bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research of Multi-Mode Pneumatic Vibroactuator
Authors: Kibirkštis Edmundas , Pauliukaitis Darius , Vaitasius Kęstutis , Gegeckienė Laura , Venytė Ingrida , Jurėnas Vytautas
Published: August 2023

A multi-functional, three-mode, self-exciting pneumatic vibroactuator was investigated. The special feature of this vibroactuator is that it consists of two excitation chambers connected by an elastic synchronizing chain. A mathematical model of the vibroactuator was created, which was solved by numerical methods. The laws (modes) of the movement of the working organ of this vibroactuator have been determined: harmonic, non-harmonic, and pulsating. The results of numerical and experimental research are compared. The vibroactuator with these extended functional capabilities can be used for the intensification of various production technological processes.
Effects of Adding Agro-Industrial By-Products of Babassu to Guinea Grass Silage
Authors: Ferreira Daniele , Bandeira Danrley , Zanine Anderson , Parente Henrique , Parente Michelle , Rodrigues Rosane , Santos Edson Mauro , Lima Anny Graycy , Ribeiro Marinaldo , Pinho Ricardo , Oliveira Juliana , Santos Francisco Naysson , Costa Renata , Sousa Francisca Claudia , Campos Fleming , Olivera-Viciedo Dilier
Published: August 2023

Using by-products added to grass silage in the total mixed ration (TMR) silage form can bring advantages to the ensiling process, raising DM levels, absorbing moisture, and improving the silage’s chemical composition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of babassu by-products’ inclusion substitution for corn in Guinea grass silage in the total mixed ration as an alternative feed for ruminants. The experiment was a completely randomized design with four treatments (silage) and five replications (silo). There was a significant difference in the fermentation profile and losses of silage (p < 0.001), some organic acids (lactic and butyric acids, p < 0.001), and the percentage of lactic acid in fermentation products (LA:FP, p < 0.001). The TGS showed the highest average for the variable’s maximum temperature (p < 0.001) and hours/max temperature (p = 0.011). Babassu by-products could eventually replace 50% of corn in total mixed rations silage containing Guinea grass, meeting the suggestion for the total mixed ration silage.
The Impact of High-Standard Farmland Construction Policy on Grain Quality from the Perspectives of Technology Adoption and Cultivated Land Quality
Authors: Gong Yanling , Zhang Yingliang , Chen Yu
Published: August 2023

The shift from increasing grain production to improving grain quality is a key measure to adapt to the changing structure of residents’ food consumption demand. High-standard farmland construction is an important means to achieve high grain production and excellent quality. To estimate the intervention effect of high-standard farmland construction policy, this paper analyzes it from the perspective of policy evaluation. The continuous DID model, moderating effect model, and the mediating effect model are used to systematically analyze the mechanism of high-standard farmland construction policy and its influence on grain quality. The findings are as follows: (1) The high-standard farmland construction policy has a significant promoting effect on grain quality, and the interaction coefficient of policy implementation is 0.074. is the results are still significant under the robustness test of lagging the explanatory variable by one period, replacing the core explanatory variable, changing the timing of policy implementation, and eliminating the interference of other relevant policies. (2) The adoption of environmentally friendly technology has played a positive moderating role in the process by which high-standard farmland construction policy promotes grain quality, with a moderating effect of 0.044. (3) The high-standard farmland construction policy can improve grain quality by improving cultivated land quality and adoption level of agricultural mechanization. (4) Heterogeneity analysis shows that high-standard farmland construction policy in major grain-producing areas and also non-major grain-producing areas can increase grain quality; the implementation of the policy has a more obvious effect on improving grain quality in areas with low distribution of grain quality. Accordingly, it is suggested to continue to promote high-standard farmland construction and implement special actions for farmland protection, focus on key technologies, encourage farmers to adopt environment-friendly technologies, accelerate the cultivation of diversified agricultural machinery service entities, and enhance the abilities of agricultural mechanization operations. This study provides a new perspective for improving grain quality and proves that a high-standard farmland construction policy is an important strategy for increasing grain quality.
Determination of Material and Interaction Properties of Granular Fertilizer Particles Using DEM Simulation and Bench Testing
Authors: Lei Xiaolong , Wu Wencheng , Deng Xuan , Li Tao , Liu Hongnan , Guo Jinyue , Li Ju , Zhu Peixu , Yang Ke
Published: August 2023

The discrete element method (DEM) is an effective tool for obtaining qualitative and quantitative information on particle motion, which aids in the design and optimization of agricultural equipment structures. The accuracy of the DEM simulation parameters significantly impacts the simulation results. This study employed a combination of high-speed camera measurement, DEM simulation, and validation tests to determine the material and interaction property parameters for fertilizer particles. The basic parameters (triaxial size, bulk density, density, and coefficient of static friction) and coefficients of restitution between fertilizer and material were measured for three fertilizer varieties. There was a significant difference in the angle of repose between various material plates and fertilizer particles. The calibration values of coefficients of restitution and coefficients of rolling friction between fertilizer particles were optimized using the Box–Behnken method. The angle of repose was significantly affected by the coefficient of static friction and the coefficient of rolling friction between the fertilizer particles. The determined values for the coefficient of restitution, coefficient of static friction, and coefficient of rolling friction between the fertilizer particles were 0.323, 0.381, and 0.173, respectively. The error in the angle of the repose test was less than 3.0%, and the variation coefficient for each row consistency was less than 1.68 percentage points under the optimal simulation parameters. DEM simulations of the angle of repose and each row consistency variation coefficient test using the measured parameters can accurately predict the experimental results. The findings of this paper provide a theoretical basis for the DEM study of fertilizer particles.
Multiple Insecticide Resistance and Associated Metabolic-Based Mechanisms in a Myzus Persicae (Sulzer) Population
Authors: Hu Jinfeng , Chen Feng , Wang Jun , Rao Wenhua , Lin Lei , Fan Guocheng
Published: August 2023

The green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is an economically devastating crop pest worldwide. The M. persicae (SEF-R) population of a cabbage field in China was tested for susceptibilities to 13 insecticides. Compared with the susceptible population (FFJ-S), extremely high and high resistance to beta-cypermethrin (324-fold) and imidacloprid (106.9-fold) was detected in SEF-R. More importantly, this is the first report of resistance in the field M. persicae population to sulfoxaflor (32.4-fold), flupyradifurone (9.5-fold), pymetrozine (34.8-fold), spirotetramat (8.1-fold), flonicamid (5.8-fold), and broflanilide (15.8-fold) in China when compared with FFJ-S. The resistance factor decayed to a low level to sulfoxaflor and pymetrozine after 15 generations without any selection pressure. The resistance-related mutations (R81T and kdr) detected in SEF indicated target-site resistance to neonicotinoids and pyrethroids, respectively. Biochemical assays revealed the involvement of monooxygenase, carboxylesterase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase in a multi-insecticide resistance mechanism. The overexpression of P450s, esterases, and a UDP-glycosyltransferase might be responsible for the multi-insecticide resistance in SEF-R. The knockdown of CYP6CY3 in SEF-R increased its susceptibility to imidacloprid, thiacloprid, and thiamethoxam, which verified that P450s play vital roles in neonicotinoid metabolism. Our findings provide guidance for the rational use of insecticides to delay resistance development in GPA.
Characterization of Thermal Patterns Using Infrared Thermography and Thermolytic Responses of Cattle Reared in Three Different Systems during the Transition Period in the Eastern Amazon, Brazil
Authors: Silva Welligton Conceição da , Silva Jamile Andréa Rodrigues da , Silva Éder Bruno Rebelo da , Barbosa Antônio Vinicius Correa , Sousa Carlos Eduardo Lima , Carvalho Katarina Cardoso de , Santos Maria Roseane Pereira dos , Neves Kedson Alexandri Lobo , Martorano Lucieta Guerreiro , Camargo Júnior Raimundo Nonato Colares , Lourenço-Júnior José de Brito
Published: August 2023

In the Lower Amazon mesoregion, there are basically three types of production systems: the traditional (without shade and no bathing area), the silvopastoral (with shade and no bathing area), and the integrated (with shade and bathing area). It is considered that the type of production system influences the thermal comfort and productivity of cattle, so this research aims to evaluate the influence of these three types of production systems on the thermoregulation of Nellore cattle. The experiment was carried out on a rural property for raising cattle, located in Mojuí dos Campos, Pará, Brazil, during the transition period (June/July). Thirty bovine males (not castrated, aged between 18 and 20 months, average weight of 250 ± 36 kg, body condition score of 3.5, clinically healthy) were randomly divided into three groups: Silvopastoral System—SS (n = 10), Traditional System—TS (n = 10), and Integrated System—IS (n = 10). Climate variables were collected (air temperature (AT °C), relative humidity (RH %), wind speed (WS, m/s), solar radiation (SR), black globe temperature (BGT °C), and physiological parameters, such as respiratory rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT)) at 6 a.m., 12 p.m., 6 p.m., and 12 a.m. to determine the thermal comfort situation of the animals. Thermographic images of the environment and animals were captured in order to obtain the body surface temperature (BST) through infrared thermography. The Benezra Thermal Comfort Index (BTCI), Environmental Stress Index (ESI), Equivalent Temperature Index (ETI), and Iberian Heat Tolerance Index (Iberian HTI) were used. The results showed that the silvopastoral system, with shading by chestnut trees and an ample vegetative area, presented better thermal conditions, with an average of 28.98 °C, in comparison with the traditional system (35.93 °C) and the integrated one (34.11 °C). It was observed that the body surface temperature of cattle did not differ significantly between the anatomical regions of the body and the studied systems (p > 0.05). As for the respiratory rate, the traditional system registered higher values, with an average of 41 movements per minute, indicating possible thermal stress (p < 0.05). The thermal comfort indices revealed that all systems presented moderate stress conditions during times of higher solar intensity. It is concluded that the silvopastoral system proved to be more favorable for cattle, providing shade and reducing thermal stress, which may have a positive impact on animal welfare and productivity in this region.
Optimizing Feeding Strategies for Growing Rabbits: Impact of Timing and Amount on Health and Circadian Rhythms
Authors: Huang Jie , Wang Qiangjun , Zhang Kehao , He Shuai , Liu Zhongying , Li Mingyong , Liu Man , Guo Yao , Wu Zhonghong
Published: August 2023

Mammals exhibit circadian rhythms in their behavior and physiological activities to adapt to the diurnal changes of the environment. Improper feeding methods can disrupt the natural habits of animals and harm animal health. This study investigated the effects of feeding amount and feeding time on growing rabbits in northern China during spring. A total of 432 healthy 35-day-old weaned rabbits with similar body weight were randomly assigned to four groups: whole day diet-unrestricted feeding (WUF), whole day diet-restricted feeding (WRF), nighttime diet-unrestricted feeding (NUF), and nighttime diet-restricted feeding (NRF). The results showed that nighttime diet-unrestricted feeding improved performance, circadian rhythm of behavior, and body temperature, while reducing the risk of diarrhea and death. WRF group increased daytime body temperature but had no significant difference in feed conversion rate. The study suggests that nighttime diet-unrestricted feeding in spring can improve the growth and welfare of rabbits in northern China. Our study underscores the pivotal role of feeding timing in enhancing animal health. Future investigations should delve into the underlying mechanisms and expand the application of this strategy across seasons and regions to improve rabbit husbandry practices.
Quercetin Alleviates Toxicity Induced by High Levels of Copper in Porcine Follicular Granulosa Cells by Scavenging Reactive Oxygen Species and Improving Mitochondrial Function
Authors: Qi Nannan , Xing Wenwen , Li Mengxuan , Liu Jiying
Published: August 2023

CuSO4 is the most commonly used feed additive in pig production at present, but long-term ingestion of excessive copper would lead to chronic copper toxicity. High copper could reduce the reproductive efficiency of sows and seriously affect the development of the pig industry. Quercetin (QUE), a powerful antioxidant, reduces toxicity of a number of heavy metals. Porcine granulosa cells (pGCs) are crucial to the fate of follicle development. The present study found that high concentrations of CuSO4 induced ROS production, which resulted in decreased mRNA expression of antioxidant-related genes GPX4, CAT, and SOD2 and increased mRNA expression of SOD1, TRX, and HO-1. The protein expression of antioxidant enzymes SOD2 and HO-1 decreased. Moreover, the concentration of MDA increased, the activity of CAT decreased, and the content of GSH decreased. After high copper treatment, the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was decreased and the morphological structure was changed. However, the combined treatment with Quercetin (QUE) reversed these changes, and the level of cellular oxidative stress decreased. Therefore, we conclude that high copper has oxidative toxicity to pGCs, and QUE could remove the ROS induced by high copper, protect mitochondria from oxidative stress damage, and improve the function of pGCs.
Retrospective Study on Staphylococcus aureus Resistance Profile and Antibiotic Use in a Pediatric Population
Authors: Buonsenso Danilo , Giaimo Martina , Pata Davide , Rizzi Alessia , Fiori Barbara , Spanu Teresa , Ruggiero Antonio , Attinà Giorgio , Piastra Marco , Genovese Orazio , Vento Giovanni , Costa Simonetta , Tiberi Eloisa , Sanguinetti Maurizio , Valentini Piero
Published: August 2023

The growing phenomenon of antibiotic resistance and the presence of limited data concerning the pediatric area prompted us to focus on Staphylococcus aureus infection in this study, its antibiotic resistance profile, and the therapeutic management of affected children. We conducted a retrospective study by collecting clinical data on infants and children with antibiogram-associated S. aureus infection. We enrolled 1210 patients with a mean age of 0.9 years. We analyzed the resistance patterns and found 61.5% resistance to oxacillin, 58.4% resistance to cephalosporins, 41.6% resistance to aminoglycosides, and 38.3% resistance to fluoroquinolones. Importantly, we found no resistance to glycopeptides, a key antibiotic for MRSA infections whose resistance is increasing worldwide. We also found that the main risk factors associated with antibiotic resistance are being aged between 0 and 28 days, the presence of devices, and comorbidities. Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern; knowing the resistance profiles makes it possible to better target the therapy; however, it is important to use antibiotics according to the principles of antibiotic stewardship to limit their spread.
AMPK-Dependent YAP Inhibition Mediates the Protective Effect of Metformin against Obesity-Associated Endothelial Dysfunction and Inflammation
Authors: Kang Lijing , Yi Juanjuan , Lau Chi-Wai , He Lei , Chen Qinghua , Xu Suowen , Li Jun , Xia Yin , Zhang Yuanting , Huang Yu , Wang Li
Published: August 2023

Hyperglycemia is a crucial risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Chronic inflammation is a central characteristic of obesity, leading to many of its complications. Recent studies have shown that high glucose activates Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP) by suppressing AMPK activity in breast cancer cells. Metformin is a commonly prescribed anti-diabetic drug best known for its AMPK-activating effect. However, the role of YAP in the vasoprotective effect of metformin in diabetic endothelial cell dysfunction is still unknown. The present study aimed to investigate whether YAP activation plays a role in obesity-associated endothelial dysfunction and inflammation and examine whether the vasoprotective effect of metformin is related to YAP inhibition. Reanalysis of the clinical sequencing data revealed YAP signaling, and the YAP target genes CTGF and CYR61 were upregulated in aortic endothelial cells and retinal fibrovascular membranes from diabetic patients. YAP overexpression impaired endothelium-dependent relaxations (EDRs) in isolated mouse aortas and increased the expression of YAP target genes and inflammatory markers in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). High glucose-activated YAP in HUVECs and aortas was accompanied by increased production of oxygen-reactive species. AMPK inhibition was found to induce YAP activation, resulting in increased JNK activity. Metformin activated AMPK and promoted YAP phosphorylation, ultimately improving EDRs and suppressing the JNK activity. Targeting the AMPK–YAP–JNK axis could become a therapeutic strategy for alleviating vascular dysfunction in obesity and diabetes.
Glutathione Transferases Are Involved in the Genotype-Specific Salt-Stress Response of Tomato Plants
Authors: Horváth Edit , Kulman Kitti , Tompa Bernát , Hajnal Ádám Barnabás , Pelsőczi Alina , Bela Krisztina , Gallé Ágnes , Csiszár Jolán
Published: August 2023

Glutathione transferases (GSTs) are one of the most versatile multigenic enzyme superfamilies. In our experiments, the involvement of the genotype-specific induction of GST genes and glutathione- or redox-related genes in pathways regulating salt-stress tolerance was examined in tomato cultivars (Solanum lycopersicum Moneymaker, Mobil, and Elán F1). The growth of the Mobil plants was adversely affected during salt stress (100 mM of NaCl), which might be the result of lowered glutathione and ascorbate levels, a more positive glutathione redox potential (EGSH), and reduced glutathione reductase (GR) and GST activities. In contrast, the Moneymaker and Elán F1 cultivars were able to restore their growth and exhibited higher GR and inducible GST activities, as well as elevated, non-enzymatic antioxidant levels, indicating their enhanced salt tolerance. Furthermore, the expression patterns of GR, selected GST, and transcription factor genes differed significantly among the three cultivars, highlighting the distinct regulatory mechanisms of the tomato genotypes during salt stress. The correlations between EGSH and gene expression data revealed several robust, cultivar-specific associations, underscoring the complexity of the stress response mechanism in tomatoes. Our results support the cultivar-specific roles of distinct GST genes during the salt-stress response, which, along with WRKY3, WRKY72, DREB1, and DREB2, are important players in shaping the redox status and the development of a more efficient stress tolerance in tomatoes.
PSI Analysis of Adversarial-Attacked DCNN Models
Authors: Lee Youngseok , Kim Jongweon
Published: August 2023

In the past few years, deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) have surpassed human performance in tasks related to recognizing objects. However, DCNNs are also threatened by performance degradation due to adversarial examples. DCNNs are essentially black-boxed, and it is not known how the output is determined internally; consequently, it is not known how adversarial attacks cause performance degradation inside the DCNNs. To observe the internal neuronal activities of DCNN models for adversarial examples, we analyzed the population sparseness index (PSI) values at each layer of two representative DCNN models, namely AlexNet and VGG11. From the experimental results, we observed that the internal responses of the two DCNN models to adversarial examples exhibited distinct layer-wise PSI values, differing from the internal responses to benign examples. The main contribution of this study is the discovery of significant differences in the internal responses of two specific DCNN models to adversarial and benign examples by PSI. Furthermore, our research has the potential not only to contribute to the design of more robust DCNN models against adversarial examples but also to bridge the gap between the fields of artificial intelligence and neurophysiology of the brain.
Long-Term Deflection Analysis of Large-Span Continuous Prestressed Concrete Rigid-Frame Bridges Based on a Refined Modeling Approach
Authors: Han Xu , Li Wanheng , Li Pengfei
Published: August 2023

Numerical modeling approaches are favored for performing long-term analyses of continuous prestressed concrete rigid-frame (CPCR) bridges due to the complexity and high cost of experimental testing on such structures. In this study, a refined numerical modeling approach is first presented and validated by comparing the field monitor data of an existing long-span CPCR bridge in China. Then, long-term deflection analysis—considering box girder cracks, concrete creep, joint damage behavior and prestress—is conducted based on the proposed refined modeling approach. It is found that the time-dependent loss of longitudinal prestress has the most significant influence on the long-term structural stiffness, while joint damage between different segments has limited impact on overall structural performance, especially for large-span bridge cases. The local stress distribution is significantly influenced by typical damage, albeit with a different scope of impact. Therefore, targeted reinforcement has to be performed to achieve satisfactory repair results under different damage conditions.
Automatic Facial Aesthetic Prediction Based on Deep Learning with Loss Ensembles
Authors: Saeed Jwan Najeeb , Abdulazeez Adnan Mohsin , Ibrahim Dheyaa Ahmed
Published: August 2023

Deep data-driven methodologies have significantly enhanced the automatic facial beauty prediction (FBP), particularly convolutional neural networks (CNNs). However, despite its wide utilization in classification-based applications, the adoption of CNN in regression research is still constrained. In addition, biases in beauty scores assigned to facial images, such as preferences for specific, ethnicities, or age groups, present challenges to the effective generalization of models, which may not be appropriately addressed within conventional individual loss functions. Furthermore, regression problems commonly employ L2 loss to measure error rate, and this function is sensitive to outliers, making it difficult to generalize depending on the number of outliers in the training phase. Meanwhile, L1 loss is another regression-loss function that penalizes errors linearly and is less sensitive to outliers. The Log-cosh loss function is a flexible and robust loss function for regression problems. It provides a good compromise between the L1 and L2 loss functions. The Ensemble of multiple loss functions has been proven to improve the performance of deep-learning models in various tasks. In this work, we proposed to ensemble three regression-loss functions, namely L1, L2, and Log-cosh, and subsequently averaging them to create a new composite cost function. This strategy capitalizes on the unique traits of each loss function, constructing a unified framework that harmonizes outlier tolerance, precision, and adaptability. The proposed loss function’s effectiveness was demonstrated by incorporating it with three pretrained CNNs (AlexNet, VGG16-Net, and FIAC-Net) and evaluating it based on three FBP benchmarks (SCUT-FBP, SCUT-FBP5500, and MEBeauty). Integrating FIAC-Net with the proposed loss function yields remarkable outcomes across datasets due to its pretrained task of facial-attractiveness classification. The efficacy is evident in managing uncertain noise distributions, resulting in a strong correlation between machine- and human-rated aesthetic scores, along with low error rates.
Navigating the Sea of Data: A Comprehensive Review on Data Analysis in Maritime IoT Applications
Authors: Durlik Irmina , Miller Tymoteusz , Cembrowska-Lech Danuta , Krzemińska Adrianna , Złoczowska Ewelina , Nowak Aleksander
Published: August 2023

The Internet of Things (IoT) is significantly transforming the maritime industry, enabling the generation of vast amounts of data that can drive operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability. This review explores the role and potential of data analysis in maritime IoT applications. Through a series of case studies, it demonstrates the real-world impact of data analysis, from predictive maintenance to efficient port operations, improved navigation safety, and environmental compliance. The review also discusses the benefits and limitations of data analysis and highlights emerging trends and future directions in the field, including the growing application of AI and Machine Learning techniques. Despite the promising opportunities, several challenges, including data quality, complexity, security, cost, and interoperability, need to be addressed to fully harness the potential of data analysis in maritime IoT. As the industry continues to embrace IoT and data analysis, it becomes critical to focus on overcoming these challenges and capitalizing on the opportunities to improve maritime operations.
Research on On-Line Detection Method and System for Nitrate in Groundwater
Authors: Xiong Rong , Li Yang , Ren Zhenxing
Published: August 2023

In order to monitor the concentration of nitrate in groundwater and evaluate water quality, a specialized sensor has been developed to solve the problems of the passivation effect, short life and poor repeatability of electrodes in conventional electrochemical detection, a novel preparation method of copper-sensitive film was proposed, and the method was combined with a microelectrochemical sensing electrode to detect nitrate in water. Microfabrication technology was used to prepare the micro sensor electrode. A total of 0.05 mol/L CuSO4 was added into the supporting electrolyte, and the dissolution and deposition of copper on the surface of the working electrode and the catalytic reduction reaction of nitrate ions were performed. On-line cleaning of microelectrode, in situ deposition of copper-sensitive film and detection of nitrate concentration in water were realized, respectively. An on-line modified electrode was used to detect the nitrate standard sample, achieving a high detection sensitivity (0.031 μA/[μmol L−1]) in the concentration range of 0–3500 μmol/L. The relative standard deviation of the same nitrate standard sample repeated for 15 times was only 2.48%, which improved the long-term repeatability of nitrate detection, and, at the same time, an on-line system was adopted that included an on-line detection system (DS) and a wireless transmission system (WS).
Traffic Sign Detection Based on the Improved YOLOv5
Authors: Zhang Rongyun , Zheng Kunming , Shi Peicheng , Mei Ye , Li Haoran , Qiu Tian
Published: August 2023

With the advancement of intelligent driving technology, researchers are paying more and more attention to the identification of traffic signs. Although a detection method of traffic signs based on color or shape can achieve recognition of large categories of signs such as prohibitions and warnings, the recognition categories are few, and the accuracy is not high. A traffic sign detection algorithm based on color or shape is small in computation and good in real-time, but the color features are greatly affected by light and weather. For the questions raised above, this paper puts forward an improved YOLOv5 method. The method uses the SIoU loss function to take the place of the loss function in the YOLOv5 model, which optimizes the training model, and the convolutional block attention model (CBAM) is fused with the CSP1_3 model in YOLOv5 to form a new CSP1_3CBAM model, which enhances YOLOv5’s feature extraction ability and improves the accuracy regarding traffic signs. In addition, the ACONC is introduced as the activation function of YOLOv5, which promotes YOLOv5’s generalization ability through adaptive selection of activation by linear–nonlinear switching factors. The research results on the TT100k dataset show that the improved YOLOv5 precision rate increased from 73.2% to 81.9%, an increase of 8.7%; the recall rate increased from 74.2% to 77.2%, an increase of 3.0%; and the mAP increased from 75.7% to 81.9%, an increase of 6.2%. The FPS also increased from 26.88 to 30.42 frames per second. The same training was carried out on the GTSDB traffic sign dataset, and the mAP increased from 90.2% to 92.5%, which indicates that the algorithm has good generalization ability.
Thermoelectric Properties of Polyaniline/Bismuth Antimony Telluride Composite Materials Prepared via Mechanical Mixing
Authors: Hadjipanteli Savvas , Ioannou Panagiotis S. , Krasia-Christoforou Theodora , Kyratsi Theodora
Published: August 2023

Organic-based thermoelectric composites are highly promising for low-temperature heat-to-electrical energy conversion applications due to their low toxicity, cost-effectiveness, facile synthesis and easy processing. Potential applications of such materials include, among others, low-temperature waste heat recovery and body heat use, such as wearable thermoelectric devices and sensors. Due to the lack of studies on organic (matrix)–inorganic (additive) thermoelectric composites prepared via mechanical mixing with respect to the processing parameters and thermoelectric performance, this work aims to contribute in this direction. More precisely, composite pellets were prepared starting from polyaniline (PANI)/bismuth antimony telluride mixed powders using a mechanical press. The processing parameters investigated included temperature, pressure and processing time, along with the inorganic additive (bismuth antimony telluride) content introduced within the composites. The experimental data revealed that the processing temperature and the additive content had the most significant effect, since their increase led to an enhancement in the composites’ thermoelectric performance. The optimal ZT (2.93 × 10−3) recorded at 130 ∘C corresponded to PANI-BST composites with a 30 wt.% BST content, prepared at a processing temperature of 80 ∘C, a processing time of 75 min and under 2 tons of pressure.
Low-Carbon Water Treatment and Energy Recovery
Authors: Zhao Xin , Dong Lili , Wang Zhaoyang
Published: August 2023

Climate change led by excessive carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions poses a global challenge [...]
Acceleration Techniques for Teeth Movements in Extractive Orthodontic Therapy
Authors: Dipalma Gianna , Patano Assunta , Ferrara Irene , Viapiano Fabio , Netti Anna , Ceci Sabino , Azzollini Daniela , Ciocia Anna Maria , Malcangi Giuseppina , Inchingolo Alessio Danilo , Inchingolo Francesco , Palermo Andrea , Inchingolo Angelo Michele
Published: August 2023

For a world that is constantly trying to speed up every procedure while obtaining the maximum result, traditional orthodontics have the biological limitation of using light and constant forces that allow tooth movement in a time frame that is only sometimes short. The treatment time could be lengthened if surgical procedures are programmed in the plan. Methods to accelerate tooth movement and reduce the duration of treatment while minimising complications are investigated and reported in the dental literature (e.g., low-level laser therapy, corticotomy, and micro-osteoperforations). This systematic review aims to analyse and summarise the strategies for quickening orthodontic movement during extraction orthodontic treatment, including any potential drawbacks or adverse consequences. The review will evaluate each approach’s effectiveness, safety, and evidence quality, compare their benefits and disadvantages, and analyse the implications for clinical practice and future research. Pubmed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched using the keywords “acceleration” AND “dental movement” AND “orthodontic” between 1 April 2003 and 1 April 2023. After carefully scanning the study findings, forty-four publications were chosen for the systematic review. Most therapies discussed and provided in the literature seem promising and successful in enhancing orthodontic treatments. The success of operations like corticotomies, piezo-incisions, micro-osteoperforations, osteogenic distraction, low-level laser therapy, the administration of pharmacological treatments, and infiltrations with PRF and PRP were statistically significant and appear to be promising and effective in optimising orthodontic treatments. These strategies expedite treatment and enhance the patient experience, potentially broadening orthodontic appeal and minimising issues like cavities and enamel demineralisation. Further studies, with larger samples and standardised treatment protocols, are needed to investigate the efficacy of these tooth movement acceleration modalities.
Bioavailability Assessment of Heavy Metals and Organic Pollutants in Water and Soil Using DGT: A Review
Authors: Zhu Qing , Ji Jing , Tang Xuejiao , Wang Cuiping , Sun Hongwen
Published: August 2023

In recent years, the diffusive gradients in the thin films (DGT) technique has also been increasingly applied to assess the bioavailability of heavy metals and organic pollutants in the soil. The combination of binding and diffusion phases made from different materials allows for the targeted determination of different target substances. This review briefly introduces the compositions and development of the DGT technique and analyzes the composition structure of DGT and the impact of environmental factors, such as pH, ion strength (IS), and dissolved organic matter (DOM), on the bioavailability evaluation of heavy metals and organic pollutants in soil. Finally, the application potential and broad application prospects of the DGT technique were expected. In addition, standardized DGT technique methods and calibration procedures are conducive to the establishment of a more stable and reliable measurement system to enhance the robustness of the DGT technique application in the soil.
Effect of Intermediate Irrigation on Temperature Rise during Broken NiTi File Removal Using Ultrasonic Device
Authors: Pintér László , Krajczár Károly , Őry Fanni , Szalma József , Lempel Edina
Published: August 2023

Endodontic preparation with ultrasonic instruments can lead to temperature rise (TR) on the external root surface (ERF), which may damage the periodontium. The aim was to measure the TR due to the ultrasonic preparation applied at different energy levels and durations during the removal of broken endodontic instrument from the root canal. Thirty-five maxillary central incisors were decoronated and 4 mm of NiTi instruments were fractured 5 mm from the most coronal part of the root. The roots were divided into seven groups according to the preparation mode (endodontic-E5, periodontal-P3) and preparation duration (30 s, 45 s, 60 s). Ultrasonic preparation was performed in periods consisting of four preparation phases with intermediate irrigations and drying. During all preparations, the TR was recorded on ERF using a K-type thermocouple. The results demonstrated that the TR measured at the end of the preparation period was higher than at baseline in all groups (p < 0.001). The largest TR (8.0 ± 0.5 °C) occurred at high energy level (P3) with 60 s preparation duration (p < 0.001). The TR measured after rinsing was significantly lower than before rinsing (p < 0.001). In conclusion, rinsing between ultrasonic preparation phases can reduce the TR, which might be potentially harmful using high-energy exceeding 60 s.
Research Progress on the Aesthetic Quality Assessment of Complex Layout Images Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Pu Yumei , Liu Danfei , Chen Siyuan , Zhong Yunfei
Published: August 2023

With the development of the information age, the layout image is no longer a simple combination of text and graphics, but covers the complex layout image obtained from text, graphics, images and other layout elements through the process of artistic design, pre-press processing, typesetting, and so on. At present, the field of aesthetic-quality assessment mainly focuses on photographic images, and the aesthetic-quality assessment of complex layout images is rarely reported. However, the design of complex layout images such as posters, packaging labels, advertisements, etc., cannot be separated from the evaluation of aesthetic quality. In this paper, layout analysis is performed on complex layout images. Traditional and deep-learning-based methods for image layout analysis and aesthetic-quality assessment are reviewed and analyzed. Finally, the features, advantages and applications of common image aesthetic-quality assessment datasets and layout analysis datasets are compared and analyzed. Limitations and future perspectives of aesthetic assessment of complex layout images are discussed in relation to layout analysis and aesthetic characteristics.
Balloon: An Elastic Data Management Strategy for Interlaced Magnetic Recording
Authors: Zhang Chi , Liu Song , Yu Fangxing , Li Menghan , Tang Wei , Liu Fei , Wu Weiguo
Published: August 2023

Recently, the emerging technology known as Interlaced Magnetic Recording (IMR) has been receiving widespread attention from both industry and academia. IMR-based disks incorporate interlaced track layouts and energy-assisted techniques to dramatically increase areal densities. The interlaced track layout means that in-place updates to the bottom track require rewriting the adjacent top track to ensure data consistency. However, at high disk utilization, frequent track rewrites degrade disk performance. To address this problem, we propose a solution called Balloon to reduce the frequency of track rewrites. First, an adaptive write interference data placement policy is introduced, which judiciously places data on tracks with low rewrite probability to avoid unnecessary rewrites. Next, an on-demand data shuffling mechanism is designed to reduce user-requests write latency by implicitly migrating data and promptly swapping tracks with high update block coverage to the top track. Finally, a write-interference-free persistent buffer design is proposed. This design dynamically adjusts buffer admission constraints and selectively evicts data blocks to improve the cooperation between data placement and data shuffling. Evaluation results show that Balloon significantly improves the write performance of IMR-based disks at medium and high utilization compared with state-of-the-art studies.
The Effect of Different Fiber Reinforcement on Bearing Capacity under Strip Foundation on the Sand Soil: An Experimental Investigation
Authors: Aksu Alcan Bilge , Çelik Semet
Published: August 2023

The aim of this study is to investigate the bearing capacity-settlement behavior of strip footing settling on sand soil randomly reinforced with glass fiber, basalt fiber, macromesh fiber, and four different hybrid fiber additives in which these fibers are used together. Model tests were carried out in the laboratory on the strip footing and placed on the unreinforced and reinforced sand with different fibers. In the study, model tests were carried out on seven types of randomly reinforced soils by using glass, basalt, macrame, and mixtures of these fibers as reinforcement. In the model tests, two different fiber contents, 1% and 2%, and two different fiber lengths, 24 mm and 48 mm, were used. Tests were carried out with Dr = 30% and 50% relative density, and reinforcement depths 1B, 2B, and 3B were selected. In addition, the photographs taken during the test were analyzed with the particle image velocimetry (PIV) method and the displacements on the soil were examined. As a result of the reinforced and unreinforced model tests, the highest ultimate bearing capacity was measured as 680 kPa from the tests with Dr = 50% relative density, 48 mm length, 2% contents, and 3B depth macromesh fiber reinforced. In hybrid fibers, the highest ultimate bearing capacity was measured as 495 kPa, with Dr = 50% relative density, 48 mm length, 2% contents, and 2D depth micromesh and basalt fiber-reinforced tests. In the reinforced tests, it was concluded that the most effective fiber on bearing capacity is macromesh fiber. It can be seen that in the PIV analysis, as the fiber additive increased, the settlements made by the foundation decreased under the same pressure. It has also been observed that adding reinforcement to the soil transfers the stresses occurring in the soil to a wider area.
Notes towards a Definition of Adaptive Reuse
Authors: Stone Sally
Published: August 2023

This essay will discuss the evolution of writings about adaptive reuse. The architectural practice is as old as the buildings themselves, yet it has scarcely been discussed or even recognised until relatively recently. The essay will document the varied influences that informed the early publications (the first from 1976). The lack of easily available material (that is, books and documented buildings) meant that pioneering writers had to draw upon other sources—those beyond established architectural discussions. Therefore, these early authors were not limited by the strictures of an already established subject but were able to collate information from a variety of sources. Thus, adaptive reuse draws upon a collage of different sources, many beyond pure architecture, including installation art, fine art, curation, interior design, and urban design. Inevitably, as the subject moves from the periphery of architectural practice towards the middle ground, the number of publications has increased. This diversity has provided the subject with a greater scope, supporting the acknowledgement of the importance of technology, sustainability, and conservation in addition to ideas of heritage and culture, while also allowing for a much less Western-centric focus.
MuSTC: A Multi-Stage Spatio–Temporal Clustering Method for Uncovering the Regionality of Global SST
Authors: Peng Han , Li Wengen , Jin Chang , Yang Hanchen , Guan Jihong
Published: August 2023

Sea Surface Temperature (SST) prediction is a hot topic that has received tremendous popularity in recent years. Existing methods for SST prediction usually select one sea area of interest and conduct SST prediction by learning the spatial and temporal dependencies and patterns in historical SST data. However, global SST is a unified system of high regionality, and the SST in different sea areas shows different changing patterns due to the influence of various factors, e.g., geographic location, ocean currents and sea depth. Without a good understanding of such regionality of SST, we cannot quantitatively integrate the regionality information of SST into SST prediction models to make them adaptive to different SST patterns around the world and improve the prediction accuracy. To address this issue, we proposed the Multi-Stage Spatio–Temporal Clustering (MuSTC) method to quantitatively identify sea areas with similar SST patterns. First, MuSTC sequentially learns the representation of long-term SST with a deep temporal encoder and calculates the spatial correlation scores between grid ocean regions with self-attention. Then, MuSTC clusters grid ocean regions based on the original SST data, encoded long-term SST representation and spatial correlation scores, respectively, to obtain the sea areas with similar SST patterns from different perspectives. According to the experiments in three ocean areas, i.e., the North Pacific Ocean (NPO), the South Atlantic Ocean (SAO) and the North Atlantic Ocean (NAO), the clustering results generally match the distribution of ocean currents, which demonstrates the effectiveness of our MuSTC method. In addition, we integrate the clustering results into two representative spatio–temporal prediction models, i.e., Spatio–Temporal Graph Convolutional Networks (STGCN) and Adaptive Graph Convolutional Recurrent Network (AGCRN), to conduct SST prediction. According to the results of experiments, the integration of regionality information leads to the reduction of Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) by 1.95%, 1.39% and 1.28% in NPO, SAO and NAO, respectively, using the STGCN model, and the reduction of RMSE by 4.94%, 0.74% and 1.43% by using the AGCRN model. Such results indicate that the integration of regionality information could notably improve the prediction accuracy of SST.
Spatiotemporal Distribution Characteristics of Actual Evapotranspiration in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
Authors: Huang Shan , Xiao Tiangui , Jia La , Han Lin
Published: August 2023

Evapotranspiration is a key part of the water cycle between the atmosphere and the land surface, and it is an important parameter for studying the land–atmosphere system. Change and evolution have important implications. Therefore, the understanding and research of actual evapotranspiration (AET) can profoundly affect water use, ecological environment, temperature, and precipitation. In this paper, the single-layer monthly average reanalysis meteorological data of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau from 1981 to 2020 was used to study and calculate the actual evapotranspiration in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, and the temporal and spatial variation characteristics, variation laws, and changes were analyzed by methods such as cumulative anomalies and the Mann–Kendall trend test. The results showed the following: (1) The evapotranspiration gradually decreased from southeast to northwest. The evapotranspiration in the southeastern region is strong, and the maximum value appears in the Hengduan Mountains. (2) The evapotranspiration was the largest in summer and gradually decreased from southeast to northwest; the evapotranspiration in spring and autumn was relatively uniform, with little overall difference, and the evapotranspiration was the lowest in winter. (3) There were mainly three spatial distribution modes of evapotranspiration in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, which were characterized by a significant and consistent change centered on the Tibet region, an east–west reverse type, and an east–west “negative-positive-negative” of the distributed three-pole space. The corresponding time coefficients characterized the interdecadal and interannual variation, and the decadal variation characteristics are more significant than the annual variation characteristics. (4) The actual evapotranspiration had step change; the step change years were 1989, 2002, 2011, and 2015, and there was an interval of about 5 years.