bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation on the Optimal Amount of Y and B Elements in High-Temperature Titanium Alloy Ti-5.9Al-4Sn-3.9Zr-3.8Mo-0.4Si-xY-yB
Authors: Zhang Yingbo , Peng Yuanhui , Zhang Pu , Hu Yunfeng , Wu Dongliang , Tu Xing
Published: October 2023

This article presents a novel and feasible approach for researching the quantity of the ceramic phase and component optimization in high-temperature titanium alloys with small trace amounts of ceramic phases. Different near-α titanium alloys with varying yttrium and boron contents were prepared through the utilization of a vacuum non-consumable arc furnace melting method. The alloy used was a Ti-5.9Al-4Sn-3.9Zr-3.8Mo-0.4Si base. Its microstructure, texture, mechanical properties, and fracture behavior were studied. The observation of the as-cast structure shows that the addition of different doses of trace Y and B elements significantly refines both the original β grains and α grains. Moreover, the addition of the B element transforms the Widmanstätten structure in the titanium alloy structure into a basketweave structure. The addition of Y can refine the grain structure, improve the uniformity of the matrix structure, and act as a strong deoxidizer, which will take away the oxygen in the matrix and purify it. The TiB whiskers generated with the addition of B promotes dynamic recrystallization behavior and leads to more equiaxed α grains being precipitated around them, resulting in a significant refinement of the microstructure of the as-cast alloy. After adding a small amount of B, the texture strength of the α phase is significantly reduced, indicating that TiB whiskers inhibit the formation of texture. After conducting performance screening and structure analysis, the study supplements the analysis of Y’s regulation of the titanium alloy structure. The regulation is primarily explained by combining the results of the analysis of boron content, phase diagram analysis, mechanical properties, and fracture analysis. The mechanical analysis introduces the unique load transfer strengthening of TiB whiskers combined with an analysis of high-temperature mechanical properties, as the threshold for addition. The optimal amounts of Y and B additions are 0.6 wt% and 0.8 wt%, respectively. The optimized alloy obtained under this condition can achieve a tensile strength of 950 Mpa at 500 °C without any plastic deformation or heat treatment.
Development of Biocompatible Ga2(HPO4)3 Nanoparticles as an Antimicrobial Agent with Improved Ga Resistance Development Profile against Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Alamri Huda , Chen Guanyu , Huang Songping D.
Published: October 2023

Ga(III) can mimic Fe(III) in the biological system due to its similarities in charge and ionic radius to those of Fe(III) and can exhibit antimicrobial activity by disrupting the acquisition and metabolism of Fe in bacterial cells. For example, Ga(NO3)3 has been proven to be effective in treating chronic lung infections by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) in cystic fibrosis patients in a recent phase II clinical trial. However, Ga(NO3)3 is an ionic compound that can hydrolyze to form insoluble hydroxides at physiological pH, which not only reduces its bioavailability but also causes potential renal toxicity when it is used as a systemic drug. Although complexion with suitable chelating agents has offered a varying degree of success in alleviating the hydrolysis of Ga(III), the use of nanotechnology to deliver this metallic ion should constitute an ultimate solution to all the above-mentioned problems. Thus far, the development of Ga-based nanomaterials as metalloantibiotics is an underexploited area of research. We have developed two different synthetic routes for the preparation of biocompatible Ga2(HPO4)3 NPs and shown that both the PVP- or PEG-coated Ga2(HPO4)3 NPs exhibit potent antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa. More importantly, such polymer-coated NPs do not show any sign of Ga-resistant phenotype development after 30 passes, in sharp contrast to Ga(NO3)3, which can rapidly develop Ga-resistant phenotypes of P. aeruginosa, indicating the potential of using Ga2(HPO4)3 NPs a new antimicrobial agent in place of Ga(NO3)3.
Segment Thickness Design and Bearing Performance Analysis of Large Inner-Diameter Shield Tunnel under Lateral Unloading
Authors: Lu Cirong , Liu Changbao , Zhang Xiaohui
Published: October 2023

In order to accommodate more transportation-supporting facilities, the expansion of structures’ inner diameter has become the development trend of metro shield tunnels. But for large inner-diameter shield tunnels, the segment thickness design and bearing performance characteristics of tunnels under lateral unloading are still unclear. The purpose of the research was to select the optimal segment thickness and clarify the bearing performance of large inner-diameter shield tunnels. Therefore, in this study, a 3D refined numerical model was established to analyze and determine the optimal segment thickness for a shield tunnel with an inner diameter of 5.9 m. Furthermore, a full-scale test was carried out to study the bearing performance of the shield tunnel under lateral unloading. The results showed that the maximum tunnel horizontal deformation difference between the calculation and the test did not exceed 5%, and the maximum difference in the overall structure deformation between the calculation and the test did not exceed 7%. Increasing the segment thickness can reduce the convergence deformation of the shield tunnel nonlinearly; the deformation reduction was no longer significant when the segment thickness increased to 400 mm with an inner diameter of 5.9 m. Under the lateral unloading condition, the internal force of the tunnel structure increased significantly at sections of 0°, 55°, 125°, and 190°. Compared with the normal design load stage, the maximum bending moment and axial force increased by 36% and 74.1%, respectively, in the final failure stage. There was no bolt yield during the entire unloading process, indicating that the excessive strength of the bolt could not fully play a role in the entire life cycle of the large inner-diameter tunnel structure. The failure mechanism of the shield tunnel can be described as follows: in the early stage of a load, a shield tunnel will appear with joints open and dislocated. As the load increases, cracks in different directions gradually appear near the tunnel joint. In the ultimate load stage, the shield tunnel loses load-bearing capacity, and large areas of falling blocks appear at the top and bottom of the tunnel.
Optimum Arrangement of TADAS Dampers for Seismic Drift Control of Buildings Using Accelerated Iterative Methods
Authors: Li Zongjing , Wang Junle , Li Chen , Cao Jing
Published: October 2023

Triangular added-damping-and-stiffness (TADAS) dampers are reliable passive control devices for earthquake-excited buildings. The arrangement of TADAS dampers in buildings is essentially the allocation of triangular energy dissipation plates (TEDPs) among different stories, which directly influence the passive control effect and the construction cost. This paper proposes four iterated methods to achieve the optimum arrangement of TADAS dampers for seismic drift control of buildings, including the regular iterative method (RIM), the accelerated iterative method (AIM), and two modified accelerated iterative methods (MAIM-I and MAIM-II). Typical high-rise and low-rise buildings are used as application examples to evaluate their performance. Results of the study indicate that the two modified accelerated iterative methods are the most cost-efficient methods for achieving the optimum arrangement of TADAS dampers. This may be attributed to their two-stage implementation mechanism, which combines the set-by-set strategy and the one-by-one strategy in a reasonable way. Additionally, the modified accelerated iterative methods can be especially advantageous for high-rise buildings.
Comparative Validation of Light Environment Simulation with Actual Measurements
Authors: Park Juhyang , Lee Kyungsun , Kim Kirim
Published: October 2023

The quality of indoor lighting significantly influences human well-being, emphasizing the need to integrate lighting planning into the architectural design process. To optimize indoor lighting conditions, light environment simulations are commonly employed. While much of the relevant literature clearly shows that simulations are widely used to predict lighting environments, there is limited active research validating these simulations. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the alignment between actual measurements and simulations, specifically focusing on daylight-induced glare. To achieve this, a comparative analysis and verification of glare levels between simulations and actual measurements were conducted that accounted for glare location and direction. Disparities between the simulated and measured glare levels were revealed contingent on the glare location and direction. These variations primarily arose from the simulation’s utilization of a fisheye field of view (FOV) for glare measurement. To improve the accuracy of glare analysis in simulations, it is advisable to follow the standards related to the human perception of glare, such as the human field of view (FOV), instead of solely depending on a fisheye FOV. The study’s limitations include challenges in environmental replication, minor measurement errors, and tree branch shading interference. Despite the potential for simulations to not replicate temporary glare effects, consistent differences with actual measurements indicate that the fisheye FOV was a key contributing factor.
Hepatic Hilar Block as an Adjunct to Transarterial Embolization of Neuroendocrine Tumors: A Retrospective Review of Safety and Efficacy
Authors: Jain Samagra , Blume Harrison , Rodriguez Lee , Petre Elena , Moussa Amgad , Zhao Ken , Sotirchos Vlasios , Raj Nitya , Reidy Diane , Ziv Etay , Alexander Erica
Published: October 2023

Purpose: This study investigates whether hepatic hilar nerve blocks (HHNB) provide safe, effective analgesia in patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NET) treated with transarterial embolization (TAE). Methods: The retrospective study included all NETs treated with TAE or TAE + HHNB from 1/2020 to 8/2022. Eighty-five patients (45 men), mean age 62 years, were treated in 165 sessions (TAE, n = 153; TAE + HHNB, n = 12). For HHNBs, ≤10 mL bupivacaine HCl 0.25% ± 2 mg methylprednisolone were injected under ultrasound guidance. The aims were to assess safety of HHNB and reduction in pain. Groups were compared with Pearson’s chi-squared and Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Logistic regression assessed independent risk factors for pain. Results: No immediate complications from HHNBs were reported. No difference in incidence of major complications between TAE and TAE + HHNB one month post-embolization was observed (7.19% vs. 8.33%, p = 0.895). No differences in mean length of hospital stay after treatment were observed (TAE 2.2 days [95%CI: 1.74–2.56] vs. TAE + HHNB 2.8 days [95%CI: 1.43–4.26]; p = 0.174). Post-procedure pain was reported in 88.2% of TAE and 75.0% of TAE + HHNB patients (p = 0.185). HHNB recipients were more likely to use analgesic patches (25.0% vs. 5.88%; p = 0.014). No other differences in analgesic use were observed. Conclusions: HHNBs can safely be performed in patients with NETs. No difference in hospital stays or analgesic drug use was observed. Managing pain after TAE is an important goal; further study is warranted.
Malignant Neoplasms Arising in the Cardiac Pacemaker Cavity: A Systematic Review
Authors: Moraes Francisco Cezar Aquino de , Dal Moro Lucca , Pessoa Fernando Rocha , Passos Ellen Sabrinna dos Remédios , Campos Raul Antônio Lopes Silva , Souza Dilma do Socorro Moraes de , Feio Danielle , Rodríguez Burbano Rommel Mario , Fernandes Marianne Rodrigues , Santos Ney Pereira Carneiro dos
Published: October 2023

Cancer is the abnormal proliferation of physiologically inadequate cells. Studies have identified the cardiac pacemaker pocket as a site of rare neoplasms. To evaluate the clinical outcomes, treatment, prognosis, and individualized management of tumors originating in the cardiac pacemaker pocket, a systematic review was conducted using case reports and case series available in the PubMed/Medline, Science Direct, Cochrane Central, LILACS, and Scientific Electronic Library Online (Scielo) databases. Pacemaker pocket tumors affected patients with a mean age of 72.9 years, with a higher incidence in males (76.9%, n = 10). The average time for neoplasm development was 4.4 years (54.07 months). The most prevalent model was Medtronic (38.4%, n = 5), with titanium (83.3%) being the most common metal composition. Chemotherapy was the most performed procedure among patients (38.4%), followed by radiation therapy (38.4%) and surgical tumor resection (30.7%). Six analyzed cases (46.1%) resulted in death, and four patients (30.7%) achieved a cure. Patients with pacemakers should be routinely evaluated for the occurrence of malignant tumors at the site of device implantation.
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy plus Radical Surgery in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: Retrospective Single-Center Study
Authors: Mereu Liliana , Pecorino Basilio , Ferrara Martina , Tomaselli Venera , Scibilia Giuseppe , Scollo Paolo
Published: October 2023

Background: Several pretreatment variables have been found to correlate with the clinical outcome of patients treated with NACT plus radical hysterectomy, such as FIGO stage, tumor size, and lymph node status. Methods: A single-center retrospective observational study to evaluate the use of NACT in LACC, particularly in the lymph-node-positive subpopulation. The study, conducted at the Maternal and Child Department of “Cannizzaro Hospital” in Catania, included patients treated between 2009 and 2019. Multivariate analysis was performed to analyze responses to NACT according to clinicopathologic parameters. Kaplan–Meyer disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) curves were generated according to different lymph node status subgroups. Results: A total of 151 consecutive patients were enrolled in the study. Significant independent risk factors for response to NACT were preoperative tumor diameter, parametrium involvement, and lymphoma vascular space invasion (LVSI). T initial diameter at NMR was found to be the independent prognostic predictor for general (p = 0.024) and lymph node (LND) response (p = 0.028). Tumors between 2 and 6 cm have a better response to NACT than tumors > 6 cm, and LVSI absence was an independent prognostic factor for LND response to NACT. Survival DFS and OS curves were significant for positive vs. negative pathologic LND. Conclusions: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery cannot be considered a standard of care in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer, particularly in the subgroup with pre-NACT imaging suspected for LND metastases.
Targeting Liver Metastases to Potentiate Immunotherapy in MS-Stable Colorectal Cancer—A Review of the Literature
Authors: Zlotnik Oran , Krzywon Lucyna , Bloom Jessica , Kalil Jennifer , Altubi Ikhtiyar , Lazaris Anthoula , Metrakos Peter
Published: October 2023

Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of several cancers, including melanoma and lung cancer. However, for colorectal cancer, it is ineffective for 95% of patients with microsatellite-stable disease. Recent evidence suggests that the liver’s immune microenvironment plays a pivotal role in limiting the effectiveness of immunotherapy. There is also evidence to show that targeting liver metastases with locoregional therapies, such as surgery or irradiation, could potentiate immunotherapy for these patients. This review presents evidence from preclinical studies regarding the underlying mechanisms and from clinical studies that support this approach. Furthermore, we outline potential directions for future clinical trials. This innovative strategy could potentially establish immunotherapy as an effective treatment for MS-stable colorectal cancer patients, which are currently considered resistant.
Impact of Region-of-Interest Size on the Diagnostic Performance of Shear Wave Elastography in Differentiating Thyroid Nodules
Authors: Cheng Kai-Lun , Lai Pin-Hsien , Su Chun-Lang , Baek Jung Hwan , Lee Hsiang-Lin
Published: October 2023

This study investigated the impact of different region-of-interest (ROI) sizes (Max, 1 mm, and 2 mm) on shear wave elastography (SWE) in differentiating between malignant and benign thyroid nodules. The study cohort comprised 129 thyroid nodules (50 malignant, 79 benign) and 78 normal subjects. Diagnostic efficacy was assessed through pairwise comparisons of area under the curve (AUC) values in receiver operating characteristic analysis by using DeLong’s test. Our results indicated significant differences in all SWE elasticity metrics between the groups, with malignant nodules exhibiting higher values than benign nodules (p < 0.05). Smaller ROIs (1 and 2 mm) were found to outperform the max ROI in terms of diagnostic accuracy, particularly for the Emax and Emin elasticity metrics. Emax(1mm) had the highest diagnostic accuracy, with an AUC of 0.883, sensitivity of 74.0%, and specificity of 86.1%. This study underscores the significant influence of ROI size selection on the diagnostic performance of SWE, offering valuable insights for future research and clinical applications in thyroid nodule assessment.
Transmission of COVID-19 in Cities with Weather Conditions of High Air Humidity: Lessons Learned from Turkish Black Sea Region to Face Next Pandemic Crisis
Authors: Akan Aytac Perihan , Coccia Mario
Published: October 2023

The goal of this study is to analyze associations between COVID-19 transmission and meteorological indicators in cities of the Black Sea region of Turkey, located specifically in the dampest area, with excess rainfall and recurring fog. In particular, the working hypothesis is that the widespread transmission of new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (leading to the airborne disease COVID-19) in cities can be explained by specific weather conditions, namely high levels of air humidity. Statistical evidence here does not seem, in general, to support the hypothesis that the accelerated transmission of COVID-19 in the studied cities can be explained by high levels of humidity because different meteorological, environmental, demographic, and socioeconomic factors also plays a critical role in the disease transmission dynamics of the investigated region. The main implications of our findings here are that the demographic structure of the population, climate indicators, organization of the health system, and environmental factors (e.g., air pollution, etc.) should be considered through a systemic approach when designing effective national and regional pandemic plans directed to implement health policies for facing new variants of COVID-19 and/or new airborne diseases, in order to reduce their negative effects on health, social and economic systems.
Influence of Phoebe bournei (Hemsl.) Replanting on Soil Carbon Content and Microbial Processes in a Degraded Fir Forest
Authors: Li Ting , Zhou Hanchang , Xu Jiawen , Zhao Hong , Shen Jiacheng , Liu Chunjiang , Wang Liyan
Published: October 2023

Replanting is a widely used method for improving the health and carbon sequestration capacity of degraded forests. However, its impact on soil carbon pools remains controversial. This study investigated the effects of replanting broadleaf Phoebe bournei (Hemsl.) Yang in a typical degraded fir forest. Soil carbon content, nutrient levels, and microbial community structure and function were measured at 0, 5, 8, and 12 years after replanting. The degraded fir forests were originally limited in nitrogen and phosphorus. Phoebe bournei replanting significantly increased soil total carbon but reduced total nitrogen and phosphorus levels, resulting in increased soil carbon:nitrogen, carbon:phosphorus, and nitrogen:phosphorus ratios. Microbial biomass carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus were all significantly reduced, whereas microbial carbon:phosphorus and nitrogen:phosphorus ratios were enhanced. Enzyme activities related to nutrient cycling and carbon decomposition (acidic invertase, polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase, urase, nitrate reductase, and acidic phosphatase activities) were significantly lowered by replanting. Microbial richness and diversity significantly increased, and microbial community composition changed significantly due to replanting. Structural equation modeling revealed the significant role of total phosphorus in microbial biomass, microbial community composition, and enzyme activity, highlighting it as the main factor accelerating soil carbon accumulation. Network analysis identified Leifsonia, Bradyrhizobium, and Mycolicibacterium members as key microbial players in the soil carbon cycle. In summary, P. bournei replanting exacerbated soil phosphorus deficiency, leading to a decrease in soil microbial biomass and changes in community structure, reduced nutrient cycling and carbon-decomposition-related enzyme activities, less litter decomposition, and increased organic carbon accumulation. These findings demonstrate the importance of nutrient limitation in promoting soil carbon accumulation and offer new insights for soil carbon regulation strategies in forestry.
Potential of Carbon Offsets to Promote the Management of Capercaillie Lekking Sites in Finnish Forests
Authors: Tikka Aapo , Haara Arto , Miettinen Janne , Ikonen Piia , Pappinen Ari
Published: October 2023

Competition between the economic and natural assets of forests is emphasised in capercaillie lekking sites, which are often located within production forests. In this study, we assessed the potential use of carbon offsets as income for the management of capercaillie lekking sites. We ran simulations and optimisations for two alternative forest management scenarios in ten forest holdings located in five different regions of Finland. The size of each forest holding was approximately 30 hectares, of which 5 hectares was included in a lekking site. The basic scenario followed forest management recommendations, and the carbon sequestration scenario aimed to enhance biodiversity maintenance in a way that enabled carbon offsets to be obtained for the lekking site. We found that the decrease in revenue from timber sales was generally so small that the income from carbon offsets provided an economically better choice. Furthermore, the cost-effectiveness of carbon sequestration did not seem to be restricted to a specific location. The approach we introduced can be utilised in future decision making in the forestry sector to promote the coordination of nature management and forestry. Moreover, carbon pools should be considered more comprehensively in future research.
Effects of Elevated CO2 Concentration and Temperature on the Growth and Photosynthetic Characteristics of Populus simonii × P. nigra ‘1307’ Leaves
Authors: Xu Nan , Ding Junnan , Zhang Tianyi , Dong Juexian , Wang Yuan , Yang Xuechen
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to establish the effects of elevated CO2 concentration and temperature on the photosystem II (PSII) performance and photosynthetic characteristics of Populus simonii × P. nigra ‘1307’ leaves. Different CO2 concentrations (400 and 800 µmol·mol−1) and temperatures (room temperature and room temperature +2 °C) were set in artificial climate change simulation and control chambers, and the rapid chlorophyll fluorescence induction kinetics curve (OJIP curve) of Populus simonii × P. nigra ‘1307’ was determined. The generated OJIP curve was used to analyze the change characteristics in photosynthetic performance. The results revealed that under elevated temperature conditions, the concentrations of chlorophyll a, b in Populus simonii × P. nigra ‘1307’ leaves were significantly increased. At the same time, there were no significant changes in the chlorophyll concentration under the superimposed effect of elevated CO2 concentration and temperature. The PSII comprehensive performance index (PIABS) of Populus simonii × P. nigra ‘1307’ was significantly inhibited under elevated temperatures due to the increased closure degree (Vj) of the PSII reaction center and the damage of the receptor side. This reduced the electron transfer capacity per unit reaction center (ETo/RC) and unit cross-sectional area, which decreased the quantum yield of the electron transfer. Under the elevated CO2 concentration, ETo/RC was also inhibited. Still, PIABS was enhanced owing to the increased number of active PSII per unit area and the low reduction rate of the primary quinone receptor (QA). Under the superimposed effect of the two factors, the electron transfer performance of the donor and receptor sides of PSII was improved compared to the treatments only subjected to elevated temperature; thus, PIABS was not significantly reduced compared to the control. Therefore, the continuous increase in temperature by 2 °C significantly inhibits the electron transfer capacity of the photosynthetic system of Populus simonii × P. nigra ‘1307’ leaves. On the other hand, an increase in CO2 concentration expands the PSII reaction center, while enhancing the electron transfer capacity of the donor and receptor sides, which alleviates the photosynthetic inhibition caused by the elevated temperature.
The Structural, Physical, and Mechanical Properties of Wood from Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) Affected by Scots Pine Blister Rust
Authors: Kulak Patrycja , Lachowicz Hubert , Moskalik Tadeusz , Piętka Jacek , Aniszewska Monika , Gendek Arkadiusz
Published: October 2023

The objective of this work was to examine the effects of Scots pine blister rust on the quality of Scots pine wood. The research material was taken from tree parts with visible symptoms of fungal infection as well as from unaffected tree parts. Our results show that the effects of the fungus Cronartium pini (Willd.) Jørst. are local and do not prevent the use of wood, and especially its unaffected fragments. Statistical analysis was used to describe the ways in which the pathogen altered wood. While the fungus statistically increased wood density, it significantly diminished its strength parameters. The structural properties of infected and healthy wood from affected trees were found to be similar and much higher than the average values for Scots pine. The higher transverse parameters of wood fibers had a beneficial effect on morphological properties. Scots pine blister rust significantly decreased wood homogeneity, which, together with stem deformation, lowered the quality of timber and reduced its yield.
A New Natural Processing System Based on Slight Carbon Dioxide Pressure for Producing Black Table Olives with Low Salt Content
Authors: Ciafardini Gino , Zullo Biagi Angelo
Published: October 2023

Naturally fermented black table olives are usually processed in brine with low pH and high NaCl content. Because salt is responsible for several cardiovascular problems, methods are needed to decrease the salt (NaCl) content in olive pulp. This study investigated a new natural processing system wherein microorganism growth is inhibited by slight pressure of CO2 (spCO2), in addition to low pH and NaCl, in brine with decreased salt content. The fermentation performed under spCO2 with a low-salt brine with 6% (w v−1) NaCl and 0.5% (w v−1) citric acid, unlike the traditional system, inhibited the growth of bacteria and fungi and decreased the concentration of yeasts. Processing tests with spCO2 in the presence of different salt and citric acid concentrations indicated a slight decrease in yeasts in brines containing 6% (w v−1) NaCl and 0.6% (w v−1) citric acid but not after inoculation of the same brines with Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In contrast, in the presence of 11% (w v−1) NaCl and 0.3% or 0.6% (w v−1) citric acid, the inhibitory effect of brines was greater compared to those with low-salt and it was also confirmed in the same brines inoculated with S. cerevisiae.
Difference Equations and Julia Sets of Several Functions for Degenerate q-Sigmoid Polynomials
Authors: Kang Jung-Yoog , Ryoo Cheon-Seoung
Published: October 2023

In this article, we construct a new type of degenerate q-sigmoid (DQS) polynomial for sigmoid functions containing quantum numbers and find several difference equations related to it. We check how each point moves by iteratively synthesizing a quartic degenerate q-sigmoid (DQS) polynomial that appears differently depending on q in the space of a complex structure. We also construct Julia sets associated with quartic DQS polynomials and find their features. Based on this, we make some conjectures.
Multi-Omic Analysis Reveals the Molecular Mechanism of UV-B Stress Resistance in Acetylated RcMYB44 in Rhododendron chrysanthum
Authors: Liu Meiqi , Lin Xiaoru , Cao Kun , Yang Liping , Xu Hongwei , Zhou Xiaofu
Published: October 2023

Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation is a significant environmental factor influencing the growth and development of plants. MYBs play an essential role in the processes of plant responses to abiotic stresses. In the last few years, the development of transcriptome and acetylated proteome technologies have resulted in further and more reliable data for understanding the UV-B response mechanism in plants. In this research, the transcriptome and acetylated proteome were used to analyze Rhododendron chrysanthum Pall. (R. chrysanthum) leaves under UV-B stress. In total, 2348 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 685 differentially expressed acetylated proteins (DAPs) were found. The transcriptome analysis revealed 232 MYB TFs; we analyzed the transcriptome together with the acetylated proteome, and screened 4 MYB TFs. Among them, only RcMYB44 had a complete MYB structural domain. To investigate the role of RcMYB44 under UV-B stress, a homology tree was constructed between RcMYB44 and Arabidopsis MYBs, and it was determined that RcMYB44 shares the same function with ATMYB44. We further constructed the hormone signaling pathway involved in RcMYB44, revealing the molecular mechanism of resistance to UV-B stress in R. chrysanthum. Finally, by comparing the transcriptome and the proteome, it was found that the expression levels of proteins and genes were inconsistent, which is related to post-translational modifications of proteins. In conclusion, RcMYB44 of R. chrysanthum is involved in mediating the growth hormone, salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and abscisic acid signaling pathways to resist UV-B stress.
Mechanism of Salt Tolerance and Plant Growth Promotion in Priestia megaterium ZS-3 Revealed by Cellular Metabolism and Whole-Genome Studies
Authors: Shi Lina , Zhu Xiaoxia , Qian Ting , Du Jiazhou , Du Yuanyuan , Ye Jianren
Published: October 2023

Approximately one-third of agricultural land worldwide is affected by salinity, which limits the productivity and sustainability of crop ecosystems. Plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are a potential solution to this problem, as PGPR increases crop yield through improving soil fertility and stress resistance. Previous studies have shown that Priestia megaterium ZS-3(ZS-3) can effectively help plants tolerate salinity stress. However, how ZS-3 regulates its metabolic adaptations in saline environments remains unclear. In this study, we monitored the metabolic rearrangement of compatibilisers in ZS-3 and combined the findings with genomic data to reveal how ZS-3 survives in stressful environments, induces plant growth, and tolerates stress. The results showed that ZS-3 tolerated salinity levels up to 9%. In addition, glutamate and trehalose help ZS-3 adapt to osmotic stress under low NaCl stress, whereas proline, K+, and extracellular polysaccharides regulate the osmotic responses of ZS-3 exposed to high salt stress. Potting experiments showed that applying the ZS-3 strain in saline and neutral soils could effectively increase the activities of soil acid phosphatase, urease, and invertase in both soils, thus improving soil fertility and promoting plant growth. In addition, strain ZS-3-GFP colonised the rhizosphere and leaves of Cinnamomum camphora well, as confirmed by confocal microscopy and resistance plate count analysis. Genomic studies and in vitro experiments have shown that ZS-3 exhibits a variety of beneficial traits, including plant-promoting, antagonistic, and other related traits (such as resistance to saline and heavy metal stress/tolerance, amino acid synthesis and transport, volatile compound synthesis, micronutrient utilisation, and phytohormone biosynthesis/regulatory potential). The results support that ZS-3 can induce plant tolerance to abiotic stresses. These data provide important clues to further reveal the interactions between plants and microbiomes, as well as the mechanisms by which micro-organisms control plant health.
Study on the Stability of Cu-Ni Cluster Components and the Effect of Strain on Its Structure
Authors: Zeng Xiaochuan , He Cuizhu , Li Xuejun , Hu Qiaodan
Published: October 2023

Solute clusters are one of the important mechanisms of irradiation embrittlement of ferritic steels. It is of great significance to study the stability of solute clusters in ferritic steels and their effects on the mechanical properties of the materials. Molecular dynamics was used to study the binding energy, defect energy, and interaction energy of 2 nm-diameter Cu-Ni clusters in the ferritic lattice, which have six categories of Cu-Ni clusters, such as the pure Cu cluster, the core–shell structural cluster with one layer to four layers of Ni atoms and the pure Ni cluster. It was found that Cu-Ni clusters have lower energy advantages than pure Ni clusters. Through shear strain simulation of the three clusters, the structure of 2 nm diameter clusters does not undergo phase transformation. The number of slip systems and the length of dislocation lines in the cluster system are positively correlated with the magnitude of the critical stress of material plastic deformation.
Comparative Evaluation of the Digital Workflow and Conventional Method in Manufacturing Complete Removal Prostheses
Authors: Dib Zakkour Sara , Dib Zakkour Juan , Guadilla Yasmina , Montero Javier , Dib Abraham
Published: October 2023

The aging population in developed countries has increased the number of edentulous patients and, therefore, the need for prosthetic rehabilitation to improve their quality of life. Complete dentures are the main treatment option in these cases. The use of CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing) in dentistry has improved clinical protocols and outcomes, achieving a reduction in work time and economic costs for the patients. The main objective of this review was to compare the characteristics of conventional and digital dentures, attempting to determine whether the use of new technologies represents an improvement in the properties of removable complete dentures. A bibliographic review was carried out in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Scielo, and Embase databases. With the initial search, 157 articles were obtained. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 64 publications were selected for this bibliographic review. The different conclusions of the studies consulted were compared regarding fit and retention, fracture resistance, surface roughness, biocompatibility, and aesthetics, taking into account the different methods of prostheses fabrication. In general, digital prostheses have shown better mechanical properties and, consequently, better biocompatibility and aesthetics than conventional prostheses. However, the obtained results were very heterogeneous, preventing a supported conclusion.
Effect of the Rolling Process on the Properties of the Mg/Al Bimetallic Bars Obtained by the Explosive Welding Method
Authors: Mróz Sebastian , Jagielska-Wiaderek Karina , Stefanik Andrzej , Szota Piotr , Wachowski Marcin , Kosturek Robert , Lipińska Marta
Published: October 2023

This study aims to analyze the influence of the rolling process on the microstructure and corrosion properties of the Mg/Al bimetallic bars obtained by the explosive welding method. The bars investigated were rolled using two different types of rolling: classical rolling (Variant I) and modified rolling (Variant II). Two different temperatures (300 °C and 400 °C) for each of the variables were applied as well. In this study, rods with an aluminum plating layer constituting 16.8% of the cross-sectional area and an average thickness of about 0.93 mm were investigated. Based on the revealed results, it was found that after the rolling process, the material shows clearly lower values of both icor and current in the passive range. In the joint zone of Mg/Al rods rolled at 400 °C, Al3Mg2 and Mg17Al12 intermetallic phases are distinguished, localized next to the Mg core, and characterized by columnar, coarser grains. In the transition zone closer to the Al layer, only the Al3Mg2 phase is revealed, characterized by a refined, small grain size.
Investigation of PZT Materials for Reliable Piezostack Deformable Mirror with Modular Design
Authors: Toporovsky Vladimir , Samarkin Vadim , Kudryashov Alexis , Galaktionov Ilya , Panich Alexander , Malykhin Anatoliy
Published: October 2023

This article presents a study of the electrophysical properties of a piezoceramic material for use in adaptive optics. The key characteristics that may be important for the manufacturing of piezoelectric deformable mirrors are the following: piezoelectric constants (d31, d33, d15), capacitance, elastic compliance values s for different crystal directions, and the dielectric loss tangent (tgδ). Based on PZT ceramics, the PKP-12 material was developed with high values of the dielectric constant, piezoelectric modulus, and electromechanical coupling coefficients. The deformable mirror control elements are made from the resulting material—piezoceramic combs with five individual actuators in a row. In this case, the stroke of the actuator is in the range of 4.1–4.3 microns and the capacitance of the actuator is about 12 nF.
Pneumatic Microballoons for Active Control of the Vibration-Induced Flow
Authors: Sato Taku , Kaneko Kanji , Hayakawa Takeshi , Suzuki Hiroaki
Published: October 2023

Vibration-induced flow (VIF), in which a mean flow is induced around a microstructure by applying periodic vibrations, is increasingly used as an active flow-control technique at the microscale. In this study, we have developed a microdevice that actively controls the VIF patterns using elastic membrane protrusions (microballoons) actuated by pneumatic pressure. This device enables on-demand spatial and temporal fluid manipulation using a single device that cannot be achieved using a conventional fixed-structure arrangement. We successfully demonstrated that the device achieved displacements of up to 38 µm using the device within a pressure range of 0 to 30 kPa, indicating the suitability of the device for microfluidic applications. Using this active microballoon array, we demonstrated that the device can actively manipulate the flow field and induce swirling flows. Furthermore, we achieved selective actuation of the microballoon using this system. By applying air pressure from a multi-input channel system through a connection tube, the microballoons corresponding to each air channel can be selectively actuated. This enabled precise control of the flow field and periodic switching of the flow patterns using a single chip. In summary, the proposed microdevice provides active control of VIF patterns and has potential applications in advanced microfluidics, such as fluid mixing and particle manipulation.
Limit Efficiency of a Silicon Betavoltaic Battery with Tritium Source
Authors: Evstigneev Mykhaylo , Afkani Mohammad , Sokolovskyi Igor
Published: October 2023

An idealized design of a silicon betavoltaic battery with a tritium source is considered, in which a thin layer of tritiated silicon is sandwiched between two intrinsic silicon slabs of equal width, and the excess charge carriers are collected by thin interdigitated n+ and p+ electrodes. The opposite sides of the device are covered with a reflecting coating to trap the photons produced in radiative recombination events. Due to photon recycling, radiative recombination is almost ineffective, so the Auger mechanism dominates. An analytical expression for the current–voltage curve is obtained, from which the main characteristics of the cell, namely, the open-circuit voltage, the fill factor, and the betaconversion efficiency, are found. The analytical results are shown to agree with the numerical ones with better than 0.1% accuracy. The optimal half-thickness of this device is found to be around 1.5 μm. The maximal efficiency increases logarithmically with the surface activity of the beta-source and has the representative value of 12.07% at 0.1 mCi/cm2 and 14.13% at 10 mCi/cm2.
Thomson–Einstein’s Tea Leaf Paradox Revisited: Aggregation in Rings
Authors: Kolesnik Kirill , Pham Daniel Quang Le , Fong Jessica , Collins David John
Published: October 2023

A distinct particle focusing spot occurs in the center of a rotating fluid, presenting an apparent paradox given the presence of particle inertia. It is recognized, however, that the presence of a secondary flow with a radial component drives this particle aggregation. In this study, we expand on the examination of this “Thomson–Einstein’s tea leaf paradox” phenomenon, where we use a combined experimental and computational approach to investigate particle aggregation dynamics. We show that not only the rotational velocity, but also the vessel shape, have a significant influence on a particle’s equilibrium position. We accordingly demonstrate the formation of a single focusing spot in a vessel center, as has been conclusively demonstrated elsewhere, but also the repeatable formation of stable ring-shaped particle arrangements.
An Analytical Thermal Buckling Model for Semiconductor Chips on a Substrate
Authors: Gong Guangping , Xu Dian , Xiong Sijun , Yi Fangyu , Wang Chengbo , Li Rui
Published: October 2023

Semiconductor chips on a substrate have a wide range of applications in electronic devices. However, environmental temperature changes may cause mechanical buckling of the chips, resulting in an urgent demand to develop analytical models to study this issue with high efficiency and accuracy such that safety designs can be sought. In this paper, the thermal buckling of chips on a substrate is considered as that of plates on a Winkler elastic foundation and is studied by the symplectic superposition method (SSM) within the symplectic space-based Hamiltonian system. The solution procedure starts by converting the original problem into two subproblems, which are solved by using the separation of variables and the symplectic eigenvector expansion. Through the equivalence between the original problem and the superposition of subproblems, the final analytical thermal buckling solutions are obtained. The SSM does not require any assumptions of solution forms, which is a distinctive advantage compared with traditional analytical methods. Comprehensive numerical results by the SSM for both buckling temperatures and mode shapes are presented and are well validated through comparison with those using the finite element method. With the solutions obtained, the effects of the moduli of elastic foundations and geometric parameters on critical buckling temperatures and buckling mode shapes are investigated.
Selective Sensing in Microbial Fuel Cell Biosensors: Insights from Toxicity-Adapted and Non-Adapted Biofilms for Pb(II) and Neomycin Sulfate Detection
Authors: Ghanam Abdelghani , Cecillon Sebastien , Mohammadi Hasna , Amine Aziz , Buret François , Haddour Naoufel
Published: October 2023

This study introduces the utilization of self-powered microbial fuel cell (MFC)-based biosensors for the detection of biotoxicity in wastewater. Current MFC-based biosensors lack specificity in distinguishing between different pollutants. To address this limitation, a novel approach is introduced, capitalizing on the adaptive capabilities of anodic biofilms. By acclimating these biofilms to specific pollutants, an enhancement in the selectivity of MFC biosensors is achieved. Notably, electrochemically active bacteria (EAB) were cultivated on 3D porous carbon felt with and without a model toxicant (target analyte), resulting in the development of toxicant-resistant anodic biofilms. The model toxicants, Pb2+ ions and the antibiotic neomycin sulfate (NS), were deployed at a concentration of 1 mg L−1 during MFC operation. The influence of toxicity on biofilm growth and power production was investigated through polarization and power density curves. Concurrently, the electrochemical activity of both non-adapted and toxicity-adapted biofilms was investigated using cyclic voltammetry. Upon maturation and attainment of peak powers, the MFC reactors were evaluated individually as self-powered biosensors for pollutant detection in fresh wastewater, employing the external resistor (ER) mode. The selected ER, corresponding to the maximum power output, was positioned between the cathode and anode of each MFC, enabling output signal tracking through a data logging system. Subsequent exposure of mature biofilm-based MFC biosensors to various concentrations of the targeted toxicants revealed that non-adapted mature biofilms generated similar current–time profiles for both toxicity models, whereas toxicity-adapted biofilms produced distinctive current–time profiles. Accordingly, these results suggested that merely by adapting the anodic biofilm to the targeted toxicity, distinct and identifiable current–time profiles can be created. Furthermore, these toxicity-adapted and non-adapted biofilms can be employed to selectively detect the pollutant via the differential measurement of electrical signals. This differentiation offers a promising avenue for selective pollutant detection. To the best of our current knowledge, this approach, which harnesses the natural adaptability of biofilms for enhanced sensor selectivity, represents a pioneering effort in the realm of MFC-based biosensing.
Stable Isotope Labeling-Based Nontargeted Strategy for Characterization of the In Vitro Metabolic Profile of a Novel Doping BPC-157 in Doping Control by UHPLC-HRMS
Authors: Tian Tian , Jing Jing , Li Yuanyuan , Wang Yang , Deng Xiaojun , Shan Yuanhong
Published: October 2023

Traditional strategies for the metabolic profiling of doping are limited by the unpredictable metabolic pathways and the numerous proportions of background and chemical noise that lead to inadequate metabolism knowledge, thereby affecting the selection of optimal detection targets. Thus, a stable isotope labeling-based nontargeted strategy combined with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) was first proposed for the effective and rapid metabolism analysis of small-molecule doping agents and demonstrated via its application to a novel doping BPC-157. Using 13C/15N-labeled BPC-157, a complete workflow including automatic 13C0,15N0-13C6,15N2 m/z pair picking based on the characteristic behaviors of isotope pairs was constructed, and one metabolite produced by a novel metabolic pathway plus eight metabolites produced by the conventional amide-bond breaking metabolic pathway were successfully discovered from two incubation models. Furthermore, a specific method for the detection of BPC-157 and the five main metabolites in human urine was developed and validated with satisfactory detection limits (0.01~0.11 ng/mL) and excellent quantitative ability (linearity: 0.02~50 ng/mL with R2 > 0.999; relative error (RE)% < 10% and relative standard deviation (RSD)% < 5%; recovery > 90%). The novel metabolic pathway and the in vitro metabolic profile could provide new insights into the biotransformation of BPC-157 and improved targets for doping control.