bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance, Egg Quality, and Composition in Isa Brown Laying Hens Fed with Different Levels of Desmodium tortuosum Leaf Flour
Authors: Koné Gningnini Alain , Tiho Tagouèlbè , Kouakou N’Goran David Vincent , Yapi Yapo Magloire , N’Guessan Konan Raphaël , Good Margaret , Kouba Maryline
Published: October 2024

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects on laying performance, egg quality traits, color, and composition of supplementing a white corn-based diet with Desmodium tortuosum leaf flour. Three hundred 32-week-old hens were distributed to 30 pens of 10 hens each and allocated to six dietary treatments (five replicates per treatment) for 13 weeks. Two control groups of 50 hens received one of either diet Y, based on yellow corn, or diet W, based on white corn. The other groups received a diet based on white corn supplemented with Desmodium tortuosum leaf flour at 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, or 10% (diet D). Diet D improved laying performance and yolk color at a reduced feed cost per egg but had no effect on cholesterol content. In conclusion, the inclusion of Desmodium tortuosum leaf flour, in a white corn-based diet, is effective in lowering feed cost, increasing egg production, and improving yolk color.
Environmental Drivers of Local Demography and Size Plasticity in Fire Salamanders (Salamandra salamandra)
Authors: Sinsch Ulrich
Published: October 2024

Conspecific amphibian populations may vary widely in local demography and average body size throughout their geographical range. The environmental drivers of variation may reflect geographical gradients or local habitat quality. Among fire salamander populations (Salamandra salamandra), local demography shows a limited range of variation because high concentrations of skin toxins reduce mortality from predation to a minimum, whereas average adult body size varies significantly over a wide range. This study on four neighboring populations inhabiting the catchments of low-order streams in the upper middle Rhine Valley (Koblenz, Germany) focuses on the identification of local environmental drivers of variation in age and body size. I collected 192 individuals at two localities per stream, measured snout–vent length, clipped a toe for posterior skeletochronological age determination, and released salamanders in situ again. Populations were similar in age distribution. Local habitat quality accounted for a significant proportion of demographic variability, mediated by the impact of landscape-induced mortality risk, including roads and agriculture. Still, the main effect of variation in habitat quality was on adult body size, the result of growth rates of aquatic larvae and terrestrial juveniles. Larvae exposed to non-lethal heavy metal contamination in streams developed into smaller juveniles and adults than clean-water larvae, providing evidence for carry-over effects from one stage to another. The generally small average adult size in the Rhine Valley populations compared to those in other parts of the distribution range indicates the action of a still unidentified environmental driver.
Chlorogenic Acid Plays an Important Role in Improving the Growth and Antioxidant Status and Weakening the Inflammatory Response of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)
Authors: Xia Zetian , Mi Haifeng , Ren Mingchun , Huang Dongyu , Aboseif Ahmed Mohamed , Liang Hualiang , Zhang Lu
Published: October 2024

This experiment evaluated the function of chlorogenic acid (CGA) in the growth, health status, and inflammation of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Over eight weeks, CGA supplementation was designed at five levels: 0, 60, 120, 180, and 240 mg/kg. The 180 and 240 mg/kg CGA-supplemented groups showed significant improvements in the FBW, SGR, and WGR compared to the control group (0 mg/kg) (p < 0.05). All the CGA-supplemented groups exhibited a significant reduction in the FCR (p < 0.05), with the 180 mg/kg CGA group showing the lowest FCR. Nonetheless, there were no appreciable differences in the plasma concentrations of TP, ALT, or AST among the treatments (p > 0.05). Compared to the control group, the 180 mg/kg CGA group exhibited significantly lower TC and TG levels (p < 0.05). The ALP levels showed no significant differences from the control group (p > 0.05). In terms of antioxidant parameters, CGA supplementation considerably reduced the MDA content (p < 0.05) and increased the GSH levels, while decreasing the CAT, SOD, and GPx activity levels Meanwhile, CGA supplementation resulted in reduced mRNA levels of SOD, CAT, Nrf2, Keap1, and NF-κB compared to the control group. In contrast, the mRNA levels of GPx, IL-8, TLR2, and RelA were elevated in the liver. Our findings indicated that CGA supplementation improved the growth performance and antioxidant status and weakened the inflammatory response of largemouth bass. These findings suggest that CGA could be a valuable dietary supplement for enhancing the health and growth of this species.
Whole Mitochondrial DNA Sequencing Using Fecal Samples from Domestic Dogs
Authors: Sugasawa Takehito , Nguyen Kieu D. M. , Otani Norihiro , Maehara Kiyoshi , Kamiya Fuka , Hirokawa Atsushi , Takemasa Tohru , Watanabe Koichi , Nishi Takeki , Sato Ken , Shimmura Suzuka , Takahashi Yoichiro , Kanki Yasuharu
Published: October 2024

Medical care for domestic dogs is now respected worldwide as being at a similar level to that of humans. We previously established a test method to determine whole mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) using oral mucosal DNA that may be useful for medical care and welfare. However, the sample types tested in dogs are not limited to those obtained from the oral mucosa. Therefore, in the present study, we attempted to establish a test method to determine whole mtDNA sequences using feces, which represents the least invasive specimen. Two Japanese domestic dogs were used in the present study. DNA was extracted from approximately 100 mg of fresh feces from each dog, and PCRs were performed using four primer pairs that can amplify whole mtDNA. Following PCR, amplicons were pooled to create a DNA library using an experimental robot with an original program. Data were then acquired via NGS and data analysis was performed. The results showed that the whole mtDNA sequence of the two dogs was determined with high accuracy. Our results suggest that feces can be adapted for mitochondrial disease and individual identification testing and could serve as a useful testing method for the future medical care and welfare of domestic dogs.
Analysis of Differential Gene Expression under Acute Lead or Mercury Exposure in Larval Zebrafish Using RNA-Seq
Authors: Lu Xing , Zhang Lang , Lin Gen-Mei , Lu Jian-Guo , Cui Zong-Bin
Published: October 2024

This study was first conducted to investigate the effects of acute lead exposure on developing zebrafish embryos or larvae from 24 to 120 h post-fertilization (hpf). Our data showed that treatment with 50–200 μM lead significantly affected larval survivability and morphology compared to the respective control. Second, we chose 120 hpf larvae treated with 12.5 μM lead for RNA sequencing due to its exposure level being sufficient to produce toxic effects with minimum death and lead bioaccumulation in developing zebrafish. A total of 137.45 million raw reads were obtained, and more than 86% of clean data were mapped to the zebrafish reference genome. Differential expression profiles generated 116 up- and 34 down-regulated genes upon lead exposure. The most enriched GO terms for representative DEGs were ion transport and lipid metabolism. Third, a comparison with the dataset of mercury-regulated gene expression identified 94 genes (64 up-regulated and 30 down-regulated) for exposure specific to lead, as well as 422 genes (338 up-regulated and 84 down-regulated) for exposure specific to mercury. In addition, 56 genes were co-regulated by micromolar mercury and lead treatment, and the expression of thirteen genes, including mt2, ctssb.1, prdx1, txn, sqrdl, tmprss13a, socs3a, trpv6, abcb6a, gsr, hbz, fads2, and zgc:92590 were validated by qRT-PCR. These genes were mainly associated with metal ion binding, proteolysis, antioxidant activity, signal transduction, calcium ion or oxygen transport, the fatty acid biosynthetic process, and protein metabolism. Taken together, these findings help better understand the genome-wide responses of developing zebrafish to lead or mercury and provide potential biomarkers for acute exposure to toxic metals.
An Audacious Maneuver: First Record of Leopardus guigna in the Marine Environment
Authors: Sielfeld Walter , Guzmán Jonathan A. , Clark Arturo , Cubillos Juan Carlos
Published: October 2024

The Güiña (Leopardus guigna), the smallest Neotropical feline, inhabits central and southern Chile and western Argentina. This communication reports the first documented instance of a güiña swimming in a marine environment, observed in the Refugio Channel, which separates Refugio Island from the mainland in Northern Patagonia, Chile. In April 2023, a local resident recorded video footage of a güiña swimming near the eastern shore of the channel, emerging from the water, shaking off, and climbing a tree to groom itself. This observation suggests that the güiña might use the seacoast when searching for food, particularly during periods of low terrestrial prey availability during the winter. The ability of the güiña to adapt to such environments underscores the species’ ecological flexibility, previously undocumented in this context, and highlights the need for integrating marine resources into the species’ conservation strategies. The video’s quality is limited due to the simplicity of the recording device, but it provides crucial visual evidence of this behavior.
An Estimation of the Requirements of the Standardized Ileal Digestible Tryptophan, Valine, Isoleucine and Methionine on Young Pigs’ (Up to 50 kg) Feed Efficiency: A Meta-Regression Analysis
Authors: Chae Byungho , Poaty Ditengou Junior Isaac Celestin , Lee A-Leum , Tak Jisoo , Cheon Inhyeok , Choi Nag-Jin
Published: October 2024

Currently, the NRC amino acid (AA) requirements for pigs published in 2012 are used as a reference in variable swine industries. However, recent results in several articles suggest that the standardized ileal digestible (SID) AA–lysine (Lys) ratio significantly evolved over the last two decades, while some publications report inconsistent outcomes. Therefore, the present study used a meta-regression analysis to assess the relative ratio to lysine to maximize the feed efficiency of four essential amino acids (tryptophan, valine, isoleucine, and methionine) in pig diets. According to the PRISMA guidelines, articles examining the target AA requirement using a basal diet supplemented with varying levels of crystalline AA (tryptophan, valine, isoleucine, or methionine) were identified across Scopus, PubMed, and Science Direct. As a result, 23, 22, 16, and 9 articles using tryptophan, valine, isoleucine, and methionine were selected and categorized into experiments for inclusion in our meta-analysis. The results suggested that the requirements of tryptophan, valine, isoleucine, and methionine in our meta-regression analysis were superior to NRC recommendations, regardless of the regression models and the growth phases with significant RSQ values (RSQ ≈ 1). Also, the QUAD and CLP regression models emphasized higher requirements than the LP model for the great majority of amino acids and growth phases. The results of the QUAD and CLP models were selected as estimations of the amino acid requirements for pigs under challenged conditions, whereas the LP model was chosen to estimate the amino acid requirements of genetically improved pigs under a modern housing system. The results of this meta-regression analysis could be used to refresh the information on the NRC amino acids (AA) requirements for swine.
Deciphering the Intricate Interplay in the Framework of Antibiotic-Drug Interactions: A Narrative Review
Authors: Radu Andrei-Flavius , Bungau Simona Gabriela , Corb Aron Raluca Anca , Tarce Alexandra Georgiana , Bodog Ruxandra , Bodog Teodora Maria , Radu Ada
Published: October 2024

Drug interactions are a significant and integral part of the concept of medication-related adverse events, whether referring to potential interactions or those currently observed in real-world conditions. The high global consumption of antibiotics and their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic mechanisms make antibiotic-drug interactions a key element that requires continuous study due to their clinical relevance. In the present work, the current state of knowledge on antibiotic-drug interactions, which are less studied than other drug-drug interactions despite their frequent use in acute settings, has been consolidated and updated. The focus was on the interactions of the commonly used antibiotics in clinical practice, on the characteristics of the geriatric population susceptible to interactions, and on the impact of online drug interaction checkers. Additionally, strategies for optimizing the management of these interactions, including spacing out administrations, monitoring, or avoiding certain combinations, are suggested. Sustained research and careful monitoring are critical for improving antibiotic safety and efficacy, especially in susceptible populations, to enhance precision in managing antibiotic-drug interactions.
Trends in Antimicrobial Consumption in Tertiary Care Hospitals in Costa Rica from 2017 to 2021: A Comparative Analysis of Defined Daily Doses per 100 Bed Days and per 100 Discharges
Authors: Fernández-Barrantes Cristina , Ramos-Esquivel Allan , Hernández-Soto Luis Esteban , Ramírez-Cardoce Manuel , Garro-Zamora Luis David , Cordero Jose Castro , Grau Santiago
Published: October 2024

Background: Antimicrobial consumption (AMC) data in Latin America are scarce and usually spread out across different sources used to make AMC calculations, making it difficult to both standardize and compare regions through similar time frames. The main objective was to analyze AMC trends in Social Security tertiary care hospitals in Costa Rica in the period spanning January 2017 to December 2021, using both the defined daily dose (DDD)/100 bed days and DDD/100 discharges. Methods: This is a retrospective observational study of antimicrobial consumption. Global consumption trends were calculated and expressed as DDD/100 bed days and DDD/100 discharges. Trends in antimicrobial consumption were analyzed using a simple linear regression model to determine potential differences in antimicrobial usage throughout the study’s duration. Results: A statistically significant increase in the consumption expressed in DDD/100 discharges was observed in the following groups: carbapenems, 7.6% (trend: 64.68, p < 0.0001), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole: 12.6% (trend: 16.45, p < 0.0001), quinolones 9.4% (trend: 36.80, p = 0.02), vancomycin 2.0% (trend: 16.30, p = 0.03), echinocandins: 6.0% (trend: 15.17, p = 0.01) and azole antifungals: 12.10% (trend: 102.05, p < 0.0001). Additionally, a statistically significant increase of 10.30% in the consumption of azole antifungals expressed in DDD/100 bed days was observed (p = 0.0008). In contrast, a statistically significant decrease in consumption, expressed in DDD/100 discharges, was identified for cephalosporins −6.0% (p < 0.0001) and macrolides −16.5% (p < 0.0001). Macrolides also showed a downward trend in consumption, as expressed in DDD/100 bed days (−14.3%, p < 0.0001). According to World Health Organization (WHO) access, watch and reserve (AWaRe) classification trend analysis, only the reserve group showed a statistically significant upward change of 9.2% (p = 0.016). Conclusions: This five-year analysis demonstrated trends over time in overall antimicrobial consumption measured in DDD/100 bed days and DDD/100 discharge rates that correlate. In general, for all antimicrobials, after the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP), a downward trend is reported; in contrast, during the COVID-19 pandemic the AMC shows a general upward trend. The comparison between DDD/100 bed days and DDD/100 discharges allows for complementary comparisons to be made regarding antimicrobial exposure in a clinical setting.
Influence of Pediococcus pentosaceus Starter Cultures on Biogenic Amine Content and Antioxidant Activity in African Sourdough Flatbread Fermentation
Authors: Hassan Alaa Ahmed Alsiddig , Jin Young Hun , Mah Jae-Hyung
Published: October 2024

This study investigated the impact of Pediococcus pentosaceus strains not only on biogenic amine (BA) content, but also on antioxidant indices, including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity and total phenolic content, in kisra, an African sourdough flatbread. Among forty-six lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains isolated from naturally fermented kisra sourdough, two strains (K-B21, K-B01) identified as P. pentosaceus, were selected due to their low BA-producing and high BA-degrading ability for kisra fermentation. Inoculation with P. pentosaceus K-B21 or P. pentosaceus K-B01 completely prevented the formation of tyramine and cadaverine during kisra fermentation. The levels of putrescine, histamine, spermine, and spermidine in kisra were reduced by about 90%, >31%, 55–61%, and 9–25%, respectively, by the two strains, compared to the control (natural fermentation). Additionally, DPPH scavenging activity was 83–84% in the control and inoculated groups of kisra. The total phenolic content was 1977.60 μg/g in the control and insignificantly lower in the inoculated groups (1850–1880 μg/g) than the control. These results suggest that P. pentosaceus K-B21 and K-B01 are promising candidates for use as sourdough starter cultures to produce kisra bread of higher quality, including both its safety and health functionality.
Physical–Chemical and Thermal Properties of Clays from Porto Santo Island, Portugal
Authors: Valente André , Carvalho Paula C. S. , Rocha Fernando
Published: October 2024

The use of clays for thermal treatments and cosmetic purposes continues to be a worldwide practice, whether through the preservation of native cultural traditions, pharmaceutical formulations or integrative health and well-being practices. Special clays, such as bentonites, are very common for healing applications due to their high cation exchange capacity (CEC), high specific surface area (SSA) and alkaline pH values and, therefore, are used in multiple therapeutic and dermocosmetic treatments. Numerous bentonitic deposits occur on Porto Santo Island with different chemical weathering degrees. This research evaluates which residual soils have the most suitable characteristics for pelotherapy. The texture of residual soils varies from silt loam to loamy sand and SSA between 39 and 90 m2/g. The pH is alkaline (8.7 to 9.6), electrical conductivity ranges from 242 to 972 µS/cm, and CEC from 50.4 to 86.8 µS/cm. The residual soils have a siliciclastic composition (41.36 to 54.02% SiO2), between 12.52 and 17.65% Al2O3 and between 52 and 82% smectite content, which are montmorillonite and nontronite. Specific heat capacity (0.5–0.9 J/g°C) and cooling kinetics (14.5–19 min) show that one residual soil has the potential to be suitable for pelotherapy according to the literature. Moreover, the residual soils have As, Cd, Co, Cr, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb and V concentrations higher than the limits of guidelines for cosmetics and pharmaceutical products.
Weak Edge Target Segmentation Network Based on Dual Attention Mechanism
Authors: Wu Nengkai , Jia Dongyao , Li Ziqi , He Zihao
Published: October 2024

Segmentation of weak edge targets such as glass and plastic poses a challenge in the field of target segmentation. The detection process is susceptible to background interference and various external factors due to the transparent nature of these materials. To address this issue, this paper introduces a segmentation network for weak edge target objects (WETS-Net). To effectively extract edge information of such objects and eliminate redundant information during feature extraction, a dual-attention mechanism is employed, including the Edge Attention Extraction Module (EAEM) and the Multi-Scale Information Fusion Module (MIFM). Specifically, the EAEM combines improved edge feature extraction kernels to selectively enhance the importance of edge features, aiding in more precise target region extraction. The MIFM utilizes spatial attention mechanisms to fuse multi-scale features, reducing background and external interference. These innovations enhance the performance of WETS-Net, offering a new direction for weak edge target segmentation research. Finally, through ablation experiments, the effectiveness of each module is effectively validated. Moreover, the proposed algorithm achieves an average detection accuracy of 95.83% and 96.13% on the dataset and a self-made dataset, respectively, outperforming similar U-Net-improved networks.
Experiment and Numerical Prediction on Shock Sensitivity of HMX–Based Booster Explosive with Small Scale Gap Test at Low and Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Yuan Junming , Linghu Jiangqi , Han Peijiang , Tian Xiuqi , Wang Nan , Yang Qi , Yang Jia
Published: October 2024

In order to analyze the effect of temperature changes on the shock initiation performance of HMX–based booster explosive, which consists of 95% HMX and 5% FPM2602 by weight, a temperature calibration test of acceptor was designed. The temperature changes in the booster at low and elevated temperatures under the constraint of steel sleeve were obtained. Based on the temperature calibration results, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) was selected as gap material to conduct a small scale gap test (SSGT) of HMX–based booster under different temperature conditions. The corresponding critical gap thickness was tested. Based on SSGT results at different temperatures, the shock initiation processes were simulated by adjusting parameters of ignition and growth reactive rate model. The critical gap thickness and critical initiation pressure of HMX–based booster at different temperatures were numerically predicted. By combining SSGT experimental data and simulation results, the attenuation law and fitting prediction formula of the critical initiation pressure of HMX–based booster were proposed. The mechanism of temperature effect on the shock sensitivity of HMX–based booster explosive was analyzed. The research results indicate that the critical gap thickness of HMX–based booster gradually increases with the rise in temperature, and the critical initiation pressure gradually decreases during the shock initiation process under the heating temperature conditions. In addition, the simulation results show that the heated HMX–based booster under steel constraints becomes more sensitive at high temperatures (>120 °C), while the cooled booster is more insensitive, but its critical initial pressure does not change significantly between 88 °C and 120 °C. The experimental and numerical prediction results are important for the shock initiation safety and design of an insensitive booster explosive.
A Quantitative Study of Axial Performance of Rockbolts with an Elastic–Debonding Model
Authors: Chen Jianhang , Zeng Xiaofan , Zeng Banquan , Ma Junming , Sun Shimo , Wu Saisai
Published: October 2024

Full-length anchorage rockbolts are widely used in roadway reinforcement and rock controlling in underground mining. This article proposes using an elastic–debonding (ED) model to analyse the axial performance of rockbolts. The advantage of this ED model was that the full force–deformation curve of rockbolts comprised only three phases, which was relatively simpler to calculate. Its effectiveness was compared with experiment tests. Based on the ED model, a series of parameter studies was conducted. Results showed that for cross-section area of rock, there was a critical range. Once the cross-section area of rock was beyond that critical range, external rock had a mild impact on the axial performance of rockbolts. Rockbolt diameter significantly affected the axial performance of rockbolts. When rock diameter increased, the peak force of rockbolts increased linearly, while deformation at the peak force decreased non-linearly. The corresponding calculation equation between the peak force, deformation at the peak force, and rockbolt diameter was obtained. Borehole diameter had a mild impact on the axial performance of rockbolts. Increasing rockbolt length benefits improving the peak force of rockbolts. Rockbolt modulus of elasticity had a more apparent impact on the deformation at peak force. Mechanical properties of the bolt/grout (b/g) face affected the axial performance of rockbolts. Increasing the b/g face strength improved the peak force of rockbolts. Slippage at the ultimate load had a more apparent impact on the turning point between the elastic phase and the elastic–softening phase.
Seismic Isolation via I-Shaped and T-Shaped Large-Scale Phononic Metamaterials
Authors: Aravantinos-Zafiris Nikos , Sigalas Mihail M. , Economou Eleftherios N.
Published: October 2024

In this work, the attenuation of surface seismic waves from large-scale phononic metamaterials is numerically studied. The proposed metamaterials consist of rectangular trenches that form either I-shaped or T-shaped cavities embedded at the ground surface. The numerical investigation includes the study of the response of the proposed structures for different values of their geometric parameters. In addition, modifications of the proposed structures where heavy cores coated with a soft material were considered in the cavities were also numerically studied. For a more realistic numerical approach, the transmission spectrum of a selected large-scale phononic metamaterial was also investigated in a suitable half-space numerical scheme. The results of the present research showed that the studied large-scale metastructures could be a very promising potential candidate for seismic shielding applications for the protection of existing urban or countryside structures. The proposed metamaterials are low in cost and easy to construct for the protection of existing buildings, critical infrastructures, or even entire urban areas without need for any kind of intervention at them, therefore providing an effective solution in the field of seismic isolation.
Hub Traveler Guidance Signage Evaluation via Panoramic Visualization Using Entropy Weight Method and TOPSIS
Authors: Zhang Siyang , Zhao Chi
Published: October 2024

Signage functions as guidance and distribution assistance, directly affecting the operational efficiency of traffic in and around the comprehensive transportation hubs. Among the elements of signage, the visual guidance effect is the key factor affecting the information conveyance, which should be evaluated during the design and optimization process. This study conducted field investigations and developed panoramic videos for multiple transportation hubs in China and designed a survey accordingly. Human subjects were recruited to watch panoramic videos via virtual reality (VR) and respond to the surveys. The results show that the degree of visual attention of travelers significantly affects the evaluation results of guidance signage, with the influence being inversely proportional. Key factors affecting visual attention include accurate legibility, obstruction and defacement rates, informativeness, and whether signage is set up in a hierarchical manner. In unfamiliar environments, travelers focus on the overall context and closely observe the interaction between directional signs and their surroundings. The prominence and visibility of signage are influenced by interactions within the spatial environment. Notably, simple and clear signs are more likely to attract travelers’ attention, and their directional information is more easily comprehended. Moreover, when the destination is clearly defined, visual attention significantly directs pedestrians’ wayfinding behavior.
Fast Motion State Estimation Based on Point Cloud by Combing Deep Learning and Spatio-Temporal Constraints
Authors: Wu Sidong , Ren Liuquan , Zhu Enzhi
Published: October 2024

Moving objects in the environment have a higher priority and more challenges in growing domains like unmanned vehicles and intelligent robotics. Estimating the motion state of objects based on point clouds in outdoor scenarios is currently a challenging area of research. This is due to factors such as limited temporal information, large volumes of data, extended network processing times, and the ego-motion. The number of points in a point cloud frame is typically 60,000–120,000 points, but most current motion state estimation methods for point clouds only downsample to a few thousand points for fast processing. The downsampling step will lead to the loss of scene information, which means these methods are far from being used in practical applications. Thus, this paper proposes a motion state estimation method that combines spatio-temporal constraints and deep learning. It starts by estimating and compensating the ego-motion of multi-frame point cloud data and mapping multi-frame data to a unified coordinate system; then the point cloud motion segmentation model on the multi-frame point cloud is proposed for motion object segmentation. Finally, spatio-temporal constraints are utilized to correlate the moving object at different moments and estimate the motion vectors. Experiments on KITTI, nuScenes, and real captured data show that the proposed method has good results, with an average vector deviation of only 0.036 m and 0.043 m in KITTI and nuScenes under a processing time of about 80 ms. The EPE3D error under the KITTI data is only 0.076 m, which proves the effectiveness of the method.
Experimental Study on Water and Salt Migration and the Aggregate Insulating Effect in Coarse-Grained Saline Soil Subgrade under Freeze–Thaw Cycles
Authors: Yang Haoyuan , Lei Bingbing , Xie Liangfu , Hu Changtao , Liu Jie
Published: October 2024

Understanding multiphase transformations and the migration of heat, water, vapor, and salt in coarse-grained saline soil under groundwater recharge and environmental freeze—thaw cycles is crucial for ensuring the stability of highway infrastructures. To clarify the water, heat, vapor, and salt migration patterns in coarse-grained saline soil, as well as the salt-insulating effect of the aggregate insulating layer, an experimental study was conducted in a soil column model under pressureless water replenishment with fluorescein-labeled liquid water under freeze—thaw cycles. The results showed that the temperature in the saline soil columns periodically changed and that hysteresis effects occurred during temperature transfer. External water replenishment and the content of liquid water inside the soil exhibited nonlinear changes with environmental temperatures. After multiple freeze—thaw cycles, two water and salt accumulation zones formed within the coarse-grained saline soil subgrade. The migration of liquid water resulted in a water and salt accumulation zone in the nonfrozen zone, whereas the migration of water vapor yielded a water and salt accumulation zone in the frozen zone. To prevent water and salt migration, a 20 cm thick gravel insulating layer could be laid at a distance of 10 cm from the bottom of the roadbed, which could provide a satisfactory salt-insulating effect. The research results provide a theoretical basis and guidance for regulating the stability of subgrades in saline soil areas.
Skilled Workers’ Perspectives on Utilizing a Passive Shoulder Exoskeleton in Construction
Authors: Du Bronson B. , Somasundram Kumar G. , Johnston Alex , Bigelow Philip , Abdoli-Eramaki Mohammad , Jordan Kenrick H. , Yung Marcus , Yazdani Amin
Published: October 2024

This field study explores construction workers’ perceptions of using a passive shoulder exoskeleton to better understand how to improve its adoption in construction. We provided forty-one construction workers with an exoskeleton to perform their regular work activities for two days. Workers’ feedback of the tool was collected at the end of each day. Two-thirds indicated they would likely or very likely use an exoskeleton if their employer provided it. Participants felt exoskeletons were helpful for specific overhead tasks, such as installing upper tracks, framing and drywalling bulkheads, taping and mudding ceilings, and installing light fixtures. To improve their adoption within the construction industry, exoskeletons should be designed to be compatible with harnesses and toolbelts, be close-fitting to allow working in tight spaces, be easily adjustable (for fit and level of support), be rugged and easy to clean, and should not encumber workers in performing their tasks.
Analyzing the Reinforcement of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes in Vulcanized Natural Rubber Nanocomposites Using the Lorenz–Park Method
Authors: Melo Diego Silva , Hiranobe Carlos Toshiyuki , Tolosa Gabrieli Roefero , Malmonge José Antônio , Cena Cicero Rafael , Job Aldo Eloizo , Santos Renivaldo José , Silva Michael Jones
Published: October 2024

In this study, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were incorporated into vulcanized natural rubber (VNR) matrixes to create nanocomposites with improved mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. The interfacial interaction of the MWCNTs with the VNR matrix was quantitatively evaluated based on the crosslink density value calculated using the Flory–Rehner methodology. Various rheometric parameters were influenced by the addition of the MWCNTs, including minimum torque (ML), maximum torque (MH), and scorch time (tS1). The MWCNTs significantly enhanced the vulcanization of the composites based on the VNR matrix. This study highlights the impact of MWCNTs on crosslink density, improving mechanical properties and reducing swelling in the VNR matrix. We discovered that the MWCNTs and the VNR matrix interact strongly, which improved the mechanical properties of the matrix. The MWCNTs improved the hardness, tensile strength, and abrasion resistance of the VNR/MWCNT nanocomposites. Based on dynamic mechanical analysis, MWCNT incorporation improved stiffness as indicated by a change in storage modulus and glass transition temperatures. The addition of MWCNTs to the VNR/MWCNT nanocomposites significantly improved their electrical properties, reaching a percolation threshold where conductive pathways were formed, enhancing their overall conductivity. Overall, this study demonstrates the versatility and functionality of VNR/MWCNT nanocomposites for a variety of applications, including sensors, electromagnetic shielding, and antistatic blankets.
Optimization of DC Energy Storage in Tokamak Poloidal Coils
Authors: Lampasi Alessandro , Testa Riccardo , Gudala Bhavana , Terlizzi Cristina , Pipolo Sabino , Tenconi Sandro
Published: October 2024

Tokamaks are a very promising option to exploit nuclear fusion as a programmable and safe energy source. A very critical issue for the practical use of tokamaks consists of the power flow required to initiate and sustain the fusion process, in particular in the poloidal field coils. This flow can be managed by introducing a DC energy storage based on supercapacitors. Because such storage may be the most expensive and largest part of the poloidal power supply system, an excessive size would cancel its potential advantages. This paper presents innovative strategies to optimize the DC storage in poloidal power supply systems. The proposed solution involves the sharing of the DC storage between different coil circuits. The study is supported by novel analytical formulas and by a circuital model developed for this application. The obtained results show that this method and the related algorithms can noticeably reduce the overall size of the storage and the power exchange with the grid, providing a practical contribution toward the feasibility and the effectiveness of nuclear fusion systems.
Improvement of Mechanical Properties of 3D Bioprinted Structures through Cellular Overgrowth
Authors: Wierzbicka Adrianna , Bartniak Mateusz , Grabarczyk Jacek , Biernacka Nikola , Aftyka Mateusz , Wójcik Tomasz , Bociaga Dorota
Published: October 2024

The common use of hydrogel materials in 3D bioprinting techniques is dictated by the unique properties of hydrogel bioinks, among which some of the most important in terms of sustaining vital cell functions in vitro in 3D cultures are the ability to retain large amounts of liquid and the ability to modify rigidity and mechanical properties to reproduce the structure of the natural extracellular matrix. Due to their high biocompatibility, non-immunogenicity, and the possibility of optimizing rheological properties and bioactivity at the same time, one of the most commonly used hydrogel bioink compositions are polymer solutions based on sodium alginate and gelatin. In 3D bioprinting techniques, it is necessary for hydrogel printouts to feature an appropriate geometry to ensure proper metabolic activity of the cells contained inside the printouts. The desired solution is to obtain a thin-walled printout geometry, ensuring uniform nutrient availability and gas exchange during cultivation. Within this study’s framework, tubular bioprinted structures were developed based on sodium alginate and gelatin, containing cells of the immortalized fibroblast line NIH/3T3 in their structure. Directly after the 3D printing process, such structures are characterized by extremely low mechanical strength. The purpose of this study was to perform a comparative analysis of the viability and spreading ability of the biological material contained in the printouts during their incubation for a period of 8 weeks while monitoring the effect of cellular growth on changes in the mechanical properties of the tubular structures. The observations demonstrated that the cells contained in the 3D printouts reach the ability to grow and spread in the polymer matrix after 4 weeks of cultivation, leading to obtaining a homogeneous, interconnected cell network inside the hydrogel after 6 weeks of incubation. Analysis of the mechanical properties of the printouts indicates that with the increasing time of cultivation of the structures, the degree of their overgrowth by the biological material contained inside, and the progressive degradation of the polymer matrix process, the tensile strength of tubular 3D printouts varies.
Enhancing Ignition Reliability with Tail-Groove Strut Designs in Cavity-Based Combustors
Authors: Chen Haihong , Zhao Shilong
Published: October 2024

As the flight envelopes of turbine-based combined cycle (TBCC) engines expand, ensuring reliable ignition and flame stability under varying conditions becomes increasingly critical. Previous work has shown a significantly changed ignition performance and flow pattern in cavity-based combustors when strut structure parameters were altered, indicating a strong correlation between the ignition process, flame structure, and the strut configuration. This suggests that further investigation is required to determine the optimal strut design. Therefore, this study examines the impact of various strut configurations through numerical simulations, validated by high-speed imaging. Findings show that the tail-groove strut designs improve the flame propagation performance compared to the normal struts, with a critical depth beyond which further increases do not enhance performance. Changes in strut length have a lesser impact than depth. Flow analysis indicates that tail-groove struts create additional recirculation zones that enhance fuel atomization and flame stability. These results suggest that optimizing strut configurations is vital for achieving reliable ignition and flame stability, advancing the development of efficient engines across a wide range of operational conditions.
The Multi-Frame Imaging Detection of Ultrasonic Guided Waves in Welded Structural Plates Based on Arc Sparse Array with Left Rank
Authors: Zhu Xinjie , Yao Sen , Deng Mingxi , Zhang Jie , Gao Yan
Published: October 2024

The imaging detection of ultrasonic guided waves in plates using arc sparse arrays is highly significant for weld scattering conditions. A novel approach for detecting welded plate structures using the left rank of ultrasonic guided waves in arc sparse arrays was proposed. The relationship between the receiving matrix and the left rank was analyzed, along with the connection between the arc sparse array with the left rank and the receiving aperture. The imaging mechanism of the ultrasonic guided waves in arc sparse arrays with left rank under weld scattering conditions was investigated. The results of imaging experiments demonstrated a downward trend in the gray and background gray of the multi-frame images. As the left rank reaches approximately 64% of the full rank, the slope of the image gray and background gray decreases gradually, leading to the appearance of an inflection point. With an increasing signal-to-noise ratio curve, the imaging improved during the multi-frame imaging process of ultrasonic guided waves for the arc sparse arrays with left rank under weld scattering conditions. This research showed that the multi-frame imaging of ultrasonic guided waves in welded structural plates using arc sparse arrays with left rank effectively characterized scattering information with millimeter-scale wavelength size. The experimental results validated the feasibility of the theoretical analysis. This research provides a crucial foundation for the further exploration and application of the multi-frame imaging detection of ultrasonic guided waves using irregular arrays in welded structural plates.
Multiscale Sieve for Smart Prime Generation and Application in Info-Security, IoT and Blockchain
Authors: Iovane Gerardo , Benedetto Elmo , Gallo Carmine
Published: October 2024

The huge computational cost required to test whether a number is prime and the inefficiency of the known sieving algorithms for extremely large inputs have posed significant challenges in computational number theory. Traditional deterministic prime generation methods struggle to maintain performance when the input sizes increase exponentially. In this work, we show that, through multiscale distribution and deterministic prime number generation, it is possible to create a multiscale sieve with drastically better performance than the deterministic algorithms known to date, providing a more efficient solution for large-scale prime number generation, demonstrated by several benchmarks that highlight the potential of our approach. Consequently, we can gain some advantages in cryptography and in info-security, such as in IoT and blockchain environments.
Combining Fusion-Based Thresholding and Non-Linear Diffusion for Improved Speckle Noise Mitigation in SAR Images
Authors: Shukla Ashwani Kant , Shree Raj , Narayan Jyotindra
Published: October 2024

The primary concern of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images is speckle noise, an inherent property. The creation of speckle noise is in a granular form and its nature is multiplicative. To reduce such noise from the radar images, the researchers’ primary motive is to suppress granular pattern while preserving the quality of the obtained images, thereby facilitating easier feature extraction and classification. Existing speckle-noise reduction methods often fail to preserve fine details such as edges and textures. This study proposes a fusion-based method that integrates non-linear transform-based thresholding with advanced noise reduction techniques. The proposed method is implemented on two simulated SAR images at noise variance levels of σ = from 5 to 40. The fundamental and most significant step is to analyze the effect of granular patterns in radar images before despeckling. Different performance metrics, classified into with-reference and without-reference indexes, are considered to investigate the effectiveness of the proposed despeckle method. The Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) for SAR-1 at σ = 20 was observed at 16.22 dB, outperforming the next best result of 12.89 dB from the Log Compression filter. The Universal Image Quality Index (UIQI) reached 0.6987, indicating high visual quality retention across various noise levels. The proposed despeckling method demonstrated superior performance in comparison to different filters, achieving a Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) improvement of up to 29.37 dB on SAR-2 at a noise variance of σ = 5, significantly higher than the best filter method’s 26.70 dB. Additionally, the method achieved a Structural Similarity Index Measure (SSIM) of 0.6538, indicating superior image quality preservation.
Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction for Brackish Groundwater Treatment: From Engineering Aspects to Implementation
Authors: Outaleb Hamza , Kouzbour Sanaa , Audonnet Fabrice , Vial Christophe , Gourich Bouchaib
Published: October 2024

In recent years, nitrate has emerged as a significant groundwater pollutant due to its potential ecotoxicity. In particular, nitrate contamination of brackish groundwater poses a serious threat to both ecosystems and human health and remains difficult to treat. A promising, sustainable, and environmentally friendly solution when biological treatments are not applicable is the conversion of nitrate to harmless nitrogen (N2) or ammonia (NH3) as a nutrient by electrocatalytic nitrate reduction (eNO3R) using solar photovoltaic energy. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current advances in eNO3R for the production of nitrogen and ammonia. The discussion begins with fundamental concepts, including a detailed examination of the mechanisms and pathways involved, supported by Density Functional Theory (DFT) to elucidate specific aspects of ammonium and nitrogen formation during the process. Furthermore, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) offers promising advancements in enhancing the predictive power of DFT, accelerating the discovery and optimization of novel catalysts. In this review, we also explore various electrode preparation methods and emphasize the importance of in situ characterization techniques to investigate surface phenomena during the reaction process. The review highlights numerous examples of copper-based catalysts and analyses their feasibility and effectiveness in ammonia production. It also explores strategies for the conversion of nitrate to N2, focusing on nanoscale zerovalent iron as a selective material and the subsequent oxidation of the produced ammonia. Finally, this review addresses the implementation of the eNO3R process for the treatment of brackish groundwater, discussing various challenges and providing reasonable opinions on how to overcome these obstacles. By synthesizing current research and practical examples, this review highlights the potential of eNO3R as a viable solution to mitigate nitrate pollution and improve water quality.
A Non-Invasive Fetal QRS Complex Detection Method Based on a Multi-Feature Fusion Neural Network
Authors: Huang Zhuya , Yu Junsheng , Shan Ying , Wang Xiangqing
Published: October 2024

Fetal heart monitoring, as a crucial part of fetal monitoring, can accurately reflect the fetus’s health status in a timely manner. To address the issues of high computational cost, inability to observe fetal heart morphology, and insufficient accuracy associated with the traditional method of calculating the fetal heart rate using a four-channel maternal electrocardiogram (ECG), a method for extracting fetal QRS complexes from a single-channel non-invasive fetal ECG based on a multi-feature fusion neural network is proposed. Firstly, a signal entropy data quality detection algorithm based on the blind source separation method is designed to select maternal ECG signals that meet the quality requirements from all channel ECG data, followed by data preprocessing operations such as denoising and normalization on the signals. After being segmented by the sliding window method, the maternal ECG signals are calculated as data in four modes: time domain, frequency domain, time–frequency domain, and data eigenvalues. Finally, the deep neural network using three multi-feature fusion strategies—feature-level fusion, decision-level fusion, and model-level fusion—achieves the effect of quickly identifying fetal QRS complexes. Among the proposed networks, the one with the best performance has an accuracy of 95.85% and sensitivity of 97%.