bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brownian and thermal diffusivity impact due to the Maxwell nanofluid (graphene/engine oil) flow with motile microorganisms and Joule heating
Authors: Algehyne Ebrahem A. , Rehman Sadique , Ayub Rashid , Saeed Anwar , Eldin Sayed M. , Galal Ahmed M.
Published: June 2023

Nanofluids have many applications in industries as well as engineering such as biomedicine, manufacturing, and electronics. Nanofluid is used for improvement of thermal and mass transmission. Based on the aforementioned applications, in the present study, a two-dimensional Maxwell nanofluid with thermal radiation effect on the existence of motile microorganisms over a vertically stretchable surface is explored. The consequence of heat absorption, the efficiency of heat flux in a porous medium, viscous dissipations, and Joule heating impacts are considered. The Brownian and thermophoretic diffusion effects have been evaluated. In addition, the binary chemical reaction is taken into account to evaluate the magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) mixed convection flow. Graphene nanoparticles are suspended in so-called engine oil (base fluid). The proposed liquid model depends on the governing nonlinear equations of velocity, temperature, the concentration of nanoparticles, and motile gyrotactic microorganisms. In order to transform highly nonlinear partial differential equations into nonlinear ordinary differential equations, an appropriate similarity transformation is exploited. For the solution of the present study, the homotopy analysis method-technique in Mathematica-12 is used. The fluctuation of velocity, temperature, concentration, and gyrotactic microorganisms’ characteristics for numerous flow parameters is discussed in detail. Some important fallouts of the existing study are that the Maxwell liquid parameter, Eckert number, and magnetic parameter lessen the nanoliquid velocity. But the fluid temperature becomes higher for growing estimates of the Brownian motion and thermophoretic factors. The radiation and chemical reaction parameters have declining impacts on the solutal profile. The motile microorganism profile shows a decrement in bioconvection Lewis and Rayleigh numbers. The nanofluid thermal profile is improved but the nanofluid velocity declined through the augmentation of volume fraction. Also, the coefficient of skin friction and Nusselt number are obtained versus various flow parameters.
Word-level prosodic and metrical influences on Hawaiian glottal stop realization
Authors: Davidson Lisa , Parker Jones Oiwi
Published: June 2023

Previous research on the phonetic realization of Hawaiian glottal stops has shown that it can be produced several ways, including with creaky voice, full closure, or modal voice. This study investigates whether the realization is conditioned by word-level prosodic or metrical factors, which would be consistent with research demonstrating that segmental distribution and phonetic realization can be sensitive to word-internal structure. At the same time, it has also been shown that prosodic prominence, such as syllable stress, can affect phonetic realization. Data come from the 1970s–80s radio program Ka Leo Hawaiʻi. Using Parker Jones’ (Parker Jones, Oiwi. 2010. A computational phonology and morphology of Hawaiian. University of Oxford DPhil. thesis) computational prosodic grammar, words were parsed and glottal stops were automatically coded for word position, syllable stress, and prosodic word position. The frequency of the word containing the glottal stop was also calculated. Results show that full glottal closures are more likely at the beginning of a prosodic word, especially in word-medial position. Glottal stops with full closure in lexical word initial position are more likely in lower frequency words. The findings for Hawaiian glottal stop suggest that prosodic prominence does not condition a stronger realization, but rather, the role of the prosodic word is similar to other languages exhibiting phonetic cues to word-level prosodic structure.
Study on the water ingestion performance of compressor with inlet particle separator
Authors: Luo Mingcong , Yu Yonghao , Liu Aocheng , Yan Shilin
Published: June 2023

For an aero turbo-shaft engine, rain water enters the intake protection device and the morphology of water droplets after hitting the wall will affect the internal flow of the compressor. In this paper, Sommerfeld number was used to determine the shape of water droplets after they hit the wall. The flow field and characteristics of the compressor with inlet particle separator under different water ingestion conditions were studied with considering the impact of water film and droplets splashing near the wall. The results show that the entry of water droplets deteriorates the internal flow field of the compression component, and the water film affects the flow state of the airflow near the wall. Compared to the effect of the splashing factor, the viscous resistance effect of water film near the wall on the airflow and boundary layer can cause a significant reduction in the characteristics and stability of the compressor.
Legality of usage of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learnings by Share Market Intermediary
Authors: Nikam Rahul J.
Published: June 2023

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are increasingly utilized in share market services due to significant efficiencies and benefits for companies and investors across the globe. This has resulted in an alteration in the firm’s business models and has a potential impact on the effectiveness of the share market and could harm investors. Indian share market is also witnessing the usage of this technology by market intermediaries. The present regulatory framework of Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on share market intermediaries is not dealing with the Fintech/ technology 2.0-based products and services offered in retail trading and investment advisor platforms in India. The research is primarily based on the normative method presenting a qualitative analysis of the usage of AI & ML in various business models by share market intermediaries. How various share market regulators are addressing and regulating this technology usage and their judicial exposition. The paper concludes that the Indian share market is no exception & SEBI require to look at this new transformation and address the challenges posed by it. SEBI needs to take a proactive step to promote, guide & regulate usages of AI & ML which is gradually seeking the attention of Indian share market intermediaries into their business models and get the maximum benefit out of these technologies.
Aesthetic Experience, Neurology and Cultural Memory
Authors: Jamalpour Hamed , Derabi Javad Yaghoobi
Published: June 2023

Neuro-aesthetics is a new scientific field in the field of research on the perception of beauty as well as the creation of art. This science deals with the connection between areas of the human brain and nervous systems with the perception of beauty. Neuro-aesthetic researchers and theorists consider the perception of beauty to have a biological basis. Aesthetics refers to the knowledge of how the senses are used to know. The purpose of writing this article is to review and introduce Don DeLillo's view on art and Aesthetics in the book Mao II and to extend the references in aesthetic education. This research is trying to determine the scope of this science and to express the challenges that are on this claim. The result of this research, which was carried out by examining the results of neuro-aesthetic tests and criticisms and opinions of theorists, shows that artistic perception is not mere visual perception, but variables such as historical, cultural factors, and conceptual understanding of the work are influential in artistic understanding.
WPŁYW ODMIANY ZIEMNIAKÓW O CZERWONYM I FIOLETOWYM MIĄŻSZU NA CIEMNIENIE ENZYMATYCZNE BULW ORAZ WŁAŚCIWOŚCI PRZECIWUTLENIAJĄCE
Authors: TKACZYŃSKA AGNIESZKA , RYTEL ELŻBIETA
Published: June 2023

Background. Colored-flesh potato varieties are becoming more and more popular in Poland. One of the distinctive features of tuber quality is a tendency for the enzymatic darkening of flesh. The aim of the research was to determine the effect of red and purple flesh potato varieties on the change of their color immediately after cutting tubers, one hour and four hours after their cutting, and on the total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity. The research material was three purple flesh potato varieties: Provita, Double Fun, Violet Queen and three red flesh potato varieties: Magenta, Mulberry Beauty, Lily Rose. The raw material came from Polish producers from the 2020 and 2021 growing seasons. Basic chemical composition, total polyphenol content and ABTS+• (μM TROLOX/1g d.m.) and DPPH (μM TROLOX/1g d.m.), as well as antioxidant activity were determined for the potatoes. The color of tuber flesh and its changes were determined calorimetrically using a Minolta CR-200. Results and conclusions. Purple flesh potatoes were characterized by higher total polyphenol content (by 2%) and higher antioxidant activity of ABTS+• and DPPH• (71.2, and 21.0 μM TROLOX/1g d.m. respectively) in comparison to the red varieties (ABTS+• – 60.5 and DPPH – 15.5 μM TROLOX/1g d.m.). The potato varieties tested were characterized by a low tendency for the enzymatic darkening of tubers. The flesh of purple potatoes immediately after cutting was darker (L* 41.8 on average). It was also characterized by a higher share of blue (b* -2.8 on average) and a lower share of red (a* 3.8 on average) than for red flesh potatoes. The flesh of red potatoes after cutting was characterized by a color with a higher proportion of yellow shade (parameter b* was 7.2 on average), which did not change after four hours after cutting.
Evaluating Cemented Paste Backfill’s Strength Development at Early Age Using the Laboratory Vane Shear Test
Authors: Yue Wendal Victor , Jafari Mohammadamin , Grabinsky Murray
Published: June 2023

The Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) test is the most widely used method in the underground mining industry to assess strength development during binder hydration. However, testing errors are common for weak materials (UCS less than 100 kPa, i.e., cemented paste backfill at early curing stage), and reliable test methods must be established for designs relying on early age strengths, particularly for continuous pours. Therefore, the standard geotechnical laboratory vane shear test is investigated as an alternative. A newly designed “cast-in-place” mold is used to avoid specimen damage arising from vane insertion. Parametric tests with vane rotation speeds of 30 to 120 degrees per minute show strength insensitivity to these shear rates. Vane shear strengths correlate linearly with UCS over the strength ranges used; however, the trend does not follow the usual assumption for clays in the undrained state, because the material does not shear at a constant volume as clays do. The influence of suppressed dilation is investigated using direct shear tests, but these results do not fully explain the discrepancy, suggesting other mechanisms also have an important influence. Therefore, vane shear tests can provide a useful complement to UCS tests not only at the laboratory scale but in the in situ condition for early strength characterization. It should be noted that the correlation to UCS must be considered empirical, and separate calibrations are required for each backfill material.
A Two-stage Method with a Shared 3D U-Net for Left Atrial Segmentation of Late Gadolinium-Enhanced MRI Images
Authors: Bai Jieyun , Qiu Ruiyu , Chen Jianyu , Wang Liyuan , Li Lulu , Tian Yanfeng , Wang Huijin , Lu Yaosheng , Zhao Jichao
Published: June 2023

Objective: This study was aimed at validating the accuracy of a proposed algorithm for fully automatic 3D left atrial segmentation and to compare its performance with existing deep learning algorithms.

Methods: A two-stage method with a shared 3D U-Net was proposed to segment the 3D left atrium. In this architecture, the 3D U-Net was used to extract 3D features, a two-stage strategy was used to decrease segmentation error caused by the class imbalance problem, and the shared network was designed to decrease model complexity. Model performance was evaluated with the DICE score, Jaccard index and Hausdorff distance.

Results: Algorithm development and evaluation were performed with a set of 100 late gadolinium-enhanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance images. Our method achieved a DICE score of 0.918, a Jaccard index of 0.848 and a Hausdorff distance of 1.211, thus, outperforming existing deep learning algorithms. The best performance of the proposed model (DICE: 0.851; Jaccard: 0.750; Hausdorff distance: 4.382) was also achieved on a publicly available 2013 image data set.

Conclusion: The proposed two-stage method with a shared 3D U-Net is an efficient algorithm for fully automatic 3D left atrial segmentation. This study provides a solution for processing large datasets in resource-constrained applications.

Significance Statement: Studying atrial structure directly is crucial for comprehending and managing atrial fibrillation (AF). Accurate reconstruction and measurement of atrial geometry for clinical purposes remains challenging, despite potential improvements in the visibility of AF-associated structures with late gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. This difficulty arises from the varying intensities caused by increased tissue enhancement and artifacts, as well as variability in image quality. Therefore, an efficient algorithm for fully automatic 3D left atrial segmentation is proposed in the present study.
The Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel inDrosophila, Para, Localizes to Dendrites As Well As Axons in Mechanosensitive Chordotonal Neurons
Authors: Ravenscroft Thomas A. , Jacobs Ashleigh , Gu Mingxue , Eberl Daniel F. , Bellen Hugo J.
Published: June 2023

The fruit flyDrosophila melanogasterhas provided important insights into how sensory information is transduced by transient receptor potential (TRP) channels in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). However, TRP channels alone have not been able to completely model mechanosensitive transduction in mechanoreceptive chordotonal neurons (CNs). Here, we show that, in addition to TRP channels, the sole voltage-gated sodium channel (NaV) inDrosophila, Para, is localized to the dendrites of CNs. Para is localized to the distal tip of the dendrites in all CNs, from embryos to adults, and is colocalized with the mechanosensitive TRP channels No mechanoreceptor potential C (NompC) and Inactive/Nanchung (Iav/Nan). Para localization also demarcates spike initiation zones (SIZs) in axons and the dendritic localization of Para is indicative of a likely dendritic SIZ in fly CNs. Para is not present in the dendrites of other peripheral sensory neurons. In both multipolar and bipolar neurons in the PNS, Para is present in a proximal region of the axon, comparable to the axonal initial segment (AIS) in vertebrates, 40–60 μm from the soma in multipolar neurons and 20–40 μm in bipolar neurons. Whole-cell reduction ofparaexpression using RNAi in CNs of the adult Johnston’s organ (JO) severely affects sound-evoked potentials (SEPs). However, the duality of Para localization in the CN dendrites and axons identifies a need to develop resources to study compartment-specific roles of proteins that will enable us to better understand Para’s role in mechanosensitive transduction.
Guilty on the Go: Uncovering Concealed Information by Assessing Response Preparation Processes in a Go-Nogo-Paradigm
Authors: Sprengholz Philipp , Schreckenbach Franziska , Giesen Carina G. , Koranyi Nicolas , Rothermund Klaus
Published: June 2023

The Reaction Time-Based Concealed Information Test (RT-CIT) was designed to detect familiarity with crime-related information. However, RT-CIT results can be manipulated by preparing innocent-looking responses for these probes. We developed a new paradigm allowing us to assess such response preparation processes. In each trial of the task, a crime-related prime question was presented, followed by a test item which was either a publicly known item, an irrelevant item, or a probe. The test item could either match the question in terms of content or not, and a key had to be pressed if the answer was not publicly known (Go-Nogo task). In two experiments (total N = 138), we found evidence for both familiarity (slower reactions toward crime-related than unrelated information) and response preparation effects (less errors for probes matching the prime question) in guilty participants, indicating that the new paradigm can help to overcome problems of strategic response preparation.
A novel empeROR of pancreatic malignancy
Authors: Peñuelas‐Haro Irene , Espinet Elisa
Published: June 2023

How pancreatic cancer cells acquire tumor initiating capacities remains poorly understood. A recent study by Yamazaki et al (2023) uncovers a crucial, targetable role of tyrosine kinase‐like orphan receptor (ROR1) in PDAC tumor formation and progression.
Tax Control and Customs and Fiscal Control in Cases Where a General Anti-Avoidance Rule May Apply
Authors: Huchla Andrzej
Published: June 2023

Pursuant to the provisions of the Tax Ordinance, if an anti-avoidance clause may apply in a tax control or a customs and fiscal control, the Head of the National Fiscal Administration (NFA), at the request of the control body, takes over such control in whole or in part and initiates tax proceedings within its scope. The control will be continued if no decision using the GAAR is issued in the tax proceeding carried out by the Head of the NFA. Detailed regulations define the procedure and effects of the Head of the NFA taking over control, but do not remove doubts related to the condition that it should take place as a result of an application to the Head of the NFA and the possibility of taking over the case only in part, and the effects of such partial takeover.
The Impact of Abstract Control by the Constitutional Court on the Recovery of Property Tax Overpayments: Procedural Issues
Authors: Dowgier Rafał
Published: June 2023

One of the powers of the Polish Constitutional Tribunal is the so-called abstract control related to the examination of the compliance of statutes (laws) with the Polish Constitution. The subject of these statutes may be tax matters. In recent years, the tribunal has repeatedly ruled on the consistency of such legal acts with the Constitution, including the reference to the provisions of the Law on local taxes and fees, which regulates a real-estate tax. Some of the rulings thereon were interpretive in nature, i.e. they indicated inconsistency with the Constitution within a specific understanding of the provision under verification. Their direct consequences were claims for excess tax made by real-estate taxpayers, which were envisaged by the procedures prescribed by the provisions of the law – the Tax Ordinance. In this regard, significant shortcomings of the above-mentioned act have been revealed. We may put forward a thesis according to which the procedure provided for in the Tax Ordinance for the recovery of excess tax in connection with the Constitutional Tribunal’s rulings is defective as, in particular, it does not take into account the rulings which are interpretative in nature. Verification of this research assumption requires the analysis of both the statutory provisions on the recovery of excess tax and the rulings of administrative courts that have been made thereon. The rationale for discussing this issue is its great practical importance, in particular, as indicated above, the fact that in recent years the judgments issued by the Constitutional Tribunal with regard to the Law on local taxes and fees regulating a realestate tax have precisely been of an interpretative nature.
Control of Local Tax Payments: A Comparative Law Case Study
Authors: Popławski Mariusz , Hulkó Gábor , Iefymenko Tetiana , Pahl Bogumił
Published: June 2023

Tax payment is the basic form of fulfilling a tax obligation. It is included in the effective method of removing tax liabilities. As part of the control of payments of local taxes carried out by the tax authorities, it was found that an unauthorized employee of this authority unlawfully accepted payments of taxes that he did not pay to the account of the tax authority. A legal doubt has arisen in this respect as to whether the payment made in the above-mentioned circumstances is the payment of tax that gives rise to the removal of the tax liability. The main goal of the authors, within the research topic undertaken, is to verify the research hypothesis, according to which the taxpayer’s transfer of funds to an unauthorized employee of a tax authority, confirmed by a receipt, cannot be considered as payment of the tax. The study analyzes the above-mentioned issues on the basis, above all, of the provisions of Polish tax law, which do not define the concept of tax payment, although they indicate the forms of payment. In order to get a broader perspective on the subject matter, the author analyzed selected regulations concerning the above-mentioned issues in Hungary and Ukraine.
AI Enables the Control of Public Finances: US Federal Government Initiatives
Authors: Skuza Sebastian , Lizak Robert
Published: June 2023

In this article, the authors assesses the scope of the use of artificial intelligence technology in the management of the US federal public finance system in the years 2019–2022, with particular emphasis on public finance control. This assessment is indispensable in answering the question of whether artificial intelligence, which is a relatively new technology, is used in the area in question, and to what extent, and most importantly whether, it enables the US federal administration to control public finances. In order to answer this question, a holistic review was carried out of American law standards from the last decade and government documents that directly regulate the issue of artificial intelligence, including the definition of artificial intelligence adopted for the first time in American law, but also a number of other hard law and soft law standards. Law files that are directly or indirectly related to AI. The above allowed the determination of the scope of the political and legal approach to artificial intelligence in the United States of America, as well as the extraction of many conclusions about the use of artificial intelligence and the challenges facing its development. In the opinion of the author, the added value of this publication is the preliminary answer to the question of whether artificial intelligence can change the paradigm of the essence of managing the public finance system.
Control of State Debt in the Czech Republic
Authors: Tomášková Eva
Published: June 2023

This article focuses on control of state debt in the Czech Republic. State debt contributes the most to the public debt. Although the Czech Republic is one of the countries with the smallest state debts in the European Union, it has also been the country whose debt has grown fastest year-on-year in the last two years. The aim of this article is to investigate the possibilities to improve control of state debt in the Czech Republic. It works with the hypothesis that control of state debt is problematic in the Czech Republic and needs some amendments related to state debt regulation. The article is divided into two parts. First, a theoretical overview of state debt is included, regulation de lege lata is summarized and the current situation relating to state debt during the Covid-19 pandemic is stressed. Second, research findings mentioned in the first part are analysed. By synthesizing these research findings, I suggest amendments de lege ferenda.
Kinetic Modelling of Liquid-Solid Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Ginger Waste using Subcritical Water
Authors: Yulianto Mohamad Endy , Jos Bakti , Budiyono Budiyono
Published: June 2023

Kinetic modelling played a key role in the development of subcritical water extraction for bioactive compounds such as: shogaol and gingerol from ginger waste. Liquid-solid extraction kinetics could predict the extraction phenomenon and increase the efficacy of extraction process. The aim of this study was to develop a mathematical model of leaching kinetics and determine the rate constant of extraction process (k) of shogaol and gingerol in ginger pulp which is in the subcritical water phase. The research was carried out in two work stages, namely modeling and experimentation. The modeling was done by comparing three extraction kinetic models, namely pseudo first order, pseudo second order and the distribution coefficient. The model was postulated and validated with experimental data using Matlab. The subcritical water extraction process of shogaol and gingerol in ginger waste was occurred at 140 ℃ with a pressure of 3.5 bar. The extracts had been separated from raffinate and further analyzed using HPLC-MS. The results showed that the pseudo first order kinetic model described well the phenomenon of subcritical water extraction with regression values was 0.9882 for gingerol and 0.9682 for shogaol respectively. The rate constant of extraction process (k) for gingerol and shogaol were 0.1101  and 0.3130 , respectively. This showed that the shogaol extraction rate was higher than the gingerol extraction rate.
Clonal and planting density effects on some properties of rubber wood (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.)
Authors: Naji Hamid Reza , Sahri Mohd. Hamami , Nobuchi Tadashi , Bakar Edi Suhaimi
Published: June 2023

Inter-clonal and intra-clonal wood properties and their variations from pith to bark were evaluated for wood density and anatomical features on rubber wood (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg) from a 9-year-old plantation with planting densities of 500 and 2000 trees per hectare comprised of clones RRIM 2020 and RRIM 2025. Planting density had uneven effects on wood density and wood cell features. Intra-clonal and inter-clonal variations were significant for wood density in both clones and planting densities. Wood density demonstrated an increasing trend in the radial direction. However, at the lower planting density wood density near the bark decreased slightly. Fiber diameter, lumen diameter, and cell wall thickness showed an increasing trend from pith to bark. Best average fiber characteristics were observed at the lower planting density in clone RRIM 2025. Vessel frequency had a direct relationship with planting density in that it was higher in the higher planting density of 2000 trees per hectare. Overall, planting density had a significant effect on wood quality. The properties of clone RRIM 2025 were found to be comparatively better with longer fiber length and higher wood density than those of RRIM 2020.
TCF bleaching character of soda-anthraquinone pulp from oil palm frond
Authors: Wang Xiwen , Hu Jian , Liang Yun , Zeng Jingshan
Published: June 2023

The bleaching sequences have been applied to oil palm frond soda-anthraquinone pulp. Oxygen delignification resulted in a delignification of approximately half of the kappa number. In comparison between OQP and OQPO sequences, the OQPO sequence was able to improve brightness from 75.2% ISO to 82.3% ISO. A TCF bleaching sequence involving laccase was also suitable for the frond pulp bleaching. Results indicated that laccase has a good bleaching capability. Short beating in a PFI refiner (about PFI 2000 revolutions) was sufficient to attain good pulp strength of TCF bleached pulp. There was no total organically bound chlorine in the TCF bleaching effluent. The results of this study show that soda-anthraquinone pulping and TCF bleaching is a promising alternative to produce high-quality pulp from oil palm frond for writing and printing paper.
Influence of lignin content on photodegradation in wood/HDPE composites under UV weathering
Authors: Chaochanchaikul Kantima , Jayaraman Krishnan , Rosarpitak Vichai , Sombatsompop Narongrit
Published: June 2023

The aim of this work was to examine the influence the lignin component of wood on the photodegradation of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) in wood/HDPE (WPE) composites. The neat HDPE and wood/HDPE composites were prepared using a twin screw extruder followed by an injection moulder. The lignin content was varied from 0 to 29 %wt. of wood by the addition of delignified wood pulp into wood flour. The results suggested that the photodegradation of HDPE in WPE composites was accelerated by the presence of lignin; the chromophoric groups in the lignin enhanced UV adsorption onto the WPE composite surface. The carbonyl and vinyl indices, color, percentage crystallinity, and the melting temperature increased when the lignin contents were increased. The color fading in WPE composites resulted from photobleaching of lignin. In addition, the presence of lignin led to the development ofl cracks in WPE composites, especially at high lignin contents. For the effect of UV weathering time, the carbonyl and vinyl indices, discoloration, and percentage crystallinity increased as a function of UV weathering times, whereas the melting temperature of HDPE in both neat HDPE and WPE composites and water absorption of specimens decreased; the wood index in WPE composites increased during the initial UV weathering times and then decreased at 720 h weathering time.
The vibrational properties of Chinese fir wood during moisture sorption process
Authors: Jiang Jiali , Lu Jianxiong , Cai Zhiyong
Published: June 2023

The vibrational properties of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) wood were investigated in this study as a function of changes in moisture content (MC) and grain direction. The dynamic modulus of elasticity (DMOE) and logarithmic decrement (δ) were examined using a cantilever beam vibration testing apparatus. It was observed that DMOE and δ of wood varied widely during moisture adsorption and desorption. The DMOE of wood conditioned by the adsorption process showed significant increases during the later stages of conditioning when the MC scarcely changed. However, with the desorption process, the DMOE did not increase as much during the later stages of conditioning, though they increased during the early stages of conditioning when the MC greatly decreased. These results suggest that wood in an unstable state, caused via the existing state of moisture, shows different vibrational behaviors. Furthermore, the parallel to grain direction showed much higher DMOE and lower δ when compared to the perpendicular to grain direction. The variation of vibrational properties between parallel and perpendicular to grain direction under constant MC and during moisture adsorption process could be attributed due to the microscopic, macroscopic molecular, as well as chemical constituents of wood.
Nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) as a potential reinforcement for high performance cement mortar composites
Authors: Ardanuy Mònica , Claramunt Josep , Arévalo Raquel , Parés Ferran , Aracri Elisabetta , Vidal Teresa
Published: June 2023

In this work, nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) has been evaluated as a potential reinforcement for cement mortar composites. Two types of vegetable fibres with different composition and properties (cellulose content and microfibrillar angle), sisal, and cotton linters pulps, were initially characterised in order to assess their reinforcing capability. Sisal pulp was found to be most suitable as reinforcement for the brittle cementitious matrix. Nanofibrillated cellulose was produced by the application of a high intensity refining process of the sisal pulp. It was found that 6 hours of refining time was required to obtain the desired nanofibrillation of the fibers. Cement mortar composites reinforced with both the sisal fibres and the nanofibrillated cellulose were prepared, and the mechanical properties were determined under flexural tests. The cement mortar composites reinforced with the nanofibrillated cellulose exhibited enhanced flexural properties, but lower values of fracture energy, than the ones reinforced with the conventional sisal fibres.
Optimization of handsheet greaseproof properties: The effects of furnish, refining, fillers, and binders
Authors: Perng Yuan-Shing , Wang Eugene I-Chen
Published: June 2023

Internal addition of fluorochemical greaseproof agent was applied to furnishes of different fibers, filler, binder types, and loadings to examine their effects under different degrees of refining on the greaseproof indicators such as air resistance, water absorption, and the Kit values of the resulting handsheets. The results showed that more refining tended to produce a tighter textured paper which was more suitable for the greaseproof purpose. The Kit values of the resulting handsheets were found to correlate with a polynomial regression equation of the Gurley air resistance (A) of the paper with an equation of Kit no. = 2.51 + 0.064 A – 0.002 A2. The results also showed that furnishes that blended northern softwood and Eucalyptus pulps at ratios from 25:75 to 75:25, depending on the strength requirements, had the best greaseproof performance. Among the fillers, sericite was superior to bentonite and PCC for contributing to greaseproof properties. However, filler loading exceeding 6.1% was undesirable. Soluble starch and polyvinyl alcohol were suitable binders for making greaseproof papers. Their dosages should be kept between 0.4 to 1.6%.
Conversion of glucose over SO42-/ZrO2-TiO2 catalysts in an extremely low acid system
Authors: Zhang Jun , Wu Shubin , Zhang Hongdan , Li Bo
Published: June 2023

SO42-/ZrO2-TiO2 catalysts prepared by precipitation and impregnation methods were employed for glucose conversion. The basic structures of the prepared catalysts were characterized by XRD, BET, NH3-TPD, XPS, and TEM techniques. The essential properties of SO42-/ZrO2 could be improved greatly by adding a suitable amount of TiO2. High BET area and pore volume favored glucose conversion. The conversion rate of glucose into levulinic acid catalyzed by SO42-/ZrO2-TiO2 increased significantly in an extremely low acid system, indicating that the acidic condition was favorable for levulinic acid formation. The combined yield of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and levulinic acid reached 28.8% with the presence of SO42-/ZrO2-TiO2 when the Zr-Ti molar ratio was 5:5 at 170°C for 2 h in the extremely low acid system. Studies on catalyst recycling were also further investigated in this study.
Purification and characterization of LiP produced by Schyzophyllum commune IBL-06 using banana stalk in solid state cultures
Authors: Asgher Muhammad , Irshad Muhammad , Iqbal Hafiz Muhammad Nasir
Published: June 2023

Lignin peroxidase was produced from Schyzophyllum commune IBL-06 through solid state fermentation of an abundantly available agro-industrial waste, banana stalk, under pre-optimized conditions. LiP was fractionated by 65% saturation with NH4SO4 and dialysis to 1.5-fold purification. The enzyme was further purified by Sephadex G-100 gel filtration chromatography to 2.34 fold with specific activity of 468 U/mg. A single band of 80 kDa was obtained on native gel while on sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and two bands having molecular weight of 33 & 47 kDa were obtained, suggesting that LiP was a two polypeptide oligomeric protein. The present LiP from S. commune IBL-06 was optimally active at pH 5 and 35oC. The stability assay showed that LiP retained activity in an acidic pH range of 4 to 6 and a temperature of 25 to 45°C after 24 h of incubation. Lignin peroxidase oxidized the vertry alcohol and showed kinetic constants KM and Vmax values of 0.46 mM and 388 mM/min, respectively. All organic and inorganic compounds inhibited S. commune LiP, but EDTA, β-Marcaptoethanol, and Pb(NO3)2 were the most inhibitory.
Degradation kinetics of monosaccharides in hydrochloric, sulfuric, and sulfurous acid
Authors: Shi Yan , Yokoyama Tomoya , Akiyama Takuya , Yashiro Makoto , Matsumoto Yuji
Published: June 2023

The degradation kinetics of monosaccharides during sulfurous acid treatment was compared to hydrochloric acid and to sulfuric acid treatments. Reaction conditions corresponded to the range found in previous research to allow for the production of hemicelluloses-derived monosaccharides through hydrolysis of wood. Degradation behavior of monosaccharides during treatment with each acid was expressed by a second-order reaction rate constant with respect to substrate and acid concentrations, and the activation energy and frequency factor were calculated using the Arrhenius equation. Results demonstrated that the second-order reaction rate of a monosaccharide was dependent on the type of acid, indicating that monosaccharides degrade at different rates under different acids, even when the molar concentration of the acid is the same. The degradation of monosaccharides in sulfurous acid was much slower than that in hydrochloric acid and in sulfuric acid. A comparison of two sequential treatments with sulfuric acid, with and without the bisulfite ion, showed that sulfurous acid has a protective effect on the degradation of monosaccharides.
Hydrophobization of bleached softwood kraft fibers via adsorption of organo-nanoclay
Authors: Jieming Chen , Yan Ning
Published: June 2023

Montmorillonite clay particles that had been prepared with an alklyl-ammonium surfactant were used to modify the moisture-sensitivity of bleached softwood kraft fibers through solvent exchange and adsorption methods. Moisture absorption and water uptake of the wood pulp fibers were significantly lower after the organo-nanoclay treatment. Thermal stability, surface energy, and surface morphology of the treated fibers were characterized using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Inverse Gas Chromatography (IGC), Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (SEM-EDX), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) imaging. The Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectral characteristics of the treated fibers were obtained to better understand the modified surface functional groups of the treated fibers. The treated bio-fibers had nano-scale surface roughness and a much reduced surface energy. The contact angle of water on the treated fiber mat was found to be higher than 160º. The thermal stability of the treated fibers was not affected by the modification.
Cellulose powder from olive industry solid waste
Authors: Hamed Othman A. , Fouad Yusra , Hamed Emad M. , Al-Hajj Nisreen
Published: June 2023

In the present work, a method for extracting cellulose from olive industry solid waste has been developed. The method involves subjecting solid olive waste to kraft pulping, followed by multistep bleaching processes. The totally free chlorine chemical bleaching sequence APEP was the most effective and gave an average cellulose yield of about 35%. The extracted cellulose was extensively characterized using FTIR, EMS, HPLC, and viscometry. Our key finding in this study is that the extracted cellulose was found to have physio-chemical properties that are similar to those of conventional microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). This is important, as our results show how lignocellulosic agricultural wastes can be utilized to produce high value cellulose powder.
Environmentally friendly soy-based bio-adhesive: Preparation, characterization, and its application to plywood
Authors: Chen Nairong , Lin Qiaojia , Rao Jiuping , Zeng Qinzhi , Luo Xiaolin
Published: June 2023

Defatted soy-based flour (DSF) modified with a combination of acid, salt, dicyandiamide, and alkali for preparing soy-based bio-adhesives (SBA) was investigated in this study. The resulting modified products from different reaction stages were characterized by FTIR, XPS, and TG. The results from FTIR and XPS indicated that the hydrolysis of the amide link and decarboxylation had occurred after the reaction by acid and salt; these reactions resulted in an increase of active groups, such as primary amine, carboxyl, and hydroxyl groups. The active groups were further increased by treatment with dicyandiamide and alkali. Curing the SBA resulted in the condensation and cross-linkage between active functional groups. Moreover, TG analysis proved that the active functional groups were increased during the modification process of the DSF, which was consistent with the results presented in FTIR and XPS. Finally, SBA was applied to plywood made from four wood species (basswood, Pinus massoniana, Triplochiton scleroxylon, and poplar) to test its water resistance performance. The average bonding strength between wood species was close to 0.91 MPa, which demonstrated that the SBA can be regarded as an alternative to petro-based adhesives.
Effects of press pressure on glue line thickness and properties of laminated veneer lumber glued with melamine urea formaldehyde adhesive
Authors: Kurt Ramazan , Cil Muhammet
Published: June 2023

Laminated veneer lumbers (LVLs) were manufactured from half-round sliced I-214 hybrid poplar clone veneers with MUF adhesives using press pressures ranging from 2.5 to 15 kg cm-2. The results showed that the press pressures affected the glue line thickness (GLT) and the physical and mechanical properties of the LVLs. Higher specific gravity (SG) and mechanical properties, but lower GLT were developed as a result of using higher press pressures. The optimum press pressure was found to be 10 kg cm-2 in relation to GLT, SG, and mechanical properties. Significant linear correlations were found between GLT and mechanical properties. GLT can be used to determine the quality of wood bonding and may become a valuable tool for this purpose. Reliable data on the optimum GLT and press pressures can be used to design safe wood bonding applications in all aspects of wood based composites, as well as wood constructions when appropriate techniques are adopted to measure the GLT.
Special physical training of qualified wrestlers of individual styles of wrestling
Authors: Tropin Yrui , Romanenko Vyacheslav , Korobeynikova Lesia , Boychenko Natalia , Podrihalo Olha
Published: June 2023

Background and Study Aim: Special physical preparedness of wrestlers is one of the main factors for achieving the highest possible results in competitive activity. Physical qualities can differ significantly among wrestlers of the same skill level, but different individual styles. In this regard, this study is aimed at improving the methods of special physical training of qualified wrestlers, taking into account individual styles of wrestling.

Material and Methods: The study involved 30 wrestlers of middle weight categories (72 kg, 77 kg, 82 kg). The participants were divided into two groups: control group - 15 athletes, average age (18.96±1.09) years, average weight (76.27±5.58) kg; experimental group - 15 people, average age (19.07±0.95) years, average weight (75.87±5.68) kg. All participants belonged to athletes of a high level of skill. Training tasks were developed to improve the methodology of special physical training of wrestlers, taking into account the styles of wrestling. The proposed program was tested in a pedagogical experiment that lasted one year. Significance of differences between groups was assessed using nonparametric signs (z) and Rosenbaum (Q) tests.

Results: during the experiment, the increase in the results of special physical preparedness among the wrestlers of the experimental group is much higher in all tests and it is in the range from 6% to 14%, and in the control group it is lower - from 2% to 3%. Also, these results were confirmed by a non-parametric criterion of signs. So, the wrestlers of the experimental group at the end of the experiment showed an improvement in performance. A significant increase in the results in the «Pull up» test was shown (z=1; p<0.01). The time to complete the tests significantly decreased: «10 back arch throws» (z=0; p<0.01), «10 suplexes» (z=0; p<0.01), «Flips on the gymnastic “bridge”» (z=0; p <0.01), «Running on the wrestling “Bridge”» (z=0; p<0.01), «10 forward somersaults» (z=0; p<0.01), «Three series of 15 back arch throws» (z=3; p<0.05). The number of repetitions in the tests increased: «Pull-up in 20 s» (z=4; p>0.05), «Push-up in 20 s» (z=4; р>0.05).

Conclusions: The fulfillment of the developed training tasks by the wrestlers of the experimental group made it possible at the end of the experiment to show significantly better results in terms of special physical fitness than the athletes of the control group (p<0.05-0.01). Such results testify to the effectiveness of the proposed methodology and the possibility of its implementation in the training process.
Sports branding as an object of scientific analysis based on the study of publications in the international scientometric database Scopus
Authors: Stadnyk Svitlana , Okun Daria , Bondar Anastasia , Sereda Natalia
Published: June 2023

Background and Study Aim: Sports branding is a systematic process of communication with a mass audience, aimed at creating a special sports culture: understanding the need to maintain a healthy lifestyle; maintaining interest in sports activities; formation of a positive image of the country through large-scale events, etc. Branding technologies are currently actively used not only by sports clubs, individual athletes, public authorities, but also by non-profit physical culture and sports organizations. Thus, this study was aimed at systematizing modern scientific ideas about sports branding. The purpose is a bibliometric analysis of sports branding research based on the study of publications in the international scientometric database Scopus.

Material and Methods: the literature on sports branding included in the Scopus database for the period from 1999 to 2023 was studied. Bibliometric methods of information processing were used in the context of sports branding. VOSviewer software was used for visual analysis in terms of publication, author, country, journals, citations and keywords with bibliometric mapping, visualization of cluster density, citation weights.

Results: after verification, a total of 160 publications from the Scopus database were included. The largest number of works relate to the following areas of research: Business, Management and Accounting, Social Sciences, etc. The leading country in terms of publication activity is the United States with 59 publications. As for the authors, Y. Dubinsky and A. Richelieu have published the largest number of works and made a great contribution to the study of sports branding. The biggest keyword cluster was sports, and the most popular keywords in recent years were: social media, branding, destination branding, sport tourism, content analyses, etc., which provides ideas for further research in this area.

Conclusions: the constructed bibliometric maps made it possible to determine the most popular areas of research to study the problem under study: sports branding as an effective tool for forming the country's image; branding of sports events; social media as a tool for sports branding; the importance of brands in the professional sports industry; athletes personal branding. The use of the VOSviewer program, version 1.6.18, made it possible to provide a comprehensive analysis of the problem, to identify priority research areas in this area: the principles of using sports branding as a mechanism for constructing a territorial brand, as well as technologies for promoting sports brands in social media.