bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Protected Area Connectivity Evaluation and Strategy Development Framework for Post-2020 Biodiversity Conservation
Authors: Zhao Zhicong , Wang Pei , Wang Xiaoshan , Wang Fangyi , Tseng Tz-Hsuan , Cao Yue , Hou Shuyu , Peng Jiayuan , Yang Rui
Published: September 2022

Maintaining and improving the connectivity of protected areas (PAs) is essential for biodiversity conservation. The Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) aims to expand the coverage of well-connected PAs and other effective area-based conservation measures to 30% by 2030. We proposed a framework to evaluate the connectivity of PAs and developed strategies to maintain and improve the connectivity of PAs based on PA connectivity indicators, and we applied this framework to China’s terrestrial PAs. We considered that the concept of PA connectivity is at the level of both PA patches and PA networks, including four aspects: intra-patch connectivity, inter-patch connectivity, network connectivity, and PA–landscape connectivity. We found that among China’s 2153 terrestrial PA patches, only 427 had good intra-patch connectivity, and their total area accounted for 11.28% of China’s land area. If inter-patch connectivity, network connectivity, and PA–landscape connectivity were taken as the criteria to evaluate PA connectivity, respectively, then the coverage of well-connected terrestrial PAs in China was only 4.07%, 8.30%, and 5.92%, respectively. Only seven PA patches have good connectivity of all four aspects, covering only 2.69% of China’s land. The intra-patch, inter-patch, network, and PA–landscape connectivity of China’s terrestrial PA network reached 93.41%, 35.40%, 58.43%, and 8.58%, respectively. These conclusions indicated that there is still a big gap between China’s PA connectivity and the Post-2020 GBF target, which urgently needs to be improved. We identified PA patches and PA networks of ecological zones that need to improve PA connectivity and identified improvement priorities for them. We also identified priority areas for connectivity restoration in existing PAs, potential ecological corridors between PAs, and priority areas for PA expansion to improve the connectivity of PAs in China. Application of our framework elsewhere should help governments and policymakers reach ambitious biodiversity conservation goals at national and global scales.
An Approach to Developing the Multicriteria Optimal Forest Management Plan: The “Fruska Gora” National Park Case Study
Authors: Lakicevic Milena , Srdjevic Bojan
Published: September 2022

This paper proposes a decision-making framework that integrates Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL), Best-Worst (BW), and Ordered Weighted Averaging (OWA) methods in a forestry management problem. Namely, the application of the proposed framework has been shown in the case study area of the National Park “Fruska Gora” in Serbia. The decision-making problem included five criteria (biodiversity protection, wilderness protection, promotion of tourism, promotion of education function, and sustainable use of natural resources) and four alternatives—management plans (“business as usual”, “eco-tourism”, “protection of natural ecosystems” and “use of natural resources”). The results were focused on proclaiming a winning alternative in a multi-criteria context and have been tested for the different risk attitudes: risk-prone, risk-neutral, and risk-averse. For the risk-prone scenario, the winning alternative was “protection of natural ecosystems”, while the risk-neutral and risk-averse scenarios recognized “eco-tourism” as the winning alternative. The same procedure can be repeated for many other forest management tasks that require multiple criteria setting and risk attitude analysis.
Aeromonas allosaccharophila Strain AE59-TE2 Is Highly Antagonistic towards Multidrug-Resistant Human Pathogens, What Does Its Genome Tell Us?
Authors: Silva Sheila da , Guedes Fernanda Alves de Freitas , Amaral João Ricardo Vidal , Ribeiro José Roberto de Assis , Souza Yuri Pinheiro Alves de , Freitas-Almeida Ângela Correa de , Thompson Fabiano Lopes , Ramos Rommel Thiago Jucá , Whiteley Andrew Steven , Macrae Andrew , Oliveira Selma Soares de
Published: September 2022

Multidrug-resistant bacteria are of critical importance and a problem for human health and food preservation; the discovery of new antimicrobial substances to control their proliferation is part of the solution. This work reports on 57 antagonistic Aeromonas strains, of which 38 strains were antagonistic towards problematic human pathogens. The genome of the most antagonistic strain was sequenced and identified as Aeromonas allosaccharophila. Its genome was fully annotated and mined for genes that might explain that activity. Strain AE59-TE was antagonistic toward clinically relevant gram-negative and gram-positive multidrug-resistant bacteria, including Klebsiella pneumoniae KPC, Escherichia coli ESBL, Salmonella typhimurium, and Staphylococcus aureus MRSA. Strain AE59-TE2 was identified by multilocus sequence analysis. Genome mining identified four genes homologous to the bacteriocin, zoocin A from Streptococcus equi and a gene 98% similar to cvpA linked to colicin V production. A. allosaccharophila strain AE59-TE2 produced antimicrobial activity against a broad range of bacteria, including important gram-negative bacteria, not typically targeted by bacteriocins. Herewere described novel zoocin genes that are promising for industrial applications in the food and health sectors. Interesting and important antagonistic activity is described combined with the first detailed genomic analysis of the species Aeromonas allosaccharophila.
Evaluation of Green Silver Nanoparticles Fabricated by Spirulina platensis Phycocyanin as Anticancer and Antimicrobial Agents
Authors: Soror Abel-Fattah Salah , Ahmed Mai Waled , Hassan Abdalla E. A. , Alharbi Mona , Alsubhi Nouf H. , Al-Quwaie Diana A. , Alrefaei Ghadeer I. , Binothman Najat , Aljadani Majidah , Qahl Safa H. , Jaber Fatima A. , Abdalla Hanan
Published: September 2022

Green nanotechnology has attracted attention worldwide, especially in treating cancer and drug-resistant section 6 microbes. This work aims to investigate the anticancer activity of green silver nanoparticles synthesized by Spirulina platensis phycocyanin (SPAgNPs) on two cancer cell lines: Lung cancer cell line (A-549) and breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), compared to the normal human lung cell line (A138). We also aimed to investigate the bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC29737, Bacillus cereus ATCC11778, Escherichia coli ATCC8379, and Klebsiella pneumonia, as well as the fungicidal activity against Candida albicans (ATCC6019) and Aspergillus niger. The obtained SPAgNPs were spherical and crystalline with a size of 30 nm and a net charge of −26.32 mV. Furthermore, they were surrounded by active groups responsible for stability. The SPAgNPs scavenged 85% of the DPPH radical with a relative increase of approximately 30% over the extract. The proliferation of cancer cells using the MTT assay clarified that both cancer cells (A-549 and MCF-7) are regularly inhibited as they grow on different concentrations of SPAgNPs. The maximum inhibitory effect of SPAgNPs (50 ppm) reached 90.99 and 89.51% against A-549 and MCF7, respectively. Regarding antimicrobial activity, no inhibition zones occurred in bacterial or fungal strains at low concentrations of SPAgNPs and the aqueous Spirulina platensis extract. However, at high concentrations, inhibition zones, especially SPAgNPs, were more potent for all tested microorganisms than their positive controls, with particular reference to Staphylococcus aureus, since the inhibition zones were 3.2, 3.8, and 4.3 mm, and Bacillus cereus was 2.37 mm when compared to tetracycline (2.33 mm). SPAgNPs have more potent antifungal activity, especially against Aspergillus niger, compared to their positive controls. We concluded that SPAgNPs are powerful agents against oxidative stress and microbial infection.
Manipulation of Senescence of Plants to Improve Biotic Stress Resistance
Authors: Barna Balázs
Published: September 2022

The physiological state, i.e., senescence or juvenility, of plants and plant organs can have strong effect on their reactions to pathogen attacks. This effect is mainly expressed as changes in the severity of disease symptoms. Generally, necrotrophic pathogens cause more severe symptoms on senescent than on juvenile plants, while biotrophs prefer juvenile tissues. Several factors of senescence have opposite effect on the two pathogen groups, such as decreased photosynthesis, decreased antioxidant capacity, remobilization of nutrients, changes in plant hormonal network, and in fluidity of cell membranes. Furthermore, senescent tissues are less tolerant to toxins and to cell-wall-degrading enzymes. On the other hand, pathogen infection itself has significant effect on the physiology of plants depending on the lifestyle of the pathogen and on the compatibility or incompatibility of the interaction with the plant. There are several possibilities to manipulate the physiological state of plants in order to improve their biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, such as removal of the terminal bud or high doses of nitrogen, external application of cytokinins or of inhibitors of ethylene action, as well as by spontaneous or directed mutation, in vitro selection, or manipulation by various transgenic approach. Even application of mycorrhiza can inhibit the senescence process of plants and improve their tolerance to stresses.
Lipophilic and Hydrophilic Compounds from Arthrospira platensis and Its Effects on Tissue and Blood Cells—An Overview
Authors: Jung Friedrich , Braune Steffen , Jung Conrad H. G. , Krüger-Genge Anne , Waldeck Peter , Petrick Ingolf , Küpper Jan-Heiner
Published: September 2022

The cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina platensis) is a natural source of considerable amounts of ingredients that are relevant for nutra- and pharmaceutical uses. Different hydrophilic and hydrophobic substances can be obtained by extraction from the biomass. The respective extraction techniques determine the composition of substances in the extract and thus its biological activity. In this short review, we provide an overview of the hydrophilic compounds (phenols, phycobiliproteins, polysaccharides, and vitamins) and lipophilic ingredients (chlorophylls, vitamins, fatty acids, and glycolipids) of Arthrospira platensis. The principal influences of these substances on blood and tissue cells are briefly summarized.
Skin Microbial Changes during Space Flights: A Systematic Review
Authors: Tozzo Pamela , Delicati Arianna , Caenazzo Luciana
Published: September 2022

Background. Sixty years after the launch of the first human into space, different studies on the physiological changes that humans undergo during dynamic flight phases and prolonged weightlessness have been undertaken. Understanding these changes is important for the creation of the preventative measures that are essential to ensuring astronaut health. Among these changes, those of the skin are frequent, despite being rarely treated during missions. The skin is a physical barrier that protects the body from pathogen invasion and environmental changes, and it harbors diverse microbial communities that form the skin microbiota. Methods. A systematic literature review of skin microbiome changes during space flight was conducted using public electronic databases (PubMed and Scopus) selecting studies published from 2015 to 2022. The systematic review was performed according to 2020 PRISMA guidelines. Results. A total of 17 studies were collected and, after screening for inclusion and exclusion criteria, eight studies were included in this review. According to the examined literature, some skin microbiota changes seems to be only temporary, in particular Gamma- and Betaproteobacteria abundance tends to decrease, while the occurrence of the Malassezia species and Firmicutes, including Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, tends to increase. At the same time, there seems to be an exchange of microorganisms between astronauts and between the confined environment and a single astronaut, with alterations in the proportion of microorganisms maintained during the flight, in particular for species such as Corynebacterium spp., Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp. and Cloacibacterium spp. Given that skin contributes both to protecting the body from pathogen invasion and environmental changes and to maintaining human homeostasis, changes in the skin microbiota of astronauts might result in skin diseases. Discussion. The skin microbiota of astronauts seems to influence the microbial composition of the International Space Station, but further studies should be performed to better understand skin microbiota dynamics and to prevent the development of dermatologic conditions during space flight.
Impact of the Temperature in Endophytic Ascomycota Isolated from Antarctic Hair-Grass
Authors: Lucini Fabíola , de Andrade Guilherme Afonso Kessler , Victoria Filipe de Carvalho , de Albuquerque Margéli Pereira
Published: September 2022

Antarctica is one of the most inhospitable continents on the planet, with lichens and mosses being the most common terrestrial organisms in ice-free areas. Antarctica is represented by only two species of Angiosperms, Deschampsia antarctica Desv. (Poaceae) and Colobanthus quitensis (Kunth) Bartl. (Caryophyllaceae). In this study, we characterized fungi isolated from the fresh leaves of this grass species. The fungi were isolated from four individual plants from Half Moon Island (246 leaf fragments investigated), and seven from King George Island-Keller Peninsula (with 111 leaf fragments investigated) Antarctica. Neoascochyta paspali, Septoriella elongata, Pyrenophora cf. chaetomioides and Alternaria sp. were associated with the plant and identified through analysis of the sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) of the rDNA and nuclear ribosomal large subunit rRNA gene (LSU) as well as through macro and micro-morphological characteristics. The isolates showed higher growth rate ranging from 10 to 20 °C. An interesting result was that the aforementioned fungi are already recognized as both plant pathogens and endophytic fungi. The results demonstrate that D. antarctica is an interesting fungal source. Those species might provide important information about the relationship on the endemic Antarctic biota.
Ameliorative Effect of D-Carvone against Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion-Induced Injury in Rats
Authors: Mohamed Maged E. , Younis Nancy S.
Published: September 2022

Background: D-carvone is a monoterpene that exists in the essential oils of several plant species. Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (Hep I/R) takes place clinically during different scenarios of liver pathologies. The aim of the current investigation is to disclose the hepato-protective actions of carvone against Hep I/R-induced damage and to reveal the underlying mechanism. Material and methods: Rats were assigned into five groups: sham and carvone plus sham groups, in which rats were administered either saline or carvone orally for three weeks prior to the induction of Hep I/R. In the Hep I/R group, rats were administered saline orally prior to the Hep I/R induction operation. The carvone 25 plus Hep I/R and Carvone 50 plus Hep I/R groups were administered carvone (25 and 50 mg/kg, respectively) for three weeks, followed by the induction of Hep I/R. Results: Liver ischemic animals demonstrated impaired liver function, several histopathological variations, and reduced levels of antioxidant enzyme activities. Furthermore, the Hep I/R groups showed the elevated gene expression of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), toll-like receptors 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), and LR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLP3), with subsequent escalated adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), neutrophil infiltration, and several inflammatory mediators, including interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), as well as apoptotic markers. Pretreatment with D-carvone alleviated ischemia/reperfusion-induced impaired liver function, diminished the histopathological deviations, and augmented the antioxidant enzymes. In addition, D-carvone mitigated the gene expression of HMGB1, TLR4, NFκB, and NLP3, with a subsequent reduction in ICAM-1, neutrophils infiltration, inflammatory mediators, and apoptotic markers. Conclusion: Rats pretreated with D-carvone exhibited hepato-protective actions against Hep I/R-induced damage via the downregulation of HMGB1, TLR4, NFκB, NLP3, associated inflammatory mediators, and apoptotic markers.
Autophagy Inhibition Enhances Anti-Glioblastoma Effects of Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors
Authors: Jovanović Stojanov Sofija , Kostić Ana , Ljujić Mila , Lupšić Ema , Schenone Silvia , Pešić Milica , Dinić Jelena
Published: September 2022

Drug resistance presents a major obstacle to the successful treatment of glioblastoma. Autophagy plays a key role in drug resistance, particularly in relation to targeted therapy, which has prompted the use of autophagy inhibitors to increase the effectiveness of targeted therapeutics. The ability of two Src tyrosine kinase inhibitors, Si306 and its prodrug pro-Si306, to induce autophagy was evaluated in the human glioblastoma cell line U87 and its multidrug-resistant counterpart U87-TxR. Autophagy markers were assessed by flow cytometry, microscopy, and Western blot, and induction of autophagy by these compounds was demonstrated after 3 h as well as 48 h. The effects of Si306 and pro-Si306 on cell proliferation and cell death were examined in the presence or absence of autophagy inhibition by bafilomycin A1. Combined treatments of Si306 and pro-Si306 with bafilomycin A1 were synergistic in nature, and the inhibition of autophagy sensitized glioblastoma cells to Src tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Si306 and pro-Si306 more strongly inhibited cell proliferation and triggered necrosis in combination with bafilomycin A1. Our findings suggest that modulation of Si306- and pro-Si306-induced autophagy can be used to enhance the anticancer effects of these Src tyrosine kinase inhibitors and overcome the drug-resistant phenotype in glioblastoma cells.
The Predictive Role of Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue in the Pathogenesis of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
Authors: Molnár Viktória , Lakner Zoltán , Molnár András , Tárnoki Dávid László , Tárnoki Ádám Domonkos , Kunos László , Tamás László
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Our aim was to investigate the applicability of artificial intelligence in predicting obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and upper airway obstruction using ultrasound (US) measurements of subcutaneous adipose tissues (SAT) in the regions of the neck, chest and abdomen. Methods: One hundred patients were divided into mild (32), moderately severe-severe (32) OSA and non-OSA (36), according to the results of the polysomnography. These patients were examined using anthropometric measurements and US of SAT and drug-induced sleep endoscopy. Results: Using SAT US and anthropometric parameters, oropharyngeal obstruction could be predicted in 64% and tongue-based obstruction in 72%. In predicting oropharyngeal obstruction, BMI, abdominal and hip circumferences, submental SAT and SAT above the second intercostal space on the left were identified as essential parameters. Furthermore, tongue-based obstruction was predicted mainly by height, SAT measured 2 cm above the umbilicus and submental SAT. The OSA prediction was successful in 97% using the parameters mentioned above. Moreover, other parameters, such as US-based SAT, with SAT measured 2 cm above the umbilicus and both-sided SAT above the second intercostal spaces as the most important ones. Discussion: Based on our results, several categories of OSA can be predicted using artificial intelligence with high precision by using SAT and anthropometric parameters.
Effect of a Proton Pump Inhibitor on the Duodenum Microbiome of Gastric Ulcer Patients
Authors: Lim Jung-Hyun , Shin Jongbeom , Park Jin-Seok
Published: September 2022

The gut microbiota are regarded as a functional organ that plays a substantial role in human health and disease. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely used in medicine but can induce changes in the overall gut microbiome and cause disease-associated dysbiosis. The microbiome of the duodenum has not been sufficiently studied, and the effects of PPIs on the duodenal microbiome are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of PPI administration on duodenum microbiota in patients with a gastric ulcer. A total of 12 gastric ulcer patients were included, and PPI (Ilaprazole, Noltec®, 10 mg) was prescribed in all patients for 4 weeks. A total of 17 samples from the second portion of the duodenum were analyzed. Microbiome compositions were assessed by sequencing the V3–V4 region of the 16s rRNA gene (Miseq). Changes in microbiota compositions after 4 weeks of PPI treatment were analyzed. a-Diversity was higher after PPI treatment (p = 0.02, at Chao1 index), and β-diversity was significantly different after treatment (p = 0.007). Welch’s t-test was used to investigate changes in phyla, genus, and species level, and the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila, belonging to the phylum Verrucomicrobia, and Porphyromonas endodontalis, belonging to the phylum Bacteroidetes, was significantly increased after treatment (p = 0.044 and 0.05). PPI administration appears to induce duodenal microbiome dysbiosis while healing gastric ulcers. Further large-scale studies on the effects of PPIs on the duodenal microbiome are required.
Application of Reichardt’s Solvent Polarity Scale (ET(30)) in the Selection of Bonding Agents for Composite Solid Rocket Propellants
Authors: Cataldo Franco
Published: September 2022

Bonding agents (BA) are key compounding ingredients for the correct formulation of composite solid rocket propellants (CSRP). In particular, the addition of BA is essential to achieve suitable mechanical properties of CSRP in terms of adequate tensile strength and elongation at the break. It is shown that the polarity of each conventional BA as well as new potential BA can be measured through the Reichardt’s ET(30) polarity scale. Using this methodology, it was possible to propose a substitute for MAPO (tris-(methylaziridinyl)-phosphine oxide), a conventional BA with the drawback of high toxicity and high reactivity, with TTPT (tris-(pyrrolidine)-phosphine oxide), a completely safe and effective BA. In this work, several other potential BA were evaluated through the Reichardt’s ET(30) polarity scale but only a selection of the potential BA were effectively tested in a standard CSRP. The evaluation of TTPT vs. MAPO showing the ability of the former BA to match the mechanical properties of the latter BA was particularly interesting. A reasonable correlation between the elongation at break of the CSRP and the ET(30) value of the BA used in the compound was found.
A Review on Magnetorheological Jet Polishing Technique for Microstructured Functional Surfaces
Authors: Song Dunlan , Du Hongguang , Lin Jieqiong , Zhou Xiaoqin , Wang Rongqi
Published: September 2022

The magnetorheological jet polishing (MJP) technique, as a revolutionary flexible contact polishing approach, is exceptionally suitable for the smooth and ultra-smooth machining of functional surfaces with tiny or microstructures due to the following essential advantages. Machine tool accuracy is not required and there is nearly no tool wear in addition to high polishing efficiency, minimal surface damage, great surface shape adaptation, superior material removal process selectivity, and so on. This work examines the machining mechanism, the development of machining devices, and the optimization of the process parameters in MJP. This review also covers the MJP technique’s existing limitations and opportunities.
Lubrication Modelling of Artificial Joint Replacements: Current Status and Future Challenges
Authors: Gao Leiming , Lu Xianjiu , Zhang Xiaogang , Meng Qingen , Jin Zhongmin
Published: September 2022

This paper reviews the recent advancements in computational modelling of the lubrication of hip and knee joint replacements, especially those concerning Professor Duncan Dowson’s contribution. The review starts with the development of modelling the five key parameters that appeared in the pioneered Hamrock–Dowson formula. Then, the theory and approaches for the mixed lubrication in which the artificial hip and knee joint replacements operate are reviewed. We also discuss the current challenges in modelling the lubrication behaviour of joint replacements and how these challenges could be addressed in future studies. These challenges include the mixed lubrication theory, the numerical complexities due to complicated realistic geometry, material and rheology, and individual physiological diversities.
Effect of Substrate Roughness on the Friction and Wear Behaviors of Laser-Induced Graphene Film
Authors: Xue Peidong , Huang Zhiquan , Chen Cheng
Published: September 2022

A rough substrate usually induces severe detriments limiting the performance of anti-friction materials that would lead to an increase in both the friction coefficient and wear rate. In this work, we found that a laser-induced graphene (LIG) film had a good friction adaptability on both mirror-polished and rough Si substrates. The friction coefficient of the LIG increased from 0.11 to 0.24 and the substrate roughness increased from 1.4 nm to 54.8 nm, while the wear life of the LIG was more than 20,000 cycles for both the mirror-polished and rough Si substrates. Optical microscope, Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope analyses revealed a friction mechanism evolution of the LIG films on Si substrates with a different roughness. For the mirror-polished Si substrate, thick and dense graphene nanocrystallite transfer films could form on the counterpart balls, which guaranteed a long and stable wear. For the rough Si substrate, although the asperities on the rough surface would plough the counterpart balls and destabilize the transfer film formation, grooves could effectively store a compressed LIG, benefiting a stable anti-wear performance and reducing the abrasive wear at the friction interface. This work showed that a LIG film had outstanding friction adaptability on Si substrates with a different roughness and that it can be fabricated in a single-step economic process, indicating bright practical prospects in the solid lubrication fields.
Recycling of Cement Industry Waste for Alkali-Activated Materials Production
Authors: Salamanova Madina , Murtazaev Sayd-Alvi , Saidumov Magomed , Alaskhanov Arbi , Murtazaeva Tamara , Fediuk Roman
Published: September 2022

The cement industry is recognized as an environmental nuisance, and so there is a need to not only minimizes the consumption of cement, but also to completely recycle the waste of the cement industry. This paper’s originality lies in the fact that, for the first time, a comprehensive study of the structure formation of alkali-activated materials (AAM) based on aspiration dust and clinker dust has been carried out. The tasks for achieving this goal were to characterize cement production waste as a new binder and comprehensively research the microstructure, fresh, physical, and mechanical properties of alkali-activated material based on a cement-free binder. Grains of cement production waste are represented by coarse volumetric particles with pronounced cleavage, and a clear presence of minerals is observed. The mineral composition of cement production waste is characterized by calcium silicates, which guarantee good binding properties. The results of the X-ray diffraction analysis of the samples (based on the alkaline-activated cement-free binder using clinker dust and aspiration dust) confirmed the presence of calcite, quartz, feldspar close to albite, micas, and zeolites. The obtained products of the chemical interaction of the binder components confirm the effectiveness of the newly developed AAM. As a result of comparing several binders, it was found that the binder based on aspiration dust with Na2SiO3 and Na2SiF6 was the most effective, since, for specimens based on it, a density of 1.8 g/cm3, maximum compressive strength of 50.7 MPa, flexural strength of 5.6 MPa, minimum setting time (starting at 24 min and ending at 36 min), and water absorption of 12.8 wt. % were obtained. The research results will be of interest to specialists in the construction industry since the proposed recipes for eco-friendly, alkali-activated materials are an alternative to expensive and energy-intensive Portland cement, and they provide for the creation of strong and durable concrete and reinforced concrete composites.
Characterization of Fatigue Crack Growth Based on Acoustic Emission Multi-Parameter Analysis
Authors: Chai Mengyu , Lai Chuanjing , Xu Wei , Duan Quan , Zhang Zaoxiao , Song Yan
Published: September 2022

In engineering structures that are subject to cyclic loading, monitoring and assessing fatigue crack growth (FCG) plays a crucial role in ensuring reliability. In this study, the acoustic emission (AE) technique was used to monitor the FCG behavior of 2.25Cr1Mo0.25V steel in real-time. Specifically, an AE multi-parameter analysis was conducted to qualitatively assess the crack growth condition and quantitatively correlate the crack growth rate with AE. Various AE parameters were extracted from AE signals, and the performances of different AE parameters were analyzed and discussed. The results demonstrated that four stages of FCG, which correspond to macrocrack initiation, stable crack growth with low crack growth rate, stable crack growth with high crack growth rate, and unstable crack growth, are distinctly identified by several AE time domain parameters. The sudden and continuous occurrence of many AE signals with high count (>100) and high energy (>40 mV·ms) can provide early and effective warning signs for accelerated crack growth before final failure occurs. Moreover, linear correlations between crack growth rate and different AE parameters are established for quantifying crack growth. Based on the AE multi-parameter analysis, it was found that the count, energy, and kurtosis are superior AE parameters for both qualitatively and quantitatively characterizing the FCG in 2.25Cr1Mo0.25V steel. Results from this research provide an AE strategy based on multi-parameter analysis for effective monitoring and assessment of FCG in engineering materials.
A Novel Robotic Manipulator Concept for Managing the Winding and Extraction of Yarn Coils
Authors: Costa Rúben , Sousa Vitor F. C. , Silva Francisco J. G. , Campilho Raul , Pinto Arnaldo G. , Ferreira Luís P. , Soares Rui
Published: September 2022

Wire rope manufacturing is an old industry that maintains its place in the market due to the need for products with specific characteristics in different sectors. The necessity for modernization and performance improvement in this industry, where there is still a high amount of labor dedicated to internal logistics operations, led to the development of a new technology method, to overcome uncertainties related to human behaviour and fatigue. The removal of successive yarn coils from a twisting and winding machine, as well as cutting the yarn and connecting the other end to the shaft in order to proceed with the process, constitutes the main problem. As such, a mobile automatic system was created for this process, due to its automation potential, with a project considering the design of a 3D model. This novel robotic manipulator increased the useful production time and decreased the winding coil removal cycle time, resulting in a more competitive, fully automated product with the same quality. This system has led to better productivity and reliability of the manufacturing process, eliminating manual labor and its cost, as in previously developed works in other industries.
Integrated Control for Path Tracking and Stability Based on the Model Predictive Control for Four-Wheel Independently Driven Electric Vehicles
Authors: Xie Yunfeng , Li Cong , Jing Hui , An Weibiao , Qin Junji
Published: September 2022

Four-wheel independently driven electric vehicles are prone to rollover when driving at high speeds on high-adhesion roads and to sideslip on low-adhesion roads, increasing the risks associated with such vehicles. To solve this problem, this study proposes a path tracking and stability-integrated controller based on a model predictive control algorithm. First, a vehicle planar dynamics model and a roll dynamics model are established, and the lateral velocity, yaw rate, roll angle, and roll angle velocity of the vehicle are estimated based on an unscented Kalman filter. The lateral stiffness of the tires is estimated online according to the real-time feedback state of the vehicle. Then, the path tracking controller, roll stability controller, and lateral stability controller are designed. An integrated control strategy is designed for the path tracking and stability, and the conditions and coordination strategies for the vehicle roll and lateral stability state in the path tracking are studied. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can effectively limit the lateral load transfer rate on high-adhesion roads and the sideslip angle on low-adhesion roads at high speeds. Hence, the driving stability of the vehicle under different road adhesion coefficients can be ensured and the path tracking performance can be improved.
A Two-Stage Method for Weak Feature Extraction of Rolling Bearing Combining Cyclic Wiener Filter with Improved Enhanced Envelope Spectrum
Authors: Jia Lianhui , Jiang Lijie , Wen Yongliang
Published: September 2022

Due to the interference of various strong background signals, it is often difficult to extract effective features by using conventional methods such as envelope spectrum analysis when early weak fault arises in rolling bearing. Inspired by the current two main research directions of weak fault diagnosis of rolling bearing, that is, the enhancement of impulse features of faulty vibration signal through vibration analysis and the selection of fault information sensitive frequency band for further envelope spectrum analysis, and based on the second-order cyclostationary characteristic of the vibration signal of faulty bearing, a two-stage method for weak feature extraction of rolling bearing combining cyclic Wiener filter with improved enhanced envelope spectrum (IEES) is proposed in the paper. Firstly, the original vibration signal of the rolling bearing’s early weak fault is handled by cyclic Wiener filter exploiting the spectral coherence (SCoh) theory and the noise components are filtered out. Then, SCoh is applied on the filtered signal. Subsequently, an IEES method obtained by integrating over the selected fault information sensitive spectral frequency band of the SCoh spectral is used to extract the fault features. The innovation of the proposed method is to fully excavate the advantages of cyclic Wiener filter and IEES simultaneously. The feasibility of the proposed method is verified by simulation firstly, and vibration signals collected from accelerated bearing degradation tests and engineering machines are used to further verify its effectiveness. Additionally, its superiority over the other state-of-the-art methods is also compared.
Synchronous Integration Method of System and Simulation Models for Mechatronic Systems Based on SysML
Authors: Chu Changyong , Yin Chengfang , Su Shaohui , Chen Chang
Published: September 2022

System architecture could be described clearly and unambiguously by a descriptive system model during the system-level design of mechatronic products. However, for system verification, it is necessary to integrate the system modeling tools and simulation tools for analysis. Most of the existing integration methods focus on the integration in the physical architecture phase of the system model. A model integration framework that can integrate simulation into the logical architecture phase of the entire model for synchronous model verification is proposed in this paper. In the integration process, a Model-to-Text method is employed for information extraction and model transformation from the SysML model to the simulation model. The system model can be transformed by reusing and updating the generated simulation model through the framework for model verification. A framework with the Simulink model as the transformation target is constructed as an example in this paper, and the capability of this framework is verified by a design process of a quadruped robot. The result shows that this framework can realize the system design paradigm of integrating system verification for the entire logical architecture, which can improve the design efficiency and provide a reference for other system design and integration work.
Simulation and Post-Processing for Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS)
Authors: Dollorenzo Matteo , Dodde Vincenzo , Giannoccaro Nicola Ivan , Palermo Davide
Published: September 2022

Considering the continuous development in the automotive sector and autonomous driving technology, it is necessary to conduct continuous research to identify the main points that can allow continuous improvement of system autonomy. In addition to designing new components, an important aspect is characterizing the test procedures uniformly. The present work is related to analyzing the testing phases of a vehicle concerning the post-processing of the tests, using suitable software and routines, and creating an overall summary report that includes information on the type of instrumentation and type of test and post-processing results. The paper proposes the generation of an innovative tool designed to improve the generation capacity of test maneuvers for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADASs) and to automate the collection and analysis phase of data relating to tests for a Lane System’s Support System (LSS), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), and Car to Pedestrian Nearside Child (CPNC) comply with Euro NCAP LSS 3.0.2, Euro NCAP AEB C2C 3.0.2 and UNECE R-152. The goal was achieved with the collaboration of the company Nardò Technical Center S.r.l. The entire post-processing routine was developed from data relating to experimental tests carried out in the company.
A Hybrid-Excitation Synchronous Motor with a Change in Polarity
Authors: Contò Chiara , Bianchi Nicola
Published: September 2022

The hybrid-excitation permanent magnet (HEPM) motor is a synchronous motor characterized by a rotor that includes both permanent magnets and excitation windings. Thus, an active change in the magnetic flux by means of the excitation current is possible. In particular, the hybrid-excited rotor studied in this paper can be used to change the number of poles of the rotor itself. At the same time, the stator winding is also designed to perform a polarity change. The change in polarity allows users to obtain different torque versus speed characteristics with the same motor. In particular, a configuration with a lower pole number exhibits low torque at high speeds, while a configuration with a higher pole number produces high torque at low speeds. In this way, a single HEPM motor behaves like two different machines, extending the usual operating speed range of synchronous motors. In this paper, an HEPM rotor configuration is designed, and its performance is analyzed through finite element electromagnetic and thermal simulations.
Degeneration Effects of Thin-Film Sensors after Critical Load Conditions of Machine Components
Authors: Ottermann Rico , Steppeler Tobias , Dencker Folke , Wurz Marc Christopher
Published: September 2022

In the context of intelligent components in industrial applications in the automotive, energy or construction sector, sensor monitoring is crucial for security issues and to avoid long and costly downtimes. This article discusses component-inherent thin-film sensors for this purpose, which, in contrast to conventional sensor technology, can be applied inseparably onto the component’s surface via sputtering, so that a maximum of information about the component’s condition can be generated, especially regarding deformation. This article examines whether the sensors can continue to generate reliable measurement data even after critical component loads have been applied. This extends their field of use concerning plastic deformation behavior. Therefore, any change in sensor properties is necessary for ongoing elastic strain measurements. These novel fundamentals are established for thin-film constantan strain gauges and platinum temperature sensors on steel substrates. In general, a k-factor decrease and an increase in the temperature coefficient of resistance with increasing plastic deformation could be observed until a sensor failure above 0.5% plastic deformation (constantan) occurred (1.3% for platinum). Knowing these values makes it possible to continue measuring elastic strains after critical load conditions on a machine component in terms of plastic deformation. Additionally, a method of sensor-data fusion for the clear determination of plastic deformation and temperature change is presented.
Cosmological Phase Transitions—EWPT-QCDPT: Magnetic Field Creation
Authors: Kisslinger Leonard S.
Published: September 2022

We review the cosmic microwave background (CMBR) estimate of ordinary matter, dark matter and dark energy in the universe. Then, we review the cosmological electroweak (EWPT) and quantum chromodynamics (QCDPT) phase transitions. During both the EWPT and QCDPT, bubbles form and collide, producing magnetic fields. We review dark matter produced during the EWPT and the estimate of dark matter via galaxy rotation.
OADE-Net: Original and Attention-Guided DenseNet-Based Ensemble Network for Person Re-Identification Using Infrared Light Images
Authors: Jeong Min Su , Jeong Seong In , Kang Seon Jong , Ryu Kyung Bong , Park Kang Ryoung
Published: September 2022

Recently, research on the methods that use images captured during day and night times has been actively conducted in the field of person re-identification (ReID). In particular, ReID has been increasingly performed using infrared (IR) images captured at night and red-green-blue (RGB) images, in addition to ReID, which only uses RGB images captured during the daytime. However, insufficient research has been conducted on ReID that only uses IR images because their color and texture information cannot be identified easily. This study thus proposes an original and attention-guided DenseNet-based ensemble network (OADE-Net)—a ReID model that can recognize pedestrians using only IR images captured during the day and night times. The OADE-Net consists of the original and attention-guided DenseNets and a shallow convolutional neural network for the ensemble network (SCE-Net), which is a model used for combining the two models. Owing to the lack of existing open datasets that only consist of IR images, the experiments are conducted by creating a new dataset that only consists of IR images retrieved from two open databases (DBPerson-Recog-DB1 and SYSU-MM01). The experimental results of the OADE-Net showed that the achieved ReID accuracy of the DBPerson-Recog-DB1 is 79.71% in rank 1, while the mean average precision (mAP) is 78.17%. Furthermore, an accuracy of 57.30% is achieved in rank 1 in the SYSU-MM01 case, whereas the accuracy of the mAP was 41.50%. Furthermore, the accuracy of the OADE-Net in both datasets is higher than that of the existing score-level fusion and state-of-the-art methods.
Casorati Inequalities for Spacelike Submanifolds in Sasaki-like Statistical Manifolds with Semi-Symmetric Metric Connection
Authors: Decu Simona
Published: September 2022

In this paper, we establish some inequalities between the normalized δ-Casorati curvatures and the scalar curvature (i.e., between extrinsic and intrinsic invariants) of spacelike statistical submanifolds in Sasaki-like statistical manifolds, endowed with a semi-symmetric metric connection. Moreover, we study the submanifolds satisfying the equality cases of these inequalities. We also present an appropriate example.
Anti-Forcing Spectra of Convex Hexagonal Systems
Authors: Zhang Yaxian , Zhang Bo , Zhang Heping
Published: September 2022

For any perfect matching M of a graph AG, the anti-forcing number of M af(G,M) is the cardinality of a minimum edge subset S⊆E(G)\M such that the graph G−S has only one perfect matching. The anti-forcing numbers of all perfect matchings of G form its anti-forcing spectrum, denoted by Specaf(G). For a convex hexagonal system O(n1,n2,n3) with n1≤n2≤n3, denoted by H, it has the minimum anti-forcing number n1. In this paper, we derive a formula for its maximum anti-forcing number Af(H), i.e., the Fries number. Next, we prove that [n1,c]∪{c+2,c+4,…,Af(H)−2,Af(H)}⊆Specaf(H) for the specific integer c with the same parity as Af(H). In particular, we obtain that if n1+n2−n3≤1, then c=Af(H), which implies that Specaf(H)=[n1,Af(H)] is an integer interval. Finally, we also give some non-continuous situations: Specaf(O(2,n,n))=[2,4n−2]\{4n−3} for n≥2; the anti-forcing spectrum of H has a gap Af(H)−1 for n1=n2≥2 and n3 even, or n2=n3 and n1≥2 even.
Network Thermodynamics-Based Scalable Compartmental Model for Multi-Strain Epidemics
Authors: Pateras Joseph , Vaidya Ashwin , Ghosh Preetam
Published: September 2022

SARS-CoV-2 continues to upend human life by posing novel threats related to disease spread and mutations. Current models for the disease burden of SARS-CoV-2 consider the aggregate nature of the virus without differentiating between the potency of its multiple strains. Hence, there is a need to create a fundamental modeling framework for multi-strain viruses that considers the competing viral pathogenic pathways. Alongside the consideration that other viral pathogens may coexist, there is also a need for a generalizable modeling framework to account for multiple epidemics (i.e., multi-demics) scenarios, such as influenza and COVID-19 occurring simultaneously. We present a fundamental network thermodynamics approach for assessing, determining, and predicting viral outbreak severity, which extends well-known standard epidemiological models. In particular, we use historical data from New York City’s 2011–2019 influenza seasons and SARS-CoV-2 spread to identify the model parameters. In our model-based analysis, we employ a standard susceptible–infected–recovered (SIR) model with pertinent generalizations to account for multi-strain and multi-demics scenarios. We show that the reaction affinities underpinning the formation processes of our model can be used to categorize the severity of infectious or deceased populations. The spontaneity of occurrence captured by the change in Gibbs free energy of reaction (∆G) in the system suggests the stability of forward occurring population transfers. The magnitude of ∆G is used to examine past influenza outbreaks and infer epidemiological factors, such as mortality and case burden. This method can be extrapolated for wide-ranging utility in computational epidemiology. The risk of overlapping multi-demics seasons between influenza and SARS-CoV-2 will persist as a significant threat in forthcoming years. Further, the possibility of mutating strains requires novel ways of analyzing the network of competing infection pathways. The approach outlined in this study allows for the identification of new stable strains and the potential increase in disease burden from a complex systems perspective, thereby allowing for a potential response to the significant question: are the effects of a multi-demic greater than the sum of its individual viral epidemics?