bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Operational Modal Analysis of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Measure of 2-Month Exercise Intervention Effects in Sedentary Older Adults with Diabetes and Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Zhao Fei , Tomita Machiko , Dutta Anirban
Published: July 2023

The Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD 2019 Diseases and Injuries Collaborators) found that diabetes significantly increases the overall burden of disease, leading to a 24.4% increase in disability-adjusted life years. Persistently high glucose levels in diabetes can cause structural and functional changes in proteins throughout the body, and the accumulation of protein aggregates in the brain that can be associated with the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). To address this burden in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a combined aerobic and resistance exercise program was developed based on the recommendations of the American College of Sports Medicine. The prospectively registered clinical trials (NCT04626453, NCT04812288) involved two groups: an Intervention group of older sedentary adults with T2DM and a Control group of healthy older adults who could be either active or sedentary. The completion rate for the 2-month exercise program was high, with participants completing on an average of 89.14% of the exercise sessions. This indicated that the program was practical, feasible, and well tolerated, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was also safe, requiring minimal equipment and no supervision. Our paper presents portable near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) based measures that showed muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2), i.e., the balance between oxygen delivery and oxygen consumption in muscle, drop during bilateral heel rise task (BHR) and the 6 min walk task (6MWT) significantly (p < 0.05) changed at the post-intervention follow-up from the pre-intervention baseline in the T2DM Intervention group participants. Moreover, post-intervention changes from pre-intervention baseline for the prefrontal activation (both oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin) showed statistically significant (p < 0.05, q < 0.05) effect at the right superior frontal gyrus, dorsolateral, during the Mini-Cog task. Here, operational modal analysis provided further insights into the 2-month exercise intervention effects on the very-low-frequency oscillations (<0.05 Hz) during the Mini-Cog task that improved post-intervention in the sedentary T2DM Intervention group from their pre-intervention baseline when compared to active healthy Control group. Then, the 6MWT distance significantly (p < 0.01) improved in the T2DM Intervention group at post-intervention follow-up from pre-intervention baseline that showed improved aerobic capacity and endurance. Our portable NIRS based measures have practical implications at the point of care for the therapists as they can monitor muscle and brain oxygenation changes during physical and cognitive tests to prescribe personalized physical exercise doses without triggering individual stress response, thereby, enhancing vascular health in T2DM.
The Effect of Uni-Hemispheric Dual-Site Anodal tDCS on Brain Metabolic Changes in Stroke Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Azarnia Somaye , Ezzati Kamran , Saberi Alia , Naghdi Soofia , Abdollahi Iraj , Jaberzadeh Shapour
Published: July 2023

Uni-hemispheric concurrent dual-site anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (UHCDS a-tDCS) of the primary motor cortex (M1) and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) may enhance the efficacy of a-tDCS after stroke. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying its beneficial effects have not been defined. We aimed to investigate the effect of a-tDCSM1-DLPFC on brain metabolite concentrations (N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), choline (Cho)) in stroke patients using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). In this double-blind, sham-controlled, randomized clinical trial (RCT), 18 patients with a first chronic stroke in the territory of the middle cerebral artery trunk were recruited. Patients were allocated to one of the following two groups: (1) Experimental 1, who received five consecutive sessions of a-tDCSM1-DLPFC M1 (active)-DLPFC (active). (2) Experimental 2, who received five consecutive sessions of a-tDCSM1-DLPFC M1 (active)-DLPFC (sham). MRS assessments were performed before and 24 h after the last intervention. Results showed that after five sessions of a-tDCSM1-DLPFC, there were no significant changes in NAA and Cho levels between groups (Cohen’s d = 1.4, Cohen’s d = 0.93). Thus, dual site a-tDCSM1-DLPFC did not affect brain metabolites compared to single site a-tDCS M1.
An Equivalent Frame Digital Twin for the Seismic Monitoring of Historic Structures: A Case Study on the Consoli Palace in Gubbio, Italy
Authors: Sivori Daniele , Ierimonti Laura , Venanzi Ilaria , Ubertini Filippo , Cattari Serena
Published: July 2023

Recent advances in computing performance and simulation tools allow today the development of high-fidelity computational models which accurately reproduce the structural behavor of existing structures. At the same time, advancements in sensing technology and data management enable engineers to remotely observe monitored structures in a continuous and comprehensive way. Merging the two approaches is a challenge recently addressed by the engineering research community, which led to the concept of digital twin (DT)—a simulation model continuously fed by sensor data which, throughout the whole lifespan of the structure, stands as its digital proxy. In the seismic field achieving such a task is still problematic, in particular for large and complex structures such as historical masonry palaces. To this aim, the paper proposes the integrated use of DTs and vibration data to support the seismic structural health monitoring of monumental palaces, discussing a practical application to the historical Consoli Palace in Gubbio, Italy. To overcome the computational limitations of classical approaches, an efficient equivalent frame (EF) model of the palace is built and continuously updated in quasi real-time based on modal information identified from vibration data. The performance and accuracy of the Equivalent Frame model are compared with those of a high-fidelity Finite Element representation, highlighting both their feasibility and limitations. Employing modal data recorded across the 15 May 2021 earthquake, the EF model demonstrates the ability to quickly assess the structural integrity of the palace in the post-earthquake scenario, as well as to forecast the residual capacity with respect to future seismic events.
A Blood-Based Immune Gene Signature with Prognostic Significance in Localized Prostate Cancer
Authors: Fortis Sotirios P. , Batsaki Panagiota , Stokidis Savvas , Moschandreou Dimitra , Grouzi Elisavet , Baxevanis Constantin N. , Gritzapis Angelos D. , Goulielmaki Maria
Published: July 2023

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common male cancers worldwide and one of the deadliest if unsuccessfully treated. Τhe need for reliable, easily accessible immune-related molecular biomarkers that could be combined with clinically defined criteria, including PSA and Gleason score, to accurately predict PCa patients’ clinical outcomes is emerging. Herein, we describe for the first time a blood-identified immune-related gene signature comprising eight upregulated multi-functional genes associated with poor prognosis. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis of PCa patients’ peripheral blood samples revealed a more than three-fold upregulation of each of the eight genes as compared to samples originating from healthy donors. The construction of gene and protein interaction networks revealed different extents of the functional implications of these genes in the regulation of cell proliferation and immune responses. Analysis of the available data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) regarding gene expression and survival of prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD) and pan-cancer (PANCAN) patients revealed that intra-tumoral upregulation of this eight-gene signature (8-GS) was associated with poor 5-year progression-free intervals in PCa patients, even in those with high Gleason scores, and also with an unfavorable prognosis for cancer patients irrespective of the cancer type and even in the early stages. These observations suggest that further investigation of the 8-GS prospectively in randomized clinical trials, in which clinical benefit in terms of evaluating time to disease progression can be assessed, is warranted.
Structured Catalyst for Indirect Internal Reforming (IIR) of Biogas in Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC)
Authors: Prioriello Anna , Duranti Leonardo , Luisetto Igor , Sanna Frederick , Larosa Claudio , Grilli Maria Luisa , Di Bartolomeo Elisabetta
Published: July 2023

The aim of this work is the development of a structured catalyst for the dry reforming of biogas to be used as a pre–reformer in the indirect internal reforming configuration (IIR) of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The structured catalyst is based on NiCrAl foams coated with ruthenium (nominal loading 3.0 wt%) supported on a CaZr0.85Sm0.15O3−δ (CZS) perovskite oxide. The powder is produced by solution combustion synthesis and deposited on metallic foams by the wash–coating method. Catalytic tests for the dry reforming of methane (DRM) reaction are carried out at 850 °C, 700 °C and 550 °C for an overall 50 h with CH4/CO2 = 1 and p = 1.3 bar at different gas hourly space velocities (GHSVs). The final goal is a proof–of–concept: a laboratory validation of an IIR–SOFC fed by biogas. The carbon amount on spent structured catalysts is evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis and microstructural/compositional investigation.
Templating Synthesis of Hierarchically Porous Carbon with Magnesium Salts for Electrocatalytic Reduction of 4-Nitrophenol
Authors: Gan Wanyi , Xiao Ping , Zhu Junjiang
Published: July 2023

Hierarchically porous carbon (PC) was synthesized by a templating method, using magnesium salts (Mg(HCO3)2, MgC2O4 and MgO) as template precursors and citric acid as carbon precursor. During the carbonization process, besides the production of MgO particles, many gases (e.g., CO2/NO2/H2O) were also released and acted as a porogen to generate pores in carbon. The resulting composite (MgO@C) was subsequently treated with HCl solution to remove the MgO templates, yielding hierarchically porous carbon. The surface oxygen functional groups over porous carbon were characterized by TPD and XPS, which showed that the PC-bic, synthesized using Mg(HCO3)2 as the template precursor, had the highest value among the PCs. As expected, the PC-bic exhibited the best performances for electrocatalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol, with a peak current of −135.5 μA at −0.679 V. The effects of 4-nitrophenol concentration, buffer solution pH and scanning rate on the electrocatalytic activities, as well as the stability of PC-bic for the reaction were investigated.
The Corrosion Behavior of Al/Al2O3 Composite Films with Ultra-Dense Structure Exposed to Lead-Bismuth Eutectic at 450 to 650 °C
Authors: Yin Xing , Li Xiteng , Wang Hao , Zhao Ke , Wang Jun , Chen Le , Wu Zhongzhen , Chen Yong
Published: July 2023

Al2O3 coatings are the most promising candidate material for mitigating (lead-bismuth eutectic) LBE corrosion at elevated temperatures, but preventing inward diffusion of Pb, Bi, and O for the ceramic coating remains a critical challenge. Here, we have fabricated an amorphous Al2O3 coating with an ultra-dense structure by continuous high-power magnetron sputtering (C-HPMS). After LBE corrosion at 550 °C for 2000 h, nanocavities induced by the phase transformation from amorphous to γ-Al2O3 provide the diffusion path for Fe, O, Pb, and Bi in which the corrosion products, such as Fe3O4, PbO2, or their mixed oxides, form. Furthermore, the diffusion of Pb to the substrate and Cr segregation at the interface between the coating and substrate are observed for the sample exposed to LBE at 550 °C for 4000 h. Additionally, the hardness and interface bonding strength are enhanced after LBE corrosion. Moreover, pit corrosion was found to be the main failure mode of coating, and pits that merged with each other induced large area failure at a temperature of 650 °C. The corrosion mechanism of Al2O3 includes element diffusion, phase transformation, and chemical reaction. This work not only provides a deep understanding of the corrosion mechanism of amorphous Al2O3 coatings, but also shows the optimization method on the corrosion resistance of Al2O3 coating.
Quality of Low-Carbon Steel as a Distribution of Pollution and Fatigue Strength Heated in Oxygen Converter
Authors: Lipiński Tomasz
Published: July 2023

The works available in the literature presenting the influence of impurities on the properties (mainly fatigue strength) of material give an answer with a high degree of probability for hard steels and large precipitations (usually above 10 µm). The impact of non-metallic impurities on the durability of high-ductility steels causes much greater problems and is much more difficult to explain. The results of the existing studies rarely take into account the diameter of the impurities in relation to the distance between the impurities. This paper presents the results of tests carried out on a low-carbon steel heated in a 100-tonne oxygen converter and deoxidized under vacuum. The fatigue strength test was carried out on cylindrical samples using rotational bending for different tempering temperatures of the steel. The quotient of the average size of the inclusions and the average distance between the inclusions were analyzed. Based on the obtained results, it was found that steel annealed in the converter and vacuum degassed has a content of both phosphorus and sulfur below 0.02% and a total volume of impurities of 0.086%. The main fraction of impurities are oxide inclusions with a diameter below 2 µm. An increase in fatigue strength was found along with an increase in the number of impurities, mainly of small diameters.
Towards Safe and Efficient Unmanned Aircraft System Operations: Literature Review of Digital Twins’ Applications and European Union Regulatory Compliance
Authors: Fakhraian Elham , Semanjski Ivana , Semanjski Silvio , Aghezzaf El-Houssaine
Published: July 2023

Unmanned aerial system/unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operations have increased exponentially in recent years. With the creation of new air mobility concepts, industries use cutting-edge technology to create unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for various applications. Due to the popularity and use of advanced technology in this relatively new and rapidly evolving context, a regulatory framework to ensure safe operations is essential. To reflect the several ongoing initiatives and new developments in the domain of European Union (EU) regulatory frameworks at various levels, the increasing needs, developments in, and potential uses of UAVs, particularly in the context of research and innovation, a systematic overview is carried out in this paper. We review the development of UAV regulation in the European Union. The issue of how to implement this new and evolving regulation in UAS operations is also tackled. The digital twin (DT)’s ability to design, build, and analyze procedures makes it one potential way to assist the certification process. DTs are time- and cost-efficient tools to assist the certification process, since they enable engineers to inspect, analyze, and integrate designs as well as express concerns immediately; however, it is fair to state that DT implementation in UASs for certification and regulation is not discussed in-depth in the literature. This paper underlines the significance of UAS DTs in the certification process to provide a solid foundation for future studies.
Autistic Adult Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Employment-Related Rights
Authors: Schena David , Rosales Rocio
Published: July 2023

As the autism community continues to grow, it is increasingly important to evaluate strategies to teach workplace-related skills to the members of this community. One of these skills is self-advocacy, defined by Test et al. as consisting of four components: self-knowledge, knowledge of rights, communication, and leadership. This study aimed to address the second component of this definition, knowledge of rights. Three autistic adults learned information about key terms from the Americans with Disabilities Act. Participants practiced identifying legal rights related to discrimination and inability to provide certain accommodations in a series of short text scenarios, using instructor-modeled rehearsal of similar scenarios as the independent variable. Results show that each participant entered the study with an existing level of knowledge and ability to interpret the rights of various scenarios (30–60% correct during baseline) and that training resulted in small improvements (a 20–40% increase) in accurate scenario interpretation. Future research should include additional techniques, such as role play, to enhance performance accuracy and examine long-term retention and generalization of the skills acquired. Social validity feedback suggests that the training used in this study was acceptable to participants and may be amenable to future studies.
A Feedrate Planning Method in CNC System Based on Servo Response Error Model
Authors: Liu Baoquan , Zhang Haoming , Liu Yi , Lu Maomao
Published: July 2023

Reducing servo response error and further making reduction on contour error is crucial for high-precision computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools. For a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) servo system, there is always a response lag in feedrate tracking, which would introduce response error into the machining trajectory. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the performance of feedrate planning and interpolation for trajectory path. In this paper, a novel contour error compensation strategy is proposed. Compared with the mainstream methods, the proposed method offers a simplified alternative to existing contour error estimation techniques. Through a three-closed-loop control structure of a PMSM servo system, a response error model is founded. Afterwards, an improved S-model feedrate planning method is introduced according to the servo response error compensation. This predicted error is subsequently compensated in each interpolation cycle, resulting in a reduction of contour error. Finally, simulations and experiments are performed to demonstrate that the contour error can be reduced in both the ‘∞’-shaped Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline (NURBS) curve path and the butterfly-shaped NURBS curve path using the proposed method.
Sustainability Education: Capacity Building Using the MUSE Model
Authors: Giarola Sara , Kell Alexander , Sechi Sonja , Carboni Mattia , Dall-Orsoletta Alaize , Leone Pierluigi , Hawkes Adam
Published: July 2023

Education for sustainable development has among its pillars, capacity building, which equips future generations with the set of skills needed to face the challenge of the transformation of society for sustainable development. This paper presents a training course for a novel model of long-term energy planning (the ModUlar energy system Simulation Environment, MUSE), as an example of capacity building activities for sustainable development. The activities were part of the Joint Summer School on Modelling Tools for Sustainable development, held in Trieste (Italy) in 2022. This summer school was one of the first successful implementations of education and training courses in a super-hybrid mode in the post-COVID era. Describing the training activities for MUSE open-source, this paper addresses one of the challenges that education for sustainable development is expected to increasingly face in the future: the training of future professionals in the use of novel toolkits and the implementation of truly trans-disciplinary approaches.This paper discusses the pre-school online training course for MUSE, the summer school contents, and some student modeling outcomes. While doing so, it shows the importance of leveraging the abstract contents of a course with practical exercises when learning a new tool. Reflecting upon the students’ experience, this paper draws conclusions that can be used to improve future editions of the same course and be extended to the design of training courses for other tools.
A Carrying Method for 5G Network Slicing in Smart Grid Communication Services Based on Neural Network
Authors: Hu Yang , Gong Liangliang , Li Xinyang , Li Hui , Zhang Ruoxin , Gu Rentao
Published: July 2023

When applying 5G network slicing technology, the operator’s network resources in the form of mutually isolated logical network slices provide specific service requirements and quality of service guarantees for smart grid communication services. In the face of the new situation of 5G, which comprises the surge in demand for smart grid communication services and service types, as well as the digital and intelligent development of communication networks, it is even more important to provide a self-intelligent resource allocation and carrying method when slicing resources are allocated. To this end, a carrying method based on a neural network is proposed. The objective is to establish a hierarchical scheduling system for smart grid communication services at the power smart gate-way at the edge, where intelligent classification matching of smart grid communication services to (i) adapt to the characteristics of 5G network slicing and (ii) dynamic prediction of traffic in the slicing network are both realized. This hierarchical scheduling system extracts the data features of the services and encodes the data through a one-dimensional Convolutional Neural Network (1D CNN) in order to achieve intelligent classification and matching of smart grid communication services. This system also combines with Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory Neural Network (BILSTM) in order to achieve a dynamic prediction of time-series based traffic in the slicing network. The simulation results validate the feasibility of a service classification model based on a 1D CNN and a traffic prediction model based on BILSTM for smart grid communication services.
Plant Production with Microalgal Biostimulants
Authors: Prisa Domenico , Spagnuolo Damiano
Published: July 2023

In order to ensure food security worldwide in the face of current climate changes, a higher quality and quantity of crops are necessary to sustain the growing human population. By developing a sustainable circular economy and biorefinery approaches, we can move from a petroleum-based to a bio-based economy. Plant biostimulants have long been considered an important source of plant growth stimulants in agronomy and agro-industries with both macroalgae (seaweeds) and microalgae (microalgae). There has been extensive exploration of macroalgae biostimulants. A lack of research and high production costs have constrained the commercial implementation of microalgal biostimulants, despite their positive impacts on crop growth, development, and yield. The current knowledge on potential biostimulatory compounds from algae, key sources, and their quantitative information has been summarised in the present review. Our goal is to provide a brief overview of the potential for microalgal biostimulants to improve crop production and quality. A number of key aspects will be discussed, including the biostimulant effects caused by microalgae extracts as well as the feasibility and potential for co-cultures and co-application with other biostimulants and biofertilisers. This article will also discuss the current knowledge, recent developments, and achievements in extraction techniques, types of applications, and timings of applications. Ultimately, this review will highlight the potential of microalgal biostimulants for sustainable agricultural practices, the algal biochemical components that contribute to these traits, and, finally, bottlenecks and involved prospects in commercialising microalgal biostimulants.
Morpho-Physiological Responses of Three Italian Olive Tree (Olea europaea L.) Cultivars to Drought Stress
Authors: Parri Sara , Romi Marco , Hoshika Yasutomo , Giovannelli Alessio , Dias Maria Celeste , Piritore Francesca Cristiana , Cai Giampiero , Cantini Claudio
Published: July 2023

Water scarcity in agriculture can limit crop production and trigger the need for more effective water resource management. As a result, it is critical to identify new crop genotypes that are more drought tolerant and perform better under low irrigation or even rain-fed conditions. The olive tree is a high-value crop that is well adapted to dry Mediterranean conditions. However, different genotypes may have developed different mechanisms of tolerance to water stress. To investigate such mechanisms, we examined three Italian olive cultivars (‘Giarraffa’, ‘Leccino’, and ‘Maurino’) grown in a greenhouse under drought stress. We found that single genotypes responded differently to the drought, though not all parameters revealed significant differences. The first major difference among the cultivars was in transpiration: the lower stomatal density and stomatal conductance of ‘Giarraffa’ allow this cultivar to use water more conservatively. In parallel with the reduction in stomatal and mesophyll conductance, the drought-stressed group of ‘Giarraffa’ maintained the electron transport rate and effective efficiency levels of photosystem II similar to those of the control until the fourth week of stress. The fluorescence parameters revealed the earlier closure of reaction photosynthetic centres in ‘Leccino’. Finally, the higher rate of electrolyte leakage in ‘Maurino’ indicated a significant ions loss in this cultivar when it was subjected to the drought. Both water management under stress conditions and the effect of drought on photosynthesis make ‘Giarraffa’ interesting to researchers studying its use in breeding or water-saving programmes.
Paclitaxel Delivery to the Brain for Glioblastoma Treatment
Authors: AbdEl-haq Muhammad , Kumar Awanish , Ait Mohand Fatima-ezzahra , Kravchenko-Balasha Nataly , Rottenberg Yakir , Domb Abraham J.
Published: July 2023

The development of paclitaxel-loaded polymeric nanoparticles for the treatment of brain tumors was investigated. Poly(lactide-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles containing 10% w/w paclitaxel with a particle size of 216 nm were administered through intranasal and intravenous routes to male Sprague–Dawley rats at a dose of 5 mg/kg. Both routes of administration showed appreciable accumulation of paclitaxel in brain tissue, liver, and kidney without any sign of toxicity. The anti-proliferative effect of the nanoparticles on glioblastoma tumor cells was comparable to that of free paclitaxel.
Revisiting Softmax for Uncertainty Approximation in Text Classification
Authors: Holm Andreas Nugaard , Wright Dustin , Augenstein Isabelle
Published: July 2023

Uncertainty approximation in text classification is an important area with applications in domain adaptation and interpretability. One of the most widely used uncertainty approximation methods is Monte Carlo (MC) dropout, which is computationally expensive as it requires multiple forward passes through the model. A cheaper alternative is to simply use a softmax based on a single forward pass without dropout to estimate model uncertainty. However, prior work has indicated that these predictions tend to be overconfident. In this paper, we perform a thorough empirical analysis of these methods on five datasets with two base neural architectures in order to identify the trade-offs between the two. We compare both softmax and an efficient version of MC dropout on their uncertainty approximations and downstream text classification performance, while weighing their runtime (cost) against performance (benefit). We find that, while MC dropout produces the best uncertainty approximations, using a simple softmax leads to competitive, and in some cases better, uncertainty estimation for text classification at a much lower computational cost, suggesting that softmax can in fact be a sufficient uncertainty estimate when computational resources are a concern.
Combining Classifiers for Deep Learning Mask Face Recognition
Authors: Cheng Wen-Chang , Hsiao Hung-Chou , Huang Yung-Fa , Li Li-Hua
Published: July 2023

This research proposes a single network model architecture for mask face recognition using the FaceNet training method. Three pre-trained convolutional neural networks of different sizes are combined, namely InceptionResNetV2, InceptionV3, and MobileNetV2. The models are augmented by connecting an otherwise fully connected network with a SoftMax output layer. We combine triplet loss and categorical cross-entropy loss to optimize the training process. In addition, the learning rate of the optimizer is dynamically updated using the cosine annealing mechanism, which improves the convergence of the model during training. Mask face recognition (MFR) experimental results on a custom MASK600 dataset show that proposed InceptionResNetV2 and InceptionV3 use only 20 training epochs, and MobileNetV2 uses only 50 training epochs, but to achieve more than 93% accuracy than the previous works of MFR with annealing. In addition to reaching a practical level, it saves time for training models and effectively reduces energy costs.
New Insights on Antennal Sensilla of Anastrepha ludens (Diptera: Tephritidae) Using Advanced Microscopy Techniques
Authors: Guillén Larissa , López-Sánchez Lorena , Velázquez Olinda , Rosas-Saito Greta , Altúzar-Molina Alma , Stoffolano John G. , Ramírez-Vázquez Mónica , Aluja Martín
Published: July 2023

Using light, transmission, scanning electron, and confocal microscopy, we carried out a morphological study of antennal sensilla and their ultrastructures of the Mexican Fruit Fly Anastrepha ludens (Loew), an economically important species that is a pest of mangos and citrus in Mexico and Central America. Our goal was to update the known information on the various sensilla in the antennae of A. ludens, involved in the perception of odors, temperature, humidity, and movement. Based on their external shape, size, cuticle-thickness, and presence of pores, we identified six types of sensilla with 16 subtypes (one chaetica in the pedicel, four clavate, two trichoid, four basiconic, one styloconic, and one campaniform-like in the flagellum, and three additional ones in the two chambers of the sensory pit (pit-basiconic I and II, and pit-styloconic)), some of them described for the first time in A. ludens. We also report, for the first time, two types of pores in the sensilla (hourglass and wedge shapes) that helped classify the sensilla. Additionally, we report a campaniform-like sensillum only observed by transmission electronic microscopy on the flagellum, styloconic and basiconic variants inside the sensory pit, and an “hourglass-shaped” pore in six sensilla types. We discuss and suggest the possible function of each sensillum according to their characteristics and unify previously used criteria in the only previous study on the topic.
Investigation of the Micromechanical Behavior of a Ti68Nb7Ta3Zr4Mo18 (at.%) High-Entropy Alloy
Authors: Wang Jin , Ma Qianli , Cheng Hepeng , Yu Hechun , Zhang Suxiang , Shang Huichao , Zhang Guoqing , Wang Wenbo
Published: July 2023

Intense research efforts are focused on the development of advanced high-entropy alloys intended for premium aerospace components and other applications, where high strength and good formability are crucial. The mechanical properties of these alloys are closely related to the phase transformation, dislocation evolution, and grain size, and these factors are affected by the deformation temperature. The response of the retained austenite to strain-induced martensitic transformation at various temperatures was studied in an advanced Ti68Nb7Ta3Zr4Mo18 (at.%) high-entropy alloy via molecular dynamics simulation. It was found that the Ti68Nb7Ta3Zr4Mo18 alloy changes from a single crystal to a polycrystal during the tensile process, and the transition of the Ti68Nb7Ta3Zr4Mo18 (at.%) high-entropy alloy from the BCC phase to the FCC phase occurs. At high temperatures and low strain rates, grain boundary slip is the main deformation mechanism, and at low temperatures and high strain rates, dislocation slip replaces grain boundary slip as the dominant deformation mechanism, which improves the strength of the alloy. Moreover, when the grain size is too small, the strength of the alloy decreases, which does not satisfy the fine grain strengthening theory and shows an inverse Hall–Petch relationship. This study offers a new compositional window for the additive manufactured lightweight high-strength material categories for various applications including the aerospace industry.
Feasibility Study of Pervious Concrete with Ceramsite as Aggregate Considering Mechanical Properties, Permeability, and Durability
Authors: Gao Shan , Huang Kainan , Chu Wenchao , Wang Wensheng
Published: July 2023

Concrete with light weight and pervious performance has been widely recognized as an effective and sustainable solution for reducing the negative impacts of urbanization on the environment, as it plays a positive role in urban road drainage, alleviating the urban heat island effect and thermal insulation, as well as seismic performance, etc. This research paper presents a feasibility study of pervious concrete preparation with ceramsite as aggregate. First, pervious concrete specimens with different types of aggregates at various water–cement ratios were prepared, and the mechanical properties of pervious concrete specimens were evaluated based on the compressive strength test. Then, the permeability properties of the pervious concrete specimens with different types of aggregates at various water–cement ratios were characterized. Meanwhile, statistical analysis and regression fitting were conducted. Finally, the analysis of the freeze–thaw durability of pervious concrete specimens with ceramsite as aggregate according to indexes including quality loss rate and strength loss rate was performed. The results show that as the water–cement ratio increased, the compressive strength and permeability coefficient of pervious concrete generally decreased. Compressive strength and permeability coefficient showed a great correlation with the water–cement ratio; the R2 values of the models were around 0.94 and 0.9, showing good regression. Compressive strength was mainly provided by the strength of the aggregates, with high-strength clay ceramsite having the highest 28-day compressive strength value, followed by ordinary crushed-stone aggregates and lightweight ceramsite. Porosity was mainly influenced by the particle size and shape of the aggregates. Lightweight ceramsite had the highest permeability coefficient among different types of cement-bound aggregates, followed by high-strength clay ceramsite and ordinary crushed-stone aggregates. The quality and compressive strength of pervious concrete specimens decreased with the increase in freeze–thaw cycles; the quality loss was 1.52%, and the compressive strength loss rate was 6.84% after 25 freeze–thaw cycles. Quadratic polynomial regression analysis was used to quantify the relationship of durability and freeze–thaw cycles, with R2 of around 0.98. The results provide valuable insights into the potential applications and benefits of using ceramsite as an aggregate material in pervious concrete for more sustainable and durable infrastructure projects.
A Simplified Dynamic Strength Analysis of Cardboard Packaging Subjected to Transport Loads
Authors: Mrówczyński Damian , Gajewski Tomasz , Garbowski Tomasz
Published: July 2023

The article presents a simplified method for determining the strength of corrugated board packaging subjected to dynamic transport loads. The proposed algorithm consists of several calculation steps: (1) a static analysis of the compressive strength of the package, (2) an analysis of random vibrations in the frequency domain used to determine the resonance frequencies and (3) a dynamic analysis of the package loaded with computed resonant frequencies. For this purpose, numerical models of the static compression test of the packaging before and after the dynamic analysis of the package subjected to general transport loads were developed. In order to validate the model, laboratory packaging compression tests were also performed for samples of boxes using three-layer cardboard. Due to this, it was possible to verify the numerical simulation results of the compression tests for several box geometries. This, in turn, allowed for the development of a method based on dynamic and post-dynamic (static) numerical analyses, permitting a high-accuracy determination of the resistance of the selected packaging to vibrations and dynamic loads. The results of the (experimentally validated) numerical analysis proved the usefulness of the simplified method presented herein for precise estimation of the load capacity of various packages dynamically loaded during transport.
Structural Design of Dual-Type Thin-Film Thermopiles and Their Heat Flow Sensitivity Performance
Authors: Chen Hao , Liu Tao , Feng Nanming , Shi Yeming , Zhou Zigang , Dai Bo
Published: July 2023

Aiming at the shortcomings of the traditional engineering experience in designing thin-film heat flow meters, such as low precision and long iteration time, the finite element analysis model of thin-film heat flow meters is established based on finite element simulation methods, and a double-type thin-film heat flow sensor based on a copper/concentrate thermopile is made. The influence of the position of the thermal resistance layer, heat flux density and thickness of the thermal resistance layer on the temperature gradient of the hot and cold ends of the heat flow sensor were comprehensively analyzed by using a simulation method. When the applied heat flux density is 50 kW/m2 and the thermal resistance layer is located above and below the thermopile, respectively, the temperature difference between the hot junction and the cold junction is basically the same, but comparing the two, the thermal resistance layer located above is more suitable for rapid measurements of heat flux at high temperatures. In addition, the temperature difference between the hot and cold contacts of the thin-film heat flux sensor increases linearly with the thickness of the thermal resistance layer. Finally, we experimentally tested the response–recovery characteristics of the sensors, with a noise of 2.1 μV and a maximum voltage output of 15 μV in a room temperature environment, respectively, with a response time of about 2 s and a recovery time of about 3 s. Therefore, the device we designed has the characteristic of double-sided use, which can greatly expand the scope of use and service life of the device and promote the development of a new type of heat flow meter, which will provide a new method for the measurement of heat flow density in the complex environment on the surface of the aero-engine.
The Perturbation of the Guadalupian Marine Environment Triggered by Early-Stage Eruption of the Emeishan Large Igneous Province: Rare Earth Element and Sr-Nd Isotope Evidence from Zunyi Manganese Deposit, South China
Authors: Yan Hao , Pi Daohui , Xu Lingang , Sun Kai
Published: July 2023

Pure marine chemical sediments are archives of geochemical proxies for the composition of seawater and may provide information about the ancient hydrosphere–atmosphere system. The early stage of the Emeishan large igneous province (ELIP) was characterized by the subaqueous eruption of mafic igneous rocks around the J. altudaensis zone of the Capitanian Stage that has been proposed to have contributed to the Guadalupian mass extinction. However, detailed mechanisms and the impact of the eruption on the Guadalupian marine environment have yet to be assessed. Here, to examine the Guadalupian marine environment, we studied major and trace element concentrations, particularly rare earth element and yttrium data, along with high-precision Sr-Nd isotope ratios, of three types of Mn ores (i.e., clastic, massive, and oolitic) and siliceous limestones from the Zunyi Mn deposit in South China formed following the early-stage eruption of the ELIP. Our results indicate that the clastic Mn ores contain notable detrital mafic aluminosilicates. In contrast, the massive and oolitic Mn ores and siliceous limestones preserved the pristine geochemical signatures of the Middle–Late Permian seawater characterized by distinctly low (87Sr/86Sr)i and high εNd(t) values. These data indicate a strong impact of the early-stage submarine eruptions of the ELIP on the marine environment in South China and worldwide, likely through intensive seawater–rock interaction.
Nano-Precision Processing of NiP Coating by Magnetorheological Finishing
Authors: Xu Chao , Peng Xiaoqiang , Hu Hao , Liu Junfeng , Li Huang , Luo Tiancong , Lai Tao
Published: July 2023

NiP coating has excellent physicochemical properties and is one of the best materials for coating optical components. When processing NiP coatings on optical components, single-point diamond turning (SPDT) is generally adopted as the first process. However, SPDT turning produces periodic turning patterns on the workpiece, which impacts the optical performance of the component. Magnetorheological finishing (MRF) is a deterministic sub-aperture polishing process based on computer-controlled optical surface forming that can correct surface shape errors and improve the surface quality of workpieces. This paper analyzes the characteristics of NiP coating and develops a magnetorheological fluid specifically for the processing of NiP coating. Based on the basic Preston principle, a material removal model for the MRF polishing of NiP coating was established, and the MRF manufacturing process was optimized by orthogonal tests. The optimized MRF polishing process quickly removes the SPDT turning tool pattern from the NiP coating surface and corrects surface profile errors. At the same time, the surface quality of the NiP coating has also been improved, with the surface roughness increasing from Ra 2.054 nm for SPDT turning to Ra 0.705 nm.
Association between Diet Quality and Stroke among Chinese Adults: Results from China Health and Nutrition Survey 2011
Authors: Gao Disi , Wang Huan , Wang Yue , Ma Sheng , Zou Zhiyong
Published: July 2023

The low-burden Diet Quality Questionnaire (DQQ) is a standardized tool to collect indicators of dietary adequacy as well as indicators of the protection of health against noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) within the framework of the global diet quality project. Stroke is the leading cause of the cardiovascular disease burden in China, with poor diet being one of the major risk factors. In this study, we aimed to understand the association of several indicators of diet quality derived from the DQQ with stroke among Chinese adults and, further, to examine the gender differences using the 2011 wave of the China Health and Nutrition Survey. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the associations of the NCD-Protect score, NCD-Risk score, and global dietary recommendations score (GDR) score with stroke. There were 192 stroke cases (121 in men and 71 in women) of 12,051 adults. The continuous NCD-Risk score was positively associated with stroke in women (odds ratio (OR) = 1.52, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13–2.06). When compared with women with an NCD-Risk score of 0 points, those with an NCD-Risk score ≥2 points had a higher risk of stroke (OR = 2.71, 95% CI: 1.35–5.43). In addition, compared with women with a GDR score ≤0, those with a GDR score ≥2 points had lower odds of stroke (OR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.22–0.77). Poor diet quality, as reflected by the NCD-Risk score, was associated with an increased risk of stroke in Chinese women, but not in men. Our findings provided evidence that an optimal diet quality could be conducive to preventing stroke for Chinese women and suggested a diverse diet characterized by the limited consumption of unhealthy foods, such as red meat, processed meat, sweets, soft drinks (sodas), and packaged ultra-processed salty snacks.
Entomopathogens and Parasitoids Allied in Biocontrol: A Systematic Review
Authors: Koller Janique , Sutter Louis , Gonthier Jérémy , Collatz Jana , Norgrove Lindsey
Published: July 2023

Biological pest control is an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic pesticides, using organisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasitoids. However, efficacy is variable and combining different biocontrol agents could improve success rates. We conducted a systematic review of studies combining a parasitoid with an entomopathogenic microorganism, the first of its kind. We searched in Web of Science and extracted data from 49 publications matching the pre-defined inclusion criteria. Combinations of 36 hymenopteran parasitoids with 17 entomopathogenic microorganisms used to control 31 target pests were found. Trichogramma pretiosum and Encarsia formosa were the most frequently studied parasitoids, while Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Lecanicillium muscarium, Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki, the Spodoptera exigua multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus, and the Spodoptera frugiperda multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus were the main microbial agents assessed. Out of 49 parasitoid–microorganism combinations assessed in the laboratory experiments, thirty-eight were reported as compatible and six as incompatible. Timing and dosage of biopesticides played a crucial role, with later application and appropriate dosage minimizing adverse effects on parasitoid development. More research is needed to assess compatibility and efficacy under real-world conditions. Our review provides valuable insights for researchers and practitioners to optimize the combined use of micro- and macroorganisms for effective pest control.
Nanofibrous Polycaprolactone Membrane with Bioactive Glass and Atorvastatin for Wound Healing: Preparation and Characterization
Authors: El-Okaily Mohamed S. , Mostafa Amany A. , Dulnik Judyta , Denis Piotr , Sajkiewicz Paweł , Mahmoud Azza A. , Dawood Reham , Maged Amr
Published: July 2023

Skin wound healing is one of the most challenging processes for skin reconstruction, especially after severe injuries. In our study, nanofiber membranes were prepared for wound healing using an electrospinning process, where the prepared nanofibers were made of different weight ratios of polycaprolactone and bioactive glass that can induce the growth of new tissue. The membranes showed smooth and uniform nanofibers with an average diameter of 118 nm. FTIR and XRD results indicated no chemical interactions of polycaprolactone and bioactive glass and an increase in polycaprolactone crystallinity by the incorporation of bioactive glass nanoparticles. Nanofibers containing 5% w/w of bioactive glass were selected to be loaded with atorvastatin, considering their best mechanical properties compared to the other prepared nanofibers (3, 10, and 20% w/w bioactive glass). Atorvastatin can speed up the tissue healing process, and it was loaded into the selected nanofibers using a dip-coating technique with ethyl cellulose as a coating polymer. The study of the in vitro drug release found that atorvastatin-loaded nanofibers with a 10% coating polymer revealed gradual drug release compared to the non-coated nanofibers and nanofibers coated with 5% ethyl cellulose. Integration of atorvastatin and bioactive glass with polycaprolactone nanofibers showed superior wound closure results in the human skin fibroblast cell line. The results from this study highlight the ability of polycaprolactone-bioactive glass-based fibers loaded with atorvastatin to stimulate skin wound healing.