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2022-10-01 | In the present study, metal active gas arc welding was carried out for dissimilar welding of 304 austenitic stainless steel and Q235B low carbon steel. The microstructure of the joints was investigated by using scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, and electron backscattered diffraction. Microhardness and tensile test results were utilized to characterize the mechanical behavior of the joints. The tensile fracture mechanism of the welded joints was explored by examining their solidification and crystallization modes. The results indicate that the weld zones of the two base metals are affected by heat input and cooling, which results in coarse grain sizes and low microhardness values. The heat-affected zones contain complex microstructure, including Widmanstatten structure, ferrite, and pearlite. Energy-dispersive spectroscopy analysis shows an obvious elemental transition zone at the fusion line on the Q235B side of a joint. The microhardness is lowest at the weld seam of a joint and highest at the fusion line on the carbon steel side due to martensitic structure. The solidification and crystallization modes of the welded joints are discussed and combined with the analysis of microstructure and mechanical properties. The results show that due to the difference in the thermal conductivities of the two base metals, a grain boundary convergence zone forms in the weld center after solidification and crystallization of the weld metal, resulting in fracture at the weld center in tensile testing. | Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Active Gas Arc Welding between 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel and Q235B Low Carbon Steel | 10.1007/s11665-022-06808-2 |
2022-10-01 | The incorporation of different materials can improve the properties of conductive polymers to become composites. This paper studies the morphological, structural, optical, and electrical effects of adding different weight ratios of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs)-carbon (C) mixture into poly(9,9-di-n-octylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl) (PFO) polymer by a low-cost and straightforward method. The thin films are prepared by drop-casting the prepared composite onto silicon substrates. Transmission electron microscopy shows Ag NPs embedded into the carbon. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images show increased Ag NPs-carbon particle size in PFO. The weight ratio increases due to aggregation, consistent with decreasing band gap trend from the Tauc plot. Ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy shows a redshift pattern of the central peak of PFO as the weight ratio increases. Photoluminescence and Raman spectra show that Ag NPs-carbon mixture increases β-phase percentage in PFO due to poor solvent effect. Lastly, the 10% Ag NPs-carbon-PFO sample exhibits the highest electrical conductivity among the three samples studied. A proposed schematic diagram shows how Ag NPs-C particles influence the morphology of the PFO chain and electrical properties of PFO-Ag NPs-C composite. | Investigations into Ag nanoparticles–carbon–poly(9,9-di-n-octylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl) (PFO) composite: morphological, structural, optical, and electrical characterization | 10.1007/s00289-021-03938-w |
2022-10-01 | The proliferation of portable electronics has imposed a pressing need on design of low power circuits. Sub threshold circuits are the ideal candidate to quench the demand of ultra-low power. However, degraded performance and exacerbated variability are the major concerns of sub threshold circuits. Furthermore, the global interconnects significantly affects the performance and power dissipation in sub threshold circuits. The obvious reason is the increased capacitance of long global interconnects which is further augmented with increase in sub threshold CMOS driver resistance. This paper explores the performance of sub threshold global interconnect with six different configurations of DG FinFET driver circuit viz. FinFET SG, TGIG, THYBRID, TGSG, TPIGNSG and TPSGNIG. Performance analysis indicates that FinFET SG configuration exhibits 60.7, 0.8, 2.3, 37 and 40% better energy efficiency compared to TGIG, THYBRID, TGSG, TPIGNSG and TPSGNIG respectively at 225 mV supply voltage. Furthermore, the crosstalk analysis results shows that the glitch amplitude in TGSG driven interconnect and THYBRID driven interconnect is increased by 89.6 and 74% respectively compared to FinFET SG driven interconnect. This work also investigates the suitability of conventional buffer insertion technique for enhancing the performance of DG FinFET driven sub threshold global interconnects. The buffered and un-buffered interconnect shows comparable delay, PDP and EDP in sub threshold region. Furthermore, Monte Carlo analysis results indicate that spread in delay exhibited by FinFET SG driven un-buffered interconnect circuit is lesser by 25% compared to FinFET SG driven buffered circuit in sub threshold region. | Design of DG FinFET based driver circuits for energy efficient sub threshold global interconnects | 10.1007/s10470-022-02051-w |
2022-10-01 | The Junggar Basin, which is rich in high-quality low-rank coal and contains the major coalbed methane (CBM) producing blocks in the west of China, has attracted much attention on low-rank CBM exploration and development in recent years. In this study, a series of experimental tests, including mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), maceral analyses, proximate analysis, and low-temperature N 2 isotherm adsorption (LT-N 2 GA), were carried out to analyze the variation characteristics of coal compositions and pore systems around the first coalification jump (FCJ) in the southeastern Junggar Basin. The results showed that the FCJ had a considerable influence on the evolution of low-rank coal including coal composition and pore structure. First, the moisture content and the volatile content tended to decrease, and the fixed carbon content tended to increase with increase in maximum reflectance of vitrinite ( R o ) around the FCJ. Second, the seepage pores transformed gradually to become adsorption pores; the dominant pore types changed from mesopores to micropores; the pore distribution curve transformed from bimodal form to single peak form. In addition, the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller special surface area ( S BET ) showed a “ ~ -shaped” trend and Barrett–Joyner–Halenda total pore volume ( V BJH ) showed a “U-shaped” trend with increase in R o around the FCJ. There were two types of factors that affected the evolution of low-rank coals’ composition and pore structure around the FCJ. One type was external factors, such as dehydration and compaction, causing the coal to become dense; the other type was internal factors, such as bituminization, causing the pores to be filled. These results revealed the characteristics and evolution of coal reservoirs around the FCJ, which can provide a scientific and reliable basis for future exploitation of CBM. | Characteristics and Evolution of Low-Rank Coal Pore Structure Around the First Coalification Jump: Case Study in Southeastern Junggar Basin | 10.1007/s11053-022-10094-z |
2022-10-01 | Spontaneous imbibition and core flooding investigations were carried out on limestone core plug samples using different low salinity water (LSW) and smart brines at temperatures of 110 and 50℃, respectively. To demonstrate further the potential of low salinity water injection (LSWI) as an agent for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) studies, the interfacial tension (IFT), contact angle (CA), and zeta potential (ZP) were measured. The recovery factor values provided from spontaneous imbibition experiments investigated by formation water (FW), seawater (SW), dilution versions of SW (i.e., 1/2SW, 1/10SW) were 10.07, 15.11, 18.05, and 16.04%, respectively. However, the secondary LSW flooding produced more oil, i.e., a higher recovery factor (37.3, 55, and 61% for FW, SW, and 1/10SW, respectively). The recovery factor obtained from LSW flooding at the tertiary state for SW, 1/2SW, and 1/10SW brines increased up to 11.86, 12.67, and zero, respectively. The main conclusions of the work were as follows. (1) The results of secondary spontaneous imbibition tests showed that LSWI had a significant potential to mobilize the trapped oil. (2) During secondary and tertiary core flooding, the maximum oil recovery (78% of OOIP) was achieved during smart water flooding when the amount of $${\text{SO}}_{4}^{2 - }$$ SO 4 2 - ion was increased and inactive ions ( $${\text{Na}}^{ + }$$ Na + and $${\text{Cl}}^{ - }$$ Cl - ) were eliminated. (3) LSWI and smart water showed significant effects on relative permeability curves, which are indicative of wettability alteration. (4) The main driving mechanism for oil mobilization was found to be wettability alteration, which was supported by the analyses of CA and ZP. | Enhanced Oil Recovery from a Carbonate Reservoir During Low Salinity Water Flooding: Spontaneous Imbibition and Core-Flood Methods | 10.1007/s11053-022-10092-1 |
2022-10-01 | A more detailed understanding of the role of N 2 in very low Earth orbit (VLEO) on atomic oxygen (AO)-induced material erosion is necessary for future development of the sub-LEO region. Accordingly, a laser-detonation source capable of capturing two different beams is developed. A dual-pulsed supersonic valve (dual-PSV) system is designed to form two beams in one nozzle configuration. It is demonstrated that the dual-PSV is capable of forming two atomic beams at individual energies with various composition ratios. This system is successfully applied for a ground-based simulation of the world’s first material erosion experiment in a sub-LEO aboard Super Low Altitude Test Satellite (SLATS). | Laser-detonation hyperthermal beam source applicable to VLEO environmental simulations | 10.1007/s12567-021-00399-9 |
2022-10-01 | The effects of high- and low-frequency coupled square wave pulses and concentration of TiC on TiC/Al 2 O 3 coatings were determined through microarc oxidation on 6063 aluminum alloy. Scanning electron microscopy results showed that the “stack” of micropores and the thickness increased with the increase in TiC concentration and high-frequency pulse amplitude. X-ray diffraction and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results showed that the composite coatings primarily consisted of γ-Al 2 O 3 , α-Al 2 O 3 , TiC, and Al 2 SiO 5 . The TiC content increased, the surface hardness of the coatings improved from 781.5 to 1321.4 Hv, and the corrosion current density decreased from 1.497 × 10 −6 to 8.979 × 10 −10 A cm −2 . The friction coefficient decreased from 0.52 to 0.41 at the TiC content of 3 g/L and high-frequency pulse amplitude of 30 V. The TiC content and high-frequency pulse amplitude improved the corrosion and friction performance of the TiC/Al 2 O 3 coatings. | Effects of High- and Low-Frequency Coupled Square Wave Pulses on TiC/Al2O3 Microarc Oxidation Coatings on 6063 Aluminum Alloy | 10.1007/s11665-022-06821-5 |
2022-10-01 | This is the first study to show the global Cut-off Low (COL) activity in 46 models participating in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) and Phase 6 (CMIP6). The COL historical simulations for the period 1979–2005 obtained from the CMIP5 and CMIP6 models and their ensembles are compared with the ERA5 reanalysis using an objective feature-tracking algorithm. The results show that the CMIP6 models simulate the spatial distribution of COLs more realistically than the CMIP5 models. Some improvements include reduced equatorward bias and underestimation over regions of high COL density. Reduced biases in CMIP6 are mainly attributed to the improved representation of the zonal wind due to the poleward shift of the subtropical jet streams. The CMIP5 models systematically underestimate the COL intensity as measured by the T42 vorticity at 250 hPa. In CMIP6, the intensity is still underestimated in summer, but overestimated in winter in part due to increased westerlies. The overestimation is enhanced by the finer spatial resolution models that identify more of the strong systems compared to coarser resolution models. Other aspects of COLs such as their temporal and lifetime distributions are modestly improved in CMIP6 compared to CMIP5. Finally, the predictive skill of climate models is evaluated using five variables and the Taylor diagram. We find that 15 out of the 20 (75%) best coupled models belong to CMIP6, and this highlights the overall improvement compared to its predecessor CMIP5. Despite this, the use of the multi-model ensemble average seems to be better in simulating COLs than individual models. | Are Cut-off Lows simulated better in CMIP6 compared to CMIP5? | 10.1007/s00382-022-06200-9 |
2022-10-01 | In the present as well as in the future world, the interaction of a person with the connected devices will be more. It has been predicted that these interactions will be approximately 4,800 times per day. Hence, the data will be acquired from the sensors and it will be processed. The aforementioned task needs fast and voluminous data storage as well as real-time processing. To accelerate the processing, emerging memory devices and technologies are the promising candidates for non-volatile, low-power, high- speed, low- cost, and capable of handling big data. The MRAM, FeRAM, Nano-RAM, Racetrack, and Resistive Random Access Memory (RRAM) are some of the strong candidates from the family of memory devices. In RRAM, the conduction is due to the formation and rupturing of the filament. The filament growth modulates the switching of the RRAM from the high resistive state (HRS) to the low resistive state (LRS) and vice-versa. The diameter and length of the filament are two important parameters that govern the resistance of the RRAM. In this work, we studied the impact of filament length and width variation on resistance of the RRAM. For our simulation work, the Stanford university RRAM model is employed. All the simulations are carried out using Cadence EDA. In the first case, we have neglected the width of the filament. The length of the filament is modeled as an initial gap (x0). The initial gap represents the distance from the tip of the filament to the top electrode. The initial gap is varied from 0.2 to 1.7 nm which corresponds to RRAM resistance of 115.8 Ω and 32.9 kΩ respectively. In the second case, the width of the filament (w0) and initial gap length both are varied alternatively. The width of the filament is varied from 0.5 to 5 nm. The initial gap length is varied from 0 to 3 nm. It has been observed that the HRS and LRS of RRAM are 248 kΩ and 3.03 kΩ respectively. | A Novel Approach to Analyze the Resistance of the RRAM Based on the Conductive Nano Filament Length and Width Variation | 10.1007/s42341-021-00374-5 |
2022-10-01 | The Chinese shrimp ( Fenneropenaeus chinensis ) is mainly economically important cultured species in the aquaculture of China, and it has a strong adaptability to changes in salinity (18ppt-32ppt). To have a better understanding of the underlying molecular mechanism of low salinity in Chinese shrimp, Illumina sequencing technology were performed for a transcriptome analysis in the hepatopancreas of Chinese shrimp which were treated in low salinity stress group (5ppt) and normal salinity group (20ppt) respectively. Totally, we obtained 426,456 unigenes with an average length of 482.38 bp. Then 2,769 differently expression genes (DEGs) were identified by a comparative transcriptome analysis, of which 1,690 DEGs showed up-regulated and 1,079 DEGs showed down-regulated. More reactive oxygen species(ROS) would be accumulated when Chinese shrimp were challenged with low salinity stress, then numerous signaling pathways played a significant role in signal transduction, such as Toll signaling pathway, Wnt signaling pathway. Meanwhile, glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPX3), mpv17-like protein (MPV17L), glutathione S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT), thioredoxin (Trx) were up-regulated to defense the low salinity stress which were involved in the antioxidant system. If the antioxidant system failed to deal with low salinity stress, cell structure and function would be damaged and apoptosis would be activated. The genes associated with heat shock protein ( heat shock protein 60 , heat shock protein 90 , heat shock protein 21 , heat shock protein 22 , heat shock protein 27 ) were also up-regulated. Seven genes involved in low salinity response were discovered and validated by real-time quantitative PCR. In conclusion, our study provides valuable information on the low salinity adaption mechanism of Chinese shrimp. And the sequence of transcripts reported in this paper was comprehensive, which can provide a rich source for the identification of novel genes in other shrimps with low salinity. | Transcriptome Reveals the Mechanism of Immunity in the Low Salinity Stress of the Chinese Shrimp (Fenneropenaeus chinensis) | 10.1007/s41208-022-00440-6 |
2022-10-01 | Several compressor disks in military fighter and trainer aircraft gas turbine engines cracked prematurely in the bolt hole regions. The disks were made of precipitation-hardened AM355 martensitic stainless steel. Experimental and analytical work was performed on specimens from the fifth-stage compressor disk (judged to be the most crack-prone disk in the compressor) to determine the cause of the failures. Failure was attributed to high-strain low-cycle fatigue during service. It was also determined that the cyclic engine usage assumed in the original life calculations had been underestimated, which led to low-cycle fatigue cracking earlier than expected. Fracture mechanics analysis of the disks was carried out to assess their damage tolerance and to predict safe inspection intervals. | Fatigue Fracture of Aircraft Engine Compressor Disks | 10.1007/s11668-022-01516-4 |
2022-10-01 | Here we report a vapor-phase reaction approach to fabricate rhodium(I)-dodecanethiol complex coated on carbon fiber cloth (Rh(I)-SC 12 H 25 /CFC), followed by low-temperature pyrolysis to achieve dodecanethiol modified Rh (Rh@SC 12 H 25 /CFC) for electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR). The results demonstrate that after pyrolysis for 0.5 h at 150 °C, the obtained Rh@SC 12 H 25 /CFC-0.5 exhibits excellent NRR activity with an NH 3 yield rate of 121.2 ± 6.6 µg·h −1 ·cm −2 (or 137.7 ± 7.5 µg·h −1 ·mg Rh −1 ) and a faradaic efficiency (FE) of 51.6 ± 3.8% at −0.2 V (vs. RHE) in 0.1 M Na 2 SO 4 . The theoretical calculations unveil that the adsorption of dodecanethiol on the hollow sites of Rh(111) plane is thermodynamically favorable, effectively regulating the electronic structure and surface wettability of metallic Rh. Importantly, the dodecanethiol modification on Rh(111) obviously decreases the surface H ⋆ coverage, thus inhibiting the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction and concurrently reducing the electrocatalytic NRR energy barrier. | Interfacial engineering of metallic rhodium by thiol modification approach for ambient electrosynthesis of ammonia | 10.1007/s12274-022-4585-y |
2022-10-01 | In the current research, the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown period on groundwater quality of Lower Meriç Plain (Thrace Region of Türkiye) was evaluated. Some significant nutrient characteristics (NO 3 − , NO 2 − , and PO 4 3− ), salinity characteristics (EC, TDS, and salinity), and physical characteristics (temperature, DO, pH, and turbidity) were investigated in groundwater samples collected from 45 sampling points in pre-lockdown and lockdown periods. Water quality index (WQI) and nutrient pollution index (NPI), Pearson correlation index (PCI), cluster analysis (CA), one-way ANOVA test (OWAT), and factor analysis (FA) were applied to assess ecological risk. Excluding recorded statistical differences in temperature and DO due to climatic conditions ( p < 0.05 ), levels of all the investigated water quality parameters show no statistically significant differences and no significant reduction in pollutants measured in the lockdown period. On the contrary, the WQI and NPI scores have increased between the rates of 4.76–27.10% during the lockdown period. In the lockdown period, although the reduction of industry or limited production of many industrial facilities reduced the inorganic contaminant releases to the environment, ongoing agricultural activities and domestic wastes caused to prevent the reduction of organic pollutants in groundwater of the region during the lockdown period. Graphical abstract | Assessment of the effects of COVID-19 lockdown period on groundwater quality of a significant rice land in an urban area of Türkiye | 10.1007/s11356-022-20959-8 |
2022-10-01 | Based on the shear bearing capacity, a specimen of single-span single-story low-yield-point (LYP) steel plate shear wall was designed, and a horizontal cyclic loading test was carried out on this specimen. The seismic behavior of the LYP steel plate shear wall was investigated from the different aspects of failure phenomenon, hysteresis loops, skeleton curve, ductility, lateral stiffness, energy dissipation capacity, horizontal load, and overturning moment distribution. The results revealed that the wall plate of the LYP steel plate shear walls buckled extensively along the diagonal region at the end of the test, and the maximum out-of-plane displacement reached 31.8 mm. The relative ductility coefficient of the whole structure obtained from the experiment was 3.25, and 322.2% of the yield energy was dissipated in the last loading stage. When the column was in the elastic state before yielding, the wall plate bore 73 to 89% of the horizontal load and 54 to 69% of the total overturning moment. This indicates from the above conclusion that the LYP steel plate shear wall can be potentially severed as an excellent lateral force resisting structural system with remarkable seismic performance employed in the high-intensity seismic fortification areas. | Seismic Performance of Low-Yield-Point Steel Plate Shear Walls Under Horizontal Cyclic Load | 10.1007/s40996-022-00824-x |
2022-10-01 | Human periodontal ligament mesenchymal stem cells (hPDLSCs) are a promising cell type model for regenerative medicine applications due to their anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and non-tumorigenic potentials. Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) are reported to affect biological properties such as cell proliferation and differentiation and modulate gene expression profile. In this study, we investigated the effects of an intermittent ELF-EMF exposure (6 h/day) for the standard differentiation period (28 days) and for 10 days in hPDLSCs in the presence or not of osteogenic differentiation medium (OM). We evaluated cell proliferation, de novo calcium deposition and osteogenic differentiation marker expression in sham and ELF-EMF-exposed cells. After ELF-EMF exposure, compared with sham-exposed, an increase in cell proliferation rate ( p < 0.001) and de novo calcium deposition ( p < 0.001) was observed after 10 days of exposure. Real-time PCR and Western blot results showed that COL1A1 and RUNX-2 gene expression and COL1A1, RUNX-2 and OPN protein expression were upregulated respectively in the cells exposed to ELF-EMF exposure along with or without OM for 10 days. Altogether, these results suggested that the promotion of osteogenic differentiation is more efficient in ELF-EMF-exposed hPDLSCs. Moreover, our analyses indicated that there is an early induction of hPDLSC differentiation after ELF-EMF application. | Improved osteogenic differentiation by extremely low electromagnetic field exposure: possible application for bone engineering | 10.1007/s00418-022-02126-9 |
2022-10-01 | Phosphorus (P) plays an important role in soybean growth and reproduction. Wild soybean ( Glycine soja ) expressed higher tolerance to P-limited environment compared to cultivated soybeans ( Glycine max ). In this study, wild and cultivated soybean were used to compare the changes and differences in young and old leaves by ion contents and the kinds, number, and metabolic pathways of small molecule metabolites analysis under low P conditions. Our results showed that under low P conditions, Mg 2+ , Fe 3+ , and SO 4 2− increased in young and old leaves of wild soybean; NO 3 − increased in young leaves of wild soybean and decreased in old leaves; H 2 PO 4 − was relatively stable in young leaves of wild soybean. And then, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) metabolism was enhanced and hexose-phosphate metabolism was inhibited in young and old leaves of wild soybean; aspartic acid family amino acids, glutamic acid family amino acids, serine family amino acids, aromatic amino acids metabolisms in young and old leaves of wild soybean were enhanced which contributed to the reuse of amino acids; disaccharides metabolism in young leaves of wild soybean was enhanced. Our experiment indicated that wild soybean could tolerate low P by promoting ion, disaccharides and amino acid metabolites accumulation and reuse in young and old leaves, and enhancing the energy metabolism in young and old leaves, and promoting the decomposition of hexose-phosphate in old leaves for reuse in young leaves. Our results provided a new insight for the cultivation of new soybean varieties with tolerance to P deficiency. | Nutrient Reabsorption Mechanism Adapted to Low Phosphorus in Wild and Cultivated Soybean Varieties | 10.1007/s00344-021-10495-z |
2022-10-01 | Background Disturbance of cholesterol homeostasis is considered as one of the manifestations of cancer. Cholesterol plays an essential role in the pleiotropic functions of cancer cells, including mediating membrane trafficking, intracellular signal transduction, and production of hormones and steroids. As a single transmembrane receptor, the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) can participate in intracellular cholesterol uptake and regulate cholesterol homeostasis. It has recently been found that LDLR is aberrantly expressed in a broad range of cancers, including colon cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer and liver cancer. LDLR has also been found to be involved in various signaling pathways, such as the MAPK, NF-κB and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways, which affect cancer cells and their surrounding microenvironment. Moreover, LDLR may serve as an independent prognostic factor for lung cancer, breast cancer and pancreatic cancer, and is closely related to the survival of cancer patients. However, the role of LDLR in some cancers, such as prostate cancer, remains controversial. This may be due to the lack of normal feedback regulation of LDLR expression in cancer cells and the severe imbalance between LDLR-mediated cholesterol uptake and de novo biosynthesis of cholesterol. Conclusions The imbalance of cholesterol homeostasis caused by abnormal LDLR expression provides new therapeutic opportunities for cancer. LDLR interferes with the occurrence and development of cancer by modulating cholesterol homeostasis and may become a novel target for the development of anti-cancer drugs. Herein, we systematically review the contribution of LDLR to cancer progression, especially its dysregulation and underlying mechanism in various malignancies. Besides, potential targeting and immunotherapeutic options are proposed. | Cholesterol homeostasis and cancer: a new perspective on the low-density lipoprotein receptor | 10.1007/s13402-022-00694-5 |
2022-10-01 | External (in-air) Particle Induced Gamma-ray Emission (PIGE) setup of FOlded Tandem Ion Accelerator (FOTIA), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) was utilized for determining concentrations of low Z elements (Si, Na, Al and F) in geological samples by a simple and novel sample preparation method using thin Mylar films to pack direct solid samples. Low energy proton beam was utilized and the current-normalized count rates of analytes were obtained using the count rate of tantalum, the beam exit window material. Meticulousness of the method was ascertained by analysing different CRMs and compared with conventional pelletisation method. Proposed method was adopted for elemental analysis in uranium ore samples for possible nuclear forensic applications. | Development of a simple non-destructive method to quantify low Z elements in ore samples using tantalum as an external current normalizer in external (in-air) PIGE method for Nuclear Forensic applications | 10.1007/s10967-022-08506-8 |
2022-10-01 | Two wheat varieties DBW88 (strong) and HI1500 (weak) were utilized for the extraction and fortification of gliadins, glutenins, low molecular weight (LMW), and high molecular weight (HMW) glutenin fractions at the 3% and 5% levels to study microstructure and secondary structure of native and fortified dough. Glutenins and HMW-GS supplementation in the dough was depicted in the form of long fiber–like structure and large sheets covering the starch molecules; however, opening of gluten-starch network was caused by globular gliadin proteins inclusion. LMW-GS addition fractionated the matrix into small continuous sheets with short strands enfolding the starch-protein network. Higher proportion of intra and intermolecular β-sheets, β-turns, and anti-parallel β-sheets was found to be increasing with HMW glutenins, glutenins, LMW glutenins, and gliadins addition on comparing with control dough of variety DBW88. A subtle difference in the pattern of secondary structure was noticed with the samples of the other variety HI1500 due to the allelic variation in subfractions of isolated protein fractions. | Infrared Spectroscopy and Microstructural Assessment of Dough with Varying Wheat Gluten Fractions | 10.1007/s12161-022-02331-1 |
2022-10-01 | Ethiopia is one of the largest bamboo resource bases in Africa. However, a dearth of reliable data on bamboo resources has impeded the proper management of bamboo forests and limited their potential in providing more socio-economic and environmental benefits. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the socio-economic importance of O. abyssinica in the Lower Beles River Basin, north-western Ethiopia. Datasets were collected from both primary and secondary sources. A combination of techniques: descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis, was employed for data analysis. The results showed that a total of 10 services were identified as important socio-economic uses of bamboo. Bamboo as construction material, traditional furniture, income, food, and medicine were the top five uses of bamboo as perceived by respondents and confirmed through quantitative analysis. Differences in views among respondents of different ethnic backgrounds concerning some socio-economic uses of bamboo, namely food, medicine, and musical instruments, were statistically significant. Despite the wide range of services bamboo provides, the management practice is so unsustainable and rudimentary, which impedes the sustainability of the resource and livelihood of people relying on it. Therefore, concerned bodies should provide the priority attention that the resource deserves to curve the unsustainability spiral as well as properly utilize and conserve the bamboo resource. | Socio-economic importance of the bamboo resources in the Lower Beles River Basin, north-western Ethiopia | 10.1007/s10668-021-01938-4 |
2022-10-01 | By means of diffraction using transmission electron microscopy, the role of stacking fault energy during active plastic deformation of polycrystalline specimens of Cu–Al and Cu–Mn alloys in the low-stability states is revealed. For this purpose, the dislocation and dislocation-disclination substructures in the solid solutions of Cu–Al and Cu–Mn fcc-alloys with the grain sizes within 20–240 subjected to tensile deformation are studied in the concentration ranges of 0.5–14 at.% Al and 0.4–25at.% Mn. An interrelationship between the parameters characterizing the defect substructure and the stacking fault energy is established. The curves of this dependence are compared for different structural-phase states of the alloys. The dislocation substructure (DSS) types of both alloy systems are found to be similar. The only difference is the absence of micro-twinning in Cu– Mn alloys, observed in Cu–Al alloys. The influence of the stacking fault energy on the DSS formation and parameters is analyzed. | The Role of Stacking Fault Energy of Cu–Al and Cu–Mn Alloys During Their Deformation in Low-Stability States | 10.1007/s11182-022-02726-x |
2022-10-01 | Aim The occurrence of measles outbreaks has increased, and previously measles-free countries are experiencing a resurgence, making measles elimination by 2020 unlikely. Therefore, outbreak prevention and rapid response strategies will need to be intensified. This systematic review therefore examines whether contact tracing (CT) as compared to no CT is an effective means of reducing measles spread during outbreaks in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Subject and methods A systematic review was conducted by searching six databases (CINAHL, Global Health, Medline, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and PubMed). The 17 included articles were appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklists and analysed using a narrative synthesis. Results CT is often used alongside mass communication strategies and hospital record checks. Interviewing measles cases to identify contacts, and considering everyone who has shared a space with a case as a contact are common CT methods. Also, CT can be done backwards and/or forwards with the measles case as the focal point of the investigation process. The cost per case of an outbreak response dominated by CT is high especially in terms of labour for the health sector and productivity losses for households. However, overall outbreak expenditure can be low if CT results in fewer and less severe measles cases and a short outbreak duration. Conclusion CT data as a standalone and comparative active surveillance approach in LMICs is scarce. If CT is initiated early, it can prevent large outbreaks, thereby reducing the economic burden of measles and drive LMICs towards measles elimination. | Measles outbreak investigation process in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review of the methods and costs of contact tracing | 10.1007/s10389-021-01590-2 |
2022-10-01 | In this paper, a junctionless (JL) In 0.3 Ga 0.7 As/GaAs FET with a shell-doped channel (SDCh) for high-frequency electronics is investigated, and different electrical properties of the device are characterized through TCAD device simulations. The SDCh-JL-In 0.3 Ga 0.7 As/GaAs FET is able to achieve higher transconductance ( g m 1 ) and a lower minimum noise figure ( NF min ) than a conventional JL-In 0.3 Ga 0.7 As/GaAs. Moreover, the effect of the SDCh on the linear performance in terms of the third-order input power intermodulation intercept point (IIP3) and 1-dB compression point parameters is evaluated. For the first time, we have designed a low-noise amplifier (LNA) using a SDCh-JL-In 0.3 Ga 0.7 As/GaAs FET and conventional JL-In 0.3 Ga 0.7 As/GaAs for X-band radar applications. An s2p model is developed for both devices and the models are incorporated into the ADS simulator to utilize the proposed device in circuit simulations. The key performance metrics including NF and forward voltage gain (S21) are analyzed for the LNA with the SDCh-JL-In 0.3 Ga 0.7 As/GaAs FET. The NF and S21 parameters at f = 10 GHz show a significant improvement of 58% and 44%, respectively, for the LNA with the SDCh-JL-In 0.3 Ga 0.7 As/GaAs FET relative to the LNA with the JL-In 0.3 Ga 0.7 As/GaAs FET. Thus the SDCh-JL-In 0.3 Ga 0.7 As/GaAs FET is considered a good candidate for high-frequency applications. | Junctionless In0.3Ga0.7As/GaAs transistor with a shell doping profile for the design of a low-noise amplifier with a sub-1-dB noise figure for X-band applications | 10.1007/s10825-022-01919-4 |
2022-10-01 | Oxidation of the reduced form of glutathione based on the 1:1 copper(Cu +2 )-glutathione(GSH) complexes was found to occur at a decreased overpotential at a glassy carbon electrode modified with highly ordered mesoporous silica thin films (MSTFs) by means of the electrochemically assisted self-assembly (EASA) process. Adsorption of complexes can be performed on the electrode by taking advantage of the anionic nature of the silica walls of the MSTF which provide an excellent fixation site for accumulation of the Cu +2 -GSH complex. The current response of voltammetric glutathione sensor is monitored at low oxidation potential of − 0.10 V versus standard mercury/mercurous sulfate reference electrode which makes the proposed sensor applicable to minimize interference from easily oxidizable species in the analysis of biological fluids. The proposed method represents a sensitive voltammetric sensor with a good linear detection range of 1.0–35.0 µM, which is in the range of GSH concentration in physiological fluids reported in literature with a suitable limit of detection of 0.08 µM. The proposed sensor offers several advantages such as being rapid and cost-effective, having good reproducibility, simple operation, and nontoxicity for glutathione detection. | Electro-assisted self-assembly of mesoporous silica thin films: application to electrochemical sensing of glutathione in the presence of copper | 10.1007/s10008-022-05234-7 |
2022-10-01 | A process of serial resolution, each new “resolution” building upon insights drawn from earlier ones, of a set of more or less long-standing intellectual puzzles in fish behavioral biology and fisheries-environmental science is described and interpreted. Information on (1) the highly evolved capture-evasion capabilities of small prey fishes and on (2) size-related disadvantages with respect to oxygen replenishment constraints confronted by larger water-breathing nektonic predators is incorporated within a sequential narrative analysis of seven proffered “Enigmas.” A timescale-dependent tension between predator and prey emerges such that a fleeing smaller prey fish that manages to elude capture long enough to impose sufficient oxygen depletion penalties on its larger, faster swimming pursuer to induce cessation of the assault may ultimately escape to survive the incident; this particular insight may offer essential conceptual footing for underway studies of the vital importance of ambush predation in many ocean ecosystems. Various features of this posited set of “Enigmas” are found easiest to explain by postulating a compelling, perhaps even painful, avoidance signal that may be triggered when a fish’s central nervous system senses a developing internal oxygen storage deficit. Findings suggest that continuing ocean deoxygenation may act over time to decrease the success rate of larger water-breathing predators in capturing and consuming smaller prey. A causal linkage of ocean deoxygenation to historical overfishing is speculatively identified. | Adjusting intuitions as to the role of oxygen constraints in shaping the ecology and dynamics of ocean predator–prey systems | 10.1007/s10641-022-01317-6 |
2022-10-01 | Navigation problems for a model bio-inspired micro-swimmer, consisting of a cargo head and propelled by multiple rotating flagella or propellers and swimming at low Reynolds numbers, are formulated and solved. We consider both the direct problem, namely, predicting velocity and trajectories of the swimmer as a consequence of prescribed rotation rates of the propellers, and inverse problems, namely, find the rotation rates to best approximate desired translational and rotational velocities and, ultimately, target trajectories. The equations of motion of the swimmer express the balance of the forces and torques acting on the swimmer, and relate translational and rotational velocities of the cargo head to rotation rates of the propellers. The coefficients of these equations, representing hydrodynamic resistance coefficients, are evaluated numerically through a custom-built finite-element code to simulate the (Stokes) fluid flows generated by the movement of the swimmer and of its parts. Several designs of the propulsive rotors are considered: from helical flagella with different chirality to marine propellers, and their relative performance is assessed. | Control and navigation problems for model bio-inspired microswimmers | 10.1007/s11012-022-01567-9 |
2022-10-01 | Abstract The ostracod genera Camptocythere Triebel and Procytherura Whatley from the Lower and Middle Callovian of TETs-5 reference Section (Saratov Region) and Middle Callovian–Lower Oxfordian of Mikhailovtsement reference Section (Ryazan Region) have been studied. The genus Camptocythere is revised; genus Aparchitocythere Swain et Peterson is considered as a separate genus (rather than a subgenus of Camptocythere ), whereas the genus Palaeoloxoconcha Dreyer is for the first time included as a subgenus. New species are described: C. ( Camptocythere ) quinta Tesakova, sp. nov., C. (Palaeoloxoconcha) caudata Tesakova, sp. nov. (with the subspecies C. ( P. ) caudata caudata Tesakova, subsp. nov. and C. ( P. ) caudata nuda Tesakova, subsp. nov.), C. ( P. ) ryazanica Tesakova, sp. nov. and Procytherura ippolitovi Tesakova, sp. nov. Within the East European Platform (EEP), two ostracod concurrent-range zones have been recognized. The A. milanovskyi–P. cinicinnusa Concurrent-range Zone is recognized in the Lower Callovian ( Subpatruus ammonite Zone, Subpatruus–Saratovensis biohorizons) of Ukraine, Kursk Region, and Volga Region. The Pr. wartae–Pl. kurskensis Concurrent-range Zone is recognized in the Lower Callovian ( Subpatruus ammonite Zone, Saratovensis Biohorizon)–Middle Callovian ( Jason Zone) of Ukraine, Belarus, Central Chernozemye, Kursk Region, and Middle Volga Region. Based on the evolution of the subgenus C. ( Palaeoloxoconcha ), new lineage zones are proposed. The C. ( P. ) bathonica Lineage Zone is recognized in northwestern Europe in the Upper Bajocian–Bathonian. The C. ( P. ) caudata Lineage Zone is recognized on the EEP (Belarus, Kursk and Saratov regions) in the Lower Callovian ( Subpatruus Zone, Saratovensis Biohorizon)–lower part of the Middle Callovian ( Jason Zone). The C. ( P. ) ryazanica Lineage Zone is recognized in the Ryazan Region in the upper part of the Middle Callovian ( Coronatum Zone)–Lower Oxfordian ( Mariae Zone). | New Callovian–Lower Oxfordian Ostracods from the Russian Plate (Genera Camptocythere Triebel and Procytherura Whatley) and Their Stratigraphic Significance | 10.1134/S0031030122050124 |
2022-10-01 | SGLT2-inhibitors and euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis in COVID-19 pandemic era: a case report | 10.1007/s00592-022-01909-9 | |
2022-10-01 | Purpose To determine whether oral probiotic administration (1.5 × 10 9 CFU/g Lacticaseibacillus paracasei subsp . paracasei ) to breastfeeding mothers or to their very low birth weight (VLBW) infants reduces total serum bilirubin (TSB) level and increases weight gain of the infants. Methods In this double-blind trial, breastfeeding mothers and their VLBW infants at 48–72 h of age were allocated into three groups using stratified block randomization; administrating probiotic to the mothers and placebo to their infants, probiotic to the infants and placebo to their mothers, or placebo to the both. The intervention continued for 28 days. Results All 25 mothers and their 26 infants allocated into each group were fully followed up. There were three positive blood culture only in the placebo group. On the 3rd day of intervention, TSB level was not significantly different among the groups but on the 7th day, it was significantly lower in the both probiotic groups compared with the placebo group (mean difference −2.4 mg/dL [95% confidence interval −3.6 to −1.2] in the both comparisons). Mean rank of infant weight gain during the first 7 days of intervention was significantly higher in the both maternal and infant probiotic groups compared with the placebo group ( p = 0.007 and p = 0.003, respectively), but there was no statistically significant difference among the groups during the 8th–28th days. Conclusion Administration of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei to breastfeeding mothers of VLBW infants or to their infants reduces infant TSB level but has no significant effect on weight gain after the first week of the intervention. Trial registration The Iranian Clinical Trials Registry IRCT20100414003706N38. protrospectively registered 24/01/2021. | Maternal and infant probiotic administration for morbidity of very low birth weight infants: a three-arm randomized placebo-controlled trial | 10.1007/s00394-022-02905-z |
2022-10-01 | In this investigation, we design a dual optical probe system to measure double-sided film structure with a metal substrate. Two identical measurement probes are located on the top and the bottom surfaces of the specimen, and they are simultaneously operated to measure the surface position of the layers. By adopting the low coherence interferometric principles, the measurement probe can measure the surface positions on each side of the specimen, and the geometrical relationship between two probes enables to determine the whole thickness of the specimen, substrate thickness and film thicknesses at once. In the experiments, the physical thickness of the cover glass is measured to evaluate the system performance, and a pouch-type secondary battery cell is measured as a double-sided film structure. | Dual Optical Measurement Probe System for Double-Sided Film Structure | 10.1007/s12541-022-00690-7 |
2022-10-01 | Purpose The response of rice ( Oryza sativa L.) plants to phosphorus (P) deficiency and to alterations in the rhizosphere microbiome in flooded soils remains unexplored. We aimed to identify the association between alterations in bacterial diversity and underground metabolic and chemical reactions in the rhizosphere in P-deficient and γ-irradiated conditions. Methods Two rice varieties were grown in a split-root box under flooded conditions and filled with either P-applied or non-P-applied soils with or without γ-irradiation. At 41–42 days after transplanting, we determined plant biomass, P uptake, exudation rates of total carbon and low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOAs) from the roots, and bacterial diversity, P fractions, and phosphatase activity in the rhizosphere. Results γ-irradiation significantly decreased the P uptake and biomass of both rice varieties and reduced the relative abundance of Alphaproteobacteria and microbiome beta diversity in the rhizosphere. Concurrently, γ-irradiation reduced the uptake of insoluble P from soils. These microbiological and chemical changes in the γ-irradiated rhizosphere occurred irrespective of the P treatments of soils. On the contrary, the proportion of LMWOAs and citric acid exudation, which have a high P-solubilization capacity, increased in the γ-irradiated and P-applied rhizosphere soils at the expense of other carbons. No differences were detected in phosphatase activity in any treatments. Conclusion Dysbiosis of the rhizosphere microbiome negatively affected rice growth and the uptake of insoluble P in flooded soils. With a reduction in microbiome diversity, rice plants may have a complementary strategy to increase the proportion of citric acid exudation toward the P-rich soil area. | Dysbiosis of the rhizosphere microbiome caused by γ-irradiation alters the composition of root exudates and reduces phosphorus uptake by rice in flooded soils | 10.1007/s11104-022-05726-5 |
2022-10-01 | The low-pressure pipe network inside buildings without effective leak detection means has become the most vulnerable link in the urban gas infrastructure network. Once the low-pressure gas pipeline fails and causes leakage, it is more likely to cause explosion and structural collapse. Considering the characteristics of low-pressure gas pipeline inside the building, the main difficulty in leakage identification comes from the pressure fluctuations caused by the gas usage in the pipeline. Based on steady-state calculation, we analyzed the steady-state hydraulic properties of the leakage and gas usage conditions. When the flow rates of the two conditions are close, the leakage fluctuation cannot be effectively identified based on the steady-state characteristics. We used Flowmaster to conduct transient hydraulic analysis under two conditions and found that the transient barotropic reflection wave caused by burner structure can be used as the basis for leakage detection. We built a simulation test system of low-pressure gas system for data acquisition and theoretical verification. On this basis, we proposed a set of intelligent low-pressure gas pipeline leak detection methods. The pressure signal was converted into a dynamic pressure signal, which can fully express the transient characteristics of pressure fluctuation and reduce the influence of steady-state characteristics. Wavelet packet and radial basis function neural network can intelligently learn the characteristics of dynamic pressure waves. When the leakage flow is the same as that of gas usage, the accuracy of leak detection can still be stabilized above 82.5%. | Intelligent leak detection method for low-pressure gas pipeline inside buildings based on pressure fluctuation identification | 10.1007/s13349-022-00607-y |
2022-10-01 | Abstract— Using the example of the energy sector and the agricultural sector of Uzbekistan, the article shows the possibility of incorporating the technical parameters of typical green and energy-saving projects into the basic input–output model, obtaining estimates of the impact made by such projects on the financial sustainability of the relevant industries. Approaches are reviewed to combining long-term scenario forecasts for the development of the industry with model calculations of macroeconomic, environmental, and social consequences that allow an unambiguous economic interpretation, as well as to choosing the directions of green transformation that are the most promising in terms of a set of criteria, including social ones. The purpose of the work is to show the possibility of taking into account the national interests of Uzbekistan when substantiating the green transformation model using a methodology that combines detailed input–output models with engineering calculations for specific green investment projects and estimates of demand for the investment resources necessary for their implementation. | Investment, Technological, and Social Aspects in Modeling the Transition to Low-Carbon Development: The Case of Uzbekistan | 10.1134/S1075700722050069 |
2022-10-01 | In this paper, we introduce a topological method to produce new rough set models. This method is based on the idea of “somewhat open sets” which is one of the celebrated generalizations of open sets. We first generate some topologies from the different types of $$N_\rho $$ N ρ -neighborhoods. Then, we define new types of rough approximations and accuracy measures with respect to somewhat open and somewhat closed sets. We study their main properties and prove that the accuracy and roughness measures preserve the monotonic property. One of the unique properties of these approximations is the possibility of comparing between them. We also compare our approach with the previous ones, and show that it is more accurate than those induced from open, $$\alpha $$ α -open, and semi-open sets. Moreover, we examine the effectiveness of the followed method in a problem of Dengue fever. Finally, we discuss the strengths and limitations of our approach and propose some future work. | Topological approach to generate new rough set models | 10.1007/s40747-022-00704-x |
2022-10-01 | Purpose The standard procedure for low-flow anesthesia usually incorporates a high fresh gas flow (FGF) of 4–6 L/minute during the wash-in phase. However, the administration of a high FGF (4–6 L/min) increases the inhaled anesthetic agent consumption. This study was designed to compare the sevoflurane consumption at 2 rates of flow and vaporizer concentration during the wash-in period. Methods Patients were randomly enrolled into high FGF (HFGF) (n = 30) and low FGF (LFGF) (n = 30) groups. During the wash-in, the HFGF group received 4 L/minute FGF with a sevoflurane vaporizer setting of 2.5%, and the LFGF group received 1 L/minute FGF with a vaporizer setting of 8%. Once the wash-in was complete, anesthesia maintenance was performed with 0.5 L/min FGF with a vaporizer setting of 2.5–4.5% in both groups. The patient demographic data, bispectral index values, hemodynamic variables, wash-in time, sevoflurane consumption during the wash-in phase, and total sevoflurane consumption were analyzed. Results The median sevoflurane consumption in the wash-in phase was 8.2 mL (7.1–9.3) in the HFGF group and 2.7 mL (2.2–3.1) in the LFGF group (p = 0.001). The mean total sevoflurane consumption was 17.41 ± 3.58 mL in the patients who received HFGF and 14.93 ± 3.57 mL in the LFGF group (p = 0.001). The mean wash-in completion time was 12.49 ± 2.79 min in the HFGF group and 3.35 ± 0.67 min in the LFGF group (p = 0.001). Conclusions The anesthetic agent consumption during the wash-in phase was approximately 3 times lower with the administration of sevoflurane at 1 L/minute FGF than the use of 4 L/minute FGF. | The effect of different flow levels and concentrations of sevoflurane during the wash-in phase on volatile agent consumption: a randomized controlled trial | 10.1007/s10877-022-00846-w |
2022-10-01 | Human speech primarily contains low frequencies. It is well established that such frequencies maximally excite the cochlea near its apex. But, the micromechanics that precede and are involved in this transduction are not well understood. We measured vibrations from the low-frequency, second turn in intact gerbil cochleae using optical coherence tomography (OCT). The data were used to create spatial maps that detail the sound-evoked motions across the sensory organ of Corti complex (OCC). These maps were remarkably similar across animals and showed little variation with frequency or level. We identify four, anatomically distinct, response regions within the OCC: the basilar membrane (BM), the outer hair cells (OHC), the lateral compartment (lc), and the tectorial membrane (TM). Results provide evidence that active processes in the OHC play an important role in the mechanical interplay between different OCC structures which increases the amplitude and tuning sharpness of the traveling wave. The angle between the OCT beam and the OCC makes that we captured radial motions thought to be the effective stimulus to the mechano-sensitive hair bundles. We found that TM responses were relatively weak, arguing against a role in enhancing mechanical hair bundle deflection. Rather, BM responses were found to closely resemble the frequency selectivity and sensitivity found in auditory nerve fibers (ANF) that innervate the low-frequency cochlea. | Sound Induced Vibrations Deform the Organ of Corti Complex in the Low-Frequency Apical Region of the Gerbil Cochlea for Normal Hearing | 10.1007/s10162-022-00856-0 |
2022-09-30 | The Turkana low-level jet stream (TJ) is important to climatic conditions over northern Kenya and East Africa. The representation of the TJ in climate models varies due to the TJ interaction with Turkana channel that is influenced by model resolution and influences the model representation of the regional climate. This study compares features of the TJ in CMIP6 AMIP model simulations with ERA5. Models reveal climatological wind speeds that match those of the reanalysis from the ERA5 at the jet entrance (13 m/s) but lower magnitudes of wind speed and vertical shears compared to ERA5 within the Turkana channel. The models with slowest wind speeds, have a flattened Turkana channel and fail to exhibit the terrain constriction at 37° E which otherwise aids in accelerating winds to form a jet core. Furthermore, they fail to represent the narrowing of the channel as in ERA5, thereby forming blocking walls in the channel, forcing vertical ascent and mixing, and weakening shear. This boosting of ascent motion promotes rainfall formation and enhances wet anomalies at the exit of the TJ when the jet stream is weaker. By applying a new narrowing index, we demonstrate the need to improve topography details in the CMIP6 models, particularly those with resolution coarser than 1.5°, in order to properly simulate the TJ and the observed rainfall over the northwestern areas of eastern Africa. | Characteristics of the Turkana low-level jet stream and the associated rainfall in CMIP6 models | 10.1007/s00382-022-06499-4 |
2022-09-26 | Background Abiotic stresses have increasingly serious effects on the growth and yield of crops. Cold stress, in particular, is an increasing problem. In this study, Fragaria daltoniana and F. vesca were determined to be cold-resistant and cold-sensitive species, respectively. Integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics methods were used to analyze the regulatory mechanism of abscisic acid (ABA) in F. daltoniana and F. vesca in their response to low temperature stress. Results F. daltoniana and F. vesca increased their ABA content under low temperature stress by upregulating the expression of the ABA biosynthetic pathway gene NCED and downregulating the expression of the ABA degradative gene CYP707A . Both types of regulation increased the accumulation of glucose and fructose, resulting in a reduction of damage under low temperature stress. Twelve transcription factors were found to be involved in the ABA regulatory pathway. The strong cold tolerance of F. daltoniana could be owing to its higher levels of ABA that accumulated compared with those in F. vesca under low temperature stress. In addition, the gene ABF2 , which is related to the transduction of glucose signaling, was significantly upregulated in the leaves of F. daltoniana , while it was downregulated in the leaves of F. vesca under low temperature stress. This could contribute to the higher levels of glucose signal transduction in F. daltoniana . Thus, this could explain the higher peroxidase activity and lower damage to cell membranes in the leaves of F. daltoniana compared with F. vesca under low temperature stress, which endows the former with stronger cold tolerance. Conclusions Under low temperature stress, the differences in the accumulation of ABA and the expression trends of ABF2 and ABF4 in different species of wild strawberries may be the primary reason for their differences in cold tolerance. Our results provide an important empirical reference and technical support for breeding resistant cultivated strawberry plants. | The mechanism of abscisic acid regulation of wild Fragaria species in response to cold stress | 10.1186/s12864-022-08889-8 |
2022-09-26 | This paper presents a physics-based 0-D steady-state model of a radiofrequency ion thruster (RIT) that is valid for any propellant blend, and hence, any plasma mixture, and the model is used to predict the drag compensation capability and plasma composition of an air-breathing RIT operating in very-low Earth orbit (VLEO). This study fills a gap in the modeling of air-breathing electric propulsion with an air-breathing RIT model that is validated with experimental data of a RIT operating with an $${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$$ N 2 / $${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$$ O 2 mixture. The model expands upon current 0-D RIT models by accounting for the dissociation of neutral molecules and molecular ions and by applying particle conservation for each ion and neutral species. Atomic oxygen in the atmosphere is assumed to completely recombine into $${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$$ O 2 in the collector, and the model is used to calculate an air-breathing RIT’s thrust, discharge efficiency, mass utilization efficiency, and discharge plasma composition at altitudes between 80 and 150 km. At 1 kW of total input power and an optimal flow rate of 0.17 mg/s, the net thrust was limited to 3 mN at all altitudes considered. At these same operating conditions, the mass utilization efficiency and discharge efficiency were approximately 0.15 and 870 eV/ion, respectively. To increase the performance of the thruster, the magnetic field should be increased in order to increase the beam current. The mole fraction of atomic oxygen in the discharge chamber was found to be between 0.19 and 0.27 depending on the altitude, indicating that grid erosion should be a focus of future studies. | 0-D composition and performance analysis of an air-breathing radiofrequency ion thruster | 10.1007/s44205-022-00013-y |
2022-09-23 | Background Assessing the severity of transferred neonates at admission can improve resource allocation. This study evaluated the role of TOPS (illness severity score including temperature, oxygen saturation, skin perfusion and blood sugar) in predicting mortality in neonates transferred by ambulance in a low-resource setting. Methods The study was conducted at Beira Central Hospital (Mozambique). Infants who were transferred by ambulance to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit between 16th June and 16th October 2021 were included. The association between TOPS and mortality was investigated with a logistic regression model. Receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curve was derived for TOPS; area under the ROC curve, sensitivity and specificity were calculated. Results In-transport mortality was 2/198 (1.0%) and in-hospital mortality was 75/196 (38.3%). Median gestational age and birthweight were 38 weeks and 2600 g. Main causes of admission were asphyxia (29.3%), prematurity (25.3%) and sepsis (22.7%). Hypothermia and oxygen desaturation at admission were 75.8% and 32.3%. TOPS ≥ 1 was associated with increased mortality risk (odds ratio 7.06. 95% confidence interval 1.90 to 45.82), with 0.97 sensitivity and 0.26 specificity. Conclusions The high mortality rate calls for interventions and quality initiative studies to improve the transfer process and the conditions at admission. TOPS can be used to identify neonates at risk of mortality and concentrate efforts of health care providers. Interventions preventing hypothermia and oxygen desaturation should be implemented in pre-transport stabilization and care during transport. | Prognostic role of TOPS in ambulance-transferred neonates in a low-resource setting: a retrospective observational study | 10.1186/s12884-022-05060-9 |
2022-09-22 | Superabsorbent polymers (SAP) can protect concrete from frost damage but the mechanism behind their effect on the frost resistance of concrete, specifically on the freezing behavior of the pore solution in concrete, is not yet well understood. In this study, SAP exposed to demineralized water or synthetic pore fluid is subjected to freeze–thaw action and its calorimetric response during this process is registered. The results show that for liquids absorbed in SAP, the freezing and melting peaks occur at lower temperatures than for the bulk exposure liquids. The freezing and melting peaks of these liquids held in SAP may be further affected by various factors such as: the addition of ice-nucleating agents, the concentration of ions in the exposure liquids, the moisture state of SAP, repeated drying and wetting pretreatment of SAP, and cyclic freezing and thawing. With the decrease of the moisture content in SAP, the freezing and melting peak temperatures of liquids in SAP decreases. Moreover, there is a good correlation between the proportion of freezable water in SAP, and the temperature where ice formation and melting, respectively, occur. These observations have relevance for the understanding and use of SAP to improve the frost resistance of concrete. | Calorimetric freeze–thaw response of superabsorbent polymers in a cementitious environment | 10.1617/s11527-022-02047-y |
2022-09-22 | Background Hemp ( Cannabis sativa L.) is a producer of cannabinoids. These organic compounds are of increasing interest due to their potential applications in the medicinal field. Advances in analytical methods of identifying and quantifying these molecules are needed. Method This study describes a new method of cannabinoid separation from plant material using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) as the analytical tool to detect low abundance cannabinoids that will likely have implications for future therapeutical treatments. A novel approach was adopted to separate trichomes from plant material to analyse cannabinoids of low abundance not observed in raw plant extract. Required plant sample used for analysis was greatly reduced compared to other methods. Derivatisation method was simplified and deconvolution software was utilised to recognise unknown cannabinoid compounds of low abundance. Results The method produces well-separated spectra and allows the detection of major and minor cannabinoids. Ten cannabinoids that had available standards could be identified and quantified and numerous unidentified cannabinoids or pathway intermediates based on GC-MS spectra similarities could be extracted and analysed simultaneously with this method. Conclusions This is a rapid novel extraction and analytical method from plant material that can identify major and minor cannabinoids using a simple technique. The method will be of use to future researchers seeking to study the multitude of cannabinoids whose values are currently not understood. | Semi-quantitative analysis of cannabinoids in hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry | 10.1186/s42238-022-00161-w |
2022-09-21 | The availability of water for agricultural use in the savannah plateau of Adamawa, Cameroon, is addressed in this paper. Specific field tests coupled with climatic data analysis have helped to characterize the hydrological and hydrogeological conditions of water resources in a small catchment. An agricultural suitability map, based on the water availability during the dry season, is produced. Measured saturated hydraulic conductivities indicated an acceptable disposition of the soils for agriculture. The transmissivity values indicated moderate groundwater potential with mean annual recharge of 96 mm. The agricultural suitability map shows that only 8.8% of the basin area is very favorable for agriculture and that 51% of the basin is not suitable for agriculture, due to water scarcity during the dry season. Due to the considerable depth to the water table, pumping for irrigation purposes is not affordable for the local low-income farmers. Therefore, there is a need to implement adapted solutions for irrigation to support farmers’ endeavors, such as the development of water retention basins or the construction of boreholes equipped with electric pumps supplied by solar energy for irrigation. | Assessment of water availability for agricultural activities in the savannah Plateau of Adamawa-Cameroon | 10.1007/s10661-022-10476-z |
2022-09-20 | Abstract Data are presented on the features of winter wheat adaptation ( Triticum aestivum L., cultivar Moskovskaya 39) to frost as a result of low hardening temperatures of varying intensity. A comparative analysis of the dynamics of indicators characterizing frost resistance, growth, transpiration rate, the intensity of oxidative processes, the state of the photosynthetic apparatus, the structure of leaf cells, and the level of WCOR15 gene transcripts (coding for a cold response protein) was carried out during hardening of wheat plants at temperatures of 12, 8, and 4°C. It is shown that, during cold adaptation, the “reprogramming” of the plant organism occurs, the degree and depth of which are determined by the intensity of low-temperature exposure: the closer the hardening temperature is to damaging values, the faster and more significant adaptive changes it causes, and the greater frost resistance plants are able to develop in the process of hardening. | Features of Wheat Adaptation to Frost under Low-Temperature Exposure of Different Intensity | 10.1134/S1021443722040173 |
2022-09-20 | The majority of dams in the contiguous United States are small, low-head dams that are no longer operational but can influence the water quality of contemporary stream ecosystems. Potential effects of low-head dams on stream nitrogen removal (denitrification) have been rarely quantified, and yet they can be an important part of the decision-making process of removing low-head dams. Here, we provide novel empirical data on potential denitrification rates and their biogeochemical controls above and below two mid-Atlantic low-head dams over a 2-year period. Our results show that low-head dams did not increase streambed potential denitrification in comparison to dam-free sections in the same rivers. In our study sites, potential denitrification above low-head dams was generally low (15.7 ± 3.5 µg N [kg sediment] −1 h −1 ) despite recurring events of water hypoxia (< 50% dissolved oxygen saturation) and high NO 3 − and DOC concentrations. Overall, we observed higher potential denitrification during winter samplings (9.2 and 50.1 µg N [kg sediment] −1 h −1 on average) and significant effects of sediment surface area and organic matter content on potential denitrification rates above the dams. Results from this study suggest limited effects of relic low-head dams on nitrogen removal and transport in stream ecosystems, and can contribute to the decision-making process of removing low-head dams. | Effects of relic low-head dams on stream denitrification potential: seasonality and biogeochemical controls | 10.1007/s00027-022-00894-z |
2022-09-20 | Lower crustal processes played a key role during the destruction of the North China Craton. Petrological and geochemical analyses were performed on the granulite and pyroxenite xenoliths in the late Cretaceous basalt from Western Liaoning of the North China Craton to investigate the nature and evolution of the lower crust during the Mesozoic. The granulite xenoliths are predominantly intermediate–silicic granulite with subordinate basic granulite. The intermediate–silicic granulites exhibit relatively low Mg# values (0.46–0.63), positive Eu, Pb and Sr anomalies, a large range of Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic compositions and negative correlations between 87 Sr/ 86 Sr and 143 Nd/ 144 Nd ratios. The sample HS20-19 shows the lowest SiO 2 and MgO contents than that of other intermediate–silicic granulites. Generally, the intermediate–silicic granulites have mineralogical and whole-rock geochemical affinities to the Archean granulite terrains of the North China Craton. In contrast, the basic granulite has a higher Mg# value (0.73), and depletions of La and Sr, but similar Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic compositions to the intermediate–silicic granulite xenoliths and terrains. These observations indicate that most intermediate–silicic granulites represent modified Archean lower crust by underplated magma, whereas HS20-19 and the basic granulite can be explained as restites left after partial melting of the ancient lower crust. The pyroxenite xenoliths exhibit a cumulate texture, variable Mg# values (85.9–88.6), and convex-upward rare-earth element patterns with high-field-strength elements depletions in the clinopyroxene. 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios (0.7036–0.7063) are negatively correlated with Mg# values and positively correlated with Ba and Pb contents in the clinopyroxene. These observations imply that the pyroxenite xenoliths originated as cumulates from an asthenospheric magma and were contaminated by the lower crust at the crust–mantle transition. All xenoliths experienced decompression event induced by the lithosphere extension in the early Cretaceous. Combined with the previous studies on the Mesozoic volcanic rocks from the Western Liaoning, we conclude that the continuous magmatic underplating not only formed the pyroxenite cumulates but also provided heat for remelting of the ancient lower crust, resulting in the formation of voluminous intermediate–silicic volcanic rocks during the Mesozoic. These processes led to the transformations of the Archean lower crust beneath the Western Liaoning and the entire North China Craton. | Destruction of Archean lower crust recorded in granulite and pyroxenite xenoliths of Mesozoic basalts from Western Liaoning, North China Craton | 10.1007/s00410-022-01960-3 |
2022-09-19 | Freeze–thaw (F-T) cycles are one of the prime reasons for the performance degradation of pervious asphalt roads in seasonally frozen regions. With the aim of studying the high- and low-temperature performance of permeable asphalt mixture under F-T cycles, in this study, low-temperature splitting test and high-temperature dynamic creep test were carried out on steel slag, basalt, and recycled aggregate pervious asphalt concrete (PAC) under a sufficiently wide range of F-T cycles. Acoustic emission technology was used to map the influence of the number of F-T cycles on the low-temperature cracking resistance and high-temperature rutting resistance of the three PACs. Furthermore, the performance of recycled material aggregate as an alternative to pervious asphalt mixture coarse aggregate is assessed. The results show that by the twentieth F-T cycle, the tensile modulus of the three types of PAC decrease by 80–90%, and the rate of transitioning of the materials from primary creep to steady-state creep is increased by about 90%. Moreover, by comparing the performance of the three mixtures under low-temperature as well as high-temperature regimes, it is concluded that steel slag can serve as a viable basalt replacement in PAC preparation. | High- and low-temperature fracture behavior of pervious asphalt mixtures under different freeze–thaw cycles based on acoustic emission technique | 10.1007/s12517-022-10809-9 |
2022-09-17 | Nitrogen is an important nutrient for crop growth and development. Plant height-related traits can be affected by nitrogen supplementation. In this study, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on plant height, spike length, length of different internodes, and lodging resistance strength at the grain-filling stage based on wheat local varieties subjected to low nitrogen and normal (CK) treatments. GWAS analysis showed that a total of 86 quantitative trait locus (QTLs) were detected, including 13 QTLs for plant height, 10 QTLs for spike length, 19 QTLs for the length of the first internode from the top of the plant, 6 QTLs for the second internode length, 11 QTLs for the third internode length, 13 QTLs for the fourth internode length, and 14 QTLs for the fifth internode length. Compared to the CK treatment, the plant height, spike length, and fourth and fifth internode lengths were significantly affected by the low nitrogen treatment. A total of 18 QTLs responding to low nitrogen level were detected, including three QTLs for the fourth internode length detected on 3A, 6A, and 6D chromosomes, eleven QTLs for the fifth internode length on 1A, 1B, 1D, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A, 5B and 7B chromosomes, one QTL for spike length on 3A chromosome, and one QTL for plant height on 5B chromosome. These QTLs will enhance our understanding of the genetic basis of plant height responses to nitrogen deficiency and will benefit genetic reactions to nitrogen fertilization. | Genome-wide association study identified novel genetic loci controlling internode lengths and plant height in common wheat under different nitrogen treatments | 10.1007/s10681-022-03093-x |
2022-09-16 | In an aquaculture system, estimates were made of soil organic carbon content, carbon burial rate, soil structure and algal productivity with the intention of examining the synergistic effects of both greenhouse gas (GHG) induced temperature and manure-driven carbon reduction potentials in sediments that depend on productivity as well as tilapia spawning responses under greenhouse mimicking conditions during winter. Different manure treatments such as cattle manure and saw dust (T1); poultry droppings and saw dust (T2); vermi-compost and saw dust (T3); mixture of cattle manure, poultry droppings, vermi-compost and saw dust (T4); iso-carbonic states maintained with vermi-compost (T5); and with poultry droppings (T6) were applied three times (frequency of application) in the tank during the course of investigation. Different parameters like soil organic carbon, carbon burial rate, algal productivity and water quality were examined in aquaculture system. GHG effect impacted on the enhanced carbon reduction potential (44.36-62.36%) which was directly related with soil organic carbon (38.16-56.40 mg C/g) dependent carbon burial rate (0.0033-0.0118 g/cm 2 per 100 days). Average carbon burial rates for different manure treatments at GHG impacted temperature (0.0071 g/cm 2 per 100 days) was as high as 27.90% than at ambient air temperature (0.0054 g/cm 2 per 100 days). Residual carbon or sink in soils has been increased by 8.49 to 43.11% in different treatments or 23%, on an average attributed to almost 6 °C rise in GHG mediated atmospheric temperature. The low carbon footprint potential in different treatments was conspicuous inside the polyhouse (maximum 62.36%) due to greenhouse driven temperature compared. As a positive impact of the study, breeding of tilapia occurred where in T3 100% survival occurred in close polyhouse and also exhibited maximum carbon burial rate. In this study it has been observed that one degree rise in atmospheric temperature resulted in a ~ 4% rise in residual carbon in the experimental tank. However, future work can be conducted on other different treatments and large scale application. Graphical Abstract Graphical representation of greenhouse-temperature induced manure driven carbon accumulation in aquaculture mesocosm. Raised temperature impacted enhanced decomposition of manure. Synergistic effects of temperature and GHG increase the primary productivity. Simulated mesocosm induced the spawning of fish tilapia during winter. Carbon burial rates at GHG impacted treatments were 27.90% higher. Carbon reduction potential of soil was enhanced by about 23% due to GHG effect. | Greenhouse-temperature induced manure driven low carbon footprint in aquaculture mesocosm | 10.1007/s44246-022-00018-0 |
2022-09-15 | The paper presents the results obtained in modeling the creep phenomenon of unidirectional composites reinforced with fibers. Thus, several models that have proven their validity and results obtained with their help are discussed. Analyzing a multitude of models described in the paper presented in references the authors describe the most used by the researchers. The micromechanical model, the homogenization method, the finite element method and the Mori–Tanaka formalism are described. These methods are most used in engineering applications studies in the last time. Following the analysis of each method, the advantages and disadvantages are presented and discussed. The results obtained are compared with experimental determinations. The application of the methods is done to composite materials reinforced with aligned carbon fiber. The methods are, sure, valid for every type of composite reinforced with fibers. Since the creep of materials is a frequently encountered phenomenon in practice, the knowledge of material properties and the existence of convenient calculation models become important for designers, which is why the paper presents the most used calculation methods to model this behavior. | Creep response of fiber-reinforced composites: a review | 10.1007/s44245-022-00003-2 |
2022-09-15 | Background As one of three essential nutrients, potassium is regarded as a main limiting factor for growth and development in plant. Sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas L.) is one of seven major food crops grown worldwide, and is both a nutrient-rich food and a bioenergy crop. It is a typical ‘K-favoring’ crop, and the level of potassium ion (K + ) supplementation directly influences its production. However, little is known about the transcriptional changes in sweet potato genes under low-K + conditions. Here, we analyzed the transcriptomic profiles of sweet potato roots in response to K + deficiency to determine the effect of low-K + stress on this economically important crop. Results The roots of sweet potato seedlings with or without K + treatment were harvested and used for transcriptome analyses. The results showed 559 differently expressed genes (DEGs) in low and high K + groups. Among the DEGs, 336 were upregulated and 223 were downregulated. These DEGs were involved in transcriptional regulation, calcium binding, redox-signaling, biosynthesis, transport, and metabolic process. Further analysis revealed previously unknow genes involved in low-K + stress, which could be investigated further to improve low K + tolerance in plants. Confirmation of RNA-sequencing results using qRT-PCR displayed a high level of consistency between the two experiments. Analysis showed that many auxin-, ethylene- and jasmonic acid-related genes respond to K + deficiency, suggesting that these hormones have important roles in K + nutrient signaling in sweet potato. Conclusions According to the transcriptome data of sweet potato, various DEGs showed transcriptional changes in response to low-K + stress. However, the expression level of some kinases, transporters, transcription factors (TFs), hormone-related genes, and plant defense-related genes changed significantly, suggesting that they have important roles during K + deficiency. Thus, this study identifies potential genes for genetic improvement of responses to low-K + stress and provides valuable insight into the molecular mechanisms regulating low K + tolerance in sweet potato. Further research is required to clarify the function of these DEGs under low-K + stress. | Transcriptome analysis of sweet potato responses to potassium deficiency | 10.1186/s12864-022-08870-5 |
2022-09-14 | Bispecific antibodies (bsAbs), though possessing great therapeutic potential, are extremely challenging to obtain at high purity within a limited number of scalable downstream processing steps. Complementary to Protein A chromatography, polishing strategies play a critical role at removing the remaining high molecular weight (HMW) and low molecular weight (LMW) species, as well as host cell proteins (HCP) in order to achieve a final product of high purity. Here, we demonstrate using two knob-into-hole (KiH) bsAb constructs that two flow-through polishing steps utilising Capto Butyl ImpRes and Capto adhere resins, performed after an optimal Protein A affinity chromatography step can further reduce the HCP by 17- to 35-fold as well as HMW and LMW species with respect to monomer by ~ 4–6% and ~ 1%, respectively, to meet therapeutical requirement at 30–60 mg/mL-resin (R) load. This complete flow-through polishing strategy, guided by Design of Experiments (DoE), eliminates undesirable aggregation problems associated with the higher aggregation propensity of scFv containing bsAbs that may occur in the bind and elute mode, offering an improved ease of overall process operation without additional elution buffer preparation and consumption, thus aligning well with process intensification efforts. Overall, we demonstrate that through the employment of (1) Protein A chromatography step and (2) flow-through polishing steps, a final product containing < 1% HMW species, < 1% LMW species and < 100 ppm HCP can be obtained with an overall process recovery of 56–87%. Graphical Abstract | Effective flow-through polishing strategies for knob-into-hole bispecific antibodies | 10.1186/s40643-022-00590-8 |
2022-09-14 | Background Caenorhabditis elegans is an excellent research model whose populations have been used in many studies to address various biological questions. Although worm-to-worm phenotypic variations in isogenic populations have been persistently observed, they are not well understood and are often ignored or averaged out in studies, masking the impacts of such variations on data collection and interpretation. Single-worm RNA sequencing that profiles the transcriptomes of individual animals has the power to examine differences between individuals in a worm population, but this approach has been understudied. The integrity of the starting RNA, the quality of the library and sequence data, as well as the transcriptome-profiling effectiveness of single-worm RNA-seq remain unclear. Therefore, more studies are needed to improve this technique and its application in research. Results In this study, we aimed to develop a single-worm RNA-seq method that includes five steps: worm lysis and RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, library preparation, sequencing, and sequence data analysis. We found that the mechanical lysis of worms using a Qiagen TissueLyser maintained RNA integrity and determined that the quality of our single-worm libraries was comparable to that of standard RNA-seq libraries based on assessments of a variety of parameters. Furthermore, analysis of pathogen infection-induced gene expression using single-worm RNA-seq identified a core set of genes and biological processes relating to the immune response and metabolism affected by infection. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of our single-worm RNA-seq method in transcriptome profiling and its usefulness in addressing biological questions. Conclusions We have developed a single-worm RNA-seq method to effectively profile gene expression in individual C. elegans and have applied this method to study C. elegans responses to pathogen infection. Key aspects of our single-worm RNA-seq libraries were comparable to those of standard RNA-seq libraries. The single-worm method captured the core set of, but not all, infection-affected genes and biological processes revealed by the standard method, indicating that there was gene regulation that is not shared by all individuals in a population. Our study suggests that combining single-worm and standard RNA-seq approaches will allow for detecting and distinguishing shared and individual-specific gene activities in isogenic populations. | Using single-worm RNA sequencing to study C. elegans responses to pathogen infection | 10.1186/s12864-022-08878-x |
2022-09-12 | This paper discusses the evidence relating to an assemblage of Pleistocene bones and teeth discovered in a brick pit at Great Yeldham, Essex, in the late nineteenth century. Surviving elements from this collection, which include a bison foot bone with cut-marks, are now in the British Geological Survey Museum, Keyworth. A re-examination of this collection suggests that humans were present at the site during a temperate period in the earlier part of the late Middle Pleistocene. The cut-marks suggest that the hind foot was detached and discarded as butchery waste at the death site. Finally, the paper discusses the implications of humanly modified bones for understanding aspects of early human behaviour and distribution in Britain, which have hitherto largely centred around the study of stone tools. | A Middle Pleistocene Butchery Site at Great Yeldham, Essex, UK: Identifying Butchery Strategies and Implications for Mammalian Faunal History | 10.1007/s41982-022-00122-y |
2022-09-10 | Low temperature cracking is one of the main distresses of asphalt pavement in cold regions. Stress relaxation characteristics is critical for cracking resistance of asphalt materials, especially at low temperatures, but there are few studies on the relaxation characteristic of asphalt mastics. To evaluate the effects of relaxation characteristics of asphalt binders and mastics on its low temperature performance, beam bending relaxation test was carried out through dynamic thermomechanical analyzer at low temperatures. Relaxation rate and relaxation time were proposed to illustrate the relaxation characteristics of asphalt binders and mastics. Then, the low-temperature performance of asphalt binders and mastics was evaluated by bending beam rheometer (BBR), glass transition temperature ( T g ), and single edge notch beam bending test. Finally, the correlation of relaxation characteristics with low-temperature properties was analyzed based on Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Spearman rank correlation coefficient. The results show that the elasticity of asphalt mastics increases with incorporation of mineral fillers and thus the viscous deformation potential is reduced, which affects the stress relaxation capability. The low-temperature cracking performance of asphalt mastics is indeed compromised as compared with asphalt binders, and the asphalt mastics prepared with fly ash performs the worst since it presents a stronger hardening effect. Fracture energy is determined not to be suitable for evaluating the low-temperature performance of asphalt mastics since its results contradict the BBR and T g tests. The maximum displacement at fracture can better characterize the brittleness of asphalt materials at low temperatures. The relaxation characteristic index has the strongest correlation with T g of asphalt binders and mastics, followed by maximum displacement at fracture and comprehensive compliance parameter ( J c ). The correlation coefficients are almost larger than 0.5, suggesting that relaxation time and relaxation rate can characterize the low-temperature properties of asphalt binders and mastics. | Low temperature performance evaluation of asphalt binders and mastics based on relaxation characteristics | 10.1617/s11527-022-02039-y |
2022-09-10 | Background Fetal macrosomia is common occurrence in pregnancy, which is associated with several adverse prognosis both of maternal and neonatal. While, the accuracy of prediction of fetal macrosomia is poor. The aim of this study was to develop a reliable noninvasive prediction classifier of fetal macrosomia. Methods A total of 3600 samples of routine noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) data at 12 + 0 –27 + 6 weeks of gestation, which were subjected to low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of maternal plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA), were collected from three independent hospitals. We identified set of genes with significant differential coverages by comparing the promoter profiling between macrosomia cases and controls. We selected genes to develop classifier for noninvasive predicting, by using support vector machine (SVM) and logistic regression models, respectively. The performance of each classifier was evaluated by area under the curve (AUC) analysis. Results According to the available follow-up results, 162 fetal macrosomia pregnancies and 648 matched controls were included. A total of 1086 genes with significantly differential promoter profiling were found between pregnancies with macrosomia and controls ( p < 0.05). With the AUC as a reference，the classifier based on SVM (C MA-A2 ) had the best performance, with an AUC of 0.8256 (95% CI: 0.7927–0.8586). Conclusions Our study provides that assessing the risk of fetal macrosomia by whole-genome promoter nucleosome profiling of maternal plasma cfDNA based on low-coverage next-generation sequencing is feasible. | Performance of whole-genome promoter nucleosome profiling of maternal plasma cell-free DNA for prenatal noninvasive prediction of fetal macrosomia: a retrospective nested case-control study in mainland China | 10.1186/s12884-022-05027-w |
2022-09-07 | Background Economic growth is dependent on economic activity, which often translates to higher levels of carbon emissions. With the emergence of technologies that promote sustainable production, governments are working towards achieving their target economic growth while minimizing environmental emissions to meet their commitments to the international community. The IPCC reports that economic activities associated with electricity and heat production contributed most to GHG emissions and it led to the steady increase in global average temperatures. Currently, more than 90% of the total GHG emissions of the ASEAN region is attributable to Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. These regions are expected to be greatly affected with climate change. This work analyzes how ASEAN nations can achieve carbon reduction targets while aspiring for economic growth rates in consideration of interdependencies between nations. We thus develop a multi-regional input–output model which can either minimize collective or individual carbon emissions. A high-level eight-sector economy is used for analyzing different economic strategies. Results This model shows that minimizing collective carbon emissions can still yield economic growth. Countries can focus on developing sectors that have potentials for growth and lower carbon intensity as new technologies become available. In the case study examined, results indicate that the services sector, agriculture, and food manufacturing sector have higher potential for economic growth under carbon reduction emission constraints. In addition, the simultaneous implementation of multiple carbon emission reduction strategies provides the largest reduction in regional carbon emissions. Conclusions This model provides a more holistic view of how the generation of carbon emissions are influenced by the interdependence of nations. The emissions reduction achieved by each country varied depending on the state of technology and the level of economic development in the different regions. Though the presented case focused on the ASEAN region, the model framework can be used for the analysis of other multi-regional systems at various levels of resolution if data is available. Insights obtained from the model results can be used to help nations identify more appropriate and achievable carbon reduction targets and to develop coordinated and more customized policies to target priority sectors in a country. This model is currently limited by the assumption of fixed technical coefficients in the exchange and interdependence of different regions. Future work can investigate modelling flexible multi-regional trade where regions have the option of substituting goods and products in its import or export structure. Other strategies for reducing carbon emission intensity can also be explored, such as modelling transport mode choices, or establishing sectors for waste management. Hybrid models which integrate the multi-regional input–output linear program model with data envelopment analysis can also be developed. | Towards a low carbon ASEAN: an environmentally extended MRIO optimization model | 10.1186/s13021-022-00213-x |
2022-09-06 | Background The etiology and most risk factors for a sporadic first primary neoplasm in childhood or subsequent second primary neoplasms are still unknown. One established causal factor for therapy-associated second primary neoplasms is the exposure to ionizing radiation during radiation therapy as a mainstay of cancer treatment. Second primary neoplasms occur in 8% of all cancer survivors within 30 years after the first diagnosis in Germany, but the underlying factors for intrinsic susceptibilities have not yet been clarified. Thus, the purpose of this nested case–control study was the investigation and comparison of gene expression and affected pathways in primary fibroblasts of childhood cancer survivors with a first primary neoplasm only or with at least one subsequent second primary neoplasm, and controls without neoplasms after exposure to a low and a high dose of ionizing radiation. Methods Primary fibroblasts were obtained from skin biopsies from 52 adult donors with a first primary neoplasm in childhood (N1), 52 with at least one additional primary neoplasm (N2+), as well as 52 without cancer (N0) from the KiKme study. Cultured fibroblasts were exposed to a high [2 Gray (Gy)] and a low dose (0.05 Gy) of X-rays. Messenger ribonucleic acid was extracted 4 h after exposure and Illumina-sequenced. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were computed using limma for R, selected at a false discovery rate level of 0.05, and further analyzed for pathway enrichment (right-tailed Fisher’s Exact Test) and (in-) activation (z ≥|2|) using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis . Results After 0.05 Gy, least DEGs were found in N0 (n = 236), compared to N1 (n = 653) and N2+ (n = 694). The top DEGs with regard to the adjusted p -value were upregulated in fibroblasts across all donor groups ( SESN1 , MDM2 , CDKN1A , TIGAR , BTG2 , BLOC1S2 , PPM1D , PHLDB3 , FBXO22 , AEN , TRIAP1 , and POLH) . Here, we observed activation of p53 Signaling in N0 and to a lesser extent in N1, but not in N2+. Only in N0, DNA (excision-) repair (involved genes: CDKN1A , PPM1D , and DDB2 ) was predicted to be a downstream function, while molecular networks in N2+ were associated with cancer, as well as injury and abnormalities (among others, downregulation of MSH6 , CCNE2 , and CHUK ). After 2 Gy, the number of DEGs was similar in fibroblasts of all donor groups and genes with the highest absolute log 2 fold-change were upregulated throughout ( CDKN1A, TIGAR, HSPA4L , MDM2 , BLOC1SD2 , PPM1D , SESN1 , BTG2 , FBXO22 , PCNA , and TRIAP1 ). Here, the p53 Signaling - Pathway was activated in fibroblasts of all donor groups. The Mitotic Roles of Polo Like Kinase - Pathway was inactivated in N1 and N2+. Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer were affected in fibroblasts of all donor groups. P53 was predicted to be an upstream regulator in fibroblasts of all donor groups and E2F1 in N1 and N2+. Results of the downstream analysis were senescence in N0 and N2+, transformation of cells in N0, and no significant effects in N1. Seven genes were differentially expressed in reaction to 2 Gy dependent on the donor group ( LINC00601 , COBLL1 , SESN2 , BIN3 , TNFRSF10A , EEF1AKNMT , and BTG2 ). Conclusion Our results show dose-dependent differences in the radiation response between N1/N2+ and N0. While mechanisms against genotoxic stress were activated to the same extent after a high dose in all groups, the radiation response was impaired after a low dose in N1/N2+, suggesting an increased risk for adverse effects including carcinogenesis, particularly in N2+. | Radiation-response in primary fibroblasts of long-term survivors of childhood cancer with and without second primary neoplasms: the KiKme study | 10.1186/s10020-022-00520-6 |
2022-09-06 | Objective There is great interest in developing tobacco plants containing minimal amounts of the addictive compound nicotine. Quinolate phosphoribosyltransferase (QPT) is an important enzyme both for primary (NAD production) and secondary (pyridine alkaloid biosynthesis) metabolism in tobacco. The duplication of an ancestral QPT gene in Nicotiana species has resulted in two closely related QPT gene paralogs: QPT1 which is expressed at modest levels throughout the plant, and QPT2 which is coordinately regulated with genes dedicated to alkaloid biosynthesis. This study evaluated the utility of knocking out QPT2 function as a means for producing low alkaloid tobacco plants. Results CRISPR/Cas9 vectors were developed to specifically mutate the tobacco QPT2 genes associated with alkaloid production. Greenhouse-grown qpt2 plants accumulated dramatically less nicotine than controls, while displaying only modest growth differences. In contrast, when qpt2 lines were transplanted to a field environment, plant growth and development was severely inhibited. Two conclusions can be inferred from this work: (1) QPT1 gene function alone appears to be inadequate for meeting the QPT demands of the plant for primary metabolism when grown in a field environment; and (2) the complete knockout of QPT2 function is not a viable strategy for producing agronomically useful, low nicotine tobaccos. | Knockout of a key gene of the nicotine biosynthetic pathway severely affects tobacco growth under field, but not greenhouse conditions | 10.1186/s13104-022-06188-9 |
2022-09-04 | Low excitation voltage for an electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) is necessary for the petrochemical equipment and facilities inspection, which work at high-temperatures, to avoid potential explosion. However, low excitation voltage causes low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) signals that are difficult to extract features, especially in a high-temperature environment, which causes high noise. In this study, a denoising method called the variational wavelet ensemble empirical (VWEE) method was proposed by combining the advantages of the variational modal decomposition (VMD), wavelet threshold (WT) denoising, and ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) methods. To validate the VWEE method, EMAT signals obtained in the temperature range of 25 to 700 °C were analyzed. The results show that, compared with VMD, WT and empirical mode decomposition denoising methods, the SNR of proposed method is improved more than two times. The VWEE method dramatically improved the SNR of a high-temperature EMAT signal and enhanced the accuracy of defect echos extraction. | Variational Wavelet Ensemble Empirical (VWEE) Denoising Method for Electromagnetic Ultrasonic Signal in High-Temperature Environment with Low-Voltage Excitation | 10.1186/s10033-022-00787-0 |
2022-09-02 | An antiperovskite Mn 3 Ga 0.7 Sn 0.3 N compound was prepared by solid-state reaction. Temperature coefficient of electronic resistivity, magnetic property and thermal property dependent of temperature were characterized. Low temperature coefficient resistivity was first found in antiperovskite Mn 3 GaN class materials. The Mn 3 Ga 0.7 Sn 0.3 N compound showed low temperature coefficient of resistivity and the dρ/dT and TCR value in the measured temperature range 373–400 K is − 2.05 × 10 −10 Ωm/K and − 63 ppm.K −1 , respectively. A weak antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic transition is corresponding to the abrupt change of resistivity and pronounced decrease of the lattice parameter. Both the magnetic transition and large lattice contraction have a great effect on the electronic structure, which is the key to understand the mechanism of the peculiar low TCR. Although the origin of low TCR needs to be confirmed by further exploration, the current result will be helpful to explore more novel materials of low TCR and clarify physical mechanism behind it. | Low temperature coefficient of resistivity in antiperovskite Mn3Ga0.7Sn0.3N compound | 10.1007/s00339-022-05995-y |
2022-09-02 | Background The aggregation and spread of α-synuclein (α-Syn) protein and related neuronal toxicity are the key pathological features of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Lewy body dementia (LBD). Studies have shown that pathological species of α-Syn and tau can spread in a prion-like manner between neurons, although these two proteins have distinct pathological roles and contribute to different neurodegenerative diseases. It is reported that the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) regulates the spread of tau proteins; however, the molecular regulatory mechanisms of α-Syn uptake and spread, and whether it is also regulated by LRP1, remain poorly understood. Methods We established LRP1 knockout ( LRP1 -KO) human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) isogenic lines using a CRISPR/Cas9 strategy and generated iPSC-derived neurons (iPSNs) to test the role of LRP1 in α-Syn uptake. We treated the iPSNs with fluorescently labeled α-Syn protein and measured the internalization of α-Syn using flow cytometry. Three forms of α-Syn species were tested: monomers, oligomers, and pre-formed fibrils (PFFs). To examine whether the lysine residues of α-Syn are involved in LRP1-mediated uptake, we capped the amines of lysines on α-Syn with sulfo-NHS acetate and then measured the internalization. We also tested whether the N-terminus of α-Syn is critical for LRP1-mediated internalization. Lastly, we investigated the role of Lrp1 in regulating α-Syn spread with a neuronal Lrp1 conditional knockout ( Lrp1 -nKO) mouse model. We generated adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) that allowed for distinguishing the α-Syn expression versus spread and injected them into the hippocampus of six-month-old Lrp1 -nKO mice and the littermate wild type (WT) controls. The spread of α-Syn was evaluated three months after the injection. Results We found that the uptake of both monomeric and oligomeric α-Syn was significantly reduced in iPSNs with LRP1 -KO compared with the WT controls. The uptake of α-Syn PFFs was also inhibited in LRP1 -KO iPSNs, albeit to a much lesser extent compared to α-Syn monomers and oligomers. The blocking of lysine residues on α-Syn effectively decreased the uptake of α-Syn in iPSNs and the N-terminus of α-Syn was critical for LRP1-mediated α-Syn uptake. Finally, in the Lrp1 -nKO mice, the spread of α-Syn was significantly reduced compared with the WT littermates. Conclusions We identified LRP1 as a key regulator of α-Syn neuronal uptake, as well as an important mediator of α-Syn spread in the brain. This study provides new knowledge on the physiological and pathological role of LRP1 in α-Syn trafficking and pathology, offering insight for the treatment of synucleinopathies. | LRP1 is a neuronal receptor for α-synuclein uptake and spread | 10.1186/s13024-022-00560-w |
2022-09-01 | Purpose Agricultural wastes are generated globally in large quantities, and can be converted into value-added products. Agricultural mulch films (AMFs) are also used to control soil moisture and weed growth, but present challenges because waste management is generally limited to landfilling and incineration. Pyrolysis offers more sustainable pathways by transforming mixed agricultural wastes into co-products including biochar. We explored the characteristics of biochar generated from pyrolysis of agricultural wastes and co-pyrolysis of these wastes with AMFs. Methods Representative biomass-based waste feedstocks (woody biomass, pallet wood and cardboard) were converted into biochar using a laboratory furnace operated from 500 to 800 °C in a nitrogen environment. Selected materials were also co-pyrolyzed with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) mulch film material at biomass-to-LDPE mass% ratios of 95:5 and 75:25. Biochar materials were characterized through an extensive measurement protocol. Results We found that all biomass waste materials produced biochar with high organic carbon content, low hydrogen-to-carbon ratio, and low concentrations of heavy metals and other contaminants, thus indicating their suitability for soil amendment applications. Co-pyrolysis with LDPE mulch film had a relatively small impact on critical biochar properties, suggesting that most of the products of plastic pyrolysis were released in the gas phase. Conclusions Based on the empirical results combined with techno-economic analysis, a farm-based co-pyrolysis system can maximize economic benefits by processing feedstock collected from regional farms in close proximity. However, achieving positive net profit requires high biochar value. Graphical Abstract | Biochar Derived from Pyrolysis of Common Agricultural Waste Feedstocks and Co-pyrolysis with Low-Density Polyethylene Mulch Film | 10.1007/s12649-022-01760-7 |
2022-09-01 | The widespread diffusion of renewable energy sources calls for the development of high-capacity energy storage systems as the A-CAES (Adiabatic Compressed Air Energy Storage) systems. In this framework, low temperature (100°C–200°C) A-CAES (LT-ACAES) systems can assume a key role, avoiding some critical issues connected to the operation of high temperature ones. In this paper, two different LT-ACAES configurations are proposed. The two configurations are characterized by the same turbomachines and compressed air storage section, while differ in the TES section and its integration with the turbomachinery. In particular, the first configuration includes two separated cycles: the working fluid (air) cycle and the heat transfer fluid (HTF) cycle. Several heat exchangers connect the two cycles allowing to recover thermal energy from the compressors and to heat the compressed air at the turbine inlet. Two different HTFs were considered: air (case A) and thermal oil (case B). The second configuration is composed of only one cycle, where the operating fluid and the HTF are the same (air) and the TES section is composed of three different packed-bed thermal storage tanks (case C). The tanks directly recover the heat from the compressors and heat the air at each turbine inlet, avoiding the use of heat exchangers. The LT-ACAES systems were modelled and simulated using the ASPEN-Plus and the MATLAB-Simulink environments. The main aim of this study was the detailed analysis of the reciprocal influence between the turbomachinery and the TES system; furthermore, the performance evaluation of each plant was carried out assuming both on-design and off-design operating conditions. Finally, the different configurations were compared through the main performance parameters, such as the round-trip efficiency. A total power output of around 10 MW was set, leading to a TES tank volume ranging between 500 and 700 m 3 . The second configuration with three TES systems appears to be the most promising in terms of round-trip efficiency since the energy produced during the discharging phase is greater. In particular, the round-trip efficiency of the LT-ACAES ranges between 0.566 (case A) to 0.674 (case C). Although the second configuration assures the highest performance, the effect of operating at very high pressures inside the tanks should be carefully evaluated in terms of overall costs. | Performance Assessment of Low-Temperature A-CAES (Adiabatic Compressed Air Energy Storage) Plants | 10.1007/s11630-022-1632-7 |
2022-09-01 | In this paper, a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor material Co 1.7 Ni 1.3− x Al x O 4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) with high resistivity and low B -value is investigated for low temperature applications. The Co 1.7 Ni 1.3− x Al x O 4 ceramics consist of a Ni-rich rock salt phase and a tetragonal spinel phase formed by the decomposition of the cubic spinel phase. With increasing Al content, NiO is reabsorbed into the spinel lattice. The added Al does not affect the crystal structure and forms a solid solution with the decomposed phase. Because of the introduction of Al, the number of carriers involved in the conductivity decreases and the hopping distance and hopping frequency both decrease, thus increasing the resistivity. In the studied range, the B 25/50 value increases slightly with increasing Al content from 1711 K to 2496 K, while the resistivity increases from 4219 Ω cm ( x = 0) to a maximum value of 43484 Ω cm ( x = 0.3), then decreases to 21233 Ω cm ( x = 0.4) and finally increases to 25213 Ω cm ( x = 0.5). | Preparation and Characterization of Co1.7Ni1.3−xAlxO4 (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) NTC Ceramics with Low B-Value and High Resistivity | 10.1007/s11664-022-09726-0 |
2022-09-01 | Green biocomposites (GBCs) decompose and release significant amount of gases under high temperature that poses self-ignition risk and contribute to the growth of fire. Thermal characterisation of green biocomposite is therefore an essential task to assess the characteristics of the material to approve its use at the industrial scale. In this context, research work has been carried out to evaluate thermal decomposition patterns of the material, to record the volatile emissions and to estimate the self-ignition risk so that the newly developed green biocomposite can be standardised based on the fire safety standards of marine, automotive and aeronautical industry. This research endeavour focuses on the thermal characterisation of a newly developed green biocomposite for the evaluation of thermal stability, identification of gaseous emission and calculation of lower flammability limit (LFL). Intumescent fire-retardant coating composed of ammonium polyphosphate–tris(2-hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate (APP-THEIC) and boric acid (BA) was coated on a GBC that is composed of 38% bioepoxy and flax fibre to improve thermal profile of the material. The thermal stability of the newly developed material was evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). An analytical pyrolyser coupled with gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer (Py-GC–MS) was used at four selected temperatures, i.e. 350, 550, 750 and 900 °C, to record the gaseous emissions from GBC. The evolved species during pyrolysis were identified on the pyrograms, and their lower flammability limit was determined using quantitative structure–property relationship (QSPR). The hazards of the new materials for emergency response were identification using NFPA 704. In this study, the GBC developed was characterised based on its thermal decomposition profile, degradation temperature, gaseous emissions and lower flammability limit. It was observed on the TG curves that the green biocomposite fully degrades at approximately 600 °C. The application of intumescent fire-retardant (IFR) coating improves the fire retardancy of the material, and final degradation temperature of the material reaches approximately 800 °C. The newly developed green biocomposite needs to be tested under medium-scale tests to reach a conclusion about its thermal degradation profile. The QSPR study of the gaseous emissions evolved from the pyrolysis of green biocomposite reveals that the LFL decreases as the temperature is increased up to 750 °C. Based on the toxicity analysis of the gaseous emission, the material releases high amount of phenol above 350 °C, which is hazardous for health if inhaled. | Study of flame retardancy effect on the thermal degradation of a new green biocomposite and estimation of lower flammability limits of the gaseous emissions | 10.1007/s10973-022-11233-7 |
2022-09-01 | Bacterial cellulose (BC), a promising polysaccharide of microbial origin, is usually produced through synthetic (chemically defined) or natural media comprising of various environmental wastes (with exact composition unknown), through low-cost and readily available means. Various agricultural, industrial, and food processing wastes have been explored for sustainable BC production. Both conventional (using one variable at a time) and statistical approaches have been used for BC optimization, either during the static fermentation to obtain BC membranes (pellicle) or agitated fermentation that yields suspended fibers (pellets). Multiple studies have addressed BC production, however, the strategies applied in utilizing various wastes for BC production have not been fully covered. The present study reviews the nutritional requirements for maximal BC production including different optimization strategies for the cultivation conditions. Furthermore, commonly-used applications of BC, in various fields, including recent developments, and our current understanding have also been summarized. | Recent advances in bacterial cellulose: a low-cost effective production media, optimization strategies and applications | 10.1007/s10570-022-04697-1 |
2022-09-01 | The effective and low-temperature extraction of lithium from the pyrometallurgical slag of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) remains a great challenge. Herein, potassium carbonate/sodium carbonate (K 2 CO 3 /Na 2 CO 3 ), which could form a eutectic molten salt system at 720°C, was used as a roasting agent to extract lithium from pyrometallurgical slag. Lithium was successfully extracted from the slag by K 2 CO 3 /Na 2 CO 3 roasting followed by water leaching. Theoretical calculation results indicate that the lengths of Li-O bonds increase after K + /Na + adsorption, resulting in the easy release of Li + from the LiAlSi 2 O 6 lattice after roasting with K 2 CO 3 /Na 2 CO 3 . Thermogravimetry—differential scanning calorimetry results indicate that the eutectic phenomenon of K 2 CO 3 and Na 2 CO 3 could be observed at 720°C and that the reaction of the slag and eutectic molten salts occurs at temperatures above 720°C. X-ray diffraction results suggest that Li + in the slag is exchanged by K + in K 2 CO 3 with the concurrent formation of KAlSiO 4 , while Na 2 CO 3 mainly functions as a fluxing agent. The lithium extraction efficiency can reach 93.87% under the optimal conditions of a roasting temperature of 740°C, roasting time of 30 min, leaching temperature of 50°C, leaching time of 40 min, and water/roasted sample mass ratio of 10:1. This work provides a new system for extracting lithium from the pyrometallurgical slag of spent LIBs. | Extraction of lithium from the simulated pyrometallurgical slag of spent lithium-ion batteries by binary eutectic molten carbonates | 10.1007/s12613-021-2366-3 |
2022-09-01 | Climate change and health are inextricably linked, especially the role of ambient temperature. This study aimed to analyze the non-communicable disease (NCD) burden attributable to low temperature globally, regionally, and temporally using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study 2019. Globally, in 2019, low temperature was responsible for 5.42% DALY and 7.18% death of NCDs, representing the age-standardized disability-adjusted life years (DALY) and death rates (per 100,000 population) of 359.6 (95% uncertainty intervals (UI): 306.09, 416.88) and 21.36 (95% UI:18.26, 24.74). Ischemic heart disease was the first leading cause of DALY and death resulting from low temperature, followed by stroke. However, age-standardized DALY and death rates attributable to low temperature have exhibited wide variability across regions, with the highest in Central Asia and Eastern Europe and the lowest in Caribbean and Western sub-Saharan Africa. During the study period (1990–2019), there has been a significant decrease in the burden of NCDs attributable to low temperature, but progress has been uneven across countries, whereas nations exhibiting high sociodemographic index (SDI) declined more significantly compared with low SDI nations. Notably, three nations, including Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Lesotho, had the maximum NCDs burden attributed to low temperature and displayed an upward trend. In conclusion, ambient low temperature contributes to substantial NCD burden with notable geographical variations. | A global comprehensive analysis of ambient low temperature and non-communicable diseases burden during 1990–2019 | 10.1007/s11356-022-20442-4 |
2022-09-01 | In this study, the sintering characteristics of 0.69Pb(Zr 0.47 Ti 0.53 )O 3 -0.31Pb[(Zn 0.4 Ni 0.6 ) 1/3 Nb 2/3 ] (PZT-PZNN) ceramics after the addition of LiBiO 2 were studied. This addition lowered the sintering temperature from 1150 to 900 °C. The crystal structure changed from tetragonal to rhombohedral as the additive content increased by 0.7%. The polarization of the sintered specimen was conducted at an electric field of 3 kV/mm. When 0.7 wt% of LiBiO 2 was added and sintered at 900 °C, the piezoelectric constant ( d 33 ) was 602 pC/N; moreover, the electromechanical coupling coefficient ( k P ), sintered density, and Curie temperature ( T c ) at 1 kHz were 66.3%, 7.99 g/cm 3 , and 252.8 °C, respectively. When 0.7 wt% of LiBiO 2 was added, the PZT-PZNN ceramic showed an increased strain curve of 0.118% at 2 kV/mm. The interdiffusion between the copper (Cu) electrode and ceramic material was not observed in the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results; thus, the possibility of manufacturing an actuator using a Cu electrode using a novel composition was confirmed. The actuator displacement with the voltage 400 V was 1.2 μm. The thickness of the multi-layered actuator was 1 mm. Through this, the possibility of manufacturing a multi-layered actuator with a Cu electrode was confirmed through the composition of 0.69PZT-0.31PZNN (LiBiO 2 0.7 wt%). | Effect of LiBiO2 on low-temperature sintering of PZT-PZNN ceramics | 10.1007/s43207-022-00205-0 |
2022-09-01 | Tailoring the magnetic features of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (NPs) has been achieved via varying the doping percent of nickel. The nickel-substituted cobalt ferrite NPs Ni x Co 1-x Fe 2 O 4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) are constructed by the eco-friendly coprecipitation method. The formation of a nearly cubic single-phase spinel frame is assured by the analysis of XRD data. Moreover, the Rietveld analysis based on structure refinement is implemented in this study to precisely determine the microstructural parameters and estimate the cation distribution. A linear drop-in lattice constant with boosting the Ni 2+ ion percent is acclaimed, in regard to Vegard's law. The creation of nanoparticles that are nearly spherical along with polyhedron shape and have a diameter of (about 39–45 nm) has been affirmed by utilizing high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Also, the crystalline essence of the formed nanoparticles has been declared by selective area electron diffraction (SAED). The magnetic properties have been collected from the hysteresis loops and FC–ZFC curves. These curves have been tweaked as a function of low-temperature from 5 K up to 300 K and in the existence of an external magnetic field (± 70KOe). The magnetization curves revealed that CoFe 2 O 4 (NPs) correspond to the hard ferrimagnetic material, whereas NiFe 2 O 4 (NPs) matched well with identical soft ferrimagnetic material. Also, the divergence betwixt the theoretical and experimental values of the magnetic moment is well explained by the model of "Random Canting of Spins, (RCS)". In addition, a remarkable reduction is found in the recorded values of magnetic parameters by increasing Ni 2+ content and decreasing the temperature towards 5 K. These findings imply the potential of Ni 2+ ions doping in enhancing the magnetic properties of cobalt ferrite for vast magnetic applications. | Exploring the impact of nickel doping on the structure and low-temperature magnetic features of cobalt nano-spinel ferrite | 10.1007/s00339-022-05977-0 |
2022-09-01 | A CaO-Y 2 O 3 microwave dielectric ceramic with large potential in the 5G field has been prepared using a reaction sintering method. The ceramic has an ultra-low dielectric constant, high Q , and near 0 τ f . The reaction sintering method could shorten the stages of ceramic preparation, thereby reducing the factors of degradation of microwave dielectric properties caused by complex process fluctuations in the sintering process. The sample is composed of two phases, CaO and Y 2 O 3 , the ceramic particles are closely connected, and the grain boundaries of the two grains are clear. When the sintering temperature is 1400°C, CaO-Y 2 O 3 ceramics have the best microwave dielectric properties of ε r = 4.30, Q×f = 33,360 GHz, τ ƒ = − 13.79 ppm/°C, indicating that it is a good candidate in 5G devices. | A Microwave Dielectric Ceramic with Ultra-low Dielectric Constant Prepared by Reaction Sintering Method | 10.1007/s11664-022-09630-7 |
2022-09-01 | LiFePO 4 /C materials with ultra-thin carbon layer primary particles and loose secondary particles were successfully synthesized using CTAB and carbon aerogel. The morphology and microstructure of LiFePO 4 /C were investigated in detail by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and specific surface area testing techniques. The electrochemical properties at room temperature and low temperature were evaluated by constant current charge–discharge test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. CTAB could effectively disperse carbon aerogel, limit the thickness of the carbon layer of the primary particles, and increase the uniformity of the carbon layer. The ultra-thin carbon layer is beneficial to the interfacial transport of Li + . Carbon aerogel could inhibit the agglomeration of primary particles, build a conductive three-dimensional bridge between primary particles, and increase the bulkiness of secondary particles and the contact area between LiFePO 4 /C particles and electrolyte. The combination of the two results in an excellent low-temperature performance of LiFePO 4 /C. | Primary particles with ultra-thin carbon layer combined with loose secondary particles to jointly promote the low-temperature performance of LiFePO4 | 10.1007/s11581-022-04632-1 |
2022-09-01 | Fused filament fabrication (FFF) can 3D print final parts from continuous carbon fiber composites with high structural and thermal performance. This study uses a robotic 3D printer to manufacture tensile specimens from low-melt poly aryl ether ketone (LM PAEK) reinforced with continuous carbon fiber per ASTM D3039-17. A total of 18 tensile specimens are 3D printed to investigate the impact of the nozzle temperature, bed temperature, layer thickness, and the number of layers. Maximum tensile strength and modulus of 1282.1 MPa and 111.9 GPa, respectively, are achieved. These values are, respectively, 32.4% and 79.0% higher than the maximum reported results in the literature for thermoplastic composites made from FFF 3D printing. The build platform temperature of 165 °C results in a specimen without cold crystallization as 3D printed with 20.2% degree of crystallinity and a T g of 154.79 °C. A uniform distribution of fibers and minimum voids and gaps are observed in the specimen cross-section. | Tensile and thermal properties of low-melt poly aryl ether ketone reinforced with continuous carbon fiber manufactured by robotic 3D printing | 10.1007/s00170-022-09983-7 |
2022-09-01 | A new technology used to reduce the temperature of olive paste was applied to the extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) mechanical extraction process. The performance of a cooling crusher that was able to counteract the thermal increase that occurs during olive fruit grinding was analyzed to evaluate the effects on the development of volatile compounds and the concentration of hydrophilic phenols in the final product. The volatile profiles and phenolic fraction of EVOOs extracted from three different cultivars (Coratina, Peranzana, and Moresca) were positively affected by the use of lower temperatures during the crushing phase. The volatile fractions showed increases in the total aldehydes, mainly related to the concentrations of ( E )-2-hexenal, and reductions in the total alcohols, mainly due to 1-penten-3-ol, 1-hexanol and ( Z )-3-hexen-1-ol contents. The use of a lower temperature reduced the level of oxidative processes, protecting the phenolic compounds in the Moresca and Peranzana EVOOs by 17.8 and 12.1%, respectively. | The Use of a Cooling Crusher to Reduce the Temperature of Olive Paste and Improve EVOO Quality of Coratina, Peranzana, and Moresca Cultivars: Impact on Phenolic and Volatile Compounds | 10.1007/s11947-022-02862-9 |
2022-09-01 | When a shallow-buried close-distance coal seam group is mined, the residual coal in the goaf of the upper coal seam is immersed in water for a prolonged period of time, increasing the risk of coal spontaneous combustion (CSC). In this study, the macroscopic characteristics of water-soaked coal (WSC) during low-temperature oxidation were analyzed using a temperature-programmed device. The microstructure changes at different oxidation temperatures (40, 80, 120, 160, and 200 °C) were investigated through liquid nitrogen adsorption and X-ray diffraction. The results revealed that, during low-temperature oxidation, macroscopic characteristic parameters such as the oxidation gas product concentration, temperature, and oxygen consumption rate of WSC changed, indicating higher oxidizability and lower apparent activation energy. The average pore size and macropore volume of the coal surface gradually increased during low-temperature oxidation. The mesopore volume increased at first and then tended to stabilize. The mineral content on the surface of the coal markedly diminished, but the mineral content did not participate in the oxidation process. Water leaching enhanced the interlayer spacing of the aromatic lamellae of the coal samples, curtailed the degree of coalification, and condensed the aromatic ring of the coal sample during the oxidation process. This analysis of the oxidation and macroscopic characteristics of WSC from micro- and macroperspectives is valuable for the prevention and containment of CSC. | Experimental investigation of the macroscopic characteristic parameters and microstructure of water-soaked coal during low-temperature oxidation | 10.1007/s10973-022-11243-5 |
2022-09-01 | Interest in additive manufacturing has increased recently. The mechanical characteristics of the Inconel 718 superalloy conventionally applied in aerospace engineering were studied in detail. Insufficient attention was paid to the low-cycle fatigue (LCF) of materials produced by selective laser melting (SLM) at stresses and frequencies characteristic of gas-turbine engines. This paper describes comparative LCF studies and examines the microstructure and fracture of fatigue specimens produced by hot rolling and SLM from Inconel 718 alloy powders. The studies were conducted at room and elevated temperatures. The SLM specimens were subjected to hot isostatic pressing and heat treatment. For comparative studies, a part of the specimens was prepared by hot rolling from the same alloy. The rolled specimens were not subjected to hot isostatic pressing. The results indicate that heat treatment imparts polyhedric structure to the hot rolled materials and leads to clear layer-by-layer fusion areas approximately 100 μm in size. After heat treatment, the alloy is strengthened with an intermetallic γ"-Ni 3 Nb phase, γ' phase, and carbides. A lamellar δ phase was also found in the microstructure. Upon the LCF tests, ‘strain–number of cycles to failure’ logarithmic curves were plotted to determine, with adequate reliability, the reasonable level of stresses to allow the predetermined number of cycles to failure. The analysis suggests that the precipitates present at grain boundaries of the basic γ phase (MC carbides and lamellar δ phase) and the amount of the intermetallic γ" phase are likely to influence the slope of the ‘strain–number of cycles to failure’ curves. | Low-Cycle Fatigue Strength of Heat-Resistant Alloy Specimens Produced by Selective Laser Melting | 10.1007/s11106-022-00313-w |
2022-09-01 | Bi 2 O 3 -SiO 2 -B 2 O 3 low-melting glass powders with different Bi 2 O 3 contents (45–60 mass%) are synthesized using sol-gel method. The structure, crystallization behavior, thermal properties, chemical stability and physical characteristics of the samples are systematically investigated. The broad peak in X-ray diffraction patterns confirms the amorphous properties of all the glass samples. The infrared absorption spectra analysis shows that [BiO 3 ], [BiO 6 ], [BO 3 ] and [BO 4 ] are the main structure units of the glass powders. The [BO 3 ] groups are converted into more stable [BO 4 ] groups with rising the Bi 2 O 3 content. The glass transition temperature ( T g ) decreases from 478.56 to 456.24 °C when the Bi 2 O 3 contents increases from 45 to 60 mass%. Both the glass softening temperature ( T f ) and the crystallization temperature ( T p ) decline with the increase of Bi 2 O 3 content. In addition, the results revealed that the chemical stability decreases gradually and the volume resistivity of glass powders decreases from 3.08 × 10 14 Ω cm to 2.04 × 10 11 Ω cm as the content of Bi 2 O 3 increases. This paper reported the effect of Bi 2 O 3 on the structural and thermal properties of Bi 2 O 3 -SiO 2 -B 2 O 3 glasses by sol-gel method. The glass transition temperature decreases when the Bi 2 O 3 contents increase due to a progressive conversion of [BO 3 ] to [BO 4 ] units. The Bi 2 O 3 -SiO 2 -B 2 O 3 low-melting glass is synthesized by the sol-gel method with simple process and low energy consumption. The [BO 3 ] groups are converted into more stable [BO 4 ] groups and form non-bridging oxygens with rising the Bi 2 O 3 content. The glass transition temperature decreases from 478.56 to 456.24 °C when the Bi 2 O 3 contents increases from 45 to 60 mass%. | Effect of Bi2O3 on the structure and thermal properties of Bi2O3-SiO2-B2O3 glasses prepared by sol-gel method | 10.1007/s10971-022-05895-w |
2022-09-01 | By virtue of its long lifespan and outstanding storage intensity with near-zero heat loss, salt hydrate thermochemical energy storage (TES) materials provide a feasible option for the effective use of renewable energy and overcoming its unsynchronized supply and demand. Here, an activated porous carbon originating from the zeolite imidazolate framework (ZHCM) is fabricated and served as the carbon matrix for the LiOH TES material. The as-synthesized Li/ZHCM2-40 not only has excellent storage intensity (maximum 2414.2 kJ·kg −1 ) with low charging temperature, but also shows great hydration properties stemming from the ultrahigh surface area and hierarchical porous structure of ZHCM2. Besides, this composite material exhibits superior thermal conductivity, while its storage intensity is only attenuated by 10.2% after 15 times of consecutive charge—discharge process, revealing its outstanding cycle stability. And the numerical simulation results also demonstrate its superior heat transfer performance. The developed LiOH TES composite may afford a new avenue for efficient low-grade thermochemical energy storage and liberate the possibility of further exploration of metal organic frameworks derived porous carbon matrix in the future. | Fabrication of LiOH-metal organic framework derived hierarchical porous host carbon matrix composites for seasonal thermochemical energy storage | 10.1007/s12274-022-4415-2 |
2022-09-01 | Abstract Structural features and catalytic properties of silver and iron binary oxide AgFeO 2 in the СО oxidation reaction are investigated. Binary oxide samples are obtained by coprecipitation and hydrothermal synthesis techniques at different temperatures. In the temperature range of 140-180 °С, well crystallized AgFeO 2 particles are formed primarily with a 3R polytype structure (~90%), and at T = 60-120 °С highly dispersed particles with a developed defect structure are obtained. It is shown that calculated X-ray diffraction patterns of models of delafossite crystals with microtwinning are well consistent with experimental curves. Binary oxide AgFeO 2 samples demonstrate a high activity in the СО oxidation reaction, which increases with a decrease in the synthesis temperature. The highest specific catalytic activity is found for highly dispersed samples with a developed defect structure. During catalytic experiments the effect of the reaction medium modifies the surface composition due to the partial exit of silver from the delafossite structure. | STRUCTURAL FEATURES AND CATALYTIC PROPERTIES OF AgFeO2 BINARY OXIDE IN THE СО OXIDATION REACTION | 10.1134/S0022476622090116 |
2022-09-01 | The environmental conditions of livestock farming exhibit a wide degree of variability. In this context, we developed the ADEF, an autonomous data logger to better understand the degree of environmental variables that farm animals are exposed. Each ADEF consists of a set of components: microcontroller, memory card, real-time clock module, ambient sensor (DHT22), two thermal sensors (DS18B20), and an external battery. To validate the accuracy of ADEF, two stages were performed: (1) evaluation in a controlled environment; and (2) evaluation in the field. In both validation, uncertainty analyses were performed in order to determine if a bias correction would be necessary. In the controlled environment, the ADEF recorded consistent data associated with low measurement uncertainty. The high and significant coefficient of determination (~ 0.9; p < 0.05) between the ADEF and commercial data logger indicated statistical model quality and confirmed the accuracy of the measured data. In the field, a total of 40,100 measurements were used for subsequent analysis. Furthermore, the hourly variation in the ADEF variables showed the same pattern and a high correlation (~ 0.9) with the data from the nearest meteorological station. In the field, environmental variables measured by the ADEF demonstrated low hourly dispersion associated with low relative standard uncertainty. The performance of the ADEF system was satisfactory both controlled environment and field, demonstrating that the ADEF can be easily applied as a low-cost tool that allows a more efficient approach to measure the environmental variables in the field. | Development and application of an autonomous data logger to measure environmental variables in livestock farming | 10.1007/s13762-021-03734-z |
2022-09-01 | For studying the changes of macro-physical field in the casting process of large-scale rare earth magnesium alloy, through the numerical simulation method, a two-dimensional axisymmetric multi-physical field coupling model was established by using the multi-physical simulation software COMSOL Multiphysics. The changes of temperature field, flow field, Lorentz force, and liquid fraction of large-size rare earth magnesium alloy with diameter of 750 mm under different electromagnetic parameters (magnetic field frequency and current intensity) in steady state of direct-chill (DC) casting were studied. The results reveal that using a magnetic field can reduce the temperature gradient and greatly accelerate the melt flow, the depth of the sump is reduced by about 50 mm. As the current intensity rises, the flow rate in the melt becomes accelerated, the sump depth becomes shallower, while the melt area with a liquid fraction of 0.5 to 0.63 increases. The Lorentz force rises as the magnetic field frequency increases, but the skin depth of the magnetic field decreases from 64.9 to 36.4 mm. | Numerical simulation of DC casting of large-size rare earth magnesium alloy ingot under low-frequency electromagnetic field | 10.1007/s00170-022-09891-w |
2022-09-01 | The effect of two regimes of all-round isothermal forging (AIF) in a hydraulic press and subsequent annealing on the structure and mechanical properties of structural low-carbon steel 12GBA is analyzed. Steel structure is studied by the EBSD method and scanning electron microscopy. Steel mechanical properties are determined in tensile tests. Total impact energy in the loading diagrams is plotted in terms of the energy expended on crack generation and propagation. It is shown that AIS forms a relatively equiaxed ultrafine-grained (UFG) structure. Formation of an equiaxed UFG structure with grain/subgrain sizes of 0.4 – 0.5 μm during forging doubles strength properties and retains ductility at a good enough level compared with the initial fine-grained structure. The ductile-brittle transition temperature is lowered. UFG steel has a better impact strength below –40°C compared with the initial condition. Additional annealing at 550°C increases impact strength and shifts the ductile-brittle transition temperature towards lower values. | Increase in Low-Carbon Steel 12GBA Strength and Cold Resistance by a Deformation-Thermal Effect | 10.1007/s11041-022-00804-y |
2022-09-01 | Key message Our results confirmed that StATL2-like could interact with StCBFs and regulate plant growth. Meanwhile, StATL2-like acted as a negative regulator on low-temperature tolerance in plants. As important transcription factors for resisting many kinds of stresses, C-repeat-binding factors (CBF) play a key role in plant low-temperature tolerance by increasing COR genes expressions. Here, we report that StATL2-like, a RING-H2 E3 ubiquitin in Solanum tuberosum L., interacted with StCBF1 and StCBF4, respectively. AtATL2 is a highly homologous gene of StATL2-like in Arabidopsis thaliana . Under normal conditions, atl2 Arabidopsis mutant showed a growth inhibition phenotype while overexpressed StATL2-like in wild type Arabidopsis and atl2 mutant promoted plant growth. Besides, atl2 mutant had better low-temperature tolerance compared with wild type and StATL2-like transgenic lines which demonstrated that StATL2-like acted as a negatively regulator on low-temperature tolerance in plant. Moreover, atl2 mutant improved the scavenging capacity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and alleviate the damage of photosynthetic system II (PSII) compared with StATL2-like transgenic lines under cold conditions. These results suggested a new component in CBF-dependent pathway to regulate plant growth and response to low-temperature stress in potato plants. | StATL2-like could affect growth and cold tolerance of plant by interacting with StCBFs | 10.1007/s00299-022-02890-x |
2022-09-01 | The customary MOSFETs can be supplanted by Tunnel Field Effect Transistors (TFETs), because of its capability of accomplishing sub-threshold swing (SS) under 60 mV/decade. Be that as it may, distinct requirements are to be met to ameliorate the operation of TFET with regard to greater on state current (I ON ) and smaller values of voltage (V th ). In this paper, the gate-all-around (GAA) TFET with hetero-junction at the source as the source is made with a low band-gap material i.e. Mg 2 Si is investigated and its comparative analysis has been done with the GAA-TFET with Si-source. Moreover, hetero-dielectric structure with high-k dielectric such as HfO 2 has been implemented for the enhancement of the electrical performance of the device. The proposed device provides I ON as 7.16 µA, SS of 7 mV/decade, V th of 0.399 V and switching ratio of the order of 10 13 . The results obtained portray finer performance of Mg 2 Si/Si hetero-junction TFET when contrasted with ordinary Si GAA-TFET, regarding dc characteristics like I ON , SS, V th and the switching ratio I ON /I OFF . | Investigation of Novel Low Bandgap Source Material for Hetero-dielectric GAA-TFET with Enhanced Performance | 10.1007/s12633-021-01571-w |
2022-09-01 | The experimental results obtained by the dilatometric method for thermal expansion of the Hastelloy C276 alloy in the temperature range of 100–370 K are presented. Temperature dependences of thermal properties have been obtained. The obtained results are compared with the data for thermal expansion of superconducting tapes of the “Amperium” and “SuperOx” brands. | Thermal expansion of Hastelloy C276 in low-temperature area | 10.1134/S08698643220500195 |
2022-09-01 | An aging method assisted by electric current was applied to a Fe-18Mn-9Al-1C (wt.%) low-density steel. It improves the microstructure and therefore significantly increases both the yield strength and ductility of the steel. This current-assisted aging method can increase the yield strength by 178 MPa and elongation by 1.16 times in only 0.5 min at 450 °C. However, the yield strength is increased only 90 MPa by the traditional aging method (heat conduction) at 450 °C for 180 min, and the elongation is even decreased from 42.0% to 31.6%. The obvious improvement in yield strength by the current-assisted aging for a short time is resulted from the fact that the current-assisted aging promotes a rapid precipitation of nano-scale κ-carbides in γ-austenite by reducing the thermodynamic barrier and accelerating the atomic diffusion. This work demonstrates that this current-assisted aging method is significantly time saving and cost-effective for low-density steels, with potential for various industrial applications. | An accelerated aging assisted by electric current in a Fe-Mn-Al-C low-density steel | 10.1007/s41230-022-2033-y |
2022-09-01 | Turbulent data from three sites are utilized to analyze the characteristic features of the Eulerian autocorrelation function (EAF) of horizontal (longitudinal and lateral) wind components and temperature under different regimes of wind speed and near-surface atmospheric stability. It is shown that classical formulations do not adequately describe the observed EAF behaviour and are unable to capture the peak of the significant negative observed lobe. These formulations are modified by introducing a phase angle $$\alpha$$ α to make them consistent with the observations. The modified formulations are shown to better characterize the behaviour of the EAF curve and its absolute value of significant negative lobe ( $$\left|{R}_{Min}\right|$$ R Min ) for both low and moderate wind conditions for all three datasets. Further, a new parametrization for the meandering parameter m is proposed in terms of the observed value of $$\left|{R}_{Min}\right|$$ R Min without using any formulations for the EAF. It is found that the majority of low and moderate wind data belong to the significant meandering range, although the extent of meandering is found to be relatively more pronounced at low wind speeds as compared to moderate wind speeds. The occurrence of meandering (low-frequency horizontal wind oscillations) is found to be independent of stability, topography, and geographical location. | Analysis of Observational Characteristic Features of the Eulerian Autocorrelation Function in Low and Moderate Wind Conditions | 10.1007/s10546-022-00715-8 |
2022-09-01 | Purpose A high static low dynamic stiffness isolator with the auxiliary system (HSLDSAS) is used to control the vibrations characteristics of a hinged-hinged beam subjected to an axial and a constant moving load, taking into account the effect of the temperature on the structure. Method HSLDS-AS is insert between a support and the beam; after obtaining the mathematical model via the newton second law of motion, the Galerkin discretization technique is used to derive the modals equations, which are solved by the harmonic balance method (HBM) coupled to averaging method for stability analysis. Results and conclusion The results of this research reveals that, the isolator, reduces significantly peak amplitudes and force transmissibility of the structure. Furthemore, thermal variation can mask damage detection based on amplitude or natural frequency, and create additionnal stresses in the support or compromise the performance of isolation systems. These results will attract the attention of designers of damage detection and isolation systems. | Effect of Thermal and High Static Low Dynamics Stiffness Isolator with the Auxiliary System on a Beam Subjected to Traffic Loads | 10.1007/s42417-021-00399-3 |
2022-09-01 | The rice ( Oryza sativa L.) BAHD acyltransferase gene OsAt10 affects growth and metabolism of cells and regulates cell response to environmental stress. However, influence of the OsAt10 gene on low-temperature stress tolerance has not been evaluated in plant cells. Here, cell suspension cultures of plant species Arabidopsis ( Arabidopsis thaliana L.), cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.), white pine ( Pinus strobus L.), and rice ( Oryza sativa L.) were used to generate transgenic cell lines via Agrobacterium tumefaciens -mediated genetic transformation to examine the effects of OsAt10 on cold stress tolerance. OsAt10 transgenic cell lines of A. thaliana , G. hirsutum , P. strobus , and O. sativa were confirmed by molecular analyses including Southern blotting ND northern blotting, following by physiological and biochemical analyses under cold stress. The experimental results demonstrated that growth rate, cell viability, lipid peroxidation, ion leakage, antioxidative enzyme activity, polyamines level, and cell morphology were changed in transgenic cells under cold stress, compared to the controls. In transgenic A. thaliana cells, overexpression of the OsAt10 gene increases expression of polyamines biosynthesis genes under cold stress. In transgenic A. thaliana plants, overexpression of the OsAt10 gene increased cold stress tolerance by regulating expression of stress marker genes, TBARS content, ion leakage level, antioxidant enzymes activity, and polyamines content, indicating that the OsAt10 gene could be economically important for improving low-temperature stress tolerance in plants. | Role of the Rice BAHD Acyltransferase Gene OsAt10 in Plant Cold Stress Tolerance | 10.1007/s11105-021-01328-0 |
2022-09-01 | Abstract The behavior of a symmetric supercapacitor with electrodes of activated carbon cloth in the electrolyte based on a solution of ionic liquid (C 8 H 15 N 2 PF 6 ) in anhydrous HF is studied by cyclic voltammetry and impedancemetry in the temperature interval from –65 to +25°С. The measurements are carried out in a hermetically sealed cell of perfluorinated polymer. It is shown that the capacitance of this capacitor substantially exceeds that of capacitors with conventional organic solvents. As the temperature decreases, the capacitance decreases insignificantly and the working voltage window widely extends. The increase in the internal resistance of the cell at low temperature is determined mainly by the contribution of the specific adsorption of solvated F – -ions. | Low Temperature Supercapacitor with Electrolyte Based on Hydrogen Fluoride and Ionic Liquid | 10.1134/S1023193522090075 |
2022-09-01 | This paper deals with the investigations of a low-current glow-type discharge in air flow as applied to the problem of nitrogen oxide production. The electrode configurations correspond to the classical coaxial plasmatron and to the so-called gliding arc. The discharge burns in a regime of constricted positive column with a typical current density from 47 to 120 A/cm 2 and with the related electron density from 0.53⋅10 14 to 2.3⋅10 14 1/cm 3 . The gas temperature changes from 3000 to 3610 K. The described conditions provide a flow of NO molecules from the plasma column with the energetic cost for production of one molecule of (30–50) eV. Maximum content of NO molecules [NO] = 4 g/m 3 (3500 ppm) was obtained. In spite of a rather high gas temperature, the plasma is still nonequilibrium. The high vibrational levels of the nitrogen molecules are populated, and the main channel of the nitric oxide production is associated with the reaction in which the vibrationally excited nitrogen interacts with atomic oxygen. | Production of nitrogen oxides in a positive column of a glow-type discharge in air flow | 10.1007/s11090-022-10262-2 |
2022-09-01 | This paper presents the results of developing a frost-resistant semi-liquid lubricant for extreme cold climate areas. To this end, the mechanism of chemmotological processes was studied in laboratory installations simulating the operational conditions of engineering equipment. The effect of additive agents on the operational properties of the developed lubricant was investigated in order to optimize its composition. The ability of the developed composition to exhibit its inherent properties was assessed. | Determination of the Composition of a Frost-Resistant Semi-Liquid Lubricant for Extreme Cold Areas | 10.1007/s10553-022-01425-0 |
2022-09-01 | In newly produced vehicles, the low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant must be charged instead of conventional high GWP media according to the environmental regulations. For these needs, the CO 2 cooling system is re-attracted as green technology in the automobile field. However, the conventional CO 2 system has the drawback that it sharply declines the cooling capacity and coefficient of performance (COP) when the hot ambient conditions. To enhance the COP of a CO 2 air conditioner, the mechanical subcooling cycle is introduced in this study. But the subcooling cycle requires installing additional heat exchangers. In the automobile application which has limited install space, the design of heat exchangers should be considered for adopting the subcooling cycle. Thus, in this study, numerical models were built to predict the COP by changing the heat exchangers. In addition, an optimal method is used to determine the maximum COP. The results show that the COP improves when applying the subcooling cycle, and the maximum COP is determined based on the thermodynamic states at the outlets of the gas cooler and the subcooler. Meanwhile, the refrigerant types do not substantially affect the COP. While the COP is improved with the use of larger heat exchangers and fans, the rate of improvement gradually decreases. In the optimum efficiency calculation, the power consumption of fans should be considered, and the proper heat exchanger and fan should be designed accordingly. | Performance simulation of CO2 transcritical cooling system with mechanical subcooling cycle for automobile air conditioning | 10.1007/s12206-022-0838-7 |
2022-09-01 | The national policy of peak carbon dioxide emission and carbon neutrality has pointed out the technological direction for the development of the petroleum industry in China. In order to efficiently utilize CO 2 gas source to enhance oil recovery, n -butylamine is taken as the plugging channeling agent for experiment study to plug the produced channeling-path during the process of CO 2 flooding in ultra-low permeability reservoir. The contents of the experiment included three parts: reaction mechanism of n -butylamine with CO 2 , evaluation of the injection performance of n -butylamine, and the extent of enhanced oil recovery after plugging the gas channeling by using n -butylamine. Reaction product of n -butylamine and CO 2 is white solid, which is a type of organic urea so that it can be used to plug the gas channeling. N -butylamine has a good injection performance after adding protecting slug on the condition of high temperature. 80% of the whole volume of core can be spread after injecting 0.3 PV of n -butylamine. During plugging and displacement experiment of heterogeneous cores, oil recovery can be greatly enhanced by 25–30% after injecting n -butylamine. Experimental results show that it can provide a new train of thought for the gas injection development of fractured, heterogeneous and ultra-low permeability reservoirs by using n -butylamine to plug the high permeability area. | Experimental study on CO2 capture by using n-butylamine to plug the gas channeling to enhanced oil recovery | 10.1007/s13202-022-01503-3 |
2022-09-01 | The processes that determine the seasonality of precipitation in the Congo Basin are examined using the atmospheric column moisture budget. Studying the fundamental determinants of Congo Basin precipitation seasonality supports process-based studies of variations on all time scales, including those associated with greenhouse gas-induced global warming. Precipitation distributions produced by the ERA5 reanalysis provide sufficient accuracy for this analysis, which requires a consistent dataset to relate the atmospheric dynamics and moisture distribution to the precipitation field. The Northern and Southern Hemisphere regions of the Congo Basin are examined separately to avoid the misconception that Congo Basin rainfall is primarily bimodal. While evapotranspiration is indispensable for providing moisture to the atmospheric column to support precipitation in the Congo Basin, its seasonal variations are small and it does not drive precipitation seasonality. During the equinoctial seasons, precipitation is primarily supported by meridional wind convergence in the moist environment in the 800–500 hPa layer where moist air flows into the equatorial trough. Boreal fall rains are stronger than boreal spring rains in both hemispheres because low-level moisture divergence develops in boreal spring in association with the developing Saharan thermal low. The moisture convergence term also dominates the moisture budget during the summer season in both hemispheres, with meridional convergence in the 850–500 hPa layer as cross-equatorial flow interacts with the cyclonic flow about the Angola and Sahara thermal lows. Winter precipitation is low because of dry air advection from the winter hemisphere subtropical highs over the continent. | Hydrodynamics of regional and seasonal variations in Congo Basin precipitation | 10.1007/s00382-021-06066-3 |
2022-09-01 | Rapid urbanization pressure and poverty have created a push for affordable housing within the global south. The design of affordable housing can have consequences on the thermal (dis)comfort and behaviour of the occupants, hence requiring an occupant-centric approach to ensure sustainability. This paper investigates occupant behaviour within the urban poor households of Mumbai, India and its impact on their thermal comfort and energy use. This study is a first-of-its-kind attempt to explore the socio-demographic characteristics and energy-related behaviour of low-income occupants within Indian context. Three occupant archetypes, Indifferent Consumers; Considerate Savers ; and Conscious Conventionals , were identified from the behavioural and psychographic characteristics gathered through a transverse field survey. A two-step clustering approach was adopted for occupant segmentation that highlighted considerable diversity in occupants’ adaptation measures, energy knowledge, energy habits, and their pro-environmental behaviour within similar socio-economic group. Building energy simulation of the representative archetype behaviour estimated up to 37% variations for air-conditioned and up to 8% variation for fan-assisted naturally ventilated housing units during peak summer months. The results from this study establish the significance of occupant factors in shaping energy demand and thermal comfort within low-income housing and pave way for developing occupant-centric building design strategies to serve this marginalized population. The developed low-income occupant archetypes would be useful for architects and energy modelers to generate realistic energy use profiles and improve building performance simulation results. | Developing occupant archetypes within urban low-income housing: A case study in Mumbai, India | 10.1007/s12273-022-0889-9 |
2022-09-01 | Bacillus stearothermophilus large fragment (BST LF ) DNA polymerase is reported, isolated on silica via a fused R5 silica-affinity peptide and used in nucleic acid diagnostics. mCherry (mCh), included in the fusion construct, was shown as an efficient fluorescent label to follow the workflow from gene to diagnostic. The R5 immobilisation on silica from cell lysate was consistent with cooperative R5-specific binding of R5 2 -mCh-FL-BST LF or R5 2 -mCh-H10-BST LF fusion proteins followed by non-specific protein binding (including E. coli native proteins). Higher R5-binding could be achieved in the presence of phosphate, but phosphate residue reduced loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) performance, possibly blocking sites on the BST LF for binding of β- and γ-phosphates of the dNTPs. Quantitative assessment showed that cations (Mg 2+ and Mn 2+ ) that complex the PPi product optimised enzyme activity. In malaria testing, the limit of detection depended on Plasmodium species and primer set. For example, 1000 copies of P. knowlesi 18S rRNA could be detected with the P.KNO-LAU primer set with Si-R5 2 -mCh-FL-BST LF , but 10 copies of P. ovale 18S rRNA could be detected with the P.OVA-HAN primer set using the same enzyme. The Si-immobilised BST LF outperformed the commercial enzyme for four of the nine Plasmodium LAMP primer sets tested. Si-R5 2 -mCh-FL-BST LF production was transferred from Cambridge to Accra and set up de novo for a trial with clinical samples. Different detection limits were found, targeting the mitochondrial DNA or the 18S rRNA gene for P. falciparum. The results are discussed in comparison with qPCR and sampling protocol and show that the Si-BST LF polymerase can be optimised to meet the WHO recommended guidelines. Graphical abstract | Analysis and validation of silica-immobilised BST polymerase in loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for malaria diagnosis | 10.1007/s00216-022-04131-2 |
2022-09-01 | In this current study, the economical and environmentally friendly method of extraction and concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) from Nile tilapia waste was improved. First, Nile tilapia waste was collected and characterized. Lyophilized Nile tilapia had a 30.3% lipid content, which was suitable for oil extraction and PUFA concentration. After extraction and concentration, Nile tilapia waste oil (TWO) concentrated with Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase gave an acceptable peroxide and acid value of fish oils for human consumption. Fatty acid composition was also evaluated. After enzymatic concentration, PUFA increased dramatically. A high percentage of PUFA (59.0%) and the ratio of fatty acids n-6/n-3 (1.2) indicates good nutritional values of enzymatically concentrated TWO. Moreover, the optimization study of enzymatic concentration was evaluated to increase quality of TWO. A concentration of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was determined. A high concentration of EPA+DHA was obtained when P. fluorescens (3.6%) and Thermomyces lanuginosa (5.3%) lipases were applied. The highest EPA and DHA content (6.0%) was observed with 0.1 g of immobilized T. lanuginosa lipase per 2 g oil after an 18-h reaction time. Similar conditions were also preferred when using P. fluorescens lipase; however, only 4.0% EPA and DHA were observed. This is the first report on PUFA concentration from Nile tilapia waste using a one-step extraction and saponification in combination with enzymatic concentration. Notably, this method is expected to be a more economically possible technique for large-scale production and allows the possibility of using Nile tilapia waste as substrate for PUFA concentration. | Improvement of extraction and concentration method for polyunsaturated fatty acid production from Nile tilapia processing waste | 10.1007/s13399-020-00826-7 |
2022-09-01 | Abstract The results of an analysis of the mechanical properties of an elastic adhesive in metal–ceramic adhesive joints under quasi-static low-cycle mechanical-shear loads are presented depending on the thermal and mechanical history of the samples. It is shown that the value of the maximum load in the load–strain diagram is not the only characteristic of the destruction of an adhesive joint. When this load is reached, the increase in deformation occurs without an increase in stress. It is assumed that, under this load, the formation of strands begins in the gluing. After a ten-cycle load, the Mullins–Patrikeev effect was not found in the studied samples. | Deformation Properties of Elastic Adhesive in Adhesive Joints under Quasi-Static Low-Cycle Mechanical Loads | 10.1134/S1995421222030303 |
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