bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Natural Products and Derivatives Targeting Metabolic Reprogramming in Colorectal Cancer: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Wang Mengyu , Qu Liqun , Du Xinying , Song Peng , Ng Jerome P. L. , Wong Vincent Kam Wai , Law Betty Yuen Kwan , Fu Xianjun
Published: September 2024

Metabolic reprogramming is a critical pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC), referring to metabolic disorders that cancer cells make in response to the stimulating pressure. Metabolic reprogramming induces changes in genetic material and promotes CRC progression and has been proven to be an efficient target of CRC. As natural products have garnered interest due to notable pharmacological effects and potential in counteracting chemoresistance, an increasing body of research is delving into the impact of these natural products on the metabolic reprogramming associated with CRC. In this review, we collected published data from the Web of Science and PubMed, covering the period from January 1980 to October 2023. This article focuses on five central facets of metabolic alterations in cancer cells, glucose metabolism, mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), amino acid metabolism, fatty acid synthesis, and nucleotide metabolism, to provide an overview of recent advancements in natural product interventions targeting metabolic reprogramming in CRC. Our analysis underscores the potential of natural products in disrupting the metabolic pathways of CRC, suggesting promising therapeutic targets for CRC and expanding treatment options for metabolic-associated ailments.
Effects of Thermally-Assisted and High-Pressure Processing on Background Microbiota and the Listeria monocytogenes Load of a Minimally Processed Commodity
Authors: Kafle Ranju , Fouladkhah Aliyar Cyrus
Published: September 2024

The current study investigated the impact of treatments with elevated hydrostatic pressure (500 MPa) for inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes on smoked rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) at high and low inoculation levels. The temperature values of the trials were set at 4.4 and 60.0 °C, adjusted with a circulating water bath connected to a stainless steel jacket surrounding the pressure processing chamber. Before pressure processing, the counts (selective counts of PALCAM, mean ± SD) of L. monocytogenes were 6.45 ± 0.1 log CFU/g and were reduced (p < 0.05) to 3.72 ± 0.3, and <1.48 ± 0.8 log CFU/g after 10 min of treatment at 4.4 and 60.0 °C, respectively. Treatments of low inoculation level samples were similarly efficacious and resulted in a reduction (p < 0.05) of the pathogen to 1.62 ± 0.3 and <0.82 ± 0.0 log CFU/g for treatments at 4.4 and 60.0 °C, respectively. At 4.4 °C, linear D-value and non-linear kmax1 were 8.68 and 0.50, and 5.81 and 2.41 for high-inoculation and low-inoculation samples, respectively. Application of hydrostatic pressure at 500 MPa at cold and elevated temperatures was efficacious for up to 5.03 log CFU/g reduction of L. monocytogenes, illustrating the potential for further adaptation of this technology.
Bacillus licheniformisYB06: A Rhizosphere–Genome-Wide Analysis and Plant Growth-Promoting Analysis of a Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacterium Isolated from Codonopsis pilosula
Authors: Ni Shuo , Wu Yamiao , Zhu Ning , Leng Feifan , Wang Yonggang
Published: September 2024

Codonopsis pilosula, commonly known as Dangshen, is a valuable medicinal plant, but its slow growth and susceptibility to environmental stress pose challenges for its cultivation. In pursuit of sustainable agricultural practices to enhance the yield and quality of Dangshen, the present study isolated a bacterial strain exhibiting plant growth-promoting potential from the rhizosphere of C. pilosula. This strain was subsequently identified as Bacillus licheniformisYB06. Assessment of its plant growth-promoting attributes revealed the potential of B. licheniformis YB06 as a biofertilizer. Whole-genome sequencing of B. licheniformis YB06 revealed a genome size of 4,226,888 bp with a GC content of 46.22%, harboring 4325 predicted protein-coding sequences. Genomic analysis of B. licheniformis YB06 revealed a diverse array of genes linked to induced systemic resistance (ISR) and plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits, encompassing phytohormone production, nitrogen assimilation and reduction, siderophore biosynthesis, phosphate solubilization, biofilm formation, synthesis of PGP-related amino acids, and flagellar motility. Seed germination assays demonstrated the positive effects of B. licheniformis YB06 on the germination and growth of C. pilosula seedlings. Furthermore, we explored various fertilization regimes, particularly the B. licheniformis YB06-based biofertilizer, were investigated for their impact on the structure and diversity of the C. pilosula rhizosphere soil bacterial community. Our findings revealed that fertilization significantly impacted soil bacterial composition and diversity, with the combined application of B. licheniformis YB06-based biofertilizer and organic fertilizer exhibiting a particularly pronounced enhancement of rhizosphere bacterial community structure and diversity. This study represents the first report on the beneficial effects of B. licheniformis YB06 on both the growth of C. pilosula and the composition of its rhizosphere soil microbial community. These findings provide a theoretical foundation and practical guidance for the development of novel bio-organic compound fertilizers, thereby contributing to the sustainable cultivation of C. pilosula.
A Novel Slope-Matrix-Graph Algorithm to Analyze Compositional Microbiome Data
Authors: Zhang Meng , Li Xiang , Oladeinde Adelumola , Rothrock Michael , Pokoo-Aikins Anthony , Zock Gregory
Published: September 2024

Networks are widely used to represent relationships between objects, including microorganisms within ecosystems, based on high-throughput sequencing data. However, challenges arise with appropriate statistical algorithms, handling of rare taxa, excess zeros in compositional data, and interpretation. This work introduces a novel Slope-Matrix-Graph (SMG) algorithm to identify microbiome correlations primarily based on slope-based distance calculations. SMG effectively handles any proportion of zeros in compositional data and involves: (1) searching for correlated relationships (e.g., positive and negative directions of changes) based on a “target of interest” within a setting, and (2) quantifying graph changes via slope-based distances between objects. Evaluations on simulated datasets demonstrated SMG’s ability to accurately cluster microbes into distinct positive/negative correlation groups, outperforming methods like Bray–Curtis and SparCC in both sensitivity and specificity. Moreover, SMG demonstrated superior accuracy in detecting differential abundance (DA) compared to ZicoSeq and ANCOM-BC2, making it a robust tool for microbiome analysis. A key advantage is SMG’s natural capacity to analyze zero-inflated compositional data without transformations. Overall, this simple yet powerful algorithm holds promise for diverse microbiome analysis applications.
Enhancing Thin Coal Seam Detection in Eastern Indian Coalfields Using ICWT-Decon-Based Seismic Attributes and Acoustic Impedance Inversion
Authors: Seelam Naresh Kumar , Kumar Thinesh , Dhubia Santosh , Rao Gangumalla Srinivasa , Pal Sanjit Kumar
Published: September 2024

A high-resolution seismic survey (HRSS) is often used in coal exploration to bridge the data gap between two consecutive boreholes and avoid ambiguity in geological interpretation. The application of high-resolution seismic surveys in the Indian context is challenging as the delineation of thin non-coal layers within the coal layer requires a very high seismic data resolution. However, conventional seismic processing techniques fail to resolve thin coal/non-coal layers and faults, which is crucial for the precise estimation of coal resources and mine economics. To address these issues, we applied the inverse continuous wavelet transform deconvolution (ICWT-Decon) technique to post-stack depth-migrated seismic sections. We examined the feasibility of the ICWT-Decon technique in both a synthetic post-stack depth-migrated model and 2D/3D seismic data from the North Karanpura and Talcher Coalfields in Eastern India. The results offered enhanced seismic sections, attributes (similarity and sweetness), and acoustic inversion that aided in the precise positioning of faults and the delineation of a thin non-coal layer of 4.68 m within a 16.7 m coal seam at an approximate depth of 450 m to 550 m. This helped in the refinement of the resource estimation from 74.96 MT before applying ICWT-Decon to 55.92 MT afterward. Overall, the results of the study showed enhancements in the seismic data resolution, the better output of seismic attributes, and acoustic inversion, which could enable more precise lithological and structural interpretation.
Comparative Analysis of the Recovery of Cu2+ and Au from Washing Solution of Pyrite Concentrate Slag by Two Processes
Authors: Zhu Kun , Qi Lei , Zhang Libo
Published: September 2024

A large amount of pyrite concentrate slag washing solution is produced in China every year, and this contains valuable components such as Cu2+ and Au. The traditional treatment method not only pollutes the environment but also wastes metal resources. For the washing solution containing Cu2+ 437 mg/L and Au 0.13 mg/L, two new processes comprehensive recovery schemes were developed and compared in this paper, namely iron powder replacement pore filtration and neutralization precipitation pore filtration. When the iron powder replacement pore filtration process was adopted, Cu2+ and Au were mainly comprehensively recovered in the form of a mixture of sponge copper and particulate gold. The test results showed that the replacement optimal conditions involved a pH of 3.0, iron powder dosage of 6 g/L, and replacement time of 3.0 h. After replacement, the filter cloth with below 1 μm pore size was used for filtration. The recovery rate of Cu2+ in the washing solution was 98.13 and the total recovery rate of Au was 95.83%. Otherwise, when the neutralization precipitation pore filtration process was adopted, Cu2+ and Au were mainly comprehensively recovered in the form of a mixture of copper hydroxide and particulate gold. The test results showed that sodium hydroxide was used as the precipitant and the optimum neutralization pH value was 6.5. After precipitation, the filter cloth with a below 1 μm pore size was used for filtration. The recovery rate of Cu2+ in the washing solution was 97.35% and the total recovery rate of Au was 93.54%. The economic benefit estimation of the two processes showed that the neutralization precipitation pore filtration process had the advantages of low material consumption, low cost and high economic benefit.
Catalyst Accessibility and Acidity in the Hydrocracking of HDPE: A Comparative Study of H-USY, H-ZSM-5, and MCM-41 Modified with Ga and Al
Authors: Costa Cátia S. , Ribeiro M. Rosário , Silva João M.
Published: September 2024

Plastic pollution is a critical environmental issue due to the widespread use of plastic materials and their long degradation time. Hydrocracking (HDC) offers a promising solution to manage plastic waste by converting it into valuable products, namely chemicals or fuels. This work aims to investigates the effect of catalyst accessibility and acidity on the HDC reaction of high density polyethylene (HDPE). Therefore, a variety of materials with significant differences in both textural and acidic properties were tested as catalysts. These include H-USY and H-ZSM.5 zeolites with various Si/Al molar ratios (H-USY: Si/Al = 2.9, 15, 30 and 40; H-ZSM-5: Si/Al = 11.5, 40, 500) and mesostructured MCM-41 materials modified with Ga and Al, also with different Si/metal ratios (Si/Al = 16 and 30; Si/Ga = 63 and 82). Thermogravimetric analysis under hydrogen atmosphere was used as a preliminary screening tool to evaluate the potential of the various catalysts for this application in terms of energy requirements. In addition, batch autoclave reactor experiments (T = 300 °C, PH2 = 20 bar, t = 60 min) were conducted to obtain further information on conversion, product yields and product distribution for the most promising systems. The results show that the catalytic performance in HDPE hydrocracking is determined by a balance between the acidity of the catalyst and its structural accessibility. Accordingly, for catalyst series where the structural and textural properties do not vary with the Si/Al ratio, there is a clear correlation of the HDPE degradation temperature and of the HDPE conversion with the Si/metal ratio (which relates to the acidic properties). In contrast, for catalyst series where the structural and textural properties vary with the Si/Al ratio, no consistent trend is observed and the catalytic performance is determined by a balance between the acidic and textural properties. The product distribution was also found to be influenced by the physical and chemical properties of the catalyst. Catalysts with strong acidity and smaller pores were observed to favor the formation of lighter hydrocarbons. In addition to the textural and acidic properties of the catalyst, the role of coke formation should not be neglected to ensure a comprehensive analysis of the catalytic performance.
The Effect of the Lysine Acetylation Modification of ClpP on the Virulence of Vibrio alginolyticus
Authors: Wang Shi , Jiang Yingying , Zhang Weijie , Wei Yingzhu , Xiao Xing , Wei Zhiqing , Wen Xiaoxin , Dong Yuhang , Jian Jichang , Wang Na , Pang Huanying
Published: September 2024

Acetylation modification has become one of the most popular topics in protein post-translational modification (PTM) research and plays an important role in bacterial virulence. A previous study indicated that the virulence-associated caseinolytic protease proteolytic subunit (ClpP) is acetylated at the K165 site in Vibrio alginolyticus strain HY9901, but its regulation regarding the virulence of V. alginolyticus is still unknown. We further confirmed that ClpP undergoes lysine acetylation (Kace) modification by immunoprecipitation and Western blot analysis and constructed the complementation strain (C-clpP) and site-directed mutagenesis strains including K165Q and K165R. The K165R strain significantly increased biofilm formation at 36 h of incubation, and K165Q significantly decreased biofilm formation at 24 h of incubation. However, the acetylation modification of ClpP did not affect the extracellular protease (ECPase) activity. In addition, we found that the virulence of K165Q was significantly reduced in zebrafish by in vivo injection. To further study the effect of lysine acetylation on the pathogenicity of V. alginolyticus, GS cells were infected with four strains, namely HY9901, C-clpP, K165Q and K165R. This indicated that the effect of the K165Q strain on cytotoxicity was significantly reduced compared with the wild-type strain, while K165R showed similar levels to the wild-type strain. In summary, the results of this study indicate that the Kace of ClpP is involved in the regulation of the virulence of V. alginolyticus.
Non-Contact-Lens-Related Acanthamoeba Keratitis Caused by Acanthamoeba sp. Group T4D/T4e
Authors: Vander Eecken Morgane , Messiaen Anne-Sophie , Hamerlinck Hannelore , Vandendriessche Stien , Boelens Jerina , Roels Dimitri
Published: September 2024

Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a rare but serious infection of the cornea, typically associated with contact lens wear. Here, we present a case of AK caused by the Acanthamoeba genotype T4D/T4e in a patient without identifiable risk factors: a 34-year-old woman who initially presented with signs and symptoms suggestive of herpetic keratitis, and who did not respond to conventional treatment. Corneal culture and targeted metagenomic analysis (18S rRNA, 16S-like rRNA) revealed the presence of an Acanthamoeba species closely related to the ‘Nagington’ strain. Despite intensive anti-Acanthamoeba therapy, complications arose necessitating penetrating keratoplasty. In conclusion, this case underscores the importance of considering Acanthamoeba as a causal agent of keratitis in non-contact-lens wearers. The identification of Acanthamoeba genotype T4D/T4e challenges the previous understanding of its pathogenic potential. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need for ongoing research into the pathogenicity of different Acanthamoeba subtypes. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for preventing vision-threatening complications associated with AK.
Inorganic Polyphosphate Is in the Surface of Trypanosoma cruzi but Is Not Significantly Secreted
Authors: Crowe Logan P. , Gioseffi Anna , Bertolini Mayara S. , Docampo Roberto
Published: September 2024

Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, an infection that can lead to the development of cardiac fibrosis, which is characterized by the deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components in the interstitial region of the myocardium. The parasite itself can induce myofibroblast differentiation of cardiac fibroblast in vitro, leading to increased expression of ECM. Inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) is a linear polymer of orthophosphate that can also induce myofibroblast differentiation and deposition of ECM components and is highly abundant in T. cruzi. PolyP can modify proteins post-translationally by non-enzymatic polyphosphorylation of lysine residues of poly-acidic, serine-(S) and lysine (K)-rich (PASK) motifs. In this work, we used a bioinformatics screen and identified the presence of PASK domains in several surface proteins of T. cruzi. We also detected polyP in the external surface of its different life cycle stages and confirmed the stimulation of host cell fibrosis by trypomastigote infection. However, we were not able to detect significant secretion of the polymer or activation of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), an important factor for the generation of fibrosis by inorganic polyP- or trypomastigote-conditioned medium.
An Internationally Derived Process of Healthcare Professionals’ Proactive Deprescribing Steps and Constituent Activities
Authors: Scott Sion , Buac Natalie , Bhattacharya Debi
Published: September 2024

Proactive deprescribing is the process of tapering or stopping a medicine before harm occurs. This study aimed to specify and validate, with an international sample of healthcare professionals, a proactive deprescribing process of steps and constituent activities. We developed a proactive deprescribing process framework of steps which we populated with literature-derived activities required to be undertaken by healthcare professionals. We distributed a survey to healthcare professionals internationally, requesting for each activity the frequency of its occurrence in practice and whether it was important. Extended response questions investigated barriers and enablers to deprescribing. The 263 survey respondents were from 25 countries. A proactive deprescribing process was developed comprising four steps: (1) identify a patient for potential stop of a medicine, (2) evaluate a patient for potential stop of a medicine, (3) stop a medicine(s), and (4) monitor after a medicine has been stopped, and 17 activities. All activities were considered important by ≥70% of respondents. Nine activities required healthcare professionals to undertake in direct partnership with the patient and/or caregiver, of which seven were only sometimes undertaken. Deprescribing interventions should include a focus on addressing the barriers and enablers of healthcare professionals undertaking the activities that require direct partnership with the patient and/or caregiver.
SU(2)-Symmetric Exactly Solvable Models of Two Interacting Qubits
Authors: Grimaudo Roberto
Published: September 2024

This paper presents a two-qubit model derived from an SU(2)-symmetric 4×4 Hamiltonian. The resulting model is physically significant and, due to the SU(2) symmetry, is exactly solvable in both time-independent and time-dependent cases. Using the formal, general form of the related time evolution operator, the time dependence of the entanglement level for certain initial conditions is examined within the Rabi and Landau–Majorana–Stückelberg–Zener scenarios. The potential for applying this approach to higher-dimensional Hamiltonians to develop more complex exactly solvable models of interacting qubits is also highlighted.
Water and Fertilizer Management Is an Important Way to Synergistically Enhance the Yield, Rice Quality and Lodging Resistance of Hybrid Rice
Authors: Zhu Haijun , Nie Lingli , He Xiaoe , Wang Xuehua , Long Pan , Chen Hongyi
Published: September 2024

This study comprehensively investigated the synergistic effects and underlying mechanisms of optimized water and fertilizer management on the yield, quality, and lodging resistance of hybrid rice (Oryza sativa), through a two-year field experiment. Two hybrid rice varieties, Xinxiangliangyou 1751 (XXLY1751) and Yueliangyou Meixiang Xinzhan (YLYMXXZ), were subjected to three irrigation methods (W1: wet irrigation, W2: flooding irrigation, W3: shallow-wet-dry irrigation) and four nitrogen fertilizer treatments (F1 to F4 with application rates of 0, 180, 225, and 270 kg ha−1, respectively). Our results revealed that the W1F3 treatment significantly enhanced photosynthetic efficiency and non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) accumulation, laying a robust foundation for high yield and quality. NSC accumulation not only supported rice growth but also directly influenced starch and protein synthesis, ensuring smooth grain filling and significantly improving yield and quality. Moreover, NSC strengthened stem fullness and thickness, converting them into structural carbohydrates such as cellulose and lignin, which substantially increased stem mechanical strength and lodging resistance. Statistical analysis demonstrated that water and fertilizer treatments had significant main and interactive effects on photosynthetic rate, dry matter accumulation, yield, quality parameters, NSC, cellulose, lignin, and stem bending resistance. This study reveals the intricate relationship between water and fertilizer management and NSC dynamics, providing valuable theoretical and practical insights for high-yield and high-quality cultivation of hybrid rice, significantly contributing to the sustainable development of modern agriculture.
The Role of Platforms in Fostering Sustainable Finance: A Comprehensive Approach
Authors: Jovović Jelena , Vuković Sunčica
Published: September 2024

As the global financial ecosystem undergoes a paradigm shift toward sustainability, platforms emerge as instrumental intermediaries, connecting diverse stakeholders, facilitating information flow, and catalyzing impactful investments. This paper analyses the evolving landscape of sustainable finance and investigates the role of platforms in fostering its growth. Sustainable finance platform-based enablers were determined using a systematic literature review and bibliometric techniques on a sample of papers retrieved from the SCOPUS database, and included crowdfunding platforms, impact investment platforms, peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms, blockchain-based financing platforms, and ESG data platforms. The analysis showed that platform-based solutions act as accelerators of sustainable finance mobilization, by enhancing transparency of the processes, and by improving dissemination and accessibility of the funds needed. Thus, platform-based solutions help a broader set of stakeholders direct the potential of platforms to accelerate the transition toward a more sustainable and inclusive global financial system.
Nano-Hydroxyapatite Modified Tobacco Stalk-Based Biochar for Immobilizing Cd(II): Interfacial Adsorption Behavior and Mechanisms
Authors: Li Tianfu , Li Xiaofei , Shen Chaoran , Chen Dian , Li Fuhua , Xu Weicheng , Wu Xiaolian , Bao Yanping
Published: September 2024

Biochar, an eco-friendly, porous carbon-rich material, is widely studied for immobilizing heavy metals in contaminated environments. This study prepared tobacco stalks, a typical agricultural waste, into biochar (TSB) modified by hydroxyapatite (HAP) at co-pyrolysis temperatures of 350 °C and 550 °C to explore its Cd(II) adsorption behavior and relevant mechanisms. XRD, SEM–EDS, FTIR, and BET analyses revealed that HAP successfully incorporated onto TSB, enriching the surface oxygen-containing functional groups (P–O and carboxyl), and contributing to the enhancement of the specific surface area from 2.52 (TSB350) and 3.63 m2/g (TSB550) to 14.07 (HAP–TSB350) and 18.36 m2/g (HAP–TSB550). The kinetics of Cd(II) adsorption onto TSB and HAP–TSB is well described by the pseudo-second-order model. Isotherm results revealed that the maximum adsorption capacities of Cd(II) on HAP–TSB350 and HAP–TSB550 were approximately 13.17 and 14.50 mg/g, 2.67 and 9.24 times those of TSB350 and TSB550, respectively. The Cd(II) adsorption amounts on TSBs and HAP–TSBs increased significantly with increasing pH, especially in HAP–TSB550. Ionic strength effects and XPS analysis showed that Cd(II) adsorption onto HAP–TSBs occurred mainly via electrostatic interaction, cation exchange with Ca2+, complexation with P–O and –COOH, and surface precipitation. These findings will provide a modification strategy for the reutilization of tobacco agricultural waste in the remediation of heavy metal contaminated areas.
Effects of Over-Sintering on Cyclic Calcination and Carbonization of Natural Limestone for CO2 Capture
Authors: Chen Jiangtao , Wang Jinxing , Jiang Huawei , Zuo Xiangli , Yang Xin
Published: September 2024

To know the sustainable performance of calcium-based adsorbents is one of the important aspects to realize efficient and economical carbon capture, and to systematically study the properties of natural adsorbents is conducive to their industrialization. The cyclic calcination and carbonation characteristics of a typical natural limestone were investigated using a thermal gravimetric analyzer. Two kinds of over-sintering conditions were selected to emphatically study the cyclic separation of CO2 from limestones through prolonging the calcination time and increasing the calcination temperature. The results showed that the untimely end of the chemical reaction control stage caused by excessive sintering is the direct reason for the reduction in cyclic carbonation conversion, and the changes in surface morphology of calcined products due to pore collapse and fusion are the fundamental reasons for the reduction in cyclic carbonation conversion. The excessive sintering caused by extending the calcining time or increasing the calcining temperature has great inhibition on this cycle only; the inhibition decreases rapidly in subsequent cycles. In addition, SEM and BET–BJH tests further confirm the influence of the over-sintering phenomenon. With the further increase in cycle number, the early excessive sintering has certain stimulative effects on the subsequent carbonation reaction. It is expected to provide a reference for the subsequent research and development of natural calcium-based adsorbents.
Research on Fault Diagnosis of Drilling Pump Fluid End Based on Time-Frequency Analysis and Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Dai Maolin , Huang Zhiqiang
Published: September 2024

Operating in harsh environments, drilling pumps are highly susceptible to failure and challenging to diagnose. To enhance the fault diagnosis accuracy of the drilling pump fluid end and ensure the safety and stability of drilling operations, this paper proposes a fault diagnosis method based on time-frequency analysis and convolutional neural networks. Firstly, continuous wavelet transform (CWT) is used to convert the collected vibration signals into time-frequency diagrams, providing a comprehensive database for fault diagnosis. Next, a SqueezeNet-based fault diagnosis model is developed to identify faults. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed method, fault signals from the fluid end were collected, and fault diagnosis experiments were conducted. The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed method achieved an accuracy of 97.77% in diagnosing nine types of faults at the fluid end, effectively enabling precise fault diagnosis, which is higher than the accuracy of a 1D convolutional neural network by 14.55%. This study offers valuable insights into the fault diagnosis of drilling pumps and other complex equipment.
Impact of PCLNPG Nanopolymeric Additive on the Surface and Structural Properties of PPSU Ultrafiltration Membranes for Enhanced Protein Rejection
Authors: Taha Younus Rashid , Zrelli Adel , Hajji Nejib , Al-Juboori Raed A. , Alsalhy Qusay
Published: September 2024

This research explored the use of a partially cross-linked graft copolymer (PCLNPG) as an innovative nanopolymer pore-forming agent to enhance polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) membranes for protein separation applications. The study systematically examined the impact of incorporating PCLNPG at varying concentrations on the morphological and surface properties of PPSU membranes. A thorough characterization of the resulting PPSU-PCLNPG membranes was performed, focusing on changes in morphology, water affinity, porosity, pore size, and pore size distribution. The experimental findings demonstrated that the use of PCLNPG led to a significantly more porous structure, as confirmed by SEM analysis, with notable increases in porosity and pore size (nearly double). Additionally, the hydrophilicity of the PPSU membrane was remarkably enhanced. Performance evaluations revealed a substantial improvement in pure water flux, with the flux nearly tripling. The BSA retention was directly correlated with the concentration of the PCLNPG pore former for a loading range of 0.25–0.75 wt.%. The incorporation of PCLNPG also reduced the membrane fouling propensity by reducing both cake layer resistance (Rc) and pore plugging resistance (Rp). These results underscore the potential of PCLNPG-PPSU membranes for wastewater reclamation and nutrient recovery applications.
Process Parameters as Tools to Intensify the Freeze-Drying Process and Modify the Sorption Properties of the Obtained Freeze-Dried Products
Authors: Jakubczyk Ewa , Nowak Dorota
Published: September 2024

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the application of different freeze-drying conditions on the process’s kinetics and the sorption properties of dried apples. Slices of apples were frozen and subjected to a freezing-drying process with different combinations of shelf temperature (−20, 10, 20, and 30 °C) and pressure (37, 63, 103, and 165 Pa). During the freeze-drying, the temperature in the centre of the material was recorded. The moisture content in the dried material and changes in the water content in dried apples stored at a humidity of 75.3% were obtained. The Midilli et al. model was used to describe the drying kinetics of the freeze-drying with a good fit. Drying time increased from 660 (variant with a constant shelf temperature of 30 °C, pressure 63 Pa) to 1305 min (variants with temperatures −20:10:20:30 °C, pressure 63 Pa). For this reason, the most favourable experimental parameters were a temperature of 30 °C and a pressure of 63 Pa. However, applying these parameters caused higher absorption of water vapour during storage. Therefore, the selection of freeze-drying parameters should also be related to the expected properties of the final product.
Optimization of Residential Hydrogen Facilities with Waste Heat Recovery: Economic Feasibility across Various European Cities
Authors: Pompodakis Evangelos , Ahmed Arif , Orfanoudakis Georgios , Karapidakis Emmanuel
Published: September 2024

The European Union has established ambitious targets for lowering carbon dioxide emissions in the residential sector, aiming for all new buildings to be “zero-emission” by 2030. Integrating solar generators with hydrogen storage systems is emerging as a viable solution for achieving these goals in homes. This paper introduces a linear programming optimization algorithm aimed at improving the installation capacity of residential solar–hydrogen systems, which also utilize waste heat recovery from electrolyzers and fuel cells to increase the overall efficiency of the system. Analyzing six European cities with diverse climate conditions, our techno-economic assessments show that optimized configurations of these systems can lead to significant net present cost savings for electricity and heat over a 20-year period, with potential savings up to EUR 63,000, which amounts to a 26% cost reduction, especially in Southern Europe due to its abundant solar resources. Furthermore, these systems enhance sustainability and viability in the residential sector by significantly reducing carbon emissions. Our study does not account for the potential economic benefits from EU subsidies. Instead, we propose a novel incentive policy that allows owners of solar–hydrogen systems to inject up to 20% of their total solar power output directly into the grid, bypassing hydrogen storage. This strategy provides two key advantages: first, it enables owners to profit by selling the excess photovoltaic power during peak midday hours, rather than curtailing production; second, it facilitates a reduction in the size—and therefore cost—of the electrolyzer.
Inverse Problem of Permeability Field under Multi-Well Conditions Using TgCNN-Based Surrogate Model
Authors: Li Jian , Zhang Ran , Wang Haochen , Xu Zhengxiao
Published: September 2024

Under the condition of multiple wells, the inverse problem of two-phase flow typically requires hundreds of forward runs of the simulator to achieve meaningful coverage, leading to a substantial computational workload in reservoir numerical simulations. To tackle this challenge, we propose an innovative approach leveraging a surrogate model named TgCNN (Theory-guided Convolutional Neural Network). This method integrates deep learning with computational fluid dynamics simulations to predict the behavior of two-phase flow. The model is not solely data-driven but also incorporates scientific theory. It comprises a coupled permeability module, a pressure module, and a water saturation module. The accuracy of the surrogate model was comprehensively tested from multiple perspectives in this study. Subsequently, efforts were made to address the permeability-field inverse problem under multi-well conditions by combining the surrogate model with the Ensemble Random Maximum Likelihood (EnRML) algorithm. The research findings indicate that modifying the network structure allows for improved integration of the outputs, resulting in prediction accuracy and computational efficiency. The TgCNN surrogate model demonstrated outstanding predictive performance and computational efficiency in two-phase flow. By combining the surrogate model with the EnRML algorithm, the inversion results closely aligned with those from the commercial simulation software, significantly improving the computational efficiency.
Experimental Study on the Suspending Mechanism of Suspending Agent in Coal-Based Solid Waste Slurry for Long-Distance Pipeline Transportation
Authors: Li Tao , Yang Tao , Min Heng , Cao Min , Hu Jingyan
Published: September 2024

The transportation of coal-based solid waste filling slurry (CSWFS) through pipelines for underground goaf injection is essential for enhancing mine safety and promoting green, low-carbon coal mining. To address the issue of pipeline blockage caused by the suspension sensitivity of CSWFS during long-distance transportation, this study proposes the addition of the suspending agent hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) to transform the filling slurry into a stable suspending slurry. The mechanism by which the suspending agent modifies the rheological property of CSWFS was elucidated and verified. Firstly, an evaluation index system for the suspending state of CSWFS based on the “experimental test and theoretical calculation” was established. The values for layering degree, bleeding rate time-loss, and the corresponding average time-loss rate over 0 to 120 min of A1–A5 CSWFS were recorded as 24 mm–2 mm, 3.0–0.2%, 252.4–54.2%, and 149.6–14.6%, respectively. The concentration gradient evaluation result, C/CA = 0.91 (≥0.8), confirmed that the suspending agent maintained a stable suspending state over time for CSWFS. Secondly, it was demonstrated that the suspending agent HPMC modified the rheological property of A1–A5 CSWFS by increasing its plastic viscosity, which strengthened the viscous resistance to particle settling, thereby transforming a semi-stable slurry into a stable one. Additionally, the formation of a spatial suspending network by the suspending agent ensures that no pipeline blockage accidents occured in practical engineering applications. Furthermore, the XRD and SEM tests were utilized to verify the microstructure of the top (T) and bottom (B) samples in A4 block. It was concluded that the type of hydration products, occurrence forms, lapping compactness, and microstructural development were consistent, ultimately forming a high-strength, dense, hardened filling block. Finally, numerical simulation confirmed that the addition of suspending agent in A4 slurry formed a comprehensive spatial suspending network and a well-structured, unified system. This is one effective approach which could contribute to addressing the technical issue of pipeline blockage during long-distance pipeline transportation.
Tolerance before Secularism: Models of Tolerance in Nineteenth-Century Arabic
Authors: Abu-ʿUksa Wael
Published: September 2024

By analyzing temporal language, this study investigates the intellectual origins and the conceptual history of three concepts of tolerance that emerged in the Arabic context towards the end of the 19th century. The first is a philosophical concept that has evolved within the philosophical-rational tradition and has connections to the Enlightenment and liberalism. The second is a theological concept that advocates for a harmonious interpretation of all monotheistic religions based on the assumption that all monotheistic scriptures are true. The third is a legal Islamic concept that aims to preserve the traditional imperial and hierarchical Islamic system while addressing contemporary concerns related to citizenship and political affiliation. Tolerance is frequently examined within the research framework on secularity and secularism. Before secularism emerged as a holistic doctrine in Arabic (ʿalmāniyya), discussions surrounding tolerance were closely linked to societal and political principles, including civil equality, freedom of conscience, and the neutrality of religion in the public domain.
Trends and Risks in Mergers and Acquisitions: A Review
Authors: García-Nieto Manuel , Bueno-Rodríguez Vicente , Ramón-Jerónimo Juan Manuel , Flórez-López Raquel
Published: September 2024

This study examines risk factors in mergers and acquisitions (M&As) identified in the recent literature, addressing the following question: “What risk factors associated with M&A transactions are discussed in the recent academic literature?” A semi-systematic literature review was conducted using a comprehensive search strategy with targeted keywords related to M&A risks. Papers from 2020 to 2024 were selected based on quality and relevance, with detailed review of abstracts and titles. Co-occurrence analysis using VOSviewer software (version 1.6.20) was applied to categorize key themes. The review of 118 papers identified four main risk categories: information asymmetry; performance and corporate reputation; litigation and investor protection; and geopolitical factors. Findings reveal complex interdependencies among these risks, highlighting the need for a holistic approach to risk management. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is crucial for mitigating risks, improving transparency, and enhancing reputation. This study offers recommendations for better financial disclosures, robust environmental, social and governance strategies, and the integration of digital finance technologies as blockchain in M&A activity. Future research should include longitudinal studies on M&A risk dynamics, case studies on corporate governance, advanced valuation methods, and comparative analyses across regions and industries, focusing on emerging technologies like AI and blockchain.
Calculation of the Point of Application (Centre of Pressure) of Force and Torque Imparted on a Spherical Object from Gyroscope Sensor Data, Using Sports Balls as Practical Examples
Authors: Fuss Franz Konstantin , Doljin Batdelger , Ferdinands René E. D.
Published: September 2024

This study investigates the determination of the centre of pressure (COP) on spherical sports objects such as cricket balls and footballs using gyroscope data from Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs). Conventional pressure sensors are not suitable for capturing the tangential forces responsible for torque generation. This research presents a novel method to calculate the COP solely from gyroscope data and avoids the complexity of isolating user-induced accelerations from IMU data. The COP is determined from the cross-product of consecutive torque vectors intersecting the surface of the sphere. Effective noise management techniques, including filtering and data interpolation, were employed to improve COP visualisation. Experiments were conducted using a smart cricket ball and a smart football. Validation tests using spin rates between 7.5 and 12 rps and torques ranging from 0.08 to 0.12 Nm confirmed consistent COP clustering around the expected positions. Further analysis extended to various spin bowling deliveries recorded using a smart cricket ball, and a curved football kick recorded using a smart football demonstrated the wide applicability of the method. The COPs of various spin bowling deliveries showed adjacent positions on the surface of the ball, traversing through backspin, sidespin and topspin, excluding the flipper and doosra deliveries. The calculation of the COP on the surface of the soccer ball could only be achieved by increasing the data sampling frequency sevenfold using curve fitting. Knowledge and use of the COP position offers significant advances in understanding and analysing ball dynamics in sports.
Facile One-Pot Preparation of Polypyrrole-Incorporated Conductive Hydrogels for Human Motion Sensing
Authors: Zhao Zunhui , Liu Jiahao , Lv Jun , Liu Bo , Li Na , Zhang Hangyu
Published: September 2024

Conductive hydrogels have been widely used in soft robotics, as well as skin-attached and implantable bioelectronic devices. Among the candidates of conductive fillers, conductive polymers have become popular due to their intrinsic conductivity, high biocompatibility, and mechanical flexibility. However, it is still a challenge to construct conductive polymer-incorporated hydrogels with a good performance using a facile method. Herein, we present a simple method for the one-pot preparation of conductive polymer-incorporated hydrogels involving rapid photocuring of the hydrogel template followed by slow in situ polymerization of pyrrole. Due to the use of a milder oxidant, hydrogen peroxide, for polypyrrole synthesis, the photocuring of the hydrogel template and the growing of polypyrrole proceeded in an orderly manner, making it possible to prepare conductive polymer-incorporated hydrogels in one pot. The preparation process is facile and extensible. Moreover, the obtained hydrogels exhibit a series of properties suitable for biomedical strain sensors, including good conductivity (2.49 mS/cm), high stretchability (>200%), and a low Young’s modulus (~30 kPa) that is compatible with human skin.
A Predictive Model for Benchmarking the Performance of Algorithms for Fake and Counterfeit News Classification in Global Networks
Authors: Azeez Nureni Ayofe , Misra Sanjay , Ogaraku Davidson Onyinye , Abidoye Ademola Philip
Published: September 2024

The pervasive spread of fake news in online social media has emerged as a critical threat to societal integrity and democratic processes. To address this pressing issue, this research harnesses the power of supervised AI algorithms aimed at classifying fake news with selected algorithms. Algorithms such as Passive Aggressive Classifier, perceptron, and decision stump undergo meticulous refinement for text classification tasks, leveraging 29 models trained on diverse social media datasets. Sensors can be utilized for data collection. Data preprocessing involves rigorous cleansing and feature vector generation using TF-IDF and Count Vectorizers. The models’ efficacy in classifying genuine news from falsified or exaggerated content is evaluated using metrics like accuracy, precision, recall, and more. In order to obtain the best-performing algorithm from each of the datasets, a predictive model was developed, through which SG with 0.681190 performs best in Dataset 1, BernoulliRBM has 0.933789 in Dataset 2, LinearSVC has 0.689180 in Dataset 3, and BernoulliRBM has 0.026346 in Dataset 4. This research illuminates strategies for classifying fake news, offering potential solutions to ensure information integrity and democratic discourse, thus carrying profound implications for academia and real-world applications. This work also suggests the strength of sensors for data collection in IoT environments, big data analytics for smart cities, and sensor applications which contribute to maintaining the integrity of information within urban environments.
Overview of Embedded Rust Operating Systems and Frameworks
Authors: Vandervelden Thibaut , De Smet Ruben , Deac Diana , Steenhaut Kris , Braeken An
Published: September 2024

Embedded Operating Systems (OSs) are often developed in the C programming language. Developers justify this choice by the performance that can be achieved, the low memory footprint, and the ease of mapping hardware to software, as well as the strong adoption by industry of this programming language. The downside is that C is prone to security vulnerabilities unknowingly introduced by the software developer. Examples of such vulnerabilities are use-after-free, and buffer overflows. Like C, Rust is a compiled programming language that guarantees memory safety at compile time by adhering to a set of rules. There already exist a few OSs and frameworks that are entirely written in Rust, targeting sensor nodes. In this work, we give an overview of these OSs and frameworks and compare them on the basis of the features they provide, such as application isolation, scheduling, inter-process communication, and networking. Furthermore, we compare the OSs on the basis of the performance they provide, such as cycles and memory usage.