bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterisation of the Susceptibility to Slope Movements in the Arribes Del Duero Natural Park (Spain)
Authors: Merchán Leticia , Martínez-Graña Antonio , Nieto Carlos E. , Criado Marco , Cabero Teresa
Published: July 2023

In recent decades, natural disasters have increased drastically, with slope movements being the most damaging geological hazard, causing thousands of deaths and considerable economic losses. To reduce these losses, it is necessary to carry out cartographies that spatially delimit these risks, preventing and mitigating the effects through the analysis of susceptibility in areas of great environmental value, as is the case of the Arribes del Duero Natural Park. For this purpose, different statistical methods combined with Geographic Information Systems have been developed. The susceptibility assessment methodology is carried out by integrating different thematic layers: lithology, geomorphology (slopes, curvature, aspect), hydrogeology and vegetation, performing map algebra and taking into consideration their weighting using deterministic methods (analytical hierarchy method). The susceptibility results are grouped into Very High, High, Medium, Low and Very Low so that the areas of Very High susceptibility correspond to areas of the high slope, without vegetation, south facing, with a lithology of quartzites, metapelites, and gneisses (canyons, steep valleys) and, in the case of very low susceptibility, with a lithology of quartzites, metapelites, and gneisses, On the contrary, the sectors of lower susceptibility coincide with flat areas, denser vegetation, north facing, with a lithology of conglomerates, pebbles, sands and clays, such as erosion surfaces or valley bottoms. The analysis carried out in this current investigation will allow the territorial delimitation of problem areas and the establishment of risk mitigation and management measures.
Assessing the Livelihood Vulnerability of Herders to Changing Climate in Chui Oblast, Kyrgyz Republic
Authors: Ibraimova Aliya , Lee Woo-Kyun , Zhumashev Murat , Wang Sonam Wangyel
Published: July 2023

Kyrgyzstan is a country that is heavily reliant on agricultural products and animal husbandry, making it particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Using the livelihood vulnerability index (LVI), this study attempted to assess vulnerability to climate change impacts on land, biodiversity, herders, and livestock in Kyrgyzstan’s mountainous areas. The survey was conducted using respondent interviews. In the Chon-Kemin valley target area, we interviewed 198 nomad households with livestock. The study found that communities rely heavily on pasture resources, that there are almost no human–wildlife conflicts (HWCs), and that climate disasters have limited impact. Major components of herders’ sensitivity and adaptive capacity resulted in low numbers. This, combined with rare climate disasters such as droughts and thus low exposure, reduced vulnerability under the IPCC framework. However, any increase in climate disasters, combined with continued land-use pressure, will severely impact herders and their livelihoods. In Kyrgyzstan, hundreds of livestock and dozens of wild animals have already died as a result of late frosts in pastures. National policies and programs should be revised to improve adaptive capacity. This study calls into question the importance of improving wildlife research and capacity building, as well as cooperation between local and national stakeholders.
The Role of Echocardiography in the Contemporary Diagnosis and Prognosis of Cardiac Sarcoidosis: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Okafor Joseph , Khattar Rajdeep , Sharma Rakesh , Kouranos Vasilis
Published: July 2023

Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is a rare inflammatory disorder characterised by the presence of non-caseating granulomas within the myocardium. Contemporary studies have revealed that 25–30% of patients with systemic sarcoidosis have cardiac involvement, with detection rates increasing in the era of advanced cardiac imaging. The use of late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance and 18fluorodeoxy glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) imaging has superseded endomyocardial biopsy for the diagnosis of CS. Echocardiography has historically been used as a screening tool with abnormalities triggering the need for advanced imaging, and as a tool to assess cardiac function. Regional wall thinning or aneurysm formation in a noncoronary distribution may indicate granuloma infiltration. Thinning of the basal septum in the setting of extracardiac sarcoidosis carries a high specificity for cardiac involvement. Abnormal myocardial echotexture and eccentric hypertrophy may be suggestive of active myocardial inflammation. The presence of right-ventricular involvement as indicated by free-wall aneurysms can mimic arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy. More recently, the use of myocardial strain has increased the sensitivity of echocardiography in diagnosing cardiac involvement. Echocardiography is limited in prognostication, with impaired left-ventricular (LV) ejection fraction and LV dilatation being the only established independent predictors of mortality. More research is required to explore how advanced echocardiographic technologies can increase both the diagnostic sensitivity and prognostic ability of this modality in CS.
Dietary Implications of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids during Pregnancy and in Neonates
Authors: Herrera Emilio , Ortega-Senovilla Henar
Published: July 2023

Certain limitations exist for animals to modify fatty acid changes. Besides the role of arachidonic acid (AA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and other 20-carbon long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) for the synthesis of inflammatory mediators as eicosanoids, different LCPUFAs have many other effects, including their abilities to regulate gene expression and downstream events. LCPUFAs are susceptible to autoxidation, which is prevented by the action of antioxidants in the form of enzymes like superoxide dismutases, catalases and peroxidases, as well as antioxidant compounds that protect against oxidation or repair the damage caused. Under normal conditions, the fetus needs both essential fatty acids (EFAs) and LCPUFAs, which are obtained from its mother by placental transfer. In early pregnancy, dietary derived fatty acids are accumulated in maternal adipose tissue. However, during late pregnancy, corresponding to the period of the highest fetal growth, maternal adipose tissue becomes catabolic and LCPUFAs are released into the circulation by adipose lipolytic activity. The released LCPUFAs are taken up by maternal liver to be esterified and released back to the circulation as triacylglycerides (TAGs) in very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) that become available to the placenta to be transferred to the fetus in the form of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs). An enhanced adipose tissue lipolysis is maintained around parturition and esterified LCPUFAs are diverted to mammary glands thanks to an increased activity of lipoprotein lipase for milk production. Throughout this process, LCPUFAs become available to the newborn during suckling. The important role of both DHA and AA for the development of the nervous system and for growth has motivated their dietary supplement during different postnatal stages. This has been especially important in preterm infants both because under normal conditions, the fetus acquires most of these fatty acids during late pregnancy, and because the immaturity of the enzyme systems for the synthesis of AA and DHA from their respective EFAs.
Iron Chelation as a Potential Therapeutic Approach in Acute Lung Injury
Authors: Zhang Xiyang , Zhou Juan , Holbein Bruce E. , Lehmann Christian
Published: July 2023

Acute lung injury (ALI) has been challenging health care systems since before the COVID-19 pandemic due to its morbidity, mortality, and length of hospital stay. In view of the complex pathogenesis of ALI, effective strategies for its prevention and treatment are still lacking. A growing body of evidence suggests that iron dysregulation is a common characteristic in many subtypes of ALI. On the one hand, iron is needed to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) as part of the immune response to an infection; on the other hand, iron can accelerate the occurrence of ferroptosis and extend host cell damage. Iron chelation represents a novel therapeutic strategy for alleviating lung injury and improving the survival of patients with ALI. This article reviews the current knowledge of iron homeostasis, the role of iron in ALI development, and potential therapeutic targets.
KIR Genotypes Impact Progression to Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Infection
Authors: Abdelmaguid Waleed , Maher Doha , Kohla Mohamed A. S. , Ezzat Sameera , Moaz Inas , Abdel-Mageed Wael S. , El-Halfawy Khalil A. , Abdel-Rahman Mohamed H.
Published: July 2023

In Egypt, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent cancer in men and the second most prevalent cancer in women. In addition, Egypt has one of the highest prevalences of hepatitis C infection in the world. The aim of the present work was to study the potential role of the 16 KIR genes in the outcome of individuals with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Egypt. The study was carried out under an IRB-approved protocol. Sequence-Specific-Primer-PCR (SSP-PCR) was used for KIR genotyping of germline DNA extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes or from the non-tumor liver of 83 HCC patients, 100 patients with chronic HCV infection without HCC, and 120 matched healthy controls. Out of the 83 HCC patients, only 7 (8.4%) were treated by interferon and/or interferon Ribavirin combination, while for the remaining patients 50 (60.2%) received no prior HCV therapy and 26 (31.3%) were treated with direct-acting antiviral (DAA). Our results showed that KIR haplotype AA that contains more inhibitory KIR genes and fewer activating genes was observed with a significantly lower frequency in HCC patients (6/83, 7.2%) compared to chronic HCV (27/100, 27.0%) (p = 0.0005, OR = 0.21 [0.08–0.53]) and healthy controls (29/119, 24.4%) (p = 0.001, OR = 0.24 [0.09–0.61]). In addition, the frequency of genotype 6 (G6) which contains all the KIR genes was significantly high in the HCC patients (16/83, 19.3%) compared to chronic HCV (8/100, 8.0%) (p = 0.02, OR = 2.7 [1.11–6.79]) and healthy controls (8/119, 6.7%) (p = 0.006, OR = 3.31 [1.35–8.16]). Activating KIR genes 2DS1 and 3DS1 were significantly higher in HCC patients (48/83, 57.83% and 45/83, 54.22%) compared to the chronic HCV patients (36/100, 36% and 34/100, 34%), p = 0.028, 0.027, respectively. Our results are contrary to a prior work on HCC from patients with HCV who were mostly treated by interferon-based therapies. In conclusion, KIR haplotype AA has an important role in host defense against HCC progression especially in patients treated by DAA, suggesting an important role of the KIR genotype status on the outcome of chronic HCV infection.
Friction and Wear Characteristics of Bacterial Cellulose Modified by Microcellular Foaming Process
Authors: Hong Jin , Han Jae-Ho , Kim Doyeon , Yun Gukhyeon , Kim Kwan Hoon , Cha Sung Woon
Published: July 2023

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a biodegradable, non-toxic, natural substance that can be obtained by culturing bacteria. It can be approached in various ways from physical, chemical, and biological points. BC nanoparticles have been applied as lubricating additives to improve the load capacity, anti-wear, and friction. The microcellular foaming process was created using a technology based on the saturation of the polymer by supercritical CO2 and rapid decompression. An increase in saturation pressure leads to an increase in the molecular potential energy of CO2, which can be more easily compressed into the cellulose matrix. Moreover, the high crystallinity and water content combination contribute to thermal stability. Specimen membranes produced by Komagataeibacter xylinus prepared with a thickness of 2 mm were saturated in supercritical condition, 10 MPa of CO2 for 4 h, and foamed at a temperature of 120 °C in a hot press. After the foaming process, we used dry ice to cool the BC. Before foaming, the friction coefficient continuously increased with the increase in cycles, and after foaming, a stable friction coefficient of 0.3 or less was secured despite the increase in the cycle. The microcellular foaming process significantly reduced and made BC’s coefficient of friction stable.
Dynamical Behaviors in a Stage-Structured Model with a Birth Pulse
Authors: Liu Yun , Guo Lifeng , Liu Xijuan
Published: July 2023

This paper presents an exploitation model with a stage structure to analyze the dynamics of a fish population, where periodic birth pulse and pulse fishing occur at different fixed time. By utilizing the stroboscopic map, we can obtain an accurate cycle of the system and investigate the stability thresholds. Through the application of the center manifold theorem and bifurcation theory, our research has shown that the given model exhibits transcritical and flip bifurcation near its interior equilibrium point. The bifurcation diagrams, maximum Lyapunov exponents and phase portraits are presented to further substantiate the complexity. Finally, we present high-resolution stability diagrams that demonstrate the global structure of mode-locking oscillations. We also describe how these oscillations are interconnected and how their complexity unfolds as control parameters vary. The two parametric planes illustrate that the structure of Arnold’s tongues is based on the Stern–Brocot tree. This implies that the periodic occurrence of birth pulse and pulse fishing contributes to the development of more complex dynamical behaviors within the fish population.
NISQ-Ready Community Detection Based on Separation-Node Identification
Authors: Stein Jonas , Ott Dominik , Nüßlein Jonas , Bucher David , Schönfeld Mirco , Feld Sebastian
Published: July 2023

The analysis of network structure is essential to many scientific areas ranging from biology to sociology. As the computational task of clustering these networks into partitions, i.e., solving the community detection problem, is generally NP-hard, heuristic solutions are indispensable. The exploration of expedient heuristics has led to the development of particularly promising approaches in the emerging technology of quantum computing. Motivated by the substantial hardware demands for all established quantum community detection approaches, we introduce a novel QUBO-based approach that only needs number-of-nodes qubits and is represented by a QUBO matrix as sparse as the input graph’s adjacency matrix. The substantial improvement in the sparsity of the QUBO matrix, which is typically very dense in related work, is achieved through the novel concept of separation nodes. Instead of assigning every node to a community directly, this approach relies on the identification of a separation-node set, which, upon its removal from the graph, yields a set of connected components, representing the core components of the communities. Employing a greedy heuristic to assign the nodes from the separation-node sets to the identified community cores, subsequent experimental results yield a proof of concept by achieving an up to 95% optimal solution quality on three established real-world benchmark datasets. This work hence displays a promising approach to NISQ-ready quantum community detection, catalyzing the application of quantum computers for the network structure analysis of large-scale, real-world problem instances.
Clique Transversal Variants on Graphs: A Parameterized-Complexity Perspective
Authors: Lee Chuan-Min
Published: July 2023

The clique transversal problem and its variants have garnered significant attention in the last two decades due to their practical applications in communication networks, social-network theory and transceiver placement for cellular telephones. While previous research primarily focused on determining the polynomial-time solvability or NP-hardness/NP-completeness of specific graphs, this paper adopts a parameterized-complexity approach. It thoroughly explores four clique transversal variants: the d-fold transversal problem, the {d}-clique transversal problem, the signed clique transversal problem and the minus clique transversal problem. The paper presents various findings regarding the parameterized complexity of the clique transversal problem and its variants. It establishes the W[2]-completeness and para-NP-completeness of the d-fold transversal problem, the {d}-clique transversal problem, the signed clique transversal problem and the minus clique transversal problem within specific graph classes. Additionally, it introduces fixed-parameter tractable algorithms for planar graphs and graphs with bounded treewidth, offering efficient solutions for these specific instances of the problems. The research further explores the relationship between planar graphs and graphs with bounded treewidth to enhance the time complexity of the d-fold clique transversal problem and the {d}-clique transversal problem. By analyzing the parameterized complexity of the clique transversal problem and its variants, this research contributes to our understanding of the computational limitations and potentially efficient algorithms for solving these problems.
An Improved Genetic Algorithm for the Granularity-Based Split Vehicle Routing Problem with Simultaneous Delivery and Pickup
Authors: Liu Yuxin , Qin Zihang , Liu Jin
Published: July 2023

The Split Vehicle Routing Problem with Simultaneous Delivery and Pickup (SVRPSDP) consists of two subproblems, i.e., the Vehicle Routing Problem with Simultaneous Delivery and Pickup (VRPSDP) and the Split Delivery Vehicle Routing Problem (SDVRP). Compared to the subproblems, SVRPSDP is much closer to reality. However, some realistic factors are still ignored in SVRPSDP. For example, the shipments are integrated and cannot be infinitely subdivided. Hence, this paper investigates the Granularity-based Split Vehicle Routing Problem with Simultaneous Delivery and Pickup (GSVRPSDP). The characteristics of GSVRPSDP are that the demands of customers are split into individual shipments and both the volume and weight of each shipment are considered. In order to solve GSVRPSDP efficiently, a Genetic-Simulated hybrid algorithm (GA-SA) is proposed, in which Simulated Annealing (SA) is inserted into the Genetic Algorithm (GA) framework to improve the global search abilities of individuals. The experimental results indicate that GA-SA can achieve lower total costs of routes compared to the traditional meta-algorithms, such as GA, SA and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), with a reduction of more than 10%. In the further analysis, the space utilization and capacity utilization of vehicles are calculated, which achieve 86.1% and 88.9%, respectively. These values are much higher than those achieved by GA (71.2% and 74.8%, respectively) and PSO (60.9% and 65.7%, respectively), further confirming the effectiveness of GA-SA. And the superiority of simultaneous delivery and pickup is proved by comparing with separate delivery and pickup. Specifically, the costs of separate delivery and pickup are more than 80% higher than that of simultaneous delivery and pickup.
Exact Null Controllability of a Wave Equation with Dirichlet–Neumann Boundary in a Non-Cylindrical Domain
Authors: Cui Lizhi , Lu Jing
Published: July 2023

In this paper, by applying the Hilbert Uniqueness Method in a non-cylindrical domain, we prove the exact null controllability of one wave equation with a moving boundary. The moving endpoint of this wave equation has a Neumann-type boundary condition, while the fixed endpoint has a Dirichlet boundary condition. We derived the exact null controllability and obtained an exact controllability time of the wave equation.
An Extension of the 1-Dim Lebesgue Integral of a Product of Two Functions
Authors: Carlota Clara , Ornelas António
Published: July 2023

In this paper, our main aim is to present a reasonable extension of the 1-dim Lebesgue integral of the product of two functions, in case this Lebesgue integral does not exist (i.e., the integrals of its negative and positive parts are both ∞). This extension works fine quite generally, as shown by several examples, and it is based on general hypotheses guaranteeing the sign of the integral (in the sense of being necessarily <0 or =0 or else >0), without computing its actual value. For this purpose, our method provides much more precise results than the Lebesgue–Stieltjes integration by parts.
A Novel Probabilistic Diffusion Model Based on the Weak Selection Mimicry Theory for the Generation of Hypnotic Songs
Authors: Huang Wenkai , Zhan Feng
Published: July 2023

The constraints in traditional music style transfer algorithms are difficult to control, thereby making it challenging to balance the diversity and quality of the generated music. This paper proposes a novel weak selection-based music generation algorithm that aims to enhance both the quality and the diversity of conditionally generated traditional diffusion model audio, and the proposed algorithm is applied to generate natural sleep music. In the inference generation process of natural sleep music, the evolutionary state is determined by evaluating the evolutionary factors in each iteration, while limiting the potential range of evolutionary rates of weak selection-based traits to increase the diversity of sleep music. Subjective and objective evaluation results reveal that the natural sleep music generated by the proposed algorithm has a more significant hypnotic effect than general sleep music and conforms to the rules of human hypnosis physiological characteristics.
A Methodology for Planning City Logistics Concepts Based on City-Dry Port Micro-Consolidation Centres
Authors: Kovač Milovan , Tadić Snežana , Krstić Mladen , Veljović Miloš
Published: July 2023

The purpose of this study is to conceptualize a novel idea of potentially sustainable city logistics concepts—the development of urban consolidation centers (UCCs) on riverbanks and the establishment of city-dry port (DP) micro-consolidation centers (MCCs) as their displaced subsystems within the delivery zone. The concept enables the application of river transportation in delivering goods to the UCC, where the modal shift to electric delivery vehicles takes place for delivering goods to city-DP MCCs. In the final delivery phase (from city-DP MCCs to flow generators), smaller eco-vehicles are utilized. An innovative methodology for the planning and selection of the most sustainable concept variant is developed. The methodology combines mathematical programming and the axial-distance-based aggregated measurement (ADAM) multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method. The application of the defined approach is demonstrated in a case study inspired by Belgrade, Serbia. The theoretical contribution of this study is in demonstrating how a wide set of potentially viable city logistics concepts can be defined, starting from an initial idea (city-DP MCC). The practical contribution lies in developing a robust methodology that considers all relevant tactical and operational-level planning questions and takes into account qualitative and quantitative criteria in evaluating different concept variants.
A New Efficient Method for Absolute Value Equations
Authors: Guo Peng , Iqbal Javed , Ghufran Syed Muhammad , Arif Muhammad , Alhefthi Reem K. , Shi Lei
Published: July 2023

In this paper, the two-step method is considered with the generalized Newton method as a predictor step. The three-point Newton–Cotes formula is taken as a corrector step. The proposed method’s convergence is discussed in detail. This method is very simple and therefore very effective for solving large systems. In numerical analysis, we consider a beam equation, transform it into a system of absolute value equations and then use the proposed method to solve it. Numerical experiments show that our method is very accurate and faster than already existing methods.
Enhanced In Vitro Anti-Photoaging Effect of Degraded Seaweed Polysaccharides by UV/H2O2 Treatment
Authors: Yao Wanzi , Yong Jiayu , Lv Bingxue , Guo Siyu , You Lijun , Cheung Peter , Kulikouskaya Viktoryia
Published: July 2023

The high molecular weight and poor solubility of seaweed polysaccharides have limited their function and application. In this study, ultraviolet/hydrogen peroxide (UV/H2O2) treatment was used to prepare low-molecular-weight seaweed polysaccharides from Sargassum fusiforme. The effects of UV/H2O2 treatment on the physicochemical properties and anti-photoaging activity of S. fusiforme polysaccharides were studied. UV/H2O2 treatment effectively degraded polysaccharides from S. fusiforme (DSFPs), reducing their molecular weight from 271 kDa to 26 kDa after 2 h treatment. The treatment did not affect the functional groups in DSFPs but changed their molar percentage of monosaccharide composition and morphology. The effects of the treatment on the anti-photoaging function of S. fusiforme polysaccharides were investigated using human epidermal HaCaT cells in vitro. DFSPs significantly improved the cell viability and hydroxyproline secretion of UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells. In particular, DSFP-45 obtained from UV/H2O2 treatment for 45 min showed the best anti-photoaging effect. Moreover, DSFP-45 significantly increased the content and expression of collagen I and decreased those of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α. Thus, UV/H2O2 treatment could effectively improve the anti-photoaging activity of S. fusiforme polysaccharides. These results provide some insights for developing novel and efficient anti-photoaging drugs or functional foods from seaweed polysaccharides.
Micropulse Laser Therapy as an Integral Part of Eye Disease Management
Authors: Bodea Flaviu , Bungau Simona Gabriela , Bogdan Mihaela Alexandra , Vesa Cosmin Mihai , Radu Ada , Tarce Alexandra Georgiana , Purza Anamaria Lavinia , Tit Delia Mirela , Bustea Cristian , Radu Andrei-Flavius
Published: July 2023

Ocular diseases can significantly impact vision and quality of life through pathophysiological alterations to the structure of the eye. The management of these conditions often involves a combination of pharmaceutical interventions, surgical procedures, and laser therapy. Laser technology has revolutionized many medical fields, including ophthalmology, offering precise and targeted treatment options that solve some of the unmet needs of other therapeutic strategies. Conventional laser techniques, while effective, can generate excessive thermal energy, leading to collateral tissue damage and potential side effects. Compared to conventional laser techniques, micropulse laser therapy delivers laser energy in a pulsed manner, minimizing collateral damage while effectively treating target tissues. The present paper highlights the advantages of micropulse laser therapy over conventional laser treatments, presents the implications of applying these strategies to some of the most prevalent ocular diseases, and highlights several types and mechanisms of micropulse lasers. Although micropulse laser therapy shows great potential in the management of ocular diseases, further research is needed to optimize treatment protocols, evaluate long-term efficacy, and explore its role in combination therapies.
Nutritional Management of Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome in Pediatric Age
Authors: Lella Graziana , Pecoraro Luca , Benetti Elisa , Arnone Olivia Chapin , Piacentini Giorgio , Brugnara Milena , Pietrobelli Angelo
Published: July 2023

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a common pediatric disease characterized by a dysfunction in the glomerular filtration barrier that leads to protein, fluid, and nutrient loss in urine. Corticosteroid therapy is the conventional treatment in children. Long-term complications of NS and prolonged exposure to steroids affect bones, growth, and the cardiovascular system. Diet can play an important role in preventing these complications, but there is a scarcity of scientific literature about nutritional recommendations for children with NS. They need individualized nutrition choices not only during the acute phase of the disease but also during remission to prevent the progression of kidney damage. The correct management of diet in these children requires a multidisciplinary approach that involves family pediatricians, pediatric nephrologists, dietitians, and parents.
Friction Welding of Polycarbonate Plate and Aluminum Foam Fabricated by Precursor Foaming Process
Authors: Hangai Yoshihiko , Yamamoto Yuta , Goto Yu , Okada Kenji , Yoshikawa Nobuhiro
Published: July 2023

Aluminum foam is expected to be one of the candidates for lightweight materials for structural components as it is lightweight and has excellent shock absorption and sound absorption properties. However, aluminum foam has low tensile and flexural strength due to its thin cell walls. Therefore, aluminum foam is used by combining with dense materials. In particular, with the recent trend toward multi-materials, research on the combination with lightweight resins is expected. In this study, we attempted to join aluminum foam fabricated by the precursor method to a thermoplastic resin polycarbonate (PCTA) plate by friction welding. It was found that the aluminum foam and PCTA plate can be joined in about 1 min by friction welding, by rotating the aluminum foam at 2000 rpm and pressing 1 mm into the PCTA plate. In addition, in the friction welding of aluminum foam and PCTA plate, it was found that the pores of the aluminum foam were maintained without being collapsed. The anchoring effect is presumably caused by the penetration of PCTA softened by the frictional heat generated by the friction welding into the pores. Furthermore, tensile tests of the joined samples showed that fracture occurred either at the joining interface or at the base material of the aluminum foam, and that the joining strength was equivalent to the tensile strength of the aluminum foam itself.
Effect of Brazing Fillet on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Vacuum Brazing Stainless Steel Joints
Authors: Chen Huixin , Li Nian , Wei Xinlong , Liu Shangwen , Ling Xiang
Published: July 2023

The enhancement mechanism of the fillet on brazing joints is of great significance for vacuum brazing technology. Although a lot of research on the enhancement mechanism of the fillet has been carried out, some key components of a comprehensive systematic enhancement mechanism for brazing fillets have yet to be established. In this paper, the enhancement mechanism for brazing fillets of SS304/pure copper brazing joints was studied by both experimental and numerical simulations. The SEM and tensile experiments were used to characterize the microstructure and shear strength of the brazing joints. The results show that the brazing joints, using 60 µm thick pure copper filler metal, exhibit a good microstructure in the brazing seam; however, its mechanical properties are lower than those found in specimens with a thickness of 90 µm. The fracture behaviors of brazing joints were also investigated, the fracture of the brazing seam was a fracture of mode II due to shear stress, while the fracture of the brazing fillet was caused by a combination of tensile stress and shear stress (mode I and mode II).
In-Depth Understanding of Hardmetal Corrosion Performance Reveals a Path to the Electrochemical Demolition of Scrap
Authors: Bozzini Benedetto , Tavola Francesco , Travella Augusto , Alleva Alessandro , Mele Claudio , Emanuele Elisa , Tedeschi Sandra , De Gaudenzi Gian Pietro
Published: July 2023

Recycling of hardmetal scrap is strategic for critical raw materials recovery. Available recycling processes are polluting and have a large carbon footprint. Attempts to exploit controlled corrosion failed in industrial practice, owing to self-limiting processes. We revisit the corrosion route, in view of gaining the fundamental knowledge enabling high-throughput recovery. We selected the worst-case approach of highly corrosion-resistant CoNiWC-based hardmetal grades and neutral aqueous electrolyte at room temperature. Systematic electrochemical measurements, UV–Vis spectroscopy and SEM microscopy disclosed that, even though there is no hope to overcome the self-limiting corrosion rate, nevertheless, by exploiting the mechanical action of anodic O2 evolution acting precisely at the interface between the residual active material and the corrosion film, the latter can be efficiently removed, periodically reactivating the hardmetal corrosion in a way that results in an ultra-high scrap destruction rate, of interest for real-life industrial processes.
Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Drug–Drug Interactions: Research Methods and Applications
Authors: Sun Lei , Mi Kun , Hou Yixuan , Hui Tianyi , Zhang Lan , Tao Yanfei , Liu Zhenli , Huang Lingli
Published: July 2023

Because of the high research and development cost of new drugs, the long development process of new drugs, and the high failure rate at later stages, combining past drugs has gradually become a more economical and attractive alternative. However, the ensuing problem of drug–drug interactions (DDIs) urgently need to be solved, and combination has attracted a lot of attention from pharmaceutical researchers. At present, DDI is often evaluated and investigated from two perspectives: pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. However, in some special cases, DDI cannot be accurately evaluated from a single perspective. Therefore, this review describes and compares the current DDI evaluation methods based on two aspects: pharmacokinetic interaction and pharmacodynamic interaction. The methods summarized in this paper mainly include probe drug cocktail methods, liver microsome and hepatocyte models, static models, physiologically based pharmacokinetic models, machine learning models, in vivo comparative efficacy studies, and in vitro static and dynamic tests. This review aims to serve as a useful guide for interested researchers to promote more scientific accuracy and clinical practical use of DDI studies.
Influence of Underlying Topography on Post-Monsoon Cyclonic Systems over the Indian Peninsula
Authors: Phadtare Jayesh
Published: July 2023

During the post-monsoon cyclone season, the landfalls of westward-moving cyclonic systems often lead to extreme rainfall over the east coast of the Indian peninsula. A stationary cyclonic system over the coast can produce heavy rainfall for several days and cause catastrophic flooding. This study analyzes the dynamics of a propagating and stationary cyclonic system over the east coast, highlighting the possible cause behind the stagnation. The vorticity budgets of these two systems are presented using a reanalysis dataset. Vortex stretching and horizontal vorticity advection were the dominant terms in the budget. Vertical advection and tilting terms were significant over the orography. The horizontal advection of vorticity was positive (negative) on the western (eastern) side of the systems and, thus, favored westward propagation. Vortex stretching was confined to the upstream of orography in the stationary vortex. In the propagating vortex, the vortex stretching occurred over the orography during its passage. Data from the radiosonde soundings over a coastal station showed orographic blocking of the low-level winds in the stationary case. Conversely, the flow crossed the orographic barrier in the propagating case. Thus, the predominance of the upstream orographic convergence over the vortex circulation can be the reason for system stagnation over the coast.
Reliability of Extreme Wind Speeds Predicted by Extreme-Value Analysis
Authors: Cook Nicholas John
Published: July 2023

The reliability of extreme wind speed predictions at large mean recurrence intervals (MRI) is assessed by bootstrapping samples from representative known distributions. The classical asymptotic generalized extreme value distribution (GEV) and the generalized Pareto (GPD) distribution are compared with a contemporary sub-asymptotic Gumbel distribution that accounts for incomplete convergence to the correct asymptote. The sub-asymptotic model is implemented through a modified Gringorten method for epoch maxima and through the XIMIS method for peak-over-threshold values. The mean bias error is shown to be minimal in all cases, so that the variability expressed by the standard error becomes the principal reliability metric. Peak-over-threshold (POT) methods are shown to always be more reliable than epoch methods due to the additional sub-epoch data. The generalized asymptotic methods are shown to always be less reliable than the sub-asymptotic methods by a factor that increases with MRI. This study reinforces the previously published theory-based arguments that GEV and GPD are unsuitable models for extreme wind speeds by showing that they also provide the least reliable predictions in practice. A new two-step Weibull-XIMIS hybrid method is shown to have superior reliability.
High Performance Pd/4H-SiC Epitaxial Schottky Barrier Radiation Detectors for Harsh Environment Applications
Authors: Mandal Krishna C. , Chaudhuri Sandeep K. , Nag Ritwik
Published: July 2023

Although many refractory metals have been investigated as the choice of contact metal in 4H-SiC devices, palladium (Pd) as a Schottky barrier contact for 4H-SiC radiation detectors for harsh environment applications has not been investigated adequately. Pd is a refractory metal with high material weight-to-thickness ratio and a work function as high as nickel, one of the conventional metal contacts for high performing 4H-SiC Schottky barrier detectors (SBDs). In this article, Pd/4H-SiC epitaxial SBDs have been demonstrated for the first time as a superior self-biased (0 V applied bias) radiation detector when compared to benchmark Ni/4H-SiC SBDs. The Pd/4H-SiC SBD radiation detectors showed a very high energy resolution of 1.9% and 0.49% under self- and optimized bias, respectively, for 5486 keV alpha particles. The SBDs demonstrated a built-in voltage (Vbi) of 2.03 V and a hole diffusion length (Ld) of 30.8 µm. Such high Vbi and Ld led to an excellent charge collection efficiency of 76% in the self-biased mode. Capacitance mode deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) results revealed that the “lifetime-killer” Z1/2 trap centers were present in the 4H-SiC epilayer. Another deep level trap was located at 1.09 eV below the conduction band minimum and resembles the EH5 trap with a concentration of 1.98 × 1011 cm−3 and capture cross-section 1.7 × 10−17 cm−2; however, the detector performance was found to be limited by charge trapping in the Z1/2 center. The results presented in this article revealed the unexplored potential of a wide bandgap semiconductor, SiC, as high-efficiency self-biased radiation detectors. Such high performance self-biased radiation detectors are poised to address the longstanding problem of designing self-powered sensor devices for harsh environment applications e.g., advanced nuclear reactors and deep space missions.
Parasite Diversity in a Freshwater Ecosystem
Authors: Shafiq Amana , Abbas Farzana , Hafeez-ur-Rehman Muhammad , Khan Bushra Nisar , Aihetasham Ayesha , Amin Iffat , Hmidullah  , Mothana Ramzi A. , Alharbi Mohammed S. , Khan Imran , Khalil Atif Ali Khan , Ahmad Bashir , Mubeen Nimra , Akram Muneeba
Published: July 2023

Parasites are a significant component of biodiversity. They negatively affect fish appearance, growth, and reproduction. In this study, the prevalence of infection, diversity, and mean intensity of parasites were examined in 9 freshwater fish species (45 samples per fish species). Ecto-parasites were examined on the skin, gills, and fins with a hand lens. Wet mounts were prepared using mucosal scrapings from all the external and internal organs of the sampled fish. Microscopy, muscle compression, and the pepsin-HCL artificial digestion technique were also performed. In this study, 26 species of parasites were identified including three taxa belonging to 9 species of protozoan parasites, 11 treamtodes, and 6 monogenean parasites. The identified protozoan parasites were Entamoeba histolitica, Chilodonella sp., Coccidia sp., Costia sp., Cryptobia sp., Ichthyopthiris-multifilis, Microsporidia, Piscinoodinium sp., and Ichthyobodo necator. The identified trematode parasites were Fasciola gigantica, Echinostoma revolutum, Fasciola hepatica, Haplorchis pumilio, Brachylaima cribbi, Echinostoma cinetorchis, Neascus sp., Deropegus sp., Trematode Soldier, Centrocestus formosanus, and Clinostomum marginatum. The identified monogenean parasites were Dactylogyrus limipopoensis, Dactylogyrus anchoratus, Dactylogyrus myersi, Dactylogyrus vastator, Gyrodactylus salaris, and Ancyrocephalus. The diversity of parasites was maximum at the Okara site. The host’s organs that were targeted for parasitic infection included the intestine, liver, gills, fins, skin, and kidneys. The majority of the parasites were identified in Labeo rohita followed by Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Ctenopharyngodon idella, Oreochromis niloticus, Cyprinus carpio, and Wallagu attu. Two species appeared to be resistant species because none of the parasites were observed in Notopterus notopterus or Sperata seenghala. This study also concluded that the prevalence of parasites increased with increasing length, size, and age of fish.
An Overview of the Use and Applications of Limosilactobacillus fermentum in Broiler Chickens
Authors: Racines Maria Paula , Solis Maria Nicole , Šefcová Miroslava Anna , Herich Róbert , Larrea-Álvarez Marco , Revajová Viera
Published: July 2023

The implementation of government regulations on antibiotic use, along with the public’s concern for drug resistance, has strengthened interest in developing alternatives not only aimed at preserving animal production but also at reducing the effects of pathogenic infections. Probiotics, in particular, are considered microorganisms that induce health benefits in the host after consumption of adequate amounts; they have been established as a potential strategy for improving growth, especially by stimulating intestinal homeostasis. Probiotics are commonly associated with lactic acid bacteria, and Limosilactobacillus fermentum is a well-studied species recognized for its favorable characteristics, including adhesion to epithelial cells, production of antimicrobial compounds, and activation of receptors that prompt the transcription of immune-associated genes. Recently, this species has been used in animal production. Different studies have shown that the application of L. fermentum strains not only improves the intestinal ecosystem but also reduces the effects caused by potentially pathogenic microorganisms. These studies have also revealed key insights into the mechanisms behind the actions exerted by this probiotic. In this manuscript, we aim to provide a concise overview of the effects of L. fermentum administration on broiler chicken health and performance.
The Multiomics Response of Bacillus subtilis to Simultaneous Genetic and Environmental Perturbations
Authors: Liu Li , Li Gaoyang , Cao Huansheng
Published: July 2023

How bacteria respond at the systems level to both genetic and environmental perturbations imposed at the same time is one fundamental yet open question in biology. Bioengineering or synthetic biology provides an ideal system for studying such responses, as engineered strains always have genetic changes as opposed to wildtypes and are grown in conditions which often change during growth for maximal yield of desired products. So, engineered strains were used to address the outstanding question. Two Bacillus subtilis strains (MT1 and MT2) were created previously for the overproduction of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), which were grown in an environment with a carbon shift from glucose to glucose and xylose in the same culture system. We had four groups: (1) a wildtype (WT) grown with glucose at t1; (2) a WT with glucose and xylose at t2; (3) a mutant (MT1) grown with glucose at t1; and (4) MT1 with glucose and xylose at t2. By measuring transcriptomes and metabolomes, we found that GlcNAc-producing mutants, particularly MT2, had a higher yield of N-acetylglucosamine than WT but displayed a smaller maximum growth rate than the wildtype, despite MT1 reaching higher carrying capacity. Underlying the observed growth, the engineered pathways leading to N-acetylglucosamine had both higher gene expression and associated metabolite concentrations in MT1 than WT at both t1 and t2; in bioenergetics, there was higher energy supply in terms of ATP and GTP, with the energy state metric higher in MT1 than WT at both timepoints. Additionally, most top key precursor metabolites were equally abundant in MT1 and WT at either timepoints. Besides that, one prominent feature was the high consistency between transcriptomics and metabolomics in revealing the response. First, both metabolomes and transcriptomes revealed the same PCA clusters of the four groups. Second, we found that the important functions enriched both by metabolomes and transcriptomes overlapped, such as amino acid metabolism and ABC transport. Strikingly, these functions overlapped those enriched by the genes showing a high (positive or negative) correlation with metabolites. Furthermore, these functions also overlapped the enriched KEGG pathways identified using weighted gene coexpression network analysis. All these findings suggest that the responses to simultaneous genetic and environmental perturbations are well coordinated at the metabolic and transcriptional levels: they rely heavily on bioenergetics, but core metabolism does not differ much, while amino acid metabolism and ABC transport are important. This serves as a design guide for bioengineering, synthetic biology, and systems biology.
Petrographic Evaluation of Aggregate from Igneous Rocks: Alkali–Silica Reaction Potential
Authors: Antolik Aneta , Dąbrowski Mariusz , Jóźwiak-Niedźwiedzka Daria
Published: July 2023

A thorough petrographic evaluation of aggregates from igneous rocks in terms of their alkali–silica reaction (ASR) potential is crucial in ensuring the durability and long-term performance of concrete structures, especially those where access to additional alkalis is possible, such as from de-icing agents. The aim of the research was to assess the potential reactivity of aggregates from igneous rocks, as only such aggregates are used for concrete airport pavements in Poland. Petrographic analysis was conducted to identify the reactive minerals in the aggregate, and it was extended by quantitative image analysis. The strained, microcrystalline and cryptocrystalline quartz were found to be reactive components but significantly differed in content. It was found that aggregates from igneous rocks were characterized by different susceptibility to ASR and that methods to mitigate the occurrence of ASR should be considered to be used in airfield concrete. A relationship between the content of analyzed reactive minerals and the expansion of mortar bars in AMBT, as well as of the concrete prism in the CPT method, was revealed.