bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mixed Reality procedures for the maintenance of existing bridges and retaining walls
Authors: Savini Francesca , Castiglia Massimina , Gargaro Danilo , Trizio Ilaria , Fabbrocino Giovanni
Published: September 2023

National and International road networks are made of structures and infrastructures that often exhibit poor performance due to a lack of maintenance. In this context, Italy recently renewed the legislation regarding existing infrastructure analysis to support knowledge and facilitate a homogeneous data acquisition process. Thus a key component of the process consists of the visual inspection protocols complemented by physical and mechanical measures. This applies to all the structures built for the road network operation, including those classified as geotechnical whose deterioration is often neglected or appropriately surveyed. Along with the definition of a data form for collecting datasets on these aspects, a relevant aspect of the process is the implementation of a collaborative environment for the information management and analysis systems supporting the interested parties in the field. The paper reports the design of a base geotechnical inspection form for Retaining Wall and illustrates some aspects of its implementation in a digital environment. Mixed Reality techniques in combination with web‐based tools for data collection are investigated to increase the feasibility and reliability of the visual inspection of existing road networks.
Experimental validation of DFOS monitoring system for a bridge girder made of wind turbine blade
Authors: Rajchel Mateusz , Kulpa Maciej , Siwowski Tomasz
Published: September 2023

The relatively new fibre optic measurement technique: distributed fibre optic sensing (DFOS) is provided to control strains and displacements, used in the structural health monitoring of a decommissioned wind turbine blade (WTB) bridge girder. The DFOS system is characterized by the following features: accurate, reliable and continuous strain measurements, possibility of assessing shape and displacements, detection of local damages, high durability. Exemplary results of DFOS measurements performed under laboratory conditions on the full‐scale WTB bridge girder are presented. The paper describes the concept of the WTB bridge girder with integrated DFOS monitoring system to control the girder's behavior under loading. Exemplary data of DFOS efficiency were presented and the overall accuracy and reliability of the DFOS measurement system were revealed.
Interface Shear Analysis of UHPC‐NC with U‐Shaped Shear Stud
Authors: Lu Ya , Lin Lanri , Zhang Xing , Shi Xinbo , Wang Xiao , Wang Hao , Yang Tao , Zhang Chengwu , Wang Rui , Wu Xiangguo
Published: September 2023

The composite structure composed of ultra‐high performance concrete (UHPC) and normal concrete (NC) has been widely applied to engineering structures. U‐shaped shear studs play an important role in the combination of the UHPC‐NC interface. To investigate the interface shear characteristics of UHPC‐NC with U‐shaped shear studs, the numerical model with 14 various parameters is calculated based on the interface push tests. The influences of diameter, stud number, NC elastic modulus, NC compressive strength on the shear characteristics of the UHPC‐NC interface are analyzed. The results show that the load‐slip curves of the UHPC‐NC interface with a U‐shaped shear stud have three stages: elastic stage, elastoplastic stage and descending stage. The fitting formula with the power function as the basic function can well express the influence law of diameter on the interface shear capacity. The interface shear capacity is not sensitive to the elastic modulus and compressive strength of NC, and it does not increase or decrease with the increase of stud number, the shear strength of a single stud tends to be constant.
Seismic behaviour assessment and rehabilitation of a masonry three‐arched bridge
Authors: Bencardino Francesco , Curto Roberta
Published: September 2023

Many existing historical masonry arch bridges used in the road and railway networks are still in service. However, most of them show a structural performance deficit due to several factors. This study deals with the seismic behavior assessment of an existing masonry three‐arched railway bridge through a nonlinear, non‐adaptive static analysis carried out by a three‐dimensional Finite Element model. Input data were collected from a variety of sources. The structural analysis showed a risk index that was not in compliance with the limit values suggested by current European Standards. In order to improve the structural reliability of the masonry arch railway bridge, a traditional structural rehabilitation was proposed and designed. The bottom faces of the arches and the piles of the masonry bridge were strengthened by reinforced concrete thin slabs and reinforced concrete jackets, respectively, all adequately connected to the existing structure by using steel bar connectors. Finally, a nonlinear analysis of the strengthened structure showed that the new risk index satisfied the seismic vulnerability verification. The proposed structural rehabilitation using traditional techniques appears to be a viable but not unique solution to improving structural reliability.
Dynamic identification and vibration serviceability assessment of a wooden cable‐stayed footbridge
Authors: Nicoletti Vanni , Tentella Luca , Martini Riccardo , Quarchioni Simone , Carbonari Sandro , Gara Fabrizio
Published: September 2023

This paper discusses the dynamic characterization of a 3 spans wooden cable‐stayed footbridge newly built in Italy. The footbridge is 235 m long and consists of a 2‐girder wooden deck. The edge spans are simply supported, while the mid one (about 150 m long) is sustained by 16 stays linked to 2 pillars. Ambient vibration tests and operational modal analyses are performed to identify the global dynamic behaviour of the structure and 17 stable vibration modes are identified in the frequency range 0‐6 Hz. Moreover, the vibration serviceability is assessed performing in situ pedestrian load tests following the load protocols provided by Hivoss and Sètra technical guidelines, and verifying the recorded accelerations with the maximum ones suggested by codes (fib bulletin 32 and EN1990:2002).
Weathering steel bridge structure after 30 years of service ‐ assessment experience
Authors: Wierzbicki Tomasz , Królikowska Agnieszka , Żółtowski Mariusz
Published: September 2023

The structure of 531.4 m total length bridge was made in early nineties last century and it was regarded as novelty by that time. The interesting point was that the structure was made of original Polish weathering steel prepared for bridge solutions intently. There were several trouble concerning the bridge service, steel cracks and less than expected patina growth due to the unfavorable conditions inside the box girder. Quite recently the bridge was carefully inspected as it was to be an important issue of the modern motorway. There was a question if the bridge is to be demolished, due to the corrosion and structural problems or to be preserved and extended to meet required traffic volume. There was a careful examination performed including metallurgical, corrosion and structural analysis done. The paper is to present the most important outcomes concerning mainly structural issues, but some weathering steel corrosion observation will be provided as well.
Experimental analysis of longitudinal and lateral track‐bridge interaction of the ballasted track in railway bridges
Authors: Stollwitzer Andreas , Bettinelli Lara , Fink Josef
Published: September 2023

Concerning dynamic assessments of railway bridges with ballasted track, the input parameters applied in the calculation model significantly influence the generated calculation results. In this context, there is still a considerable need for research, especially regarding the dynamic properties of the ballast superstructure. This contribution is dedicated to an experimental investigation of the longitudinal track‐bridge interaction (TBI), using a special large‐scale test facility as a basis. Comparisons are made between the normative specifications of EN 1991‐2 regarding stiffness properties depending on load (loaded or unloaded track) and temperature level and the actual experimentally determined behaviour. Hereby, considerable deviations between normative assumptions and reality are found. Regarding the damping properties of the longitudinal TBI, different damping mechanisms occur depending on excitation frequency and horizontal displacement amplitude. Furthermore, this contribution presents initial results of a currently ongoing research project, which includes experimental analyses of lateral track resistance on dynamically excited railway bridges. Here, the influence of vertical bridge vibrations on lateral track stiffness is investigated.
Development of corrosion hazard maps for reinforced concrete bridges
Authors: Quaranta Giuseppe , Giaccu Gian Felice , Briseghella Bruno , Nuti Camillo
Published: September 2023

Infrastructures in coastal areas are often prone to several hazards, and thus the elaboration of effective risk management plans in such zones are possible if all relevant threats are considered and analyzed. In this context, the assessment of the corrosion hazard attributable to airborne chlorides is of utmost importance since the resulting deterioration phenomena can heavily jeopardize both reliability and resilience of the infrastructures. Therefore, this contribution aims at proposing the preliminary version of a possible framework for the elaboration of corrosion hazard maps at regional scale for coastal areas, with focus on reinforced concrete bridges. The proposed approach encompasses three main steps. First, the relevant stock of infrastructures vulnerable to chloride‐induced corrosion is identified and quantified. This requires the collection of relevant features, such as construction type, position, and age. Environmental conditions are examined next, including data about sea waves and salinity, wind, temperature, humidity, rainfall, and chloride deposition rate. Finally, the corrosion hazard is estimated in probabilistic sense. The proposed methodology is presented together with the preliminary results obtained from a relevant case study.
Hyperspectral imaging systems for corrosion detection from remotely operated vehicles
Authors: Thomas Dominik , Gündel Max
Published: September 2023

The detection of corrosion, especially in early stages, is a key factor for cost reduction in the maintenance of steel infrastructure. However, manual inspection is time consuming and takes considerable effort of people and equipment. Remotely operated vehicles with application‐specific sensors may overcome this problem. Novel sensing approaches like hyperspectral imaging (HSI) systems in combination with machine learning algorithms open new pathways for the rapid inspection of large surface areas in complex environments. In contrast to conventional RGB imaging, HSI contains both spatial and spectral reflectivity information over the complete visual spectral range and near infrared. This offers improved material characterization and classification possibilities using the chemical properties contained in the local reflection spectrum.

This paper presents advantages and disadvantages of hyperspectral imaging systems for the detection of corrosion of steel infrastructure as well as suitable wavelength ranges for use with remotely operated vehicles. Furthermore, in‐field measurements with HSI for the inspection of corrosion on steel structures are shown.
Analysis of the Impact of the Ribbon Track on Unconventional Fixing on a Steel Multi‐Span Bridge
Authors: Odrobiňák Jaroslav , Farbák Matúš , Prokop Jozef , Vičan Josef , Vavák Branislav
Published: September 2023

The presented analysis deals with the influence of ribbon rail track on its unconventional fixing on a steel multi‐span bridge. Specially adapted stiffeners for the transfer of horizontal forces from the track to the superstructure are used in such cases. Local defects created over the years point out the overstressing of the fixing stiffeners to the combined response of the structure and the track. Subsequently, there is an adverse effect on the continuous ribbon track and the speed or pass‐ability of the bridge can be significantly limited.Numerical analyses are confronted with in‐situ experimental measurements realized at the 450 m long 14‐span‐bridge within an international railway line. Experimental measurements were focused mainly on influence of temperature and breaking/accelerating forces. The results showed a significant impact of temperature effects on the rails leading into unexpected longitudinal displacements and unwanted stresses in the analyzed details of the track fixation. A global model and local sub‐models in two FEM software were elaborated to analyze real behavior in a theoretical way.

Researchers from the university and the R&D staff of the state railway administrator's institute collaborated in this research within the mutual long‐term cooperation.
Inverse Analysis and Optimization‐based Model Updating for Structural Damage Detection
Authors: Lehký David , Šplíchal Bohumil , Lamperová Katarína , Slowik Ondřej
Published: September 2023

Structural health monitoring and early detection of structural damage is extremely important to maintain and preserve the service life of civil engineering structures. Identification of structural damage is usually performed using non‐destructive vibration experiments combined with a mathematical procedure called model updating. The finite element model of the investigated structure is updated by incrementally adjusting its parameters so that the model responses gradually approach those of the real possibly damaged structure under investigation. This paper describes the use of two model updating methods. The first method employs metaheuristic optimization technique aimed multilevel sampling to efficiently search the design parameter space to achieve the best match between the deformed structure and its model. The second method approaches model updating as an inverse problem and uses machine learning‐based model to approximate inverse relationship between structural response and structural parameters. Both methods are applied to damage identification of single‐ and double‐span steel trusses. Finally, initial results of the hybrid method are presented. The effect of the damage rate and location on the identification speed and the accuracy of the solution is investigated and discussed.
Towards Workflows for the Use of AI Foundation Models in Visual Inspection Applications
Authors: Rigotti Mattia , Antognini Diego , Assaf Roy , Bakirci Kagan , Frick Thomas , Giurgiu Ioana , Janoušková Klára , Janicki Filip , Jubran Husam , Malossi Cristiano , Meterez Alexandru , Scheidegger Florian
Published: September 2023

The latest successes in AI have been largely driven by a paradigm known as Foundation Models (FMs), large Neural Networks pretrained on massive datasets that thereby acquire impressive transfer learning capabilities to adapt to new tasks. The emerging properties of FMs have unlocked novel tantalizing applications for instance enabling the generation of fluent text and realistic images from text descriptions. The impact of FMs on technical domains like civil engineering is however still in its infancy, owing to a gap between research development and application use cases. This paper aims to help bridge this gap and promote adoption among technical practitioners, specifically in visual inspection applications for civil engineering. For that we analyze the requirements in terms of data availability making particular use cases amenable to the pretraining/fine‐tuning paradigm of FMs, i.e. situations where labeled data is scarce or costly, but unlabeled data is abundant. We then illustrate proof‐of‐concepts workflows using FMs, in visual inspection applications. We hope that our contribution will mark the start of conversations between AI researchers and civil engineers on the potential of FMs to accelerate workflows supporting vision tasks for maintenance inspections and decisions.
Extending the life of bridges with external tendons
Authors: Ramírez Guillermo , Ševčík Petr
Published: September 2023

Historically, expanding economies see a boom in the construction sector followed, some decades later, by issues associated with aging infrastructures. Sometimes, the bridges are performing as expected but a change in the codes or on the traffic loads trigger the need for wider or stronger structures. When this happens, the old paradigm of building bigger and more modern bridges is no longer valid, as we face one of the biggest challenges of our history: climate change. Sustainability is, or hopefully it will soon be, the main criteria when it comes to deciding how to intervene on an aging bridge. It is widely agreed that extending the life of an existing structure is more sustainable than building a new one.

Amongst the many ways of retrofitting a bridge, external tendons made of prestressing steel are a versatile, well proven, and efficient way of strengthening existing structures, whether these were originally fitted with external tendons, or not. For bridges with damaged existing external tendons, specific replacement methods have been developed.

In this paper, we will present a selected number of bridges where external tendons have been added or replaced, focusing on the lessons learnt whether for future strengthening projects or for the design of new structures.
Estimation of the shear capacity of decks in existing shorter reinforced concrete bridges
Authors: Gošte Neža , Isaković Tatjana , Triller Petra , Kreslin Maja
Published: September 2023

It has been recognized that the shear capacity of old bridges can play a crucial/key role in evaluating their structural safety. Determination of the shear capacity of critical cross‐sections presents a much greater challenge than the assessment of their bending capacity.

Due to abovementioned problems, the shear capacity of shorter reinforced concrete bridges with T‐beams has been evaluated with various models. Four different models were examined, the currently valid Eurocode 2, draft of the new version of Eurocode 2, the currently valid Eurocode 8‐3 and the model corresponding to modified compression field theory (MCFT). According to all the models, the capacity of deck of existing reinforced concrete bridge was calculated. This bridge was previously inspected and the actual amount and shape of the shear and bending reinforcement was determined.

The results obtained with different models were compared and the typical parameters which influence the shear capacity were analyzed. The results in terms of shear capacity show that different models can give quite different results for the same bridge.
Progressive collapse of hangers in steel arch bridges due to blast loading
Authors: Franck Kenneth Tiotsop , Emanuele Maiorana , Guillaume Hervé Poh'sié
Published: September 2023

This work was aimed at analysing the redundancy of the hangers of a steel arch bridge and the resilient behaviour of the bridges when subjected to blast loading. Firstly, numerical models of the bridge were created to perform a linear static analysis. Then, the structure was statically verified according to Eurocode norms. Afterwards, the redundancy analysis of the bridge was conducted by considering hangers failure cases in the symmetric and asymmetric configurations. In each case considered, the failure of a particular number of hangers was considered on each side of the arch bridge, then the stress redistribution and global behaviour of the bridge was assessed. A resilience analysis was also performed through a dynamic non‐linear time‐history analysis of the bridge subjected to a blast load of 500 kg of TNT applied 1 m above the deck at two different locations on the bridge. From the redundancy analysis, a progressive collapse mechanism was found to be related to the redundancy of the hangers. Besides, the resilience analysis showed that the vulnerability of the bridge depends on the position of the blast loading. Furthermore, the level of damage of the bridge elements which is a key factor for the bridge's resilience, is dependent on their distances from the detonation point.
Analysis of the Thermal Effects on the Performance and Reliability of Post‐Tensioned Integral Abutment Bridges
Authors: Aloisio Angelo , Contento Alessandro , Xue Junqing , Quaranta Giuseppe , Briseghella Bruno , Gardoni Paolo
Published: September 2023

There are cases where the common approaches used to assess the temperature loading effects may not be sufficient, especially in the case of integral abutment bridges (IABs). In IABs, the incorrect choice of the design temperature may result in an unwanted tensional state in the bridge decks and additional loads on the abutments. For post‐tensioned bridges, the combined effects of excessive temperature loads and loss of tension in the post‐tensioned cables due to time‐dependent phenomena like relaxation in steel and shrink‐age and creep in concrete may lead to probabilities of exceedance of serviceability (or ultimate) limit states that exceed the code specifications and/or desired levels of safety, and to cascading negative effects on the operation of the road infrastructure. This research aims at assessing the sensitivity of IABs to the long‐term effects of temperature loads and, in a second step, quantifying the probability of exceedance of relevant serviceability limit states.
Ductility of RC Columns confined with FRP Sheets
Authors: Apostolidi Eftychia , Liakopoulou Efstathia , Dritsos Stephanos , WaldmannDiederich Danièle
Published: September 2023

Many existing structures show insufficient seismic capacity, with the lack of members' ductility being a critical factor. Aim is to manage to increase their ductility, through confinement with composite fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets. In the present paper, available analytical procedures of Eurocode 8‐Part 3 (2005) and draft of 2022 and the Greek Code for Structural Interventions (CSI) of 2013 and the revision of 2022 are examined, compared together with an analytical model proposed in the literature. Analytical results of the above procedures are also compared both with available experimental data and with each other and the degree of their reliability is evaluated. The current EC8‐3 (2005), although in many cases converges quite well with the experimental data, unrealistic results are obtained for a large thickness of the confined material. This seems to be corrected in the proposed EC83 revision of 2022. The Greek CSI 2013 adopts a very simple straight‐forward analytical procedure producing the most conservative results, while the revised analytical expressions included in the 2022 version, has a better convergence with the experiments. However, for large thickness of confinement material, the ductility factor values are unrealistically high. The model proposed in the literature has the advantage of correcting the aforementioned unrealistic result.
Seismic analysis of integral bridge considering the influence of soil structure interaction
Authors: Shrestha Sudip , Sahani Kameshwar , Balla Biswa Kumar
Published: September 2023

In Simply supported bridge, superstructure and substructure are separated by the expansion joint and bearing. In Integral bridge (IB), the bridge deck is casted monolithically with the abutment wall. Integral bridges have increased redundancy, which improves its seismic performance. Simply supported Bridge fails may fail due to the failure of bearing, non‐availability of seating width and failure of expansion joint which does not occur in the IB. The single pile analysis performed in Csi bridge and L pile software with same soil and pile parameter shows that the soil parameters from API guideline can be used in the FEM to represent the SPI. The FE modelling of a benchmark IB is modelled in Csi Bridge. Soil surrounding the pile is represented by the series of nonlinear spring p–y curve, t‐z curve and q‐z curve based on API. Seismic Capacity of benchmark IB is determined using nonlinear static analysis in which nonlinearity is assigned in soil and pile. The forces induced in piles are observed to be within the elastic capacity. Parametric study with variation of soil (loose sand, medium sand and stiff clay) by Nonlinear static analysis shows stiffness of soil has significant effect on seismic response.
Quality control criteria for gas permeability testing of concrete structures
Authors: Ptacek Lisa , Grba Damian , Granzner Maximilian , Sattler Fabian , Frangopol Dan M. , Strauss Alfred
Published: September 2023

Curing is a crucial process during the construction phase of concrete structures, as it plays a significant role in ensuring durability and strength. During the curing process, the concrete is kept moist to allow properly hydration and hardening. This process helps to prevent cracking, increase the concrete's compressive strength, and improve its resistance to weathering, abrasion, and other forms of wear. Therefore, it is essential that the curing process is carried out correctly to ensure the longevity and structural integrity of the concrete structures. The pore system within concrete plays a critical role in determining its durability and resistance to various types of degradation. One way to assess the quality and durability of concrete is by measuring its gas permeability. Gas permeability is a measure of how easily gases, such as air or water vapor, can pass through the concrete. If concrete has high gas permeability, it allows harmful substances, such as water, gases and chemicals, to penetrate into the concrete, causing damage and reducing its durability over time. Herein gas permeability testing is used for the evaluation of concrete curing quality.
Field Studies of Megagravel Transport: Relevance for Coastal Infrastructure Engineering
Authors: Cox Rónadh , Pakrashi Vikram
Published: September 2023

Extreme wave impacts on coastal infrastructure, including bridges, is a growing problem. Highest energy events are difficult to study because direct observations in real time are almost impossible. Also the non‐linear dynamics are difficult to model or to reproduce in scaled experiments. Coastal boulder deposits incorporating megagravel (y axis >4.1 m) provide natural analogues of infrastructure components such as bridge deck slabs; and field measurements of these wave‐transported blocks can address this knowledge gap. In this contribution we present geoscience data relating coastal topography, wave climate, and dislodgement of megagravel up to 620 tonnes. We hope that this will generate new synergies among coastal geocientists and engineers.
Fragility analysis of slopes exposed to seismic hazard employing surrogate modeling techniques
Authors: Cabanzo Carlos , Tinoco Joaquim , Sousa Hélder S. , Matos José C.
Published: September 2023

Natural disasters may lead to failure of critical assets part of railway systems. Slope failure often results in major economic consequences. Due to the economic importance that railways systems have, it is pertinent to ensure good performance and long‐term. The objective of the present research is to propose tools that may allow obtaining the failure probability of soil slopes under a seismic event by employing surrogate models to ease the computational cost of considering the uncertainties associated with geotechnical and geometrical properties of a case study located in Portugal. The presented methodology and derived fragility curves, using peak ground acceleration (PGA) as the intensity measure (IM), can be used to assess slope performance under a seismic event for different safety levels, thus providing useful information for prioritizing assets and taking preventive actions to maintain the desired performance of the railway system.
INTUMESCENT FIREPROOF COATINGS BASED ON ZEOLITE‐LIKE CEMENT MATRICES
Authors: Krivenko Pavel , Guzii Sergii , Rudenko Igor , Konstantynovskyi Oleksandr
Published: September 2023

Concrete and reinforced concrete building structures (for example, such as tunnels) lose carrying ability in case of high‐temperature fire action. The aim of the research is to study the prevention of reinforced concrete structures (for example, such as tunnels) under fire action in case of using the proposed coating based on the alkaline aluminosilicate binder, which would not consist of organic components dangerous to health. The ratios between constituent oxides in the binder which ensure the ability to bloat the coating under fire action were determined. The performance properties of developed fire protective coating were defined after artificial aging (cycles of alternate drying and cooling) and fire action: bloating factor ‐ 2.0…5.1, adhesion strength ‐ 6.6…8.0 MPa, compressive strength ‐ 2.3…4.5 MPa, cohesive strength of 1.2…1.5 MPa, thermal conductivity coefficient ‐ 0.042…0.066 W/m‐°C, total porosity ‐ 92…97 %. The temperature at which the coating starts to bloat = 200…250 °C has been developed. The results of the test held in the open air suggested drawing a conclusion that with a coating thickness of 6 mm protection of the reinforced concrete from fragile fracture and from plastic deformations in the metal of the reinforcement they provided under fire exposure for a period of 3 hours.
Case study: use of SHM to support bridge assessment, maintenance and operation
Authors: Paciacconi Andrea , Richli Thomas
Published: September 2023

The assessment of infrastructure conditions is at present a topic of great interest and importance, as well as great challenge. This paper presents a case study of the Samuel De Champlain Bridge (Montreal, QB, Canada), an outstanding stay cable bridge equipped with a comprehensive monitoring system (SHM). Among other SHM features, particular attention was paid to implementation of a strategic corrosion monitoring system. This paper intends to describe the concept design, implementation and data interpretation. Here corrosion sensors have been embedded during construction stage to monitor long term evolution of key electro‐chemical parameters for controlling deterioration of materials. Furthermore, these sensors measure stray current interference generated from the rail system that can cause corrosion. In both cases, abnormal values would warn the owner of the associated increased risk of corrosion. This gives them the possibility to take corrective measures to protect the structure before corrosion becomes a serious threat.
How to make Monitoring more attractive to Bridge Owners
Authors: Wenzel Helmut , Wenzel Moritz
Published: September 2023

There is a wide gap between bridge owners needs and scientist's desire. Monitoring based assessment of bridges has therefore not really arrived in bridge managers processes. We have to do the necessary only, work out clear objectives, present plausible explanations, offer interfaces to LCE and BIM, create standard applications with plenty of references and submit results that fit into the owners’ work process. How to do this will be explained presenting actual cases from the world longest suspension bridge (Canakkale Bridge 2023m span), several bridge cases in India and China as well as Offshore Applications.
Single‐Step Synthesis of NiI from NiII with H2
Authors: Takahashi Chiaki , Yatabe Takeshi , Nakai Hidetaka , Ogo Seiji
Published: September 2023

Chemists have long sought to regulate the reactivity of H2, to yield hydride ions, hydrogen atoms, or electrons on demand. One source of inspiration for achieving this control is [NiFe]hydrogenase ([NiFe]H2ase), which reacts with H2 to form various hydrogen active species such as NiIII hydride species, NiII hydride species, and NiI low‐valent species. Chemists have attempted to synthesize these hydrogen active species not only as models for the active species of [NiFe]H2ase, but also as electron transfer catalysts. However, the synthesis of NiI complex directly from H2 has not been reported. This paper reports the first example of a single‐step synthesis of a NiI complex, via reaction of a NiII complex with H2, stable for over 3 months at room temperature and we further demonstrate a reductive coupling of acridinium ions as part of a reaction cycle.
Formation and Growth of Atomic Scale Seeds of Au Nanoparticle in the Nanospace of an Organic Cage Molecule
Authors: Mihara Nozomi , Machida Ayaka , Takeda Yuko , Shiga Takuya , Ishii Ayumi , Nihei Masayuki
Published: September 2023

Seed‐mediated growth has been widely used to synthesize noble metal nanoparticles with controlled size and shape. Although it is becoming possible to directly observe the nucleation process of metal atoms at the single atom level by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), it is challenging to control the formation and growth of seeds with only a few metal atoms in homogeneous solution systems. This work reports site‐selective formation and growth of atomic scale seeds of the Au nanoparticle in a nanospace of an organic cage molecule. We synthesized a cage molecule with amines and phenols, which were found to both capture and reduce Au(III) ions to spontaneously form the atomic scale seeds containing Au(0) in the nanospace. The growth reaction of the atomic scale seeds afforded Au nanoparticles with an average diameter of 2.0±0.2 nm, which is in good agreement with the inner diameter of the cage molecule.
Chalcogen Bond Catalysis with Telluronium Cations for Bromination Reaction: Importance of Electrostatic and Polarization Effects
Authors: Wang Yanjiang , Zhao Chang , Chen Wen‐Kai , Zeng Yanli
Published: September 2023

Recently, chalcogen bond catalysts with telluronium cations have garnered considerable attention in organic reactions. In this work, chalcogen bond catalysis on the bromination reaction of anisole with N‐bromosuccinimide (NBS) with the telluronium cationic catalysts has been explored with density functional theory (DFT). The catalytic reaction is divided into two stages: the bromine transfer step and the proton transfer step. Based on the computational results, one can find the rate‐determining step is the bromine transfer step. Moreover, the present study elucidates that a stronger chalcogen bond between catalysts and NBS will give better catalytic performance. Additionally, this work also clarified the importance of the electrostatic and polarization effects in the chalcogen bond between the oxygen atom of NBS and the Te atom of the catalyst in this bromination reaction. The electrostatic and polarization effects are significantly influenced by the electron‐withdrawing ability of the substitution groups on the catalysts. Moreover, the structure‐property relationship between the strength of chalcogen bond, electrostatic effect, polarization effect and catalytic performance are established for the design of more efficient chalcogen bond catalysts.
Longitudinal Trajectory of Opioid Prescribing and its Associated Serious Adverse Events: A Population‐Wide Cohort Study in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Teng‐Chou , Lin Chih‐Peng , Wang Ting‐Chun , Ashcroft Darren M. , Chan K. Arnold , Chen Li‐Chia
Published: September 2023

Chronic opioid prescribing (COP) for noncancer pain is highly restricted in Taiwan, but tramadol is not listed in the regulation on chronic prescribing. This study investigated the trajectories of COP in noncancer pain when considering tramadol in Taiwan and identified the risk of serious adverse events. This population‐wide longitudinal cohort study used the Taiwan National Health Insurance claims records from 2001 to 2016. Adults prescribed opioids (including tramadol) and without cancer were selected. Patients who received COP (opioid supply days for 28 days or continuous opioid supply for 14 days) in the first patient quarter were included, and serious adverse events were identified. Group‐based trajectory models were applied to identify patients with a similar trajectory of quarterly COP. The Cox proportional hazard model was applied to assess the association between adverse events and patients' trajectories. Of the 2,360,358 noncancer opioid users, 476,934 (20.2%) received COP in the first quarter. Four groups of COP trajectory were identified, and 59,310 (12.8%) patients received COP quarterly over 2 years. Patients categorized into the trajectory of long‐term COP had a significantly higher crude incidence rate of cardiovascular death, seizure, and hypoglycemia. Still, there is no newly developed opioid use disorder. There was a substantial underestimate in COP in Taiwan when tramadol was not considered. Notably, 10% of them could receive COP for over 2 years. The result raises concern about unmet pain management needs and the limited accessibility of alternative treatments for noncancer pain.
Surface Activated Pyrolytic Carbon Black: A Dual Functional Sustainable Filler for Natural Rubber Composites
Authors: Abdul Sattar Mohammad
Published: September 2023

The significant rise in end‐of‐life tires (ELTs) globally poses immediate environmental and human health risks. Therefore, to promote ELTs recycling and to reduce tire industry carbon emissions, herein we present a facile approach for fine‐tuning the interfacial interactions between pyrolytic carbon black (P‐CB) obtained from ELTs and natural rubber (NR) matrix using phosphonium‐based ionic liquid (PIL). The reinforcing effect of PIL‐activated P‐CB was studied by replacing the furnace‐grade carbon black (N330‐CB) with varying PIL and P‐CB loadings. Adding PIL improved the filler dispersion and the cross‐linking kinetics with a substantially reduced zinc oxide (ZnO) loading. Considering the cross‐linking and viscoelastic properties, it was concluded that the composite, P‐CB/N330‐CB‐PIL (1.5)+ZnO (1) with half substitution of N330‐CB with P‐CB synergistically works with 1.5 phr PIL and 1 phr of ZnO resulting in improved dynamic‐mechanical properties with a minimal loss tangent value at 60 °C (tanδ=0.0689) and improved glass transition temperature (Tg=−38 °C) compared to control composite. The significant drop (~29 % lower) in tanδ could reduce fuel consumption and related CO2 emissions. We envisage that this strategy opens an essential avenue for “Green Tire Technology” towards the substantial pollution abatement from ELTs and reduces the toxic ZnO.
Understanding the Origin of Reconstruction in Transition Metal Oxide Oxygen Evolution Reaction Electrocatalysts
Authors: Zou Anqi , Tang Ying , Wu Chao , Li Junhua , Meng Haoyan , Wang Zhen , Ma Yifan , An Hang , Zhong Haoyin , Zhang Qi , Zhang Xin , Xue Junmin , Wang Xiaopeng , Wu Jiagang
Published: September 2023

Electrochemical water splitting to generate hydrogen energy fills a gap in the intermittency issues for wind and sunlight power. Transition metal (TM) oxides have attracted significant interest in water oxidation due to their availability and excellent activity. Typically, the transitional metal oxyhydroxides species derived from these metal oxides are often acknowledged as the real catalytic species, due to the irreversible structural reconstruction. Hence, in order to innovatively design new catalyst, it is necessary to provide a comprehensive understanding for the origin of surface reconstruction. In this review, the most recent developments in the reconstruction of transition metal‐based oxygen evolution reaction electrocatalysts were introduced, and various chemical driving forces behind the reconstruction mechanism were discussed. At the same time, specific strategies for modulating pre‐catalysts to achieve controllable reconfiguration, such as metal substituting, increase of structural defect sites, were summarized. At last, the issues for the further understanding and optimization of transition metal oxides compositions based on structural reconstruction were provided.
Phenotyping congestion in acute heart failure by renal flow and right heart to pulmonary circulation coupling
Authors: Vella Alessandro , Labate Valentina , Carenini Gianmarco , Alfonzetti Eleonora , Milani Valentina , Bandera Francesco , Oliva Omar , Guazzi Marco
Published: September 2023

Aims

In acute heart failure (AHF), kidney congestion is basic to treatment and prognosis. Its aetiology is manifold and quite unexplored in details mainly regarding the right heart to pulmonary circulation (Pc) coupling. We investigated the right heart to kidney interrelationship by Doppler renal flow pattern, right atrial dynamics, and right ventricular (RV) function to Pc coupling in AHF.

Methods and results

In 119 AHF patients, echocardiographic and renal Doppler data were analysed. Univariate and multivariate regression models were performed to define the determinants of a quantitative parameter of renal congestion, the renal venous stasis index (RVSI). When grouped according to different intra‐renal venous flow patterns, no differences were observed in haemodynamics and baseline renal function. Nonetheless, patients with renal Doppler evidence of congestion showed a reduced RV function [tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), S′‐wave velocity, and fractional area change], impaired RV to Pc coupling [TAPSE/pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) ratio], and right atrial peak longitudinal strain (RAPLS), along with signs of volume overload [increased inferior vena cava (IVC) diameters and estimated right atrial pressure]. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses confirmed TAPSE/PASP, RAPLS, and IVC diameter as independent determinants of the RVSI. RVSI was the only variable predicting the composite outcome (cardiac death, heart failure hospitalization, and haemodialysis). An easy‐to‐use echo‐derived right heart score of four variables provided good accuracy in identifying kidney congestion.

Conclusions

In AHF, the renal venous flow pattern combined with a right heart study phenotypes congestion and clinical evolution. Keys to renal flow disruption are an impaired right atrial dynamics and RV–Pc uncoupling. Integration of four right heart echocardiographic variables may be an effective tool for scoring the renal congestive phenotype in AHF.
Solvent‐Free Hydrohalogenation and Deuteriohalogenation by Ex Situ Generation of HX and DX Gas
Authors: Verschueren Rik H. , Voets Lauren , Saliën Jelena , Balcaen Tim , De Borggraeve Wim M.
Published: September 2023

The hydrohalogenation of olefins is one of the most straightforward methods to access alkyl halides. Despite safety hazards, using pure hydrogen halide gas remains the most atom economic way of performing hydrohalogenation reactions. In this work, we describe the solvent‐free hydro‐ and deuteriohalogenation of olefins using down to near‐stoichiometric amounts of hydrogen and deuterium halide gas. Two‐chamber reactors are employed as an enabling platform to access these reactive gases in a laboratory setting. Ex situ generation from inexpensive and readily available precursors provides on‐demand access to these gases (hydrogen chloride, deuterium chloride, hydrogen bromide, deuterium bromide, hydrogen iodide, and deuterium iodide) with precise stoichiometric control. Upon chemo‐ and regioselective conversion of the substrate, the halide products may be isolated without the need for any work‐up or purification steps making it a clean and labor‐, waste‐ and cost‐effective method.
Identification of bridge cable force damage based on Bayesian inference
Authors: Chen Zhong‐shi , Zheng Jian‐bing , Chu Tian‐yun , Li Jing‐jing , Ding Yang
Published: September 2023

Bridge cable is an important force transmission component of bridge, but it is easy to be damaged during service, such as fatigue damage and corrosion damage, which seriously threatens the safety of bridge structure. Therefore, it is necessary to identify damage of cable force. Generally, the damage of cable force can be identified by the change of cable frequency. This paper establishes a cable force damage identification model based on Bayesian inference and uses Metropolis‐Hastings (MH) algorithm to solve the posterior probability function of unknown parameter. In the Bayesian inference model, the influence of the priori function of unknown parameters on the posterior probability distribution model is discussed. In the MH algorithm, the influence of different proposed distributions (Normal distribution, Gamma distribution and Weibull distribution) on the sampling results is discussed based on three numerical simulation studies, and the influence of burned sample proportion on the establishment of a posteriori distribution function is analyzed. Furthermore, the influence of monitoring noise data and missing data on cable force damage identification is considered, and the robustness of the proposed method is analyzed.
Geochronology and geochemistry of early Paleozoic–early Mesozoic magmatic rocks from the Zhangguangcai Range, NE China: Constraints on the tectonic evolution of the eastern Songnen Massif
Authors: Xue Yiting , Tang Jie , Xu Wenliang , Luan Jinpeng , Long Xinyu , Liu Haotian
Published: September 2023

This paper presents new zircon U–Pb–Hf isotopic and whole‐rock geochemical data for early Paleozoic–early Mesozoic igneous rocks from the Zhangguangcai Range, which are used to provide constraints on the petrogenesis and tectonic setting of these rocks and on the tectonic evolution of the eastern Songnen Massif. We dated five igneous rocks from the Zhangguangcai Range of the eastern Songnen Massif, namely, a late Cambrian (~489 Ma) syenogranite, a middle Silurian (~431 Ma) dacite, a Middle Triassic (~247 Ma) gabbro‐diorite and two Late Triassic (214–210 Ma) rhyolites. The late Cambrian syenogranite, middle Silurian dacite and Late Triassic rhyolites have high SiO2 and (Na2O + K2O) contents and low Mg# values. These four rocks are enriched in light rare earth elements (LREEs) and large‐ion lithophile elements (LILEs) but depleted in heavy REEs (HREEs) and high‐field‐strength elements (HFSEs). In addition, the εHf(t) values and TDM2 ages of zircons from these rocks range from −1.31 to +5.88 and from 1264 to 896 Ma, respectively. These data suggest that their primary magma was derived from partial melting of the juvenile mafic lower crust that was generated during the Mesoproterozoic–Neoproterozoic. The Middle Triassic gabbro‐diorite has low SiO2 and high MgO, Sc, Co, Cr and Ni contents and is enriched in LILEs and LREEs but depleted in HREEs and HFSEs such as Nb and Ta. Combining these features with the zircon εHf(t) values of the gabbro‐diorite, which range from +0.02 to +1.79, the primary magma of this rock is inferred to have been derived from partial melting of an isotopically depleted lithospheric mantle. The late Cambrian syenogranites and the middle Silurian dacites are weakly peraluminous and are classified as medium‐ to high‐K calc‐alkaline series, indicating that they formed in an active‐continental‐margin setting. The Middle–Late Triassic igneous rocks exhibit a bimodal igneous rock association, suggesting that they formed within an extensional environment. Combining our new results with previous findings, the early Paleozoic–early Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the eastern Songnen Massif is revealed. During the early Cambrian–early Silurian, the oceanic plate between the southern Songnen and southern Jiamusi massifs subducted westward beneath the Songnen Massif. The amalgamation between the southern Songnen and southern Jiamusi massifs occurred during the middle Silurian, and the southeastern Songnen Massif was in a post‐collisional extensional setting during the Devonian. During the late Carboniferous–Triassic, the Zhangguangcai Range was in an extensional environment, and the Mudanjiang Ocean started to open along the Jiayin–Mudanjiang Fault, separating the Songnen and Jiamusi massifs during the Middle–Late Triassic.