bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Anglocentric History of Anaesthetics and Analgesics in the Refinement of Animal Experiments
Authors: Clutton R. Eddie
Published: October 2020

Previous histories of animal experimentation, e.g., Franco (2013) have focused on ethics, the law and the personalities involved, but not on the involvement of anaesthetics or analgesics. Given that these were major subjects of (UK) Parliamentary debates on vivisection in the mid-19th century and viewed as “indisputable refinements in animal experimentation” (Russell and Burch 1959), it seemed that an analysis of their role was overdue. This commentary has, in interweaving the history of animal experimentation in the UK with the evolution of anaesthesia, attempted to: (1) clarify the evidence for Russell and Burch’s view; and (2) evaluate anaesthesia’s ongoing contribution to experimental refinement. The history that emerges reveals that the withholding or misuse of anaesthetics and, or analgesics from laboratory animals in the UK has had a profound effect on scientists and indirectly on the attitudes of the British public in general, becoming a major driver for the establishment of the anti-vivisection movement and subsequently, the Cruelty to Animals Act (1876)—the world’s first legislation for the regulation of animal experimentation. In 1902, the mismanaged anaesthetic of a dog in the Department of Physiology, University College London resulted in numerous events of public disorder initiated by medical students against the police and a political coalition of anti-vivisectionists, trade unionists, socialists, Marxists, liberals and suffragettes. The importance of anaesthesia in animal experiments was sustained over the following 150 years as small mammalian species gradually replaced dogs and cats as the principle subjects for vivisection. In discussing experimental refinement in their 1959 report, “The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique” Russell and Burch described anaesthetics as “… the greatest single advance in humane technique, (which) has at the same time been virtually indispensable for the advance of experimental biology”. Since then, the role of anaesthetics and in particular analgesics has become an unavoidable consideration whenever animal experiments are planned and conducted. This has been accompanied by a proliferation of training and educational programmes in laboratory animal anaesthesia.
Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorohexane Sulfonate (PFHxS) Alters Protein Phosphorylation, Increase ROS Levels and DNA Fragmentation during In Vitro Capacitation of Boar Spermatozoa
Authors: Oseguera-López Iván , Pérez-Cerezales Serafín , Ortiz-Sánchez Paola Berenice , Mondragon-Payne Oscar , Sánchez-Sánchez Raúl , Jiménez-Morales Irma , Fierro Reyna , González-Márquez Humberto
Published: October 2020

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) are toxic and bioaccumulative, included in the Stockholm Convention’s list as persistent organic pollutants. Due to their toxicity, worldwide distribution, and lack of information in spermatozoa physiology during pre-fertilization processes, the present study seeks to analyze the toxic effects and possible alterations caused by the presence of these compounds in boar sperm during the in vitro capacitation. The spermatozoa capacitation was performed in supplemented TALP-Hepes media and mean lethal concentration values of 460.55 μM for PFOS, and 1930.60 μM for PFHxS were obtained. Results by chlortetracycline staining showed that intracellular Ca2+ patterns bound to membrane proteins were scarcely affected by PFOS. The spontaneous acrosome reaction determined by FITC-PNA was significantly reduced by PFOS and slightly increased by PFHxS. Both toxic compounds significantly alter the normal capacitation process from 30 min of exposure. An increase in ROS production was observed by flow cytometry and considerable DNA fragmentation by the comet assay. The immunocytochemistry showed a decrease of tyrosine phosphorylation in proteins of the equatorial and acrosomal zone of the spermatozoa head. In conclusion, PFOS and PFHxS have toxic effects on the sperm, causing mortality and altering vital parameters for proper sperm capacitation.
Fitting of the In Vitro Gas Production Technique to the Study of High Concentrate Diets
Authors: Amanzougarene Zahia , Fondevila Manuel
Published: October 2020

In vitro rumen fermentation systems are often adapted to forage feeding conditions, with pH values ranging in a range close to neutrality (between 6.5 and 7.0). Several attempts using different buffers have been made to control incubation pH in order to evaluate microbial fermentation under conditions simulating high concentrate feeding, but results have not been completely successful because of rapid exhaustion of buffering capacity. Recently, a modification of bicarbonate ion concentration in the buffer of incubation solution has been proposed, which, together with using rumen inoculum from donor ruminants given high-concentrate diets, allows for mimicking such conditions in vitro. It is important to consider that the gas volume recorded is in part directly produced from microbial fermentation of substrates, but also indirectly from the buffering capacity of the medium. Thus, the contribution of each (direct and indirect) gas source to the overall production should be estimated. Another major factor affecting fermentation is the rate of passage, but closed batch systems cannot be adapted to its consideration. Therefore, a simple semicontinuous incubation system has been developed, which studies the rate and extent of fermentation by gas production at the time it allows for controlling medium pH and rate of passage by manual replacement of incubation medium by fresh saliva without including rumen inoculum. The application of this system to studies using high concentrate feeding conditions will also be reviewed here.
Frequency of Blood Types A, B and AB in a Population of Non-Pedigree Domestic Cats from Central Italy
Authors: Tommaso Morena Di , Miglio Arianna , Crisi Paolo Emidio , Boari Andrea , Rocconi Francesca , Antognoni Maria Teresa , Luciani Alessia
Published: October 2020

Blood transfusion reactions and neonatal isoerythrolysis are common events in the feline population due to the presence of natural alloantibodies in the AB blood group system. It is known that the frequency of feline blood types varies according to the geographic region and breed. Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate the frequency of AB blood groups in non-pedigree domestic cats in Central Italy and estimate the risk of a life-threatening transfusion reaction and neonatal isoerythrolysis, caused by mismatched transfusion or incompatible random mating, respectively. The AB blood group was determined on non-pedigree domestic feline patients and potential blood donors submitted at the Veterinary Teaching Hospitals of the Universities of Teramo (Abruzzo Region, Teramo, Italy) and Perugia (Umbria Region, Teramo, Italy), and visited at veterinary practitioners in Rome (Lazio Region, Teramo, Italy) using commercial immunochromatographic cartridges and commercial agglutination cards. There were four hundred and eighty-three cats included in the study. The frequencies of the blood types were: 89.9% type A, 7.0% type B, and 3.1% type AB. The probability of an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction or a neonatal isoerythrolysis was 6.5%. Although the frequency of type B in non-pedigree domestic cats living in Central Italy was relatively low, to reduce the risk of fatal transfusion reactions, blood group typing is recommended before each transfusion.
Dietary Supplementation with Olive Mill Wastewater in Dairy Sheep: Evaluation of Cheese Characteristics and Presence of Bioactive Molecules
Authors: Branciari Raffaella , Galarini Roberta , Miraglia Dino , Ranucci David , Valiani Andrea , Giusepponi Danilo , Servili Maurizio , Acuti Gabriele , Pauselli Mariano , Trabalza-Marinucci Massimo
Published: October 2020

The aim of the study was to define the chemical characteristics, antioxidant capacity, oxidative status, sensory properties, and the presence of polyphenols in ovine cheese obtained after dietary administration of spray-dried olive mill wastewater (SDP). SDP is a waste from olive oil production rich in bioactive molecules obtained by further processing the olive mill wastewater through a spray-drying system. Thirty-six sheep were randomly assigned to two experimental groups that received a standard diet based on hay and concentrate. The concentrate fed to the SDP group was supplemented with SDP at a rate 25 g/kg (as fed). The trial lasted 9 weeks. Milk from the two treatment groups was separately collected and used for manufacturing cheese. Cheese quality parameters and proximate composition were not affected by the dietary treatment, whereas the antioxidant status and oxidative stability of cheese were positively affected. Polyphenol analyses in cheese were performed through liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The concentration of hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol, and their sulphate metabolites, were higher in cheese from supplemented sheep. These findings suggest that polyphenol metabolites can play a major role in the beneficial effects observed in food produced from sheep fed SDP.
The Quality of Eggs from Rosa 1 Hens Fed Diets Containing Seeds of Legume Plants (Lupinus luteus L., Lupinus angustifolius, and Pisum sativum) in Two Laying Phases
Authors: Kuźniacka Joanna , Biesek Jakub , Banaszak Mirosław , Grabowicz Małgorzata , Adamski Marek
Published: October 2020

This study analyzes the eggs’ quality from hens fed with alternative protein to soybean meal (SBM) in relation to laying phase. Here, 226 hens are divided into the control (I) and experimental (II) groups and reared for 50 weeks. There were two feeding phases (weeks 1–36; 37–50). Quality was assessed for 20 eggs from each group. The eggs are analyzed for their external and internal traits. A higher albumen weight in II and higher weights of the components were found in the 37–50 weeks for both groups, also in the percentage of yolk and albumen, however lower eggshell percentage was found for both groups, at the same time they were less durable and found to be thinner. In II, the La Roche color and the L*, b* were lower, but the a* increased, as did the albumen height. In the second phase, the La Roche and DSM color were higher, while the Haugh unit and albumen height decreased. Factors’ interaction was demonstrated for color. Legumes can partly substitute SBM in feed for hens. There were no negative effects on the eggs’ quality for most traits. The differences between the laying phases are due to the natural course and the physiology of laying hens.
Maternal Supplementation with Polyphenols and Omega-3 Fatty Acids during Pregnancy: Effects on Growth, Metabolism, and Body Composition of the Offspring
Authors: Heras-Molina Ana , Pesantez-Pacheco José Luis , Astiz Susana , Garcia-Contreras Consolación , Vazquez-Gomez Marta , Encinas Teresa , Óvilo Cristina , Isabel Beatriz , Gonzalez-Bulnes Antonio
Published: October 2020

Maternal supplementation with antioxidants and n3 PUFAs may be a promising strategy to reduce the risk of intrauterine growth restriction and preterm delivery, which may diminish the appearance of low-birth-weight neonates. The present study aimed to determine benefits and risks of a dietary supplementation combining hydroxytyrosol, a polyphenol from olive leaves and fruits, and n3 PUFAs, from linseed oil, on developmental patterns and metabolic traits of offspring in swine, a model of IUGR pregnancies. The results obtained indicate that maternal supplementation with hydroxytyrosol and n-3 fatty acids during pregnancy has no deleterious effects on the reproductive traits of the sows (prolificacy, homogeneity of the litter, and percentage of stillborns and low-birth-weight, LBW, piglets) and the postnatal features of the piglets (growth patterns, adiposity, and metabolic traits). Conversely, in spite of a lower mean weight and corpulence at birth, piglets from the supplemented sows showed higher average daily weight gain and fractional growth rate. Thus, at juvenile stages afterwards, the offspring from the treated group reached higher weight and corpulence, with increased muscle development and better lipidemic and fatty acid profiles, in spite of similar adiposity, than offspring in the control group. However, much caution and more research are still needed before practical recommendation and use in human pregnancies.
The Comparison of Semen Collection in Electroejaculation, Rectal Massage and Combination of Both Methods in the Critically Endangered Malayan Pangolin, Manis javanica
Authors: Tarmizi Reza , Keng Chee Yap , Sipangkui Symphorosa , Zainuddin Zainal Zahari , Fitri Wan-Nor
Published: October 2020

This article describes the semen characteristics from different collection methods between captive and confiscated Malayan pangolins, Manis javanica. Semen was collected from 15 pangolins; two captive and 13 confiscated individuals at the mean weight of 9.36 ± 1.94 kg. The three semen collection methods employed were electroejaculation, rectal massage and a combination of both techniques. The semen characteristics (mean ± standard deviation) of the Malayan pangolin are volume (73.75 ± 144.57 µL), pH (7.63 ± 0.53), spermatozoa concentration (997.19 ± 728.98 × 106 /mL), total motility (59.60% ± 30.00%), progressive motility (48.95% ± 30.93%), mass motility (3.50 ± 1.50) and live spermatozoa (80.25% ± 13.45%). There was no significant difference in semen characteristics between the three collection methods. The percentages of live spermatozoa were significantly different, suggesting better samples from captive compared to confiscated animals. However, there was no significant difference in spermatozoa kinetics between the captive and confiscated samples, suggesting the potential of utilizing confiscated individuals for gamete recovery to conserve the genetic pool of pangolins. All three methods of semen collection were successfully performed in pangolins and should be considered; however, electroejaculation remains the most consistent method of obtaining semen from the species.
Comparison of MicroRNA Transcriptomes Reveals the Association between MiR-148a-3p Expression and Rumen Development in Goats
Authors: Zhong Tao , Wang Cheng , Hu Jiangtao , Chen Xiaoyong , Niu Lili , Zhan Siyuan , Wang Linjie , Guo Jiazhong , Cao Jiaxue , Li Li , Zhang Hongping
Published: October 2020

The rumen is an important digestive organ of ruminants. From the fetal to adult stage, the morphology, structure and function of the rumen change significantly. However, the knowledge of the intrinsic genetic regulation of these changes is still limited. We previously reported a genome-wide expression profile of miRNAs in pre-natal goat rumens. In this study, we combined and analyzed the transcriptomes of rumen miRNAs during pre-natal (E60 and E135) and post-natal (D30 and D150) stages. A total of 66 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were identified in the rumen tissues from D30 and D150 goats. Of these, 17 DEMs were consistently highly expressed in the rumens at the pre-weaning stages (E60, E135 and D30), while down-regulated at D150. Noteworthy, annotation analysis revealed that the target genes regulated by the DEMs were mainly enriched in MAPK signaling pathway, Jak-STAT signaling pathway and Ras signaling pathway. Interestingly, the expression of miR-148a-3p was significantly high in the embryonic stage and down-regulated at D150. The potential binding sites of miR-148a-3p in the 3′-UTR of QKI were predicted by the TargetScan and verified by the dual luciferase report assay. The co-localization of miR-148a-3p and QKI through in situ hybridization was observed in the rumen tissues but not in the intestinal tracts. Moreover, the expression of miR-148a-3p in the epithelium was significantly higher than that in the other layers of the rumen, suggesting that miR-148a-3p is involved in the development of the rumen epithelial cells by targeting QKI. Subsequently, miR-148a-3p inhibitor was found to induce the proliferation of GES-1 cells. Taken together, our study identified DEMs involved in the development of the rumen and provides insights into the regulation mechanism of rumen development in goats.
Integrative Analysis of Energy Partition Patterns and Plasma Metabolomics Profiles of Modern Growing Pigs Raised at Different Ambient Temperatures
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Gao Hang , Yuan Xiongkun , Wang Junjun , Zang Jianjun
Published: October 2020

This study explores the energy partition patterns of modern growing pigs at 25 kg and 65 kg raised at gradient-ambient temperatures. It also investigates the underlying changes in plasma under such conditions, based on the integrative analysis of indirect calorimetry and non-target metabolomics profiling. Thirty-six barrows with initial BW of 26.4 ± 1.9 kg and 24 barrows with initial BW of 64.2 ± 3.1 kg were successively allotted to six respiration chambers with ambient temperatures set as 18 °C, 21 °C, 23 °C, 27 °C, 30 °C, and 32 °C, and four respiration chambers with ambient temperatures set as 18 °C, 23 °C, 27 °C, and 32 °C, respectively. Each pig was kept in an individual metabolic crate and consumed feed ad libitum, then transferred into the respiration chamber after a 7-day adaptation period for 5-day indirect calorimetry assay and 1-day fasting. As the ambient temperature increased from 18 °C to 32 °C, the voluntary feed intake, metabolizable energy intake, nitrogen intake, and retention, total heat production, and energy retention as a protein of growing pigs at 25 kg and 65 kg all linearly decreased (p < 0.05), with greater coefficients of variation for pigs at 65 kg when temperatures changed from 18 °C to 32 °C. The cortisol and thyroid hormone levels in the plasma of 25 kg pigs linearly decreased as the ambient temperature increased from 18 °C to 32 °C (p < 0.05), and 13 compounds were identified through metabolomics analysis, including up-regulated metabolites involved in fatty acid metabolism, such as adrenic acid and down-regulated metabolites involved in amino acid metabolism, such as spermidine at 32 °C. These results suggested that modern growing pigs at heavier bodyweight were more sensitive to high temperatures on energy intake and partition. Most of the identified metabolites altered at high ambient temperatures are associated with suppressed fatty acid oxidation and elevated lipogenesis and protein degradation.
A Retrospective Study of Macropod Progressive Periodontal Disease (“Lumpy Jaw”) in Captive Macropods across Australia and Europe: Using Data from the Past to Inform Future Macropod Management
Authors: Rendle Jessica , Jackson Bethany , Hoorn Stephen Vander , Yeap Lian , Warren Kristin , Donaldson Rebecca , Ward Samantha J. , Vogelnest Larry , McLelland David , Lynch Michael , Vitali Simone , Sayers Ghislaine , Wyss Fabia , Webster Darren , Snipp Ross , Vaughan-Higgins Rebecca
Published: October 2020

Macropod Progressive Periodontal Disease (MPPD) is a well-recognised disease that causes high morbidity and mortality in captive macropods worldwide. Epidemiological data on MMPD are limited, although multiple risk factors associated with a captive environment appear to contribute to the development of clinical disease. The identification of risk factors associated with MPPD would assist with the development of preventive management strategies, potentially reducing mortality. Veterinary and husbandry records from eight institutions across Australia and Europe were analysed in a retrospective cohort study (1995 to 2016), examining risk factors for the development of MPPD. A review of records for 2759 macropods found incidence rates (IR) and risk of infection differed between geographic regions and individual institutions. The risk of developing MPPD increased with age, particularly for macropods >10 years (Australia Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) 7.63, p < 0.001; Europe IRR 7.38, p < 0.001). Prognosis was typically poor, with 62.5% mortality reported for Australian and European regions combined. Practical recommendations to reduce disease risk have been developed, which will assist zoos in providing optimal long-term health management for captive macropods and, subsequently, have a positive impact on both the welfare and conservation of macropods housed in zoos globally.
Compositional and Functional Comparisons of the Microbiota in the Colostrum and Mature Milk of Dairy Goats
Authors: Niyazbekova Zhannur , Yao Xiao-Ting , Liu Ming-Jie , Bold Nomin , Tong Juan-Zhen , Chang Jian-Jun , Wen Ying , Li Li , Wang Yong , Chen De-Kun , Ma Wen-Tao
Published: October 2020

Goat milk is essential for the initial development of kids by providing a great source of commensal bacteria. In this study, we analyzed the microbiota of the milk of 30 healthy Saanen dairy goats. The 30 samples comprised 15 colostrum and 15 mature milk samples, collected from three different farms of Shaanxi Province. Colostrum samples were collected daily for five days post-delivery and mature milk was collected on the 7th, 10th, 20th, 30th, and 40th days. The result showed that microbial alpha diversity was higher in the mature milk compared with that in the colostrum. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) was performed to detect differentially abundant taxa in colostrum and goat milk. According to taxonomy results, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes were the predominant bacteria phyla in both colostrum and mature milk. In addition, lactation stage noticeably influenced the composition of milk microbiota. Specifically, Novosphingobium, Brachybacterium, Psychrobacter, Lactobacillus, Yersinia, Roseateles, Rothia, Sanguibacter, Cloacibacterium, Variovorax, Sphingobacterium, and Coxiella were enriched in the colostrum, while Georgenia, Peptostreptococcus, Bacteroidales, Yaniella, Planomicrobium, Cloacibacterium, Azospirillum, Turicibacter, Cupriavidus, Herbaspirillum, Rhodobacteraceae, and Aeromonadales were the dominant genera in the mature milk. The enriched metabolic functions of the goat milk microbiota were predicted by PICRUSt and classified by KEGG pathway. Moreover, the abundances of environmental information processing, cellular processes pathway, genetic information processing pathway, organismal systems pathway, and metabolism pathway were significantly different between microbiota of colostrum and mature milk. Altogether, our study disclosed the significant difference between the microbial communities of colostrum and mature milk and provided grounds for further research in dairy microbiology.
Early Origins of Hypertension: Should Prevention Start Before Birth Using Natural Antioxidants?
Authors: Hsu Chien-Ning , Tain You-Lin
Published: October 2020

Hypertension may originate in early life. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated due to the exposure of adverse in utero conditions causes developmental programming of hypertension. These excessive ROS can be antagonized by molecules which are antioxidants. Prenatal use of natural antioxidants may reverse programming processes and prevent hypertension of developmental origin. In the current review, firstly we document data on the impact of oxidative stress in hypertension of developmental origin. This will be followed by effective natural antioxidants uses starting before birth to prevent hypertension of developmental origin in animal models. It will also discuss evidence for the common mechanisms underlying developmental hypertension and beneficial effects of natural antioxidant interventions used as reprogramming strategies. A better understanding of the reprogramming effects of natural antioxidants and their interactions with common mechanisms underlying developmental hypertension is essential. Therefore, pregnant mothers and their children can benefit from natural antioxidant supplementation during pregnancy in order to reduce their risk for hypertension later in life.
The Effect of Nitrogen Input on Chemical Profile and Bioactive Properties of Green- and Red-Colored Basil Cultivars
Authors: Cruz Luís R. O. , Fernandes Ângela , Di Gioia Francesco , Petropoulos Spyridon A. , Polyzos Nikolaos , Dias Maria Inês , Pinela José , Kostić Marina , Soković Marina D. , Ferreira Isabel C. F. R. , Barros Lillian
Published: October 2020

In the present study, three red-colored (Dark Opal, Basilico Rosso, and Red Basil) and one green-colored landrace (Mitikas) of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) were grown under four nitrogen regimes, namely Control (no fertilizer added), 200 ppm, 400 ppm, and 600 ppm of nitrogen (N). Fresh yield varied depending on N input following a quadratic function in all four genotypes, and green basil performed better compared to the red cultivars. A significant interaction of genotype × N input was recorded for most of the chemical parameters measured. Tocopherols contents of leaves were consistently higher in plants that received 200 ppm of N and lower in those receiving 600 ppm of N, especially in Dark Opal and Red Basil cultivars. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were the major category of fatty acids and Red Basil had the lowest ratio of omega-6/omega 3 (0.29) and thus the best fatty acid profile. Polyphenols content was the highest in Red Basil and Dark Opal (25 mg/g of extract on average) and the lowest in Mitikas and decreased with increasing N input. Similarly, antioxidant activity was the highest in Dark Opal and Red Basil fertigated with 200 ppm of N, whereas all the leaf extracts tested had good antibacterial and antifungal activity. In conclusion, basil chemical and bioactive profile was significantly influenced by both genotype and N input. Red-colored basil, although less productive, had the best chemical profile, and moderate levels of N input may provide the best compromise between yield, nutritional value, and bioactivity for the species.
EDM of D2 Steel: Performance Comparison of EDM Die Sinking Electrode Designs
Authors: Rafaqat Madiha , Mufti Nadeem Ahmad , Ahmed Naveed , Alahmari Abdulrahman M. , Hussain Amjad
Published: October 2020

Electric discharge machining (EDM) of tool steel (D2 grade) has been performed using different tool designs to produce through-holes. Machining performance has been gauged with reference to machining time, hole taper angle, overcut, and surface roughness. Inaccuracies and slow machining rate are considered as the most common limitations of the electric discharge machining (die-sinking). Traditionally, a cylindrical tool is used to form circular holes through EDM. In this study, the hole formation is carried out by changing the tool design which is the novelty of the research. Two-stage experimentation was performed. The newly designed tools substantially outperformed a traditional cylindrical tool, especially in terms of machining time. The main reason for the better machining results of modified tools is the sparking area that differs from the traditional sparking. Comparing against the performance of a traditional cylindrical tool, the newly designed tools offer a considerable reduction in the machining time, radial overcut, and roughness of the inside surfaces of machined holes, amounting to be approximately 50%, 30.6%, and 38.7%, respectively. The drop in the machining time along with a condensed level of radial overcut and surface roughness can shrink the EDM limitations and make the process relatively faster with low machining inaccuracies.
A Fast Laser Adjustment-Based Laser Triangulation Displacement Sensor for Dynamic Measurement of a Dispensing Robot
Authors: Nan Zhuojiang , Tao Wei , Zhao Hui , Lv Na
Published: October 2020

Height measurement and location by a laser sensor is a key technology to ensure accurate and stable operation of a dispensing robot. In addition, alternation of dynamic and static working modes of a robot, as well as variation of surface and height of a workpiece put forward strict requirements for both repeatability and respond speed of the location system. On the basis of the principle of laser triangulation, a displacement sensor applied to a dispensing robot was developed, and a fast laser adjustment algorithm was proposed according to the characteristics of static and dynamic actual laser imaging waveforms on different objects. First, the relationship between the centroid position of static waveform and peak intensity for different measured objects was fitted by least square method, and the intersection point of each curve was solved to confirm the ideal peak intensity, and therefore reduce the interference of different measured objects. Secondly, according to the dynamic centroid difference threshold of two adjacent imaging waveforms, the static and dynamic working modes of the sensor were distinguished, and the peak intensity was adjusted to different intervals by linear iteration. Finally, a Z direction reciprocating test, color adaptability test, and step response test were carried out on the dispensing robot platform; the experiments showed that the repeatability accuracy of the sensor was 2.7 um and the dynamic step response delay was 0.5 ms.
Prediction of Machine Inactivation Status Using Statistical Feature Extraction and Machine Learning
Authors: Borith Taing , Bakhit Sadirbaev , Nasridinov Aziz , Yoo Kwan-Hee
Published: October 2020

In modern manufacturing, the detection and prediction of machine anomalies, i.e., the inactive state of the machine during operation, is an important issue. Accurate inactive state detection models for factory machines can result in increased productivity. Moreover, they can guide engineers in implementing appropriate maintenance actions, which can prevent catastrophic failures and minimize economic losses. In this paper, we present a novel two-step data-driven method for the non-active detection of industry machines. First, we propose a feature extraction approach that aims to better distinguish the pattern of the active state and non-active state of the machine by multiple statistical analyses, such as reliability, time-domain, and frequency-domain analyses. Next, we construct a method to detect the active and non-active status of an industrial machine by applying various machine learning methods. The performance evaluation with a real-world dataset from the automobile part manufacturer demonstrates the proposed method achieves high accuracy.
Dynamical Behaviors Analysis of the Rotor Model with Coupling Faults and Applications of the TPOD Method
Authors: Lu Kuan , Wu Nan , Zhang Kangyu , Fu Chao , Jin Yulin , Yang Yongfeng , Zhang Haopeng
Published: October 2020

The transient proper orthogonal decomposition (TPOD) method is applied for order reduction in the rotor-bearing system with the coupling faults in this paper. A 24 degrees of freedom (DOFs) rotor model supported by a pair of sliding bearings with both crack and rub-impact faults is established by the discrete modeling method. The complexity of dynamic behaviors of the rotor system with the coupling faults is discussed via the comparison of the rotor system with the single fault (crack or rub-impact). The proper orthogonal mode (POM) energy method is proposed to confirm the DOF number of the reduced model. The TPOD method is used in the coupling faults system to obtain the optimal order reduction model based on the POM energy. The efficiency of the order reduction method is verified by comparing the bifurcation behaviors between the original and the reduced system. The TPOD method provides the optimal order reduction model to study the non-linear dynamic characteristics of the complex rotor system with the coupling faults.
Transgenic Rabbit Models: Now and the Future
Authors: Matsuhisa Fumikazu , Kitajima Shuji , Nishijima Kazutoshi , Akiyoshi Toshiaki , Morimoto Masatoshi , Fan Jianglin
Published: October 2020

Transgenic rabbits have contributed to the progress of biomedical science as human disease models because of their unique features, such as the lipid metabolism system similar to humans and medium body size that facilitates handling and experimental manipulation. In fact, many useful transgenic rabbits have been generated and used in research fields such as lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis, cardiac failure, immunology, and oncogenesis. However, there have been long-term problems, namely that the transgenic efficiency when using pronuclear microinjection is low compared with transgenic mice and production of knockout rabbits is impossible owing to the lack of embryonic stem cells for gene targeting in rabbits. Despite these limitations, the emergence of novel genome editing technology has changed the production of genetically modified animals including the rabbit. We are finally able to produce both transgenic and knockout rabbit models to analyze gain- and loss-of-functions of specific genes. It is expected that the use of genetically modified rabbits will extend to various research fields. In this review, we describe the unique features of rabbits as laboratory animals, the current status of their development and use, and future perspectives of transgenic rabbit models for human diseases.
STEM Graduate Students’ Systems Thinking, Modeling and Scientific Understanding—The Case of Food Production
Authors: Akiri Effrat , Tal Marina , Peretz Roee , Dori Dov , Dori Yehudit Judy
Published: October 2020

Modeling and systems thinking skills, as well as scientific understanding, are necessary for comprehending complex, food-related processes. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of food-related learning units on graduate students’ systems thinking and modeling skills, as well as on their understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) issues. In this research, six STEM experts constructed a conceptual model of the codfish tracking process using Object-Process Methodology. Next, 15 STEM graduate students, who are prospective teachers, participated in a graduate course, which includes four online units on food production processes based on their respective models. Research tools included an expert focus group, student assignments, and questionnaires. Modeling and scientific understanding rubrics were adapted and validated for analysis of the assignments. We found a significant difference in the scores of systems thinking and modeling skills between students with modeling background and those without. Based of students’ feedback along the course, learning in context of food and sustainability also contributed to developing these skills. The contribution is the combination of food production and conceptual models for developing STEM teachers’ systems thinking and modeling skills, and their scientific understanding of food processes and sustainability issues.
A Fusion Method for Atomic Force Acoustic Microscopy Cell Imaging Based on Local Variance in Non-Subsampled Shearlet Transform Domain
Authors: Cao Pengxin , Li Xiaoqing , Ding Mingyue
Published: October 2020

Atomic force acoustic microscopy (AFAM) is a measurement method that uses the probe and acoustic wave to image the surface and internal structures of different materials. For cellular material, the morphology and phase images of AFAM reflect the outer surface and internal structures of the cell, respectively. This paper proposes an AFAM cell image fusion method in the Non-Subsampled Shearlet Transform (NSST) domain, based on local variance. First, NSST is used to decompose the source images into low-frequency and high-frequency sub-bands. Then, the low-frequency sub-band is fused by the weight of local variance, while a contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization is used to improve the source image contrast to better express the details in the fused image. The high-frequency sub-bands are fused using the maximum rule. Since the AFAM image background contains a lot of noise, and improved segmentation algorithm based on the Otsu algorithm is proposed to segment the cell region, and the image quality metrics based on the segmented region will make the evaluation more accurate. Experiments with different groups of AFAM cell images demonstrated that the proposed method can clearly show the internal structures and the contours of the cells, compared with traditional methods.
Slot Design Optimization for Copper Losses Reduction in Electric Machines for High Speed Applications
Authors: Bianchini Claudio , Vogni Mattia , Torreggiani Ambra , Nuzzo Stefano , Barater Davide , Franceschini Giovanni
Published: October 2020

The need of a wide operating range and a high power density in electric machines for full- and hybrid electric vehicles in traction applications has led to an increase in the operating frequency of the machine. When the electric frequency increases, the additional losses in stator windings become an issue and they have to be taken into account in the design of the electric machine. This issue is more critical when hairpin windings are employed, due to the the skin and proximity effects which produce increased copper losses. In this paper, the relationships between different stator slot parameters (tooth width, slot opening, etc.) and stator winding copper losses have been analysed in order to identify an optimal design of a single stator slot.
Intent Detection Problem Solving via Automatic DNN Hyperparameter Optimization
Authors: Kapočiūtė-Dzikienė Jurgita , Balodis Kaspars , Skadiņš Raivis
Published: October 2020

Accurate intent detection-based chatbots are usually trained on larger datasets that are not available for some languages. Seeking the most accurate models, three English benchmark datasets that were human-translated into four morphologically complex languages (i.e., Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Russian) were used. Two types of word embeddings (fastText and BERT), three types of deep neural network (DNN) classifiers (convolutional neural network (CNN); long short-term memory method (LSTM), and bidirectional LSTM (BiLSTM)), different DNN architectures (shallower and deeper), and various DNN hyperparameter values were investigated. DNN architecture and hyperparameter values were optimized automatically using the Bayesian method and random search. On three datasets of 2/5/8 intents for English, Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, and Russian languages, accuracies of 0.991/0.890/0.712, 0.972/0.890/0.644, 1.000/0.890/0.644, 0.981/0.872/0.712, and 0.972/0.881/0.661 were achieved, respectively. The BERT multilingual vectorization with the CNN classifier was proven to be a good choice for all datasets for all languages. Moreover, in the majority of models, the same set of optimal hyperparameter values was determined. The results obtained in this research were also compared with the previously reported values (where hyperparameter values of DNN models were selected by an expert). This comparison revealed that automatically optimized models are competitive or even more accurate when created with larger training datasets.
Multifrequency Impedance Method Based on Neural Network for Root Canal Length Measurement
Authors: Qiao Xiaoyue , Zhang Zheng , Chen Xin
Published: October 2020

Root canal therapy is the most fundamental and effective approach for treating endodontics and periapicalitis. The length of the root canal must be accurately measured to clean the pathogenic substances in it. This study aims to present a multifrequency impedance method based on a neural network for root canal length measurement. A circuit system was designed which generates a current of frequencies from 100 Hz to 20 kHz in order to augment the data of impedance ratios with different combinations of frequencies. Several impedance ratios and other quantified characteristics, such as the type of tooth and file, were selected as features to train a neural network model that could predict the distance between the file and apical foramen. The model uses leave-one-out cross-validation, adopts the Adam optimizer and regularization, and has two hidden layers with nine and five nodes, respectively. The neural network-based multifrequency impedance method exhibits nearly 95% accuracy, compared with the dual-frequency impedance ratio method (which demonstrated no more than 85% accuracy in some situations). This method may eliminate the influence of human and environmental factors on measurement of the root canal length, thereby increasing measurement robustness.
Generative Enhancement of 3D Image Classifiers
Authors: Varga Michal , Jadlovský Ján , Jadlovská Slávka
Published: October 2020

In this paper, we propose a methodology for generative enhancement of existing 3D image classifiers. This methodology is based on combining the advantages of both non-generative classifiers and generative modeling. Its purpose is to streamline the synthesis of novel deep neural networks by embedding existing compatible classifiers into a generative network architecture. A demonstration of this process and evaluation of its effectiveness is performed using a 3D convolutional classifier and its generative equivalent—a 3D conditional generative adversarial network classifier. The results of the experiments show that the generative classifier delivers higher performance, gaining a relative classification accuracy improvement of 7.43%. An increase of accuracy is also observed when comparing it to a plain convolutional classifier that was trained on a dataset augmented with samples created by the trained generator. This suggests a desirable knowledge sharing mechanism exists within the hybrid discriminator-classifier network.
Evaluation Method for Façade Acoustic Insulation for a Corner Room: Discussion on the Results Obtained as a Function of the Source Position
Authors: Granzotto Nicola , Piana Edoardo Alessio
Published: October 2020

The appropriate acoustic insulation project of building façades is of importance for the design of highly comfortable living environments. In some countries, national regulations require maximum noise levels inside rooms, or minimum sound insulation limits, to be respected. The acoustic insulation design of a façade is usually performed according to the ISO 12354-3 standard, which presents a calculation method based on the geometry of the room, the shape of the façade, the areas and the acoustic performances of the individual elements. The prescribed limits must be experimentally verified according to methods derived from international standards. However, the current versions of such standards do not provide details on how to perform the measurements and the calculation of the sound insulation for corner rooms. An important remark is that, depending on the position of the sound source used for the measurements, different results of the standardized sound insulation are obtained. This article proposes a new method for calculating the façade insulation of corner rooms by introducing the acoustic attenuation due to the diffraction of the corner and the distance of the sound source from the façades, estimated through simulations and experimentally validated.
Ecotoxicological Evaluation of Methiocarb Electrochemical Oxidation
Authors: Fernandes Annabel , Pereira Christopher , Coelho Susana , Ferraz Celso , Sousa Ana C. , Pastorinho M. Ramiro , Pacheco Maria José , Ciríaco Lurdes , Lopes Ana
Published: October 2020

The ecotoxicity of methiocarb aqueous solutions treated by electrochemical oxidation was evaluated utilizing the model organism Daphnia magna. The electrodegradation experiments were performed using a boron-doped diamond anode and the influence of the applied current density and the supporting electrolyte (NaCl or Na2SO4) on methiocarb degradation and toxicity reduction were assessed. Electrooxidation treatment presented a remarkable efficiency in methiocarb complete degradation and a high potential for reducing the undesirable ecological effects of this priority substance. The reaction rate followed first-order kinetics in both electrolytes, being more favorable in a chloride medium. In fact, the presence of chloride increased the methiocarb removal rate and toxicity reduction and favored nitrogen removal. A 200× reduction in the acute toxicity towards D. magna, from 370.9 to 1.6 toxic units, was observed for the solutions prepared with NaCl after 5 h treatment at 100 A m−2. An increase in the applied current density led to an increase in toxicity towards D. magna of the treated solutions. At optimized experimental conditions, electrooxidation offers a suitable solution for the treatment and elimination of undesirable ecological effects of methiocarb contaminated industrial or agricultural wastewaters, ensuring that this highly hazardous pesticide is not transferred to the aquatic environment.
A Field Study of the Impact of Indoor Lighting on Visual Perception and Cognitive Performance in Classroom
Authors: Liu Qiang , Huang Zheng , Li Zhijiang , Pointer Michael R. , Zhang Geng , Liu Zhen , Gong Hanwen , Hou Zhen
Published: October 2020

In this field study, a series of psychophysical tests were conducted to investigate the impact of indoor lighting on students’ visual perception and cognitive performance. A typical classroom of Wuhan University (China) was fitted with tubular light-emitting diode (LED) sources and LED panel sources in two experiments, respectively. Under the two lighting environments, seventy-nine college students were invited to complete a group of visual tests, which included colour preference evaluations of fruit and vegetables and skin tone, perceptual judgement on the atmosphere of the lighting environment, a reading comfort assessment concerning different paper colours, a Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) test quantifying alertness, and the Anfimov test of attention (also concerning paper colours). These tests were conducted twice, before and after a two-hour self-study under each lighting environment, with the aim of investigating the impact of visual fatigue on visual perception and cognitive performance. It was found that the influence of indoor lighting was significant on skin preference and atmosphere perception, while no measured effects of lighting were observed on participant’s alertness and attention. Meanwhile, the impact of visual fatigue was also found to be insignificant in this case. Interestingly, paper colour, rather than indoor lighting, was found to have a significant impact on the visual comfort of text reading. In addition, degree of proficiency significantly influenced the proofreading speed and accuracy of the subjects the in Anfimov test, which we believe should be taken into consideration when implementing similar tests in follow-up studies. The preliminary findings of this field study should provide a deeper understanding of how changes in classroom lighting contribute to visual perception and cognitive performance of occupants.
Understanding Temporal Evolution of Electroluminescence Intensity in Lead Sulfide (PbS) Colloidal Quantum Dot Infrared Light-Emitting Diodes
Authors: Kim Minkyoung , Park Byoungnam
Published: October 2020

We, for the first time, report a temporal evolution of the electroluminescence (EL) intensity in lead sulfide (PbS) colloidal quantum dot (CQD) infrared light-emitting diodes. The EL intensity was varied during infrared light emission, and its origin is attributed to competition between the achievement of charge balance associated with interfacial charging at the PbS/ZnO CQD interface and the electric-field induced luminescence quenching. The effect of multi-carrier emission on the enhanced EL intensity is discussed relating to shifting in the wavelength at the peak EL intensity.