Number Of Cycles Research Articles

Biocomposite Anchors Have Greater Yield Load and Energy Compared With All-Suture Anchors in an In Vitro Ovine Infraspinatus Tendon Repair Model

PurposeTo compare tensile fatigue and strength measures of biocomposite and all-suture anchors in an ovine humerus-infraspinatus tendon model of rotator cuff repair. MethodsInfraspinatus tendons on adult ovine humeri were sharply transected at the insertion. One of each pair was randomly assigned for fixation with two biocomposite or all-suture anchors. Constructs were tested with 200 cycles of 20-70 N tensile load and gap formation was measured at the incised tendon end every 50 cycles. They were subsequently tested to failure. Outcome measures including fatigue stiffness, hysteresis, creep and gap formation, and tensile stiffness, and yield and failure displacement, load, and energy were compared between anchors. ResultsBiocomposite anchors had higher yield load (134.1 ± 6.5 N, p<.01) and energy (228.6 ± 85.7 J, p<.03) than all-suture anchors (104.7 ± 6.5 N, 169.8 ± 85.7 J). Fatigue properties were not different between anchors, but stiffness and gap formation increased and hysteresis and creep decreased significantly with increasing cycle number. ConclusionsWhile the yield displacement of both anchors was within the range of clinical failure, the tensile yield load and energy of ovine infraspinatus tendons secured to the humerus with two single-loaded all-suture anchors in a single row were significantly lower than those secured with two biocomposite anchors in the same configuration. Clinical RelevanceIt is important to understand the biomechanical properties for selecting anchors for rotator cuff repair. A direct comparison of fatigue testing followed by failure strength of infraspinatus tendon fixation with all-suture and biocomposite anchors could help guide anchor selection and post-operative mobility recommendations.

A new progressive fatigue damage model for the three-dimensional braided composites subjected to locally-variable-amplitude loading

The fatigue-induced stress redistribution in three-dimensional (3D) braided composites, even when subjected to externally constant-amplitude fatigue loads, results in locally-variable-amplitude fatigue loading, significantly impacting their fatigue performance degradation. This paper is aimed to propose a novel fatigue damage analysis method to predict the fatigue behavior of 3D braided composites subjected to locally-variable-amplitude loading. To this end, the continuous damage method, residual strength, residual stiffness, and fatigue life models are combined to characterize the properties degradation of 3D braided composites with cycling. Once stress redistribution occurs, the fatigue properties degrade based on the new stress level, and the equivalent cycle number is recalculated accordingly. As the material undergoes different cycle blocks, damage accumulates, ultimately leading to failure when the overall stiffness of the material degrades to 80%. Traditional fatigue models are also employed to predict the fatigue behavior of representative volume elements for comparison. The results predicted by the present model shows good agreement with experiments. Furthermore, the influence of stress levels and architectures of 3D braided composites on fatigue performance is systematically discussed.

Deep Learning-Enhanced Hand Grip and Release Test for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: Shortening Assessment Duration to 6 Seconds.

Hand clumsiness and reduced hand dexterity can signal early signs of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). While the 10-second grip and release (10-s G&R) test is a common clinical tool for evaluating hand function, a more accessible method is warranted. This study explores the use of deep learning-enhanced hand grip and release test (DL-HGRT) for predicting DCM and evaluates its capability to reduce the duration of the 10-s G&R test. The retrospective study included 508 DCM patients and 1,194 control subjects. Propensity score matching (PSM) was utilized to minimize the confounding effects related to age and sex. Videos of the 10-s G&R test were captured using a smartphone application. The 3D-MobileNetV2 was utilized for analysis, generating a series of parameters. Additionally, receiver operating characteristic curves were employed to assess the performance of the 10-s G&R test in predicting DCM and to evaluate the effectiveness of a shortened testing duration. Patients with DCM exhibited impairments in most 10-s G&R test parameters. Before PSM, the number of cycles achieved the best diagnostic performance (area under the curve [AUC], 0.85; sensitivity, 80.12%; specificity, 74.29% at 20 cycles), followed by average grip time. Following PSM for age and gender, the AUC remained above 0.80. The average grip time achieved the highest AUC of 0.83 after 6 seconds, plateauing with no significant improvement in extending the duration to 10 seconds, indicating that 6 seconds is an adequate timeframe to efficiently evaluate hand motor dysfunction in DCM based on DL-HGRT. DL-HGRT demonstrates potential as a promising supplementary tool for predicting DCM. Notably, a testing duration of 6 seconds appears to be sufficient for accurate assessment, enhancing the test more feasible and practical without compromising diagnostic performance.

Исследование усталостных свойств и трибологические испытания стали AISI 316 после кручения под высоким давлением

The effect of high-pressure torsion process in a new die on the fatigue properties of corrosion-resistant steel AISI 316 has been studied. The deformation was carried out at cryogenic and room temperatures. The number of deformation cycles was 8. The initial blank had a ring shape with a diameter of 76 mm, a width of 3.5 mm and a thickness of 3 mm. It is revealed that the fatigue strength of both samples increases due to structure refinement and twinning in austenite during high pressure torsion deformation, partial martensitic transformation and increase of the share of more angular boundaries during cyclic deformation. The main factor of higher fatigue limit of AISI 316 steel after cryogenic deformation in comparison with room temperature is more intensive grinding of microstructure and presence of increased share of large-angle boundaries and more complete martensitic transformation.

Compressive residual strength of the pultruded glass-fiber composite after tension-compression fatigue

We experimentally determined the decrease of residual compressive strength of the pultruded glass-fiber laminate after tension-compression cyclic loading. The adapted Arcan rig was used for tension-compression fatigue tests. The cyclic load was applied with the critical stress ratio R=−0.87. The residual compressive strength was determined after applying the predefined number of loading cycles with the stress amplitudes of 242 MPa and 173 MPa. The results indicated that the residual compressive strength was reduced about 20% at 77% of fatigue life under the stress amplitude of 242 MPa and at 83% of fatigue life under the stress amplitude of 173 MPa. The microstructural analysis showed that the crack growth path and failure mode depend on the stress amplitude.

Prolongation of Safe Operation of the K-1000-60/3000 Turbine Power Unit after Damage to the HPC Rotor

Currently, when large-scale military actions are taking place on the territory of Ukraine, the inclusion of the domestic energy system in the European one is a reliable component of providing electricity to the country's energy market. However, according to experts, uninterrupted and safe operation of nuclear power plants is still considered a prerequisite for the stable operation of the energy sector of Ukraine. The purpose of the paper is to assess the damageability and individual resource of the rotor of high-pressure cylinder (HPC) of the K-1000-60/3000 turbine power unit of the LMZ after damage to the blades in order to prolong the operation of the power unit in the conditions of a stressed state of the power system. One of the most effective ways to partially solve the problem of replacement of generating capacities is to extend the operating periods of NPP power units after the end of the project operating period, provided that nuclear and radiation safety standards are met. The review of the previously established service life of the energy equipment of NPP power units involves the assessment of the residual resource of the energy equipment in accordance with the regulatory documents. After the accidental damage of the blades of the last stage of the HPC rotor of the K-1000-60/3000 turbine power unit of the LMZ, there was a need to study the cyclic and static damage, the individual residual resource of the HPC rotor. In the process of achieving the goal, studies were carried out for three design options: the original option (five stages of the HPC rotor), the option without the blades of the last stage and the option without the fifth stage (with four first stages). The calculation of the resource indicators of the rotor in the execution of the HPC without blades of the 5th stage shows that the static damage accumulated in the main metal is 52%, the cyclic damage is 5% when applying the standard strength reserves for the number of cycles and for deformations at the level of nN=10 and nε=1.5 according to the recommendations of SOU-N MEV 40.1-21677681-52:2011. Thus, the total damage to the base metal is 57%, which sets the residual resource of the HPC rotor at the level of 88.4 thousand hours. The calculation of the resource indicators of the rotor in the execution of the HPC without entire 5th stage shows that the static damage accumulated in the base metal is 52%, the cyclic damage is 6% when applying the standard strength reserves for the number of cycles and deformations at the above-mentioned level. The total damage to the base metal is 58%, which determines the residual resource of the HPC rotor at the level of 85.6 thousand hours.

Capacity fading and inter/intra-granular fracture of polycrystalline cathode particle induced by charge/discharge cycles: A numerical study

The capacity fading of Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) containing polycrystalline cathode materials can be attributed to the degradation of secondary particles caused by inter- and intra-granular fractures occurring during charging and discharging cycles. In this work, a diffusion-induced stress (DIS) analysis method based on the finite-discrete element method (FDEM) is developed for studying the fracture behaviors of polycrystalline cathodes. The analysis of lithiation and delithiation processes shows that C-rate and interfacial fracture toughness have significant effects on inter-granular crack morphologies. Our method enables precise analysis of the competition between intra- and inter-granular cracks and the effect of crack-impeded diffusion on crack morphologies. We compared numerical simulation results for scenarios where fracture toughness changes with the number of cycles, and demonstrated that the decreasing fracture toughness with cycle number is an important factor contributing to the slow crack growth. Additionally, we established the relationship between crack length and capacity loss, which agreed well with experimental results.

Inorganic ion accumulation model in wastewater recycling systems: Printing and dyeing case

To solve the problem of inorganic ion accumulation in the recycling process of printing and dyeing wastewater, a mathematical model based on cycle-index and removal efficiency was proposed. The model's capacity to describe the ion accumulation was essentially confirmed through simulation and pilot tests. Results indicated that this model can better predict total dissolved solids (TDS), although the prediction results for specific ions require further refinement. With fewer than 60 cycles, TDS in the pilot system could be reliably predicted. Sensitivity analysis revealed that, when TDS, SO42−, Fe, and Mn in the effluent were considered control targets, the number of cycles, water flow, total inorganic salts added, and the recycling efficiency of printing and dyeing wastewater significantly influenced the prediction equation.

Assessment of the Cyclic Fatigue Performance of the Novel Protaper Ultimate File System Used in Different Kinematics: An In Vitro Study.

This in vitro study aims to assess the cyclic fatigue resistance of the Protaper Ultimate (PTU) files compared to the Protaper Gold (PTG) and the M3 UDG (M3) files using various motion kinematics in simulated canals. As far as the authors are aware, no study has previously compared the three file systems before this current investigation. Therefore, closing this information gap is the goal of the current research. Methods: A total of (60 new endodontic files were randomly divided into 6 groups (10 files per group); groups 1, 3, and 5 used continuous rotation (CR), while groups 2, 4, and 6 used forward reciprocating motion (FRM). A manufactured stainless-steel artificial canal was used to perform the cyclic fatigue testing. The results were analyzed using Student's t-test and two-way ANOVA. All pairwise comparisons revealed statistically significant differences in the time to failure (TTF) for every study group (p < 0.001), with the exception of the PTG and M3 files, which performed similarly using both CR and FRM. Conclusions: The PTU files performed better than the PTG and M3 files in terms of the TTF and number of cycles to failure (NCF) using both CR and FRM.

Risk factors and the nomogram model for malnutrition in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

For patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), the incidence of malnutrition is quite high, and malnutrition has severe effects on NPC patients. However, there is currently no recognized gold standard or specific nutritional assessment tool available to assess malnutrition in NPC patients. Our objective was to develop and verify a new nomogram model for NPC patients. Data were collected from NPC patients. To evaluate risk factors for malnutrition, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used. Based on the risk factors, a new nomogram model was developed. The efficacy of the model was evaluated and validated. Logistic regression analysis showed that age ≥ 65years, the number of chemotherapy cycles completed ≥ 1, a high total radiation dose received, low body mass index (BMI), low albumin, and low chloride were the risk factors. The assessment effect of the new model was good by evaluation and validation; it can be used as an assessment tool for malnutrition in NPC patients. Age ≥ 65years, completing ≥ 1 chemotherapy cycles, a high total radiation dose received, low BMI, low albumin, and low chloride levels are risk factors for malnutrition in NPC patients. The assessment effect of the new model, developed based on these risk factors, is good, and it can be used as an assessment tool for malnutrition in NPC patients.

Mucus-Mimicking Mucin-Based Hydrogels by Tandem Chemical and Physical Crosslinking.

Mucosal tissues represent a major interface between the body and the external environment and are covered by a highly hydrated mucins gel called mucus. Mucus lubricates, protects and modulates the moisture levels of the tissue and is capitalized in transmucosal drug delivery. Pharmaceutical researchers often use freshly excised animal mucosal membranes to assess mucoadhesion and muco-penetration of pharmaceutical formulations which may struggle with limited accessibility, reproducibility, and ethical questions. Aiming to develop a platform for the rationale study of the interaction of drugs and delivery systems with mucosal tissues, in this work mucus-mimicking mucin-based hydrogels are synthesized by the tandem chemical and physical crosslinking of mucin aqueous solutions. Chemical crosslinking is achieved with glutaraldehyde (0.3% and 0.75% w/v), while physical crosslinking by one or two freeze-thawing cycles. Hydrogels after one freeze-thawing cycle show water content of 97.6-98.1%, density of 0.0529-0.0648gcm⁻3, and storage and loss moduli of ≈40-60 and ≈3-5Pa, respectively, that resemble the properties of native gastrointestinal mucus. The mechanical stability of the hydrogels increases over the number of freeze-thawing cycles. Overall results highlight the potential of this simple, reproducible, and scalable method to produce artificial mucus-mimicking hydrogels for different applications in pharmaceutical research.

Abrasive Wear Behavior of Batch Hot-Dip Galvanized Coatings.

In recent decades, batch hot-dip galvanized (HDG) steel has proven itself in practical applications due to the good corrosion resistance of its components. Despite the importance of the mechanical-load-bearing capacity of these coatings, the wear behavior has, so far, only been investigated very sporadically and not systematically, so a quantification of the wear behavior and statements on the mechanisms are vague. Therefore, two body wear tests with bonded abrasive grain were carried out. Varying the friction rolls, load, and total number of cycles, the wear behavior was investigated. The mass loss and the layer thickness reduction were measured at different intervals. After the test, the microstructure in the cross-section and the hardness according to Vickers (0.01 HV) were evaluated. The results showed that the wear behavior of HDG coatings against abrasive loads can be characterized with the selected test conditions. Initially, the applied load removed the soft η-phase. As the total number of cycles increases, the η- and ζ-phases deform plastically, resulting in a lower mass reduction compared to that expected from the measured layer thickness. The characteristic structure of a batch HDG coating with hard intermetallic Zn-Fe phases and an outer pure zinc phase has demonstrated effective resistance to abrasion.

Prognosis of a Heterogeneous TRG Pathological Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients who Undergo Resection for Colorectal Liver Metastases.

Optimal management of colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) is based on a combination of chemotherapy and surgical resection. The tumor regression grade (TRG) score is a histological scoring system to evaluate response to chemotherapy. The prognosis of a heterogeneous response in cases of multiple metastases has not been evaluated according to the TRG score. All patients who underwent liver resection for multiple CRLM after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in two tertiary centers from January 2015 to April 2019 were retrospectively included. Oncological characteristics and outcome between TRG 1-2-3 (good response group), TRG 4-5 (poor response group) and heterogeneous TRG (good and poor TRG among different lesions within the same patient) groups were compared. Among the 327 patients included, 134 (41.0%) had good response (TRG 1-2-3), 120 (36.7%) had poor response (TRG 4-5), and 73 (22.3%) had heterogeneous response. The type and number of cycles of chemotherapy, k-Ras mutational status, and tumor number or size did not differ between the three groups. Use of irinotecan-based and anti-VEGF neoadjuvant therapy was associated with better TRG response [irinotecan-based: hazard ratio (OR) = 1.744; p = 0.045; anti-VEGF neoadjuvant therapy: 2.054; p = 0.005). Overall survival (OS) was higher in the 1-2-3 TRG group than in the heterogeneous TRG group (2-year OS = 81.3% vs. 60.3%, respectively; p = 0.003) and the 4-5 TRG group (2-year OS = 81.3% vs. 55.0%, respectively; p = 0.012) and similar between the heterogeneous and 4-5 TRG groups. The proportion of heterogeneous pathological response according to TRG is 22.3%, and the prognosis is comparable to that of poor pathological response.

Making Room for Silicon: Including SiOx in a Graphite-Based Anode Formulation and Harmonization in 1 Ah Cells

Transitioning to more ambitious electrode formulations facilitates developing high-energy density cells, potentially fulfilling the demands of electric car manufacturers. In this context, the partial replacement of the prevailing anode active material in lithium-ion cells, graphite, with silicon-based materials enhances its capacity. Nevertheless, this requires adapting the rest of the components and harmonizing the electrode integration in the cell to enhance the performance of the resulting high-capacity anodes. Herein, starting from a replacement in the standard graphite anode recipe with 22% silicon suboxide at laboratory scale, the weight fraction of the electrochemically inactive materials was optimized to 2% carbon black/1% dispersant/3% binder combination before deriving an advantage from including single-wall carbon nanotubes in the formulation. In the second part, the recipe was upscaled to a semi-industrial electrode coating and cell assembly line. Then, 1 Ah lithium-ion pouch cells were filled and tested with different commercial electrolytes, aiming at studying the dependency of the Si-based electrodes on the additives included in the composition. Among all the electrolytes employed, the EL2 excelled in terms of capacity retention, obtaining a 48% increase in the number of cycles compared to the baseline electrolyte formulation above the threshold capacity retention value (80% state of health).

Effective Measures of Thickness Evolution of the Solid Electrolyte Interphase of Graphite Anodes for Li-Ion Batteries.

Upon forming, the intensity or thickness of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) in a Li-ion battery (LIB) evolves to various states depending on the cell materials and operation conditions. Despite a crucial role in comprehending the behaviors of an LIB, its quantitative measure is far from satisfactory mainly because of the undue complexity of the concentration profiles of the comprising chemical species. Here, we calculate the depth profiles of atomic mole fractions of C and F and their ratio as RC/F = C/F of graphite anodes for LIBs in comparison to an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) experiment. To this end, we take a differential equation approach to dC/dt*, where t* is the reduced XPS etching time for depth. As a result, the respective analytical expression derived for C, F, and RC/F(t*) is verified to accurately account for the experiment. Moreover, we show that RC/F(t*) in the j state can be practically expressed in , where γ is a constant for a given anode. Based on this, we suggest ξj* = (αi + βi - βj)/αj as a measure of the SEI thickness evolution from the i to j state in terms of the cycle number. As an intriguing finding, the SEI thickness evolves up to about 3 times that of its initial state, beyond which it does not appear to grow any more.

Systematic Study of the Effect of Cycle Number and Crystal Structure on Si Anodes

AbstractThis paper shows that the number of cycles and the crystal structure play an important role in the capacity and cycling ability of lithium‐ion batteries. However, the detailed dynamics and continuity of the capacity decay mechanism caused by the number of cycles and crystal structure need to be further understood at the nanoscale. Molecular dynamics simulation was used to examine the microstructure development and deformation behavior of the Si anode in an electric field. The results show that the increase of the number of cycles leads to a large expansion of the volume of the Si electrode, which further leads to the loss of capacity and the decrease of cycle capacity, as well as the decrease of structural stability. The formation of Si crystal structure from diamond structure to amorphous depends on the depth of lithiation and desulfurization. Due to the presence of a large number of nanoscale voids, the Si anode has undergone volume expansion. The transformation associated with nanogap nucleation caused by the involuntary diffusion process is driven by more cycles, resulting in irreversible capacity loss of lithium‐ion batteries. The analysis model shows that the stress caused by diffusion is not only related to the position of the Si anode, but also to the cycle time.

A Comparative Evaluation of Surface Properties of Cention N and TiO2-Enriched Cention N After Brushing Simulation and Erosive Challenge: An In Vitro Study.

Background This study aimed to evaluate and compare the abrasive and erosive wear resistance of Cention N and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticle-enriched Cention N after three years of brushing simulation. Methodology A total of 48 freshly extracted mandibular molars were mounted in acrylic blocks and divided into two groups of 24 molars based on the type of restorative material used to restore them. Cavities of a standardized size were prepared. Group A was restored with Cention N, and group B was restored with 5% TiO2-enriched Cention N. Each group was further divided into three subgroups of eight. Subgroup 1was the control subgroup. Subgroup 2 was the abrasive subgroup, subjected to the abrasive challenge in a brushing stimulator with 30,000 cycles to 10,000 cycles in the linear X-axis and Y-axis each and another 10,000 cycles divided into 5,000 cycles clockwise and 5,000 cycles anticlockwise. The total number of brushing cycles was equal to three years of brushing with a duration of eight to nine hours. Subgroup 3 was the erosive and abrasive subgroup, subjected to an erosive pH cycle consisting of exposure to Coca‑Cola for five minutes thrice a day for seven days, and then subjected to brushing simulation as above. After the surface treatment, specimens were subjected to the Vickers microhardness test using a diamond indenter and the surface roughness test using an optical profilometer. The resulting values were subjected to statistical analysis. Results There was a significant decreasein mean surface roughness in group B, where TiO2 nanoparticles were added after erosive challenge and brushing simulation, than in group A. There was an increase in mean microhardness in group B which was not significant. Conclusions With the addition of 5% TiO2 to Cention N, there was a significant reduction in surface roughness. The surface microhardness of Cention N containing 5% TiO2 increased non-significantly compared to the control group.

Effect of thermal cycling on the mechanics and microstructure of ultra-high performance concrete

This study investigates the mechanical and microstructural responses of Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) subjected to a substantial number of thermal cycles upto 300 times from ambient temperature to 60°C. The experimental findings reveal a distinctive pattern of behavior in the static compressive strength, characterized by an initial increase, followed by a subsequent decline, and a subsequent modest resurgence as the thermal cycling progressed. Notably, the peak compressive and flexural strengths were attained after 120 thermal cycles, whereas the maximum dynamic compressive strength was observed after 60 thermal cycles. It is worth highlighting that the dynamic increase factor (DIF) exhibited an inverse trajectory in comparison to the static compressive strength. After 120 thermal cycles, the stress-strain curves under impact loads exhibited pronounced strain softening characteristics, with an oscillation state duration of 250μs, which surpassed that of the ascending and descending phases. The observed variances in macroscopic mechanical properties can be attributed to several pivotal factors, including the quantity of hydration product, the mean chain length (MCL) of the calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H) gel, the distribution of pore volume, and the presence of micro-cracks. This comprehensive examination serves as a valuable theoretical and empirical foundation for advancing the utilization of UHPC in applications subjected to prolonged and intricate thermal conditions.

Effect of stress-hold and strain-hold during Creep-Fatigue Interaction of alloy 617 M

Alloy 617 M is a Nickel based superalloy compatible for utilization in structural components of Very High Temperature Reactors (VHTR). In these complicated structural components, loading scenarios include both static and cyclic stresses at elevated temperatures. In order to understand the effect of both static and cyclic stress state on Alloy 617 M at high temperatures, Creep-Fatigue Interaction (CFI) studies with a strain amplitude of ± 0.6% and a hold/ dwell time of 60 seconds have been conducted at 600 °C, 650 °C, 700 °C, and 750 °C. At the peak tensile strain of the applied cyclic loads during CFI, the specimen was subjected to either a strain-hold (represented as εCFI) or a stress-hold (represented as σCFI) to understand their influence on mechanical behavior at elevated temperatures. This kind of testing is imminent for understanding the damage caused by both the loading scenarios. In either case of loading, with the increase in test temperature, the number of cycles to failure is reduced. However, for a given test temperature, σCFI showed lower cycles to failure compared to εCFI. Fractography studies revealed that σCFI undergoes predominant creep damage in comparison with εCFI.

Low cycle number multiplex PCR: A novel strategy for the construction of amplicon libraries for next-generation sequencing.

Multiplex PCR is a critical step when preparing amplicon library for next-generation sequencing. However, there are several challenges related to multiplex PCR including poor uniformity, nonspecific amplification, and primer-dimers. To address these issues, we propose a novel solution strategy that involves using a low cycle number (<10 cycles) in multiplex PCR and then employing carrier DNAs and magnetic beads for the selection of targeted products. This technique improves the amplicon uniformity while also reducing primer-dimers and PCR artifacts. To evaluate our technique, we initially utilized 120 DNA fragments from mouse genome containing single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites. Sequencing results demonstrated that with only 7 cycles of multiplex PCR, 95.8% of the targeted SNP sites were mapped, with a coverage of at least 1×. The average sequencing depth of all amplicons was 1705.79±1205.30×; 87% of them reached a coverage depth that exceeded 0.2-fold of the average sequencing depth. Our method had a greater uniformity (87%) when compared to Hi-Plex PCR (53.3%). Furthermore, we validated our strategy by randomly selecting 90 primer pairs twice from the initial set of 120 primer-pairs. Next, we used the same protocol to prepare amplicon libraries. The two groups had an average sequencing depth of 1013.30±585.57× and 219.10±158.27×, respectively; over 84% of the amplicons had a sequencing depth that exceeded 0.2-fold of average depth. These results suggest that the use of a low cycle number in multiplex PCR is a cost-effective and efficient approach for the preparation of amplicon libraries.