bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Water-Level Fluctuation on Soil Aggregates and Aggregate-Associated Organic Carbon in the Water-Level Fluctuation Zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China
Authors: Sun Xizao , Liu Shiwei , Tang Hanya , Zhang Feng , Jia Luyao , Li Cheng , Ma Lei , Liu Jinlian , Jiang Ke , Ding Zhi , Yu Pujia
Published: March 2024

Water-level fluctuation (WLF) can destroy soil aggregates and induce soil organic carbon (SOC) loss, potentially triggering impacts on the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide. However, responses of soil aggregate content and aggregate-associated organic carbon to WLF have not been well studied, especially in the water-level fluctuation zone (WLFZ) of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR). Therefore, samples from different elevations (145 m, 155 m and 165 m) in the WLFZ of the TGR were collected for experiments. The wet sieving method was used to divide soil into silt and clay (<0.053 mm), micro-aggregate (0.053–0.25 mm) and macro-aggregate (>0.25 mm). The K2Cr2O7-H2SO4 oxidation method was used to measure total SOC content in different soil aggregates. A modified Walkley and Black method was used to measure labile carbon in different soil aggregates. Results showed that macro-aggregate content substantially decreased, while micro-aggregate content remained stable and silt and clay fraction accumulated with a decrease in water-level elevations. Moreover, total SOC content and labile carbon in macro-aggregate were obviously higher than those in the micro-aggregate and the silt and clay fraction. Macro-aggregate contributed the most to SOC sequestration, while micro-aggregate contributed the least, and the contribution of macro-aggregate increased with a decrease in water-level elevations. We concluded that the macro-aggregate was the most active participant in the SOC sequestration process, and preferentially increasing the macro-aggregate content of the lowest water-level elevation was conducive to an improvement in soil carbon sequestration potential and would mitigate climate change.
The Effect of Pitch Accent on the Perception of English Lexical Stress: Evidence from English and Mandarin Chinese Listeners
Authors: Wang Fenqi , Deng Delin , Tang Kevin , Wayland Ratree
Published: March 2024

The relative weighting of f0 and vowel reduction in English spoken word recognition at the sentence level were investigated in one two-alternative forced-choice word identification experiment. In the experiment, an H* pitch-accented or a deaccented word fragment (e.g., AR- in the word archive) was presented at the end of a carrier sentence for identification. The results of the experiment revealed differences in the cue weighting of English lexical stress perception between native and non-native listeners. For native English listeners, vowel quality was a more prominent cue than f0, while native Mandarin Chinese listeners employed both vowel quality and f0 in a comparable fashion. These results suggested that (a) vowel reduction is superior to f0 in signaling initial stress in the words and (b) f0 facilitates the recognition of word initial stress, which is modulated by first language.
Assessing the Legal Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Saudi Arabia: A Critical Analysis in the Context of the 2003 UNESCO Convention
Authors: Alshehaby Fatimah
Published: March 2024

Saudi Arabia boasts a diverse and abundant cultural heritage that reflects a fusion of pre-Islamic and Islamic civilizations, serving as a precious legacy for future generations. Confronted with the challenges arising from globalization and rapid development, preserving intangible cultural heritage has become increasingly challenging, particularly in the absence of comprehensive heritage policies. The initial steps toward conservation were taken in 1972 when legislation was enacted to protect historical and cultural sites. However, it was not until 2014 that a new law was introduced to address the gaps left by the 1972 law. Unfortunately, this legal protection predominantly centered on tangible aspects of cultural heritage, leaving the equally important intangible cultural heritage neglected and unprotected. This study aims to evaluate the existing legal mechanisms in Saudi Arabia for the preservation and protection of intangible cultural heritage. It identifies the existing deficiencies and obstacles in the current cultural heritage framework regarding the preservation of intangible cultural heritage in Saudi Arabia. Our analysis focuses on how Saudi Arabia aligns with the principles and guidelines established by the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The Use of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Attention Optimization Research: A Review from Basic Theory to Findings in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Depression
Authors: Yen Chiahui , Valentine Ethan P. , Chiang Ming-Chang
Published: March 2024

This review explores the pivotal role of attention in everyday life, emphasizing the significance of studying attention-related brain functions. We delve into the development of methodologies for investigating attention and highlight the crucial role of brain neuroimaging and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in advancing attention research. Attention optimization theory is introduced to elucidate the neural basis of attention, identifying key brain regions and neural circuits involved in attention processes. The theory further explores neuroplasticity, shedding light on how the brain dynamically adapts and changes to optimize attention. A comprehensive overview of TMS is provided, elucidating the principles and applications of this technique in affecting brain activity through magnetic field stimulation. The application of TMS in attention research is discussed, outlining how it can be employed to regulate attention networks. The clinical applications of TMS are explored in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depression. TMS emerges as an effective clinical treatment for ADHD, showcasing its potential in addressing attention-related disorders. Additionally, the paper emphasizes the efficacy of TMS technology as a method for regulating depression, further underlining the versatility and therapeutic potential of TMS in clinical settings. In conclusion, this review underscores the interdisciplinary approach to attention research, integrating neuroimaging, neuroplasticity, and TMS. The presented findings contribute to our understanding of attention mechanisms and highlight the promising clinical applications of TMS in addressing attention-related disorders. This synthesis of theoretical and practical insights aims to propel further advancements in attention research and its therapeutic applications.
Composite of Carboxymethyl Cellulose/MXene and Span 60 as Additives to Enhance Tribological Properties of Bio-Lubricants
Authors: Gasni Dedison , Rahmadiawan Dieter , Irwansyah Ridho , Khalid Aldi Em
Published: March 2024

Bio-lubricants are the future of lubricants as a substitute for mineral lubricants; however, bio-lubricants have drawbacks, such as poor thermal-oxidative stability. In addition, during the friction process, the temperature of the lubricant increases, so the lubricant must have good thermal conductivity to conduct heat to the environment. To combat the drawbacks of bio-lubricants, some additives have been used to improve their performance as lubricants. Composites of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)/MXene and Span 60 as surfactants were used as additives in CPO with different compositions. The physicochemical properties of the addition of CMC/MXene and Span 60 in CPO have changed, including kinematic viscosity, TAN, thermal conductivity, and fatty acids, which have a positive impact on lubrication performance in terms of reducing oxidation processes and increasing thermal conductivity. From fatty acid composition tests and FTIR analysis, the additives work to suppress the oxidation process. A pin-on-disk test was performed to evaluate the tribological performances of bio-lubricants. The results show that CM 10 SP (0.5% wt of CMC and MXene and 1% wt Span 60) demonstrated a significant decrease in CoF and wear rate by 49% and 74%, respectively, at a load of 50 N and a speed of 1400 rpm compared to CPO without additives. An interface layer of CMC/MXene and Span 60, separating two surfaces, could induce wear on the surface of the disk and pin.
Optimizing Structural and Mechanical Properties of an Industrial Ti-6246 Alloy below β-Transus Transition Temperature through Thermomechanical Processing
Authors: Alluaibi Mohammed Hayder Ismail , Balkan Irina Varvara , Șerban Nicolae , Cinca Ion , Angelescu Mariana Lucia , Cojocaru Elisabeta Mirela , Alturaihi Saleh Sabah , Cojocaru Vasile Dănuț
Published: March 2024

This study aims to investigate the effect of hot deformation on commercially available Ti-6246 alloy below its β-transus transition temperature at 900 °C, knowing that the α → β transition temperature of Ti-6246 alloy is about 935 °C. The study systematically applies a thermomechanical processing cycle, including hot rolling at 900 °C and solution and ageing treatments at various temperatures, to investigate microstructural and mechanical alterations. The solution treatments are performed at temperatures of 800 °C, 900 °C and 1000 °C, i.e., below and above the β-transus transition temperature, for 9 min, followed by oil quenching. The ageing treatment is performed at 600 °C for 6 h, followed by air quenching. Employing various techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, tensile strength and microhardness testing, the research identifies crucial changes in the alloy’s constituent phases and morphology during thermomechanical processing. In solution treatment conditions, it was found that at temperatures of 800 °C and 900 °C, the α′-Ti martensite phase was generated in the primary α-Ti phase according to Burger’s relation, but the recrystallization process was preferred at a temperature of 900 °C, while at a temperature of 1000 °C, the α″-Ti martensite phase was generated in the primary β-Ti phase according to Burger’s relation. The ageing treatment conditions cause the α′-Ti/α″-Ti martensite phases to revert to their α-Ti/β-Ti primary phases. The mechanical properties, in terms of strength and ductility, underwent an important beneficial evolution when applying solution treatment, followed by ageing treatment, which provided an optimal mixture of strength and ductility. This paper provides engineers with the opportunity to understand the mechanical performance of Ti-6246 alloy under applied stresses and to improve its applications by designing highly efficient components, particularly military engine components, ultimately contributing to advances in technology and materials science.
Advancements in Photovoltaic Cell Materials: Silicon, Organic, and Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Machín Abniel , Márquez Francisco
Published: March 2024

The evolution of photovoltaic cells is intrinsically linked to advancements in the materials from which they are fabricated. This review paper provides an in-depth analysis of the latest developments in silicon-based, organic, and perovskite solar cells, which are at the forefront of photovoltaic research. We scrutinize the unique characteristics, advantages, and limitations of each material class, emphasizing their contributions to efficiency, stability, and commercial viability. Silicon-based cells are explored for their enduring relevance and recent innovations in crystalline structures. Organic photovoltaic cells are examined for their flexibility and potential for low-cost production, while perovskites are highlighted for their remarkable efficiency gains and ease of fabrication. The paper also addresses the challenges of material stability, scalability, and environmental impact, offering a balanced perspective on the current state and future potential of these material technologies.
Comparison of the Microstructural, Mechanical and Corrosion Resistance Properties of Ti6Al4V Samples Manufactured by LENS and Subjected to Various Heat Treatments
Authors: Antolak-Dudka Anna , Czujko Tomasz , Durejko Tomasz , Stępniowski Wojciech J. , Ziętala Michał , Łukasiewicz Justyna
Published: March 2024

In this paper, the influences of two post-heat treatments on the structural, mechanical and corrosion resistance properties of additively manufactured Ti6Al4V alloys were discussed in detail. The materials were produced using the laser engineering net shaping (LENS) technique, and they were subjected to annealing without pressure and hot isostatic pressing (HIP) under a pressure of 300 MPa for 30 min at temperatures of 950 °C and 1050 °C. Annealing without pressure led to the formation of a thin plate structure, which was accompanied by decreasing mechanical properties and increasing elongation and corrosion resistance values. For the HIP process, the formation of a thick plate structure could be observed, resulting in the material exhibiting optimal mechanical properties and unusually high elongation. The best mechanical and corrosion resistance properties were obtained for the material subjected to HIP at 950 °C.
Research Progress on the Geomechanical Properties of Block-in-Matrix Rocks
Authors: Guo Songfeng , Wei Qianhui , Qi Shengwen , Xue Lei , Zheng Bowen , Wang Hongjian , Li Jinxuan , Song Shuaihua , Liang Ning , Zou Yu , Huang Zhiquan
Published: March 2024

The differences in geomechanical properties and the uncertainty in the spatial distribution of Bimrock pose significant challenges to the construction and disaster prediction of geotechnical engineering. To clarify the geomechanical characteristics of Bimrock, this paper summarizes the basic concepts and classification methods of Bimrock at home and abroad. It discusses the methods and characteristics of determining the geometric features of Bimrock blocks and explores the influencing factors and laws of failure modes and strength under different stress states of Bimrock. The study finds that the failure mode of Bimrock is mainly influenced by factors such as block proportion, degree of welding between blocks and matrix, strength ratio between blocks and matrix, and geometric properties of blocks. Among these factors, block proportion is the most significant, and the degree of welding is a controlling factor. However, due to the complexity of Bimrock structures, there is a lack of applicable methods and mechanical models for the evaluation of geomechanical characteristics of Bimrock in engineering practice. This article also explores the influence and research methods of the geological characteristics of Bimrock in slope and tunnel engineering and, finally, provides prospects for the future research trends relating to Bimrock.
A Comparative Study of Efficient Modeling Approaches for Performing Controlled-Depth Abrasive Waterjet Pocket Milling
Authors: Karkalos Nikolaos E. , Karmiris-Obratański Panagiotis
Published: March 2024

Non-conventional processes are considerably important for the machining of hard-to-cut alloys in various demanding applications. Given that the surface quality and integrity, dimensional accuracy, and productivity are important considerations in industrial practice, the prediction of the outcome of the material removal process should be able to be conducted with sufficient accuracy, taking into consideration the computational cost and difficulty of implementation of the relevant models. In the case of AWJ, various types of approaches have been already proposed, both relying on analytical or empirical models and developed by solving partial differential equations. As the creation of a model for AWJ pocket milling is rather demanding, given the number of parameters involved, in the present work, it is intended to compare the use of three different types of efficient modeling approaches for the prediction of the dimensions of pockets milled by AWJ technology. The models are developed and evaluated based on experimental results of AWJ pocket milling of a titanium workpiece by an eco-friendly walnut shell abrasive. The results indicate that a semi-empirical approach performs better than a two-step hybrid analytical/semi-empirical method regarding the selected cases, but both methods show promising results regarding the realistic representation of the pocket shape, which can be further improved by a probabilistic approach.
Tool Wear Monitoring System Using Seq2Seq
Authors: Jeon Wang-Su , Rhee Sang-Yong
Published: March 2024

The advancement of smart factories has brought about small quantity batch production. In multi-variety production, both materials and processing methods change constantly, resulting in irregular changes in the progression of tool wear, which is often affected by processing methods. This leads to changes in the timing of tool replacement, and failure to correctly determine this timing may result in substantial damage and financial loss. In this study, we sought to address the issue of incorrect timing for tool replacement by using a Seq2Seq model to predict tool wear. We also trained LSTM and GRU models to compare performance by using R2, mean absolute error (MAE), and mean squared error (MSE). The Seq2Seq model outperformed LSTM and GRU with an R2 of approximately 0.03~0.037 in step drill data, 0.540.57 in top metal data, and 0.16~0.45 in low metal data. Confirming that Seq2Seq exhibited the best performance, we established a real-time monitoring system to verify the prediction results obtained using the Seq2Seq model. It is anticipated that this monitoring system will help prevent accidents in advance.
Cutting Performance and Tool Wear of AlCrN- and TiAlN-Coated Carbide Tools during Milling of Tantalum–Tungsten Alloy
Authors: Wang Jiahao , Liu Zhengqing , Wu Yang , Wang Qiucheng , Shu Dayu
Published: March 2024

Tantalum–tungsten alloys have been widely used in different industrial sectors—for example, in chemical, medical, aerospace, and military equipment. However, they are usually difficult to cut because of the large cutting force, rapid tool wear, and poor surface finish during machining. This paper presents the machining performance and cutting tool wear of AlCrN/TiAlN-coated carbide tools during the milling process of Ta-2.5W. The effects of cutting parameters on the cutting forces and surface roughness of AlCrN/TiAlN-coated carbide tools were obtained and analyzed. The results show that the wear resistance of AlCrN-coated tools is better than that of TiAlN-coated tools, and that the main wear mechanisms of both cutting tools are crater wear, adhesive wear, and diffusion wear. Compared to TiAlN-coated tools, AlCrN-coated tools reduced the cutting forces by 1% to 15% and decreased the surface roughness by 6% to 20%. A cutting speed within the range of 80–120 m/min can ensure a low cutting force while maintaining good surface roughness, which is more conducive to machining Ta-2.5W.
Mathematical Modeling for the Optimal Cost Design of Circular Isolated Footings with Eccentric Column
Authors: Luévanos-Rojas Arnulfo , Moreno-Landeros Victor Manuel , Santiago-Hurtado Griselda , Olguin-Coca Francisco Javier , López-León Luis Daimir , Baltazar-Zamora Miguel Ángel , Diaz-Gurrola Eyran Roberto
Published: March 2024

This article shows a model for the design of circular isolated footings and the column placed anywhere in the footing under minimum cost criteria. Some designs for obtaining the diameter, effective depth, and steel areas of the footing under biaxial bending assume the maximum and uniform pressure at the bottom of the footing supported on elastic soils. All these works consider the column placed at the center of the footing. Three numerical problems are given (each problem presents four variants) to determine the lowest cost to design the circular footings under biaxial bending. Problem 1: Column without eccentricity. Problem 2: Column with eccentricity in the direction of the X axis of one quarter of the diameter of the footing. Problem 3: Column placed at the end furthest from the center of the footing on the X axis. The results are verified by the balance of moments, one-way shear or shear and two-way shear or punching. The new model shows a saving of 17.92% in the contact area with soil and of 31.15% in cost compared to the model proposed by other authors. In this way, the proposed minimum cost design model for circular footings will be of great help for the design when the column is placed on the center or edge of the footing.
Bio-Inspired Watermarking Method for Authentication of Fundus Images in Computer-Aided Diagnosis of Retinopathy
Authors: Moya-Albor Ernesto , Gomez-Coronel Sandra L. , Brieva Jorge , Lopez-Figueroa Alberto
Published: March 2024

Nowadays, medical imaging has become an indispensable tool for the diagnosis of some pathologies and as a health prevention instrument. In addition, medical images are transmitted over all types of computer networks, many of them insecure or susceptible to intervention, making sensitive patient information vulnerable. Thus, image watermarking is a popular approach to embed copyright protection, Electronic Patient Information (EPR), institution information, or other digital image into medical images. However, in the medical field, the watermark must preserve the quality of the image for diagnosis purposes. In addition, the inserted watermark must be robust both to intentional and unintentional attacks, which try to delete or weaken it. This work presents a bio-inspired watermarking algorithm applied to retinal fundus images used in computer-aided retinopathy diagnosis. The proposed system uses the Steered Hermite Transform (SHT), an image model inspired by the Human Vision System (HVS), as a spread spectrum watermarking technique, by leveraging its bio-inspired nature to give imperceptibility to the watermark. In addition, the Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) is used to incorporate the robustness of the watermark against attacks. Moreover, the watermark is embedded into the RGB fundus images through the blood vessel patterns extracted by the SHT and using the luma band of Y’CbCr color model. Also, the watermark was encrypted using the Jigsaw Transform (JST) to incorporate an extra level of security. The proposed approach was tested using the image public dataset MESSIDOR-2, which contains 1748 8-bit color images of different sizes and presenting different Diabetic Retinopathy (DR). Thus, on the one hand, in the experiments we evaluate the proposed bio-inspired watermarking method over the entire MESSIDOR-2 dataset, showing that the embedding process does not affect the quality of the fundus images and the extracted watermark, by obtaining average Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) values higher to 53 dB for the watermarked images and average PSNR values higher to 32 dB to the extracted watermark for the entire dataset. Also, we tested the method against image processing and geometric attacks successfully extracting the watermarking. A comparison of the proposed method against state-of-the-art was performed, obtaining competitive results. On the other hand, we classified the DR grade of the fundus image dataset using four trained deep learning models (VGG16, ResNet50, InceptionV3, and YOLOv8) to evaluate the inference results using the originals and marked images. Thus, the results show that DR grading remains both in the non-marked and marked images.
Distributed Bootstrap Simultaneous Inference for High-Dimensional Quantile Regression
Authors: Zhou Xingcai , Jing Zhaoyang , Huang Chao
Published: March 2024

Modern massive data with enormous sample size and tremendous dimensionality are usually impossible to process with a single machine. They are typically stored and processed in a distributed manner. In this paper, we propose a distributed bootstrap simultaneous inference for a high-dimensional quantile regression model using massive data. Meanwhile, a communication-efficient (CE) distributed learning algorithm is developed via the CE surrogate likelihood framework and ADMM procedure, which can handle the non-smoothness of the quantile regression loss and the Lasso penalty. We theoretically prove the convergence of the algorithm and establish a lower bound on the number of communication rounds ιmin that warrant statistical accuracy and efficiency. The distributed bootstrap validity and efficiency are corroborated by an extensive simulation study.
Optimizing Cross-Dock Terminal Location Selection: A Multi-Step Approach Based on CI-DEA–IDOCRIW–MABAC for Enhanced Supply Chain Efficiency—A Case Study
Authors: Wang Jingya , Wen Jiusi , Pajić Vukašin , Andrejić Milan
Published: March 2024

Thedistribution of products stands out as one of the pivotal activities for logistics companies in recent years, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and other geopolitical events. Intense competition compels companies to efficiently execute their logistical processes, with cross-docking emerging as a frequently applied solution. However, the location of cross-dock terminals in urban areas remains a problem insufficiently addressed in the literature, with a dearth of studies and models tackling this issue. This paper introduces a novel and innovative model for locating cross-dock terminals based on the CI-DEA–IDOCRIW–MABAC (Composite Indicators–Data Envelopment Analysis-Integrated Determination of Objective Criteria Weights–Multi-Attributive Border Approximation Area Comparison) methods. In the process of defining input indicators, the following three sources were utilized: relevant literature, practical insights from logistics experts, and the knowledge and experience of the authors. Eight inputs and three outputs were considered (the number of users in the observed channel; the area served by the channel; the average distance a vehicle travels in one delivery; the required number of vehicles; labor availability; competition; construction, and expansion possibilities; proximity to the main infrastructure and traffic facilities; the average number of deliveries; average delivered quantity; and service level). The model underwent testing in a case study analyzing nine distribution channels (areas within the observed urban zone). The results indicated that alternative A4 (in the southwest area) ranked the highest since it was the best-ranked in accordance with the most important criteria, suggesting that the terminal is best located in the southwest zone. The accuracy of the results was confirmed by company management. By developing a completely new model and addressing the identified gap in the literature, this paper provides unequivocal scientific contributions.
Weighted Optimal Formulas for Approximate Integration
Authors: Shadimetov Kholmat , Jalolov Ikrom
Published: March 2024

Solutions to problems arising from much scientific and applied research conducted at the world level lead to integral and differential equations. They are approximately solved, mainly using quadrature, cubature, and difference formulas. Therefore, in the current work, we consider a discrete analogue of the differential operator 1−12π2d2dx2m in the Hilbert space H2μR, called Dmβ. We modify the Sobolev algorithm to construct optimal quadrature formulas using a discrete operator. We provide a weighted optimal quadrature formula, using this algorithm for the case where m=1. Finally, we construct an optimal quadrature formula in the Hilbert space H2μR for the weight functions px=1 and px=e2πiωx when m=1.
A Bayesian Approach for Lifetime Modeling and Prediction with Multi-Type Group-Shared Missing Covariates
Authors: Zeng Hao , Sun Xuxue , Wang Kuo , Wen Yuxin , Si Wujun , Li Mingyang
Published: March 2024

In the field of reliability engineering, covariate information shared among product units within a specific group (e.g., a manufacturing batch, an operating region), such as operating conditions and design settings, exerts substantial influence on product lifetime prediction. The covariates shared within each group may be missing due to sensing limitations and data privacy issues. The missing covariates shared within the same group commonly encompass a variety of attribute types, such as discrete types, continuous types, or mixed types. Existing studies have mainly considered single-type missing covariates at the individual level, and they have failed to thoroughly investigate the influence of multi-type group-shared missing covariates. Ignoring the multi-type group-shared missing covariates may result in biased estimates and inaccurate predictions of product lifetime, subsequently leading to suboptimal maintenance decisions with increased costs. To account for the influence of the group-shared missing covariates with different structures, a new flexible lifetime model with multi-type group-shared latent heterogeneity is proposed. We further develop a Bayesian estimation algorithm with data augmentation that jointly quantifies the influence of both observed and multi-type group-shared missing covariates on lifetime prediction. A tripartite method is then developed to examine the existence, identify the correct type, and quantify the influence of group-shared missing covariates. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, a comprehensive simulation study is carried out. A real case study involving tensile testing of molding material units is conducted to validate the proposed approach and demonstrate its practical applicability.
Statistical Tests for Proportion Difference in One-to-Two Matched Binary Diagnostic Data: Application to Environmental Testing of Salmonella in the United States
Authors: Lin Hui , Zhu Adam , Wang Chong
Published: March 2024

Pooled sample testing is an effective strategy to reduce the cost of disease surveillance in human and animal medicine. Testing pooled samples commonly produces matched observations with dichotomous responses in medical and epidemiological research. Although standard approaches exist for one-to-one paired binary data analyses, there is not much work on one-to-two or one-to-N matched binary data in the current statistical literature. The existing Miettinen’s test assumes that the multiple observations from the same matched set are mutually independent. In this paper, we propose exact and asymptotic tests for one-to-two matched binary data. Our methods are markedly different from the previous studies in that we do not rely on the mutual independence assumption. The emphasis on the interdependence of observations within a matched set is inherent and attractive in both human health and veterinary medicine. It can be applied to all kinds of diagnostic studies with a one-to-two matched data structure. Our methods can be generalized to the one-to-N matched case. We discuss applications of the proposed methods to the environmental testing of salmonella in the United States.
A Novel Seed Generation Approach for Vulnerability Mining Based on Generative Adversarial Networks and Attention Mechanisms
Authors: Du Chunlai , Xu Guizhi , Guo Yanhui , Wang Zhongru , Yu Weiqiang
Published: March 2024

Coverage-guided fuzzing has been widely applied in software error and security vulnerability detection. The fuzzing technique based on AFL (American Fuzzy Loop) is a common coverage-guided fuzzing method. The code coverage during AFL fuzzing is highly dependent on the quality of the initial seeds. If the selected seeds’ quality is poor, the AFL may not be able to detect program paths in a targeted manner, resulting in wasted time and computational resources. To solve the problems that the seed selection strategy in traditional AFL fuzzing cannot quickly and effectively generate high-quality seed sets and the mutated test cases cannot reach deeper paths and trigger security vulnerabilities, this paper proposes an attention mechanism-based generative adversarial network (GAN) seed generation approach for vulnerability mining, which can learn the characteristics and distribution of high-quality test samples during the testing process and generate high-quality seeds for fuzzing. The proposed method improves the GAN by introducing fully connected neural networks to balance the competitive adversarial process between discriminators and generators and incorporating attention mechanisms, greatly improving the quality of generated seeds. Our experimental results show that the seeds generated by the proposed method have significant improvements in coverage, triggering unique crashes and other indicators and improving the efficiency of AFL fuzzing.
Approximately Optimal Domain Adaptation with Fisher’s Linear Discriminant
Authors: Helm Hayden , de Silva Ashwin , Vogelstein Joshua T. , Priebe Carey E. , Yang Weiwei
Published: March 2024

We propose and study a data-driven method that can interpolate between a classical and a modern approach to classification for a class of linear models. The class is the convex combinations of an average of the source task classifiers and a classifier trained on the limited data available for the target task. We derive the expected loss of an element in the class with respect to the target distribution for a specific generative model, propose a computable approximation of the loss, and demonstrate that the element of the proposed class that minimizes the approximated risk is able to exploit a natural bias–variance trade-off in task space in both simulated and real-data settings. We conclude by discussing further applications, limitations, and potential future research directions.
Halpern-Type Inertial Iteration Methods with Self-Adaptive Step Size for Split Common Null Point Problem
Authors: Alamer Ahmed , Dilshad Mohammad
Published: March 2024

In this paper, two Halpern-type inertial iteration methods with self-adaptive step size are proposed for estimating the solution of split common null point problems (SpCNPP) in such a way that the Halpern iteration and inertial extrapolation are computed simultaneously in the beginning of each iteration. We prove the strong convergence of sequences driven by the suggested methods without estimating the norm of bounded linear operator when certain appropriate assumptions are made. We demonstrate the efficiency of our iterative methods and compare them with some related and well-known results using relevant numerical examples.
The Application of the Modified Lindstedt–Poincaré Method to Solve the Nonlinear Vibration Problem of Exponentially Graded Laminated Plates on Elastic Foundations
Authors: Avey Mahmure , Tornabene Francesco , Aslanova Nigar , Sofiyev Abdullah
Published: March 2024

The solution of the nonlinear (NL) vibration problem of the interaction of laminated plates made of exponentially graded orthotropic layers (EGOLs) with elastic foundations within the Kirchhoff–Love theory (KLT) is developed using the modified Lindstedt–Poincaré method for the first time. Young’s modulus and the material density of the orthotropic layers of laminated plates are assumed to vary exponentially in the direction of thickness, and Poisson’s ratio is assumed to be constant. The governing equations are derived as equations of motion and compatibility using the stress–strain relationship within the framework of KLT and von Karman-type nonlinear theory. NL partial differential equations are reduced to NL ordinary differential equations by the Galerkin method and solved by using the modified Lindstedt–Poincaré method to obtain unique amplitude-dependent expressions for the NL frequency. The proposed solution is validated by comparing the results for laminated plates consisting of exponentially graded orthotropic layers with the results for laminated homogeneous orthotropic plates. Finally, a series of examples are presented to illustrate numerical results on the nonlinear frequency of rectangular plates composed of homogeneous and exponentially graded layers. The effects of the exponential change in the material gradient in the layers, the arrangement and number of the layers, the elastic foundations, the plate aspect ratio and the nonlinearity of the frequency are investigated.
New Phenol Derivatives from the Haima Cold Seep-Derived Fungus Aspergillus subversicolor CYH-17
Authors: Che Yi-Hao , Ding Wen-Ping , Xiao Zhi-Hui , Wu Jia-Min , Yin Hao , Wang Fa-Zuo , Zhang Si
Published: March 2024

Seven new phenol derivatives, subversins A–E (1–5), subversic acid A (6) and epi-wortmannine G (7); one new natural product, 4-hydroxy-7-methoxyphthalide (8); and five known compounds (9–13) were isolated from the fungus Aspergillus subversicolor CYH-17 collected from the Haima cold seep. The structures and absolute configurations of these compounds were determined via NMR, MS, optical rotation, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculation, X-ray diffraction analysis and comparison with the literature. Compounds 2 and 5 were two pairs of enantiomers. All compounds were tested for their α-glucosidase and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity, antioxidant activity and antibacterial activity, but no obvious activity was observed among these studied compounds.
Mechanical and Magnetic Properties of Porous Ni50Mn28Ga22 Shape Memory Alloy
Authors: Li Xinyue , Wang Kunyu , Li Yunlong , Wang Zhiqiang , Zhao Yang , Zhu Jie
Published: March 2024

A porous Ni50Mn28Ga22 alloy was produced using powder metallurgy, with NaCl serving as the pore-forming agent. The phase structure, mechanical properties, and magnetic properties of annealed bulk alloys and porous alloys with different pore sizes were analyzed. Vacuum sintering for mixed green billets in a tube furnace was employed, which facilitated the direct evaporation of NaCl, resulting in the formation of porous alloys characterized by a complete sinter neck, uniform pore distribution, and consistent pore size. The study found that porous alloys within this size range exhibit a recoverable shape memory performance of 3.5%, as well as a notable decrease in the critical stress required for martensitic twin shear when compared to that of bulk alloys. Additionally, porous alloys demonstrated a 2% superelastic strain when exposed to 353 K. Notably, under a 1.5 T magnetic field, the porous Ni50Mn28Ga22 alloy with a pore size ranging from 20 to 30 μm exhibited a peak saturation magnetization of 62.60 emu/g and a maximum magnetic entropy of 1.93 J/kg·K.
Influence of Pt Ultrathin Interlayers on Magnetic Anisotropy in Ni/NiO Multilayers
Authors: Anyfantis Dimitrios I. , Barnasas Alexandros , Diamantopoulos Nikolaos C. , Tsakiris Constantinos M. , Schmidt Georg , Papaioannou Evangelos Th. , Poulopoulos Panagiotis
Published: March 2024

Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy at transition metal/oxide interfaces plays a significant role in technological applications such as magnetic storage and spintronics. In this study, we investigate the effects of thermal annealing and Pt ultrathin interlayers on the magnetic anisotropy in Ni/NiO multilayers. Ni/NiO/Pt multilayers were fabricated via radiofrequency magnetron sputtering and natural oxidation. The static magnetic properties of the samples were studied using temperature-dependent SQUID magnetometry. We focus on a sample with a Nickel thickness of 6.7 nm in each multilayer period. This multilayer in Ni/NiO form showed the maximum enhancement of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy after mild thermal annealing in past work. In this work, we study the effects of ultrathin Pt interlayers on the magnetic properties of such a Ni/NiO multilayer before and after annealing. We have observed a further increase in perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, and we study the temperature-dependent magnetic properties of this system, which combines the favorable magnetic properties of Ni/Pt and Ni/NiO multilayers.
The Efficacy of Selected Probiotic Strains and Their Combination to Inhibit the Interaction of Adherent-Invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) with a Co-Culture of Caco-2:HT29-MTX Cells
Authors: Bradford Georgia , Asgari Behnoush , Smit Bronwyn , Hatje Eva , Kuballa Anna , Katouli Mohammad
Published: March 2024

The gastrointestinal tract’s microbiota plays a crucial role in human health, with dysbiosis linked to the development of diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Whilst the pathogenic mechanisms underlying IBD remain poorly characterised, adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) has been implicated as a microbiological factor in disease pathogenesis. These strains show an enhanced ability to diffusely adhere to and invade intestinal epithelial cells, along with the ability to survive and replicate within macrophages. Probiotics, such as Lactobacillus strains, have been identified as potential treatment options due to their abilities to compete with pathogens for binding sites and regulate the host immune response. In this study, we used four well-characterised Lactobacillus strains and their combination to test their ability to inhibit the adhesion, invasion, and translocation of a well-characterized AIEC strain, F44A-1, in a co-culture of Caco-2 and HT29-MTX cell lines representing the gut epithelium. The results demonstrated that the pre-inoculation of the probiotic candidates 90 min prior to the introduction of the AIEC was more effective in inhibiting AIEC interaction than the co-inoculation of the strains. While the individual probiotic strains greatly reduced AIEC colonisation and invasion of the co-cultured cells, their combination was only more effective in reducing the translocation of the AIEC. These results suggest that probiotics are more effective when used prophylactically against pathogens and that the combination of strains may enhance their efficacy against AIEC translocation once used as a prophylactic measure.
Examining the Effect of Freezing Temperatures on the Survival Rate of Micro-Encapsulated Probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus LA5 Using the Flash Freeze-Drying (FFD) Strategy
Authors: Acosta-Piantini Elsa , Villarán Maria Carmen , Martínez Ángel , Lombraña José Ignacio
Published: March 2024

This work proposes a novel drying method suitable for probiotic bacteria, called flash freeze-drying (FFD), which consists of a cyclic variation in pressure (up-down) in a very short time and is applied during primary drying. The effects of three FFD temperatures (−25 °C, −15 °C, and −3 °C) on the bacterial survival and water activity of Lactobacillus acidophilus LA5 (LA), previously microencapsulated with calcium alginate and chitosan, were evaluated. The total process time was 900 min, which is 68.75% less than the usual freeze-drying (FD) time of 2880 min. After FFD, LA treated at −25 °C reached a cell viability of 89.94%, which is 2.74% higher than that obtained by FD, as well as a water activity of 0.0522, which is 55% significantly lower than that observed using FD. Likewise, this freezing temperature showed 64.72% cell viability at the end of storage (28 days/20 °C/34% relative humidity). With the experimental data, a useful mathematical model was developed to obtain the optimal FFD operating parameters to achieve the target water content in the final drying.
Soil Fertilization with Palm Oil Mill Effluent Has a Short-Term Effect on the Bacterial Diversity of an Amazonian Agricultural Land Area
Authors: Sanches Johnes Pinto , Costa Sávio Souza , das Graças Diego Assis , Silva Artur , Baião Guilherme Costa , Moreira Rennan G. , Magalhães Marcelo Murad , Cunha Roberto Lisboa , Baraúna Rafael Azevedo
Published: March 2024

Palm oil derived from the fruits of Elaeis guineensis Jacq. has global economic importance and is largely produced in tropical regions. The palm oil production process leads to a highly polluting waste called palm oil mill effluent (POME). A strategy commonly used by producers to overcome environmental issues and to improve soil fertility is the reuse of POME as a fertilizer due to the chemical and biological characteristics of the effluent. In this research, three groups were analyzed: soil without POME application (control group) and soil samples after 4 and 9 days of POME application. An environmental DNA metabarcoding approach was used. eDNA was extracted, and the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced in the Illumina MiSeq platform. The abundance of Proteobacteria (48.1%) and Firmicutes (9.0%) was higher in fertilized soil, while Bacteroidetes (20.3%) and Verrucomicrobia (7.8%) were more abundant in control soil. Additionally, the effluent seemed to modify soil characteristics favoring taxa responsible for the mineralization of organic compounds and nitrogen fixation such as species of Gammaproteobacteria class. Our study highlights the influence of POME on soil biological components and contributes to the sustainable production of palm oil in the Amazon.
Particle Size Measurement and Detection of Bound Proteins of Non-Porous/Mesoporous Silica Microspheres by Single-Particle Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Miyashita Shin-ichi , Ogura Toshihiko , Matsuura Shun-ichi , Fukuda Eriko
Published: March 2024

Single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS) has been used for particle size measurement of diverse types of individual nanoparticles and micrometer-sized carbon-based particles such as microplastics. However, its applicability to the measurement of micrometer-sized non-carbon-based particles such as silica (SiO2) particles is unclear. In this study, the applicability of spICP-MS to particle size measurement of non-porous/mesoporous SiO2 microspheres with a nominal diameter of 5.0 µm or smaller was investigated. Particle sizes of these microspheres were measured using both spICP-MS based on a conventional calibration approach using an ion standard solution and scanning electron microscopy as a reference technique, and the results were compared. The particle size distributions obtained using both techniques were in agreement within analytical uncertainty. The applicability of this technique to the detection of metal-containing protein-binding mesoporous SiO2 microspheres was also investigated. Bound iron (Fe)-containing proteins (i.e., lactoferrin and transferrin) of mesoporous SiO2 microspheres were detected using Fe as a presence marker for the proteins. Thus, spICP-MS is applicable to the particle size measurement of large-sized and non-porous/mesoporous SiO2 microspheres. It has considerable potential for element-based detection and qualification of bound proteins of mesoporous SiO2 microspheres in a variety of applications.
Design of Experimental Approach for Development of Rapid High Performance Liquid Chromatographic Process for Simultaneous Estimation of Metoprolol, Telmisartan, and Amlodipine from Formulation: Greenness and Whiteness Evaluation
Authors: Attimarad Mahesh , Alali Mohammed Jassim , Alali Hussain Ali , Alabdulmuhsin Dana Hisham , Alnajdi Aljohara Khalid , Venugopala Katharigatta Narayanaswamy , Nair Anroop B.
Published: March 2024

The design of an experimental approach, the Box–Behnken design, was implemented to optimize the chromatographic condition to develop a rapid HPLC procedure for quantification of a ternary mixture of metoprolol (MET), telmisartan (TEL), and amlodipine (AML) from the formulation. The perturbation plots, contour, and 3D response surface pictures were developed to study the impact of each variable on the analytes’ retention time and the probable interaction between the parameters with fewer chromatographic runs. The optimized HPLC method separated the three analytes within 5 min with excellent selectivity and peak shape on a Zorbax C18 HPLC column using acetonitrile and phosphate buffer (20 mM, pH 5.8) with isocratic elution at a 1.1 mL/min flowrate. A wavelength 230 nm was utilized to monitor the elute. The validation of proposed method demonstrated a wide linearity range of 10–200 µg/mL for MET and TEL and 5–50 µg/mL for AML along with an excellent correlation coefficient. The correctness of the HPLC approach was further confirmed by excellent recovery of the added amount of analytes utilizing the standard addition technique. The recommended HPLC approach was employed safely for quality assurance of the formulation, because the evaluation of the method’s greenness and whiteness confirmed the environmentally friendly nature of the approach.