bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Screening for Alcohol Use Disorder Among Hospitalised Patients: Learning from a Retrospective Cohort Study in Secondary Care
Authors: Subhani Mohsan , Nath Dipaka Rani , Talat Usman , Imtiaz Aqsa , Khanna Amardeep , Ali Awais , Aithal Guruprasad P. , Ryder Stephen D. , Morling Joanne R.
Published: December 2024

Background: Excessive alcohol consumption is among the leading causes of hospitalisation in high-income countries and contributes to over 200 medical conditions. We aimed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of alcohol use disorder (AUD), describe the distribution of AUD in ICD-10 discharge diagnosis groups and ascertain any relationship between them in secondary care. Methods: The study group was a retrospective cohort of adult patients admitted to Nottingham University Hospital (NUH) between 4 April 2009 and 31 March 2020. Uni- and multivariable analysis was performed to determine the relationship between AUD and covariable high-risk characteristics and describe the distribution of AUD in ICD-10 discharge diagnosis groups defined by an alcohol-attributable fraction. Results: A total of 44,804 patients (66,440 admissions) were included, with a mean age of 63.1 years (SD ± 19.9); of these, 48.0% (n = 20,863) were male and 71.2% were (n = 30,994) white. AUDIT-C was completed in 97.1% (n = 43,514) of patients, and identified 16.5% (n = 7164) as having AUD, while 2.1% (n = 900) were found to be alcohol-dependent. In patients with AUD, 4.0% (n = 283) had an ICD-10 diagnosis that was alcohol-specific and 17.5% (n = 1255) were diagnosed with alcohol-related disorders; the remainder were not diagnosed with either disorder. Two-thirds (64.7%) of the patients with AUD had associated mental and behavioural disorders. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that patients aged 60–69 had the highest risk of AUD (OR 4.19, 95% CI 3.53–4.99). Being single (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.11–1.26) and a history of emergency admission (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.14–1.29) were associated with increased odds of AUD. Conversely, females compared to males (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.35–0.39), individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds compared to white Caucasians (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.35–0.45), and those from more deprived areas (IMD quintile 1: OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.74–0.86) had lower odds of AUD. Conclusions: One in six admitted patients had AUD, with a higher risk in males, ages 60–69, and emergency admissions. Mental disorders are highly prevalent among hospitalised patients with AUD. The performance of the AUDIT-C score varied among hospitalised patients based on their ICD-10 diagnosis, which should be considered when implementing universal alcohol screening in these settings.
Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor: The Case Report of a Patient with Germline FANCD2 Mutation and Tumor Analysis Using Single-Cell RNA Sequencing
Authors: Avsievich Ekaterina , Salimgereeva Diana , Maluchenko Alesia , Antysheva Zoia , Voloshin Mark , Feidorov Ilia , Glazova Olga , Abramov Ivan , Maksimov Denis , Kaziakhmedova Samira , Bodunova Natalia , Karnaukhov Nikolay , Volchkov Pavel , Krupinova Julia
Published: December 2024

Background: Neuroendocrine neoplasms are a rare and heterogeneous group of neoplasms. Small-sized (≤2 cm) pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs) are of particular interest as they are often associated with aggressive behavior, with no specific prognostic or progression markers. Methods: This article describes a clinical case characterized by a progressive growth of nonfunctional PanNET requiring surgical treatment in a patient with a germline FANCD2 mutation, previously not reported in PanNETs. The patient underwent whole exome sequencing and single-cell RNA sequencing. Results: The patient underwent surgical treatment. We confirmed the presence of the germline mutation FANCD2 and also detected the germline mutation WNT10A. The cellular composition of the PanNET was analyzed using single-cell sequencing, and the main cell clusters were identified. We analyzed the tumor genomics, and used the data to define the effect the germline FANCD2 mutation had. Conclusions: Analysis of the mutational status of patients with PanNET may provide additional data that may influence treatment tactics, refine the plan for monitoring such patients, and provide more information about the pathogenesis of PanNET. PanNET research using scRNA-seq data may help in predicting the effect of therapy on neuroendocrine cells with FANCD2 mutations.
Immobilization of Pb2+, CrO42−, Hg2+, and Cd2+ in Coal Fly Ash/PP-g-MHBP-Based Geopolymers
Authors: Fonseca Alfonso Paola M. , Díaz Lagos Mercedes , Murillo Edwin A.
Published: December 2024

Contamination by heavy metals (HMs) such as Pb, Cd, Cr, and Hg poses significant risks to the environment and human health owing to their toxicity and persistence. Geopolymers (GPs) have emerged as promising materials for immobilizing HMs and reducing their mobility through physical encapsulation and chemical stabilization. This study explored the novel use of isotactic polypropylene functionalized in the molten state with maleinized hyperbranched polyol polyester (PP-g-MHBP) as an additive in coal fly ash (CFA)-based GPs to enhance HM immobilization. Various characterization techniques were employed, including compressive strength tests, XRD, ATR-FTIR, SEM-EDX, XPS analyses, and TCLP leaching tests, to assess immobilization effectiveness. These results indicate that although the addition of PP-g-MHBP does not actively contribute to the chemical interactions with HM ions, it acts as an inert filler within the GP matrix. CFA/PP-g-MHBP-based GPs demonstrated significant potential for Cd2+ immobilization up to 3 wt% under acidic conditions, although the retention of Pb2+, CrO42−, and Hg2+ varied according to the specific chemistry of each metal, weight percentage of the added metal, matrix structure, and regulatory standards. Notably, high immobilization percentages were achieved for CrO42− and Hg2+, although the leaching concentrations exceeded US EPA limits. These findings highlight the potential of CFA/PP-g-MHBP-based GPs for environmental applications, emphasizing the importance of optimizing formulations to enhance HM immobilization under varying conditions.
Effect of Carbonate Mineral Fillers on the Dielectric Properties and Fire Resistance of Polar and Non-Polar Halogen-Free Flame-Retardant Polymer Compounds
Authors: Gatos Konstantinos G. , Apostolopoulos Nikolaos , Patsidis Anastasios C. , Psarras Georgios C.
Published: December 2024

In the present work, carbonate minerals are added in non-polar and polar polymer matrices to develop halogen-free flame-retardant composites. The examined fillers of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate delivered improved rheological performance in both non-polar (PE) and polar (EVA/PE) polymer compounds compared to the natural magnesium hydroxide and huntite/hydromagnesite mineral fillers. The presence of EVA in the matrix enhanced the mechanical behavior of all compounds in tensile testing. The thermal stability of the composites was particularly improved for the polar systems with the incorporation of the carbonate minerals, as this was evidenced under thermogravimetric analysis. The dielectric behavior of the fabricated systems was examined via broadband dielectric spectroscopy. The HFFR compounds attained higher values of the real part of dielectric permittivity from the unreinforced systems in the whole frequency and temperature range of the conducted tests. This behavior is ascribed to the higher permittivity values of the fillers with respect to the polymer matrices and the occurrence of interfacial polarization. All minerals improved the flame retardancy of the compounds in terms of LOI values, while the addition of EVA yielded further improvements, especially for the magnesium carbonate and the magnesium hydroxide minerals.
Prevention of Biofouling Due to Water Absorption of Natural Fiber Composites in the Aquatic Environment: A Critical Review
Authors: Fragassa Cristiano , Mattiello Sara , Fronduti Martina , Del Gobbo Jo’ , Gagic Radmila , Santulli Carlo
Published: December 2024

Introducing lignocellulosic fibers as the matrix reinforcement in composites is an opportunity for weight reduction and also for the use of by-products and biomass waste from other systems, such as agriculture and textiles. In the case of nautical applications, biofouling, meaning damage during service by marine organisms, represents a significant issue. To address this problem, a number of measures can be taken: these include the introduction of various types of fillers, mainly mineral, in composites, tailored treatment of fibers, and hybrid approaches, including a number of different modifications, such as matrix or fiber grafting. This review reports the state of the art in the various studies carried out to elucidate the performance of natural fiber composites and hybrids as regards water absorption and more specifically exposure to seawater for a prolonged time so as to simulate service conditions. The perspectives on the use of natural fiber composites (NFCs) in aquatic environments will be discussed with respect to the possible onset of degradation by biofouling.
The Crucial Role of Additives in the Properties of Perlite- and Gypsum-Based Superabsorbent Composites I: The Development of Composite Carrier Materials for Biological Mosquito Larva-Killing Agents
Authors: Kótai László , Tamics Ernő , Homonnay Zoltán , Windisch Márk , Béres Kende Attila
Published: December 2024

The increase in the risks of mosquito-transmitted serious diseases or viral infections generates strong motivations to find new and efficient solutions for controlling blood-sucking mosquitoes. There are selective protein toxins such as BTI (Bacillus thüringiensis israelensis) used to kill mosquito larvae, which require carrier materials that keep the active ingredient on the surface of the water where the mosquito larvae feed. Environmentally friendly and effective composite carrier materials consisting of gypsum and perlite with controlled floating and sinking times were developed. The partial closing of open pores with modified cellulose derivatives as carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) or cricket made from corn starch and hot water were used to ensure the slow dissolution of “CMC corks” in the pores, which can control the floating and sinking properties as well. The carrier composites were combined with BTI toxins such as 4% Vectobac WP (5000 ITU (international toxic unit)) toxin, resulting in a 90–100% killing rate against different tests (Culex pipiens) and various naturally abundant mosquito larva species. The stability test of the BTI-containing new carrier materials shows good applicability at flooded/dried/re-flooded areas where the flooding is temporary thus the composites can be applied as preventive treatment as well.
Effect of Heat-Shrinkable Tape Application on the Mechanical Performance of CFRP Components Obtained by a Filament Winding Process
Authors: Bianchi Iacopo , Forcellese Archimede , Mancia Tommaso , Mignanelli Chiara , Simoncini Michela , Verdini Tommaso
Published: December 2024

Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRPs) are widely used in aerospace, automotive, and other sectors for their high strength-to-weight ratio and adaptability. In order to reach high mechanical performance and quality for CFRP components in which a thermosetting resin is used, the curing process plays a key role, and the optimal conditions have to be identified. In this context, the present study aims to study the effect of heat-shrinkable tape application on the mechanical performance of CFRP tubular components obtained by a filament winding process. To this purpose, CFRP hoop-wound components were realized with a laboratorial filament winding machine. Half of them were directly cured in a muffle oven, while the other half were cured after the application of heat-shrinkable tape around the external surface of the component. To evaluate the effect of the heat-shrinkable tape use on the mechanical properties of the CFRP wound parts, ring specimens, obtained by the tubular components according to the ASTM D2290 standard, were subjected to ring tensile tests. The thickness uniformity and void content of the components were evaluated by means of X-ray computed tomography, whilst the fracture surfaces were observed using scanning electron microscopy. It was demonstrated that the heat-shrinkable tape application around the external surface of the CFRP tubular components allows for improved mechanical performance of the wound parts due to the enhanced material compaction, resulting in stronger and more cohesive structures characterized by a uniform thickness and reduced void content.
Targeting Reactive Oxygen Species for Diagnosis of Various Diseases
Authors: Lee Moung Young , Lee Donguk , Choi Dayun , Kim Kye S. , Kang Peter M.
Published: December 2024

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated predominantly during cellular respiration and play a significant role in signaling within the cell and between cells. However, excessive accumulation of ROS can lead to cellular dysfunction, disease progression, and apoptosis that can lead to organ dysfunction. To overcome the short half-life of ROS and the relatively small amount produced, various imaging methods have been developed, using both endogenous and exogenous means to monitor ROS in disease settings. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying ROS production and explore the methods and materials that could be used to detect ROS overproduction, including iron-based materials, ROS-responsive chemical bond containing polymers, and ROS-responsive molecule containing biomaterials. We also discuss various imaging and imaging techniques that could be used to target and detect ROS overproduction. We discuss the ROS imaging potentials of established clinical imaging methods, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), sonographic imaging, and fluorescence imaging. ROS imaging potentials of other imaging methods, such as photoacoustic imaging (PAI) and Raman imaging (RI) that are currently in preclinical stage are also discussed. Finally, this paper focuses on various diseases that are associated with ROS overproduction, and the current and the future clinical applications of ROS-targeted imaging. While the most widely used clinical condition is cardiovascular diseases, its potential extends into non-cardiovascular clinical conditions, such as neurovascular, neurodegenerative, and other ROS-associated conditions, such as cancers, skin aging, acute kidney injury, and inflammatory arthritis.
Long-Term Dentin Bonding Performance of Universal Adhesives: The Effect of HEMA Content and Bioactive Resin Composite
Authors: Wu Di , Yao Ye , Cifuentes-Jimenez Carolina Cecilia , Sano Hidehiko , Álvarez-Lloret Pedro , Yamauti Monica , Tomokiyo Atsushi
Published: December 2024

This study investigated the effects of resin composites (RCs) containing surface pre-reacted glass ionomer (S-PRG) filler on the dentin microtensile bond strength (μTBS) of HEMA-free and HEMA-containing universal adhesives (UAs). Water sorption (WS) and solubility (SL), degree of conversion (DC), and ion release were measured. The UAs BeautiBond Xtreme (BBX; 0% HEMA), Modified Adhesive-1 (E-BBX1; 5% HEMA), Modified Adhesive-2 (E-BBX2; 10% HEMA), and two 2-step self-etch adhesives (2-SEAs): FL-BOND II (FBII; with S-PRG filler) and silica-containing adhesive (E-FBII) were used. Teeth were restored with Beautifil Flow Plus F00 with S-PRG filler (BFP) and flowable resin composite with silica filler (E-BFP). μTBS was evaluated after 24 h and 6 months of water storage. WS and SL measurement followed ISO 4049:2019; spectroscopy measured DC; ICP-MS evaluated ion release. BBX and FBII presented the highest DC. The adhesives did not comply with the WS ISO requirements, but the bonding resin of 2-SEAs complied with the SL threshold. BFP released more ions than E-BFP. BFP positively affected the μTBS of UAs, regardless of HEMA concentration after 24 h, comparable to the 2-SEAs. The 6 months μTBS decrease depended on the adhesive and RC combination. HEMA did not affect the μTBS of UAs, while bioactive resins had a positive impact.
Flange Buckling Mechanism in Incremental Shape Rolling of an Automotive-Type Variable Width Component
Authors: Essa Abdelrahman , Abeyrathna Buddhika , Rolfe Bernard , Weiss Matthias
Published: December 2024

Automotive structural components from Advanced High-Strength Steels (AHSS) can be manufactured with Flexible Roll Forming (FRF). The application of FRF in the automotive industry is limited due to flange wrinkling defects that increase with material strength. The new Incremental Shape Rolling process (ISR) has been shown to reduce wrinkling severity compared to FRF and therefore presents a promising alternative for the manufacture of high-strength automotive components. The current work analyzes for the first time the mechanisms that lead to wrinkling reduction in ISR based on the critical stress conditions that develop in the flange. For this, finite element process models are validated with experimental forming trials and used to investigate the material deformation and the forming stresses that occur in FRF and ISR when forming a variable-width automotive component. The results show that in ISR, the undeformed flange height decreases with increasing forming; this increases the critical buckling and wrinkling stresses with each forming pass and prevents the development of wrinkles towards the end of the forming process. In contrast, in FRF, the critical buckling or wrinkling stress is constant, while the longitudinal compressive stress in the flange increases with the number of forming passes and exceeds the critical stress. This leads to the development of severe wrinkles in the flange.
Numerical Study on the Hydrodynamics of Fish Swimming with Different Morphologies in Oblique Flow
Authors: Shi Fulong , Tian Yu , Xin Jianjian , Ou Chuanzhong , Li Zhiwei , Rao Minjia
Published: December 2024

In confined and intricate aquatic environments, fish frequently encounter the need to propel themselves under oblique flow conditions. This study employs a self-developed ghost-cell immersed boundary method coupled with GPU acceleration technology to numerically simulate the propulsion dynamics of flexible biomimetic fish swimming in oblique flow environments. This research scrutinizes diverse biomimetic fish fin morphologies, with particular emphasis on variations in the Strouhal number and angle of attack, to elucidate hydrodynamic performance and wake evolution. The results demonstrate that as the fin thickness increases, the propulsion efficiency decreases within the Strouhal number range of St = 0.2, 0.4. Conversely, within the range of St = 0.6 to 1.0, the efficiency variations stabilize. For all three fin morphologies, an increase in the Strouhal number significantly augmented both the lift-to-drag ratio and thrust, concomitant with a transition in the wake structure from smaller vortices to a larger alternating vortex shedding pattern. Furthermore, within the Strouhal number range of St = 0.2 to 0.4, the propulsion efficiency exhibits an increase, whereas in the range of St = 0.6 to 1.0, the propulsion efficiency stabilizes. As the angle of attack increases, the drag coefficient increases significantly, while the lift coefficient exhibits a diminishing rate of increase. An increased fin thickness adversely affects the hydrodynamic performance. However, this effect attenuates at higher Strouhal numbers. Conversely, variations in the angle of attack manifest a more pronounced effect on hydrodynamic performance. A thorough investigation and implementation of the hydrodynamic mechanisms demonstrated by swimming fish in complex flow environments enables the development of bio-inspired propulsion systems that not only accurately replicate natural swimming patterns, but also achieve superior locomotion performance and robust environmental adaptability.
A New Grid-Slat Fusion Device to Improve the Take-Off and Landing Performance of Amphibious Seaplanes
Authors: Mi Baigang , Yu Jingyi
Published: December 2024

To reduce the aerodynamic performance degradation caused by the sculling phenomenon on the flap of amphibious seaplanes, this study proposes a grid-slat fusion design method that integrates grid channels into the slats to create multiple lift surfaces. This new configuration enhances not only the lift capacity of the slats but also the lift characteristics of the main wing, leveraging ejector effects from the grid channels. A grid-slat fusion configuration parametrization method is developed based on the “new conic curve” concept, and an optimization approach is implemented using the NSGA-II algorithm. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) verification of the 30P30N airfoil demonstrates that the grid-slat fusion design enhances the lift-to-drag ratio of the optimized 2D configuration by up to 8.5% at a specific condition, thereby significantly improving its aerodynamic performance at high angles of attack and meeting the requirements for take-off and landing. The three-dimensional configuration demonstrates a stall angle of attack delay of 2° and a maximum lift coefficient increase of 6%. Furthermore, the grid-slat composite configuration allows a better lift-to-drag ratio, and its aerodynamic characteristics improve with increasing wave height. During the wave runup phase, aerodynamic performance is further enhanced, with different wave positions significantly influencing the aerodynamic performance.
A Parametric Study on Air Lubrication for Ship Energy Efficiency
Authors: Bispo Raul Lima Portela , Souza Jeferson Avila , Caprace Jean-David , Ordonez Juan Carlos , Marques Crístofer Hood
Published: December 2024

With the new target set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) of zero net emissions of atmospheric gases from maritime vessels by 2050, studies of methods that improve the efficiency of vessels have become highly relevant. One promising method is air injection, which creates a lubricating film between the hull and water, reducing the total resistance. Despite the potential of air injection, there is a lack of studies defining the correlation between key parameters (such as air layer thickness, injection angle, vessel speed, and the number of nozzles) in the method efficiency. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the method’s efficiency through a parametric analysis. The study utilized the OpenFOAM software to analyze the air injection method in the Duisburg Test Case (DTC) hull, a 1:59 scaled container ship. The numerical solution used finite volumes to discretize the conservation equations, RANS (Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes) in the momentum equation, and κ-ω SST in the turbulence model. The optimum configuration achieved 14.13% net power savings, while the worst configuration increased the power consumption instead. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) confirmed the relationship between parameters and effectiveness. Therefore, the results showed the importance of adjusting the method’s parameters.
Evolution and Predictive Analysis of Spatiotemporal Patterns of Habitat Quality in the Turpan–Hami Basin
Authors: Li Yaqian , Liu Yongqiang , Qin Yan , Zhang Kun , Enwer Reifat , Wang Weiping , Yuan Shuai
Published: December 2024

The expansion of urban areas and unsustainable land use associated with human activities have brought about a decline in habitat quality (HQ), especially in arid regions with fragile ecosystems. A precise prediction of land use and habitat quality changes across different scenarios is crucial for the sustainable maintenance of ecological diversity. In this article, the InVEST model was employed to assess both the quality and degradation levels of habitats in the Turpan–Hami Basin (THB) spanning 1990~2020. Additionally, the InVEST-PLUS coupling model was employed to forecast habitat conditions under three different scenarios in 2050. Specifically, it involved the comparison of land use changes and spatial distribution of HQ across natural development (ND) scenarios, town development (UD) scenarios, and ecological protection (EP) scenarios, along with the analysis of hot spots of HQ spanning 1990~2050. The outcomes revealed the following: (1) The primary land use in the THB was categorized as unused land, alongside notable expansions in cultivated land, grassland, and built-up land. Conversely, there was a considerable decline observed in forests, water bodies, and unused land spanning 1990~2020. (2) The HQ within the THB exhibited evident spatial clustering characteristics. Between 1990 and 2020, areas with low HQ accounted for over 85%, areas with unchanged HQ constituted 88.19%, areas experiencing deteriorated HQ comprised approximately 5.02%, and areas displaying improved HQ encompassed around 6.79%. (3) Through the comparison of HQ for the ND, UD, and EP scenarios in 2050, it was observed that the average HQ under the EP scenario ranked highest, exhibiting the lowest degree of degradation on average. This indicates that the EP scenario is most advantageous for preserving HQ. Conclusively, this research provides valuable viewpoints for making decisions aimed at enhancing HQ in ecologically fragile arid regions.
A Framework for High-Spatiotemporal-Resolution Soil Moisture Retrieval in China Using Multi-Source Remote Sensing Data
Authors: Feng Zhuangzhuang , Zheng Xingming , Li Xiaofeng , Wang Chunmei , Song Jinfeng , Li Lei , Guo Tianhao , Zheng Jia
Published: December 2024

High-spatiotemporal-resolution and accurate soil moisture (SM) data are crucial for investigating climate, hydrology, and agriculture. Existing SM products do not yet meet the demands for high spatiotemporal resolution. The objective is to develop and evaluate a retrieval framework to derive SM estimates with high spatial (100 m) and temporal (<3 days) resolution that can be used on a national scale in China. Therefore, this study integrates multi-source data, including optical remote sensing (RS) data from Sentinel-2 and Landsat-7/8/9, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data from Sentinel-1, and auxiliary data. Four machine learning and deep learning algorithms are applied, including Random Forest Regression (RFR), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks, and Ensemble Learning (EL). The integrated framework (IF) considers three feature scenarios (SC1: optical RS + auxiliary data, SC2: SAR + auxiliary data, SC3: optical RS + SAR + auxiliary data), encompassing a total of 33 features. The results are as follows: (1) The correlation coefficients (r) between auxiliary data (such as sand fraction, r = −0.48; silt fraction, r = 0.47; and evapotranspiration, r = −0.42), SAR features (such as the backscatter coefficients for VV-pol (σvv0), r = 0.47), and optical RS features (such as Shortwave Infrared Band 2 (SWIR2) reflectance data from Sentinel-2 and Landsat-7/8/9, r = −0.39) with observed SM are significant. This indicates that multi-source data can provide complementary information for SM monitoring. (2) Compared to XGBoost and LSTM, RFR and EL demonstrate superior overall performance and are the preferred models for SM prediction. Their R2 for the training and test sets exceed 0.969 and 0.743, respectively, and their ubRMSE are below 0.022 and 0.063 m3/m3, respectively. (3) The SM prediction accuracy is highest for the scenario of optical + SAR + auxiliary data, followed by SAR + auxiliary data, and finally optical + auxiliary data. (4) With an increasing Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and SM values, the trained models exhibit a general decrease in prediction performance and accuracy. (5) In 2021 and 2022, without considering cloud cover, the IF theoretically achieved an SM revisit time of 1–3 days across 95.01% and 96.53% of China’s area, respectively. However, SC1 was able to achieve a revisit time of 1–3 days over 60.73% of China’s area in 2021 and 69.36% in 2022, while the area covered by SC2 and SC3 at this revisit time accounted for less than 1% of China’s total area. This study validates the effectiveness of combining multi-source RS data with auxiliary data in large-scale SM monitoring and provides new methods for improving SM retrieval accuracy and spatiotemporal coverage.
Analysing the Spatial and Temporal Characteristics of Ecological Land Encroachment by Cropland Expansion and Its Drivers in Cambodia
Authors: Su Danni , Yang Kun , Peng Zongqi , Sun Run , Zhang Mingfeng , Ma Lusha , Ma Jingcong , Li Tao
Published: December 2024

The rapid expansion of cropland in Cambodia, the world’s seventh-largest rice exporter, has created an imbalance in land use structure. However, there is a lack of quantitative investigation of the loss of ecological land as a result of the expansion of cropland and its drivers. In this research, spatial autocorrelation, landscape pattern index and transfer matrix methods were used based on land use data from 2000 to 2023. Then, the eXtreme Gradient Boosting-SHapley Additive exPlanations (XGBoost-SHAP) and Geographic Detector were used to explore the drivers of cropland expansion. The findings indicate that the expanse of agricultural land in Cambodia has significantly increased by 13.47%. The proportion of cropland to the land area (37.87%) is close to that of forest (40.19%). Cultivated land is dominated by rice fields, supplemented by drylands. Spatial clustering is obvious in both drylands and rice fields. Drylands are mainly concentrated in the eastern and western mountainous areas and the northern border, while rice fields are concentrated in the central plains. Cultivated land encroached on a total of 30,579.27km2 of ecological land, of which 62.88% was dry land and 37.12% was rice fields. Forests and shrubs are the main source of expansion of cropland. In addition, soil type (0.18), elevation (0.17) and GDP (0.17), population (0.52) and their interactions strongly drove the expansion of dryland and rice fields. Cambodia should conduct scientific research to assess the demand for cropland by population growth and economic progress. It should realize the orderly growth of cultivated land, reduce the damage to ecological land, and promote the coordinated development of society, environment and economy.
Effects of Different Blood Flow Restriction Training Modes on Body Composition and Maximal Strength of Untrained Individuals
Authors: Chang Hualong , Yang Xudong , Chen Biao , Zhang Jianli
Published: December 2024

Background: The objective of this study was to examine the impacts of absolute cuff pressure blood flow restriction (A-BFR) training and incremental cuff pressure blood flow restriction (I-BFR) training, under equal cuff pressures, on body composition and maximal strength among untrained adults. Additionally, we aimed to compare these effects with those observed in high-load resistance training (HL-RT). Methods: Thirty-three adults without prior professional sports or resistance training experience were recruited and randomly assigned to three groups (n = 11 per group) for an 8-week training program, held three times weekly. The A-BFR group trained with a 20% 1RM load and a cuff occlusion pressure set at 190 mmHg. The I-BFR group initiated training with an occlusion pressure of 160 mmHg, which incrementally increased by 20 mmHg every two weeks, with other conditions mirroring those of the A-BFR group. The HL-RT group trained with a 70% 1RM load. Results: All three groups demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in lower-body maximal strength (p < 0.01), with no significant differences observed among the groups (p > 0.05). A notable increase in left-leg muscle mass was seen across all groups (p < 0.05). However, total muscle mass, right-leg muscle mass, fat-free mass, BMI, bone mineral density, and bone mineral content remained relatively unchanged (p > 0.05), with no significant differences among the groups (p > 0.05). Only the HL-RT group exhibited a significant increase in left-leg thigh circumference (p < 0.05), while right-leg thigh circumference remained stable (p > 0.05), with no significant intergroup differences (p > 0.05). Conclusions: While A-BFR and I-BFR did not yield statistically significant differences in overall training outcomes, A-BFR demonstrated a slightly stronger potential. A-BFR and I-BFR achieved comparable gains in muscle strength and improvements in body composition to those seen with HL-RT. However, HL-RT demonstrated more significant improvements in leg circumference.
Parvovirus B19 in Pregnancy—Do We Screen for Fifth Disease or Not?
Authors: Malutan Andrei Mihai , Ormindean Cristina Mihaela , Diculescu Doru , Ciortea Razvan , Nicula Renata , Pop Daria , Bucuri Carmen , Maria Roman , Nati Ionel , Mihu Dan
Published: December 2024

Parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection is the cause of erythema infectiosum, or the “fifth disease”, a widespread infection, potentially affecting 1–5% of pregnant women, in most cases without significant damage to the pregnancy or fetus. It follows a seasonal variation, with a higher prevalence in temperate climates, mainly in late winter and early spring. Women at increased risk include mothers of preschool and school-age children, and those working in nurseries, kindergartens, and schools. Vertical transmission occurs in 33% to 51% of cases of maternal infection. Parvovirus infection is an important cause of fetal perinatal infection resulting in increased morbidity through the development of fetal anemia, heart failure, and non-immune hydrops. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, focusing on publications from the last 10 years and prioritizing studies related to parvovirus B19 infection in pregnancy. We summarized the existing data in the literature on the effects of parvovirus B19 infection during pregnancy and weighed if there is a need for screening in pregnant patients. Routine screening for parvovirus B19 infection can be considered in communities where infection is common, there is occupational exposure, or during endemic periods, with the reason being that accurate identification and treatment of fetuses affected by congenital B19V infection have been shown to improve perinatal outcomes.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Bio-Lubricants from Renewable Raw Materials
Authors: Filon Dimosthenis , Anastopoulos George , Karonis Dimitrios
Published: December 2024

The objective of this study was the evaluation of the production of base oils for lubricants of biological origin using vegetable and used frying oils as feedstock. The production method was based on a two-stage transesterification process. Initially, fatty acid methyl esters were obtained via methanolysis (first stage), and they were used as feedstock for bio-lubricants production by a second-stage transesterification process with the proper long-chain polyols. The produced oleochemical esters were evaluated based on their flow properties and their oxidation stability, as well as their capability of being renewable substitutes for conventional base oils, such as SN-150 and SN-500 mineral oils. The evaluation showed the remarkable physicochemical properties of these bio-lubricants, such as the viscosity, the viscosity index, and the pour, cloud and flash points, which, in combination with their high biodegradability and non-corrosive behavior, make these bio-lubricants ideal for use in special applications of non-recoverable lubrication or of high risk but low heat load and oxidative potential. This is because the oxidation stability of these bio-lubricants is not comparable to that shown by the used mineral oils and therefore they cannot totally substitute for these mineral oils. The reduced oxidation stability can be overcome by blending the bio-lubricants with mineral base oils at proper blending ratios.
The Use of Graphite Micropowder in the Finish Turning of the Ti-6Al-4V Titanium Alloy Under Minimum Quantity Lubrication Conditions
Authors: Lisowicz Joanna , Habrat Witold , Krupa Krzysztof , Mrówka-Nowotnik Grażyna , Szroeder Paweł , Zawada-Michałowska Magdalena , Korpysa Jarosław
Published: December 2024

The use of the minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) method during machining leads to the reduced consumption of cooling and lubricating liquids, thus contributing to sustainable machining. To improve the properties of liquids used under MQL conditions, they are enriched with various types of micro- and nanoparticles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the addition of graphite micropowder (GMP) on tool life, cutting force components, and selected surface roughness parameters during the finish turning of the Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy under MQL conditions. The addition of 0.6 wt% of GMP to the base liquid in machining under MQL conditions leads to an extension of tool life by 7% and 96% compared to machining with a liquid without the addition of GMP and dry machining, respectively. Mathematical models of the cutting force components and surface roughness parameters were developed, taking into account the change in cutting speed and feed. It was found that the use of a liquid with the addition of GMP extends the range of cutting parameters for which the shape of chips obtained is acceptable in terms of work safety. The novelty of this study lies in the use of a cutting fluid composed of bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate and diester, enriched with graphite micropowder, which has not been extensively investigated for machining titanium alloys under MQL conditions.
Revisiting Mechanism of NaOH Dechlorination Treatments for Bronze Conservation in Quantitative Study
Authors: Yang Xin , Wu Wei , Chen Kunlong
Published: December 2024

Dechlorination is a crucial strategy for archeological bronze stabilization to resist corrosion induced by cuprous chloride (CuCl). Conventional samples, either archeological or simulated ones, have deficiencies in revealing dechlorination mechanisms for their complex rust layers and difficulties in quantifying chlorine content. In this work, samples with fixed chlorine amounts were prepared by compressing method to solve overcomplicated and unquantifiable problems. Then, patina profiles and desalinization solutions were analyzed to revisit the dechlorination mechanism across varying solution concentrations and current densities after dechlorination treatments. Results indicate that the sodium hydroxide (NaOH) desalinization method is achieved by converting CuCl to trihydroxychloride (Cu2(OH)3Cl). However, this transformation leads to an expansion of the CuCl layer, nearly doubling the CuCl layer thickness at the current density of 25 μA/cm2. Dechlorination solution measurements provide information on quantifying chlorine removal and dechlorination progress. Theoretically, the endpoint (c0) for the NaOH dechlorination method is supposed to be a chloride ion concentration of 358.2 ppm. As the NaOH solution concentrations vary from 10−6 to 10−2, CuCl dechlorination progress (Et=24h) calculations are at about 3% to 6% at 24 h. Applying the current significantly improves the effectiveness of dechlorination at 2.5 μA/cm2. However, the chloride ion concentration in the solution starts to decrease after reaching a current density of 12.5 μA/cm2, even dropping to 12.07 ppm at 25 μA/cm2. According to a theoretical analysis, chlorine evolution during electrolytic processes would be responsible for this phenomenon.
A Study of the Structure of an Anion Exchange Resin with a Quaternary Ammonium Functional Group by Using Infrared Spectroscopy and DFT Calculations
Authors: Chruszcz-Lipska Katarzyna , Szostak Elżbieta
Published: December 2024

The large numbers of ion exchange resins used in various industries (food, pharmaceutitics, mining, hydrometallurgy), and especially in water treatment, are based on cross-linked polystyrene and divinylbenzene copolymers with functional groups capable of ion exchange. Their advantage, which makes them environmentally friendly, is the possibility of their regeneration and reuse. Taking into account the wide application of these materials, styrene–divinylbenzene resin with a quaternary ammonium functional group, Amberlite®IRA402, was characterized using a well-known and widely used method, FT-IR spectroscopy. As the infrared spectrum of the tested ion exchange resin was rich in bands, its detailed assignment was supported by quantum chemical calculations (DFT/B3LYP/6-31g** and DFT/PCM/B3LYP/6-31g**). Using appropriate 3D models of the resin structure, the optimization of geometry, the infrared spectrum and atomic charges from an atomic polar tensor (APT) were calculated. A detailed description of the infrared spectrum of Amberlite®IRA402 resin (Cl− form) in the spectral range of 4000–700 cm−1 was performed for the first time. The charge distribution on individual fragments of the resin structure in aqueous solution was also calculated for the first time. These studies will certainly allow for a better understanding of the styrene–divinylbenzene resin interaction in various processes with other substances, particularly in sorption processes.
The Influence of Resin Volume Fraction on Selected Properties of Polymer Concrete
Authors: Smoleń Jakub , Stępień Krzysztof , Kozioł Mateusz , Włodarczyk Mateusz , Pawlik Tomasz , Safuta Małgorzata , Groń Krzysztof , Fross Klaudiusz , Olesik Piotr
Published: December 2024

Polymer concrete is a promising material with applications in construction and architecture; however, guidelines for its design and optimization are not well-established in the literature. This study aimed to evaluate how resin volume fraction and aggregate size distribution affect key properties of polyester polymer concrete, including flexural strength, compressive strength, water absorption, and material cost. Three types of quartz aggregates with different particle size distributions were used, as follows: small (below 0.5 mm, quartz dust), medium (0.2–2.0 mm, quartz sand), and large (2.0–10.0 mm, quartz gravel). The resin volume content varied from 5% to 30%. Differences in apparent density, open porosity, water absorption, flexural strength, compressive strength, and material cost were analyzed as functions of resin volume content and aggregate size. The results showed that apparent density and mechanical properties are positively correlated with resin content for small and medium aggregates; however, in the case of large aggregates, flexural strength decreased when the resin volume content exceeded 20%. A significant reduction in material porosity and water absorption (to ~0.4% and ~0.2%, respectively) was observed at high resin volume fractions.
The Influence of Insert Mounting Errors on the Surface Roughness of 1.0503 Steel in Face Milling
Authors: Nowakowski Lukasz , Rolek Jaroslaw , Blasiak Slawomir , Skrzyniarz Michal
Published: December 2024

This article looked at how insert mounting errors affect the cutting tool performance in the face milling of 1.0503 steel. This study was conducted for 490-050Q22-08M inserts mounted in a Sandvik Coromant 490-050Q22-08M CoroMill cutter attached to an AVIA VMC 800 vertical milling center. A 3D geometrical model of the cutter was developed to determine the engagement of the particular inserts in the material removal process at different feeds per tooth. The test results showed that, at feeds ranging from 0.02 mm/tooth to 0.06 mm/tooth, only three out of five inserts took part in the face milling process, while at feeds higher than 0.12 mm/tooth, all the inserts mounted in the cutter body were engaged. The relative displacements in the tool-workpiece system were measured along the axis of rotation of the tool using a Renishaw XL-80 laser interferometer. The vibration signals recorded during cutting confirmed that there was a clear relationship between the number of inserts engaged in the process and the root mean square, the arithmetic mean, and the DC component. Multiple 2D scans of the face milled surface to measure parameters Ra and Rt helped determine the feed range where the cutting process was stable. The conducted studies allowed for the identification of optimal operating ranges for a tool with parameterized errors in the mounting of inserts within the tool body. The influence of these mounting errors, in correlation with the feed per tooth, on the surface roughness of 1.0503 steel was presented and compared with five other materials.
Analysis of the Distribution of Non-Metallic Inclusions and Its Impact on the Fatigue Strength Parameters of Carbon Steel Melted in an Electric Furnace
Authors: Lipiński Tomasz
Published: December 2024

Steels are currently the most commonly used industrial construction materials. The use of steels depends on their properties, including their fatigue strength. Despite the fact that many works have been devoted to fatigue strength studies, there is still a lack of research discussing the fatigue strength of low-carbon steels. This deficiency is also visible when analyzing the influence of impurities on the fatigue properties of these steels. In most cases, the literature of material fatigue tests includes results obtained for materials produced on the laboratory scale, and it is difficult to directly translate these results to the industrial scale, on which steels for industrial applications are produced. This paper presents studies on the influence of non-metallic inclusions on the fatigue strength coefficient. The analyzed steel contained an average of 0.23% C, 1.23% Mn, and 0.0025 B. It was melted in 140-ton production furnaces, and after being tapped into a ladle, it was desulphurized and refined with argon. A classic plastic working process was used to produce steel samples. Based on the analysis of the test results, it was mainly found that the fatigue resistance coefficient k decreased with the increase in impurities spacing, and with a large share of smaller non-metallic inclusions, a higher fatigue resistance coefficient was noted, which may indicate that small non-metallic inclusions with an oval shape do not reduce the fatigue life of steel, regardless of its microstructure.
Preview-Based Optimal Control for Trajectory Tracking of Fully-Actuated Marine Vessels
Authors: Liang Xiaoling , Wu Jiang , Xie Hao , Lu Yanrong
Published: December 2024

In this paper, the problem of preview optimal control for second-order nonlinear systems for marine vessels is discussed on a fully actuated dynamic model. First, starting from a kinematic and dynamic model of a three-degrees-of-freedom (DOF) marine vessel, we derive a fully actuated second-order dynamic model that involves only the ship’s position and yaw angle. Subsequently, through the higher-order systems methodology, the nonlinear terms in the system were eliminated, transforming the system into a one-order parameterized linear system. Next, we designed an internal model compensator for the reference signal and constructed a new augmented error system based on this compensator. Then, using optimal control theory, we designed the optimal preview controller for the parameterized linear system and the corresponding feedback parameter matrices, which led to the preview controller for the original second-order nonlinear system. Finally, a numerical simulation indicates that the controller designed in this paper is highly effective.
On Symmetrical Sonin Kernels in Terms of Hypergeometric-Type Functions
Authors: Luchko Yuri
Published: December 2024

In this paper, a new class of kernels of integral transforms of the Laplace convolution type that we named symmetrical Sonin kernels is introduced and investigated. For a symmetrical Sonin kernel given in terms of elementary or special functions, its associated kernel has the same form with possibly different parameter values. In the paper, several new kernels of this type are derived by means of the Sonin method in the time domain and using the Laplace integral transform in the frequency domain. Moreover, for the first time in the literature, a class of Sonin kernels in terms of the convolution series, which are a far-reaching generalization of the power series, is constructed. The new symmetrical Sonin kernels derived in the paper are represented in terms of the Wright function and the new special functions of the hypergeometric type that are extensions of the corresponding Horn functions in two variables.