bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microbiological, Physicochemical and Sensorial Changes during the Ripening of Sucuk, a Traditional Turkish Dry-Fermented Sausage: Effects of Autochthonous Strains, Sheep Tail Fat and Ripening Rate
Authors: Akköse Ahmet , Oğraş Şeyma Şişik , Kaya Mükerrem , Kaban Güzin
Published: June 2023

This study aimed to investigate the effects of autochthonous starter cultures (spontaneous fermentation, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum GM77, Staphylococcus xylosus GM92 or L. plantarum GM77 + S. xylosus GM92) isolated from sucuk (a traditional Turkish dry fermented sausage), the use of sheep tail fat (beef fat-control, sheep tail fat and beef fat + sheep tail fat) and the ripening rate (slow or fast) on the microbiological, physicochemical and sensorial changes during the ripening of sucuk. L. plantarum GM77 as a monoculture or mixed culture with S. xylosus GM92 exhibited good growth during fermentation and following days of ripening. S. xylosus GM92 remained at the inoculation level of 106 CFU/g. L. plantarum GM77 as a monoculture inhibited the growth of spontaneous Micrococcus/Staphylococcus in both the slow and fast ripening conditions. In the presence of L. plantarum GM77, the pH value decreased under 5.0 after the first three days of fermentation. The fast ripening yielded a lower mean aw and TBARS values compared to the slow ripening. Regarding TBARS value, the lowest mean value was determined in the presence of L. plantarum GM77 + S. xylosus GM92. The use of sheep tail fat caused an increase in TBARS; the highest mean value was determined in sucuk prepared with only sheep tail fat. The groups with L. plantarum GM77 yielded a higher mean L* value, while the highest a* value was determined in the group with L. plantarum GM77 + S. xylosus GM92. In addition, fast ripening caused an increase in the a* value. The L*, a* and b* values were not affected by the use of sheep tail fat. L. plantarum GM77 + S. xylosus GM92 groups demonstrated the best results in terms of general acceptability in both slow and fast ripening.
Extraction, Rheological, and Physicochemical Properties of Water-Soluble Polysaccharides with Antioxidant Capacity from Penthorum chinense Pursh
Authors: Chen Yi , Song Li , Chen Pei , Liu Huiping , Zhang Xiaowei
Published: June 2023

This study aimed to isolate polysaccharides from Penthorum chinense Pursh and evaluate their rheological characteristics, physicochemical properties, and antioxidant activity. The optimal conditions for the maximal extraction yield of Penthorum chinense Pursh polysaccharides (4.05 ± 0.12%) were determined by employing a single-factor test and response surface methodology which included an extraction time of 3 h, a liquid–solid ratio of 20 mL/g, and three separate extraction times. The rheological experiments showcased that the P. chinense polysaccharides exhibited typical shear-thinning behavior, with their apparent viscosity being influenced by various parameters such as concentration, pH, temperature, salt content, and freeze–thaw. The purified polysaccharides (PCP-100), having an average molecular weight of 1.46 × 106 Da, mainly consisted of glucose (18.99%), arabinose (22.87%), galactose (26.72%), and galacturonic acid (21.89%). Furthermore, the PCP-100 exhibited high thermal stability and displayed an irregular sheet-like morphology. Its superior reducing power and free radical scavenging ability implied its significant antioxidant activity in vitro. Collectively, these findings provide important insights for the future application of P. chinense polysaccharides in the food industry.
Tracing Old Gestures: A Multiscale Analysis of Ground Stone Tools Developed on Sequential Lab-Controlled Replicative Experiments
Authors: Sorrentino Giusi , Longo Laura , Obada Theodor , Borghi Alessandro , Re Alessandro , Paggi Marco , Lo Giudice Alessandro
Published: June 2023

This article presents an analytical procedure developed to replicate, document, and analyse the formation and evolution of use-wear traces on task-specific ground stone tools. The purpose of this study is to build a reference collection for wear patterns that occurred during the processing of vegetal resources, specifically those compatible with the MIS 3 period. To create the collection, riverine slabs and pebbles were utilised and various aspects related to their use in the transformation of aerial and underground plant organs were explored. Moreover, the feasibility of using perishable supports, such as a wooden base, for processing tasks was examined. The experiments explored the transformation of pebble stone surfaces during repeated cycles of processing plant organs by monitoring and recording the features at fixed intervals. Several variables that affect the surface texture, morphology, distribution, and extent of use-wear traces are identified and discussed. The influential factors under control included the petrographic and morphological characteristics of the unused stones, the type and amount of transformed vegetables, and the duration of the process, as well as monitoring human factors. The documentation strategy applied at various stages of the experiment was found to be suitable for tracing the cumulative development of wear. The replicative collection was tailored to the morphological and petrographic characteristics of the ground stone tools retrieved from the level attributed to the Prut River culture of Brînzeni I, a cave site located in NW Moldova.
Thermal Requirements, Phenology, and Maturation of Juice Grape Cultivars Subjected to Different Pruning Types
Authors: Sánchez Camilo André Pereira Contreras , Callili Daniel , Carneiro Débora Cavalcante dos Santos , Silva Safira Pataro Sampaio da , Scudeletti Ana Carolina Barduzzi , Leonel Sarita , Tecchio Marco Antonio
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this study was to assess the impacts of pruning methods (short and mixed pruning) on the duration of phenological phases and thermal requirements of juice grape cultivars (‘Bordô’, ‘BRS Cora’, and ‘BRS Violeta’), as well as to confirm the development of chemistry throughout berry ripening. The duration of the following phenological phases was measured in days after pruning over two production cycles: budburst, full-bloom, setting, veraison, and ripening. Degree days were used to compute the thermal requirements. Soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, and maturation index were all measured as the berries ripened. There was no impact on the length of the phenological cycle or the thermal necessities of the vines due to the various types of pruning. In terms of cultivars, ‘BRS Violeta’ was found to be earlier than ‘Bordô’ and ‘BRS Cora’. In terms of chemical evolution, the berries achieved 16 °Brix at 21 and 28 days following the veraison, and the greatest values obtained were 17.0 (‘BRS Violeta’) and 18.4 °Brix (‘BRS Cora’). Furthermore, ‘BRS Cora’ produced more acidic berries. However, regardless of cultivar, the grapes were of high quality, making them a viable option for Brazilian subtropical viticulture.
Screening of Cork Oak for Resistance to Phytophthora cinnamomi and Micropropagation of Tolerant Seedlings
Authors: Martínez María Teresa , Cuenca Beatriz , Mosteiro Fátima , Piñeiro Pablo , Pérez Felipe , Solla Alejandro , Corredoira Elena
Published: June 2023

Massive propagation of cork oak (Quercus suber) individuals tolerant to Phytophthora cinnamomi (Pc) is probably the most important challenge for cork production. Screening for resistance to Pc of ca. 200 seedlings obtained from a single cork oak tree that has survived the epidemic was performed by soil infestation. Twenty months after Pc inoculation, 33 seedlings survived from Pc infection and the four most vigorous seedlings were selected. The plants were forced to produce new shoots under controlled climatic conditions, and the new shoots were used to establish the plants in vitro by axillary budding. High axillary shoot proliferation rates were achieved by culturing the new shoots on Lloyd and McCown (WPM) medium, followed by subculturing for 2 weeks on 0.22 µM benzyladenine (BA) and for 2 weeks further on 0.04 µM BA. Addition of 20 µM silver thiosulphate (STS) increased the proliferation rates and improved the appearance and development of shoots. Rooting rates of 80–100% were obtained by culturing the shoots for 24 or 48 h on Gresshoff and Doy medium with ⅓ macronutrients plus 122.5 µM indole-3-butyric acid and subsequent transfer to root expression medium containing 20 µM STS. The results of this study optimize the micropropagation of a relevant and recalcitrant tree species in forestry.
Natural Gas Pyrolysis in a Liquid Metal Bubble Column Reaction System—Part II: Pyrolysis Experiments and Discussion
Authors: Hofberger Christoph Michael , Dietrich Benjamin , Durán Vera Inés , Krumholz Ralf , Stoppel Leonid , Uhlenbruck Neele , Wetzel Thomas
Published: June 2023

This contribution presents the results of continued investigations on the production of hydrogen by means of pyrolysis in a liquid metal bubble column reactor, as developed at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in recent years. Part I of this contribution described the motivation and the methodology of this study, as well as a significant scale-up, and discussed its results for pure methane pyrolysis. Here in part II, two additional experimental campaigns with methane–ethane mixtures (MEMs) and high-calorific natural gas (nGH) will be presented and discussed for the first time, using the up-scaled liquid metal bubble column reactor. It could be proven that an MEM as the feed gas led to an increase in methane conversion at low temperatures, which is consistent with the literature data. The nGH pyrolysis confirms this trend and also results in a significant rise in methane conversion compared to pure methane pyrolysis. Furthermore, the nGH pyrolysis leads to an increased methane conversion even at higher temperatures compared to MEM pyrolysis. Additionally, both MEM and nGH pyrolysis also showed a shift in the formation of by-products toward lower temperatures.
Mechanical Mechanism of Ion and Water Molecular Transport through Angstrom-Scale Graphene Derivatives Channels: From Atomic Model to Solid-Liquid Interaction
Authors: Fan Lei
Published: June 2023

Ion and water transport at the Angstrom/Nano scale has always been one of the focuses of experimental and theoretical research. In particular, the surface properties of the angstrom channel and the solid-liquid interface interaction will play a decisive role in ion and water transport when the channel size is small to molecular or angstrom level. In this paper, the chemical structure and theoretical model of graphene oxide (GO) are reviewed. Moreover, the mechanical mechanism of water molecules and ions transport through the angstrom channel of GO are discussed, including the mechanism of intermolecular force at a solid/liquid/ion interface, the charge asymmetry effect and the dehydration effect. Angstrom channels, which are precisely constructed by two-dimensional (2D) materials such as GO, provide a new platform and idea for angstrom-scale transport. It provides an important reference for the understanding and cognition of fluid transport mechanism at angstrom-scale and its application in filtration, screening, seawater desalination, gas separation and so on.
Dysregulation of Immune Cell Subpopulations in Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
Authors: Chen I-Ru , Huang Chiu-Ching , Tu Siang-Jyun , Wang Guei-Jane , Lai Ping-Chin , Lee Ya-Ting , Yen Ju-Chen , Chang Ya-Sian , Chang Jan-Gowth
Published: June 2023

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare, life-threatening thrombotic microangiopathy. Definitive biomarkers for disease diagnosis and activity remain elusive, making the exploration of molecular markers paramount. We conducted single-cell sequencing on peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 13 aHUS patients, 3 unaffected family members of aHUS patients, and 4 healthy controls. We identified 32 distinct subpopulations encompassing 5 B-cell types, 16 T- and natural killer (NK) cell types, 7 monocyte types, and 4 other cell types. Notably, we observed a significant increase in intermediate monocytes in unstable aHUS patients. Subclustering analysis revealed seven elevated expression genes, including NEAT1, MT-ATP6, MT-CYB, VIM, ACTG1, RPL13, and KLRB1, in unstable aHUS patients, and four heightened expression genes, including RPS27, RPS4X, RPL23, and GZMH genes, in stable aHUS patients. Additionally, an increase in the expression of mitochondria-related genes suggested a potential influence of cell metabolism on the clinical progression of the disease. Pseudotime trajectory analysis revealed a unique immune cell differentiation pattern, while cell—cell interaction profiling highlighted distinctive signaling pathways among patients, family members, and controls. This single-cell sequencing study is the first to confirm immune cell dysregulation in aHUS pathogenesis, offering valuable insights into molecular mechanisms and potential new diagnostic and disease activity markers.
Joint QTL Mapping and Transcriptome Sequencing Analysis Reveal Candidate Seed-Shattering-Related Genes in Common Buckwheat
Authors: Chen Chuyi , Zhang Yuke , Liu Yang , Cui Jingbin , He Xingxing , Wu Yichao , Yue Linqing , Zhang Jian , Ding Mengqi , Yi Zelin , Fang Xiaomei
Published: June 2023

Common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum M.) is an important traditional miscellaneous grain crop. However, seed-shattering is a significant problem in common buckwheat. To investigate the genetic architecture and genetic regulation of seed-shattering in common buckwheat, we constructed a genetic linkage map using the F2 population of Gr (green-flower mutant and shattering resistance) and UD (white flower and susceptible to shattering), which included eight linkage groups with 174 loci, and detected seven QTLs of pedicel strength. RNA-seq analysis of pedicel in two parents revealed 214 differentially expressed genes DEGs that play roles in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, vitamin B6 metabolism, and flavonoid biosynthesis. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was performed and screened out 19 core hub genes. Untargeted GC-MS analysis detected 138 different metabolites and conjoint analysis screened out 11 DEGs, which were significantly associated with differential metabolites. Furthermore, we identified 43 genes in the QTLs, of which six genes had high expression levels in the pedicel of common buckwheat. Finally, 21 candidate genes were screened out based on the above analysis and gene function. Our results provided additional knowledge for the identification and functions of causal candidate genes responsible for the variation in seed-shattering and would be an invaluable resource for the genetic dissection of common buckwheat resistance-shattering molecular breeding.
Impact of Circulating Cell-Free DNA (cfDNA) as a Biomarker of the Development and Evolution of Periodontitis
Authors: Viglianisi Gaia , Santonocito Simona , Polizzi Alessandro , Troiano Giuseppe , Amato Mariacristina , Zhurakivska Khrystyna , Pesce Paolo , Isola Gaetano
Published: June 2023

In the last few decades, circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has been shown to have an important role in cell apoptosis or necrosis, including in the development and evolution of several tumors and inflammatory diseases in humans. In this regard, periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease that can induce the destruction of supporting components of the teeth, could represent a chronic inflammatory stimulus linked to a various range of systemic inflammatory diseases. Recently, a possible correlation between periodontal disease and cfDNA has been shown, representing new important diagnostic–therapeutic perspectives. During the development of periodontitis, cfDNA is released in biological fluids such as blood, saliva, urine and other body fluids and represents an important index of inflammation. Due to the possibility of withdrawing some of these liquids in a non-invasive way, cfDNA could be used as a possible biomarker for periodontal disease. In addition, discovering a proportional relationship between cfDNA levels and the severity of periodontitis, expressed through the disease extent, could open the prospect of using cfDNA as a possible therapeutic target. The aim of this article is to report what researchers have discovered in recent years about circulating cfDNA in the development, evolution and therapy of periodontitis. The analyzed literature review shows that cfDNA has considerable potential as a diagnostic, therapeutic biomarker and therapeutic target in periodontal disease; however, further studies are needed for cfDNA to be used in clinical practice.
Gut Microbial Sialidases and Their Role in the Metabolism of Human Milk Sialylated Glycans
Authors: Muñoz-Provencio Diego , Yebra María J.
Published: June 2023

Sialic acids (SAs) are α-keto-acid sugars with a nine-carbon backbone present at the non-reducing end of human milk oligosaccharides and the glycan moiety of glycoconjugates. SAs displayed on cell surfaces participate in the regulation of many physiologically important cellular and molecular processes, including signaling and adhesion. Additionally, sialyl-oligosaccharides from human milk act as prebiotics in the colon by promoting the settling and proliferation of specific bacteria with SA metabolism capabilities. Sialidases are glycosyl hydrolases that release α-2,3-, α-2,6- and α-2,8-glycosidic linkages of terminal SA residues from oligosaccharides, glycoproteins and glycolipids. The research on sialidases has been traditionally focused on pathogenic microorganisms, where these enzymes are considered virulence factors. There is now a growing interest in sialidases from commensal and probiotic bacteria and their potential transglycosylation activity for the production of functional mimics of human milk oligosaccharides to complement infant formulas. This review provides an overview of exo-alpha-sialidases of bacteria present in the human gastrointestinal tract and some insights into their biological role and biotechnological applications.
Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Potential of Echinops ritro L. Extracts on Induced Oxidative Stress In Vitro/In Vivo
Authors: Zheleva-Dimitrova Dimitrina , Simeonova Rumyana , Kondeva-Burdina Magdalena , Savov Yonko , Balabanova Vessela , Zengin Gokhan , Petrova Alexandra , Gevrenova Reneta
Published: June 2023

Echinops ritro L. (Asteraceae) is traditionally used in the treatment of bacterial/fungal infections and respiratory and heart ailments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of extracts from E. ritro leaves (ERLE) and flowering heads (ERFE) as antioxidant and hepatoprotective agents on diclofenac-induced lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress under in vitro and in vivo conditions. In isolated rat microsomes and hepatocytes, the extracts significantly alleviated oxidative stress by increasing cell viability and GSH levels and reducing LDH efflux and MDA production. During in vivo experiments, the administration of the ERFE alone or in combination with diclofenac resulted in a significant increase in cellular antioxidant protection and a decrease in lipid peroxidation witnessed by key markers and enzymes. A beneficial influence on the activity of the drug-metabolizing enzymes ethylmorphine-N-demetylase and aniline hydroxylase in liver tissue was found. In the acute toxicity test evaluation, the ERFE showed no toxicity. In the ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis, 95 secondary metabolites were reported for the first time, including acylquinic acids, flavonoids, and coumarins. Protocatechuic acid O-hexoside, quinic, chlorogenic and 3, 5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, apigenin; apigenin 7-O-glucoside, hyperoside, jaceosidene, and cirsiliol dominated the profiles. The results suggest that both extracts should be designed for functional applications with antioxidant and hepatoprotective capacity.
AI Chatbots: Threat or Opportunity?
Authors: Bryant Antony
Published: June 2023

In November 2022, OpenAI launched ChatGPT, an AI chatbot that gained over 100 million users by February 2023 [...]
White Box Watermarking for Convolution Layers in Fine-Tuning Model Using the Constant Weight Code
Authors: Kuribayashi Minoru , Yasui Tatsuya , Malik Asad
Published: June 2023

Deep neural network (DNN) watermarking is a potential approach for protecting the intellectual property rights of DNN models. Similar to classical watermarking techniques for multimedia content, the requirements for DNN watermarking include capacity, robustness, transparency, and other factors. Studies have focused on robustness against retraining and fine-tuning. However, less important neurons in the DNN model may be pruned. Moreover, although the encoding approach renders DNN watermarking robust against pruning attacks, the watermark is assumed to be embedded only into the fully connected layer in the fine-tuning model. In this study, we extended the method such that the model can be applied to any convolution layer of the DNN model and designed a watermark detector based on a statistical analysis of the extracted weight parameters to evaluate whether the model is watermarked. Using a nonfungible token mitigates the overwriting of the watermark and enables checking when the DNN model with the watermark was created.
Effect of Infill Pattern on Impact Toughness, Microstructure, and Surface Roughness of Inconel 625 Built via Filament-Based Material Extrusion Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Kiswanto Gandjar , Kholil Ahmad , Istiyanto Jos
Published: June 2023

Filament-based material extrusion additive manufacturing (FMEAM) is an additive manufacturing technique that uses 3D printing. Additive manufacturing could build parts with infill variations. Solid or triangular infill pattern could be selected as needed. The solid pattern will have the maximum material volume, while the triangular pattern will contain a triangular lattice structure that fills the voids in the volume so the material requirement is reduced. This is valuable in optimizing the requirements of metallic materials for mechanical properties without changing the surface shape. The alloy Inconel 625, which is very popular in the aerospace industry have been developed as a feed material of FMEAM. However, for developing rotating parts, such as turbine blades, impact toughness, surface roughness and microstructure need to be investigated. This research was conducted to determine the effect of the infill pattern on the impact toughness, morphology of surface fracture, microstructure of side surface and surface roughness with Inconel 625 material built using FMEAM. The Charpy impact test, s ASTM 23, with v-notch testing method and SEM with EDS were performed. The results showed that the impact toughness for solids was higher than the value for the triangular infill pattern. It was discovered that the cavities in the triangular lattice structure within the specimen reduced the impact toughness to 57.6%. Micropores and residual polymer trapped on the surface reduce impact toughness. However, the same surface shape on solid and triangular infill patterns with surface roughness of 2.44 and 10.03 µm is still feasible for manufacture.
Study on the Compressive Properties of an Elastomeric Porous Cylinder Using 360° Three-Dimensional Digital Image Correlation System
Authors: Sun Wei , Zhao Jie , Li Xin , Xu Zhongda , Chen Zhenning
Published: June 2023

To study the compressive properties of an elastomeric porous cylinder, a 360° 3D digital image correlation (DIC) system is proposed. This compact vibration isolation table system captures different segments of the object from four different angles and fields of view, enabling a comprehensive measurement of the full surface of the object. To increase the stitching quality, a coarse–fine coordinate matching method is presented. First, a three-dimensional rigid body calibration auxiliary block is employed to track motion trajectory, which enables preliminary matching of four 3D DIC sub-systems. Subsequently, scattered speckle information characteristics guide fine matching. The accuracy of the 360° 3D DIC system is verified through a three-dimensional shape measurement conducted on a cylindrical shell, and the maximum relative error of the shell’s diameter is 0.52%. A thorough investigation of the 3D compressive displacements and strains exerted on the full surface of an elastomeric porous cylinder are investigated. The results demonstrate the robustness of the proposed 360° measuring system on calculating images with voids and indicate a negative Poisson’s ratio of periodically cylindrical porous structures.
Physical and Thermal Characterizations of Newly Synthesized Liquid Crystals Based on Benzotrifluoride Moiety
Authors: Alamro Fowzia S. , Ahmed Hoda A. , El-Atawy Mohamed A. , Khushaim Muna S. , Bedowr Noha S. , AL-Faze Rawan , Al-Kadhi Nada S.
Published: June 2023

The mesomorphic stability and optical activity of new group-based benzotrifluoride liquid crystals, (E)-4-(((4-(trifluoromethyl) phenyl) imino) methyl) phenyl 4-(alkyloxy)benzoate, or In, were investigated. The end of the molecules connected to the benzotrifluoride moiety and the end of the phenylazo benzoate moiety have terminal alkoxy groups which can range in chain length from 6 to 12 carbons. The synthesized compounds’ molecular structures were verified using FT-IR, 1H NMR, mass spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Mesomorphic characteristics were verified using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and a polarized optical microscope (POM). All of the homologous series that have been developed display great thermal stability across a broad temperature range. Density functional theory (DFT) determined the examined compounds’ geometrical and thermal properties. The findings showed that every compound is entirely planar. Additionally, by using the DFT approach, it was possible to link the experimentally found values of the investigated compounds’ investigated compounds’ mesophase thermal stability, mesophase temperature ranges, and mesophase type to the predicted quantum chemical parameters.
Recent Progress in Gd-Containing Materials for Neutron Shielding Applications: A Review
Authors: Wang Kangbao , Ma Litao , Yang Chen , Bian Zeyu , Zhang Dongdong , Cui Shuai , Wang Mingliang , Chen Zhe , Li Xianfeng
Published: June 2023

With the rising demand for nuclear energy, the storage/transportation of radioactive nuclear by-products are critical safety issues for humans and the environment. These by-products are closely related to various nuclear radiations. In particular, neutron radiation requires specific protection by neutron shielding materials due to its high penetrating ability to cause irradiation damage. Herein, a basic overview of neutron shielding is presented. Since gadolinium (Gd) has the largest thermal neutron capture cross-section among various neutron absorbing elements, it is an ideal neutron absorber for shielding applications. In the last two decades, there have been many newly developed Gd-containing (i.e., inorganic nonmetallic-based, polymer-based, and metallic-based) shielding materials developed to attenuate and absorb the incident neutrons. On this basis, we present a comprehensive review of the design, processing methods, microstructure characteristics, mechanical properties, and neutron shielding performance of these materials in each category. Furthermore, current challenges for the development and application of shielding materials are discussed. Finally, the potential research directions are highlighted in this rapidly developing field.
Modulus of Elasticity and Flexural Behavior of Glulam Beams Reinforced with Steel Mesh in Different Mesh Openings
Authors: Ulaşan Hilal , Bajraktari Agron , Döngel Nihat , Imirzi Hasan Özgür , Söğütlü Cevdet
Published: June 2023

In this study, the modulus of elasticity and flexural strength properties of laminated wood elements reinforced with steel mesh with different mesh openings were determined. In accordance with the purpose of the study, three- and five-layer laminated elements were produced from scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) wood material, which is widely used in the wood construction industry in Türkiye. The 50, 70, and 90 mesh steel used as the support layer was placed between each lamella and pressed with polyvinylacetate (PVAc-D4) and polyurethane (PUR-D4) adhesives. Afterward, the prepared test samples were kept for 3 weeks at 20 °C temperature and 65 ± 5% relative humidity for 3 weeks. The flexural strength and modulus of elasticity in flexural of the prepared test samples were determined according to the TS EN 408: 2010+A1 standard by the Zwick universal tester. Multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA) was carried out using MSTAT-C 1.2 software to determine the effect of the modulus of elasticity and flexural strength on the obtained flexural properties, the mesh opening of the support layer, and the adhesive type. When the differences within or between groups were significant with a margin of error of 0.05, achievement rankings were made using the Duncan test on the basis of the least significant difference. According to the results of the research, the highest bending strength (120.3 N/mm2) was obtained in three-layer samples reinforced with 50 mesh steel wire and bonded with Pol-D4 glue, and the highest modulus of elasticity (8969.3 N/mm2) was obtained in three-layer samples reinforced with 50 mesh steel wire and bonded with Pol-D4 glue. As a result, the reinforcement of the laminated wood material with steel wire had an increasing effect on the strength. Accordingly, the use of 50 mesh steel wire can be recommended to increase mechanical properties.
Localized Corrosion of Stainless Steel Triggered by Typical Inclusions in NaCl Solution: Oxy-Sulfide and MnS
Authors: Li Dan , Zhi Hui , Lai Zhaogui , Jin Ying
Published: June 2023

The localized corrosion behavior of stainless steel (SS) induced by typical inclusion such as MnS and oxy-sulfide in NaCl solution was investigated by immersion tests and microelectrochemical tests. Oxy-sulfide consists of an internal polygonal oxide part and an external sulfide part. The surface Volta potential of the sulfide part is always lower than that of the surrounding matrix, as in the case of individual MnS, while the potential of the oxide part is indistinguishable from that of the surrounding matrix. Sulfides are soluble, while oxides are almost insoluble. Oxy-sulfide exhibits a complex electrochemical behavior in the passive region, which can be attributed to its complex composition and multi-interface coupling effects. It was found that both MnS and oxy-sulfide increase the susceptibility of the local area to pitting corrosion.
Study on Preparation and Performance of Foamed Lightweight Soil Grouting Material for Goaf Treatment
Authors: Zhao Zhizhong , Chen Jie , Zhang Yangpeng , Jiang Tinghui , Wang Wensheng
Published: June 2023

The harm goafs and other underground cavities cause to roads, which could lead to secondary geological hazards, has attracted increased attention. This study focuses on developing and evaluating the effectiveness of foamed lightweight soil grouting material for goaf treatment. The study examines the foam stability of different foaming agent dilution ratios by analyzing foam density, foaming ratio, settlement distance, and bleeding volume. The results show that there is no significant variation in foam settlement distance for different dilution ratios, and the difference in foaming ratio does not exceed 0.4 times. However, the bleeding volume is positively correlated with the dilution ratio of the foaming agent. At a dilution ratio of 60×, the bleeding volume is about 1.5 times greater than that at 40×, which reduces foam stability. Furthermore, an appropriate amount of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate improves both the foaming ability of the foaming agent and the stability of the foam. Additionally, this study investigates how the water–solid ratio affects the basic physical properties, water absorption, and stability of foamed lightweight soil. Foamed lightweight soil with target volumetric weights of 6.0 kN/m3 and 7.0 kN/m3 meet the flow value requirement of 170~190 mm when the water–solid ratio ranges are set at 1:1.6~1:1.9 and 1:1.9~1:2.0, respectively. With an increasing proportion of solids in the water–solid ratio, the unconfined compressive strength initially increases and then decreases after 7 and 28 days, reaching its maximum value when the water–solid ratio is between 1:1.7 and 1:1.8. The values of unconfined compressive strength at 28 days are approximately 1.5–2 times higher than those at 7 days. When the water ratio is excessively high, the water absorption rate of foamed lightweight soil increases, resulting in the formation of connected pores inside the material. Therefore, the water–solid ratio should not be set at 1:1.6. During the dry–wet cycle test, the unconfined compressive strength of foamed lightweight soil decreases, but the rate of strength loss is relatively low. The prepared foamed lightweight soil meets the durability requirements during dry–wet cycles. The outcomes of this study may aid the development of enhanced approaches for goaf treatment using foamed lightweight soil grout material.
Optimal Coordinated Control of Active Front Steering and Direct Yaw Moment for Distributed Drive Electric Bus
Authors: Lin Jiming , Zou Teng , Su Liang , Zhang Feng , Zhang Yong
Published: June 2023

This paper suggests a hierarchical coordination control strategy to enhance the stability of distributed drive electric bus. First, an observer based on sliding mode observer (SMO) and adaptive neural fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) was designed to estimate the vehicle state parameters. Then the upper layer of the strategy primarily focuses on coordinating active front steering (AFS) and direct yaw moment control (DYC). The phase plane method is utilized in this layer to provide an assessment basis for the switching control safety of AFS and DYC. The lower layer of the strategy designs an integral terminal sliding mode controller (ITSMC) and a non-singular fast terminal sliding mode controller (NFTSMC) to obtain the optimal additional front wheel steering angle to improve handling performance. A fuzzy sliding mode controller (FSMC) is also proposed to obtain additional yaw moment to ameliorate yaw stability. Finally, the strategy proposed in this paper is subjected to simulation testing and compared with the performance of AFS and DYC systems. The proposed strategy is also evaluated for tracking errors in sideslip angle and yaw rate under two conditions. The results demonstrate that the proposed strategy can effectively adapt to various extreme environments and improve the maneuvering and yaw stability of the bus.
Magneto-Structural Analysis of Hydroxido-Bridged CuII2 Complexes: Density Functional Theory and Other Treatments
Authors: Goswami Debpriyo , Patra Shanti Gopal , Ray Debashis
Published: June 2023

A selection of dimeric Cu(II) complexes with bidentate N,N′ ligands with the general formula [Cu(L)(X)(μ-OH)]2·nH2O and [Cu(L)(μ-OH)]2X2·nH2O were magneto-structurally analyzed using the Density Functional Theory (DFT). A Broken Symmetry-Density Functional Theory (BS-DFT) study was undertaken for these complexes with relevant decomposition schemes that gave insight into the effect of the nature of the ligand and coordination environment on the DFT-predicted coupling constants (J). The impact of the spin population, which correlates well with the Cu-O-Cu bridging angles and the calculated coupling constant (J) values, was studied. The models were further refined using a complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) while expanding the active space from 2 orbitals 2 electrons (2,2) to 10 orbitals 18 electrons (18,10). These models were approximated using multireference methods (n-electron valence state perturbation theory and difference dedicated configuration interaction), and a better approximation of J values was found as expected. Orbitals involved in the superexchange pathway were also visualized.
Drug-Drug Interaction Extraction from Biomedical Text Using Relation BioBERT with BLSTM
Authors: KafiKang Maryam , Hendawi Abdeltawab
Published: June 2023

In the context of pharmaceuticals, drug-drug interactions (DDIs) occur when two or more drugs interact, potentially altering the intended effects of the drugs and resulting in adverse patient health outcomes. Therefore, it is essential to identify and comprehend these interactions. In recent years, an increasing number of novel compounds have been discovered, resulting in the discovery of numerous new DDIs. There is a need for effective methods to extract and analyze DDIs, as the majority of this information is still predominantly located in biomedical articles and sources. Despite the development of various techniques, accurately predicting DDIs remains a significant challenge. This paper proposes a novel solution to this problem by leveraging the power of Relation BioBERT (R-BioBERT) to detect and classify DDIs and the Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BLSTM) to improve the accuracy of predictions. In addition to determining whether two drugs interact, the proposed method also identifies the specific types of interactions between them. Results show that the use of BLSTM leads to significantly higher F-scores compared to our baseline model, as demonstrated on three well-known DDI extraction datasets that includes SemEval 2013, TAC 2018, and TAC 2019.
Finite Element Analysis of Microwave Tumor Ablation Based on Open-Source Software Components
Authors: Bošković Nikola , Radmilović-Radjenović Marija , Radjenović Branislav
Published: June 2023

Microwave ablation is a procedure for treating various types of cancers during which a small needle-like probe is inserted inside the tumor, which delivers microwave energy, causes tissue heating, and effectively produces necrosis of the tumor tissue. Mathematical models of microwave ablation involve the modeling of multiple physical phenomena that occur during the procedure, including electromagnetic wave propagation, heat transfer, and tissue damage. In this study, a complete model of a microwave ablation procedure based on open-source software components is presented. First, the comprehensive procedure of mesh creation for the complete geometric arrangement of the microwave ablation, including a multi-slot coaxial antenna, a real liver tumor taken from the database, and the surrounding liver tissue, is described. It is demonstrated that utilizing smart meshing procedures significantly reduces the usage of computational resources and simulation time. An accurate custom explicit Euler time loop was designed to obtain temperature values and estimate tissue necrosis across the computational domain during the time of microwave ablation. The simulation results obtained by solving the electromagnetic field using the finite element method in the frequency domain are presented and analyzed. The simulation was performed for a microwave frequency of 2.45 GHz, and the volumetric distribution of temperature and estimation of cell damage over 600 s are presented.
Digital Triplet: A Sequential Methodology for Digital Twin Learning
Authors: Zhang Xueru , Lin Dennis K. J. , Wang Lin
Published: June 2023

A digital twin is a simulator of a physical system, which is built upon a series of models and computer programs with real-time data (from sensors or devices). Digital twins are used in various industries, such as manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation, to understand complex physical systems and make informed decisions. However, predictions and optimizations with digital twins can be time-consuming due to the high computational requirements and complexity of the underlying computer programs. This poses significant challenges in making well-informed and timely decisions using digital twins. This paper proposes a novel methodology, called the “digital triplet”, to facilitate real-time prediction and decision-making. A digital triplet is an efficient representation of a digital twin, constructed using statistical models and effective experimental designs. It offers two noteworthy advantages. Firstly, by leveraging modern statistical models, a digital triplet can effectively capture and represent the complexities of a digital twin, resulting in accurate predictions and reliable decision-making. Secondly, a digital triplet adopts a sequential design and modeling approach, allowing real-time updates in conjunction with its corresponding digital twin. We conduct comprehensive simulation studies to explore the application of various statistical models and designs in constructing a digital triplet. It is shown that Gaussian process regression coupled with sequential MaxPro designs exhibits superior performance compared to other modeling and design techniques in accurately constructing the digital triplet.
Guaranteed Pursuit and Evasion Times in a Differential Game for an Infinite System in Hilbert Space l2
Authors: Ibragimov Gafurjan , Qushaqov Xolmurodjon , Muxammadjonov Akbarjon , Pansera Bruno Antonio
Published: June 2023

The present paper is devoted to studying a pursuit differential game described by an infinite system of binary differential equations in Hilbert space l2. The control parameters of the players are subject to geometric constraints. The pursuer tries to bring the state of the system to the origin of the Hilbert space l2, and oppositely, the evader tries to avoid it. Our aim is to construct a strategy for the pursuer to complete a differential game and an evasion control. We obtain an equation for the guaranteed pursuit and evasion times.
Convexity-Preserving Rational Cubic Zipper Fractal Interpolation Curves and Surfaces
Authors: Vijay  , Chand Arya Kumar Bedabrata
Published: June 2023

A class of zipper fractal functions is more versatile than corresponding classes of traditional and fractal interpolants due to a binary vector called a signature. A zipper fractal function constructed through a zipper iterated function system (IFS) allows one to use negative and positive horizontal scalings. In contrast, a fractal function constructed with an IFS uses positive horizontal scalings only. This article introduces some novel classes of continuously differentiable convexity-preserving zipper fractal interpolation curves and surfaces. First, we construct zipper fractal interpolation curves for the given univariate Hermite interpolation data. Then, we generate zipper fractal interpolation surfaces over a rectangular grid without using any additional knots. These surface interpolants converge uniformly to a continuously differentiable bivariate data-generating function. For a given Hermite bivariate dataset and a fixed choice of scaling and shape parameters, one can obtain a wide variety of zipper fractal surfaces by varying signature vectors in both the x direction and y direction. Some numerical illustrations are given to verify the theoretical convexity results.
Added Value of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography for Detecting Hepatocellular Carcinomas and Feeding Arteries during Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization Focusing on Radiation Exposure
Authors: Kim Duk-Ju , Chul-Nam In , Park Sung-Eun , Kim Doo-Ri , Lee Jeong-Sub , Kim Bong-Soo , Choi Guk-Myung , Kim JeongJae , Won Jung-Ho
Published: June 2023

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the added value of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) for detecting hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) and feeding arteries during transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). Material and methods: Seventy-six patients underwent TACE and CBCT. We subcategorized patients into groups I (61 patients: possible superselection of tumor/feeding arteries) and II (15 patients: limited superselection of tumor/feeding arteries). We evaluated fluoroscopy time and radiation dose during TACE. Two blinded radiologists independently performed an interval reading based on digital subtraction angiography (DSA) imaging only and DSA combined with CBCT in group I. Result: The mean total fluoroscopy time was 1456.3 ± 605.6 s. The mean dose–area product (DAP), mean DAP of CBCT, and mean ratio of DAP of CBCT to total DAP was 137.1 ± 69.2 Gy cm2, 18.3 ± 7.1 Gy cm2, and 13.3%, respectively. The sensitivity for detecting HCC increased after the additional CBCT reading, from 69.6% to 97.3% and 69.6% to 96.4% for readers 1 and 2, respectively. The sensitivity for detecting feeding arteries increased from 60.3% to 96.6% and 63.8% to 97.4% for readers 1 and 2, respectively. Conclusions: CBCT can increase sensitivity for detecting HCCs and feeding arteries without significantly increasing the radiation exposure.
Endoscopic Sphenopalatine Artery Cauterization in the Management of Recurrent Posterior Epistaxis
Authors: Pop Sever Septimiu , Tiple Cristina , Stamate Mirela Cristina , Chirila Magdalena
Published: June 2023

Background and Objectives: Endoscopic sphenopalatine artery cauterization (ESPAC) has become a reliable and effective surgical procedure for managing posterior epistaxis. The objectives of our study were to evaluate the effectiveness of ESPAC in the management of posterior epistaxis and the possible factors that lead to the failure of the procedure. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent ESPAC between 2018 and 2022. We retrospectively reviewed the demographic data, patients’ co-morbidities, medical treatment conditions, whether other surgical procedures were performed in addition to the ESPAC, and the success rate of ESPAC. Results: 28 patients were included in our study. After ESPAC, epistaxis was successfully managed in 25 patients (89.28%). Of all patients undergoing ESPAC, three (10.7%) presented re-bleeding. In two patients, we performed an endoscopic revision surgery with re-cauterization of the sphenopalatine foramen area, together with anterior and posterior ethmoidectomy, followed by fat occlusion/obliteration of these sinuses. In one patient, fat obliteration of the anterior and posterior ethmoid was also unsuccessful, and we performed an external carotid artery ligation at the level of the neck with no recurrence afterwards. Conclusions: Endoscopic cauterization of the sphenopalatine artery remains a safe, effective, and reliable surgical procedure in the management of recurrent posterior epistaxis. The use of anticoagulant drugs and the association of hypertension and other heart and liver diseases do not materialize as factors influencing surgical failure.