bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Small Power Margin and Bandwidth Expansion Allow Data Transmission during Rainfall despite Large Attenuation: Application to GeoSurf Satellite Constellations at mm–Waves
Authors: Matricciani Emilio
Published: April 2024

The traditional approach of considering the probability distribution of rain attenuation leads to provide very large power margin (overdesign) in data channels. We have extended a method which, with a small power margin, bandwidth expansion and variable symbol rate, avoids overdesign and can transfer the same data volume as if the link were in clear–sky conditions. It is characterized only by the link mean efficiency, suitably defined. It is useful only if: (a) data must be up– and downloaded when it is raining; (b) real–time communication is not required. We have applied it to the links of GeoSurf satellite constellations (in which, at any latitude of ground stations, propagation paths are at the local zenith) by simulating rain attenuation time series at 80 GHz (mm–wave)–the new frontier of satellite frequencies–with the Synthetic Storm Technique, from rain–rate time series recorded on–site, at sites located in different climatic regions. The power margin to be implemented at 80 GHz ranges from 2.0 dB to 7.4 dB–well within the current technology–regardless the instantaneous rain attenuation. The clear–sky bandwidth is expanded 1.75 to 2.80 times, a factor not large per se, but it may challenge current technology if the clear–sky bandwidth is already large.
Engineering Improvement of the Core Layers of Charge Trapping Flash Memory Based on Doped HfO2 and Segmented Fabrication
Authors: Wang Kexiang , Lu Jie , Xiang Zeyang , Wang Zixuan , Jin Huilin , Li Ranping , Jiang Ran
Published: April 2024

An engineering approach was applied to modify the core layers of charge-trapping flash (CTF) memory—the blocking layer, charge-trapping layer, and tunneling layer. The doping of Ti in the charge-trapping layer and the use of Si-doped HfO2 for the tunneling layer could optimize charge capture and leakage control. This design enhances programming and erasing speeds and increases overall device stability by creating more corner fields and using the Coulomb blockade effect. Experimental results demonstrate a larger memory window and better charge retention for the new device at the same charge-trapping layer thickness. These findings signify the advancement of the new CTF memory in balancing fast programming and long-term charge retention. The long-standing contradiction between charge capturing and retention could be partially resolved by using this engineering method.
Design of 2.5 Bit Programmable Metasurface Unit Cell for Electromagnetic Manipulation
Authors: Luan Yuchen , Lu Yuyang , Ren Jian , Sun Fukun
Published: April 2024

Programmable metasurfaces are two-dimensional electromagnetic structures characterized by a low profile, conformability, and the ability to flexibly manipulate the amplitude and phase of electromagnetic waves. For high-quality beam scanning with the metasurface, it is essential that the metasurface possesses high-precision phase response quantization characteristics. This paper constructs a reflection-type metasurface unit cell featuring four P-I-N diodes and six operating states. To address the unit cell’s complexity and optimization challenges, we developed an automatic optimization algorithm, derived from the genetic optimization algorithm, for the metasurface unit cell. This algorithm was used to optimize a six-phase reflective 2.5 bit programmable metasurface cell operating at 5 GHz. The unit cell’s prototype was fabricated and measured to verify the design. Additionally, a metasurface comprising 16 × 16 unit cells was designed and simulated. The results highlight the metasurface unit cell’s excellent phase response quantization characteristics, and investigate the impact of quantization accuracy on beam scanning.
Edge-Enhanced Dual-Stream Perception Network for Monocular Depth Estimation
Authors: Liu Zihang , Wang Quande
Published: April 2024

Estimating depth from a single RGB image has a wide range of applications, such as in robot navigation and autonomous driving. Currently, Convolutional Neural Networks based on encoder–decoder architecture are the most popular methods to estimate depth maps. However, convolutional operators have limitations in modeling large-scale dependence, often leading to inaccurate depth predictions at object edges. To address these issues, a new edge-enhanced dual-stream monocular depth estimation method is introduced in this paper. ResNet and Swin Transformer are combined to better extract global and local features, which benefits the estimation of the depth map. To better integrate the information from the two branches of the encoder and the shallow branch of the decoder, we designed a lightweight decoder based on the multi-head Cross-Attention Module. Furthermore, in order to improve the boundary clarity of objects in the depth map, a loss function with an additional penalty for depth estimation error on the edges of objects is presented. The results on three datasets, NYU Depth V2, KITTI, and SUN RGB-D, show that the method presented in this paper achieves better performance for monocular depth estimation. Additionally, it has good generalization capabilities for various scenarios and real-world images.
StegoDCF: A New Covert Channel for Smart Grids Utilizing the Channel Access Procedure in Wi-Fi Networks
Authors: Natkaniec Marek , Dyrcz Jakub
Published: April 2024

Wi-Fi networks within the smart grid play a vital role in enabling communication between smart meters and data collectors. They are also frequently used in automation and metering, distribution control and monitoring, and distribution protection. However, a significant challenge arises from the uncertainty surrounding the genuine identity of data recipients. In this paper, we propose an efficient and novel covert channel that leverages the IEEE 802.11 DCF to transmit data requiring a high level of security. It is also the world’s first covert channel supporting quality of service (QoS). Our protocol was implemented and tested in the ns-3 simulator, achieving very high-performance results. Its performance remains robust even under saturated network conditions with additional background traffic generated by other stations. This covert channel presents a novel approach to securely transmitting large amounts of QoS data within the smart grid.
Optimizing the Building Refurbishment Process Using Improved Evolutionary Algorithms
Authors: Nicolae Adriana Elena , Necula Horia , Căruțașiu Bogdan Mihail
Published: April 2024

An optimization model that may be applied to analyze building retrofit strategies is presented in this research. The aim of this research paper is to identify the optimal thermal envelope configuration that will assure the minimum energy requirement for heating in the case of a residential building, while also considering price restrictions obtained through a specific market survey. To achieve this, several values for the following parameters are considered: thermal insulation materials’ conductivities and thicknesses, windows’ overall heat transfer coefficients and total solar energy transmittance and doors’ thermal proprieties. Additionally, this paper presents a method used to find the best option from among the available heat pumps that could cover most of the energy requirements for heating and domestic hot water systems, also considering the products’ prices. The proposed method is based on a Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) model developed in the Pymoo (Multi-Objective Optimization in Python) library. The result shows that the energy requirement for heating can be reduced by up to approximately 75% compared to that obtained in the case of a non-insulated building by using suitable insulation materials and doors and windows with superior thermal proprieties chosen by the NSGA-II.
Effect of Inlet Pressure on the Biodegradability Index of Cavitated Herbal Waste
Authors: Lebiocka Magdalena , Montusiewicz Agnieszka , Szaja Aleksandra
Published: April 2024

This paper analyzes the effect of inlet pressure on the index of biodegradability of cavitated herbal waste (HW) following its suspension in mechanically treated wastewater (MTW) for further biological processes. Hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) was carried out at inlet pressures of 3.5, 5.0, and 7.0 bar. The BOD5/COD ratio increased by 30% between the 5th and 10th minutes of the process, with the inlet pressure amounting to 3.5 bar, which indicated increased biodegradability of HW. For the higher inlet pressures used, the value of the biodegradability index (BI) increased by 23% and 13% for 5.0 and 7.0 bar, respectively, after 60 min of the process. The value of COD as well as the VS, TS, TC and TOC concentrations dropped for each analyzed inlet pressure, which indicated that complex organic compounds were effectively destroyed. The highest disintegration degree (DDCOD) was achieved with an inlet pressure of 3.5 bar. SEM analysis was performed to analyze the changing morphological structure of the HW. It was proven that the structural morphology of the herbal waste was significantly influenced by hydrodynamic cavitation, which could affect subsequent biological processing.
An Efficient Methodology to Identify Relevant Multiple Contingencies and Their Probability for Long-Term Resilience Studies
Authors: Ciapessoni Emanuele , Cirio Diego , Pitto Andrea
Published: April 2024

The selection of multiple contingency scenarios is a key task to perform resilience-oriented long-term planning analyses. However, the identification of relevant multiple contingencies may easily lead to combinatorial explosion issues, even for relatively small systems. This paper proposes an effective methodology for the identification of relevant multiple contingencies and their probabilities, suitable for the long-term resilience analysis of large power systems. The methodology is composed of two main pillars: (1) the clustering of lines that are more likely to fail together, to reduce the computational complexity of the analysis exploiting historical weather data and (2) the probability-based identification of multiple contingencies within each cluster, where the contingency probability is computed applying the copula theory. Tests performed on a portion of the Italian EHV transmission system confirm the validity of the clustering results compared against historical failure events. Moreover, the copula-based algorithm for contingency probability estimation passes the tests carried out on relatively large clusters with very low error tolerance. The method successfully pinpoints critical multiple contingency scenarios and their likelihoods, making it valuable for assessing power system resilience over long-term horizons in support of resilience-oriented planning activities.
Passive Super-Twisting Second-Order Sliding Mode Control Strategy for Input Stage of MMC-PET
Authors: Zhou Jingtao , Zhou Jianping , Yang Hao , Huang Liegang
Published: April 2024

When the operating state of the power system changes, a modular multilevel converter power electronic transformer (MMC-PET) based on modular multilevel converters cannot perform efficient energy transfer and power conversion under conventional control strategies. To address the above problems, this paper proposes a passive, second-order super-helical sliding mode control strategy for MMC-PET by combining passive control and second-order super-helical sliding mode control with a stronger anti-interference capability. First, a Euler–Lagrange model based on positive and negative sequence separation is established according to the mathematical model of the MMC; second, the model of the system is passively analyzed, and a passive controller is designed according to its passivity, and the passive controller is further optimized by using the super-helical second-order sliding mode control, which improves the overall robustness and interference immunity; finally, the effectiveness and superiority of the super-twisting second-order sliding mode passive control strategy is demonstrated by verifying it through the construction of the MMC-PET simulation model and testing it under various non-ideal working conditions.
Age, Growth, and Otolith Morphometrics of Trachinus draco (L., 1758) and Trachinus radiatus (Cuvier, 1829) in the Eastern Mediterranean
Authors: Nikiforidou Vasiliki , Mytilineou Chryssi , Alexandropoulos Athanasios , Anastasopoulou Aikaterini
Published: April 2024

Trachinus draco and Trachinus radiatus are two bycatch species of low commercial value and no sufficient knowledge on their biological features. In the present study, the weight–length relationship, age, growth, and ten otolith morphometric variables of these species were investigated in the southwestern Aegean Sea for the first time. Positive allometric and isometric growth in the weight were defined in T. draco and T. radiatus. The weight–length relationship was described by the parameters α = 0.002415 and b = 3.35745 in T. draco and α = 0.007582 and b = 3.09452 in T. radiatus. The von Bertalanffy growth function parameters were L∞ = 44.51 cm, k = 0.15 year−1, and t0 = −1.31 years for T. draco and L∞ = 58.47 cm, k = 0.16 year−1, and t0 = −0.78 years for T. radiatus. Ten otolith variables (radius, length, width, area, perimeter, roundness, circularity, form factor, rectangularity, and ellipticity) showed a significant relationship with size for both species, except the ellipticity in T. radiatus. The mean values of all the otolith variables were higher in T. radiatus than in T. draco. The otolith of T. radiatus was found to become more rectangular with size as compared to the otolith of T. radiatus. The results of this work can support further research on the behavioral and ecological features of the two species.
Using Single-Particle Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry to Determine the Changes of Silver Nanoparticles in Bread Induced via Simulated Digestion
Authors: Revenco Diomid , Hakenová Martina Fialová , Mestek Oto , Koplík Richard
Published: April 2024

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), widely used in various fields of technology as an antimicrobial agent, represent a new type of environmental pollutant. Through various routes, AgNPs might penetrate into agricultural crops and foodstuffs. It is important to know if AgNPs contained in food persist in digested food and are therefore available for entering the inner organs of the consumer’s body. Using the technique of single-particle ICP-MS, we analysed the changes in the number and size distribution of AgNPs added to a sample of bread submitted to in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion. The majority of silver, in terms of mass, was transformed from the state of particles to the dissolved state during bread digestion, but the number of particles was reduced by 25% only. The most abundant particle size was reduced from 60 nm to 49 nm. Hence, a substantial part of transformed nanoparticles is still present in food digestate. This means that AgNPs consumed together with food can theoretically enter the inner cells of human body.
Effect of Mechanical Damage in Green-Making Process on Aroma of Rougui Tea
Authors: Lin Fuming , Wu Huini , Li Zhaolong , Huang Yan , Lin Xiying , Gao Chenxi , Wang Zhihui , Yu Wenquan , Sun Weijiang
Published: April 2024

Rougui Tea (RGT) is a typical Wuyi Rock Tea (WRT) that is favored by consumers for its rich taste and varied aroma. The aroma of RGT is greatly affected by the process of green-making, but its mechanism is not clear. Therefore, in this study, fresh leaves of RGT in spring were picked, and green-making (including shaking and spreading) and spreading (unshaken) were, respectively, applied after sun withering. Then, they were analyzed by GC-TOF-MS, which showed that the abundance of volatile compounds with flowery and fruity aromas, such as nerolidol, jasmine lactone, jasmone, indole, hexyl hexanoate, (E)-3-hexenyl butyrate and 1-hexyl acetate, in green-making leaves, was significantly higher than that in spreading leaves. Transcriptomic and proteomic studies showed that long-term mechanical injury and dehydration could activate the upregulated expression of genes related to the formation pathways of the aroma, but the regulation of protein expression was not completely consistent. Mechanical injury in the process of green-making was more conducive to the positive regulation of the allene oxide synthase (AOS) branch of the α-linolenic acid metabolism pathway, followed by the mevalonate (MVA) pathway of terpenoid backbone biosynthesis, thus promoting the synthesis of jasmonic acid derivatives and sesquiterpene products. Protein interaction analysis revealed that the key proteins of the synthesis pathway of jasmonic acid derivatives were acyl-CoA oxidase (ACX), enoyl-CoA hydratase (MFP2), OPC-8:0 CoA ligase 1 (OPCL1) and so on. This study provides a theoretical basis for the further explanation of the formation mechanism of the aroma substances in WRT during the manufacturing process.
Development and Characterization of Gelatin-Based Hydrogels Containing Triblock Copolymer and Phytic Acid
Authors: Ajvazi Njomza , Milošev Ingrid , Cerc Korošec Romana , Rodič Peter , Božić Bojan
Published: April 2024

In recent research, significant interest has been directed towards gelatin-based hydrogels due to their affordable price, extensive availability, and biocompatibility, making them promising candidates for various biomedical applications. The development and characterization of novel hydrogels formed from varying ratios of gelatin, triblock copolymer Pluronic F-127, and phytic acid have been presented. Swelling properties were examined at different pH levels. The morphology of hydrogels and their thermal properties were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis of the hydrogels was also performed. The introduction of phytic acid in the hydrogel plays a crucial role in enhancing the intermolecular interactions within gelatin-based hydrogels, contributing to a more stable, elastic, and robust network structure.
MdSGR2 Negatively Regulates Chlorophyll Degradation in Apple
Authors: Xue Shiyi , Yao Pei , Kang Jiwei , Zheng Xiong , Liu Chang , Gao Yan , Zhang Dehui , Zhang Xiaojun , Hao Yanyan
Published: April 2024

The color of an apple is an important index of its appearance quality, which affects the fruit’s marketability and value. The green variety “Granny Smith” remains green when ripe, and the pigment in the peel is mainly chlorophyll. The chlorophyll in the peel of the yellow variety “Golden Delicious” degrades as the fruit ripens. To explore the different mechanisms of chlorophyll degradation in the “Golden Delicious” and “Granny Smith” varieties, transcriptomic analysis was performed on the mature peels of both cultivars. High-quality sequences totaling 48,206,940 and 48,796,646 raw bases, as well as 9632 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), were identified. A total of 1206 DEGs were classified in 118 KEGG metabolic pathways. Additionally, 3258 transcription factors from 428 gene families were predicted, and DEGs associated with chlorophyll degradation, including MdSGR2, MdNYC1 and MdHCAR, were identified. Subsequently, the MdSGR2 gene was isolated from the mature peel of “Granny Smith” apples. Subsequent subcellular localization analysis confirmed that MdSGR2 specifically targets chloroplasts. The transient overexpression of MdSGR2 was found to negatively regulate chlorophyll degradation, leading to the inhibition or deceleration of chlorophyll breakdown, thereby maintaining green coloration in the leaves and peel. Conversely, silencing MdSGR2 positively regulated chlorophyll degradation, resulting in chlorosis in the leaves and peel. These findings offer valuable insights into the regulatory mechanism governing apple fruit coloration and lays a solid foundation for further investigation in this field.
An Update on Implant-Associated Malignancies and Their Biocompatibility
Authors: Keane Tahmaseb Grace C. , Keane Alexandra M. , Foppiani Jose A. , Myckatyn Terence M.
Published: April 2024

Implanted medical devices are widely used across various medical specialties for numerous applications, ranging from cardiovascular supports to orthopedic prostheses and cosmetic enhancements. However, recent observations have raised concerns about the potential of these implants to induce malignancies in the tissues surrounding them. There have been several case reports documenting the occurrence of cancers adjacent to these devices, prompting a closer examination of their safety. This review delves into the epidemiology, clinical presentations, pathological findings, and hypothesized mechanisms of carcinogenesis related to implanted devices. It also explores how the surgical domain and the intrinsic properties and biocompatibility of the implants might influence the development of these rare but serious malignancies. Understanding these associations is crucial for assessing the risks associated with the use of medical implants, and for developing strategies to mitigate potential adverse outcomes.
Gut Microbiota Affects Host Fitness of Fall Armyworm Feeding on Different Food Types
Authors: Ma Lin , Wang Daotong , Ren Qilin , Sun Jiaqi , Zhang Lei , Cheng Yunxia , Jiang Xingfu
Published: April 2024

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, seriously threatens food and cash crops. Maize, wheat, and even rice damage by FAWs have been reported in many areas of China. It is urgent to clarify the mechanism which FAWs adapt to different feeding hosts and develop effective control technologies. Two-sex life tables and 16s rDNA sequencing were used to determine the host fitness and gut microbial diversity of FAWs when fed four different food types. Considering the life history parameters, pupa weight, and nutrient utilization indexes, the host fitness of FAWs when fed different food types changed in descending order as follows: artificial diet, maize, wheat, and rice. The gut microbial composition and the diversity of FAWs when fed different food types were significantly different, and those changes were driven by low-abundant bacteria. The gut microbes of FAWs that were fed with maize had the highest diversity. The functions of the gut microbes with significant abundance differences were enriched in nutrient and vitamin metabolism and other pathways that were closely related to host adaptation. Furthermore, we identified five genera (Acinetobacter, Variovorax, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Serratia) and one genus (Rahnella) that were positively and negatively correlated with the host fitness, respectively. This study revealed the possible role of gut microbes in the host adaptation of FAWs.
The Real-World Effectiveness, Persistence, Adherence, and Safety of Janus Kinase Inhibitor Baricitinib in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Long-Term Study
Authors: Calvo-Garcia Alberto , Ramírez Herráiz Esther , Llorente Cubas Irene María , Varas De Dios Blanca , Benedí González Juana , Morell Baladrón Alberto , García-Vicuña Rosario
Published: April 2024

Background/Aim: Baricitinib (BAR) is the first oral selective Janus kinase inhibitor approved in Europe for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Real-world data are still needed to clarify its long-term benefits/risk profile. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness, persistence, adherence, and safety of BAR in a real-world setting. Methods: An ambispective study was conducted between October 2017 and December 2021 in RA patients starting BAR. The effectiveness was evaluated, assessing changes from the baseline of the Disease Activity Score using 28-joint counts-C reactive protein (DAS28CRP), and the achievement of low disease activity/remission. Drug persistence was evaluated using Kaplan–Meier analysis. Adherence was estimated using the medication possession ratio (MPR) and the 5-item Compliance Questionnaire for Rheumatology. Safety was assessed determining global incidence proportion and adverse event adjusted incidence rates. Results: In total, 61/64 recruited patients were finally analyzed, 83.6% were female, 78.7% were seropositive, the mean age was 58.1 (15.4) years, and the disease duration was 13.9 (8.3) years. A total of 32.8% of patients were naïve to biologics and 16.4% received BAR as monotherapy. The median exposure to BAR was 12.4 (6.6–31.2) months (range 3.1–51.4). A significant change in DAS28CRP was observed after treatment (difference −1.2, p = 0.000). 70.5% and 60.7% of patients achieved low disease activity or remission, respectively, and 50.8% (31/61) remained on BAR throughout the follow-up, with a median persistence of 31.2 (9.3–53.1) months. The average MPR was 0.96 (0.08) and all patients exhibited “good adherence” according to the questionnaire. In total, 21.3% of patients discontinued baricitinib due to toxicity. Conclusions: In our real-world practice, BAR demonstrated effectiveness, large persistence, high adherence to treatment, and an acceptable safety profile.
Pathological Fractures in Patients Affected by Pycnodysostosis: A Case Series
Authors: Bocchi Maria Beatrice , Giuli Cristina , Farine Francesco , Ravaioli Camilla , Martellini Sara , Farsetti Pasquale , Palmacci Osvaldo
Published: April 2024

Background/Objectives: Pycnodysostosis is a rare genetic disorder causing skeletal dysplasia. It is determined by a gene mutation leading to cathepsin K deficiency and predisposes a patient to osteosclerosis, resulting in increased bone fragility. The altered bone quality typical of this disease is responsible for an increased risk of fractures. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the orthopedic manifestations and potential pitfalls in the surgical treatments of pathological fractures in a series of patients treated in our institution who were affected by pycnodysostosis. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated clinical and radiographic characteristics of five patients with pycnodysostosis treated for pathological fractures at our hospital in the past 5 years. Results: Two male and three female patients were included in this study. Four patients had a family history of pycnodysostosis. All the patients were of short stature, but only two underwent growth hormone treatment. All the patients experienced fractures, mostly in their lower limbs and occurring as a result of low-energy trauma. Most of the patients experienced either consolidation delay or nonunion. Conclusions: The orthopedic management of fractures in patients with pycnodysostosis poses an ongoing challenge for orthopedic surgeons. The fact that the bone is simultaneously sclerotic and brittle makes any orthopedic surgical treatment challenging and at a high risk of nonunion in any case.
DAO Dynamics: Treasury and Market Cap Interaction
Authors: Karakostas Ioannis , Pantelidis Konstantinos
Published: April 2024

This study examines the dynamics between treasury and market capitalization in two Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) projects: OlympusDAO and KlimaDAO. This research examines the relationship between market capitalization and treasuries in these projects using vector autoregression (VAR), Granger causality, and Vector Error Correction models (VECM), incorporating an exogenous variable to account for the comovement of decentralized finance assets. Additionally, a Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (GARCH) model is employed to assess the impact of carbon offset tokens on KlimaDAO’s market capitalization returns’ conditional variance. The findings suggest a connection between market capitalization and treasuries in the analyzed projects, underscoring the importance of the treasury and carbon offset tokens in impacting a DAO’s market capitalization and variance. Additionally, the results suggest significant implications for predictive modeling, highlighting the distinct behaviors observed in OlympusDAO and KlimaDAO. Investors and policymakers can leverage these results to refine investment strategies and adjust treasury allocation strategies to align with market trends. Furthermore, this study addresses the importance of responsible investing, advocating for including sustainable investment assets alongside a foundational framework for informed investment decisions and future studies in the field, offering novel insights into decentralized finance dynamics and tokenized assets’ role within the crypto-asset ecosystem.
Femtosecond Laser Fabrication of High-Linearity Liquid Metal-Based Flexible Strain Sensor
Authors: Li Cheng , Zhang Chengjun , Li Haoyu , Luo Zexiang , Zhang Yuanchen , Hou Xun , Yang Qing , Chen Feng
Published: April 2024

Liquid metal (LM) is widely used in flexible electronic devices due to its excellent metallic conductivity and ductility. However, the fabrication of LM flexible strain sensors with high sensitivity and linearity is still a huge challenge, since the resistance of LM does not change much with strain. Here, a highly sensitive and linear fully flexible strain sensor with a resistive sensing function is proposed. The sensor comprises an Fe-doped liquid metal (Fe-LM) electrode for enhanced performance. The design and manufacturing of flexible strain sensors are based on the technology of controlling surface wettability by femtosecond laser micro/nano-processing. A supermetalphobic microstructure is constructed on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate to achieve the selection adhesion of Fe-LM on the PDMS substrate. The Fe-LM-based flexible strain sensor has high sensitivity and linearity, a gauge factor (GF) up to 1.18 in the strain range of 0–100%, excellent linearity with an R2 of 0.9978, a fast response time of 358 ms, and an excellent durability of more than 2400 load cycles. Additionally, the successful monitoring of human body signals demonstrates the potential of our developed flexible strain sensor in wearable monitoring applications.
Bentonite in Korea: A Resource and Research Focus for Biomedical and Cosmetic Industries
Authors: Rana Md Shohel , Kim Shukho
Published: April 2024

This study provides an in-depth review of bentonite, focusing on its applications in Korea’s biomedical and cosmetic sectors. It delves into bentonite’s chemical properties, which make it a valuable resource in various industries, particularly in the health and beauty industries. We discuss bentonite’s antimicrobial properties, showcasing its effectiveness against a wide range of pathogens and its potential as a biomedicine adjuvant to boost immune responses. Despite its benefits, the review also addresses the need for caution due to its possible side effects when used in human therapy. In the cosmetics industry, bentonite is prized for its ability to absorb impurities, making it a popular ingredient in products from leading brands. The review highlights the ongoing research and development efforts aiming to further explore bentonite’s capabilities and applications, underlining the material’s significant contribution to advancing Korea’s innovation in the biomedical and cosmetic fields. This review suggests that with more research, bentonite’s full potential can be unlocked, offering new opportunities for these industries.
A Study on the Borehole Wall Stability Analysis and Slurry Ratio Optimization for Construction of Pile in Complex Marine Strata
Authors: Zhao Qingxiong , Xie Linglin , Cao Ping , Zhang Ziyang , Li Kaihui , Lin Hang , Huang Chao
Published: April 2024

In order to address the issue of hole collapse, which frequently arises when boring piles are being constructed in intricate marine strata, this paper discusses the influence of the slurry ratio on the slurry performance as well as the mechanism of slurry wall protection. It performs this by means of theoretical analysis, laboratory ratio testing, engineering analogies, numerical simulation, and field testing. Our findings demonstrate that adding sodium polyacrylate and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose can enhance mud’s viscosity, contribute to flocculation, and improve the connection between mud and soil layers. Refering similar engineering cases, three optimization schemes are proposed for achieving a mud ratio that offers wall protection in complex marine strata. Furthermore, the particle flow model of slurry viscous fluid is established. The collapse of holes in the sand layer is reflected in the uneven radial displacement of hole walls and the invasion of mud particles. Increasing the viscosity of mud gradually transforms the uneven radial deformation of pore walls in the sand layer into a uniform radial deformation, whereas increasing the proportion of mud significantly decreases the radial displacement of hole walls. Additionally, when the mud pressure in the hole is 300 kPa and 600 kPa, the wall protection effect is better, and there is no particle penetration by substances such as sand. It is found that a high mud pressure can promote the diffusion of mud particles into the sand layer, while low mud pressure cannot balance the pressure on deep soil. The results of the field tests show that the ratio of water–clay–bentonite–CMC-Na–sodium carbonate = 700:110:90:1.5:0.5 used (where the mass percentage of each material is 77.8% water, 12.2% clay, 10% bentonite, 0.16% CMC-Na, and 0.05% sodium carbonate) can effectively prevent hole collapse and reduce the thickness of the sand layer at the bottom of the hole by 50%.
Analytical Pyrolysis of Soluble Bio-Tar from Steam Pretreatment of Bamboo by Using TG–FTIR and Py–GC/MS
Authors: Feng Yongshun , Pan Xin , Qiao Hui , Zhuang Xiaowei
Published: April 2024

Steam pretreatment at high temperatures enables fresh bamboo to possess antifungal and antiseptic properties. The process produces a large amount of wastewater that urgently needs to be recycled. Soluble bio-tars derived from wastewater under low-temperature (LTS-tar) and high-temperature (HTS-tar) steam pretreatments of moso bamboo were studied with a thermogravimetric analyzer coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG–FTIR) and pyrolysis–gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py–GC/MS). Thermogravimetric analysis showed that in the three stages of the thermal decomposition process, the final residue of the bamboo and HTS-tar had two main peaks of 0.88 wt% and 6.85 wt%. The LTS-tar had much more complicated thermal decomposition behavior, with six steps and a high residue yield of 23.86 wt%. A large quantity of CH4 was observed at the maximum mass loss rates of the bamboo and bio-tars. Acids, aldehydes, ketones, esters, and phenolic compounds were found in the pyrolysis products of the bamboo and soluble bio-tars. Both bio-tars contained carbohydrates and lignin fragments, but the LTS-tar under mild steam conditions had more saccharides and was much more sensitive to temperature. The lignin in the bamboo degraded under harsh steam conditions, resulting in high aromatic and polymeric features for the HTS-tar. The significant differences between LTS-tar and HTS-tar require different techniques to achieve the resource utilization of wastewater in the bamboo industry.
Removal of Organic Dyes, Polymers and Surfactants Using Carbonaceous Materials Derived from Walnut Shells
Authors: Wiśniewska Małgorzata , Urban Teresa , Tokarska Karina , Marciniak Paulina , Giel Anna , Nowicki Piotr
Published: April 2024

A series of new granular carbonaceous adsorbents was prepared via single-stage physical and chemical activation of walnut shells. Their suitability for removing various types of organic pollutants (represented by dyes, surfactants and water-soluble polymers) from the liquid phase was assessed. The activation of the precursor was carried out with CO2 and H3PO4 using conventional heating. Activated biocarbons were characterized in terms of chemical composition, acidic–basic nature of the surface, textural and electrokinetic properties as well as thermal stability. Depending on the type of activating agent used during the activation procedure, the obtained biocarbons differed in terms of specific surface area (from 401 to 1361 m2/g) and the type of porous structure produced (microporosity contribution in the range of 45–75%). Adsorption tests proved that the effectiveness of removing organic pollutants from the liquid phase depended to a large extent on the type of prepared adsorbent as well as the chemical nature and the molecular size of the adsorbate used. The chemically activated sample showed greater removal efficiency in relation to all tested pollutants. Its maximum adsorption capacity for methylene blue, poly(acrylic acid), poly(ethylene glycol) and Triton X-100 reached the levels of 247.1, 680.9, 38.5 and 61.8 mg/g, respectively.
Theoretical Study of the Phonon and Electrical Conductivity Properties of Pure and Sr-Doped LaMnO3 Thin Films
Authors: Apostolov Angel T. , Apostolova Iliana N. , Wesselinowa Julia Mihailowa
Published: April 2024

The film thickness, temperature, substrate and doping dependence of the phonon energy ω and damping γ, as well as the electrical conductivity, of pure and Sr-doped LaMnO3 thin films near the phase transition temperature TN are investigated using a microscopic model and the Green’s function technique. Due to the strong spin–phonon interaction, there appears a kink at TN in the temperature dependence of ω(T) and γ(T). The softening and hardening of the ω = 495 cm−1 (A1g) and ω = 614 cm−1 (B2g) modes is explained by the different sign of the anharmonic spin–phonon interaction constant R. The damping increases with T for both cases because it is proportional to R2. ω decreases whereas γ increases with an increasing Sr concentration. This is due to the strain caused by the difference between the ionic radii of the La and Sr ions. The film thickness dependence is also considered. ω and γ increase strongly with the decreasing film thickness. The electrical conductivity is enhanced after the doping of the LMO thin films with Sr, which could be used for energy storage applications. The observed results are in good qualitative agreement with the experimental data.
Effects of Steel Slag on the Hydration Process of Solid Waste-Based Cementitious Materials
Authors: Ren Caifu , Wang Jixiang , Duan Kairui , Li Xiang , Wang Dongmin
Published: April 2024

Aiming to enhance the comprehensive utilization of steel slag (SS), a solid waste-based binder consisting of SS, granulated blast furnace slag (BFS), and desulfurization gypsum (DG) was designed and prepared. This study investigated the reaction kinetics, phase assemblages, and microstructures of the prepared solid waste-based cementitious materials with various contents of SS through hydration heat, XRD, FT-IR, SEM, TG-DSC, and MIP methods. The synergistic reaction mechanism between SS and the other two wastes (BFS and DG) is revealed. The results show that increasing SS content in the solid waste-based binder raises the pH value of the freshly prepared pastes, advances the main hydration reaction, and shortens the setting time. With the optimal SS content of 20%, the best mechanical properties are achieved, with compressive strengths of 19.2 MPa at 3 d and 58.4 MPa at 28 d, respectively. However, as the SS content continues to increase beyond 20%, the hydration process of the prepared binder is delayed. The synergistic activation effects between SS and BFS with DG enable a large amount of ettringite (AFt) formation, guaranteeing early strength development. As the reaction progresses, more reaction products CSH and Aft are precipitated. They are interlacing and overlapping, jointly refining and densifying the material’s microstructure and contributing to the long-term strength gain. This study provides a reference for designing and developing solid waste-based binders and deepens the insightful understanding of the hydration mechanism of the solid waste-based binder.
Relationship between Structure and Zero-Field Splitting of Octahedral Nickel(II) Complexes with a Low-Symmetric Tetradentate Ligand
Authors: Sakiyama Hiroshi , Kimura Rin , Oomiya Haruto , Mitsuhashi Ryoji , Fujii Sho , Kanaizuka Katsuhiko , Muddassir Mohd. , Tamaki Yuga , Asato Eiji , Handa Makoto
Published: April 2024

Octahedral nickel(II) complexes are among the simplest systems that exhibit zero-field splitting by having two unpaired electrons. For the purpose of clarifying the relationship between structure and zero-field splitting in a low-symmetric system, distorted octahedral nickel(II) complexes were prepared with a tetradentate ligand, 2-[bis(2-methoxyethyl)aminomethyl]-4-nitrophenolate(1−) [(onp)−]. The complex [Ni(onp)(dmso)(H2O)][BPh4]·2dmso (1) (dmso = dimethyl sulfoxide) was characterized as a bulk sample by IR, elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, electronic spectra, and magnetic properties. The powder electronic spectral data were analyzed based on the angular overlap model to conclude that the spectra were typical of D4-symmetric octahedral coordination geometry with a weak axial ligand field. Simultaneous analysis of the temperature-dependent susceptibility and field-dependent magnetization data yielded the positive axial zero-field splitting parameter D (H = guβSuHu + D[Sz2 − S(S + 1)/3]), which was consistent with the weak axial ligand field. Single-crystal X-ray analysis revealed the crystal structures of [Ni(onp)(dmso)(H2O)][BPh4]·dmso (2) and [Ni(onp)(dmf)2][BPh4] (3) (dmf = N,N-dimethylformamide). The density functional theory (DFT) computations based on the crystal structures indicated the D4-symmetric octahedral coordination geometries with weak axial ligand fields. This study also showed the importance of considering g-anisotropy in magnetic analysis, even if g-anisotropy is small.
Improvement of Distributed Denial of Service Attack Detection through Machine Learning and Data Processing
Authors: Becerra-Suarez Fray L. , Fernández-Roman Ismael , Forero Manuel G.
Published: April 2024

The early and accurate detection of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks is a fundamental area of research to safeguard the integrity and functionality of organizations’ digital ecosystems. Despite the growing importance of neural networks in recent years, the use of classical techniques remains relevant due to their interpretability, speed, resource efficiency, and satisfactory performance. This article presents the results of a comparative analysis of six machine learning techniques, namely, Random Forest (RF), Decision Tree (DT), AdaBoost (ADA), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), and Dense Neural Network (DNN), for classifying DDoS attacks. The CICDDoS2019 dataset was used, which underwent data preprocessing to remove outliers, and 22 features were selected using the Pearson correlation coefficient. The RF classifier achieved the best accuracy rate (99.97%), outperforming other classifiers and even previously published neural network-based techniques. These findings underscore the feasibility and effectiveness of machine learning algorithms in the field of DDoS attack detection, reaffirming their relevance as a valuable tool in advanced cyber defense.
On α-Pseudo Spiralike Functions Associated with Exponential Pareto Distribution (EPD) and Libera Integral Operator
Authors: Hamzat Jamiu Olusegun , Oluwayemi Matthew Olanrewaju , Oladipo Abiodun Tinuoye , Alb Lupas Alina
Published: April 2024

The present study aims at investigating some characterizations of a new subclass Gα(μ,τ) and obtaining the bounds on the first two Taylor–Maclaurin coefficients for functions belonging to the newly introduced subclass. In order to achieve this, a compound function Lx,nσ(z) is derived from the convolution of the analytic function f(z) and a modified exponential Pareto distribution G(x) in conjunction with the famous Libera integral operator L(ζ). With the aid of the derived function, the aforementioned subclass Gα(μ,τ) is introduced, while some properties of functions belonging to this subclass are considered in the open unit disk.
Study of Tuyere Combustion Flame Temperature in Vanadium and Titanium Blast Furnaces by Machine Vision and Colorimetric Thermometry
Authors: Cai Haoyu , Zhu Ziming , Zhou Dongdong
Published: April 2024

The steel industry is an important foundation of the national economy and the livelihood of the people, producing a large amount of carbon dioxide gas, accounting for about 70% of the carbon dioxide gas generated in the steel industry, which occurs during the ironmaking process. Therefore, the key technology to reduce the pollution and improve competitiveness is to increase the stability of blast furnace production and the quality of hot metal. Since the operation requirements for temperature control in the vanadium-titanium blast furnace are dramatically different compared to the traditional ones due to the low fluidity of vanadium-titanium slag, maintaining the required hot metal temperature within a narrow range with smaller fluctuations is essential. In addition, the adjustment parameters of the lower part have a significant influence on the tuyere combustion flame temperature during the daily operation of blast furnaces. At present, there is no relevant research on the online detection and analysis of vanadium-titanium blast furnace tuyere combustion flame temperature. In this study, the temperature of four tuyeres in a 500 m3 vanadium and titanium blast furnace at Jianlong Steel was detected by an online detection system. The tuyere combustion flame temperature was then calculated using colorimetric temperature measuring methodology at various times and at four distinct locations. After that, the calibration analyses, imaging parameter and the temperature tendencies in different directions of the blast furnace were investigated. This study not only offers new methods for understanding the regularity of operation and increasing the degree of visualization in vanadium and titanium smelting blast furnaces but also provides technical support for intelligent and low-carbon operation in blast furnaces.
Metabolic Roles of HIF1, c-Myc, and p53 in Glioma Cells
Authors: Trejo-Solís Cristina , Castillo-Rodríguez Rosa Angélica , Serrano-García Norma , Silva-Adaya Daniela , Vargas-Cruz Salvador , Chávez-Cortéz Elda Georgina , Gallardo-Pérez Juan Carlos , Zavala-Vega Sergio , Cruz-Salgado Arturo , Magaña-Maldonado Roxana
Published: April 2024

The metabolic reprogramming that promotes tumorigenesis in glioblastoma is induced by dynamic alterations in the hypoxic tumor microenvironment, as well as in transcriptional and signaling networks, which result in changes in global genetic expression. The signaling pathways PI3K/AKT/mTOR and RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK stimulate cell metabolism, either directly or indirectly, by modulating the transcriptional factors p53, HIF1, and c-Myc. The overexpression of HIF1 and c-Myc, master regulators of cellular metabolism, is a key contributor to the synthesis of bioenergetic molecules that mediate glioma cell transformation, proliferation, survival, migration, and invasion by modifying the transcription levels of key gene groups involved in metabolism. Meanwhile, the tumor-suppressing protein p53, which negatively regulates HIF1 and c-Myc, is often lost in glioblastoma. Alterations in this triad of transcriptional factors induce a metabolic shift in glioma cells that allows them to adapt and survive changes such as mutations, hypoxia, acidosis, the presence of reactive oxygen species, and nutrient deprivation, by modulating the activity and expression of signaling molecules, enzymes, metabolites, transporters, and regulators involved in glycolysis and glutamine metabolism, the pentose phosphate cycle, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation, as well as the synthesis and degradation of fatty acids and nucleic acids. This review summarizes our current knowledge on the role of HIF1, c-Myc, and p53 in the genic regulatory network for metabolism in glioma cells, as well as potential therapeutic inhibitors of these factors.