bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Semantic Segmentation for Point Clouds via Semantic-Based Local Aggregation and Multi-Scale Global Pyramid
Authors: Cao Shipeng , Zhao Huaici , Liu Pengfei
Published: December 2022

Recently, point-based networks have begun to prevail because they retain more original geometric information from point clouds than other deep learning-based methods. However, we observe that: (1) the set abstraction design for local aggregation in point-based networks neglects that the points in a local region may belong to different semantic categories, and (2) most works focus on single-scale local features while ignoring the importance of multi-scale global features. To tackle the above issues, we propose two novel strategies named semantic-based local aggregation (SLA) and multi-scale global pyramid (MGP). The key idea of SLA is to augment local features based on the semantic similarity of neighboring points in the local region. Additionally, we propose a hierarchical global aggregation (HGA) module to extend local feature aggregation to global feature aggregation. Based on HGA, we introduce MGP to obtain discriminative multi-scale global features from multi-resolution point cloud scenes. Extensive experiments on two prevailing benchmarks, S3DIS and Semantic3D, demonstrate the effectiveness of our method.
Effect of Infill Density of the Printed PET-G Structures Containing Iron Oxides on Magnetic Properties
Authors: Zárybnická Lucie , Marek Martin , Ševčík Radek , Stolín Radek , Pokorný Jaroslav , Šál Jiří
Published: December 2022

This work aims to characterize printing structures with various infill densities composed of a thermoplastic material containing magnetic particles composed of mainly Iron(III) oxides with regard to their possible processing with the additive technology of Fused Filament Fabrication. A polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PET-G) structural thermoplastic with the addition of Iron(III)) oxides has been selected, and correct processing temperatures have been determined using thermal analysis. The paramagnetic properties of printed products consisting of different filling densities have been tested. Relative permeability has been identified to be strongly dependent on the printed internal structures of tested products. The samples composed of the densest structure have shown relative permeability higher by 18% with respect to the sample printed with the least dense structure. Finite Element Modelling (FEM) simulations have been applied to determine magnetic field distributions and, moreover, to calculate the holding forces of all printed samples. The performed simulations confirmed that produced composites might be utilized as magnetic switches and sensors or as more advanced components for homogenizing electric motors’ magnetic fields. Moreover, magnetic properties might be tuned according to the specific needs printing structure with the suitable density.
Data Analysis and Domain Knowledge for Strategic Competencies Using Business Intelligence and Analytics
Authors: Faúndez Mauricio Olivares , de la Fuente-Mella Hanns
Published: December 2022

This research arises from the demand in business management for capabilities that put into practice—in an autonomous way—skills and knowledge in BI&A of all those who make decisions and lead organizations. To this end, this study aims to analyze the development of scientific production over the last 20 years in order to provide evidence of possible gaps, patterns and emphasis on domains of strategic leadership competencies in BI&A. The study was split into two methodological phases. Methodological Phase 1: Application of analytical techniques of informetrics. Methodological Phase 2: natural language processing and machine learning techniques. The records collected were 1231 articles from the Web of Science and Scopus databases on 16 August 2021. The results confirm, with an r2 = 96.9%, that a small group of authors published the largest number of articles on strategic leadership competencies in BI&A. There is also a strong emphasis on studies in the domain of professional capability development (92.29%), and there are few studies in the domain of enabling environment for learning (0.72%); the domain of expertise (3.01%) and strategic vision of BI&A was also rare (3.37%).
Coarse Point Cloud Registration Based on Variational Functionals
Authors: Makovetskii Artyom , Voronin Sergei , Kober Vitaly , Voronin Alexei
Published: December 2022

Point cloud collection forming a 3D scene typically uses information from multiple data scans. The common approach is to register the point cloud pairs consequentially using a variant of the iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm, but most versions of the ICP algorithm only work correctly for a small movement between two point clouds. This makes it difficult to accumulate multiple scans. Global registration algorithms are also known, which theoretically process point clouds at arbitrary initial positions. Recently, a multiparameter variational functional was described and used in the ICP variant to register point clouds at arbitrary initial positions. The disadvantage of this algorithm was the need for manual selection of parameters. In this paper, a modified version of the algorithm with automatic selection of the model parameters is proposed. The proposed algorithm is a fusion of the ICP and RANSAC concepts. Moreover, the algorithm can be parallelized. The performance of the proposed algorithm is compared with that of known global registration algorithms.
A Seq2Seq Model Improved by Transcendental Learning and Imaged Sequence Samples for Porosity Prediction
Authors: Zhou Lijian , Wang Lijun , Zhao Zhiang , Liu Yuwei , Liu Xiwu
Published: December 2022

Since the accurate prediction of porosity is one of the critical factors for estimating oil and gas reservoirs, a novel porosity prediction method based on Imaged Sequence Samples (ISS) and a Sequence to Sequence (Seq2Seq) model fused by Transcendental Learning (TL) is proposed using well-logging data. Firstly, to investigate the correlation between logging features and porosity, the original logging features are normalized and selected by computing their correlation with porosity to obtain the point samples. Secondly, to better represent the depositional relations with depths, an ISS set is established by slidingly grouping sample points across depth, and the selected logging features are in a row. Therefore, spatial relations among the features are established along the vertical and horizontal directions. Thirdly, since the Seq2Seq model can better extract the spatio-temporal information of the input data than the Bidirectional Gate Recurrent Unit (BGRU), the Seq2Seq model is introduced for the first time to address the logging data and predict porosity. The experimental results show that it can achieve superior prediction results than state-of-the-art. However, the cumulative bias is likely to appear when using the Seq2Seq model. Motivated by teacher forcing, the idea of TL is proposed to be incorporated into the decoding process of Seq2Seq, named the TL-Seq2Seq model. The self-well and inter-well experimental results show that the proposed approach can significantly improve the accuracy of porosity prediction.
Free Vibration Characteristics of Bidirectional Graded Porous Plates with Elastic Foundations Using 2D-DQM
Authors: Melaibari Ammar , Mohamed Salwa A. , Assie Amr E. , Shanab Rabab A. , Eltaher Mohamed A.
Published: December 2022

This manuscript develops for the first time a mathematical formulation of the dynamical behavior of bi-directional functionally graded porous plates (BDFGPP) resting on a Winkler–Pasternak foundation using unified higher-order plate theories (UHOPT). The kinematic displacement fields are exploited to fulfill the null shear strain/stress at the bottom and top surfaces of the plate without needing a shear factor correction. The bi-directional gradation of materials is proposed in the axial (x-axis) and transverse (z-axis) directions according to the power-law distribution function. The cosine function is employed to define the distribution of porosity through the transverse z-direction. Equations of motion in terms of displacements and associated boundary conditions are derived in detail using Hamilton’s principle. The two-dimensional differential integral quadrature method (2D-DIQM) is employed to transform partial differential equations of motion into a system of algebraic equations. Parametric analysis is performed to illustrate the effect of kinematic shear relations, gradation indices, porosity type, elastic foundations, geometrical dimensions, and boundary conditions (BCs) on natural frequencies and mode shapes of BDFGPP. The effect of the porosity coefficient on the natural frequency is dependent on the porosity type. The natural frequency is dependent on the coupling of gradation indices, boundary conditions, and shear distribution functions. The proposed model can be used in designing BDFGPP used in nuclear, marine, aerospace, and civil structures based on their topology and natural frequency constraints.
Alginates Combined with Natural Polymers as Valuable Drug Delivery Platforms
Authors: Kruk Katarzyna , Winnicka Katarzyna
Published: December 2022

Alginates (ALG) have been used in biomedical and pharmaceutical technologies for decades. ALG are natural polymers occurring in brown algae and feature multiple advantages, including biocompatibility, low toxicity and mucoadhesiveness. Moreover, ALG demonstrate biological activities per se, including anti-hyperlipidemic, antimicrobial, anti-reflux, immunomodulatory or anti-inflammatory activities. ALG are characterized by gelling ability, one of the most frequently utilized properties in the drug form design. ALG have numerous applications in pharmaceutical technology that include micro- and nanoparticles, tablets, mucoadhesive dosage forms, wound dressings and films. However, there are some shortcomings, which impede the development of modified-release dosage forms or formulations with adequate mechanical strength based on pure ALG. Other natural polymers combined with ALG create great potential as drug carriers, improving limitations of ALG matrices. Therefore, in this paper, ALG blends with pectins, chitosan, gelatin, and carrageenans were critically reviewed.
Isolation, Characterization and Immunomodulatory Activity Evaluation of Chrysolaminarin from the Filamentous Microalga Tribonema aequale
Authors: Wang Feifei , Yang Rundong , Guo Yuhao , Zhang Chengwu
Published: December 2022

The aim of this study is to investigate the differences in the accumulation capacity of chrysolaminarin among six Tribonema species and to isolate this polysaccharide for immunomodulatory activity evaluation. The results showed that T. aequale was the most productive strain with the highest content and productivity of chrysolaminarin, which were 17.20% (% of dry weight) and 50.91 mg/L/d, respectively. Chrysolaminarin was then extracted and isolated from this alga, and its monosaccharide composition was mainly composed of a glucose (61.39%), linked by β-D-(1→3) (main chain) and β-D-(1→6) (branch chain) glycosidic bonds, with a molecular weight of less than 6 kDa. In vitro immunomodulatory assays showed that it could activate RAW264.7 cells at a certain concentration (1000 μg/mL), as evidenced by the increased phagocytic activity and upregulated mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, IL6, TNF-α and Nos2. Moreover, Western blot revealed that this polysaccharide stimulated the phosphorylation of p-65, p-38 and JNK in NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. Overall, these findings provide a reference for the further development and utilization of algae-based chrysolaminarin, while also offering an in-depth understanding of the immunoregulatory mechanism.
Gold Nanoparticles Synthesized by an Aqueous Extract of Codium tomentosum as Potential Antitumoral Enhancers of Gemcitabine
Authors: González-Ballesteros Noelia , Maietta Immacolata , Rey-Méndez Raquel , Rodríguez-Argüelles M. Carmen , Lastra-Valdor Mariano , Cavazza Antonella , Grimaldi Maria , Bigi Franca , Simón-Vázquez Rosana
Published: December 2022

Cancer still poses a global threat, since a lot of tumors remain untreatable despite all the available chemotherapeutic drugs, whose side effects, it must also be noted, still raise concerns. The antitumoral properties of marine seaweeds make them a potential source of new, less toxic, and more active antitumoral agents. Furthermore, these natural extracts can be combined with nanotechnology to increase their efficacy and improve targeting. In this work, a Codium tomentosum (CT) aqueous extract was employed for the green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (Au@CT). The complete characterization of Au@CT was performed by UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Zeta potential, electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), high-performance steric exclusion chromatography (HPSEC), and by the determination of their antioxidant capacity. The antiproliferative activity of Au@CT was then tested in hepatic (HEPG-2) and pancreatic (BxPC-3) cell lines. Their potential capacity as enhancers of gemcitabine, a drug frequently used to treat both types of tumors, was also tested. The activity of Au@CT was compared to the activity of the CT extract alone. A synergistic effect with gemcitabine was proven for HEPG-2. Our results showed that gold nanoparticles synthesized from seaweed extracts with antitumoral activity could be a good gemcitabine enhancer.
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Combined Antegrade Flexible Ureteroscope for Complete Staghorn Stones: A Case Report of a New Concept of Stone Surgery
Authors: Pan Szu-Ying , Huang Chi-Ping , Chen Wen-Chi , Chen Yung-Hsiang , Chou Eric Chieh-Lung
Published: December 2022

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the treatment of choice for staghorn stones. However, residual stones in calyces remain a challenge due to the limited angle which makes the approach difficult. The new operative technique of endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery (ECIRS), which integrates the advantages of PCNL and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), was developed to overcome this difficulty. However, two experienced urologists are required to perform ECIRS, and the patient has to be placed in the Galdakao-modified supine Valdivia position or modified prone split-leg position which cannot be achieved in the elderly or patients with ankylosing arthritis, as it may cause harm due to abnormal traction of the joints. In addition, it is difficult for surgeons to create an ideal access tract to perform PCNL in this position. We report the case of a 72-year-old female patient with left staghorn stone. We performed RIRS first and then placed the patient in the decubitus position for PCNL with antegrade flexible ureteroscopy. This method allows patients to be placed in an easier position, with the use of flexible ureteroscopy through a nephroscope to find previously unreachable stones. Moreover, in addition to the more comfortable position both for surgeons and patients, this procedure can also deal with large complex renal stones as with ECIRS. We also created a brand-new definition for stone clearance rate, namely, stone reduction efficiency (SRE). There was a high stone reduction efficiency of 12.64 (mm2/min) in our patient, and no complications occurred. We suggest that this procedure is an ideal alternative treatment for a huge staghorn stone instead of PCNL or ECIRS.
Diagnosis and Management of Fetal and Neonatal Thyrotoxicosis
Authors: Bohîlțea Roxana-Elena , Mihai Bianca-Margareta , Szini Elena , Șucaliuc Ileana-Alina , Badiu Corin
Published: December 2022

Background and Objectives: Clinical fetal thyrotoxicosis is a rare disorder occurring in 1–5% of pregnancies with Graves’ disease. Although transplacental passage of maternal TSH receptor stimulating autoantibodies (TRAb) to the fetus occurs early in gestation, their concentration in the fetus is reduced until the late second trimester, and reaches maternal levels in the last period of pregnancy. The mortality of fetal thyrotoxicosis is 12–20%, mainly due to heart failure. Case report: We present a case of fetal and neonatal thyrotoxicosis with favorable evolution under proper treatment in a 37-year-old woman. From her surgical history, we noted a thyroidectomy performed 12 years ago for Graves’ disease with orbitopathy and ophthalmopathy; the patient was hormonally balanced under substitution treatment for post-surgical hypothyroidism and hypoparathyroidism. From her obstetrical history, we remarked a untreated pregnancy complicated with fetal anasarca, premature birth, and neonatal death. The current pregnancy began with maternal euthyroid status and persistently increased TRAb, the value of which reached 101 IU/L at 20 weeks gestational age and decreased rapidly within 1 month to 7.5 IU/L, probably due to the placental passage, and occurred simultaneously with the development of fetal tachycardia, without any other fetal thyrotoxicosis signs. In order to treat fetal thyrotoxicosis, the patient was administered methimazole, in addition to her routine substitution of 137.5 ug L-Thyroxine daily, with good control of thyroid function in both mother and fetus. Conclusions: Monitoring for fetal thyrotoxicosis signs and maternal TRAb concentration may successfully guide the course of a pregnancy associated with Graves’ disease. An experienced team should be involved in the management.
National Trends in Statin Use in Lithuania from 2010 to 2021
Authors: Makarevičius Gytis , Rinkūnienė Egidija , Badarienė Jolita
Published: December 2022

Objective: In Lithuania, no comprehensive national research on statin utilization and trends has yet been undertaken. Nonetheless, this knowledge is critical for the healthcare system to identify key areas for development. We aimed to analyze trends in statin utilization in Lithuania from the past 12 years considering changes in reimbursement policies and the publication of updated international CVD prevention guidelines. Methods: We performed a retrospective, descriptive study of statin utilization in Lithuania from 2010 to 2021. The data were obtained from PharmaZOOM LT, an independent software supplier with nationwide coverage on pharmaceutical market data. The data coverage was 95%. We used anatomical therapeutic chemical (ATC) classification for data extraction and calculated defined daily doses (DDDs) according to the ATC/DDD Toolkit of World Health Organization according to statin dose in a pill. Results: Statin use increased overall from 8.28 DDD/TID in 2010 to 96.06 DDD/TID in 2021. The annual growth rate in sales of statin DDD/TID was 22.28%. The increase was mostly due to the increase in moderate- and high-intensity statins. The increases coincided with changes in reimbursement policy or the publication of international guidelines. Polypill use in Lithuania began steadily increasing after 2016 and reached 19.37% of the total DDD/TID of statins in 2021. Conclusions: The use of statins has increased dramatically in Lithuania over the last decade. Changes in statin reimbursement regulations in the country, as well as worldwide cardiovascular preventive recommendations aiming at lower LDL-C objectives, fueled the progress.
Chronic Kidney Disease, Urinary Tract Infections and Antibiotic Nephrotoxicity: Are There Any Relationships?
Authors: Dicu-Andreescu Ioana , Penescu Mircea Niculae , Căpușă Cristina , Verzan Constantin
Published: December 2022

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been a constant burden worldwide, with a prevalence of more than 10% of the population and with mortality reaching 1.2 million deaths and 35.8 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in 2017, as it is claimed by the Global Burden of Diseases. Moreover, an increase in its prevalence is expected in the next years due to a rise in the number of people suffering from obesity, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. On the other hand, with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality showing a downward trend, maybe it is time to focus on CKD, to minimize the preventable risk factors involved in its progression toward end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and to offer a better quality of life. Another major health burden is represented by infectious diseases, particularly urinary tract infections (UTIs), as it is considered that approximately 40–50% of women and 5% of men will have at least one episode during their lifetime. Additionally, CKD consists of a constellation of immunological and metabolical disturbances that lead to a greater risk of UTIs: increased apoptosis of lymphocytes, elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 6, which lower the function of neutrophils and increased levels of uremic toxins like p-cresyl sulfate and indoxyl sulfate, which alter the adherence and migration of leukocytes to the sites of injury. Moreover, UTIs can lead to a more rapid decline of kidney function, especially in stages G3-G5 of CKD, with all the complications involved. Last, but not least, antibiotherapy is often complicated in this category of patients, as antibiotics can also negatively affect the kidneys. This review will try to focus on the particularities of the urinary microbiome, asymptomatic bacteriuria and UTIs and the subtle balance between the risks of them and the risks of antibiotherapy in the evolution of CKD.
Rational Design of PDA/P-PVDF@PP Janus Membrane with Asymmetric Wettability for Switchable Emulsion Separation
Authors: Peng Jingjun , Deka Bhaskar Jyoti , Wu Shaodi , Luo Zhongyuan , Kharraz Jehad A. , Jia Wei
Published: December 2022

Water pollution caused by oil spills or sewage discharges has become a serious ecological environmental issue. Despite the membrane separation technique having a promising application in wastewater purification, the membrane fabrication method and separation robustness have remained unsatisfactory until now. Herein, we developed a novel strategy, spacer-assisted sequential phase conversion, to create a patterned polyvinylidene fluoride@polypropylene (P-PVDF@PP) substrate membrane with a multiscale roughened surface. Based on that surface structure, the underwater oil resistance behavior of the P-PVDF@PP membrane was improved. Moreover, owing to the abundant active sites on the P-PVDF@PP surface, the polydopamine/P-PVDF@PP (PDA/P-PVDF@PP) Janus membrane could be readily fabricated via wet chemical modification, which exhibited excellent switchable oil–water separation performance. Regarding surfactant-stabilized oil-water emulsion, the as-prepared PDA/P-PVDF@PP Janus membrane also had robust separation efficiency (as high as 99% in the n-hexane/water, chloroform/water, and toluene/water emulsion separation cases) and desirable reusability. Finally, the underlying mechanism of emulsion separation in the PDA/P-PVDF@PP Janus membrane was specified. The as-designed PDA/P-PVDF@PP Janus membrane with high-efficiency oil–water separation shows potential application in oily wastewater treatment, and the developed fabrication method has implications for the fabrication of advanced separation membranes.
Controlling Fractional Free Volume, Transport, and Co-Transport of Alcohols and Carboxylate Salts in PEGDA Membranes
Authors: Mazumder Antara , Kim Jung Min , Hunter Brock , Beckingham Bryan S.
Published: December 2022

Understanding multi-component transport through polymer membranes is critical for separation applications such as water purification, energy devices, etc. Specifically for CO2 reduction cells, where the CO2 reduction products (alcohols and carboxylate salts), crossover of these species is undesirable and improving the design of ion exchange membranes to prevent this behavior is needed. Previously, it was observed that acetate transport increased in copermeation with alcohols for cation exchange membranes consisting of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) and 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS) and that the inclusion of poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA) (n = 5, n represents the number of ethylene oxide repeat units) could suppress this behavior. Here, we further investigate the role of PEGMA in modulating fractional free volume and transport behavior of alcohols and carboxylates. PEGDA-PEGMA membranes of varied membranes are fabricated with both varied pre −polymerization water content at constant PEGMA (n = 9) content and varied PEGMA content at two pre −polymerization water contents (20 and 60 wt.% water). Permeability to sodium acetate also decreases in these charge-neutral PEGDA-PEGMA membranes compared to PEGMA-free films. Therefore, incorporation of comonomers such as PEGMA with long side chains may provide a useful membrane chemistry structural motif for preventing undesirable carboxylate crossover in polymer membranes.
Preparation and Performance Study of the Anodic Catalyst Layer via Doctor Blade Coating for PEM Water Electrolysis
Authors: Liu Gaoyang , Peng Shanlong , Hou Faguo , Wang Xindong , Fang Baizeng
Published: December 2022

The membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is the core component of proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis cell, which provides a place for water decomposition to generate hydrogen and oxygen. The microstructure, thickness, IrO2 loading as well as the uniformity and quality of the anodic catalyst layer (ACL) have great influence on the performance of PEM water electrolysis cell. Aiming at providing an effective and low-cost fabrication method for MEA, the purpose of this work is to optimize the catalyst ink formulation and achieve the ink properties required to form an adherent and continuous layer with doctor blade coating method. The ink formulation (e.g., isopropanol/H2O of solvents and solids content) were adjusted, and the doctor blade thickness was optimized. The porous structure and the thickness of the doctor blade coating ACL were further confirmed with the in-plane and the cross-sectional SEM analyses. Finally, the effect of the ink formulation and the doctor blade thickness of the ACL on the cell performance were characterized in a PEM electrolyzer under ambient pressure at 80 °C. Overall, the optimized doctor blade coating ACL showed comparable performance to that prepared with the spraying method. It is proved that the doctor blade coating is capable of high-uniformity coating.
Lactose Mother Liquor Stream Valorisation Using an Effective Electrodialytic Process
Authors: Merkel Arthur , Vavro Matej , Čopák Ladislav , Dvořák Lukáš , Ahrné Lilia , Ruchti Christian
Published: December 2022

The integrated electrodialysis (ED) process supports valorisation of a lactose-rich side stream from the dairy industry, creating an important source of milk sugar used in various branches of the industry. This work focuses on the optimization of the downstream processes before the crystallization of lactose. The process line includes a pre-treatment and desalination by ED of the industrial waste solution of the lactose mother liquor (LML). The LML was diluted to 25% total solids to overcome hydraulic issues with the ED desalination process. Two different levels of electrical conductivity reduction (70% and 90%) of the LML solutions were applied to decrease the mineral components and organic acids of the LML samples. The ED performance parameters such as ash transfer rate (J), the specific capacity (CF) of the ED and specific electric energy consumption (E) were determined and the influence of the LML solution on the monopolar ion-exchange membranes has been investigated. A higher degree of desalination is associated with higher electric energy consumption (by 50%) and lower specific capacity (by 40%). A noticeable decrease (by 12.8%) in the resistance of the anion exchange membranes was measured after the trials whereas the resistance of the cation exchange membranes remained practically unchanged. Any deposition of the alkaline earth metals on the membrane surface was not observed.
Effect of Ca/Mg on Distribution and Morphology of MnS Inclusions in 45MnVS Non-Quenched and Tempered Steel
Authors: Su Lijuan , Tian Jun , Hu Shaoyan , Lv Ming , Li Xianglong , Qu Tianpeng , Wang Deyong , Zhan Tianyin
Published: December 2022

The influence of Ca treatment, Mg treatment and Ca–Mg combined treatment on the inclusions in 45MnVS non-quenched and tempered steel were studied in the present work. After the melting experiment, a hot rolling test was carried out on the steel ingot. Additionally, the composition, quantity and morphology of inclusions in the test steel samples were analyzed by automatic scanning electron microscopy (ASPEX) and an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer connected to scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDS). The results indicated that the inclusions in 45MnVS steel mainly consisted of a large amount of sulfides and a small amount of oxides. Sulfide inclusions could be nucleated and precipitated using oxides as a core during solidification. The proportion of spindle-shaped inclusions in sulfide with smaller sizes was higher. The sizes of MnS–oxide inclusions were larger than those of MnS. After hot rolling, the proportion of spindle-shaped MnS and complex sulfides with oxide cores in the samples was increased significantly. Compared with Ca treatment and Ca–Mg treatment, more oxides were formed in the steel with Mg treatment, which can in turn become the cores for sulfide nucleation and precipitation. Thus, the proportion of MnS–oxide inclusions in steel increased. Compared with Ca treatment and Mg treatment, steel with Ca–Mg treatment was more conducive to the formation of complex sulfides, and increased the proportion of spindle-shaped sulfides in 45MnVS steel. After Ca treatment, Mg treatment and Ca–Mg combined treatment, the proportions of spindle-shaped sulfides in steel were 23.31%, 19.39% and 43.24%, respectively.
The Influence of High Vanadium and Phosphorus Contents on the Risk of Transverse Cracking during the Continuous Casting of Austenitic TWIP Steels
Authors: Morel Ingrid , Remy Blandine , Dez Anne , Mintz Barrie , Scott Colin
Published: December 2022

There is considerable interest in improving the resistance of fully austenitic TWIP steels to hydrogen embrittlement; one potential route is to use V additions to promote hydrogen trapping by V(C,N) precipitates. This has the dual benefit of increasing the yield strength through precipitation strengthening and grain refinement. However, the effect on slab quality during continuous casting has not been determined. In this study, the hot ductility of two twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) steels, Fe-0.6C-22Mn and Fe-0.6C-22Mn-0.2V, was examined over the temperature range 650–1200 °C. Tensile samples were taken from continuous cast 225 mm slabs and from 36 mm transfer bars. The addition of V caused the ductility trough in the temperature range 650–900 °C to deepen and widen and the lowest reduction in area (RA) recorded in the as-cast condition was 30%. This deterioration of hot ductility was due to V(C,N) precipitation. Even though the minimum RA was below the value often accepted to avoid cracking, no transverse cracking was observed in industrial trials and the surface quality was acceptable. The RA values of Fe-0.6C-22Mn were found to be very sensitive to the P level. However, this sensitivity was less evident when V was added, possibly due to P trapping by VC at austenite boundaries. No transverse cracking was observed in industrially produced slabs with P in the range examined (0.02 to 0.04 wt.% P).
Numerical Study of the Layered Blasting Effect on a Cemented Backfill Stope
Authors: Li Zongnan , Yu Bin , Guo Lijie , Xu Wenyuan , Zhao Yue , Peng Xiaopeng
Published: December 2022

The sublevel open stoping with backfill method has recently been widely used in underground metal mines. The primary CPB stope is frequently affected by blasting in the secondary ore stope, leading to stope collapse and ore dilution, which has become a common problem and has received widespread attention. Numerical simulations are carried out in the present work, and a 1/4 numeral model consisting of a primary CPB stope and a secondary ore stope is built. The secondary ore stope is divided into four layers on average in the simulation model, and the incident stress induced by each blasting at the interface of the CPB and ore is simulated. The results show that the CPB stope in the range within the height of the explosive charge induced horizontal compressive stress and tensile stress induced from the explosive charge height, while the mined section under the charge height has no obvious blasting impact. The maximum incident compressive stress is close to 1.2 MPa and occurs in the area closest to the blast hole The maximum induced tensile stress occurs in the range above the charge height, which is about 0.2 MPa. The stress ratios of the four-layered lift blasts are 3.6%, 3.8%, 4.0%, and 4.8%, respectively, showing a slight cumulative effect of layered blasting. In addition, the positive correlation between incident stress and the stress ratio is studied in the present work, and the results show that the greater the incident stress is, the greater the incident ratio is.
Chromatomass-Spectrometric Method for the Quantitative Determination of Amino- and Carboxylic Acids in Biological Samples
Authors: Kaysheva Anna L. , Kopylov Arthur T. , Stepanov Alexander A. , Malsagova Kristina A. , Izotov Alexander A. , Shurubor Yevgeniya I. , Krasnikov Boris F.
Published: December 2022

A highly sensitive method for the qualitative and quantitative determination of amino- and carboxylic acids, as well as a number of urea and methionine cycle metabolites in the studied solutions, is presented. Derivatives (esterification) were obtained for amino acids by their reaction in a solution of 3 N of hydrochloric acid in n-butanol for 15 min at 65 °C and for carboxylic acids by their reaction with phenol in ethyl acetate with 3 N of hydrochloric acid for 20 min at 65 °C. Experimental work on the determination of individual metabolites was carried out using the HPLC-MS/MS method and included the creation of a library of spectra of the analyzed compounds and their quantitative determination. Multiplex methods have been developed for the quantitative analysis of the desired metabolites in a wide range of concentrations of 3–4 orders of magnitude. The approach to the analysis of metabolites was developed based on the method of the dynamic monitoring of multiple reactions of the formation of fragments for a mass analyzer with a triple quadrupole (QQQ). The effective chromatographic separation of endogenous metabolites was carried out within 13 min. The calibration curves of the analyzed compounds were stable throughout the concentration range and had the potential to fit below empirical levels. The developed methods and obtained experimental data are of interest for a wide range of biomedical studies, as well as for monitoring the content of endogenous metabolites in biological samples under various pathological conditions. The sensitivity limit of the methods for amino acids was about 4.8 nM and about 0.5 μM for carboxylic acids. Up to 19 amino- and up to 12 carboxy acids and about 10 related metabolites can be tested in a single sample.
Chemodiversity and Anti-Leukemia Effect of Metabolites from Penicillium setosum CMLD 18
Authors: de Carvalho Ana Calheiros , Lima Cauê Santos , Torquato Heron Fernandes Vieira , Domiciano André Tarsis , Silva Sebastião da Cruz , de Abreu Lucas Magalhães , Uemi Miriam , Paredes-Gamero Edgar Julian , Vieira Paulo Cezar , Veiga Thiago André Moura , de Medeiros Lívia Soman
Published: December 2022

Penicillium setosum represents a Penicillium species recently described, with little up-to-date information about its metabolic and biological potential. Due to this scenario, we performed chemical and biological studies of P. setosum CMLD18, a strain isolated from Swinglea glutinosa (Rutaceae). HRMS-MS guided dereplication strategies and anti-leukemia assays conducted the isolation and characterization of six compounds after several chromatographic procedures: 2-chloroemodic acid (2), 2-chloro-1,3,8-trihydroxy-6- (hydroxymethyl)-anthraquinone (7), 7-chloroemodin (8), bisdethiobis(methylthio)acetylaranotine (9), fellutanine C (10), and 4-methyl-5,6-diihydro-2H-pyran-2-one (15). From the assayed metabolites, (10) induced cellular death against Kasumi-1, a human leukemia cell line, as well as good selectivity for it, displaying promising cytotoxic activity. Here, the correct NMR signal assignments for (9) are also described. Therefore, this work highlights more detailed knowledge about the P. setosum chemical profile as well as its biological potential, offering prospects for obtaining natural products with anti-leukemia capabilities.
Sex Differences in the In Vivo Exposure Process of Multiple Components of Gelsemium elegans in Rats
Authors: Zuo Meng-Ting , Gong Meng-Die , Ma Xiao , Xu Wen-Bo , Wang Zi-Yuan , Tang Mo-Huan , Wu Yong , Liu Zhao-Ying
Published: December 2022

Asian Gelsemium elegans (G. elegans) has a wide range of pharmacological activities. However, its strong toxicity limits its potential development and application. Interestingly, there are significant gender differences in G. elegans toxicity in rats. This work aimed to elucidate the overall absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of whole G. elegans crude extract in female and male rats using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC/QqTOF-MS), which facilitates determining the reasons for the gender differences in toxicity. A total of 25 absorbed bioactive components and 3 related produced metabolites were tentatively identified in female rats, while only 17 absorbed bioactive components and 3 related produced metabolites were identified in male rats. By comparison of peak intensities, most compounds were found to be more active in absorption, distribution and excretion in female rats than in male rats, which showed that female rats were more sensitive to G. elegans. This study was the first to investigate the multicomponent in vivo process of G. elegans in rats and compare the differences between sexes. It was hypothesized that differences in the absorption of gelsedine-type alkaloids were one of the main reasons for the sex differences in G. elegans toxicity.
Associations between Periodontitis, COVID-19, and Cardiometabolic Complications: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Evidence
Authors: Mainas Giuseppe , Nibali Luigi , Ide Mark , Mahmeed Wael Al , Al-Rasadi Khalid , Al-Alawi Kamila , Banach Maciej , Banerjee Yajnavalka , Ceriello Antonio , Cesur Mustafa , Cosentino Francesco , Firenze Alberto , Galia Massimo , Goh Su-Yen , Janež Andrej , Kalra Sanjay , Kapoor Nitin , Kempler Peter , Lessan Nader , Lotufo Paulo , Papanas Nikolaos , Rizvi Ali A. , Sahebkar Amirhossein , Santos Raul D. , Stoian Anca P. , Toth Peter P. , Viswanathan Vijay , Rizzo Manfredi
Published: December 2022

Periodontitis is a microbially driven, host-mediated disease that leads to loss of periodontal attachment and resorption of bone. It is associated with the elevation of systemic inflammatory markers and with the presence of systemic comorbidities. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Although the majority of patients have mild symptoms, others experience important complications that can lead to death. After the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, several investigations demonstrating the possible relationship between periodontitis and COVID-19 have been reported. In addition, both periodontal disease and COVID-19 seem to provoke and/or impair several cardiometabolic complications such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and neurological and neuropsychiatric complications. Therefore, due to the increasing number of investigations focusing on the periodontitis-COVID-19 relationship and considering the severe complications that such an association might cause, this review aims to summarize all existing emerging evidence regarding the link between the periodontitis-COVID-19 axis and consequent cardiometabolic impairments.
Molecular Machines and Microrobots: Nanoarchitectonics Developments and On-Water Performances
Authors: Ariga Katsuhiko
Published: December 2022

This review will focus on micromachines and microrobots, which are objects at the micro-level with similar machine functions, as well as nano-level objects such as molecular machines and nanomachines. The paper will initially review recent examples of molecular machines and microrobots that are not limited to interfaces, noting the diversity of their functions. Next, examples of molecular machines and micromachines/micro-robots functioning at the air-water interface will be discussed. The behaviors of molecular machines are influenced significantly by the specific characteristics of the air-water interface. By placing molecular machines at the air-water interface, the scientific horizon and depth of molecular machine research will increase dramatically. On the other hand, for microrobotics, more practical and advanced systems have been reported, such as the development of microrobots and microswimmers for environmental remediations and biomedical applications. The research currently being conducted on the surface of water may provide significant basic knowledge for future practical uses of molecular machines and microrobots.
Effects of Thermal Treatment on DC Voltage-Driven Color Conversion in Organic Light-Emitting Diode
Authors: Ahn Tae Jun , Choi Bum Ho , Yu Jae-Woong , Kim Young Baek , Yu Yun Seop
Published: December 2022

A DC voltage-dependent color-tunable organic light-emitting diode (CTOLED) was proposed for lighting applications. The CTOLED consists of six consecutive organic layers: the hole injection layer, the hole transport layer (HTL), two emission layers (EMLs), a hole blocking layer (HBL), and an electron transport layer (ETL). Only one metal-free phthalocyanine (H2Pc) layer with a thickness of 5 nm was employed as the EML in the CTOLED on a green organic light-emitting diode (OLED) structure using tris (8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (III) (Alq3). The current density-voltage-luminance characteristics of the CTOLEDs before and after thermal treatment were characterized and analyzed. Several Gaussian peaks were also extracted by multipeak fitting analysis of the electroluminescent spectra. In the CTOLED before thermal treatment, green emission was dominant in the entire voltage range from low to high voltages, and blue and infrared were emitted simultaneously and at relatively low intensities at low and high voltages, respectively. In the CTOLED after thermal treatment, the dominant color conversion from blue to green was observed as the applied voltage increased, and the infrared emission was relatively low over the entire voltage range. By simulating the CTOLED with and without traps at the H2Pc interface using a technology computer-aided design simulator, we observed the following: 1. After thermal treatment, the CTOLED emitted blue light by exciton generation at the H2Pc–HBL interface because of the small electron transport through the H2Pc thin film due to the dramatic reduction of traps in the low-voltage regime. 2. In the high-voltage regime, electrons reaching the HBL were transferred to Alq3 by resonant tunneling in two quantum wells; thus, green light was emitted by exciton generation at the HTL–Alq3 interface.
Analysis and Design of a Non-Magnetic Bulk CMOS Passive Circulator Using 25% Duty-Cycle Clock
Authors: Gao Jian , Wang Xinghua , Han Fang , Wan Jiayue , Gu Wei
Published: December 2022

A circulator, which is a non-reciprocal device, is widely used in full-duplex systems, future communication and sensing networks, and quantum computing, and it is difficult to implement a passive topology on a chip. Based on switch-based spatio-temporal conductivity modulation, in this study, we design and implement a non-magnetic on-chip passive circulator operating at the Ku band in a 90-nm bulk CMOS technology using a 25% duty-cycle I/Q clock signal. With the virtue of the four-phase non-overlapping clock signal, the proposed circulator achieves a 3.9 dB transmitter (TX)-to-antenna (ANT) and a 4.0 dB ANT-to-receiver (RX) insertion loss with a 1-dB bandwidth of 2.7 GHz (21.4%). The TX-to-RX isolation is better than 17.2 dB, and the TX-to-ANT IIP3 and ANT-to-RX IIP3 are 19.7 dBm and 20.0 dBm, respectively, while occupying a die area of 1.55 mm × 1.15 mm. Although low-cost bulk CMOS technology is used, competitive isolation, linearity performance, and isolation bandwidth are achieved in the proposed design.
Adhesion Evaluation of an Embedded SiN/GaAs Interface Using a Novel “Push-Out” Technique
Authors: Dehkhoda Sahar , Lu Mingyuan , Huang Han
Published: December 2022

Adhesion assessments of an embedded interface in a multilayer system that contains a ductile layer are challenging. The occurrence of plastic deformation in the ductile layer often leads to additional complexity in analysis. In this study, an innovative “push-out” technique was devised to evaluate the interfacial toughness (Gin) of the embedded SiN/GaAs interface in a Au/SiN/GaAs multilayer system. Focus ion beam (FIB) milling was utilized to manufacture the miniaturized specimen and scratching with a conical indenter was used to apply load. This approach effectively minimized plastic deformation in the soft Au layer while inducing tensile stress to the embedded SiN/GaAs interface. As a result, the Au/SiN bilayer detached from the GaAs substrate with little plasticity. The energy associated with the interfacial delamination was derived from analyzing the load–displacement curves obtained from the scratching test. The Gin of the SiN/GaAs interface was calculated by means of energy analysis, and the average Gin was 4.86 ± 0.96 J m−2.
Trends and Applications of Surface and Bulk Acoustic Wave Devices: A Review
Authors: Yang Yang , Dejous Corinne , Hallil Hamida
Published: December 2022

The past few decades have witnessed the ultra-fast development of wireless telecommunication systems, such as mobile communication, global positioning, and data transmission systems. In these applications, radio frequency (RF) acoustic devices, such as bulk acoustic waves (BAW) and surface acoustic waves (SAW) devices, play an important role. As the integration technology of BAW and SAW devices is becoming more mature day by day, their application in the physical and biochemical sensing and actuating fields has also gradually expanded. This has led to a profusion of associated literature, and this article particularly aims to help young professionals and students obtain a comprehensive overview of such acoustic technologies. In this perspective, we report and discuss the key basic principles of SAW and BAW devices and their typical geometries and electrical characterization methodology. Regarding BAW devices, we give particular attention to film bulk acoustic resonators (FBARs), due to their advantages in terms of high frequency operation and integrability. Examples illustrating their application as RF filters, physical sensors and actuators, and biochemical sensors are presented. We then discuss recent promising studies that pave the way for the exploitation of these elastic wave devices for new applications that fit into current challenges, especially in quantum acoustics (single-electron probe/control and coherent coupling between magnons and phonons) or in other fields.