bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Editors’ Choice—Examining Performance and Durability of Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells with Novel Spirocyclic Anion Exchange Membranes
Authors: Yang-Neyerlin Ami C. , Medina Samantha , Meek Kelly M. , Strasser Derek J. , He Cheng , Knauss Daniel M. , Mustain William E. , Pylypenko Svitlana , Pivovar Bryan S.
Published: April 2021

A series of spirocyclic copolymer membranes with varying ion exchange capacities (IECs) were investigated to probe the impact of polymer properties on in situ fuel cell performance and stability. In-situ electrochemical tests and post-mortem electron microscopy analysis of cross-sectioned membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) have been combined with voltage loss breakdown analysis to evaluate the performance and degradation of different MEAs, and to probe the catalyst morphology and electrode structure at different stages of operation. Voltage loss breakdown results show that membrane degradation and kinetic losses played only a minor role in observed performance degradation and that performance losses were primarily related to increasing mass transport losses. From microscopy studies, carbon corrosion and Pt nanoparticle growth were identified at both the cathode and anode although more pronounced on the cathode resulting in significant structural changes. The membrane with the lowest IEC (1.3 mmolg−1) demonstrated the lowest peak power density ~ 1.16 W cm−2, however, it showed the most stable performance (constant 0.6 A cm−2 hold) with ~ 5% degradation over 540 h. Isolation of performance losses and microscopic analysis of electrodes for anion exchange membrane fuel cells has not been reported previously, and these results help identify critical performance degradation concerns.
Effect of Crosslinking on the Properties of QPVA/PDDA Anion Exchange Membranes for Fuel Cells Application
Authors: Samsudin A. M. , Hacker V.
Published: April 2021

Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) consisting of quaternary ammonium poly(vinyl alcohol) (QPVA) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) were prepared by a solution casting method. The influence of the concentration of the chemical crosslinker on the properties and performance of AEMs was investigated. Morphology, chemical structures, thermal and mechanical properties of AEMs were characterized by SEM, FTIR, TGA, and UTM. The performance of AEMs was evaluated by water uptake, swelling degree, ion exchange capacity, and OH− conductivity measurement. The tensile strength, water uptake, and OH− conductivity of AEMs were enhanced with the increase of the crosslinker concentration. By introducing 12.5% glutaraldehyde (GA), the QPVA/PDDA AEMs achieved the highest tensile strength, water uptake, and OH− conductivity of 46.21 MPa, 90.6% and 53.09 ms cm−1 at ambient condition, respectively. The investigations show that crosslinked QPVA/PDDA AEMs are a potential candidate for anion exchange membrane fuel cells.
A Facile and Efficient Ni-N-C Electrocatalyst Derived from Superabsorbent Resin for Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Yin Yawen , Liao Songyi , Lin Hai , Liu Fang , Liu Yidong , Xiao Yinguo , Min Yong
Published: April 2021

The electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with efficiency and low-cost have become a critical subject for renewable energy technology. Owing to excellent catalytic activity, the inexpensive M–N–C (M = metal) catalysts are generally considered as the promising electroactive materials for the OER. Recently, research has led to great progress in the performance of M–N–C electrocatalysts. However, the large-scale commercial application of M–N–C catalysts is still limited by their complicated preparation process. Herein, we introduce a facile and efficient Ni-N-C electrocatalyst derived from superabsorbent resin. Benefiting from the strong coupling between the Ni and highly electronegative O and N elements for more available active sites, as well as from a large increase in defects that improve the electronic transmission, the optimized Ni–N–C catalyst exhibits excellent OER catalytic performance, including current densities of 10 mA cm−2 at an ultra-small overpotential of 214 mV and 20 mA cm−2 at 245 mV, a low Tafel slope (48 mV dec−1), and good stability. Compared with the commercial RuO2 catalyst, the Ni–N–C catalyst developed in this work exhibits good catalytic performance with greatly reduced cost. This work may provide a potential solution for Ni–N–C as an excellent OER catalyst in large-scale industrial water-splitting.
Fiber Optic Based Thermal and Strain Sensing of Lithium-Ion Batteries at the Individual Cell Level
Authors: Atchison Hayden L. , Bailey Zachary R. , Wetz David A. , Davis Matthew , Heinzel John M.
Published: April 2021

A few safety challenges with lithium-ion batteries, stemming mostly from errors in assembly or from faulty electronics managing them, have created visibility and public concern. The ability to monitor all individual cells within large operational batteries containing many series/parallel cells, respectively, is challenging, and there is growing demand to identify new, non-invasive sensing technologies. Elevated temperatures, induced by either normal or abnormal operation, is a leading cause of failure. With traditional thermal sensing technology, it’s feasible to monitor a few spots within a large battery, introducing a high probability that elevated temperatures will not be measured by the managment system(s) intended to protect them. When abnormal conditions occur, a cell’s case expands and contracts in a measureable way. Detection of an abnormal stress/strain signature is another diagnostic that has great potential. The present study demonstrates the ability of an Optical Distributed Sensor Interrogator (ODiSI) to measure the surface temperature and case deformation of 18650 cells under normal and abnormal conditions, respectively. Multiple experiments have been performed to demonstrate the abilities of the ODiSI to measure temperature and stress/strain changes, respectively, and they show that the results are unique and repeatable making this a promising technique for monitoring lithium-ion cells.
From the Editor: When the Scientific and Political Worlds Collide
Authors: Rajeshwar Krishnan
Published: April 2021

Science and politics form a combustible mix. Three recent examples suffice to illustrate this point. The U.S. Administration’s policy on limiting the use of federal funds to support research on human embryonic stem cells is clearly colliding with the viewpoint of the larger scientific community and government policies elsewhere in the world.
Free Radicals: Engineers – Would You Let Your Kid Marry One?
Authors: Woodall Jerry
Published: April 2021

I’m on a mission. As some of you might already know, I am currently a professor in the EE department of a very prestigious Ivy League university. That is to say, I am an engineering academician less than optimally employed. So what? Well, I have discovered that even though my institution publicly affirms that engineering is needed here, they refuse to embrace the engineering faculty as professionally and socially equal members of the community.
Olin Palladium Award Address: Some Observations on Conducting Research in the Digital Era
Authors: Gileadi Eliezer
Published: April 2021

This is obviously a very happy day in my life, and one of the most important days in my scientific career. It is important therefore to put things in perspective, and a measure of humility is called for. I would like to start by thanking the Honors & Awards Committee for choosing me to be the recipient of the Olin Palladium Award for the year 2003. Whatever scientific achievements I may have had to justify their decision, it also indicates, I am happy to say, that over the past 40 years as an electrochemist I must have made many more friends than enemies!
Nanowatch Europe: Squeezing Light Through Tiny Holes
Authors: Ebbesen T. W.
Published: April 2021

Materials structured on the nanometer scale can lead to improved and sometimes surprising properties. Metals are no exception to this rule. Metal particles display colors which vary with their size. The color results from the coupling of light with the free electrons of the metal particle to form surface plasmons.
Nanowatch Europe: Nanocomposite-Based “Plastic” Solar Cells
Authors: Sariciftci Niyazi Serder
Published: April 2021

Hybrid materials combine the unique properties of one or more kinds of nanoparticles with the film forming properties of polymers. Most of the polymers can be processed from solution at room temperature, enabling the manufacturing of large area, flexible, and light weight devices.
ECS Classics: Who Is Thomas D. Callinan, and Why Is His Name Associated with Dielectrics?
Authors: Hess Dennis W.
Published: April 2021

Nearly everyone involved in The Electrochemical Society, and particularly with the Dielectric Science and Technology (DS&T) and Electronics Divisions, is aware of the Thomas D. Callinan Award. This award was established in 1967 to encourage excellence in dielectric investigations and to recognize outstanding contributions to the field of dielectric science and technology.
Electrochemistry and Medical Devices: Friend or Foe?
Authors: Gertner M. E. , Schlesinger M.
Published: April 2021

At first glance, it is easy to underappreciate the impact of electrochemistry in medicine. The present article is meant to focus on the topic as it relates to medical devices. We focus on the often overlooked materials science aspects of medical devices rather than the extensively described topic of electrochemical sensors in medical applications.
Diamond Science and Technology: Diversity and Maturity
Authors: Swain Greg M.
Published: April 2021

Through the centuries, no material has been as cherished or treasured as diamond. The outstanding combination of properties has long made it a desirable material for mechanical, optical, and electronic applications. Nature, of course, produces diamond under conditions of extreme pressure and temperature. Driven by greed as well as the challenge, scientists for more than a century have attempted diamond synthesis.
Chemical Vapor Deposited Diamond: Maturity and Diversity
Authors: Butler James E.
Published: April 2021

Chemical vapor deposited (CVD) diamond materials, grown from low pressure gases activated by plasmas, hot filaments, and combustion flames, were a novelty and scientific curiosity several decades ago. Now, CVD diamond is a maturing material with a wide variety of technological impacts, and with even more exciting applications to come in the future.
Centennial Campaign: Maintaining Relevance to Industry
Authors: Miller Troy
Published: April 2021

With the recent downturns in the global economy, corporations are finding it more difficult to find money to keep their employees technically current. Maintaining the relevance of ECS to industry—as budgets for travel, personal development, and research and development are lessened in response to economic pressures—will be a tremendous challenge. A recent ECS survey showed that 83% of respondents felt that the effect the current economy is having on the field is the number one issue affecting members and non-members alike.
Ultrananocrystalline Diamond Properties and Applications in Biomedical Devices
Authors: Carlisle John A. , Auciello Orlando
Published: April 2021

Diamond is nature’s extreme material. In addition to being the hardest and strongest known substance, diamond is also the best known thermal conductor and possesses very high electron carrier mobility and breakdown fields when in single crystal form. Diamond also exhibits exceptional optical (high refractive index, wide band gap), tribological (low friction), and electrochemical properties that set it apart from other materials either natural or man-made.
Phosphors
Authors: Srivastava A. M. , Ronda C. R.
Published: April 2021

This article reviews the uses of phosphors that continue to be the central component of an increasing number of functional devices such as fluorescent lamps, flat panel displays, and electroluminescent display panels. There are a number of many useful references one might consult for general background on phosphors and on the existing commercial functional devices incorporating luminescent materials.
New Theory for Aging Mechanisms of Li-ion Batteries
Authors: Ramadass Premanand , Ploehn H. J. , White R. E.
Published: April 2021

A Summary Report to The Electrochemical Society for the 2003 Joseph W. Richards Summer Research Fellowship.
Application of Nanocrystalline Silicon and Ballistic Electron Emitter to Flat Panel Display Devices
Authors: Koshida Nobuyoshi , Kojima A. , Nakajima Y. , Ichihara T. , Watabe Y. , Komoda T.
Published: April 2021

Because of a significant carrier confinement effect, various remarkable properties are induced in quantum-sized nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si).
Fabrication of Tantalum-Doped Titanium-Oxide Electron-Selective Contacts with High Passivation Quality
Authors: Yamaguchi Seira , Lee Hyunju , Ogura Atsushi , Masuda Atsushi , Ohshita Yoshio
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we report on the fabrication of Ta-doped TiO2 (TiO2:Ta) electron-selective contacts and their improved passivation qualities. By using thermal atomic layer deposition, 3.5 nm-thick, undoped TiO2 films and 3.5 nm-thick TiO2:Ta films with Ta concentrations of 1.5, 2.8, and 5.5 at.% were formed at 150 °C on n-type crystalline silicon substrates with ∼1 nm-thick chemical SiO2 layers. Rutherford backscattering spectroscopic measurements confirmed the Ta concentrations in the films and uniform distributions of Ta atoms in the films. X-ray photoelectron spectrometry measurements implied that Ta atoms rather cause local structural changes than enter substitutionally into Ti sites. After annealing at 130 °C in air, the effective minority carrier lifetime (τ
eff) of the TiO2:Ta-passivated samples were significantly higher than those of the samples passivated with undoped TiO2 films. The highest τ
eff was obtained for the samples with a relatively low Ta-doping concentration of 1.5 at.%. On the other hand, the passivation quality was degraded by Ta doping with a too high concentration (for example, 18.4 at.%). These results indicate that moderate Ta doping improves the passivation quality of TiO2 thin films.
Functionalizing biomaterials to promote neurovascular regeneration following skeletal muscle injury
Authors: Morton Aaron B. , Jacobsen Nicole L. , Segal Steven S.
Published: April 2021

During embryogenesis, blood vessels and nerves develop with similar branching structure in response to shared signaling pathways guiding network growth. With both systems integral to physiological homeostasis, dual targeting of blood vessels and nerves to promote neurovascular regeneration following injury is an emerging therapeutic approach in biomedical engineering. A limitation to this strategy is that the nature of cross talk between emergent vessels and nerves during regeneration in an adult is poorly understood. Following peripheral nerve transection, intraneural vascular cells infiltrate the site of injury to provide a migratory pathway for mobilized Schwann cells of regenerating axons. As Schwann cells demyelinate, they secrete vascular endothelial growth factor, which promotes angiogenesis. Recent advances point to concomitant restoration of neurovascular architecture and function through simultaneous targeting of growth factors and guidance cues shared by both systems during regeneration. In the context of traumatic injury associated with volumetric muscle loss, we consider the nature of biomaterials used to engineer three-dimensional scaffolds, functionalization of scaffolds with molecular signals that guide and promote neurovascular growth, and seeding scaffolds with progenitor cells. Physiological success is defined by each tissue component of the bioconstruct (nerve, vessel, muscle) becoming integrated with that of the host. Advances in microfabrication, cell culture techniques, and progenitor cell biology hold great promise for engineering bioconstructs able to restore organ function after volumetric muscle loss.
Elevated IL-15 concentrations in the sarcoidosis lung are independent of granuloma burden and disease phenotypes
Authors: Minasyan Maksym , Sharma Lokesh , Pivarnik Taylor , Liu Wei , Adams Taylor , Bermejo Santos , Peng Xiaohua , Liu Angela , Ishikawa Genta , Perry Carrighan , Kaminski Naftali , Gulati Mridu , Herzog Erica L. , Dela Cruz Charles S. , Ryu Changwan
Published: April 2021

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease predominantly affecting the lungs. The mechanisms promoting disease pathogenesis and progression are unknown, although interleukin-15 (IL-15) has been associated with the immune-mediated inflammation of sarcoidosis. Because the identification of a mechanistically based, clinically relevant biomarker for sarcoidosis remains elusive, we hypothesized this role for IL-15. Pulmonary sarcoidosis granuloma formation was modeled using trehalose 6,6′-dimicolate (TDM), which was administered into wild-type and three lineages of mice: those overexpressing IL-15, deficient in IL-15, and deficient in IL-15 receptor α. The number of granulomas per lung was counted and normalized to the wild type. IL-15 concentrations were measured in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from healthy controls and subjects with sarcoidosis in our cohort, where associations between IL-15 levels and clinical manifestations were sought. Findings were validated in another independent sarcoidosis cohort. TDM administration resulted in similar granuloma numbers across all lineages of mice. IL-15 concentrations were elevated in the BAL of both human cohorts, irrespective of disease phenotypes. In exploratory analysis, an association with obesity was observed, and various other soluble mediators were identified in the BAL of both cohorts. Although IL-15 is enriched in the sarcoidosis lung, it was independent of disease pathogenesis or clinical manifestations in our mouse model and human cohorts of sarcoidosis. An association with obesity perhaps reflects the ongoing inflammatory processes of these comorbid conditions. Our findings showed that IL-15 is redundant for disease pathogenesis and clinical progression of sarcoidosis.
PINK1 mediates the protective effects of thyroid hormone T3 in hyperoxia-induced lung injury
Authors: Zhang Yi , Yu Guoying , Kaminski Naftali , Lee Patty J.
Published: April 2021

Hyperoxia can lead to respiratory failure and death. Our previous work demonstrates that oxidant and mitochondrial injury play a critical role in hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury (HALI). Recently, thyroid hormone has been demonstrated to promote mitochondrial survival in other models of lung injury, but its role in hyperoxia is unknown. Adult wild-type (WT) mice were pretreated with either nebulized triiodothyronine (T3, 40 μg/kg) for 1 or 3 days, or with propylthiouracil (PTU, 100 μg/kg), for 3 days. Following pretreatment, WT mice underwent 72 h of hyperoxia exposure. WT and PINK1−/− mice were pretreated with either nebulized T3 (40 μg/kg) for 3 days or no pretreatment before 72 h continuous hyperoxia exposure. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), histological changes in cellular composition, and type I cytokine induction were assessed. Lung lysates for mitochondrial cellular bioenergetics markers were analyzed by Western blot. Hyperoxia caused a significant increase in BAL total cell counts and lung cellular infiltrates. Administration of PTU enhanced HALI, whereas T3 attenuated HALI, inflammation, and oxidants in WT mice. In addition, T3 pretreatment increased mitochondrial biogenesis/fusion/mitophagy and decreased ER stress and apoptosis. PINK1−/− mice were more susceptible to hyperoxia than WT mice. Notably, pretreatment with T3 did not attenuate HALI in PINK1−/− mice. In addition, T3 pretreatment increased mitochondrial anti-ROS potential, improved mitochondrial bioenergetics and mitophagy, and attenuated mitochondria-regulated apoptosis, all in a PINK1-dependent manner. Our results highlight a novel protective role for PINK1 in mediating the cytoprotective effects of thyroid hormone in HALI. Therefore, thyroid hormone may represent a potential therapy for ALI.
Compensating for a shifting world: evolving reference frames of visual and auditory signals across three multimodal brain areas
Authors: Caruso Valeria C. , Pages Daniel S. , Sommer Marc A. , Groh Jennifer M.
Published: April 2021

Models for visual-auditory integration posit that visual signals are eye-centered throughout the brain, whereas auditory signals are converted from head-centered to eye-centered coordinates. We show instead that both modalities largely employ hybrid reference frames: neither fully head- nor eye-centered. Across three hubs of the oculomotor network (intraparietal cortex, frontal eye field, and superior colliculus) visual and auditory signals evolve from hybrid to a common eye-centered format via different dynamics across brain areas and time.
Online modification of goal-directed control in human reaching movements
Authors: De Comite Antoine , Crevecoeur Frédéric , Lefèvre Philippe
Published: April 2021

The present work demonstrates that the control strategies used to perform reaching movements are adjusted online when the structure of the target or the presence of obstacles are altered during movements. Thus, the properties of goal-directed reaching control are not simply selected during the planning stage of a movement prior to execution. Rather, they are dynamically and rapidly adjusted online, within ∼150 ms, according to changes in environment.
Long-term depression of excitatory transmission in the lateral septum
Authors: Chaichim Chanchanok , Cannings Madeleine J. , Dumlao Gadiel , Power John M.
Published: April 2021

The lateral septum (LS) integrates information from hippocampus and other regions to provide context-dependent (top down or higher order) regulation of mood and motivated behavior. Learning and drugs of abuse induce long-term changes in the strength of glutamatergic projections to the LS; however, the cellular mechanisms underlying such changes are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate there are no apparent sex differences in fast excitatory transmission and that long-term synaptic depression in the LS is NMDA-R dependent.
What Is New in Glaucoma: From Treatment to Biological Perspectives
Authors: Nuzzi Raffaele , Marolo Paola , Nuzzi Alessia
Published: April 2021

Glaucoma is a chronic silent disease and an irreversible cause of blindness worldwide. Research has made many efforts to improve disease control and especially to anticipate both early diagnosis and treatment of advanced stages of glaucoma. In terms of prevention, networking between professionals and nonprofessionals is an important goal to disseminate information and help diagnose the disease early. On the other hand, the most recent approaches to treat glaucoma outcomes in its advanced stages include electrical stimulation, stem cells, exosomes, extracellular vesicles, and growth factors. Finally, neuronal plasticity-based rehabilitation methods are being studied to reeducate patients in order to stimulate their residual visual capacity. This review provides an overview of new approaches to future possible glaucoma treatment modalities and gives insight into the perspectives available nowadays in this field.
Design and Implementation of Home Health System Based on ID Card Identification and Multidevice Access
Authors: Gao Chao , Hu Xiaobing
Published: April 2021

With the development of society and the gradual arrival of an ageing society, various diseases threaten human health. If you use the software that comes with your medical device to understand and analyze your health, not only the user is in trouble but also a variety of health data can not be linked, giving users a more three‐dimensional health analysis. In this case, this article will design and implement a mobile client for a home health system. The user’s information is hosted by the remote data center. It is necessary to collect the user’s information to facilitate management and analysis of health conditions. The manual input method is easy to input errors due to the long address and ID number, so the system will collect user information based on ID card identification. Train ID information to achieve accurate identification. For the multidevice access function, the key parts of the IEEE 11073 standard are used for communication. The mobile phone client that implements the home health system runs on the Android platform. According to the user information management, the user physiological data management, the user physiological data collection, and the user information synchronization are divided into four modules. The ID card identification module is called in the user management module, and the IEEE11073 communication plug‐in is called by JNI in the health data measurement module. The health data can be presented intuitively to the user, or the information can be synchronized to the remote data center for further analysis.
Physeal-Sparing Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction for Skeletally Immature Patients: All-Epiphyseal Technique Using Quadricep Tendon Autograft
Authors: Afana Hatem B. , Nau Thomas
Published: April 2021

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a major stabilizing structure of the knee and one of the most common injured structures. The true incidence of ACL injury in children and adolescents is unknown, but recent studies suggest increased ACL injury rates, especially in the sports-participating population. The mechanism of injury, clinical examination, and diagnosis of ACL injury in children is the same as in adults. The main concerns in the management of pediatric ACL injuries are the open physes and the eventual long-term consequences of the ACL deficient knee. The ideal treatment strategy of pediatric ACL injuries is still controversial, because there is still no universal consensus for techniques, graft choices, and postoperative rehabilitation. We present a case of a 12-year-old male patient who underwent ACL reconstruction using an all-inside, physeal-sparing technique with a quadriceps tendon autograft and discuss the current treatment strategies.
The Healing Process of the Joints between Buffer Material Blocks and the Influence on Solute Migration
Authors: Zhou Rui , Liu Yuemiao , Xu Tao , Gao Yufeng
Published: April 2021

A set of thermo‐hydro‐mechanical coupling control equations was established, and the healing process of the joints between Gaomiaozi bentonite (GMZ01) buffer material blocks and the influence of the joint parameters were numerically simulated. The calculations consider the effect of joints on solute migration, the permeability and thermal conductivity of the buffer material, and the evolution of the healing effect. The effects of the joint design parameters, including the type, number, width, splicing form, and average dry density of the joint, are investigated. Studies show that, under an external water head, the joints will become hydraulic priority channels due to their higher permeability, which will shorten the saturation time of the blocks. As the bentonite gradually saturates, the swelling force compresses the joint material. This action improves the overall uniformity of the buffer material and reduces the priority channel effect. Meanwhile, the final average permeability and diffusion coefficient of the buffer material are found to mainly depend on the average dry density of the buffer material. The higher the average dry density of the buffer material is, the lower the final average permeability and diffusion coefficient are, whereas the distribution of joints and the block splicing are less affected by the average dry density of the buffer material. The findings of this study can provide a reference for the design of bentonite buffer material blocks in the repository.
Modeling of Child Stress-State Identification Based on Biometric Information in Mobile Environment
Authors: Kim Tae-Yeun , Měsíček Libor , Kim Sung-Hwan
Published: April 2021

A technology must be developed to automatically identify extreme stress states of children who cannot properly express their emotions when recognizing dangerous situations, which threaten the safety of children, in real time. This study presents a stress-state identification model for children based on machine learning, biometric data, a smart band for collecting biometric data, and a mobile application for monitoring the stress state of the child classified. In addition, through an experiment comparing a dataset using only voice data and a dataset using both voice and heart rate data, we aimed to verify the effectiveness of the combination of the two biosignal datasets. As a result of the experiment, the SVM model showed the highest performance with an accuracy of 88.53% for the dataset using both voice data and heart rate data. The results of this study presented strong implications for the possibility of automating the stress-state identification of a child, and it is expected that the developed method can be used to take preventive measures for dangerous situations to children.
Experimental Study on the Strength and Deformation Characteristics of Concrete under True Triaxial Compression after Sulfate Attack
Authors: Xia Wei , Bai Erlei , Xu Jinyu , Liu Gaojie
Published: April 2021

To explore the mechanical properties of concrete under true triaxial static compressive load after sulfate attack, uniaxial static compression test and true triaxial static compression test at four stress ratios were carried out on concrete specimens immersed in 15% sulfate solution for 0–120 days by the integrated true triaxial static and dynamic load testing system, and the variation of performance indicators such as the strength and deformation of concrete under the coupling action of sulfate attack and complex stress state was analyzed. The results show that the uniaxial compressive strength of concrete increases at the beginning and then decreases with the increase of sulfate attack time and reaches the peak on the 30th day, with an increase rate of 16.57%; the strength of concrete under triaxial compression increases significantly, and the maximum triaxial compressive strength is 3.18 times of uniaxial compressive strength under the combination of 0‐day sulfate attack and 0.2 : 0.8 stress ratio; and the deterioration of concrete under sulfate attack is more prominent at high confining pressure, and as the sulfate attack worsens, the sensitivity of triaxial compressive strength of concrete to lateral compressive stress is reduced. In conclusion, triaxial compression can significantly enhance the ductility of concrete by playing a role in restraining the deformation and cracking of concrete after sulfate attack.
A Noise-Tolerant Audio Encryption Framework Designed by the Application of S8 Symmetric Group and Chaotic Systems
Authors: Aziz Haris , Gilani Syed Mushhad Mustuzhar , Hussain Iqtadar , Janjua Abdul Kashif , Khurram Shahzada
Published: April 2021

The recent decade has witnessed an exponential surge of digital content, especially multimedia and its applications. The security requirements of these innovative platforms necessitate the significance of enhancing advanced encryption schemes. In this paper, a novel encryption scheme is presented for real-time audio applications. The framework of the proposed scheme is grounded on the principles of confusion and diffusion. The confusion incorporates nonlinearity by the application of Mordell elliptic curves (MEC) and a symmetric group of permutations S8. The endurance of the proposed scheme is further enriched through the application of chaotic maps. The proposed scheme is intended to cater requirements of real-time voice communications in defense applications particularly warzones. The adoption of a modular design and fusion of chaotic maps makes the algorithm viable for numerous real-time audio applications. The security can further be enriched by incorporating additional rounds and number of S-boxes in the algorithm. The security and resistance of the algorithm against various attacks are gaged through performance evaluation and security measurements. The audio encryption scheme has the ability to tolerate noise triggered by a channel or induced by an invader. The decryption was successful and the resultant output was audible for noisy data. The overall results depict that the proposed audio encryption scheme contains an excellent cryptographic forte with the minimum computational load. These characteristics allow the algorithm to be a hotspot for modern robust applications.
Multiple Attribute Decision-Making Model for Supplier Selection in Service-Oriented Manufacturing Paradigm
Authors: Lyu Feng , Zhang Yanghang , Feng Zhuangzhuang , Ding Ruoyan , Su Jianxin
Published: April 2021

This paper proposes a multiattribute decision-making model for supplier selection under the service-oriented manufacturing, which can be used to effectively evaluate each candidate supplier. The supplier selection index system under the service-oriented manufacturing is proposed, and the interval evaluation matrix is established. In view of the mixed attribute of evaluation index, we construct a method that converts mixed attribute value to interval number. In order to avoid the subjectivity of the weight and make alternatives be provided with more discrimination, we use a combination model based on the deviation function model and the interval relative entropy ranking method to evaluate each candidate supplier. Finally, an application example is given to verify the correctness and practicability of the proposed decision-making model.
A Spectral Collocation Technique for Riesz Fractional Chen-Lee-Liu Equation
Authors: Abdelkawy M. A. , Alyami S. A.
Published: April 2021

This paper discusses the study of optical solitons that are modeled by Riesz fractional Chen-Lee-Liu model, one of the versions of the famous nonlinear Schrödinger equation. This model is solved by the assistance of consecutive spectral collocation technique with two independent approaches. The first is the approach of the spatial variable, while the other is the approach of the temporal variable. It is concluded that the method of the current paper is far more efficient and credible for the proposed problem. Numerical results illustrate the performance efficiency of the algorithm. The results also point out that the scheme can lead to spectral accuracy of the studied model.
Simultaneous Flow of n-Immiscible Fractional Maxwell Fluids with Generalized Thermal Flux and Robin Boundary Conditions
Authors: Rauf Abdul , Rubbab Qammar , Shah Nehad Ali , Malik Kaleem Razzaq
Published: April 2021

In a rectangular region, the multilayered laminar unsteady flow and temperature distribution of the immiscible Maxwell fractional fluids by two parallel moving walls are studied. The flow of the fluid occurs in the presence of Robin’s boundaries and linear fluid-fluid interface conditions due to the motion of the parallel walls on its planes and the time-dependent pressure gradient. The problem is defined as a mathematical model which focuses on the fluid memory, which is represented by a constituent equation with the Caputo time-fractional derivative. The integral transformations approach (the Laplace transform and the finite sine-Fourier transform) is used to determine analytical solutions for velocity, shear stress, and the temperature fields with fluid interface, initial, and boundary conditions. For semianalytical solutions, the algorithms of Talbot are used to calculate the Laplace inverse transformation. We used the Mathcad software for graphical illustration and numerical computation. It has been observed that the memory effect is significant on both fluid motion and temperature flow.
Solving Fractional Differential Equations by Using Triangle Neural Network
Authors: Gao Feng , Dong Yumin , Chi Chunmei
Published: April 2021

In this paper, numerical methods for solving fractional differential equations by using a triangle neural network are proposed. The fractional derivative is considered Caputo type. The fractional derivative of the triangle neural network is analyzed first. Then, based on the technique of minimizing the loss function of the neural network, the proposed numerical methods reduce the fractional differential equation into a gradient descent problem or the quadratic optimization problem. By using the gradient descent process or the quadratic optimization process, the numerical solution to the FDEs can be obtained. The efficiency and accuracy of the presented methods are shown by some numerical examples. Numerical tests show that this approach is easy to implement and accurate when applied to many types of FDEs.
Integrated Quality-Based Production-Distribution Planning in Two-Echelon Supply Chains
Authors: Pasha Husein , Kamalabadi Isa Nakhai , Eydi Alireza
Published: April 2021

The integrated production-distribution (P-D) planning has turned into one of the most essential areas in supply chain (SC) management in recent years, especially in the case of perishable products in which the quality of products can change over time. Nonetheless, so far, the suggested models have focused on the P-D stages of the chain while the delivery of high-quality products to customers is of paramount significance in the perishable SC. In the present paper, a multiobjective, mixed-integer, and nonlinear programming (MOMINLP) mathematical model was developed for integrated P-D deteriorating items in a two-echelon SC that emphasizes quality degradation. Quality is monitored and calculated as a function of temperature and time throughout the SC, and the main purpose of the model is to first increase the quality of products delivered to customers and, second, minimize the SC costs. To optimize the problem, the particle swarm optimization (PSO) approach was also incorporated into the model. The obtained model was applied to a case study in Protein Gostar Sina Company in Iran, which resulted in decreased P-D costs as well as increased customer satisfaction.
Two-Period Reputation Model of Knowledge Sharing between Enterprises Based on Signal Game Analysis
Authors: Wang Qiliang , Jiang Qingquan , Yu Hongxia , Fu Rong , Mo Changwei
Published: April 2021

Knowledge sharing between enterprises is an important way to obtain external research and development (R&D) resources and keep competitiveness. This paper used a reputation model based on a two-period signal game to explore knowledge-sharing micromechanism between enterprises and key influencing factors of enterprises. The results show that reputation effects are an important mechanism that will make knowledge sharing between enterprises operate effectively. Motivated by reputation effects, even those noncooperative enterprises continue to pretend to be cooperative enterprises for knowledge sharing before the end of the game. Finally, we adopt the analytical methods and conclusions given by the model in this article to analyze opportunistic problems in knowledge sharing among cooperative enterprises and put forward some valuable suggestions on the conditions for the effective use of corporate reputation effects.
Energy Efficiency Performances of LVDC Nanogrids Powered Buildings
Authors: Ammous Anis , Assaidi Ammar , Al Ahdal Abdulrahman , Ammous Kaiçar
Published: April 2021

The Low Voltage Direct Current (LVDC) system concept has been growing in the recent times due to its characteristics and advantages like renewable energy source compatibility, more straightforward integration with storage utilities through power electronic converters, and distributed loads. This paper presents the energy efficiency performances of a proposed LVDC supply concept and other classical PV chains architectures. A PV source was considered in the studied nanogrids. The notion of relative saved energy (RSE) was introduced to compare the studied PV systems energy performances. The obtained results revealed that the use of the proposed LVDC chain supply concept increases the nanogrid efficiency. The installed PV power source in the building should be well sized regarding the consumed power in order to register a high system RSE. The efficiency of the new LVDC architecture is 10% higher than the conventional LVDC one.
Design of an Interactive Two-Way Telemedicine Service System for Smart Home Care for the Elderly
Authors: Li Fang
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we deeply analyse and study the interactive telemedicine service system for elderly care in smart homes and design a data summarization method for large concurrent scenarios. The method first parses and reconstructs the data received by the system initially and then stores the reconstructed valid data into the local database, which realizes the fast data summarization under the heavy concurrency scenario. Secondly, a multiformat data adaptation method is designed for the problem that the data to be provided and processed are in various formats. The method uses a unified data format and adaptation process constraints to achieve centralized management of heterogeneous data from multiple sources, which provide a unified data support service for the system and upper-layer applications. Again, to deal with the application problem of highly correlated data, the data-sharing system provides data for each functional component of the telemedicine platform according to business requirements based on standardized data structure and unified storage management. This enables the barrier-free flow of multisource highly correlated data. When the consultation is in progress, the doctor can communicate with the patient with video and audio devices and, at the same time, can access the patient’s historical medical records and the medical records uploaded by the patient; after the consultation is completed, the consultation doctor needs to fill in the consultation record. The consultation assistance module can statistically analyse the workload of doctors and other information according to the background data, and the telemedicine system will play an increasingly important role in the medical and health care business.
Acetylshikonin Induces Apoptosis in Human Colorectal Cancer HCT‐15 and LoVo Cells via Nuclear Translocation of FOXO3 and ROS Level Elevation
Authors: Lim Heui Min , Lee Jongsung , Nam Myeong Jin , Park See-Hyoung
Published: April 2021

Acetylshikonin, a naphthoquinone, is a pigment compound derived from Arnebia sp., which is known for its anti‐inflammatory potential. However, its anticarcinogenic effect has not been well investigated. Thus, in this study, we focused on investigating its apoptotic effects against HCT‐15 and LoVo cells, which are human colorectal cancer cells. MTT assay, cell counting assay, and colony formation assay have shown acetylshikonin treatment induced cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects against colorectal cancer cells in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. DNA fragmentation was observed via terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Also, the increase of subG1 phase in cell cycle arrest assay and early/late apoptotic rates in annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) double staining assay was observed, which indicates an apoptotic potential of acetylshikonin against colorectal cancer cells. 2 ′,7 ′‐Dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCF‐DA) staining was used to evaluate reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in acetylshikonin‐treated colorectal cancer cells. Fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis showed that acetylshikonin induced an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and apoptotic rate in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner in HCT‐15 and LoVo cells. In contrast, cotreatment with N‐acetyl cysteine (NAC) has reduced ROS generation and antiproliferative effects in colorectal cancer cells. Western blotting analysis showed that acetylshikonin treatment induced increase of cleaved PARP, γH2AX, FOXO3, Bax, Bim, Bad, p21, p27, and active forms of caspase‐3, caspase‐7, caspase‐9, caspase‐6, and caspase‐8 protein levels, while those of inactive forms were decreased. Also, the expressions of pAkt, Bcl‐2, Bcl‐xL, peroxiredoxin, and thioredoxin 1 were decreased. Furthermore, western blotting analysis of cytoplasmic and nuclear fractionated proteins showed that acetylshikonin treatment induced the nuclear translocation of FOXO3, which might result from DNA damage by the increased intracellular ROS level. This study represents apoptotic potential of acetylshikonin against colorectal cancer cells via translocation of FOXO3 to the nucleus and upregulation of ROS generation.
Investigation of the Effect of Crumb Rubber Powder and Warm Additives on Moisture Resistance of SMA Mixtures
Authors: Ziari Hassan , Divandari Hassan , Seyed Ali Akbar Seyed Mohammad , Hosseinian Seyed Mohsen
Published: April 2021

Stone matrix asphalt (SMA) mixtures are one of the most resistant types of asphalt mixtures known to date that the bulk load is borne by the aggregate skeleton. In this research, the effect of crumb rubber powder (CRP), Vestenamer polymer, and warm additives, including Sasobit, ZycoTherm, and a porous and warm mix asphalt (PAWMA), was investigated on the moisture resistance of SMA mixtures. A segregation test was performed to determine the tendency of the polymer to separate from modified polymer bitumen under storage conditions. Also, a drain down sensitivity test was conducted to explore the bleeding phenomena and drain down of SMA mixtures. Finally, a boiling water test, as well as an indirect tensile strength (ITS) test, was applied to examine the sensitivity of mixtures to moisture. The segregation test results indicated that by the use of Vestenamer polymer, a conventional (low speed) mixer can be used instead of using a high‐speed mixer, and this will be very important in the cost of rubber bitumen production. The drain down test results showed that cellulose fibers prevented the bitumen bleeding of SMA mixtures. Also, the results of the boiling water test indicated that CRP samples containing ZycoTherm had the highest moisture resistance compared to the other warm additives. Among various mixtures, 8% CRP‐modified samples containing ZycoTherm resulted in the lowest amount of stripping in SMA mixtures, even more than the base sample. The ITS test results illustrated that the use of CRP, Vestenamer polymer, and warm additives had a significant effect on the ITS amounts of mixtures. Moreover, the samples containing ZycoTherm had the highest tensile strength ratio (TSR) compared to the other SMA samples.
The Impact of Different Types of Abuse on Depression
Authors: Radell Milen L. , Abo Hamza Eid G. , Daghustani Wid H. , Perveen Asma , Moustafa Ahmed A.
Published: April 2021

Despite a large amount of research on depression and abuse, there is still a controversy on how abuse is measured and on childhood trauma’s effect on the physiological function of adults. Here, we attempt to clarify the relationship between different types of abuse and depression while focusing on childhood abuse. This article, unlike prior research, provides an overview that addresses physical, psychological, and sexual abuse and their psychological impact on the victims. Results show that abuse is a vulnerability factor for a variety of mental and physical health problems and that psychological abuse is strongly associated with depression. More research is needed to understand (a) the role of abuse in the development and maintenance of depression and, in particular, longitudinal studies that also account for the large number of risk and protective factors that influence this relationship and (b) how different types of abuse can influence response to treatment among survivors with depression, in order to provide effective trauma-focused approaches to manage depressive symptoms.