bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TRIB3 Modulates PPARγ-Mediated Growth Inhibition by Interfering with the MLL Complex in Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Hernández-Quiles Miguel , Baak Rosalie , Orea-Soufi Alba , Borgman Anouska , den Haan Suzanne , Sobrevals Alcaraz Paula , Jongejan Aldo , van Es Robert , Velasco Guillermo , Vos Harmjan , Kalkhoven Eric
Published: September 2022

Aberrant expression or activity of proteins are amongst the best understood mechanisms that can drive cancer initiation and progression, as well as therapy resistance. TRIB3, a member of the Tribbles family of pseudokinases, is often dysregulated in cancer and has been associated with breast cancer initiation and metastasis formation. However, the underlying mechanisms by which TRIB3 contributes to these events are unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that TRIB3 regulates the expression of PPARγ, a transcription factor that has gained attention as a potential drug target in breast cancer for its antiproliferative actions. Proteomics and phosphoproteomics analyses together with classical biochemical assays indicate that TRIB3 interferes with the MLL complex and reduces MLL-mediated H3K4 trimethylation of the PPARG locus, thereby reducing PPARγ mRNA expression. Consequently, the overexpression of TRIB3 blunts the antiproliferative effect of PPARγ ligands in breast cancer cells, while reduced TRIB3 expression gives the opposite effect. In conclusion, our data implicate TRIB3 in epigenetic gene regulation and suggest that expression levels of this pseudokinase may serve as a predictor of successful experimental treatments with PPARγ ligands in breast cancer.
Subfunctionalization of D27 Isomerase Genes in Saffron
Authors: López-Jiménez Alberto José , Morote Lucía , Niza Enrique , Mondéjar María , Rubio-Moraga Ángela , Diretto Gianfranco , Ahrazem Oussama , Gómez-Gómez Lourdes
Published: September 2022

Chromoplasts and chloroplasts contain carotenoid pigments as all-trans- and cis-isomers, which function as accessory light-harvesting pigments, antioxidant and photoprotective agents, and precursors of signaling molecules and plant hormones. The carotenoid pathway involves the participation of different carotenoid isomerases. Among them, D27 is a β-carotene isomerase showing high specificity for the C9-C10 double bond catalyzing the interconversion of all-trans- into 9-cis-β-carotene, the precursor of strigolactones. We have identified one D27 (CsD27-1) and two D27-like (CsD27-2 and CsD27-3) genes in saffron, with CsD27-1 and CsD27-3, clearly differing in their expression patterns; specifically, CsD27-1 was mainly expressed in the undeveloped stigma and roots, where it is induced by Rhizobium colonization. On the contrary, CsD27-2 and CsD27-3 were mainly expressed in leaves, with a preferential expression of CsD27-3 in this tissue. In vivo assays show that CsD27-1 catalyzes the isomerization of all-trans- to 9-cis-β-carotene, and could be involved in the isomerization of zeaxanthin, while CsD27-3 catalyzes the isomerization of all-trans- to cis-ζ-carotene and all-trans- to cis-neurosporene. Our data show that CsD27-1 and CsD27-3 enzymes are both involved in carotenoid isomerization, with CsD27-1 being specific to chromoplast/amyloplast-containing tissue, and CsD27-3 more specific to chloroplast-containing tissues. Additionally, we show that CsD27-1 is co-expressed with CCD7 and CCD8 mycorrhized roots, whereas CsD27-3 is expressed at higher levels than CRTISO and Z-ISO and showed circadian regulation in leaves. Overall, our data extend the knowledge about carotenoid isomerization and their implications in several physiological and ecological processes.
Determination of Blood NOTCH3 Extracellular Domain and Jagged-1 Levels in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Kim Hyesung , Jang Bogun , Kim Yang-Ji , Choi Jay Chol
Published: September 2022

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is the most common genetic disorder among those responsible for hereditary strokes, and it is caused by a mutation in the NOTCH3 gene on chromosome 19. Blood biomarkers related to the Notch signaling pathway have not been investigated extensively in CADASIL. In this study, we measured the serum and plasma levels of NOTCH3 extracellular domain (N3ECD) and its ligand, Jagged-1, in 279 healthy subjects. The levels of N3ECD and Jagged-1 showed significant correlations in both serum (p < 0.0001, r = 0.2681) and plasma (p < 0.0001, r = 0.4065). The N3ECD levels were significantly higher in the serum than in plasma and tend to increase with age. In contrast, there was no significant difference between the serum and plasma levels of Jagged-1 levels. To summarize, we were able to measure N3ECD and Jagged-1 protein levels in healthy human serum and plasma. Taken together, our findings provide the basis for further studies investigating the clinical use of blood N3ECD and Jagged-1 levels for CADASIL and other Notch signaling-related diseases.
Genome-Wide Analysis of the ERF Family and Identification of Potential Genes Involved in Fruit Ripening in Octoploid Strawberry
Authors: Zhang Yunting , Guo Chenhui , Deng Meiyi , Li Shanlin , Chen Yingying , Gu Xianjie , Tang Guohao , Lin Yuanxiu , Wang Yan , He Wen , Li Mengyao , Zhang Yong , Luo Ya , Wang Xiaorong , Chen Qing , Tang Haoru
Published: September 2022

Ethylene response factors (ERFs) belonging to the APETALA2/ERF superfamily acted at the end of the ethylene signaling pathway, and they were found to play important roles in plant growth and development. However, the information of ERF genes in strawberry and their involvement in fruit ripening have been limited. Here, a total of 235 ERF members were identified from 426 AP2/ERF genes at octoploid strawberry genome level and classified into six subgroups according to their sequence characteristics and phylogenetic relationship. Conserved motif and gene structure analysis supported the evolutionary conservation of FaERFs. Syntenic analysis showed that four types of duplication events occurred during the expansion of FaERF gene family. Of these, WGD/segmental duplication played a major role. Transcriptomic data of FaERF genes during fruit ripening and in response to abscisic acid screened one activator (FaERF316) and one repressor (FaERF118) that were involved in fruit ripening. Transcriptional regulation analysis showed some transcription factors related to ripening such as ABI4, TCP15, and GLK1 could bind to FaERF316 or FaERF118 promoters, while protein–protein interaction analysis displayed some proteins associated with plant growth and development could interact with FaERF118 or FaERF316. These results suggested that FaERF118 and FaERF316 were potential genes to regulate strawberry ripening. In summary, the present study provides the comprehensive and systematic information on FaERF family evolution and gains insights into FaERF’s potential regulatory mechanism in strawberry ripening.
Preserved Sleep for the Same Level of Respiratory Disturbance in Children with Prader-Willi Syndrome
Authors: Tan Qiming , He Xiao Tian (Tim) , Kang Sabrina , Haqq Andrea M. , MacLean Joanna E.
Published: September 2022

Debate remains as to how to balance the use of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) as an important treatment in Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) with its potential role in obstructive sleep apnea. This single-center, retrospective study assessed differences in overnight polysomnography results between children with and without PWS and changes in respiratory parameters before and after the initiation of rhGH treatment in those with PWS. Compared with age-, sex-, and body-mass-index-matched controls (n = 87), children with PWS (n = 29) had longer total sleep time (434 ± 72 vs. 365 ± 116 min; p < 0.01), higher sleep efficiency (86 ± 7 vs. 78 ± 15%; p < 0.05), and lower arousal events (8.1 ± 4.5 vs. 13.0 ± 8.9 events/h; p < 0.05). Mean oxygen saturation was lower in PWS children (94.3 ± 6.0 vs. 96.0 ± 2.0%; p < 0.05), with no other differences in respiratory parameters between groups. Eleven children with PWS (38%) met the criteria for further analyses of the impact of rhGH; polysomnography parameters did not change with treatment. Compared with other children undergoing polysomnography, children with PWS had more favorable markers of sleep continuity and lower oxygen saturation for the same level of respiratory disturbance. rhGH administration was not associated with changes in respiratory parameters in PWS.
The First Representative of the Roachoid Family Spiloblattinidae (Insecta, Dictyoptera) from the Late Pennsylvanian of the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Nel André , Santos Artai A. , Hernández-Orúe Antonio , Wappler Torsten , Diez José B. , Peñalver Enrique
Published: September 2022

Sysciophlebia ‘sp. form Villablino’, the first Iberian representative of the Palaeozoic–Early Mesozoic family Spiloblattinidae, is described and illustrated. Its forewing colour pattern is strongly similar to those of the Gzhelian–early-middle Asselian species Sysciophlebia euglyptica, Sysciophlebia ilfeldensis, Sysciophlebia rubida, and ‘Sysciophlebia sp. form KBQ’, supporting the currently proposed Gzhelian age for its type locality. It supports the use of the representatives of the Spiloblattinidae for stratigraphic purposes. The diagnoses and limits of the families Subioblattidae, Phyloblattidae, Compsoblattidae, Spiloblattinidae, and of the spiloblattinid genera are discussed.
Determination of the Expected Value of Losses Caused by the Cargo Transportation Insurance Risks by Water Transport
Authors: Kotenko Sergiy , Ilchenko Svitlana , Kasianova Valeriia , Diakov Vitalii , Mashkantseva Svitlana , Nitsenko Vitalii
Published: September 2022

The purpose of this study was mathematical model development for assessing the cost of losses from risks in the maritime transportation of goods that are dynamic in nature, and developing a methodical approach to the dynamic costs assessment for each of the risks separately and integral costs for all risks and ensuring the fulfillment of the requirement to anticipate the insurance cost changes over the rate of change of the transportation integral risk (or its stage). The risks factor analysis in water transport, their classification and determination of the type and nature of their impact on sea transportation of goods were carried out. The groups of risk factors that lead to emergency situations for water transport in Ukraine were studied by comparing the data of 2019 and 2021 and determining their share in the total number of accidents before the start of the active phase of hostilities in Ukraine; the rates of their change were analyzed. This made it possible to develop a systematic assessment algorithm for the dependence of the expected and actual value of losses on risks and to create a mathematical approach to risks forecasting as a factor influencing the cost of expenses. As a result of the study, a methodical approach to forecasting the cost of losses from risks was formed for each of their types. However, the main attention was paid to the identification and assessment of dynamic risks, the impact of which has an absorbing nature relative to all others in their totality. Such risks in the waters of the Black and Azov seas today mainly include risks associated with the conduct of military operations, including such operations that go against international legal norms.
Influence of Electromagnetic Activation of Cement Paste and Nano-Modification by Rice Straw Biochar on the Structure and Characteristics of Concrete
Authors: Beskopylny Alexey N. , Stel’makh Sergey A. , Shcherban’ Evgenii M. , Mailyan Levon R. , Meskhi Besarion , Smolyanichenko Alla S. , Varavka Valery , Beskopylny Nikita , Dotsenko Natal’ya
Published: September 2022

One main global problem is the accumulation of a large amount of agricultural waste. This problem causes environmental pollution and requires an immediate comprehensive solution. The purpose of this study was scientific substantiation and experimental testing, at the micro- and macro levels, of the joint influence of electromagnetic activation of cement paste and nano-modification by rice straw biochar on the strength and strain properties of concrete. In addition to standard methods, the methods of electromagnetic activation, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectrometry were used. The results of the joint influence of electro-magnetic activation and nano-modification by rice straw biochar on the strength and strain characteristics of concrete were experimentally verified and confirmed by microstructure analysis. Electromagnetic treatment of the cement paste increased the compressive strength, axial compressive strength, tensile strength in bending, and axial tensile strength of concrete. The best performance was demonstrated by electromagnetically-activated concrete containing 5 wt.% rice straw biochar. Strength characteristics increased from 23% to 28% depending on the type of strength, ultimate tensile strains decreased by 14%, and ultimate compressive strains by 8% in comparison with the control concrete composition. Replacing part of the cement with 10 wt.% and 15 wt.% rice straw biochar led to a strong drop in strength characteristics from 14 to 34% and an increase in strain characteristics from 9 to 21%. Scanning electron microscopy showed a denser and more uniform structure of electromagnetically activated samples.
The Geochemical Features and Genesis of Ferromanganese Deposits from Caiwei Guyot, Northwestern Pacific Ocean
Authors: Wang Linzhang , Zeng Zhigang
Published: September 2022

The ferromanganese deposit is a type of marine mineral resource rich in Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu. Its growth process is generally multi-stage, and the guyot environment and seawater geochemical characteristics have a great impact on the growth process. Here, we use a scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to test and analyze the texture morphology, microstructure, mineralogical features, geochemical features of ferromanganese crusts deposits at different distribution locations on Caiwei Guyot. The ferromanganese deposits of Caiwei Guyot are ferromanganese nodules on the slope and board ferromanganese crusts on the mountaintop edge, which are both of hydrgenetic origin. Hydrgenetic origin reflects that the metal source is oxic seawater. Global palaeo-ocean events control the geochemistry compositions and growth process of ferromanganese crusts and the nodule. Ferromanganese crusts that formed from the late Cretaceous on the mountaintop edge have a rough surface with black botryoidal shapes, showing an environment with strong hydrodynamic conditions, while the ferromanganese nodule that formed from the Miocene on the slope has an oolitic surface as a result of water depth. What is more, nanoscale or micron-scale diagenesis may occur during the growth process, affecting microstructure, mineralogical and geochemical features.
Wave Response of a Monocolumn Platform with a Skirt Using CFD and Experimental Approaches
Authors: Katafuchi Masaki , Suzuki Hideyuki , Higuchi Yuya , Houtani Hidetaka , Malta Edgard B. , Gonçalves Rodolfo T.
Published: September 2022

This paper aims to investigate the nonlinear motion characteristics of a monocolumn type floater with skirts numerically and experimentally. Wave calibration, free decay, and regular wave tests were simulated using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code OpenFOAM. The experiments were carried out in a wave tank to validate the CFD results. First, wave calibration tests were performed to investigate wave generation, development, propagation, and absorption in the numerical wave tank. Second, the simulation input parameters were calibrated to reproduce the waves generated in the tank experiment. Third, free decay tests of heave and pitch were conducted to examine the natural period and the linear and quadratic damping of the floater. A verification and validation study was performed using experimental data for free decay tests. Finally, regular wave tests were performed to investigate the motion characteristics of the floater. The results were processed to obtain the response amplitude operator (RAO) for the heave and pitch motions. The RAOs of the floater was compared with the experimental data and numerical simulations based on the linear potential theory code WAMIT to investigate the performance of the CFD simulations. The comparisons made in this work showed the potential of the CFD method to reproduce the motion characteristics of a shallow-draft floating object with a skirt in waves and to visualize the nonlinear phenomena behind the oscillation of the floating object.
Categorizing Active Marine Acoustic Sources Based on Their Potential to Affect Marine Animals
Authors: Ruppel Carolyn D. , Weber Thomas C. , Staaterman Erica R. , Labak Stanley J. , Hart Patrick E.
Published: September 2022

Marine acoustic sources are widely used for geophysical imaging, oceanographic sensing, and communicating with and tracking objects or robotic vehicles in the water column. Under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act and similar regulations in several other countries, the impact of controlled acoustic sources is assessed based on whether the sound levels received by marine mammals meet the criteria for harassment that causes certain behavioral responses. This study describes quantitative factors beyond received sound levels that could be used to assess how marine species are affected by many commonly deployed marine acoustic sources, including airguns, high-resolution geophysical sources (e.g., multibeam echosounders, sidescan sonars, subbottom profilers, boomers, and sparkers), oceanographic instrumentation (e.g., acoustic doppler current profilers, split-beam fisheries sonars), and communication/tracking sources (e.g., acoustic releases and locators, navigational transponders). Using physical criteria about the sources, such as source level, transmission frequency, directionality, beamwidth, and pulse repetition rate, we divide marine acoustic sources into four tiers that could inform regulatory evaluation. Tier 1 refers to high-energy airgun surveys with a total volume larger than 1500 in3 (24.5 L) or arrays with more than 12 airguns, while Tier 2 covers the remaining low/intermediate energy airgun surveys. Tier 4 includes most high-resolution geophysical, oceanographic, and communication/tracking sources, which are considered unlikely to result in incidental take of marine mammals and therefore termed de minimis. Tier 3 covers most non-airgun seismic sources, which either have characteristics that do not meet the de minimis category (e.g., some sparkers) or could not be fully evaluated here (e.g., bubble guns, some boomers). We also consider the simultaneous use of multiple acoustic sources, discuss marine mammal field observations that are consistent with the de minimis designation for some acoustic sources, and suggest how to evaluate acoustic sources that are not explicitly considered here.
Odor Profile of Four Cultivated and Freeze-Dried Edible Mushrooms by Using Sensory Panel, Electronic Nose and GC-MS
Authors: Gómez Inmaculada , Lavega González Rebeca , Tejedor-Calvo Eva , Pérez Clavijo Margarita , Carrasco Jaime
Published: September 2022

Cultivated mushrooms are well-known nutrient inputs for an equilibrated diet. Some species are broadly appreciated due to their medicinal properties. Lately, a number of novel foods and nutraceuticals based on dehydrated and freeze-dried powder obtained from cultivated mushrooms has been reaching the market. The food industry requires fast and reliable tools to prevent fraud. In this, work we have cultivated Agaricus bisporus sp. bisporus (AB) (white button mushroom), Agaricus bisporus sp. brunnescens (ABP) (portobello), Lentinula edodes (LE) (shiitake) and Grifola frondosa (GF) (maitake) using tailor-made substrates for the different species and standardized cropping conditions, which were individually freeze-dried to obtain the samples under evaluation. The aim of this article was to validate the use of two different methodologies, namely, electronic nose and sensory panel, to discriminate the olfactory profile of nutritional products based on freeze-dried mushrooms from the different cultivated species. Additionally, GC-MS was used to detect and quantify the most abundant volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the samples. The multivariate analysis performed proved the utility of electronic nose as an analytical tool, which was similar to the classical sensory panel but faster in distinguishing among the different species, with one limitation it being unable to differentiate between the same species. GC-MS analysis showed the chemical volatile formulation of the samples, also showing significant differences between different samples but high similarities between varieties of the same cultivated species. The techniques employed can be used to prevent fraud and have the potential to evaluate further medicinal mushroom species and build solid and trustful connections between these novel food products and potential consumers.
Interest Rates, House Prices, Fertility, and the Macroeconomy
Authors: Affuso Ermanno , Istiak Khandokar , Swofford James
Published: September 2022

This study differentiates between housing wealth and financial wealth and investigates whether changes in house prices and changes in interest rates have positive effects on the fertility rate. The study uses U.S. data between 1975–2020, a structural VAR model, and a Toda–Yamamoto causality test to perform the empirical investigation. The results show that changes in house prices and interest rates have a significant positive effect on changes in the fertility rate. The causality test finds that unidirectional causality exists between house prices and interest rates and fertility. The results indicate that children are consumer durable goods. The study predicts that a high fertility rate could be a by-product of an easy monetary policy through the channel of high house prices.
Interpretation of Imperfective Past Tense in Spanish: How Do Child and Adult Language Varieties Differ?
Authors: García-del-Real Isabel , van Hout Angeliek
Published: September 2022

Some studies on the L1 acquisition of aspect in various child languages have discovered that imperfective aspect is acquired later than perfective aspect, whereas others find early adult-like performance. A variety of explanations has been advanced, particularly problems (i) with the semantics of imperfective aspect in combination with telic predicates, (ii) inferring the intended temporal antecedent in a discourse, and (iii) reasoning about an agent’s intentions to complete the event when observing a situation of an event in progress. The current study aimed to disentangle which of the purported explanations can best explain the acquisition patterns. Twenty-three Spanish monolingual children (mean age 5;11) and 17 adults were presented with telic sentences with one of two aspectual tenses in Spanish (pretérito indefinido and pretérito imperfecto). Using a picture-selection task and presenting the sentences either in a narrative setting or in a non-narrative setting, participants were prompted to choose between complete, ongoing, and incomplete situations. In the non-narrative setting children’s interpretation of imperfecto was adult-like, but in the narrative setting it was not. The target-like interpretation in the non-narrative setting reveals that the semantics of imperfecto in telic-imperfective sentences has been acquired (contra explanation i). Furthermore, Spanish five-year-olds did not depend on cues for agent intentionality when interpreting the imperfecto (contra explanation iii). The discrepancy between narrative and non-narrative setting suggests the challenge lies in discourse integration (supporting explanation ii).
Surface Roughening Behavior of the 6063-T4 Aluminum Alloy during Quasi-in Situ Uniaxial Stretching
Authors: Cai Yang , Wang Xiaosong , Du Yan
Published: September 2022

Owing to orange-peel defects, the industrial application of light alloy structural members is significantly restricted. In this study, a quasi-in situ axial tensile experiment was conducted on a 6063-T4 aluminum alloy sample. The surface morphology and microstructure evolution of the tagged area were scanned simultaneously using laser scanning confocal microscopy and electron backscattered diffraction, and the surface roughening behavior of the polycrystal aluminum alloy surface, caused by deformation, was quantitatively analyzed. As the concave–convex features at the surface appear in pairs with increasing global strain, the width of the concave features increases, whereas that of the convex features decreases gradually, resulting in the initially increasing surface roughness, which subsequently remains unchanged. During the stretching process, the small-sized grains in the 37~102 μm range show weak strain localization and the highest coordination of deformation. The deformation mode of medium-sized grains in the 114–270 μm range tends to grain deflection, and others tend to slip.
Numerical Simulation of the Performance of Sb2Se3 Solar Cell via Optimizing the Optoelectronic Properties Based SCAPS-1D
Authors: Abbas Shahbaz , Bajgai Saraswati , Chowdhury Shahariar , Najm Asmaa Soheil , Jamal Mohammad Shah , Techato Kuaanan , Channumsin Sittiporn , Sreesawet Suwat , Channumsin Manun , Laref Amel , Rahman Kazi Sajedur , Holi Araa Mebdir
Published: September 2022

Antimony trisulfide (Sb2Se3), a non-toxic and accessible substance, has possibilities as a material for use in solar cells. The current study numerically analyses Sb2Se3 solar cells through the program Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator (SCAPS). A detailed simulation and analysis of the influence of the Sb2Se3 layer’s thickness, defect density, band gap, energy level, and carrier concentration on the devices’ performance are carried out. The results indicate that a good device performance is guaranteed with the following values in the Sb2Se3 layer: an 800 optimal thickness for the Sb2Se3 absorber; less than 1015 cm−3 for the absorber defect density; a 1.2 eV optimum band gap; a 0.1 eV energy level (above the valence band); and a 1014 cm−3 carrier concentration. The highest efficiency of 30% can be attained following optimization of diverse parameters. The simulation outcomes offer beneficial insights and directions for designing and engineering Sb2Se3 solar cells.
Preparation and Properties of Foam Concrete Incorporating Fly Ash
Authors: Zhang Dongsheng , Ding Sen , Ma Ye , Yang Qiuning
Published: September 2022

Foam concrete is fire resistant and durable and has broad applicability as a building insulation material. However, cement has high energy consumption and causes pollution, necessitating an environment-friendly cementitious material to replace the cement used to prepare foam concrete. In this study, foam concrete was prepared through chemical foaming. The influence of the foaming agent material, foam stabiliser, and fly ash on the basic properties of the foam concrete, including the dry bulk density, compressive strength, and thermal conductivity, was studied, and the pore structure was characterised. The results show that with an increase in the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content, the dry bulk density, compressive strength, and thermal conductivity of foam concrete decreases, whereas the pore diameter increases (0.495 to 0.746 mm). When the calcium stearate content is within 1.8%, the pore size tends to increase (0.547 to 0.631 mm). With increase in the fly ash content, the strength of foam concrete gradually decreases, and the dry bulk density first decreases and then increases. When the blending ratio of fly ash is 10–40%, the thermal conductivity gradually decreases; an extreme thermal conductivity of 0.0824 W/(m·K) appears at the blending ratio of 40%, and the dry bulk density is 336 kg/m3.
Synthesis of Spherical Powder of Lead-Free BCZT Piezoceramics and Binder Jetting Additive Manufacturing of Triply Periodic Minimum Surface Lattice Structures
Authors: Sufiiarov Vadim , Kantyukov Artem , Popovich Anatoliy , Sotov Anton
Published: September 2022

The article presents the results of the synthesis of lead-free piezoceramic materials (Ba0.9Ca0.1)(Ti0.9Zr0.1)O3 (BCZT system) in spherical powder form and their subsequent application in the binder jetting additive manufacturing process. Green models were manufactured using this powder material with binder jetting, different sintering modes were investigated, and the functional piezoelectric properties were measured. Lattice structures with triply periodic minimum surface topologies, such as Gyroid and Schwarz, were designed and manufactured. It is shown that the functional properties of lattice structures depend on the parameters of the cells and the chosen topology.
Refined Lord–Shulman Theory for 1D Response of Skin Tissue under Ramp-Type Heat
Authors: Sobhy Mohammed , Zenkour Ashraf M.
Published: September 2022

In this article, we present a mathematical model of thermoelastic skin tissue based on a refined Lord–Shulman heat conduction theory. A small thickness of skin tissue is considered to be one-dimensional with mechanical clamped surfaces. In addition, the skin tissue’s outer surface is subjected to ramp-type heating while its inner surface is adiabatic. A simple Lord–Shulman theory, as well as the classical coupled thermoelasticity, are also applied in this article. Laplace transform techniques and their inversions are calculated to return to the time domain. Numerical outcomes are represented graphically to discuss the significant impacts on the temperature, dilatation, displacement, and stress distributions. Such results provide a more comprehensive and better insight for understanding the behavior of skin tissue during the temperature distribution of a specific boundary condition.
Improved Insulation Properties of Polypropylenes in HVDC Cables Using Aqueous Suspension Grafting
Authors: Zhang Yiyi , Shi Keshuo , Zang Chunyan , Wei Wenchang , Xu Chuanhui , Zha Junwei
Published: September 2022

Owing to its lack of crosslinking, polypropylene (PP) is considered an environmentally friendly alternative to crosslinked polyethylene as high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable insulation. However, pure PP can accumulate space charges under a HVDC, and thus must be modified for use as an insulating material for HVDC cables. In this study, 4-methylstyrene is grafted onto PP using an aqueous suspension grafting method to improve its properties. The effects of the swelling time, reaction time, and 4-methylphenylene concentration on the reaction were investigated. The optimum process conditions were determined, including an optimum grafting ratio of 0.97%. The volume resistivity, ability to suppress space-charge accumulation, and DC breakdown strength of modified PP were also studied. Modified PP with a grafting ratio of 0.88% showed optimal space-charge suppression and the highest volume resistivity and breakdown strength. The work will facilitate the design and development of more efficient insulation materials for HVDC cables.
Frost Resistance and Mechanism of Circulating Fluidized Bed Fly Ash-Blast Furnace Slag-Red Mud-Clinker Based Cementitious Materials
Authors: Zhang Wei , Wei Chao , Liu Xiaoming , Zhang Zengqi
Published: September 2022

The motivation of this work is to enhance the long-term frost resistance of circulating fluidized bed fly ash (CFA)-based multisolid waste cementitious material (CSM). In this research, CSM2 is prepared by 30 wt.% CFA, 20 wt.% blast furnace slag (BFS), 10 wt.% red mud (RM), 10 wt.% phosphorus slag (PS), and 30 wt.% cement clinker (CC). The strength and mass of CSM are detected by a press and electronic balance. The hydration products, polymerization degree, thermogravimetric, micromorphology, pore structure, and harmful element leaching are detected by XRD, MAS NMR, TG-DTG, SEM-EDX, MIP, and ICP-MS. The major findings indicate that the strength loss, mass loss, and strength of CSM2 after 25 freeze–thaw cycles (CSM2-25) are 2.35%, 0.36%, and 49.95 MPa, respectively, which is superior to other CSMs and still meets the performance requirements of fly ash Portland cement 42.5#. The main hydration products are C-S-H gel, C/N-A-S-H gel, and ettringite during the freeze–thaw cycle. The polymerization degree and thermogravimetric loss of hydration products in CSM2-25 are 50.65% and 12.82 wt.%, respectively, which are higher than those of other CSMs under the synergy of CFA, BFS, RM, and PS. In addition, the microscopic results show that the interface between the paste and aggregate, micromorphology, and pore structure of CSM2-25 are the densest when the mass ratio of Ca/(Si + Al) is 0.81. These characteristics are beneficial to the improvement of long-term frost resistance in CSM2. Finally, the leaching results of harmful elements in CSM2 after 25 freeze–thaw cycles still meet the WHO standard of drinking water. Therefore, this work provides a reliable reference for the preparation of green cementitious materials with great frost resistance by using CFA, BFS, RM, and PS.
Investigation and Modelling of the Weight Wear of Friction Pads of a Railway Disc Brake
Authors: Sawczuk Wojciech , Merkisz-Guranowska Agnieszka , Ulbrich Dariusz , Kowalczyk Jakub , Cañás Armando-Miguel Rilo
Published: September 2022

This paper presents the results of tests on the railway disc brake with regard to the weight wear of friction pads. The tests were carried out at a certified brake test bench where the friction-mechanical characteristics of the railway brake were determined. The test stand was additionally equipped with a thermal imaging camera to observe the contact between the brake pads and the brake disc. The scientific goal of the test is to evaluate the relationship between the weight wear of friction pads and the quantities characterizing the braking process. The quantities characterizing the braking process included pad-to-disc contact area, friction pad thickness, pad-to-disc pressure, and braking speed. A regression model to estimate the friction pad wear on the basis of a single braking with the given input quantities was determined. The greatest influence on the increase in weight wear of friction pads has the braking velocity, which was confirmed by the value of the correlation coefficient of the regression model at value 0.81. The pressure of the friction pad to the disc and the friction pad thickness do not have a significant effect on the weight wear described by the regression model, and the obtained correlation coefficient for these parameters was lower than the value of 0.2.
Effect of Inoculation Treatment on Number of Primary Austenite Grains in Hypoeutectic Chromium Cast Iron: EBSD Imaging and Mathematical Structure Prediction
Authors: Siekaniec Dorota , Kopyciński Dariusz , Guzik Edward , Szczęsny Andrzej
Published: September 2022

This study proved the influence of an inoculation substance on the primary structure of chromium-cast iron. The inoculation procedure has developed very well in the field of grey cast iron production and mainly concerns the crystallisation of graphite eutectic grains in this material. However, in chromium cast iron, the inoculation problem is not well-recognised due to the formation of chromium carbides in white cast iron. One can easily increase the number of carbides in the cast iron’s structure, but this procedure will not always bring the expected benefits in terms of increasing the overall mechanical properties. In the research included in this publication, an experiment was carried out with the use of ferrotitanium as an inoculant for chromium-cast iron. As a result of using the EBSD (electron backscatter diffraction analysis) imaging method, it was proven that the Fe–Ti interaction significantly influenced the primary structure of chromium cast iron that was formed by austenite grains. The paper presents the growth laws of primary austenite grains in modified hypoeutectic chromium cast iron depending on the degree of supercooling, ΔT, and the amount of the Fe–Ti inoculant M. The results of the research made it possible to predict the structure of hypoeutectic chromium cast iron after Fe–Ti inoculation treatment. The article proves that the use of the inoculant can change the primary structure of chromium cast iron, increasing its impact strength by more than three times.
Curve-Fitting Algorithm for the Inspection of Subtle Feature Lines on Automotive Outer Panels
Authors: Lee Chang-Whan , Chung Yun-Chan
Published: September 2022

Feature lines on automotive outer panels are difficult to make, measure, and inspect. This paper proposes an algorithm to fit a line-arc-line curve to the measured data points of a subtle feature line. First, based on an iterative method and random sampling consensus, the algorithm separates points corresponding to a circular arc. Further, the lines tangent to the circle are estimated based on the other data points. The algorithm repeats the procedure until the error is lower than the specified tolerance. The sensitivity and applicability of the algorithm were analyzed by applying it to simulated data points, experimental specimens, and actual automotive panels. The results demonstrated that the algorithm is robust to noise and surface waves and can be applied to the automotive panel-manufacturing process.
An Influence of Oxygen Flow Rate and Spray Distance on the Porosity of HVOF Coating and Its Effects on Corrosion—A Review
Authors: Raza Ali , Ahmad Faiz , Badri Thar M. , Raza M. R. , Malik Khurshid
Published: September 2022

Thermal spray coating, exceptionally high-velocity oxyfuel (HVOF), improves the corrosion resistance and wear of metal. Coating parameters play a vital role in the properties of the coating. The quality of coating can be increased by selecting appropriate coating parameters. In the case of HVOF, the oxygen flow rate and spray distance are the most significant parameters that directly influence the porosity and corrosion resistance of the coating. Porosity is essential in thermal barrier coatings for low thermal conductivity, but there is a limit of porosity beyond which it can cause failure. Hence, understanding the effects of these parameters is essential to evaluate and further minimize the porosity in order to improve the corrosion resistance and durability of the thermal barrier coating. This article reviews hot corrosion in thermal barrier coatings, the stages of corrosion, the importance of spray parameters, and the effect of the oxygen flow rate and spray distance on the corrosion resistance of HVOF-sprayed coatings. Afterwards, the coating materials, the substrate, the flow rate of oxygen, the spray distance, and the fuel used during the HVOF spraying process from recent articles are summarized. In summary, this review compares the flow rate of oxygen and the spray distance with the corrosion capacity of the coating under different corrosive environments and materials to optimize these parameters for high-quality coating, which would sustain under high temperatures for future applications.
A Structure Load Performance Integrated Model Method for the Bridge-Type Displacement Amplification Mechanism
Authors: Tian Feifei , Li Siyuan , Hu Bingliang , Wang Pengchong , Hao Xiongbo , Zhao Wanli
Published: September 2022

The modeling of compliant bridge-type displacement amplification mechanisms has challenges due to the intrinsic coupling of kinematic and mechanical behaviors. A structure load performance integrated model method for the bridge-type displacement amplification mechanism is presented. The established modeling based on Castigliano’s second theorem considers the deformations of all members, the effect of external load and the nonlinear shear effect. Compared to the finite element model (FEM) and existing models, the established modeling precisely predicts significant nonlinearity of the displacement amplification ratio (DAR) with the driving force, strong sensitivity of DAR to the external load and corresponding relationships of structural parameters with DAR, which is the closest to the FEM result over existing models. The variance-based sensitivities of structural parameters to DAR are thoroughly analyzed, indicating that sensitive structure parameters need to be focused on. Modeling applications further prove the reliability and expandability of the proposed model method. The proposed model method can provide support for the design, optimization and control of compliant systems with bridge-type displacement amplification mechanisms.
Dynamic Tangential Contact Stiffness and Damping Model of the Solid–Liquid Interface
Authors: Peng Lixia , Gao Zhiqiang , Ban Zhaoyang , Gao Feng , Fu Weiping
Published: September 2022

In order to establish the tangential contact stiffness and damping model of the solid–liquid interface by tangential exciting vibration force under mixed lubrication, the finite difference method was firstly used to solve the average flow equation considering the effect of roughness on the lubrication effect, and the bearing capacity, shear force, and friction coefficient of the oil film were obtained, and thereby the dynamic tangential contact stiffness and damping of the oil film under tangential harmonic excitation were calculated. Then, according to the relationship between the normal deformation and the load of the solid contact microconvex body in the elastic/elastic–plastic/plastic deformation stage, integrating the tangential stick–slip theory, considering the effect of fluid lubrication on the solid contact friction coefficient, and tangential dynamic excitation, the tangential contact stiffness and damping of the microconvex body in three deformation stages were calculated. Furthermore, the dynamic tangential contact stiffness and damping of the solid–liquid interface were obtained by summing the solid surface contact part and the solid–liquid contact part in parallel according to the assumption of microconvex Gaussian distribution. Finally, through simulation analysis and experiments, the variation of the tangential dynamic contact stiffness and damping of the solid–liquid interface with normal load, tangential exciting frequency, and displacement amplitude was revealed and verified.
Impact of Astrocytic Coverage of Synapses on the Short-Term Memory of a Computational Neuron-Astrocyte Network
Authors: Li Zonglun , Tsybina Yuliya , Gordleeva Susanna , Zaikin Alexey
Published: September 2022

Working memory refers to the capability of the nervous system to selectively retain short-term memories in an active state. The long-standing viewpoint is that neurons play an indispensable role and working memory is encoded by synaptic plasticity. Furthermore, some recent studies have shown that calcium signaling assists the memory processes and the working memory might be affected by the astrocyte density. Over the last few decades, growing evidence has also revealed that astrocytes exhibit diverse coverage of synapses which are considered to participate in neuronal activities. However, very little effort has yet been made to attempt to shed light on the potential correlations between these observations. Hence, in this article, we leverage a computational neuron–astrocyte model to study the short-term memory performance subject to various astrocytic coverage and we demonstrate that the short-term memory is susceptible to this factor. Our model may also provide plausible hypotheses for the various sizes of calcium events as they are reckoned to be correlated with the astrocytic coverage.
Rock Burst Intensity Classification Prediction Model Based on a Bayesian Hyperparameter Optimization Support Vector Machine
Authors: Yan Shaohong , Zhang Yanbo , Liu Xiangxin , Liu Runze
Published: September 2022

Rock burst disasters occurring in underground high-stress rock mass mining and excavation engineering seriously threaten the safety of workers and hinders the progress of engineering construction. Rock burst classification prediction is the basis of reducing and even eliminating rock burst hazards. Currently, most of mainstream discriminant models for rock burst grade prediction are based on small samples. Comprehensive selection according to many pieces of literature, the maximum tangential stress of surrounding rock and rock uniaxial compressive strength ratio coefficient (stress state parameter), rock uniaxial compressive strength and uniaxial tensile strength ratio (brittleness modulus), and the elastic energy index are used as a grading evaluation index of rock burst based on the collection of different construction engineering instances of rock burst in 114 groups of extensive sample data in different regions of the world, which are used to carry out the training study. The representativeness and accuracy of the index selection were verified by the indicator variance analysis and Spearman correlation coefficient hypothesis test. The Intelligent Rock burst Identification System (IRIS) based on an optimizable SVM model was established using data set samples. After extensive data cross-validation training, the accuracy of the SVM discriminant analysis model can reach 95.6%, which is significantly better than the prediction accuracy of the traditional SVM model of 71.9%. The model is used to classify and predict the rock burst intensity of 10 typical projects at home and abroad. The prediction results are consistent with the actual rock burst intensity, which is better than the discriminant model based on small sample data and other existing prediction models. The application of engineering examples shows that the results of the rock burst intensity classification prediction model based on extensive sample data processing analysis and the SVM discriminant method are in good agreement with the actual rock burst intensity, which can effectively provide a reference for the prediction of rock burst intensity grade in a construction area.
Fault Diagnosis Analysis of Angle Grinder Based on ACD-DE and SVM Hybrid Algorithm
Authors: Jia Jiangming , Zhang Chenan , Chen Jianneng , Zhu Zheng , Mao Ming
Published: September 2022

Due to the complex structure of the angle grinder and the existence of multiple rotating parts, the coupling phenomenon of the data results in the complexity and chaos of the data. The market scale of angle grinder is huge. Manual diagnosis and traditional diagnosis are difficult to meet the requirements, so a fault diagnosis method of angle grinder that is based on adaptive parameters and chaos theory of dual-strategy differential evolution algorithm (ACD-DE) and SVM model hybrid algorithm is proposed by combining a chaos-mapping algorithm, dynamic and adaptive scale factor, and crossover factor. The effectiveness and robustness of the algorithm are proven by solving eight test functions. The acceleration signal is decomposed by wavelet packet decomposition and reconstruction, and a variety of sensor signals are processed and constructed as feature vectors. The training set and the test set of the fault diagnosis model are divided. SVM model is used as the fault diagnosis model and optimized by ACD-DE. Based on the fault data of the angle grinder, the hybrid algorithm is compared with other optimization algorithms and other machine learning models; the comparison results show that the performance of the improved differential evolution algorithm is improved, in which the precision rate is 98.81%, the recall rate is 98.74%, and the F1 score is 0.9877. Experiments show that the hybrid algorithm has strong diagnosis accuracy and robustness.