bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pediatric Acute Liver Failure
Authors: Mandato Claudia , Vajro Pietro
Published: July 2023

Pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) has recently become a subject of great interest when multiple clusters of non-A to non-E severe acute hepatitis in otherwise healthy young children with a median age of 2 years were reported around the world [...]
Formulation and Evaluation of Prednisolone Sodium Metazoate-Loaded Mucoadhesive Quatsomal Gel for Local Treatment of Recurrent Aphthous Ulcers: Optimization, In Vitro, Ex Vivo, and In Vivo Studies
Authors: Kassem Ashraf , Refai Hanan , El-Nabarawi Mohamed A. , Abdellatif Menna M.
Published: July 2023

This study aims to formulate a buccal mucoadhesive gel containing prednisolone sodium metazoate-loaded quatsomes for efficient localized therapy of recurrent aphthous ulcers. Quatsomes were prepared using a varied concentration of quaternary ammonium surfactants (QAS) and cholesterol (CHO). A 23 factorial design was conducted to address the impact of independent variables QAS type (X1), QAS to CHO molar ratio (X2), and sonication time (X3). The dependent variables were particle size (PS; Y1), polydispersity index (PDI; Y2), zeta potential (ZP; Y3), entrapment efficiency percent (EE%; Y4) and percent of drug released after 6 h (Q6%: Y5). Then, the selected quatsomes formula was incorporated into different gel bases to prepare an optimized mucoadhesive gel to be evaluated via in vivo study. The PS of the developed quatsomes ranged from 69.47 ± 0.41 to 113.28 ± 0.79 nm, the PDI from 0.207 ± 0.004 to 0.328 ± 0.004, ZP from 45.15 ± 0.19 to 68.1 ± 0.54 mV, EE% from 79.62 ± 1.44 to 98.60% ± 1.22 and Q6% from 58.39 ± 1.75 to 94.42% ± 2.15. The quatsomal mucoadhesive gel showed rapid recovery of ulcers, which was confirmed by the histological study and the evaluation of inflammatory biomarkers. These results assured the capability of the developed quatsomal mucoadhesive gel to be a promising formulation for treating buccal diseases.
Fabrication of Injectable Kartogenin-Conjugated Composite Hydrogel with a Sustained Drug Release for Cartilage Repair
Authors: Li Chao , Liu Yubo , Weng Tujun , Yang Muyuan , Wang Xing , Chai Wei
Published: July 2023

Cartilage tissue engineering has attracted great attention in defect repair and regeneration. The utilization of bioactive scaffolds to effectively regulate the phenotype and proliferation of chondrocytes has become an elemental means for cartilage tissue regeneration. On account of the simultaneous requirement of mechanical and biological performances for tissue-engineered scaffolds, in this work we prepared a naturally derived hydrogel composed of a bioactive kartogenin (KGN)-linked chitosan (CS-KGN) and an aldehyde-modified oxidized alginate (OSA) via the highly efficient Schiff base reaction and multifarious physical interactions in mild conditions. On the basis of the rigid backbones and excellent biocompatibility of these two natural polysaccharides, the composite hydrogel demonstrated favorable morphology, easy injectability, good mechanical strength and tissue adhesiveness, low swelling ratio, long-term sustainable KGN release, and facilitated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell activity, which could simultaneously provide the mechanical and biological supports to promote chondrogenic differentiation and repair the articular cartilage defects. Therefore, we believe this work can offer a designable consideration and potential alternative candidate for cartilage and other soft tissue implants.
Terahertz Metamaterial Waveguide with I-Shaped Resonators for Phase and Absorption Modulation
Authors: Yu Bo , Yang Jie , Song Yexi , Wang Zhigang , Zhang Tiedi , Yan Bo , Xu Ruimin
Published: July 2023

In terahertz communication systems, amplifiers and other components can induce non-linear distortion in terms of amplitude and phase, resulting in system performance degradation. This paper presents a terahertz metamaterial waveguide to mitigate amplitude and phase distortions in some terahertz systems. A simple method based on free-space analysis is proposed for designing metamaterial waveguides in an enclosed space. The quasi-periodic metamaterial structures, which feature I-shaped resonant patterns, are integrated onto the inner walls of rectangular waveguides. The phase and amplitude of electromagnetic waves within the waveguide can be modulated by varying the dimensions and number of these resonators. Utilizing the effective medium theory and the equivalent circuits, the metamaterial waveguide’s phase and absorption modulation mechanisms are analyzed. Based on the proposed structure, a metamaterial waveguide with I-shaped resonators is designed and fabricated, and its abilities to modulate the phase and absorption of terahertz waves around 0.2 THz are demonstrated.
Transmission of Vortex Solitons in Three-Dimensional χ(2) Helical-Periodically Poled Ferroelectric Crystals
Authors: Chen Yixi , Yang Aowei , Zhou Yangui , He Hexiang , Xie Jianing
Published: July 2023

It is well known that bright vortex solitons are unstable in the χ2 nonlinear media due to the strong azimuthal modulation instability. To solve this problem, a quadratic (χ2) LiNbO3 ferroelectric crystal with a special kind of helical-periodically poled structure is proposed. The proposed structure is designed by embedding topological charges into the crystal with a quasi-phase matching technique. Simulation results indicate that vortex solitons containing fundamental-frequency and second-harmonic waves can robustly propagate over a distance. Two types of vortex states are obtained: double vortices state and vortex–antivortex state. The dependence of effective area, propagation constants, and maximum light intensity on the control parameters are presented. These results provide a new solution for robust transmission of bright vortex solitons in a χ2 nonlinear media.
Design and Performance Analysis of the Highly Sensitive Deep Vacuum Cooling sCMOS Imaging System for Highly Sensitive Detection of Space Targets
Authors: Lu Changzheng , Liu Changhua , Shao Meng , Wu Zhiyong , Jiang Chun , Cao Jingtai , Chen Tao
Published: July 2023

The sCMOS imaging system with deep vacuum cooling technology has become a necessary way to improve the detection capability of space targets. In order to improve the detection capability of the photoelectric detection equipment for space targets, this paper developed the Highly Sensitive Deep Vacuum Cooling Imaging System (HSDVCIS). Firstly, we designed the imaging readout processing circuit using the GSENSE4040 sCMOS image sensor designed and manufactured by Gpixel and the deep vacuum cooling structure using thermoelectric cooling. Then, we tested the designed HSDVCIS with readout noise, dark current, and dynamic range of 3.96 e−, 0.12 e−/pixel/sec, and 84.49 dB, respectively, and tested the image sensor with a minimum cooling temperature of −40 °C. Finally, according to the results of observation experiments, we validated that the photoelectric detection equipment equipped with HSDVCIS improved the limiting detection magnitude (at SNR = 5 level) from 13.22 to 13.51 magnitudes within a 3 s exposure time by turning on the cooling function. Therefore, HSDVCIS designed in this paper can achieve highly sensitive detection of space targets. At the same time, the development of HSDVCIS also provides technical reserves and strong support for future research on the imaging systems using multiple image sensor mosaics.
Engineering Substrate-Mediated Localized Surface Plasmons in Gold Nanodiscs
Authors: Chirumamilla Anisha , Salazar Maria H. , Wang Deyong , Kristensen Peter K. , Sutherland Duncan S. , Chirumamilla Manohar , Popok Vladimir N. , Pedersen Kjeld
Published: July 2023

A variety of nanostructures capable of generating strong local electromagnetic fields (hot spots) in interaction with radiation have been under intensive investigation towards plasmonic applications in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), biosensing, broadband absorbers, thermophotovoltaics, photocatalysis, etc. In many cases, these nanostructures are formed on a surface or embedded into a near-surface layer of the dielectric substrate, making some part of the field dissipate into the bulk and not contribute to the desired plasmonic functionality. To reduce such losses, the interface between the metallic nanostructures and the dielectric environment should be engineered. In the current work, Au nanodiscs are fabricated on Si posts of very small diameter (pin-shaped structures), enabling them to decouple the strong optical near fields localized at the nanodiscs from the bulk Si substrate. The Si post diameter is optimized by adjusting the gas flow rates in reactive-ion etching, resulting in a minimum post diameter of 20 nm at the nanodisc interface. The effect of this diameter on the localized surface plasmon resonance of the nanodisc is investigated with linear optical spectroscopic measurements, where a significant spectral blue shift of the resonance band is noticed compared to similar discs formed on bulk Si surface. The experimental results are compared with modelling where a 3-fold increase in the electric field enhancement is demonstrated. The fabricated pin-shaped nanostructures are tested in SERS measurements showing a significant increase in the enhancement factor in the order of 106. Thus, this work suggests a way of engineering 3D morphology to tune the substrate influence on the plasmonic properties of nanostructures and to develop efficient nanofabrication technologies.
Parameter Optimization for Modulation-Enhanced External Cavity Resonant Frequency in Fiber Fault Detection
Authors: Li Xiuzhu , Zhang Min , Guo Haoran , Shi Zixiong , Guo Yuanyuan , Zhao Tong , Wang Anbang
Published: July 2023

Fiber fault detection is crucial for maintaining the quality of optical communication, especially in well-established optical access networks with extended distances and a growing number of subscribers. However, the increasing insertion loss in fiber links presents challenges for traditional fault-detection methods in capturing fault echoes. To overcome these limitations, we propose a modulation-enhanced external-cavity-resonant-frequency method that utilizes a laser for fault echo reception, providing improved sensitivity compared to traditional photodetector-based methods. Our previous work focused on analyzing key parameters, such as sensitivity and spatial resolution, but did not consider practical aspects of selecting optimal modulation parameters. In this study, we develop a model based on Lang–Kobayashi rate equations for current-modulated optical feedback lasers and validate it through experimental investigations. Our findings reveal that optimal detection performance is achieved with a modulation depth of 0.048, a frequency sweeping range of 0.6 times the laser relaxation oscillation frequency, and a frequency sweeping step of 0.1 times the external cavity resonant frequency.
Rotational Dynamics Induced by Low-Energy Binary Collisions of Quantum Droplets
Authors: Alba-Arroyo J. E. , Caballero-Benitez S. F. , Jáuregui R.
Published: July 2023

A theoretical analysis of the rotational dynamics induced by off-axis binary collisions of quantum droplets constituted by ultracold atoms is reported. We focus on quantum droplets formed by degenerate dilute Bose gases made from binary mixtures of alkaline atoms under feasible experimental conditions. The stability of the ground state is known to be longer for the chosen heteronuclear gases than for the homonuclear ones. In both cases, we find that the dynamics seem to privilege high similarity of the density of each atomic species. However, the evolution of the phase of the corresponding order parameter differs significantly for heteronuclear admixtures. We evaluate the fidelity as a figure of merit for the overlap between the order parameters of each atomic species. Dynamical evidence of the differences between the phases of the order parameters is predicted to manifest in their corresponding linear and angular momenta. We numerically verify that the total angular and linear momenta are both conserved during the collision. Some direct correlations between the Weber number and the impact parameter with the distribution of the dynamical variables are established.
Structural and Morphogenetic Characteristics in Paspalum notatum: Responses to Nitrogen Fertilization, Season, and Genotype
Authors: Schulz Roberto R. , Zilli Alex L. , Brugnoli Elsa A. , Marcón Florencia , Acuña Carlos A.
Published: July 2023

Understanding leaf generation dynamics, their seasonal changes, and their responses to nitrogen fertilization (NF) is key to improving pasture utilization efficiency. The objectives of this research were to determine structural and morphogenetic variables underlying changes in herbage mass on a set of Paspalum notatum genotypes. Ten P. notatum genotypes were evaluated in experimental plots following a completely randomized block design under a split-plot arrangement for two N-rates during four periods. Increased herbage mass (HM) after N-fertilization was explained by a higher tiller density (TD) (41.8%) and tiller weight (TW) (22.1%). The increment of TW after NF was due to the increase in leaf blade length (LBL) and width (LBW). During the flowering season, NF increases the reproductive tiller density by 262.5%. Seasonal variation in HM was mainly explained by changes in LBL that modified TW. Morphogenetic traits differed between genotypes of different growth habits; therefore, different management practices are suggested. The average increase in leaf elongation rate in response to NF was about 36.7%, generating longer leaves despite reductions in leaf elongation time (LET). The depletion in LBL and consequently in TW and HM during the autumn was attributed to the reduction in LET.
Correction: Helal et al. Improving Yield Components and Desirable Eating Quality of Two Wheat Genotypes Using Si and NanoSi Particles under Heat Stress. Plants 2022, 11, 1819
Authors: Helal Nesma M. , Khattab Hemmat I. , Emam Manal M. , Niedbała Gniewko , Wojciechowski Tomasz , Hammami Inès , Alabdallah Nadiyah M. , Darwish Doaa Bahaa Eldin , El-Mogy Mohamed M. , Hassan Heba M.
Published: July 2023

In the original publication [...]
Selection of Short-Day Strawberry Genotypes through Multivariate Analysis
Authors: Rutz Thiago , de Resende Juliano Tadeu Vilela , Mariguele Keny Henrique , Zeist Ricardo Antônio , da Silva Andre Luiz Biscaia Ribeiro
Published: July 2023

Strawberries are produced in tropical regions using imported cultivars adapted to temperate and subtropical climates. These cultivars, under tropical conditions, produce below their genetic potential. Through multivariate analyses, the objective was to evaluate and select short-day strawberry genotypes based on intraspecific crosses, product characteristics, and fruit quality. The genotypes were obtained from the cross between ‘Camino Real’ (female parent) and the first-generation genotypes RVCA16, RVCS44, RVFS06, RVFS07, and RVDA11 (male parent), obtained in previous selections. The experimental design consisted of augmented blocks with standard controls, consisting of first-generation genotypes and commercial cultivars. The fruits were harvested and evaluated for productivity and post-harvest characteristics: total fruit mass (MTF), total number of fruits (TFN), average fruit mass (AFM), commercial fruit mass (CFM), fruit commercial number (CFN), average commercial mass of fruits (ACFM), total soluble solids (TSS), firmness (F), brightness (L), hue angle (°Hue), and chroma (C). The selection index of Mulamba and Mock (1978) was used with an intensity of 3% to obtain superior genotypes and submitted to multivariate analysis for comparative purposes. Of the 1500 genotypes evaluated, it was possible to select 44 genotypes with characteristics superior to the 13 controls. The RVDA11CR59 genotype showed better values for the attributes of interest, but the RVCS44CR population, from the cross between ‘Camino Real’ × RVCS44 (‘Camarosa’ × ‘Sweet Charlie’), obtained the highest number (16) of individuals among those selected. Significant traits had high heritability but were not necessarily reflected in high selection gain. Coefficients of genetic variation were high, indicating sufficient genetic variability to select genotypes for these traits. When multivariate analyses were used, it was possible to group the selected genotypes into the same cluster according to the similarity and balance in the responses to the evaluated variables, demonstrating that these analyses help other parameters choose superior genotypes. The multivariate analysis allowed the selection of more balanced genotypes for production and post-harvest traits for tropical climates.
Impact of Climate Change on Regulation of Genes Involved in Sex Determination and Fruit Production in Cucumber
Authors: Aparna  , Skarzyńska Agnieszka , Pląder Wojciech , Pawełkowicz Magdalena
Published: July 2023

Environmental changes, both natural and anthropogenic, mainly related to rising temperatures and water scarcity, are clearly visible around the world. Climate change is important for crop production and is a major issue for the growth and productivity of cucumbers. Processes such as sex determination, flower morphogenesis and fruit development in cucumbers are highly sensitive to various forms of stress induced by climatic changes. It is noteworthy that many factors, including genetic factors, transcription factors, phytohormones and miRNAs, are crucial in regulating these processes and are themselves affected by climate change. Changes in the expression and activity of these factors have been observed as a consequence of climatic conditions. This review focuses primarily on exploring the effects of climate change and abiotic stresses, such as increasing temperature and drought, on the processes of sex determination, reproduction, and fruit development in cucumbers at the molecular level. In addition, it highlights the existing research gaps that need to be addressed in order to improve our understanding of the complex interactions between climate change and cucumber physiology. This, in turn, may lead to strategies to mitigate the adverse effects and enhance cucumber productivity in a changing climate.
Promising Gene Delivery Properties of Polycations Based on 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl Methacrylate and Polyethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Methacrylate Copolymers
Authors: Loginova Tatiana P. , Khotina Irina A. , Kabachii Yurii A. , Kochev Sergei Yu. , Abramov Vyacheslav M. , Khlebnikov Valentin S. , Kulikova Natalia L. , Mezhuev Yaroslav O.
Published: July 2023

Cationic copolymers based on 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate and polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether (pDMAEMA-co-PEO) with different molecular weights have been synthesized. Their physicochemical properties were studied by NMR spectroscopy, sedimentation, and potentiometric titration. According to the data of potentiometric titration for the synthesized pegylated cationic copolymers, the apparent dissociation constants were determined in the pH range from 4.5 to 8.5. The physicochemical properties of interpolyelectrolyte complexes of these polycations with circular DNA (IPEC DNA) were also studied by dynamic light scattering, electrophoretic mobility, and TEM methods. It has been established that the diameter and electrokinetic potential (ζ-potential) of interpolyelectrolyte complexes can be varied over a wide range (from 200 nm to 1.5 μm and from −25 mV to +30 mV) by changing the ratio of oppositely charged ionizable groups in pegylated cationic copolymers and DNA, as well as by regulating medium pH. The resistance of the IPEC DNA/polycation complex to the action of nucleases was studied by electrophoresis in agarose gel; the cytotoxic effect of the polymers in vitro, and the efficiency of penetration (transfection) of IPEC DNA with PDMAEMA-co-PEO-polycations into eukaryotic cells of a cell line derived from human embryonic kidneys HEK 293 in vitro.
Dynamic Impact Properties of Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Phenolic Composites Containing Microfillers
Authors: Abdulganiyu Ibraheem A. , Adesola Oluwasegun. E. , Oguocha Ikechukwuka N. A. , Odeshi Akindele G.
Published: July 2023

The addition of nano- and microfillers to carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) to improve their static mechanical properties is attracting growing research interest because their introduction does not increase the weight of parts made from CFRPs. However, the current understanding of the high strain rate deformation behaviour of CFRPs containing nanofillers/microfillers is limited. The present study investigated the dynamic impact properties of carbon-fiber-reinforced phenolic composites (CFRPCs) modified with microfillers. The CFRPCs were fabricated using 2D woven carbon fibers, two phenolic resole resins (HRJ-15881 and SP-6877), and two microfillers (colloidal silica and silicon carbide (SiC)). The amount of microfillers incorporated into the CFRPCs varied from 0.0 wt.% to 2.0 wt.%. A split-Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB), operated at momentums of 15 kg m/s and 28 kg m/s, was used to determine the impact properties of the composites. The evolution of damage in the impacted specimens was studied using optical stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscope. It was found that, at an impact momentum of 15 kg m/s, the impact properties of HRJ-15881-based CFRPCs increased with SiC addition up to 1.5 wt.%, while those of SP-6877-based composites increased only up to 0.5 wt.%. At 28 kg m/s, the impact properties of the composites increased up to 0.5 wt.% SiC addition for both SP-6877 and HRJ-15881 based composites. However, the addition of colloidal silica did not improve the dynamic impact properties of composites based on both phenolic resins at both impact momentums. The improvement in the impact properties of composites made with SiC microfiller can be attributed to improvement in crystallinity offered by the α-SiC type microfiller used in this study. No fracture was observed in specimens impacted at an impact momentum of 15 kg m/s. However, at 28 kg m/s, edge chip-off and cracks extending through the surface were observed at lower microfiller addition (≤1 wt.%), which became more pronounced at higher microfiller loading (≥1.5 wt.%).
Therapeutic Modulation of Cell Morphology and Phenotype of Diseased Human Cells towards a Healthier Cell State Using Lignin
Authors: Selig Mischa , Walz Kathrin , Lauer Jasmin C. , Rolauffs Bernd , Hart Melanie L.
Published: July 2023

Despite lignin’s global abundance and its use in biomedical studies, our understanding of how lignin regulates disease through modulation of cell morphology and associated phenotype of human cells is unknown. We combined an automated high-throughput image cell segmentation technique for quantitatively measuring a panel of cell shape descriptors, droplet digital Polymerase Chain Reaction for absolute quantification of gene expression and multivariate data analyses to determine whether lignin could therapeutically modulate the cell morphology and phenotype of inflamed, degenerating diseased human cells (osteoarthritic (OA) chondrocytes) towards a healthier cell morphology and phenotype. Lignin dose-dependently modified all aspects of cell morphology and ameliorated the diseased shape of OA chondrocytes by inducing a less fibroblastic healthier cell shape, which correlated with the downregulation of collagen 1A2 (COL1A2, a major fibrosis-inducing gene), upregulation of collagen 2A1 (COL2A1, a healthy extracellular matrix-inducing gene) and downregulation of interleukin-6 (IL-6, a chronic inflammatory cytokine). This is the first study to show that lignin can therapeutically target cell morphology and change a diseased cells’ function towards a healthier cell shape and phenotype. This opens up novel opportunities for exploiting lignin in modulation of disease, tissue degeneration, fibrosis, inflammation and regenerative medical implants for therapeutically targeting cell function and outcome.
Preparation of Superhydrophilic/Underwater Superoleophobic and Superhydrophobic Stainless Steel Meshes Used for Oil/Water Separation
Authors: Zhang Yu-Ping , Wang Ya-Ning , Du Hong-Li , Qv Ling-Bo , Chen Jun
Published: July 2023

Robust membrane materials with high efficiency have attracted extensive attention in oil/water separation. In this work, carbon particles via candle combustion were firstly adsorbed on the surface of stainless steel meshes (SSMs), which formed a thin hydrophobic coating, and a rough structure was then constructed through chemical vapor deposition and high temperature calcination, with the resultant SSM surface wrapped with uniform silica coating possessing the characteristic of superoleophobicity underwater. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the modified SSMs. The prepared SSMs were superhydrophilic in air, and they had superoleophobicity underwater (157.4°). The separation efficiency of five oil/water mixtures was above 98.8%, and the separation flux was 46,300 L·m−2·h−1. After it was immersed in 1 mol/L NaOH, 1 mol/L HCl and 3.5 wt% NaCl for 24 h, respectively, the efficiency was still above 97.3%. Further immersion in the solution of dopamine and octadecylamine resulted in the transformation of superhydrophililc/superoleophobicity-underwater SSMs to superhydrophobic SSMs, and the resultant SSMs with reverse surface wettability was also used for the oil/water separation with good separation efficiency and separation flux.
An Assessment of the Chemical Compatibility of Viton Fluoropolymers and Some Harsh Organic Liquid Mixtures
Authors: Barros Marisa C. F. , Ribeiro Ana C. F. , Santos Cecília I. A. V.
Published: July 2023

The molecular transport of a series of industrial solvent mixtures into O-rings of Viton fluoropolymers was studied. Sorption, diffusion, and permeation of the individual liquids toluene, cyclohexane, and methanol, and their binary and ternary mixtures, were evaluated from the solvent uptake using a gravimetric method. From the sorption results, the diffusion coefficients were calculated using Fick’s equation. A numerical method was employed to calculate the liquid concentration profiles in cylinder-shaped polymers. The desorption mechanism was also evaluated. The composition dependence of sorption, diffusion, and permeation was assessed, and the results were analysed in terms of potential interactions between polymer and penetrant molecules. Observed sorption of methanol and methanol mixtures by the polymer was very high, in some cases higher than for pure liquids. In general, the amount of methanol present in the mixture determined its diffusion coefficient. Methanol showed the smallest solubility coefficient within the polymer, but due to its high mobility and permeability, it was shown to be the liquid that flows faster through Viton fluoropolymers. Flows of toluene and cyclohexane are still considerable, notwithstanding that this fluoropolymer is usually indicated as hydrocarbon resistant. This is an important fact to keep in mind when choosing sealings for applications with a mix of solvent media.
The Efficient Utilization of Carbon Dioxide in a Power-to-Liquid Process: An Overview
Authors: Li Xianqiang , Zhang Leiyu , Zhang Chundong , Wang Lei , Tang Zongyue , Gao Ruxing
Published: July 2023

As the global climate crisis escalates, reductions in CO2 emissions and the efficient utilization of carbon waste resources have become a crucial consensus. Among the various carbon mitigation technologies, the concept of power-to-liquid (PTL) has gained significant attention in recent years. Considering the lack of a timely review of the state-of-the-art progress of this PTL process, this work aims to provide a systematic summary of the advanced PTL progress. In a CO2 capture unit, we compared the process performances of chemical absorption, physical absorption, pressure swing adsorption, and membrane separation technologies. In a water electrolysis unit, the research progress of alkaline water electrolysis, proton exchange membrane water electrolysis, and solid oxide water electrolysis technologies was summarized, and the strategies for improving the electrolysis efficiency were proposed. In a CO2 hydrogenation unit, we compared the differences of high-temperature and low-temperature Fischer–Tropsch synthesis processes, and summarized the advanced technologies for promoting the conversion of CO2 into high value-added hydrocarbons and achieving the efficient utilization of C1–C4 hydrocarbons. In addition, we critically reviewed the technical and economic performances of the PTL process. By shedding light on the current state of research and identifying its crucial factors, this work is conducive to enhancing the understanding of the PTL process and providing reliable suggestions for its future industrial application. By offering valuable insights into the PTL process, this work also contributes to paving the way for the development of more efficient and sustainable solutions to address the pressing challenges of CO2 emissions and climate change.
Assembly Sequence Validation with Feasibility Testing for Augmented Reality Assisted Assembly Visualization
Authors: Bahubalendruni M. V. A. Raju , Putta Bhavasagar
Published: July 2023

The recent advances in Industry 4.0 have promoted manufacturing industries towards the use of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) for visualization and training applications. AR assistance is extremely helpful in assembly task visualization during the stages of product assembly and in disassembly plan visualization during the repair and maintenance of a product/system. Generating such assembly and disassembly task animations consume a lot of time and demands skilled user intervention. In assembly or disassembly processes, each operation must be validated for geometric feasibility regarding its practical implementation in the real-time product. In this manuscript, a novel method for automated assembly task simulation with improved geometric feasibility testing is proposed and verified. The proposed framework considers the assembly sequence plan as input in the form of textual instructions and generates a virtual assembly task plan for the product; furthermore, these instructions are used to ensure there are no collisions using a combination of multiple linear directions. Once the textual instructions achieve geometric feasibility for the entire assembly operation, the visual animations of the assembly operations are successively produced in a game engine and are integrated with the AR platform in order to visualize them in the physical environment. The framework is implemented on various products and validated for its correctness and completeness.
Data-Driven Modeling Methods and Techniques for Pharmaceutical Processes
Authors: Dong Yachao , Yang Ting , Xing Yafeng , Du Jian , Meng Qingwei
Published: July 2023

As one of the most influential industries in public health and the global economy, the pharmaceutical industry is facing multiple challenges in drug research, development and manufacturing. With recent developments in artificial intelligence and machine learning, data-driven modeling methods and techniques have enabled fast and accurate modeling for drug molecular design, retrosynthetic analysis, chemical reaction outcome prediction, manufacturing process optimization, and many other aspects in the pharmaceutical industry. This article provides a review of data-driven methods applied in pharmaceutical processes, based on the mathematical and algorithmic principles behind the modeling methods. Different statistical tools, such as multivariate tools, Bayesian inferences, and machine learning approaches, i.e., unsupervised learning, supervised learning (including deep learning) and reinforcement learning, are presented. Various applications in the pharmaceutical processes, as well as the connections from statistics and machine learning methods, are discussed in the narrative procedures of introducing different types of data-driven models. Afterwards, two case studies, including dynamic reaction data modeling and catalyst-kinetics prediction of cross-coupling reactions, are presented to illustrate the power and advantages of different data-driven models. We also discussed current challenges and future perspectives of data-driven modeling methods, emphasizing the integration of data-driven and mechanistic models, as well as multi-scale modeling.
A Gas Prominence Prediction Model Based on Entropy-Weighted Gray Correlation and MCMC-ISSA-SVM
Authors: Shao Liangshan , Gao Yingchao
Published: July 2023

To improve the accuracy of coal and gas prominence prediction, an improved sparrow search algorithm (ISSA) and an optimized support vector machine (SVM) based on the Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) filling algorithm prediction model were proposed. The mean value of the data after filling in the missing values in the coal and gas prominence data using the MCMC filling algorithm was 2.282, with a standard deviation of 0.193. Compared with the mean fill method (Mean), random forest filling method (random forest, RF), and K-nearest neighbor filling method (K-nearest neighbor, KNN), the MCMC filling algorithm showed the best results. The parameter indicators of the salient data were ranked by entropy-weighted gray correlation analysis, and the salient prediction experiments were divided into four groups with different numbers of parameter indicators according to the entropy-weighted gray correlation. The best results were obtained in the fourth group, with a maximum relative error (maximum relative error, REmax) of 0.500, an average relative error (average relative error, MRE) of 0.042, a root mean square error (root mean square error, RMSE) of 0.144, and a coefficient of determination (coefficient of determination, R2) of 0.993. The best predicted parameters were the initial velocity of gas dispersion (X2), gas content (X4), K1 gas desorption (X5), and drill chip volume (X6). To improve the sparrow search algorithm (sparrow search algorithm, SSA), the adaptive t-distribution variation operator was introduced to obtain ISSA, and the prediction models of improved sparrow search algorithm optimized support vector machine based on Markov chain Monte Carlo filling algorithm (MCMC-ISSA-SVM), sparrow search algorithm optimized support vector machine based on Markov chain Monte Carlo filling algorithm (MCMC-SSA-SVM), genetic algorithm optimized support vector machine based on Markov chain Monte Carlo filling algorithm (MCMC-GA-SVM) and particle swarm optimization algorithm optimized support vector machine based on Markov chain Monte Carlo filling algorithm (MCMC- PSO -SVM) were established for coal and gas prominence prediction using the ISSA, SSA, genetic algorithm (genetic algorithm, GA) and particle swarm optimization algorithm (particle swarm optimization, PSO) respectively. Comparing the prediction experimental results of each model, the prediction accuracy of MCMC-ISSA-SVM is 98.25%, the error is 0.018, the convergence speed is the fastest, the number of iterations is the least, and the best fitness and the average fitness are the highest among the four models. All the prediction results of MCMC-ISSA-SVM are significantly better than the other three models, which indicates that the algorithm improvement is effective. ISSA outperformed SSA, PSO, and GA, and the MCMC-ISSA-SVM model was able to significantly improve the prediction accuracy and effectively enhance the generalization ability.
Flammability Properties of the Pyrolysis Gas Generated from Willow Wood
Authors: Mitu Maria , Razus Domnina , Boldor Dorin , Marculescu Cosmin
Published: July 2023

Willow wood presents a real interest for biomass pyrolysis due to its fast growth, renewability, and high energy density. Following the pyrolysis of willow wood in an inert atmosphere, a multi-fuel gaseous mixture was obtained, with the following composition (by volume): 38.20% CO/21.87% H2/17.44% CH4/1.15% O2/17.15% CO2/4.19% N2. The propagation of laminar premixed flames in these multifuel mixtures with air was investigated numerically for initial temperatures from 298 to 500 K, initial pressures from 1 to 20 bar, and fuel equivalence ratios between 0.60 and 2.00. The combustion of these gaseous mixtures as free laminar premixed flames was simulated by means of the INSFLA package and an extended reaction mechanism with 592 elementary reactions and 53 species. The modelling of the gas-phase combustion delivered several important parameters: the laminar burning velocities, Su, the maximum flame temperatures, Tfl,max, the flame front thicknesses, dfl, and the peak concentrations of the main reaction intermediates. The obtained parameters, discussed in correlation with the initial pressure and temperature, afforded the determination of the overall activation parameters of multifuel oxidation with air.
The Collagen-Based Scaffolds for Bone Regeneration: A Journey through Electrospun Composites Integrated with Organic and Inorganic Additives
Authors: Feng Yashan , Shi Yanhong , Tian Yafang , Yang Yongxin , Wang Jun , Guo Haiwei , Banitaba Seyedeh Nooshin , Khademolqorani Sanaz , Li Jing’an
Published: July 2023

Orthopedics has been identified as a major clinical medicine branch since the 18th century for musculoskeletal disease diagnosis and therapeutics. Along with technological progress, the surgical treatment of bone disorders became available in the 19th century, while its growth faced several obstacles due to a lack of proper biocompatible material and alternative structures. Therefore, tissue engineering has emerged as a key building block to overcome these challenges, providing the capability for bone growth, and fabricating scaffolds with enriched desirable cellular compatibility as well as mechanical properties. Among various structures, the electrospun layer has implied high porosity and fine pore sizes, and succeeded in cell growth and proliferation. Collagen nanofibers have represented a wide potential for mineralization, bone regeneration, and forming processes. Despite this, such scaffolds have accosted bone remodeling limitations due to inadequate osteoinductivity and mechanical strength. Hence, the tendency to fabricate efficient collagen-based nanofibrous layers enriched with organic and inorganic materials has been extensively declared. Embedding these materials leads to engineering a membrane with appropriate physical, degradability, and mechanical properties, as well as proper mineralization and biological activity required for better replicating the bone organ’s natural microenvironment. This paper highlighted a wide overview of the natural resources, electrospinning strategies, and collagen-based electrospun composites for bone regeneration. Accordingly, future prospects could be developed for generating novel 3D-scaffold formations, benefiting from organic and inorganic substances to boost the biological and mechanical properties, simultaneously.
Walking with a Mobile Phone: A Randomised Controlled Trial of Effects on Mood
Authors: Collin Randi , Broadbent Elizabeth
Published: July 2023

It is now common to see pedestrians looking at their mobile phones while they are walking. Looking at a mobile phone can cause stooped posture, slower gait, and lack of attention to surroundings. Because these walking characteristics have been associated with negative affect, walking while looking at a mobile phone may have negative effects on mood. This study aimed to investigate whether walking while looking at a mobile phone had psychological effects. One hundred and twenty-five adults were randomised to walk in a park either with or without reading text on a mobile phone. Participants wore a fitness tracker to record pace and heart rate, and posture was calculated from video. Self-reported mood, affect, feelings of power, comfort, and connectedness with nature were assessed. The phone group walked significantly slower, with a more stooped posture, slower heart rate, and felt less comfortable than the phone-free group. The phone group experienced significant decreases in positive mood, affect, power, and connectedness with nature, as well as increases in negative mood, whereas the phone-free group experienced the opposite. There was no significant mediation effect of posture on mood; however, feeling connected with nature significantly mediated the effects of phone walking on mood. In conclusion, individuals experience better wellbeing when they pay attention to the environment rather than their phone while walking. More research is needed to investigate the effects of performing other activities on a mobile phone on mood while walking and in other settings.
Shamanic Healing or Scientific Treatment?—Transformation of Khorchin Mongolian Bone-Setting in China
Authors: Meng Gencang
Published: July 2023

This paper, taking the medical practice of Khorchin Mongolian bone-setting as an example, examines the conflict and connection between religious healing and modern (or Western) medicine as well as the transformation of shamanisms in the discourse of nation-state building in China, and argues that the relationship between shamanic healing and modern medicine is not a binary opposition. Khorchin Mongolian bone-setting is the product of the interaction between alternative medicine and syncretistic local knowledge.
Modeling Phenology Combining Data Assimilation Techniques and Bioclimatic Indices in a Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyard (Vitis vinifera L.) in Central Chile
Authors: García-Gutiérrez Víctor , Meza Francisco
Published: July 2023

Phenology is a science that is fundamental to crop productivity and is especially sensitive to environmental changes. In Mediterranean and semi-arid climates, vineyard phenology is directly affected by changes in temperature and rainfall distribution, being highly vulnerable to climate change. Due to the significant heterogeneity in soil, climate, and crop variables, we need fast and reliable ways to assess vineyard phenology in large areas. This research aims to evaluate the performance of the phenological data assimilation model (DA-PhenM) and compare it with phenological models based on meteorological data (W-PhenM) and models based on Sentinel-2 NDVI (RS-PhenM). Two W-PhenM approaches were evaluated, one assessing eco- and endo-dormancy, as proposed by Caffarra and Eccel (CaEc) and the widely used BRIN model, and another approach based on the accumulation of heat units proposed by Parker called the Grapevine Flowering Veraison model (GFV). The DA-PhenM evaluated corresponds to the integration between RS-PhenM and CaEc (EKF-CaEC) and between RS-PhenM and GFV (EKF-GFV). Results show that EKF-CaEc and EKF-GFV have lower root mean square error (RMSE) values than CaEc and GFV models. However, based on the number of parameters that models require, EKF-GFV performs better than EKF-CaEc because the latter has a higher Bayesian Index Criterion (BIC) than EKF-GFV. Thus, DA-PhenM improves the performance of both W-PhenM and RS-PhenM, which provides a novel contribution to the phenological modeling of Vitis vinifera L. cv Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Antarctic Amplification Based on MODIS Land Surface Temperature and ERA5
Authors: Xie Aihong , Zhu Jiangping , Qin Xiang , Wang Shimeng
Published: July 2023

With global warming accelerating, polar amplification is one of the hot issues in climate research. However, most studies focus on Arctic amplification, and little attention has been paid to Antarctic amplification (AnA), and there is no relevant research based on MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) land surface temperature observations. Compared with 128 stations’ observations, MODIS can capture the variations in temperature over Antarctica. In addition, the temperature changes in Antarctica, East Antarctica, West Antarctica and the Antarctic Peninsula during the period 2001–2018 reflected by the MODIS and ERA5 are basically consistent, and the temperature changes in Antarctica are negatively correlated with the Southern Annular Mode. AnA occurs under all annual and seasonal scales, with an AnA index greater than 1.27 (1.31) from the MODIS (ERA5), and is strongest in the austral winter and weakest in summer. AnA displays regional differences, and the signal from the MODIS is similar to that from ERA5. The strongest amplification occurs in East Antarctica, with an AnA index greater than 1.45 (1.48) from the MODIS (ERA5), followed by West Antarctica, whereas the amplified signal is absent at the Antarctic Peninsula. In addition, seasonal differences can be observed in the sub regions of Antarctica. For West Antarctica, the greatest amplification appears in austral winter, and in austral spring for East Antarctica. The AnA signal also can be captured in daytime and nighttime observations, and the AnA in nighttime observations is stronger than that in daytime. Generally, the MODIS illustrates the appearance of AnA for the period 2001–2018, and the Antarctic climate undergoes drastic changes, and the potential impact should arouse attention.
Compatible Biomass Model with Measurement Error Using Airborne LiDAR Data
Authors: Chen Xingjing , Xie Dongbo , Zhang Zhuang , Sharma Ram P. , Chen Qiao , Liu Qingwang , Fu Liyong
Published: July 2023

Research on the inversion of forest aboveground biomass based on airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data focuses on finding the relationship between the two, such as established linear or nonlinear models. However, these models may have poorer estimation accuracy for tree-components biomass and cannot guarantee the additivity of each component. Therefore, we aimed to develop an error-in-variable biomass model system that ensures both the compatibility of the individual tree component biomass with the diameter at breast height and the additivity of component biomass. The system we developed used the airborne LiDAR data and field-measured data of principis-rupprechtii (Larix gmelinii var.) trees, collected from north China. Our model system not only ensured the additivity of nonlinear biomass models, it also accounted for the impact of measurement errors. We first selected the airborne LiDAR-derived variable with the highest contribution to the biomass of each component and then developed an inversion model system with that variable as an independent variable and with the biomass of each component as the dependent variable using allometric functions. Moreover, two model estimation methods, two-stage error (TSEM) and nonlinear seemingly unrelated regression (NSUR) with one-step, two-step, and summation methods, were also applied, and their performances were compared. The results showed that both NSUR-one-step and TSEM-one-step led to similar parameter estimates and performance for a system, and the fitting accuracy of a model system was not very attractive. The variance function included in a model system reduced the heteroscedasticity effectively and improved the model accuracy. Overall, this study successfully combined the error-in-variable modeling with the airborne LiDAR data, proposed methods that can be used for the extension of component biomass from an individual tree to a stand and that might improve the estimation accuracy of carbon storage. A compatible model system can be further improved if various sources of error in the variables are identified, and their impacts on the system are effectively accounted for.