bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Bacterial Phytase on Growth Performance, Nutrient Utilization, and Bone Mineralization in Broilers Fed Pelleted Diets
Authors: Moradi Soudabeh , Abdollahi Mohammad Reza , Moradi Arash , Jamshidi Leili
Published: April 2023

The influence of a bacterial 6-phytase on growth performance, coefficient of apparent ileal digestibility (CAID) of nutrients, blood parameters, and bone mineralization in broilers was evaluated. A total of 630 one-day-old male broilers were allocated to 7 dietary treatments, including positive control (PC) diet containing dicalcium phosphate, the PC marginally reduced in available P (avP) by 0.1% and calcium (Ca) by 0.2% vs. PC (NC1) or moderately reduced by 0.15 and 0.3% vs. PC (NC2), respectively, and four further diets comprising the NC1 and NC2 supplemented with 500 or 1000 FTU/kg of phytase in starter and finisher phases. A constant Ca to avP ratio was maintained across all diets. The body weight gain (BWG) and feed per unit gain (FCR) of birds fed NC1 and NC2 diets supplemented with phytase (500 and 1000 U/kg) was equivalent to that of birds fed the PC diet at 35 days. Phytase supplementation in the NC1 diet linearly increased the CAID of nitrogen (N) (p < 0.01), phosphorus (P) (p < 0.01), and Ca (p < 0.05). Additionally, phytase reduced (p < 0.01) excreta P concentration by approximately 27%, improved (p < 0.001) toe ash, and tended to increase tibia ash (p = 0.08), comparable with the PC. In conclusion, the addition of bacterial 6-phytase dosed in the range of 500–1000 FTU/kg was effective in replacing 1.5 g/kg avP and 3 g/kg Ca in broilers fed pelleted diets, using bone quality, BWG, and FCR as outcome measures.
Characterization of Oral Candida spp. Biofilms in Children and Adults Carriers from Eastern Europe and South America
Authors: Alves Anelise Maria Costa Vasconcelos , Lopes Beatriz Oliveira , Leite Ana Caroline Rocha de Melo , Cruz Gabriela Silva , Brito Érika Helena Salles de , Lima Laritza Ferreira de , Černáková Lucia , Azevedo Nuno Filipe , Rodrigues Célia Fortuna
Published: April 2023

Background: Candida albicans and non-Candida albicans Candida species (NCACs) are known to colonize and invade various tissues, including the oral mucosa. In this work, we aimed to characterize mature biofilms of several Candida spp. clinical isolates (n = 33) obtained from the oral mucosa of children, adults, and elders of Eastern Europe and South America. Methods: Each strain was evaluated for its capacity to form biofilms in terms of total biomass using the crystal violet assay and for matrix components production (proteins and carbohydrates) using the BCA and phenol-sulfuric tests, respectively. The effect of different antifungals on biofilm formation was studied. Results: in the children’s group, a predominance of C. krusei (81%) was observed, while, among adults, the main species was C. albicans (59%). Most strains showed a reduced response to antimicrobial drugs when in biofilm form (p < 0.01). Moreover, it was observed that strains isolated from children produced more matrix, with higher levels of protein and polysaccharides. Conclusions: children were more likely to be infected by NCACs than adults. More importantly, these NCACs were able to form biofilms richer in matrix components. This finding is of clinical importance, particularly in pediatric care, since stronger biofilms are highly associated with antimicrobial resistance, recurrent infections, and higher therapeutic failure.
Chemical Composition and Comprehensive Antimicrobial Activity of an Ethanolic Extract of Propolis from Tunisia
Authors: Nefzi Nermine , Pagliari Stefania , Campone Luca , Megdiche-Ksouri Wided , Giarratana Filippo , Cicero Nicola , Ziino Graziella , Nalbone Luca
Published: April 2023

In the present study, the chemical composition and the in vitro antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of an ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) from Tunisia against different ATCC and wild bacterial strains were evaluated. In situ antimicrobial activity and sensory influence of different EEP concentrations (0.5% and 1%), also in combination with 1% vinegar, were evaluated in chilled vacuum-packed salmon tartare. Furthermore, a challenge test was performed on salmon tartare experimentally contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and treated with the different EEP formulations. The in vitro antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity was observed only against Gram-positive bacteria, such as L. monocytogenes and S. aureus, both ATCC and wild. Results of the in situ analyses revealed significant antimicrobial activity against aerobic colonies, lactic acid bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas spp. only when the EEP was used at 1% and in combination with 1% vinegar. The 1% EEP in combination with 1% vinegar was the most effective treatment also against L. monocytogenes, although 0.5% and 1% EEP used alone also showed antilisterial effects. After 7 days of storage, the sensory influence on odor, taste and color of salmon tartare was negligible for all EEP formulations. In this background, results obtained confirmed the antimicrobial efficacy of propolis which could be proposed as a suitable biopreservative to ensure safety and improve the quality of food.
Traumatic Brain Injury Alters Cerebral Concentrations and Redox States of Coenzymes Q9 and Q10 in the Rat
Authors: Lazzarino Giacomo , Mangione Renata , Saab Miriam Wissam , Tavazzi Barbara , Pittalà Alessandra , Signoretti Stefano , Di Pietro Valentina , Lazzarino Giuseppe , Amorini Angela Maria
Published: April 2023

To date, there is no information on the effect of TBI on the changes in brain CoQ levels and possible variations in its redox state. In this study, we induced graded TBIs (mild TBI, mTBI and severe TBI, sTBI) in male rats, using the weight-drop closed-head impact acceleration model of trauma. At 7 days post-injury, CoQ9, CoQ10 and α-tocopherol were measured by HPLC in brain extracts of the injured rats, as well as in those of a group of control sham-operated rats. In the controls, about the 69% of total CoQ was in the form of CoQ9 and the oxidized/reduced ratios of CoQ9 and CoQ10 were, respectively, 1.05 ± 0.07 and 1.42 ± 0.17. No significant changes in these values were observed in rats experiencing mTBI. Conversely, in the brains of sTBI-injured animals, an increase in reduced and a decrease in oxidized CoQ9 produced an oxidized/reduced ratio of 0.81 ± 0.1 (p < 0.001 compared with both controls and mTBI). A concomitant decrease in both reduced and oxidized CoQ10 generated a corresponding oxidized/reduced ratio of 1.38 ± 0.23 (p < 0.001 compared with both controls and mTBI). An overall decrease in the concentration of the total CoQ pool was also found in sTBI-injured rats (p < 0.001 compared with both controls and mTBI). Concerning α-tocopherol, whilst no differences compared with the controls were found in mTBI animals, a significant decrease was observed in rats experiencing sTBI (p < 0.01 compared with both controls and mTBI). Besides suggesting potentially different functions and intracellular distributions of CoQ9 and CoQ10 in rat brain mitochondria, these results demonstrate, for the first time to the best of knowledge, that sTBI alters the levels and redox states of CoQ9 and CoQ10, thus adding a new explanation to the mitochondrial impairment affecting ETC, OXPHOS, energy supply and antioxidant defenses following sTBI.
Mitochondrial ROS Accumulation Contributes to Maternal Hypertension and Impaired Remodeling of Spiral Artery but Not IUGR in a Rat PE Model Caused by Maternal Glucocorticoid Exposure
Authors: Long Jing , Huang Yan , Wang Gang , Tang Zhengshan , Shan Yali , Shen Shiping , Ni Xin
Published: April 2023

Increased maternal glucocorticoid levels have been implicated as a risk factor for preeclampsia (PE) development. We found that pregnant rats exposed to dexamethasone (DEX) showed hallmarks of PE features, impaired spiral artery (SA) remodeling, and elevated circulatory levels of sFlt1, sEng IL-1β, and TNFα. Abnormal mitochondrial morphology and mitochondrial dysfunction in placentas occurred in DEX rats. Omics showed that a large spectrum of placental signaling pathways, including oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), energy metabolism, inflammation, and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system were affected in DEX rats. MitoTEMPO, a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant, alleviated maternal hypertension and renal damage, and improved SA remodeling, uteroplacental blood flow, and the placental vasculature network. It reversed several pathways, including OXPHOS and glutathione pathways. Moreover, DEX-induced impaired functions of human extravillous trophoblasts were associated with excess ROS caused by mitochondrial dysfunction. However, scavenging excess ROS did not improve intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), and elevated circulatory sFlt1, sEng, IL-1β, and TNFα levels in DEX rats. Our data indicate that excess mitochondrial ROS contributes to trophoblast dysfunction, impaired SA remodeling, reduced uteroplacental blood flow, and maternal hypertension in the DEX-induced PE model, while increased sFlt1 and sEng levels and IUGR might be associated with inflammation and an impaired energy metabolism and IGF system.
Redox-Mechanisms of Molecular Hydrogen Promote Healthful Longevity
Authors: Rahman Md. Habibur , Jeong Eun-Sook , You Hae Sun , Kim Cheol-Su , Lee Kyu-Jae
Published: April 2023

Age-related diseases represent the largest threat to public health. Aging is a degenerative, systemic, multifactorial and progressive process, coupled with progressive loss of function and eventually leading to high mortality rates. Excessive levels of both pro- and anti-oxidant species qualify as oxidative stress (OS) and result in damage to molecules and cells. OS plays a crucial role in the development of age-related diseases. In fact, damage due to oxidation depends strongly on the inherited or acquired defects of the redox-mediated enzymes. Molecular hydrogen (H2) has recently been reported to function as an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of several oxidative stress and aging-related diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer and osteoporosis. Additionally, H2 promotes healthy aging, increases the number of good germs in the intestine that produce more intestinal hydrogen and reduces oxidative stress through its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This review focuses on the therapeutic role of H2 in the treatment of neurological diseases. This review manuscript would be useful in knowing the role of H2 in the redox mechanisms for promoting healthful longevity.
Enhanced Resistance of atnigr1 against Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato Suggests Negative Regulation of Plant Basal Defense and Systemic Acquired Resistance by AtNIGR1 Encoding NAD(P)-Binding Rossmann-Fold in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Al Azzawi Tiba Nazar , Khan Murtaza , Mun Bong-Gyu , Lee Sang-Uk , Imran Muhammad , Hussain Adil , Rolly Nkulu Kabange , Lee Da-Sol , Ali Sajid , Lee In-Jung , Yun Byung-Wook
Published: April 2023

Nitric oxide (NO) regulates several biological and physiological processes in plants. This study investigated the role of Arabidopsis thaliana Negative Immune and Growth Regulator 1 (AtNIGR1), encoding an NAD(P)-binding Rossmann-fold superfamily, in the growth and immunity of Arabidopsis thaliana. AtNIGR1 was pooled from the CySNO transcriptome as a NO-responsive gene. Seeds of the knockout (atnigr1) and overexpression plants were evaluated for their response to oxidative [(hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and methyl viologen (MV)] or nitro-oxidative [(S-nitroso-L-cysteine (CySNO) and S-nitroso glutathione (GSNO)] stress. Results showed that the root and shoot growth of atnigr1 (KO) and AtNIGR1 (OE) exhibited differential phenotypic responses under oxidative and nitro-oxidative stress and normal growth conditions. To investigate the role of the target gene in plant immunity, the biotrophic bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 virulent (Pst DC3000 vir) was used to assess the basal defense, while the Pst DC3000 avirulent (avrB) strain was used to investigate R-gene-mediated resistance and systemic acquired resistance (SAR). Data revealed that AtNIGR1 negatively regulated basal defense, R-gene-mediated resistance, and SAR. Furthermore, the Arabidopsis eFP browser indicated that the expression of AtNIGR1 is detected in several plant organs, with the highest expression observed in germinating seeds. All results put together suggest that AtNIGR1 could be involved in plant growth, as well as basal defense and SAR, in response to bacterial pathogens in Arabidopsis.
Borno-Net: A Real-Time Bengali Sign-Character Detection and Sentence Generation System Using Quantized Yolov4-Tiny and LSTMs
Authors: Begum Nasima , Rahman Rashik , Jahan Nusrat , Khan Saqib Sizan , Helaly Tanjina , Haque Ashraful , Khatun Nipa
Published: April 2023

Sign language is the most commonly used form of communication for persons with disabilities who have hearing or speech difficulties. However, persons without hearing impairment cannot understand these signs in many cases. As a consequence, persons with disabilities experience difficulties while expressing their emotions or needs. Thus, a sign character detection and text generation system is necessary to mitigate this issue. In this paper, we propose an end-to-end system that can detect Bengali sign characters from input images or video frames and generate meaningful sentences. The proposed system consists of two phases. In the first phase, a quantization technique for the YoloV4-Tiny detection model is proposed for detecting 49 different sign characters, including 36 Bengali alphabet characters, 10 numeric characters, and 3 special characters. Here, the detection model localizes hand signs and predicts the corresponding character. The second phase generates text from the predicted characters by a detection model. The Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model is utilized to generate meaningful text from the character signs detected in the previous phase. To train the proposed system, the BdSL 49 dataset is used, which has approximately 14,745 images of 49 different classes. The proposed quantized YoloV4-Tiny model achieves a mAP of 99.7%, and the proposed language model achieves an overall accuracy of 99.12%. In addition, performance analysis among YoloV4, YoloV4 Tiny, and YoloV7 models is provided in this research.
Light-to-Plasma Momentum Transfer
Authors: Tallents G. J.
Published: April 2023

The momentum of light in a plasma and the momentum transfer from light to plasma is calculated for a uniform plane of light incident into a uniform plasma. At low irradiance, the Minkowski and Abraham expressions for photon momentum are shown to be equivalent. We evaluate relativistic electron motion at a high irradiance for a plasma and show that most light momentum is transferred to the electrons associated with motion parallel to the light propagation at an irradiance corresponding to the reduced vector potential ao≈3.7 (reduced irradiance Iλ2≈2×1019 W cm−2 μm2). Our results show that to ensure the maximum momentum transfer from photons to electrons in motion parallel to the k-direction for fixed laser pulse energy, the laser focusing should be adjusted to achieve ao≈3.7, even if tighter focusing, and thus higher ao values, are possible.
A Review of the Use of Near-Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging (NIR-HSI) Techniques for the Non-Destructive Quality Assessment of Root and Tuber Crops
Authors: Adesokan Michael , Alamu Emmanuel Oladeji , Otegbayo Bolanle , Maziya-Dixon Busie
Published: April 2023

Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is one of the most often used techniques for rapid quality evaluation for various applications. It is a non-destructive technique that effectively evaluates the quality attributes of root and tuber crops, including yam and cassava, and their food products. Hyperspectral imaging technology, which combines spectroscopy and imaging principles, has an advantage over conventional spectroscopy due to its ability to simultaneously evaluate the physical characteristics and chemical components of various food products and specify their spatial distributions. HSI has demonstrated significant potential for obtaining quick information regarding the chemical composition of the root and tuber, such as starch, protein, dry matter, amylose, and soluble sugars, as well as physical characteristics such as textural properties and water binding capacity. This review highlights the principles of near-infrared hyperspectral imaging (NIR-HSI) techniques combined with relevant image processing tools. It then provides cases of its application in determining crucial biochemical quality traits and textural attributes of roots and tuber crops, focusing on cassava and yam. The need for more information on using NIR-HSI in the quality evaluation of yam and cassava was underscored. It also presents the challenges and prospects of this technology.
Analysis of the Bearing Capacity of Reinforced Concrete Dapped-End Beams
Authors: Masėnas Vilius , Meškėnas Adas , Valivonis Juozas
Published: April 2023

The dapped-end beam is a widely utilized structural component that offers many benefits in real-world applications. However, abrupt changes in the geometry result in complex stress flows, rendering conventional calculation methods unreliable. The estimation of the bearing capacity becomes particularly challenging when such elements are designed with prestressed reinforcement. Previous studies have identified that prestressing can have a negative impact on the behavior of dapped-end beams in specific configurations; however, this effect remains inadequately studied. This study employed both analytical and numerical parametric analyses to compare the behavior of prestressed and non-prestressed dapped-end beams. The results show that prestressing has a significant impact on the crack formation and bearing capacity of dapped-end beams. The intensity of this effect is dependent on various parameters, including shear reinforcement, concrete strength, height of the dap, and the distance between the support and the re-entrant corner. A reduction of approximately 50% in the cracking load was observed when the compressive stress ratio fell within the 0.20–0.25 range. At elevated prestressing levels, cracks emerged in the re-entrant corner prior to the beam being subjected to an external load. The analysis conducted revealed a decline of up to 8.81% in load-bearing capacity attributable to prestressing. The study highlights the importance of assessing reductions in bearing capacity and proposes an analytical calculation model for evaluating such reductions.
Influence of Wheel-Rail Contact Algorithms on Running Safety Assessment of Trains under Earthquakes
Authors: Cai Guanmian , Zhu Zhihui , Gong Wei , Zhou Gaoyang , Jiang Lizhong , Ye Bailong
Published: April 2023

Accurate running safety assessment of trains under earthquakes is crucial to ensuring the safety of line operation. Extreme contact behaviors such as wheel flange contact and wheel jump during earthquakes will directly affect the running safety of trains. To accurately simulate a wheel-rail extreme contact state, the calculation of the normal compression amount, the normal contact stiffness, and a number of contact points are crucial in wheel-rail space contact modeling. Hence, in order to clarify the applicable algorithms during earthquakes, this paper first introduces different algorithms in three aspects mentioned above. Taking a single CRH2 motor vehicle passing through a ballastless track structure under EI-Centro wave excitation as an example, a comparative analysis of wheel-rail contact dynamics and running safety was conducted. The results showed that adopting the normal compression algorithm based on vertical penetration and the consideration of only single-point contact will result in the maximum calculation error of wheel-rail contact force to reach 339.50% and 35.00%, respectively. This significantly affects the accuracy of train safety assessment, while using the empirical formula for wheel-rail normal contact stiffness has relatively less impact. To ensure the accuracy of running safety assessment of trains during an earthquake, it is recommended to adopt the normal compression algorithm based on normal penetration and consider the multi-point contact in wheel-rail contact modelling.
Analysis and Improvement of Oversize Goaf Backfill Engineering Based on Fuzzy Theory
Authors: Deng Daiqiang , Cao Guodong , Liang Yihua , Fan Jinkuan , Wang Runze , Ma Yunfan
Published: April 2023

For the mine of large goaf, there are many factors that affect the filling quality. In order to improve the filling quality, it is necessary to identify the factors that have a significant impact. In this paper, the fuzzy mathematical method was used to analyze the five main factors (PC32.5cement sand ratio, slurry concentration, number of slurry lowering, dehydration and drainage, and tailing particle size grading) affecting the filling quality. The priority of each influence factor was calculated, and the priority set was established. It is found that the slurry launching point and particle size grading of the tailings have an obvious effect on filling quality. After increasing the slurry launching point and optimizing the particle size grading, the strength and uniformity of the filling body are improved.
Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis (BIVA) and Somatotype in Female Rugby Players
Authors: Silleras Beatriz de Mateo , Ares Guillermo Casas , Marcos Sandra de la Cruz , Enciso Laura Carreño , Fernández Emiliano Quinto , Río Paz Redondo del
Published: April 2023

Body composition (BC) determines strength, power, and agility in sports such as rugby. Not only is the study of morphology and BC essential to establish player positions, but it also allows the optimisation of competitive performance. The aim of this study was to analyse different BC models (anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)) in a female rugby team. Their somatotype was also compared with a bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) graph. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 19 women (8 forwards and 11 backs). Anthropometric and BIA (50 kHz, tetrapolar electrode configuration) measurements were taken using standard protocols and BC was estimated. Somatotype was calculated using the Heath–Carter method. Classic and specific BIVA were applied. Student’s t, Mann–Whitney, or Chi-squared tests were used for variable comparisons. Agreement was determined via intraclass coefficient correlations. Forwards showed a higher BMI and fat mass, but there were no differences in skeletal muscle masses. Most of the players were of an endomorphic mesomorph somatotype. Specific BIVA, but not classic BIVA, detected BC differences according to player position. Moreover, an individual’s interpretation of BIVA was consistent with their somatotype. In a female rugby team, BC and morphology are different according to position. This was detected in both the somatotype and specific BIVA. The application of BIVA (classic and specific) may yet prove to be a very useful strategy for the study of BC in sports.
Analysis of the Dynamic Stability of Tailing Dams: An Experimental Study on the Dynamic Characteristics of Tailing Silt
Authors: Kang Fuqi , Wang Guangjin , Li Yaoji , Cai Binting , Li Shujian , Zhao Lei , Li Xiaoshuang
Published: April 2023

With the improvement in tailing mining-grade requirements and in mineral processing technology, tailing materials tend to be fine-grained. Under the action of earthquakes, a tailing dam is prone to liquefaction, which endangers the safety and stability of the dam. To further explore the dynamic properties of tailing silt under cyclic stress, through a series of dynamic triaxial experiments, we investigated the growth of the hysteresis curve, the development of pore pressure, and the energy dissipation law of tailing silt. The experimental findings indicated that increasing the density of the sample significantly improves its liquefaction resistance and the pore pressure development curve can be fitted using the BiDoseResp function. At the same cyclic stress ratio, the sample’s anti-liquefaction strength did not rise monotonically with increasing confining pressure but changed variably at values near a specified low confining pressure; when the sample density rose under the same settings, the specific confining pressure reduced. We also further discussed the evolution law of the stress–strain curves of tailing silt. The results further explored the dynamic characteristics of tailing silt, which can provide some reference for the seismic design and reinforcement measures of many fine-grained tailing dams.
Learning with Interactive Knowledge Representations
Authors: Bredeweg Bert , Kragten Marco , Holt Joanna , Kruit Patricia , van Eijck Tom , Pijls Monique , Bouwer Anders , Sprinkhuizen Malou , Jaspar Emile , de Boer Muriel
Published: April 2023

Computers are promising tools for providing educational experiences that meet individual learning needs. However, delivering this promise in practice is challenging, particularly when automated feedback is essential and the learning extends beyond using traditional methods such as writing and solving mathematics problems. We hypothesize that interactive knowledge representations can be deployed to address this challenge. Knowledge representations differ markedly from concept maps. Where the latter uses nodes (concepts) and arcs (links between concepts), a knowledge representation is based on an ontology that facilitates automated reasoning. By adjusting this reasoning towards interacting with learners for the benefit of learning, a new class of educational instruments emerges. In this contribution, we present three projects that use an interactive knowledge representation as their foundation. DynaLearn supports learners in acquiring system thinking skills. Minds-On helps learners to deepen their understanding of phenomena while performing experiments. Interactive Concept Cartoons engage learners in a science-based discussion about controversial topics. Each of these approaches has been developed iteratively in collaboration with teachers and tested in real classrooms, resulting in a suite of lessons available online. Evaluation studies involving pre-/post-tests and action-log data show that learners are easily capable of working with these educational instruments and that the instruments thus enable a semi-automated approach to constructive learning.
Innovations for Interpretability, Flexibility, and Sustainability in Intelligent Machinery and Industry 4.0
Authors: Trappey Amy J. C. , Lee Ching-Hung , Mo John P. T.
Published: April 2023

Three levels, namely the device level, the connection level, and the systems management level, are frequently used to conceptualize intelligent machinery and Industry 4 [...]
A Transfer Residual Neural Network Based on ResNet-50 for Detection of Steel Surface Defects
Authors: Zhang Luying , Bian Yuchen , Jiang Peng , Zhang Fengyun
Published: April 2023

With the increasing popularity of deep learning, enterprises are replacing traditional inefficient and non-robust defect detection methods with intelligent recognition technology. This paper utilizes TL (transfer learning) to enhance the model’s recognition performance by integrating the Adam optimizer and a learning rate decay strategy. By comparing the TL-ResNet50 model with other classic CNN models (ResNet50, VGG19, and AlexNet), the superiority of the model used in this paper was fully demonstrated. To address the current lack of understanding regarding the internal mechanisms of CNN models, we employed an interpretable algorithm to analyze pre-trained models and visualize the learned semantic features of defects across various models. This further confirms the efficacy and reliability of CNN models in accurately recognizing different types of defects. Results showed that the TL-ResNet50 model achieved an overall accuracy of 99.4% on the testing set and demonstrated good identification ability for defect features.
A Study on the Summer Microclimate Environment of Public Space and Pedestrian Commercial Streets in Regions with Hot Summers and Cold Winters
Authors: Liu Junyou , Tang Haifang , Zheng Bohong , Sun Zhaoqian
Published: April 2023

Pedestrian commercial streets are an important part of a city. However, the open outdoor street is easily affected by the external climate, and a poor microclimate environment can indirectly affect the volume of visitors to the commercial street. This paper takes pedestrian commercial streets in regions with hot summers and cold winters as the research object in order to obtain reasonable prototypes of street space. Adopting the experimental method of controlling variables, microclimate simulation analysis is conducted on different street flow lines, various locations of open space, and the different greening arrangements of typical street spaces. This paper also proposes design strategies for improving the microclimate environment, such as reserving ventilation passages in the dominant wind direction, setting up air buffer areas to increase the “wind storage” effect, building an open space in the upwind direction to increase the “wind absorption” effect, preventing planar greening space from hindering airflow in streets with poor ventilation, and establishing planar green space in the upwind direction to increase the coverage of the cooling effect of plants. In this paper, comfort in the outdoor microclimate comfort is taken into consideration in commercial street design, aiming to achieve the revitalization of commercial streets through “micro renovation” and provide some reference for the future design of commercial streets.
A Time-Scale Varying Finite Difference Method for Analyzing the Influence of Rainfall and Water Level on the Stability of a Bank Slope
Authors: Zhang Guorong , Lu Guangyin , Xia Chengzhi , Bai Dongxin , Liu Taoying
Published: April 2023

A time-scale varying finite difference method (TSFDM) was proposed to analyze the influence of rainfall infiltration and water level fluctuation on the stability of a bank slope in the Yunnan Pulang tailings pond. The stability of the slope obtained by the TSFDM and the limit equilibrium method (LEM) were compared. The result indicates that the TSFDM can obtain reliable spatiotemporal variation features of geotechnical parameters of the bank slope under different conditions. The water level fluctuation has a greater impact on the stability than rainfall infiltration. In addition, the safety factor decreases as the shear strain rate increases on the weathering interface. The safety factors under all conditions are smaller than one, so corresponding measures should be taken. The research provides references for preventing disasters caused by bank slope failure.
Chaotic Optical Communication with Wavelength-Hopping Technology Based on Tunable Lasers
Authors: Li Mi , Zhang Xinyu , Zhang Yizhuo , Su Zhiyuan , Wang Xue , Jiang Yijun
Published: April 2023

With the development of communication technology, there is a more urgent demand for enhancing the security of data transmission. In order to improve the security of the traditional chaotic laser communication system, we propose a new scheme by the introduction of wavelength-hopping technology based on tunable lasers. In our new scheme, due to the hopping of wavelengths and the pseudo-randomness of the wavelength-hopping sequence, it is difficult for the eavesdropper to intercept the information and predict to which wavelength the hopping station will hop. The numerical simulation results show that the average bit error rate of eavesdropping is about five orders of magnitude higher than that of working normally. This indicates that the introduction of wavelength-hopping technology can improve the difficulty of message decoding and improve the confidentiality of the system. This scheme can be used to realize a high level of privacy in the design of chaotic laser communication systems in the future.
Similarity Model Test on Stress and Deformation of Freezing Pipe in Composite Strata during Active Freezing
Authors: Qiu Linjie , Li Jinhua , Wang Yansen
Published: April 2023

In order to prevent the problem of freezing pipe fracture in the process of artificial freezing construction, taking the main shaft freezing project of Shandong Yuncheng Mine as the background and based on the similarity theory, the similarity model test of freezing pipe in the composite stratum of the active freezing section is carried out. The test results show that the distribution of freezing temperature field in sand layer and clay layer is “W”-shape, and the temperature at the interface of outer ring pipe is slightly higher than that of the inner ring pipe. The change rate of freezing temperature can be divided into three stages: rapid decreasing section, slow decreasing section, and stable section. Compared with the clay layer, the sand layer has the shorter freezing closure time and the lower freezing average temperature. The frozen pipe is always in the state of vertical compression in the clay layer, while in the state of vertical compression first and then vertical tension in the sand layer. The maximum compressive strain in the clay layer is −305 με, which is equal to the vertical compressive stress of 64.1 MPa. The maximum tensile strain in the sand layer is 406 με, which is equivalent to the tensile stress of 85.2 MPa. The bending direction of different freezing pipes is different in the different soil layers. The maximum bending strain of the frozen pipe in the clay layer is 779 με, which is 2.6 times the vertical strain at the same location, corresponding to the bending stress of 163.4 MPa and reaching 0.69 times of the yield limit of frozen pipe, while the bending strain in the sand layer is very small. The vertical strain and bending strain of freezing pipes at the interface of soil layers are very small, but the bending strain is still dominant.
Centennial Lake Environmental Evolution Reflected by Diatoms in Yilong Lake, Yunnan Province, China
Authors: Huang Yue , Ma Ruiwen , Shi Hongbo , Li Jie , Tu Shuyu
Published: April 2023

The 64 cm sediment diatoms, representing a timescale from 1938 to 2020 A.D., were analyzed to reconstruct the evolutionary history of Yilong Lake in Yunnan Province, China. Some main diatoms with important environmental indicating significance were selected through Principal Component Analysis (PCA). In addition, their ecological affinities indicated that the PCA sample scores 1 and 2, which were the main factors affecting the environmental change of Yilong Lake, corresponded to pH value and eutrophication, respectively. According to the pH value and the eutrophication data obtained from the PCA, the lake had successively gone through six major stages. Though high pH value and eutrophication had been the main characteristics for a long time, the quality of Yilong Lake was gradually improved through planned treatment in the last decades. The drying up of the lake under natural conditions resulted in an increase in pH values and high eutrophication. Meanwhile, the impact of human activities played a more important role in lake evolution: unreasonable human development in lake basins led to abnormal changes in pH values and eutrophication, and planned and targeted treatment could restore the natural state of the lake.
Origin of the Ultra-Deep Hydrocarbons from the Shunbei No. 1 Fracture Zone in the North of Shuntuoguole Low Uplift, Tarim Basin, North-Western China
Authors: Bian Jiejing , Hou Dujie , Cheng Xiong , Jia Zhenjie
Published: April 2023

In order to have a deeper insight into the accumulation mechanism of ultra-deep hydrocarbons, in this paper, the recently discovered ultra-deep Ordovician light oil and gas deposits (>7200 m) in the Shunbei No. 1 fracture zone are studied intensively, including maturity, source kitchens, the extent of secondary alterations, and possible migration directions, based on an analysis of the molecular compositions and stable carbon isotopes of crude oils and natural gases. The average equivalent vitrinite reflectance (Rc) of these oils, estimated from light hydrocarbons (H versus I), MDI, DNR, and MDR, are about 1.50%, 1.58%, 1.48%, and 1.51%, respectively, which suggests that most of the oils are in the late stages of crossing the oil window. The two maturity grades (1.06–1.25% and 1.36–1.67%) of the oil samples calculated from the aromatic compounds indicate the presence of at least two stages of hydrocarbon charge. In addition, the positive correlation plot of DNR and MDR (y = 3.59x − 12.84; R2 = 0.96) indicates that oils in the southwestern region of the F1 (S1-11–S1-16) are slightly more mature than oils in the northeastern region of the F1 and the well at SL1, far from the No. 1 main fault zone. In addition, the study shows that these hydrocarbons belong to the same source kitchen of a reduced marine sedimentary environment with mixed organic matter comprising benthic and planktonic algae, based on biomarker parameters, light hydrocarbons, and carbon isotope compositions. The oil–oil correlation analyses suggest that the studied oil samples are probably derived from the in situ Lower Cambrian Yuertusi formation source rocks. Various geochemical parameters consistently show limited significant hydrocarbon alteration processes, indicating favorable preservation conditions in the study area. The integrated geochemical characteristics of the hydrocarbons allow us to infer that they mainly migrate vertically from the in situ Lower Cambrian Yuertusi formation source rocks toward the Ordovician reservoirs, followed by a certain degree of lateral migration from southwest to northeast.
Estimating Moisture Content of Sausages with Different Types of Casings via Hyperspectral Imaging in Tandem with Multivariate
Authors: Feng Chao-Hui , Arai Hirofumi
Published: April 2023

The moisture levels in sausages that were stored for 16 days and added with different concentrations of orange extracts to a modification solution were assessed using response surface methodology (RSM). Among the 32 treatment matrixes, treatment 10 presented a higher moisture content than that of treatment 19. Spectral pre-treatments were employed to enhance the model’s robustness. The raw and pre-processed spectral data, as well as moisture content, were fitted to a regression model. The RSM outcomes showed that the interactive effects of [soy lecithin concentration] × [soy oil concentration] and [soy oil concentration] × [orange extract addition] on moisture were significant (p < 0.05), resulting in an R2 value of 78.28% derived from a second-order polynomial model. Hesperidin was identified as the primary component of the orange extracts using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The PLSR model developed from reflectance data after normalization and 1st derivation pre-treatment showed a higher coefficient of determination in the calibration set (0.7157) than the untreated data (0.2602). Furthermore, the selection of nine key wavelengths (405, 445, 425, 455, 585, 630, 1000, 1075, and 1095 nm) could render the model simpler and allow for easy industrial applications.
An Interventional Surgical Robot Based on Multi-Data Detection
Authors: Yang Dong , Xiao Nan , Xia Yuxuan , Wei Wei
Published: April 2023

Vascular interventional surgery is the most common method for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Interventional surgical robot has attracted extensive attention because of its precise control and remote operation. However, conventional force sensors in surgical robots can only detect the axial thrust pressure of the catheter. Inspired by the function of insect antennae, we designed a structure with a thin-film force sensing device in the catheter head. Combined with the pressure sensor in the catheter clamping device, multiple sensor data were fused to predict and classify the current vascular environment using the LSTM network with 94.2% accuracy. During robotic surgery, real-time feedback of current pressure information and vascular curvature information can enhance doctors’ judgment of surgical status and improve surgical safety.
Elimination Properties for a Probabilistic Scheduling Problem
Authors: Bożejko Wojciech , Rajba Paweł , Uchroński Mariusz , Wodecki Mieczysław
Published: April 2023

In many areas of the economy, we deal with random processes, e.g., transport, agriculture, trade, construction, etc. Effective management of such processes often leads to optimization models with random parameters. Solving these problems is already very difficult in deterministic cases, because they usually belong to the NP-hard class. In addition the inclusion of the uncertainty parameters in the model causes additional complications. Hence these problems are much less frequently studied. We propose a new customized approach to searching the solutions space for problems with random parameters. We prove new, strong properties of solutions, the so-called block elimination properties, accelerating the neighborhood search. They make it possible to eliminate certain subsets of the solution space containing worse solutions without the need to calculate the value of the criterion function. Blocks can be used in the construction of exact and approximate algorithms, e.g., metaheuristics such as tabu search, significantly improving their efficiency.
Secure NIfTI Image Authentication Scheme for Modern Healthcare System
Authors: Singh Kamred Udham , Aljrees Turki , Kumar Ankit , Singh Teekam
Published: April 2023

Advances in digital neuroimaging technologies, i.e., MRI and CT scan technology, have radically changed illness diagnosis in the global healthcare system. Digital imaging technologies produce NIfTI images after scanning the patient’s body. COVID-19 spared on a worldwide effort to detect the lung infection. CT scans have been performed on billions of COVID-19 patients in recent years, resulting in a massive amount of NIfTI images being produced and communicated over the internet for diagnosis. The dissemination of these medical photographs over the internet has resulted in a significant problem for the healthcare system to maintain its integrity, protect its intellectual property rights, and address other ethical considerations. Another significant issue is how radiologists recognize tempered medical images, sometimes leading to the wrong diagnosis. Thus, the healthcare system requires a robust and reliable watermarking method for these images. Several image watermarking approaches for .jpg, .dcm, .png, .bmp, and other image formats have been developed, but no substantial contribution to NIfTI images (.nii format) has been made. This research suggests a hybrid watermarking method for NIfTI images that employs Slantlet Transform (SLT), Lifting Wavelet Transform (LWT), and Arnold Cat Map. The suggested technique performed well against various attacks. Compared to earlier approaches, the results show that this method is more robust and invisible.
A Coupled CH4, CO and CO2 Simulation for Improved Chemical Source Modeling
Authors: Bukosa Beata , Fisher Jenny A. , Deutscher Nicholas M. , Jones Dylan B. A.
Published: April 2023

Understanding greenhouse gas–climate processes and feedbacks is a fundamental step in understanding climate variability and its links to greenhouse gas fluxes. Chemical transport models are the primary tool for linking greenhouse gas fluxes to their atmospheric abundances. Hence, accurate simulations of greenhouse gases are essential. Here, we present a new simulation in the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model that couples the two main greenhouse gases—carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4)—along with the indirect greenhouse gas carbon monoxide (CO) based on their chemistry. Our updates include the online calculation of the chemical production of CO from CH4 and the online production of CO2 from CO, both of which were handled offline in the previous versions of these simulations. In the newly developed coupled (online) simulation, we used consistent hydroxyl radical (OH) fields for all aspects of the simulation, resolving biases introduced by inconsistent OH fields in the currently available uncoupled (offline) CH4, CO and CO2 simulations. We compare our coupled simulation with the existing v12.1.1 GEOS-Chem uncoupled simulations run the way they are currently being used by the community. We discuss differences between the uncoupled and coupled calculation of the chemical terms and compare our results with surface measurements from the NOAA Global Greenhouse Gas Reference Network (NOAA GGGRN), total column measurements from the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON) and aircraft measurements from the Atmospheric Tomography Mission (ATom). Relative to the standard uncoupled simulations, our coupled results suggest a stronger CO chemical production from CH4, weaker production of CO2 from CO and biases in the OH fields. However, we found a significantly stronger chemical production of CO2 in tropical land regions, especially in the Amazon. The model–measurement differences point to underestimated biomass burning emissions and secondary production for CO. The new self-consistent coupled simulation opens new possibilities when identifying biases in CH4, CO and CO2 source and sink fields, as well as a better understanding of their interannual variability and co-variation.
Uncertainty in the Mobile Observation of Wind
Authors: Leibensperger Eric M. , Konieczny Mikolaj , Weil Matthew D.
Published: April 2023

Air quality and greenhouse gas sampling from mobile platforms enables local to regional analyses of pollutant exposure, atmospheric chemistry, and emission sources. Simultaneous meteorological observations, particularly wind speed and direction, are often used to interpret measurements and construct emission fluxes. However, the wind arising from a moving platform contributes to the observed wind speed and direction, and this artifact requires adequate removal to best apply wind observations. Here, we calculate the theoretical limitations to the measurement of wind from a moving vehicle, assess the accompanying uncertainty, and apply these methods to an example transect across a plume of methane. The angle of the wind relative to the moving vehicle is a crucial determinant of the ability to distinguish a true wind and defines its uncertainty. Unlike a stationary wind measurement, the wind speed and direction contain complementary information that broadens the capability of the mobile anemometer. We find that the isolation of a true wind depends on the anemometer wind speed accuracy for true winds moving with or against the vehicle, while the anemometer directional accuracy is more important for crosswinds, such as is experienced when observing across a plume. The uncertainty in estimated wind speed has similar geometry, but the uncertainty in estimating true wind direction is the opposite: the accuracy of measured wind speed most greatly impacts crosswind direction. Exact values are determined by the specific accuracy limitations of the anemometer and vehicle speed, and the geometrical distributions vary. As a result, the characteristics of each mobile lab setup should be assessed individually to best inform meteorological analyses and observation route planning.