bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Machine Learning Prediction of Comorbid Substance Use Disorders among People with Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Oliva Vincenzo , De Prisco Michele , Pons-Cabrera Maria Teresa , Guzmán Pablo , Anmella Gerard , Hidalgo-Mazzei Diego , Grande Iria , Fanelli Giuseppe , Fabbri Chiara , Serretti Alessandro , Fornaro Michele , Iasevoli Felice , de Bartolomeis Andrea , Murru Andrea , Vieta Eduard , Fico Giovanna
Published: July 2022

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a common comorbidity in individuals with bipolar disorder (BD), and it is associated with a severe course of illness, making early identification of the risk factors for SUD in BD warranted. We aimed to identify, through machine-learning models, the factors associated with different types of SUD in BD. We recruited 508 individuals with BD from a specialized unit. Lifetime SUDs were defined according to the DSM criteria. Random forest (RF) models were trained to identify the presence of (i) any (SUD) in the total sample, (ii) alcohol use disorder (AUD) in the total sample, (iii) AUD co-occurrence with at least another SUD in the total sample (AUD+SUD), and (iv) any other SUD among BD patients with AUD. Relevant variables selected by the RFs were considered as independent variables in multiple logistic regressions to predict SUDs, adjusting for relevant covariates. AUD+SUD could be predicted in BD at an individual level with a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 75%. The presence of AUD+SUD was positively associated with having hypomania as the first affective episode (OR = 4.34 95% CI = 1.42–13.31), and the presence of hetero-aggressive behavior (OR = 3.15 95% CI = 1.48–6.74). Machine-learning models might be useful instruments to predict the risk of SUD in BD, but their efficacy is limited when considering socio-demographic or clinical factors alone.
Forgetting the Unforgettable: Transient Global Amnesia Part II: A Clinical Road Map
Authors: Sparaco Marco , Pascarella Rosario , Muccio Carmine Franco , Zedde Marialuisa
Published: July 2022

Transient global amnesia (TGA) is a clinical syndrome characterized by the sudden onset of a temporary memory disorder with profound anterograde amnesia and a variable impairment of the past memory. Usually, the attacks are preceded by a precipitating event, last up to 24 h and are not associated with other neurological deficits. Diagnosis can be challenging because the identification of TGA requires the exclusion of some acute amnestic syndromes that occur in emergency situations and share structural or functional alterations of memory circuits. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) studies performed 24–96 h after symptom onset can help to confirm the diagnosis by identifying lesions in the CA1 field of the hippocampal cornu ammonis, but their practical utility in changing the management of patients is a matter of discussion. In this review, we aim to provide a practical approach to early recognition of this condition in daily practice, highlighting both the lights and the shadows of the diagnostic criteria. For this purpose, we summarize current knowledge about the clinical presentation, diagnostic pathways, differential diagnosis, and the expected long-term outcome of TGA.
A Review of the Development of Key Technologies for Offshore Wind Power in China
Authors: Fan Qixiang , Wang Xin , Yuan Jing , Liu Xin , Hu Hao , Lin Peng
Published: July 2022

In recent years, Offshore Wind Power (OWP) has gained prominence in China’s national energy strategy. However, the levelized cost of electricity (LCoE) of wind power must be further reduced to match the average wholesale price. The cost-cutting and revenue-generating potential of offshore wind generation depends on technological innovation. The most recent studies and applications of offshore wind technology are thoroughly examined. (1) Techniques for site selection, such as site surveys, wind resource assessments, and environmental factors, are reviewed. (2) Three main technical components in offshore wind farms are discussed, including wind turbine, foundations, and booster stations. (3) The state-of-the-art method of the offshore wind farm’s construction and operation and maintenance (O&M) practices is discussed. In situ marine geological surveying, large-scale offshore wind turbine manufacturing, integrated structural design, floating foundation design, flexible DC transmission technology, shortage of specialized vessels and equipment for construction, intelligence of O&M, and other issues are challenging China’s OWP industry. A brief overview of China’s efforts in standardization, parity, and research and development are discussed. Recommendations for future development of the wind power industry are provided for China, which may be referable for other nations with comparable circumstances.
Effect of Chilled Storage on Antioxidant Capacities and Volatile Flavors of Synbiotic Yogurt Made with Probiotic Yeast Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 in Combination with Inulin
Authors: Sarwar Abid , Al-Dalali Sam , Aziz Tariq , Yang Zhennai , Ud Din Jalal , Khan Ayaz Ali , Daudzai Zubaida , Syed Quratulain , Nelofer Rubina , Qazi Nazif Ullah , Jian Zhang , Dablool Anas S.
Published: July 2022

Fermentation of available sugars in milk by yogurt starter culture initially and later by Saccharomyces boulardii (Probiotic yeast) improves the bioavailability of nutrients and produces bioactive substances and volatile compounds that enhance consumer acceptability. The combination of S. boulardii, a unique species of probiotic yeast, and inulin, an exopolysaccharide used as a prebiotic, showed remarkable probiotic and hydrocolloid properties in dairy products. The present study was designed to study the effect of fermentation and storage on antioxidant and volatile capacities of probiotic and synbiotic yogurt by incorporation of S. boulardii and inulin at 1%, 1.5%, and 2% (w/v), compared with the probiotic and control plain yogurt. All samples were stored at 4 °C, and during these four weeks, they were analyzed in terms of their antioxidant and volatile compounds. The synbiotic yogurt samples having inulin and S. boulardii displayed significantly higher DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical activity values and more values of TPC (total phenol contents) than control plain yogurt. A total of 16 volatile compounds were identified in S5-syn2 and S4-syn1.5, while S3-syn1 and S2-P had 14, compared with the control S1-C plain yogurt samples, which had only 6. The number of volatile compounds increased with the increasing concentration of inulin throughout the storage period. Therefore, this novel synbiotic yogurt with higher antioxidant and volatile compounds, even with chilling storage conditions, will be a good choice for consumer acceptability.
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Altered Neuropsychological Functions in Patients with Subcortical Vascular Dementia
Authors: Moretti Rita , Giuffré Mauro , Crocè Lory Saveria , Gazzin Silvia , Tiribelli Claudio
Published: July 2022

NAFLD is the most common cause of abnormality in liver function tests. NAFLD is considered a potential cardiovascular risk factor and is linked to cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Few previous studies have investigated whether NAFLD could be independently associated with cognitive impairment. The current study aims to find a possible role of NAFLD in the development of subcortical vascular dementia (sVaD). We considered NAFLD as a possible independent vascular risk factor or, considering its metabolic role, associated with other commonly accepted sVaD risk factors, i.e., lack of folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin D-OH25, and increased levels of homocysteine. We studied 319 patients diagnosed with sVaD. All patients underwent an abdominal ultrasound examination to classify steatosis into four levels (1—none up to 4—severe). sVaD patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of NAFLD. Our results demonstrated a strong correlation between NAFLD and sVaD. Patients with the two comorbidities had worse neuropsychological outcomes and a worse metabolic profile. We also found a robust relationship between NAFLD and severe vitamin B12, folate, vitamin D hypovitaminosis, and higher hyperhomocysteinemia levels. This way, it is evident that NAFLD contributes to a more severe metabolic pathway. However, the strong relationship with the three parameters (B12, folate and vitamin D, and homocysteinemia) suggests that NAFLD can contribute to a proinflammatory condition.
A Procedure to Set Prices and Select Inventory in Thinly Traded Markets Using Data from eBay
Authors: Hu Xinbo , Zak Paul J.
Published: July 2022

Prices respond to equate supply and demand. However, price-setting in low-volume or “thin” markets is a challenge as is determining which items to carry. We present an algorithm that takes into account a store’s fixed costs, the cost of goods sold, prices, and listing duration to determine the portfolio of items to maximize profits. Prices can then be assigned as a mark-up over cost. The usefulness of this approach is demonstrated by applying it to a store on eBay in which the seller needs to meet a profit threshold. The findings identify how sellers of unusual items can effectively determine which items to list and how to set price to reach profit goals.
Developing an Impact-Focused Typology of Socially Responsible Fund Providers
Authors: Diener Joel , Habisch André
Published: July 2022

The concept of investor impact of socially responsible investments is relatively new. Our article expands knowledge in this field by analyzing how investor impact is implemented in the ethical investment policies of 45 providers of publicly traded, socially responsible funds. Based on a typological content analysis, we first develop an impact-focused category system, which in the second step is used to distinguish three types of fund providers: ESG hermits, ESG ambassadors and ESG evangelists. Our results suggest that socially responsible fund providers with a stronger impact orientation, such as ESG evangelists, also employ strategies that are more likely to achieve investor impact. In contrast, fund providers with a weaker impact orientation, such as ESG hermits, focus more on purity aspects and therefore tend to utilize strategies that defend the purity claim but also show a weaker investor impact.
Evolution of the Online Grocery Shopping Experience during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Empiric Study from Portugal
Authors: Gomes Sofia , Lopes João M.
Published: July 2022

Online shopping has intensified in the last decade. The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed circulation limitations and more restrictive behaviors on consumers due to fears of contracting the virus, boosting online grocery shopping. This study aims to assess the relationship between the online food purchasing experience during the pandemic and the intention to purchase food online after the pandemic. The sample of this quantitative study is composed of 358 Portuguese consumers who carried out grocery shopping online during the pandemic and was collected through an online questionnaire. First, a cross-sectional description of the variables was applied to this sample and then an analytical cross-sectional survey was carried out using the partial least squares method. Due to health concerns, food and beverage consumption behaviors changed positively during the pandemic compared to before. Healthier consumer behavior towards food and beverages during the pandemic, compared to before the pandemic, may influence a greater propensity for online grocery shopping. Sociodemographic characteristics (age, education, income) were also determinants of the propensity to shop online during the pandemic. Specifically, the results of this study demonstrate a positive influence of young male consumers, with higher levels of education and income, regarding the online supermarket shopping experience. The results also demonstrate that a good online shopping experience during the pandemic can positively influence online shopping intentions after the pandemic. This study makes it possible to identify determinants of the online food shopping experience, serving as guidance and preparation for strategic marketing for retail grocery companies that wish to position themselves online. It also helps marketers and policymakers understand the potential influence of sociodemographic characteristics such as age, income, and education on building a relationship with consumers. Finally, the relationship between personal characteristics and the online grocery shopping experience requires further substantiation and this study contributes to this gap in the literature.
Utterer Meaning, Misunderstanding, and Cultural Knowledge
Authors: Tindale Christopher W.
Published: July 2022

All versions of Grice’s theory of utterer meaning couch success in terms of stressing the hearer’s ability to recognize what is intended. This ties naturally to the cooperative principle and the maxims of conversation. A later additional maxim of manner emphasizes that one should always facility the audience’s response in one’s communication. Meaning communication is successful with the right “uptake”, whether seen in the desires or beliefs that Grice addressed in the audience, or the achievement of understanding or comprehension that critics identified. In retrospective reflections, Grice saw the latter necessitated by the former. The point remains that if Grice is correct in requiring audience recognition for the successful communication of meaning, then this poses serious challenges for scholars working in argumentation. It provides, for example, an additional problem when exploring cross-cultural argumentative exchanges where societies have had no prior experience of each other, their norms, or shared beliefs. Moreover, the conditions that it requires makes misunderstanding a central concern. These problems are explored in the paper, beginning with an initial assumption that Grice is correct about meaning, with a view to considering whether there is need for modifications to Grice’s theory.
Controlling the Solid-State Reaction in Fe-MoS2 Self-Lubricating Composites for Optimized Tribological Properties
Authors: De Lima Gabriel Araujo , Klein Aloisio Nelmo , Furlan Kaline Pagnan
Published: July 2022

In this work, self-lubricating composites containing MoS2 and graphite dispersed in an iron matrix were produced by powder metallurgy and sintering. Previous studies demonstrate that MoS2 reacts with iron matrixes during sintering, making the production of Fe-MoS2 composites rather difficult. Therefore, this study focused on a potential solution to avoid or reduce this reaction, whilst still providing good tribological properties. Our results show that the addition of graphite retards the reaction of MoS2 with iron and that the combination of MoS2 + graphite results in composites with an optimized coefficient of friction associated with a low wear rate both in nitrogen and air atmospheres. Through adequate control of the lubricant’s particle size, composition, and processing parameters, self-lubricating iron-based composites with a low dry coefficient of friction (0.07) and low wear rate (5 × 10−6 mm3·N−1·m−1) were achieved.
Towards Active Safety Driving: Controller Design of an Active Rear Steering System for Intelligent Vehicles
Authors: Hang Peng , Chen Xinbo
Published: July 2022

To advance the active safety performance for vehicles, especially in extreme conditions, an active rear steering (ARS) control system is designed in this paper. A driver model is established to simulate the driving behaviour of a human driver who is in charge of the front steering control. In the ARS control system, the sliding mode predictive control (SMPC) approach is applied to the ARS controller design based on a 3 degrees of freedom (DoF) nonlinear vehicle model. In the ARS controller design, four kinds of active safety performances are considered, namely, path-tracking performance, handling performance, lateral stability, and rollover prevention. Furthermore, the priority of the four kinds of active safety performance is defined. According to the control priority, an event-triggered mechanism (ETM) is designed to adjust the SMPC controller of the ARS system to address different driving conditions. Finally, two simulation cases are conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed ARS system. The results show that the ARS system is in favour of the active safety performance advancement for human drivers. Additionally, the comparative simulation indicates that the SMPC algorithm is superior to the fast terminal sliding mode control (FTSMC) algorithm.
Relationship between the Chinese Main Air Transport Network and COVID-19 Pandemic Transmission
Authors: Su Min , Hu Baoyang , Jiang Yipeng , Zhang Zhenchao , Li Zeyang
Published: July 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic had an unprecedented impact on the civil aviation passenger transport industry. This study analyzes the scale change and spatial distribution of the Chinese main air transport network (CMATN) and its role in the early spread of the pandemic using a complex network analysis method and econometric model. The result shows that CMATN is mainly located in the economically developed and densely populated central and eastern regions of China. The normalized degree, closeness, and betweenness centralities of CMATN node cities show an overall increasing trend, indicating that the air transport network is constantly improving. There was a significant positive relationship between the centrality of node cities, the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the number of confirmed cases, indicating that air transport networks were crucial in the pandemic’s early spread. Furthermore, social and economic variables such as GDP and population had a significant positive impact on the duration of the pandemic, indicating that higher levels of social and economic development increased the seriousness of the pandemic. Our findings are expected to supplement existing research and serve as a point of reference for pandemic prevention and control.
An Efficient Parallel Reptile Search Algorithm and Snake Optimizer Approach for Feature Selection
Authors: Al-Shourbaji Ibrahim , Kachare Pramod H. , Alshathri Samah , Duraibi Salahaldeen , Elnaim Bushra , Abd Elaziz Mohamed
Published: July 2022

Feature Selection (FS) is a major preprocessing stage which aims to improve Machine Learning (ML) models’ performance by choosing salient features, while reducing the computational cost. Several approaches are presented to select the most Optimal Features Subset (OFS) in a given dataset. In this paper, we introduce an FS-based approach named Reptile Search Algorithm–Snake Optimizer (RSA-SO) that employs both RSA and SO methods in a parallel mechanism to determine OFS. This mechanism decreases the chance of the two methods to stuck in local optima and it boosts the capability of both of them to balance exploration and explication. Numerous experiments are performed on ten datasets taken from the UCI repository and two real-world engineering problems to evaluate RSA-SO. The obtained results from the RSA-SO are also compared with seven popular Meta-Heuristic (MH) methods for FS to prove its superiority. The results show that the developed RSA-SO approach has a comparative performance to the tested MH methods and it can provide practical and accurate solutions for engineering optimization problems.
Impulsive Memristive Cohen–Grossberg Neural Networks Modeled by Short Term Generalized Proportional Caputo Fractional Derivative and Synchronization Analysis
Authors: Agarwal Ravi , Hristova Snezhana
Published: July 2022

The synchronization problem for impulsive fractional-order Cohen–Grossberg neural networks with generalized proportional Caputo fractional derivatives with changeable lower limit at any point of impulse is studied. We consider the cases when the control input is acting continuously as well as when it is acting instantaneously at the impulsive times. We defined the global Mittag–Leffler synchronization as a generalization of exponential synchronization. We obtained some sufficient conditions for Mittag–Leffler synchronization. Our results are illustrated with examples.
DeepDA-Ace: A Novel Domain Adaptation Method for Species-Specific Acetylation Site Prediction
Authors: Liu Yu , Wang Qiang , Xi Jianing
Published: July 2022

Protein lysine acetylation is an important type of post-translational modification (PTM), and it plays a crucial role in various cellular processes. Recently, although many researchers have focused on developing tools for acetylation site prediction based on computational methods, most of these tools are based on traditional machine learning algorithms for acetylation site prediction without species specificity, still maintained as a single prediction model. Recent studies have shown that the acetylation sites of distinct species have evident location-specific differences; however, there is currently no integrated prediction model that can effectively predict acetylation sites cross all species. Therefore, to enhance the scope of species-specific level, it is necessary to establish a framework for species-specific acetylation site prediction. In this work, we propose a domain adaptation framework DeepDA-Ace for species-specific acetylation site prediction, including Rattus norvegicus, Schistosoma japonicum, Arabidopsis thaliana, and other types of species. In DeepDA-Ace, an attention based densely connected convolutional neural network is designed to capture sequence features, and the semantic adversarial learning strategy is proposed to align features of different species so as to achieve knowledge transfer. The DeepDA-Ace outperformed both the general prediction model and fine-tuning based species-specific model across most types of species. The experiment results have demonstrated that DeepDA-Ace is superior to the general and fine-tuning methods, and its precision exceeds 0.75 on most species. In addition, our method achieves at least 5% improvement over the existing acetylation prediction tools.
Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Envelope of Proportional Hesitant Fuzzy Linguistic Term Set: Application to Large-Scale Group Decision Making
Authors: Liu Yaya , Rodríguez Rosa M. , Martínez Luis
Published: July 2022

Large-scale group decision-making (LS-GDM) problems are common in the daily life of human beings. Both information fusion and computing with words (CWW) technologies in LS-GDM suffer from challenges. In the current research, a proportional hesitant fuzzy linguistic term set (PHFLTS) will be applied to capture the preferences of sub-groups in LS-GDM, which decreases the information lost in information fusion processes. Novel fuzzy semantic representation models of PHFLTS, such as type-1 fuzzy envelope and interval type-2 fuzzy envelope, are respectively studied. The application of the proposed fuzzy entropies facilitates the CWW process with the PHFLTS under the framework of a fuzzy linguistic approach. In particular, linguistic uncertainties contained in the PHFLTS can be reflected in a comprehensive way when the type-2 fuzzy envelope is applied, which contributes to the decrease in the information lost during the CWW process. A novel LS-GDM method cooperating with the fuzzy semantic models of PHFLTS is proposed, in which weights for the sub-groups are determined by size, cohesion, and degree of reliability among the sub-groups. Finally, the proposed decision method as well as CWW tools are applied to the process of urban renewal plan selection.
Social Sustainability and Resilience in Supply Chains of Latin America on COVID-19 Times: Classification Using Evolutionary Fuzzy Knowledge
Authors: Reyna-Castillo Miguel , Santiago Alejandro , Martínez Salvador Ibarra , Rocha José Antonio Castán
Published: July 2022

The number of research papers interested in studying the social dimension of supply chain sustainability and resilience is increasing in the literature. However, the social dimension is complex, with several uncertainty variables that cannot be expressed with a traditional Boolean logic of totally true or false. To cope with uncertainty, Fuzzy Logic allows the development of models to obtain crisp values from the concept of fuzzy linguistic variables. Using the Structural Equation Model by Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) and Evolutionary Fuzzy Knowledge, this research aims to analyze the predictive power of social sustainability characteristics on supply chain resilience performance in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic with representative cases from Mexico and Chile. We validate our approach using the Chile database for training our model and the Mexico database for testing. The fuzzy knowledge database has a predictive power of more than 80%, using social sustainability features as inputs regarding supply chain resilience in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic disruption. To our knowledge, no works in the literature use fuzzy evolutionary knowledge to study social sustainability in correlation with resilience. Moreover, our proposed approach is the only one that does not require a priori expert knowledge or a systematic mathematical setup.
A Two-Stage Framework for Directed Hypergraph Link Prediction
Authors: Xiao Guanchen , Liao Jinzhi , Tan Zhen , Zhang Xiaonan , Zhao Xiang
Published: July 2022

Hypergraphs, as a special type of graph, can be leveraged to better model relationships among multiple entities. In this article, we focus on the task of hyperlink prediction in directed hypergraphs, which finds a wide spectrum of applications in knowledge graphs, chem-informatics, bio-informatics, etc. Existing methods handling the task overlook the order constraints of the hyperlink’s direction and fail to exploit features of all entities covered by a hyperlink. To make up for the deficiency, we present a performant pipelined model, i.e., a two-stage framework for directed hyperlink prediction method (TF-DHP), which equally considers the entity’s contribution to the form of hyperlinks, and emphasizes not only the fixed order between two parts but also the randomness inside each part. The TF-DHP incorporates two tailored modules: a Tucker decomposition-based module for hyperlink prediction, and a BiLSTM-based module for direction inference. Extensive experiments on benchmarks—WikiPeople, JF17K, and ReVerb15K—demonstrate the effectiveness and universality of our TF-DHP model, leading to state-of-the-art performance.
Rare Carbon-Bridged Citrinin Dimers from the Starfish-Derived Symbiotic Fungus Penicillium sp. GGF16-1-2
Authors: Fan Hao , Shi Zhi-Mian , Lei Yan-Hu , Si-Tu Mei-Xia , Zhou Feng-Guo , Feng Chan , Wei Xia , Shao Xue-Hua , Chen Yang , Zhang Cui-Xian
Published: July 2022

Four novel, rare carbon-bridged citrinin dimers, namely dicitrinones G–J (1–4), and five known analogs (5–9) were isolated from the starfish-derived fungus Penicillium sp. GGF 16-1-2. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and quantum chemical calculations. Compounds 1–9 exhibited strong antifungal activities against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides with LD50 values from 0.61 μg/mL to 16.14 μg/mL. Meanwhile, all compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against human pancreatic cancer BXPC-3 and PANC-1 cell lines; as a result, compound 1 showed more significant cytotoxicities than the positive control against both cell lines. In addition, based on the analyses of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and Western blot, 1 could induce apoptosis by activating caspase 3 proteins (CASP3).
Darier Disease with Psoriasis
Authors: Kang Seok-Young , Lee So-Yeon , Park Jin-Seo , Kim Jin-Cheol , Chung Bo-Young , Park Chun-Wook , Kim Hye-One
Published: July 2022

Darier disease is an autosomal dominant disorder with dark crusty patches and is classified as hereditary acantholytic dermatosis. Keratotic papules and crust are often present on the scalp, forehead, chest, back, upper arms, elbows, groin, and behind the ears, predominantly in seborrheic areas. A 48-year-old male patient presented skin lesions with pruritus on the trunk and both upper and lower extremities. He first noticed the lesion 15 years before. On physical examination, there were multiple erythematous papules with crust on the trunk and red-brown colored keratotic plaque on both extremities. The suspected histopathological diagnosis was psoriasis vulgaris. The patient’s skin lesions and pruritus were significantly improved after the psoriasis treatment. While continuing psoriasis treatment, the patient showed sudden worsening of the skin lesions on the scalp, abdomen, and fingernails (V-shaped nicks) with pruritus. Punch biopsy was performed on the abdominal lesion again and the final diagnosis was Darier disease. The patient was then treated using alitretinoin while maintaining the use of guselkumab for psoriasis. There are only a few cases that we found in which patients with Darier disease also had psoriasis. We report this rare case of Darier disease with psoriasis and propose that an additional biopsy might be necessary for accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.
Formation Mechanism and Control of Solidification Cracking in Laser-Welded Joints of Steel/Copper Dissimilar Metals
Authors: Gao Zhongmei , Yang Yuye , Wang Lei , Zhou Bin , Yan Fei
Published: July 2022

The solidification cracking behavior in laser welds of steel/copper dissimilar metals was systematically investigated. T2 copper and SUS304 stainless steel were used in the study. The results showed that the occurrence of solidification cracking in welds was the synergistic effect of ε phase liquation, inclusions and composition segregation. During the welding process, the liquation of grain boundaries substantially reduced the cohesion between adjacent grains, as well as the resistance for intergranular crack propagation. The composition segregation inside the grains could induce lattice distortion, thus reducing the plastic deformation capacity of the material itself and concurrently increasing the susceptibility to cracks. In addition, an effective solution for inhibiting solidification cracking was proposed by using an oscillating laser, and the inhibition mechanism was further discussed. Laser oscillating welding significantly promoted grain refinement, solute diffusion and the formation of uniformly distributed ε-Cu precipitated phases in welds. It can improve the intergranular bonding, reduce the susceptibility to solidification cracking and increase the resistance to plastic deformation. The tensile strength of joints using laser oscillating welding is 251 MPa, 35.7% more than 185 MPa using laser welding. Meanwhile, the strain of joints using laser oscillating welding is 3.69, a 96% increase compared to 1.88 using laser welding.
Multiphysics Numerical Simulation of the Transient Forming Mechanism of Magnetic Pulse Welding
Authors: Li Yan , Yang Dezhi , Yang Wenyu , Wu Zhisheng , Liu Cuirong
Published: July 2022

Magnetic pulse welding (MPW) is widely used in the connection of dissimilar metals. The welding process involves the coupling of the electromagnetic field and structural field, which is a high-energy transient forming process. Based on the current experimental methods, it is difficult to capture the relevant data in the process of magnetic pulse welding, and the transient forming mechanism of magnetic pulse welding needs to be further studied. Taking the magnetic pulse welding of an Al-Mg sheet as an example, based on the Ansoft Maxwell and ANSYS finite element simulation platform, the loose coupling method was used to analyze an electromagnetic field generated by the discharging capacitor bank and structural field of the Al-Mg sheet under the action of electromagnetic force. The discharge period of the magnetic pulse welding capacitor bank was 62 μs. The current direction in the aluminum sheet changed once half a cycle, and the direction of the electromagnetic force was always consistent with the Z-axis. Under the skin effect, the magnetic induction intensity on the lower surface of the aluminum sheet was the largest. At 16 μs, the induced current, electromagnetic force and magnetic induction intensity in the aluminum sheet reached the peak values, which were 7.89 A/m2, 4.58 N/m3 and 12.6 T, respectively. The maximum electromagnetic force and velocity in the structural field were 2400 KN and 300 m/s. The structure field simulation reproduces the transient forming process of magnetic pulse welding, and clarifies the formation mechanism of the “intermediate zone rebound uncomposite zone-welding bonding zone-unbound zone”. Based on the numerical simulation technology, the research on the transient forming mechanism of magnetic pulse welding under multiphysics simulations can promote the development and application of magnetic pulse welding technology and better guide engineering practices.
Experimental Study on Strength Development and Engineering Performance of Coal-Based Solid Waste Paste Filling Material
Authors: Zhang Jiqiang , Yang Ke , He Xiang , Wei Zhen , Zhao Xinyuan , Fang Juejing
Published: July 2022

To explore the strength development characteristics and engineering performance of different coal-based solid waste filling materials cemented into filling body, coal gangue was used as coarse material, fly ash, desulfurization gypsum, gasification slag, and furnace bottom slag as fine material, and cement as a gelling agent. The uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and bleeding rate of coal-based solid waste cemented backfill (CBSWCB) were tested by an orthogonal experiment, and the influencing factors of mechanical properties and strength development were analyzed. The multiple generalized linear model of strength and bleeding rate was established, and the optimal filling material ratio was determined. The engineering performance index of CBSWCB with the optimal ratio was tested. The results show the following points: (1) the concentration and content of desulfurization gypsum had a great influence on the early compressive strength of CBSWCB, while fly ash, gasification slag, and furnace bottom slag had little influence on the early compressive strength. (2) High concentration, high content of fly ash and furnace bottom slag, low content of desulfurization gypsum, and gasification slag can significantly improve the early strength. High concentration and high content of fly ash, low content of gasification slag, furnace bottom slag, and desulfurization gypsum are beneficial to the later strength increase. (3) Under the optimal ratio scheme, the bleeding rate of CBSWCB was 1.6%, the slump was 16.6 cm, the cohesion was general, the segregation resistance was good, the initial setting time was 5.42 h, the final setting time was 7 h, and the early strength after curing for 8 h reached 0.24 MPa.
Cyclic Testing on Seismic Behavior of Segmental Assembled CFST Bridge Pier with External Replaceable Energy Dissipator
Authors: Wang Chengquan , Qu Zheng , Shen Yonggang , Ping Boyan , Xie Jun
Published: July 2022

In 2009–2022, to meet the requirement of resilient bridge pier structure (e.g., earthquake resistance, energy dissipation, isolation, resilience) for rapid repair after earthquakes and to improve the suitability of precast segmental bridge piers in medium- and high-intensity areas, a segmental assembled CFST bridge pier with external replaceable energy dissipator was proposed. Based on ABAQUS finite element analysis software, the finite element model of the CFST pier is established to analyze the force of the external replaceable energy dissipator, and the feasibility of the external energy dissipator is verified. Thereafter, two groups of segmentally assembled CFST pier model structures were tested for seismic behavior under reciprocating loading. Non-linear mechanical behaviors, such as restoring force-displacement hysteresis, loss of prestressing, and opening of the indirect joint of a segmented precast assembled pier, are analyzed. The results show that compared with a CFST pier with an energy dissipator, the lateral bearing capacity of the CFST pier with an external energy dissipator is increased by 32.8%, the energy dissipation capacity is also significantly improved, the opening size of joints between segments is reduced, and the overall damage of the CFST pier is concentrated on the energy dissipator, which is convenient for rapid disassembly and replacement. At the same time, the seismic performance of the CFST pier after replacing the energy dissipator is analyzed. The results show that the replacement of the external energy dissipator will not affect the seismic performance of a segmental assembled pier.
Insights into the Gut Microbial Communities of Broiler Chicken Fed Black Soldier Fly Larvae-Desmodium-Based Meal as a Dietary Protein Source
Authors: Ndotono Evalyne W. , Khamis Fathiya M. , Bargul Joel L. , Tanga Chrysantus M.
Published: July 2022

The utilization of insect-based diets to improve gastrointestinal function and gut health in poultry is gaining global attention as a promising feed additive. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal inclusion level of the full-fat black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) and Desmodium intortum (DI) in broiler chicken diets and to evaluate their impact on the microbial community in the gut. The bacterial communities were characterized using Oxford nanopore sequencing of the full-length bacterial 16S rRNA gene. Four dietary treatments, T1 (25% DI + 75% BSFL), T2 (50% DI + 50% BSFL), T3 (75% DI + 25% BSFL) and T4 (100% fishmeal + 0% DI + BSFL), were fed to the broiler chickens for a period of 42 days. Out of the 395,034 classified reads analyzed, the most predominant phyla identified across all the four dietary treatments were Firmicutes (94%), Bacteroidetes (3%), and Proteobacteria (2%). The T1 diet showed the highest alpha diversity and richness according to the Chao1 and Shannon indices. Beta diversity assessment revealed a significant influence of diet on the abundance of the microbiome. There was an increase in beneficial lactic acid bacteria with increasing inclusion of BSFL in the diets. Our findings strongly support the inclusion of BSFL into poultry diet as a promising protein source to reshape the gut microbiota for improved gut health, immune response, and food safety.
Development of a Multiplex Bead Assay to Detect Serological Responses to Brucella Species in Domestic Pigs and Wild Boar with the Potential to Overcome Cross-Reactivity with Yersinia enterocolitica O:9
Authors: Touloudi Antonia , McGiven John , Cawthraw Shaun , Valiakos George , Kostoulas Polychronis , Duncombe Lucy , Gortázar Christian , Boadella Mariana , Sofia Marina , Athanasakopoulou Zoi , Chatzopoulos Dimitris C. , Spyrou Vassiliki , Petrovska Liljana , Billinis Charalambos
Published: July 2022

The aim of this study was to develop a multiplex bead assay using a Brucella rLPS antigen, a Brucella suis smooth antigen, and a Yersinia enterocolitica O:9 antigen that not only discriminates Brucella-infected from Brucella-uninfected pigs and wild boar, but also overcomes the cross reactivity with Y. enterocolitica O:9. Sera from 126 domestic pigs were tested: 29 pigs were Brucella infected, 80 were non-infected and 17 were confirmed to be false positive serological reactors (FPSR). Sera from 49 wild boar were tested: 18 were positive and 31 were negative. Using the rLPS antigen, 26/29 Brucella-infected domestic pigs and 15/18 seropositive wild boar were positive, while 75/80 non-Brucella infected domestic pigs, all FPSR, and all seronegative wild boar were negative. Using the smooth B. suis 1330 antigen, all Brucella-infected domestic pigs, 9/17 FPSR and all seropositive wild boar were positive, while all non-infected pigs and 30/31 seronegative wild boar were negative. The ratio of the readouts from the smooth B. suis antigen and Y. enterocolitica O:9 antigen enabled discriminating all Brucella infected individuals from the FPSR domestic pigs. These results demonstrate the potential of this assay for use in the surveillance of brucellosis, overcoming the cross-reactivity with Y. enterocolitica.
Phascinating Phages
Authors: Straka Marek , Dubinová Martina , Liptáková Adriána
Published: July 2022

Treatment of infections caused by bacteria has become more complex due to the increasing number of bacterial strains that are resistant to conventional antimicrobial therapy. A highly promising alternative appears to be bacteriophage (phage) therapy, in which natural predators of bacteria, bacteriophages, play a role. Although these viruses were first discovered in 1917, the development of phage therapy was impacted by the discovery of antibiotics, which spread more quickly and effectively in medical practice. Despite this, phage therapy has a long history in Eastern Europe; however, Western countries are currently striving to reintroduce phage therapy as a tool in the fight against diseases caused by drug-resistant bacteria. This review describes phage biology, bacterial and phage competition mechanisms, and the benefits and drawbacks of phage therapy. The results of various laboratory experiments, and clinical cases where phage therapy was administered, are described.
Genome-Wide Association Study of Nucleotide Variants Associated with Resistance to Nine Antimicrobials in Mycoplasma bovis
Authors: Waldner Matthew , Kinnear Andrea , Yacoub Elhem , McAllister Tim , Register Karen , Li Changxi , Jelinski Murray
Published: July 2022

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) studies of Mycoplasma bovis have generally focused on specific loci versus using a genome-wide association study (GWAS) approach. A GWAS approach, using two different models, was applied to 194 Mycoplasma bovis genomes. Both a fixed effects linear model (FEM) and a linear mixed model (LMM) identified associations between nucleotide variants (NVs) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) phenotypes. The AMR phenotypes represented fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, phenicols, and macrolides. Both models identified known and novel NVs associated (Bonferroni adjusted p < 0.05) with AMR. Fluoroquinolone resistance was associated with multiple NVs, including previously identified mutations in gyrA and parC. NVs in the 30S ribosomal protein 16S were associated with tetracycline resistance, whereas NVs in 5S rRNA, 23S rRNA, and 50S ribosomal proteins were associated with phenicol and macrolide resistance. For all antimicrobial classes, resistance was associated with NVs in genes coding for ABC transporters and other membrane proteins, tRNA-ligases, peptidases, and transposases, suggesting a NV-based multifactorial model of AMR in M. bovis. This study was the largest collection of North American M. bovis isolates used with a GWAS for the sole purpose of identifying novel and non-antimicrobial-target NVs associated with AMR.
Application of Chemical Sequence Stratigraphy to the Prediction of Shale Gas Sweet Spots in the Wufeng and Lower Longmaxi Formations within the Upper Yangtze Region
Authors: Wang Qian , Huang Yongjian , Zhang Zhifeng , Wang Changhong , Li Xiang
Published: July 2022

Effective shale gas exploration is hindered by the need for obtaining high-resolution correlations between shale strata and the need for classifying shale facies. To address these issues, chemostratigraphy, sequence stratigraphy, and shale gas geology methods were integrated to develop a new method known as “chemical sequence stratigraphy,” which was successfully applied to the Wufeng–Lower Longmaxi Formations in the upper Yangtze region. Well Huadi 1 was used as a case study, and detailed data were acquired. Multivariate statistical analyses were applied to three defined indices having different genetic significance, namely: terrigenous input intensity (TII), authigenic precipitation intensity (API), and organic matter adsorption and reduction intensity (OARI). By analyzing the trends of these three indices, the Wufeng–Lower Longmaxi Formations were divided into five fourth-order chemical sequences (from bottom to top): LCW, MCL1-1, MCL1-2, MCL1-3, and MCL1-4. The geochemical facies were named and classified using the chemical sequence stratigraphic framework. The enrichment factor (EF) transformation of elements was conducted to determine whether an element is rich or deficient. The results showed that the favorable geochemical facies in the well were EF-Al deficient, EF-Ca rich, and EF-V rich. The organic matter content and rock brittle strength were then used as chemical parameters, and it was predicted that the LCW and MCL1-1 chemical sequences most likely comprised shale gas sweet spots. This conclusion is consistent with the drilling results and indicates that our proposed method is effective and reliable. This method is further applied to the Changning Shuanghe section, the Shizhu Liutang section, and sections in the Xindi 1 well in the upper Yangtze region. The comparative study of these four sections showed that LCW and MCL1-1 are the key chemical sequences for shale gas exploration and development in the Wufeng–Lower Longmaxi Formations within the Upper Yangtze region.
Titaniferous-Vanadiferous, Magnetite-Ilmenite Mineralization in a Mafic Suite within the Chhotanagpur Gneissic Complex, Bihar, India
Authors: Mohammad Ashmeer , Prasad Anup K. , Wetsah Kehe-u , Azad Mohammad , Aryan Vivek , El-Askary Hesham
Published: July 2022

Titanium or vanadium metals or their alloys are important industrial metals/alloys. Because these resources are in short supply, the investigation of potential titaniferous-vanadiferous deposits needs special attention to bridge the supply-demand gap. The study integrates geological, geochemical, remote sensing, and geophysical data for assessing the potentiality of titaniferous-vanadiferous, magnetite-ilmenite mineralization in and around the Sudamakund and Paharpur areas, Gaya and Jehanabad districts, Bihar, India, and delineation of specific targets for detailed exploration. Field visits for large scale mapping on (1:12,500 scale) were used to conduct a reconnaissance survey for magnetite-ilmenite mineralization in parts of toposheet number 72G/04 in the Gaya and Jehanabad districts of Bihar, as well as the collection of bedrock samples (BRS), pit/trench samples (PTS), petrographic samples (PS), and petrochemical samples (PCS), followed by petrographic and ore microscopic study, and interpretation of chemical results. Signatures of oxidized iron-bearing sulphides (iron-oxides ratio) and other ferrous-iron-bearing minerals surrounded by altered rocks (clay bearing minerals) are visible in remote sensing images. The geological work was followed by ground geophysical gravity and magnetic surveys in selected blocks by the Geophysics Division, eastern region (ER) on a 1:12,500 scale. The magnetite ore is hard, compact, crystalline, and at some places, granular in nature. The analytical value of these magnetite ore bodies indicates average Fe content at 49.53% (range 25.85–60.78%), with a considerable amount of TiO2 (average 15.85%, range 1.47–26.77%), and V (average 144.79 ppm, range 30.00–256.00 ppm, from PTS). The trends of these magnetite ore deposits correspond to the major lineaments (NE-SW and NW-SE). The superimposition of gravity and magnetic contour maps with the geological map (1:12,500 scale) helps explain the observed geophysical anomalies, and the possible subsurface (horizontal and vertical) expansion of magnetite ore deposits in alluvium cover regions warrants further investigation.