bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In Vivo Sensing of pH in Tomato Plants Using a Low-Cost and Open-Source Device for Precision Agriculture
Authors: Ruiz-Gonzalez Antonio , Kempson Harriet , Haseloff Jim
Published: June 2022

The development of sensing devices for precision agriculture is crucial to boost crop yields and limit shortages in food productions due to the growing population. However, current approaches cannot provide direct information about the physiological status of the plants, reducing sensing accuracy. The development of implanted devices for plant monitoring represents a step forward in this field, enabling the direct assessment of key biomarkers in plants. However, available devices are expensive and cannot be used for long-term applications. The current work presents the application of ruthenium oxide-based nanofilms for the in vivo monitoring of pH in plants. The sensors were manufactured using the low-cost electrodeposition of RuO2 films, and the final device could be successfully incorporated for the monitoring of xylem sap pH for at least 10 h. RuO2 nanoparticles were chosen as the sensing material due to its biocompatibility and chemical stability. To reduce the noise rates and drift of the sensors, a protective layer consisting of a cellulose/PDMS hybrid material was deposited by an aerosol method (>GBP 50), involving off-the-shelf devices, leading to a good control of film thickness. Nanometrically thin films with a thickness of 80 nm and roughness below 3 nm were fabricated. This film led to a seven-fold decrease in drift while preserving the selectivity of the sensors towards H+ ions. The sensing devices were tested in vivo by implantation inside a tomato plant. Environmental parameters such as humidity and temperature were additionally monitored using a low-cost Wio Terminal device, and the data were sent wirelessly to an online server. The interactions between plant tissues and metal oxide-based sensors were finally studied, evidencing the formation of a lignified layer between the sensing film and xylem. Thus, this work reports for the first time a low-cost electrochemical sensor that can be used for the continuous monitoring of pH in xylem sap. This device can be easily modified to improve the long-term performance when implanted inside plant tissues, representing a step forward in the development of precision agriculture technologies.
Sequence-to-Sequence Voice Reconstruction for Silent Speech in a Tonal Language
Authors: Li Huiyan , Lin Haohong , Wang You , Wang Hengyang , Zhang Ming , Gao Han , Ai Qing , Luo Zhiyuan , Li Guang
Published: June 2022

Silent speech decoding (SSD), based on articulatory neuromuscular activities, has become a prevalent task of brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) in recent years. Many works have been devoted to decoding surface electromyography (sEMG) from articulatory neuromuscular activities. However, restoring silent speech in tonal languages such as Mandarin Chinese is still difficult. This paper proposes an optimized sequence-to-sequence (Seq2Seq) approach to synthesize voice from the sEMG-based silent speech. We extract duration information to regulate the sEMG-based silent speech using the audio length. Then, we provide a deep-learning model with an encoder–decoder structure and a state-of-the-art vocoder to generate the audio waveform. Experiments based on six Mandarin Chinese speakers demonstrate that the proposed model can successfully decode silent speech in Mandarin Chinese and achieve a character error rate (CER) of 6.41% on average with human evaluation.
Differences in Inhibitory Control and Resting Brain Metabolism between Older Chronic Users of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or Cannabidiol (CBD)—A Pilot Study
Authors: Rudroff Thorsten , Workman Craig D. , Gander Phillip E. , Deters Justin R. , Ponto Laura L. Boles
Published: June 2022

Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol is the main psychoactive component of cannabis and cannabidiol is purportedly responsible for many of the medicinal benefits. The effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol in younger populations have been well studied; however, motor function, cognitive function, and cerebral glucose metabolism in older adults have not been extensively researched. The purpose of this study was to assess differences in cognitive function, motor function, and cerebral glucose metabolism (assessed via [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography) in older adults chronically using Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, and non-using controls. Eight Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol users (59.3 ± 5.7 years), five cannabidiol users (54.6 ± 2.1 years), and 16 non-users (58.2 ± 16.9 years) participated. Subjects underwent resting scans and performed cognitive testing (reaction time, Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test), motor testing (hand/arm function, gait), and balance testing. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol users performed worse than both cannabidiol users and non-users on the Flanker Test but were similar on all other cognitive and motor tasks. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol users also had lower global metabolism and relative hypermetabolism in the bilateral amygdala, cerebellum, and brainstem. Chronic use of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol in older adults might negatively influence inhibitory control and alter brain activity. Future longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes investigating multiple Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol:cannabidiol ratios on functional outcomes and cerebral glucose metabolism in older adults are necessary.
An Experimental Study of the Hysteresis Model of the Kanchuang Frame Used in Chinese Traditional Timber Buildings of the Qing Dynasty
Authors: Huan Junhong , Guo Xiaodong , Guan Zhongzheng , Yan Teliang , Chu Tianyang , Sun Zemeng
Published: June 2022

Kanchuang frames are important parts of traditional timber architecture in China. This paper used experimental and numerical methods to study the restoring force model of Kanchuang frames, which were used frequently in Chinese ancient timber structures, particularly in North China. The prototyped test model is a type of Chinese traditional timber architecture named Qilinyingshan. It was widely used in ancient timber buildings preserved from the Ming and Qing dynasties. This study analyzed the loading process and failure modes of the test model, and the skeleton curve and hysteretic curve data were collected. Moreover, a dimensionless skeleton curve model was developed based upon the findings. The hysteresis loops of the test model were also analyzed, and it was found that each hysteresis loop can be divided into several feature segments according to their stiffness at different loading stages. Regression analysis was also used to obtain the stiffness degradation curvilinear equations of the feature segments. Finally, a hysteresis force model of a Kanchuang frame was established. This study also found that the loading process can be divided into three stages: the elastic stage, in which all of the components are in good condition; the elastic–plastic stage, in which cracks gradually develop on the wall; and the new elastic–plastic stage, after which the wall collapses. It was found there was consistency between the restoring force model and the test results, indicating that the model is valid and reliable. The skeleton curve model and hysteretic model provide reference for the nonlinear seismic response of ancient timber architecture.
The Influence of Socioeconomic Status (SES) and Processing Speed on the Psychological Adjustment and Wellbeing of Pediatric Brain Tumor Survivors
Authors: Oprandi Maria Chiara , Oldrati Viola , Cavatorta Claudia , Gandola Lorenza , Massimino Maura , Bardoni Alessandra , Poggi Geraldina
Published: June 2022

(1) Background: The relationship between processing speed (PS) and psychological adjustment in the healthy population is well established, as is that between low socio-economic status (SES) and psychological distress. While PS is one of the most impaired functions in pediatric brain tumor survivors (PBTSs), previous research has demonstrated that low SES may be a predictor of increased psychosocial risk in PBTSs. Given the psychological adjustment difficulties observed in PBTS, in the current study we aimed to explore the relationship between SES and psychological functioning, considering the contribution of PS as a mediator. (2) Methods: demographic and clinical data of 80 children (age range: 4–17 y.o.) were retrospectively collected. Psychological measures were the parent-compiled versions of the Child Behavioral Checklist (CBCL) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Mediation analysis models were performed on psychological measures with and without the inclusion of covariates. (3) Results: The influence of SES on the CBCL total index was mediated by PS. Furthermore, PS was found to have a mediating effect on the relationship between SES and internalizing problems but not on the relationship between SES and externalizing problems. (4) Conclusions: The results suggest that PS may be a rehabilitation target for the prevention of psychological distress and should be addressed especially for PBTSs who live in a disadvantaged situation.
Noncoding RNAs in Thyroid-Follicular-Cell-Derived Carcinomas
Authors: De Martino Marco , Esposito Francesco , Capone Maria , Pallante Pierlorenzo , Fusco Alfredo
Published: June 2022

Among the thyroid neoplasias originating from follicular cells, we can include well-differentiated carcinomas, papillary (PTC) and follicular (FTC) thyroid carcinomas, and the undifferentiated anaplastic (ATC) carcinomas. Several mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes have already been observed in these malignancies; however, we are still far from the comprehension of their full regulation-altered landscape. Even if only 2% of the human genome has the ability to code for proteins, most of the noncoding genome is transcribed, constituting the heterogeneous class of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), whose alterations are associated with the development of several human diseases, including cancer. Hence, many scientific efforts are currently focused on the elucidation of their biological role. In this review, we analyze the scientific literature regarding the involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and pseudogenes in FTC, PTC, and ATC. Recent findings emphasized the role of lncRNAs in all steps of cancer progression. In particular, lncRNAs may control progression steps by regulating the expression of genes and miRNAs involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and metastatization. In conclusion, the determination of the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancer based on the evaluation of the ncRNA network could allow the implementation of a more personalized approach to fighting thyroid tumors.
Intestinal FXR Activation via Transgenic Chimera or Chemical Agonism Prevents Colitis-Associated and Genetically-Induced Colon Cancer
Authors: Cariello Marica , Zerlotin Roberta , Pasculli Emanuela , Piccinin Elena , Peres Claudia , Porru Emanuele , Roda Aldo , Gadaleta Raffaella Maria , Moschetta Antonio
Published: June 2022

The Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR) is the master regulator of Bile Acids (BA) homeostasis orchestrating their synthesis, transport and metabolism. Disruption of BA regulation has been linked to gut-liver axis diseases such as colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, firstly we examined the role of constitutive activation of intestinal FXR in CRC; then we pre-clinically investigated the therapeutic potential of a diet enriched with a synthetic FXR agonist in two models of CRC (chemically-induced and genetic models). We demonstrated that mice with intestinal constitutive FXR activation are protected from AOM/DSS-induced CRC with a significant reduction of tumor number compared to controls. Furthermore, we evaluated the role of chemical FXR agonism in a DSS model of colitis in wild type (WT) and FXRnull mice. WT mice administered with the FXR activating diet showed less morphological alterations and decreased inflammatory infiltrates compared to controls. The FXR activating diet also protected WT mice from AOM/DSS-induced CRC by reducing tumors’ number and size. Finally, we proved that the FXR activating diet prevented spontaneous CRC in APCMin/+ mice via an FXR-dependent modulation of BA homeostasis. Our results demonstrate that intestinal FXR activation prevented both inflammation- and genetically-driven colorectal tumorigenesis by modulating BA pool size and composition. This could open new avenues for the therapeutic management of intestinal inflammation and tumorigenesis.
The Role of Ultrasound in the Evaluation of Inguinal Lymph Nodes in Patients with Vulvar Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Verri Debora , Moro Francesca , Fragomeni Simona Maria , Zaçe Drieda , Bove Sonia , Pozzati Federica , Gui Benedetta , Scambia Giovanni , Testa Antonia Carla , Garganese Giorgia
Published: June 2022

Objective. To determine the efficacy of ultrasound in assessing the inguinal lymph nodes in patients with vulvar cancer. Methods. A systematic review of published research up to October 2020 that compares the results of ultrasound to determine groin node status with histology was conducted. All study types that reported primary data on the role of ultrasound in the evaluation of groin lymph nodes in vulvar cancer were included in the systematic review. Data retrieved from the included studies were pooled in random-effects meta-analyses. Results. After the screening and selection process, eight articles were deemed pertinent for inclusion in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The random-effects model showed a pooled Se of 0.85 (95% CI: 0.81–0.89), Sp of 0.86 (95% CI: 0.81–0.91), PPV of 0.65 (95% CI: 0.54–0.79) and NPV of 0.92 (95% CI: 0.91–0.94). There was a pooled LR+ and LR− of 6.44 (95% CI: 3.72–11.4) and 0.20 (95% CI: 0.14–0.27), respectively. The pooled accuracy was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.80–0.91). Conclusions. Although the studies had small sample sizes, this review represents the best summary of the data so far. Ultrasound has revealed high sensitivity and high negative predictive value in the assessment of nodal status in vulvar cancer.
The Role of Extracellular Vesicles in Melanoma Progression
Authors: Lattmann Evelyn , Levesque Mitchell P.
Published: June 2022

Cutaneous melanoma arises from a malignant transformation of the melanocytes in the skin. It is the deadliest form of skin cancer owing to its potential to metastasize. While recent advances in immuno-oncology have been successful in melanoma treatment, not all the patients respond to the treatment equally, thus individual pre-screening and personalized combination therapies are essential to stratify and monitor patients. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as promising biomarker candidates to tackle these challenges. EVs are ~50–1000-nm-sized, lipid bilayer-enclosed spheres, which are secreted by almost all cell types, including cancer cells. Their cargo, such as nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, amino acids, and metabolites, can be transferred to target cells. Thanks to these properties, EVs can both provide a multiplexed molecular fingerprint of the cell of origin and thus serve as potential biomarkers, or reveal pathways important for cancer progression that can be targeted pharmaceutically. In this review we give a general overview of EVs and focus on their impact on melanoma progression. In particular, we shed light on the role of EVs in shaping the tumor–stroma interactions that facilitate metastasis and summarize the latest findings on molecular profiling of EV-derived miRNAs and proteins that can serve as potential biomarkers for melanoma progression.
Humanized Ovarian Cancer Patient-Derived Xenografts for Improved Preclinical Evaluation of Immunotherapies
Authors: Kleinmanns Katrin , Gullaksen Stein-Erik , Bredholt Geir , Davidson Ben , Torkildsen Cecilie Fredvik , Grindheim Sindre , Bjørge Line , McCormack Emmet
Published: June 2022

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) has poor prognosis and new treatment modalities are needed. Immunotherapy, with checkpoint inhibitors, have demonstrated limited impact. To evaluate the suitability for immunotherapeutics, contextualized preclinical models are required to secure meaningful clinical translation. Therefore, we developed and characterized humanized patient-derived xenograft (hu PDX) murine models of HGSOC, which were established by orthotopic implantation of tumor cell suspensions and intravenous injection of CD34+ cells isolated from umbilical cord blood samples. The developing human immune system in NSG and NSGS mice was followed longitudinally by flow cytometry and characterized by mass cytometry with a panel of 34 surface markers. Molecular imaging of tumor burden, survival analysis, and characterization of tumor-infiltrating immune cells was performed to assess the treatment response to anti-PD-1 (nivolumab) monotherapy. Successful generation of hu PDX models was achieved. Mice treated with nivolumab showed a decrease in tumor burden, however no significant survival benefit was identified when compared to untreated controls. No correlation was seen between PD-L1 expression and CD8 T cell infiltration and response parameters. As the characterization showed an immune infiltration of predominantly myeloid cells, similar to what is observed in HGSOC patients, the models may have the potential to evaluate the importance of myeloid cell immunomodulation as well.
Recent Advances and Challenges in Uveal Melanoma Immunotherapy
Authors: Fu Yihang , Xiao Wei , Mao Yuxiang
Published: June 2022

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults. Compared to cutaneous melanoma (CM), which mainly harbors BRAF or NRAS mutations, UM predominantly harbors GNAQ or GNA11 mutations. Although primary UM can be controlled locally, approximately 50% of patients still develop metastases. To date, there have been no standard therapeutic strategies for the prevention or treatment of metastases. Unfortunately, chemotherapy and targeted therapies only induce minimal responses in patients with metastatic UM, with a median survival time of only 4–5 months after metastasis detection. Immunotherapy agents, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, have achieved pioneering outcomes in CM but have shown limited effects in UM. Researchers have explored several feasible checkpoints to identify options for future therapies. Cancer vaccines have shown little in the way of therapeutic benefit in patients with UM, and there are few ongoing trials providing favorable evidence, but adoptive cell transfer-related therapies seem promising and deserve further investigation. More recently, the immune-mobilizing monoclonal T-cell receptor against the cancer molecule tebentafusp showed impressive antitumor effects. Meanwhile, oncolytic viruses and small molecule inhibitors have also gained ground. This review highlights recent progress in burgeoning treatments and provides innovative insights on feasible strategies for the treatment of UM.
Heterogeneous Photocatalysis: A Solution for a Greener Earth
Authors: Mahy Julien G. , Lambert Stéphanie D.
Published: June 2022

Since the beginning of the industrial era, various human activities have steadily increased, leading to rapid technological developments and high population growth [...]
Human Blood Bacteriome: Eubiotic and Dysbiotic States in Health and Diseases
Authors: Suparan Kanokphong , Sriwichaiin Sirawit , Chattipakorn Nipon , Chattipakorn Siriporn C.
Published: June 2022

The human gut microbiome is acknowledged as being associated with homeostasis and the pathogenesis of several diseases. Conventional culture techniques are limited in that they cannot culture the commensals; however, next-generation sequencing has facilitated the discovery of the diverse and delicate microbial relationship in body sites and blood. Increasing evidence regarding the blood microbiome has revolutionized the concept of sterility and germ theory in circulation. Among the types of microbial communities in the blood, bacteriomes associated with many health conditions have been thoroughly investigated. Blood bacterial profiles in healthy subjects are identified as the eubiotic blood bacteriome, whereas the dysbiotic blood bacteriome represents the change in bacterial characteristics in subjects with diseases showing deviations from the eubiotic profiles. The blood bacterial characteristics in each study are heterogeneous; thus, the association between eubiotic and dysbiotic blood bacteriomes and health and disease is still debatable. Thereby, this review aims to summarize and discuss the evidence concerning eubiotic and dysbiotic blood bacteriomes characterized by next-generation sequencing in human studies. Knowledge pertaining to the blood bacteriome will transform the concepts around health and disease in humans, facilitating clinical implementation in the near future.
Electric-Field-Tunable Transport and Photo-Resistance Properties in LaMnO3−x/PMN-PT Heterostructures
Authors: Ni Hao , Wang Yi , Zhang Feng , Yang Jinwei , Wang Meng , Guo Xin , Chen Lu , Wang Shengnan , Zheng Ming
Published: June 2022

Multiferroic heterojunctions are promising for application in low-power storage and spintronics due to their magnetoelectric coupling properties. Controlling the magnetic and transport properties of magnetic materials by external stimuli and then realizing advanced devices constitute the key mission in this field. We fabricated a multiferroic heterostructure consisting of a ferroelectric single-crystal (001)-0.7Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.3PbTiO3 substrate and an epitaxial 40 nm LaMnO3−x film. By applying dc electric fields to the ferroelectric substrate, the resistance and the photo-resistance of the LaMnO3−x film could be significantly modulated. With the electric field increasing from 0 to +4.8 kV/cm, the photo-resistance increased by ~4.1% at room temperature. The curve of photo-resistance versus the cycling electric field has a butterfly shape due to the piezoelectric strain effect. Using in situ X-ray diffraction measurements, the linear relationship of the strain and the electric field was quantitatively studied.
Photo-Elastic Enhanced Optomechanic One Dimensional Phoxonic Fishbone Nanobeam
Authors: Hsiao Fu-Li , Tsai Ying-Pin , Chang Wei-Shan , Chiu Chien-Chang , Lin Bor-Shyh , Chiang Chi-Tsung
Published: June 2022

We investigated the strength of acousto-optical (AO) interaction in one-dimensional fishbone silicon nanobeam computationally. The structure can generate phononic and photonic band gaps simultaneously. We use defect cavity optical mode and slow light mode to interact with acoustic defect modes. The AO coupling rates are obtained by adding the optical frequency shifts, which result from photo-elastic effect and moving-boundary effect disturbances. The AO coupling rates are strongly dependent on the overlap of acoustic and optical mode distribution. The strength of AO interaction can be enhanced by choosing certain acoustic defect modes that are formed by the stretching of wings and that overlap significantly with optical fields.
Features of the Phase Preferences, Long- and Short-Range Order in Ln2(WO4)3 (Ln = Gd, Dy, Ho, Yb) with Their Relation to Hydration Behavior
Authors: Popov Victor V. , Zubavichus Yan V. , Menushenkov Alexey P. , Yastrebtsev Alexey A. , Gaynanov Bulat R. , Rudakov Sergey G. , Ivanov Andrey A. , Dubyago Fyodor E. , Svetogorov Roman D. , Khramov Evgeny V. , Tsarenko Nadezhda A. , Ognevskaya Nataliya V. , Shchetinin Igor V.
Published: June 2022

The effect of synthesis conditions on the features of the long- and short-range order of Ln2(WO4)3 (Ln = Gd, Dy, Ho, Yb) powders synthesized via coprecipitation of salts has been studied by a complex of physico-chemical techniques including synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, Raman and infrared spectroscopy, and simultaneous thermal analysis. It was found that crystallization of amorphous precursors begins at 600 °C/3 h and leads to the formation of the monoclinic structure with sp. gr. C12/c1(15) for Ln2(WO4)3 (Ln = Gd, Dy) and with sp. gr. P121/a1(14) for Ln = Yb, whereas crystallization of Ho precursor requires even higher temperature. After annealing at 1000 °C, the P121/a1(14) phase becomes the dominant phase component for all heavy lanthanoid types except for Ln = Gd. It was shown that the Ln (Ln = Dy, Ho, and Yb) tungstates with the P121/a1(14) monoclinic structure correspond to trihydrates Ln2(WO4)3·3H2O formed due to a rapid spontaneous hydration under ambient conditions. It was concluded that the proneness to hydration is due to a specific structure of the P121/a1(14) phase with large voids available to water molecules. Modifications in the local structure of Ln-O coordination shell accompanying the structure type change and hydration are monitored using EXAFS spectroscopy.
Correction: Crenn et al. Influence of Anodized Titanium Surfaces on the Behavior of Gingival Cells in Contact with: A Systematic Review of In Vitro Studies. Crystals 2021, 11, 1566
Authors: Crenn Marie-Joséphine , Dubot Pierre , Mimran Elie , Fromentin Olivier , Lebon Nicolas , Peyre Patrice
Published: June 2022

In the original article [...]
The Second Law, Asymmetry of Time and Their Implications
Authors: Klimenko Alexander Y.
Published: June 2022

Explaining the asymmetry of the directions of time (the time arrow) is one of the major challenges for modern science [...]
Discrete-Time Memristor Model for Enhancing Chaotic Complexity and Application in Secure Communication
Authors: Yan Wenhao , Dong Wenjie , Wang Peng , Wang Ya , Xing Yanan , Ding Qun
Published: June 2022

The physical implementation of the continuous-time memristor makes it widely used in chaotic circuits, whereas the discrete-time memristor has not received much attention. In this paper, the backward-Euler method is used to discretize the TiO2 memristor model, and the discretized model also meets the three fingerprints characteristics of the generalized memristor. The short period phenomenon and uneven output distribution of one-dimensional chaotic systems affect their applications in some fields, so it is necessary to improve the dynamic characteristics of one-dimensional chaotic systems. In this paper, a two-dimensional discrete-time memristor model is obtained by linear coupling of the proposed TiO2 memristor model and one-dimensional chaotic systems. Since the two-dimensional model has infinite fixed points, the stability of these fixed points depends on the coupling parameters and the initial state of the discrete TiO2 memristor model. Furthermore, the dynamic characteristics of one-dimensional chaotic systems can be enhanced by the proposed method. Finally, we apply the generated chaotic sequence to secure communication.
Wireless Charging Concave Coil Design for UAVs
Authors: Yu Langtao , Wu Li , Zhu Yuyu , Cao Xin , Zhang Guozheng , Xiang Shicheng
Published: June 2022

This paper proposes an orthogonal concave coupling mechanism based on wireless charging for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs); the original edge adopts a concave transmitting coil. So as not to occupy the gimbal position at the receiving end, the receiving coil is installed on the landing gear of the UAV perpendicular to the transmitting coil to form an orthogonal coupling magnetic field. This study conducted a finite element simulation of the coupling mechanism using Ansys Maxwell to test the mechanism’s coupling capability and anti-offset performance. The spatial distribution of the system’s magnetic field was constrained, and the magnetic flux leakage of the system was reduced by optimizing the transmitter structure. The system employed a double-sided LCC compensation topology network and used wireless communication to achieve constant voltage/constant current closed-loop control. Finally, the experimental platform was built, and the results show that the system output power was able to reach 960 W with 85.7% efficiency, and could realize the closed-loop control of charging with 48 V constant voltage and 20 A constant current. The system has the advantages of being small in size, lightweight (290 g) and easy to install, and the receiver device has strong resistance to offset.
GSCINet: Gradual Shrinkage and Cyclic Interaction Network for Salient Object Detection
Authors: Sun Yanguang , Gao Xiuju , Xia Chenxing , Ge Bin , Duan Songsong
Published: June 2022

Feature Pyramid Network (FPN) has been widely applied in the task of salient object detection (SOD), which has achieved great performance. However, most existing FPN-based SOD methods still have some limitations, such as insufficient guidance due to gradual dilution of semantic information, excessive computation leading to slow inference speed, and low efficiency of training models. In this paper, we design a novel Gradual Shrinkage and Cyclic Interaction Network (GSCINet) for efficient and accurate SOD, consisting of a Multi-Scale Contextual Attention Module (MSCAM) and an Adjacent Feature Shrinkage and Interaction Module (AFSIM). Specifically, the MSCAM aims at efficiently capturing multi-scale and multi-receptive-field contextual attention information through a series of well-designed convolutions and attention weight matrices of different scales to enhance the performance of initial input features. Subsequently, in AFSIM, we propose a gradual shrinkage structure and introduce a circular interaction mechanism to optimize the compressed features with less calculation cost, thereby enabling fast and accurate inference of salient objects. Extensive experimental results demonstrate the high efficiency and superiority of GSCINet against 17 state-of-the-art (SOTA) saliency detection methods under multiple evaluation metrics.
Online Charging Strategy for Electric Vehicle Clusters Based on Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning and Long–Short Memory Networks
Authors: Shen Xianhao , Zhang Yexin , Wang Decheng
Published: June 2022

The electric vehicle (EV) cluster charging strategy is a key factor affecting the grid load shifting in vehicle-to-grid (V2G) mode. The conflict between variable tariffs and electric-powered energy demand at different times of the day directly affects the charging cost, and in the worst case, can even lead to the collapse of the whole grid. In this paper, we propose a multi-agent reinforcement learning and long-short memory network (LSTM)-based online charging strategy for community home EV clusters to solve the grid load problem and minimize the charging cost while ensuring benign EV cluster charging loads. In this paper, the accurate prediction of grid prices is achieved through LSTM networks, and the optimal charging strategy is derived from the MADDPG multi-agent reinforcement learning algorithm. The simulation results show that, compared with the DNQ algorithm, the EV cluster online charging strategy algorithm can effectively reduce the overall charging cost by about 5.8% by dynamically adjusting the charging power at each time period while maintaining the grid load balance.
Impact of Magnesium Sources for Phosphate Recovery and/or Removal from Waste
Authors: Fattah Kazi Parvez , Sinno Sarah , Atabay Serter , Khan Zahid , Al-Dawood Zahraa , Yasser Alaa Kamel , Temam Riyad
Published: June 2022

As the population continues to rise, the demand for resources and environmentally friendly management of produced wastes has shown a significant increase in concern. To decrease the impact of these wastes on the environment, it is important to utilize the wastes in producing and/or recovering usable products to provide for the sustainable management of resources. One non-renewable and rapidly diminishing resource is phosphorus, which is used in several products, the most important being its use in manufacturing chemical fertilizer. With the increase in demand but reduction in availability of naturally occurring mineral phosphorus, it is important to investigate other sources of phosphorus. Phosphorus is most commonly recovered through struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate) precipitation. The recovery of phosphorus from various wastewater has been well established and documented with recovery rates mostly above 90%. However, one of the major drawbacks of the recovery is the high cost of chemicals needed to precipitate the phosphorus. Since the external magnesium needed to achieve struvite precipitation accounts for around 75% of the total chemical cost, applicability of low-cost magnesium sources, such as bittern or seawater, can help reduce the operational cost significantly. This paper investigates the different magnesium sources that have been used for the recovery of phosphorus, highlighting the different approaches and operating conditions investigated, and their corresponding phosphorus recovery rates. An investigation of the economic aspects of the magnesium sources used for removal/recovery show that costs are dependent on the raw waste treated, the source of magnesium and the location of treatment. A review of published articles on the economics of phosphorus removal/recovery also indicates that there is a lack of studies on the economics of the treatment processes, and there is a need for a comprehensive study on life cycle assessment of such processes that go beyond the technical and economical aspects of treatment processes.
Life Prediction under Charging Process of Lithium-Ion Batteries Based on AutoML
Authors: Luo Chenqiang , Zhang Zhendong , Qiao Dongdong , Lai Xin , Li Yongying , Wang Shunli
Published: June 2022

Accurate online capacity estimation and life prediction of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are crucial to large-scale commercial use for electric vehicles. The data-driven method lately has drawn great attention in this field due to efficient machine learning, but it remains an ongoing challenge in the feature extraction related to battery lifespan. Some studies focus on the features only in the battery constant current (CC) charging phase, regardless of the joint impact including the constant voltage (CV) charging phase on the battery aging, which can lead to estimation deviation. In this study, we analyze the features of the CC and CV phases using the optimized incremental capacity (IC) curve, showing the strong relevance between the IC curve in the CC phase as well as charging capacity in the CV phase and battery lifespan. Then, the life prediction model based on automated machine learning (AutoML) is established, which can automatically generate a suitable pipeline with less human intervention, overcoming the problem of redundant model information and high computational cost. The proposed method is verified on NASA’s LIBs cycle life datasets, with the MAE increased by 52.8% and RMSE increased by 48.3% compared to other methods using the same datasets and training method, accomplishing an obvious enhancement in online life prediction with small-scale datasets.
Fast DC Fault Current Suppression and Fault Ride-Through in Full-Bridge MMCs via Reverse SM Capacitor Discharge
Authors: Sakib Munif Nazmus , Azad Sahar Pirooz , Kazerani Mehrdad
Published: June 2022

In the event of a DC side fault in modular multilevel converters (MMCs), the fault current contributions are initially made by submodule (SM) capacitor discharge, which occurs before the fault is detected, followed by the AC side contribution to the DC side fault. While the AC side currents can be regulated using fault blocking SMs, the initial discharge of the SM capacitors results in high DC fault currents, which can take several milliseconds to be brought under control. This paper presents a method to actively control the rate of rise of the DC fault current by regulating the discharge of SM capacitors and accelerating the suppression of fault current oscillations during fault ride-through (FRT) in a full-bridge (FB)-MMC system. In the proposed method, the discharge direction of the FBSM capacitors is reversed following the detection of a DC side fault, which leads to a reversal in the fault current direction and a fast drop-off towards the zero-crossing. Immediately after the zero-crossing of the DC fault current, the DC fault is cleared by adjusting the arm voltage references and operating the MMC as a static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) to provide voltage support to the AC grid. The proposed control scheme provides faster fault current suppression, more effective SM capacitor voltage regulation, low AC side and MMC arm current transient peaks, and an overall superior DC-FRT performance compared to methods in which the conventional fault ride-through operation is initiated immediately upon DC fault detection.
Renewable Energy Sources in the Processes of Thermal Modernization of Buildings—Selected Aspects in Poland
Authors: Moskwa-Bęczkowska Daria , Moskwa Andrzej
Published: June 2022

The article presents selected aspects of the energy modernization process of a single-family building, carried out in accordance with the legal regulations of Poland. One of the elements of this process is the use of renewable energy sources in the selection of heat sources. Two variants of thermo-modernization solutions for the tested facility were generated using the CERTO and the Aterm computer program. One was a heat pump, and the second was hybrid, in which the heat pump is supplied with electricity from photovoltaic panels. The key point of considerations was to conduct a comparative analysis of the operating costs of applied solutions. All variants were based on the same output data including the same building materials from which the thermal modernization process was carried out. The only difference was in the use of different types of thermal energy sources. The aim of the article was, therefore, to carry out a comparative analysis of variants of heat sources used in a single-family residential building—heating in a traditional way and through the use of photovoltaic panels and a heat pump. The results of the analysis in the context of benefits obtained from using renewable energy sources for heating residential buildings are discussed. The analysis showed that the simultaneous application of a heat pump and solar collectors in the analyzed building effectively influenced the values of indicators of annual demand for usable, primary, and final energy. The main conclusion of this research is that the amount of final energy demand in the analyzed case decreased from 86.04 kWh/(m2/year) with natural gas to 40.46 kWh/(m2/year) with a heat pump and a solar collector.
Strongly Active Responses of Pinus tabuliformis Carr. and Sophora viciifolia Hance to CO2 Enrichment and Drought Revealed by Tree-Ring Isotopes on the Central China Loess Plateau
Authors: Ge Wensen , Liu Xiaohong , Li Xiaoqin , Zeng Xiaomin , Zhang Lingnan , Wang Wenzhi , Xu Guobao
Published: June 2022

Understanding the water-use strategy of human-planted species used in response to climate change is essential to optimize afforestation programs in dry regions. Since 2000, trees on the central Loess Plateau have experienced a shift from strengthening drought to weakening drought. In this study, we combined tree-ring δ13C and δ18O records from Pinus tabuliformis (syn. tabulaeformis) Carr. (a tree) and Sophora viciifolia Hance (a shrub) on the central Loess Plateau to investigate species-specific responses to rising atmospheric CO2 (Ca) and drought. We found summer relative humidity controlled the fractionation of tree-ring δ18O, but the magnitude of the climate influence on δ13C differed between the species. The intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE) trends of both species suggested a strongly active response to maintain constant intercellular CO2 concentrations as Ca rose. The tree-ring δ13C and δ18O of both species using first-difference data were significantly and positively correlated, with stronger relationships for the shrub. This indicated the dominant regulation of iWUE by stomatal conductance in both species, but with greater stomatal control for the shrub. Moreover, the higher mean iWUE value of S. viciifolia indicated a more conservative water-use strategy than P. tabuliformis. Based on our commonality analysis, the main driver of the increased iWUE was the joint effect of Ca and vapor-pressure deficit (25.51%) for the tree, while it was the joint effect of Ca and the self-calibrated Palmer drought severity index (39.13%) for the shrub. These results suggest S. viciifolia will be more drought-tolerant than P. tabuliformis and as Ca continually rises, we should focus more on the effects of soil drought than atmospheric drought on the water-use strategy of S. viciifolia.
Plant Growth and Nutrient Composition of Shrub and Arbor Willows Grown in Cu-Contaminated Flooded Soil
Authors: Cao Yini , Xiao Jiang , Chen Jie , Li Xiaogang , Shi Jiuxi , Chen Guangcai
Published: June 2022

Flooding can adversely worsen metal-contaminated soil and influence phytoremediation efficiency; thus, it is crucial to explore the eco-physiological responses of plants to the combined stress of metals and flooding. Here, the plant growth, photosynthesis, and nutrient composition in the arbor willow (Salix jiangsuensis ‘J172’) and shrub willow (Salix integra ‘Yizhibi’) were studied using a pot experiment with Cu-contaminated soil (239.5 mg·kg−1) under flooded versus non-flooded conditions. S. integra showed a larger bioconcentration factor (BCF) than S. jiangsuensis in both treatments. Flooding markedly decreased the BCFs while obviously increasing the translocation factor in the two willows (p< 0.05). Flooding enhanced the leaf C:P and N:P ratios while significantly decreased root C:P and N:P ratios, compared to the non-flooded condition. The shrub willow exhibited better tolerance to flooding, with little alteration in biomass and photosynthetic rate, and showed greater potential Cu accumulation capacity, even though its total biomass was significantly lower than that of the arbor willow. Our study also helps further understanding of nutrient balance and stoichiometry of willows in response to flooding and Cu contamination, promoting the management of Cu-contaminated flooded soils.
Simulation Study on Aircraft Fire Extinguishing Pipeline with Different Filling Conditions and Pipeline Characteristics
Authors: Liu Rulin , Yuan Changyu , Ma Weitong , Liu Shaonan , Lu Song , Zhang Heping , Gong Jun
Published: June 2022

The filling conditions and pipeline characteristics of the aircraft fire extinguishing system determine the pressure of the fire extinguishing cylinder outlet, the discharge quality of the extinguishing agent, and the flow distribution during the discharge process. The simulation model of the fire extinguishing system pipeline of an aircraft was established by Amesim. The influence of filling conditions and pipeline characteristics was studied. It was found that the mass curves of the fire extinguishing agent were similar under filling pressures of 4, 5, and 6 MPa with a filling amount of 5.55 kg. The lower the initial temperature is, the pressure at the outlet of the cylinder decreases, but the emptying time is similar to 1.22 s. The lower the roughness is, the faster the discharge is. Under the ideal smooth pipe (ε = 0 mm), the emptying time of the fire extinguishing cylinder is 0.72 s. When the diameter of the short branch pipe is 10 mm, and the diameter of the long branch pipe is 14 mm, the discharge quality of the two pipes is close. The larger the diameter of the main pipe, the higher the discharge rate. The research results have a certain guiding significance for the pipeline design of certain aircraft.
An Overview of Interlocation Sexual Shape Dimorphism in Caquetaia kraussi (Perciformes: Cichlidae): A Geometric Morphometric Approach
Authors: Hernandez Jordan , Villalobos-Leiva Amado , Bermúdez Adriana , Ahumada-Cabarcas Daniela , Suazo Manuel J. , Benítez Hugo A.
Published: June 2022

C. kraussii is an endemic fish species from Colombia and Venezuela and represents a valuable food resource for local human communities. Due to its economic importance, the management and captive breeding of this species are of special interest. However, the anatomical similarities between sexes have been a problem for visual identification. It is also important to indicate that C. kraussii has cryptic morphological behavior between sexes, a topic that has been one of the main problems for the implementation of management plans. The following research studied individuals from three different localities along the Canal del Dique, Bolívar Department in Colombia, in which the body shape of C. kraussii was analyzed using geometric morphometric analysis. The analyses detected the presence of intralocality sexual dimorphism in two of the three localities analyzed, showing a low morphological variability among males, presenting conserved body shape, as well as a greater morphological disparity among females. This sexual shape dimorphism may be associated with the environmental variation among different locations. These results suggest the presence of two evolutionary forces acting asymmetrically between the sexes of C. kraussii, with males mostly subject to sexual selection pressure, while females are mainly subject to environmental pressures.
Revealing Population Connectivity of the Estuarine Tapertail Anchovy Coilia nasus in the Changjiang River Estuary and Its Adjacent Waters Using Otolith Microchemistry
Authors: Jiang Tao , Liu Hongbo , Hu Yuhai , Chen Xiubao , Yang Jian
Published: June 2022

The estuarine tapertail anchovy, Coilia nasus, is a migratory fish with high economic value in China. We collected fish from the Changjiang River (the Yangtze River) estuary, the Qiantang River estuary, and the southern Yellow Sea, and studied their relationships using otolith elemental and stable isotopic microchemistry signatures to assess the population connectivity of C. nasus. Results show that, in addition to Ca, other elements were present in the otolith core. The δ18O, Na/Ca, Fe/Ca, and Cu/Ca values of the Qiantang population were significantly higher than those of the others, whereas its δ13C and Ba/Ca values were found to be significantly lower. Otolith multi-element composition and stable isotope ratios differed significantly between the Qiantang and Changjiang estuary groups (p < 0.05); however, no difference was observed between the latter and the Yellow Sea group. Cluster analysis, linear discriminant analysis, and a self-organizing map strongly suggest possible connectivity between the fish populations of the Changjiang estuary and Yellow Sea, while the population of the Qiantang River estuary appears to be independent. Notably, results suggest a much closer connectivity between the fish populations of the Changjiang River and the Yellow Sea.
Identification and Functional Analysis of Individual-Specific Subpathways in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Fang Jingya , Li Zutan , Xu Mingmin , Ji Jinwen , Li Yanru , Zhang Liangyun , Chen Yuanyuan
Published: June 2022

Small molecular networks within complex pathways are defined as subpathways. The identification of patient-specific subpathways can reveal the etiology of cancer and guide the development of personalized therapeutic strategies. The dysfunction of subpathways has been associated with the occurrence and development of cancer. Here, we propose a strategy to identify aberrant subpathways at the individual level by calculating the edge score and using the Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) method. This provides a novel approach to subpathway analysis. We applied this method to the expression data of a lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) dataset from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. We validated the effectiveness of this method in identifying LUAD-relevant subpathways and demonstrated its reliability using an independent Gene Expression Omnibus dataset (GEO). Additionally, survival analysis was applied to illustrate the clinical application value of the genes and edges in subpathways that were associated with the prognosis of patients and cancer immunity, which could be potential biomarkers. With these analyses, we show that our method could help uncover subpathways underlying lung adenocarcinoma.