bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Wetting Properties of Magnetoactive Elastomer Surfaces
Authors: Kriegl Raphael , Kravanja Gaia , Hribar Luka , Jezeršek Matija , Drevenšek-Olenik Irena , Shamonin Mikhail 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Commercially available contact angle (CA) measuring devices usually do not allow for the application of magnetic fields to the sample under test. A setup for measuring the CA of liquids on magnetosensitive surfaces has been developed specifically for investigating the surfaces of magnetoactive elastomers (MAEs). The addition of a programmable linear stage, which moves a permanent magnet, allows for fine control of the magnetic field applied to the MAE without the need for large and power-consuming electromagnets. Paired with a custom control and evaluation software, this measurement setup operates semiautomatically, limiting operator error and increasing precision, speed, as well as repeatability of static and dynamic CA measurements for different magnetoactive materials. The software is equipped with robust droplet fitting algorithms to avoid experimental challenges arising with soft magnetoactive materials, such as the curling of sample edges or diffuse non-reflective surfaces. Several application examples on MAE surfaces, both processed and unprocessed, are presented.
Morphing Turbofan Engine Inlet at Take-Off Cross-Wind Conditions
Authors: Abate Giada , Vasista Srinivas , Künnecke Sven Christian , Riemenschneider Johannes 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Aeronautical engine inlets are designed as a compromise between low-drag configurations for cruise condition and high airflow incidence angle during take-off and landing. In order to fulfill all the requirements belonging to different operating points, adaptive or morphing structures could be a feasible solution, and they could potentially have a positive impact in terms of aerodynamic performance, therefore leading to a substantial reduction in fuel consumption. However, designing morphing inlets is challenging because of the coupling between aerodynamics and structural analysis which is crucial in order to consider both the feasibility of the adaptive structure and its effects on the aerodynamics of the nacelle. This paper outlines the structural design of an adaptive inlet which features hybrid elastomeric composite materials and a means of active actuation. Since the inlet geometry features both radial and circumferential axes, any change in one axis creates a change in the other resulting in the need of stretchable materials if unwanted steps and gaps are to be prevented for favorable laminar-turbulent transition. To evaluate the aerodynamic effects of such a morphing inlet, a computational fluid-dynamic analysis is coupled with the finite element analysis leading to a “one-way” fluid-structure interaction approach. The goal of the presented method is the definition of an automatic aero-structure coupling framework in order to ease the exploration of a variety of designs over the feasible design space. Results highlight pros and cons of three different design approaches with a particular focus on promising aerodynamic results despite some difficulties in the structural feasibility.
Resonant Suspended Beam Mechanism for Weight Measurement
Authors: Ju Shuai , Naghdi Masoud , Aslam Muhammad , Sreedharan Sreejith , Desai Mitali Hardik , Zhang Haifeng 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
As the demand for medicine or chemical crystals and powders increases in society, accurate weight control draws more attention from researchers and industries. Overdose of medicine or chemicals can lead to material waste or even health problems. Accurate and reliable weight determination of chemical powder is necessary. This study presents an innovative method of weight measurement based on the vibration of a suspended beam with different mass loading. In the proposed mechanism, both ends of the beam are attached to flexible strings with one string connected to a speaker, which works as a shaker to excite the vibration of the beam with a certain frequency. The other string is connected to a soft PVDF thin film, which detects the vibration of the beam and feeds it to the data acquisition system. Frequency sweep is carried out through a LabVIEW program, where the beam vibration can be captured, and the resonant frequency can be determined by analyzing the vibration spectrum. Results show that the proposed mechanism is sensitive to the adding mass load. A COMSOL simulation of the proposed mechanism was also performed, and the frequency shift data matched the experiments. The proposed mechanism also has the potential to develop MEMS weight measurement systems for high-temperature and hazardous chemicals.
Jelly-Z 2.0: 3D Printed Soft Jellyfish Robot Actuated With Self-Coiled CNT-C-Ni-PVA Coated TCPFL
Authors: Matharu Pawandeep Singh , Ovy S. M. Al Islam , Pratap Singh Abhishek , Song Yuyang , Gandhi Umesh , Tadesse Yonas 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Biologically inspired soft robots that are mass manufacturable and have silent operation are needed for safe robot-animal interactions. Although electrothermal soft actuators employed in jellyfish-inspired robots have shown promise, they suffer major drawbacks like high power consumption and low actuation frequency. Here, we present a 3D printed jellyfish robot, Jelly-Z 2.0, actuated with three novel self-coiled twisted and coiled polymer (TCPFL) coated with a solution composed of carbon nanotube/mesoporous carbon/ nickel / polyvinyl alcohol (CNT-C-Ni-PVA). The soft structure of the jellyfish is additively manufactured using silicone 3D printing in a custom-made 3D printer and embedding with inelastic membrane. Silicone additive manufacturing technology requires ∼70 % less manufacturing time and allows for the mass manufacturing of controlled geometry of jellyfish robot bell, which is superior to traditional casting methods. The novel actuators, CNT-C-Ni-PVA coated self-coiled TCPFL are characterized both in air and underwater. It is ∼140 % more efficient than non-coated TCPFL in water and ∼53 % more efficient in air. These actuators are capable of fast actuation at 2 Hz, producing cyclic actuation while consuming ∼35 % less power and actuating ∼83 % more in water for same power input than non-coated. This actuator has an actuation contractile efficiency calculated is ∼0.012 % in underwater water conditions and 0.02% in air. Jelly-Z 2.0 was tested at five different frequencies (0.33 Hz, to 2 Hz), showing a maximum swimming speed of 7.4 mm/s. In terms of cost of transport (COT), this jellyfish robot performs as one of the best amongst all electrothermally actuated jellyfish robots in the literature. A closed-loop PID control system on these novel actuators has also been investigated as well.
Additive Manufacturing of Photocurable PVDF-Based Capacitive Sensor
Authors: Srinivasaraghavan Govindarajan Rishikesh , Ren Zefu , Madiyar Foram , Kim Daewon 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
The demand for the capacitive sensor has attracted substantial attention in monitoring pressure due to its distinctive design and passive nature with versatile sensing capability. The effectiveness of the capacitive sensor primarily relies on the variation in thickness of the dielectric layer sandwiched between conductive electrodes. Additive manufacturing (AM), a set of advanced fabrication techniques, enables the production of functional electronic devices in a single-step process. Particularly, the 3D printing approach based on photocuring is a tailorable process in which the resin consists of multiple components that deliver essential mechanical qualities with enhanced sensitivity towards targeted measurements. However, the availability of photocurable resin exhibiting essential flexibility and dielectric properties for the UV-curing production process is limited. The necessity of a highly stable and sensitive capacitive sensor demands a photocurable polymer resin with a higher dielectric constant and conductive electrodes. The primary purpose of this study is to design and fabricate a capacitive device composed of novel photocurable Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) resin utilizing an LCD process exhibiting higher resolution with electrodes embedded inside the substrate. The embedded electrode channels in PVDF substrate are filled with conductive silver paste by an injection process. The additively manufactured sensor provides pressure information by means of a change in capacitance of the dielectric material between the electrodes. X-Ray based micro CT-Scan ex-situ analysis is performed to visualize the capacitance based sensor filled with conductive electrodes. The sensor is tested to measure capacitance response with changes in pressure as a function of time that are utilized for sensitivity analysis. This work represents a significant achievement of AM integration in developing efficient and robust capacitive sensors for pressure monitoring or wearable electronic applications.
Morphing Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composite Coated With Magnetic Alginate Spheres
Authors: Alexandrino Luis Pedro Vieira , Porrari Alessandro , Fontanella Stefania , Lanzara Giulia 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
In the last two decades, there has been a growing interest in the use of smart materials or stimuli-responsive materials in high-tech industries and material science technologies. Current trends are working towards the development of materials that can be controlled and/or act in a predicted manner, undergoing significant macroscopic deformations when an external stimulus is applied (e.g., heat, electricity, light, pH value, moisture, and magnetism). Here an exotic carbon fiber-reinforced composite design is presented. This composite consists of a laminate integrated with alginate-based magnetic microspheres placed in strategic locations so that, upon exposure to a magnetic field the composite response can be finely controlled. Alginate is a biopolymer composed of two sugar residues. The formation of microspheres integrated with magnetite particles is created by fast crosslinking while the size of the microspheres is controlled with a fine-tuned fabrication process. The immobilized Fe3O4 particles are found to be extremely reactive when exposed to the field. The study analyzes the scenario in which such microspheres are surface mounted in the composite. It is shown that the obtained stimuli responsive composite allows for enhancing and largely tune the damping coefficient of the material.
Investigation of Yarn Pullout As a Mechanism of Ballistic Performance Enhancement in Silica Nanoparticle-Impregnated Kevlar Fabric
Authors: Nowak Nicholas , Bablu Muhammad Ali , Manimala James 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Impregnating Kevlar fabric with silica nanoparticles is known to augment its mechanical properties, especially under shear deformation. Silica nanoparticle-impregnated Kevlar (SNK) fabric could therefore display improved ballistic performance. In this study, firstly, the ballistic performance of SNK with various percentages by weight of nanoparticle addition and number of layers is investigated utilizing compressed air gun experiments. A colloid-based process is used to impregnate spherical silica nanoparticles having 80–100 nm diameter into Kevlar 29-based K745 style plain woven fabric in a dry state. It was found that the addition of nanoparticles provided about 17.3 % mass advantage (owing to three fewer layers) for the 40 wt.% SNK over neat Kevlar for the non-penetrative case. The area of the damaged zone also showed a strong positive correlation with the kinetic energy absorbed at higher treatment levels. Further, SEM imaging revealed that at higher treatment levels the nanoparticles tend to agglomerate in the interstitial spaces of yarn crossover points. This indicated that the nanoparticles restrict yarn mobility and could improve inter-yarn friction, contributing to the engagement of secondary yarns away from the primary impact zone in the impact mitigation mechanism. In order to understand this mechanism better, yarn pullout tests are conducted on neat and treated fabrics under various conditions. Quasistatic and dynamic loading for in-plane and out-of-plane yarn pullout configurations are examined using customized experimental rigs. Factors such as yarn direction, lateral tension, pullout rate, nanoparticle size, shape, material and treatment level are being considered. For each case, the pullout force versus displacement history is recorded and critical features are extracted. In addition, digital footage is used to analyze pullout kinematics. It is noted that the peak pullout force increases with nanoparticle addition until a threshold treatment level is reached. For a given fabric style and weave, an optimal nanoparticle type and treatment level helps maximize peak pullout force and inter-yarn friction. Coefficients for linear, quadratic, and exponentially decaying sinusoidal fitting functions for various pull-out regimes are calibrated to model yarn pull-out behavior vis-à-vis the treatment parameters. Further analysis of the yarn pullout mechanisms is underway to better understand the ballistic performance enhancement displayed by SNK. It is anticipated that nanoparticle treated flexible armors would not only enhance ballistic protection, but also be amenable to integration with multifunctional capabilities such as wearable electronics, wound coagulation, or smart camouflage.
Fabrication and Characterization of Mesoporous Carbon-Nickel Silver Powder- Poly (Vinyl Alcohol) Coated Mandrel-Coiled TCPFL Artificial Muscles for Enhanced Performance
Authors: Matharu Pawandeep Singh , Song Yuyang , Gandhi Umesh , Tadesse Yonas 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Efficient and powerful actuation technologies that are biomimetic and compliant are required for robotic applications, which might be used for human augmentations. Twisted and coiled polymer fishing line actuators (TCPFL) have attracted a great deal of attention for their use as soft actuators in various robotic applications due to high actuation stroke, high power to weight ratio, low cost and minimal hysteresis. However, they have drawbacks such as low actuation frequency due to slow cooling, high power consumption and low efficiency. In this paper, we have described the fabrication and characterization of novel nanomaterial coating consisting of mesoporous carbon, nickel and silver powder with poly vinyl alcohol (C-NiAg-PVA) for mandrel-coiled twisted and coiled artificial muscles from fishing line. Addition of nickel and silver (NiAg) powder in mesoporous carbon nanoparticles, improves thermal contacts and enhances the actuator performance with better dynamic actuation (∼25 % more actuation) and better cooling for cyclic actuation. Different input currents (0.25 A, 0.26 A, 0.27 A) were provided to the coated and non-coated TCPFL (50 mm in length, 3.3 mm in diameter) and it was observed that the coated actuators consume at least ∼10 % less power than the non-coated actuators when tested in air. This research shows great potential for simple nanomaterial coating of carbon-based and metallic nanomaterials to produce high performing electrothermal actuators.
Comparative genomics of the niche-specific plant pathogen
Streptomyces ipomoeae
reveal novel genome content and organization
Authors: Soares Natasha R. , Huguet-Tapia José C. , Guan Dongli , Clark Christopher A. , Yang Kuei-Ting , Kluchka Olivia R. , Thombal Raju S. , Kartika Rendy , Badger Jonathan H. , Pettis Gregg S. 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT

The sweet potato soil rot pathogen
Streptomyces ipomoeae
differs in disease pathology, host range, and virulence factor production from
Streptomyces
species that cause scab diseases on potato and other plant hosts. Nevertheless, previous phylogenomic analysis suggested
S. ipomoeae
and the oldest scab species,
Streptomyces scabiei
, are derived from a common ancestor. While genomes of scab pathogens have been described in some detail, similar knowledge of
S. ipomoeae
has been lacking. Here, we performed comparative genomic analyses involving both virulent and avirulent strains of
S. ipomoeae,
along with other plant-pathogenic and saprophytic
Streptomyces
spp. The
txt
gene cluster for the phytotoxin thaxtomin C was found in all virulent strains of
S. ipomoeae
, but, contrary to scab species, the thaxtomin locus does not appear to reside within a genomic island and has diverged from its scab pathogen counterparts. Increased TTA rare codon usage appears to be a hallmark of
S. ipomoeae
, and in particular, for its
txt
locus. The
txtR
activator gene, which we show here is essential for pathogenicity, appears to be subject to exceptional
bldA
translational control. Ortholog group searches identified genes found only in virulent
S. ipomoeae
strains in our analysis, and genome mining revealed secondary metabolite gene clusters of
S. ipomoeae
, which are not shared with scab species. Overall, we have identified novel aspects of genome organization and gene content consistent with niche development by
S. ipomoeae
, and the results here will facilitate the elucidation of the mechanisms governing its virulence and ecology.

IMPORTANCE

While most plant-pathogenic
Streptomyces
species cause scab disease on a variety of plant hosts,
Streptomyces ipomoeae
is the sole causative agent of soil rot disease of sweet potato and closely related plant species. Here, genome sequencing of virulent and avirulent
S. ipomoeae
strains coupled with comparative genomic analyses has identified genome content and organization features unique to this streptomycete plant pathogen. The results here will enable future research into the mechanisms used by
S. ipomoeae
to cause disease and to persist in its niche environment.
Linoleic acid: a natural feed compound against porcine epidemic diarrhea disease
Authors: Yang Shanshan , Huang Xin , Li Shuxian , Wang Caiying , Jansen Christine A. , Savelkoul Huub F. J. , Liu Guangliang 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a pig coronavirus that causes severe diarrhea and high mortality in piglets, threatening the global pig industry. Clinically effective medicines against this virus are still not available. To find an optional natural feed compound, viral titers were detected, and the intestinal contents of specific pathogen-free pigs more effectively blocked PEDV invasion than those of the other two breeds investigated. Based on proteomic and metabolic analyses of the intestinal content, 10 metabolites were selected for further investigation, and linoleic acid (LA) was the most promising according to the selectivity index. By detecting viral gene expression, LA inhibited viral replication and release from Vero-E6 cells, mainly by influencing the PI3K pathway and, in particular, inhibiting AKT phosphorylation. In addition, LA bound to viral NSP5 and attenuated NSP5-activated AKT phosphorylation. In the
in vivo
pig experiment, oral administration of the higher dose of LA protected two-thirds of pigs from death, both of which completely recovered from the infection, while the lower dose of LA protected one-third of pigs from death but with the induction of severe diarrhea. In conclusion, LA can be used as a candidate medicine for the clinical prevention and treatment of PEDV, and its mechanism of inhibiting the PI3K signaling pathway provides some data support for the subsequent exploration of antiviral drugs for coronavirus infections.

IMPORTANCE

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a pig coronavirus that causes severe diarrhea and high mortality in piglets, but as no effective drugs are available, this virus threatens the pig industry. Here, we found that the intestinal contents of specific pathogen-free pigs effectively blocked PEDV invasion. Through proteomic and metabolic analyses of the intestinal contents, we screened 10 metabolites to investigate their function and found that linoleic acid (LA) significantly inhibited PEDV replication. Further investigations revealed that LA inhibited viral replication and release mainly by binding with PEDV NSP5 to regulate the PI3K pathway and, in particular, inhibiting AKT phosphorylation.
In vivo
experiments illustrated that orally administered LA protected pigs from PEDV challenge and severe diarrhea. These findings provide strong support for exploring antiviral drugs for coronavirus treatment.
Functional, transcriptomic, and lipidomic studies of the
choC
gene encoding a phospholipid methyltransferase in
Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Pan Jiao , Yang Xinyu , Hu Cuiting , Fu Tongtong , Zhang Xiuyan , Liu Zijun , Wang Yu , Zhang Fengyu , He Xiaoyuan , Yu Jae-Hyuk 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT

Phosphatidylcholines (PCs) are a class of cell membrane phospholipids playing important roles in cellular integrity and signaling. In eukaryotes, PCs are biosynthesized via the Kennedy cytidine nucleotide and the Bremer-Greenberg pathways. The
Aspergillus choC
gene is predicted to encode a phospholipid methyltransferase, the key enzyme in the latter pathway. In this study, we have characterized
choC
in the opportunistic human pathogenic fungus
Aspergillus fumigatus
and show that ChoC plays a vital role in the endogenous biosynthesis of PC, which is necessary for proper vegetative growth, development, cell viability, and cell wall integrity of the fungus. Transcriptomic analyses have revealed that the deletion (Δ) of
choC
leads to the differential expression of diverse genes related to PC biosynthetic pathways, G protein signaling pathways, cell cycle, and autophagy. Importantly, the Δ
choC
mutant averted cell death and regained cellular proliferation by regulating the expression of different PC synthesis genes after 4 days of incubation. Lipidomic analyses have demonstrated that Δ
choC
directly leads to decreased PC synthesis, thereby affecting the length and unsaturation of PC fatty acid chains. In addition, Δ
choC
leads to disturbed metabolism of other lipids, such as reduced phosphatidylethanolamine and neutral lipid triacylglycerol, but increased diacylglycerol amounts. Murine infection studies showed that invasive pathogenicity of the Δ
choC
spores was significantly weakened coupled with a drastic reduction of their ability to colonize in kidneys. In summary, ChoC plays central roles in PC biosynthesis, lipid metabolism, cell membrane/wall integrity, endoplasmic reticulum function, and pathogenicity in
A. fumigatus
, implying that ChoC can be a novel target for antifungal therapy.

IMPORTANCE

This study explored the phospholipid metabolic pathway in
A. fumigatus
and its relationship with fungal growth, metabolism, and pathogenicity. ChoC, based on its critical roles in many aspects of the fungus and relatively conserved characteristics in filamentous fungi with low similarity with mammalian ones, can be a novel target of new antifungal drugs.