bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of the Sintering Method on the Properties of a Multiferroic Ceramic Composite Based on PZT-Type Ferroelectric Material and Ni-Zn Ferrite
Authors: Bochenek Dariusz , Chrobak Artur , Dercz Grzegorz
Published: November 2022

This paper presents the research results of multiferroic ceramic composites obtained with three sintering methods, i.e., free sintering FS (pressureless), hot pressing HP, and spark plasma sintering SPS. The multiferroic composite was obtained by combining a ferroelectric material of the PZT-type (90%) and zinc-nickel ferrite (10%). Research has shown that the combination of a magnetic material and ferroelectric materials maintains the multiferroic good ferroelectric and magnetic properties of the composites for all sintering methods. A sample sintered with the HP hot pressing method exhibits the best parameters. In the HP method, the composite sample has high permittivity, equal to 910 (at room temperature) and 7850 (at the phase transition temperature), residual polarization 2.80 µC/cm2, a coercive field of 0.95 kV/mm, and the magnetization of 5.3 and 4.95 Am2/kg at −268 °C and RT, respectively. Optimal technological process conditions are ensured by the HP method, improving the sinterability of the ceramic sinter which obtains high density and proper material compaction. In the case of the SPS method, the sintering conditions do not allow for homogeneous growth of the ferroelectric and magnetic component grains, increasing the formation of internal pores. On the other hand, in the FS method, high temperatures favor excessive grain growth and an increase in the heterogeneity of their size. In obtaining optimal performance parameters of multiferroic composites and maintaining their stability, hot pressing is the most effective of the presented sintering methods.
Study on Mix Proportion Optimization and Microstructure of Coal-Based Solid Waste (CSW) Backfill Material Based on Multi-Objective Decision-Making Model
Authors: Zhao Xinyuan , Yang Ke , He Xiang , Wei Zhen , Yu Xiang , Zhang Jiqiang
Published: November 2022

The preparation of underground-backfill material from CSW can be used for large-scale disposal of solid waste. The proportion of backfill material plays an important role in transportation and backfilling effect, and the mix-proportion optimization of backfill material is essentially a multi-factor and multi-objective optimization problem. In this paper, to obtain the mix proportion of backfill materials with optimal comprehensive-evaluation indexes, and suitable for the engineering application, the fluidity and strength of backfill material, mainly composed of coal gangue(CG), fly ash (FA), flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGD gypsum), and gasification coarse slag (GCS), were tested by single-factor transformation method, and the effects of various solid wastes on the slump-flow, bleeding rate and early strength of backfill material were analyzed. The optimal mix proportion of CSW with the slump-flow, bleeding rate, and 3-day and 7-day strengths as the evaluation indicators is FA: GCS: FGD gypsum: CG = 25%:25%:25%:25%, according to the multi-objective decision model. Furthermore, the comprehensive evaluation index that meets the requirements of mine backfilling is obtained by changing the ordinary portland cement (OPC) content, that is, the optimal OPC content is 10% of the total solid waste, and the mass concentration is 78%. Finally, the pore structure, micromorphology, and composition of the backfill material with the optimal mix proportion were studied by Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry (MIP), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (SEM-EDS). The research results provide a good reference for the field application of CSW for underground backfilling.
Pressure Evolution of Ultrafast Photocarrier Dynamics and Electron–Phonon Coupling in FeTe0.5Se0.5
Authors: Li Muyun , Zhou Yan , Zhang Kai , Xu Guangyong , Gu Genda , Su Fuhai , Chen Xiaojia
Published: November 2022

Understanding the coupling between electrons and phonons in iron chalcogenides FeTexSe1−x has remained a critical but arduous project in recent decades. The direct observation of the electron–phonon coupling effect through electron dynamics and vibrational properties has been lacking. Here, we report the first pressure-dependent ultrafast photocarrier dynamics and Raman scattering studies on an iron chalcogenide FeTe0.5Se0.5 to explore the interaction between electrons and phonons in this unconventional superconductor. The lifetime of the excited electrons evidently decreases as the pressure increases from 0 to 2.2 GPa, and then increases with further compression. The vibrational properties of the A1g phonon mode exhibit similar behavior, with a pronounced frequency reduction appearing at approximately 2.3 GPa. The dual evidence reveals the enhanced electron–phonon coupling strength with pressure in FeTe0.5Se0.5. Our results give an insight into the role of the electron–phonon coupling effect in iron-based superconductors.
On the Use of NaOH Solution to Simulate the Crevice Conditions of a Nuclear Steam Generator
Authors: Hur Do-Haeng , Song Geun-Dong , Han Jeoh , Jeon Soon-Hyeok
Published: November 2022

The corrosion behavior and integrity of steam generator (SG) tube materials have frequently been tested in solutions containing sodium hydroxide (NaOH), assuming that NaOH is a typical contaminant concentrated in the crevices of SGs in a pressurized water reactor. The purpose of this study was to investigate the adequacy of using concentrated NaOH solutions to simulate the crevice environments of SGs. The dissolution behavior of magnetite deposit flakes formed in an operating SG was tested in a 0.4 wt.% NaOH solution at 300 °C, and the thermodynamic stability of magnetite was investigated using the potential-pH diagram for an iron–water system. The magnetite deposits were rapidly dissolved in the test solution, which was supported by the fact that magnetite is thermodynamically unstable under the test condition to dissolve to dihypoferrite ions (HFeO2−). These results indicate that research data obtained from concentrated NaOH solutions are not appropriate to apply to the crevice environments of SGs.
Research of Dynamic Tensile Properties of Five Rocks under Three Loading Modes Based on SHPB Device
Authors: Li Diyuan , Ma Jinyin , Zhu Quanqi , Li Bang
Published: November 2022

The validity of calculating the dynamic tensile strength of rock materials based on dynamic Brazilian tests is problematic. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the effects of three typical loading methods on the damage mechanism of rock specimens in the dynamic Brazilian tests, five different rocks were selected for the study. In the constant incident energy dynamic Brazilian test, the loading modes had a significant effect on the loading rate and dynamic tensile strength of the specimen, with the highest loading rate and tensile strength of the specimens under mode-III loading, followed by mode-I loading and mode-II loading. A high-speed camera and the digital image correlation (DIC) technique were used to successfully capture the rupture process of the Brazilian disc during impact loading. The evolution of the displacement and strain fields of the specimen was obtained by DIC technique, and four typical failure patterns and two rupture characteristics in the dynamic Brazilian test were summarized. The loading mode determined the crack initiation position of the specimen in the dynamic Brazilian test. The results showed that the mode-III loading is the most consistent with the Brazilian test theory, while the mode-II loading violates the test principle.
Effects of Mn-Depleted Zone Formation on Acicular Ferrite Transformation in Weld Metals under High Heat Input Welding
Authors: Song Fengyu , Yin Chaochao , Hu Fusheng , Wu Kaiming
Published: November 2022

In this present work, during high heat input welding of the weld metal, different types of Mn-depleted zones were achieved by different cooling rates. The effects of cooling rates on Mn-depleted zone formation and acicular ferrite (AF) transformation were analyzed. The Mn-depleted zone around the inclusions, as well as the interface concentration of Mn atoms, are found to be significantly different with different cooling rates. When the cooling rate is 10 °C/s, the interface concentration of Mn atoms around the inclusions is the lowest, the area of Mn-depleted zone is the smallest, and the proportion of AF in the weld metal is the highest. As the cooling rate decreases further, the interface concentration of Mn begins to rise, the area of the Mn-depleted zone gradually expands, and the proportion of AF decreases. However, when the cooling rate reaches 100 °C/s, only a very small amount of MnS precipitates, no Mn-depleted zone forms around the inclusions, and acicular ferrite cannot be produced effectively in the weld metal.
Comparative Investigation of the Influence of Ultrafine-Grained State on Deformation and Temperature Behavior and Microstructure Formed during Quasi-Static Tension of Pure Titanium and Ti-45Nb Alloy by Means of Infrared Thermography
Authors: Legostaeva Elena , Eroshenko Anna , Vavilov Vladimir , Skripnyak Vladimir , Chulkov Arsenii , Kozulin Alexander , Skripnyak Vladimir , Glukhov Ivan , Sharkeev Yurii
Published: November 2022

A comprehensive study was performed of the deformation and temperature behavior during quasi-static tension, as well as the peculiarities of accumulation and dissipation of energy during plastic deformation. Microstructural analysis at the pre-fracture stage of pure titanium and Ti-45Nb alloy in the coarse grain (CG) and ultrafine-grained (UFG) states was also conducted. It was shown that substructural and dispersion hardening leads to a change in the regularities of dissipation and accumulation energies during deformation of the samples of the pure titanium and Ti-45Nb alloy in the UFG state. Some features of structural transformations during deformation of the pure titanium and Ti-45Nb alloy samples in the CG and UFG states were studied. A band and cellular-network and fragmented dislocation structure was formed in the case of the CG state, while large anisotropic fragments were formed in the UFG state, thus specifying a local softening of the material before fracture.
Powertrain Modal Analysis for Defining the Requirements for a Vehicle Drivability Study
Authors: Longoni Federico , Hägglund Anders , Ripamonti Francesco , Pennacchi Paolo L. M.
Published: November 2022

The powertrain of a car plays a major role in establishing the vehicle’s offered comfort due to vibrations because it is the heaviest single component installed on the chassis; therefore, when oscillating, it transmits considerable forces to the chassis, inducing unwanted vibrations. For this reason, it is important to identify some associated properties with the powertrain suspension system that describe the performance of its rigid body dynamics. In this way, we could place constraints and requirements on these quantities in order to exclude all the configurations that cause intolerable levels of vibrations, and include all the others in the analysis for further evaluation. The definition of these requirements is critical: a poor setting of requirements excludes potentially good powertrain suspension setups and includes those ones with a drivability index that is too poor. In this paper, we identify a set of quantities that show correlation with the vibration performance of the powertrain setup. A method for testing the specificity of the requirements is also shown in order to evaluate which requirements perform best when it comes to filtering engine suspension setups that provide an acceptable level of vibrations.
Adaptive Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution with Discrete Modulation Regulative in Free Space
Authors: Zhu Yiwu , Mao Lei , Hu Hui , Wang Yijun , Guo Ying
Published: November 2022

The finite sampling bandwidth of an analog-to-digital converter has a negative effect on the continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD), which leaves a potential loophole for an eavesdropper and weakens the practical security of the system. To compensate for the loss in free space, we deploy an adaptive optics (AO) unit in the detector of the CVQKD system with discrete modulations. Since the closed-loop control bandwidth of the embedded AO unit can be optimized with the sampling frequency, the practical security of the system can be enhanced in terms of the secret key rate. The security analysis is demonstrated on the basis of the derived secret key rate with numerical simulations, providing a feasible implementation of CVQKD in realistic free-space environments.
A New Slack Lyapunov Functional for Dynamical System with Time Delay
Authors: Zhao Can , Shi Kaibo , Tang Yiqian , Zhong Shouming
Published: November 2022

The traditional method of constructing a Lyapunov functional for dynamical systems with time delay is usually dependent on positive definite matrices in the quadratic form. In this paper, a new Lyapunov functional is proposed and the corresponding proof is given. It do not require that all matrices in the quadratic form of Lyapunov functionals are positive definite, while the quadratic form is still positive definite, which makes the estimate more relaxed due to special construction of matrices. It is a general form and can be used in the performance analysis of a variety of dynamical systems. Moreover, a lemma concerning the quadratic function is applied to deal with the quadratic term of time-varying delay. Lastly, in the case of classical dynamical systems with time delay, the verification results are given to illustrate the usefulness of the new slack Lyapunov functional.
Evaluation of Rock Brittleness Based on Complete Stress–Strain Curve
Authors: Xu Liqi , Xu Xiaoli , Sun Yiming , Lu Tianci
Published: November 2022

As a basic mechanical property of rocks, brittleness is closely related to the drillability, wellbore stability, and rockburst characteristics of reservoir rocks. Accurate evaluation of rock brittleness is of great significance for guiding oil and gas production and reservoir reconstruction. This paper systematically introduced the commonly used brittleness evaluation methods based on the stress–strain curve and analyzed their theoretical background and mathematical models. Combined with practical engineering application, the characterization effect of commonly used brittleness indexes in various rock samples is verified and optimized, and it is obtained that the brittleness index (B17 in this paper), based on the stress–strain curve and considering energy conversion, has the best characterization result for rock brittleness, which has good differentiation for different rock samples. At the same time, considering that the stress–strain curve under high confining pressure may result in a significant yield plateau phenomenon before and after the peak strength, the endpoint of the plastic yield plateau is used to replace the peak point as the starting point for the drop of bearing capacity. The revised brittleness index is consistent with the changing trend of the original curve, which verifies the reliability of the model. Finally, the method for characterizing the brittleness of Class II curves is supplemented, and the combined brittleness index of rock is established, which verifies the rationality and correctness of the index and provide a more general evaluation method for rock brittleness in engineering.
Resiliency and Nonlinearity Profiles of Some Cryptographic Functions
Authors: Singh Deep , Paul Amit , Kumar Neerendra , Stoffová Veronika , Verma Chaman
Published: November 2022

Boolean functions are important in terms of their cryptographic and combinatorial properties for different kinds of cryptosystems. The nonlinearity and resiliency of cryptographic functions are crucial criteria with respect to protection of ciphers from affine approximation and correlation attacks. In this article, some constructions of disjoint spectra Boolean that function by concatenating the functions on a lesser number of variables are provided. The nonlinearity and resiliency profiles of the constructed functions are obtained. From the profiles of the constructed functions, it is observed that the nonlinearity of these functions is greater than or equal to the nonlinearity of some existing functions. Furthermore, in the security analysis of cryptosystems, 4th order nonlinearity of Boolean functions play a crucial role. It provides protection against various higher order approximation attacks. The lower bounds on 4th order nonlinearity of some classes of Boolean functions having degree 5 are provided. The lower bounds of two classes of functions have form Tr1n(λxd) for all x∈F2n,λ∈F2n*, where (i) d=2i+2j+2k+2ℓ+1, where i,j,k,ℓ are integers such that i>j>k>ℓ≥1 and n>2i, and (ii) d=24ℓ+23ℓ+22ℓ+2ℓ+1, where ℓ>0 is an integer with property gcd(ℓ,n)=1, n>8 are provided. The obtained lower bounds are compared with some existing results available in the literature.
Poincaré Map for Discontinuous Fractional Differential Equations
Authors: Eliašová Ivana , Fečkan Michal
Published: November 2022

We work with a perturbed fractional differential equation with discontinuous right-hand sides where a discontinuity function crosses a discontinuity boundary transversally. The corresponding Poincaré map in a neighbourhood of a periodic orbit of an unperturbed equation is found. Then, bifurcations of periodic boundary solutions are analysed together with a concrete example.
Algorithm for the Reconstruction of Mathematical Frame Models of Bacterial Transcription Regulation
Authors: Lakhova Tatiana N. , Kazantsev Fedor V. , Mukhin Aleksey M. , Kolchanov Nikolay A. , Matushkin Yury G. , Lashin Sergey A.
Published: November 2022

Transcription regulation plays an important role in bacterial activity. The operon concept coined by François Jacob and Jacques Monod has had a considerable effect on investigations into gene expression regulation, including modeling. However, most such studies have considered the regulation models devised manually for one or several operons. For that reason, the objective of the present study was automated genome model reconstruction for different bacteria. The suggested algorithm accounted for all possible interactions of transcription factors and their binding sites in an operon’s promoter region. Transcription factor enumeration was performed using the deep-first search technique. The obtained models are of interest for those involved in the research of transcription factor regulatory effects on bacterial gene expression in microbiology and biotechnology.
Optimal Parameters Selection in Advanced Multi-Metallic Co-Extrusion Based on Independent MCDM Analytical Approaches and Numerical Simulation
Authors: Fernández Daniel , Rodríguez-Prieto Álvaro , Camacho Ana M.
Published: November 2022

Multi-material co-extrusion is a complex thermo-mechanical forming process used to obtain bimetallic billets. Its complexity is due to the combination of diffusion phenomena in the interface of both materials together with the high temperature and pressure generated and the different flow stress characteristics created by the joining of dissimilar materials. Accordingly, the selection of optimal process parameters becomes key to ensure process feasibility. In this work, a comparison among different multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methodologies, together with different weighting methods, were applied to the simulation results by using DEFORM3D© software to select the optimal combination of process parameters to fulfil the criteria of minimum damage, extrusion force, and tool wear, together with the maximum reduction in the average grain size.
Tachism: Tri-Port Antenna with Triple Notching Characteristic and High Isolation System for MIMO Application
Authors: Basir Shahid , Khurshaid Tahir , Alimgeer Khurram Saleem , Akbar Madiha , Nauman Ali
Published: November 2022

A novel ultra-wideband (UWB) KAYI-shaped and common KITE-shaped ground plane tri-port antenna is proposed. The proposed research work has a small size of (30 × 30 × 1.6 mm3). The MIMO antenna elements are placed in a KAYI-shaped (Y-shaped) with a symmetric phase shift of 120∘ between the nearby MIMO antennas element improving the isolation. The antenna’s gain is more than 5 dBi for the entire bands of WiMax, WLAN, and X-band satellite communication. The suggested work includes notches at 3.2 GHz, 5.2 GHz, and 8.9 GHz, respectively. The notching characteristics are made possible by L-shaped slits for the WiMax band, the inverted U-shaped slot for WLAN, while the third is created by the interaction between the L-shaped and U-shaped notching elements. Results were measured after making the prototype antenna on the FR-4 substrate. The proposed antenna has good impedance matching for 2–20 GHz and three notching characteristics with high isolation among the MIMO elements. Mean effective gain (MEG), envelope correlation coefficient (ECC), and total active reflection coefficient (TARC) are the diversity metrics of MIMO antennas which are in good comparison to the proposed antenna. The antenna is a good candidate for deployment in wireless communication and MIMO applications.
New Guanidine Alkaloids Batzelladines O and P from the Marine Sponge Monanchora pulchra Induce Apoptosis and Autophagy in Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Dyshlovoy Sergey A. , Shubina Larisa K. , Makarieva Tatyana N. , Guzii Alla G. , Hauschild Jessica , Strewinsky Nadja , Berdyshev Dmitrii V. , Kudryashova Ekaterina K. , Menshov Alexander S. , Popov Roman S. , Dmitrenok Pavel S. , Graefen Markus , Bokemeyer Carsten , von Amsberg Gunhild
Published: November 2022

Two new guanidine alkaloids, batzelladines O (1) and P (2), were isolated from the deep-water marine sponge Monanchora pulchra. The structures of these metabolites were determined by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and ECD. The isolated compounds exhibited cytotoxic activity in human prostate cancer cells PC3, PC3-DR, and 22Rv1 at low micromolar concentrations and inhibited colony formation and survival of the cancer cells. Batzelladines O (1) and P (2) induced apoptosis, which was detected by Western blotting as caspase-3 and PARP cleavage. Additionally, induction of pro-survival autophagy indicated as upregulation of LC3B-II and suppression of mTOR was observed in the treated cells. In line with this, the combination with autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine synergistically increased the cytotoxic activity of batzelladines O (1) and P (2). Both compounds were equally active in docetaxel-sensitive and docetaxel-resistant prostate cancer cells, despite exhibiting a slight p-glycoprotein substrate-like activity. In combination with docetaxel, an additive effect was observed. In conclusion, the isolated new guanidine alkaloids are promising drug candidates for the treatment of taxane-resistant prostate cancer.
Gelatin from Saithe (Pollachius virens) Skin: Biochemical Characterization and Oxidative Stability in O/W Emulsions
Authors: Yesiltas Betül , Robert Chloé , Petersen Heidi Olander , Jessen Flemming , Ajalloueian Fatemeh , Mohammadifar Mohammad Amin , Jacobsen Charlotte , Sloth Jens J. , Jakobsen Greta , Casanova Federico
Published: November 2022

This study performed the extraction of gelatin from saithe (Pollachius virens) skin and compared it to commercial marine gelatin. As a first stage, we investigated the physicochemical and biochemical properties of the gelatin. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed the presence of α-chains, β-chains, and other high-molecular-weight aggregates. DSC thermograms showed typical gelatin behavior, while the FTIR spectra were mainly situated in the amide band region (amide A, amide B, amide I, amide II, and amide III). In the second stage, we produced O/W emulsions and analyzed their physical and oxidative stability over 9 days. Oil droplets stabilized with the gelatins obtained from saithe fish skin had a size of ~500 nm and a ζ-potential ~+25 mV, which is comparable to oil droplets stabilized with commercial gelatin products. Moreover, the oxidative stability of the emulsions stabilized with gelatin from saithe fish skin showed promising results in terms of preventing the formation of some volatile compounds towards the end of the storage period compared to when using the commercial gelatins. This study indicates the potential application of fish skin gelatin in the fields of food and cosmetics, as well as suggesting that further investigations of their techno-functional properties.
CATASAN Is a New Anti-Biofilm Agent Produced by the Marine Antarctic Bacterium Psychrobacter sp. TAE2020
Authors: D’Angelo Caterina , Casillo Angela , Melchiorre Chiara , Lauro Concetta , Corsaro Maria Michela , Carpentieri Andrea , Tutino Maria Luisa , Parrilli Ermenegilda
Published: November 2022

The development of new approaches to prevent microbial surface adhesion and biofilm formation is an emerging need following the growing understanding of the impact of biofilm-related infections on human health. Staphylococcus epidermidis, with its ability to form biofilm and colonize biomaterials, represents the most frequent causative agent involved in infections of medical devices. In the research of new anti-biofilm agents against S. epidermidis biofilm, Antarctic marine bacteria represent an untapped reservoir of biodiversity. In the present study, the attention was focused on Psychrobacter sp. TAE2020, an Antarctic marine bacterium that produces molecules able to impair the initial attachment of S. epidermidis strains to the polystyrene surface. The setup of suitable purification protocols allowed the identification by NMR spectroscopy and LC-MS/MS analysis of a protein–polysaccharide complex named CATASAN. This complex proved to be a very effective anti-biofilm agent. Indeed, it not only interferes with cell surface attachment, but also prevents biofilm formation and affects the mature biofilm matrix structure of S. epidermidis. Moreover, CATASAN is endowed with a good emulsification activity in a wide range of pH and temperature. Therefore, its use can be easily extended to different biotechnological applications.
Citrus Bergamia and Cynara Cardunculus Reduce Serum Uric Acid in Individuals with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Ferro Yvelise , Maurotti Samantha , Mazza Elisa , Pujia Roberta , Sciacqua Angela , Musolino Vincenzo , Mollace Vincenzo , Pujia Arturo , Montalcini Tiziana
Published: November 2022

Background and Objectives: Hyperuricemia and liver steatosis are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and mortality. The use of natural compounds could be a safe and effective alternative to drugs for the treatment of fatty liver and hyperuricemia. Polyphenolic fraction of Citrus Bergamia in association with the extract of Cynara Cardunculus, as nutraceutical, is able to reduce body weight, hepatic steatosis and markers of oxidative stress. Then, we performed a secondary analysis of a double-blind placebo-controlled trial to examine the effects of this nutraceutical on serum uric acid levels in adults with fatty liver. Materials and Methods: The study included 94 individuals with hepatic steatosis. For six weeks, the intervention group was given a nutraceutical (300 mg/day) comprising a Bergamot polyphenol fraction and Cynara Cardunculus extract. The control group received a daily pill of placebo. Serum uric acid, lipids, glucose and anthropometric parameters were assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks. Results: We found a greater reduction in serum uric acid in the participants taking the nutraceutical rather than placebo (−0.1 ± 0.7 mg/dL vs. 0.3 ± 0.7 mg/dL, p = 0.004), and especially in those with moderate/severe hepatic steatosis also after adjustment for confounding variables. In addition, we analysed the two groups according to tertiles of uric acid concentration. Among participants taking the nutraceutical, we found in those with the highest baseline serum uric acid (>5.4 mg/dL) the greater reduction compared to the lowest baseline uric acid (−7.8% vs. +4.9%; adjusted p = 0.04). The stepwise multivariable analysis confirmed the association between the absolute serum uric acid change and nutraceutical treatment (B = −0.43; p = 0.004). Conclusions: A nutraceutical containing bioactive components from bergamot and wild cardoon reduced serum uric acid during 6 weeks in adults with fatty liver. Future investigations are needed to evaluate the efficacy of this nutraceutical in the treatment of hyperuricaemia.
The Management of Pediatric Acute Appendicitis—Survey among Pediatric Surgeons in Romania
Authors: Bălănescu Radu , Bălănescu Laura , Kadar Anna Maria , Enache Tudor , Moga Andreea
Published: November 2022

Background and Objectives: To assess the current practice pattern in the management of pediatric acute appendicitis in Romania. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was emailed to all the members of the Romanian Society of Pediatric Surgery between June–July 2022. Results: 118 answers were received, 79.7% responses being from permanent staff members. In the diagnosis of appendicitis, complete blood count, C-reactive protein and abdominal ultrasound are the most commonly used diagnostic tools, while appendicitis scores are not widely used (25% of surgeons). In the case of simple appendicitis, 49.2% of surgeons prefer the conservative approach—oral/intravenous antibiotics. Those who choose the operative approach begin preoperative antibiotics in 56.7% of patients. In case of a stable patient, only 16.7% of surgeons will operate during the night. Laparoscopic approach is chosen by 51.7% of surgeons. In the case of a complicated appendicitis, 92.4% of surgeons will perform the appendectomy, prescribing preoperative antibiotics in 94% of the cases and continuing the therapy postoperatively in 98.2%. Laparoscopic approach is used by 28.8% of surgeons in case of complicated appendicitis. In presence of appendicular mass, 80% prefer a conservative approach with a delayed appendectomy within 6 months. Appendicular abscesses are managed operatively in 82.2% of the cases. The appendix is sent for histological analysis by 95.8% of surgeons. If the peritoneal cavity is contaminated, 95% of the respondents will take a sample for microbiological analysis, 71% will always place a drainage and 44% will always irrigate (71.9%-saline). Conclusions: Clearly, there seems to be a lack of consensus regarding several aspects of the management of acute appendicitis in children. In addition, minimally invasive surgery is not as widely used as reported, despite literature support.
Vision-Related Quality of Life and Treatment Satisfaction Following Panretinal Photocoagulation in Diabetic Retinopathy—A Panel Study
Authors: Vasilijević Jelena B. , Kovačević Igor M. , Bukumirić Zoran M. , Marić Gorica D. , Slijepčević Nikola A. , Pekmezović Tatjana D.
Published: November 2022

Background and Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate vision-related quality of life (VR-QOL) and treatment satisfaction (TS) in patients with diabetic retinopathy treated with panretinal photocoagulation (PRP). Material and Methods: The panel study included 95 patients who underwent PRP for diabetic retinopathy. Eligible patients with no history of previous PRP were interviewer-administered the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) and Retinopathy Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (RetTSQ) beforehandand one month after the last session of laser application. The study was conducted between June 2017 and June 2019 at tertiary care center in Serbia, Belgrade. We assessed pre- to post-PRP values of the composite score and subscale scores of VFQ-25 and RetTSQ, using a paired samples t-test. Univariate logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between binary outcomes and potential predictors. Multivariate regression included predictors from univariate analyses that were statistically significant. Results: The mean VFQ-25 composite score was 65.4 ± 17.4 before and 63.3 ± 19.5 after PRP (p = 0.045). Subscale analysis showed that two of the 11 items achieved a significant decrease after laser application (general vision and dependency). The mean RetTSQ score at baseline was 60.0 ± 11.8 and at the exit visit was 60.3 ± 12.3 (p = 0.858). Sub-scale analysis showed significant deterioration for five of the 13 items. Multivariate logistic regression found that significant predictor of VFQ-25 composite score reduction was fewer laser burns (p = 0.002) while significant predictor of RetTSQ total score reduction was presence of hyperlipidaemia (p = 0.021). Conclusion: The use of vision-related quality of life and treatment satisfaction questionnaires in conjunction with clinical examination, appears to provide a more comprehensive overview of an individual’s daily well-being following PRP. Laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy leads to deterioration of some of the patients’ perceived VR-QOL and TS. Health-care providers should inform patients about their treatment options and together decide which therapeutic method is best for them.
Smart Superhydrophobic Filter Paper for Water/Oil Separation and Unidirectional Transportation of Liquid Droplet
Authors: Zhang Yu-Ping , Wang Ning , Chen De-Liang , Chen Yuan , Chen Meng-Jun , Chen Xin-Xin
Published: November 2022

Water/oil separation from their mixture and emulsion has been a prominent topic in fundamental research and in practical applications. In this work, a smart superhydrophobic membrane (SHP) was obtained by dipping an off-the-shelf laboratory filter paper in an ethanol suspension of trichloro (1H,1H,2H,2H-tridecafluoro-n-octyl) silane, tetraethyl orthosilicate, and titanium dioxide nanoparticles with different dimensions of 20 and 100 nm. The selection of membrane substrates was optimized including different quantitative and quantitative filter papers with different filtration velocity (slow, intermediate, and fast). The as-prepared SHP was demonstrated to be superhydrophobic and photosensitive, which was used in the separation of carbon tetrachloride and water from their mixture and emulsion. Moreover, orderly aligned micropores were formed for the modified superhydrophobic filter papers by using nanosecond laser. Unidirectional penetration was obtained for the UV-irradiated paper with a bored pore in the range of 50–500 μm in the systems of air/water and water/oil. This study may promote the understanding of unidirectional transportation of liquid droplet and facilitate the design of interfacial materials with Janus-type wettability.
Hybrid Membrane Technology for Acid Recovery from Wastewater in Coated Steel Wire Production: A Pilot Scale Study
Authors: Loza Sergey , Loza Natalia , Korzhov Alexander , Romanyuk Nazar , Kovalchuk Nikita , Melnikov Stanislav
Published: November 2022

In the present study, the problem of sulfuric acid recycling from spent copper plating solution was solved using a hybrid membrane technology, including diffusion dialysis and electrodialysis. A real solution from the production of copper-coated steel wire, containing 1.45 mol/L of sulfuric acid, 0.67 mol/L of ferrous sulfate and 0.176 mol/L of copper sulfate, was processed. Diffusion dialysis with anion-exchange membranes was used to separate sulfuric acid and salts of heavy metals. Then, purified dilute sulfuric acid was concentrated by electrodialysis. The energy consumption for sulfuric acid electrodialysis concentration at a current density of 400 A/m2 was 162 W·h/mol, with a current efficiency of 16%. After processing according to the hybrid membrane scheme, the solution contained 1.13 mol/L sulfuric acid, 0.077 mol/L ferrous sulfate and 0.022 mol/L copper sulfate. According to established requirements, the solution of a copper plating bath had to contain from 0.75 to 1.25 M sulfuric acid, 0.16–0.18 M of copper sulfate and ferrous sulfate not more than 0.15 M. The resulting acid solution with a small amount of ferrous sulfate and copper sulfate could be used to prepare a copper plating bath solution.
Bipolar Membranes Containing Iron-Based Catalysts for Efficient Water-Splitting Electrodialysis
Authors: Song Hyeon-Bee , Kang Moon-Sung
Published: November 2022

Water-splitting electrodialysis (WSED) process using bipolar membranes (BPMs) is attracting attention as an eco-friendly and efficient electro-membrane process that can produce acids and bases from salt solutions. BPMs are a key component of the WSED process and should satisfy the requirements of high water-splitting capability, physicochemical stability, low membrane cost, etc. The water-splitting performance of BPMs can be determined by the catalytic materials introduced at the bipolar junction. Therefore, in this study, several kinds of iron metal compounds (i.e., Fe(OH)3, Fe(OH)3@Fe3O4, Fe(OH)2EDTA, and Fe3O4@ZIF-8) were prepared and the catalytic activities for water-splitting reactions in BPMs were systematically analyzed. In addition, the pore-filling method was applied to fabricate low-cost/high-performance BPMs, and the 50 μm-thick BPMs prepared on the basis of PE porous support showed several times superior toughness compared to Fumatech FBM membrane. Through various electrochemical analyses, it was proven that Fe(OH)2EDTA has the highest catalytic activity for water-splitting reactions and the best physical and electrochemical stabilities among the considered metal compounds. This is the result of stable complex formation between Fe and EDTA ligand, increase in hydrophilicity, and catalytic water-splitting reactions by weak acid and base groups included in EDTA as well as iron hydroxide. It was also confirmed that the hydrophilicity of the catalyst materials introduced to the bipolar junction plays a critical role in the water-splitting reactions of BPM.
Highly Sensitive Self-Powered Biomedical Applications Using Triboelectric Nanogenerator
Authors: Kamilya Tapas , Park Jinhyoung
Published: November 2022

The triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is a promising research topic for the conversion of mechanical to electrical energy and its application in different fields. Among the various applications, self-powered bio-medical sensing application has become popular. The selection of a wide variety of materials and the simple design of devices has made it attractive for the applications of real-time self-powered healthcare sensing systems. Human activity is the source of mechanical energy which gets converted to electrical energy by TENG fitted to different body parts for the powering up of the biomedical sensing and detection systems. Among the various techniques, wearable sensing systems developed by TENG have shown their merit in the application of healthcare sensing and detection systems. Some key studies on wearable self-powered biomedical sensing systems based on TENG which have been carried out in the last seven years are summarized here. Furthermore, the key features responsible for the highly sensitive output of the self-powered sensors have been briefed. On the other hand, the challenges that need to be addressed for the commercialization of TENG-based biomedical sensors have been raised in order to develop versatile sensitive sensors, user-friendly devices, and to ensure the stability of the device over changing environments.
A Dual-Band, Dual-Polarized Filtering Antenna Based on Cross-Shaped Dielectric Strip Resonator
Authors: Jin Lixin , Tang Hui , Shi Jin , Lin Longlong , Xu Kai
Published: November 2022

A dual-band, dual-polarized filtering antenna with a cross-shaped dielectric strip resonator is proposed. The dual-band filtering radiation function is achieved by utilizing the odd and even modes of the stub loaded microstrip resonator to excite the TMδ1 and TMδ3 mode in each polarization direction of the cross-shaped dielectric strip resonator. The cross-shaped dielectric strip resonator is synthesized by the E-field distributions and the magnitude comparison along different polarization directions, which can ensure the isolation between two polarizations. Compared with dual-band filtering dielectric antennas, the proposed antenna has the characteristic of dual-polarized radiation, as well as a low profile. A prototype is fabricated and measured, which operates at 3.5 GHz and 4.9 GHz with the fractional bandwidths (FBW) of 5.40% and 2.03%, respectively, and the gains of these two bands are 6.4 dBi and 6.2 dBi, respectively. The two radiation nulls are located at 4.4 GHz and 5.1 GHz. Furthermore, the measured isolation between the two ports in the frequency band can achieve 16 dB.
A Novel Memristive Neural Network Circuit and Its Application in Character Recognition
Authors: Zhang Xinrui , Wang Xiaoyuan , Ge Zhenyu , Li Zhilong , Wu Mingyang , Borah Shekharsuman
Published: November 2022

The memristor-based neural network configuration is a promising approach to realizing artificial neural networks (ANNs) at the hardware level. The memristors can effectively simulate the strength of synaptic connections between neurons in neural networks due to their diverse significant characteristics such as nonvolatility, nanoscale dimensions, and variable conductance. This work presents a new synaptic circuit based on memristors and Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor(CMOS), which can realize the adjustment of positive, negative, and zero synaptic weights using only one control signal. The relationship between synaptic weights and the duration of control signals is also explained in detail. Accordingly, Widrow–Hoff algorithm-based memristive neural network (MNN) circuits are proposed to solve the recognition of three types of character pictures. The functionality of the proposed configurations is verified using SPICE simulation.
Thermal-Resistance Effect of Graphene at High Temperatures in Nanoelectromechanical Temperature Sensors
Authors: Lei Shuai , Su Ningning , Li Mengwei
Published: November 2022

Graphene membranes act as temperature sensors in nanoelectromechanical devices due to their excellent thermal and high-temperature resistance properties. Experimentally, reports on the sensing performance of graphene mainly focus on the temperature interval under 400 K. To explore the sensing performance of graphene temperature sensors at higher temperature intervals, micro-fabricated single-layer graphene on a SiNX substrate is presented as temperature sensors by semiconductor technology and its electrical properties were measured. The results show that the temperature coefficient of the resistance value is 2.07 × 10−3 in the temperature range of 300–450 K and 2.39 × 10−3 in the temperature range of 450–575 K. From room temperature to high temperature, the “metal” characteristics are presented, and the higher TCR obtained at higher temperature interval is described and analyzed by combining Boltzmann transport equation and thermal expansion theory. These investigations provide further insight into the temperature characteristics of graphene.
Editorial for the Special Issue on Advances in Ultra-Precision Machining Technology and Applications
Authors: Cheung Benny C. F. , Guo Jiang
Published: November 2022

Ultra-precision machining technology has been widely used in the manufacture of many mission-critical components for various industrial areas, such as the advanced optics, photonics aerospace, automotive, telecommunications, biomedical and energy and environmental sectors, among others [...]
Object Detection Based on the GrabCut Method for Automatic Mask Generation
Authors: Wu Hao , Liu Yulong , Xu Xiangrong , Gao Yukun
Published: November 2022

The Mask R-CNN-based object detection method is typically very time-consuming and laborious since it involves obtaining the required target object masks during training. Therefore, in order to automatically generate the image mask, we propose a GrabCut-based automated mask generation method for object detection. The proposed method consists of two stages. The first stage is based on GrabCut’s interactive image segmentation method to generate the mask. The second stage is based on the object detection network of Mask R-CNN, which uses the mask from the previous stage together with the original input image and the associated label information for training. The Mask R-CNN model then automatically detects the relevant objects during testing. During experimentation with three objects from the Berkeley Instance Recognition Dataset, this method achieved a mean of average precision (mAP) value of over 95% for segmentation. The proposed method is simple and highly efficient in obtaining the mask of a segmented target object.
ANN-Based Instantaneous Simulation of Particle Trajectories in Microfluidics
Authors: Zhang Naiyin , Liang Kaicong , Liu Zhenya , Sun Taotao , Wang Junchao
Published: November 2022

Microfluidics has shown great potential in cell analysis, where the flowing path in the microfluidic device is important for the final study results. However, the design process is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Therefore, we proposed an ANN method with three dense layers to analyze particle trajectories at the critical intersections and then put them together with the particle trajectories in straight channels. The results showed that the ANN prediction results are highly consistent with COMSOL simulation results, indicating the applicability of the proposed ANN method. In addition, this method not only shortened the simulation time but also lowered the computational expense, providing a useful tool for researchers who want to receive instant simulation results of particle trajectories.
PafS Containing GGDEF-Domain Regulates Life Activities of Pseudomonas glycinae MS82
Authors: Chen Xianyi , Qu Shaoxuan , Luo Xin , Lu Shi-En , Liu Youzhou , Li Huiping , Hou Lijuan , Lin Jinsheng , Jiang Ning , Ma Lin
Published: November 2022

Cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) is synthesized by diguanylate cyclase (DGC) with the GGDEF domain. As a ubiquitous bacterial second messenger, it regulates diverse life-activity phenotypes in some bacteria. Although 38 genes encoding GGDEF-domain-containing proteins have been identified in the genome of the Pseudomonas glycinae strain MS82, whether c-di-GMP functions as a facilitator or repressor of life-activity phenotypes is poorly understood. In this study, one of the 38 genes containing a GGDEF domain in MS82, PafS was investigated to explore its regulatory function in bacterial life activities. The PafS-deletion mutant ΔPafS and reversion mutant PafS-comp were constructed by the method of biparental conjugation and homologous recombination. The life activities of the mutants, such as antifungal activity, biofilm formation ability, polysaccharide content, and motor behavior, were explored. The results showed that all life-activity phenotypes were significantly reduced after knocking out PafS, whereas all were significantly restored to a similar level to that of MS82 after the complementation of PafS. These results suggested that PafS plays an important role in the regulation of a range of cellular activities by c-di-GMP in P. glycinae MS82.