bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of different soil and water conservation measures on plant functional traits in the Loess Plateau
Authors: Duan Gaohui , Zheng Cheng , Jiang Yanmin , Leng Chunqian , Liu Yangyang , Wang Boheng , He Dianjing , Wen Zhongming
Published: September 2024

Soil and water conservation measures (SWCM) have wide-ranging effects on vegetation and soil, and their effects on the ecosystem are multifaceted, with complex mechanisms. While numerous studies have focused on the impact of such measures on soil, the improvement of plant functional traits is a major factor in the ecological recovery of the Loess Plateau. This survey extensively investigated no measure plots, vegetation measure plots, and engineering measure plots in the Loess Plateau. The impact of SWCM on plant functional traits was investigated using structural equation modeling. We examined six plant functional traits—leaf dry weight (LD), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf tissue density (LTD), leaf total phosphorus (LTP), leaf total nitrogen (LTN), and leaf volume (LV)—correlated with resource acquisition and allocation. In 122 plots, we explored the effects of measures, soil, diversity, and community structure on the weighted average of plant functional traits. The findings showed substantial positive correlations between LD and SLA, LD and LV, SLA and LV, SLA and LTP, and LTP and LTN. LTD has a substantial negative correlation with LD, LTD with SLA, and LTD with LV. SWCM limits diversity, and the mechanisms by which it affects plant functional traits vary. In the structural equation model (SEM) of vegetation measures, improving community structure enhances plant functional traits, but soil factors have the greatest influence on plant functional traits in SEM engineering measures. Plant functional trait differences on the Loess Plateau result are due to differential plant responses to diverse soil properties and community structure. Vegetation measures enhance the chemical properties of plant functional traits, while engineering measures improve physical properties. The study provides a theoretical foundation for vegetation restoration and management following the implementation of diverse SWCM.
Comparison of transcriptome and metabolome analysis revealed cold-resistant metabolic pathways in cucumber roots under low-temperature stress in root zone
Authors: Sun Shijun , Yang Yan , Hao Shuiyuan , Liu Ye , Zhang Xin , Yang Pudi , Zhang Xudong , Luo Yusong
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Low ground temperature is a major factor limiting overwintering in cucumber cultivation facilities in northern alpine regions. Lower temperatures in the root zone directly affect the physiological function of the root system, which in turn affects the normal physiological activity of plants. However, the importance of the ground temperature in facilities has not attracted sufficient attention.

Methods

Therefore, this study tested the cucumber variety Jinyou 35 under three root zone temperatures (room temperature, 20–22°C; suboptimal temperature, 13– 15°C; and low temperature, 8–10°C) to investigated possible cold resistance mechanisms in the root of cucumber seedlings through hormone, metabolomics, and transcriptomics analyses.

Results and discussion

The results showed that cucumber roots were subjected to chilling stress at different temperatures. Hormone analysis indicated that auxin content was highest in the roots. Jasmonic acid and strigolactone participated in the low-temperature stress response. Auxin and jasmonate are key hormones that regulate the response of cucumber roots to low temperatures. Phenolic acid was the most abundant metabolite in cucumber roots under chilling stress. Additionally, triterpenes may play an important role in chilling resistance. Differentially expressed genes and metabolites were significantly enriched in benzoxazinoid biosynthesis in the room temperature vs. suboptimal temperature groups and the room temperature vs. low temperature groups. Most differentially expressed transcription factor genes in AP2/ERF were strongly induced in cucumber roots by both suboptimal and low-temperature stress conditions. These results provide guidance for the cultivation of cucumber in facilities.
Explainable artificial intelligence for genotype-to-phenotype prediction in plant breeding: a case study with a dataset from an almond germplasm collection
Authors: Novielli Pierfrancesco , Romano Donato , Pavan Stefano , Losciale Pasquale , Stellacci Anna Maria , Diacono Domenico , Bellotti Roberto , Tangaro Sabina
Published: September 2024

Background

Advances in DNA sequencing revolutionized plant genomics and significantly contributed to the study of genetic diversity. However, predicting phenotypes from genomic data remains a challenge, particularly in the context of plant breeding. Despite significant progress, accurately predicting phenotypes from high-dimensional genomic data remains a challenge, particularly in identifying the key genetic factors influencing these predictions. This study aims to bridge this gap by integrating explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) techniques with advanced machine learning models. This approach is intended to enhance both the predictive accuracy and interpretability of genotype-to-phenotype models, thereby improving their reliability and supporting more informed breeding decisions.

Results

This study compares several ML methods for genotype-to-phenotype prediction, using data available from an almond germplasm collection. After preprocessing and feature selection, regression models are employed to predict almond shelling fraction. Best predictions were obtained by the Random Forest method (correlation = 0.727 ± 0.020, an R2 = 0.511 ± 0.025, and an RMSE = 7.746 ± 0.199). Notably, the application of the SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) values algorithm to explain the results highlighted several genomic regions associated with the trait, including one, having the highest feature importance, located in a gene potentially involved in seed development.

Conclusions

Employing explainable artificial intelligence algorithms enhances model interpretability, identifying genetic polymorphisms associated with the shelling percentage. These findings underscore XAI’s efficacy in predicting phenotypic traits from genomic data, highlighting its significance in optimizing crop production for sustainable agriculture.
Effect of climate change on Clinopodium polycephalum (Vaniot) C. Y. Wu & S. J. Hsuan distribution adopting temporal data, ArcGIS, and the MaxEnt model
Authors: Lu Zongran , Shan Yuxin , Shan Huijiao , Wen Haicheng , Wu Yanan , Han Rongchun , Tong Xiaohui
Published: September 2024

Clinopodium polycephalum (Vaniot) C. Y. Wu & S. J. Hsuan, a vital plant in traditional Chinese medicine, has been used for its hemostatic properties since 1220 AD. Despite its recognized medicinal benefits including anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular applications and increasing market demands, research on this plant remains limited, particularly from the perspective of plant ecology. Due to global warming and the resultant climate change, studies on the distribution and conservation of C. polycephalum are of great importance, especially when a clear trend that its habitat shifts to the north was observed. To predict the potential distribution of C. polycephalum under distinct climate situations, the MaxEnt model was used along with the ArcGIS software. As a result, an AUC value of 0.931 was achieved, indicating high predictive accuracy of the model. By analyzing 135 occurrence points and their corresponding bioclimatic factors (including precipitation), soil data, and other environmental variables (49 in total), 16 key factors including pH value and basic saturation were selected for downstream analysis. It was found that solar radiation in May, precipitation in May and April, and the lowest temperature in the coldest month are important factors influencing the growth and distribution of C. polycephalum. Compared to the current climate scenario, the future suitable habitat for C. polycephalum is expected to shift northwest, and under the SSP245-2061-2080 climate scenario, its highly suitable habitat area is projected to increase by 886,000 km2. These findings provide crucial insights into the environmental drivers of C. polycephalum distribution and aid in its preservation and sustainable use in traditional medicine. Based on the findings of this study, future research should focus on factors such as solar radiation in May and the lowest temperature in the coldest month within the suitable habitat to ensure its effective conservation.
Effects of mindfulness-based music listening on conflict control in young adults with insomnia disorder: behavioral and event-related potential evidence
Authors: Shi Huijuan , Liu Yi , Liu Yong , Zheng Maoping , Liu Xiaolin
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Insomnia Disorder (ID) has become the second most prevalent mental disorder, with significant negative effects on daytime cognitive functions. Previous studies suggested that mindfulness-based music listening (MBML) can effectively improve conflict control and attentional processing in healthy adults. However, the behavioral and neurophysiological characteristics of MBML in young adults with ID remain unclear.

Methods

To explore the behavioral and neurophysiological characteristics of MBML in regulating negative emotions among young Chinese adults with ID, 60 young adults with ID were asked to complete an emotion-word Stroop task under three mood states while recording event-related potentials (ERPs).

Results

Task and questionnaire results showed that (1) negative emotion induced by the negative simulated video significantly suppressed the attentional processing of emotional faces and words in the conflict control task among young people with ID, (2) MBML reduced cognitive and physical arousal levels, enhanced positive mood, and improved attentional control abilities in young adults with ID. The ERP results showed that a greater N3 effect and the smaller P3 and late positive component (LPC) effects reflected that MBML effectively regulated negative emotions induced by the negative simulated video and attentional processing abilities for conflict control in young adults with ID.

Discussion

Maintaining mindfulness while listening to music may enhance positive emotional experiences and improve cognitive ability, and exhibit larger N3 effects and smaller P3 and LPC effects in the electrophysiology mechanism, with a reduction in the hyperarousal level in young adults with insomnia disorders.
How do different goals affect students’ internal collaboration script configurations? Results of an epistemic network analysis study
Authors: Özbek Tugce , Greisel Martin , Wekerle Christina , Gegenfurtner Andreas , Kollar Ingo
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Research has suggested that how learners act in CSCL environments is considerably influenced by their internal collaboration scripts. These scripts are knowledge structures that reside in an individual’s memory and consist of play, scene, scriptlet, and role components. In its “internal script configuration principle,” the Script Theory of Guidance suggests that as learners work in a CSCL environment, these components are dynamically (re-)configured, and that this (re-)configuration is influenced by the goals of the individual learner. However, this principle has not yet been tested empirically.

Methods

In this study, upon entering a CSCL environment, we therefore experimentally manipulated the goals that students pursued while learning. In one condition, we induced learning goals while in the other condition, no goals were induced. A total of 233 pre-service teachers collaborated in dyads on the task to analyze an authentic, problematic classroom situation by aid of educational evidence. We measured their internal scripts both at pre-test (i.e., before collaboration and before goal induction) and post-test (i.e., after collaboration and goal induction), focusing on the scriptlet level.

Results

Results show that goal induction had no effects on the kinds of scriptlets participants selected during collaboration. However, results from Epistemic Network Analysis show that learning goal induction led to significantly different combinations of scriptlets (especially to more relations between scriptlets that are indicative of pursuing learning goals) than no goal induction. Furthermore, participants from the learning goal induction acquired significantly more knowledge about educational theories and evidence than students from the control condition.

Conclusion

This study is among the first to provide direct evidence for the internal script configuration principle and demonstrates the effectiveness of inducing learning goals as a scaffold to support students’ knowledge acquisition processes in CSCL.
University students’ cognitive flexibility and critical thinking dispositions
Authors: Karakuş İsmail
Published: September 2024

The purpose of this study is to examine whether there are differences in critical thinking dispositions and cognitive flexibility among university students based on gender, grade level, and faculty. Additionally, the study will investigate the relationship between these two concepts and their predictive power. The study was conducted using a relational survey model and included 366 university students selected through maximum diversity sampling. The study involved university students from various faculties and grade levels. Data was collected through a personal information form, cognitive flexibility inventory, and critical thinking disposition scale. The data was analyzed using the SPSS 25 program. The results indicate that university students exhibit relatively high levels of cognitive flexibility and critical thinking tendencies. Above the medium level, there was a significant positive relationship between cognitive flexibility and critical thinking tendency. Cognitive flexibility was found to be a significant predictor of critical thinking dispositions, positively and significantly predicting critical thinking disposition and explaining 40% of it. Individuals with critical thinking tendencies exhibit cognitive flexibility, which is also associated with thinking critically. Therefore, cognitive flexibility and critical thinking are interrelated characteristics.
A longitudinal study on the relation between parenting and Toddler’s disruptive behavior: what is the role of Toddler’s negative emotionality and physiological stress reactivity?
Authors: Huijzer-Engbrenghof Marijke , van Rijn-van Gelderen Loes , Spencer Hannah , Wesarg-Menzel Christiane , Creasey Nicole , Lalihatu Esmee S. , Overbeek Geertjan
Published: September 2024

Harsh and unsupportive parenting is a risk factor for the development of disruptive behavior in children. However, little is known about how children’s temperament and stress reactivity influence this relation. In a three-wave longitudinal study, we examined whether the associations between parenting practices (supportive parenting, positive discipline, and harsh discipline) and child disruptive behavior were mediated by child temperament (negative emotionality) and stress reactivity (heart rate reactivity). In 72 families (Mage child = 14.6 months), living in the Netherlands, parents reported on their parenting practices and their children’s disruptive behavior and negative emotionality. Children’s heart rate reactivity was assessed through a series of stress-inducing tasks. Results from regression-based mediation analyses with bootstrapping showed that negative emotionality and stress reactivity did not mediate the relation between parenting and disruptive behavior. The results overall demonstrate that in a group of children this age, a reinforcing dynamic between parenting, child stress and disruptive behavior is not yet firmly established.
The association of calligraphy activities with peace of mind, stress self-management, and perceived health status in older adults
Authors: Wang Jianing , Tang Kaizhi
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Calligraphy, as a form of mindful practice, encourages focus, creativity, and relaxation, which collectively contribute to a more peaceful mental state. Through regular engagement in calligraphy, older adults can develop better coping mechanisms for stress, leading to more effective self-management of daily stressors. This enhanced ability to manage stress can reduce the overall burden on their mental and physical health, promoting a more positive outlook on life.

Methods

This study employed convenience sampling and snowball sampling to select 246 older adults aged 60–70 from Changsha, China, in March 2024 as valid samples. AMOS v.23 was used to construct a structural equation model to validate the hypotheses.

Results

The study found a significant positive correlation between calligraphy activities and peace of mind/stress self-management. There is also a significant positive correlation between peace of mind/stress self-management and perceived health status. Additionally, peace of mind and stress self-management act as mediators between calligraphy activities and perceived health status.

Discussion

This indicates that calligraphy activities not only contribute to the psychological well-being of older adults but also indirectly enhance their positive perception of their own health by improving their mental state. Consequently, such activities can be an integral part of holistic health interventions aimed at enhancing the quality of life and overall health of older adults.
Ovarian hormones and eating disorders
Authors: Young John K.
Published: September 2024

The eating disorders anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are much more common in women than in men. Also, there is evidence for a role of gene mutations in these disorders. This review examines recent data about the possibility that ovarian estrogens may contribute to the symptoms of anorexia nervosa and partly account for the sex difference in incidence of this disorder. Possible mechanisms linking genes that are abnormal in anorexia to pathways that could produce abnormal responses to estrogen are also examined. In addition, recent data pointing to a role of ovarian androgens in the symptoms of bulimia nervosa are reviewed. These data may point to more effective adjustments for the therapy of these difficult to treat disorders.
Resting-state brain networks alterations in adolescents with Internet Gaming Disorder associate with cognitive control impairments
Authors: Zhao Tao , Zhang Yibo , Li Yange , Wu Jie , Wang Ruiqi , Lv Qiyan , Li Dingyi , Lang Yan
Published: September 2024

Objective

Research indicates that cognitive control is compromised in individuals with internet gaming disorder (IGD). However, the neural mechanisms behind it are still unclear. This study aims to investigate alterations in resting-state brain networks in adolescents with IGD and the potential neurobiological mechanisms underlying cognitive dysfunction.

Materials and methods

A total of 44 adolescent IGD subjects (male/female: 38/6) and 50 healthy controls (male/female: 40/10) were enrolled. Participants underwent demographic assessments, Young’s Internet Addiction Scale, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale 11 Chinese Revised Version, the Chinese Adolescents’ Maladaptive Cognitions Scale, exploratory eye movement tests, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). FMRI data were analyzed using the GIFT software for independent component analysis, focusing on functional connectivity within and between resting-state brain networks.

Results

In comparison to the control group, impulsivity in adolescent IGD subjects showed a positive correlation with the severity of IGD (r=0.6350, p < 0.001), linked to impairments in the Executive Control Network (ECN) and a decrease in functional connectivity between the Salience Network (SN) and ECN (r=0.4307, p=0.0021; r=-0.5147, p=0.0034). Decreased resting state activity of the dorsal attention network (DAN) was associated with attentional dysregulation of IGD in adolescents (r=0.4071, p=0.0017), and ECN increased functional connectivity with DAN. The degree of IGD was positively correlated with enhanced functional connectivity between the ECN and DAN (r=0.4283, p=0.0037).

Conclusions

This research demonstrates that changes in the ECN and DAN correlate with heightened impulsivity and attentional deficits in adolescents with IGD. The interaction between cognitive control disorders and resting-state brain networks in adolescent IGD is related.
A follow up report validating long term predictions of the COVID-19 epidemic in the UK using a dynamic causal model
Authors: Bowie Cam , Friston Karl
Published: September 2024

Background

This paper asks whether Dynamic Causal modelling (DCM) can predict the long-term clinical impact of the COVID-19 epidemic. DCMs are designed to continually assimilate data and modify model parameters, such as transmissibility of the virus, changes in social distancing and vaccine coverage—to accommodate changes in population dynamics and virus behavior. But as a novel way to model epidemics do they produce valid predictions? We presented DCM predictions 12 months ago, which suggested an increase in viral transmission was accompanied by a reduction in pathogenicity. These changes provided plausible reasons why the model underestimated deaths, hospital admissions and acute-post COVID-19 syndrome by 20%. A further 12-month validation exercise could help to assess how useful such predictions are.

Methods

we compared DCM predictions—made in October 2022—with actual outcomes over the 12-months to October 2023. The model was then used to identify changes in COVID-19 transmissibility and the sociobehavioral responses that may explain discrepancies between predictions and outcomes over this period. The model was then used to predict future trends in infections, long-COVID, hospital admissions and deaths over 12-months to October 2024, as a prelude to future tests of predictive validity.

Findings

Unlike the previous predictions—which were an underestimate—the predictions made in October 2022 overestimated incidence, death and admission rates. This overestimation appears to have been caused by reduced infectivity of new variants, less movement of people and a higher persistence of immunity following natural infection and vaccination.

Interpretation

despite an expressive (generative) model, with time-dependent epidemiological and sociobehavioral parameters, the model overestimated morbidity and mortality. Effectively, the model failed to accommodate the “law of declining virulence” over a timescale of years. This speaks to a fundamental issue in long-term forecasting: how to model decreases in virulence over a timescale of years? A potential answer may be available in a year when the predictions for 2024—under a model with slowly accumulating T-cell like immunity—can be assessed against actual outcomes.
Exploring the impact of physiotherapy on health outcomes in older adults with chronic diseases: a cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Reddy Ravi Shankar , Alahmari Khalid A. , Alshahrani Mastour Saeed , Alkhamis Batool Abdulelah , Tedla Jaya Shanker , ALMohiza Mohammad A. , Elrefaey Basant Hamdy , Koura Ghada M. , Gular Kumar , Alnakhli Hani Hassan , Mukherjee Debjani , Rao Vikram Sreenivasa , Al-Qahtani Khalid Awad
Published: September 2024

Objective

This study evaluates the impact of physiotherapy interventions on health outcomes and explores the correlation between physiotherapy session characteristics and improvements in health among older individuals.

Methods

In a cross-sectional design, 384 older adults with chronic conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), diabetes, and hypertension were recruited.

Results

The proportion of arthritis (39.1%) and hypertension (45.8%) was notably high. Participants receiving physiotherapy showed significant improvements in pain levels (mean reduction from 5.09 to 2.95), mobility scores (improvement from 3.0 to 3.96), and functional independence. A positive correlation was identified between the frequency of physiotherapy sessions and pain reduction (r = 0.26, p = 0.035), and a stronger correlation between session duration and both pain reduction (r = 0.38, p = 0.002) and mobility improvement (r = 0.43, p = 0.001). High satisfaction rates with physiotherapy were reported, and age was found to be a significant negative predictor of health outcomes (Coef. = −0.3402, p = 0.0009).

Conclusion

Physiotherapy interventions significantly improve health outcomes in older adults with chronic diseases.
The joy of eating: how eating experiences enhance the well-being of older adults
Authors: Wang Xinmin , Qi Jianwu , Zhang Kai , Xie Huiji , Wu Xingnan
Published: September 2024

Introduction

The active aging strategy has as its policy implications the health, security, and participation of older people. The joy of eating is the main goal of establishing community-based service facilities for older people, as well as a source of health and well-being and a sense of meaning in the lives of older people.

Methods

Based on the theory of human-environment relations and cognitive-emotional personality systems (CAPS), the study constructed a structural equation model of the eating experience, nostalgia, place attachment, and the well-being of the older adults in the community canteens as an interactive situation, and explored the relationship between the eating experience and the well-being of older people in the community canteens through the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).

Results

The results of the study show that the older adults’ eating experience has a significant positive effect on their well-being, and “eating” can make older adults feel happy. Older adults’ eating experience has a significant effect on nostalgia, place attachment, and well-being, but nostalgia does not have a significant effect on older adults’ well-being, and place attachment in the community canteens can enhance older adults’ well-being. Meanwhile, the study further confirmed that place attachment plays a mediating role in the effect of eating experience on older adults’ well-being.

Discussion

The findings of the study promote the development of the fields of healthy eating, quality of life assessment, and dietary memory management for older people to a certain extent and provide an important reference for promoting the balanced layout and effective spatial design of community service facilities for older people.
Molecular identification of Baylisascaris melis (Gedoelst, 1920) from the Eurasian badger (Meles meles) and ascarids from other wild carnivores in Kazakhstan
Authors: Uakhit Rabiga , Smagulova Ainura , Lider Lyudmila , Shevtsov Alexandr , Berber Alexandr A. , Berber Alexandr P. , Bauer Christian , Kiyan Vladimir
Published: September 2024

Introduction

The presence of gastrointestinal nematodes, including zoonotic ascarids, in wild canids, felids and mustelids as definitive hosts in Central Asian countries has been documented in many studies based on traditional morphological methods. In contrast, relevant data for the badger are scarce. The aim of this study was the molecular identification of ascarid nematodes from five wild carnivore species in different regions of Kazakhstan.

Methods

A total of 211 adult ascarids were collected from gray wolves (Canis lupus, 8 of 83 infected with 2–6 Toxascaris leonina), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes, 26 of 53, with 2–8 Toxascaris leonina), corsac foxes (Vulpes corsac, 6 of 11, 3–6 Toxascaris leonina), lynx (Lynx lynx, 2 of 3, with 2–5 Toxocara cati) and badgers (Meles meles, 2 of 4, with 2–7 Baylisascaris melis). Genomic DNA was extracted from the worms and ribosomal DNA, including the first and second internal transcribed spacer genes, was amplified by polymerase chain reaction using specific oligonucleotide primers and then sequenced.

Results

Toxascaris leonina, but not Toxocara canis, was molecularly identified in the wild canids, Toxocara cati in the lynx and Baylisascaris melis in the badger. The maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree showed three distinct clades: the canid Toxascaris leonina was placed in one clade, Toxocara cati in another and Baylisascaris melis in a third.

Discussion

The study provides the world’s first molecular data and phylogenetic analysis of Baylisascaris melis, identified for the second time since its description over 100 years ago. This species was shown to be genetically distinct from other Baylisascaris spp. (B. columnaris, B. procyonis, B. transfuga, B. devosi). The possible zoonotic significance of ascarids from wild carnivores is discussed in the light of conditions in Central Asia.
Clamping Force Control of Electromechanical Brake Actuator Considering Contact Point between Friction Lining and Brake Disc
Authors: Meng Yang , Wu Tong , Rong Jin , Yang Xiaojun , Peng Jing , Chu Liang
Published: September 2024

Currently, most electromechanical brake (EMB) schemes are only suitable for passenger cars, and their maximum clamping force is insufficient to satisfy the braking demands of commercial vehicles. Additionally, previous studies on clamping force control are largely based on an EMB equipped with sensors. Due to constraints in installation space and cost, sensorless EMBs are gradually gaining attention. Furthermore, accurately identifying the contact point between the friction lining and the brake disc is the promise of clamping force control for sensorless EMBs. Hence, a sensorless EMB scheme suitable for commercial vehicles is proposed in this study. Secondly, a dynamics model of the EMB actuator is established. After a comprehensive analysis of the proposed EMB actuator, a clamping force control strategy considering the contact points between the friction lining and the brake disc is proposed. Finally, simulation analyses of the strategy are carried out. The results show that the axial length of the proposed EMB actuator is shortened by 17.6% compared with a mainstream pneumatic disc brake. Furthermore, the proposed method can accurately identify the contact points between the friction lining and the brake disc, and the proposed control strategy enables the EMB actuator to achieve the fast response, accurate tracking, and stable maintenance of the target clamping force.
Electro-Mechanical Brake System Architectural Design and Analysis Based on Functional Safety of Vehicles
Authors: Peng Jing , Wu Tong , Chu Liang , Rong Jin , Yang Xiaojun , Meng Yang
Published: September 2024

Electro-mechanical brake (EMB) systems have garnered significant attention due to their distributed architecture. However, their signals from the brake pedal to the wheel-end actuators (WEAs) are transmitted electrically, meaning that any fault in EMB systems can severely impair the braking performance of vehicles. Consequently, the functional safety issues of EMB systems are the primary limitation of their widespread adoption. In response, this study first introduced the typical architectures of EMB and evaluated the automotive safety integrity level (ASIL) that must be achieved. Based on this, an EMB system architecture that satisfies functional safety standards was proposed. To accurately analyze the main factors affecting the probabilistic metric for hardware failures (PMHF) of the architecture, the failure rate of WEAs is further discussed. Specifically, a Markov chain was employed to define the operating states of the WEA matrix. The availability of each operating state was assessed based on the fault-tolerant control strategy. Finally, the failure rates of critical EMB parts, particularly the WEA matrix, were calculated. The results indicate that the unavailability of the WEA matrix is 9.244 × 10−3 FIT. Furthermore, the PMHFs of the EMB system for each safety goal are 6.14 FIT, 5.89 FIT, and 6.03 FIT, respectively, satisfying the ASIL-D requirements.
Research on the Control Method of a 2DOF Parallel Platform Based on Electromagnetic Drive
Authors: Wang Wei , Cao Jinlong , Liu Xu , Ye Yangguang , Yang Hao , Zhang Weilun , Huang Xudong
Published: September 2024

In this paper, a spatial two-degree-of-freedom (2DOF) parallel platform based on electromagnetic redundant drive and its control method are investigated. The platform is redundantly driven by three electromagnetic-spring conforming branched chains, and the design provides better flexibility and responsiveness than conventional parallel structures. The introduction of the electromagnetic drive alleviates the stresses within the conventional rigid redundant drive structure and reduces the detrimental effects associated with rigid redundancy. In this paper, the structure and equivalent SPU model of the platform are first introduced, with S referring to the kinematic sub, P to the spherical sub, and U to the universal joint. The degrees of freedom of the platform are analyzed, and the inverse kinematic model and velocity Jacobi matrix are derived, so as to derive the relationship between the pitch, roll angles, and length of the gimbal chain, and the relational equation between the angle and the current is further established to realize the electromagnetic control of the parallel redundant platform. The control part is realized as follows. Firstly, the angle information of the platform is obtained from the gyroscope to the microcontroller, the filtered angle is derived through the Untraceable Kalman Filter (UKF), and the angle value can be fused with data by both the mathematical model and PID algorithm to introduce the current value required to achieve the balance and realize the balance. In the simulation part, this paper uses Simulink and Simscape in MATLAB for joint simulation, and by giving the simulated trajectory and the desired trajectory of the joints, the driving force diagrams of the three branched chains based on the Least-Second Paradigm method are derived, and the trajectory error and driving force error are given to validate the reliability of the method of this paper.
Design and Validation of an Ambulatory User Support Gait Rehabilitation Robot: NIMBLE
Authors: Ramos-Rojas Jaime , Castano Juan A. , Fernández Pedro R. , Carballeira Juan , Pérez-Martín Emma , Lora-Millan Julio S. , Borromeo Susana , del-Ama Antonio J.
Published: September 2024

Relearning to walk requires progressive training in real scenarios—overground—along with assistance in basic tasks, such as balancing. In addition, user ability must be maximized through compliant robotic assistance as needed. Despite decades of research, gait rehabilitation robotic devices yield controversial results. This article presents the conceptual design of a novel walking assistance and rehabilitation robot, the NIMBLE robot, aimed at providing ambulatory, bodyweight-supported gait training, assisting the user’s center of mass trajectory to aid weight transfer and dynamic balance during walking. NIMBLE consists of a robotic mobile frame, a partial bodyweight support (PBWS) system, an ambulatory lower-limb exoskeleton (Exo-H3) and a cable-driven pelvis-assisting robot. Designed as a modular structure, it differentiates hierarchical communication levels through a Robot Operating System (ROS) 2 network. We present the mechatronic design and experimental results assessing the impact of the mechatronic coupling between the robotic modules on the walking kinematics and the frame movement control performance. The robotic frame hardly affects the walking kinematics up to 2 degrees in both the sagittal and frontal planes, making it feasible for lateral balance and weight translation training. Moreover, it successfully tracks and follows user trajectories. The NIMBLE robotic frame assessment shows promising results for ambulatory gait rehabilitation.
Combining Transfer Learning and Ensemble Algorithms for Improved Citrus Leaf Disease Classification
Authors: Zhu Hongyan , Wang Dani , Wei Yuzhen , Zhang Xuran , Li Lin
Published: September 2024

Accurate categorization and timely control of leaf diseases are crucial for citrus growth. We proposed the Multi-Models Fusion Network (MMFN) for citrus leaf diseases detection based on model fusion and transfer learning. Compared to traditional methods, the algorithm (integrating transfer learning Alexnet, VGG, and Resnet) we proposed can address the issues of limited categories, slow processing speed, and low recognition accuracy. By constructing efficient deep learning models and training and optimizing them with a large dataset of citrus leaf images, we ensured the broad applicability and accuracy of citrus leaf disease detection, achieving high-precision classification. Herein, various deep learning algorithms, including original Alexnet, VGG, Resnet, and transfer learning versions Resnet34 (Pre_Resnet34) and Resnet50 (Pre_Resnet50) were also discussed and compared. The results demonstrated that the MMFN model achieved an average accuracy of 99.72% in distinguishing between diseased and healthy leaves. Additionally, the model attained an average accuracy of 98.68% in the classification of multiple diseases (citrus huanglongbing (HLB), greasy spot disease and citrus canker), insect pests (citrus leaf miner), and deficiency disease (zinc deficiency). These findings conclusively illustrate that deep learning model fusion networks combining transfer learning and integration algorithms can automatically extract image features, enhance the automation and accuracy of disease recognition, demonstrate the significant potential and application value in citrus leaf disease classification, and potentially drive the development of smart agriculture.
Research on the Jet Distance Enhancement Device for Blueberry Harvesting Robots Based on the Dual-Ring Model
Authors: Li Wenxin , Yin Hao , Li Yuhuan , Liu Xiaohong , Liu Jiang , Wang Han
Published: September 2024

In China, most blueberry varieties are characterized by tightly clustered fruits, which pose challenges for achieving precise and non-destructive automated harvesting. This complexity limits the design of robots for this task. Therefore, this paper proposes adding a jetting step during harvesting to separate fruit clusters and increase the operational space for mechanical claws. First, a combined approach of flow field analysis and pressure-sensitive experiments was employed to establish design criteria for the number, diameter, and inclination angle parameters of two types of nozzles: flat tip and round tip. Furthermore, fruit was introduced, and a fluid–structure coupling method was employed to calculate the deformation of fruit stems. Simultaneously, a mechanical analysis was conducted to quantify the relationship between jet characteristics and separation gaps. Simulation and pressure-sensitive experiments show that as the number of holes increases and their diameter decreases, the nozzle’s convergence becomes stronger. The greater the inclination angle of the circular nozzle holes, the more the gas diverges. The analysis of the output characteristics of the working section indicates that the 8-hole 40° round nozzle is the optimal solution. At an air compressor working pressure of 0.5 MPa, force analysis and simulation results both show that it can increase the picking space for the mechanical claw by about 5–7 mm without damaging the blueberries in the jet area. The final field experiments show that the mean distance for Type I (mature fruit) is 5.41 mm, for Type II (red fruit) is 6.42 mm, and for Type III (green fruit) is 5.43 mm. The short and curved stems of the green fruit are less effective, but the minimum distance of 4.71 mm is greater than the claw wall thickness, meeting the design requirements.
A Study on Hyperspectral Soil Moisture Content Prediction by Incorporating a Hybrid Neural Network into Stacking Ensemble Learning
Authors: Yang Yuzhu , Li Hongda , Sun Miao , Liu Xingyu , Cao Liying
Published: September 2024

The accurate prediction of soil moisture content helps to evaluate the quality of farmland. Taking the black soil in the Nanguan District of Changchun City as the research object, this paper proposes a stacking ensemble learning model integrating hybrid neural networks to address the issue that it is difficult to improve the accuracy of inversion soil moisture content by a single model. First, raw hyperspectral data are processed by removing edge noise and standardization. Then, the gray wolf optimization (GWO) algorithm is adopted to optimize a convolutional neural network (CNN), and a gated recurrent unit (GRU) and an attention mechanism are added to construct a hybrid neural network model (GWO–CNN–GRU–Attention). To estimate soil water content, the hybrid neural network model is integrated into the stacking model along with Bagging and Boosting algorithms and the feedforward neural network. Experimental results demonstrate that the GWO–CNN–GRU–Attention model proposed in this paper can better predict soil water content; the stacking method of integrating hybrid neural networks overcomes the limitations of a single model’s instability and inferior accuracy. The relative prediction deviation (RPD), root mean square error (RMSE), and coefficient of determination (R2) on the test set are 4.577, 0.227, and 0.952, respectively. The average R2 and RPD increased by 0.056 and 1.418 in comparison to the base learner algorithm. The study results lay a foundation for the fast detection of soil moisture content in black soil areas and provide a data source for intelligent irrigation in agriculture.
Standardized Ileal Digestibility of Calcium and Phosphorus in Feed Ingredients for 21-Day-Old Broilers
Authors: Lee Chae-Won , Kong Changsu
Published: September 2024

This study aimed to determine the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) in various feed ingredients using the direct method. This study comprised eight experimental diets: a Ca–P-free diet and seven experimental diets, each containing monocalcium phosphate (MCP), dicalcium phosphate (DCP), monosodium phosphate (MSP) + limestone, corn, and soybean meal (SBM) as the sole sources of Ca and/or P. These diets provided 4.21 g/kg of non-phytate P from MCP, DCP, or MSP, and the MSP + limestone diet included 7.50 g/kg of Ca. The corn and SBM diets formulated to determine P digestibility maintained a dietary Ca/total P ratio of 1.4 through the addition of limestone. Chromic oxide was added to the diets as an indigestible index. On day 18, 256 male and 256 female broilers were individually weighed and randomly assigned to eight treatments, each with four replicates for each sex (eight birds per cage). This allocation followed a randomized complete block design based on body weight. On day 21, the birds were euthanized using carbon dioxide, and ileal digesta samples were collected from the distal two-thirds section of the ileum. No significant interactions between the experimental diets and sex regarding the SID of Ca or P were detected, and no effect of sex on the SID was observed. The standardized ileal Ca digestibility of MCP, DCP, limestone, corn, and SBM was found to be 84.7%, 70.1%, 52.6%, 88.6%, and 81.6%, respectively. The standardized ileal P digestibility of MCP, DCP, MSP, corn, and SBM was determined to be 91.8%, 76.8%, 94.4%, 73.1, and 88.4%, respectively. Given the variable digestibility of Ca and P across different feed ingredients, the consideration of the specific type of ingredients used in diet formulation is crucial.
Gastrointestinal Parasites in Non-Human Primates in Zoological Gardens in Northern Italy
Authors: Marchiori Erica , Bono Lucia , Voltan Laura , Dotto Giorgia , Tessarin Cinzia , Marcer Federica
Published: September 2024

Non-human primates (NHPs) host a variety of helminth and protist parasites that are able to cause infection in humans. Gastrointestinal parasites in NHPs living in two zoological gardens of Northern Italy were studied. An total of 96 faecal pools were collected from 26 groups of NHPs. The mini-Flotac method was applied to fecal samples to detect gastrointestinal helminthiases, while the detection of the protists Cryptosporidium spp., Blastocystis sp. and Giardia duodenalis was performed by targeting SSU rRNA through nested PCR and real-time PCR; they were further studied by sequencing the same gene for Blastocystis and βgiardine and triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) genes for Giardia. Twenty-two out of the 96 examined fecal pools (22.9%) were positive for one or more helminth species, including Hymenolepis diminuta, Trichurid, Capillariid and Strongylid eggs. All samples were negative for Cryptosporidium spp., while 16/26 (61.5%) animals were positive for G. duodenalis in the real-time PCR; the sequences obtained assigned them all to sub-assemblage BIV. Blastocystis sp. was detected in 22/26 of the NHPs (84.6%); molecular analyses attributed the isolates to ST 4, allele 92. Analyses of the feces of sympatric rats revealed the presence of the same allele, as well as of Hymenolepis diminuta eggs, raising concern about their role as parasite reservoirs in the facilities.
Different Physiochemical Properties of Novel Fibre Sources in the Diet of Weaned Pigs Influence Animal Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, and Caecal Fermentation
Authors: Rybicka Agnieszka , Medel Pedro , Gómez Emilio , Carro María Dolores , García Javier
Published: September 2024

The effect of including micronised fibre sources (FS) differing in fermentability and hydration capacity (HC) on growth performance, faecal digestibility, and caecal fermentation was investigated in piglets. There were four dietary treatments: a control diet (CON) and three treatments differing in the HC and fermentability of FS added at 1.5% to prestarter (28–42 d) and starter (42–61 d) diets. These were: LHC (low-HC by-product-based insoluble fibre (IF) with a prebiotic fraction (PF) from chicory root); MHC (medium-HC by-product-based IF with a PF); and HHC (high-HC non-fermentable wood-based IF with no PF). There were eight replicates per treatment. Over the entire period, LHC and MHC piglets showed a 10% increase in daily growth and feed intake (p ≤ 0.019) and tended to have a reduced feed conversion ratio (p = 0.087) compared to HHC piglets. At 42 d, faecal protein digestibility increased by 5% in the LHC and MHC groups compared with the HHC group (p = 0.035) and did not differ from the CON group. Both LHC and MHC fibres were more fermented in vitro with caecal inocula from 61 d old piglets than HHC fibre (p ≤ 0.003). These results suggest that balanced soluble and insoluble fibre concentrates can improve piglet performance.
Relationship between Feline Knee Joint Osteoarthritis and Bone Mineral Density Quantified Using Computed Tomography and Computed Digital Absorptiometry
Authors: Bonecka Joanna , Turek Bernard , Jankowski Krzysztof , Borowska Marta , Jasiński Tomasz , Smyth Graham , Domino Małgorzata
Published: September 2024

Osteoarthritis (OA), including knee joint OA, is a common chronic condition in cats. In both cats and humans, knee joint OA is characterized radiographically by the presence of osteophytes, enthesiophytes, subchondral sclerosis, and joint space narrowing. However, only in humans have these radiographic signs been reported to increase bone mineral density (BMD). Therefore, this study aims to quantify the volumetric (vBMD) and relative (rBMD) BMD measures of the feline knee joint and compare BMD measures between various severities of OA to test the hypothesized OA–BMD relationship in the knee joint in cats. The 46 feline knee joints were imaged using computed tomography (CT) and conventional radiography supported by the computed digital absorptiometry (CDA) method to obtain vBMD and rBMD, respectively. Both BMD measures were assessed in three regions of interest (ROIs): the distal femur (ROI 1), patella (ROI 2), and proximal tibia (ROI 3). In all locations, vBMD and rBMD showed moderate (ROI 2: r = 0.67, p < 0.0001) to strong (ROI 1: ρ = 0.96, p < 0.0001; ROI 3: r = 0.89, p < 0.0001) positive correlations. Due to differences (p < 0.0001) in the width of the distal femur (17.9 ± 1.21 mm), patella (8.2 ± 0.82 mm), and proximal tibia (19.3 ± 1.16 mm), the rBMD was corrected (corr rBMD) using the thickness coefficient of 0.46 ± 0.04 for ROI 2 and 1.08 ± 0.03 for ROI 3. Regardless of the quantification method used, BMD measures increased linearly from a normal knee joint to severe OA, with differences in BMD between normal and mild to severe knee joint OA. The OA–BMD relationship in the feline knee joint can be preliminarily confirmed.