bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting the Cycle Life of Lithium-Ion Batteries Using Data-Driven Machine Learning Based on Discharge Voltage Curves
Authors: Jiang Yinfeng , Song Wenxiang
Published: August 2023

Battery degradation is a complex nonlinear problem, and it is crucial to accurately predict the cycle life of lithium-ion batteries to optimize the usage of battery systems. However, diverse chemistries, designs, and degradation mechanisms, as well as dynamic cycle conditions, have remained significant challenges. We created 53 features from discharge voltage curves, 18 of which were newly developed. The maximum relevance minimum redundancy (MRMR) algorithm was used for feature selection. Robust linear regression (RLR) and Gaussian process regression (GPR) algorithms were deployed on three different datasets to estimate battery cycle life. The RLR and GPR algorithms achieved high performance, with a root-mean-square error of 6.90% and 6.33% in the worst case, respectively. This work highlights the potential of combining feature engineering and machine learning modeling based only on discharge voltage curves to estimate battery degradation and could be applied to onboard applications that require efficient estimation of battery cycle life in real time.
Isochoric Supercooling Organ Preservation System
Authors: Năstase Gabriel , Botea Florin , Beșchea George-Andrei , Câmpean Ștefan-Ioan , Barcu Alexandru , Neacșu Ion , Herlea Vlad , Popescu Irinel , Chang Tammy T. , Rubinsky Boris , Șerban Alexandru
Published: August 2023

This technical paper introduces a novel organ preservation system based on isochoric (constant volume) supercooling. The system is designed to enhance the stability of the metastable supercooling state, offering potential long-term preservation of large biological organs at subfreezing temperatures without the need for cryoprotectant additives. Detailed technical designs and usage protocols are provided for researchers interested in exploring this field. The paper also presents a control system based on the thermodynamics of isochoric freezing, utilizing pressure monitoring for process control. Sham experiments were performed using whole pig liver sourced from a local food supplier to evaluate the system’s ability to sustain supercooling without ice nucleation for extended periods. The results demonstrated sustained supercooling without ice nucleation in pig liver tissue for 24 and 48 h. These findings suggest the potential of this technology for large-volume, cryoprotectant-free organ preservation with real-time control over the preservation process. The simplicity of the isochoric supercooling device and the design details provided in the paper are expected to serve as encouragement for other researchers in the field to pursue further research on isochoric supercooling. However, final evidence that these preserved organs can be successfully transplanted is still lacking.
Carrot Discard as a Promising Feedstock to Produce 2,3-Butanediol by Fermentation with P. polymyxa DSM 365
Authors: López-Linares Juan Carlos , Mateo Martínez Adrián , Coca Mónica , Lucas Susana , García-Cubero María Teresa
Published: August 2023

The valorization of fruit and vegetable residues (such as carrot discard) and their microbial conversion into 2,3-butanediol (BDO) can be considered as a very interesting way to reduce food waste and sustainably originate high value-added products. This work analyzes the valorization of carrot discard as feedstock for 2,3-butanediol (BDO) production by Paenibacillus polymyxa DSM 365. The influences of stirring and the presence of tryptone (nitrogen source) are studied. Furthermore, in order to evaluate the influence of the pre-culture medium (nitrogen source, nutrients, and pH) and the substrate, fermentation assays in simple and mixture semi-defined media (glucose, fructose, and/or galactose) were also carried out. As a result, 18.8 g/L BDO, with a BDO yield of 0.43 g/g (86% of its theoretical value), could be obtained from carrot discard enzymatic hydrolysate at 100 rpm, no tryptone, and pre-culture Häßler medium. No hydrothermal pre-treatment was necessary for BDO production from carrot discard, which increases the profitability of the process. Therefore, 18.8 g BDO, as well as 2.5 g ethanol and 2.1 g acetoin by-products, could be obtained from 100 g of carrot discard (dry matter).
Lysine-Specific Demethylase 4D Is Critical for the Regulation of the Cell Cycle and Antioxidant Capacity in Goat Fibroblast Cells
Authors: Chen Xiaowei , Yang Yingnan , Cai Yu , Yang Hua , Wang Feng , Deng Mingtian
Published: August 2023

Oxidative damage to skin fibroblast cells is a causative factor in many skin diseases. Previous studies have reported that lysine-specific demethylase 4D (Kdm4d) is involved in DNA replication, but its role on antioxidant capacity remains unclear. In the present study, we used goat fibroblast cells (GFCs) as the research model and identified 504 up-regulated and 1013 down-regulated genes following the knockdown of Kdm4d, respectively. The down-regulated genes of this enzyme were found to be enriched in the cell cycle, DNA replication, mitotic processes, and the oxidative phosphorylation pathway, as previously revealed from gene ontology (GO), Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG), and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), suggesting vital roles of the Kdm4d enzyme in the cell cycle and in antioxidant regulation. To this end, we found the cell proliferation rate was significantly decreased after the knockdown of Kdm4d. Moreover, both the mRNA and protein expression levels of superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), one of the major antioxidant enzymes, was decreased, while the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was significantly increased in Kdm4d knocked-down cells. In addition, the expression of γH2A histone family member X (γH2AX) increased significantly, indicating the presence of DNA double-strand breaks after the knockdown of the Kdm4d enzyme. In conclusion, the knockdown of Kdm4d inhibited DNA replication and the cell cycle, repressed the expression of SOD2, and increased the generation of ROS, which led to the production of DNA damage in GFCs. Our data will be helpful for understanding the mechanism underlying antioxidant capacity regulation in fibroblast cells.
Mid-Pleistocene Transitions Forced Himalayan ibex to Evolve Independently after Split into an Allopatric Refugium
Authors: Jabin Gul , Joshi Bheem Dutt , Wang Ming-Shan , Mukherjee Tanoy , Dolker Stanzin , Wang Sheng , Chandra Kailash , Chinnadurai Venkatraman , Sharma Lalit Kumar , Thakur Mukesh
Published: August 2023

Pleistocene glaciations had profound impact on the spatial distribution and genetic makeup of species in temperate ecosystems. While the glacial period trapped several species into glacial refugia and caused abrupt decline in large populations, the interglacial period facilitated population growth and range expansion leading to allopatric speciation. Here, we analyzed 40 genomes of four species of ibex and found that Himalayan ibex in the Pamir Mountains evolved independently after splitting from its main range about 0.1 mya following the Pleistocene species pump concept. Demographic trajectories showed Himalayan ibex experienced two historic bottlenecks, one each c. 0.8–0.5 mya and c. 50–30 kya, with an intermediate large population expansion c. 0.2–0.16 mya coinciding with Mid-Pleistocene Transitions. We substantiate with multi-dimensional evidence that Himalayan ibex is an evolutionary distinct phylogenetic species of Siberian ibex which need to be prioritized as Capra himalayensis for taxonomic revision and conservation planning at a regional and global scale.
Indole-3-Acetamido-Polyamines as Antimicrobial Agents and Antibiotic Adjuvants
Authors: Sue Kenneth , Cadelis Melissa M. , Gill Evangelene S. , Rouvier Florent , Bourguet-Kondracki Marie-Lise , Brunel Jean Michel , Copp Brent R.
Published: August 2023

The widespread incidence of antimicrobial resistance necessitates the discovery of new classes of antimicrobials as well as adjuvant molecules that can restore the action of ineffective antibiotics. Herein, we report the synthesis of a new class of indole-3-acetamido-polyamine conjugates that were evaluated for antimicrobial activities against a panel of bacteria and two fungi, and for the ability to enhance the action of doxycycline against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and erythromycin against Escherichia coli. Compounds 14b, 15b, 17c, 18a, 18b, 18d, 19b, 19e, 20c and 20d exhibited strong growth inhibition of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Cryptococcus neoformans, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) typically less than 0.2 µM. Four analogues, including a 5-bromo 15c and three 5-methoxyls 16d–f, also exhibited intrinsic activity towards E. coli. Antibiotic kill curve analysis of 15c identified it to be a bactericide. While only one derivative was found to (weakly) enhance the action of erythromycin against E. coli, three examples, including 15c, were found to be strong enhancers of the antibiotic action of doxycycline against P. aeruginosa. Collectively, these results highlight the promising potential of α,ω-disubstituted indole-3-acetamido polyamine conjugates as antimicrobials and antibiotic adjuvants.
Efficacy of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Post-COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Meléndez-Oliva Erika , Martínez-Pozas Oliver , Cuenca-Zaldívar Juan Nicolás , Villafañe Jorge Hugo , Jiménez-Ortega Laura , Sánchez-Romero Eleuterio A.
Published: August 2023

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis examines how pulmonary rehabilitation impacts in patients suffering from subacute and long COVID-19 infections, gauging enhancements in of dyspnea, physical function, quality of life, psychological state (anxiety and depression), and fatigue. Methods: Three electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library) were systematically searched for full-text articles published from inception to January 2023. Randomized, quasi-experimental, and observational studies were included, with adults diagnosed with subacute or long COVID-19 who received pulmonary rehabilitation as intervention. Outcomes related to dyspnea, physical function, quality of life, fatigue, and psychological status were included. Risk of bias was assessed with Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for Randomized Controlled Trials and Risk of bias in non-randomized studies of intervention. The review was registered before starting in PROSPERO (CRD: 42022373075). Results: Thirty-four studies were included, involving 1970 patients with subacute and long COVID-19. The meta-analysis demonstrated moderate to large effects on dyspnea, physical function, quality of life, and depressive symptoms compared to usual care intervention. No significant differences were found in fatigue compared to usual care, nor in anxiety levels after pulmonary rehabilitation intervention. Conclusions: Pulmonary rehabilitation has the potential to improve health outcomes in patients with subacute and long COVID-19. However, due to the high risk of bias of included studies, conclusions should be taken with caution.
Label-Free Analysis of Urine Samples with In-Flow Digital Holographic Microscopy
Authors: Gigli Lucia , Braidotti Nicoletta , Lima Maria Augusta do R. B. F. , Ciubotaru Catalin Dacian , Cojoc Dan
Published: August 2023

Urinary tract infections are among the most frequent infectious diseases and require screening a great amount of urine samples from patients. However, a high percentage of samples result as negative after urine culture plate tests (CPTs), demanding a simple and fast preliminary technique to screen out the negative samples. We propose a digital holographic microscopy (DHM) method to inspect fresh urine samples flowing in a glass capillary for 3 min, recording holograms at 2 frames per second. After digital reconstruction, bacteria, white and red blood cells, epithelial cells and crystals were identified and counted, and the samples were classified as negative or positive according to clinical cutoff values. Taking the CPT as reference, we processed 180 urine samples and compared the results with those of urine flow cytometry (UFC). Using standard evaluation metrics for our screening test, we found a similar performance for DHM and UFC, indicating DHM as a suitable and fast screening technique retaining several advantages. As a benefit of DHM, the technique is label-free and does not require sample preparation. Moreover, the phase and amplitude images of the cells and other particles present in urine are digitally recorded and can serve for further investigation afterwards.
An Integrated Microfluidic Biosensing System Based on a Versatile Valve and Recombinase Polymerase Amplification for Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Salmonella typhimurium
Authors: Jin Yan , Wang Jingyi , Wang Zhiqiang , Xiong Peng , Cheng Jianing , Xu Tongyu
Published: August 2023

Detecting foodborne pathogens on-site is crucial for ensuring food safety, necessitating the development of rapid, cost-effective, highly sensitive, and portable devices. This paper presents an integrated microfluidic biosensing system designed for the rapid and sensitive detection of Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium). The biosensing system comprises a microfluidic chip with a versatile valve, a recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) for nucleic acid detection, and a customized real-time fluorescence detection system. The versatile valve combines the functions of an active valve and a magnetic actuation mixer, enabling on-demand mixing and controlling fluid flow. Quantitative fluorescence is processed and detected through a custom-built smartphone application. The proposed integrated microfluidic biosensing system could detect Salmonella at concentrations as low as 1.0 × 102 copies/µL within 30 min, which was consistent with the results obtained from the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) tests. With its versatile valve, this integrated microfluidic biosensing system holds significant potential for on-site detection of foodborne pathogens.
Development and Evaluation of a Flexible PVDF-Based Balloon Sensor for Detecting Mechanical Forces at Key Esophageal Nodes in Esophageal Motility Disorders
Authors: Ran Peng , Li Minchuan , Zhang Kunlin , Sun Daming , Lai Yingbing , Liu Wei , Zhong Ying , Li Zhangyong
Published: August 2023

Prevailing methods for esophageal motility assessments, such as perfusion manometry and probe-based function imaging, frequently overlook the intricate stress fields acting on the liquid-filled balloons at the forefront of the probing device within the esophageal lumen. To bridge this knowledge gap, we innovatively devised an infusible flexible balloon catheter, equipped with a quartet of PVDF piezoelectric sensors. This design, working in concert with a bespoke local key-node analytical algorithm and a sensor array state analysis model, seeks to shed new light on the dynamic mechanical characteristics at pivotal esophageal locales. To further this endeavor, we pioneered a singular closed balloon system and a complementary signal acquisition and processing system that employs a homogeneously distributed PVDF piezoelectric sensor array for the real-time monitoring of dynamic mechanical nuances in the esophageal segment. An advanced analytical model was established to scrutinize the coupled physical fields under varying degrees of balloon inflation, thereby facilitating a thorough dynamic stress examination of local esophageal nodes. Our rigorous execution of static, dynamic, and simulated swallowing experiments robustly substantiated the viability of our design, the logical coherence of our esophageal key-point stress analytical algorithm, and the potential clinical utility of a flexible esophageal key-node stress detection balloon probe outfitted with a PVDF array. This study offers a fresh lens through which esophageal motility testing can be viewed and improved upon.
Characterization of Benchtop-Fabricated Arrays of Nanowrinkled Surface Electrodes as a Nitric Oxide Electrochemical Sensor
Authors: Peto-Gutiérrez Cindy , Vázquez-Victorio Genaro , Hautefeuille Mathieu
Published: August 2023

In this work, we present an accessible benchtop fabrication technique to obtain a planar array of gold nanowrinkled surface electrodes (ANSE) for the construction of electrochemical cells, specifically to monitor soluble biomarkers of interest in cell culture environments. We present a complete characterization of the array and its response as an electrochemical cell. To validate our sensor, we evaluated the device sensitivity to detect nitric oxide (NO), an important molecule produced by endothelial cells as a response to environmental signals such as mechanics and growth factors. While testing measurements of nitric oxide in aqueous solutions with isotonic salt concentrations, we evidenced the influence of the environmental conditions for such electrochemical measurements, showing that the aqueous medium, usually not accounted for, significantly impacts the outcome. Finally, we present the application of the electrochemical sensor for the detection of nitric oxide released from stimulated endothelial cells as a proof of concept.
The Trajectory of Depression through Disenfranchised Grief in Young Widows in Times of COVID-19: A Case Report from Rural India
Authors: Nasir Shagufta , Giménez-Llort Lydia
Published: August 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic was one of this century’s deadliest and most widespread viral outbreaks, with higher mortality rates in men than women. Disruptions in funeral rituals and customs, no social recognition of the losses, and limited social support have complicated the grieving process and are linked to disenfranchised (not openly acknowledged, socially recognized, or publicly mourned) grief. Depression is also highly comorbid with complicated grief. Losing a spouse can be devastating, and this is more severe for women with limited or no resources, who are vulnerable because of the patriarchal society. In the current COVID-19 era, increased uncertainty and disenfranchised grief can worsen the clinical scenario and hamper interventions, as highlighted by the present case report on disenfranchised grief with depressive symptoms in a 30-year-old woman from rural India who, after a year of marriage, lost her husband due to COVID-19. This case study emphasizes the impact of multiple types of disadvantages due to sociodemographic and cultural determinants that can complicate the grieving process in the current context. The bioecological model of grief recovery considers individual features and societal/environmental factors to postulate the appropriate intervention. Finding meaning and purpose in life and restoration-oriented coping were successful for the clinical management of the patient.
Shear and Bending Performances of Reinforced Concrete Beams with Different Sizes of Circular Openings
Authors: Özkılıç Yasin Onuralp , Aksoylu Ceyhun , Hakeem Ibrahim Y. , Özdöner Nebi , Kalkan İlker , Karalar Memduh , Stel’makh Sergey A. , Shcherban’ Evgenii M. , Beskopylny Alexey N.
Published: August 2023

The present study pertains to the effects of transverse opening diameters and shear reinforcement ratios on the shear and flexural behavior of RC beams with two web openings across different spans, i.e., a single opening in each half-span. Within the scope of the study, a total of 12 RC beams with five different opening diameter-to-beam depth ratios (0, 0.20, 0.27, 0.33, 0.40, and 0.47) and two shear reinforcement ratios were tested to failure under four-point bending. The load capacities, ductilities, rigidities and energy dissipation capacities in the elastic and plastic ranges of beam behavior were compared. Furthermore, the load capacities of the beams were compared to the existing analytical shear strength formulations in the literature. The test results indicated that whether an RC beam with openings has adequate or inadequate amounts of shear reinforcement, the frame-type shear failure becomes much more pronounced with increasing opening diameter. The reductions in the load capacity and modulus of toughness with increasing opening diameter are more considerable in the presence of inadequate amounts of shear reinforcement, while the beam ductility is less affected in shear-deficient RC beams with openings as compared to the ones with adequate shear reinforcement.
High-Strength Building Material Based on a Glass Concrete Binder Obtained by Mechanical Activation
Authors: Dobrosmyslov Sergey S. , Zadov Vladimir E. , Nazirov Rashit A. , Shakirova Veronika A. , Voronin Anton S. , Simunin Michail M. , Fadeev Yuri V. , Molokeev Maxim S. , Shabanova Ksenia A. , Khartov Stanislav V.
Published: August 2023

As part of the work, the chemical interaction of finely ground glass (~1 μm), calcium oxide, and water was studied. It is shown that an increase in the fineness of grinding makes it possible to abandon autoclave hardening in the production of products on a hydrosilicate binder. The study of chemical interaction was carried out by calculating the thermodynamic equilibrium and was also confirmed by XRD analysis. DTA analysis showed that an increase in the treatment temperature leads to an increase in the proportion of the reacted phase at the first stage. Subsequently, phase formation is associated with the presence of CaO. The carrier of strength characteristics is the CaO×2SiO2×2H2O phase. The selection and optimization of the composition make it possible to obtain a high-strength glass concrete material with a strength of about 110 MPa. The micrographs of the obtained samples correspond to classical hydrosilicate systems.
Critical Failure Mode Determination of Steel Moment Frames by Plastic Analysis Optimization Principles
Authors: Alkasassbeh Abdelmajeed , Almasaeid Hatem H. , Yasin Bilal
Published: August 2023

Determining the failure or failure mode of structures has long been a challenge for civil engineers. Traditional methods for analyzing structures are costly and complex. Plastic analysis, which involves combining pre-defined mechanisms, offers a less complex approach. However, as the number of potential mechanism combinations, or the search space, increases with the growing complexity of structural members, the effectiveness of this method diminishes. To address this issue, optimizers have been applied in the field of structural engineering to efficiently solve problems with large search spaces. Population-based meta-heuristic algorithms are widely used for their reduced dependency on input parameters. This research focuses on implementing the plastic theory of steel frames using MATLAB software, employing virtual work concepts and pre-defined mechanism combinations. A novel binary dolphin echolocation algorithm is proposed based on the principles of the primary algorithm. This algorithm is then utilized to optimize the plastic analysis method and determine the failure load factor and critical failure mode for sample frames. Additionally, the grey wolf optimizer and whale optimization algorithm are applied to optimize the problem, and the performance of all three algorithms is compared. The results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm yields accurate results with a minor margin of error compared to the other two algorithms.
An mRNA Profiling Study of Vaginal Swabs from Pre- and Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Chierto Elena , Alessandrini Federica , Bini Carla , Carnevali Eugenia , Fabbri Matteo , Fattorini Paolo , Grignani Pierangela , Scarnicci Francesca , Tozzo Pamela , Verzeletti Andrea , Pelotti Susi , Buscemi Loredana , Robino Carlo
Published: August 2023

Body fluid identification by means of mRNA profiling provides valuable supplementary information in forensic investigations. In particular, the detection of vaginal mucosa mRNA markers is highly relevant in sexual assault cases. Although the vagina undergoes characteristic age-related physiological changes over a lifetime, few studies have evaluated the efficacy of vaginal mRNA markers in women of different ages. In this multicentric study, a 19-plex mRNA profiling assay including vaginal-specific markers (CYP2B7P1, MUC4, MYOZ1) was tested in a collection of 6–20-month-old vaginal swabs obtained from pre- (n = 84) and postmenopausal (n = 55) female volunteer donors. Overall, participating laboratories were able to correctly identify ~85% of samples as vaginal mucosa by mRNA profiling. The assay’s success rate did not differ between the two age groups and was not affected by the time interval between swab collection and RNA analysis. MYOZ1 resulted a less sensitive vaginal marker compared to MUC4 and CYP2B7P1. A significant relative increase in the contribution to the total amplification signal was observed for MUC4, compared to CYP2B7P1 and MYOZ1, in postmenopausal women. Observation of other body fluids and tissues different from vaginal mucosa was also evaluated in connection to information on previous sexual activity and menstrual cycle phase at the time of sampling.
Social Deprivation and Ethnicity Are Associated with More Problematic Sleep in Middle-Aged and Older Adults
Authors: Groeger John A. , Hepsomali Piril
Published: August 2023

Objectives: We test the hypothesis that the incidence of sleep problems is influenced by socio-demographic variables, particularly social deprivation and ethnicity. Methods: Self-reports of sleep duration and sleep difficulties (waking in the night, sleeping in the day, difficulty waking and snoring), personal wealth (household income, property-owning, etc.), ethnic group, employment, education, as well as post-code-based Townsend Social Deprivation, were extracted from UK Biobank’s cohort of c500,000 British-domiciled adults (40–70 years). Analyses contrasted the incidence of different sleep problems and a composite measure of these (the Problematic Sleep Index) across groups. Results: Almost one-third of participants reported sleeping shorter (24.7%), or longer (7.7%) than age-corrected recommended sleep durations. The incidence of shorter or longer sleep increased with social deprivation and varied with ethnicity. Snoring, waking during the night, finding it difficult to get up in the morning and sleeping in the daytime were subject to similar effects. The Problematic Sleep Index showed being younger, male, employed, home-owning, having a higher household income, having a higher level of educational achievement, and time in education were all associated with better sleep, as was living in a more affluent area and being White. Conclusions: Sleep problems in Britain show a social gradient, independently of a range of other demographic and social influences, suggesting that sleep quality differs with and between ethnic groups. These sleep inequalities suggest that the protective and recuperative effects of sleep are disproportionately distributed across society and should encourage us to consider the potential benefits of community-specific sleep interventions.
Micro-Arc Oxidation Phenomenon for Producing Coatings of AZ31B Mg Alloy Using Na3PO4 with Varying KOH Concentrations and Voltages: A Study
Authors: Yan Han , Qi Yuming , Cui Xuejun , Li Chunyang
Published: August 2023

Complex salt solution systems are commonly used as electrolytes for microarc oxidation (MAO). To investigate the MAO phenomenon in simple electrolytes and evaluate the efficacy of MAO coatings, an Na3PO4 monosalt solution was used as the MAO electrolyte. In this study, the effects of the voltage and Na3PO4 concentration on the spark discharge phenomenon, thickness, roughness, and corrosion resistance of the coatings were investigated. The results showed that MAO coatings were effectively synthesised at high concentrations and voltages. Furthermore, the addition of KOH to the Na3PO4 monosalt solution resulted in discernible spark discharge and improved the corrosion resistance of the coatings. Thus, an MAO coating can be efficiently prepared using Na3PO4 solution as the electrolyte. In addition, the addition of KOH to the Na3PO4 monosalt solution reduced the voltage required for coating formation and enhanced the corrosion resistance of the coating.
The Effect of Yttrium Addition on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Refractory TiTaZrHfW High-Entropy Films
Authors: El Garah Mohamed , Patout Loïc , Bouissil Abdelhakim , Charai Ahmed , Sanchette Frederic
Published: August 2023

Refractory high-entropy films (RHEFs) are a new type of high-temperature material with great prospects for applications due to their superior properties. They have the potential to replace nickel-based superalloys in order to develop a new generation of materials that can be used under extreme conditions. (TiTaZrHf)100−xYx RHEFs are prepared using the magnetron sputtering technique. The yttrium (Y) content varies from 0 to 56 at.%. XRD analysis indicates the formation of an amorphous phase in Y-free films, while new phases are formed after the addition of Y. The results are confirmed by TEM analysis, revealing the formation of nano-grains with two phases L12 and Y-P6/mmm structure. With an increasing Y content, the grain size of the nano-grains increases, which has a significant effect on the mechanical properties of the films. Hardness decreases from 9.7 GPa to 5 GPa when the Y amount increases. A similar trend is observed for the Young’s modulus, ranging from 111.6 to 82 GPa. A smooth and featureless morphology is observed on the low Y content films, while those with a larger Y content appear columnar near the substrate. Furthermore, the phase evolution is evaluated by calculating the thermodynamic criteria ΔHmix, ΔSmix, Ω, and δ. The calculation results predict the formation of new phases and are then in good agreement with the experimental characterization.
Insight into the Desolvation of Organic Electrolyte Cations with Propylene Carbonate as a Solvent in Flat Pores: A First-Principles Calculation
Authors: Liu Fudong , Yang Shaobin , Zhang Xu , Tang Shuwei , Wei Shuang
Published: August 2023

Supercapacitors have many applications in new energy and other high-tech fields. The desolvation effect on ions affects the capacity size of supercapacitors, and there are few relevant studies published in this field at present. In this experiment, bilayer graphene (BG) with a layer spacing of 4–10 Å was used as a model of flat pores and was calculated with first-principles calculations, which can effectively simulate the adsorption behaviour of porous carbon. The reaction energies of ions, propylene carbonate, and ionic complexes in bilayer graphene with different layer spacings were calculated, and the desolvation behaviour of lithium salt cations (Li+), tetraethyl quaternary ammonium salt cations (TEA+), triethyl methyl quaternary ammonium salt cations (TEMA+), and bipyrrolidinium quaternary ammonium salt cations (SBP+) was investigated. The calculation was based on density functional compact bound (DFTB+) software. The calculated results show that in the stacked system, the complete desolvation size of the TEA+ reaches 5.6 Å, the complete desolvation size of the TEMA+ reaches 4.9 Å, the complete desolvation size of the SBP+ reaches 4.8 Å, and the complete desolvation size of the Li+ reaches 5.4 Å, with the organic electrolyte cations showing a positive trend in the complete desolvation size as the ion radius increases. An in-depth analysis of the data shows that Li+, TEA+, TEMA+, and SBP+ ion radii play a dominant role in the size of desolvation. The results of this paper provide an effective aid for the selection of organic electrolytes to increase the capacity of supercapacitors.
Investigation of the Effect of Additional Zirconium Diboride (ZrB2) in Spherical Graphite Cast Iron on Mechanical Properties
Authors: Yakut Rifat , Ortakaya Ramazan
Published: August 2023

Steering gearbox bodies, which are produced from spheroidal graphite cast iron, experience wear and gaps over time since they operate under load. It is important to strengthen steering gearbox bodies to avoid this. In this study, a steering gearbox body was produced from a spheroidal graphite cast iron material with zirconium diboride at varying rates (0%, 0.227%, 0.455%, and 1.364%). Samples of the material were prepared according to established standards for hardness, compressive strength, and wear resistance tests. The mechanical properties of test samples with and without zirconium diboride (hardness, compressive strength, and wear resistance) were compared. Sample C showed the highest hardness measurement of 243 HB after adding 0.455% zirconium diboride. As the rate of addition increased, the values obtained from the hardness measurement test also increased. Sample C had the highest compressive value of 1438 MPa, with a 0.455% addition rate. It was found that the compressive strength values also increased as the addition rate increased. Wear tests were conducted to analyse wear volume, wear rate, and friction coefficients. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) device was utilised to identify wear mechanisms on the worn surfaces of the samples. Per the results of this study, wear volume values were found to increase with the load value.
Study on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Martensitic Wear-Resistant Steel
Authors: Jiang Shaoning , Zhang Shoushuai , Lin Jianghai , Zhu Xiaoyu , Li Sensen , Sun Yu , Xia Yuhai , Liu Wenjun , Wang Chaofeng
Published: August 2023

In order to improve the overall performance of edge plates such as bulldozer blades, composition and heat treatment processes were optimized on the martensitic wear-resistant steel grade 400 HB. Steel billets were first obtained through smelting in a state of hot rolling, followed by quenching and tempering to obtained wear-resistant steel (HB400). Then, HB400 was subjected to metallographic observation, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) testing, and transmission electron microscope (TEM) characterization and property testing. The results showed that HB400 exhibited microstructural refinement, characterized by narrower martensite laths and finer grains. The EBSD results indicated a uniform microstructure with a low content of the residual austenite (0.5%), indicating good hardenability. TEM observation of the martensite matrix revealed the presence of substructures, i.e., numerous dislocations in martensite laths. The average Rockwell hardness (HRC) of HB400 was 46.3, and the average Brinell hardness (HB) was 402. A mechanical properties test demonstrated comprehensive properties, which showed that the ultimate tensile strength and yield strength of HB400 were 1495 MPa and 1345 MPa, respectively, with a relative elongation of 12%. Friction and wear experiments showed that the friction coefficient and wear rate in reciprocating mode decreased by 16.1% and 45.4%, respectively, while in rotating mode, they decreased by 27.6% and 2.1%, respectively, as the load increased from 100N to 300N. According to the wear morphology, the main wear mechanisms were identified as adhesive wear, abrasive wear, and oxidative wear. The lubricating effect of the oxide layer generated by wear was identified as the primary reason for the reduction in the friction coefficient. The relationship between microstructures and properties was discussed based on grain refinement strengthening and dislocation strengthening.
X-ray Investigations of Sol–Gel-Derived GeO2 Nanoparticles
Authors: Rothweiler Patrick , Wagner Ralph , Frahm Ronald Reinhard , Lützenkirchen-Hecht Dirk
Published: August 2023

Germanium dioxide (GeO2) is a versatile material with several different crystalline polymorphs and interesting applications in, e.g., optics, microelectronics, and Li-ion batteries. In particular, many of the material’s properties depend on the size of the prepared crystallites, and thus, nanocrystalline GeO2 is of special interest. Here, GeO2 nanoparticles are prepared via sol–gel processes by the hydrolysis of Ge isopropoxide (Ge(OCH(CH3)2)4). The precipitated powders are dried at room temperature and annealed in ambient air using temperatures between 500 °C and 1000 °C from 3 to 24 h. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, providing the crystalline structures, the phase composition, as well as the morphology and crystallite size of the formed particles and their changes upon heating. According to the structural analysis, the samples are crystalline with a dominant β- (low temperature) quartz phase without any heat treatment directly after drying and increasing contributions of α- (high-temperature modification) quartz and quartz-like GeO2 structures with increasing temperature and annealing time were found. According to electron microscopy and the X-ray analysis, the particle size ranges from about 40 to 50 nm for the pristine particles and to about 100 nm and more for the annealed materials.
Laser-Based 3D Body Scanning Reveals a Higher Prevalence of Abdominal Obesity than Tape Measurements: Results from a Population-Based Sample
Authors: Kosilek Robert P. , Ittermann Till , Radke Dörte , Schipf Sabine , Nauck Matthias , Friedrich Nele , Völzke Henry
Published: August 2023

Background: The global obesity epidemic is a major public health concern, and accurate diagnosis is essential for identifying at-risk individuals. Three-dimensional (3D) body scanning technology offers several advantages over the standard practice of tape measurements for diagnosing obesity. This study was conducted to validate body scan data from a German population-based cohort and explore clinical implications of this technology in the context of metabolic syndrome. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 354 participants from the Study of Health in Pomerania that completed a 3D body scanning examination. The agreement of anthropometric data obtained from 3D body scanning with manual tape measurements was analyzed using correlation analysis and Bland–Altman plots. Classification agreement regarding abdominal obesity based on IDF guidelines was assessed using Cohen’s kappa. The association of body scan measures with metabolic syndrome components was explored using correlation analysis. Results: Three-dimensional body scanning showed excellent validity with slightly larger values that presumably reflect the true circumferences more accurately. Metabolic syndrome was highly prevalent in the sample (31%) and showed strong associations with central obesity. Using body scan vs. tape measurements of waist circumference for classification resulted in a 16% relative increase in the prevalence of abdominal obesity (61.3% vs. 52.8%). Conclusions: These results suggest that the prevalence of obesity may be underestimated using the standard method of tape measurements, highlighting the need for more accurate approaches.
Advanced CMR Techniques in Anderson-Fabry Disease: State of the Art
Authors: Ponsiglione Andrea , De Giorgi Marco , Ascione Raffaele , Nappi Carmela , Sanduzzi Luca , Pisani Antonio , Dell’Aversana Serena , Cuocolo Alberto , Imbriaco Massimo
Published: August 2023

Anderson-Fabry disease (AFD) is a rare multisystem X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by α-galactosidase A enzyme deficiency. Long-term cardiac involvement in AFD results in left ventricular hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis, inducing several complications, mainly arrhythmias, valvular dysfunction, and coronary artery disease. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) represents the predominant noninvasive imaging modality for the assessment of cardiac involvement in the AFD, being able to comprehensively assess cardiac regional anatomy, ventricular function as well as to provide tissue characterization. This review aims to explore the role of the most advanced CMR techniques, such as myocardial strain, T1 and T2 mapping, perfusion and hybrid imaging, as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.
The Role of Ultrasonography in Hip Impingement Syndromes: A Narrative Review
Authors: Karampinas Panagiotis , Galanis Athanasios , Vlamis John , Vavourakis Michail , Papagrigorakis Eftychios , Sakellariou Evangelos , Zachariou Dimitrios , Karampitianis Spyridon , Vasiliadis Elias , Pneumaticos Spiros
Published: August 2023

Hip pain is indubitably a frequent clinical problem deriving from copious etiologies. Hip impingement syndromes are one of the most prevalent causes of persistent groin pain, especially in young and active patients. Diligent imaging of the hip region is indispensable to discern femoroacetabular impingement, as the differential diagnosis of hip pain can be exceedingly arduous. Despite hip radiography being plain and broadly attainable, it offers narrow information concerning soft tissue pathologies around the hip joint (extra-articular hip impingement syndromes). Magnetic resonance imaging and arthrography remain the gold standard examination for detecting intra-articular pathologies; however, they are widely considered expensive, time-consuming and characterized by confined. Consequently, ultrasonography has emerged as an alternative valuable diagnostic tool for distinguishing the underlying abnormalities that trigger femoroacetabular impingement. Proper hip ultrasound examination provides dynamic assessment, while also beneficial for guided intervention around the hip joint. Ultrasound hip examination is exacting due to its complex regional anatomy and deep location. It is capable of providing detailed information about various hip quadrants. An adept operator can identify both intra-articular and extra-articular pathologies. In addition, with ultrasonography, hip injections have been rendered relatively undemanding, aiding in therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. This paper aims to provide a succinct and compendious review of the existing literature, accentuating the crucial role of ultrasonography in diagnosing hip impingement syndromes and determining whether an additional examination is required regarding distinguishing between intra-articular and extra-articular syndromes.
TSM-CV: Twitter Sentiment Analysis for COVID-19 Vaccines Using Deep Learning
Authors: Albahli Saleh , Nawaz Marriam
Published: August 2023

The coronavirus epidemic has imposed a devastating impact on humans around the globe, causing profound anxiety, fear, and complex emotions and feelings. Vaccination against the new coronavirus has started, and people’s feelings are becoming more diverse and complicated. In the presented work, our goal is to use the deep learning (DL) technique to understand and elucidate their feelings. Due to the advancement of IT and internet facilities, people are socially connected to explain their emotions and sentiments. Among all social sites, Twitter is the most used platform among consumers and can assist scientists to comprehend people’s opinions related to anything. The major goal of this work is to understand the audience’s varying sentiments about the vaccination process by using data from Twitter. We have employed both the historic (All COVID-19 Vaccines Tweets Kaggle dataset) and real (tweets) data to analyze the people’s sentiments. Initially, a preprocessing step is applied to the input samples. Then, we use the FastText approach for computing semantically aware features. In the next step, we apply the Valence Aware Dictionary for sentiment Reasoner (VADER) method to assign the labels to the collected features as being positive, negative, or neutral. After this, a feature reduction step using the Non-Negative Matrix Factorization (NMF) approach is utilized to minimize the feature space. Finally, we have used the Random Multimodal Deep Learning (RMDL) classifier for sentiment prediction. We have confirmed through experimentation that our work is effective in examining the emotions of people toward the COVID-19 vaccines. The presented work has acquired an accuracy result of 94.81% which is showing the efficacy of our strategy. Other standard measures like precision, recall, F1-score, AUC, and confusion matrix are also reported to show the significance of our work. The work is aimed to improve public understanding of coronavirus vaccines which can help the health departments to stop the anti-vaccination leagues and motivate people to a booster dose of coronavirus.
Optimal Scheduling of Virtual Power Plant with Flexibility Margin Considering Demand Response and Uncertainties
Authors: Tan Yetuo , Zhi Yongming , Luo Zhengbin , Fan Honggang , Wan Jun , Zhang Tao
Published: August 2023

The emission reduction of global greenhouse gases is one of the key steps towards sustainable development. Demand response utilizes the resources of the demand side as an alternative of power supply which is very important for the power network balance, and the virtual power plant (VPP) could overcome barriers to participate in the electricity market. In this paper, the optimal scheduling of a VPP with a flexibility margin considering demand response and uncertainties is proposed. Compared with a conventional power plant, the cost models of VPPs considering the impact of uncertainty and the operation constraints considering demand response and flexibility margin characteristics are constructed. The orderly charging and discharging strategy for electric vehicles considering user demands and interests is introduced in the demand response. The research results show that the method can reduce the charging cost for users participating in reverse power supply using a VPP. The optimizing strategy could prevent overload, complete load transfer, and realize peak shifting and valley filling, solving the problems of the new peak caused by disorderly power utilization.
A Comprehensive Analysis on the Influence of the Adopted Cumulative Peak Current Distribution in the Assessment of Overhead Lines Lightning Performance
Authors: Conceição Daiane , Alipio Rafael , Lopes Ivan J. S. , Chisholm William
Published: August 2023

Backflashover rate (BFR) is strongly dependent on the cumulative peak current distribution (CCD) adopted in the calculations. An original aspect of the present work is that such dependence is simultaneously assessed in estimating the probability of the critical current being exceeded as well as in the annual number of flashes to the line. An IEEE brochure recommends that the distribution values that characterize the atmospheric characteristic of the region under study as accurately as possible be used. The objective of this article is to evaluate the impact of the use of different CCDs, related to several measurements carried out around the world, in the estimation of the lightning performance of transmission lines (TLs). Structures of 138, 230 and 500 kV were analyzed. In the simulations, representative curves of lightning associated with measurements taken at Monte San Salvatore (MSS), Morro do Cachimbo (MCS) and TLs in Japan (TLJ) were considered. The distributions recommended by the IEEE and by the CIGRE and the distributions of Berger obtained from MSS, MCS and TLJ were considered. The presented results indicate differences of up to 100% between the considered work distributions and the IEEE one for certain values of tower footing impedance.
Phenomenological Material Model for First-Order Electrocaloric Material
Authors: Unmüßig Sabrina , Bach David , Nouchokgwe Youri , Defay Emmanuel , Bartholomé Kilian
Published: August 2023

Caloric cooling systems are potentially more efficient than systems based on vapour compression. Electrocaloric cooling systems use a phase transformation from the paraelectric to the ferroelectric state by applying or removing an electric field to pump heat. Lead scandium tantalate (PST) materials show a first-order phase transition and are one of the most promising candidates for electrocaloric cooling. To model caloric cooling systems, accurate and thermodynamically consistent material models are required. In this study, we use a phenomenological model based on an analytical equation for the specific heat capacity to describe the material behaviour of bulk PST material. This model is fitted to the experimental data, showing a very good agreement. Based on this model, essential material properties such as the adiabatic temperature change and isothermal entropy change of this material can be calculated.