bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Environmental and Productive Factors on the Biodiversity of Lactic Acid Bacteria Population from Sheep Milk
Authors: Quintana Álvaro Rafael , Perea José Manuel , Palop María Llanos , Garzón Ana , Arias Ramón
Published: November 2020

Milk is a typical and satisfactory medium for the growth of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). These microorganisms are of vital importance in the quality of the milk since they contribute to its preservation and give differential organoleptic properties to the final product. Furthermore, LABs can act as biocontrol agents in the dairy industry by inhibiting the growth of undesirable bacteria present in milk and by improving the quality of dairy products such as cheese. In this context, knowing the transfer routes used by LABs from the livestock environment to the milk is of great importance within the dairy industry. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were to expand the knowledge of the LAB population present in the milk of Manchego ewe by means of DNA sequencing techniques and to evaluate the possible transfers of LAB species based on the management of each dairy farm. Samples of bulk tank milk, air (from the milking parlour and from the livestock housing), animal feed and teat surface (taken from 10 sheep per farm) were collected in 12 traditional livestock farms in Castilla-La Mancha (Spain), where each farm presented differences regarding their farming practices. A mixed-effects model was used to evaluate the effects of livestock practices on the distribution of LAB species. Results showed that the vast majority of species identified in the milk had an isolate that was also found in other matrices, which could indicate a microbial transference via the livestock environment to the milk. In addition, the mixed model showed that the factors that positively influence the LAB count were the low-line milking system and the daily use of acid detergent in cleaning the milking machine.
Liver Expression of IGF2 and Related Proteins in ZBED6 Gene-Edited Pig by RNA-Seq
Authors: Zhao Haidong , Wu Mingli , Liu Shirong , Tang Xiaoqin , Yi Xiaohua , Li Qi , Wang Shuhui , Sun Xiuzhu
Published: November 2020

Zinc finger BED-type containing 6 (ZBED6), a highly conservative transcription factor of placental mammals, has conservative interaction of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) based on the 16 bp binding sites of ZBED6 on the IGF2 sequence. IGF2 is related to embryo growth and cell proliferation. At the same time, its functions in muscle and adipose in mammals have been widely mentioned in recent studies. To further investigate the mechanism of ZBED6 on IGF2, we detected the expression of IGF2 and related genes in ZBED6 single allele knockout (ZBED6-SKO) pig tissues and analyzed the transcriptome of ZBED6-SKO pig liver. Through RNA-seq, we captured nine up-regulated genes and eight down-regulated genes which related to lipid metabolism. The results showed that the mRNA of IGF2 had an upward trend after the partial knockout of ZBED6 in liver and had no significant difference in protein expression of IGF2. In summary, ZBED6-SKO could affect the secretion of IGF2 in pig liver and its own lipid metabolism. Our research has provided basic information for revealing the regulatory mechanism of the interaction between ZBED6 and IGF2 in mammals.
Serum Anti-Mullerian Hormone and Estradiol Concentrations in Gilts and Their Age at Puberty
Authors: Am-in Nutthee , Suwimonteerabutr Junpen , Kirkwood Roy N.
Published: November 2020

For experiment one, blood samples were obtained from 200 gilts at 90, 120, 150, 180, and 200 days of age. Serum samples from the 30 youngest (166.1 ± 0.7 days) and 30 oldest (198.8 ± 0.6 days) gilts exhibiting estrus by 200 days, and a further 18 gilts that remained anestrus at 200 days, were assayed for serum concentrations of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and estradiol (E2). Gilts younger at puberty had higher (p < 0.05) AMH levels than those older at puberty, and both groups had higher AMH levels than anestrus gilts (p < 0.05). Regardless of age, serum E2 was higher (p < 0.05) in gilts that achieved puberty than in gilts remaining anestrus. At spontaneous pubertal estrus detection, there was no effect of pubertal age on the number of preovulatory ovarian follicles. For experiment two, 152 prepubertal gilts received an intramuscular (IM) injection of 400 IU eCG plus 200 IU hCG and then received fence-line boar contact to detect estrus onset. Serum AMH concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) in the first 25 gilts to exhibit puberty than the last 28 gilts, with the first gilts also having more preovulatory follicles (p < 0.0001). Taken together, these data support an association between serum AMH concentrations and degree of physiological maturity and ovarian follicular development in gilts.
Influence of Parental Fatty Acid Desaturase 2 (fads2) Expression and Diet on Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata) Offspring fads2 Expression during Ontogenesis
Authors: Xu Hanlin , Ferosekhan Shajahan , Turkmen Serhat , Afonso Juan Manuel , Zamorano María Jesús , Izquierdo Marisol
Published: November 2020

Previous studies have shown that it is possible to increase the ability of marine fish to produce long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid from their 18C precursors by nutritional programming or using broodstock with a higher fatty acyl desaturase 2 (fads2) expression. However, those studies failed to show the effect of these interventions on the expression of the fads2 gene in the developing egg. Moreover, there were no studies on the temporal expression of the fads2 during ontogeny in the gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). In order to determine the changes in expression of fads2 during ontogeny, gilthead sea bream broodstock with a high (HRO) or low (LRO) fads2 expression fed a diet previously used for nutritional programming, or a fish oil-based diet (LFO) were allowed to spawn. The samples were taken at the stages of spawning, morula, high blastula, gastrula, neurula, heart beating, hatch and 3 day-old first exogenous feeding larvae to determine fads2 expression throughout embryonic development. The results showed the presence of fads2 mRNA in the just spawned egg, denoting the maternal mRNA transfer to the developing oocyte. Later, fads2 expression increased after the neurula, from heart beating until 3-day-old larvae, denoting the transition from maternal to embryonic gene expression. In addition, the eggs obtained from broodstock with high fads2 expression showed a high docosahexaenoic acid content, which correlated with the downregulation of the fads2 expression found in the developing embryo and larvae. Finally, feeding with the nutritional programming diet with the partial replacement of fish oil by rapeseed oil did not affect the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA) contents nor fads2 expression in the gilthead sea bream developing eggs.
Raspberry Ketones Attenuate Cyclophosphamide-Induced Pulmonary Toxicity in Mice through Inhibition of Oxidative Stress and NF-ΚB Pathway
Authors: Mohamed Marwa T. , Zaitone Sawsan A. , Ahmed Amal , Mehanna Eman T. , El-Sayed Norhan M.
Published: November 2020

Cyclophosphamide (CP) was found to have a potential toxic effect on lung tissues. Raspberry ketones (RKs) are natural antioxidant chemicals isolated from red raspberries (Rubus ideaus). They are commonly used for weight loss and obesity. The current study aimed to evaluate the possible protective effects of RKs against lung toxicity induced by CP. Mice were allocated into six groups: (1) control group; (2) CP group: received a single intraperitoneal dose of CP (150 mg/kg, i.p.); and (3–6) mice were pre-treated orally with different doses of RKs (25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) for 14 consecutive days, respectively, before the administration of an intraperitoneal dose of CP (150 mg/kg, i.p.). Mice were then sacrificed under anesthesia, then lungs were removed for histopathological and biochemical investigations. A single dose of CP markedly altered the levels of some oxidative stress biomarkers and resulted in the fragmentation of DNA in lung homogenates. Histological examination of CP-treated mice demonstrated diffuse alveolar damage that involved apparent hyalinization of membranes, thickening of inter alveolar septa, and proliferation of type II pneumocytes. The immunohistochemical results of CP-treated mice revealed strongly positive Bax and weakly positive proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) staining reactivity of the nuclei of the lining epithelium of the bronchioles and alveoli. CP activated the cyclooxygenase-2/nuclear factor-kappa B pathway. However, pre-treatment with RKs significantly attenuated CP-evoked alterations in the previously mentioned parameters, highlighting their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic potential. RKs may be suggested to be a potential candidate to ameliorate CP-induced pulmonary toxicity.
Biomechanical Analysis of Two Types of Osseointegrated Transfemoral Prosthesis
Authors: Mirulla Agostino Igor , Di Paolo Stefano , Di Simone Francesco , Ingrassia Tommaso , Nigrelli Vincenzo , Zaffagnini Stefano , Bragonzoni Laura
Published: November 2020

In the last two decades, osseointegrated prostheses have been shown to be a good alternative for lower limb amputees experiencing complications in using a traditional socket-type prosthesis; however, restraining biomechanical issues, such as peri-prosthetic bone fractures or loosening, are present. To better understand and overcome these limiting issues, and thus reduce the number of implant failures, many studies have investigated the stress distribution on bone and implant during normal daily activities. The aim of this study was a biomechanical analysis of two different osseointegrated implants, a screw-type (OPRA) and a press fit system (OPL, Osseointegrated Prosthetic Limb), to evaluate the stresses generated in bone and prosthesis during a fall. In particular, four scenarios have been experimentally reproduced to determine the loads on the limb during different kinds of fall. For this purpose, a motion capture system and a force plate have been used. Numerical FEM (Finite Element Method) simulations have been performed to compare the behaviour of the OPRA and OPL systems in different fall scenarios. The obtained results showed that a fall backwards due to balance loss is the most stressful scenario among the ones analysed. As regards the comparison between OPRA and OPL devices, it emerged they have similar behaviours in terms of peak values of the stress, but the OPL implant generates larger high-stress areas in the distal femur as compared with the OPRA system.
Application of Non-Destructive Techniques on a Varve Sediment Record from Vouliagmeni Coastal Lake, Eastern Gulf of Corinth, Greece
Authors: Emmanouilidis Alexandros , Unkel Ingmar , Seguin Joana , Keklikoglou Kleoniki , Gianni Eleni , Avramidis Pavlos
Published: November 2020

During the last few decades, X-ray attenuation systems have been established as standard techniques in geosciences and as excellent scientific tools for the analysis of sedimentary facies and structures. In the present study, we use two non-destructive and high-resolution systems (computed tomography, X-ray fluorescence) to address all sedimentological facies and structural characteristics on a 6 m long, partly laminated sediment record, from Vouliagmeni lake, located at the eastern part of the Corinth Gulf, Greece. Vouliagmeni lake is the deepest coastal lake in Greece, and its location is of great importance since it is located in one of the most tectonically active regions in the world. The chronological framework of the retrieved sediment sequence spans the last 12,000 years, with alternations of laminated and non-laminated sections. The annual accumulation of the laminated sequences was determined through the radionuclide concentration of 14 samples. Scanning tomography was performed with a medical CT scanner and a μCT scanner, aiming to compare the potentials and variations of both methods. Lamination boundaries, event layers (turbidites) and sediment deformations were distinguished through processing the extracted 3D rendered volumes, after applying ranges depending on Hounsfield (HU) values. Microscopic analysis revealed three main layer types in the varve sequences that were examined, attributing to summer/spring, autumn and winter deposits. Statistical analysis of the elemental composition, magnetic susceptibility (MS) measurements and HU values revealed three clusters/facies, reflecting climatic and in-lake hydrological changes. Cluster A emulates sedimentation during arid conditions, while Cluster B reflects humid conditions with increased precipitation and erosion. Cluster C represents sequences with homogenous Ca-rich sediment. Our proposed workflow highlights the possible correlation between the non-destructive variables that were measured, but also the variations and applications of each method and software used during this study.
Model-Based Design and Simulation of Paraxial Ray Optics Systems
Authors: Fujiwara Eric , Cordeiro Cristiano M. B.
Published: November 2020

A model-based design allows representing complex, multi-domain systems as interconnected functional blocks, yielding graphical, intuitive information about the overall project, besides simplifying simulation. This work proposes using the modular approach as an optical engineering design and educational tool for developing paraxial ray optics setups, providing further integration with mechatronics subsystems and control loops. An expanded version of the ABCD transfer matrix modeling is implemented in MATLAB Simulink environment to simultaneously perform ray tracing and dynamic simulations. The methodology is validated for different problems, including paraxial cloaking, transmission through a multimode optical fiber, a Fabry–Perot interferometer, and an optical pickup with automatic focus, yielding reliable results with prospective applications in optical engineering design and for creating virtual labs devoted to multiphysics and mechatronics engineering courses.
Sintering Behavior of a Six-Oxide Silicate Bioactive Glass for Scaffold Manufacturing
Authors: Fiume Elisa , Serino Gianpaolo , Bignardi Cristina , Verné Enrica , Baino Francesco
Published: November 2020

The intrinsic brittleness of bioactive glasses (BGs) is one of the main barriers to the widespread use of three-dimensional porous BG-derived bone grafts (scaffolds) in clinical practice. Among all the available strategies for improving the mechanical properties of BG-based scaffolds, strut densification upon sintering treatments at high temperatures represents a relatively easy approach, but its implementation might lead to undesired and poorly predictable decrease in porosity, mass transport properties and bioactivity resulting from densification and devitrification phenomena occurring in the material upon heating. The aim of the present work was to investigate the sinter-crystallization of a highly bioactive SiO2-P2O5-CaO–MgO–Na2O–K2O glass (47.5B composition) in reference to its suitability for the fabrication of bonelike foams. The thermal behavior of 47.5B glass particles was investigated upon sintering at different temperatures in the range of 600–850 °C by means of combined thermal analyses (differential thermal analysis (DTA) and hot-stage microscopy (HSM)). Then, XRD measurements were carried out to identify crystalline phases developed upon sintering. Finally, porous scaffolds were produced by a foam replica method in order to evaluate the effect of the sintering temperature on the mechanical properties under compression loading conditions. Assessing a relationship between mechanical properties and sintering temperature, or in other words between scaffold performance and fabrication process, is a key step towards the rationale design of optimized scaffolds for tissue repair.
Analytical Investigation of the Differences between Cast-In-Situ and Precast Beam-Column Connections under Seismic Actions
Authors: Song Baoxi , Du Dongsheng , Li Weiwei , Wang Shuguang , Wang Yue , Feng Decheng
Published: November 2020

At present, the engineering designers generally design and analyze the precast structural models according to the equivalent cast-in-situ principle, and have a vague understanding of non-identical problems. However, these issues cannot be ignored, especially for high-intensity areas. This paper considers the differences of the hysteretic relationship between two typical precast joints and cast-in-situ (RC) joints, and researches the influence of these differences on the seismic response of frame structures. For the monolithic precast joint, the force mechanism was analyzed based on its assembly form, and the differences with the RC joint in the testing phenomena were explained accordingly. The dimensionless hysteresis models of two types of joints were proposed, and the rationality of the monolithic precast joint model was verified according to the existing experimental results. Different performances of joints were realized by assigning the constitutive models calculated from sectional reinforcement to the spring elements of analysis models. Considering two possible performance deficiencies of each type of precast joint separately, a total of seven structural analysis models were formed. Nonlinear static analysis and dynamic time-history analysis methods were adopted to reveal the differences between precast frames and the RC frame in terms of structural capacity curve, displacement response, ductility demands of components and structural residual deformation. The results showed that under strong seismic excitation, the response differences between precast frames and the RC frame were significant, so it is worthwhile to establish nonlinear models suitable for precast frames in seismic analysis. This study is valuable for understanding and distinguishing the nonlinear response of precast frames and traditional RC frames.
An openBIM Approach to IoT Integration with Incomplete As-Built Data
Authors: Moretti Nicola , Xie Xiang , Merino Jorge , Brazauskas Justas , Parlikad Ajith Kumar
Published: November 2020

Digital Twins (DT) are powerful tools to support asset managers in the operation and maintenance of cognitive buildings. Building Information Models (BIM) are critical for Asset Management (AM), especially when used in conjunction with Internet of Things (IoT) and other asset data collected throughout a building’s lifecycle. However, information contained within BIM models is usually outdated, inaccurate, and incomplete as a result of unclear geometric and semantic data modelling procedures during the building life cycle. The aim of this paper is to develop an openBIM methodology to support dynamic AM applications with limited as-built information availability. The workflow is based on the use of the IfcSharedFacilitiesElements schema for processing the geometric and semantic information of both existing and newly created Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) objects, supporting real-time data integration. The methodology is validated using the West Cambridge DT Research Facility data, demonstrating good potential in supporting an asset anomaly detection application. The proposed workflow increases the automation of the digital AM processes, thanks to the adoption of BIM-IoT integration tools and methods within the context of the development of a building DT.
Elliptic Curve Signcryption-Based Mutual Authentication Protocol for Smart Cards
Authors: Singh Anuj Kumar , Solanki Arun , Nayyar Anand , Qureshi Basit
Published: November 2020

In the modern computing environment, smart cards are being used extensively, which are intended to authenticate a user with the system or server. Owing to the constrictions of computational resources, smart card-based systems require an effective design and efficient security scheme. In this paper, a smart card authentication protocol based on the concept of elliptic curve signcryption has been proposed and developed, which provides security attributes, including confidentiality of messages, non-repudiation, the integrity of messages, mutual authentication, anonymity, availability, and forward security. Moreover, the analysis of security functionalities shows that the protocol developed and explained in this paper is secure from password guessing attacks, user and server impersonation, replay attacks, de-synchronization attacks, insider attacks, known key attacks, and man-in-the-middle attacks. The results have demonstrated that the proposed smart card security protocol reduces the computational overhead on a smart card by 33.3% and the communication cost of a smart card by 34.5%, in comparison to the existing efficient protocols. It can, thus, be inferred from the results that using elliptic curve signcryption in the authentication mechanism reduces the computational cost and communication overhead by a significant amount.
Numerical Test of Several Controllers for Underactuated Underwater Vehicles
Authors: Herman Przemyslaw
Published: November 2020

This work is devoted to preliminary numerical tests of selected control strategies of underwater vehicles in the absence of a force applied to the side. The aim was to test the effectiveness of control algorithms for underwater vehicle models considered to be underactuated. Initially, the testing algorithm is used to obtain some information about the dynamics model. Several well-known control schemes for two underwater vehicles for two desired trajectories were selected and tested. The simulations made for the planar 3-DOF model of two underwater vehicles show the performance that can be achieved with each control algorithm according to the assumptions made.
Polarization Radiometric Calibration in Laboratory for a Channeled Spectropolarimeter
Authors: Xing Wenhe , Ju Xueping , Bo Jian , Yan Changxiang , Yang Bin , Xu Shuyan , Zhang Junqiang
Published: November 2020

The process of radiometric calibration would be coupled with the polarization properties of an optical system for spectropolarimetry, which would have significant influences on reconstructed Stokes parameters. In this paper, we propose a novel polarization radiometric calibration model that decouples the radiometric calibration coefficient and polarization properties of an optical system. The alignment errors of the polarization module and the variation of the retardations at different fields of view are considered and calibrated independently. According to these calibration results, the input Stokes parameters at different fields of view can be reconstructed accurately through the proposed model. Simulations are performed for the presented calibration and reconstruction methods, which indicate that the measurement accuracy of polarization information is improved compared with the traditional undecoupled calibration method.
Modeling and Simulation of a Flexible Manufacturing System—A Basic Component of Industry 4.0
Authors: Florescu Adriana , Barabas Sorin Adrian
Published: November 2020

The field of Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS) has seen in recent years a dynamic development trend and can now be considered an integral part of intelligent manufacturing systems and a basis for digital manufacturing. Developing the factory of the future in an increasingly competitive industrial environment involves the study and analysis of some FMS key elements and managerial, technical, and innovative efforts. Using a new approach, thus paper presents a material flow design methodology for flexible manufacturing systems in order to establish the optimal architecture of the analyzed system. The research offers a solution for modeling and optimizing material flows in advanced manufacturing systems. By using a dedicated analysis and simulation software, the structure of the system can be established and specific technical and economic parameters can be determined for each processing and transport capacity. Different processing scenarios will be evaluated through virtual modeling and simulations in order to increase the performance and efficiency of the system. Thus, an interactive tool useful in the design and management of flexible manufacturing lines will be developed for companies operating in the industrial sector. The application of this paper is mainly in the field of development of intelligent manufacturing systems, where the control system will make and use simulations in order to analyze current parameters and to predict the future.
Numerical Analysis of a Single-Stage Fast Linear Transformer Driver Using Field-Circuit Coupled Time-Domain Finite Integration Theory
Authors: Qiu Hao , Wang Shuhong , Zhang Naming , Sun Fengju , Wang Zhiguo , Jiang Xiaofeng , Jiang Hongyu , He Xu , Ning Shuya
Published: November 2020

The focus of this paper is numerical analysis on the performance of a newly designed mega-ampere (MA) class single-stage fast linear transformer driver (FLTD) with 24 separate columns in the China Z-pinch driver CZ34. However, the internal structure and media distribution of the FLTD induction cavity is very complicated and the short rise time of the bricks’ discharge current will make spatial discretization much denser, resulting in a dramatic increase in the computational complexity of a 3-D model. In this paper, the electromagnetic (EM) characteristics of the single-stage FLTD with 24-separate columns are investigated based on the time-domain finite integration theory (TD-FIT). The discharge currents of brick capacitors in the circuit model are coupled to the field model as excitations. The grid size of the key components in FLTD cavity are refined by nonuniform grids. To further reduce the number of degrees of freedom (DoFs), the surface impedance boundary condition (SIBC) is used to model good conductors. Measurements and simulation results demonstrate that TD-FIT is effective and accurate in analyzing the EM transients of FLTD. Equivalent inductance of the discharging brick will increase by ~35 nH due to the mutual flux linkage among neighboring bricks when all the 23-bricks are triggered synchronously.
Special Issue “Design and Optimization of Production Lines”
Authors: Renna Paolo , Ambrico Michele
Published: November 2020

The classical models for designing production lines follow the objective of balancing the line so as to improve the throughput [...]
Aerodynamic Simulation of Helicopter Based on Polyhedron Nested Grid Technology
Authors: Zhou Chenglong , Chen Ming
Published: November 2020

In this paper, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation method based on the polyhedral nested grid is developed. By comparing the simulation and test results of the hovering flow field of the Caradonna–Tung rotor, the forward flight flow field of the AH-1G rotor, the interference flow field of the Robin rotor/fuselage, and the hovering and forward flight flow field of a coaxial rotor, it is proven that the method proposed in this paper can achieve high calculation accuracy under various working conditions. The dual time-stepping method is used for the transient simulation, and the Spalart–Allmaras (S-A) turbulence model, which is widely used in aviation, is adopted in the simulation.
Acoustic Scattering Models from Rough Surfaces: A Brief Review and Recent Advances
Authors: Darmon Michel , Dorval Vincent , Baqué François
Published: November 2020

This paper proposes a brief review of acoustic wave scattering models from rough surfaces. This review is intended to provide an up-to-date survey of the analytical approximate or semi-analytical methods that are encountered in acoustic scattering from random rough surfaces. Thus, this review focuses only on the scattering of acoustic waves and does not deal with the transmission through a rough interface of waves within a solid material. The main used approximations are classified here into two types: the two historical approximations (Kirchhoff approximation and the perturbation theory) and some sound propagation models more suitable for grazing observation angles on rough surfaces, such as the small slope approximation, the integral equation method and the parabolic equation. The use of the existing approximations in the scientific literature and their validity are highlighted. Rough surfaces with Gaussian height distribution are usually considered in the models hypotheses. Rather few comparisons between models and measurements have been found in the literature. Some new criteria have been recently determined for the validity of the Kirchhoff approximation, which is one of the most used models, owing to its implementation simplicity.
A Bio-Inspired Model of Picture Array Generating P System with Restricted Insertion Rules
Authors: Zhang Gexiang , Samdanielthompson G. , David N. Gnanamalar , Nagar Atulya K. , Subramanian K.G.
Published: November 2020

In the bio-inspired area of membrane computing, a novel computing model with a generic name of P system was introduced around the year 2000. Among its several variants, string or array language generating P systems involving rewriting rules have been considered. A new picture array model of array generating P system with a restricted type of picture insertion rules and picture array objects in its regions, is introduced here. The generative power of such a system is investigated by comparing with the generative power of certain related picture array grammar models introduced and studied in two-dimensional picture language theory. It is shown that this new model of array P system can generate picture array languages which cannot be generated by many other array grammar models. The theoretical model developed is for handling the application problem of generation of patterns encoded as picture arrays over a finite set of symbols. As an application, certain floor-design patterns are generated using such an array P system.
Investigation on the Chemical and Thermal Behavior of Recycling Agglomerates from EAF by-Products
Authors: Willms Thomas , Echterhof Thomas , Steinlechner Stefan , Aula Matti , Abdelrahim Ahmed , Fabritius Timo , Mombelli Davide , Mapelli Carlo , Preiss Stefan
Published: November 2020

In addition to the blast furnace converter route, electric steel production in the electric arc furnace (EAF) is one of the two main production routes for crude steel. In 2019, the global share of crude steel produced via the electric steel route was 28%, which in numbers is 517 million metric tons of crude steel. The production and processing of steel leads to the output of a variety of by-products, such as dusts, fines, sludges and scales. At the moment, 10–67% of these by-products are landfilled and not recycled. These by-products contain metal oxides and minerals including iron oxide, zinc oxide, magnesia or alumina. Apart from the wasted valuable materials, the restriction of landfill space and stricter environmental laws are additional motivations to avoid landfill. The aim of the Fines2EAF project, funded by the European Research Fund for Coal and Steel, is to develop a low-cost and flexible solution for the recycling of fines, dusts, slags and scales from electric steel production. During this project, an easy, on-site solution for the agglomeration of fine by-products from steel production has to be developed from lab scale to pilot production for industrial tests in steel plants. The solution is based on the stamp press as the central element of the agglomeration process. The stamp press provides the benefit of being easily adapted to different raw materials and different pressing parameters, such as pressing-force and -speed, or mold geometry. Further benefits are that the stamp press process requires less binding material than the pelletizing process, and that no drying process is required as is the case with the pelletizing process. Before advancing the agglomeration of by-products via stamp press to an industrial scale, different material recipes are produced in lab-scale experiments and the finished agglomerates are tested for their use as secondary raw materials in the EAF. Therefore, the tests focus on the chemical and thermal behavior of the agglomerates. Chemical behavior, volatilization and reduction behavior of the agglomerates were investigated by differential thermogravimetric analysis combined with mass spectroscopy (TGA-MS). In addition, two melts with different agglomerates are carried out in a technical-scale electric arc furnace to increase the sample size.
Improving the Fuel Economy and Battery Lifespan in Fuel Cell/Renewable Hybrid Power Systems Using the Power-Following Control of the Fueling Regulators
Authors: Bizon Nicu , Oproescu Mihai , Thounthong Phatiphat , Varlam Mihai , Carcadea Elena , Culcer Mihai , Iliescu Mariana , Raboaca Maria Simona , Sorlei Ioan Sorin
Published: November 2020

In this study, the performance and safe operation of the fuel cell (FC) system and battery-based energy storage system (ESS) included in an FC/ESS/renewable hybrid power system (HPS) is fully analyzed under dynamic load and variable power from renewable sources. Power-following control (PFC) is used for either the air regulator or the fuel regulator of the FC system, or it is switched to the inputs of the air and hydrogen regulators based on a threshold of load demand; these strategies are referred to as air-PFC, fuel-PFC, and air/fuel-PFC, respectively. The performance and safe operation of the FC system and battery-based ESS under these strategies is compared to the static feed-forward (sFF) control used by most commercial strategies implemented in FC systems, FC/renewable HPSs, and FC vehicles. This study highlights the benefits of using a PFC-based strategy to establish FC-system fueling flows, in addition to an optimal control of the boost power converter to maximize fuel economy. For example, the fuel economy for a 6 kW FC system using the air/fuel-PFC strategy compared to the strategies air-PFC, fuel-PFC, and the sFF benchmark is 6.60%, 7.53%, and 12.60% of the total hydrogen consumed by these strategies under a load profile of up and down the stairs using 1 kW/2 s per step. For an FC/ESS/renewable system, the fuel economy of an air/fuel-PFC strategy compared to same strategies is 7.28%, 8.23%, and 13.43%, which is better by about 0.7% because an FC system operates at lower power due to the renewable energy available in this case study.
Effectiveness and Eco-Costs of Air Cleaners in Terms of Improving Fungal Air Pollution in Dwellings Located in Southern Poland—A Preliminary Study
Authors: Brągoszewska Ewa , Bogacka Magdalena , Pikoń Krzysztof
Published: November 2020

Epidemiological evidence shows that air pollution is responsible for several million premature deaths per year. By virtue of being responsible for these deaths, economic evidence shows that air pollution also imposes a so-called economic cost to society of several trillion dollars per year. The diseases caused by biological air pollutants are of primary global concern for both social and economic reasons, and given that people may spend more than 90% of their time in enclosed spaces, the investigation into methods to remove indoor air pollutants is of paramount importance. One of the methods to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) is to use air cleaners (ACLs) with high-efficiency particulate air filters (HEPA) that remove biological indoor air pollutants from indoor environments. This work presents the results of a study of fungal aerosol samples collected during the summer season from inside two dwellings (DG1 and DG2) before and after starting the use of ACLs. The fungal aerosol samples collected from each of the six stages of the sampler were incubated on agar plates at 26 °C, and the colony forming units (CFU) were manually counted and statistically corrected. The concentration of living airborne fungi was expressed as the CFU in the volume of air (CFU·m−3). The average concentration of fungal aerosol decreased the most when the ACLs were active for 24 min. The reduction was from 474 CFU·m−3 to 306 CFU·m−3, and from 582 CFU·m−3 to 338 CFU·m−3 in DG1 and DG2, respectively. The use of ACLs was assessed by the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. This study highlights the benefits of controlling biological air pollutants in order to keep occupants of buildings happy and healthy.
Contribution of Regional PM2.5 Transport to Air Pollution Enhanced by Sub-Basin Topography: A Modeling Case over Central China
Authors: Hu Weiyang , Zhao Tianliang , Bai Yongqing , Shen Lijuan , Sun Xiaoyun , Gu Yao
Published: November 2020

The Twain-Hu basin (THB), covering the lower plain of Hubei and Hunan provinces in Central China, has experienced severe air pollution in recent years. However, the terrain effects of such sub-basin on air quality over the THB have been incomprehensibly understood. A heavy PM2.5 pollution event occurred over the THB during 4–10 January 2019. By using the observations and WRF-Chem simulations, we investigated the underlying mechanisms of sub-basin effects on the air pollution with several sensitivity experiments. Observationally, air pollution in the western THB urban area with an average PM2.5 concentration of 189.8 μg m−3, which was more serious than the eastern urban area with the average PM2.5 concentration of 106.3 μg m−3, reflecting a different influence of topography on air pollution over the THB. Simulation results revealed that the terrain effect can contribute 12.0% to increasing the PM2.5 concentrations in the western THB, but slightly mitigate the pollution extent in the eastern THB with the contribution of −4.6% to PM2.5 during the heavy pollution episode. In particular, the sub-basin terrain was conducive to the accumulation of PM2.5 by regional transport with the contribution of 39.1 %, and contrarily lowered its local pollution by −57.0% via the enhanced atmospheric boundary layer height and ventilation coefficients. Given a heavy air pollution episode occurring over the THB, such inverse contribution of terrain effects reflected a unique importance of sub-basin topography in regional transport of air pollutants for air pollution in central China.
Performance Evaluation of an Operational Rapid Response Fire Spread Forecasting System in the Southeast Mediterranean (Greece)
Authors: Giannaros Theodore M. , Lagouvardos Konstantinos , Kotroni Vassiliki
Published: November 2020

The current work presents the operational implementation and evaluation of a rapid response fire spread forecasting system, named IRIS, that was developed to provide support to the tactical wildfire suppression activities of the Hellenic Fire Corps. The system was operationally employed during the 2019 fire season in Greece, providing on-demand wildfire spread predictions for 17 incidents. Satellite remote sensing data were employed for quantitatively assessing IRIS’s predictions for eight selected events. Our results suggest an overall satisfactory model performance. More importantly, this study demonstrates that, as coupled fire-atmosphere modeling becomes an increasingly popular approach, the respective models have great potential to support operational agencies and wildfire managers during the incident phase.
Cellular Dynamics of Transition Metal Exchange on Proteins: A Challenge but a Bonanza for Coordination Chemistry
Authors: Moulis Jean-Marc
Published: November 2020

Transition metals interact with a large proportion of the proteome in all forms of life, and they play mandatory and irreplaceable roles. The dynamics of ligand binding to ions of transition metals falls within the realm of Coordination Chemistry, and it provides the basic principles controlling traffic, regulation, and use of metals in cells. Yet, the cellular environment stands out against the conditions prevailing in the test tube when studying metal ions and their interactions with various ligands. Indeed, the complex and often changing cellular environment stimulates fast metal–ligand exchange that mostly escapes presently available probing methods. Reducing the complexity of the problem with purified proteins or in model organisms, although useful, is not free from pitfalls and misleading results. These problems arise mainly from the absence of the biosynthetic machinery and accessory proteins or chaperones dealing with metal / metal groups in cells. Even cells struggle with metal selectivity, as they do not have a metal-directed quality control system for metalloproteins, and serendipitous metal binding is probably not exceptional. The issue of metal exchange in biology is reviewed with particular reference to iron and illustrating examples in patho-physiology, regulation, nutrition, and toxicity.
Post-Myocardial Infarction Ventricular Remodeling Biomarkers—The Key Link between Pathophysiology and Clinic
Authors: Bostan Maria-Madălina , Stătescu Cristian , Anghel Larisa , Șerban Ionela-Lăcrămioara , Cojocaru Elena , Sascău Radu
Published: November 2020

Studies in recent years have shown increased interest in developing new methods of evaluation, but also in limiting post infarction ventricular remodeling, hoping to improve ventricular function and the further evolution of the patient. This is the point where biomarkers have proven effective in early detection of remodeling phenomena. There are six main processes that promote the remodeling and each of them has specific biomarkers that can be used in predicting the evolution (myocardial necrosis, neurohormonal activation, inflammatory reaction, hypertrophy and fibrosis, apoptosis, mixed processes). Some of the biomarkers such as creatine kinase–myocardial band (CK-MB), troponin, and N-terminal-pro type B natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were so convincing that they immediately found their place in the post infarction patient evaluation protocol. Others that are related to more complex processes such as inflammatory biomarkers, atheroma plaque destabilization biomarkers, and microRNA are still being studied, but the results so far are promising. This article aims to review the markers used so far, but also the existing data on new markers that could be considered, taking into consideration the most important studies that have been conducted so far.
Blood Neurofilament Light Chain: The Neurologist’s Troponin?
Authors: Thebault Simon , Booth Ronald A. , Freedman Mark S.
Published: November 2020

Blood neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a marker of neuro-axonal injury showing promising associations with outcomes of interest in several neurological conditions. Although initially discovered and investigated in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the recent development of ultrasensitive digital immunoassay technologies has enabled reliable detection in serum/plasma, obviating the need for invasive lumbar punctures for longitudinal assessment. The most evidence for utility relates to multiple sclerosis (MS) where it serves as an objective measure of both the inflammatory and degenerative pathologies that characterise this disease. In this review, we summarise the physiology and pathophysiology of neurofilaments before focusing on the technological advancements that have enabled reliable quantification of NfL in blood. As the test case for clinical translation, we then highlight important recent developments linking blood NfL levels to outcomes in MS and the next steps to be overcome before this test is adopted on a routine clinical basis.
The Association between Diurnal Sleep Patterns and Emotions in Infants and Toddlers Attending Nursery
Authors: Bacaro Valeria , Feige Bernd , Benz Fee , Johann Anna F. , De Bartolo Paola , Devoto Alessandra , Lombardo Caterina , Riemann Dieter , Baglioni Chiara
Published: November 2020

Background: Childcare programs often include mandatory naptime during the day. Loss of daytime sleep could lead to a moderate-to-large decrease in self-regulation, emotion processing, and learning in early childhood. Nevertheless, daytime sleep has been less accurately studied than nighttime sleep. This study aims to explore the relationship between diurnal sleep habits in nursery settings, nocturnal sleep quality, and post-nap emotional intensity in infants and toddlers. Methods: Data of 92 children (52 girls, 40 boys) aged 6 to 36 months were obtained. Sleep habits as well as positive and negative emotions were monitored by educators during nursery times through a sleep and emotion diary for two weeks. Results: Explorative analyses showed that diurnal sleep hours decreased across age groups (except for females aged 25–36 months) and that all age groups had a lower amount of nocturnal sleep than is recommended by the National Sleep Foundation. Partial correlation analysis showed significant correlation between daytime sleep onset latency and positive emotions. Mediation analyses showed that daytime napping is relevant for emotional functioning independently of nocturnal sleep quality. Conclusions: Daytime sleep in early childhood seems to be linked to the management of positive and negative emotions and could play a role in healthy development of emotional processes.
Preconditioning Strategies to Enhance Neural Stem Cell-Based Therapy for Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Othman Farah Amna , Tan Suat Cheng
Published: November 2020

Transplantation of neural stem cells (NSCs) has been proposed as an alternative novel therapy to replace damaged neural circuitry after ischemic stroke onset. Nonetheless, albeit the potential of these cells for stroke therapy, many critical challenges are yet to be overcome to reach clinical applications. The major limitation of the NSC-based therapy is its inability to retain most of the donor stem cells after grafting into an ischemic brain area which is lacking of essential oxygen and nutrients for the survival of transplanted cells. Low cell survival rate limits the capacity of NSCs to repair the injured area and this poses a much more difficult challenge to the NSC-based therapy for ischemic stroke. In order to enhance the survival of transplanted cells, several stem cell culture preconditioning strategies have been employed. For ischemic diseases, hypoxic preconditioning is the most commonly applied strategy since the last few decades. Now, the preconditioning strategies have been developed and expanded enormously throughout years of efforts. This review systematically presented studies searched from PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Scopus and the Google Scholar database up to 31 March 2020 based on search words containing the following terms: “precondition” or “pretreatment” and “neural stem cell” and “ischemic stroke”. The searched data comprehensively reported seven major NSC preconditioning strategies including hypoxic condition, small drug molecules such as minocycline, doxycycline, interleukin-6, adjudin, sodium butyrate and nicorandil, as well as electrical stimulation using conductive polymer for ischemic stroke treatment. We discussed therapeutic benefits gained from these preconditioned NSC for in vitro and in vivo stroke studies and the detailed insights of the mechanisms underlying these preconditioning approaches. Nonetheless, we noticed that there was a scarcity of evidence on the efficacy of these preconditioned NSCs in human clinical studies, therefore, it is still too early to draw a definitive conclusion on the efficacy and safety of this active compound for patient usage. Thus, we suggest for more in-depth clinical investigations of this cell-based therapy to develop into more conscientious and judicious evidence-based therapy for clinical application in the future.