bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimizing the physical activity intervention for older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a factorial randomized trial
Authors: Shao Zhanfang , Huang Jundan , Feng Hui , Hu Mingyue
Published: May 2024

Background

Physical activity (PA) intervention is one of the most effective interventions to promote cognitive function of older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, the level of PA remains low. Based on the two core interventions (X-CircuiT and health education), this study aimed to examine the effect of three implementation strategies (viz., role modeling, goal-setting, and reminding) on the PA level among older adults with MCI using the multiphase optimization strategy (MOST).

Methods

Participants were randomized into one of eight conditions in a factorial design involving three factors with two levels: (i) role modeling (on vs. off); (ii) goal-setting (on vs. off); and (iii) reminding (on vs. off). The primary outcome was PA level at 12 weeks. The secondary outcomes were cognitive function, self-efficacy, and cost-effectiveness at 12 weeks. The intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis was performed as the main analysis and the per-protocol (PP) analysis as the sensitivity analysis.

Results

A total of 107 participants were included and randomly assigned into three groups, each receiving different implementation strategies. The results of the multivariate regression analysis showed that the three implementation strategies, namely, reminding (B = 0.31, p < 0.01), role modeling (B = 0.21, p < 0.01), and goal-setting (B = 0.19, p < 0.01), could significantly improve PA level. Specifically, it was found that role modeling (B = 0.68, p = 0.03) could significantly improve cognitive function. There were no significant interactions among the three implementation strategies. Role modeling was the most cost-effective strategy, costing 93.41 RMB for one unit of PA.

Conclusions

Role modeling was likely to be the best implementation strategy. The value-based and cost-effective PA intervention package could include the core intervention (X-CircuiT and health education) and implementation strategy (role modeling).

Clinical Trial Registration

https://www.chictr.org.cn, The study was retrospectively registered on 30 June 2022 (ChiCTR2200061693).
The utility of the respiratory rate-oxygenation index as a predictor of treatment response in dogs receiving high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy
Authors: Duble Erin , Her Jiwoong , Preteseille Ingrid , Lee Jeongmin , Allaouchiche Bernard , Pouzot-Nevoret Céline
Published: May 2024

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the respiratory rate-oxygenation index (ROX) and the ratio of pulse oximetry saturation (SpO2) to the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) (SpO2/FiO2, [SF]) to determine whether these indices are predictive of outcome in dogs receiving high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (HFNOT).

Design

This is a prospective observational study.

Setting

This study was carried out at two university teaching hospitals.

Animals

In total, 88 dogs treated with HFNOT for hypoxemic respiratory failure due to various pulmonary diseases were selected.

Measurements and main results

The ROX index was defined as the SF divided by the respiratory rate (RR). ROX and SF were calculated at baseline and for each hour of HFNOT. The overall success rate of HFNOT was 38% (N = 33/88). Variables predicting HFNOT success were determined using logistic regression, and the predictive power of each variable was assessed using the area under the receiver operating curve (AUC). ROX and SF were adequately predictive of HFNOT success when averaged over 0–16 h of treatment, with similar AUCs of 0.72 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.60–0.83) and 0.77 (95% CI 0.66–0.87), respectively (p < 0.05). SF showed acceptable discriminatory power in predicting HFNOT outcome at 7 h, with an AUC of 0.77 (95% CI 0.61–0.93, p = 0.013), and the optimal cutoff for predicting HFNC failure at 7 h was SF ≤ 191 (sensitivity 83% and specificity 76%).

Conclusion

These indices were easily obtained in dogs undergoing HFNOT. The results suggest that ROX and SF may have clinical utility in predicting the outcomes of dogs on HFNOT. Future studies are warranted to confirm these findings in a larger number of dogs in specific disease populations.
CAN Interface Insights for Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling
Authors: Niemi Tero , Kaarlela Tero , Niittyviita Emilia , Lassi Ulla , Röning Juha
Published: May 2024

Road transportation is a significant worldwide contributor to greenhouse gases, and electrifying the driveline of road vehicles is essential in overcoming the evident challenge of climate change. A sustainable transition to electric vehicles requires efficient and safe methods for recycling and repurposing used electric vehicle batteries. While various testing methods have been explored for assessing battery state of health and state of risk for recycling and reuse, a research gap exists concerning using data from integrated battery monitoring systems in the recycling process of electric vehicle batteries. This study addresses the research gap by presenting an approach to extract data from the monitoring system integrated into the battery using the automotive standard controller area network interface. In addition, methods to use this interface to ensure the optimal state of charge of the batteries for storage are presented. The benefits, challenges, and limitations set by the proprietary nature of the data to assess the state of risk and health of electric vehicle batteries for recycling and repurposing are presented, discussed, and evaluated. Finally, the influence of battery regulations and the battery passport proposal on electric vehicle battery recycling and repurposing are discussed to provide future perspectives.
MurSS: A Multi-Resolution Selective Segmentation Model for Breast Cancer
Authors: Lee Joonho , Lee Geongyu , Kwak Tae-Yeong , Kim Sun Woo , Jin Min-Sun , Kim Chungyeul , Chang Hyeyoon
Published: May 2024

Accurately segmenting cancer lesions is essential for effective personalized treatment and enhanced patient outcomes. We propose a multi-resolution selective segmentation (MurSS) model to accurately segment breast cancer lesions from hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained whole-slide images (WSIs). We used The Cancer Genome Atlas breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA) public dataset for training and validation. We used the Korea University Medical Center, Guro Hospital, BRCA dataset for the final test evaluation. MurSS utilizes both low- and high-resolution patches to leverage multi-resolution features using adaptive instance normalization. This enhances segmentation performance while employing a selective segmentation method to automatically reject ambiguous tissue regions, ensuring stable training. MurSS rejects 5% of WSI regions and achieves a pixel-level accuracy of 96.88% (95% confidence interval (CI): 95.97–97.62%) and mean Intersection over Union of 0.7283 (95% CI: 0.6865–0.7640). In our study, MurSS exhibits superior performance over other deep learning models, showcasing its ability to reject ambiguous areas identified by expert annotations while using multi-resolution inputs.
Biologics Reduce Symptoms of Alcohol Intolerance Better than Aspirin Desensitization in Patients with N-ERD and Nasal Polyps
Authors: Foerster-Ruhrmann Ulrike , Jurkov Miroslav , Szczepek Agnieszka J. , Bergmann Karl-Christian , Fluhr Joachim W. , Olze Heidi
Published: May 2024

Background: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) exacerbated respiratory disease (N-ERD) is associated with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), asthma, and NSAID hypersensitivity. An overproduction of leukotrienes characterizes the pathomechanism of the disease. N-ERD patients often report breathing difficulties after consuming alcohol. These symptoms have been observed in patients receiving either aspirin therapy after desensitization (ATAD), therapy with the biologics dupilumab (anti-IL-4Ra antibody) and omalizumab (anti-IgE antibody), or intranasal corticosteroid treatment (INCS). Methods: This retrospective, real-world study assessed the severity of alcohol-related and non-alcohol-related respiratory symptoms in CRSwNP/N-ERD patients 3–6 months after ATAD, biologic (dupilumab or omalizumab), or INCS therapy. A total of 171 patients (98 women and 73 men) were enrolled in the study. All groups received standard INCS therapy. Sixty-three patients were treated with ATAD; 48 received biologics (dupilumab n = 31; omalizumab n = 17); and 60 received INCS only and served as a control group. Alcohol-dependent symptoms and typical CRS symptoms (alcohol-independent) were quantified using visual analog scales (VAS). Results: ATAD and biological therapy significantly reduced VAS scores for alcohol dependence and CRS symptoms. In the control group receiving INCS, only non-alcohol dependent CRS symptoms improved significantly (p < 0.05). The most significant differences in pre/post scores were observed in patients receiving dupilumab, with the most significant improvement in alcohol-dependent and CRS symptoms (dupilumab > omalizumab > ATAD). Conclusions: This real-world study shows that alcohol-related respiratory symptoms are a relevant parameter in CRSwNP/N-ERD patients. Patients benefit more from biologic therapy than from ATAD in terms of their alcohol-related symptoms and other CRS symptoms. Future studies should include placebo-controlled oral alcohol challenge.
Dabsylated Bradykinin Is Cleaved by Snake Venom Proteases from Echis ocellatus
Authors: Abiola Julius , Berg Anna Maria , Aiyelaagbe Olapeju , Adeyi Akindele , König Simone
Published: May 2024

The vasoactive peptide bradykinin (BK) is an important member of the renin–angiotensin system. Its discovery is tightly interwoven with snake venom research, because it was first detected in plasma following the addition of viper venom. While the fact that venoms liberate BK from a serum globulin fraction is well described, its destruction by the venom has largely gone unnoticed. Here, BK was found to be cleaved by snake venom metalloproteinases in the venom of Echis ocellatus, one of the deadliest snakes, which degraded its dabsylated form (DBK) in a few minutes after Pro7 (RPPGFSP↓FR). This is a common cleavage site for several mammalian proteases such as ACE, but is not typical for matrix metalloproteinases. Residual protease activity < 5% after addition of EDTA indicated that DBK is also cleaved by serine proteases to a minor extent. Mass spectrometry-based protein analysis provided spectral proof for several peptides of zinc metalloproteinase-disintegrin-like Eoc1, disintegrin EO4A, and three serine proteases in the venom.
Biomimetic Materials for Skin Tissue Regeneration and Electronic Skin
Authors: Youn Sol , Ki Mi-Ran , Abdelhamid Mohamed A. A. , Pack Seung-Pil
Published: May 2024

Biomimetic materials have become a promising alternative in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine to address critical challenges in wound healing and skin regeneration. Skin-mimetic materials have enormous potential to improve wound healing outcomes and enable innovative diagnostic and sensor applications. Human skin, with its complex structure and diverse functions, serves as an excellent model for designing biomaterials. Creating effective wound coverings requires mimicking the unique extracellular matrix composition, mechanical properties, and biochemical cues. Additionally, integrating electronic functionality into these materials presents exciting possibilities for real-time monitoring, diagnostics, and personalized healthcare. This review examines biomimetic skin materials and their role in regenerative wound healing, as well as their integration with electronic skin technologies. It discusses recent advances, challenges, and future directions in this rapidly evolving field.
Effects of Chlorinated Water on Neurite Length of Cultured Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons and Semaphorin 3A Content of Cultured Epidermal Keratinocytes
Authors: Maeda Kazuhisa , Okumura Neneka , Ogawa Aoba , Takeda Hatsumi
Published: May 2024

The tap water that we normally use contains certain concentrations of free residual chlorine to kill microorganisms and viruses and make it safe for use. Water containing free residual chlorine not only dries out our hair and skin but can also cause irritation and itching in some people—especially those with sensitive skin or reduced skin barrier function. We investigated the effects of free residual chlorine on cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons and cultured epidermal keratinocytes. First, we measured neurite length in cultured rat dorsal root ganglion neurons. Next, to evaluate the effects of chlorine on semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) and nerve growth factor (NGF) levels in cultured human epidermal keratinocytes, we used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure NGF in the supernatant and polymerase chain reaction and Western blot to determine Sema3A and NGF levels. Chlorine elongated the neurite length and increased the number of projections in cultured rat dorsal root ganglion neurons. Although there were no changes in NGF mRNA or protein levels in the supernatant of cultured human epidermal keratinocytes in the presence of chlorine, Sema3A mRNA and protein levels decreased, and the ratio of Sema3A to NGF was also reduced.
UAV-Mounted RIS-Aided Mobile Edge Computing System: A DDQN-Based Optimization Approach
Authors: Wu Min , Zhu Shibing , Li Changqing , Zhu Jiao , Chen Yudi , Liu Xiangyu , Liu Rui
Published: May 2024

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) are increasingly employed in mobile edge computing (MEC) systems to flexibly modify the signal transmission environment. This is achieved through the active manipulation of the wireless channel facilitated by the mobile deployment of UAVs and the intelligent reflection of signals by RISs. However, these technologies are subject to inherent limitations such as the restricted range of UAVs and limited RIS coverage, which hinder their broader application. The integration of UAVs and RISs into UAV–RIS schemes presents a promising approach to surmounting these limitations by leveraging the strengths of both technologies. Motivated by the above observations, we contemplate a novel UAV–RIS-aided MEC system, wherein UAV–RIS plays a pivotal role in facilitating communication between terrestrial vehicle users and MEC servers. To address this challenging non-convex problem, we propose an energy-constrained approach to maximize the system’s energy efficiency based on a double-deep Q-network (DDQN), which is employed to realize joint control of the UAVs, passive beamforming, and resource allocation for MEC. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed optimization scheme significantly enhances the system efficiency of the UAV–RIS-aided time division multiple access (TDMA) network.
Assessment of the Potential Contribution of the Urban Green System to the Carbon Balance of Cities
Authors: Menconi Maria Elena , Bonciarelli Livia , Grohmann David
Published: May 2024

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a crucial challenge in urban areas characterized by high energy consumption and reduced exposure to nature. In this context, the urban green system could play a pivotal role. In the literature, scholars have analyzed both the ability of species-specific and layout-specific green infrastructure to increase carbon sequestration and the best location sites for new green infrastructure to increase the provision of overall ecosystem services. There is a lack of studies helping green urban planners and designers choose where and which green infrastructure to implement based on vegetation species-specific performance and the local carbon emissions of city components. This paper uses tree inventory data from a medium-sized city in central Italy (Perugia) to develop a spatial analysis of urban park performance in carbon sequestration. Then, the method evaluates the carbon emission of a public city building to generate a spatialized balance between building demand and tree supply to support local decisions about the best locations for new green infrastructure and the choice between species. The paper contributes to GIS-based tools that vary the recommended location sites and species for new green infrastructure based on the demanded ecosystem service.
A Frontier Review of Nutraceutical Chinese Yam
Authors: Khol Matthew , Ma Fanyi , Lei Lijing , Liu Wei , Liu Xiuhua
Published: May 2024

Yams are the edible subterranean rhizomes, or tubers, of plants from the genus Dioscorea. There are approximately 600 species of yam plants in the world, with more than 90 of these growing in East Asia. One particular species, Dioscorea opposita Thunb., is highly praised as “the Chinese yam”. This distinction arises from millennia of storied history, both as a nutritional food source and as a principal ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine. Among the many cultivars of Dioscorea opposita Thunb., Huai Shanyao has been widely regarded as the best. This review surveyed the historical background, physiochemical composition, applications as food and medicine, and research prospects for the Chinese yam. Modern science is finally beginning to confirm the remarkable health benefits of this yam plant, long-known to the Chinese people. Chinese yam promises anti-diabetic, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-hypertensive, anti-cancer, and combination treatment applications, both as a functional food and as medicine.
Production of Camellia oleifera Abel Seed Oil for Injection: Extraction, Analysis, Deacidification, Decolorization, and Deodorization
Authors: Zhang Han , Han Mei , Nie Xuejiao , Fu Xiaomeng , Hong Kunqiang , He Dongping
Published: May 2024

Camellia seed oil (CSO), as a nutrient-rich edible oil, is widely used in foods, cosmetics, and other fields. In this work, the extraction, deacidification, decolorization, and deodorization processes of CSO were respectively optimized for meeting injectable oil standards. The results showed that the CSO extraction rate reached the highest level of 94% at optimized conditions (ultrasonic time, 31.2 min; reaction pH, 9.2; and reaction time, 3.5 h). The physicochemical indexes of CSO and 10 other vegetable oils were evaluated by the principal component analysis method, and the overall scores of vegetable oils were ranked as camellia seed oil > olive oil > rice oil > peanut oil > sesame oil > corn oil > soybean oil > sunflower oil > rapeseed oil > walnut oil > flaxseed oil. The physicochemical indicators of CSO were the most ideal among the 11 vegetable oils, which means that CSO is suitable as an injectable oil. Through the optimized processes of the deacidification, decolorization, and deodorization, the CSO acid value was reduced to 0.0515 mg KOH/g, the decolorization rate reached a maximum of 93.86%, and the OD430 was 0.015, meeting the requirement (≤0.045 of OD430) of injectable oil. After the deodorization process, these parameters of the refractive index, acid value, saponification value, iodine value, absorbance, unsaponifiable, moisture and volatiles, fatty acid composition, and heavy metal limits all met the pharmacopoeia standards of injectable oil in many countries and regions. The possibility of CSO as an injectable oil was first verified through refining-process optimization and nutritional index analysis, providing an important technical reference for the high-value utilization of vegetable oil.
Development of Analog Rice Made from Cassava and Banana with the Addition of Katuk Leaf (Sauropus androgynous L. Merr.) and Soy Lecithin for Lactating Women
Authors: Mahendradatta Meta , Assa Esra , Langkong Jumriah , Tawali Abu Bakar , Nadhifa Dwi Ghina
Published: May 2024

The development of analog rice, apart from being an effort to diversify food, also has the potential to be developed as a functional food to fulfill the nutrients needed by a community. Katuk leaf is known for its ability to accelerate the breast milk production of lactating women, which is inseparable from sterol in terms of bioactive content. This study aimed to determine the best formulation of analog rice made from cassava flour, banana flour, Katuk leaf powder, and soy lecithin that was sensorily acceptable, in a shape resembling rice, and able to fulfill the nutritional needs of lactating women. Analog rice was produced using an extruder machine before the physical and sensory properties analyses were carried out, followed by the chemical properties analysis. Formulation C (80% cassava flour, 20% banana flour, 3% Katuk leaf powder, and 0.5% soy lecithin) was obtained as the best or most preferred formulation based on sensory analysis. The resulting grain was oval–round in shape and had a green-brownish color, fluffy texture, and distinct aroma and taste derived from the raw material used. Therefore, this research is expected to support the development of analog rice for providing the main staple food to fulfill lactating women’s nutrition.
Empirical Study on Hospitalist System: A Value Creation Perspective
Authors: Kung Liang-Hsi , Yan Yu-Hua
Published: May 2024

This study investigates the impact of hospitalist system awareness, motivation, and behavior on value creation within the healthcare context of Taiwan. As population aging and the prevalence of chronic diseases continue to rise, accompanied by increased medical resource consumption, the Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare introduced the hospitalist system. Despite its implementation, the number of participating hospitals remains low. Using a questionnaire survey conducted from October 2021 to March 2022, data were collected from medical teams involved in the hospitalist system. A total of 324 valid questionnaires were analyzed. The results reveal that hospitalist awareness positively influences participation motivation (β = 0.846, p < 0.001), which subsequently impacts participation behavior positively (β = 0.888, p < 0.001). Moreover, participation behavior significantly contributes to value creation (β = 0.869, p < 0.001), along with the direct effect of awareness (β = 0.782, p < 0.001) on value creation. In conclusion, the successful promotion and implementation of the hospitalist system rely heavily on the support and active participation of medical staff. Effective interactions and comprehensive information dissemination are essential for maximizing healthcare value creation.
Incidence and Factors Associated with Falls in Older People in a Long-Term Care Facility: A Prospective Study in Taiwan
Authors: Lee Hung-Chun , Hsieh Chia-Jung , Jerng Jih-Shuin
Published: May 2024

Background: The effectiveness of applying a fall-risk assessment to prevent falls in residents of long-term care facilities has not been investigated. Methods: This prospective study enrolled elderly residents in a long-term care facility in Taiwan. Caregivers were provided with a health-status assessment and fall-risk data to enhance their fall-prevention practices. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with falls. Results: A total of 123 subjects, including 68 and 55 for general and nursing-care models, respectively, were assessed. Their health status and risk of falls were provided to the care units to enhance their fall-prevention practices. Subjects in the nursing-care model had more dementia and more prescribed medications, worse physiologic conditions, and higher fall risk. Of them, 28 (23%) had subsequent falls. A univariate analysis showed that those with and without falls were similar in demographic characteristics, prescribed medications, physiologic function, and fall risk. There was a tendency for more falls in the nursing-care model residents (accounting for 61% of those who fell; p = 0.053). A regression analysis showed that gender (beta = 1.359; 95% confidence interval = 0.345–2.374; p = 0.010) and NPI score (beta = 0.101; 95% CI = 0.001–0.200; p = 0.047) were associated with the risk of falls. Conclusion: Residents at the long-term care facility had a significant risk of falls despite knowledge of their fall risk and the implementation of preventive measures. In this context of being aware of the risk, gender, and psychiatric symptoms were significantly associated with falls. Caregivers at long-term care facilities should implement further measures to prevent falls based on behavioral and psychological symptoms.
Building Information Modeling/Building Energy Simulation Integration Based on Quantitative and Interpretative Interoperability Analysis
Authors: Vaz Carolina Fernandes , Guilherme Luísa Lopes de Freitas , Maciel Ana Carolina Fernandes , De Araujo André Luis , Da Costa Bruno Barzellay Ferreira , Haddad Assed Naked
Published: May 2024

The integration between the building information modeling (BIM) methodology and the building energy simulation (BES) can contribute to a thermo-energetic analysis since the model generated and fed into BIM is exported to simulation software. This integration, also called interoperability, is satisfactory when the information flow is carried out without the loss of essential information. Several studies point out interoperability flaws between the methodologies; however, most of them occur in low-geometry-complexity models during quantitative experiments. The purpose of this research was to analyze the BIM/BES integration based on a quantitative and interpretative interoperability analysis of two buildings with complex geometries located on the UFU Campus (library and Building 5T) in Uberlândia, Brazil. To accomplish this, two geometries of each building were modeled, detailed, and simplified to analyze the data import, workflow, and model correction in the BES software. In the case of the library, the integration of Revit with DesignBuilder and IES-VE was analyzed, and in Block 5T, Revit was used with DesignBuilder and eQUEST. The BES software that presented the best integration with Revit for complex geometries was DesignBuilder, with the best performance being in the interpretative criteria. It was concluded that the simplification of complex geometries is essential for better data transfers. To determine the BES software that has better integration with BIM, a comprehensive evaluation is necessary, considering not only data transfers but also ease of working within BES software, the possibility of corrections in these, as well as the availability of tutorials and developer support.
Quality of Life of Dialysis Patients: Exploring the Influence of Membrane Hemocompatibility and Dialysis Practices on Psychosocial and Physical Symptoms
Authors: Doan Victoria , Shoker Ahmed , Abdelrasoul Amira
Published: May 2024

Hemodialysis (HD) is a life-sustaining membrane-based therapy that is essential for managing kidney failure. However, it can have significant physical and psychological effects on patients due to chronic or acute consequences related to membrane bioincompatibility. End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on hemodialysis have a high incidence of psychiatric illness, particularly depression and anxiety disorders, and poor quality of life has been observed. Dialysis can also lead to physical symptoms of its own, such as fatigue, loss of appetite, anemia, low blood pressure, and fluid overload, in addition to the symptoms associated with kidney failure. Therefore, this critical review aims to comprehensively understand the impact of dialysis membrane bioincompatibility and the use of varying molecular weight cut-off membranes on the physical and psychological symptoms experienced by dialysis patients. We analyzed the latest research on the correlation between major inflammatory biomarkers released in patients’ blood due to membrane incompatibility, as well as the critical influence of low levels of hemoglobin and vital proteins such as human serum albumin due to the use of high-cut-off membranes and correlated these factors with the physical and psychological symptoms experienced by dialysis patients. Furthermore, our study aims to provide valuable insights into the impact of dialysis on critical symptoms, higher hospitalization rates, and the quality of life of First Nations, as well as child and youth dialysis patients, in addition to diabetic dialysis patients. Our goal is to identify potential interventions aiming to optimize the dialysis membrane and minimize its negative effects on patients, ultimately improving their well-being and long-term outcomes.
Design and Study of a Sediment Erosion Test Device for a Single-Flow Channel in the Guide Apparatus of a Reaction Hydraulic Turbine
Authors: Pang Jiayang , Chang Xiao , Gang Yuanyuan , Zhou Ziyao , Xiang Wenping , Zhou Lingjiu , Liu Xiaobing , Wang Zhengwei
Published: May 2024

Sediment erosion damage is one of the main causes of structural failure in reaction turbine units. To study the mechanism through which sediment erosion affects the water-guiding mechanism of a reaction turbine unit, this study obtained the average concentration and particle size of sediment during the flood season based on the statistics of the measured sediment data from the power station. Additionally, the characteristics of the solid–liquid two-phase flow of the diversion components of the reaction hydraulic turbine were numerically calculated. Based on the velocity triangle change in the guide apparatus and the flow similarity principle, a flow-around wear test device for the guide apparatus of the reaction turbine was designed. Furthermore, the similarity of the sand–water flow field between the guide apparatus of the prototype unit and the test device was compared and analyzed. The results demonstrated that the sand–water flow field of the diversion components of the prototype unit was axisymmetric and exhibited a potential flow distribution. Additionally, uniform sand–water flow occurred within the guide apparatus, with a small sand–water velocity gradient near the wall of the stay vanes (SV) and the guide vanes (GV). The maximum volume fraction of sediment particles was observed in the tailing area of the spiral casing, indicating an enrichment phenomenon of sediment particles. The velocity of the sediment particles on the surface of the guide vane in the single-channel sediment wear test device and prototype unit ranged from 6.2 to 7.8 m/s, and the velocity of the sediment particles on the surface of the stay vane ranged from 5.1 to 14.6 m/s, and the difference of the sediment particles’ velocity near the wall was 1 to 3 m/s. The trailing vorticity of the guide vane reached a maximum of 120 s−1. Consequently, the single-channel sediment erosion test device can unveil the sediment erosion mechanism of the guide apparatus of a reaction turbine.
A Set of Accurate Dispersive Nonlinear Wave Equations
Authors: Bian Hongwei , Xu Jie , Zou Zhili
Published: May 2024

In this study, a set of accurate dispersive nonlinear wave equations is established, using the wave velocity and free surface elevation as variables. These equations improve upon previous equations in which the velocity potential is used as a variable by considering the rotational wave motion and by adding a second-order bottom slope term that applies to general situations, allowing the equations to consider the influence of rapidly changing, horizontal, two-dimensional bottom topographies. The problem of the inaccuracy of the integral calculations used in previous equations in nearshore areas is solved by approximating the integral calculations into differential calculations, and a set of coupled wave equations is established by keeping the free surface elevation and the horizontal velocity constant, thus allowing the calculation of nearshore wave-generated currents. The benefits of the current model are confirmed through comparisons with corresponding laboratory experimental findings and are illustrated through a comparison with the numerical outcomes of other pertinent models.
Analysis of Peatland Research Trends Based on BERTopic
Authors: Yang A-Ram , Chae Jeongyeon , Choi Eunho
Published: May 2024

Peatlands comprise approximately 3% of the land area worldwide. Peatland exists in most countries, including tropical, subtropical, and boreal regions. Accordingly, peatland has garnered increased research attention as a potential countermeasure against climate change. Therefore, it is necessary to identify and comprise the topics constituting global peatland research. In this study, we applied BERTopic—a topic modeling technique—to analyze relatedness between research topics to classify global peatland research trends, evaluate changes over time, and analyze the relationships between topics. To this end, we searched the keyword “peatland” on ScienceDirect—a global academic publication data platform—and collected the titles and abstracts from 10,158 publications from 1953 to 2022 for dynamic topic modeling and network analysis. Eighty-two peatland research topics were identified, which were combined into 15 main topics. Over time, an increasing trend was observed in topics related to production, management, and fire. In addition, upon analysis of the relationships between topics, three groups centered on fire, peatland value, and carbon were identified. We anticipate that the findings of this study can be expanded to analyze trends in research related to fires in peatlands, regional characteristics of peat soil, prediction of greenhouse gases emission and mitigation due to peatland fires, and prediction of future peatland research topics.
Theme Exploration and Sentiment Analysis of Online Reviews of Wuyishan National Park
Authors: Fu Wei , Zhou Bin
Published: May 2024

The study aimed to explore the relationship and interaction between humans and nature in specific areas. Latent Dirichlet allocation topic recognition and SnowNLP sentiment analysis were used to extract the topics and analyze the sentiments from visitors’ online reviews of Wuyishan National Park. The conclusions were as follows: (1) The tourists mainly expressed positive emotions toward Wuyishan National Park, and the tourists acknowledged its ecological environment and natural and cultural heritage value. (2) The tourists’ comments focused on four themes: tourism activities and facilities, natural and cultural heritage value, characteristic tourism products, and tourism management and services. Natural experience was the main tourism activity in Wuyishan National Park, while cultural activities were related to the tea culture. (3) The tourist facilities, ticket and reservation mechanism, and management and services of Wuyishan National Park were the main concerns of the tourists. The study suggested that Wuyishan National Park could be transformed from a tourist destination into a comprehensive national park that provides recreational experiences and environmental education. This should be conducted by (1) developing detailed natural and cultural education and experience products and (2) improving public service functions and enhancing the public welfare of the national park.
Mathematical Programming Formulations for the Berth Allocation Problems in Container Seaport Terminals
Authors: Aljuaid Awad M. , Koubâa Mayssa , Ammar Mohamed Haykal , Kammoun Karim , Hachicha Wafik
Published: May 2024

Background: Improving the performance of marine terminals is one of the major concerns of both researchers and decision-makers in the maritime transportation sector. The problem of container storage planning and the berth allocation problem (BAP) are the two mainstays of optimizing port operations. Methods: In this work, we address these two issues, proposing two mathematical models that operate sequentially and are applicable to both static and dynamic cases. The first developed model is a mixed-integer linear problem model aimed at minimizing vessel traffic time in the port. The second model developed is a multi-objective optimization model based on goal programming (GP) to minimize both container transfer time and the number of storage areas (minimizing container dispersion). Results: The robustness of the proposed models has been proven through a benchmark with tests using data from the literature and real port data, based on the IBM ILOG CPLEX 12.5 solver. Conclusions: The two developed mathematical models allowed the both minimization of the transfer time and the number of used storage areas, whatever the number of operations handling companies (OHCs) operating in the seaport and for both static and dynamic cases. We propose, as prospects for this work, the development of a heuristic model to deal with the major instances relating to the case of large ports.
Mechanical Performance of Advanced Composite Materials and Structures
Authors: Fan Yin
Published: May 2024

In the realm of material science and engineering, the pursuit of lighter, stronger, and more durable materials has been an enduring quest [...]
Hot-Injection Synthesis of Cesium Lead Halide Perovskite Nanowires with Tunable Optical Properties
Authors: He Jiazhen , Li Hang , Liu Chengqi , Wang Xiaoqian , Zhang Qi , Liu Jinfeng , Wang Mingwei , Liu Yong
Published: May 2024

Metal halide perovskite semiconductors have emerged as promising materials for various optoelectronic applications due to their unique crystal structure and outstanding properties. Among different forms, perovskite nanowires (NWs) offer distinct advantages, including a high aspect ratio, superior crystallinity, excellent light absorption, and carrier transport properties, as well as unique anisotropic luminescence properties. Understanding the formation mechanism and structure–property relationship of perovskite NWs is crucial for exploring their potential in optoelectronic devices. In this study, we successfully synthesized all-inorganic halide perovskite NWs with high aspect ratios and an orthorhombic crystal phase using the hot-injection method with controlled reaction conditions and surface ligands. These NWs exhibit excellent optical and electrical properties. Moreover, precise control over the halogen composition through a simple anion exchange process enables the tuning of the bandgap, leading to fluorescence emission, covering a wide range of colors across the visible spectrum. Consequently, these perovskite NWs hold great potential for efficient energy conversion and catalytic applications in photoelectrocatalysis.
Response Surface Methodology Optimization of Resistance Welding Process for Unidirectional Carbon Fiber/PPS Composites
Authors: Yu Da-Wei , Qing Xiao-Ting , Lin Hong-Yu , Yang Jie , Yang Jia-Cao , Wang Xiao-Jun
Published: May 2024

The use of thermoplastic composites (TPCs) as one of the lightweight solutions will inevitably encounter problems in connection. Resistance welding has the characteristics of high strength, simplicity, and high reliability, and is considered a very potential hot-melt connection technology. The resistance welding technology of unidirectional carbon fiber-reinforced polyphenylene sulfide composites (UCF/PPS) was systematically studied. The experimental results show that the 100-mesh brass mesh has the best resin wetting effect and heating efficiency, and the PPS/oxidized 100-mesh brass mesh composite resistance element (Ox-RE/PPS) has the highest welding strength. The welding failure mode changes from interface failure and RE failure to interlayer structure damage and fiber fracture. The single-factor experimental results show that the maximum welding strength is reached at 310 °C, 1.15 MPa, and 120 kW/m2. According to the conclusion of the single-factor experiment, the Box–Behnken method was further used to design a three-factor, three-level experiment, and a quadratic regression model was established according to the test results. The results of variance analysis, fitting curve analysis, and perturbation plot analysis proved that the model had high fitting and prediction abilities. From the 3D surface diagram analysis, the influence of power density is the largest, and the interaction between welding temperature and power density is the most significant. Combined with the analysis of Design Expert 13 software, the optimal range of process parameters was obtained as follows: welding temperature 313–314 °C, welding pressure 1.04–1.2 MPa, and power density 124–128 kW/m2. The average strength of resistance welding joints prepared in the optimal range of process parameters was 13.58 MPa.
The Design of a Novel Alkali-Activated Binder for Solidifying Silty Soft Clay and the Study of Its Solidification Mechanism
Authors: Jing Yaohui , Zhang Yannian , Zhang Lin , Wang Qingjie
Published: May 2024

In order to overcome the problems of the high economic and environmental costs of a traditional ordinary portland cement-based binder, this study used self-combusted coal gangue (SCCG), granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) and phosphorous slag (PS) to prepare a novel SCCG-GBFS-PS (SGP) ternary alkali-activated binder for solidifying silty soft clay (SC). Firstly, the parameters of the SGP ternary binder were optimized using orthogonal experiments. Then the effects of the SGP ternary binder content (mass ratio of the SGP ternary binder and the SGP-solidified soil), initial water content of SC (mass ratio of SC’ water and SC) and types of additives on the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of the SGP-solidified soil were analyzed. Finally, the hydration products and microstructure of the SGP-solidified soil were analyzed to investigate the solidification mechanism of the SGP ternary binder. The results showed that the optimal mass ratio of GBFS and PS is 2:1, and the optimal alkali activator content (mass ratio of Na2O and the SGP ternary binder) and modulus of alkali activator (molar ratio of SiO2 and Na2O of alkali activator) were 13% and 1.3, respectively. When the SGP ternary binder content was 16% and the initial water content of SC was 35%, the SGP-solidified soil met the requirement of UCS for tertiary cured soil. The incorporation of triethanolamine and polyvinyl alcohol improved the UCS, while the incorporation of Na2SO4 significantly deteriorated the UCS of the SGP-solidified soil. The C-S-H gels and C(N)-A-S-H gels generated by hydration of the SGP-solidified soil were interspersed, interwoven and adhered to each other to form a network-like space structure that played the roles of skeleton, bonding soil particles and filling pores, which improved the macroscopic properties of the SGP-solidified soil. The results of this study provide a reference for the design and development of a solid waste-based binder for solidifying SC.
The Production of Three-Dimensional Metal Objects Using Oscillatory-Strain-Assisted Fine Wire Shaping and Joining
Authors: Deshpande Anagh , Hsu Keng
Published: May 2024

Material shaping and joining are the two fundamental processes that lie at the core of many forms of metal manufacturing techniques, including additive manufacturing. Current metal additive manufacturing processes such as laser/e-beam powder bed fusion and Directed Energy Deposition predominantly use heat and subsequent melt–fusion and solidification to achieve shaping and joining. The energy efficiency of these processes is severely limited due to energy conversion losses before energy is delivered at the point of melt–fusion for shaping and joining, and due to losses through heat transfer to the surrounding environment. This manuscript demonstrates that by using the physical phenomenon of lowered yield stress of metals and enhanced diffusion in the presence of low amplitude high frequency oscillatory strain, metal shaping and joining can be performed in an energy-efficient way. The two performed simultaneously enable a metal additive manufacturing process, namely Resonance-Assisted Deposition (RAD), that has several unique capabilities, like the ability to print net-shape components from hard-to-weld alloys like Al6061 and the ability to print components with a very high aspect ratio. In this study, we show this process’s capabilities by printing solid components using aluminum-based metal alloys.
Experimental and Thermal Stress Field Numerical Simulation Study on Laser Metal Deposition of Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb Alloy
Authors: Li Xiaolei , Zhao Sen , Yuan Gang , Cui Lujun , Guo Shirui , Zheng Bo , Cui Yinghao , Chen Yongqian , Zhao Yue , Xu Chunjie
Published: May 2024

The experimental and numerical simulation analysis of a TiAl alloy by laser metal deposition technology is presented in this paper. The research examines the macroscopic morphology, microstructure, and mechanical properties of samples as laser power varies. It also delves into how the temperature field and residual stress evolve under different laser powers. The results reveal that the microstructure of samples is mainly composed of α2-Ti3Al phase and a γ-TiAl phase and that the details of the microstructure are significantly affected by laser power. As laser power increases, coarse lamellar structure content increases, corresponding to a decrease in α2 phase content. The deposited layer hardness ranges from 550 HV to 600 HV, and the average deposition layer hardness decreases with increased laser power. Simulation results predict the molten pool’s size, temperature, and residual stresses. A significant increase in the molten pool size is observed when the laser power exceeds 1000 W, and the measured molten pool depths correspond closely to simulation predictions. However, significant tensile stresses are generated in the deposition layer due to high cooling rates, mainly in the x direction. Cracks are observed on the surface of the deposition layer at all laser powers.
Electronic Structure of Mg-, Si-, and Zn-Doped SnO2 Nanowires: Predictions from First Principles
Authors: Platonenko Alexander , Piskunov Sergei , Yang Thomas C.-K. , Juodkazyte Jurga , Isakoviča Inta , Popov Anatoli I. , Junisbekova Diana , Baimukhanov Zein , Dauletbekova Alma
Published: May 2024

We investigated the electronic structure of Mg-, Si-, and Zn-doped four-faceted [001]- and [110]-oriented SnO2 nanowires using first-principles calculations based on the linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO) method. This approach, employing atomic-centered Gaussian-type functions as a basis set, was combined with hybrid density functional theory (DFT). Our results show qualitative agreement in predicting the formation of stable point defects due to atom substitutions on the surface of the SnO2 nanowire. Doping induces substantial atomic relaxation in the nanowires, changes in the covalency of the dopant–oxygen bond, and additional charge redistribution between the dopant and nanowire. Furthermore, our calculations reveal a narrowing of the band gap resulting from the emergence of midgap states induced by the incorporated defects. This study provides insights into the altered electronic properties caused by Mg, Si, and Zn doping, contributing to the further design of SnO2 nanowires for advanced electronic, optoelectronic, photovoltaic, and photocatalytic applications.
Novel Probabilistic Collision Detection for Manipulator Motion Planning Using HNSW
Authors: Zhang Xiaofeng , Tao Bo , Jiang Du , Chen Baojia , Tang Dalai , Liu Xin
Published: May 2024

Collision detection is very important for robot motion planning. The existing accurate collision detection algorithms regard the evaluation of each node as a discrete event, ignoring the correlation between nodes, resulting in low efficiency. In this paper, we propose a novel approach that transforms collision detection into a binary classification problem. In particular, the proposed method searches the k-nearest neighbor (KNN) of the new node and estimates its collision probability by the prior node. We perform the hierarchical navigable small world (HNSW) method to query the nearest neighbor data and store the detected nodes to build the database incrementally. In addition, this research develops a KNN query technique tailored for linear data, incorporating threshold segmentation to facilitate collision detection along continuous paths. Moreover, it refines the distance function of the collision classifier to enhance the precision of probability estimations. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.