bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving the Yield and Quality of Tomato by Using Organic Fertilizer and Silicon Compared to Reducing Chemical Nitrogen Fertilization
Authors: Zhang Fan , Liu Yan , Liang Yi , Dai Zemin , Zhao Yanli , Shi Yu , Gao Jing , Hou Leiping , Zhang Yi , Ahammed Golam Jalal
Published: May 2024

Essential macronutrient nitrogen (N) is crucial for plant growth and yield, but excessive chemical N fertilizer not only increases unnecessary production costs but also causes environmental pollution. Therefore, reducing N fertilizer use by increasing organic fertilizer use is crucial for sustainable agriculture. In this study, we investigated the effects of three nitrogen levels—the recommended rate (N), a 20.0% reduced rate (0.8N), and a 40.0% reduced rate (0.6N)—and two levels of organic fertilizer—a normal dose (M) and a four-times the normal dose (4M)—combined with root application of the beneficial element silicon (Si) on the photosynthetic characteristics, yield, and fruit quality of the tomato cultivar ‘Tianxi No. 5’. Compared with M + N treatment, the longitudinal diameter, transverse diameter, fruit weight, and fruit yield of tomato fruit in 4M + 0.6N treatment significantly increased by 12.4%, 14.6%, 14.5%, and 12.8%, respectively, while the yield was further improved with Si application. In addition, a reduction in N fertilizer and an increase in organic fertilizer, combined with Si application, improved fruit quality parameters such as concentrations of vitamin C, lycopene, phenols, flavonoids, sucrose, fructose, etc., and promoted sugar metabolism-related enzyme activity (sucrose synthase, invertase, and sucrose phosphate synthase) and the accumulation of N in the fruit. The principal component analysis and three-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the fruit quality and yield indices showed that nitrogen fertilizer, organic fertilizer, silicon fertilizer, and the interaction of the three had significant effects on the quality and yield of tomato fruits, and that the 4M + 0.6N + Si treatment had the best combined effect on the yield and quality of the tomatoes. Thus, a moderate reduction in chemical N fertilizer, combined with increased organic fertilizer and Si, could be an effective agronomic practice for improving the yield and quality of tomatoes.
Impact of Soil Factors on the Yield and Agronomic Traits of Hemerocallis citrina Baroni in the Agro-Pastoral Ecotone of Northern China
Authors: Ma Xingrong , Wang Lingdong , Zhu Hongfen , Peng Jingjing , Bi Rutian
Published: May 2024

The ecologically fragile agro-pastoral ecotone in northern China is characterized by relatively poor arable land quality. Yunzhou District in Datong City, which is situated within this transitional zone, boasts over 600 years of Hemerocallis citrina Baroni cultivation. Exploring the effects of soil physicochemical properties on daylily yield and related agronomic traits is essential for enhancing the ecological and economic value of dominant crops in ecologically fragile areas. Therefore, in this study, we focused on the daylily, a characteristic cash crop that is grown in the agro-pastoral ecotone in Yunzhou District. Physicochemical property measurement and yield estimation were performed using soil samples collected from 37 sites, with Spearman’s correlation analysis, one-way analysis of variance with multiple comparisons, path analysis, and stepwise regression analysis used to analyze the generated data. The results showed the following: (1) The pathway analysis of daylily yield with each agronomic trait showed that the BN and PH directly affected the yield of daylily with direct pathway coefficients of 0.844 and 0.7, respectively, whereas the SN indirectly affected the yield of daylily through the BD and PH, with indirect pathway coefficients of 0.827 and 0.566, respectively. (2) A total of four principal components were extracted for the soil factors, of which SMC, ST and BD had large loadings on PC1; OM, TN and pH had large loadings on PC2; AK had large loadings on PC3; and AP had large loadings on PC4. (3) From the principal component regression and stepwise regression, it can be seen that SMC is the most critical factor affecting the yield of daylily, as well as the related agronomic traits, and the results also show that yield prediction was affected by OM, ST, and AK, while BN was influenced by OM and ST, and SN and PH were influenced by AP. Comparing the goodness of fit and significance of the two models, it can be concluded that the stepwise regression model is the optimal model for this study.
Heavy Metal-Based Fungicides Alter the Chemical Fractions of Cu, Zn, and Mn in Vineyards in Southern Brazil
Authors: Ferreira Guilherme Wilbert , Bordallo Samya Uchoa , Meyer Edenilson , Duarte Zayne Valéria Santos , Schmitt Josué Klein , Garlet Luana Paula , Kokkonen da Silva Allan Augusto , Moura-Bueno Jean Michel , Bastos de Melo George Wellington , Brunetto Gustavo , Tiecher Tales , Lourenzi Cledimar Rogério
Published: May 2024

This study aimed to evaluate Cu, Zn, and Mn fractions in vineyard soils in two important wine-growing regions in Latin America, which have soils with different soil organic matter (SOM) and clay contents. Soils were collected from vineyards aged 35, 37, and 39 years (Serra Gaúcha) and 13, 19, and 36 years (Campanha Gaúcha). In each region, soils were collected from a non-anthropized area, and in the oldest vineyards, the collection was conducted on and between the planting lines. The available and total Cu, Zn, and Mn contents were analyzed in addition to the chemical fractions. The ΔCu, ΔZn, and ΔMn were also calculated by subtracting the contents of each fraction of the vineyards from the reference areas. The use of fungicides promotes increased metal contents in vineyard soils. In soils with high SOM contents, Cu tended to increase in the organic fraction in surface and depth. In contrast, Zn increased in the residual fraction, and Mn increased in most bioavailable fractions. Cu and Zn increased their contents in soils with low SOM and clay contents in the organic and mineral fractions. Mn accumulated in the mineral and residual fractions.
Cultivated Grassland Types Differently Affected Carbon Flux Downstream of the Yellow River
Authors: Wang Yibo , Qu Xudong , Li Meixuan , Sun Juan , Zhang Zhenchao
Published: May 2024

Cultivated grasslands are an important part of grassland ecosystems and have been proven to be major carbon sinks, then playing an important role in the global carbon balance. The effect of cultivated grassland type (Medicago sativa, Triticum aestivum, Secale cereale, and Vicia villosa grasslands) on carbon flux (including net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE), ecosystem respiration (ER), and gross ecosystem productivity (GEP)) downstream of the Yellow River was studied via the static chamber technique and a portable photosynthetic system. Bare land was used as a control. The results showed that the four cultivated grassland types were mainly carbon sinks, and bare land was a carbon source. The cultivated grassland types significantly affected carbon flux. The average NEE and GEP of the grassland types were in the following order from high to low: Medicago sativa, Secale cereale, Triticum aestivum, and Vicia villosa grassland. Stepwise regression analysis showed that among all measured environmental factors, soil pH, soil bulk density (BD), soil organic carbon (SOC), and soil microbial carbon (MBC) were the main factors affecting CO2 flux. The combined influence of soil BD, SOC, and pH accounted for 77.6% of the variations in NEE, while soil BD, SOC, and MBC collectively explained 79.8% of changes in ER and 72.9% of the changes in GEP. This finding indicates that Medicago sativa grassland is a cultivated grassland with a high carbon sink level. The changes in carbon flux were dominated by the effects of soil physicochemical properties.
Reduced Translocation Confers Paraquat Resistance in Plantago lanceolata
Authors: Ndou Vhuthu , Kotze Deon , Marjanovic-Painter Biljana , Phiri Ethel E. , Pieterse Petrus J. , Sonopo Molahlehi S.
Published: May 2024

Ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) is a common weed in the winter rainfall region of South Africa. This weed is widespread across vineyards, orchards, and roadsides in the region. The weed has already evolved resistance to glyphosate and paraquat; however, the mechanism of paraquat resistance has not been documented. This study aimed to investigate the resistance mechanisms in this resistant (R) biotype. Dose–response trials conducted with R biotypes from the Robertson area reconfirmed paraquat resistance. Dose–response trials established that the paraquat rate causing 50% mortality (LD50) for the R biotype is three times greater than for the susceptible (S) biotype. To find out how paraquat affected the photosynthetic performance of P. lanceolata, the quantum yield of photosystem II was measured. The photosystem reaction centres of the R biotype recovered 24 h after paraquat treatment. To evaluate paraquat transport in the plant cell, selective transport inhibitors were applied. Plantago lanceolata (S) biotypes had the highest electrolyte leakage after paraquat treatment. A combined radio/UV-HPLC was used for the separation and identification of paraquat and its metabolites. Paraquat degradation was not observed, indicating that metabolism was not a resistance mechanism within the R biotype. To assess leaf absorption and translocation, [14C]-labelled paraquat was applied to fully expanded leaves. There were no significant differences in paraquat absorption. However, paraquat translocation differed significantly across the R and S biotypes, indicating that non-target site resistance through reduced paraquat translocation was the main mechanism of resistance in the R biotype. As the resistance of weed species to post-emergence herbicides continues to increase, achieving sustainable weed management necessitates the implementation of diversified weed control strategies.
The Role of Medical History and Allergic Tests in the Analysis of Antibiotic Allergy in the Pediatric Population
Authors: Dimitroglou Margarita , Moriki Dafni , Sardeli Olympia , Kartsiouni Elpiniki , Koumpagioti Despoina , Galani Angeliki , Papaevangelou Vassiliki , Douros Konstantinos
Published: May 2024

According to parental reports, about 10% of children are believed to be allergic to at least one antibiotic, leading to the prescription of second line medications. This incurs higher costs, results in less effective treatments, and contributes to global concern of antibiotic resistance. De-labeling programs could mitigate these problems. The primary objectives of this study were to assess the proportion of children that tolerate the suspected antibiotic well through allergy testing and, secondly, to examine which information in their medical history correlates with a positive test result. Children with a history of antibiotic allergy were categorized into high- and low-risk groups for immediate allergic reaction. The latter underwent oral provocation testing (OPT), while the high-risk group underwent the test only after negative skin tests (STs). In total, 76.8% of children tolerated the tested antibiotic well. Among children with positive OPT, two (8.0%) had to receive adrenaline for symptom resolution. Children who had exhibited suspected symptoms within one hour after antibiotic administration, and those with a history of asthma or food allergy, had an increased risk of positive allergic testing (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the adoption of a standardized protocol for an antibiotic allergy de-labeling program is essential for every allergy department.
The Effect of κ-Carrageenan on Porcine Sperm Cryo-Survival
Authors: Almubarak Areeg , Kim Eunji , Yu Il-Jeoung , Park Hanseul , Jeon Yubyeol
Published: May 2024

κ-Carrageenan is a sulfated polysaccharide from red seaweed with substantial antioxidant activities. This study aimed to investigate the effect of κ-Carrageenan treatment on frozen–thawed (FT) porcine semen quality. Therefore, the spermatozoa were diluted and cryopreserved in a freezing extender supplemented with 0 (control), 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 mg/mL κ-Carrageenan. Sperm kinematics were assessed immediately after thawing (AT) and post-incubation for 120 min. The viability, acrosome integrity, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and intracellular caspase activity were measured AT. The results indicated that 0.2 mg/mL κ-Carrageenan increased total and progressive motility AT and post-incubation for 120 min (p < 0.05). Moreover, the viable sperm percentage and MMP after 0.2 mg/mL treatment were higher than those after control and other κ-Carrageenan concentration treatments. The proportion of acrosome-intact spermatozoa was significantly higher after 0.2 and 0.4 mg/mL κ-Carrageenan treatment than that after control and other κ-Carrageenan concentration treatments. The intracellular caspase activity was not significantly different among the experimental groups. However, the MDA concentration after 0.2 mg/mL κ-Carrageenan treatment was lower (p < 0.05) than that after the control treatment. Taken together, adding κ-Carrageenan to the porcine semen freezing extender improved the FT sperm quality mainly by influencing membrane stability and protecting against oxidative stress.
The MraY Inhibitor Muraymycin D2 and Its Derivatives Induce Enlarged Cells in Obligate Intracellular Chlamydia and Wolbachia and Break the Persistence Phenotype in Chlamydia
Authors: Löckener Iris , Behrmann Lara Vanessa , Reuter Jula , Schiefer Andrea , Klöckner Anna , Krannich Sebastian , Otten Christian , Mölleken Katja , Ichikawa Satoshi , Hoerauf Achim , Schneider Tanja , Pfarr Kenneth M. , Henrichfreise Beate
Published: May 2024

Chlamydial infections and diseases caused by filarial nematodes are global health concerns. However, treatment presents challenges due to treatment failures potentially caused by persisting Chlamydia and long regimens against filarial infections accompanied by low compliance. A new treatment strategy could be the targeting of the reduced peptidoglycan structures involved in cell division in the obligate intracellular bacteria Chlamydia and Wolbachia, the latter being obligate endosymbionts supporting filarial development, growth, and survival. Here, cell culture experiments with C. trachomatis and Wolbachia showed that the nucleoside antibiotics muraymycin and carbacaprazamycin interfere with bacterial cell division and induce enlarged, aberrant cells resembling the penicillin-induced persistence phenotype in Chlamydia. Enzymatic inhibition experiments with purified C. pneumoniae MraY revealed that muraymycin derivatives abolish the synthesis of the peptidoglycan precursor lipid I. Comparative in silico analyses of chlamydial and wolbachial MraY with the corresponding well-characterized enzyme in Aquifex aeolicus revealed a high degree of conservation, providing evidence for a similar mode of inhibition. Muraymycin D2 treatment eradicated persisting non-dividing C. trachomatis cells from an established penicillin-induced persistent infection. This finding indicates that nucleoside antibiotics may have additional properties that can break bacterial persistence.
Treatment Strategies of Colistin Resistance Acinetobacter baumannii Infections
Authors: Papazachariou Andria , Tziolos Renatos-Nikolaos , Karakonstantis Stamatis , Ioannou Petros , Samonis George , Kofteridis Diamantis P.
Published: May 2024

Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as a pressing challenge in clinical practice, mainly due to the development of resistance to multiple antibiotics, including colistin, one of the last-resort treatments. This review highlights all the possible mechanisms of colistin resistance and the genetic basis contributing to this resistance, such as modifications to lipopolysaccharide or lipid A structures, alterations in outer membrane permeability via porins and heteroresistance. In light of this escalating threat, the review also evaluates available treatment options. The development of new antibiotics (cefiderocol, sulbactam/durlobactam) although not available everywhere, and the use of various combinations and synergistic drug combinations (including two or more of the following: a polymyxin, ampicillin/sulbactam, carbapenems, fosfomycin, tigecycline/minocycline, a rifamycin, and aminoglycosides) are discussed in the context of overcoming colistin resistance of A. baumannii infections. Although most studied combinations are polymyxin-based combinations, non-polymyxin-based combinations have been emerging as promising options. However, clinical data remain limited and continued investigation is essential to determine optimal therapeutic strategies against colistin-resistant A. baumannii.
A Multi-Stance Detection Method by Fusing Sentiment Features
Authors: Huang Weidong , Yang Jinyuan
Published: May 2024

Stance information has a significant influence on market strategy, government policy, and public opinion. Users differ not only in their polarity but also in the degree to which they take a stand. The traditional classification of stances is quite simple and cannot fully depict the diversity of stances. At the same time, traditional approaches ignore user sentiment features when expressing their stances. As a result, this paper develops a multi-stance detection model by fusing sentiment features. First, a five-category stance indicator system is built based on the LDA model, then sentiment features are extracted from the reviews using the sentiment lexicon, and finally, stance detection is implemented using a hybrid neural network model. The experiment shows that the proposed method can classify stances into five categories and perform stance detection more accurately.
Few-Shot Federated Learning: A Federated Learning Model for Small-Sample Scenarios
Authors: Tian Junfeng , Chen Xinyao , Wang Shuo
Published: May 2024

Traditional federated learning relies heavily on mature datasets, which typically consist of large volumes of uniformly distributed data. While acquiring extensive datasets is relatively straightforward in academic research, it becomes prohibitively expensive in practical applications, especially in emerging or specialized medical fields characterized by data scarcity. This poses a significant challenge. To address this issue, our study introduces a federated learning model that integrates few-shot learning techniques and is complemented by personalized knowledge distillation to further enhance the model’s classification accuracy. This innovative approach significantly reduces the dependence on large-scale datasets, enabling efficient model training under limited data conditions. Our experimental evaluations conducted on small-scale datasets, including Omniglot, FC100, and mini-ImageNet, indicate that our model surpasses existing state-of-the-art federated learning models in terms of accuracy, achieving a substantial improvement. Specifically, on the FC100 dataset, the classification accuracy of the conventional federated learning algorithm FedAvg was merely 19.6%, whereas the method proposed in this study achieved a classification accuracy of 41%, representing an improvement of more than double. This advancement not only highlights our model’s superiority in alleviating the challenges of limited data availability, but also expands the applicability of federated learning to a broader range of applications.
Dielectric Properties and Magnetoelectric Effect of Bi7Fe3Ti3O21 Ceramic Material Doped with Gadolinium Ions
Authors: Szalbot Diana , Bartkowska Joanna A. , Makowska Jolanta , Chrunik Maciej , Osińska Katarzyna , Adamczyk-Habrajska Małgorzata
Published: May 2024

Pure Bi7Fe3Ti3O21 ceramic material and gadolinium ion (Gd3+)-doped ones were prepared by solid-state reaction method using simple oxides. The findings of the XRD measurements confirmed the initial author’s assumption that the dopant ions substituted in perovskite blocks influenced the dimensions of the unit cell parameters. All obtained materials are single-phase and show an orthorhombic structure with the Fm2m space group. Microstructure studies show that the admixture gadolinium doping changes the microstructure of the base material, changing grain shapes from plate-like to rounded. The temperature dependences of the electric permittivity have shown the existence of a maximum, the temperature location of which depends on both the frequency and the concentration of Gd3+ ions. The highest values of electric permittivity were characteristic of the material with an admixture of Gd3+ ions in the amount of x = 0.6 (f = 1 kHz), and the lowest values were for material with x = 0.2 (f = 1 kHz). Studies of the magnetoelectric effect have shown that the strongest coupling between magnetic and electrical properties was demonstrated by a material doped with Gd3+ ions in the amount of x = 0.2, for which the magnetoelectric coupling coefficient is equal to α = 12.58·10−9 s/m.
Experimental Study on the Relationship between Time-Varying Uplift Displacement and Grout Diffusion in Sand
Authors: Hu Huan-Xiao , Cao Wei , Deng Chao , Lu Yu-Fan
Published: May 2024

Traditional model tests for soil and rock materials face challenges in observing the slurry diffusion within the soil mass, hindering the understanding of the relationship between grouting-induced ground deformation and grout diffusion. This study conducts grouting diffusion model tests using a self-developed experimental setup on both ordinary and transparent sand. We investigate cement slurry diffusion patterns, distribution characteristics, and temporal variations in ground uplift displacement during the grouting process. By leveraging a visualization grouting model and non-intrusive displacement measurements, we directly observe and verify the changes in cement slurry diffusion and ground displacement in transparent sand. The results indicate the following: during non-steady grouting in sand, slurry diffusion progresses from low-pressure infiltration to medium-pressure compaction, culminating in high-pressure fracturing; ground uplift displacement curves exhibit a consistent “step-like” increase with grouting time, featuring accelerated growth after each step; and visualization tests reveal a strong correlation between grouting pressure, slurry diffusion, and corresponding uplift displacement. Distinct features in the grouting pressure plot align with the acceleration phases of the displacement; at a water–cement ratio (w/c) of 0.8, the stratum’s vertical deformation shows a symmetric “higher in the middle, lower on the sides” distribution. As the burial depth decreases, the stratum’s uplift displacement tends to flatten horizontally, especially at w/c = 0.8 and 1.2.
Transverse Spin Hall Effect and Twisted Polarization Ribbons at the Sharp Focus
Authors: Kotlyar Victor V. , Kovalev Alexey A. , Telegin Alexey M. , Kozlova Elena S. , Stafeev Sergey S. , Kireev Alexander , Guo Kai , Guo Zhongyi
Published: May 2024

In this work, using a Richards-Wolf formalism, we derive explicit analytical relationships to describe vectors of the major and minor axes of polarization ellipses centered in the focal plane when focusing a cylindrical vector beam of integer order n. In these beams, the major axis of a polarization ellipse is found to lie in the focal plane, with the minor axis being perpendicular to the focal plane. This means that the polarization ellipse is perpendicular to the focal plane, with its polarization vector rotating either clockwise or anticlockwise and forming “photonic wheels”. Considering that the wave vector is also perpendicular to the focal plane, we conclude that the polarization ellipse and the wave vector are in the same plane, so that at some point these can coincide, which is uncharacteristic of transverse electromagnetic oscillations. In a cylindrical vector beam, the spin angular momentum vector lies in the focal plane, so when making a circle centered on the optical axis, at some sections, the handedness of the spin vector and circular motion are the same, being opposite elsewhere. This effect may be called an azimuthal transverse spin Hall effect, unlike the familiar longitudinal spin Hall effect found at the sharp focus. The longitudinal spin Hall effect occurs when opposite-sign longitudinal projections of the spin angular momentum vector are spatially separated in the focal plane. In this work, we show that for the latter, there are always an even number of spatially separated regions and that, when making an axis-centered circle, the major-axis vector of polarization ellipse forms a two-sided twisted surface with an even number of twists.
Solvothermal Treatment of Micron-Sized Commercial SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ Phosphors and One-Step Preparation of Nanophosphors for Fingerprint Imaging
Authors: Liu Rungang , Liu Xueting , Lin Weikai , Liu Yingliang
Published: May 2024

Preparing submicron and nanoscale phosphors with good optical properties for practical applications is a challenging task for current inorganic long afterglow luminescent materials. This study utilized commercialized SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+ phosphors (SAOED) as raw materials and employed solvents with lower polarity or non-polar solvents for dynamic solvothermal treatment. The commercialized phosphor’s overall average particle size was reduced from 42.3 μm to 23.6 μm while maintaining the fluorescence intensity at 91.39% of the original sample. Additionally, the study demonstrated the applicability of the dynamic solvothermal method to most other commercialized inorganic phosphors. The experiment produced a high-brightness nano-sized phosphor with a yield of 5.64%. The average diameter of the phosphor was 85 nm, with an average thickness of 16 nm. The quantum efficiency of the phosphor was 74.46% of the original sample. The fingerprint imaging results suggest that the nano-sized phosphors have potential for practical applications.
Thymic Hyperplasia and COVID-19 Pulmonary Sequelae: A Bicentric CT-Based Follow-Up Study
Authors: Cellina Michaela , Cè Maurizio , Cozzi Andrea , Schiaffino Simone , Fazzini Deborah , Grossi Enzo , Oliva Giancarlo , Papa Sergio , Alì Marco
Published: May 2024

This study aimed to investigate the role of the thymus in influencing long-term outcomes of COVID-19 by comparing the thymic appearance in patients with and without COVID-19 pulmonary sequelae at chest computed tomography (CT). A total of 102 adult patients previously hospitalized for COVID-19 underwent a follow-up chest CT three months after discharge. Pulmonary sequelae and thymic appearance were independently assessed by two experienced radiologists. The thymus was detectable in 55/102 patients (54%), with only 7/55 (13%) having any kind of pulmonary sequelae, compared to 33 out of 47 (70%, p < 0.001) in patients without thymic visibility, as confirmed in age-stratified analysis and at logistic regression analysis, where thymic involution had a 9.3 odds ratio (95% CI 3.0–28.2, p < 0.001) for the development of pulmonary sequelae. These results support the hypothesis that thymic reactivation plays a protective role against adverse long-term outcomes of COVID-19.
Graphic Reconstruction of a Roman Mosaic with Scenes of the Abduction of Europa
Authors: Oštir Gregor , Javoršek Dejana , Stergar Primož , Kočevar Tanja Nuša , Nestorović Aleksandra , Gabrijelčič Tomc Helena
Published: May 2024

This paper presents the reconstruction framework of the Roman mosaic with the central scene from the abduction of Europa. The mosaic depicting Europa, discovered in Ptuj (Slovenia) and dated from the second half of the third to the beginning of the fourth century AD, once decorated the representative room of a Roman villa. The experimental section addresses the materials and methods used in the 2D reconstruction of the mosaic, including the creation of line drawings of the mosaic based on the preserved part of the mosaic, photogrammetric acquisition, and the creation and processing of 1:1 raster reconstructions of the entire mosaic. This is followed by color management and interpretation approaches which allow the mosaic elements to be implemented in a 3D animation. The presented approaches could be implemented in the reconstruction process of other mosaics and archaeological objects with adaptations to the specifics of related objects.
The Aerodynamics of New Design Soccer Balls Using a Three-Dimensional Printer
Authors: Hong Sungchan , Goff John Eric , Asai Takeshi
Published: May 2024

Eight balls were manufactured with a 3D printer to resemble various types of 32-panel soccer balls. One ball was completely smooth, whereas the other seven possessed various dimple patterns on their surface panels. Seam width and seam depth were also varied. Wind-tunnel experiments were performed to extract aerodynamic coefficients, and also to determine the critical Reynolds number for each manufactured ball. A new surface roughness parameter is introduced, and a fitting formula is presented, which allows for the prediction of the critical Reynolds number if the new parameter is known.
Modal Derivatives for Efficient Vibration Prediction of Geometrically Nonlinear Structures with Friction Contact
Authors: Mashayekhi Fahimeh , Zucca Stefano
Published: May 2024

This paper evaluates the performance of the Rubin reduction methods, enhanced with static modal derivatives, for vibration analysis of geometrically nonlinear structures with friction contact. Static modal derivatives are computed numerically based on Rubin reduction, which includes free interface normal modes and residual flexibility attachment modes, by introducing a finite displacement around these modes. Then, the most relevant static modal derivatives are selected using an improved strategy that incorporates weighting factors derived from both a nonlinear static analysis and a geometrically linear transient run. This enhanced Rubin method is also compared with the previously used enhanced Craig–Bampton method, which is based on fixed normal modes, constraint modes, and their static derivatives. The effectiveness of these methods is demonstrated through vibration analysis of a geometrically nonlinear beam in different contact configurations. Both methods proved their robustness, achieving accurate results with a relatively small number of modes in the reduced space, thus ensuring low online computation times. Furthermore, the analyses show the significant impact of using a geometrically nonlinear model on the accurate prediction of a contact state.
Winter Wheat Mapping in Shandong Province of China with Multi-Temporal Sentinel-2 Images
Authors: Feng Yongyu , Chen Bingyao , Liu Wei , Xue Xiurong , Liu Tongqing , Zhu Linye , Xing Huaqiao
Published: May 2024

Wheat plays an important role in China’s and the world’s food supply, and it is closely related to economy, culture and life. The spatial distribution of wheat is of great significance to the rational planning of wheat cultivation areas and the improvement of wheat yield and quality. The current rapid development of remote sensing technology has greatly improved the efficiency of traditional agricultural surveys. The extraction of crop planting structure based on remote sensing images and technology is a popular topic in many researches. In response to the shortcomings of traditional methods, this research proposed a method based on the fusion of the pixel-based and object-oriented methods to map the spatial distribution of winter wheat. This method was experimented and achieved good results within Shandong Province. The resulting spatial distribution map of winter wheat has an overall accuracy of 92.2% with a kappa coefficient of 0.84. The comparison with the actual situation shows that the accuracy of the actual recognition of winter wheat is higher and better than the traditional pixel-based classification method. On this basis, the spatial pattern of winter wheat in Shandong was analyzed, and it was found that the topographic undulations had a great influence on the spatial distribution of wheat. This study vividly demonstrates the advantages and possibilities of combining pixel-based and object-oriented approaches through experiments, and also provides a reference for the next related research. Moreover, the winter wheat map of Shandong produced in this research is important for yield assessment, crop planting structure adjustment and the rational use of land resources.
Comprehensive Performance Evaluation between Visual SLAM and LiDAR SLAM for Mobile Robots: Theories and Experiments
Authors: Zhao Yu-Lin , Hong Yi-Tian , Huang Han-Pang
Published: May 2024

SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), primarily relying on camera or LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors, plays a crucial role in robotics for localization and environmental reconstruction. This paper assesses the performance of two leading methods, namely ORB-SLAM3 and SC-LeGO-LOAM, focusing on localization and mapping in both indoor and outdoor environments. The evaluation employs artificial and cost-effective datasets incorporating data from a 3D LiDAR and an RGB-D (color and depth) camera. A practical approach is introduced for calculating ground-truth trajectories and during benchmarking, reconstruction maps based on ground truth are established. To assess the performance, ATE and RPE are utilized to evaluate the accuracy of localization; standard deviation is employed to compare the stability during the localization process for different methods. While both algorithms exhibit satisfactory positioning accuracy, their performance is suboptimal in scenarios with inadequate textures. Furthermore, 3D reconstruction maps established by the two approaches are also provided for direct observation of their differences and the limitations encountered during map construction. Moreover, the research includes a comprehensive comparison of computational performance metrics, encompassing Central Processing Unit (CPU) utilization, memory usage, and an in-depth analysis. This evaluation revealed that Visual SLAM requires more CPU resources than LiDAR SLAM, primarily due to additional data storage requirements, emphasizing the impact of environmental factors on resource requirements. In conclusion, LiDAR SLAM is more suitable for the outdoors due to its comprehensive nature, while Visual SLAM excels indoors, compensating for sparse aspects in LiDAR SLAM. To facilitate further research, a technical guide was also provided for the researchers in related fields.
The Efficiency of YOLOv5 Models in the Detection of Similar Construction Details
Authors: Kvietkauskas Tautvydas , Pavlov Ernest , Stefanovič Pavel , Pliuskuvienė Birutė
Published: May 2024

Computer vision solutions have become widely used in various industries and as part of daily solutions. One task of computer vision is object detection. With the development of object detection algorithms and the growing number of various kinds of image data, different problems arise in relation to the building of models suitable for various solutions. This paper investigates the influence of parameters used in the training process involved in detecting similar kinds of objects, i.e., the hyperparameters of the algorithm and the training parameters. This experimental investigation focuses on the widely used YOLOv5 algorithm and analyses the performance of different models of YOLOv5 (n, s, m, l, x). In the research, the newly collected construction details (22 categories) dataset is used. Experiments are performed using pre-trained models of the YOLOv5. A total of 185 YOLOv5 models are trained and evaluated. All models are tested on 3300 images photographed on three different backgrounds: mixed, neutral, and white. Additionally, the best-obtained models are evaluated using 150 new images, each of which has several dozen construction details and is photographed against different backgrounds. The deep analysis of different YOLOv5 models and the hyperparameters shows the influence of various parameters when analysing the object detection of similar objects. The best model was obtained when the YOLOv5l was used and the parameters are as follows: coloured images, image size—320; batch size—32; epoch number—300; layers freeze option—10; data augmentation—on; learning rate—0.001; momentum—0.95; and weight decay—0.0007. These results may be useful for various tasks in which small and similar objects are analysed.
Exploiting Image Processing and Artificial Intelligence Techniques for the Determination of Antimicrobial Susceptibility
Authors: Gullu Emrah , Bora Sebnem , Beynek Burak
Published: May 2024

Antimicrobial susceptibility tests, achieved through the use of antibiotic-impregnated disks in a suitable laboratory environment, are conducted to determine which antibiotics are effective against the bacteria present in the body of an infected patient. The Kirby–Bauer method, a type of disk diffusion antimicrobial susceptibility test, is currently widely applied in microbiology laboratories due to its proven effectiveness. In our study, we developed an algorithm that utilizes image processing techniques to detect the inhibition zones of bacteria. A certain color depth acts as the threshold for the inhibition zone, with its radius determined according to the size of the reference object. This approach facilitates the measurement of inhibition zones and employs machine learning and deep learning to categorize antibiograms, followed by determination of whether a bacterium on the disk is sensitive or resistant to the antibiotics applied. The focus of this research is creating an automated interpretation system for antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the disk diffusion technique, thus simplifying the measurement and interpretation of inhibition zone sizes.
Methodology for Evaluating the Generalization of ResNet
Authors: Du Anan , Zhou Qing , Dai Yuqi
Published: May 2024

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have achieved promising results in many tasks, and evaluating the model’s generalization ability based on the trained model and training data is paramount for practical applications. Although many measures for evaluating the generalization of CNN models have been proposed, the existing works are limited to small-scale or simplified model sets, which would result in poor accuracy and applicability of the derived methods. This study addresses these limitations by leveraging ResNet models as a case study to evaluate the model’s generalization ability. We utilized Intersection over Union (IoU) as a method to quantify the ratio of task-relevant features to assess model generalization. Class activation maps (CAMs) were used as a representation of the distribution of features learned by the model. To systematically investigate the generalization ability, we constructed a diverse model set based on the ResNet architecture. A total of 2000 CNN models were trained on the ImageNet subset by systematically changing commonly used hyperparameters. The results of our experiments revealed a strong correlation between the IoU-based evaluation method and the model’s generalization performance (Pearson correlation coefficient more than 0.8). We also performed extensive experiments to demonstrate the feasibility and robustness of the evaluation methods.
Combined Cubature Kalman and Smooth Variable Structure Filtering Based on Multi-Kernel Maximum Correntropy Criterion for the Fully Submerged Hydrofoil Craft
Authors: Niu Hongmin , Liu Sheng
Published: May 2024

This paper introduces a novel filter algorithm termed as an MKMC-CSVSF which combined square-root cubature Kalman (SR-CKF) and smooth variable structure filtering (SVSF) under multi-kernel maximum correntropy criterion (MKMC) for accurately estimating the state of the fully submerged hydrofoil craft (FSHC) under the influence of uncertainties and multivariate heavy-tailed non-Gaussian noises. By leveraging the precision of the SR-CKF and the robustness of the SVSF against system uncertainties, the MKMC-CSVSF integrates these two methods by introducing a time-varying smooth boundary layer along with multiple fading factors. Furthermore, the MKMC is introduced for the adjustment of kernel bandwidths across different channels to align with the specific noise characteristics of each channel. A fuzzy rule is devised to identify the appropriate kernel bandwidths to ensure filter accuracy without undue complexity. The precision and robustness of state estimation in the face of heavy-tailed non-Gaussian noises are improved by modifying the SR-CKF and the SVSF using a fixed-point approach based on the MKMC. The experimental results validate the efficacy of this algorithm.
Quantitative Analysis of Formate Production from Plasma-Assisted Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 on Pd-Based Catalysts
Authors: Hu Jie , Liu Fuqiang
Published: May 2024

The escalating levels of atmospheric CO2, primarily attributed to human activities, underscore the urgent need for innovative solutions to mitigate environmental challenges. This study delves into the electrochemical reduction of CO2 as a promising avenue for sustainable carbon capture and utilization. Focused on the formation of formate (HCOO−/HCOOH), a high-value product, the research explores the integration of nonthermal plasma (NTP) with electrochemical processes—an approach rarely studied in existing literature. A comprehensive investigation involves varying parameters such as plasma discharging voltage, carrier gas, discharging mode, electrolysis voltage, polarity, and plasma type. The electrochemical tests employ a 10 wt.% Pd/C catalyst, and formate production is quantitatively analyzed using NMR. Results reveal that NTP significantly enhances CO2 reduction, with key factors influencing formate yield elucidated. The study reveals the complexity of CO2 electrochemical reduction, providing novel insights into the synergistic effects of NTP. These findings contribute to advancing sustainable technologies for CO2 utilization, paving the way for more efficient and environmentally friendly processes in the pursuit of a carbon-neutral future.
Overt Word Reading and Visual Object Naming in Adults with Dyslexia: Electroencephalography Study in Transparent Orthography
Authors: Perkušić Čović Maja , Vujović Igor , Šoda Joško , Palmović Marijan , Rogić Vidaković Maja
Published: May 2024

The study aimed to investigate overt reading and naming processes in adult people with dyslexia (PDs) in shallow (transparent) language orthography. The results of adult PDs are compared with adult healthy controls HCs. Comparisons are made in three phases: pre-lexical (150–260 ms), lexical (280–700 ms), and post-lexical stage of processing (750–1000 ms) time window. Twelve PDs and HCs performed overt reading and naming tasks under EEG recording. The word reading and naming task consisted of sparse neighborhoods with closed phonemic onset (words/objects sharing the same onset). For the analysis of the mean ERP amplitude for pre-lexical, lexical, and post-lexical time window, a mixed design ANOVA was performed with the right (F4, FC2, FC6, C4, T8, CP2, CP6, P4) and left (F3, FC5, FC1, T7, C3, CP5, CP1, P7, P3) electrode sites, within-subject factors and group (PD vs. HC) as between-subject factor. Behavioral response latency results revealed significantly prolonged reading latency between HCs and PDs, while no difference was detected in naming response latency. ERP differences were found between PDs and HCs in the right hemisphere’s pre-lexical time window (160–200 ms) for word reading aloud. For visual object naming aloud, ERP differences were found between PDs and HCs in the right hemisphere’s post-lexical time window (900–1000 ms). The present study demonstrated different distributions of the electric field at the scalp in specific time windows between two groups in the right hemisphere in both word reading and visual object naming aloud, suggesting alternative processing strategies in adult PDs. These results indirectly support the view that adult PDs in shallow language orthography probably rely on the grapho-phonological route during overt word reading and have difficulties with phoneme and word retrieval during overt visual object naming in adulthood.
Early Animal Origin of BACE1 APP/Aβ Proteolytic Function
Authors: Langeland James A. , Baumann Lillian , DeYoung Eva M. , Varella Raphaela Angelina , Mwenda Nkatha , Aguirre Alejandro , Moore D. Blaine
Published: May 2024

Alzheimer’s disease is characterized, in part, by the accumulation of β-amyloid (Aβ) in the brain. Aβ is produced via the proteolysis of APP by BACE1 and γ-secretase. Since BACE1 is the rate-limiting enzyme in the production of Aβ, and a target for therapeutics, it is of interest to know when its proteolytic function evolved and for what purpose. Here, we take a functional evolutionary approach to show that BACE1 likely evolved from a gene duplication event near the base of the animal clade and that BACE1 APP/Aβ proteolytic function evolved during early animal diversification, hundreds of millions of years before the evolution of the APP/Aβ substrate. Our examination of BACE1 APP/Aβ proteolytic function includes cnidarians, ctenophores, and choanoflagellates. The most basal BACE1 ortholog is found in cnidarians, while ctenophores, placozoa, and choanoflagellates have genes equally orthologous to BACE1 and BACE2. BACE1 from a cnidarian (Hydra) can cleave APP to release Aβ, pushing back the date of the origin of its function to near the origin of animals. We tested more divergent BACE1/2 genes from a ctenophore (Mnemiopsis) and a choanoflagellate (Monosiga), and neither has this activity. These findings indicate that the specific proteolytic function of BACE1 evolved during the very earliest diversification of animals, most likely after a gene-duplication event.
Mesenteric Lymphatic B Cells Migrate to the Intestine and Aggravate DSS-Induced Colitis via the CXCR5–CXCL13 Axis
Authors: Zhang Yu , Wu Zhe , Zhao Qinghe , Liu Yaming , Huang Qing , Zhang Menglei , Li Shuolei , Wang Di , Li Na , Chi Yujing , Liu Yulan
Published: May 2024

The pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is still unknown. Mesenteric lymphatics (MLs), which are closely related to the intestine in both anatomy and physiology, have been suggested to be involved in IBD. In the present study, we aim to investigate the effects of ML immune cells on IBD and explore the potential associated mechanisms. Acute colitis was induced in rats using dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS). Mesenteric lymphangiogenesis, ML stenosis, and dilation were observed, with an increased proportion of MLB cells in DSS-induced colitis rats. The adoptive transfer of B cells isolated from ML (MLB) was employed to investigate their effects on colitis. MLB cells derived from DSS-induced colitis rats exhibited a higher propensity to migrate to the intestine. The proportion of colonic T cells was altered, along with the aggravated colitis induced by the adoptive transfer of MLB cells derived from DSS-induced colitis rats. RNA sequencing revealed increased Cxcr5 expression in MLB cells from colitis rats, while real-time PCR indicated an upregulation of its ligand Cxcl13 in the colon of colitis rats. These findings suggest that MLB cells may migrate to the intestine and aggravate colitis. In summary, colonic T cells respond to MLB cells from colitis rats, and MLB cells aggravate DSS-induced colitis via the CXCR5–CXCL13 axis.