bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation of Full Dynamic Parameters of Large Space Debris Based on Rope Net Flexible Collision and Vision
Authors: Tang Chao , Yao Jinming , Liang Lei , Zhang Huibo , Wei Cheng , Zhao Yang
Published: August 2023

The identification of space debris’s dynamic parameters is a prerequisite for detumbling and capture operations. In this paper, a novel method for identifying dynamic parameters based on the rope net flexible collision and vision data is proposed, which combines the advantages of full dynamic parameter estimation (contact method) and safety (non-contact method). The point cloud data before and after collision is obtained by LiDAR, and the transformation matrix of point clouds and debris motion data are calculated by point cloud registration. Before the collision, using the motion model-based optimization, the real-time position of the debris center of mass is estimated. And the transformation matrix between visual and debris-fixed coordinates are calculated by the mass center position and transformation matrix of the point cloud. Then, using the debris dynamic model and parameters’ characteristics, the normalized dynamic parameters are estimated. An identification method of net node position changes based on the flexible collision characteristics of rope nets is proposed, which is used to obtain the momentum of the rope net after the collision. Based on the conservation of linear momentum and angular momentum of the satellite-net system, the true values of the mass and the principal moment of inertia of the debris are estimated. The true values of the kinetic energy and momentum can be obtained by substituting the true values of the principal moment of inertia into the normalized parameters, and the full dynamic parameters of large space debris is estimated. Simulations of identifying full dynamic parameters have been performed; the results indicate that this method can provide accurate and real-time true values of dynamic parameters for the detumbling and capture mission.
Coverage Path Planning Method for Agricultural Spraying UAV in Arbitrary Polygon Area
Authors: Li Jiacheng , Sheng Hanlin , Zhang Jie , Zhang Haibo
Published: August 2023

In the coverage path planning (CPP) problem of an agricultural spraying UAV, a margin reduction algorithm was designed first to address special situations such as ditches and channels within the operational terrain. Regarding the particularity of a concave polygon area, an algorithm based on topology mapping was developed to judge the concave points of the concave polygon area, and the path with special concave points was scheduled. For the evaluation of the pesticide spraying mission, the flight distance and extra coverage ratio were the most appropriate optimization objectives. Therefore, this paper selected these two indicators to form a fitness function, then found the optimal operating heading angle of the mission after iterative optimization. Finally, the CPP for an agricultural spraying UAV in an arbitrary polygon area under the optimal heading angle was realized. The simulation and flight test results showed that the CPP method could significantly shorten the flight distance and reduce additional coverage, then avoid energy consumption and pesticide waste. In addition, the engineering practicability of the method was verified in this paper. This method can be popularized and widely used for an agricultural spraying UAV, which has great engineering application value.
World Forage Import Market: Competitive Structure and Market Forces
Authors: Wang Wenxin , Liang Yaowen , Ru Zhuo , Guo Haojie , Zhao Bingjie
Published: August 2023

Trade market power serves as a significant indicator of pricing power within the trade market. This paper aims to examine the market structure of global forage trade from 1997 to 2020 and assess the market power of forage exporters in major importing countries, namely Japan, China, and South Korea, by utilizing an extended G-K model based on the theory of residual elasticity of demand. The findings of this analysis provide several key insights. Firstly, it is revealed that the United States and Australia hold a monopoly on forage trade, while China has emerged as the most pivotal market for worldwide forage trade. Notably, China’s growing demand for forage imports is profoundly influencing the global forage trade landscape. Secondly, the extent and effectiveness of exporting countries’ market power in forage-importing nations, such as China, varies considerably. Lastly, the market power of forage-exporting countries is determined by various factors, including the demand for forage in importing nations, export monopoly, import structure, demand elasticity, and the level of marketization.
A Comprehensive Review of the Research of the “Eye–Brain–Hand” Harvesting System in Smart Agriculture
Authors: Ji Wanteng , Huang Xianhao , Wang Shubo , He Xiongkui
Published: August 2023

Smart agricultural harvesting robots’ vision recognition, control decision, and mechanical hand modules all resemble the human eye, brain, and hand, respectively. To enable automatic and precise picking of target fruits and vegetables, the system makes use of cutting-edge sensor technology, machine vision algorithms, and intelligent control and decision methods. This paper provides a comprehensive review of international research advancements in the “eye–brain–hand” harvesting systems within the context of smart agriculture, encompassing aspects of mechanical hand devices, visual recognition systems, and intelligent decision systems. Then, the key technologies used in the current research are reviewed, including image processing, object detection and tracking, machine learning, deep learning, etc. In addition, this paper explores the application of the system to different crops and environmental conditions and analyzes its advantages and challenges. Finally, the challenges and prospects for the research on picking robots in the future are presented, including further optimization of the algorithm and improvement of flexibility and reliability of mechanical devices. To sum up, the “eye–brain–hand” picking system in intelligent agriculture has great potential to improve the efficiency and quality of crop picking and reduce labor pressure, and it is expected to be widely used in agricultural production.
Spectroscopy Techniques for Monitoring the Composting Process: A Review
Authors: Martín Andrés Pérez-San , Marhuenda-Egea Frutos C. , Bustamante Maria Angeles , Curaqueo Gustavo
Published: August 2023

Composting is described as a sustainable alternative to organic waste reuse from the agricultural and household sectors. The organic matter degradation and stabilization product presents great variability due to the waste composition used. Thus, the use of techniques that allow the monitoring of the decomposition process is necessary to determine the quality of the final product. Therefore, this review critically analyzes and updates the chemical spectroscopy methods described for the evaluation of the organic matter transformation in the composting process to optimize and generate amendments for agricultural use. This review examines spectroscopic techniques such as ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), infrared (IR), fluorescence, and 13C NMR reported for the evolution and maturation of carbonate structures in composting. In addition, they are used in the study of indicators for monitoring the degradation of complex structures, such as sugars and proteins, for the formation of precursors that are responsible for the formation of highly stabilized substances such as humic and fulvic compounds. Finally, these parameters may be used to elucidate organic matter degradation and its stabilization process, establish patterns that characterize each stage of composting along with its physicochemical characteristics, and monitor potential phytotoxicity levels.
The Effect of Far-Red Light and Nutrient Level on the Growth and Secondary Metabolites of the In Vitro Culture of Prunella vulgaris
Authors: Chen Cai-Lin , Yang Jing-Ping , Huang Wen-Dar , Chen Chang-Chang
Published: August 2023

Prunella vulgaris, a medicinal plant with antioxidant capacity, was investigated for its response to varying intensities of far-red light and nutrient levels. Plantlets were cultured for 30 d under low far-red light (LFR) or high far-red light (HFR) conditions and different nutrient levels (full, half, and quarter). HFR reduced leaf and branch number, dry weight, and accumulation of chlorophylls (Chl) and carotenoids (Car), while increasing plant height. Lower nutrient levels increased plant height and leaf number, but decreased branch number, Chl, and Car. HFR significantly increased total phenolic content (TPC), rutin, and rosmarinic acid levels, while total flavonoid content decreased. As nutrient levels decreased, TPC and rosmarinic acid declined. HFR induced significant DPPH scavenging activity, while reducing power increased with higher far-red light and nutrient levels. The ferrous ion chelating effect under LFR reduced with lower nutrient levels. There were strong correlations among TPC, rosmarinic acid, DPPH scavenging activity, and reducing power. In conclusion, HFR inhibited plantlet growth but enhanced secondary metabolite accumulation and antioxidant capacity. Different nutrient levels stimulated diverse growth responses, while elevated nutrient levels promoted secondary metabolite production. This study demonstrated the responses of growth, secondary metabolite accumulation, and antioxidant activity in the in vitro cultured P. vulgaris to supplemental far-red light and various nutrient levels.
Elucidation of the Genetic Diversity within Some In Situ Shea Germplasm in Ghana
Authors: Anyomi Wisdom Edem , Barnor Michael Teye , Eleblu John Saviour Yaw , Danquah Agyemang , Avicor Silas Wintuma , Ofori Kwadwo , Hale Iago , Padi Francis Kwame , Danquah Eric Yirenkyi
Published: August 2023

Shea is an agroforestry tree species known primarily for its rich butter, which contains stearin and tocopherol, and has ultraviolet ray absorption property; it is used in cooking, body care and traditional medicines. This tree is, however, uncultivated and collection of its nuts by rural dwellers is threatened by increased urbanization with its accompanying land use pressure and the need for fuel wood for rural households. There is also increased demand for shea products worldwide necessitating the need for shea improvement strategies. At the apex of this improvement program lies the need for germplasm collection, characterization, conservation and utilization. In order to conserve elite shea materials amidst dwindling shea populations threatened by climate change, there is a need to develop shea germplasm banks based on the representation of genetic and phenotypic variation focusing on known traits. The objective of the study was to evaluate 282 shea accessions for germplasm conservation and to determine the genetic diversity of the collected materials to inform future collections and drive crop improvement strategies. Leaf traits were used to differentiate and group the selected materials. Leaf length ranged between 16.83 cm and 30.85 cm, and leaf blade length ranged between 12.28 cm and 20.68 cm. Petiole length varied between 5.53 cm and 10.2 cm and the blade to petiole ratio was from 1.41 to 2.69. Correlation studies revealed significant negative correlation between the latitude of collection and all leaf traits measured. There was significant positive correlation between blade length and petiole length (0.57), blade length and total leaf length (0.87) and petiole length and breadth (0.49). The collected materials were grouped at 90% into two, based on the morphological descriptors studied. Three different approaches were employed to genetically analyze the materials based on single nucleotide polymorphic markers (SNP). A phylogenetic tree was constructed based on the SNPs generated; this grouped the materials into three, with various subgroups. Principal coordinate analysis also produced three distinct groups with groupings not based on geographical area of collection. Discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) also confirmed three groupings. The genetic diversity of the collection was very low (Hs) = 0.0406, which is an indication of potential inbreeding within the shea populations. To conclude, there was higher variation within locations than between locations.
The Beneficial Effects of Pterostilbene on Post-Thawed Bovine Spermatozoa
Authors: Sapanidou Vasiliki , Tsantarliotou Maria , Lavrentiadou Sophia , Tzekaki Elena , Efraimidis Ioannis , Lialiaris Theodoros , Asimakopoulos Byron
Published: August 2023

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), primarily produced by cellular metabolism, are highly reactive molecules that modify cellular compounds. During sperm preparation in Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ARTs), intrinsic and extrinsic sources of ROS can impact spermatozoa’s oxidative status. The modification of the media with compounds that enhance sperm quality characteristics is of great significance. The current study investigated the effect of pterostilbene, a phenolic compound, on bovine sperm quality. Cryopreserved spermatozoa from six bulls were thawed, supplemented with pterostilbene (0, 10 μΜ, 25 μΜ) and incubated for 60 min and 240 min. Spermatozoa were analyzed in terms of motility, viability, acrosomal status and intracellular concentration of superoxide anion in each time point. The incubation of spermatozoa with 25 μΜ pterostilbene resulted in the preservation of quality parameters through superoxide anion mitigation, while its presence in capacitating conditions resulted in higher percentage of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa. The results of the present study indicate that the addition of pterostilbene prevents oxidative insult to spermatozoa and preserves the sperm quality parameters.
Histological Evaluation of Resected Tissue as a Predictor of Survival in Horses with Strangulating Small Intestinal Disease
Authors: Bardell David , Rocchigiani Guido , Ressel Lorenzo , Milner Peter
Published: August 2023

Strangulating small intestinal disease (SSID) in horses carries a poor prognosis for survival, especially following resection of ischaemic tissue. The margins of a resection are principally based on visual appraisal of the intestine during surgery. We hypothesized that histological evaluation of resected tissue may identify occult changes indicative of prognosis. Small intestinal samples from 18 horses undergoing resection for SSID and 9 horses euthanised for reasons unrelated to gastrointestinal pathology were utilised. Histological appearance was used to generate a ‘total damage score’ (TDS) for the control tissue, grossly normal tissue at oral and aboral extremities (sections OR1 and AB1) of the resected intestine, and oral and aboral extremities of visually abnormal tissue (sections OR2 and AB2) from SSID horses. The relationship between TDS and long-term post-operative survival was investigated. TDS was not different between control tissues and OR1 and AB1 sections. Five surgical cases were alive at follow-up, the longest follow-up time being 2561 days. Based on the median scores for SSID cases versus controls, cut-off values were generated to evaluate post-operative survival versus TDS. Only OR2 TDS was significantly associated with survival, with a higher (worse) score indicating longer survival. More severe tissue insult may expedite rapid progression to surgery, improving post-operative outcomes.
The Establishment of Fibrolytic Bacteria in the Foal Gastrointestinal Tract Is Related to the Occurrence of Coprophagy by Foals
Authors: Pyles Morgan , Agbana Miranda , Hayes Susan , Flythe Michael , Lawrence Laurie
Published: August 2023

The consumption of maternal feces (coprophagy) is commonly observed in healthy foals and is a proposed contributor to microbial colonization of the foal’s gastrointestinal tract (GIT). This study investigated the role of coprophagy in the establishment of fibrolytic bacteria in the foal GIT. Nine thoroughbred mares were dosed with chromic oxide, an indigestible marker, as a method to detect the occurrence of coprophagy by their foals. Foal fecal samples were collected from 12 h to 21 d after birth to measure chromic oxide and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and to enumerate cellulolytic bacteria using culture-based techniques. Milk yield was estimated at 7 and 14 d postpartum. Coprophagy was detected as early as 3 d after birth and detected in all foals by 7 d of age. There were strong relationships between coprophagy and cellulolytic bacteria and NDF in foal feces at 7 d of age (r = 0.9703 and r = 0.7878, respectively; p < 0.05). Fecal NDF and chromic oxide concentrations were negatively related to milk yield (r = –0.8144 and r = –0.6966, respectively; p < 0.05), suggesting milk availability affected the incidence of coprophagy. Based on the relationships identified, maternal feces are an important source of fiber and live microbes for the foal, contributing to the development of the microbial community.
Treatment of a Paroxysmal Atrioventricular Block by Implantation of a Bipolar, Single-Chamber Cardiac Pacemaker in a Donkey
Authors: Heun Frederik , Niebuhr Tobias , Gutierrez Bautista Alvaro , Wiedmann Felix , Verhaar Nicole , Kästner Sabine , Feige Karsten , Schmidt Constanze
Published: August 2023

Case Summary: A two-year-old donkey presented with recurrent syncope. Electrocardiography revealed periods without any atrioventricular conduction and without any ventricular escape rhythm with a duration of up to one minute. Finally, atrioventricular conduction resumed spontaneously with a preceding ventricular escape beat. Laboratory tests and echocardiography identified no reversible cause. The diagnosis of a paroxysmal atrioventricular block (PAVB) was made. Therefore, a single-chamber cardiac pacemaker was implanted under general anesthesia. The device was programmed in the VVI mode to prevent further syncope. The therapy was considered successful as the donkey revealed no further syncope during the follow-up period of 17 months. Clinical relevance: Clinically relevant bradycardia is rare in equids. This is the first report to our knowledge to describe a PAVB, a term commonly used in human medicine, in a donkey. Detailed information about the diagnosis and the successful therapy is included, with a special focus on the implantation and programming of the permanent pacemaker.
Exploring Genetic Markers: Mitochondrial DNA and Genomic Screening for Biodiversity and Production Traits in Donkeys
Authors: Huang Bingjian , Khan Muhammad Zahoor , Chai Wenqiong , Ullah Qudrat , Wang Changfa
Published: August 2023

Donkeys (Equus asinus) play a pivotal role as essential livestock in arid and semi-arid regions, serving various purposes such as transportation, agriculture, and milk production. Despite their significance, donkey breeding has often been overlooked in comparison to other livestock species, resulting in limited genetic improvement programs. Preserving donkey genetic resources within each country necessitates the establishment of breed conservation programs, focusing on managing genetic diversity among populations. In recent years, significant strides have been made in sequencing and analyzing complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) molecules in donkeys. Notably, numerous studies have honed in on the mitochondrial D-loop region, renowned for its remarkable variability and higher substitution rate within the mtDNA genome, rendering it an effective genetic marker for assessing genetic diversity in donkeys. Furthermore, genetic markers at the RNA/DNA level have emerged as indispensable tools for enhancing production and reproduction traits in donkeys. Traditional animal breeding approaches based solely on phenotypic traits, such as milk yields, weight, and height, are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. To overcome these challenges, genetic markers, such as polymorphisms, InDel, or entire gene sequences associated with desirable traits in animals, have achieved widespread usage in animal breeding practices. These markers have proven increasingly valuable for facilitating the selection of productive and reproductive traits in donkeys. This comprehensive review examines the cutting-edge research on mitochondrial DNA as a tool for assessing donkey biodiversity. Additionally, it highlights the role of genetic markers at the DNA/RNA level, enabling the informed selection of optimal production and reproductive traits in donkeys, thereby driving advancements in donkey genetic conservation and breeding programs.
Exploring the Toxic Effects of ZEA on IPEC-J2 Cells from the Inflammatory Response and Apoptosis
Authors: Guan Haoyue , Ma Wenxue , Wu Qiong , Cai Jingzeng , Zhang Ziwei
Published: August 2023

Zearalenone (ZEA) is the most common fungal toxin contaminating livestock and poultry feeding, especially in pigs, causing severe toxic effects and economic losses. However, the mechanism of ZEA damage to the intestine is unknown. We constructed an in vitro model of ZEA toxicity in a porcine small intestinal epithelial cell (IPEC-J2) line. ZEA causes severe oxidative stress in porcine small intestine cells, such as the production of ROS and a significant decrease in the levels of antioxidant enzymes GSH, CAT, SOD, and T-AOC. ZEA also caused apoptosis in porcine small intestine cells, resulting in a significant reduction in protein and/or mRNA expression of apoptosis-related pathway factors such as P53, caspase 3, caspase 9, Bax, and Cyt-c, which in turn caused a significant decrease in protein and/or mRNA expression of inflammatory-related factors such as IL-1β, IL-2, Cox-2, NF-κD, NLRP3, IL-6, and IL -18, which in turn caused a significant increase in protein and/or mRNA expression levels. The final results suggest that ZEA can cause a severe toxic response in porcine small intestine cells, with oxidative stress, apoptotic cell death and inflammatory damage.
Comparison of Skin Prick Tests (SPT), Intradermal Tests (IDT) and In Vitro Tests in the Characterization of Insect Bite Hypersensitivity (IBH) in a Population of Lusitano Horses: Contribution for Future Implementation of SPT in IBH Diagnosis
Authors: Pessoa Vera Carvalho , Branco-Ferreira Manuel , Jónsdóttir Sigridur , Marti Eliane , Tilley Paula
Published: August 2023

Thirty controls (C) and 30 IBH-affected (T) Lusitano horses were evaluated. T horses were included based on anamnesis and physical examination, supported by questionnaires. All horses were submitted to skin tests, Intrademal (IDT) and Skin Prick Tests (SPT), on the neck with 14 specific allergens, 13 recombinant proteins (r-proteins) from Culicoides nubeculosus (Cul n) and Culicoides obsoletus (Cul o) salivary glands and Culicoides nubeculosus Whole Body Extract (Cul n WBE). Addicionally, a cluster of six T and six C horses were also tested with Cul n 3 and Cul n 4 produced in insect cells and barley, as well as E. coli produced Cul o 3 and Cul o WBE. Allergen concentrations were 10 µg/mL for IDT and 100 µg/mL for SPT, and wheal diameters assessed at 20 min, 6 and 48 h. IDTs were considered positive when wheal diameter was ≥50% of the histamine wheal and SPT’s ≥ 0.9 cm. In vitro tests, allergen-specific serum IgE and sulfidoleukotriene (sLT) release assay were also carried out. Results showed that Cul n WBE, Cul n 7, 8, 9, Cul o1P and Cul o 2P were the best performing allergens for SPTs (p ≤ 0.0001) for the 1st allergen panel and Cul o WBE, Cul n 3 Bar and Cul n 4 Bac (p ≤ 0.05) for the 2nd, presenting a higher discriminatory diagnostic potential than IDTs, at a concentration of 100 µg/mL, with readings assessed at 20 min. Regarding in vitro tests overall, the sLT release assay performed best.
Antioxidant Effects of Myo-Inositol Improve the Function and Fertility of Cryopreserved Boar Semen
Authors: Osman Rana , Lee Seongju , Almubarak Areeg , Han Jae-Ik , Yu Il-Jeoung , Jeon Yubyeol
Published: August 2023

During cryopreservation, sperm undergoes structural and molecular changes such as ice crystal formation, DNA fragmentation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, leading to decreased sperm quality after thawing. Antioxidants play a crucial role in preventing these damages, both in vivo and in vitro. One potent antioxidant is myo-inositol, known for its protective effects on sperm against ROS. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of myo-inositol on cryopreserved boar semen. The semen was diluted, cooled, and cryopreserved using a BF5 extender. It was then divided into five groups: control and different concentrations of myo-inositol (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mg/mL). The post-thaw evaluation included assessments of motility, viability, acrosome integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), caspase activity, gene expression, ROS levels, apoptosis, and IVF with treated semen. Results showed that myo-inositol at 0.5 mg/mL improved motility, acrosome integrity, and fertilization ability. It also reduced the expression of pro-apoptotic genes and increased SMCP expression. Lower concentrations also demonstrated improved viability and reduced apoptosis and ROS levels. In conclusion, myo-inositol treatment during cryopreservation improved sperm quality, reduced apoptosis and ROS levels, and enhanced fertility rates in boar semen.
Comparison of the Three-Dimensional Accuracy of Guided Apicoectomy Performed with a Drill or a Trephine: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Kiscsatári Ramóna , Nagy Eszter , Szabó Máté , Braunitzer Gábor , Piffkó József , Fráter Márk , Antal Márk Ádám
Published: August 2023

Guided apicoectomy performed with 3D-printed polymer-based static surgical guides is an emerging trend in endodontic surgery. Static-guided apicoectomy is carried out with either a drill or a trephine. The aim of this in vitro study was to assess the accuracy of osteotomy and apicoectomy performed through a polymer guide, with both drill and trephine, and to compare the accuracy achievable with the two instruments. Six plaster models of a maxilla master model with extracted human maxillary teeth in polymethyl-methacrylate resin were used. The modeled osteotomies were performed in these. The master model was CBCT-scanned, and digital surgical plans were prepared, based on which the surgical guides were printed. The plans contained both drill and trephine apicoectomies. Digital three-dimensional position analysis was performed with dedicated algorithms. A total of 39 drill and 47 trephine osteotomies were analyzed. A statistically significant difference between the two instruments was found only in the global deviation of the distal endpoint, indicating lower deviation for the trephine procedure (1.53 mm vs. 1.31 mm, p = 0.038). Nevertheless, from a clinical perspective, this distinction is inconsequential. The results suggest that, for all practical purposes, the two approaches to apicoectomy allow the same level of accuracy.
A Cross-Modal Dynamic Attention Neural Architecture to Detect Anomalies in Data Streams from Smart Communication Environments
Authors: Demertzis Konstantinos , Rantos Konstantinos , Magafas Lykourgos , Iliadis Lazaros
Published: August 2023

Detecting anomalies in data streams from smart communication environments is a challenging problem that can benefit from novel learning techniques. The Attention Mechanism is a very promising architecture for addressing this problem. It allows the model to focus on specific parts of the input data when processing it, improving its ability to understand the meaning of specific parts in context and make more accurate predictions. This paper presents a Cross-Modal Dynamic Attention Neural Architecture (CM-DANA) by expanding on state-of-the-art techniques. It is a novel dynamic attention mechanism that can be trained end-to-end along with the rest of the model using multimodal data streams. The attention mechanism calculates attention weights for each position in the input data based on the model’s current state by a hybrid method called Cross-Modal Attention. Specifically, the proposed model uses multimodal learning tasks where the input data comes from different cyber modalities. It combines the relevant input data using these weights to produce an attention vector in order to detect suspicious abnormal behavior. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach on a cyber security anomalies detection task using multiple data streams from smart communication environments.
Influence of Precipitation Conditions and Discharge Rates of River Estuary Barrages on Geomorphological Changes in an Estuarine Area
Authors: Kim Sung-Bo , Kim Doo-Pyo
Published: August 2023

Changes in coastal topography can affect the ecological environment and marine industries. In this study, we analyzed the patterns and causes of changes in shoreline and undersea topography in the Nakdong River estuary in the southeast of Republic of Korea using depth and shoreline surveys of the estuary, as well as data on discharge, suspended sediments, and precipitation in the Nakdong River basin. The results showed that erosion and sedimentation occurred repeatedly owing to complex factors such as the discharge of the estuary and invasion by open sea waves. However, no clear unilateral trend was observed. Unlike previous survey data, a large amount of erosion occurred in the second half of 2020. Previously, sedimentation was the main process, but erosion occurred rapidly, which was observed in the summer of 2020 when the erosion was three times higher than that in other periods owing to the severe rainy season and torrential rains for over a month. In addition, regarding the flow rate and force of the river water outflow, the amount of discharge increased rapidly, causing erosion. Moreover, a strong typhoon in the summer of 2020 affected the topography of the estuary.
Metabolic Energy Consumption during Green Area Management
Authors: Bernardi Bruno , Franco Giovanni , Messina Gaetano , Fazari Antonio , Benalia Souraya , Zimbalatti Giuseppe , Abenavoli Lorenzo M. M.
Published: August 2023

The energy consumption measurement is important to carry out a correct risk evaluation of workers during green area management with the scope to achieve workstyle improvements. In contrast to sporting activities, few studies have been conducted on the assessment of physical fatigue by determining the functional parameters of the human body and oxygen consumption in this sector. This study aims to measure the energy cost of weed control using a wearable telemetry system Cosmed K4. For this purpose, twelve male workers, grouped into three groups of four workers each, were monitored during the work of weed control carried out with a brush cutter (by testing three different cutting heads). The monitoring period lasted 18 min including a 5-min rest period at the end of work. This study shows how the use of facilitating tools such as brush cutters contributes to getting low energy metabolism rate values, in tests performed equally on average to 119 Wm−2.
Soft Semi-Supervised Deep Learning-Based Clustering
Authors: AlZuhair Mona Suliman , Ben Ismail Mohamed Maher , Bchir Ouiem
Published: August 2023

Semi-supervised clustering typically relies on both labeled and unlabeled data to guide the learning process towards the optimal data partition and to prevent falling into local minima. However, researchers’ efforts made to improve existing semi-supervised clustering approaches are relatively scarce compared to the contributions made to enhance the state-of-the-art fully unsupervised clustering approaches. In this paper, we propose a novel semi-supervised deep clustering approach, named Soft Constrained Deep Clustering (SC-DEC), that aims to address the limitations exhibited by existing semi-supervised clustering approaches. Specifically, the proposed approach leverages a deep neural network architecture and generates fuzzy membership degrees that better reflect the true partition of the data. In particular, the proposed approach uses side-information and formulates it as a set of soft pairwise constraints to supervise the machine learning process. This supervision information is expressed using rather relaxed constraints named “should-link” constraints. Such constraints determine whether the pairs of data instances should be assigned to the same or different cluster(s). In fact, the clustering task was formulated as an optimization problem via the minimization of a novel objective function. Moreover, the proposed approach’s performance was assessed via extensive experiments using benchmark datasets. Furthermore, the proposed approach was compared to relevant state-of-the-art clustering algorithms, and the obtained results demonstrate the impact of using minimal previous knowledge about the data in improving the overall clustering performance.
Validation of a Manual Methodology for Measuring Roundness and Cylindricity Tolerances
Authors: García-Martínez Enrique , García-González Narciso , Manjabacas María Carmen , Miguel Valentín
Published: August 2023

This paper describes a practice-based methodology applied to roundness and cylindricity concepts. Traditionally, technicians encounter difficulties in understanding this topic, especially when they analyze the tolerances involved due to the complexity of their graphic interpretation. Additionally, it is mandatory for industrial engineers to acquire competencies that allow them to validate form and make decisions in this field. With the goal of enhancing the handling of measurement techniques involved in this topic and analyzing the results obtained, a methodology has been designed to address the roundness and cylindricity tolerance evaluation from different perspectives. Firstly, based on a conceptual analysis, an analytical procedure is introduced. Secondly, an engaging manual practice is implemented by using simple measuring instruments that allow the user to be involved in the development of the procedure applied. The conditions that tried to optimize the manual procedure to get good results were analyzed. Moreover, the results obtained under this perspective allow us to ensure that better skills can be acquired regarding the typical method based on the coordinate measuring machines. This experience has been validated based on the practice with ongoing users under a training period.
A Novel Administration Model for Managing and Organising the Heterogeneous Information Security Policy Field
Authors: Alotaibi Fahad Mazaed , Al-Dhaqm Arafat , Yafooz Wael M. S. , Al-Otaibi Yasser D.
Published: August 2023

Information security policy (ISP) plays a crucial role in maintaining the availability, confidentiality, and integrity of sensitive data. However, it is of high complexity and heterogeneity due to the variety and redundancy of security policy practices and complexity of organisational systems. Various and duplicate ISP models and frameworks have been offered in the literature. The duplicate security policy practices, procedures, and processes in the existing models have made ISP disorganised, unstructured, and unclear to organisational users. As a result, there is still a need for a standardised and integrated model to make it simpler to share, manage, and reuse ISP practices amongst the organisations. The main objective of this study is to construct a metamodel to unify, organise, and structure ISP practices. By identifying, recognising, extracting, and combining the common information security policy practices from various ISP models in a built ISP metamodel called ISPM, we seek to make it simple for users and field specialists to derive/instantiate security policy models for their organisations. The development and validation process of the ISPM is based on the common security frameworks such as ISO 27001 frameworks. The developed ISPM consists of 19 common security practices: organisation, risk management, access control policy, edit, review, compliance, business management, backup and recovery, incident response, SETA program, security awareness, security training, security education, email security policy, cloud security policy, network security policy, website security policy, physical security policy, and privacy security policy. Each common security practice consists of several operations and attributes. The performance of the developed ISPM was compared to that of other models to evaluate its completeness and logicalness. Using ISO 27001 as a framework, the findings confirmed the comprehensiveness of ISPM. Therefore, it can contribute to organisations’ security by helping them to develop their own security policy models.
Query-Based Cascade Instance Segmentation Network for Remote Sensing Image Processing
Authors: Chen Enping , Li Maojun , Zhang Qian , Chen Man
Published: August 2023

Instance segmentation (IS) of remote sensing (RS) images can not only determine object location at the box-level but also provide instance masks at the pixel-level. It plays an important role in many fields, such as ocean monitoring, urban management, and resource planning. Compared with natural images, RS images usually pose many challenges, such as background clutter, significant changes in object size, and complex instance shapes. To this end, we propose a query-based RS image cascade IS network (QCIS-Net). The network mainly includes key components, such as the efficient feature extraction (EFE) module, multistage cascade task (MSCT) head, and joint loss function, which can characterize the location and visual information of instances in RS images through efficient queries. Among them, the EFE module combines global information from the Transformer architecture to solve the problem of long-term dependencies in visual space. The MSCT head uses a dynamic convolution kernel based on the query representation to focus on the region of interest, which facilitates the association between detection and segmentation tasks through a multistage structural design that benefits both tasks. The elaborately designed joint loss function and the use of the transfer-learning technique based on a well-known dataset (MS COCO) can guide the QCIS-Net in training and generating the final instance mask. Experimental results show that the well-designed components of the proposed method have a positive impact on the RS image instance segmentation task. It achieves mask average precision (AP) values of 75.2% and 73.3% on the SAR ship detection dataset (SSDD) and Northwestern Polytechnical University Very-High-Resolution dataset (NWPU-VHR-10 dataset), outperforming the other competitive models. The method proposed in this paper can enhance the practical application efficiency of RS images.
Datamator: An Authoring Tool for Creating Datamations via Data Query Decomposition
Authors: Guo Yi , Cao Nan , Cai Ligan , Wu Yanqiu , Weiskopf Daniel , Shi Danqing , Chen Qing
Published: August 2023

Datamation is designed to animate an analysis pipeline step by step, serving as an intuitive and efficient method for interpreting data analysis outcomes and facilitating easy sharing with others. However, the creation of a datamation is a difficult task that demands expertise in diverse skills. To simplify this task, we introduce Datamator, a language-oriented authoring tool developed to support datamation generation. In this system, we develop a data query analyzer that enables users to generate an initial datamation effortlessly by inputting a data question in natural language. Then, the datamation is displayed in an interactive editor that affords users the ability to both edit the analysis progression and delve into the specifics of each step undertaken. Notably, the Datamator incorporates a novel calibration network that is able to optimize the outputs of the query decomposition network using a small amount of user feedback. To demonstrate the effectiveness of Datamator, we conduct a series of evaluations including performance validation, a controlled user study, and expert interviews.
Finding Taint-Style Vulnerabilities in Lua Application of IoT Firmware with Progressive Static Analysis
Authors: Li Xixing , Wei Qiang , Wu Zehui , Guo Wei
Published: August 2023

With the rapid growth of IoT devices, ensuring the security of embedded firmware has become a critical concern. Despite advances in existing vulnerability discovery methods, previous research has been limited to vulnerabilities occurring in binary programs. Although an increasing number of vendors are utilizing Lua scripting language in firmware development, no automated method is currently available to discover vulnerabilities in Lua-based programs. To fill this gap, in this paper, we propose FLuaScan, a novel progressive static analysis approach specifically designed to detect taint-style vulnerabilities in Lua applications in IoT firmware. FLuaScan first heuristically locates the code that handles user input, then divides the code into different segments to conduct a progressive taint analysis. Finally, a graph-based search method is applied to identify vulnerable code that satisfies the conditions of taint propagation. To comprehensively compare FLuaScan with state-of-the-art tool Tscancode, we conducted various experiments on a dataset consisting of 13 real-world firmware samples from different vendors. The results demonstrate the superior performance of FLuaScan in terms of accuracy (increased TP rate from 0% to 42.50%), effectiveness (discovered 21 vulnerabilities, of which 7 are unknown), and practicality (acceptable time overhead and visual output to assist in manual analysis).
The Housing System Contributes to Udder Health and Milk Composition
Authors: Nogalski Zenon , Momot Martyna
Published: August 2023

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the housing system and somatic cell count (SCC) on the composition and fatty acid profile of milk. A total of 419 milk samples were collected from one herd of 210 cows; 90 cows were kept in the tie-stall system, and 120 cows were kept in the free-stall system. The cows received the same fodder. Samples were collected four times, in winter. Udder health was evaluated based on SCC. The tie-stall system, mainly due to individual care, was superior to the free-stall system. Milk from cows kept in the tie-stall system had lower (p < 0.01) SCC by 72 ths mL−1 cells than milk from cows kept in the free-stall system. An increase in SCC was accompanied by decreases in daily milk yield and lactose concentration. Milk from cows housed in the tie-stall barn had higher polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) contents and a lower n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio. Milk with a higher SCC contained more PUFAs and fewer monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). Tie-stall housing contributed to an increase in the proportions of acids beneficial to the health of consumers. A comparison of two housing systems for cows on one farm showed that the free-stall system was associated with a higher SCC and a less favorable milk composition and fatty acid profile.
Comparing Quality Control Procedures Based on Minimum Covariance Determinant and One-Class Support Vector Machine Methods of Aircraft Meteorological Data Relay Data Assimilation in a Binary Typhoon Forecasting Case
Authors: Li Jiajing , Zhang Yu , Chen Siqi , Shao Duanzhou , Hu Jiazheng , Feng Junjie , Tan Qichang , Wu Deping , Kang Jiaqi
Published: August 2023

This study investigates the impact of assimilating Aircraft Meteorological Data Relay (AMDAR) observations on the prediction of two typhoons, Nesat and Haitang (2017), using the Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation (GSI) assimilation system and the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. Two quality control (QC) methods, Minimum Covariance Determinant (MCD) and one-class Support Vector Machine (OCSVM), were employed to perform QC on the AMDAR observations before data assimilation. The QC results indicated that both methods significantly reduced kurtosis, skewness, and discrepancies between the AMDAR data and the reanalysis data. The data distribution after applying the MCD-QC method exhibited a closer resemblance to a Gaussian distribution. Four numerical experiments were conducted to assess the impact of different AMDAR data qualities on typhoon forecasting, including a control experiment without data assimilation (EXP-CNTL), assimilating all AMDAR observations (EXP-RAW), assimilating observations after applying MCD-QC (EXP-MCD), and assimilating observations after applying OCSVM-QC (EXP-SVM). The results demonstrated that using AMDAR data in assimilation improved the track and intensity prediction of the typhoons. Furthermore, utilizing QC before assimilation enhanced the performance of track forecasting prediction, with EXP-MCD showing the best performance. As for intensity prediction, the three assimilation experiments exhibited varying strengths and weaknesses at different times, with EXP-MCD showing smaller intensity forecast errors on average.
Effects of Climate Change and Nitrogen Addition on Carbon Loss in Alpine Wetland of Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
Authors: Xu Runhong , Wang Zhigang , Zhu Jinfu
Published: August 2023

Soil microorganisms and soil organic carbon (SOC) play important roles in ecosystem cycling, but there is a lack of clarity about the effects of nitrogen addition on soil microorganisms and SOC, as well as the key microbial taxa that influence SOC. This study was conducted in the alpine wetland of Xiaopo Lake in the Qinghai Lake basin, using NH4NO3 as the nitrogen source, three nitrogen addition gradients (N2: 2 g/m2, N5: 5 g/m2, N10: 10 g/m2), and a blank control treatment (N0: 0 g/m2), with three replicate experiments for each treatment. The main findings were as follows: (1) Both increased soil temperature and decreased precipitation reduced SOC content. SOC content gradually decreased with increasing nitrogen concentration; SOC was reduced by 3.36–29.54% and 8.57–26.66% at 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm soil depths, respectively. (2) Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria, and Actinobacteria were the main dominant species, and their changes determined the changes in the entire bacterial community. The relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria decreased under nitrogen addition; Acidobacteria increased significantly; and Chloroflexi did not change significantly. The overall abundance and diversity of soil bacteria showed an increasing trend. The number of soil bacteria is a key factor affecting SOC content, and an increase in the number and diversity of soil bacteria enhances their decomposition capacity, and thus, reduces SOC content. (3) Increased soil temperatures and decreased precipitation are associated with decreased SOC and are the main climatic factors affecting SOC. This study provides a reference for the rational utilization and management of wetland ecosystems under climate change.
Comparison of Seasonal and Diurnal Concentration Profiles of BVOCs in Coniferous and Deciduous Forests
Authors: Borsdorf Helko , Bentele Maja , Müller Michael , Rebmann Corinna , Mayer Thomas
Published: August 2023

Ambient atmospheric concentrations of isoprene and monoterpenes were measured at two forest sites, one deciduous and one coniferous, over the year 2022. Both sites in a regional area were sampled monthly between April and September. The samples were taken using sorbent tubes and analyzed with thermal desorption–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The highest concentrations were determined in August at both sites. While isoprene is the most abundant compound at the deciduous forest with an average concentration of 5.59 µg m−3 in August, α-pinene and β-pinene dominate throughout the year at the coniferous forest with the highest concentrations also in August (3.44 µg m−3 and 1.51 µg m−3). Because other monoterpenes (camphene, sabinene, 3-carene, p-cymene and limonene) are also emitted in significant amounts, the total concentration measured in the coniferous forest is higher (7.96 µg m−3 in August) in comparison to the deciduous forest (6.08 µg m−3). Regarding the detected monoterpenes in the deciduous forest, sabinene is the dominant monoterpene in addition to α-pinene and is sometimes present in higher (July) or equal (August) concentrations. The seasonal and diurnal concentrations of all monoterpenes correlate very well with each other at both sites. An exception is sabinene with a diurnal concentration profile similar to isoprene.