bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Peri-Interventional Blood Loss on In-Stent Thrombosis After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Youssef Akram , Mashaly Ahmed , Alkomi Usama , Christoph Marian , Abdelsamad Ahmed , Quick Silvio , Elzanaty Nesma , Mahlmann Adrian , Ibrahim Karim , Ghazy Tamer
Published: February 2025

This paper evaluates the effect of blood loss on in-stent stenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Nine hundred and ninety-seven patients who underwent PCI for AMI as well as follow-up coronary angiography at 6–12 months from two centers were categorized into three groups based on peri-interventional blood loss at the primary intervention (mild, <1 mmol/L moderate, 1–2 mmol/L; severe > 2 mmol/L). The endpoint was to evaluate the incidence and severity of in-stent stenosis at follow-up angiography and the revascularization rate. The incidence of in-stent stenosis and revascularization in mild, moderate, and severe groups was 19.3%, 33.1%, and 61.1%, respectively (p = 0.001), with HR: 1.35 (95% CI; 1.10–1.65), p < 0.001. Peri-interventional blood loss was associated with a higher incidence of in-stent stenosis and revascularization 6–12 months after successful PCI in patients with AMI.
Evaluation of Refractive Predictive Accuracy in Intraocular Lens Power Calculations: A Comparative Study of Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography and Optical Low-Coherence Interferometry
Authors: Al Barri Leila , Mercea Nadina , Ionela-Iasmina Yasar , Munteanu Mihnea , Stanca Horia T.
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Precise intraocular lens (IOL) power calculations are essential for achieving optimal refractive outcomes in cataract surgery. This study compares the predictive accuracy of swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and optical low-coherence interferometry (OLCI) in biometry measurements and refractive outcomes. Methods: This retrospective study included 170 eyes from 102 patients undergoing cataract surgery. Biometry was performed using Argos® (MOVU Inc., Komaki, Japan) (SS-OCT) and Aladdin® (Topcon Corp., Tokyo, Japan) (OLCI), measuring axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), white to white (WTW), and keratometry. Results: Postoperative outcomes, including uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity (UDVA, CDVA), spherical equivalent (SE), and refractive error, were assessed at one and six months. Predictive accuracy was evaluated by mean error (ME), mean absolute error (MAE), median absolute error (MedAE), and the percentage of eyes within ±0.25 D to ±1.00 D of predicted SE. Conclusions: Both technologies achieved high refractive accuracy, with 97.7% (SS-OCT) and 97.2% (OLCI) of eyes within ±1.00 D of target SE. SS-OCT demonstrated superior axis alignment, while OLCI provided enhanced postoperative SE. Significant differences were observed in LT (p = 0.030) and ACD (p = 0.009). Postoperative UDVA of 20/20 or better was achieved in 98% of SS-OCT eyes and 100% of OLCI eyes. SS-OCT and OLCI provide comparable refractive outcomes and high reliability in cataract surgery.
Evaluation of the Effect of Management of Drug-Related Problems on Clinical Outcomes of Pulmonary Embolism Outpatients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Ayhan Yunus Emre , Aksoy Müzeyyen , Abdulrahman Yahya , Şahin Eröksüz Zeynep Safiye , Vezir Duygu , Mercümek Berre , Bektay Muhammed Yunus , Karakurt Sait , Sancar Mesut
Published: February 2025

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) poses significant morbidity and mortality risks, necessitating tailored anticoagulant therapy. Limited studies investigate the drug-related problems (DRPs) in PE. This study aims to evaluate the impact of clinical pharmacist (CP) interventions on drug-related problems (DRPs) and clinical outcomes in outpatients with PE. By addressing DRPs in this specific population, the study seeks to assess the role of CP-led interventions in enhancing patient safety and optimizing treatment outcomes. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on PE patients at a pulmonology outpatient clinic over the period of 15 January 2022 to January 2023. In this trial, the intervention group (IG) benefited from CP recommendations targeting DRPs, while the control group (CG) was observed without any additional interventions. Follow-ups were conducted at 90 and 180 days post-discharge. The study focused on DRPs, CP interventions, and patient outcomes. Data were systematically recorded and analyzed, adhering to ethical standards and employing the PCNE v9.1 classification system. Results: The study followed 50 PE patients, with 26 in the IG and 24 in the CG. DRPs, mostly in drug and dose selection, affected 84% of participants (3.34 DRPs/patient). In the IG, the CP made 76 recommendations (91.5%) for 83 DRPs at the prescribing physician level. Majority of these recommendations (94.7%) were accepted. At the 90-day follow-up, bleeding occurred in 16.6% of the CG, with none in the IG (odds ratio [OR] = 2.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.654–3.198, p = 0.046). As indicated by Cramér’s V (0.307), the effect size demonstrated a moderate association between the intervention and the absence of bleeding events in the IG. At the 180-day follow-up, bleeding was 33.3% in the CG and 16.6% in the IG (p = 0.443). Conclusions: PE patients experience common and frequent DRPs, especially in anticoagulation therapy. CP recommendations are widely accepted but need to be better implemented. No bleeding events were observed in the IG where a CP was involved at 90 days, unlike the CG. Including a CP in the PE treatment team seems to influence outcomes positively.
Comparative Effectiveness of Non-Pharmacological and Pharmacological Treatments for Non-Acute Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Multicenter, Pragmatic, Randomized Controlled, Parallel-Grouped Pilot Study
Authors: Kim Doori , Lee Jee Young , Lee Yoon Jae , Yang Chang Sop , Han Chang-Hyun , Ha In-Hyuk
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: We aimed to compare non-pharmacological (non-PHM) and pharmacological (PHM) treatment for patients with non-acute lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and determine the feasibility of a large-scale study. Methods: This was a two-armed, parallel, multicenter, pragmatic controlled trial performed in South Korea. All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans both at the screening stage and the last follow-up. Patients with LDH findings on MRI were randomly assigned to non-PHM and PHM groups. Treatment was administered twice a week for a total of 8 weeks, and follow-up assessments were performed at weeks 9, 13, and 27 post-randomization. The primary outcome was the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score. A linear mixed model was used for primary analysis from intention-to-treat perspectives. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated for economic evaluation. Results: Thirty-six patients were enrolled, and thirty-five were included in the final analysis. At Week 9, the difference in ODI scores between the two groups was 5.17 (95% CI: −4.00 to 14.35, p = 0.262), and the numeric rating scale scores for lower back and leg pains were 1.89 (95% CI: 0.68 to 3.10, p = 0.003) and 1.52 (95% CI: 0.27 to 2.77, p = 0.018), respectively, confirming greater improvement in the non-PHM group than in the PHM group. The non-PHM group showed lower costs and higher quality-adjusted life years than the PHM group. The ICER calculated using the EuroQoL-5 Dimension (EQ-5D) was USD 20,926. Conclusions: We confirm the possibility that a non-PHM strategy could be a more effective and cost-effective treatment option than PHM for patients with non-acute lumbar disc herniation. Furthermore, this pilot study confirmed the feasibility of the main study in terms of design and patient compliance.
Influence of Baseline Kidney Function on Patient and Kidney Outcomes in Patients with COVID-19: A Multi-National Observational Study
Authors: Rhee Harin , Macedo Etienne , Cutter Gary , Judd Eric , Parameswaran Sreejith , Maccariello Elizabeth , Liu Wen-Jiun , Selby Nicholas M. , Bouchard Josée , Garcia-Garcia Guillermo , Neyra Javier A. , Manjusha Yadla , Abraham Josephine , Doi Kent , Villamizar Guillermo , Hurtado Abdias , Mehta Ravindra L.
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), but the impact of baseline kidney function and care processes on outcomes is not well understood. We hypothesized that baseline kidney health status may influence courses and outcomes of AKI. Methods: This is a multinational, multicenter, retrospective cohort study. We included hospitalized adult COVID-19 patients with kidney disease (AKI, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), or kidney transplant (KT) recipients) from 1 January 2020 to 31 March 2022, across 52 centers in 23 countries. Patients with no prior kidney function information were classified as acute kidney disease (AKD) if estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at admission was <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and as no known kidney disease (NKD) if eGFR was ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2. We defined combined outcome as death or non-kidney recovery at hospital discharge. Multivariable binary regression models were applied. Results: Among 4158 patients, 882 had ESKD, and 3038 developed AKI. AKI patients were categorized as NKD (31.8%), AKD (38.6%), CKD (23.3%), and KT recipients (3.3%). NKD patients had higher AKI severity and more intensive care unit care needs. In the multivariable analyses, the risk of the combined outcome was higher in AKD (OR 1.459 [1.061, 2.005]) or CKD (OR 1.705 [1.206, 2.410]) patients, although the risk of in-hospital mortality was similar to NKD. Among the survivors at hospital discharge, the risk of partial or non-recovery was higher in CKD (OR 5.445 [3.864, 7.672]) or KT recipients (OR 4.208 [2.383, 7.429]) compared to NKD. These findings were consistent across income categories. Conclusions: Among AKI patients with COVID-19, nearly two-thirds had underlying kidney dysfunction, with 55% identified as having baseline AKD, which had higher risk of death or non-kidney recovery at discharge compared to NKD.
Primary Ankle Fracture Dislocation Is Not a Negative Prognostic Factor for the Surgical Treatment of Syndesmotic Injury—A Retrospective Analysis of 246 Patients
Authors: Wójtowicz Błażej Grzegorz , Chawrylak Katarzyna , Lesman Jędrzej , Makowski Hubert , Kuczyński Kacper , Maciejowski Michał , Majos Alicja , Domżalski Marcin
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Acute ankle sprains are common injuries that significantly affect both sports and daily activities. Syndesmotic injuries, a specific type of ligamentous damage, can occur as a part of a sprain or alongside fractures, affecting approximately 20% of ankle fractures. The aim of this study was to evaluate negative prognostic factors influencing surgical outcomes in tibiofibular syndesmotic injuries associated with ankle fractures. Methods: Data from 246 patients were analyzed to examine the impact of initial ankle dislocation, fracture type, and fixation method on postoperative complications and reoperation rates. Ankle joint fractures were treated with open reduction and internal fixation using an anatomically contoured plate designed for optimal tibia and fibula fixation. Four methods of syndesmosis fixation were recorded: one three-cortical screw, one four-cortical screw, two screws (either both four-cortex screws or one three-cortex and one four-cortex screw), or one endobutton. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results: Key findings reveal no significant association between initial dislocation and the necessity for reoperation (p = 0.613). However, smoking combined with dislocation significantly increases reoperation rates (35% vs. 15.5%, p = 0.026). Fixation type influenced outcomes, with single four-cortex screws linked to pain but fewer infections. Infection was the most common complication (33.3%), predominantly after fixation with a single three-cortex screw. Men had higher rates of fixation destabilization and infections, while women experienced pain persisting beyond six months postoperatively Conclusions: Patient-specific factors influence syndesmotic injury outcomes. Smoking, gender, and fixation type impact complications, emphasizing the need for tailored surgical approaches to enhance recovery and minimize reoperation risks. Future research should aim to corroborate these findings in larger, multicentric cohorts to refine surgical strategies for syndesmotic injury management.
Kinetic Analysis of the Cracking Behavior in Methanol-Treated Poly(methyl methacrylate)/Functionalized Graphene Composites
Authors: Yang Bing-Hong , Chang Shou-Yi , Zhang Yulin , Yang Fuqian , Lee Sanboh
Published: February 2025

Structural degradation in liquid environments can hinder the applications of polymer composites as structural materials. In this work, we study the impacts of methanol on surface cracking and the propagation of pre-formed cracks in UV-irradiated poly(methyl methacrylate)/functionalized graphene (PMMA/FG) composites, followed by the uptake of three different crack-generated solvents, namely 1-butanol, cyclohexanol, and 2EA, respectively. The density of surface cracks increases with the increase in the uptake of the crack-generated solvent. The dependence of the nominal diffusivity for the surface cracking on temperature follows an Arrhenius-like law. The methanol in the composites enhances the uptake of the crack-generated solvent, accompanied by the desorption of methanol, and accelerates the initiation and propagation of surface cracks. The activation energy for the initiation of surface cracks shows an increasing dependence on the Hansen solubility distance from methanol. The progression of the pre-formed crack length with time follows a parabolic law. The nominal diffusivity of the crack-generated solvent for the propagation of the single-crack is greater in the healing zone than in the crack-free zone; the corresponding activation energies exhibit an opposite trend. Increasing the fraction of functionalized graphene and decreasing the UV-irradiation dose cause increases in the energy barriers that need to be overcome for the surface cracking and propagation of preexisting cracks.
The Influence of Welding Parameters on the Performance of Ultrasonic-Welded Copper-to-Copper Joints
Authors: Faes Koen , Nunes Rafael , De Meester Sylvia , De Waele Wim , Parmar Hetal , Esperto Vitantonio , Rubino Felice
Published: February 2025

Copper joints are indispensable in electronics and the electrical power industry due to their predominant usage in battery pack manufacturing for electric vehicle). Traditional joining methods are often limited by oxidation-related challenges. Recent efforts have focused on addressing these limitations by employing solid-state techniques like ultrasonic welding (USW) for joining similar metals. USW presents attractive advantages such as a lower processing temperature and shorter weld time. This study investigates the ultrasonic welding of Cu-Cu joints with a thickness of 0.5 mm, focusing on both mechanical and metallurgical properties. The influence of key process parameters, such as the welding time, pressure and vibration amplitude, was examined in relation to the welding energy and lap shear strength. Additionally, the relationship between the input energy and lap shear strength was explored. A Pareto chart analysis revealed the standardized effects of these parameters on the welding energy and average lap shear strength. The welding time had a significant influence on the welding energy, while the vibration amplitude had the greatest impact on the joint strength. Longer weld times of 2.50 to 4 s yielded a higher lap shear strength, averaging up to 2.30 kN. Notably, a higher lap shear strength was achieved at lower welding energy levels.
The PCAOB’s 2006 Tax Service Restrictions and Earnings Management
Authors: Notbohm Matthew , Guo Xiaoli , Valencia Adrian
Published: February 2025

In 2006, the PCAOB implemented new restrictions on the auditor provision of some tax and contingent fee services provided to issuer audit clients. These restrictions were implemented to reduce auditor conflicts of interest inherent when the auditor provides any of these specific services and a financial statement audit. Subsequent research found that these tax service restrictions did not impact audit quality, measured as the probabilities of going concern opinions or financial statement restatements. We reexamine this research question in the context of the regulation’s earnings management effects. Our investigation of this question uses a difference-in-difference regression approach and 20,043 issuer company fiscal year observations from 2002 to 2009, consistent with that used in prior studies, and four measures of earnings management (discretionary accruals, abnormal working capital accruals, current accruals, and the likelihood of meeting or slightly beating the zero earnings change benchmark) to proxy for audit quality. We find, consistent with findings in prior studies, no detectable effects of the 2006 PCAOB tax service restrictions. These null results persist through a series of robustness tests that include re-estimating our primary regressions on a Big 4 subsample, adding multiple alternative treatment variable definitions, generating a propensity-score-matched sample, and adding a control for internal control weakness. These findings raise further doubt about the need for these non-audit service restrictions.
Risk Factors and Potential Treatments for Fatigue in Patients with Advanced CKD: A Narrative Review
Authors: Xia Ai , Meuleman Yvette , Dekker Friedo W. , Hoogeveen Ellen K.
Published: February 2025

Despite the high burden of fatigue in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 4–5 including dialysis, little is known about risk factors and treatments for fatigue. This paper provides an overview of measurement, associated risk factors and approaches to alleviate fatigue. Up to now, the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) is the most widely used tool to measure fatigue. Socio-demographic factors, including older age, female, white ethnicity, less education, unemployment and less social support, are risk factors for fatigue. More severe fatigue is related to anemia, protein energy wasting, inflammation, lactic acidosis, comorbidities (including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), depression, anxiety, sleep disorders and uremic symptoms such as restless legs syndrome and pruritus. Dialysis treatment, dialysis-related low blood pressure and low dialysis adequacy, contribute to fatigue. Medication, such as β-blockers, antidepressant medication and medication for sleep disorders, are associated with fatigue, either as a result of the underlying condition or side effects. Currently, the principal treatments encompass pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions. The utilization of erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) for anemia may alleviate fatigue. Physical exercise has been proved to be a promising therapeutic approach. Other potential treatments, such as L-carnitine, sodium bicarbonate, antidepressive medication (such as bupropion), psychological interventions and cold dialysis, require more research. To conclude, further research is needed to better understand the risk factors and underlying mechanism of fatigue, as well as to explore potential treatments for patients with advanced CKD.
Experimental Verification and Multi-Physics-Based Computer-Aided Engineering Simulation Methods for Dynamic Characteristics Analysis of Gas Foil Bearings at Lift-Off State
Authors: Yu Tai-Yuan , Wang Pei-Jen
Published: February 2025

This paper presents an analysis of the dynamic characteristics observed and studied during the startup process of a gas foil radial bearing. It utilizes a comparison of both experimental data and three-dimensional fluid–solid interaction computational fluid dynamics simulations to investigate a gas foil bearing with three bump-type pads. The analytical model employs the fluid–structure interaction finite element method to examine the relationship between the components and the thin working fluid film within the bearing. This analysis was conducted under various operational conditions, including ambient pressure and temperature, shaft rotational speed, and the load applied to the shaft within the bearing. The foil structure of the bearing was modeled by representing the top and bump foils as a series of linear springs that are interconnected with the rigid housing. Meanwhile, the hydrodynamic pressure distribution acting on the top foil was modeled as a gas film operating under steady-state lubrication conditions. The comprehensive three-dimensional multi-physics model was developed using a commercial computer-aided engineering package, enabling independent finite element calculations for both fluid and solid domains. Following these calculations, the model exchanged analysis results across the interface between domains, allowing simulations to continue until the system achieved a quasi-steady state. An in-house experimental system was designed to evaluate the performance of the gas foil bearing under different working conditions, including the load applied to the shaft and the rotational speed. The experiment investigated the operational state of a gas foil radial bearing under ambient pressure (1 bar), ambient temperature (303 K), rotational speeds ranging from 1.5 to 9.5 krpm, and a load of 0.5602 kgw. Some operational conditions of the bearing were defined as boundary condition inputs for the simulation model. The model’s results, notably the predicted lift-off rotational speed of the bearing, show strong alignment with results from in-house experiments.
Vibration-Based Wear Evolution Characterisation of Lubricated Rolling-Sliding Contact
Authors: Xu Chan , Fan Qiuxia , Zhang Qianqian , Tong Yunqi , Wang Shuo , Wu Tonghai
Published: February 2025

This paper presents a comprehensive study on the vibration-based wear evolution characterisation by coupling the dynamic behaviour, surface roughness, and lubrication effects under rolling-sliding contact. Initially, a dynamic model is developed to examine the contact vibration characteristics induced by a randomly rough surface. A contact resonance frequency (CRF) can be obtained, and it is only positively correlated with the load, while the amplitude of CRF (CRFA) negatively correlates with the load and positively correlates with the velocity and surface profile height. Thereafter, a mixed-EHL model is employed to simulate the wear and lubrication progression of rolling-sliding contact. The surface roughness, contact load ratio (CLR), and contact area ratio (CAR) within this process are assigned specific physical interpretations and incorporated into the dynamic model. Given the nonlinear and coupled interactions of these three factors, the CRF and CRFA can distinguish the normal wear and severe wear stages. When the tribo-pair is in a normal wear stage, the CRF and CRFA show an increasing trend with the increase in surface roughness. Upon reaching a severe wear stage, the CRF gradually stabilises while the CRFA exhibits noticeable irregular fluctuations as the roughness increases. Finally, experiments are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of this method.
Syntheses of Chiral 2-Oxazolines from Isosorbide Epoxide Derivative
Authors: Kadraoui Mohammed , Guillarme Stéphane , Saluzzo Christine
Published: February 2025

Two chiral monooxazolines were synthesized from a secondary amino alcohol, as a key intermediate, isolated in four steps from an isosorbide-derived epoxide. The 2-oxazolines were then obtained through a reaction between this aminoalcohol and an imidate. The new compounds were fully characterized by FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR, and HRMS analyses.
Enhancing OLED Performance by Optimizing the Hole Transport Layer with a Self-Assembled Monolayer
Authors: Niu Ziying , Wang Yongqiang , Xu Zhenjiang , Liu Yunlong , Wang Wenjun , Li Shuhong
Published: February 2025

The enhancement of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) device performance has been a key area of research in organic optoelectronic devices. Optimizing carrier mobility within OLED devices is a crucial strategy. In this study, the hole transport layer was optimized using a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) subjected to different annealing temperatures. Through submitting the SAM to an annealing temperature of 100 °C, a maximum luminous intensity of 32,290 cd/m2 and a maximum EQE of 1.77 were achieved, the latter being more than two-fold higher than that without the SAM. As the SAM annealing temperature increased from 80 °C to 120 °C, both the vertical orientation of molecules in the hole transport layer and the hole mobility in hole-only devices (HODs) improved. This vertical orientation is beneficial to enhancing hole mobility. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and surface morphology analysis revealed that the introduction of a SAM leads to the formation of interface resistance. The synergy effect between the variation in the molecular transition dipole moment and the interface morphology of the hole transport layer optimizes the hole mobility of HODs and leads to the enhancement of OLED performance.
Influence of PEA on Volume Stability of Cement-Based Grouting Materials and Its Mechanism
Authors: Che Zheng , Wang Tian-Liang , Zhou Zheng-Guo , Wang Shuo , Ma Xin-Wei
Published: February 2025

Traditional expansive agents often fail to address early-stage cracking issues of grouting. A plastic expansive agent (PEA) can generate evenly distributed and closely packed microbubbles in the cement-basted grouting materials during the grout’s setting process to cause volume expansion. However, its expansion mechanism is still unclear, and this restricts its practical application in engineering. Thus, the effects of PEA on the volume stability of grouting were evaluated in this research, and its mechanism was analyzed by setting time, pH, compressive strength, and bubble spacing coefficient. The results indicated that an increase in PEA content enhanced the volume expansion rate of the grout, while the bubble spacing coefficient gradually decreased and air contents increased. However, it was not advisable to blindly increase its contents. A higher content could lead to a less dense pore structure and a decrease in compressive strength. Therefore, the optimal content for PEA was approximately between 0.04% and 0.06%. Additionally, the expansion process of PEA was related to cement hydration. Therefore, by adjusting the mixture proportion, its expansion process could be designed to exhibit microexpansion properties.
High-Efficiency Adsorption Removal of Congo Red Dye from Water Using Magnetic NiFe2O4 Nanofibers: An Efficient Adsorbent
Authors: Firmino Hellen C. T. , Nascimento Emanuel P. , Arzuza Luis C. C. , Araujo Rondinele N. , Sousa Bianca V. , Neves Gelmires A. , Morales Marco A. , Menezes Romualdo R.
Published: February 2025

The pollution caused by organic dyes in water bodies has become a major environmental issue, and removing such pernicious dyes presents an immense challenge for the scientific community and governments. In this study, a sorbent based on nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) fibers was fabricated by the solution blow spinning (SBS) method for the adsorptive removal of anionic Cong red (CR) dye. The cubic–spinel structure and the magnetic and porous nature of NiFe2O4 were confirmed by XRD, magnetometry, BET, and SEM analyses. The saturation magnetization confirmed the magnetic nature of the fibers, which favorably respond to an external magnetic field, facilitating separation from a treated solution. The sorption kinetics of CR on NiFe2O4 were best described by the pseudo-second-order model, while sorption equilibrium agreed best with the Freundlich, Langmuir, Sips, and Temkin isotherm models, suggesting a complex mechanism involving chemisorption, monolayer coverage, and heterogeneous adsorption. The NiFe2O4 fibers annealed at 500 °C showed a high CR removal efficiency of ~97% after only 30 min. The sorbent’s porous structure and high specific surface area were responsible for the improved removal efficiency. Finally, the results indicated the potential of the NiFe2O4 fibers in the remediation of water contaminated with Congo red dye.
Tensile Properties and Constitutive Model of BFRP–Steel–BFRP Composite Plates
Authors: Zhang Yirui , Yi Jiyang , Wei Yang , Zhao Hu
Published: February 2025

Traditional materials such as steel and concrete often face limitations in terms of corrosion resistance and long-term performance. Over the past few decades, the search for alternative reinforcement solutions has grown, driven by the need for more sustainable, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant materials. Basalt fibers, with their superior mechanical properties and resistance to environmental degradation, have emerged as a promising candidate. This study investigated the tensile mechanical properties and constitutive behavior of basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP)–steel–BFRP composite plates. A total of 12 specimens were fabricated, varying in BFRP layer thickness, and subjected to uniaxial tensile testing. The results reveal that bonding BFRP layers significantly enhances the strengthening stiffness and strength of the steel plates, while maintaining ductility and fracture stability. The stress–strain analysis indicates a bilinear behavior, with the BFRP layers contributing to a higher slope during the strengthening stage and stable fracture strain across specimens. Additionally, a three-segment constitutive model was proposed and validated, demonstrating high accuracy in predicting tensile behavior. The findings highlight the potential of BFRP–steel–BFRP composite plates as efficient reinforcement solutions, offering a balance of strength, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. This study provides data and modeling insights to guide the design and optimization of composite materials for structural applications.
Terahertz Metamaterial Absorber and Equivalent Circuit Model for Refractive Index Sensing
Authors: Lu Zhengxiong , Li Peixuan , Zhang Chuanwei , Li Shuaitian , Chen Ruibo , Zhou Ziliang , Huang Xiaojun
Published: February 2025

As a kind of important functional device, terahertz metamaterial absorbers (TMA) have been focused on by many researchers for their capacity to absorb electromagnetic waves and wide application fields. In this work, we designed a terahertz metamaterial absorber with narrow-band absorption for refractive index sensing, which consisted of a circular metal ring resonator and a square metal ring resonator. The simulation results show that the absorptivity of the proposed TMA reached over 68.8% and 93.27% at 1.926 and 4.413 THz, respectively. Moreover, the absorption mechanism was studied through the electromagnetic field energy distribution, and the influence of structural parameters on absorption performance was exhibited. In refractive index sensing, a high sensitivity (S) of 2.537 THz/RIU (refractive index unit, RIU) was achieved by utilizing the coupling of ring resonators. The maximal quality factor (Q-factor) and figure of merit (FOM) of the TMA were 234.73 and 147.67 RIU−1, respectively. Additionally, we established an RLC equivalent circuit model (ECM) for the TMA, and we further illustrated the performance of the TMA in refractive index sensing through fitting the sensitivity based on the ECM to the sensitivity of the TMA. Our study exhibits the considerable potential application for the field of terahertz sensing, and the ECM for refractive index sensing will be helpful for continual investigation.
Optimization of Laser Repair Process for Agricultural Machinery Parts Based on Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Yi Qing , Feng Fei
Published: February 2025

Laser-directed energy deposition technology (LDED), a method for repairing worn agricultural machinery parts, is valued for its flexibility, efficiency, and economy. To improve the comprehensive quality of the parts repair layer and reduce the processing energy consumption and time, it is necessary to explore the influence law of process parameters and multi-objective optimization experiments. We used L9 (33) orthogonal experiments to evaluate the effects of laser power, scanning speed, and powder feed rate on repair quality. Variance analysis assessed factor level impacts and a multi-objective optimization model was constructed and optimized using a genetic algorithm (GA). Then, a preferred algorithm is proposed to optimize and obtain the optimal process level. The results show that the cladding efficiency increases at first and then decreases with the increase in laser power, decreases with the increase in scanning speed, and increases with the increase in powder feed rate. The dilution rate decreases at first and then increases with the increase in laser power, increases with the increase in scanning speed, and decreases with the increase in powder feed rate. In addition, it is also affected by the interaction between scanning speed and powder feed rate. Taking the maximum cladding efficiency and the minimum dilution rate as the optimization objectives, the verification test was carried out with the process parameters of laser power 1684.7370 W, scanning speed 3.0175 mm s−1, and powder feed rate 1.5901 r min−1. The error rates of cladding efficiency and dilution rate were 3.98% and 4.89%, respectively, which confirmed the method’s effectiveness. The research results can provide a reference for the repair of worn parts of agricultural machinery, which is not only cost-effective but saves time, as well. The free formability of the LDED process also allows it to add special functions to simple damaged castings and forging parts during the repair process to improve their performance.
Evaluation of Cement Remaining After Debonding and Polishing in Lingual Multibracket Appliance Using Planning Imaging 3D Software
Authors: Belanche Monterde Alba , Flores-Fraile Javier , Alonso Pérez-Barquero Jorge , Peiro-Aubalat Andrea , Mendieta Lasierra Patricia , Zubizarreta-Macho Álvaro
Published: February 2025

Background: The aim of the present study was to assess the accuracy, repeatability and reproducibility of a novel digital technique to analyze the remaining cement after debonding lingual multibracket appliances and after polishing the remaining cement. Methods: Thirteen teeth were embedded in an epoxy resin simulating a dental arch and subsequently a digital impression was taken using an intraoral scanner; obtaining a standard tessellation language (STL1) digital file. Lingual multibracket appliances were bonded and debonded on the lingual surfaces of all teeth and another digital impression was made (STL2). Finally, the polishing procedure of the remaining cement was performed and a digital impression was taken (STL3). The teeth were individually segmented from the digital files and an alignment was performed between STL1 and STL2 and between STL1 and STL3 digital files using specific cephalometric 2D/3D software to assess the remaining cement after debonding and after polishing lingual multibracket appliances. The reproducibility and repeatability capacity of the measurement digital method was assessed using a Gage R&R statistical analysis. Results: The results were assessed by a statistical program and showed a statistically significant (p < 0.001) decrease in weight, thickness, and height of the cement remaining after polishing, with a mean decrease of 2.09 mm in width (X plane), 0.12 mm in thickness (Y plane), and 1.87 mm in height (Z plane). Conclusions: The use of novel digital diagnosis software is a repeatable, reproducible, and accurate measurement technique to analyze the remaining cement after debonding lingual multibracket appliances and after polishing the remaining cement. Practical Implications: The diagnosis cephalometric software evaluation of the polishing technique with different materials, burs or polishing sequences brings the research closer to the clinical field. This methodology allows the orthodontist to clinically measure the cement remnants after polishing without the need for teeth extraction and with current clinic objects such as intraoral scanning and orthodontic cephalometric software. This might give orthodontics more clearance in terms of better burs or protocols for polishing.
High Sensitivity Design for Silicon-On-Insulator-Based Asymmetric Loop-Terminated Mach–Zehnder Interferometer
Authors: Butt Muhammad A.
Published: February 2025

This work presents a novel design for an asymmetric loop-terminated Mach–Zehnder interferometer (a-LT-MZI) based on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform, tailored for refractive index (RI) sensing applications. A significant advantage of incorporating the Sagnac loop into the MZI configuration is its ability to reduce the interferometer’s effective length by half, offering a more compact design. This makes it ideal for integration into miniaturized optical devices, enabling space-efficient configurations without compromising precision or performance. The proposed device, featuring a pathlength difference (∆L) of 24.35 µm demonstrates a sensitivity of 261 nm/RIU, which is further enhanced to 510 nm/RIU by incorporating a subwavelength (SWG) waveguide in the asymmetric sensing arm. This modification boosts light–matter interaction, resulting in a larger shift in the interference fringes and significantly improving the sensor’s performance.
Advantages of Using Fibres to Withstand Shear Stress: A Comparative Parametric Study with Conventionally Reinforced Concrete Beams
Authors: Picazo Alvaro , García Alberti Marcos , Enfedaque Alejandro , Gálvez Jaime C.
Published: February 2025

The structural use of fibre-reinforced concrete (FRC) has shown to be an attractive alternative for certain structural elements, being especially suitable to withstand shear stresses in concrete beams. In the case of longitudinal steel bars to support bending stresses, the reductions are of interest. However, in the case of shear stress, it is possible to eliminate the stirrup reinforcement in certain areas. In such a case, the use of FRC may eliminate not only the material but also the tasks of preparing and placing reinforcement, achieving significant savings in labour and allowing a faster execution, avoiding human error, and providing greater security to the work. This study was developed with the aim of assessing a basic practical application of FRC for shear strength. A series of graphics have been made to be used as a calculation tool. The typical structural elements of buildings subjected to bending and shear stress have been tested and analysed. The results for steel fibre-reinforced concrete (SFRC) and polyolefin fibre-reinforced concrete (PFRC) show that fibre can substitute, to some extent, part of the longitudinal reinforcement needed to provide the required flexural strength. Additionally, the fibres can reduce or even eliminate the need for stirrups for shear strength, which leads to savings in cost and execution time.
Properties and Behavior of Sandy Soils by a New Interpretation of MICP
Authors: Fukue Masaharu , Lechowicz Zbigniew , Mulligan Catherine N. , Takeuchi Seiichi , Fujimori Yuichi , Emori Kentaro
Published: February 2025

Research on MICP technology for ground improvement began in the early 2000s, and since then, it has been considered as innovative research. The field of applications is showing signs of expanding from sandy soil stabilization to remediation. However, the research has not always progressed, because it is extremely difficult to evaluate the ability (viability rate) related to microorganisms and how to handle them quantitatively. In fact, this problem hinders the consensus of research results in terms of quantitative evaluation of microorganisms and the cross-comparison (evaluation) and use of MICP technology research. The crucial disadvantage of using bacteria is that their properties are not constant due to changes over time and in the surrounding environment. Therefore, for engineering purposes, we used the carbonate formation rate (CPR), instead of urease activity, as a function of the microbial mass (OD) with viable bacteria. Thus, the standard OD−CPR relationship was defined experimentally, and the estimation method of viability was established. The required amount of microorganisms for testing was given by OD*, and the relationship “OD = Rcv OD*” was defined to convert from OD* to OD. Rcv was defined as the viable bacterial rate. It was found that the Ca2+/OD ratio controls the inhibition behavior in MICP. At a Ca2+/OD ratio of >8.46 M, then inhibition occurs, while at Ca2+/OD = 8.46 M, CPR = 8.46 OD and the CPR is proportional to the viable OD, Rcv, and OD*. We show that it is possible to perform an experiment using OD* with aged bacteria, obtain Rcv from the standard OD−CPR and OD*−CPR relationships, convert OD* to OD and to perform a unified evaluation without actually determining the viability rate.
Distributed Gradient Descent Framework for Real-Time Task Offloading in Heterogeneous Satellite Networks
Authors: Li Yanbing , Wu Yuchen , Wang Shangpeng
Published: February 2025

Task offloading in satellite networks, which involves distributing computational tasks among heterogeneous satellite nodes, is crucial for optimizing resource utilization and minimizing system latency. However, existing approaches such as static offloading strategies and heuristic-based offloading methods neglect dynamic topologies and uncertain conditions that hinder adaptability to sudden changes. Furthermore, current collaborative computing strategies inadequately address satellite platform heterogeneity and often overlook resource fluctuations, resulting in inefficient resource sharing and inflexible task scheduling. To address these issues, we propose a dynamic gradient descent-based task offloading method. This method proposes a collaborative optimization framework based on dynamic programming. By constructing delay optimization and resource efficiency models and integrating dynamic programming with value iteration techniques, the framework achieves real-time updates of system states and decision variables. Then, a distributed gradient descent algorithm combined with Gradient Surgery techniques is employed to optimize task offloading decisions and resource allocation schemes, ensuring a precise balance between delay minimization and resource utilization maximization in dynamic network environments. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method enhances the global optimizing result by at least 1.97%, enhances resource utilization rates by at least 3.91%, and also reduces the solution time by at least 191.91% in large-scale networks.
Dynamic and Stochastic Models for Application Management in Distributed Computing Systems
Authors: Altowaijri Saleh M.
Published: February 2025

Fog and edge computing have proven indispensable in tackling issues related to time-critical applications, high network congestion, user confidentiality, and data protection. While these emerging paradigms offer significant potential, substantial effort is required to study and design systems and applications tailored to their unique characteristics. This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of distributed application scheduling and offloading across cloud, fog, and edge environments. We developed multiple prototypes to investigate the organization of distributed applications under various system scales and workloads. To evaluate the system’s effectiveness and reliability, we computed steady-state probabilities using enhanced Markov models specifically designed for cloud, fog, and edge settings. These probabilities were employed to establish key metrics for assessing the efficiency of distributed application scheduling and offloading, including network utilization, response delay, energy consumption, and associated costs.
URAdv: A Novel Framework for Generating Ultra-Robust Adversarial Patches Against UAV Object Detection
Authors: Xi Hailong , Ru Le , Tian Jiwei , Lu Bo , Hu Shiguang , Wang Wenfei , Luan Xiaohui
Published: February 2025

In recent years, deep learning has been extensively deployed on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), particularly for object detection. As the cornerstone of UAV-based object detection, deep neural networks are susceptible to adversarial attacks, with adversarial patches being a relatively straightforward method to implement. However, current research on adversarial patches, especially those targeting UAV object detection, is limited. This scarcity is notable given the complex and dynamically changing environment inherent in UAV image acquisition, which necessitates the development of more robust adversarial patches to achieve effective attacks. To address the challenge of adversarial attacks in UAV high-altitude reconnaissance, this paper presents a robust adversarial patch generation framework. Firstly, the dataset is reconstructed by considering various environmental factors that UAVs may encounter during image collection, and the influences of reflections and shadows during photography are integrated into patch training. Additionally, a nested optimization method is employed to enhance the continuity of attacks across different altitudes. Experimental results demonstrate that the adversarial patches generated by the proposed method exhibit greater robustness in complex environments and have better transferability among similar models.
Seawater Membrane Distillation Coupled with Alkaline Water Electrolysis for Hydrogen Production: Parameter Influence and Techno-Economic Analysis
Authors: Xu Xiaonan , Zhao Zhijie , Song Chunfeng , Xu Li , Zhang Wen
Published: February 2025

The production of green hydrogen requires renewable electricity and a supply of sustainable water. Due to global water scarcity, using seawater to produce green hydrogen is particularly important in areas where freshwater resources are scarce. This study establishes a system model to simulate and optimize the integrated technology of seawater desalination by membrane distillation and hydrogen production by alkaline water electrolysis. Technical economics is also performed to evaluate the key factors affecting the economic benefits of the coupling system. The results show that an increase in electrolyzer power and energy efficiency will reduce the amount of pure water. An increase in the heat transfer efficiency of the membrane distillation can cause the breaking of water consumption and production equilibrium, requiring a higher electrolyzer power to consume the water produced by membrane distillation. The levelized costs of pure water and hydrogen are US$1.28 per tonne and $1.37/kg H2, respectively. The most important factors affecting the production costs of pure water and hydrogen are electrolyzer power and energy efficiency. When the price of hydrogen rises, the project’s revenue increases significantly. The integrated system offers excellent energy efficiency compared to conventional desalination and hydrogen production processes, and advantages in terms of environmental protection and resource conservation.
Design and Performance Evaluation of Sn58Bi/SAC305 Layered Composite Solder for Low-Temperature Applications
Authors: Zhang Zhongxu , Zhang Dan , Li Chenyu , Yang Wenlong , Ma Haitao , Ma Haoran , Wang Yunpeng
Published: February 2025

This study proposes a Sn58Bi/SAC305 layered composite solder designed for low-temperature applications. By alternating high-melting SAC305 and low-melting Sn58Bi layers, the composite achieves a liquidus temperature of ~180 °C, comparable to traditional Sn-Pb solder. Synchrotron X-ray imaging reveals dynamic interfacial interactions, including partial dissolution of SAC305 into molten Sn58Bi and Bi diffusion, mitigating segregation and forming defect-free interfaces with cellular structures. The 7-layer composite exhibits a peak shear strength of 44.3 ± 0.8 MPa at 200 °C, surpassing single Sn58Bi (41.8 ± 1.1 MPa) and SAC305 (31.6 ± 1.4 MPa), attributed to the refined microstructure and uniform dispersion of Ag3Sn phases. Fracture analysis indicates mixed ductile–brittle failure modes influenced by intermetallic compounds (IMCs). This work provides insights into the role of layered structures in controlling element diffusion and interfacial reactions, advancing the design of low-temperature lead-free solders.