bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Correlation Between the Chemical Composition and the Microstructure of the Polysaccharides of Two Varieties of Mexican Red Prickly Pear Fruits
Authors: Roman Maldonado Yvonne , Villanueva-Rodríguez Socorro Josefina , Hernández-Hernández Hilda María , Terrés Eduardo , Cervantes Martinez Jesus
Published: December 2024

The red prickly pear fruit (Opuntia ficus-indica L. Mill), endemic from Mexico’s semi-desert regions and present in North Africa and Southern Europe, particularly Italy and Spain, is a valuable source of nutrients, bioactive compounds, and polysaccharides. This study used non-destructive techniques like microscopy and Raman and infrared (IR) spectroscopy to characterize polysaccharides extracted from two red prickly pear varieties. The polysaccharides constitute approximately 80% of the peel and 39–18% of the pulp; microscopy provided insights into its microstructural details, while Raman and IR spectroscopy enabled the identification of its specific functional groups. The results revealed distinct microstructural attributes: mucilage displays a microstructure influenced by the ratio of acidic to neutral sugar monomers; pectin exhibits a low degree of methoxylation alongside a characteristic egg-box structure facilitated by calcium ions; hemicellulose presents a delicate, porous layer; and cellulose reveals a layered microstructure supported by thin or robust fibers and calcium crystals. The functional groups identified via Raman and IR spectroscopy provided specific information that could be used to infer chemical interactions influenced by functional groups like hydroxyl, carboxyl, and methyl, suggesting potential binding, stabilization, and water retention properties that enhance their utility as functional ingredients in food products. These findings, obtained using non-destructive methods, enhance the understanding of the compositional and microstructural characteristics of polysaccharides in the red prickly pear, which, in turn, can be used to predict their promising technological applications as functional ingredients.
The Mechanism Underlying the Increase in Bread Hardness in Association with Alterations in Protein and Starch Characteristics During Room-Temperature Storage
Authors: Wang Huaiwen , Liu Wei , Zhang Peipei , Lian Xijun
Published: December 2024

Hardness constitutes one of the primary performance indices of bread. However, there is scarce literature regarding the study of the mechanisms of increased hardness in different breads. In this paper, the hardness and retrogradation rates of five popular brands of bread (DaliGarden, Mankattan, MianLunSi, TOLY, and ZhengMao) in China during storage at room temperature were determined, and the mechanism of increased hardness was revealed by the results in terms of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), disulfide bonds, 13C solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results showed that the sequence for the degree of hardness increase among the five bread brands was DaliGarden > TOLY >Mankattan > MianLunSi > ZhengMao. The bread hardness was likely associated with the gliadin content; the more gliadin, the higher the hardness of the bread. All bread hardness values underwent a rapid increase during storage at room temperature. The hardness level of the bread preferred by Chinese individuals was approximately 105 g, and the hardness of the TOLY bread underwent relatively minor changes during storage at room temperature. The disulfide bond content of all breads apart from Mankattan decreased during storage at room temperature. The increase in the hardness of the bread was attributed to the ordered configuration of the amylopectin structures resulting from water evaporation. The results given in this paper offer a practical hardness index to control the quality of bread. This study is expected to contribute to better quality control and optimization in bread production, enhancing consumers’ satisfaction and extending products’ shelf lives.
Psychological Autopsy: A Powerful Tool in Forensic Investigations
Authors: Sablone Sara , Bellino Mara , Cardinale Andrea Nicola , Violante Maria Grazia , Risola Roberta , Magno Antonella , Pierro Vincenzo , Grattagliano Ignazio
Published: December 2024

Background: A psychological autopsy is a post-mortem investigative tool used to carry out a retrospective reconstruction of a missing subject’s life. The method includes gathering information from all the potentially involved parties, which may indicate the relevant elements directly or indirectly to trace the victim’s experience and identify personality traits, lifestyle, and interpersonal relationships. Discussion: Psychological autopsies are mainly performed during criminal investigations to identify the cause of death and the specific circumstances (natural, accidental, suicidal, or homicidal death). In addition, from an epidemiological point of view, this method aims to collect the relevant information about an individual’s behavior, circumstances, and reasons for their death to identify common risk factors to prevent new suicides. Although less frequently, this tool can also serve other purposes, such as the legal validity estimation of pre-death actions. Moreover, it may be used to assess whether mistakes have been made in treating people undergoing medical or psychological treatment. Conclusions: Currently, this methodology still has a limited diffusion on the Italian and European scenes due to the lack of standardized guidelines and substantial relevant scientific literature. It is the main factor affecting the tool’s reliability, validity, and systematic application in forensic investigations.
Primer on Formation and Evolution of Hydrogen-Deficient Central Stars of Planetary Nebulæ and Related Objects
Authors: Miller Bertolami Marcelo M.
Published: December 2024

We present a brief review of the formation and evolution of hydrogen-deficient central stars of planetary nebulae. We include a detailed description of the main observable features of both the central stars and their surrounding nebulae and review their main classifications. We also provide a brief description of the possible progenitor systems of hydrogen-deficient central stars as well as of transients, which are closely connected to the formation of these stars. In particular, we offer a detailed theoretical explanation of the main evolutionary scenarios, both single and binary, which is devised to explain these stars and nebulae. Particular emphasis is made in the description of the so-called born again scenario, their quantitative predictions, and uncertainties. Finally, we discuss the pros and cons of both binary and single evolution channels, draw some conclusions, and discuss open questions in the field.
Analysis of Habitability and Stellar Habitable Zones from Observed Exoplanets
Authors: Jiang Jonathan H. , Rosen Philip E. , Liu Christina X. , Wen Qianzhuang , Chen Yanbei
Published: December 2024

The investigation of exoplanetary habitability is integral to advancing our knowledge of extraterrestrial life potential and detailing the environmental conditions of distant worlds. In this analysis, we explore the properties of exoplanets situated with respect to circumstellar habitable zones by implementing a sophisticated filtering methodology on data from the NASA Exoplanet Archive. This research encompasses a thorough examination of 5595 confirmed exoplanets listed in the Archive as of 10 March 2024, systematically evaluated according to their calculated average surface temperatures and stellar classifications of their host stars, taking into account the biases implicit in the methodologies used for their discovery. Machine learning, in the form of a Random Forest classifier and an XGBoost classifier, is applied in the classification with high accuracies. The feature importance analysis indicates that our approach captures the most important parameters for habitability classification. Our findings elucidate distinctive patterns in exoplanetary attributes, which are significantly shaped by the spectral classifications and mass of the host stars. The insights garnered from our study both inform refinement of existing models for managing burgeoning exoplanetary datasets, and lay foundational groundwork for more in-depth explorations of the dynamic relationships between exoplanets and their stellar environments.
Expanded Perlite-Reinforced Alginate Xerogels: A Chemical Approach to Sustainable Building and Packaging Materials
Authors: Damjanović Radmila , Vuksanović Marija M. , Petrović Miloš , Radovanović Željko , Stavrić Milena , Jančić Heinemann Radmila , Živković Irena
Published: December 2024

In sustainable construction and packaging, the development of novel bio-based materials is crucial, driving a re-evaluation of traditional components. Lightweight, biodegradable materials, including xerogels, have great potential in architectural and packaging applications. However, reinforcing these materials to improve their mechanical strength remains a challenge. Alginate is a promising matrix material that may be compatible with inorganic fibrous or particulate materials. In this study, biocomposite xerogel-structured foam materials based on an alginate matrix with expanded perlite reinforcement are improved using certain additives in different weight ratios. The plasticizers used include glycerol and gum arabic, while chitosan was added as an additional reinforcement, and iota carrageenan was added as a stabilizer. The tested specimens, with varying weight ratios of the added components, showed good mechanical behavior that highlights their potential use as packaging and/or architectural materials. The influence of the presence of different components in the composite material specimens on the modulus of elasticity was investigated using SEM images and FTIR analyses of the specimens. The results show that the specimen with the largest improvement in the elastic modulus contained a combination of chitosan and glycerol at a lower percentage (1.96 MPa), and the specimen with the largest improvement in tensile strength was the specimen containing chitosan with no plasticizers (120 kPa), compared to cases where combinations of other materials are present.
Rheological Properties of Weak Gel System Cross-Linked from Chromium Acetate and Polyacrylamide and Its Application in Enhanced Oil Recovery After Polymer Flooding for Heterogeneous Reservoir
Authors: Long Yunqian , Zhang Chenkan , Yin Dandan , Huang Tao , Zhang Hailong , Yue Ming , Huang Xiaohe
Published: December 2024

Long-term polymer flooding exacerbates reservoir heterogeneity, intensifying intra- and inter-layer conflicts, which makes it difficult to recover the remaining oil. Therefore, further improvement in oil recovery after polymer flooding is essential. In this study, a weak gel system was successfully synthesized, and possesses a distinct network structure that becomes more compact as the concentration of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide increases. The network structure of the weak gel system provides excellent shear resistance, with its apparent viscosity significantly higher than that of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide solution. The weak gel system exhibits typical pseudo-plastic behavior, which is a non-Newtonian fluid as well as a viscoelastic fluid. Additionally, the weak gel system’s elasticities exceed its viscosities, and longer crosslinking time further enhances the viscoelasticity. The weak gel system achieves superior conformance control and enhanced oil recovery in highly heterogeneous reservoirs compared to partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide solutions. The weak gel system is more suited to low-permeability reservoirs with strong heterogeneity, as its effectiveness in conformance control and oil recovery increases with greater reservoir heterogeneity. Enhanced oil recoveries of the weak gel system in low-permeability sandpacks increase from 22% to 48% with a rise in permeability ratios from 14.39 to 35.64 after polymer flooding.
Rheological Properties and Physical Stability of Aqueous Dispersions of Flaxseed Fibers
Authors: Alfaro-Rodríguez María-Carmen , García María Carmen , Prieto-Vargas Paula , Muñoz José
Published: December 2024

The main objective of this work is to investigate the influence of shear on the rheological properties and physical stability of aqueous dispersions of flaxseed fiber. The variable to consider will be the homogenization rate in two different rotor-stator homogenizers, Ultraturrax T50 or T25. In order to achieve the proposed objective, small amplitude oscillatory tests, flow curves, and multiple light scattering measurements were carried out. All samples exhibited a shear thinning behavior that was not influenced by the shear imposed, and a weak gel-like behavior. The latter, unlike the flow behavior, was sensitive to the homogenization rate. Thus, an increase in this variable caused a decrease in the viscoelastic moduli values. This result pointed out a weakening of the network formed by the flaxseed fiber in an aqueous medium. On the contrary, the physical stability improved. Nevertheless, all samples were highly stable. The homogenizer used was a significant variable. The shear negatively influenced the microstructure of the aqueous flaxseed fiber dispersions, although the obtained gels were highly stable. The gel-like behavior, the high viscosity at low shear rates, and the high physical stability of the samples studied make them interesting food stabilizers and thickeners.
Mechanisms of Low Temperature Thickening of Different Materials for Deepwater Water-Based Drilling Fluids
Authors: Wang Zhongyi , Sun Jinsheng , Lv Kaihe , Huang Xianbin , Yuan Zhenhang , Zhang Yang
Published: December 2024

During deepwater drilling, the low mudline temperatures and narrow safe density window pose serious challenges to the safe and efficient performance of deepwater water-based drilling fluids. Low temperatures can lead to physical and chemical changes in the components of water-based drilling fluids and the behavior of low temperature gelation. As a coarse dispersion system, water-based drilling fluid has a complex composition of dispersed phase and dispersing medium. Further clarification of low temperature gelation would be helpful in developing technical approaches to enhance the flat rheology performance of deepwater water-based drilling fluids. In this paper, different components are separated in order to comprehensively analyze the gelation behavior of different materials in water-based drilling fluids at low temperatures. In the first place, the rheological and hydrodynamic radius alterations of inorganic salts, bentonite, and additives in aqueous solutions were examined at low temperatures. The effects of inorganic salts, bentonite, and additives on the purified water system were investigated at low (4 °C)–normal (25 °C)–high (75 °C) temperatures. The low temperature gelation of different materials in pure water systems are fully clarified. The mud containing 4% bentonite with weak low temperature gelation commonly used in deepwater water-based drilling fluids was selected as the basic test system. Inorganic salts, additives, and solid-phase materials were added to the mud containing 4% bentonite. The effects of the interactions between different materials and bentonite particles on the low temperature gelation behavior of mud were analyzed. The higher the bentonite dosage, the stronger the low temperature gelation behavior of mud. The higher the addition of inorganic salts, the more serious the low temperature gelation behavior of mud. Inorganic salts should be avoided as much as possible to add too much. The low temperature gelation behavior of mud with low-viscosity additives is weak. However, the viscosity of mud with high-viscosity additives has a small change in viscosity with increasing temperature. The low temperature gelation of mud with the addition of solid-phase particulate materials with reactive groups on the surface is strong, and the low temperature gelation with the addition of inert particles is weak. This paper elucidates the low temperature gelation mechanism of bentonite, inorganic salts, additives, and solid-phase materials in deepwater water-based drilling fluids. The conclusion can also be used to guide the construction of a drilling fluid system, which is of great significance for the research and development of deepwater water-based drilling fluid additives and the safe and efficient performance of deepwater drilling fluids.
A Low-Cost Open-Source Uniaxial Tensile System for Soft Tissue Testing
Authors: Salih Adham , Roth Navit , Buganim Oshri , Pelosi Avishag Deborah
Published: December 2024

The evaluation of soft tissue biomechanical properties is of paramount importance not only for a comprehensive understanding of human physiology and physiopathology, but also in the research and development of bio-compatible artificial tissues with viscoelastic properties. Contrarily to standard tensile testing devices, a system intended for biomaterials testing should consider low stress and high strain ranges, characteristic of human tissues; moreover, such a system should enable the ex vivo simulation of biological environmental conditions. Commercial solutions address these challenges, although they are expensive for most academic and research institutions. This study presents a low-cost open-source design solution for soft tissue tensile testing, offering an affordable solution, yet without compromising the high quality and precision of the results. The proposed uniaxial tensile system allows for sample testing at room temperature as well as in a temperature-controlled liquid environment. Moreover, custom clamps ensure the fixation of tissue samples without slipping or tearing. System validation is performed using the tensile testing of springs and 3D-printed soft polymeric samples, demonstrating accurate results compared to the available data. The system is suitable for educational, research, and development applications.
Olaudah Equiano and the Anti-Ethnography of Blackness
Authors: Greensword Sylviane Ngandu-Kalenga
Published: December 2024

This essay considers the abolitionist narrative, The Life of Olaudah Equiano, through the anthropological lens of ethnography. Equiano’s account, though not without controversy, contributes to the evolution of an African cultural consciousness that would span across multiple continents. In that sense, while this autobiography seems to follow the literary pattern of its contemporary slave narratives, it is also countercultural and qualifies as “anti-ethnography”. The review presented here focuses on two sections of Equiano’s work: (1) the Afrocentric account of Ibo culture and (2) the cultural commentary regarding enslavement in the Americas. For each section, Equiano’s deviation from the traditional slave narrative is highlighted and analyzed.
Biological Aspects of Sphyraena sphyraena (L., 1758) in the Central Mediterranean (E. Ionian Sea)
Authors: Nikiforidou Vasiliki , Anastasopoulou Aikaterini , Xenikakis Vasileios , Mytilineou Chryssi
Published: December 2024

S. sphyraena is a widely distributed species with low commercial value and no sufficient scientific knowledge of its biology. In the present study, the age, growth, weight–length relationship, otolith morphometry, and reproduction of the species were investigated in the Eastern Ionian Sea for the first time. The von Bertalanffy growth function parameters were L∞ = 63.65 cm, k = 0.14 year−1 and t0 = −2.01 years and Φ′ = 2.75. The negative allometric growth in weight was found. Slope b of the weight–length relationship was 2.634. For the otolith moprhometry, the variables radius, length, width, area, perimeter, roundness, circularity, form factor, rectangularity, and ellipticity were examined, which showed that the otolith shape is elongated with an elliptical and rectangular form. Six otolith variables (radius, length, width, area, perimeter, and ellipticity) showed a significant relationship with size. The sex ratio (females/males) was 1:0.74 (no statistically significant difference from 1:1), and the spawning season extended from April to June with peak values of GSI in May for females and April for males. The results of this work improve our knowledge of the species life cycle and provide basic information for species stock identification and fisheries management.
On Linear Operators in Hilbert Spaces and Their Applications in OFDM Wireless Networks
Authors: Louvros Spyridon
Published: December 2024

This paper explores the application of Hilbert topological spaces and linear operator algebra in the modelling and analysis of OFDM signals and wireless channels, where the channel is considered as a linear time-invariant (LTI) system. The wireless channel, when subjected to an input OFDM signal, can be described as a mapping from an input Hilbert space to an output Hilbert space, with the system response governed by linear operator theory. By employing the mathematical framework of Hilbert spaces, we formalise the representation of OFDM signals, which are interpreted as elements of an infinite-dimensional vector space endowed with an inner product. The LTI wireless channel is characterised by using bounded linear operators on these spaces, allowing for the decomposition of complex channel behaviour into a series of linear transformations. The channel’s impulse response is treated as a kernel operator, facilitating a functional analysis approach to understanding the signal transmission process. This representation enables a more profound understanding of channel effects, such as fading and interference, through the eigenfunction expansion of the operator, leading to a spectral characterization of the channel. The algebraic properties of linear operators are leveraged to develop optimal solutions for mitigating channel distortion effects.
Phase Relations in the Pseudo-Binary BiFeO3–EuFeO3 System in the Subsolidus Region Derived from X-Ray Diffraction Data—A Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Surdu Vasile-Adrian , Győrgy Romuald
Published: December 2024

BiFeO3 and EuFeO3 are some of the most studied ferrites and part of the larger category of multiferroic and magnetic compounds. The instabilities reported for BiFeO3 that hinder its use in practical applications can be overcome by substitution with rare-earth ions, such as Eu3+, on the Bi3+ site. This paper reports on the phase relations in the BiFeO3-EuFeO3 pseudo-binary system, which were not established previously. Solid-state reactions were employed to prepare different compositions according to the nominal formula Bi1−xEuxFeO3 (where x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, and 1). Phase equilibria were studied at different temperatures between 800 and 1200 °C from X-ray diffraction (XRD) data. The analysis of the XRD patterns by machine learning approaches revealed eight defined clusters and four unclustered points. The validation test showed that most of the points could belong to several clusters and thus, traditional identification was employed. Phase identification and quantification by traditional approaches revealed six crystallization zones on the diagram. Although the machine learning approach offers speed in the process of classification of XRD patterns, validation by the traditional method was necessary for the construction of the phase diagram with high accuracy.
Multicomponent Stress–Strength Reliability with Extreme Value Distribution Margins: Its Theory and Application to Hydrological Data
Authors: Lima Rebeca Klamerick , Quintino Felipe Sousa , Oliveira Melquisadec , Ozelim Luan Carlos de Sena Monteiro , da Fonseca Tiago A. , Rathie Pushpa Narayan
Published: December 2024

This paper focuses on the estimation of multicomponent stress–strength models, an important concept in reliability analyses used to determine the probability that a system will function successfully under varying stress conditions. Understanding and accurately estimating these probabilities is essential in fields such as engineering and risk management, where the reliability of components under extreme conditions can have significant consequences. This is the case in applications where one seeks to model extreme hydrological events. Specifically, this study examines cases where the random variables X (representing strength) and Y (representing stress) follow extreme value distributions. New analytical expressions are derived for multicomponent stress–strength reliability (MSSR) when different classes of extreme distributions are considered, using the extreme value H-function. These results are applied to three l-max stable laws and six p-max stable laws, providing a robust theoretical framework for multicomponent stress–strength analyses under extreme conditions. To demonstrate the practical relevance of the proposed models, a real dataset is analyzed, focusing on the monthly water capacity of the Shasta Reservoir in California (USA) during August and December from 1980 to 2015. This application showcases the effectiveness of the derived expressions in modeling real-world data.
A Pilot Study of PSMA PET/CT and MRI Fusion for Prostate Cancer: Software to Replace PET/MRI Hardware
Authors: Mehawed Georges , Roberts Matthew J. , Bugeja Jessica , Dowling Jason , Stewart Kate , Gunasena Rivindi , Malczewski Frances , Rukin Nicholas J. , Murray Rebecca
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PSMA PET/CT), in combination with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may enhance the diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer. Image fusion of separately acquired PET/CT and MRI images serve to facilitate clinical integration and treatment planning. This study aimed to investigate different PSMA PET/CT and MRI image fusion workflows for prostate cancer visualisation. Methods: Eighteen patients with prostate cancer who underwent PSMA PET/CT and MRI prior to radical prostatectomy were retrospectively selected. Alignment of the prostate was performed between PET/CT and MRI via three techniques: semi-automatic rigid, automatic rigid, and automatic non-rigid. Image fusion accuracy was evaluated through boundary and volume agreement, quantified by the Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC), 95% Hausdorff Distance (HD), and Mean Surface Distance (MSD), with comparison against reconstructed histopathology slices. Results: Image fusion using all techniques resulted in clear lesion visualisation from PSMA PET/CT overlay and anatomical detail afforded by the MRI base and was consistent with histopathology tumour location. Image fusion accuracy was within the recommended range based on a DSC of 0.8–0.9. The automatic non-rigid registration method had the highest volume agreement (DSC: 0.96 ± <0.01) and boundary agreement (HD: 1.17 ± 0.35 mm) when compared to automatic rigid (DSC 0.88 ± 0.02, HD 3.18 ± 0.29 mm) and semi-automatic rigid (DSC 0.80 ± 0.06, HD 5.25 ± 1.68 mm). Conclusions: Image fusion of clinically obtained PET/CT and MRI is feasible and clinically acceptable for use in prostate cancer diagnosis and surgical management. While the best accuracy was observed with the automatic non-rigid technique, which requires further validation, image fusion with clinically accessible methods (semi-automatic rigid) may currently aid patient education, pre-operative planning, and intra-operative guidance.
Strength Proxies Explain Balance Task Performance by Proximity to Peak Height Velocity in Young Acrobatic Gymnasts
Authors: Gómez-Dolader Ignacio , Martínez-Cruces Alejandro , Leal-del-Ojo Pureza , Gómez-Landero Luis Arturo
Published: December 2024

Background: Balance tasks are critical for performance in acrobatic gymnastics, where athletes often train and compete in mixed-age groups with varying maturational stages. To improve individualized training, in this cross-sectional study, the relationship was examined between strength capacity and balance task performance in female gymnasts at two maturational stages based on peak height velocity (PHV). Methods: Circa-PHV (n = 17, 11.92 ± 1.7 years) and post-PHV (n = 17, 16.47 ± 1.8 years) participants performed static balance tasks (standing on blocks, tandem stance, headstand) while center of pressure (CoP) excursion was recorded, and a proactive balance task (time to stabilization after landing, TTS). Strength assessments included isometric mid-thigh pull, handgrip, countermovement jump (CMJ), and push-up tests. Results: Correlational, regression, and inter-group analyses highlighted differences in strength–balance relationships across groups. Maximal isometric strength and CMJ power were the strongest predictors of static standing balance, with greater predictive strength in the circa-PHV group, underscoring the role of maturation in strength–balance interactions. The results also revealed that strength parameters influenced balance differently depending on the task, suggesting that specific balance types (static–proactive) and tasks (standing–inverted) require distinct strength capacities. Conclusions: Strength’s influence on balance varies by maturational stage, emphasizing the need for tailored training programs to enhance balance and optimize performance in young gymnasts.
Recent Advances and Applications of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) in Machining Processes: A Review
Authors: Sallakhniknezhad Reza , Ahmadian Hossein , Zhou Tianfeng , Weijia Guo , Anantharajan Senthil Kumar , Sadoun Ayman M. , Abdelfattah Waleed Mohammed , Fathy Adel
Published: December 2024

Recently, there has been much scholarly research on the applications of CNTs in various fields which can be attributed to their outstanding properties. For that matter, machining processes as the backbone of manufacturing technologies have also benefited greatly from the introduction of CNTs. However, there is a lack of papers that provide a holistic overview on potential applications, which impedes focused and robust research in their application. In this work, after providing an outline of the methods used in increasing the productivity of machining processes, we will review the ways in which CNTs, known for their remarkable mechanical, chemical, electrical, and thermal characteristics, enhance the productivity of machining processes. We emphasize fit-for-purpose applications to determine the fate of CNTs use in machining processes. We examine the applications of CNTs in enhancing the mechanical characteristics of cutting tools, which include increased wear resistance, strength, and thermal conductivity, thereby extending tool life and performance. Additionally, this work highlights the application of nanofluids in MQL systems, where CNTs play a crucial role in reducing friction and enhancing thermal management, leading to reduced lubricant usage while maintaining cooling and lubrication effectiveness.
Long-Term or Short-Term? Prediction of Ship Detention Duration Based on Machine Learning
Authors: Deng Qingyue , Wan Zheng
Published: December 2024

The prevalence of ship deficiencies continues to be a significant issue. Data from the Tokyo Memorandum of Understanding reveals that ship detentions in 2023 surged by more than 80% compared with the previous year. The significant number of detained ships not only disrupts ships’ daily operations but also strains port resources, leading to increased additional costs. In light of this issue, predicting the duration of ship detention becomes crucial, as accurate predictions can assist port managers in resource allocation and provide shipping companies with critical information for operational planning. This study is the first to predict ship detention duration, specifically distinguishing between long-term and short-term detained ships. Initially, key deficiency types influencing the ship detention duration were identified using an improved entropy weight–grey relational analysis. Subsequently, in consideration of the imbalance in data distribution between long-term and short-term detentions, a random forest model capable of handling imbalanced data was applied to classify these two types. The study found that fire safety, propulsion and auxiliary machinery, and pollution prevention are the three most critical deficiency types impacting detention duration; and the random forest model sampled and processed from the data level possessed the best model performance, achieving prediction accuracies of 0.71, 0.72, and 0.85 for bulk carriers, containers, and oil tankers, respectively. This research offers a comprehensive analysis of ship detention duration, making a significant contribution to both the theoretical understanding and practical applications in the maritime industry. Accurately predicting ship detention duration provides valuable insights for stakeholders, enabling them to anticipate potential detention scenarios and thus supporting shipping companies in effective fleet management while assisting port authorities in the optimal allocation of berth resources.
Analysis of Annual Spatiotemporal Variations in Carbon Stock in the Urban Agglomeration of the Middle Yangtze River Basin, China
Authors: Du Zhenbo , Ou Cong , An Yue , Chen Jingbo , Meng Yu , Chen Fen
Published: December 2024

Terrestrial ecosystem carbon stock (TECS) is critical to socioeconomic development and ecosystem services and is jointly affected by land use and cover and climate change. However, the dynamics of long-term annual TECS levels in urban agglomeration remain largely unknown, and research mostly ignores the spatial heterogeneity of climate factors, compromising sustainable environmental management and land planning strategies. To this end, we integrated field observations of carbon density, land use, and climate factors to map the annual distribution of TECS and analyzed their spatiotemporal variations and policy implications in the urban agglomeration of the middle Yangtze River Basin in China from 1990 to 2020. The results showed that 43,855.47 km2 of the land of the urban agglomeration changed from 1990 to 2020, accounting for 12.54% of the study area. The farmland and forest land area fluctuated and reduced, and the construction land area increased significantly. The increase in construction land was mainly from farmland and forest land. The TECS in urban agglomerations underwent a remarkable change, the overall trend fluctuated downward, and the maximum interannual variation was 1560 Tg. The transfer of construction land, farmland, forest land, shrubs, grassland, and other land mainly caused the change in carbon storage. Due to abnormal climate change, the urban agglomeration in some areas illustrated carbon storage with a spatially aggregated distribution. When considering the impact of climate change on carbon density, the TECS changes of land types other than forest land were found to be consistent with the area change but more significant due to climate change. The research results can provide reference data for regional land management policy formulation and realization of “dual carbon” goals.
Methods for Quality Assessment of Window View
Authors: Matusiak Barbara Szybinska , Russo Filomena , Khanie Mandana Sarey , Sokol Natalia , Hemauer Christina , Martiny Klaus , Volf Carlo , Appelt Siegrun , Vasquez Natalia Giraldo , Diakite-Kortlever Aicha
Published: December 2024

This paper summarises findings from two workshops evaluating a series of views in various settings by an interdisciplinary group of experts. In the first one (Trondheim, June 2022), ten experts visited and assessed views from nine rooms. In the second one (Lausanne, June 2023), eleven experts assessed window views from four spaces. The workshops’ main objective was to develop and test multi-method assessments of window views. During both workshops, participants completed a survey that included close and open-ended questions about the perceived quality of the room and the view. Participants also measured lux level, took photographs, made hand drawings of the view, and answered a questionnaire about their mood and the environmental conditions in the room. After the workshop, point-in-time daylight simulations were performed for the visited rooms. The paper describes, compares, and recommends the use of the aforementioned methods depending on the type and complexity of the view, and the space, the evaluators’ professional background, and the type of collected data. It also discusses the overlap of the methods and estimates the preparation time, time spent on site, and the amount of work after the visit. Finally, it recommends the use of the tested methods depending on the application.
How Do Driving Factors Affect the Ecological Restoration Degree in Different Basins? A Case Study of Six River Basins in Yunnan, China
Authors: Qian Wangxu , Ning Jia
Published: December 2024

Ecological space provides human beings with the material resources and living environment needed for life; it is the basis for human survival and development, and ecological restoration is directly related to the sustainable development of human society. As an important ecological security barrier in China, the ecological restoration of the six river basins in Yunnan Province directly affects the ecological security of surrounding provinces and neighboring countries. At present, there is still a lack of research on the differences in ecological restoration between river basins. Therefore, we assessed the spatiotemporal differences in ecological restoration degree in terms of ecosystem patterns, ecosystem quality, and ecosystem services in Yunnan Province from 2000 to 2019 and explored their influencing factors in the six river basins. The results showed the following: ① The six river basins differed in terms of changes in ecosystem patterns over the 20-year period, with the share of settlement ecosystems increasing in the six river basins. The most pronounced changes in ecosystem patterns occurred in the Nu River Basin. There were also differences in the ecosystem transformation priorities of the six river basins. In addition to this, among the four selected indicators, fractional vegetation cover, net primary productivity, and soil conservation increased, but water retention exhibited a stable deteriorating trend. ② Yunnan Province’s ecological restoration degree as a whole is in a relatively stable state. There is no significant improvement or significant deterioration in the region. The best ecological restoration degree of the six river basins is the Pearl River Basin, with a trend of gradual stabilization improvement, and the worst is the Nu River Basin, with a state of gradual stabilization deterioration. ③ The factors that most influence the Ecological Restoration Index (ERI) of the six river basins are mean annual precipitation change rate, mean annual precipitation, annual mean temperature, ecological engineering, and border index. The precipitation change rate was the most important factor influencing ecological restoration in the six river basins, while the border index was the most important factor influencing the differences in ERI in the six river basins. In the future, ecological restoration measures in the six river basins of Yunnan Province should take into account regional differences, strengthen governmental supervision, and emphasize the impact of border factors on neighboring river basins to promote a balanced degree of ecological restoration in Yunnan Province as a whole.
Spatiotemporal Urban Evolution Along the China–Laos Railway in Laos Determined Using Multiple Sources of Remote-Sensed Landscape Indicators and Interpretable Machine Learning
Authors: Li Dongxue , Tang Jin , Hu Qiao , Dong Mingjuan , Chithpanya Soukanh
Published: December 2024

Constructing high-speed railways (HSRs) is critical for developing countries to stimulate economic growth and urbanization. This study focuses on the Lao section of the China–Laos Railway (CLR) and employs explicitly spatial remote sensing images to investigate the urban development surrounding HSR stations. Data-driven machine learning and causal inference approaches are integrated to quantify the spatial–temporal evolution and discover its driving factors. The results suggest that the CLR has had positive spatial spillover effects on the development of the surrounding urban space. These spillover effects have exhibited a distance attenuation pattern, reflecting obvious development in 2D rather than in 3D urban space. Meanwhile, the distance to stations and adjacent city centers as well as functional urban characteristics, such as land use patterns and industrialization level, have significantly influences the surrounding spatial development. Specifically, in industrial-dominated cities, the surrounding spatial changes have been most significant under the influence of the HSR. Change related to industrial and residential land use has shown significant land expansion patterns and increased utilization efficiency, reflecting that industrialization and urbanization have been the primary drivers of land demand surrounding the HSR. The findings offer valuable insights and references for developing nations to formulate and implement spatial management policies and initiatives related to HSR.
Key Epigenetic Players in Etiology and Novel Combinatorial Therapies for Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Belizário José , Garay-Malpartida Miguel
Published: December 2024

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of death in which the molecular tumorigenesis and cellular heterogeneity are poorly understood. The genetic principle that specific driver mutations in oncogenes, DNA repair genes, and tumor-suppressor genes can independently drive cancer development has been widely explored. Additionally, a repertory of harmful epigenetic modifications in DNA and chromatin—impacting the expression of genes involved in cellular proliferation, differentiation, genome stability, cell-cycle control, and DNA repair—are now acknowledged across various biological contexts that contribute to cancer etiology. Notably, the dynamic hypermethylation and hypomethylation in enhancer and promoter regions that promote activation or silencing of the master regulatory genes of the epigenetic programs is often altered in tumor cells due to mutation. Genome instability is one of the cancer hallmarks that contribute to transdifferentiation and intratumoral heterogeneity. Thus, it is broadly accepted that tumor tissue is dominated by genetically and epigenetically distinct sub-clones which display a set of genetic and epigenetic mutations. Here we summarize some functions of key genetic and epigenetic players and biochemical pathways leading to liver cell transformation. We discuss the role of the potential epigenetic marks in target genes thought to be involved in sequential events following liver lipid metabolism dysregulation, inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and finally hepatocellular carcinoma. We also briefly describe new findings showing how epigenetic drugs together with chemotherapy and immunotherapy can improve overall responses in patients with hepatic tumors.
Indoor Positioning Systems in Logistics: A Review
Authors: Vaccari Laura , Coruzzolo Antonio Maria , Lolli Francesco , Sellitto Miguel Afonso
Published: December 2024

Background: Indoor Positioning Systems (IPS) have gained increasing relevance in logistics, offering solutions for safety enhancement, intralogistics management, and material flow control across various environments such as industrial facilities, offices, hospitals, and supermarkets. This study aims to evaluate IPS technologies’ performance and applicability to guide practitioners in selecting systems suited to specific contexts. Methods: The study systematically reviews key IPS technologies, positioning methods, data types, filtering methods, and hybrid technologies, alongside real-world examples of IPS applications in various testing environments. Results: Our findings reveal that radio-based technologies, such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Ultra-wideband (UWB), Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth (BLE), are the most commonly used, with UWB offering the highest accuracy in industrial settings. Geometric methods, particularly multilateration, proved to be the most effective for positioning and are supported by advanced filtering techniques like the Extended Kalman Filter and machine learning models such as Convolutional Neural Networks. Overall, hybrid approaches that integrate multiple technologies demonstrated enhanced accuracy and reliability, effectively mitigating environmental interferences and signal attenuation. Conclusions: The study provides valuable insights for logistics practitioners, emphasizing the importance of selecting IPS technologies suited to specific operational contexts, where precision and reliability are critical to operational success.
An In Situ Study of Short Crack Initiation and Propagation During Fatigue Testing of a Hot Isostatically Pressed Al-7%Si-0.5%Mg (A357-T6) Alloy Specimen
Authors: Bogdanoff Toni , Tiryakioğlu Murat
Published: December 2024

A hot isostatically pressed specimen of the A357 alloy in T6 condition has been tested for fatigue performance in situ. During testing, multiple small cracks were observed during the first cycle, both in proximity to and far from the stress concentration. These cracks have competed to form a propagating crack, forming multiple crack paths initially. Once the propagating crack has been established, it has chosen paths from multiple cracks that have opened around the tip to grow further. All small cracks observed to open have been attributed to bifilms, i.e., liquid metal damage. It is imperative to develop processes that minimize liquid metal damage to enhance the fatigue performance of aluminum alloy castings.
Nanoscale Indentation-Induced Crystal Plasticity in CrCoNi Medium-Entropy Alloys Containing Short-Range Order
Authors: Ren Meijing , Han Fengbo , Zhu Xu , Peng Yue , Zu Yanqing , Liu Peitao , Feng Ailing
Published: December 2024

CrCoNi medium-entropy alloys (MEAs), characterised by their high configurational entropies, have become a research hotspot in materials science. Recent studies have indicated that MEAs exhibit short-range order (SRO), which affects their deformation mechanisms. In this study, the micro-mechanisms of SRO within the framework of mesoscale continuum mechanics are mathematically evaluated using an advanced, non-local crystal plasticity constitutive framework. Furthermore, a crystal plasticity model considering the impact of SRO on slip is established. By combining nanoindentation simulations and multi-level grain model tensile simulations, the load–displacement and stress–strain curves demonstrated that the presence of SRO increases the hardness of MEAs. More specifically, considering the distribution of shear strain and geometrically necessary dislocations, the heterogeneity of MEAs increases with an increase in the degree of SRO. This study not only enriches the crystal plasticity theory but also provides references for the microstructure and performance regulation of high-performance multi-level grain structure materials.