bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Industrial Internet for Equipment Asset Management in Social Digitalization Platform Based on System Engineering Using Fuzzy DEMATEL-TOPSIS
Authors: Bao Yuguang , Zhang Xianyu , Zhou Tongtong , Chen Zhihua , Ming Xinguo
Published: November 2022

In any industry, Equipment Asset Management (EAM) is at the core of the production activities. With the rapid development of Industrial Internet technologies and platforms, the EAM based on the Industrial Internet has become an important development trend. Meanwhile, the paradigm of EAM is changing, from a single machine to integrated systems, from the phase of using them to the end of their lifecycle, from breakdown maintenance to predictive maintenance, and from local decision-making to collaborative optimization. However, because of the lack of a unified understanding of the Industrial Internet platforms (IIPs) and the lack of a comprehensive reference architecture and detailed implementation framework, the implementation of EAM projects will face greater risks according to special needs in different industries. Based on the method of system engineering, this study proposes a general reference model and a reference architecture of implementation for the Industrial Internet Solution for Industrial Equipment Asset Management (I3EAM). Further, to help enterprise to evaluate and select their best-fit I3EAM scheme and platform partner, we proposed a set of performance indicators of I3EAM schemes and a quantitative decision-making method based on fuzzy DEMATEL-TOPSIS. Finally, a case study for an I3EAM in automated container terminals was conducted. In the multi-criteria decision environment with complex uncertainty, the project group identified the I3EAM metrics priorities and social digitalization platforms that were more in line with the actual needs of the automated container terminal and firms. The complexity and time of the decision-making process were dramatically reduced. In terms of feasibility and validity, the decision result was positively verified by the feedback from the enterprise implementation. The given model, architecture, and method in this study can create a certain reference value for various industrial enterprises to carry out the analysis and top-level planning of their I3EAM needs and choose the partner for co-implementation. In addition, the research results of this study have the potential to support the construction of standard systems and the planning and optimization of the cross-domain social platform, etc.
Green Synthesis of Unsaturated Fatty Acid Mediated Magnetite Nanoparticles and Their Structural and Magnetic Studies
Authors: Das Amlan Kumar , Fanan Apoorva , Ali Daoud , Solanki Vijendra Singh , Pare Brijesh , Almutairi Bader O. , Agrawal Neha , Yadav Neera , Pareek Vikram , Yadav Virendra Kumar
Published: November 2022

The green, cost-effective and sustainable synthesis of nanomaterials has been a key concern of scientists and researchers. In this view, MNPs were prepared using a sapota plant leaf extract and the surface of the magnetite nanoparticles was engineered with unsaturated fatty acids. The first report on the effect of unsaturation on the size and magnetic properties of magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs), prepared by the co-precipitation method, has been studied by coating surfactants on MNPs based on their unsaturation from zero to three (lauric acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid). The size effect and magnetic properties of MNPs coated with a surfactant have been studied in comparison with uncoated magnetite nanoparticles. After the surface modification of the magnetite particle, it is necessary to check whether the magnetic property has been restored or not. Therefore, the magnetic property was studied. The presence of a surfactant on the surface of MNPs was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), which was later confirmed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The atomic structure was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the size of uncoated and surfactant-coated MNPs was determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and the Scherrer equation by following XRD data. The magnetization property was analyzed by a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) at 10, 100 and 300 K and both bared and surfactant-coated MNPs exhibited a superparamagnetic nature at room temperature. The saturation magnetization (Ms) study shows that MNPs coated with a surfactant have a lower saturation magnetization value in comparison to uncoated NPs, confirming surface layering. Because the magnetic fluid has been stabilized in the aqueous medium, the double-layer model is expected to prevail.
An Estimation of an Acceptable Efficiency Frontier Having an Optimum Resource Management Approach, with a Combination of the DEA-ANN-GA Technique (A Case Study of Branches of an Insurance Company)
Authors: Sanei Reza , Hosseinzadeh lotfi Farhad , Fallah Mohammad , Sobhani Farzad Movahedi
Published: November 2022

In this paper, a novel artificial intelligence technique for the estimation of near-optimal resource management is proposed. The model utilizes a two-stage data envelopment analysis to find the best-practice frontier of the decision-making units. By employing this data, a supervised multi-layer Artificial Neural Network is exercised. This network is capable of predicting the frontier for the near future by receiving input and mediator variables. In the next step, a genetic algorithm is formed to find an optimal input value for the artificial neural network, such that the overall performance of decision-making units in the near future is maximized. The proposed algorithm allows the managers to set some restrictions on the whole system, including the minimum efficiency and the maximum change on resources. The performance of the presented technique is reviewed on 31 branches of an insurance company, during the years 2015 to 2018. The results show that the developed algorithm can efficiently maximize the overall performance of decision-making units.
A Novel Optical-Based Methodology for Improving Nonlinear Fourier Transform
Authors: Hoxha Julian , Aly Wael Hosny Fouad , Dida Erdjana , Kertusha Iva , AlAkkoumi Mouhammad
Published: November 2022

The increasing demand for bandwidth and long-haul transmission has led to new methods of signal processing and transmission in optical fiber communication systems. The nonlinear Fourier transform is one of the most recent methods proposed, and is able to represent an integrable nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) channel in terms of its continuous and discrete spectrum, to overcome the limitation of the bandwidth imposed by the Kerr effect on silica fibers. In this paper, we will propose and investigate the Boffetta-Osburne method for the direct nonlinear Fourier implementation, and the Gel’fand-Levitan-Marchenko equation for the inverse nonlinear Fourier, as only the continuous part of the nonlinear spectrum will be used to encode information. A novel methodology is proposed to improve their numerical implementation with respect to the NLSE, and we analyze in detail how the improved algorithm can be used in a real optical system, by investigating three different modulation schemes. We report increased performance transmission and consistency in the numerical results when the proposed methodology is applied. Our results show that b-modulation will increase the Q-factor by 2 dB with respect to the other two modulations. The improvement results with our proposed methodology suggest that b-modulation applied only to a continuous part of the nonlinear spectrum is a very effective method for maximizing both the transmission bandwidth and distance in optical fiber communication systems.
Controllable Energy Consumption in a Sustainable Smart Manufacturing Model Considering Superior Service, Flexible Demand, and Partial Outsourcing
Authors: Bachar Raj Kumar , Bhuniya Shaktipada , Ghosh Santanu Kumar , Sarkar Biswajit
Published: November 2022

The waste of energy in the present era is a dangerous signal for the future. All categories of consumers should come forward to moderate energy use and prevent wastage. This study focuses on a controllable energy consumption-based sustainable inventory model incorporating variable production rates, improved service, partial outsourcing planning, defective production, restoring reworkable items, disposing of non-reworkable items, and energy-saving steps. Reducing unusual energy consumption in production systems reduces carbon emissions and maximizes the system’s profit. An improved service level attracts customers, increases demand, and improves product reputation. Separate holding costs of reworked, defective, and perfect-quality items are considered for every lot delivered and reworked. The demand in the market is related to price and service. A traditional optimization technique examines the global optimization for the profit function and decision variables. Numerical illustrations as well as concave 3D graphs validate the analytical results and provide a sensitivity analysis for different parameters. The model is validated through special cases and comparison graphs.
A Review on Fucoidan Structure, Extraction Techniques, and Its Role as an Immunomodulatory Agent
Authors: Jayawardena Thilina U. , Nagahawatta D. P. , Fernando I. P. S. , Kim Yong-Tae , Kim Jin-Soo , Kim Won-Suk , Lee Jung Suck , Jeon You-Jin
Published: November 2022

Functional ingredients for human health have recently become the focus of research. One such potentially versatile therapeutic component is fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharides (FCSPs), referred to as fucoidans. The exploitation of marine brown algae provides a rich source of FCSPs because of their role as a structural component of the cell wall. Fucoidans are characterized by a sulfated fucose backbone. However, the structural characterization of FCSPs is impeded by their structural diversity, molecular weight, and complexity. The extraction and purification conditions significantly influence the yield and structural alterations. Inflammation is the preliminary response to potentially injurious inducements, and it is of the utmost importance for modulation in the proper direction. Improper manipulation and/or continuous stimuli could have detrimental effects in the long run. The web of immune responses mediated through multiple modulatory/cell signaling components can be addressed through functional ingredients, benefiting patients with no side effects. In this review, we attempted to address the involvement of FCSPs in the stimulation/downregulation of immune response cell signaling. The structural complexity and its foremost influential factor, extraction techniques, have also attracted attention, with concise details on the structural implications of bioactivity.
An Efficient and Quick Analytical Method for the Quantification of an Algal Alkaloid Caulerpin Showed In-Vitro Anticancer Activity against Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Mert-Ozupek Nazli , Calibasi-Kocal Gizem , Olgun Nur , Basbinar Yasemin , Cavas Levent , Ellidokuz Hulya
Published: November 2022

Biological invasion is the successful spread and establishment of a species in a novel environment that adversely affects the biodiversity, ecology, and economy. Both invasive and non-invasive species of the Caulerpa genus secrete more than thirty different secondary metabolites. Caulerpin is one of the most common secondary metabolites in genus Caulerpa. In this study, caulerpin found in invasive Caulerpa cylindracea and non-invasive Caulerpa lentillifera extracts were analyzed, quantified, and compared using high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) for the first time. The anticancer activities of caulerpin against HCT-116 and HT-29 colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines were also tested. Caulerpin levels were found higher in the invasive form (108.83 ± 5.07 µg mL−1 and 96.49 ± 4.54 µg mL−1). Furthermore, caulerpin isolated from invasive Caulerpa decreased cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50 values were found between 119 and 179 µM), inhibited invasion-migration, and induced apoptosis in CRC cells. In comparison, no cytotoxic effects on the normal cell lines (HDF and NIH-3T3) were observed. In conclusion, HPTLC is a quick and novel method to investigate the caulerpin levels found in Caulerpa extracts, and this paper proposes an alternative utilization method for invasive C. cylindracea due to significant caulerpin content compared to non-invasive C. lentillifera.
Topical Tranexamic Acid Can Be Used Safely Even in High Risk Patients: Deep Vein Thrombosis Examination Using Routine Ultrasonography of 510 Patients
Authors: Joo Yong Bum , Kim Young Mo , An Byung Kuk , Lee Cheol Won , Kwon Soon Tae , Song Ju-Ho
Published: November 2022

Background and Objectives: Previous studies regarding tranexamic acid (TXA) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) investigated only symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or did not include high risk patients. The incidence of DVT including both symptomatic and asymptomatic complications after applying topical TXA has not been evaluated using ultrasonography. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 510 patients who underwent primary unilateral TKA between July 2014 and December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Because TXA was routinely applied through the topical route, those who had a history of venous thromboembolism, myocardial infarction, or cerebral vascular occlusive disease, were not excluded. Regardless of symptom manifestation, DVT was examined at 1 week postoperatively for all patients using ultrasonography, and the postoperative transfusion rate was investigated. The study population was divided according to the use of topical TXA. After the two groups were matched based on the propensity scores, the incidence of DVT and the transfusion rate were compared between the groups. Results: Of the 510 patients, comprising 298 patients in the TXA group and 212 patients in the control group, DVT was noted in 22 (4.3%) patients. Two patients had DVT proximal to the popliteal vein. After propensity score matching (PSM), 168 patients were allocated to each group. In all, 11 patients in the TXA group and seven patients in the control group were diagnosed with DVT, which did not show a significant difference (p = 0.721). However, the two groups differ significantly in the transfusion rate (p < 0.001, 50.0% in the TXA group, 91.7% in the control group). Conclusions: The incidence of DVT, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic, was not affected by the use of topical TXA. The postoperative transfusion rate was reduced in the TXA group. Topical TXA could be applied safely even in patients who had been known to be at high risk.
Public Health Concern on Sedentary Behavior and Cardiovascular Disease: A Bibliometric Analysis of Literature from 1990 to 2022
Authors: Yang Zhen , Chen Sitong , Bao Ran , Li Ruizhe , Bao Kaiming , Feng Renzhi , Zhong Ziyi , Wang Xuebin
Published: November 2022

Background and Objectives: Cardiovascular disease is a long-term threat to global public health security, while sedentary behavior is a modifiable behavior among cardiovascular risk factors. This study aimed to analyze the peer-reviewed literature published globally on sedentary behavior and cardiovascular disease (SB-CVD) and identify the hotspots and frontiers within this research area. Materials and Methods: Publications on SB-CVD from 1990 to 2022 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. CiteSpace and VOSviewer were applied to perform bibliometric and knowledge mapping visualization analyses. Results: A total of 2071 publications were retrieved, presenting a gradual growing trend. Authors from the USA topped the list with 748 (36.12%), followed by authors from England (373, 18.01%) and Australia (354, 17.09%). The University of Queensland, Australia, led with 95 (4.5%) publications. The top five active authors were all from Australia, while Dunstan D and Owen N published the most documents (56, 2.7%). A total of 71.27% of the publications received funding, and the United States Department of Health and Human Services provided 363 (17.53%) grants. Public Environmental Occupational Health (498, 24.05%), Sport Sciences (237, 11.44%), and Cardiac Cardiovascular Systems (212, 10.24%) were the three most popular disciplines, while PLOS One (96, 4.64%) and BMC Public Health (88, 4.25%) were the two most popular journals. Investigations within the SB-CVD research area addressed the entire lifespan, the most popular type of research was the epidemiological study, and the accelerometer was the primary instrument for measuring sedentary behavior. In terms of variables, physical activity and sedentary behavior were the dominant lifestyle behaviors, while obesity and hypertension were common health problems. Occupational physical activity and guidelines are at the frontier and are currently in the burst stage. Conclusions: The last three decades have witnessed the rapid development of the SB-CVD research area, and this study provided further research ideas for subsequent investigations.
Comparison of Trabecular Bone Score–Adjusted Fracture Risk Assessment (TBS-FRAX) and FRAX Tools for Identification of High Fracture Risk among Taiwanese Adults Aged 50 to 90 Years with or without Prediabetes and Diabetes
Authors: Chuang Tzyy-Ling , Chuang Mei-Hua , Wang Yuh-Feng , Koo Malcolm
Published: November 2022

Background and Objectives: The burden of osteoporosis is projected to increase. Identification and prompt intervention for osteoporotic fractures are important. Adjusting the Fracture Risk Assessment (FRAX®) tool with trabecular bone score (TBS) could improve risk prediction. However, little is known about whether TBS-adjusted FRAX® would change the proportion of individuals qualified for osteoporosis intervention. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare the proportions of Taiwanese adults who qualified for intervention, according to the FRAX® and TBS-adjusted FRAX®, with stratification by sex, age group, and glucose regulation status. Materials and Methods: A medical record review on adults 50–90 years who had undergone a general health examination in a regional hospital in Taiwan was conducted. FRAX® and TBS-adjusted FRAX® were calculated. FRAX® cut-points of ≥ 20% for major osteoporotic fracture and ≥3% for hip fracture were adopted to identify individuals qualified for osteoporosis intervention. Individuals were classified as prediabetes and diabetes if their HbA1c was 5.7–6.4% and >6.4%, respectively. Results: A total of 8098 individuals with a mean age of 61.0 years were included. The proportion of men qualified for intervention for hip fracture was significantly lower according to TBS-adjusted FRAX® (17.2%) compared with FRAX® (20.7%) (p < 0.001), with a similar pattern across all three age groups and in those with prediabetes. In contrast, the proportion of women qualified for intervention for major osteoporotic fracture was significantly higher according to TBS-adjusted FRAX® (4.6%) compared with FRAX® (3.7%) (p < 0.001), particularly among those with prediabetes 60–69 years. Conclusions: TBS-adjusted FRAX® led to small but significant changes in the proportions of individuals qualified for intervention in specific age groups and glucose regulation status.
Clinical Application of the Computed-Tomography-Based Three-Dimensional Models in the Surgical Planning and Intraoperative Navigation of Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction Complicated with Renal Calculi
Authors: Xiong Shengwei , Zheng Mengmeng , Liu Chunlin , Yang Kunlin , Li Zhihua , Zhang Lei , Tian Ye , Zhou Liqun , Li Xuesong
Published: November 2022

Background and Objectives: To clinically validate the computed tomography (CT)-based three-dimension (3D) model for treatment planning and intraoperative navigation of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) complicated with renal calculi. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively collected the data of 26 patients with UPJO and renal calculi who were surgically treated in our institution from January 2019 to December 2021. Before surgery, 3D models based on preoperative CT scans were constructed in all patients. Additionally, the patients were divided into three groups according to the results of 3D models, distinguished by different treatment of renal calculi, that is, left untreated (1), pyelolithotomy (2), and endoscopic lithotomy (3). The quantitative analysis of renal calculi parameters, and perioperative and follow-up data were compared. Results: The mean number of involved renal calyces (p = 0.041), and the mean maximum cross-sectional area (p = 0.036) of renal stones were statistically different among the three groups. There were no significant differences among the three groups in the mean operative time, mean estimated blood loss, mean pararenal draining time, and mean hospital stay. The intraoperative stone clearance rates were 100% (11/11) and 77.8% (7/9) in group 2 and group 3, respectively. The trends of increased estimated glomerular filtration rate and decreased creatinine on the average levels after surgery were observed, although these changes were not statistically significant. At a mean follow-up of 19.4 ± 6.4 months, the overall surgical success rate of the UPJO was 96.2% (25/26), and the overall success rate of renal calculi removal was 80.8% (21/26). Renal stones in 66.7% (4/6) of patients in group 1 spontaneously passed out. Conclusions: Preoperative 3D CT models have exact clinical value in the surgical planning and intraoperative navigation of UPJO patients complicated with renal calculi.
Cross-Linked Networks of 1,6-Hexanedithiol with Gold Nanoparticles to Improve Permeation Flux of Polyethersulfone Membrane
Authors: Niu Xiaoqin , Chen Yuhong , Hu Haobin
Published: November 2022

It is a great challenge to design and prepare polymeric membranes with excellent permeability and good rejection. In this study, a modifier of gold nanoparticles for crosslinking and self-assembly by 1,6-hexanedithiol is fabricated and used to modify the polyethersulfone membrane as an additive, which forms a uniform porous membrane by liquid–liquid phase conversion technology. The morphology of the membrane is investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the change of the hydrophilicity of the membrane surface after modification is measured by the contact angle goniometer, and the performance of the fabricated membrane is measured by evaluating the pure water flux and the rejection ratio of bovine serum albumin. The results indicate that the permeability of the modified membrane has a significant improvement. When the mass fraction of the modifying agent is 5 wt%, the water flux of the modified membrane reaches up to 131.6 L m−2 h−1, and has a good rejection ratio to bovine serum albumin. In short, this work plays an important role in improving the flux of the membrane and maintaining good separation performance.
Fluidized Bed Membrane Reactor for the Direct Dehydrogenation of Propane: Proof of Concept
Authors: Brencio Camilla , Di Felice Luca , Gallucci Fausto
Published: November 2022

In this work, the fluidized bed membrane reactor (FBMR) technology for the direct dehydrogenation of propane (PDH) was demonstrated at a laboratory scale. Double-skinned PdAg membranes were used to selectively remove H2 during dehydrogenation tests over PtSnK/Al2O3 catalyst under fluidization. The performance of the fluidized bed membrane reactor was experimentally investigated and compared with the conventional fluidized bed reactor (FBR) by varying the superficial gas velocity over the minimum fluidization velocity under fixed operating conditions (i.e., 500 °C, 2 bar and feed composition of 30vol% C3H8-70vol% N2). The results obtained in this work confirmed the potential for improving the PDH performance using the FBMR system. An increase in the initial propane conversion of c.a. 20% was observed, going from 19.5% in the FBR to almost 25% in the FBMR. The hydrogen recovery factor displayed a decrease from 70% to values below 50%, due to the membrane coking under alkene exposure. Despites this, the hydrogen extraction from the reaction environment shifted the thermodynamic equilibrium of the dehydrogenation reaction and achieved an average increase of 43% in propylene yields.
Microstructural and Interfacial Characterization of Ti–V Diffusion Bonding Zones
Authors: Liu Guo-Liang , Ding Mei-Li , Zhang Kun , Qu Dan-Dan , Meng Yang , Luo Geng-Xing , Yang Shan-Wu
Published: November 2022

Ti and V were bonded together and subjected to high-temperature treatment at 1000 or 1100 °C for 16 h to study the microstructural evolution and interfacial behavior of Ti–V diffusion interfaces. The samples were prepared by electro-polishing and analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, electron probe microanalysis, electron back-scattered diffraction, and nano-indentation. The results indicated that Ti–V diffusion bonding interfaces comprises a martensite Ti zone, a body-center-cubic Ti (β-Ti) zone, and a V-based alloy zone. They are divided by two composition interfaces with V contents of ~13.5% and ~46%. The original interface between the pure Ti and the V alloy substrate falls within the β-Ti zone. The observation of acicular-martensite rather than lath-martensite is due to the distortion caused by the β-to-α phase transformation in the adjacent pure Ti. The recrystallization of β-Ti is distributed along the interface direction. The hardness varies across the Ti–V interface bonding zones with the maximum value of 7.9 GPa.
Long-Term in Vitro Corrosion of Biodegradable WE43 Magnesium Alloy in DMEM
Authors: Nachtsheim Julia , Burja Jaka , Ma Songyun , Markert Bernd
Published: November 2022

The biodegradable WE43 magnesium alloy is an attractive biomedical material for orthopaedic implants due to its relatively high strength and corrosion resistance. Understanding the long-term corrosion behaviour in the human body plays a crucial role in the biomedical development and application of WE43 alloy for orthopaedic implants. In this work, the corrosion of an extruded WE43 magnesium alloy was investigated in a physiological environment using Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium’s (DMEM) over a period of up to 10 weeks. To assess the in vitro corrosion process, we analysed the corrosion pits of the specimens’ cross sections and the composition of the corrosion layer by scanning electron microscopy. The experimental results indicated that the long-term corrosion process of WE43 magnesium alloy consists of three stages: (1) The rapid corrosion stage within the first 7 days, (2) the steady corrosion stage between 7 and 28 days, (3) the accelerated corrosion stage between 28 and 70 days. The microchemical analysis revealed a heterogeneous three-layer corrosion product with varying thicknesses of 10 to 130 µm on the surfaces of the samples for all corrosion times. It is composed of an inner layer of Mg-O, an intermediate layer of Mg-O-Ca-P, and an outer layer of Mg-O-Ca-P-C. The corrosion layers have many microcracks that allow limited contact between the liquid medium and the surface of the alloy. In addition, microgalvanic corrosion was observed to cause corrosion pits between the intermetallic rare earth element-rich phases and the Mg matrix.
Failure Analysis of Bank-Wall Side Boiler Tube in a Petrochemical Plant
Authors: Ardy Husaini , Nurimam Asep , Hamdani Mohammad , Firmansyah Deny , Aditya Dominico Michael , Setiawan Asep Ridwan , Wibowo Arie
Published: November 2022

Failure analysis of the petrochemical plant’s bank-wall side boiler tube has been conducted to determine the root cause of tube failure. The tube material is low carbon steel ASTM A178 grade A. Visual examinations of the cracked surface revealed that the fractured surface is flat, without plastic deformation, and several longitudinal and transverse fissures are present. The SEM and optical microscope examinations show that the cracks were intergranular and transgranular. A hydrogen attack caused the intergranular crack, and thermal fatigue produced the transgranular crack. Boiler tube failure was caused by a steam blanket on the sloping tube’s top inner diameter that induced iron oxide deposition and accumulation. Hydrogen was produced after a chemical reaction at the deposit-metal interface between the iron oxide deposit and ingress steam. Local temperature variation on the top part of the sloped tube occurred during the splashing and evaporation of water, promoting thermal fatigue.
Stress Corrosion Cracking of Tunnel Ventilation Fan Blades: A Case Study
Authors: Michel Silvain , Tuchschmid Martin , Sauder Martin , Frey Simon
Published: November 2022

Installations in road tunnels, such as jet fans, are exposed to a harsh environment. After two failures of rotor blades, made of aluminum cast, a failure analysis was initiated. The main goal of this study was to determine the causes, e.g., overloading, material defect, corrosion, and design deficiencies, and to define actions to avoid such events in the future. The fractographical analysis showed corrosion attack and a cleavage type of fracture. These findings pointed to two damage mechanisms acting in both cases: stress corrosion cracking due to hydrogen embrittlement, causing a brittle static failure. The failure analysis did not lead to a full understanding of the damage mechanisms: Service loads were far too low to explain the high stresses needed for a brittle static failure. A wedging effect of corrosion products in the gap between the blade and the mounting was proposed as the cause of high static stresses in the fractured cross section. Alternative materials as well as different corrosion surface protections were evaluated with respect to corrosion and corrosion fatigue resistance. Finally, an appropriate surface protection was proposed as the solution for inhibiting corrosion and therefore the risk of the reproduction of such failures.
Signal-to-Noise Ratio Enhancement of Single-Voxel In Vivo 31P and 1H Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Mice Brain Data Using Low-Rank Denoising
Authors: Jeon Yeong-Jae , Park Shin-Eui , Chang Keun-A , Baek Hyeon-Man
Published: November 2022

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a noninvasive technique for measuring metabolite concentration. It can be used for preclinical small animal brain studies using rodents to provide information about neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic disorders. However, data acquisition from small volumes in a limited scan time is technically challenging due to its inherently low sensitivity. To mitigate this problem, this study investigated the feasibility of a low-rank denoising method in enhancing the quality of single voxel multinuclei (31P and 1H) MRS data at 9.4 T. Performance was evaluated using in vivo MRS data from a normal mouse brain (31P and 1H) and stroke mouse model (1H) by comparison with signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs), Cramer-Rao lower bounds (CRLBs), and metabolite concentrations of a linear combination of model analysis results. In 31P MRS data, low-rank denoising resulted in improved SNRs and reduced metabolite quantification uncertainty compared with the original data. In 1H MRS data, the method also improved the SNRs, CRLBs, but it performed better for 31P MRS data with relatively simpler patterns compared to the 1H MRS data. Therefore, we suggest that the low-rank denoising method can improve spectra SNR and metabolite quantification uncertainty in single-voxel in vivo 31P and 1H MRS data, and it might be more effective for 31P MRS data. The main contribution of this study is that we demonstrated the effectiveness of the low-rank denoising method on small-volume single-voxel MRS data. We anticipate that our results will be useful for the precise quantification of low-concentration metabolites, further reducing data acquisition voxel size, and scan time in preclinical MRS studies.
The Effect of 10 Crop Plants That Served as Hosts on the Primary Metabolic Profile of the Parasitic Plant Phelipanche aegyptiaca
Authors: Kumar Krishna , Hacham Yael , Amir Rachel
Published: November 2022

Phelipanche aegyptiaca Pers. is a holoparasitic plant that parasitizes various types of host plants. Its penetration into host roots causes a massive reduction in the yield of many crop plants worldwide. The nature of the compounds taken by the parasite from its host is still under debate in the scientific literature. To gain more knowledge about the effect of the hosts on the parasite’s primary metabolic profile, GC-MS analyses were conducted on the parasites that developed on 10 hosts from four plant families. There are three hosts from each family: Brassicaceae, Apiaceae and Solanaceae and one host from Fabaceae. The results showed significant differences in the metabolic profiles of P. aegyptiaca collected from the different hosts, indicating that the parasites rely strongly on the host’s metabolites. Generally, we found that the parasites that developed on Brassicaceae and Fabaceae accumulated more amino acids than those developed on Apiaceae and Solanaceae that accumulated more sugars and organic acids. The contents of amino acids correlated positively with the total soluble proteins. However, the aromatic amino acid, tyrosine, correlated negatively with the accumulation of the total phenolic compounds. This study contributes to our knowledge of the metabolic relationship between host and parasite.
Analysis of Nonlinear Vibration of Functionally Graded Simply Supported Fluid-Conveying Microtubes Subjected to Transverse Excitation Loads
Authors: Ma Tao , Mu Anle
Published: November 2022

This paper presents a nonlinear vibration analysis of functionally graded simply supported fluid-conveying microtubes subjected to transverse excitation loads. The development of the nonlinear equation of motion is based on the Euler–Bernoulli theory, Hamilton principle and Strain gradient theory. The nonlinear equation of motion is reduced to a second-order nonlinear ordinary differential equation by the Galerkin method. The Runge–Kutta method is adapted to solve the equation, and the effects of the dimensionless microscale parameters, the amplitude and frequency of excitation loads on the stability of the microtubes system are analyzed. It is found that when the microtube diameter is equal to the material length scale parameter, the microtube movement pattern is quasi-periodic. With the increase of the dimensionless microscale parameter, the microtube movement changes from quasi-periodic to chaos. The smaller the power-law index of volume fraction, the smaller the vibration displacement of microtubes and the better the stability. The larger the amplitude of excitation loads is, the larger the vibration displacement of the microtubes will be. When the frequency of excitation loads is equal to the natural frequency of the microtubes, it will have resonance and the vibration displacement will increase significantly.
Investigating the Effect of Grinding Time on High-Speed Grinding of Rails by a Passive Grinding Test Machine
Authors: Liu Pengzhan , Zou Wenjun , Peng Jin , Xiao Furen
Published: November 2022

High-speed rail grinding is a unique passive grinding maintenance strategy that differs from conventional grinding techniques. Its grinding behavior is dependent on the relative motion between the grinding wheel and rail; hence, it possesses great speed and efficiency. In this study, the effects of the duration of grinding time and the increase in the number of grinding passes on the grinding of high-speed rails were investigated using passive grinding tests with a single grinding time of 10 s and 30 s and grinding passes of once, twice, and three times, respectively. The results show that when the total grinding time was the same, the rail removal, grinding ratio of grinding wheels, rail grinding effect, grinding force, and grinding temperature were better in three passes of 10 s grinding than in one pass of 30 s grinding, indicating that the short-time and multi-pass grinding scheme is not only conducive to improving the grinding efficiency and grinding quality in the high-speed rail grinding but can also extend the service life of the grinding wheels. Moreover, when the single grinding times were 10 s and 30 s, respectively, the grinding removal, grinding efficiency, grinding marks depth, and surface roughness of rail increased with the number of grinding passes, implying that the desired rail grinding objective can be achieved by extending the grinding time via the multi-pass grinding strategy. The results and theoretical analysis of this study will contribute to re-conceptualizing the practical operation of high-speed rail grinding and provide references for the development of the grinding process and grinding technology.
Femtosecond Laser Induced Lattice Deformation in KTN Crystal
Authors: Yang Quanxin , Zhang Bin , Li Yuanbo , Wang Xuping , Chen Feng , Wu Pengfei , Liu Hongliang
Published: November 2022

In recent years, many novel optical phenomena have been discovered based on perovskite materials, but the practical applications are limited because of the difficulties of device fabrication. Here, we propose a method to directly induce localized lattice modification inside the potassium tantalate niobate crystal by using the femtosecond laser. This selective modification at the processed regions and the surrounding areas is characterized by two-dimensional Raman spectrum mapping. The spectrum variations corresponding to specific lattice vibration modes demonstrate the lattice structure deformation. In this way, the lattice expansion at the femtosecond laser irradiated regions and the lattice compression at the surrounding areas are revealed. Furthermore, surface morphology measurement confirms this lattice expansion and suggests the extension of lattice structure along the space diagonal direction. Moreover, the existence of an amorphization core is revealed. These modifications on the sample lattice can induce localized changes in physicochemical properties; therefore, this method can realize the fabrication of both linear diffraction and nonlinear frequency conversion devices by utilizing the novel optical responses of perovskite materials.
Optoelectronic Properties of MAPbBr3 Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes Using Anti-Solvent and PEDOT:PSS/PVK Double-Layer Hole Transport Layers
Authors: Zhang Kai , Yu Shisong , Tu Peng , Cai Xiangcheng , Zhou Yuanming , Mei Fei
Published: November 2022

Perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) have attracted extensive attention due to their advantages such as low-temperature solution processing, high photoluminescence quantum efficiency, high color purity, tunable wavelength, and excellent carrier mobility. The hole transport layer plays an important role in the device’s performance. In this paper, the effect of anti-solvent (ethyl acetate) on the performance of PeLEDs was studied in order to determine the optimal anti-solvent condition. The effect of PEDOT:PSS/PVK double-layer hole transport layers on the optoelectronic properties of MAPbBr3 PeLEDs was investigated. The device with 8 mg/mL PVK produced the best results, with a maximum luminance of 5139 cd/m2 and a maximum current efficiency of 2.77 cd/A. Compared with the control device with PEDOT:PSS HTL, the maximum luminance of the device with 8 mg/mL PVK is increased by 2.02 times, and the maximum current efficiency is increased by 188%. The experimental results show that the addition of PVK helps to reduce the size of perovskite particles, contributing to the spatial confinement of excitons, and suppress the quenching of luminescence occurring at the interface between PEDOT:PSS and MAPbBr3, thereby enhancing the optoelectronic performance of PeLEDs. The results of this paper can provide a basis for the improvement and industrialization of PeLEDs.
Micro”bee”ota: Honey Bee Normal Microbiota as a Part of Superorganism
Authors: Smutin Daniil , Lebedev Egor , Selitskiy Maxim , Panyushev Nick , Adonin Leonid
Published: November 2022

Honey bees are model organisms for microbiota research. Gut microbiomes are very interesting for surveys due to their simple structure and relationship with hive production. Long-term studies reveal the gut microbiota patterns of various hive members, as well as the functions, sources, and interactions of the majority of its bacteria. But the fungal non-pathogenic part of gut microbiota is almost unexplored, likewise some other related microbiota. Honey bees, as superorganisms, interact with their own microorganisms, the microbial communities of food stores, hive surfaces, and other environments. Understanding microbiota diversity, its transition ways, and hive niche colonization control are necessary for understanding any separate microbiota niche because of their interplay. The long coevolution of bees with the microorganisms populating these niches makes these systems co-dependent, integrated, and stable. Interaction with the environment, hive, and other bees determines caste lifestyle as well as individual microbiota. In this article, we bring together studies on the microbiota of the western honey bee. We show a possible relationship between caste determination and microbiota composition. And what is primary: caste differentiation or microbiota composition?
The Spatial Organization of Bacterial Transcriptional Regulatory Networks
Authors: Tian Liu , Liu Tong , Hua Kang-Jian , Hu Xiao-Pan , Ma Bin-Guang
Published: November 2022

The transcriptional regulatory network (TRN) is the central pivot of a prokaryotic organism to receive, process and respond to internal and external environmental information. However, little is known about its spatial organization so far. In recent years, chromatin interaction data of bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis have been published, making it possible to study the spatial organization of bacterial transcriptional regulatory networks. By combining TRNs and chromatin interaction data of E. coli and B. subtilis, we explored the spatial organization characteristics of bacterial TRNs in many aspects such as regulation directions (positive and negative), central nodes (hubs, bottlenecks), hierarchical levels (top, middle, bottom) and network motifs (feed-forward loops and single input modules) of the TRNs and found that the bacterial TRNs have a variety of stable spatial organization features under different physiological conditions that may be closely related with biological functions. Our findings provided new insights into the connection between transcriptional regulation and the spatial organization of chromosome in bacteria and might serve as a factual foundation for trying spatial-distance-based gene circuit design in synthetic biology.
Analysis of Overburden Deformation and Migration under Huge Thick Unconsolidated Layers Based on Multiple Approaches
Authors: Zhu Jingzhong , Li Wenping , Liu Yu
Published: November 2022

Underground mining safety risk increases with the more complicated geological conditions in deep strata, so coal mines turn to the upper limit mining of shallow coal seams under the Cenozoic strata. Nevertheless, coal mines in the Northern China coalfield are mainly covered by thicker loose sandy layers with more abundant water. The analysis of overburdened strata deformation properties is essential for safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly production. This paper discusses the deformation and migration of overburdened strata through mechanical analysis, numerical and physical similar simulations, and in situ field measurement. A thorough understanding of overburdened strata deformation induced by mining has been obtained, and the results are as follows: The immediate roof first collapses to form the caved zone accompanied by the first weighting, and the fractured zone and bending deformation zone begin to develop in sequence; the separation layer is observed during the period of fracture development. However, the occurrence of the bending deformation subsidence results in the closure of the separation space; the ratio of fractured and mining height is quantified to 14.4:1.0 by the comparative analysis. The results may serve as technical evidence to support the mining safety of the study area and other coal mines with similar geological conditions.
Metallogenic Material Source and Genesis of the Jilinbaolige Pb-Zn-Ag Deposit, the Great Xing’an Range, China: Constraints from Mineralogical, S Isotopic, and Pb Isotopic Studies of Sulfide Ores
Authors: Han Shili , Wang Sheng , Duan Xianzhe , Santosh M. , Li Sai , Sun Haoran , Tang Zhenping , Tan Kaixuan , Liu San , Chen Liang , Ma Aiyang , Long Shuqin , Liu Wei
Published: November 2022

The Jilinbaolige Pb-Zn-Ag polymetallic deposit is located in the eastern part of Inner Mongolia and in the central-southern part of the Great Xing’an Range, in which several large-sized Pb-Zn-Ag deposits have been found. The Jilinbaolige deposit, which occurs mainly at the contact zone between Yanshanian granite intrusion and sedimentary strata, shows strong NE-to-NNE structural control. The deposit includes three ore-forming stages: (1) the arsenopyrite–pyrite–chalcopyrite–sphalerite stage, (2) the galena–sphalerite–quartz stage, and (3) the pyrite–calcite–quartz stage. In this study, we present a systematic study on the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics (including major elements, S isotopes, and Pb isotopes) of the main sulfide ore minerals in the Jilinbaolige Pb-Zn-Ag deposit in order to evaluate the metallogenic environment, ore-forming material source, and genesis of this polymetallic deposit. The sulfide typomorphic characteristics, ore fabric, and thermometry suggest that the genesis of sulfides in the deposit is closely related to magmatic-hydrothermal activity. The early stage of mineralization might have evolved from a high-temperature hydrothermal environment. The sulfur isotopic results show that the δ34S values in the Jilinbaolige deposit range from 2.3‰ to 6.1‰, with an average value of 3.98‰, indicating that the sulfur originated from magmas with both mantle and crustal components. The Pb isotopic compositions (206Pb/204Pb = 18.214–18.330, 207Pb/204Pb = 15.478–15.615, 208Pb/204Pb = 37.957–38.292, μ = 9.24–9.50, ω = 34.49–36.49) of the sulfide ores suggest that that the lead is of crust-mantle mixed origin. The comparison between the S and Pb isotopic compositions of the Jilinbaolige deposit and the polymetallic deposits from the central-southern parts of the Great Xing’an Range suggests that these deposits have a similar metallogenic source, which is closely related to the Yanshanian granite and medium-temperature hydrothermal fluids. These ore-bearing hydrothermal fluids that evolved from deep magmatic sources migrated along the contact and fracture zones and during the subsequent gradual decrease in temperature, and the metallogenic components were deposited in the relatively open fracture and fissure space. Our results provide insights for further mineral prospecting in the south-central part of the Great Xing’an Range.
Energy Evolution Law during Failure Process of Coal–Rock Combination and Roadway Surrounding Rock
Authors: Zhang Dongxiao , Guo Weiyao , Zhao Tongbin , Zhao Yongqiang , Chen Yang , Zhang Xiufeng
Published: November 2022

The deformation and failure of a coal–rock system in a deep environment is affected by its own mechanical properties, natural endowments, and geological structures; it is very important to study the energy evolution law of coal–rock systems. For this purpose, a Particle Flow Code in 2 Dimensions (PFC2D) simulation was conducted to assess the coal–rock structure and roadway surrounding rock. The hard roof would produce a rebound “energy supply” phenomenon when the coal was destroyed, and the influence of rock strength on the energy evolution of the coal–rock combination was analyzed. In addition, the energy evolution law of roadway surrounding rock with different roof strength is studied; the energy evolution process of roof and coal seam and deep and shallow coal mass are compared, according to the energy storage characteristics of roadway surrounding rock in different areas; the partition energy storage model of roadway surrounding rock is established preliminarily and the concepts of energy storage area and energy supply area of roadway surrounding rock are proposed; the prevention and control methods of near-field rock burst in deep roadways are discussed, and the research conclusions can provide theoretical reference for the research on the mechanism of rock burst in deep coal mines.