bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Interleukin-17 in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: From Pathogenesis to Treatment
Authors: Paroli Marino , Spadea Luca , Caccavale Rosalba , Spadea Leopoldo , Paroli Maria , Nante Nicola
Published: October 2022

Background and Objectives: Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is a cytokine family consisting of six members and five specific receptors. IL-17A was the first member to be identified in 1993. Since then, several studies have elucidated that IL-17 has predominantly pro-inflammatory activity and that its production is involved in both the defense against pathogens and the genesis of autoimmune processes. Materials and Methods: In this review, we provide an overview of the role of interleukin-17 in the pathogenesis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and its relationship with IL-23, the so-called IL-23–IL-17 axis, by reporting updated findings from the scientific literature. Results: Strong evidence supports the role of interleukin-17A in the pathogenesis of JIA after the deregulated production of this interleukin by both T helper 17 (Th17) cells and cells of innate immunity. The blocking of IL-17A was found to improve the course of JIA, leading to the approval of the use of the human anti-IL17A monoclonal antibody secukinumab in the treatment of the JIA subtypes juvenile psoriatic arthritis (JPsA) and enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA). Conclusions: IL-17A plays a central role in the pathogenesis of JIA. Blocking its production with specific biologic drugs enables the effective treatment of this disabling childhood rheumatic disease.
Ultrasound Enthesitis in Psoriasis Patients with or without Psoriatic Arthritis, a Cross-Sectional Analysis
Authors: Agache Mihaela , Popescu Claudiu C. , Popa Liliana , Codreanu Cătălin
Published: October 2022

Background and objectives: The main objective of the current study was to describe the prevalence of enthesitis at different sites in a group of patients with psoriasis with or without psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Materials and Methods: The study included adult patients with psoriasis who underwent clinical examination, laboratory tests and ultrasound examination of the entheses. The enthesitis ultrasound scores (BUSES, MASEI, GUESS) were evaluated; the presence of OMERACT-defined enthesitis was also recorded for each scan site. Results: The study included 16 (57.1%) patients with PsA and 12 (42.9%) patients with psoriasis, with an increased average body mass index (29.3 kg/m2). Compared to psoriasis patients, PsA patients had a higher prevalence of nail psoriasis (68.8% compared to 33.3%; p = 0.063). There were no significant differences regarding the clinical examination of entheses between patients with psoriasis and patients with PsA (p = 0.459). Ultrasound scores, BUSES, GUESS and MASEI proved to have statistically significant higher median values in PsA patients compared to psoriasis patients. Compared to psoriasis patients, PsA patients had a significantly higher prevalence of OMERACT-defined enthesitis of the quadriceps tendon and inferior patellar ligament (both 81.3% compared to 25.0%, p = 0.003). Clinical examination of the lateral epicondyle and of the superior patellar ligament was consistent with their ultrasound examination (κ = 0.357, p = 0.043, respectively, κ = 0.404, p = 0.008). Conclusions: Clinical enthesitis scores do not differ between psoriasis and PsA patients. All analyzed ultrasound scores are significantly higher in patients with PsA. OMERACT-defined enthesitis has the ability to discriminate sonographic enthesitis between the two subgroups for bilateral quadriceps and inferior patellar tendon enthesitis. Bilateral ultrasound damage of entheses can suggest a PsA diagnosis.
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in NAFLD Treatment
Authors: Abenavoli Ludovico , Maurizi Valentina , Rinninella Emanuele , Tack Jan , Di Berardino Arianna , Santori Pierangelo , Rasetti Carlo , Procopio Anna Caterina , Boccuto Luigi , Scarpellini Emidio
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Gut microbiota is not only a taxonomic biologic ecosystem but is also involved in human intestinal and extra-intestinal functions such as immune system modulation, nutrient absorption and digestion, as well as metabolism regulation. The latter is strictly linked to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) pathophysiology. Materials and methods: We reviewed the literature on the definition of gut microbiota, the concepts of “dysbiosis” and “eubiosis”, their role in NAFLD pathogenesis, and the data on fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in these patients. We consulted the main medical databases using the following keywords, acronyms, and their associations: gut microbiota, eubiosis, dysbiosis, bile acids, NAFLD, and FMT. Results: Gut microbiota qualitative and quantitative composition is different in healthy subjects vs. NALFD patients. This dysbiosis is associated with and involved in NAFLD pathogenesis and evolution to non-acoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In detail, microbial-driven metabolism of bile acids (BAs) and interaction with hepatic and intestinal farnesoid nuclear X receptor (FXR) have shown a determinant role in liver fat deposition and the development of fibrosis. Over the use of pre- or probiotics, FMT has shown preclinical and initial clinical promising results in NAFLD treatment through re-modulation of microbial dysbiosis. Conclusions: Promising clinical data support a larger investigation of gut microbiota dysbiosis reversion through FMT in NAFLD using randomized clinical trials to design precision-medicine treatments for these patients at different disease stages.
The Prevalence of Sarcopenia among Hunan Province Community-Dwelling Adults Aged 60 Years and Older and Its Relationship with Lifestyle: Diagnostic Criteria from the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 Update
Authors: Zhong Jing , Xie Wenqing , Wang Xiaoqin , Dong Xin , Mo Yihan , Liu Dan , Yao Xuemei , Liu Beibei , Deng Wenyu , Su Yidong , Li Yusheng , Wang Xiuhua
Published: October 2022

Background and Objectives: This study aims to detect the prevalence of sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults in Hunan Province, discuss factors related to lifestyle, and provide a reliable basis for the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia. Materials and Methods: In this study, a total of 1040 community-dwelling adults ≥ 60 years were examined for sarcopenia using a cluster stratified random sampling method, which was defined using the diagnostic criteria recommended by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) from September 2019 to March 2020. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to determine the correlation between sarcopenia and smoking, drinking, nutritional status, physical activity, and sleep quality. Results: A total of 27.1% of the older adults were diagnosed with sarcopenia, with rates of 26.2% in men and 25.2% in women. Multiple logistic regression showed that advanced age (OR = 2.480, 95% CI: 1.730, 3.553), the risk of malnutrition (OR = 2.085, 95% CI: 1.440, 3.019), and malnutrition (OR = 1.212, 95% CI: 0.304, 4.834) were risk factors for sarcopenia. No falls in the previous year (OR = 0.616, 95% CI: 1.885, 1.209), normal weight (OR = 0.228, 95% CI: 0.109, 0.475), overweight (OR = 0.030, 95% CI: 0.013, 0.069), moderate physical activity (OR = 0.593, 95% CI: 0.377, 0.933), or high physical activity (OR = 0.417, 95% CI: 0.230, 0.755) were identified as protective factors for sarcopenia. Conclusions: The prevalence of sarcopenia was high among older adults in the community in Hunan Province. In addition, we found that lifestyle is an important factor in sarcopenia.
17β-estradiol Enhances 5-Fluorouracil Anti-Cancer Activities in Colon Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Mahbub Amani A.
Published: October 2022

Background: 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) represents one of the major constituents of chemotherapy combination regimens in colon cancer (CRC) treatments; however, this regimen is linked with severe adverse effects and chemoresistance. Thus, developing more efficient approaches for CRC is urgently needed to overcome these problems and improve the patient survival rate. Currently, 17β-estradiol (E2) has gained greater attention in colon carcinogenesis, significantly lowering the incidence of CRC in females at reproductive age compared with age-matched males. Aims: This study measured the effects of E2 and/or 5-FU single/dual therapies on cell cycle progression and apoptosis against human HT-29 female and SW480 male primary CRC cells versus their impact on SW620 male metastatic CRC cells. Methods: The HT-29, SW480, and SW620 cells were treated with IC50 of E2 (10 nM) and 5-FU (50 μM), alone or combined (E+F), for 48 h before cell cycle and apoptosis analyses using flow cytometry. Results: The data here showed that E2 monotherapy has great potential to arrest the cell cycle and induce apoptosis in all the investigated colon cancer cells, with the most remarkable effects on metastatic cells (SW620). Most importantly, the dual therapy (E+F) has exerted anti-cancer activities in female (HT-29) and male (SW480) primary CRC cells by inducing apoptosis, which was preferentially provoked in the sub-G1 phase. However, the dual treatment showed the smallest effect in SW620 metastatic cells. Conclusion: this is the first study that demonstrated that the anti-cancer actions of 17β-estradiol and 5-Fluorouracil dual therapy were superior to the monotherapies in female and male primary CRC cells; it is proposed that this treatment strategy could be promising for the early stages of CRC. At the same time, 17β-estradiol monotherapy could be a better approach for treating the metastatic forms of the disease. Nevertheless, additional investigations are still required to determine their precise therapeutic values in CRC.
Modelling of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells with Sinusoidal Approach
Authors: González-Castaño Catalina , Aalaila Yahya , Restrepo Carlos , Revelo-Fuelagán Javier , Peluffo-Ordóñez Diego Hernán
Published: October 2022

This paper validates a sinusoidal approach for the proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) model as a supplement to experimental studies. An FC simulation or hardware emulation is necessary for prototype design, testing, and fault diagnosis to reduce the overall cost. For this objective, a sinusoidal model that is capable of accurately estimating the voltage behavior from the operating current value of the DC was developed. The model was tested using experimental data from the Ballard Nexa 1.2 kW fuel cell (FC). This methodology offers a promising approach for static and current-voltage, characteristic of the three regions of operation. A study was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed FC Sinusoidal model compared with the Diffusive Global model and the Evolution Strategy.
Effect of Polystyrene Synthesis Method on Water Sorption and Glass Transition
Authors: Hallinan Daniel T. , Minelli Matteo , Oparaji Onyekachi , Sardano Andrea , Iyiola Oluwagbenga , Garcia Armando R. , Burnett Daniel J.
Published: October 2022

Commodity PS is synthesized via free radical polymerization, whereas PS in block copolymers (BCPs) is typically synthesized via living anionic polymerization. The purpose of this work is to investigate how the synthesis method impacts important properties such as water sorption and glass transition temperature (Tg). Water sorption is important because the performance of nanostructured polymer membranes in various applications is known to be affected by environmental conditions such as humidity. Tg is important because it dictates processing conditions, both for commodity PS as well as BCPs such as thermoplastic elastomers. Water sorption in commercial PS was found to be 0.5 mgwater/gpolymer at the highest humidities investigated (about 80%), in agreement with literature. On the other hand, syndiotactic PS synthesized anionically at low temperature absorbed more water, up to 1.5 mgwater/gpolymer, due to higher free volume. The greatest impact on water sorption was due to addition of hydrophilic hydroxyl chain ends to atactic PS, which resulted in water sorption of up to 2.3 mgwater/gpolymer. In addition to measuring water sorption and dry Tg separately, the impact of relative humidity on PS Tg was examined. Combined differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis show that on going from the dry state to high humidity, the Tg of PS decreases by 5 °C. Moreover, the tensile storage modulus of PS decreases from 1.58 GPa at 0% RH to 0.53 GPa at 40% RH. In addition to the practical relevance of this study, this report fills a gap in experimental literature by using a poor solvent system, PS/water, to examine plasticization in the pure polymer limit.
Etching and Doping of Pores in Polyethylene Terephthalate Analyzed by Ion Transmission Spectroscopy and Nuclear Depth Profiling
Authors: Ceccio Giovanni , Vacik Jiri , Siegel Jakub , Cannavó Antonino , Choukourov Andrey , Pleskunov Pavel , Tosca Marco , Fink Dietmar
Published: October 2022

This work is devoted to the study of controlled preparation and filling of pores in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) membranes. A standard wet chemical etching with different protocols (isothermal and isochronous etching for different times and temperatures and etching from one or both sides of the films) was used to prepare the micrometric pores. The pores were filled with either a LiCl solution or boron deposited by magnetron sputtering. Subsequent control of the pore shape and dopant filling was performed using the nuclear methods of ion transmission spectroscopy (ITS) and neutron depth profiling (NDP). It turned out that wet chemical etching, monitored and quantified by ITS, was shown to enable the preparation of the desired simple pore geometry. Furthermore, the effect of dopant filling on the pore shape could be well observed and analyzed by ITS and, for relevant light elements, by NDP, which can determine their depth (and spatial) distribution. In addition, both non-destructive methods were proven to be suitable and effective tools for studying the preparation and filling of pores in thin films. Thus, they can be considered promising for research into nanostructure technologies of thin porous membranes.
One-Step Synthesis of Ultrathin Zeolitic Imidazole Framework-8 (ZIF-8) Membrane on Unmodified Porous Support via Electrophoretic Deposition
Authors: Ji Yufan , Song Yuyang , Huang Yiping , Zhu Hao , Yue Changhai , Liu Fujian , Zhao Jing
Published: October 2022

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are regarded as the next-generation, disruptive membrane materials, yet the straightforward fabrication of ultrathin MOF membranes on an unmodified porous support remains a critical challenge. In this work, we proposed a facile, one-step electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method for the growth of ultrathin zeolitic imidazole framework-8 (ZIF-8) membranes on a bare porous support. The crystallinity, morphology and coverage of ZIF-8 particles on support surface can be optimized via regulating EPD parameters, yet it is still difficult to ensure the integrity of a ZIF-8 membrane with the constant voltage mode. In contrast, the constant current mode is more beneficial to the growth of a defect-free ZIF-8 membrane due to the steady migration rate of colloid particles toward the electrode. With a current of 0.65 mA/cm2 and deposition time of 60 min, a 300 nm thick ZIF-8 membrane was obtained, which exhibits a CO2 permeance of 334 GPU and a CO2/CH4 separation factor of 8.8, evidencing the defect-free structure.
Impact of Membrane Modification and Surface Immobilization Techniques on the Hemocompatibility of Hemodialysis Membranes: A Critical Review
Authors: Nazari Simin , Abdelrasoul Amira
Published: October 2022

Despite significant research efforts, hemodialysis patients have poor survival rates and low quality of life. Ultrafiltration (UF) membranes are the core of hemodialysis treatment, acting as a barrier for metabolic waste removal and supplying vital nutrients. So, developing a durable and suitable membrane that may be employed for therapeutic purposes is crucial. Surface modificationis a useful solution to boostmembrane characteristics like roughness, charge neutrality, wettability, hemocompatibility, and functionality, which are important in dialysis efficiency. The modification techniques can be classified as follows: (i) physical modification techniques (thermal treatment, polishing and grinding, blending, and coating), (ii) chemical modification (chemical methods, ozone treatment, ultraviolet-induced grafting, plasma treatment, high energy radiation, and enzymatic treatment); and (iii) combination methods (physicochemical). Despite the fact that each strategy has its own set of benefits and drawbacks, all of these methods yielded noteworthy outcomes, even if quantifying the enhanced performance is difficult. A hemodialysis membrane with outstanding hydrophilicity and hemocompatibility can be achieved by employing the right surface modification and immobilization technique. Modified membranes pave the way for more advancement in hemodialysis membrane hemocompatibility. Therefore, this critical review focused on the impact of the modification method used on the hemocompatibility of dialysis membranes while covering some possible modifications and basic research beyond clinical applications.
Efficient Anion-Exchange Membranes with Anti-Scaling Properties Obtained by Surface Modification of Commercial Membranes Using a Polyquaternium-22
Authors: Butylskii Dmitrii Y. , Troitskiy Vasiliy A. , Ponomar Maria A. , Moroz Ilya A. , Sabbatovskiy Konstantin G. , Sharafan Mikhail V.
Published: October 2022

Anion-exchange membranes modified with a polyquaternium-22 (PQ-22) polymer were studied for their use in electrodialysis. The use of PQ-22 for modification makes it possible to “replace” weakly basic amino groups on the membrane surface with quaternary amino groups. It was found that the content of quaternary amino groups in PQ-22 is higher than the content of carboxyl groups, which is the reason for the effectiveness of this polymer even when modifying Ralex AHM-PES membranes that initially contain only quaternary amino groups. In the case of membranes containing weakly basic amino groups, the PQ-22 polymer modification efficiency is even higher. The surface charge of the modified MA-41P membrane increased, while the limiting current density on the current-voltage curves increased by more than 1.5 times and the plateau length decreased by 2.5 times. These and other characteristics indicate that the rate of water splitting decreased and the electroconvective mixing at the membrane surface intensified, which was confirmed by direct visualization of vortex structures. Increasing the surface charge of the commercial MA-41P anion-exchange membrane, reducing the rate of water splitting, and enhancing electroconvection leads to mitigated scaling on its surface during electrodialysis.
Development of Ultrafiltration Kaolin Membranes over Sand and Zeolite Supports for the Treatment of Electroplating Wastewater
Authors: Aloulou Hajer , Aloulou Wala , Duplay Joelle , Baklouti Lassaad , Dammak Lasâad , Ben Amar Raja
Published: October 2022

A high cost of high-purity materials is one of the major factors that limit the application of ceramic membranes. Consequently, the focus was shifted to using natural and abundant low-cost materials such as zeolite, clay, sand, etc. as alternatives to well-known pure metallic oxides, such as alumina, silica, zirconia and titania, which are usually used for ceramic membrane fabrication. As a contribution to this area, the development and characterization of new low-cost ultrafiltration (UF) membranes made from natural Tunisian kaolin are presented in this work. The asymmetric ceramic membranes were developed via layer-by-layer and slip-casting methods by direct coating on tubular supports previously prepared from sand and zeolite via the extrusion process. Referring to the results, it was found that the UF kaolin top layer is homogenous and exhibits good adhesion to different supports. In addition, the kaolin/sand and kaolin/zeolite membranes present an average pore diameter in the range of 4–17 nm and 28 nm, and water permeability of 491 L/h·m2·bar and 182 L/h·m2·bar, respectively. Both membranes were evaluated in their treatment of electroplating wastewater. This was done by removing oil and heavy metals using a homemade crossflow UF pilot plant operated at a temperature of 60 °C to reduce the viscosity of the effluent, and the transmembrane pressure (TMP) of 1 and 3 bar for kaolin/sand and kaolin/zeolite, respectively. Under these conditions, our membranes exhibit high permeability in the range of 306–336 L/h·m2·bar, an almost total oil and lead retention, a retention up to 96% for chemical oxygen demand (COD), 96% for copper and 94% for zinc. The overall data suggest that the developed kaolin membranes have the potential for remediation of oily industrial effluents contaminated by oil and heavy metals.
Tailoring Morphology and Properties of Tight Utrafiltration Membranes by Two-Dimensional Molybdenum Disulfide for Performance Improvement
Authors: Tian Huali , Wu Xing , Zhang Kaisong
Published: October 2022

To enhance the permeation and separation performance of the polyethersulfone (PES) tight ultrafiltration (TUF) membrane, two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) was applied as a modifier in low concentrations. The influence of different concentrations of MoS2 (0, 0.25, 0.50, 1.00, and 1.50 wt%) on TUF membranes was investigated in terms of morphology, mechanical strength properties, permeation, and separation. The results indicate that the blending of MoS2 tailored the microstructure of the membrane and enhanced the mechanical strength property. Moreover, by embedding an appropriate amount of MoS2 into the membrane, the PES/MoS2 membranes showed improvement in permeation and without the sacrifice of the rejection of bovine serum protein (BSA) and humic acid (HA). Compared with the pristine membrane, the modified membrane embedded with 0.5 wt% MoS2 showed a 36.08% increase in the pure water flux, and >99.6% rejections of BSA and HA. This study reveals that two-dimensional MoS2 can be used as an effective additive to improve the performance and properties of TUF membranes for water treatment.
Toward Suppressing Charge Trapping Based on a Combined Driving Waveform with an AC Reset Signal for Electro-Fluidic Displays
Authors: Long Zhengxing , Yi Zichuan , Zhang Hu , Liu Liming , Shui Lingling
Published: October 2022

Digital microfluidic technology based on the principle of electrowetting is developing rapidly. As an extension of this technology, electro-fluidic displays (EFDs) have gradually become a novel type of display devices, whose grayscales can be displayed by controlling oil film in pixels with a microelectromechanical system (MEMS). Nevertheless, charge trapping can occur during EFDs’ driving process, which will produce the leakage current and seriously affect the performance of EFDs. Thus, an efficient driving waveform was proposed to resolve these defects in EFDs. It consisted of a driving stage and a stabilizing stage. Firstly, the response time of oil film was shortened by applying an overdriving voltage in the driving stage according to the principle of the electrowetting. Then, a direct current (DC) voltage was designed to display a target luminance by analyzing leakage current-voltage curves and a dielectric loss factor. Finally, an alternating current (AC) reset signal was applied in the stabilizing stage to suppress the charge trapping effect. The experiment results indicated that compared with a driving waveform with a reset signal and a combined driving waveform, the average luminance was improved by 3.4% and 9.7%, and the response time was reduced by 29.63% and 51.54%, respectively.
Reinforced Nafion Membrane with Ultrathin MWCNTs/Ceria Layers for Durable Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Authors: Kim Dongsu , Jang Yeonghwan , Choi Eunho , Chae Ji Eon , Jang Segeun
Published: October 2022

For further commercializing proton-exchange membrane fuel cells, it is crucial to attain long-term durability while achieving high performance. In this study, a strategy for modifying commercial Nafion membranes by introducing ultrathin multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/CeO2 layers on both sides of the membrane was developed to construct a mechanically and chemically reinforced membrane electrode assembly. The dispersion properties of the MWCNTs were greatly improved through chemical modification with acid treatment, and the mixed solution of MWCNTs/CeO2 was uniformly prepared through a high-energy ball-milling process. By employing a spray-coating technique, the ultrathin MWCNTs/CeO2 layers were introduced onto the membrane surfaces without any agglomeration problem because the solvent rapidly evaporated during the layer-by-layer stacking process. These ultrathin and highly dispersed MWCNTs/CeO2 layers effectively reinforced the mechanical properties and chemical durability of the membrane while minimizing the performance drop despite their non-ion-conducting properties. The characteristics of the MWCNTs/CeO2 layers and the reinforced Nafion membrane were investigated using various in situ and ex situ measurement techniques; in addition, electrochemical measurements for fuel cells were conducted.
Porous Cellulose Substrate Study to Improve the Performance of Diffusion-Based Ionic Strength Sensors
Authors: Khosravi Hamid , Mehrdel Pouya , Martínez Joan Antoni López , Casals-Terré Jasmina
Published: October 2022

Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (µPADs) are leading the field of low-cost, quantitative in-situ assays. However, understanding the flow behavior in cellulose-based membranes to achieve an accurate and rapid response has remained a challenge. Previous studies focused on commercial filter papers, and one of their problems was the time required to perform the test. This work studies the effect of different cellulose substrates on diffusion-based sensor performance. A diffusion-based sensor was laser cut on different cellulose fibers (Whatman and lab-made Sisal papers) with different structure characteristics, such as basis weight, density, pore size, fiber diameter, and length. Better sensitivity and faster response are found in papers with bigger pore sizes and lower basis weights. The designed sensor has been successfully used to quantify the ionic concentration of commercial wines with a 13.6 mM limit of detection in 30 s. The developed µPAD can be used in quantitative assays for agri-food applications without the need for any external equipment or trained personnel.
A Simple and Efficient Solar Interfacial Evaporation Device Based on Carbonized Cattail and Agarose Hydrogel for Water Evaporation and Purification
Authors: Wang Liang , Wei Jilei , Zhou Chen , Yang Shengyang
Published: October 2022

One of the main trends in the development of solar interface evaporation technology is the simple, efficient, and environmentally friendly bio-based evaporation device. However, the development of bio-based evaporators with high water evaporation rates and good pollution removal capability is a significant challenge. Here, we present a carbonized cattail–agarose hydrogel (CCAH) membrane with numerous microchannels resembling bamboo knots, exceptional hydrophilicity, outstanding light absorption capability, and potent adsorption. Under one solar irradiation, its evaporation rate and efficiency reached 1.93 kg m−2 h−1 and 95.8%, respectively. More importantly, the CCAH membrane produces steam water that is almost totally free of salts (Na+, K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+), heavy metal ions (Pb2+, Cd2+, and Cr2+), and organic dyes (Rhodamine B, methylene blue, and methyl orange). The CCAH membrane is highly promising for the use of saltwater desalination and wastewater recovery to help people in impoverished areas with water scarcity problems.
Effect of Chloride and Iodide on the Corrosion Behavior of 13Cr Stainless Steel
Authors: Liu Wanying , Yang Hong , Li Xiaopeng , Zhang Zhi , Lin Yuanhua , Deng Kuanhai
Published: October 2022

The corrosion behavior and mechanism of 13Cr stainless steel in the solution with 1 mol/L NaCl and 5 mmol/L KI were investigated by weight loss method, scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), the phase analysis (XRD) of inclusions, and surface analysis technique (SEM and EDS). Results showed that the corrosion rate was a linear relationship with the time and Cl− concentration. The corrosion became serious with the increase in time and Cl− concentration. The corrosion occurred in the unstable electroactive points that contained aluminum oxide and metallic phase inclusions. The generation and disappearance of the electroactive points simultaneously occurred with the corrosion. The active dissolved level on different areas of the surface of 13Cr stainless-steel sample was different. The oxidation current peak of the sample presented the strip shape. The corrosion dissolution was mainly caused by aluminum oxide inclusions (Al2O3) and FeAl phase.
Miniature Beryllium Split-Hopkinson Pressure Bars for Extending the Range of Achievable Strain-Rates
Authors: Zuanetti Bryan , Ramos Kyle J. , Cady Carl M. , Meredith Chris S. , Casem Daniel T. , Golder Adam , Bolme Cynthia A.
Published: October 2022

Conventional Split Hopkinson Pressure Bars (SHPB) or “Kolsky” bars are often used for determining the high-rate compressive yield and failure strength of materials. However, for experiments generating very high strain-rates (>103/s) miniaturization of the setup is often required for minimizing the effects of elastic wave dispersion in order to enable the inference of decreasingly short loading events from the data. Miniature aluminum and steel bars are often sufficient for meeting these requirements. However, for high enough strain-rates, miniaturization of steel or aluminum Kolsky bars may require prohibitively small diameter bars and test specimens that could become inappropriate for inferring representative properties of materials with large grain size relative to the test specimen size. The use of a beryllium Kolsky bar setup is expected to enable high rates to be accessible with larger diameter bars/specimen combinations due to the inherent physical properties of beryllium, which are expected to minimize the effects of elastic wave dispersion. For this reason, a series of beryllium Kolsky bars have been developed, and, in this paper, the dispersion characteristics of these bars are measured and compare the data with those of similarly sized 7075-T6 aluminum and C350 maraging steel. The results, which agree well with the theory, show no appreciable frequency dependence of the elastic wavespeed in the data from the beryllium bars, demonstrating its advantage over aluminum and steel in application to Kolsky bars.
The Influence of the Tool Tilt Angle on the Heat Generation and the Material Behavior in Friction Stir Welding (FSW)
Authors: Meyghani Bahman , Awang Mokhtar
Published: October 2022

To improve the accuracy of numerical simulation of friction stir welding (FSW) process, the tool tilt angle must be considered as a significant parameter. In this study, specific considerations for mechanical boundary conditions in Eulerian domain is employed to investigate the tool tilt angle influence on the thermomechanical behavior in FSW. Aluminum 6061-T6 with a thickness of 6 mm under a rotational speed of 800 RPM, a transverse speed of 120 mm/min, and a plunging depth of 0.1 mm were employed for the simulations. Results showed an almost symmetric temperature profile predicted by the model without considering the tool tilt angle, while after incorporating the tool tilt angle, the peak temperature point is moved to the tool backside (around 400 °C), resulting in better material bonding, enhancing the weld joint quality. Without accounting for the tool tilt angle, the highest temperature of 389 °C is observed, while with the tilt angle the maximum temperature of 413 °C is achieved. The temperature variations at different points of the leading (around 360 °C) and the trailing sides (around 400 °C) of the welding tool were measured. It was observed that, after considering the tilt angle, as the tool moves, a smooth and quick increase for the temperature at the tool trailing side is achieved. This smooth and quick increasing of the temperature at the trailing side results in reducing the possibility of the formation of defects, cracks, and voids. Finally, comparisons showed that the model computational time is acceptable, and using Eulerian formulation leads to achieving a remarkable accuracy.
Influence of Pretreatment Strategy on the Crushing of Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Werner Denis Manuel , Mütze Thomas , Peuker Urs Alexander
Published: October 2022

The rising production of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to the introduction of electric mobility as well as stationary energy storage devices demands an efficient and sustainable waste management scheme for legislative, economic and ecologic reasons. One crucial part of the recycling of end-of-life (EOL) LIBs is mechanical processes, which generate material fractions for the production of new batteries or further metallurgical refining. In the context of safe and efficient processing of electric vehicles’ LIBs, crushing is usually applied as a first process step to open at least the battery cell and liberate the cell components. However, the cell opening method used requires a specific pretreatment to overcome the LIB’s hazard potentials. Therefore, the dependence on pretreatment and crushing is investigated in this contribution. For this, the specific energy input for liberation is determined and compared for different recycling strategies with respect to dismantling depth and depollution temperatures. Furthermore, the respective crushing product is analyzed regarding granulometric properties, material composition, and liberation and decoating behaviour depending on the pretreatment and grid size of the crushing equipment. As a result, finer particles and components are generated with dried cells. Pyrolysis of cells as well as high dismantling depths do not allow to draw exact conclusions and predictions. Consequently, trends for a successful separation strategy of the subsequent classifying and sorting processes are revealed, and recommendations for the liberation of LIBs are derived.
Prediction of Green Properties of Flux Pellets Based on Improved Generalized Regression Neural Network
Authors: Xu Zhenghan , Wang Zijing , Qi Xiwei , Bai Bin , Zhi Jianming
Published: October 2022

In order to improve the quality of magnesia flux pellets and meet the production needs of the iron and steel industry, a pellet formation experiment was carried out. The effects of alkalinity R, SiO2 mass fraction, MgO mass fraction on the green pellets’ burst temperature, compressive strength, and falling strength were studied. The results showed that with the increase in alkalinity, the bursting temperature of green pellets decreases, but has no obvious effect on the compressive strength or drop strength; with the increase in SiO2 content, the bursting temperature of green pellets decreases gradually, and the green pellets’ strength also decreases slightly; with the increase in MgO content, the compressive strength of green pellets shows an upward trend, while the falling strength gradually decreases, and the burst temperature of green pellets shows a trend of rising first and then decreasing. The change trend is coupled with the software test data amplification method algorithm, based on the search algorithm of longicorn (MBAS), to expand a small amount of experimental data. Through data analysis and algorithm comparison, an improved generalized regression neural network (CFA-GRNN), based on culture firefly, was proposed to establish an optimization model for green pellet performance prediction. CFA uses the weights in the input layer and hidden layer of GRNN, the weights in the hidden layer and output layer, the threshold of the hidden layer and the threshold of the output layer as codes for optimization. The evolutionary goal is to obtain the most appropriate and optimal neural network structure. The results show that the MBAS algorithm, combined with the experimental research, can expand the effective data to 1000 pieces. Secondly, the green pellets’ burst temperature, compressive strength and falling strength predicted by the improved generalized regression neural network are in good agreement with the real values, and the average relative errors were 1.88%, 3.18% and 3.62%, respectively. The error analysis shows that the improved model algorithm has higher accuracy, meets the classification of pellets, and can be used to guide the production of pellets.
Influence of Cementite Precipitation on Work Hardening Behavior in Ultrafine Grain Steels Rolled at Room and Cryogenic Temperatures
Authors: Wang Zhoutou , Yuan Qing , Zhang Zhicheng , Zhang Qingxiao , Xu Guang
Published: October 2022

The work hardening behavior of α + θ UFG steel related to α + θ two phase microstructure is more complicated than that of single-phase materials. Very few studies have been conducted on the work hardening of α + θ UFG steels. Therefore, it is necessary to study the correlation between the work hardening and α + θ microstructure. In this study, the work hardening behavior of low-carbon ultrafine grain (UFG) steels with different grain size of ferrite and cementite particles, fabricated by rolling and annealing process, was studied. The α grain size was decreased to 132 ± 11 and 200 ± 19 nm in specimens cryorolled and annealed at 450 and 550 °C, which were smaller than that in specimen cold-rolled and annealed at 550 °C. However, the specimen cryorolled and annealed at 550 °C had a tensile strength of 740.3 MPa, which was lower than that in the other specimens. Results indicate that the work hardening is affected by ferrite and cementite in the UFG steels. The relatively coarse ferrite phase and the large number of fine intragranular cementite particles contribute to better work hardening. The intragranular cementite particles play a significant role in the improvement of work hardening, because the geometrically necessary dislocations are apt to form and store around intragranular cementite particles, while the intergranular cementite particles result in the decreased dislocation accumulation ability of ferrite and impair the strength of grain boundaries and work hardening of ferrite + cementite ultrafine grain steels.
A Critical Review on the Removal and Recovery of Hazardous Cd from Cd-Containing Secondary Resources in Cu-Pb-Zn Smelting Processes
Authors: Han Guihong , Wang Jingwen , Sun Hu , Liu Bingbing , Huang Yanfang
Published: October 2022

Due to the advancement of industrialization and the development of the metal smelting industry, cadmium (Cd), as a highly toxic heavy metal element, is discharged into the natural environment in the form of dust, slag, and waste solutions during the Cu-Pb-Zn smelting process, causing great harm to the soil, water environment, and human health. Meanwhile, Cd is a key component of Ni-Cd batteries and CdTe semiconductor materials. The removal and recovery of Cd from the Cu-Pb-Zn smelting process faces a dual concern with respect to resource recycling and environmental protection. This paper briefly introduces the Cd-containing secondary resources produced in the Cu-Pb-Zn smelting process, systematically reviews the recovery methods of Cd from dust, slag and waste solutions, and compares the technical principles, process parameters, separation efficiency, advantages and disadvantages, and application requirements. In addition, a new route to treat Cd-containing solutions via the foam extraction method was proposed, which has the advantages of a short reaction time, large handling capacity, high removal efficiency, and simple operation equipment, showing superior application prospects, especially for industrial bulk waste solutions with ultralow concentrations.
Influence of a Hydride-Forming Multi-Component Alloy on the Carbonization Behavior of Vulcanized Elastomer Composites
Authors: Zadorozhnyy Mikhail , Savvotin Ivan , Berdonosova Elena , Klyamkin Semen , Stepashkin Andrey , Korol Artem , Zadorozhnyy Vladislav
Published: October 2022

In this work, composites based on a hydride-forming fiber of a multi-principal-component (MPC) Ti20Zr20Nb20V20Hf20 alloy, carbosil, dicumylperoxide and nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) matrix were obtained. The composites were prepared in a three-stage process including the mixing of elastomeric compounds via a rubber mixing mill and low-temperature vulcanization by heat pressing. Using dynamical mechanical analysis (DMA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) the effect of the metallic filler on the process of carbonization of the composite elastomeric matrix was studied. The microstructure and gas separation properties of the resulting composites were also studied. The results showed that the filler content increase in the elastomeric matrix leads to a noticeable and gradual decrease in the activation energy of the carbonization process, reduces the temperature of this process, and accelerates the growth of the elastic modulus during carbonization. It was shown that the finely dispersed fiber of the MPC acts as an activation center for the process of thermal-oxidative degradation in the elastomeric matrix accompanying the onset of carbonization. The gas permeability values were found to be relatively low and no visible correlation with the MPC alloy content in the composite membrane was observed.
Effect of Temperature on Corrosion Behavior and Mechanism of S135 and G105 Steels in CO2/H2S Coexisting System
Authors: Gao Kechao , Shang Suogui , Zhang Zhi , Gao Qiangyong , Ma Jinxin , Liu Wanying
Published: October 2022

The corrosive environment of oilfield condensate water was simulated at different temperatures with CO2/H2S. Weight-loss corrosion tests were conducted on S135 and G105 steels at different temperatures. The corrosion rates of the S135 and G105 were measured at room temperature, 100 °C and 180 °C. The phase structure of the corrosion products and the corrosion morphologies of the samples were characterized. The results show that the corrosion rates of the S135 and G105 increased at first and then decreased with the increase in temperature. The corrosion rates peaked at 100 °C, reaching 0.8463 mm/y and 0.8500 mm/y, respectively. CO2 was the main controlling factor in the corrosion. The corrosion products were FeS and FeCO3. The corrosion rate at room temperature was lower than that at 100 °C. The corrosion rate at the temperature of 180 °C was the lowest. The corrosion rates of the S135 and G105 were 0.2291 mm/y and 0.2309 mm/y, respectively. CO2 was not the main controlling factor in the corrosion. The corrosion product was FeS. High temperatures aggravated the carbon-steel corrosion further in the environment with the high concentration of CO2 and a loose corrosion-product film formed. The dense and uniform FeS corrosives formed and attached to the surface of the substrate, and inhibited corrosion. Dense and uniform FeS products formed on the surface of the steel with the increase in temperature. A small amount of H2S inhibited the progress of the corrosion.
A Computationally Efficient Multi-Scale Thermal Modelling Approach for PBF-LB/M Based on the Enthalpy Method
Authors: Stavropoulos Panagiotis , Pastras Georgios , Souflas Thanassis , Tzimanis Konstantinos , Bikas Harry
Published: October 2022

Laser-Based Powder Bed Fusion is one of the most widely used additive manufacturing processes, mainly due to its high-quality output. End users would greatly benefit from a virtual simulation of the process; however, the modelling of the process is very complicated and slow and therefore restricted mainly to academic users. In this work, a computationally efficient approach to the thermal modelling of PBF-LB/M is presented. This approach is based on the enthalpy method and the division of the simulation into three characteristic scales of the process. Despite the small runtime of the simulations, the model captures the critical phenomena of the process achieving sufficient accuracy.
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Arc Zone and Laser Zone of TC4 Titanium Alloy Laser–TIG Hybrid Welded Joint
Authors: Fan Hao , Zhou Peng , Li Jie , Huang Jiankang , Ni Yu , Hui Yuanyuan
Published: October 2022

As a high-efficiency and high-quality welding technology, laser-tungsten inert gas (laser–TIG) hybrid welding has been widely used in the aerospace and marine equipment industries. Through laser–TIG hybrid welding of TC4 titanium alloy, the effect of the current on the weld formation, the microstructure and mechanical properties of the arc zone, and the laser zone was studied. The results show that the molten pool in the arc zone will flow periodically, and the flow becomes more intense with an increase in the current, which will result in a finer grain size in the arc zone than in the laser zone, having the effect of eliminating pores. The spacing of the α′ martensite beams in the laser zone is narrower, with an average spacing of 0.41 μm. The β phase increases gradually with the increase in the current, which will lead to a downward trend in the average hardness of both zones. The average hardness value of the laser zone, containing more α′ martensite and less β phase, is slightly higher than that of the arc zone. The hardness uniformity of the laser zone is also significantly better than that of the arc zone. The tensile strength of the joint shows a trend of increasing first and then decreasing, and the joint with I = 50 A presented the highest tensile strength of 957.3 MPa, approaching 100% of the base metal, and fractured in the fusion zone.
Crystallization of Fe-W-B Amorphous Powder Prepared by Gas Atomization
Authors: Ma Shuwang , Lv Zheng , Wang Jian , Wang Haicheng , Yang Jian , Yang Zhimin , Li Jingli , Xue Zhiyong
Published: October 2022

In this work, the effects of master alloy composition and annealing temperature on the amorphization and crystallization behavior of Fe-W-B powders prepared by gas atomization using compacts of Fe, W and B powder mixture were systematically studied. The results show that only the master alloy with high content of W (19.9 at.%) and B (13.6 at.%) of the six alloys studied yielded amorphous Fe-W-B powders. The alloying elements W and B are believed to have a glass-forming ability (GFA)-enhancing effect, which together with the high cooling rate of gas atomization leads to the formation of amorphization. The difference in the average particle size of 3–10 μm for the six atomized powders indicates that the master alloys with different W and B contents have different superheat and melt viscosity at the same atomization temperature. The Fe-W-B amorphous powder is structurally stable within 600 °C and crystallizes from the edge of the particles when the temperature increases to 700 °C, and its crystalline precipitates include α-Fe, FeWB and Fe7W6. The nuclear shielding tests and Monte Carlo N Particle Transport Code (MCNP) calculated results revealed that the Fe-W-B amorphous powder has a much better shielding performance for γ-rays and neutrons than that of iron. This work provides an efficient strategy for fabricating Fe-W-B amorphous powder with promising nuclear shielding potential and sheds light on the crystallization behaviors of this alloy.