bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Interactive Web-Based Platform for Support Generation and Optimisation for Metal Laser Powder Bed Fusion
Authors: Dimopoulos Antonios , Chryssinas Giorgos , Mavroforaki Dimitra , Gan Tat-Hean , Chatzakos Panagiotis
Published: April 2024

Powder bed fusion—laser beam (PBF-LB), a prevalent and rapidly advancing additive manufacturing (AM) technology nowadays, serves the industry by producing thin, complex, and lightweight components for various sectors, including healthcare, automotive, defence, and aerospace. However, this technology encounters challenges related to the construction of critical parts and the high overall process costs. Equally significant is the role of support structures in metal laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB/M). The absence of supports can lead to defective and collapsed parts, while the incorrect selection of a support type or the addition of unnecessary supports results in increased material usage and additional post-processing efforts. Therefore, there is a pressing need for advanced software capable of generating appropriate support structures and predicting the thermomechanical behaviour of a part under PBF-LB/M printing conditions. Such software would be beneficial for the industry to avoid printing defects caused by high thermal stresses, minimise material usage, reduce printing time, and ensure high-quality prints. In this study, we introduce a web-based support generation and optimisation platform for PBF-LB/M. Through this platform, among other features, users can import three-dimensional (3D) parts and generate block-type support structures with diamond perforations based on the PySLM library, all within a user-friendly web environment. The first release of the platform (v0.6) is fully interactive and accessible online at no cost.
Optimization of a Ge2Sb2Te5-Based Electrically Tunable Phase-Change Thermal Emitter for Dynamic Thermal Camouflage
Authors: Xiong Yufeng , Zhang Guoxu , Tian Yaolan , Wang Jun-Lei , Wang Yunzheng , Zhuo Zhuang , Zhao Xian
Published: April 2024

Controlling infrared thermal radiations can significantly improve the environmental adaptability of targets and has attracted increasing attention in the field of thermal camouflage. Thermal emitters based on Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) can flexibly change their radiation energy by controlling the reversible phase transition of GST, which possesses fast switching speed and low power consumption. However, the feasibility of the dynamic regulation of GST emitters lacks experimental and simulation verification. In this paper, we propose an electrically tunable thermal emitter consisting of a metal–insulator–metal plasmonic metasurface based on GST. Both optical and thermal simulations are conducted to optimize the structural parameters of the GST emitter. The results indicate that this emitter possesses large emissivity tunability, wide incident angle, polarization insensitivity, phase-transition feasibility, and dynamic thermal camouflage capability. Therefore, this work proposes a reliable optimization method to design viable GST-based thermal emitters. Moreover, it provides theoretical support for the practical application of phase-change materials in dynamic infrared thermal camouflage technology.
Climatically Accelerated Material Processes Determining the Long-Term Reliability of Light-Emitting Diodes
Authors: Harsanyi Gabor , Poppe Andras , Hegedüs Janos , Hantos Gusztav , Bojta Peter , Kovacs Robert
Published: April 2024

LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes) are widely applied not only in decorative illumination but also in everyday lighting in buildings, flats, public areas, and automotive fields. These application areas often mean harsh environments, for example, regarding the humidity content of the surrounding air: besides outdoor and automotive illumination, even the household use cases (kitchen, bathroom, cellar) may represent extreme temperature and humidity variations (often reaching relative humidity levels close to 100%) for these devices; thus, their reliability behaviour in such circumstances should be better understood. Thermally activated processes were studied in several previous publications, but less information is available regarding high-humidity environmental tests. Moisture and temperature ageing tests with appropriate environmental parameter settings were performed as accelerated lifetime tests to investigate not only the effect of temperature but also that of humidity on the ageing and reliability of LED packages containing RGB (red green blue) chips and phosphor-converted white (pcW) LEDs. The ageing was followed not only through monitoring optical/electrical/spectral parameters but also with material analysis. Moisture–material interaction models were proposed and set up. It was found that humidity-accelerated ageing processes are more severe than expected from previous assumptions. RGB and pcW LEDs showed strongly different behaviour.
Suppressing the Shuttle Effect of Aqueous Zinc–Iodine Batteries: Progress and Prospects
Authors: Li Mengyao , Wu Juan , Li Haoyu , Wang Yude
Published: April 2024

Aqueous zinc–iodine batteries are considered to be one of the most promising devices for future electrical energy storage due to their low cost, high safety, high theoretical specific capacity, and multivalent properties. However, the shuttle effect currently faced by zinc–iodine batteries causes the loss of cathode active material and corrosion of the zinc anodes, limiting the large-scale application of zinc–iodine batteries. In this paper, the electrochemical processes of iodine conversion and the zinc anode, as well as the induced mechanism of the shuttle effect, are introduced from the basic configuration of the aqueous zinc–iodine battery. Then, the inhibition strategy of the shuttle effect is summarized from four aspects: the design of cathode materials, electrolyte regulation, the modification of the separator, and anode protection. Finally, the current status of aqueous zinc–iodine batteries is analyzed and recommendations and perspectives are presented. This review is expected to deepen the understanding of aqueous zinc–iodide batteries and is expected to guide the design of high-performance aqueous zinc–iodide batteries.
The Selective Removal of Bisphenol A Using a Magnetic Adsorbent Fused with Bisphenol A-Binding Peptides
Authors: Xu Yue , Wu Yujie , Bhargawa Bharat , Hong Soon Ho , Yoo Ik-Keun
Published: April 2024

The potential of bisphenol A (BPA)-binding peptides fused to magnetic beads is demonstrated as novel adsorbents that are reusable and highly selective for BPA removal from aqueous environments, in which various interfering substances coexist. Magnetic beads harboring peptides (peptide beads) showed a higher BPA removal capacity (8.6 mg/g) than that of bare beads without peptides (2.0 mg/g). The BPA adsorption capacity of peptide beads increased with the number of peptides fused onto the beads, where monomeric, dimeric, or trimeric repeats of a BPA-binding peptide were fused to magnetic beads. The BPA-adsorbing beads were regenerated using a methanol–acetic acid mixture, and after six regeneration cycles, the adsorption capacity remained above 87% of its initial capacity. The selective removal of BPA was confirmed in the presence of BPA analogs with high structural similarity (bisphenol F and bisphenol S) or in synthetic wastewater. The present work is a pioneering study that investigates the selective affinity of peptides to remove specific organics with high selectivity from complex environmental matrices.
Influences of Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate Microplastic on the Hygrothermal and Mechanical Performance of Plasterboard with Polymethylhydrosiloxane Content
Authors: Romano-Matos Victoria , Tundidor-Camba Alain , Vera Sergio , Navarrete Ivan , Videla Alvaro
Published: April 2024

New composites produced with recycled waste are needed to manufacture more sustainable construction materials. This paper aimed to analyze the hygrothermal and mechanical performance of plasterboard with a polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) content, incorporating recycled PET microplastic waste and varying factors such as PMHS dose, homogenization time, and drying temperature after setting. A cube-centered experimental design matrix was performed. The crystal morphology, porosity, fluidity, water absorption, flexural strength, and thermal conductivity of plasterboards were measured. The results showed that incorporating recycled PET microplastics does not produce a significant difference in the absorption and flexural strength of plasterboards. However, the addition of recycled PET reduced the thermal conductivity of plasterboards by around 10%.
Solvothermal Guided V2O5 Microspherical Nanoparticles Constructing High-Performance Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries
Authors: Jia Xianghui , Yan Kaixi , Sun Yanzhi , Chen Yongmei , Tang Yang , Pan Junqing , Wan Pingyu
Published: April 2024

Rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries have attracted a lot of attention owing to their cost effectiveness and plentiful resources, but less research has been conducted on the aspect of high volumetric energy density, which is crucial to the space available for the batteries in practical applications. In this work, highly crystalline V2O5 microspheres were self-assembled from one-dimensional V2O5 nanorod structures by a template-free solvothermal method, which were used as cathode materials for zinc-ion batteries with high performance, enabling fast ion transport, outstanding cycle stability and excellent rate capability, as well as a significant increase in tap density. Specifically, the V2O5 microspheres achieve a reversible specific capacity of 414.7 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1, and show a long-term cycling stability retaining 76.5% after 3000 cycles at 2 A g−1. This work provides an efficient route for the synthesis of three-dimensional materials with stable structures, excellent electrochemical performance and high tap density.
Content and Bioaccessibility of Minerals and Proteins in Fish-Bone Containing Side-Streams from Seafood Industries
Authors: Jensen Marie Bagge , Jakobsen Jette , Jacobsen Charlotte , Sloth Jens J. , Ibarruri Jone , Bald Carlos , Iñarra Bruno , Bøknæs Niels , Sørensen Ann-Dorit Moltke
Published: April 2024

With the aim to upcycle fish side-streams, enzymatic hydrolysis is often applied to produce protein hydrolysates with bioactive properties or just as a protein source for food and feed. However, the production of hydrolysates generates a side-stream. For underutilized fish and fish backbone this side-stream will contain fish bones and make it rich in minerals. The aim of this study was to assess the relative bioaccessibility (using the standardized in vitro model INFOGEST 2.0) of minerals in a dietary supplement compared to bone powder generated after enzymatic hydrolysis of three different fish side-streams: undersized whole hake, cod and salmon backbones consisting of insoluble protein and bones. Differences in the bioaccessibility of protein between the powders were also investigated. The enzyme hydrolysis was carried out using different enzymes and hydrolysis conditions for the different fish side-streams. The content and bioaccessibility of protein and the minerals phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) were measured to evaluate the potential of the powder as an ingredient in, e.g., dietary supplements. The bone powders contained bioaccessible proteins and minerals. Thus, new side-streams generated from enzymatic hydrolysis can have possible applications in the food sector due to bioaccessible proteins and minerals.
Machine Learning Phase Prediction of Light-Weight High-Entropy Alloys Containing Aluminum, Magnesium, and Lithium
Authors: Li Shenglong , Liu Rui , Yan Hongwei , Li Zhihui , Li Yanan , Li Xiwu , Zhang Yongan , Xiong Baiqing
Published: April 2024

With the development of society, there is an increasingly urgent demand for light-weight, high-strength, and high-temperature-resistant structural materials. High-entropy alloys (HEAs) owe much of their unusual properties to the selection among three phases: solid solution (SS), intermetallic compound (IM), and mixed SS and IM (SS and IM). Therefore, accurate phase prediction is crucial for guiding the selection of element combinations to form HEAs with desired properties. Light high-entropy alloys (LHEAs), as a significant branch of HEAs, exhibit excellent performance in terms of specific strength. In this study, we employ a machine learning (ML) method to realize the design of light-weight high-entropy alloys based on solid solutions. We determined the Gradient Boosting Classifier model as the best machine learning model through a two-step feature and model selection, in which its accuracy and F1_Score achieve 0.9166 and 0.8923. According to the predicted results, we obtained Al28Li35Mg15Zn10Cu12 LHEAs, which are mainly composed of 90% solid solution. This alloy accords with the prediction results of machine learning. But it is made up of a two-phase solid solution. In order to obtain a light-weight high-entropy alloy dominated by a single solid solution, we designed Al24Li15Mg26Zn9Cu26 LHEAs on the basis of machine learning prediction results accompanied by expert experience. Its main structure includes a single-phase solid solution. Our work provides an alternative approach to the computational design of HEAs and provides a direction for future exploration of light-weight high-entropy alloys.
The Effects of a Gate Bias Condition on 1.2 kV SiC MOSFETs during Irradiating Gamma-Radiation
Authors: Kim Chaeyun , Yoon Hyowon , Park Yeongeun , Kim Sangyeob , Kang Gyuhyeok , Kim Dong-Seok , Seok Ogyun
Published: April 2024

We investigated the effects of gate bias regarding the degradation of electrical characteristics during gamma irradiation. Moreover, we observed the punch through failure of 1.2 kV rated commercial Silicon Carbide (SiC) Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors (MOSFETs) due to the influence of gate bias. In addition, the threshold voltage (VT) and on-resistance (Ron) of the SiC MOSFETs decreased significantly by the influence of gate bias during gamma irradiation. We extracted the concentration of carriers and fixed charge (QF) in oxide using N-type SiC MOS capacitors and Transmission Line Measurement (TLM) patterns to analyze the effects of gamma irradiation. The Total Ionizing Dose (TID) effect caused by high-energy gamma-ray irradiation resulted in an increase in the concentration of holes and QF in both SiC and oxide. To analyze the phenomenon for increment of hole concentration in the device under gate bias, we extracted the subthreshold swing of SiC MOSFETs and verified the origin of TID effects accelerated by the gate bias. The QF and doping concentration of p-well values extracted from the experiments were used in TCAD simulations (version 2022.03) of the planar SiC MOSFET. As a result of analyzing the energy band diagram at the channel region of 1.2 kV SiC MOSFETs, it was verified that punch-through can occur in 1.2 kV SiC MOSFETs when the gate bias is applied, as the TID effect is accelerated by the gate bias.
Effects of Temperature on Spodumene Flotation and Gas–Liquid Interface of Sodium Oleate Solutions
Authors: Sun Ning , Wang Yuhua , Zhang Ying , Chu Haoran , Lu Dongfang , Zheng Xiayu
Published: April 2024

This study investigates the negative impact of temperature on spodumene flotation from the perspective of the gas–liquid interface of sodium oleate (NaOL) solutions. Micro-flotation tests revealed a significant decrease in the flotation recovery of spodumene when NaOL was employed as a collector, dropping from 55.3% at 305.4 K to 5.1% at 277.3 K as the temperature decreased. A strong linear correlation between the surface tension of the NaOL solution and temperature was established. As the temperature decreased, the surface tension of 6 × 10−5 mol/L NaOL increased from 37.88 mN/m at 294.9 K to 40.71 mN/m at 281.9 K, while its critical micelle concentration decreased from 9.49 × 10−4 mol/L at 305.0 K to 6.85 × 10−4 mol/L at 288.0 K. Additionally, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations indicated that a decrease in temperature resulted in an enhancement of intermolecular action forces, a more compacted interfacial structure, and weakened molecular thermal motion at the gas–liquid interface of the NaOL solution. These variations were found to be the main reason for the rise in the surface tension of the NaOL solution as the temperature decreased, which in turn lowered its efficiency, resulting in a decrease in the flotation efficiency of spodumene.
Ultrahigh-Q Polarization-Independent Terahertz Metamaterial Absorber Using Pattern-Free Graphene for Sensing Applications
Authors: Chen Youxin , Sun Guotao , Wei Jiang , Miao Yan , Zhang Wenqian , Wu Kaiyu , Wang Qingkang
Published: April 2024

In contrast to noble metals, graphene exhibits significantly lower loss, especially useful for optical sensing applications that require ultrahigh Q factors, and offer wide range tunability via an adjustable Fermi level. However, precise graphene patterning is difficult, especially for large areas, severely limiting its applications. Here, a tunable terahertz metamaterial absorber (TMMA) with ultrahigh Q factors consisting of a continuous, pattern-free graphene is demonstrated. A graphene sheet is overlaid on an Al metal array, forming a structure that supports strong localized surface plasmon polaritons (LSPPs) with fields tightly confined in the graphene, minimizing loss. Theoretical results show that this TMMA exhibits an ultrahigh Q factor of 1730, a frequency sensitivity of 2.84 THz/RIU, and an excellent figure of merit (FoM) of 365.85 RIU−1, independent of polarization. A tunability from ~2.25 to ~3.25 THz is also achieved by tuning Ef of graphene from 0.3 to 0.7 eV. The proposed graphene-based TMMA holds many potential applications, particularly in the field of sensing.
Structure and Mechanical Properties of iPP-Based Nanocomposites Crystallized under High Pressure
Authors: Veluri Sivanjineyulu , Sowinski Przemyslaw , Svyntkivska Mariia , Bartczak Zbigniew , Makowski Tomasz , Piorkowska Ewa
Published: April 2024

The unique nonparallel chain arrangement in the orthorhombic γ-form lamellae of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) results in the enhancement of the mechanical properties of γ-iPP. Our study aimed at the investigation of the mechanical properties of γ-iPP nanocomposites with 1–5 wt.% multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and 5 wt.% organo-modified montmorillonite prepared by melt-mixing and high-pressure crystallization. Neat iPP and the nanocomposites were crystallized under high pressures of 200 MPa and 300 MPa, and for comparison under 1.4 MPa, in a custom-built high-pressure cell. The structure of the materials was studied using WAXS, SAXS, DSC, and SEM, whereas their mechanical properties were tested in plane-strain compression. Under a small pressure of 1.4 MPa, polymer matrix in all materials crystallized predominantly in the α-form, the most common monoclinic form of iPP, whereas under high pressure it crystallized in the γ-form. This caused a significant increase in the elastic modulus, yield stress, and stress at break. Moreover, due to the presence of MWCNT, these parameters of the nanocomposites exceeded those of the neat polymer. As a result, a 60–70% increase in the elastic modulus, yield stress, and stress at break was achieved by filling of iPP with MWCNT and high-pressure crystallization.
The Practice of Weight Loss in Combat Sports Athletes: A Systematic Review
Authors: Zhong Yuming , Song Yuou , Artioli Guilherme Giannini , Gee Thomas I. , French Duncan N. , Zheng Hang , Lyu Mengde , Li Yongming
Published: April 2024

The aim of this systematic review is to comprehensively assess the weight loss (WL) practices in different combat sports (CS). The review protocol was preregistered with PROSPERO [CRD42023487196]. Three databases were searched (Web of Science, EBSCOhost, and PubMed) until 8 December 2023. Eligible studies had to meet five criteria: they must have been (a) written in English, (b) published in a peer-reviewed journal, (c) used a survey design to investigate the WL practices of CS athletes, and (d) reported the WL methods used by athletes using a five-point scale. Twenty-six studies (3994 participants from 14 CS) were included. This review found that (1) WL is highly prevalent in CS athletes; (2) many CS athletes started losing weight for competition as teenagers two to three times a year; (3) CS athletes usually lose <5% body weight in 7–14 days before competition; (4) increasing exercise and gradually dieting are the most commonly used WL methods; and (5) the influence of scientific practitioners on athletes is negligible. The habitual practices of CS athletes may be relatively harmless, but in some special cases, CS athletes also perform extreme WL practices. Scientific practitioners have little influence on their WL practices, which may form a vicious cycle of non-qualified influence.
Is Ultra-Processed Food Intake Associated with a Higher Risk of Glaucoma? A Prospective Cohort Study including 19,255 Participants from the SUN Project
Authors: López-Gil José Francisco , Fernandez-Montero Alejandro , Bes-Rastrollo Maira , Moreno-Galarraga Laura , Kales Stefanos N. , Martínez-González Miguel Ángel , Moreno-Montañés Javier
Published: April 2024

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of ultra-processed food (UPF) intake with the incidence of glaucoma in a large sample of Spanish university graduates followed prospectively. Methods: Prospective cohort study using data from the SUN Project. A final sample of 19,225 participants (60.1% women) was included in this study, with a mean age of 38.2 years (standard deviation (SD) = 12.4). Participants were followed-up for a mean time of 12.9 years (SD = 5.4). Dietary intake was measured using a 136-item semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire. UPFs were defined based on the NOVA classification system. Glaucoma diagnosis was determined by asking the participants if they had ever been diagnosed with glaucoma by an ophthalmologist. This self-reported diagnosis of glaucoma has been previously validated. Results: After adjusting for several covariates, participants with the highest UPF consumption were at higher risk of glaucoma (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.83; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06 to 3.17) when compared to participants in the lowest category of UPF consumption. Regarding subgroup analyses, a significant multiplicative interaction was found for age (p = 0.004) and omega 3:6 ratio (p = 0.040). However, an association between UPF consumption and glaucoma was only found in older participants (aged ≥ 55 years), in men, in the most physically active group, in the group of non- or former smokers, in those with a lower omega 3:6 ratio, and in those with a lower energy intake. Regarding the contribution of each type of UPF group, UPF coming from sweets showed a significant risky effect (HR = 1.51; CI 95% 1.07 to 2.12). Conclusions: This prospective cohort study shows that participants with a greater UPF consumption have a higher risk of developing glaucoma when compared to participants with a lower consumption. Our findings emphasize the relevance of monitoring and limiting the consumption of UPFs as a means of preventing glaucoma incidence.
Profile of Children with Undernutrition Admitted in Two Secondary-Level Hospitals in Maputo City, Mozambique
Authors: Cossa-Moiane Idalécia , Roucher Clémentine , Campos-Ponce Maiza , Doak Colleen , Bauhofer Adilson , Chissaque Assucênio , Prista António , de Deus Nilsa , Polman Katja
Published: April 2024

Mozambique has one of the highest child undernutrition rates in Sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to characterize the profile of children from 1 to 14 years old hospitalized for undernutrition and to explore associated risk factors. Clinical, demographic, socioeconomic, and environmental data were collected. Anthropometric measurements and stool samples were collected from a child and their caretaker. The wealth index was determined using Principal Components Analysis. A total of 449 children and their caretakers were enrolled. The children had a median age of 1.0 year [IQR: 1.0–2.0], and 53.9% (242/449) were male. Most were admitted with severe undernutrition (35.7%, 159/449 kwashiorkor and 82.0%, 368/449 with −3SD Z-score indexes). The most common co-morbidities were HIV (30.0%, 120/400), diarrhea (20.0%; 80/400), and anemia (12.5%; 50/400). Among the caretakers, 9.5% (39/409) were underweight, 10.1% (40/397) were overweight, and 14.1% (56/397) were obese. Intestinal parasites were found in 24.8% (90/363) children and in 38.5% (77/200) caretakers. The majority of children (60.7%, 85/140) came from low- to middle-wealth households. Most were severely undernourished, suggesting that they seek medical care too late. The finding of overweight/obese caretakers in combination with undernourished children confirms that Mozambique is facing a double burden of malnutrition.
Diet and Physical Activity in Fabry Disease: A Narrative Review
Authors: Muscogiuri Giovanna , De Marco Oriana , Di Lorenzo Tonia , Amicone Maria , Capuano Ivana , Riccio Eleonora , Iaccarino Guido , Bianco Antonio , Di Risi Teodolinda , Pisani Antonio
Published: April 2024

Fabry disease (FD) is caused by mutations in the galactosidase alpha (GLA) gene which lead to the accumulation of globotriaosylceramide (Gb-3). Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) and oral chaperone therapy are the current pharmacological treatments for this condition. However, in the literature, there is a growing emphasis on exploring non-pharmacological therapeutic strategies to improve the quality of life of patients with FD. In particular, the nutritional approach to FD has been marginally addressed in the scientific literature, although specific dietary interventions may be useful for the management of nephropathy and gastrointestinal complications, which are often present in patients with FD. Especially in cases of confirmed diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a low-FODMAP diet can represent an effective approach to improving intestinal manifestations. Furthermore, it is known that some food components, such as polyphenols, may be able to modulate some pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the disease, such as inflammation and oxidative stress. Therefore, the use of healthy dietary patterns should be encouraged in this patient group. Sports practice can be useful for patients with multi-organ involvement, particularly in cardiovascular, renal, and neurological aspects. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge on the role of nutrition and physical activity in FD patients.
Determination of the Mass Fractions of the Heavy Metals in the Recycled Cellulose Pulp
Authors: Klemenčić Mia , Bolanča Mirković Ivana , Bolf Nenad , Markić Marinko
Published: April 2024

In the process of paper recycling, certain amounts of metals can be found in the cellulose suspension, the source of which is mainly printing inks. The paper industry often uses different technologies to reduce heavy metal emissions. The recycling of laminated packaging contributes to the formation of sticky particles, which affects the concentration of heavy metals. This study aimed to determine the mass fraction of metals in the different phases of the deinking process to optimize the cellulose pulp’s quality and design healthy correct packaging products. In this research, the deinking flotation of laminated and non-laminated samples was carried out by the Ingede 11 method. As a result of the study, the mass fractions of metals in cellulose pulp were divided into four groups according to the mass fraction’s increasing value and the metals’ increasing electronegativity. The quantities of metals were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The separation of metals from cellulose pulp is influenced by the presence of adhesives and the electronegativity of the metal. The results of the study show that the recycling process removes certain heavy metals very well, which indicates the good recycling potential of pharmaceutical cardboard samples.
Synthesis, Structure and Properties of Polyester Polyureas via a Non-Isocyanate Route with Good Combined Properties
Authors: Zheng Liuchun , Xie Qiqi , Hu Guangjun , Wang Bing , Song Danqing , Zhang Yunchuan , Liu Yi
Published: April 2024

Polyureas have been widely applied in many fields, such as coatings, fibers, foams and dielectric materials. Traditionally, polyureas are prepared from isocyanates, which are highly toxic and harmful to humans and the environment. Synthesis of polyureas via non-isocyanate routes is green, environmentally friendly and sustainable. However, the application of non-isocyanate polyureas is quite restrained due to their brittleness as the result of the lack of a soft segment in their molecular blocks. To address this issue, we have prepared polyester polyureas via an isocyanate-free route and introduced polyester-based soft segments to improve their toughness and endow high impact resistance to the polyureas. In this paper, the soft segments of polyureas were synthesized by the esterification and polycondensation of dodecanedioic acid and 1,4-butanediol. Hard segments of polyureas were synthesized by melt polycondensation of urea and 1,10-diaminodecane without a catalyst or high pressure. A series of polyester polyureas were synthesized by the polycondensation of the soft and hard segments. These synthesized polyester-type polyureas exhibit excellent mechanical and thermal properties. Therefore, they have high potential to substitute traditional polyureas.
Thomas Aquinas and Some Neo-Thomists on the Possibility of Miracles and the Laws of Nature
Authors: Silva Ignacio
Published: April 2024

This paper discusses how Thomas Aquinas and some Neo-Thomists scholars (Juan José Urráburu, Joseph Hontheim, Édouard Hugon, and Joseph Gredt) analysed the metaphysical possibility of miracles. My main goal is to unpack the metaphysical toolbox that Aquinas uses to solve the basic question about the possibility of miracles and to compare how his late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century followers solved the issue themselves. The key feature to differentiate the two approaches will reside in their use of different notions to account for the possibility of miracles, namely obediential potency for Aquinas and the laws of nature for the Neo-Thomists. To show why neo-Thomist scholars source to this notion, I also briefly discuss how the notion of the laws of nature emerged in the seventeenth century.
All or Nothing: Polemicizing God and the Buddhist Void in the Jesuit Mission to East Asia
Authors: Baskind James Matthew
Published: April 2024

The Jesuit mission to East Asia highlights the polemical difficulties inherent in the process of introducing, translating, and creating a new theological paradigm within a host culture without a common religious worldview. Both Matteo Ricci in China and Ricci’s erstwhile teacher, Alessandro Valignano, in Japan, both inveighed against Buddhism for positing a “void” as the Absolute rather than God. The East Asian Jesuit mission had an incomplete understanding of what emptiness/nothingness/void referred to until the native Japanese convert and former Zen monk, Fukansai Habian, took up the mantle as the Jesuit polemicist against native systems of thought, in particular, Buddhism. Whereas Ricci and Valignano attacked the “void” within the context of a negation of “something”, Habian correctly understood the void as akin to the pleroma, the fullness of possibility, and the creative principle, but used his more nuanced understanding as a polemical expedient to deny or negate all Buddhist doctrines as expressing nothingness (which he erroneously equates with the void), even such form-affirming schools as the Pure Land school with its clearly defined goal of a physical post-mortem Pure Land. The polemical paradigm engendered by this encounter also served as the starting point for Buddhism’s appearance in the Western imagination. This paper will make a comparative investigation of the polemical discourse between the Jesuits and Buddhists regarding the Absolute and demonstrate how this historical instance would have far-reaching consequences that have ongoing relevance regarding the interplay of Christian and Buddhist teachings.
Revolution and Nation: Johann Gottlieb Fichte’s Late Philosophy of Religion
Authors: Asmuth Christoph
Published: April 2024

Johann Gottlieb Fichte’s philosophy of religion combines revolutionary pathos with Christian convictions and transcendental philosophical insights. The result is a bourgeois philosophy of religion that preaches freedom, equality and brotherhood, expects the national upswing of a still-longed-for Germany based on the example of revolutionary France, and praises all this as a continuation of Kant’s philosophy.
SDACS: Blockchain-Based Secure and Dynamic Access Control Scheme for Internet of Things
Authors: Gong Qinghua , Zhang Jinnan , Wei Zheng , Wang Xinmin , Zhang Xia , Yan Xin , Liu Yang , Dong Liming
Published: April 2024

With the rapid growth of the Internet of Things (IoT), massive terminal devices are connected to the network, generating a large amount of IoT data. The reliable sharing of IoT data is crucial for fields such as smart home and healthcare, as it promotes the intelligence of the IoT and provides faster problem solutions. Traditional data sharing schemes usually rely on a trusted centralized server to achieve each attempted access from users to data, which faces serious challenges of a single point of failure, low reliability, and an opaque access process in current IoT environments. To address these disadvantages, we propose a secure and dynamic access control scheme for the IoT, named SDACS, which enables data owners to achieve decentralized and fine-grained access control in an auditable and reliable way. For access control, attribute-based control (ABAC), Hyperledger Fabric, and interplanetary file system (IPFS) were used, with four kinds of access control contracts deployed on blockchain to coordinate and implement access policies. Additionally, a lightweight, certificateless authentication protocol was proposed to minimize the disclosure of identity information and ensure the double-layer protection of data through secure off-chain identity authentication and message transmission. The experimental and theoretical analysis demonstrated that our scheme can maintain high throughput while achieving high security and stability in IoT data security sharing scenarios.
Infrared and Visual Image Fusion Based on a Local-Extrema-Driven Image Filter
Authors: Xiang Wenhao , Shen Jianjun , Zhang Li , Zhang Yu
Published: April 2024

The objective of infrared and visual image fusion is to amalgamate the salient and complementary features of the infrared and visual images into a singular informative image. To accomplish this, we introduce a novel local-extrema-driven image filter designed to effectively smooth images by reconstructing pixel intensities based on their local extrema. This filter is iteratively applied to the input infrared and visual images, extracting multiple scales of bright and dark feature maps from the differences between continuously filtered images. Subsequently, the bright and dark feature maps of the infrared and visual images at each scale are fused using elementwise-maximum and elementwise-minimum strategies, respectively. The two base images, representing the final-scale smoothed images of the infrared and visual images, are fused using a novel structural similarity- and intensity-based strategy. Finally, our fusion image can be straightforwardly produced by combining the fused bright feature map, dark feature map, and base image together. Rigorous experimentation conducted on the widely used TNO dataset underscores the superiority of our method in fusing infrared and visual images. Our approach consistently performs on par or surpasses eleven state-of-the-art image-fusion methods, showcasing compelling results in both qualitative and quantitative assessments.
Coupling Different Road Traffic Noise Models with a Multilinear Regressive Model: A Measurements-Independent Technique for Urban Road Traffic Noise Prediction
Authors: Rossi Domenico , Pascale Antonio , Mascolo Aurora , Guarnaccia Claudio
Published: April 2024

Road traffic noise is a severe environmental hazard, to which a growing number of dwellers are exposed in urban areas. The possibility to accurately assess traffic noise levels in a given area is thus, nowadays, quite important and, on many occasions, compelled by law. Such a procedure can be performed by measurements or by applying predictive Road Traffic Noise Models (RTNMs). Although the first approach is generally preferred, on-field measurement cannot always be easily conducted. RTNMs, on the contrary, use input information (amount of passing vehicles, category, speed, among others), usually collected by sensors, to provide an estimation of noise levels in a specific area. Several RTNMs have been implemented by different national institutions, adapting them to the local traffic conditions. However, the employment of RTNMs proves challenging due to both the lack of input data and the inherent complexity of the models (often composed of a Noise Emission Model–NEM and a sound propagation model). Therefore, this work aims to propose a methodology that allows an easy application of RTNMs, despite the availability of measured data for calibration. Four different NEMs were coupled with a sound propagation model, allowing the computation of equivalent continuous sound pressure levels on a dataset (composed of traffic flows, speeds, and source–receiver distance) randomly generated. Then, a Multilinear Regressive technique was applied to obtain manageable formulas for the models’ application. The goodness of the procedure was evaluated on a set of long-term traffic and noise data collected in a French site through several sensors, such as sound level meters, car counters, and speed detectors. Results show that the estimations provided by formulas coming from the Multilinear Regressions are quite close to field measurements (MAE between 1.60 and 2.64 dB(A)), confirming that the resulting models could be employed to forecast noise levels by integrating them into a network of traffic sensors.
ZYNQ-Based Visible Light Defogging System Design Realization
Authors: Liu Bohan , Wei Qihai , Ding Kun
Published: April 2024

Under a foggy environment, the air contains a large number of suspended particles, which lead to the loss of image information and decline of contrast collected by the vision system. This makes subsequent processing and analysis difficult. At the same time, the current stage of the defogging system has problems such as high hardware cost and poor real-time processing. In this article, an image defogging system is designed based on the ZYNQ platform. First of all, on the basis of the traditional dark-channel defogging algorithm, an algorithm for segmenting the sky is proposed, and in this way, the image distortion caused by the sky region is avoided, and the atmospheric light value and transmittance are estimated more accurately. Then color balancing is performed after image defogging to improve the quality of the final output image. The parallel computing advantage and logic resources of the PL (Programmable Logic) part (FPGA) of ZYNQ are fully utilized through instruction constraints and logic optimization. Finally, the visible light detector is used as the input to build a real-time video processing experiment platform. The experimental results show that the system has a good defogging effect and meet the real-time requirements.
Blockchain Based Decentralized and Proactive Caching Strategy in Mobile Edge Computing Environment
Authors: Bai Jingpan , Zhu Silei , Ji Houling
Published: April 2024

In the mobile edge computing (MEC) environment, the edge caching can provide the timely data response service for the intelligent scenarios. However, due to the limited storage capacity of edge nodes and the malicious node behavior, the question of how to select the cached contents and realize the decentralized security data caching faces challenges. In this paper, a blockchain-based decentralized and proactive caching strategy is proposed in an MEC environment to address this problem. The novelty is that the blockchain was adopted in an MEC environment with a proactive caching strategy based on node utility, and the corresponding optimization problem was built. The blockchain was adopted to build a secure and reliable service environment. The employed methodology is that the optimal caching strategy was achieved based on the linear relaxation technology and the interior point method. Additionally, in a content caching system, there is a trade-off between cache space and node utility, and the caching strategy was proposed to solve this problem. There was also a trade-off between the consensus process delay of blockchain and the caching latency of content. An offline consensus authentication method was adopted to reduce the influence of the consensus process delay on the content caching. The key finding was that the proposed algorithm can reduce latency and can ensure the security data caching in an IoT environment. Finally, the simulation experiment showed that the proposed algorithm can achieve up to 49.32%, 43.11%, and 34.85% improvements on the cache hit rate, the average content response latency, and the average system utility, respectively, compared to the random content caching algorithm, and it achieved up to 9.67%, 8.11%, and 5.95% increases, successively, compared to the greedy content caching algorithm.
Informing the Design of an Accessible Arabic Typeface: A Visual Analysis to Identify Letterform Features of Dyslexia-Friendly Typefaces
Authors: Hejres Muneera Mohamed , Tinker Amanda J.
Published: April 2024

Dyslexia-friendly typefaces for the Latin script have been proliferating during the past decade. The typefaces are designed to tackle the challenges faced in a dyslexic reading experience by manipulating their letter forms and typographic attributes; several studies reported a positive effect on the reading experience. To this date, no working dyslexia-friendly Arabic typefaces are available for the public. The present study is part of a larger practice-based research, where a novel dyslexia-friendly Arabic typeface is designed using a user-centred design approach. The current visual analysis marks the developmental phase, identifying the letterform features of dyslexia-friendly Latin typefaces that can be mapped to the Arabic script. This article explores the typographic features of dyslexia-friendly Latin typefaces by conducting a qualitative visual analysis; a proposed modified version of Leeuwen’s Typographic Distinctive Features Framework is employed. The results are discussed considering the Arabic script’s visual implications in a dyslexic reading experience. The findings of this study are used to create a list of design considerations for a dyslexia-friendly Arabic typeface.
Moderating the Effect of the Multidimensional Poverty Index on the Relationship between Sustainable Governance Indicators and Worldwide Governance Indicators
Authors: Puente De La Vega Caceres Abraham , Quispe Ramos Estela , Ramos Meza Carlos Samuel
Published: April 2024

This research comprehensively addresses the complexity of the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). The research objective is to understand the moderating effect of the MPI on the relationship between Sustainable Governance Indicators (SGIs) and World Governance Indicators (WGIs) in the context of 41 countries belonging to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) while also analyzing the validity and reliability of the indicators. The applied methodology involves using Structural Equation Modeling with Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS), and data from 41 OECD countries were analyzed. Data on SGIs, WGIs, and the MPI were extracted from the SGI-2022, WGI-2022, and SGI-MPI (2022) databases. Moderating the interaction between the MPI and SGIs reveals a significant overall negative effect (−0.184) on the relationship between SGIs and WGIs (total effect = 0.474); this implies that elevated levels of the MPI negatively impact sustainable governance between SGIs and WGIs, whereas lower levels of the MPI lead to a stronger relationship between SGIs and WGIs, enhancing sustainable governance. The validity of the structural model is affected by low Average Variance Extraction (AVE) in key variables, such as Economic Policy-EP (0.470) and MPI (0.439), indicating potential limitations in their measurement.
Conservation Value to Bats: Assessing Multiple Functional Habitats in a Nature Preserve at the Urban-Agricultural Interface via Temporal Ecology
Authors: Li Han , White Jeremy A.
Published: April 2024

In grassland ecosystems, agriculture and urbanization are two main anthropogenic disturbances to native fauna. Nature preserves at the urban-agricultural interface may include diverse vegetation habitats, providing opportunities for native fauna. Limited research has examined the conservation value of such preserves to bats. We examined bat activity patterns at multiple temporal scales at Glacier Creek Preserve in Omaha, Nebraska, USA, between 2018 and 2020 via acoustic monitoring to identify what functional habitats it might provide to bats. We placed bat detectors along the forest edge and in the open, restored native prairies and open agricultural fields. A total of nine species were recorded at the preserve, including the endangered Myotis septentrionalis. Foraging activities were recorded for six species. The edge habitat had higher overall acoustic activities for three species (Eptesicus fuscus, Lasiurus borealis, and Lasiurus cinereus) and a higher proportion of foraging activities for two species (Lasiurus borealis and Lasiurus cinereus) than the open habitat. Lasiurus cinereus displayed activity peaks early at night, whereas Lasiurus borealis had activity peaks late. Results suggest that a medium-sized nature preserve at the urban-agricultural interface can provide roosts, commuting corridors, and foraging grounds for different bats. The conservation value of such nature preserves should not be overlooked.
Catalytic Pyrolysis of Waste-Printed Circuit Boards Using a Cu/Fe Bimetal Synergistic Effect to Enhance Debromination
Authors: Wang Jiahui , Xi Zhen , Niu Bo , Gao Ruitong , Xu Zhenming
Published: April 2024

Deep and efficient debromination is a critical step in achieving environmentally friendly recycling and ensuring the sustainability of waste-printed circuit boards (WPCBs) because of their high toxicity and carcinogenicity. To this end, this study used a copper–iron (Cu/Fe) bimetal as a debromination agent to remove bromides from WPCBs using in situ catalytic pyrolysis technology. The results show that the maximum debromination efficiency was 97.14% under the following conditions: a Cu mole ratio of 0.20 (Cu/Fe-0.20), a Cu/Fe-0.20 dosage of 0.4, a pyrolysis temperature of 600 °C, and a retention time of 10 min. The main bromine species in pyrolysis oil and gas were bromophenol, bromomethane, HBr, and Br2. The conversion of bromine species and the debromination of the Cu/Fe-0.20 bimetal were analyzed in real time using a thermogravimetry-coupled Fourier transform infrared and mass spectrometer (TG-FTIR-MS). Using the Cu/Fe bimetal synergistic effect, we determined that the debromination mechanism could be used for bromide conversion and fixing. The Cu in the Cu/Fe-0.20 transformed the organic Br (bromophenol and bromomethane) into inorganic Br (HBr and Br2) by providing empty orbitals for lone pairs of electrons. Then, the generated HBr and Br2 reacted with Fe in the Cu/Fe-0.20 and were fixed in pyrolysis residue. This study provides theoretical support and a practical method for WPCB deep debromination and recycling.