bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Global Responses of Exposed and Suspended Submarine Cables Due to Anchor Dragging
Authors: Huang Xiaowei , Jiang Daoyu , Cen Zhenjin , Li Haolin , Wang Zhenkui , Guo Zhen
Published: September 2024

Anchor damage is one of the main risk factors for the safe operation of submarine cables. Additionally, due to a scour effect induced by seabed currents, submarine cables are prone to exposure or even suspension, increasing the risk of being dragged by anchors. Therefore, it is necessary to study the global response of exposed and suspended submarine cables subjected to anchor dragging. In this study, the tensile and bending stiffnesses of submarine cables are calculated by theoretical methods, and the accuracy of these calculations is verified by establishing a detailed finite element model. Then, the mechanical properties of the submarine cables are equivalently modeled using beam elements, and a large-scale finite element model for exposed and suspended cables under anchor dragging is established. Considering different dragging forces, exposed lengths, spanning lengths, and spanning heights, the overall deformation and mechanical responses of exposed and suspended cables are analyzed separately. The results show that under dragging forces, axial forces are uniformly distributed along exposed and suspended segments, while bending moments concentrate at the central hooking area and the ends of exposed and suspended segments. The influence of dragging force, exposed length, spanning length, and spanning height on the stress and deformation of submarine cables is significant. The results can be used for submarine cable damage assessments caused by anchor dragging.
Characteristics Analysis of Acoustic Doppler Current Profile Measurements in Northeast Taiwan Offshore
Authors: Ho Chung-Ru , Cheng Kai-Ho , Zheng Zhe-Wen , Lee Hung-Jen , Hsu Tai-Wen
Published: September 2024

A comprehensive study was conducted at a wave energy device test site located off the northeastern coast of Taiwan to assess the influence of oceanic currents on experimental equipment. A bottom-mounted 600 kHz acoustic Doppler current profiler, equipped with integrated temperature and pressure sensors, was deployed at a depth of approximately 31 m. This study, spanning from 6 June 2023 to 11 May 2024, recorded ocean current profiles by assembling data from 50 pings every 10 min, with a resolution of one meter per depth layer. The findings reveal that variations in water levels were predominantly influenced by the M2 tidal constituent, followed by the O1, K1, and S2 tides. Notably, seawater temperature fluctuations at the seabed were modulated by tides, especially the M2 tide. A significant drop in seawater temperature was also observed as the typhoon passed through the south of Taiwan. In terms of sea surface currents, the measured maximum current speed was 71.89 cm s−1, but the average current speed was only 15.47 cm s−1. Tidal currents indicated that the M4 and M2 tides were the most significant, with semimajor axes and inclination angles of 8.48 cm s−1 and 102.60°, and 7.00 cm s−1 and 97.76°, respectively. Seasonally, barotropic tidal currents were the strongest in winter. Additionally, internal tides were identified, with the first baroclinic mode being dominant. The zero-crossing depths varied between 14 and 18 m. During the summer, the M2 baroclinic tidal current displayed characteristics of the second baroclinic mode, with zero-crossing depths at approximately 7 m and 22 m. This node aligns with results from the empirical orthogonal function analysis and correlates with the depths’ significant shifts in seawater temperature as measured by a conductivity, temperature, and depth instrument. Despite the velocities of internal tides not being strong, the directional variance between surface and bottom flows presents critical considerations for the deployment and operation of moored wave energy devices.
Evaluating the Genome-Based Average Nucleotide Identity Calculation for Identification of Twelve Yeast Species
Authors: Cortimiglia Claudia , Alonso-Del-Real Javier , Belloso Daza Mireya Viviana , Querol Amparo , Iacono Giovanni , Cocconcelli Pier Sandro
Published: September 2024

Classifying a yeast strain into a recognized species is not always straightforward. Currently, the taxonomic delineation of yeast strains involves multiple approaches covering phenotypic characteristics and molecular methodologies, including genome-based analysis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of the Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI) calculation through FastANI, a tool created for bacterial species identification, for the assignment of strains to some yeast species. FastANI, the alignment of in silico-extracted D1/D2 sequences of LSU rRNA, and multiple alignments of orthologous genes (MAOG) were employed to analyze 644 assemblies from 12 yeast genera, encompassing various species, and on a dataset of hybrid Saccharomyces species. Overall, the analysis showed high consistency between results obtained with FastANI and MAOG, although, FastANI proved to be more discriminating than the other two methods applied to genomic sequences. In particular, FastANI was effective in distinguishing between strains belonging to different species, defining clear boundaries between them (cutoff: 94–96%). Our results show that FastANI is a reliable method for attributing a known yeast species to a particular strain. Moreover, although hybridization events make species discrimination more complex, it was revealed to be useful in the identification of these cases. We suggest its inclusion as a key component in a comprehensive approach to species delineation. Using this approach with a larger number of yeasts would validate it as a rapid technique to identify yeasts based on whole genome sequences.
Identifying Information Types in the Estimation of Informed Trading: An Improved Algorithm
Authors: Ersan Oguz , Ghachem Montasser
Published: September 2024

The growing frequency of news arrivals, partly fueled by the proliferation of data sources, has made the assumptions of the classical probability of informed trading (PIN) model outdated. In particular, the model’s assumption of a single type of information event no longer reflects the complexity of modern financial markets, making the accurate detection of information types (layers) crucial for estimating the probability of informed trading. We propose a layer detection algorithm to accurately find the number of distinct information types within a dataset. It identifies the number of information layers by clustering order imbalances and examining their homogeneity using properly constructed confidence intervals for the Skellam distribution. We show that our algorithm manages to find the number of information layers with very high accuracy both when uninformed buyer and seller intensities are equal and when they differ from each other (i.e., between 86% and 95% accuracy rates). We work with more than 500,000 simulations of quarterly datasets with various characteristics and make a large set of robustness checks.
Changes in Ground Cover Layers, Biomass and Diversity of Vascular Plants/Mosses in the Clear-Cuts Followed by Reforested Scots Pine until Maturity Age
Authors: Gustienė Dovilė , Varnagirytė-Kabašinskienė Iveta
Published: September 2024

The distribution of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forests, particularly the Vaccinio myrtillo-Pinetum type, is determined by edaphic conditions, and although clear-cutting is used to promote regeneration, it remains controversial. This study evaluated the changes in non-living (forest floor and dead wood) and living (mosses, herbs, and dwarf shrubs) ground cover in clear-cut areas and reforested Scots pine stands. Continuous ground cover studies were conducted in clear-cuts, with samples collected over three years after clear-cutting, while data from 8–80-year-old and mature Scots pine stands were collected using the chronological series method with a consistent methodology in temporary plots. The research has shown that, as ecosystem recovery progresses, similarity to the mature forest increases, and a threshold stand age has been identified, beyond which the ecological changes induced by clear-cutting diminish. The study findings demonstrated that clear-cutting in Pinetum vaccinio-myrtillosum-type forest stands lead to a rapid increase in herb and dwarf shrub cover due to reduced competition for light and nutrients. However, clear-cutting caused a significant decline in forest-specific species and a drastic reduction in forest floor and dead wood mass, with a gradual recovery of moss cover over 10–30 years. These findings highlight the importance of managing clear-cutting practices to balance immediate vegetative responses with long-term ecosystem stability and biodiversity conservation.
Natural and Artificial Aging Effects on the Deformation Behaviors of Al–Mg–Zn Alloy Sheets
Authors: Choi Kwangmin , Lee Sangjun , Bae Donghyun
Published: September 2024

This study investigated the effects of aging profiles on the precipitate formation and the corresponding strengthening and deformation behaviors of Al–Mg–Zn alloys. The alloys subjected to natural aging (NA) demonstrated significantly enhanced ductility at equivalent stress levels compared to those subjected to artificial aging (AA). In AA-treated alloys, η′ and η-phases with incoherent interfaces were formed, while GP zones and solute clusters were dominantly exhibited in the NA-treated alloy with a coherent interface with the matrix. Due to the change in interface bonding, the dislocation movement and pinning behavior after deformation are varied depending on the aging conditions of Al–Mg–Zn alloy sheet. Thus, the elongation to fracture of the NA alloy sheet was improved compared to that of the AA alloy sheet because of the enhanced work-hardening capacity and the thin precipitate-free zone (PFZ). Deformation textures and dislocation densities varied between NA and AA treatments, as revealed by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and kernel average misorientation (KAM) analysis. The interactions between the precipitates, dislocations, and the PFZ in the AA- and NA-treated alloys were analyzed via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The insights gained from this research provide a valuable foundation for industrial applications, particularly in sectors demanding lightweight, high-strength materials, where optimizing the aging process can lead to significant performance improvement and cost savings.
One-Step Air Spraying of Structural Coating on Cu Alloy as Superhydrophobic Surface for Enhanced Corrosion Resistance and Anti-Icing Performance
Authors: Li Ben , Li Xuewu
Published: September 2024

With the development of modern technology, the construction industry, and navigation technology, the metal Cu alloy has become an important metal material in mainstream industrial applications. As an indispensable basic metal material in the field of science and technology, its problem with corrosion is still a long-term problem that scientists have been working to solve. In this paper, air spraying technology is used to prepare an Al2O3-PDMS composite coating. By adjusting the content of Al2O3, the surface of the Cu alloy can reach different wetting states. The results show that the corrosion potential of the as-prepared superhydrophobic Al2O3-PDMS coating increases by 70 mV compared with the substrate, the corrosion current density decreases by one order of magnitude, and the impedance modulus increases from 2000 to 12,000 Ω⋅cm2, indicating a significantly enhanced corrosion resistance. It also possesses excellent anti-pollution and anti-icing behaviors, thereby allowing them to work in harsh industrial conditions.
Miniband and Gap Evolution in Gauss Chains
Authors: Citrin D. S.
Published: September 2024

The Gauss chain is a one-dimensional quasiperiodic lattice with sites at zj=jnd, where j∈{0, 1, 2, …, N−1}, n∈{2, 3, 4, …}, and d is the underlying lattice constant. We numerically study the formation of a hierarchy of minibands and gaps as N increases using a Kronig–Penney model. Increasing n empirically results in a more fragmented miniband and gap structure due to the rapid increase in the number of minibands and gaps as n increases, in agreement with previous studies. We show that the Gauss chain zj=j2d and a specific generalized Gauss chain, zj=(j2±12j)d, are treatable by a real-space renormalization group approach. These appear to be the only Gauss chains treatable by this approach, suggesting a hidden symmetry for the quadratic cases.
Microstructure and Hardness Properties of Additively Manufactured AISI 316L Welded by Tungsten Inert Gas and Laser Welding Techniques
Authors: Elsayed Mohamed , Khedr Mahmoud , Järvenpää Antti , Gaafer A. M. , Hamada Atef
Published: September 2024

In this study, 316L austenitic stainless-steel (ASS) plates fabricated using an additive manufacturing (AM) process were joined using tungsten inert gas (TIG) and laser welding techniques. The 316L ASS plates were manufactured using a laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) technique, with building orientations (BOs) of 0° and 90°, designated as BO-0 and BO-90, respectively. The study examined the relationship between indentation resistance and microstructure evolution within the fusion zone (FZ) of the welded joints considering the effects of different BOs. Microstructural analysis of the weldments was conducted using optical and laser confocal scanning microscopes, while hardness measurements were obtained using a micro-indentation hardness (HIT) technique via the Berkovich approach. The welded joints produced with the TIG technique exhibited FZs with a greater width than those created by laser welding. The microstructure of the FZs in TIG-welded joints was characterized by dendritic austenite and 1–4 wt.% δ-ferrite phases, while the corresponding microstructure in laser-welded joints consisted of a single austenite phase with cellular structures. Additionally, the grain size values of FZs produced using the laser welding technique were lower than those produced using the TIG technique. Therefore, TIG-welded joints showcased hardness values lower than those welded by laser welding. Furthermore, welded joints with the BO-90 orientation displayed the greatest cooling rates following welding processing, leading to FZs with hardness values greater than BO-0. For instance, the FZs of TIG-welded joints with BO-0 and BO-90 had HIT values of 1.75 ± 0.22 and 2.1 ± 0.09 GPa, whereas the corresponding FZs produced by laser welding had values of 1.9 ± 0.16 and 2.35 ± 0.11 GPa, respectively. The results have practical implications for the design and production of high-performance welded components, providing insights that can be applied to improve the efficiency and quality of additive manufacturing and welding processes.
Knowledge Graph Embedding Using a Multi-Channel Interactive Convolutional Neural Network with Triple Attention
Authors: Shi Lin , Liu Weitao , Wu Yafeng , Dai Chenxu , Ji Zhanlin , Ganchev Ivan
Published: September 2024

Knowledge graph embedding (KGE) has been identified as an effective method for link prediction, which involves predicting missing relations or entities based on existing entities or relations. KGE is an important method for implementing knowledge representation and, as such, has been widely used in driving intelligent applications w.r.t. question-answering systems, recommendation systems, and relationship extraction. Models based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have achieved good results in link prediction. However, as the coverage areas of knowledge graphs expand, the increasing volume of information significantly limits the performance of these models. This article introduces a triple-attention-based multi-channel CNN model, named ConvAMC, for the KGE task. In the embedding representation module, entities and relations are embedded into a complex space and the embeddings are performed in an alternating pattern. This approach helps in capturing richer semantic information and enhances the expressive power of the model. In the encoding module, a multi-channel approach is employed to extract more comprehensive interaction features. A triple attention mechanism and max pooling layers are used to ensure that interactions between spatial dimensions and output tensors are captured during the subsequent tensor concatenation and reshaping process, which allows preserving local and detailed information. Finally, feature vectors are transformed into prediction targets for embedding through the Hadamard product of feature mapping and reshaping matrices. Extensive experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of ConvAMC on three benchmark datasets compared with state-of-the-art (SOTA) models, demonstrating that the proposed model outperforms all compared models across all evaluation metrics on two of the datasets, and achieves advanced link prediction results on most evaluation metrics on the third dataset.
A Novel Tourist Trip Design Problem with Stochastic Travel Times and Partial Charging for Battery Electric Vehicles
Authors: Kedkaew Samita , Nakkiew Warisa , Jewpanya Parida , Nakkiew Wasawat
Published: September 2024

This study proposes a novel mathematical model for the Multi-Day Tourist Trip Design Problem with Stochastic Travel Time and Partial Charging for Battery Electric Vehicle (MD-TTDP-STT-PCBEV). To the best of our knowledge, no prior study has fully incorporated the use of BEVs into TTDP models. Given the limited driving range of BEVs, the model requires decisions regarding the locations and policy for recharging the vehicle’s battery. The problem also incorporates real-world uncertainty by considering travel time as a random variable subjected to normal distribution. The model is formulated using chance-constraint programming, aiming to find optimal tourist routes for BEVs that maximize tourist satisfaction. Numerical experiments were conducted to compare solutions between stochastic and deterministic environments. Computational experiments using the LINGO optimization solver demonstrated that the total rating scores obtained from the stochastic model with chance-constraint programming were generally lower than those from the deterministic model due to travel time uncertainties. These results highlight the importance of incorporating real-world uncertainty and variability to achieve more accurate and reliable planning.
Identifying Key Factors and Strategies for Optimizing Automated External Defibrillator Deployment in China
Authors: Du Jiang , Du Yuchao , Zhang Yu , Liu Yiming , Wei Dapeng
Published: September 2024

The survivability of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients in China is notably low, at less than 1%, primarily due to difficulties in accessing nearby Automated External Defibrillator (AED) devices during emergencies. Therefore, the strategic deployment of AEDs is crucial for improving patient survival. This study adopts a novel hybrid methodology that integrates the Fuzzy Analytic Network Process (FANP) and Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) to assess and prioritize the critical factors for optimizing AED deployment in China. In the FANP model, the rate of cardiopulmonary resuscitation training among individuals in the area, the rate of AED training among individuals in the area, and records of AED device usage within the area are key factors for improving the effectiveness of AED deployment. Furthermore, in the GRA model, the factors with higher gray relational degrees are Visibility, Social Environment, and Accessibility. This analysis sheds light on which secondary indicators can have the most significant impact on improving specific primary indicators. The insights from this study can guide the optimization of AED deployment strategies in China and offer practical solutions for enhancing the deployment of relevant public medical facilities.
Accuracy Verification of a 2D Adaptive Mesh Refinement Method by the Benchmarks of Lid-Driven Cavity Flows with an Arbitrary Number of Refinements
Authors: Lal Rajnesh , Li Zhenquan , Li Miao
Published: September 2024

The lid-driven cavity flow problem stands as a widely recognized benchmark in fluid dynamics, serving to validate CFD algorithms. Despite its geometric simplicity, the lid-driven cavity flow problem exhibits a complex flow regime primarily characterized by the formation of vortices at the centre and corners of the square domain. This study evaluates the accuracy of the 2D velocity-driven adaptive mesh refinement (2D VDAMR) method in estimating vortex centres in a steady incompressible flow within a 2D square cavity. The VDAMR algorithm allows for an arbitrary number of finite mesh refinements. Increasing the number of successive mesh refinements results in more accurate outcomes. In this paper, the initial coarse uniform grid mesh was refined ten times for Reynolds numbers 100≤Re≤7500. Results show that VDAMR accurately identifies vortex centres, with its findings closely aligning with benchmark data from six literature sources.
Euler Method for a Class of Linear Impulsive Neutral Differential Equations
Authors: Zhang Gui-Lai , Sun Yang , Zhang Ya-Xin , Liu Chao
Published: September 2024

This paper presents a new numerical scheme for a class of linear impulsive neutral differential equations with constant coefficients based on the Euler method. We rigorously establish the first-order convergence of the proposed numerical approach. Additionally, the asymptotical stability of the exact solutions and numerical solutions of impulsive neutral differential equations are studied. To substantiate our findings, two illustrative examples are provided, demonstrating the theoretical conclusions of this paper.
Imaging and Biomarkers: The Assesment of Pulmonary Embolism Risk and Early Mortality
Authors: Naum Alexandru Gratian , Jari Irina , Moisii Liliana , Ursu Andra Mara , Moisii Paloma
Published: September 2024

Background and Objectives: Pulmonary embolism (PE) incidence has been increasing in the last 10 years. Computed thoracic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) had a major role in PE diagnosis and prognosis. The main purpose of this study was as follows: the prognostic value of a CTPA parameter, pulmonary artery obstruction index (PAOI), in PE risk assessment and the predictive accuracy of biomarkers, D-dimer and cardiac Troponin T (c-TnT), in 7-day mortality. A second objective of the research was to investigate the relationship between imaging by PAOI and these biomarkers in different etiologies of PE. Materials and Methods: This study comprised 109 patients with PE, hospitalized and treated between February 2021 and August 2022. They had different etiologies of PE: deep vein thrombosis (DVT); persistent atrial fibrillation (AF); chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation; COVID-19; and cancers. The investigations were as follows: clinical examination; D-dimer testing, as a mandatory method for PE suspicion (values ≥500 µg/L were highly suggestive for PE); c-TnT, as a marker of myocardial injury (values ≥14 ng/L were abnormal); CTPA, with right ventricle dysfunction (RVD) signs and PAOI. Treatments were according to PE risk: systemic thrombolysis in high-risk PE; low weight molecular heparins (LWMH) in high-risk PE, after systemic thrombolysis or from the beginning, when systemic thrombolysis was contraindicated; and direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) in low- and intermediate-risk PE. Results: PAOI had a high predictive accuracy for high-risk PE (area under curve, AUC = 0.993). D-dimer and cTnT had a statistically significant relationship with 7-day mortality for the entire sample, p < 0.001, and for AF, p = 0.0036; COVID-19, p = 0.003; and cancer patients, p = 0.005. PAOI had statistical significance for 7-day mortality only in COVID-19, p = 0.045, and cancer patients, p = 0.038. The relationship PAOI–D-dimer and PAOI–c-TnT had very strong statistical correlation for the entire sample and for DVT, AF, COPD, and COVID-19 subgroups (Rho = 0.815–0.982). Conclusions: PAOI was an important tool for PE risk assessment. D-dimer and c-TnT were valuable predictors for 7-day mortality in PE. PAOI (imaging parameter for PE extent) and D-dimer (biomarker for PE severity) as well as PAOI and c-TnT (biomarker for myocardial injury) were strongly correlated for the entire PE sample and for DVT, AF, COPD, and COVID-19 patients.
Streptococcus suis Induces Macrophage M1 Polarization and Pyroptosis
Authors: Li Siqi , Chen Tianfeng , Gao Kexin , Yang Yong-Bo , Qi Baojie , Wang Chunsheng , An Tongqing , Cai Xuehui , Wang Shujie
Published: September 2024

Streptococcus suis is an important bacterial pathogen that affects the global pig industry. The immunosuppressive nature of S. suis infection is recognized, and our previous research has confirmed thymus atrophy with a large number of necrotic cells. In this current work, we aimed to uncover the role of pyroptosis in cellular necrosis in thymic cells of S. suis-infected mice. Confocal microscopy revealed that S. suis activated the M1 phenotype and primed pyroptosis in the macrophages of atrophied thymus. Live cell imaging further confirmed that S. suis could induce porcine alveolar macrophage (PAM) pyroptosis in vitro, displaying cell swelling and forming large bubbles on the plasma membrane. Meanwhile, the levels of p-p38, p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and protein kinase B (AKT) were increased, which indicated the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and AKT pathways were also involved in the inflammation of S. suis-infected PAMs. Furthermore, RT-PCR revealed significant mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-18, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and chemokine CXCL8. The data indicated that the inflammation induced by S. suis was in parallel with pro-inflammatory activities of M1 macrophages, pyroptosis and MAPK and AKT pathways. Pyroptosis contributes to necrotic cells and thymocyte reduction in the atrophied thymus of mice.
Impact of Surface Pretreatment on the Corrosion Resistance and Adhesion of Thin Film Coating on SS316L Bipolar Plates for Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Applications
Authors: Mehdizadeh Chellehbari Yasin , Gupta Abhay , Li Xianguo , Shahgaldi Samaneh
Published: September 2024

Coated SS316L is a potential alternative to the graphite bipolar plates (BPPs) used in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) owing to their low manufacturing cost and machinability. Due to their susceptibility to corrosion and passivation, which increases PEMFC ohmic resistance, protective and conductive coatings on SS316L have been developed. However, coating adhesion is one of the challenges in the harsh acidic environment of PEMFCs, affecting the performance and durability of BPPs. This study compares mechanical polishing and the frequently adopted chemical etchants for SS316L: Adler’s, V2A, and Carpenter’s etchant with different etching durations and their impact on the wettability, adhesion, and corrosion resistance of a Nb-coated SS316L substrate. Contact angle measurements and laser microscopy revealed that all etching treatments increased the hydrophobicity and surface roughness of SS316L substrates. Ex situ potentiodynamic and potentiostatic polarization tests and interfacial contact resistance analysis revealed high corrosion resistance, interfacial conductivity, and adhesion of the Nb-coated SS316L substrate pretreated with V2A (7 min) and Adler’s (3 min) etchant. Increased hydrophobicity (contact angle = 101°) and surface roughness (Ra = 74 nm) achieved using V2A etchant led to the lowest corrosion rate (3.3 µA.cm−2) and interfacial resistance (15.4 mΩ.cm2). This study established pretreatment with V2A etchant (a solution of HNO3, HCl, and DI water (1:9:23 mole ratio)) as a promising approach for improving the longevity, electrochemical stability, and efficiency of the coated SS316L BPPs for PEMFC application.
Oxidation of Small Phenolic Compounds by Mn(IV)
Authors: Gruenberg Madeline G. , Halvorson Jonathan J. , Hagerman Ann E. , Enoma Ikponmwosa G. , Schmidt Michael A.
Published: September 2024

Plant secondary metabolites, including phenolics, represent a large quantity of organic material that enters soil and contributes to the formation of soil organic matter (SOM). The process of phenolics forming SOM remains poorly understood. One possible mechanism is oxidation of the phenolic compound catalyzed by redox active metals such as manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) in soils. In this work, we report how three phenolic compounds react with a redox active environmentally relevant metal, Mn(IV). The reactions were monitored via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and direct CO2 measurements. Using these techniques, we demonstrate that gallic acid reacts with Mn(IV) less efficiently than pyrogallol. The products of the gallic acid:Mn(IV) reaction are more oxidized than the products of the pyrogallol reaction. Gallic acid produces small molecules and releases CO2, while pyrogallol produces a less oxidized product, likely a quinone, and releases less CO2. Benzoic acid did not react with Mn(IV). This work provides a framework for how different classes of plant secondary metabolites may be degraded abiotically by redox active metals in soil.
The Effects of Different Thiol-Containing Compounds on the Degradation of Sulforaphene
Authors: Gao Rui , Liu Pingxiang , Bi Jingxiu , Jiang Yuying , Zhao Tong , Yuan Xuexia , Zhang Chao , Wang Yutao
Published: September 2024

Sulforaphene (4-methylsufinyl-3-butenyl isothiocyanate, SFE), produced by myrosinase hydrolysis of glucoraphenin (4-methylsulfinyl-3-butenyl glucosinolate) found in radish seeds, is strongly associated with cancer prevention. In this study, we investigated the stability of SFE (purity above 98%) under various thiol-containing compounds at 25 °C, such as sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), glutathione (GSH), and cysteine (Cys). We observed that the degradation of SFE was closely related to the presence and dissociation capacity of thiol-containing compounds in the solution, particularly the thiol group. We found that the degradation rate of SFE was influenced by incubation with NaHS, GSH, and Cys, with distinct degradation products detected for each of these thiol-containing compounds. Compared to GSH, sulfide and Cys played important roles in promoting the degradation of SFE. Furthermore, we found substantial quantities of hydrogen sulfide in conjunction with SFE during the hydrolysis process of seeds, and a heat treatment of the seeds resulted in increased production of SFE. However, the introduction of sulfide-oxidizing bacteria to the hydrolytic system did not exhibit any inhibitory effect on the degradation of SFE. These results provided a guideline for industries to improve the stability of SFE during preparation.
A Review of Carbon Anode Materials for Sodium-Ion Batteries: Key Materials, Sodium-Storage Mechanisms, Applications, and Large-Scale Design Principles
Authors: Jia Qixing , Li Zeyuan , Ruan Hulong , Luo Dawei , Wang Junjun , Ding Zhiyu , Chen Lina
Published: September 2024

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have been proposed as a potential substitute for commercial lithium-ion batteries due to their excellent storage performance and cost-effectiveness. However, due to the substantial radius of sodium ions, there is an urgent need to develop anode materials with exemplary electrochemical characteristics, thereby enabling the fabrication of sodium-ion batteries with high energy density and rapid dynamics. Carbon materials are highly valued in the energy-storage field due to their diverse structures, low cost, and high reliability. This review comprehensively summarizes the typical structure; energy-storage mechanisms; and current development status of various carbon-based anode materials for SIBs, such as hard carbon, soft carbon, graphite, graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and porous carbon materials. This review also provides an overview of the current status and future development of related companies for sodium-ion batteries. Furthermore, it offers a summary and outlook on the challenges and opportunities associated with the design principles and large-scale production of carbon materials with high-energy-density requirements. This review offers an avenue for exploring outstanding improvement strategies for carbon materials, which can provide guidance for future application and research.
Estimation of the Vaporization Enthalpies and Vapor Pressures of α-Tocopherol and Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol via the Use of a Surrogate, Correlation Gas Chromatography, and Synthetic and Retrosynthetic Analysis
Authors: Nelson Carissa , Fischer-Lodike Christian , Chickos James S.
Published: September 2024

A protocol is proposed that combines the use of the known properties of a surrogate containing various functional groups together with n-alkanes as standards to evaluate the properties of much larger related substances using correlation gas chromatography. An objective of this work is to develop options that circumvent the lack of appropriate vaporization enthalpy standards that can be used for evaluation of various thermodynamic properties of larger complex molecules using gas chromatography. The surrogate in this case is 2,2,5,7,8-pentamethylchroman-6-ol (PMC) and is used to evaluate the vaporization enthalpies and vapor pressures of α-tocopherol (α-TOC) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC). The results are compared to the available literature data and to estimated properties. Vaporization enthalpies are also evaluated by a proposed method that involves the use of synthetic and retrosynthetic analysis.
Rapid Tryptophan Assay as a Screening Procedure for Quality Protein Maize
Authors: Drochioiu Gabi , Mihalcea Elena , Lagobo Jeanclaude , Ciobanu Catalina-Ionica
Published: September 2024

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid deficient in cereals, especially maize. However, maize (Zea mays L.) is the main source of protein in some developing countries in Africa and Latin America. In general, the nutritional profile of cereals is poor, because they are deficient in essential amino acids such as tryptophan and lysine due to a relatively higher proportion of alcohol-soluble proteins. Quality protein maize (QPM) has been developed through genetic manipulation for the nutritional enrichment of maize to address these problems. Nevertheless, methods for protein, lysine and tryptophan are time-consuming and require relatively large amounts of samples. Therefore, we have advanced here a simple, cheap, fast, reliable and robust procedure for the determination of protein and tryptophan in the same biuret supernatant, which can also be used for chemical characterization of other cereals. Samples of 50 mg maize ground to pass through a 0.1 mm screen were sonicated for 5 min. in eppendorf vials with 1.5 mL of a biuret reagent each. After centrifugation and protein determination by biuret, 0.2 mL of supernatant was treated with 0.8 mL of a tryptophan reagent. Both total protein and tryptophan can be determined in microplates at 560 nm to speed up the measurements. The main advantage of the new micro-method is the rapid estimation of the nutrient quality of maize samples by a single weighing of a small amount of valuable plant materials.
Intermedin Alleviates Diabetic Cardiomyopathy by Up-Regulating CPT-1β through Activation of the Phosphatidyl Inositol 3 Kinase/Protein Kinase B Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zhao Jie , Han Ling , Zhang Ya-Rong , Liu Shi-Meng , Ji Deng-Ren , Wang Rui , Yu Yan-Rong , Jia Mo-Zhi , Chai San-Bao , Tang Hui-Fang , Huang Wei , Qi Yong-Fen
Published: September 2024

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), one of the most serious long-term consequences of diabetes, is closely associated with myocardial fatty acid metabolism. Carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1β (CPT-1β) is the rate-limiting enzyme responsible for β-oxidation of long-chain fatty acids. Intermedin (IMD) is a pivotal bioactive small molecule peptide, participating in the protection of various cardiovascular diseases. However, the role and underlying mechanisms of IMD in DCM are still unclear. In this study, we investigated whether IMD alleviates DCM via regulating CPT-1β. A rat DCM model was established by having rats to drink fructose water for 12 weeks. A mouse DCM model was induced by feeding mice a high-fat diet for 16 weeks. We showed that IMD and its receptor complexes levels were significantly down-regulated in the cardiac tissues of DCM rats and mice. Reduced expression of IMD was also observed in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes treated with palmitic acid (PA, 300 μM) in vitro. Exogenous and endogenous IMD mitigated cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, dysfunction, and lipid accumulation in DCM rats and IMD-transgenic DCM mice, whereas knockout of IMD worsened these pathological processes in IMD-knockout DCM mice. In vitro, IMD alleviated PA-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and cardiac fibroblast activation. We found that CPT-1β enzyme activity, mRNA and protein levels, and acetyl-CoA content were increased in T2DM patients, rats and mice. IMD up-regulated the CPT-1β levels and acetyl-CoA content in T2DM rats and mice. Knockdown of CPT-1β blocked the effects of IMD on increasing acetyl-CoA content and on inhibiting cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and cardiac fibroblast activation. IMD receptor antagonist IMD17–47 and the phosphatidyl inositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) inhibitor LY294002 reversed the effects of IMD on up-regulating CPT-1β and acetyl-CoA expression and on inhibiting cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and cardiac fibroblast activation. We revealed that IMD alleviates DCM by up-regulating CPT-1β via calcitonin receptor-like receptor/receptor activity-modifying protein (CRLR/RAMP) receptor complexes and PI3K/Akt signaling. IMD may serve as a potent therapeutic target for the treatment of DCM.
Recent Advances in Applications of Ultrafast Lasers
Authors: Niu Sibo , Wang Wenwen , Liu Pan , Zhang Yiheng , Zhao Xiaoming , Li Jibo , Xiao Maosen , Wang Yuzhi , Li Jing , Shao Xiaopeng
Published: September 2024

Ultrafast lasers, characterized by femtosecond and picosecond pulse durations, have revolutionized material processing due to their high energy density and minimal thermal diffusion, and have played a transformative role in precision manufacturing. This review first traces the progression from early ruby lasers to modern titanium–sapphire lasers, highlighting breakthroughs like Kerr-lens mode-locking and chirped pulse amplification. It also examines the interaction mechanisms between ultrafast pulses and various materials, including metals, dielectrics, and semiconductors. Applications of ultrafast lasers in microstructure processing techniques are detailed, such as drilling, cutting, surface ablation, and nano welding, demonstrating the versatility and precision of the technology. Additionally, it covers femtosecond laser direct writing for optical waveguides and the significant advancements in imaging and precision measurement. This review concludes by discussing potential future advancements and industrial applications of ultrafast lasers.
Generation of Polarization Independent Ring-Airy Beam Based on Metasurface
Authors: Li Zhenhua , Wang Sen , Li Xing , Xu Lei , Dong Wenhui , Liu Hanping , Liu Huilan , Xu Kang
Published: September 2024

In this paper, we generated polarization-independent ring-Airy beams by designing metasurfaces that can realize modulations of both phase and amplitude. In numerical simulation, such metasurfaces are designed by placing subwavelength rectangular slits in Au film uniformly. Two orthogonal types of slits, with orientation angles of 45 and −45 degrees, are used to obtain the binary phase profile in the light transmitted from the metasurface under illumination with either right circular polarization (RCP) or left circular polarization (LCP). This satisfies the phase required for Airy beam generation. Meanwhile, the difference between the phase profile under RCP illumination and that under LCP illumination is right 2π, which can be regarded as the same. This makes the metasurface available to generate Airy beams regardless of incident polarization. We also analyzed the auto-focusing, self-healing, and frequency-response properties of the generated Airy beams with different parameters. This work opens up more opportunities for applications of Airy beams.
A Hybrid Design for Frequency-Independent Extreme Birefringence Combining Metamaterials with the Form Birefringence Concept
Authors: Koral Can , Bagci Fulya
Published: September 2024

With advances in terahertz technology, achieving high and nearly constant birefringence over a wide frequency range plays an extreme role in many advanced applications. In the past decade, significant research efforts have been devoted to creating new systems or elements with high birefringence. To our knowledge, the maximum birefringence attainable using artificial crystals, intrinsic liquid crystals or fiber-based systems has been less than unity. More importantly, the birefringence created in previous studies has exhibited a strong frequency dependence, limiting their practical applications. In this work, we propose a novel approach to achieve extraordinarily high birefringence over a broad terahertz frequency band (>100 GHz). To address the limitation of frequency dependence, we combined the principle of metamaterials with the form birefringence concept. First, we designed a metamaterial with an exceptionally high refractive index, thoroughly characterizing it using simulations and analytical analysis. Next, we systematically investigated the form birefringence concept, exploring its frequency response, geometric limitations, and complex refractive index differences between constituent elements. Finally, we designed a hybrid material system, combining the strengths of both metamaterials and form birefringence. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of achieving a birefringent medium exceeding three orders of magnitude higher than previous reports while maintaining a time-invariant frequency response in the sub-terahertz regime.
Double-Pulse Laser Fragmentation/Laser-Induced Fluorescence Method for Remote Detection of Traces of Trinitrotoluene
Authors: Bobrovnikov Sergei , Gorlov Evgeny , Zharkov Viktor
Published: September 2024

This paper presents the results of an experimental study of the dynamic characteristics of the process of laser fragmentation/laser-induced fluorescence (LF/LIF) of trinitrotoluene traces on a paper surface under synchronized double-pulse laser irradiation. An Nd:YAG-laser (266 nm) was used for the fragmentation of TNT molecules, while fluorescence excitation of their NO fragments was performed using a KrF laser with a generation line of 247.867 nm in the region of the location of the bandhead of the P12 branch of the γ(0, 2) absorption band of the NO molecule. It was shown that the dissociation process of TNT traces has an inertial character and continues after the cessation of the fragmenting laser pulse. It was found that with the delay values between the fragmenting and probing laser pulses in the region of 200 ns, the efficiency of the LF/LIF method can be increased by 12 times. This paper presents the results of an experimental evaluation of the efficiency of two-pulse LF/LIF compared to single-pulse laser exposure, where the fragmentation of TNT molecules and excitation of their NO fragments were simultaneously performed by KrF laser pulses. The possibility of multiple increases in the efficiency of two-pulse LF/LIF with an increase in the energy density of the fragmenting laser radiation was shown. The obtained results are important in terms of increasing the sensitivity and/or range of the LF/LIF method for remote detection of traces of nitrocompounds.
Benzodiazole-Based Covalent Organic Frameworks for Enhanced Photocatalytic Dehalogenation of Phenacyl Bromide Derivatives
Authors: Wang Ming , Qian Jiaying , Wang Shenglin , Wen Zhongliang , Xiao Songtao , Hu Hui , Gao Yanan
Published: September 2024

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have garnered significant interest within the scientific community due to their distinctive ability to act as organic semiconductors responsive to visible light. This unique attribute makes them up-and-coming candidates for facilitating photocatalytic organic reactions. Herein, two donor–acceptor COFs, TPE-BSD-COF and TPE-BD-COF, have been designed and synthesized by incorporating electron-rich tetraphenylethylene and electron-deficient benzoselenadiazole and benzothiadiazole units into the framework through a Schiff-base polycondensation reaction. Both COFs exhibit exceptional crystallinity and enduring porosity. TPE-BSD-COF and TPE-BD-COF exhibit broad light absorption capabilities, a narrow optical band gap, and low electrochemical impedance spectrum (EIS) levels, indicating that the two COFs are effective heterogeneous photocatalysts for the reductive dehalogenation of phenacyl bromide derivatives under blue LED irradiation. A high photocatalytic yield of 98% and 95% was achieved by TPE-BSD-COF and TPE-BD-COF catalysts, respectively, within only one hour.
Heat Pump Performance Mapping for Energy Recovery from an Industrial Building
Authors: González Leonardo , Romero Jerson , Saavedra Nicolás , Garrido José Matías , Quinteros-Lama Héctor , González Johan
Published: September 2024

Industrial buildings have numerous kinds of energy-losing equipment, such as engines, ovens, boilers and heat exchangers. Energy losses are related to inefficient energy use and lousy work conditions for the people inside the buildings. This work is devoted to the recovery of lost energy from industrial buildings. Firstly, the residual energy of the building is extracted to be used to warm water. Consequently, the work conditions of the people inside industrial buildings can be improved by maintaining the adequate temperature. The recovery of the energy is performed by a multipurpose heat pump system (HP system). The working fluid used in the HP system is R134a, which is a traditional and cheap working fluid. The thermophysical properties of R134a are obtained through the PC-SAFT equation of state. This work presents a performance mapping based on the intercepted areas framework to evaluate which working conditions are the optimal operating variables. The latter depends on several key parameters, such as compressor work, heat delivery, heat absorbed and exergetic efficiency. The results show that the optimal work conditions are found at different condenser and evaporator temperatures, and these may be limited by what the designer considers a sound performance of the heat pump system.
Johannine Revelation, Nicene Witness
Authors: O’Leary Joseph S.
Published: September 2024

On its seventeenth centenary, I seek to reassess the theological significance of the Nicene Creed, drawing inspiration from Athanasius, who came to see the Creed as a privileged transmission of the apostolic teaching based on the Revelation granted by Christ. I attempt to bring into focus the nature of Revelation, referring to Karl Barth and Jean-Luc Marion. Criticizing the deflationary approach to Nicaea and Athanasius, which has been common of late, I read the layers of meaning in the Creed with special attention to the way the Creed builds on Johannine themes, and I reassess its ousia language.
FD-Net: A Single-Stage Fire Detection Framework for Remote Sensing in Complex Environments
Authors: Yuan Jianye , Wang Haofei , Li Minghao , Wang Xiaohan , Song Weiwei , Li Song , Gong Wei
Published: September 2024

Fire detection is crucial due to the exorbitant annual toll on both human lives and the economy resulting from fire-related incidents. To enhance forest fire detection in complex environments, we propose a new algorithm called FD-Net for various environments. Firstly, to improve detection performance, we introduce a Fire Attention (FA) mechanism that utilizes the position information from feature maps. Secondly, to prevent geometric distortion during image cropping, we propose a Three-Scale Pooling (TSP) module. Lastly, we fine-tune the YOLOv5 network and incorporate a new Fire Fusion (FF) module to enhance the network’s precision in identifying fire targets. Through qualitative and quantitative comparisons, we found that FD-Net outperforms current state-of-the-art algorithms in performance on both fire and fire-and-smoke datasets. This further demonstrates FD-Net’s effectiveness for application in fire detection.