bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Longitudinal Study of Hematology and Stress Biomarker Profiles in Young Asian Elephants (Elephas Maximus) in Relation to Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV) in Thailand
Authors: Boonprasert Khajohnpat , Yun Yaoprapa , Kosaruk Worapong , Towiboon Patcharapa , Tankaew Pallop , Punyapornwithaya Veerasak , Janyamathakul Thittaya , Muanghong Panida , Brown Janine L. , Thitaram Chatchote , Somgird Chaleamchat
Published: August 2021

Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus hemorrhagic disease (EEHV-HD) is a virulent disease that causes severe hemorrhage and sudden death in Asian elephant calves. A change in hematology profiles is one indicator of infection before clinical signs appear; however, to be effective, individual baselines and age-matched reference values are needed. Stress has been speculated to be a factor in clinical EEHV cases, but relationships have not been demonstrated empirically. This study evaluated blood hematology and several stress response markers—salivary cortisol, fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM), salivary Immunoglobulin A (SIgA), and fecal IgA (FIgA) in samples collected for 1 year from three healthy calves with no EEHV history (non-EEHV), and six that had previously been infected, developed clinical signs and survived (prior-EEHV). Hematology values between non-EEHV and prior-EEHV elephants were not different and within published reference ranges. Concentrations of salivary cortisol, FGM, SIgA, and FIgA also were variable and showed seasonal differences, but no relationships to prior EEHV status. One of the prior EEHV calves became re-infected, developed hemorrhagic disease (HD), and died during the study period. That calf exhibited lymphocytopenia, monocytopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Additionally, all stress biomarker concentrations were lower in the 12 days before viremia was observed. Thus, as in other studies, changes in hematology occur with EEHV infection, while preliminary data in one calf suggests that stress-response measures might also be informative and should be studied further.
Bias of Calf Sex on Milk Yield and Fat Yield in Holstein Crossbreed Cows
Authors: Djedović Radica , Stanojević Dragan , Bogdanović Vladan , Andrić Dušica Ostojić , Samolovac Ljiljana , Stamenić Tamara
Published: August 2021

In order to examine the biased milk production depending on the sex of calves, data on calving and milk yield characteristics of 15,181 Holstein type cows in PK Belgrade, Serbia were analyzed. A total of 30,362 lactations that were realized in the period from 1985 to 2017 were analyzed. Data were prepared and analyzed using the SAS software package (SAS Institute Inc. Software License 9.3, 2012). The expression and variability of investigated traits were determined using the PROC MEANS procedure, while the effect of individual factors on milk yield traits was analyzed using the PROC GLM procedure. Obtained results deviate from the views of the Trivers–Willard (TW) hypothesis. The results indicate that mothers invest more in female offspring by producing a higher milk and fat yield in the first and second lactation compared to male offspring. This is especially emphasized under better environmental conditions. The highest milk yield (7788 kg) and fat yield (271 kg) in the second lactation were achieved in the combination with two consecutive female calves in the group of higher-than-average milk production farms, and lowest in the combination of two consecutive male calves (6783 kg for the MY and 243 kg for the FY), respectively.
Evaluation of a Lecithin Supplementation on Growth Performance, Meat Quality, Lipid Metabolism, and Cecum Microbiota of Broilers
Authors: Shen Yiru , Zhang Shan , Zhao Xu , Shi Shourong
Published: August 2021

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of lecithin on the performance, meat quality, lipid metabolism, and cecum microbiota of broilers. One hundred and ninety-two one-day-old AA broilers with similar body weights (38 ± 1.0 g) were randomly assigned to two groups with six replicates of sixteen birds each and were supplemented with 0 and 1 g/kg of lecithin for forty-two days. Performance and clinical observations were measured and recorded throughout the study. Relative organ weight, meat quality, lipid-related biochemical parameters and enzyme activities were also measured. Compared with broilers in the control group, broilers in the lecithin treatment group showed a significant increase in L* value and tenderness (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the abdominal adipose index of broilers was markedly decreased in lecithin treatment after 42 days (p < 0.05). In the lipid metabolism, broilers in the lecithin treatment group showed a significant increase in hepatic lipase and general esterase values at 21 days compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Lower Firmicutes and higher Bacteroidetes levels in phylum levels were observed in the lecithin treatment group after 21 and 42 days. The distribution of lactobacillus, clostridia, and rikenella in genus levels were higher in the lecithin treatment group after 21 and 42 days. No statistically significant changes were observed in performance, relative organ weight, or other serum parameters (p > 0.05). These results indicate that supplementation with lecithin significantly influence the lipid metabolism in broilers at 21 and 42 days, which resulted in the positive effect on the meat color, tenderness, and abdominal adipose in broilers.
Differential Effects of Green Tea Powders on the Protection of Brown Tsaiya and Kaiya Ducklings against Trichothecene T-2 Toxin Toxicity
Authors: Tso Ko-Hua , Lumsangkul Chompunut , Cheng Min-Chien , Ju Jyh-Cherng , Fan Yang-Kwang , Chiang Hsin-I
Published: August 2021

A 3-week feeding trial in a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial design was conducted with three concentrations (0, 0.5, and 5 mg/kg) of T-2 toxin (T-2) and two levels (0% and 0.5%) of green tea powder (GTP) supplements used in the diets of female brown Tsaiya ducklings (BTDs) and Kaiya ducklings (KDs), respectively. Breed had a significant effect on the growth performances and the relative weights of organs and carcass. In general, the growth performances of KDs were better than BTDs. The relative weights of organs and carcass of BTDs were typically heavier than those of KDs; however, the breast of KDs was heavier than those of BTDs. Both ducklings received 5 mg/kg of T-2 blended in the diet showed lower feed intake and body weight gain (BWG) in the second and the third week. The diet containing 5 mg/kg of T-2 and 0.5% GTP improved the BWG compared to those fed the diet supplemented with 5 mg/kg of T-2 without GTP in BTDs. Ducklings fed the diet containing 5 mg/kg of T-2 induced hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia, as well as decreased concentrations of creatine phosphokinase and alkaline phosphatase. The concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) were increased in KDs and BTDs fed the diet containing 5 mg/kg of T-2 without GTP, respectively. However, duckling diets containing 5 mg/kg of T-2 with 0.5% GTP lowered concentrations of BUN and GOT in the blood plasma of KDs and BTDs, respectively. The diet containing 5 mg/kg of T-2 increased the relative kidney weight but decreased the relative breast weight of ducklings. Enlarged gizzards and reduced relative leg weights were observed in BTDs fed the diets containing 5 mg/kg of T-2. In summary, BTDs are more sensitive than KDs in responding to T-2 toxicity and GTP detoxification. Green tea powder has detoxification ability and could potentially mitigate T-2 toxicity on BWG, BUN, and GOT in ducklings.
Supplement Based on Fermented Milk Permeate for Feeding Newborn Calves: Influence on Blood, Growth Performance, and Faecal Parameters, including Microbiota, Volatile Compounds, and Fatty and Organic Acid Profiles
Authors: Vadopalas Laurynas , Zokaityte Egle , Zavistanaviciute Paulina , Gruzauskas Romas , Starkute Vytaute , Mockus Ernestas , Klementaviciute Jolita , Ruzauskas Modestas , Lele Vita , Cernauskas Darius , Klupsaite Dovile , Dauksiene Agila , Sederevicius Antanas , Badaras Sarunas , Bartkiene Elena
Published: August 2021

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a feed supplement, namely milk permeate (MP) fermented with Lactobacillus uvarum LUHS245, on the newborn calves’ growth performance and blood and faecal parameters, including microbiota and volatile compound and fatty acid profiles. Ten female Holstein calves in the control group (CON group) were fed with a standard milk replacer diet and colostrum only, from day 2 to 14 of life, while 10 calves of the treated group (MP group) were fed with the same diet supplemented with 50 mL of the fermented MP. After 14 days, there were no significant differences between the groups in blood parameters, growth performance, or faecal pH. There was a significantly higher percentage of live lactic acid bacteria (by 17.02%), a lower percentage of enterobacteria (by 10.38%), a higher overall number of probiotic bacteria, a 1.7-fold higher species variety, and a higher content of dry matter in the faeces of the MP group (p < 0.05). The fatty acid and volatile compound profiles differed significantly between the groups. The results suggest that supplementing calves’ feed with fermented milk permeate has a positive effect on certain health parameters but not on blood parameters or growth performance.
Behavioral Observation Procedures and Tests to Characterize the Suitability of Sows for Loose-Housed Farrowing Systems
Authors: Neu Julia , Göres Nina , Kecman Jelena , Voß Barbara , Rosner Frank , Swalve Hermann H. , Kemper Nicole
Published: August 2021

The objective of the study was to evaluate behavioral observation procedures and tests to characterize sows’ behavior for their suitability for free farrowing systems. Nest building activity (NB), lying-down behavior (LDB), and position after lying down (PLD) were assessed. Four tests were designed to characterize the reaction of sows to a novel object and an unexpected situation (Towel Test, TT), behavior towards humans (Dummy Arm Test, DAT; Trough Cleaning Test, TCT), and behavior towards piglets (Reunion Test, RT). The study was performed on a nucleus farm in 37 batches including 771 purebred landrace sows housed in farrowing pens with short-term fixation. The assessment of NB started 2 days before the expected date of the farrowing. In 56.2% of the observations, the sows showed increased chewing activity on gunnysacks. The LDB and PLD were assessed on days 3 and 19 post partum (p.p.). In 49.1% of the observations, sows showed careful lying-down behavior. In 50.1% of cases, sows preferred the stomach-teats-position when lying down. With the DAT on day 4 p.p., in 89.3% of observations, no or only slight reactions of the sow were documented. The TT and TCT were performed on days 3 and 10 p.p. Strong defensive reactions of animals towards humans were recorded in 4.5% of the observations in the TT, and in 4.0% of the observations in the TCT. In the RT on day 3 p.p., in 61.8%, a joyful response of the sows to the reunion with their piglets was observed. This study showed that the behavioral observation procedures and designed tests are suitable to characterize sows’ behavior towards humans and piglets with regard to traits that are particularly important in systems without fixation.
Data Collection for the Fourth Multicentre Confidential Enquiry into Perioperative Equine Fatalities (CEPEF4) Study: New Technology and Preliminary Results
Authors: Gozalo-Marcilla Miguel , Bettschart-Wolfensberger Regula , Johnston Mark , Taylor Polly M. , Redondo Jose I.
Published: August 2021

It is almost 20 years since the largest observational, multicentre study evaluating the risks of mortality associated with general anaesthesia in horses. We proposed an internet-based method to collect data (cleaned and analysed with R) in a multicentre, cohort, observational, analytical, longitudinal and prospective study to evaluate peri-operative equine mortality. The objective was to report the usefulness of the method, illustrated with the preliminary data, including outcomes for horses seven days after undergoing general anaesthesia and certain procedures using standing sedation. Within six months, data from 6701 procedures under general anaesthesia and 1955 standing sedations from 69 centres were collected. The results showed (i) the utility of the method; also, that (ii) the overall mortality rate for general anaesthesia within the seven-day outcome period was 1.0%. In horses undergoing procedures other than exploratory laparotomy for colic (“noncolics”), the rate was lower, 0.6%, and in “colics” it was higher, at 3.4%. For standing sedations, the overall mortality rate was 0.2%. Finally, (iii) we present some descriptive data that demonstrate new developments since the previous CEPEF2. In conclusion, horses clearly still die unexpectedly when undergoing procedures under general anaesthesia or standing sedation. Our method is suitable for case collection for future studies.
Intestinal Microbiota, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anti-Oxidative Status of Broiler Chickens Fed Diets Containing Mushroom Waste Compost By-Products
Authors: Chuang Wen Yang , Lin Li Jen , Shih Hsin Der , Shy Yih Min , Chang Shang Chang , Lee Tzu Tai
Published: August 2021

This study investigated the effects of using mushroom waste compost as the residue medium for Pleurotus eryngii planting, which was used as a feed replacement; its consequent influence on broiler chickens’ intestinal microbiota, anti-inflammatory responses, and anti-oxidative status was likewise studied. A total of 240 male broilers were used and allocated to four treatment groups: the basal diet—control group (corn–soybean); 5% replacement of a soybean meal via PWMC (Pennisetum purpureum Schum No. 2 waste mushroom compost); 5% replacement of a soybean meal via FPW (Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermented PWMC); 5% replacement of a soybean meal via PP (Pennisetum purpureum Schum No. 2). Each treatment had three replicates and 20 birds per pen. The levels of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase mRNA as well as protein increased in the liver and serum in chickens, respectively; mRNA levels of inflammation-related genes were also suppressed 2 to 10 times in all treatments as compared to those in the control group. The tight junction and mucin were enhanced 2 to 10 times in all treatment groups as compared to those in the control, especially in the PWMC group. Nevertheless, the appetite-related mRNA levels were increased in the PWMC and FPW groups by at least two times. In ileum and cecum, the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratios in broilers were decreased in the PWMC, FPW, and PP groups. The Lactobacillaceae in the ileum were increased mainly in the PWMC and control groups. Overall, high-fiber feeds (PWMC, FPW, and PP) could enhance the broilers’ health by improving their antioxidant capacities and decreasing their inflammatory response as compared to the control. Based on the results, a 5% replacement of the soybean meal via PWMC is recommended in the broiler chickens’ diet.
Feeding and Management of Horses with and without Free Faecal Liquid: A Case–Control Study
Authors: Lindroth Katrin M. , Lindberg Jan-Erik , Johansen Astrid , Müller Cecilia E.
Published: August 2021

Free faecal liquid (FFL) in horses is characterised by the excretion of faeces in two phases (one solid and one liquid), which may cause dermatitis on the hindlegs. The causes of FFL are not known. Results from previous studies have indicated that feed ration composition and management factors may play important roles in the occurrence of FFL. A case–control study was therefore performed in which data on feed rations, feeding practices and management factors were compared between horses with (case) and without (control) FFL on 50 private farms in Sweden and Norway. The comparisons show that case and control horses were reported to be fed similar average amounts of wrapped forage (p = 0.97) and to be subject to similar management practices, but case horses were fed higher proportions of concentrates in their diet (p < 0.001) and lower average amounts of straw and lucerne (p < 0.05) compared to control horses. Case horses were reported to be fed twice as much concentrate per 100 kg BW and day as control horses and a higher daily intake of starch and water-soluble carbohydrates (p < 0.05). Case horses also had a lower daily intake of digestible crude protein and neutral detergent fibre compared to control horses (p < 0.05). These differences were small but are of interest for further studies of factors causing FFL.
Strain-Softening Analyses of a Circular Bore under the Influence of Axial Stress
Authors: Dong Xuechao , Guo Mingwei , Wang Shuilin
Published: August 2021

Strain-softening analyses were performed around a circular bore in a Mohr–Coulomb rock mass subjected to a hydrostatic stress field in cross section and out-of-plane stress along the axis of the bore. Numerical procedures that simplify the strain-softening process in a step manner were employed, and on the basis of the theoretical solutions of the elastic–brittle–plastic (EBP) medium, the strain-softening results of the displacements, stresses and the plastic zones around the circular bore were obtained. The numerical solution was validated based on the fact that the strain-softening process became EBP when the softening slope was very steep and elastic-perfectly plastic (EP) when the softening slope was near zero. The results illustrated that the stresses and displacements in the rock mass surrounding the bore were affected by axial stress and that a proper consideration of out-of-plane stress was necessary. Moreover, the presented results can be used for the verification of numerical codes.
A Multiple-Choice Machine Reading Comprehension Model with Multi-Granularity Semantic Reasoning
Authors: Dai Yu , Fu Yufan , Yang Lei
Published: August 2021

To address the problem of poor semantic reasoning of models in multiple-choice Chinese machine reading comprehension (MRC), this paper proposes an MRC model incorporating multi-granularity semantic reasoning. In this work, we firstly encode articles, questions and candidates to extract global reasoning information; secondly, we use multiple convolution kernels of different sizes to convolve and maximize pooling of the BERT-encoded articles, questions and candidates to extract local semantic reasoning information of different granularities; we then fuse the global information with the local multi-granularity information and use it to make an answer selection. The proposed model can combine the learned multi-granularity semantic information for reasoning, solving the problem of poor semantic reasoning ability of the model, and thus can improve the reasoning ability of machine reading comprehension. The experiments show that the proposed model achieves better performance on the C3 dataset than the benchmark model in semantic reasoning, which verifies the effectiveness of the proposed model in semantic reasoning.
MonoMR: Synthesizing Pseudo-2.5D Mixed Reality Content from Monocular Videos
Authors: Hwang Dong-Hyun , Koike Hideki
Published: August 2021

MonoMR is a system that synthesizes pseudo-2.5D content from monocular videos for mixed reality (MR) head-mounted displays (HMDs). Unlike conventional systems that require multiple cameras, the MonoMR system can be used by casual end-users to generate MR content from a single camera only. In order to synthesize the content, the system detects people in the video sequence via a deep neural network, and then the detected person’s pseudo-3D position is estimated by our proposed novel algorithm through a homography matrix. Finally, the person’s texture is extracted using a background subtraction algorithm and is placed on an estimated 3D position. The synthesized content can be played in MR HMD, and users can freely change their viewpoint and the content’s position. In order to evaluate the efficiency and interactive potential of MonoMR, we conducted performance evaluations and a user study with 12 participants. Moreover, we demonstrated the feasibility and usability of the MonoMR system to generate pseudo-2.5D content using three example application scenarios.
Control of Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD) on Black Sesame Seed (Sesamum indicum L.) Sprout Production in a Micro-Greenhouse Using Intelligent Control
Authors: Barreto-Salazar Luis E. , Rochín-Medina Jesús J. , Picos-Ponce Julio C. , Castro-Palazuelos David E. , Rubio-Astorga Guillermo J.
Published: August 2021

The demand for fresh and healthy food has been increasing, and different options for growing sprouts have been presented to solve this, such as traditional techniques and cultivation under controlled conditions. However, sprout farming has not explored all the tools available to produce these foods under controlled conditions. This study presents an alternative to produce sesame seed sprouts in a micro-greenhouse applying intelligent control algorithms for vapor pressure deficit. There was an improvement of 56% in the germination percentage, 2.59 in the germination index, 9.7% in the production of proteins, 1.1% in ash and an increase of 77.03 mm in the sprouts’ length collected in the micro-greenhouse in comparison with the traditional technique. This was achieved by maintaining a mean error for soil moisture at 87% and 0.93 kPa for vapor pressure deficit by applying proportional–integral–derivative, fuzzy logic and neural network control algorithms in the micro-greenhouse. The study shows that the nutritional content, the measured germination parameters and the size are improved in sesame sprout production by applying intelligent control algorithms for vapor pressure deficit in a micro-greenhouse.
Take-Over Time: A Cross-Cultural Study of Take-Over Responses in Highly Automated Driving
Authors: Strle Gregor , Xing Yilun , Miller Erika E. , Boyle Linda Ng , Sodnik Jaka
Published: August 2021

The article presents a cross-cultural study of take-over performance in highly automated driving. As take-over performance is an important measure of safe driving, potential cultural differences could have important implications for the future development of automated vehicles. The study was conducted in two culturally different locations, Seattle, WA (n = 20) and Ljubljana, Slovenia (n = 18), using a driving simulator. While driving, participants voluntarily engaged in secondary tasks. The take-over request (TOR) was triggered at a specific time during the drive, and take-over time and type of response (none, brake, steer) were measured for each participant. Results show significant differences in take-over performance between the two locations. In Seattle 30% of participants in Seattle did not respond to TOR; the remaining 70% responded by braking only, compared to Slovenian participants who all responded by either braking or steering. Participants from Seattle responded significantly more slowly to TOR (M = +1285 ms) than Slovenian participants. Secondary task engagement at TOR also had an effect, with distracted US participants’ response taking significantly longer (M = +1596 ms) than Slovenian participants. Reported differences in take-over performance may indicate cultural differences in driving behavior and trust in automated driving.
Anatomical Characteristics of the Lateral Pterygoid Muscle in Mandibular Prognathism
Authors: Kim Hwikang , Shin Dongsun , Kang Jaehyun , Kim Seewoon , Lim Hunjun , Lee Jun , Kim Bongchul
Published: August 2021

Mandibular prognathism is one of the most concerning subjects in the oral and maxillofacial fields. In our previous studies, we attempted to clarify the etiology of mandibular prognathism. They revealed that one of the major characteristics of mandibular prognathism was the lower volume/length ratio of the mandibular condyle and body compared to normal, and the masseter muscle showed parallelism with this. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between mandibular prognathism and the lateral pterygoid muscle by measuring the orientation and volume/length ratio of the lateral pterygoid muscle. Computed tomography was used to calculate the volume/length ratio of the lateral pterygoid muscle in 60 Korean individuals. Mimics 10.0 and Maya version 2018 were used to reconstruct the surface area and surface planes. The results showed that the prognathic group showed smaller lateral pterygoid volume/length ratios compared to the normal group (p < 0.05). In addition, the normal group displayed a larger horizontal angle (p < 0.05) to the mandibular and palatal planes than the prognathic group. This demonstrated that the mechanical drawback of the lateral pterygoid in the prognathic group is associated with mandibular prognathism.
System-Analytical Method of Earthquake-Prone Areas Recognition
Authors: Dzeboev Boris A. , Gvishiani Alexei D. , Agayan Sergey M. , Belov Ivan O. , Karapetyan Jon K. , Dzeranov Boris V. , Barykina Yuliya V.
Published: August 2021

Typically, strong earthquakes do not occur over the entire territory of the seismically active region. Recognition of areas where they may occur is a critical step in seismic hazard assessment studies. For half a century, the Earthquake-Prone Areas (EPA) approach, developed by the famous Soviet academicians I.M. Gelfand and V.I. Keilis-Borok, was used to recognize areas prone to strong earthquakes. For the modern development of ideas that form the basis of the EPA method, new mathematical methods of pattern recognition are proposed. They were developed by the authors to overcome the difficulties that arise today when using the EPA approach in its classic version. So, firstly, a scheme for the recognition of high seismicity disjunctive nodes and the vicinities of axis intersections of the morphostructural lineaments was created with only one high seismicity learning class. Secondly, the system-analytical method FCAZ (Formalized Clustering and Zoning) has been developed. It uses the epicenters of fairly weak earthquakes as recognition objects. This makes it possible to develop the recognition result of areas prone to strong earthquakes after the appearance of epicenters of new weak earthquakes and, thereby, to repeatedly correct the results over time. It is shown that the creation of the FCAZ method for the first time made it possible to consider the classical problem of earthquake-prone areas recognition from the point of view of advanced systems analysis. The new mathematical recognition methods proposed in the article have made it possible to successfully identify earthquake-prone areas on the continents of North and South America, Eurasia, and in the subduction zones of the Pacific Rim.
Influence of Air Pressure on the Resonance Properties of a T-Shaped Quartz Tuning Fork Coupled with Resonator Tubes
Authors: Olivieri Mariagrazia , Zifarelli Andrea , Menduni Giansergio , Di Gioia Michele , Marzocca Cristoforo , Passaro Vittorio M. N. , Sampaolo Angelo , Giglio Marilena , Spagnolo Vincenzo , Patimisco Pietro
Published: August 2021

A theoretical analysis and experimental investigation of the influence of gas pressure on resonance properties, namely, the quality factor and resonance frequency, of a T-shaped quartz tuning fork (QTF) is reported here. Two configurations are considered: a bare QTF, and a QTF coupled with a pair of resonator tubes (spectrophone). In both configurations, the effect of air on resonance frequency due to the additional inertia on prong motion and the influence of air damping on the quality factor, were analysed. By comparing the bare QTF and the spectrophone results, the effect of pressure on the acoustic coupling between the QTF and the tubes was theoretically modelled and then validated. The results show that acoustic coupling is strongly influenced by air pressure, leading to a shift of resonance frequency and a decrease in the quality factor up to 24%.
A Smart Capsule Equipped with Artificial Intelligence for Autonomous Delivery of Medical Material through Drones
Authors: Amicone Donatello , Cannas Andrea , Marci Alberto , Tortora Giuseppe
Published: August 2021

In the last few years, many examples of blood and medicine delivery drones have been demonstrated worldwide, which mainly rely on aeronautical experience that is not common in the medical world. Speaking about drone delivery, attention should focus on the most important thing: the transported lifesaving good. Traditional boxes that monitor temperature are not usually in real time, and are not suitable for drone transportation because they are heavy and bulky. This means that the biomedical characteristics of delivery are of primary importance. A Smart Capsule, equipped with artificial intelligence (AI), is the first system ever proposed to provide a fully autonomous drone delivery service for perishable and high-value medical products, integrating real-time quality monitoring and control. It consists in a smart casing that is able to guide any autonomous aerial vehicle attached to it, specifically designed for transporting blood, organs, tissues, test samples and drugs, among others. The system monitors the conditions of the product (e.g., temperature, agitation and humidity) and adjusts them when needed by exploiting, for instance, vibrations to maintain the required agitation, ensuring that goods are ready to be used as soon as they are delivered. The Smart Capsule also leverages external temperature to reduce energy uptake from the drone, thus improving the drone’s battery life and flight range. The system replaces the need for specialized drivers and traditional road-bound transportation means, while guaranteeing compliance with all applicable safety regulations. A series of 16 experimental tests was performed to demonstrate the possibility of using the smart capsule to manage the flight and internal good delivery. Eighty-one missions were carried out for a total of 364 min of flight. The Smart Capsule greatly improves emergency response and efficiency of healthcare systems by reducing delivery times by up to 80% and costs by at least 28%. The Smart Capsule and its enabling technology based on AI for drone deliveries are discussed in this paper. The aim of this work is to show the possibility of managing drone delivery with an AI-based device.
A Needs-Based Augmented Reality System
Authors: Yahya Manal A. , Dahanayake Ajantha
Published: August 2021

Augmented Reality aims to enhance the real world with computer-generated information. AR technology is both attractive and promising. Current AR experiences depend on external elements to launch, such as markers, images, and location. For an AR experience to be more personalized, this research proposes a scheme to trigger AR experiences based on human needs. This approach should enable human needs to be captured, and analyze them to select the most suited experiences that fulfill or aids in fulfilling needs. The contribution of this paper includes (1) a study of current AR technologies and triggers, (2) an analysis of human needs into measurable elements, and (3) a description of a needs-based AR application process with a demonstration of the process guidelines. The research presents a proof of concept prototype of a restaurant that satisfies the subsistence need for hunger. The results show the effectiveness of the guidelines in detecting human needs and recommending AR experiences; however, producing correct predictions and recommendations requires a well-established dataset.
Blast Loaded Columns—State of the Art Review
Authors: Lukić Sanja , Draganić Hrvoje
Published: August 2021

The ever-present threat of terrorist attacks in recent decades gives way to research towards blast-resistant design of structures. Columns, as one of the main load-bearing elements in residential buildings and bridges, are becoming interesting targets in bombing attacks. Research of column blast load behavior leads toward increased safety by identifying shortcomings and problems of those elements and acting accordingly. Field tests and numerical simulations lead to the development of new blast load mitigation technics, either in the design process or as a retrofit and strengthening of existing elements. The article provides a state-of-the-art literature review of filed blast load tests and numerical simulations of a bridge and building columns.
Synergy of Blockchain Technology and Data Mining Techniques for Anomaly Detection
Authors: Kamišalić Aida , Kramberger Renata , Fister Iztok
Published: August 2021

Blockchain and Data Mining are not simply buzzwords, but rather concepts that are playing an important role in the modern Information Technology (IT) revolution. Blockchain has recently been popularized by the rise of cryptocurrencies, while data mining has already been present in IT for many decades. Data stored in a blockchain can also be considered to be big data, whereas data mining methods can be applied to extract knowledge hidden in the blockchain. In a nutshell, this paper presents the interplay of these two research areas. In this paper, we surveyed approaches for the data mining of blockchain data, yet show several real-world applications. Special attention was paid to anomaly detection and fraud detection, which were identified as the most prolific applications of applying data mining methods on blockchain data. The paper concludes with challenges for future investigations of this research area.
Defrosting of Air-Source Heat Pumps: Effect of Real Temperature Data on Seasonal Energy Performance for Different Locations in Italy
Authors: Rossi di Schio Eugenia , Ballerini Vincenzo , Dongellini Matteo , Valdiserri Paolo
Published: August 2021

In this paper, dynamic simulations of the seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP) of Air-Source Heat Pumps will be presented by considering three different heat pump systems coupled with the same building located in three different Italian municipalities: S. Benedetto del Tronto (42°58′ North, 13°53′ East), Milan (45°28′ North, 9°10′ East), and Livigno (46°28′ North, 10°8′ East). Dynamic simulations were conducted by employing the software package TRNSYS and by considering real weather data (i.e., outdoor air temperature and humidity as well as solar radiation) referring to the three abovementioned cities for a period of 8 years (2013–2020) and collected from on-site weather stations. Attention has been paid to the modeling of the heat pump defrost cycles in order to evaluate their influence on the unit’s seasonal performance. Results show that, when referring to different years, the thermal energy demand displays huge variations (in some cases it can even double its value), while the effective SCOP is characterized by scarce variability. Sensible variations in SCOP values are achieved for Livigno.
Research and Application of Slag–Nanosilica Stabilizer for Silt Subgrade
Authors: Wang Xiushan , Qi Shunxin , Dong Bowen , Chen Keyu , Wang Mingjie , Xu Jingyi
Published: August 2021

With the rapid development of construction and road engineering, the accumulation of silting waste soil is becoming more and more serious. In order to recycle the silt, a new type of stabilizer was developed in this study to improve its mechanical properties and applicability on roads. The optimal ratio of stabilizer components was determined by orthogonal test and grey correlation analysis. The effects of stabilizer on the macroscopic mechanical properties of silt were investigated by unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test and split test. The water stability test and freeze–thaw cycle test were carried out to study the durability and road performance of stabilized soil. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods were used to study the effect of the stabilizer on the microstructure and mechanism of silt. The results showed that the optimal mixture ratio of the new type of stabilizer was quicklime: nanosilica: slag = 32:3:65. Adding 10% stabilizer is a reasonable and effective method to strengthen silt, which has the characteristics of high strength and strong durability in the early period. The addition of stabilizer will result in hydration reaction, pozzolanic reaction, and cation exchange on the surface of soil particles with silt, which will enhance the intermolecular force of soil particles, reduce the porosity of soil, and strengthen the connection between soil particles.
Parallel Evolution of Allometric Trajectories of Trophic Morphology between Sympatric Morphs of Mesoamerican Astyanax (Characidae)
Authors: Garita-Alvarado Carlos A. , Ornelas-García Claudia Patricia
Published: August 2021

Parallel evolution of the body shape and trophic-related traits has been detected between sympatric pairs of lake-dwelling characin fishes in Mesoamerica. Here, we evaluated the variation in and the ontogenetic allometric trajectories of trophic morphology between sympatric Astyanax morphs (elongate and deep-body) in two geographic systems, Lake Catemaco (Mexico) and San Juan River basin (Nicaragua and Costa Rica). Using geometric morphometrics, we determined the shape variation and disparity in the premaxillary bone, and the patterns of allometric trajectories between morphs in each system. We found a higher differentiation and disparity in the premaxilla shape between morphs from San Juan River basin than between the Lake Catemaco ones. We found shared (parallel evolution) patterns of divergence between systems, which included allometric trajectories showing a positive correlation between the premaxilla shape and log centroid size, as well as trajectories being extended in the elongated-body morph (truncated in the deep-body morph). Regarding the unique patterns of divergence, we recovered parallel allometric trajectories between morphs from Lake Catemaco, while the San Juan River basin morphs showed divergent trajectories. Our results are congruent with the hypothesis that divergence in trophic morphology can be considered a triggering factor in the divergence in the genus Astyanax from Mesoamerica.
Copper Nanowires for Transparent Electrodes: Properties, Challenges and Applications
Authors: Scardaci Vittorio
Published: August 2021

Transparent electrodes are essential elements of devices bearing a screen or display, as well as solar cells, LEDs etc. To overcome the drawbacks presented by indium tin oxide, nanomaterials have been proposed for a long time as alternatives. Metal nanowires are particularly interesting for their high intrinsic electrical conductivity. Copper nanowires have attracted wide interest due to the low cost and high abundancy of the starting material. However, they are easily oxidized thus suitable strategies must be devised to prevent it. This review discusses the fundamental properties and challenges of copper nanowires, focusing on the efforts made to make them longer and thinner then the strategies to prevent oxidation and to join them in the network are presented. After that, mechanical properties are summarized and applications are presented, before conclusions and perspectives are finally given.
The Determination of the Inward Leakage through the Skin–Facepiece Interface of the Protective Half-Mask
Authors: Brestovič Tomáš , Lázár Marián , Jasminská Natália , Živčák Jozef , Hudák Radovan , Tóth Lukáš , Dobáková Romana
Published: August 2021

The present article describes the measurements of flow rates of the inward air leakage through the skin–facepiece interface of a protective half-mask with replaceable filters. The measurements were carried out while applying an indirect method in which the pressure drops in a compressed air container were measured, and subsequently, the total flow rate of the leak was calculated. This methodology facilitated measuring extremely low air flow rates at the atmospheric pressure of 3.2 × 10−6 m3·s−1. A numerical analysis of the inward air leakage through the gaps between the face and the facepiece of the mask was carried out with the aim of identifying the cross-sectional area of the leak. With the tested mask, which was made of Santoprene 8281-45MED, the leakage measured during inhalation was 0.21%, which corresponded to the cross-sectional area of only 0.14 mm2.
Birds Eye View Look-Up Table Estimation with Semantic Segmentation
Authors: Lee Dongkyu , Tay Wee Peng , Kee Seok-Cheol
Published: August 2021

In this work, a study was carried out to estimate a look-up table (LUT) that converts a camera image plane to a birds eye view (BEV) plane using a single camera. The traditional camera pose estimation fields require high costs in researching and manufacturing autonomous vehicles for the future and may require pre-configured infra. This paper proposes an autonomous vehicle driving camera calibration system that is low cost and utilizes low infra. A network that outputs an image in the form of an LUT that converts the image into a BEV by estimating the camera pose under urban road driving conditions using a single camera was studied. We propose a network that predicts human-like poses from a single image. We collected synthetic data using a simulator, made BEV and LUT as ground truth, and utilized the proposed network and ground truth to train pose estimation function. In the progress, it predicts the pose by deciphering the semantic segmentation feature and increases its performance by attaching a layer that handles the overall direction of the network. The network outputs camera angle (roll/pitch/yaw) on the 3D coordinate system so that the user can monitor learning. Since the network’s output is a LUT, there is no need for additional calculation, and real-time performance is improved.
How Containment Can Effectively Suppress the Outbreak of COVID-19: A Mathematical Modeling
Authors: Rahman Bootan , Khoshnaw Sarbaz H. A. , Agaba Grace O. , Al Basir Fahad
Published: August 2021

In this paper, the aim is to capture the global pandemic of COVID-19 with parameters that consider the interactions among individuals by proposing a mathematical model. The introduction of a parsimonious model captures both the isolation of symptomatic infected individuals and population lockdown practices in response to containment policies. Local stability and basic reproduction numbers are analyzed. Local sensitivity indices of the parameters of the proposed model are calculated, using the non-normalization, half-normalization, and full-normalization techniques. Numerical investigations show that the dynamics of the system depend on the model parameters. The infection transmission rate (as a function of the lockdown parameter) for both reported and unreported symptomatic infected peoples is a significant parameter in spreading the infection. A nationwide public lockdown decreases the number of infected cases and stops the pandemic’s peak from occurring. The results obtained from this study are beneficial worldwide for developing different COVID-19 management programs.
Refining Adjuvant Therapy for Endometrial Cancer: New Standards and Perspectives
Authors: Giustozzi Alessandra , Salutari Vanda , Giudice Elena , Musacchio Lucia , Ricci Caterina , Landolfo Chiara , Perri Maria Teresa , Scambia Giovanni , Lorusso Domenica
Published: August 2021

Endometrial carcinoma is the most frequent cancer of the reproductive female organs. Most endometrial cancers are diagnosed at early stage (75%). Treatment options depend on pathogenetic, histopathologic and clinical characteristic at the diagnosis. To improve patient management in the near future, recent research has focused on new molecular features; evidence has shown that these give a better definition of patient prognosis and can help in tailoring adjuvant treatments by identifying specific subgroups of patients whose tumors may benefit from specific therapeutic approaches. In this review, we will focus on current knowledge of adjuvant treatment of endometrial carcinoma, using a prognostic-risk group stratification based on pathogenetic, clinical and molecular features, and will take a look at the ongoing trials that will further change the therapeutic approach in coming years.
Native T1 Mapping and Magnetization Transfer Imaging in Grading Bowel Fibrosis in Crohn’s Disease: A Comparative Animal Study
Authors: Lu Baolan , Lin Jinjiang , Du Jinfang , He Shaofu , Cao Qinghua , Huang Li , Mao Ren , Sun Canhui , Li Ziping , Feng Shiting , Li Xuehua
Published: August 2021

In this study, we investigated the utility of native T1 mapping in differentiating between various grades of fibrosis and compared its diagnostic accuracy to magnetization transfer imaging (MTI) in a rat model of CD. Bowel specimens (64) from 46 CD model rats undergoing native T1 mapping and MTI were enrolled. The longitudinal relaxation time (T1 value) and normalized magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) were compared between none-to-mild and moderate-to-severe fibrotic bowel walls confirmed by pathological assessments. The results showed that the correlation between the T1 value and fibrosis (r = 0.438, p < 0.001) was lower than that between the normalized MTR and fibrosis (r = 0.623, p < 0.001). Overall, the T1 values (t = −3.066, p = 0.004) and normalized MTRs (z = 0.081, p < 0.001) in none-to-mild fibrotic bowel walls were lower than those in moderate-to-severe fibrotic bowel walls. The area under the curve (AUC) of the T1 value (AUC = 0.716, p = 0.004) was significantly lower than that of the normalized MTR (AUC = 0.881, p < 0.001) in differentiating moderate-to-severe fibrosis from none-to-mild fibrosis (z = −2.037, p = 0.042). Our results support the view that the T1 value could be a promising imaging biomarker in grading the fibrosis severity of CD. However, the diagnostic performance of native T1 mapping was not superior to MTI.
Hybrid Technologies Combining Solid-State Sensors and Paper/Fabric Fluidics for Wearable Analytical Devices
Authors: Rovira Meritxell , Fernández-Sánchez César , Jiménez-Jorquera Cecilia
Published: August 2021

The development of diagnostic tools for measuring a wide spectrum of target analytes, from biomarkers to other biochemical parameters in biological fluids, has experienced a significant growth in the last decades, with a good number of such tools entering the market. Recently, a clear focus has been put on miniaturized wearable devices, which offer powerful capabilities for real-time and continuous analysis of biofluids, mainly sweat, and can be used in athletics, consumer wellness, military, and healthcare applications. Sweat is an attractive biofluid in which different biomarkers could be noninvasively measured to provide rapid information about the physical state of an individual. Wearable devices reported so far often provide discrete (single) measurements of the target analytes, most of them in the form of a yes/no qualitative response. However, quantitative biomarker analysis over certain periods of time is highly demanded for many applications such as the practice of sports or the precise control of the patient status in hospital settings. For this, a feasible combination of fluidic elements and sensor architectures has been sought. In this regard, this paper shows a concise overview of analytical tools based on the use of capillary-driven fluidics taking place on paper or fabric devices integrated with solid-state sensors fabricated by thick film technologies. The main advantages and limitations of the current technologies are pointed out together with the progress towards the development of functional devices. Those approaches reported in the last decade are examined in detail.