bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance of ECG-Derived Digital Biomarker for Screening Coronary Occlusion in Resuscitated Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Patients: A Comparative Study between Artificial Intelligence and a Group of Experts
Authors: Park Min , Choi Yoo , Shim Moonki , Cho Youngjin , Park Jiesuck , Choi Jina , Kim Joonghee , Lee Eunkyoung , Kim Seo-Yoon
Published: February 2024

Acute coronary syndrome is a significant part of cardiac etiology contributing to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), and immediate coronary angiography has been proposed to improve survival. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an AI algorithm in diagnosing near-total or total occlusion of coronary arteries in OHCA patients who regained spontaneous circulation. Conducted from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2022 at a tertiary university hospital emergency department, it involved 82 OHCA patients, with 58 qualifying after exclusions. The AI used was the Quantitative ECG (QCG™) system, which provides a STEMI diagnostic score ranging from 0 to 100. The QCG score’s diagnostic performance was compared to assessments by two emergency physicians and three cardiologists. Among the patients, coronary occlusion was identified in 24. The QCG score showed a significant difference between occlusion and non-occlusion groups, with the former scoring higher. The QCG biomarker had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.770, outperforming the expert group’s AUC of 0.676. It demonstrated 70.8% sensitivity and 79.4% specificity. These findings suggest that the AI-based ECG biomarker could predict coronary occlusion in resuscitated OHCA patients, and it was non-inferior to the consensus of the expert group.
Influence of Cu Addition on the Wear Behavior of a Eutectic Al–12.6Si Alloy Developed by the Spray Forming Method
Authors: Goudar Dayanand M. , Haider Julfikar , Raju K. , Kurahatti Rajashekar V. , Pinto Deesy G.
Published: February 2024

In the present study, the influence of the addition of copper (Cu) on the wear behavior of a Al-12.6Si eutectic alloy developed using the spray forming (SF) method was discussed, and the results were compared with those of as-cast (AC) alloys. The microstructural features of the alloys were examined using both optical and the scanning electron microscopy, and the chemical composition and phase identification were achieved by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The results revealed that the microstructure of binary the SF alloy consisted of fine primary and eutectic Si phases, evenly distributed in the equiaxed α-Al matrix, whereas the Cu-based SF ternary alloy consisted of uniformly distributed fine eutectic Si particulates and spherical-shaped θ-Al2Cu precipitates, uniformly distributed in α-Al matrix. In contrast, the AC ternary (Al-12.6Si-2Cu) alloy consisted of unevenly dispersed eutectic Si needles and the coarse intermetallic compound θ-Al2Cu in the α-Al matrix. The addition of Cu enhanced the micro hardness of the SF ternary alloy by 8, 34, and 41% compared to that of the SF binary, AC ternary, and binary alloys, respectively. The wear test was conducted using a pin-on-disc wear testing machine at different loads (10–40 N) and sliding velocities (1–3 ms−1). The wear tests revealed that SF alloys exhibited an improved wear behavior in the entire applied load and sliding velocity range in comparison to that of the AC alloys. At a load of 40 N and a sliding velocity of 1 ms−1, the wear rate of the SF2 alloy is 62, 47, and 23% lower than that of the AC1, AC2, and SF1 alloys, respectively. Similarly, at a sliding velocity of 3 ms−1, the wear rate of the SF2 alloy is 52%, 42%, and 21% lower than that of the AC1, AC2, and SF1 alloys, respectively. The low wear rate in the SF2 alloy was due to the microstructural modification during spray forming, the precipitation of fine Al2Cu intermetallic compounds, and increased solid solubility. The SF alloys show an increased transition from oxidative to abrasive wear, while the AC alloys demonstrate wear mechanisms that change from oxidative to abrasive, including delamination, with an increase in sliding velocity and load.
Three-Dimensional Path Tracking of Over-Actuated AUVs Based on MPC and Variable Universe S-Plane Algorithms
Authors: Xu Feng , Zhang Lei , Zhong Jibin
Published: February 2024

Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) are widely used for the inspection of seabed pipelines. To address the issues of low trajectory tracking accuracy in AUV inspection processes due to uncertain ocean current disturbances, this paper designs a new dual-loop controller based on Model Predictive Control (MPC) and Variable Universe S-plane algorithms (S-VUD FLC, where VUD represents Variable Universe Discourse and FLC represents Fuzzy Logic Control) to achieve three-dimensional (3-D) trajectory tracking of an over-actuated AUV under uncertain ocean current disturbances. This paper uses MPC as the outer-loop position controller and S-VUD FLC as the inner-loop speed controller. The outer-loop controller generates desired speed instructions that are passed to the inner-loop speed controller, while the inner-loop speed controller generates control input and uses a direct logic thrust distribution method that approaches optimal energy consumption to distribute the thrust generated by the propellers to the over-actuated AUV, achieving closed-loop tracking of the entire trajectory. When designing the outer-loop MPC controller, the actual control input constraints of the system are considered, and control increments are introduced to reduce control model errors and the impact of uncertain external disturbances on the actual AUV model parameters. When designing the inner-loop S-VUD FLC, the strong robustness of the variable universe fuzzy controller and the easy construction characteristics of the S-plane algorithm are combined, and integral action is introduced to improve the system’s tracking accuracy. The stability of the outer loop controller is proven by the Lyapunov method, and the stability of the inner loop controller is verified by simulation. Finally, simulations show that the over-actuated AUV has fast tracking processes and high tracking result accuracy under uncertain ocean current disturbances, demonstrating the effectiveness of the designed dual-loop controller.
The Impact of Recommendation System on User Satisfaction: A Moderated Mediation Approach
Authors: He Xinyue , Liu Qi , Jung Sunho
Published: February 2024

A recommendation system serves as a key factor for improving e-commerce users’ satisfaction by providing them with more accurate and diverse suggestions. A significant body of research has examined the accuracy and diversity of a variety of recommendation systems. However, little is known about the psychological mechanisms through which the recommendation system influences the user satisfaction. Thus, the purpose of this study is to contribute to this gap by examining the mediating and moderating processes underlying this relationship. Drawing from the traditional task-technology fit literature, the study developed a moderated mediation model, simultaneously considering the roles of a user’s feeling state and shopping goal. We adopted a scenario-based experimental approach to test three hypotheses contained in the model. The results showed that there is an interaction effect between shopping goals and types of recommendation (diversity and accuracy) on user satisfaction. Specifically, when a user’s shopping goal aligns with recommendation results in terms of accuracy and diversity, the user satisfaction is enhanced. Furthermore, this study evaluated the mediating role of feeling right and psychological reactance for a better understanding of this interactive relationship. We tested the moderated mediation effect of feeling right and the psychological reactance moderated by the user shopping goal. For goal-directed users, accurate recommendations trigger the activation of feeling right, consequently increasing the user satisfaction. Conversely, when exploratory users face accurate recommendations, they activate psychological reactance, which leads to a reduction in user satisfaction. Finally, we discuss the implications for the study of recommendation systems, and for how marketers/online retailers can implement them to improve online customers’ shopping experience.
Toward a Universal Dependencies Treebank of Old English: Representing the Morphological Relatedness of Un-Derivatives
Authors: Martín Arista Javier
Published: February 2024

This article deals with one of the aspects involved in the compilation of a treebank of Old English within the framework of Universal Dependencies. More specifically, this study addresses the question of how to account for the remarkable degree of Old English morphological relatedness in a type of treebank designed to stress syntactic similarities across languages. The solution proposed and assessed in this study is the addition of an extra field of annotation for morphological relatedness. The data of this analysis comprise 1106 derivatives attaching the prefix un-. Out of these, there are around 80 morphologically complex nouns, adjectives, verbs, and adverbs whose derivation cannot be described gradually, 33 of which are unique formations or hapax legomena according to the attestations provided by the Dictionary of Old English Corpus. The main conclusion is that the specification of short-distance and long-distance morphological relatedness provides the Old English treebank with a paradigmatic dimension that can be particularly relevant for languages with relatively generalised and transparent derivational morphology.
A Comparative Study: Cardioprotective Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training Versus Ischaemic Preconditioning in Rat Myocardial Ischaemia–Reperfusion
Authors: Zhang Jia-Yuan , Fu Szu-Kai , Tai Hsia-Ling , Tseng Kuo-Wei , Tang Chia-Yu , Yu Chia-Hsien , Lai Chang-Chi
Published: February 2024

(1) Background: Years of research have identified ischemic preconditioning (IPC) as a crucial endogenous protective mechanism against myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury, enhancing the myocardial cell’s tolerance to subsequent ischemic damage. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is promoted by athletes because it reduces exercise duration and improves metabolic response and cardiopulmonary function. Our objective was to evaluate and compare whether HIIT and IPC could reduce myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury in rats. (2) Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: sham surgery, coronary artery occlusion (CAO), high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and ischemic preconditioning (IPC). The CAO, HIIT, and IPC groups experienced 40 min of coronary artery occlusion followed by 3 h of reperfusion to induce myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury. Subsequently, the rats were sacrificed, and blood samples along with cardiac tissues were examined. The HIIT group received 4 weeks of training before surgery, and the IPC group underwent preconditioning before the ischemia–reperfusion procedure. (3) Results: The HIIT and IPC interventions significantly reduced the extent of the myocardial infarction size and the levels of serum troponin I and lactate dehydrogenase. Through these two interventions, serum pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, were significantly decreased, while the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was increased. Furthermore, the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins PTEN, caspase-3, TNF-α, and Bax in the myocardium was reduced, and the expression of anti-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) was increased, ultimately reducing cellular apoptosis in the myocardium. In conclusion, both HIIT and IPC demonstrated effective strategies with potential for mitigating myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury for the heart.
Study on Viscoelastic Properties of Various Fiber-Reinforced Asphalt Binders
Authors: Li Yunyu , Xu Fan , Wang Yongsheng , Liu Hao , Peng Longfan , Xiao Yue , Liang Qian , Li Xuquan
Published: February 2024

This study analyzed the viscoelastic properties of asphalt binders reinforced with various fibers, such as modified asphalt binder, modified asphalt binder reinforced with lignin fibers (LFs), polyester fibers (PFs), and polypropylene fibers (PPFs), using dynamic shear rheological (DSR) testing. Then, the experiment generated data on the dynamic modulus and phase angle, which described the dynamic rheological characteristics at varying temperatures. The generalized Maxwell model was employed to select the appropriate element, and the test curve was fitted into a discrete time spectrum based on the time–temperature equivalence principle (TTSP). The master curves of the relaxation modulus and creep compliance were established to predict the relaxation and creep properties of various asphalt binders. The analysis indicated that fiber-reinforced binders offer superior resistance to high temperatures and long-term deformation, while being less sensitive to temperature and having a more significant elastic characterization. The binders reinforced with PPFs and LFs exhibited superior performance in high-temperature settings and long-term durability, respectively. On the other hand, the binder reinforced with PFs displayed exceptional high-temperature elastic properties. Additionally, based on the experimental data and corresponding discussion, it appears that the 13-element GM model is more appropriate for fitting the data.
Improvement of the Technology of Precision Forging of Connecting Rod-Type Forgings in a Multiple System, in the Aspect of the Possibilities of Process Robotization by Means of Numerical Modeling
Authors: Hawryluk Marek , Dudkiewicz Łukasz , Polak Sławomir , Barełkowski Artur , Miżejewski Adrian , Szymańska Tatiana
Published: February 2024

The study refers to the application of numerical modeling for the improvement of the currently realized precision forging technology performed on a hammer to produce connecting rod forgings in a triple system through the development of an additional rolling pass to be used before the roughing operation as well as preparation of the charge to be held by the robot’s grippers in order to implement future process robotization. The studies included an analysis of the present forging technology together with the dimension–shape requirements for the forgings, which constituted the basis for the construction and development of a thermo-mechanical numerical model as well as the design of the tool construction with the consideration of the additional rolling pass with the use of the calculation package Forge 3.0 NxT. The following stage of research was the realization of multi-variant numerical simulations of the newly developed forging process with the consideration of robotization, as a result of which the following were obtained: proper filling of the tool impressions (including the roller’s impression) by the deformed material, the temperature distributions for the forging and the tools as well as plastic deformations (considering the thermally activated phenomena), changes in the grain size as well as the forging force and energy courses. The obtained results were verified under industrial conditions and correlated with respect to the forgings obtained in the technology applied so far. The achieved results of technological tests confirmed that the changes introduced into the tool construction and the preform geometry reduced the diameter, and thus also the volume, of the charge as well as provided a possibility of implementing robotization and automatization of the forging process in the future. The obtained results showed that the introduction of an additional rolling blank resulted in a reduction in forging forces and energy by 30% while reducing the hammer blow by one. Attempts to implement robotization into the process were successful and did not adversely affect the geometry or quality of forgings, increasing production efficiency.
Predicting Assembly Geometric Errors Based on Transformer Neural Networks
Authors: Wang Wu , Li Hua , Liu Pei , Niu Botong , Sun Jing , Wen Boge
Published: February 2024

Using optimal assembly relationships, companies can enhance product quality without significantly increasing production costs. However, predicting Assembly Geometric Errors presents a challenging real-world problem in the manufacturing domain. To address this challenge, this paper introduces a highly efficient Transformer-based neural network model known as Predicting Assembly Geometric Errors based on Transformer (PAGEformer). This model accurately captures long-range assembly relationships and predicts final assembly errors. The proposed model incorporates two unique features: firstly, an enhanced self-attention mechanism to more effectively handle long-range dependencies, and secondly, the generation of positional information regarding gaps and fillings to better capture assembly relationships. This paper collected actual assembly data for folding rudder blades for unmanned aerial vehicles and established a Mechanical Assembly Relationship Dataset (MARD) for a comparative study. To further illustrate PAGEformer performance, we conducted extensive testing on a large-scale dataset and performed ablation experiments. The experimental results demonstrated a 15.3% improvement in PAGEformer accuracy compared to ARIMA on the MARD. On the ETH, Weather, and ECL open datasets, PAGEformer accuracy increased by 15.17%, 17.17%, and 9.5%, respectively, compared to the mainstream neural network models.
Syntheses, Structures, and Properties of Mono- and Dinuclear Acetylacetonato Ruthenium(III) Complexes with Chlorido or Thiocyanato Ligands
Authors: Nakashima Kai , Hayami Chihiro , Nakashima Shino , Akashi Haruo , Mikuriya Masahiro , Handa Makoto
Published: February 2024

The mononuclear and dinuclear ruthenium(III) complexes trans-Ph4P[RuIII(acac)2Cl2] (1), Ph4P[{RuIII(acac)Cl}2(μ-Cl)3] (2) and trans-Ph4P[RuIII(acac)2(NCS)2]·0.5C6H14 (3·0.5C6H14) were synthesized. Single crystals of 1, 2·H2O and 3·CH3CN suitable for X-ray crystal structure analyses were obtained through recrystallization from DMF for 1 and 2·H2O and from acetonitrile for 3·CH3CN. An octahedral Ru with bis-chelate-acac ligands and axial chlorido or κ-N-thiocyanido ligands (for 1 and 3·CH3CN) and triply µ-chlorido-bridged dinuclear Ru2 for 2·H2O were confirmed through the structure analyses. The Ru–Ru distance of 2.6661(2) of 2·H2O is indicative of the existence of the direct metal–metal interaction. The room temperature magnetic moments (μeff) are 2.00 and 1.93 μB for 1 and 3·0.5C6H14, respectively, and 0.66 μB for 2. The temperature-dependent (2–300 K) magnetic susceptibility showed that the strong antiferromagnetic interaction (J ≤ −800 cm−1) is operative between the ruthenium(III) ions within the dinuclear core. In the 1H NMR spectra measured in CDCl3 at 298 K, the dinuclear complex 2 showed signals for the acac ligand protons at 2.50 and 2.39 ppm (for CH3) and 5.93 ppm (for CH), respectively, while 1 and 3·0.5C6H14 showed signals with large paramagnetic shifts; −17.59 ppm (for CH3) and −57.01 ppm (for CH) for 1 and −16.89 and −17.36 ppm (for CH3) and −53.67 and −55.53 ppm (for CH) for 3·0.5C6H14. Cyclic voltammograms in CH2Cl2 with an electrolyte of nBu4N(ClO4) showed the RuIII → RuIV redox wave at 0.23 V (vs. Fc/Fc+) for 1 and the RuIII → RuII waves at −1.39 V for 1 and −1.25 V for 3·0.5C6H14 and the RuIII–RuIII → RuIII–RuIV and RuIII–RuIII → RuIII–RuIV waves at 0.91 V and −0.79 V for 2.
Advances in Engine Efficiency: Nanomaterials, Surface Engineering, and Quantum-Based Propulsion
Authors: Pinheiro Mario J.
Published: February 2024

This study explores ground-breaking methods for improving engine efficiency by combining cutting-edge materials, theoretical frameworks, and alternative energy paradigms. The paper primarily offers a cohesive framework, built from our variational method which combines thermal and entropic engines. We investigate the fabrication of hydrophobic and other functionally specific surfaces using nanomaterials and sophisticated surface engineering techniques that efficiently utilize entropy gradient forces. Additionally, this publication explores the fields of quantum-based propulsion systems and information-burning engines, creating a connecting link between theoretical foundations and real-world technical implementations. The study emphasizes the multifaceted character of engine research and its crucial role in shaping a future in which sustainability and efficiency are intimately connected.
Application of Fractional Differential Equations for Modeling Bacteria Migration in Porous Medium
Authors: Chugunov Vladimir , Fomin Sergei
Published: February 2024

One of the modern, recently developed mathematical approaches for modeling various complex chaotic processes (the bacteria migration is apparently one of them), is the application of fractional differential equations. Introduction of fractional derivatives is also a very effective approach for investigation of the reactive processes (growth of bacteria in our case). Our recent advances in application of fractional differential equations for modeling the anomalous transport of reactive and non-reactive contaminants (see our recent publications in the References) allow us to expect that the anomalous transport of growing bacteria can also be effectively described by the models with fractional derivatives. Based on these modern approaches, utilizing fractional differential equations, in this paper we developed a reliable mathematical model that could be properly calibrated and, consequently, provide an adequate description of the growing bacteria transport. This model accounts for the memory effects in the bacteria transport due to the random character of bacteria trapping and release by the porous matrix. Two types of bacteria in the saturated porous medium are considered: mobile and immobile bacteria. Bacteria in the mobile phase are migrating in the fluid and have the velocity of the bulk flow, whereas bacteria in the immobile phase are the bacteria that are captured by the porous matrix. These bacteria have zero velocity and can cause clogging of some pores (therefore, porosity is possibly not constant). Examining different conventional models and comparing computations based on these models, we show that this extremely complex character of bacteria transport cannot be described by the traditional approach based on classical partial differential equations. In this paper we suggest fractional differential equations as a simple but very effective tool that can be used for constructing the proper model capable of simulating all the above-mentioned effects associated with migration of alive bacteria. Using this approach, a reliable model of the growing bacteria transport in the porous medium is developed and validated by comparison with experimental laboratory results. We proved that this novel model can be properly linearized and calibrated, so that an excellent agreement with available experimental results can be achieved. This simple model can be used in many applications, for example, as a part of more general mathematical models for predicting the outcomes of the bioremediation of contaminated soils.
Nonparametric Additive Regression for High-Dimensional Group Testing Data
Authors: Zuo Xinlei , Ding Juan , Zhang Junjian , Xiong Wenjun
Published: February 2024

Group testing has been verified as a cost-effective and time-efficient approach, where the individual samples are pooled with a predefined group size for subsequent testing. Recent research has explored the integration of covariate information to improve the modeling of the group testing data. While existing works for high-dimensional data primarily focus on parametric models, this study considers a more flexible generalized nonparametric additive model. Nonlinear components are approximated using B-splines and model estimation under the sparsity assumption is derived employing group lasso. Theoretical results demonstrate that our method selects the true model with a high probability and provides consistent estimates. Numerical studies are conducted to illustrate the good performance of our proposed method, using both simulated and real data.
Microstructure Evolution and Numerical Modeling of TC4 Titanium Alloy during Ultrasonic Shot Peening Process
Authors: Yi Yuxuan , Yin Fei , Zhai Jiajun , Liu Yanxiong
Published: February 2024

Ultrasonic shot peening (USP) is a surface treatment technology used in the mechanical properties strengthening of the engineering material and components during manufacturing. TC4 titanium alloy is a commonly used engineering material in the aerospace industry. In this study, a gradient nanostructured surface layer was successfully fabricated on the TC4 titanium alloy via USP technology at room temperature. The microstructure evolution of TC4 titanium alloy during USP was investigated. The surface microhardness was elevated from 330 HV to 438 HV with a penetrating depth of around 900 μm after USP with the duration of 8 min. EBSD characterization results confirmed the presence of high-density grain boundaries within the gradient structure in the region of 0–200 μm, accompanied by proliferation of dislocation density. TEM characterization indicated a substantial amount of nanograin with an average size of 74.58 nm. Furthermore, the USP process was also investigated by the finite element method to evaluate the surface-strengthening effect. The calculated maximum residual stress reached 973 MPa after multi-ball impact. The impact behavior of the shots during the USP process was studied. The effect of the parameters on the USP strengthening intensity was explored based on the validated model. This work provided a clearer understanding of the USP strengthening process of TC4 titanium alloy through an effective method of evaluating the process parameters.
Effects of Chemical Composition and Solidification Rate on the Solidification Behavior of High-Cr White Irons
Authors: Son Hee Young , Jung In Yong , Choi Baig Gyu , Shin Jong Ho , Jo Chang Yong , Lee Je Hyun
Published: February 2024

The effects of chemical composition and solidification rate on the solidification behavior of high-Cr white irons were investigated through directional solidification. Increasing the solidification rate in hypoeutectic alloys caused finer dendrite-arm spacing, as expected. The eutectic structure, which formed in the interdendritic region, was comprised of M7C3 and austenite; however, secondary dendrite arms of hypoeutectic alloys contained a few M7C3 particles that solidified prior to the eutectic structure. The transition from cellular to dendritic solidification occurred at a solidification rate between 50 µm/s and 100 µm/s in a near-eutectic alloy. In the near-eutectic alloy with cellular solidification, a directionally arrayed in-situ composite of M7C3/austenite formed within the cell. Speckle-like features appeared in the intercellular region due to M23C6 carbide precipitation during subsequent cooling after freezing. Like dendrite-arm spacing in hypoeutectic alloys, the inter-speckle spacing and the inter-fiber spacing became finer with an increasing solidification rate in the cellular solidification range.
Effect of Dispersing In Situ Al-Cu Intermetallic Compounds on Joint Strength in Friction Stir Welding of AA3003-H18 Sheets
Authors: Abnar Behrouz , Javidani Mousa
Published: February 2024

In this study, friction stir welding (FSW) was employed to join AA3003-H18 sheets by incorporating in situ Al-Cu intermetallic compounds within the stir zone. The FSW process was carried out under three distinct conditions: (I) without applying powder, (II) by introducing Cu powder, and (III) by incorporating Cu-Al mixed powder (50 vol.% Cu, 50 vol.% Al). The powder was embedded into the gap between two sheets. Subsequently, two-pass FSW, involving both forward and backward movements, was conducted with a rotational speed of 1200 rpm and traverse speed of 100 mm/min across all three experimental conditions. In the second and third conditions, the formation of in situ intermetallic compounds occurred through a solid-state reaction between Cu particles and Al within the stir zone. Examination of the stir zone through optical and electron microscopic studies revealed that the utilization of Cu-Al mixed powder resulted in finer and more uniformly distributed Cu clusters and Al-Cu intermetallics than samples welded with Cu powder alone. Notably, the stir zone of samples incorporating Cu-Al mixed powder exhibited finely dispersed, completely gray Al-Cu intermetallic particles, whereas those with only Cu powder displayed predominantly coarse core-shell particles in the microstructure. The introduction of Cu-Al mixed powder during FSW resulted in a stir zone with an average hardness of 74 HB, showing a 14% increase compared to the cases where Cu powder alone was added (65 HB). Tensile tests, conducted in both transverse and longitudinal directions on the FSWed samples, did not exhibit a consistent trend across the three mentioned conditions. Transverse tensile strength consistently ranged between 107 and 110 MPa, with joint efficiency varying from 52% to 54%. However, the longitudinal tensile strength of the joint with added Cu-Al mixed powder (158 MPa) surpassed those welded with Cu powder alone (134 MPa).
A Time Mode Pulse Interleaver in a Silicon-on-Insulator Platform for Optical Analog-to-Digital Converters
Authors: Tu Donghe , Li Zezheng , Yin Yuxiang , Guan Huan , Yu Zhiguo , Tian Lifei , Jiang Lei , Li Yuntao , Li Zhiyong , Fan Zhongchao
Published: February 2024

We propose and demonstrate a novel on-chip optical sampling pulse interleaver based on time mode interleaving. The designed pulse interleaver was fabricated on a 220 nm silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform, utilizing only one S-shaped delay waveguide. Interleaving is achieved by the relative time delay between different optical modes in the waveguide, eliminating the need for any active tuning. The total length of the delay waveguide is 5620.5 µm, which is reduced by a factor of 46.3% compared with previously reported time-wavelength interleaver schemes. The experimental results indicate that the device can convert an optical pulse into a 40 GHz pulse sequence composed of four pulses with a root mean square (RMS) timing error of 0.9 ps, making it well suited for generating high-frequency sampling pulses for optical analog-to-digital converters.
Influence of the Age of Free-Living Amoeba Cysts on Their Vertical Distribution in a Water Column
Authors: Fechtali-Moute Zineb , Pomel Sébastien
Published: February 2024

Free-living amoebae (FLA) are widely distributed protozoa in both natural and artificial environments such as drinking water. In addition to the ability of all FLA to transport various pathogenic microorganisms, certain species, such as Acanthamoeba spp. or Balamuthia mandrillaris, have intrinsic pathogenic abilities and cause severe cerebral infections. Previous work has shown an enrichment of FLA cysts in biofilm developed in upper levels of Drinking Water Storage Towers (DWSTs), suggesting that differences in densities of FLA cysts may play a role in their unequal distribution in the water column. To evaluate this hypothesis, a model of a water column was created for this study and used to analyze the vertical distribution of cysts of the FLA Acanthamoeba castellanii, Vermamoeba vermiformis, and Balamuthia mandrillaris from 0 to 23 weeks. Interestingly, our data showed that the cysts of both A. castellanii and V. vermiformis were enriched in upper water levels during their aging. However, B. mandrillaris cysts were equally distributed in the water column during the entire study. These results show that, in addition to the role of water level variation in the DWST, some FLA cysts can become less dense during their aging, which contributes to their enrichment in upper water and therefore biofilm levels.
Genetic Diversity of Brucella melitensis Isolated from Domestic Ruminants in Iraq
Authors: De Massis Fabrizio , Ali Ruqaya Mustafa , Serrani Sara , Toro Michela , Sferrella Alessandra , D’Aurelio Nausica , Janowicz Anna , Zilli Katiuscia , Romualdi Teresa , Felicioni Eugenio , Salman Manhal Habeeb , Fahdel Dunya Hatem , Rashid Hiba Saad , Ameen Bilal Qays , Garofolo Giuliano
Published: February 2024

The control and eradication of brucellosis represents a critical objective for Veterinary and Health Authorities across several countries globally. Efficient surveillance programs play a pivotal role in detecting and managing outbreaks. Epidemiological investigations significantly benefit from standardized and efficient molecular typing techniques and analytical tools, enabling public health laboratories to identify the origin of outbreaks. This study aimed to sequence Brucella spp. strains isolated in Iraq from different ruminant species to verify their molecular epidemiological correlations and, above all, to shed a light on how these Iraqi isolates are positioned in the phylogenetic context of Brucella spp. The 35 isolates under study were from abortion, milk, placenta, and the fetal membranes of sheep, cattle, and buffalo. Genotyping involved various techniques: MLVA-16, Whole Genome Sequencing, MLST, and cgMLST. All the Iraqi isolates from our study clustered in MLVA-16 within the East Mediterranean clade, and all but one grouped together in the same branch of the MST tree. MST analysis showed the minimum distance of one allele between the studied isolates, except for one strain from buffalo, which was positioned farther away from the rest of the isolates. In cgMLST, the majority of strains grouped within a large cluster predominantly comprising genotypes from the Middle East. The application of different control measures in different territories based on molecular epidemiological studies would increase the chances of maximizing public health benefits and minimizing the spread of infection to disease-free or lower prevalence areas.
Impact of Limestone Surface Impurities on Quicklime Product Quality
Authors: Eriksson Matias , Sandström Karin , Carlborg Markus , Broström Markus
Published: February 2024

Quicklime is produced through the thermal processing of limestone in industrial kilns. During quarry operations, fine particulate quarry dust adheres to limestone lump surfaces, increasing the bulk concentration of impurities in limestone products. During thermal processing in a kiln, impurities such as Si, Mg, Al, Fe, and Mn react with Ca, reducing quicklime product quality. Which reactant phases are formed, and the extent to which these result in a reduction in quality, has not been extensively investigated. The present study investigated as-received and manually washed limestone product samples from two operational quarries using elemental compositions and a developed predictive multi-component chemical equilibrium model to obtain global phase diagrams for 1000–1500 °C, corresponding to the high-temperature zone of a lime kiln, identifying phases expected to be formed in quicklime during thermal processing. The results suggest that impurities found on the surface of the lime kiln limestone feed reduce the main quality parameter of the quicklime products, i.e., calcium oxide, CaO (s), content by 0.8–1.5 wt.% for the investigated materials. The results also show that, in addition to the effect of impurities, the quantity of CaO (s) varies greatly with temperature. More impurities result in more variation and a greater need for accurate temperature control of the kiln, where keeping the temperature below approximately 1300 °C, that of Hatrurite formation, is necessary for a product with higher CaO (s).
Diastereoselective ZnCl2-Mediated Joullié–Ugi Three-Component Reaction for the Preparation of Phosphorylated N-Acylaziridines from 2H-Azirines
Authors: Allende Julene , Olaizola Iurre , Ochoa de Retana Ana M. , Palacios Francisco , de los Santos Jesús M.
Published: February 2024

We disclose a direct approach to the diastereoselective synthesis of phosphorus substituted N-acylaziridines based on a one-pot ZnCl2-catalyzed Joullié–Ugi three-component reaction of phosphorylated 2H-azirines, carboxylic acids and isocyanides. Hence, this robust protocol offers rapid access to an array of N-acylaziridines in moderate-to-good yields and up to 98:2 dr for substrates over a wide scope. The relevance of this synthetic methodology was achieved via a gram-scale reaction and the further derivatization of the nitrogen-containing three-membered heterocycle. The diastereo- and regioselective ring expansion of the obtained N-acylaziridines to oxazole derivatives was accomplished in the presence of BF3·OEt2 as an efficient Lewid acid catalyst.
Hirudin in the Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Liu Sai-Ji , Cao Yi-Ling , Zhang Chun
Published: February 2024

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common public health concern. The global burden of CKD is increasing due to the high morbidity and mortality associated with it, indicating the shortcomings of therapeutic drugs at present. Renal fibrosis is the common pathology of CKD, which is characterized by glomerulosclerosis, renal tubular atrophy, and renal interstitial fibrosis. Natural hirudin is an active ingredient extracted from Hirudo medicinalis, which has been found to be the strongest natural specific inhibitor of thrombin. Evidence based on pharmacological data has shown that hirudin has important protective effects in CKD against diabetic nephrology, nephrotic syndrome, and renal interstitial fibrosis. The mechanisms of hirudin in treating CKD are mainly related to inhibiting the inflammatory response, preventing apoptosis of intrinsic renal cells, and inhibiting the interactions between thrombin and protease-activated receptors. In this review, we summarize the function and beneficial properties of hirudin for the treatment of CKD, and its underlying mechanisms.
177Lu-Labeled Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Functionalized with Doxorubicin and Bevacizumab as Nanobrachytherapy Agents against Breast Cancer
Authors: Salvanou Evangelia-Alexandra , Kolokithas-Ntoukas Argiris , Prokopiou Danai , Theodosiou Maria , Efthimiadou Eleni , Koźmiński Przemysław , Xanthopoulos Stavros , Avgoustakis Konstantinos , Bouziotis Penelope
Published: February 2024

The use of conventional methods for the treatment of cancer, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and approaches such as brachytherapy in conjunction with the unique properties of nanoparticles could enable the development of novel theranostic agents. The aim of our current study was to evaluate the potential of iron oxide nanoparticles, coated with alginic acid and polyethylene glycol, functionalized with the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin and the monoclonal antibody bevacizumab, to serve as a nanoradiopharmaceutical agent against breast cancer. Direct radiolabeling with the therapeutic isotope Lutetium-177 (177Lu) resulted in an additional therapeutic effect. Functionalization was accomplished at high percentages and radiolabeling was robust. The high cytotoxic effect of our radiolabeled and non-radiolabeled nanostructures was proven in vitro against five different breast cancer cell lines. The ex vivo biodistribution in tumor-bearing mice was investigated with three different ways of administration. The intratumoral administration of our functionalized radionanoconjugates showed high tumor accumulation and retention at the tumor site. Finally, our therapeutic efficacy study performed over a 50-day period against an aggressive triple-negative breast cancer cell line (4T1) demonstrated enhanced tumor growth retention, thus identifying the developed nanoparticles as a promising nanobrachytherapy agent against breast cancer.
Protein–Ligand Binding and Structural Modelling Studies of Pheromone-Binding Protein-like Sol g 2.1 from Solenopsis geminata Fire Ant Venom
Authors: Nonkhwao Siriporn , Plettner Erika , Daduang Sakda
Published: February 2024

Sol g 2 is the major protein in Solenopsis geminata fire ant venom. It shares the highest sequence identity with Sol i 2 (S. invicta) and shares high structural homology with LmaPBP (pheromone-binding protein (PBP) from the cockroach Leucophaea maderae). We examined the specific Sol g 2 protein ligands from fire ant venom. The results revealed that the protein naturally formed complexes with hydrocarbons, including decane, undecane, dodecane, and tridecane, in aqueous venom solutions. Decane showed the highest affinity binding (Kd) with the recombinant Sol g 2.1 protein (rSol g 2.1). Surprisingly, the mixture of alkanes exhibited a higher binding affinity with the rSol g 2.1 protein compared to a single one, which is related to molecular docking simulations, revealing allosteric binding sites in the Sol g 2.1 protein model. In the trail-following bioassay, we observed that a mixture of the protein sol g 2.1 and hydrocarbons elicited S. geminata worker ants to follow trails for a longer time and distance compared to a mixture containing only hydrocarbons. This suggests that Sol g 2.1 protein may delay the evaporation of the hydrocarbons. Interestingly, the piperidine alkaloids extracted have the highest attraction to the ants. Therefore, the mixture of hydrocarbons and piperidines had a synergistic effect on the trail-following of ants when both were added to the protein.
Galactose: A Versatile Vector Unveiling the Potentials in Drug Delivery, Diagnostics, and Theranostics
Authors: Battisegola Chiara , Billi Chiara , Molaro Maria Cristina , Schiano Marica Erminia , Nieddu Maria , Failla Mariacristina , Marini Elisabetta , Albrizio Stefania , Sodano Federica , Rimoli Maria Grazia
Published: February 2024

D-galactose, a simple natural compound, has been investigated as a powerful scaffold for drug delivery, diagnostics, and theranostics due to its distinctive properties and interactions with specific cell receptors. In the field of drug delivery, galactose functions as a ligand to selectively target cells expressing galactose receptors, such as hepatocytes, macrophages, and specific cancer cells. The direct attachment of galactose to the main drug or to drug-loaded nanoparticles or liposomes enhances cellular uptake, thereby improving drug delivery to the intended target cells. Galactose has also been found to be useful in diagnostics. Specifically, diagnostic tests based on galactose, such as the galactose elimination capacity test, are utilized to evaluate liver function and assess liver disease as well as hepatic functional reserve. Additionally, galactose-based theranostic agents can be designed by combining drug delivery and diagnostic capabilities. This review is an update of our previous review concerning the broad spectrum of possibilities for exploiting D-galactose as a vector for prodrug design and the synthetic strategies that allow its realization, jointly in diagnostics and theranostics, to highlight the versatility of this interesting vector.
Analysis of Faceted Gratings Using C-Method and Polynomial Expansion
Authors: Granet Gérard , Edee Kofi
Published: February 2024

The coordinate-transformation-based differential method developed by Chandezon et al. is recognized as one of the simplest and most versatile approaches for modeling surface-relief gratings. In this study, we present a novel numerical solution using Legendre polynomial expansion, enabling us to deal efficiently with faceted gratings. Additionally, we introduce an oblique coordinate transformation to analyze overhanging faceted gratings. Notably, the C-method with polynomial expansion (CPE) demonstrates a dramatic improvement in convergence speed compared to the Fourier Modal Method (FMM).
Identification of Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) for Sucrose and Protein Content in Soybean Seed
Authors: Jamison Daniel R. , Chen Pengyin , Hettiarachchy Navam S. , Miller David M. , Shakiba Ehsan
Published: February 2024

Protein and sugar content are important seed quality traits in soybean because they improve the value and sustainability of soy food and feed products. Thus, identifying Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) for soybean seed protein and sugar content can benefit plant breeders and the soybean market by accelerating the breeding process via marker-assisted selection. For this study, a population of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) was developed from a cross between R08-3221 (high protein and low sucrose) and R07-2000 (high sucrose and low protein). Phenotypic data for protein content were taken from the F2:4 and F2:5 generations. The DA7250 NIR analyzer and HPLC instruments were used to analyze total seed protein and sucrose content. Genotypic data were generated using analysis via the SoySNP6k chip. A total of four QTLs were identified in this study. Two QTLs for protein content were located on chromosomes 11 and 20, and two QTLs associated with sucrose content were located on chromosomes 14 and. 11, the latter of which co-localized with detected QTLs for protein, explaining 10% of the phenotypic variation for protein and sucrose content in soybean seed within the study population. Soybean breeding programs can use the results to improve soybean seed quality.
AI-Enabled Crop Management Framework for Pest Detection Using Visual Sensor Data
Authors: Khan Asma , Malebary Sharaf J. , Dang L. Minh , Binzagr Faisal , Song Hyoung-Kyu , Moon Hyeonjoon
Published: February 2024

Our research focuses on addressing the challenge of crop diseases and pest infestations in agriculture by utilizing UAV technology for improved crop monitoring through unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and enhancing the detection and classification of agricultural pests. Traditional approaches often require arduous manual feature extraction or computationally demanding deep learning (DL) techniques. To address this, we introduce an optimized model tailored specifically for UAV-based applications. Our alterations to the YOLOv5s model, which include advanced attention modules, expanded cross-stage partial network (CSP) modules, and refined multiscale feature extraction mechanisms, enable precise pest detection and classification. Inspired by the efficiency and versatility of UAVs, our study strives to revolutionize pest management in sustainable agriculture while also detecting and preventing crop diseases. We conducted rigorous testing on a medium-scale dataset, identifying five agricultural pests, namely ants, grasshoppers, palm weevils, shield bugs, and wasps. Our comprehensive experimental analysis showcases superior performance compared to various YOLOv5 model versions. The proposed model obtained higher performance, with an average precision of 96.0%, an average recall of 93.0%, and a mean average precision (mAP) of 95.0%. Furthermore, the inherent capabilities of UAVs, combined with the YOLOv5s model tested here, could offer a reliable solution for real-time pest detection, demonstrating significant potential to optimize and improve agricultural production within a drone-centric ecosystem.