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2022-12-01 | Abstract A nitrogen-containing additive MD-3 employed previously in steel phosphating was used to improve the technological properties of magnetite coatings (MCs) formed on low-carbon steel from a dilute solution of ammonium nitrate proposed as an alternative to environmentally polluted and energy-expensive alkaline bluing method. We showed that an increase in duration of the oxidation from 1 to 6 h linearly thickens the MСs in the presence of MD-3 without an increase in the size of the poorly adhered area of the coating. The flicker-noise spectroscopy study of the MC structure showed that MD-3 makes the surface smooth and more uniform. An increase in oxidation time also increases the homogeneity of MCs, although not as much as in the previous case. The corrosion tests according to the Akimov method and in a salt spray chamber correlate well with each other. The best results were obtained for MCs prepared in a solution of 20 g/L NH 4 NO 3 + 0.08 g/L MD-3 (85°C, 4 h) after passivation treatment in a solution of IFKhAN-39U. | Oxidation Features of Low-Carbon Steel in Nitrate Solutions | 10.1134/S2070205122070139 |
2022-12-01 | Abstract — The results of studying the regularities of destruction and their influence on the wear resistance of low-alloy 65G and 28MnB5 steels when moving in different types of soil are presented. It has been established that the effect of soil type on destruction and wear resistance ε is controlled by rheological-fatigue parameter R f , which plays a leading role in the strength base of the wear mechanism of low-alloy steels. In the process of wear, residual tensile stresses of a plastic-destructive nature are formed on the working surface of the steel, the lowest value of which is observed after testing in sandy loam, and the highest in light clay. Consequently, the relaxation of stresses by the mechanisms of plastic deformation and destruction in sandy loam is more intense than in average loam and light clay. The following correlation has been established: the higher the level of residual stresses, the higher the rheological-fatigue parameter and wear resistance of steel. In the studied soil types, the leading role is played by stress relaxation mechanisms in the area of low-cycle fatigue. Therefore, the mechanical component of interaction with the soil is dominant in the formation of the structural-phase state of the surface layers of steels. The damage of low-alloy steels in soil is mixed and includes three main forms of abrasive wear: mechanical, mechanical fatigue, mechanochemical. In all studied soil types, the mechanical fatigue form of abrasive wear plays a leading role. Therefore, an increase in the wear resistance of low-alloy steels must first of all be associated with the elimination of active low-cycle fatigue phenomena on the wear surface. The formation of secondary structures during wear in the soil contributes to a decrease in the absorption of irreversible energy by the metal, and, consequently, to an increase in its wear resistance. | Influence of Soil Type on Breaking of Low-Alloy Steels during Wear | 10.3103/S1068366622060046 |
2022-12-01 | The black sea bream ( Acanthopagrus schlegelii ) is an important marine economic fish found on the southeast coast of China. Because of the frequent climate change, the salinity of the waters inhabited by A . schlegelii often decreases, which interferes with the fish’s physiological homeostasis. The isotonic salinity of teleosts are usually lower than that of seawater, so maximum economic benefits cannot be obtained from conventional mariculture. This study was performed to preliminarily clarify the osmotic regulation and antioxidant mechanism of juvenile A . schlegelii and find an appropriate culture salinity value. We selected 5 psu, 10 psu, 15 psu, and 25 psu (control) to conduct physiological experiments for 96 h and growth experiments for 60 days. We found that the juvenile A . schlegelii could adjust their osmotic pressure within 12 h. The growth hormone and cortisol were found to be seawater-acclimating hormones, whereas prolactin was freshwater-acclimating hormone. The activity and mRNA expression of Na + /K + -ATPase showed a U-shaped trend with the decrease of in salinity at 12–96 h. Serum ion concentration and osmotic pressure remained at a relatively stable level after being actively adjusted from 6 to 12 h. At 96 h, the osmotic pressure of the serum isotonic point of juvenile A . schlegelii was approximately equal to that of water with 14.94 salinity. The number and volume of Cl − -secreting cells in the gills decreased. The glomeruli were more developed and structurally sound, with the renal tubules increasing in diameter and the medial brush border being more developed; this may indicate a decrease in salt secretion and an enhanced reabsorption function in the low salinity groups. The activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase and concentration of malondialdehyde were the lowest in the 15 psu group. In addition, the culture conditions of the 15 psu group improved the feed conversion rate without significant differences in weight gain when compared with the control group. Our results show that 15 psu salinity may be the best parameter for obtaining the maximum economic benefits. | Effects of acute low-salinity stress on osmoregulation, antioxidant capacity, and growth of the black sea bream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii) | 10.1007/s10695-022-01144-7 |
2022-12-01 | Abstract Data on the composition and quality of water in the river Cherek were obtained by monitoring of seasonal changes in the concentrations of pollutants therein under changing climate. The studies were carried out in the foothill and estuarine zones over a three-year period. The seasonal dynamics of the concentrations of ingredients was noted, and changes in the concentrations of trace elements (Cr, Ni, Mo, Mn, Zn, Pb) and environmental toxicants (NO 3 ‒ , NO 2 ‒ , NH 4 + ) were compared. It was found that in recent years the concentrations of some elements in the river water tended to increase, whereas the others remained within the normal range. The seasonal variability of concentrations in winter low water and summer rain floods over a three-year period and of the main pollutants were identified. The interannual variability of the concentrations of trace elements and environmental toxicants is considered. | Environmental Monitoring of Seasonal Changes in the Concentrations of Pollutants in the River Cherek over a Period of 2019‒2021 | 10.1134/S1070363222130175 |
2022-12-01 | This paper investigated the collapse behavior of aluminum cylindrical energy absorbers, fully or sectionally hybridized with glass fibers and epoxy resin. The fully hybrid aluminum cylinders were wrapped entirely with rib fibers. The cylindrical tubes in sectionally hybrid counterparts were wrapped with ribs containing glass fibers in two, three, and six sections and were tested once from the bare aluminum direction and once from the hybridized side. The tests were performed under low-velocity impact loading at a speed of 7 m/s and a mass of 80 kg. The results show that the highest energy absorption occurs in fully hybrid specimens. However, the amount of glass fibers used in sectionally hybrid samples is half that of a fully hybrid counterpart. Comparatively, therefore, the amount of specific absorption energy rates in cylinders with two composite ribs are 16 percent and 35 percent higher than that of the pure aluminum mode, depending on the number of composite layers used in the hybrid samples. Besides, in the samples that are hit from the bare aluminum side, the maximum crushing force value is smaller than those of the samples tested from the hybrid direction. Moreover, the outcomes of the samples modeled in the ABAQUS finite element software are compared with those of the experimental mode. | The Collapse of Fully Hybrid and Sectionally Hybrid Cylindrical Energy Absorbers under Impact Loading: An Experimental and Simulation-based Investigation | 10.1007/s12221-022-5206-9 |
2022-12-01 | The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dosimetric characteristics of optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters (OSLDs) for application in intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT). Dose measurements were performed using a customized phantom fabricated using a three-dimensional (3D) printer and a low-energy (50 kV) X-ray INTRABEAM ™ system (Carl Zeiss Surgical GmbH, Oberkochen, Germany). The phantom was equipped with a housing slot for the placement of parallel plate ionization chamber or OSLD. Dosimetric characteristics of the OSLD, i.e. radiation sensitivity, linearity, and reproducibility, were analyzed. In addition, the variation in sensitivity after the irradiation with high dose was estimated. After the irradiation of 1 Gy to the 80 OSLDs, measured doses were to range between 0.92 Gy and 1.04 Gy, with an average sensitivity of 2.1%. To ensure the reproducibility of the OSLDs, the sensitivity was reduced via repeated measurements—a decrease in sensitivity of approximately 6% is observed. After the irradiation with high dose, evaluation of reproducibility revealed variations in sensitivity, with an average sensitivity of 2.9%. Therefore, the dosimetric corrections are necessary for the OSLD based on measurements in IORT environments. The use of the aforementioned correction factors is expected to improve the precision of in vivo dosimetry during IORT. | Dosimetric calibration of nanodot optically stimulated luminescent dosimeter for intraoperative radiotherapy with low-energy X-rays | 10.1007/s40042-022-00570-3 |
2022-12-01 | Plastics are ubiquitous. It has been used in human activities, from agriculture to packaging, infrastructure, and health. The wide range of usage makes plastics an omnipresent pollutant in the environment. This study investigated the abundance and type of plastics in agricultural soil in the Adana/Karataş region in Turkey, where disposable low-tunnel greenhouse plastic films and irrigation pipes were in use. For this purpose, 1 kg of soil samples from the top 5 cm (from the surface) was taken from 10 different sampling locations. An average of 16.5 ± 2.4 pcs/kg was found in the soil samples. The highest amount of plastics was seen at the Bahçe-4 location with 39.7 ± 12 pcs/kg and the lowest amount of plastics at the Karataş-1 location with 0.7 ± 0.3 pcs/kg. The average size of plastics was found to be 18.2 ± 1.3 mm. The average size of plastics originating from greenhouse cover was 18.9 ± 1.4 mm, and from disposable irrigation pipes was 12.5 ± 3.5 mm. It was determined that 41.9% of extracted plastics were microplastics, 36.3% were mesoplastics, 16.3% were macroplastics, and 5.6% were megaplastics. Results indicated that residual plastics decreased in the soil where used plastics were removed after usage. As a result, it is worth noting that a significant amount of plastics remain in soil due to plastics being used in agricultural areas. Graphical abstract | Plastics derived from disposable greenhouse plastic films and irrigation pipes in agricultural soils: a case study from Turkey | 10.1007/s11356-022-21911-6 |
2022-12-01 | A novel area-efficient capacitor switching scheme for successive approximation register (SAR) analogue-to-digital converters (ADCs) is proposed. By using the charge-sharing and capacitor-holding technique, the proposed switching method achieves deciding the last three least-significant-bits (LSBs) with only two unit capacitors. Additionally, zero power consumption is achieved in the first conversion cycle, and the monotonic switching method is utilized for the remaining cycles. Compared to the conventional structure, the proposed switching scheme reduces the average switching energy by 97.71% and achieves an 87.5% capacitor area reduction without an extra reference voltage or capacitor-splitting structure. A postlayout simulation of a 1-V 10-bit 5-MS/s SAR ADC in 180 nm CMOS technology is performed, which verifies the feasibility of the proposed switching scheme. The SAR ADC achieves a 58.9 dB signal-to-noise and distortion ratio (SNDR) and 72.1 dB spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR). | A Highly Area-Efficient Switching Scheme based on Charge Sharing and Capacitor Holding for SAR ADCs | 10.1007/s00034-022-02093-5 |
2022-12-01 | Abstract The effect of low-dose radiation was studied on the growth dynamics of transfused Lewis carcinoma cells in female C57Bl/6 mice. Fourfold total fractionated irradiation was conducted at a dose of 75 mGy (at a dose rate of 0.154 Gy/min and a voltage of 200 kV), starting from day 10 after the transplantation with a four-day interval. On days 14 and 22, a group of mice was euthanized to study the expression levels of genes and noncoding RNAs (microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs) in tumor cells, as well as in normal tissues (bone marrow, liver, spleen, thymus). The total RNA was obtained, and complementary DNA was synthesized according to the manufacturer’s protocol. After that, a real-time PCR reaction was performed using the SYBR Green I dye (Thermo Scientific, United States) or a TaqMan probe and specific primers. Genes and noncoding RNAs were divided into groups of oncogenes and oncosuppressors according to scientific research. In the group of irradiated mice, a decrease in the tumor growth rate was observed, mainly from day 20, accompanied by a change in the activity of the studied genes. The ratio of the activity of oncosuppressors to oncogenes was calculated for the obtained tissues. These fractions were 0.5 for the tumor, 10.7 for the bone marrow, and 2.4 for the spleen and thymus. Thus, it can be stated that in the tumor there was a particularly pronounced activation of oncogenes compared to the activity of oncosuppressors, while the opposite effect was observed in normal tissues. | The Сonnection between the Growth Dynamics of Transplanted Lewis Carcinoma in Mice and Changes in the Activity of Genes and Noncoding RNAs after Low-Dose Irradiation | 10.1134/S1062359022120135 |
2022-12-01 | Periodontitis often causes damage to the periodontal tissue and affects the function of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs). Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been used for periodontal treatment and can upregulate the proliferation and osteogenesis of hPDLSCs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of LLLT on the proliferation, osteogenic differentiation, inflammatory reaction, and oxidative stress of hPDLSCs in an inflammatory environment (pPDLSCs). We designed one control group and three testing groups (treated with Nd:YAG laser at 4, 8, and 16 J/cm 2 ) of hPDLSCs from periodontitis patients who were diagnosed with stable phase periodontitis. Cell proliferation was measured by colony-forming unit fibroblast (CFU-F) assays and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. The osteogenic capacity of the cells was determined by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, ALP activity assays, Alizarin Red S staining and the mRNA transcript levels of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), ALP, and osteocalcin (OCN). The effects of LLLT on the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-1β by PDLSCs were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We also evaluated the oxidative stress of hPDLSCs and pPDLSCs by measuring the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity after treatment with LLLT at 4, 8, and 16 J/cm 2 . Our results demonstrated that LLLT could modulate the osteogenic potential of pPDLSCs at 8 J/cm 2 . Inflammatory stimuli induced excess ROS release, and LLLT at 4–8 J/cm 2 promoted oxidative stress levels in hPDLSCs but decreased the expression of inflammatory cytokines and ROS levels in pPDLSCs. Moreover, LLLT at 16 J/cm 2 could significantly suppress proliferation and osteogenic differentiation and promote inflammatory cytokines and ROS levels in pPDLSCs. In conclusion, LLLT could regulate proliferation, osteogenesis, inflammatory reaction, and oxidative stress of human periodontal ligament stem cells under inflammatory conditions. | The effect of low-level laser irradiation on the proliferation, osteogenesis, inflammatory reaction, and oxidative stress of human periodontal ligament stem cells under inflammatory conditions | 10.1007/s10103-022-03638-5 |
2022-12-01 | Abstract —The authors discuss the use of the Greenell concept of ecological niches to analyze the taxonomic structure of communities and their relationship with environmental factors. The modeling of ecological niches was carried out using the results of 30-year studies of macrozoobenthos communities on 90 small and 12 medium-sized plain rivers in the region of the Kuibyshev, Saratov, and Volgograd reservoirs. Geoclimatic indicators, relief characteristics, and hydrochemical assessments of the water quality at sampling points were considered as abiotic factors, where 11 variables with the least collinearity were selected. The multidimensional space of the initial abiotic factors was projected onto the orthogonal axes of the first two principal components; ordination diagrams with plotted points of the presence of species were constructed. The model of the potential ecological niche of each species was represented as an area in the space of latent variables, in which the habitat suitability index Z estimated by the probability density of occurrence corresponds to the given constraints. The authors used the Schoener and Hellinger indices to quantify the proportion of overlapping niches belonging to two different benthos taxa. The matrix of distances between overlapping niches was formed for all possible paired combinations of the 40 most ecologically significant macrozoobenthos species. Cluster analysis of the obtained distance matrix was carried out by the methods of hierarchical agglomeration and fuzzy k -means. In the general multidimensional space of abiotic variables of the region studied, four areas of collective niches for groups of species with maximum distances between their centroids were identified. The analysis of intergroup variation of environmental factors is given, and the characteristic features of each group are discussed: ecological strategy, biological traits, and tolerance level. | Ecological Niche Differentiation from the Example of Bottom Communities of the Middle and Lower Volga Regions | 10.1134/S1062359022100302 |
2022-12-01 | This systematic review aimed to answer the research focused question: What are the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy on bone healing after ionizing irradiation in animal models? The EMBASE, LILACS, LIVIVO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, including gray literature, were searched using the following keywords: "Head and Neck Neoplasms"; "Ionizing Radiation"; "Low-Level Light Therapy"; and "Bone regeneration", focusing on the primary studies that assessed the effects of PBM therapy on animal models of irradiated bone. Six studies have met the eligibility criteria and presented an overall regular quality according to the risk of bias assessment tools. All the studies utilized rat animal model and near-infrared laser PBM at low power output setting. Most of the studies showed increased new bone formation, osteocytes, osteoblasts, and vascularization networking, as a result of PBM therapy. However, only one out of the six studies has not shown any differences in bone healing in both lased and non-lased animal groups. Nevertheless, PBM therapy is a potential tool to improve bone healing induced by ionizing radiation. However, due to the scarce number of studies and the great variability of laser parameters and treatment protocols, a clear conclusion cannot be drawn. Hence, extensive preclinical in vivo studies are warranted to ensure these beneficial effects have been addressed prior to translational clinical trials. | Efficacy of photobiomodulation therapy on healing of ionizing irradiated bone: a systematic review of in vivo animal studies | 10.1007/s10103-022-03649-2 |
2022-12-01 | As an important measure used to balance the trade-offs of industrial, domestic, and ecological water use sectors, the low-impact optimal operation model of the cascade sluice-reservoir system (CSRS) has developed into an international concern. Limited by insufficient water storage and a deteriorating ecological environment, the actual operation ability (AOA) deviates from the originally planned ability and cannot function effectively as expected. However, the focus on the quantification of the AOA of the CSRS and its applications in water resources allocation have not received sufficient attention. This paper first constructed a multi-indicator evaluation system of the AOA consisting of water quantity, water quality, water ecology, engineering, and socioeconomic elements. Second, based on the quantified AOA, a multi-objective optimal operation model of the CSRS was proposed to lower water deficiency and pollutant loads and to reduce the negative impact on the social economy, water ecology and environment. The Shaying River basin (SRB), a human-altered basin with fierce water use competition, was selected as the study area. The results indicate that (1) the elements of water quality and water ecology are the main factors limiting the AOA. Moreover, the evaluation system is able to accurately demonstrate the evolution of the water management policies. (2) The low-impact optimal operation scheme has a stronger superiority with less water shortages in both city units and ecology, especially when the inflow is less and the benefits of agricultural, industrial and domestic water use are prioritized. The model contributes to the knowledge of water-society-ecology trade-offs. | Low-Impact Optimal Operation of a Cascade Sluice-Reservoir System for Water-Society-Ecology Trade-Offs | 10.1007/s11269-022-03345-4 |
2022-12-01 | Despite growing concern about adverse effects of bisphenol AF (BPAF) due to its endocrine disrupting properties, there is a lack of toxicity data from low-dose studies and direct evidence linking its adverse effects to endocrine disrupting properties. Here, we investigated the effects of gestational and postnatal exposure to BPAF through drinking water (0.15–15 μg/mL, equivalent to the daily intake of ~ 50 and 5 mg/kg/day) on testis development in mice. We found that like mestranol, 5 mg/kg/day BPAF resulted in remarkable decreases in multiple male reproductive parameters in adulthood, such as the sperm number and serum testosterone level. Notably, 50 μg/kg/day BPAF also caused significant decreases in anogenital distance (AGD), the luteinizing hormone level and spermatocyte number, along with declining trends in sperm number and the serum levels of testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone. In line with the adverse outcomes observed in adulthood, on postnatal day (PND) 9, we also observed BPAF-caused dose-dependent alterations, including reduced AGD, seminiferous tubule area and numbers of total germ cells, spermatocytes and Leydig cells, coupled with down-regulated expression of male-biased genes in testes. Even when exposure to 5 mg/kg/day BPAF as well as MES was initiated from PND 0, similar alterations in male reproductive parameters were also found on PND 9, along with a decrease in the GnRH content in the hypothalamus; moreover, testicular alterations and the reduction in AGD were partly antagonized by the estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist ICI 182,780, but the reduction of GnRH production was not done, showing that the effects of BPAF on testis development may be partially mediated by ER signaling. In conclusion, all the findings demonstrate that low-dose BPAF can partly disrupt mammal testis development and cause adverse testicular outcomes in adulthood, indicating a potential reproductive risk to mammals including humans. Importantly, our finding that developmental alterations elicited by BPAF have been detectable on PND 9 provides important motivation for the development of effective methods for early detection of adverse effects of estrogenic chemicals on testis development. | Effects of low-dose bisphenol AF on mammal testis development via complex mechanisms: alterations are detectable in both infancy and adulthood | 10.1007/s00204-022-03377-0 |
2022-12-01 | The dual objectives of air pollutant control and carbon emission reduction highlight the importance of determining investment methods in end-of-pipe (EOP) technology to achieve cost optimization goals. This paper aims to bridge the gap between the cooperative control theory and practical applications. We propose a framework using optimal control theory to obtain a technology investment path while considering the two-way synergy effect. To verify the effectiveness of the model, we considered three typical technologies in ultra-low emission transformation of a certain steel process. The used case in the study set the emission reduction of $${\mathrm{SO}}_2$$ SO 2 , $${\mathrm{NO}}_x$$ NO x and $${\mathrm{CO}}_2$$ CO 2 as 55%, 70% and 80% compared to their basic cases, respectively. Considering the synergy effect, the peaks of the installed capacity of three technologies including carbon capture, denitrification, and desulfurization were obtained as 0.12 million tons, 5 million tons, and 15 million tons. Also, the related net emissions for the pollutant were 300, 400, and 1000 million tons. We found that terminal desulfurization and denitrification technology increase $${\mathrm{CO}}_2$$ CO 2 emissions accounting for about 2% due to the negative synergy. However, the negative emission contribution from carbon abatement technology is greater accounting for about 40%. We also found that different policy objectives and emission factors have a greater impact on the investment path. These results demonstrate that we cannot completely ignore the negative emission reduction effects when adopting these EOP technologies. It is necessary to reevaluate these negative effects to the greatest extent so as to develop a more reasonable technological path, which is a guarantee for achieving the expected emission reduction targets. | Clean technology investment considering synergistic effects: a case from the steel sintering process | 10.1007/s10668-021-02009-4 |
2022-12-01 | This paper investigates how science parks (SPs) act as innovation intermediaries to facilitate university-industry research and development (U-I R&D) collaboration and how the SPs’ roles influence the collaboration effectiveness. Data was collected from documents and interviews with 52 participants in 19 collaboration projects across four SPs in northern Thailand. This data is unique because it includes the perspectives of the SPs’ project managers as well as those of the university researchers, firm owners and managers in a developing economy context. Our findings show that the SPs performed consulting, brokering, mediating, and providing resource roles and thereby enhanced the attributes of researchers, firms, relationships between partners and collaboration projects, to ultimately improve the success of the collaborations. The SPs in Thailand are not only property-based organisations that provide space and facilities for firms to locate in. It is the SPs’ active involvement in the U-I R&D collaboration that contributes to its effectiveness. SPs in a developing economy thus evolve their roles to offer greater support to firms in low-tech industries. We also offer evidence of trade-off effects and show how the SPs’ roles and attributes of firms, researchers and relationships can substitute for one another to create effective U-I R&D collaborations. | Innovation intermediaries for university-industry R&D collaboration: evidence from science parks in Thailand | 10.1007/s10961-021-09902-0 |
2022-12-01 | The effect of near infrared (NIR) laser irradiation on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of buccal fat pad-derived stem cells and the role of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels was investigated in the current research. After stem cell isolation, a 940 nm laser with 0.1 W, 3 J/cm 2 was used in pulsed and continuous mode for irradiation in 3 sessions once every 48 h. The cells were cultured in the following groups: non-osteogenic differentiation medium/primary medium (PM) and osteogenic medium (OM) groups with laser-irradiated (L +), without irradiation (L −), laser treated + Capsazepine inhibitor (L + Cap), and laser treated + Skf96365 inhibitor (L + Skf). Alizarin Red staining and RT-PCR were used to assess osteogenic differentiation and evaluate RUNX2, Osterix, and ALP gene expression levels. The pulsed setting showed the best viability results ( P < 0.05) and was used for osteogenic differentiation evaluations. The results of Alizarin red staining were not statistically different between the four groups. Osterix and ALP expression increased in the (L +) group. This upregulation abrogated in the presence of Capsazepine, TRPV1 inhibitor (L + Cap); however, no significant effect was observed with Skf96365 (L + Skf). | NIR irradiation of human buccal fat pad adipose stem cells and its effect on TRP ion channels | 10.1007/s10103-022-03652-7 |
2022-12-01 | One of the most important fossil fauna localities in the Baikal region is the Tagay section. It is located on the shore of Tagay bay at the northwestern coast of Olkhon Island in the Baikal Lake and consists of two different exposures, Tagay-1 and Tagay-2. The Tagay-1 section exposes predominantly lake sediments of Miocene age and contains a faunal complex. The Tagay-2 section is composed of slope wash and subaerial sediments of Early Pleistocene (Calabrian?) age with remains of small mammals. A total of 95 samples for palaeomagnetic studies were taken in both sections. Magnetic susceptibility (MS), its frequency dependence (Fd) and anisotropy were measured from all samples. The stable component of the natural remanent magnetization (NRM) was obtained using stepwise alternating field (AF) demagnetization. The magnetic polarity pattern was constrained for the Tagay-1 section. It includes an extended zone of reversed polarity, complicated by three normal subzones of minor rank. Palaeontological data allow correlation of the Tagay-1 pattern with the magnetic chrons C5Dn to C5Cn.1n (late Burdigalian – early Langhian). Palaeomagnetic directions in the upper part of the Tagay-2 section are randomly distributed due to intensive slope-wash processes resulted in mechanical perturbation of the sediments. The lower part of Tagay-2 section demonstrates only reversed polarity, although the scatter of directions is quite large due to landsliding. This reversed interval may be correlated with the Matuyama chron between Cobb Mountain and Olduvai subchrons. Synchronous increase of MS and Fd values in palaeosols suggests a pedogenic (or “Chinese”) mechanism influencing magnetic properties of the Tagay-2 section under warm palaeoclimatic conditions. | Palaeomagnetic data from the late Cenozoic Tagay section (Olkhon Island, Baikal region, Eastern Siberia) | 10.1007/s12549-022-00559-7 |
2022-12-01 | Salinity is an important environmental factor that induces oxidative stress in shrimp. This study evaluated the effects of abrupt low-salinity stress (23, 17, and 11) on histological structure, lipid peroxidation, mRNA levels and activities of antioxidant enzymes, and gene expression of Nrf2-Keap1 signaling molecules at different times (6, 12, 24, 48, and 96 h) in the gills and hepatopancreas of Marsupenaeus japonicus . Mild or strong increase in the levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) and antioxidant genes and enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were observed after short-term exposure (6 and 12 h). After 48 and/or 96 h of exposure to low salinity, Nrf2 was significantly downregulated ( P < 0.05), which was accompanied by downregulation of the levels of Nrf2-Keap1 pathway-related genes and enzymes such as SOD, CAT, and GPX, along with upregulation of Kelch-like-ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Pathological alterations were also observed in the gills and hepatopancreas of M . japonicus after 96 h of exposure to different salinities. The observed changes in antioxidant gene expression are consistent with a requirement for Nrf2 in the induction of antioxidant genes. Furthermore, there was a negative correlation between the mRNA levels of Nrf2 and Keap1, indicating that Keap1 is important for inhibition of the Nrf2 response. Negative relationships were observed between lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities, while positive relationships were observed between activities and gene expression levels of antioxidant enzymes, suggesting the changes in molecular and enzyme activity levels may provide protection against damage from low-salinity stress. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that Nrf2-Keap1 signaling is important for modulating the gene expression levels of antioxidant enzymes. This is the first study to elucidate the effects of low-salinity stress on antioxidant responses in M . japonicus through the Nrf2-Keap1 pathway. The results provide insights into the mechanisms by which crustaceans resist salinity stress. | Role of Nrf2-Keap1 signaling in the antioxidant defense response induced by low salinity in the kuruma shrimp (Marsupenaeus japonicus) | 10.1007/s10499-022-00941-4 |
2022-12-01 | This experimental study examined the effects of curcumin-loaded iron oxide nanoparticles (CUR), photobiomodulation (PBM), and CUR + PBM treatments on mast cells (MC)s numbers and degranulation, inflammatory cells (macrophages, neutrophils), and wound strength in the last step of the diabetic wound repair process (maturation phase) in a rat model of type one diabetes mellitus (T1DM). T1DM was induced in 24 rats, and 1 month later, an excisional wound was created on each rat’s back skin. The rats were then distributed into four groups: (1) untreated diabetic control group (UDCG); (2) rats treated with CUR (CUR); (3) rats exposed to PBM (890 nm, 80 Hz, 0.2 J/cm 2 ) (PBM); (4) rats treated with CUR plus PBM (CUR + PBM). Fifteen days after surgery, skin tissue samples were taken for biomechanical and stereological evaluations. The biomechanical factor of maximum force was observed to be considerably improved in the CUR + PBM ( p = 0.000), PBM ( p = 0.014), and CUR ( p = 0.003) groups compared to the UDCG. CUR + PBM, PBM, and CUR groups had significantly decreased total numbers of MC compared with the UDCG (all, p = 0.001). The results were significantly better in the CUR + PBM ( p = 0.000) and PBM ( p = 0.003) groups than in the CUR group. Inflammatory cell counts were significantly lower in the CUR + PBM, PBM, and CUR groups than in the UDCG (all, p = 0.0001). In all evaluating methods, the usage of CUR + PBM produced better results than the use of CUR or PBM alone (almost all tests, p = 0.0001). CUR + PBM, PBM, and CUR significantly improved the repair of diabetic skin wounds in type 1 DM rats through significant decreases of MC number, degranulation, and inflammatory cells as well as a noteworthy improvement in wound strength. The impact of CUR + PBM was superior to that of either PBM or CUR alone. It is suggested that CUR + PBM could be used as a MC stabilizer for the effective treatment of some related human diseases. | The combined use of photobiomodulation and curcumin-loaded iron oxide nanoparticles significantly improved wound healing in diabetic rats compared to either treatment alone | 10.1007/s10103-022-03639-4 |
2022-12-01 | Abstract Seasonal (intra-annual) dynamics of the concentrations of nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium nitrogen in the lower reaches of the Severnaya Dvina River were studied. The general features of the seasonal dynamics of the concentrations were determined, and the periods of the maximum levels of dissolved forms of nitrogen in the river runoff were identified. It was found that the concentrations of biogenic elements did not exceed the maximum permissible levels. The percentage ratios of the nitrogen forms in natural waters by seasons were considered. | Features of the Seasonal Dynamics of Dissolved Nitrogen Forms in the Lower Stream of the Severnaya Dvina River | 10.1134/S1070363222130102 |
2022-12-01 | The present article covers simultaneous measurements of current, emitted light and voltage drop associated with DC discharges in power transformer mineral oil. These measurements are analyzed in both time and frequency domains. The study focuses on the nanosecond scale for electrical signals and on the megahertz scale for spectral analysis. All of these measurements are characterized by high-frequency activity between 20 and 125 MHz and are highly correlated. By using fast response sensors, the signals have been acquired and represented in a digital format. This representation has been used to differentiate between oil samples with different water content based on FFT light signals analysis. For in service aged oils, it was difficult to differentiate between their aging when based only on the latter approach. Then, a feature extraction of light emission signals and their classification based on SVM have been successfully performed. In the experimental section, it has been shown that the proposed approach is capable of distinguishing between two different classes of oil (new or aged). Hence, by the use of simple SVM protocol, aged oils are well identified with an accuracy of 99% by analyzing light signals provided from low energy discharges. Such techniques can be useful for sealed power equipments diagnosis. | Analysis of DC low energy discharges emitted light for transformer oil state assessment | 10.1007/s00202-022-01606-4 |
2022-12-01 | The effect of low-molecular-weight mimetics of NGF and BDNF (GK-2 and GSB-214 in a dose 0.5 mg/kg, respectively) on malondialdehyde content and activity of an antioxidant defense enzyme glutathione peroxidase was studied in experiments on C57BL/6 mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. An increase in the malondialdehyde content indicating enhanced formation of peroxidation products and a decrease of glutathione peroxidase activity in the blood plasma of untreated diabetic animals were revealed. Both studied mimetics were shown to attenuate the severity of these disorders. Since the ability of these compounds to activate the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway was previously demonstrated in vitro on HT-22 cell culture, we studied the effect of LY294002, an inhibitor of this pathway, on the above parameters. It was found that LY294002 attenuates the normalizing effect of GK-2 and GSB-214 only in relation to glutathione peroxidase activity, but not malondialdehyde level. | Analysis of the Role of PI3K/Akt Pathway in the Realization of the Normalizing Effect of Low-Molecular-Weight Mimetics of NGF and BDNF on Activity of Prooxidant and Antioxidant Systems in C57BL/6 Mice with Modeled Diabetes | 10.1007/s10517-023-05688-3 |
2022-12-01 | The aim of the present study was to analyze for the first time the effect of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) using defocused high-power laser (DHPL) in myoblast cell line C2C12 viability and migration and compare them with low-power laser therapy. Cells were divided into 9 groups: Sham irradiation 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS); Sham irradiation 5%FBS; low-power laser 0.1 W; DHPL 810 1 W; DHPL 810 2 W; DHPL 980 1 W; DHPL 980 2 W; DHPL dual 1 W; DHPL dual 2 W. To simulate stress conditions, all groups exposed to irradiation were maintained in DMEM 5% FBS. The impact of therapies on cell viability was assessed through sulforhodamine B assay and on cells migration through scratch assays and time-lapse. Myoblast viability was not modified by PBMT protocols. All PBMT protocols were able to accelerate the scratch closure after 6 and 18 h of the first irradiation ( p < 0.001). Also, an increase in migration speed, with a more pronounced effect of DHPL laser using dual-wavelength protocol with 2 W was observed ( p < 0.001). In conclusion, the diverse PBMT protocols used in this study accelerated the C2C12 myoblasts migration, with 2-W dual-wavelength outstanding as the most effective protocol tested. Benefits from treating muscle injuries with PBMT appear to be related to its capacity to induce cell migration without notable impact on cell viability. | Effects of different protocols of defocused high-power laser on the viability and migration of myoblasts—a comparative in vitro study | 10.1007/s10103-022-03636-7 |
2022-12-01 | The mafic intrusive Moskin and Parvaneh regions in the northwest and south of Urmia were investigated for their geochemistry and petro-physical properties such as size, shape, and spatial distribution of their crystals. This type of study can be a powerful tool for analyzing the history of magma crystallization, along with geochemistry examinations. The gabbroic calc-alkaline rocks, with the Early Cenozoic is the relative age, consist of coarse plagioclase and amphibole with rare clinopyroxene and olivine in the Sanandaj–Sirjan zone at sedimentary-structural subdivisions of Iran. The depletion of HFSEs and enrichment of LILEs as arc-related rocks, as well as lower crust contamination (Nb/Th and K/Ce) symptoms, show that these gabbros formed at the continental arc setting from an enriched source. Considering the geographical position and relative age of the gabbros, they possibly outcropped during the Neo-Tethys subduction processes after the enrichment by considerably lower crust effects. The amphibole and plagioclase crystals with considerable abundance show linear crystal size distribution (CSD) patterns with a slope of (− 1/ Gt ) − 3 to − 4 for amphiboles and plagioclase except for Parvaneh plagioclase which shows − 16. The annealing (Ostwald ripening) caused the convex CSD on the small grains part at Parvaneh gabbro. Therefore, the ratio of nucleation to growth rates ( J/G ) for these minerals is 5–6 times, only for Parvaneh plagioclase is ten times which numerous nuclei were made by a significant degree of overstepping in the rocks. There is no magma mixing evidence because of the linear (one population of crystals) CSD patterns. The shape of amphibole crystals in gabbros is bladed (with S/I = 0.4–0.5 and I/L = 0.1–0.3) and bladed to tabular for plagioclase ( S/I = 0.4 and I/L = 0.6–0.7). The spatial distribution patterns (SDPs) are calculated from a big R -value based on the nearest neighbor’s theory for amphibole and plagioclase crystals, confirming clustered SDP for all of them. Also, the dihedral angle measurements (between amphibole and plagioclase grains) display that solid-state equilibrium is prevailing in the rocks. In this study, we tried to establish a relationship between geochemistry and petro-physical results and investigate the evolution of igneous rocks more accurately and all-inclusive. We should not neglect the importance of quantifying the texture of rocks. | Geochemistry and crystal shape, size and spatial distribution in arc-related gabbro, Urmia, NW Iran | 10.1007/s11631-022-00557-8 |
2022-11-30 | The high-temperature swelling and subfreezing frost heave of the tunnel surrounding soil are indispensable parts in analyzing the tunnel stability in swelling soil. In this paper, the physico-mechanical properties of paleosol and loess in the Loess Plateau were compared, and the temperature distribution of the surrounding soil and interior wall of the tunnel in the swelling paleosol layer was measured. The temporal and spatial distributions of high and low temperatures in surrounding soil during construction were compared using the numerical model, and the sensitivity of surrounding soil temperature was discussed. The results show that the Q 1 paleosol has the largest dry density, liquid-plastic limit, clay content, clay mineral content, and mechanical strength compared with the loess from the Q 3 to Q 1 strata. The swelling pressure of the Q 1 paleosol gradually decreases with increasing water content, but increases with increasing temperature. During the tunnel excavation in the thick paleosol layer, with the decrease in water content, the surrounding soil temperature and the duration of high-temperature swelling increase under the influence of high-temperature shotcrete, but the surrounding soil temperature and the time to enter subfreezing frost heave decrease under the influence of subzero-temperature air. In analyzing the time required for the surrounding soil temperature to vary to a specific value, the influence of water content should be given priority if the values are 80, 0, and − 10 °C, and the influence of air temperature should be given priority if the values are 60 and 70 °C. | Temperature monitoring and sensitivity analysis of tunnel in swelling paleosol layer of the Chinese Loess Plateau | 10.1007/s10064-022-02996-2 |
2022-11-30 | Background The Touch Hand 4.5 is a highly customisable prosthetic hand, which features an optimised modular design of the Touch Hand 4. The Touch Hand team has developed a low-cost prosthetic hand, which has been built using an additive manufacturing process. The functionality and features are discussed that are crucial for amputees. Methods This paper documents the design and integration of the Touch Hand 4.5 to be used in the Cybathlon 2020 event as well as the development of the mechanical structure of the hand, socket, electronics and control system utilized. The Touch Hand 4.5 was designed and continuously optimized, with the goal to achieve the tasks in the Cybathlon 2020 event. Results The performance and functionality of the Touch Hand 4.5 was tested on a global scale at the Cybathlon 2020. The device and technology were evaluated against the leading prosthetics and prototypes from around the world. A series of everyday tasks, as set by the Cybathlon event, were performed to determine the capabilities of the device, with the pinch grip, full grip, half grip, and a thumb grip. The Touch Hand team was the only team to complete the Haptic Box task in all three races, which comprised of the identification of objects without the aid of visual input or perception, with a duration between 100 and 120 s. The Breakfast task entailed completing a series of everyday breakfast tasks, such as cutting a loaf of bread, lighting a candle, opening a sugar packet, opening a plastic bottle and a jar, as well as opening a tin can with a can opener. This task was only completed in Race 3, with a duration of 132 s, due to a faulty equipment that was supplied. Conclusion The first contribution that was achieved was the design and development of an additive manufactured hand and socket, considering the socket to have comfort, breathability and decreased irritability. The second contribution was the design optimisation with the linear actuator integration, for a multi-grip hand, which allowed for the pinch grip, full grip, half grip, and a thumb grip. Slippage prevention with grip force control system integration was also implemented. Trial registration number: Ethical clearance certificate HCC/0161/011. | Touch Hand 4.5: low-cost additive manufacturing prosthetic hand participated in Cybathlon 2020 ARM discipline | 10.1186/s12984-022-01112-5 |
2022-11-28 | A large number of low-income residents in industrial neighborhoods rarely engage in recreational and physical activities in green spaces in extremely cold weather. This study mainly explores the relationship between the street environment and physical activities under special industrial properties and extreme cold weather conditions. In addition, we further divide essential physical activity into two categories, life-type and traffic-type physical activity, to explore and refine the related studies. We use principal component analysis to classify the street environment indicators and use multiple linear regression to analyze the impact of each indicator on different physical activities. The conclusions are as follows. For low-income people, the street environment in industrial neighborhoods has a much greater impact on life-type physical activity than traffic-type physical activity, and there is a conflict between the two. In addition, a high greening density is not conducive to either type of physical activity in the street environment. It reduces the paved area of streets and create sports conflicts between people undertaking different physical activities. The findings contribute to the development and optimization of public health research on environmental interventions in industrial neighborhood streets and enable effective recommendations for increasing outside physical activity among low-income people in severe weather conditions. In future studies, we will use the physical environment as a mediator to explore the relationship between the street environment and high-frequency chronic diseases in old industrial neighborhoods. | The effect of the street environment on two types of essential physical activity in industrial neighborhoods from the perspective of public health: a study from the Harbin low-income population health survey, China | 10.1186/s12889-022-14533-7 |
2022-11-26 | Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) act as transcriptional regulators in plants and animals. To date, they have been reported to regulate various biological processes, such as phosphate homeostasis, grain yield, and fertility in rice ( Oryza sativa L.). However, the lncRNAs involved in abiotic stress responses remain poorly identified in rice. In this study, we analyzed the expression profiles of lncRNAs using public rice transcriptome datasets derived from abiotic stress-treated samples. We found that the expression of thousands of rice lncRNAs was significantly altered in the shoot and root tissues under different abiotic stresses (drought, high salinity, low temperature, and abscisic acid). We selected six novel drought-induced lncRNAs ( DRIL s, specifically DRIL1 to DRIL6 ) for further study. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed the differential expression patterns of these DRIL s under various stress conditions. The expression of abiotic stress-responsive genes was upregulated in the protoplasts by transiently overexpressed DRIL1 and DRIL4 . Therefore, DRIL s may be involved in the transcriptional regulation of abiotic stress-responsive genes in rice. | Identification and characterization of drought-induced long noncoding RNAs (DRILs) in rice | 10.1186/s13765-022-00751-5 |
2022-11-26 | Background Intensivists play an essential role in improving the outcomes of critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs). The transition of ICU physician staffing from low-intensity ICUs (elective intensivist or no intensivist consultation) to high-intensity ICUs (mandatory intensivist consultation or a closed ICU) improves clinical outcomes. However, whether a transition from high-intensity to low-intensity ICU staffing affects ICU outcomes and quality of care remains unknown. Methods A retrospective observational study was conducted to examine the impact of high- versus low-intensity staffing models on all-cause mortality in a suburban secondary community hospital with 400 general beds and 8 ICU beds. The ICU was switched from a high-intensity staffing model (high-former period) to low-intensity staffing in July 2019 (low-mid period) and then back to high-intensity staffing in March 2020 (high-latter period). Patients admitted from the emergency department, general ward, or operating room after emergency surgery were enrolled in these three periods and compared, balancing the predicted mortality and covariates of the patients. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality analyzed using hazard ratios (HRs) from Cox proportional hazards regression. An interrupted time-series analysis (ITSA) was also conducted to evaluate the effects of events (level change) and time. Results There were 962 eligible admissions, of which 251, 213, and 498 occurred in the high-former, low-mid, and high-latter periods, respectively. In the matched group ( n = 600), the all-cause mortality rate comparing the high-former period with the low-mid period showed an HR of 0.88 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.56, 1.39; p = 0.58] and that comparing the high-latter period with the low-mid period showed an HR of 0.84 [95% CI, 0.54, 1.30; p = 0.43]. The result for comparison between the three periods was p = 0.80. ITSA showed level changes of 4.05% [95% CI, -13.1, 21.2; p = 0.63] when ICU staffing changed from the high-former to the low-mid period and 1.35% [95% CI, -13.8, 16.5; p = 0.86] when ICU staffing changed from the low-mid to the high-latter period. Conclusion There was no statistically significant difference in all-cause mortality among the three ICU staffing periods. This study suggests that low-intensity ICU staffing might not worsen clinical outcomes in the ICU in a medium-sized community hospital. Multiple factors, including the presence of an intensivist, other medical staff, and practical guidelines, influence the prognosis of critically ill patients. | Clinical impact of physician staffing transition in intensive care units: a retrospective observational study | 10.1186/s12871-022-01905-0 |
2022-11-25 | In order to increase the low-temperature resistance of Nile tilapia, the purpose of this study was to determine the potential effect of ω3 fatty acid incorporation in Oreochromis niloticus diet. To perform this, two experimental diets containing soybean oil (D1) and cod liver oil (D2) have been supplied to juvenile tilapia for 30 days. According to our results, similar improvements in the two diets have been recorded for growth performance of O. niloticus including the final body mass, specific growth rate, and feed conversion ratio. Our results showed that fish fed with diet D2 promoted high polyunsaturated fatty acids mainly n-3 series (PUFA (n-3)) percent, highlighting the increased levels of docosahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) as well as the activation of their conversion enzyme ratios D5D and D6D desaturases. The second objective was to assess the effect of the two experimental diets on low water temperature tolerance. This was done by exposing juvenile fish at the end of the first experiment to 16, 14, 12, 10, and 8 °C for 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h. The sub-lethal LT 50 of O. niloticus fed with diet D1 was 10.6, 11.4, and 13 °C respectively, after 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h. This pattern was commonly observed for O. niloticus fed with D2, showing that the subLT 50 were 10.3, 11.1, and 12 °C during the same period. These results demonstrate that O. niloticus juveniles fed with diet D2 are more tolerant to low temperatures than those fed with diet D1. | Incorporation of ω3 fatty acids in the diets of Nile tilapia juvenile (Oreochromis niloticus L.): effects on growth performance, fatty acid composition, and tolerance to low temperature | 10.1007/s11250-022-03394-2 |
2022-11-25 | Background Chronic nonspecific low back pain (cNLBP) is a common health problem worldwide, affecting 65–80% of the population and greatly affecting people’s quality of life and productivity. It also causes huge economic losses. Manual therapy (MT) and therapeutic exercise (TE) are effective treatment options for cNLBP physiotherapy-based treatment. However, the underlying mechanisms that promote cNLBP amelioration by MT or TE are incompletely understood. Methods Seventeen recruited subjects were randomly divided into an MT group and a TE group. Subjects in the MT group performed muscular relaxation, myofascial release, and mobilization for 20 min during each treatment session. The treatment lasted for a total of six sessions, once every two days. Subjects in the TE group completed motor control and core stability exercises for 30 min during each treatment session. The motor control exercise included stretching of the trunk and extremity muscles through trunk and hip rotation and flexion training. Stabilization exercises consisted of the (1) bridge exercise, (2) single-leg-lift bridge exercise, (3) side bridge exercise, (4) two-point bird-dog position with an elevated contralateral leg and arm, (5) bear crawl exercise, and (6) dead bug exercise. The treatment lasted for a total of six sessions, with one session every two days. Serum samples were collected from subjects before and after physiotherapy-based treatment for lipidomic and metabolomic measurements. Results Through lipidomic analysis, we found that the phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylethanolamine (PC/PE) ratio decreased and the sphingomyelin/ceramide (SM/Cer) ratio increased in cNLBP patients after MT or TE treatment. In addition, eight metabolites enriched in pyrimidine and purine differed significantly in cNLBP patients who received MT treatment. A total of nine metabolites enriched in pyrimidine, tyrosine, and galactose pathways differed significantly in cNLBP patients after TE treatment during metabolomics analysis. Conclusion Our study was the first to elucidate the alterations in the lipidomics and metabolomics of cNLBP physiotherapy-based treatment and can expand our knowledge of cNLBP physiotherapy-based treatment. | Lipid and metabolic alteration involvement in physiotherapy for chronic nonspecific low back pain | 10.1186/s12944-022-01737-4 |
2022-11-24 | A 42-day study was conducted to consider the effect of composite enzyme (Natuzyme ® ) supplementation on production parameters, intestinal segment measurements, and nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens fed low energy and protein (LEP) diets. Two hundred male Ross 308 broiler chicks consisting of 4 groups were divided into five pens (10 chicks/pen). The first group (control) received a standard diet without composite enzyme (CE) supplementation, whereas the LEP0, LEP0.25, and LEP0.50 groups received LEP supplemented with CE at 0, 0.25, and 0.50 g/kg feed, respectively. Compared to birds in the control group, supplementation of 0.50 g/kg CE to LEP diet offset ( P < 0.05) the poor feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and cost/kg gain observed among LEP0 and LEP0.25 groups on days 0–21, 22–42, and 0–42. Birds in the LEP0, followed by the LEP0.25 group, had decreased ( P < 0.05) ileum weight, villi height, villus height, and crypt depth ratio (VH/CD), and deeper crypt depth of duodenum and ileum compared to birds in the control group. However, the aforementioned parameters were improved in the LEP0.50 group. Likewise, supplementation of CE at 0.50 g/kg to broiler diet having LEP improved ( P < 0.05) digestibility of energy, fiber, and protein on day 42. In conclusion, CE supplemented at 0.50 g/kg diet ameliorated the negative effect caused by feeding LEP diets on production parameters, ileum weight, villi height, VH/CD, and deeper crypt depth of duodenum and ileum as well as energy, fiber, and protein digestibility of broiler chickens. | Effect of composite enzyme supplementation on production parameters, intestinal segment measurements, and apparent nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens fed low energy and protein diets | 10.1007/s11250-022-03402-5 |
2022-11-24 | Background Industrial bioethanol production may involve a low pH environment caused by inorganic acids, improving the tolerance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to a low pH environment is of industrial importance to increase ethanol yield, control bacterial contamination, and reduce production cost. In our previous study, acid tolerance of a diploid industrial Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain KF-7 was chronically acclimatized by continuous ethanol fermentation under gradually increasing low-pH stress conditions. Two haploid strains B3 and C3 having excellent low pH tolerance were derived through the sporulation of an isolated mutant. Diploid strain BC3 was obtained by mating these two haploids. In this study, B3, C3, BC3, and the original strain KF-7 were subjected to comparison transcriptome analysis to investigate the molecular mechanism of the enhanced phenotype. Result The comparison transcriptome analysis results suggested that the upregulated vitamin B1 and B6 biosynthesis contributed to the low pH tolerance. Amino acid metabolism, DNA repairment, and general stress response might also alleviate low pH stress. Conclusion Saccharomyces cerevisiae seems to employ complex regulation strategies to tolerate low pH during ethanol production. The findings provide guides for the construction of low pH-tolerant industrial strains that can be used in industrial fermentation processes. | Saccharomyces cerevisiae employs complex regulation strategies to tolerate low pH stress during ethanol production | 10.1186/s12934-022-01974-3 |
2022-11-23 | Background Intensive care is of great significance for very low birth weight infants (VLBWI). The Yangtze River Delta is the most ecomonically developed area in China. However, there are few data on the care practices and survival of VLBWI in this region. Objectives To investigate the prevalence, care practices and motality of VLBWI in Yangtze River Delta in China. Methods A multi-center retrospective investigation study was conducted at five tertiary hospitals within the Yangtze River Delta in China from January to December 2017. Clinical data included the general characteristics of the infants and the mothers, clinical prognosis, care practices in NICUs was collected by trained research members. Results During the study period, 1059 VLBWIs were included. Infants with birth weight < 750 g, 750-1000 g, 1000-1250 g and 1250-1500 g accounted for 2.3, 14.9, 34.8 and 47.8%, respectively. Premature rupture of membranes (17.8%) was the main cause of premature delivery. The catheterization rates of umbilical vein catheterization (UVC) and peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) were 25.0 and 64.4%, respectively. The duration of parenteral nutrition was 27.0 ± 19.5 d, the meantime of feeding tube indwelling was 36.2 ± 24.2 d. The corrected gestational age of the infants who reached full oral feeding was 35.8 ± 2.7 weeks. The breast feeding rate in the investigated infants was 61.9%. The mortality rate of preterm infants was 3.4%. The incidence of main complications BPD, PDA, ROP, NEC and sepsis were 24.9, 29.9, 21.7, 9.4 and 13.3% respectively. Conclusions Maternal and infant care practices need to be improved in the very preterm births. This study provides a baseline for the improvement in the further study. | Care practices and short-term clinical outcomes of very low birth weight infants in Yangtze River Delta in China | 10.1186/s12887-022-03749-6 |
2022-11-23 | A laser-scribed graphene (LSG) device fabricated on polymeric polyetherimide (PEI) substrate is reported for sensitive electrochemical detection of xylazine (XLZ), a veterinary drug that has been associated with drug-facilitated crimes. Morphological characterization was made by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), demonstrating that the electrochemical device presents a highly porous carbonaceous structure. In addition, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), wettability, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements were used to characterize the PEI-LSG material, which showed superior electroanalytical performance after a simple anodic treatment in an alkaline medium (applying 2 V for 120 s in 0.1 mol L −1 NaOH solution). The electrochemical determination of XLZ was carried out using square wave voltammetry (SWV), which showed sensitivity and coefficient of determination ( R 2 ) equal to 0.206 ± 0.008 A L mol −1 cm −2 and 0.991, respectively. In addition, we obtained a low limit of detection (LOD) of 1.39 × 10 −7 mol L −1 with a linear response in the concentration range 5.0 to 200.0 × 10 −6 mol L −1 . The PEI-LSG electrochemical sensor was applied to XLZ detection in commercial beverage and synthetic urine samples, providing recoveries between 96.0 and 114.8%. Collectively, our electrochemical sensor presents an easy method to manufacture reproducible (relative standard deviation (RSD) of 2.56%), low-cost ($0.12), and single-use (disposable) devices, which is a promising way for in-field determination of drug-facilitated sexual assaults and other relevant applications. Graphical Abstract | Laser-scribed graphene on polyetherimide substrate: an electrochemical sensor platform for forensic determination of xylazine in urine and beverage samples | 10.1007/s00604-022-05566-1 |
2022-11-18 | Injuries in lower extremities due to anti-personnel (AP) landmine blasts have been a major cause of amputation in soldiers. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the mechanism of these injuries for designing advanced personnel protective equipment and superior medical interventions. Various attempts have been made to correlate lower limb cadaveric mine blast test data using surrogate models, but till date, no study has been reported to validate it using numerical methods. In this work, a finite element computational framework was developed for landmine blasts using a biofidelic human body lower limb model for validating in situ tibia forces and injury patterns with PMHS (post mortem human subjects) test data. Based on the reliability of the validated numerical analysis model, efforts were made to elucidate landmine blast physics, blast wave intensity for various mine threats, pathophysiology of lower extremity trauma, and effectiveness of various blast mitigation strategies. Numerical simulations were performed to assess the level of protection offered by a standard army combat boot to the lower limb for an M-14 mine blast. Furthermore, for attenuating the load transmission to the lower limb, aluminum foam sandwich panel has been proposed as a potential shoe insert material due to its high-energy absorption capabilities. Compared to the bare foot scenario, aluminum foam shoe insert in double-core configuration was effective in minimizing severity of M-14 mine blast injuries by reducing the peak tibia force by 34% with a significant delay in time of arrival of the peak. Additionally, the proposed mine protective shoe concept offers 25.2% more reduction in peak tibia force compared to the standard military combat boot for a charge triggered by victim’s heel. | Lower Limb Response to Anti-personnel Landmine Blast Explosions: Injury Assessment and Mitigation Strategies | 10.1007/s41314-022-00053-0 |
2022-11-18 | Background Thrombotic popliteal artery aneurysm (PAA) with acute lower limb ischemia (ALI) is a serious disease leading to amputation. The choice of emergency procedures is not clearly defined, and the difference in therapeutic efficiency between open surgery and endovascular intervention is still unclear. Method We conducted a comprehensive search through PubMed, Wiley Online Library and ScienceDirect. According to the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, eligible articles were screened out, and all relevant data were extracted for further analysis. Our study was designed and developed based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Guideline. We critically assessed all included articles by Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklists and the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS). Result A total of 29 articles (1338 patients/1387 limbs) were included in the study. After a 1-year follow-up, the primary patency rate of the open surgery group was significantly lower than that of the endovascular intervention group (72.65 vs. 81.46%, P = 0.004), but without significant difference in the secondary patency rate (86.19 vs. 86.86%, P = 0.825). The limb salvage rate of the open surgery group was also significantly lower (83.07 vs. 98.25%, P < 0.001). After the 2-year follow-up, the primary patency rate of the open surgery group was still significantly lower (48.57 vs. 59.90%, P = 0.021). Conclusion The outcome of endovascular intervention was better than that of open surgery especially in the 1-year limb salvage rate and primary patency rate at the 1-year and 2-year follow-ups. | Comparisons of outcomes of open surgery versus endovascular intervention for thrombotic popliteal artery aneurysm with acute lower limb ischemia: a systematic review | 10.1186/s12893-022-01843-1 |
2022-11-17 | Abstract Low-temperature stress is a destructive abiotic stress that limits the production and quality of tropical and subtropical crops. In this study, we investigated the physiological responses of the soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Merr. variety ‘Kenfeng 16’ and the mungbean ( Vigna radiata (L.) R.Wilczek) variety ‘Lvfeng 2’ to exogenous uniconazole S3307 and low-temperature stress at the initial flowering (R1) stage. Uniconazole S3307 increased the photosynthetic parameters [net photosynthetic rate ( P n ), transpiration rate ( T r ), stomatal conductance ( G s ), and intercellular CO 2 concentration ( C i )], sucrose phosphate synthetase (SPS) activity, and the contents of sucrose (SUC) and starch (STA) in ‘Kenfeng 16’ and ‘Lvfeng 2’ under low-temperature stress; but it decreased the activities of acid invertase (AI), neutral invertase (NI), total invertase (IN) as well as the contents of glucose and fructose. Additionally, sucrose synthase (SS) activity was increased in ‘Kenfeng 16’ but decreased in ‘Lvfeng 2’ with uniconazole S3307 treatment. The observed changes of P n , SUC, and STA in ‘Kenfeng 16’; the AI and IN activities in ‘Lvfeng 2’; and the glucose and fructose contents in both varieties were quickly recovered after they were subjected to the 4-day recovery period. Compared with the controls, the yield and yield components of ‘Lvfeng 2’ were significantly ( P ≤ 0.05) higher on day 1 (D1), D2, and D3 of the cold-stress conditions, respectively. The yield per plant was positively correlated with the number of grains per plant, number of pods per plant, G s, SUC, and STA in ‘Lvfeng 2’ and ‘Kenfeng 16’. S3307 enhanced the G s and the accumulation of SUC and STA, but it decreased the NI activity, glucose content, and fructose content, thereby alleviating cold stress to increase the yield. | Different Physiological and Photosynthetic Responses of Soybean and Mungbean at the Initial Flowering Stage under Low-Temperature Stress to Uniconazole S3307 | 10.1134/S1021443722060292 |
2022-11-17 | Over the past few decades, hydrous minerals were thought to be absent in the lower mantle, due to their instability at high-pressure conditions. Recently, however, hydrous phases including phase H (MgSiO $$_4$$ 4 H $$_2$$ 2 ), pyrite-type FeOOH, and $$\delta$$ δ -AlOOH have been discovered to be thermodynamically stable at lower mantle pressures. Investigations using ab initio calculations methods play a key role in identifying these novel phases and determining their geophysical properties (i.e., compressibility, elasticity, and sound velocities). These calculations suggest that the hydrous minerals which are stable at lower mantle pressure conditions (i.e., phase H, FeOOH, and AlOOH), have symmetric hydrogen bonds at these pressures. This indicates that hydrogen bond strength is closely connected to the stability and physical properties of hydrous minerals at extreme pressures. In this review, we summarize the theoretical and experimental studies of hydrous minerals stable at the high-pressure conditions of the Earth’s lower mantle in light of the role of hydrogen bonding. | The role of hydrogen bonds in hydrous minerals stable at lower mantle pressure conditions | 10.1186/s40645-022-00521-3 |
2022-11-17 | Introduction Short-term emergency ventilation is most typically accomplished through bag valve mask (BVM) techniques. BVMs like the AMBU ® bag are cost-effective and highly portable but are also highly prone to user error, especially in high-stress emergent situations. Inaccurate and inappropriate ventilation has the potential to inflict great injury to patients through hyper- and hypoventilation. Here, we present the BVM Emergency Narration-Guided Instrument ( BENGI ) – a tidal volume feedback monitoring device that provides instantaneous visual and audio feedback on delivered tidal volumes, respiratory rates, and inspiratory/expiratory times. Providing feedback on the depth and regularity of respirations enables providers to deliver more consistent and accurate tidal volumes and rates. We describe the design, assembly, and validation of the BENGI as a practical tool to reduce manual ventilation-induced lung injury. Methods The prototype BENGI was assembled with custom 3D-printed housing and commercially available electronic components. A mass flow sensor in the central channel of the device measures air flow, which is used to calculate tidal volume. Tidal volumes are displayed via an LED ring affixed to the top of the BENGI. Additional feedback is provided through a speaker in the device. Central processing is accomplished through an Arduino microcontroller. Validation of the BENGI was accomplished using benchtop simulation with a clinical ventilator, BVM, and manikin test lung. Known respiratory quantities were delivered by the ventilator which were then compared to measurements from the BENGI to validate the accuracy of flow measurements, tidal volume calculations, and audio cue triggers. Results BENGI tidal volume measurements were found to lie within 4% of true delivered tidal volume values (95% CI of 0.53 to 3.7%) when breaths were delivered with 1-s inspiratory times, with similar performance for breaths delivered with 0.5-s inspiratory times (95% CI of 1.1 to 6.7%) and 2-s inspiratory times (95% CI of –1.1 to 2.3%). Audio cues “ Bag faster ” (1.84 to 2.03 s), “ Bag slower ” (0.35 to 0.41 s), and “ Leak detected ” (43 to 50%) were triggered close to target trigger values (2.00 s, 0.50 s, and 50%, respectively) across varying tidal volumes. Conclusions The BENGI achieved its proposed goals of accurately measuring and reporting tidal volumes delivered through BVM systems, providing immediate feedback on the quality of respiratory performance through audio and visual cues. The BENGI has the potential to reduce manual ventilation-induced lung injury and improve patient outcomes by providing accurate feedback on ventilatory parameters. | Experimental validation of a portable tidal volume indicator for bag valve mask ventilation | 10.1186/s42490-022-00066-y |
2022-11-16 | Oxalate oxidase (EC 1.2.3.4) is an oxalate-decomposing enzyme predominantly found in plants but also described in basidiomycete fungi. In this study, we investigated 23 fungi to determine their capability of oxalic acid degradation. After analyzing their secretomes for the products of the oxalic acid-degrading enzyme activity, three groups were distinguished among the fungi studied. The first group comprised nine fungi classified as oxalate oxidase producers, as their secretome pattern revealed an increase in the hydrogen peroxide concentration, no formic acid, and a reduction in the oxalic acid content. The second group of fungi comprised eight fungi described as oxalate decarboxylase producers characterized by an increase in the formic acid level associated with a decrease in the oxalate content in their secretomes. In the secretomes of the third group of six fungi, no increase in formic acid or hydrogen peroxide contents was observed but a decline in the oxalate level was found. The intracellular activity of OXO in the mycelia of Schizophyllum commune , Trametes hirsuta , Gloeophyllum trabeum , Abortiporus biennis , Cerrena unicolor , Ceriosporopsis mediosetigera , Trametes sanguinea , Ceriporiopsis subvermispora , and Laetiporus sulphureus was confirmed by a spectrophotometric assay. | Oxalic acid degradation in wood-rotting fungi. Searching for a new source of oxalate oxidase | 10.1007/s11274-022-03449-4 |
2022-11-15 | In low-energy networks, energy consumption is a significant concern. The adjustment of transmission power can save considerable energy at nodes during communication. The commonly used power control schemes maintain the transmission power based on the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) that depends on the interference in the environment. It is necessary to consider interference for retaining the lowest transmission power since low-energy network signals are vulnerable to interference changes. The earlier investigations suggested only linear models for power prediction in low-power networks. Hence, this paper investigates a classification-based transmission power prediction approach with the presence of interference. The approach works for linear and non-linear models based on RSSI, link quality indicator, neighbour node distance, and receiver power to maintain reliable communication with low energy consumption. The experiments were conducted in natural environments with common interference causes such as the human body, concrete walls, trees, and metallic bodies. The performance of the approach is analyzed with different prediction algorithms such as regression and classification. The investigation results demonstrate that it is possible to build a classification-based power prediction for linear and non-linear models by considering different spatial effects with 99% accuracy. | An empirical investigation based quality of service aware transmission power prediction in low power networks | 10.1007/s12046-022-01982-4 |
2022-11-11 | This study explores the possibility of miniaturizing magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters (MPDTs) to significantly lower power and discharge current levels compared to most conventional MPDTs. A design alternative for MPDTs using a discharge channel with a rectangular cross-section is presented that enables the implementation of strong external magnetic fields to increase the applied-field Lorentz force. The thruster concept uses heaterless calcium aluminate electride (C12A7:e-) hollow cathodes as the electron source. A prototype of the concept intended for the low-amp current range generates thrust in the low millinewton range with a specific impulse ranging between 400 s and 1200 s at power levels below 500 W but shows high thermal power losses to the anode. A further miniaturized version of the concept intended for the sub-amp current range is thermally more sustainable but requires high mass flow rates to achieve a stable discharge, limiting the achievable specific impulse. | Development and testing of a low-current applied-field magnetoplasmadynamic thruster with a rectangular discharge channel | 10.1007/s44205-022-00025-8 |
2022-11-10 | In plasmas, a variety of radicals which are defined as electrically neutral radicals in this article are efficiently produced by collisions between electrons and gas molecules. These radicals can subsequently undergo gas phase reactions with solids, liquids and living organisms that result in non-equilibrium surface/interface physicochemical processes. The specific phenomena produced by these reactions remain largely unknown, even though these plasma-based processes could lead to disruptive technological innovations. As an example, in the case of semiconductor microfabrication processes, the density, energy and lifetime of individual radicals, as well as the reaction time constants of these species with various materials should be ascertained. This would allow the identification and control of the effective radical species during processes, such as the high-precision etching and deposition of functional thin films. In addition, the type of reactions occurring between radicals generated in plasmas with liquids or living organisms is still an unexplored area. Establishing a theoretical system for these radical reactions and controlling the associated mechanisms could lead to innovations in the fields of functional devices and materials as well as in the areas of environmental protection, medicine and agriculture/fisheries. Focusing on the non-equilibrium surface/interface physicochemical reactions between radicals and solids occurring in semiconductor plasma processing, this paper describes the formation of nanostructured thin films by top-down mechanisms based on controlled radical production and bottom-up processes involving radical-induced self-organization. As well, this review examines next-generation medical and agricultural applications, such as the selective killing of cancer cells and plant growth promotion and functionalization. These systems result from the interactions of radicals generated in atmospheric-pressure, low-temperature plasmas with liquids, or the interactions of gas or liquid phase radicals with biological species. Finally, the importance of academic research into radical-controlled plasma processes and potential future technologies based on this interdisciplinary field are examined. | Radical-controlled plasma processes | 10.1007/s41614-022-00084-2 |
2022-11-09 | X-ray sensor has a significant application in numerous fields. It creates a high demand for achieving an X-ray sensor with high sensitivity at a low detection limit. Here, ZnO is incorporated with different concentrations of Li (Zn-0.99: Li-0.01, Zn-99: Li-1, Zn-95: Li-5, Zn-90: Li-10) by thermal decomposition route. The obtained products were characterized for its structure and purity form using X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, respectively. A scanning electron microscope detects all the samples that exist in rod morphology. The doctor blading technique employs a thick film X-ray sensor development for different concentrated Zn(Li)O nanorods above the interdigitated electrode substrate. The photocurrent instigated by the Zn(Li)O thick films at different X-ray doses using a pulsed intra-oral machine was measured under a two-volt bias with the help of a source meter. Further, the attenuation effect on an incremental addition of Li in the ZnO lattice alters the sensing nature of all the different doses. The appreciable sensitivity of Zn(Li)O nanorods obtained against pulsed X-ray doses explores the applicability of Zn(Li)O nanorods for X-ray imaging sensor fabrication. | Zn(Li)O nanorods for direct conversion X-ray sensors in the intra-oral energy range | 10.1007/s00339-022-06205-5 |
2022-11-08 | Background Lower respiratory tract viral infection (LRTI) is a significant cause of morbidity-mortality in older people worldwide. We analyzed the association between short-term exposure to environmental factors (climatic factors and outdoor air pollution) and hospital admissions with a viral LRTI diagnosis in older adults. Methods We conducted a bidirectional case-crossover study in 6367 patients over 65 years of age with viral LRTI and residential zip code in the Spanish Minimum Basic Data Set. Spain’s State Meteorological Agency was the source of environmental data. Associations were assessed using conditional logistic regression. P -values were corrected for false discovery rate ( q -values). Results Almost all were hospital emergency admissions (98.13%), 18.64% were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), and 7.44% died. The most frequent clinical discharge diagnosis was influenza (90.25%). LRTI hospital admissions were more frequent when there were lower values of temperature and O 3 and higher values of relative humidity and NO 2 . The regression analysis adjusted by temperatures and relative humidity showed higher concentrations at the hospital admission for NO 2 [compared to the lag time of 1-week ( q -value< 0.001) and 2-weeks ( q -value< 0.001)] and O 3 [compared to the lag time of 3-days ( q -value< 0.001), 1-week ( q -value< 0.001), and 2-weeks ( q -value< 0.001)] were related to a higher odds of hospital admissions due to viral LRTI. Moreover, higher concentrations of PM 10 at the lag time of 1-week ( q -value = 0.023) and 2-weeks ( q -value = 0.002), and CO at the lag time of 3-days ( q -value = 0.023), 1-week ( q -value< 0.001) and 2-weeks ( q -value< 0.001)], compared to the day of hospitalization, were related to a higher chances of hospital admissions with viral LRTI. Conclusion Unfavorable environmental factors (low temperatures, high relative humidity, and high concentrations of NO 2 , O 3 , PM 10 , and CO) increased the odds of hospital admissions with viral LRTI among older people, indicating they are potentially vulnerable to these environmental factors. Graphical Abstract | Neighborhood environmental factors linked to hospitalizations of older people for viral lower respiratory tract infections in Spain: a case-crossover study | 10.1186/s12940-022-00928-x |
2022-11-07 | Bipyramidal distortions play the governing role in physical properties of RMnO 3 multiferroics. We have carried out angle-dispersive high pressure synchrotron X-ray diffraction experiments on hexagonal HoMnO 3 to find the evolution of bipyramidal parameters upon external compression. It is found that the average bond-lengths and bond-angles between Mn and O atoms depict significant reduction, which results in the distortion in MnO 5 bipyramidal structure at high pressures. Further, since subtle variations in these distortions are used to compare the properties of hexagonal RMnO 3 manganite series, in-situ low temperature infrared spectroscopic studies of 10% Dy-doped HoMnO 3 have been carried out to study the effect of further increase in R-site cationic radius on MnO 5 deformations. It is found that the phonon modes specifically related to the motion of Mn and O atoms in ab -plane display irregularities near magnetic transition temperatures ( T N and T SR ) via spin phonon coupling. Even a small increase in average ionic radius of rare-earth atom suppresses this anomalous behaviour and follows the trend of undoped hexagonal rare-earth manganites. | Probing bipyramid microstructure of pure and Dy-doped HoMnO3 using high pressure and low temperature studies | 10.1007/s12034-022-02820-3 |
2022-11-05 | Background The development of bionic legs has seen substantial improvements in the past years but people with lower-limb amputation still suffer from impairments in mobility (e.g., altered balance and gait control) due to significant limitations of the contemporary prostheses. Approaching the problem from a human-centered perspective by focusing on user-specific needs can allow identifying critical improvements that can increase the quality of life. While there are several reviews of user needs regarding upper limb prostheses, a comprehensive summary of such needs for those affected by lower limb loss does not exist. Methods We have conducted a systematic review of the literature to extract important needs of the users of lower-limb prostheses. The review included 56 articles in which a need (desire, wish) was reported explicitly by the recruited people with lower limb amputation (N = 8149). Results An exhaustive list of user needs was collected and subdivided into functional, psychological, cognitive, ergonomics, and other domain. Where appropriate, we have also briefly discussed the developments in prosthetic devices that are related to or could have an impact on those needs. In summary, the users would like to lead an independent life and reintegrate into society by coming back to work and participating in social and leisure activities. Efficient, versatile, and stable gait, but also support to other activities (e.g., sit to stand), contribute to safety and confidence, while appearance and comfort are important for the body image. However, the relation between specific needs, objective measures of performance, and overall satisfaction and quality of life is still an open question. Conclusions Identifying user needs is a critical step for the development of new generation lower limb prostheses that aim to improve the quality of life of their users. However, this is not a simple task, as the needs interact with each other and depend on multiple factors (e.g., mobility level, age, gender), while evolving in time with the use of the device. Hence, novel assessment methods are required that can evaluate the impact of the system from a holistic perspective, capturing objective outcomes but also overall user experience and satisfaction in the relevant environment (daily life). | A review of user needs to drive the development of lower limb prostheses | 10.1186/s12984-022-01097-1 |
2022-11-04 | We use a dense seismic network on the Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland, to image a group of earthquakes at 10–12 km depth, 2 km north-east of 2021 Fagradalsfjall eruption site. These deep earthquakes have a lower frequency content compared to earthquakes located in the upper, brittle crust and are similar to deep long period (DLP) seismicity observed at other volcanoes in Iceland and around the world. We observed several swarms of DLP earthquakes between the start of the study period (June 2020) and the initiation of the 3-week-long dyke intrusion that preceded the eruption in March 2021. During the eruption, DLP earthquake swarms returned 1 km SW of their original location during periods when the discharge rate or fountaining style of the eruption changed. The DLP seismicity is therefore likely to be linked to the magma plumbing system beneath Fagradalsfjall. However, the DLP seismicity occurred ~ 5 km shallower than where petrological modelling places the near-Moho magma storage region in which the Fagradalsfjall lava was stored. We suggest that the DLP seismicity was triggered by the exsolution of CO 2 -rich fluids or the movement of magma at a barrier to the transport of melt in the lower crust. Increased flux through the magma plumbing system during the eruption likely adds to the complexity of the melt migration process, thus causing further DLP seismicity, despite a contemporaneous magma channel to the surface. | Deep long period seismicity preceding and during the 2021 Fagradalsfjall eruption, Iceland | 10.1007/s00445-022-01603-2 |
2022-11-03 | Background To evaluate the relationship between measures of neuromuscular impairment and limb accelerations (LA) collected during sleep among individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) to provide evidence of construct and concurrent validity for LA as a clinically meaningful measure. Methods The strength (lower extremity motor score), sensation (summed lower limb light touch scores), and spasticity (categorized lower limb Modified Ashworth Scale) were measured from 40 adults with chronic (≥ 1 year) SCI. Demographics, pain, sleep quality, and other covariate or confounding factors were measured using self-report questionnaires. Each participant then wore ActiGraph GT9X Link accelerometers on their ankles and wrist continuously for 1–5 days to measure LA from movements during sleep. Regression models with built-in feature selection were used to determine the most relevant LA features and the association to each measure of impairment. Results LA features were related to measures of impairment with models explaining 69% and 73% of the variance (R²) in strength and sensation, respectively, and correctly classifying 81.6% (F1-score = 0.814) of the participants into spasticity categories. The most commonly selected LA features included measures of power and frequency (frequency domain), movement direction (correlation between axes), consistency between movements (relation to recent movements), and wavelet energy (signal characteristics). Rolling speed (change in angle of inclination) and movement smoothness (median crossings) were uniquely associated with strength. When LA features were included, an increase of 72% and 222% of the variance was explained for strength and sensation scores, respectively, and there was a 34% increase in spasticity classification accuracy compared to models containing only covariate features such as demographics, sleep quality, and pain. Conclusion LA features have shown evidence of having construct and concurrent validity, thus demonstrating that LA are a clinically-relevant measure related to lower limb strength, sensation, and spasticity after SCI. LA may be useful as a more detailed measure of impairment for applications such as clinical prediction models for ambulation. | Limb accelerations during sleep are related to measures of strength, sensation, and spasticity among individuals with spinal cord injury | 10.1186/s12984-022-01090-8 |
2022-11-03 | Low-carbon development has always been an important focus of China’s economic transformation. In order to promote the development of low-carbon economy, this study used SBM-DEA model to evaluate China’s provincial LCEE from 2005 to 2019, studied its temporal and spatial evolution law, used spatial autocorrelation to explore the correlation of China’s provincial LCEE, and explored the key influencing factors of LCEE with Tobit model. The empirical results show that the LCEE of most provinces in China is declining, and there are significant differences among different regions in China. Because the eastern region of China can rely on its own human resources, capital environment, and economic foundation, the overall LCEE level is relatively high, while the central and western regions still have obvious deficiencies due to industrial conditions, geographical location, and other factors. LCEE has significant spatial correlation, and neighboring provinces have spillover effects on local LCEE. On this basis, the key factors that affect LCEE are determined. Urbanization level, traffic level, economic development level, financial development, investment in fixed assets, and energy consumption are the important factors that affect LCEE in China, but these influences vary from province to region. It is more reasonable for local governments to develop low-carbon economy according to their own conditions. | Temporal and spatial changes and influencing factors of low-carbon economy efficiency in China | 10.1007/s10661-022-10599-3 |
2022-11-01 | The low-temperature crack resistance of recycled asphalt has an important influence on the road performance of its mixture, and the existing study and evaluation of low-temperature performance of rejuvenated asphalt mostly adopt the method of laboratory test. To avoid the one-sided evaluation of the low-temperature performance of rejuvenated asphalt by bending beam creep stiffness test (BBR), based on the viscoelastic rheological method, Burgers model was built. The rheological indexes, including creep stiffness, creep rate, relaxation time, dissipated energy ratio and creep compliance derivative, were used to compare and analyze the low-temperature crack resistance of the original asphalt, wood tar-based rejuvenated asphalt and RA-102 rejuvenated asphalt under different low-temperature conditions. Combined with the results of component analysis, the correlation between rheological parameters and test results was established by gray correlation analysis, and the rejuvenation mechanism of low-temperature performance of wood tar-based rejuvenated asphalt was expounded. The results show that wood tar-based rejuvenator can significantly improve the low-temperature crack resistance of aged asphalt, and Burgers model can better reflect the low-temperature creep and stress relaxation characteristics of rejuvenated asphalt. Wood tar-based rejuvenator can obviously improve the relaxation property and dissipation energy ratio of aged asphalt, 10 and 12 wt% wood tar-based rejuvenated asphalt has good creep deformation ability at low temperature, which can relax the deformation caused by temperature stress in time, avoid the low-temperature cracking caused by stress concentration, thus has good low-temperature crack resistance. | Low-Temperature Crack Resistance of Wood Tar-Based Rejuvenated Asphalt Based on Viscoelastic Rheological Method | 10.1007/s42947-021-00092-4 |
2022-11-01 | An electrically conductive mullite-bonded porous SiC-based Mn 3 O 4 –Ni system was designed, which provided low-temperature sintering and excellent extrudability into complex shapes. Each designed composition contained kaolin (30 wt%) and Mn 3 O 4 (10 wt%) as sintering aids. The combination of Ni (0–20 wt%) and sintering temperature (1100–1300 °C) regulated the electrical resistivity (5.5 × 10 7 –3.4 × 10 –1 Ω cm) and flexural strength (33 ± 2–59 ± 3 MPa) of the sintered samples. Interface reactions formed secondary phases [e.g. nickel silicide (Ni 2 Si) and manganese silicate (MnSiO 3 )], which decreased the electrical resistivity. The in situ formation of mullite and an increased amount of Ni collectively improved the flexural strength. The sample with 15 wt% Ni sintered at 1200 °C in argon flow had a low electrical resistivity of 5.6 × 10 –1 Ω cm and a good flexural strength of 51 ± 4 MPa. The same composition was extruded to form a square honeycomb structure to verify the large-scale viability of the developed composition. | Mullite-bonded porous SiC-based Mn3O4–Ni system: control of electrical resistivity, flexural strength, and extrusion | 10.1007/s43207-022-00238-5 |
2022-11-01 | In order to solve the problem of nitrous oxide (NO X ) removal at low temperatures, the carbon-based zero valent iron (C-ZFe) catalyst was prepared and studied. According to the kinetic study and the obtained kinetic parameters, the De-NO X reactor was designed to provide information for industrial applications. The box-behnken experimental design (BBD) was used to study the performance of C-ZFe, and the optimized operating parameters were obtained as the temperature was 408.15 K, the catalyst bed height was 140 cm (the space velocity was 459 h −1 ), the concentration of NO was 550 ppm, under which the NO X conversion was 72.7%. A kinetic model based on Langmuir–Hinshelwood (L–H) and Mars Van Krevelen mechanism was used to describe the kinetics for the reduction of NO by C-ZFe at low temperatures. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), surface area and pore size distribution measurements, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results supported the validity of the model proposed. The gas–solid catalytic kinetic process of NO removal by C-ZFe was a quasi-first-order kinetic reaction, the apparent activation energy was 41.57 kJ/mol, and the pre-exponential factor was 2980 min −1 . Graphical abstract | Carbon-based zero valent iron catalyst for NOX removal at low temperatures: performance and kinetic study | 10.1007/s11356-022-20961-0 |
2022-11-01 | Ti 2 AlC, a MAX phase ceramic, has an attractive self-healing ability to restore performance via the oxidation-induced crack healing mechanism upon healing at high temperatures in air (high oxygen partial pressures). However, such healing ability to repair damages in vacuum or low oxygen partial pressure conditions remains unknown. Here, we report on the self-healing behavior of Ti 2 AlC at a low oxygen partial pressure of about 1 Pa. The experimental results showed that the strength recovery depends on both healing temperature and time. After healing at 1400 °C for 1–4 h, the healed samples exhibited the recovered strengths even exceeding the original strength of 375 MPa. The maximum recovered strength of ∼422 MPa was achieved in the healed Ti 2 AlC sample after healing at 1400 °C for 4 h, about 13% higher than the original strength. Damages were healed by the formed TiC x from the decomposition of Ti 2 AlC. The decomposition-induced crack healing as a new mechanism in the low oxygen partial pressure condition was disclosed for the MAX ceramics. The present study illustrates that key components made of Ti 2 AlC can prolong their service life and keep their reliability during use at high temperatures in low oxygen partial pressures. | Self-healing behavior of Ti2AlC at a low oxygen partial pressure | 10.1007/s40145-022-0640-0 |
2022-11-01 | The Marine environment is characterized by high salt content and humidity in the air, and the gas components in gas generators are complicated and corrosive, leading to the occurrence of low temperature and hot corrosion on the surface and inside of gas generators, which seriously affects the performance, reliability and service life of gas turbines. Taking AGT-7B gas turbine as the research object, this paper conducts a theoretical analysis on the corrosion resistance of low-temperature components, high-temperature components and non-metallic components of gas turbine.By conducting salt spray corrosion test, anti-corrosion ability test after surface protection and gas corrosion test before and after coating on the selected alloys of high-temperature components, a series of anti-corrosion design schemes of gas turbine components under marine environment are obtained, and the protection measures of the whole gas turbine generator set under marine environment are given. | Three-Proof Optimization of Gas Turbine Generator Set of Offshore Platform | 10.1007/s10553-022-01457-6 |
2022-11-01 | The sulfide stress corrosion (SSC) behaviors of the high strength low alloy steel at the different temperatures were investigated by the microstructural observation and electrochemical noise (EN) analysis. With the corrosion temperature increasing from 20 to 40 °C, SSC ruptured time is prolonged. The increase in corrosion temperature results in the decrease of the saturation solubility of H 2 S in the solution and thus increases pH value of solution. The increase in corrosion temperature decreases the size of the holes and cracks in the corrosion product film on the surface of the sample, which is due to the formation of the dense FeS corrosion product film. The current kurtosis results indicate that the time for the first occurrence of crack initiation is postponed by the increase in the corrosion temperature. The standard deviation of current noise signals, current kurtosis, power spectral density and energy distribution plot results shows a great consistency, which suggests that EN analysis method can reflect SSC behaviors in real time. | Analysis of cracks origin behaviors during sulfide stress corrosion (SSC) in HSLA steel at different temperatures by electrochemical noise | 10.1007/s42243-021-00704-0 |
2022-11-01 | We present the application of a simplified thermal model for the description of the response function of low-temperature calorimeters consisting of $$\hbox {TeO}_2$$ TeO 2 crystals read-out by NTD thermistors operated at temperatures $$T \sim 10$$ T ∼ 10 mK. Relying on both the analysis of the NTD load curves (from which we measured the main thermal conductances of the system) (Biassoni et al. in J Low Temp Phys 206:80–96, 2022) and on the analysis of the shape of thermal pulses acquired at different temperatures, we identified and quantified the physical parameters that determine the characteristic time constants of the pulses. In particular, we identified three different contributions to the heat capacity of the detector: the crystal phonon system (scaling as $$T^3$$ T 3 ), the NTD electron system (scaling as T ) and a term related to the metalization process of the NTD electrodes (scaling as $$T^{-2}$$ T - 2 ). | Pulse Shape Analysis in Low-temperature Calorimeters Read-Out by NTD Thermistors | 10.1007/s10909-022-02822-9 |
2022-11-01 | The oxide dispersion strengthened Mo alloys (ODS-Mo) prepared by traditional ball milling and subsequent sintering technique generally possess comparatively coarse Mo grains and large oxide particles at Mo grain boundaries (GBs), which obviously suppress the corresponding strengthening effect of oxide addition. In this work, the Y 2 O 3 and TiC particles were simultaneously doped into Mo alloys using ball-milling and subsequent low temperature sintering. Accompanied by TiC addition, the Mo−Y 2 O 3 grains are sharply refined from 3.12 to 1.36 µm. In particular, Y 2 O 3 and TiC can form smaller Y−Ti−O−C quaternary phase particles (∼230 nm) at Mo GBs compared to single Y 2 O 3 particles (∼120 nm), so as to these new formed Y−Ti−O−C particles can more effectively pin and hinder GBs movement. In addition to Y−Ti−O−C particles at GBs, Y 2 O 3 , TiO x , and TiC x nanoparticles (<100 nm) also exist within Mo grains, which is significantly different from traditional ODS-Mo. The appearance of TiO x phase indicates that some active Ti within TiC can adsorb oxygen impurities of Mo matrix to form a new strengthening phase, thus strengthening and purifying Mo matrix. Furthermore, the pure Mo, Mo−Y 2 O 3 , and Mo−Y 2 O 3 −TiC alloys have similar relative densities (97.4%–98.0%). More importantly, the Mo−Y 2 O 3 −TiC alloys exhibit higher hardness (HV 0.2 (425 ± 25)) compared to Mo−Y 2 O 3 alloys (HV 0.2 (370 ± 25)). This work could provide a relevant strategy for the preparation of ultrafine Mo alloys by facile ball-milling. | Microstructure refinement and second phase particle regulation of Mo−Y2O3 alloys by minor TiC additive | 10.1007/s12613-022-2462-z |
2022-11-01 | Elevated concentration of total phosphorus (TP) or reactive phosphate (PO 4 3− ) in aquaculture wastewater (AW) can cause eutrophication in the wastewater discharge ponds. This study delves into the effectiveness of calcined eggshells (CESs) in recovering low concentrations of TP and PO 4 3− from AW. Eggshell waste collected from domestic sources was pyrolyzed at 800 °C for 30 min. Characterization indicated that the functional groups of CES portray a significant role in the adsorption process. The nonlinear form of the Freundlich model fitted well for TP and PO 4 3− adsorption processes from AW. CES could recover up to 96.6 and 97.3% of low concentration TP and PO 4 3− , respectively, from AW. The adsorption indicated chemisorption activity by CES. The thermodynamic studies suggested that the adsorption of TP and PO 4 3− were feasible, spontaneous, and exothermic in nature. This recovery process does not create secondary waste, and the recovered spent adsorbents can be utilized as garden fertilizer or as pest repellant in the aquaculture farm. | Mechanism and Kinetics of Low Concentration Total Phosphorus and Reactive Phosphate Recovery from Aquaculture Wastewater via Calcined Eggshells | 10.1007/s11270-022-05905-1 |
2022-11-01 | Polymer blends have the potential to be developed into new resins for specific applications with balanced performance properties and economic advantages. In this paper, polypropylene (PP) and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) blends were investigated at specific composition of PP/LLDPE (60/40) blends (PL40) using a Twin Screw Extruder (TSE). The nano-calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) content was varied (between 0–40 wt %), and the composites were investigated using slit die rheometers. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques, revealed the existence of favorable interaction between the surface of CaCO 3 nanoparticles and PL40 matrices after surface modification of aminopropyltriethoxy silane (AMPTES) coupling agent. Rheological properties reveal that both the apparent viscosity and the pseudo-plasticity of the PL40 nanocomposites increases with increasing nano-CaCO 3 contents and decreases slightly by treated nano-CaCO 3 with 2% AMPTES. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) demonstrated that the storage modulus ( G ′) and glass transition temperature ( T g ) are enhanced upon treated nano-CaCO 3 with a coupling agent. The results from the mechanical properties exhibited that the impact strength was optimum at 20% nano-CaCO 3 content, but tensile strength slightly decreased for untreated PL40 nanocomposites. However, treatment with amino coupling agent improved tensile strength. This attribute to the enhancement of dispersion of the nano-CaCO 3 particles in PL40 matrix, leading to improved interfacial adhesion. Treatment of nano-CaCO 3 significantly improved the Young’s modulus and flexural modulus compared to the untreated PL40 composites. The crystallization behavior of the composites supported the strong interfaces formed on addition of the amino coupling agent. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopic (SEM) showed evidence of improvement in the dispersion of treated CaCO 3 in the PL-40 matrix. | RETRACTED ARTICLE: Viscoelastic Behavior and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene/Nano-Calcium Carbonate Nanocomposites Modified by a Coupling Agent | 10.1007/s13233-016-4083-8 |
2022-11-01 | Abstract The effect of conditions of heat treatment, namely, quenching, aging, and annealing temperatures on parameters of amplitude dependence of the internal friction, dynamic modulus of elasticity, hardness, and structure of Zr–8.1% Nb alloys is studied. The character and intensity of changes in the properties in accordance with the main phase and structural transformations that occurred within six aging temperature ranges are analyzed. Based on the correspondence of the dependences of the unit-cell volume of the ω phase, hardness, and dynamic modulus of elasticity of the alloy on the aging temperature, it is suggested that the unit-cell volume of the ω phase characterizes the strength and rigidity of its crystal structure. | The Effect of Aging Temperature on Parameters of the Amplitude Dependence of Internal Friction, Hardness, and Structure of the Zr–8.1% Nb Alloy | 10.1134/S0031918X22601251 |
2022-11-01 | Flow assurance treatment with chemical have become more common as new natural polymers are being develop and are viable for inhibiting hydrate formation in production systems due to its eco-friendly and economical properties. Using high-pressure micro-differential scanning calorimetry (HP-µDSC), the influence of kinetic inhibition on methane gas hydrate formation from synthetic polymer; polycaprolactam (PVCap) and organic polymers (low- and high-methoxylated pectin) was investigated. HP-µDSC was combined with the use of open-ended capillary tubes to counter the stochasticity of hydrate formation which often results in an inconclusive data set without numerous repetitions. By adding the capillary tubes within the cell, more data points on the performance of the inhibitors. Generally, the addition of these inhibitors increased the delay in formation of hydrates compared to the control sample which contained deionized water at 25˚C subcooling and 10 MPa pressure. However, the two types of organic inhibitors, which are distinguished primarily by the functional group ratios (carboxyl and ester), performed in contrast to one another. The results suggest that the presence of higher carboxyl functional groups is affecting the overall polarity (i.e., low-methoxylated pectin) significantly improved the hydrate inhibition at optimum concentration where both high-methoxylated pectin and PVCap; a commercial inhibitor, performed relatively weaker. In comparison with PVCap, high-methoxylated pectin showed comparable trend and slightly better performances at most concentrations; however, the peak structures indicate discernible difference in the formation mechanism. The use of low-methoxylated pectin at optimum concentration may offer inhibition performance up to three times to that of PVCap at high subcooling. | Investigation on esterified pectin as natural hydrate inhibitor on methane hydrate formation | 10.1007/s13202-022-01491-4 |
2022-11-01 | Abstract Structural alloys produced by an additive arc process are tested. Impact-flexure tests with subsequent fractographic analysis show that 09Г2С steel switches from ductile to brittle failure below −60°C, but there is no such change for 07Х25Н13 steel and AMg5 alloy down to −150°C. Assessment of the metal failure by means of fractal analysis and a neural network is proposed. | Failure of Metals Produced by Additive Arc Surfacing: Neural Network Analysis | 10.3103/S1068798X22110119 |
2022-11-01 | Inconel718 alloy is widely employed in aerospace industries due to its excellent thermo-mechanical property. As a typical difficult-to-machine material, it is extremely easy to cause grinding burns, surface scratches, and grinding wheel blockages during traditional grinding. In this work, we developed a super elastic composite abrasive tool (ECAT) based on the principle of liquid body armor and proposed a high-shear and low-pressure precision intelligent grinding method. The grinding experiments of selective laser melting (SLM)–fabricated Inconel718 workpiece was conducted to explore the grinding characteristics of ECAT using the precision intelligent grinding system. The optimal grinding parameters were explored. Under the optimal grinding parameters, the surface roughness of the SLM workpiece was reduced from 385.2 to 44.5 nm after 40 grinding strokes. The material removal rate was about 0.42 μm/min. The surface quality of the workpiece was significantly improved. In addition, the grinding force with different abrasive layers was investigated. It was found that the average ratio of the tangential force ( F t ) to the normal force ( F n ) of an abrasive layer with liquid-body-armor-like abrasive system is 0.427, which was much higher than that of 0.162 for pure high-performance fabrics (without liquid-body-armor-like abrasive system). The high-shear and low-pressure grinding characteristic of ECAT was verified. | Characteristics of high-shear and low-pressure grinding for Inconel718 alloy with a novel super elastic composite abrasive tool | 10.1007/s00170-022-10179-2 |
2022-11-01 | For maximally reserving soil fertility, two critical parameters (i.e. time and temperature) of low-temperature thermal desorption (LTTD) were initially optimized to remediate the mercury-contaminated soil from a mercury mining area. The effect of LTTD on soil properties was investigated, and the bioaccumulation of total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) in rice ( Oryza sativa L.) were researched via a pot experiment. Results indicated that the physicochemical properties and fertility of the soil after LTTD still meet the requirements of rice growth. Moreover, the concentrations of THg and MeHg in the remediated soil were decreased by 94.1% and 98.8%, respectively. Further, the bioavailability of Hg in soil was significantly reduced. More importantly, the concentrations of THg and MeHg in the seed of rice plant cultivated on the remediated soil were decreased by 57.6% and 80.2%, respectively. Overall, LTTD technology could efficiently remediate Hg-contaminated soil and be a promise remediation strategy. | Low-Temperature Thermal Desorption Effectively Mitigates Accumulation of Total Mercury and Methylmercury in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) | 10.1007/s00128-021-03445-8 |
2022-11-01 | Temperature increases across the circumpolar north have driven rapid increases in vegetation productivity, often described as ‘greening’. These changes have been widespread, but spatial variation in their pattern and magnitude suggests that biophysical factors also influence the response of tundra vegetation to climate warming. In this study, we used field sampling of soils and vegetation and random forests modeling to identify the determinants of trends in Landsat-derived Enhanced Vegetation Index, a surrogate for productivity, in the Beaufort Delta region of Canada between 1984 and 2016. This region has experienced notable change, with over 71% of the Tuktoyaktuk Coastlands and over 66% of the Yukon North Slope exhibiting statistically significant greening. Using both classification and regression random forests analyses, we show that increases in productivity have been more widespread and rapid at low-to-moderate elevations and in areas dominated by till blanket and glaciofluvial deposits, suggesting that nutrient and moisture availability mediate the impact of climate warming on tundra vegetation. Rapid greening in shrub-dominated vegetation types and observed increases in the cover of low and tall shrub cover (4.8% and 6.0%) also indicate that regional changes have been driven by shifts in the abundance of these functional groups. Our findings demonstrate the utility of random forests models for identifying regional drivers of tundra vegetation change. To obtain additional fine-grained insights on drivers of increased tundra productivity, we recommend future research combine spatially comprehensive time series satellite data (as used herein) with samples of high spatial resolution imagery and integrated field investigations. | Biophysical Determinants of Shifting Tundra Vegetation Productivity in the Beaufort Delta Region of Canada | 10.1007/s10021-021-00725-6 |
2022-11-01 | An ultrafine lamellar-structured martensite steel fabricated by heavy warm rolling (HWR) has shown an excellent combination of strength and ductility. By appending tempering at 400 °C to HWR, we show that the comprehensive mechanical property of a lamellar-structured low-carbon martensite steel can be further improved to reach a yield strength of ~ 1.8 GPa, an ultimate tensile strength of ~ 2.0 GPa and a total elongation of ~ 9.3%. This is achieved by tempering the HWR steel from 300 to 750 °C, and the optimum tempering temperature is thus obtained. We find that the tempered ultrafine lamellar martensite contains high-density nanoprecipitates dispersed within the aligned martensite laths with reduced crystallographic variations. The ultrahigh strength of the steel is rationalized as mainly the result of grain boundary strengthening and precipitation strengthening, which contribute to yield stress by 610 MPa and 440 MPa, respectively. The good ductility is believed to be closely related to the capacity of the tempered grains to accommodate dense dislocations upon plastic deformation. The present thermomechanical processing provides a feasible routine for producing steels with ultrahigh-strength and good-ductility. | Strengthening of Ultrafine Lamellar-Structured Martensite Steel via Tempering-Induced Nanoprecipitation | 10.1007/s40195-022-01420-8 |
2022-11-01 | Electrolytic manganese residue leachate (EMRL) contains plenty of Mn 2+ and NH 4 + −N, and phosphogypsum leachate (PGL) contains large amounts of PO 4 3− −P and F − . Traditional methods of EMRL and PGL discharge could seriously damage the ecological environment. In this study, an innovative method for cooperative removal Mn 2+ , NH 4 + −N, PO 4 3− −P, F − from PG and POFT was studied. The result showed that Mn 2+ , PO 4 3− −P and F − were mainly removed in forms of Mg 3 Si 4 O 10 (OH) 2 , Mn 3 O 4 , Mn 3 (PO 4 ) 2 , Mg 3 (PO 4 ) 2 , CaSO 4 ·2H 2 O, MnF 2 , MnOOH and Ca 2 P 2 O 7 ·2H 2 O, when LG−MgO was used to adjust the pH value of the system to 9.5, and the volume ratio of EMRL and PGL was 1:4, as well as reaction for 1 h at 25 °c. NH 4 + −N was mainly removed by struvite precipitate, when the molar ratio of N:Mg:P was 1:3:2.4. The concentrations of Mn 2+ , NH 4 + −N and F − were lower than the integrated wastewater discharge standard. The concentration of PO 4 3− −P decreased from 254.20 mg/L to 3.21 mg/L. This study provided a new method for EMRL and PGL cooperative harmless treatment. 电解锰渣渗滤液中含有大量的Mn 2+ 和NH 4+ −N，磷石膏渗滤液中含有大量的PO 4 3− −P 和F − 。传统处置电解锰渣渗滤液和磷石膏渗滤液方法严重破坏生态环境。本研究提出了一种协同去除电解锰渣渗滤液和磷石膏渗滤液中Mn 2+ 、NH 4+ −N、PO 4 3− −P 和F − 的方法。研究结果表明，当采用LG−MgO 调节体系pH 值到9.5，电解锰渣渗滤液和磷石膏渗滤液体积比为1：4，°25 C下反应1 h 时，体系中的Mn 2+ 、PO 4 3− −P 和F−主要以Mg 3 Si 4 O 10 (OH) 2 ，Mn 3 O 4 ，Mn 3 (PO 4 ) 2 ，Mg 3 (PO 4 ) 2 ，CaSO 4 ·2H 2 O，MnF 2 ，MnOOH 和Ca 2 P 2 O 7 ·2H 2 O沉淀去除；当N：Mg：P的摩尔比为1：3：2.4 时，NH4+-N主要以鸟粪石沉淀去除。处理后的混合渗滤液中Mn 2+ 、NH 4+ −N、和F − 的浓度低于GB8978—1996《污水综合排放标准》；PO 4 3− −P 的浓度从254.2 mg/L 降至3.21 mg/L。本研究为电解锰渣渗滤液和磷石膏渗滤液的无害化处理提供了一种新方法。 | Cooperative removal of Mn2+, NH4+−N, PO43−−P and F− from electrolytic manganese residue leachate and phosphogypsum leachate | 10.1007/s11771-022-5183-6 |
2022-11-01 | Abstract The influence of Cr on the microstructural evolution of austenite in Fe-20Mn-9Al-1.2C-xCr (wt%, x = 0, 3 and 6) low-density steels during isothermal aging at 650 °C for various durations was systematically investigated. With the isothermal aging processed, the 0Cr and 3Cr samples underwent the divorced eutectoid transformation followed by the eutectoid transformation, while only the eutectoid transformation was observed in the 6Cr sample. Meanwhile, increasing Cr content changed the eutectoid transformation products from ferrite + κ-carbide in the 0Cr sample to ferrite + κ-carbide + M 23 C 6 carbide in the 3Cr sample, and to ferrite + M 7 C 3 carbide in the 6Cr sample. The Cr addition significantly increased the A1 temperature (655 °C) of the 0Cr sample to 712 °C of the 3Cr sample, and to 841 °C of the 6Cr sample. As a result, the temperature difference between the A1 temperature and experimental phase transformation temperature (650 °C) was enlarged, which provided a greater driving force for the eutectoid transformation and accelerated the transformation rate of eutectoid transformation. In addition, the Cr addition had a significant effect on the diffusion of constituent elements, decreased the interlayer spacing of pearlite structure from 625 ± 30 nm in the 0Cr sample to 385 ± 25 nm in the 3Cr sample, and to 150 ± 20 nm in the 6Cr sample, refining the eutectoid structure. These findings revealed the mechanism regarding the effect of Cr addition on the eutectoid transformation of austenite, offering valuable insights into the microstructure design of high-performance low-density steels. Graphic abstract | Effect of Cr on Phase Transformation Behavior of Austenite in Fe-20Mn-9Al-1.2C-xCr Low-Density Steels During Isothermal Aging | 10.1007/s12540-022-01167-y |
2022-11-01 | Memristors integrated with low operating voltage, good stability, and environmental benignity play an important role in data storage and logical circuit technology, but their fabrication still faces challenges. This study reports an ultra-thin bio-memristor based on pristine environment-friendly silk nanofibrils (SNFs). The intrinsic ionic conductivity, combined with high dielectric performance and nanoscale thickness, lowers the operation voltage down to 0.1–0.2 V, and enables stable switching and retention time over 180 times and 10 5 s, respectively. Furthermore, the SNF-based memristor device in a crossbar array achieves stable memristive performance, and thus realizes the functions of memorizing image and logic operation. By carrying out variable-temperature electrical experiments and Kelvin probe force microscopy, the space charge-limited conduction mechanism is revealed. Integrating with low operating voltage, good stability, and ultra-thin thickness makes the SNF-based memristors excellent candidates in bioelectronics. 兼具低工作电压、良好稳定性及环境友好性的忆阻器在数据存储和逻辑电路领域具有重要的作用, 但其制备依然是一个较大的挑战. 本研究报告了一种基于纯丝素纳米微纤(SNFs)的超薄生物忆阻器. 丝素纳米微纤的本征离子导电性、高介电性能及纳米级的厚度, 可将忆阻器的工作电压降低至0.1–0.2 V, 并使其实现了超过180次的稳定电阻切换及10 5 s的阻态保持时间. 此外, 基于SNFs的忆阻交叉阵列具备稳定的忆阻性能, 实现了图像记忆和逻辑运算功能. 电学变温实验和开尔文探针力显微镜的测试结果表明, 忆阻器的工作机制为空间电荷限制传导(SCLC)机制. SNFs基忆阻器的低工作电压、良好的稳定性和超薄厚度有望使其成为理想的生物电子器件. | Intrinsically ionic conductive nanofibrils for ultra-thin bio-memristor with low operating voltage | 10.1007/s40843-022-2115-6 |
2022-11-01 | Objective of the current study is to investigate the effect of plastic deformation before and after nitriding on nitrogen (N) and hardness distribution as a function of depth. AISI316 stainless steel samples were subjected to ultrasonic shot peening (USP), nitriding, USP followed by nitriding and nitriding followed by USP. USP prior to nitriding led to higher N uptake by expanded austenite and N diffusion to deeper regions contributing to enhanced hardened depth. USP after nitriding led to N redistribution from expanded austenite to diffusion zone leading to decreased surface hardness and increased hardened depth as compared to nitrided case. Interestingly, the level of compressive residual stress remained the same irrespective of whether USP is carried before or after nitriding. USP after nitriding induced intense deformation of the surface but with reduced deformed depth that attributed to the ability of nitrided region to sustain higher deformation loads than the base metal. Graphical abstract | Effect of Severe Plastic Deformation on Pre- and Post-Nitriding Conditions of 316 Stainless Steel | 10.1007/s12666-022-02648-9 |
2022-11-01 | The main application of high-flow Ranque–Hilsch three-flow vortex tubes (TVT) is the low-temperature separation (LTS) of natural gas with vortex tubes used as cold generators and direct separators. In this study, we compare the purification efficiencies of TVT and the throttle at the LTS unit used at the Beregovoye field characterized by a low degree of gas expansion (pressure drop from 85 bar to 60 bar). We observed that the gas temperature and its dew point temperature was lower for TVT compared to that for the throttle used at the LTS. Moreover, use of TVT increased the degree of gas purification even at low degrees of gas expansion. This ensured the implementation of Gazprom Company standard 089–2010 for the summer conditions. | Comparative Analysis of Natural Gas Purification Efficiency for Low Degree of Expansion Using a Throttle and a High-Flow Three-Flow Vortex Tube | 10.1007/s10556-023-01143-2 |
2022-11-01 | Potassium ion hybrid capacitors (PIHC) have promising applications in medium and large-scale energy storage systems due to their high energy/power density, abundant potassium resource and low cost. However, the slow kinetics of battery-type anodes originating from the large-size K + results in a mismatch between the two electrodes, rendering the modest energy density of PIHC. Herein, we first develop an electrospinning strategy to successfully synthesize fibrous precursor by using the HNO 3 pre-oxidized low-softening-point coal pitch as the low-cost raw material. With further carbonization or KOH activation, the two types of carbon nanofibers (CNF) are fabricated as anode and cathode materials, respectively, towards the dual-carbon PIHC devices. Thanks to its three-dimensional interconnected porous conducting network and large layer spacing, the resulted CNF anode material is endowed with high reversible capacities, excellent rate and long cycle stability. Meanwhile, the activated CNF cathode with a large surface area of 2169 m 2 ·g −1 exhibits excellent capacitive performance. A PIHC constructed with the two fibrous electrodes delivers an energy density of 110.0 Wh·kg −1 at 200.0 W kg −1 , along with a capacitance retention of 83.5% after 10,000 cycles at 1.0 A·g −1 . The contribution here provides a cost-efficiency avenue and platform for advanced dual-carbon PIHC. Graphical abstract 钾离子混合电容器 (PIHC) 具有高能量/功率密度、钾资源丰富、成本低廉等优点, 在大中型储能系统中具有广阔的应用前景。然而, 由大尺寸K + 产生的电池型负极的缓慢动力学导致两个电极之间动力学不匹配, 使得PIHC的能量密度较低。本文首次采用静电纺丝技术, 以HNO 3 预氧化低软化点煤沥青为低成本原料成功合成纤维状前驱体。通过进一步碳化或KOH活化, 制备了两种类型的碳纳米纤维(CNF), 分别作为正极和负极材料, 用于双碳PIHC器件。由于其三维互联的多孔导电网络和较大的层间距, 所制备的CNF负极材料具有较高的可逆容量、优良的倍率和长循环稳定性。活化后的CNF正极具有2169 m2·g−1的大比表面积, 表现出优异的电容性能。由两种纤维电极构建的PIHC在200.0 W·kg −1 时的能量密度为110.0 Wh·g −1 , 在1.0 A·g −1 下循环10,000次后的电容保持率为83.5%。这为先进的双碳PIHC提供了一个具有成本效益的途径和平台。 | Porous carbon nanofibers derived from low-softening-point coal pitch towards all-carbon potassium ion hybrid capacitors | 10.1007/s12598-022-02067-1 |
2022-11-01 | The advanced Mo-based rare process experiment (AMoRE) is an international project searching for the neutrinoless double beta ( $$0\nu \beta \beta $$ 0 ν β β ) decay of $$^{100}$$ 100 Mo using low-temperature calorimetric detection of heat and light signals based on magnetic microcalorimeter (MMC) readouts. $$\hbox {Li}_2\hbox {MoO}_4$$ Li 2 MoO 4 crystals have been considered as the main target crystals for the second phase of the AMoRE project, which aims to use 100 kg of $$^{100}$$ 100 Mo. However, the hygroscopicity of $$\hbox {Li}_2\hbox {MoO}_4$$ Li 2 MoO 4 requires moistureless processes during surface treatment, storage, detector assembly, and installation. $$\hbox {PbMoO}_4$$ PbMoO 4 crystals are nonhygroscopic and exhibit high scintillation efficiency, often leading to high particle discrimination power in the phonon channel via pulse-shape analysis and light/heat ratio variation. A low-temperature detector setup with a 1 $$\hbox {cm}^3$$ cm 3 cubic crystal of $$\hbox {PbMoO}_4$$ PbMoO 4 was prepared for simultaneous heat and light detection based on MMC readouts. After study of internal background control using archeological Pb, $$\hbox {PbMoO}_4$$ PbMoO 4 crystal can be a promising candidate crystal. We present a feasibility study of $$\hbox {PbMoO}_4$$ PbMoO 4 crystals for a $$0\nu \beta \beta $$ 0 ν β β experiment. | A Study on
$$\hbox {PbMoO}_4$$
PbMoO
4
Phonon-Scintillation Detection with MMC Readouts for a Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay Search | 10.1007/s10909-022-02824-7 |
2022-11-01 | In this paper, we investigate two bolometer detectors with a pixel size of 500 µm and 1200 µm to address, respectively, the 0.6 mm and 1.5 mm wavelengths in order to study the temperature and polarization of cosmic microwave background (CMB). The pixels are polarization sensitive using Ti/TiN superconducting absorbers. They are deposited on suspended doped Silicon thermometers operating at low temperature, typically in the range 50–100 mK. A quarter-wavelength optical cavity formed between absorbers and metal reflector of these pixels is adapted for an absorption around 100 µm. In order to address the millimeter band, we have used a dielectric (Silicon) superstrate placed above the absorbers to shift the absorption band to larger wavelengths. In this paper, we have conducted finite-element (FEM) electromagnetic simulations to optimize the pixel design. The optical absorption measurements of the pixels were performed at room temperature using a terahertz time-domain spectrometer (THz-TDS) and at 300 mK with a Fourier-transform spectrometer (FTS). Finally, an estimation of pixels performances is discussed showing, an expected high responsivity of around 10 11 V/W and a low noise equivalent power (NEP) of 10 –18 W/Hz 1/2 . | Optical Characterizations of Polarization-Sensitive Millimeter-Wave Silicon Bolometers | 10.1007/s10909-022-02834-5 |
2022-11-01 | Effects of titanium content on the microstructure, mechanical properties and wear behavior of the experimental steel were systematically investigated. It was shown that the addition of Ti to the steel resulted in the appearance of granular and short rod-shaped TiC precipitates and long rod-shaped Ti 4 C 2 S 2 precipitates. High tensile strength of the experimental steel reached a maximum value of 1276.8 MPa at 0.2% Ti, which represents a 29.5% increase in tensile strength compared to another experimental steel without Ti. With increasing Ti content, the wear rate of the experimental steel showed a trend of first decreasing and then slowly increasing. Following the addition of element Ti, the wear morphology of the experimental steel changed significantly, gradually changing the wear mechanism from one dominated by plough-type abrasives and supplemented by micro cutting to one of plough abrasives. | Effect of Ti Addition on the Wear Resistance of Low Alloy Steel | 10.1007/s12666-022-02661-y |
2022-11-01 | Abstract The characteristics and mathematical modeling of the behavior of a low-temperature direct-current electric discharge plasma ignited between an aluminum anode and an electrolytic cathode (3% NaCl solution in purified water) at atmospheric pressure are investigated. The discharge is ignited by immersing the metal anode into the electrolytic cathode. The types and forms of plasma structures generated in the interelectrode gap are considered. The results of high-speed recording of the discharge breakdown and combustion are presented. The electrophysical parameters of the discharge, including pulsations and current/voltage fluctuations are studied. The emission spectroscopy method is used to determine the discharge emission spectrum, plasma composition, electron concentration, and temperature of heavy plasma components. The heat patterns of the surface of liquid nonmetallic and metallic electrodes in the discharge combustion zone are considered. The results of numerical simulation of electric field strength and the initial stage of the discharge are presented. | DIRECT-CURRENT DISCHARGE BETWEEN A METAL ANODE AND A LIQUID NONMETALLIC CATHODE | 10.1134/S0021894422050029 |
2022-11-01 | The atmospheric corrosion behavior of new-type weathering steels (WSs) was comparatively studied, and the effects of Nb and Sb during corrosion were clarified in detail through field exposure and characterization. The results showed that the addition of Nb and Sb played positive roles in corrosion resistance, but there was a clear difference between these two elements. Nb addition slightly improved the rust property of conventional WS but could not inhibit the electrochemical process. In contrast, Sb addition significantly improved the corrosion resistance from the aspects of electrochemistry and rust layer. Compared with only 0.06wt% Nb, the combination of 0.05wt% Sb and 0.06wt% Nb could better optimize the rust structure, accelerate the formation of a high proportion of dense and protective α-FeOOH, repel the invasion of Cl − , and retard the localized acidification at the bottom of the pit. | Atmospheric corrosion behavior of Nb- and Sb-added weathering steels exposed to the South China Sea | 10.1007/s12613-021-2383-2 |
2022-11-01 | In this study, low-cost adsorbent was easily prepared from Ficus lyrata seed (FS) or lignocellulosic waste, and utilized for the efficient removals of iodine and reactive dye molecules. The lignocellulosic powder was easily treated using acid–base chemicals such as HNO 3 and KOH. The surface areas, porosities and morphologies of as-prepared adsorbent were analyzed by methylene blue adsorption method along with Langmuir calculation model. As obtained, rapid/multilayer-physisorption behaviors were interestingly found via Freundlich, Dubinin–Radushkevich, Temkin, pseudo-second-order and Weber–Morris models. The maximum capacities for iodine and reactive blue 19 molecules were found to be 340.00 (FS-Untreated) and 13.08 (FS-Treated by HNO 3 ) mg/g, respectively. The highest percentage removals of selected reactive dyes from synthetic wastewater using FS-Treated by HNO 3 were 58.30, 31.47 and 18.91% for reactive blue 19, reactive yellow 3 and reactive red 22, respectively, while 87.30% of iodine was removed using FS-Untreated. The endothermic and spontaneous adsorption of iodine and selected reactive dye molecules were verified under thermodynamic process. This research systematically studied on adsorption behaviors of iodine and reactive dye molecules, and provided high possibility to be truly applied in practical process for wastewater treatment. Graphical abstract | Adsorption of iodine and reactive dye molecules from water using chemically modified and unmodified lignocellulosic powders (Ficus Lyrata seeds) | 10.1007/s11164-022-04824-4 |
2022-11-01 | In this paper, for the first time, an optimized asymmetric U-shaped TFET, suitable for low power application, has been proposed after a hardcore performance analysis, considering the real-time adverse effect of gate/drain leakage phenomena known for deteriorating the subthreshold behaviour of a TFET. Two-level optimization – device-architecture level and gate-oxide level – remains the key factor of the work, ensuring its applicability even under extreme low power. For the proposed device with SiO 2 as the material for asymmetric oxide arm, 7 nm turns out to be the optimized thickness, whereas it drops down to 5 nm and 4 nm, respectively, for Al 2 O 3 and HfO 2 arms. After a rigorous performance analysis, in terms of OFF-current, ON-current-OFF-current ratio, I DS -range for sub-60-mV/decade subthreshold swing, footprint, footprint-delay product, power-delay product, footprint-leakage-power density, the asymmetric TFET device with 5-nm asymmetric oxide arm of Al 2 O 3 is found to be the most optimized device for the low power operation. | Architecture- and Gate-Oxide-Level Optimization of a Si-Based Asymmetric U-TFET for Low Power Operation: a Real-Time Gate/Drain Electrostatic Based Leakage Perspective | 10.1007/s12633-022-01810-8 |
2022-11-01 | The non-destructive method of small mechanical stresses (at the beginning of the elastic region) is used to study the dependence of elastic hysteresis amplitudes ω h on time t during the release of diffused hydrogen from the samples. The samples used for the study correspond to the known model of a thin rigid round plate, pinched over the contour. The hydrogen diffusion coefficients D for studied samples are determined on the basis of the Fick equation solutions and the time t 0 after which the ω h amplitudes do not longer change. It is shown that the D coefficient of 1020 steel does not change for all hydrogenation cycles of unstressed and stressed samples and corresponds to the following pattern, characteristic of low-alloy steels: the higher the carbon content, the lower the D coefficient is. Since the method used is non-destructive, high-precision and relatively simple, it can serve as a good addition to the known methods for determining the diffusion of hydrogen in metals. The reasons of significant decrease in the elastic hysteresis amplitudes ω h after the several cycles of hydrogenation of non-strained samples and a significant increase in ω h after hydrogenation of strained samples are also discussed. | Determination of hydrogen diffusion coefficients in metals by the method of low mechanical stresses | 10.1007/s00419-022-02231-0 |
2022-11-01 | Feedhorn- and orthomode transducer- (OMT) coupled transition edge sensor (TES) bolometers have been designed and micro-fabricated to meet the optical specifications of the LiteBIRD high frequency telescope (HFT) focal plane. We discuss the design and optical characterization of two LiteBIRD HFT detector types: dual-polarization, dual-frequency-band pixels with 195/280 GHz and 235/337 GHz band centers. Results show well-matched passbands between orthogonal polarization channels and frequency centers within 3% of the design values. The optical efficiency of each frequency channel is conservatively reported to be within the range 0.64 $$-$$ - 0.72, determined from the response to a cryogenic, temperature-controlled thermal source. These values are in good agreement with expectations and either exceed or are within 10% of the values used in the LiteBIRD sensitivity forecast. Lastly, we report a measurement of loss in Nb/SiN $$_x$$ x /Nb microstrip at 100 mK and over the frequency range 200–350 GHz, which is comparable to values previously reported in the literature. | Optical Characterization of OMT-Coupled TES Bolometers for LiteBIRD | 10.1007/s10909-022-02808-7 |
2022-11-01 | This paper updates the development of a warm front-end electronics (WFEE) dedicated to cryogenic sensors readout. It belongs to the X-ray integral field unit instrument of ESA’s future space observatory: ATHENA. This instrument integrates cryogenic elements such as 3168 transition edge sensors as detectors, multiplexed into 96 channels using time-division multiplexing (TDM). One TDM channel will be read out by two stages of superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), followed by a WFEE and finally, a digital readout system, both two last stages operating at about 300 K. In the WFEE, 96 TDM channels will be distributed in 48 application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC). Each channel includes one low-noise amplifier to amplify the multiplexed signal and 5 configurable current sources to bias the SQUIDs and TES in the cryogenic stages. Additionally, two channels within the same ASIC share a serial bus “RS485/I $$^2$$ 2 C” to configure the current sources (current SlowDACs) and housekeeping elements that monitor the temperature, current and voltage of the ASIC. The ASIC presented in this paper, “AwaXe_v3” (AwaXe: Athena Warm Asic for the X-ifu Electronics), is developed for the WFEE using an AMS 350 nm SiGe BiCMOS technology. It is the first prototype of the WFEE integrating two complete TDM channels. Representative measurement results that characterise the main components of the WFEE will be discussed in this paper as an update on the use of ASIC for the TES/SQUID readout. | Room Temperature ASIC for Cryogenic TES/SQUID Control and Readout | 10.1007/s10909-022-02833-6 |
2022-11-01 | We study the effect of laser irradiation on the initiation and development of corrosion defects near nonmetallic inclusions in steels. It is established that the procedure of laser treatment improves the corrosion resistance under the conditions of low-cycle fatigue of steels containing various inclusions. It is shown that the effect of laser treatment on the formation of corrosion defects in steels is connected with changes in the state of the inclusion–matrix interfaces, which decreases their permeability for corrosive elements and increases the cohesive strength of these interfaces in active media. | Effect of Laser Surface Treatment on the Initiation of Corrosion Defects near Nonmetallic Inclusions | 10.1007/s11003-023-00665-7 |
2022-11-01 | Abstract Biphasic calcium carbonate phosphates comprised of amorphous calcium carbonate phosphate and carbonated hydroxyapatite were synthesized by wet precipitation at pH 9, Ca/P = 1.67, and $${\text{CO}}_{3}^{{2-}}$$ concentrations of 0.60–0.90 mol/L under varying precipitation conditions. The wet formation of biphasic calcium carbonate phosphates includes a partial conversion of the amorphous phase into a mixture of carbonated hydroxyapatite and calcite, followed by leaching of calcite and constitutional Ca 2+ and $${\text{CO}}_{3}^{{2-}}$$ ions during long-term decantation. The identification of biphasic calcium carbonate phosphates involves complex analysis using a spectroscopic method to elucidate carbonate substitution schemes, an X-ray diffraction method to determine the degree of apatite amorphization, and thermoanalytical methods to detect the effects of crystallization of the amorphous phase. Variations in the preparation parameters provide a means for controlling the contents of both amorphous calcium carbonate phosphate and constitutional $${\text{CO}}_{3}^{{2-}}$$ ions in biphasic calcium carbonate phosphates, which amounts determine their resorbability and thermal stability. | Low-Temperature Formation and Identification of Biphasic Calcium Carbonate Phosphates | 10.1134/S0036023622601313 |
2022-11-01 | Abstract Iron oxide nanostructures are obtained using chemical co-precipitation and low-temperature underwater plasma. It is shown that the chemical technique yields a mixture of Fe 3 O 4 + α-Fe 2 O 3 with a specific surface area of 33.66 m 2 /g. Plasma-solution samples are porous powders consisting of a mixture of Fe, FeO, α-Fe 2 O 3 , and Fe 3 O 4 . The adsorption of copper and zinc ions from solutions with mixtures of them is studied and quantitative characteristics are determined. Hammett indicators reveal the distribution of acid-base centers, depending on the means of synthesis. It is shown that the way of obtaining nanostructures affects the selectivity of adsorption with respect to Cu 2+ or Zn 2+ . | Adsorption of Cu2+ and Zn2+ Ions on Iron Oxides Produced by Plasma-Solution and Chemical Means | 10.1134/S0036024422110097 |
2022-11-01 | The low-velocity impact behavior of thick and thin unidirectional E-glass fiber-reinforced laminated composite plates with three different stacking sequences subjected to three different impact energies have been investigated. The test specimens were produced by the Vacuum Assisted Resin Injection (VARI) method in a laboratory environment. The thick specimens contained 50 layers of unidirectional E-glass fibers and the thin ones — 16 layers of unidirectional E-glass fibers. The low-velocity impact tests were carried out using a CEAST Fractovis drop-weight impact test device. The contact force–time and energy–time graphics were plotted and the experimental results were interpreted in detail. | Experimental Investigation into the Low-velocity Impact Behavior of Thick and Thin Laminated Composites | 10.1007/s11029-022-10064-9 |
2022-11-01 | Fruits and vegetable processing industries contribute to the largest portion of food waste. With changing diet habits, the demand for the production and processing of fruits and vegetables has increased greatly to fulfil the rising demand amongst the masses. Waste generation begins from the harvesting of raw material until it gets processed. Pineapple processing industries produce processing waste (peel, core, pomace, and crown) which are rich in various bioactive compounds. In most cases, the by-products contain larger amounts of valuable compounds which have higher nutritional and therapeutic importance than its final produce. Researchers have studied the potential of pineapple wastes primarily for the extraction of enzymes (bromelain, pectinase, xylanase and cellulase) and secondarily as a low-cost substrate to produce dietary fibre, organic acids, and phenolic antioxidants. This review describes the bioactive compounds in pineapple wastes, their extraction techniques, and their potential applications as a polymer material, bio-sorbents, bioethanol and vanillin production, etc. It focuses primarily on bioactive compounds that have functional and medicinal value and can be used independently or incorporated with other ingredients to form the valorised product. Graphic abstract | Pineapple processing waste (PPW): bioactive compounds, their extraction, and utilisation: a review | 10.1007/s13197-021-05271-6 |
2022-11-01 | Organic semiconductors with excellent optoelectronic properties are important building blocks for high-performance organic devices. Patterning organic crystals with high precision and accurately positioning them at the target position are major challenges for integrated devices. However, uncontrollable dewetting of the conventional solution method leads to as-prepared micro-nanocrystals with high defect-state density, low crystalline quality, and disordered distribution, which impair the uniformity of the device performance and limit integration. By regulating the solution position with a template and guiding the solution flow direction under gravity, aligned organic microwire arrays and polygonal patterns were fabricated. The polarization-sensitive photodetector exhibited responsivity up to 1234 A W −1 , linear dynamic range of 148 dB, I photo / I dark of 10 4 , response time as low as 1.1 ms, and dichroic ratio up to 2.1. Given the homogeneity of microwire arrays, the device-to-device variation was reduced to 3.58%, resulting in high-quality imaging. This study provides new insights into organic micro/nanocrystal patterning and device integration. 有机微纳晶体的图案化对于实现高度集成的有机光电子器件具有重要意义. 然而在溶液法制备有机微纳晶体过程中, 溶液流动的无序性会导致所制备的微纳晶体分布和排列具有高度无序性和不可控性, 从而导致所制备的器件阵列中器件与器件之间的性能差异显著, 不利于实现微纳器件的集成化. 因此, 本文提出一种模板控制溶液流动的方法, 实现了有机微米线晶体可控图案化. 基于有序排列的微米线晶体图案阵列, 所制备的光电探测器不仅具有高性能, 且器件-器件差异低至3.58%. 结合微米线高度的结构各向异性, 所制备的光电探测器阵列成功实现了偏振敏感成像功能. | Highly aligned organic microwire crystal arrays for high-performance polarization-sensitive photodetectors and image sensors | 10.1007/s40843-022-2079-3 |
2022-11-01 | Phonon-mediated Kinetic Inductance Detectors (KIDs) on silicon substrates have demonstrated both $$\mathcal {O}$$ O (10) eV energy resolution and mm position resolution when used as particle detectors, making them strong candidates for instrumenting next-generation rare event experiments such as in looking for dark matter. Previous work has demonstrated the performance of an 80-KID array on a Si wafer; however, current energy resolution measurements show a $$\sim 25 \times $$ ∼ 25 × difference between otherwise identical KIDs—between 5 and 125 eV on energy absorbed by the KID. Here, we use a first principles approach and attempt to identify the drivers behind the variation. In particular, we analyze a subset of 8 KIDs using the unique approach of pulsing neighboring KIDs to generate signals in the target. We tentatively identify differences in quality factor as the likely culprit for the observed differences. | Identifying Drivers of Energy Resolution Variation in a Multi-KID Phonon-Mediated Detector | 10.1007/s10909-022-02753-5 |
2022-11-01 | Interannual variability of the Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall (ISMR) is modulated by Sea Surface Temperature (SST) anomalies over Indo-Pacific Oceans, especially by the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). In general, coupled models used for seasonal prediction overestimate the correlation between ENSO and ISMR compared to observations. By analysing the observational data from 1982 to 2017, this study shows that the relationship between ENSO and ISMR is weak during August compared to the other months of the summer monsoon season (June, July, and September). This weak association between ENSO and ISMR during August is due to an increase in the synoptic variability. Thus, the effect of large-scale flow dominated by ENSO is suppressed by the formation of a synoptic system in the Bay of Bengal (BoB), making ENSO-ISMR relation feeble in August. The data analysis of various coupled models shows that all models underestimate synoptic variability, due to which simulated ENSO-ISMR relation is overestimated during August. Coupled model exhibit strong biases in relative humidity and cyclonic circulation over the northern BoB hence underestimating the synoptic variability. | Why coupled general circulation models overestimate the ENSO and Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall (ISMR) relationship? | 10.1007/s00382-022-06253-w |
2022-11-01 | In this paper, we present the development and characterization of a fully differential SiGe BiCMOS low noise amplifier (LNA) with active impedance matching for the readout of superconducting, quantum interference devices (SQUIDs). Impedance matching is particularly important when using the LNA over a broad frequency range and it is achieved using the Miller effect by adding a negative feedback loop. This approach avoids the degradation of the noise performance that is generated by simply using a parallel resistor at the LNA input. Furthermore, this impedance matching implementation preserves the signal to noise ratio (SNR) because both the signal and the noise are divided by 2 due to the negative feedback loop. This was verified by measuring a lower input voltage noise with the LNA input loaded with a 100 $$\Omega $$ Ω resistor at 77 K compared to a short-circuit. In addition, we present simulations and measurements of the LNA frequency response, input impedance and input voltage noise. The obtained performances for the LNA show a flat gain of 173 V/V with a cut-off frequency of 26MHz and a referred input voltage white noise spectral density level of 0.34 nV/ $$\sqrt{\mathrm{Hz}}$$ Hz with a corner frequency of 72 Hz in input matching condition. These values are in good agreement with the simulations. Finally, a discussion about the impact of the impedance matching on the SQUID biasing is also presented. | Fully Differential Broadband LNA with Active Impedance Matching for SQUID Readout | 10.1007/s10909-022-02836-3 |
2022-11-01 | Objective The aim of this summary review is to analyse the current state of evidence in manual medicine or manual therapy. Methods The literature search focussed on systematic reviews listed in PubMed referring to manual medicine treatment until the beginning of 2022, limited to publications in English or German. The search concentrates on (1) manipulation, (2) mobilization, (3) functional/musculoskeletal and (4) fascia. The CASP Checklist for Systematic Reviews was used to present the included reviews in a clear way. Results A total of 67 publications were included and herewith five categories: low back pain, neck pain, extremities, temporomandibular disorders and additional effects. The results were grouped in accordance with study questions. Conclusion Based on the current systematic reviews, a general evidence-based medicine level III is available, with individual studies reaching level II or Ib. This allows manual medicine treatment or manual therapy to be used in a valid manner. Ziel Ziel der vorliegenden Übersichtsarbeit war eine Auswertung des aktuellen Erkenntnisstands in der manuellen Medizin bzw. in der manuellen Therapie. Methoden Bei der Literatursuche lag der Fokus auf systematischen Übersichten, begrenzt auf die Sprachen Englisch oder Deutsch, die bis Anfang 2022 in der Datenbank PubMed vorhanden waren und sich auf die Behandlung mittels manueller Medizin bezogen. Die Suche umfasste die Begriffe (1) „manipulation“, (2) „mobilization“, (3) „functional/musculoskeletal“ und (4) „fascia“. Die Checkliste für systematische Übersichten gemäß Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) wurde verwendet, um die einbezogenen Übersichtsarbeiten auf eine übersichtliche Weise zu präsentieren. Ergebnisse In die Auswertung wurden 67 Publikationen eingeschlossen, die in 5 Kategorien unterteilt waren: Schmerzen des unteren Rückens, Nackenschmerzen, Extremitäten, temporomandibuläre Störungen und sonstige Auswirkungen. Die Ergebnisse wurden in Übereinstimmung mit den Fragestellungen der Studie gruppiert. Schlussfolgerung Auf der Grundlage aktueller systematischer Übersichtsarbeiten liegt eine allgemeine Evidenz der Stufe III vor, dabei erreichten einzelne Studien sogar Stufe II oder Ib. Diese Ausgangssituation ermöglicht eine valide Behandlung mit manueller Medizin oder manueller Therapie. | Evidence (-based medicine) in manual medicine/manual therapy—a summary review | 10.1007/s00337-022-00913-y |
2022-11-01 | Abstract In this paper, thin polymer films obtained on iron substrates in low-temperature plasma of adamantane vapor were studied by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, ESCA, contact angle measurements, and nanoindentation. It is shown that the films have a thickness about 1–2 μm and a columnar structure (the diameter of the “columns” is 50–100 nm). The surface energy of the films is close to the energy of low-polar organic polymers. The composition of the thin surface layer includes carbon (partially as peroxide groups), oxygen (as peroxide groups only), and a small amount of nitrogen (as amino groups). The reason for the appearance of such a significant concentration of oxygen is the secondary reaction of the film free radicals with atmospheric oxygen. The thickness, morphology, chemical composition, surface energy, and some physicomechanical properties, such as the hardness, reduced modulus of elasticity, elastic recovery parameter, compliance, elastic deformation work, and plastic deformation work of the films, are determined. It is also shown that the properties of the obtained films are close to the properties of low- and high-pressure polyethylene samples. | Organic Films Synthesized on an Iron Surface in Low-Temperature Plasma of Adamantane | 10.1134/S1063784222100073 |
2022-11-01 | The present study was conducted to determine the occurrence of B. cereus group members in low-moisture food products by phenotypic and genetic assessment and to evaluate the toxigenic potential of B. cereus group isolates. According to the results of their morphological shape, growth temperature range, strain-specific gene distribution, 79.5% and 20.5% among 112 isolates were identified as B. cereus sensu stricto ( s.s. ) and B. thuringiensis, respectively and other toxigenic B. cereus group members was not found. All B. cereus group isolates possessed nheABC, hblACD, cytK, entFM genes, and the most frequent gene was nheA. Only three B. cereus s. s. isolates exhibited as emetic toxin gene-harboring B. cereus group. Several B. cereus s.s. and B. thuringiensis isolates from a low-moisture food products were moderate biofilm formers and showed resistance to rifampicin, tetracycline, or clindamycin. The existence of B. cereus s.s . and B. thuringiensis in low-moisture food products indicates the possible risk of foodborne infections due to their virulence potential. | Prevalence and characterization of toxigenic Bacillus cereus group isolated from low-moisture food products | 10.1007/s10068-022-01144-6 |
2022-11-01 | To investigate the geodynamic processes of Mesozoic large-scale mineralization in South China, we deployed a 350-km-long, wide-angle seismic reflection/refraction sounding profile between Yingshan in Hubei and Changshan in Zhejiang. This profile traverses the Cu-Au metallogenic belt in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River (YMB), the Jiangnan W-polymetal metallogenic belt (JNMB), and the Qinhang Cu-polymetal metallogenic belt (QHMB). Our imaging results reveal various interesting velocity features along the profile. (1) The velocity structure is characterized by vertical layering and horizontal blocking; (2) the YMB is marked by high velocity and high V p / V s ratios in general with a significantly uplifted Moho interface and a thin crust of ∼31 km, and the lower crust contains high-velocity anomalies and has the characteristics of a crust-mantle transition zone; (3) the JNMB is bounded by the Jiangnan fault and Jingdezhen-Huangshan fault and has low-velocity anomalies and low V p / V s ratios; and (4) the QHMB is characterized by high-velocity anomalies and high V p / V s ratios. The high-velocity anomalies in the YMB and QHMB represent relatively Cu-Au-rich mafic juvenile lower crust. The formation of this kind of crust is considered to be related to mantle-derived magma underplating or residues of Neoproterozoic oceanic crustal materials, and it also provided sources for large-scale Cu-Au mineralization in the Mesozoic. The JNMB has features similar to those of ancient crusts enriched in W-Sn, the partial melting of which played a leading role in the formation of the superlarge W deposits in this belt. Considering these results and other regional geological data, we propose that a large-scale oblique upwelling of the asthenosphere along the collisional belt of the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks during the Mesozoic was the deep driving mechanism for the explosive mineralization of Cu, Au, and W in northeastern South China. The boundaries of the blocks or terrains and discontinuities of the lithosphere were the main channels for deep heat and magmas and therefore controlled the spatial distribution of the metallogenic belt. | The deep background of large-scale, Mesozoic Cu-Au-W metallogenesis in northeastern South China: Constraints from Yingshan-Changshan wide-angle seismic reflection/refraction data | 10.1007/s11430-022-9973-4 |
2022-11-01 | A previously-developed low-order Lagrangian stochastic model for ignition of premixed and non-premixed flames is modified in this paper to improve the numerical prediction of the light-round process in premixed annular combustors. The model refinements take into account Flame-Generated Turbulent Intensity (FGTI) and impose a turbulent flame speed correlation to the flame particles using expressions from the literature. For this, using RANS CFD results as an input, the model was applied to simulate the ignition transient in a premixed, swirled bluff body stabilised annular combustor to characterise the light-round time, both in stable conditions and close to the stability limits. Several cases were analysed, where flame speed and fuel were varied and light-round times were compared to experimental results. The proposed modifications improved the accuracy of the light-round time predictions, suggesting that FGTI may be an important phenomenon to be modelled. This modified model coupled with dilatation and the Peter’s assumption for the turbulent flame speed resulted in considerable improvement for the light-round time calculation for the explored range of parameters. This is an attractive feature considering the low computational cost of these simulations, which can be run in a single core of a local workstation. The improved model can help gas turbine engineers assess the ignition behaviour of annular combustors early in the design process. | Impact of Flame-Generated Turbulent Intensity and Flame Speed on the Low-Order Modelling of Light-Round | 10.1007/s10494-022-00357-3 |
2022-11-01 | A new current-mode fractional-power CMOS circuit such as cube-root and squared-cube-root configurations that give output signal in four quadrants has been presented for the first time. MOSFETs utilized in the design exploit translinear principle in weak-inversion region. The second-order effects on the circuit proposition have been analysed. The implementation justification has been validated by post-layout simulation on Virtuoso-SPECTRE tool with 180 nm GPDK CMOS process parameters. It has been found that using ± 0.5 V supply voltage, the realized cube-root and squared-cube-root circuits work for an input range of ± 30 µA while consuming few hundred nano-watts of static power and exhibit a maximum of ± 1 dB error over a wide input range of ± 1.5 µA to ± 30 µA in all four quadrants. Utility of the proposed circuits, as companding and gamma corrector, has also been elaborated. | On the Realization of Current-Mode Four-Quadrant CMOS Fractional Power and Cube-Root Converter | 10.1007/s13369-021-06488-5 |
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