bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Tomato Paste By-Product Extract on Growth Performance and Blood Parameters in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)
Authors: Kesbiç Osman Sabri , Acar Ümit , Hassaan Mohamed Shaban , Yılmaz Sevdan , Guerrera Maria Cristina , Fazio Francesco
Published: December 2022

This research examined different growth performances and blood parameters of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) consuming diets supplemented with tomato paste by-product extract (TPE). Five diets with different concentrations of TPEs, 0% (TPE0) 0.5% (TPE0.5), 1% (TPE1), 2% (TPE2), and 5% (TPE5) were supplied to 300 common carp (8.38 ± 0.18 g) (60 fish per group) each day during the 60-day feeding trial. The relative and specific growth rates of fish-fed supplemental diets increased significantly, while the feed conversion ratio significantly decreased (p < 0.05). TPE considerably increased the erythrocyte count (RBC), hemoglobin content (Hb), and hematocrit (Hct) (p < 0.05), according to hematological analyses of blood samples collected after the feeding experiment. The blood biochemical findings indicate that using 1% or more extracts considerably reduced the serum glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride ratios while significantly increasing the total protein, albumin, and globulin ratios in common carp (p < 0.05). Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that the 2% extract generated from tomato paste by-products in common carp diets could be utilized as a growth-promoting product without any negative effects on blood parameters linked to feeding in carp.
Monitoring Behaviors of Broiler Chickens at Different Ages with Deep Learning
Authors: Guo Yangyang , Aggrey Samuel E. , Wang Peng , Oladeinde Adelumola , Chai Lilong
Published: December 2022

Animal behavior monitoring allows the gathering of animal health information and living habits and is an important technical means in precision animal farming. To quickly and accurately identify the behavior of broilers at different days, we adopted different deep learning behavior recognition models. Firstly, the top-view images of broilers at 2, 9, 16 and 23 days were obtained. In each stage, 300 images of each of the four broilers behaviors (i.e., feeding, drinking, standing, and resting) were segmented, totaling 4800 images. After image augmentation processing, 10,200 images were generated for each day including 8000 training sets, 2000 validation sets, and 200 testing sets. Finally, the performance of different convolutional neural network models (CNN) in broiler behavior recognition at different days was analyzed. The results show that the overall performance of the DenseNet-264 network was the best, with the accuracy rates of 88.5%, 97%, 94.5%, and 90% when birds were 2, 9, 16 and 23 days old, respectively. In addition, the efficient channel attention was introduced into the DenseNet-264 network (ECA-DenseNet-264), and the results (accuracy rates: 85%, 95%, 92%, 89.5%) confirmed that the DenseNet-264 network was still the best overall. The research results demonstrate that it is feasible to apply deep learning technology to monitor the behavior of broilers at different days.
Solvent-Free Microwave Extraction of Essential Oils from Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. at Different Harvesting Times and Their Skin-Whitening Cosmetic Potential
Authors: Qiu Yufei , Wang Yong , Li Ying
Published: December 2022

Litsea cubeba fruit, which has the highest content of essential oils in the plant, is an important woody oil plant resource. In this study, the influence of the solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME) and hydrodistillation (HD) techniques on the extraction of L. cubeba fruit essential oils was investigated in terms of yield, kinetics, and chemical composition, where the former conditions were optimized by the response surface design. The maximal essential oil yield was obtained under the optimal SFME process conditions (442 W and 24 min), where the irradiation time was the most important variable (p < 0.0001). Regardless of the extraction method used, the influence of harvesting time on L. cubeba fruit essential oils were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed afterwards, where the SFME essential oil from July showed its superiority over the others regarding its higher extraction yield and better bioactivities. Compared with the HD method, the SFME approach could significantly enhance the yield of essential oils extracted from June to August by nearly 47% with the advantages of saving energy and low environmental impact. Interestingly, the SFME method could selectively extract monoterpene hydrocarbons such as D-limonene with relation to different compositions and bioactivities. Moreover, SFME essential oil showed a better inhibitory effect on tyrosinase and melanogenesis, indicating its skin-whitening potential as a new promising natural cosmetic ingredient.
Effect of Robot Motion Accuracy on Surface Form during Computer-Controlled Optical Surfacing Process
Authors: Chen Yong-Tong , Liu Mingyu , Cao Zhong-Chen
Published: December 2022

Nowadays, large-aperture optical components are increasingly used in high-power laser systems, remote-sensing satellites, and space-based astronomical telescopes. Fabricating these surfaces with submicron-scale shape accuracy and a nanoscale surface finish has been a great challenge for the optical industry, especially for hard and difficult-to-machine materials. Thus, to achieve the high-efficiency and high-precision polishing of large-aperture aspherical optical parts, this study combined robotic machining technology with computer-controlled optical surfacing (CCOS) technology and investigated the effect of robot motion accuracy on the surface topography of workpieces during polishing. First, a material removal model considering the normal error of the polishing tool was developed based on contact mechanics, kinematic theory, and the abrasion mechanism. Next, in combination with the polishing trajectory, the surface morphology and form accuracy after polishing were predicted under different normal-error conditions. Then, preliminary experiments were conducted to verify the model. The experimental data agreed with the simulation results, showing that as the normal error increased from 0° to 0.5° and 1°, the peak-to-valley (PV) values of the surface profile of the optical element decreased from 5.42, 5.28, and 4.68 μm to 3.97, 4.09, and 4.43 μm, respectively. The corresponding convergence rates were 26.8%, 22.5%, and 5.3%. The root mean square (RMS) values decreased from 0.754, 0.895, and 0.678 μm to 0.593, 0.620, and 0.583 μm, with corresponding convergence rates of 21.4%, 30.7% and 14.0%, respectively. Moreover, a higher motion accuracy enabled the polishing robot to reduce the mid- and high-frequency errors of the optical element.
Novel Feature Extraction Method for Detecting Malicious MQTT Traffic Using Seq2Seq
Authors: Choi Sunoh , Cho Jaehyuk
Published: December 2022

Owing to their wide application, Internet of Things systems have been the target of malicious attacks. These attacks included DoS, flood, SlowITe, malformed, and brute-force attacks. A dataset that includes these attacks was recently released. However, the attack detection accuracy reported in previous studies has not been satisfactory because the studies used too many features that are not important in detecting malicious message queue telemetry transport (MQTT) traffic. Therefore, this study aims to analyze these attacks. Herein, a novel feature extraction method is proposed that includes the source port index, TCP length, MQTT message type, keep alive, and connection acknowledgment. The attacks were classified using the Seq2Seq model. During the experiment, the accuracy of the proposed method was 99.97%, which is 7.33% higher than that of previously reported methods.
Comparative Analysis of Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Techniques for Outdoor Heat Stress Mitigation
Authors: Qureshi Aiman Mazhar , Rachid Ahmed
Published: December 2022

Decision making is the process of making choices by organizing relevant information and evaluating alternatives. MCDMs (Multi-Criteria Decision Methods) help to select and prioritize alternatives step by step. These tools can help in many engineering fields where the problem is complex and advanced. However, there are some limitations of the different MCDMs that reduce the reliability of the decision that needs to be improved and highlighted. In this study, Elimination and Choice Expressing Reality (ELECTRE) NI (Net Inferior), NS (Net Superior), Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solutions (TOPSIS), Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluation (PROMETHEE), VIekriterijumsko KOmpromisno Rangiranje (VIKOR), Multi-Objective Optimization Ratio Analysis (MOORA), Weight Sum Method (WSM) and Weighted Product Method (WPM) are applied for the selection of urban heat mitigation measurements under certain criteria. The models were applied using weighting criteria determined by two ways, (i) the direct weighting method and (ii) the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), for precise weighting factoring through pairwise comparison. This numerical research evaluated the reliability of MCDMs using the same decision matrix under different normalization techniques and shows the impact of AHP on the decision. The results show that WSM and PROMETHEE provided reliable and consistent results for all normalization techniques. The combination of AHP with applied MCDMs improved the frequency of consistent ranking, except with ELECTRE-NS.
Dispatching Strategy for Low-Carbon Flexible Operation of Park-Level Integrated Energy System
Authors: Meng Qinglin , Zu Guoqiang , Ge Leijiao , Li Shengwei , Xu Liang , Wang Rui , He Kecheng , Jin Shangting
Published: December 2022

In the face of the dual crisis of energy shortages and global warming, the vigorous development of renewable energy represented by wind-solar energy is a significant approach towards achieving energy transition, carbon peaking, and carbon neutrality goals. Targeting the park-level integrated energy system (PIES) with high penetration of wind-solar energy, we propose a day-ahead dispatching strategy that takes into account the flexible supply and the reward-punishment ladder-type carbon trading mechanism (RPLTCTM). Firstly, RPLTCTM and carbon capture equipment (CCE) are considered in the dispatching model, and the mechanism of coordinated operation of CCE and RPLTCTM is explored to further improve the system’s ability to restrain carbon emissions. Secondly, power-based flexibility indicators (PFIs) are adopted to quantitatively evaluate the flexibility supply, and based on the load demand response characteristics, the dispatchable resources on the load side are guided to improve the system’s operation flexibility. On this basis, a multi-objective optimal dispatching model that takes into account the carbon emission cost, energy cost, and flexibility supply are constructed, and the original problem is transformed into a mixed-integer single-objective linear problem through mathematical equivalence and flexibility cost. Finally, simulation examples validate that the economy, flexibility, and low-carbon level of the dispatching plan can be synergistically improved by the proposed strategy.
Reliability Analysis of Concrete Gravity Dams Based on Least Squares Support Vector Machines with an Improved Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Wang Shida , Xu Bo , Zhu Zhenhao , Li Jing , Lu Junyi
Published: December 2022

A reliability analysis method based on least squares support vector machines with an improved particle swarm optimization algorithm (IPSO-LSSVM) is proposed to calculate the reliability of concrete gravity dams when explicit nonlinear limit-state functions are difficult to obtain accurately. First, the main failure modes of concrete gravity dams and their influencing factors are determined. Second, Latin hypercube sampling is used to create samples. A finite element calculation batch program of concrete gravity dams is written to calculate the safety indexes of each sample. Third, based on the samples, the IPSO-LSSVM model is established to replace the finite element calculation. Finally, the failure probability of concrete gravity dams is obtained by using the Monte Carlo (MC) method. The case study for a typical concrete gravity dam in the Yunnan Province of China shows that the dam is reliable because the failure probability is 8.87 × 10−5. The proposed reliability analysis method is efficient and feasible for calculating the reliability of concrete gravity dams.
An Improved Self-Born Weighted Least Square Method for Cylindricity Error Evaluation
Authors: Yao Yunhan , Zhang Ke
Published: December 2022

In order to improve the stability of the evaluation results and the gross error resistance of the algorithm in view of the widespread gross errors in geometric error evaluation, an improved self-born weighted least square method (ISWLS) is proposed in this paper. First, the nonlinear cylindrical axial model is linearized to establish the error equation of the observed values. We use the conditional equations of the independent observations found as valid information to derive the weights of the observations. The weights of the observations are subjected to least-square iteration to calculate the error values and equation parameters. Meanwhile, the ordinal numbers of the independent sets of equations in the observed equations are updated several times. By updating the ordinal number information of the conditional equations, the influence of gross error data on the solution of the equations is minimized. Through a series of experiments, the algorithm is proved to have a strong resistance to gross differences, and operation time is shorter. According to the evaluation results of cylindricity error, the uncertainty of cylindricity error was calculated by the Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement method (GUM)and the Monte Carlo method (MCM). Experiments show that the uncertainty results of the MCM method can verify the results assessed by the GUM method, which proves that the results of the ISWLS method are effective and robust.
Flexural Performance of Steel Bar Reinforced Sea Sand Concrete Beams Exposed to Tidal Environment
Authors: Chen Zongping , Pang Yunsheng , Zhou Ji , Liang Ying
Published: December 2022

The advancement of marine engineering has brought close attention to the durability of concrete structures. In order to investigate the time-varying performance of reinforced concrete beams in a marine environment and to better apply sea sand directly in marine engineering, this paper describes tests and analysis on the flexural performance of reinforced sea sand concrete beams after being exposed to a tidal environment. Eight beams were tested using four-point static loading equipment. The variation parameters included the type of mixing water, longitudinal reinforcement rate, sea sand replacement rate and duration of service. The force damage process and damage pattern were observed. The load–maximum width crack curve and load–deflection curve were obtained. The effects of each variation parameter on the mechanical properties such as ultimate bearing capacity, initial rigidity, energy dissipation coefficient and ductility coefficient were analyzed. The test results show that compared with the specimens exposed to the tidal environment for 90 days, the peak load of the specimens decreased by 5.6%, the initial rigidity decreased by 60.9% and the ductility coefficient decreased by 41% after 270 days of exposure, while the peak deflection and energy dissipation indexes first increased and then decreased. The seawater mixing can enhance the peak load and cracking load of the specimens, but the initial rigidity, peak deflection, energy dissipation coefficient and ductility coefficient of the specimens are reduced to some extent. The initial rigidity of the specimens tended to increase with the increase in the sea sand replacement, but the peak load decreased. Under the same reinforcement rate, reducing the diameter of the reinforcement is beneficial to improve the initial rigidity of the specimen, while using the reinforcement with higher elongation can effectively enhance the peak deflection of the specimen. Based on the Chinese code, the calculation method of flexural bearing capacity with modified concrete strength is proposed, and the calculation results are in good agreement with the test results.
Grating-like Terahertz Metasurface for Large-Deflection-Angle Beam Manipulations
Authors: Fu Yuan , Fu Xiaojian , Shi Lei , Cui Tie Jun
Published: December 2022

Multifunctional terahertz beam manipulations have attracted much attention because of the potential for wide-scale applications in terahertz imaging, communications, etc. In this work, a grating-like terahertz reflective-type metasurface is designed for terahertz beam manipulations on the basis of a frequency-scanning mechanism. The theoretical calculation based on the grating principle has predicted that the metasurface grating can steer the deflected beam from 59.5° to 47.3° as the frequency of the perpendicularly incident terahertz wave changes between 0.87 and 1.02 THz. The large-deflection-angle frequency-scanning performance is validated by both numerical simulations and experimental tests. The metasurface grating developed in this work possesses the potential for applications in terahertz beam steering and beam-splitting devices.
An Algorithm of Acoustic Emission Location for Complex Composite Structure
Authors: Liu Peixun , Guo Yanshuang , Zhuo Yanqun , Qi Wenbo , Feng Jiahui , Chen Hao , Chen Shunyun
Published: December 2022

Acoustic emission (AE) is widely used in engineering and rock mechanics. The algorithm of AE location based on homogeneous medium or single velocity structure is confronted with lower accuracy when it is applied to the actual working conditions that are prevailing complicated and heterogeneous. In this paper, an AE location algorithm based on complex composite structure (CCS) is proposed via carrying out the following studies: (1) A new travel time calculation scheme suitable for CCS with step-like velocity change is proposed based on an optimized shortest path algorithm. By doing this, a reasonable ray path that is only deflected at the interface is obtained to improve the travel time accuracy. The time complexity of the new algorithm is O(nlog2n). (2) The availability of the new algorithm is verified via a theoretical analysis under a one-dimensional velocity structure as well as an AE experiment using a complex structure under artificial excitation. (3) The AE location during the failure of a simulated CCS in the laboratory indicates that the new algorithm can effectively calculate the travel time and ray path of the sample.
Comparison of Media Company Performance Efficiency Based on the Search Engine’s Method of Providing News Content (External Links vs. Internal Links)
Authors: Cho Yongsun , Lee Daeho , Park Inyoung
Published: December 2022

The conflict between the search engine and the news media industries has become a fierce dispute. News media companies produce news content and receive advertising and subscription fees, however, search engines that select and place content that they did not create themselves do not pay copyright fees, depending on the situation. We focused on search engines that use two hyperlink methods (external links vs. internal links) to deliver news content to consumers and analyzed how the two hyperlink methods affect the technical efficiency of media companies. Still, there have been few empirical studies on the performance efficiency of news media companies depending on how search engines provide news content. Analyzing by meta-frontier production function, the result shows when news services are provided through internal links, media companies are strongly constrained under the influence of search engines regardless of the companies’ size, financial status, and reputation. However, if a media company can provide a suitable user interface and high-quality content to consumers, the external link strategy can be competitive with the internal link strategy. The result of this study can be a starting point for resolving conflicts between search engines and the media industry.
The Value of “Values”: A Case Study on the Design of Value-Inclusive Multimedia Content for the Menorah Artefact Collection at the Hecht Museum, Haifa, Israel
Authors: Goud Srushti , Lombardo Vincenzo , Kuflik Tsvi , Wecker Alan
Published: December 2022

Cultural heritage (CH) values are important for understanding the significance of heritage assets. For that reason, the presentation of CH should go beyond providing factual information. It should reflect relevant values that are held by the curators, the heritage experts and the communities of non-expert citizen stakeholders. Associating values with the information content in a CH communication product is a challenging task. Digital technologies require special attention to communicate values along with heritage information to achieve meaningful and impactful communication. In this paper, we focus on a socio-technological framework for the integration of values into the information content provided to visitors. We have designed, applied and evaluated an eight-stage process for the inclusion of CH values in the information content and their communication to museum visitors. It has been applied at the Hecht Museum, located at the University of Haifa, Israel, where museum artefacts are currently presented to the visitors with informational panels that have been designed without any attention to values. Two digital applications, built by applying the eight-stage process, were developed. One was designed to cover the information and heritage values already available within the museum descriptions. The other was developed by following the suggested process, which accounts for values that were collected through a review of the literature, interviews with experts and interactions with non-experts. The two applications were tested, iterated and evaluated to assess the impact of value inclusion. Results show that both visitors and experts appreciated the value-enhanced communication. The evaluation of user feedback has further substantiated the creation of content that is inclusive of CH values, for the communication of museum artefacts.
Analysis of Truck Tractor Tire Damage in the Context of the Study of Road Accident Causes
Authors: Drozd Kazimierz , Tarkowski Sławomir , Caban Jacek , Nieoczym Aleksander , Vrábel Jan , Krzysiak Zbigniew
Published: December 2022

There are many accidents in road traffic involving both heavy goods vehicles and passenger vehicles, and the interpretation of the causes of some accidents can be very difficult. The paper presents the results of an analysis of the road accident causes involving a truck and two passenger cars. The hypothesis was verified that the incident took place after the damage to the front wheel of the truck, which resulted in an uncontrolled change of the direction of its travel and leaving the lane in the opposite direction of the passenger cars. The damaged tire was inspected, and traces were described in the form of cracks on the side surface, irregular abrasion on the central part of the side surface and near the bead, as well as deformations resulting from damage to the cord. The thesis was made that the tire cracked as a result of its material structure defects. In order to verify it, bench tests were carried out on the deformation of the tire sidewall at various load conditions, which simulated driving with too little air pressure in the tire. Detailed studies of the fracture of the tire sidewall and the wires that make up its steel cord were carried out. Macroscopic examination of the cord wires on eight samples revealed the presence of corrosion changes that should not occur under normal operating conditions. The results of the research work indicate that tire rupture was caused by delamination of the material coatings and corrosion of the steel cord wires. These defects could have arisen due to the earlier cracking of the rubber layer and the ingress of moisture or as a result of the use of corroded steel cord wires in tire production. In the analyzed case, the driver could not regain control of the vehicle and avoid a collision with oncoming vehicles.
An Effective Rainfall–Ponding Multi-Step Prediction Model Based on LSTM for Urban Waterlogging Points
Authors: Liu Yongzhi , Zhang Wenting , Yan Ying , Li Zhixuan , Xia Yulin , Song Shuhong
Published: December 2022

With the change in global climate and environment, the prevalence of extreme rainstorms and flood disasters has increased, causing serious economic and property losses. Therefore, accurate and rapid prediction of waterlogging has become an urgent problem to be solved. In this study, Jianye District in Nanjing City of China is taken as the study area. The time series data recorded by rainfall stations and ponding monitoring stations from January 2015 to August 2018 are used to build a ponding prediction model based on the long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network. MSE (mean square error), MAE (mean absolute error) and MSLE (mean squared logarithmic error) were used as loss functions to conduct and train the LSTM model, then three ponding prediction models were built, namely LSTM (mse), LSTM (mae) and LSTM (msle), and a multi-step model was used to predict the depth of ponding in the next 1 h. Using the measured ponding data to evaluate the model prediction results, we selected rmse (root mean squared error), mae, mape (mean absolute percentage error) and NSE (Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient) as the evaluation indicators. The results showed that LSTM (msle) was the best model among the three models, with evaluation indicators as follows: rmse 5.34, mae 3.45, mape 53.93% and NSE 0.35. At the same time, we found that LSTM (mae) has a better prediction effect than the LSTM (mse) and LSTM (msle) models when the ponding depth exceeds 30 mm.
Controlled Release of Encapsuled Stromal-Derived Factor 1α Improves Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Migration
Authors: Bajdak-Rusinek Karolina , Fus-Kujawa Agnieszka , Jelonek Katarzyna , Musiał-Kulik Monika , Buszman Piotr Paweł , Żyła-Uklejewicz Dorota , Sekowska Adrianna Walentyna , Kasperczyk Janusz , Buszman Paweł Eugeniusz
Published: December 2022

Stem cell treatment is a promising method of therapy for the group of patients whose conventional options for treatment have been limited or rejected. Stem cells have the potential to repair, replace, restore and regenerate cells. Moreover, their proliferation level is high. Owing to these features, they can be used in the treatment of numerous diseases, such as cancer, lung diseases or ischemic heart diseases. In recent years, stem cell therapy has greatly developed, shedding light on stromal-derived factor 1α (SDF-1α). SDF-1α is a mobilizing chemokine for application of endogenous stem cells to injury sites. Unfortunately, SDF-1α presented short-term results in stem cell treatment trials. Considering the tremendous benefits of this therapy, we developed biodegradable polymeric microspheres for the release of SDF-1α in a controlled and long-lasting manner. The microspheres were designed from poly(L-lactide/glycolide/trimethylene carbonate) (PLA/GA/TMC). The effect of controlled release of SDF-1α from microspheres was investigated on the migration level of bone marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (bmMSCs) derived from a pig. The study showed that SDF-1α, released from the microspheres, is more efficient at attracting bmMSCs than SDF-1α alone. This may enable the controlled delivery of selected and labeled MSCs to the destination in the future.
The Relation of Having Experienced a Fall in the Past to Lower Cognitive Functioning in Old Age Is Mediated via Less Physical Activity Engagement as Cognitive Reserve Contributor
Authors: Ihle Andreas , Gouveia Élvio R. , Gouveia Bruna R. , Marques Adilson , Marconcin Priscila , Nascimento Marcelo de Maio , Haas Maximilian , Jurema Jefferson , Tinôco Maria A. , Kliegel Matthias
Published: December 2022

Physical activity and exercise contribute to the accumulation of cognitive reserve, which is instrumental for preserving cognitive health in old age. In a large sample of 701 older adults (mean age = 70.36 years), we investigated whether the relationship between having experienced a fall in the past and lower performance in cognitive functioning was mediated via less physical activity engagement as a cognitive reserve contributor. General cognition was assessed using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), long-term memory using a word-pair delayed recall test and working memory using a backward digit-span test. In face-to-face interviews, individuals reported information on falls during the past 12 months and their habitual physical activity engagement. Our analyses demonstrated that the relationship between having experienced a fall in the past and lower performance in the cognitive functioning measures was partly mediated (by 16.3% for general cognition, 30.6% for long-term memory, and 33.1% for working memory, respectively) via less physical activity engagement. In conclusion, we suggest as a core bio-psychological mechanism that experiencing a fall at an older age is a critical life event that hinders sufficient physical activity engagement and thereby impedes cognitive reserve build-up, resulting in lower cognitive functioning outcomes.
Cyclophosphazene Intrinsically Derived Heteroatom (S, N, P, O)-Doped Carbon Nanoplates for Ultrasensitive Monitoring of Dopamine from Chicken Samples
Authors: Abbas Yasir , Akhtar Naeem , Ghaffar Sania , Al-Sulami Ahlam I. , Asad Muhammad , Mazhar Muhammad Ehsan , Zafar Farhan , Hayat Akhtar , Wu Zhanpeng
Published: December 2022

A novel, metal-free electrode based on heteroatom (S, N, P, O)-doped carbon nanoplates (SNPO-CPL) modifying lead pencil graphite (LPG) has been synthesized by carbonizing a unique heteroatom (S, N, P, O)-containing novel polymer, poly(cyclcotriphosphazene-co-2,5-dioxy-1,4-dithiane) (PCD), for precise screening of dopamine (DA). The designed electrode, SNPO-CPL-800, with optimized percentage of S, N, P, O doping through the sp2-carbon chain, and a large number of surface defects (thus leading to a maximum exposition number of catalytic active sites) led to fast molecular diffusion through the micro-porous structure and facilitated strong binding interaction with the targeted molecules in the interactive signaling transducer at the electrode–electrolyte interface. The designed SNPO-CPL-800 electrode exhibited a sensitive and selective response towards DA monitoring, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.01 nM. We also monitored DA levels in commercially available chicken samples using the SNPO-CPL-800 electrode even in the presence of interfering species, thus proving the effectiveness of the designed electrode for the precise monitoring of DA in real samples. This research shows there is a strong potential for opening new windows for ultrasensitive DA monitoring with metal-free electrodes.
A Selective Fluorescent l-Lactate Biosensor Based on an l-Lactate-Specific Transcription Regulator and Förster Resonance Energy Transfer
Authors: Xu Xianzhi , Xu Rong , Hou Shuang , Kang Zhaoqi , Lü Chuanjuan , Wang Qian , Zhang Wen , Wang Xia , Xu Ping , Gao Chao , Ma Cuiqing
Published: December 2022

Selective detection of l-lactate levels in foods, clinical, and bacterial fermentation samples has drawn intensive attention. Many fluorescent biosensors based on non-stereoselective recognition elements have been developed for lactate detection. Herein, the allosteric transcription factor STLldR from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium LT2 was identified to be stereo-selectively respond to l-lactate. Then, STLldR was combined with Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to construct a fluorescent l-lactate biosensor FILLac. FILLac was further optimized by truncating the N- and C-terminal amino acids of STLldR between cyan and yellow fluorescent proteins. The optimized biosensor FILLac10N0C exhibited a maximum emission ratio change (ΔRmax) of 33.47 ± 1.91%, an apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of 6.33 ± 0.79 μM, and a limit of detection of 0.68 μM. FILLac10N0C was applied in 96-well microplates to detect l-lactate in bacterial fermentation samples and commercial foods such as Jiaosu and yogurt. The quantitation results of FILLac10N0C exhibited good agreement with that of a commercial l-lactate biosensor SBA-40D bioanalyzer. Thus, the biosensor FILLac10N0C compatible with high-throughput detection may be a potential choice for quantitation of l-lactate in different biological samples.
Multimodal Analgesia for Accelerated Rehabilitation after Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial on the Effect of the Co-Application of Local Infiltration Analgesia and Femoral Nerve Block Combined with Dexmedetomidine
Authors: Gao Chen , Huang Tingting , Wu Kerong , Zhang Wei , Wang Sheng , Chai Xiaoqing , Xie Yanhu , Tang Chaoliang
Published: December 2022

Background: Multimodal postoperative pain regimens are widely used following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, there are few studies on the rehabilitation of the co-application of local infiltration analgesia (LIA) and femoral nerve block (FNB) combined with dexmedetomidine (DEX) for patients undergoing TKA. This study aimed to investigate the effect of LIA plus FNB and co-application of perioperative DEX on TKA outcomes. Methods: 95 patients were randomized into two groups. Patients in group B (n = 48) received a single preoperative FNB and LIA. Patients in group A (n = 47) received FNB and LIA, as well as continuous intravenous injection of DEX starting from the induction of anesthesia to postoperative day 2. All patients were allowed patient-controlled analgesia postoperatively. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores, knee range of motion (ROM) degrees, narcotic consumption, length of hospital stay (LOS), complications, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) scores and Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic (MoCA-B) Scores were recorded. Results: In group A, the mean VAS scores at rest and during movement were lower, the amount of rescue analgesia was decreased, first time of ambulation was reduced, ROM was improved, MoCA-B Scores were increased, LOS was shorter, HSS scores were higher postoperatively compared with group B (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our study indicated multimodal analgesia involving a single FNB and LIA combined with DEX accelerates rehabilitation for patients undergoing TKA.
Identification of Environmental Pollutants in Construction Site Monitoring Using Association Rule Mining and Ontology-Based Reasoning
Authors: Xu Zhao , Huo Huixiu , Pang Shuhui
Published: December 2022

Pollutants from construction activities of building projects can have serious negative impacts on the natural environment and human health. Carrying out monitoring of environmental pollutants during the construction period can effectively mitigate environmental problems caused by construction activities and achieve sustainable development of the construction industry. However, the current environmental monitoring method relying only on various sensors is relatively singlar which is unable to cope with a complex on-site environment We propose a mechanism for environmental pollutants identification combining association rule mining and ontology-based reasoning and using random forest algorithm to improve the accuracy of identification. Firstly, the ontology model of environmental pollutants monitoring indicator in the construction site is built in order to integrate and share the relative knowledge. Secondly, the improved Apriori algorithm with added subjective and objective constraints is used for association rule mining among environmental pollutants monitoring indicators, and the random forest algorithm is applied to further filter the strong association rules. Finally, the ontology database and rule database are loaded into a Jena reasoning machine for inference to establish an identification mechanism of environmental pollutants. The results of running on a real estate development project in Jiangning District, Nanjing, prove that this identification mechanism can effectively tap the potential knowledge in the field of environmental pollutants monitoring, explore the relationship between environmental pollutants monitoring indicators and then overcome the shortcomings of traditional monitoring methods that only rely on sensors to provide new ideas and methods for making intelligent decisions on environmental pollutants in a construction site.
Adaptive Façades: Review of Designs, Performance Evaluation, and Control Systems
Authors: Zhang Xi , Zhang Hao , Wang Yuyan , Shi Xuepeng
Published: December 2022

Adaptive building envelope systems can manage energy and mass transformation between indoor and outdoor environments, which contributes to the achievement of environmental benefits via reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission while maintaining human comfort and well-being. However, the market penetration of adaptive façades (AFs) is far from sufficient, even though their capabilities have been recognized in research. Hence, this paper explores the factors hindering the growth of the market share of AFs, based on an exhaustive examination of designs, evaluation criteria and tools, and control systems. Insufficient commercial technology, inaccurate and incomplete performance data, and inconsistent evaluation criteria are demonstrated to be the factors that have hindered the widespread utilization of AFs thus far. Future research tendencies, including reducing costs, retrofitting existing building façades, developing building performance measurement tools, and building consensus evaluation criteria that favor the wide applicability of such façades in actual practice are identified.
Effect of Fly Ash Content on the Microstructure and Strength of Concrete under Freeze–Thaw Condition
Authors: Zhang Shuhua , Chen Bofu , Tian Bin , Lu Xiaochun , Xiong Bobo
Published: December 2022

To understand the influence of fly ash (FA) content on the microstructure and strength of concrete under freeze–thaw cycles (FTCs), four groups of concrete with different FA contents (0–30%) were tested under FTC condition. Mass loss rate, relative dynamic modulus of elasticity (RDME), splitting tensile strength and other damage indicators were selected to describe the impact of macro properties. The micro physical changes, porosity and pore size distribution parameters were obtained through scanning electron microscope (SEM) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments. The influence mechanism of FA content on the frost resistance durability of concrete under FTC was discussed from the macro and micro perspectives. The results show that under the action of FTC, the addition of FA fills the pores, reduces the pore spacing, improves the strength of concrete, and makes the RDEM and splitting tensile strength of concrete increase first and then decrease. Among them, 20% FA concrete has the best frost resistance. The pore structure parameters show that the content of pores smaller than 100 nm has a great impact on the frost resistance durability of FA concrete, and increasing the content of these pores can improve the frost resistance durability of concrete.
Effects of Train-Induced Unsteady Airflow on Air Quality and Air Distribution in a Subway Station
Authors: Li Hu , Han Hong , Liu Xinjin , Chen Shujing , Wang Jingqian , Lei Wenjun
Published: December 2022

Using train-induced unsteady airflow in transitional seasons can greatly reduce the energy consumption of a subway station’s mechanical ventilation. However, the unsteady airflow carries the particles from tunnels into subway platforms, and airflow distribution at controllable vents is uneven. To determine the variation in PM2.5 (particulate matter of 2.5 micrograms or less) concentration and the air velocity distribution at the vents, field tests were conducted. The results showed that the PM2.5 concentrations at the vents and platform were positively correlated with the air velocity. The average ratio of the PM2.5 concentration at the vents to that on the platform was 71.15%. The maximum PM2.5 concentration and average PM2.5 concentration on the platform were 0.067 mg/m3 and 0.037 mg/m3, respectively. The air velocity distribution along the length of the platform conformed to logistic regression. Adjustment of the opening height of the vents was proposed to improve the air velocity distribution. Through numerical simulation, the ratio of the minimum airflow rate to the maximum airflow rate was increased from 5.9% to 37.5% after adjustment. This method is helpful for the uniform distribution of the airflow rate. This study will provide references for the design and operation of the vents of subway stations.
Immune Checkpoint and Other Receptor-Ligand Pairs Modulating Macrophages in Cancer: Present and Prospects
Authors: Yang Yuanyuan , Zhang Weijie , Lan Peixiang
Published: December 2022

Immunotherapy, especially immune checkpoint blocking, has become the primary anti-tumor treatment in recent years. However, the current immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy is far from satisfactory. Macrophages are a key component of anti-tumor immunity as they are a common immune cell subset in tumor tissues and act as a link between innate and adaptive immunity. Hence, understanding the regulation of macrophage activation in tumor tissues by receptor-ligand interaction will provide promising macrophage-targeting strategies to complement current adaptive immunity-based immunotherapy and traditional anti-tumor treatment. This review aims to offer a systematic summary of the current advances in number, structure, expression, biological function, and interplay of immune checkpoint and other receptor-ligand between macrophages and tumor cells.
Mineralization of Lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus Immobilized on Methacrylate Beads Bearing Octadecyl Groups to Improve Enzyme Features
Authors: Guimarães José R. , Carballares Diego , Rocha-Martin Javier , Tardioli Paulo W. , Fernandez-Lafuente Roberto
Published: December 2022

Lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus (TLL) has been immobilized on Purolite Lifetech® ECR8806F (viz. methacrylate macroporous resin containing octadecyl groups, designated as Purolite C18-TLL), and the enzyme performance has been compared to that of the enzyme immobilized on octyl-agarose, designated as agarose C8-TLL. The hydrolytic activity versus p-nitrophenol butyrate decreased significantly, and to a lower extent versus S-methyl mandelate (more than twofold), while versus triacetin and R-methyl mandelate, the enzyme activity was higher for the biocatalyst prepared using Purolite C18 (up to almost five-fold). Regarding the enzyme stability, Purolite C18-TLL was significantly more stable than the agarose C8-TLL. Next, the biocatalysts were mineralized using zinc, copper or cobalt phosphates. Mineralization increased the hydrolytic activity of Purolite C18-TLL versus triacetin and R-methyl mandelate, while this activity decreased very significantly versus the S-isomer, while the effects using agarose C8-TLL were more diverse (hydrolytic activity increase or decrease was dependent on the metal and substrate). The zinc salt treatment increased the stability of both biocatalysts, but with a lower impact for Purolite C18-TLL than for agarose-C8-TLL. On the contrary, the copper and cobalt salt treatments decreased enzyme stability, but more intensively using Purolite C18-TLL. The results show that even using enzymes immobilized following the same strategy, the differences in the enzyme conformation cause mineralization to have diverse effects on enzyme stability, hydrolytic activity, and specificity.
A Review on Green Hydrogen Valorization by Heterogeneous Catalytic Hydrogenation of Captured CO2 into Value-Added Products
Authors: Estevez Rafael , Aguado-Deblas Laura , Bautista Felipa M. , López-Tenllado Francisco J. , Romero Antonio A. , Luna Diego
Published: December 2022

The catalytic hydrogenation of captured CO2 by different industrial processes allows obtaining liquid biofuels and some chemical products that not only present the interest of being obtained from a very low-cost raw material (CO2) that indeed constitutes an environmental pollution problem but also constitute an energy vector, which can facilitate the storage and transport of very diverse renewable energies. Thus, the combined use of green H2 and captured CO2 to obtain chemical products and biofuels has become attractive for different processes such as power-to-liquids (P2L) and power-to-gas (P2G), which use any renewable power to convert carbon dioxide and water into value-added, synthetic renewable E-fuels and renewable platform molecules, also contributing in an important way to CO2 mitigation. In this regard, there has been an extraordinary increase in the study of supported metal catalysts capable of converting CO2 into synthetic natural gas, according to the Sabatier reaction, or in dimethyl ether, as in power-to-gas processes, as well as in liquid hydrocarbons by the Fischer-Tropsch process, and especially in producing methanol by P2L processes. As a result, the current review aims to provide an overall picture of the most recent research, focusing on the last five years, when research in this field has increased dramatically.
Water Photo-Oxidation over TiO2—History and Reaction Mechanism
Authors: Nosaka Yoshio
Published: December 2022

Photocatalytic water oxidation over titanium dioxide (TiO2) was overviewed by surveying briefly the history of water photo-oxidation, followed by profiling the research for the molecular mechanism of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at the TiO2 surface. As the experimental approach to investigate the reaction mechanism, ESR, NMR, and STM were described as well as FTIR spectroscopy. Detection of reactive oxygen species, which are the intermediate species in the OER, was also involved in discussing the mechanism. As the theoretical approach to the reaction mechanism, some research with density functional theory (DFT) for anatase (101) surface was illustrated. Since the OER activity of rutile TiO2 is higher than that of anatase, and the rutile (011) surface has been assigned to the oxidation facet, we performed a DFT calculation for a (011) surface model molecule. The results were successfully discussed with the reported mechanism. The first oxidation step occurs at the bridging OH site, which faces a Ti5C site. The water molecule which coordinates both sites is oxidized, and the resultant radical coordinates the Ti5C site to form a trapped hole Ti-O•. In the second step, a coordinated water molecule is oxidized at the Ti-O• site to form a Ti-OOH structure.
On Stability of High-Surface-Area Al2O3, TiO2, SiO2-Al2O3, and Activated Carbon Supports during Preparation of NiMo Sulfide Catalysts for Parallel Deoxygenation of Octanoic Acid and Hydrodesulfurization of 1-Benzothiophene
Authors: Kaluža Luděk , Soukup Karel , Koštejn Martin , Karban Jindřich , Palcheva Radostina , Laube Marek , Gulková Daniela
Published: December 2022

NiMo sulfide catalysts were prepared by the impregnation of high surface area supports with an aqueous solution made of NiCO3·2Ni(OH)2, MoO3 and citric acid, followed by freeze drying and sulfidation in H2S/H2 mixture. N2 physisorption and X-ray diffraction were selected to investigate the amphoteric oxides Al2O3 and TiO2, acidic SiO2-Al2O3 and activated carbon supports, fresh prepared sulfide NiMo catalysts and spent catalysts after model parallel reaction of octanoic acid deoxygenation and 1-benzothiophene hydrodesulfurization. The studied mesoporous amphoteric oxides Al2O3 and TiO2 did not lead to highly active NiMo catalysts due to the low hydrothermal stability of these supports during the preparation of the active sulfide phase and deoxygenation reaction. The most active catalyst based on oxidic support was the NiMo sulfide supported on acidic mesoporous SiO2-Al2O3, which was explained by the increased stability of this support to the water and CO/CO2 mixture during the activation of the sulfidic phase and deoxygenation reaction. The extraordinarily high stability of the activated carbon support led to outstanding activities of the sulfidic NiMo/C catalyst.