bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Major Orthopedic Surgeries and Factor XIa Inhibitors
Authors: Jones Aaryana , Al-Horani Rami A.
Published: August 2023

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), comprising pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), poses a significant risk during and after hospitalization, particularly for surgical patients. Among various patient groups, those undergoing major orthopedic surgeries are considered to have a higher susceptibility to PE and DVT. Major lower-extremity orthopedic procedures carry a higher risk of symptomatic VTE compared to most other surgeries, with an estimated incidence of ~4%. The greatest risk period occurs within the first 7–14 days following surgery. Major bleeding is also more prevalent in these surgeries compared to others, with rates estimated between 2% and 4%. For patients undergoing major lower-extremity orthopedic surgery who have a low bleeding risk, it is recommended to use pharmacological thromboprophylaxis with or without mechanical devices. The choice of the initial agent depends on the specific surgery and patient comorbidities. First-line options include low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs), direct oral anticoagulants, and aspirin. Second-line options consist of unfractionated heparin (UFH), fondaparinux, and warfarin. For most patients undergoing knee or hip arthroplasty, the initial agents recommended for the early perioperative period are LMWHs (enoxaparin or dalteparin) or direct oral anticoagulants (rivaroxaban or apixaban). In the case of hip fracture surgery, LMWH is recommended as the preferred agent for the entire duration of prophylaxis. However, emerging factor XI(a) inhibitors, as revealed by a recent meta-analysis, have shown a substantial decrease in the occurrence of VTE and bleeding events among patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery. This discovery poses a challenge to the existing paradigm of anticoagulant therapy in this specific patient population and indicates that factor XI(a) inhibitors hold great promise as a potential strategy to be taken into serious consideration.
Evaluation of Tungsten—Steel Solid-State Bonding: Options and the Role of CALPHAD to Screen Diffusion Bonding Interlayers
Authors: Robin Ishtiaque Karim , Gräning Tim , Yang Ying , Haider Syeda Bushra , Lass Eric Andrew , Katoh Yutai , Zinkle Steven John
Published: August 2023

Critical aspects of innovative design in engineering disciplines like infrastructure, transportation, and medical applications require the joining of dissimilar materials. This study investigates the literature on solid-state bonding techniques, with a particular focus on diffusion bonding, as an effective method for establishing engineering bonds. Welding and brazing, while widely used, may pose challenges when joining materials with large differences in melting temperature and can lead to mechanical property degradation. In contrast, diffusion bonding offers a lower temperature process that relies on solid-state interactions to develop bond strength. The joining of tungsten and steel, especially for fusion reactors, presents a unique challenge due to the significant disparity in melting temperatures and the propensity to form brittle intermetallics. Here, diffusion characteristics of tungsten–steel interfaces are examined and the influence of bonding parameters on mechanical properties are investigated. Additionally, CALPHAD modeling is employed to explore joining parameters, thermal stability, and diffusion kinetics. The insights from this research can be extended to join numerous dissimilar materials for specific applications such as aerospace, automobile industry, power plants, etc., enabling advanced and robust design with high efficiency.
Improved YOLOv5 Network for Steel Surface Defect Detection
Authors: Huang Bo , Liu Jianhong , Liu Xiang , Liu Kang , Liao Xinyu , Li Kun , Wang Jian
Published: August 2023

Steel surface defect detection is crucial for ensuring steel quality. The traditional detection algorithm has low detection probability. This paper proposes an improved algorithm based on the YOLOv5 model to enhance detection probability. Firstly, deformable convolution is introduced in the backbone network, and a traditional convolution module is replaced by deformable convolution; secondly, the CBAM attention mechanism is added to the backbone network; then, Focal EIOU is used instead of the CIOU loss function in YOLOv5; lastly, the K-means algorithm is used to cluster the Anchor box, and the Anchor box parameters that are more suitable for this paper are obtained. The experimental results show that using deformable convolution instead of traditional convolution can get more feature information, which is more conducive to the learning of the network. This paper uses the CBAM attention mechanism, and the heat map of the attention mechanism shows that the CBAM attention mechanism is beneficial for feature extraction. Focal EIOU is optimized in high and wide loss compared with the CIOU loss function, which accelerates the convergence of the model. The Anchor box is more favorable for feature extraction. The improved algorithm achieved a detection probability of 78.8% in the NEU-DET dataset, which is 4.3% better than the original YOLOv5 network, and the inference time of each image is only increased by 1 ms; therefore, the optimized algorithm proposed in this paper is effective.
Compact Aluminium Foam Heat Exchangers
Authors: Fiedler Thomas , Movahedi Nima
Published: August 2023

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential application of metal foams in shell-tube recuperators. A356 aluminium foam was cast around the internal and external surfaces of a thin-walled copper tube to enhance heat transfer between separated water streams at different temperatures. The results demonstrated that the aluminium foam drastically increased heat transfer efficiency due to its large volumetric surface area and high thermal conductivity. In the shell-tube foam recuperators, a maximum heat transfer efficiency of 48.1% was observed, compared to only 12.2% for a single copper tube without metal foam. The pressure drop across the external foam increased with the flow rate, from an average value of 1.19 kPa at 1.0 L/min to 7.36 kPa at 3.0 L/min. These findings suggest that metal foams have great potential for use in shell-tube recuperators, which could significantly improve the efficiency of heat transfer in various industrial and engineering applications.
Structure Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Sheet Al–2Cu–1.5Mn–1Mg–1Zn (wt.%) Alloy Designed for Al20Cu2Mn3 Disperoids
Authors: Belov Nikolay , Akopyan Torgom , Tsydenov Kirill , Letyagin Nikolay , Fortuna Anastasya
Published: August 2023

This work was focused on studying the possibility of increasing the strength of non-heat-treatable sheet alloy Al2Cu1.5Mn (wt.%) by the joint addition of 1% Mg and 1% Zn. The effect of these elements on the structure and mechanical properties of the new sheet Al2Cu1.5Mn alloy designed for Al20Cu2Mn3 dispersoids has been studied by calculations and experimental methods. The obtained data on the phase composition, microstructure, and physical and mechanical properties of the new alloy for different processing routes (including hot rolling, cold rolling, and annealing) have been compared with those for the ternary Mg- and Zn-free alloy. It has been shown that the formation of nanosized Al20Cu2Mn3 dispersoids (~7 vol.%) provides for the preservation of the non-recrystallized grain structure after annealing at up to 400 °C (3 h), while Mg and Zn have a positive effect on the strength due to the formation of alloyed aluminum solid solution. As a result, cold-rolled sheets of the Al2Cu1.5Mn1Mg1Zn model alloy showed a substantially higher strength performance after annealing at 400 °C in comparison with the ternary reference alloy. In particular, the UTS is ~360 vs. ~300 MPa, and the YS is 280 vs. 230 MPa. For the example of the Al2Cu1.5Mn1Mg1Zn model alloy, it has been shown that the system is promising for designing new heat-resistant alloys as a sustainable alternative to the 2xxx alloys. The new alloy has an advantage over the commercial alloys (particularly, 2219, 2024, 2014), not only in manufacturability but also in thermal stability. The sheet production cycle for the model alloy is much shorter because the stages of homogenization, solution treatment, and water quenching are excluded.
Adsorption of Gold from Copper–Tartrate–ThiosulfateSolutions with Ion-Exchange Resins
Authors: Fu Yan , Chen Junnan , Xie Feng , Cao Zhichao , Wang Wei
Published: August 2023

The adsorption behavior of gold from copper–tartrate–thiosulfate solutions with ion-exchange resins was studied in this paper. Experimental parameters include resin dosage, pH, temperature, copper, tartrate, and thiosulfate concentration. A moderate increase in resin dosage, pH, temperature, and tartrate concentration is beneficial for gold adsorption, but an excessive tartrate concentration or higher temperature depresses the adsorption process. Increasing copper and thiosulfate concentrations may competitively occupy the active sites on the resin surface, leading to a reduction in the gold adsorption capacity. The XPS and FT-IR analyses indicate that copper and gold on the resin after adsorption mainly exist in the form of Cu+ and Au+, and sulfur mainly exists in the form of SO42− and S2O32−. This implies that the use of resin for gold recovery from thiosulfate leachate may face critical challenges because there is inevitably a higher content of copper and thiosulfate.
FeSiCr-Based Soft Magnetic Composites with SiO2 Insulation Coating Prepared Using the Elemental Silicon Powder Hydrolysis Method
Authors: Li Chunlong , Yu Hongya , Han Guangze , Liu Zhongwu
Published: August 2023

In this work, FeSiCr powders were coated with a SiO2 insulation layer for soft magnetic composites (SMCs) through elemental silicon powder hydrolysis, without using any expensive precursors. The effects of the reaction temperature and ammonia concentration on the structure and performance of SMCs were investigated. Through the elemental silicon powder hydrolysis process, the formation of an FeSiCr–SiO2 core-shell structure effectively reduced the core loss, increased resistivity, and improved the quality factor of SMCs. SMCs prepared with 0.10 mL/g ammonia concentration at 50 °C exhibited the best combination of properties, with saturation magnetization Ms = 169.40 emu/g, effective permeability μe = 40.46, resistivity ρ = 7.1 × 106 Ω·cm, quality factor Q = 57.07 at 1 MHz, and core loss Ps = 493.3 kW/m3 at 50 mT/100 kHz. Compared to the uncoated sample, SMCs with a SiO2 coating exhibit 23% reduction in Ps, with only 6.6% reduction in μe. Compared to SMCs fabricated using the traditional sol-gel method, the sample prepared through hydrolysis of elemental silicon powder has higher permeability and lower core loss. In particular, this new approach gives an effective coat solution for the mass production of high-temperature-resistant SMCs.
In Situ Study the Grooving Effect Induced by Ag Particles on Rapid Growth of Cu6Sn5 Grain at Sn-xAg/Cu Soldering Interface during the Heat Preservation Stage
Authors: Guo Bingfeng , Ma Haitao , Kunwar Anil , Wang Rongzhi , Zheng Han
Published: August 2023

Synchrotron radiation X-ray imaging technique was applied for in situ observation of Cu6Sn5 intermetallic compounds (IMC) growth in Sn/Cu and Sn-3.5Ag/Cu joints under isothermal temperature conditions of 250/300/350 °C and time duration of 1.5 h. The IMC in Sn-Ag solder was characterized by the formation of grooves during the interfacial reaction, and this can be attributed to the Ag content. Kinetically, the growth rate constants for the height of Cu6Sn5 were observed to increase with temperatures and the presence of Ag in solder. As compared to pure Sn solders, the Sn-3.5Ag solders were observed with interfacial IMC of greater height, smaller base width, and lowered aspect ratio.
Optimization of GMAW Process Parameters in Ultra-High-Strength Steel Based on Prediction
Authors: Netto Alnecino , Njock Bayock Francois Miterand , Kah Paul
Published: August 2023

Ultra-high-strength steel (UHSS) is a complex and sophisticated material that allows the development of products with reduced weight but increased strength and can assist, for example, in the automotive industry, saving fuel in vehicles and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. Welding UHSS has a certain complexity, mainly due to the higher alloys and heat treatments involved, which can result in a microstructure with higher sensitivity to welding. The primary purpose of the current work was to select the best parameters of the gas metal arc welding (GMAW) for welding the S960 material based on prediction methods. To achieve the expected results, a finite element analysis (FEA) was used to simulate and evaluate the results. It was found that the welding parameters and, consequently, the heat input derived from the process greatly affected the UHSS microstructure. Using FEA and estimating the extension of the heat-affected zone (HAZ), the peak temperature, and even the effect of distortion and shrinkage was possible. With an increase in the heat input of 8.4 kJ/cm, the estimated cooling rate was around 70 °C/s. The presence of a softening area in the coarse grain heat-affected zone (CGHAZ) of welded joints was identified. These results led to an increase in the carbon content (3.4%) compared to the base metal. These results could help predict behaviors or microstructures based on a few changes in the welding parameters.
Solidification Behavior of Undercooled Fe75B25 Alloy
Authors: Ma Changsong , Yang Lin , Li Jinfu
Published: August 2023

The paper presents a study of the phase selection and microstructure evolution of Fe75B25 alloy subjected to solidification at various undercoolings. The alloy invariably solidifies into a primary Fe2B phase and α-Fe/Fe2B eutectic at all the experimental undercoolings up to 381 K. A metastable Fe3B phase does not precipitate, although its growth in this alloy is favored without large-scale solute diffusion involved. It is shown that the phase selection is nucleation-controlled. Solid sites existing in the alloy melt seem more favorable for the nucleation of the Fe2B phase. As undercooling increases, primary the Fe2B phase changes its morphology complexly. It solidifies into coarse faceted dendrites at low undercoolings, developed non-faceted dendrites at moderate undercoolings, seaweeds with dense branches at higher undercoolings, and refined granular grains at undercooling above 147 K.
Anti-Pyretic, Analgesic, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Meloxicam and Curcumin Co-Encapsulated PLGA Nanoparticles in Acute Experimental Models
Authors: Aslam Bilal , Hussain Asif , Bari Muhammad Usman , Faisal Muhammad Naeem , Sindhu Zia ud Din , Alonaizan Rasha , Al-Akeel Rasha K. , Naz Shabana , Khan Rifat Ullah
Published: August 2023

Herein, we evaluated the in vivo effects of meloxicam and curcumin co-encapsulated PLGA nanoparticles in experimental acute models of pyrexia, nociception, and inflammation. Seven groups (n = 6) were designed for each investigation and pretreated intraperitoneally (i.p.): the control group, meloxicam (4 mg/kg b.w.), curcumin (15 mg/kg b.w.), and equivalent content containing PLGA capped nanoparticles of meloxicam (Mlx-NP) and curcumin (Cur-NP) alone and in combination (Mlx-Cur-NP; at two doses). The results showed that PLGA encapsulation significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved the in vivo activities of each compound. Furthermore, co-encapsulation of meloxicam and curcumin potentiated the anti-pyretic effect on yeast-induced pyretic rats, anti-nociceptive effect on nociception induced in rats by formalin and heat, and anti-edematogenic activity in xylene-induced ear edema in rats in a dose-dependent manner. In carrageenan-induced paw inflammation in rats, meloxicam and curcumin co-loading (Mlx-Cur-NP) resulted in significant (p ≤ 0.05) inhibition of paw inflammation, reduction in TNF-α and PGE2 levels, downregulation of expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), as well as a decrease in histopathological changes and TNF-α immunoexpression in paw tissues. Moreover, Mlx-Cur-NP demonstrated noteworthy potentiation in pharmacological effects compared to free compounds and mono-compound-loaded nanoparticles. Thus, the association of meloxicam with curcumin in a biodegradable nanocarrier system could provide a promising anti-pyretic, anti-nociceptive, and anti-inflammatory therapeutic approach for acute conditions.
Accumulation of Linoleic Acid by Altered Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-α Signaling Is Associated with Age-Dependent Hepatocarcinogenesis in Ppara Transgenic Mice
Authors: Zhu Xiaoyang , Liu Qing , Patterson Andrew D. , Sharma Arun K. , Amin Shantu G. , Cohen Samuel M. , Gonzalez Frank J. , Peters Jeffrey M.
Published: August 2023

Long-term ligand activation of PPARα in mice causes hepatocarcinogenesis through a mechanism that requires functional PPARα. However, hepatocarcinogenesis is diminished in both Ppara-null and PPARA-humanized mice, yet both lines develop age-related liver cancer independently of treatment with a PPARα agonist. Since PPARα is a master regulator of liver lipid metabolism in the liver, lipidomic analyses were carried out in wild-type, Ppara-null, and PPARA-humanized mice treated with and without the potent agonist GW7647. The levels of hepatic linoleic acid in Ppara-null and PPARA-humanized mice were markedly higher compared to wild-type controls, along with overall fatty liver. The number of liver CD4+ T cells was also lower in Ppara-null and PPARA-humanized mice and was negatively correlated with the elevated linoleic acid. Moreover, more senescent hepatocytes and lower serum TNFα and IFNγ levels were observed in Ppara-null and PPARA-humanized mice with age. These studies suggest a new role for PPARα in age-associated hepatocarcinogenesis due to altered lipid metabolism in Ppara-null and PPARA-humanized mice and the accumulation of linoleic acid as part of an overall fatty liver that is associated with loss of CD4+ T cells in the liver in both transgenic models. Since fatty liver is a known causal risk factor for liver cancer, Ppara-null and PPARA-humanized mice are valuable models for examining the mechanisms of PPARα and age-dependent hepatocarcinogenesis.
Metabolic Alteration of MCF-7 Cells upon Indirect Exposure to E. coli Secretome: A Model of Studying the Microbiota Effect on Human Breast Tissue
Authors: AlMalki Reem H. , Jaber Malak A. , Al-Ansari Mysoon M. , Sumaily Khalid M. , Al-Alwan Monther , Sabi Essa M. , Malkawi Abeer K. , Abdel Rahman Anas M.
Published: August 2023

According to studies, the microbiome may contribute to the emergence and spread of breast cancer. E. coli is one of the Enterobacteriaceae family recently found to be present as part of the breast tissue microbiota. In this study, we focused on the effect of E. coli secretome free of cells on MCF-7 metabolism. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) metabolomics was used to study the E. coli secretome and its role in MCF-7 intra- and extracellular metabolites. A comparison was made between secretome-exposed cells and unexposed controls. Our analysis revealed significant alterations in 31 intracellular and 55 extracellular metabolites following secretome exposure. Several metabolic pathways, including lactate, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, purine metabolism, and energy metabolism, were found to be dysregulated upon E. coli secretome exposure. E. coli can alter the breast cancer cells’ metabolism through its secretome which disrupts key metabolic pathways of MCF-7 cells. These microbial metabolites from the secretome hold promise as biomarkers of drug resistance or innovative approaches for cancer treatment, either as standalone therapies or in combination with other medicines.
A Comprehensive Study of Temperature and Its Effects in SOT-MRAM Devices
Authors: Hadámek Tomáš , Jørstad Nils Petter , de Orio Roberto Lacerda , Goes Wolfgang , Selberherr Siegfried , Sverdlov Viktor
Published: August 2023

We employ a fully three-dimensional model coupling magnetization, charge, spin, and temperature dynamics to study temperature effects in spin-orbit torque (SOT) magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM). SOTs are included by considering spin currents generated through the spin Hall effect. We scale the magnetization parameters with the temperature. Numerical experiments show several time scales for temperature dynamics. The relatively slow temperature increase, after a rapid initial temperature rise, introduces an incubation time to the switching. Such a behavior cannot be reproduced with a constant temperature model. Furthermore, the critical SOT switching voltage is significantly reduced by the increased temperature. We demonstrate this phenomenon for switching of field-free SOT-MRAM. In addition, with an external-field-assisted switching, the critical SOT voltage shows a parabolic decrease with respect to the voltage applied across the magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) of the SOT-MRAM cell, in agreement with recent experimental data.
A Porous Nanostructured ZnO Layer for Ultraviolet Sensing with Quartz Crystal Microbalance Technique
Authors: Asvarov Abil S. , Muslimov Arsen E. , Makhmudov Soslan S. , Kanevsky Vladimir M.
Published: August 2023

Porous films of metals and metal oxides have gained growing attention as potential materials for use in applications that require large, specific surface areas, such as sensors, supercapacitors, and batteries. In this study, a “black-metal”-like porous Zn–ZnO composite layer was grown by room temperature co-sputtering of Zn metal and ZnO:Ga (3 at/%) ceramic targets. Following deposition, a porous ZnO layer was obtained by a subsequent thermal annealing process at 400 °C in air. The morphology and structural properties of the obtained porous layered objects were analyzed. The porosity and chemical characteristics of the nanostructured ZnO layer obtained with the method herein described make it suitable to be used as a sensitivity-enhancing active layered element in quartz crystal microbalance (QCM)-based ultraviolet (UV) sensors. The prepared resonant ZnO/QCM sensors under UV radiation exhibited maximum shift up to 35 Hz for several “on-off” UV cycles, excellent response, and recovery times of 11 and 12 s, respectively.
Direct Simulation Monte Carlo Simulation of the Effect of Needle Valve Structures on the Rarefied Flow of Cold Gas Thrusters
Authors: Lu Songcai , Liu Xuhui , Wang Xudong , Zhang Shurui , Yu Yusong , Li Yong
Published: August 2023

The needle valve, serving as the flow control unit of the thruster system, is a crucial component of the entire thruster. Its performance directly impacts the flow state of the rarefied gas in the micro-nozzle structure of the cold gas micro-thruster, thereby exerting a significant influence on the high precision and stability of the propulsion system as a whole. This study examines the impact of different needle valve structures on the flow and thrust in micro-nozzles using the DSMC method. The analysis includes discussions on the spatial distribution, Kn distribution, slip velocity distribution, and pressure distribution of the micro-nozzle’s flow mechanism. Notably, increased curvature of the needle valve enhances the flow velocity in the throat and expansion section. The magnitude of the curvature directly affects the flow velocity, with larger curvatures resulting in higher velocities. Comparing different spool shapes, the conical spool shape minimizes the velocity gradient in the high-speed region at the junction between the spool area and the outlet pipe, particularly with a wide opening. Increasing the curvature of the spool leads to a higher velocity in the expansion section. Consequently, an arc-shaped spool valve maximizes the nitrogen flow at the nozzle during wide openings, thereby enhancing thrust. These research findings serve as a valuable reference for the structural design of the needle valve in the micro-nozzle of the cold gas micro-thruster.
Sphingomonas sediminicola Dae20 Is a Highly Promising Beneficial Bacteria for Crop Biostimulation Due to Its Positive Effects on Plant Growth and Development
Authors: Mazoyon Candice , Catterou Manuella , Alahmad Abdelrahman , Mongelard Gaëlle , Guénin Stéphanie , Sarazin Vivien , Dubois Fréderic , Duclercq Jérôme
Published: August 2023

Current agricultural practices rely heavily on synthetic fertilizers, which not only consume a lot of energy but also disrupt the ecological balance. The overuse of synthetic fertilizers has led to soil degradation. In a more sustainable approach, alternative methods based on biological interactions, such as plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPRs), are being explored. PGPRs, which include both symbiotic and free-living bacteria, form mutualistic relationships with plants by enhancing nutrient availability, producing growth regulators, and regulating stress responses. This study investigated the potential of Sphingomonas sediminicola Dae20, an α-Proteobacteria species commonly found in the rhizosphere, as a beneficial PGPR. We observed that S. sediminicola Dae20 stimulated the root system and growth of three different plant species in the Brassicaceae family, including Arabidopsis thaliana, mustard, and rapeseed. The bacterium produced auxin, nitric oxide, siderophores and showed ACC deaminase activity. In addition to activating an auxin response in the plant, S. sediminicola Dae20 exhibited the ability to modulate other plant hormones, such as abscisic acid, jasmonic acid and salicylic acid, which are critical for plant development and defense responses. This study highlights the multifunctional properties of S. sediminicola Dae20 as a promising PGPR and underscores the importance of identifying effective and versatile beneficial bacteria to improve plant nutrition and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
Sampling and Characterization of Bioaerosols in Poultry Houses
Authors: Smith Brooke L. , King Maria D.
Published: August 2023

Two poultry Confined Animal Feeding Units (CAFUs), “House A” and “House B”, were selected from the TAMU poultry facility for the study, and samples were collected over a five-day period. Bioaerosol sampling was conducted using a Wetted Wall Cyclone (WWC) bioaerosol collector at the two CAFU houses, in which House A housed approximately 720 broiler chickens and roosters, while House B remained unoccupied and served as a reference. Both houses consisted of 24 pens arranged on either side of a central walkway. Bacterial content analysis was conducted using microbial plating, real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) analysis, while ambient temperature and relative humidity were also monitored. The concentrations of microorganisms in House A showed a highly dynamic range, ranging from 4000 to 60,000 colony forming units (CFU) per cubic meter of air. Second, the WWC samples contained approximately ten-fold more bacterial DNA than the filter samples, suggesting higher levels of viable cells captured by the WWC. Third, significant concentrations of pathogens, including Salmonella, Staphylococcus, and Campylobacter, were detected in the poultry facility. Lastly, the WWC system demonstrated effective functionality and continuous operation, even in the challenging sampling environment of the CAFU. The goal of this study was to characterize the resident population of microorganisms (pathogenic and non-pathogenic) present in the CAFUs and to evaluate the WWC’s performance in such an environment characterized by elevated temperature, high dust content, and feathers. This knowledge could then be used to improve understanding microorganism dynamics in CAFUs including the spread of bacterial infections between animals and from animals to humans that work in these facilities, as well as of the WWC performance in this type of environment (elevated temperature, high content of dust and feathers). A more comprehensive understanding can aid in improving the management of bacterial infections in these settings.
Brucellosis and One Health: Inherited and Future Challenges
Authors: Moriyón Ignacio , Blasco José María , Letesson Jean Jacques , De Massis Fabrizio , Moreno Edgardo
Published: August 2023

One Health is the collaborative efforts of multiple disciplines to attain optimal health for people, animals and the environment, a concept that historically owes much to the study of brucellosis, including recent political and ethical considerations. Brucellosis One Health actors include Public Health and Veterinary Services, microbiologists, medical and veterinary practitioners and breeders. Brucellosis awareness, and the correct use of diagnostic, epidemiological and prophylactic tools is essential. In brucellosis, One Health implementation faces inherited and new challenges, some aggravated by global warming and the intensification of breeding to meet growing food demands. In endemic scenarios, disease awareness, stakeholder sensitization/engagement and the need to build breeder trust are unresolved issues, all made difficult by the protean characteristics of this zoonosis. Extended infrastructural weaknesses, often accentuated by geography and climate, are critically important. Capacity-building faces misconceptions derived from an uncritical adoption of control/eradication strategies applied in countries with suitable means, and requires additional reference laboratories in endemic areas. Challenges for One Health implementation include the lack of research in species other than cattle and small ruminants, the need for a safer small ruminant vaccine, the need to fill in the infrastructure gap, the need for realistic capacity-building, the creation of reference laboratories in critical areas, and the stepwise implementation of measures not directly transposed from the so-called developed countries.
Petrological Characteristics and Hydrocarbon Generation of Carbonate Source Rocks of the Permian Taiyuan Formation in Central and Eastern Ordos Basin, China
Authors: Yin Jie , Hu Ping , Guo Yu , Li Yuezhe , Luo Shunshe
Published: August 2023

In order to evaluate the hydrocarbon generation potential and effectiveness of the carbonate source rock from the Lower Permian Taiyuan Formation of the Upper Paleozoic gas reservoirs in the central and eastern Ordos Basin, 87 core samples from the formation were analyzed through the comprehensive application of core observation, thin section analysis, lithofacies division, and organic geochemistry experiments. The results show that the carbonate source rocks of the Taiyuan Formation comprise four lithofacies types with type I–II kerogen: laminar argillaceous micritic limestone, massive micrite, massive bioclastic micritic limestone, and massive algae-clotted limestone. Among them, laminar argillaceous micritic limestone and massive micrite are favorable lithofacies for high-quality source rocks, with a TOC distribution range of 0.99% to 6.07% (average 2.56%) and 0.24% to 8.27% (average 1.77%), respectively. Hydrous gold tube pyrolysis showed that the samples of laminar argillaceous micritic limestone and massive micrite attained a peak yield of nearly 115.0 mL/g TOC (heating rate 2 °C/h) and 101.4 mL/g TOC (heating rate 2 °C/h), respectively, for C1–5 compounds. Due to the higher maturity of the samples, the hydrocarbon gases were dominated by residual kerogen pyrolysis gases and lacked liquid hydrocarbon cracking gas. Furthermore, the carbonate source rocks had weak methane absorption ability, with a maximum adsorption capacity of only about 0.15 cm3/g. In addition, the hydrocarbon gas generation of carbonate source rocks of the Taiyuan Formation was far greater than 0.2 mL/g rock, which is the lower limit standard for effective gas source rock. Therefore, the carbonate source rocks of the Taiyuan Formation should be regarded as important gas source rocks in subsequent explorations of the central and eastern Ordos Basin.
Estimation of Energy Consumption for Concentrate Process of Tungsten Ore towards the Integration of Renewable Energy Sources in Mongolia
Authors: Son Taehun , Trinh Ha Bich , Kim Seunghyun , Dugarjav Bayasgalan , Lee Jaeryeong
Published: August 2023

It is important to estimate the energy required in ore processing to select the most affordable and efficient energy system for the integration of renewable resources into the mining industry. In the present work, the energy consumption for the concentrate of tungsten ore in Mongolia was theoretically predicted based on operational variations (particle size and the hardness of the tungsten ore) and different equipment. The energy was in the range from 0.48 to 1.32 kWh/t for the crushing stage, and a cone crusher was more suitable than a jaw crusher due to the particle size of feed material and product. The required energy in the grinding stage was from 6.22 to 11.88 kWh/t using a SAG mill or from 3.04 to 7.39 kWh/t using a ball mill. The further separation by a flotation consumed 4.83 kWh/t or by a shaking table consumed 1.29 kWh/t. The maximum energy consumption per hour for the whole process was estimated to be 2–3 MW, which was better to integrate with a hybrid renewable energy system. The sizing method Power Pinch Analysis was used to estimate the electric supply based on the combination of wind, biomass and solar resources, which was sufficient for the demand from the predicted range of energy.
Effect of Acidified Sodium Silicate on the Flotation Separation of Microfine Apatite from Chlorite in Seawater
Authors: Liao Su , Wu Yanming , Xiong Wenliang , Zhao Kaile , Gu Guohua , Wang Yanhong
Published: August 2023

In this work, selective flotation separation of microfine apatite and chlorite was achieved by using sodium oleate (NaOL) as a collector with a low dosage of acidified sodium silicate (ASS) as a depressant. The optimum ratio of sodium silicate to sulfuric acid for ASS was 5:3, and a good separation effect was also achieved in the mixed ore system. Compared to the deionized water system, the ions of Na+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ in seawater adsorbed on the surfaces of apatite and chlorite, which made the zeta potential of the two minerals shift positively. This presented a challenge to the selection of reagents for mineral separation. The addition of ASS changed the pH value of the pulp from weak alkalinity caused by seawater to weak acidity, which allowed the metal ions adsorbed on the mineral surface to desorb. Meanwhile, ASS can selectively adsorb on the desorbed chlorite surface in the form of Si(OH)4, which hindered the action of NaOL, leading to the depression of chlorite. NaOL adsorbed well on the desorbed surface of apatite and increased the apatite particle size from 27 μm to 229 μm, with a hydrophobic agglomeration effect, thus enhancing the flotation of microfine apatite.
An Overview of Soil Pollution and Remediation Strategies in Coal Mining Regions
Authors: Rouhani Abdulmannan , Skousen Jeff , Tack Filip M. G.
Published: August 2023

Coal remains a very important source of energy for the global economy. Surface and underground coal mining are the two major methods of coal extraction, and both have benefits and drawbacks. Surface coal mining can have a variety of environmental impacts including ecosystem losses, landscape alteration, soil destruction, and changes to surface and groundwater quality and quantity. In addition, toxic compounds such as heavy metals, radioactive elements, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and other organic contaminants are released in the environment, ultimately affecting the health of ecosystems and the general population. Underground mining has large impacts on underground water supplies and water quality, but generally has less visual surface impacts such as leaving waste and tailings on the surface and subsidence problems. In response to the concern about these environmental issues, many strategies have been developed by scientists and practitioners to minimize land degradation and soil pollution due to mining. Reclamation laws passed in numerous countries during the past 50 years have instituted practices to reduce the impacts of soil pollution including burying toxic materials, saving and replacing topsoil, and vegetating the land surface. While modern mining practices have decreased the environmental impacts, many sites are inadequately reclaimed and present long-lasting soil pollution problems. The current review summarizes progress in comprehending (1) coal mining impacts on soil pollution, (2) the potential risks of soil pollution associated with coal mining, and (3) different types of strategies for remediating these contaminated soils. Research and prospective directions of soil pollution in coal mining regions include refinements in assessing pollutant levels, the use of biochars and other amendments, phytoremediation of contaminated soils, and the release of toxic elements such as mercury and thallium.
Petrogenesis and Geochronology of the Shazuoquan Ophiolite, Beishan Orogenic Belt: Constraints on the Evolution of the Beishan Ocean
Authors: Meng Yong , Zhang Xin , Bai Jianke , Wang Kai , Qi Yaogang , Zhao Haibo , Han Yuan
Published: August 2023

The ophiolites in the Beishan Orogenic Belt provide important information about the evolution of the Beishan Ocean in the Paleozoic Era. We studied ophiolite petrology, geochemistry and isotopic chronology. The Shazouquan ophiolites consist of dunites, wehrlites, gabbros and anorthosites. Ophiolitic mélange belts are composed of matrixes and blocks, and different rocks are fault-bounded. Dunites and wehrlites are high in Mg#, Cr# and MgO, low in TiO2, relatively depleted in large-ion lithophile elements (Ti and P) and enriched in high-strength elements (U, Zr and Hf). They have a total REE of 1.25 × 10–6−5.39 × 10−6 and δEu of 1.12–3.54, which are similar to those of SSZ-type ophiolites, indicating that their parent magma source region may be a weakly depleted mantle source region. The anorthosite and gabbro are high in Al2O3, MgO and Mg#, low in TiO2, enriched in large-ion lithophile elements (Rb and Sr), and depleted in high-strength elements (Nb, Ta and Ti), but enriched in Zr and Hf. They have similar geochemical signatures to those of arc magmatic rocks. They are derived from the mantle peridotite formed against the tectonic background of subduction and modified by the fluid materials in the subduction zone. We collected anorthosite and gabbro, which were produced as ophiolite for U-Pb dating. The anorthosite yields a zircon U-Pb, aged 394 ± 11 Ma (MSWD = 0.84), and a gabbro zircon U-Pb, aged 466 ± 12 Ma (MSWD = 3.2), indicating that the Shazouquan ophiolite was formed in the Middle Ordovician–Early Devonian eras. Combining the above evidence, we conclude that the Beishan Ocean was in a subduction tectonic background from the Middle Ordovician to Early Devonian periods.
Molecular Dynamics Study on Crack Angle Effect on Amorphous Silica Fracture Performance
Authors: Cao Xingjian , Pan Yongtai , Zhang Chuan , Bi Yankun , Liu Pengfei , Wang Congcong , Tang Chenjie
Published: August 2023

To investigate the effect of crack angle on the fracture performance of brittle materials under tensile load, a molecular dynamics simulation method based on ReaxFF is used to establish an amorphous silica model through the high-temperature melting and annealing process. Under the simulation environment of 300 K, 1.013 × 105 Pa and 5 × 109 s−1, the impact of crack angle on the fracture performance of the model from three perspectives is analyzed: material mechanical properties, micro fracture process, and energy evolution. The result indicates that as the crack angle increases, the ultimate strain and stress of the model decrease accordingly. The crack propagation path of the model will exhibit a “Z” shape due to the coupling effect of tensile and shear stress. The elastic energy efficiency and new surface energy efficiency of the model increase with the increase in crack angle, and the most new surface is generated at 45° crack angle. The linear regression model and asymptotic regression model are used to fit the trends of elastic energy efficiency and new surface energy efficiency with crack angle, respectively, with correlation coefficients R2 of 0.986 and 0.994. In the actual comminution process, the input energy required for crushing as well as the surface area and morphology of the material after crushing can be changed by adjusting the angle between the load and the main crack of the material being broken.
Indolocarbazoles with Sterically Unrestricted Electron-Accepting Anchors Showcasing Aggregation-Induced Thermally Activated Delayed Mechanoluminescence for Host-Free Organic Light-Emitting Diodes
Authors: Mahmoudi Malek , Urbonas Ervinas , Volyniuk Dmytro , Gudeika Dalius , Dabrovolskas Kestutis , Simokaitiene Jurate , Dabuliene Asta , Keruckiene Rasa , Leitonas Karolis , Guzauskas Matas , Skhirtladze Levani , Stanitska Marija , Grazulevicius Juozas Vidas
Published: August 2023

We investigated the effects of sterically nonrestricted electron-accepting substituents of three isomeric indolocarbazole derivatives on their aggregation-induced emission enhancement, mechanochromic luminescence and thermally activated delayed fluorescence. The compounds are potentially efficient emitters for host-free organic light-emitting diodes. The films of indolocarbazole derivatives exhibit emissions with wavelengths of fluorescence intensity maxima from 483 to 500 nm and photoluminescence quantum yields from 31 to 58%. The ionization potentials of the solid samples, measured by photoelectron emission spectrometry, are in the narrow range of 5.78–5.99 eV. The electron affinities of the solid samples are in the range of 2.99–3.19 eV. The layers of the derivatives show diverse charge-transporting properties with maximum hole mobility reaching 10−4 cm2/Vs at high electric fields. An organic light-emitting diode with a light-emitting layer of neat compound shows a turn-on voltage of 4.1 V, a maximum brightness of 24,800 cd/m2, a maximum current efficiency of 12.5 cd/A and an external quantum efficiency of ca. 4.8%. When the compounds are used as hosts, green electroluminescent devices with an external quantum efficiency of ca. 11% are obtained. The linking topology of the isomeric derivatives of indolo[2,3-a]carbazole and indolo[3,2-b]carbazole and the electron-accepting anchors influences their properties differently, such as aggregation-induced emission enhancement, mechanochromic luminescence, thermally activated delayed fluorescence, charge-transporting, and electroluminescent properties. The derivative indolo[3,2-b]carbazole displays good light-emitting properties, while the derivatives of indolo[2,3-a]carbazole show good hosting properties, which make them useful for application in electroluminescent devices.
Simple Rate Expression for Catalyzed Ammonia Decomposition for Fuel Cells
Authors: Barat Robert B.
Published: August 2023

This paper examines NH3 decomposition rates based on a literature-proven six-step elementary catalytic (Ni-BaZrO3) mechanism valid for 1 × 105 Pa pressure in a 650–950 K range. The rates are generated using a hypothetical continuous stirred tank catalytic reactor model running the literature mechanism. Excellent correlations are then obtained by fitting these rates to a simple overall kinetic expression based on an assumed slow step, with the remaining steps in fast pseudo-equilibria. The robust overall simple rate expression is then successfully demonstrated in various packed bed reactor applications. This expression facilitates engineering calculations without the need for a complex, detailed mechanism solver package. The methodology used in this work is independent of the choice of catalyst. It relies on the availability of a previously published and validated elementary reaction mechanism.
Unfolding the Antibacterial Activity and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition Potential of Benzofuran-Triazole Hybrids: Synthesis, Antibacterial, Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition, and Molecular Docking Studies
Authors: Saeed Sadaf , Zahoor Ameer Fawad , Kamal Shagufta , Raza Zohaib , Bhat Mashooq Ahmad
Published: August 2023

In this study, a series of novel benzofuran-based 1,2,4-triazole derivatives (10a–e) were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory potential against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and bacterial strains (E. coli and B. subtilis). Preliminary results revealed that almost all assayed compounds displayed promising efficacy against AChE, while compound 10d was found to be a highly potent inhibitor of AChE. Similarly, these 5-bromobenzofuran-triazoles 10a–e were screened against B. subtilis QB-928 and E. coli AB-274 to evaluate their antibacterial potential in comparison to the standard antibacterial drug penicillin. Compound 10b was found to be the most active among all screened scaffolds, with an MIC value of 1.25 ± 0.60 µg/mL against B. subtilis, having comparable therapeutic efficacy to the standard drug penicillin (1 ± 1.50 µg/mL). Compound 10a displayed excellent antibacterial therapeutic efficacy against the E. coli strain with comparable MIC of 1.80 ± 0.25 µg/mL to that of the commercial drug penicillin (2.4 ± 1.00 µg/mL). Both the benzofuran-triazole molecules 10a and 10b showed a larger zone of inhibition. Moreover, IFD simulation highlighted compound 10d as a novel lead anticholinesterase scaffold conforming to block entrance, limiting the swinging gate, and disrupting the catalytic triad of AChE, and further supported its significant AChE inhibition with an IC50 value of 0.55 ± 1.00 µM. Therefore, compound 10d might be a promising candidate for further development in Alzheimer’s disease treatment, and compounds 10a and 10b may be lead antibacterial agents.
The Amoebicidal Activity of Diferrocenyl Derivatives: A Significant Dependence on the Electronic Environment
Authors: Toledano-Magaña Yanis , Néquiz Mario , Valenzuela-Salas Lucía Margarita , Sánchez-García Jessica J. , Galindo-Murillo Rodrigo , García-Ramos Juan Carlos , Klimova Elena I.
Published: August 2023

Amoebiasis is the second leading cause of death worldwide associated with parasitic disease and is becoming a critical health problem in low-income countries, urging new treatment alternatives. One of the most promising strategies is enhancing the redox imbalance within these susceptible parasites related to their limited antioxidant defense system. Metal-based drugs represent a perfect option due to their extraordinary capacity to stabilize different oxidation states and adopt diverse geometries, allowing their interaction with several molecular targets. This work describes the amoebicidal activity of five 2-(Z-2,3-diferrocenylvinyl)-4X-4,5-dihydrooxazole derivatives (X = H (3a), Me (3b), iPr (3c), Ph (3d), and benzyl (3e)) on Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites and the physicochemical, experimental, and theoretical properties that can be used to describe the antiproliferative activity. The growth inhibition capacity of these organometallic compounds is strongly related to a fine balance between the compounds’ redox potential and hydrophilic character. The antiproliferative activity of diferrocenyl derivatives studied herein could be described either with the redox potential, the energy of electronic transitions, logP, or the calculated HOMO–LUMO values. Compound 3d presents the highest antiproliferative activity of the series with an IC50 of 23 µM. However, the results of this work provide a pipeline to improve the amoebicidal activity of these compounds through the directed modification of their electronic environment.