bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Use of Machine Learning to Predict Selected Mechanical Properties of Red Currant Fruit (Ribes rubrum L.) Ozonized during Storage
Authors: Kuźniar Piotr , Pentoś Katarzyna , Gorzelany Józef
Published: November 2023

The study examined selected biometric and mechanical properties of fruits of three varieties of red currant (Ribes rubrum L.) from organic cultivation. The influence of the harvest date of red currant fruits, their storage time, and the use of ozone at a concentration of 10 ppm for 15 and 30 min on the water content, volume, and density, as well as the destructive force and the apparent modulus of elasticity, were determined. Fruits harvested at harvest maturity were characterized by a much larger volume and lower water content compared to fruits harvested seven days earlier. The ozonation process, regardless of the harvest date, resulted in a reduction in volume, density, and humidity. After 15 days of storage, the fruits of the tested varieties showed a decrease in the average water content from 86.15% to 83.79%. The tests showed a decrease in the destructive force and the apparent modulus of elasticity, the average value of which for fresh fruit was 76.98 ± 21.0 kPa, and after 15 days of storage, it decreased to 56.34 ± 15.96 kPa. The relationships between fruit-related parameters, harvesting, and storage conditions and fruit strength characteristics were modeled with the use of neural networks and support vector machines. These relationships are complex and nonlinear, and therefore, machine learning is usually more relevant than the traditional methods of modeling. For evaluation of the performance of the models, statistical parameters such as the coefficient of correlation (R), root-mean-squared error (RMSE), and generalization ability coefficient (GA) were used. The best models for the prediction of an apparent modulus of elasticity were developed with the use of ANNs. These models can be used in practice because the correlation between expected and predicted values was in the range 0.78–0.82, RMSE was in the range 13.38–14.71, and generalization ability was excellent. A significantly lower accuracy was achieved for models with a destructive force as the output parameter (R ≤ 0.6).
Statistical Analysis of the Air-Cooling Process in a Cowshed
Authors: Bleizgys Rolandas , Čėsna Jonas , Kukharets Savelii , Medvedskyi Oleksandr
Published: November 2023

During the operation of the cooling system, a large array of temperature and humidity values was obtained inside and outside the cowshed. On the basis of the obtained data set, mathematical models of temperature, humidity and temperature–humidity indices were developed. The modelled values were relevant to the actual values. The mathematical models were built on the basis of regression analysis of the data set. The data set was obtained as a result of the observations of temperature and relative humidity on one of the farms in Lithuania in semi-insulated box-type cowshed for 244 places in the summer. It was established that the efficiency of the air-cooling system is higher at a higher temperature and lower relative humidity of the air entering the cowshed. Lower humidity values contribute to a more intense decrease in the temperature–humidity index during the operation of the cooling system. The presented mathematical models are useful tools for decision making regarding the choice of cooling system operation models, as they allow one to evaluate the cooling efficiency, taking into account the influence of external factors.
Uncovering the Drivers and Regional Variability of Cotton Yield in China
Authors: Zhu Yaqiu , Zheng Bangyou , Luo Qiyou , Jiao Weihua , Yang Yadong
Published: November 2023

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is an economically important crop in China, and responses of cotton yield in different regions to separate and joint changes in natural and anthropogenic factors are the foundation for sustainable development under climate change; however, these remain uncertain. Here, we analyzed the spatiotemporal evolution and heterogeneity of cotton cultivation in China from 1949 to 2020 and quantified the response of cotton yield variations in air temperature, precipitation, solar radiation, disaster, and crop management factors between 1980 and 2020 by the Pettitt mutation test and GeoDetector. Multi-site meteorological data were obtained from different cotton-growing regions and corresponding cotton yield and phenology data were obtained from provinces. Our findings showed that all 17 Chinese provinces experienced advancements in cotton yield. Relative to 1949–1967, China’s cotton production in 2007–2020 increased by 400% while cotton yield increased by 420%. Increases in factors such as minimum temperature (TES), average temperature (ADT), effective accumulated temperature (EAT), precipitation (PP), daily solar radiation (SSD), non-farm employment opportunities (O), disaster area (D), geographic region (GEO) and agricultural technologies like fertilizer usage (F), genetically modified varieties (Bt), and mechanized farming (M) have contributed to the enhanced cotton yield. The importance of single factors influencing cotton yield of China in descending order was as follows: F > Bt > M > GEO > EAT > O > PP > TES > ADT > SSD > D. However, the effects of different climatic and agriculture technological elements on cotton yield are spatially heterogeneous by region, and the combined effects of those elements are higher than those of single elements. The effects of driving factors vary across regional scales. The most significant interaction effects were observed between chemical fertilizer use and other driving factors. Specifically, the interaction between F and TES has the greatest explanatory influence in Northwest China. Our findings provide a reference for the development of more accurate adaptation strategies and management measures in different regions. We recommend that policymakers prioritize measures such as improving climate-resilient cotton varieties, encouraging technological advancements, and implementing policies that support equitable distribution of cultivation.
Melon Robotic Grafting: A Study on the Precision Cutting Mechanism and Experimental Validation
Authors: Chen Shan , Liang Huan , Zhang Qian , Feng Qingchun , Li Tao , Chen Liping , Jiang Kai
Published: November 2023

The grafting machine cutting step is the core step of the grafting process. The existing grafting machine cutting mechanism adopts fixed angle cutting and manually adjusts the cutting angle based on experience, and the cutting angle is not definite for rootstock cutting in different growth periods. In this paper, we proposed a method to guide the precise cutting mechanism according to internal and external parameters of melon rootstock at a specific period. First, we constructed a cutting model based on internal and external characteristics of rootstock cutting in the growth period of “two leaves and one core” and clarified the safe cutting area. Second, we designed a rotary precision cutting mechanism for rootstock cutting with automatic angle adjustment and constructed the displacement equation of the cutting trajectory of the cutter according to the cutting model. Last, we examined the cutting effect of the precision cutting mechanism and determined the precise cutting angle of the rootstock cutting mechanism in the growth period. Finally, the cutting effect of the precision cutting mechanism was examined, and the precision cutting angle of the rootstock during the growth period was determined. A comparison test between the precision cutting mechanism and the traditional cutting mechanism was carried out, and visual images of the incision were captured and analyzed. The results show that under the five horizontal cutting angles in the safe cutting area of rootstock, the length of the cut surface is inversely proportional to the cutting angle, and the flatness of the cut surface is directly proportional to the cutting angle. Comprehensive evaluation of the length of the cut surface, the cutting success rate, and the quality of cutting revealed that the average cutting angle of the precision cutting mechanism in the safe cutting area (26°) is better than that of the traditional cutting mechanism. It meets the technical requirements of the cutting technology for mechanically grafted rootstocks. The results provide a reference for studying new rootstock precision cutting mechanisms and cutting angle adaptive control models.
Effects of Potassium Application on Growth and Root Metabolism of Salvia miltiorrhiza under Drought Stress
Authors: Li Jingyu , Mei Xiangui , Zhang Jin , Song Zhenqiao , Wang Shiqi , Chen Wensheng , Wei Xin , Fang Xinsheng , Wang Jianhua
Published: November 2023

Potassium application can effectively mitigate the effects of drought stress on plant growth, and few studies have reported its application to the medicinal plant Salvia miltiorrhiza (S. miltiorrhiza). Four experimental treatments were used, including a control (Z1K0), non-drought potassium application (Z1K3), drought treatments (Z2K0), and drought-stress potassium application (Z2K3). The findings revealed that, in contrast to Z2K0, Z2K3 promoted the absorption of potassium in S. miltiorrhiza, elicited the aggregation of osmoregulatory compounds such as soluble protein and proline, and mitigated membrane impairment as a defense against the deleterious consequences of drought stress. Additionally, we extended our investigation to encompass comprehensive metabolomics analysis of the roots. Interestingly, subsequent root metabolomics analyses demonstrated that the drought application of potassium not only significantly reduced the amino acid content, but also increased the amount of terpenoids and phenolic acids in the roots. Nonetheless, the application of a particular amount of K under moderate drought conditions promoted the growth and yield of S. miltiorrhiza, but proved to be detrimental to its active ingredients. Indeed, the findings of this study offer valuable insights and recommendations for the application of potassium to mitigate the impact of drought stress in S. miltiorrhiza and other medicinal plants.
Feasibility of Detecting Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) Virus Disease from High-Resolution Imagery in the Field Using a Deep Learning Framework
Authors: Zeng Fanguo , Ding Ziyu , Song Qingkui , Xiao Jiayi , Zheng Jianyu , Li Haifeng , Luo Zhongxia , Wang Zhangying , Yue Xuejun , Huang Lifei
Published: November 2023

The sweet potato is an essential food and economic crop that is often threatened by the devastating sweet potato virus disease (SPVD), especially in developing countries. Traditional laboratory-based direct detection methods and field scouting are commonly used to rapidly detect SPVD. However, these molecular-based methods are costly and disruptive, while field scouting is subjective, labor-intensive, and time-consuming. In this study, we propose a deep learning-based object detection framework to assess the feasibility of detecting SPVD from ground and aerial high-resolution images. We proposed a novel object detector called SPVDet, as well as a lightweight version called SPVDet-Nano, using a single-level feature. These detectors were prototyped based on a small-scale publicly available benchmark dataset (PASCAL VOC 2012) and compared to mainstream feature pyramid object detectors using a leading large-scale publicly available benchmark dataset (MS COCO 2017). The learned model weights from this dataset were then transferred to fine-tune the detectors and directly analyze our self-made SPVD dataset encompassing one category and 1074 objects, incorporating the slicing aided hyper inference (SAHI) technology. The results showed that SPVDet outperformed both its single-level counterparts and several mainstream feature pyramid detectors. Furthermore, the introduction of SAHI techniques significantly improved the detection accuracy of SPVDet by 14% in terms of mean average precision (mAP) in both ground and aerial images, and yielded the best detection accuracy of 78.1% from close-up perspectives. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of detecting SPVD from ground and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) high-resolution images using the deep learning-based SPVDet object detector proposed here. They also have great implications for broader applications in high-throughput phenotyping of sweet potatoes under biotic stresses, which could accelerate the screening process for genetic resistance against SPVD in plant breeding and provide timely decision support for production management.
Marker-Trait Associations of Agronomic Traits in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under Semi-Arid Conditions
Authors: Marzougui Salem , Ben Younes Mongi
Published: November 2023

Heading date, plant height, and spike-related phenotypes are key traits that affect the yield potential and adaptation of barley to Mediterranean environments. These traits are controlled by a complex network of genes as well as environmental effects. Marker-trait associations (MTAs) were performed using a set of 361 barley genotypes, evaluated phenotypically for three years under semi-arid conditions. In total, 24 MTAs were detected using the recently developed GWAS method (BLINK) at –log p ≥ 5. These included one MTA with awn length (Awl) on chromosome 2H; twelve MTAs with heading date (HD) distributed over all chromosomes except 4H; three MTAs with grains per spike (GPS) on chromosomes 1H, 2H, and 6H; six MTAs were detected for plant height (PH) on 2H (2), 3H, 4H, 6H, and 7H; and two MTAs with spike length (SL) on 3H and 7H. The results showed novel and known associations between specific SNP markers and heading date, plant height, and spike-related traits, suggesting that these markers can be used in breeding programs to improve these traits in barley. This study provides valuable information for breeders and geneticists working to develop new barley varieties that are better adapted to semi-arid climates and have improved yield and quality characteristics.
Effect of Short-Term Organic Matter Returns on Soil Organic Carbon Fractions, Phosphorus Fractions and Microbial Community in Cold Region of China
Authors: Yan Shuangshuang , Jiang Haowen , Li Jinwang , Yan Chao , Ma Chunmei , Zhang Zhongxue , Gong Zhenping
Published: November 2023

To investigate the effect of different organic matter returns on soil organic carbon (SOC) fractions, phosphorus (P) fractions and microbial communities, a pot experiment was conducted in a cold region of China for three years. There were six treatments in this study, including no rice straw return (S0), rice straw return (SR), decomposed rice straw return (DS), rice-straw-burned return (BS), rice root return (RR) and decomposed cattle manure return (DM). The results indicated that the organic matter returns had no significant effect on the rice yield after three years. The SR, DS and DM treatments significantly increased the content of the soil’s total organic carbon (TOC), light fraction organic carbon (LFOC), particulate organic carbon (POC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC). The BS treatment decreased the soil MBC content. The SR, DS, BS and DM treatments significantly increased the content of the soil’s total P, NaHCO3-P, NaOH-P and residual-P. The proportion of nonlabile P (HCl-P and residual-P) was reduced by the organic matter returns. The SOC fractions were positively correlated to the soil P fractions (except HCl-P). The organic matter returns did not affect the microbial diversity but did change the microbial community composition. The dominant phyla included Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Chloroflexi, and Bacteroidetes. Compared with the S0 treatment, the organic matter returns increased the relative abundance of Actinobacteria, Anaerolineae and Alphaproteobacteria and decreased the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Clostridia and Bacteroidia. The contents of MBC, DOC and NaOH-P were the main factors affecting the microbial community composition, and the soil’s P fractions had a larger influence on the microbial community than the SOC fractions. These results indicated that the incorporation of rice straw, decomposed rice straw and decomposed cattle manure might be an effective practice for maintaining soil fertility in the cold region of China.
Evaluating the Application Potential of Acid-Modified Cotton Straw Biochars in Alkaline Soils Based on Entropy Weight TOPSIS
Authors: Zhu Shengbao , Liu Jiao , Tang Guangmu , Sun Tao , Jia Hongtao , Zhao Hongmei , Zhang Yunshu , Lin Ling , Xu Wanli
Published: November 2023

As a good carbon source and soil conditioner, biochar is widely used in acidic soils but seldom in alkaline soils due to its high pH. In this study, cotton straw biochar was modified with five different acidic materials to obtain wood-vinegar- (WBC), monosodium-glutamate (MSG)-wastewater- (MBC), citric-acid- (CBC), phosphoric-acid- (PBC), and nitric-acid-modified biochars (NBC), and three dosages were used for each modifier. The pristine and modified biochars were characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The biochar properties such as pH, specific surface area (SSA), and elemental contents were measured. In addition, the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) model based on entropy weight was used to evaluate the application potential of the biochars in alkaline soils. The FTIR spectra showed that modification with the five acidic materials, MSG wastewater in particular, resulted in more oxygen-containing functional groups such as O-H, C=O, and C-O on the biochar surface. In addition, acid modification greatly decreased the pH: phosphoric acid modification significantly decreased the pH of cotton straw biochar by 5.71–7.88 units. For the same modifier, a higher dosage (i.e., a smaller biochar:modifier ratio) led to a larger decrease in the pH of cotton straw biochar. The magnitudes of increase in total soluble salt content followed the general order of CBCs > PBCs > WBCs > NBCs > MBCs. The SSA, average pore diameter, and total pore volume of biochar were changed as well. Modification using wood vinegar and MSG wastewater significantly decreased the SSA of cotton straw biochar by 15.58–16.24 m2 g−1 (82.7–86.2%) and 15.87–16.80 m2 g−1 (84.2–89.2%), respectively, whereas modification using citric acid and nitric acid significantly increased the SSA of cotton straw biochar by 4.51–4.66 m2 g−1 (23.9–24.7%) and 0.55–54.21 m2 g−1 (2.9–287.7%). The evaluation based on entropy weight TOPSIS model suggested that the MBCs have the highest potential for application in alkaline soils. This study presents a theoretical basis for evaluation of biochar application potential, demonstrates a way of improving biochar application potential, and provides a support for beneficial utilization of agricultural and industrial wastes such as cotton straw, wood vinegar, and MSG wastewater.
Chalcogen-Varied Imidazolone Derivatives as Antibiotic Resistance Breakers in Staphylococcus aureus Strains
Authors: Witek Karolina , Kaczor Aneta , Żesławska Ewa , Podlewska Sabina , Marć Małgorzata Anna , Czarnota-Łydka Kinga , Nitek Wojciech , Latacz Gniewomir , Tejchman Waldemar , Bischoff Markus , Jacob Claus , Handzlik Jadwiga
Published: November 2023

In this study, a search for new therapeutic agents that may improve the antibacterial activity of conventional antibiotics and help to successfully overcome methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections has been conducted. The purpose of this work was to extend the scope of our preliminary studies and to evaluate the adjuvant potency of new derivatives in a set of S. aureus clinical isolates. The study confirmed the high efficacy of piperazine derivatives of 5-arylideneimidazol-4-one (7–9) tested previously, and it enabled the authors to identify even more efficient modulators of bacterial resistance among new analogs. The greatest capacity to enhance oxacillin activity was determined for 1-benzhydrylpiperazine 5-spirofluorenehydantoin derivative (13) which, at concentrations as low as 0.0625 mM, restores the effectiveness of β-lactam antibiotics against MRSA strains. In silico studies showed that the probable mechanism of action of 13 is related to the binding of the molecule with the allosteric site of PBP2a. Interestingly, thiazole derivatives tested were shown to act as both oxacillin and erythromycin conjugators in S. aureus isolates, suggesting a complex mode of action (i.e., influence on the Msr(A) efflux pump). This high enhancer activity indicates the high potential of imidazolones to become commercially available antibiotic adjuvants.
Plant-Wide Target Metabolomics Provides a Novel Interpretation of the Changes in Chemical Components during Dendrobium officinale Traditional Processing
Authors: Liu Pengfei , Fan Bei , Mu Yuwen , Tong Litao , Lu Cong , Li Long , Liu Jiameng , Sun Jing , Wang Fengzhong
Published: November 2023

The traditional processing of Dendrobium officinale (DO) is performed in five necessary processing steps: processing fresh strips, drying at 85 °C, curling, molding, and drying at 35 °C (Fengdou). The antioxidant activity of DO is increased after it is processed into Fengdou. To comprehensively analyze the changes in the functional components, a plant-wide target metabolomics approach was employed. In total, 739 differential chemical components were identified in five processing treatments, mainly highlighting differences in the levels of phenolic acids, flavonoids, lipids, and amino acids and their derivatives, and the glycosylation of aglycone resulted in the upregulation of flavonoid glycoside levels. Temperature is a key factor in DO processing during production. In addition, the enrichment of specific differential chemical components was found mainly in five different metabolic pathways: glucosinolate biosynthesis, linoleic acid metabolism, flavonoid biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and ubiquinone and other terpene quinone biosynthesis. A correlation analysis clarified that total phenols and flavonoids show a significant positive correlation with antioxidant capacity. This study provides new insights into the influence of the processing processes on DO quality, which may provide guidance for the high-quality production of DO.
Astrocytic Nrf2 Mediates the Neuroprotective and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Nootkatone in an MPTP-Induced Parkinson’s Disease Mouse Model
Authors: Park Jung-Eun , Leem Yea-Hyun , Park Jin-Sun , Kim Seong-Eun , Kim Hee-Sun
Published: November 2023

This study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effects of nootkatone (NKT), a sesquiterpenoid compound isolated from grapefruit, in an MPTP-induced Parkinson’s disease (PD) mouse model. NKT restored MPTP-induced motor impairment and dopaminergic neuronal loss and increased the expression of neurotrophic factors like BDNF, GDNF, and PGC-1α. In addition, NKT inhibited microglial and astrocyte activation and the expression of pro-inflammatory markers like iNOS, TNF-α, and IL-1β and oxidative stress markers like 4-HNE and 8-OHdG. NKT increased the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-driven antioxidant enzymes like HO-1 and NQO-1 in astrocytes, but not in neurons or microglia in MPTP-treated mice. To investigate whether Nrf2 mediates the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, or neuroprotective effects of NKT, mice were pretreated with Nrf2-specific inhibitor brusatol (BT) prior to NKT treatment. BT attenuated the NKT-mediated inhibition of 4-HNE and 8-OHdG and the number of Nrf2+/HO-1+/NQO1+ cells co-localized with GFAP+ astrocytes in the substantia nigra of MPTP-treated mice. In addition, BT reversed the effects of NKT on dopaminergic neuronal cell death, neurotrophic factors, and pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokines in MPTP-treated mice. Collectively, these data suggest that astrocytic Nrf2 and its downstream antioxidant molecules play pivotal roles in mediating the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of NKT in an MPTP-induced PD mouse model.
Time-Frequency Analysis and Neural Networks for Detecting Short-Circuited Turns in Transformers in Both Transient and Steady-State Regimes Using Vibration Signals
Authors: Granados-Lieberman David , Huerta-Rosales Jose R. , Gonzalez-Cordoba Jose L. , Amezquita-Sanchez Juan P. , Valtierra-Rodriguez Martin , Camarena-Martinez David
Published: November 2023

Transformers are vital elements in electrical networks, but they are prone to various faults throughout their service life. Among these, a winding short-circuit fault is of particular concern to researchers, as it is a crucial and vulnerable component of the transformers. Therefore, if this fault is not addressed at an early stage, it can increase costs for users and affect industrial processes as well as other electrical machines. In recent years, the analysis of vibration signals has emerged as one of the most promising solutions for detecting faults in transformers. Nonetheless, it is not a straightforward process because of the nonstationary properties of the vibration signals and their high-level noise, as well as their different features when the transformer operates under different conditions. Based on the previously mentioned points, the motivation of this work is to contribute a methodology that can detect different severities of short-circuited turns (SCTs) in transformers in both transient and steady-state operating regimes using vibration signals. The proposed approach consists of a wavelet-based denoising stage, a short-time Fourier transform (STFT)-based analysis stage for the transient state, a Fourier transform (FT)-based analysis stage for the steady-state, the application of two fault indicators, i.e., the energy index and the total harmonic distortion index, and two neural networks for automatic diagnosis. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology, a modified transformer is used to experimentally reproduce different levels of SCTs, i.e., 0-healthy, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 SCTs, in a controlled way. The obtained results show that the proposed approach can detect the fault condition, starting from an initial stage for consolidation and a severe stage to accurately assess the fault severity, achieving accuracy values of 90%.
The Ultimate Strength of Fully Transparent Pressure-Resistant Spherical Cabins
Authors: Wang Fang , Li Youjie , He Zhihao , Zhao Bingxiong , Zhang Jinfei , Wu Yu
Published: November 2023

The fully transparent cabin used in a manned submersible is typically made of the viscoelastic material polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The pressure-bearing capacity of a PMMA-manned cabin was investigated considering the effects of initial geometrical imperfections and large openings. Three types of cabins were studied within the failure mode of nonlinear buckling, including an intact spherical cabin, a spherical cabin with a single opening, and a spherical cabin with double openings. The initial geometrical imperfection ranges from 0.1% to 0.5% of the inner diameter. The ultimate strength decreasing tendency for the different types of cabins with increasing initial imperfection was obtained and the thickness of the hatch cover determined based on the principle of equivalence differed its effects on the strength of the cabin. The influence of the hatch cover stiffness was not linear and indicated the necessity of exploring the coordinated design between the PMMA shell and the metal hatch cover for the transparent cabin.
Adaptive Robust Control of an Industrial Motor-Driven Stage with Disturbance Rejection Ability Based on Multidimensional Taylor Network
Authors: Sun Qiming , Zhang Ying , Wu Shangzheng , Zhang Chao , Wang Xianghua
Published: November 2023

Linear motors are widely used in practical engineering fields, but it is difficult to achieve accurate position control because of model uncertainty, external interference, input nonlinearity and other factors. In this paper, a multidimensional Taylor network (MTN) controller with flexible learning robustness is proposed to realize tracking control and make the motor have excellent antijamming ability. The controller is composed of a robust feedback part, a parameter adaptive part and a multidimensional Taylor network control part. This strategy has good track tracking performance and anti-interference ability. In this control strategy, the input of the multidimensional Taylor network is determined only by the referable trajectories, and no model information is required. In addition, the designed multidimensional Taylor network can accurately describe the relationship between state variables and any complex disturbance, which is the basis of disturbance suppression. Finally, the stability of the controller is proved by the Lyapunov theorem. The unknown interference comparison experiment and numerical simulation experiment are carried out on the industrial linear motor platform, respectively. Experimental results show that compared with NNPID, the proposed algorithm has smaller overshoot and better performance under various error statistical dimensions.
Design of Viscosity and Nozzle Path Using Food 3D Printer and Pneumatic Pressure Syringe-Type Dispensing System
Authors: Ji Changuk , Cha Areum , Shin Dongbin
Published: November 2023

Recent advancements in 3D printing technology have integrated with Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence, aiming to overcome the limitations of conventional manufacturing methods. In the field of functional foods, solvent casting, a common manufacturing technique, has been adopted to produce film-like structures with desired sizes and uniform thickness. However, the typical method of coating or injection on a conventional continuous film is difficult to produce in small amounts. To address this limitation, in the study, we developed a pneumatic pressure syringe-type dispensing system integrated with a food 3D printer utilizing fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology. A syringe type is needed to discharge crude liquid manufactured in the food field in a hygienic environment, and a 3D printing method that is easy to manufacture in small quantities or on demand was utilized. Through simulation and experiment, we wanted to confirm whether stable ejection results are generated according to the selected nozzle-based viscosity, inflow conditions, and the nozzle movement path of the food 3D printer. Based on the nozzle selected through simulation, it was confirmed that the fluid and flow velocity distribution of the viscous material were uniformly distributed and discharged under the conditions of 30,000 cps and inflow rate. By setting the parameters of the food 3D printer and preparing a coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) sample, we achieved a stable oral dissolving film (ODF) extrusion shape through the design of viscosity and 3D printer nozzle path. The optimal viscosity range for the ODF solution was found to be 25,000 to 35,000 cps, exhibiting precise dimensions and shapes without distortion and yielding the most stable extrusion results. We defined four different nozzle path designs based on minimizing the movement of the 3D printer nozzle. Among them, a 16-step path design demonstrated a stable extrusion method, showing no tailing phenomenon under the conditions of 0.2 MPa pressure and −15.4 KPa vacuum pressure. In future research, we plan to conduct additional research to determine whether the discharge results vary depending on conditions such as viscosity of the crude liquid, nozzle path combination, and ODF thickness.
Numerical Study of Ar/O2 Discharge Properties Influenced by Small Secondary Electron Emission in Dual-Frequency Atmospheric Pressure Discharge
Authors: Cui Mingchen , Wang Yinan , Liu Yue
Published: November 2023

A one-dimensional fluid model was employed to investigate the influence of the small secondary electron emission (SEE) coefficient on the characteristic properties of an Ar/O2 gas discharge at atmospheric pressure driven by a dual frequency source. The study includes basic physical quantities such as particle density, electron temperature, the electron heating mechanism, and energy loss. The research results illustrate that with an increase in the secondary electron emission coefficient, the electron density increases, while electron temperature and electric field decrease. The densities of various particles increase to different degrees, except for the metastable O2* molecule and the O atom. The density of the metastable O2* molecule and the density of the O atom are hardly affected by the SEE coefficient; however, the time required for both to reach steady state decreases. The time required for the electron density to reach steady state increases. Electron heating and energy loss increase to varying degrees when the SEE coefficient changes from 0.001 to 0.01.
Analysis of the Mechanism and Control of the Unbalanced Operation of Three-Phase Four-Wire Inverters
Authors: Wu Fuzhuan , Miao Binyu , Peng Sheng , Li ManMan , Wen Shengjun
Published: November 2023

In this paper, a solution is proposed to the problem of the unequal phase imbalance of output voltage caused by a three-phase, four-wire, split capacitor inverter when the load is unbalanced. First, the triple-loop control strategy was used to solve the unequal amplitude problem. This method used the feedforward + feedback composite control strategy on the inductor current inner-loop and voltage mid-loop to decrease the disturbance of the power and load. And the Root Mean Square (RMS) of voltage on the outer-loop completed the control of amplitude for the three-phase voltage. Second, to solve the imbalanced phase problem, the imbalance operation mechanism of the three-phase four-wire inverter was analyzed. It is known from the analysis that the phase imbalance is related to the DC-side splitting capacitance. The function relations between the DC-side capacitance and phase angle between each phase was simulated by MATLAB. But, it was too complicated to calculate the magnitude of the capacitance value through the functional relationship. In order to simplify the design of the DC-side splitting capacitor, the relations among the imbalanced current, the voltage fluctuations of the DC-side capacitor and the harmonics of load voltage were analyzed. In addition, by following the requirement of the national standard about the harmonics of load voltage, a DC-side capacitor design was mentioned to decrease the influence of imbalanced phase. Finally, simulation and experimental results show that the three-phase load voltage is stable, the THD value is less than 3%, and three-phase voltage unbalance is less than 2%, thus verifying the effectiveness of the proposed DC-side split capacitor design and control strategy.
Macro–Micro-Coupled Simulations of Dilute Viscoelastic Fluids
Authors: Cromer Michael , Vasquez Paula A.
Published: November 2023

Modeling the flow of polymer solutions requires knowledge at various length and time scales. The macroscopic behavior is described by the overall velocity, pressure, and stress. The polymeric contribution to the stress requires knowledge of the evolution of polymer chains. In this work, we use a microscopic model, the finitely extensible nonlinear elastic (FENE) model, to capture the polymer’s behavior. The benefit of using microscopic models is that they remain faithful to the polymer dynamics without information loss via averaging. Their downside is the computational cost incurred in solving the thousands to millions of differential equations describing the microstructure. Here, we describe a multiscale flow solver that utilizes GPUs for massively parallel, efficient simulations. We compare and contrast the microscopic model with its macroscopic counterpart under various flow conditions. In particular, significant differences are observed under nonlinear flow conditions, where the polymers become highly stretched and oriented.
A Novel Approach to Identify Industrial Logistics Decarbonization Opportunities: Method Development and Preliminary Validation
Authors: Miklautsch-Breznik Philipp , Hoffelner Mario , Woschank Manuel
Published: November 2023

This article explores how different types of inventories affect the costs of decarbonizing transportation in manufacturing companies. For these companies, it is difficult to find affordable ways to reduce emissions from transportation given their resource scarcity. Additionally, they handle numerous inventory items that have varying transportation needs based on their order frequency and value, which necessitates the development of tailored inventory management strategies. One tool to do so efficiently is the ABC/XYZ analysis, which classifies items into nine different inventory categories. These groups have different economic importance and predictability, which impacts total logistics costs. Our literature analysis contends that lower-carbon transportation alternatives yield varying abatement costs contingent upon the specific inventory categories. Subsequently, we empirically validate this proposition through discrete-event simulations in two case studies involving Austrian manufacturing enterprises, employing combined road-rail transportation as an illustrative decarbonization measure. Statistical tests substantiate the significance of the XYZ dimension in influencing carbon emission abatement costs during the transition from road to rail transportation. In conclusion, our study offers a novel perspective on decarbonization efforts, underscoring the importance of leveraging established management tools to inform strategic decarbonization decisions. This research holds promise for catalyzing progress in overcoming entrenched challenges associated with decarbonization initiatives within industrial logistics.
Scripts to Insert Cohesive Elements at the Interfaces between Matrix and Precipitates with Irregular Shapes in Representative Volume Elements in ABAQUS
Authors: Shahzamanian Mohammadmehdi , Xu Zhutian , Wu Peidong
Published: November 2023

A MATLAB algorithm was developed to insert cohesive elements at the interfaces between the matrix and precipitates in two dimensional (2D) representative volume elements (RVEs) of metals. The RVEs were created using OOF2 and imported into the “Complete ABAQUS Environment” (CAE) interface. These RVEs are based on actual images of the metal at the microscale, where the precipitates have irregular shapes. The RVEs contain precipitates that are dispersed into matrix materials. Commercial finite element (FE) ABAQUS software does not provide the option to automatically generate cohesive elements at the interfaces. The presented algorithm enables the insertion of cohesive elements at the interfaces between the matrix and precipitate in a convenient manner. This algorithm enables the simulation of the fracture process, including initiation at the interfaces and propagation at microscale, for metals that contain precipitates and/or particles. This algorithm extends the simulation capabilities of the FE solver ABAQUS.
Insights into Chemical Bonds for Eliminating the Depletion Region and Accelerating the Photo-Induced Charge Efficient Separation toward Ultrasensitive Photoelectrochemical Sensing
Authors: Wang Shuai , Yu Haihan , Ge Shenguang , Wang Yanhu , Gao Chaomin , Yu Jinghua
Published: November 2023

The empty-space-induced depletion region in photoelectrodes severely exacerbates the recombination of electron–hole pairs, thereby reducing the photoelectrochemical (PEC) analytical performance. Herein, the chemical bond that can suppress the potential barrier and overcome the high energy barrier of out-of-plane Ohmic or Schottky contact is introduced into the PEC sensor to eliminate the depletion region and dramatically promote the separation of electron–hole pairs. Specifically, three-dimensional (3D) hierarchically wheatear-like TiO2 (HWT) nanostructures featuring a large surface area to absorb incident light are crafted as the substrate. The facile carbonized strategy is further employed to engineer the Ti-C chemical bond, serving as the touchstone. The average PL lifetime of HWT-C (4.14 ns) is much shorter than that of the 3D HWT (8.57 ns) due to the promoting effect of the chemically bonded structure on carrier separation. Consequently, the 3D HWT-C covalent photoelectrode (600 μA/cm2) exhibits a 3.6-fold increase in photocurrent density compared with the 3D HWT (167 μA/cm2). Ultimately, the model analyte of the tumor marker is detected, and the linear range is 0.02 ng/mL–100 ng/mL with a detection limitation of 0.007 ng/mL. This work provides a basic understanding of chemical bonds in tuning charge separation and insights on strategies for designing high-performance PEC sensors.
Benefits of Enacting and Observing Gestures on Foreign Language Vocabulary Learning: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Oppici Luca , Mathias Brian , Narciss Susanne , Proske Antje
Published: November 2023

The integration of physical movements, such as gestures, into learning holds potential for enhancing foreign language (L2) education. Uncovering whether actively performing gestures during L2 learning is more, or equally, effective compared to simply observing such movements is central to deepening our understanding of the efficacy of movement-based learning strategies. Here, we present a meta-analysis of seven studies containing 309 participants that compares the effects of gesture self-enactment and observation on L2 vocabulary learning. The results showed that gesture observation was just as effective for L2 learning as gesture enactment, based on free recall, cued L2 recognition, and cued native language recognition performance, with a large dispersion of true effect across studies. Gesture observation may be sufficient for inducing embodied L2 learning benefits, in support of theories positing shared mechanisms underlying enactment and observation. Future studies should examine the effects of gesture-based learning over longer time periods with larger sample sizes and more diverse word classes.
Romantic Love and Behavioral Activation System Sensitivity to a Loved One
Authors: Bode Adam , Kavanagh Phillip S.
Published: November 2023

Research investigating the mechanisms that contribute to romantic love is in its infancy. The behavioral activation system is one biopsychological system that has been demonstrated to play a role in several motivational outcomes. This study was the first to investigate romantic love and the behavioral activation system. In study 1, the Behavioral Activation System—Sensitivity to a Loved One (BAS-SLO) Scale was validated in a sample of 1556 partnered young adults experiencing romantic love. In study 2, hierarchical linear regression was used to identify BAS-SLO Scale associations with the intensity of romantic love in a subsample of 812 partnered young adults experiencing romantic love for two years or less. The BAS-SLO Scale explained 8.89% of the variance in the intensity of romantic love. Subject to further validation and testing, the BAS-SLO Scale may be useful in future neuroimaging and psychological studies. The findings are considered in terms of the mechanisms and evolutionary history of romantic love.
A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis of Urban Renewal Research during 2012–2022
Authors: Zhang Beibei , Xiong Yuxin , Liu Hao , Lyu Sainan , Skitmore Martin
Published: November 2023

Rapid urban development has promoted economic development, but it has also created social problems. Urban renewal provides an important means of achieving sustainable urban development. After 2012, it became a research hotspot with people-oriented and organic renewal concepts. To understand the research trends in urban renewal during 2012–2022, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis was conducted to identify research progress, fields, hotspots, and trends. The core collection is based on the Web of Science (WoS) database, with a total of 2692 publications. The volume of publications, journal of publication, country, institution, research scope, and keywords were selected as the object of analysis. The results reveal that since 2012, the volume of urban renewal articles has been gradually increasing, reaching a maximum of 417 in 2022. China is the largest and most influential country in terms of the number of articles published, but the cooperation between institutions and authors is not strong. The research hotspots can be summarized as the connotation and practice of urban renewal, approaches to urban renewal, and sustainable urban development. Future directions for research are identified as including an innovative multi-corporate governance model, community-based renewal, further exploration of sustainable renewal practices, and interdisciplinary applications of urban renewal.
Estimating the Renovation Cost of Water, Sewage, and Gas Pipeline Networks: Multiple Regression Analysis to the Appraisal of a Reliable Cost Estimator for Urban Regeneration Works
Authors: De Mare Gianluigi , Dolores Luigi , Macchiaroli Maria
Published: November 2023

Water, sewerage, and gas infrastructures play a crucial role in optimising the housing quality of buildings and cities. On the other hand, water, sewer, and gas pipelines constantly need maintenance, checks, and repairs. These interventions require large budgets, and therefore scrupulous investment planning is necessary. In this study, Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA) is applied to estimate the urban renovation costs related to the works on water, sewage, and gas networks. The goal is to build a reliable cost estimator that is easy to apply and has a minimum number of explanatory variables. Four regressive models are tested: linear, linear-logarithmic, logarithmic-linear, and exponential. The analysis is implemented on two datasets of projects carried out in Italy: the first collects the data of 19 projects made in historical centres, while the second collects the data of 20 projects made in the peripheries. The variables that impact costs the most are selected. In terms of results, the estimated functions return an average error of 1.25% for historical centres and 1.00% for peripheral areas. The application shows that a differentiation of cost functions based on the urban context is relevant. Specifically, two different functions are detected: exponential for historical centres and linear for peripheral areas. In conclusion, we interpret that the exponential growth of costs in historical centres depends on a series of critical issues (logistical, architectural, etc.), present to a lesser extent in the peripheries, which complicate the execution of the interventions. The approach adopted, which led to the detection of cost functions differentiated based on the urban context, allows us to benefit from more accurate modelling that considers the places’ specificities.
Prototype Tests on Screwed Steel–Aluminium Foam–Steel Sandwich Panels
Authors: Elettore Elena , Latour Massimo , D’Aniello Mario , Landolfo Raffaele , Rizzano Gianvittorio
Published: November 2023

Metal foams are newly developed engineered materials with attractive mechanical properties such as lightness, high resistance-to-weight ratio, and insulation capabilities. Lately, applications of these technologies have demonstrated the possibility of obtaining high-performance sandwich panels with steel skins and metal foam core, with potential applications across various fields. Within this framework, this work aims to assess the response of sandwich panels made of steel and aluminium foam to develop a new system of dry-assembled composite floors. The present study investigates a novel screwed steel–aluminium foam–steel (SSAFS) sandwich panel. This paper mainly describes and discusses the results of experimental tests devoted to evaluating the structural performance, mechanical properties, and suitability for practical applications of SSAFS. The fabrication process and the detailing of the steel skins and aluminium foam core assembly are also described. The results from the experimental tests revealed the potentialities of using SSAFS sandwich panels in terms of strength and stiffness, thus making them suitable for lightweight structural systems.