bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici Exhibited a Significant Change in Virulence and Race Frequency in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Yang Hong , Awais Muhammad , Deng Feifei , Li Li , Ma Jinbiao , Li Guangkuo , Li Kemei , Gao Haifeng
Published: December 2024

Xinjiang is an important region due to its unique epidemic characteristics of wheat stripe rust disease caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici. Some previous studies on race identification were conducted in this region, but it is still unclear how temporal changes affect the dynamics, diversity, and virulence characteristics of Pst races in Xinjiang. To gain a better understanding, we compared the race data from spring and winter wheat crops of 2022 with that of 2021. Our results showed a significant change in virulence frequency in 2022. Vr10, Vr13, and Vr19 exhibited an increasing trend, with a frequency of ≥18%, while the maximum decline was observed in Vr1, Vr3, and Vr9, with a frequency of ≤−25%. It was found that Yr5 and Yr15 remained effective against Xinjiang Pst races. The race diversity increased from 0.92 (70 races out of 345 isolates) to 0.94 (90 races out of 354 isolates) in 2022, with G22G being the dominant race group. Race CYR34 became prevalent in the region in 2022, while the LvG grouped was wiped out in 2022, from both summer and winter crop seasons. HyG and SuG groups showed an overall declining trend. Overall prevalent races showed over-summering and over-wintering behaviors in Xinjiang. The number of new races occurrence frequency increased by 34% in 2022, indicating a potential change in the population structure of Pst. It is crucial to introduce newly resistant gene cultivars in this region and to establish rust-monitoring protocols to prepare for any future epidemics.
Framing the Schemata: Western Media Coverage of African Technological Innovations
Authors: Gondwe Gregory
Published: December 2024

This study examines the framing of African technological innovations in Western media over the past two decades (2003–2023), focusing on four case studies: M-Pesa, LifeBank, FarmDrive, and NigeriaSat-1. Using a qualitative research design that integrates content analysis and framing theory, we analyze how major media outlets, including the BBC, CNN, The Guardian, Reuters, and The New York Times, represent African innovations. The analysis reveals that media coverage tends to frame these innovations primarily through a humanitarian lens, emphasizing their role in addressing poverty, healthcare, and food security challenges. While highlighting the social impact of these technologies, this narrative often overlooks their broader potential for global scalability and industry disruption. To complement the content analysis, we conducted 24 semi-structured interviews with tech entrepreneurs, media professionals, and scholars from Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal, investigating their perspectives on how Western media coverage impacts investment and collaboration in African technological sectors. The interview findings confirm that such media portrayals hinder international investment and partnership opportunities by reinforcing the narrative that African technologies are primarily crisis management tools, rather than innovative solutions with global market potential. This article argues for a shift in this narrative, recommending policies that include strategic media advocacy, enhanced public relations, and increased investment in Research and Development.
Anxiety, Depression, and Quality of Life in Women with Breast Cancer and Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Study in North Greece
Authors: Parpori Maria , Tsamesidis Ioannis , Karamitrousis Evangelos , Giakidou Aikaterini , Kroustalidou Evangelia , Liamopoulou Polixeni , Lavdaniti Maria
Published: December 2024

Introduction: The incidence of breast cancer, as well as diabetes mellitus (DM), has continuously increased in recent years. The concurrent study of these diseases is particularly important, as there is a strong correlation between them due to hormonal, biochemical, and environmental factors. Moreover, the underlying metabolic dysfunction in this case could affect the treatment of breast cancer, as well as overall survival. In addition, the relationship of these two diseases with depression is not well studied. Patients with DM and cancer patients both experience depressive symptoms that have an impact on their mental health, as well as their quality of life. Personalized medicine offers a potential solution to these challenges by tailoring treatments to individual patient profiles. The present study will attempt to fill a gap in the existing literature regarding the relationship of patients with concurrent breast cancer and DM experiencing depression. More specifically, it will attempt to answer the question of whether there is a strong correlation between breast cancer, DM, and mental health in patients from a large geographical division of the country. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 120 female patients participated in the research, 60 with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (group B) and 60 with T2DM and breast cancer (group A). The DASS-21 questionnaire was used to determine their levels of anxiety and depression, and ADDQoL-19 was used to measure the patients’ quality of life. Results: Regarding quality of life, women with T2DM and breast cancer showed a better quality of life (QoL) than women with T2DM. Women who were retired (p = 0.025) and consequently postmenopausal (p = 0.035) demonstrated the highest levels of QoL, while stage III cancer patients had lower ADDQoL-19 scores. Regarding mental health, in the women from group A, a positive correlation of treatment with the occurrence of anxiety and depression (p = 0.034) and a negative correlation of cancer stage with mental health was observed. The women in group B (those with T2DM only) showed better mental health outcomes related to their treatment (p = 0.009). However, both married and unmarried women in this study experienced mental health burdens, with no significant difference between the two groups in terms of mental health impact. These findings suggest that marital status did not significantly influence the mental health of the participants in this study. Conclusions: Women with T2DM and breast cancer generally presented a better clinical picture than women with T2DM alone. Therefore, the comorbidity of these two diseases did not seem to negatively affect the quality of life and mental health of these women.
Joint Pricing-Production Decisions for a Capital-Constrained Supplier in a Marketplace Platform
Authors: Zhang Li , Zhou Jianqin
Published: December 2024

We analyze a supply chain consisting of a capital-constrained supplier and a platform functioning as a marketplace, where the supplier sells products to consumers via the platform, which charges a commission fee for each item sold. Operating in a market characterized by price-sensitive stochastic demand, the supplier must make simultaneous decisions regarding pricing and production quantity before a selling period. The supplier has three financing options for production: bank financing, platform-guaranteed bank financing, and direct platform financing. Using a Stackelberg game approach, we model these interactions and derive key managerial insights. Our findings reveal that financing choices and commission fees significantly impact the supplier’s pricing and production decisions, as well as the platform’s financing preferences. Generally, while the platform favors direct financing, the supplier prefers guaranteed financing under certain conditions.
Biochemical Properties of the Acid Ectophosphatase Activity of Phytomonas serpens Involved in Cell Proliferation
Authors: Carvalho-Kelly Luiz Fernando , Freitas-Mesquita Anita Leocadio , Majerowicz Thaís Souza Silveira , Meyer-Fernandes José Roberto
Published: December 2024

Phytomonas is the only kinetoplastid that can parasitize plants, causing economically relevant issues. Phytomonas serpens share similarities with pathogenic trypanosomatids, including surface enzymes that are involved in adhesion to the salivary gland of their experimental host, the insect Oncopeltus fasciatus. Ectophosphatases are cell surface enzymes involved in host–parasite interactions that are widely distributed among microorganisms. This work aimed to perform the biochemical characterization of P. serpens ectophosphatase activity, investigating and discussing its possible physiological role. This activity presented an acidic profile, and its kinetic parameters Km and Vmax were calculated as 1.57 ± 0.08 mM p-NPP and 10.11 ± 0.14 nmol p-NP/(h × 108 flagellates), respectively. It was stimulated by cobalt, inhibited by zinc, and insensitive to EDTA, a divalent metal chelator. The inhibitor sodium orthovanadate was able to decrease P. serpens ectophosphatase activity and growth, suggesting its involvement in cell proliferation. Given that P. serpens can uptake inorganic phosphate (Pi) from the extracellular medium, it is likely that its ectophosphatase activity acts together with the transport systems in the Pi acquisition process. The elucidation of the molecular mechanisms involved in this process emerges as a relevant perspective, providing new strategies for controlling Phytomonas infection.
The Evolution and Performance Response of Industrial Land Use Development in China’s Development Zone: The Case of Suzhou Industrial Park
Authors: Su Bo , Shen Xiaoxia , Wang Qing , Zhang Qi , Niu Jingyu , Yin Qiqi , Chen Yuquan , Zhou Shenglu
Published: December 2024

Development zones are crucial spatial carriers driving economic growth and industrial upgrading, playing a key role in China’s development. After years of expansion, these zones face significant challenges in industrial land development and performance enhancement. This paper takes Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) as a case, which is a model of Sino–Singaporean government cooperation. Using Landsat 4–5 TM data, socioeconomic data, and industrial land use data, spatial analysis and statistical modeling were employed to examine the evolution and phased patterns of industrial land use in SIP from 1994 to 2022. A performance evaluation system encompassing economic benefits, innovation-driven growth, development intensity, green development, and social security was developed to assess land use performance and its responses to spatial transformations. The results reveal that industrial land in SIP experienced a significant change in the intensity of land expansion from 1.031 to 0.352 during 1994–2022, and the peak circle density expanded from 3 km to 15 km. The mean value of the comprehensive performance score during 2017–2022 was 42.18, with the highest economic efficiency (40.54) and a lower innovation capacity (16.98). The development of industrial land in SIP presents the stage characteristics of monocentric polarization, polycentricity, and spatial diffusion toward a generalized development zone, showing significant path dependence, and the difference in the land use performance of different industrial types is obvious. In the future, the optimization and redevelopment of the stock of land should be strengthened to promote the optimization of the spatial layout of technology-intensive industries and the technological upgrading of labor-intensive industries, as well as achieving sustainable economic growth through innovation-driven, green development and enclave economy collaboration. This study provides a reference for the industrial layout and high-quality sustainable development of development zones.
A Methodological Framework for Evaluation of Rural Settlements: Rural Index of Serbia
Authors: Jurjević Žana , Matkovski Bojan , Đokić Danilo , Zekić Stanislav
Published: December 2024

The lowest administrative-territorial unit in Serbia is a settlement, whereby the administrative criterion of dividing settlements into “urban” and “other” is inadequate for describing the rural area, which is extremely differentiated in Serbia due to various factors. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the typology of settlements in accordance with different development characteristics, with a special emphasis on areas that are lagging in development. The goal of this research is to present a rural index of Serbia. The importance of this research is reflected in the methodological improvement of the classification of rural settlements in Serbia. This approach indicates the development potential and limitations of local areas in Serbia, which is the basis for support and financing of local development programs. The results point to different categories of rural settlements: rural settlements heavily influenced by the urban center; transitional rural settlements, i.e., rural centers; socio-economically devastated rural settlements; “retired”, abandoned, disappearing rural settlements, where it is necessary to adapt strategies and policies to different types. The results of the research provide important information to policymakers where specific development strategies for different types of settlements are proposed.
The Impact of Low-Carbon City Construction on Urban Shrinkage: Evidence from China
Authors: Li Bowen , Huang Meiying , Li Quan
Published: December 2024

This paper uses Low-Carbon Pilot City (LCCP) as a quasi-natural experiment, 282 prefecture-level cities in China from 2007 to 2021, and models such as DID, SDM-DID, and DML to examine the impact of LCCP on urban shrinkage. Research shows that, first, LCCPs have effectively inhibited urban shrinkage, with pilot cities reducing urban shrinkage by 1.8% compared with non-pilot cities. Second, the LCCP may inhibit the city’s ability to shrink by reducing resource allocation efficiency, promoting technological innovation, and optimizing the living environment. Third, the urban shrinkage effect of the LCCP is heterogeneous depending on the economic region and whether the city is resource-based.
How Does Agricultural Land Lease Policy Affect Agricultural Carbon Emission? Evidence of Carbon Reduction Through Decreasing Transaction Costs in the Context of Heterogeneous Efficiency
Authors: Wang Shuokai , Zeng Bo , Feng Yong , Cao Fangping
Published: December 2024

Given the increasing environmental pressures, it is essential that agriculture achieves the goal of sustainable and low-carbon development. In 2010, China, as the top carbon emitter, introduced a policy on agricultural land lease (ALL), which has been met with considerable approval from farmers and has resulted in a notable surge in the rate of ALL within the country. Nevertheless, the question of how the ALL policy affects agricultural carbon emissions (ACEs) remains unanswered. What are the transmission mechanisms? To answer these questions, this paper presents an equilibrium model that accounts for the heterogeneous production efficiency among farmers. It offers a theoretical analysis of the impact of ALL policy on agricultural carbon emission reduction (ACER) and presents an empirical test of this impact using a difference-in-differences (DID) model. Our research shows that the ALL policy gives impetus to ACER. This conclusion persists even after conducting the robustness and endogeneity tests. The mechanism posits that the policy achieves ACER through reducing the proportion of rural agricultural employees. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that the policy effect is significant in both the northern and southern regions of China. Nonetheless, the effect is only observable in economically developed areas, regions with high chemical fertilizer application rates, and areas with restricted agricultural progress. This study elucidates the connection between land transfer and agricultural carbon emissions, offering empirical evidence to support the advancement of green and low-carbon agricultural development.
Soil Water Capacity and Pore Size Distribution in Different Soil Tillage Systems in the Spring Barley Crop
Authors: Sinkevičienė Aušra , Sinkevičiūtė Inesa , Jackevičienė Karolina , Romaneckas Kęstutis , Balandaitė Jovita , Sederevičius Augustas , Kimbirauskienė Rasa
Published: December 2024

Barley is an important cereal crop with versatile uses: barley grains are part of the human diet and are also used for animal feed, while the potential to use barley for ethanol production provides this grain with a promising bioenergy potential. As scientific research in the field of bioenergy progresses, barley may play an even greater role in meeting the world’s future energy needs. The challenge facing today’s barley growers, and one that will undoubtedly be addressed by future generations of grain farmers, is how to grow higher yields with lower costs while minimizing damage to the soil. One way to achieve this is by using simplified tillage methods, thereby avoiding soil compaction, structural degradation, and erosion. Moreover, studies have shown that when soil is cultivated using simplified methods, crop yields may actually increase. Our research was conducted in a long-term stationary field experiment, which was located at the Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy Experimental Station. The aim of the investigation was to determine the effect of conservation tillage and deep plowing systems on soil water capacity and pore size distribution in spring barley cultivation. Comparing simplified tillage systems with deep plowing (DP), it can be concluded that the no-tillage (NT) technology most significantly improved the studied indicators, while the deep plowing (DP) technology exhibited the poorest results.
Multi-Scenario Simulation of Urban–Rural Land Use Spatial Reconstruction in Highly Urbanized Areas: A Case Study from the Southern Jiangsu Region
Authors: Jiang Changjun , Chen Huiguang
Published: December 2024

China’s rural population flowing into highly urbanized areas has led to the spatial reconstruction of urban–rural land use. Exploring the laws and trends of urban–rural land use in highly urbanized areas is of great significance in promoting rural transformation. This paper takes the southern Jiangsu region as a research area and uses a system dynamics (SD) model to simulate the demand for different land types based on economic, social, policy, and environmental (ESPE) factors. Future land use simulation (FLUS) is used to simulate the spatial evolution trend of urban–rural land use based on point–axis elements. The results show that the agricultural production space is severely squeezed by the urban living space. Under the scenario of rapid expansion, the decrease in arable land quantity and the demand area for rural residential areas are the largest. Under the scenario of high-quality development, the decrease in arable land area and the demand for land in rural residential areas are lowest. Based on the spatial simulation, it is reported that the areas with more intense land use spatial reconstruction in the three scenarios are mainly concentrated in the region’s urban–rural border areas. The future evolution of urban–rural land is summarized into three models: (1) single-center-driving expansion, (2) patchy expansion near the city center, and (3) multi-center-driving expansion. This paper proposes targeted policy recommendations to provide a scientific reference for solving the conflict between urban and rural land use.
Ecosystem Services Trade-Offs in the Chaohu Lake Basin Based on Land-Use Scenario Simulations
Authors: Jin Aibo , Zhang Gachen , Ma Ping , Wang Xiangrong
Published: December 2024

Amid global environmental degradation, understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics and trade-offs of ecosystem services (ESs) under varying land-use scenarios is critical for advancing the sustainable development of social–ecological systems. This study analyzed the Chaohu Lake Basin (CLB), focusing on four scenarios: natural development (ND), economic priority (ED), ecological protection (EP), and sustainable development (SD). Using the PLUS model and multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA), land-use changes for 2030 were simulated, and their effects on ESs were assessed quantitatively and qualitatively. The ND scenario led to significant declines in cropland (3.73%) and forest areas (0.18%), primarily due to construction land expansion. The EP scenario curbed construction land growth, promoted ecosystem recovery, and slightly increased cropland by 0.05%. The SD scenario achieved a balance between ecological and economic goals, maintaining relative stability in ES provision. Between 2010 and 2020, construction land expansion, mainly concentrated in central Hefei City, led to a marked decline in habitat quality (HQ) and landscape aesthetics (LA), whereas water yield (WY) and soil retention (SR) improved. K-means clustering analysis identified seven ecosystem service bundles (ESBs), revealing significant spatial heterogeneity. Bundles 4 through 7, concentrated in mountainous and water regions, offered high biodiversity maintenance and ecological regulation. In contrast, critical ES areas in the ND and ED scenarios faced significant encroachment, resulting in diminished ecological functions. The SD scenario effectively mitigated these impacts, maintaining stable ES provision and ESB distribution. This study highlights the profound effects of different land-use scenarios on ESs, offering insights into sustainable planning and ecological restoration strategies in the CLB and comparable regions.
Capitalizing Trademarks as Security: The Canadian Trademark Finance Perspective
Authors: Shaaban Eslam , Denoncourt Janice
Published: December 2024

Canada’s world-renowned banking sector is well- regulated, capitalized and one of the world’s most stable. It meets the essential pre-conditions for intellectual property (IP) finance methods such as a strong IP regime and a pool of firms with registered trademarks. In 2018 Canada launched its National IP Policy followed by certain IP finance initiatives led by the Canadian Business Development Bank (BDC) in 2019. However, it is not well understood how the Canadian Constitution structures economic relations. Certain longstanding federal and provincial issues remain to be addressed if trademark-backed finance is to become part of mainstream commercial lending in Canada. This article contributes to the nascent academic interdisciplinary trademark law and finance literature. An in-depth literature review highlights the existing gaps between the Canadian federal and provincial legal frameworks that govern security interests in trademarks, and market needs. The traditional legal research methodology evaluates the impact of relevant case law, public policies and law practice, adopting finance, economic and IP rights theory perspectives. A digital shared ledger system technology law solution is proposed to enhance registration of security interests with the aim of making trademark finance in Canada more effective and efficient. This article is foundational in the sense that it paves the way for recommendations for new policies with a view to normalising trademark-backed debt finance processes in Canada.
International Nephrology Masterclass in Chronic Kidney Disease: Rationale, Summary, and Future Perspectives
Authors: Pesce Francesco , Vadalà Maria , Almeida Edgar , Fernandez Beatriz , Fouque Denis , Malyszko Jolanta , Schmidt-Ott Kai , Stenvinkel Peter , Wheeler David C. , Seidu Samuel , Cebrian Ana , Dimov Nikolay , Pardo Marta Blanco , Ziedina Ieva , Habashi Nayaf , Manrique Joaquin , Marques Sofia Homem De Melo , Gallardo Marco Antonio Vaca , Shehaj Larisa , Nikolova Vlahova Milena Krasimirova , Mendonça Luis , Ksiazek Sara , Veltri Pierangelo , Pezzi Giuseppe , Patella Gemma , Borelli Greta , Provenzano Michele , Gesualdo Loreto
Published: December 2024

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive condition that affects more than 10% of the population worldwide, accounting for more than 843 million (M) individuals. The prevalence of CKD (844 M patients) is higher than that of diabetes mellitus (422 M patients), cancer (42 M patients), and HIV (37 M patients), but people are often less aware of it. Global expert groups predict reductions in the nephrology workforce in the next decade, with a declining interest in nephrology careers. Over time, KDIGO guidelines have also focused on topics related to the prevention or management of CKD patients in real-life settings. On these premises, a new educational program with international experts in the field of nephrology took place from November 2022 until March 2023 in Milan, Italy. This multinational masterclass provided an educational platform providing unbiased education on diagnosis and treatment by sharing the most recent research data on CKD and comorbidities, therefore creating a snowball effect to increase the implementation of best practices worldwide, using examples from ‘real-life’ patient outcomes. This paper provides an overview of the International Nephrology Masterclass (INM) concept, summarizing the key lectures and discussions, and giving an outline of future key developments.
Boswellia serrate Gum Resin Mitigates Renal Toxicity: Role of TNF-α, Interleukins, TGF-β, and Lipid Peroxidation
Authors: Eltahir Heba M. , Shalkami Abdel-Gawad S. , Shehata Ahmed M. , Almikhlafi Mohannad , Aldhafiri Ahmed J. , Alalawi Ali , Albadrani Muayad , Mahmoud Ahmad Bakur , Abouzied Mekky M.
Published: December 2024

Background and aim: Being a central organ in homeostasis and maintaining the health of the biological system, kidneys are exposed to variable toxicants. Long-term exposure to nephrotoxic molecules causes chronic renal damage that causes fibrosis and loss of function. Such damage can be initiated by oxidative stress which provokes inflammation. We aim at investigating the potential therapeutic effects of Boswellia serrata (BS) gum resin extract in managing CCl4-induced renal toxicity. Methods: Male Wistar albino rats were assigned to groups: healthy control; CCl4-treated (CCl4, twice/week, for 6 weeks); CCl4 + BS-treated: CCl4 for 6 weeks followed by BS (150 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks; and CCl4 + Silymarin-treated: CCl4 for 6 weeks followed by Silymarin (100 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks. Blood and kidney tissue were utilized to assess oxidative stress status, inflammatory cytokines, and histopathological changes. Results: BS treatment ameliorated signs of renal damage and fibrosis as it improved renal antioxidant status and renal function markers and significantly reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 along with the fibrogenic marker TGF-β. Kidney tissues showed improved histological features after BS treatment. Conclusions: BS gum resin extract has significant therapeutic potential against CCl4-induced renal damage and fibrosis. These effects could be mediated via its previously reported antioxidant, free radical scavenging, and anti-inflammatory effects.
Lubrication-Enhanced Mechanisms of Bentonite Grease Using 2D MoS2 with Narrow Lateral Size and Thickness Distributions
Authors: Zhu Shaoyicheng , Xiang Shuo , Yang Xue , Yang Xin , Bao Hebin , He Hao , Du Xin , Zhang Qinhui , Zhang Junjie , Ma Kai , Cao Yi , Liu Yuehao , Peng Liangyi , Li Zhitao , Fan Yunhong
Published: December 2024

2D MoS2 with narrow lateral size and thickness distributions was introduced to promote the anti-friction and anti-wear properties of the bentonite grease (BG) in a state of boundary lubrication. Optical microscopy (OM), and 3D optical profilers (3D OP), Raman spectrometry (Raman), scanning electron microscope, energy dispersion spectrum (SEM-EDS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were applied to characterize the wear surface of the GCr15 bearing steel/GCr15 bearing steel contact. It is found that the average friction coefficient (AFC), wear scar diameter (WSD), surface roughness and average wear scar depth of BG + 1.2 wt.% 2D MoS2 were effectively reduced by approximately 22.15%, 23.14%, 55.15%, and 21.1%, respectilvely, compared with BG under the working condition of 392N, 75 °C, 1 h, and 1200 rpm. Raman, EDS and XPS results jointly demonstrated that a stable adsorbed film and a robust tribochemical film composed of Fe2O3, FeSO4, Fe2(SO4)3, FeSO3, FeS, FeO and MoO3, which further contributes to the enhancement of lubrication performance.
A Modified Multiaxial Fatigue Model and Its Application for the Fatigue Life Prediction of Aircraft Hydraulic Pipes
Authors: Wang Yantian , Qiu Yuanying , Li Jing , Bai Jin , Wang Yan
Published: December 2024

The fatigue failure of a structure may occur under a multiaxial vibration environment; it is necessary to establish a better multiaxial fatigue life prediction model to predict the fatigue life of the structure. This study proposes a new model (MWYT) by introducing the maximum absolute shear stress into the WYT model. The feasibility of the MWYT model is verified by using the multiaxial fatigue experimental data of 304 stainless steel, Q235B steel, 7075-T651 aluminum alloy and S355J0 steel. Further, finite element vibration simulations are performed on a typical parallel hydraulic pipe structure, and the vibration simulation results of the pipe structure are verified through the vibration experiment. Finally, the MWYT model is used to predict the fatigue lives of the pipe structure under random excitation and pulsation excitation, respectively, and the fatigue life of the pipe structure under the combined loading from random excitation and pulsation excitation is predicted based on Miner’s rule. By comparing with the design life of the aircraft, the predicted life of the pipe structure meets the service requirements for it.
Powder Metallurgy Processing to Enhance Superelasticity and Shape Memory in Polycrystalline Cu–Al–Ni Alloys: Reference Material for Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Pérez-Cerrato Mikel , Gómez-Cortés Jose F. , Urionabarrenetxea Ernesto , Ruiz-Larrea Isabel , Carreño Fernando , Ayesta Ízaro , Nó María L. , Burgos Nerea , San Juan Jose M.
Published: December 2024

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are functional materials with a wide range of applications, from the aerospace sector to the biomedical field. Nowadays, there is a worldwide interest in developing SMAs through powder metallurgy like additive manufacturing (AM), which allows innovative building processes. However, producing SMAs using AM techniques is particularly challenging because of the microstructure required to obtain optimal functional properties. This aspect is critical in the case of Cu–Al–based SMAs, due to their high elastic anisotropy, making them brittle in polycrystalline form. In this work, we approached the processing of a Cu–Al–Ni SMA following a specific powder metallurgy route: gas atomization of a pre-alloyed melt; compaction of the atomized powders through hot isostatic pressing; and a final hot rolling plus thermal treatments. Then, the microstructure of the material was characterized by electron microscopy showing a specific [001] texture in the rolling direction that improved the functional behavior. The successive processing steps produce an increase of about 40 °C in the martensitic transformation temperatures, which can be well controlled and reproduced through the developed methodology. The thermomechanical functional properties of superelasticity and shape memory were evaluated on the final SMA. Outstanding, fully recoverable superelastic behavior of 4.5% in tension, as well as a ±5% full shape memory recovery in bending, were reported for many cycles. These experiments demonstrate the enhanced mechanical and functional properties obtained in polycrystalline Cu–Al–Ni SMAs by powder metallurgy. The present results pave the road for producing this kind of SMA with the new AM technologies, which always produce polycrystalline components and can improve their processes taking the powder metallurgy SMA, here produced, as reference material.
Effect of Sr on Mechanical Properties and Corrosion Behavior of Rolled ZM60 Alloy
Authors: Yin Dongsong , Zhou Yuting , Liu Zhiyuan , Mao Yong , Han Tianming
Published: December 2024

Mg-6Zn-0.5Mn as a medical magnesium alloy has good biomechanical properties and corrosion resistance, but as a fracture internal-fixation material, its strength, toughness, and corrosion resistance still need to be improved. In this paper, the element Sr, having good biocompatibility, is used as an alloy element. The effects of different Sr contents (0 wt.%, 0.3 wt.%, 0.6 wt.%, 0.9 wt.%, and 1.2 wt.%) on the microstructure, strength, toughness, and corrosion resistance of rolled Mg-6Zn-0.5Mn alloy were studied. The results are as follows. Sr can influence the recrystallization process. When the Sr content is 0.3 wt.% and 0.6 wt.%, the alloy matrix exhibits both non-recrystallized regions and fine recrystallized regions. When the Sr content reaches 0.9 wt.%, the non-recrystallized region decreases significantly, and the fine recrystallized grains develop into equiaxed grains. With the increase of Sr content, the elongation of the alloy decreases. At a content of 0.9 wt.%, the corrosion resistance reaches its optimum value, with an average corrosion rate of 0.75828 mm/y.
Effect of Microsize and Nanosize TiO2 on Porous Mullite-Alumina Ceramic Prepared by Slip Casting
Authors: Mahnicka-Goremikina Ludmila , Rundans Maris , Goremikins Vadims , Svinka Ruta , Svinka Visvaldis , Orlova Liga , Juhnevica Inna
Published: December 2024

Sintered porous mullite-alumina ceramics are obtained from the concentrated suspension of powdered raw materials such as kaolin, gamma and alpha Al2O3, and amorphous SiO2, mainly by a solid-state reaction with the presence of a liquid phase. The modification of mullite ceramic is achieved by the use of micro- and nanosize TiO2 powders. The phase compositions were measured using an X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) Rigaku Ultima+ (Tokyo, Japan) and microstructures of the sintered specimens were analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) Hitachi TM3000-TableTop (Tokyo, Japan). The shrinkage, bulk density, apparent porosity, and water uptake of the specimens was determined after firing using Archimedes’ principle. The apparent porosity of the modified mullite ceramic is 52–69 ± 1%, water uptake is 33–40 ± 1%, pore size distributions are 0.05–0.8 μm, 0.8–10 μm and 10–1000 μm, and bulk density are variated from 1.15 ± 0.05 to 1.4 ± 0.05 g/cm3. The microsize TiO2 and nanosize TiO2 speed up the mullitisation process and allow the decrease in the quantity used as raw material amorphous SiO2, which was the purpose of the study. The use of nanosize TiO2 additive increases the porosity of such a ceramic, decreasing the bulk density and linear thermal expansion.
A New Methodology for Selecting CT Scanning Parameters Depending on the Density of Materials
Authors: Ostrowska Ksenia , Sładek Jerzy , Wołkanowski Paweł , Dominik Ireneusz , Owczarek Danuta , Nykiel Marek , Tomczyk Krzysztof , Stoliński Michał
Published: December 2024

The CT (computed tomography) scanner has been used for many years now not only for medical measurements but also in many industries, for example, in defectoscopy for measuring sheet thickness and checking the joining of materials, as well as for measuring the geometry of individual components. This type of scanner is a good complement to coordinate contact and non-contact measurements for intra-structural measurements and inaccessible places. The variety of materials, however, makes it very difficult to select individual CT parameters. In this paper, a curve for selecting the maximum and minimum voltage of the lamp depending on the density of a given material is determined and an interpolation polynomial (1d with a third-degree polynomial) is used, by defining third-degree glued functions (cubic spline) to determine intermediate voltage values to a given material density, so as to determine full data ranges. This approach can facilitate the work of selecting scanning parameters for non-destructive testing, as this is a difficult process and sometimes consumes half of the measurement time. The practical experiments were carried out at the Accredited Coordinate Metrology Laboratory to develop a multi-criteria matrix for selecting CT measurement parameters for measurement accuracy. This approach reduced the time by an average of half an hour and effectively optimized the selection of scanning parameters.
Dynamic Response of Electromechanical Coupled Motor Gear System with Gear Tooth Crack
Authors: Yao Zhaoyuan , Lin Tianliang , Chen Qihuai , Ren Haoling
Published: December 2024

The motor gear system (MGS) is recognized for its potential in enhancing transmission efficiency and optimizing space utilization. However, the system is subjected to challenges, notably the occurrence of abnormal vibrations. These issues stem from the dynamic interaction between the motor and gears, the presence of nonlinear factors in gear system, and the impact of gear faults, all of which contribute to complex vibration patterns. Traditional dynamic models have been found to be inadequate in effectively addressing the complexities associated with electromechanical coupling problems in MGS. To address these limitations, a comprehensive analysis approach is proposed in this paper, which is grounded in the development of an electromechanical coupling model. This method involves establishing a coupled dynamic model of the motor and gear system, integrating numerical simulations, and experimental validations to thoroughly analyze the vibration characteristics of the system. Through this multifaceted methodology, a detailed analysis of the system’s vibration characteristics is conducted. The results indicate that internal excitations from tooth root cracks not only directly affect dynamic characteristics of the gear transmission system (GTS) but also indirectly influence dynamic behavior of the motor, which offers valuable insights into modeling integrated MGS and provides significant solutions for fault diagnosis within these systems.
Design, Control, and Analysis of a 3-Degree-of-Freedom Kinematic–Biologically Matched Hip Joint Structure for Lower Limb Exoskeleton
Authors: Wang Yuntian , Wu Xiuyuan , Fang Yifan , Osawa Keisuke , Nakagawa Kei , Yamasaki Shintaro , Tanaka Eiichiro
Published: December 2024

The increasing demand for rehabilitation and walking assistive devices driven by aging populations has promoted the development of a novel hip joint structure. This design aims to enhance the functionality of lower limb exoskeletons by eliminating the kinematic mismatch with the human’s biological hip. The design utilizes three 1-DOF (Degree of Freedom) rotational joints to replicate natural hip movement. By integrating IMU data, motor compensation is dynamically made to facilitate a more natural gait. Experimental results indicate improved hip joint angles and enhanced user comfort, presenting a promising solution for better walking assistance for elderly individuals.
Impact of Optimization Variables on Fuel Consumption in Large Four-Stroke Diesel Marine Engines with Electrically Divided Turbochargers
Authors: Salazar Anibal Aguillon , Salameh Georges , Chesse Pascal , Bulot Nicolas , Thevenoux Yoann
Published: December 2024

The objective of this study is to understand how each variable impacts the optimal configuration of a marine diesel engine equipped with an electric hybrid air-charging system that allows energy assistance and recovery. The aim is to minimize CO2 emissions by reducing fuel consumption. The hybrid system offers flexibility in adjusting parameters from both the engine and air-charging system. It is compared with the baseline engine, which uses a free-floating turbocharger. The results show a significant improvement at low engine loads, where the baseline engine struggles to provide sufficient air. While turbine speed has little influence, compressor power reduces fuel consumption at low loads. However, at mid loads, resizing the turbomachine is necessary for further improvements. At high loads, full optimization of all variables is required to reduce fuel consumption. The electric hybrid system is particularly effective in tugboat-like conditions, where low loads dominate, but less impactful for ro-pax ferries. Despite the potential of the hybrid system, a fully optimized turbocharger could provide greater benefits due to reduced losses. Future studies could explore combining the adaptability of the hybrid system with a highly efficient turbocharger to reduce emissions across all load conditions.
Exploring Spin-Crossover Cobalt(II) Single-Ion Magnets as Multifunctional and Multiresponsive Magnetic Devices: Advancements and Prospects in Molecular Spintronics and Quantum Computing Technologies
Authors: Rabelo Renato , Toma Luminita M. , Bentama Abdeslem , Stiriba Salah-Eddine , Ruiz-García Rafael , Cano Joan
Published: December 2024

Spin-crossover (SCO) and single-ion magnets (SIMs), or their mixed SCO-SIM derivatives, are a convenient solution in the evolution from molecular magnetism toward molecular spintronics and quantum computing. Herein, we report on the current trends and future directions on the use of mononuclear six-coordinate CoII SCO-SIM complexes with potential opto-, electro-, or chemo-active 2,6-pyridinediimine (PDI)- and 2,2′:6′,2′-terpyridine (TERPY)-type ligands as archetypical examples of multifunctional and multiresponsive magnetic devices for applications in molecular spintronics and quantum computing technologies. This unique class of spin-crossover cobalt(II) molecular nanomagnets is particularly well suited for addressing and scaling on different supports, like metal molecular junctions or carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) or metal-covalent organic frameworks (MCOFs), in order to measure the single-molecule electron transport and quantum coherence properties, which are two major challenges in single-molecule spintronics (SMS) and quantum information processing (QIP).
Module Configuration of Rail Freight Transportation with Both Customer Segmentation and Product Family Genealogy in China
Authors: Chen Weiya , Tong Shiying , Yuan Ziyue , Fang Xiaoping
Published: December 2024

The Chinese government is actively restructuring transportation to shift towards more sustainable rail freight transportation (RFT); however, there is still a lack of more systematic optimization in the whole production chain. This study develops a dual-focus modular configuration approach to explore the integration of customer demand and the production chain to achieve more sustainable operations in RFT. Customers have yielded eleven distinct groups, and operational processes have been segmented into sixteen modules by using the Ant Colony Optimization-based Fuzzy C-Means Clustering (ACOFCM) algorithm. Consequently, a Product Family Genealogy (PFG) model is conducted to identify three tailored product families (i.e., cross-border, multi-modal and general freight product). The developed dual-focus modular configuration approach has been proven to be feasible by utilizing a backtracking algorithm through a case study in an RFT logistics enterprise in China, which provides a standardization and optimization for RFT modular configurations.
Blockchain-Assisted Secure and Lightweight Authentication Scheme for Multi-Server Internet of Drones Environments
Authors: Ju Sieun , Park Hyewon , Son Seunghwan , Kim Hyungpyo , Park Youngho , Park Yohan
Published: December 2024

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have seen widespread adoption across diverse sectors, including agriculture, logistics, surveillance, and disaster management, due to their capabilities for real-time data acquisition and autonomous operations. The integration of UAVs with Internet of Things (IoT) systems further amplifies their functionality, enabling sophisticated applications such as smart city management and environmental monitoring. In this context, blockchain technology plays a pivotal role by providing a decentralized, tamper-resistant ledger that facilitates secure data exchange between UAVs and connected devices. Its transparent and immutable characteristics mitigate the risk of a single point of failure, thereby enhancing data integrity and bolstering trust within UAV–IoT communication networks. However, the interconnected nature of these systems introduces significant security challenges, including unauthorized access, data breaches, and a variety of network-based attacks. These issues are further compounded by the limited computational capabilities of IoT devices and the inherent vulnerabilities of wireless communication channels. Recently, a lightweight mutual authentication scheme using blockchain was presented; however, our analysis identified several critical security flaws in these existing protocols, such as drone impersonation and session key disclosure. To address these vulnerabilities, we propose a secure and lightweight authentication scheme for multi-server UAV–IoT environments. The proposed protocol effectively mitigates emerging security threats while maintaining low computational and communication overhead. We validate the security of our scheme using formal methods, including the Real-Or-Random (RoR) model and BAN logic. Comparative performance evaluations demonstrate that our protocol enhances security while also achieving efficiency, making it well-suited for resource-constrained IoT applications.
Evaluating Predictive Accuracy of Regression Models with First-Order Autoregressive Disturbances: A Comparative Approach Using Artificial Neural Networks and Classical Estimators
Authors: Rauf Rauf I. , Alrasheedi Masad A. , Sadiq Rasheedah , Aldawsari Abdulrahman M. A.
Published: December 2024

In the last decade, the size and complexity of datasets have expanded significantly, necessitating more sophisticated predictive methods. Despite this growth, limited research has been conducted on the effects of autocorrelation within widely used regression methods. This study addresses this gap by investigating how autocorrelation impacts the predictive accuracy and efficiency of six regression approaches: Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), Cochrane–Orcutt (CO), Prais–Winsten (PW), Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE), and Restricted Maximum Likelihood Estimation (RMLE). The study evaluates each method’s performance on three datasets characterized by autocorrelation, comparing their predictive accuracy and variability. The analysis is structured into three phases: the first phase examines predictive accuracy across methods using Mean Squared Error (MSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE); the second phase evaluates the efficiency of parameter estimation based on standard errors across methods; and the final phase visually assesses the closeness of predicted values to actual values through scatter plots. The results indicate that the ANN consistently provides the most accurate predictions, particularly in large sample sizes with extensive training data. For GDP data, the ANN achieved an MSE of 1.05 × 109, an MAE of 23,344.64, and an MAPE of 81.66%, demonstrating up to a 90% reduction in the MSE compared to OLS. These findings underscore the advantages of the ANN for predictive tasks involving autocorrelated data, highlighting its robustness and suitability for complex, large-scale datasets. This study provides practical guidance for selecting optimal prediction techniques in the presence of autocorrelation, recommending the ANN as the preferred method due to its superior performance.