bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancing energy release of aluminized propellants and explosives through fluorinated binder
Authors: Shen Chen , Yan Shi , Tan Yanwei , Ou Yapeng , Jiao Qingjie , Luo Yunjun 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe use of fluorinated binders can enhance the combustion properties of Al in energetic materials. The underlying mechanism is under investigation and a rational strategy in terms of application has yet to be fully developed. In this study, we have investigated the effect of using a fluorine‐modified hydroxy‐terminated polyether (HTPE) binder to cast aluminized propellants and explosives. We have focused on the combustion behavior and energy release characteristics of Al particles with and without the fluorinated binder during propellant combustion and explosive detonation. The propellants combustion process was recorded using a high‐speed camera and an infrared thermometer. The heat of detonation, detonation velocity and thermal stability of the explosives were investigated using a constant temperature calorimeter, an electrometric method and a small‐scale thermal cook‐off test, respectively. The fluorine‐modified HTPE propellant has exhibited a higher flame temperature and greater energy release efficiency than the HTPE propellant. Moreover, the fluorine‐modified HTPE propellant is characterized by smaller particle agglomerates, leading to a reduction in the mass percentage of agglomerates from 73 wt% to 42 wt%. The detonation heat of fluorine‐modified HTPE explosive increases from 75.2 % to 81 %, but the detonation velocity decreased from 7745 m/s to 7622 m/s. In addition, the fluorine‐modified HTPE binder maintained the thermal stability of explosives due to a milder decomposition before thermal runaway.
Diphenyl ethers from endophytic fungus Rhexocercosporidium sp. Dzf14 and their antibacterial activity by affecting homeostasis of cell membranes
Authors: Gu Gan , Hou Xuwen , Xue Mengyao , Pan Xiaoqian , Dong Jie , Yang Yonglin , Amuzu Prosper , Xu Dan , Lai Daowan , Zhou Ligang 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDPhytopathogenic bacteria cause severe losses to crops every year. The management of crop bacterial diseases with chemical agents has been considered as the main strategy. In order to cope with the bactericide resistance made by the pathogens, new antibacterials need to be continuously developed.RESULTSA chemical investigation from the endophytic fungus Rhexocercosporidium sp. Dzf14 has led to the isolation of 12 diphenyl ethers including two new ones named rhexocerin E (1) and rhexocercosporin G (2), along with two new depsides named rhexocerdepsides A (3) and B (4). The structures and absolute configurations of the new compounds were determined through comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data and quantum chemical ECD calculations. Diphenyl ethers showed obviously antibacterial activity on Gram‐positive bacteria. The structure–activity relationship of diphenyl ethers revealed that prenylation was critical to the antibacterial activity. Among them, rhexocercosporin D (12) possessed the strongest activity against Clavibacter michiganensis and Bacillus subtilis, and was selected for further mechanistic studies. It was found that rhexocercosporin D displayed bactericidal activity by affecting homeostasis of cell membranes. In addition to its rapid bactericidal effects on Gram‐positive bacteria, rhexocercosporin D could restore the susceptibility against Gram‐negative Agrobacterium tumefaciens by synergistic action with colistin.CONCLUSIONTwelve diphenyl ethers and two depsides were isolated from endophytic fungus Rhexocercosporidium sp. Dzf14. Isopentenyl was critical for diphenyl ethers against Gram‐positive bacteria. Rhexocercosporin D could affect homeostasis of bacterial cell membrane to exert rapid bactericidal activity. These findings highlight the antibacterial potential of the diphenyl ethers in crop bacterial disease management. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Emulsifiable oil‐formulated Beauveria bassiana competes with imidacloprid for seasonal control of cereal aphids in Zhejiang, China
Authors: Qi Dan‐Yi , Shao Yan‐Zhi , Yang Ru , Liu Chun‐Ling , Feng Guan‐Hua , Pan Wen‐Yue , Feng Ming‐Guang , Tong Sen‐Miao 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDAlternatives to neonicotinoids against cereal aphids are needed to mitigate aphid resistance and non‐target effects. The emulsifiable oil formulations of two Beauveria bassiana strains, namely Bb registered as a mycoinsecticide and TBb overexpressing an endogenous virulence factor, were tested for seasonal control of cereal aphids at the elongating (April 7) to milk ripening (May 12) stages of winter wheat crop in Yuhang, Zhejiang. Each of three field trials consisted of blank control and the treatments (three randomized 100‐m2 plots per capita) of each fungal strain sprayed biweekly at rates of 1.0 × 1013 and 1.5 × 1013 conidia ha−1 and 10% imidacloprid WP sprayed biweekly at a label rate.RESULTSTiller infestation percentage and aphid density in the 5‐week field trials after the first spray were reduced to 18.7–22.4% and 9.1–12.4 aphids per tiller in the fungal treatments, and 12.8–25.3% and 2.8–20.9 aphids per tiller in the chemical treatment, contrasting with 49.2–60.3% and 37.1–108.5 aphids per tiller in the control. Percent control efficacies (±SD) computed with weekly aphid densities over the period averaged 84.0 ± 1.6 and 85.3 ± 1.8 versus 78.0 ± 4.0 and 79.9 ± 3.2 in the high‐rate versus low‐rate treatments of Bb and TBb, respectively, and 84.5 ± 7.8 in the chemical treatment. Imidacloprid showed faster kill action but more variable efficacy than the fungal treatments throughout the trials.CONCLUSIONEither Bb or TBb formulation competes with imidacloprid in reducing percent infestation and aphid density. The overall efficacy was significantly higher in the treatments of TBb than of Bb. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
An image augmentation‐based ice monitoring method for safe navigation of polar ships
Authors: Liang Bing , Wang Xin , Zhao Wenhao , Wang Xiaobang , Liu Zhijie 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe navigation safety of polar ships depends on accurate monitoring of ice conditions along the route. Complex polar environments but scarce ice datasets pose challenges for deep learning‐based object detection methods. To address this issue, we propose an ice monitoring method based on polar environment adaptive image enhancement. This approach adaptively augments the ice dataset by simulating polar environments such as snowflakes and aurora to improve the training precision of ice detection models in harsh polar environments and meet the needs of safe navigation of polar ships. First, an image augmentation method based on randomly generated snowflake textures is proposed to address the difficulty of covering polar storm scenarios in existing ice datasets, which leads to weak generalization of ice monitoring models. Second, targeting the problem that the boundary between ice and background is confused by aurora phenomena, which severely reduces the ice monitoring accuracy, we propose an image augmentation method based on aurora simulations to improve the ice monitoring performance of trained models under aurora. Finally, an adaptive image augmentation strategy based on the brightness‐contrast threshold is proposed to optimize the snowflake density and aurora intensity in the augmented images to improve the discrimination of ice boundaries. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, which improves the ice state detection accuracy from 0.640 to 0.950, thus providing a reliable guarantee for the safe navigation of polar ships.
Coherent Swing‐Up Excitation for Semiconductor Quantum Dots
Authors: Boos Katarina , Sbresny Friedrich , Kim Sang Kyu , Kremser Malte , Riedl Hubert , Bopp Frederik W. , Rauhaus William , Scaparra Bianca , Jöns Klaus D. , Finley Jonathan J. , Müller Kai , Hanschke Lukas 
Published: January 2024

AbstractDeveloping coherent excitation methods for quantum emitters ensuring high brightness, optimal single‐photon purity and indistinguishability of the emitted photons has been a key challenge in the past years. While various methods have been proposed and explored, they all have specific advantages and disadvantages. This study investigates the dynamics of the recent swing‐up scheme as an excitation method for a two‐level system and its performance in single‐photon generation. By applying two far red‐detuned laser pulses, the two‐level system can be prepared in the excited state with near‐unity fidelity. The successful operation and coherent character of this technique are demonstrated using a semiconductor quantum dot (QD). Moreover, the multi‐dimensional parameter space of the two laser pulses is explored to analyze its impact on excitation fidelity. Finally, the performance of the scheme as an excitation method for generating high‐quality single photons is analyzed. The swing‐up scheme itself proves effective, exhibiting nearly perfect single‐photon purity, while the observed indistinguishability in the studied sample is limited by the influence of the inevitable high excitation powers on the semiconductor environment of the quantum dot.
The absolute δ18O value for SLAP with respect to VSMOW reveals a much lower value than previously established
Authors: Aerts‐Bijma Anita Th. , van Buuren Albert C. , Paul Dipayan , Meijer Harro A. J. 
Published: January 2024

RationaleSLAP is one of the two calibration materials for the isotopic water scale. By consensus the established δ18O value is −55.5‰, although several expert laboratories measure significantly more negative δ18OSLAP values. The real δ18OSLAP value as such does not influence the isotopic water scale; however, knowledge of the size of isotopic scale contraction in stable isotope measurements is vital for second‐order isotopes. This study describes the quantification of δ18OSLAP with respect to δ18OVSMOW.MethodsSLAP‐like water was quantitatively mixed with highly 18O‐enriched water to mimic VSMOW. The 18O concentration was determined using an electron ionization quadrupole mass spectrometer. The isotopic composition of the SLAP‐like and VSMOW‐like waters was measured using an optical spectrometer, alongside original VSMOW and SLAP.ResultsThis study resulted in a much more negative δ18O value for SLAP than expected. The averaged outcome of seven independent experiments is δ18OSLAP = −56.33 ± 0.03‰. There is a large discrepancy between the actual isotopic measurements of even the most carefully operating isotope laboratories and the true δ18O value.ConclusionsAlthough this finding as such does not influence the use of the VSMOW–SLAP scale, it raises the intriguing question of what we actually measure with our instruments and why even a fully corrected measurement can be so far off. Our result has consequences for issues like the transfer of δ18O from and to the VPDB scale, various fractionation factors, and Δ17O. The absolute 18O abundance for SLAP was calculated as (1887.98 ± 0.43) × 10−6 based on the absolute 18O abundance of VSMOW and the presented δ18OSLAP in this paper.
Swim‐up method is superior to density gradient centrifugation for preserving sperm DNA integrity during sperm processing
Authors: Amano Kenji , Oigawa Satoko , Ichizawa Koichiro , Tokuda Yukiko , Unagami Mami , Sekiguchi Mami , Furui Mayuko , Nakaoka Kentaro , Ito Ayumu , Hayashi Rika , Tamaki Yuko , Hayashi Yuko , Fukuda Yusuke , Katagiri Yukiko , Nakata Masahiko , Nagao Koichi 
Published: January 2024

AbstractPurposeThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of swim‐up and density gradient centrifugation methods on sperm DNA fragmentation.MethodsNineteen normozoospermic patient samples with ≥100 × 106 motile sperms were included in this study. Sperm DNA fragmentation, progressive motility, and progressive motile sperm number were measured before and after the swim‐up method or density gradient centrifugation.ResultsSperm DNA fragmentation was not statistically different between swim‐up—(14.4 ± 2.1%, p = 0.32) and density gradient centrifugation‐processed (25.0 ± 3.0%, p = 0.20) and unprocessed semen samples (19.2 ± 1.9%). Sperm DNA fragmentation was significantly lower in swim‐up—than in density gradient centrifugation‐processed samples (p < 0.05). Sperm progressive motility was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in swim‐up—(92.9 ± 1.0%) and density gradient centrifugation‐processed (81.3 ± 2.0%) samples, with the former being higher, than in unprocessed semen samples (53.1 ± 3.7%). The recovery rate of progressive motile sperms was significantly lower in swim‐up—(9.7 ± 1.4%) than in density gradient centrifugation‐processed samples (17.2 ± 1.8%, p < 0.05).ConclusionsThe swim‐up method is superior to density gradient centrifugation, evidenced by less sperm DNA fragmentation and higher sperm progressive motility. The recovery rate of progressive motile sperms was better after density gradient centrifugation than after swim‐up.
Prescribing transport equation solution's decay via multiplicity manifold and autoregressive boundary control
Authors: Ammari Kaïs , Boussaada Islam , Niculescu Silviu‐Iulian , Tliba Sami 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis article addresses the boundary control problem of the transport equation. Namely, we propose a control method, which is merely a delayed output feedback relying on a partial pole placement idea, that consists in assigning an appropriate exponential decay rate to the closed‐loop system's solution. The proposed control structure appearing in the transport boundary, which has proven its effectiveness in controlling finite dimensional systems, consists of an autoregressive relation linking the transport equation's input and output. The obtained result provides an analytical lower bound for the solution's exponential decay. The contribution is concluded with a numeric discussion on the concrete implementation of the method with a special emphasis on the delay seen as a control parameter.
Trafficability anticipation for quadruped robot in field operation
Authors: Wang Chengjin , Zhang Rui , Dong Wenchao , Li Tao , Jiang Lei , Xu Wei , Xu Peng , Zhou Yanmin , Zou Meng 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe capability to predict catastrophic failures and anticipate challenges relating to trafficability enables quadruped robots to adjust their planned trajectory in time to prevent any damages. In this paper, an estimation‐based method is proposed to describe the validity of the trajectory from the viewpoint of the traction performance of the terrain. The main contribution of this study lies in equipping quadruped robots with the ability to comprehend the strength characteristics of the terrain and assess the validity of trajectory planning by anticipating potential catastrophic motion failures. To this end, a novel perception method of the foot terrain interface based on proprioception is proposed to estimate terrain strength parameters. The vehicle–terrain traction model is extended to a legged locomotion pattern to estimate the traction limits of the terrain. The trafficability anticipation is driven by combining the traction limits of the terrain and the expected ground reaction force, as obtained by the model‐based predictive methods. The validity of this method is verified using a quadruped robot test platform. Results highlight the potential of the presented approach, in which the anticipation of trafficability, grounded in the understanding of the terrain strength, serves as the explicit foundation for altering trajectories to avert motion failure.
Three‐dimensional mapping and immersive human–robot interfacing utilize Kinect‐style depth cameras and virtual reality for agricultural mobile robots
Authors: Wang Dong , Zhang Baohua , Zhou Jun , Xiong Yingjun , Liu Longshen , Tan Qianqiu 
Published: January 2024

AbstractNavigation and autonomous operation in farmland or greenhouse environments present significant challenges for agricultural mobile robots on account of unstructured scene conditions and complex task requirements. The immersive interfaces based on human–robot interaction have been extensively developed, which bridge the high‐level decision of human beings and the precise sensing and high motion ability of robots. In this study, we propose a human–robot interaction framework based on three‐dimensional mapping and virtual reality (VR) visualization. On the construction client, dense three‐dimensional point‐cloud maps are created based on the simultaneous localization and mapping real‐time appearance‐based mapping algorithm with a Kinect‐style depth camera. Subsequently, point‐cloud filtering and mesh creation methods are introduced for postprocessing the map models. A data communication network is employed to transmit the optimized models to the VR‐based exploration client. Utilizing VR visualization, the operator can gain an intuitive and comprehensive understanding of the environments to be explored. The three‐dimensional agricultural scenes are mapped into VR models through the system, which can combine the physical worlds with the VR spaces in a better manner. Compared with the video streaming‐based method for three‐dimensional mapping, the map models with colors and textures are entirely displayed in the VR headset, thus providing robust and global human–robot interaction interfaces and enhancing the immersive exploration for human beings to a considerable extent. Experimental results indicate that the three‐dimensional map models exhibit relatively sufficient construction integrity and yield favorable optimization effects. Additionally, according to a user questionnaire survey, immersive VR‐based interfaces can be more effectively utilized for the three‐dimensional mapping of mobile robots. Research evidence and results demonstrate that our proposed system framework offers positive assistance and support for enhancing human–robot interaction and executing specific robotic tasks in unstructured field agricultural environments. Code implementation and related data sets are shared at the link https://github.com/WangDongBUAA/Mapping_Interfacing.
On pattern‐avoiding permutons
Authors: Garbe Frederik , Hladký Jan , Kun Gábor , Pekárková Kristýna 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe theory of limits of permutations leads to limit objects called permutons, which are certain Borel measures on the unit square. We prove that permutons avoiding a given permutation of order have a particularly simple structure. Namely, almost every fiber of the disintegration of the permuton (say, along the x‐axis) consists only of atoms, at most many, and this bound is sharp. We use this to give a simple proof of the “permutation removal lemma.”
A real‐time flood forecasting hybrid machine learning hydrological model for Krong H'nang hydropower reservoir
Authors: Nguyen Phuoc Sinh , Nguyen Truong Huy (Felix) , Nguyen The Hung 
Published: January 2024

AbstractFlood forecasting is critical for mitigating flood damage and ensuring a safe operation of hydroelectric power plants and reservoirs. This paper presents a new hybrid hydrological model based on the combination of the Hydrologic Engineering Center‐Hydrologic Modeling System (HEC‐HMS) hydrological model and an Encoder‐Decoder‐Long Short‐Term Memory network to enhance the accuracy of real‐time flood forecasting. The proposed hybrid model has been applied to the Krong H'nang hydropower reservoir. The observed data from 33 floods monitored between 2016 and 2021 are used to calibrate, validate, and test the hybrid model. Results show that the HEC‐HMS‐artificial neural network hybrid model significantly improves the forecast quality, especially for results at a longer forecasting time. In detail, the Kling–Gupta efficiency (KGE) index, for example, increased from ∆KGE = 16% at time t + 1 h to ∆KGE = 69% at time t + 6 h. Similar results were obtained for other indicators including peak error and volume error. The computer program developed for this study is being used in practice at the Krong H'nang hydropower to aid in reservoir planning, flood control, and water resource efficiency.
The Progress in Pictet‐Spengler β‐Carboline Synthesis under Green Conditions
Authors: Mousa Mohamed Osama , Adly Mina Emad , Mahmoud Amr Mohamed , El‐Nassan Hala Bakr 
Published: January 2024

Abstractβ‐Carboline ring is widely distributed in nature and several β‐carboline alkaloids were extracted from marine creatures, bacteria, fungi, food stuffs, plants, and mammals. Synthetic β‐carbolines derivatives were reported to exhibit various biological activities. This review highlighted the recent progress achieved in the last decade in the Pictet‐Spengler synthesis of β‐carboline derivatives with a special focus on the green methods and green catalysts used for the synthesis.
g‐C3N4 Coating Enhanced Cu@AC for Catalytic Wet Air Oxidation of Phenol under Mild Conditions
Authors: Wei Wenxiao , Cui Hongyou , Zhao Jianying , Song Feng , Wang Jinghua 
Published: January 2024

AbstractA Cu‐based supported catalyst with g‐C3N4 coating (Cu/g‐C3N4@AC) was prepared by facile in‐situ growth over activated carbon surface with urea and Cu(NO3)2, and the catalytic performance for wet air oxidation of phenolic wastewater was investigated. The effects of different reaction conditions (catalyst, temperature, pressure and pH) were examined. The results show that under the catalysis of Cu/g‐C3N4@AC phenol could be completely oxidized at 120 °C and 0.5 MPa O2 with COD removal of 92.6 % (from 4883 mg/L to 361 mg/L). TEM, BET, XRD, FTIR and XPS characterizations showed that g‐C3N4 coating could strengthen the metal surface interaction via the Cu−N−C bonds formation, thus suppressing the aggregation of the active components on the surface and mitigating the catalyst deactivation. Moreover, the interaction between the Cu species and the g‐C3N4 structure facilitates the electron transfer and thus significantly boost up the catalytic activity. These findings help explore efficient catalysts for the wastewater treatment via wet air oxidation under mild conditions.
pH‐Responsive Bimetallic MOFs ZIF‐8@ZIF‐67 for Enhanced Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Yang Jiajia , Chen Yawei , Cao Yiting , Liu Weiming , Zhang Tongtong , Zhou Huiyun 
Published: January 2024

AbstractStimulus‐responsive nanocarrier materials have garnered significant attention in biomedical science. Among them, metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising candidates due to their remarkable antibacterial properties and pH sensitivity. In this study, a pH‐responsive bimetallic MOFs carrier, ZIF‐8@ZIF‐67, was successfully synthesized for the delivery of berberine hydrochloride (BBH). Comprehensive characterization using UV‐Vis spectroscopy, FT‐IR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the successful synthesis and structural integrity of ZIF‐8@ZIF‐67 and BBH@ZIF‐8@ZIF‐67. Subsequently, the drug release behavior, antibacterial efficacy, and biocompatibility of the composite material were systematically evaluated. Our findings revealed that BBH@ZIF‐8@ZIF‐67 exhibited well‐controlled drug release properties, excellent antibacterial effects and biocompatibility. Furthermore, molecular docking results revealed that penicillin‐binding protein 2a and dihydrofolate reductase in S. aureus may serve as two potential antibacterial targets for BBH. This research provides valuable insights into the use of bimetallic MOFs materials for developing highly efficient stimulus‐responsive nanocarrier systems in biomedical applications.