bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carbon Storage in Cropland Soils: Insights from Iowa, United States
Authors: Jordahl Jim , McDaniel Marshall , Miller Bradley A. , Thompson Michael , Villarino Sebastian , Schulte Lisa A.
Published: August 2023

The restoration of soil organic matter (SOM, as measured by soil organic carbon (SOC)) within the world’s agricultural soils is imperative to sustaining crop production and restoring other ecosystem services. We compiled long-term studies on the effect of management practices on SOC from Iowa, USA—an agricultural region with relatively high-quality soil data—to highlight constraints on detecting changes in SOC and inform research needed to improve SOC measurement and management. We found that strip-tillage and no-tillage increased SOC by 0.25–0.43 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 compared to losses of 0.24 to 0.46 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 with more intensive tillage methods. The conversion of cropland to perennial grassland increased SOC by 0.21–0.74 Mg C ha−1 yr−1. However, diversifying crop rotations with extended rotations, and supplementing synthetic fertilizer with animal manure, had highly variable and inconsistent effects on SOC. The improved prediction of changes in SOC requires: the use of methods that can identify and disentangle multiple sources of variability; looking beyond total SOC and toward systematic collection of data on more responsive and functionally relevant fractions; whole-profile SOC monitoring; monitoring SOC in long-term studies on the effect of multiple conservation practices used in combination; and deeper collaboration between field soil scientists and modelers.
The Enhancement of Special-Use Real Estate Properties: The Case of Hospital Facilities
Authors: Dell’Ovo Marta , Torrieri Francesca , Oppio Alessandra , Capolongo Stefano , Gola Marco , Brambilla Andrea
Published: August 2023

In the Italian context, public investments for the redevelopment and securing of the National Health Service’s real estate assets are a crucial topic in the context of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) within the Next Generation Italian strategy. The paper proposes the evaluation of alternative scenarios for accessing financing under the NRRP with respect to the criterion of the technically efficient solution, i.e., the solution that minimizes investment costs while respecting time obligations. The methodology proposed refers to the Cost approach with specific reference to the Depreciated Replacement Cost Method (DRC) in order to estimate the market value in different scenarios. The approach is applied to a case study located in the Piedmont Region, where alternatives are compared with respect to both budget constraints and the timeframe for accessing financing. Given the growing concern for urban regeneration and “public city” rearrangement as an answer to the ongoing global changes, making investments in special-use real estate properties has become a central and challenging issue both in the public and private decision domains.
Rate of Involved Endocervical Margins According to High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Subtype and Transformation Zone Type in Specimens with Cone Length ≤ 10 mm versus > 10 mm—A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Paternostro Chiara , Joura Elmar , Ranftl Christina , Langthaler Eva-Maria , Ristl Robin , Dorittke Tim , Pils Sophie
Published: August 2023

The aim of this study was to evaluate the endocervical margin status according to transformation zone (TZ) and high-risk HPV (hr-HPV) subtype in specimens with cone length ≤ 10 mm versus > 10 mm to provide data for informed decision making and patients counseling especially for women wishing to conceive. In this retrospective cohort study, 854 patients who underwent large loop excision of the transformation zone during a nine-year period (2013–2021) for cervical disease were analyzed. The main outcome parameters were excision length, histological result, TZ type, HPV subtype and endocervical margin status. A subgroup analysis was performed according to excision length, with a cut-off value of 10 mm. A two-step surgical procedure was performed in case of an excision length of > 10 mm. The overall rate of positive endocervical margins irrespective of excision length was 17.2%, with 19.3% in specimens with ≤ 10 mm and 15.0% with > 10 mm excision length. Overall, 41.2% of women with a visible TZ and HPV 16/hr infection and 27.0% of women with HPV 18 received an excisional treatment of > 10 mm length without further oncological benefit, respectively. In contrast, assuming that only an excision of ≤ 10 mm length had been performed in women with visible TZ, the rate of clear endocervical margins would have been 63.7% for HPV 16/hr infections and 49.3% for HPV 18 infections. In conclusion, the decision about excision length should be discussed with the patient in terms of oncological safety and the risk of adverse pregnancy events. An excision length > 10 mm increases the number of cases with cervical tissue removed without further oncological benefit, which needs to be taken into account in order to provide an individual therapeutic approach. Furthermore, HPV 18 positivity is related to a higher rate of positive endocervical margins irrespective of TZ.
Association between Dapagliflozin, Cardiac Biomarkers and Cardiac Remodeling in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus and Heart Failure
Authors: Xanthopoulos Andrew , Katsiadas Nikolaos , Skoularigkis Spyridon , Magouliotis Dimitrios E. , Skopeliti Niki , Patsilinakos Sotirios , Briasoulis Alexandros , Triposkiadis Filippos , Skoularigis John
Published: August 2023

Sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) are a relatively new class of antidiabetic drugs that have shown favorable effects in heart failure (HF) patients, irrespective of the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Recent studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of empagliflozin on cardiac function and structure; however, less is known about dapagliflozin. The purpose of the current work was to investigate the association between the use of dapagliflozin and cardiac biomarkers as well as the cardiac structure in a cohort of patients with HF and diabetes mellitus (DM). The present work was an observational study that included 118 patients (dapagliflozin group n = 60; control group n = 58) with HF and DM. The inclusion criteria included: age > 18 years, a history of DM and HF, regardless of LVEF, and hospitalization for HF exacerbation within the previous 6 months. The exclusion criteria were previous treatment with SGLT2i or glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, a GFR< 30 and life expectancy < 1 year. The evaluation of patients (at baseline, 6 and 12 months) included a clinical assessment, laboratory blood tests and echocardiography. The Mann–Whitney test was used for the comparison of continuous variables between the two groups, while Friedman’s analysis of variance for repeated measures was used for the comparison of continuous variables. Troponin (p < 0.001) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) (p < 0.001) decreased significantly throughout the follow-up period in the dapagliflozin group, but not in the control group (p > 0.05 for both). The LV end-diastolic volume index (p < 0.001 for both groups) and LV end-systolic volume index (p < 0.001 for both groups) decreased significantly in the dapagliflozin and the control group, respectively. The LVEF increased significantly (p < 0.001) only in the dapagliflozin group, whereas the global longitudinal strain (GLS) improved in the dapagliflozin group (p < 0.001) and was impaired in the control group (p = 0.021). The left atrial volume index decreased in the dapagliflozin group (p < 0.001) but remained unchanged in the control group (p = 0.114). Lastly, the left ventricular mass index increased significantly both in the dapagliflozin (p = 0.003) and control group (p = 0.001). Dapagliflozin, an SGLT2i, was associated with a reduction in cardiac biomarkers and with reverse cardiac remodeling in patients with HF and DM.
Anti-Wear Property of Laser Textured 42CrMo Steel Surface
Authors: Zhang Hua , Pei Xinfeng , Jiang Xindong
Published: August 2023

In this work, laser processing technology was utilized to fabricate micro-textures on the surface of 42CrMo steel to improve its wear resistance under high load conditions and provide an effective method to solve the wear of tooth plates in oil drilling wellhead machinery. Firstly, the friction process of the textured components was conducted by finite element analysis. Additionally, various forms of textures were compared and measured by this method to optimize the shape and parameters of the patterns. Secondly, three types of texture shapes, such as micro-dimples, micro-grooves, and reticular grooves, were created on the surface of 42CrMo steel. Lastly, the tribological characteristics of the micro-textures were analyzed in the dry friction experiments. Compared with the untextured surface, the wear resistance of the textured 42CrMo steel has been improved, and the anti-wear property of the micro-dimples was better than micro-grooves and reticular grooves. Along the direction of friction sliding, the wear of the front end is more worn than the rear end. Micro-dimples with a diameter of 0.8 mm, a spacing of 1.2 mm, and an area occupancy of 34.8% were fabricated at an output power of 200 W and a frequency of 5 Hz. The wear of the textured surface has been reduced by more than 80% in the process of ring-block dry friction with a load of 50 N, a rotation speed of 35 r/min, and a time of 15 min. The wear mechanism is mainly abrasive wear. The results showed that the hardness of the surface could be improved by laser hardening. In addition, micro-dimples on 42CrMo steel can store abrasive particles, mitigate the formation of furrows and reduce the abrasive wear of tooth plates.
Analysis of the Performance of Recycled Insulation Concrete and Optimal Mix Ratio Design Based on Orthogonal Testing
Authors: Deng Jun-Xi , Li Xiao , Li Xiao-Juan , Wei Tai-Bing
Published: August 2023

Construction and agricultural waste recycling have gained more and more attention recently as renewable resources. Straw and construction waste, both of which are widespread in northern Fujian, were investigated in this research. The orthogonal test was used to investigate the effects of recycled aggregate, straw, and glazed hollow beads on the mechanical and thermal properties of recycled insulation concrete. The influence of different factors on the macroscopic characteristics of recycled insulation concrete was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The optimal mix proportion for recycled insulation concrete that satisfies mechanical performance standards and provides superior insulation performance was then determined using the total efficacy coefficient method. According to the research findings, the heat conductivity of recycled insulation concrete decreases as its dried density decreases. A 100% recycled coarse aggregate replacement rate, 1% straw content, and 10% glazed hollow beads replacement rate are the optimal mix ratios for recycled insulation concrete. With a compressive strength of 20.98 MPa, a splitting tensile strength of 2.01 MPa, a thermal conductivity of 0.3776 W/(m·K), and a dry density of 1778.66 kg/m3, recycled insulation concrete has the optimal mix ratio. Recycled insulation concrete is a novel form of eco-friendly, energy-saving concrete that aims to achieve low-carbon energy savings and sustainable development by combining resource recycling with building energy savings to realize the recycling of solid waste resources, which has significant environmental, social, and economic benefits and broad market application potential.
Phase-Field Study of Exchange Coupling in Co-Pt Nonstandard Nanochessboards
Authors: Xu Keran , Tang Jiabei , Wang Yanzhe , Zhu Yinning , Geng Liwei D.
Published: August 2023

The Co-Pt binary system can form a two-phase nanochessboard structure comprising regularly aligned nanorods of magnetically hard tetragonal L10 phase and magnetically soft cubic L12 phase. This Co-Pt nanochessboard, being an exchange-coupled magnetic nanocomposite, exhibits a strong effect on magnetic domains and coercivity. While the ideal nanochessboard structure has tiles with equal edge lengths (a = b), the non-ideal or nonstandard nanochessboard structure has tiles with unequal edge lengths (a ≠ b). In this study, we employed phase-field modeling and computer simulation to systematically investigate the exchange coupling effect on magnetic properties in nonstandard nanochessboards. The simulations reveal that coercivity is dependent on the length scale, with magnetic hardening occurring below the critical exchange length, followed by magnetic softening above the critical exchange length, similar to the standard nanochessboards. Moreover, the presence of unequal edge lengths induces an anisotropic exchange coupling and shifts the coercivity peak with the length scale.
The Microscopic Mechanism and Rheological Properties of SBS-Modified Asphalt with Warm Mixing Fast-Melting
Authors: Huo Weiguang , Zhuang Yazhou , Wang Ziran , Kang Xiaolong , Wang Riran
Published: August 2023

To overcome the shortcomings of traditional wet styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) modification technology, such as its high energy consumption and thermal decomposition, a warm mix and fast-melting SBS modifier was developed. Based on the theory of rheology, a dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) was applied to investigate the viscoelastic properties of the warm mix and fast-melting SBS-modified asphalt using a frequency scanning test. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to reveal the modification mechanism of the SBS-modified asphalt. An investigation of the thermal stability of the asphalt binder was conducted using a thermogravimetric test (TG). The results exhibited that the SBS-modified asphalt had good viscoelastic properties, as well as thermal stability. The “bee structure” of the SBS-modified asphalt was finer and more stable. In addition, the adhesion and the Derjaguin–Muller–Toporov (DMT) modulus of the SBS-modified asphalt at a warm mixing speed was higher than that of regular SBS-modified asphalt.
Basic Properties of MgAl-Mixed Oxides in CO2 Adsorption at High Temperature
Authors: Chaillot Dylan , Folliard Vincent , Miehé-Brendlé Jocelyne , Auroux Aline , Dzene Liva , Bennici Simona
Published: August 2023

The increase of consciousness towards global warming and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions lead to the necessity of finding alternative applications based on easy-to-use materials in order to control and reduce global CO2 emissions. Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) and LDH-derived materials are potentially good adsorbents for CO2, thanks to their low cost, easy synthesis, high sorption capacity, and surface basicity. They have been intensively studied in CO2 capture at high temperature, presenting variable sorption capacities for MgAl LDHs with the same composition, but prepared under different synthesis conditions. The ambient temperature coprecipitation synthesis method is an attractive one-step procedure to synthesize LDHs under mild conditions, with low energy consumption and short synthesis time. The present study is based on the synthesis and characterization of hydrotalcites by a mild-conditions coprecipitation process and the production of derived mixed oxides to be used as CO2 adsorbents. A critical comparison to similar materials is reported. Moreover, the effect of the surface basicity of the derived mixed oxides (measured by adsorption calorimetry) and the CO2 sorption capacity are discussed, showing a linear correlation between the amount of weak and very strong basic sites and the CO2 adsorption behavior.
Flexural Strengthening of Stone Masonry Walls Using Textile-Reinforced Sarooj Mortar
Authors: Al-Saidy Abdullah Hilal , Al-Busaidi Manal , El-Gamal Sherif , Abu Sohel Kazi Md
Published: August 2023

The majority of historical buildings and structures in Oman were built using unreinforced stone masonry. These structures have deteriorated due to ageing of materials, environmental degradation, and lack of maintenance. This research investigates the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of local building materials and the results of an experimental study on the out-of-plane bending effectiveness of an innovative strengthening method applied to existing masonry walls. The technique consists of the application of a basalt textile-reinforced sarooj mortar (TRM) on one face of the walls. Bending tests of masonry wall samples (1000 mm width, 2000 mm height, and 350 mm depth) were carried out on one unreinforced specimen and three different cases of reinforced specimens. The performance of unreinforced and reinforced specimens was analyzed and compared. The strengthened specimens were able to resist moments of out-of-plane bending 2.5 to 3 times greater than those of unreinforced specimen (160–233% increase). Moreover, the strengthened walls were able to sustain higher deformations (deflections) than the unreinforced specimen ranging from 20 to 130%. The results showed that using TRM was effective for the out-of-plane strengthening of stone masonry using a local material (sarooj) that is compatible with existing stone masonry building materials.
Study of Effective Stress Intensity Factor through the CJP Model Using Full-Field Experimental Data
Authors: Camacho-Reyes Alonso , Vasco-Olmo Jose Manuel , Gómez Gonzales Giancarlo Luis , Diaz Francisco Alberto
Published: August 2023

In this work, the Christopher–James–Patterson crack tip field model is used to infer and assess the effective stress intensity factor ranges measured from thermoelastic and digital image correlation data. The effective stress intensity factor range obtained via the Christopher–James–Patterson model, which provides an effective rationalization of fatigue crack growth rates, is separated into two components representing the elastic and retardation components to assess shielding phenomena on growing fatigue cracks. For this analysis, fatigue crack growth tests were performed on Compact-Tension specimens manufactured in pure grade 2 titanium for different stress ratio levels, and digital image correlation and thermoelastic measurements were made for different crack lengths. A good agreement (~2% average deviation) was found between the results obtained via thermoelastic stress analysis and digital image correlation indicating the validity of the Christopher–James–Patterson model to investigate phenomena in fracture mechanics where plasticity plays an important role. The results show the importance of considering crack-shielding effects using the Christopher–James–Patterson model beyond considering an exclusive crack closure influence.
Experimental Study of Dynamic Tensile Strength of Steel-Fiber-Reinforced Self-Compacting Concrete Using Modified Hopkinson Bar
Authors: Ma Jian , Huo Yifei , Wang Ning , Sun Zhang , Bian Liang , Huang Ruiyuan
Published: August 2023

As a typical brittle material, the tensile strength of concrete is much lower than its compressive strength. The main failure mode of concrete buildings under explosive and impact loading is spalling, so it is crucial to understand the dynamic tensile performance of concrete. This paper presents an experimental study on the dynamic tensile strength of steel-fiber-reinforced self-compacting concrete (SFRSCC). Specimens of two different self-compacting concrete (SCC) mixes (C40 and C60) and four different fiber volume fractions (0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0%) are fabricated. Dynamic tensile strengths of SFRSCC are obtained using a modified Hopkinson bar system. The relationships between the dynamic tensile strength of the corresponding SCC mix, the quasi-static compressive strength, and the fiber volume fraction are discussed. An empirical equation is proposed. It is shown that SFRSCC with high compressive strength has higher dynamic tensile strength than low-strength SFRSCC for the same fiber content, and the dynamic tensile strength of SFRSCC possesses an approximately linear relation with the fiber volume fraction. The mechanism underlying this fiber-reinforcement effect is investigated.
Review on Multicatalytic Behavior of Ba0.85Ca0.15Ti0.9Zr0.1O3 Ceramic
Authors: Gaur Akshay , Porwal Chirag , Boukhris Imed , Chauhan Vishal Singh , Vaish Rahul
Published: August 2023

Ferroelectric materials are known to possess multicatalytic abilities that are nowadays utilized for removing organic pollutants from water via piezocatalysis, photocatalysis, piezo-photocatalysis, and pyrocatalysis processes. The Ba0.85Ca0.15Ti0.9Zr0.1O3 (BCZTO) ceramic is one such ferroelectric composition that has been extensively studied for electrical and electronic applications. Furthermore, the BCZTO ceramic has also shown remarkable multicatalytic performance in water-cleaning applications. The present review explores the potentiality of BCZTO for water-cleaning and bacterial-killing applications. It also highlights the fundamentals of ferroelectric ceramics, the importance of electric poling, and the principles underlying piezocatalysis, photocatalysis, and pyrocatalysis processes in addition to the multicatalytic capability of ferroelectric BCZTO ceramic.
Charge Carrier Dynamics in Non-Fullerene Acceptor-Based Organic Solar Cells: Investigating the Influence of Processing Additives Using Transient Absorption Spectroscopy
Authors: Ham Gayoung , Lee Damin , Park Changwoo , Cha Hyojung
Published: August 2023

In this study, we present a comprehensive investigation into the charge generation mechanism in bulk-heterojunction organic solar cells employing non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) both with and without the presence of processing additives. While photovoltaic devices based on Y6 or BTP-eC9 have shown remarkable power conversion efficiencies, the underlying charge generation mechanism in polymer:NFA blends remains poorly understood. To shed light on this, we employ transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy to elucidate the charge transfer pathway within a blend of the donor polymer PM6 and NFAs. Interestingly, the charge carrier lifetimes of neat Y6 and BTP-eC9 are comparable, both reaching up to 20 ns. However, the PM6:BTP-eC9 blend exhibits substantially higher charge carrier generation and a longer carrier lifetime compared to PM6:Y6 blend films, leading to superior performance. By comparing TA data obtained from PM6:Y6 or PM6:BTP-eC9 blend films with and without processing additives, we observe significantly enhanced charge carrier generation and prolonged charge carrier lifetimes in the presence of these additives. These findings underscore the potential of manipulating excited species as a promising avenue for further enhancing the performance of organic solar cells. Moreover, this understanding contributes to the advancement of NFA-based systems and the optimization of charge transfer processes in polymer:NFA blends.
Performance of Anticorrosive Paint Systems for Carbon Steel in the Antarctic Marine Environment
Authors: Vera Rosa , Bagnara Margarita , Henríquez Rodrigo , Muñoz Lisa , Rojas Paula , Díaz-Gómez Andrés
Published: August 2023

This study evaluated the behavior of three paint systems exposed to the Antarctic marine environment for 45 months compared to a control of uncoated carbon steel with a determined corrosion rate. At the study site, all environmental conditions, solar radiation, and the concentration of environmental pollutants (Cl− and SO2) were evaluated. The paint systems differed in terms of the primer and top coat. Coated samples were studied before and after exposure. They were evaluated visually and using SEM to determine adhesion, abrasion, and contact angle; using the Evans X-Cut Tape Test; using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy to analyze the state of aging of the top layer; and using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) for coat protection characterization. The corrosion rate obtained for steel was 85.64 µm year−1, which aligned with a C5 environmental corrosivity category. In general, the evaluation in the period studied showed the paint systems had good adhesion and resistance to delamination, without the presence of surface rust, and exhibited some loss of brightness, an increase in the abrasion index, and a decrease in the percentage of reflectance due to aging. EIS showed good protection capability of the three coating schemes. In general, this type of paint system has not previously been evaluated in an extreme environment after 45 months of exposure to the environment. The results showed that the best behavior was found for the system whose top layer was acrylic–aliphatic polyurethane.
The Effect of Sensitization on the Susceptibility of AISI 316L Biomaterial to Pitting Corrosion
Authors: Zatkalíková Viera , Uhríčik Milan , Markovičová Lenka , Pastierovičová Lucia , Kuchariková Lenka
Published: August 2023

Due to the combination of high corrosion resistance and suitable mechanical properties, AISI 316L stainless steel is extensively used as the biomaterial for surgical implants. However, heat exposure in inappropriate temperatures can cause its sensitization accompanied by chromium depletion along the grain boundaries. This study deals with an assessment of the susceptibility of sensitized AISI 316L biomaterial to pitting under conditions simulating the internal environment of the human body (Hank’s balanced salt solution, 37 ± 0.5 °C). The resistance to pitting corrosion is tested by the potentiodynamic polarization and by the 50-day exposure immersion test. Corrosion damage after the exposure immersion test is evaluated in the specimens’ cross-sections by optical microscope and SEM. Despite passive behavior in potentiodynamic polarization and shallow, slight corrosion damage observed after exposure, the sensitized AISI 316L biomaterial could represent a risk, especially in long-term implantation even after the chemical removal of high-temperature oxides.
A Study of Repair Mortars for Restoration of Wall Painted Plasters in a Hypogeum Rock-Cut Church of Matera (Southern Italy)
Authors: Giandomenico Manuel , Capasso Filippo Edoardo , Muca Sokol , Gaetani Maria Carolina , Quarta Giovanni , Iafrate Sara , Melica Davide , Calia Angela
Published: August 2023

Several lime mortars for the repair of painted plasters of the rock-cut church of Ss. Pietro and Paolo in Matera were studied. They were designed taking into account both aesthetic criteria that need to be fulfilled in the field of paintings restoration, and physical–mechanical compatibility with the original materials on site, i.e., the pre-existing plasters and the supporting rock. Mixes with calcareous and silica aggregates, based on different grain size proportions, were prepared to fill missing portions of the original painted plaster. The effects of the mineralogical nature and size of the aggregates on the characteristics and properties of the mixes were investigated in relation to the microstructure, physical–mechanical features and resistance to salt ageing. At the end of the experimental campaign, the overall performance was evaluated.
Effects of Surface Treatment Method Forming New Nano/Micro Hierarchical Structures on Attachment and Proliferation of Osteoblast-like Cells
Authors: Im Jae-Seung , Choi Hyunsuk , An Hyun-Wook , Kwon Tae-Yub , Hong Min-Ho
Published: August 2023

Titanium (Ti) and Ti-based alloys are commonly used in dental implants, and surface modifications of dental implants are important for achieving osseointegration (i.e., direct connection between the implant surface and bone). This study investigated the effect of an eco-friendly etching solution—a hydrogen peroxide–sodium bicarbonate mixture—on the surface properties and contact angles of osteoblast adhesion and proliferation on Ti surfaces. Disk-shaped Ti specimens were prepared using different surface treatments (machining, sandblasting, and sandblasting/acid-etching), and they were immersed in the etching solution and ultrasonically cleaned. Surface characterization was performed using scanning electron microscopy, digital microscopy, contact angle analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. MG-63 osteoblasts were cultured on the specimens, and their adhesion to the specimen surface and proliferation were examined using staining and the MTT assay, respectively. Additional etching with the etching solution caused the formation of nano/micro hierarchical structures, increased surface roughness, and enhanced hydrophilicity. Osteoblast adhesion and proliferation were found to improve on the modified surfaces. The eco-friendly etching method has the potential to enhance the biological properties of Ti implant surfaces and thereby improve dental implant performance.
Bioactive Polyoxymethylene Composites: Mechanical and Antibacterial Characterization
Authors: Kaczor Paulina , Bazan Patrycja , Kuciel Stanisław
Published: August 2023

The aim of this study is to analyze the strength and antibacterial properties of composites based on structural polyoxymethylene. The base material was modified with the most used antibacterial additives, such as silver nanoparticles, copper oxide, zinc oxide, and titanium oxide. Basic strength and low-cycle fatigue tests were conducted to determine the dissipation energy of the material. The composites were also tested for antibacterial properties against two strains of bacteria: Escherichia coli ATCC 8739 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538. Strength properties showed no significant changes in the mechanical behavior of the tested composites against the matrix material. The best antibacterial additive was the addition of titanium oxide nanoparticles, providing 100% efficacy against Escherichia coli and almost 100% biocidal efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus. The other antibacterial additives showed biocidal efficacy of about 30–40% against the unmodified material. The added value of the work is the consistency in the methodology of testing materials modified with antibacterial additives, as well as the same compactness of the introduced additives. This study makes it clear which of the introduced additives has the highest biocidal activity.
Application of Polymer-Embedded Tetrabutylammonium Bromide (TBAB) Membranes for the Selective Extraction of Metal Ions from Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Pospiech Beata
Published: August 2023

The selective extraction of metals from aqueous solutions is a very important stage in the hydrometallurgical processing of metallic waste. Leach solutions are usually a multicomponent mixture. The main impurity of aqueous solutions obtained after leaching using inorganic acids is iron. In this work, the membrane separation of iron(III) from nickel(II), cobalt(II), and lithium(I) was studied. The facilitated transport of metal ions using polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) with tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) as an ion carrier under various conditions was analyzed in detail. Several factors, such as the ion carrier concentration in the membrane as well as the effect of the inorganic acid concentration in the source/receiving phases on the kinetic parameters, were investigated. The results show that ionic liquid TBAB is a very selective ion carrier of Fe(III) towards Ni(II), Co(II), and Li(I).
Suppression of Fading Noise in Satellite-Mediated Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution via Clusterization
Authors: Zuo Zhiyue , Peng Wenqi , Xian Hui , Jiang Wenqi , Luo Hao , Xiong Sha , Guo Ying
Published: August 2023

The satellite-mediated continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) protocol, which relies on off-the-shelf telecommunication components, has the potential for a global quantum communication network with all-day operation. However, the transmittance fluctuation of satellite-mediated links leads to the arriving quantum state showing non-Gaussian property, introducing extra fading noise in security analysis and limiting the secret key rate of the protocol. Here, we consider the clusterization method for data post-processing to suppress the fading noise in both downlink and uplink scenarios, where the measurement data are divided into several clusters, and we perform security analysis separately. In particular, we set the optimal upper and lower bounds of each cluster in terms of the probability distribution of transmittance (PDT), while finding an optimal cluster number for the trade-off between fading noise and the composable finite-size effect. Numerical analysis shows that the proposed method can improve the composable finite-size rate when the fading noise is large enough, even with only two clusters. Moreover, a high-speed CV-QKD system with a higher frequency of signal preparation and detection can extend the proposed method to work in the case of lower fading noise.
Di-Forcing Polynomials for Cyclic Ladder Graphs CLn
Authors: Wang Yantong
Published: August 2023

The cyclic ladder graph CLn is the Cartesian product of cycles Cn and paths P2, that is CLn=Cn×P2, (n≥3). The di-forcing polynomial of CLn is a binary enumerative polynomial of all perfect matching forcing and anti-forcing numbers. In this paper, we derive recursive formulas for the di-forcing polynomial of cyclic ladder graph CLn by classifying and counting the matching cases of the associated edges of a given vertex, from which we obtain the number of perfect matching, the forcing and anti-forcing polynomials, and the generating function and by computing some di-forcing polynomials of the lower order CLn.
Numerical Computing Research on Tunnel Structure Cracking Risk under the Influence of Multiple Factors in Urban Deep Aquifer Zones
Authors: Ma Minglei , Wang Wei , Wu Jianqiu , Han Lei , Sun Min , Zhang Yonggang
Published: August 2023

During the operation period of tunnels in urban deep aquifer zones, the geological environment around the tunnel is complex and the surrounding strata are rich in groundwater, which often poses a risk of structure cracking and groundwater leakage, seriously threatening the tunnel’s safety. To reduce the risk of tunnel cracking, a theoretical calculation model and a three-dimensional concrete–soil interaction thermo-mechanical coupling numerical computing model was established to analyze the tunnel structure cracking risk under the influence of multiple factors in urban deep aquifer zones. The response mechanism of structural stress and deformation under the influence of the grade of rock and soil mass, overburden thickness, temperature difference, structure’s length–height ratio, structure’s thickness, and structure’s elastic modulus was investigated, and the stress and deformation response characteristics of the structure with deformation joints were explored. The results show that the maximum longitudinal tensile stress of the structure increases with the increase in the grade of rock and soil mass, overburden thickness, temperature difference, structure’s length–height ratio, and elastic modulus. The temperature difference has the most significant impact on the longitudinal tensile stress of the structure, with the maximum tensile stress of the structure increasing by 2.8 times. The tunnel deformation joints can effectively reduce the longitudinal tensile stress of the structure, and the reduction magnitude of the tensile stress is the largest at the deformation joints, which is 64.7%.
Hard to Detect Factors of Univariate Integer Polynomials
Authors: Dennunzio Alberto , Formenti Enrico , Margara Luciano
Published: August 2023

We investigate the computational complexity of deciding whether a given univariate integer polynomial p(x) has a factor q(x) satisfying specific additional constraints. When the only constraint imposed on q(x) is to have a degree smaller than the degree of p(x) and greater than zero, the problem is equivalent to testing the irreducibility of p(x) and then it is solvable in polynomial time. We prove that deciding whether a given monic univariate integer polynomial has factors satisfying additional properties is NP-complete in the strong sense. In particular, given any constant value k∈Z, we prove that it is NP-complete in the strong sense to detect the existence of a factor that returns a prescribed value when evaluated at x=k (Theorem 1) or to detect the existence of a pair of factors—whose product is equal to the original polynomial—that return the same value when evaluated at x=k (Theorem 2). The list of all the properties we have investigated in this paper is reported at the end of Section Introduction.
Unveiling the Potential of Sheffer Polynomials: Exploring Approximation Features with Jakimovski–Leviatan Operators
Authors: Zayed Mohra , Wani Shahid Ahmad , Bhat Mohammad Younus
Published: August 2023

In this article, we explore the construction of Jakimovski–Leviatan operators for Durrmeyer-type approximation using Sheffer polynomials. Constructing positive linear operators for Sheffer polynomials enables us to analyze their approximation properties, including weighted approximations and convergence rates. The application of approximation theory has earned significant attention from scholars globally, particularly in the fields of engineering and mathematics. The investigation of these approximation properties and their characteristics holds considerable importance in these disciplines.
Searching for Optimal Oversampling to Process Imbalanced Data: Generative Adversarial Networks and Synthetic Minority Over-Sampling Technique
Authors: Eom Gayeong , Byeon Haewon
Published: August 2023

Classification problems due to data imbalance occur in many fields and have long been studied in the machine learning field. Many real-world datasets suffer from the issue of class imbalance, which occurs when the sizes of classes are not uniform; thus, data belonging to the minority class are likely to be misclassified. It is particularly important to overcome this issue when dealing with medical data because class imbalance inevitably arises due to incidence rates within medical datasets. This study adjusted the imbalance ratio (IR) within the National Biobank of Korea dataset “Epidemiologic data of Parkinson’s disease dementia patients” to values of 6.8 (raw data), 9, and 19 and compared four traditional oversampling methods with techniques using the conditional generative adversarial network (CGAN) and conditional tabular generative adversarial network (CTGAN). The results showed that when the classes were balanced with CGAN and CTGAN, they showed a better classification performance than the more traditional oversampling techniques based on the AUC and F1-score. We were able to expand the application scope of GAN, widely used in unstructured data, to structured data. We also offer a better solution for the imbalanced data problem and suggest future research directions.
Computational Evaluation of IABP, Impella 2.5, TandemHeart and Combined IABP and Impella 2.5 Support in Cardiogenic Shock
Authors: Alkan Rahmi , De Lazzari Beatrice , Capoccia Massimo , De Lazzari Claudio , Bozkurt Selim
Published: August 2023

Cardiogenic shock is a life-threatening condition consisting of low cardiac output status leading to end-organ hypoperfusion following either acute left or right ventricular failure or decompensation of chronic heart failure. Partial or failed response to inotropic support in the acute phase may require the use of mechanical circulatory support. Although patients supported with different devices such as an IABP, Impella 2.5, or TandemHeart experience stability in the short term, the haemodynamic benefits of each device remain unclear. The aim of this study is to present a direct comparison of an IABP, Impella 2.5, TandemHeart, and combined IABP and Impella 2.5 support in cardiogenic shock to evaluate haemodynamic variables and left ventricular unloading using cardiovascular system modelling and simulation in terms of cardiac function, systemic, pulmonary, cardiac, and cerebral circulations. The simulation results showed that the IABP had a relatively low effect on the haemodynamic variables. Although both Impella 2.5 and TandemHeart improved the total blood flow rates, as well as coronary and cerebral perfusion with the increasing pump operating speed, TandemHeart had a more profound effect on the haemodynamic variables. Combining the IABP and Impella 2.5 also improved the haemodynamics, although at the expense of reverse blood flow in the cerebral circulation. Simulation results showed that TandemHeart support might have a more beneficial effect on the haemodynamics and left ventricular energetics in comparison to the IABP and Impella 2.5. Nevertheless, the combined use of the IABP and Impella 2.5 for short-term support may be considered an appropriate alternative.
EvolveNet: Evolving Networks by Learning Scale of Depth and Width
Authors: Shibu Athul , Lee Dong-Gyu
Published: August 2023

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have shown decent performance in a variety of computer vision tasks. However, these network configurations are largely hand-crafted, which leads to inefficiency in the constructed network. Various other algorithms have been proposed to address this issue, but the inefficiencies resulting from human intervention have not been addressed. Our proposed EvolveNet algorithm is a task-agnostic evolutionary search algorithm that can find optimal depth and width scales automatically in an efficient way. The optimal configurations are not found using grid search, and are instead evolved from an existing network. This eliminates inefficiencies that emanate from hand-crafting, thus reducing the drop in accuracy. The proposed algorithm is a framework to search through a large search space of subnetworks until a suitable configuration is found. Extensive experiments on the ImageNet dataset demonstrate the superiority of the proposed method by outperforming the state-of-the-art methods.
ADDA: An Adversarial Direction-Guided Decision-Based Attack via Multiple Surrogate Models
Authors: Li Wanman , Liu Xiaozhang
Published: August 2023

Over the past decade, Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) have been extensively deployed in security-critical areas; however, the security of CNN models is threatened by adversarial attacks. Decision-based adversarial attacks, wherein an attacker relies solely on the final output label of the target model to craft adversarial examples, are the most challenging yet practical adversarial attacks. However, existing decision-based adversarial attacks generally suffer from poor query efficiency or low attack success rate, especially for targeted attacks. To address these issues, we propose a query-efficient Adversarial Direction-guided Decision-based Attack (ADDA), which exploits the advantages of transfer-based priors and the benefits of a single query. The transfer-based priors provided by the gradients of multiple different surrogate models can be utilized to suggest the most promising search directions for generating adversarial examples. The query consumption during the ADDA attack is mainly derived from a single query evaluation of the candidate adversarial samples, which significantly saves the number of queries. Experimental results on several ImageNet classifiers, including l∞ and l2 threat models, demonstrate that our proposed approach overwhelmingly outperforms existing state-of-the-art decision-based attacks in terms of both query efficiency and attack success rate. We show case studies of ADDA against a real-world API in which it is successfully able to fool the Google Cloud Vision API after only a few queries.
Sarcoidosis-Associated Sensory Ganglionopathy and Harlequin Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Navickaitė Ieva , Ališauskienė Miglė , Petrauskienė Sandra , Žemgulytė Gintarė
Published: August 2023

Background and Objectives: Sensory ganglionopathy is a rare neurological disorder caused by degeneration of the neurons composing the dorsal root ganglia. It manifests as various sensory disturbances in the trunk, proximal limbs, face, or mouth in a patchy and asymmetrical pattern. Harlequin syndrome is characterized by unilateral flushing and sweating of the face, neck, and upper chest, concurrent with contralateral anhidrosis. Here, we present and discuss a clinical case of sarcoidosis-associated ganglionopathy and Harlequin syndrome. Case presentation: A 31-year-old woman complained of burning pain in the right side of the upper chest and the feet. She also experienced episodes of intense flushing and sweating on the right side of her face, neck, and upper chest. Three years before these symptoms began, the patient was diagnosed with pulmonary sarcoidosis. On neurological examination, sensory disturbances were present. In the trunk, the patient reported pronounced hyperalgesia and allodynia in the upper part of the right chest and some patches on the right side of the upper back. In the extremities, hypoalgesia in the tips of the fingers and hyperalgesia in the feet were noted. An extensive diagnostic workup was performed to eliminate other possible causes of these disorders. A broad range of possible metabolic, immunological, and structural causes were ruled out. Thus, the final clinical diagnosis of sarcoidosis-induced sensory ganglionopathy, small-fiber neuropathy, and Harlequin syndrome was made. Initially, the patient was treated with pregabalin and amitriptyline, but the effect was inadequate for the ganglionopathy-induced pain. Therefore, therapeutic plasma exchange as an immune-modulating treatment was selected, leading to partial pain relief. Conclusions: This case report demonstrates the possible autoimmune origin of both sensory ganglionopathy and Harlequin syndrome. It suggests that an autoimmune etiology for these disorders should be considered and the diagnostic workup should include screening for the most common autoimmune conditions.
Somatosensory Auras in Epilepsy: A Narrative Review of the Literature
Authors: Caprara Ana Leticia Fornari , Tharwat Ali Hossam , Elrefaey Ahmed , Elejla Sewar A. , Rissardo Jamir Pitton
Published: August 2023

An aura is a subjective experience felt in the initial phase of a seizure. Studying auras is relevant as they can be warning signs for people with epilepsy. The incidence of aura tends to be underestimated due to misdiagnosis or underrecognition by patients unless it progresses to motor features. Also, auras are associated with seizure remission after epilepsy surgery and are an important prognostic factor, guiding the resection site and improving surgical outcomes. Somatosensory auras (SSAs) are characterized by abnormal sensations on one or more body parts that may spread to other parts following a somatotopic pattern. The occurrence of SSAs among individuals with epilepsy can range from 1.42% to 80%. The upper extremities are more commonly affected in SSAs, followed by the lower extremities and the face. The most common type of somatosensory aura is paresthetic, followed by painful and thermal auras. In the primary somatosensory auras, sensations occur more commonly contralaterally, while the secondary somatosensory auras can be ipsilateral or bilateral. Despite the high localizing features of somatosensory areas, cortical stimulation studies have shown overlapping sensations originating in the insula and the supplementary sensorimotor area.
Editorial to the Special Issue on “Polyamine Metabolism in Health and Disease: Potential for Polyamine-Targeted Therapies and Prevention”
Authors: Stewart Tracy Murray
Published: August 2023

To introduce this Special Issue, I refer the reader to the timely review by Zahedi and colleagues [...]