bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Why Did the “Missing Middle” Miss the Train? An Actors-In-Systems Exploration of Barriers to Intensified Family Housing in Waterloo Region, Canada
Authors: Parker Dawn Cassandra , Valaei Sharif Shahab , Webber Kaitlin
Published: February 2023

(1) Background: Missing Middle (MM) housing may be critical to address decreasing housing affordability and to achieve critical density in transit-oriented neighborhoods; however, its production is in decline. We report on a case study of housing development around a new light-rail transit line in the Region of Waterloo, Canada, investigating the puzzle of how a residential building boom coincided with decreasing housing affordability. (2) Methods: Following participatory co-creation and communication of background research characterizing housing demand with stakeholder partners, we created a data narrative arguing that MM housing was desired by residents and profitable for developers and then used it to guide semi-structured interviews with planners and real estate industry stakeholders. Based on these interviews, we developed a qualitative system map and causal loop diagrams that demonstrate interactions between key actors (residents, brokers, planners, developers, and investors) as mediated by boundedly rational real estate demand expectations. (3) Results: Our interviews identify multi-faceted barriers, beyond demand perception, to MM housing development. Systems analysis illustrates how high-density, small-unit high-rise development can become locked in, concurrently locking out MM housing. (4) Conclusions: Our research identifies barriers to MM housing supply by articulating the systemic feedbacks between the planning and land/housing market realms and reveals key leverage points, empowering planners to develop policies that catalyze hoped-for housing market supply responses to increase housing affordability. Based on these findings, we suggest targeted interventions: multi-unit base residential zoning, MM site plan typologies, non-profit and co-op financing, unit-mix requirements, pre-build MM condo purchase by municipalities or non-profits, and MM demonstration projects.
Analysis of Spatiotemporal Variation and Influencing Factors of Land-Use Carbon Emissions in Nine Provinces of the Yellow River Basin Based on the LMDI Model
Authors: Meng Qingxiang , Zheng Yanna , Liu Qi , Li Baolu , Wei Hejie
Published: February 2023

The Yellow River Basin assumes an important ecological and economic function in China. The study of carbon emissions from land use in the nine provinces (regions) of the pathway is important to achieve carbon reduction. Based on the dynamic data of land use, energy, and economic changes in nine provinces (regions) for the past 30 years from 1990 to 2018, this study analyzed the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of land-use carbon emissions by using the carbon emission coefficient method in the IPCC inventory method and evaluating the low-carbon development model of the nine provinces (regions) by land-use carbon emission intensity. Finally, the LMDI model was used to analyze the factors influencing land-use carbon emissions. The results showed that: (1) in the past 30 years, the net carbon emissions have shown a continuously increasing trend, and the difference in the spatial distribution of carbon emissions in different periods was obvious. The carbon sink effect was not significant enough to offset the carbon emissions generated. (2) The continuously decreasing carbon emission intensity values per unit of GDP indicate that the coordination between land-use and economic development was getting better. (3) The factors of population size, economic size, and land-use structure accelerated land-use carbon emissions, whereas land-use efficiency limited land-use carbon emissions. Accordingly, this paper puts forward some corresponding policy suggestions.
Difference in Structure and Electronic Properties of Oxygen Vacancies in α-Quartz and α-Cristobalite Phases of SiO2
Authors: Milton Katherine L. , Durrant Thomas R. , Cobos Freire Teofilo , Shluger Alexander L.
Published: February 2023

α-cristobalite (α-C) is a polymorph of silica, mainly found in space exploration and geochemistry research. Due to similar densities, α-C is often used as a proxy for amorphous SiO2, particularly in computer simulations of SiO2 surfaces and interfaces. However, little is known about the properties of α-C and its basic oxygen defects. Using density functional theory (DFT) simulations we provide a comprehensive report on the properties of perfect structure and oxygen vacancies in α-C. The calculated properties of α-C are compared with those of the better-characterized α-quartz (α-Q). Our results demonstrated that the positively charged O vacancy in α-C is most stable in the dimer configuration, in contrast to α-Q, which favors the puckered configuration. A back-projected configuration was also predicted in both polymorphs. We calculated the optical transition energies and isotropic hyperfine constants for O vacancies in both α-Q and α-C, and compared our findings with the results of previous studies and experiments. This work, thus, offers one of the first in-depth investigations of the properties of oxygen vacancies in α-C.
Enhanced Photoluminescence of R6G Dyes from Metal Decorated Silicon Nanowires Fabricated through Metal Assisted Chemical Etching
Authors: Kochylas Ioannis , Dimitriou Anastasios , Apostolaki Maria-Athina , Skoulikidou Maria-Christina , Likodimos Vlassios , Gardelis Spiros , Papanikolaou Nikolaos
Published: February 2023

In this study, we developed active substrates consisting of Ag-decorated silicon nanowires on a Si substrate using a single-step Metal Assisted Chemical Etching (MACE) process, and evaluated their performance in the identification of low concentrations of Rhodamine 6G using surface-enhanced photoluminescence spectroscopy. Different structures with Ag-aggregates as well as Ag-dendrites were fabricated and studied depending on the etching parameters. Moreover, the addition of Au nanoparticles by simple drop-casting on the MACE-treated surfaces can enhance the photoluminescence significantly, and the structures have shown a Limit of Detection of Rhodamine 6G down to 10−12 M for the case of the Ag-dendrites enriched with Au nanoparticles.
Novel Artificial Scaffold for Bone Marrow Regeneration: Honeycomb Tricalcium Phosphate
Authors: Inada Yasunori , Takabatake Kiyofumi , Tsujigiwa Hidetsugu , Nakano Keisuke , Shan Qiusheng , Piao Tianyan , Chang Anqi , Kawai Hotaka , Nagatsuka Hitoshi
Published: February 2023

Bone marrow is complex structure containing heterogenetic cells, making it difficult to regenerate using artificial scaffolds. In a previous study, we succeeded in developing honeycomb tricalcium phosphate (TCP), which is a cylindrical scaffold with a honeycomb arrangement of straight pores, and we demonstrated that TCP with 300 and 500 μm pore diameters (300TCP and 500TCP) induced bone marrow structure within the pores. In this study, we examined the optimal scaffold structure for bone marrow with homeostatic bone metabolism using honeycomb TCP. 300TCP and 500TCP were transplanted into rat muscle, and bone marrow formation was histologically assessed. Immunohistochemistry for CD45, CD34, Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), c-kit single staining, Runx2/N-cadherin, and c-kit/Tie-2 double staining was performed. The area of bone marrow structure, which includes CD45(+) round-shaped hematopoietic cells and CD34(+) sinusoidal vessels, was larger in 300TCP than in 500TCP. Additionally, Runx2(+) osteoblasts and c-kit(+) hematopoietic stem cells were observed on the surface of bone tissue formed within TCP. Among Runx2(+) osteoblasts, spindle-shaped N-cadherin(+) cells existed in association with c-kit(+)Tie-2(+) hematopoietic stem cells on the bone tissue formed within TCP, which formed a hematopoietic stem cell niche similar to as in vivo. Therefore, honeycomb TCP with 300 μm pore diameters may be an artificial scaffold with an optimal geometric structure as a scaffold for bone marrow formation.
Enhanced Thermoelectric Properties of Misfit Bi2Sr2-xCaxCo2Oy: Isovalent Substitutions and Selective Phonon Scattering
Authors: Chatterjee Arindom , Banik Ananya , El Sachat Alexandros , Caicedo Roque José Manuel , Padilla-Pantoja Jessica , Sotomayor Torres Clivia M. , Biswas Kanishka , Santiso José , Chavez-Angel Emigdio
Published: February 2023

Layered Bi-misfit cobaltates, such as Bi2Sr2Co2Oy, are the natural superlattice of an electrically insulating rocksalt (RS) type Bi2Sr2O4 layer and electrically conducting CoO2 layer, stacked along the crystallographic c-axis. RS and CoO2 layers are related through charge compensation reactions (or charge transfer). Therefore, thermoelectric transport properties are affected when doping or substitution is carried out in the RS layer. In this work, we have shown improved thermoelectric properties of spark plasma sintered Bi2Sr2-xCaxCo2Oy alloys (x = 0, 0.3 and 0.5). The substitution of Ca atoms affects the thermal properties by introducing point-defect phonon scattering, while the electronic conductivity and thermopower remain unaltered.
Dynamics Modeling and Redundant Force Optimization of Modular Combination Parallel Manipulator
Authors: Jiang Aimin , Han Hasiaoqier , Han Chunyang , He Shuai , Xu Zhenbang , Wu Qingwen
Published: February 2023

The limb-driving force mutation of the modular combination parallel manipulator (MCPM) affects the alignment process of optical axis. In this paper, a novel optimization method based on the force mutation penalty term is proposed to solve the problem of driving force mutation. The kinematics and dynamics models of the manipulator are established using a modularization idea, reducing the complexity of the modeling process, and verified using co-simulation. Moreover, particle swarm optimization (PSO) is applied as an optimization tool. The effectiveness of the proposed method is confirmed by comparing it with the minimize-the-maximum and Moore–Penrose (M–P) methods, which are widely used to solve parallel manipulators with redundant drives.
Improved Chimpanzee Search Algorithm with Multi-Strategy Fusion and Its Application
Authors: Wu Hongda , Zhang Fuxing , Gao Teng
Published: February 2023

An improved chimpanzee optimization algorithm incorporating multiple strategies (IMSChoA) is proposed to address the problems of initialized population boundary aggregation distribution, slow convergence speed, low precision, and proneness to fall into local optimality of the chimpanzee search algorithm. Firstly, the improved sine chaotic mapping is used to initialize the population to solve the population boundary aggregation distribution problem. Secondly, a linear weighting factor and an adaptive acceleration factor are added to join the particle swarm idea and cooperate with the improved nonlinear convergence factor to balance the global search ability of the algorithm, accelerate the convergence of the algorithm, and improve the convergence accuracy. Finally, the sparrow elite mutation and Bernoulli chaos mapping strategy improved by adaptive change water wave factor are added to improve the ability of individuals to jump out of the local optimum. Through the comparative analysis of benchmark functions seeking optimization and the comparison of Wilcoxon rank sum statistical test seeking results, it can be seen that the IMSChoA optimization algorithm has stronger robustness and applicability. Further, the IMSChoA optimization algorithm is applied to two engineering examples to verify the superiority of the IMSChoA optimization algorithm in dealing with mechanical structure optimization design problems.
A Novel Framework for Generalizations of Soft Open Sets and Its Applications via Soft Topologies
Authors: Al-shami Tareq M. , Mhemdi Abdelwaheb , Abu-Gdairi Radwan
Published: February 2023

Soft topological spaces (STSs) have received a lot of attention recently, and numerous soft topological ideas have been created from differing viewpoints. Herein, we put forth a new class of generalizations of soft open sets called “weakly soft semi-open subsets” following an approach inspired by the components of a soft set. This approach opens the door to reformulating the existing soft topological concepts and examining their behaviors. First, we deliberate the main structural properties of this class and detect its relationships with the previous generalizations with the assistance of suitable counterexamples. In addition, we probe some features that are obtained under some specific stipulations and elucidate the properties of the forgoing generalizations that are missing in this class. Next, we initiate the interior and closure operators with respect to the classes of weakly soft semi-open and weakly soft semi-closed subsets and look at some of their fundamental characteristics. Ultimately, we pursue the concept of weakly soft semi-continuity and furnish some of its descriptions. By a counterexample, we elaborate that some characterizations of soft continuous functions are invalid for weakly soft semi-continuous functions.
Shortfall-Based Wasserstein Distributionally Robust Optimization
Authors: Li Ruoxuan , Lv Wenhua , Mao Tiantian
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we study a distributionally robust optimization (DRO) problem with affine decision rules. In particular, we construct an ambiguity set based on a new family of Wasserstein metrics, shortfall–Wasserstein metrics, which apply normalized utility-based shortfall risk measures to summarize the transportation cost random variables. In this paper, we demonstrate that the multi-dimensional shortfall–Wasserstein ball can be affinely projected onto a one-dimensional one. A noteworthy result of this reformulation is that our program benefits from finite sample guarantee without a dependence on the dimension of the nominal distribution. This distributionally robust optimization problem also has computational tractability, and we provide a dual formulation and verify the strong duality that enables a direct and concise reformulation of this problem. Our results offer a new DRO framework that can be applied in numerous contexts such as regression and portfolio optimization.
Hereditary Mathematical Model of the Dynamics of Radon Accumulation in the Accumulation Chamber
Authors: Tverdyi Dmitrii , Makarov Evgeny , Parovik Roman
Published: February 2023

Mathematical modeling is used to study the hereditary mechanism of the accumulation of radioactive radon gas in a chamber with gas-discharge counters at several observation points in Kamchatka. Continuous monitoring of variations in radon volumetric activity in order to identify anomalies in its values is one of the effective methods for studying the stress–strain state of the geo-environment with the possibility of building strong earthquake forecasts. The model equation of radon transfer, taking into account its accumulation in the chamber and the presence of the hereditary effect (heredity or memory), is a nonlinear differential Riccati equation with non-constant coefficients with a fractional derivative in the sense of Gerasimov–Caputo, for which local initial conditions are set (Cauchy problem). The proposed hereditary model of radon accumulation in the chamber is a generalization of the previously known model with an integer derivative (classical model). This fact indicates the preservation of the properties of the previously obtained solution according to the classical model, as well as the presence of new properties that are applied to the study of radon volumetric activity at observation points. The paper shows that due to the order of the fractional derivative, as well as the quadratic nonlinearity in the model equation, the results of numerical simulation give a better approximation of the experimental data of radon monitoring than by classical models. This indicates that the hereditary model of radon transport is more flexible, which allows using it to describe various anomalous effects in the values of radon volume activity.
ES Structure Based on Soft J-Subset
Authors: Chen Xi , Yadav Pooja , Singh Rashmi , Islam Sardar M. N.
Published: February 2023

The ES structure described by soft subsets or soft M-subsets does not yield a lattice structure due to its restriction on parameter sets, and so cannot be used in information theory. This study proposes a new ES structure on soft sets that addresses the deficiencies of the prior structure. Using mathematical concepts, we can construct and entirely new system of soft sets. As a result, the ES structure is derived from a finite collection of basic soft sets and offers complicated soft sets via its ES components, allowing for it to be operated by computers, as this is more acceptable to conventional mathematical viewpoints. We rewrote this using a soft J-subset and demonstrated that (ES, ∨˜ES, ∧˜ES) is a distributive lattice. This will play an important role in decision-making problems and contribute to a better understanding of human recognition processes. During the process of reaching a decision, several groups of parameters develop, and the ES structure in this article takes these parameters into consideration in order to handle the intricate issues that arise. In soft set theory, this research gives insight into the cognitive field.
Exact Optimal Designs of Experiments for Factorial Models via Mixed-Integer Semidefinite Programming
Authors: Duarte Belmiro P. M.
Published: February 2023

The systematic design of exact optimal designs of experiments is typically challenging, as it results in nonconvex optimization problems. The literature on the computation of model-based exact optimal designs of experiments via mathematical programming, when the covariates are categorical variables, is still scarce. We propose mixed-integer semidefinite programming formulations, to find exact D-, A- and I-optimal designs for linear models, and locally optimal designs for nonlinear models when the design domain is a finite set of points. The strategy requires: (i) the generation of a set of candidate treatments; (ii) the formulation of the optimal design problem as a mixed-integer semidefinite program; and (iii) its solution, employing appropriate solvers. For comparison, we use semidefinite programming-based formulations to find equivalent approximate optimal designs. We demonstrate the application of the algorithm with various models, considering both unconstrained and constrained setups. Equivalent approximate optimal designs are used for comparison.
Remote Sensing Imagery Object Detection Model Compression via Tucker Decomposition
Authors: Huyan Lang , Li Ying , Jiang Dongmei , Zhang Yanning , Zhou Quan , Li Bo , Wei Jiayuan , Liu Juanni , Zhang Yi , Wang Peng , Fang Hai
Published: February 2023

Although convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have made significant progress, their deployment onboard is still challenging because of their complexity and high processing cost. Tensors provide a natural and compact representation of CNN weights via suitable low-rank approximations. A novel decomposed module called DecomResnet based on Tucker decomposition was proposed to deploy a CNN object detection model on a satellite. We proposed a remote sensing image object detection model compression framework based on low-rank decomposition which consisted of four steps, namely (1) model initialization, (2) initial training, (3) decomposition of the trained model and reconstruction of the decomposed model, and (4) fine-tuning. To validate the performance of the decomposed model in our real mission, we constructed a dataset containing only two classes of objects based on the DOTA and HRSC2016. The proposed method was comprehensively evaluated on the NWPU VHR-10 dataset and the CAST-RS2 dataset created in this work. The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed method, which was based on Resnet-50, could achieve up to 4.44 times the compression ratio and 5.71 times the speedup ratio with merely a 1.9% decrease in the mAP (mean average precision) of the CAST-RS2 dataset and a 5.3% decrease the mAP of the NWPU VHR-10 dataset.
An Evolutionary View on Equilibrium Models of Transport Flows
Authors: Gasnikova Evgenia , Gasnikov Alexander , Kholodov Yaroslav , Zukhba Anastasiya
Published: February 2023

In this short paper, we describe natural logit population games dynamics that explain equilibrium models of origin-destination matrix estimation and (stochastic) traffic assignment models (Beckmann, Nesterov–de Palma). Composition of the proposed dynamics allows to explain two-stages traffic assignment models.
Investigation of Calcium and Magnesium Removal by Donnan Dialysis According to the Doehlert Design for Softening Different Water Types
Authors: Marzouk-Trifi Ikhlass , Baklouti Lassaad , Dammak Lasâad
Published: February 2023

In this study, calcium and magnesium were removed from Tunisian dam, lake, and tap water using Donnan Dialysis (DD) according to the Doehlert design. Three cation-exchange membranes (CMV, CMX, and CMS) were used in a preliminary investigation to establish the upper and lower bounds of each parameter and to more precisely pinpoint the optimal value. The concentration of compensating sodium ions [Na+] in the receiver compartment, the concentration of calcium [Ca2+] and magnesium [Mg2+] in the feed compartment, and the membrane nature were the experimental parameters. The findings indicate that the CMV membrane offers the highest elimination rate of calcium and magnesium. The Full Factorial Design makes it possible to determine how the experimental factors affect the removal of calcium and magnesium by DD. All parameters used had a favorable impact on the response; however, the calcium and magnesium concentration were the most significant ones. The Doehlert design’s Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to determine the optimum conditions ([Mg2+] = 90 mg·L−1, [Ca2+] = 88 mg·L−1, [Na+] = 0.68 mol·L−1) allowing a 90.6% hardness removal rate with the CMV membrane. Finally, we used Donnan Dialysis to remove calcium and magnesium from the three different types of natural water: Dam, Lake, and Tap water. The results indicate that, when compared to lake water and tap water, the removal of calcium and magnesium from dam water is the best. This can be linked to the water matrix’s complexity. Therefore, using Donnan Dialysis to decrease natural waters hardness was revealed to be suitable.
N-Doped HNT/TiO2 Nanocomposite by Electrospinning for Acetaminophen Degradation
Authors: Abid Mahmoud , Makhoul Elissa , Tanos Fida , Iatsunskyi Igor , Coy Emerson , Lesage Geoffroy , Cretin Marc , Cornu David , Ben Haj Amara Abdesslem , Bechelany Mikhael
Published: February 2023

In this study, we combined electrospinning of a large amount of halloysite (HNT, 95%) with nitriding to produce N-HNT-TiO2 composite nanofibers (N-H95T5 hereafter) to be used for acetaminophen (ACT) photodegradation. Investigation of the morphological and structural properties of the obtained materials did not highlight any significant difference in their morphological features and confirmed that nitrogen was evenly distributed in the samples. Photocatalytic tests under visible light showed that acetaminophen photodegraded faster in the presence of samples with nitrogen (N-H95T5) than without (H95T5 nanofibers). Moreover, the N-H95T5 nanocomposite photocatalytic activity did not change after repeated utilization (five cycles). The addition of scavengers during photocatalytic tests showed the key implication of OH•−, O2•− and h+ radicals in acetaminophen degradation. These results indicated that N–H95T5 composite nanofibers could be considered a cheap multifunctional material for photodegradation and could open new prospects for preparing tunable photocatalysts.
An Isotonic Model of Neuron Swelling Based on Co-Transport of Salt and Water
Authors: Maex Reinoud
Published: February 2023

Neurons spend most of their energy building ion gradients across the cell membrane. During energy deprivation the neurons swell, and the concomitant mixing of their ions is commonly assumed to lead toward a Donnan equilibrium, at which the concentration gradients of all permeant ion species have the same Nernst potential. This Donnan equilibrium, however, is not isotonic, as the total concentration of solute will be greater inside than outside the neurons. The present theoretical paper, in contrast, proposes that neurons follow a path along which they swell quasi-isotonically by co-transporting water and ions. The final neuronal volume on the path is taken that at which the concentration of impermeant anions in the shrinking extracellular space equals that inside the swelling neurons. At this final state, which is also a Donnan equilibrium, all permeant ions can mix completely, and their Nernst potentials vanish. This final state is isotonic and electro-neutral, as are all intermediate states along this path. The path is in principle reversible, and maximizes the work of mixing.
Low-Temperature Carburization: Ex Situ Activation of Austenitic Stainless Steel
Authors: Illing Cyprian , Ren Zhe , Ernst Frank
Published: February 2023

Surface engineering of chromium-oxide-passivated alloys (e.g., stainless steels) by low-temperature infusion of interstitial solutes (carbon, nitrogen) from a gas phase requires “surface activation” by removing or perforating the passivating oxide film. We demonstrate a new approach for surface activation based on pyrolysis of a reagent powder, introduce advanced methodology to study its microstructure, and compare it to an established activation method. Rather than a bare alloy surface, stripped of its oxide, we find that an “activated” surface involves a reaction layer containing high concentrations of Cl, carbon, or nitrogen. We propose a model for the microscopic mechanism of surface activation that will enable future systematic development toward more effective process schemes.
Effect of Water Jet Cavitation Peening on Short-Period Oxidation Behavior of Alloy 600 in PWR Primary Water
Authors: Ming Tingyun , Peng Qunjia , Han Yaolei , Zhang Tao
Published: February 2023

Water jet cavitation peening (WJCP) was used to strengthen the surface of nickel-based alloy 600. Residual stress, hardness, surface roughness, microstructure, and short-period oxidation behavior in untreated (UT) and WJCP-treated alloy 600 were characterized. A continuous oxide film was formed on the WJCP-treated surface after a short period of exposure, while it was discontinuous in the UT specimen. The change in oxidation behavior was attributed to the ultrafine grain and dislocation structure resulting from the WJCP treatment.
Improving Structural Stability and Thermal Stability of Copper Alloy by Introducing Completely Coherent Ceramic Dispersoids
Authors: Guo Yilin , Yang Qinghao , Li Mingjia , Li Liang , Sun Guodong , Dong Longlong , Li Mingyang
Published: February 2023

When ceramic particles are incoherent with copper matrices, or when large coherent strains exist due to the differences between their crystal structure and lattice parameters in traditional dispersion-strengthened copper alloys, the strengthening effect of dispersoids at high temperatures is reduced. In the present work, a Cu-0.48Al-3.5Yb2O3 alloy was fabricated by mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering. The investigation results prove that completely coherent inert ceramic particle YbAlO3 without coherent strains is introduced into the copper matrix. The microstructural evolution and thermal stability of the alloy after annealing at high temperatures are investigated and discussed, and it is found that the alloys exposed at 600~800 °C for 3 h exhibit excellent thermal stability and exceptional structural stability. The exceptional resistance to grain growth in the alloy can be attributed to the Zener pinning effect provided by the fine dispersion of YbAlO3 particles. High-density geometrically necessary dislocation (GND) is retained in the alloy even after annealing at 800 °C for 3 h, as is the presence of parallel GND rows because they do not easily react with opposite rows to annihilate the dislocation. At the same time, dispersed YbAlO3 acts as a strong obstacle to moving the GND. The present work proves that the structural stability of copper can be significantly improved by introducing completely coherent dispersed particles.
Effects of Sc and Be Microalloying Elements on Mechanical Properties of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu (Al7xxx) Alloy
Authors: Won Sung-Jae , So Hyeongsub , Han Jung-Woo , Oh Soong Ju , Kang Leeseung , Kim Kyou-Hyun
Published: February 2023

We demonstrate via comprehensive microstructural investigation the effects of Sc and Be microalloying on the mechanical properties of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-based alloys, where Sc microalloying enhances the tensile properties of an Al-9.0Zn-3.0Mg-3.0Cu alloy from 645 MPa (εf = ~6%) to 672 MPa (εf = ~8%). In contrast, simultaneous microalloying with Sc and Be reduces the mechanical strength of a synthesized Al alloy to 654 MPa (εf = ~8%). Comprehensive microstructural investigation revealed that Sc microalloying leads to Al grain refinement, the formation of hardening (MgZn2, Al3M) phases, and an increase in the solid solution of Al. Additional Be microalloying also enhances the formation of MgZn2 phase, while Al3M (M: Zr, Sc) type phases are restrained from forming in Al grains. Furthermore, solid solution in Al grains is reduced by the trace addition of Be microalloying, resulting in an increase in large intermetallic compounds at Al grain boundaries.
Serum Uric Acid Predicts All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality Independently of Hypertriglyceridemia in Cardiometabolic Patients without Established CV Disease: A Sub-Analysis of the URic acid Right for heArt Health (URRAH) Study
Authors: Mengozzi Alessandro , Pugliese Nicola Riccardo , Desideri Giovambattista , Masi Stefano , Angeli Fabio , Barbagallo Carlo Maria , Bombelli Michele , Cappelli Federica , Casiglia Edoardo , Cianci Rosario , Ciccarelli Michele , Cicero Arrigo F. G. , Cirillo Massimo , Cirillo Pietro , Dell’Oro Raffaella , D’Elia Lanfranco , Ferri Claudio , Galletti Ferruccio , Gesualdo Loreto , Giannattasio Cristina , Grassi Guido , Iaccarino Guido , Lippa Luciano , Mallamaci Francesca , Maloberti Alessandro , Masulli Maria , Mazza Alberto , Muiesan Maria Lorenza , Nazzaro Pietro , Palatini Paolo , Parati Gianfranco , Pontremoli Roberto , Quarti-Trevano Fosca , Rattazzi Marcello , Reboldi Gianpaolo , Rivasi Giulia , Russo Elisa , Salvetti Massimo , Tikhonoff Valerie , Tocci Giuliano , Ungar Andrea , Verdecchia Paolo , Viazzi Francesca , Volpe Massimo , Borghi Claudio , Virdis Agostino
Published: February 2023

High serum uric acid (SUA) and triglyceride (TG) levels might promote high-cardiovascular risk phenotypes across the cardiometabolic spectrum. However, SUA predictive power in the presence of normal and high TG levels has never been investigated. We included 8124 patients from the URic acid Right for heArt Health (URRAH) study cohort who were followed for over 20 years and had no established cardiovascular disease or uncontrolled metabolic disease. All-cause mortality (ACM) and cardiovascular mortality (CVM) were explored by the Kaplan–Meier estimator and Cox multivariable regression, adopting recently defined SUA cut-offs for ACM (≥4.7 mg/dL) and CVM (≥5.6 mg/dL). Exploratory analysis across cardiometabolic subgroups and a sensitivity analysis using SUA/serum creatinine were performed as validation. SUA predicted ACM (HR 1.25 [1.12–1.40], p < 0.001) and CVM (1.31 [1.11–1.74], p < 0.001) in the whole study population, and according to TG strata: ACM in normotriglyceridemia (HR 1.26 [1.12–1.43], p < 0.001) and hypertriglyceridemia (1.31 [1.02–1.68], p = 0.033), and CVM in normotriglyceridemia (HR 1.46 [1.23–1.73], p < 0.001) and hypertriglyceridemia (HR 1.31 [0.99–1.64], p = 0.060). Exploratory and sensitivity analyses confirmed our findings, suggesting a substantial role of SUA in normotriglyceridemia and hypertriglyceridemia. In conclusion, we report that SUA can predict ACM and CVM in cardiometabolic patients without established cardiovascular disease, independent of TG levels.
Highly Sensitive Magnetoelastic Biosensor for Alpha2-Macroglobulin Detection Based on MnFe2O4@chitosan/MWCNTs/PDMS Composite
Authors: Guo Xing , Hou Jianru , Ge Yang , Zhao Dong , Sang Shengbo , Ji Jianlong
Published: February 2023

The need for Alpha2-Macroglobulin (α2-M) detection has increased because it plays an important role in the diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, few sensors can realize the high-sensitive detection for α2-M with characteristics of being fast, flexible, wearable and portable. Herein, a biosensor based on a MnFe2O4@chitosan/MWCNTs/PDMS composite film was developed for α2-M detection. Due to the excellent magnetoelastic effect of MnFe2O4 nanoparticles, the stress signal of the biosensor surface induced by the specific antibody–antigen binding was transformed into the electrical and magnetic signal. Chitosan-coated MnFe2O4 particles were used to provide biological modification sites for the α2-M antibody, which simplified the conventional biological functionalization modification process. The MnFe2O4@chitosan particles were successfully prepared by a chemical coprecipitation method and the property was studied by TEM, FT-IR and XRD. MWCNTs were employed to enhance electrical conductivity and the sensitivity of the biosensor. The detection limit (LOD) was reduced to 0.1299 ng·mL−1 in the linear range from 10 ng∙mL−1 to 100 µg·mL−1, which was significantly lower than the limit of health diagnostics. The biosensor is fabricated by a simple method, with advantages of being rapid and highly-sensitive, and having selective detection of α2-M, which provides a novel method for the early diagnosis of DN, and it has potential in the point of care (PoC) field.
Effect of Strain Rate on Nano-Scale Mechanical Behavior of A-Plane (112¯0) ZnO Single Crystal by Nanoindentation
Authors: Zhu Xiaolin , Li Jijun , Zhang Lihua , Lang Fengchao , Hou Xiaohu , Zhao Xueping , Zhang Weiguang , Zhao Chunwang , Yang Zijian
Published: February 2023

In this study, nanoindentation tests at three different strain rates within 100 nm indentation depth were conducted on an a-plane (112¯0) ZnO single crystal to investigate the effect of strain rate on its nano-scale mechanical behavior. The load–indentation-depth curves, pop-in events, hardness and Young’s moduli of an a-plane (112¯0) ZnO single crystal at different strain rates were investigated at the nano-scale level. The results indicated that, with the indentation depth increasing, the load increased gradually at each maximum indentation depth, hma, during the loading process. A distinct pop-in event occurred on each loading curve except that corresponding to the hmax of 10 nm. The applied load at the same indentation depth increased with the increasing strain rate during the nanoindentation of the a-plane (112¯0) ZnO single crystal. The higher strain rate deferred the pop-in event to a higher load and deeper indentation depth, and made the pop-in extension width larger. The hardness showed reverse indentation size effect (ISE) before the pop-in, and exhibited normal ISE after the pop-in. Both the hardness and the Young’s modulus of the a-plane (112¯0) ZnO single crystal increased with the increasing strain rate, exhibiting the positive strain-rate sensitivity.
Phage-Derived Depolymerase: Its Possible Role for Secondary Bacterial Infections in COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Nazir Amina , Song Jiaoyang , Chen Yibao , Liu Yuqing
Published: February 2023

As of 29 July 2022, there had been a cumulative 572,239,451 confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide, including 6,390,401 fatalities. COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms are usually treated with a combination of virus- and drug-induced immuno-suppression medicines. Critical clinical complications of the respiratory system due to secondary bacterial infections (SBIs) could be the reason for the high mortality rate in COVID-19 patients. Unfortunately, antimicrobial resistance is increasing daily, and only a few options are available in our antimicrobial armory. Hence, alternative therapeutic options such as enzymes derived from bacteriophages can be considered for treating SBIs in COVID-19 patients. In particular, phage-derived depolymerases have high antivirulent potency that can efficiently degrade bacterial capsular polysaccharides, lipopolysaccharides, and exopolysaccharides. They have emerged as a promising class of new antibiotics and their therapeutic role for bacterial infections is already confirmed in animal models. This review provides an overview of the rising incidence of SBIs among COVID-19 patients. We present a practicable novel workflow for phage-derived depolymerases that can easily be adapted for treating SBIs in COVID-19 patients.
Influence of Cellulase or Lactiplantibacillus plantarum on the Ensiling Performance and Bacterial Community in Mixed Silage of Alfalfa and Leymus chinensis
Authors: Si Qiang , Wang Zhijun , Liu Wei , Liu Mingjian , Ge Gentu , Jia Yushan , Du Shuai
Published: February 2023

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum or cellulase on the fermentation characteristics and bacterial community of mixed alfalfa (Medicago sativa L., AF) and Leymus chinensis (LC) silage. The harvested alfalfa and Leymus chinensis were cut into 1–2 cm lengths by a crop chopper and they were thoroughly mixed at a ratio of 3/2 (wet weight). The mixtures were treated with no addition (CON), Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LP, 1 × 106 cfu/g fresh material), cellulase (CE, 7.5 × 102 U/kg fresh material) and their combination (LPCE). The forages were packed into triplicate vacuum-sealed, polyethylene bags per treatment and ensiled for 1, 3, 5, 7 and 30 d at room temperature (17–25 °C). Compared to the CON groups, all the additives increased the lactic acid content and decreased the pH and ammonia nitrogen content over the ensiling period. In comparison to the other groups, higher water-soluble carbohydrate contents were discovered in the CE-inoculated silages. Compared to the CON groups, the treatment with LPCE retained the crude protein content and reduced the acid detergent fiber content. The principal coordinate analysis based on the unweighted UniFrac distance showed that individuals in the AF, LC, CON and LPCE treatment could be significantly separated from each other. At the genus level, the bacterial community in the mixed silage involves a shift from Cyanobacteria_unclassified to Lactobacillus. Lactobacillus dominated in all the treatments until the end of the silage, but when added with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, it was more effective in inhibiting undesirable microorganisms, such as Enterobacter, while reducing microbial diversity. By changing the bacterial community structure after applying Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and cellulase, the mixed silages quality could be further improved. During ensiling, the metabolism of the nucleotide and carbohydrate were enhanced whereas the metabolism of the amino acid, energy, cofactors and vitamins were hindered. In conclusion, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus in the mixed silage increased with the addition of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and cellulase, which also improved the fermentation quality.
A Tentative Model for the Origin of A-Type Granitoids
Authors: Johansson Åke
Published: February 2023

A-type granites are typically formed in stable intra-plate, back-arc or postcollisional settings and are characterized by highly ferroan and potassic major element compositions, and by strong enrichment in incompatible trace elements. Unlike I-, S- and M-type granites, where the letters denote the dominant source material (igneous, sedimentary or mantle derived), there is no consensus on the source and processes giving rise to A-type magmas. In this contribution, a conceptual model for the origin of A-type granitoids, using the Bornholm A-type granitoid complex in southern Fennoscandia as an example, is presented. In this model, underplated mantle-derived basaltic magma may develop into intermediate and siliceous A-type magma, which is ferroan, potassic and highly enriched in incompatible trace elements, through a combination of fractional crystallization leading to cumulate formation, and partial melting and crustal assimilation, in a process akin to zone refining in metallurgy. The key factor is a relatively stable tectonic environment (postcollisional, anorogenic, or extensional), where there is little or no replenishment of more primitive basaltic magma to the system, allowing it to attain more evolved, enriched and extreme compositions. The A-type granitoids may then be viewed as a more evolved counterpart of subduction-related I-type granitoids.
Papaverinol-N-Oxide: A Microbial Biotransformation Product of Papaverine with Potential Antidiabetic and Antiobesity Activity Unveiled with In Silico Screening
Authors: Eliwa Duaa , Kabbash Amal , El-Aasr Mona , Tawfik Haytham O. , Batiha Gaber El-Saber , Mahmoud Mohamed H. , De Waard Michel , Eldehna Wagdy M. , Ibrahim Abdel-Rahim S.
Published: February 2023

Bioconversion of biosynthetic heterocyclic compounds has been utilized to produce new semisynthetic pharmaceuticals and study the metabolites of bioactive drugs used systemically. In this investigation, the biotransformation of natural heterocyclic alkaloid papaverine via filamentous fungi was explored. Molecular docking simulations, using protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase (PL) as target enzymes, were performed to investigate the antidiabetic potential of papaverine and its metabolites in silico. The metabolites were isolated from biotransformation of papaverine with Cunninghamella elegans NRRL 2310, Rhodotorula rubra NRRL y1592, Penicillium chrysogeneum ATCC 10002 and Cunninghamella blackesleeana NRRL 1369 via reduction, demethylation, N-oxidation, oxidation and hydroxylation reactions. Seven metabolites were isolated: namely, 3,4-dihydropapaverine (metabolite 1), papaveroline (metabolite 2), 7-demethyl papaverine (metabolite 3), 6,4′-didemethyl papaverine (metabolite 4), papaverine-3-ol (metabolite 5), papaverinol (metabolite 6) and papaverinol N-oxide (metabolite 7). The structural elucidation of the metabolites was investigated with 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectroscopy (EI and ESI). The molecular docking studies showed that metabolite 7 exhibited better binding interactions with the target enzymes PTP1B, α-glucosidase and PL than did papaverine. Furthermore, papaverinol-N-oxide (7) also displayed inhibition of α-glucosidase and lipase enzymes comparable to that of their ligands (acarbose and orlistat, respectively), as unveiled with an in silico ADMET profile, molecular docking and molecular dynamics studies. In conclusion, this study provides evidence for enhanced inhibition of PTP1B, α-glucosidase and PL via some papaverine fungal transformation products and, therefore, potentially better antidiabetic and antiobesity effects than those of papaverine and other known therapeutic agents.
Fabrication of a Novel CNT-COO−/Ag3PO4@AgIO4Composite with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity under Natural Sunlight
Authors: Elbashir Abdalla A. , Shinger Mahgoub Ibrahim , Ma Xoafang , Lu Xiaoquan , Ahmed Amel Y. , Alnajjar Ahmed O.
Published: February 2023

In this study, a carboxylated carbon nanotube-grafted Ag3PO4@AgIO4 (CNT-COO−/Ag3PO4@AgIO4) composite was synthesized through an in situ electrostatic deposition method. The synthesized composite was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The electron transfer ability of the synthesized composite was studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The CNT-COO−/Ag3PO4@AgIO4 composite exhibited higher activity than CNT/Ag3PO4@AgIO4, Ag3PO4@AgIO4, and bare Ag3PO4. The material characterization and the detailed study of the various parameters thataffect the photocatalytic reaction revealed that the enhanced catalytic activity is related to the good interfacial interaction between CNT-COO and Ag3PO4. The energy band structure analysis is further considered as a reason for multi-electron reaction enhancement. The results and discussion in this study provide important information for the use of the functionalized CNT-COOH in the field of photocatalysis. Moreover, providinga new way to functionalize CNT viadifferent functional groups may lead to further development in the field of photocatalysis. This work could provide a new way to use natural sunlight to facilitate the practical application of photocatalysts toenvironmental issues.
Cross-Serological Reaction of Glandless Cottonseed Proteins to Peanut and Tree Nut Allergic IgE
Authors: Mattison Christopher P. , He Zhongqi , Zhang Dunhua , Dupre Rebecca , Lloyd Steven W.
Published: February 2023

Food allergy is a potentially life-threatening health concern caused by immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies that mistakenly recognize normally harmless food proteins as threats. Peanuts and tree nuts contain several seed storage proteins that commonly act as allergens. Glandless cottonseed, lacking the toxic compound gossypol, is a new food source. However, the seed storage proteins in cottonseed may act as allergens. To assess this risk, glandless cottonseed protein extracts were evaluated for IgE binding by peanut and tree nut allergic volunteers. ELISA demonstrated that 25% of 32 samples had significant binding to cottonseed extracts. Immunoblot analysis with pooled sera indicated that IgE recognized a pair of bands migrating at approximately 50 kDa. Excision of these bands and subsequent mass-spectrometric analysis demonstrated peptide matches to cotton C72 and GC72 vicilin and legumin A and B proteins. Further, in silico analysis indicated similarity of the cotton vicilin and legumin proteins to peanut vicilin (Ara h 1) and cashew nut legumin (Ana o 2) IgE-binding epitopes among others. The observations suggest both the cotton vicilin and legumin proteins were recognized by the nut allergic IgE, and they should be considered for future allergen risk assessments evaluating glandless cottonseed protein products.
In Silico Computational Studies of Bioactive Secondary Metabolites from Wedelia trilobata against Anti-Apoptotic B-Cell Lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) Protein Associated with Cancer Cell Survival and Resistance
Authors: Gowtham Hittanahallikoppal Gajendramurthy , Ahmed Faiyaz , Anandan Satish , Shivakumara C. S. , Bilagi Ashween , Pradeep Sushma , Shivamallu Chandan , Shati Ali A. , Alfaifi Mohammad Y. , Elbehairi Serag Eldin I. , Achar Raghu Ram , Silina Ekaterina , Stupin Victor , Murali Mahadevamurthy , Kollur Shiva Prasad
Published: February 2023

In the present study, the binding affinity of 52 bioactive secondary metabolites from Wedelia trilobata towards the anti-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) protein (PDB: 2W3L) structure was identified by using in silico molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. The molecular docking results demonstrated that the binding energies of docked compounds with Bcl-2 protein ranged from −5.3 kcal/mol to −10.1 kcal/mol. However, the lowest binding energy (−10.1 kcal/mol) was offered by Friedelin against Bcl-2 protein when compared to other metabolites and the standard drug Obatoclax (−8.4 kcal/mol). The molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the Friedelin-Bcl-2 protein complex was found to be stable throughout the simulation period of 100 ns. Overall, the predicted Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity (ADMET) properties of Friedelin are relatively better than Obatoclax, with the most noticeable differences in many parameters where Friedelin has no AMES toxicity, hepatotoxicity, and skin sensitization. The ADMET profiling of selected compounds supported their in silico drug-likeness properties. Based on the computational analyses, the present study concluded that Friedelin of W. trilobata was found to be the potential inhibitor of the Bcl-2 protein, which merits attention for further in vitro and in vivo studies before clinical trials.