bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Screening, Identification, and Fermentation of a Biocontrol Strain against Peony Southern Blight and Extraction of Secondary Metabolites
Authors: Song Peng , Wang Zele , Sun Xingxin , He Yinglong , Zhang Wenjing , Yang Yunqi , Zhao Pengyu
Published: May 2024

A bacterial strain (WM-37) was isolated from soil and identified as Streptomyces rectiviolaceus on the basis of morphological, physiological, biochemical, and 16S rRNA characteristics. The strain was screened regarding its potential use for controlling the pathogen causing peony southern blight. To enhance the secondary metabolite yield, submerged fermentation was conducted according to a single-factor trial and response surface method. Metabolite production peaked under the following conditions: 250.00 mL flask containing 100.00 mL culture medium consisting of 20.00 g·L−1 soluble starch, 3.86 g·L−1 ammonium sulfate, 0.50 g·L−1 sodium chloride, 0.50 g·L−1 dipotassium phosphate, 0.50 g·L−1 magnesium sulfate, and 0.01 g·L−1 ferrous sulfate; inoculation amount, 7.74%; temperature, 30 °C; initial pH, 7.00; incubation time, 7 days; and rotational speed, 160 rpm. The fermentation broth was absorbed by D101 macroporous resin and eluted with an ethanol-water gradient, after which the eluate fractions with antifungal compounds were collected, evaporated, and concentrated to obtain a crude extract. This extract was dissolved in methanol and separated by high-performance liquid chromatography. The active compound was identified as azelaic acid (C9H16O4) on the basis of ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometry and analyses of publicly available data. These findings suggest that Streptomyces rectiviolaceus WM-37 may be a viable biocontrol agent effective against the pathogen responsible for peony southern blight.
Assessment of Grassland Biomass Prediction Using AquaCrop Model: Integrating Sentinel-2 Data and Ground Measurements in Wielkopolska and Podlasie Regions, Poland
Authors: Panek-Chwastyk Ewa , Ozbilge Ceren Nisanur , Dąbrowska-Zielińska Katarzyna , Wróblewski Konrad
Published: May 2024

This study aimed to compare remotely sensed data with in situ data using the AquaCrop simulation model for accurately monitoring growth conditions and predict grassland biomass in the north-eastern and central-western regions of Poland from 2020 to 2022. The model was calibrated using input data, including daily climate parameters from the ERA5-Land Daily Aggregated dataset, crop characteristics (initial canopy cover, maximum canopy cover, and harvest index), and soil characteristics. Additionally, parameters such as the leaf area index (LAI), soil texture classes, and plant growth stages were obtained through field campaigns. The grassland’s biomass simulation results indicate that the root mean square error (RMSE) values for the north-eastern region ranged from 0.12 to 0.35 t·ha−1, while for the central-western region, they ranged from 0.07 to 0.12 t·ha−1. Overall, the outcomes obtained from Sentinel-2 data perform comparably to the in situ measurements, and in some instances, even yield superior results. This study contributes valuable insights into grass production management on farms, providing essential information and tools for managers to better understand grass growth and development.
Investigation of Sample Size Estimation for Measuring Quantitative Characteristics in DUS Testing of Shiitake Mushrooms
Authors: Deng Shan , Zhang Meiyan , Li Aiai , Ren Li , Zhang Yiying , Zhao Hong , Zhang Yu , Song Chunyan , Han Ruixi , Tan Qi , Chu Yunxia , Chen Hairong
Published: May 2024

The sampling technique is commonly used in research investigations to more accurately estimate data with greater precision, at a lower cost and in less time. In plant DUS (distinctness, uniformity, and stability) testing, many quantitative characteristic data usually need to be obtained through individual measurements. However, there is currently no scientific method for determining the appropriate sampling size. The minimum number of testing samples for DUS testing was calculated based on the theory of sample size in descriptive studies and was validated through simple random sampling. The results show that the quantitative characteristics for the edible mushroom Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) in DUS testing were uniform. The calculated results show that 10 fruiting bodies for a single measurement were sufficient. Furthermore, the outcomes of the random sampling revealed that the mean of 10 samples did not significantly differ from the mean of all data. When the sample size exceeded 10, Cohen’s kappa statistic suggested that the conclusion of distinctness was very close to the near-perfect agreement. Reducing the number of samples did not affect the uniform assessment. This study suggests that the theory of sample size in descriptive studies could be applied to calculate the minimum sample size in DUS testing, and for Shiitake DUS testing, measuring 10 fruiting bodies was sufficient.
Effects of Film Mulching on Soil Microbial Diversity and Community Structure in the Maize Root Zone under Drip Irrigation in Northwest China
Authors: Liu Mengjie , Zheng Jiliang , Li Quansheng , Liang Fei , Mu Xiaoguo , Pei Dongjie , Jia Hongtao , Wang Zhenhua
Published: May 2024

Mulching is a widely used agricultural water conservation measure in the semiarid regions of Northwest China. In order to explore the response process of different film mulching methods to soil microorganisms, we characterized the effect of different film mulching methods on soil microbial diversity and community structure characteristics in the root zone of drip-irrigated maize during the heading and maturity stages using high-throughput sequencing of 16SrDNA and ITS amplicons combined with bioinformatics analysis. Full mulching (FM) was contrasted to controls of no mulching (NM) and half-mulching (HM), yielding an order of microbial diversity, abundance, and evenness scores of HM > FM > NM. The HM and FM treatments reduced the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria (the most abundant bacteria) in the bacterial community structure but increased that of Acidobacteria and Chloroflexi. In the fungal community structure, HM decreased the abundance of Sordariomycetes but increased that of Eurotiomycetes (the most abundant fungi). The abundance and community structure of bacteria were significantly correlated with soil temperature and those of fungi with pH. HM improved network complexity and competitive relationships among bacteria, while FM increased the relationship between fungal groups and the symbiosis of fungal communities. HM significantly increased maize yield (20.37% and 6.01% above NM and FM, respectively). In summary, full mulching was more favorable than no mulching for soil microbial diversity and community structure composition, but soil microbial diversity and yield responded better to half-mulching. These results provide a background for improving the yield of drip-irrigated maize and protecting the microbial ecosystems of farmland soils.
Multifaceted Ability of Organic Fertilizers to Improve Crop Productivity and Abiotic Stress Tolerance: Review and Perspectives
Authors: Liu Yiren , Lan Xianjin , Hou Hongqian , Ji Jianhua , Liu Xiumei , Lv Zhenzhen
Published: May 2024

The long-term use of chemical fertilizers poses a serious threat to crop productivity and soil quality. Organic fertilizers are used to improve the soil fertility and crop productivity. The application of organic fertilizers improves soil health and plant growth by improving the soil organic matter (SOM), soil structure, aggregate stability, nutrient uptake, water-holding capacity, cation exchange capacity, nutrient use efficiency and microbial activities of soil. The intensity of abiotic stress is continuously increasing, which is a serious threat to crop productivity and global food security. However, organic fertilizers have been reported to improve tolerance against drought, salinity, heat and heavy metal (HM) stresses. The application of organic fertilizer improves the leaf water status, nutrient uptake, nutrient homeostasis, synthesis of chlorophyll, osmolytes, hormones, secondary metabolites, antioxidant activities and gene expression, resulting in improved tolerance against drought, salinity, heat, and heavy metals. In the present review, we have discussed the ability of organic fertilizers to improve soil fertility, crop yield, and the nutrient use efficiency. We have also presented the various mechanisms through which organic fertilizers improve tolerance against drought, salinity, heat, and heavy metals. Therefore, this review will put forth new directions for researchers working on the use of organic materials to improve soil fertility, crop productivity and tolerance against abiotic stresses.
Plant Invasion-Induced Habitat Changes Impact a Bird Community through the Taxonomic Filtering of Habitat Assemblages
Authors: Grzędzicka Emilia
Published: May 2024

Describing the spatial distribution of communities is crucial to understanding how environmental disturbance can affect biodiversity. Agricultural lands are susceptible to disturbances of anthropogenic origin and have been identified as ecosystems of conservation concern. Such lands are vulnerable to invasions by anthropogenically introduced non-native plants disturbing habitats. This research focused on the invasion-induced taxonomic filtering of birds with shared habitat requirements. The birds were surveyed along a gradient of invasion-altered areas (far from the invasion, uninvaded although susceptible to invaders, and invaded) to identify changes in bird assemblages (ground/herb dwellers, bush foragers, ecotone birds, and tree foragers) caused by this disturbance. Data were collected from 112 sites sampled in southeastern Poland. There were significantly fewer bird species from each assemblage on invaded sites than on uninvaded sites, although exposed to invasion, despite the decrease in the abundance of only ground/herb dwellers. Beta diversity analysis showed that sites with invasion contained bird communities significantly different from those at other sites. Invasion-induced changes resulted in a significant reduction in the diversity of ground/herb dwellers in comparison with uninvaded sites and created a distinctive bush bird assemblage. This was most likely due to the transformation of the grassland layer and the thickening of the shrub layer by plant invaders, which resemble shrubs in morphology. The results indicated the filtering effect of invasion on bird species composition at the level of two habitat assemblages despite the decreases in bird abundance and species diversity of the whole community.
Integrated miRNA and mRNA Sequencing Reveals the Sterility Mechanism in Hybrid Yellow Catfish Resulting from Pelteobagrus fulvidraco (♀) × Pelteobagrus vachelli (♂)
Authors: Li Shu , Yang Qiao , Li Maohua , Lan Yue , Song Zhaobin
Published: May 2024

The hybrid yellow catfish exhibits advantages over pure yellow catfish in terms of fast growth, fast development, a high feeding rate, and strong immunity; additionally, it is almost sterile, thus ensuring the conservation of the genetic stock of fish populations. To investigate the sterility mechanism in hybrid yellow catfish (P. fulvidraco (♀) × P. vachelli (♂)), the mRNA and miRNA of the gonads of P. fulvidraco, P. vachelli, and a hybrid yellow catfish were analyzed to characterize the differentially expressed genes; this was carried out to help establish gene expression datasets to assist in the further determination of the mechanisms of genetic sterility in hybrid yellow catfish. In total, 1709 DEGs were identified between the hybrid and two pure yellow catfishes. A KEGG pathway analysis indicated that several genes related to reproductive functions were upregulated, including those involved in the cell cycle, progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation, and oocyte meiosis, and genes associated with ECM–receptor interaction were downregulated. The spermatogenesis-related GO genes CFAP70, RSPH6A, and TSGA10 were identified as being downregulated DEGs in the hybrid yellow catfish. Sixty-three DEmiRNAs were identified between the hybrid and the two pure yellow catfish species. The upregulated DEmiRNAs ipu-miR-194a and ipu-miR-499 were found to target the spermatogenesis-related genes CFAP70 and RSPH6A, respectively, playing a negative regulatory role, which may underscore the miRNA–mRNA regulatory mechanism of sterility in hybrid yellow catfish. The differential expression of ipu-miR-196d, ipu-miR-125b, and ipu-miR-150 and their target genes spidr, cep85, and kcnn4, implicated in reproductive processes, was verified via qRT-PCR, consistent with the transcriptome sequencing expression trends. This study provides deep insights into the mechanism of hybrid sterility in vertebrate groups, thereby contributing to achieving a better understanding and management of fish conservation related to hybrid sterility.
Relevance of the Adjuvant Effect between Cellular Homeostasis and Resistance to Antibiotics in Gram-Negative Bacteria with Pathogenic Capacity: A Study of Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Rivera-Galindo Mildred Azucena , Aguirre-Garrido Félix , Garza-Ramos Ulises , Villavicencio-Pulido José Geiser , Fernández Perrino Francisco José , López-Pérez Marcos
Published: May 2024

Antibiotic resistance has become a global issue. The most significant risk is the acquisition of these mechanisms by pathogenic bacteria, which can have a severe clinical impact and pose a public health risk. This problem assumes that bacterial fitness is a constant phenomenon and should be approached from an evolutionary perspective to develop the most appropriate and effective strategies to contain the emergence of strains with pathogenic potential. Resistance mechanisms can be understood as adaptive processes to stressful conditions. This review examines the relevance of homeostatic regulatory mechanisms in antimicrobial resistance mechanisms. We focus on the interactions in the cellular physiology of pathogenic bacteria, particularly Gram-negative bacteria, and specifically Klebsiella pneumoniae. From a clinical research perspective, understanding these interactions is crucial for comprehensively understanding the phenomenon of resistance and developing more effective drugs and treatments to limit or attenuate bacterial sepsis, since the most conserved adjuvant phenomena in bacterial physiology has turned out to be more optimized and, therefore, more susceptible to alterations due to pharmacological action.
Opinions of Medical Staff Regarding Antibiotic Resistance
Authors: Krolak-Ulińska Aneta , Merks Piotr , Religioni Urszula , Chełstowska Beata , Drab Agnieszka , Wdowiak Krystian , Plagens-Rotman Katarzyna , Doniec Zbigniew , Staniszewska Anna
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Antibiotic resistance poses a significant threat to public health, that can lead to reduced effectiveness of many therapies, increased morbidity, longer hospitalization times, increased deaths, and additional costs for health care systems. Unreasonable use of antibiotics may result from a lack of adequate knowledge about antibiotic therapy and a lack of knowledge of the risks associated with antibiotic resistance, both among medical personnel and patients. Aim. The primary objective of the study was to verify the opinion of medical personnel on the risks associated with antibiotic resistance. Material and Methods: The study was conducted in 2023 among 605 Polish sanitary workers. An anonymous survey designed specifically for the purpose of the study was used. The survey was made available on the Internet through the Trade Unions of Pharmacy Workers and directly to hospitals with the support of local authorities. Results: The majority of respondents were women (77.36%). The largest group consisted of individuals over 40 years of age (55.04%). More than half of the respondents were nurses (56.20%), and every fourth of the respondents was a physician (23.64%). Most respondents consider antibiotic resistance to be a very serious (24.13%) or extremely serious (30.75%) problem. The problem of antibiotic resistance on a global scale was mentioned, especially in the opinions of physicians and nurses (p < 0.01), people working in the profession for over a year (p < 0.01), and people with a specialization or undergoing specialist training (p = 0.00). Similarly, these groups most often indicated that antibiotic resistance poses a problem in their workplace. The main problems of antibiotic resistance were the use of antibiotics in farm animals (36.69%), the pressure on patients to take antibiotics (38.84%), and the prophylactic use of antibiotics (43.15%). Conclusions: Medical personnel consider antibiotic resistance a somewhat serious problem, although not all agree in this regard. The risk of antibiotic resistance is much more seriously assessed by physicians and nurses, as well as by people with specializations or undergoing specialization training. Knowledge about antibiotic resistance should be further spread among all groups of medical personnel.
Phosphatidylserine Counteracts the High Stocking Density-Induced Stress Response, Redox Imbalance and Immunosuppression in Fish Megalobrama ambylsephala
Authors: Jiang Yangyang , Liu Zishang , Zhang Ling , Liu Wenbin , Li Haiyang , Li Xiangfei
Published: May 2024

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary phosphatidylserine (PS) supplementation on the growth performance, stress response, non-specific immunity and antioxidant capacity of juvenile blunt snout bream (Megalobrama ambylcephala) cultured under a high stocking density. A 2 × 2 two-factorial design was adopted, including two stocking densities (10 and 20 fish/m3) and two dietary PS levels (0 and 50 mg/kg). After the 12-week feeding trial, the high stocking density significantly decreased the final weight; weight gain rate; specific growth rate; feed intake; nitrogen retention efficiency; plasma complement 3 (C3) level; albumin/globulin (ALB/GLB, A/G) ratio; activity of myeloperoxidase, lysozyme (LZM) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX); gpx transcription; and abundance of sirtuin3 (Sirt3) and nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). However, it significantly increased the plasma levels of cortisol, glucose (GLU), lactic acid (LD), total protein and GLB; hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) content; and sirt1 transcription. PS supplementation significantly increased the plasma ALB and C4 levels; the A/G ratio; the activity of LZM, CAT and GPX; the transcription of sirt1, nrf2, manganese-containing superoxide dismutase and catalase; and the Nrf2 abundance. However, it significantly decreased the plasma levels of cortisol, GLU and GLB, as well as the hepatic MDA content. In addition, there was a significant interaction between the stocking density and PS supplementation regarding the effects on the plasma LD, ALB, GLB and C3 levels; A/G ratio; hepatic CAT activity; and protein abundance of Sod2. In conclusion, PS supplementation can counteract the high stocking density-induced stress response, redox imbalance and immunosuppression in blunt snout bream.
Vitamin C Alleviates the Negative Effects of Heat Stress on Reproductive Processes by Regulating Amino Acid Metabolism in Granulosa Cells
Authors: Sammad Abdul , Ahmed Tanveer , Ullah Khair , Hu Lirong , Luo Hanpeng , Alphayo Kambey Piniel , Faisal Shah , Zhu Huabin , Li Yinxiong , Wang Yachun
Published: May 2024

Heat stress-induced biochemical alterations in ovarian follicles compromise the function of granulosa cells (GCs) and the developmental competence of oocytes. Summer heat stress can have a far-reaching negative impact on overall fertility and reproductive success. Together with the heat stress, the rise of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), potential confounding hazards of in vitro handling and the absence of systemic body support in ART makes it imperative to study the heat stress ameliorative effects of vitamin C under in vitro conditions. Using in vitro heat stress treatment of 43 °C for two hours in bovine GCs, we studied the effects of vitamin C on cell growth, oxidative stress, apoptosis and cell cycle progression together with a comprehensive metabolomics profiling. This study investigates the molecular milieu underlying the vitamin C (VC)-led alleviation of heat-related disruptions to metabolic processes in bovine GCs. The supplementation of VC ameliorated the detrimental effects of heat stress by reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis while restoring cell proliferation. Normal cell function restoration in treated GCs was demonstrated through the finding of significantly high levels of progesterone. We observed a shift in the metabolome from biosynthesis to catabolism, mostly dominated by the metabolism of amino acids (decreased tryptophan, methionine and tyrosine) and the active TCA cycle through increased Succinic acid. The Glutathione and tryptophan metabolism were important in ameliorating the inflammation and metabolism nexus under heat stress. Two significant enzymes were identified, namely tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO2) and mitochondrial phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase (FARS2). Furthermore, our findings provide insight into the significance of B-complex vitamins in the context of heat stress during VC supplementation. This study underscores the importance of VC supplementation in heat stress and designates multiple metabolic intervention faucets in the context of ameliorating heat stress and enhancing reproductive efficiency.
Preliminary Investigation of Astragalus arpilobus subsp. hauarensis: LC-MS/MS Chemical Profiling, In Vitro Evaluation of Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory Properties, Cytotoxicity, and In Silico Analysis against COX-2
Authors: Lekmine Sabrina , Benslama Ouided , Kadi Kenza , Brik Abir , Djeffali Ouidad , Ounissi Manar , Slimani Meriem , Ola Mohammad Shamsul , Eldahshan Omayma A. , Martín-García Antonio Ignacio , Ali Ahmad
Published: May 2024

The search results offer comprehensive insights into the phenolic compounds, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic effects, LC-MS/MS analysis, molecular docking, and MD simulation of the identified phenolic compounds in the Astragalus arpilobus subsp. hauarensis extract (AAH). The analysis revealed substantial levels of total phenolic content (TPC), with a measured value of 191 ± 0.03 mg GAE/g DM. This high TPC was primarily attributed to two key phenolic compounds: total flavonoid content (TFC) and total tannin content (TTC), quantified at 80.82 ± 0.02 mg QE/g DM and 51.91 ± 0.01 mg CE/g DM, respectively. LC-MS/MS analysis identified 28 phenolic compounds, with gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, catechin, and others. In the DPPH scavenging assay, the IC50 value for the extract was determined to be 19.44 ± 0.04 μg/mL, comparable to standard antioxidants like BHA, BHT, ascorbic acid, and α-tocopherol. Regarding anti-inflammatory activity, the extract demonstrated a notably lower IC50 value compared to both diclofenac and ketoprofen, with values of 35.73 µg/mL, 63.78 µg/mL, and 164.79 µg/mL, respectively. Cytotoxicity analysis revealed significant cytotoxicity of the A. arpilobus extract, with an LC50 value of 28.84 µg/mL, which exceeded that of potassium dichromate (15.73 µg/mL), indicating its potential as a safer alternative for various applications. Molecular docking studies have highlighted chrysin as a promising COX-2 inhibitor, with favorable binding energies and interactions. Molecular dynamic simulations further support chrysin’s potential, showing stable interactions with COX-2, comparable to the reference ligand S58. Overall, the study underscores the pharmacological potential of A. arpilobus extract, particularly chrysin, as a source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Further research is warranted to elucidate the therapeutic mechanisms and clinical implications of these natural compounds.
Cardiovascular Disease and miRNAs: Possible Oxidative Stress-Regulating Roles of miRNAs
Authors: Lee Seahyoung
Published: May 2024

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been highlighted as key players in numerous diseases, and accumulating evidence indicates that pathological expressions of miRNAs contribute to both the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), as well. Another important factor affecting the development and progression of CVD is reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as the oxidative stress they may impose on the cells. Considering miRNAs are involved in virtually every biological process, it is not unreasonable to assume that miRNAs also play critical roles in the regulation of oxidative stress. This narrative review aims to provide mechanistic insights on possible oxidative stress-regulating roles of miRNAs in cardiovascular diseases based on differentially expressed miRNAs reported in various cardiovascular diseases and their empirically validated targets that have been implicated in the regulation of oxidative stress.
Impact of a Novel Valerian Extract on Sleep Quality, Relaxation, and GABA/Serotonin Receptor Activity in a Murine Model
Authors: Sahin Kazim , Gencoglu Hasan , Korkusuz Ahmet Kayhan , Orhan Cemal , Aldatmaz İsmail Ertuğ , Erten Fusun , Er Besir , Morde Abhijeet , Padigaru Muralidhara , Kilic Ertugrul
Published: May 2024

Insomnia is a major global health issue, highlighting the need for treatments that are both effective and safe. Valerian extract, a traditional remedy for sleep problems, offers potential therapeutic options. This research examined the potential sleep-enhancing effects of VA (Valerian Pdr%2) in mice. The study evaluated sleep quality by comparing the impact of the VA extract against melatonin on brain activity, using electrocorticography (ECoG) to assess changes in brain waves. For this purpose, the study utilized two experimental models on BALB/c mice to explore the effects of caffeine-induced insomnia and pentobarbital-induced sleep. In the first model, 25 mice were assigned to five groups to test the effects of caffeine (caffeine, 7.5 mg/kg i.p) alone, caffeine with melatonin (2 mg/kg), or caffeine with different doses of valerian extract (100 or 300 mg/kg) given orally on brain activity, assessed via electrocorticography (ECoG) and further analyses on the receptor proteins and neurotransmitters. In the second model, a different set of 25 mice were divided into five groups to examine the impact of pentobarbital (42 mg/kg) alone, with melatonin, or with the valerian extract on sleep induction, observing the effects 45 min after administration. The study found that ECoG frequencies were lower in groups treated with melatonin and two doses of valerian extract (100 and 300 mg/kg), with 300 mg/kg showing the most significant effect in reducing frequencies compared to the caffeine control group, indicating enhanced sleep quality (p < 0.05). This was supported by increased levels of serotonin, melatonin, and dopamine and higher levels of certain brain receptors in the melatonin and valerian extract groups (p < 0.05). Modulatory efficacy for the apoptotic markers in the brain was also noted (p < 0.05). Additionally, melatonin and both doses of VA increased sleep duration and reduced sleep onset time compared to the pentobarbital control, which was particularly notable with high doses. In conclusion, the findings suggest that high doses (300 mg/kg) of valerian extract enhance both the quantity and quality of sleep through the GABAergic pathway and effectively increase sleep duration while reducing the time to fall asleep in a pentobarbital-induced sleep model in mice.
Multibody Analysis of Sloshing Effect in a Glass Cylinder Container for Visual Inspection Activities
Authors: De Simone Marco Claudio , Veneziano Salvio , Pace Raffaele , Guida Domenico
Published: May 2024

This paper addresses the phenomenon of sloshing and the issues that arise during liquid handling at visual inspection stations. The pharmaceutical industry, recently put under pressure by the pandemic, has long adopted modular solutions consisting mainly of robotic islands. This work focuses on a visual inspection island for glass vials and ampules called VRU. This machine uses robotic arms to optimize the inspection process and enables automated control of a wide range of products using image recognition techniques and AI algorithms. However, the handling of containers in the presence of liquids requires special precautions to avoid the occurrence of bubbles inside the fluid that can prevent the cameras from correctly capturing any defects present. The banal solution involves a drastic reduction in the speeds and accelerations to which the liquids are subjected. However, using appropriate techniques makes it possible to achieve performance values similar to those obtainable when manipulating solid materials. The developed algorithms were tested using multibody simulations in the Mathworks Simscape environment and then validated using a six-axis Fanuc robot. In this study, however, the analysis conducted aimed to determine the correlations between trajectories, laws of motion, and sloshing in containers handled at high speed in industrial applications. In this study a multibody model was developed using a CFD analysis. The container consisted of a glass vial for pharmaceutical uses containing a liquid inside. The results obtained from the CFD analysis allowed us to calibrate the multibody model for the next phase of optimization of the laws of motion to be followed by the manipulator.
A Simulation Modeling Approach for the Techno-Economic Analysis of the Integration of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations and Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems in Tourism Districts
Authors: Abdelhady Suzan , Shaban Ahmed
Published: May 2024

Electric vehicles (EVs) play a crucial role in tertiary sectors due to their eco-friendliness and sustainability when powered by clean energy. Integrating EV charging stations with renewable energy systems is essential to alleviate energy issues and grid pressure. Exploring this integration’s feasibility is imperative for sustainable transportation. This study aims to provide a clear approach and methodology for examining the potential of integrating renewable energy technologies with EV charging stations at the district level. Additionally, the study investigates the energy, economic, and environmental benefits of an integrated system comprising photovoltaic/wind turbines (PV/WTs) connected to the electricity grid to meet the energy demand of a tertiary district consisting of five hotels in Egypt. Through the development of a simulation model, the paper verifies whether the proposed energy system can meet the district’s energy demand. In addition, the simulation model has been employed to conduct a sensitivity analysis for investigating the impact of different charging rates on economic feasibility. The results indicate that a hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) integrated with an EV charging station can effectively relieve pressure on the electricity grid and provide electricity at competitive prices compared to the national grid. Moreover, the proposed energy system significantly reduces environmental emissions by up to 510 tons of CO2 per year and has the potential to decrease fossil fuel usage by 248 tons per year. Sensitivity analysis highlights the significant impact of charging prices on project profitability.
Advancing Visible Spectroscopy through Integrated Machine Learning and Image Processing Techniques
Authors: Patra Aman , Kumari Kanchan , Barua Abhishek , Pradhan Swastik
Published: May 2024

This research introduces an approach to visible spectroscopy leveraging image processing techniques and machine learning (ML) algorithms. The methodology involves calculating the hue value of an image and deriving the corresponding dominant wavelength. Initially, a six-degree polynomial regression supervised machine learning model is trained to establish a relationship between the hue values and dominant wavelengths. Subsequently, the ML model is employed to analyse the visible wavelengths emitted by various sources, including sodium vapour, neon lamps, mercury vapour, copper vapour lasers, and helium vapour. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated through error analysis, revealing remarkably low error percentages of 0.04%, 0.01%, 3.7%, 1%, and 0.07% for sodium vapour, neon lamp, copper vapour laser, and helium vapour, respectively. This approach offers a promising avenue for accurate and efficient visible spectroscopy, with potential applications in diverse fields such as material science, environmental monitoring, and biomedical research. This research presents a visible spectroscopy method harnessing image processing and machine learning algorithms. By calculating hue values and identifying dominant wavelengths, the approach demonstrates consistently low error rates across diverse light sources.
Analyzing Temperature Distributions and Gradient Behaviors for Early-Stage Tumor Lesions in 3D Computational Model of Breast
Authors: Acero Mendoza Ruth Valeria , Bazán Ivonne , Ramírez-García Alfredo
Published: May 2024

The computational modelling and analysis of internal and external temperature distributions and their gradients, associated with the first stage of mammary tumors, was performed to relate thermal parameters to relevant tumor characteristics. A realistic 3D geometric model of breast anatomy was used to simulate tumor cases that were characterized in real life at their primary clinical stage. The thermophysical parameters of three tumors were extracted to implement the models; a fourth case without a tumor was used as a reference to provide quantitative measurements of temperature increases and gradient changes. The analysis considered superficial and internal temperature distributions and gradients, computed throughout specific paths. Finally, an evaluation was made of the ability of the thermometric technologies available today to detect the changes estimated in simulations. Maximum temperature increments in the range of 2.30 to 3.20 °C and in the range of 0.15 to 0.30 °C were found on internal and superficial paths, respectively. Internal gradient peak magnitudes fluctuated within the range of 0.34 to 1.14 °C/mm. Thermal results indicated a direct correlation between tumor size and temperature rise. Nevertheless, gradient results showed that the heat generation rate, an indicator of tumor malignancy, was directly proportional to internal gradient maximum peaks, which were related to tumor boundaries regardless of tumor size.
Bearing Fault Diagnosis Based on Improved Morlet Wavelet Transform and Shallow Residual Neural Network
Authors: Guo Lijin , Han Bintao , Huang Qilan
Published: May 2024

To solve the problem of the Morlet wavelet transform not satisfying wavelet admissibility conditions, which results in fuzzy and aliasing time–frequency image features, this paper proposes an improved Morlet wavelet. The scale parameter is the wavelet’s dominant frequency parameter. It largely satisfies the admissibility conditions and effectively improves the fuzzy aliasing effect of time–frequency image features. To further improve feature learning, this paper proposes a combined Morlet wavelet and residual network. The experimental results show that the accuracy of the proposed method is 10%, 4.5%, and 3% higher than that of LeNets, CNNs, and ResNets under varying load and noise disturbance levels, respectively.
Sedimentary Environment and Enrichment of Organic Matter in the Shahejie Formation, Huanghekou Depression, Bohai Bay Basin, China
Authors: Jia Zhenjie , Hou Dujie , He Jiahao
Published: May 2024

As a hydrocarbon-rich depression within the Bohai Bay Basin, the Huanghekou Depression is a focal region for exploring hydrocarbons in the eastern China Sea. Previous studies have insufficiently examined the correlation between the enrichment of organic matter and the environments in which it is deposited. Herein, the hydrocarbon potential, palaeoclimate, sedimentary environment, organic matter sources, and organic matter enrichment of the source rocks of the Shahejie Formation in the Huanghekou Depression were investigated using organic and inorganic geochemical indicators. The organic matter type of the source rock in Huanghekou Depression’s Shahejie Formation was predominantly Type II, with a minor presence of Type III. Furthermore, the source rock had a poor-to-good comprehensive evaluation grade in E3s1–2, whereas E2s3 and E2s4 had medium-to-good comprehensive evaluations in their source rocks. In terms of maturity, E3s1 was in an intermediate position between the immature and mature stages and E3s2 and E2s3 were between the low-maturity and mature stages, whereas E2s4 transitioned into full maturity. Biomarkers and sensitive element indicators indicated that the organic matter in E3s1–2 was primarily derived from lower aquatic organisms and algae. This palaeoclimate was characterised by aridity, a water body containing saline and semi-saline water, and a strongly reducing environment resulting from water body stratification, leading to oxygen deficiency. The organic matter in E2s3 was primarily derived from aquatic organisms and algal inputs; these deposits were formed in a reduced environment characterised by relatively low salinity, ranging between semi-saline and freshwater conditions. The organic matter enrichment model of the Shahejie Formation was established based on sedimentary environment, palaeoclimatic, and organic matter source analyses, utilising E3s1–2 as preservation models and E2s3 as the productivity model. This study provides a basis for in-depth exploration and advancement of oil and gas reserves.
Optimization of the Traffic Load Model for Suspenders of a Super-Long-Span Suspension Bridge Considering Influence Line Geometry and Extreme Load Effect Scenarios
Authors: Wei Yi , Ruan Xin , Li Hongtao , Jin Zeren
Published: May 2024

The reasonable expression of live load and its accuracy are important to the safety and design rationality of highway bridge structures. In this study, the optimization issue of the traffic load model for the suspenders of large-scale suspension bridges is studied. Taking a 2300-m main span suspension bridge as an example, a method for suspender classification based on the geometric feature of the influence lines is proposed, and the extreme traffic load effect scenarios are analyzed and used as an optimization reference. Multi-objective optimization based on a genetic algorithm is used to explore the improvement of the traffic load model of the suspender. The traffic load model of the suspender is optimized with three objectives, i.e., accuracy, convenience, and improvement, and the optimization results regarding the load value and loading length are obtained. The value of the uniformly distributed load of the optimized model ranges from 6.4 kN/m to 8.9 kN/m, and the maximum value of the concentrated force could reach 1433 kN. By comparing the obtained optimized model with the current specification model and the extreme load effect scenario model, the improved applicability of the optimized model in the analysis of the load effect of the suspender can be verified. The optimized method and relevant conclusions can provide useful references for the improved design and operation management of similar bridge structures.
Research on the Capillary Filling Behavior of Liquid Solder Al-12Si under the Action of Electromagnetic Ultrasonic Wave
Authors: Chen Guijuan , Gao Qianqian , Zhang Mingxuan , Yu Haonan
Published: May 2024

To address the issues of high cost, low welding efficiency, and complex processes in vacuum brazing, we proposed a method of electromagnetic ultrasonic (EU)-assisted brazing with Al-12Si solder to join SiC ceramic and TC4 alloy. The results showed that the maximum magnetic induction strength (MIS) on the surface of the liquid solder was 0.629 T when subjected to a static and alternating magnetic field (MF). Additionally, the combined action of MF and eddy current generated a downward Lorentz force (LF) in the liquid solder, with the maximum LF in the horizontal and vertical directions being 48.91 kN m−3 and 60.93 kN m−3, respectively. Under the influence of an EU wave, the liquid solder exhibited capillary filling (CF) behavior. At 26 ms, the maximum length of CF was 12.21 mm.
The Effect of the Initial Phase of a Tightly Focused Laser Pulse on the Emission Characteristics of High-Energy Electrons
Authors: Zhou Yiwei , Li Erhan , Tian Youwei
Published: May 2024

Based on the classical theory of nonlinear Thomson scattering and the single electron model, we performed extensive numerical simulations in MATLAB R2022b to comprehensively investigate how the initial phase of a tightly focused, circularly polarized laser pulse affects the radiation characteristics of high-energy electrons at different energy levels. Our findings indicate that the polar angle corresponding to the maximum radiation energy remains constant as the initial phase of the laser changes from 0 to 2π, while the azimuth angle correspondingly moves from 0 to 2π. Moreover, as the initial phase changes, the pulse width of the electron radiation peak displays a quasi-periodic oscillation with a period of π. Notably, an increase in the initial energy of the electrons results in a significant enhancement in both the peak radiation value and the collimation of the radiation. These results demonstrate that manipulating the initial phase of the driving laser pulse enables effective control over the spatial distribution of radiation light.
Synthesis of Non-Linguistic Utterances for Sound Design Support Using a Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Khota Ahmed , Cooper Eric W. , Yan Yu
Published: May 2024

As social robots become more prevalent, they often employ non-speech sounds, in addition to other modes of communication, to communicate emotion and intention in an increasingly complex visual and audio environment. These non-speech sounds are usually tailor-made, and research into the generation of non-speech sounds that can convey emotions has been limited. To enable social robots to use a large amount of non-speech sounds in a natural and dynamic way, while expressing a wide range of emotions effectively, this work proposes an automatic method of sound generation using a genetic algorithm, coupled with a random forest model trained on representative non-speech sounds to validate each produced sound’s ability to express emotion. The sounds were tested in an experiment wherein subjects rated the perceived valence and arousal. Statistically significant clusters of sounds in the valence arousal space corresponded to different emotions, showing that the proposed method generates sounds that can readily be used in social robots.
Re-Evaluating the Long-Term Efficacy of Semi-Rigid Fixation Using a Nitinol Spring Rod in Lumbar Surgery: A Retrospective Study on an Effective Alternative for Reducing Adjacent Segment Disease
Authors: Jang Hyun-Jun , Moon Bong-Ju , Chin Dong-Kyu
Published: May 2024

Adjacent segment disease (ASD) is a prevalent complication following lumbar fusion surgery, representing a significant challenge in spinal surgery. This study aimed to assess the long-term outcomes of Nitinol spring rod semi-rigid fixation, a potential alternative to traditional rigid fixation, in reducing the incidence of ASD. This retrospective case study evaluated 89 patients who underwent lumbar or lumbosacral surgeries using a combination of Bioflex® (a Nitinol spring rod dynamic stabilization system) and an interbody cage over 10 years of follow-up. The fusion status, adjacent segment disc height, mechanical complications, and re-operation rates were analyzed. The cohort had a median follow-up duration of 13.0 years. All patients achieved solid fusion at the final follow-up visit. One patient underwent revision surgery for clinical ASD (1.1%), and no patients required revision surgery due to mechanical problems. Radiological evidence of ASD was observed in 16.9% of the patients. This study’s findings suggest that semi-rigid fixation using Bioflex with an interbody cage is a possibly effective treatment strategy to prevent ASD. The technique potentially reduces the risk of ASD by allowing a degree of movement at the surgical site.
Evaluating Acceptance of Novel Vehicle-Mounted Perfume Automatic Dispersal Device for Fatigued Drivers
Authors: Yang Yanqun , Wu Xinli , Wang Linwei , Easa Said M. , Zheng Xinyi
Published: May 2024

This paper evaluates the influence of different variables on drivers’ willingness to accept and use a vehicle-mounted perfume automatic dispersal device (VP-ADD) connected to the vehicle’s electronic map. Based on the technical acceptance model, we clarify and condense the explanation of the model used to evaluate the impact of user behavior attitudes and device characteristics on six factors, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude towards use, intention to use, perceived playfulness, and perceived risk, proposing eight hypotheses. Then, we assessed the responses of 562 drivers in China using SPSS for reliability and validity and AMOS for structural equation modeling to test our hypotheses. The findings reveal that the perceived usefulness, ease of use, playfulness, and risk significantly affected the willingness to accept and use the VP-ADD. Furthermore, the perceived risk has a negative influence, while the perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived playfulness, and attitude towards use have a positive influence. This research is significant for further development and application of the VP-ADD. It is essential to alleviate driver fatigue, ensure traffic safety, and provide theoretical and empirical support for designing more popular driving assistance devices. Furthermore, it offers valuable insights for developing fatigue driving warning policies, in-vehicle device guidelines, and traffic safety regulations.
A New Method for Detecting Weld Stability Based on Color Digital Holography
Authors: Li Qian , He Guangjun , Xia Haiting , Wang Ruijie , Zhang Weifan , Gui Jinbin , Fang Qiang , Ge Cong , Song Qinghe
Published: May 2024

Weld stability is directly related to the safety and reliability of engineering, and continuous improvement of its detection technology has great research significance. This paper presents a novel method for weld stability detection based on color digital holography. A color digital holography optical path was designed to capture the holograms of welds under varying loads. Several common denoising algorithms were used to deal with speckle noise in the wrapped phase, among which the 4-f optical simulation integrated cycle-consistent generative adversarial network (4f-CycleGAN) denoising algorithm based on deep learning was more suitable for the color digital holographic detection system. The three-dimensional deformation fields of three samples (lap-jointed, butt-jointed, and defective butt-jointed aluminum alloy plates) under different loads were calculated. The center profile of the deformation field in the direction of load and holographic reconstruction images are used to determine the position of the weld. The coefficient of variation near the weld was used to evaluate the weld stability. The coefficient of variation for lap-jointed, butt-jointed and defective butt-jointed plates are 0.0335 (<0.36, good stability), 0.1240 (<0.36, good stability) and 0.3965 (>0.36, poor stability), respectively. The research results of this paper provide a new strategy for detecting weld stability.