bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyphal Growth and Conidia Germination Are Induced by Phytohormones in the Root Colonizing and Plant Growth Promoting Fungus Metarhizium guizhouense
Authors: Piña-Torres Iván Horacio , Dávila-Berumen Fabiola , González-Hernández Gloria Angélica , Torres-Guzmán Juan Carlos , Padilla-Guerrero Israel Enrique
Published: September 2023

Beneficial associations are very important for plants and soil-dwelling microorganisms in different ecological niches, where communication by chemical signals is relevant. Among the chemical signals, the release of phytohormones by plants is important to establish beneficial associations with fungi, and a recently described association is that of the entomopathogenic ascomycete fungus Metarhizium with plants. Here, we evaluated the effect of four different phytohormones, synthetic strigolactone (GR24), sorgolactone (SorL), 3-indolacetic acid (IAA) and gibberellic acid (GA3), on the fungus Metarhizium guizhouense strain HA11-2, where the germination rate and hyphal elongation were determined at three different times. All phytohormones had a positive effect on germination, with GA3 showing the greatest effect, and for hyphal length, on average, the group treated with synthetic strigolactone GR24 showed greater average hyphal length at 10 h of induction. This work expands the knowledge of the effect of phytohormones on the fungus M. guizhouense, as possible chemical signals for the rapid establishment of the fungus–plant association.
Prediction of In-Flight Particle Properties and Mechanical Performances of HVOF-Sprayed NiCr–Cr3C2 Coatings Based on a Hierarchical Neural Network
Authors: Gui Longen , Wang Botong , Cai Renye , Yu Zexin , Liu Meimei , Zhu Qixin , Xie Yingchun , Liu Shaowu , Killinger Andreas
Published: September 2023

High-velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) spraying is a promising technique for depositing protective coatings. The performances of HVOF-sprayed coatings are affected by in-flight particle properties, such as temperature and velocity, that are controlled by the spraying parameters. However, obtaining the desired coatings through experimental methods alone is challenging, owing to the complex physical and chemical processes involved in the HVOF approach. Compared with traditional experimental methods, a novel method for optimizing and predicting coating performance is presented herein; this method involves combining machine learning techniques with thermal spray technology. Herein, we firstly introduce physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) and convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to address the overfitting problem in small-sample algorithms and then apply the algorithms to HVOF processes and HVOF-sprayed coatings. We proposed the PINN and CNN hierarchical neural network to establish prediction models for the in-flight particle properties and performances of NiCr–Cr3C2 coatings (e.g., porosity, microhardness, and wear rate). Additionally, a random forest model is used to evaluate the relative importance of the effect of the spraying parameters on the properties of in-flight particles and coating performance. We find that the particle temperature and velocity as well as the coating performances (porosity, wear resistance, and microhardness) can be predicted with up to 99% accuracy and that the spraying distance and velocity of in-flight particles exert the most substantial effects on the in-flight particle properties and coating performance, respectively. This study can serve as a theoretical reference for the development of intelligent HVOF systems in the future.
Research Progress of ODS FeCrAl Alloys–A Review of Composition Design
Authors: Wang Xi , Shen Xinpu
Published: September 2023

After the Fukushima nuclear accident, the development of new accident-tolerant fuel cladding materials has become a research hotspot around the world. Due to its outstanding corrosion resistance, radiation resistance, and creep properties at elevated temperatures, the oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) FeCrAl alloy, as one of the most promising candidate materials for accident-tolerant fuel cladding, has been extensively studied during the past decade. Recent research on chemical composition design as well as its effects on the microstructure and mechanical properties has been reviewed in this paper. In particular, the reasonable/optimized content of Cr is explained from the aspects of oxidation resistance, radiation resistance, and thermal stability. The essential role of the Al element in oxidation resistance, high-temperature stability, and workability was reviewed in detail. The roles of oxide-forming elements, i.e., Y (Y2O3), Ti, and Zr, and the solid solution strengthening element, i.e., W, were discussed. Additionally, their reasonable contents were summarized. Typical types of oxide, i.e., Y–Ti–O, Y–Al–O, and Y–Zr–O, and their formation mechanisms were also discussed in this paper. All aspects mentioned above provide an important reference for understanding the effects of composition design parameters on the properties of nuclear-level ODS FeCrAl alloy.
Influence of Nb and Mo Substitution on the Structure and Magnetic Properties of a Rapidly Quenched Fe79.4Co5Cu0.6B15 Alloy
Authors: Hawelek Lukasz , Zackiewicz Przemyslaw , Wojcik Anna , Hudecki Jacek , Warski Tymon
Published: September 2023

The importance of amorphous and nanocrystalline Fe-based soft magnetic materials is increasing annually. Thus, characterisation of the chemical compositions, alloying additives, and crystal structures is significant for obtaining the appropriate functional properties. The purpose of this work is to present comparative studies on the influence of Nb (1, 2, 3 at.%) and Mo (1, 2, 3 at.%) in Fe substitution on the thermal stability, crystal structure, and magnetic properties of a rapidly quenched Fe79.4Co5Cu0.6B15 alloy. Additional heat treatments in a vacuum (260–640 °C) were performed for all samples based on the crystallisation kinetics. Substantial improvement in thermal stability was achieved with increasing Nb substitution, while this effect was less noticeable for Mo-containing alloys. The heat treatment optimisation process showed that the least lossy states (with a minimum value of coercivity below 10 A/m and high saturation induction up to 1.7 T) were the intermediate state of the relaxed amorphous state and the nanocomposite state of nanocrystals immersed in the amorphous matrix obtained by annealing in the temperature range of 340–360 °C for 20 min. Only for the alloy with the highest thermal stability (Nb = 3%), the α-Fe(Co) nanograin grows, without the co-participation of the hard magnetic Fe3B, in a relatively wide range of annealing temperatures up to 460 °C, where the second local minimum in coercivity and core power losses exists. For the remaining annealed alloys, due to lower thermal stability than the Nb = 3% alloy, the Fe3B phase starts to crystallise at lower annealing temperatures, making an essential contribution to magneto-crystalline anisotropy, thus the substantial increase in coercivity and induction saturation. The air-annealing process tested on the studied alloys for optimal annealing conditions has potential use for this type of material. Additionally, optimally annealed Mo-containing alloys are less lossy materials than Nb-containing alloys in a frequency range up to 400 kHz and magnetic induction up to 0.8 T.
Revealing the Influence of SiC Particle Size on the Hot Workability of SiCp/6013 Aluminum Matrix Composites
Authors: Chen Shuang , Wu Changlong , Bo Guowei , Liu Haiyang , Tang Jie , Fu Dingfa , Teng Jie , Jiang Fulin
Published: September 2023

SiC particle (SiCp) size has been found to significantly influence the hot workability of particle-reinforced aluminum matrix composites (AMC). In this work, therefore, three types of SiCp/6013 composites with different SiCp sizes (0.7, 5 and 15 μm) were prepared and then subjected to isothermal hot compression tests. In addition, constitutive analysis, processing maps and microstructural characterizations were used to reveal the influence of SiCp size on the hot workability of SiCp/6013 composite. The results showed that the values of hot deformation activation energy Q increased with decreasing SiCp size. Specifically, at lower temperatures (e.g., 350 and 400 °C), the highest peak stress was shown in the AMC with SiCp size of 0.7 μm (AMC-0.7), while in the AMC with SiCp size of 5 μm (AMC-5) at higher temperatures (e.g., 450 and 500 °C). This is because a finer SiCp size would lead to stronger dislocation pinning and grain refinement strengthening effects, and such effects would be weakened at higher temperatures. Further, dynamic softening mechanisms were found to transform from dynamic recovery to dynamic recrystallization with increasing SiCp size, and the dynamic recrystallization occurred more easily at higher temperatures and lower strain rates. Consequently, the instability zones of the composites are all mainly located in the deformation region with lower temperature and higher strain rate, and smaller SiCp results in larger instability zones.
A Conceptual Graph-Based Method to Compute Information Content
Authors: Quintero Rolando , Torres-Ruiz Miguel , Saldaña-Pérez Magdalena , Guzmán Sánchez-Mejorada Carlos , Mata-Rivera Felix
Published: September 2023

This research uses the computing of conceptual distance to measure information content in Wikipedia categories. The proposed metric, generality, relates information content to conceptual distance by determining the ratio of the information that a concept provides to others compared to the information that it receives. The DIS-C algorithm calculates generality values for each concept, considering each relationship’s conceptual distance and distance weight. The findings of this study are compared to current methods in the field and found to be comparable to results obtained using the WordNet corpus. This method offers a new approach to measuring information content applied to any relationship or topology in conceptualization.
Numerical Investigation of Cavitating Jet Flow Field with Different Turbulence Models
Authors: Li Lidong , Xu Yan , Ge Mingming , Wang Zunce , Li Sen , Zhang Jinglong
Published: September 2023

In numerous industries such as drilling, peening, cleaning, etc., a cavitating jet is adopted. However, it is challenging to simulate the cavitating flow field numerically with accuracy. The flow field of the organ pipe cavitation nozzle is simulated in this research using the RNG k−ε, DES, and LES turbulence models. The LES model can more accurately predict the periodic shedding of a cavitating cloud, which is basically consistent with the jet morphology captured with a high−speed camera. The flow pattern, cavitating cloud evolution and shedding period of a cavitating jet are analyzed. The findings demonstrate that the LES model produces a cavitating effect inside the nozzle that is superior to those produced by the RNG k−ε and DES models. The vortex rings in the diffusion section are simulated using the LES model, which accelerates cavitation. The cavitating clouds of the organ pipe nozzle show periodic evolutions, with stages of generation, development, shedding and collapse. The periodic shedding of the cavitating clouds exhibits a similar pattern in the vorticities simulated using the LES model, and the vorticities display the small-scale structures where the cavitating bubbles collapse. This study can provide a reference for the simulation of a cavitating jet and the analysis of the cavitating mechanism.
On the Cryptanalysis of a Simplified AES Using a Hybrid Binary Grey Wolf Optimization
Authors: Rizk-Allah Rizk M. , Abdulkader Hatem , Elatif Samah S. Abd , Oliva Diego , Sosa-Gómez Guillermo , Snášel Václav
Published: September 2023

Cryptosystem cryptanalysis is regarded as an NP-Hard task in modern cryptography. Due to block ciphers that are part of a modern cipher and have nonlinearity and low autocorrelation in their structure, traditional techniques and brute-force attacks suffer from breaking the key presented in traditional techniques, and brute-force attacks against modern cipher S-AES (simplified-advanced encryption standard) are complex. Thus, developing robust and reliable optimization with high searching capability is essential. Motivated by this, this paper attempts to present a novel binary hybridization algorithm based on the mathematical procedures of the grey wolf optimizer (GWO) and particle swarm optimization (PSO), named BPSOGWO, to deal with the cryptanalysis of (S-AES). The proposed BPSOGWO employs a known plaintext attack that requires only one pair of plaintext–ciphertext pairs instead of other strategies that require more pairs (i.e., it reduces the number of messages needed in an attack, and secret information such as plaintext-ciphertext pairs cannot be obtained easily). The comprehensive and statistical results indicate that the BPSOGWO is more accurate and provides superior results compared to other peers, where it improved the cryptanalysis accurateness of S-AES by 82.5%, 84.79%, and 79.6% compared to PSO, GA, and ACO, respectively. Furthermore, the proposed BPSOGWO retrieves the optimal key with a significant reduction in search space compared to a brute-force attack. Experiments show that combining the suggested fitness function with HPSOGWO resulted in a 109-fold reduction in the search space. In cryptanalysis, this is a significant factor. The results prove that BPSOGWO is a promising and effective alternative to attack the key employed in the S-AES cipher.
Detection of Fungal Diseases in Lettuce by VIR-NIR Spectroscopy in Aquaponics
Authors: Sirakov Ivaylo , Velichkova Katya , Dinev Toncho , Slavcheva-Sirakova Desislava , Valkova Elica , Yorgov Dimitar , Veleva Petya , Atanasov Vasil , Atanassova Stefka
Published: September 2023

One of the main challenges facing the development of aquaponics is disease control, due on one hand to the fact that plants cannot be treated with chemicals because they can lead to mortality in cultured fish. The aim of this study was to apply the visible–near-infrared spectroscopy and vegetation index approach to test aquaponically cultivated lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) infected with different fungal pathogens (Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, and Alternaria alternata). The lettuces on the third leaf formation were placed in tanks (with dimensions 1 m/0.50 m/0.35 m) filled up with water from the aquaponics system every second day. In this study, we included reference fungal strains Aspergillus niger NBIMCC 3252, Fusarium oxysporum NBIMCC 125, and Alternaria alternata NBIMCC 109. Diffuse reflectance spectra of the leaves of lettuce were measured directly on the plants using a USB4000 spectrometer in the 450–1100 nm wavelength range. In near-infrared spectral range, the reflectance values of infected leaves are lower than those of the control, which indicates that some changes in cell structures occurred as a result of the fungal infection. All three investigated pathogens had a statistically significant effect on leaf water content and water band index. Vegetative indices such as Chlorophyll Absorption in Reflectance Index (CARI), Modified chlorophyll absorption in reflectance index (MCARI), Plant Senescence Reflectance Index (PSRI), Red Edge Index (REI2), Red Edge Index (REI3), and Water band index (WBI) were found to be effective in distinguishing infected plants from healthy ones, with WBI demonstrating the greatest reliability.
Mirror Vibration Tolerance Studies in X-ray Free-Electron Laser Oscillator
Authors: Li Shaohua , Huang Nanshun , Zhou Jianyang , Deng Haixiao
Published: September 2023

The X-ray free-electron laser oscillator (XFELO) has received significant attention due to its ability to produce fully coherent, high-brightness, and highly stable X-ray beams. Despite these advantages, the operation of the XFELO can be impeded by the surrounding environment. Specifically, vibrations of the optical components within the cavity can lead to poor alignment, which can diminish the interaction between the light and electrons in the undulator. Consequently, the quality of the output X-rays may be compromised. This study aims to investigate the impact of mirror vibrations on the output laser at various vibration frequencies. Firstly, we develop three single-frequency vibration models at 10 Hz, 0.01 MHz, and 1.1 MHz to investigate the changes in energy, spectral width, beam size, and beam divergence angle of the output laser. Secondly, we build a more complex multi-frequency vibration model based on the single-frequency one to simulate the realistic vibration of the mirror. Finally, we utilize the multi-frequency vibration model to investigate the tolerance limits of the output laser to vibration amplitude at different vibration frequencies of the mirror. The results show that the tolerance of the amplitude near the low and middle frequencies has less effect on the output power, which is approximately 250 nrad or more. However, in certain particular instances, particularly in the vicinity of the resonant frequency, there will be deviations from the tolerance limit. These deviations can result in values that are excessively high or excessively low. The study could prove useful in the future installation of XFELOs.
Considering Climatic Factors, Time Lag, and Cumulative Effects of Climate Change and Human Activities on Vegetation NDVI in Yinshanbeilu, China
Authors: Wang Sinan , Liu Xiaomin , Wu Yingjie
Published: September 2023

Climate and human activities are the basic driving forces that control and influence the spatial distribution and change of vegetation. Using trend analysis, the Hurst index, correlation analysis, the Moran index, path analysis, residual analysis, and other methods, the effects of human activities and climate factors on vegetation change were analyzed. The results show that: (1) The research area’s normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) exhibited a substantial upward trend from 2001 to 2020, increasing at a rate of 0.003/a, and the vegetation cover was generally healthy. The generally constant NDVI region made up 78.45% of the entire area, and the grassland, cultivated land, and forest land showed the most visible NDVI aggregation features. (2) The Vegetation is mainly promoted by water and heat, particularly precipitation, have a major impact on plants, with the direct influence of precipitation on vegetation growth being much greater than the indirect effect through the temperature. (3) The trend of NDVI residuals showed obvious spatial variability, presenting a distribution characteristic of high in the south and low in the north. The results of this study can provide a basis for the scientific layout of ecological protection and restoration projects in the Yinshanbeilu area.
Reservoir Space Characterization of Ordovician Wulalike Formation in Northwestern Ordos Basin, China
Authors: Wang Yuman , Zhou Shangwen , Liang Feng , Huang Zhengliang , Li Weiling , Yan Wei , Guo Wei
Published: September 2023

The Ordovician Wulalike Formation in the northwestern Ordos Basin is a new prospect for exploring marine shale gas in China, facing prominent problems such as unclear reservoir conditions and the distribution of enrichment areas. The types of reservoir space, fracture development, porosity composition, and physical properties of the lower Wulalike Formation are discussed through the multi-method identification and quantitative evaluation of reservoir space for appraisal wells. The Wulalike Formation in the study area contained fractured shale reservoirs with matrix pores (mainly inorganic pores) and permeable fractures. The fracture system of the lower Wulalike Formation is dominated by open bed-parallel fractures that are intermittent or continuous individually, with a width of 0.1–0.2 mm and spacing of 0.5–14.0 cm. The fracture-developed intervals generally exhibit bimodal or multimodal features on NMR T2 spectra and have a dual-track feature with a positive amplitude difference in deep and shallow resistivity logs. The length and fracture porosity of fracture-developed intervals varied greatly in different parts of the study area. In the Majiatan-Gufengzhuang area in the southern part of the study area, the fracture development degree generally decreased from west to east. In the Shanghaimiao area in the central part of the study area, fractures were extremely developed, the continuous thickness of the fracture-developed interval was generally more than 20 m, and the average fracture porosity was higher than 1.3%. In the Tiekesumiao area in the northern part of the study area, the fracture development degree was generally lower than that in the central and southern parts of the study area and also showed a decreasing trend from west to east. The lower Wulalike Formation had a total porosity of 2.46–7.08% (avg. 4.71%), roughly similar to the Longmaxi Formation in the Sichuan Basin, of which matrix porosity accounts for 34.0–90.0% (avg. 61.1%) and fracture porosity accounts for 10.0–66.0% (avg. 38.9%). From this, it could be inferred that the shale gas accumulation type of the lower Wulalike Formation in the northwest margin of the basin is mainly a fractured shale gas reservoir controlled by structure, and its “sweet spot area” is mainly controlled by tectonic setting and preservation conditions. This indicates that the Wulalike Formation in the northwestern Ordos Basin has good shale gas exploration prospects, and a large number of fault anticlines or fault noses formed by reverse dipping faults have the potential of favorable exploration targets.
Effect of Oxygen Annealing Atmosphere on Structural, Electrical and Energy Storage Properties of Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 Polycrystalline Thin Film
Authors: Alaoui Ilham Hamdi , Lemée Nathalie , Le Marrec Françoise , Mebarki Moussa , Cantaluppi Anna , Favry Delphine , Lahmar Abdelilah
Published: September 2023

Bismuth sodium titanate (BNT) thin films were deposited on Pt/SiN substrates by Sol-Gel spin coating technique and annealed under O2 atmosphere. The microstructural, structural, and electrical properties of the obtained film were investigated. Electron microscopy scans and atomic force microscopy micrographs were used to analyze the microstructure of the films. Furthermore, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis revealed a Na-deficient composition for the obtained film. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy allowed the identification of a pure perovskite BNT phase. Dielectric, ferroelectric, and leakage current measurements revealed good frequency stability of the dielectric constant and dielectric losses for BNT thin film. The results are discussed in terms of Na deficiency effects on the defect structure of BNT. Further, the film showed attractive electrostatic energy storage properties with energy density that exceeds 1.04 J/cm3 under E = 630 kV/cm.
Validating a Consumer Smartwatch for Nocturnal Respiratory Rate Measurements in Sleep Monitoring
Authors: Jung Hyunjun , Kim Dongyeop , Choi Jongmin , Joo Eun Yeon
Published: September 2023

Wrist-based respiratory rate (RR) measurement during sleep faces accuracy limitations. This study aimed to assess the accuracy of the RR estimation function during sleep based on the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) using the Samsung Galaxy Watch (GW) series. These watches are equipped with accelerometers and photoplethysmography sensors for RR estimation. A total of 195 participants visiting our sleep clinic underwent overnight polysomnography while wearing the GW, and the RR estimated by the GW was compared with the reference RR obtained from the nasal thermocouple. For all participants, the root mean squared error (RMSE) of the average overnight RR and continuous RR measurements were 1.13 bpm and 1.62 bpm, respectively, showing a small bias of 0.39 bpm and 0.37 bpm, respectively. The Bland–Altman plots indicated good agreement in the RR measurements for the normal, mild, and moderate OSA groups. In participants with normal-to-moderate OSA, both average overnight RR and continuous RR measurements achieved accuracy rates exceeding 90%. However, for patients with severe OSA, these accuracy rates decreased to 79.45% and 75.8%, respectively. The study demonstrates the GW’s ability to accurately estimate RR during sleep, even though accuracy may be compromised in patients with severe OSA.
Detection of Water Contaminants by Organic Transistors as Gas Sensors in a Bottom-Gate/Bottom-Contact Cross-Linked Structure
Authors: Izquierdo José Enrique Eirez , Cavallari Marco Roberto , García Dennis Cabrera , Oliveira José Diogo da Silva , Nogueira Vinicius Augusto Machado , Braga Guilherme de Souza , Ando Junior Oswaldo Hideo , Quivy Alain A. , Kymissis Ioannis , Fonseca Fernando Josepetti
Published: September 2023

Detecting volatile organic compounds is a fundamental step in water quality analysis. Methylisoborneol (MIB) provides a lousy odor to water, whereas geosmin (GEO) is responsible for its sour taste. A widely-used technique for their detection is gas-phase chromatography. On the other hand, an electronic nose from organic thin-film transistors is a cheaper and faster alternative. Poly(2,5-bis(3-tetradecyl-thiophen-2-yl)thieno[3,2-b]thiophene) (PBTTT-C14) features semiconducting properties suitable for organic electronics. However, in order to expose the active layer in a bottom-gate transistor structure with photolithographically patterned electrodes, a cross-linked dielectric such as poly(4-vinyl phenol) (PVP) is necessary. In this work, the cross-linking was demonstrated using FTIR and Raman spectroscopies, as well as high-k capacitors with a dielectric constant of 5.3. The presence of enhanced crystallinity with terrace formation in the semiconducting film was confirmed with UV-visible spectrophotometry, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Finally, for the first time, a PBTTT-C14 transistor on cross-linked PVP was shown to respond to isoborneol with a sensitivity of up to 6% change in mobility per ppm. Due to its similarity to MIB, a system comprising these sensors must be investigated in the future as a tool for sanitation companies in real-time water quality monitoring.
Trajectory Planner for UAVs Based on Potential Field Obtained by a Kinodynamic Gene Regulation Network
Authors: Hong Juncao , Chen Diquan , Li Wenji , Fan Zhun
Published: September 2023

Quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) often encounter intricate environmental and dynamic limitations in real-world applications, underscoring the significance of proficient trajectory planning for ensuring both safety and efficiency during flights. To tackle this challenge, we introduce an innovative approach that harmonizes sophisticated environmental insights with the dynamic state of a UAV within a potential field framework. Our proposition entails a quadrotor trajectory planner grounded in a kinodynamic gene regulation network potential field. The pivotal contribution of this study lies in the amalgamation of environmental perceptions and kinodynamic constraints within a newly devised gene regulation network (GRN) potential field. By enhancing the gene regulation network model, the potential field becomes adaptable to the UAV’s dynamic conditions and its surroundings, thereby extending the GRN into a kinodynamic GRN (K-GRN). The trajectory planner excels at charting courses that guide the quadrotor UAV through intricate environments while taking dynamic constraints into account. The amalgamation of environmental insights and kinodynamic constraints within the potential field framework bolsters the adaptability and stability of the generated trajectories. Empirical results substantiate the efficacy of our proposed methodology.
An Ultra-Fast and Green LC-MS Method for Quantitative Analysis of Aesculin and Aesculetin in Cortex Fraxini
Authors: Wang Xiaodong , Wang Wenhao , Lei Qinggui , Qian Zhengming , Deng Wenbin
Published: September 2023

This study aims to develop a fast and eco-friendly liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method for the determination of aesculin and aesculetin in Cortex Fraxini. Ultrapure water was used as the solvent during the microwave-assisted extraction process to prepare the Cortex Fraxini sample. This extraction method reduces the cost of the harmful solvent (only ultrapure water was used) and microwave extraction time (1 min). The LC separation was conducted using an Agilent InfinityLab Poroshell 120 EC-C18 column (2.1 mm × 30 mm, 2.7 µm) with a mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile (90:10, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.6 mL/min. Isocratic elution was employed, and the analytes were detected by MS. Through careful optimization and selection of LC-MS conditions, the analysis time was reduced to 1 min, demonstrating the method’s efficiency. The developed method was validated and exhibited excellent specificity, linearity, limit, precision, accuracy, and stability in quantifying aesculin and aesculetin in the Cortex Fraxini samples. The analysis result revealed the presence of aesculin (ranging from 3.55 to 18.8 mg/g) and aesculetin (ranging from 1.01 to 16.2 mg/g) in all ten batches of Cortex Fraxini samples. Compared to the reported LC methods, this approach substantially reduces the total analysis time and requires a minuscule volume of organic solvents. An “Analytical Eco-Scale” assessment was used to evaluate the different assay methods of Cortex Fraxini. The current LC-MS method scored an impressive 90; it was better than the other four reports’ LC methods. Thus, the developed LC-MS method is rapid and green, which is helpful for the quality evaluation of Cortex Fraxini.
Organic Solvent Nanofiltration and Data-Driven Approaches
Authors: Piccard Pieter-Jan , Borges Pedro , Cleuren Bart , Hooyberghs Jef , Buekenhoudt Anita
Published: September 2023

Organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN) is a membrane separation method that has gained much interest due to its promising ability to offer an energy-lean alternative for traditional thermal separation methods. Industrial acceptance, however, is held back by the slow process of membrane screening based on trial and error for each solute-solvent couple to be separated. Such time-consuming screening is necessary due to the absence of predictive models, caused by a lack of fundamental understanding of the complex separation mechanism complicated by the wide variety of solute and solvent properties, and the importance of all mutual solute-solvent-membrane affinities and competing interactions. Recently, data-driven approaches have gained a lot of attention due to their unprecedented predictive power, significantly outperforming traditional mechanistic models. In this review, we give an overview of both mechanistic models and the recent advances in data-driven modeling. In addition to other reviews, we want to emphasize the coherence of all mechanistic models and discuss their relevance in an increasingly data-driven field. We reflect on the use of data in the field of OSN and its compliance with the FAIR principles, and we give an overview of the state of the art of data-driven models in OSN. The review can serve as inspiration for any further modeling activities, both mechanistic and data-driven, in the field.
Should Autonomous Vehicles Collaborate in a Complex Urban Environment or Not?
Authors: Malik Sumbal , Khan Manzoor Ahmed , El-Sayed Hesham , Khan M. Jalal
Published: September 2023

A specialized version of collaborative driving is convoy driving. It is referred to as the practice of driving more than one vehicle consecutively in the same lane with a small inter-vehicle distance, maintaining the same speed. Extensive research has been conducted on convoys of heavy-duty trucks on the highway; however, limited research has studied convoy driving in an urban environment. The complex dynamics of an urban environment require short-lived collaboration with varying numbers of vehicles rather than collaborating over hours. The motivation of this research is to investigate how convoy driving can be realized to address the challenges of an urban environment and achieve the benefits of autonomous driving such as reduced fuel consumption, travel time, improved safety, and ride comfort. In this work, the best-fitted coalitional game framework is utilized to formulate the convoy driving problem as a coalition formation game in an urban environment. A hypothesis is formulated that traveling in a coalition is more beneficial for a vehicle than traveling alone. In connection with this, a coalitional game and an all-comprehensive utility function are designed, modeled, and implemented to facilitate the formation of autonomous vehicle coalitions for convoy driving. Multiple solution concepts, such as the Shapley allocation, the Nucleolus, and the Core, are implemented to solve and analyze the proposed convoy driving game. Furthermore, several coalition formation strategies such as traveling mode selection, selecting optimal coalitions, and making decisions about coalition merging are developed to analyze the behavior of the vehicles. In addition to this, extensive numerical experiments with different settings are conducted to evaluate and validate the performance of the proposed study. The experimental results proved the hypothesis that traveling in a convoy is significantly more beneficial than traveling alone. We conclude that traveling in a convoy is beneficial for coalition sizes of two to four vehicles with an inter-vehicle spacing of less than 4 m considering the limitations of an urban environment. Traveling in a coalition allows vehicles to save on fuel, minimize travel time and enhance safety and comfort. Furthermore, the findings of this research state that achieving the enormous benefits of traveling in a coalition requires finding the right balance between inter-vehicle distance and coalition size. In the future, we plan to extend this work by studying the evolving dynamics of the coalitions and the environment.
Religious Discrimination against Minorities: Theories and Findings
Authors: Akbaba Yasemin
Published: September 2023

One of the established trends in religion and international relations (IR) scholarship is the awareness of a rising level of religious discrimination against minorities. Although there is variation in rates, religious restrictions are widely observed across the globe, including in Western democracies. Scholarship on the restrictions on religious practices has advanced through seeking answers to the following questions: Who discriminates? Who is discriminated against more? What are the causes of restrictions on religious freedom? What are the forms of discrimination? The purpose of this article is to connect the theories and findings of two religious discrimination studies of IR via the graphic method of systemism. Featured works engage with religious discrimination in a sub-group of states—Western democracies and those with a Christian majority. While one study focused on government-based restrictions, the other one engaged with societal ones. Collectively, these works revealed the fragility of freedom and the importance of understanding the mechanisms that protect it.
User Authorization in Microservice-Based Applications
Authors: Sänger Niklas , Abeck Sebastian
Published: September 2023

Microservices have emerged as a prevalent architectural style in modern software development, replacing traditional monolithic architectures. The decomposition of business functionality into distributed microservices offers numerous benefits, but introduces increased complexity to the overall application. Consequently, the complexity of authorization in microservice-based applications necessitates a comprehensive approach that integrates authorization as an inherent component from the beginning. This paper presents a systematic approach for achieving fine-grained user authorization using Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC). The proposed approach emphasizes structure preservation, facilitating traceability throughout the various phases of application development. As a result, authorization artifacts can be traced seamlessly from the initial analysis phase to the subsequent implementation phase. One significant contribution is the development of a language to formulate natural language authorization requirements and policies. These natural language authorization policies can subsequently be implemented using the policy language Rego. By leveraging the analysis of software artifacts, the proposed approach enables the creation of comprehensive and tailored authorization policies.
Research on Two-Stage Regulation Method for Source–Load Flexibility Transformation in Power Systems
Authors: Hao Chunyang , Wang Yibo , Liu Chuang , Zhang Guanglie , Yu Hao , Wang Dongzhe , Shang Jingru
Published: September 2023

Under the premise of continuously increasing the grid-connected capacity of new energy, the fluctuation and anti-peak shaving characteristics of wind power have always constrained the development of green power systems. Considering the characteristics of power system flexibility resources, this paper introduces a two-stage regulation approach for power systems with enhanced source–load flexibility. In the day-ahead stage, an advanced peak regulation transformation is employed, leveraging the combined heat storage device of conventional thermal power units to enhance their peak regulation capability. Additionally, the Energy Intensive Load (EIL) is integrated into the regulation system. A two-level coordinated optimization model is developed, incorporating wind power integration and dispatching power allocation, with the aim of optimizing wind power integration and achieving the optimal allocation of dispatching power. In the intra-day stage, the connection of wind plants and energy storage devices is utilized to minimize the wind power fluctuations and improve the control ability over wind power variations. Compared with traditional methods, the wind power consumption in Scenario 1 and Scenario 2 increases by 2741.1 MW/h and 2478.5 MW/h respectively. Furthermore, the inclusion of an energy storage device in the intra-day stage significantly reduces the wind power fluctuations, maintaining a stable fluctuation rate within ±1%. Therefore, this method can effectively improve the level of wind power consumption and reduce the impact of real-time fluctuations on the power system.
Optimal Integration of Machine Learning for Distinct Classification and Activity State Determination in Multiple Sclerosis and Neuromyelitis Optica
Authors: Gharaibeh Maha , Abedalaziz Wlla , Alawad Noor Aldeen , Gharaibeh Hasan , Nasayreh Ahmad , El-Heis Mwaffaq , Altalhi Maryam , Forestiero Agostino , Abualigah Laith
Published: September 2023

The intricate neuroinflammatory diseases multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) often present similar clinical symptoms, creating challenges in their precise detection via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This challenge is further compounded when detecting the active and inactive states of MS. To address this diagnostic problem, we introduce an innovative framework that incorporates state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms applied to features culled from MRI scans by pre-trained deep learning models, VGG-NET and InceptionV3. To develop and test this methodology, we utilized a robust dataset obtained from the King Abdullah University Hospital in Jordan, encompassing cases diagnosed with both MS and NMO. We benchmarked thirteen distinct machine learning algorithms and discovered that support vector machine (SVM) and K-nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithms performed superiorly in our context. Our results demonstrated KNN’s exceptional performance in differentiating between MS and NMO, with precision, recall, F1-score, and accuracy values of 0.98, 0.99, 0.99, and 0.99, respectively, using leveraging features extracted from VGG16. In contrast, SVM excelled in classifying active versus inactive states of MS, achieving precision, recall, F1-score, and accuracy values of 0.99, 0.97, 0.98, and 0.98, respectively, using leveraging features extracted from VGG16 and VGG19. Our advanced methodology outshines previous studies, providing clinicians with a highly accurate, efficient tool for diagnosing these diseases. The immediate implication of our research is the potential to streamline treatment processes, thereby delivering timely, appropriate care to patients suffering from these complex diseases.
Testing of Different Digestion Solutions on Tissue Samples and the Effects of Used Potassium Hydroxide Solution on Polystyrene Microspheres
Authors: Geppner Liesa , Karaca Jakob , Wegner Wencke , Rados Moritz , Gutwald Tobias , Werth Philemon , Henjakovic Maja
Published: September 2023

Microplastic particles are ubiquitous in our environment, having entered the air, the water, the soil, and ultimately our food chain. Owing to their small size, these particles can potentially enter the bloodstream and accumulate in the organs. To detect microplastics using existing methods, they must first be isolated. The aim of this study was to develop a non-destructive method for efficiently and affordably isolating plastic particles. We investigated the digestion of kidney, lung, liver, and brain samples from pigs. Kidney samples were analyzed using light microscopy after incubation with proteinase K, pepsin/pancreatin, and 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution. Various KOH:tissue ratios were employed for the digestion of lung, liver, and brain samples. Additionally, we examined the effect of 10% KOH solution on added polystyrene microplastics using scanning electron microscopy. Our findings revealed that a 10% KOH solution is the most suitable for dissolving diverse organ samples, while enzymatic methods require further refinement. Moreover, we demonstrated that commonly used 1 µm polystyrene particles remain unaffected by 10% KOH solution even after 76 h of incubation. Digestion by KOH offers a simple and cost-effective approach for processing organ samples and holds potential for isolating plastic particles from meat products.
Microplastics Distribution within Western Arctic Seawater and Sea Ice
Authors: D’Angelo Alessandra , Trenholm Nicole , Loose Brice , Glastra Laura , Strock Jacob , Kim Jongsun
Published: September 2023

Microplastic pollution has emerged as a global environmental concern, exhibiting wide distribution within marine ecosystems, including the Arctic Ocean. Limited Arctic microplastic data exist from beached plastics, seabed sediments, floating plastics, and sea ice. However, no studies have examined microplastics in the sea ice of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area, and few have explored Arctic marginal seas’ water column. The majority of the microplastic data originates from the Eurasian Arctic, with limited data available from other regions of the Arctic Ocean. This study presents data from two distinct campaigns in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and Western Arctic marginal seas in 2019 and 2020. These campaigns involved sampling from different regions and matrices, making direct comparisons inappropriate. The study’s primary objective is to provide insights into the spatial and vertical distribution of microplastics. The results reveal elevated microplastic concentrations within the upper 50 m of the water column and significant accumulation in the sea ice, providing evidence to support the designation of sea ice as a microplastic sink. Surface seawater exhibits a gradient of microplastic counts, decreasing from the Chukchi Sea towards the Beaufort Sea. Polyvinyl chloride polymer (~60%) dominated microplastic composition in both sea ice and seawater. This study highlights the need for further investigations in this region to enhance our understanding of microplastic sources, distribution, and transport.
Seroprevalence of Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus in Occupational Settings: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Riccò Matteo , Baldassarre Antonio , Corrado Silvia , Bottazzoli Marco , Marchesi Federico
Published: September 2023

Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) Virus can cause a serious human disease, with the case fatality ratio previously estimated to be 30–40%. Our study summarized seroprevalence data from occupational settings, focusing on the following occupational groups: animal handlers, abattoir workers, farmers, healthcare workers, veterinarians, rangers, and hunters. Systematic research was performed on three databases (PubMed, EMBASE, MedRxiv), and all studies reporting seroprevalence rates (IgG-positive status) for CCHF virus were retrieved and their results were reported, summarized, and compared. We identified a total of 33 articles, including a total of 20,195 samples, i.e., 13,197 workers from index occupational groups and 6998 individuals from the general population. Pooled seroprevalence rates ranged from 4.751% (95% confidence intervals (95% CI) 1.834 to 11.702) among animal handlers, to 3.403% (95% CI 2.44 to 3.932) for farmers, 2.737% (95% CI 0.896 to 8.054) among rangers and hunters, 1.900% (95% CI 0.738 to 4.808) for abattoir workers, and 0.644% (95% CI 0.223–1.849) for healthcare workers, with the lowest estimate found in veterinarians (0.283%, 95% CI 0.040–1.977). Seroprevalence rates for abattoir workers (odds ratio (OR) 4.198, 95% CI 1.060–16.464), animal handlers (OR 2.399, 95% CI 1.318–4.369), and farmers (OR 2.280, 95% CI 1.419 to 3.662) largely exceeded the official notification rates for CCHF in the general population. CCHF is reasonably underreported, and pooled estimates stress the importance of improving the adherence to personal protective equipment use and appropriate preventive habits.
Bridging the Gaps: Investigating the Complex Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Tuberculosis Records in Brazil
Authors: Souza Carlos Dornels Freire de , Neto Epaminondas Ribeiro Dias , Matos Thais Silva , Ferreira Ana Carolina Furtado , Bezerra-Santos Márcio , Silva Junior Adeilton Gonçalves da , do Carmo Rodrigo Feliciano
Published: September 2023

Background: This study aimed to analyze the temporal evolution, spatial distribution, and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tuberculosis records in a northeastern state of Brazil. Methods: This is an ecological study involving all diagnoses of Tuberculosis (TB) in residents of the state of Pernambuco/Brazil. Data were extracted from the National System of Notifiable Diseases. A pre-pandemic COVID-19 temporal analysis (2001–2019), a spatial analysis before (2015–2019) and during the first two pandemic years (2020–2021), and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cases of TB diagnoses in Pernambuco in the years 2020 and 2021 were performed. Inflection point regression models, Global and Local Moran’s statistics, and spatial scan statistics were used. Results: In the period from 2001 to 2019, 91,225 cases of TB were registered in Pernambuco (48.40/100,000 inhabitants), with a tendency of growth starting in 2007 (0.7% per year; p = 0.005). In the pre-pandemic period (2015–2019), 10.8% (n = 20) of Pernambuco municipalities had TB incidence rates below 10/100,000. In 2020, this percentage reached 27.0% (n = 50) and in 2021 it was 17.8% (n = 33). Risk clusters were identified in the eastern region of the state, with five clusters in the pre-pandemic period and in 2021 and six in 2020. In the first year of the pandemic, an 8.5% reduction in the number of new TB cases was observed. In 2021, the state showed a slight increase (1.1%) in the number of new TB cases. Conclusions: The data indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic may have caused a reduction in the number of new TB case reports in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil.