bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What Would Miffy Do? Applying Informed Consent by Proxy to All Sentient Animals
Authors: Janssens Monique R. E.
Published: September 2024

If we want to take sentient non-human animals and their interests seriously, we can try to ask for their consent before using them for human purposes. With mentally competent humans, we speak of informed consent: for them to participate in scientific studies, for example, it is required that they consent explicitly, in full understanding of the risks and benefits. This full understanding cannot be expected from non-human animals. We must therefore look for ways to know what they want and to estimate what they would do if they had a deep understanding of their options and the consequences of these options for themselves and others. This concept is explored by applying it to animal experiments. The most promising method is to gain informed consent by proxy from thoroughly informed competent humans, in combination with seeking assent where possible and being alert to dissent.
Nutritive Value and Degradation Kinetic Parameters of Three Plants for Feeding Bradypus variegatus Schinz, In Vitro Evaluation
Authors: Máximo Igor Luiz Carvalho , dos Santos Nascimento Júlio Cézar , de Andrade Gilcifran Prestes , Izidro José Lypson Pinto Simões , de Albuquerque Priscilla Virgínio , do Nascimento Daniel Bezerra , Coêlho Janerson José , Amorim Marleyne José Afonso Accioly Lins , de Mello Alexandre Carneiro Leão , Costa Romero Marcos Pedrosa Brandão , Rabello Carlos Bôa-Viagem , Ludke Maria do Carmo Mohaupt Marques , Ribeiro Apolônio Gomes , de Santana Carolina Louise Nascimento , Pessoa Ricardo Alexandre Silva
Published: September 2024

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritive value of three feeds (Cecropia sp., Pterodon sp., and Inga sp.) for sloths (Bradypus variegatus), based on nutritional composition and in vitro gas production. After a 14-day adaptation period to these feeds, approximately 500 g of gastric contents were collected from three female sloths, processed, and incubated with the food samples to evaluate digestibility and in vitro degradation kinetics. Regarding the nutritional composition, the neutral detergent fiber (NDFcp) content was higher with 404 g kg−1 DM (p = 0.001) in the leaves of Cecropia sp. The non-fibrous carbohydrate contents were greater with 499 g kg−1 DM in Pterodon sp. (p = 0.002). The greatest cellulose content (211 g kg−1 DM) was found in the leaves of C. pachystachya, as well as the lowest value of 143 g kg−1 DM for hemicellulose. Significant differences in the in vitro digestibility of crude protein (p = 0.041) were observed, with Inga sp. showing the highest value at 547 g kg−1 DM. In terms of kinetic parameters, Pterodon sp. exhibited higher total gas production (Vt) at 99 mL (p = 0.023) and digestion rates of fibrous carbohydrates (kdFC) at 0.0223%/h (p = 0.020) (p < 0.05). The leaves of Pterodon sp. and Inga sp. showed potential as suitable feeds for B. variegatus, while Cecropia sp. may have negative effects on dry matter intake due to its high NDF content, because of possible repletion effects on the stomach.
Discriminant Analysis as a Tool to Classify Grasslands Based on Near-Infrared Spectra
Authors: Parrini Silvia , Fabbri Maria Chiara , Argenti Giovanni , Staglianò Nicolina , Pugliese Carolina , Bozzi Riccardo
Published: September 2024

This study aims to classify plant communities by applying discriminant analysis based on principal components (DAPC) on near-infrared spectra (FT-NIRS) starting from fresh herbage samples. Grassland samples (n~156) belonged to (i) recent alfalfa pure crops (CAA), (ii) recent grass–legume mixtures (GLM), (iii) permanent meadows derived from old alfalfa stands that were re-colonized (PMA), and iv) permanent meadows originated from old grass–legume mixtures (PLM). Samples were scanned using FT-NIRS, and a multivariate exploration of the original spectra was performed using DAPC. The following two scenarios were proposed: (i) cross-validation, where all data were used for model training, and (ii) semi-external validation, where the group assignment was performed without samples of the training set. The first two components explained 98% of the total variability. The DAPC model resulted in an overall assignment success rate of 77%, and, from cross-validation, it emerged that it was possible to assign the CAA and PMA to their group with more than of 80% of success, which were different in botanical and chemical composition. In comparison, GLM and PLM obtained lower success of assignment (~52%). External validation suggested similarity between PLM and GLM groups (93%) and between GLM and PLM (77%). However, a dataset increase could improve group differentiation.
Climate Change and Herbivores: Forty Years in a Bunchgrass Prairie
Authors: Belovsky Gary E. , Slade Jennifer B.
Published: September 2024

Wild herbivore responses to anthropogenic climate change are often projected to be habitat and geographic range shifts as warmer conditions reduce the quantity and nutritional quality of forage plants, which makes species presence/absence a focus. Since 1978, herbivore abundances at the National Bison Range, MT, USA, were measured for grasshoppers (catch-effort), microtine rodents (runway density), and ungulates (drives and round-ups), along with climate and vegetation quantity (biomass) and quality (nitrogen content and chemical solubility related to digestibility). Counter to expectation with warming and drying, forage biomass increased as grass biomass increased more than dicot biomass decreased, and forage quality (solubility) increased. Consequently, herbivores that consume a grass diet (>25% grass: certain grasshoppers, microtines, bighorn sheep, elk, bison) increased in abundance, while herbivores consuming less grass declined (certain grasshoppers, pronghorn, whitetail, and mule deer). The result is an 18% increase in herbivore abundance and herbivory, counter to climate change expectations. Historically, grasshoppers consumed 46% more vegetation than mammals; now, they consume only 14% more, as grasshoppers did not increase as expected with climate change. Therefore, herbivores respond rapidly to climate-induced vegetation changes, and this is not a simple loss/addition of species, but changing trophic dynamics, which requires more knowledge of ecosystem dynamics.
Assessment of the Genetic Diversity of the Monogenean Gill Parasite Lamellodiscus echeneis (Monogenea) Infecting Wild and Cage-Reared Populations of Sparus aurata (Teleostei) from the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Farjallah Sarra , Amor Nabil , Montero Francisco Esteban , Repullés-Albelda Aigües , Villar-Torres Mar , Nasser Alagaili Abdulaziz , Merella Paolo
Published: September 2024

The diplectanid monogenean Lamellodiscus echeneis (Wagener, 1857) is a specific and common gill parasite of the gilthead seabream Sparus aurata Linnaeus, 1758, in the Mediterranean Sea. Few isolated molecular studies of this monogenean have been conducted, and its population structure and genetic diversity are poorly understood. This study represents the first analysis of the population genetics of L. echeneis, isolated from wild and cage-reared gilthead seabream from fifteen localities in both the Southern (Tunisia) and Northern (Italy and Spain) regions of the Mediterranean Sea, using nuclear ITS rDNA markers and a partial fragment of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI). The phylogenetic trees based on the newly obtained dataset and the previously published sequences of L. echeneis corroborated the spread of only a single species throughout the Mediterranean Sea. The star-like haplotypes network, inferred by COI sequences, suggested a recent population expansion of L. echeneis. This is supported by the observed high haplotype diversity (Hd = 0.918) and low nucleotide diversity (Pi = 0.01595). Population structure-based AMOVA for two groups (the Adriatic Sea and the rest of the Mediterranean Sea) attributed 35.39% of the total variation to differences within populations, 16.63% to differences among populations within groups, and 47.99% to differences among groups. Fixation indices were significant, with a high FST value (0.64612), likely related to the divergence of the parasite populations from the Adriatic Sea and other Mediterranean regions. Phylogenetic analyses grouped all samples into the main clade corresponding to L. echeneis from several localities. This study provides insight into the genetic variation between L. echeneis populations, and did not show a clear genetic structure between populations of L. echeneis throughout Tunisian, Italian, and Spanish localities, which can be attributed to the considerable gene flow between the populations favoured by the potential for host dispersion within the Mediterranean Sea. Finally, haplotypes shared between wild and cage-reared hosts provided evidence for the potential for cross-infection between wild and farmed hosts in the Mediterranean Sea.
Epidemiology of Canine Wei Syndrome and Its Hemorheology Characteristics
Authors: Yang Shuo , Liu Yuting , Chen Bingjie , Mi Jie , Tai Xiangbo , Ma Wuren
Published: September 2024

Canine paraplegia is a common condition in small animal medicine, referred to as Wei Syndrome (WS) in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM). Common clinical manifestations encompass hind limb paralysis, motor dysfunction, muscle atrophy, and the absence of pain perception. WS is considered a difficult-to-treat disease in small animal practice. The objective of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of canine WS and the characteristics of hemorheology. A total of 53 dogs with WS and 53 healthy dogs were included in this study. A retrospective case-controlled study design was employed. Data regarding the gender, season of WS occurrence, breed, and age of dogs with WS, as well as hemorheology from dogs with WS and healthy dogs, were collected and analyzed using SPSS 27.0. The study findings revealed that male dogs were more susceptible to WS (77.36%, 41/53). WS cases occurred more frequently in Winter (33.96%, 18/53), and were commonly found in Poodle breeds (43.40%, 23/53). The most affected age of WS was between 3 and 6 years old (54.72%, 29/53). Except for plasma viscosity and fibrinogen, the hemorheology indices of canine WS were significantly higher than those of healthy dogs (p < 0.05), especially in male dogs, Poodles and Bulldogs, those between 3 to 10 years, and in Autumn and Winter. This study provides evidence that male Poodles and Bulldogs aged 3 to 6 years are more prone to developing WS, with Winter being the season of high disease incidence. Abnormal hemorheology is a characteristic feature in dogs with WS, which should be considered during the treatment of WS.
Caprine and Ovine Genomic Selection—Progress and Application
Authors: Zhang Linyun , Duan Yixin , Zhao Shengnan , Xu Naiyi , Zhao Yongju
Published: September 2024

The advancement of sequencing technology and molecular breeding methods has provided technical support and assurance for accurate breeding. Genomic Selection (GS) utilizes genomic information to improve livestock breeding, and it is more accurate and more efficient than traditional selection methods. GS has been widely applied in domestic animal breeding, especially in cattle. However, there are still limited studies on the application and research of GS in sheep and goats. This paper outlines the principles, analysis methods, and influential factors of GS and elaborates on the research progress, challenges, and prospects of applying GS in sheep and goat breeding. Through the review of these aspects, this paper is expected to provide valuable references for the implementation of GS in the field of sheep and goat breeding.
Cefiderocol for the Treatment of Infections by VIM-Type-Producing Gram-Negative Bacteria
Authors: Kirkegaard-Biosca Cristina , del Barrio-Tofiño Ester , Villamarín Miguel , Larrosa Nieves , Campany David , González-López Juan José , Ferrer Ricard , Viñado Belén , Doménech Laura , Sellarès-Nadal Julia , Escolà-Vergé Laura , Fernández-Hidalgo Nuria , Los-Arcos Ibai
Published: September 2024

VIM-type-producing Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) infections are difficult to treat. This is a retrospective single-center study of 34 patients who received cefiderocol for the treatment of VIM-type-producing GNB infections, including 25 Pseudomonas spp., 7 Enterobacterales, and 5 Achromobacter sp. Primary outcomes were clinical failure (defined as death, lack of clinical improvement, or a switch to another drug) at day 14 and 30-day all-cause mortality. The median age was 59 years (IQR 53.7–73.4), and the median Charlson comorbidity index was 3.5 (IQR 2–5). The main infections were respiratory tract infections (n = 9, 27%) and skin and soft tissue infections (n = 9, 27%). Eight patients exhibited bacteremia. In 9/17 patients with a drainable focus, drainage was performed. The median cefiderocol treatment duration was 13 days (IQR 8–24). Five patients (15%) experienced clinical failure on day 14, and the thirty-day mortality rate was 9/34 (27%); two cases occurred because of an uncontrolled infection source, and one was due to a new infection caused by the same bacteria. The other six deaths were unrelated to the index infection. Five patients experienced microbiological recurrence within three months. Susceptibility testing revealed the development of cefiderocol resistance in 1/7 cases with persistent or recurrent positive cultures. Cefiderocol, even in monotherapy, could be considered for the treatment of VIM-type-producing GNB infections.
Building a Human Ovarian Antioxidant ceRNA Network “OvAnOx”: A Bioinformatic Perspective for Research on Redox-Related Ovarian Functions and Dysfunctions
Authors: Tatone Carla , Di Emidio Giovanna , Battaglia Rosalia , Di Pietro Cinzia
Published: September 2024

The ovary is a major determinant of female reproductive health. Ovarian functions are mainly related to the primordial follicle pool, which is gradually lost with aging. Ovarian aging and reproductive dysfunctions share oxidative stress as a common underlying mechanism. ROS signaling is essential for normal ovarian processes, yet it can contribute to various ovarian disorders when disrupted. Therefore, balance in the redox system is crucial for proper ovarian functions. In the present study, by focusing on mRNAs and ncRNAs described in the ovary and taking into account only validated ncRNA interactions, we built an ovarian antioxidant ceRNA network, named OvAnOx ceRNA, composed of 5 mRNAs (SOD1, SOD2, CAT, PRDX3, GR), 10 miRNAs and 5 lncRNAs (XIST, FGD5-AS1, MALAT1, NEAT1, SNHG1). Our bioinformatic analysis indicated that the components of OvAnOx ceRNA not only contribute to antioxidant defense but are also involved in other ovarian functions. Indeed, antioxidant enzymes encoded by mRNAs of OvAnOx ceRNA operate within a regulatory network that impacts ovarian reserve, follicular dynamics, and oocyte maturation in normal and pathological conditions. The OvAnOx ceRNA network represents a promising tool to unravel the complex dialog between redox potential and ovarian signaling pathways involved in reproductive health, aging, and diseases.
Valorization of Date By-Products: Enhancement of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potentials through Fermentation
Authors: Khosravi Azin , Razavi Seyed Hadi , Castangia Ines , Manca Maria Letizia
Published: September 2024

The by-products from three varieties of dates—Mozafati, Sayer, and Kabkab—were subjected to solid-state fermentation using Aspergillus niger alone or in co-culture with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum or Limosilactobacillus reuteri to enhance their phenolic and flavonoid content, along with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Solid-state fermentation, being environmentally friendly and cost-effective, is particularly suitable for agricultural residues. Significant increases (p < 0.05) in total polyphenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant power were observed post-fermentation, especially under co-culture conditions. The highest TPC (12.98 ± 0.29 mg GA/g) and TFC (1.83 ± 0.07 mg QE/g) were recorded in the co-culture fermentation of by-products from the Mozafati and Sayer varieties, respectively. HPLC analysis revealed changes in polyphenol profiles post-fermentation, with reductions in gallic and ferulic acids and increases in caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, rutin, quercetin, and kaempferol. FT-IR analysis confirmed significant alterations in polyphenolic functional groups. Enhanced antimicrobial activity was also observed, with inhibition zones ranging from 8.26 ± 0.06 mm for Kabkab to 17.73 ± 0.09 mm for Mozafati. These results suggest that co-culture solid-state fermentation is a promising strategy for valorizing date by-products, with potential applications in nutraceuticals and/or pharmaceutical products and as valuable additives in the food industry.
Ginkgo Biloba Bioactive Phytochemicals against Age-Related Diseases: Evidence from a Stepwise, High-Throughput Research Platform
Authors: Yuan Yuming , Xiang Xiaoyan , Jiang Xuejun , Liu Yingju , Zhang Ming , Lu Luyang , Zhang Xinping , Liu Xinyi , Tan Qunyou , Zhang Jingqing
Published: September 2024

The seeds of ginkgo biloba L (GB) have been widely used worldwide. This study investigated the bioefficacies of whole GB seed powder (WGP) retaining the full nutrients of ginkgo against aging, atherosclerosis, and fatigue. The experimental results indicated that WGP lowered brain monoamine oxidase and serum malondialdehyde levels, enhanced thymus/spleen indexes, and improved learning ability, and delayed aging in senescent mice. WGP regulated lipid levels and prevented atherosclerosis by reducing triglycerides, lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and decreasing the atherosclerosis index. WGP improved exercise performance by reducing blood lactate accumulation and extending exhaustive swimming and climbing times, improved energy storage by increasing muscle/liver glycogen levels, and relieved physical fatigue. Network pharmacology analysis revealed 270 potential targets of WGP that play roles in cellular pathways related to inflammation inhibition, metabolism regulation, and anti-cellular senescence, etc. Protein-protein interaction analysis identified 10 hub genes, including FOS, ESR1, MAPK8, and SP1 targets. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations showed that the bioactive compounds of WGP bound well to the targets. This study suggests that WGP exerts prominent health-promoting effects through multiple components, targets, and pathways.
Pathogenesis and New Pharmacological Approaches to Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review
Authors: Santaolalla Sanchez Francisco Javier , Gutierrez Posso Juan David , Santaolalla Montoya Francisco , Zabala Javier Aitor , Arrizabalaga-Iriondo Ane , Revuelta Miren , Sánchez del Rey Ana
Published: September 2024

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is responsible for significant adverse effects on cognition, quality of life and work, social relationships, motor skills, and other psychological aspects. The severity of NIHL depends on individual patient characteristics, sound intensity, and mainly the duration of sound exposure. NIHL leads to the production of a reactive oxygen (ROS) inflammatory response and the activation of apoptotic pathways, DNA fragmentation, and cell death. In this situation, antioxidants can interact with free radicals as well as anti-apoptotics or anti-inflammatory substances and stop the reaction before vital molecules are damaged. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the effects of different pharmacological treatments, focusing on exogenous antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and anti-apoptotics to reduce the cellular damage caused by acoustic trauma in the inner ear. Experimental animal studies using these molecules have shown that they protect hair cells and reduce hearing loss due to acoustic trauma. However, there is a need for more conclusive evidence demonstrating the protective effects of antioxidant/anti-inflammatory or anti-apoptotic drugs’ administration, the timeline in which they exert their pharmacological action, and the dose in which they should be used in order to consider them as therapeutic drugs. Further studies are needed to fully understand the potential of these drugs as they may be a promising option to prevent and treat noise-induced hearing loss.
The Usage of Virtual and Augmented Reality in Underwater Archeology
Authors: Korniejenko Kinga , Kontny Bartosz
Published: September 2024

Currently, virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) technologies are becoming more and more widely used in various fields of human activity, including archeology. The aim of this article is to analyze the possibilities of using VR and AR technologies in broadly understood activities related to underwater archeology. This work is a review and presents current applications of VR and AR in underwater archeology based on case studies. This paper presents the development of VR and AR technologies, including in the field of underwater archaeology, and generally describes the process of creating VR and AR applications for underwater archeology purposes, with particular emphasis on data collection methods. Then, the areas of application of these technologies in underwater archeology and related areas were generally presented and the barriers to their use were discussed. The most important part of the work is a discussion of the use of VR and AR in underwater archeology based on the selected case studies. The article ends with a summary of the current state and a discussion of the possibilities of developing virtual technologies in the applications of underwater archeology.
MEMS-Based Vibration Acquisition for Modal Parameter Identification of Substation Frame
Authors: Qiang Ruochen , Sheng Ming , Su Dongxu , Wang Yachen , Liu Xianghong , Sun Qing
Published: September 2024

As a critical component of substations, the substation frames are characterized by significant height and span, which presents substantial challenges and risks in conducting dynamic response tests using traditional sensors. To simplify these difficulties, this paper introduces an experimental method utilizing MEMS sensor-based vibration acquisition. In this approach, smartphones equipped with MEMS sensors are deployed on the target structure to collect vibration data under environmental excitation. This method was applied in a dynamic field test of a novel composite substation frame. During the test, the proposed MEMS-based vibration acquisition method was conducted in parallel with traditional ultra-low-frequency vibration acquisition methods to validate the accuracy of the MEMS data. The results demonstrated that the MEMS sensors not only simplified the testing process but also provided reliable data, offering greater advantages in testing convenience compared with traditional contact methods. The modal parameters of the substation frame, including modal frequencies, damping ratios, and mode shapes, were subsequently identified using the covariance-driven stochastic subspace identification method. The experimental methodology and findings presented in this paper offer valuable insights for structural dynamic response testing and the wind-resistant design of substation frames.
Fault-Tolerant Integrated Guidance and Control Design for the Flight Vehicle without LOS Angular Rate Measurement
Authors: Yu Xiaojun , Luo Shibin , Zhang Fuzhen
Published: September 2024

This work focuses on the three-dimensional integrated guidance and control (IGC) problem for a flight vehicle with a body-aligned strapdown seeker. The strapdown seeker cannot provide the line-of-sight (LOS) angular rate information and causes difficulties in the controller design. Additionally, external disturbance and gain–loss actuator faults also lead to the loss of control performance. To solve these problems, an extended state observer (ESO) is firstly developed to estimate the LOS angular rate by applying the observed body-line-of-sight angles provided by the body-aligned strapdown seeker. Based on backstepping and dynamic surface control techniques, the fault-tolerant IGC is then designed to deal with the gain–loss actuator fault, and adaptive approaches are applied to improve the robustness of the system. Finally, the uniformly ultimately bounded stability of the flight control system is guaranteed via Lyapunov synthesis, and numerical simulations are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the system.
Special Issue “Advanced Imaging in Orthopedic Biomechanics”
Authors: Belvedere Claudio , Siegler Sorin
Published: September 2024

Continued advances in medical imaging are increasingly resulting in promising developments, for example in producing high-resolution visualization of musculoskeletal systems and thus having a high impact in clinical assessments [...]
Popularity-Aware Service Provisioning Framework in Cloud Environment
Authors: Ko Haneul , Kim Yumi , Kim Bokyeong , Kyung Yeunwoong
Published: September 2024

To balance the tradeoff between quality of service (QoS) and operating expenditure (OPEX), the service provider should request the appropriate amount of resources to the cloud operator based on the estimated variation of service requests. This paper proposes a popularity-aware service provisioning framework (PASPF), which leverages the network data analytics function (NWDAF) to obtain analytics on service popularity variations. These analytics estimate the congestion level and list of top services contributing most of the traffic change. Based on the analytics, PASPF enables the service provider to request the appropriate amount of resources for each service for the next time period to the cloud operator. To minimize the OPEX of the service provider while keeping the average response time of the services below their requirements, we formulate a constrained Markov decision process (CMDP) problem. The optimal stochastic policy can be obtained by converting the CMDP model into a linear programming (LP) model. Evaluation results demonstrate that the PASPF can achieve less than 50% OPEX of the service provider compared to a popularity-non-aware scheme while keeping the average response time of the services below the requirement.
Human–AI Co-Drawing: Studying Creative Efficacy and Eye Tracking in Observation and Cooperation
Authors: Pei Yuying , Wang Linlin , Xue Chengqi
Published: September 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are rapidly transforming the field of traditional artistic creation, influencing painting processes and human creativity. This study explores human–AI cooperation in real-time artistic drawing by using the AIGC tool KREA.AI. Participants wear eye trackers and perform drawing tasks by adjusting the AI parameters. The research aims to investigate the impact of cross-screen and non-cross-screen conditions, as well as different viewing strategies, on cognitive load and the degree of creative stimulation during user–AI collaborative drawing. Adopting a mixed design, it examines the influence of different cooperation modes and visual search methods on creative efficacy and visual perception through eye-tracking data and creativity performance scales. The cross-screen type and task type have a significant impact on total interval duration, number of fixation points, average fixation duration, and average pupil diameter in occlusion decision-making and occlusion hand drawing. There are significant differences in the variables of average gaze duration and average pupil diameter among different task types and cross-screen types. In non-cross-screen situations, occlusion and non-occlusion have a significant impact on average gaze duration and pupil diameter. Tasks in non-cross-screen environments are more sensitive to visual processing. The involvement of AI in hand drawing in non-cross-screen collaborative drawing by designers has a significant impact on their visual perception. These results help us to gain a deeper understanding of user behaviour and cognitive load under different visual tasks and cross-screen conditions. The analysis of the creative efficiency scale data reveals significant differences in designers’ ability to supplement and improve AI ideas across different modes. This indicates that the extent of AI participation in the designer’s hand-drawn creative process significantly impacts the designer’s behaviour when negotiating design ideas with the AI.
Size Dependency of Elastic and Plastic Properties of Metallic Polycrystals Using Statistical Volume Elements
Authors: Anto Anik Das , Fleishel Robert , TerMaath Stephanie , Abedi Reza
Published: September 2024

We present an efficient approach to evaluate the size dependency of elastic and plastic properties of metallic polycrystalline materials. Specifically, we consider different volume fractions of ferrite and martensite phases for the construction of three macroscopic domains. Statistical Volume Elements (SVEs) of different sizes are extracted from these domains using the moving window method. Linear and Crystal Plasticity (CP) simulations provide elastic and plastic properties of the SVEs such as the bulk and shear moduli, yield strength, and hardening modulus. We use a variation-based criterion to determine the Representative Volume Element (RVE) size of these properties. This RVE size corresponds to a size beyond which the given property can be idealized as homogeneous. We also use anisotropy indices and an additional RVE size criterion to determine the size limits beyond which these properties can be idealized as isotropic. Numerical results show that the plastic properties often reach their homogeneity and isotropy limits at larger sizes compared to elastic properties. This effect is more pronounced for the hardening modulus compared to the yield strength.
Prediction of Ship-Unloading Time Using Neural Networks
Authors: Gao Zhen , Li Danning , Wang Danni , Yu Zengcai , Pedrycz Witold , Wang Xinhai
Published: September 2024

The prediction of unloading times is crucial for reducing demurrage costs and ensuring the smooth scheduling of downstream processes in a steel plant. The duration of unloading a cargo ship is primarily determined by the unloading schedule established at the raw materials terminal and the storage operation schedule implemented in the stockyard. This study aims to provide an accurate forecast of unloading times for incoming ships at the raw materials terminal of a steel plant. We propose three neural network-based methods: the Backpropagation Neural Network (BP), the Random Vector Functional Link (RVFL), and the Stochastic Configurations Network (SCN) for this prediction. This issue has not been previously researched using similar methods, particularly in the context of large-scale steel plants. The performance of these three methods is evaluated based on several indices: the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), the quality of the best solution, convergence, and stability, which are employed for predicting unloading times. The prediction accuracies achieved by the BP, RVFL, and SCN were 76%, 85%, and 87%, respectively. These results demonstrate the effectiveness and potential applications of the proposed methods.
Multi-Parameter Control Anti-Jamming Algorithm for Wireless Communication Systems Based on Linear–Quadratic Regulator
Authors: Yao Hang , Niu Yingtao , Zhang Kai , Ge Rong , Yu Kefeng
Published: September 2024

In response to the challenge of existing wireless communication anti-jamming methods in effectively handling unknown jamming, this paper proposes a multi-parameter control anti-jamming algorithm for wireless communication systems based on the Linear–Quadratic Regulator (LQR). First, the proposed algorithm models the wireless communication system as a linear switched system based on the modulation and coding scheme. Subsequently, a feedback controller design method based on the LQR is introduced. By utilizing the multiple Lyapunov function method combined with linear matrix inequalities, sufficient criteria for the asymptotic stability of the system under unknown jamming conditions are provided. Finally, theoretical analysis and simulation results indicate that the proposed algorithm can rapidly adjust modulation and coding schemes as well as transmission power in complex jamming environments, thereby maintaining bit error rate (BER) stability and enhancing the reliability of the communication system.
Combining Eye-Tracking Technology and Subjective Evaluation to Determine Building Facade Color Combinations and Visual Quality
Authors: Wang Zhanzhu , Shen Maoting , Huang Yongming
Published: September 2024

Architectural colors significantly influence urban culture, city imagery, regional vitality, and residential experiences. Previous studies have demonstrated that appropriate architectural colors can enhance urban vitality, but research on multicolored buildings remains limited. This study examines the relationship between hue, color variations, and visual quality by cross-verifying eye-tracking physiological indicators with subjective assessments. Using digital models of old residential buildings in Shanghai’s Yangpu District, different color combinations were applied to explore real-world architectural color impacts. Results showed that blue and green combinations reduced visual pressure and created a calming space, while purple combinations were rated highly in both visual perception and subjective evaluations. Brightness differences notably influenced visual quality more than hue differences. However, larger hue variations, when paired with suitable brightness and saturation contrasts, also achieved better visual evaluations. This study fills a research gap by providing mathematical support for color combinations in architectural design, improving visual comfort and enhancing urban vitality.
An Audio-Based Motor-Fault Diagnosis System with SOM-LSTM
Authors: Tu Chia-Sheng , Chiu Chieh-Kai , Tsai Ming-Tang
Published: September 2024

This paper combines self-organizing mapping (SOM) and a long short-term memory network (SOM-LSTM) to construct an audio-based motor-fault diagnosis system for identifying the operating states of a rotary motor. This paper first uses an audio signal collector to measure the motor sound signal data, uses fast Fourier transform (FFT) to convert the actual measured sound–time-domain signal into a frequency-domain signal, and normalizes and calibrates the frequency-domain signal to ensure the consistency and accuracy of the signal. Secondly, the SOM is used to further analyze the characterized frequency-domain waveforms in order to reveal the intrinsic structure and pattern of the data. The LSTM network is used to process the secondary data generated via SOM. Dimensional data aggregation and the prediction of sequence data in long-term dependencies accurately identify different operating states and possible abnormal patterns. This paper also uses the experimental design of the Taguchi method to optimize the parameters of SOM-LSTM in order to increase the execution efficiency of fault diagnosis. Finally, the fault diagnosis system is applied to the real-time monitoring of the motor operation, the work of identifying the motor-fault type is performed, and tests under different loads and environments are attempted to evaluate its feasibility. The completion of this paper provides a diagnostic strategy that can be followed when it comes to motor faults. Through this fault diagnosis system, abnormal conditions in motor equipment can be detected, which can help with preventive maintenance, make work more efficient and save a lot of time and costs, and improve the industry’s ability to monitor motor operation information.
Fundamental Challenges and Complexities of Damage Identification from Dynamic Response in Plate Structures
Authors: Alshammari Yousef Lafi A. , He Feiyang , Alrwili Abdullah Ayed , Khan Muhammad
Published: September 2024

For many years, structural health monitoring (SHM) has held significant importance across diverse engineering sectors. The main aim of SHM is to assess the health status and understand distinct features of structures by analyzing real-time data from physical measurements. The dynamic response (DR) is a significant tool in SHM studies. This response is used primarily to detect variations or damage by examining the vibration signals of DR. Numerous scholarly articles and reviews have discussed the phenomenon and importance of using DR to predict damages in uniform thickness (UT) plate structures. However, previous reviews have predominantly focused on the UT plates, neglecting the equally important varying thickness (VT) plate structures. Given the significance of VT plates, especially for academic researchers, it is essential to compile a comprehensive review that covers the vibration of both the UT and VT cracked plate structures and their identification methods, with a special emphasis on VT plates. VT plates are particularly significant due to their application in critical components of various applications where optimizing the weight, aerodynamics, and dimensions is crucial to meet specific design specifications. Furthermore, this review critically evaluates the damage identification methods, focusing on their accuracy and applicability in real-world applications. This review revealed that current research studies are inadequate in describing crack path identification; they have primarily focused on predicting the quantification of cracks in terms of size or possible location. Identifying the crack path is crucial to avoid catastrophic failures, especially in scenarios where the crack may propagate in critical dimensions of the plate. Therefore, it can be concluded that an accurate analytical and empirical study of crack path and damage identification in these plates would be a novel and significant contribution to the academic field.
Analysis of the Laboratory and In-Competition Characteristics of Adolescent Motocross (MX) Riders: An In Situ Case Study
Authors: Ihász Ferenc , Katona Zsolt , Alföldi Zoltán , Szabo Attila , Barthalos István , Podstawski Robert , Suszter László , Finn Kevin J. , Kerner László
Published: September 2024

Motocross is one of the most popular high-speed motorcycle races, which takes place on a naturally closed track with significant challenges. This study aimed to characterize anthropometric, circulatory, and lower and upper limb muscle properties based on laboratory and race-recorded characteristics. Male competitors (n = 3) aged 14 years (MX) were included in the study. All three boys have national and international experience. Metabolic characteristics (ventilation, oxygen consumption, and carbon dioxide production) and heart rate (HR) were measured in the laboratory while HR and speed were measured while racing. No significant difference was found between the three competitors in terms of HR during the race. In terms of number of sprints (No. sprint) and maximum speed (Speedmax), we found the most successful runner (highest finisher) to have the most sprints and maximum speed. Comparing the metabolic characteristics, it was found that racing was between the respiratory breakpoint (VT1) and the respiratory compensation point (RCP), but, in several cases, crossed the anaerobic threshold. While motocross riders are exposed to extreme conditions and high physical demands, in motorsport, victories depend not only on the athlete’s physical abilities but also on several factors such as driving technique, mental effort, equipment efficiency and resistance, race strategy, and team competence.
Investigation of Railway Network Capacity by Means of Dynamic Flows
Authors: Nikolayzik Dominik , Maus Maren , Nießen Nils
Published: September 2024

Capacity calculations are essential for the long-term planning of railway infrastructure. Many of the methods currently used in practice calculate characteristic capacity values separately for the single elements (mainly lines and nodes) of a railway network. Approaches that consider the entire network to account for interactions between the elements often rely on many assumptions, which renders a direct practical application difficult. This paper therefore introduces a linear optimization model that comprises railway-specific constraints such as minimum headway times, line capacities, and route conflicts. Under the consideration of these constraints, the developed model permits the calculation of a network-wide capacity. The model is validated on a sample network that is based on a real network of the German railway infrastructure.
Trajectory Planning of Robotic Arm Based on Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Wu Nengkai , Jia Dongyao , Li Ziqi , He Zihao
Published: September 2024

Achieving vibration-free smooth motion of industrial robotic arms in a short period is an important research topic. Existing path planning algorithms often sacrifice smoothness in pursuit of efficient motion. A robotic trajectory planning particle swarm optimization algorithm (RTPPSO) is introduced for optimizing joint angles or paths of mechanical arm movements. The RTPPSO algorithm is enhanced through the introduction of adaptive weight strategies and random perturbation terms. Subsequently, the RTPPSO algorithm is utilized to plan selected parameters of an S-shaped velocity profile, iterating to obtain the optimal solution. Experimental results demonstrate that this velocity planning algorithm significantly improves the acceleration of the robotic arm, surpassing traditional trial-and-error velocity planning methods.
The Democratization of Artificial Intelligence: Theoretical Framework
Authors: Costa Carlos J. , Aparicio Manuela , Aparicio Sofia , Aparicio Joao Tiago
Published: September 2024

The democratization of artificial intelligence (AI) involves extending access to AI technologies beyond specialized technical experts to a broader spectrum of users and organizations. This paper provides an overview of AI’s historical context and evolution, emphasizing the concept of AI democratization. Current trends shaping AI democratization are analyzed, highlighting key challenges and opportunities. The roles of pivotal stakeholders, including technology firms, educational entities, and governmental bodies, are examined in facilitating widespread AI adoption. A comprehensive framework elucidates the components, drivers, challenges, and strategies crucial to AI democratization. This framework is subsequently applied in the context of scenario analyses, offering insights into potential outcomes and implications. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research directions and strategic actions to foster responsible and inclusive AI development globally.
Comprehensive Cost–Energy Evaluation of Wall Insulation for Diverse Orientations and Seasonal Usages
Authors: Canbolat Ahmet Serhan
Published: September 2024

An optimization study on thermal insulation applied to building exteriors has been performed in this research. Solar radiation has been considered while obtaining optimum insulation thicknesses for various directions. Analyses have been conducted not only for the cardinal directions (south, north, west, and east) but also for the intermediate directions (southeast, northeast, northwest, and southwest). Solar radiation received by vertical walls and cooling and heating degree day values have been computed according to directions. This research examines the most suitable insulation thicknesses for different seasonal usage scenarios, considering cooling, heating, and annual energy demands. Variations in energy cost savings, savings rates, payback periods, seasonal energy demands, and optimum insulation thicknesses for various wall orientations have been presented. Additionally, correlations providing the total cost based on the applied insulation thickness for each direction and various building usage scenarios have been determined. The results indicate that incoming solar radiation varies from 52.08 W/m2 to 111.82 W/m2 across different wall orientations, while energy cost savings range from 23.48 USD/m2 to 24.56 USD/m2, with savings rates between 69.8% and 70.3%. Payback periods range from 5.94 to 6.05 years. Depending on the wall orientation, optimum insulation thicknesses vary between 4.52 and 5.02 cm for heating, 1.56 and 2.09 cm for cooling, and 5.92 and 6.08 cm for annual energy requirements. The heating energy demands ranged from 54.8 MJ/m2 to 58.38 MJ/m2, while the cooling energy demands varied between 10.91 MJ/m2 and 12.08 MJ/m2, depending on the wall orientation. It has been concluded that the ideal insulation thicknesses for meeting cooling, heating, and annual energy demands vary depending on the wall orientation and the building’s use purpose.
Calibration for Improving the Medium-Range Soil Forecast over Central Tibet: Effects of Objective Metrics’ Diversity
Authors: Guo Yakai , Shao Changliang , Niu Guanjun , Xu Dongmei , Gao Yong , Yuan Baojun
Published: September 2024

The high spatial complexities of soil temperature modeling over semiarid land have challenged the calibration–forecast framework, whose composited objective lacks comprehensive evaluation. Therefore, this study, based on the Noah land surface model and its full parameter table, utilizes two global searching algorithms and eight kinds of objectives with dimensional-varied metrics, combined with dense site soil moisture and temperature observations of central Tibet, to explore different metrics’ performances on the spatial heterogeneity and uncertainty of regional land surface parameters, calibration efficiency and effectiveness, and spatiotemporal complexities in surface forecasting. Results have shown that metrics’ diversity has shown greater influence on the calibration—predication framework than the global searching algorithm’s differences. The enhanced multi-objective metric (EMO) and the enhanced Kling–Gupta efficiency (EKGE) have their own advantages and disadvantages in simulations and parameters, respectively. In particular, the EMO composited with the four metrics of correlated coefficient, root mean square error, mean absolute error, and Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency has shown relatively balanced performance in surface soil temperature forecasting when compared to other metrics. In addition, the calibration–forecast framework that benefited from the EMO could greatly reduce the spatial complexities in surface soil modeling of semiarid land. In general, these findings could enhance the knowledge of metrics’ advantages in solving the complexities of the LSM’s parameters and simulations and promote the application of the calibration–forecast framework, thereby potentially improving regional surface forecasting over semiarid regions.