bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of Spoofing Ships from Automatic Identification System Data via Trajectory Segmentation and Isolation Forest
Authors: Zheng Hailin , Hu Qinyou , Yang Chun , Mei Qiang , Wang Peng , Li Kelong
Published: July 2023

Outliers of ship trajectory from the Automatic Identification System (AIS) onboard a ship will affect the accuracy of maritime situation awareness, especially for a regular ship trajectory mixed with a spoofing ship, which has an unauthorized Maritime Mobile Service Identification code (MMSI) owned by a regular ship. As has been referred to in the literature, the trajectory of these spoofing ships would simply be removed, and more AIS data would be lost. The pre-processing of AIS data should aim to retain more information, which is more helpful in maritime situation awareness for the Maritime Safety Administration (MSA). Through trajectory feature mining, it has been found that there are obvious differences between the trajectory of a regular ship and that of a regular ship mixed with a spoofing ship, such as in terms of speed and distance between adjacent trajectory points. However, there can be a long update time interval in the results of severe missing trajectories of a ship, bringing challenges in terms of the identification of spoofing ships. In order to accurately divide the regular ship trajectory and spoofing ship trajectory, combined with trajectory segmentation by the update time interval threshold, the isolation forest was adopted in this work to train the labeled trajectory point of a regular ship mixed with a spoofing ship. The experimental results show that the average accuracy of the identification of spoofing ships using isolation forest is 88.4%, 91%, 93.1%, and 93.3%, corresponding to different trajectory segmentation by update time intervals (5 h, 10 h, 15 h, and 20 h). The research conducted in this study can almost eliminate the outliers of ship trajectory, and it also provides help for maritime situation awareness for the MSA.
Experimental Study on the Ice Resistance of a Naval Surface Ship with a Non-Icebreaking Bow
Authors: Sun Jianqiao , Huang Yan
Published: July 2023

With the shrinking of Arctic sea ice due to global climate change, potential access to Arctic waters has increased for non-typical icebreaking or strengthened ships. Numerous studies have been conducted on hull form designs and ice resistance predictions for ships with typical icebreaking bows, but published research for ships with non-icebreaking bows in ice is still rare. The objective of this study was to investigate the ice resistance of a naval surface ship with a non-icebreaking bow through model tests in an ice tank. The naval surface combatant concept DTMB 5415 was used as the ship model. The tests were conducted under different levels of ice thicknesses and speeds. During the tests, the total resistance of the model ship was measured, accompanied by monitoring of the ice load at the stem area with a flexible tactile sensor sheet. Compared with the test results of icebreaker models in former studies, the total ice resistance, as well as the stem ice load, of the present ship was significantly higher. The ice crushing resistance component in the stem area accounted for more than 60% of the total resistance in the ice. Discussions on the applicability of a semi-empirical formula for predicting the ice resistance of the present ship are also presented. Keinonen’s formula was found to be relatively more consistent with the predictions produced by model tests, and a preliminary modification was proposed to obtain more accurate predictions.
An Efficient Dual-Stage Compression Model for Maritime Safety Information Based on BeiDou Short-Message Communication
Authors: Hu Jiwei , Hong Yue , Jin Qiwen , Zhao Guangpeng , Lu Hongyang
Published: July 2023

In the context of utilizing BeiDou short-message communication (SMC) for transmitting maritime safety information, challenges arise regarding information redundancy and limited message length. To address these issues, compressing the data content of SMC becomes essential. This paper proposes a dual-stage compression model based on Beidou SMC for compressing maritime safety information, aiming to achieve efficient compression and reduce information redundancy. In the first stage, a binary encoding method (MBE) specifically designed for maritime safety information is proposed to optimize the byte space of the short messages, ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and reliability of the information. In the second stage, we propose a data compression algorithm called XH based on a hash dictionary, which efficiently compresses maritime safety information and reduces information redundancy. Different maritime data have corresponding structures and compositions, which can have a significant impact on the evaluation of compression algorithms. We create a database considering six categories of objects: waves, sea ice, tsunamis, storms, weather, and navigation warnings. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model achieves significant compression efficiency and performance on the maritime safety data set, outperforming other benchmark algorithms.
Sensitivity Analysis of Modal Parameters of a Jacket Offshore Wind Turbine to Operational Conditions
Authors: Partovi-Mehr Nasim , Branlard Emmanuel , Song Mingming , Moaveni Babak , Hines Eric M. , Robertson Amy
Published: July 2023

Accurate estimation of offshore wind turbine (OWT) modal parameters has a prominent effect on the design loads, lifetime prediction, and dynamic response of the system. Modal parameters can vary during the operation of OWTs. This paper studies the variation and sensitivity analysis of an OWT’s modal parameters with respect to operational and environmental conditions. Three finite element models of a jacket-supported OWT at the Block Island Wind Farm are created within the OpenSees, SAP2000, and OpenFAST platforms and validated using experimental measurements. The OpenFAST model is used to simulate the modal parameters of the turbine under various wind speed, rotor speed, power, yaw angle, mean sea level, blade pitch angle, and soil spring values. The model-predicted modal parameters of the first fore–aft (FA) and side–side (SS) modes are compared to those identified from experimental measurements. Results from the simulations show that the first FA natural frequency and damping ratio mostly depend on the rotor speed and wind speed, respectively, while yaw angle and mean sea level do not have a visible effect. It is observed that there is about 8% stiffening in the first FA frequency and an aerodynamic damping of 7.5% during the operation of the OWT.
Effect of Starting Conditions on the Internal Flow Field and Interior Ballistic Performance of an Underwater Ventilated Launch
Authors: Zhang Xinwei , Hu Yubo , Yu Yonggang
Published: July 2023

As one of the future main directions for underwater artillery, a ventilated launch can significantly reduce the huge water resistance during the underwater launching process. This paper aims to clarify the effect of starting conditions on the internal flow field and interior ballistic performance of an underwater ventilated launcher. Firstly, a three-dimensional unsteady model of gas–liquid two-phase flow is established. Following, an interior ballistic program of the underwater ventilated launch is developed. A coupling model between interior ballistic and gas–liquid interaction is then established, accounting for the projectile’s dynamic boundary effect and gas–liquid interaction. Subsequently, the simulation accuracy of the model is confirmed. Finally, the effect of parameter adjustments on the internal flow field and interior ballistic properties are contrasted and examined by altering the starting conditions. The results indicate that adjusting the gas injection pressure and projectile starting pressure can effectively regulate the drainage and resistance reduction effect, thereby obtaining the desired interior ballistic performance of the underwater ventilated launch. The findings offer recommendations for future underwater launchers.
Failure Analysis of Marine Structure
Authors: Kashyzadeh Kazem Reza , Chizari Mahmoud
Published: July 2023

Welcome to the world of marine structures, as this fascinating compilation of cutting-edge research unfolds before your eyes [...]
Fault Diagnosis of Marine Diesel Engines under Partial Set and Cross Working Conditions Based on Transfer Learning
Authors: Guo Yu , Zhang Jundong
Published: July 2023

The development of intelligent ships has an urgent demand for intelligent fault diagnosis technology. The working conditions and fault modes of high-power marine diesel engines gradually tend to be diversified and complicated, and the problems of reliability and safety are becoming more and more prominent. There are a lot of working condition data that lack fault labels, and the fault modes are asymmetric among different working conditions, so it is urgent to study effective fault diagnosis methods. Taking a marine diesel engine as the case validation object, we set up cross-condition and partial set fault diagnosis scenarios, proposed transferring knowledge from the source condition to the target condition for the problem of the lack of fault labels in the target condition, and designed a multi-scale and multi-view domain adversarial network (MMDAN) method for experimental validation using 6S50MC-C7 marine diesel engine system operation data. According to the experimental results, the average diagnostic accuracy of this method reached 96.58%, with a short processing time. Furthermore, it exhibits superior diagnostic performance compared to other transfer learning models in the cross-condition partial set transfer task. Additionally, the method proposed in this paper also offers a new approach and reference for the intelligent diagnosis of other equipment in ships.
Local Competition and Enhanced Defense: How Metarhizium brunneum Inhibits Verticillium longisporum in Oilseed Rape Plants
Authors: Posada-Vergara Catalina , Vidal Stefan , Rostás Michael
Published: July 2023

Metarhizium brunneum is a soil-borne fungal entomopathogen that can be associated with plant roots. Previous studies have demonstrated that root colonization by beneficial fungi can directly affect soil-borne pathogens through competition and antibiosis and can activate a systemic response in plants, resulting in a primed state for a faster and/or stronger response to stressors. However, the mechanisms by which Metarhizium inoculation ameliorates symptoms caused by plant pathogens are not well known. This study evaluated the ability of M. brunneum to protect oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) plants against the soil-borne pathogen Verticillium longisporum and investigated whether the observed effects are a result of direct interaction and/or plant-mediated effects. In vitro and greenhouse experiments were conducted to measure fungal colonization of the rhizosphere and plant tissues, and targeted gene expression analysis was used to evaluate the plant response. The results show that M. brunneum delayed pathogen colonization of plant root tissues, resulting in decreased disease symptoms. Direct competition and antibiosis were found to be part of the mechanisms, as M. brunneum growth was stimulated by the pathogen and inhibited the in vitro growth of V. longisporum. Additionally, M. brunneum changed the plant response to the pathogen by locally activating key defense hormones in the salicylic acid (SA) and abscisic acid (ABA) pathways. Using a split-root setup, it was demonstrated that there is a plant-mediated effect, as improved plant growth and decreased disease symptoms were observed when M. brunneum was in the systemic compartment. Moreover, a stronger systemic induction of the gene PR1 suggested a priming effect, involving the SA pathway. Overall, this study sheds light on the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of M. brunneum against soil-borne pathogens in oilseed rape plants, highlighting the potential of this fungal entomopathogen as a biocontrol agent in sustainable agriculture.
ChsA, a Class Ⅱ Chitin Synthase, Contributes to Asexual Conidiation, Mycelial Morphology, Cell Wall Integrity, and the Production of Enzymes and Organic Acids in Aspergillus niger
Authors: Zhu Yunqi , Liu Tong , Wang Yingsi , Chen Guojun , Fang Xiang , Zhou Gang , Wang Jie
Published: July 2023

Chitin synthases (CHSs) are vital enzymes for the synthesis of chitin and play important and differential roles in fungal development, cell wall integrity, environmental adaptation, virulence, and metabolism in fungi. However, except for ChsC, a class III CHS, little is known about the functions of CHSs in Aspergillus niger, an important fungus that is widely applied in the fermentation industry and food processing, as well as a spoilage fungus of food and a human pathogen. This study showed the important functions of ChsA, a class II CHS, in A. niger using multi-phenotypic and transcriptional analyses under various conditions. The deletion of chsA led to severe defects in conidiation on different media and resulted in the formation of smaller and less compact pellets with less septa in hyphal cells during submerged fermentation. Compared with the WT, the ΔchsA mutants exhibited less chitin content, reduced growth under the stresses of cell wall-disturbing and oxidative agents, more released protoplasts, a thicker conidial wall, decreased production of amylases, pectinases, cellulases, and malic acid, and increased citric acid production. However, ΔchsA mutants displayed insignificant changes in their sensitivity to osmotic agents and infection ability on apple. These findings concurred with the alteration in the transcript levels and enzymatic activities of some phenotype-related genes. Conclusively, ChsA is important for cell wall integrity and mycelial morphology, and acts as a positive regulator of conidiation, cellular responses to oxidative stresses, and the production of malic acid and some enzymes, but negatively regulates the citric acid production in A. niger.
Wide Distribution and Intraspecies Diversity in the Pathogenicity of Calonectria in Soil from Eucalyptus Plantations in Southern Guangxi of China
Authors: Wu Wenxia , Chen Shuaifei
Published: July 2023

Eucalyptus spp. are extensively cultivated in southern China because of their adaptability and versatile timber production. Calonectria leaf blight caused by Calonectria species is considered a major threat to Eucalyptus trees planted in China. The GuangXi Zhuang Autonomous Region is the provincial region with the largest distribution of Eucalyptus plantations in China. The present study aimed to expound the species diversity and pathogenicity of Calonectria isolates obtained from the soil of Eucalyptus plantations in GuangXi. A total of 188 Calonectria isolates were recovered from the soil located close to Eucalyptus trees, and the isolates were identified based on the DNA sequence comparisons of the four partial regions of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1), β-tubulin (tub2), calmodulin (cmdA), and histone H3 (his3) genes. The isolates were identified as Calonectria aconidialis (74.5%), C. hongkongensis (21.3%), C. pseudoreteaudii (2.1%), C. kyotensis (1.6%), and C. chinensis (0.5%). The inoculation results indicated that 40 isolates representing five Calonectria species were pathogenic to the three Eucalyptus genotypes. Two inoculated experiments consistently showed that the longest lesions were produced by the isolates of C. aconidialis. Some isolates of C. aconidialis, C. hongkongensis, and C. kyotensis produced significantly longer lesions than the positive controls, but not the isolates of C. pseudoreteaudii or C. chinensis. These results indicated that Calonectria isolated from the soil may pose a threat to Eucalyptus plantations. Some Calonectria isolates of the same species differed significantly in their virulence in the tested Eucalyptus genotypes. The resistance of different Eucalyptus genotypes to Calonectria isolates within the same species was inconsistent. The inoculation results in this study suggested that many Calonectria isolates in each species had different levels of pathogenicity, and many Eucalyptus genotypes need to be tested to select disease-resistant Eucalyptus genetic materials in the future. The results of the present study enhance our knowledge of species diversity and the potential damage caused by Calonectria in the soil of Eucalyptus plantations. Our results also provide new insights into the breeding of disease-resistant Eucalyptus genotypes for controlling Calonectria leaf blight in China in the future.
A Critical Review on the Dosing and Safety of Antifungals Used in Exotic Avian and Reptile Species
Authors: Visvanathan Naresh , Lim Jolise Yi An , Chng Hui Ting , Xie Shangzhe
Published: July 2023

Antifungals are used in exotic avian and reptile species for the treatment of fungal diseases. Dose extrapolations across species are common due to lack of species-specific pharmacological data. This may not be ideal because interspecies physiological differences may result in subtherapeutic dosing or toxicity. This critical review aims to collate existing pharmacological data to identify antifungals with the most evidence to support their safe and effective use. In the process, significant trends and gaps are also identified and discussed. An extensive search was conducted on PubMed and JSTOR, and relevant data were critically appraised. Itraconazole or voriconazole showed promising results in Japanese quails, racing pigeons and inland bearded dragons for the treatment of aspergillosis and CANV-related infections. Voriconazole neurotoxicity manifested as seizures in multiple penguins, but as lethargy or torticollis in cottonmouths. Itraconazole toxicity was predominantly hepatotoxicity, observed as liver abnormalities in inland bearded dragons and a Parson’s chameleon. Differences in formulations of itraconazole affected various absorption parameters. Non-linearities in voriconazole due to saturable metabolism and autoinduction showed opposing effects on clearance, especially in multiple-dosing regimens. These differences in pharmacokinetic parameters across species resulted in varying elimination half-lives. Terbinafine has been used in dermatomycoses, especially in reptiles, due to its keratinophilic nature, and no significant adverse events were observed. The use of fluconazole has declined due to resistance or its narrow spectrum of activity.
Selected Papers from the pHealth 2021 Conference, Genoa, Italy, 8–10 November 2021
Authors: Blobel Bernd , Giacomini Mauro
Published: July 2023

This Special Issue of the Journal of Personalized Medicine presents extended versions of selected contributions to pHealth 2021, the 18th International Conference on Wearable Micro and Nano Technologies for Personalized Health, held on 8–10 November 2021 in Genoa, Italy [...]
A Systematic Review of Disaster Management Systems: Approaches, Challenges, and Future Directions
Authors: Khan Saad Mazhar , Shafi Imran , Butt Wasi Haider , Diez Isabel de la Torre , Flores Miguel Angel López , Galán Juan Castanedo , Ashraf Imran
Published: July 2023

Disaster management is a critical area that requires efficient methods and techniques to address various challenges. This comprehensive assessment offers an in-depth overview of disaster management systems, methods, obstacles, and potential future paths. Specifically, it focuses on flood control, a significant and recurrent category of natural disasters. The analysis begins by exploring various types of natural catastrophes, including earthquakes, wildfires, and floods. It then delves into the different domains that collectively contribute to effective flood management. These domains encompass cutting-edge technologies such as big data analysis and cloud computing, providing scalable and reliable infrastructure for data storage, processing, and analysis. The study investigates the potential of the Internet of Things and sensor networks to gather real-time data from flood-prone areas, enhancing situational awareness and enabling prompt actions. Model-driven engineering is examined for its utility in developing and modeling flood scenarios, aiding in preparation and response planning. This study includes the Google Earth engine (GEE) and examines previous studies involving GEE. Moreover, we discuss remote sensing; remote sensing is undoubtedly a valuable tool for disaster management, and offers geographical data in various situations. We explore the application of Geographical Information System (GIS) and Spatial Data Management for visualizing and analyzing spatial data and facilitating informed decision-making and resource allocation during floods. In the final section, the focus shifts to the utilization of machine learning and data analytics in flood management. These methodologies offer predictive models and data-driven insights, enhancing early warning systems, risk assessment, and mitigation strategies. Through this in-depth analysis, the significance of incorporating these spheres into flood control procedures is highlighted, with the aim of improving disaster management techniques and enhancing resilience in flood-prone regions. The paper addresses existing challenges and provides future research directions, ultimately striving for a clearer and more coherent representation of disaster management techniques.
Clan Networks, Spatial Selection, and Farmland Transfer Contracts: Evidence from China
Authors: Hong Mingyong , Long Jiao , Zhuo Wenjun
Published: July 2023

Contracts play a crucial role in the reform of land markets and the process of farmland transfer. This study examines how spatial distance and clan networks impact the choice of farmland transfer contracts based on micro-level survey data from farmer households in China. Our research findings offer valuable insights into the role of contracts as a governance tool in land market reform and provide important implications for policymakers and stakeholders. In this study, we reveal that spatial distance significantly influences the selection of farmland transfer contracts. When farmers face long spatial distances, they tend to prefer written contracts to regulate the transfer relationship. This preference helps to mitigate information asymmetry and cooperation risks, ensuring a more secure and efficient transfer process. Additionally, our findings show that clan networks also play a significant role in the choice of farmland transfer contracts. Strong clan networks in high-density areas often have well-defined social norms and codes of conduct. As a result, farmers in these areas are more likely to opt for written contracts, which provide a formalized framework for governing farmland transfers. Furthermore, the density of the clan network acts as a moderator in the relationship between spatial distance and contract choice. A dense clan network intensifies the influence of spatial distance on contract choice, especially when dealing with long spatial distances. This suggests that social networks and community dynamics play a crucial role in shaping farmers’ contract preferences in farmland transfer. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of contracts as a governance tool in land market reform and provides insights into the influence of spatial distance and clan networks on the choice of farmland transfer contracts. Policymakers and stakeholders involved in land market reforms should consider the findings of this study when designing policies and interventions. By understanding the dynamics surrounding farmland transfer, policymakers can develop more effective strategies to promote secure and efficient land transactions in the context of market-oriented reforms.
Voltage-Gated Na+ Channels in Alzheimer’s Disease: Physiological Roles and Therapeutic Potential
Authors: Baumgartner Timothy J. , Haghighijoo Zahra , Goode Nana A. , Dvorak Nolan M. , Arman Parsa , Laezza Fernanda
Published: July 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia and is classically characterized by two major histopathological abnormalities: extracellular plaques composed of amyloid beta (Aβ) and intracellular hyperphosphorylated tau. Due to the progressive nature of the disease, it is of the utmost importance to develop disease-modifying therapeutics that tackle AD pathology in its early stages. Attenuation of hippocampal hyperactivity, one of the earliest neuronal abnormalities observed in AD brains, has emerged as a promising strategy to ameliorate cognitive deficits and abate the spread of neurotoxic species. This aberrant hyperactivity has been attributed in part to the dysfunction of voltage-gated Na+ (Nav) channels, which are central mediators of neuronal excitability. Therefore, targeting Nav channels is a promising strategy for developing disease-modifying therapeutics that can correct aberrant neuronal phenotypes in early-stage AD. This review will explore the role of Nav channels in neuronal function, their connections to AD pathology, and their potential as therapeutic targets.
Current Technologies for Managing Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Their Impact on Quality of Life—A Narrative Review
Authors: Elian Viviana , Popovici Violeta , Ozon Emma-Adriana , Musuc Adina , Fița Ancuța , Rusu Emilia , Radulian Gabriela , Lupuliasa Dumitru
Published: July 2023

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects millions of people and generates high healthcare costs due to frequent complications when inappropriately managed. Our paper aimed to review the latest technologies used in T1DM management for better glycemic control and their impact on daily life for people with diabetes. Continuous glucose monitoring systems provide a better understanding of daily glycemic variations for children and adults and can be easily used. These systems diminish diabetes distress and improve diabetes control by decreasing hypoglycemia. Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusions have proven their benefits in selected patients. There is a tendency to use more complex systems, such as hybrid closed-loop systems that can modulate insulin infusion based on glycemic readings and artificial intelligence-based algorithms. It can help people manage the burdens associated with T1DM management, such as fear of hypoglycemia, exercising, and long-term complications. The future is promising and aims to develop more complex ways of automated control of glycemic levels to diminish the distress of individuals living with diabetes.
One-Year Handgrip Strength Change in Kindergarteners Depends upon Physical Activity Status
Authors: Abe Akemi , Sanui Rika , Loenneke Jeremy P. , Abe Takashi
Published: July 2023

Free play in kindergarten can be roughly divided into fine and gross motor activities, but the effects of these activities on improving handgrip strength are unknown. Therefore, we aimed to compare one-year changes in handgrip strength and forearm flexor muscle size in children separated by preferred play in a kindergarten. One hundred and eleven children were recruited from a local kindergarten. They underwent handgrip strength and forearm muscle thickness measurements, and 95 (49 boys and 46 girls) underwent a second measurement one year after the first measurement. Class teachers assessed the physical activity of everyone in their class after the second measurement. Using three evaluation scores by the class teachers, we divided children into three groups based on the children’s preference to play in kindergarten (fine movement vs. gross motor movement). Handgrip strength did not change differently between groups across one year. However, children who liked active playing outside (i.e., gross motor activity) were stronger than others. Furthermore, children who like playing outside observed greater changes than the other groups in the ulna (right hand) and radius muscle thickness (left hand), suggesting that changes in forearm muscle size might be incongruent with changes in handgrip strength among the three activity groups.
New Treatment Horizons in Uveal and Cutaneous Melanoma
Authors: Brănişteanu Daciana Elena , Porumb-Andrese Elena , Porumb Vlad , Stărică Alexandra , Moraru Andreea Dana , Nicolescu Alin Codruț , Zemba Mihail , Brănişteanu Cătălina Ioana , Brănişteanu George , Brănişteanu Daniel Constantin
Published: July 2023

Melanoma is a complex and heterogeneous malignant tumor with distinct genetic characteristics and therapeutic challenges in both cutaneous melanoma (CM) and uveal melanoma (UM). This review explores the underlying molecular features and genetic alterations in these melanoma subtypes, highlighting the importance of employing specific model systems tailored to their unique profiles for the development of targeted therapies. Over the past decade, significant progress has been made in unraveling the molecular and genetic characteristics of CM and UM, leading to notable advancements in treatment options. Genetic mutations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway drive CM, while UM is characterized by mutations in genes like GNAQ, GNA11, BAP1, EIF1AX, and SF3B1. Chromosomal aberrations, including monosomy 3 in UM and monosomy 10 in CM, play significant roles in tumorigenesis. Immune cell infiltration differs between CM and UM, impacting prognosis. Therapeutic advancements targeting these genetic alterations, including oncolytic viruses and immunotherapies, have shown promise in preclinical and clinical studies. Oncolytic viruses selectively infect malignant cells, inducing oncolysis and activating antitumor immune responses. Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) is an FDA-approved oncolytic virus for CM treatment, and other oncolytic viruses, such as coxsackieviruses and HF-10, are being investigated. Furthermore, combining oncolytic viruses with immunotherapies, such as CAR-T cell therapy, holds great potential. Understanding the intrinsic molecular features of melanoma and their role in shaping novel therapeutic approaches provides insights into targeted interventions and paves the way for more effective treatments for CM and UM.
Box–Behnken Design for Assessing the Efficiency of Aflatoxin M1 Detoxification in Milk Using Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Salem-Bekhit Mounir M. , Riad Omnia Karem M. , Selim Heba Mohammed Refat M. , Tohamy Sally Tohamy Kamal , Taha Ehab I. , Al-Suwayeh Saleh A. , Shazly Gamal A.
Published: July 2023

Milk contaminated with aflatoxin can lead to liver cancer. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a serious animal feed contaminant, is transformed into Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and secreted in milk. In this study, a biological method using probiotic bacteria, Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus) in combination with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae), was used to assess their antiaflatoxigenic effect in animal milk. A Box–Behnken design was used to establish the optimal ratio of L. rhamnosus and S. cerevisiae, incubation time, and temperature for efficient AFM1 detoxification from milk. To achieve this, the primary, interaction, and quadratic effects of the chosen factors were investigated. To investigate the quadratic response surfaces, a second-order polynomial model was built using a three-factor, three-level Box–Behnken design. The quantity of AFM1 was detected by the ELISA technique. The results of these experiments obtained an optimum condition in AFM1 detoxification of the three tested factors in order to maximize their effect on AFM1 detoxification in milk. The model was tested in three highly contaminated milk samples to assure the efficacy of the model. AFM1 detoxification was up to 98.4% in contaminated milk samples. These promising results provide a safe, low-cost, and low-time-consuming solution to get rid of the problem of milk contamination with AFM1.
The Synthesis of Cu-Coated Ti2SnC Ceramic and Its Tribological Behaviors as a Lubricant Additive
Authors: Wang Shuai , Jiang Peng , Liao Zhiqian , Li Chong , Li Longteng , Jia Xiangya , Pang Xianjuan , Zhang Yongzhen
Published: July 2023

Lubricant additive plays an important role in reducing the friction and wear for base oil. MAX phase ceramics may have superior advantages for additive application due to their unique nanolayered structure. In this paper, Ti2SnC ceramic is prepared by sintering the elemental mixtures at 1250 °C. In addition, Cu-coated Ti2SnC ceramic is successfully prepared using a chemical plating method for the first time. It is confirmed that the Ti2SnC ceramic has good self-catalytic activity, and a layer of stacking Cu nano-particles can be deposited on the Ti2SnC surface without pretreatment. When the Cu-coated Ti2SnC ceramic powder is doped into PAO10 base oil, the oil can exhibit excellent lubrication properties, where the friction coefficient is as low as 0.095. A layer of tribo-film can be formed during the sliding process when the Cu-coated Ti2SnC ceramic is incorporated into PAO10 base oil, which can reduce the friction coefficient. The superior lubrication properties can be attributed to the synergistic lubrication effect of Ti2SnC ceramic and Cu nano-particles.
Effect of Material Selection and Surface Texture on Tribological Properties of Key Friction Pairs in Water Hydraulic Axial Piston Pumps: A Review
Authors: Liang Yingna , Wang Wei , Zhang Zhepeng , Xing Hao , Wang Cunyuan , Zhang Zongyi , Guan Tianyuan , Gao Dianrong
Published: July 2023

A water hydraulic axial piston pump has become the preferred power component of environmentally friendly water hydraulic transmission systems, due to its advantages of a compact structure, high power density, and so on. The poor friction and wear performance in the water medium, especially under extreme conditions of high speed and high pressure, limit the engineering application of the water hydraulic axial piston pump. In this review, the research progress for key friction pair materials (such as special corrosion-resistant alloys, engineering plastics, and engineering ceramics) for water hydraulic axial piston pumps is, firstly, summarized. Secondly, inspired by nature, the processing methods, lubrication drag-reduction mechanism, and tribological properties of the biomimetic surface textures are discussed. The effects of the surface texture shape, equivalent diameter, depth, and arrangement on the pump’s tribological properties are reviewed in detail. Finally, the application status of, and problems with, surface texture technology in water hydraulic axial piston pumps are summarized. It is suggested that future studies should focus on the multi-field coupling lubrication anti-friction mechanism of the multi-type composite texture under extreme conditions and mixed lubrication; and the anti-wear performance of the texture coupled with a coating modification, to further promote the surface texture in the field of lubrication antifriction engineering applications.
Deep Reinforcement Learning Environment Approach Based on Nanocatalyst XAS Diagnostics Graphic Formalization
Authors: Polyanichenko Dmitry S. , Protsenko Bogdan O. , Egil Nikita V. , Kartashov Oleg O.
Published: July 2023

The most in-demand instrumental methods for new functional nanomaterial diagnostics employ synchrotron radiation, which is used to determine a material’s electronic and local atomic structure. The high time and resource costs of researching at international synchrotron radiation centers and the problems involved in developing an optimal strategy and in planning the control of the experiments are acute. One possible approach to solving these problems involves the use of deep reinforcement learning agents. However, this approach requires the creation of a special environment that provides a reliable level of response to the agent’s actions. As the physical experimental environment of nanocatalyst diagnostics is potentially a complex multiscale system, there are no unified comprehensive representations that formalize the structure and states as a single digital model. This study proposes an approach based on the decomposition of the experimental system into the original physically plausible nodes, with subsequent merging and optimization as a metagraphic representation with which to model the complex multiscale physicochemical environments. The advantage of this approach is the possibility to directly use the numerical model to predict the system states and to optimize the experimental conditions and parameters. Additionally, the obtained model can form the basic planning principles and allow for the optimization of the search for the optimal strategy with which to control the experiment when it is used as a training environment to provide different abstraction levels of system state reactions.
Design Optimization and Mechanical Properties of SiC Particle Reinforced Ti-Based Metallic Glass Matrix Composite
Authors: Liu Huawei , Li Jing , Zhang Jingyao , Gong Pan , Yang Wei , Zhao Lichen , Wang Xin
Published: July 2023

Ti-based bulk metallic glass (BMG) alloys have attracted widespread attention due to their strong glass forming ability, high specific strength, and good corrosion resistance. However, the poor plasticity of BMGs limits their further application in the aerospace and aircraft fields, as well as others. We optimized the composition of SiC-reinforced, Ti-based metallic glass matrix composites (MGMCs) through finite element modeling (FEM). FEM of MGMCs containing irregularly shaped SiC particles with different contents was conducted. Stress and strain analyses were conducted to evaluate the effect of the particle volume fraction on the mechanical behavior of MGMCs, and an optimization value of 30% was obtained, which is conducive to plasticity improvement. Arc melting copper mold injection casting was used to verify the optimized SiC content. The results show that the electroless nickel plating treatment effectively improves the wettability between SiC particles and the amorphous matrix, enabling the successful preparation of SiC/MGMC with a volume fraction of 29.5% through traditional injection casting. The volume fraction of SiC plays a crucial role in the transition of fracture mode from splitting to shear in MGMCs. After adding lightweight SiC particles, the yield strength, plasticity, modulus, and specific strength were improved by 25%, 1471%, 46%, and 33%, indicating that the use of nickel-plated SiC particles in MGMCs is an effective strengthening and toughening method for BMGs.
(Sub)structure Development in Gradually Swaged Electroconductive Bars
Authors: Kopeček Jaromír , Bajtošová Lucia , Veřtát Petr , Šimek Daniel
Published: July 2023

Copper generally exhibits high electrical conductivity but has poor mechanical properties. Although alloying can improve the latter characteristic, it usually leads to a decrease in electrical conductivity. To address this issue, a promising approach is to enhance the performance of copper while maintaining high electrical conductivity through optimized deformation processing, which refines the structure and increases mechanical properties. This paper focuses on assessing the effects of rotary swaging, a form of deformation processing, on microstructures and substructures of electroconductive copper bars. This analysis is complemented by experimental measurements of electrical conductivity. The results demonstrate that gradual swaging, i.e., applying different swaging ratios, influences the structure-forming processes and consequently affects the electrical conductivity. The increased electrical conductivity was found to be associated with the elongation of the grains in the direction of the electron movement.
Effect of Nano Ni Particles on the Microstructure and Thermophysical Properties of Sn–Bi–Zn Heat Transfer and Heat Storage Alloys
Authors: Wang Qingmeng , Cheng Xiaomin , Wang Xiuli , Yang Tao , Cheng Qianju , Liu Zhi , Lv Zean
Published: July 2023

The specific heat capacity plays a crucial role in influencing the heat transfer efficiency of materials. Considering the relatively low specific heat capacity of metals, this study focuses on investigating the impact of second-phase nano Ni particles on the microstructure and thermophysical properties of the alloy matrix. The alloys’ phase compositions and microstructures were examined using X-ray diffraction phase analysis (XRD), electron probe micromorphology analysis (EPMA), and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF). Furthermore, the thermophysical properties of the alloys were comprehensively analyzed through the employment of a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and the laser flash method (LFA). The addition of second-phase nanoparticles significantly increased the specific heat capacity of the alloy in the liquid state; however, the phenomenon of nanoparticle agglomeration diminishes this improvement. The analysis of the specific heat enhancement mechanism indicates that ordered states are formed between the second-phase solid nanoparticles and the melted metal in the liquid state. With the increase in temperature, the destruction of these ordered states requires additional heat, resulting in the increase of specific heat capacity.
The Reduction Factor of Pultrude Glass Fibre-Reinforced Polyester Composite Cross-Arm: A Comparative Study on Mathematical Modelling for Life-Span Prediction
Authors: Abu Bakar Mohd , Syamsir Agusril , Alhayek Abdulrahman , Asyraf Muhammad , Itam Zarina , Shaik Shaikh , Abd Aziz Nurhanani , Jamal Tarique , Mohd Mansor Siti
Published: July 2023

This paper presents an experimental and numerical investigation of pultruded composite glass fibre-reinforced polymer (pGFRP) cross-arms subjected to flexural creep behaviour to assess their performance and sustainability in composite cross-arm structure applications. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the failure creep behaviour of pGFRP cross-arms with different stacking sequences. Specifically, the study aimed to understand the variations in strain rate exhibited during different stages of the creep process. Therefore, this study emphasizes a simplified approach within the experiment, numerical analysis, and mathematical modelling of three different pGFRP composites to estimate the stiffness reduction factors that determine the prediction of failure. The findings show that Findley’s power law and the Burger model projected very different strains and diverged noticeably outside the testing period. Findley’s model estimated a minimal increase in total strain over 50 years, while the Burger model anticipated PS-1 and PS-2 composites would fail within about 11 and 33 years, respectively. The Burger model’s forecasts might be more reasonable due to the harsh environment the cross-arms are expected to withstand. The endurance and long-term performance of composite materials used in overhead power transmission lines may be predicted mathematically, and this insight into material property factors can help with design and maintenance.
Enhanced Electrical and Thermal Conductivities of Polymer Composites with a Segregated Network of Graphene Nanoplatelets
Authors: Kim Ki Hoon , Jang Ji-Un , Yoo Gyun Young , Kim Seong Hun , Oh Myung Jun , Kim Seong Yun
Published: July 2023

Introducing a segregated network constructed through the selective localization of small amounts of fillers can be a solution to overcome the limitations of the practical use of graphene-based conductive composites due to the high cost of fillers. In this study, polypropylene composites filled with randomly dispersed GNPs and a segregated GNP network were prepared, and their conductive properties were investigated according to the formation of the segregated structure. Due to the GNP clusters induced by the segregated structure, the electrical percolation threshold was 2.9 wt% lower than that of the composite incorporating randomly dispersed GNPs. The fully interconnected GNP cluster network inside the composite contributed to achieving the thermal conductivity of 4.05 W/m∙K at 10 wt% filler content. Therefore, the introduction of a segregated filler network was suitable to simultaneously achieve excellent electrical and thermal conductivities at a low content of GNPs.
Predicting the Gas Permeability of Sustainable Cement Mortar Containing Internal Cracks by Combining Physical Experiments and Hybrid Ensemble Artificial Intelligence Algorithms
Authors: Chao Zhiming , Yang Chuanxin , Zhang Wenbing , Zhang Ye , Zhou Jiaxin
Published: July 2023

The presence of internal fissures holds immense sway over the gas permeability of sustainable cement mortar, which in turn dictates the longevity and steadfastness of associated edifices. Nevertheless, predicting the gas permeability of sustainable cement mortar that contains internal cracks poses a significant challenge due to the presence of numerous influential variables and intricate interdependent mechanisms. To solve the deficiency, this research establishes an innovative machine learning algorithm via the integration of the Mind Evolutionary Algorithm (MEA) with the Adaptive Boosting Algorithm-Back Propagation Artificial Neural Network (ABA-BPANN) ensemble algorithm to predict the gas permeability of sustainable cement mortar that contains internal cracks, based on the results of 1452 gas permeability tests. Firstly, the present study employs the MEA-tuned ABA-BPANN model as the primary tool for gas permeability prediction in cement mortar, a comparative analysis is conducted with conventional machine learning models such as Particle Swarm Optimisation Algorithm (PSO) and Genetic Algorithm (GA) optimised ABA-BPANN, MEA optimised Extreme Learning Machine (ELM), and BPANN. The efficacy of the MEA-tuned ABA-BPANN model is verified, thereby demonstrating its proficiency. In addition, the sensitivity analysis conducted with the aid of the innovative model has revealed that the gas permeability of durable cement mortar incorporating internal cracks is more profoundly affected by the dimensions and quantities of such cracks than by the stress conditions to which the mortar is subjected. Thirdly, puts forth a novel machine-learning model, which enables the establishment of an analytical formula for the precise prediction of gas permeability. This formula can be employed by individuals who lack familiarity with machine learning skills. The proposed model, namely the MEA-optimised ABA-BPANN algorithm, exhibits significant potential in accurately estimating the gas permeability of sustainable cement mortar that contains internal cracks in varying stress environments. The study highlights the algorithm’s ability to offer essential insights for designing related structures.
Surface Morphology and Optical Properties of Hafnium Oxide Thin Films Produced by Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Araiza José de Jesús , Álvarez-Fraga Leo , Gago Raúl , Sánchez Olga
Published: July 2023

Hafnium oxide films were deposited on sapphire and silicon (100) substrates using the DC reactive magnetron sputtering technique from a pure hafnium target at different discharge power levels. The influence of the cathode power on the chemical composition, morphology, crystallographic structure and optical properties of the films was investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were employed to determine the chemical composition and bonding structure. In all cases, the films were found to be amorphous or nanocrystalline with increased crystalline content as the sputtering power was increased, according to XRD and FTIR. In addition, EDX showed that the films were oxygen-rich. The effect of power deposition on the surface topography and morphology of the films was studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The AFM and SEM images revealed the emergence of mound morphologies as the cathode power was increased. These features are related to blistering effects probably due to the presence of stress and its promotion within the film thickness. Finally, the optical properties showed an average transmission of 80% in the visible range, and the refractive index determined by spectral ellipsometry (SE) was found to be in the range of 1.85–1.92, close to the reported bulk value. SE was also used to study the film porosity observed by SEM, which can be related to the oxygen-rich character of the films.