bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seroconversion in Galapagos Sea Lions (Zalophus wollebaeki) Confirms the Presence of Canine Distemper Virus in Rookeries of San Cristóbal Island
Authors: Ruiz-Saenz Julian , Barragan Veronica , Grijalva-Rosero Colón Jaime , Diaz Eduardo A. , Páez-Rosas Diego
Published: November 2023

Background: The emblematic Galapagos sea lion (GSL—Zalophus wollebaeki) has faced an important population decline over the last four decades. There are multiple environmental and biological factors that might be implied in this decrease. Recently, evidence of various zoonotic infectious diseases that can be potential threats has been reported. Considering that in some islands of the archipelago the risk of transmission of infectious diseases may be promoted by the increasing population of domestic dogs, epidemiological vigilance and search of new pathogens are essential. The canine distemper virus (CDV), one of the viral pathogens that generate the most concern for the agencies responsible for the management and conservation of the Galapagos pinnipeds, was detected in the GSL in 2010. However, there is scarce information about its impact on GSL health and about its epidemiology. Methods: In this study, 110 GSL serum samples were collected during the summer of 2016 and 2017. All samples were exposed to VERO dog SLAM cells expressing the canine SLAM receptor. Results: Our results showed a significative increase (p = 0.04) in the frequency of neutralizing antibodies to CDV in the 2017 (53.1%) samples compared to the 2016 samples (19.6%). Conclusions: Our work confirmed the continuous and increasing circulation of the CDV in the GSL and highlights the importance of monitoring emerging diseases that can be transmitted from domestic to wildlife species. Vigilance of CDV is essential to understand the role of this virus in GSL mortality and to take informed decisions for wildlife conservation.
Cultivable Gut Microbiota in Synanthropic Bats: Shifts of Its Composition and Diversity Associated with Hibernation
Authors: Popov Igor V. , Berezinskaia Iraida S. , Popov Ilia V. , Martiusheva Irina B. , Tkacheva Elizaveta V. , Gorobets Vladislav E. , Tikhmeneva Iuliia A. , Aleshukina Anna V. , Tverdokhlebova Tatiana I. , Chikindas Michael L. , Venema Koen , Ermakov Alexey M.
Published: November 2023

The role of bats in the global microbial ecology no doubt is significant due to their unique immune responses, ability to fly, and long lifespan, all contributing to pathogen spread. Some of these animals hibernate during winter, which results in the altering of their physiology. However, gut microbiota shifts during hibernation is little studied. In this research, we studied cultivable gut microbiota composition and diversity of Nyctalus noctula before, during, and after hibernation in a bat rehabilitation center. Gut microorganisms were isolated on a broad spectrum of culture media, counted, and identified with mass spectrometry. Linear modeling was used to investigate associations between microorganism abundance and N. noctula physiological status, and alpha- and beta-diversity indexes were used to explore diversity changes. As a result, most notable changes were observed in Serratia liquefaciens, Hafnia alvei, Staphylococcus sciuri, and Staphylococcus xylosus, which were significantly more highly abundant in hibernating bats, while Citrobacter freundii, Klebsiella oxytoca, Providencia rettgeri, Citrobacter braakii, and Pedicoccus pentosaceus were more abundant in active bats before hibernation. The alpha-diversity was the lowest in hibernating bats, while the beta-diversity differed significantly among all studied periods. Overall, this study shows that hibernation contributes to changes in bat cultivable gut microbiota composition and diversity.
Dietary L-Lysine Requirement of Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) Alevins
Authors: Yu Leyong , Yu Hairui , Yuan Ziyi , Zhang Jiayi , Li Lingyao , Ma Chengyu , Kong Weiguang
Published: November 2023

The suitable dietary L-lysine concentration for coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) alevins was assessed by a dose response feeding trial. Six experimental diets were made with graded L-lysine concentrations of 2.29%, 2.81%, 3.32%, 3.80%, 4.27%, and 4.78% of the dry matter, respectively, each of which was fed to triplicate groups of 100 alevins (initial body weight: 0.30 ± 0.01 g) in 18 plastic baskets (water volume 240 L). The alevins were cultured in a flowing freshwater system and fed manually to apparent satiation four times a day for 12 weeks. The survival rate of alevins did not differ significantly among the dietary groups. The specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), and body protein deposition (BPD) increased significantly (p < 0.05) with the increase in dietary lysine concentration up to 3.80% and then reduced as lysine level further increased. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) had an inverse trend to SGR. The whole-body crude protein content of the alevins increased significantly with increasing dietary lysine level, while crude lipid content showed the opposite trend. In comparison, the contents of morphological indices, whole-body moisture, and ash were not affected significantly (p > 0.05) by the different dietary lysine concentrations. The highest contents of lysine, arginine, and total essential amino acids (EAAs) were observed in the group with 4.27% dietary lysine concentration, which did not differ significantly from those in the 3.32%, 3.80%, and 4.78% groups but was significantly higher than those in the 2.29% and 2.81% groups. Similarly, valine had the highest content in the group with 4.78%. The variations in dietary lysine had no significant impacts on other EAA and non-EAA contents except glycine, which increased with increasing dietary lysine level. Second-order polynomial model analyses based on SGR, PER, BPD, and FCR evaluated the optimum L-lysine requirements of coho salmon alevins as 3.74%, 3.73%, 3.91%, and 3.77% of the diet or 6.80%, 6.78%, 7.11%, and 6.85% of dietary proteins, respectively.
Identification of IncA Plasmid, Harboring blaVIM-1 Gene, in S. enterica Goldcoast ST358 and C. freundii ST62 Isolated in a Hospitalized Patient
Authors: Piccirilli Alessandra , Di Marcantonio Sascia , Costantino Venera , Simonetti Omar , Busetti Marina , Luzzati Roberto , Principe Luigi , Di Domenico Marco , Rinaldi Antonio , Cammà Cesare , Perilli Mariagrazia
Published: November 2023

In the present study, we analyzed the genome of two S. enterica strains TS1 and TS2 from stool and blood cultures, respectively, and one strain of C. freundii TS3, isolated from a single hospitalized patient with acute myeloid leukemia. The S. enterica Goldcoast ST358 (O:8 (C2-C3) serogroup), sequenced by the MiSeq Illumina system, showed the presence of β-lactamase genes (blaVIM-1, blaSHV-12 and blaOXA-10), aadA1, ant(2″)-Ia, aac(6′)-Iaa, aac(6′)-Ib3, aac(6′)-Ib-cr, qnrVC6, parC(T57S), and several incompatibility plasmids. A wide variety of insertion sequences (ISs) and transposon elements were identified. In C. freundii TS3, these were the blaVIM-1, blaCMY-150, and blaSHV-12, aadA1, aac(6′)-Ib3, aac(6′)-Ib-cr, mph(A), sul1, dfrA14, ARR-2, qnrVC6, and qnrB38. IncA plasmid isolated from E.coli/K12 transconjugant and C. freundii exhibited a sequence identity >99.9%. The transfer of IncA plasmid was evaluated by conjugation experiments.
Clinical Impact of Rapid Bacterial Microbiological Identification with the MALDI-TOF MS
Authors: Uzuriaga Miriam , Leiva José , Guillén-Grima Francisco , Rua Marta , Yuste José R.
Published: November 2023

Rapid microbiological reports to clinicians are related to improved clinical outcomes. We conducted a 3-year quasi-experimental design, specifically a pretest–posttest single group design in a university medical center, to evaluate the clinical impact of rapid microbiological identification information using MALDI-TOF MS on optimizing antibiotic prescription. A total of 363 consecutive hospitalized patients with bacterial infections were evaluated comparing a historical control group (CG) (n = 183), in which the microbiological information (bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility) was reported jointly to the clinician between 18:00 h and 22:00 h of the same day and a prospective intervention group (IG) (n = 180); the bacterial identification information was informed to the clinician as soon as it was available between 12:00 h and 14:00 h and the antibiotic susceptibility between 18:00 h and 22:00 h). We observed, in favor of IG, a statistically significant decrease in the information time (11.44 h CG vs. 4.48 h IG (p < 0.01)) from the detection of bacterial growth in the culture medium to the communication of identification. Consequently, the therapeutic optimization was improved by introducing new antibiotics in the 10–24 h time window (p = 0.05) and conversion to oral route (p = 0.01). Additionally, we observed a non-statistically significant decrease in inpatient mortality (global, p = 0.15; infection-related, p = 0.21) without impact on hospital length of stay. In conclusion, the rapid communication of microbiological identification to clinicians reduced reporting time and was associated with early optimization of antibiotic prescribing without worsening clinical outcomes.
Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci as an Etiologic Agent of Ovine Mastitis, with a Focus on Subclinical Forms
Authors: Lysitsas Marios , Spyrou Vassiliki , Billinis Charalambos , Valiakos George
Published: November 2023

The objective of this review is to investigate the distribution and the characteristics of coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) implicated in ovine mastitis, and especially in subclinical cases, in order to provide a global perspective of the current research data and analyze specific critical aspects of the issue. PRISMA guidelines were implemented in the search of the last 20 years of the related literature in two databases. In total, 139 studies were included in this review. Relevant data were tracked down, assembled, and compared. Regarding the geographical distribution, most studies originated from Europe (68), followed by South America (33). Lacaune was the most examined breed, while S. epidermidis was the predominantly identified species, representing approximately 39% of the obtained isolates. Antibiotic resistance in the relevant bacteria was documented mostly for Penicillin (32.8%) and Amoxicillin (32.1%), while biofilm- and toxin-associated genes were encountered in variable rates because significant inequalities were observed between different articles. Significantly higher rates of antimicrobial resistance were detected in Asia and South America compared to Europe. Finally, the diagnostic procedures carried out in the respective studies were evaluated. Conventional culture and biochemical tests were mostly performed for simple strain identification; therefore, further molecular investigation of isolates should be pursued in future studies, as this will provide important data regarding specific aspects of the implication of CoNS in ovine mastitis.
Temporary Root Canal Obturation with a Calcium Hydroxide-Based Dressing: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Wenzler Johannes-Simon , Falk Wolfgang , Frankenberger Roland , Braun Andreas
Published: November 2023

Successful bacterial inactivation or elimination is essential for successful outcomes in endodontics. This study investigated the efficacy of a calcium hydroxide paste (Ca(OH)2) as a temporary medical dressing for 1 week after chemomechanical root canal treatment (CMRCT). Microbiological samples from 26 patients were collected after endodontic emergency treatment as follows: (1) removal of the provisional filling material; (2) CMRCT; (3) irrigation with sodium hypochlorite I (3%); (4) medicinal insertion of Ca(OH)2; and (5) irrigation with sodium hypochlorite II (3%). A microbiological examination was carried out after the specimens had been taken from the root canals via saline and sterile paper points. CMRCT resulted in a significant reduction in total bacterial load (TBL) in the root canal (p < 0.05). Additional irrigation (3) resulted in a further significant reduction in TBL (p < 0.05). In contrast, Ca(OH)2 medication did not prevent the bacterial load from returning to the previous level immediately after CMRCT, but did not increase above that level either (p < 0.05). However, the increase in TBL was significant (p < 0.05) in comparison with the disinfection groups (I/II). Administration of Ca(OH)2 for 1 week shows that in combination with an additional disinfection procedure, an increase in TBL must be expected, but not above the level of conditions after CMRCT.
The Impact of Cefepime and Ampicillin/Sulbactam on Preventing Post-Cesarean Surgical Site Infections, Randomized Controlled Trail
Authors: Abdelrahman Mona A. , Zaki Asmaa , Salem Sara A. M. , Salem Heba F. , Ibrahim Ahmed R. N. , Hassan Ahmed , Elgendy Marwa O.
Published: November 2023

Over the previous three decades, the rate of caesarean sections performed worldwide has grown exponentially. In comparison to a vaginal birth, the risk of all postpartum infections is higher with a cesarean section. One of the key factors contributing to maternal morbidity is the development of infectious complications in the surgical site after a caesarean section. The primary goal of the research was to compare the efficiency of using ampicillin/sulbactam (AMS) and cefepime (CEF) to reduce the incidence of surgical site infections (SSI) following caesarean delivery. This prospective randomized study was conducted among 200 pregnant women scheduled for elective cesarean section. They were collected from the Obstetrics and Gynecology department of Beni-Suef University Hospital, and then they were randomly assigned into two groups. Group (A) received cefepime 30 min before and 12 h after cesarean delivery, while group (B) received ampicillin/sulbactam 30 min before and 12 h after cesarean delivery. The groups were matched regarding the baseline women characteristics. Comparing the cefepime to the ampicillin/sulbactam revealed that the cefepime significantly decreased superficial SSI from 27% to 14% (0.023). A significant decrease was observed in deep SSI with cefepime compared to ampicillin/sulbactam from 24% to 13% (p-value 0.045). Interestingly, when the cefepime was compared to the ampicillin/sulbactam, we noted that the incidence of endometritis significantly decreased from 13% to 5% (p = 0.048). A noted decrease in post-operative fever in cefepime as compared to ampicillin/sulbactam from 18% to 13% (p-value = 0.329). Receiving prophylactic cefepime pre- and post-cesarean delivery significantly decreases post-operative wound infection and endometritis.
Comparing the Blood Response to Hyperbaric Oxygen with High-Intensity Interval Training—A Crossover Study in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Kjellberg Anders , Lindholm Maléne E. , Zheng Xiaowei , Liwenborg Lovisa , Rodriguez-Wallberg Kenny Alexandra , Catrina Sergiu-Bogdan , Lindholm Peter
Published: November 2023

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and have immunomodulatory effects. The lack of readily available biomarkers for assessing the dose–response relationship is a challenge in the clinical use of HBOT, motivating this feasibility study to evaluate the methods and variability. The overall hypothesis was that a short session of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) would have measurable effects on immune cells in the same physiological range as shown in HIIT; and that the individual response to these interventions can be monitored in venous blood and/or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Ten healthy volunteers performed two interventions; a 28 min HIIT session and 28 min HBO2 in a crossover design. We evaluated bulk RNA sequencing data from PBMCs, with a separate analysis of mRNA and microRNA. Blood gases, peripheral venous oxygen saturation (SpvO2), and ROS levels were measured in peripheral venous blood. We observed an overlap in the gene expression changes in 166 genes in response to HIIT and HBO2, mostly involved in hypoxic or inflammatory pathways. Both interventions were followed by downregulation of several NF-κB signaling genes in response to both HBO2 and HIIT, while several interferon α/γ signaling genes were upregulated. Only 12 microRNA were significantly changed in HBO2 and 6 in HIIT, without overlap between interventions. ROS levels were elevated in blood at 30 min and 60 min compared to the baseline during HIIT, but not during/after HBO2. In conclusion, HBOT changed the gene expression in a number of pathways measurable in PBMC. The correlation of these changes with the dose and individual response to treatment warrants further investigation.
The Role of Adipokines and Myokines in the Pathogenesis of Different Obesity Phenotypes—New Perspectives
Authors: Pelczyńska Marta , Miller-Kasprzak Ewa , Piątkowski Marcin , Mazurek Roksana , Klause Mateusz , Suchecka Anna , Bucoń Magdalena , Bogdański Paweł
Published: November 2023

Obesity is a characteristic disease of the twenty-first century that is affecting an increasing percentage of society. Obesity expresses itself in different phenotypes: normal-weight obesity (NWO), metabolically obese normal-weight (MONW), metabolically healthy obesity (MHO), and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO). A range of pathophysiological mechanisms underlie the occurrence of obesity, including inflammation, oxidative stress, adipokine secretion, and other processes related to the pathophysiology of adipose tissue (AT). Body mass index (BMI) is the key indicator in the diagnosis of obesity; however, in the case of the NWO and MONW phenotypes, the metabolic disturbances are present despite BMI being within the normal range. On the other hand, MHO subjects with elevated BMI values do not present metabolic abnormalities. The MUO phenotype involves both a high BMI value and an abnormal metabolic profile. In this regard, attention has been focused on the variety of molecules produced by AT and their role in the development of obesity. Nesfatin-1, neuregulin 4, myonectin, irisin, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) all seem to have protective effects against obesity. The primary mechanism underlying the action of nesfatin-1 involves an increase in insulin sensitivity and reduced food intake. Neuregulin 4 sup-presses lipogenesis, decreases lipid accumulation, and reduces chronic low-grade inflammation. Myonectin lowers the amount of fatty acids in the bloodstream by increasing their absorption in the liver and AT. Irisin stimulates the browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) and consequently in-creases energy expenditure, additionally regulating glucose metabolism. Another molecule, BDNF, has anorexigenic effects. Decorin protects against the development of hyperglycemia, but may also contribute to proinflammatory processes. Similar effects are shown in the case of visfatin and chemerin, which may predispose to obesity. Visfatin increases adipogenesis, causes cholesterol accumulation in macrophages, and contributes to the development of glucose intolerance. Chemerin induces angiogenesis, which promotes the expansion of AT. This review aims to discuss the role of adipokines and myokines in the pathogenesis of the different obesity phenotypes.
Effects of Vitamin A on Growth Performance, Antioxidants, Gut Inflammation, and Microbes in Weaned Piglets
Authors: Wu Shengnan , Wang Li , Cui Bailei , Wen Xiaolu , Jiang Zongyong , Hu Shenglan
Published: November 2023

Piglet weaning is an important stage in production where changes in the environment and diet can cause problems such as intestinal inflammation and diarrhea. Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for human and animal growth and has immunomodulatory and inflammatory effects. A large body of literature has previously reported on the use of vitamin A in piglet production, so our experiment added different concentrations of vitamin A (0, 1100, 2200, 4400, 8800, and 17,600 IU/kg) to weaned piglet diets to study the effects of different doses on growth performance, intestinal barrier, inflammation, and flora in weaned piglets. We selected 4400 IU/kg as the optimum concentration of vitamin A in relation to average daily weight gain, feed intake, feed-to-weight ratio, and diarrhea rate, and subsequently tested the inflammatory factors, immunoglobulin content, antioxidant levels, and intestinal flora of weaned piglets. Results: We observed that the diarrhea rate of weaned piglets was significantly lower after the addition of 4400 IU/kg of vitamin A to the diet (p < 0.05). A control group and a 4400 IU/kg VA group were selected for subsequent experiments. We found that after the addition of vitamin A, the serum CAT level of weaned piglets increased significantly, the expression of Claudin-1 in the jejunum and ileum increased significantly, the expression of Occludin gene in the jejunum increased significantly, the expression of IL-5 and IL-10 in the ileum increased significantly (p < 0.05), and the expression of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10 in the ileum increased significantly (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, in the colonic flora of vitamin A-added weaned piglets, the relative abundance of Actinobacteria and Erysipelotrichales decreased significantly, while the relative abundance of Bacteroidales increased significantly (p < 0.05). The results of this study indicated that vitamin A at 4400 IU/kg reduces diarrhea in weaned piglets by increasing antioxidant levels, increasing intestinal tight junction protein gene expression, and regulating colonic gut microbiota.
Additively Manufactured Foot Insoles Using Body-Centered Cubic (BCC) and Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) Cellular Structures
Authors: Rico-Baeza Genaro , Pérez-Soto Gerardo I. , Morales-Hernández Luis Alberto , Cuan-Urquizo Enrique , Camarillo-Gómez Karla A.
Published: November 2023

This study presents the development of insoles using 3D scanning and additive manufacturing; additionally, the feasibility of implementing cellular structures in their design was evaluated. Using finite element models, the displacements and Von Mises stresses in the insoles were obtained considering the exerted pressures of a person during walking. The insoles developed in this work presented a decrease of 91.48% in deformation while the maximum Von Mises stress increased by 32.62%, compared with what other authors reported. The Von Mises stresses and displacements in the insole were calculated when two cellular topologies, triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) and body-centered cubic (BCC), and different relative densities (10.33%, 14.67%, and 20.19%) were implemented. When compared to solid insoles, the Von Mises stresses and displacements for the models with cellular structures increased. The maximum Von Mises stresses and displacements resulted for the insoles with a relative density of 10.33%; for the insole with the BCC cellular structure, the displacement was 2.06 mm, and the Von Mises stress was 22.17 MPa, while for the TPMS structure, these were 2.7 mm and 23.84 MPa, respectively. The designs were additively manufactured, and the printing defects were visually characterized.
Understanding the Formation of Complex Phases: The Case of FeSi2
Authors: Turchi Patrice E. A. , Ivashchenko Volodymyr I. , Shevchenko V. I. , Gorb Leonid , Leszczynski Jerzy , Perron Aurélien
Published: November 2023

One of the fundamental goals of materials science is to understand and predict the formation of complex phases. In this study, FeSi2 is considered as an illustration of complex phase formation. Although Fe and Si both crystallize with a simple structure, namely, body-centered cubic (bcc A2) and diamond (A4) structures, respectively, it is rather intriguing to note the existence of two complex structures in the Si-rich part of the phase diagram around FeSi2: α-FeSi2 at high temperatures (HT) with a slight iron-deficient structure and β-FeSi2 (also referred to as Fe3Si7) at low temperatures (LT). We re-analyze the geometry of these two phases and rely on approximant phases that make the relationship between these two phases simple. To complete the analysis, we also introduce a surrogate of the C16 phase that is observed in FeGe2. We clearly identify the relationship that exists between these three approximant phases, corroborated by a ground-state analysis of the Ising model for describing ordering that takes place between the transition metal element and the “vacancies”. This work is further supported by ab initio electronic structure calculations based on density functional theory in order to investigate properties and transformation paths. Finally, extension to other alloys, including an entire class of alloys, is discussed.
Analysis of Deformations of the Tunnel Excavation Face via Simplified Calculation Methods
Authors: Kalantar Alireza , Oreste Pierpaolo
Published: November 2023

The stability of the excavation face during the excavation of a tunnel is necessary to safeguard the lives of workers and to guarantee regular and rapid progress of the works. In this paper, the stability conditions of the tunnelling face were analysed using simplified numerical calculation methods (one-step approach) and analytical methods, in order to evaluate the extrusion of the tunnelling face as a representative quantity of the mechanical behaviour of the rock ahead of it. A comparison between the numerical method and the hemispherical method was illustrated, which was able to demonstrate how the latter can be used with high reliability in this type of study. An extensive parametric analysis of the typical conditions encountered in the excavation of tunnels in weak rock made it possible to determine the extent of the face extrusion and the effect on it of the main considered geometric and geomechanical parameters. Thanks to the comparison of the extrusion values obtained from the calculation with the limit value indicated by the scientific literature, it is possible to arrive at a rapid assessment on the stability of the face. A specific study on the role of the pressure applied to the face on the extent of the extrusion then made it possible to understand how to proceed to define the intensity of the main stabilisation systems (TBM thrust and longitudinal fiberglass bolts) to avoid the risk of collapse of the excavation face.
Enhancing Internet of Things Network Security Using Hybrid CNN and XGBoost Model Tuned via Modified Reptile Search Algorithm
Authors: Salb Mohamed , Jovanovic Luka , Bacanin Nebojsa , Antonijevic Milos , Zivkovic Miodrag , Budimirovic Nebojsa , Abualigah Laith
Published: November 2023

This paper addresses the critical security challenges in the internet of things (IoT) landscape by implementing an innovative solution that combines convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for feature extraction and the XGBoost model for intrusion detection. By customizing the reptile search algorithm for hyperparameter optimization, the methodology provides a resilient defense against emerging threats in IoT security. By applying the introduced algorithm to hyperparameter optimization, better-performing models are constructed capable of efficiently handling intrusion detection. Two experiments are carried out to evaluate the introduced technique. The first experiment tackles detection through binary classification. The second experiment handles the task by specifically identifying the type of intrusion through multi-class classification. A publicly accessible real-world dataset has been utilized for experimentation and several contemporary algorithms have been subjected to a comparative analysis. The introduced algorithm constructed models with the best performance in both cases. The outcomes have been meticulously statistically evaluated and the best-performing model has been analyzed using Shapley additive explanations to determine feature importance for model decisions.
Examining the Quasi-Steady Airflow Assumption in Irregular Vocal Fold Vibration
Authors: Wang Xiaojian , Zheng Xudong , Titze Ingo R. , Palaparthi Anil , Xue Qian
Published: November 2023

The quasi-steady flow assumption (QSFA) is commonly used in the field of biomechanics of phonation. It approximates time-varying glottal flow with steady flow solutions based on frozen glottal shapes, ignoring unsteady flow behaviors and vocal fold motion. This study examined the limitations of QSFA in human phonation using numerical methods by considering factors of phonation frequency, air inertance in the vocal tract, and irregular glottal shapes. Two sets of irregular glottal shapes were examined through dynamic, pseudo-static, and quasi-steady simulations. The differences between dynamic and quasi-steady/pseudo-static simulations were measured for glottal flow rate, glottal wall pressure, and sound spectrum to evaluate the validity of QSFA. The results show that errors in glottal flow rate and wall pressure predicted by QSFA were small at 100 Hz but significant at 500 Hz due to growing flow unsteadiness. Air inertia in the vocal tract worsened predictions when interacting with unsteady glottal flow. Flow unsteadiness also influenced the harmonic energy ratio, which is perceptually important. The effects of glottal shape and glottal wall motion on the validity of QSFA were found to be insignificant.
Numerical Modelling of Rainfall Influence on the Susceptibility of a Slope to Sliding under Induced Compression
Authors: Eyo Eyo , Abbey Samuel
Published: November 2023

This study examines the pore water pressure responses and stability of an unsaturated–saturated consolidating slope under the influence of rainfall infiltration. Analysis of slope behaviour was carried out with the results obtained for soils having similar saturated coefficients of permeability (ks) of 1 × 10–5 m/s, and rainfall flux (q) of 1 × 10−6 m/s but varying air-entry and coefficient of volumetric compression (mv) values. Results indicate that for the unsaturated portion of the slope (above the groundwater table), negative pore water pressure exists during rainfall infiltration which tends to lessen as the duration of rainfall progresses. An increase in soil compressibility caused a decrease in soil suction in the unsaturated portion irrespective of the rising groundwater level during infiltration. The difference in the pore water distribution was less for mv values below 0.002 kPa−1 especially under major rainfall events. The stability of the slope reduced with an increment in infiltration time as soil compression increased, with the difference being slightly more pronounced under antecedent rainfall of duration greater than 7 days. Although the studied slope appeared to be just safe (factor of safety of 1.2) under the conditions of increased air-entry value, increased compression, and rainfall flux of 1 × 10−6 m/s, the stability of the slope was observed to have been compromised when the rainfall flux was equal to or greater than the saturated coefficient of permeability (1 × 10−5 m/s) of the soil.
A Pork Price Prediction Model Based on a Combined Sparrow Search Algorithm and Classification and Regression Trees Model
Authors: Qin Jing , Yang Degang , Zhang Wenlong
Published: November 2023

The frequent fluctuation of pork prices has seriously affected the sustainable development of the pork industry. The accurate prediction of pork prices can not only help pork practitioners make scientific decisions but also help them to avoid market risks, which is the only way to promote the healthy development of the pork industry. Therefore, to improve the prediction accuracy of pork prices, this paper first combines the Sparrow Search Algorithm (SSA) and traditional machine learning model, Classification and Regression Trees (CART), to establish an SSA-CART optimization model for predicting pork prices. Secondly, based on the Sichuan pork price data during the 12th Five-Year Plan period, the linear correlation between piglet, corn, fattening pig feed, and pork price was measured using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Thirdly, the MAE fitness value was calculated by combining the validation set and training set, and the hyperparameter “MinLeafSize” was optimized via the SSA. Finally, a comparative analysis of the prediction performance of the White Shark Optimizer (WSO)-CART model, CART model, and Simulated Annealing (SA)-CART model demonstrated that the SSA-CART model has the best prediction of pork price (compared with a single decision tree, R2 increased by 9.236%), which is conducive to providing support for pork price prediction. The accurate prediction of pork prices with an optimized machine learning model is of great practical significance for stabilizing pig production, ensuring the sustainable growth of farmers’ income, and promoting sound economic development.
Method for Theoretical Assessment of Safety against Derailment of New Freight Wagons
Authors: Stoilov Valeri , Slavchev Svetoslav , Maznichki Vladislav , Purgic Sanel
Published: November 2023

The assessment of safety against freight wagons’ derailment is a mandatory element of the documents provided to the EU notifying authorities of the entry into service of new freight wagons. The assessment methodology is presented in EN 14363:2019. It is mainly aimed at the experimental measurement of certain parameters, and the data are used to calculate the safety criterion. The practical implementation of the tests is accompanied by many difficulties: finding a track with a proper radius, ensuring free access to the railway infrastructure for a long period of time, waiting for suitable metrological conditions, preparing the curve and the test wagon, etc. These difficulties are well known to the European legislators, and as a solution, they propose a large set of reference wagons that have undergone real tests. It is sufficient to demonstrate that the parameters of the new wagon relate to some of the reference wagon parameters to avoid such a requirement. Proving the “convergence” of the parameters of the new and the reference wagons is a lengthy, complex, and, in many cases, subjective process. To introduce an objective assessment, the authors set themselves the task of developing a theoretical method to assess safety against derailment.
Visualization of Caregiving Posture and Risk Evaluation of Discomfort and Injury
Authors: Han Xin , Nishida Norihiro , Morita Minoru , Mitsuda Mao , Jiang Zhongwei
Published: November 2023

There is a high risk of musculoskeletal discomfort and injury due to the lack of professional guidance and training in caregiving postures. This study aimed to develop a risk assessment and visualization method by analyzing caregiving postures. Participants with (n = 8) and without (n = 10) caregiving experience were recruited to simulate patient transfer from bed to wheelchair. The Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) method lacked sensitivity in distinguishing the experienced and inexperienced groups. We found that the visualization of the center of gravity (COG) trajectory could represent distinct posture differences between the two groups. Based on this finding, we considered a modified REBA method combining the COG trajectory, load-bearing time, and asymmetric load parameters, named the Caregiving-REBA (C-REBA) method. Our results demonstrated that C-REBA could effectively distinguish experienced and inexperienced caregivers, especially in caregiving task Stages 2–4. In conclusion, the present work explored adjusting to the parameters of the REBA method. The proposed C-REBA method could be easily imbedded into the Internet of Things (IoT) device to assess the caregiving posture for providing visual guidance and warning of the risk of discomfort or injury.
Innovative Functional Lactic Acid Bacteria Fermented Oat Beverages with the Addition of Fruit Extracts and Lyophilisates
Authors: Marchwińska Katarzyna , Gwiazdowska Daniela , Juś Krzysztof , Gluzińska Paulina , Gwiazdowska Julia , Pawlak-Lemańska Katarzyna
Published: November 2023

Nowadays, plant-based fermented products are attracting a lot of consumer interest due to their probiotic and health-promoting properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbiological quality and antioxidant activity of innovative fermented oat beverages with the addition of extracts and freeze-dried local fruit. In the first step, chokeberry and hawthorn were selected based on their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The final study material consisted of oat beverages fermented with the use of the Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DKK 003 strain for 20 h with the addition of 1 and 5% of extracts and freeze-dried fruits. It was found that freeze-dried chokeberry and chokeberry extracts showed a higher content of polyphenolic compounds than freeze-dried hawthorn and hawthorn extracts. After the fermentation process of the innovative beverages, the content of polyphenolic compounds remained the same or there was a slight decrease depending on the additive type. Antioxidant activity significantly decreased after 20 h of fermentation in all enriched oat beverages with no significant differences observed compared to control samples. The obtained fermented beverages were characterised by a high lactic acid bacteria count (above 8 log CFU/mL), a low pH (approximately 4.15), and no microbiological contamination. Oat fermented beverages with fruit additives can be good dietary enrichment products.
Moisture Migration and Recharge Pattern of Low-Permeability Thick Cohesive Soil in Northern Margin of the Jianghan Plain
Authors: Liu Tianwen , Wang Ningtao , Hu Cheng , Wang Qing , Huang Kun , Chen Zhihua , Shi Tingting
Published: November 2023

An extremely low hydraulic conductivity of cohesive soil causes a low transport rate of water and solute, with a time-consuming result, as we all know. Stable isotopes (δD and δ18O) and in situ monitoring systems of the data about soil water, rainfall, and groundwater were used to analyze the soil moisture migration pattern, using a conceptual model in the field test site, simulated by Hydrus 1D. The results show that multiple rainfalls’ accumulations can cause the water to recharge from soil moisture to micro-confined groundwater, gradually. The soil moisture dynamic change is composed of a dehydration period and absorption period; the cohesive soil water content below 5.0 m was affected by the micro-confined groundwater level and dehydrated in advance due to the level decline. The thick cohesive soil profile can be divided into a shallow mixing zone (0–2 m), steady zone (2–5 m), and deep mixing zone (5–15 m). The effective precipitation recharge was 234 mm and the average infiltration recharge coefficient (Rc) was 0.1389, but the water exchange between the cohesive soil moisture and groundwater was 349 mm in two hydrological years. This paper reveals the moisture migration and recharge pattern of low-permeability thick cohesive soil in a humid area with a micro-confined groundwater aquifer; this is of great significance for groundwater resources evaluation and environmental protection in humid climate plain areas.
Hybrid Deep Convolutional Generative Adversarial Network (DCGAN) and Xtreme Gradient Boost for X-ray Image Augmentation and Detection
Authors: Basori Ahmad Hoirul , Malebary Sharaf J. , Alesawi Sami
Published: November 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted a widespread influence on a global scale, leading numerous nations to prepare for the endemicity of COVID-19. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab test has emerged as the prevailing technique for identifying viral infections within the current pandemic. Following this, the application of chest X-ray imaging in individuals provides an alternate approach for evaluating the existence of viral infection. However, it is imperative to further boost the quality of collected chest pictures via additional data augmentation. The aim of this paper is to provide a technique for the automated analysis of X-ray pictures using server processing with a deep convolutional generative adversarial network (DCGAN). The proposed methodology aims to improve the overall image quality of X-ray scans. The integration of deep learning with Xtreme Gradient Boosting in the DCGAN technique aims to improve the quality of X-ray pictures processed on the server. The training model employed in this work is based on the Inception V3 learning model, which is combined with XGradient Boost. The results obtained from the training procedure were quite interesting: the training model had an accuracy rate of 98.86%, a sensitivity score of 99.1%, and a recall rate of 98.7%.
Study on Collection Performance of Hydraulic Polymetallic Nodule Collector Based on Solid–Liquid Two-Phase Flow Numerical Simulation
Authors: Wang Pin-Jian , Li Li , Wei Qi-Nan , Wu Jia-Bin
Published: November 2023

The hydraulic collector is an important device for collecting seafloor polymetallic nodules. In this study, a hydraulic polymetallic nodule collector with two acquisition nozzles and one transmission nozzle is described. The numerical model of the hydraulic collector is established based on the solid–liquid two-phase flow method, and it is verified by experimental tests. On this basis, the collection mechanism of the hydraulic collector is analyzed, and the effects of structural parameters and working parameters on its collection performance are explored. The results show that the collection height and slant angle of the acquisition nozzle are key factors for collection efficiency, with optimal heights below 150 mm and angles between 45 and 49∘. The recommended range for the center distance between the two acquisition confluence tubes is 650–730 mm. Excessive acquisition and transmission flow rates make a negligible contribution to improving the collection efficiency, but can also cause a significant increase in energy consumption. Therefore, the recommended ranges for acquisition and transmission flow rates are 140–160 m3/h and less than 80 m3/h, respectively. All of the results indicated that the parameters of the developed hydraulic collector were set reasonably, which thus ensured a balance between the collection efficiency and energy consumption.
Reanalyzing Jupiter ISO/SWS Data through a More Recent Atmospheric Model
Authors: Ribeiro José , Machado Pedro , Pérez-Hoyos Santiago , Dias João A. , Irwin Patrick
Published: November 2023

The study of isotopic ratios in planetary atmospheres gives an insight into the formation history and evolution of these objects. The more we can constrain these ratios, the better we can understand the history and future of our solar system. To help in this endeavour, we used Infrared Space Observatory Short Wavelength Spectrometer (ISO/SWS) Jupiter observations in the 793–1500 cm−1 region together with the Nonlinear Optimal Estimator for MultivariatE Spectral analySIS (NEMESIS) radiative transfer suite to retrieve the temperature–pressure profile and the chemical abundances for various chemical species. We also used the 1500–2499 cm−1 region to determine the cloud and aerosol structure of the upper troposphere. We obtained a best-fit simulated spectrum with χ2/N=0.47 for the 793–1500 cm−1 region and χ2/N=0.71 for the 1500–2499 cm−1 region. From the retrieved methane abundances, we obtained, within a 1σ uncertainty, a 12C/13C ratio of 84 ± 27 and a D/H ratio of (3.5 ± 0.6) × 10−5, and these ratios are consistent with other published results from the literature.
Wind Energy Resources at Antarctic Stations Based on ERA5
Authors: Wang Kaishan , Wu Di , Wu Jinping , Li Shuang , Zhao Xinye , Zheng Chongwei , Yu Yue , Wu Kai
Published: November 2023

The harsh scientific research environment of Antarctic stations demands a reliable energy supply; however, traditional methods not only pose a challenge in supply but also harm the environment. Antarctic energy supply has become a new choice for energy development in Antarctica due to its abundant wind energy resources. Using ERA5 10 m wind field reanalysis data, we compared and analyzed the correlation (r) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) between some observation stations and reanalysis data, with correlations above 0.67 and root mean square error below 2.3. This indicates that the accuracy of the ERA5 data is suitable for resource assessment at stations in Antarctica. We assessed the wind energy potential of the Great Wall, Zhongshan, Kunlun and Taishan Stations. The results show that the annual distribution and long-term trend of wind energy at Taishan Station are the best, followed by the Great Wall, Zhongshan and Kunlun Stations. Taishan Station has stable wind direction and abundant wind energy, the average wind power density is 800 W/m2, with an annual growth trend of 2.02 W/m2·yr−1. The effective wind speed occurrence and energy level occurrence are generally above 90% and the coefficient of variation is generally below 0.8. The dominant direction of wind energy is northeast and the wind direction is stable, which is conducive to the development and utilization of wind energy.
Optimization of a Do-It-Yourself Air Cleaner Design to Reduce Residential Air Pollution Exposure for a Community Experiencing Environmental Injustices
Authors: Sankhyan Sumit , Clements Nicholas , Heckman Allison , Hollo Aniya K. , Gonzalez-Beltran Dulce , Aumann Jonathan , Morency Cora , Leiden Luke , Miller Shelly L.
Published: November 2023

The large-scale deployment of Do-it-yourself (DIY) air cleaners, especially in communities that historically bear the brunt of air pollution exposure-related injustices, provides communities a cost-effective option to reduce personal indoor exposure to particulate matter. In this study, we developed nine air cleaner prototypes, altering filter depth and the number and type of filters, and compared their PM2.5 removal effectiveness and maintenance-related parameters prior to deployment in North Denver, Colorado homes. Prototypes containing multiple high efficiency particulate air filters with a minimum reporting value of 13 (MERV13) had higher clean air delivery rates (CADR, >300 m3 h−1) compared to prototypes using a single filter (100–200 m3 h−1), but single-filter designs had comparable values of CADR normalized by initial and annual operating costs. Based on performance, cost, build time, and feedback from the community regarding concerns related to volatile organic compound exposure, the selected prototype (P9) used a combination of an activated carbon filter and single MERV13 filter with a 10.16 cm (4-inch) depth. Following this assessment, 120 of the selected air cleaner prototypes were built and deployed in homes around the communities in North Denver for two separate cohorts; feedback regarding their usage over the course of the deployment showed that in addition to the increased noise levels perceived by the participants, factors such as cold air flow from the air cleaner impacting the thermal comfort and aesthetics of the design reduced their usage time in homes. Future designs of DIY air cleaners could incorporate this feedback to help design improved features such as quieter air cleaners and real-time pollutant monitoring feedback to prompt users to keep them operational at all times of the day.