyphenylsilsesquioxanes
Authors: Anokhina Tatiana S. , Ershova Tatyana O. , Anisimov Anton A. , Temnikov Maxim N. , Grushevenko Evgenia A. , Borisov Ilya L. , Volkov Alexey V. , Muzafarov Aziz M.
Published: August 2023

This paper presents the results of studies on the pervaporation properties (for benzene/hexane mixtures) and gas permeability (for He, H2, N2, O2, CO2, CH4, C2H6, and C4H10) of ladder-like polyphenylsesquioxanes (L-PPSQ) with improved physical and chemical properties. These polymers were obtained by condensation of cis-tetraphenylcyclotetrasiloxanetetraol in ammonia medium. The structure of L-PPSQ was fully confirmed by a combination of physicochemical analysis methods: 1H, 29Si NMR, IR spectroscopy, HPLC, powder XRD, and viscometry in solution. For the first time, a high molecular weight of the polymer (Mn = 238 kDa, Mw = 540 kDa) was achieved, which determines its improved mechanical properties and high potential for use in membrane separation. Using TGA and mechanical analysis methods, it was found that this polymer has high thermal (Td5% = 537 °C) and thermal-oxidative stability (Td5% = 587 °C) and good mechanical properties (Young’s module (E) = 1700 MPa, ultimate tensile stress (σ) = 44 MPa, elongation at break (ε) = 6%), which is important for making membranes workable under various conditions. The polymer showed a high separation factor for a mixture of 10% wt. benzene in n-hexane (126) at a benzene flow of 33 g/(m2h).
The Enhanced Oil Recovery Effect of Nitrogen-Assisted Gravity Drainage in Karst Reservoirs with Different Genesis: A Case Study of the Tahe Oilfield
Authors: Cheng Hong
Published: August 2023

For the Tahe Oilfield, there are multiple sets of karst reservoirs with different genesis developed in carbonate fracture-vuggy reservoirs and the varying karst reservoir type has a considerable influence on the distribution of residual oil. The complex characteristics of different karst reservoirs and the difficulty in producing the remaining oil in the middle and lower part of the reservoir greatly restrict the recovery effects. This work managed to comprehensively investigate the action mechanism of nitrogen-assisted gravity drainage (NAGD) on remaining oil in reservoirs with different karst genesis through modeling and experiments. Based on geological characteristics and modeling results, a reservoir-profile model considering reservoir type, fracture distribution, and the fracture–cave combination was established, the displacement experiments of main reservoirs such as the epikarst zone, underground river, and fault karst were carried out, and the oil–gas–water multiphase flow was visually analyzed. The remaining oil state before and after NAGD was studied, and the difference in recovery enhancement in different genetic karst reservoirs was quantitatively compared. The results show that NAGD was helpful in enhancing oil recovery (EOR) for reservoirs with different karst genesis. NAGD technique has the greatest increasing effect on the sweep efficiency of the fault-karst reservoir, followed by the epikarst zone reservoir, and the smallest in the underground river reservoir. The results of this research will facilitate an understanding of the EOR effect of karst-reservoir types on NAGD and provide theory and technical support for the high-efficiency development in varying karst reservoirs in the Tahe Oilfield.
An Overview of Flashing Phenomena in Pressure Hydrometallurgy
Authors: Liu Junda , Liu Bin , Zhou Ping , Wu Di , Wu Caigui
Published: August 2023

Pressure hydrometallurgy has attracted much attention for its characteristics, such as the high adaptability of raw materials and environmental friendliness. Flashing (flash boiling or flash evaporation) refers to the phase change phenomenon from liquid to gas triggered by depressurization, which is an important connection between high-pressure processes and atmospheric ones in pressure hydrometallurgy. This paper takes the flashing process in zinc leaching and alumina Bayer processes as examples, describes the flashing process in pressure hydrometallurgy in detail for the first time, and shows the importance of the flashing process in energy recovery, solution concentration, and liquid balance, as well as increasing equipment life. According to solid holdup (the volume percentage of solid), this paper proposes to divide the flashing process into solution flashing (low solid holdup) and slurry flashing (high solid holdup). A further focus is put on reviewing the state of the art of related studies. The results reveal that the research on the flashing process in pressure hydrometallurgy is scarce and often oversimplified, e.g., ignoring the BPE (boiling point elevation) and NEA (non-equilibrium allowance) in solution flashing and the effect of solid particles in slurry flashing. Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulation is a promising tool for investigating the flashing process. Based on the progress made in other fields, e.g., seawater desalination, nuclear safety analysis, and engine fuel atomization, we suggest that solution flashing can be studied using the CFD–PBM (population balance model) coupled two-fluid model, since a wide size range of bubbles will be generated. For slurry flashing, the effect of solid holdup on the bubble nucleation rate and mechanism as well as other bubble dynamics processes should be accounted for additionally, for which a quantitative description is still lacking. Meanwhile, data for validating the numerical method are scarce because of the harsh experimental conditions, and further research is needed. In summary, this work presents an overview of the flashing processes in pressure hydrometallurgy and some guidelines for future numerical studies.
Fault Diagnosis Based on Fusion of Residuals and Data for Chillers
Authors: Wang Zhanwei , Liang Boyang , Guo Jingjing , Wang Lin , Tan Yingying , Li Xiuzhen , Zhou Sai
Published: August 2023

Feature data refer to direct measurements of specific features, while feature residuals represent the deviations between these measurements and their corresponding benchmark values. Both types of information offer unique insights into the system’s behavior. However, conventional diagnostic systems often struggle to effectively integrate and utilize both types of information concurrently. To address this limitation and improve diagnostic performance, a hybrid method based on the Bayesian network (BN) is proposed. This method enables the parallel fusion of feature residuals and feature data within a unified diagnostic model, and a comprehensive framework for developing this hybrid method is also given. In the hybrid BN, the symptom layer consists of residual nodes representing feature residuals and data nodes representing measured feature data. By applying the proposed method to two chillers and comparing it with state-of-the-art existing methods, we demonstrate its effectiveness and superiority. The results highlight that the proposed method not only accommodates the absence of either type of information but also leverages both of them to enhance diagnostic performance. Compared to using a single type of node, the hybrid method achieves a maximum improvement of 24.5% in diagnostic accuracy, with significant enhancements in F-measure observed for refrigerant leakage fault (34.5%) and excessive lubricant fault (32.8%), respectively.
A Novel Thermal Lattice Boltzmann Method for Numerical Simulation of Natural Convection of Non-Newtonian Fluids
Authors: Ren Xiaofei , Liu Feifei , Xin Zheng
Published: August 2023

A modified thermal Bhatnagar–Gross–Krook Lattice Boltzmann (BGK-LB) model was developed to study the convection phenomenon of non-Newtonian fluids (NNFs). This model integrates the local shear rate into the equilibrium distribution function (EDF) of the flow field and keeps the relaxation time from varying with fluid viscosity by introducing an additional parameter. In addition, a modified temperature EDF was constructed for the evolution equation of the temperature field to ensure the precise recovery of the convection–diffusion equation. To validate the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed model, numerical simulations of benchmark problems were performed. Subsequently, we investigated the natural convection of power–law (PL) fluids and examined the impact of the PL index (n = 0.7–1.3) and Rayleigh number (Ra = 103–5 × 105) on the flow and temperature fields while holding the Prandtl number (Pr = 7) constant. The obtained results indicate that, for a given value of n, the convective intensity exhibits a positive correlation with Ra, which is illustrated by the rising trend in the average Nusselt number (Nu¯) with increasing Ra. Additionally, shear-thinning fluid (n < 1) exhibited increased Nu¯ values compared to the Newtonian case, indicating an enhanced convection effect. Conversely, shear-thickening fluid (n > 1) exhibits reduced Nu¯ values, indicating weakened convective behavior.
The Physical, Sensory, and Microbial Qualities of Broth Gels Enclosing Food Cubes and Their Changes during Cold Storage
Authors: Son Yang-Ju , Choi Ji-Yu
Published: August 2023

Due to their unusual textural properties and semblance, gel foods have been welcomed by consumers. In this study, we designed a novel gel food, that is, broth jellies that enclosed particular food dices (shrimp, chicken, and potatoes). Briefly, various ratios of gelling molecules (gelatin and κ-carrageenan) were added to chicken broth, the food dices were placed in the center of the gels, and their characteristics and stabilities were verified during cold storage (4 °C) for 14 days. As a result, the mix of κ-carrageenan and gelatin led to the formation of firm cross-junctions with an elevated hardness compared to gelatin singular gel. In contrast, the gelatin sole gel showed different sensory attributes, such as a high chewiness and meltiness. The thick gel barriers of the products fairly increased the stability of the inner food ingredients. By blocking the loss of moisture, the texture and sensory traits were well preserved; moreover, the gelling molecules greatly impeded microbial decay by decreasing the water activity due to their strong water-binding capacity. In conclusion, the mix ratio of gelatin and κ-carrageenan affected the gel characteristics by shifting the gel matrices, and the gel barriers improved the food quality and inner food preservability.
Dual Homogeneous Patches-Based Band Selection Methodology for Hyperspectral Classification
Authors: Wang Xianyue , Qian Longxia , Hong Mei , Liu Yifan
Published: August 2023

Homogeneous band- or pixel-based feature selection, which exploits the difference between spectral or spatial regions to select informative and low-redundant bands, has been extensively studied in classifying hyperspectral images (HSIs). Although many models have proven effective, they rarely simultaneously exploit homogeneous spatial and spectral information, which are beneficial to extract potential low-dimensional characteristics even under noise. Moreover, the employed vectorial transformation and unordered assumption destroy the implicit knowledge of HSIs. To solve these issues, a dual homogeneous pixel patches-based methodology termed PHSIMR was created for selecting the most representative, low-redundant, and informative bands, integrating hybrid superpixelwise adjacent band grouping and regional informative mutuality ranking algorithms. Specifically, the adjoining band grouping technique is designed to group adjacent bands into connected clusters with a small homogeneous pixel patch containing several homolabeled adjacent spatial points. Hence, the processing is efficient, and the superpixelwise adjoining band grouping can perceptually and quickly acquire connected band groups. Furthermore, the constructed graph and affiliated group avoid vectorial transformation and unordered assumption, protecting spectral and spatial contextual information. Then, the regional informative mutuality ranking algorithm is employed on another larger pixel patch within each homogeneous band group, acquiring the final representative, low-redundant, and informative band subset. Since the employed dual patches consist of homolabeled spatial pixels, PHSIMR is a supervised methodology. Comparative experiments on three benchmark HSIs were performed to demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed PHSIMR.
NDVI Analysis for Monitoring Land-Cover Evolution on Selected Deglaciated Areas in the Gran Paradiso Group (Italian Western Alps)
Authors: Gennaro Simona , Cerrato Riccardo , Salvatore Maria Cristina , Salzano Roberto , Salvatori Rosamaria , Baroni Carlo
Published: August 2023

The ongoing climate warming is affecting high-elevation areas, reducing the extent and the duration of glacier and snow covers, driving a widespread greening effect on the Alpine region. The impact assessment requires therefore the integration of the geomorphological context with altitudinal and ecological features of the study areas. The proposed approach introduces chronologically-constrained zones as geomorphological evidence for selecting deglaciated areas in the alpine and non-alpine belts. In the present study, the protected and low-anthropic-impacted areas of the Gran Paradiso Group (Italian Western Alps) were analysed using Landsat NDVI time series (1984–2022 CE). The obtained results highlighted a progressive greening even at a higher altitude, albeit not ubiquitous. The detected NDVI trends showed, moreover, how the local factors trigger the greening in low-elevation areas. Spectral reflectance showed a general decrease over time, evidencing the progressive colonisation of recently deglaciated surfaces. The results improved the discrimination between different greening rates in the deglaciated areas of the Alpine regions. The geomorphological-driven approach showed significant potential to support the comprehension of these processes, especially for fast-changing areas such as the high mountain regions.
Analysis of the Income Enhancement Potential of the Terrestrial Carbon Sink in China Based on Remotely Sensed Data
Authors: Ying Jiaying , Jiang Jiafei , Wang Huayi , Liu Yilin , Gong Wei , Liu Boming , Han Ge
Published: August 2023

A key focus of international climate action is achieving a terrestrial carbon sink within the framework of carbon neutrality. For certain regions with vital ecological functions and high poverty rates, the generation of surplus ecological carbon income is crucial for mitigating global inequality. While the evaluation of the economic benefits of carbon income still faces limitations in terms of inadequacy and inaccuracy, enhancing green carbon poverty alleviation schemes is urgently needed. This project introduces an analysis framework for assessing the land-based ecological carbon sink and poverty alleviation potential based on a per capita ideal carbon sink income evaluation, which compares the regional economic benefits of a carbon sink under different carbon price benchmarks and explores tailored green poverty alleviation strategies. It indicates that the per capita ideal carbon sink income in China exhibits a seasonal variation, ranging from approximately USD 16.50 to USD 261.41 per person per month on average. Its spatial distribution shows a pattern of lower values in the central region and higher values in the north and south, following a “high differentiation, low clustering” distribution pattern. The per capita carbon sink income can reach 30% to 70% of the per capita GDP, with a peak value of USD 19,138.10 per year, meeting the minimum livelihood guarantee for the needs in economically underdeveloped areas. Simultaneously, the per capita carbon sequestration income within the Chinese carbon market is expected to demonstrate a yearly ascending trajectory, with an approximate growth rate of USD 23.6 per individual annually. The southwest, northeast, and north China regions can be prioritized as key areas for carbon market development, facilitating more comprehensive inter-regional and sustainable carbon trading. This study plays a significant role in disclosing the regional ecological function and economic benefits, promoting the use of “carbon neutrality” as a driving force to alleviate global inequality and contributing to global climate action and poverty eradication strategies.
Progressively Unsupervised Generative Attentional Networks with Adaptive Layer-Instance Normalization for Image-to-Image Translation
Authors: Lee Hong-Yu , Li Yung-Hui , Lee Ting-Hsuan , Aslam Muhammad Saqlain
Published: August 2023

Unsupervised image-to-image translation has received considerable attention due to the recent remarkable advancements in generative adversarial networks (GANs). In image-to-image translation, state-of-the-art methods use unpaired image data to learn mappings between the source and target domains. However, despite their promising results, existing approaches often fail in challenging conditions, particularly when images have various target instances and a translation task involves significant transitions in shape and visual artifacts when translating low-level information rather than high-level semantics. To tackle the problem, we propose a novel framework called Progressive Unsupervised Generative Attentional Networks with Adaptive Layer-Instance Normalization (PRO-U-GAT-IT) for the unsupervised image-to-image translation task. In contrast to existing attention-based models that fail to handle geometric transitions between the source and target domains, our model can translate images requiring extensive and holistic changes in shape. Experimental results show the superiority of the proposed approach compared to the existing state-of-the-art models on different datasets.
Measurement of Thermal Conductivity and Thermal Diffusivity of Porcine and Bovine Kidney Tissues at Supraphysiological Temperatures up to 93 °C
Authors: Bianchi Leonardo , Fiorentini Silvia , Gianella Sara , Gianotti Sofia , Iadanza Carolina , Asadi Somayeh , Saccomandi Paola
Published: August 2023

This experimental study aimed to characterize the thermal properties of ex vivo porcine and bovine kidney tissues in steady-state heat transfer conditions in a wider thermal interval (23.2–92.8 °C) compared to previous investigations limited to 45 °C. Thermal properties, namely thermal conductivity (k) and thermal diffusivity (α), were measured in a temperature-controlled environment using a dual-needle probe connected to a commercial thermal property analyzer, using the transient hot-wire technique. The estimation of measurement uncertainty was performed along with the assessment of regression models describing the trend of measured quantities as a function of temperature to be used in simulations involving heat transfer in kidney tissue. A direct comparison of the thermal properties of the same tissue from two different species, i.e., porcine and bovine kidney tissues, with the same experimental transient hot-wire technique, was conducted to provide indications on the possible inter-species variabilities of k and α at different selected temperatures. Exponential fitting curves were selected to interpolate the measured values for both porcine and bovine kidney tissues, for both k and α. The results show that the k and α values of the tissues remained rather constant from room temperature up to the onset of water evaporation, and a more marked increase was observed afterward. Indeed, at the highest investigated temperatures, i.e., 90.0–92.8 °C, the average k values were subject to 1.2- and 1.3-fold increases, compared to their nominal values at room temperature, in porcine and bovine kidney tissue, respectively. Moreover, at 90.0–92.8 °C, 1.4- and 1.2-fold increases in the average values of α, compared to baseline values, were observed for porcine and bovine kidney tissue, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found between the thermal properties of porcine and bovine kidney tissues at the same selected tissue temperatures despite their anatomical and structural differences. The provided quantitative values and best-fit regression models can be used to enhance the accuracy of the prediction capability of numerical models of thermal therapies. Furthermore, this study may provide insights into the refinement of protocols for the realization of tissue-mimicking phantoms and the choice of tissue models for bioheat transfer studies in experimental laboratories.
Evolution Law of Concrete Interface Stress of Rigid-Frame Arch under Construction and Its Impact on Ultimate Load-Bearing Capacity
Authors: Fan Yonghui , Luo Chao , Zhou Yin , Yang Ligui , Li Xinglin , Liao Jinlong
Published: August 2023

To study the evolution of stress on the ring and segment interfaces during the construction process of the concrete encapsulation of the main arch ring in a rigid-frame arch bridge, alongside its impact on the ultimate load-bearing capacity of the main arch ring, a 1:10 scale model experiment was conducted by taking the 600 m Tian’e Longtan Bridge as the prototype. The key cross-section concrete strain data were collected during the entire construction process of the main arch ring via fiber-optic strain sensors, which were used to investigate the stress evolution at ring and segment interfaces. ANSYS APDL was employed to simulate the ultimate bearing capacity under various loading conditions of two different finite element models, which were, respectively, formed segmentally and by single pouring. The results revealed that (1) after the closure of the concrete encapsulation of the main arch ring, the concrete stress in the cross-section exhibits significant stress disparities. At the same cross-section, the level of the web concrete stress can reach 76% of the floor concrete stress, while the roof concrete stress level is less than 20% of the floor concrete stress. (2) At the junction of two adjacent work planes, there are considerable differences in the stress levels of the concrete on both sides. After the closure of the main arch ring, the intersegment stress ratios of the floor, web, and roof concrete are 60~70%, 40~60%, and 0~5%, respectively. (3) Loading conditions remarkably affected the ultimate bearing capacity of the main arch ring. Under mid-span loading and 1/4 span symmetrical loading conditions, compared to single-pour concrete encapsulation, the ultimate bearing capacity of the main arch ring with concrete encapsulated by segmented and ring-divided pouring decreased by 19.16% and 5.23%, respectively, compared to single-pour concrete encapsulation. This suggests that the non-uniformity of stress distribution in the concrete sheath can lead to reductions in the ultimate bearing capacity of the arch ring.
Review of Vision-Based Deep Learning Parking Slot Detection on Surround View Images
Authors: Wong Guan Sheng , Goh Kah Ong Michael , Tee Connie , Md. Sabri Aznul Qalid
Published: August 2023

Autonomous vehicles are gaining popularity, and the development of automatic parking systems is a fundamental requirement. Detecting the parking slots accurately is the first step towards achieving an automatic parking system. However, modern parking slots present various challenges for detection task due to their different shapes, colors, functionalities, and the influence of factors like lighting and obstacles. In this comprehensive review paper, we explore the realm of vision-based deep learning methods for parking slot detection. We categorize these methods into four main categories: object detection, image segmentation, regression, and graph neural network, and provide detailed explanations and insights into the unique features and strengths of each category. Additionally, we analyze the performance of these methods using three widely used datasets: the Tongji Parking-slot Dataset 2.0 (ps 2.0), Sejong National University (SNU) dataset, and panoramic surround view (PSV) dataset, which have played a crucial role in assessing advancements in parking slot detection. Finally, we summarize the findings of each method and outline future research directions in this field.