bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sol–Gel Synthesis of Dy Co-Doped ZnO:V Nanoparticles for Optoelectronic Applications
Authors: Al-Harbi Fatemah F. , El Ghoul Jaber Mohamed
Published: September 2021

In this paper, Dy co-doped ZnO:V1% was prepared using the sol–gel process. We studied the impact of doping on the physical properties of the synthesized nanoparticles. In our synthetic approach, under an esterification reaction the release of water was carried out slowly, and this step was followed by drying beyond the critical point of ethanol then by calcination in air at 500 °C for 2 h. The structural and morphological studies show the presence of wurtzite structure with an average crystallite size of about 30 nm. In addition, no secondary phase was detected, which shows that the doping elements reacted with the matrix. The reflectance measurements show that by increasing the doping concentration the energy of the band gap energy decreases. Photoluminescence (PL) indicates the presence of two emission bands situated at around 481 nm and 577 nm linked to doping with Dy.
Short-Term Deterministic Solar Irradiance Forecasting Considering a Heuristics-Based, Operational Approach
Authors: Castillejo-Cuberos Armando , Boland John , Escobar Rodrigo
Published: September 2021

Solar energy is an economic and clean power source subject to natural variability, while energy storage might attenuate it, ultimately, effective and operationally feasible forecasting techniques for energy management are needed for better grid integration. This work presents a novel deterministic forecast method considering: irradiance pattern classification, Markov chains, fuzzy logic and an operational approach. The method developed was applied in a rolling manner for six years to a target location with no prior data to assess performance and its changes as new local data becomes available. Clearness index, diffuse fraction and irradiance hourly forecasts are analyzed on a yearly basis but also for 20 day types, and compared against smart persistence. Results show the proposed method outperforms smart persistence by ~10% for clearness index and diffuse fraction on the base case, but there are significant differences across the 20 day types analyzed, reaching up to +60% for clear days. Forecast lead time has the greatest impact in forecasting performance, which is important for any practical implementation. Seasonality in data gaps or rejected data can have a definite effect in performance assessment. A novel, comprehensive and detailed analysis framework was shown to present a better assessment of forecasters’ performance.
sp2–sp3 Hybrid Porous Carbon Materials Applied for Supercapacitors
Authors: Chae Ji Su , Kang Won-seop , Roh Kwang Chul
Published: September 2021

Carbon materials have gained considerable attention in recent years due to their superior properties. Activated carbon has been used in supercapacitors due to its density and rapid adsorption capability. The sp2–sp3 hybrid porous carbon materials are synthesized using herringbone-type carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and carbonized spherical phenol resins, with KOH as the activating agent. The morphology of the hybrid porous carbon facilitates the formation of ribbon-like nanosheets from highly activated CNFs wrapped around spherical resin-based activated carbon. The etching and separation of the CNFs produce a thin ribbon-like nanosheet structure; these CNFs simultaneously form new bonds with activated carbon, forming the sp2–sp3 hybrid porous structure. The relatively poor electrical conductivity of amorphous carbon is improved by the 3D conductive network that interconnects the CNF and amorphous carbon without requiring additional conductive material. The composite electrode has high electron conductivity and a large surface area with a specific capacitance of 120 F g−1. Thus, the strategy substantially simplifies the hybrid materials of sp2-hybridized CNFs and sp3-hybridized amorphous spherical carbon and significantly improves the comprehensive electrochemical performance of supercapacitors. The developed synthesis strategy provides important insights into the design and fabrication of carbon nanostructures that can be potentially applied as electrode materials for supercapacitors.
Alternative Splicing in Cardiovascular Disease—A Survey of Recent Findings
Authors: Hasimbegovic Ena , Schweiger Victor , Kastner Nina , Spannbauer Andreas , Traxler Denise , Lukovic Dominika , Gyöngyösi Mariann , Mester-Tonczar Julia
Published: September 2021

Alternative splicing, a driver of posttranscriptional variance, differs from canonical splicing by arranging the introns and exons of an immature pre-mRNA transcript in a multitude of different ways. Although alternative splicing was discovered almost half a century ago, estimates of the proportion of genes that undergo alternative splicing have risen drastically over the last two decades. Deep sequencing methods and novel bioinformatic algorithms have led to new insights into the prevalence of spliced variants, tissue-specific splicing patterns and the significance of alternative splicing in development and disease. Thus far, the role of alternative splicing has been uncovered in areas ranging from heart development, the response to myocardial infarction to cardiac structural disease. Circular RNAs, a product of alternative back-splicing, were initially discovered in 1976, but landmark publications have only recently identified their regulatory role, tissue-specific expression, and transcriptomic abundance, spurring a renewed interest in the topic. The aim of this review is to provide a brief insight into some of the available findings on the role of alternative splicing in cardiovascular disease, with a focus on atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, heart failure, dilated cardiomyopathy and circular RNAs in myocardial infarction.
Mammalian SIRT6 Represses Invasive Cancer Cell Phenotypes through ATP Citrate Lyase (ACLY)-Dependent Histone Acetylation
Authors: Zheng Wei , Tasselli Luisa , Li Tie-mei , Chua Katrin F.
Published: September 2021

The modulation of dynamic histone acetylation states is key for organizing chromatin structure and modulating gene expression and is regulated by histone acetyltransferase (HAT) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) enzymes. The mammalian SIRT6 protein, a member of the Class III HDAC Sirtuin family of NAD+-dependent enzymes, plays pivotal roles in aging, metabolism, and cancer biology. Through its site-specific histone deacetylation activity, SIRT6 promotes chromatin silencing and transcriptional regulation of aging-associated, metabolic, and tumor suppressive gene expression programs. ATP citrate lyase (ACLY) is a nucleo-cytoplasmic enzyme that produces acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA), which is the required acetyl donor for lysine acetylation by HATs. In addition to playing a central role in generating cytosolic acetyl-CoA for de novo lipogenesis, a growing body of work indicates that ACLY also functions in the nucleus where it contributes to the nutrient-sensitive regulation of nuclear acetyl-CoA availability for histone acetylation in cancer cells. In this study, we have identified a novel function of SIRT6 in controlling nuclear levels of ACLY and ACLY-dependent tumor suppressive gene regulation. The inactivation of SIRT6 in cancer cells leads to the accumulation of nuclear ACLY protein and increases nuclear acetyl-CoA pools, which in turn drive locus-specific histone acetylation and the expression of cancer cell adhesion and migration genes that promote tumor invasiveness. Our findings uncover a novel mechanism of SIRT6 in suppressing invasive cancer cell phenotypes and identify acetyl-CoA responsive cell migration and adhesion genes as downstream targets of SIRT6.
Root Architecture, Growth and Photon Yield of Cucumber Seedlings as Influenced by Daily Light Integral at Different Stages in the Closed Transplant Production System
Authors: Wang Yifei , Chu Yangyang , Wan Ze , Zhang Geng , Liu Lei , Yan Zhengnan
Published: September 2021

Optimizing light conditions for vegetable seedling production in a closed transplant production system is critical for plant growth and seedling production. Additionally, energy use efficiency should be considered by growers when managing the light environment. In the present study, cucumber seedlings (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Tianjiao No. 5) were grown under six different daily light integrals (DLIs) at 8.64, 11.52, 14.40, 17.28, 23.04, and 28.80 mol m−2 d−1 created by two levels of photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of 200 and 400 μmol m−2 s−1 combined with photoperiod of 12, 16 and 20 h d−1 provided by white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in a closed transplant production system for 21 days. Results indicated that quadratic functions were observed between fresh and dry weights of cucumber seedlings and DLI at 6, 11, 16, and 21 days after sowing. Generally, higher DLI resulted in longer root length, bigger root volume and root surface area accompanied with shorter plant height and hypocotyl length; however, no significant differences were observed in root length, root volume, and root surface area as DLI increased from 14.40 to 28.80 mol m−2 d−1. Photon yield based on fresh and dry weights decreased with increasing DLI. In conclusion, increased DLI resulted in compact and vigorous morphology but reduced photon yield of cucumber seedlings produced in a closed transplant production system. In terms of plant growth and energy use efficiency, DLI at 14.40–23.04 mol m−2 d−1 was suggested for cucumber seedling production in the closed production system. Additionally, different control strategies should be applied at different growth stages of cucumber seedlings.
Impact of Rehabilitation Intensity on 3-Year Mortality among Children with Moderate to Severe Cerebral Palsy: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Hsu Chiao-Lin , Hung Chia-Ling , Huang Shih-Ju , Yin Chun-Hao , Chu Chi-Hsiang , Kuo Tsu-Jen , Hung Yao-Min
Published: September 2021

Though numerous studies demonstrated the positive effect of rehabilitation on cerebral palsy (CP) children, there was no literature addressing the role of rehabilitation on mortality among children with CP. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the impact of rehabilitation intensity on mortality among children with moderate to severe CP. This retrospective cohort study was conducted by National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. Children (<12 years) with newly diagnosed moderate to severe CP between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2013 were included. All patients were followed up for 3 years after CP diagnosis or death or until 31 December 2013. The intensity of rehabilitation therapy within 6 months after CP diagnosis was categorized into <6 times and ≥6 times. The Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to determine the association between rehabilitation intensity and all-cause mortality after adjusting age, sex, other demographic factors and comorbidities. Among 3936 severe CP children, 164 (4.2%) died during the 3-year follow-up period. The mortality rate was higher among patients receiving rehabilitation < 6 times within 6 months than those ≥6 times within 6 months after adjusting demographic profile and comorbidities (adjust HR (aHR): 1.96, 95% CI 1.33–2.89, p < 0.001). We found that patients who were younger (aHR: 0.84, 95% CI 0.76–0.92, p < 0.001), who were receiving inpatient care more than twice in 1 year before their CP diagnosis (aHR: 2.88; 95% CI: 1.96–4.23; p < 0.001), and who have pneumonia (aHR: 1.41, 95% CI 1.00–1.96, p = 0.047), epilepsy (aHR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.02–1.95, p = 0.039) and dysphagia (aHR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.06–2.26, p = 0.024) have higher risk of mortality. Rehabilitation ≥ 6 times within 6 months has a potentially positive impact on pediatric CP survival. Besides having a younger age, being hospitalized more than twice within a year before diagnosis and having pneumonia, epilepsy and dysphagia were modifiable risk factors in clinical practice for these children.
Pharmacists’ Knowledge of Factors Associated with Dementia: The A-to-Z Dementia Knowledge List
Authors: Ramos Hernán , Moreno Lucrecia , Gil María , García-Lluch Gemma , Sendra-Lillo José , Alacreu Mónica
Published: September 2021

Dementia is a neurodegenerative disease with no cure that can begin up to 20 years before its diagnosis. A key priority in patients with dementia is the identification of early modifiable factors that can slow the progression of the disease. Community pharmacies are suitable points for cognitive-impairment screening because of their proximity to patients. Therefore, the continuous training of professionals working in pharmacies directly impacts the public health of the population. The main purpose of this study was to assess community pharmacists’ knowledge of dementia-related factors. Thus, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 361 pharmacists via an online questionnaire that quizzed their knowledge of a list of dementia-related factors, which we later arranged into the A-to-Z Dementia Knowledge List. We found that younger participants had a better knowledge of risk factors associated with dementia. The risk factors most often identified were a family history of dementia followed by social isolation. More than 40% of the respondents did not identify herpes labialis, sleep more than 9 h per day, and poor hearing as risk factors. A higher percentage of respondents were better able to identify protective factors than risk factors. The least known protective factors were internet use, avoidance of pollution, and the use of anti-inflammatory drugs. Pharmacists’ knowledge of dementia-related factors should be renewed with the aim of enhancing their unique placement to easily implement cognitive-impairment screening.
Dnmt3aa but Not Dnmt3ab Is Required for Maintenance of Gametogenesis in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
Authors: Wang Feilong , Qin Zuliang , Li Zhiqiang , Yang Shuangyi , Gao Tian , Sun Lina , Wang Deshou
Published: September 2021

Dnmt3a, a de novo methyltransferase, is essential for mammalian germ line DNA methylation. Only one Dnmt3a is identified in mammals, and homozygous mutants of Dnmt3a are lethal, while two Dnmt3a paralogs, dnmt3aa and dnmt3ab, are identified in teleosts due to the third round of genome duplication, and homozygous mutants of dnmt3aa and dnmt3ab are viable in zebrafish. The expression patterns and roles of dnmt3aa and dnmt3ab in gonadal development remain poorly understood in teleosts. In this study, we elucidated the precise expression patterns of dnmt3aa and dnmt3ab in tilapia gonads. Dnmt3aa was highly expressed in oogonia, phase I and II oocytes and granulosa cells in ovaries and spermatogonia and spermatocytes in testes, while dnmt3ab was mainly expressed in ovarian granulosa cells and testicular spermatocytes. The mutation of dnmt3aa and dnmt3ab was achieved by CRISPR/Cas9 in tilapia. Lower gonadosomatic index (GSI), increased apoptosis of oocytes and spermatocytes and significantly reduced sperm quality were observed in dnmt3aa−/− mutants, while normal gonadal development was observed in dnmt3ab−/− mutants. Consistently, the expression of apoptotic genes was significantly increased in dnmt3aa−/− mutants. In addition, the 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) level in dnmt3aa−/− gonads was decreased significantly, compared with that of dnmt3ab−/− and wild type (WT) gonads. Taken together, our results suggest that dnmt3aa, not dnmt3ab, plays important roles in maintaining gametogenesis in teleosts.
Silica Nanoparticles Inhibit Responses to ATP in Human Airway Epithelial 16HBE Cells
Authors: Milici Alina , Sanchez Alicia , Talavera Karel
Published: September 2021

Because of their low cost and easy production, silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) are widely used in multiple manufacturing applications as anti-caking, densifying and hydrophobic agents. However, this has increased the exposure levels of the general population and has raised concerns about the toxicity of this nanomaterial. SiNPs affect the function of the airway epithelium, but the biochemical pathways targeted by these particles remain largely unknown. Here we investigated the effects of SiNPs on the responses of 16HBE14o- cultured human bronchial epithelial (16HBE) cells to the damage-associated molecular pattern ATP, using fluorometric measurements of intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Upon stimulation with extracellular ATP, these cells displayed a concentration-dependent increase in intracellular Ca2+, which was mediated by release from intracellular stores. SiNPs inhibited the Ca2+ responses to ATP within minutes of application and at low micromolar concentrations, which are significantly faster and more potent than those previously reported for the induction of cellular toxicity and pro-inflammatory responses. SiNPs-induced inhibition is independent from the increase in intracellular Ca2+ they produce, is largely irreversible and occurs via a non-competitive mechanism. These findings suggest that SiNPs reduce the ability of airway epithelial cells to mount ATP-dependent protective responses.
Valosin-Containing Protein (VCP)/p97: A Prognostic Biomarker and Therapeutic Target in Cancer
Authors: Costantini Susan , Capone Francesca , Polo Andrea , Bagnara Palmina , Budillon Alfredo
Published: September 2021

Valosin-containing protein (VCP)/p97, a member of the AAA+ ATPase family, is a molecular chaperone recruited to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane by binding to membrane adapters (nuclear protein localization protein 4 (NPL4), p47 and ubiquitin regulatory X (UBX) domain-containing protein 1 (UBXD1)), where it is involved in ER-associated protein degradation (ERAD). However, VCP/p97 interacts with many cofactors to participate in different cellular processes that are critical for cancer cell survival and aggressiveness. Indeed, VCP/p97 is reported to be overexpressed in many cancer types and is considered a potential cancer biomarker and therapeutic target. This review summarizes the role of VCP/p97 in different cancers and the advances in the discovery of small-molecule inhibitors with therapeutic potential, focusing on the challenges associated with cancer-related VCP mutations in the mechanisms of resistance to inhibitors.
When Is an Increase in Criminal Legislation Necessary? Emphasis on Economic Criminality Discussions
Authors: Carrasco-Jiménez Edison
Published: September 2021

The objective of this article is to answer the question of when an increase in criminal legislation is necessary. To this end, a review was conducted on the positions that deal directly or peripherally with increases in criminal legislation, with a focus on how these positions relate to increases, such as the more general positions related to “law and social change”, as well as the more specific positions related to penal inflation and “penal populism”. Special reference will be made to the expansion thesis, which, in general, has been well received in Ibero-America. In the second section of this study, the answer to the question is addressed, considering elements from the “law and social change” approach and Sutherland’s reflections on white-collar criminality.
Hematopoietic Prostaglandin D Synthase Inhibitor PK007 Decreases Muscle Necrosis in DMD mdx Model Mice
Authors: Yarlagadda Sai , Kulis Christina , Noakes Peter G. , Smythe Mark L.
Published: September 2021

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is characterized by progressive muscle weakness and wasting due to the lack of dystrophin protein. The acute phase of DMD is characterized by muscle necrosis and increased levels of the pro-inflammatory mediator, prostaglandin D2 (PGD2). Inhibiting the production of PGD2 by inhibiting hematopoietic prostaglandin D synthase (HPGDS) may alleviate inflammation and decrease muscle necrosis. We tested our novel HPGDS inhibitor, PK007, in the mdx mouse model of DMD. Our results show that hindlimb grip strength was two-fold greater in the PK007-treated mdx group, compared to untreated mdx mice, and displayed similar muscle strength to strain control mice (C57BL/10ScSn). Histological analyses showed a decreased percentage of regenerating muscle fibers (~20% less) in tibialis anterior (TA) and gastrocnemius muscles and reduced fibrosis in the TA muscle in PK007-treated mice. Lastly, we confirmed that the DMD blood biomarker, muscle creatine kinase activity, was also reduced by ~50% in PK007-treated mdx mice. We conclude that our HPGDS inhibitor, PK007, has effectively reduced muscle inflammation and fibrosis in a DMD mdx mouse model.
Fractal Dimension and Texture Analysis of Lesion Autofluorescence in the Evaluation of Oral Lichen Planus Treatment Effectiveness
Authors: Jurczyszyn Kamil , Trzeciakowski Witold , Kozakiewicz Marcin , Kida Dorota , Malec Katarzyna , Karolewicz Bożena , Konopka Tomasz , Zborowski Jacek
Published: September 2021

Background: Oral Lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease. Topical steroids are used as the treatment of choice. The alternative is photodynamic therapy (PDT). The study aimed to fabricate optimal biodegradable matrices for methylene blue or triamcinolone acetonide because of a lack of currently commercially available carriers that could adhere to the mucous. Methods: The study was designed as a 12-week single-blind prospective randomized clinical trial with 30 patients, full contralateral split-mouth design. Matrices for steroid and photosensitizer and laser device were fabricated. Fractal and texture analysis of photographs, taken in 405, 450, 405 + 450 nm wavelength, of lesions was performed to increase the objectivity of the assessment of treatment. Results: We achieved two total responses for treatment in case of steroid therapy and one in the case of PDT. Partial response was noted in 17 lesions treated using local steroid therapy and 21 in the case of PDT. No statistically significant differences were found between the effectiveness of both used methods. Statistically significant differences in fractal dimension before and after treatment were observed only in the analysis of photographs taken in 405 + 450 nm wavelength. Conclusions: Photodynamic therapy and topical steroid therapy are effective methods for treating OLP. Using a carrier offers the possibility of a more predictable and effective method of drug delivery into the mucous membrane. Autofluorescence enables the detection of lesions especially at the early stage of their development.
Wear and Fragmentation Resistance of Mineral Aggregates—A Review of Micro-Deval and Los Angeles Tests
Authors: Strzałkowski Paweł , Kaźmierczak Urszula
Published: September 2021

The aim of this article is to present the current knowledge and experiences related to wear and fragmentation resistance tests and to indicate those of their aspects that require further research. For this purpose, a review of the literature was performed. Results show that tests of resistance to wear (the MDE/DS test) and fragmentation (the LA test) are performed worldwide according to different standards (and thus following different test methods), which prevents a comparison of the obtained results. Comparative research into the MDE/DS and LA tests indicates that the MDE/DS test is more effective. The disadvantage of both tests lies in the dimension range of the aggregate. In addition, the use of steel balls in the LA test may not reflect the actual influence that the internal properties of the material have on the fragmentation process. A final review of the available knowledge allowed the formulation of proposals regarding further research directions, such as proposed changes of test methods, extensive analysis, and selection of optimal dimensions for tested aggregates, analysis of short-term and long-term tests, as well as extensive research into and an analysis of the impact of crushing on the physical, mechanical, and geometric properties of aggregates.
Influence of Mineral Additives on the Efflorescence of Ettringite-Rich Systems
Authors: Xu Linglin , Liu Siyu , Wang Peiming , Yang Zhenghong
Published: September 2021

Efflorescence is aesthetically undesirable to all cementitious materials products and mainly results from the carbonation of hydrates and salt precipitation. Alternative binders without portlandite formation theoretically have much lower efflorescence risk, but in practice, the efflorescence of ettringite-rich systems is still serious. This study reports the impacts of mineral additives on the efflorescence of ettringite-rich systems and the corresponding microstructural evolution. The effects of silica fume, limestone powder, and diatomite on efflorescence and the capillary pore structure of mortars were investigated from a multi-scale analysis. The composition and microstructure of efflorescent phases were revealed by optical microscope (O.M.), in-situ Raman spectroscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Results indicate that the addition of mineral additives can efficiently inhibit the efflorescence of reference, especially with silica fume. Similar to the ettringite-rich system, the efflorescence substances of all modifies are composed of ettringite and CaCO3, indicating that the addition of mineral admixture does not lead to chemical reactions, lower capillary absorption coefficient of mineral additives modified specimen, the denser pore structure and the lower efflorescence degree.
Mathematical Modeling of Intellectual Capital and Business Efficiency of Small and Medium Enterprises
Authors: Strielkowski Wadim , Guliyeva Aida , Rzayeva Ulviyya , Korneeva Elena , Sherstobitova Anna
Published: September 2021

Our paper aims at testing the impact of separate elements of the intellectual capital (IC) represented for instance by the human, structural, and customer capital, on the functioning and performance of the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) using mathematical modeling. We assess the intellectual capital with respect to the resource-based view theory. Our study is based on the data obtained from the 206 surveys with the representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises from Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries. We employed a mathematical modeling approach as well as the SPSS application package in order to test our hypotheses about the influence of intellectual capital on the enterprise’s efficiency. Our results helped us to determine that the concept of intellectual capital is practically not used in the management of small and medium-sized enterprises in CIS countries. It becomes apparent that individual techniques for managing intellectual resources can only be identified intuitively, based on an in-depth analysis of the current tasks facing managers. These findings confirmed the positive impact of intellectual capital on the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises in the conditions of the economies in transition represented hereinafter in our paper by CIS countries, but only with the availability of financial resources and with some important reservations.
The Learning Trajectories of Similarity in Mathematics Curriculum: An Epistemological Analysis of Hong Kong Secondary Mathematics Textbooks in the Past Half Century
Authors: Zhang Qiao-Ping , Wong Ngai-Ying
Published: September 2021

The topic of similarity plays an essential role in developing students’ deductive reasoning. However, knowing how to teach similarity and understanding how to incorporate deductive reasoning and proof along with plane geometry remain a challenge to both school curriculum creators and teachers. This study identified the problems and characteristics regarding how similarity is treated in secondary mathematics textbooks in Hong Kong in the past half century. The content analysis method was used to analyze six secondary mathematics textbook series published in different periods. From the epistemological perspective of the textbook contents, our analysis shows the historical context and learning trajectories of how similarity was treated in school curriculum. The natural axiomatic geometry paradigm is not emphasized too much at different stages and most of the textbooks did not provide formal proofs of similarity. The intuitive idea was gradually consolidated into a formal definition of similarity. Furthermore, the way that rigorous geometric deduction can be performed from intuitive concepts and experimental geometry to the idea of proofs and formal proofs is also discussed.
Hamy Mean Operators Based on Complex q-Rung Orthopair Fuzzy Setting and Their Application in Multi-Attribute Decision Making
Authors: Garg Harish , Sirbiladze Gia , Ali Zeeshan , Mahmood Tahir
Published: September 2021

To determine the connection among any amounts of attributes, the Hamy mean (HM) operator is one of the more broad, flexible, and dominant principles used to operate problematic and inconsistent information in actual life dilemmas. Furthermore, for the option to viably portray more complicated fuzzy vulnerability data, the idea of complex q-rung orthopair fuzzy sets can powerfully change the scope of sign of choice data by changing a boundary q, dependent on the distinctive wavering degree from the leaders, where ζ≥1, so they outperform the conventional complex intuitionistic and complex Pythagorean fuzzy sets. In genuine dynamic issues, there is frequently a communication problem between credits. The goal of this study is to initiate the HM operators based on the flexible complex q-rung orthopair fuzzy (Cq-ROF) setting, called the Cq-ROF Hamy mean (Cq-ROFHM) operator and the Cq-ROF weighted Hamy mean (Cq-ROFWHM) operator, and some of their desirable properties are investigated in detail. A multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) dilemma for investigating decision-making problems under the Cq-ROF setting is explored with certain examples. Finally, a down-to-earth model for big business asset-arranging framework determination is provided to check the created approach and to exhibit its reasonableness and adequacy. The exploratory outcomes show that the clever MADM strategy is better than the current MADM techniques for managing MADM issues.
Boosting Arithmetic Optimization Algorithm with Genetic Algorithm Operators for Feature Selection: Case Study on Cox Proportional Hazards Model
Authors: Ewees Ahmed A. , Al-qaness Mohammed A. A. , Abualigah Laith , Oliva Diego , Algamal Zakariya Yahya , Anter Ahmed M. , Ali Ibrahim Rehab , Ghoniem Rania M. , Abd Elaziz Mohamed
Published: September 2021

Feature selection is a well-known prepossessing procedure, and it is considered a challenging problem in many domains, such as data mining, text mining, medicine, biology, public health, image processing, data clustering, and others. This paper proposes a novel feature selection method, called AOAGA, using an improved metaheuristic optimization method that combines the conventional Arithmetic Optimization Algorithm (AOA) with the Genetic Algorithm (GA) operators. The AOA is a recently proposed optimizer; it has been employed to solve several benchmark and engineering problems and has shown a promising performance. The main aim behind the modification of the AOA is to enhance its search strategies. The conventional version suffers from weaknesses, the local search strategy, and the trade-off between the search strategies. Therefore, the operators of the GA can overcome the shortcomings of the conventional AOA. The proposed AOAGA was evaluated with several well-known benchmark datasets, using several standard evaluation criteria, namely accuracy, number of selected features, and fitness function. Finally, the results were compared with the state-of-the-art techniques to prove the performance of the proposed AOAGA method. Moreover, to further assess the performance of the proposed AOAGA method, two real-world problems containing gene datasets were used. The findings of this paper illustrated that the proposed AOAGA method finds new best solutions for several test cases, and it got promising results compared to other comparative methods published in the literature.
A Fuzzy Delphi Consensus Methodology Based on a Fuzzy Ranking
Authors: Roldán López de Hierro Antonio Francisco , Sánchez Miguel , Puente-Fernández Daniel , Montoya-Juárez Rafael , Roldán Concepción
Published: September 2021

Delphi multi-round survey is a procedure that has been widely and successfully used to aggregate experts’ opinions about some previously established statements or questions. Such opinions are usually expressed as real numbers and some commentaries. The evolution of the consensus can be shown by an increase in the agreement percentages, and a decrease in the number of comments made. A consensus is reached when this percentage exceeds a certain previously set threshold. If this threshold has not been reached, the moderator modifies the questionnaire according to the comments he/she has collected, and the following round begins. In this paper, a new fuzzy Delphi method is introduced. On the one hand, the experts’ subjective judgments are collected as fuzzy numbers, enriching the approach. On the other hand, such opinions are collected through a computerized application that is able to interpret the experts’ opinions as fuzzy numbers. Finally, we employ a recently introduced fuzzy ranking methodology, satisfying many properties according to human intuition, in order to determine whether the expert’s fuzzy opinion is favorable enough (comparing with a fixed fuzzy number that indicates Agree or Strongly Agree). A cross-cultural validation was performed to illustrate the applicability of the proposed method. The proposed approach is simple for two reasons: it does not need a defuzzification step of the experts’ answers, and it can consider a wide range of fuzzy numbers not only triangular or trapezoidal fuzzy numbers.
The Polynomial Least Squares Method for Nonlinear Fractional Volterra and Fredholm Integro-Differential Equations
Authors: Căruntu Bogdan , Paşca Mădălina Sofia
Published: September 2021

We present a relatively new and very efficient method to find approximate analytical solutions for a very general class of nonlinear fractional Volterra and Fredholm integro-differential equations. The test problems included and the comparison with previous results by other methods clearly illustrate the simplicity and accuracy of the method.
A Bi-Level Programming Approach to the Location-Routing Problem with Cargo Splitting under Low-Carbon Policies
Authors: Wang Cong , Peng Zhongxiu , Xu Xijun
Published: September 2021

To identify the impact of low-carbon policies on the location-routing problem (LRP) with cargo splitting (LRPCS), this paper first constructs the bi-level programming model of LRPCS. On this basis, the bi-level programming models of LRPCS under four low-carbon policies are constructed, respectively. The upper-level model takes the engineering construction department as the decision-maker to decide on the distribution center’s location. The lower-level model takes the logistics and distribution department as the decision-maker to make decisions on the vehicle distribution route’s scheme. Secondly, the hybrid algorithm of Ant Colony Optimization and Tabu Search (ACO-TS) is designed, and an example is introduced to verify the model’s and algorithm’s effectiveness. Finally, multiple sets of experiments are designed to explore the impact of various low-carbon policies on the decision-making of the LRPCS. The experimental results show that the influence of the carbon tax policy is the greatest, the carbon trading and carbon offset policy have a certain impact on the decision-making of the LRPCS, and the influence of the emission cap policy is the least. Based on this, we provide the relevant low-carbon policies advice and management implications.
A Comprehensive Analysis of Demand Response Pricing Strategies in a Smart Grid Environment Using Particle Swarm Optimization and the Strawberry Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Ahmed Emad M. , Rathinam Rajarajeswari , Dayalan Suchitra , Fernandez George S. , Ali Ziad M. , Abdel Aleem Shady H. E. , Omar Ahmed I.
Published: September 2021

In the modern world, the systems getting smarter leads to a rapid increase in the usage of electricity, thereby increasing the load on the grids. The utilities are forced to meet the demand and are under stress during the peak hours due to the shortfall in power generation. The abovesaid deficit signifies the explicit need for a strategy that reduces the peak demand by rescheduling the load pattern, as well as reduces the stress on grids. Demand-side management (DSM) uses several algorithms for proper reallocation of loads, collectively known as demand response (DR). DR strategies effectively culminate in monetary benefits for customers and the utilities using dynamic pricing (DP) and incentive-based procedures. This study attempts to analyze the DP schemes of DR such as time-of-use (TOU) and real-time pricing (RTP) for different load scenarios in a smart grid (SG). Centralized and distributed algorithms are used to analyze the price-based DR problem using RTP. A techno-economic analysis was performed by using particle swarm optimization (PSO) and the strawberry (SBY) optimization algorithms used in handling the DP strategies with 109, 1992, and 7807 controllable industrial, commercial, and residential loads. A better optimization algorithm to go along with the pricing scheme to reduce the peak-to-average ratio (PAR) was identified. The results demonstrate that centralized RTP using the SBY optimization algorithm helped to achieve 14.80%, 21.7%, and 21.84% in cost reduction and outperformed the PSO.
Assessing the Non-Linear Dynamics of a Hopf–Langford Type System
Authors: Nikolov Svetoslav G. , Vassilev Vassil M.
Published: September 2021

In this paper, the non-linear dynamical behavior of a 3D autonomous dissipative system of Hopf–Langford type is investigated. Through the help of a mode transformation (as the system’s energy is included) it is shown that the 3D nonlinear system can be separated of two coupled subsystems in the master (drive)-slave (response) synchronization type. After that, based on the computing first and second Lyapunov values for master system, we have attempted to give a general framework (from bifurcation theory point of view) for understanding the structural stability and bifurcation behavior of original system. Moreover, a family of exact solutions of the master system is obtained and discussed. The effect of synchronization on the dynamic behavior of original system is also studied by numerical simulations.
Selection of the Bandwidth Matrix in Spatial Varying Coefficient Models to Detect Anisotropic Regression Relationships
Authors: Hu Xijian , Lu Yaori , Zhang Huiguo , Jiang Haijun , Shi Qingdong
Published: September 2021

The commonly used Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) fitting method for a spatial varying coefficient model is to select a bandwidth h for the geographic location (u, v), and assign the same weight to the two dimensions. However, spatial data usually present anisotropy. The introduction of a two-dimensional bandwidth matrix not only gives weight from two dimensions separately, but also increases the direction of kernel smoothness. The adaptive bandwidth matrix is more flexible. Therefore, in this paper, a two dimensional bandwidth matrix is introduced into the spatial varying coefficient model for parameter estimation. Through simulation experiments, the results obtained under the adaptive bandwidth matrix are compared with those obtained under the global bandwidth matrix, indicating the effectiveness of introducing the adaptive bandwidth matrix.
Production of a Soluble Recombinant Antibody Fragment against MMP9 Using Escherichia coli
Authors: Yeom Chang-Hun , Jeong Hee-Jin
Published: September 2021

Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) is involved in several aspects of the pathology of cancer, including invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis. In this study, we expressed a recombinant scFv-type anti-MMP9 antibody in soluble form using Escherichia coli, purified it, and confirmed its antigen-binding ability. The convenient, rapid, inexpressive system used in this study for producing recombinant antibody fragments needs only five days, and thus can be used for the efficient production of scFv against MMP9, which can be used in a range of applications and industrial fields, including diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory and cancer-related diseases.
Study on the Relationship between High Temperature Mechanical Properties and Precipitates Evolution of 7085 Al Alloy after Long Time Thermal Exposures
Authors: Zang Jinxin , Dai Pan , Yang Yanqing , Liu Shuai , Huang Bin , Ru Jigang , Luo Xian
Published: September 2021

The requirement for 7085 Al alloy as large airframe parts has been increasing due to its low quenching sensitivity and high strength. However, the relationship between high temperature mechanical properties and the evolution of precipitates in hot environments is still unclear. In this work, thermal exposure followed by tensile tests were conducted on the 7085 Al alloy at various temperatures (100 °C, 125 °C, 150 °C and 175 °C). Variations of hardness, electrical conductivity and tensile properties were investigated. The evolution of the nano scale precipitates was also quantitatively characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that the hardness and electrical conductivity of the alloy are more sensitive to the temperature than to the time. The strength decreases continuously with the increase of temperature due to the transformation from η′ to η phase during the process. Furthermore, the main η phase in the alloy transformed from V3 and V4 to V1 and V2 variants when the temperature was 125 °C. Additionally, with increasing the temperature, the average precipitate radius increased, meanwhile the volume fraction and number density of the precipitates decreased. The strengthening effect of nano scale precipitates on tensile properties of the alloy was calculated and analyzed.
Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Ti–Al3Ti–Al Laminated Composites: Experimental and Numerical Investigation
Authors: Ma Jian , Yuan Meini , Zheng Lirong , Wei Zeyuan , Wang Kai
Published: September 2021

The Ti–Al3Ti–Al laminated composites with different Al contents were prepared by vacuum hot pressing sintering technology. The effects of Al content on the dynamic mechanical properties of the composites were studied using the combination of Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar experiment and finite element analysis. The results showed that different Al content changes the fracture mode of the composites. The laminated composites without Al have higher brittleness and lower fracture strain. The Ti–Al3Ti–Al laminated composites containing 10–15%Al have better dynamic mechanical properties than those without Al, but the subsequent increase of Al content is not conducive to the improvement of strength. However, when the Al content in the specimen reaches 30%, the dynamic mechanical properties of the composites decrease, multi-crack phenomenon and relatively large strain occur, and the Al extruded from the layers fills the crack.
Electrochemical Study of Nd and Pr Co-Deposition onto Mo and W from Molten Oxyfluorides
Authors: Cvetković Vesna S. , Feldhaus Dominic , Vukićević Nataša M. , Barudžija Tanja S. , Friedrich Bernd , Jovićević Jovan N.
Published: September 2021

Electrodeposition processes of neodymium and praseodymium in molten NdF3 + PrF3 + LiF + 1 wt.%Pr6O11 + 1 wt.%Nd2O3 and NdF3 + PrF3 + LiF + 2 wt.%Pr6O11 + 2 wt.%Nd2O3 electrolytes at 1323 K were investigated. Cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetry, and open circuit potentiometry were applied to study the electrochemical reduction of Nd(III) and Pr(III) ions on Mo and W cathodes. It was established that a critical condition for Nd and Pr co-deposition in oxyfluoride electrolytes was a constant praseodymium deposition overpotential of ≈−0.100 V, which was shown to result in co-deposition current densities approaching 6 mAcm−2. Analysis of the results obtained by applied electrochemical techniques showed that praseodymium deposition proceeds as a one-step process involving exchange of three electrons (Pr(III)→Pr(0)) and that neodymium deposition is a two-step process: the first involves one electron exchange (Nd(III)→Nd(II)), and the second involves an exchange of two electrons (Nd(II)→Nd(0)). X-ray diffraction analyses confirmed the formation of metallic Nd and Pr on the working substrate. Keeping the anodic potential to the glassy carbon working anode low results in very low levels of carbon oxides, fluorine and fluorocarbon gas emissions, which should qualify the studied system as an environmentally friendly option for rare earth metal deposition. The newly reported data for Nd and Pr metals co-deposition provide valuable information for the recycling of neodymium-iron-boron magnets.
Deformation Mechanism Investigation on Low Density 18Mn Steels under Different Solid Solution Treatments
Authors: Huo Yong-Tao , He Yan-Lin , Zhu Na-Qiong , Ding Min-Long , Liu Ren-Dong , Zhang Yu
Published: September 2021

To meet the demand of the 10% weight reduction goal for automotive steel, the microstructure and mechanical properties of Fe-18Mn-Al-C steel with different carbon and aluminum contents were investigated under different solid solution treatments, and the deformation mechanisms of the experimental steels were elucidated. Aided by thermodynamic calculation, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and in situ scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis, it was shown that for the 18Mn-1.5Al experimental steel with about 20 mJ/m2 stacking fault energy (SFE), the twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) effect always dominated in this steel after different solid solution treatments under tensile deformation. With the 7 wt% aluminum addition, the SFE of austenite was affected by temperature and the range of SFE was between 60 and 65 mJ/m2. The existence of δ-ferrite obviously inhibited the TWIP effect. With the increase in the solution treatment temperature, δ-ferrite gradually transformed into the austenite, and the n-value remained low and stable in a large strain range, which were caused by the local hardening during the tensile deformation. Due to the difference in the deformability of the austenite and δ-ferrite structure as well as the inconsistent extension of the slip band, the micro-cracks were easily initiated in the 18Mn-7Al experimental steel; then, it exhibited lower plasticity.
Electromagnetic Vibration Energy Harvester with Tunable Resonance Frequency Based on Stress Modulation of Flexible Springs
Authors: Li Yunjia , Zhou Chenyuan , Cao Qi , Wang Xinyi , Qiao Dayong , Tao Kai
Published: September 2021

This paper presents a compact electromagnetic vibrational energy harvester (EVEH) with tunable resonance frequency. The resonance frequency of the EVEH is tuned by adjusting the axial stress in the flexible polymeric springs, which is realized by physically pulling and pushing the springs. The stress tuning functionality is realized with a compact structure with small volume. The total frequency tuning range of the proposed EVEH is 56 Hz (74–130 Hz), which is 64% of the natural resonance frequency of the EVEH (88 Hz). It is found that the tensile stress increases the resonance frequency of the EVEH, while the compressive stress firstly reduces the resonance frequency and then increases the resonance frequency due to buckling.