bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Minimizing Area-Specific Resistance of Electrochemical Hydrogen Compressor under Various Operating Conditions Using Unsteady 3D Single-Channel Model
Authors: Gong Myungkeun , Jin Changhyun , Na Youngseung
Published: May 2023

Extensive research has been conducted over the past few decades on carbon-free hydrogen energy. Hydrogen, being an abundant energy source, requires high-pressure compression for storage and transportation due to its low volumetric density. Mechanical and electrochemical compression are two common methods used to compress hydrogen under high pressure. Mechanical compressors can potentially cause contamination due to the lubricating oil when compressing hydrogen, whereas electrochemical hydrogen compressors (EHCs) can produce high-purity, high-pressure hydrogen without any moving parts. A study was conducted using a 3D single-channel EHC model focusing on the water content and area-specific resistance of the membrane under various temperature, relative humidity, and gas diffusion layer (GDL) porosity conditions. Numerical analysis demonstrated that the higher the operating temperature, the higher the water content in the membrane. This is because the saturation vapor pressure increases with higher temperatures. When dry hydrogen is supplied to a sufficiently humidified membrane, the actual water vapor pressure decreases, leading to an increase in the membrane’s area-specific resistance. Furthermore, with a low GDL porosity, the viscous resistance increases, hindering the smooth supply of humidified hydrogen to the membrane. Through a transient analysis of an EHC, favorable operating conditions for rapidly hydrating membranes were identified.
Influence of the C Content on the Fatigue Crack Initiation and Short Crack Behavior of Cu Alloyed Steels
Authors: Görzen David , Blinn Bastian , Beck Tilmann
Published: May 2023

The mechanical properties of Cu alloyed steels are influenced significantly by the Cu content and the respective state of Cu precipitations as well as the C content. In this context, the effect of an increased C content on the fatigue crack initiation and growth of differently aged Cu alloyed steels with 0.005 (X0.5CuNi2-2: X0.5) and 0.21 wt.-% C (X21CuNi2-2: X21) was investigated in this study. Notched specimens were examined via SEM in interrupted fatigue tests to detect the location of crack initiation and growth. The results showed that fatigue crack initiation and growth occurred for both steels at grain boundaries, and within ferrite grains. However, a higher C content increased the incidence of crack initiation and growth at grain boundaries. This is caused by the smaller grains of X21 and especially by the presence of cementite on the grain boundaries. This explains why, in contrast to X0.5, no influence of the Cu precipitation state on the defect-based failure was observed for X21, as the precipitates are located within the ferrite grains and, thus, only have a minor impact on the fatigue failure mechanisms of X21.
Phase Stability, Microstructure, and Mechanical Properties of Spark Plasma Sintered Nanocrystalline Boron-Doped AlCoFeMnNi High-Entropy Alloy
Authors: Pourmohammadi S. , Mohammadnejad A. , Bahrami A. , Mousavi Anijdan S.H. , Park N. , Ghosh M.
Published: May 2023

The microstructure and mechanical properties of mechanically alloyed and spark plasma sintered AlCoFeMnNi-xB (x = 0, 0.5, 1, and 5 at. %) high-entropy alloys (HEAs) have been investigated. Boron-doped HEAs were synthesized using mechanical alloying up to 50 h of milling. Synthesized powders were then consolidated at 850, 900, and 950 °C for 10 min under a uniaxial pressure of 40 MPa using spark plasma sintering (SPS). A scanning electron microscope, which was equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), together with an optical microscope (OM) were used to analyze the microstructural evolution. X-ray diffraction analysis was used to differentiate the phases formed in the solution. The mechanical properties of the sintered specimens were analyzed using the shear-punch test (SPT). The fracture surface of the SPT samples was studied using SEM. Thermodynamic calculations revealed that by employing this process, it is possible to produce solid solution HEAs with a duplex FCC + BCC structure. It was shown that boron-doped AlCoFeMnNi high-entropy alloys contain some unique attributes. SPS at 900 °C for a sample with boron up to 0.5 at. % leads to the formation of an alloy with the highest shear strength. A further increase in the boron content in the boron-doped HEAs exhibited a decrease in the maximum shear strength. Finally, the correlations between the microstructural and mechanical characteristics of the sintered boron-containing high-entropy alloys are discussed.
A Novel Lap-Butt Joint Design for FSW of Aluminum to Steel in Tee-Configuration: Joining Mechanism, Intermetallic Formation, and Fracture Behavior
Authors: Beygi Reza , Talkhabi Amir Abbas , Mehrizi Majid Zarezadeh , Marques Eduardo A. S. , Carbas Ricardo J. C. , da Silva Lucas F. M.
Published: May 2023

The development of new joint configurations suitable for dissimilar materials enables a wider range of applications and allows for an accelerated replacement of traditional structural construction materials by lightweight materials. The T-configuration is a joint configuration that has not been sufficiently studied for use with dissimilar materials, especially when created using the friction stir welding (FSW) process. In this study, a combined lap/butt design was introduced and implemented, seeking to create a T-joint between aluminum and steel. Characterization of the joints showed that FSW could be successfully used to join aluminum and steel in a T-configuration. The formation of intermetallic bonds and kissing bonds was carefully analyzed, and their contribution to the fracture behavior during loading in the skin and stringer directions was studied. Finite element simulation was used to determine the stress state at the interface during loading. The characterization results showed that the intermetallic, as an indicator of metallurgical bonding, is formed when special features are observed in the pattern of material flow. The fractography images showed that the stress state has a major impact on the fracture. The results of the present study can be effectively used to design and fabricate dissimilar joints, taking into account the loading condition.
Elastoplastic Deformation of Rotating Disk Made of Aluminum Dispersion-Hardened Alloys
Authors: Matvienko Oleg , Daneyko Olga , Valikhov Vladimir , Platov Vladimir , Zhukov Ilya , Vorozhtsov Aleksandr
Published: May 2023

This paper studies the plastic deformation of a rotating disk made of aluminum dispersion-hardened alloys using mechanical tensile tests and a structured study using optical microscopy methods. Alloys such as AA5056 and A356 with dispersed Al3Er and TiB2 particles are used as the initial materials. Tensile strength testing of the obtained alloys shows that the addition of Al3Er particles in the AA5056 alloy composition leads to an increase in its ultimate stress limit (USL) and plasticity from 170 to 204 MPa and from 14.7 to 21%, respectively, although the modifying effect is not observed during crystallization. The addition of TiB2 particles to the A356 alloy composition also leads to a simultaneous increase in the yield strength, USL, and plasticity from 102 to 145 MPa, from 204 to 263 MPa, and from 2.3 to 2.8%, respectively. The study of the stress-strain state of the disk was carried out in the framework of deformed solid mechanics. The equilibrium equations were integrated analytically, taking into account the hardening conditions obtained from the experimental investigations. This made it possible to write the analytical relations for the radial and circumferential stresses and to determine the conditions of plastic deformation and loss of strength. The plastic resistance of a disk depends on the ratio between its outer and inner radii. The plastic resistance decreases with increasing disk width at a constant inner radius, which is associated with a stronger effect from the centrifugal force field. At a higher rotational rate of narrow disks, the tangential stresses are high and can exceed the USL value. A356 and A356–TiB2 alloys are more brittle than the AA5056 and AA5056–Al3Er alloys. In the case of wide rotating disks, AA5056 and AA5056–Al3Er alloys are preferable.
Measurement and Evaluation of Metal-to-Metal Seals Sealability by Ultrasonic Phased Array
Authors: Han Ting , Fan Jianchun
Published: May 2023

The magnitude and distribution of contact stress on the metal-to-metal seal interface of premium connection has been confirmed as a direct factor of the sealing integrity. In this study, the method of evaluating sealability by measuring contact stress on metal-to-metal seals with the ultrasonic phased array is investigated. A loading system and ultrasonic phased array measurement system of cone-cone contact samples were created. The recommended detection method is focusing -deflection, and the time compensation method is suggested to extract the reflected wave peak of the sealing surface. The experiments show that the reflected wave peak declines with the rise of the axial load, with the big end showing the most noticeable reduction. The shift in the reflected wave peak also reflects the axial movement of the contact interface. The contact stress is calculated according to the reflection coefficient and compared with the simulation results. The distribution trend of contact stress is consistent. The sealing index measurement error is less than 15%, and the measurement error is decreased with the decrease of the sealing surface angle. Then, the nephogram of contact stress distribution on the sealing surface is formed to visualize the contact stress, which takes on great significance in engineering.
The Evolution of Abnormal Grains during the Heating Stage of a Post-Weld Solution Treatment in a Friction-Stir-Welded 2519 Aluminium Alloy
Authors: Zuiko Ivan S. , Malopheyev Sergey , Rahimi Salaheddin , Mironov Sergey , Kaibyshev Rustam
Published: May 2023

This work presents an in-depth investigation of the early stages of abnormal grain growth (AGG) in a friction-stir-welded (FSWed) 2519-T820 aluminium alloy. Microstructural evolutions, which occurred during the heating stage of a solution heat treatment (SHT), were studied. It was found that the welded materials underwent a complex sequence of precipitation phenomena, which eventually led to AGG. The evolution of precipitates was found to be heavily dependent on the FSW temperature condition. In a weld produced with a low-heat input, a significant portion of the precipitates were retained in the stir zone after FSW and then underwent coarsening and a subsequent dissolution during the annealing that followed. This led to a reduction in precipitation-pinning forces and thus promoted rapid grain coarsening. In a weld produced with a high-heat input, the initial precipitates were completely dissolved during the FSW, owing to the higher temperature, and then partially re-precipitated during the heating stage of the post-weld heat treatment. Due to the fine-grain structure of the stir zone, re-precipitation typically occurred at grain boundaries, thus promoting significant thermal stability. However, at temperatures approaching the SHT temperature, the new precipitates coarsened and then dissolved, resulting in AGG.
Serum Uric Acid Levels Are Associated with the Echogenic Features of Carotid Plaque Vulnerability in Elderly Patients with Atherosclerotic Disease
Authors: Mastroiacovo Daniela , Ettorre Evaristo , Mengozzi Alessandro , Virdis Agostino , Camerota Antonio , Muselli Mario , Necozione Stefano , Bocale Raffaella , Ferri Claudio , Desideri Giovambattista
Published: May 2023

Uric acid is a marker of inflammation and a risk factor for atherosclerosis that has been suggested to play a role in carotid plaque instability. Reduced atherosclerotic plaque echogenicity at ultrasound examination is associated with alarming histopathological features and inflammation. In this study, we investigated the relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and echogenic patterns of plaque instability in elderly subjects with carotid atherosclerosis. Since uric acid metabolism largely depends on renal function, SUA levels were indexed for serum creatinine levels (SUA/SCr). We enrolled 108 patients aged 65 years or more (72.7 ± 5.9 years; 50 females and 58 males) who underwent carotid duplex ultrasound to evaluate plaque echogenicity by greyscale median (GSM). The regression analysis demonstrated a significant inverse association between the GSM and the SUA/SCr ratio (β: −0.567; 95% CI −0.751 to −0.384 and p < 0.0001). Stepwise multivariate regression showed that the SUA/SCr ratio explained 30.3% of GSM variability (β: −0.600; 95% CI −0.777/−0.424, p < 0.0001, and semi-partial correlation 0.303). After a mean period of 3.5 ± 0.5 years, 48 patients were reevaluated according to the same baseline study protocol. The regression analysis demonstrated a still significant inverse association between the GSM and the SUA/SCr ratio (β: −0.462; 95% CI −0.745 to −0.178 and p = 0.002). Stepwise multivariate regression showed that the SUA/SCr ratio explained 28.0% of GSM variability (coefficient −0.584, 95% CI −0.848/−0.319, p < 0.0001, and semi-partial R2 0.280). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that SUA levels indexed for serum creatinine are associated with the echogenic features of carotid plaque vulnerability in elderly patients with atherosclerotic disease. These data could suggest an influential role for uric acid metabolism in carotid plaque biology.
Coronary Artery Disease with Elevated Levels of HDL Cholesterol Is Associated with Distinct Lipid Signatures
Authors: Xia Wanying , Yu Haiyi , Wang Guisong
Published: May 2023

Levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are inversely associated with the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the underlying mechanism of CAD in the context of elevated HDL-C levels is unclear. Our study aimed to explore the lipid signatures in patients with CAD and elevated HDL-C levels and to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers for these conditions. We measured the plasma lipidomes of forty participants with elevated HDL-C levels (men with >50 mg/dL and women with >60 mg/dL), with or without CAD, using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. We analyzed four hundred fifty-eight lipid species and identified an altered lipidomic profile in subjects with CAD and high HDL-C levels. In addition, we identified eighteen distinct lipid species, including eight sphingolipids and ten glycerophospholipids; all of these, except sphingosine-1-phosphate (d20:1), were higher in the CAD group. Pathways for sphingolipid and glycerophospholipid metabolism were the most significantly altered. Moreover, our data led to a diagnostic model with an area under the curve of 0.935, in which monosialo-dihexosyl ganglioside (GM3) (d18:1/22:0), GM3 (d18:0/22:0), and phosphatidylserine (38:4) were combined. We found that a characteristic lipidome signature is associated with CAD in individuals with elevated HDL-C levels. Additionally, the disorders of sphingolipid as well as glycerophospholipid metabolism may underlie CAD.
Metabolomics Analysis as a Tool to Measure Cobalt Neurotoxicity: An In Vitro Validation
Authors: Alanazi Ibrahim M. , R. Alzahrani Abdullah , Zughaibi Torki A. , Al-Asmari Ahmed I. , Tabrez Shams , Henderson Catherine , Watson David , Grant Mary Helen
Published: May 2023

In this study, cobalt neurotoxicity was investigated in human astrocytoma and neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells using proliferation assays coupled with LC–MS-based metabolomics and transcriptomics techniques. Cells were treated with a range of cobalt concentrations between 0 and 200 µM. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay revealed cobalt cytotoxicity and decreased cell metabolism in a dose and time-dependent manner was observed by metabolomics analysis, in both cell lines. Metabolomic analysis also revealed several altered metabolites particularly those related to DNA deamination and methylation pathways. One of the increased metabolites was uracil which can be generated from DNA deamination or fragmentation of RNA. To investigate the origin of uracil, genomic DNA was isolated and analyzed by LC–MS. Interestingly, the source of uracil, which is uridine, increased significantly in the DNA of both cell lines. Additionally, the results of the qRT-PCR showed an increase in the expression of five genes Mlh1, Sirt2, MeCP2, UNG, and TDG in both cell lines. These genes are related to DNA strand breakage, hypoxia, methylation, and base excision repair. Overall, metabolomic analysis helped reveal the changes induced by cobalt in human neuronal-derived cell lines. These findings could unravel the effect of cobalt on the human brain.
Widely Targeted Volatilomics and Metabolomics Analysis Reveal the Metabolic Composition and Diversity of Zingiberaceae Plants
Authors: Zhang Youjin , Su Rongxiu , Yuan Honglun , Zhou Haihong , Jiangfang Yiding , Liu Xianqing , Luo Jie
Published: May 2023

Zingiberaceae plants are widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries; however, research on the chemical composition and interspecific differences in the metabolome and volatilome of Zingiberaceae plants is still limited. In this study, seven species of Zingiberaceae plants were selected, including Curcuma longa L., Zingiber officinale Rosc., Alpinia officinarum Hance, Alpinia tonkinensis Gagnep, Amomum tsaoko Crevost et Lemarie, Alpinia hainanensis K. Schum. and Amomum villosum Lour. Myristica fragrans Houtt. was also selected due to its flavor being similar to that of the Zingiberaceae plant. The metabolome and volatilome of selected plants were profiled by widely targeted approaches; 542 volatiles and 738 non-volatile metabolites were detected, and β-myrcene, α-phellandrene and α-cadinene were detected in all the selected plants, while chamigren, thymol, perilla, acetocinnamone and cis-α-bisabolene were exclusively detected in certain Zingiberaceae plants. Differential analysis showed that some terpenoids, such as cadalene, cadalene-1,3,5-triene, cadalene-1,3,8-triene and (E)-β-farnesene, and some lipids, including palmitic acid, linoleic acid and oleic acid were amongst the most varied compounds in Zingiberaceae plants. In conclusion, this study provided comprehensive metabolome and volatilome profiles for Zingiberaceae plants and revealed the metabolic differences between these plants. The results of this study could be used as a guide for the nutrition and flavor improvement of Zingiberaceae plants.
Arc Discharge System for Micromachining of Helical Fiber
Authors: Wang Jian , Ma Chao , Duan Shaochen , Wang Donghui , Yuan Libo
Published: May 2023

This article developed a micromachining system of arcing helical fiber with four electrodes to address the issues with conventional approaches to processing helical fibers, which have several uses. The technique may be utilized to create several types of helical fibers. First, the simulation demonstrates that the four-electrode arc’s constant-temperature heating area is larger than the two-electrode arc’s size. A large constant-temperature heating area is not only beneficial to the stress release of fiber, but also reduces the influence of fiber vibration and reduces the difficulty of device debugging. Then, a variety of helical fibers with various pitches were processed using the system presented in this research. By using a microscope, it can be observed that the cladding and core edges of the helical fiber are constantly smooth and the central core is tiny and off-axis, both of which are favorable for the propagation of optical waveguides. A low off-axis has been shown to minimize optical loss through modeling of energy coupling in spiral multi-core optical fibers. The transmission spectrum findings indicated that the device’s insertion loss and transmission spectrum fluctuation were both minimal for four different types of multi-core spiral long-period fiber gratings with intermediate cores. These prove that the spiral fibers prepared by this system have excellent quality.
Simulation Optimization of AlGaN/GaN SBD with Field Plate Structures and Recessed Anode
Authors: Xu Tao , Tang Ziqi , Zhou Ziyou , Zhou Bing
Published: May 2023

This study investigated several AlGaN/GaN Schottky Barrier Diodes (SBDs) with different designs to achieve device optimization. First, the optimal electrode spacing, etching depth, and field plate size of the devices were measured using Technology Computer-Aided Design (TCAD) software by Silvaco, and analysis of the electrical behavior of the device was based on the simulation results, and several AlGaN/GaN SBD chips were designed and prepared. The experimental results revealed that the recessed anode can increase the forward current and reduce the on-resistance. An etched depth of 30 nm could obtain a turn-on voltage of 0.75 V and a forward current density of 216 mA/mm. A breakdown voltage of 1043 V and a power figure of merit (FOM) value of 572.6 MW/cm2 was obtained with a 3 μm field plate. Experiments and simulations confirmed that the recessed anode and field plate structure could increase the breakdown voltage and forward current and improve the FOM value, resulting in higher electrical performance and a wider range of application scenarios.
Bioaffinity Nanoprobes for Foodborne Pathogen Sensing
Authors: Bruce-Tagoe Tracy Ann , Danquah Michael K.
Published: May 2023

Bioaffinity nanoprobes are a type of biosensor that utilize the specific binding properties of biological molecules, such as antibodies, enzymes, and nucleic acids, for the detection of foodborne pathogens. These probes serve as nanosensors and can provide highly specific and sensitive detection of pathogens in food samples, making them an attractive option for food safety testing. The advantages of bioaffinity nanoprobes include their ability to detect low levels of pathogens, rapid analysis time, and cost-effectiveness. However, limitations include the need for specialized equipment and the potential for cross-reactivity with other biological molecules. Current research efforts focus on optimizing the performance of bioaffinity probes and expanding their application in the food industry. This article discusses relevant analytical methods, such as surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis, Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) measurements, circular dichroism, and flow cytometry, that are used to evaluate the efficacy of bioaffinity nanoprobes. Additionally, it discusses advances in the development and application of biosensors in monitoring foodborne pathogens.
Stability Study of Multi-Level Grayscales Based on Driving Waveforms for Electrowetting Displays
Authors: Xu Wanzhen , Yi Zichuan , Long Zhengxing , Zhang Hu , Jiang Jiaquan , Liu Liming , Chi Feng , Tan Ding , Wang Huan
Published: May 2023

Electrowetting Display (EWD) is a new reflective display with an outstanding performance of color video playback. However, some problems still exist and affect its performance. For instance, oil backflow, oil splitting, and charge trapping phenomena may occur during the driving process of EWDs, which would decrease its stability of multi-level grayscales. Therefore, an efficient driving waveform was proposed to solve these disadvantages. It consisted of a driving stage and a stabilizing stage. First, an exponential function waveform was used in the driving stage for driving the EWDs quickly. Then, an alternating current (AC) pulse signal waveform was used in the stabilizing stage to release the trapped positive charges of the insulating layer to improve display stability. A set of four level grayscale driving waveforms were designed by using the proposed method, and it was used in comparative experiments. The experiments showed that the proposed driving waveform could mitigate oil backflow and splitting effects. Compared to a traditional driving waveform, the luminance stability was increased by 8.9%, 5.9%, 10.9%, and 11.6% for the four level grayscales after 12 s, respectively.
Exploring the Potential of Flow-Induced Vibration Energy Harvesting Using a Corrugated Hyperstructure Bluff Body
Authors: Yuan Yikai , Wang Hai , Yang Chunlai , Sun Hang , Tang Ye , Zhang Zihao
Published: May 2023

Fluid-induced vibration is a common phenomenon in fluid–structure interaction. A flow-induced vibrational energy harvester based on a corrugated hyperstructure bluff body which can improve energy collection efficiency under low wind speeds is proposed in this paper. CFD simulation of the proposed energy harvester was carried out with COMSOL Multiphysics. The flow field around the harvester and the output voltage in different flow velocities is discussed and validated with experiments. Simulation results show that the proposed harvester has an improved harvesting efficiency and higher output voltage. Experimental results show that the output voltage amplitude of the harvester increased by 189% under 2 m/s wind speed.
Comparative Analysis of Perovskite Solar Cells for Obtaining a Higher Efficiency Using a Numerical Approach
Authors: Mahmoud Khaled Hussein , Alsubaie Abdullah Saad , Anwer Abdul Hakeem , Ansari Mohd Zahid
Published: May 2023

Perovskite materials have gained considerable attention in recent years for their potential to improve the efficiency of solar cells. This study focuses on optimizing the efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) by investigating the thickness of the methylammonium-free absorber layer in the device structure. In the study we used a SCAPS-1D simulator to analyze the performance of MASnI3 and CsPbI3-based PSCs under AM1.5 illumination. The simulation involved using Spiro-OMeTAD as a hole transport layer (HTL) and ZnO as the electron transport layer (ETL) in the PSC structure. The results indicate that optimizing the thickness of the absorber layer can significantly increase the efficiency of PSCs. The precise bandgap values of the materials were set to 1.3 eV and 1.7 eV. In the study we also investigated the maximum thicknesses of the HTL, MASnI3, CsPbI3, and the ETL for the device structures, which were determined to be 100 nm, 600 nm, 800 nm, and 100 nm, respectively. The improvement techniques used in this study resulted in a high power-conversion efficiency (PCE) of 22.86% due to a higher value of VOC for the CsPbI3-based PSC structure. The findings of this study demonstrate the potential of perovskite materials as absorber layers in solar cells. It also provides insights into improving the efficiency of PSCs, which is crucial for advancing the development of cost-effective and efficient solar energy systems. Overall, this study provides valuable information for the future development of more efficient solar cell technologies.
High-Speed Hardware Architecture Based on Error Detection for KECCAK
Authors: Mestiri Hassen , Barraj Imen
Published: May 2023

The hash function KECCAK integrity algorithm is implemented in cryptographic systems to provide high security for any circuit requiring integrity and protect the transmitted data. Fault attacks, which can extricate confidential data, are one of the most effective physical attacks against KECCAK hardware. Several KECCAK fault detection systems have been proposed to counteract fault attacks. The present research proposes a modified KECCAK architecture and scrambling algorithm to protect against fault injection attacks. Thus, the KECCAK round is modified so that it consists of two parts with input and pipeline registers. The scheme is independent of the KECCAK design. Iterative and pipeline designs are both protected by it. To test the resilience of the suggested detection system approach fault attacks, we conduct permanent as well as transient fault attacks, and we evaluate the fault detection capabilities (99.9999% for transient faults and 99.999905% for permanent faults). The KECCAK fault detection scheme is modeled using VHDL language and implemented on an FPGA hardware board. The experimental results show that our technique effectively secures the KECCAK design. It can be carried out with little difficulty. In addition, the experimental FPGA results demonstrate the proposed KECCAK detection scheme’s low area burden, high efficiency and working frequency.
Design of an Intelligent MEMS Safety and Arming Device with a Condition Feedback Function
Authors: Wang Kexin , Hu Tengjiang , Zhao Yulong , Ren Wei , Wang Yifei
Published: May 2023

A safety and arming device with a condition feedback function has been designed in this article to improve the intelligence and safety of ignition devices. The device achieves active control and recoverability by virtue of four groups of bistable mechanisms which consist of two electrothermal actuators to drive a semi-circular barrier and a pawl. According to a specific operation sequence, the barrier is engaged by the pawl at the safety or the arming position. The four groups of bistable mechanisms are connected in parallel, and the device detects the contact resistance generated by the engagement of the barrier and pawl by the voltage division of an external resistor to determine the parallel number of the mechanism and give feedback on the device’s condition. The pawl as a safety lock can restrain the in-plane deformation of the barrier in the safety condition to improve the safety function of the device. An igniter (a NiCr bridge foil covered with different thicknesses of Al/CuO films) and boron/potassium nitrate (B/KNO3, BPN) are assembled on both sides of the S&A device to verify the safety of the barrier. The test results show that the S&A device with a safety lock can realize the safety and arming functions when the thickness of the Al/CuO film is set to 80 μm and 100 μm.
Interconnection Technologies for Flexible Electronics: Materials, Fabrications, and Applications
Authors: Baruah Ratul Kumar , Yoo Hocheon , Lee Eun Kwang
Published: May 2023

Flexible electronic devices require metal interconnects to facilitate the flow of electrical signals among the device components, ensuring its proper functionality. There are multiple factors to consider when designing metal interconnects for flexible electronics, including their conductivity, flexibility, reliability, and cost. This article provides an overview of recent endeavors to create flexible electronic devices through different metal interconnect approaches, with a focus on materials and structural aspects. Additionally, the article discusses emerging flexible applications, such as e-textiles and flexible batteries, as essential considerations.
Pressure-Driven Sample Flow through an Electrospun Membrane Increases the Analyte Adsorption
Authors: Maslakova Aitsana , Prusakov Kirill , Sidorova Anastasia , Pavlova Elizaveta , Ramonova Alla , Bagrov Dmitry
Published: May 2023

Electrospun polymer membranes are regarded as prospective biosensor components due to their large specific surface area and diverse opportunities for chemical modifications. However, their intricate porous structure can impede diffusion and render some analyte-binding sites inaccessible. To overcome these diffusion limitations and improve analyte adsorption onto the polymer, a pressure-driven sample flow through the membrane can be employed. To date, the efficiency of pressure-driven analyte delivery into these membranes has not been quantified. Here, we compare forced flow and passive sample diffusion through poly(dioxanone) electrospun membranes. We examine two model analytes, BSA and interleukin-1 beta (IL1b), to address both non-specific and specific binding. Following exposure of the membranes to the test solutions, we measured the residual concentrations of the analytes using fluorometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques. The pressure-driven sample loading was superior to passive diffusion, with a 2.8–11.5-fold change for physical adsorption and a 2.4–3.4-fold difference for specific binding. Our data can be useful for the development of immunoassays and microfluidic devices.
Effect of Probiotic Yogurt Supplementation(Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis BB-12) on Gut Microbiota of Female Taekwondo Athletes and Its Relationship with Exercise-Related Psychological Fatigue
Authors: Zhu Jiang , Zhu Yuping , Song Gang
Published: May 2023

Objective: The gut microbiota plays a critical role in regulating human health and athletic performance. Probiotic supplementation has been shown to modulate gut microbiota composition and improve exercise performance. This study aimed to investigate the effect of probiotic yogurt supplementation on gut microbiota and its relationship with exercise-related psychological fatigue in female taekwondo athletes. Methods: Twenty female taekwondo athletes were randomly assigned to either a dietary intervention group (DK) or a control group (CK). The athletes’ exercise-related psychological fatigue was measured using the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ) before and after an 8-week intervention. High-throughput sequencing was used to profile the gut microbiota, and functional prediction of the microbial community was performed. The effect of the dietary intervention on the athletes’ exercise-related psychological fatigue clearance rate and its relationship with the gut microbiota were explored. Results: (1) The probiotic supplementation of Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis BB-12 for 8 weeks significantly increased the ABQ scores of the DK group compared to the CK group (p < 0.05). (2) The abundances of Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides, Lachnospiraceae, family _Lactobacillaceae, and genus _Lactobacillus were significantly higher in the DK group than in the CK group after probiotic supplementation, while Escherichia coli was significantly lower in the DK group than in the CK group. (3) The ABQa scores were positively correlated with Proteus; ABQb scores were positively correlated with Streptococcus and Enterococcus; and ABQc scores were positively correlated with Klebsiella, Bacteroides, and Streptomyces. (4) The DK group had significantly higher levels of L-arginine biosynthesis I (via L-ornithine), fatty acid biosynthesis and oxidation, and L-isoleucine biosynthesis III pathways compared to the CK group. Tyrosine degradation I (via 2,3-dihydroxyphenylpropionate) was significantly lower in the DK group than in the CK group. Conclusions: Probiotic yogurt supplementation of Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis can promote the clearance of exercise-related psychological fatigue in female taekwondo athletes by upregulating beneficial gut microbiota, inhibiting harmful gut microbiota, and regulating relevant metabolic pathways.
A Pilot Cross-Sectional Study of Immunological and Microbiome Profiling Reveals Distinct Inflammatory Profiles for Smokers, Electronic Cigarette Users, and Never-Smokers
Authors: Shields Peter G. , Ying Kevin L. , Brasky Theodore M. , Freudenheim Jo L. , Li Zihai , McElroy Joseph P. , Reisinger Sarah A. , Song Min-Ae , Weng Daniel Y. , Wewers Mark D. , Whiteman Noah B. , Yang Yiping , Mathé Ewy A.
Published: May 2023

Smokers (SM) have increased lung immune cell counts and inflammatory gene expression compared to electronic cigarette (EC) users and never-smokers (NS). The objective of this study is to further assess associations for SM and EC lung microbiomes with immune cell subtypes and inflammatory gene expression in samples obtained by bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (n = 28). RNASeq with the CIBERSORT computational algorithm were used to determine immune cell subtypes, along with inflammatory gene expression and microbiome metatranscriptomics. Macrophage subtypes revealed a two-fold increase in M0 (undifferentiated) macrophages for SM and EC users relative to NS, with a concordant decrease in M2 (anti-inflammatory) macrophages. There were 68, 19, and 1 significantly differentially expressed inflammatory genes (DEG) between SM/NS, SM/EC users, and EC users/NS, respectively. CSF-1 and GATA3 expression correlated positively and inversely with M0 and M2 macrophages, respectively. Correlation profiling for DEG showed distinct lung profiles for each participant group. There were three bacteria genera–DEG correlations and three bacteria genera–macrophage subtype correlations. In this pilot study, SM and EC use were associated with an increase in undifferentiated M0 macrophages, but SM differed from EC users and NS for inflammatory gene expression. The data support the hypothesis that SM and EC have toxic lung effects influencing inflammatory responses, but this may not be via changes in the microbiome.
Beneficial Effect of the New Leptodophora sp. Strain on Development of Blueberry Microclones in the Process of Their Adaptation
Authors: Topilina Yulia S. , Luk‘yanova Evgeniya A. , Glukhova Lubov B. , Shurupova Margarita N. , Gerasimchuk Anna L. , Frank Yulia A. , Antsiferov Dmitry V.
Published: May 2023

The paper searches for new solutions for the development of highbush blueberry orchards (Vaccinium corymbosum L. (1753)) in Western Siberia. All species of the genus Vaccinium display special symbiotic mycorrhizal associations with root systems—ericoid mycorrhiza, which essentially enhances the formation of adventitious and lateral roots. For the first time, we obtained pure cultures of micromycetes associated with the roots of wild species of the family Ericaceae in the Tomsk region, Russia. With regard to the data of molecular genetic analysis of the ITS region sequence, we selected the BR2-1 isolate based on its morphophysiological traits, which was assigned to the genus Leptodophora. Representatives of this genus typically enter into symbiotic relationships with heathers to form ericoid mycorrhizae. We studied the effect of strain BR2-1 on the development of microclones of the highbush blueberry var. Nord blue during their in vitro adaptation and showed its beneficial effect on growth and shoot formation in young plants. Experiments performed using submerged and solid-state methods showed that the most optimal method for commercial production of BR2-1 is cultivation on grain sterilized by boiling, followed by spore washing.
Combinatory Library of Microorganisms in the Selection of Reductive Activity Applied to a Ketone Mixture: Unexpected Highlighting of an Enantioselective Oxidative Activity
Authors: Ali Rachedi Sofiane , Genest Maximillien , Mann Stéphane , Buisson Didier
Published: May 2023

Biocatalytic processes are increasingly used in organic synthesis for the preparation of targeted molecules or the generation of molecular diversity. The search for the biocatalyst is often the bottleneck in the development of the process. We described a combinatorial approach for the selection of active strains from a library of microorganisms. In order to show the potential of the method we applied it to a mixture of substrates. We were able to select yeast strains capable of producing enantiopure alcohol from corresponding ketones with very few tests and highlight tandem reaction sequences involving several microorganisms. We demonstrate an interest in the kinetic study and the importance of incubation conditions. This approach is a promising tool for generating new products.
COVID-19 Outcomes and Diabetes Mellitus: A Comprehensive Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Akinosoglou Karolina , Schinas Georgios , Bletsa Evanthia , Bristianou Magdaline , Lanaras Leonidas , Michailides Charalambos , Katsikas Theodoros , Barkas Fotios , Liberopoulos Evangelos , Kotsis Vasileios , Tentolouris Konstantinos , Grigoropoulou Pinelopi , Frangou Archontoula , Basoulis Dimitrios , Alexiou Zoi , Daganou Mary , Bostantzoglou Clementine , Dimakopoulou Vasiliki , Koutsoukou Antonia , Pefanis Angelos , Baraboutis Ioannis G. , Agelonidou Eleni , Tentolouris Nikolaos
Published: May 2023

The link between type 2 diabetes (T2D) and the severe outcomes of COVID-19 has raised concerns about the optimal management of patients with T2D. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of T2D patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and explore the potential associations between chronic T2D treatments and adverse outcomes. This was a multicenter prospective cohort study of T2D patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Greece during the third wave of the pandemic (February–June 2021). Among the 354 T2D patients included in this study, 63 (18.6%) died during hospitalization, and 16.4% required ICU admission. The use of DPP4 inhibitors for the chronic management of T2D was associated with an increased risk of in-hospital death (adjusted odds ratio (adj. OR) 2.639, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.148–6.068, p = 0.022), ICU admission (adj. OR = 2.524, 95% CI: 1.217–5.232, p = 0.013), and progression to ARDS (adj. OR = 2.507, 95% CI: 1.278–4.916, p = 0.007). Furthermore, the use of DPP4 inhibitors was significantly associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic events (adjusted OR of 2.249, 95% CI: 1.073–4.713, p = 0.032) during hospitalization. These findings highlight the importance of considering the potential impact of chronic T2D treatment regiments on COVID-19 and the need for further studies to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
Sessile Lifestyle Offers Protection against Copper Stress in Saccharolobus solfataricus
Authors: Recalde Alejandra , González-Madrid Gabriela , Acevedo-López José , Jerez Carlos A.
Published: May 2023

Some archaea from the genus Sulfolobus are important for bioleaching of copper, where metal resistant microorganisms are required. Biofilm generation is one of the ways microorganisms cope with some stimuli in nature, including heavy metals. The response to external factors, particularly in the biofilm form of life, is still underexplored in archaea. To explore how model thermoacidophilic archaeon Saccharolobus solfataricus faces copper stress during this lifestyle, changes in biofilms were studied using crystal violet staining, confocal fluorescence microscopy, and qPCR approaches. It was found that biofilm formation reached a maximum at 0.5 mM Cu, before starting to decrease at higher metal concentrations. The morphology of biofilms at 0.5 mM Cu was observed to be different, displaying lower thickness, different sugar patterns, and higher amounts of cells compared to standard growing conditions. Furthermore, copA, which is responsive to intracellular Cu concentration, was downregulated in biofilm cells when compared with planktonic cells exposed to the same metal concentration. The latest results suggests that cells in biofilms are less exposed to Cu than those in planktonic culture. In a PolyP-deficient strain, Cu was not able to induce biofilm formation at 0.5 mM. In summary, the findings reported here suggest that the biofilm form of life confers S. solfataricus advantages to face stress caused by Cu.Biofilm formation remains a relatively unexplored topic in archaeal research. Therefore, this knowledge in model organisms such as S. solfataricus, and how they use it to face stress, could be of great importance to engineer organisms with improved capabilities to be applied in biotechnological processes, such as bioleaching of metals.
CNN2D-SENet-Based Prospecting Prediction Method: A Case Study from the Cu Deposits in the Zhunuo Mineral Concentrate Area in Tibet
Authors: Ding Ke , Xue Linfu , Ran Xiangjin , Wang Jianbang , Yan Qun
Published: May 2023

Intelligent prospecting and prediction are important research foci in the field of mineral resource exploration. To solve the problem of the performance degradation of deep convolutional neural networks, enhancing the attention to target information and suppressing unnecessary feature information, this paper proposes a new prospecting prediction method based on a two-dimensional convolutional neural network (CNN2D). This method mainly uses known Cu deposits as the positive sample labels, adopts the sliding window method for data enhancement, and uses the window area as a unit to extract spatial variation features. It is important to supplement squeeze-and-excitation networks (SENets) to add an attention mechanism to the channel dimension, assign a weight value to each feature layer, and finally make prospecting predictions by matching the features of the known deposit window area and the features of the unknown window area. This method allows the neural network to focus on certain characteristic channels and realizes prospecting prediction in the case where there are few known deposits so that the deep learning method can be more effectively used for the prospecting prediction of mineralization. Based on geological data, geochemical exploration data of water system sediments, and aeromagnetic data, and via this method, this study carried out prospecting prediction of Cu deposits in the Zhunuo area of Tibet and predicted 12 favorable Cu prospecting prediction areas. Combined with previous research results and field exploration, the predicted result is consistent with the established mineralization and prospecting pattern and has good prospects for Cu deposit prospecting.
Pulp Chemistry Variables for Gaussian Process Prediction of Rougher Copper Recovery
Authors: Amankwaa-Kyeremeh Bismark , Ehrig Kathy , Greet Christopher , Asamoah Richmond
Published: May 2023

Insight about the operation of froth flotation through modelling has been in existence since the early 1930s. Irrespective of the numerous industrial models that have been developed over the years, modelling of the metallurgical outputs of froth flotation often do not involve pulp chemistry variables. As such, this work investigated the influence of pulp chemistry variables (pH, Eh, dissolved oxygen and temperature) on the prediction performance of rougher copper recovery using a Gaussian process regression algorithm. Model performance assessed with linear correlation coefficient (r), root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and scatter index (SI) indicated that pulp chemistry variables are essential in predicting rougher copper recovery, and obtaining r values > 0.98, RMSE values < 0.32, MAPE values < 0.20 and SI values < 0.0034. RNCA feature weights reveal the pulp chemistry relevance in the order dissolved oxygen > pH > Eh > temperature.
Anti-Photoaging Effects of Nanocomposites of Amphiphilic Chitosan/18β-Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Authors: Quan Weiyan , Kong Songzhi , Li Sidong , Ouyang Qianqian , Lu Sitong , Guo Jiaqi , Wu Kefeng , Zhao Wei , Luo Hui
Published: May 2023

Improving the transdermal absorption of weakly soluble drugs for topical use can help to prevent and treat skin photoaging. Nanocrystals of 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (i.e., NGAs) prepared by high-pressure homogenization and amphiphilic chitosan (ACS) were used to form ANGA composites by electrostatic adsorption, and the optimal ratio of NGA to ACS was 10:1. Dynamic light scattering analysis and zeta potential analysis were used to evaluate the nanocomposites’ suspension, and the results showed that mean particle size was 318.8 ± 5.4 nm and the zeta potential was 30.88 ± 1.4 mV after autoclaving (121 °C, 30 min). The results of CCK-8 showed that the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of ANGAs (71.9 μg/mL) was higher than that of NGAs (51.6 μg/mL), indicating that the cytotoxicity of ANGAs was weaker than that of NGAs at 24 h. After the composite had been prepared as a hydrogel, the vertical diffusion (Franz) cells were used to investigate skin permeability in vitro, and it was shown that the cumulative permeability of the ANGA hydrogel increased from 56.5 ± 1.4% to 75.3 ± 1.8%. The efficacy of the ANGA hydrogel against skin photoaging was studied by constructing a photoaging animal model under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and staining. The ANGA hydrogel improved the photoaging characteristics of UV-induced mouse skin significantly, improved structural changes (e.g., breakage and clumping of collagen and elastic fibers in the dermis) significantly, and improved skin elasticity, while it inhibited the abnormal expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and MMP-3 significantly, thereby reducing the damage caused by UV irradiation to the collagen-fiber structure. These results indicated that the NGAs could enhance the local penetration of GA into the skin and significantly improve the photoaging of mouse skin. The ANGA hydrogel could be used to counteract skin photoaging.