bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation Structure of Time-Changed Generalized Mixed Fractional Brownian Motion
Authors: Mliki Ezzedine
Published: July 2023

The generalized mixed fractional Brownian motion (gmfBm) is a Gaussian process with stationary increments that exhibits long-range dependence controlled by its Hurst indices. It is defined by taking linear combinations of a finite number of independent fractional Brownian motions with different Hurst indices. In this paper, we investigate the long-time behavior of gmfBm when it is time-changed by a tempered stable subordinator or a gamma process. As a main result, we show that the time-changed process exhibits a long-range dependence property under some conditions on the Hurst indices. The time-changed gmfBm can be used to model natural phenomena that exhibit long-range dependence, even when the underlying process is not itself long-range dependent.
Multidimensional Simulations of Core Convection
Authors: Lecoanet Daniel , Edelmann Philipp V. F.
Published: July 2023

The cores of main sequence intermediate- and high-mass stars are convective. Mixing at the radiative–convective boundary, waves excited by the convection, and magnetic fields generated by convective dynamos all influence the main sequence and post-main sequence evolution of these stars. These effects must be understood to accurately model the structure and evolution of intermediate- and high-mass stars. Unfortunately, there are many challenges in simulating core convection due to the wide range of temporal and spatial scales, as well as many important physics effects. In this review, we describe the latest numerical strategies to address these challenges. We then describe the latest state-of-the-art simulations of core convection, summarizing their main findings. These simulations have led to important insights into many of the processes associated with core convection. Two outstanding problems with multidimensional simulations are, 1. it is not always straightforward to extrapolate from simulation parameters to the parameters of real stars; and 2. simulations using different methods sometimes appear to arrive at contradictory results. To address these issues, next generation simulations of core convection must address how their results depend on stellar luminosity, dimensionality, and turbulence intensity. Furthermore, code comparison projects will be essential to establish robust parameterizations that will become the new standard in stellar modeling.
The Origins of the Royal Spanish Surname Castilla: Genetics and Genealogy
Authors: López-Parra Ana María , Mesa María Soledad , Castilla Fernando , Arroyo-Pardo Eduardo
Published: July 2023

In most Western European societies, surnames pass from generation to generation and in cases where surnames are shared by fathers to children, the Y chromosome passes down from fathers to male offspring in the same way as surnames do. The aim of this study was to ascertain the patrilineal relationship between individuals with the surname “Castilla” and their respective Y-chromosome haplotypes. The toponymic surname “Castilla” is part of the Spanish royal family. Genealogical studies of this surname have allowed the formulation of different hypotheses about its origin, most of which were centered in Burgos. To shed some light on the origin of the surname Castilla and to investigate the possible co-ancestry behind the living carriers of this surname, markers located in the Y chromosome-specific region were analyzed in a sample of 102 men whose paternal surname was Castilla. The study aimed to establish the minimum number of founders and the expansion time of the lineages from our sample. Two major haplogroups were identified: R1b and E1b1b-M81. The high frequency of the E1b1b-M81 haplogroup in comparison to that of the general Spanish population, its low haplotype diversity, and its young TMRCA (323+/− 255 years CE) are compatible with the historical timing of the obligation to use surnames. However, the coincidence of the most common haplogroup in the Castilla sample and the most frequent haplogroup in the Spanish general population, R1b, makes it difficult to identify founder haplotypes/haplogroups in the history of the Castilla surname.
Can the Day of the Week and the Time of Birth Predict the Mode of Delivery According to Robson Classification?
Authors: Giaxi Paraskevi , Gourounti Kleanthi , Vivilaki Victoria , Metallinou Dimitra , Zdanis Panagiotis , Galanos Antonis , Lykeridou Aikaterini
Published: July 2023

Worldwide, the cesarean section rate has steadily increased from 6.7% in 1990 to 21.1% in 2018 and is expected to rise even more. The World Health Organization propose the adoption of the Robson classification system as a global standard for monitoring, evaluating, and comparing delivery rates. The purpose of the current study is to use the Robson classification system to investigate how, independently of medical factors, the day of the week and time of delivery may be related to the mode of birth. In the sample analysis, we included the records of 8572 women giving birth in one private health facility in Greece. Over 60% of deliveries during the study period were performed by cesarean section, 30.6% by vaginal delivery, and 8.5% of deliveries were performed by operative vaginal delivery. The results of this study indicate that the lowest birth rates are observed on Monday, Saturday, and Sunday. Nulliparous women with no previous cesarean delivery, with a singleton in cephalic presentation ≥37 weeks with spontaneous labor (group 1) are 73% more likely to deliver by cesarean section between 08:00 A.M. and 03:59 P.M. compared to those who give birth between 12:00 A.M. and 07:59 A.M. Also, multiparous women with a single cephalic term pregnancy and one previous cesarean section (group 5.1) are 16.7 times more likely to deliver by cesarean section in the morning compared to overnight deliveries. These results point out two non-clinical variables that influences the CS rate. The Robson classification system was a useful tool for the above comparisons.
Optimizing Entomopathogenic Nematode Genetics and Applications for the Integrated Management of Horticultural Pests
Authors: Abd-Elgawad Mahfouz M. M.
Published: July 2023

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) can kill and recycle in their host populations, which bodes well for EPNs’ exploitation in long-term and safe pest management. However, EPNs’ cost and efficacy need transformational technology to supplant less expensive and more effective but toxic/unhealthy pesticides. A technology that allows for the significant uptake of commercial EPNs should both boost their market suitability and provide genetic improvements. This review provides brief overviews of EPNs’ biology and ecology from the standpoint of pest/pathogen management as a prerequisite for EPN improvements. Understanding the biology and ecology of EPNs, particularly their symbiotic relationships with bacteria, is crucial to their effective use in pest management. This review provides relevant insights into EPN-symbiotic bacteria and the EPN–symbiont complex. The symbiotic relationship between EPNs and bacteria plays a key role in IPM, providing unique advantages. Either of them can be included in mechanisms underlying the various positive sides of plant–insect interactions in emerging integrated pest management (IPM) systems. Recent approaches, in which EPNs can act additively or synergistically with other production inputs in IPM programs, are discussed for further expansion. The simultaneous favorable effects of EPNs and/or their mutualistic bacteria on several pest/pathogen species of crops should be identified. Merits, such as the rapid killing of insect pests, ease of EPN/the symbiont’s mass production and a broad host range, are presented in order to widely disseminate the conditions under which EPN usage can offer a cost-effective and/or value-added technique for IPM. To maximize the effectiveness of EPNs in IPM, various genetic improvement techniques are being explored. Such techniques, along with their merits/demerits and related tools, are reviewed to optimize the common biocontrol usage of EPNs. Examples of genetic improvements to EPNs that allow for their use in transformational technology, such as a cost-effective application technique, increased infectivity, and toleration of unfavorable settings, are given. Proper production practices and genetic techniques should be applied carefully to avoid undesirable results; it is suggested that these are considered on a case-by-case basis. This will enable us to optimize EPN performance based on the given variables.
Comparative Transcriptome Analyses Reveal Different Regulatory Mechanisms in Ecological Adaptation between Chrysanthemum vestitum and Chrysanthemum mongolicum
Authors: Ma Yueping , Meng Yuan , Lin Junjie
Published: July 2023

Chrysanthemum mongolicum and Chrysanthemum vestitum belong to the Asteraceae family, which occupy a wider range of ecological niches and represent extensive biotic resistance and abiotic tolerance. However, the genetic information about these two species is poorly known, which restricts their utilization. Here, the leaf transcriptomes of the two Chrysanthemum species were investigated and compared. In total, 21,856 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between C. vestitum and C. mongolicum, of which 12,076 DEGs were up-regulated and 9780 were down regulated in C. vestitum compared to C. mongolicum. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that stress resistance categories had significant proportions. The up-regulated DEGs related to “ABC transporters”, “Flavonoid biosynthesis” and “Monoterpenoid biosynthesis” were significantly enriched in C. vestitum compared with C. mongolicum. While the DEGs involved in “Biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids”, “Proteasome”, “Phenylpropanoid biosynthesis”, “Oxidative phosphorylation”, “Plant-pathogen interaction”, “Starch and sucrose metabolism”, “Glutathione metabolism”, as well as “MAPK signaling pathway” were mostly up-regulated in C. mongolicum compared with C. vestitum, suggesting their important roles in C. mongolicum. These results might explain the differences in morphology and provide potential molecular mechanisms for the ecological adaptation of the two Chrysanthemum species in extreme environments. Together, the results of this study provide a genetic resource that may greatly benefit the genetic improvement of cultivated chrysanthemums and will be helpful for plant conservation and sustainable utilization in the future.
Propagation Methods and Mulching Modulate the Quantum Yield, Ionic Relations, and Production Components of Sour Passion Fruit under Salt Stress
Authors: Souto Antônio Gustavo de Luna , Cavalcante Lourival Ferreira , Melo Edinete Nunes de , Cavalcante Ítalo Herbert Lucena , Lima Geovani Soares de , Mesquita Francisco de Oliveira , Silva Luan dos Santos , Silva Bruno da , Rodrigues Lucas Soares , Mesquita Evandro Franklin de , Gheyi Hans Raj , Melo Alberto Soares de
Published: July 2023

In semiarid regions of Brazil, water and/or soil salinity is one of the limiting factors for sour passion fruit production. Low rainfall rates combined with edaphic conditions (high concentrations of soluble salts) intensify deleterious effects on plants. Thus, strategies that minimize the effects of salt stress, e.g., grafting with tolerant species and soil mulching, are extremely important to ensure the expansion of irrigated fruit farming in this region. From this perspective, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of grafting and mulching on the quantum yield, ionic relations, and fruit production of sour passion fruit irrigated with moderately saline water. The experiment was conducted under field conditions in split plots, in a 2 × (2 × 2) factorial arrangement to evaluate the combination of low and moderate salinity water (main plot) with the propagation method (seeds and grafting on P. cincinnata) and without and with plastic mulching (subplots), with four replications and three plants per plot. The ionic relations in passion fruit leaves were increased with the use of rootstocks and plastic mulching under irrigation with moderately saline water. The use of mulching increased the yield of photosystem II in sour passion fruit. The passion fruit plants propagated by seeds had 187.52% more fruits than those grafted onto P. cincinnata. The use of rootstocks with P. cincinnata in sour passion fruit restricted the uptake of Na and Cl but reduced fruit production.
Extreme Events Analysis Using LH-Moments Method and Quantile Function Family
Authors: Anghel Cristian Gabriel , Stanca Stefan Ciprian , Ilinca Cornel
Published: July 2023

A direct way to estimate the likelihood and magnitude of extreme events is frequency analysis. This analysis is based on historical data and assumptions of stationarity, and is carried out with the help of probability distributions and different methods of estimating their parameters. Thus, this article presents all the relations necessary to estimate the parameters with the LH-moments method for the family of distributions defined only by the quantile function, namely, the Wakeby distribution of 4 and 5 parameters, the Lambda distribution of 4 and 5 parameters, and the Davis distribution. The LH-moments method is a method commonly used in flood frequency analysis, and it uses the annual series of maximum flows. The frequency characteristics of the two analyzed methods, which are both involved in expressing the distributions used in the first two linear moments, as well as in determining the confidence interval, are presented. The performances of the analyzed distributions and the two presented methods are verified in the following maximum flows, with the Bahna river used as a case study. The results are presented in comparison with the L-moments method. Following the results obtained, the Wakeby and Lambda distributions have the best performances, and the LH-skewness and LH-kurtosis statistical indicators best model the indicators’ values of the sample (0.5769, 0.3781, 0.548 and 0.3451). Similar to the L-moments method, this represents the main selection criterion of the best fit distribution.
Molecular Links between Sensory Nerves, Inflammation, and Pain 2.0
Authors: Szőke Éva , Helyes Zsuzsanna
Published: July 2023

Capsaicin-sensitive peptidergic sensory nerves mediate triple actions: besides transmitting sensory and pain signals to the central nervous system (afferent function), they also have local and systemic efferent functions [...]
SGLT2 Inhibitors vs. GLP-1 Agonists to Treat the Heart, the Kidneys and the Brain
Authors: Rolek Bartosz , Haber Mateusz , Gajewska Magdalena , Rogula Sylwester , Pietrasik Arkadiusz , Gąsecka Aleksandra
Published: July 2023

Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and glucagon-like-peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1-R) agonists are novel therapeutic agents used for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Recently, large-scale randomized clinical trials have been conducted to assess the cardiovascular safety of these medications. The findings of these trials have revealed that both SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1-R agonists exhibit favorable cardioprotective effects, including reduction in cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, a decreased risk of chronic kidney disease progression, a decrease in hospitalization for heart failure (HF), an effect shown by SGLT2 inhibitors, and stroke prevention, an effect shown by GLP-1-R agonists. Based on the results from above studies, the European and American Diabetes Associations have issued new recommendations strongly endorsing the use of SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1-R agonists in combination with metformin for patients with T2DM who have additional cardiovascular (CV) comorbidities or risk factors. The primary aim of this combined therapy is to prevent CV events. Although both medication groups offer beneficial effects, they demonstrate slightly different profiles. SGLT2 inhibitors have exhibited better effects regarding a reduced incidence of HF, whereas GLP-1-R agonists have shown a reduced risk of CV events, particularly stroke. Moreover, recent European Society of Cardiology as well as American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guidelines of HF treatment stressed the importance of SGLT2 inhibitor administration in patients with HF regardless of T2DM. In this context, we present and discuss the outcomes of the most recent trials investigating the impact of SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1-R agonists on renal and cardiovascular outcomes in patients, both with and without T2DM. Additionally, we explore the synergistic effects of combining SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1-R agonists in patients with cardiovascular disease.
Properties of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Produced by Cyclic Impact Compaction and Reinforced with Graphene Nanoplatelets and Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Shtertser Alexandr , Zlobin Boris , Kiselev Victor , Shemelin Sergei , Shikalov Vladislav , Karpov Evgenij , Ivanyuk Konstantin
Published: July 2023

Polymer-based composites represent a special class of materials in demand by the industry. In comparison with other polymers, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is characterized by exceptionally high wear and impact resistance. There are different technologies for producing bulk material from UHMWPE powder and from its mixtures with various reinforcing additives. In this work, samples for research were made by cyclic impact compaction (CIC), graphene nanoplatelets and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were the reinforcing nanofillers. Nanoscale detonation carbon (NDC) produced by the detonation decomposition of acetylene was employed as a graphene nanofiller. The obtained samples were subjected to a wear test, and their hardness and tensile strength were measured. Studies have shown that the reinforcement of UHMWPE with NDC and SWCNTs leads to an increase in its hardness by 6.4% and 19.6%, respectively. With the same nanofillers, the wear resistance when rubbing against a steel ball rises by 1.13 and 1.63 times, and the coefficient of friction drops by 10% and 20%, respectively. Meanwhile, the tensile strength of UHMWPE drops by 11.7% and 40.4%, and the elongation by 11.9% and 30.1% when reinforcing UHMWPE with NDC and SWCNTs, respectively.
Biomimetics Design of Sandwich-Structured Composites
Authors: Kunzmann Carsten , Aliakbarpour Hamaseh , Ramezani Maziar
Published: July 2023

In the context of energy efficiency and resource scarcity, lightweight construction has gained significant importance. Composite materials, particularly sandwich structures, have emerged as a key area within this field, finding numerous applications in various industries. The exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and the stiffness-to-weight ratio of sandwich structures allow the reduction in mass in components and structures without compromising strength. Among the widely used core designs, the honeycomb pattern, inspired by bee nests, has been extensively employed in the aviation and aerospace industry due to its lightweight and high resistance. The hexagonal cells of the honeycomb structure provide a dense arrangement, enhancing stiffness while reducing weight. However, nature offers a multitude of other structures that have evolved over time and hold great potential for lightweight construction. This paper focuses on the development, modeling, simulation, and testing of lightweight sandwich composites inspired by biological models, following the principles of biomimetics. Initially, natural and resilient design templates are researched and abstracted to create finished core structures. Numerical analysis is then employed to evaluate the structural and mechanical performance of these structures. The most promising designs are subsequently fabricated using 3D printing technology and subjected to three-point bending tests. Carbon-fiber-reinforced nylon filament was used for printing the face sheets, while polylactic acid (PLA+) was used as the core material. A honeycomb-core composite is also simulated and tested for comparative purposes, as it represents an established design in the market. Key properties such as stiffness, load-bearing capacity, and flexibility are assessed to determine the potential of the new core geometries. Several designs demonstrated improved characteristics compared to the honeycomb design, with the developed structures exhibiting a 38% increase in stiffness and an 18% enhancement in maximum load-bearing capacity.
A Novel Apparatus for the Simulation of Powder Spreading Procedures in Powder-Bed-Based Additive Manufacturing Processes: Design, Calibration, and Case Study
Authors: Brika Salah Eddine , Brailovski Vladimir
Published: July 2023

Powder-bed-based additive manufacturing processes (PBAM) are sensitive to variations in powder feedstock characteristics, and yet the link between the powder properties and process performance is still not well established, which complicates the powder selection, quality control, and process improvement processes. An accurate assessment of the powder characteristics and behavior during recoating is important and must include the flow and packing properties of the powders, which are dependent on the application conditions. To fulfill the need for suitable powder testing techniques, a novel apparatus is developed to reproduce the generic PBAM powder spreading procedure and allow the measurements of the powder bed density, surface uniformity, and spreading forces as functions of the powder characteristics and spreading conditions, including the spreading speed and the type of spreading mechanism. This equipment could be used for research and development purposes as well as for the quality control of the PBAM powder feedstock, as showcased in this paper using a gas-atomized Ti-6Al-4V powder (D10 = 25.3 µm, D50 = 35.8 µm and D90 = 46.4 µm) spread using a rigid blade by varying the recoating speed from 100 to 500 mm/s and the layer thickness from 30 to 100 µm.
ANOVA Analysis and L9 Taguchi Design for Examination of Flat Slide Burnishing of Unalloyed Structural Carbon Steel
Authors: Felhő Csaba , Tesfom Frezgi , Varga Gyula
Published: July 2023

Diamond burnishing is a finishing precision machining that is often used to improve the quality characteristics of previously machined surfaces. With its help, the surface roughness can be reduced, the surface hardness can be increased, and the tensile stresses remaining in the surface after cutting can be transformed into compressive ones, and these changes can increase the service life of the components. Diamond burnishing was typically developed for processing cylindrical surfaces and is most often used for this type of surface. In this manuscript, we present a new method with the help of sliding burnishing, which can also be used on flat surfaces. By using the clamping head of a special tool into the main spindle of the vertical milling machine and moving it along a suitable path, the flat surface can be burnished. Machining experiments were carried out with the new type of tool on general-purpose, unalloyed, structural carbon steel samples on which the flat surfaces were previously generated by face milling. The examined parameters were the burnishing force F, the feed fb, and the number of passes (NoP). The L9 Taguchi experiment design was applied for executing flat slide burnishing, and the examination was conducted by ANOVA analysis. This research contributes to the field by providing insights into optimizing the burnishing process parameters for achieving desired surface quality in milling operations.
Fabrication of Bimetallic High-Strength Low-Alloy Steel/Si-Bronze Functionally Graded Materials Using Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing
Authors: El-Husseiny Marwan M. , Baraka Abdelrahman A. , Oraby Omar , El-Danaf Ehab A. , Salem Hanadi G.
Published: July 2023

In this paper, bimetallic functionally graded structures were fabricated using wire and arc additive manufacturing (WAAM). The bimetallic walls were built by depositing Si-Bronze and high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steel, successively. The microstructural evolution of the built structures, especially within the fusion zone between the dissimilar alloys, was investigated in relation to their mechanical properties. The built bimetallic walls showed a high level of integrity. An overall interface length of 9 mm was investigated for microstructural evolution, elemental mapping and microhardness measurements along the building direction. Microhardness profiles showed a gradual transition in hardness passing through the diffusion zone with no evidence for intermetallic compounds. Failure of the tensile specimens occurred at the Si-Bronze region, as expected. Bending tests confirmed good ductility of the joint between the dissimilar alloys. Direct shear test results proved a shear strength comparable to that of HSLA steel. The obtained results confirm that it is appropriate to fabricate HSLA steel/Si-Bronze FGMs using WAAM technology.
Research on the Directional Characteristics of the Reflectance of Oil-Contaminated Sea Ice
Authors: Du Yulong , Liu Bingxin , Xu Jiankang , Li Ying , Liu Peng , Chen Peng
Published: July 2023

Remote sensing has been widely used for oil spill monitoring in open waters. However, research on remote sensing monitoring of oil spills in ice-infested sea waters (IISWs) is still scarce. The spectral characteristics of oil-contaminated sea ice (OCSI) and clean sea ice (CSI) and their differences are an important basis for oil spill detection using visible/near-infrared (VNIR) remote sensing. Such features and differences can change with the observation geometry, affecting the identification accuracy. In this study, we carried out multi-angle reflection observation experiments of oil-contaminated sea ice (OCSI) and proposed a kernel-driven bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) model, Walthall–Ross thick-Litransit-Lisparse-r-RPV (WaRoLstRPV), which takes into account the strong forward-scattering characteristics of sea ice. We also analyzed the preferred observation geometry for oil spill monitoring in IISWs. In the validation using actual measured data, the proposed WaRoLstRPV performed well, with RMSEs of 0.0031 and 0.0026 for CSI and OCSI, respectively, outperforming the commonly used kernel-driven BRDF models, Ross thick-Li sparse (R-LiSpr), QU-Roujean (Qu-R), QU-Lisparse R-r-RPV (Qu-LiSpr-RrRPV), and Walthall (Wa). The observation geometry with a zenith angle around 50° and relative azimuth ranging from 250° to 290° is preferred for oil spill detection in IISWs.
Seasonal Occurrence of the Indian Ocean Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus indica) off South Coast of Sri Lanka
Authors: Liyanage Upul S. P. K. , Terney Pradeep K. P. B. , Amarasinghe Upali S. , Arulananthan Kanapathipillai , Rasmussen Marianne Helene
Published: July 2023

This paper describes the distribution, abundance and seasonal variation in blue whales (BWs) on the south coast of Sri Lanka, off Mirissa, where they are faced with anthropogenic threats. Data collection encompassed opportunistic sightings by whale-watching (WW) operations. This study revealed that large aggregations of BWs consistently overlapped with busy shipping lanes located between Dondra Head and Galle within important foraging and breeding regions on the south coast. Throughout 2015 (except June and July), 729 BWs were sighted over 177 sighting days. The sighting frequency was higher during the northeast monsoon and the first intermonsoon and lower throughout the second intermonsoon (n = 9) and latter part of the southwest monsoon. The highest frequencies of BW encounters per day occurred in April (n = 15) and December (n = 20), while the mean annual group size per sighting was 3.07 ± 0.24. From the January-to-April season, 13 mother–calf combinations and 1 pregnant cow were sighted off the southern coastline of Mirissa, suggesting the calving season peaks between the months of March and April in Sri Lanka. As this important habitat overlapped with the busiest shipping lanes, fishing and commercial whale-watching activities, the authorities have to take action toward the conservation of this ecosystem and whales as well as their safe navigation.
El Niño Index Prediction Based on Deep Learning with STL Decomposition
Authors: Chen Ningmeng , Su Cheng , Wu Sensen , Wang Yuanyuan
Published: July 2023

ENSO is an important climate phenomenon that often causes widespread climate anomalies and triggers various meteorological disasters. Accurately predicting the ENSO variation trend is of great significance for global ecosystems and socio-economic aspects. In scientific practice, researchers predominantly employ associated indices, such as Niño 3.4, to quantitatively characterize the onset, intensity, duration, and type of ENSO events. In this study, we propose the STL-TCN model, which combines seasonal-trend decomposition using locally weighted scatterplot smoothing (LOESS) (STL) and temporal convolutional networks (TCN). This method uses STL to decompose the original time series into trend, seasonal, and residual components. Each subsequence is then individually predicted by different TCN models for multi-step forecasting, and the predictions from all models are combined to obtain the final result. During the verification period from 1992 to 2022, the STL-TCN model effectively captures index features and improves the accuracy of multi-step forecasting. In historical event simulation experiments, the model demonstrates advantages in capturing the trend and peak intensity of ENSO events.
Application of an Encoder–Decoder Model with Attention Mechanism for Trajectory Prediction Based on AIS Data: Case Studies from the Yangtze River of China and the Eastern Coast of the U.S
Authors: Zhao Licheng , Zuo Yi , Li Tieshan , Chen C. L. Philip
Published: July 2023

With the rapid growth of shipping volumes, ship navigation and path planning have attracted increased attention. To design navigation routes and avoid ship collisions, accurate ship trajectory prediction based on automatic identification system data is required. Therefore, this study developed an encoder–decoder learning model for ship trajectory prediction, to avoid ship collisions. The proposed model includes long short-term memory units and an attention mechanism. Long short-term memory can extract relationships between the historical trajectory of a ship and the current state of encountered ships. Simultaneously, the global attention mechanism in the proposed model can identify interactions between the output and input trajectory sequences, and a multi-head self-attention mechanism in the proposed model is used to learn the feature fusion representation between the input trajectory sequences. Six case studies of trajectory prediction for ship collision avoidance from the Yangtze River of China and the eastern coast of the U.S. were investigated and compared. The results showed that the average mean absolute errors of our model were much lower than those of the classical neural networks and other state-of-the-art models that included attention mechanisms.
Transient Translational–Rotational Motion of an Ocean Current Converter Mooring System with Initial Conditions
Authors: Lin Shueei-Muh , Wang Wen-Rong , Yuan Hsin
Published: July 2023

Systems of ocean current power generation are generally moored deep in the seabed. The mooring system is like ropes. The ropes are very long and can provide tension but not compression, and their dynamic displacement is large and unstable, which is different from traditional structures. To generate high-efficiency ocean current power generation, it is necessary to design a stable mooring system. Maintaining the stability and small dynamic displacement of the ocean current invertor is significantly helpful for the high efficiency of the invertor. In addition, the stability of the mooring system and a small dynamic tension, high safety factor, and long life of the mooring ropes are essential. In this study, we investigate the transient behavior of a mooring system composed of an inverter platform, pontoon, and ropes under initial conditions. An analytical method is proposed. The transient translational and rotational displacements are composed of 36 independent normalized fundamental solutions. The composition depends on the initial conditions. Each fundamental solution is derived by using the Frobenius method. This study proposes the replacement of the traditional single-rope mode with the double-rope parallel mode, which can maintain a high fracture strength and low effective spring constant in the rope. It is verified that this design can decrease instantaneous tension and increase the safety factor of the rope. Additionally, high hydrodynamic damping coefficients can significantly increase the stability of the mooring system.
Anti-Candidal Marine Natural Products: A Review
Authors: Ganeshkumar Arumugam , Gonçale Juliana Caparroz , Rajaram Rajendran , Junqueira Juliana Campos
Published: July 2023

Candida spp. are common opportunistic microorganisms in the human body and can cause mucosal, cutaneous, and systemic infections, mainly in individuals with weakened immune systems. Candida albicans is the most isolated and pathogenic species; however, multi-drug-resistant yeasts like Candida auris have recently been found in many different regions of the world. The increasing development of resistance to common antifungals by Candida species limits the therapeutic options. In light of this, the present review attempts to discuss the significance of marine natural products in controlling the proliferation and metabolism of C. albicans and non-albicans species. Natural compounds produced by sponges, algae, sea cucumber, bacteria, fungi, and other marine organisms have been the subject of numerous studies since the 1980s, with the discovery of several products with different chemical frameworks that can inhibit Candida spp., including antifungal drug-resistant strains. Sponges fall under the topmost category when compared to all other organisms investigated. Terpenoids, sterols, and alkaloids from this group exhibit a wide array of inhibitory activity against different Candida species. Especially, hippolide J, a pair of enantiomeric sesterterpenoids isolated from the marine sponge Hippospongia lachne, exhibited strong activity against Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida glabrata. In addition, a comprehensive analysis was performed to unveil the mechanisms of action and synergistic activity of marine products with conventional antifungals. In general, the results of this review show that the majority of chemicals derived from the marine environment are able to control particular functions of microorganisms belonging to the Candida genus, which can provide insights into designing new anti-candidal therapies.
Potential Implication of Azole Persistence in the Treatment Failure of Two Haematological Patients Infected with Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Peláez-García de la Rasilla Teresa , Mato-López Álvaro , Pablos-Puertas Clara E. , González-Huerta Ana Julia , Gómez-López Alicia , Mellado Emilia , Amich Jorge
Published: July 2023

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients receiving allogeneic haematopoieticcell transplantation. The deep immunosuppression and a variety of potential additional complications developed in these patients result in IA reaching mortality rates of around 50–60%. This mortality is even higher when the patients are infected with azole-resistant isolates, demonstrating that, despite the complexity of management, adequate azole treatment can have a beneficial effect. It is therefore paramount to understand the reasons why antifungal treatment of IA infections caused by azole-susceptible isolates is often unsuccessful. In this respect, there are already various factors known to be important for treatment efficacy, for instance the drug concentrations achieved in the blood, which are thus often monitored. We hypothesize that antifungal persistence may be another important factor to consider. In this study we present two case reports of haematological patients who developed proven IA and suffered treatment failure, despite having been infected with susceptible isolates, receiving correct antifungal treatment and reaching therapeutic levels of the azole. Microbiological analysis of the recovered infective isolates showed that the patients were infected with multiple strains, several of which were persisters to voriconazole and/or isavuconazole. Therefore, we propose that azole persistence may have contributed to therapeutic failure in these patients and that this phenomenon should be considered in future studies.
Postharvest Diseases of Pomegranate: Alternative Control Means and a Spiderweb Effect
Authors: Mincuzzi Annamaria , Picciotti Ugo , Sanzani Simona Marianna , Garganese Francesca , Palou Lluís , Addante Rocco , Ragni Marco , Ippolito Antonio
Published: July 2023

The pomegranate is a fruit known since ancient times for its beneficial properties. It has recently aroused great interest in the industry and among consumers, leading to a significant increase in demand. Consequently, its cultivation has been boosted all over the world. The pomegranate crop suffers considerable yield losses, especially at the postharvest stage, because it is a “minor crop” with few permitted control means. To control latent (Alternaria spp., Botrytis spp., Coniella spp., Colletotrichum spp., and Cytospora spp.) and wound (Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., and Talaromyces spp.) fungal pathogens, different alternative compounds, previously evaluated in vitro, were tested in the field on pomegranate cv. Wonderful. A chitosan solution, a plant protein hydrolysate, and a red seaweed extract were compared with a chemical control treatment, all as preharvest (field application) and postharvest treatments and their combinations. At the end of the storage period, the incidence of stamen infections and external and internal rots, and the severity of internal decay were evaluated. Obtained data revealed that pre- and postharvest application of all substances reduced the epiphytic population on stamens. Preharvest applications of seaweed extract and plant hydrolysate were the most effective treatments to reduce the severity of internal pomegranate decays. Furthermore, the influence of spider (Cheiracanthium mildei) cocoons on the fruit calyx as a possible barrier against postharvest fungal pathogens was assessed in a ‘Mollar de Elche’ pomegranate organic orchard. Compared to no-cocoon fruit (control), the incidence of infected stamens and internal molds in those with spiderwebs was reduced by about 30%, and the mean severity of internal rots was halved. Spiderwebs analyzed via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) disclosed a layered, unordered structure that did not allow for the passage of fungal spores due to its mean mesh size (1 to 20 µm ca). The aims of this research were (i) to evaluate alternative compounds useful to control postharvest pomegranate decays and (ii) to evaluate the effectiveness of spiders in reducing postharvest fungal infections by analyzing related mechanisms of action. Alternative control means proposed in the present work and calyx spider colonization may be helpful to reduce postharvest pomegranate diseases, yield losses, and waste production in an integrated control strategy, satisfying organic agriculture and the planned goals of Zero Hunger Challenge launched by the United Nations.
Substrate Optimization for Shiitake (Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler) Mushroom Production in Ethiopia
Authors: Desisa Buzayehu , Muleta Diriba , Dejene Tatek , Jida Mulissa , Goshu Abayneh , Martin-Pinto Pablo
Published: July 2023

Edible mushrooms are seen as a way of increasing dietary diversity and achieving food security in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to develop substrates using locally available agro-industrial by-products and animal manures to enhance the production of Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) mushrooms in Ethiopia. The hypothesis was L. edodes mushroom production on seven different substrates: 100% sugarcane bagasse (S1), 80% sugarcane bagasse, 20% cow dung (S2), horse manure (S3), chicken manure (S4), cottonseed hulls (S5), sugarcane filter cake (S6), and sugarcane trash (S7). Mushroom yield and biological efficiency were significantly affected by substrate type (p < 0.05). A significantly higher yield (434.33 g/500 g of substrate) and biological efficiency (86.83%) were obtained using substrate S4 while lower yield (120.33 g/500 g) and biological efficiency (24.33%) were obtained using substrate S7 than when using other substrates. The largest first flush of mushrooms was obtained on S4, and five flushes were produced on this substrate. S4 also had the highest biological efficiency, the highest nitrogen content, and the lowest C:N. Chicken manure is rich in nitrogen, magnesium, calcium, and potassium, which are crucial for Shiitake mushroom growth. Thus, substrate S4 would be a viable option for cultivating Shiitake mushrooms, particularly in regions where chicken manure is readily available. Substrate S2 also provided high yields and rapid fructification and would be a suitable alternative for Shiitake mushroom cultivation.
Physics-Informed, Data-Driven Model for Atmospheric Corrosion of Carbon Steel Using Bayesian Network
Authors: Choi Taesu , Lee Dooyoul
Published: July 2023

Atmospheric corrosion is a significant challenge faced by the aviation industry as it considerably affects the structural integrity of an aircraft operated for long periods. Therefore, an appropriate corrosion deterioration model is required to predict corrosion problems. However, practical application of the deterioration model is challenging owing to the limited data available for the parameter estimation. Thus, a high uncertainty in prediction is unavoidable. To address these challenges, a method of integrating a physics-based model and the monitoring data on a Bayesian network (BN) is presented herein. Atmospheric corrosion is modeled using the simulation method, and a BN is constructed using GeNie. Moreover, model calibration is performed using the monitoring data collected from aircraft parking areas. The calibration approach is an improvement over existing models as it incorporates actual environmental data, making it more accurate and applicable to real-world scenarios. In conclusion, our research emphasizes the importance of precise corrosion models for predicting and managing atmospheric corrosion on carbon steel. The study results open new avenues for future research, such as the incorporation of additional data sources to further improve the accuracy of corrosion models.
The Effects of Partial Replacement of Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag by Ground Wood Ash on Alkali-Activated Binder Systems
Authors: Teker Ercan Ece Ezgi , Cwirzen Andrzej , Habermehl-Cwirzen Karin
Published: July 2023

Cement production contributes significantly to carbon dioxide emissions. Alkali-activated materials offer an environmentally friendly alternative due to their comparable strength, durability and low-carbon emissions while utilizing wastes and industrial by-products. Wood ash is a waste material that shows promising results as a partial replacement for Portland cement and precursors in alkali-activated systems. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of ground wood ash on the mechanical properties of alkali-activated mortars. Wood ash was incorporated as a 0 wt%, 10 wt% and 20 wt% partial replacement for ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS). The wood ashes were ground in a planetary ball mill for 10 and 20 min. Sodium silicate (Na2SiO3), sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) were used as alkali activators. The results demonstrated that ground wood ash improved the mechanical properties of alkali-activated systems compared to untreated wood ash. However, the incorporation of wood ash increased the porosity of the binder matrix.
The Influence of Geometry, Surface Texture, and Cooling Method on the Efficiency of Heat Dissipation through the Heat Sink—A Review
Authors: Grochalski Karol , Rukat Wojciech , Jakubek Bartosz , Wieczorowski Michał , Słowiński Marcin , Sarbinowska Karolina , Graboń Wiesław
Published: July 2023

The performance of a heat sink is significantly influenced by the type of cooling used: passive or active (forced), the shape of the heat sink, and the material from which it is made. This paper presents a review of the literature on the influence of geometry and surface parameters on effective heat transfer in heat sinks. The results of simulation studies for three different heat sink fin geometries and cooling types are presented. Furthermore, the influence of the surface texture of the heat sink fins on the heat transfer efficiency was determined. It was shown that the best performance in terms of geometries was that of a wave fin heat sink. When the surface texture was analyzed, it was found that an increase in the amplitude values of the texture decreases the heat dissipation efficiency in the case of active cooling, while for passive cooling, an increase in these parameters has a beneficial effect and increases the effective heat transfer to the surroundings. The cooling method was found to be the most important factor affecting heat dissipation efficiency. Forced airflow results in more efficient heat transfer from the heat sink fins to the surroundings.
On the Degree of Plastic Strain during Laser Shock Peening of Ti-6Al-4V
Authors: Mironov Sergey , Ozerov Maxim , Kalinenko Alexander , Zuiko Ivan , Stepanov Nikita , Plekhov Oleg , Salishchev Gennady , Semiatin Lee , Zherebtsov Sergey
Published: July 2023

Laser shock peening (LSP) is an innovative technique that is used to enhance the fatigue strength of structural materials via the generation of significant residual stress. The present work was undertaken to evaluate the degree of plastic strain introduced during LSP and thus improve the fundamental understanding of the LSP process. To this end, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and nano-hardness measurements were performed to examine the microstructural response of laser-shock-peened Ti-6Al-4V alloy. Only minor changes in both the shape of α grains/particles and hardness were found. Accordingly, it was concluded that the laser-shock-peened material only experienced a small plastic strain. This surprising result was attributed to a relatively high rate of strain hardening of Ti-6Al-4V during LSP.
Environmental and Economic Benefits of Using Pomegranate Peel Waste for Insulation Bricks
Authors: Ragab Ayman , Zouli Nasser , Abutaleb Ahmed , Maafa Ibrahim M. , Ahmed M. M. , Yousef Ayman
Published: July 2023

Rapid urbanization has negative effects on ecology, economics, and public health, primarily due to unchecked population growth. Sustainable building materials and methods are needed to mitigate these issues and reduce energy use, waste production, and environmental damage. This study highlights the potential of agricultural waste as a sustainable source of construction materials and provides valuable insights into the performance and benefits of using fired clay bricks made from pomegranate peel waste. In this study, fired clay bricks were produced using pomegranate peel waste as a sustainable building material. To optimize the firing temperature and percentage of pomegranate peel waste, a series of experiments was conducted to determine fundamental properties such as mechanical, physical, and thermal properties. Subsequently, the obtained thermal properties were utilized as input data in Design Builder software version (V.5.0.0.105) to assess the thermal and energy performance of the produced bricks. The results showed that the optimum firing temperature for the bricks was 900 °C with 10% pomegranate peel waste. The fabricated bricks reduced energy consumption by 6.97%, 8.54%, and 13.89% at firing temperatures of 700 °C, 800 °C, and 900 °C, respectively, due to their decreased thermal conductivity. CO2 emissions also decreased by 4.85%, 6.07%, and 12% at the same firing temperatures. The payback time for the bricks was found to be 0.65 years at a firing temperature of 900 °C. These findings demonstrate the potential of fired clay bricks made from pomegranate peel waste as a promising construction material that limits heat gain, preserves energy, reduces CO2 emissions, and provides a fast return on investment.