bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental Verification of Thermal Insulation in Timber Framed Walls
Authors: Michálková Daniela , Ďurica Pavol
Published: March 2022

Current environmental crisis calls for sustainable solutions in the building industry. One of the possible solutions is to incorporate timber-framed constructions into designs. Among other benefits, these structures are well established in many countries, originating in traditional building systems. This paper focuses on experimental timber-frame walls. Different wall assemblies vary in thermal insulation materials and their combinations. We investigated ten experimental wall structures that have been exposed to natural external boundary conditions since 2015. The emphasis was on their state in terms of visual deterioration, mass moisture content, and thermal conductivity coefficient. We detected several issues, including defects caused by inappropriate realization, causing local moisture increase. Material settlement in loose-fill thermal insulation was another issue. Concerning was a significant change in the thermal conductivity of wood fiber insulation, where the current value almost doubled in one case compared to the design value determined by the producer.
Development and Verification Experiment of In-Situ Friction Experiment Device for Simulating UV Irradiation in Space
Authors: Wei Aobo , Liu Qian , Ma Guozheng , Yu Wenbo , Shi Jiadong , Liu Yunfan , Han Cuihong , Li Zhen , Wang Haidou , Li Guolu
Published: March 2022

In order to explore the influence of space ultraviolet radiation on spacecraft lubricating materials, an in-situ friction experimental device simulating space ultraviolet radiation was developed in the laboratory, and the experimental verification was carried out. This paper firstly introduced the design index, structure and working principle of the space ultraviolet irradiation simulation device, and then calibrated and tested the parameters of the whole device, and also conducted a virtual operation of the device’s operation effect by simulation software, and the results showed that it met the design index. Finally, the validation tested of the ultraviolet irradiated in-situ friction experimental device were described in detail. By using the device to irradiate the samples, it was found that the in-situ ultraviolet irradiation device could achieve the expected irradiation effect, and the irradiation would lead to changes in the surface structure and properties of the PTFE material, while also achieving the need for in-situ spatial friction property testing of the material, providing favorable conditions for future testing.
Finite Element Analysis of the Ballistic Impact on Auxetic Sandwich Composite Human Body Armor
Authors: Shah Imtiaz Alam , Khan Rafiullah , Koloor Seyed Saeid Rahimian , Petrů Michal , Badshah Saeed , Ahmad Sajjad , Amjad Muhammad
Published: March 2022

In this study, the ballistic impact behavior of auxetic sandwich composite human body armor was analyzed using finite element analysis. The auxetic core of the armor was composed of discrete re-entrant unit cells. The sandwich armor structure consisted of a front panel of aluminum alloy (Al 7075-T6), UHMWPE (sandwich core), and a back facet of silicon carbide (SiC) bonded together with epoxy resin. Numerical simulations were run on Explicit Dynamics/Autodyne 3-D code. Various projectile velocities with the same boundary conditions were used to predict the auxetic armor response. These results were compared with those of conventional monolithic body armor. The results showed improved indentation resistance with the auxetic armor. Deformation in auxetic armor was observed greater for each of the cases when compared to the monolithic armor, due to higher energy absorption. The elastic energy dissipation results in the lower indentation in an auxetic armor. The armor can be used safely up to 400 m/s; being used at higher velocities significantly reduced the threat level. Conversely, the conventional monolithic modal does not allow the projectile to pass through at a velocity below 300 m/s; however, the back face becomes severely damaged at 200 m/s. At a velocity of 400 m/s, the front facet of auxetic armor was destroyed; however, the back facet was completely safe, while the monolithic panel did not withstand this velocity and was completely damaged. The results are encouraging in terms of resistance offered by the newly adopted auxetic armor compared to conventional monolithic armor.
Effect of Holding Time on Densification, Microstructure and Selected Properties of Spark Plasma Sintered AA7075-B4C Composites
Authors: Wąsik Anna , Leszczyńska-Madej Beata , Madej Marcin , Rubach Rafał , Garbiec Dariusz
Published: March 2022

The paper presents the effect of the holding time, varying between 1 min 15 s and 10 min, on the microstructure evolution and development of selected properties of spark plasma sintered AA7075-based composites reinforced with 3, 5 and 10 wt% sub-micro B4C powder. The sintering temperature and the compaction pressure were 500 °C and 80 MPa, respectively. Composites with a near full density of 96–97% were obtained. Microstructure studies were performed employing the techniques of light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, along with an analysis of the chemical composition in micro-areas. Additionally, the phase composition was investigated by means of X-ray diffraction. In addition, hardness and flexural strength tests were performed. It was found that the holding time did not significantly influence the microstructures of the examined materials nor the hardness or flexural strength. The sintered composites had a fine-grained microstructure with a strengthening phase located at the grain boundaries. As a result of the spark plasma sintering process, fine precipitates of intermetallic phases were also observed in the aluminum grains, suggesting partial supersaturation, which occurred during fast cooling.
Enhanced Magnetostrain in a <0 0 1>A-Textured Ni44.5Co4.9Mn37.5In13.1 Alloy through Superelastic Training
Authors: Guo Lanyu , Li Zongbin , Chen Jiaxing , Yang Bo , Yan Haile , Zhao Xiang , Esling Claude , Zuo Liang
Published: March 2022

Large magnetostrain can be demonstrated in Ni-Mn-X (X = In, Sn, Sb) meta-magnetic shape memory alloys by resuming the predeformed martensite through magnetic-field-induced reverse martensitic transformation. However, owing to the constraint from the self-accommodated microstructure and randomly distributed crystallographic orientation, spontaneous magnetostrain without predeformation in polycrystalline alloys remains low. Here, by combining microstructure texturing and superelastic training, enhanced spontaneous magnetostrain was achieved in a directionally solidified Ni44.5Co4.9Mn37.5In13.1 alloy with strong <0 0 1>A preferred orientation. After superelastic training through cyclic compressive loading/unloading on the directionally solidified alloy, a large spontaneous magnetostrain of ~0.65% was obtained by applying a magnetic field of 5 T, showing great improvement when compared to that of the untrained situation, i.e., ~0.45%. Such enhanced magnetoresponse is attributed to the internal stress generated through superelastic training, which affects the variant distribution and the resultant output strain in association with the martensitic transformation.
Tribological Characteristics of a-C:H:Si and a-C:H:SiOx Coatings Tested in Simulated Body Fluid and Protein Environment
Authors: Jedrzejczak Anna , Szymanski Witold , Kolodziejczyk Lukasz , Sobczyk-Guzenda Anna , Kaczorowski Witold , Grabarczyk Jacek , Niedzielski Piotr , Kolodziejczyk Agnieszka , Batory Damian
Published: March 2022

This paper presents the tribological properties of silicon and oxygen incorporated diamond-like carbon coatings tested in simulated body fluid and bovine serum albumin environments. The tests were performed using a ball-on-disc tribometer with an AISI316L steel counterbody. The wear tracks and wear scars were analyzed using optical microscopy and a nanoindenter. The interaction between the coating and the working environment was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, whereas changes in the chemical structure before and after the tribological tests were compared with the use of Raman spectroscopy. Our study showed that the tribological parameters are governed by the presence of oxygen rather than the changing concentration of silicon. Both of the spectroscopy results confirm this statement, indicating that coatings with low concentrations of silicon and oxygen appear to be better candidates for biological applications in terms of wear resistance.
Elimination of Composition Segregation in 33Al–45Cu–22Fe (at.%) Powder by Two-Stage High-Energy Mechanical Alloying
Authors: Tikhov Serguei , Valeev Konstantin , Cherepanova Svetlana , Zaikovskii Vladimir , Salanov Aleksei , Sadykov Vladislav , Dudina Dina , Lomovsky Oleg , Petrov Sergey , Smorygo Oleg , Gokhale Amol
Published: March 2022

In the present work, complex powder alloys containing spinel as a minor phase were produced by mechanical alloying in a high-energy planetary ball mill from a 33Al–45Cu–22Fe (at.%) powder blend. These alloys show characteristics suitable for the synthesis of promising catalysts. The alloying was conducted in two stages: at the first stage, a Cu+Fe powder mixture was ball-milled for 90 min; at the second stage, Al was added, and the milling process was continued for another 24 min. The main products of mechanical alloying formed at each stage were studied using X-ray diffraction phase analysis, Mössbauer spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. At the end of the first stage, crystalline iron was not found. The main product of the first stage was a metastable Cu(Fe) solid solution with a face-centered cubic structure. At the second stage, the Cu(Fe) solid solution transformed to Cu(Al), several Fe-containing amorphous phases, and a spinel phase. The products of the two-stage process were different from those of the single-stage mechanical alloying of the ternary elemental powder mixture; the formation of undesirable intermediate phases was avoided, which ensured excellent composition uniformity. A sequence of solid-state reactions occurring during mechanical alloying was proposed. Mesopores and a spinel phase were the features of the two-stage milled material (both are desirable for the target catalyst).
Vaping-Associated Lung Injury: A Review
Authors: O'Callaghan Marissa , Boyle Niamh , Fabre Aurelie , Keane Michael P. , McCarthy Cormac
Published: March 2022

Since commercial development in 2003, the usage of modern electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) continues to increase amongst people who have never smoked, ex-smokers who have switched to e-cigarettes, and dual-users of both conventional cigarettes and e-cigarettes. With such an increase in use, knowledge of the irritative, toxic and potential carcinogenic effects on the lungs is increasing. This review article will discuss the background of e-cigarettes, vaping devices and explore their popularity. We will further summarise the available literature describing the mechanism of lung injury caused by e-cigarette or vaping use.
Level of Anxiety Caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic among Dentists in Poland
Authors: Rusyan Ewa , Mielczarek Agnieszka , Bogusławska-Kapała Agnieszka , Adamczyk Kamil , Piec Robert , Szykuła-Piec Barbara
Published: March 2022

Background and Objectives: The early information on both the speed and high morbidity rate and, above all, mortality triggered the symptoms of COVID-19-related panic and anxiety. Dentists were listed in the top five professions with the highest risk of transmission of the virus. The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between the fear level of COVID-19 and sociodemographic variables in Polish dentists. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted via an online survey questionnaire with seven statements in the COVID-19 Fear Scale (FCV-19S). The online questionnaire was completed by 356 dentists. The SPSS and PQStat were used to analyze, validate, and assess correlations and logistic regression. Results: In the studied population of dentists, the perceived level of anxiety associated with COVID-19 should be considered relatively low. When the respondents had children, lived with the elderly, or looked after them, the observed level of anxiety was higher, and physical symptoms, such as sweating palms and increased heart rate, occurred. Conclusions: Studies concerning the anxiety level related to COVID-19 carried out among Polish dentists ascertained that the tested level of anxiety among dentists was relatively low. The COVID-19 Fear Scale (FCV-19S) adjusted to the Polish language requirements is a reliable tool that can be used effectively for analyzing the impact of any pandemic on the Polish-speaking population.
Fabrication of Polyamide-6 Membranes—The Effect of Gelation Time towards Their Morphological, Physical and Transport Properties
Authors: Ebrahimi Mohammad , Kujawski Wojciech , Fatyeyeva Kateryna
Published: March 2022

Porous polyamide-6 membranes were fabricated via a non-solvent induced phase inversion method, and the influence of gelation time on the properties of the membranes was investigated. Membrane samples with various gelation times were prepared. The evaluation of the membranes’ properties was carried out by various analyses and tests, such as scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, contact angle, wet and dry thickness, mean pore size measurements, porosity, water uptake, mechanical resistance, hydrodynamic water fluxes, membrane hydrodynamic permeability, and retention testing. The scanning electron microscopy images (both surface and cross-section) demonstrated that the increase in gelation time from 0 (M0) to 10 (M10) min led to the morphological change of membranes from isotropic (M0) to anisotropic (M10). The wet and dry thickness of the membranes showed a downward tendency with increasing gelation time. The M0 membrane exhibited the lowest bubble contact angle of 60 ± 4° and the lowest average surface roughness of 124 ± 22 nm. The highest values of mean pore size and porosity were observed for the M0 sample (0.710 ± 0.06 µm and 72 ± 2%, respectively), whereas the M10 membrane demonstrated the highest tensile strength of 4.1 MPa. The membrane water uptake was diminished from 62 to 39% by increasing the gelation time from 0 to 10 min. The M0 membrane also showed the highest hydrodynamic water flux among the prepared membranes, equal to 28.6 L m−2 h−1 (at Δp = 2 bar).
A Study on the Grain Refining Mechanisms and Melt Superheat Treatment of Aluminum-Bearing Mg Alloys
Authors: Jung Sung Su , Son Yong Guk , Park Yong Ho , Lee Young Cheol
Published: March 2022

Grain refinement of magnesium (Mg) alloys has been a major research topic over the past decades as one of the effective approaches to increase their strength and ductility simultaneously. In this study, a brief review of the grain refinement of aluminum-bearing Mg alloys is included to provide an in-depth understanding of the detailed mechanisms of grain refinement of Mg alloys. Additionally, the effect of melt superheating on the grain refining of Mg–Al-based alloys has been investigated. It was confirmed that melt superheating caused a significant grain refining effect in the commercial purity (CP) of AZ91 alloy (0.25% Mn). Undercooling of 1.3 °C was observed before superheating and was noticeably reduced after the superheating process. A vacuum filtering experiment was conducted, which involves filtering the melts using fine metal porous filters to separate the particles in the melts. It was observed that a large amount of Al8Mn5 particles were generated in the commercial purity AZ91 alloy by the superheating process. However, because of the poor crystallographic matching between Al8Mn5 and Mg, Al8Mn5 was not considered the nucleation site for Mg grains. A master alloy containing ε-AlMn particles, which are in good crystallographic matching with Mg, was added, and it was found that the grain size of the commercial-grade AZ91 alloy was reduced. Therefore, it is suggested that Al8Mn5 particles, existing as a solid phase in the molten metal of the commercial AZ91 alloy could be transformed into ε-AlMn particles by the superheating process, and these particles can be effective nucleation sites for Mg grains. The transformation of Al8Mn5 into ε-AlMn is considered the main mechanism of grain refinement of the commercial purity of AZ91 alloy by superheating. Notably, the effect of grain refinement by superheating was not observed in the high-purity (HP) AZ91 alloy (0.006% Mn) because Al–Mn particles were likely not formed due to a very small quantity of manganese.
Theoretical Study of Some Angle Parameter Trigonometric Copulas
Authors: Chesneau Christophe
Published: March 2022

Copulas are important probabilistic tools to model and interpret the correlations of measures involved in real or experimental phenomena. The versatility of these phenomena implies the need for diverse copulas. In this article, we describe and investigate theoretically new two-dimensional copulas based on trigonometric functions modulated by a tuning angle parameter. The independence copula is, thus, extended in an original manner. Conceptually, the proposed trigonometric copulas are ideal for modeling correlations into periodic, circular, or seasonal phenomena. We examine their qualities, such as various symmetry properties, quadrant dependence properties, possible Archimedean nature, copula ordering, tail dependences, diverse correlations (medial, Spearman, and Kendall), and two-dimensional distribution generation. The proposed copulas are fleshed out in terms of data generation and inference. The theoretical findings are supplemented by some graphical and numerical work. The main results are proved using two-dimensional inequality techniques that can be used for other copula purposes.
Drug Delivery Applications of Coaxial Electrospun Nanofibres in Cancer Therapy
Authors: Li Jiayao , Liu Yinan , Abdelhakim Hend
Published: March 2022

Cancer is one of the most serious health problems and the second leading cause of death worldwide, and with an ageing and growing population, problems related to cancer will continue. In the battle against cancer, many therapies and anticancer drugs have been developed. Chemotherapy and relevant drugs are widely used in clinical practice; however, their applications are always accompanied by severe side effects. In recent years, the drug delivery system has been improved by nanotechnology to reduce the adverse effects of the delivered drugs. Among the different candidates, core–sheath nanofibres prepared by coaxial electrospinning are outstanding due to their unique properties, including their large surface area, high encapsulation efficiency, good mechanical property, multidrug loading capacity, and ability to govern drug release kinetics. Therefore, encapsulating drugs in coaxial electrospun nanofibres is a desirable method for controlled and sustained drug release. This review summarises the drug delivery applications of coaxial electrospun nanofibres with different structures and drugs for various cancer treatments.
Electronic Structures of Polymorphic Layers of Borophane
Authors: Tateishi Ikuma , Zhang Xiaoni , Matsuda Iwao
Published: March 2022

The search for free-standing 2D materials has been one of the most important subjects in the field of studies on 2D materials and their applications. Recently, a free-standing monolayer of hydrogenated boron (HB) sheet has been synthesized by hydrogenation of borophene. The HB sheet is also called borophane, and its application is actively studied in many aspects. Here, we review recent studies on the electronic structures of polymorphic sheets of borophane. A hydrogenated boron sheet with a hexagonal boron frame was shown to have a semimetallic electronic structure by experimental and theoretical analyses. A tight-binding model that reproduces the electronic structure was given and it allows easy estimation of the properties of the material. Hydrogenated boron sheets with more complicated nonsymmorphic boron frames were also analyzed. Using the symmetry restrictions from the nonsymmorphic symmetry and the filling factor of hydrogenated boron sheets, the existence of a Dirac nodal line was suggested. These studies provide basic insights for research on and device applications of hydrogenated boron sheets.
Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Traditional Chinese Medicine Raw Material, Extracts, and Health Food Products
Authors: Cai Chenggang , Chang Guoli , Zhao Miaomiao , Wu Pinggu , Hu Zhengyan , Jiang Dingguo
Published: March 2022

The four polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon markers (PAH4) of benzo[a]anthracene (BaA), chrysene (Chr), benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF), and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) are indicators showing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination levels in Chinese medicine raw materials (CMRMs), extracts and health food products; Samples of herbal medicine, herbal extracts, and food supplements were extracted with n-hexane, then cleaned up sequentially on Florisil and EUPAH solid-phase extraction (SPE) columns. A gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method for the determination of four polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon markers in Chinese medicine raw material, extracts, and health food products was established; In spiked-recovery experiments, the average recovery was about 78.6–107.6% with a precision of 2.3–10.5%. The limit of quantification (LOQ) and limit of detection (LOD) of the PAH4 markers in this method were 2.0 μg/kg and 0.7 μg/kg, respectively. When the developed method was utilized to determine PAH4 contents in 12 locally available health food products, 3 samples contained over 10.0 μg/kg BaP, and 5 samples contained over 50.0 μg/kg PAH4. The European Union (EU) limits for BaP and PAH4 are 10 and 50.0 μg/kg, respectively; therefore, more attention must be drawn to the exposure risk of BaP and PAH4 in CMRMs, their extracts, and health food products. According to the risk assessment based on the Margin of Exposure (MOE) method, it is recognized that the products mentioned in this study pose a low risk.
Physicochemical Properties and Elimination of the Activity of Anti-Nutritional Serine Protease Inhibitors from Mulberry Leaves
Authors: Luo Zhuxing , Yang Jinhong , Zhang Jie , Meng Gang , Lu Qingjun , Yang Xi , Zhao Ping , Li Youshan
Published: March 2022

Mulberry leaf is an excellent protein resource that can be used as feed additive for livestock and poultry. Nevertheless, the use of mulberry leaves in animal diets is limited by its protease inhibitors, tannic acid and other anti-nutritional factors. This study systematically analyzed the type and activity of serine protease inhibitors (SPIs) from the leaves of 34 mulberry varieties, aiming to reveal the physicochemical properties and inactivation mechanism of SPIs. The types and activities of trypsin inhibitors (TIs) and chymotrypsin inhibitors (CIs) exhibited polymorphisms among different mulberry varieties. The highest number of types of inhibitors was detected in Jinshi, with six TIs (TI-1~TI-6) and six CIs (CI-1~CI-6). TIs and CIs exhibited strong thermal and acid–base stability. High-temperature and high-pressure treatment could reduce the activities of TIs and CIs to a certain extent. β-mercaptoethanol treatment could completely abolish TIs and CIs, suggesting that the disulfide bridges were critical for their inhibitory activities. The Maillard reaction could effectively eliminate the inhibitory activities of TI-1~TI-4 and CI-1~CI-4. This study reveals the physicochemical properties and inactivation mechanisms of the anti-nutritional SPIs from mulberry leaves, which is helpful to exploit mulberry-leaf food with low-activity SPIs, promote the development and utilization of mulberry-leaf resources in animal feed and provide reference for mulberry breeding with different functions.
Broadband Variable Transmission Sphere for Fizeau Interferometry
Authors: Koerber Jonathan , Boreman Glenn D. , Suleski Thomas J.
Published: March 2022

Transmission spheres used in interferometry are specified by f-number and source wavelength. In this paper, we explore a broadband variable transmission sphere (BVTS) system based on freeform Alvarez lenses that enables variable operation across a broad range of f-numbers and wavelengths. Potential applications and performance tradeoffs are discussed in comparison to conventional spherical transmission spheres. Simulation results are presented for f/15 to f/80 configurations from visible to long-wave infrared sources in a Fizeau interferometer. Simulation results highlight that spherical, coma, and astigmatism impose limits on surface measurement quality.
α-Glucosidase and Bacterial β-Glucuronidase Inhibitors from the Stems of Schisandra sphaerandra Staph
Authors: Rao Guiwei , Yu Hangfei , Zhang Manlai , Cheng Yuchen , Ran Kun , Wang Jianwei , Wei Bin , Li Min , Shan Weiguang , Zhan Zhajun , Ying Youmin
Published: March 2022

α-Glucosidase (AGS) is a therapeutic target for Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) that tends to complicate with other diseases. Some medications for the treatment of T2DM complications have the risk of inducing severe adverse reactions such as diarrhea via the metabolism of intestinal bacterial β-glucuronidase (BGUS). The development of new AGS and/or BGUS inhibitors may improve the therapeutic effects of T2DM and its complications. The present work focused on the isolation and characterization of AGS and/or BGUS inhibitors from the medicinal plant Schisandra sphaerandra. A total of eight compounds were isolated and identified. Sphaerandralide A (1) was obtained as a previously undescribed triterpenoid, which may have chemotaxonomy significance in the authentication of the genus Schisandra and Kadsura. 2′-acetyl-4′,4-dimethoxybiphenyl-2-carbaldehyde (8) was obtained from a plant source for the first time, while compounds 2–7 were isolated from S. sphaerandra for the first time. In the in vitro assay, compounds 1–5 showed potent to moderate activity against AGS. Interestingly, compound 3 also exhibited significant BGUS inhibitory activity, demonstrating the potential of being developed as a bifunctional inhibitor that may find application in the therapy of T2DM and/or the diarrhea induced by medications for the treatment of T2DM complications.
A New Disease for Europe of Ficus microcarpa Caused by Botryosphaeriaceae Species
Authors: Fiorenza Alberto , Aiello Dalia , Costanzo Mariangela Benedetta , Gusella Giorgio , Polizzi Giancarlo
Published: March 2022

The Indian laurel-leaf fig (Ficus microcarpa) is an important ornamental tree widely distributed in the urban areas of Italy. Surveys conducted in 2019 and 2020 on several tree-lined streets, squares, and public parks in Catania and Siracusa provinces (Sicily, southern Italy) revealed the presence of a new disease on mature trees. About 9% of approximately 450 mature plants showed extensive branch cankers and dieback. Isolations from woody tissues obtained from ten symptomatic plants consistently yielded species belonging to the Botryosphaeriaceae family. The identification of the recovered fungal isolates was based on a multi-loci phylogenetic (maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood) approach of the ITS, tef1-α, and tub2 gene regions. The results of the analyses confirmed the presence of three species: Botryosphaeria dothidea, Neofusicoccum mediterraneum, and N. parvum. Pathogenicity tests were conducted on potted, healthy, 4-year-old trees using the mycelial plug technique. The inoculation experiments revealed that all the Botryosphaeriaceae species identified in this study were pathogenic to this host. Previous studies conducted in California showed similar disease caused by Botryosphaeriaceae spp., and the pathogenic role of these fungi was demonstrated. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Botryosphaeriaceae affecting Ficus microcarpa in Europe.
Identification and Validation of a Chromosome 4D Quantitative Trait Locus Hotspot Conferring Heat Tolerance in Common Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Lu Lu , Liu Hui , Wu Yu , Yan Guijun
Published: March 2022

Understanding of the genetic mechanism of heat tolerance (HT) can accelerate and improve wheat breeding in dealing with a warming climate. This study identified and validated quantitative trait loci (QTL) responsible for HT in common wheat. The International Triticeae Mapping Initiative (ITMI) population, recombinant inbreed lines (RILs) derived from a cross between Synthetic W7984 and Opata M85, was phenotyped for shoot length, root length, whole plant length under heat stress and corresponding damage indices (DIs) to compare HT performances of individuals. Wide variations among the RILs were shown for all the traits. A total of 13 QTL including 9 major QTL and 4 minor QTL were identified, distributed on 6 wheat chromosomes. The six major QTL with the highest R2 were associated with different traits under heat stress. They were all from Opata M85 background and located within a 2.2 cm interval on chromosome 4D, making up a QTL hotspot conferring HT in common wheat. The QTL hotspot was validated by genotyping-phenotyping association analysis using single-nucleotide-polymorphism (SNP) assays. The QTL, especially the 4D QTL hotspot identified and validated in this study, are valuable for the further fine mapping and identification of key genes and exploring genetic mechanism of HT in wheat.
Predicting the Potential Suitable Climate for Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) Cultivation in India under Climate Change Scenarios Using the MaxEnt Model
Authors: Hebbar Kukkehalli Balachandra , Abhin Pulloott Sukumar , Sanjo Jose Veliyathukudy , Neethu Poonchalikundil , Santhosh Arya , Shil Sandip , Prasad P. V. Vara
Published: March 2022

Climate change and climate variability are projected to alter the geographic suitability of lands for crop cultivation. Early awareness of the future climate of the current cultivation areas for a perennial tree crop like coconut is needed for its adaptation and sustainable cultivation in vulnerable areas. We analyzed coconut’s vulnerability to climate change in India, based on climate projections for the 2050s and the 2070s under two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs): 4.5 and 8.5. Based on the current cultivation regions and climate change predictions from seven ensembles of Global Circulation Models, we predict changes in relative climatic suitability for coconut cultivation using the MaxEnt model. Bioclimatic variables Bio 4 (temperature seasonality, 34.4%) and Bio 7 (temperature annual range, 28.7%) together contribute 63.1%, which along with Bio 15 (precipitation seasonality, 8.6%) determined 71.7% of the climate suitability for coconuts in India. The model projected that some current coconut cultivation producing areas will become unsuitable (plains of South interior Karnataka and Tamil Nadu) requiring crop change, while other areas will require adaptations in genotypic or agronomic management (east coast and the south interior plains), and yet in others, the climatic suitability for growing coconut will increase (west coast). The findings suggest the need for adaptation strategies so as to ensure sustainable cultivation of coconut at least in presently cultivated areas.
Impact of Deficit Irrigation on Grapevine cv. ‘Touriga Nacional’ during Three Seasons in Douro Region: An Agronomical and Metabolomics Approach
Authors: Cabral Inês L. , Teixeira António , Lanoue Arnaud , Unlubayir Marianne , Munsch Thibaut , Valente Joana , Alves Fernando , da Costa Pedro Leal , Rogerson Frank S. , Carvalho Susana M. P. , Gerós Hernâni , Queiroz Jorge
Published: March 2022

The introduction of irrigation in vineyards of the Mediterranean basin is a matter of debate, in particular in those of the Douro Demarcated Region (DDR), due to the limited number of available studies. Here, we aimed to perform a robust analysis in three consecutive vintages (2018, 2019, and 2020) on the impact of deficit irrigation on the yield, berry quality traits, and metabolome of cv. ‘Touriga Nacional’. Results showed that in the peaks of extreme drought, irrigation at 30% crop evapotranspiration (ETc) (R30) was able to prevent a decay of up to 0.4 MPa of leaf predawn water potential (ΨPd), but irrigation at 70% ETc (R70) did not translate into additional protection against drought stress. Following three seasons of irrigation, the yield was significantly improved in vines irrigated at R30, whereas irrigation at R70 positively affected the yield only in the 2020 season. Berry quality traits at harvest were not significantly changed by irrigation, except for Total Soluble Solids (TSS) in 2018. A UPLC–MS-based targeted metabolomic analysis identified eight classes of compounds, amino acids, phenolic acids, stilbenoid DP1, stilbenoid DP2, flavonols, flavan-3-ols, di-OH- and tri-OH anthocyanins, and showed that anthocyanins and phenolic acids did not change significantly with irrigation. The present study showed that deficit irrigation partially mitigated the severe summer water deficit conditions in the DDR but did not significantly change key metabolites.
Diversity and Functional Evolution of Terpene Synthases in Rosaceae
Authors: Zhang Aidi , Xiong Yuhong , Fang Jing , Jiang Xiaohan , Wang Tengfei , Liu Kangchen , Peng Huixiang , Zhang Xiujun
Published: March 2022

Terpenes are organic compounds and play important roles in plant development and stress response. Terpene synthases (TPSs) are the key enzymes for the biosynthesis of terpenes. For Rosaceae species, terpene composition represents a critical quality attribute, but limited information is available regarding the evolution and expansion occurring in the terpene synthases gene family. Here, we selected eight Rosaceae species with sequenced and annotated genomes for the identification of TPSs, including three Prunoideae, three Maloideae, and two Rosoideae species. Our data showed that the TPS gene family in the Rosaceae species displayed a diversity of family numbers and functions among different subfamilies. Lineage and species-specific expansion of the TPSs accompanied by frequent domain loss was widely observed within different TPS clades, which might have contributed to speciation or environmental adaptation in Rosaceae. In contrast to Maloideae and Rosoideae species, Prunoideae species owned less TPSs, with the evolution of Prunoideae species, TPSs were expanded in modern peach. Both tandem and segmental duplication significantly contributed to TPSs expansion. Ka/Ks calculations revealed that TPSs genes mainly evolved under purifying selection except for several pairs, where the divergent time indicated TPS-e clade was diverged relatively anciently. Gene function classification of TPSs further demonstrated the function diversity among clades and species. Moreover, based on already published RNA-Seq data from NCBI, the expression of most TPSs in Malus domestica, Prunus persica, and Fragaria vesca displayed tissue specificity and distinct expression patterns either in tissues or expression abundance between species and TPS clades. Certain putative TPS-like proteins lacking both domains were detected to be highly expressed, indicating the underlying functional or regulatory potentials. The result provided insight into the TPS family evolution and genetic information that would help to improve Rosaceae species quality.
Using Rule-Based Decision Trees to Digitize Legislation
Authors: Mingay Henry R. F. , Hendricusdottir Rita , Ceross Aaron , Bergmann Jeroen H. M.
Published: March 2022

This article introduces a novel approach to digitize legislation using rule based-decision trees (RBDTs). As regulation is one of the major barriers to innovation, novel methods for helping stakeholders better understand, and conform to, legislation are becoming increasingly important. Newly introduced medical device regulation has resulted in an increased complexity of regulatory strategy for manufacturers, and the pressure on notified body resources to support this process is making this an increasing concern in industry. This paper explores a real-world classification problem that arises for medical device manufacturers when they want to be certified according to the In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR). A modification to an existing RBDT algorithm is introduced (RBDT-1C) and a case study demonstrates how this method can be applied. The RBDT-1C algorithm is used to design a decision tree to classify IVD devices according to their risk-based classes: Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D. The applied RBDT-1C algorithm demonstrated accurate classification in-line with published ground-truth data. This approach should enable users to better understand the legislation, has informed policy makers about potential areas for future guidance, and allowed for the identification of errors in the regulations that have already been recognized and amended by the European Commission.
Gender Reconfigurations and Family Ideology in Abdul Rauf Felpete’s Latin American Haqqaniyya
Authors: Domínguez Díaz Marta
Published: March 2022

This article discusses the ideas about gender contained in the Enseñanzas Sufíes Para Los Tiempos Actuales, a text by Abdul Rauf Felpete, the leader of the Naqshbandiyya Haqqaniyya in Latin America, probably the largest Sufi group in the continent. I analyse these ideas against the backdrop context in which they were produced: on the one hand, a conservative Sufi Islamic frame inspired by Nazim al-Haqqani’s ideas, and on the other, an Argentinian society that was incurring profound gender-related societal changes at the time when the shaykh delivered the sermons contained in the book. This historical moment was characterised by a growing feminist and LGTBQ+ activism and the arrival of a progressive government in Argentina, which over time, positioned this Latin American country in the vanguard of gender and sexual equality rights in the Spanish speaking world. In this context, Rauf Felpete proposes a gender model inspired in a Haqqani form of Islamic conservatism as a remedy to address what he perceives as the threat of civilizational decadence brought about by these changes. I discuss Rauf Felpete’s family ideology, a set of moral norms based on gender determinism and pronatalism, articulated through two key concepts, first, domesticity, understood as a way to regulate female behaviour and, second, motherhood, viewed as a Godly ordained natural instinct. In order to put into practice these gender norms, the devout Haqqani is called to move to the countryside; rural communes are presented as the only possible way of living a pious and authentically Islamic life, a mode of living that implies profound reconfigurations of gender (and of lifestyle, more generally) for his Latin American followers.
Quantitative Characterization of Motor Control during Gait in Dravet Syndrome Using Wearable Sensors: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Bisi Maria Cristina , Di Marco Roberto , Ragona Francesca , Darra Francesca , Vecchi Marilena , Masiero Stefano , Del Felice Alessandra , Stagni Rita
Published: March 2022

Dravet syndrome (DS) is a rare and severe form of genetic epilepsy characterized by cognitive and behavioural impairments and progressive gait deterioration. The characterization of gait parameters in DS needs efficient, non-invasive quantification. The aim of the present study is to apply nonlinear indexes calculated from inertial measurements to describe the dynamics of DS gait. Twenty participants (7 M, age 9–33 years) diagnosed with DS were enrolled. Three wearable inertial measurement units (OPAL, Apdm, Portland, OR, USA; Miniwave, Cometa s.r.l., Italy) were attached to the lower back and ankles and 3D acceleration and angular velocity were acquired while participants walked back and forth along a straight path. Segmental kinematics were acquired by means of stereophotogrammetry (SMART, BTS). Community functioning data were collected using the functional independence measure (FIM). Mean velocity and step width were calculated from stereophotogrammetric data; fundamental frequency, harmonic ratio, recurrence quantification analysis, and multiscale entropy (τ = 1...6) indexes along anteroposterior (AP), mediolateral (ML), and vertical (V) axes were calculated from trunk acceleration. Results were compared to a reference age-matched control group (112 subjects, 6–25 years old). All nonlinear indexes show a disruption of the cyclic pattern of the centre of mass in the sagittal plane, quantitatively supporting the clinical observation of ataxic gait. Indexes in the ML direction were less altered, suggesting the efficacy of the compensatory strategy (widening the base of support). Nonlinear indexes correlated significantly with functional scores (i.e., FIM and speed), confirming their effectiveness in capturing clinically meaningful biomarkers of gait.
Multiple-Actuator Fault Isolation Using a Minimal ℓ1-Norm Solution with Applications in Overactuated Electric Vehicles
Authors: Park Jinseong , Park Youngjin
Published: March 2022

A multiple-actuator fault isolation approach for overactuated electric vehicles (EVs) is designed with a minimal ℓ1-norm solution. As the numbers of driving motors and steering actuators increase beyond the number of controlled variables, an EV becomes an overactuated system, which exhibits actuator redundancy and enables the possibility of fault-tolerant control (FTC). On the other hand, an increase in the number of actuators also increases the possibility of simultaneously occurring multiple faults. To ensure EV reliability while driving, exact and fast fault isolation is required; however, the existing fault isolation methods demand high computational power or complicated procedures because the overactuated systems have many actuators, and the number of simultaneous fault occurrences is increased. The method proposed in this paper exploits the concept of sparsity. The underdetermined linear system is defined from the parity equation, and fault isolation is achieved by obtaining the sparsest nonzero component of the residuals from the minimal ℓ1-norm solution. Therefore, the locations of the faults can be obtained in a sequence, and only a consistently low computational load is required regardless of the isolated number of faults. The experimental results obtained with a scaled-down overactuated EV support the effectiveness of the proposed method, and a quantitative index of the sparsity condition for the target EV is discussed with a CarSim-connected MATLAB/Simulink simulation.
FILM: Filtering and Machine Learning for Malware Detection in Edge Computing
Authors: Kim Young Jae , Park Chan-Hyeok , Yoon MyungKeun
Published: March 2022

Machine learning with static-analysis features extracted from malware files has been adopted to detect malware variants, which is desirable for resource-constrained edge computing and Internet-of-Things devices with sensors; however, this learned model suffers from a misclassification problem because some malicious files have almost the same static-analysis features as benign ones. In this paper, we present a new detection method for edge computing that can utilize existing machine learning models to classify a suspicious file into either benign, malicious, or unpredictable categories while existing models make only a binary decision of either benign or malicious. The new method can utilize any existing deep learning models developed for malware detection after appending a simple sigmoid function to the models. When interpreting the sigmoid value during the testing phase, the new method determines if the model is confident about its prediction; therefore, the new method can take only the prediction of high accuracy, which reduces incorrect predictions on ambiguous static-analysis features. Through experiments on real malware datasets, we confirm that the new scheme significantly enhances the accuracy, precision, and recall of existing deep learning models. For example, the accuracy is enhanced from 0.96 to 0.99, while some files are classified as unpredictable that can be entrusted to the cloud for further dynamic or human analysis.
Whey Protein Isolate Film and Laser-Ablated Textured PDMS-Based Single-Electrode Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Pressure-Sensor Application
Authors: Lee Minwoo , Shin Jonghwan , Kim Sunkook , Gandla Srinivas
Published: March 2022

The use of biopolymers for realizing economical and eco-friendly triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) widens the application prospects of TENGs. Herein, an animal-sourced whey protein isolate (WPI) film, processed and prepared by a simple aqueous solution preparation and drop-casting technique, is applied to demonstrate its potential use in bio-TENGs. With the addition of formaldehyde in WPI, the films result in a free-standing and flexible film, whereas the pure WPI films are difficult to handle and lack flexibility. A TENG device based on the WPI and the laser-ablated textured polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) for pressure-sensor application were developed. The output voltage of the TENG comprising WPI increased nearly two-fold compared to the TENG without WPI. A simple single-electrode TENG device configuration was adopted so that it could be easily integrated into a wearable electronic device. Moreover, WPI film exhibited tribo-negative-like material characteristics. This study provides new insights into the development of biocompatible and eco-friendly biopolymers for various electronic devices and sensors.
All-Ceramic Passive Wireless Temperature Sensor Realized by Tin-Doped Indium Oxide (ITO) Electrodes for Harsh Environment Applications
Authors: Varadharajan Idhaiam Kavin Sivaneri , Caswell Joshua A. , Pozo Peter D. , Sabolsky Katarzyna , Sierros Konstantinos A. , Reynolds Daryl S. , Sabolsky Edward M.
Published: March 2022

In this work, an all-ceramic passive wireless inductor–capacitor (LC) resonator was presented for stable temperature sensing up to 1200 °C in air. Instead of using conventional metallic electrodes, the LC resonators are modeled and fabricated with thermally stable and highly electroconductive ceramic oxide. The LC resonator was modeled in ANSYS HFSS to operate in a low-frequency region (50 MHz) within 50 × 50 mm geometry using the actual material properties of the circuit elements. The LC resonator was composed of a parallel plate capacitor coupled with a planar inductor deposited on an Al2O3 substrate using screen-printing, and the ceramic pattern was sintered at 1250 °C for 4 h in an ambient atmosphere. The sensitivity (average change in resonant frequency with respect to temperature) from 200–1200 °C was ~170 kHz/°C. The temperature-dependent electrical conductivity of the tin-doped indium oxide (ITO, 10% SnO2 doping) on the quality factor showed an increase of Qf from 36 to 43 between 200 °C and 1200 °C. The proposed ITO electrodes displayed improved sensitivity and quality factor at elevated temperatures, proving them to be an excellent candidate for temperature sensing in harsh environments. The microstructural analysis of the co-sintered LC resonator was performed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) which showed that there are no cross-sectional and topographical defects after several thermal treatments.