bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
QTL Mapping of Leaf-Related Traits Using a High-Density Bin Map in Brassica rapa
Authors: Li Fengming , Liu Zhiyuan , Chen Haixu , Wu Jian , Cai Xu , Wang Hui , Wang Xiaowu , Liang Jianli
Published: March 2023

The species Brassica rapa includes enormous leafy vegetables with extreme leaf morphological diversity. Leaf traits such as size, shape, weight, and ratio of the leaf blade to the petiole contribute to yield, appearance, and desirability to consumers. These leaf-related traits are controlled by quantitative trait loci (QTLs). The construction of high-density bin maps using low-coverage sequencing is a powerful method for QTL fine-mapping and gene identification. In this study, we performed whole-genome re-sequencing of Wutacai ‘Zhongbaye’ and Chinese cabbage ‘HN53’ and 150 F2 individuals to construct a high-density bin map for QTL mapping of 11 leaf-related traits. The parental lines and F2 population were re-sequenced at 10x and 1x coverage, respectively. A map containing 565 bin markers was constructed based on parental single-nucleotide polymorphisms and a modified sliding window approach. The total map length was 944.6 cM and the average distance of the bins was 1.65 cM. In total, 60 significant QTLs controlling 11 leaf-related traits were detected. We further identified candidate genes responsible for these complex leaf-related traits. These findings suggest that this cost-effective bin-mapping approach is capable of rapid identification of QTLs and candidate genes, and will thus facilitate the dissection of the underlying molecular basis of leaf morphological variations and accelerate the improvement of B. rapa vegetable breeding.
Fracture Prediction of Steel-Plated Structures under Low-Velocity Impact
Authors: Cerik Burak Can , Choung Joonmo
Published: March 2023

In this paper, a validation study of a recently proposed rate-dependent shell element fracture model using quasi-static and dynamic impact tests on square hollow sections (SHS) made from offshore high-tensile strength steel was presented. A rate-dependent forming limit curve was used to predict the membrane loading-dominated failure, while a rate-dependent ductile fracture locus was applied for predicting failure governed by bend loading. The predicted peak force and fracture initiation using the adopted material and fracture model agreed well with the experimental results. The fracture mode was also captured accurately. Further simulations were performed to discuss the importance of the inclusion of dynamic effects and the separate treatment of failure modes. Finally, the shortcomings of the common practice of treatment of rate-effects in low-velocity impact simulations involving fracture were highlighted.
Formation Control for Mixed-Order UAVs–USVs–UUVs Systems under Cooperative and Optimal Control
Authors: Liu Meichen , Li Yandong , Zhu Ling , Guo Yuan , Liu Bohao
Published: March 2023

In this paper, cooperative control and optimal control methods are used for the formation control of mixed-order heterogeneous multi-agent systems. The system consists of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). The system is represented in a state space using a block Kronecker product. The static and dynamic formation control protocols are proposed respectively, and the graph theory is used to prove that formation control protocols can realize system formation. Furthermore, the optimal control and cooperative control are introduced into the static and the dynamic formation control protocols, and the static cooperative optimal formation control protocol and the dynamic cooperative optimal formation control protocol are designed. Through MATLAB simulation, the static cooperative optimal control protocol and static formation control protocol are compared, and the dynamic cooperative optimal control protocol and dynamic formation control protocol are compared. By comparison, the state variables of the system can reach convergence quickly, and the system can complete formation in a short time, which verifies the effectiveness of the optimal theory and cooperative control.
A Marine Organism Detection Framework Based on Dataset Augmentation and CNN-ViT Fusion
Authors: Jiang Xiao , Zhang Yaxin , Pan Mian , Lv Shuaishuai , Yang Gang , Li Zhu , Liu Jingbiao , Yu Haibin
Published: March 2023

Underwater vision-based detection plays an important role in marine resources exploration, marine ecological protection and other fields. Due to the restricted carrier movement and the clustering effect of some marine organisms, the size of some marine organisms in the underwater image is very small, and the samples in the dataset are very unbalanced, which aggravate the difficulty of vision detection of marine organisms. To solve these problems, this study proposes a marine organism detection framework with a dataset augmentation strategy and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN)-Vision Transformer (ViT) fusion model. The proposed framework adopts two data augmentation methods, namely, random expansion of small objects and non-overlapping filling of scarce samples, to significantly improve the data quality of the dataset. At the same time, the framework takes YOLOv5 as the baseline model, introduces ViT, deformable convolution and trident block in the feature extraction network, and extracts richer features of marine organisms through multi-scale receptive fields with the help of the fusion of CNN and ViT. The experimental results show that, compared with various one-stage detection models, the mean average precision (mAP) of the proposed framework can be improved by 27%. At the same time, it gives consideration to both performance and real-time, so as to achieve high-precision real-time detection of the marine organisms on the underwater mobile platform.
Research on the Residual Strength of Cracked Plate Considering Fatigue Crack Propagation under Cyclic Load
Authors: Dong Qin , Xu Geng , Hu Yaoyu , Peng Ziya
Published: March 2023

Fatigue damage caused by cyclic loading is a major concern in engineering applications. Cracks propagated by cyclic loading can lead to catastrophic failure, which can have severe consequences in safety-critical systems. The main objective of the paper is to investigate the residual strength of cracked plate considering fatigue crack propagation under cyclic loading. In this study, a cracked plate model is proposed to study the difference of compressive and tensile residual strength with pre-crack and fatigue crack. The influence factors such as crack length, number of cycles, tensile/compressive cyclic loads, and out-of-plane deformation are considered in the residual strength study of cracked plate. The numerical results can gain insight into the effect of crack propagation on the structural residual strength, with the aim of providing guidance for evaluating the residual strength of cracked components.
Functional Analysis of Two Divergent C4 Isotypes in the Classical and Lectin Pathways of Complement Activation in the Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)
Authors: Nehlah Rosli , Yamamoto Akira , Nagasawa Takahiro , Somamoto Tomonori , Nakao Miki
Published: March 2023

In the evolution of the complement system, a major humoral innate immune factor, the existence of multiple isotypes of the complement components is considered as a key strategy to enhance innate immune defense. Complement C4 is also diversified in a wide range of vertebrate species including teleost fish, possibly supporting the robust activation mechanism of the complement. To better understand the functional diversity of C4 isotypes in the teleost complement system, two C4 isotypes, C4-1 and C4-2, sharing only 32% amino acid sequence identity, were examined for binding specificities towards model target molecules representing microbe antigens and towards Gram-positive and -negative bacteria. The results suggest that C4-1 and C4-2 behave similarly in binding to the tested targets, despite the predicted difference in binding specificity based on the thioester catalytic site. The participation of C4-1 in the classical and lectin pathways of complement activation was also explored using pathway-specific activating enzyme complexes, C1r/s and MBL-MASP2. As a result, C4-1 can be activated in both the classical and the lectin pathways, at higher efficiency in the classical pathway. Taken together, the present results imply that both C4-1 and C4-2 isotypes are fully functional in the complement activation cascades, probably playing comparable roles in innate immunity.
Vocalization Behavior of Chinese Bahaba (Bahaba taipingensis) during the Reproduction Season
Authors: Li Hongquan , Song Zhongchang , Hui Jiangang , Su Yingnan , Fu Weijie , Zhang Shufei , Yan Lin , Yan Kuoqiu , Huang Honghui , Zhang Yu
Published: March 2023

Chinese bahaba (Bahaba taipingensis) is a critically endangered fish species, which can produce sounds like other Sciaenidae species. In this study, sounds produced by sexually mature Chinese bahaba were recorded during the reproduction season for the first time. Two distinct types of sounds were observed during the reproduction season, termed as single drum and fast drum trains calls. Single drum callings occurred as a series of trains with rapid pulses, while fast drum trains callings were mainly made of a single signal. The single drum and fast drum trains had a peak frequency of 77.8 ± 16.2 Hz and 79.1 ± 8.7 Hz, respectively. Statistical analysis suggested significant differences in −3 dB bandwidth, signal duration, and root-mean-square sound pressure levels, except for peak frequency (p < 0.05) between single drum and fast drum trains sounds. Single drum occurred mainly before dawn (period range from 0:00 to 6:00 am) and less frequently after dusk (18:00–24:00 pm), and the fast drum trains occurred after dawn (6:00 am to 12:00 pm) and dusk (18:00 pm to 24:00 pm). Considering the abundance of Chinese bahaba has significantly declined, passive acoustic monitoring provides a non-invasive and low-cost effective tool to monitor sound production during reproduction season, which may help to facilitate aquaculture management and fishery population conservation in the future.
An Origami Flexiball-Inspired Soft Robotic Jellyfish
Authors: Hu Fuwen , Kou Zichuan , Sefene Eyob Messele , Mikolajczyk Tadeusz
Published: March 2023

Both the biomimetic design based on marine life and the origami-based design are recommended as valuable paths for solving conceptual and design problems. The insights into the combination of the two manners inspired this research: an origami polyhedra-inspired soft robotic jellyfish. The core idea of the story is to leverage the deformation mechanism of the origami metamaterial to approximate the jet-propelled swimming behavior of the prolate medusae. First, four possible variants of origami polyhedra were compared by the hydrodynamic simulation method to determine a suitable model for the soft body of robotic jellyfish. Second, the mathematical model for the jet propulsion performance of the soft origami body was built, and the diameter of the jet nozzle was determined through the simulation method. Third, the overall configuration and the rope-motor-driven driving method of the soft robotic jellyfish were presented, and the prototype was developed. The experimental work of jet swimming, thrust forces measurement, and cost of transport further demonstrated the presented soft robotic jellyfish. In addition, the prospective directions were also discussed to improve maneuverability, sensory perception, and morphological improvement. Due to the advantages, including but not limited to, the concise structure, low cost, and ease of manufacture, we anticipate the soft robotic jellyfish can serve for the ecological aquatic phenomena monitoring and data collection in the future.
Frontiers in Deep-Sea Equipment and Technology
Authors: Cui Weicheng , Lian Lian , Pan Guang
Published: March 2023

The conflict between population, resources, and environment in the twenty-first century made the ocean the strategic space and resource treasure of human society to realize sustainable development [...]
Floating Solar Systems with Application to Nearshore Sites in the Greek Sea Region
Authors: Magkouris Alex , Rusu Eugen , Rusu Liliana , Belibassakis Kostas
Published: March 2023

The increased availability of solar energy potential, especially in southern latitudes as in the Mediterranean Sea and the Aegean Sea regions, constitutes a strong motivation for the design and development of floating offshore solar energy platforms suitable for deployment and operation in the sea environment. In this work, a boundary element method is applied to the hydrodynamic analysis of pontoon-type floating structures carrying photovoltaic panels on the deck. Results are used to estimate the responses of the above floating structures, which are then exploited to calculate the effects of waves and motions on the energy performance of photovoltaics arranged on deck (FPVs). Using as an example a 100 kWp floating module located in the nearshore area of the Pagasitikos Gulf and Evia Island in the central Greece region, the time series of environmental parameters concerning wave, wind and solar data are used, in conjunction with the hydrodynamic responses of the floating structure, to illustrate the effects of waves on the floating PV performance. The results indicate significant variations in energy production due to the dynamic angle of solar incidence generated from the floating module’s responses depending on the sea state that should be taken into account in the design process. Additionally, it is shown that the particular concept could be a promising and economically viable alternative of marine renewables contributing to the European Green Deal policies.
Multiscenario Simulation of Land-Use Change in Hubei Province, China Based on the Markov-FLUS Model
Authors: Zhu Kai , Cheng Yufeng , Zang Weiye , Zhou Quan , El Archi Youssef , Mousazadeh Hossein , Kabil Moaaz , Csobán Katalin , Dávid Lóránt Dénes
Published: March 2023

A goal of land change modelers should be to communicate scenarios of future change that show the variety of possible future landscapes based on the consequences of management decisions. This study employs the Markov-FLUS model to simulate land-use changes in Hubei Province in multiple scenarios that consider social, economic, and ecological policies using 18 driving factors, including point-of-interest data. First, the Markov-FLUS model was developed and validated with historical data from 2000 to 2020. The model was then used to simulate land-use changes from 2020 to 2035 in four scenarios: natural development, economic priority, ecological protection, and cultivated land protection. The results show that the Markov-FLUS model effectively simulates the land-use change pattern in Hubei Province, with an overall accuracy of 0.93 for land use simulation in 2020. The Kappa coefficient and FOM index also achieved 0.86 and 0.139, respectively. In all four scenarios, cultivated land remained the primary land use type in Hubei Province from 2020 to 2035, while construction land showed an increasing trend. However, there were large differences in the simulated land use patterns in different scenarios. Construction land expanded most rapidly in the economic priority scenario, while it expanded more slowly in the cultivated land protection scenario. We designed the protection scenario to restrict the rapid expansion of construction land. In the natural development and economic priority scenarios, construction land expanded and encroached on cultivated land and forests. In contrast, in the ecological protection scenario, forests and water areas were well-preserved, and the decrease in cultivated land and the increase in construction land were effectively suppressed, resulting in a large improvement in land use sustainability. Finally, in the cultivated land protection scenario, the cultivated land showed an increasing trend. The spread and expansion of construction land were effectively curbed. In conclusion, the Markov-FLUS model applied in this study to simulate land use in multiple scenarios has substantial implications for the effective utilization of land resources and the protection of the ecological environment in Hubei Province.
The Role of Cultural Life in a Small Town in Eastern Bohemia, and Its Potential Development of Cultural Tourism
Authors: Sáblíková Hana
Published: March 2023

The contribution of this paper is a discussion on the role of cultural life and the potential of cultural tourism in the small town of Choceň in Eastern Bohemia, which is not one of the first-class tourism localities in the Czech Republic. Despite this fact, there is a richness of natural and cultural attractiveness and the organization of varied cultural events. The goal of this research was to determine the assumptions of tourist attractiveness from the point of view of local actors, based on the hypothesis that the attractiveness of the city is closely linked to the attractiveness of tourism. Local actors are the ones who can recognize the genius loci of the place, which should have been considered in development planning. The literature review is mainly devoted to the role of culture, cultural tourism, and rural tourism. This research works with primary and secondary data, with the secondary data being based on location, selection, and implementation assumptions for tourism. The primary data were obtained using a quantitative questionnaire survey method for two target groups—local visitors and local entrepreneurs. This research shows that local actors are aware of their destination’s potential and support tourism development. However, cultural events are more likely intended to meet residents’ needs, not visitors. It is clear that small industrial towns are rather marginally devoted to the development of tourism. Yet, all local actors need to cooperate for further rural (and tourism) development.
Regional Coordinated Development in the Megacity Regions: Spatial Pattern and Driving Forces of the Guangzhou-Foshan Cross-Border Area in China
Authors: Huang Yan , Lang Wei , Chen Tingting , Wu Jiemin
Published: March 2023

With globalization and informatization, cross-border areas have become increasingly critical interactive spaces, experiencing rapid development and extensive changes in residents’ cross-border travel, constantly changing the spatial patterns of neighboring cities. However, existing studies lack in-depth discussions of the new spatiotemporal characteristics of human activities, spatial pattern evolution, and the driving factors behind them. Therefore, taking the Guangzhou-Foshan metropolitan area as a case, this paper focus on the analysis of the cross-city travel of residents in these border areas in 2019, and investigated the evolution of spatial patterns and the driving forces in the border area during 1985–2020. We found that, instead of the previous one-way attraction pattern caused by the spread of residence, a large number of cross-city trips for leisure and entertainment purposes emerged, and the one-way unbalanced flow, “Foshan to Guangzhou”, changed to two-way circulation. We also explore the scenario in which the travel behavior of urban dwellers in these two cities considerably interacts with the effect of urban structure to produce the observed mobility patterns. Second, we determined the spatial pattern of the Guangzhou-Foshan region from 1985 to 2020 to be on of spreading expansion, with Liwan District as the central core, connecting to several sub-centers. The cross-border area in the Guangzhou-Foshan region represented a compact, extremely high degree of integration and a well-matched functional space. Third, driven by the forces stemming from the planning guidelines and the improving transportation network construction in the border area, the growth points of the two cities continued to expand toward the borderline regarding integrated development, while the growth axis was mainly in the direction of the city border, urban arterial roads, and subway lines. We concluded with development suggestions for increasing travel interactions and optimizing spatial patterns to build a common vision of the whole Guangzhou-Foshan pattern of integration.
Synthesis of Multi-butylnaphthalene Base Oils Catalyzed by Trifluoromethanesulfonic Acid and Its Lubricating Properties
Authors: Li Yuanyuan , Chen Chen , Tang Qiong , Liu Lei , Dong Jinxiang
Published: March 2023

Alkylnaphthalene as base oils are widely applied in the production of high-performance lubricating oils. Here, we report the synthesis of multi-butylnaphthalenes by alkylation of naphthalene and n-butene with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid as catalyst. Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid exhibited excellent catalytic performance with naphthalene conversion, as high as 98.5%, and the multi-butylnaphthalenes selectivity of 98.8% under optimum conditions. To investigate the effects of the side-chain numbers on naphthalene on the lubrication performance, two kinds of alkylnaphthalenes were obtained by controlling catalyst dosage, denoted as MBN-1 (90.3% mono/di-butylnaphthalenes) and MBN-2 (98.2% tri/tetra/penta/hexa-butylnaphthalenes), respectively. The primary physiochemical properties of the synthetic oils were tested, and their tribological performance was evaluated. MBN-2, with more side chains on naphthalene, displayed more effective friction reduction and anti-wear properties than MBN-1 and the commercial alkyl naphthalene base oil AN5.
On the Wear Behaviour of Bush Drive Chains: Part II—Performance Screening of Pin Materials and Lubricant Effects
Authors: Summer Florian , Bergmann Philipp , Grün Florian
Published: March 2023

In this second part of the paper series, parameter investigations of the tribological system chain pin/bush contact, carried out on a specifically developed pin on bush plate model test technique, are presented. Both the pin material and the lubricant varied widely. In case of the pin materials, a Cr-N monolayer coating and a Cr-N-Fe-based multilayer coating were investigated. As for the lubricants used, two different performing engine oils from the field were tested as well as fresh oils, some of which were diluted with a soot surrogate (carbon black) and diesel fuel in different amounts. The results show, among other things, that friction and wear performance strongly depend on the combination of pin material and lubricant used. In this context, especially the Cr-N-Fe in combination with the used engine oils showed a high wear resistance and low friction losses compared to the Cr-N reference. In the case of fresh oils with soot, the friction losses were higher but comparable between the pin materials, and a slightly better wear performance of the Cr-N was observed due to an agglomeration effect of the soot surrogate. In general, it was found that especially soot-free oils show clear wear advantages independent of the pin material used. Thus, soot clearly has a wear-promoting component. The investigations of this study suggest that a leading mechanism that is based on a corrosive–abrasive effect in the tested system, but this is more related to the soot surrogate carbon black than engine soot.
Simulation Analysis of Skew Collision of Needle Roller Bearing Used in Precision Cycloid Reducer
Authors: Sun Yue , Zhang Ying-Hui , He Wei-Dong
Published: March 2023

In order to improve the service life of the needle roller bearing used in a precision cycloid reducer, and to reveal the skew and collision phenomenon of the needle roller bearing, based on the force analysis of the transmission mechanism of the cycloid reducer and considering the friction between the cycloid wheel, needle roller, cage, and crank shaft, the dynamic contact between the rolling bodies is simulated by the Hertz elastic contact, where the contact between the cage pocket hole and needle roller is equivalent to the spring and damping, and a nonlinear dynamic model of the needle roller bearing is established. The influence of different load and cage clearances on the deflection impact of the rotating needle roller bearing is calculated. The results show that the inclination of rollers is different under different pocket clearances, and the larger the pocket gap, the greater the fluctuation of the roller inclination angle; the action force of the crank shaft on the roller suppresses the deflection of the roller; the impact force of the roller on the cage has periodicity, which is consistent with the impact force of the crank shaft on the roller. The impact force of the cage is different under different loads, and the greater the load, the more rollers there are in the bearing area, the larger the impact force is, and the smaller the impact force of the rollers in the middle of the bearing zone is, compared with that of the rollers on the two sides; when the load is small, a pocket cage gap of 0.3 mm is selected, and when the load is heavy, a pocket cage gap of 0.2 mm is selected in order to make the bearing run more smoothly.
Fault Diagnosis and Health Management of Power Machinery
Authors: Han Te , Liu Ruonan , Zhao Zhibin , Kundu Pradeep
Published: March 2023

Power-machinery systems are widely used in various industries, including manu-facturing, energy production, transportation, and infrastructure [...]
Implementing Digital Twins That Learn: AI and Simulation Are at the Core
Authors: Biller Bahar , Biller Stephan
Published: March 2023

As companies are trying to build more resilient supply chains using digital twins created by smart manufacturing technologies, it is imperative that senior executives and technology providers understand the crucial role of process simulation and AI in quantifying the uncertainties of these complex systems. The resulting digital twins enable users to replay history, gain predictive visibility into the future, and identify corrective actions to optimize future performance. In this article, we define process digital twins and their four foundational elements. We discuss how key digital twin functions and enabling AI and simulation technologies integrate to describe, predict, and optimize supply chains for Industry 4.0 implementations.
Improving the Path to Obtain Spectroscopic Parameters for the PI3K—(Platinum Complex) System: Theoretical Evidences for Using 195Pt NMR as a Probe
Authors: Santos Taináh M. R. , Andolpho Gustavo A. , Tavares Camila A. , Gonçalves Mateus A. , Ramalho Teodorico C.
Published: March 2023

The absence of adequate force field (FF) parameters to describe certain metallic complexes makes new and deeper analyses impossible. In this context, after a group of researchers developed and validated an AMBER FF for a platinum complex (PC) conjugated with AHBT, new possibilities emerged. Thus, in this work, we propose an improved path to obtain NMR spectroscopic parameters, starting from a specific FF for PC, allowing to obtain more reliable information and a longer simulation time. Initially, a docking study was carried out between a PC and PI3K enzyme, aiming to find the most favorable orientation and, from this pose, to carry out a simulation of classical molecular dynamics (MD) with an explicit solvent and simulation time of 50 ns. To explore a new PC environment, a second MD simulation was performed only between the complex and water molecules, under the same conditions as the first MD. After the results of the two MDs, we proposed strategies to select the best amino acid residues (first MD) and water molecules (second MD) through the analyses of hydrogen bonds and minimum distance distribution functions (MDDFs), respectively. In addition, we also selected the best frames from the two MDs through the OWSCA algorithm. From these resources, it was possible to reduce the amount and computational cost of subsequent quantum calculations. Thus, we performed NMR calculations in two chemical environments, enzymatic and aqueous, with theory level GIAO–PBEPBE/NMR-DKH. So, from a strategic path, we were able to obtain more reliable chemical shifts and, therefore, propose safer spectroscopic probes, showing a large difference between the values of chemical shifts in the enzymatic and aqueous environments.
Recent Structural Developments and Applications of Magnetorheological Dampers (MRD): A Review
Authors: Zhang Yanjuan , Guo Jiaxuan , Yang Jianwei , Li Xin
Published: March 2023

Magnetorheological dampers (MRDs) use the controlled rheological properties of MRF with the action of an applied magnetic field to achieve lower current regulation and control larger damping. MRD technology is applied to the defense industry, vehicle engineering, civil engineering, traffic engineering, aerospace, and other equipment. In this paper, the structural design and latest engineering applications of three types of MRDs including internal, bypass, and hybrid are investigated in terms of the number of coils, piston structure, damping channels, and operating modes to obtain the latest developments of MRDs and analyze potential applications. This study is essential for understanding and developing magnetorheological damping technology and applications.
A Self-Evolving Neural Network-Based Finite-Time Control Technique for Tracking and Vibration Suppression of a Carbon Nanotube
Authors: Alsaade Fawaz W. , Al-zahrani Mohammed S. , Yao Qijia , Jahanshahi Hadi
Published: March 2023

The control of micro- and nanoscale systems is a vital yet challenging endeavor because of their small size and high sensitivity, which make them susceptible to environmental factors such as temperature and humidity. Despite promising methods proposed for these systems in literature, the chattering in the controller, convergence time, and robustness against a wide range of disturbances still require further attention. To tackle this issue, we present an intelligent observer, which accounts for uncertainties and disturbances, along with a chatter-free controller. First, the dynamics of a carbon nanotube (CNT) are examined, and its governing equations are outlined. Then, the design of the proposed controller is described. The proposed approach incorporates a self-evolving neural network-based methodology and the super-twisting sliding mode technique to eliminate the uncertainties’ destructive effects. Also, the proposed technique ensures finite-time convergence of the system. The controller is then implemented on the CNT and its effectiveness in different conditions is investigated. The numerical simulations demonstrate the proposed method’s outstanding performance in both stabilization and tracking control, even in the presence of uncertain parameters of the system and complicated disturbances.
“Agree to Disagree”: Forecasting Stock Market Implied Volatility Using Financial Report Tone Disagreement Analysis
Authors: Magner Nicolas S. , Hardy Nicolás , Ferreira Tiago , Lavin Jaime F.
Published: March 2023

This paper studies the predictability of implied volatility indices of stocks using financial reports tone disagreement from U.S. firms. For this purpose, we build a novel measure of tone disagreement based on financial report tone synchronization of U.S. corporations scattered across five Fama-French industries. The research uses tree network methods to calculate the minimum spanning tree length utilizing data from text mining sentiments features extracted from all U.S. firms that considers 837,342 financial reports. The results show that periods of increased disagreement predict higher implied volatility indices. We contribute to the literature that proposes that a high level of expectations dispersion leads to higher stock volatility and fills a gap in understanding how firms’ disagreement level of financial report tone forecast the aggregate stock market behavior. The findings also have implications for financial stability and delegated portfolio management, as accurate volatility prediction is critical for practitioners.
Bayesian and Non-Bayesian Risk Analysis and Assessment under Left-Skewed Insurance Data and a Novel Compound Reciprocal Rayleigh Extension
Authors: Ibrahim Mohamed , Emam Walid , Tashkandy Yusra , Ali M. Masoom , Yousof Haitham M.
Published: March 2023

Continuous probability distributions can handle and express different data within the modeling process. Continuous probability distributions can be used in the disclosure and evaluation of risks through a set of well-known basic risk indicators. In this work, a new compound continuous probability extension of the reciprocal Rayleigh distribution is introduced for data modeling and risk analysis. Some of its properties including are derived. The estimation of the parameters is carried out via different techniques. Bayesian estimations are computed under gamma and normal prior. The performance and assessment of all techniques are studied and assessed through Monte Carlo experiments of simulations and two real-life datasets for applications. Two applications to real datasets are provided for comparing the new model with other competitive models and to illustrate the importance of the proposed model via the maximum likelihood technique. Numerical analysis for expected value, variance, skewness, and kurtosis are given. Five key risk indicators are defined and analyzed under Bayesian and non-Bayesian estimation. An extensive analytical study that investigated the capacity to reveal actuarial hazards used a wide range of well-known models to examine actuarial disclosure models. Using actuarial data, actuarial hazards were evaluated and rated.
Effect of Thermal Radiation and Variable Viscosity on Bioconvective and Thermal Stability of Non-Newtonian Nanofluids under Bidirectional Porous Oscillating Regime
Authors: Kolsi Lioua , Al-Khaled Kamel , Khan Sami Ullah , Khedher Nidhal Ben
Published: March 2023

The bioconvective flow of a Jeffrey fluid conveying tiny particles under the effect of an oscillating stretched bidirectional surface is considered in this paper. The effects of thermal radiation and a porous medium are also investigated. The Cattaneo–Christov diffusion theories are used to analyze the heat and mass transfer phenomena. The activation energy effects are included in the concentration equation. The solved dimensionless equations system is established, based on non-dimensional variables. The analytical findings are evaluated using the homotopic analysis technique. The convergence of solutions is ensured. The results are validated by already available published findings and a good concordance is encountered. The fundamental physical aspect of flow parameters is graphically evaluated. The main results reveal that the velocity is reduced by increasing the permeability of the porous medium. An increase in the temperature occurs when the viscosity of the fluid is varied. The obtained results can be useful in thermal systems, energy production, heat transfer devices, solar systems, biofuels, fertilizers, etc.
Cumulant-Based Goodness-of-Fit Tests for the Tweedie, Bar-Lev and Enis Class of Distributions
Authors: Bar-Lev Shaul K. , Batsidis Apostolos , Einbeck Jochen , Liu Xu , Ren Panpan
Published: March 2023

The class of natural exponential families (NEFs) of distributions having power variance functions (NEF-PVFs) is huge (uncountable), with enormous applications in various fields. Based on a characterization property that holds for the cumulants of the members of this class, we developed a novel goodness-of-fit (gof) test for testing whether a given random sample fits fixed members of this class. We derived the asymptotic null distribution of the test statistic and developed an appropriate bootstrap scheme. As the content of the paper is mainly theoretical, we exemplify its applicability to only a few elements of the NEF-PVF class, specifically, the gamma and modified Bessel-type NEFs. A Monte Carlo study was executed for examining the performance of both—the asymptotic test and the bootstrap counterpart—in controlling the type I error rate and evaluating their power performance in the special case of gamma, while real data examples demonstrate the applicability of the gof test to the modified Bessel distribution.
Refined Design and Optimization of Underground Medium and Long Hole Blasting Parameters—A Case Study of the Gaofeng Mine
Authors: Gao Feng , Li Xin , Xiong Xin , Lu Haichuan , Luo Zengwu
Published: March 2023

Previously conducted studies have established that the rationality of the parameters of medium-deep hole blasting is one of the main factors affecting the blasting effect. To solve the problem of the parameter design and optimization design of medium-deep hole blasting in underground mines, a method of parameter design and the optimization of medium-deep hole blasting based on the blasting crater tests and numerical simulation analyses has been proposed in this study. Based on the background of deep underground mining in Gaofeng Mine, a two-hole blasting model has been established, and the blasting parameters are simulated and analyzed by the damage stress variation of the two-hole model. During the study, the initial values of blasting parameters were first obtained from the field blasting crater test, then the blasting parameters were optimized and analyzed by LS-DYNA software, and finally, the optimization scheme was demonstrated by the corresponding blasting test. The results of the field test showed that the design method of integrated blast crater test and numerical simulation analysis can effectively optimize the design of medium-deep hole blasting parameters and improve the blasting effect to a large extent. This study also provides an effective design system for the design of deep hole blasting parameters in similar mines.
Mean Square Exponential Stability of Stochastic Delay Differential Systems with Logic Impulses
Authors: Li Chunxiang , Shen Lijuan , Hui Fangshu , Luo Wen , Wang Zhongliang
Published: March 2023

This paper focuses on the mean square exponential stability of stochastic delay differential systems with logic impulses. Firstly, a class of nonlinear stochastic delay differential systems with logic impulses is constructed. Then, the logic impulses are transformed into an equivalent algebraic expression by using the semi-tensor product method. Thirdly, the mean square exponential stability criteria of nonlinear stochastic delay differential systems with logic impulses are given. Finally, two kinds of stochastic delay differential systems with logic impulses and uncertain parameters are discussed, and the coefficient conditions guaranteeing the mean square exponential stability of these systems are obtained.
Failure Pressure Prediction of Corroded High-Strength Steel Pipe Elbow Subjected to Combined Loadings Using Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Vijaya Kumar Suria Devi , Karuppanan Saravanan , Perumal Veeradasan , Ovinis Mark
Published: March 2023

There is no reliable failure pressure assessment method for pipe elbows, specifically those subjected to internal pressure and axial compressive stress, other than time-consuming numerical methods, which are impractical in time-critical situations. This paper proposes a set of empirical equations, based on Artificial Neural Networks, for the failure pressure prediction of pipe elbows subjected to combined loadings. The neural network was trained with data generated using the Finite Element Method. A parametric analysis was then carried out to study the failure behaviour of corroded high-strength steel subjected to combined loadings. It was found that defect depth, length, spacing (longitudinal), and axial compressive stress greatly influenced the failure pressure of a corroded pipe elbow, especially for defects located at the intrados, with reductions in failure pressure ranging from 12.56–78.3%. On the contrary, the effects of circumferential defect spacing were insignificant, with a maximum of 6.78% reduction in the failure pressure of the pipe elbow. This study enables the failure pressure prediction of corroded pipe elbows subjected to combined loadings using empirical equations. However, its application is limited to single, longitudinally interacting, and circumferentially interacting defects with the specified range of parameters mentioned in this study.
Achieving Anonymous and Covert Reporting on Public Blockchain Networks
Authors: Zhu Liehuang , Zhang Jiaqi , Zhang Can , Gao Feng , Chen Zhuo , Li Zhen
Published: March 2023

Reporting helps to combat illegal activities and deters lawbreakers and potential lawbreakers. From ancient times to the present, public authorities have usually rewarded effective reporting information to build harmonious societies. In this process, protecting the privacy of the whistleblower is a very important issue. Existing blockchain-based anonymous reporting solutions help solve the problem of insufficient anonymity in traditional reporting solutions, but they do not address the issue of hiding the reporting behavior. The disclosure of reporting behavior may alert offenders in advance and negatively impact case handling. This paper proposes an anonymous and covert reporting scheme and rewarding mechanism based on blockchain, which realizes the covertness of the reporting behavior while protecting the privacy of the whistleblower. The proposed scheme uses ring signature and derived address technology to ensure anonymity and achieves covertness by embedding information in the ring signature based on the idea of covert communication. Theoretical analysis proves that the proposed scheme has covertness, anonymity, and unforgeability properties. Experiments show that the proposed scheme takes only 0.08 s to upload data and 0.07 s to verify while achieving covertness.
Antibiotic Resistance and Genetic Variability of Acinetobacter spp. from Wastewater Treatment Plant in Kokšov-Bakša (Košice, Slovakia)
Authors: Kisková Jana , Juhás Adam , Galušková Soňa , Maliničová Lenka , Kolesárová Mariana , Piknová Mária , Pristaš Peter
Published: March 2023

This study investigated the genetic variability and antibiotic resistance of Acinetobacter community depending on the stage of wastewater treatment in Kokšov-Bakša for the city of Košice (Slovakia). After cultivation, bacterial isolates were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), and their sensitivity to ampicillin, kanamycin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol and ciprofloxacin was examined. Acinetobacter spp. and Aeromonas spp. dominated bacterial populations in all wastewater samples. We identified 12 different groups based on protein profiling, 14 genotypes by amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis and 11 Acinetobacter species using 16S rDNA sequence analysis within Acinetobacter community, which showed significant variability in their spatial distribution. While Acinetobacter population structure changed during the wastewater treatment, the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant strains did not significantly vary depending on the stage of wastewater treatment. The study highlights the role of a highly genetically diverse Acinetobacter community surviving in wastewater treatment plants as an important environmental reservoir assisting in the further dissemination of antibiotic resistance in aquatic systems.
A Real-Time PCR Approach for Rapid Detection of Viable Salmonella Enteritidis in Shell Eggs
Authors: Chan Siew Herng , Liau Sock Hwee , Low Ying Jia , Chng Kern Rei , Wu Yuansheng , Chan Joanne Sheot Harn , Tan Li Kiang
Published: March 2023

Rapid and robust detection assays for Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) in shell eggs are essential to enable a quick testing turnaround time (TAT) at the earliest checkpoint and to ensure effective food safety control. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays provide a workaround for the protracted lead times associated with conventional Salmonella diagnostic testing. However, DNA-based analysis cannot reliably discriminate between signals from viable and dead bacteria. We developed a strategy based on an SE qPCR assay that can be integrated into system testing to accelerate the detection of viable SE in egg-enriched cultures and verify the yielded SE isolates. The specificity of the assay was evaluated against 89 Salmonella strains, and SE was accurately identified in every instance. To define the indicator for a viable bacteria readout, viable or heat-inactivated SE were spiked into shell egg contents to generate post-enriched, artificially contaminated cultures to establish the quantification cycle (Cq) for viable SE. Our study has demonstrated that this technique could potentially be applied to accurately identify viable SE during the screening stage of naturally contaminated shell eggs following enrichment to provide an early alert, and that it consistently identified the serotypes of SE isolates in a shorter time than conventional testing.
Effective Biocorrosive Control in Oil Industry Facilities: 16S rRNA Gene Metabarcoding for Monitoring Microbial Communities in Produced Water
Authors: Dutra Joyce , García Glen , Gomes Rosimeire , Cardoso Mariana , Côrtes Árley , Silva Tales , de Jesus Luís , Rodrigues Luciano , Freitas Andria , Waldow Vinicius , Laguna Juliana , Campos Gabriela , Américo Monique , Akamine Rubens , de Sousa Maíra , Groposo Claudia , Figueiredo Henrique , Azevedo Vasco , Góes-Neto Aristóteles
Published: March 2023

Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) or biocorrosion is a complex biological and physicochemical process, Strategies for monitoring MIC are frequently based on microbial cultivation methods, while microbiological molecular methods (MMM) are not well-established in the oil industry in Brazil. Thus, there is a high demand for the development of effective protocols for monitoring biocorrosion with MMM. The main aim of our study was to analyze the physico-chemi- cal features of microbial communities occurring in produced water (PW) and in enrichment cultures in oil pipelines of the petroleum industry. In order to obtain strictly comparable results, the same samples were used for both culturing and metabarcoding. PW samples displayed higher phylogenetic diversity of bacteria and archaea whereas PW enrichments cultures showed higher dominance of bacterial MIC-associated genera. All samples had a core community composed of 19 distinct genera, with MIC-associated Desulfovibrio as the dominant genus. We observed significant associations between the PW and cultured PW samples, with a greater number of associations found between the cultured sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) samples and the uncultured PW samples. When evaluating the correlation between the physicochemical characteristics of the environment and the microbiota of the uncultivated samples, we suggest that the occurrence of anaerobic digestion metabolism can be characterized by well-defined phases. Therefore, the detection of microorganisms in uncultured PW by metabarcoding, along with physi-cochemical characterization, can be a more efficient method compared to the culturing method, as it is a less laborious and cost-effective method for monitoring MIC microbial agents in oil industry facilities.