bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatiotemporal Analysis and War Impact Assessment of Agricultural Land in Ukraine Using RS and GIS Technology
Authors: Ma Yue , Lyu Dongmei , Sun Kenan , Li Sijia , Zhu Bingxue , Zhao Ruixue , Zheng Miao , Song Kaishan
Published: October 2022

Military conflicts are one of the inevitable factors that can cause countries to suffer from food insecurity due to reduced agricultural productivity, increased food prices, and the deterioration of agricultural land and infrastructure. Farmland may become fallowed and abandoned as a result of reduced investment in agricultural management caused by military conflicts. To rapidly assess the impact of conflicts on agricultural land and food security, the utilization of effective and feasible methods for the regular monitoring agricultural management status is necessary. To achieve this goal, we developed a framework for analyzing the spatiotemporal distribution of agricultural land and assessing the impact of the Ukraine–Russia war on agricultural management in Ukraine using remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) technology. The random forest (RF) classifier, gap filling and Savitzky–Golay filtering (GF-SG) method, fallow-land algorithm based on neighborhood and temporal anomalies (FANTA) algorithm, and kernel density method were jointly used to classify and reveal the spatiotemporal distribution of fallowed and abandoned croplands from 2018 to 2022 based on Landsat time series data on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. The results demonstrated that fallowed and abandoned croplands could be successfully and effectively identified through these proven methods. Hotspots of fallowed croplands frequently occurred in eastern Ukraine, and long-term consecutive fallow agricultural management caused cropland abandonment. Moreover, hotspots of war-driven fallowed croplands were found in western Kherson and the center of Luhansk, where the war has been escalated for a long time. This reveals that the war has had a significant negative impact on agricultural management and development. These results highlight the potential of developing an accessible methodological framework for conducting regular assessments to monitor the impact of military conflicts on food security and agricultural management.
The Effective Use of National Recovery and Resilience Plan Funding: A Methodological Approach for the Optimal Assessment of the Initiative Costs
Authors: Tajani Francesco , Di Liddo Felicia , Ranieri Rossana
Published: October 2022

With reference to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), the financial budget provided for a specific project constitutes a fundamental constraint to be taken into account in the selection phase of the initiatives to be carried out. In the present research, a methodological approach based on an optimization algorithm that allows one to minimize the differential between the assessed costs and the budget provided for the project, has been defined. The methodology is organized in three phases and, by borrowing the logic of the Operational Research, aims to minimize the gap between the costs assessed by the expert technician and the final costs, in order to fit the preliminary set budget. In this sense, the developed tool constitutes an effective support for Public Administrations and private investors for choosing the investments to be implemented, in order to identify the best initiatives in which to allocate the public funding, by preventing needless waste of limited financial resources that could be invested in alternative interventions, and to generate further benefits for the communities.
Spatio-Temporal Evolution and Influencing Factors of Open Economy Development in the Yangtze River Delta Area
Authors: Ma Debin , Zhang Jie , Wang Ziyi , Sun Dongqi
Published: October 2022

Since economic globalization is unstable, it is difficult for the traditional open economic development model to meet the requirements of China’s development, and there is an urgent need for new ideas and models to be reoriented. Based on the analysis of the development mechanism of China’s open economy at this stage, we used the entropy method, Theil coefficient, Gini coefficient, and spatial Durbin model (SDM) to analyze the spatio-temporal pattern and influencing factors of the high-quality development level of the open economy in the Yangtze River Delta Area (YRDA). The results indicated that during the study period, the development level and development difference of open economy were on the rise, and the spatial difference in different regions was significant. The development of open economy was affected by many factors, and there was a spatial spillover effect. Based on the existing problems, at the stage of high-quality economic development, the YDRA should seize the opportunities brought by the new development pattern, improve government services, optimize innovation drive, and promote the development of open economy to a higher level. We believe that the results of this study can also provide relevant experience for the development of open economy in other regions of China.
Spatial Identification and Interactive Analysis of Urban Production—Living—Ecological Spaces Using Point of Interest Data and a Two-Level Scoring Evaluation Model
Authors: Yang Ying , Liu Yawen , Zhu Congmou , Chen Xinming , Rong Yi , Zhang Jing , Huang Bingbing , Bai Longlong , Chen Qi , Su Yue , Yuan Shaofeng
Published: October 2022

Identifying urban production–living–ecological spaces and their interactive relationships is conducive to better understanding and optimizing urban space development. This paper took the main urban area of Hangzhou city as an example, and a two-level scoring evaluation model was constructed to accurately identify urban production–living–ecological spaces using point of interest (POI) data. Then, kernel density analysis, a spatial transfer matrix, and a bivariate spatial autocorrelation model were used to reveal the spatial patterns of urban production–living–ecological spaces and their interactive relationships during 2010 and 2019. The results showed that the proposed two-level scoring evaluation model combining both the physical area and density of POIs was effective in accurately identifying urban production–living–ecological spaces using POI data, with an identification accuracy of 88.9%. Urban production space was concentrated on the south bank of the Qiantang River and around the north of Hangzhou. Urban living space had the highest proportion, mainly distributed within the ring highway of Hangzhou in a contiguous distribution pattern, and urban ecological space was concentrated around West Lake and Xiang Lake. During 2010 and 2019, the expansion of urban production–living–ecological spaces had obvious spatial differences. Additionally, the mutual transformation between production and living spaces was more frequent during the study period and was mainly distributed within the ring highway of Hangzhou. There were significant positive spatial correlations between production and living and between living and ecological spaces, while a significant negative spatial correlation occurred between production and ecological spaces. The spatial correlations of urban production–living–ecological spaces revealed obvious spatial heterogeneity. This study proposed a two-level scoring evaluation model to accurately identify the spatial patterns of urban production–living–ecological spaces and their interactive relationships using POI data, which can provide detailed information and scientific references for urban spatial planning and management in rapidly urbanizing cities.
Land Use Pattern Affects Microplastic Concentrations in Stormwater Drains in Urban Catchments in Perth, Western Australia
Authors: Bond Cassandra , Li Hua , Rate Andrew W.
Published: October 2022

Stormwater drains act as important vectors for microplastics, enabling the transportation of microplastic polymers from terrestrial systems where they are produced and consumed to aquatic and marine ecosystems. In this study, microplastic concentrations and their size fractions were measured in six stormwater catchments in the Perth and Peel region of Western Australia. Stormwater drains with contrasting land uses and catchment characteristics were selected and two sites along each drain were sampled. Water samples were filtered in situ with a purpose-built fractionation device. Catchment boundaries and contributing drainage areas were derived from a hydrologically enforced digital elevation model. Microplastic concentrations within the sites varied from 8.8 to 25.1 microplastics/L (mean 14.2 microplastics/L). Fibrous microplastics were the most common morphology, followed by fragments. Polymer types identified using Raman spectroscopy included polypropylene (64.6% of samples), polyethylene (64.7%), polytetrafluoroethylene (5.9%) and polyvinylidene fluoride (5.9%). There was no statistically significant variation in microplastic concentrations across or within stormwater catchments. A linear mixed-effect model showed that several components of the land use pattern: catchment area, catchment population, and the proportion of industrial land, natural land and public open space, were positively related to microplastic concentrations. The proportion of residential land was negatively related to microplastic concentrations. The lack of significant variation in microplastic concentration observed both across and within the catchments points to their ubiquitous presence in stormwater systems in the region. This study is the first to examine microplastic contamination in the water of stormwater drainage systems in Perth, Western Australia. These stormwater systems contain considerable concentrations of microplastics, confirming their importance as transport mechanisms for plastics into aquatic and marine ecosystems.
Tumor Progression, Microenvironments, and Therapeutics
Authors: Cheng Hung-Chi , Huang Li-Tzu
Published: October 2022

Tumor malignancy starts from transformation [...]
An Arabidopsis PTH2 Gene Is Responsible for Gravity Resistance Supporting Plant Growth under Different Gravity Conditions
Authors: Hattori Takayuki , Soga Kouichi , Wakabayashi Kazuyuki , Hoson Takayuki
Published: October 2022

Terrestrial plants respond to and resist gravitational force. The response is termed “gravity resistance”, and centrifugal hypergravity conditions are efficient for investigating its nature and mechanism. A functional screening of Arabidopsis T-DNA insertion lines for the suppression rate of elongation growth of hypocotyls under hypergravity conditions was performed in this study to identify the genes required for gravity resistance. As a result, we identified PEPTIDYL-tRNA HYDROLASE II (PTH2). In the wild type, elongation growth was suppressed by hypergravity, but this did not happen in the pth2 mutant. Lateral growth, dynamics of cortical microtubules, mechanical properties of cell walls, or cell wall thickness were also not affected by hypergravity in the pth2 mutant. In other words, the pth2 mutant did not show any significant hypergravity responses. However, the gravitropic curvature of hypocotyls of the pth2 mutant was almost equal to that of the wild type, indicating that the PTH2 gene is not required for gravitropism. It is suggested by these results that PTH2 is responsible for the critical processes of gravity resistance in Arabidopsis hypocotyls.
Influence of Different Types of Retinal Cameras on the Performance of Deep Learning Algorithms in Diabetic Retinopathy Screening
Authors: Srinivasan Ramyaa , Surya Janani , Ruamviboonsuk Paisan , Chotcomwongse Peranut , Raman Rajiv
Published: October 2022

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the performance of regional graders and artificial intelligence algorithms across retinal cameras with different specifications in classifying an image as gradable and ungradable. Methods: Study subjects were included from a community-based nationwide diabetic retinopathy screening program in Thailand. Various non-mydriatic fundus cameras were used for image acquisition, including Kowa Nonmyd, Kowa Nonmyd α-DⅢ, Kowa Nonmyd 7, Kowa Nonmyd WX, Kowa VX 10 α, Kowa VX 20 and Nidek AFC 210. All retinal photographs were graded by deep learning algorithms and human graders and compared with a standard reference. Results: Images were divided into two categories as gradable and ungradable images. Four thousand eight hundred fifty-two participants with 19,408 fundus images were included, of which 15,351 (79.09%) were gradable images and the remaining 4057 (20.90%) were ungradable images. Conclusions: The deep learning (DL) algorithm demonstrated better sensitivity, specificity and kappa than the human graders for all eight types of non-mydriatic fundus cameras. The deep learning system showed, more consistent diagnostic performance than the human graders across images of varying quality and camera types.
Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography for the Assessment of Sirolimus-Eluting Resorbable Magnesium Scaffold
Authors: Tonet Elisabetta , Cossu Alberto , Pompei Graziella , Ruggiero Rossella , Caglioni Serena , Mele Daniela , Boccadoro Alberto , Micillo Marco , Cocco Marta , De Raffele Martina , Giganti Melchiore , Biscaglia Simone , Sgura Fabio , Preti Gerlando , Yin Youbing , Wang Yi , Quadri Giorgio , Cerrato Enrico , Campo Gianluca
Published: October 2022

Background: Little evidence to date has described the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) with noninvasive fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) in coronary vessels with resorbable magnesium scaffold (RMS). Methods: The SHERPA-MAGIC is a prospective study enrolling patients receiving RMS. The present analysis considered patients undergoing CCTA 18 months after the index procedure. CCTA images were employed to investigate reabsorption status, luminal measurements, and noninvasive FFR. Three-year follow-up was available for all patients. Results: Overall, 26 patients with a total of 29 coronary arteries treated with 35 RMS were considered. The most frequently involved vessel was left anterior descendent (LAD). Median stent length was 25 (20–25) mm, with a median diameter of 3 (3–3.5) mm. At 18-month CCTA, all scaffolded segments were patent. Complete RMS reabsorption was observed in 27 (93%, 95% CI 77–99%) cases. Median minimal lumen diameter (MLD) and area (MLA) of the scaffolded segments were 2.5 [2.1–2.8] mm and 6.4 [4.4–8.4] mm2, respectively. Median CT-FFR was 0.88 [0.81–0.91]. Only one (3.5%) vessel showed a flow-limiting CT-FFR value ≤0.80. During the 3-year follow-up, only one (4%) adverse event was observed. Conclusions: In patients undergoing RMS implantation, CCTA including noninvasive CT-FFR evaluation is feasible and allows investigation of long-term RMS performance.
Comparative Study of Antibacterial, Antibiofilm, Antiswarming and Antiquorum Sensing Activities of Origanum vulgare Essential Oil and Terpinene-4-ol against Pathogenic Bacteria
Authors: Merghni Abderrahmen , Haddaji Najla , Bouali Nouha , Alabbosh Khulood Fahad , Adnan Mohd , Snoussi Mejdi , Noumi Emira
Published: October 2022

Essential oils from aromatic and medicinal plants have many bioactive compounds known for their important biological activities mainly their antibacterial effects. Here we evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively the biofilm formation capability of pathogenic bacterial strains (n = 8). Then, we investigated the antibacterial, antibiofilm, antiquorum-sensing, and antiswarming efficacy of Origanum vulgare essential oil (EO) and terpinene-4-ol. Our results revealed that EO exhibited a more potent inhibitory effect against the tested strains. While the terpinene-4-ol was found to be more effective against developed Staphylococcus aureus biofilm. Regarding the anti quorum-sensing activity, we noticed that O. vulgare displayed better inhibition percentages in violacein production even at a low concentration (MIC/4). Additionally, this EO showed better inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 migration in comparison with the terpinene-4-ol. Our findings revealed that using pure O. vulgare EO demonstrated better competitive effects against pathogenic bacteria with a different mode of action when compared to the terpinene-4-ol. Hence, exploration and development of efficient anti-infection agents from natural resources such as full EOs represent promising tools in anti-infective therapy.
Natural Strategies as Potential Weapons against Bacterial Biofilms
Authors: Asma Syeda Tasmia , Imre Kálmán , Morar Adriana , Imre Mirela , Acaroz Ulas , Shah Syed Rizwan Ali , Hussain Syed Zajif , Arslan-Acaroz Damla , Istanbullugil Fatih Ramazan , Madani Khodir , Athanassiou Christos , Atanasoff Alexander , Morar Doru , Herman Viorel , Zhu Kui
Published: October 2022

Microbial biofilm is an aggregation of microbial species that are either attached to surfaces or organized into an extracellular matrix. Microbes in the form of biofilms are highly resistant to several antimicrobials compared to planktonic microbial cells. Their resistance developing ability is one of the major root causes of antibiotic resistance in health sectors. Therefore, effective antibiofilm compounds are required to treat biofilm-associated health issues. The awareness of biofilm properties, formation, and resistance mechanisms facilitate researchers to design and develop combating strategies. This review highlights biofilm formation, composition, major stability parameters, resistance mechanisms, pathogenicity, combating strategies, and effective biofilm-controlling compounds. The naturally derived products, particularly plants, have demonstrated significant medicinal properties, producing them a practical approach for controlling biofilm-producing microbes. Despite providing effective antibiofilm activities, the plant-derived antimicrobial compounds may face the limitations of less bioavailability and low concentration of bioactive molecules. The microbes-derived and the phytonanotechnology-based antibiofilm compounds are emerging as an effective approach to inhibit and eliminate the biofilm-producing microbes.
Experimental Study on the Blast Resistance Performance of FRP Grid & Mortar Reinforced Concrete Arch Structure
Authors: Jiang Meirong , Qi Shihu , Pu Shikun , Wang Peng , Wang Bo , Du Zhanzhan
Published: October 2022

In order to verify the feasibility of using FRP grid and mortar reinforcement technology to enhance the blast resistance of concrete arch structures, this paper designed and fabricated FRP grid and mortar reinforced concrete arch structures and conducted blast resistance tests in the field. A detailed design of anti-explosion scheme was carried out before the experiment. The tests were conducted to observe the structural cracking, concrete collapse, and reinforcement peeling of FRP grid and mortar reinforced concrete arch under the explosion. In order to compare the anti-explosion performance with the protective arch structures in other literature, the explosion of 2 kg TNT with a blast distance of 600 mm was selected. After the explosion, it was found that the blast resistance of the FRP grid and mortar reinforced concrete arch was significantly higher than that of the unreinforced arch, and the concrete arch reinforced with FRP grid and mortar has a better damage patterns and improved blast resistance performance than that of the FRP and steel plate reinforced arch. According to the research results, the FRP grid and mortar composite reinforcement technology can be used to enhance the blast resistance of arch structures in protection projects.
Changes in the Laser-Processed Ti6Al4V Titanium Alloy Surface Observed by Using Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Dudek Mariusz , Wawryniuk Zuzanna , Nesteruk Malwina , Rosowski Adam , Cichomski Michał , Kozicki Marek , Święcik Robert
Published: October 2022

This works reports on the effects of treating the surface of Ti6Al4V titanium alloy samples with a laser with a wavelength of 1064 nm, operating in a pulsed and continuous mode. The obtained surfaces with different roughness, complexity and wettability were examined by Raman spectroscopy in order to recognize the presence of titanium oxides on the functionalized surface. The layer of titanium oxides on the surface with the identified rutile phase obtained by laser treatment in the continuous wave mode is a reason for a hydrophobic surface that appeared 50 days after the treatment process. In the case of the surface obtained by the pulsed laser process, only local points at which the Raman bands attributed to the metastable phases anatase and brookite of TiO2 can be identified. In this treatment process, complete surface hydrophilicity was observed during 29 days after the functionalization process (maximal contact angle observed during this time was 68.4 deg). For some functionalization processes of different parameters, the contact angle remained immeasurable until 119 days after the functionalization process. In summary, Raman spectroscopy identifies surface changes of Ti6Al4V after laser processing.
Investigation of Impact Resistance of High-Strength Portland Cement Concrete Containing Steel Fibers
Authors: Mohtasham Moein Mohammad , Saradar Ashkan , Rahmati Komeil , Hatami Shirkouh Arman , Sadrinejad Iman , Aramali Vartenie , Karakouzian Moses
Published: October 2022

Impact resistance of Portland cement concrete (PCC) is an essential property in various applications of PCC, such as industrial floors, hydraulic structures, and explosion-proof structures. Steel-fiber-fortified high-strength concrete testing was completed using a drop-weight impact assessment for impact strength. One mix was used to manufacture 320 concrete disc specimens cured in both humid and dry conditions. In addition, 30 cubic and 30 cylindrical specimens were used to evaluate the compressive and indirect tensile strengths. Steel fibers with hooked ends of lengths of 20, 30, and 50 mm were used in the concrete mixtures. Data on material strength were collected from impact testing, including the number of post-first-crack blows (INPBs), first-crack strength, and failure strength. Findings from the results concluded that all the steel fibers improved the mechanical properties of concrete. However, hooked steel fibers were more effective than crimped steel fibers in increasing impact strength, even with a smaller length-to-diameter ratio. Concrete samples containing hybrid fibers (hooked + crimped) also had lower compressive strength than the other fibers. Comparisons and analogies drawn between the test results and the static analyses (Kolmogorov–Smirnov and Kruskal–Wallis) show that the p-value of the analyses indicates a more normal distribution for curing in a humid environment. A significant difference was also observed between the energy absorptions of the reinforced mixtures into steel fibers.
A Simulation Study on the Effect of Residual Stress on the Multi-Layer Selective Laser Melting Processes Considering Solid-State Phase Transformation
Authors: Li Xiao , Zhang Ming , Qi Junfeng , Yang Zhengmao , Jiao Zhonghua
Published: October 2022

The selective laser melting (SLM) manufacturing process is a complex process involving moving a molten pool, rapid non-equilibrium solidification and solid phase transformation. If the thermal residual stress is too large, it may lead to warping, cracking and failure of the structures. The present work aims to establish a thermo-mechanical framework to predict temperature evolutions, molten pool configurations and residual stresses of materials in the SLM process, based on the toolpath-mesh intersection method. Moreover, the influences of the laser power, process parameters and mesh size have been discussed. The stress concentration occurred at the interface between the melt layer and substrate results in warping deformation of the materials. This work provides a novel method to reveal the resulting physical mechanism inside the molten pool in terms of residual stresses and distortions.
Design, Fabrication, and Characterization of Magnetoresponsive Materials and Devices
Authors: Merazzo Karla J.
Published: October 2022

Modern technology has made an elegant link between smart materials and interlinked devices thanks to the interplay between materials science, smart sensors and devices, artificial intelligence, and a fierce imagination; this has allowed us to reach every corner of our society [...]
On Smart Geometric Non-Destructive Evaluation: Inspection Methods, Overview, and Challenges
Authors: Jaber Ali , Sattarpanah Karganroudi Sasan , Meiabadi Mohammad Saleh , Aminzadeh Ahmad , Ibrahim Hussein , Adda Mehdi , Taheri Hossein
Published: October 2022

Inspection methods, also known as non-destructive evaluation (NDE), is a process for inspecting materials, products, and facilities to identify flaws, imperfections, and malfunctions without destruction or changing the integrity of materials, structures, and mechanisms. However, detecting those defects requires test conducting and results inferring, which is highly demanding in terms of analysis, performance, and time. New technologies are therefore needed to increase the efficiency, probability of detection, and interpretability of NDE methods to establish smart inspection. In this context, Artificial intelligence (AI), as a fundamental component of the Industry 4.0, is a well-suited tool to address downsides associated with the current NDE methods for analysis and interpretation of inspection results, where methods integrating AI into their inspection process become automated and are known as smart inspection methods. This article sheds a light on the conventional methods and the smart techniques used in defects detection. Subsequently, a comparison between the two notions is presented. Furthermore, it investigates opportunities for the integration of non-destructive evaluation (NDE) methods and Industry 4.0 technologies. In addition, the challenges hindering the progress of the domain are mentioned as the potential solutions. To this end, along with Industry 4.0 technologies, a virtual inspection system has been proposed to deploy smart inspection.
Fe–Al–Si-Type Iron Aluminides: On the Strengthening by Refractory Metals Borides
Authors: Vodičková Věra , Švec Martin , Hanus Pavel , Bukovská Šárka , Pazourková Prokopčáková Petra
Published: October 2022

The effect of boron addition into Fe–28Al–5Si–X (X = -, 2Mo, or 2Ti) on the structure and high-temperature yield stress was investigated. Generally, the alloying of binary Fe3Al-type iron aluminides by silicon significantly improves high-temperature mechanical properties by solid-solution strengthening. On the other hand, the workability and ductile properties at room or slightly elevated temperatures get worse with the increasing silicon content. Boron alloying together with titanium or molybdenum alloying is one of the ways to improve the workability of this type of alloy and, at the same time, ensure the formation of a sufficient amount of secondary phase particles required for effective strengthening. In this paper, the influence of 1 at. % of boron on high-temperature yield stress is evaluated in response to structural changes and compared with results obtained previously on the same type of alloy (Fe–28Al–5Si–2X, X= -, Mo, or Ti) but without boron alloying. It can be concluded that the network structure of borides of refractory metals formed due to boron alloying works more effectively for alloy hardening at higher temperatures than a mixture of silicides and carbides present in the boron-free alloy of the same composition.
The Preparation of High Saturation Magnetization and Low Coercivity Feco Soft Magnetic Thin Films via Controlling the Thickness and Deposition Temperature
Authors: Yang Wenjie , Liu Junjie , Yu Xiangfeng , Wang Gang , Zheng Zhigang , Guo Jianping , Chen Deyang , Qiu Zhaoguo , Zeng Dechang
Published: October 2022

FeCo thin films with high saturation magnetization (4 πMs) can be applied in high-frequency electronic devices such as thin film inductors and microwave noise suppressors. However, due to its large magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant and magnetostrictive coefficient of FeCo, the coercivity (Hc) of FeCo films is generally high, which is detrimental to the soft magnetic properties. Meanwhile, the thickness and deposition temperature have significant effects on the coercivity and saturation magnetization of FeCo films. In this paper, FeCo thin films with different thicknesses were prepared by magnetron sputtering at different temperatures. The effects of thickness and deposition temperature on the microstructure and magnetic properties of FeCo thin films were systematically studied. When the film thickness increases from 50 nm to 800 nm, the coercivity would decrease from 309 Oe to 160 Oe. However, the saturation magnetization decreases from 22.1 kG to 15.3 kG. After that, we try to further increase the deposition temperature from room temperature (RT) to 475 °C. It is intriguing to find that the coercivity greatly decreased from 160 Oe to 3 Oe (decreased by 98%), and the saturation magnetization increased from 15.3 kG to 23.5 kG (increased by 53%) for the film with thickness of 800 nm. For the film with thickness of 50 nm, the coercivity also greatly decreased from 309 Oe to 10 Oe (decreased by 96%), but the saturation magnetization did not change significantly. It is contributed to the increase of deposition temperature, which will lead to the increase of grain size and the decrease of the number of grain boundaries. And the coercivity decreases as the number of grain boundaries decreases. Meanwhile, for the thicker films, when increasing the deposition temperature the thermal stress increases, which changes the appearance of (200) texture, and the saturation magnetization increases. Whereas, it has a negligible effect on the orientation of thin films with small thickness (50 nm). This indicates that high-temperature deposition is beneficial to the soft magnetic properties of FeCo thin films, particularly for the films with larger thickness. This FeCo thin film with high saturation magnetization and low coercivity could be an ideal candidate for high-frequency electronic devices.
Dosimetric Impact on the Flattening Filter and Addition of Gold Nanoparticles in Radiotherapy: A Monte Carlo Study on Depth Dose Using the 6 and 10 MV FFF Photon Beams
Authors: Spina Armando , Chow James C. L.
Published: October 2022

Purpose: This phantom study investigated through Monte Carlo simulation how the dose enhancement varied with depth, when gold nanoparticles (NPs) were added using the flattening filter-free (FFF) photon beams in gold NP-enhanced radiotherapy. Method: A phantom with materials varying from pure water to a mixture of water and gold NPs at different concentrations (3–40 mg/mL) were irradiated by the 6 and 10 MV flattening filter (FF) and FFF photon beams. Monte Carlo simulations were carried out to determine the depth doses along the central beam axis of the phantom up to a depth of 40 cm. The dose enhancement ratio (DER) and FFF enhancement ratio (FFFER) were calculated based on the Monte Carlo results. Results: The DER values were found decreased with an increase of depth and increase of NP concentration in the phantom. For the maximum NP concentration of 40 mg/mL, the DER values decreased 6.9, 12, 4.6 and 7.2% at a phantom depth from 2 to 40 cm, using the 6 MV FF, 6 MV FFF, 10 MV FF and 10 MV FFF photon beams, respectively. The maximum DER values for the 6 MV beams were 1.08 (FF) and 1.14 (FFF), while those for the 10 MV beams were 1.04 (FF) and 1.07 (FFF). When the FF was removed from the linear accelerator head, the FFFER showed a more significant increase of dose enhancement for the 6 MV beams (1.057) than the 10 MV (1.031). Conclusion: From the DER and FFFER values based on the Monte Carlo results, it is concluded that the dose enhancement with depth was dependent on the NP and beam variables, namely, NP concentration, presence of FF in the beam and beam energy. Dose enhancement was more significant when using the lower photon beam energy (i.e., 6 MV), FFF photon beam and higher NP concentration in the study.
The Application of Various Bark Species as a Fillers for UF Resin in Plywood Manufacturing
Authors: Walkiewicz Joanna , Kawalerczyk Jakub , Mirski Radosław , Dziurka Dorota , Wieruszewski Marek
Published: October 2022

The aim of the presented study was to apply various bark species (birch, beech, maple, pine and spruce) as fillers for urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin in three-layer plywood manufacturing. For this purpose, all types of bark were ground and added to the adhesive mixture. The resultant plywood was subjected to investigations of the following: tensile strength, modulus of elasticity (MOE), bending strength (MOR) and formaldehyde emission. The results indicate a reduction in the tensile strength. Moreover, the lack of significant improvement in strength parameters can be explained by too high a load of the filler (20 wt%). In the case of formaldehyde emissions, a reduction was observed for birch (B-1), beech (B-2), maple (B-3) and pine bark (B-4). In addition, an increase in the emission of formaldehyde was recorded only for spruce bark.
Effect of Silicon Source (Fly Ash, Silica Dust, Gangue) on the Preparation of Porous Mullite Ceramics from Aluminum Dross
Authors: Yang Hong-Liang , Li Zi-Shen , Ding You-Dong , Ge Qi-Qi , Shi Yu-Juan , Jiang Lan
Published: October 2022

Aluminum dross (AD) is a waste product produced during aluminum processing and can be used to prepare mullite ceramic materials. However, the research on the preparation of mullite porous ceramics entirely from solid waste is still in the development stage. In this paper, porous mullite ceramics were successfully fabricated using a solid-phase sintering process with AD and different silicon sources (fly ash, silica dust, and gangue) as raw materials. The bulk density, apparent porosity, and compressive strength of the specimens were obtained, and the phase compositions and microstructures of the sintered specimens were measured using XRD and SEM, respectively. The average activation energy of the phase transition of fly ash, silica dust, and gangue as silicon sources were 984 kJ/mol, 1113 kJ/mol, and 741 kJ/mol, respectively. The microstructures of the mullite in the specimens were prisms, random aggregates, and needle-shaped, respectively. The formation of needle-shaped mullite combined with the substrate enhanced the mechanical strength of the porous mullite ceramics. The apparent porosity, density, and compressive strength of the specimens with gangue as the silicon source were 33.13%, 1.98 g/cm3, and 147.84 MPa, respectively, when sintered at 1300 °C for 2 h.
Intelligent Modeling and Multi-Response Optimization of AWJC on Fiber Intermetallic Laminates through a Hybrid ANFIS-Salp Swarm Algorithm
Authors: Siva Kumar Mahalingam , Rajamani Devaraj , El-Sherbeeny Ahmed M. , Balasubramanian Esakki , Karthik Krishnasamy , Hussein Hussein Mohamed Abdelmoneam , Astarita Antonello
Published: October 2022

The attainment of intricate part profiles for composite laminates for end-use applications is one of the tedious tasks carried out through conventional machining processes. Therefore, the present work emphasized hybrid intelligent modeling and multi-response optimization of abrasive waterjet cutting (AWJC) of a novel fiber intermetallic laminate (FIL) fabricated through carbon/aramid fiber, reinforced with varying wt% of reduced graphene oxide (r-GO) filled epoxy resin and Nitinol shape memory alloy as the skin material. The AWJC experiments were performed by varying the wt% of r-GO (0, 1, and 2%), traverse speed (400, 500, and 600 mm/min), waterjet pressure (200, 250, and 300 MPa), and stand-off distance (2, 3, and 4 mm) as the input parameters, whereas kerf taper (Kt) and surface roughness (Ra) were considered as the quality responses. A hybrid approach of a parametric optimized adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) was adopted through three different metaheuristic algorithms such as particle swarm optimization, moth flame optimization, and dragonfly optimization. The prediction efficiency of the ANFIS network has been found to be significantly improved through the moth flame optimization algorithms in terms of minimized prediction errors, such as mean absolute percentage error and root mean square error. Further, multi-response optimization has been performed for optimized ANFIS response models through the salp swarm optimization (SSO) algorithm to identify the optimal AWJC parameters. The optimal set of parameters, such as 1.004 wt% of r-GO, 600 mm/min of traverse speed, 214 MPa of waterjet pressure, and 4 mm of stand-off distance, were obtained for improved quality characteristics. Moreover, the confirmation experiment results show that an average prediction error of 3.38% for Kt and 3.77% for Ra, respectively, were obtained for SSO, which demonstrates the prediction capability of the proposed optimization algorithm.
Preliminary Study on Application and Limitation of Microbially Induced Carbonate Precipitation to Improve Unpaved Road in Lateritic Region
Authors: Kim Sojeong , Kim Yeontae , Lee Suhyung , Do Jinung
Published: October 2022

Some road systems are unpaved due to limited governmental finance and fewer maintenance techniques. Such unpaved roads become vulnerable during heavy rainy seasons following restrained accessibility among cities and traffic accidents. Considering the circumstances, innovative and cost–effective approaches are required for unpaved roads. Microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) is an emerging soil improvement technology using microbes to hydrolyze urea generating carbonate ions, and precipitates calcium carbonate in the presence of calcium ion. Induced calcium carbonate bonds soil particles enhancing stiffness and strength when the MICP reaction takes place within the soil system. This study introduces the use of microbes on unpaved road systems consisting of in situ lateritic soils. The MICP technology was implemented to improve soil strength through two approaches: surface spraying and mixing methods. A series of soil testing was performed with varying chemical concentrations to measure precipitation efficiency, strength, and quality for construction material and see the feasibility of the proposed methods. The laboratory test results indicated that the surface spraying method provided improved; however, it was highly affected by the infiltration characteristics of used soils. The mixing method showed promising results even under submerged conditions, but still required improvement. Overall, the proposed idea seems possible to apply to improving unpaved road systems in the lateritic region but requires further research and optimization.
A Study on Dimensional Accuracy of a Vehicle Hood-Catch Considering Material Shrinkage of Polyamide 6 and Length-to-Volume Ratio Characteristic of a Shape
Authors: Lee Soo-Lim , Kim Won-Jin , Lee Seon-Bong
Published: October 2022

A hood-catch is a car part that fixes the vehicle’s hood to its body. This serves as a mechanism for opening and closing the engine bay of an automobile and prevents safety accidents in which the hood is opened while driving due to vibration generated from off-road conditions by firmly latching. Research regarding the overall improvement of products by injection molding, with analysis based on computer-aided engineering, is being actively conducted. However, research on the shrinkage rate considering the characteristics of parts’ shapes, such as length-to-volume ratio, is insufficient. Therefore, in this study, our research is concerned with (1) process improvement compared to the existing process using the design of an experimental method, (2) suggestion of a shrinkage-rate constant, considering both PA6 shrinkage ratio, which is a material characteristic, and length-to-volume ratio, which is a part shape characteristic, and (3) the effect of the proposed shrinkage rate on the accuracy of key dimensions of the hood-catch joint. The results of this study demonstrated that the shrinkage-rate constant needs to be considered simultaneously for both material characteristics and part shape characteristics. In particular, the shrinkage rates of the hood-catch’s pivot sub-assembly and open lever with reinforced PA6, with length-to-volume ratios of 1.24 × 10−3 and 3.10 × 10−3, respectively, are suggested as 0.2% and 0.5%.
Improving Urgency-Based Backlog Sequencing of Jobs: An Assessment by Simulation
Authors: Fernandes Nuno O. , Thürer Matthias , Stevenson Mark , Carmo-Silva Silvio
Published: October 2022

When order release is applied, jobs are withheld in a backlog from where they are released to meet certain performance targets. The decision that selects jobs for release is typically preceded by a sequencing decision. It was traditionally assumed that backlog sequencing is only responsible for releasing jobs on time, whereas more recent literature has argued that it can also support load balancing. Although the new load-based rules outperform time-based rules, they can be criticized for requiring workload information from the shop floor and for delaying large jobs. While some jobs will inevitably be delayed during periods of high load, we argue that this delaying decision should be under control of management. A simulation study of a wafer fab environment shows that a time-based rule matches the performance of more complex load-based backlog sequencing rules that have recently emerged. The new rule realizes the lowest percentage of tardy jobs if the lower bound that distinguishes between early and urgent jobs is set appropriately. It provides a simpler means of improving release performance, allowing managers to delay jobs that have adjustable due dates.
Evaluating the Influence of Data Entropy in the Use of a Smart Equipment for Traffic Management at Border Check Point
Authors: Rusca Florin , Rusca Aura , Rosca Eugen , Coman Catalin , Burciu Stefan , Oprea Cristina
Published: October 2022

The transit through a Border Check Point of cargo vehicles supposes, in the case of the Romanian highway network, the carrying out of a process of weighing and verifying of transport licenses. The limited number of weighing equipment and the long duration of these processes cause large queues and long waiting times. A solution for these problems is to use smart equipment to identify the cargo vehicles and to separate the vehicles that require weighing from exempted ones. The separation process is made using external input data. The quality of received data can generate some dysfunctionality in the separation process. The discrete simulation model can be used to evaluate the influence of the uncertainty over the system serving parameters. A study case is developed for a real situation using real data collected from a Romanian Highway Traffic Control Center (HTMC). The results are used in the implementation of the new smart equipment in a Romanian Border Check Point.
Virtual Engineering and Commissioning to Support the Lifecycle of a Manufacturing Assembly System
Authors: Konstantinov Sergey , Assad Fadi , Ahmad Bilal , Vera Daniel A. , Harrison Robert
Published: October 2022

Prior to the physical build of the industrial automation system, some challenges arise, such as processes’ cycle times calculations, ergonomics and safety evaluation, and the integration of separate machines to the complete production shops. This, in turn, requires reconfiguring the processes and component parameters. As a result, the lifecycle of the system development is prolonged, and the potential for erroneous performance increases. In modern digital manufacturing environments, virtual engineering (VE) and virtual commissioning (VC) serve as effective tools to tackle the aforementioned problems and their consequences. The virtual models developed for VE and VC not only assist system developers in the physical build stage but also in the following stages of the system lifecycle by providing a common virtual model, a digital twin (DT), of the manufacturing processes and the product. This developed model should possess the ability to simulate the system behaviour, e.g., the mechanics, kinematics, speed and acceleration profiles. Three stakeholders are involved in the development process: the machine builder, system integrator and end user. The current work focuses on the virtual engineering approach to support the entire lifecycle of a manufacturing system from the machine builder, system integrator and end user perspectives. For this purpose, it puts forward a systematic methodology of implementing VC and VE using a toolset developed by the Automation Systems Group at the University of Warwick within an industrial project. The suggested methodology is illustrated in a case study where a digital twin of a physical station was modelled, developed and tested in parallel with the physical machine development and build. Finally, the benefits and limitations are highlighted based on the gained outcomes and the implemented activities.
Slow Magnetic Relaxation in Neutral 0D and 1D Assemblies of a Mn(III) Schiff Base Complex and Heptacyanorhenate(IV)
Authors: Sukhikh Taisiya S. , Wolfgang Wernsdorfer , Vostrikova Kira E.
Published: October 2022

The first neutral 0D and 1D heterometallic assemblies based on orbitally degenerate heptacyanidorhenate(IV) were prepared and structurally characterized. An analysis of the magnetic data of polycrystalline samples showed that both compounds display slow magnetization relaxation at temperatures below 5 K. The very low temperature measurements of the magnetization on the single crystals demonstrate that for the 1D compound {[Mn(SB2+)Re(CN)7]·7H2O}n (1) and the 0D complex [Mn(SB2+)(H2O)Re(CN)7]·2H2O (2), the hysteresis loops open just below 2.2 and 1.8 K, respectively. Thus, heterometallic polymer 1 is the first single-chain magnet involving a pentagonal bipyramidal [ReIV(CN)7]3− synthon, and the binuclear complex 2 represents a single-molecule magnet.
On the Distribution of Magnetic Moments in a System of Magnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: Rodríguez Max Javier Jáuregui , Vieira Denner Serafim , Nery Renato Cardoso , Dias Gustavo Sanguino , Santos Ivair Aparecido dos , Mendes Renio dos Santos , Cotica Luiz Fernando
Published: October 2022

Particle size distribution carries out a substantial role in the magnetic behavior of nanostructured magnetic systems. In fact, a vast literature on superparamagnetism has been reported, suggesting that the particle size distribution in a system of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) corresponds to a lognormal probability density function, and several works have properly considered their magnetic moments following a similar distribution, as a universal rule. In this manuscript, it is demonstrated that alternative probability distribution functions, such as the gamma and Weibull ones, can be used to obtain useful parameters from the analysis of the magnetization curves, indicating there is no universal model to represent the actual magnetic moment distribution in a system of magnetic nanoparticles. Inspired by this observation, a reliable method to properly identify the actual magnetic moment distribution in a given nanostructured magnetic system is proposed and discussed.
Experimental Investigation of the Generalized Euler Characteristic of the Networks Split at Edges
Authors: Farooq Omer , Akhshani Afshin , Białous Małgorzata , Bauch Szymon , Ławniczak Michał , Sirko Leszek
Published: October 2022

We discuss a connection between the generalized Euler characteristic Eo(|VDo|) of the original graph which was split at edges into two separate subgraphs and their generalized Euler characteristics Ei(|VDi|), i=1,2, where |VDo| and |VDi| are the numbers of vertices with the Dirichlet boundary conditions in the graphs. Applying microwave networks which simulate quantum graphs, we show that the experimental determination of the generalized Euler characteristics Eo(|VDo|) and Ei(|VDi|), i=1,2 allows finding the number of edges in which the subnetworks were connected.