bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carbon-Nanowall Microporous Layers for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
Authors: Balan Adriana Elena , Bita Bogdan Ionut , Vizireanu Sorin , Dinescu Gheorghe , Stamatin Ioan , Trefilov Alexandra Maria Isabel
Published: October 2022

The cathode microporous layer (MPL), as one of the key components of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEM-FC), requires specialized carbon materials to ensure the two-phase flow and interfacial effects. In this respect, we designed a novel MPL based on highly hydrophobic carbon nanowalls (CNW). Employing plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition techniques directly on carbon paper, we produced high-quality microporous layers at a competitive yield-to-cost ratio with distinctive MPL properties: high porosity, good stability, considerable durability, high hydrophobicity, and substantial conductivity. The specific morphological and structural properties were determined by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Thermo-gravimetric analysis was employed to study the nanostructures’ thermal stability and contact angle measurements were performed on the CNW substrate to study the hydrophobic character. Platinum ink, serving as a fuel cell catalyst, was sprayed directly onto the MPLs and incorporated in the FC assembly by hot-pressing against a polymeric membrane to form the membrane-electrode assembly and gas diffusion layers. Single-fuel-cell testing, at moderate temperature and humidity, revealed improved power performance comparable to industrial quality membrane assemblies (500 mW cm−2 mg−1 of cathodic Pt load at 80 °C and 80% RH), with elevated working potential (0.99 V) and impeccable fuel crossover for a low-cost system.
Effects of the Structure of Benzenesulfonate-Based Draw Solutes on the Forward Osmosis Process
Authors: Yang DaEun , Cho Yeonsu , Kang Hyo
Published: October 2022

A series of phosphonium-based ionic liquids (ILs) based on benzenesulfonate derivatives (tetrabutylphosphonium benzenesulfonate ([TBP][BS]), tetrabutylphosphonium 4-methylbenzenesulfonate ([TBP][MBS]), tetrabutylphosphonium 2,4-dimethylbenzenesulfonate ([TBP][DMBS]), and tetrabutylphosphonium 2,4,6-trimethylbenzenesulfonate ([TBP][TMBS])) were synthesized via anion exchange with tetrabutylphosphonium bromide ([TBP][Br]). Then, we characterized the ILs and investigated their suitability as draw solutes for forward osmosis (FO), focusing on their thermoresponsive properties, conductivities, and osmotic pressures. We found that aqueous [TBP][BS] was not thermoresponsive, but 20 wt% aqueous [TBP][MBS], [TBP][DMBS], and [TBP][TMBS] had lower critical solution temperatures (LCSTs) of approximately 41, 25, and 21 °C, respectively, enabling their easy recovery using waste heat. Based on these findings, 20 wt% aqueous [TBP][DMBS] was tested for its FO performance, and the water and reverse solute fluxes were found to be approximately 9.29 LMH and 1.37 gMH, respectively, in the active layer facing the draw solution (AL-DS) mode and 4.64 LMH and 0.37 gMH, respectively, in the active layer facing the feed solution (AL-FS) mode. Thus, these tetrabutylphosphonium benzenesulfonate-based LCST-type ILs are suitable for drawing solutes for FO process.
Transport of Heavy Metals Pb(II), Zn(II), and Cd(II) Ions across CTA Polymer Membranes Containing Alkyl-Triazole as Ions Carrier
Authors: Radzymińska-Lenarcik Elżbieta , Kwiatkowska-Marks Sylwia , Kościuszko Artur
Published: October 2022

The polymer membranes of cellulose triacetate -o-NPPE-1-alkyl-triazole (alkyl= hexyl, octyl, decyl) were characterized by non-contact atomic force microscopy (AFM). The influence of membrane morphology on transport process was discussed. 1-Alkyl-triazole derivatives are new cheap compounds that have the ability to bind metal ions in an acidic medium. These membranes were used for the investigation of the facilitated transport of Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) ions from an aqueous nitrate feed phase. The initial flux values of metal ions transport depend on the type of carrier used. The maximum value of the initial flux for Zn(II) ions was equal to 12.34 × 10−6 molm−2s−1 (for PIMs with 1-decyltriazole). In the case of Zn(II) and Cd(II) ions as the hydrophobicity of the carrier increases, the separation coefficients SZn(II)/Cd(II) slightly increase from 1.8 to 2.4, while for Zn(II) and Pb(II) ions separation coefficients SZn(II)/Pb(II) decrease. The highest recovery factors (RF) were found for Zn(II) ions (c.a. 90%). The RF values of Cd(II) ions increase from 58% to 67%. The highest RF value for Pb(II) is 30%. The rate-limiting step in the transport of Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions across PIMs with 1-alkyltriazole may be the diffusion coefficient of the carrier-cation complex. The AFM images show that the distribution of the carrier in the tested membranes is homogeneous over the entire surface. The roughness values determined for PIMs with alkyltriazole are slightly higher than the roughness of PIM with the commercial carrier, for example D2EHPA.
Experimental Investigation on the Anode Flow Field Design for an Air-Cooled Open-Cathode Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
Authors: Deng Zhijun , Li Baozhu , Xing Shuang , Zhao Chen , Wang Haijiang
Published: October 2022

A flow channel structure design plays a significant role in an open-cathode proton exchange membrane fuel cell. The cell performance is sensitive to the structural parameters of the flow field, which mainly affects the heat and mass transfer between membrane electrode assembly and channel. This paper presents theoretical and experimental studies to investigate the impacts of anode flow field parameters (numbers of the serpentine channels, depths, and widths of the anode channel) on cell performance and temperature characteristics. The result indicates that the number of anode serpentine channels adjusts the pressure and flow rate of hydrogen in the anode flow channel effectively. The depth and width of the channel change the pressure, flow rate, and mass transfer capacity of hydrogen, especially under the high current density. There appears the best depth to achieve optimum cell performance. The velocity and concentration of hydrogen have important influences on the mass transfer which agrees with the anode channel structure design and performance changes based on the field synergy principle. This research has great significance for further understanding the relationship between anode flow field design and fuel cell performance in the open-cathode proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack.
A Summary of Practical Considerations for the Application of the Steric Exclusion Chromatography for the Purification of the Orf Viral Vector
Authors: Eilts Friederike , Lothert Keven , Orbay Sabri , Pagallies Felix , Amann Ralf , Wolff Michael W.
Published: October 2022

Steric exclusion chromatography (SXC) is a promising purification method for biological macromolecules such as the Orf virus (ORFV) vector. The method’s principle is closely related to conventional polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation, repeatedly implementing membranes as porous chromatographic media. In the past decade, several purification tasks with SXC showed exceptionally high yields and a high impurity removal. However, the effect of varying process parameters, on the precipitation success and its limitations to SXC, is not yet well understood. For this reason, the precipitation behavior and SXC adaptation for ORFV were investigated for the PEG/ORFV contact time, the membranes pore size, and the type and concentration of ions. All three parameters influenced the ORFV recoveries significantly. A small pore size and a long contact time induced filtration effects and inhibited a full virus recovery. The application of salts had complex concentration-dependent effects on precipitation and SXC yields, and ranged from a complete prevention of precipitation in the presence of kosmotropic substances to increased efficiencies with Mg2+ ions. The latter finding might be useful to reduce PEG concentrations while maintaining high yields. With this knowledge, we hope to clarify several limitations of SXC operations and improve the tool-set for a successful process adaptation.
Composite Membranes Based on Functionalized Mesostructured Cellular Foam Particles and Sulfonated Poly(Ether Ether Sulfone) with Potential Application in Fuel Cells
Authors: Agudelo Natalia A. , Echeverri-Cuartas Claudia E. , López Betty L.
Published: October 2022

Composite polymeric membranes were designed based on sulfonated poly(ether ether sulfone) (sPEES) and mesostructured cellular foam (MCF) silica nanoparticles functionalized with organic compounds. Parameters such as molecular weight (MW) of the polymer, nature of the functional group of the MCF silica, and percentage of silica charge were evaluated on the final properties of the membranes. Composite membrane characterization was carried out on their water retention capacity (high MW polymer between 20–46% and for the low MW between 20–60%), ion exchange capacity (IEC) (high MW polymer between 0.02 mmol/g–0.07 mmol/g and low MW between 0.03–0.09 mmol/g) and proton conductivity (high MW polymer molecular between 15–70 mS/cm and low MW between 0.1–150 mS/cm). Finally, the membrane prepared with the low molecular weight polymer and 3% wt. of functionalized silica with sulfonic groups exhibited results similar to Nafion® 117.
Ibuprofen in a Lipid Bilayer: Nanoscale Spatial Arrangement
Authors: Kashnik Anna S. , Baranov Denis S. , Dzuba Sergei A.
Published: October 2022

Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with analgesic and antipyretic effects. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of drug interaction with cell membranes is important to improving drug delivery, uptake by cells, possible side effects, etc. Double electron-electron resonance spectroscopy (DEER, also known as PELDOR) provides information on the nanoscale spatial arrangement of spin-labeled molecules. Here, DEER was applied to study (mono-)spin-labeled ibuprofen (ibuprofen-SL) in a bilayer of palmitoyl-oleoyl-sn-glycerophosphocholine (POPC). The results obtained show that the ibuprofen-SL molecules are located within a plane in each bilayer leaflet. At their low molar concentration in the bilayer χ, the found surface concentration of ibuprofen-SL is two times higher than χ, which can be explained by alternative assembling in the two leaflets of the bilayer. When χ > 2 mol%, these assemblies merge. The findings shed new light on the nanoscale spatial arrangement of ibuprofen in biological membranes.
Elimination of the Stray Grain Defects of Single Crystal Blade by Variable Wall Thickness Based on Integral Ceramic Mold
Authors: Liu Zhefeng , Miao Kai , Lian Weibo , Lu Zhongliang , Li Dichen
Published: October 2022

The stray grain defect is often found at the platform in the process of directional solidification of single crystal blades because local undercooling easily occurs in this area. A variable wall thickness mold based on stereolithography and gelcasting technology was proposed to solve the local undercooling at the platform. The influence of variable wall thickness mold on the temperature field of the platform during directional solidification was studied via simulation. The numerical simulation results show that variable wall thickness can effectively prevent heat dissipation at the platform, thereby reducing the undercooling and avoiding the formation of stray grains. At the same time, the influence of molds assembly angle on the formation of stray grains was analyzed, and the appropriate molds assembly angle is suggested.
Dynamical Models of Plasticity with Nonmonotonic Deformation Curves for Nanomaterials
Authors: Selyutina Nina , Borodin Elijah , Petrov Yuri
Published: October 2022

Nanomaterials are widely used in different fields, such as microelectronics, industry, and nanocomposites, and they can exhibit unstable deformation behaviour depending on the strain rates. Under strain rates of 10−4–10−1 s−1, the deformation of nanomaterials, unlike the quasi-static deformation of micromaterials, is characterized by the presence of the rate sensitivity as a possible scale phenomenon in dynamic plasticity. In this paper, the relaxation model of plasticity for the prediction of deformation curves at different strain rates is used. It allows us to comprehensively study the effects of strain hardening in a wide range of deformation conditions for coarse-grained materials and nanomaterials. Considering the plastic deformation of the nanosized samples in the early stages, dynamical softening, associated with a generation of new defects, and dynamic hardening, are crucial. The proposed model, using one parameter or the classical hardening law as an example of nanosized gold whisker crystals, tungsten single-crystal pillars, and single-crystalline Au-Ag alloy nanowires, is verified. Calculated sets of parameters of characteristic time, as a parameter of rate sensitivity of a material, and hardening parameters for different nanomaterials are compared. It is shown that the characteristic relaxation times for the single-crystal nanomaterials (100–103 s) are greater than for the nanostructured materials (10−6–10−4 s). Despite the manifestation of dynamics at different strain rates of nanomaterials, single crystal and nanostructured materials, the proposed model can be successfully applied to materials with different degrees of hardening or softening.
Isogeometric Analysis-Based Solidification Simulation and an Improved Way to Apply Supercooling on Droplet Boundary
Authors: Xu Jiangping , Yan Tingyu , Li Yang , Yu Zhenyuan , Wang Yun , Wang Yuan
Published: October 2022

The classic finite difference method (FDM) has been successfully adopted in the simulation of dendritic solidification, which is based on phase-field theory. Nevertheless, special strategies of boundary integral and projection are required for applying a supercooling rate to a droplet surface. In the present study, isogeometric analysis (IGA) is employed to discretize the phase-field equation due to the two advantages of Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) basis functions, namely an arbitrary order of derivatives and exact description of complex geometry. In addition, an improved, easy way to apply the supercooling rate on a melt droplet surface is proposed to avoid the integral and projection of the cellular boundary required in FDM. Firstly, dendrite growth in a square computational domain is simulated to verify the performance of IGA. Then, the influences of latent heat, anisotropic mode and initial angle on the dendrite shapes are studied by the presented IGA, FDM and finite element method (FEM). Finally, dendritic solidification in a droplet under different cooling rates along irregular boundaries is performed by the proposed IGA.
Characterization of the Fatigue Behaviour of Low Carbon Steels by Means of Temperature and Micromagnetic Measurements
Authors: Wu Haoran , Raghuraman Srinivasa Raghavan , Ziman Jonas Anton , Weber Fabian , Hielscher Torsten , Starke Peter
Published: October 2022

Investigations on low carbon (non- and low-alloy) steels were conducted in form of load increase tests (LIT) and constant amplitude tests (CAT) to find the correlation among material behaviour, mechanical load, and the type of NDT method. With the help of preprogrammed load-free sequences, the thermal impact on magnetic Barkhausen noise (MBN) measurement can be avoided, so that the cyclic deformation properties of material responses can be interpreted more precisely. The results indicate differences between the change in temperature and the MBN-derived variable during LITs and CATs regarding the demonstration of the incubation stage and the cyclic hardening behaviour.
Tribological Behaviors of Inconel 718–Tungsten Carbide Friction Pair with Sulfur Additive Lubrication
Authors: Yang Ye , Luan Hao , Guo Songshan , Liu Fengbin , Dai Yuanjing , Zhang Chenhui , Zhang Duzhou , Zhou Gang
Published: October 2022

This work investigated the lubricating and anti-wear properties of several sulfur additives for a nickel-based superalloy–tungsten carbide friction pair. Compared with PAO40 without any active chemical compounds, the three kinds of sulfur additives could decrease the friction coefficient from 0.2 to 0.1 and the wear volume by 90%. Sulfurized fatty acid ester had the best performance under high temperature and heavy load with COF below 0.1 and the smallest wear volume. Furthermore, the lubricating mechanism was investigated by XPS. The physical adsorptive film and the tribochemical film together enhanced the friction-reducing and anti-wear performances of the lubricants. This effective lubricant for Inconel 718 can be applied to the machining of nickel-based alloy.
Influence of Replacing Molybdenum with Tungsten on the Creep Fracture Property of Waspaloy Nickel-Based Alloy
Authors: Yao Hanxin , Dong Jianxin , Gong Zhihua , Zhao Jiqing , Yang Gang
Published: October 2022

Alloys meeting the requirements of “700 °C and above” advanced ultra-super-critical technology, with higher thermal efficiency, have been developed in recent years. Here, a new wrought Ni-based superalloy with excellent high-temperature creep strength based on Waspaloy has been developed and is proposed as a candidate material for application in 700 °C class advanced ultra-super-critical steam turbine blades. In this new alloy, the Molybdenum (Mo) in Waspaloy is partially replaced by Tungsten (W). Creep tests have shown that this new Ni-based alloy has a 70 MPa higher creep-rupture strength than that of Waspaloy at 700 °C by extrapolating the experimental data. Detailed creep-rupture mechanisms have been analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and chemical phase analysis with a view to devising potential approaches for performance improvements. The results showed that the partial replacement of Mo by W had negligible effect on the composition of carbides precipitated in the alloy. Instead, the amount of the γ′ phase was significantly increased, and mismatch between the γ and γ′ phases was reduced. In this way, the stability of the γ′ phase was increased, its coarsening rate was reduced, and its critical shear stress was increased. As a result, the high-temperature creep-fracture strength of the new alloy was increased.
Micropillar Compression of Additively Manufactured 316L Stainless Steels after 2 MeV Proton Irradiation: A Comparison Study between Planar and Cross-Sectional Micropillars
Authors: Shiau Ching-Heng , Pena Miguel , Li Yongchang , Xiang Sisi , Sun Cheng , McMurtrey Michael D. , Shao Lin
Published: October 2022

A micropillar compression study with two different techniques was performed on proton-irradiated additively manufactured (AM) 316L stainless steels. The sample was irradiated at 360 °C using 2 MeV protons to 1.8 average displacement per atom (dpa) in the near-surface region. A comparison study with mechanical test and microstructure characterization was made between planar and cross-sectional pillars prepared from the irradiated surface. While a 2 MeV proton irradiation creates a relatively flat damage zone up to 12 µm, the dpa gradient by a factor of 2 leads to significant dpa uncertainty along the pillar height direction for the conventional planar technique. Cross-sectional pillars can significantly reduce such dpa uncertainty. From one single sample, three cross-sectional pillars were able to show dpa-dependent hardening. Furthermore, post-compression transmission electron microscopy allows the determination of the deformation mechanism of individual micropillars. Cross-sectional micropillar compression can be used to study radiation-induced mechanical property changes with better resolution and less data fluctuation.
A Multi-Phase Modeling Framework Suitable for Dynamic Applications
Authors: Barton Nathan R. , Luscher Darby J. , Battaile Corbett , Brown Justin L. , Buechler Miles , Burakovsky Leonid , Crockett Scott , Greeff Carl , Mattsson Ann E. , Prime Michael B. , Schill William J.
Published: October 2022

Under dynamic loading conditions and the associated extreme conditions many metals will undergo phase transformations. The change in crystal structure associated with solid–solid phase transformations can significantly alter the subsequent mechanical response of the material. For the interpretation of experiments involving dynamic loading it is beneficial to have a modeling framework that captures key features of the material response while remaining relatively simple. We introduce a candidate framework and apply it to the metal tin to highlight a range of behaviors that are captured by the model. We also discuss potential extensions to capture additional behaviors that could be important for certain materials and loading scenarios. The model is useful for analysis of results from dynamic experiments and offers a point of departure for more complex model formulations.
Assessment of Transfer Learning Capabilities for Fatigue Damage Classification and Detection in Aluminum Specimens with Different Notch Geometries
Authors: Dharmadhikari Susheel , Raut Riddhiman , Bhattacharya Chandrachur , Ray Asok , Basak Amrita
Published: October 2022

Fatigue damage detection and its classification in metallic materials are persistently challenging the structural health monitoring community. The mechanics of fatigue damage is difficult to analyze and is further complicated because of the presence of notches of different geometries. These notches act as possible crack-nucleation sites resulting in failure mechanisms that are drastically different from one another. Often, sensor-based tools are used to monitor and detect fatigue damage in critical metallic materials such as aluminum alloys. Through deep neural networks (DNNs), such a sensor-based approach can be ubiquitously extended for a variety of geometries as appropriate for different applications. To that end, this paper presents a DNN-based transfer learning framework that can be used to classify and detect fatigue damage across candidate notch geometries. The DNNs are built upon ultrasonic time-series data obtained during fatigue testing of Al7075-T6 specimens with two types of notch geometries, namely, a U-notch and a V-notch. The baseline U-notch DNN is shown to achieve an accuracy of 96.1% while the baseline V-notch DNN has an accuracy of 95.8%. Both baseline DNNs are, thereafter, subjected to a transfer learning process by keeping a certain number of layers frozen and retraining only the remaining layers with a small volume of data obtained from the other notch geometry. When a layer of the baseline U-notch DNN is retrained with just 10% of the total V-notch data, an accuracy above 90% is observed for fatigue damage detection of V-notch specimens. Similar results are also obtained when the baseline V-notch DNN is retrained and interrogated to detect damage for U-notch specimens. These results, in summary, demonstrate the data-thrifty quality of combining the concepts of transfer learning and DNN for fatigue damage detection in different geometries of specimens made of high-performance aluminum alloys.
On the Prediction of Material Fracture for Thin-Walled Cast Alloys Using GISSMO
Authors: Ge Yulong , Dong Liping , Song Huibin , Gao Lechen , Xiao Rui
Published: October 2022

Thin-walled cast alloys are one of the most significant enhancements for automotive applications. This paper aims to evaluate the applicability of the “Generalized Incremental Stress-State dependent damage MOdel” (GISSMO) in modern thin-walled cast alloys. Comprehensive experimental tests are carried out to assess the instability and fracture strains on three thin-walled structure alloys that are commonly used. Numerical studies are conducted on the two most common modeling methods, shell-based and tetrahedral models. The parameters in GISSMO are calibrated using theoretical fitting and the inverse analysis approach. Comparisons of the shell-based and tetrahedral-based models with the test results and shell elements are carried out. The characteristics of the two modeling methods are discussed, including element formulas, extrapolating the hardening curves, and mesh-size dependency. It is evaluated that both modeling methods could be applied to thin-walled cast alloys in satisfying agreement.
Selenium and Tellurium Separation: Copper Cementation Evaluation Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Hosseinipour Seyedreza , Keshavarz Alamdari Eskandar , Sadeghi Nima
Published: October 2022

In recent years, high demands for Se and Te in the solar panels and semiconductors industry have encouraged its extraction from primary and secondary sources. However, the two elements’ similar chemical and physical properties make pure element production, Se or Te, arduous. This work is aimed to investigate the significant factors of Se and/or Te recovery in the copper cementation process using the response surface methodology. The test was carried out in two series, for Te and Se, so that H2SO4, CuSO4, Te(or Se) concentration, and temperature are the factors of experimentation. According to response surface methodology (RSM) results for both test series (i. e. Se and Te), 50 g/L H2SO4, 15 g/L Cu, and 35 °C, 3000 mg/L Se (or 750 mg/L Te) was specified for higher Se recovery (97%), and the lowest Te extraction (2%) as an optimum condition, so that could make a suitable separation process. Hence, the cementation test was conducted in the simultaneous presence of Se and Te, so the separation index became 5291. Moreover, the cementation test was carried out in the pregnant leach solution of copper anode slime, and the separation factor was measured to be 606. On the other hand, the thermodynamic evaluation and XRD patterns of the process’s sediments confirm that Se is precipitated as Cu2Se and Cu1.8Se, whereas no Te components are detected in the sediments.
A DFT Characterization of Structural, Mechanical, and Thermodynamic Properties of Ag9In4 Binary Intermetallic Compound
Authors: Cheng Hsien-Chie , Yu Ching-Feng
Published: October 2022

The intermetallic compounds (IMCs) at the interface between the solder joint and metal bond pad/under bump metallization (UBM) exert a significant impact on the thermal–mechanical behavior of microelectronic packages because of their unique physical properties. In this study, a theoretical investigation of the physical properties, namely structural, mechanical, and thermodynamic properties, of the Ag9In4 IMC was conducted using ab initio density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The calculated equilibrium lattice constants were in good agreement with the literature experimental data. Furthermore, with the calculated elastic constants, we can derive the ductility and brittleness nature, elastic anisotropy, and direction-dependent elastic properties of Ag9In4 through several elastic indices, three-dimensional surface representation, and two-dimensional projections of elastic properties. The calculations inferred that the cubic Ag9In4 IMC confers structural and mechanical stability, ductility, relative low stiffness and hardness, and elastic anisotropy. Finally, the thermodynamic properties, i.e., Debye temperature, heat capacity, and minimum thermal conductivity, were also investigated. Evidently, the low-temperature heat capacity conforms to the Debye heat capacity theory and the high-temperature one complies with the classical Dulong–Petit law.
Study on Ultrasonically-Enhanced Deep Eutectic Solvents Leaching of Zinc from Zinc-Containing Metallurgical Dust Sludge
Authors: Niu Fusheng , He Shengtao , Zhang Jinxia , Wen Chen
Published: October 2022

In this study, the zinc containing dust and sludge of iron and steel smelting was taken as the research object, and the new ionic liquid of choline-urea was prepared and synthesized as the leaching agent. The conventional and ultrasonic leaching of zinc were compared, and the influence of liquid-solid ratio, temperature, time, ultrasonic power and other conditions on the zinc leaching rate were analyzed. The leaching residue was characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the kinetic equations of ligand leaching based on ultrasonically enhanced metallurgical dust sludge were constructed. The results showed that the choline chloride-urea ionic liquid has a special solubilization ability for ZnO, and the leaching rate of Zn at temperature 60 °C, ultrasonic power 350 W, and leaching time 240 min reached more than 98%. Kinetic fitting of the ChCl-urea leaching process revealed that the ChCl-urea leaching process was in accordance with the nucleation contraction model under both conventional and ultrasonic conditions, and the leaching process was dominated by interfacial mass transfer and solid film layer diffusion control for the reactions, respectively. The activation energies were Ea1 = 44.56 kJ/mol and Ea2 = 23.06 kJ/mol.
Ketogenic Diet Initially Masks Symptoms of Hypercortisolism in Cushing’s Disease
Authors: Dugandzic Mary Kimberly , Pierre-Michel Esther-Carine , Kalayjian Tro
Published: October 2022

Cushing’s syndrome (CS) is a diagnosis used to describe multiple causes of serum hypercortisolism. Cushing’s disease (CD), the most common endogenous subtype of CS, is characterized by hypercortisolism due to a pituitary tumor secreting adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). A variety of tests are used to diagnose and differentiate between CD and CS. Hypercortisolism has been found to cause many metabolic abnormalities including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, impaired glucose tolerance, and central adiposity. Literature shows that many of the symptoms of hypercortisolism can improve with a low carb (LC) diet, which consists of consuming <30 g of total carbohydrates per day. Here, we describe the case of a patient with CD who presented with obesity, hypertension, striae and bruising, who initially improved some of his symptoms by implementing a LC diet. Ultimately, as his symptoms persisted, a diagnosis of CD was made. It is imperative that practitioners realize that diseases typically associated with poor lifestyle choices, like obesity and hypertension, can often have alternative causes. The goal of this case report is to provide insight on the efficacy of nutrition, specifically a LC diet, on reducing metabolic derangements associated with CD. Additionally, we will discuss the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for CD, especially in those with resistant hypertension, obesity and pre-diabetes/diabetes.
Role of microRNA in Endocrine Disruptor-Induced Immunomodulation of Metabolic Health
Authors: Shree Nitya , Ding Zehuan , Flaws Jodi , Choudhury Mahua
Published: October 2022

The prevalence of poor metabolic health is growing exponentially worldwide. This condition is associated with complex comorbidities that lead to a compromised quality of life. One of the contributing factors recently gaining attention is exposure to environmental chemicals, such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Considerable evidence suggests that EDCs can alter the endocrine system through immunomodulation. More concerning, EDC exposure during the fetal development stage has prominent adverse effects later in life, which may pass on to subsequent generations. Although the mechanism of action for this phenomenon is mostly unexplored, recent reports implicate that non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRs), may play a vital role in this scenario. MiRs are significant contributors in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Studies demonstrating the immunomodulation of EDCs via miRs in metabolic health or towards the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) Hypothesis are still deficient. The aim of the current review was to focus on studies that demonstrate the impact of EDCs primarily on innate immunity and the potential role of miRs in metabolic health.
Walking Exercise Reduces Postprandial Lipemia but Does Not Influence Postprandial Hemorheological Properties and Oxidative Stress
Authors: Wu Ching-Lin , Yang Tsung-Jen , Wu Min-Huan , Liang Hong-Jen , Chen Yi-Liang , Wu Shey-Lin , Chiu Chih-Hui
Published: October 2022

A higher postprandial triglycerides response and hemorheological abnormalities may increase the incidence of metabolic disorders and negatively interfere with the aging process. A single session of preprandial endurance exercise was found to be effective in reducing triglyceride levels after a high-fat diet. However, whether the exercise-induced reduction in postprandial triglyceride levels influences hemorheological indicators remains unknown. This study aims to investigate the effects of postprandial lipemia on hemorheological properties and oxidative stress. Eight healthy young male participants completed two experimental trials. On day 1, the participants were randomly assigned to walk for 1 h at 50% VO2max (EE trial) or rest (CON trial). On day 2, participants rested and consumed a high-fat meal in the morning. Results: The postprandial area under the curve (AUC) of plasma TG concentration was significantly lower in EE compared to CON (EE: 9.2 ± 1.9; CON: 10.9 ± 1.7 mmol/L·h−1; p = 0.013; Cohen’s d = 0.036). No significant difference was observed in hemorheological properties and MDA (p > 0.05). Endurance exercise effectively decreased postprandial TG concentration but did not influence the postprandial hemorheological properties and oxidative stress indicators.
Metabolic Phenotyping Study of Mouse Brain Following Microbiome Disruption by C. difficile Colonization
Authors: Deda Olga , Kachrimanidou Melina , Armitage Emily G. , Mouskeftara Thomai , Loftus Neil J. , Zervos Ioannis , Taitzoglou Ioannis , Gika Helen
Published: October 2022

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is responsible for an increasing number of cases of post-antibiotic diarrhea worldwide, which has high severity and mortality among hospitalized elderly patients. The disruption of gut microbiota due to antibacterial medication facilitates the intestinal colonization of C. difficile. In the present study, a murine model was used to investigate the potential effects of antibiotic administration and subsequent colonization by C. difficile, as well as the effects of three different 10-day treatments (metronidazole, probiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation), on the brain metabolome for the first time. Four different metabolomic-based methods (targeted HILIC-MS/MS, untargeted RP-LC-HRMS/MS, targeted GC-MS/MS, and untargeted GC-MS) were applied, resulting in the identification of 217 unique metabolites in the brain extracts, mainly glycerophospholipids, glycerolipids, amino acids, carbohydrates, and fatty acids. Univariate and multivariate statistical analysis revealed that CDI, as well as the subsequent treatments, altered significantly several brain metabolites, probably due to gut dysbiosis, and affected the brain through the gut–brain axis. Notably, none of the therapeutic approaches completely restored the brain metabolic profile to the original, healthy, and non-infected phenotype, even after 10 days of treatment.
Development and Validation of Risk Prediction Models for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Using Four Different Methods
Authors: Wang Ning , Guo Haonan , Jing Yingyu , Song Lin , Chen Huan , Wang Mengjun , Gao Lei , Huang Lili , Song Yanan , Sun Bo , Cui Wei , Xu Jing
Published: October 2022

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a common perinatal disease, is related to increased risks of maternal and neonatal adverse perinatal outcomes. We aimed to establish GDM risk prediction models that can be widely used in the first trimester using four different methods, including a score-scaled model derived from a meta-analysis using 42 studies, a logistic regression model, and two machine learning models (decision tree and random forest algorithms). The score-scaled model (seven variables) was established via a meta-analysis and a stratified cohort of 1075 Chinese pregnant women from the Northwest Women’s and Children’s Hospital (NWCH) and showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.772. The logistic regression model (seven variables) was established and validated using the above cohort and showed AUCs of 0.799 and 0.834 for the training and validation sets, respectively. Another two models were established using the decision tree (DT) and random forest (RF) algorithms and showed corresponding AUCs of 0.825 and 0.823 for the training set, and 0.816 and 0.827 for the validation set. The validation of the developed models suggested good performance in a cohort derived from another period. The score-scaled GDM prediction model, the logistic regression GDM prediction model, and the two machine learning GDM prediction models could be employed to identify pregnant women with a high risk of GDM using common clinical indicators, and interventions can be sought promptly.
Metabolomic Response throughout 16 Weeks of Combined Aerobic and Resistance Exercise Training in Older Women with Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Sardeli Amanda V. , Castro Alex , Gadelha Victor B. , Santos Wellington M. dos , Lord Janet M. , Cavaglieri Cláudia R. , Chacon-Mikahil Mara Patrícia T.
Published: October 2022

Increases in longevity and obesity have led to a higher prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and several chronic conditions, such as hypertension. The prevalence of MetS and hypertension increases with advancing age and their detrimental effects on health can be attenuated by physical activity. Combined aerobic and resistance exercise training (CT) is recommended to maintain good health in older adults and is known to generate important metabolic adaptations. In this study we performed a metabolomics analysis, based on Hydrogen Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR), to investigate the kinetics of changes in metabolism in non-physically active older women with MetS in response to 16 weeks of CT. A subset of women with MetS were selected from a larger randomized trial (that included men and women without MetS), with 12 participants on CT and 13 from the Control Group (CG). CT comprised walking/running at 63% of VO2max, three times/week, and resistance training (RT), consisting of 15 repetitions of seven exercises at moderate intensity, twice/week. Serum metabolomic profile was analysed at baseline (0W), 4 (4W), 8 (8W), 12 (12W) and 16 weeks (16W) for CT or CG. Cardiorespiratory fitness, RT load, blood pressure, body composition, lipid and glycaemic profile were also assessed. After 16 weeks CT increased cardiorespiratory fitness (13.1%, p < 0.05) and RT load (from 48% in the lat pulldown to 160% in the leg press, p < 0.05), but there were no changes in MetS parameters, such as body composition (Body Mass, Body Mass Index (BMI), body fat percentage and waist circumference), blood pressure, lipid and glycaemic profile. However, we identified potential higher substrate to the tricarboxylic acid cycle (increase in 2-Oxobutyrate from 0W (0.0029 ± 0.0009) to 4W (0.0038 ± 0.0011) and 8W (0.0041 ± 0.0015), p < 0.05), followed by alterations (different from 0W, p < 0.05) in the production of ketone bodies (3-Hydroxybutyrate, 0W (0.0717 ± 0.0377) to 16W (0.0397 ± 0.0331), and Acetoacetate, 0W (0.0441 ± 0.0240) to 16W (0.0239 ± 0.0141)), which together might explain the known improvement in fatty acid oxidation with exercise. There was also a late increase in ornithine at 16W of CT. Further studies are needed to investigate the association between these metabolic pathways and clinical outcomes in this population.
Apple Polyphenol Extract Suppresses Clostridioides difficile Infection in a Mouse Model
Authors: Wu Zhengjie , Xu Qiaomai , Li Ailing , Lv Longxian , Li Lanjuan
Published: October 2022

Fruits such as apples are a dietary source of polyphenols and have health benefits. We studied the benefits of apple polyphenols in reducing intestinal infections. We explored the potential roles of apple polyphenols in combating Clostridioides difficile-induced intestinal infections by modulating the intestinal microbiota and metabolism in our study. Mice fed with apple polyphenols exhibited higher survival rates and improved diarrhea symptoms in a C. difficile infection mouse model given once-daily apple polyphenol extract (200 or 400 mg/kg bw) or phosphate-buffered saline. Feeding polyphenols enhanced anti-inflammatory effects and colon barrier integrity. In addition, apple polyphenols mitigated intestinal microbiota disorders in C. difficile infection, modulating the intestinal microbiota and increasing the abundance of beneficial microbiota. Apple polyphenols also improved fecal metabolic alterations in C. difficile-infected mice and modulated the expression of pathways related to intestinal inflammation. Our results suggest that apple polyphenol extract is a potential prebiotic agent that affects the intestinal microbiota and metabolism, thereby positively influencing intestinal infections.
Identification of Candidate Salivary, Urinary and Serum Metabolic Biomarkers for High Litter Size Potential in Sows (Sus scrofa)
Authors: Fletcher Lauren , Akhtar Nadeem , Zhan Xiaoshu , Jafarikia Mohsen , Sullivan Brian P. , Huber Lee-Anne , Li Julang
Published: October 2022

The selection of sows that are reproductively fit and produce large litters of piglets is imperative for success in the pork industry. Currently, low heritability of reproductive and litter-related traits and unfavourable genetic correlations are slowing the improvement of pig selection efficiency. The integration of biomarkers as a supplement or alternative to the use of genetic markers may permit the optimization and increase of selection protocol efficiency. Metabolite biomarkers are an advantageous class of biomarkers that can facilitate the identification of cellular processes implicated in reproductive condition. Metabolism and metabolic biomarkers have been previously implicated in studies of female mammalian fertility, however a systematic analysis across multiple biofluids in infertile and high reproductive potential phenotypes has not been explored. In the current study, the serum, urinary and salivary metabolomes of infertile (INF) sows and high reproductive potential (HRP) sows with a live litter size ≥ 13 piglets were examined using LC-MS/MS techniques, and a data pipeline was used to highlight possible metabolite reproductive biomarkers discriminating the reproductive groups. The metabolomes of HRP and INF sows were distinct, including significant alterations in amino acid, fatty acid, membrane lipid and steroid hormone metabolism. Carnitines and fatty acid related metabolites were most discriminatory in separating and classifying the HRP and INF sows based on their biofluid metabolome. It appears that urine is a superior biofluid than saliva and serum for potentially predicting the reproductive potential level of a given female pig based on the performance of the resultant biomarker models. This study lays the groundwork for improving gilt and sow selection protocols using metabolomics as a tool for the prediction of reproductive potential.
Simulation of a Hemispherical Chamber for Thermal Inkjet Printing
Authors: Peng Xishun , Lu Anjiang , Li Pangyue , Chen Zhongpeng , Yu Ziran , Lin Jianwu , Wang Yi , Zhao Yibo , Yang Jiao , Cheng Jin
Published: October 2022

It is crucial to improve printing frequency and ink droplet quality in thermal inkjet printing. This paper proposed a hemispherical chamber, and we used the CFD (computational fluid dynamics model) to simulate the inkjet process. During the whole simulation process, we first researched the hemispherical chamber’s inkjet state equipped with straight, conical shrinkage, and conical diffusion nozzles. Based on the broken time and volume of the liquid column, the nozzle geometry of the hemispherical chamber was determined to be a conical shrinkage nozzle with a specific size of 15 µm in height and 15 µm in diameter at the top, and 20 µm in diameter at the bottom. Next, we researched the inkjet performance of the square chamber, the round chamber, and the trapezoidal chamber. The round chamber showed the best inkjet performance using 1.8 µs as the driving time and 10 MPa as the maximum bubble pressure. After that, we compared the existing thermal inkjet printing heads. The results showed that the hemispherical chamber inkjet head had the best performance, achieving 30 KHz high-frequency printing and having the most significant volume ratio of droplet to the chamber, reaching 14.9%. As opposed to the current 15 KHz printing frequency of the thermal inkjet heads, the hemispherical chamber inkjet head has higher inkjet performance, and the volume ratio between the droplet and the chamber meets the range standard of 10–15%. The hemispherical chamber structure can be applied to thermal inkjet printing, office printing, 3D printing, and bio-printing.
Numerical Investigation on the Heat and Mass Transfer in Microchannel with Discrete Heat Sources Considering the Soret and Dufour Effects
Authors: Ou Xueyu , Wang Ruijin , Guo Tongwei , Shao Chun , Zhu Zefei
Published: October 2022

Heat-transfer enhancement in microchannel heat sinks (MCHS) has been a hot topic in the last decade. However, most published works did not focus on the heat sources that are discrete, as in most microelectronic devices, and the enhancement of heat and mass transfer (HMT) due to the Soret and Dufour effects being ignored. Based on a heterogeneous two-phase model that takes into consideration the Soret and Dufour effects, numerical simulations have been performed for various geometries and heat sources. The numerical results demonstrate that the vortices induced by a heat source(s) can enhance the heat transfer efficiency up to 2665 W/m2·K from 2618 W/m2·K for a discrete heat source with a heat flux q = 106 W/m2. The Soret effect can affect the heat transfer much more than the Duffour effect. The integrated results for heat transfer due to the Soret and Dufour effects are not sampled superpositions. Discrete heat sources (DHS) arranged in microchannels can enhance heat transfer, especially when the inlet velocity of the forced flow is less than 0.01 m/s. This can provide a beneficial reference for the design of MCHS with DHS.
Relationship between Onset of Sliding Behavior and Size of Droplet on Inclined Solid Substrate
Authors: Yonemoto Yukihiro , Fujii Yosuke , Sugino Yoshiki , Kunugi Tomoaki
Published: October 2022

Whether a droplet slides or not on inclined solid surface is mainly influenced by a balance between the adhesion force at contact area and the gravitational force exerted on the droplet. Especially as the adhesion force is a key parameter for the determination of the sliding behavior of droplets. The adhesion force is mainly estimated by experimental observation for the sliding motion of the droplet. However, at present it is unknown whether the adhesion force is a constant value regardless of the droplet size or not. In the present study, focused on the onset for sliding of water-ethanol binary mixture droplets on inclined solid surface, experimental investigation on the sliding droplets is performed by considering the droplet volumes ranging from 7 to 600 μL in order to understand the effect of the size of the droplet on the adhesive property. The results are discussed using the existing analytical models. From the results, it is found that the adhesion force increases in the case of large droplet volume, while the force reaches constant value in the case of small droplet volume. This difference is related to the degree of the droplet shape deformation, which leads to a change in the contact angle. Finally, a simple empirical model for the adhesion force including the size effect is proposed.