bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Incorporating Caraway into a Multi-Cropping Farming System on the Crops and the Overall Agroecosystem
Authors: Rudinskienė Aušra , Marcinkevičienė Aušra , Velička Rimantas , Steponavičienė Vaida
Published: March 2024

The scientific aim of this article is to investigate the potential benefits of implementing a multi-cropping system, specifically focusing on the incorporation of caraway, to improve soil agrochemical and biological properties, prevent soil degradation and erosion, and ultimately enhance soil quality and health to better adapt to climate change. This study aims to provide valuable insights into the comparative analysis of various soil parameters and biological indicators to showcase the promising perspectives and importance of perennial crop production for improving soil quality and agricultural sustainability. These crops are designed to provide multiple benefits simultaneously, including improved yields, enhanced ecosystem services, and reduced environmental effects. However, an integrated assessment of their overall effects on the agroecosystem is crucial to understand their potential benefits and trade-offs. The field experiment was conducted over three consecutive vegetative seasons (2017 to 2021) at the Experimental Station of Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) in Kaunas district, Lithuania. The experimental site is located at 54°53′7.5″ N latitude and 23°50′18.11″ E longitude. The treatments within a replicate were multi-cropping systems of sole crops (spring barley (1), spring wheat (2), pea (3), caraway (4)), binary crops (spring barley–caraway (5), spring wheat–caraway (6), pea–caraway (7)), and trinary crops (spring barley–caraway–white clover (8), spring wheat–caraway–white clover (9), pea–caraway–white clover (10)) crops. However, an integrated assessment of their impact on the agroecosystem is needed to understand their potential benefits and processes. To determine the complex interactions between indicators, the interrelationships between indicators, and the strength of impacts, this study applied an integrated assessment approach using the comprehensive assessment index (CEI). The CEI values showed that integrating caraway (Carum carvi L.) into multi-cropping systems can have several positive effects. The effect of the binary spring barley and caraway and the trinary spring barley, caraway, and white clover crops on the agroecosystem is positively higher than that of the other comparative sole, binary, and trinary crops. Caraway, after spring wheat together with white clover, has a higher positive effect on the agroecosystem than caraway without white clover. Specifically, this study addresses key aspects, such as soil health, nutrient cycling, weed management, and overall agricultural sustainability, within the context of multi-cropping practices. By evaluating the effects of these cropping systems on soil agrochemical properties and ecosystem dynamics, the research provides valuable insights into sustainable agricultural practices that promote environmental conservation and long-term soil health.
Cadmium Exposure Impairs Development, Detoxification Mechanisms and Gene Expression of Glyphodes pyloalis Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Authors: Zhao Shuaiqi , Miao Wanglong , Sheng Sheng , Pan Xin , Li Ping , Zhou Weihong , Wu Fuan
Published: March 2024

Cadmium (Cd) is the most serious heavy metal pollutant in the agricultural soil of China and can transfer and accumulate through the food chain and affect the growth, development and physiological processes of phytophagous insect. Glyphodes pyloalis Walker (G. pyloalis) is one of the most important pests of mulberry, and there are few studies on the adverse effects of heavy metals on insects, especially mulberry pests. To understand the toxicology of Cd exposure on G. pyloalis, we investigated the effects of three different concentrations of Cd (0, 3.89 and 51.69 mg/kg, labeled as control check (CK), low dose (LD) and high dose (HD)) on the development and detoxification mechanism of G. pyloalis and explored the molecular mechanism of Cd on G. pyloalis larvae using RNA-seq technology. Transcriptome analysis showed that compared with the CK, a total of 63 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in LD exposure, including 24 upregulated and 39 downregulated candidates. In CK versus HD groups, 395 upregulated DEGs and 436 downregulated DEGs were identified and the expression patterns of 12 genes related to detoxification and metabolism were verified using qPCR. These DEGs were relevant to multiple specific peroxisome and drug metabolism-cytochrome P450 pathways. Gene annotation and quantitative real-time PCR revealed that a high concentration of Cd significantly stimulated the expression of metabolic detoxification enzyme genes. The results revealed that Cd exposure changed the pupal weight, adult emergence rate and the activities of AKP, ACP and GST in G. pyloalis and induced notable adverse effects at the molecular level on detoxification and metabolism such as concentration and time differences. In addition, we silenced CYP12A2 by RNA interference. Bioassays showed that after silencing CYP12A2, the survival rate of G. pyloalis under Cd exposure was lower than that of the control group.
Mowing Height Effects on ‘TifTuf’ Bermudagrass during Deficit Irrigation
Authors: Hejl Reagan W. , Conley Matthew M. , Serba Desalegn D. , Williams Clinton F.
Published: March 2024

The development of management plans which lead to water efficient landscapes is a growing need in the turfgrass community. While deficit irrigation as a scheduling method can improve water conservation, more information is desired on how to best leverage other management practices, such as mowing height when deficit irrigation is imposed. The objectives of this study were to characterize actual evapotranspiration (ETa), turfgrass visual quality, clipping production, and root development of ‘TifTuf’ bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon × C. transvaalensis Burt Davy) when irrigated at full (1.0 × ETa) and deficit levels (0.65 and 0.30 × ETa), and cut at four separate mowing heights (2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 cm) over two 8-week experimental runs. An elevated ETa was observed at the 7.5 cm and 10.0 cm mowing heights compared to the 2.5 cm mowing height in both runs, and the 5.0 cm mowing height in one run. The visual quality decreased throughout both study periods and mostly for the deficit irrigation treatments, with visual quality falling below minimum acceptable levels at the lowest irrigation level (0.30 × ETa) 5 weeks into run A, and 8 weeks into run B. Despite an elevated ETa and a higher root dry weight at higher mowing heights (7.5 and 10.0 cm), clipping production and visual quality was generally higher at lower mowing heights (2.5 and 5.0 cm) for both full and deficit irrigation levels. These results demonstrate that mowing height can significantly influence bermudagrass water use, as well as responses to deficit irrigation. When maintaining ‘TifTuf’ bermudagrass at heights above 2.5 cm, the results from this study indicate a lower water use and improved response to deficit irrigation at mowing heights ≤ 5 cm.
Assessing Changes in Climatic Suitability for Sesame Cultivation in China (1978–2019) Based on Fuzzy Mathematics
Authors: Wang Xue , Zhang Jiantao , Zhang Jie , Zang Hecang , Hu Feng , Gao Tongmei , Huang Ming , Li Youjun , Li Guoqiang
Published: March 2024

Sesame is one of the important oil seed crops grown for the high-quality oil. Its growth, development, and yield are significantly affected by the changing climate conditions. Evaluating the sesame climatic suitability is crucial to optimize sesame cultivation patterns and planting distribution, and to aid strategic decision making for future agricultural adaptation. Based on agricultural climatic suitability theory and the fuzzy mathematics method, in this study, we established the temperature, precipitation, sunshine, and comprehensive suitability model. Then, we assessed the spatial distribution and chronological changes in climatic suitability under two periods, 1978–1998 (earlier 21 years) and 1999–2019 (latter 21 years). The results showed that compared with the meteorological data in the earlier 21 years, the mean temperature during the sesame-growing season in the latter 21 years increased from 24.48 °C to 25.05 °C, and the cumulative precipitation increased from 744.38 mm to 754.81 mm; however, the sunshine hours decreased from 6.05 h to 5.55 h. Temperature, precipitation, sunshine, and comprehensive suitability during the sesame-growing season in the main sesame-producing areas of China all had a downward trend. The distribution of temperature and comprehensive suitability in the north is higher than that in the south, while the precipitation and sunshine suitability had an uneven distribution. The area of high-temperature suitability and high-precipitation suitability increased from 43.45 × 106 ha to 46.34 × 106 ha and from 3.20 × 106 ha to 7.97 × 106 ha, respectively, whereas the area of high-sunshine suitability decreased from 4.04 × 106 ha to 2.09 × 106 ha. The climate change was more beneficial to sesame cultivation in northeast Anhui where the area of high climatic suitability clearly expanded, and in eastern Jiangxi where the area of the general climatic suitability increased. In contrast, it is worth noting that the area of high climatic suitability in northern Henan decreased and the area of low climatic suitability in Hubei increased. Our results have important implications for improving agricultural production to cope with ongoing climate change.
Dog Owners’ Perceptions of the Convenience and Value of Chewable Oclacitinib: Quantitative Survey Data from an International Survey
Authors: Wright Andrea , Hillier Andrew , Lambert Jonathan , Mwacalimba Kennedy , Lloyd Natalie , Kagiwada Tetsushi , Hashiguchi Yoriko , Hours Carolyne , Riley Danielle , Enstone Ashley , Wyn Robin
Published: March 2024

Oclacitinib is an oral therapy indicated for pruritus associated with allergic or atopic dermatitis in dogs. This study sought to assess pet owners’ perceptions of the relative convenience and value of the conventional film-coated formulation and the chewable formulation. A quantitative discrete-choice experimental methodology was applied, comparing (conventional, film-coated) oclacitinib versus chewable oclacitinib using unbranded treatment profiles. Initially, a qualitative interview phase with pet owners and veterinarians was conducted to develop detailed treatment profiles. Subsequently, pet owners participated in a quantitative survey. Overall, 1590 pet owners provided survey responses. Most respondents (62%) reported having experienced challenges administering tablet-based therapies to their dog(s). Half of all respondents (52%) had experience administering flavoured or chewable tablets to their dog. Comparing oclacitinib and chewable oclacitinib (with or without associated costs), the majority of the respondents preferred the chewable formulation in all regions across short-term and long-term scenarios (≥58%; all p < 0.05). The current research is one of few survey-driven studies for treatment preferences in companion animal medicine. Veterinarians may offer chewable or palatable treatment options where available, with potential positive impacts on convenience, compliance, outcomes, quality of life, and the human–animal bond.
Supplementation of Foals with a Saccharomyces cerevisiae Fermentation Product Alters the Early Response to Vaccination
Authors: Terpeluk Eva Ronja , Schäfer Jana , Finkler-Schade Christa , Schuberth Hans-Joachim
Published: March 2024

Feed supplements supporting animal welfare and performance are becoming increasingly important. Immunomodulatory effects of such products have been observed in many species. The aim of this study was to analyze whether food supplementation with a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP) affects the occurrence of foal diarrhea in early life, and whether the SCFP feeding has an impact on the immediate response to a parenteral vaccination at the age of 6–9 months. Eleven foals received the SCFP (OLI) and eleven foals were fed a placebo (PLA) for 29 days. Growth, diarrhea, and diarrhea severity were observed until day 30. After weaning, at the age of 6–9 months, foals were vaccinated parenterally against influenza and tetanus. The supplementation had no statistically significant effect on diarrhea duration and severity. On the day of vaccination, PLA and OLI foals did not differ significantly regarding numbers of circulating blood leukocyte subsets. However, the response to vaccination differed significantly between OLI and PLA foals. In OLI foals, the numbers of the major leukocyte fractions (granulocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, CD21+ B cells, and MHC-II+/CD21− cells) increased significantly 24 h after vaccination but remained unchanged in PLA foals. The observed results suggest that early life supplementation with an SCFP may affect the early immune response to an initial vaccination.
Constitutive Innate Immunity and Systemic Responses to Infection of the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
Authors: Merchant Mark , Hebert Matthew , Salvador Anna C. , Berken Jennifer , Boverie Thomas , White Mary E.
Published: March 2024

Uninfected alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) exhibited high constitutive levels of hepatic gene expression related to immune function, whereas the highest-expressed hepatic genes of uninfected mice were related to metabolism. Intraperitoneal challenge of mice with bacterial lipopolysaccharide results in dramatic inflammatory effects including peritoneal ascites, febrile response, dramatic alterations in electrophoretic serum profile, and mortality. In contrast, coelomic injection of alligators with 200× the murine LD50 of intraperitoneal bacterial lipopolysaccharide resulted in no changes in serum protein profiles, behavioral effects, mortality, and no coelomic ascites. However, injection of juvenile alligators with live bacteria resulted in a titer-dependent decrease in metabolic rate, as measured by oxygen consumption. These results are the opposite of those observed for mammalian and avian species. The decreased oxygen consumption was not accompanied by changes in heart or respiration rate, indicating that this phenomenon was not due to bradycardia or bradypnea. Interestingly, challenge of alligators with bacteria resulted in the complete expulsion of digestive tract contents within four hours. We interpret these activities as temporary minimization of other biological systemic activities to redirect and devote energy to immune function. The reallocation of resources within an organism to fight infection without increases in metabolic rate has not been described in other animals.
Factors Influencing Disease Dynamics in Small-Scale Carp Polyculture in Bangladesh
Authors: Debnath Partho Pratim , Prukbenjakul Pochara , Bondad-Reantaso Melba G. , Tyler Charles R. , Rodkhum Channarong
Published: March 2024

Small-scale carp polyculture plays a key role in food supply in Bangladesh. However, factors including water pollution, limited infrastructure, and inadequate disease management hinder its sustainability. This paper reports on a survey of 231 farmers across the six major carp producing regions in Bangladesh, analyzing factors including farmers’ social aspects, farm characteristics, information on disease and approaches adopted to combat them, and biosecurity practices. Almost half (46.8%) of the farms surveyed experienced disease in carp species, with clear regional variations. Eighty-four percent of farms reported carp mortalities during disease outbreaks, with an average mortality level of 10.23 ± 11.81%. Clinical signs during outbreaks lasted between a week and a month, with a peak in disease outbreaks occurring in two seasonal periods between June and July and October and December. Disease incidence was related to a range of factors including the farmer’s experience, ponds/farm type, stocked species, and biosecurity practice. A combination of disinfecting measures during pond preparation and measures during stocking, including discarding fingerling transport water away from the farm, fingerling disinfection, and checking the health of fingerlings before stocking, significantly reduced disease occurrence. Treatments involving antibiotics, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, and azithromycin were reported as ineffective, raising concerns about their non-prudent use, inadequate dosing (perhaps without appropriate veterinary guidance), and the potential for driving antimicrobial resistance in the environment. The research unveils a concerning pattern of high disease incidence across small-scale carp farms in Bangladesh, and the significant potential for disease spread highlights the need for responsible disposal practices. The study emphasizes the need for improving training and awareness programs for addressing biosecurity and disease management challenges, ensuring sustainable aquaculture and community well-being.
Evaluation of Two Species of Macroalgae from Azores Sea as Potential Reducers of Ruminal Methane Production: In Vitro Ruminal Assay
Authors: Nunes Helder P. B. , Maduro Dias Cristiana S. A. M. , Álvaro Nuno V. , Borba Alfredo E. S.
Published: March 2024

The utilisation of seaweeds as feed supplements has been investigated for their potential to mitigate enteric methane emissions from ruminants. Enteric methane emissions are the primary source of direct greenhouse gas emissions in livestock and significantly contribute to anthropogenic methane emissions worldwide. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the nutritional role and the in vitro effect on cumulative gas and methane production of Asparagopsis taxiformis (native species) and Asparagopsis armata (invasive species), two species of red algae from the Azorean Sea, as well as the ability to reduce biogas production when incubated with single pasture (Lolium perenne and Trifollium repens) as substrate. Four levels of concentrations marine algae were used (1.25%, 2.25%, 5%, and 10% DM) and added to the substrate to evaluate ruminal fermentation using the in vitro gas production technique. The total amount of gas and methane produced by the treatment incubation was recorded during 72 h of incubation. The results indicate that both algae species under investigation contain relatively high levels of protein (22.69% and 24.23%, respectively, for Asparagopsis taxiformis and Asparagopsis armata) and significant amounts of minerals, namely magnesium (1.15% DM), sodium (8.6% DM), and iron (2851 ppm). Concerning in vitro ruminal fermentation, it was observed that A. taxiformis can reduce enteric methane production by approximately 86%, during the first 24 h when 5% is added. In the same period and at the same concentration, A. armata reduced methane production by 34%. Thus, it can be concluded that Asparagopsis species from the Azorean Sea have high potential as a protein and mineral supplement, in addition to enabling a reduction in methane production from rumen fermentation.
Description of Zoonotic Pseudocowpoxvirus Infection of Cattle in Russia
Authors: Sindryakova Irina , Blokhin Andrey , Lyska Valentina , Titov Ilya
Published: March 2024

Parapoxviruses are worldwide epitheliotropic viruses that affect ruminants. Viruses of this genus have a narrow host range; however, the pseudocowpox virus (PCPV) also infects humans. Unfortunately, these cases are not well documented, and the epidemiology and the properties of the causative agents are not properly described. Here, we report the first case of PCPV in northern Russia (the Irkutsk region). The infection occurred in non-immune herds where no new arrivals of animals had been reported. Moreover, clinical signs of infection (skin lesions) were observed in humans. Based on the nucleotide identity and phylogenetic analysis of the partial-length B2L gene, the Irkutsk 2019 isolate was classified as PCPV. Phylogenetic analysis based on the nucleotide sequence of the B2L gene fragment of PCPV revealed a close phylogenetic relationship between the Irkutsk 2019 isolate and the PCPV strains isolated in Europe and the USA. The high degree of conservatism of the B2L gene does not allow for finding a correlation between their geographical origin and the results of phylogenetic analysis.
ApoE Mimetic Peptide COG1410 Kills Mycobacterium smegmatis via Directly Interfering ClpC’s ATPase Activity
Authors: Wang Chun , Ren Yun-Yao , Han Li-Mei , Yi Peng-Cheng , Wang Wei-Xiao , Zhang Cai-Yun , Chen Xiu-Zhen , Chi Ming-Zhe , Wang Apeng , Chen Wei , Hu Chun-Mei
Published: March 2024

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) hold promise as alternatives to combat bacterial infections, addressing the urgent global threat of antibiotic resistance. COG1410, a synthetic peptide derived from apolipoprotein E, has exhibited potent antimicrobial properties against various bacterial strains, including Mycobacterium smegmatis. However, our study reveals a previously unknown resistance mechanism developed by M. smegmatis against COG1410 involving ClpC. Upon subjecting M. smegmatis to serial passages in the presence of sub-MIC COG1410, resistance emerged. The comparative genomic analysis identified a point mutation in ClpC (S437P), situated within its middle domain, which led to high resistance to COG1410 without compromising bacterial fitness. Complementation of ClpC in mutant restored bacterial sensitivity. In-depth analyses, including transcriptomic profiling and in vitro assays, uncovered that COG1410 interferes with ClpC at both transcriptional and functional levels. COG1410 not only stimulated the ATPase activity of ClpC but also enhanced the proteolytic activity of Clp protease. SPR analysis confirmed that COG1410 directly binds with ClpC. Surprisingly, the identified S437P mutation did not impact their binding affinity. This study sheds light on a unique resistance mechanism against AMPs in mycobacteria, highlighting the pivotal role of ClpC in this process. Unraveling the interplay between COG1410 and ClpC enriches our understanding of AMP-bacterial interactions, offering potential insights for developing innovative strategies to combat antibiotic resistance.
Adversarial Attacks on Medical Segmentation Model via Transformation of Feature Statistics
Authors: Lee Woonghee , Ju Mingeon , Sim Yura , Jung Young Kul , Kim Tae Hyung , Kim Younghoon
Published: March 2024

Deep learning-based segmentation models have made a profound impact on medical procedures, with U-Net based computed tomography (CT) segmentation models exhibiting remarkable performance. Yet, even with these advances, these models are found to be vulnerable to adversarial attacks, a problem that equally affects automatic CT segmentation models. Conventional adversarial attacks typically rely on adding noise or perturbations, leading to a compromise between the success rate of the attack and its perceptibility. In this study, we challenge this paradigm and introduce a novel generation of adversarial attacks aimed at deceiving both the target segmentation model and medical practitioners. Our approach aims to deceive a target model by altering the texture statistics of an organ while retaining its shape. We employ a real-time style transfer method, known as the texture reformer, which uses adaptive instance normalization (AdaIN) to change the statistics of an image’s feature.To induce transformation, we modify the AdaIN, which typically aligns the source and target image statistics. Through rigorous experiments, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach. Our adversarial samples successfully pass as realistic in blind tests conducted with physicians, surpassing the effectiveness of contemporary techniques. This innovative methodology not only offers a robust tool for benchmarking and validating automated CT segmentation systems but also serves as a potent mechanism for data augmentation, thereby enhancing model generalization. This dual capability significantly bolsters advancements in the field of deep learning-based medical and healthcare segmentation models.
Pulmonary Hypertension Secondary to Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease in Dogs: Current Insights into the Histological Manifestation and Its Determining Factors
Authors: Grzeczka Arkadiusz , Pasławska Urszula , Graczyk Szymon , Antosik Paulina , Zawadzki Marcin , Pasławski Robert
Published: March 2024

Pulmonary venous hypertension (PVH) is caused by deteriorating left ventricular function. The most common cause of PVH in dogs is myxomatous mitral valve degeneration (MMVD). It causes left ventricular volume overload and an increase in left atrial and pulmonary venous pressure (PVH), which leads to pulmonary vascular wall remodeling and contributes to the perpetuation and worsening of PVH. Pulmonary vascular wall remodeling is also characteristic of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, the changes in PVH arise secondary to heart failure and vascular remodeling progresses as the disease progresses. On the other hand, PAH is a primary disease that can be triggered, for example, by the use of certain drugs. Similar structural changes may suggest the influence of similar pathophysiological mechanisms or the intermediation of similar mediators. Therefore, this article discusses recent and hitherto uncommented findings elucidating the pathophysiology of the processes and influences on the pattern of histological changes observed in pulmonary hypertension secondary to degenerative mitral valve disease. In particular, we focus on the activity of factors such as endothelin, serotonin, and nitric oxide, which are involved in pulmonary vascular wall remodeling in both PVH and PAH.
Principles and Methods of Servomotor Control: Comparative Analysis and Applications
Authors: Autsou Siarhei , Kudelina Karolina , Vaimann Toomas , Rassõlkin Anton , Kallaste Ants
Published: March 2024

Servomotors have found widespread application in many areas, such as manufacturing, robotics, automation, and others. Thus, the control of servomotors is divided into various principles and methods, leading to a high diversity of control systems. This article provides an overview of types of servomotors and their basic principles and control methods. Principles such as digital signal processing, feedback control principle, field-oriented control, and integration with Industry 4.0 are discussed. Based on these control principles, the article presents popular control methods: PWM control, current control, two-loop control, fuzzy-logic control, and programmable control. The article concludes with a comparison of the presented methods on several criteria, and as an example, it includes the results of modeling a servomotor using the fuzzy-logic control method.
Optimization of Tunnel Construction Schedule Considering Soft Logic
Authors: Wei Jianying , Liu Yuming , Lu Xiaochun , Feng Yu , Wang Yadi
Published: March 2024

Tunnel construction projects are a classic type of repetitive project, and hold a crucial position in the construction industry. The linear scheduling method (LSM) has been in the spotlight in scheduling optimization for repetitive construction projects since it was first proposed. However, the possibility of changing the construction sequence during application is very often overlooked, which is not in line with actual engineering practices. Incorporating soft logic into LSM and considering the characteristics of tunnel construction, we propose an optimization method for the tunnel construction schedule to shorten the duration by opening up an additional working surface. A mixed-integer programming (MIP) model is developed, which considers various constraints, such as construction sequence and work continuity. The exact algorithm and genetic algorithm (GA) are designed via Python, and the validity is verified through practical cases. A comparative analysis was conducted between the two algorithms and their outcomes demonstrates that the method can satisfy the restrictive constraints of tunnel construction projects. In addition, improvement strategies for tunnel construction management are recommended.
Efficient Modulation Recognition by Predictive Correction and Double GRUs via a Lightweight Framework
Authors: Guo Bochi , Liu Yu , Zhou Hui , Yan Wei , Zhang Shuanggen
Published: March 2024

Automatic modulation recognition (AMR) provides excellent performance advantages over conventional algorithms and plays a key role in modern communication. However, a general challenge is that the channel errors greatly deteriorate the classification capability, and the computational complexity is extremely high. To reduce the offset error of the signal and ensure fewer parameters to save training resources, we demonstrated an efficient modulation recognition scheme combined predictive correction with double Gate Recurrent Unit (GRU), thus realizing a lightweight neural framework. Predictive correction reduces channel errors, and double GRUs are better at capturing long-term dependencies. The results show that when the signal-to-noise ratio is around 18 dB, the highest recognition accuracy can be achieved, and the computational complexity is significantly reduced. The proposed scheme exhibits a tradeoff between the accuracy and the computational complexity, providing an attractive method for modulation recognition.
Surface Illumination as a Factor Influencing the Efficacy of Defect Recognition on a Rolled Metal Surface Using a Deep Neural Network
Authors: Maruschak Pavlo , Konovalenko Ihor , Osadtsa Yaroslav , Medvid Volodymyr , Shovkun Oleksandr , Baran Denys , Kozbur Halyna , Mykhailyshyn Roman
Published: March 2024

Modern neural networks have made great strides in recognising objects in images and are widely used in defect detection. However, the output of a neural network strongly depends on both the training dataset and the conditions under which the image was acquired for analysis. We have developed a software–hardware method for evaluating the effect of variable lighting on the results of defect recognition using a neural network model. The proposed approach allows us to analyse the recognition results of an existing neural network model and identify the optimal range of illumination at which the desired defects are recognised most consistently. For this purpose, we analysed the variability in quantitative parameters (area and orientation) of damage obtained at different degrees of illumination for two different light sources: LED and conventional incandescent lamps. We calculated each image’s average illuminance and quantitative parameters of recognised defects. Each set of parameters represents the results of defect recognition for a particular illuminance level of a given light source. The proposed approach allows the results obtained using different light sources and illumination levels to be compared and the optimal source type/illuminance level to be figured out. This makes implementing a defect detection environment that allows the best recognition accuracy and the most controlled product quality possible. An analysis of a steel sheet surface showed that the best recognition result was achieved at an illuminance of ~200 lx. An illuminance of less than ~150 lx does not allow most defects to be recognised, whereas an illuminance larger than ~250 lx increases the number of small objects that are falsely recognised as defects.
Optimal Transport Meshless Method Based Fatigue Life Calculation Method for Hydraulic Pipelines under Combined Excitation
Authors: Li Wujia , Fan Jiang , Xu Hongbin , Zhao Wang , Meng Qingze , Su Yumin
Published: March 2024

The issue of fatigue in modern hydraulic pipelines is increasingly severe, and there remains a lack of effective prediction methods for pipeline fatigue life. In practical engineering, hydraulic pipelines are primarily subjected to random excitation and fluid excitation, representing a typical composite excitation. Most current research relies on solutions considering only single excitations, which leads to inaccuracies. To accurately calculate the fatigue life under composite excitation, this study incorporates resonance excitation and pulsation excitation into the optimal transport meshless method (OTM) within a strong fluid–structure coupling computational framework. Subsequently, by utilizing the hazard point method based on obtained stress data, an estimation of the service life for engine hydraulic lines can be determined. This work provides both practical guidance and theoretical insights for designing hydraulic lines in modern aircraft.
Risk Evolution Analysis of Seafarers’ Unsafe Acts in Maritime Accidents Based on Directed Weighted CN
Authors: Lan He , Ma Xiaoxue
Published: March 2024

Seafarers’ unsafe acts as the direct causes of maritime accidents are considered to be the result of the interaction between complex and dynamic influencing factors. Identifying the risk evolution characteristics and paths of seafarers’ unsafe acts has always been a challenge in maritime safety management. For this purpose, the present study introduces association rule technique into complex network to develop a directed weighted interaction network of seafarers’ unsafe acts and their influencing factors. Through global network topology analysis and local network community detection, the risk evolution characteristics of seafarers’ unsafe acts in maritime accidents are analyzed from a multidimensional perspective. The results indicate that the developed network has small-world characteristics, and the top 10 critical nodes all belong to seafarers’ unsafe acts, of which failure to make proper sound and light signals achieves the highest PageRank value. Results from this study would help maritime stakeholders to understand the evolution mechanism of seafarers’ unsafe acts and develop safety management strategies for interrupting the risk propagation of seafarers’ unsafe acts.
Effect of the Mandibular Repositioning Appliance (MARA) on Posterior Airway Space (PAS)
Authors: Stamenkovic Zorana , de Araujo Gurgel Julio , Popovic Nenad , Marinkovic Nemanja
Published: March 2024

Aim of the study was to show the effect of skeletal Class II treatment with the mandibular anterior repositioning appliance (MARA) on the sagittal posterior airway space (PAS) diameter. A total of 53 patients were selected retrospectively: 26 male patients (median 13 years, age span 10–19 years) and 27 female patients (median 14 years, age span 11–47 years). All patients had lateral cephalograms taken at T1 (before MARA treatment) and at T2 (after MARA treatment). Average treatment took 13.1 ± 7.5 months (Group 1) and 10.5 ± 4.5 months (Group 2), respectively. The following PAS parameters were obtained at T1 and T2: TI (Tangent Point 1), Me/Gn (menton/gnathion), DW (dorsal wall). Additionally, Björk‘s sum angle, SNA, SNB and ANB were determined. The male patients showed a higher increase in the anteroposterior diameter of the PAS (+27.5%) compared to female patients (+11.6%). Male participants had a significantly higher PAS (p = 0.006) than female participants (p = 0.09). Although not significantly, Björk‘s sum angle decreased in both groups. In general, compared to female patients, male patients showed a greater decrease between T1 and T2. SNA and SNB exhibited varied behavior between T1 and T2, with some individuals reporting a decrease and others reporting an increase. SNA tended to decrease in general. In terms of ANB, the male participants displayed a decrease from T1 to T2. Treatment of a skeletal Class II malocclusion with the mandibular anterior repositioning appliance (MARA) caused an increase in the sagittal posterior airway space (PAS) diameter and, thereby, might be effective against obstructive sleep apnea.
Zero-Shot Recommendation AI Models for Efficient Job–Candidate Matching in Recruitment Process
Authors: Kurek Jarosław , Latkowski Tomasz , Bukowski Michał , Świderski Bartosz , Łępicki Mateusz , Baranik Grzegorz , Nowak Bogusz , Zakowicz Robert , Dobrakowski Łukasz
Published: March 2024

In the evolving realities of recruitment, the precision of job–candidate matching is crucial. This study explores the application of Zero-Shot Recommendation AI Models to enhance this matching process. Utilizing advanced pretrained models such as all-MiniLM-L6-v2 and applying similarity metrics like dot product and cosine similarity, we assessed their effectiveness in aligning job descriptions with candidate profiles. Our evaluations, based on Top-K Accuracy across various rankings, revealed a notable enhancement in matching accuracy compared to conventional methods. Specifically, the all-MiniLM-L6-v2 model with a chunk length of 768 exhibited outstanding performance, achieving a remarkable Top-1 accuracy of 3.35%, 55.45% for Top-100, and an impressive 81.11% for Top-500, establishing it as a highly effective tool for recruitment processes. This paper presents an in-depth analysis of these models, providing insights into their potential applications in real-world recruitment scenarios. Our findings highlight the capability of Zero-Shot Learning to address the dynamic requirements of the job market, offering a scalable, efficient, and adaptable solution for job–candidate matching and setting new benchmarks in recruitment efficiency.
Experimental Research on Anisotropy Characteristics of Shale under Triaxial Incremental Cyclic Loading and Unloading
Authors: Cao Yangbing , Yan Qiang , Zhang Sui , Cai Fuming
Published: March 2024

Shale is a common rock type that is associated with underground engineering projects, and several important factors, such as bedding structure, confining pressure, and the loading and unloading path, significantly influence the anisotropy of shale. Triaxial monotonic loading tests and triaxial incremental cyclic loading and unloading tests of shale under three kinds of confining pressures and five types of bedding inclination angles (θ) were thus performed to investigate the anisotropy of shale in terms of mechanical behavior, acoustic emission (AE), and energy evolution, and reveal the mechanism by which shale anisotropy is weakened. The results show that (1) the compressive strength and elastic modulus of shale decrease and then increase as the θ increases, and that both σ3 and incremental cyclic loading and unloading reduce the anisotropy in terms of the compressive strength and elastic modulus of shale, with the ratio of plastic strain to total strain reaching its maximum at a θ of 60° during each loading and unloading cycle. (2) The failure modes of shale with θ of 0°, 30°, and 90° under triaxial monotonic loading are similar to the counterparts under triaxial incremental cyclic loading and unloading, while the failure modes of shale with θ of 45° and 60° differ significantly under the two loading conditions, and interestingly, the degree to which the bedding plane participates in shale crack evolution under incremental cyclic loading and unloading is considerably lower than that under triaxial monotonic loading. (3) The cumulative AE count and AE b-value of shale first decrease and then increase as the θ increases, while the Felicity ratio decreases as the number of cycles increases. (4) As the θ increases, the total energy density U0 and the parameter m, which reflects the accumulation rate of elastic energy, first decrease and then increase, with both reaching a minimum at a θ of 60°. (5) The mode by which cyclic loading and unloading leads to failure in shale with a θ of 60° is similar to that at a θ of 0° and is the main mechanism by which shale anisotropy weakening occurs as a result of cyclic loading and unloading. The results provide experimental support and a theoretical basis for safer and more efficient underground engineering projects that involve shale.
Displacement Reconstruction Based on Physics-Informed DeepONet Regularizing Geometric Differential Equations of Beam or Plate
Authors: Zhao Zifeng , Yang Xuesong , Ding Ding , Wang Qiangyong , Zhang Feiran , Hu Zhicheng , Xu Kaikai , Wang Xuelin
Published: March 2024

Physics-informed DeepONet (PI_DeepONet) is utilized for the reconstruction task of structural displacement based on measured strain. For beam and plate structures, the PI_DeepONet is built by regularizing the strain–displacement relation and boundary conditions, referred to as geometric differential equations (GDEs) in this paper, and the training datasets are constructed by modeling strain functions with mean-zero Gaussian random fields. For the GDEs with more than one Neumann boundary condition, an algorithm is proposed to balance the interplay between different loss terms. The algorithm updates the weight of each loss term adaptively using the back-propagated gradient statistics during the training process. The trained network essentially serves as a solution operator of GDEs, which directly maps the strain function to the displacement function. We demonstrate the application of the proposed method in the displacement reconstruction of Euler–Bernoulli beams and Kirchhoff plates, without any paired strain–displacement observations. The PI_DeepONet exhibits remarkable precision in the displacement reconstruction, with the reconstructed results achieving a close proximity, surpassing 99%, to the finite element calculations.
Enhancing Cement Paste Properties with Biochar: Mechanical and Rheological Insights
Authors: Suarez-Riera Daniel , Lavagna Luca , Carvajal Juan Felipe , Tulliani Jean-Marc , Falliano Devid , Restuccia Luciana
Published: March 2024

Biochar, the solid sub-product of biomass pyrolysis, is widely considered an effective water retention material thanks to its porous microstructure and high specific surface area. This study investigates the possibility of improving both mechanical and rheological properties of cement pastes on a micro-scale. The results show that using biochar as a reinforcement at low percentages (1% to 5% by weight of cement) results in an increase in compressive strength of 13% and the flexural strength of 30%. A high fracture energy was demonstrated by the tortuous crack path of the sample at an early age of curing. A preliminary study on the rheological properties has indicated that the yield stress value is in line with that of self-compacting concrete.
Improving the Estimation of PM2.5 Concentration in the North China Area by Introducing an Attention Mechanism into Random Forest
Authors: Zhang Luo , Li Zhengqiang , Guang Jie , Xie Yisong , Shi Zheng , Gu Haoran , Zheng Yang
Published: March 2024

Fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) profoundly affects environmental systems, human health and economic structures. Multi-source data and advanced machine or deep-learning methods have provided a new chance for estimating the PM2.5 concentrations at a high spatiotemporal resolution. In this paper, the Random Forest (RF) algorithm was applied to estimate hourly PM2.5 of the North China area (Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei, BTH) based on the next-generation geostationary meteorological satellite Himawari-8/AHI (Advanced Himawari Imager) aerosol optical depth (AOD) products. To improve the estimation of PM2.5 concentration across large areas, we construct a method for co-weighting the environmental similarity and the geographical distances by using an attention mechanism so that it can efficiently characterize the influence of spatial–temporal information hidden in adjacent ground monitoring sites. In experiment results, the hourly PM2.5 estimates are well correlated with ground measurements in BTH, with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.887, a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 18.31 μg/m3, and a mean absolute error (MAE) of 11.17 µg/m3, indicating good model performance. In addition, this paper makes a comprehensive analysis of the effectiveness of multi-source data in the estimation process, in this way, to simplify the model structure and improve the estimation efficiency of the model while ensuring its accuracy.
Recurrent Neural Networks for Estimating the State of Health of Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Teixeira Rafael S. D. , Calili Rodrigo F. , Almeida Maria Fatima , Louzada Daniel R.
Published: March 2024

Rapid technological changes and disruptive innovations have resulted in a significant shift in people’s behavior and requirements. Electronic gadgets, including smartphones, notebooks, and other devices, are indispensable to everyday routines. Consequently, the demand for high-capacity batteries has surged, which has enabled extended device autonomy. An alternative approach to address this demand is battery swapping, which can potentially extend the battery life of electronic devices. Although battery sharing in electric vehicles has been well studied, smartphone applications still need to be explored. Crucially, assessing the batteries’ state of health (SoH) presents a challenge, necessitating consensus on the best estimation methods to develop effective battery swap strategies. This paper proposes a model for estimating the SoH curve of lithium-ion batteries using the state of charge curve. The model was designed for smartphone battery swap applications utilizing Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) neural networks. To validate the model, a system was developed to conduct destructive tests on batteries and study their behavior over their lifetimes. The results demonstrated the high precision of the model in estimating the SoH of batteries under various charge and discharge parameters. The proposed approach exhibits low computational complexity, low cost, and easily measurable input parameters, making it an attractive solution for smartphone battery swap applications.
Enhancing the Spermidine Synthase-Based Polyamine Biosynthetic Pathway to Boost Rapid Growth in Marine Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum
Authors: Lin Hung-Yun , Liu Chung-Hsiao , Kang Yong-Ting , Lin Sin-Wei , Liu Hsin-Yun , Lee Chun-Ting , Liu Yu-Chen , Hsu Man-Chun , Chien Ya-Yun , Hong Shao-Ming , Cheng Yun-Hsuan , Hsieh Bing-You , Lin Han-Jia
Published: March 2024

Diatoms, efficient carbon capture organisms, contribute to 20% of global carbon fixation and 40% of ocean primary productivity, garnering significant attention to their growth. Despite their significance, the synthesis mechanism of polyamines (PAs), especially spermidine (Spd), which are crucial for growth in various organisms, remains unexplored in diatoms. This study reveals the vital role of Spd, synthesized through the spermidine synthase (SDS)-based pathway, in the growth of the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. PtSDS1 and PtSDS2 in the P. tricornutum genome were confirmed as SDS enzymes through enzyme-substrate selectivity assays. Their distinct activities are governed primarily by the Y79 active site. Overexpression of a singular gene revealed that PtSDS1, PtSDS2, and PtSAMDC from the SDS-based synthesis pathway are all situated in the cytoplasm, with no significant impact on PA content or diatom growth. Co-overexpression of PtSDS1 and PtSAMDC proved essential for elevating Spd levels, indicating multifactorial regulation. Elevated Spd content promotes diatom growth, providing a foundation for exploring PA functions and regulation in diatoms.