bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A CRISPR-Cas9-Derived Male Sterility System for Tomato Breeding
Authors: Zhou Ming , Deng Lei , Yuan Guoliang , Zhao Wei , Ma Mingyang , Sun Chuanlong , Du Minmin , Li Chuanyou , Li Changbao
Published: June 2023

Male sterility can reduce cost and enable high seed purity during hybrid seed production. However, the commercial application of male sterility in hybrid seed production has not been widely used in tomatoes. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing can facilitate acceleration for the practical application of male sterility in hybrid seed production. Here, by using the CRISPR-Cas9 system, two genes DYSFUNCTIONAL TAPETUM1 (SlDYT1) and Glutathione S-transferase (SlGSTAA), which underly the two closely linked loci Male sterile 10 (Ms10) and Anthocyanin absent (AA), were knocked out simultaneously in two tomato parental lines. The generated dyt1gstaa double mutants developed green hypocotyl owing to anthocyanin deficiency and exhibited stable male sterility. Up to 92% effectiveness in selecting male sterility was achieved using green hypocotyl as a morphological marker, and thereafter an efficient and stable propagation strategy of male sterility with the aid of the morphological marker selection was developed. Furthermore, dyt1gstaa-derived hybrid seeds were produced and found to have comparable yield, weight, and germination rate with the corresponding WT-derived F1 seeds. The dyt1gstaa system not only increased hybrid seed purity to 100% but also facilitated its rapid and cost-effective determination. Moreover, this system was discovered to have no evident side effects on important agronomic traits. This study suggested that our CRISPR/Cas9-created dyt1gstaa system can be deployed in tomato hybrid seed production.
Conversation Analysis of Clients’ Active Resistance to Veterinarians’ Proposals for Long-Term Dietary Change in Companion Animal Practice in Ontario, Canada
Authors: MacMartin Clare , Wheat Hannah , Coe Jason B.
Published: June 2023

The impact of nutrition on animal health requires effective diet-related treatment recommendations in veterinary medicine. Despite low reported rates of veterinary clients’ adherence with dietary recommendations, little is known about how clients’ resistance to nutritional proposals is managed in the talk of veterinary consultations. This conversation-analytic study investigated clients’ active resistance to veterinarians’ proposals for long-term changes to cats’ and dogs’ diets in 23 segments from 21 videotaped appointments in Ontario, Canada. Clients’ accounts suggested the proposals themselves or nutritional modifications were unnecessary, inappropriate, or unfeasible, most often based on patients’ food preferences, multi-pet feeding issues, current use of equivalent strategies, or current enactment of the proposed changes. Resistance arose when veterinarians constructed proposals without first gathering relevant diet- and patient-related information, soliciting clients’ perspectives, or educating them about the benefits of recommended changes. Veterinarians subsequently accommodated clients’ concerns more often when resistance involved patient- or client-related issues rather than clients’ lack of medical knowledge. The design of subsequent proposals accepted by clients frequently replaced dietary changes in the initial proposals with nutritional or non-nutritional alternatives and oriented to uncertainty about adherence. This study provides evidence-based findings for developing effective communication training and practice guidelines in nutritional assessment and shared decision-making.
Characterization of Leishmania Parasites Isolated from Naturally Infected Mammals
Authors: Burguete-Mikeo Aroia , Fernández-Rubio Celia , Peña-Guerrero José , El-Dirany Rima , Gainza Leonardo , Carasa Buj Belen , Nguewa Paul A.
Published: June 2023

Leishmaniasis is spreading in Europe, especially in endemic countries such as Italy and Spain, in part due to ongoing climate change and the increase in travel and migration. Although Leishmania infantum is the main agent responsible for this disease in humans and animals, other species and hybrids have been detected. This highlights the need to continue isolating and characterizing Leishmania strains from biological samples of infected hosts. In this study, we characterized the recently isolated parasites L. infantum NAV and L. infantum TDL, obtained from naturally infected mammals (dogs), and we compared them with the widely distributed and studied strain L. infantum BCN 150. Both NAV and TDL promastigotes showed a slower growth rate than BCN 150 and were significantly more sensitive to amphotericin B and miltefosine. Furthermore, the expression of the CYCA gene (involved in cell cycle and proliferation) was significantly downregulated in NAV and TDL isolates. On the other hand, CYC6 (implicated in treatment resistance) and APG9 (related to the recycling of protein under stress conditions and/or while undergoing a differentiation process and treatment resistance) levels were upregulated, compared to those measured in BCN 150. Both isolates displayed a higher infection capacity (>3 amastigotes per macrophage and >70% of infected macrophages) compared to controls (<2 amastigotes/cells and <50% of infected macrophages). Finally, a higher susceptibility to miltefosine treatment was observed in intracellular NAV and TDL amastigotes. In conclusion, TDL and NAV are novel Leishmania isolates that might be useful for in vitro and in vivo assays that will allow a better understanding of the parasite biology in Mediterranean areas.
The Probiotic Phaeobacter inhibens Provokes Hypertrophic Growth via Activation of the IGF-1/Akt Pathway during the Process of Metamorphosis of Greater Amberjack (Seriola dumerili, Risso 1810)
Authors: Panteli Nikolas , Feidantsis Konstantinos , Demertzioglou Maria , Paralika Vasiliki , Karapanagiotis Stelios , Mylonas Constantinos C. , Kormas Konstantinos Ar. , Mente Eleni , Makridis Pavlos , Antonopoulou Efthimia
Published: June 2023

Metamorphosis entails hormonally regulated morphological and physiological changes requiring high energy levels. Probiotics as feed supplements generate ameliorative effects on host nutrient digestion and absorption. Thereby, the aim of the present research was to investigate the impact of the probiotic Phaeobacter inhibens as a water additive on cellular signaling pathways in the metamorphosis of greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili). Activation of insulin-like growth factor type 1 receptor (IGF-1R), protein kinase B (Akt), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), induction of heat shock proteins (Hsps), and programmed cell death were assessed through SDS-Page/immunoblot analysis, while energy metabolism was determined through enzymatic activities. According to the results, greater amberjack reared in P. inhibens-enriched water entered the metamorphic phase with greater body length, while protein synthesis was triggered to facilitate the hypertrophic growth as indicated by IGF-1/Akt activation and AMPK inhibition. Contrarily, MAPKs levels were reduced, whereas variations in Hsps response were evident in the probiotic treatment. Apoptosis and autophagy were mobilized potentially for the structural remodeling processes. Furthermore, the elevated enzymatic activities of intermediary metabolism highlighted the excess energy demands of metamorphosis. Collectively, the present findings demonstrate that P. inhibens may reinforce nutrient utilization, thus leading greater amberjack to an advanced growth and developmental state.
Understanding the Interactions between Small-Scale Fisheries and the Mediterranean Monk Seal Using Fishermen’s Ecological Knowledge
Authors: Papageorgiou Marios , Karonias Anastasis , Eftychiou Athena , Hadjioannou Louis
Published: June 2023

Interactions between fisheries and marine mammals have been well documented in almost all existing fishing gears around the world, often associated with detrimental consequences. Interactions of the endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) with small-scale fisheries have been previously documented in the Mediterranean; this is a problem that seems to be growing in recent years. The present study aims to understand for the first time the nature and extent of interactions between the Mediterranean monk seal and small-scale fisheries in the Republic of Cyprus. The data were collected by conducting in-person semi-structured interviews, between November and December 2020, with 90 fishermen operating from nine different ports, extending throughout the entire coastline of the Republic of Cyprus. The results revealed minimal interactions between the Mediterranean monk seals and small-scale fisheries. The findings indicate that interactions are more likely to occur at depths of less than 10 m, closer to the coast, with the use of trammel nets and gillnets, and during the spring and summer months. The encounter, depredation and incidental capture rates were calculated at 0.01 (0.95%), 0.005 (0.51%) and 0.0004 (0.04%) per fisher, respectively. Spatiotemporal closed areas are proposed as a potential solution to mitigate these interactions.
Assessing Contact Time and Concentration of Thymus vulgaris Essential Oil on Antibacterial Efficacy In Vitro
Authors: Galgano Michela , Pellegrini Francesco , Mrenoshki Daniela , Capozza Paolo , Omar Ahmed , Salvaggiulo Anna , Camero Michele , Lanave Gianvito , Tempesta Maria , Pratelli Annamaria , Buonavoglia Alessio
Published: June 2023

The overuse and misuse of antibiotics can pose the risk of spreading mutant strains that show antimicrobial resistance (AMR), with negative impacts on the management of bacterial infections and economic implications for healthcare systems. The research and development of natural antibacterial agents could be a priority in the next years to improve a number of effective antibacterial molecules and to reduce the AMR phenomenon and its development. The present study identified the most effective concentration and contact time of Thymus vulgaris L. essential oil (TEO) to obtain bactericidal effects in vitro against different Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. Six clinically isolated (wild types) bacterial strains, (Citrobacter freundii, Enterococcus feciorum, Proteus mirabilis, Acinetobacter cioffi, Pseudomonas putrefaciens and Klebsiella pneumoniae) and two ATCCs (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans) were tested after 1 min, 3 min and 5 min of contact with TEO. The preliminary results on S. aureus after 24 h of incubation revealed a TEO concentration of 9.28 mg/mL (w/v) that completely inhibited bacteria growth, keeping cell viability. The total suppression of bacterial growth at all tested contact times was observed for all tested bacterial strains, and the results were confirmed after 48 h of incubation. Bacterial growth suppression was confirmed even with the presence of organic components. These preliminary results showed the in vitro antimicrobial efficacy of TEO against different Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. Future studies are necessary to confirm the reproducibility of these results even on other strains and to define the exact molecular mechanisms of EOs in order to consider TEO as a valid alternative to classic antibiotic therapies and subsequently to reduce the occurrence of AMR.
Multi-Host Pathogen Staphylococcus aureus—Epidemiology, Drug Resistance and Occurrence in Humans and Animals in Poland
Authors: Trościańczyk Aleksandra , Nowakiewicz Aneta , Kasela Martyna , Malm Anna , Tracz Anna Magdalena , Hahaj-Siembida Agata , Osińska Marcelina , Gula Szczepan , Jankowiak Igor
Published: June 2023

Staphylococcus aureus is a drug resistant pathogen with zoonotic potential commonly isolated from humans and animals. The aim of this study was to compare the occurrence of drug resistance, resistance genes, sequence types (STs), and genotypes of S. aureus isolated from humans, livestock, and wildlife in eastern Poland. A high percentage of isolates resistant to penicillin (63%), erythromycin (39%), clindamycin (37%), tetracycline (31%), and methicillin (MRSA-19%), an intermediate resistant to vancomycin (VISA-13%), and a multidrug resistant (MDR-39%) was obtained. Multilocus sequence typing analysis showed the presence of 35 different STs (with dominance ST 15, ST 45, ST 7, and ST 582 in human, and ST 398 and ST 8139 in porcine and cattle isolates, respectively), including 9 new ones that had never been reported before (ST 8133-8141). Identical genotypic patterns were detected among porcine and cattle isolates as well as from humans and cattle. A high percentage of MDR, MRSA, and VISA in humans and livestock combined with the presence of the same genotypes among S. aureus isolated from human and cattle indicates the circulation of strains common in the region and their zoonotic potential. There is a need to develop new strategies to counteract this phenomenon according to the One Health policy.
Antioxidative Role of Heterophagy, Autophagy, and Mitophagy in the Retina and Their Association with the Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Etiopathogenesis
Authors: Nita Małgorzata , Grzybowski Andrzej
Published: June 2023

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), an oxidative stress-linked neurodegenerative disease, leads to irreversible damage of the central retina and severe visual impairment. Advanced age and the long-standing influence of oxidative stress and oxidative cellular damage play crucial roles in AMD etiopathogenesis. Many authors emphasize the role of heterophagy, autophagy, and mitophagy in maintaining homeostasis in the retina. Relevantly modifying the activity of both macroautophagy and mitophagy pathways represents one of the new therapeutic strategies in AMD. Our review provides an overview of the antioxidative roles of heterophagy, autophagy, and mitophagy and presents associations between dysregulations of these molecular mechanisms and AMD etiopathogenesis. The authors performed an extensive analysis of the literature, employing PubMed and Google Scholar, complying with the 2013–2023 period, and using the following keywords: age-related macular degeneration, RPE cells, reactive oxygen species, oxidative stress, heterophagy, autophagy, and mitophagy. Heterophagy, autophagy, and mitophagy play antioxidative roles in the retina; however, they become sluggish and dysregulated with age and contribute to AMD development and progression. In the retina, antioxidative roles also play in RPE cells, NFE2L2 and PGC-1α proteins, NFE2L2/PGC-1α/ARE signaling cascade, Nrf2 factor, p62/SQSTM1/Keap1-Nrf2/ARE pathway, circulating miRNAs, and Yttrium oxide nanoparticles performed experimentally in animal studies.
Molecular Study on Twin Cohort with Discordant Birth Weight
Authors: Chakraborty Payal , Orvos Hajnalka , Hermesz Edit
Published: June 2023

The increased rate of twinning has pointed out newer challenges in clinical practices related to gestational complications, intrauterine growth restriction, perinatal mortality, and comorbidities. As a twin pregnancy progresses, the increased demand for oxygen supply can easily disrupt the redox homeostasis balance and further impose a greater challenge for the developing fetuses. A substantial birth-weight difference acts as an indicator of a deficit in oxygenation or blood flow to one of the fetuses, which might be related to a low bioavailable nitric oxide level. Therefore, in this study, we focused on networks involved in the adjustment of oxygen supply, like the activation of inducible and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) along with free radical and lipid peroxide formation in mature twin pairs with high birth-weight differences. The selected parameters were followed by immunofluorescence staining, fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis, and biochemical measurements in the umbilical cord vessels and fetal red blood cells. Based on our data set, it is clear that the lower-weight siblings are markedly exposed to persistent intrauterine hypoxic conditions, which are connected to a decreased level in NOS3 activation. Furthermore, the increased level of peroxynitrite aggravates lipid peroxidation and induces morphological and functional damage and loss in redox homeostasis.
Experimental Study on the Effect of Bonding Area Dimensions on the Mechanical Behavior of Composite Single-Lap Joint with Epoxy and Polyurethane Adhesives
Authors: Abbasi Mohammad , Ciardiello Raffaele , Goglio Luca
Published: June 2023

The effects of joint geometry parameters, such as adherend thickness (1.76, 3.52 mm), joint width (10, 20, 30 mm), and overlap length (10, 20 mm), on the behavior of single-lap joints (SLJs) under tensile loading are investigated in this study. Peak force, joint stiffness, shear stress, and normal stress are the investigated properties. SLJs are manufactured with carbon fiber composite adherends and two different types of adhesives, polyurethane and epoxy, which present a flexible and rigid mechanical response. The results showed that increasing all 3 geometric parameters (L, W, T) leads to a significant increase in the load capacity of polyurethane joints (on average, 88.4, 101.5, and 16.9%, respectively). For epoxy joints, these increases were 47.7, 100, and 46%, respectively. According to these results, W is the parameter with the most influence on the load capacity of the joints. However, it was observed that an increase in joint width has no significant effect on adhesive shear and a substrate’s normal stresses. Epoxy SLJs behave approximately elastically until failure, while polyurethane SLJ load-displacement curves include an initial linear elastic part followed by a more ductile behavior before the failure. Joint stiffness is affected by all the parameters for both adhesive types, except for overlap length, which led to a negligible effect on epoxy joints. Moreover, the damage surfaces for both types of joints are analyzed and the internal stresses (shear and peel) are assessed by using the analytical model of Bigwood and Crocombe.
Research and Application of the Obstacle Avoidance System for High-Speed Railway Tunnel Lining Inspection Train Based on Integrated 3D LiDAR and 2D Camera Machine Vision Technology
Authors: Lei Yang , Tian Tian , Jiang Bo , Qi Falin , Jia Feiyu , Qu Qiming
Published: June 2023

This study presents an innovative, intelligent obstacle avoidance module intended to significantly enhance the collision prevention capabilities of the robotic arm mechanism onboard a high-speed rail tunnel lining inspection train. The proposed module employs a fusion of ORB-SLAM3 and Normal Distribution Transform (NDT) point cloud registration techniques to achieve real-time point cloud densification, ensuring reliable detection of small-volume targets. By leveraging spatial filtering, cluster computation, and feature extraction, precise obstacle localization information is further obtained. A fusion of multi-modal data is achieved by jointly calibrating 3D LiDAR and camera images. Upon validation through field testing, it is demonstrated that the module can effectively detect obstacles with a minimum diameter of 0.5 cm, with an average deviation controlled within a 1–2 cm range and a safety margin of 3 cm, effectively preventing collisions. Compared to traditional obstacle avoidance sensors, this module provides information across more dimensions, offering robust support for the construction of powerful automated tunnel inspection control systems and digital twin lifecycle analysis techniques for railway tunnels.
Investigating the Non-Gaussian Property and Its Influence on Extreme Wind Pressures on the Long-Span Cylindrical Roof
Authors: Wei Sitong , Zhao Chao , Sun Qing
Published: June 2023

The non-Gaussian property and its influence on peak factors and extreme wind pressures on the long-span cylindrical roof are studied in this paper. Firstly, the moment-based Hermite polynomial model (HPM), which is used to determine peak factors of non-Gaussian processes, is briefly introduced. Then, wind tunnel tests for the scaled rigid roof model are carried out to measure wind pressures on the roof surface. The statistical and spatial distribution of non-Gaussian properties of wind pressure on the roof is demonstrated. Regions around curved edges along the span of the roof exhibiting strong non-Gaussian properties are found. Peak factors determined by the HPM are examined by wind tunnel results and then calculated for the entire roof. According to their distribution, the regions with considerable peak factors are found. Results indicate that the peak factor of constant 2.5 or peak factor following the Gaussian process assumption is far smaller than that determined by the HPM, leading to extreme wind pressures being underestimated by 40–50%. Hence, it is necessary to include the non-Gaussian properties of wind pressure when calculating their extreme values for such long-span cylindrical roofs.
An Optical Implementation of Quantum Bit Commitment Using Infinite-Dimensional Systems
Authors: He Guang Ping
Published: June 2023

Unconditionally secure quantum bit commitment (QBC) was widely believed to be impossible for more than two decades, but recently, based on an anomalous behavior found in quantum steering, we proposed a QBC protocol which can be unconditionally secure in principle. The protocol requires the use of infinite-dimensional systems, so it may seem less feasible in practice. Here, we propose a quantum optical method based on the Mach–Zehnder interferometer, which gives a very good approximation to such infinite-dimensional systems. Thus, it enables a proof-of-principle experimental implementation of our protocol, which can also serve as a practically secure QBC scheme. Other multi-party cryptographic protocols such as quantum coin tossing can be built upon it too. Our approach also reveals a relationship between infinity and non-locality, which may have an impact on the research of fundamental theories.
Improved Detector Based on Yolov5 for Typical Targets on the Sea Surfaces
Authors: Sun Anzhu , Ding Jun , Liu Jiarui , Zhou Heng , Zhang Jiale , Zhang Peng , Dong Junwei , Sun Ze
Published: June 2023

Detection of targets on sea surfaces is an important area of application that can bring great benefits to the management and control systems in marine environments. However, there are few open-source datasets accessible for the purpose of object detection on seas and rivers. In this paper, a study is conducted on the improved detection algorithms based on the YOLOv5 model. The dataset for the tests contains ten categories of typical objects that are commonly seen in the contexts of seas, including ships, devices, and structures. Multiple augmentation methods are employed in the pre-processing of the input data, which are verified to be effective in enhancing the generalization ability of the algorithm. Moreover, a new form of the loss function is proposed that highlights the effects of the high-quality boxes during training. The results demonstrate that the adapted loss function contributes to a boost in the model performance. According to the ablation studies, the synthesized methods raise the inference accuracy by making up for several shortcomings of the baseline model for the detection tasks of single or multiple targets from varying backgrounds.
FPLA: A Flexible Physical Layer Authentication Mechanism for Distributing Quantum Keys Securely via Wireless 5G Channels
Authors: Li Yuxuan , Han Jingyuan , Liu Gang , Zhou Yi , Liu Tao
Published: June 2023

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is popular for establishing a native secure quantum communication network. However, existing QKD networks are built via classical wired fiber channels; it is difficult to distribute quantum keys directly into mobile phones, and no effective candidate solution is available yet. This paper presents a novel Flexible Physical Layer Authentication (FPLA) mechanism that exploits the unique characteristic of wireless signals from mobile phones to securely distribute quantum keys via wireless 5G channels. In particular, a 5G Up-Link Sounding Reference Signal (SRS)-based transmission model is developed to capture and extract the unique characteristic, which is then used to distribute quantum keys. Moreover, the model could lose accuracy due to SRS variations introduced by 5G Multiuser Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MU-MIMO), so a dimensional transformation residual network is designed to classify legitimate and malicious user equipment (UE). An average authentication accuracy of 96.8% is proved by FPLA in multiple experiments in a 3 dB Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) test environment with a training dataset of 300 samples per malicious UE. Simulation results show that FPLA is able to adapt to antenna diversity in 5G MU-MIMO systems.
Cable Temperature Prediction Based on RF-GPR for Digital Twin Applications
Authors: Han Weixing , Hao Chunsheng , Kong Dejing , Yang Guang
Published: June 2023

With the wide application of power cables in the field of transmission and distribution and the increasing emphasis of power departments on the reliability, safety and stability of power cable operation, how to more accurately and quickly analyze the temperature distribution of power cables and how to evaluate the running state of power cables have become research hotspots. Through the combination of finite element calculation and the artificial intelligence method, an innovative method of digital twin cable temperature prediction based on RF-GPR is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the finite element method is used to calculate the coupling of the electromagnetic field and temperature field of a 10 kV AC cable laid in the cable trench, and a certain amount of basic data are provided through the finite element calculation results. Then, using the basic principle of the random forest (RF) variable importance score, the RF-GPR cable temperature prediction model is constructed using the series hybrid model and Gaussian process regression (GPR), the model prediction results are compared and analyzed, and the calculation time is improved by about 1500 times. Finally, a digital twinning platform for cable temperature calculation based on RF-GPR is designed, which provides technical support for the application of digital twinning.
The Development of a Multiphysics Coupled Solver for Studying the Effect of Dynamic Heterogeneous Configuration on Particulate Debris Bed Criticality and Cooling Characteristics
Authors: Li Chun-Yen , Wang Kai , Uchibori Akihiro , Okano Yasushi , Pellegrini Marco , Erkan Nejdet , Takata Takashi , Okamoto Koji
Published: June 2023

For a sodium-cooled fast reactor, the capability for stable cooling and avoiding re-criticality on the debris bed is essential for achieving in-vessel retention when severe accidents occur. However, an unexploited uncertainty still existed regarding the compound effect of the heterogeneous configuration and dynamic particle redistribution for the debris bed’s criticality and cooling safety assessment. Therefore, this research aims to develop a numerical tool for investigating the effects of the different transformations of the heterogeneous configurations on the debris bed’s criticality/cooling assessment. Based on the newly proposed methodology in this research, via integrating the Discrete Element Method (DEM) with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Monte-Carlo-based Neutronics (MCN), the coupled CFD–DEM–MCN solver was constructed with the originally created interface to integrate two existing codes. The effects of the different bed configurations’ transformations on the bed safety assessments were also quantitively confirmed, indicating that the effect of the particle-centralized fissile material had the dominant negative effect on the safety margin of avoiding re-criticality and particle re-melting accidents and had a more evident impact than the net bed-centralized effect. This coupled solver can serve to further assess the debris bed’s safety via a multi-physics simulation approach, leading to safer SFR design concepts.
Identification of the Physical Dependencies of Accurate Oil Level Measurement for Automotive Applications
Authors: Hercik Radim , Machacek Zdenek , Byrtus Radek , Koziorek Jiri
Published: June 2023

The presented research addresses the problem of dependency analysis of the ultrasonic signal measured by a sensor in an engine oil bath. The dependency analysis is performed on a selected ultrasonic signal sensor solution containing its own generator and an ultrasonic signal receiver detecting the level of the oil in which it is immersed. The influence of the resulting amplitude of the received ultrasonic signal is mainly due to the level of the measured oil level and the oil temperature, as shown by the regression analysis and ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) testing performed. The analyzed dependence of the time determination of the length of the generated ultrasonic signal envelope is given by a set threshold value, which can be dynamically adjusted based on the backtracking evaluation. The analysis results in the form of approximation by the dependency algorithm confirm the assumption of possible standardization of the envelope parameters with the achievement of accuracy up to 99.02%. The analyzed parameters approximated by the temperature and oil level dependence algorithms include the amplitude of the measured signal, steepness of the rising edge, duration of the envelope, and the digitally processed amplitude value.
Software Development and Tool Support for Curriculum Design: A Systematic Mapping Study
Authors: Melillán Aliwen , Cravero Ania , Sepúlveda Samuel
Published: June 2023

Curriculum design is the systematic process of establishing how a learning process is designed, developed, supported, and delivered. This process is supported by software tools which can help improve curriculum alignment and facilitate the design of courses or programs. This article aims to analyze software proposals for curriculum design support that consider using models, methods, and techniques in software development. To do this, a systematic mapping of studies was conducted, including six research questions. This study includes 45 articles published from 2011 to 2022. The results indicate that 60% use some model, method, or technique in software development. Most software uses some models, such as ontologies, UML diagrams, or IMS-1D models. Although most articles use some model, method, or technique, there is a lack of use of software engineering models such as UML diagrams, which are standard in the software industry and research.
Model Test of Stress and Displacement of Recyclable Anchor Rod Support Structure
Authors: Zhou Shengquan , Feng Shaotong , Dai Chen , Xu Qiuwei , Ke Zhaibang
Published: June 2023

A recyclable bolt is a kind of green supporting component that can save materials and weaken the influence of underground engineering. It has a good application prospect in foundation pit and slope-supporting engineering, as well as a high economic and environmental effect in future engineering construction. The stress and displacement change of the foundation pit with a recoverable bolt was analyzed by performing a laboratory model test. The test results demonstrated that in the process of excavation, the recyclable anchor rod supporting the structure effectively limited the horizontal displacement of the pile top and had a significant constraint effect on the surface settlement. With the increase in the excavation depth, both the axial force value of the recyclable anchor rod and the maximum bending moment value of the supporting pile increased gradually, and the maximum bending moment value of the supporting pile appeared at 1/3 H. After the excavation, the maximum horizontal displacement of the pile top was 0.04% of the excavation depth. The failure recovery of the anchor was the primary factor contributing to the increased deformation of the foundation pit during the backfilling stage. Upon completion of the backfilling process, the final deformation of the foundation pit reached 0.1% of the excavation depth; this can meet safety requirements, reduce the waste of building materials, and conform to the concept of green sustainable development.
The Influence of Irrigating Solutions on the Penetration of Epoxy AH Plus Sealer in Dentinal Tubules—In Vitro Confocal Microscopy Study
Authors: Wilkoński Wojciech , Krupiński Marcin , Jamróz-Wilkońska Lidia , Kepczynski Mariusz , Zapotoczny Szczepan , Maziarz Urszula , Opiła Janusz , Wychowański Piotr , Brus-Sawczuk Katarzyna
Published: June 2023

Background: The proper sealing of the root canal seems to be critical to obtain a stable result of endodontic therapy. The sealer’s penetration into dentinal tubules during root canal treatment is probably a crucial factor to provide better clinical results. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of three irrigation protocols on the penetration of the epoxy sealer into dentinal tubules and two dyes used to stain the sealer. Methods: Ninety single-canaled human teeth with straight roots were used. The root canals were instrumented with Reciproc instruments up to the size 40/04 ISO. The teeth were divided into three groups (n = 30). The root canals of each group were rinsed accordingly: the control group 1: 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl); the experimental group 2: smear layer removal (two times alternatively: 40% citric acid and 5.25% NaOCl) and NaOCl; the experimental group 3: smear layer removal (same as in group 2) and isopropyl alcohol. In each group the roots were further divided into 2 subgroups (n = 15). The root canals were obturated using warm vertical compaction technique of gutta-percha with AH Plus sealer marked with hydrophilic fluorescein (subgroup F) or hydrophobic porphyrin (subgroup P). After 72 h, one-millimeter-thick cross-sections were cut in two, five and eight millimeters distance from the apex. The depth of the penetration of the sealer into the dentinal tubules (resin tags) was measured with the use of a confocal laser microscope. Results: In of all the root parts, the longest resin tags were observed in group 2, whereas the shortest ones were found in group 1 (in the porphyrin subgroups all differences were statistically significant). Within the fluorescein subgroups, the differences between all groups were statistically significant in the middle section of the roots. In the apical and the coronal sections, significant differences were observed between group 1 and the other two groups. Conclusions: The isopropyl alcohol at the end of the irrigating protocol did not affect the higher sealer penetration of the sealer into the dentinal tubules compared with sodium hypochlorite. With the limitation of this study, the hydrophobic porphyrin may be considered as the favorable dye choice to stain endodontic sealers in further studies with confocal laser scanning microscopy, but the methods and reagents used should still be in the research phase.
Review of the Double-Row Pile Supporting Structure and Its Force and Deformation Characteristics
Authors: Lan Binpeng , Wang Yanping , Wang Weiguo
Published: June 2023

The conventional support forms of foundation pit retaining piles include single-row piles, double-row piles, anchor-row piles, and so on. The double-row pile supporting structure is widely used in the deep foundation pit supporting the engineering of wharves, bridges, subways, tunnels, and high-rise and super-high-rise buildings. This study on double-row pile supporting structures mainly focuses on four aspects: (1) The influence of dimension parameters, such as pile diameter and pile length, and engineering parameters, such as pile spacing and row spacing, on the deformation control of a double-row pile structure and the stability control of foundation pits; (2) Influence of the soil arch effect on the stress and deformation of the double-row pile supporting structure; (3) Study on the deformation characteristics and rules of the components and the whole structure of the double-row pile supporting structure; (4) Study on the calculation model of pile-soil interactions. Based on the above four aspects, this paper summarizes the latest research status of the existing double-row pile supporting structure and its stress and deformation characteristics. The deformation characteristics and calculation model of the pile-soil interaction of double-row piles are reviewed and evaluated. Finally, the problems and deficiencies in the research on double-row pile support are summarized. These results provide a reference for future research on the double-row pile supporting structure of the foundation pit and the numerical analysis and calculation model and lay a solid foundation for further development of the theory.
Robust Trajectory Tracking Control for Constrained Small Fixed-Wing Aerial Vehicles with Adaptive Prescribed Performance
Authors: Trakas Panagiotis S. , Bechlioulis Charalampos P.
Published: June 2023

A novel approximation-free adaptive prescribed performance control scheme for the longitudinal motion tracking of input and state constrained small fixed-wing UAVs is designed in this work. The proposed controller employs the adaptive prescribed performance technique to impose output performance specifications in accordance with actuation limitations regarding the amplitude and the rate of the control signal. Furthermore, state constraints are introduced to ensure the proper operation of the closed-loop system. The adoption of PPC methodology results in a low complexity control algorithm with easy gain selection which facilitates its practical implementation. Finally, a comprehensive simulation study as well as comparative simulation paradigms on an Aerosonde model clarifies and verifies the superiority and the effectiveness of the proposed controller to control the longitudinal motion of UAVs in the presence of wind gusts.
Addressing Business Process Deviations through the Evaluation of Alternative Pattern-Based Models
Authors: Kady Charbel , Jalloul Khaled , Trousset François , Yaacoub Charles , Akl Adib , Daclin Nicolas , Zacharewicz Gregory
Published: June 2023

Business processes (BPs) have become extremely complex with thousands of tasks to be completed. These processes should be modelled to manage their complexity, but deviations from these models can occur during execution. To account for the potential outcomes, models are often over-specified, but in fact, it is impossible to anticipate every scenario. Therefore, the issue of how to model the response to these problems arises. The approach put forward in this study entails the creation of a primary model with the aid of domain experts. If a deviation occurs during execution, the system searches for compatible patterns in a collaborative library of workflows, rather than relying on dedicated solutions for specific problems. Nevertheless, the main challenges lie in selecting the most appropriate set of candidates from a vast number of patterns, as well as identifying the optimal injection points on the primary model to correct the deviation. One main objective is to rapidly eliminate incompatible patterns by employing simple mathematical techniques to narrow down the pool of candidate solutions. This serves to minimize the number of patterns that should be considered where more sophisticated methods can then be utilized to rank and select the best solution from this smaller set.
Different Experimental and Numerical Models to Analyse Emptying Processes in Pressurised Pipes with Trapped Air
Authors: Paternina-Verona Duban A. , Coronado-Hernández Oscar E. , Espinoza-Román Hector G. , Fuertes-Miquel Vicente S. , Ramos Helena M.
Published: June 2023

In hydraulic engineering, some researchers have developed different mathematical and numerical tools for a better understanding of the physical interaction between water flow in pipes with trapped air during emptying processes, where they have made contributions on the use of simple and complex models in different application cases. In this article, a comparative study of different experimental and numerical models existing in the literature for the analysis of trapped air in pressurised pipelines subjected to different scenarios of emptying processes is presented, where different authors have develope, experimental, one-dimensional mathematical and complex computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models (two-dimensional and three-dimensional) to understand the level of applicability of these models in different hydraulic scenarios, from the physical and computational point of view. In general, experimental, mathematical and CFD models had maximum Reynolds numbers ranging from 2670 to 20,467, and it was possible to identify that the mathematical models offered relevant numerical information in a short simulation time on the order of seconds. However, there are restrictions to visualise some complex hydraulic and thermodynamic phenomena that CFD models are able to illustrate in detail with a numerical resolution similar to the mathematical models, and these require simulation times of hours or days. From this research, it was concluded that the knowledge of the information offered by the different models can be useful to hydraulic engineers to identify physical and numerical elements present in the air–water interaction and computational conditions necessary for the development of models that help decision-making in the field of hydraulics of pressurised pipelines.
Transparent Silicone–Epoxy Coatings with Enhanced Icephobic Properties for Photovoltaic Applications
Authors: Ziętkowska Katarzyna , Przybyszewski Bartłomiej , Grzęda Dominik , Kozera Rafał , Boczkowska Anna , Liszewska Malwina , Pakuła Daria , Przekop Robert Edward , Sztorch Bogna
Published: June 2023

Recently, the photovoltaic technology has become very popular as a means to produce renewable energy. One of the problems that are still unsolved in this area of the industry is that photovoltaic panels are subject to a significant loss of efficiency due to the accumulation of dust and dirt. In addition, during the winter season, the accumulation of snow and ice also reduces or stops the energy production. The current methods of dealing with this problem are inefficient and pollute the environment. One way with high potential to prevent the build-up of dirt and ice is to use transparent coatings with self-cleaning and icephobic properties. In this work, the chemical modification of an epoxy–silicone hybrid resin using dually functionalized polysiloxanes was carried out. The icephobic properties (ice adhesion and freezing delay time of water droplets), hydrophobic properties (water contact angle, contact angle hysteresis, and roll-off angle), average surface roughness, and optical properties were characterized. It can be concluded that the performed chemical modification resulted in a significant improvement of the icephobic properties of the investigated coatings: ice adhesion decreased by 69%, and the freezing delay time increased by 17 times compared to those of the unmodified sample. The polysiloxanes also caused a significant reduction in the contact angle hysteresis and roll-off angle. The chemical modifications did not negatively affect the optical properties of the coatings, which is a key requirement for photovoltaic applications.
Study on Lightweight Model of Maize Seedling Object Detection Based on YOLOv7
Authors: Zhao Kai , Zhao Lulu , Zhao Yanan , Deng Hanbing
Published: June 2023

Traditional maize seedling detection mainly relies on manual observation and experience, which is time-consuming and prone to errors. With the rapid development of deep learning and object-detection technology, we propose a lightweight model LW-YOLOv7 to address the above issues. The new model can be deployed on mobile devices with limited memory and real-time detection of maize seedlings in the field. LW-YOLOv7 is based on YOLOv7 but incorporates GhostNet as the backbone network to reduce parameters. The Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM) enhances the network’s attention to the target region. In the head of the model, the Path Aggregation Network (PANet) is replaced with a Bi-Directional Feature Pyramid Network (BiFPN) to improve semantic and location information. The SIoU loss function is used during training to enhance bounding box regression speed and detection accuracy. Experimental results reveal that LW-YOLOv7 outperforms YOLOv7 in terms of accuracy and parameter reduction. Compared to other object-detection models like Faster RCNN, YOLOv3, YOLOv4, and YOLOv5l, LW-YOLOv7 demonstrates increased accuracy, reduced parameters, and improved detection speed. The results indicate that LW-YOLOv7 is suitable for real-time object detection of maize seedlings in field environments and provides a practical solution for efficiently counting the number of seedling maize plants.
Research on the Control Problem of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles Based on Strongly Coupled Radial Basis Function Conditions
Authors: Zhang Qinghe , Guo Longchuan , Sohan Md Abrar Hasan , Tian Xiaoqing
Published: June 2023

This paper addresses tracking control problems for autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) systems with coupled nonlinear functions. For the first time, the radial basis function (RBF) is applied to the model reference adaptive control system, and the vehicle horizontal plane model is proposed. When the AUV movement is affected by the driving force, ocean resistance, and the force generated by the water current, the expected output of the AUV’s system is difficult to meet the expectations, making the AUV trajectory tracking problems challenging. There are two main options for finding suitable controllers for AUVs. The first is making the AUV model achieve better stability using a more complex controller. The second is the simpler controller structure, which can ensure faster system feedback. The RBF and model reference adaptive control (MEAC) system are combined to increase the number of hidden layers, increasing the AUV tracking stability. Because the embedded computing module of an AUV is a bit limited, 31 hidden layers are chosen to simplify the controller structures. A couple of Lyapunov functions are designed for the expected surge and sway velocities, and the vehicle tracking error gradually converges to (0,0). The controller design results are imported into the AUV actuator model by software, and after 0.64 s, the AUV tracking error is less than 1%. At last, the vehicle tracking experiments were carried out, showing that after 0.5 s, the AUV tracking error was less than 1%.
Narrative Review on Methods of Activating Irrigation Liquids for Root Canal Treatment
Authors: Raducka Martyna , Piszko Aleksandra , Piszko Paweł J. , Jawor Natalia , Dobrzyński Maciej , Grzebieluch Wojciech , Mikulewicz Marcin , Skośkiewicz-Malinowska Katarzyna
Published: June 2023

As indicated by standards of modern dentistry, the essence of endodontic treatment is chemo-mechanical disinfection of the root canal system. The vital element of this process is the irrigation of canals with designated solutions as well as activating them. This review article summarizes various techniques of activation of irrigants for endodontic treatment such as manual activation, thermal, pressure, sonic, ultrasonic, and laser techniques in order to compare them. Results were gathered using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases by searching keywords: activation, irrigation, irrigation protocols, and sodium hypochlorite.
Financial Time Series Modelling Using Fractal Interpolation Functions
Authors: Manousopoulos Polychronis , Drakopoulos Vasileios , Polyzos Efstathios
Published: June 2023

Time series of financial data are both frequent and important in everyday practice. Numerous applications are based, for example, on time series of asset prices or market indices. In this article, the application of fractal interpolation functions in modelling financial time series is examined. Our motivation stems from the fact that financial time series often present fluctuations or abrupt changes which the fractal interpolants can inherently model. The results indicate that the use of fractal interpolation in financial applications is promising.