bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simulation study on surface deformation of shallow buried coal seam mining in a gully area
Authors: Wang Xin , Cai Lailiang , Zhang Bingjie , Wu Jingdong , Zhu Quanshun , Cui Zhoufeng
Published: December 2023

Coal mining subsidence leads to frequent surface ecological and environmental problems. Due to the unique topographic conditions within gully areas, the deformation and damage characteristics, along with the evolution laws of the surface, have been difficult to analyze. To explore the surface movement and deformation law of shallow-buried coal seam mining in a gully area, this study designed a three-dimensional similar-material simulation test simulating the complete movement and deformation of the ground surface under real terrain conditions and proposed a complete data acquisition and processing scheme. Combined with the numerical simulation analysis, we utilized this scheme to analyze the dynamic influence law of coal seam mining in a gully area on the distribution of ground surface stress and displacement as well as on the dynamic characteristics of the ground surface damage. The results show that the existence of gully topography affects the stress distribution of the ground surface and the raw rock of the coal seams underneath and that there exists a stress concentration in the gully area of the ground surface. Furthermore, the mining activities of the coal seams lead to an increase in the degree of stress concentration in the gully area of the ground surface, and the slopes enter into the process of energy accumulation and sudden release, which makes the region prone to the occurrence of geological disasters such as landslides and collapses. In addition, the surface movement and deformation in the gully area are more intense, exceeding the plain area, and the surface movement is affected by the spatial location relationship between the mining area and the slope body, causing the center of the mining area to show obvious eccentricity characteristics. The results of this study provide a reference basis for the safe mining of coal mines in gully topography.
Experimental study on the failure of loose accumulation landslides under rainfall conditions
Authors: Sun Qianzheng , Zhao Longhui , Qin Yigen , Liu Bangyu
Published: December 2023

Rainfall plays a pivotal role in triggering the failure of loose accumulation landslides. To understand their stability, it is essential to explore the deformation, failure patterns, fine particle migration, and infiltration behavior of such landslides under rainy conditions. Employing the Yuqiupo landslide as a case study, this research dissects the fundamental attributes of the Yuqiupo landslide through geological examinations. Moreover, the study replicates the failure of the loose accumulation landslide via artificial rainfall experiments. By employing acquired data on soil volumetric water content and matrix suction from these experiments and observing measurable shifts in the landslide’s failure progression and rainfall circumstances, the water-hydraulic conditions of the accumulation landslide are meticulously dissected. The conducted experiments disclose that the failure of the loose accumulation landslide emanates from the combined effects of preferential flow and matrix flow within unsaturated conditions. Rainfall triggers an elevation in soil moisture content and a concurrent decrease in matrix suction, compromising the slope’s stability and ultimately causing the landslide. Furthermore, our research includes a quantitative analysis of changes in particle size distribution before and after the landslide’s failure. This endeavor underscores the influence of distinct failure modes on the migration of fine particles, with these migration patterns distinctly shaped by prevailing rainfall conditions.
Deformation and failure characteristics of high-speed tunnels in complex karst areas: a case at the Qilinguan tunnel
Authors: Hu Changgeng
Published: December 2023

The construction of expressway tunnels in karst areas faces many challenges under complex geological conditions. It is of great scientific and engineering significance to study the deformation and failure laws of tunnels and surfaces. Taking the Qilinguan tunnel of the Hubei Expressway as an example, the deformation and failure laws of the tunnel are analyzed when the tunnel passes through the complex karst area. The composition of karst water and surrounding rock was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and XRD, and the compression-shear failure model of tunnels in karst areas was proposed according to the regional hydrological and geological conditions. It was found that the thickness of the protective layer and the water pressure were the main factors affecting the deformation and failure of the surrounding rock in this area, and the treatment scheme of this project was put forward accordingly. The geological characteristics of karst areas were explored by advanced geological prediction and advanced geological drilling. The primary support is provided by a steel arch and advanced small pipe grouting. The composite lining is composed of shotcrete as the primary support and molded concrete as the secondary lining. The primary support structure of the flexible support system is adopted in the design to give full play to the bearing capacity of the surrounding rock. After the support measures were adopted, the trend of settlement change gradually slowed down, indicating that the support measures were effective.
Pore system and methane adsorption capacity features of marine and marine-continental transitional shale in the Sichuan Basin, SW China
Authors: Wang Enze , Guo Tonglou , Dong Xiaoxia , Wang Tong
Published: December 2023

Recently, significant achievements have been made in the gas exploration of marine Longmaxi shale in China. As exploration efforts have advanced, the exploration targets have gradually expanded to other sedimentary systems (marine-continental transitional and lacustrine). Compared with marine shale, shale in other sedimentary systems shows stronger heterogeneity, rendering previous exploration experiences of marine shale ineffective in guiding exploration efforts. Therefore, there is a pressing need for comparative studies to support future exploration practices. In this paper, the marine Longmaxi Formation and the marine-continental transitional Longtan Formation shales in the Lintanchang area of the southeastern of the Sichuan Basin are selected as the research objects. The study aims to compare the mineralogical characteristics, pore systems, and methane adsorption capacities of these two sets of shales, thereby revealing the differences in controlling factors that affect their physical properties and methane adsorption capacities. Our results show that the Longtan shale exhibits a higher clay mineral content, while the Longmaxi shale demonstrates significantly higher siliceous mineral content. Compare with Longmaxi shale, the Longtan shale exhibits a wider distribution range and higher average value of TOC content. The pore system in the Longmaxi shale is primarily dominated by organic matter-related pores, whereas the Longtan shale is characterized by clay mineral-related pores as the primary pore type. Given the variance in sedimentary environments, the controlling factors of physical properties differ significantly between the two sets of shales. In the case of the Longmaxi shale, TOC content is the most influential factor governing physical properties, while clay mineral content exerts the most significant influence on physical properties in the Longtan shale. Furthermore, TOC content emerges as the primary factor affecting methane adsorption capacity in both the Longmaxi and Longtan shales, despite the presence of significant variations in their pore systems. Nevertheless, the specific mechanisms through which TOC content impacts methane adsorption capacity exhibit variations between the two distinct shale types under investigation. The difference in sedimentary environment leads to various effects of mineral composition on methane adsorption capacity. Therefore, in the future research, the influences of different factors on methane adsorption capacity should be studied in combination with the sedimentary background.
Geochemical characteristics of Cambrian bitumen and Cambrian-Ordovician source rocks in the Keping area, NW Tarim Basin
Authors: Xu Shijing , Wang Jian , Wu Nan , Xu Qinghai
Published: December 2023

The Cambrian Yuertus Formation and Ordovician Saergan and Yingan formation source rocks, which TOC contents of 0.38%–4.30%, are well developed in the Keping area of the Tarim Basin. Reservoir bitumen had been found in the Cambrian Wusongger Formation and Shayilike Formation. In this study, the geochemical characteristics of the bitumen and source rocks were analyzed through biomarkers for oil-source correlation. The results show that the characteristics of the bitumen and Yuertus Formation source rocks are similar. Comparatively, the Yuertus Formation source rocks and bitumen have lower Pr/Ph values and higher C28/C29 regular steranes values. The maturity characteristics and depositional environment of the Cambrian source rocks in the Keping area and the platform basin areas are similar. Plots of Ph/n-C18versus Pr/n-C17, Ts/(Ts+Tm) versus 4-/1-MDBT (methyl dibenzothiophene), and DBT/P (dibenzothiophene/phenanthrene) versus Pr/Ph distinguish the bitumen and source rocks well. As an original plot, we found that the Fla/Py (fluoranthene/pyrene) versus MP/P (methyl-phenanthrene/phenanthrene) intersection plot can be used to identify the possible sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to a certain extent and can distinguish between the Cambrian and Ordovician source rocks in this study. Comprehensive analysis revealed that the bitumen samples most likely originated from the Yuertus Formation source rocks. It was also found that the biomarker characteristics such as the shape type of the C27-C28-C29 regular steranes, triarylosteranes, and triarylosteroids are not applicable to distinguishing the Cambrian and Ordovician source rocks in the Keping area. These research findings provide references for studying the Lower Paleozoic oil-source correlation in the platform in the Tarim Basin.
Numerical study on migration of overlying strata and propogation of cracks during multi-coal seams mining
Authors: Zou Junpeng , Wang Man , Bai Lu , Yan Chongwei
Published: December 2023

The surface subsidence caused by the coal seam mining seriously affects the ecology of the mining area. Compared with the single-coal seam mining, the mechanism of the overburden fracture and crack propagation caused by multi-coal seams mining is more complex, which has not been fully understood. Taking the 22,108 and 42,108 working faces of Buertai Coal Mine as a research object, the discrete element method is used to simulate the migration and failure characteristics of overlying strata, and the propogation of cracks in the process of multi-coal seams mining is also been investigated. So many cracks develop in the soft strata overlying the coal seam, and they cross each other and form a complex fracture system. The hard layer produces staggered cracks with a large size, mainly high-angle longitudinal cracks. The surface subsidence curve of the single coal seam mining shows a wide and slow “bowl” type, and the surface subsidence curve of the double coal seams mining show a “funnel” type with only one inflection point. The overburden structure disturbance caused by the previous coal seam and rock cracking—settlement have great influence on the mining of the latter coal seam. The research results are basically consistent with the field data comparison, which could provide a reference for the related research and engineering practice of shallow-buried double coal seam mining.
Robust Guidance and Selective Spraying Based on Deep Learning for an Advanced Four-Wheeled Farming Robot
Authors: Chang Chung-Liang , Chen Hung-Wen , Ke Jing-Yun
Published: December 2023

Complex farmland backgrounds and varying light intensities make the detection of guidance paths more difficult, even with computer vision technology. In this study, a robust line extraction approach for use in vision-guided farming robot navigation is proposed. The crops, drip irrigation belts, and ridges are extracted through a deep learning method to form multiple navigation feature points, which are then fitted into a regression line using the least squares method. Furthermore, deep learning-driven methods are used to detect weeds and unhealthy crops. Programmed proportional–integral–derivative (PID) speed control and fuzzy logic-based steering control are embedded in a low-cost hardware system and assist a highly maneuverable farming robot in maintaining forward movement at a constant speed and performing selective spraying operations efficiently. The experimental results show that under different weather conditions, the farming robot can maintain a deviation angle of 1 degree at a speed of 12.5 cm/s and perform selective spraying operations efficiently. The effective weed coverage (EWC) and ineffective weed coverage (IWC) reached 83% and 8%, respectively, and the pesticide reduction reached 53%. Detailed analysis and evaluation of the proposed scheme are also illustrated in this paper.
Effect of Storage Conditions on the Storability and Nutritional Value of New Polish Apples Grown in Central Poland
Authors: Kistechok Andrii , Wrona Dariusz , Krupa Tomasz
Published: December 2023

The aim of this study is to assess the storability and nutritional value of new Polish apple cultivars recommended for cultivation after storage under low-oxygen atmospheric conditions (ULO and DCA). Fruit characteristics of ‘Chopin’ and clone ‘JB’ were evaluated in relation to commonly grown apple cultivars. Fruits of six selected apple cultivars were stored for a period of 9 months in conventional (0.04% CO2: 21% O2), Ultra-Low Oxygen (1.5% CO2: 1.5% O2), and Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere (0.6% CO2: 0.6% O2) cold storage. Physicochemical characteristics of the apples (firmness, soluble solids, acidity, and fibre content), nutritional and antioxidant values of the fruit (P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, total polyphenols, total flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity), and safety of consumption (residues of pesticides) were assessed. The new cultivar ‘Chopin’ and clone ‘JB’ were characterised by above-average acidity and clone ‘JB’ stood out in terms of antioxidant properties. Storage in a low-oxygen atmosphere in DCA was more effective in limiting fruit ripening than conventional cold storage, contributing to the preservation of the high potential of biologically active compounds in the apples. Apples after 9 months of storage were characterised by higher firmness (from 3.5 to 14 N), higher total polyphenol content in the flesh (from 8 to 23 mg∙100 g−1 FW) and peel (from 32 to 97 mg∙100 g−1 FW), as well as higher antioxidant capacity in the flesh (from 15 to 37 mg AAE∙100 g−1 FW) and peel (from 28 to 59 mg AAE∙100 g−1 FW) when stored in DCA compared to cold storage.
How Does Digital Economy Promote Agricultural Development? Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Wang Jingyi , Lin Qingning , Zhang Xuebiao
Published: December 2023

Understanding the impact of the digital economy on agriculture in developing countries holds significant importance in enhancing agricultural production and addressing hunger-related challenges. This study uses panel data of 35 SSA countries from 2006 to 2021 and investigates the relationship between digital economy and agriculture using dynamic regression models. The impact mechanism is also analyzed using mediating models. The results show that the digital economy has a positive impact on agriculture through the increase of agricultural productivity, human capital accumulation and the improvement of government governance. The effects of the digital economy are larger in countries with higher and lower levels of agricultural development, significant in middle-income countries, and insignificant in low-income countries. This study may provide a better understanding of the nexus between digital economy and agricultural development, and offer valuable insights for governments in developing nations to formulate relevant and effective policies.
Combined Effects of Cyclic Heat Stress, Dietary Induced Oxidative Stress and Different Levels of Antioxidant on Gut Fermentation Activity and Mucosal Morphology in Broiler Chickens
Authors: Rezar Vida , Pal Manca Pečjak , Leskovec Jakob , Levart Alenka , Salobir Janez , Lavrenčič Andrej , Vrecl Milka , Pirman Tatjana
Published: December 2023

The gastrointestinal tract of broilers is susceptible to oxidative stress induced by heat stress (HS) and diet, which can be mitigated by the supply of exogenous vitamins and antioxidants. The aim of this study was to compare the extent of the effects of cyclic HS, and high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (HP) on gut health. It also aimed to investigate whether additional supplementation with vitamins E, C and selenium (HA) is required to support gut health under these conditions. In the present study, 192 one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly divided into eight experimental groups. Exposure to HS and HP significantly (p < 0.001) decreased villus height and villus-to-crypt ratio in the duodenum, while no differences were observed in the jejunum and ileum. In addition, oxidative stress in the liver, indicated by increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, was increased in the HP groups (p < 0.0001), while the HA groups had a positive effect on lowering MDA levels. The results confirm that cyclic HS and HP induce oxidative stress that damages the structure of intestinal morphology and that supplementation with HA could be a potential approach to mitigate the negative effects of these stressors.
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Functions of High-Density Lipoprotein in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Denimal Damien
Published: December 2023

(1) Background: high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that play an important role in preventing the development of atherosclerotic lesions and possibly also diabetes. In turn, both type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are susceptible to having deleterious effects on these HDL functions. The objectives of the present review are to expound upon the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions of HDLs in both diabetes in the setting of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases and discuss the contributions of these HDL functions to the onset of diabetes. (2) Methods: this narrative review is based on the literature available from the PubMed database. (3) Results: several antioxidant functions of HDLs, such as paraoxonase-1 activity, are compromised in T2D, thereby facilitating the pro-atherogenic effects of oxidized low-density lipoproteins. In addition, HDLs exhibit diminished ability to inhibit pro-inflammatory pathways in the vessels of individuals with T2D. Although the literature is less extensive, recent evidence suggests defective antiatherogenic properties of HDL particles in T1D. Lastly, substantial evidence indicates that HDLs play a role in the onset of diabetes by modulating glucose metabolism. (4) Conclusions and perspectives: impaired HDL antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions present intriguing targets for mitigating cardiovascular risk in individuals with diabetes. Further investigations are needed to clarify the influence of glycaemic control and nephropathy on HDL functionality in patients with T1D. Furthermore, exploring the effects on HDL functionality of novel antidiabetic drugs used in the management of T2D may provide intriguing insights for future research.
Current-Signal-Based Fault Diagnosis of Railway Point Machines Using Machine Learning
Authors: Sugiana Ahmad , Cahyadi Willy Anugrah , Yusran Yasser
Published: December 2023

The majority of railway operators still implement conventional maintenance for railway point machines (RPMs), which is one of the most vital pieces of equipment for ensuring the safety of train operation. The conventional maintenance method lacks accuracy, is less efficient, and has high labor costs. This study developed a cost-effective and accurate fault diagnosis (FD) method based on current data to increase the overall efficiency of RPM maintenance. The FD method for RPM equipment discussed in this paper consists of three working conditions: normal, working, and failure. The method was proposed based on time-series current signals, which were gathered when the RPM was in operation. Time-series data were extracted and filtered using time-domain feature extraction based on scalable hypothesis testing. The selected features became the datasets for machine learning modeling. Six machine learning algorithms were compared in order to find the algorithm with the best FD accuracy. The results showed 100% accuracy for the Decision Tree and Random Forest algorithms in the FD method. The results of the FD method could be important for maintenance teams in determining suitable maintenance activities based on RPM working conditions.
Stability Assessment of the Dam of a Tailings Pond Using Computer Modeling—Case Study: Coroiești, Romania
Authors: Popescu Florin Dumitru , Radu Sorin Mihai , Andras Andrei , Brinas Ildiko , Marita Mihaela-Olga , Radu Mirela Ancuta , Brinas Constantin Laurentiu
Published: December 2023

Anthropogenic activities related to mining generate both progress and a vast amount of waste that is responsible for environmental degradation. The Jiu Valley is one of the areas of Romania where mining has affected large areas of land, used to build mines and tailings ponds. The former Coroiesti coal processing plant (CCPP) is such a location with a total area of 25 ha containing approximately 5.5 million tons of tailings. The assessment of the stability of tailings dams is extremely important from safety and environmental aspects. This study proposes a solution based on numerical methods for determining the stability of a section of the dam of a tailings pond. The model of tailings pond no. 1, compartment B, from the Coroieşti Coal Preparation was built using COMSOL Multiphysics. Two scenarios of stability analysis were conducted on a section of the tailings dam: the FOS was determined using the shear strength reduction (SSR) method for both the initial and the current state of this TP. This method is a modern alternative to the limit equilibrium method, and its implementation by COMSOL is new to our country, thus aligning this methodology with current worldwide trends and developments in the field. The results obtained proved to be in line with those calculated in the past with traditional analytical methods, proving that the safety criteria of the studied TP/TD are being met.
Analysis of the External and Internal Load in Wheelchair Basketball Considering the Game Situation
Authors: Hernández-Beltrán Víctor , Ibáñez Sergio J. , Espada Mário C. , Gamonales José M.
Published: December 2023

The systematic and programmed control and evaluation of the external and internal load of high-performance athletes during training sessions and high-level competitions allows the coaching staff to know a great amount of information to evaluate the physical condition of the players and the tactical positioning as well as to identify optimal performance. Therefore, this study aimed to analyse the external and internal load of wheelchair basketball players during training and competition matches considering the functional classification of the players. WIMU PROTM inertial devices were used to collect the data. As independent variables, the sporting context and the functional classification were selected, and as dependent variables, the variables related to the external and internal load were established. The results reported significant differences between the contexts, with higher values in the competition than in the training sessions considering the internal and external load. Taking into account the functional classification, it is shown that the player with a higher functional classification obtained more differences and higher values. Understanding the external and internal load of the players during training and competitions is very important to personalise the training load according to the demands of the competition. It allows development of a progressive and modular training programme of loads to obtain the best performance. Consequently, injury risk of players due to overload will also be reduced.
Quality Analysis of Bonded Joints in the Renovation of Plastic Automotive Parts
Authors: Varga Ján , Brezinová Janette , Brezina Jakub
Published: December 2023

In the field of automotive parts, bonded joints are finding more and more applications. One of the main advantages of these joints is their non-destructive bonding. Due to them being permanently applied and being exposed to external operating conditions, their strength properties are reduced, especially when it comes to parts forming the functional unit of a car after renovation. It is, therefore, important to be able to understand these influences, which can help us to understand the extent to which these plastic parts are affected by external operating conditions after renovation. This article shows the various influences that these plastic parts produced using bonding technology and what they can be exposed to. For the evaluation of bonded joints, the following environments simulate the operating condition: SO2 concentration at total moisture condensation, 20% salt solution, and exposure in atmospheric conditions for one year in the environment. The best values among MEGABOND 2000, ChS EPOXY, and DINITROL 860 adhesives are achieved by ChS EPOXY adhesive, which can be recommended for the renovation of plastic parts for the automotive industry.
Accident Probability Prediction and Analysis of Bus Drivers Based on Occupational Characteristics
Authors: Ding Tongqiang , Yuan Lei , Li Zhiqiang , Xi Jianfeng , Zhang Kexin
Published: December 2023

A city bus carries a large number of passengers, and any traffic accidents can lead to severe casualties and property losses. Hence, predicting the likelihood of accidents among bus drivers is paramount. This paper considered occupational driving characteristics such as cumulative driving duration, station entry and exit features, and peak driving times, and categorical boosting (CatBoost) was used to construct an accident probability prediction model. Its effectiveness was confirmed by the daily management data of a Chongqing bus company in June. For data processing, Multiple Imputation by Chained Equations for Random Forests (MICEForest) was used for data filling. In terms of prediction, a comparative analysis of four boosted trees revealed that CatBoost exhibited superior performance. To analyze the critical factors affecting the probability of bus driver accidents, SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) was applied to visualize and interpret the results. In addition to the significant effects of age, rainfall, and azimuthal change, etc., we innovatively discovered that the proportion of driving duration during peak duration, the dispersion when entering and exiting stations, the proportion of driving duration within a week, and the accumulated driving duration of the previous week also had varying degrees of impact on accident probability. Our research and findings provide a new idea of accident prediction for professional drivers and direct theoretical support for the accident risk management of bus drivers.
Optimization of Industrial-Scale Cultivation Conditions to Enhance the Nutritional Composition of Nontoxic Cyanobacterium Leptolyngbya sp. KIOST-1
Authors: Lee Won-Kyu , Ryu Yong-Kyun , Kim Taeho , Park Areumi , Lee Yeon-Ji , Lee Youngdeuk , Kim Ji Hyung , Oh Chulhong , Kang Do-Hyung , Choi Woon-Yong
Published: December 2023

Leptolyngbya sp. KIOST-1 has been proposed as a candidate species for use as a protein supplement due to its high protein content and absence of cytotoxicity. The species has also garnered attention due to the photosynthetic pigments it possesses. However, limited information is available on its cultivation. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the optimal culture medium and fundamental physiological properties of Leptolyngbya sp. KIOST-1 under various culture conditions. In this study, SOT (Society of Toxicology) medium was confirmed as the optimal culture medium for Leptolyngbya sp. KIOST-1 growth. The biomass production, protein content, and photosynthetic pigment content of Leptolyngbya sp. KIOST-1 were significantly higher in SOT medium. The use of this medium allowed for scaling up from laboratory (10 mL) to pilot (200 L) conditions and industrial-scale outdoor conditions (10,000 L), with the biomass containing over 66% protein. The phytochemical composition of Leptolyngbya sp. KIOST-1 cultured at laboratory and industrial-scales was discovered in this study. Furthermore, we observed that reducing the carbon and nitrogen sources to 1/5 of those supplied by the optimal medium did not significantly affect biomass production, and Leptolyngbya sp. KIOST-1 demonstrated favorable growth capabilities in a salinity range of 10–50 psu and at pH levels of 8.3 to 10.3. The results of this study demonstrate the suitability of Leptolyngbya sp. KIOST-1 for various industrial applications and its adaptability to large-scale cultivation.
Evaluation of Non-Planar Tool Interaction in Milling of Shaped Surfaces Using a Copy Milling Cutter
Authors: Varga Ján , Kender Štefan , Kaščák Ľuboš , Rohaľ Vladimír , Spišák Emil
Published: December 2023

When milling complex parts or curved surfaces, we encounter several problems that must be addressed in the production process. Various factors affect the quality and accuracy of production. The main objective of this paper was to analyse the size of the effective tool diameter when machining a shaped surface concerning the selected position, namely at the perpendicular position of the tool. At the same time, the distribution of the engagement area on the tool surface was evaluated by extracting the area content and volume data at the point of contact. This study highlights the importance of the choice of finishing strategy in a CAM system. The results showed that the tool engagement size corresponded to the extracted data describing the area and volume for each tool position with regards to the curvature of the surface. The negative deviations obtained by the scanning method were due to machining near the tool centre, which was affected by the changing effective tool diameter.
Fault Feature Extraction of Parallel-Axis Gearbox Based on IDBO-VMD and t-SNE
Authors: Wang Zhen , Wang Shuaiyu , Cheng Yiyang
Published: December 2023

For the problem that the fault states of parallel shaft gearboxes are difficult to identify, a diagnostic method is proposed to optimize variational modal decomposition (VMD) and t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) using an improved dung beetle optimization algorithm I have checked and revised all. (IDBO). IDBO is obtained by amplifying dung beetle optimization (DBO) using strategies such as chaos mapping, Levy flight policy, and dynamic adaptive weighting. IDBO is employed to optimize VMD, extracting decomposed eigenvalues restructured into high-dimensional feature vectors. Subsequently, we employ the t-SNE algorithm for dimensionality reduction to eliminate redundancy, obtaining two-dimensional vectors. Finally, these vectors are input into a support vector machine (SVM) for fault diagnosis. We apply IDBO, grey wolf optimization (GWO), DBO, and the sparrow search algorithm (SSA) to both benchmark functions and VMD, conducting a performance comparison. The results demonstrate that IDBO exhibits superior convergence speed and global search capability, effectively suppressing modal aliasing issues in VMD, thereby enhancing the algorithm’s robustness. Through experimental fault diagnosis on a gear transmission system, we compare our proposed method with EMD + t-SNE and traditional VMD + t-SNE feature extraction approaches. The experimental results indicate that the fault diagnosis accuracy reaches 100% after processing the fault signals with IDBO-VMD + t-SNE. This method proves to be an effective fault diagnosis approach specifically tailored for parallel-axis gearboxes, providing a reliable means to enhance diagnostic accuracy.
Occurrence of Mobile Colistin Resistance Genes mcr-1–mcr-10 including Novel mcr Gene Variants in Different Pathotypes of Porcine Escherichia coli Isolates Collected in Germany from 2000 to 2021
Authors: Göpel Lisa , Prenger-Berninghoff Ellen , Wolf Silver A. , Semmler Torsten , Bauerfeind Rolf , Ewers Christa
Published: December 2023

In the European Union, gastrointestinal disease in pigs is the main indication for the use of colistin, but large-scale epidemiologic data concerning the frequency of mobile colistin resistance (mcr) genes in pig-associated pathotypes of Escherichia coli (E. coli) are lacking. Multiplex polymerase chain reactions were used to detect virulence-associated genes (VAGs) and mcr-1–mcr-10 genes in 10,573 porcine E. coli isolates collected in Germany from July 2000 to December 2021. Whole genome sequencing was performed on 220 representative mcr-positive E. coli strains. The total frequency of mcr genes was 10.2%, the most frequent being mcr-1 (8.4%) and mcr-4 (1.6%). All other mcr genes were rarely identified (mcr-2, mcr-3, mcr-5) or absent (mcr-6 to mcr-10). The highest frequencies of mcr genes were found in enterotoxigenic and shiga toxin-encoding E. coli (ETEC/STEC hybrid) and in edema disease E. coli (EDEC) strains (21.9% and 17.7%, respectively). We report three novel mcr variants, mcr-1.36, mcr-4.8, and mcr-5.5. In 39 attaching and effacing E. coli (AEEC) isolates analyzed in our study, the eae subtype β1 was the most prevalent (71.8%). Constant surveillance for the presence of mcr genes in various sectors should consider the different frequency of mcr-positive isolates in pathogenic E. coli.
Concurrent Thermal Reduction and Boron-Doped Graphene Oxide by Metal–Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition for Ultraviolet Sensing Application
Authors: Ryu Beo Deul , Jang Hyeon-Sik , Ko Kang Bok , Han Min , Cuong Tran Viet , Choi Chel-Jong , Hong Chang-Hee
Published: December 2023

We synthesized a boron-doped reduced graphene oxide (BrGO) material characterized by various electrical properties, through simultaneous thermal reduction and doping procedures, using a metal–organic chemical vapor deposition technique. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to study the impact of the doping level on the B bonding in the reduced graphene oxide (rGO) layer that is influenced by the annealing temperature. The synthesized BrGO layer demonstrated a high B concentration with a considerable number of O-B bonds, that were altered by annealing temperatures. This resulted in a decreased work function and the formation of a Schottky contact between the BrGO and n-type Si substrate. Due to the higher proportion of B-C and B-C3 bonding in the BrGO/Si device than that in the rGO/Si, the decreased Schottky barrier height of the BrGO/n-Si vertical junction photodetector resulted in a higher responsivity. This study showcases a promise of a simple B-doping method in use to alter the electrical characteristics of graphene materials.
AI-Powered Academic Guidance and Counseling System Based on Student Profile and Interests
Authors: Majjate Hajar , Bellarhmouch Youssra , Jeghal Adil , Yahyaouy Ali , Tairi Hamid , Zidani Khalid Alaoui
Published: December 2023

Over the past few decades, the education sector has achieved impressive advancements by incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the educational environment. Nevertheless, specific educational processes, particularly educational counseling, still depend on traditional procedures. The current method of conducting group sessions between counselors and students does not offer personalized assistance or individual attention, which can cause stress to students and make it difficult for them to make informed decisions about their coursework and career path. This paper proposes a counseling solution designed to aid high school seniors in selecting appropriate academic paths at the tertiary level. The system utilizes a predictive model that considers academic history and student preferences to determine students’ likelihood of admission to their chosen university and recommends similar alternative universities to provide more opportunities. We developed the model based on data from 500 graduates from 12 public high schools in Morocco, as well as eligibility criteria from 31 institutions and colleges. The counseling system comprises two modules: a recommendation module that uses popularity-based and content-based recommendations and a prediction module that calculates the likelihood of admission using the Huber Regressor model. This model outperformed 13 other machine learning modules, with a low MSE of 0.0017, RMSE of 0.0422, and the highest R-squared value of 0.9306. Finally, the system is accessible through a user-friendly web interface.
Instantaneous Generation of Subject-Specific Finite Element Models of the Hip Capsule
Authors: Anantha-Krishnan Ahilan , Myers Casey A. , Fitzpatrick Clare K. , Clary Chadd W.
Published: December 2023

Subject-specific hip capsule models could offer insights into impingement and dislocation risk when coupled with computer-aided surgery, but model calibration is time-consuming using traditional techniques. This study developed a framework for instantaneously generating subject-specific finite element (FE) capsule representations from regression models trained with a probabilistic approach. A validated FE model of the implanted hip capsule was evaluated probabilistically to generate a training dataset relating capsule geometry and material properties to hip laxity. Multivariate regression models were trained using 90% of trials to predict capsule properties based on hip laxity and attachment site information. The regression models were validated using the remaining 10% of the training set by comparing differences in hip laxity between the original trials and the regression-derived capsules. Root mean square errors (RMSEs) in laxity predictions ranged from 1.8° to 2.3°, depending on the type of laxity used in the training set. The RMSE, when predicting the laxity measured from five cadaveric specimens with total hip arthroplasty, was 4.5°. Model generation time was reduced from days to milliseconds. The results demonstrated the potential of regression-based training to instantaneously generate subject-specific FE models and have implications for integrating subject-specific capsule models into surgical planning software.
Chelidonichthys lucerna (Linnaeus, 1758) Population Structure in the Northeast Atlantic Inferred from Landmark-Based Body Morphometry
Authors: Ferreira Inês , Schroeder Rafael , Mugerza Estanis , Oyarzabal Iñaki , McCarthy Ian D. , Correia Alberto T.
Published: December 2023

The study of geometric morphometrics among stocks has proven to be a valuable tool in delineating fish spatial distributions and discriminating distinct population units. Variations in fish body morphology can be linked to genetic factors or to phenotypic adaptability in response to environmental variables. The tub gurnard (Chelidonichthys lucerna) is a demersal species that usually lives in the bottom of the continental shelf, being widely distributed along the northeast Atlantic, Mediterranean and Black seas. Worldwide interest in the species has increased since 2006, when ICES recognized its potential for commercial exploitation. However, despite its broad geographic occurrence, to date, research on C. lucerna population structure at large spatial scales is still lacking. In this paper, body geometric morphometrics, using a landmark-based truss network, was applied in order to discriminate C. lucerna populations caught in three different fishery grounds areas along the northeast Atlantic: Conwy Bay (United Kingdom), Biscay Bay (Spain) and Matosinhos (Portugal). The results obtained in this study revealed a high overall relocation success (95%) of samples to their original locations, thus demonstrating the existence of significant regional differences and indicating that we are dealing with different fish population units. Moreover, the data revealed a partial overlap between individuals from Spain and United Kingdom, suggesting that in geographically distant areas these populations may inhabit similar environments. However, to corroborate these findings, future works using a holistic approach with alternative and complimentary stock assessment tools (e.g., genetic and phenotypic natural tags) are highly recommended.
Hericium erinaceus Extract Exerts Beneficial Effects on Gut–Neuroinflammaging–Cognitive Axis in Elderly Mice
Authors: Priori Erica Cecilia , Ratto Daniela , De Luca Fabrizio , Sandionigi Anna , Savino Elena , Giammello Francesca , Romeo Marcello , Brandalise Federico , Roda Elisa , Rossi Paola
Published: December 2023

Ageing is a biological phenomenon that determines the impairment of cognitive performances, in particular, affecting memory. Inflammation and cellular senescence are known to be involved in the pathogenesis of cognitive decline. The gut microbiota–brain axis could exert a critical role in influencing brain homeostasis during ageing, modulating neuroinflammation, and possibly leading to inflammaging. Due to their anti-ageing properties, medicinal mushrooms can be utilised as a resource for developing pharmaceuticals and functional foods. Specifically, Hericium erinaceus (He), thanks to its bioactive metabolites, exerts numerous healthy beneficial effects, such as reinforcing the immune system, counteracting ageing, and improving cognitive performance. Our previous works demonstrated the capabilities of two months of He1 standardised extract oral supplementation in preventing cognitive decline in elderly frail mice. Herein, we showed that this treatment did not change the overall gut microbiome composition but significantly modified the relative abundance of genera specifically involved in cognition and inflammation. Parallelly, a significant decrease in crucial markers of inflammation and cellular senescence, i.e., CD45, GFAP, IL6, p62, and γH2AX, was demonstrated in the dentate gyrus and Cornus Ammonis hippocampal areas through immunohistochemical experiments. In summary, we suggested beneficial and anti-inflammatory properties of He1 in mouse hippocampus through the gut microbiome–brain axis modulation.
Correlation between the Density of Acipenser sinensis and Its Environmental DNA
Authors: Wang Xiaojing , Feng Guangpeng , Zhu Jiazhi , Jiang Wei
Published: December 2023

Since the construction of the Gezhouba Dam, Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) numbers have gradually declined, rendering this species critically endangered according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Environmental DNA (eDNA) technology plays an important role in monitoring the abundance of aquatic organisms. Species density and biomass have been proven to be estimable by researchers, but the level of accuracy depends on the specific species and ecosystem. In this study, juvenile A. sinensis, an endangered fish, were selected as the research target. Under controlled laboratory conditions in an aquarium, one, two, four, six, and eight juvenile A. sinensis were cultured in five fish tanks, respectively. Water samples were filtered at eight different time points for eDNA content analysis. Additionally, eDNA yield was tested at six different time points after a 0.114 ind./L density of A. sinensis was removed, and the employed degradation model was screened using the Akaike information criterion (AIC) and the Bayesian information criterion (BIC). The results showed that eDNA content remained stable after 3 days and exhibited a significant positive linear correlation with the density of A. sinensis (R2 = 0.768~0.986). Furthermore, eDNA content was negatively correlated with the 3-day period after the removal of A. sinensis. The power function had the smallest AIC and BIC values, indicating better fitting performance. This study lays a momentous foundation for the application of eDNA for monitoring juvenile A. sinensis in the Yangtze Estuary and reveals the applicability of eDNA as a useful tool for assessing fish density/biomass in natural environments.
Exosome-Related FTCD Facilitates M1 Macrophage Polarization and Impacts the Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Liu Youyi , Tang Yifei , Jiang Hongliang , Zhang Xiading , Chen Xingyi , Guo Jingrou , Jin Cheng , Wu Minchen
Published: December 2023

Background: Exosomes are essential for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and have garnered significant interest as novel targets for diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic approaches. This study aims to identify potential exosome-related biomarkers for the development of useful strategies for HCC diagnosis and therapy. Methods: Three datasets obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were utilized to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in HCC. Through Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network, overall survival (OS) analysis, Cox analyses, and diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced HCC mouse model detection, exosome-related hub gene was screened out, followed by a prognostic value assessment and immune-correlates analysis based on the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. The hub gene-containing exosomes derived from Hepa1-6 cells were isolated and characterized using differential ultracentrifugation, transmission electron microscopy scanning, and Western blot. Ultrasound-guided intrahepatic injection, cell co-culture, CCK-8, and flow cytometry were performed to investigate the effects of the hub gene on macrophage infiltration and polarization in HCC. Results: A total of 83 DEGs enriched in the extracellular exosome term, among which, FTCD, HRA, and C8B showed the strongest association with the progression of HCC. FTCD was independently associated with a protective effect in HCC and selected as the hub gene. The presence of FTCD in exosomes was confirmed. FTCD-stimulated macrophages were polarized towards the M1 type and suppressed HCC cells proliferation. Conclusions: FTCD is a potential exosome-related biomarker for HCC diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. The crosstalk between FTCD-containing exosomes and macrophages in HCC progression deserves further investigation.
Combining Low-Dose Computer-Tomography-Based Radiomics and Serum Metabolomics for Diagnosis of Malignant Nodules in Participants of Lung Cancer Screening Studies
Authors: Zyla Joanna , Marczyk Michal , Prazuch Wojciech , Sitkiewicz Magdalena , Durawa Agata , Jelitto Malgorzata , Dziadziuszko Katarzyna , Jelonek Karol , Kurczyk Agata , Szurowska Edyta , Rzyman Witold , Widłak Piotr , Polanska Joanna
Published: December 2023

Radiomics is an emerging approach to support the diagnosis of pulmonary nodules detected via low-dose computed tomography lung cancer screening. Serum metabolome is a promising source of auxiliary biomarkers that could help enhance the precision of lung cancer diagnosis in CT-based screening. Thus, we aimed to verify whether the combination of these two techniques, which provides local/morphological and systemic/molecular features of disease at the same time, increases the performance of lung cancer classification models. The collected cohort consists of 1086 patients with radiomic and 246 patients with serum metabolomic evaluations. Different machine learning techniques, i.e., random forest and logistic regression were applied for each omics. Next, model predictions were combined with various integration methods to create a final model. The best single omics models were characterized by an AUC of 83% in radiomics and 60% in serum metabolomics. The model integration only slightly increased the performance of the combined model (AUC equal to 85%), which was not statistically significant. We concluded that radiomics itself has a good ability to discriminate lung cancer from benign lesions. However, additional research is needed to test whether its combination with other molecular assessments would further improve the diagnosis of screening-detected lung nodules.