bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nanoscale Characterization of Space Weathered Lunar Samples
Authors: Orlando Thomas , Grice Adam , Stancil Phiillip , Ghafariasl Mahdi , Singh Sarapreet , Gamage Sampath , Schaible Micah , Abate Yohannes , Lang Karl 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

High-resolution nanoscale Fourier transform infrared (Nano-FTIR) imaging and spectroscopy correlated with photoluminescence measurements of a lunar ilmenite basalt (12016) and recrystallized impact melt breccia (15445), Apollo samples with different origins and history, reveal distinct chemical differences associated with the parent-rock geochemistry and space weathering effects. Intrinsic or delivered Nd3+ and an amorphous silicate glass component produced by solar wind bombardment are observed on exterior surfaces, whereas intrinsic Cr3+ and/or trapped electron states likely produced by energetic x-rays or cosmic rays are observed in interior surfaces. Spatially localized 1050 cm-1/935 cm-1 band ratios in Nano-FTIR hyperspectral maps may reflect shock-induced nanostructures in the impact melt brecci, while shifts in silicate band positions may indicate general space-weathering. Collectively, the shock features, amorphous silicate over-layer, electron-trap states and differential Nd3+ and Cr3+ ratios provide compelling evidence and proxies for space weathering and transformation events not easily obtained with conventional far-field optical analysis techniques.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Intact and Cracked Steel Plates under tensile loading using Non-local Method
Authors: Abadi Morteza Khomami , Kabir Mohammad Zaman 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

This study examines intact and cracked steel plates under uniform tensile loading, using local and non-local methods, and predicts crack growth with the energy released rate criterion. The impact of initial crack orientation, crack development, crack branching, the number of material points, and the horizon size on the ultimate strength of the steel plates are analyzed. Non-local relationships are established and applied to the equation of motion, with the principle of virtual work employed to solve the associated Lagrange equation. The study determines that the accuracy of the model improves with a horizon function length closer to 0.4 mm, and increasing the number of material points from 50 to 250 enables a more accurate evaluation of crack branching. The lowest and highest load capacities are related to plates with double and single-edge cracks, respectively. The study also shows that as the crack angle increases, the plate's load-carrying capacity under tensile loading increases. The effect of loading speed rate on the intensification of crack branching is investigated, and the results of the non-local method are compared with numerical approaches and experimental tests, showing a maximum difference of 2.13%. The robustness of the developed non-local method for predicting crack growth path, micro-cracks, and branching of cracks is demonstrated thoroughly in comparison with other numerical approaches and experimental tests. In summary, our study offers insights into steel plate behavior under tensile loads and introduces a new approach to predict crack growth, improving safety and reliability in critical steel structures.
Usnig Β-cyclodextrin and Plasdone K-30 Polymers for Enhancing Drug Solubility by Spray Drying
Authors: Pandhre Yuvraj , Sul Sandesh , Parab Mahadev , Thakur Sourabh , Kengar Manohar 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate improving solubility using hydrophilic/water-soluble polymers as β-Cyclodextrin and Plasdone K-30 in a solid dispersion formulation of Carvedilol a poorly soluble drug. The developed solid dispersion consisted of two components, a drug and a polymer, and the drug was dispersed as amorphous particles in a polymer matrix using the spray drying method. Polymeric solid dispersions were evaluated using solubility tests, in vitro dissolution tests, powder X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and particle size distribution analysis. The study was observed that solid dispersions of each drug showed increase in dissolution rate in comparison and improving drug solubility. However, the beneficial actions require to be verified by adopting various in vivo techniques along with clinical trials for their efficient use as potential remedial moiety.
Slope stability analysis of compacted loess under dry-wet cycling: efficient optimization parameter calibration method-based DEM numerical simulation
Authors: Li Liang , Hu Changming , Yuan Yili , Wu Zhipeng 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Dry-wet cycles can cause significant deterioration of compacted loess and thus affect the safety of fill slopes. The discrete element method (DEM) can take into account the non-homogeneous, discontinuous, and anisotropic nature of the geotechnical medium, which is more capable of reflecting the mechanism and process of instability in slope stability analysis. Therefore, this paper proposes to use the DEM to analyze the stability of compacted loess slopes under dry-wet cycles. Firstly, to solve the complex calibration problem between macro and mesoscopic parameters in DEM models, an efficient parameter optimization method was proposed by introducing the chaotic particle swarm optimization with sigmoid-based acceleration coefficients algorithm (CPSOS). Secondly, during the parameter calibration, a new indicator, the bonding ratio (BR), was proposed to characterize the development of pores and cracks in compacted loess during dry-wet cycles, to reflect the impact of dry-wet action on the degradation of bonding between loess aggregates. Finally, according to the results of parameter calibration, the stability analysis model of compacted loess slope under dry-wet cycling was established. The results show that the proposed optimization calibration method can accurately reflect the trend of the stress-strain curve and strength of the actual test results under dry-wet cycles, and the BR also reflects the degradation effect of dry-wet cycles on compacted loess. The slope stability analysis shows that the DEM reflects the negative effect of dry-wet cycles on the safety factor of compacted loess slopes, as well as the trend of gradual stabilization with dry-wet cycles. The comparison with the finite element analysis results verified the accuracy of the discrete element slope stability analysis.
Genetic Polymorphisms of Genes Coding for Cytokines, IL6 -174G&gt;C (rs1800795) and IL10 -1082A&gt;G (rs1800896), in Cervical Insufficiency
Authors: Karakus Nevin , Gulucu Selim , Onal Mesut , Yildirim Sumeyye 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

A recurring, passive, and painless dilatation of the cervix in the second trimester is known as cervical insufficiency. Although the exact cause is unknown, subclinical intra-amniotic infection may be linked to it. The purpose of this research is to see if there is a link between interleukin 6 (IL6) -174G > C (rs1800795) and interleukin 10 (IL10) -1082A > G (rs1800896) polymorphisms and cervical insufficiency. DNA samples from 93 patients with cervical insufficiency and 103 healthy controls were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) techniques. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test. Any statistically significant difference wasn’t found between cervical insufficiency patients and healthy controls in terms of allele and genotype distributions of IL6 -174G > C and IL10 -1082A > G polymorphisms (p > 0.05). However according to composite genotyping analysis, CC/AA (IL6 -174G > C / IL10 -1082A > G) composite genotype revealed a significant difference between patients and controls (p = 0.049). Number of abortion and CC/AA (IL6 -174G > C / IL10 -1082A > G) composite genotype was also associated with each other (p = 0.006). Although we did not find an association between IL6 -174G > C (rs1800795) and IL10 -1082A > G (rs1800896) polymorphisms and cervical insufficiency individually, it seems that these polymorphisms together may predispose to the disease and its severity.
Characteristics and potential ecological risk assessment of atmospheric microplastics in Lhasa city
Authors: Guo Zimeng , Chen Junyu , Yu Hanyue , Zhang Qiangying , Duo Bu , Cui Xiaomei 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Atmospheric microplastics is a key contributor to environmental contamination in aquatic and terrestrial systems, posing potential ecological risks. However, studies on atmospheric microplastics are still limited in urban regions of the Tibetan Plateau, a sentinel region to climate and environmental change under the warming climate. Based on samples of suspended atmospheric microplastics (SAMPs) in Lhasa City collected during the Tibetan New Year in February 2023, the occurrence, potential ecological risk of atmospheric microplastics were investigated. The results showed that the average abundance of microplastics in the atmospheric environment of Lhasa was 7.15 ± 2.46 ietms·m− 3.The sizes of detected microplastic ranged from 20.34 µm to 297.18 µm, with approximately 87% smaller than 100 µm. Fragmented microplastics (95.76%) were the dominant format, followed by fibers (3.75%), and pellets (0.49%), respectively. The primary polymer chemical components identified were polyamide (PA,68.73%) and polystyrene (PS,16.61%), respectively. According to the analysis of meteorological data and backward trajectory model, the trajectory of the air mass in Lhasa is obviously westward, and the atmospheric microplastics mainly come from the long-distance transmission of the atmosphere. The results of potential ecological risk index (PERI) assessment indicated that the atmospheric microplastic pollution in Lhasa was at a low level. This study provides valuable insights and a scientific foundation for future research on the prevention and control of atmospheric microplastic pollution in Lhasa and other ecologically sensitive cities.
An Optimized FL-XAI model for secured and trustworthy candidate selection
Authors: Fuladi Siddhesh , K. Nallakaruppan M. , Sathyamoorthy Malathy , Balusamy Balamurugan , Bhattacharyya Siddhartha , Issar Neha , Benedetto Francesco 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Reliability and trustworthiness are the two pillars of decision support systems deployed in the selection process of automated candidates. The automation should ensure the selection's correctness and the decision's fairness. Conventional models work around fuzzy-based systems, exploiting multi-criteria decision support systems. Here, we propose a procedure combining the advantages of Federated Learning (FL) and Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI), ensuring privacy, reliability, and fairness in selecting candidates. We propose an architecture in which the exploitation of FL provides more accurate classification results while XAI provides a trustworthy and reliable representation of the candidate selection through decision plots. The SHAPELY model is used in the proposed work for explanation. Results and comparisons with several machine learning (ML) algorithms show the superiority of the proposed architecture. FL can reach an accuracy of 96%, thus confirming the validity of the proposed approach for providing an automated and well-explained candidate selection process.
Phytosociology of Capparis decidua (Forssk.) Edgew plants inhabiting Wadi Tundoub, southern Eastern Desert, Egypt
Authors: Salama Fawzy M. , El-Tayeh Noha A. , Galal Hana K. , Sayed Asmaa M. , El-Saied Ali , Gaafar Ali 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

The current study suggests conducting measurements of the soil and examining the flora in Wadi Tundoub, located in Egypt's Eastern Desert. The aim is to analyze the species dispersed in 27 stands, associated to the medicinal plant Capparis decidua. Given the extremely dry conditions of Egypt's deserts, this research is crucial for understanding the adaptation and distribution of plants in such environments. A total of sixty-four plant species were counted across the research stands. There were seventeen annuals and forty-seven perennials among them, grouped into 51 genera and 26 distinct families. The TWINSPAN technique, renowned for its efficacy in ecological studies, was harnessed to scrutinize vegetation patterns, culminating in the delineation of four unequivocal vegetation groups. These groups are distinguished by their exclusive floristic compositions, suggesting stark differences in species abundance and distribution. Such refined classifications serve as indispensable tools for conservation strategies, land use planning, and in-depth ecological investigations. A significant correlation was observed between the first four redundancy axes and the contents of sand, clay, water content, sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, To display the vegetation pattern in the study areas, classification, and ordination were applied. This research area had a basic xerophytic floristic composition with elements of Saharan Arabia, suggesting that human disturbances had not had a significant impact.
Seismic bulk and shear attenuation along a transect from Kama‘ehuakanaloa volcano through Mauna Loa to the Aloha Cabled Observatory: Implications for the distribution of partial melt
Authors: Butler Rhett 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Bulk (QK) and shear (QS) attenuation are measured and modeled to ~ 50 km depth beneath Hawai‘i. High-frequency (> 50 Hz) earthquakes are routinely observed from the Aloha Cabled Observatory (ACO) along the azimuth to Mauna Loa, Pāhala, and Kama‘ehuakanaloa volcano. Bulk attenuation is consistently larger than shear attenuation beneath Hawai‘i at frequencies > 2 Hz. The Mauna Loa Summit shows the smallestQvalues, and transects approaching the Summit from the southeast differ asymmetrically with those departing to the northwest from the Summit. Transect maps ofQare created from the measurements to present in plan view the distribution ofQKandQSnear the moho. Activation energyE*models ofQSare tested both at Pāhala and Kama‘ehuakanaloa for experimentally determined olivineE*using the temperature derived from a Hawai‘i Hotspot geotherm and pressure. TheQKarising from water-filled pores in vesicular basalts within the shallow oceanic crust are a hypothesized mechanism for bulk attenuation measured in the shallow crust near ACO and Wake Island. Below the shallow oceanic crust, partial melt presents a feasible bulk attenuation mechanism at volcanos. Fitting a thermodynamic equilibrium model for frequencies > 1 Hz to theQKmeasurements shows a very good match to theQKdata, predicting partial melt fractions of 0.1–10%. Translating theQmaps into partial melt regions near Mauna Loa, Pāhala, and Kama‘ehuakanaloa volcano gives a first view of the observation, location, and distribution of partial melt along the ~ 100 km transect from southeast to northwest of Mauna Loa.Index terms[3050, 5144, 7280, 3619, 3909]
Metrics to quantify the degree of co-location of urban water infrastructure
Authors: Daulat Shamsuddin , Roghani Bardia , Langeveld Jeroen , Rokstad Marius Møller , Tscheikner-Gratl Franz 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACT
Co-located infrastructure networks such as road, water, and sewer in theory offer the possibility for integrated multi-infrastructure interventions. However, how closely these networks are aligned in space and time determines the practical extent to which such coordinated interventions can be realized. This study quantifies the spatial alignment of the aforementioned infrastructure networks and demonstrates its application for integrated interventions and potential cost savings. It proposes two metrics, namely 1) shared surface area and, 2) shared trench volume, to quantify the spatial relationship (i.e., degree of co-location) of infrastructures. Furthermore, the study demonstrates how the degree of co-location can be used as a proxy for cost-saving potential of integrated interventions compared to silo-based, single-infrastructure, interventions. Through six case studies conducted in Norwegian municipalities, the research reveals that implementing integrated interventions across road, water, and sewer networks can result in potential average cost savings of 24% in urban areas and 11% in rural areas. Utility-specific savings under different cost-sharing scenarios were also analysed. To identify the yearly potential of integrated multi-infrastructure interventions, future work should add the temporal alignment of rehabilitation of infrastructures (i.e., time of intervention need for the infrastructures).
Polypharmacology-Driven Discovery and Design of Highly Selective, Dual
and Multitargeting Inhibitors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis - A Review
Authors: Amandy Franklin V. , Neri Gabriel L.L. , Manzano Joe A.H. , Go Adrian D. , Macabeo Allan P.G. 
Published: June 2024

:
The increasing demand for novel antitubercular agents has been the main 'force' of
many TB research efforts due to the uncontrolled growing number of drug-resistant strains of M.
tuberculosis in the clinical setting. Many strategies have been employed to address the drug-resistant
issue, including a trend that is gaining attention, which is the design and discovery of Mtb inhibitors
that are either dual- or multitargeting. The multiple-target design concept is not new in
medicinal chemistry. With a growing number of newly discovered Mtb proteins, numerous targets
are now available for developing new biochemical/cell-based assays and computer-aided drug design
(CADD) protocols. To describe the achievements and overarching picture of this field in anti-
infective drug discovery, we provide in this review small molecules that exhibit profound inhibitory
activity against the tubercle bacilli and are identified to trace two or more Mtb targets. This review
also presents emerging design methodologies for developing new anti-TB agents, particularly
tailored to structure-based CADD.
Dedicated on the special occasion of the 70th birthday of Prof. Dr. Ma. Alicia Aguinaldo, whose
scientific efforts elevated antituberculosis drug discovery in the Philippines.
PEMBUATAN DAN PENGUJIAN SIFAT MEKANIK WELDING SPESIMEN LOGAM DISSIMILAR AISI 1015 DENGAN AISI 304L MENGGUNAKAN PROSES GMAW
Authors: Riswanda Riswanda , Kadir Harlian , Saragih Albert 
Published: June 2024

The manufacture of specimens produced by MAG welding on the joining of metal plates not AISI 1015 with SS304L, must meet the welding standards used. Low carbon steel AISI 1015 and stainless steel SS304L were used in this experiment by applied different current variations to each sample, namely 120, 130 and 140A in MAG welding using ER70S6 electrode. The results of the examination on the identification of the macro appearance in the heat affected area (HAZ) and Vickers microhardness and tensile testing were carried out in this study. From the data obtained, the hardness value of the weld metal is higher when compared to the parent metal between AISI 1015 and SS304L, and the hardness value of the weld metal is also higher due to the influence of the ER70S6 solid wire electrode used. The tensile strength and yield strength of MAG welded joints increased at 120 and 140A, and the fault position occurred in hypo euctectoid steel (AISI 1015) at the boundary between the heat affected area and the parent metal. The results of the research on MAG welded joints with a welding current of 120A is preferably used for joining dissimilar metals between low carbon steel (AISI 1015) and austenitic stainless steel (AISI 304L).
DESIGN OF NATURAL FIBER POWDER MACHINE
Authors: Attamimi Ali , Latief Alfan Ekajati , Nassem Zidane , Ramadan Riski Gunarto 
Published: June 2024

Natural fiber processing is the type of fiber as raw materials for textile or other industries that can be obtained directly from nature. In the Indonesian automotive industry, the manufacture of parts in vehicles is Polypropylene high impact (PPHI). An example of an existing part is a CVT slide piece made with a mixed polymer composite material from PPHI and pineapple leaf fiber. Pineapple leaf fibers with small sizes are needed so that the mixing of polymer composites is good. Therefore modern technology is required to process pineapple leaf fibers. This final project makes a natural fiber powder machine for processing natural fiber, namely scavenging. The research methodology used is a prescriptive design method. The design results produce a natural fiber powder machine (pineapple leaf fiber) for polymer composite materials with long size specifications of 420 mm long, 300 mm wide, and 582 mm high. The production capacity of the natural fiber storage machine is 5 kg/h. The source of the engine drive is a 1 HP AC electric motor with a rev of 2800 rpm. The transmission system uses a V-belt with a drive shaft 30 mm in diameter. The frame construction is made of a 35x35x5 mm profile with ST42 material and knives using S45C material (AISI 1045) with a thickness of 10 mm. It uses nine dynamic blades and six sharp plane fixed blades in a 30-degree active blade and a 60-degree fixed blade.
PYROMETALLURGICAL PROCESS FOR ZINC ANALYSIS IN SPHALERITE APPLYING XRD AND XRF
Authors: Dahani Wiwik , Kurniawati Riskaviana , Sundari Rita , Marwanza Irfan , Rachman Faisal 
Published: June 2024

This paper has analyzed dominant zinc element in sphalerite naturally found together with galena in mineral ore. Since pyrometallurgical route related to roasting process is very common to mineral dressing, therefore, this investigation has studied the effect of varied roasting time (30 min, 60 min, and 90 min) and temperature (500oC, 600oC, and 700oC) on zinc mineral examination using XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) and zinc element using XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) analyses. Previous studies usually applied cheaper AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrometer) for zinc analysis in aqueous solution, however, sphalerite is a solid matrix and therefore, this study has applied XRF to analyze zinc. Pyrometallurgical process of zinc mineral in sphalerite is related to mineral transformation in the form of ZnSO4, ZnS, and ZnO that cannot be detected by XRF. Therefore, this study has used XRD that can observe mineral transformation. The XRD pattern shows four intense peaks at 2θ (28o, 47o, 56o, and 76o) justified sphalerite (ZnS) sample with little amount of pyrite (FeS2) and galena (PbS) as impurities. The XRF analysis shows from 30 min to 90 min, the Zn content has increased remarkably at 700oC and Zn content looked stagnant at 500oC, while Zn content increased dramatically from 60 min to 90 min at 600oC. During roasting process at high temperature, ZnS mineral converted to ZnO and expelled SO2 gas due to oxidation reaction causing weight reduction. The study is valuable for mineral processing in searching for optimization.