bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High Speed Impact Testing of UHMWPE Composite Using Orthogonal Arrays
Authors: Hannah T. , Martin V. , Ellis S. , Kraft R. H. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene composites are fiber based composites used in armor applications. While some characterization has been conducted experimentally, this study varies multiple parameters simultaneously to investigate material response under a wide range of conditions.

Objective
This work focuses on characterizing the response of Dyneema® HB26 hard laminate composites under high-speed impacts to examine the influence of plate diameter, clamping pressure, and plate spacing on target performance. Additionally, micro Computer Tomography scans are used to nondestructively evaluate the damage evolution in the targets.

Methods
These scan results are used in concert with more traditional armor performance metrics to evaluate the effect of various parameters using the method of orthogonal array analysis. This technique allows for multiple variables to be investigated in the same test series, saving time and budget while still providing quality results across a range of variables and variable values.

Results
We conclude that of the parameters investigated, the plate spacing parameter has the largest effect on performance, followed by the plate diameter. Bolt torque was found to not have a significant impact on results, indicating that an edge clamping pressure is not critical to material response. Additionally, by examining the high resolution scans, we can quantify the damage with an effective damage angle and that this angle is a good predictor of performance.

Conclusion
Finally a damage theory involving the effective bending strength of the plates is discussed as an explanation for all of the results observed in this test series.
NASH triggers cardiometabolic HFpEF in aging mice
Authors: Kucsera Dániel , Ruppert Mihály , Sayour Nabil V. , Tóth Viktória E. , Kovács Tamás , Hegedűs Zsombor I. , Onódi Zsófia , Fábián Alexandra , Kovács Attila , Radovits Tamás , Merkely Béla , Pacher Pál , Ferdinandy Péter , Varga Zoltán V. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBoth heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) develop due to metabolic dysregulation, has similar risk factors (e.g., insulin resistance, systemic inflammation) and are unresolved clinical challenges. Therefore, the potential link between the two disease is important to study. We aimed to evaluate whether NASH is an independent factor of cardiac dysfunction and to investigate the age dependent effects of NASH on cardiac function. C57Bl/6 J middle aged (10 months old) and aged mice (24 months old) were fed either control or choline deficient (CDAA) diet for 8 weeks. Before termination, echocardiography was performed. Upon termination, organ samples were isolated for histological and molecular analysis. CDAA diet led to the development of NASH in both age groups, without inducing weight gain, allowing to study the direct effect of NASH on cardiac function. Mice with NASH developed hepatomegaly, fibrosis, and inflammation. Aged animals had increased heart weight. Conventional echocardiography revealed normal systolic function in all cohorts, while increased left ventricular volumes in aged mice. Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography showed subtle systolic and diastolic deterioration in aged mice with NASH. Histologic analyses of cardiac samples showed increased cross-sectional area, pronounced fibrosis and Col1a1 gene expression, and elevated intracardiac CD68+ macrophage count with increased Il1b expression. Conventional echocardiography failed to reveal subtle change in myocardial function; however, 2D speckle tracking echocardiography was able to identify diastolic deterioration. NASH had greater impact on aged animals resulting in cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and inflammation.
An Overview of Coupled Lagrangian–Eulerian Methods for Ocean Engineering
Authors: Qian Zhihao , Yang Tengmao , Liu Moubin 
Published: April 2024

AbstractCombining the strengths of Lagrangian and Eulerian descriptions, the coupled Lagrangian–Eulerian methods play an increasingly important role in various subjects. This work reviews their development and application in ocean engineering. Initially, we briefly outline the advantages and disadvantages of the Lagrangian and Eulerian descriptions and the main characteristics of the coupled Lagrangian–Eulerian approach. Then, following the developmental trajectory of these methods, the fundamental formulations and the frameworks of various approaches, including the arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian finite element method, the particle-in-cell method, the material point method, and the recently developed Lagrangian–Eulerian stabilized collocation method, are detailedly reviewed. In addition, the article reviews the research progress of these methods with applications in ocean hydrodynamics, focusing on free surface flows, numerical wave generation, wave overturning and breaking, interactions between waves and coastal structures, fluid-rigid body interactions, fluid–elastic body interactions, multiphase flow problems and visualization of ocean flows, etc. Furthermore, the latest research advancements in the numerical stability, accuracy, efficiency, and consistency of the coupled Lagrangian–Eulerian particle methods are reviewed; these advancements enable efficient and highly accurate simulation of complicated multiphysics problems in ocean and coastal engineering. By building on these works, the current challenges and future directions of the hybrid Lagrangian–Eulerian particle methods are summarized.
Local heat transitions—a comparative case study of five bioenergy villages in Northern and Southern Germany
Authors: Guhl Fenja , Zeigermann Ulrike 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAlthough the heat transition is one of the greatest challenges that Germany faces in terms of its climate and sustainability goals, local initiatives that target a renewable heat transition remain contested. In the present article, we examine bioenergy villages and investigate both how and under what conditions these villages can contribute to the heat transition. We explore five typical bioenergy villages in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and three typical bioenergy villages in Baden-Württemberg. Drawing on the analytical framework of actor-centred institutionalism, we adopt a dual perspective by focusing on both actors and institutions. In our interviews, local farmers and mayors are identified as key actors in bioenergy villages. We argue that the main contributions of these local entrepreneurs to heat transitions involve increasing social acceptance of new ecological heat infrastructures and technologies, fostering democratic governance, and supporting regional added value and learning.
Rotary compression test for determination of critical value of hybrid damage criterion for railway steel EA1T
Authors: Wójcik Łukasz , Bulzak Tomasz , Lis Konrad , Winiarski Grzegorz , Kusiak Tomasz 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe article presents and discusses the problem of determining and characterizing the cracking limits of cross-rolled specimens. The limit values were determined in accordance with the hybrid Pater criterion. For the study, the author’s test method was used, which allows the determination of the cracking moment, formed as a result of the Mannesmann effect during the compression of specimens in the channel. In order to determine the values needed to describe the cracking criterion, it was necessary to perform laboratory tests and numerical simulations of the process of compression in the channel of discs made of EA1T steel under hot forming conditions. Experimental tests were carried out for forming processes at 950 °C, 1050 °C and 1150 °C. The tested material had a disc shape with a diameter of 40 mm and a length of 20 mm, during the pressing process the diameter of the disc was reduced to a diameter of 38 mm. The increase in forming temperature caused a significant increase in the forming path until cracking occurred. Numerical tests were carried out in the finite element calculation environment Simufact.Forming 2021. The stress and strain distributions in the specimen axis were analysed during the tests, which were then used to calculate the hybrid cracking criterion limit according to Pater. After calculations according to the Pater criterion and after statistical analysis, the cracking criterion limits were obtained.
Comparison of DNA metabarcoding and microscopy in analysing planktonic protists from the European Arctic
Authors: Weydmann-Zwolicka Agata , Dąbrowska Anna Maria , Mioduchowska Monika , Zwolicki Adrian 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn the era of climate change-related restructuring of planktonic protist communities, it is especially important to identify possible shifts in their taxonomic composition. While traditional microscopy-based morphological classification is time-consuming and requires experienced taxonomists, metabarcoding seems to substantially accelerate the determination of taxonomic composition. In this study, based on samples collected in summer 2019 from the West Spitsbergen Current, we analysed planktonic protists using both methods. Metabarcoding, based on high-throughput sequencing of the V4 region of the 18S rRNA gene, resulted in a much higher number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and sample diversity than microscopy, although the resolution of taxonomic identification ranged from species to phyla. Most morphology-based identification was performed at the species or genus level, additionally allowing us to include information about dominants and size fractions. The highest proportion of 45% shared taxa by both methods was recorded at the class level. The composition of dominant protists differed between the approaches, with most similarities being observed in Bacillariophyceae, for which two genera, Thalassiosira and Eucampia, were found to be the most abundant with both methods. For Dinophyceae, the most abundant representatives identified by microscopy were Gymnodinium spp., Prorocentrum minimum and Gonyaulax gracilis, while in the metabarcoding approach, most dinoflagellates were identified to the class level only. Given the different levels of accuracy of taxonomic determinations and possible biases in results connected to the chosen methodology, we advocate using an integrative taxonomic approach for the classification of planktonic protists based on the combination of microscopy and molecular methods.
Building a decision-support tool to inform sustainability approaches under complexity: Case study on managing wild ruminants
Authors: Griesberger Paul , Kunz Florian , Hackländer Klaus , Mattsson Brady 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn wildlife management, differing perspectives among stakeholders generate conflicts about how to achieve disparate sustainability goals that include ecological, economic, and sociocultural dimensions. To mitigate such conflicts, decisions regarding wildlife management must be taken thoughtfully. To our knowledge, there exists no integrative modeling framework to inform these decisions, considering all dimensions of sustainability. We constructed a decision-support tool based on stakeholder workshops and a Bayesian decision network to inform management of wild ruminants in the federal state of Lower Austria. We use collaborative decision analysis to compare resource allocations while accounting for trade-offs among dimensions of sustainability. The tool is designed for application by non-technical users across diverse decision-making contexts with particular sets of wildlife management actions, objectives, and uncertainties. Our tool represents an important step toward developing and evaluating a transparent and replicable approach for mitigating wildlife-based conflicts in Europe and beyond.
Exploring 6 years of colorectal cancer surgery in rural Italy: insights from 648 consecutive patients unveiling successes and challenges
Authors: Santoro Roberto , Goglia Marta , Brighi Manuela , Curci Fabio Pio , Amodio Pietro Maria , Giannotti Domenico , Goglia Angelo , Mazzetti Jacopo , Antolino Laura , Bovino Antonio , Zampaletta Costantino , Levi Sandri Giovanni Battista , Ruggeri Enzo Maria 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe multidisciplinary management of patients suffering from colorectal cancer (CRC) has significantly increased survival over the decades and surgery remains the only potentially curative option for it. However, despite the implementation of minimally invasive surgery and ERAS pathway, the overall morbidity and mortality remain quite high, especially in rural populations because of urban − rural disparities. The aim of the study is to analyze the characteristics and the surgical outcomes of a series of unselected CRC patients residing in two similar rural areas in Italy. A total of 648 consecutive patients of a median age of 73 years (IQR 64–81) was enrolled between 2017 and 2022 in a prospective database. Emergency admission (EA) was recorded in 221 patients (34.1%), and emergency surgery (ES) was required in 11.4% of the patients. Tumor resection and laparoscopic resection rates were 95.0% and 63.2%, respectively. The median length of stay was 8 days. The overall morbidity and mortality rates were 23.5% and 3.2%, respectively. EA was associated with increased median age (77.5 vs. 71 ys, p < 0.001), increased mean ASA Score (2.84 vs. 2.59; p = 0.002) and increased IV stage disease rate (25.3% vs. 11.5%, p < 0.001). EA was also associated with lower tumor resection rate (87.3% vs. 99.1%, p < 0.001), restorative resection rate (71.5 vs. 89.7%, p < 0.001), and laparoscopic resection rate (36.2 vs. 72.6%, p < 0.001). Increased mortality rates were associated with EA (7.2% vs. 1.2%, p < 0.001), ES (11.1% vs. 2.0%, p < 0.001) and age more than 80 years (5.8% vs. 1.9%, p < 0.001). In rural areas, high quality oncologic care can be delivered in CRC patients. However, the surgical outcomes are adversely affected by a still too high proportion of emergency presentation of elderly and frail patients that need additional intensive care supports beyond the surgical skill and alternative strategies for earlier detection of the disease.
On the full range of Zippin and inclusion indices of rearrangement-invariant spaces
Authors: Curbera Guillermo P. , Karlovych Oleksiy , Shargorodsky Eugene 
Published: April 2024

AbstractLet X be a rearrangement-invariant space on [0, 1]. It is known that its Zippin indices $$\underline{\beta }{}_X,\overline{\beta }{}_X$$

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,

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and its inclusion indices $$\gamma _X,\delta _X$$

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. We show that given $$\underline{\beta },\overline{\beta }\in [0,1]$$

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and $$\gamma ,\delta \in [1,\infty ]$$

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satisfying $$\underline{\beta }\le 1/\gamma \le 1/\delta \le \overline{\beta }$$

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, there exists a rearrangement-invariant space X such that $$\underline{\beta }{}_X=\underline{\beta }$$

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Supercritical fluid technology for lupin hulls valorization: extraction and fractionation of lupeol
Authors: Vázquez Luis , Bañares Celia , Chabni Assamae , Reglero Guillermo , Torres Carlos F. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractExtraction of lupeol from lupin hulls has been carried out using supercritical CO2 extraction technology under different operating conditions in order to obtain value-added extracts from the raw material of industrial lupin. The operational parameters used include CO2 pressure and flow and sequential depressurization fractionation. The highest lupeol recovery (96.8%) has been obtained using 320 bar and 50 g/min of CO2. For sequential depressurization, the best results were obtained with a CO2 density close to 728 kg/m3 providing up to 92% of lupeol in the extract and an enrichment factor of 1.2. Despite this high enrichment, lupeol recovery decreases to 50% after fractionation. Better extraction recoveries would have been expected and thus further studies are necessary to improve the extraction recovery of extracts with a high lupeol composition.
Innovative lightweight concrete: effect of fiber, bacteria and nanomaterials
Authors: Beytekin Hatice Elif , Biricik Altun Öznur , Mardani Ali , Şenkal Sezer Filiz 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIt was reported that various studies have been carried out to increase the strength, permeability and durability performances of lightweight concrete (LC) mixtures. Extensive research was carried out on the production of sustainable and ecologic LC. In this context, the use of various innovative materials and methods have been demonstrated. In this direction, increasing the service life of concrete produced by the use of fiber, nanomaterials and self-healing with bacteria is one of the applied methods. In this study, the effects of the use of fiber, nanomaterials and bacteria on the workability, unit weight, strength, toughness, modulus of elasticity, impact resistance, permeability, drying-shrinkage, freeze–thaw, high temperature resistance, thermal conductivity performance of LC mixtures have been compared in detail. It was reported that workability, specific gravity, permeability, thermal conductivity and drying-shrinkage values decrease, while strength, high temperature resistance, freeze–thaw resistance and toughness performance increase with the addition of fiber and nanomaterials to LC mixtures. While it was emphasized that the strength and permeability performance and elasticity modulus values of the mixtures increased with the addition of bacteria. In addition, the use of fiber has insignificant effect in terms of the modulus of elasticity.
Graphical abstract
An improved black hole algorithm designed for K-means clustering method
Authors: Gao Chenyang , Yong Xin , Gao Yue-lin , Li Teng 
Published: April 2024

AbstractData clustering has attracted the interest of scholars in many fields. In recent years, using heuristic algorithms to solve data clustering problems has gradually become a tendency. The black hole algorithm (BHA) is one of the popular heuristic algorithms among researchers because of its simplicity and effectiveness. In this paper, an improved self-adaptive logarithmic spiral path black hole algorithm (SLBHA) is proposed. SLBHA innovatively introduces a logarithmic spiral path and random vector path to BHA. At the same time, a parameter is used to control the randomness, which enhances the local exploitation ability of the algorithm. Besides, SLBHA designs a replacement mechanism to improve the global exploration ability. Finally, a self-adaptive parameter is introduced to control the replacement mechanism and maintain the balance between exploration and exploitation of the algorithm. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, comparison experiments are conducted on 13 datasets creatively using the evaluation criteria including the Jaccard coefficient as well as the Folkes and Mallows index. The proposed methods are compared with the selected algorithms such as the whale optimization algorithm (WOA), compound intensified exploration firefly algorithm (CIEFA), improved black hole algorithm (IBH), etc. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms the compared algorithms on both external criteria and quantization error of the clustering problem.
MAFNet: dual-branch fusion network with multiscale atrous pyramid pooling aggregate contextual features for real-time semantic segmentation
Authors: Zhao Shan , Wang Yunlei , Wu Xuan , Zhang Fukai 
Published: April 2024

AbstractCurrently, many real-time semantic segmentation networks aim for heightened accuracy, inevitably leading to increased computational complexity and reduced inference speed. Therefore, striking a balance between accuracy and speed has emerged as a crucial concern in this domain. To address these challenges, this study proposes a dual-branch fusion network with multiscale atrous pyramid pooling aggregate contextual features for real-time semantic segmentation (MAFNet). The first key component, the semantics guide spatial-details module (SGSDM) not only facilitates precise boundary extraction and fine-grained classification, but also provides semantic-based feature representation, thereby enhancing support for spatial analysis and decision boundaries. The second component, the multiscale atrous pyramid pooling module (MSAPPM), is designed by combining dilation convolution with feature pyramid pooling operations at various dilation rates. This design not only expands the receptive field, but also aggregates rich contextual information more effectively. To further improve the fusion of feature information generated by the dual-branch, a bilateral fusion module (BFM) is introduced. This module employs cross-fusion by calculating weights generated by the dual-branch to balance the weight relationship between the dual branches, thereby achieving effective feature information fusion. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed network, experiments are conducted on a single A100 GPU. MAFNet achieves a mean intersection over union (mIoU) of 77.4% at 70.9 FPS on the Cityscapes test dataset and 77.6% mIoU at 192.5 FPS on the CamVid test dataset. The experimental results conclusively demonstrated that MAFNet effectively strikes a balance between accuracy and speed.
Privacy-preserving bipartite output consensus for continuous-time heterogeneous multi-agent systems via event-triggered impulsive control
Authors: Ma Jiayue , Hu Jiangping 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis paper studies the problem of differentially private bipartite output consensus in continuous-time heterogeneous multi-agent systems (MASs) characterized by antagonistic interactions. A novel hybrid privacy-preserving event-triggered impulsive consensus protocol is introduced to protect the agent’s initial information from disclosure, which involves a discrete-time information transmission based on an event-triggering mechanism. Using stochastic Lyapunov method, sufficient conditions have been obtained to achieve mean square bipartite output consensus with a guaranteed level of privacy. Furthermore, the differential privacy of competitive agent pairs is exclusively secured by the proposed control scheme by injecting Laplace noise. The protocol also effectively prevents Zeno behavior by imposing a lower bound for impulsive intervals under all event-triggered conditions. A simulation example is provided to validate the effectiveness of the theoretical result.