bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of the Mycoplasma pneumoniae Epidemic from 2019 to 2020 in Korea: Macrolide Resistance and Co-Infection Trends
Authors: Shin Soyoun , Koo Sunhoe , Yang Yong-Jin , Lim Ho-Jae
Published: November 2023

Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a major etiological agent of community-acquired pneumonia, exhibits distinct cyclic epidemic patterns recurring every three to five years. Several cases of co-infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 have been reported globally, resulting in unfavorable clinical manifestations. This study investigated the epidemiological features of the recent M. pneumoniae outbreak (May 2019–April 2020) using retrospective data from the last five years. Molecular test data for macrolide resistance and co-infection were obtained from the Seegene Medical Foundation. National medical expenditure and hospitalization rates were analyzed using data from The Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service of Korea. The macrolide resistance rate was 69.67%, peaking at 71.30% during the epidemic period, which was considerably higher than the 60.89% rate during non-epidemic periods. The co-infection rate with other respiratory pathogens was 88.49%; macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae strains showed a 2.33% higher co-infection rate than the susceptible strains. The epidemic period had 15.43% higher hospitalization and 78.27% higher medical budget expenditure per patient than non-epidemic periods. The increased rates of macrolide resistance and co-infection observed in macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae during the epidemic period highlight the importance of monitoring future outbreaks, especially considering macrolide resistance and the risk of co-infection with other pathogens.
Chemical Composition of Salvia fruticosa Mill. Essential Oil and Its Protective Effects on Both Photosynthetic Damage and Oxidative Stress in Conocephalum conicum L. Induced by Environmental Heavy Metal Concentrations
Authors: Badalamenti Natale , Salbitani Giovanna , Cianciullo Piergiorgio , Bossa Rosanna , De Ruberto Francesca , Greco Valeria , Basile Adriana , Maresca Viviana , Bruno Maurizio , Carfagna Simona
Published: November 2023

The genus Salvia L., belonging to the Lamiaceae family, contains more than 900 species distributed in various parts of the world. It is a genus containing aromatic plants used both in the culinary field and above all in the cosmetic area to produce several perfumes. Salvia fruticosa Mill., notoriously known as Greek Salvia, is a plant used since ancient times in traditional medicine, but today cultivated and used in various parts of Europe and Africa. Polar and apolar extracts of this plant confirmed the presence of several metabolites such as abietane and labdane diterpenoids, triterpenoids, steroids, and some flavonoids, causing interesting properties such as sedative, carminative, and antiseptic, while its essential oils (EOs) are mainly characterized by compounds such as 1,8-cineole and camphor. The aim of this work concerns the chemical analysis by GC and GC-MS, and the investigation of the biological properties, of the EO of S. fruticosa plants collected in eastern Sicily. The gas-chromatographic analysis confirmed the presence of 1,8-cineole (17.38%) and camphor (12.81%), but at the same time, also moderate amounts of α-terpineol (6.74%), β-myrcene (9.07%), camphene (8.66%), β-pinene (6.55%), and α-pinene (6.45%). To study the protective effect of EOs from S. fruticosa (both the total mixture and the individual compounds) on possible damage induced by heavy metals, an in vitro system was used in which a model organism, the liverwort Conocephalum conicum, was subjected to the effect of a mix of heavy metals (HM) prepared using values of concentrations actually measured in one of the most polluted watercourses of the Campania region, the Regi Lagni. Finally, the antioxidant response and the photosynthetic damage were examined. The exogenous application of the EO yields a resumption of the oxidative stress induced by HM, as demonstrated by the reduction in the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) content and by the increased activity of antioxidant enzyme catalase (CAT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). Furthermore, plants treated with HMs and EO showed a higher Fv/Fm (maximal quantum efficiency of PSII in the dark) with respect to HMs-only treated ones. These results clearly indicate the protective capacity of the EO of S. fruticosa against oxidative stress, which is achieved at least in part by modulating the redox state through the antioxidant pathway and on photosynthetic damage.
Pomegranate Extract Administration Reverses Loss of Motor Coordination and Prevents Oxidative Stress in Cerebellum of Aging Mice
Authors: Verdú David , Valls Alicia , Díaz Ana , Carretero Aitor , Dromant Mar , Kuligowski Julia , Serna Eva , Viña José
Published: November 2023

The cerebellum is responsible for complex motor functions, like maintaining balance and stance, coordination of voluntary movements, motor learning, and cognitive tasks. During aging, most of these functions deteriorate, which results in falls and accidents. The aim of this work was to elucidate the effect of a standardized pomegranate extract during four months of supplementation in elderly mice to prevent frailty and improve the oxidative state. Male C57Bl/6J eighteen-month-old mice were evaluated for frailty using the “Valencia Score” at pre-supplementation and post-supplementation periods. We analyzed lipid peroxidation in the cerebellum and brain cortex and the glutathione redox status in peripheral blood. In addition, a set of aging-related genes in cerebellum and apoptosis biomarkers was measured via real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Our results showed that pomegranate extract supplementation improved the motor skills of C57Bl/6J aged mice in motor coordination, neuromuscular function, and monthly weight loss, but no changes in grip strength and endurance were found. Furthermore, pomegranate extract reversed the increase in malondialdehyde due to aging in the cerebellum and increased the reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratio in the blood. Finally, aging and apoptosis biomarkers improved in aged mice supplemented with pomegranate extract in the cerebellum but not in the cerebral cortex.
New Insights into the Loss of Antioxidant Effectiveness of Phenolic Compounds in Vegetable Oils in the Presence of Phosphatidylcholine
Authors: Velasco Joaquín , Gil María-Jesús , Wen Yun-Qi , García-González Aída , Ruiz-Méndez María-Victoria
Published: November 2023

It has been proposed that lipid oxidation reactions in edible oils primarily occur in reverse micelles (RM) of amphiphilic components. While the prooxidative effect of RM has been demonstrated, the mechanism involved is not fully understood. Both reductions and enhancements in the antioxidant efficacy (AE) of α-tocopherol and Trolox have been observed in different studies when phosphatidylcholine (PC) was added and PC RM were formed. However, most of these investigations employed lipid systems consisting of stripped vegetable oil diluted in saturated medium-chain triacylglycerols (MCT) and utilized antioxidant concentrations well below those found in edible oils. These two specific factors were investigated in the present study. The effect of RM of purified egg yolk PC on the AE of 1.16 mmol kg−1 α-tocopherol or Trolox in stripped sunflower oil (SSO) was studied by the Rancimat (100 °C) and oven (50 °C) tests. Increasing PC concentrations (50–1000 ppm) had no significant impact on α-tocopherol, but substantial reductions in AE were observed for Trolox. This phenomenon may be attributed to the partitioning of Trolox into the pre-existing PC micelles, suggesting that primary oxidation reactions occurred in the continuous lipid phase. In addition, the effectiveness of both antioxidants decreased significantly in the presence of PC when a low antioxidant concentration (0.06 mmol kg−1) was assayed in SSO:MCT (1:3, w/w).
Cocoa Polyphenols Prevent Age-Related Hearing Loss and Frailty in an In Vivo Model
Authors: Fátima Heredia Rosalía , Riestra-Ayora Juan I. , Yanes-Díaz Joaquín , Thuissard Vasallo Israel John , Andreu-Vázquez Cristina , Sanz-Fernández Ricardo , Sánchez-Rodríguez Carolina
Published: November 2023

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) impairs the quality of life in elderly persons. ARHL is associated with comorbidities, such as depression, falls, or frailty. Frailty syndrome is related to poor health outcomes in old age. ARHL is a potentially modifiable risk factor for frailty. Oxidative stress has been proposed as a key factor underlying the onset and/or development of ARHL and frailty. Cocoa has high levels of polyphenols and provides many health benefits due to its antioxidant properties. Male and female C57Bl/6J mice were randomly assigned to two study groups: animals receiving a cocoa-supplemented diet and the other receiving a standard diet. Then, at the ages of 6, 14, and 22 months, hearing and frailty were measured in all mice. Auditory steady-state responses (ASSR) threshold shifts were measured to different frequencies. The frailty score was based on the “Valencia Score” adapted to the experimental animals. The total antioxidant capacity and total polyphenols in urine samples were also measured. Significant improvements in hearing ability are observed in the cocoa groups at 6, 14, and 22 months compared to the no cocoa group. The cocoa diet significantly retards the development of frailty in mice. Cocoa increases the concentration of polyphenols excreted in the urine, which increases the total antioxidant capacity. In conclusion, cocoa, due to its antioxidant properties, leads to significant protection against ARHL and frailty.
Selection, Identification, and Transcript Expression Analysis of Antioxidant Enzyme Genes in Neoseiulus barkeri after Short-Term Heat Stress
Authors: Zhu Tong , Li Weizhen , Xue He , Dong Shibo , Wang Jianhui , Shang Suqin , Dewer Youssef
Published: November 2023

Phytoseiid mite Neoseiulus barkeri is a crucial biological control agent utilized to control pest mites and many insects in crops all over the world. However, they are vulnerable to multiple environmental pressures, with high-temperature stress being the most significant challenge. Heat stress disrupts the balance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in organisms, resulting in oxidative stress within the body. Antioxidant enzymes play a crucial role in effectively neutralizing and clearing ROS. In this study, comparative transcriptomics and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) were employed to assess the impact of short-term heat stress on the transcript expression of antioxidant enzyme genes in N. barkeri. We primarily identified four antioxidant enzyme genes (NbSOD, NbPrx, NbCAT, and NbGPX) in N. barkeri after exposure to short-term heat stress. Then, new data on the expression patterns of these genes were generated. RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis revealed that NbSOD belongs to the Fe/Mn family of superoxide dismutase (SOD), which was identified as MnSOD. NbPrx was classified as a 1-Cys peroxiredoxin of the peroxidase family, whereas NbCAT was recognized as a classical catalase, and NbGPX was determined as cytoplasmic glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPX1). Transcriptional expression analysis of these four genes was conducted at different high temperatures: 36 °C, 38 °C, and 40 °C for 2, 4, and 6 h. The results also showed that all four genes exhibited significant up-regulation in response to short-term heat stress. Similarly, the highest expression levels for NbSOD, NbPrx, and NbCAT were observed at 40 °C for 4 h. However, NbGPX displayed its maximum expression value at 38 °C for 4 h. Overall, the obtained data suggest that short-term heat stress increases levels of ROS generated inside living organisms, which disrupts the oxidative balance and leads to alterations in the expression levels of antioxidant enzyme genes.
Examining the Link between Isokinetic Strength Metrics and Ball Speed in Women’s Soccer
Authors: Ölmez Cengiz , Hammami Nadhir , Yücelsoy Büşra , Hattabi Soukaina , Forte Pedro , Sortwell Andrew , Khezami Mehrzia Amani , İnce Alparslan
Published: November 2023

The shot performance of female soccer players is one of the most critical factors in winning a soccer match. It is essential to thoroughly clarify the kinetic factors that can improve shot performance. This study explores the connections between ball velocity post-shooting and isokinetic knee extension (EXT) and flexion (FLX) strength performances among female soccer players. Thirteen voluntary players from professional leagues took part in the research study. The study analyzed the average and peak concentric (Con) and eccentric (Ecc) torques, isometric (Iso) strength performances at angular velocities of 60°/s, 180°/s and 300°/s, the time required to reach peak torque, and ball velocities during shooting. The relationships among these variables were investigated separately for the dominant (D) and non-dominant (ND) legs. The analysis unveiled significant correlations between ball velocities and D-EXT (Absolute) peak torque at an angular velocity of 60°/s (r = 0.597; p < 0.05), D-%IPS (r = −0.580; p < 0.05), and ND-FLX (Absolute) average torque (r = 0.559; p < 0.05). Moreover, notable associations were observed between ball velocities and ND-EXT (Absolute) (r = 0.581; p < 0.05), as well as ND-FLX (Absolute) (r = 0.602; p < 0.05) average torques at an angular velocity of 180°/s. Additionally, significant relationships were found between ball velocities and peak (r = 0.664; p = 0.013) and average (r = 0.660; p = 0.014) torques generated during ND-EXT (Absolute) at an angular velocity of 300°/s. However, the connections between the time to reach peak torque, eccentric and isometric forces, and ball velocities were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The results of the study indicate that enhancing concentric isokinetic strength development at 60°/s, 180°/s, and 300°/s angular velocities, along with balanced strengthening of the ND extremity, holds paramount importance in elevating shot performance among female soccer players, particularly in the context of rapid shot strategies.
Lateral Dynamic Response of Helical Pile in Viscoelastic Foundation Considering Shear Deformation
Authors: Yang Xiaoyan , Wang Chaozhe , Cao Sheng , Wang Fengxi , Wu Wenbing
Published: November 2023

Helical piles are a new type of pile that has good application prospects, and researchers have carried out an in-depth investigation into their vertical uplift and compressive bearing capacity. However, there is relatively little research on the dynamic bearing characteristics of helical piles. Therefore, the lateral vibration of a helical pile embedded in the viscoelastic foundation is systematically studied in this article. Utilizing the equivalent stiffness method to transform a helical pile into a cylindrical pile of special diameter, the lateral vibration model of the helical pile considering shear deformation is established based on the Winkler foundation model and the Timoshenko beam theory. The analytical solutions for the lateral dynamic displacement, bending moment, and shear force of the helical pile are strictly derived, and the rationality of the present solutions is also verified by comparing them with existing solutions. Based on the present solutions, a parametric study is carried out to investigate the influence of the pile and soil properties on the lateral dynamic response of the helical pile. It is found that the load excitation frequency and pile–soil stiffness ratio have a significant influence on the lateral dynamic displacement, bending moment, and shear force of the helical pile with space and time response.
The Development of an Interface Instrument for Collecting Electromyography Data and Controlling a Continuous Passive Motion Machine
Authors: Jastania Rayan , Wang Peng , Alqahtani Bijad , Alzahrani Abdullah , Wang Weijie
Published: November 2023

There is a lack of research in using electromyography (EMG) signals to control a continuous passive motion (CPM) machine. This study aimed to develop an interface instrument for digitalising EMG signals and controlling a CPM machine. Methods: The proposed device was designed with the following: (1) a signal processing unit which converted the EMGs from analogue to digital for the controller; (2) a personal computer which stored and displayed the EMG signals; (3) an LCD device to display the running angle of the CPM; and (4) a microcontroller unit to control the input/output signals and process the algorithm, driving the CPM. To validate the reliability of the proposed system, a total of 600 EMG trials were collected from 10 healthy subjects by using the proposed device via the Delsys® TringoTM EMG system and simultaneously using the Vicon® motion capture system. Result: This proposed device was able to digitalise and process EMG signals from eight channels of muscles, and the signals were able to drive a CPM. The validated results showed that the digitalised EMG signals by the proposed device were statistically similar to and correlated with the signals by the Vicon system with a median correlation coefficient of 0.81, with the 25% and 75% range being 0.56–0.92 with all pairs (300 pairs of EMG trials) (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study confirmed that the developed device can digitalise EMG signals and drive a CPM as an applicable prototype that can work as an interface between EMG and CPM devices with high reliability.
Assessments of Order-Picking Tasks Using a Paper List and Augmented Reality Glasses with Different Order Information Displays
Authors: Li Kai Way , Khaday Samsiya , Peng Lu
Published: November 2023

This study investigated the effects of wearing AR devices on users’ performance and comfort ratings while performing order-picking (OP) tasks. In addition to a picking-by-paper list, two AR devices combined with three order information display designs were examined. Thirty adult participants joined. They searched for and found the boxes in the order list, picked them up, and returned to the origin. The time to complete the task and the number of incorrect boxes picked up were analyzed to assess the performance of the tasks. The subjective ratings of the participants on the comfort rating scale (CRS) and the simulator sickness questionnaire (SSQ) were collected to assess the designs of both the AR devices and the order information displays. It was found that the participants could complete the OP tasks faster when adopting the order map (4.97 ± 1.57 min) or the 3D graph display (4.87 ± 1.50 min) using either one of the AR devices than when using a paper list (6.03 ± 1.28 min). However, they needed more time to complete the OP tasks when wearing both types of AR glasses when the Quick Response (QR) code option was adopted (10.16 ± 4.30 min) than when using a paper list. The QR code scanning and display design using either one of the AR devices guaranteed 100% accuracy but sacrificed efficiency in task completion. The AR device with a binocular display and hand gesture recognition functions had a significantly lower CRS score in the dimensions of attachment and movement (5.6 and 6.3, respectively) than the corresponding dimensions (8.0 and 8.3, respectively) of the other device with a monocular and hand touch input design. There were complaints of eye strain after using both AR devices examined in this study. This implies that these AR devices may not be suitable to wear for extended periods of time. Users should take off the AR device whenever they do not need to view the virtual image to avoid eye strain and other discomfort symptoms.
The Bacteriocin-like Inhibitory Substance Producing Lacticaseibacillus paracasei LPa 12/1 from Raw Goat Milk, a Potential Additive in Dairy Products
Authors: Lauková Andrea , Dvorožňáková Emília , Vargová Miroslava , Ščerbová Jana , Focková Valentína , Plachá Iveta , Pogány Simonová Monika
Published: November 2023

Goat milk is gradually becoming the preferred milk by consumers worldwide, including Slovakia. It is also demanded as a functional and/or nutraceutical drink as it is rich in bioactive components. However, another new development is the research into the beneficial autochthonous strains used to enrich goat dairy products. Among individual species, representatives in raw goat milk are also involved in lacticaseibacilli. Bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance-producing Lacticaseibacillus paracasei LPa 12/1 was isolated from raw goat milk. This study focuses on its potential as a new additive in dairy products. No mortality was found when checking the safety of the LPa 12/1 strain using Balb/c mice. The strain reached higher counts in ewe–goat milk yoghurt (up to 6.1 cfu/g log 10) than in cow milk yoghurt (almost 5.0 cfu/g log 10). Cow milk yoghurts remained in more stable consistency after LPa 12/1 supplementation compared with ewe–goat milk yoghurts, although specific organoleptic tests were not performed. However, LPa 12/1 has survived sufficiently in both types of yoghurts. This bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance-producing strain LPa 12/1 in its encapsulated form applied in yoghurts seems suitable to supplement dairy products.
Amphibious Airplane Accidents: An Exploratory Analysis
Authors: de Voogt Alex , Campos Amy , Lu Yi
Published: November 2023

Causes and contributing factors of amphibious airplane accidents are examined by comparing the proportion of fatal accidents for different causes of accidents, with a focus on landings on water and low-level flying maneuvers. A set of 183 accidents involving amphibious planes from 2005 to 2020 was extracted from the National Transportation Safety Board’s online database. Amphibious airplane accidents are reported to be fatal in 34% of cases, which is higher than the average of 20% for general aviation. Logistic regression analysis shows that the maneuvering flight phase and decision-making factors are significantly more often associated with fatal accidents than other flight phases and causes. In addition, the number of accidents associated with decision-making factors significantly increased during the studied time period. Amphibious airplanes benefit from accident analysis despite the absence of denominator data and the limitations of most general aviation accident reports. Intentional low-level flying is shown to be a central area of concern that may be addressed at the operational as well as the training level. Landing accidents could be avoided by introducing additional warning systems and training regarding (retractable) landing gear as well as general awareness training of decision-making during landings on water.
Control Design for Soft Transition for Landing Preparation of Light Compound-Wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Based on Incremental Nonlinear Dynamic Inversion
Authors: Ye Zheng , Chen Yongliang , Cai Pengcheng , Lyu Huitao , Gong Zheng , Wu Jie
Published: November 2023

This paper proposes a soft switching mode for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) compound-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to achieve a smooth transition between modes. The proposed mode pre-compensates the lift loss with the rotary wing during the deceleration stage before UAV landing. The control law adopted in this paper consists of implicit nonlinear dynamic inversion (NDI) and incremental nonlinear dynamic inversion (INDI). The outer loop (attitude angle loop) control law is based on implicit NDI, while the inner loop (attitude angle rate loop) controller is based on INDI. An extended state observer (ESO) is employed to estimate the angular acceleration. This paper innovates by proposing a soft switching strategy that improves the robustness, safety, and smoothness of the transition for the compound-wing UAV, and applying advanced control law to mode transition design. For the future application of eVTOL aircraft in UAM scenarios, this paper evaluates the smoothness of transition and passenger comfort using normal overload as a physical quantity. The Monte Carlo (MC) simulation results demonstrate that the proposed mode can reduce the peak normal overload by about 89%.
Prediction of Coal Mine Pressure Hazard Based on Logistic Regression and Adagrad Algorithm—A Case Study of C Coal Mine
Authors: Zhu Bobin , Shi Yongkui , Hao Jian , Fu Guanqun
Published: November 2023

Effectively avoiding coal mine safety accidents has always been an important issue in the process of coal mining. In order to predict mine pressure hazard and reduce the occurrence of mine safety accidents, this paper innovatively combines logistic regression and mine pressure hazard prediction to establish a mine pressure hazard prediction model. By standardizing the data, the model improves the reliability of the mine pressure data and reduces the interference of the prediction effect of random errors. Based on the batch gradient descent algorithm and the Adagrad optimization algorithm, the prediction model is solved innovatively, which greatly improves the calculation speed and prediction accuracy of the model. Accuracy rate, precision rate, recall rate, and F1-score were selected as the evaluation indices to evaluate the prediction effect of the Adagrad optimization algorithm to solve the logistic regression model for mine pressure hazard. Compared with the existing classification algorithms, such as SVM and decision tree, the Adagrad optimization algorithm has the highest four indices when solving the logistic regression prediction model, and it takes the least time to predict. The results show that the model can efficiently predict mine pressure hazard. Finally, C Coal Mine was selected as the example for analysis. The prediction function was added to the mine pressure monitoring interface design. The practical application effect is similar to the theoretical verification. The establishment of this model provides a reliable guarantee for the secure and efficient production of coal mines and provides helpful research for the prediction of mine pressure.
Effect of Undercrossing Shield Tunnels Excavation on Existing Rectangular Pipe-Jacking Tunnels
Authors: He Jun , Yang Zhiwen , Zhang Xu
Published: November 2023

Shield tunneling underneath existing rectangular pipe jacking can often lead to uneven settling. To solve the problem of excessive deformation of the existing underground pedestrian passages, excavated via the rectangular pipe-jacking method due to the adjacent shield tunnels construction beneath, a safety control plan has been proposed based on the shield tunnels constructed beneath a well-type underground pedestrian passage in Hohhot Subway. This plan involves the use of both numerical simulations and on-site monitoring to investigate the deformation patterns of the rectangular pipe jacking. The results suggest that the combined approach of interlayer soil grouting and steel support reinforcement is not only appropriate but also feasible for on-site implementation. It can be concluded that interlayer soil grouting for reinforcement was applied successfully to improve the strength of surrounding soils. Steel support reinforcement is advantageous for controlling the relative deformation between pipe segments. The maximum settlement induced by the shield tunneling for Passage A and Passage B was measured at 17.67 mm and 10.08 mm, respectively, with the final settlement distribution of the rectangular pipe jacking taking on a “W” shape. This study could provide a reference for the design and construction of shield tunnels that undercross existing rectangular pipe-jacking tunnels.
Are Toxic Substances Always Toxic? Case Studies of Different Organismal Responses Based on Brackish-Water Microphytobenthic Communities from the Baltic Sea
Authors: Sylwestrzak Zuzanna , Zgrundo Aleksandra
Published: November 2023

In this manuscript, we present the results of ecotoxicological tests conducted on the Baltic microphytobenthos community consisting largely of cosmopolitan species showing the responses at the community (taxonomic composition and structure), population (abundance), and cellular (chloroplast shape) levels. The tests were carried out for three chemicals with different modes of action on photosynthetic organisms, i.e., copper (II) chloride (at concentrations of 2·10−5 g·dm3 and 2·10−3 g·dm−3), glyphosate in the form of Roundup® (concentrations ranging from 4.2·10−2 to 8.5 g·dm−3), and the ionic liquid [BMIM]Cl (at concentrations of 1.13·10−3 g·dm−3 and 1.75·10−2 g·dm−3). The results of the study indicate that the responses of microphytobenthos at each level analysed are highly variable and difficult to predict a priori based on experiments performed on single strains. In addition, it was shown that microphytobenthic communities are relatively resistant to the substances tested, which is due to taxonomic richness and the resulting potential for substitution of sensitive taxa by more resistant taxa. The results obtained in the tests also indicate that the number of cells of individual taxa can remain at a similar level or increase over short periods of time despite the deformation of chloroplasts in a numerous group of cells.
Black, Red and White: Characterization of Painting Materials on a Group of Bwa Masks from Burkina Faso
Authors: Granzotto Clara , Sutherland Ken
Published: November 2023

The distinctive and visually striking wooden masks associated with the Bwa culture in Burkina Faso, West Africa, are carved from a soft wood into different shapes and display various geometrical patterns and symbols according to their purpose. One of their characteristic features is the use of the colors black, red, and white, which evoke the three major rivers crossing the country: the Black, Red, and White Voltas. According to published accounts of scholars who have worked directly with the artists, the materials used to obtain these colors include reptile excrement for the white, iron-rich stones powdered and mixed with egg or plant gums for the red, and boiled Acacia seed pods for the black, as well as modern materials such as enamel paint in some cases. A group of four Bwa masks in the Arts of Africa collection of the Art Institute of Chicago was investigated using a complement of analytical techniques including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy, pyrolysis gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and mass spectrometry-based proteomics to characterize their painting materials. The results obtained corroborate the published accounts, while also providing new insights into the nature of the coloring materials and the selection and substitution of pigments and binders. These findings highlight the complementary value of scientific research, in combination with fieldwork and artists’ accounts, to generate a fuller understanding and appreciation of this traditional artistic practice.
The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-Based Hyperspectral Classification of Desert Grassland Plants in Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: Wang Shengli , Bi Yuge , Du Jianmin , Zhang Tao , Gao Xinchao , Jin Erdmt
Published: November 2023

In recent years, grassland ecosystems have faced increasingly severe desertification, which has caused continuous changes in the vegetation composition in grassland ecosystems. Therefore, effective research on grassland plant taxa is crucial to exploring the process of grassland desertification. This study proposed a solution by constructing a UAV hyperspectral remote sensing system to collect the hyperspectral data of various species in desert grasslands. This approach overcomes the limitations of traditional grassland survey methods such as a low efficiency and insufficient spatial resolution. A streamlined 2D-CNN model with different feature enhancement modules was constructed, and an improved depth-separable convolution approach was used to classify the desert grassland plants. The model was compared with existing hyperspectral classification models, such as ResNet34 and DenseNet121, under the preprocessing condition of data downscaling by combining the variance and F-norm2. The results showed that the model outperformed the other models in terms of the overall classification accuracy, kappa coefficient, and memory occupied, achieving 99.216%, 98.735%, and 16.3 MB, respectively. This model could effectively classify desert grassland species. This method provides a new approach for monitoring grassland ecosystem degradation.
Infrared Ship Target Detection Based on Dual Channel Segmentation Combined with Multiple Features
Authors: Lu Dongming , Tan Jiangyun , Wang Mengke , Teng Longyin , Wang Liping , Gu Guohua
Published: November 2023

In infrared images of the sea surface, apart from the complex background of the sea surface, there are often sky and island backgrounds. The disturbances caused by sea wind and the reflection of intense sunlight on the sea surface increase the complexity of the background, which seriously hinders the detection of targets. To achieve the detection of dark-polarity ship targets in such environments, a dual-channel threshold segmentation method based on local low-gray region detection and geometric features judgment is proposed in this paper. In one channel, adaptive threshold segmentation is performed on the low-gray regions of the acquired image and combined with geometric features to obtain a finer segmentation result. In the other channel, adaptive segmentation is performed on the preprocessed image, and potential backgrounds that may be finely segmented as targets are filtered out based on an area threshold. Finally, the results of the two channels are multiplied and fused to obtain an accurate segmentation result. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms the comparison algorithm in subjective and objective evaluations. The proposed algorithm in this paper not only achieves a low false alarm rate but also exhibits a higher detection rate, and the average detection rate in the test sequence surpasses 95%.
Prediction of Remaining Fatigue Life of In-Service Bridge Cranes
Authors: Li Yun , Jin Afang , Dai Yong , Yang Dexin , Zheng Bin
Published: November 2023

At present, bridge crane accidents occur frequently, resulting in significant losses and casualties; to ensure the safe use of in-service bridge cranes, it is necessary to predict the residual fatigue life of in-service bridge cranes. Firstly, a static analysis of the most dangerous working conditions of in-service bridge cranes is carried out to find the fatigue failure point. Subsequently, a three-parameter Weibull distribution model is established for the characteristic parameters affecting the acquisition of the stress spectrum. Latin hypercubic sampling is applied to randomly sample the characteristic parameters to produce a random sample set of characteristic parameters for use in obtaining the stress–time history. The amplitude and mean values of the stress spectra are obtained by cycle counting using the rainflow counting method. Finally, Forman’s formula and Miner’s continuous damage accumulation theory were used to derive the remaining life prediction equations for constant and variable amplitude loads. Comparing the remaining life obtained from the simulation and test, the error is about 9.145%, which proves that the remaining life obtained from the simulation is more accurate. The results show that the combined method of simulation and testing is feasible and can predict the remaining life more accurately. In the past, the prediction of residual life was performed with either testing or simulation, which is long and costly. Simulation is low-cost and takes a short time, but the accuracy is not high. In this paper, the combination method of testing and simulation improves the efficiency of production and reduces the cost of use.
An Improved SIFT Underwater Image Stitching Method
Authors: Zhang Haosu , Zheng Ruohan , Zhang Wenrui , Shao Jinxin , Miao Jianming
Published: November 2023

Underwater image stitching is a technique employed to seamlessly merge images with overlapping regions, creating a coherent underwater panorama. In recent years, extensive research efforts have been devoted to advancing image stitching methodologies for both terrestrial and underwater applications. However, existing image stitching methods, which do not utilize detector information, heavily rely on matching feature pairs and tend to underperform in situations where underwater images contain regions with blurred feature textures. To address this challenge, we present an improved scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT) underwater image stitching method. This method enables the stitching of underwater images with arbitrarily acquired images featuring blurred feature contours and that do not require any detector information. Specifically, we perform a coarse feature extraction between the reference and training images, and then we acquire the target image and perform an accurate feature extraction between the reference and target images. In the final stage, we propose an improved fade-in and fade-out fusion method to obtain a panoramic underwater image. The experimental results show that our proposed method demonstrates enhanced robustness, particularly in scenarios where detecting feature points is challenging, when compared to traditional SIFT methods. Additionally, our method achieves higher matching accuracy and produces higher-quality results in the stitching of underwater images.
The Influence of Slicing Thickness on the Perpendicular to Grain Tensile Properties of Oak (Quercus robur L. and Quercus petraea L.) Lamellae
Authors: Grubîi Victor , Johansson Jimmy
Published: November 2023

The mechanical properties of sliced lamellae are critical for structural and decorative engineered wood products. This study evaluates the impact of slicing thickness on the tensile mechanical properties of plain oak (Quercus robur L. and Quercus petraea L.) sliced lamellae, perpendicular to the grain direction. The mechanical performance parameters in terms of the modulus of rupture (MOR), strain at break, and modulus of elasticity (MOE), were analysed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and contrast analysis. Our findings indicate that slicing thickness substantially affects the mechanical properties of the modulus of rupture and strain at break, whilst the modulus of elasticity was somewhat independent of the slicing thickness. The mean MOR value increased from 0.8 to 1.43 N mm−2 for an increase in the sliced lamellae thickness from 1.5 to 4.5 mm. The strain at break increased, on average, from 1.37 to 2.64% for an increase in the sliced lamellae thickness from 1.5 to 4.5 mm. The MOE was approximately 100–120 N mm−2, indicating a substantially reduced stiffness compared to other sliced lamellae species and solid oak reported values. The slicing check depth ratio diminished from approximately 69% to 50% for an increase in the sliced lamellae thickness from 1.5 mm to 4.5 mm. These findings indicate a negative correlation between the slicing check depth ratio and the tensile performance perpendicular to the grain, suggesting the importance of obtaining an optimal slicing quality. This study employs digital image correlation (DIC) analysis to gain insights into the fracture mechanisms of the tested sliced lamellae and provides an alternative method for strain and stress measuring. The DIC analysis highlighted the role of slicing checks in the stress concentration and ultimate failure areas. This research provides insights into the fracture behaviour of sliced lamellae that are perpendicular to the grain, which is critical for the performance of both structural and decorative products.
Modeling and Simulation of a Digital Twin of a Production System for Industry 4.0 with Work-in-Process Synchronization
Authors: Kampa Adrian
Published: November 2023

One of the main problems of modern manufacturing systems is the increasing complexity related to modern Industry 4.0 technologies that are fundamentally changing manufacturing and logistics processes and operations. Industry 4.0 includes, e.g., flexible automation and robotization, which make complex manufacturing systems difficult to analyze. Some modeling and simulation methods are being used to solve industrial problems and can serve as an interface between the production level and management level. The new trend of the Digital Twin, creating simulation models as similar as possible to the real system, and a Digital Twin framework for a manufacturing line from the automotive industry, was considered. Simulation models typically start from the empty state and some warmup time is required to achieve the stable state. The Key Performance Indicators were also analyzed for the stable state. However, there are many stochastic parameters such as machinery failures, human errors, quality issues, etc., that make the real processes differ from simulated processes, and cause the instability of production throughput and changes in the Work in Process. To analyze the Work in Process in the model, initialization of the model with proper production data is required, as the Digital Twin uses data synchronization with the production database. In this paper, the digital model of a human-robot-operated manufacturing system with Work-in-Process data synchronization is analyzed, and the results of the statistical analysis of simulation experiments are presented. The obtained results show high variability of finished production, which is related to system instability due to random failures, especially when the system starts from an empty state. However, an increase in initial Work in Process results in better efficiency and stability for the whole system. The DT simulation of the manufacturing system can be very helpful, as it becomes a repository of knowledge about the real system and enables the analysis of its dynamics. However, for proper functionality, the model should include information about the current WIP state, which enables the start of the simulation with exactly the same number of queues as in the real system. The presented method can also be used in similar enterprises from other industries, especially for those with discrete processes or high WIP variability, and for further synchronization of other DT parameters.
English Speech Emotion Classification Based on Multi-Objective Differential Evolution
Authors: Yue Liya , Hu Pei , Chu Shu-Chuan , Pan Jeng-Shyang
Published: November 2023

Speech signals involve speakers’ emotional states and language information, which is very important for human–computer interaction that recognizes speakers’ emotions. Feature selection is a common method for improving recognition accuracy. In this paper, we propose a multi-objective optimization method based on differential evolution (MODE-NSF) that maximizes recognition accuracy and minimizes the number of selected features (NSF). First, the Mel-frequency cepstral coefficient (MFCC) features and pitch features are extracted from speech signals. Then, the proposed algorithm implements feature selection where the NSF guides the initialization, crossover, and mutation of the algorithm. We used four English speech emotion datasets, and K-nearest neighbor (KNN) and random forest (RF) classifiers to validate the performance of the proposed algorithm. The results illustrate that MODE-NSF is superior to other multi-objective algorithms in terms of the hypervolume (HV), inverted generational distance (IGD), Pareto optimal solutions, and running time. MODE-NSF achieved an accuracy of 49% using eNTERFACE05, 53% using the Ryerson audio-visual database of emotional speech and song (RAVDESS), 76% using Surrey audio-visual expressed emotion (SAVEE) database, and 98% using the Toronto emotional speech set (TESS). MODE-NSF obtained good recognition results, which provides a basis for the establishment of emotional models.
Lateral Ultimate Capacity of Monopile Foundations for Offshore Wind Turbines: Effects of Monopile Geometry and Soil Stiffness Properties
Authors: Alsharedah Yazeed A. , Newson Timothy , El Naggar M. Hesham , Black Jonathan A.
Published: November 2023

Offshore Wind Turbines (OWT) with increasingly higher energy output are being developed to meet energy demands, posing greater challenges for their foundation design. Several foundation types are used to support these turbines, with monopiles (MPs) accounting for 80% of the installed capacity. In this study, three-dimensional (3D) nonlinear finite element models (FEM) were employed to investigate the behaviour of a monopile foundation supporting a 5MW wind turbine subjected to lateral loading. The results indicate that the MP behaviour depends on the pile length to diameter (L/D) ratio and the soil shear strength. Inspection of the bending-moment profiles at the lateral ultimate capacity indicated that the monopiles can behave in a flexible manner, even with low L/D ratios. The L/D ratio affected the MP normalized lateral ultimate capacity to varying degrees, and the biggest effect was for soft clays, amounting to an approximately five-fold increase for L/D values of 3.33 to 13.33. Lesser effects were found for stiff clays.
Detection Method of Cracks in Expressway Asphalt Pavement Based on Digital Image Processing Technology
Authors: Fang Hui , He Na
Published: November 2023

Considering the limitations of the current pavement crack damage detection methods, this study proposes a method based on digital image processing technology for detecting highway asphalt pavement crack damage. Firstly, a non-subsampled contourlet transform is used to enhance the image of highway asphalt pavement. Secondly, the non-crack regions in the image are screened, and the crack extraction is completed by obtaining and enhancing the crack intensity map. Finally, the features of cracks are extracted and input into the support vector machine for classification and recognition to complete the detection of cracks in highway asphalt pavement. The experimental results show that the proposed method can effectively enhance the quality of a pavement image and precisely extract a crack area from the image with a high level of damage detection accuracy.
Comparative Analysis of Vision Transformer Models for Facial Emotion Recognition Using Augmented Balanced Datasets
Authors: Bobojanov Sukhrob , Kim Byeong Man , Arabboev Mukhriddin , Begmatov Shohruh
Published: November 2023

Facial emotion recognition (FER) has a huge importance in the field of human–machine interface. Given the intricacies of human facial expressions and the inherent variations in images, which are characterized by diverse facial poses and lighting conditions, the task of FER remains a challenging endeavour for computer-based models. Recent advancements have seen vision transformer (ViT) models attain state-of-the-art results across various computer vision tasks, encompassing image classification, object detection, and segmentation. Moreover, one of the most important aspects of creating strong machine learning models is correcting data imbalances. To avoid biased predictions and guarantee reliable findings, it is essential to maintain the distribution equilibrium of the training dataset. In this work, we have chosen two widely used open-source datasets, RAF-DB and FER2013. As well as resolving the imbalance problem, we present a new, balanced dataset, applying data augmentation techniques and cleaning poor-quality images from the FER2013 dataset. We then conduct a comprehensive evaluation of thirteen different ViT models with these three datasets. Our investigation concludes that ViT models present a promising approach for FER tasks. Among these ViT models, Mobile ViT and Tokens-to-Token ViT models appear to be the most effective, followed by PiT and Cross Former models.