bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Highly Sensitive Inertial Micro-Switch for Achieving Adjustable Multi-Threshold Acceleration
Authors: Deng Jufeng , Song Dian , Su Shijie
Published: January 2023

An inertial micro-switch with multi-threshold acceleration detection capability has been proposed, taking advantage of electromechanical coupling behavior. A mathematical model of electromechanical coupling behavior was established to display the dependence of highly sensitivity on pull-in characteristic and show the ability to detect threshold acceleration by controlling the voltage applied to the inertial micro-switch. The capability of sensitivity and detection that was described in mathematical model was implemented to occur at the inertial switch and showed agreement with that of a simulation. Inertia switches that were comprised of various microstructures with dimensions ranging 3.5 µm from 180 µm were manufactured by means of the micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) manufacturing process, and their functions were evaluated by a dropping system. The control method related to the manufacturing of inertial switches was obtained by analyzing the effect of the structural parameters of the inertial switch on threshold voltage and threshold acceleration, resulting in a relatively small error between simulation and experiment. The inertial micro-switch showed high sensitivity to achieving the pull-in effect at 30 V, sense multi-threshold acceleration ranging from 500 g to 2000 g in 2.46 ms and provided enough time for outputting the acceleration signal. Furthermore, the multi-threshold acceleration can be adjusted by controlling the voltage applied to inertial micro-switches. In addition, other functions of inertial micro-switches, such as lower residual stress, high recoverability, and repeatability, have been displayed.
Numerical Simulation of Microscale Oblique Droplet Impact on Liquid Film
Authors: Cao Yan , Wang Jingxin , Zhu Chunling
Published: January 2023

The oblique impact of microscale water droplets on liquid film is numerically investigated. Two-phase flow problems are simulated using three-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations, and the level-set method is employed for capturing the gas-liquid interface. The numerical model is verified using experimental results from a normal and oblique impact via the qualitative comparison of crown profile features and quantitative contrast of the crown height and radius varying with time. The article discusses the influence of tangential impact velocity, water film thickness, Reynolds number, and Weber number on the shape characteristics, tangential momentum, and kinetic energy of the annular crown. The results show that the decreasing momentum in the tangential direction can be divided into three clear stages: rapid decrease, slight increase, and continuous decrease. In addition, film thickness and Weber number have significant effects on the momentum decay rate.
Design and Experiment of Real-Time Grain Yield Monitoring System for Corn Kernel Harvester
Authors: Cheng Shangkun , Han Huayu , Qi Jian , Ma Qianglong , Liu Jinghui , An Dong , Yang Yang
Published: January 2023

Real-time crop harvest data acquisition from harvesters during harvesting operations is an important way to understand the distribution of crop harvest in the field. Most real-time monitoring systems for grain yield using sensors are vulnerable to factors such as low accuracy and low real-time performance. To address this phenomenon, a real-time grain yield monitoring system was designed in this study. The real-time monitoring of yield was accomplished by adding three pairs of photoelectric sensors to the elevator of the corn kernel harvester. The system mainly consists of a signal acquisition and processing module, a positioning module and a visualization terminal; the signal acquisition frequency was set to 1 kHz and the response time was 2 ms. When the system operated, the signal acquisition and processing module detected the sensor signal duration of grain blocking the scrapers of the grain elevator in real-time and used the low-potential signal-based corn grain yield calculation model constructed in this study to complete the real-time yield measurement. The results of the bench tests, conducted under several different operating conditions with the simulated elevator test bench built, showed that the error of the system measurement was less than 5%. Field tests were conducted on a Zoomlion 4YZL-5BZH combined corn kernel harvester and the results showed that the average error of measured yield was 3.72%. Compared to the yield measurement method using the weighing method, the average error of the bench test yield measurement was 7.6% and the average error of yield measurement in field trials with a mass flow sensor yield measurement system was 16.38%. It was verified that the system designed in this study has high yield measurement accuracy and real-time yield measurement, and can provide reference for precision agriculture and high yield management.
Characterization and Fungicide Screening of a New Pathogen That Causes Leaf Spot on Rehmannia glutinosa
Authors: Dou Tao , Cai Yubiao , Song Xuhong , Gao Futao , Zhao Yajun , Du Jiafang , Wang Fengqing , Li Xuanzhen , An Shiheng , Yin Xinming , Liu Xiangyang , Zhang Zhongyi
Published: January 2023

Outbreaks of leaf spot disease occurred in Rehmannia glutinosa fields in Henan Province, China, in 2019, with the incidence ranging from 20% to 40%. R. glutinosa plants with diseased leaves were collected, and 25 isolates were obtained. Pathogenicity tests, morphological observations, and phylogenetic analyses were conducted to identify the pathogens, and the biological characteristics and control agents of the pathogens were studied. Five isolates of pathogenic fungi were isolated. Three isolates were identified as Fusarium equiseti, which is a new pathogen causing R. glutinosa leaf disease; the other two isolates were identified as Fusarium acuminatum. The mycelia of F. equiseti grew fastest on Czapek medium, and the optimal temperature and pH were 25 °C and 10.0, respectively. The mycelia of F. equiseti grew from 5 °C t o 35 °C, and the lethal temperature was 55 °C. The optimal carbon and nitrogen sources were soluble starch and peptone, respectively. Eight fungicides had inhibitory effects on the mycelial growth of F. equiseti and F. acuminatum. Prochloraz had higher activities against F. equiseti and F. acuminatum, with EC50 values of 0.139 mg·L−1 and 0.123 mg·L−1, respectively. These results provide useful information that will aid the development of management strategies to control leaf diseases of R. glutinosa caused by F. equiseti and F. acuminatum.
The Response of Grain Yield and Quality of Water-Saving and Drought-Resistant Rice to Irrigation Regimes
Authors: Hou Danping , Wei Yuan , Liu Kun , Tan Jinsong , Bi Qingyu , Liu Guolan , Yu Xinqiao , Bi Junguo , Luo Lijun
Published: January 2023

Of all the crops, rice is the one that consumes the most water. Rice yields and quality are significantly influenced by irrigation. However, it is still unknown how different irrigation practices would affect the grain yield and quality of water-saving and drought-resistant rice. Hyou 518 (high-yielding rice variety) and Hanyou 73 (water-saving and drought-resistant rice variety) were employed as materials. Three irrigation regimes were set up in the field: conventional flooding irrigation (CF), alternate wetting and moderate soil drying irrigation (AWD), and dry cultivation (D). It was investigated how various irrigation regimes affected the two varieties’ yield and quality. The results revealed the following: 1. D considerably increased water-use efficiency while drastically reducing the yield, compared to CF and AWD. In comparison to other irrigation regimes, the grain yield and water use efficiency of Hanyou 73 enhanced synergistically under AWD treatment. 2. In contrast to CF treatment, AWD and D (especially) treatments decreased perfect rice kernel, total starch content, amylose content, amylopectin content, amylose/amylopectin, gel consistency, and breakdown, but increased green rice kernel, chalky kernel, protein content, and setback. 3. After heading, AWD and D lowered, and D treatment decreased more, the activities of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGP), soluble starch synthase (SSS), and starch branching enzyme (SBE). AGP, SSS, and SBE were strongly inversely linked with perfect rice kernel, amylopectin content, gel consistency, and breakdown, but significantly negatively correlated with green rice kernel, chalky kernel, protein content, and setback. The results indicate that with AWD treatment, Hanyou 73 might provide a synergistic boost grain production, water-use efficiency, and quality. D treatment could significantly improve water-use efficiency. Compared with Hyou518, Hanyou 73 could maintain higher AGP, SSS, and SBE activities, head milled rice, perfect rice kernel, amylopectin content, and gel consistency under AWD and D treatment.
Accumulation of Alkaloids in Different Tall Fescue KY31 Clones Harboring the Common Toxic Epichloë coenophiala Endophyte under Field Conditions
Authors: Dinkins Randy D. , Coe Brenda L. , Phillips Timothy D. , Ji Huihua
Published: January 2023

Tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) is a highly adaptable forage, pasture and turf grass that is grown on over 14 M ha in the eastern half of the United States and in other temperate regions of the world. A significant factor in adaptability, productivity and stand persistence is in part due to the presence of an intercellular, seed-transmissible, endophytic fungus, Epichloë coenophiala. Epichloë endophytes have been shown to produce a number of alkaloid compounds only in planta, some that are beneficial in repelling insects, while others are toxic to animals. The goal of this work was to monitor the level of the ergot and loline (classified as pyrrolizidine) alkaloid accumulation in individual plants to determine the plant genotype contribution to alkaloid concentrations. The experimental design consisted of sixteen tall fescue KY31 clones in a space-planted, replicated trial over three years. Our results demonstrated that while changes in the alkaloid concentrations for each plant/endophyte genotype were observed over the three years, the overall alkaloid levels remained relatively constant when compared to other plant/endophyte genotypes combinations in the field. Additionally, overall levels of the ergot and loline alkaloid accumulation did not vary in the same way over the three years. Since the E. coenophiala endophyte genotype was the same across all clones, our results indicate that it is the plant genotype that is responsible for determining alkaloid levels in each plant, and suggest that the signal(s) from the plant to the endophyte may not be the same for ergot and loline alkaloid production.
Effects of Drip Irrigation and Top Dressing Nitrogen Fertigation on Maize Grain Yield in Central Poland
Authors: Żarski Jacek , Kuśmierek-Tomaszewska Renata
Published: January 2023

Maize is a plant of a global cultivation range and great economic importance, which is mainly due to its high yield potential and versatile use as food, fodder, and energy source. To evaluate the effects of drip irrigation and nitrogen fertigation on maize growth in light soil in the climate conditions of Central Poland, a field experiment was carried out in 2015–2017, as a dependent split-plot design with four replications. Two factors were used: I. drip irrigation (W0—no irrigation, W1—optimal irrigation, ensuring 100% coverage of the water needs of maize during the period of increased water needs), II—method of top dressing application of two doses of nitrogen 2 × 40 kg·ha−1 (T—traditional application as broadcasted urea, F—fertigation with the use of a 6% aqueous solution of urea). The results presented in the paper concerning the absolute, relative and unitary average increases in corn grain yields under the influence of drip irrigation indicated the potential for increasing significantly the productivity of corn under the condition of optimizing the water factor. The average yield increase was 2.35 t·ha−1, varying depending on rainfall pattern: in the dry season it was 4.79, and in the wet season 1.03–1.22 t·ha−1. The application of top-dressing nitrogen fertigation resulted in a significant increase in the yield of maize grain in relation to the traditional method of nitrogen fertilization. Drip irrigation and fertigation are treatments that, ensuring the stability of maize yield over the years, contribute to an increase in plant yield by approximately 25% on average, and over 80% in the dry seasons.
Priming European Sea Bass Female Broodstock Improves the Antimicrobial Immunity of Their Offspring
Authors: Valero Yulema , Mercado Luis , Arizcun Marta , Cuesta Alberto , Chaves-Pozo Elena
Published: January 2023

Acquiring immunocompetence is essential in the development of fish embryos, as they are exposed to environmental pathogens even before they are fertilized. Despite the importance of the antimicrobial function as the first line of defense against foreign microorganisms, little knowledge is available about its role in larval development. In vertebrates, transgenerational immune priming influences the acquisition of immunocompetence of specimens, regulating the selective allocation of nongenetic resources to their progeny and modulating their development. In this work, we primed teleost European sea bass broodstock females with a viral protein expression vector in order to evaluate the innate immunity development of their offspring. Several antimicrobial functions, the pattern of expression of gene coding for different antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), and their protein levels, were evaluated in eggs and larvae during development. Our data determined the presence of antimicrobial proteins of maternal origin in eggs, and that female vaccination increases antimicrobial activities and the transcription and synthesis of AMPs during larval development.
A Morphological and Ultrastructural Study of the Anterior Digestive Tract of Adult Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus
Authors: Palladino Antonio , De Felice Elena , Attanasio Chiara , Barone Carmela M. A. , Crasto Antonio , D’Angelo Livia , Giaquinto Daniela , Lambiase Claudia , Scocco Paola , Serrapica Francesco , Maruccio Lucianna
Published: January 2023

Among the most-used fish species in aquaculture is the Nile tilapia, due to its rapid growth rate and its adaptation to a wide range of farming conditions. A careful description of the morphology of the digestive tract, particularly the esophagus and stomach, allows a better understanding of the relationship between structure and function. Combining scanning and light microscopy we highlighted the presence of five different zones in the stomach (1: esophagus-gastric lumen passage; 2: descending glandular portion; 3: fundic portion; 4: ascending glandular portion; 5: gastric-pyloric transition portion). Histochemical investigation showed a secretion of carboxylates mucopolysaccharides along the esophagus and sulphated complex carbohydrates in the stomach. These results suggest that mucins play a protective role of the epithelial lining, which is essential for a correct digestive process. Finally, the characterization of the main cellular structures may be inspiring for more advanced studies aiming to decipher the role of specific molecules, such as neuropeptides, involved in the physiological digestive process.
Comparison between EUCAST Broth Microdilution and MIC Strip Test in Defining Isavuconazole In Vitro Susceptibility against Candida and Rare Yeast Clinical Isolates
Authors: Calvo Maddalena , Scalia Guido , Palermo Concetta Ilenia , Oliveri Salvatore , Trovato Laura
Published: January 2023

Isavuconazole is a new broad-spectrum triazole, with significant in vitro activity against yeasts. Isavuconazole in vitro susceptibility can be evaluated through broth microdilution as a reference method. Considering difficulties in equipping such methods in a laboratory routine, a commercial MIC Strip test has been designed. This study aims to implement data about isavuconazole in vitro activity and compare EUCAST broth microdilution and MIC Strip test in defining yeast isavuconazole susceptibility. The study involved 629 isolates from positive blood cultures (January 2017–December 2021). The identified species were C. albicans (283), C. glabrata (53), C. krusei (23), C. tropicalis (68), C. parapsilosis complex (151), C. guilliermondii (12), C. famata (6), S. cerevisiae (12), C. neoformans (5), S. capitata (12), and Rhodotorula species (4). All the isolates were tested with EUCAST microdilution and MIC Strip methods. The total essential agreement between these two methods was 99.3%. As a result, we can consider that both methods are useful in testing isavuconazole susceptibility. Proposed cut-off values (P-ECOFF) were calculated using ECOFFinder software. Further studies could lead to either definitive E-COFF or clinical breakpoints, which represent the most important categorization tool of the laboratory data, allowing a better insertion of an antimicrobial drug in clinical practice.
Adaptability Evaluation of Rotary Jet Grouting Pile Composite Foundation for Shallow Buried Collapsible Loess Tunnel
Authors: Li Zhiqiang , Zhao Jinpeng , Hu Kunkun , Li Youyun , Liu Lulu
Published: January 2023

The deformation control effect of loess tunnel composite foundation plays an important role in optimization design and reinforcement effect evaluation. Systematically evaluate the adaptability of the composite foundation of jet grouting pile in shallow collapsible loess tunnel. Taking the shallow buried section of Fujiyao Tunnel with a buried depth of 20 m as an example, using MIDAS finite element numerical simulation software, the foundation deformation control during construction and settlement control after construction are systematically studied, the differential deformation control is analyzed, and the reinforcement effect of the tunnel bottom is evaluated. The results show that the uplift displacement can be controlled by changing the pile length and increasing the replacement ratio. The combination of long and short piles can significantly reduce the uneven settlement and plastic zone of the foundation. The uneven settlement of 9 mm can be used as the evaluation index of the composite foundation reinforcement effect in a shallow buried section of the loess tunnel.
Analysis of the Influence of Deep Foundation Excavation on Adjacent Viaduct Pile Foundation Considering Train Dynamic Loads
Authors: Bao Xiaohua , Cheng Zilong , Lv Chuang , Shen Jun , Chen Xiangsheng , Cui Hongzhi
Published: January 2023

The development and utilization of underground space is an effective way to make intensive use of resources, solve "big city disease" and achieve high-quality development. The expansion and renovation of underground space in a central urban area is likely to cause serious damage to surrounding structures. In this study, a deep foundation excavation for the reconstruction of an urban subway station in the Greater Bay Area was chosen for analysis using the finite element method. Different from common excavation engineering, the interaction between the three coupling factors of train dynamic load, foundation excavation, and viaduct pile foundation were analyzed. Six different cases were calculated considering different working conditions of excavation depth and train dynamic load. Soil was evaluated using modified Cam-Clay model. The physical parameters of the soil were determined through on-site and laboratory tests. The results were compared with monitoring data, and the accuracy of the finite element model was verified. The settlement and influence range of the soil, and displacement and internal forces of viaduct piles were analyzed. The maximum settlement of the soil occurred in the direction of the short side of the foundation pit. The maximum value was approximately 0.53 times the excavation depth. The settlement increased by approximately 49% when applying the train load. The dynamic load had an aggravating influence on the horizontal displacement of the top of the pile, with a maximum increase of 51%. Moreover, the dynamic load increased the negative bending moment of the viaduct piles. This study provides a reference for the design and construction of geotechnical engineering projects.
Novel Approaches in the Diagnostics of Ear-Nose-Throat Diseases Using High-Resolution THz Spectroscopy
Authors: Vaks Vladimir , Anfertev Vladimir , Ayzenshtadt Andrey , Chernyaeva Maria , Domracheva Elena , Glushkova Kseniya , Larin Roman , Shakhova Maria
Published: January 2023

Nowadays, physicochemical methods of analysis are used in medical diagnostics. One can identify metabolites characteristic of a particular disease. The compilation of a metabolic profile will facilitate the diagnosis of diseases, evaluate their stage and etiology, and predict treatment. The goal of the study is to analyze the metabolite composition of the ear-nose-throat (ENT) tissues by high-resolution THz spectroscopy based on nonstationary effects and compare metabolites formed during the thermal decomposition of relatively healthy mucosa, polyps, and cysts. Studies were performed with the spectrometers operating from 118 to 178 GHz. The chemical compounds were identified using online catalogs. In all samples, there are such substances as methanol, propanediol, acetaldehyde, acetonitrile, butyronitrile, methyl mercaptan, azole, ethylene sulfide, carbon sulfide, and sulfur dioxide. In the spectrum of relatively healthy mucosa, the number of absorption lines of these substances is much less than in the spectrum of the polyps and cysts, which indicates their lower concentration. In the products of the polyps and cysts, acetone, hydroxyacetone, dihydroxyacetone, propionitrile, acrylonitrile, aminopropionitrile, hydroxyacetonitrile, aminoacetonitrile, methylbutironitrile, propanal, glycolaldehyde, lactaldehyde, and malone dialdehyde appear. The products of cysts’ thermal decomposition also contain acetic and acrylic acids. High-resolution THz spectroscopy has been shown to be promising for detecting disease metabolites in ENT tissues.
Engineering Properties and Environmental Impact of Soil Mixing with Steel Slag Applied in Subgrade
Authors: Zhang Yangpeng , Jiang Tinghui , Li Shuyang , Wang Wensheng
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of the large-scale application of steel slag (SL) in subgrade. Subgrade materials with three kinds of SL proportions were first prepared. Then, a compaction test, liquid-plastic limit combined-measurement test, and a California bearing ratio (CBR) test were applied to determine the best proportion between SL and intact soil (S), i.e., SL/S. Subsequently, static and dynamic tests and a volume stability test were carried out for soil mixed with SL at the optimum proportion (SSL). In addition, a composition analysis of infiltration fluid and a permeability test of SSL were performed. The test results showed that compared to S, the physical properties of SSL were significantly improved, especially the liquid-plastic limit, as well as the soil water stability. The optimum proportion of SL was determined as 50% of soil by mass. At the optimum proportion, SSL had the highest CBR value of 60%, which had both economic and engineering compaction performance, leading to a large-scale utilization rate of SL. The static and dynamic characteristics showed that the addition of SL would greatly improve the shear strength and dynamic modulus of soil, mainly expressed as the increase of internal friction angle. The volume stability of SSL could also meet the requirements of the Chinese specification. After adding 2% cement, the strength and stability of SSL was further improved. In addition, the environmental impact test proved that the infiltration liquid did not pollute surface water nor underground secondary water. Although the permeability coefficient of SSL with the optimum proportion of 50% was higher than that of pure soil, it still belonged to the normal value of clay and silty clay, and good impermeability would ensure the controllability of potential trace elements. Based on the test results of mechanical properties and environmental impact, SSL proved to have the potential for green road material engineering properties. This study proposes a reliable and practical method to promote the utilization of steel slag.
Heterogeneously Integrated Multicore Fibers for Smart Oilfield Applications
Authors: Wang Xutao , Sun Honglin , Wang Huihui , Yang Zhiqun , Liu Yaping , Huang Zhanhua , Zhang Lin
Published: January 2023

In the context of Industry 4.0, the smart oilfield is introduced, which relies on large-scale information exchange among various parts, and there is an urgent need for special fiber links for both increased data transmission capacity and high-sensitivity distributed sensing. Multicore fibers can be expected to play a critical role, in the parts of cores that are responsible for data transmission, while others are used for sensing. In this paper, we propose a heterogeneously integrated seven-core fiber for interconnection and awareness applications in smart oilfields, which could not only support digital and analog signal transmission but could also measure temperature and vibration. The core for digital signal transmission has a low differential mode group delay of 10 ps/km over the C-band, and the crosstalk between adjacent cores is lower than −55 dB/km at the pitch of 50 μm. A 25-Gbaud transmission over 50 km is simulated. Each core for analog signal transmission has a large effective area of 172 μm2 to suppress the nonlinear effect due to the watt-scale input power. The proposed heterogeneously multicore fiber exhibits great potential to be applied in smart oilfields, meeting the demand for efficient and cost-effective oil production.
Neural Network System for Recognizing Images Affected by Random-Valued Impulse Noise
Authors: Orazaev Anzor , Lyakhov Pavel , Baboshina Valentina , Kalita Diana
Published: January 2023

Images taken with different sensors and transmitted through different channels can be noisy. In such conditions, the image most often suffers from random-valued impulse noise. Denoising an image is an important part of image preprocessing before recognition by a neural network. The accuracy of image recognition by a neural network directly depends on the intensity of image noise. This paper presents a three-stage image cleaning and recognition system, which includes a developed detector of pulsed noisy pixels, a filter for cleaning found noisy pixels based on an adaptive median, and a neural network program for recognizing cleaned images. It was noted that at low noise intensities, cleaning is practically not required, but noise with an intensity of more than 10% can seriously damage the image and reduce recognition accuracy. As a training base for noise, cleaning, and recognition, the CIFAR10 digital image database was used, consisting of 60,000 images belonging to 10 classes. The results show that the proposed neural network recognition system for images affected by to random-valued impulse noise effectively finds and corrects damaged pixels. This helped to increase the accuracy of image recognition compared to existing methods for cleaning random-valued impulse noise.
Effect of the Umbrella Arch Technique Modelled as a Homogenized Area above a Cross Passage
Authors: Siad Ibtissem , Akchiche Mustapha , Spyridis Panagiotis
Published: January 2023

The stability of tunnel cross passages excavated in soft soil has always been a major challenge. In recent years, new techniques based on the installation of pre-reinforcements before tunnel excavation have been developed to control excavation-induced deformation and surface settlements. In this paper, a finite element numerical simulation was conducted to study the reduction effect of an umbrella vault element modelled as a homogenized area on the deformations induced after the excavation of a cross passage. The results of this study show that the ground deformations can be controlled efficiently by using this type of pre-reinforcement. However, the findings showed that there is no effect of the umbrella arch length on the reduction of the ground deformations. This paper represents a very good demonstration of 3D modelling of tunnel junctions using pre-support techniques; it is the most advanced/appropriate research tool for studying the behaviour of cross passages and is useful as a paradigm for other researchers and practitioners.
Designing the Optimal Procedure: Role of CT Scan in the Planning of Transcatheter Structural Heart Interventions
Authors: Circhetta Simone , Nobile Edoardo , De Filippis Aurelio , Vicchio Luisa , Nusca Annunziata , De Stefano Domenico , Piccirillo Francesco , Cammalleri Valeria , Mangiacapra Fabio , Ricottini Elisabetta , Melfi Rosetta , Rinaldi Raffaele , Quattrocchi Carlo Cosimo , Grigioni Francesco , Ussia Gian Paolo
Published: January 2023

Computed tomography (CT) scanning has recently assumed a first-pillar role in the preoperative planning of patients undergoing transcatheter structural heart procedures (e.g., transcatheter aortic valve implantation, TAVI; MitraClip; Triclip; left atrial appendage occlusion, LAAO). A careful preprocedural assessment is crucial for achieving the best possible result, and, currently, CT represents the paramount technique to obtain morphological data on cardiac and vessel structures, thus allowing to choose the most appropriate vascular approach, the type and size of devices, and all the required steps to meet procedural expectations. The image reconstruction accuracy also provides information to predict potential complications such as misplacements and leakages. This review aims to describe the role of CT in the decision-making approach of patients undergoing structural heart interventions and expand the clinicians’ understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of this imaging technique.
Comparative Study of the Influence of the System Architecture on the Accuracy of Hydraulic Cylinder Working Movements
Authors: Siwulski Tomasz
Published: January 2023

The article presents the results of experiments aimed at finding the displacement of a cylinder being part of a boom system, as recorded after initiating a rapid breaking process. The tests were performed on a special test stand which allows modifications of the control system architecture. The article presents a comparative analysis of three systems different with respect to their architecture and use of control valves. It discusses the test results and the influence of the architecture of a hydrostatic system on the accuracy of the resultant position of the working element. The article also describes the influence of external loads on the working movement accuracy of the tested systems. The results allow the author to relate the structure of a hydraulic system to the parameter of the obtained working movement accuracy with respect to the maximum values of pressures and dynamic forces.
ATICVis: A Visual Analytics System for Asymmetric Transformer Models Interpretation and Comparison
Authors: Wu Jian-Lin , Chang Pei-Chen , Wang Chao , Wang Ko-Chih
Published: January 2023

In recent years, natural language processing (NLP) technology has made great progress. Models based on transformers have performed well in various natural language processing problems. However, a natural language task can be carried out by multiple different models with slightly different architectures, such as different numbers of layers and attention heads. In addition to quantitative indicators such as the basis for selecting models, many users also consider the language understanding ability of the model and the computing resources it requires. However, comparing and deeply analyzing two transformer-based models with different numbers of layers and attention heads are not easy because it lacks the inherent one-to-one match between models, so comparing models with different architectures is a crucial and challenging task when users train, select, or improve models for their NLP tasks. In this paper, we develop a visual analysis system to help machine learning experts deeply interpret and compare the pros and cons of asymmetric transformer-based models when the models are applied to a user’s target NLP task. We propose metrics to evaluate the similarity between layers or attention heads to help users to identify valuable layers and attention head combinations to compare. Our visual tool provides an interactive overview-to-detail framework for users to explore when and why models behave differently. In the use cases, users use our visual tool to find out and explain why a large model does not significantly outperform a small model and understand the linguistic features captured by layers and attention heads. The use cases and user feedback show that our tool can help people gain insight and facilitate model comparison tasks.
Ecological and Economic Assessment of the Reuse of Steel Halls in Terms of LCA
Authors: Sobierajewicz Piotr , Adamczyk Janusz , Dylewski Robert
Published: January 2023

In engineering practice, investment activities related to the construction of a building are still limited to the idea of a linear cradle to grave (C2G) economy. The aim of the study is to determine the ecological and economic benefits inherent in the reuse of structural elements of a hall building using the idea of a Cradle to Cradle (C2C) looped circular economy and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). As a rule, a multiple circulation of materials from which model buildings are made was assumed through successive life cycles: creation, use, demolition and then further use of the elements. This approach is distinguished by minimizing negative impacts as a result of optimizing the mass of the structure—striving to relieve the environment, thus improving economic efficiency and leaving a positive ecological footprint. The assessment of cumulative ecological, economic and technical parameters (EET) methodology of generalized ecological indicator (WE) for quick and practical assessment of the ecological effect of multi-use steel halls, based on LCA, was proposed. The authors of the work attempted to assess the usefulness of such a structure with the example of four types of halls commonly used in the construction industry. The linear stream of C2G (cradle to grave) and then C2C (cradle to cradle) flows was calculated by introducing ecological parameters for comparative assessment. Finally, a methodology for calculating the ecological amortization of buildings (EAB) was proposed. The authors hope that the proposed integrated assessment of technical, economic and ecological parameters, which are components of the design process, will contribute to a new approach, the so-called fast-track pro-environmental project.
A Generalized Deep Learning Approach to Seismic Activity Prediction
Authors: Muhammad Dost , Ahmad Iftikhar , Khalil Muhammad Imran , Khalil Wajeeha , Ahmad Muhammad Ovais
Published: January 2023

Seismic activity prediction has been a challenging research domain: in this regard, accurate prediction using historical data is an intricate task. Numerous machine learning and traditional approaches have been presented lately for seismic activity prediction; however, no generalizable model exists. In this work, we consider seismic activity predication as a binary classification problem, and propose a deep neural network architecture for the classification problem, using historical data from Chile, Hindukush, and Southern California. After obtaining the data for the three regions, a data cleaning process was used, which was followed by a feature engineering step, to create multiple new features based on various seismic laws. Afterwards, the proposed model was trained on the data, for improved prediction of the seismic activity. The performance of the proposed model was evaluated and compared with extant techniques, such as random forest, support vector machine, and logistic regression. The proposed model achieved accuracy scores of 98.28%, 95.13%, and 99.29% on the Chile, Hindukush, and Southern California datasets, respectively, which were higher than the current benchmark model and classifiers. In addition, we also conducted out-sample testing, where the evaluation metrics confirmed the generality of our proposed approach.
Congruence Mapping of the Activity Flows Allocated in Built Environments: A Pilot Application of Under-Development Software in an Emergency-Care Service
Authors: Pereira Lucas Melchiori , Ornstein Sheila Walbe , Soares Vitória Sanches Lemes , Amaro Jean , França Ana Judite Galbiatti Limongi
Published: January 2023

Due to the large number of activities that must be carried out by emergency-care services (ESs), the tasks of facility managers and architects are challenging and complex. Several strategies, guides, and diagnoses have already been developed in order to improve ESs. Part of the solution to this problem depends on obtaining a normative and universal understanding of the problem, and another part depends on conducting a specific and relational analysis between the environment and the flow of activities that are allocated within it. This paper presents the results of a study that was conducted using a software program that is currently under development for mapping the congruence relationship between activities and environments. Here, we present a discussion of the first results that were obtained with the instrument, which was applied to a single case. For this purpose, the fundamentals of the instrument, as well as the environment and the flows of an ES at a university hospital, are described. The forms of analysis, benefits, and limitations of the instrument were investigated, with a view towards its use in supporting the management and the design of large and complex environments, such as emergency departments. In this program, the relationships that are hidden from the managers, the designers, and the researchers due to the aforementioned complexity are revealed through the use of matrices. This mapping can supplement the decision making of the managers and the designers. The application showed advantages in modeling with fewer inputs, mainly in pre-design evaluations.
Archaeoseismological Evidence of Seismic Damage at Medina Azahara (Córdoba, Spain) from the Early 11th Century
Authors: Rodríguez-Pascua Miguel Ángel , Perucha María Ángeles , Silva Pablo G. , Montejo Córdoba Alberto Javier , Giner-Robles Jorge Luis , Élez Javier , Bardají Teresa , Roquero Elvira , Sánchez-Sánchez Yolanda
Published: January 2023

The “Caliphal City of Medina Azahara” was built in 936–937 CE or 940–941 CE (depending on the source) by the first Caliph of al-Andalus Abd al-Rahman III, being recently inscribed (2018) on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The abandonment and destruction of the city have been traditionally related to the civil war (“fitna”) that started between 1009 and 1010 CE. However, we cannot rule out other causes for the rapid depopulation and plundering of the city just a few decades after its foundation. The archaeoseismological study provides the first clues on the possible role played by an earthquake in the sudden abandonment and ruin of the city. Eleven different types of Earthquake Archaeological Effects (EAEs) have been identified, such as dropped key stones in arches, tilted walls, conjugated fractures in brick-made walls, conjugated fractures and folds in regular pavements and dipping broken corners in columns, among others. Besides that, 163 structural measures on EAEs were surveyed resulting in a mean ground movement direction of N140°–160° E. This geological structural analysis clearly indicates a building-oriented damage, which can be reasonably attributed to an earthquake that devastated Medina Azahara during the 11st or 12th centuries CE. If this were the case, two strong earthquakes (≥VIII MSK/EMS) occurred in 1024–1025 CE and 1169–1170 CE could be the suspected causative events of the damage and destruction of the city.
Structural Behaviour of Aluminium–Timber Composite Beams with Partial Shear Connections
Authors: Chybiński Marcin , Polus Łukasz
Published: January 2023

In this paper, the short-term behaviour of innovative aluminium–timber composite beams was investigated. Laminated veneer lumber panels were attached to aluminium beams with screws. Recently conducted theoretical, experimental, and numerical investigations have focused on aluminium–timber composite beams with almost full shear connections. However, no experiments on aluminium–timber composite beams with partial shear connections have yet been conducted. For this reason, composite action in composite beams with different screw spacing was studied in this paper. Four-point bending tests were performed on aluminium–timber composite beams with different screw spacing to study their structural behaviour (ultimate load, mode of failure, load versus deflection response, load versus slip response, and short-term stiffness). The method used for steel–concrete composite beams with partial shear connection was adopted to estimate the load bearing capacity of the investigated aluminium–timber composite beams. The resistance to sagging bending of the aluminium–timber composite beams with partial shear connections from the theoretical analyses differed by 6–16% from the resistance in the laboratory tests. In addition, four 2D numerical models of the composite beams were developed. One model reflected the behaviour of the composite beam with full shear connection. The remaining models represented the composite beams with partial shear connections and were verified against the laboratory test results. Laminated veneer lumber was modelled as an orthotropic material and its failure was captured using the Hashin damage model. The resistance to sagging bending of the aluminium–timber composite beams with partial shear connections from the numerical analyses were only 3–6% lower than the one from the experiments.
The Influence Assessment of Artifact Subspace Reconstruction on the EEG Signal Characteristics
Authors: Plechawska-Wójcik Małgorzata , Augustynowicz Paweł , Kaczorowska Monika , Zabielska-Mendyk Emilia , Zapała Dariusz
Published: January 2023

EEG signals may be affected by physiological and non-physiological artifacts hindering the analysis of brain activity. Blind source separation methods such as independent component analysis (ICA) are effective ways of improving signal quality by removing components representing non-brain activity. However, most ICA-based artifact removal strategies have limitations, such as individual differences in visual assessment of components. These limitations might be reduced by introducing automatic selection methods for ICA components. On the other hand, new fully automatic artifact removal methods are developed. One of such method is artifact subspace reconstruction (ASR). ASR is a component-based approach, which can be used automatically and with small calculation requirements. The ASR was originally designed to be run not instead of, but in addition to ICA. We compared two automatic signal quality correction approaches: the approach based only on ICA method and the approach where ASR was applied additionally to ICA and run before the ICA. The case study was based on the analysis of data collected from 10 subjects performing four popular experimental paradigms, including resting-state, visual stimulation and oddball task. Statistical analysis of the signal-to-noise ratio showed a significant difference, but not between ICA and ASR followed by ICA. The results show that both methods provided a signal of similar quality, but they were characterised by different usabilities.
Design and Optimization of a Boost Interface for Magnetostrictive Energy Harvesting
Authors: Clemente Carmine Stefano , Iannone Immacolato , Loschiavo Vincenzo Paolo , Davino Daniele
Published: January 2023

Magnetostrictive alloys are very promising for Vibration Energy Harvesting applications to supply power to Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) and Internet of Things (IoT) devices, especially because of their intrinsic robustness. Typically, vibration energy sources are random in nature, usually providing exploitable voltages much lower than the electronic standards 1.6, 3.3 and 5 V. Therefore, a Power Electronic Interface (PEI) is needed to improve the conversion to DC output voltage from AC input over a wide range of frequencies and amplitudes. Very few or no conversion techniques are available for magnetostrictive devices, although several have been presented over the years for other smart materials, such as piezoelectrics. For example, hybrid buck–boost converters for piezoelectrics use one or more external inductors with a high-frequency switching technique. However, because of the intrinsic nature of harvesters based on magnetostrictive materials, such energy conversion techniques are proved to be neither efficient nor applicable. An improved AC–DC boost converter seems very promising for our purpose instead. The key feature is represented by the direct exploitation of the active harvester coil as a storage element of the boost circuit, without using other passive inductors as in other switching methods. Experimental tests of such a converter, driven with a real-time operating Arduino controller to detect the polarity of the input voltage, are presented with the aim to assess the potentiality of the scheme with both sinusoidal and impulse-like inputs. Simulations have been performed with LTspice, and the performance and efficiency have been compared with other energy conversion techniques.
Carcass Yield and Meat Quality of Broiler Chicks Supplemented with Yeasts Bioproducts
Authors: Grigore Daniela-Mihaela , Mironeasa Silvia , Ciurescu Georgeta , Ungureanu-Iuga Mădălina , Batariuc Ana , Babeanu Narcisa Elena
Published: January 2023

The utilization of synthetic additives (vitamins, proteins, and pigments) in broiler chicks’ feeds may cause problems in the future, such as competitive availability, extra productive induced costs, and human health risks relayed on sole ingredients commonly used on human and animal food and feeds. A total of 320-day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to eight experimental groups (a four × two factorial design), receiving two dietary yeasts, lyophilizate lysates yeasts:brewer’s spent yeasts: Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC: 0, 0.6, 1 and 1.3 g/kg) and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (RM: with 0.3 kg/t or without), during a 42-day trial. The broilers’ 24 h post–slaughtering performance, meat quality (pH, color, proximate chemical composition, texture profile analysis), and meat sensorial evaluation were performed at the end of the trial. Dietary SC supplementation had a significant effect on fat deposits (p < 0.05), thigh meat protein content (p < 0.05), and breast meat lightness (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, RM dietary supplementation positively affected all meat color parameters (p < 0.05). Considerable interactions (SC × RM) were obtained on the broilers’ breast and thigh meat moisture and yellowing index. Dietary lyophilizes lysates yeasts supplementation had an effect on meat color and proximate chemical composition. Furthermore, investigation is needed to elucidate the effects of microbial pigment supplements on broiler meat biochemistry and its pigment metabolism.
On the Crossing Bridge between Two Kirchhoff–Love Plates
Authors: Khludnev Alexander
Published: January 2023

The paper is concerned with equilibrium problems for two elastic plates connected by a crossing elastic bridge. It is assumed that an inequality-type condition is imposed, providing a mutual non-penetration between the plates and the bridge. The existence of solutions is proved, and passages to limits are justified as the rigidity parameter of the bridge tends to infinity and to zero. Limit models are analyzed. The inverse problem is investigated when both the displacement field and the elasticity tensor of the plate are unknown. In this case, additional information concerning a displacement of a given point of the plate is assumed be given. A solution existence of the inverse problem is proved.