bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Impact Caused by the Snowfall after Storm Filomena on the Arboreal Masses of Madrid
Authors: Pérez-González María Eugenia , García-Alvarado José María , García-Rodríguez María Pilar , Jiménez-Ballesta Raimundo
Published: April 2022

Following a copious and famous snowfall in Madrid city (Spain) and its surrounding area, the tree masses were analysed to assess the impact of this snowfall. In this way, this paper proposes an approach towards urban forest impact inventory mapping as a consequence of the snowfall of January 2021, and the subsequent atmospheric stability, which kept surface temperatures in Madrid close to −10 °C. The study has been carried out using snowfall data from 1920 to 2020 and images from the Sentinel, Landsat and MODIS satellites. The results obtained by means of image changes in the NDVI reveal a clear impact on the trees, with 11% of the winter vegetation cover of the municipality being affected. Especially significant has been the damage detected both in the forest areas in the city and in the parks, gardens or urban roads.
Examining the Effects of Agricultural Aid on Forests in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Causal Analysis Based on Remotely Sensed Data of Sierra Leone
Authors: He Qingqian , Meng Qing , Flatley William , He Yaqian
Published: April 2022

In sub-Saharan Africa, extreme poverty highlights the tension between development aid and the environment. Foreign aid is considered one of the most important factors affecting forest health in this region. Although many studies have empirically examined the effects of different kinds of foreign aid on forests, few have investigated the potential impact of agricultural aid. This study investigated the causal effects of agricultural aid on forests in Sierra Leone, a country that relies heavily on agricultural products. We constructed a fine-grained (16-day) indicator of forest growth from 2001 to 2015 by combining remotely sensed data of land cover and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index. The high frequency of forest growth data enables us to trace the dynamic causal process. To reduce the confounding effects of heterogeneity, we applied a difference-in-difference design with data at the sub-national level to estimate the causal effect. This study provides robust empirical evidence that foreign agricultural aid harms forests both in the short term (i.e., 16 days) and long term (i.e., years) in Sierra Leone. Agricultural aid projects with agricultural development as their primary objective or aid projects without specific objectives lead to the highest levels of forest degradation.
Oil Palm Land Use Change and Rice Sustainability in South Sumatra, Indonesia
Authors: Ngadi Ngadi , Nagata Junji
Published: April 2022

The massive development of oil palm plantations has made Indonesia the country with the largest land area of oil palm production in the world. However, it is feared that the massive development of oil palm will disrupt national food security. This paper aims to examine the implications of the development of oil palm plantations on the sustainability of rice plants in South Sumatra. The data for analysis are secondary data from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Central Statistics Agency of Indonesia. The results showed that, in the period of 1991–2017, the oil palm land area in South Sumatra increased by more than the rice area. Several districts have become centers of oil palm development, especially Musi Banyuasin and OKU. Although it is increasing rapidly, the development of oil palm does not interfere with the sustainability of rice in South Sumatra, which can be seen from the increase of the land area and productivity of rice. The areas of oil palm land in Musi Banyuasin and OKU is dominant over that of rice. With the more rapid development of the oil palm land area, in the next few years the dominance of oil palm plantations over rice will occur in several districts in South Sumatra.
Understanding Industrial Land Development on Rural-Urban Land Transformation of Jakarta Megacity’s Outer Suburb
Authors: Kurnia Adib Ahmad , Rustiadi Ernan , Fauzi Akhmad , Pravitasari Andrea Emma , Saizen Izuru , Ženka Jan
Published: April 2022

After decentralization, there was massive development in Jakarta megacity’s outer suburbs (JMOS), especially in Bekasi and Tangerang regencies, marked by large-scale industrial estate/park (LSIEP) and followed by new town developments. However, this process led to the emergence of “chaotic” urban-rural land patterns. This study sought to identify the extent to which LSIEP development has affected rural-urban land transformation (RULT). The primary data were land use/cover (LUC) data from 2005, 2015, and 2020 and the LSIEP distributions. The methods applied are the Patch-generating Land Use Simulation (PLUS) model for 2025’s LUC prediction and the RULT index approach, RULT index development using the analytical hierarchy process. These combined approaches were novel in Indonesia, which usually relies on Cellular Automata (CA)-Markov, overlay (spatial), and descriptive statistics analyses to describe the RULT phenomenon. It was found that the villages located around the LSIEP close to the Jakarta megacity toll road network and those adjacent to the municipality (city) had been transformed into urban areas, while villages far from those locations were still rural. This study’s results help clarify the rural to urban transformation in Jakarta megacity’s outer suburbs and could be used as input for spatial planning policy.
Mitochondria-Targeted, Nanoparticle-Based Drug-Delivery Systems: Therapeutics for Mitochondrial Disorders
Authors: Buchke Sakshi , Sharma Muskan , Bora Anusuiya , Relekar Maitrali , Bhanu Piyush , Kumar Jitendra
Published: April 2022

Apart from ATP generation, mitochondria are involved in a wide range of functions, making them one of the most prominent organelles of the human cell. Mitochondrial dysfunction is involved in the pathophysiology of several diseases, such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic disorders. This makes it a target for a variety of therapeutics for the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases. The use of nanoparticles to target mitochondria has significant importance in modern times because they provide promising ways to deliver drug payloads to the mitochondria by overcoming challenges, such as low solubility and poor bioavailability, and also resolve the issues of the poor biodistribution of drugs and pharmacokinetics with increased specificity. This review assesses nanoparticle-based drug-delivery systems, such as liposomes, DQAsome, MITO-Porters, micelles, polymeric and metal nanocarriers, as well as quantum dots, as mitochondria-targeted strategies and discusses them as a treatment for mitochondrial disorders.
CAMDLES: CFD-DEM Simulation of Microbial Communities in Spaceflight and Artificial Microgravity
Authors: An Rocky , Lee Jessica Audrey
Published: April 2022

We present CAMDLES (CFD-DEM Artificial Microgravity Developments for Living Ecosystem Simulation), an extension of CFDEM®Coupling to model biological flows, growth, and mass transfer in artificial microgravity devices. For microbes that accompany humans into space, microgravity-induced alterations in the fluid environment are likely to be a major factor in the microbial experience of spaceflight. Computational modeling is needed to investigate how well ground-based microgravity simulation methods replicate that experience. CAMDLES incorporates agent-based modeling to study inter-species metabolite transport within microbial communities in rotating wall vessel bioreactors (RWVs). Preexisting CFD modeling of RWVs has not yet incorporated growth; CAMDLES employs the simultaneous modeling of biological, chemical, and mechanical processes in a micro-scale rotating reference frame environment. Simulation mass transfer calculations were correlated with Monod dynamic parameters to predict relative growth rates between artificial microgravity, spaceflight microgravity, and 1 g conditions. By simulating a microbial model community of metabolically cooperative strains of Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica, we found that the greatest difference between microgravity and an RWV or 1 g gravity was when species colocalized in dense aggregates. We also investigated the influence of other features of the system on growth, such as spatial distribution, product yields, and diffusivity. Our simulation provides a basis for future laboratory experiments using this community for investigation in artificial microgravity and spaceflight microgravity. More broadly, our development of these models creates a framework for novel hypothesis generation and design of biological experiments with RWVs, coupling the effects of RWV size, rotation rate, and mass transport directly to bacterial growth in microbial communities.
Tendon and Ligament Genetics: How Do They Contribute to Disease and Injury? A Narrative Review
Authors: Ribbans William J. , September Alison V. , Collins Malcolm
Published: April 2022

A significant proportion of patients requiring musculoskeletal management present with tendon and ligament pathology. Our understanding of the intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms that lead to such disabilities is increasing. However, the complexity underpinning these interactive multifactorial elements is still not fully characterised. Evidence highlighting the genetic components, either reducing or increasing susceptibility to injury, is increasing. This review examines the present understanding of the role genetic variations contribute to tendon and ligament injury risk. It examines the different elements of tendon and ligament structure and considers our knowledge of genetic influence on form, function, ability to withstand load, and undertake repair or regeneration. The role of epigenetic factors in modifying gene expression in these structures is also explored. It considers the challenges to interpreting present knowledge, the requirements, and likely pathways for future research, and whether such information has reached the point of clinical utility.
Influence of Cross-Shear and Contact Pressure on Wear Mechanisms of PEEK and CFR-PEEK in Total Hip Joint Replacements
Authors: Shi Ruimin , Wang Bukang , Liu Jiquan , Yan Zhiwei , Dong Lei
Published: April 2022

With the increasing market demand for artificial hip joints, total hip joint replacement has gradually become an effective means of treating a series of hip joint diseases. In order to improve the service life of artificial hip joints, some new artificial hip joint materials, including polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone (CFR-PEEK), have been developed. In this paper, pin-on-plate wear tests under different cross-shear ratios and contact pressures were carried out to study the wear mechanism and worn surface topography of PEEK and CFR-PEEK. The experimental results showed that the wear of PEEK was associated with cross-shear, while CFR-PEEK was not. When the cross-shear ratio was 0.039 and contact pressure was 3.18 MPa, PEEK had poor wear resistance and its wear factor was about eight times that of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The wear resistance of CFR-PEEK had a significant advantage, since its wear factor was about 30% of that of PEEK. The wear factors of PEEK and CFR-PEEK increased as the contact pressure increased. The arithmetic average of the height amplitude of the surface, Sa, also increased gradually according to the topography of the worn surface. The wear mechanisms of PEEK and CFR-PEEK were scratching, plough cutting, and abrasion Since CFR-PEEK had good wear resistance and insensitivity to cross-shear motion, it is suitable for making artificial hip joints under low contact pressure condition.
Structural Behavior of FRP-Retrofitted RC Beams under Combined Torsion and Bending
Authors: Amini Pishro Ahad , Zhang Shiquan , Zhang Zhengrui , Zhao Yana , Amini Pishro Mojdeh , Zhang Lili , Yang Qihong , Postel Victor
Published: April 2022

Fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) retrofit reinforced concrete (RC) structures. ABAQUS finite element software was used to perform numerical parametric analysis on a group of RC beams in this research. All specimens were retrofitted by FRP strips as an external retrofitting and experimentally tested up to previous researchers’ failure points. The range of subjects examined in these RC beams included cracking torque, ultimate torque, angle of twist, and the effect of using FRP on these subjects. We applied artificial neural networks (ANNs) to predict the structural behavior of RC beams under combined torsion and bending to develop the research accuracy. After testing, the ANN results were compared with the ABAQUS results. Consequently, a reasonable examination of the determined mathematical and trial results confirmed this study’s logical accuracy in predicting retrofitted RC beams’ structural behavior under combined loading.
Collagen Cross-Linking Lignin Improves the Bonding Performance of Etch-and-Rinse Adhesives to Dentin
Authors: de Paula Diego Martins , Lomonaco Diego , Parente da Ponte Antônio Moisés , Cordeiro Karen Evellin , Magalhães Moreira Madiana , Giovarruscio Massimo , Sauro Salvatore , Pinheiro Feitosa Victor
Published: April 2022

To evaluate the biomodification ability of lignin used as pre-treatment in human dentin before the application of an etch-and-rinse adhesive. Experimental hydroethanolic solutions with different cross-linking agents were used: 6.5% proanthocyanidins (PAC, from grape-seed extract); 2% cardanol (CARD, from cashew-nut shell liquid); lignin (LIG, from eucalyptus) at 1, 2 or 4% concentrations. The negative control (NC) was ethanol 50 v%. Extracted molars were prepared, and dentin microtensile bond strength (μTBS) was evaluated after 24 h water storage or 10,000 thermocycling aging. Further specimens were processed for SEM nanoleakage, micropermeability confocal microscopy evaluation and in situ degree of conversion (DC) through micro-Raman spectroscopy. Demineralized dentin sticks were submitted to a three-point bending test to evaluate the elastic modulus (E) before and after 1 min biomodification using the tested solutions. Moreover, it was also evaluated the mass changes and hydroxyproline (HYP) release after 4-weeks of water storage. Vibrational collagen crosslinking identification was evaluated through micro-Raman spectroscopy. The results were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s test (α = 0.05). A significant reduction in μTBS was observed in groups NC (p < 0.001) and CARD (p = 0.026). LIG-4% showed no significant reduction in μTBS after aging (p = 0.022). Nanoleakage micrographs showed hybrid layer protection with all agents, but reduced micropermeability was attained only with lignin. Polymerization was negatively affected in the presence of all tested cross-linking agents, except LIG-1%. Lignin and cardanol increased the dentin E values, but only lignin reduced the mass loss in dentin specimens. Effective collagen crosslinking (1117 cm−1 and 1235 cm−1) was detected for all agents. HYP release was significantly lower with LIG-1% than NC (p < 0.001). Lignin was able to perform collagen cross-linking and prevent the degradation of unprotected dentin collagen, thereby improving the bonding performance of the composite restorations performed in this study.
Numerical Simulation of 30% Efficient Lead-Free Perovskite CsSnGeI3-Based Solar Cells
Authors: Sabbah Hussein
Published: April 2022

A cesium tin–germanium triiodide (CsSnGeI3) perovskite-based solar cell (PSC) has been reported to achieve a high-power-conversion efficiency (PCE > 7%) and extreme air stability. A thorough understanding of the role of the interfaces in the perovskite solar cell, along with the optimization of different parameters, is still required for further improvement in PCE. In this study, lead-free CsSnGeI3 PSC has been quantitatively analyzed using a solar cell capacitance simulator (SCAPS–1D). Five electron transport layers (ETL) were comparatively studied, while keeping other layers fixed. The use of SnO2 as an ETL, which has the best band alignment with the perovskite layer, can increase the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of PSC by up to 30%. The defect density and thickness of the absorber layer has been thoroughly investigated. Results show that the device efficiency is highly governed by the defect density of the absorber layer. All the PSCs with a different ETL exhibit PCE exceeding 20% when the defect density of the absorber layer is in the range of 1014 cm−3–1016 cm−3, and degrade dramatically at higher values. With the optimized structure, the simulation found the highest PCE of CsSnGeI3-based PSCs to be 30.98%, with an open circuit voltage (Voc) of 1.22 V, short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 28.18 mA·cm−2, and fill factor (FF) of 89.52%. Our unprecedented results clearly demonstrate that CsSnGeI3-based PSC is an excellent candidate to become the most efficient single-junction solar cell technology soon.
Effect of Mechanical Shock Treatment on Microstructure and Corrosion Properties of Manual Argon Arc Welding Joints of 2205 Duplex Stainless Steel
Authors: Gao Lingqing , Zhang Xinyao , Zha Xiaoqin , Zhang Xinyu
Published: April 2022

Pneumatic chipping hammer and ultrasonic impact peening were used to relieve the welding residual stress of 2205 duplex stainless steel by manual argon arc welding, and the influences of these mechanical shock treatment technologies on the residual stress, microstructure, and corro-sion resistance of the welding seam were studied. Results showed that after pneumatic chipping hammer or ultrasonic impact peening, a small amount of plastic deformation occurred in the welded joint of 2205 duplex stainless steel, which led to an increase in the dislocation density in the microstructure. Meanwhile, the stress state of the welded joint changed from the residual tensile stress to the residual compressive stress. The maximum residual compressive stress could reach −579 MPa. The combined action of the two effectively improved the corrosion resistance of the welded joint. Among them, the best overall effect was the ultrasonic impact peening tech-nology.
The Dust Separation Efficiency of Filter Bags Used in the Wood-Based Panels Furniture Factory
Authors: Dembiński Czesław , Potok Zbigniew , Kučerka Martin , Kminiak Richard , Očkajová Alena , Rogoziński Tomasz
Published: April 2022

The relationship between the conditions of the use of filter bags made of non-woven fabric and the separation efficiency of wood dust generated in a furniture factory was experimentally determined in the conditions of pulse-jet filtration using a pilot-scale baghouse as waste during the processing of wood composites. The experiments were carried out, and we describe the results of the experiment as consisting in assembling one type of filter bag in two dust extraction installations operating under different operating conditions in the same furniture factory. The filter bags working in the assumed time intervals were then tested for their separation efficiency using a stand for testing filtration processes on a pilot scale. The test results are presented in the form of graphs and tables describing both the characteristics of the dust extraction installations and the filter fabric used, as well as the separation efficiency of bags used at different times in different industrial operating conditions for each of them. The conducted research allowed us to recognize the phenomenon of filtration in relation to a very important value, which is the separating efficiency of dust extraction in various operating conditions of dust extraction installations in a furniture factory during the long-term use of filter fabrics. The obtained results allowed us to determine the separation efficiency for the tested bags at a level of over 99.99% and to state that this separation efficiency increased with the working time of the bag. The structure of the outlet dust from filters in the wood composites processing factory constitutes an element of the working environment if the purified air is returned in a recirculation circuit to the interior of the working area. Thanks to this, it is possible to predict the separation efficiency in the long-term use of filter dust collectors for wood dust in furniture factories.
Antibacterial and Biodegradable Polysaccharide-Based Films for Food Packaging Applications: Comparative Study
Authors: Janik Weronika , Nowotarski Michał , Shyntum Divine Yutefar , Banaś Angelika , Krukiewicz Katarzyna , Kudła Stanisław , Dudek Gabriela
Published: April 2022

One of the major objectives of food industry is to develop low-cost biodegradable food packaging films with optimal physicochemical properties, allowing for their large-scale production and providing a variety of applications. To meet the expectations of food industry, we have fabricated a series of solution-cast films based on common biodegradable polysaccharides (starch, chitosan and alginate) to be used in food packaging applications. Selected biopolymers were modified by the addition of glycerol and oxidized sucrose (starch), glycerol (chitosan), and glycerol and calcium chloride (alginate), as well as being used to form blends (starch/chitosan and starch/alginate, respectively). A chestnut extract was used to provide antibacterial properties to the preformed materials. The results of our studies showed that each modification reduced the hydrophilic nature of the polymers, making them more suitable for food packaging applications. In addition, all films exhibited much higher barrier properties to oxygen and carbon dioxide than commercially available films, such as polylactic acid, as well as exhibiting antimicrobial properties against model Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis, respectively), as well as yeast (Candida albicans).
Development of a Performance-Enhanced Hybrid Magnetorheological Elastomer-Fluid for Semi-Active Vibration Isolation: Static and Dynamic Experimental Characterization
Authors: Ali Abdelrahman , Salem Ayman M. H. , Muthalif Asan G. A. , Ramli Rahizar Bin , Julai Sabariah
Published: April 2022

Magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) are a class of emerging smart materials in which their mechanical and rheological properties can be immediately and reversibly altered upon the application of a magnetic field. The change in the MRE properties under the magnetic field is widely known as the magnetorheological (MR) effect. Despite their inherent viscoelastic property-change characteristics, there are disadvantages incorporated with MREs, such as slow response time and the suspension of the magnetic particles in the elastomer matrix, which depress their MR effect. This study investigates the feasibility of a hybrid magnetorheological elastomer-fluid (MRE-F) for longitudinal vibration isolation. The hybrid MRE-F is fabricated by encapsulating MR fluid inside the elastomer matrix. The inclusion of the MR fluid can enhance the MR effect of the elastomer by providing a better response to the magnetic field and, hence, can improve the vibration isolation capabilities. For this purpose, an MRE-based coupling is developed, and isolation performance is investigated in terms of the linear transmissibility factor. The performance of the hybrid MRE-F was compared against two different MRE samples. The results show that further enhancement of MR-effect in MREs is possible by including MR fluid inside the elastomer. The hybrid MRE-F exhibited better stiffness change with the current increase and recorded the highest value of 55.911 N/mm. The transmissivity curves revealed that the MRE-F contributed to a broader shift in the natural frequency with a 7.2 Hz overall shift at 8.9 mT. The damping characteristics are higher in MRE-F, recording the highest percentage increase in damping with 33.04%. Overall, the results reveal the promising potential of hybrid MRE-F in developing MRE-based coupling for longitudinal vibration isolation.
Impact of Novel Varietal and Regional Differences on Cotton Fiber Quality Characteristics
Authors: Hussain Azmat , Sajid Muhammad , Iqbal Danish , Sarwar Muhammad Ilyas , Farooq Assad , Siddique Amna , Khan Muhammad Qamar , Kim Ick-Soo
Published: April 2022

Modernization and the global fashion market demand continuous improvements in upland cotton cultivars (Gossypium hirustum L.) to meet these improved fiber characteristics (fiber length, fiber strength, micronaire) requirements. Researchers have centered their efforts on improved fiber quality; however, the efforts are not immediately supporting the textile sector. The daily mean and temperature amplitude fluctuation affect cotton yield and fiber characteristics. This study analyzed four newly developed cotton varieties in two cotton regions for fiber characteristics’ variations. It was observed that cotton fiber quality characteristics (fiber length, uniformity, strength, and micronaire) are impacted in diverse ways. Fiber quality is mainly affected by the genotype and environmental conditions, e.g., weather conditions, irrigation management, fertilization, and cultural practices. The Khanewal region had shown better fiber characteristics than the Multan region, whereas cotton variety CIM-785 had better fiber characteristics in both regions.
Pigment Penetration Characterization of Colored Boundaries in Powder-Based Color 3D Printing
Authors: Yao Danyang , Yuan Jiangping , Tian Jieni , Wang Liru , Chen Guangxue
Published: April 2022

Color 3D printing has widely affected our daily lives; therefore, its precise control is essential for aesthetics and performance. In this study, four unique test plates were printed using powder-based full-color 3D printing as an example; moreover, the corresponding pigment-penetration depth, chromaticity value and image-based metrics were measured to investigate the lateral pigment penetration characteristics and relative surface-color reproduction of each color patch, and to perform an objective analysis with specific microscopic images. The results show that the lateral pigment-penetration depth correlates with the number of printed layers on the designed 3D test plates, and the qualitative analysis of microscopic images can explain the change in chromaticity well. Meanwhile, there is an obvious linear correlation between the mean structural similarity, color-image difference and color difference for current color samples. Thus, our proposed approach has a good practicality for powder-based color 3D printing, and can provide new insight into predicting the color-presentation efficiency of color 3D-printed substrates by the abovementioned objective metrics.
Kinematic Modeling and Motion Planning of the Mobile Manipulator Agri.Q for Precision Agriculture
Authors: Colucci Giovanni , Botta Andrea , Tagliavini Luigi , Cavallone Paride , Baglieri Lorenzo , Quaglia Giuseppe
Published: April 2022

In recent years, the study of robotic systems for agriculture, a modern research field often shortened as “precision agriculture”, has become highly relevant, especially for those repetitive actions that can be automated thanks to innovative robotic solutions. This paper presents the kinematic model and a motion planning pipeline for a mobile manipulator specifically designed for precision agriculture applications, such as crop sampling and monitoring, formed by a novel articulated mobile base and a commercial collaborative manipulator with seven degrees of freedom. Starting from the models of the two subsystems, characterized by an adjustable position and orientation of the manipulator with respect to the mobile base, the linear mapping that describes the differential kinematics of the whole custom system is expressed as a function of the input commands. To perform pick–and–place tasks, a motion planning algorithm, based on the manipulator manipulability index mapping and a closed form inverse kinematics solution is presented. The motion of the system is based on the decoupling of the base and the arm mobility, and the paper discusses how the base can be properly used for manipulator positioning purposes. The closed form inverse kinematics solution is also provided as an open-source Matlab code.
Multi-Domain Weighted Transfer Adversarial Network for the Cross-Domain Intelligent Fault Diagnosis of Bearings
Authors: Wang Yuanfei , Li Shihao , Jia Feng , Shen Jianjun
Published: April 2022

Transfer learning is a topic that has attracted attention for the intelligent fault diagnosis of bearings since it addresses bearing datasets that have different distributions. However, the traditional intelligent fault diagnosis methods based on transfer learning have the following two shortcomings. (1) The multi-mode structure characteristics of bearing datasets are neglected. (2) Some local regions of the bearing signals may not be suitable for transfer due to signal fluctuation. Therefore, a multi-domain weighted adversarial transfer network is proposed for the cross-domain intelligent fault diagnosis of bearings. In the proposed method, multi-domain adversarial and attention weighting modules are designed to consider bearing multi-mode structure characteristics and solve the influence of local non-transferability regions of signals, respectively. Two diagnosis cases are used to verify the proposed method. The results show that the proposed method is able to extract domain invariant features for different cross-domain diagnosis cases, and thus improves the accuracy of fault identification.
A High–Order WENO Scheme Based on Different Numerical Fluxes for the Savage–Hutter Equations
Authors: Wang Min , Zhang Xiaohua
Published: April 2022

The study of rapid free surface granular avalanche flows has attracted much attention in recent years, which is widely modeled using the Savage–Hutter equations. The model is closely related to shallow water equations. We employ a high-order shock-capturing numerical model based on the weighted essential non-oscillatory (WENO) reconstruction method for solving Savage–Hutter equations. Three numerical fluxes, i.e., Lax–Friedrichs (LF), Harten–Lax–van Leer (HLL), and HLL contact (HLLC) numerical fluxes, are considered with the WENO finite volume method and TVD Runge–Kutta time discretization for the Savage–Hutter equations. Numerical examples in 1D and 2D space are presented to compare the resolution of shock waves and free surface capture. The numerical results show that the method proposed provides excellent performance with high accuracy and robustness.
The Number of Limit Cycles Bifurcating from an Elementary Centre of Hamiltonian Differential Systems
Authors: Wei Lijun , Tian Yun , Xu Yancong
Published: April 2022

This paper studies the number of small limit cycles produced around an elementary center for Hamiltonian differential systems with the elliptic Hamiltonian function H=12y2+12x2−23x3+a4x4(a≠0) under two types of polynomial perturbations of degree m, respectively. It is proved that the Hamiltonian system perturbed in Liénard systems can have at least [3m−14] small limit cycles near the center, where m≤101, and that the related near-Hamiltonian system with general polynomial perturbations can have at least m+[m+12]−2 small-amplitude limit cycles, where m≤16. Furthermore, in any of the cases, the bounds for limit cycles can be reached by studying the isolated zeros of the corresponding first order Melnikov functions and with the help of Maple programs. Here, [·] represents the integer function.
Integrated Order Picking and Multi-Skilled Picker Scheduling in Omni-Channel Retail Stores
Authors: Mou Shandong
Published: April 2022

Utilizing local brick-and-mortar stores for same-day order fulfillment is becoming prominent in omni-channel retailing. Efficient in-store order picking is critical to providing timely value-added omni-channel delivery services. Despite numerous studies on order picking in traditional logistics warehouses and distribution centers, there is scant research focusing on in-store order fulfillment with the multi-skilled workforce in omni-channel retail stores. We studied the integrated Order Picking and Heterogeneous Picker Scheduling Problem (OPPSP-Het) in omni-channel retail stores. We characterized the OPPSP-Het in a mixed-integer linear optimization model with the objective of the minimization of total tardiness of all customer orders. A hybrid heuristic combining the genetic algorithm and variable neighborhood descent was designed to obtain effective solutions. Extensive experiments were conducted to validate the performance of the proposed approach relative to existing algorithms in recent literature. We further numerically showed the effects of order size and heterogeneous workforce on order fulfillment performance. We lastly emphasized the importance of workforce flexibility as a cost-effective approach to improving in-store order fulfillment performance.
A Novel Denoising Method for Retaining Data Characteristics Brought from Washing Aeroengines
Authors: Yan Zhiqi , Zu Ming , Cui Zhiquan , Zhong Shisheng
Published: April 2022

Airlines evaluate the energy-saving and emission reduction effect of washing aeroengines by analyzing the exhaust gas temperature margin (EGTM) data of aeroengines so as to formulate a reasonable washing schedule. The noise in EGTM data must be reduced because they interfere with the analysis. EGTM data will show several step changes after cleaning the aeroengine. These step changes increase the difficulty of denoising because they will be smoothed in the denoising. A denoising method for aeroengine data based on a hybrid model is proposed to meet the needs of accurately evaluating the washing effect. Specifically, the aeroengine data is first decomposed into several components by time and frequency. The amplitude of the component containing the most noise is amplified, and Gaussian noise is added to generate noise-amplified data. Second, a Gated Recurrent Unit Autoencoder (GAE) model is proposed to capture engine data features. The GAE is trained to reconstruct the original data from the amplified noise data to develop its noise reduction ability. The experimental results show that, compared with the current popular algorithms, the proposed denoising method can achieve a better denoising effect, retaining the key characteristics of the aeroengine data.
AI Student: A Machine Reading Comprehension System for the Korean College Scholastic Ability Test
Authors: Kim Gyeongmin , Lee Soomin , Park Chanjun , Jo Jaechoon
Published: April 2022

Machine reading comprehension is a question answering mechanism in which a machine reads, understands, and answers questions from a given text. These reasoning skills can be sufficiently grafted into the Korean College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) to bring about new scientific and educational advances. In this paper, we propose a novel Korean CSAT Question and Answering (KCQA) model and effectively utilize four easy data augmentation strategies with round trip translation to augment the insufficient data in the training dataset. To evaluate the effectiveness of KCQA, 30 students appeared for the test under conditions identical to the proposed model. Our qualitative and quantitative analysis along with experimental results revealed that KCQA achieved better performance than humans with a higher F1 score of 3.86.
On Periods of Interval Exchange Transformations
Authors: Cánovas Jose S. , Linero Bas Antonio , Soler López Gabriel
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we study the periods of interval exchange transformations. First, we characterize the periods of interval exchange transformations with one discontinuity. In particular, we prove that there is no forcing between periods of maps with two branches of continuity. This characterization is a partial solution to a problem by Misiurewicz. In particular, a periodic structure is not possible for a family of the maps with one point of discontinuity in which the monotonicity changes. Second, we study a similar problem for interval exchange transformations with two discontinuities. Here we classify these maps in several classes such that two maps in the same class have the same periods. Finally, we study the set of periods for two categories, obtaining partial results that prove that the characterization of the periods in each class is not an easy problem.
A Modified Black-Scholes-Merton Model for Option Pricing
Authors: Morales-Bañuelos Paula , Muriel Nelson , Fernández-Anaya Guillermo
Published: April 2022

Financial derivatives have grown in importance over the last 40 years with futures and options being actively traded on a daily basis throughout the world. The need to accurately price such financial instruments has, thus, also increased, which has given rise to several mathematical models among which is that of Black, Scholes, and Merton whose wide acceptance is partly justified by its ability to price derivatives in mature and well-developed markets. For instruments traded in emerging markets, however, the accurateness of the BSM model is unproven and new proposals need be made to face the pricing challenge. In this paper we develop a model, inspired in conformable calculus, providing greater flexibilities for these markets. After developing the theoretical aspects of the model, we present an empirical application.
Algal Polysaccharides-Based Hydrogels: Extraction, Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications
Authors: Lin Jianan , Jiao Guangling , Kermanshahi-pour Azadeh
Published: April 2022

Hydrogels are three-dimensional crosslinked hydrophilic polymer networks with great potential in drug delivery, tissue engineering, wound dressing, agrochemicals application, food packaging, and cosmetics. However, conventional synthetic polymer hydrogels may be hazardous and have poor biocompatibility and biodegradability. Algal polysaccharides are abundant natural products with biocompatible and biodegradable properties. Polysaccharides and their derivatives also possess unique features such as physicochemical properties, hydrophilicity, mechanical strength, and tunable functionality. As such, algal polysaccharides have been widely exploited as building blocks in the fabrication of polysaccharide-based hydrogels through physical and/or chemical crosslinking. In this review, we discuss the extraction and characterization of polysaccharides derived from algae. This review focuses on recent advances in synthesis and applications of algal polysaccharides-based hydrogels. Additionally, we discuss the techno-economic analyses of chitosan and acrylic acid-based hydrogels, drawing attention to the importance of such analyses for hydrogels. Finally, the future prospects of algal polysaccharides-based hydrogels are outlined.
Identification of Anti-TNFα VNAR Single Domain Antibodies from Whitespotted Bambooshark (Chiloscyllium plagiosum)
Authors: Zhao Linfei , Chen Mingliang , Wang Xiaona , Kang Shoukai , Xue Weiwei , Li Zengpeng
Published: April 2022

Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), an important clinical testing factor and drug target, can trigger serious autoimmune diseases and inflammation. Thus, the TNFα antibodies have great potential application in diagnostics and therapy fields. The variable binding domain of IgNAR (VNAR), the shark single domain antibody, has some excellent advantages in terms of size, solubility, and thermal and chemical stability, making them an ideal alternative to conventional antibodies. This study aims to obtain VNARs that are specific for mouse TNF (mTNF) from whitespotted bamboosharks. After immunization of whitespotted bamboosharks, the peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) were isolated from the sharks, then the VNAR phage display library was constructed. Through phage display panning against mTNFα, positive clones were validated through ELISA assay. The affinity of the VNAR and mTNFα was measured using ELISA and Bio-Layer Interferometry. The binding affinity of 3B11 VNAR reached 16.7 nM. Interestingly, one new type of VNAR targeting mTNF was identified that does not belong to any known VNAR type. To understand the binding mechanism of VNARs to mTNFα, the models of VNARs-mTNFα complexes were predicted by computational modeling combining HawkDock and RosettaDock. Our results showed that four VNARs’ epitopes overlapped in part with that of mTNFR. Furthermore, the ELISA assay shows that the 3B11 potently inhibited mTNFα binding to mTNFR. This study may provide the basis for the TNFα blockers and diagnostics applications.
Is Kinesio Taping Effective for Sport Performance and Ankle Function of Athletes with Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI)? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Biz Carlo , Nicoletti Pietro , Tomasin Matteo , Bragazzi Nicola Luigi , Di Rubbo Giuseppe , Ruggieri Pietro
Published: April 2022

Background and Objectives: Ankle injuries are the most common type of injury in healthy active individuals. If not treated properly, recurrent sprains can lead to a condition of chronic ankle instability (CAI). The aim of the present review is to evaluate the effects of Kinesio Taping (or KT) on sports performances and ankle functions in athletes with CAI. Materials and Methods: This systematic review with meta-analysis was carried out following the criteria of the Prisma Statement system (registered on Open Science Framework, number: 10.17605/OSF.IO/D8QN5). For the selection of the studies, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were used as databases in which the following string was used: (“kinesiology tape” OR “tape” OR “taping” OR “elastic taping” OR “kinesio taping” OR “neuro taping”) AND (unstable OR instability) AND (ankle OR (ankle OR “ankle sprain” OR “injured ankle” OR “ankle injury”)). The Downs and Black Scale was used for the quality analysis. The outcomes considered were gait functions, ROM, muscle activation, postural sway, dynamic balance, lateral landing from a monopodalic drop and agility. Effect sizes (ESs) were synthesised as standardized mean differences between the control and intervention groups. Calculation of the 95% confidence interval (CI) for each ES was conducted according to Hedges and Olkin. Results: In total, 1448 articles were identified and 8 studies were included, with a total of 270 athletes. The application of the tape had a significant effect size on gait functions, ROM, muscle activation and postural sway. Conclusions: The meta-analysis showed a significant improvement in gait functions (step velocity, step and stride length and reduction in the base of support in dynamics), reduction in the joint ROM in inversion and eversion, decrease in the muscle activation of the long peroneus and decrease in the postural sway in movement in the mid-lateral direction. It is possible to conclude that KT provides a moderate stabilising effect on the ankles of the athletes of most popular contact sports with CAI.
An Overview of Off-Label Use of Humanized Monoclonal Antibodies in Paediatrics
Authors: Bernardini Roberto , Toschi Vespasiani Gaia , Giannetti Arianna
Published: April 2022

In recent years, off-label and unlicensed drug use has extensively developed in the paediatric population. For a long time, clinical trials in the paediatric population were considered complicated to perform because of ethical problems, causing frequent off-label use. Off-label drug use remains an important public health issue, especially for children with rare conditions or with diseases not responsive to conventional treatments. The present paper is a narrative review of the literature of off-label drug use in children. The aim of our study is to summarize the main works dealing with the off-label use of biological drugs in paediatrics. Further studies analyzing their efficacy, safety, and cost–benefit ratios are needed to extend the use of biological therapies to the paediatric population.
Impact of Venlafaxine on Platelet Count and Activity—Case Report and Narrative Review
Authors: Smolarczyk-Kosowska Joanna , Kosowski Michał , Kunert Łukasz , Filipczyk Karolina , Wojciechowski Marcin , Piegza Magdalena , Gorczyca Piotr , Okopień Bogusław , Pudlo Robert
Published: April 2022

Venlafaxine (VEN) is considered to be one of the most effective antidepressants. It belongs to the group of serotonin (5-HT) and noradrenaline (NA) reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). NA and 5-HT have receptors on the surface of platelets and are involved in platelet aggregation. In this case study, we present the case of a patient treated for one of the types of myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), essential thrombocythemia (ET), in whom VEN was added to pharmacotherapy during the treatment of a severe episode of depression with psychotic symptoms. We observed a gradual reduction in platelet count when increasing the dose of VEN. We also present a narrative review of literature about the effect of VEN on platelet counts and activity. We conclude that, in the group of patients taking VEN, attention should be paid to the rare adverse effect of a decrease in the number of platelets.
Simulation and Operational Optimization of RO Based Desalination for Coal-Fired Power Plants’ Wastewater
Authors: He Lu , Xia Yudong , Li Chuang , Jiang Aipeng , Zhao Yan , Xie Fengling
Published: April 2022

Focusing on the problems of opaqueness and high energy consumption in coal-fired power plant wastewater recycling processes, this paper studies the simulation and operational optimization of coal-fired power plant wastewater treatment by taking a coal-fired power plant system in Inner Mongolia as an example. Firstly, based on the solution–diffusion theory, pressure drop, and osmotic concentration polarization, a mechanistic model equation for coal-fired power plant wastewater treatment is developed. Secondly, the equation fitness and equation parameters are calibrated to obtain an accurate model. Thirdly, the system is simulated and analyzed so as to obtain the influence and change trajectories of different feed flowrates, temperatures, pressures, and concentrations on various aspects of the system’s performance, such as water recovery rate, salt rejection rate, and so on. Finally, in order to reduce the operating cost of the system, an optimization analysis is carried out, with the lowest specific energy consumption and average daily operating cost as optimization goals, and the performance changes of the system before and after optimization under three different working conditions are compared. The results show that adopting the given optimal strategy can significantly reduce the system’s operational cost. This research is helpful for the digitization and low-carbon operation of coal-fired power plant wastewater treatment systems.
Experimental Investigations on the Conductance of Lipid Membranes under Differential Hydrostatic Pressure
Authors: Whiting Rose , Finn Pangaea W. , Bogard Andrew , McKinney Fulton , Pankratz Dallin , Smith Aviana R. , Gardner Elen A. , Fologea Daniel
Published: April 2022

The unassisted transport of inorganic ions through lipid membranes has become increasingly relevant to an expansive range of biological phenomena. Recent simulations indicate a strong influence of a lipid membrane’s curvature on its permeability, which may be part of the overall cell sensitivity to mechanical stimulation. However, most ionic permeability experiments employ a flat, uncurved lipid membrane, which disregards the physiological relevance of curvature on such investigations. To fill this gap in our knowledge, we adapted a traditional experimental system consisting of a planar lipid membrane, which we exposed to a controlled, differential hydrostatic pressure. Our electrophysiology experiments indicate a strong correlation between the changes in membrane geometry elicited by the application of pressure, as inferred from capacitance measurements, and the resulting conductance. Our experiments also confirmed the well-established influence of cholesterol addition to lipid membranes in adjusting their mechanical properties and overall permeability. Therefore, the proposed experimental system may prove useful for a better understanding of the intricate connections between membrane mechanics and adjustments of cellular functionalities upon mechanical stimulation, as well as for confirmation of predictions made by simulations and theoretical modeling.