bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Spatio-Temporal Pattern and Transition Mode of Recessive Cultivated Land Use Morphology in the Huaibei Region of the Jiangsu Province
Authors: Li Xinyao , Wang Lingzhi , Pijanowski Bryan , Pan Lingpeng , Omrani Hichem , Liang Anqi , Qu Yi
Published: November 2022

Examining land use transition is a new way of building on the comprehensive research on Land Use/Cover Change (LUCC). Research on transition law and characteristics is important for improving the theory of land use transition and the practice of land resource management, and for being able to provide a basis and reference for promoting socio-economic transformation. Based on the relevant statistical data concerning cultivated land use in the Huaibei area of the Jiangsu Province from 1995 to 2020, and by understanding the county as a unit to be measured, this paper constructed a multi-dimensional (economic–social–ecological) functional index system of recessive morphology, analyzed the spatio-temporal pattern of the transition of cultivated land use, identified transition point mutations, and established the transition mode by adopting multi-dimensional time series point mutation detection and the piecewise linear regression method. The findings suggest that the index of recessive cultivated land use morphology in the Huaibei region of the Jiangsu Province presents a trend of “slow decline to significant growth to stable growth”. Moreover, the index presented evolutionary characteristics such as “high in the middle and east while low in the west”, as well as “the relatively balanced distribution between counties”, thus indicating that the degree of transition deepened, it showed a homogeneous development trend, and the transition process presented obvious “ladder” stage characteristics; therefore, the authors suggest making scientific use of cultivated land resources, in accordance with local conditions, in order to make the land use transition of cultivated land efficient, green, and sustainable.
A Spatial Equilibrium Evaluation of Primary Education Services Based on Living Circle Models: A Case Study within the City of Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province, China
Authors: Huang An , Xu Yueqing , Zhang Yibin , Lu Longhui , Liu Chao , Sun Piling , Liu Qingguo
Published: November 2022

Primary education services are a key component of public infrastructure. These services exert significant impacts on public activity, sustainability, and healthy socio-economic development. This research applies the concept of a ‘living circle’ in order to evaluate the spatial equilibrium of education services in existing primary schools. This has enabled equilibrium planning schemes to be proposed for primary schools as well as the promotion and construction of livable and defensible living spaces. This area remains a key issue, however, one that urgently needs to be addressed in terms of the layout of public infrastructural services to facilitate livable living space construction. Thus, from the perspective of livable and defensible living space construction, the aim of this study was to construct a primary education equalization assessment method based on the walking living circle method. An equilibrium index was also designed based on the number of primary school students; this was then combined with the standard construction of new primary schools to optimize the spatial equilibrium of these education services. The city of Zhangjiakou City was then used as a case study; the spatial equilibrium of primary education services was evaluated across four living circle scenarios (i.e., 15 min, 20 min, 25 min, and 30 min). Results reveal that the city of Zhangjiakou currently offers dramatically spatially negative non-equilibrium primary education services (i.e., supply < demand) across four living circle scenarios, but most notably in rural areas away from urban areas and towns, especially in the counties of Shangyi, Chicheng, Chongli, Kangbao, and Guyuan. It is interesting to note that all living circle scenarios could enable positive non-equilibrium primary education services (i.e., supply > demand), mainly within the urban districts of Qiaodong, Xuanhua, Qiaoxi, Wanquan, and Xiahuayuan. It is also clear that equilibrium living circles are distributed across all counties. A spatial optimization proposal for primary school services should therefore be presented that alleviates the issues inherent to non-equilibrium primary education services. The results of this study offer a number of suggestions for education service optimization across the city of Zhangjiakou as well as for other cities in China. We also provide further scientific foundations for research on livable space and defensible unit construction as well as the spatial equilibrium evaluation of other public infrastructural service facilities
The Extraction Method of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) Mapping Using Different Remote Sensing Data Sources Based on Vegetation Growth Properties
Authors: Wang Ruifeng , Shi Fengling , Xu Dawei
Published: November 2022

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is one of the most widely planted forages due to its useful characteristics. Although alfalfa spatial distribution is an important source of basic data, manual surveys incur high survey costs, require large workloads and confront difficulties in collecting data over large areas; remote sensing compensates for these shortcomings. In this study, the time-series variation characteristics of different vegetation types were analyzed, and the extraction method of alfalfa mapping was established according to different spatial- and temporal-resolution remote sensing data. The results provided the following conclusions: (1) when using the wave peak and valley number of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) curves, in the study area, the number of wave peak needed to be greater than 2 and the number of wave valley needed to be greater than 1; (2) 91.6% of alfalfa sampling points were extracted by moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) data using the wave peak and valley method, and 5.0% of oats sampling points were extracted as alfalfa, while no other vegetation types met these conditions; (3) 85.3% of alfalfa sampling points were identified from Sentinel-2 multispectral instrument (MSI) data using the wave peak and valley method; 6.0% of grassland vegetation and 8.7% of oats satisfied the conditions, while other vegetation types did not satisfy this rule; and (4) the temporal phase selection was very important for alfalfa extraction using single-time phase remote sensing images; alfalfa was easily separated from other vegetation at the pre−wintering stage and was more difficult to separate at the spring regreening stage due to the variability in the alfalfa overwintering rate; the overall classification accuracy was 92.9% with the supervised classification method using support vector machine (SVM) at the pre-wintering stage. These findings provide a promising approach to alfalfa mapping using different remote sensing data.
Emerging Sign Languages
Authors: Sandler Wendy , Padden Carol , Aronoff Mark
Published: November 2022

The emergence of sign language is of special interest because sign languages are the only human languages that can emerge de novo at any time [...]
Cerebrolysin Use in Patients with Liver Damage—A Translational Study
Authors: Morega Shandiz , Gresita Andrei , Mitran Smaranda Ioana , Musat Madalina Iuliana , Boboc Ianis Kevyn Stefan , Gheorman Victor , Udristoiu Ion , Albu Carmen Valeria , Streba Costin Teodor , Catalin Bogdan , Rogoveanu Ion
Published: November 2022

The treatment of acute life-threatening events in patients suffering from chronic pathologies is problematic, as physicians need to consider multisystemic drug effects. Regarding Cerebrolysin, a Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway amplifier and one of the few approved neurotrophic treatments for stroke patients, concerns of excessive Hedgehog pathway activation that could accelerate NAFLD progression to cirrhosis seem valid. We investigated stroke patients treated with Cerebrolysin that presented elevated levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and/or alanine aminotransferase (ALT). We also investigated the efficiency of Cerebrolysin in reversing the neurogenesis inhibition within the hippocampus in a mouse model of NAFLD by evaluating behavior and histological outcomes. NeuN, BrdU and Iba1 positive signals in the cortex and hippocampus of the animals were also observed. Clinically, Cerebrolysin improved AST levels in a majority of stroke patients with hepatic damage. The same treatment in an experimental setup was able to reverse anxiety-like behavior in MCD mice, reducing their freezing time from 333.61 ± 21.81 s in MCD animals to 229.17 ± 26.28 in treated ones. The use of Cerebrolysin did not improve short-term memory nor rescued cell multiplication in the hippocampus after MCD food intake. Understanding the neuroprotective and neurotrophic effects that drugs have on NAFLD patients can significantly contribute to a suitable therapeutic approach.
Two Novel Functional Mutations in Promoter Region of SCN3B Gene Associated with Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Lin Liyan , Li Ke , Tian Beijia , Jia Mengru , Wang Qianyan , Xu Chengqi , Xiong Liang , Wang Qing , Zeng Yali , Wang Pengyun
Published: November 2022

The sodium voltage-gated channel beta subunit 3 (SCN3B) plays a crucial role in electrically excitable cells and conduction tissue in the heart. Some previous studies have established that genetic modification in sodium voltage-channel genes encoding for the cardiac β-subunits, such as SCN1B, SCN2B, SCN3B and SCN4B, can result in atrial fibrillation (AF). In the current study, we identified two rare variants in 5′UTR (NM_018400.4: c.-324C>A, rs976125894 and NM_018400.4: c.-303C>T, rs1284768362) of SCN3B in two unrelated lone AF patients. Our further functional studies discovered that one of them, the A allele of c.-324C>A (rs976125894), can improve transcriptional activity and may raise SCN3B expression levels. The A allele of c.-324C>A (rs976125894) has higher transcriptional activity when it interacts with GATA4, as we confirmed transcription factor GATA4 is a regulator of SCN3B. To the best of our knowledge, the current study is the first to demonstrate that the gain-of-function mutation of SCN3B can produce AF and the first to link a mutation occurring in the non-coding 5′UTR region of SCN3B to lone AF. The work also offers empirical proof that GATA4 is a critical regulator of SCN3B gene regulation. Our findings may serve as an encyclopedia for AF susceptibility variants and can also provide insight into the investigation of the functional mechanisms behind AF variants discovered by genetic methods.
Molecular Mechanisms of Action of Eugenol in Cancer: Recent Trends and Advancement
Authors: Padhy Ipsa , Paul Paramita , Sharma Tripti , Banerjee Sabyasachi , Mondal Arijit
Published: November 2022

Background: Cancer is, at present, among the leading causes of morbidity globally. Despite advances in treatment regimens for cancer, patients suffer from poor prognoses. In this context, the availability of vast natural resources seems to alleviate the shortcomings of cancer chemotherapy. The last decade has seen a breakthrough in the investigations related to the anticancer potential of dietary phytoconstituents. Interestingly, a handsome number of bioactive principles, ranging from phenolic acids, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, stilbenes, and terpenoids to organosulphur compounds have been screened for their anticancer properties. Among the phenylpropanoids currently under clinical studies for anticancer activity, eugenol is a promising candidate. Eugenol is effective against cancers like breast, cervical, lung, prostate, melanomas, leukemias, osteosarcomas, gliomas, etc., as evident from preclinical investigations. Objective: The review aims to focus on cellular and molecular mechanisms of eugenol for cancer prevention and therapy. Methods: Based on predetermined criteria, various scholarly repositories, including PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct were analyzed for anticancer activities of eugenol. Results: Different biochemical investigations reveal eugenol inducing cytotoxicity, inhibiting phases of the cell cycles, programmed cell death, and auto-phagocytosis in studied cancer lines; thus, portraying eugenol as a promising anticancer molecule. A survey of current literature has unveiled the molecular mechanisms intervened by eugenol in exercising its anticancer role. Conclusion: Based on the critical analysis of the literature, eugenol exhibits vivid signaling pathways to combat cancers of different origins. The reports also depict the advancement of novel nano-drug delivery approaches upgrading the therapeutic profile of eugenol. Therefore, eugenol nanoformulations may have enormous potential for both the treatment and prevention of cancer.
Ecological Aerobic Ammonia and Methane Oxidation Involved Key Metal Compounds, Fe and Cu
Authors: Ayub Hina , Kang Min-Ju , Farooq Adeel , Jung Man-Young
Published: November 2022

Interactions between metals and microbes are critical in geomicrobiology and vital in microbial ecophysiological processes. Methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) and ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms (AOM) are key members in aerobic environments to start the C and N cycles. Ammonia and methane are firstly oxidized by copper-binding metalloproteins, monooxygenases, and diverse iron and copper-containing enzymes that contribute to electron transportation in the energy gain pathway, which is evolutionally connected between MOB and AOM. In this review, we summarized recently updated insight into the diverse physiological pathway of aerobic ammonia and methane oxidation of different MOB and AOM groups and compared the metabolic diversity mediated by different metalloenzymes. The elevation of iron and copper concentrations in ecosystems would be critical in the activity and growth of MOB and AOM, the outcome of which can eventually influence the global C and N cycles. Therefore, we also described the impact of various concentrations of metal compounds on the physiology of MOB and AOM. This review study could give a fundamental strategy to control MOB and AOM in diverse ecosystems because they are significantly related to climate change, eutrophication, and the remediation of contaminated sites for detoxifying pollutants.
Immunology of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma—A Comprehensive Insight with Recent Concepts
Authors: Venkatesiah Sowmya , Augustine Dominic , Mishra Deepika , Gujjar Neethi , Haragannavar Vanishri , Awan Kamran , Patil Shankargouda
Published: November 2022

This review aims to understand the concept of oral cancer immunology through the notion of immune profiling, immunoediting and immunotherapy, and to gain knowledge regarding its application for the management of oral cancer patients. Oral cancer is an immunogenic tumor where the cells of the tumor microenvironment play an important role in tumorigenesis. Understanding the mechanism of these modulations can help design immunotherapeutic strategies in oral cancer patients. This article gives an overview of immunomodulation in the oral cancer tumor microenvironment, with concepts of immune profiling, immunoediting and immunotherapy. English literature searches via Google Scholar, Web of Science, EBSCO, Scopus, and PubMed database were performed with the key words immunology, tumor microenvironment, cells, cross talk, immune profiling, biomarkers, inflammation, gene expression, techniques, immunoediting, immunosurveillance, tumor escape, immunotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, vaccines in cancer, oral cancer, and head and neck cancer. Original research articles, reviews, and case reports published from 2016–2021 (n = 81) were included to appraise different topics, and were discussed under the following subsections. Literature published on oral cancer immunology reveals that oral cancer immune profiling with appropriate markers and techniques and knowledge on immunoediting concepts can help design and play an effective role in immunotherapeutic management of oral cancer patients. An evaluation of oral cancer immunology helps to determine its role in tumorigenesis, and immunotherapy could be the emerging drift in the effective management of oral cancer.
Age and Sex in Back Pain Intensity—Retrospective Study of Conservatory vs. Surgical Discopathy Treatment
Authors: Koszela Kamil , Woldańska-Okońska Marta
Published: November 2022

(1) Background: The frequency of back pain diagnosis and treatment has markedly increased in recent years. Back pain may be caused by many factors and discopathy is one of them. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of age and sex on back pain intensity in rehabilitated patients with discopathy treated conservatively and surgically; (2) Methods: The study included 137 patients: 96 undergoing conservative therapy and 41 after back surgery due to discopathy. VAS and the Laitinen scale were used for pain assessment. All patients underwent a multidirectional rehabilitation program at the Department of Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine of the Medical University in Łódź; (3) Results: No statistically significant effect of age and sex was observed on the level of pain intensity on VAS and the Laitinen scale; (4) Conclusions: Age and sex do not seem to affect back pain intensity in rehabilitated patients treated conservatively and surgically for discopathy. The problem requires further research on a larger group of patients.
Construction and Comprehensive Analysis of miRNAs and Target mRNAs in Longissimus dorsi Muscle of Queshan Black and Large White Pigs
Authors: Han Xuelei , Qi Kunlong , Song Chenglei , Dou Yaqing , Liu Yingke , Li Chenlei , Wei Yilin , Qiao Ruimin , Li Xiuling , Yang Feng , Wang Kejun , Li Xinjian
Published: November 2022

A miRNA-mRNA combination analysis was performed on the longissimus dorsi muscle of adult Queshan Black and Large White pigs by RNA-seq technology to reveal the molecular mechanism affecting pork quality traits. The sequencing results showed that 39 miRNAs were differentially expressed between Queshan Black and Large White pigs, which targeted 5234 mRNAs, and 15 differentially expressed miRNAs targeted 86 differentially expressed mRNAs. The qRT-PCR results showed that miRNAs showed similar expression patterns to RNA-seq. The GO analysis indicated that differentially expressed miRNAs with differential target mRNAs were primarily involved in biological processes such as phospholipase activity, MAP-kinase scaffold activity, lipase activity, and regulation of the extent of cell growth. The KEGG analysis also revealed that such mRNAs were significantly enriched in the ECM-receptor interaction, sphingolipid metabolism, apoptosis, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and AMPK signaling pathway. In addition, software predictions showed that 17 (13 of which were upregulated and four were downregulated) of 39 differentially expressed miRNAs targeted 118 negatively correlated expression mRNAs. The upregulated miRNAs contained 103 negatively correlated target mRNAs, whereas the downregulated miRNAs contained 15 negatively correlated target mRNAs. The GO analysis showed that such mRNAs were primarily involved in MAP-kinase scaffold activity, myoblast development, and peptidyl-lysine methylation, and the KEGG analysis showed significant enrichment in ECM-receptor interaction and focal adhesion. The functional enrichment analysis of miRNA target genes revealed that miR-328 was screened out as a key miRNA, and preliminary functional validation was performed. Moreover, the overexpressed miR-328 could affect the expression of proliferation-related genes, such as CDK2, CDK4, CCNB1, CCND1, CCNE1, and PCNA. These results indicated that miR-328 may regulate fat deposition and affect meat quality by influencing related pathways. This study revealed that the miRNA−mRNA regulatory axis affects fat deposition and skeletal muscle development, which provides a theoretical basis for further study on the molecular mechanism of meat quality.
Diagnostic Performance of On-Site Computed Tomography Derived Fractional Flow Reserve on Non-Culprit Coronary Lesions in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Ahres Abdelkrim , Simon Judit , Jablonkai Balazs , Nagybaczoni Bela , Baranyai Tamas , Apor Astrid , Kolossvary Marton , Merkely Bela , Maurovich-Horvat Pal , Szilveszter Balint , Andrassy Peter
Published: November 2022

The role of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) in the assessment of non-culprit lesions (NCL) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is debated. In this prospective clinical study, a total of 68 ACS patients with 89 moderate (30–70% diameter stenosis) NCLs were enrolled to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of on-site CT-FFR compared to invasive fractional flow reserve (FFRi) and dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) as reference standards. CT-FFR and FFRi values ≤0.80, as well as new or worsening wall motion abnormality in ≥2 contiguous segments on the supplying area of an NCL on DSE, were considered positive for ischemia. Sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive value of CT-FFR relative to FFRi and DSE were 51%, 89%, 75%, and 74% and 37%, 77%, 42%, and 74%, respectively. CT-FFR value (β = 0.334, p < 0.001) and CT-FFR drop from proximal to distal measuring point [(CT-FFR drop), β = −0.289, p = 0.002)] were independent predictors of FFRi value in multivariate linear regression analysis. Based on comparing their receiver operating characteristics area under the curve (AUC) values, CT-FFR value and CT-FFR drop provided better discriminatory power than CCTA-based minimal lumen diameter stenosis to distinguish between an NCL with positive and negative FFRi [0.77 (95% Confidence Intervals, CI: 0.67–0.86) and 0.77 (CI: 0.67–0.86) vs. 0.63 (CI: 0.52–0.73), p = 0.029 and p = 0.043, respectively]. Neither CT-FFR value nor CT-FFR drop was predictive of regional wall motion score index at peak stress (β = −0.440, p = 0.441 and β = 0.403, p = 0.494) or was able to confirm ischemia on the territory of an NCL revealed by DSE (AUC = 0.54, CI: 0.43–0.64 and AUC = 0.55, CI: 0.44–0.65, respectively). In conclusion, on-site CT-FFR is superior to conventional CCTA-based anatomical analysis in the assessment of moderate NCLs; however, its diagnostic capacity is not sufficient to make it a gatekeeper to invasive functional evaluation. Moreover, based on its comparison with DSE, CT-FFR might not yield any information on the microvascular dysfunction in the territory of an NCL.
Citizenship, Pain, and Disability in Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot
Authors: Gauvin Mitchell
Published: November 2022

Citizenship is popularly associated with able-bodiedness, both physically and cognitively. However, disability studies over the last few decades has revealed the extent to which the idea of the nation as composed of able-bodied constituents is little more than fantasy, one that can create or galvanize barriers to full political and social participation. Part of this task has involved re-evaluating key works of canonical literature through the lens of disability. In the following paper, I apply this approach to Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot and argue that Beckett’s play disrupts not just the fantasy of a nation composed of able-bodied citizens but the language of able-bodiedness itself, which has implications for how we conceive of citizenship and participatory politics. While impairment has been critiqued in Beckett before, the extensive examples of pained and impaired characters in his works have often been subsumed under broader philosophical themes, such as existentialism, nihilism, or Cartesian dualism, and rarely linked to issues of citizenship, politics, or the social and built environment. I explore how Beckett’s approach to theatrical and linguistic performativity contributes to how he staged the experience of pain and disability that has implications for how we conceive of and practice citizenship.
77Se and 13C NMR Characterization of Selenium Cyanides
Authors: Anghinoni João Marcos , Ferreira Sabrina Souza , Penteado Filipe , Lenardão Eder João , Silva Márcio Santos
Published: November 2022

Here, we describe a magnetic resonance spectroscopy characterization of selenium cyanide compounds, Se(CN)2, Se2(CN)2 and Se3(CN)2. Selenim-77 and carbon-13 nuclides were used to provide data of these species at room temperature. This is the first structural characterization performed using NMR for Se3(CN)2, while only low-temperature analyses have been conducted so far for Se(CN)2 and Se2(CN)2. Based on these limitations, a characterization study was deemed mandatory, especially from a synthetic chemistry point of view. In addition to these analyses, we carried out a purity assessment for Se3(CN)2 according to the melting point parameter along with a solubility evaluation.
New Platforms Based on Frontal Cellular Automata and Lattice Boltzmann Method for Modeling the Forming and Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Łach Łukasz , Svyetlichnyy Dmytro
Published: November 2022

Materials science gives theoretical and practical tools, while new modeling methods and platforms provide rapid and efficient development, improvement, and optimization of old and new technologies. Recently, impressive progress has been made in the development of computer software and systems. The frontal cellular automata (FCA), lattice Boltzmann method (LBM), and modeling platforms based on them are considered in the paper. The paper presents basic information on these methods and their application for modeling phenomena and processes in materials science. Recrystallization, crystallization, phase transformation, processes such as flat and shape rolling, additive manufacturing technologies (Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)/ Selective Laser Melting (SLM)), and others are examples of comprehensive and effective modeling by the developed systems. Selected modeling results are also presented.
Optimization of Wire Electric Discharge Machining (WEDM) Process Parameters for AISI 1045 Medium Carbon Steel Using Taguchi Design of Experiments
Authors: Zaman Uzair Khaleeq uz , Khan Usman Ahmed , Aziz Shahid , Baqai Aamer Ahmed , Butt Sajid Ullah , Hussain Danish , Siadat Ali , Jung Dong Won
Published: November 2022

With the growth of the manufacturing industry, the demand for alloy materials with high hardness, toughness, and impact strength has increased. Since products from such alloy materials are extremely difficult to manufacture with high accuracy and reduced surface roughness using traditional machining techniques, wire electric discharge machining can be used to machine such complex parts with more precision. In this case-study-based research, machining factors such as current, pulse-on time, and voltage are studied to determine their effects on the material removal rate for AISI 1045 medium carbon steel. The Taguchi L9 orthogonal array is used in the design of experiments for optimization. Statistical techniques such as analysis of variance and signal-to-noise ratio are used to identify the control parameters that matter most in bringing about optimal results. Based on the results, the current is the most crucial control variable in this investigation. Moreover, the maximum material removal rate obtained was 0.7112 mm3/min with the obtained optimized values of current (I) = 16 A, voltage (V) = 50 V, and pulse-on time (Ton) = 100 µs.
Formation of Shaped Charge Projectile in Air and Water
Authors: Zhang Zhifan , Li Hailong , Wang Longkan , Zhang Guiyong , Zong Zhi
Published: November 2022

With the improvement of the antiknock performance of warships, shaped charge warheads have been focused on and widely used to design underwater weapons. In order to cause efficient damage to warships, it is of great significance to study the formation of shaped charge projectiles in air and water. This paper uses Euler governing equations to establish numerical models of shaped charges subjected to air and underwater explosions. The formation and the movement of Explosively Formed Projectiles (EFPs) in different media for three cases: air explosion and underwater explosions with and without air cavities are discussed. First, the velocity distributions of EFPs in the formation process are discussed. Then, the empirical coefficient of the maximum head velocity of EFPs in air is obtained by simulations of air explosions of shaped charges with different types of explosives. The obtained results agree well with the practical solution, which validates the numerical model. Further, this empirical coefficient in water is deduced. After that, the evolutions of the head velocity of EFPs in different media for the above three cases are further compared and analyzed. The fitting formulas of velocity attenuation of EFPs, which form and move in different media, are gained. The obtained results can provide a theoretical basis and numerical support for the design of underwater weapons.
Supercapacitor Properties of rGO-TiO2 Nanocomposite in Two-component Acidic Electrolyte
Authors: Volfkovich Yury M. , Rychagov Alexey Y. , Sosenkin Valentin E. , Baskakov Sergey A. , Kabachkov Eugene N. , Shulga Yury M.
Published: November 2022

The electrochemical properties of the highly porous reduced graphene oxide/titanium dioxide (rGO/TiO2) nanocomposite were studied to estimate the possibility of using it as a supercapacitor electrode. Granular aerogel rGO/TiO2 was used as an initial material for the first time of manufacturing the electrode. For the aerogel synthesis, industrial TiO2 Hombikat UV100 with a high specific surface area and anatase structure was used, and the aerogel was carried out with hydrazine vapor. Porous structure and hydrophilic–hydrophobic properties of the nanocomposite were studied with a method of standard contact porosimetry. This is important for a supercapacitor containing an aqueous electrolyte. It was found that the hydrophilic specific surface area of the nanocomposite was approximately half of the total surface area. As a result of electrochemical hydrogenation in the region of zero potential according to the scale of a standard hydrogen electrode, a reversible Faraday reaction with high recharge rate (exchange currents) was observed. The characteristic charging time of the indicated Faraday reaction does not exceed several tens of seconds, which makes it possible to consider the use of this pseudocapacitance in the systems of fast energy storage such as hybrid supercapacitors. Sufficiently high limiting pseudo-capacitance (about 1200 C/g TiO2) of the reaction was obtained.
Experimental Study on the Mechanical Properties of Diatomite-Modified Coastal Cement Soil
Authors: Fang Jiyuan , Wang Yunfeng , Wang Kefa , Dai Wenhao , Yu Yanfei , Li Cuihong
Published: November 2022

Diatomite is a non-metallic mineral resource rich in SiO2, which can be used to modify coastal cement soil. In order to explore the mechanical modification effect of diatomite on coastal cement soil at the age of 7 days, based on coastal cement soil with cement content of 5% (mass fraction), diatomite of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% (mass fraction) was mixed for modification. Through the unconfined compressive strength test, the triaxial unconsolidated undrained test, backscattered electron imaging (BSE), and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) technology, the influence of diatomite content and confining pressure on the peak strength of modified coastal cement soil was explored. The empirical formula between the peak strength of the DE specimen and the content of diatomite and confining pressure was established by curve fitting, and the fitting effect was ideal. When diatomite was mixed with coastal cement soil, the optimal dosage of diatomite was 5% from the perspective of mechanical properties and economic benefits of the maximum growth rate of compression and shear. The unconfined compressive strength test showed that the peak strength and elastic modulus of the modified coastal cement soil with 5% diatomite content were 37% and 57% higher than those of cement soil, respectively. The triaxial unconsolidated undrained test showed that the internal friction angle of the modified coastal cement soil was stable at about 30°, and cohesion of DE-5, DE-10, DE-15, and DE-20 increased by 28%, 48%, 78%, and 97%, respectively, compared to cement soil. The microscopic test found that the pore distribution of modified coastal cement soil is closely related to the strength change. The results show that the addition of diatomite can effectively improve the mechanical properties of soil-cement.
Synthesis of Superhydrophobic Barium Hexaferrite Coatings with Low Magnetic Hardness
Authors: Muslimov Arsen E. , Gadzhiev Makhach Kh , Kanevsky Vladimir M.
Published: November 2022

Using the multifunctional material barium hexaferrite as an example, the prospects for treatment at a quasi-equilibrium low temperature in an open atmosphere to form superhydrophobic magnetic coatings with pronounced crystalline and magnetic anisotropy have been demonstrated for the first time. The relationship between plasma treatment conditions, structural-phase composition, morphology, and superhydrophobic properties of (0001) films of barium hexaferrite BaFe12O19 on C-sapphire is studied. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), as well as magnetometry and moisture resistance analysis, were used as research methods. During plasma treatment with a mass-average temperature of 8–10 kK, intense evaporation and surface melting were observed, and texturing of the deposit along (0001) is found. When the treatment temperature was reduced to 4–5 kK, the evaporation of the material was minimized and magnetic and crystal anisotropy increased. However, the increase in the size of crystallites was accompanied by the transition of oxygen atoms from lattice nodes to interstitial positions. All samples exhibited low coercive fields below 500 Oe, associated with the frustration of the magnetic subsystem. Features of growth of materials with a wurtzite structure were used to form a superhydrophobic coating of barium hexaferrite. Plasma treatment regimes for obtaining self-cleaning coatings are proposed. The use of magnetically hard barium hexaferrite to radically change the properties of a coating is demonstrated herein as an example.
Study on Low-Temperature Index and Improvement Measures of Emulsified Asphalt Cold Recycled Mixture
Authors: Yu Xiaoqing , Han Zhanchuang , Cai Yu , Liu Liping , Sun Lijun
Published: November 2022

With the promotion of cold recycled mixture (CRM) in cold areas and the improvement of its application layer, the enhancement of the low-temperature performance of mixtures is particularly important. The applicability of the current low-temperature bending test method to CRM is controversial. Firstly, the low-temperature crack resistance of CRM with different gradations and emulsified asphalt contents was studied by the indirect tensile (IDT) test and the semi-circular bending (SCB) test. Thereafter, the low-temperature performance evaluation index suitable for CRM was put forward. Then, the low-temperature performance of CRM with different gradations, fiber types, and contents was evaluated by using the above low-temperature evaluation index. The results show that the low-temperature performance of CRM with different gradations and emulsified asphalt contents can be distinguished by fracture work (W) and fracture energy (Gf). Not only do the test results have little variability (about 12% and 15%, respectively), but also the correlation coefficient with the new asphalt film thickness is the highest (0.8595 and 0.8939, respectively). Compared with coarse gradation (AC-25) and fine gradation (AC-13), medium-gradation (AC-20) CRM has higher low-temperature performance, and polyester fiber can significantly improve the low-temperature performance of CRM. Compared with non-fiber, the W and Gf of CRM of polyester fiber (0.3% content) can be increased by at least 42% and 30%, respectively.
Novel Approach for Synthesis of Graphene-like Phases by Pulsed Laser Ablation in a Flow-Mode Suspension
Authors: Avramova Ivalina , Dimov Dimitar A. , Stankova Nadya , Petrov Miroslav , Karaivanova Desislava , Avdeev Georgi , Russev Stoyan , Karashanova Daniela , Georgieva Biliana , Valcheva Evgeniya , Milenov Teodor
Published: November 2022

The present study investigates the possibility of obtaining graphene-like phases (defected graphene, graphene oxide, and reduced graphene oxide) as fine suspensions by applying a novel pulsed laser ablation (PLA) approach in flow mode. Two types of suspensions of microcrystalline graphite in aqueous suspensions and two types of microcrystalline graphite in suspensions of 6% hydrogen peroxide solution were irradiated in a quartz tube through which they flow. The third (λ = 355 nm) and fourth harmonics (λ = 266 nm) of an Nd:YAG laser system (15 ns pulse duration and 10 Hz pulse repetition rate) were used. The morphology of the obtained particles was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Their phase composition and structure were explored by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and Raman spectroscopy.
Analysis on Deflection of Projectile Penetrating into Composite Concrete Targets
Authors: Wu Yingxiang , Tao Xigui , Liu Yan , Zhang Qingming , Xue Yijiang
Published: November 2022

From an offensive point of view, increasing the impact velocity of the projectile is an effective way to enlarge its penetration depth. However, as the projectile penetrates the target, there often exists an angle of attack, the resultant force on the projectile is in a different direction from that of projectile velocity, which causes the deflection of the projectile, and thus the strike effect is greatly weakened. From the other perspective, the deflection of the projectile can contribute to proactive protection of key targets from damage caused by a deeper penetration which has been an important consideration for actual protective structure. Presently, investigations on the deflection mechanism of the impact projectile are relatively few, and there is especially a lack of more comprehensive theoretical and experimental studies. In this paper, the mechanism of projectile deflection when penetrating a composite concrete target is thoroughly analyzed. The composite concrete target composed of a concrete fixed target and multiple diamond-shaped moving targets, similar to the structural system for multi-layer overlay extension, showed better anti-penetration performance in practical protective structures. The analytical model of projectile deflection during penetrating the target is established through simultaneously resolving the dynamic equations for the projectile and moving target. Penetration tests of the composite concrete target plate impacted by a 76 mm projectile were conducted to examine the effectiveness of the analytical model, where impact velocity and point and the size of the moving target were considered. On this basis, the influences of impact velocity and point on the deflection of the projectile are disclosed, and the effects of parameters of moving target are discussed. These findings can provide significant references for optimization of advanced protective structures and improvement of their anti-penetration performance.
Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate–Mediated Graphene Sensor for Electrochemical Detection of the Antibiotic Drug: Ciprofloxacin
Authors: Sawkar Rakesh R. , Shanbhag Mahesh M. , Tuwar Suresh M. , Mondal Kunal , Shetti Nagaraj P.
Published: November 2022

The present study involves detecting and determining CIP by a new electrochemical sensor based on graphene (Gr) in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) employing voltammetric techniques. Surface morphology studies of the sensing material were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM). In the electroanalysis of CIP at the developed electrode, an enhanced anodic peak response was recorded, suggesting the electro-oxidation of CIP at the electrode surface. Furthermore, we evaluated the impact of the electrolytic solution, scan rate, accumulation time, and concentration variation on the electrochemical behavior of CIP. The possible electrode mechanism was proposed based on the acquired experimental information. A concentration variation study was performed using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) in the lower concentration range, and the fabricated electrode achieved a detection limit of 2.9 × 10−8 M. The proposed sensor detected CIP in pharmaceutical and biological samples. The findings displayed good recovery, with 93.8% for tablet analysis and 93.3% to 98.7% for urine analysis. The stability of a developed electrode was tested by inter- and intraday analysis.
Spark Plasma Sintered Soft Magnetic Composite Based on Fe-Si-Al Surface Oxidized Powders
Authors: Marinca Traian Florin , Neamțu Bogdan Viorel , Popa Florin , Mesaroș Amalia , Chicinaș Ionel
Published: November 2022

Soft magnetic composites (SMCs) need a stable matrix to apply heat treatments for enhancing their magnetic characteristics. A stable matrix can be offered by alumina, but the densification of the ferromagnetic particles covered by this oxide (by sintering) can be very difficult. This paper proposes a feasible synthesis route for obtaining alumina matrix SMCs. An Fe-Si-Al alloy with nominal composition Fe85Si9Al6 was obtained by mechanical alloying of elemental Fe, Si, and Al powders, and further, the as-milled powders were superficially oxidized by immersion in HCl solution. The oxide layer was composed of iron, silicon, and aluminum oxides, as the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy technique revealed. The Fe-Si-Al@oxide powder was densified by the spark plasma sintering technique—SPS. Upon sintering, a continuous matrix of oxide (mainly alumina) was formed by the reaction of the Fe-Si-Al powder coreswith their oxide layer. The main part of the composite compacts after sintering consisted of an Fe3Si-ordered phase dispersed in an oxide matrix. The DC and AC tests of magnetic composite compacts showed that upon increasing the sintering temperature, the density, magnetic induction, and magnetic permeability increased. The initial magnetic permeability was constant in the entire range of testing frequencies and the magnetic losses increased linearly. The stability of the magnetic characteristics in frequency is promising for developing further such types of magnetic composite.
Recent Advances in Selenophene-Based Materials for Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Liu Xuan , Jiang Xin , Wang Kaifeng , Miao Chunyang , Zhang Shiming
Published: November 2022

Due to the low cost, light weight, semitransparency, good flexibility, and large manufacturing area of organic solar cells (OSCs), OSCs have the opportunity to become the next generation of solar cells in some specific applications. So far, the efficiency of the OSC device has been improved by more than 20%. The optical band gap between the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) level and the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) level is an important factor affecting the performance of the device. Selenophene, a derivative of aromatic pentacyclic thiophene, is easy to polarize, its LUMO energy level is very low, and hence the optical band gap can be reduced. In addition, the selenium atoms in selenophene and other oxygen atoms or sulfur atoms can form an intermolecular interaction, so as to improve the stacking order of the active layer blend film and improve the carrier transport efficiency. This paper introduces the organic solar active layer materials containing selenium benzene in recent years, which can be simply divided into donor materials and acceptor materials. Replacing sulfur atoms with selenium atoms in these materials can effectively reduce the corresponding optical band gap of materials, improve the mutual solubility of donor recipient materials, and ultimately improve the device efficiency. Therefore, the sulfur in thiophene can be completely replaced by selenium or oxygen of the same family, which can be used in the active layer materials of organic solar cells. This article mainly describes the application of selenium instead of sulfur in OSCs.
Numerical Analysis and Poromechanics Calculation for Saturated Mortar Involved with Sub-Freezing Temperature
Authors: Xie Wei , Su Huaizhi , Shao Chenfei , Zheng Sen
Published: November 2022

The individual coupling processes of two-phase materials are controlled to some extent by damage theory. However, the existing theory is not sufficient to explain the effect of pore pressure on mortar materials under freeze-thaw action. In order to predict the resistance of saturated mortars during rapid cooling and to describe the physical behavior of the pore structure, the authors derived in detail the governing equations of saturated mortars during freezing in the framework of the pore elasticity theory and analyzed the sensitivity of physical parameters to the influence of temperature stresses by means of stress-strain calculations. In addition, the effects of phase change and latent heat of freezing on the local thermodynamic equilibrium are considered, and a mathematical model is established for quantitatively simulating the temperature distribution of the specimen. This model is reformulated and extended in the current work to intuitively reveal the effect of concrete dimensions on the temperature hysteresis effect. The results of the numerical model calculations show that during the freezing process, for the specimen with dimensions of 50 mm × 50 mm × 50 mm and a water-cement ratio of 0.6, the maximum temperature difference from center to surface is 10 °C, the maximum vertical strain on the surface is 4.27 × 10−4, and the maximum pore water pressure at the center of the specimen is 76 MPa. The model calculation results present a similar pattern to the physical interpretation and reference results, thus effectively evaluating the freezing damage process of saturated mortar.
Evaluation System of Curved Conveyor Belt Deviation State Based on the ARIMA–LSTM Combined Prediction Model
Authors: Sun Xiaoxia , Wang Yongqi , Meng Wenjun
Published: November 2022

The deviation of conveyor belts is a key factor that restricts material conveying efficiency of horizontal curves. An evaluation system of the deviation state of curve conveyor belt based on the ARIMA–LSTM combined prediction model is proposed in this study to investigate the deviation state of the conveyor belt. This system has been used for detection, prediction, deviation correction, and early warning of the conveyor belt deviation state. First, the experiment system of the conveyor belt deviation was built. The conveyor belt deviation images were collected using the machine vision method, and the conveyor belt deviation state data set was established. Second, the mechanical model of curve conveyor belt deviation is presented and solved. The correctable deviation range of the idler frame under different elevations and trough angles was obtained by solving the problem. Third, the ARIMA–LSTM combined prediction model of conveyor belt deviation based on series-parallel weighing method was put forward. The analysis results showed that the ARIMA–LSTM combined prediction model is suitable for the prediction of conveyor belt deviation in terms of accuracy, fitting degree, time, and performance. Finally, the deviation state evaluation system was established to realize the visual fusion of the ARIMA–LSTM combined model in the range of correctable deviation of the idler frame. The OCSVM algorithm was used to detect the abnormal deviation of the conveyor belt. The experiment shows that the evaluation system can predict and send out early warning signals according to the detection results, provide corresponding suggestions for adjusting the deviation correction angle, and realize an efficient and intelligent solution for the evaluation of the curved section belt deviation state.