bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantification of Cardiotonic Steroids Potentially Regulated by Paraoxonase 3 in a Rat Model of Chronic Kidney Disease Using UHPLC-Orbitrap-MS
Authors: Lamichhane Sabitri , Mohammed Chrysan J. , Haller Steven T. , Kennedy David J. , Isailovic Dragan
Published: November 2022

Endogenous cardiotonic steroids (CTSs), such as telocinobufagin (TCB) and marinobufagin (MBG) contain a lactone moiety critical to their binding and signaling through the Na+/K+-ATPase. Their concentrations elevate in response to sodium intake and under volume-expanded conditions. Paraoxonase 3 (PON3) is an enzyme that can hydrolyze lactone substrates. Here, we examine the role of PON3 in regulating CTS levels in a rat model of chronic kidney diseases (CKD). TCB and MBG were extracted from rat urine samples, and the analyses were carried out using ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography–Orbitrap-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Orbitrap-MS). Ten-week-old Dahl salt-sensitive wild type (SS-WT) and Dahl salt-sensitive PON3 knockout (SS-PON3 KO) rats were maintained on a high-salt diet (8% NaCl) for 8 weeks to initiate salt-sensitive hypertensive renal disease characteristic of this model. CTS extraction recovery from urine >80% was achieved. For animals maintained on a normal chow diet, the baseline amount of TCB excreted in 24 h urine of SS-PON3 KO rats (6.08 ± 1.47 ng/24 h; or 15.09 ± 3.25 pmol) was significantly higher than for SS-WT rats (1.48 ± 0.69 ng/24 h; or 3.67 ± 1.54 pmol, p < 0.05). Similarly, for the same animals, the amount of excreted MBG was higher in the urine of SS-PON3 KO rats (4.74 ± 1.30 ng/24 h versus 1.03 ± 0.25 ng/24 h in SS-WT; or 11.83 ± 2.91 pmol versus 2.57 ± 0.56 pmol in SS-WT, p < 0.05). For animals on a high-salt diet, the SS-PON3 KO rats had significantly increased levels of TCB (714.52 ± 79.46 ng/24 h; or 1774.85 ± 175.55 pmol) compared to SS-WT control (343.84 ± 157.54 ng/24 h; or 854.09 ± 350.02 pmol, p < 0.05), and comparatively higher levels of MBG were measured for SS-PON3 KO (225.55 ± 82.61 ng/24 h; or 563.19 ± 184.5 pmol) versus SS-WT (157.56 ± 85.53 ng/24 h; or 393.43 ± 191.01 pmol, p > 0.05) rats. These findings suggest that the presence and absence of PON3 dramatically affect the level of endogenous CTSs, indicating its potential role in CTS regulation.
Transcriptome Analysis Reveals a Comprehensive Virus Resistance Response Mechanism in Pecan Infected by a Novel Badnavirus Pecan Virus
Authors: Zhang Jiyu , Wang Tao , Jia Zhanhui , Jia Xiaodong , Liu Yongzhi , Xuan Jiping , Wang Gang , Zhang Fan
Published: November 2022

Pecan leaf-variegated plant, which was infected with a novel badnavirus named pecan mosaic virus (PMV) detected by small RNA deep sequencing, is a vital model plant for studying the molecular mechanism of retaining green or chlorosis of virus-infected leaves. In this report, PMV infection in pecan leaves induced PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI) and effector-triggered immunity (ETI). PMV infection suppressed the expressions of key genes of fatty acid, oleic acid (C18:1), and very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA) biosynthesis, indicating that fatty acids-derived signaling was one of the important defense pathways in response to PMV infection in pecan. PMV infection in pecans enhanced the expressions of pathogenesis-related protein 1 (PR1). However, the transcripts of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and isochorismate synthase (ICS) were downregulated, indicating that salicylic acid (SA) biosynthesis was blocked in pecan infected with PMV. Meanwhile, disruption of auxin signaling affected the activation of the jasmonic acid (JA) pathway. Thus, C18:1 and JA signals are involved in response to PMV infection in pecan. In PMV-infected yellow leaves, damaged chloroplast structure and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MPK3) inhibited photosynthesis. Cytokinin and SA biosynthesis was blocked, leading to plants losing immune responses and systemic acquired resistance (SAR). The repression of photosynthesis and the induction of sink metabolism in the infected tissue led to dramatic changes in carbohydrate partitioning. On the contrary, the green leaves of PMV infection in pecan plants had whole cell tissue structure and chloroplast clustering, establishing a strong antiviral immunity system. Cytokinin biosynthesis and signaling transductions were remarkably strengthened, activating plant immune responses. Meanwhile, cytokinin accumulation in green leaves induced partial SA biosynthesis and gained comparatively higher SAR compared to that of yellow leaves. Disturbance of the ribosome biogenesis might enhance the resistance to PMV infection in pecan and lead to leaves staying green.
The Molecular and Cellular Strategies of Glioblastoma and Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cells Conferring Radioresistance
Authors: Alhaddad Lina , Osipov Andreyan N. , Leonov Sergey
Published: November 2022

Ionizing radiation (IR) has been shown to play a crucial role in the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM; grade IV) and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Nevertheless, recent studies have indicated that radiotherapy can offer only palliation owing to the radioresistance of GBM and NSCLC. Therefore, delineating the major radioresistance mechanisms may provide novel therapeutic approaches to sensitize these diseases to IR and improve patient outcomes. This review provides insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying GBM and NSCLC radioresistance, where it sheds light on the role played by cancer stem cells (CSCs), as well as discusses comprehensively how the cellular dormancy/non-proliferating state and polyploidy impact on their survival and relapse post-IR exposure.
Interplay between Autophagy and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1: ICP34.5, One of the Main Actors
Authors: Ripa Inés , Andreu Sabina , López-Guerrero José Antonio , Bello-Morales Raquel
Published: November 2022

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a neurotropic virus that occasionally may spread to the central nervous system (CNS), being the most common cause of sporadic encephalitis. One of the main neurovirulence factors of HSV-1 is the protein ICP34.5, which although it initially seems to be relevant only in neuronal infections, it can also promote viral replication in non-neuronal cells. New ICP34.5 functions have been discovered during recent years, and some of them have been questioned. This review describes the mechanisms of ICP34.5 to control cellular antiviral responses and debates its most controversial functions. One of the most discussed roles of ICP34.5 is autophagy inhibition. Although autophagy is considered a defense mechanism against viral infections, current evidence suggests that this antiviral function is only one side of the coin. Different types of autophagic pathways interact with HSV-1 impairing or enhancing the infection, and both the virus and the host cell modulate these pathways to tip the scales in its favor. In this review, we summarize the recent progress on the interplay between autophagy and HSV-1, focusing on the intricate role of ICP34.5 in the modulation of this pathway to fight the battle against cellular defenses.
Dynamical Mechanism Analysis of Three Neuroregulatory Strategies on the Modulation of Seizures
Authors: Zhang Honghui , Shen Zhuan , Zhao Yuzhi , Du Lin , Deng Zichen
Published: November 2022

This paper attempts to explore and compare the regulatory mechanisms of optogenetic stimulation (OS), deep brain stimulation (DBS) and electromagnetic induction on epilepsy. Based on the Wilson–Cowan model, we first demonstrate that the external input received by excitatory and inhibitory neural populations can induce rich dynamic bifurcation behaviors such as Hopf bifurcation, and make the system exhibit epileptic and normal states. Then, both OS and DBS are shown to be effective in controlling the epileptic state to a normal low-level state, and the stimulus parameters have a broad effective range. However, electromagnetic induction cannot directly control epilepsy to this desired state, even if it can significantly reduce the oscillation frequency of neural populations. One main difference worth noting is that the high spatiotemporal specificity of OS allows it to target inhibitory neuronal populations, whereas DBS and electromagnetic induction can only stimulate excitatory as well as inhibitory neuronal populations together. Next, the propagation behavior of epilepsy is explored under a typical three-node feedback loop structure. An increase in coupling strength accelerates and exacerbates epileptic activity in other brain regions. Finally, OS and DBS applied to the epileptic focus play similar positive roles in controlling the behavior of the area of seizure propagation, while electromagnetic induction still only achieves unsatisfactory effects. It is hoped that these dynamical results can provide insights into the treatment of epilepsy as well as other neurological disorders.
Influence of Acidic pH on Wound Healing In Vivo: A Novel Perspective for Wound Treatment
Authors: Sim Pivian , Strudwick Xanthe L. , Song YunMei , Cowin Allison J. , Garg Sanjay
Published: November 2022

There has been little understanding of acidification functionality in wound healing, highlighting the need to study the efficacy of wound acidification on wound closure and cellular activity in non-infected wounds. This study is focused on establishing the healing potential of wound acidification in non-infected wounds. Acidic buffers, constituting either phosphoric or citric acid, were employed to modify the physiological pH of non-infected full-thickness excisional murine wounds. Acidification of the wound by acidic buffers was found to be an effective strategy to improve wound healing. A significant improvement in wound healing parameters was observed as early as 2 days post-treatment with acidic buffers compared to controls, with faster rate of epithelialization, wound closure and higher levels of collagen at day 7. pH is shown to play a role in mediating the rate of wound healing, with acidic buffers formulated at pH 4 observed to stimulate faster recovery of wounded tissues than pH 6 buffers. Our study shows the importance of maintaining an acidic wound microenvironment at pH 4, which could be a potential therapeutic strategy for wound management.
What Are the Key Gut Microbiota Involved in Neurological Diseases? A Systematic Review
Authors: Bonnechère Bruno , Amin Najaf , van Duijn Cornelia
Published: November 2022

There is a growing body of evidence highlighting there are significant changes in the gut microbiota composition and relative abundance in various neurological disorders. We performed a systematic review of the different microbiota altered in a wide range of neurological disorders (Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and stroke). Fifty-two studies were included representing 5496 patients. At the genus level, the most frequently involved microbiota are Akkermansia, Faecalibacterium, and Prevotella. The overlap between the pathologies was strongest for MS and PD, sharing eight genera (Akkermansia, Butyricicoccus, Bifidobacterium, Coprococcus, Dorea, Faecalibacterium, Parabacteroides, and Prevotella) and PD and stroke, sharing six genera (Enterococcus, Faecalibacterium, Lactobacillus, Parabacteroides, Prevotella, and Roseburia). The identification signatures overlapping for AD, PD, and MS raise the question of whether these reflect a common etiology or rather common consequence of these diseases. The interpretation is hampered by the low number and low power for AD, ALS, and stroke with ample opportunity for false positive and false negative findings.
The Emerging Role of Chromatin Remodeling Complexes in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Vaicekauskaitė Ieva , Sabaliauskaitė Rasa , Lazutka Juozas Rimantas , Jarmalaitė Sonata
Published: November 2022

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the fifth leading cause of women’s death from cancers. The high mortality rate is attributed to the late presence of the disease and the lack of modern diagnostic tools, including molecular biomarkers. Moreover, OC is a highly heterogeneous disease, which contributes to early treatment failure. Thus, exploring OC molecular mechanisms could significantly enhance our understanding of the disease and provide new treatment options. Chromatin remodeling complexes (CRCs) are ATP-dependent molecular machines responsible for chromatin reorganization and involved in many DNA-related processes, including transcriptional regulation, replication, and reparation. Dysregulation of chromatin remodeling machinery may be related to cancer development and chemoresistance in OC. Some forms of OC and other gynecologic diseases have been associated with mutations in specific CRC genes. Most notably, ARID1A in endometriosis-related OC, SMARCA4, and SMARCB1 in hypercalcemic type small cell ovarian carcinoma (SCCOHT), ACTL6A, CHRAC1, RSF1 amplification in high-grade serous OC. Here we review the available literature on CRCs’ involvement in OC to improve our understanding of its development and investigate CRCs as possible biomarkers and treatment targets for OC.
In Silico Screening of Metal-Organic Frameworks for Formaldehyde Capture with and without Humidity by Molecular Simulation
Authors: Li Wei , Liang Tiangui , Lin Yuanchuang , Wu Weixiong , Li Song
Published: November 2022

Capturing formaldehydes (HCHO) from indoor air with porous adsorbents still faces challenges due to their low capacity and poor selectivity. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with tunable pore properties were regarded as promising adsorbents for HCHO removal. However, the water presence in humid air heavily influences the formaldehyde capture performance due to the competition adsorption. To find suitable MOFs for formaldehyde capture and explore the relationship between MOFs structure and performance both in dry air and humid air, we performed grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) molecular simulations to obtain working capacity and selectivity that evaluated the HCHO capture performance of MOFs without humidity. The results reveal that small pore size (~5 Å) and moderate heat of adsorption (40–50 kJ/mol) are favored for HCHO capture without water. It was found that the structure with a 3D cage instead of a 2D channel benefits the HCHO adsorption. Atoms in these high-performing MOFs should possess relatively small charges, and large Lennard-jones parameters were also preferred. Furthermore, it was indicated that Henry’s constant (KH) can reflect the HCHO adsorption performance without humidity, in which the optimal range is 10−2–101. Hence, Henry’s constant selectivity of HCHO over water (SKH HCHO/H2O) and HCHO over mixture components (H2O, N2, and O2) was obtained to screen MOFs at an 80% humidity condition. It was suggested that SKH for the mixture component overestimates the influence of N2 and O2, in which the top structures absorb a quantity of water in GCMC simulation, while SKH HCHO/H2O can efficiently find high-performing MOFs for HCHO capture at humidity in low adsorption pressure. The ECATAT found in this work has 0.64 mol/kg working capacity, and barely adsorbs water during 0–1 bar, which is the promising candidate MOF for HCHO capture.
Mechanism of Resveratrol-Induced Programmed Cell Death and New Drug Discovery against Cancer: A Review
Authors: Jang Jung Yoon , Im Eunok , Kim Nam Deuk
Published: November 2022

Resveratrol (3,5,4′-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene), a polyphenol found in grapes, red wine, peanuts, and apples, has been reported to exhibit a wide range of biological and pharmacological properties. In addition, resveratrol has been reported to intervene in multiple stages of carcinogenesis. It has also been known to kill several human cancer cells through programmed cell death (PCD) mechanisms such as apoptosis, autophagy, and necroptosis. However, resveratrol has limitations in its use as an anticancer agent because it is susceptible to photoisomerization owing to its unstable double bond, short half-life, and is rapidly metabolized and eliminated. Trans-(E)-resveratrol is nontoxic, and has several biological and pharmacological activities. However, little is known about the pharmacological properties of the photoisomerized cis-(Z)-resveratrol. Therefore, many studies on resveratrol derivatives and analogues that can overcome the shortcomings of resveratrol and increase its anticancer activity are underway. This review comprehensively summarizes the literature related to resveratrol-induced PCD, such as apoptosis, autophagy, necroptosis, and the development status of synthetic resveratrol derivatives and analogues as novel anticancer drugs.
Revealing the Changes in Saliva and Serum Proteins of Pigs with Meningitis Caused by Streptococcus Suis: A Proteomic Approach
Authors: López-Martínez María José , Beletić Anđelo , Kuleš Josipa , Rešetar-Maslov Dina , Rubić Ivana , Mrljak Vladimir , Manzanilla Edgar Garcia , Goyena Elena , Martínez-Subiela Silvia , Cerón José Joaquín , Muñoz-Prieto Alberto
Published: November 2022

Meningitis due to Streptococcus suis causes high mortality and morbidity on pig farms and has increasing zoonotic potential worldwide. Saliva proteome analysis would potentially be useful in elucidating pathophysiological changes and mining for new biomarkers to diagnose and monitor S. suis infection. The objective of this study was to investigate the changes in the salivary and serum proteome profile of piglets with meningitis. The LC-MS/MS TMT proteomic approach was used to analyze saliva and serum samples from 20 male piglets: 10 with meningitis and 10 healthy. In saliva, 11 proteins had higher and 10 had lower relative abundance in piglets with meningitis. The proteins with the highest relative abundance were metavinculin (VCL) and desmocollin-2 (DSC2). Adenosine deaminase (ADA) was selected for validation using a spectrophotometric assay and demonstrated excellent performance in the differentiation between healthy and pigs with meningitis due to S. suis. In serum, the most protruding changes occurred for one SERPIN and haptoglobin (HP). In saliva and serum, the highest number of proteins with altered abundance were linked, via the enrichment analysis, with platelet and neutrophil pathways. Overall, meningitis caused by S. suis resulted in specific proteome changes in saliva and serum, reflecting different pathophysiological mechanisms, and marking new potential biomarkers for this infection.
Stabilized Double-Stranded RNA Strategy Improves Cotton Resistance to CBW (Anthonomus grandis)
Authors: Ribeiro Thuanne P. , Vasquez Daniel D. N. , Macedo Leonardo L. P. , Lourenço-Tessutti Isabela T. , Valença David C. , Oliveira-Neto Osmundo B. , Paes-de-Melo Bruno , Rodrigues-Silva Paolo L. , Firmino Alexandre A. P. , Basso Marcos F. , Lins Camila B. J. , Neves Maysa R. , Moura Stefanie M. , Tripode Bruna M. D. , Miranda José E. , Silva Maria C. M. , Grossi-de-Sa Maria F.
Published: November 2022

Cotton is the most important crop for fiber production worldwide. However, the cotton boll weevil (CBW) is an insect pest that causes significant economic losses in infested areas. Current control methods are costly, inefficient, and environmentally hazardous. Herein, we generated transgenic cotton lines expressing double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules to trigger RNA interference-mediated gene silencing in CBW. Thus, we targeted three essential genes coding for chitin synthase 2, vitellogenin, and ecdysis-triggering hormone receptor. The stability of expressed dsRNAs was improved by designing a structured RNA based on a viroid genome architecture. We transformed cotton embryos by inserting a promoter-driven expression cassette that overexpressed the dsRNA into flower buds. The transgenic cotton plants were characterized, and positive PCR transformed events were detected with an average heritability of 80%. Expression of dsRNAs was confirmed in floral buds by RT-qPCR, and the T1 cotton plant generation was challenged with fertilized CBW females. After 30 days, data showed high mortality (around 70%) in oviposited yolks. In adult insects fed on transgenic lines, chitin synthase II and vitellogenin showed reduced expression in larvae and adults, respectively. Developmental delays and abnormalities were also observed in these individuals. Our data remark on the potential of transgenic cotton based on a viroid-structured dsRNA to control CBW.
Crosstalk between Thyroid Hormone and Corticosteroid Signaling Targets Cell Proliferation in Xenopus tropicalis Tadpole Liver
Authors: Rigolet Muriel , Buisine Nicolas , Scharwatt Marylou , Duvernois-Berthet Evelyne , Buchholz Daniel R. , Sachs Laurent M.
Published: November 2022

Thyroid hormones (TH) and glucocorticoids (GC) are involved in numerous developmental and physiological processes. The effects of individual hormones are well documented, but little is known about the joint actions of the two hormones. To decipher the crosstalk between these two hormonal pathways, we conducted a transcriptional analysis of genes regulated by TH, GC, or both hormones together in liver of Xenopus tropicalis tadpoles using RNA-Seq. Among the differentially expressed genes (DE), 70.5% were regulated by TH only, 0.87% by GC only, and 15% by crosstalk between the two hormones. Gene ontology analysis of the crosstalk-regulated genes identified terms referring to DNA replication, DNA repair, and cell-cycle regulation. Biological network analysis identified groups of genes targeted by the hormonal crosstalk and corroborated the gene ontology analysis. Specifically, we found two groups of functionally linked genes (chains) mainly composed of crosstalk-regulated hubs (highly interactive genes), and a large subnetwork centred around the crosstalk-regulated genes psmb6 and cdc7. Most of the genes in the chains are involved in cell-cycle regulation, as are psmb6 and cdc7, which regulate the G2/M transition. Thus, the biological action of these two hormonal pathways acting together in the liver targets cell-cycle regulation.
Association of Whole-Heart Myocardial Mechanics by Transthoracic Echocardiography with Presence of Late Gadolinium Enhancement by CMR in Non-Ischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Mėlinytė-Ankudavičė Karolina , Bučius Paulius , Mizarienė Vaida , Lapinskas Tomas , Šakalytė Gintarė , Plisienė Jurgita , Jurkevičius Renaldas
Published: November 2022

Background: In patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM), myocardial fibrosis (MF) is related to adverse cardiovascular outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential relationship between the myocardial mechanics of different chambers of the heart and the presence of MF and to determine the accuracy of the whole-heart myocardial strain parameters to predict MF in patients with NIDCM. Methods: We studied 101 patients (64% male; 50 ± 11 years) with a first-time diagnosis of NIDCM who were referred for a clinical cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and speckle tracking 2D echocardiography examination. We analyzed MF by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), and the whole-heart myocardial mechanics were assessed by speckle tracking. The presence of MF was related to worse strain parameters in both ventricles and atria. The strongest correlations were found between MF and left ventricle (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) (r = −0.586, p < 0.001), global circumferential strain (GCS) (r = −0.609, p < 0.001), LV ejection fraction (LVEF) (r = 0.662, p < 0.001), and left atrial strain during the reservoir phase (LASr) (r = 0.588, p < 0.001). However, the binary logistic regression analysis revealed that only LV GLS, GCS, and LASr were independently associated with the presence of MF (area under the curves of 0.84, 0.85, and 0.64, respectively). None of the echocardiographic parameters correlated with fibrosis localization. Conclusions: In NIDCM patients, MF is correlated with reduced mechanical parameters in both ventricles and atria. LV GLS, LASr, and LV GCS are the most accurate 2D echocardiography predictive factors for the presence of MF.
Theory of Magnetoelectric Effect for Three-Layer Piezo-Magnetostrictive Asymmetric Composites
Authors: Filippov Dmitry , Liu Ying , Zhou Peng , Ge Bingfeng , Liu Jiahui , Zhang Jitao , Zhang Tinajing , Srinivasan Gopalan
Published: November 2022

Here, we discuss a model for the quasi-static magnetoelectric (ME) interaction in three-layer composites consisting of a single piezoelectric (PE) layer and two magnetostrictive (MS) layers with positive and negative magnetostriction. Two types of layer arrangements are considered: Type 1: a sandwich structure with the PE layer between the two MS layers and Type 2: the two MS layers form the adjacent layers. Expressions for the ME response are obtained using the system of equations of elasto- and electrostatics for the PE and MS phases. The contributions from longitudinal and bending vibrations to the net ME response are considered. The theory is applied for trilayers consisting of lead zirconate titanate (PZT), nickel for negative magnetostriction, and Metglas for positive magnetostriction. Estimates of the dependence of the strength of the ME response on the thickness of the three layers are provided. It is shown that the asymmetric three-layer structures of both types lead to an increase in the strength of ME interactions by almost an order of magnitude compared to a two-layer piezoelectric-magnetostrictive structure. The model predicts a much stronger ME response in Type 2 structures than in Type 1. The theory discussed here is of importance for designing composites for applications such as magnetic field sensors, gyrators, and energy harvesters.
Key Technology of Intelligentized Welding Manufacturing and Systems Based on the Internet of Things and Multi-Agent
Authors: Liu Qiang , Chen Chao , Chen Shanben
Published: November 2022

With the development of the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Artificial Intelligence technology, and the emergence of modern information technologies such as intelligent manufacturing, welding systems are changing, and intelligentized welding manufacturing and systems (IWMS) utilizing these technologies are attracting attention from both academia and industry. This paper investigates sensing technology, multi-information sensor fusion technology, feature recognition technology, the quality prediction method, control method, and intelligent welding production line application in the IWMS. Combining IoT technology and multi-agent systems, a hierarchical structure model welding manufacturing system (IoT-MAS) in the form of “leader-following” was constructed. The multi-agent welding manufacturing system has the advantages of distribution, intelligence, internal coordination and so on. The IoT-MAS consists of several sub-agents, which are divided into five categories according to their functions and internal processing logic. Combined with the functions of the intelligent welding manufacturing system, the agent structure of the whole welding process was proposed, and the matching communication technology and algorithm were designed. The intelligent welding manufacturing system based on IoT-MAS proposed in this paper can effectively solve the integrated design problem of large welding manufacturing systems.
Resilient Distributed Secondary Control Strategy for Polymorphic Seaport Microgrid against Estimation-Dependent FDI Attacks
Authors: Wang Fuzhi , Teng Fei , Xiao Geyang , He Yuanhao , Feng Qian
Published: November 2022

This paper investigates the resilient distributed secondary control problem against FDI attacks for the seaport microgrid with a high proportion of renewable energy. Firstly, the polymorphic seaport microgrid containing a power layer, a control layer, a data layer and a service layer is constructed. It can achieve a software-defined function for control strategies based on a layered network and allows heterogeneous distributed generators (DGs) to exchange various types of data packets. Secondly, considering the unbounded attack generated by stolen estimator parameters can rapidly cause a large-scale power outage of the seaport microgrid, an estimation-dependent attack is designed from the perspective of attackers. Furthermore, a resilient distributed secondary control strategy using the virtual network is proposed to defend against the estimation-dependent attack. The virtual layer interconnects with the original control layer in the polymorphic network to generate an attack compensation vector, which can suppress the attack in the control layer. Furthermore, the stability analysis is completed by using the Lyapunov theory. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed strategy is validated by a seaport microgrid test model with six DGs.
Numerical Simulation Research on the Anchor Last Deployment of Marine Submersible Buoy System Based on VOF Method
Authors: Chen Xiaohan , Liu Bing , Le Guigao
Published: November 2022

Marine submersible buoy systems are widely-used equipment for ocean resource development. The marine submersible buoy system studied in this paper consists of the submersible buoy, the battery compartment, the anchor block, the mooring line, and the power supply cable. To study the mechanical behavior and obtain the speed variation of each component during the anchor last deployment, this paper establishes the free surface computational fluid dynamics model of marine submersible buoy systems based on the VOF method. This model includes the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations, the Renormalization-Group turbulence model, and the fractional areas/volume obstacle representation method. The free fluid surface is tracked using the VOF method. The lumped mass method is used to simulate the mooring line and power supply cable. The results showed that the tension forces increase when the mooring lines were straightened. Subsequently, the tension forces gradually decrease with oscillations. After the anchor block sinks to the sea floor, the positive buoyancy of the battery compartment and the buoy will cause large tension on the mooring line and power supply cable.
Comparing CrN and TiN Coatings for Accident-Tolerant Fuels in PWR and BWR Autoclaves
Authors: Fazi Andrea , Lokhande Pratik , Lopes Denise Adorno , Stiller Krystyna , Andrén Hans-Olof , Thuvander Mattias
Published: November 2022

The development of coatings for accident-tolerant fuels (ATFs) for light water reactor (LWR) applications promises improved corrosion resistance under accident conditions and better performances during operation. CrN and TiN coatings are characterized by high wear resistance coupled with good corrosion resistance properties. They are generally used to protect materials in applications where extreme conditions are involved and represent promising candidates for ATF. Zr cladding tubes coated with 5 µm-thick CrN or TiN, exposed in an autoclave to simulated PWR chemistry and BWR chemistry, were characterized with SEM, EDS, and STEM. The investigation focused on the performance and oxidation mechanisms of the coated claddings under simulated reactor chemistry. Both coatings provided improved oxidation resistance in a simulated PWR environment, where passivating films of Cr2O3 and TiO2, less than 1 µm-thick, formed on the CrN and TiN outer surfaces, respectively. Under the more challenging BWR conditions, any formed Cr2O3 dissolved into the oxidizing water, resulting in the complete dissolution of the CrN coating. For the TiN coating, the formation of a stable TiO2 film was observed under BWR conditions, but the developed oxide film was unable to stop the flux of oxygen to the substrate, causing the oxidation of the substrate.
Emergency Primary Ureteroscopy for Acute Ureteric Colic—From Guidelines to Practice
Authors: Abu-Ghanem Yasmin , Fontaine Christina , Sehgal Radha , Forster Luke , Verma Neeta , Ellis Gidon , Kucheria Rajesh , Allen Darrell , Singh Paras , Goyal Anuj , Ajayi Leye
Published: November 2022

Objective: To review the factors that may influence the ability to achieve the present guidelines’ recommendations in a well-resourced tertiary centre. According to current National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, definitive treatment (primary ureteroscopy (URS) or shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)) should be offered to patients with symptomatic renal colic that are unlikely to pass the stone within 48 h of diagnosis. Methods: Retrospective review of all patients presenting to the emergency department between January and December 2019 with a ureteric or renal stone diagnosis. The rate of emergency intervention, risk factors for intervention and outcomes were compared between patients who were treated by primary definitive surgery vs. primary symptom relief by urethral stenting alone. Results: A total of 244 patients required surgical management for symptomatic ureteric colic without symptoms of urinary infection. Of those, 92 patients (37.7%) underwent definitive treatment by either primary URS (82 patients) or ESWL (9 patients). The mean time for the procedure was 25.5 h (range: 1–118). Patients who underwent primary definitive treatment were likelier to have smaller and distally located stones than the primary stenting group. Primary ureteroscopy was more likely to be performed in a supervised setting than emergency stenting. Conclusions: Although definitive treatment carries high success rates, in a high-volume tertiary referral centre, it may not be feasible to offer it to all patients, with emergency stenting providing a safe and quick interim measure. Factors determining the ability to provide definitive treatment are stone location, stone size and resident supervision in theatre.
Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Rural Settlements in Metropolitan Fringe Area: A Case Study of Nanjing, China
Authors: Zhang Rongtian , Zhang Xiaolin
Published: November 2022

Rural settlement is the core content of rural geography research. Exploring the spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors of rural settlements can provide reference for the optimization of rural settlements. This paper selected Nanjing as a typical case, based on remote sensing image, using R statistics, kernel density analysis, hot spot detection analysis and semi variogram function; the paper analyzed the spatial, scale and morphological distribution characteristics of rural settlements; and preliminarily analyzed the influencing factors of rural settlements distribution in the metropolitan fringe area. The results showed that: (1) The spatial distribution of rural settlements generally presented a “multi-core” center, and a spatial distribution trend of stepwise decline from the core to the periphery, showing a typical “core-edge” structure. (2) There was a significant spatial difference in the scale distribution of rural settlements, which was characterized by a gradual decrease in the scale of rural settlements with the increase in the distance from the central urban area. (3) The morphological distribution of rural settlements showed spatial differentiation, and the morphological types of settlements mainly included strip, arcbelt, cluster and scatter. (4) The distribution of rural settlements was affected by such factors as terrain, river system, traffic, economic and social development, cultural and policy. The distribution of rural settlements had the location orientation of “low altitude, water affinity and road affinity”. The increase in agricultural population, rural economic development, cultural and policy factors played an important role in the distribution of rural settlements in the metropolitan fringe area.
Effect of Substrate Temperature on the Structural, Optical and Electrical Properties of DC Magnetron Sputtered VO2 Thin Films
Authors: Zhang Chunzi , Gunes Ozan , Wen Shi-Jie , Yang Qiaoqin , Kasap Safa
Published: November 2022

This study focuses on the effect of the substrate temperature (TS) on the quality of VO2 thin films prepared by DC magnetron sputtering. TS was varied from 350 to 600 °C and the effects on the surface morphology, microstructure, optical and electrical properties of the films were investigated. The results show that TS below 500 °C favors the growth of V2O5 phase, whereas higher TS (≥500 °C) facilitates the formation of the VO2 phase. Optical characterization of the as-prepared VO2 films displayed a reduced optical transmittance (T˜) across the near-infrared region (NIR), reduced phase transition temperature (Tt), and broadened hysteresis width (ΔH) through the phase transition region. In addition, a decline of the luminous modulation (ΔT˜lum) and solar modulation (ΔT˜sol) efficiencies of the as-prepared films have been determined. Furthermore, compared with the high-quality films reported previously, the electrical conductivity (σ) as a function of temperature (T) reveals reduced conductivity contrast (Δσ) between the insulating and metallic phases of the VO2 films, which was of the order of 2. These outcomes indicated the presence of defects and unrelaxed lattice strain in the films. Further, the comparison of present results with those in the literature from similar works show that the preparation of high-quality films at TS lower than 650 °C presents significant challenges.
Tensile Behaviour of Double- and Triple-Adhesive Single Lap Joints Made with Spot Epoxy and Double-Sided Adhesive Tape
Authors: Golewski Przemysław
Published: November 2022

Dual adhesives are mainly used to increase the strength of single lap joints (SLJs) by reducing the stress concentration at its ends. However, they can also be used to design the characteristics of the joint so that its operation and failure occur in several stages. This paper presents the results of uniaxial tensile tests for dual-adhesive and triple-adhesive SLJs. The adherends were made of aluminum and glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite. For dual-adhesive SLJs, 10 epoxies and 1.6 mm thick double-sided adhesive tape were used. The stiffest (Epidian 53 (100 g) + “PAC” hardener (80 g)) and most elastic (Scotch-Weld 2216 B/A Translucent) joints were determined, which were then used in a triple-adhesive joint with the same double-sided adhesive tape. Circular holes of different diameters from 8 mm to 20 mm were made in the double-sided adhesive tape, which were filled with liquid epoxy adhesive by injection after the adherends were joined. By using the double-sided adhesive tape, the geometry of the epoxy joints was perfect, free of spews, and had a constant thickness. The effect of the spot epoxy joint diameters and the arrangement of stiff and elastic joints in the SLJs were analyzed using digital image correlation (DIC).
Comparative Evaluation of Two Different Fiber-Reinforced Composite Materials in Class 1 Post-Endodontic Restorations in Molars—A Randomized Clinical Study
Authors: Ranka Suwidhi , Rao Ajay Singh , Shah Unnati , Solanki Dikshit , Pawar Ajinkya M. , Reda Rodolfo , Zanza Alessio , Testarelli Luca
Published: November 2022

This study aimed to evaluate and compare two different fiber-reinforced composite materials in class I post-endodontic restoration in molars. A total of 50 patients were randomly assigned into two groups (n = 25 for each group); group A: everX Posterior (packable composite) with a top layer of solareX (nano-hybrid composite) and group B: everX Flow (flowable composite) with a top layer of G-aenial universal injectable (flowable composite). Patients were evaluated immediately after the procedure (baseline), at 6 months, and at 1 year time intervals based on the modified USPHS criteria. The statistical analysis using a chi-square test showed no statistically significant difference in the clinical performance of group A and group B. Clinical performance of the combination of everX Flow with overlying G-aenial universal injectable composite proved to be comparable with everX Posterior with overlying solareX composite as post-endodontic restorations in class I lesions in permanent molars.
Quasi-One-Dimensional Linarite-Type PbCu(SeO4)(OH)2 with Competing Nearest-Neighbor and Next-Nearest-Neighbor Intrachain Exchange Interactions
Authors: Markina Maria , Zakharov Konstantin , Ovchenkov Yevgeniy , Pashkov Grigoriy , Lyssenko Konstantin , Berdonosov Petr , Pchelkina Zlata , Vasiliev Alexander
Published: November 2022

PbCu(SeO4)(OH)2, the selenate sibling of the mineral linarite, was synthesized hydrothermally, investigated in measurements of magnetization M, specific heat Cp and dielectric permittivity ε, and analyzed within density functional theory formalism. This quasi-one-dimensional compound evidences formation of a short-range correlation regime at T* ~ 8 K and experiences a long-range magnetic order at TN = 4.3 K. A magnetization saturation of approximately 1 µB is reached at µ0Hflip ~ 16 T preceded by a jump at µ0Hflop = 2.4 T. Additionally, there are multiple indicators of the formation of an additional electrically active phase above the Neel temperature, which suggests that PbCu(SeO4)(OH)2 is a multiferroic system.
Effect of Air Storage on Stress Corrosion Cracking of ZK60 Alloy Induced by Preliminary Immersion in NaCl-Based Corrosion Solution
Authors: Merson Evgeniy , Poluyanov Vitaliy , Myagkikh Pavel , Merson Dmitri , Vinogradov Alexei
Published: November 2022

The preliminary exposure of Mg alloys to corrosion solutions can cause their embrittlement. The phenomenon is referred to as pre-exposure stress corrosion cracking (PESCC). It has been reported that relatively long storage in air after pre-exposure to the corrosion solution is capable of eliminating PESCC. This effect was attributed to the egress of diffusible hydrogen that accumulated in the metal during pre-exposure. However, recent findings challenged this viewpoint and suggested that the corrosion solution retained within the side surface layer of corrosion products could be responsible for PESCC. The present study is aimed at the clarification of the role of hydrogen and the corrosion solution sealed within the corrosion products in the “healing” effect caused by post-exposure storage in air. Using the slow strain rate tensile (SSRT) testing in air and detailed fractographic analysis of the ZK60 specimens subjected to the liquid corrosion followed by storage in air, we found that PESCC was gradually reduced and finally suppressed with the increasing time and temperature of air storage. The complete elimination of PESCC accompanied by recovery of elongation to failure from 20% to 38% was achieved after 24 h of air storage at 150–200 °C. It is established that the characteristic PESCC zone on the fracture surface is composed of two regions, of which the first is always covered by the crust of corrosion products, whereas the second one is free of corrosion products and is characterised by quasi-brittle morphology. It is argued that the corrosion solution and hydrogen stored within the corrosion product layer are responsible for the formation of these two zones, respectively.
Modification of Paper Surface by All-Lignin Coating Formulations
Authors: Pinto Patricia I. F. , Magina Sandra , Fateixa Sara , Pinto Paula C. R. , Liebner Falk , Evtuguin Dmitry V.
Published: November 2022

All-lignin coating formulations were prepared while combining water-soluble cationic kraft lignin (quaternized LignoBoost®, CL) and anionic lignosulphonate (LS). The electrostatic attraction between positively charged CL and negatively charged LS led to the formation of insoluble self-organized macromolecule aggregates that align to films. The structures of the formed layers were evaluated by atomic force microscopy (AFM), firstly on glass lamina using dip-coating deposition and then on handsheets and industrial uncoated paper using roll-to-roll coating in a layer-by-layer mode. Coated samples were also characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), and contact angle measurements. It was suggested that the structure of all-lignin aggregates is the result of the interaction of amphiphilic water-soluble lignin molecules leading to their specifically ordered mutual arrangement depending on the order and the mode of their application on the surface. The all-lignin coating of cellulosic fiber imparts lower air permeability and lower free surface energy to paper, mainly due to a decrease in surface polarity, thus promoting the paper’s hydrophobic properties. Moderate loading of lignin coating formulations (5–6 g m−2) did not affect the mechanical strength of the paper.
MTS Model Application to Materials Not Starting in the Annealed Condition
Authors: Follansbee Paul
Published: November 2022

Application of the Mechanical Threshold Stress constitutive model becomes challenging when the material of interest is not supplied in the annealed condition with a low initial dislocation density. When the material has some existing warm or cold work, the evaluation of the internal state variables, specification of the activation energies, and analysis of strain hardening can be affected. This paper gives an example of this in molybdenum and presents options for proceeding with the model development. A hypothetical Body-Centered Cubic (BCC) alloy with known model variables is used to demonstrate the issues and solution options.
Laminate Design of Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Resin Matrix Composites for Optimized Mechanical Properties and Electrical Conductivity
Authors: Tan Hongxue , Wang Yanxiang , Wang Chengguo , Wang Chengjuan , Li Mengfan , Jiang Haotian , Xu Zhenhao
Published: November 2022

Carbon fiber composites as pantograph slide materials are in the development stage, in which copper is the conductive phase, and the addition form and size need to be designed. Herein, the effects of the copper morphology, the size of the copper mesh on the performance, and the influence of the contact mode between the sliding plate and bracket on the temperature rise were compared and analyzed. The resistivity is 11.2 μΩ·m with the addition of 20 wt% copper mesh, a relative reduction of 91.77%. Importantly, the impact strength is increased by 14.19%, and the wear is reduced by 13.21%; hence, the copper mesh laid in layers is the ideal structure. Further study of the distribution and quality of the copper mesh shows that the resistivity is related only to the quality of the copper mesh; in addition, the number of layers of the copper mesh cannot exceed 16, and it is determined that the best type of copper mesh is 5#. Notably, the performance can be improved by appropriately reducing the thickness of the copper mesh and increasing the aperture while the sliding plate and the bracket are connected by copper mesh with conductive adhesive, which has the slowest heating rate of 2.27 °C/min and the smallest resistance. Therefore, the influence of copper content and distribution on the electrical conductivity are systematically investigated, and the mechanical properties and electrical conductivity are optimized through the design of the laminate structure of the compound material.
Thermal Diffusivity Characteristics of the IN718 Alloy Tested with the Modified Pulse Method
Authors: Terpiłowski Janusz , Jóźwiak Stanisław , Woroniak Grzegorz , Szczepaniak Robert
Published: November 2022

The article presents the use of the modified pulse method (MPM) to determine the temperature characteristics of the thermal diffusivity of alloy 718. The experiment was carried out in the temperature range of 20–900 °C during the double heating of the sample with an interval of two weeks. The results of our own research showed a good correlation in the temperature range of 300–500 °C, during the first heating of the sample, with the recommended changes in thermal diffusivity by NPL & ASM and data from the MPDB database. On the other hand, clear deviations in the results occurred in the range of temperature changes up to about 300 °C, most likely responsible for the electron component of the conductivity of this alloy, and in the range above 700 °C, where there is a clear minimum that may be caused by the δ phase precipitation phenomenon.