bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A survey of testicular texture in canine ultrasound images
Authors: McEvoy Fintan J. , Pongvittayanon Panida , Vedel Tanja , Holst Pernille , Müller Anna V.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Computer-based texture analysis provides objective data that can be extracted from medical images, including ultrasound images. One popular methodology involves the generation of a gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) from the image, and from that matrix, texture fractures can be extracted.

Methods

We performed texture analysis on 280 ultrasound testicular images obtained from 70 dogs and explored the resulting texture data, by means of principal component analysis (PCA).

Results

Various abnormal lesions were identified subjectively in 35 of the 280 cropped images. In 16 images, pinpoint-to-small, well-defined, hyperechoic foci were identified without acoustic shadowing. These latter images were classified as having “microliths.” The remaining 19 images with other lesions and areas of non-homogeneous testicular parenchyma were classified as “other.” In the PCA scores plot, most of the images with lesions were clustered. These clustered images represented by those scores had higher values for the texture features entropy, dissimilarity, and contrast, and lower values for the angular second moment and energy in the first principal component. Other data relating to the dogs, including age and history of treatment for prostatomegaly or chemical castration, did not show clustering on the PCA.

Discussion

This study illustrates that objective texture analysis in testicular ultrasound correlates to some of the visual features used in subjective interpretation and provides quantitative data for parameters that are highly subjective by human observer analysis. The study demonstrated a potential for texture analysis in prediction models in dogs with testicular abnormalities.
An Adaptive Healthcare Organization Can Effectively Respond to Medical Crises
Authors: Carter Jocelyn , Burke Harry
Published: August 2023

Healthcare systems are challenged by unexpected medical crises. Established frameworks and approaches to guide healthcare institutions during these crises are limited in their effectiveness. We propose an Adaptive Healthcare Organization (AHO) system as a framework focused on the dynamic nature of healthcare delivery. Based on seven key capabilities, the AHO framework can guide single and multi-institutional healthcare organizations to adapt in real time to an unexpected medical crisis and improve their efficiency and effectiveness.
Examination of Systematic Errors of a Roundness Measurement Equipment
Authors: Egyed-Faluvégi Erzsébet , Karácsony-Fejér Tamás , Jakab-Farkas László
Published: August 2023

The profile in the frontal section of a solid of revolution forms a perfect circle if all of its points are at an equal distance from the center line. The value of the deviation from circularity is very important and it is measured with a dedicated measuring device. This paper examines the systematic errors in a measuring device in which the measured workpiece is supported and rotated between two live centers, while a dial indicator detects the deviations. Regarding the structure, this paper proposes a model consisting of five systematic error measurements which considers the eccentricity of the live centers and the tilt of the dial indicator axis.
The Study of the Profile Errors of Straight Teethed Shaper Cutters in the CAD-Environment
Authors: Gál Károly-István , Máté Márton
Published: August 2023

It is well known that straight-teethed shaper cutters present theoretical profile error, which leads to a deviation of the cut gear tooth profile from the involute profile. Taking advantage of the CAD environment, we have visualized and studied shaper cutters at different stages of sharpening. This is advantageous because the effect of any shape or dimension modification of the rake face can be immediately and easily controlled in the design process, thereby saving precious design time. The aim of our research was to create a 3D model in a CAD environment to visualize different sharpening methods and the profile of shaper cutters at different wear stages, and to estimate the inherent profile errors. The aim of using different sharpening methods was to improve the lateral cutting geometry (especially the lateral relief angle) and also to reduce or – at least – keep the profile error within the accepted limits. During the measurements, both the rake angle and the cutter rack profile angle were changed in order to improve the geometry. The edge was generated using numerically computed points and Autodesk Inventor's special commands. Comparative analyses were performed.
Kinematics Analysis of Crank Mechanism with Constraint Equations
Authors: Popa-Müller Izolda , Papp István
Published: August 2023

The equation system, described for kinematic pairs of Crank mechanism, consist of general constraint equations. For Crank mechanism, the position of the center of gravity for the components, and the directions of the main axis of inertia can be determined for the entire kinematic cycle. To determine the positions, we use a coordinate system fixed to the center of gravity of the mechanism. The coordinates of the center of gravity of the members of the mechanism are always constant in relation to the geometric system attached to the component. The vector contour created in this way, defined by position vectors, must always be closed.
Constant-Beamwidth LCMV Beamformer with Rectangular Arrays
Authors: Curtarelli Vitor Probst , Cohen Israel
Published: August 2023

This paper presents a novel approach utilizing uniform rectangular arrays to design a constant-beamwidth (CB) linearly constrained minimum variance (LCMV) beamformer, which also improves white noise gain and directivity. By employing a generalization of the convolutional Kronecker product beamforming technique, we decompose a physical array into virtual subarrays, each tailored to achieve a specific desired feature, and we subsequently synthesize the original array’s beamformer. Through simulations, we demonstrate that the proposed approach successfully achieves the desired beamforming characteristics while maintaining favorable levels of white noise gain and directivity. A comparative analysis against existing methods from the literature reveals that the proposed method performs better than the existing methods.
Reducing Nervousness in Master Production Planning: A Systematic Approach Incorporating Product-Driven Strategies
Authors: Sáez Patricio , Herrera Carlos , Parada Victor
Published: August 2023

Manufacturing companies face a significant challenge when developing their master production schedule, navigating unforeseen disruptions during daily operations. Moreover, fluctuations in demand pose a substantial risk to scheduling and are the main cause of instability and uncertainty in the system. To address these challenges, employing flexible systems to mitigate uncertainty without incurring additional costs and generate sustainable responses in industrial applications is crucial. This paper proposes a product-driven system to complement the master production plan generated by a mathematical model. This system incorporates intelligent agents that make production decisions with a function capable of reducing uncertainty without significantly increasing production costs. The agents modify or determine the forecasted production quantities for each cycle or period. In the case study conducted, a master production plan was established for 12 products over a one-year time horizon. The proposed solution achieved an 11.42% reduction in uncertainty, albeit with a 2.39% cost increase.
Mapping Cropland Soil Nutrients Contents Based on Multi-Spectral Remote Sensing and Machine Learning
Authors: Zhang Wenjie , Zhu Liang , Zhuang Qifeng , Chen Dong , Sun Tao
Published: August 2023

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are primary indicators of soil nutrients in agriculture. Accurate management of these nutrients is essential for ensuring food security. High-resolution, multi-spectral remote sensing images can provide crucial information for mapping soil nutrients at the field scale. This study compares the capabilities of ZH-1 and Sentinel-2 satellite data, along with different spectral indices, in mapping soil nutrients (total N and Olsen-P) using two machine learning algorithms, random forest (RF) and XGBoost (XGB). Two agricultural fields in Suihua City were selected as the study areas for this investigation. The results showed that Sentinel-2 data performed best in computing the total N content in soil using the RF model (R2 = 0.74, RMSE = 0.10 g/kg). However, for the soil Olsen-P content, the XGBoost model performed better with ZH-1 data (R2 = 0.75, RMSE = 9.79 mg/kg) than the RF model. This study demonstrates that both ZH-1 and Sentinel-2 satellite data perform well in terms of accurately mapping soil total N and Olsen-P contents using machine learning. Due to its higher spectral and spatial resolution, ZH-1 remote sensing data provides more detailed information on soil nutrient content during Olsen-P inversion and exhibits comparable accuracy.
The Impact of Agricultural Machinery Socialization Services on the Scale of Land Operation: Evidence from Rural China
Authors: Yang Siyu , Zhang Feng
Published: August 2023

The aims of this study were to analyze in depth the impact of agricultural machinery socialization services on the scale of land operation and to examine whether agricultural machinery socialization services can effectively alleviate the constraints faced by the scale of land operation. Accordingly, a systematic theoretical analysis and derivation of a farmer production model were first conducted to show that the adoption of agricultural machinery socialization services by farmers alleviated the financial, technical, and labor constraints they faced and facilitated the expansion of the farming scale. Subsequently, the OLS model, three-stage least squares, seemingly uncorrelated Biprobit association model, and Probit model were used based on survey data of maize farmers in 13 Chinese provinces in 2019. The endogeneity of simultaneous decision-making between farmers’ adoption of farm machinery socialization services and operation scale was assessed. Then, we empirically tested the effects of agricultural machinery socialization services on the operation scale under different part-time situations and terrain conditions. The empirical study shows that there is a significant contribution of farmers’ adoption of agricultural machinery socialization services to the scale of land operation. The adoption of agricultural machinery socialization services by purely agricultural household groups has a more significant effect on increasing the scale of land management. Moreover, the adoption of agricultural machinery socialization services significantly increases the scale of land management only among farmers on flat land as compared to farmers on sloping land. The research results help to dissect the relationship between agricultural machinery socialization services and operation scale and provide insights for developing agricultural machinery socialization service systems and expanding operation scale.
Heterosis and Mixed Genetic Analysis of Flowering Traits in Cross Breeding of Day-Neutral Chrysanthemum (Asteraceae)
Authors: Wu Xiaoyun , Zhao Xiaogang , Gao Kang , Tian Yuankai , Zhang Mengmeng , Anderson Neil O. , Dai Silan
Published: August 2023

Day-neutral multiflora chrysanthemums can flower throughout the year without being influenced by daylength and have great application value in gardens. Studying heterosis and the genetic basis of important traits in day-neutral chrysanthemums can accelerate the breeding of new cultivars. In this research, a genetic population was constructed by crossing 135 F1 hybrid progeny from the day-neutral chrysanthemum ‘82-81-19’ (female parent) and the late-flowering chrysanthemum ‘388Q-76’ (male parent). Six traits, including abnormal (crown) bud, plant height, plant crown width, budding date, full flowering date, and number of petal layers, were selected for inheritance and heterosis analyses, and a single-generation major gene plus polygene mixed inheritance model was used to perform mixed inheritance analysis on these traits. The results indicated that the six traits were widely segregated in the F1 population, with the coefficient of variation (CV) ranging from 30% to 84%. The phenomena of heterosis and extra-parent segregation existed generally in F1 progeny, and the ratio of heterosis value of mid-parents (RHm) for the six traits was 45.5%, 2%, 2%, 6%, 6%, and −0.3%, respectively. The mixed genetic analysis showed that the abnormal (crown) bud and budding date were fitted to the B-3 model and controlled by two pairs of additive major genes. The plant height and plant crown width were fitted to the A-0 model, and no major gene was detected. The full flowering date was fitted to the A-1 model and was controlled by one pair of major genes. The number of petal layers was fitted to the B-1 model and controlled by two pairs of additive–dominant major genes. The heritabilities of major genes for abnormal bud, budding date, full flowering date, and the number of petal layers were 1.0, 0.9871, 0.7240, and 0.5612, respectively, indicating that these traits were less affected by environmental factors. Using a percentile scoring method, eight day-neutral chrysanthemum genotypes were selected from the hybrid progeny.
Organic Material Addition Optimizes Soil Structure by Enhancing Copiotrophic Bacterial Abundances of Nitrogen Cycling Microorganisms in Northeast China
Authors: Yue Yang , Gong Xiangwei , Zheng Yongzhao , Tian Ping , Jiang Ying , Zhang Hongyu , Qi Hua
Published: August 2023

Using organic fertilizer and maize straw as friendly amendment measures is effective for altering soil nitrogen (N) cycling in farmlands. However, the synthetical effects of organic fertilizer combined with straw returning on soil quality remain unknown, especially in response to soil nitrification and denitrification microorganisms. We set up an experiment in brunisolic soil from Northeast China, mainly including four treatments: CK (no addition without traditional chemical fertilizer), O (organic fertilizer application), S (straw returning), and OS (organic fertilizer combined with straw returning). The soil nitrification and denitrification microorganisms were further investigated using high-throughput sequencing. Our results show that, compared to CK, the soil water content, field capacity, macroaggregates with a diameter > 0.25 mm, mean weight diameter, total carbon, total nitrogen, ammonium, nitrate, microbial biomass carbon, and microbial biomass nitrogen were significantly improved, and penetration resistance was reduced in a 0–20 cm soil layer under O, S, and OS treatments. Moreover, OS treatment effectively increased the available potassium and available phosphorus content and decreased the three-phase R-value. The application of organic fertilizer and straw effectively optimized the soil structure, especially the OS treatment. Compared to CK, O, S, and OS treatments had a higher abundance of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and further enhanced the alpha diversity and lower abundance of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nirK-, nirS-, and nosZ-type denitrifying microbes. AOA and nirK were the key drivers of the ammonia oxidation process and nitrite reduction process, respectively. Meanwhile, the application of organic fertilizer and straw regulated the relative abundance of Nitrososphaeria (AOA), Gammaproteobacteria (nirK and nirS), Alphaproteobacteria (nirK), and Betaproteobacteria (nirS) in the soil. Organic fertilizer and straw returning regulated the soil structure by enhancing the abundance of Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, and Gammaproteobacteria in the nitrifying and denitrifying microorganism communities. Taken together, OS treatment was a suitable straw-returning practice for optimizing the nutrient balance of the farmland ecosystem in Northeast China. However, this study did not determine how to reduce traditional nitrogen fertilizer applications under organic fertilizer application and straw returning; therefore, we aim to carry out related research in future works.
Plant–Nanoparticle Interactions: Transcriptomic and Proteomic Insights
Authors: Munir Neelma , Gulzar Wafa , Abideen Zainul , Hasanuzzaman Mirza , El-Keblawy Ali , Zhao Fengliang
Published: August 2023

In recent years, the relationship between plants and nanoparticles (NPs) has been the subject of extensive research interest. Hence, an ever-increasing number of perspectives connected with both the positive and adverse consequences of NPs application in plants are highlighted in this review. On the other hand, nanoparticles and their interactive effects on plants have raised concern regarding their harmful aspects. There are complex mechanisms evolved in plants for controlling the uptake, accumulation, and mobilization of nanoparticles that need to be discussed further, especially in the context of proteomics and genetic level. To fill this gap, there is a dire need for the integration and application of multiomics in plants to identify sensitive biomarkers responding to engineered NPs and to provide mechanistic insights in order to design safer and enhanced nano-enabled products for agriculture. For this purpose, transcriptomic technologies have essentially contributed to understanding of the molecular systems in plants against nanoparticle stress by laying out an association between gene expression and cell response. In light of this background, the current article attempts to summarize a variety of recent transcriptomic and proteomic contributions that have been made to establishing the genetic basis of nanoparticle uptake and the mechanism of stress response. The present article also looks at recent proteomic and transcriptomic studies to learn more about the intricate regulatory network that connects plant and nanoparticle stress responses.
Dietary Ruminant Enteric Methane Mitigation Strategies: Current Findings, Potential Risks and Applicability
Authors: Lileikis Tomas , Nainienė Rasa , Bliznikas Saulius , Uchockis Virginijus
Published: August 2023

This review examines the current state of knowledge regarding the effectiveness of different dietary ruminant enteric methane mitigation strategies and their modes of action together with the issues discussed regarding the potential harms/risks and applicability of such strategies. By investigating these strategies, we can enhance our understanding of the mechanisms by which they influence methane production and identify promising approaches for sustainable mitigation of methane emissions. Out of all nutritional strategies, the use of 3-nitrooxypropanol, red seaweed, tannins, saponins, essential oils, nitrates, and sulfates demonstrates the potential to reduce emissions and receives a lot of attention from the scientific community. The use of certain additives as pure compounds is challenging under certain conditions, such as pasture-based systems, so the potential use of forages with sufficient amounts of plant secondary metabolites is also explored. Additionally, improved forage quality (maturity and nutrient composition) might help to further reduce emissions. Red seaweed, although proven to be very effective in reducing emissions, raises some questions regarding the volatility of the main active compound, bromoform, and challenges regarding the cultivation of the seaweed. Other relatively new methods of mitigation, such as the use of cyanogenic glycosides, are also discussed in this article. Together with nitrates, cyanogenic glycosides pose serious risks to animal health, but research has proven their efficacy and safety when control measures are taken. Furthermore, the risks of nitrate use can be minimized by using probiotics. Some of the discussed strategies, namely monensin or halogenated hydrocarbons (as pure compounds), demonstrate efficacy but are unlikely to be implemented widely because of legal restrictions.
Dietary Taurine Intake Affects the Growth Performance, Lipid Composition, and Antioxidant Defense of Juvenile Ivory Shell (Babylonia areolata)
Authors: Sun Yunchao , Du Xiangyu , Yang Yi , Wang Aimin , Gu Zhifeng , Liu Chunsheng
Published: August 2023

In this study, an eight-week feeding trial was performed to investigate the effects of different taurine supplementation levels (0.0% as control, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5%, and 3.0%) on the growth performance, lipid composition, and antioxidant ability in juvenile ivory shells Babylonia areolata. The results showed that taurine supplementation significantly improved the specific growth rates (SGRs) and survival rates of ivory shell (except the survival rate in the 3.0% taurine diet group) (p < 0.05). The SGRs showed an increasing and then decreasing tendency with increasing dietary taurine supplementation, and the highest value was observed in the 2.0% taurine diet (2.60%/d). The taurine content in the muscle of ivory shells fed taurine-supplemented diets significantly increased when compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The profiles of C22:2n6 in the muscle of ivory shells fed taurine-supplemented diets were significantly higher than in the control group (p < 0.05), and the highest values were observed in the 2.0% taurine supplementation group. The high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) content in the hepatopancreas showed an increasing and then decreasing tendency with increasing dietary taurine supplementation, while the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentration showed a decreasing tendency. Furthermore, the activities of pepsin and lipase in both the intestine and hepatopancreas significantly increased at moderate taurine supplementation levels compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Accordingly, obvious increases in the histological parameters in the intestine of ivory shells fed taurine-supplemented diets were also found. As for the antioxidant ability, the activities of the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) showed an increasing and then decreasing tendency with increasing dietary taurine supplementation, and the highest values were observed in the 1.0% and 1.0–2.0% taurine supplementation groups, respectively; the malondialdehyde (MDA) contents significantly decreased with increasing dietary taurine supplementation (p < 0.05). The taurine intake affected the expression of four appetite-related genes in the hepatopancreas, in which orexin and NPY showed an increasing and then decreasing tendency, while leptin and cholecyatoklnin decreased with increasing dietary taurine supplementation. In conclusion, moderate taurine supplementation in an artificial diet (about 1.5–2.0%) could improve the growth performance and antioxidant ability and change the lipid composition of juvenile ivory shells.
First Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in White Rhinoceros during a Small-Scale Coronavirus Surveillance in the Bandia Reserve, Senegal
Authors: Italiya Jignesh , Vacek Vojtěch , Matějů Petr , Dering Christophe , Celina Seyma S. , Ndiaye Arame , Černý Jiří
Published: August 2023

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has heightened interest in the monitoring and surveillance of coronaviruses in wildlife. Testing for the virus in animals can provide valuable insights into viral reservoirs, transmission, and pathogenesis. In this study, we present the results of the molecular surveillance project focused on coronaviruses in Senegalese wildlife. During the project, we screened fecal samples of the wild animals living in the Bandia Reserve (ten non-human primates, one giraffe, and two white rhinoceros) and the free-living urban population of African four-toed hedgehogs in Ngaparou. The results showed the absence of coronaviruses in hedgehogs, non-human primates, and a giraffe. A single positive sample was obtained from a white rhinoceros. The sequencing results of amplified RdRp gene confirmed that the detected virus was SARS-CoV-2. This study represents the first documented instance of molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2 in white rhinoceros and, therefore, extends our knowledge of possible SARS-CoV-2 hosts.
Squalene Supplementation as a Novel to Increase PUFA Content in Fish Tissues
Authors: Niewiadomski Piotr , Gomułka Piotr , Woźniak Małgorzata , Szmyt Mariusz , Ziomek Elżbieta , Bober Helena , Szczepkowski Mirosław , Palińska-Żarska Katarzyna , Krejszeff Sławomir , Żarski Daniel
Published: August 2023

Squalene is an antioxidant that plays an essential role in fat metabolism. The study aimed to assess the effect of squalene supplied in feed on the growth performance, health status, and fatty acid profiles of muscle and liver of Siberian sturgeon, rainbow trout, and Eurasian perch. The experimental feeds containing 0%, 0.5%, and 1.0% squalene were prepared for each fish species. Hematological and biochemical indices, liver histology, and fatty acid profiling of muscle and liver were analyzed. Squalene supplementation was safe for fish, and no negative influence on growth status was observed. However, changes in the values of hematological and biochemical indicators were found, including the level of triglycerides in the blood of rainbow trout, and cholesterol in the blood of Eurasian perch. The addition of squalene influences the nucleocytoplasmic index values in all fish offered feed containing 1% squalene. The retention of squalene in the liver and muscle of experimental Siberian sturgeon was observed in both 0.5% and 1.0% squalene levels of feed. The PUFA and docosahexaenoic acid increase was observed in all fish in groups with squalene addition. Dietary squalene increases the content of PUFAs in tissues of the examined species.
A New Quinone-Based Inhibitor of Mitochondrial Complex I in D-Conformation, Producing Invasion Reduction and Sensitization to Venetoclax in Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Monroy-Cárdenas Matías , Andrades Víctor , Almarza Cristopher , Vera María Jesús , Martínez Jorge , Pulgar Rodrigo , Amalraj John , Araya-Maturana Ramiro , Urra Félix A.
Published: August 2023

Mitochondrial Complex I plays a crucial role in the proliferation, chemoresistance, and metastasis of breast cancer (BC) cells. This highlights it as an attractive target for anti-cancer drugs. Using submitochondrial particles, we identified FRV–1, an ortho-carbonyl quinone, which inhibits NADH:duroquinone activity in D-active conformation and reduces the 3ADP state respiration dependent on Complex I, causing mitochondrial depolarization, ATP drop, increased superoxide levels, and metabolic remodeling towards glycolysis in BC cells. Introducing methyl groups at FRV–1 structure produced analogs that acted as electron acceptors at the Complex I level or increased the inhibitory effect of FCCP-stimulated oxygen consumption rate, which correlated with their redox potential, but increased toxicity on RMF-621 human breast fibroblasts was observed. FRV–1 was inactive in the naphthoquinone oxidoreductase 1 (NOQ1)-positive BC cell line, MCF7, but the sensitivity was recovered by dicoumarol, a NOQ1 inhibitor, suggesting that FRV–1 is a NOQ1 substrate. Importantly, FRV–1 selectively inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of NQO1 negative BC cell, MDA-MB-231, in an OXPHOS- and ROS-dependent manner and sensitized it to the BH3 mimetic drug venetoclax. Overall, FRV–1 is a novel Complex I inhibitor in D-active conformation, blocking possibly the re-activation to A-state, producing selective anti-cancer effects in NQO1-negative BC cell lines.
Natural Products in Renal-Associated Drug Discovery
Authors: Wruck Wasco , Genfi Afua Kobi Ampem , Adjaye James
Published: August 2023

The global increase in the incidence of kidney failure constitutes a major public health problem. Kidney disease is classified into acute and chronic: acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with an abrupt decline in kidney function and chronic kidney disease (CKD) with chronic renal failure for more than three months. Although both kidney syndromes are multifactorial, inflammation and oxidative stress play major roles in the diversity of processes leading to these kidney malfunctions. Here, we reviewed various publications on medicinal plants with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties with the potential to treat and manage kidney-associated diseases in rodent models. Additionally, we conducted a meta-analysis to identify gene signatures and associated biological processes perturbed in human and mouse cells treated with antioxidants such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the active ingredient in green tea, and the mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (GL) and in kidney disease rodent models. We identified EGCG- and GL-regulated gene signatures linked to metabolism; inflammation (NRG1, E2F1, NFKB1 and JUN); ion signalling; transport; renal processes (SLC12A1 and LOX) and VEGF, ERBB and BDNF signalling. Medicinal plant extracts are proving to be effective for the prevention, management and treatment of kidney-associated diseases; however, more detailed characterisations of their targets are needed to enable more trust in their application in the management of kidney-associated diseases.
The Role of Lifestyle and Dietary Factors in the Development of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
Authors: Shelling Andrew N. , Ahmed Nasef Noha
Published: August 2023

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a condition that arises from dysfunction or early depletion of the ovarian follicle pool accompanied by an earlier-than-normal loss of fertility in young women. Oxidative stress has been suggested as an important factor in the decline of fertility in women and POI. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of oxidative stress implicated in ovarian ageing and dysfunction in relation to POI, in particular mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis and inflammation. Genetic defects, autoimmunity and chemotherapy, are some of the reviewed hallmarks of POI that can lead to increased oxidative stress. Additionally, we highlight lifestyle factors, including diet, low energy availability and BMI, that can increase the risk of POI. The final section of this review discusses dietary factors associated with POI, including consumption of oily fish, mitochondria nutrient therapy, melatonin, dairy and vitamins that can be targeted as potential interventions, especially for at-risk women and in combination with personalised nutrition. Understanding the impact of lifestyle and its implications for POI and oxidative stress holds great promise in reducing the burden of this condition.
Special Issue on Trends and Challenges in Robotic Applications
Authors: Gracia Luis , Perez-Vidal Carlos
Published: August 2023

The world of robotics has evolved rapidly in recent years, with groundbreaking advancements and innovative applications becoming increasingly prevalent [...]
Active Collapse in the Central Betic Cordillera: Development of the Extensional System of the Granada Basin
Authors: Madarieta-Txurruka Asier , Peláez José A. , González-Castillo Lourdes , Gil Antonio J. , Galindo-Zaldívar Jesús
Published: August 2023

The Betic Cordillera was formed by the collision between the Alboran Domain and the South Iberian paleomargin in the frame of the NW–SE convergent Eurasia–Nubia plate boundary. The central region is undergoing a heterogeneous extension that has not been adequately analysed. This comprehensive study addressed it by collecting structural geologic, seismologic, and geodetic data. The region west of the Sierra Nevada is deformed by the extensional system of the Granada Basin, which facilitates E–W to NE–SW extension. Moreover, the southern boundary of Sierra Nevada is affected by a remarkable N–S extension related to E–W normal to normal–dextral faults affecting the shallow crust. However, geologic and geodetic data suggest that the western and southwestern Granada Basin boundary constitutes a compressional front. These data lead to the proposal of an active extensional collapse from the uplifted Sierra Nevada region to the W–SW–S, over an extensional detachment. The collapse is determined by the uplift of the central Betics and the subsidence in the Alboran Basin due to an active subduction with rollback. Our results indicate that the central Betic Cordillera is a good example of ongoing extensional collapse in the general context of plate convergence, where crustal thickening and thinning simultaneously occur.
Enhancing Air Traffic Management and Reducing Noise Impact: A Novel Approach Integrating Băneasa Airport with Otopeni RO Airport
Authors: Toma Adina Cristina , Cican Grigore , Crunteanu Daniel-Eugeniu
Published: August 2023

Over the years, Bucharest’s Henri Coandă International Airport has registered a constant and high increase in air traffic, in terms of both passengers and aircraft movements. This paper presents a traffic diversion solution for the Otopeni RO airport, which aims to alleviate air traffic congestion by redirecting a proportion of the planes to the nearby airport at Băneasa. The primary challenge faced by diversion to Băneasa Airport is the proximity of residential areas to the runway at distances of less than 300 m, resulting in significant noise pollution issues. At Otopeni Airport, the main operators use aircraft equipped with CFM 56 turbo engines; therefore, this study begins with an evaluation of the noise directivity of a CFM aircraft engine via measurement. The data thus collected enabled the identification of the dominant frequencies in the acoustic spectrum of the engine noise. A resonant screen solution has been proposed as a solution for Băneasa Airport, emphasizing the importance of implementing solutions to address the noise pollution faced by those living near Băneasa Airport, due to its proximity to the residential area. Various configurations of perforated metal sheets with different perforation patterns were compared to the test performance of solid sheets to optimize noise absorption. Using the impedance tube tests to achieve the highest absorption coefficient, it was determined that the optimal distance between the perforated metal sheets and the resonant screen was 30 mm. Based on the CFM 56 turbo engine noise directivity and the impedance tube tests, a multitude of numerical simulations were conducted using the IMMI software (IMMI 2011). The simulations were performed for two scenarios with and without an acoustic barrier, accounting for the typical configuration of two engines on an aircraft. The results indicate a reduction of 15 dBA with the implementation of a 4-m-high acoustic barrier, in the case of a CFM 56 engine operating at full throttle while the aircraft is on the ground. Through numerical simulations, the optimized resonant screen demonstrated its potential to significantly reduce noise levels, thereby enhancing the overall acoustic environment and quality of life for the communities surrounding Băneasa Airport. The identified findings could serve as a basis for further research and the implementation of innovative solutions to manage air traffic and reduce the impact of aircraft noise in surrounding areas.
Map API-Based Evacuation Route Guidance System for Floods
Authors: Jeon Sungwoo , Jung Kwanyoung , Kim Jongrib , Jung Hoekyung
Published: August 2023

Recently, human casualties and property damage caused by natural disasters have increased worldwide. Among these natural disasters, flood damage is affected by season. Depending on the concentration of precipitation in the summer, heavy rainfall can occur, thus resulting in typhoons, floods, and increased damage. To prevent such damages, the appropriate measures and research are being conducted in response to disasters. When a flash flood occurs, safe evacuation can be realized after detecting the situation and using announcements or laser indicators. However, these route guidance systems are typically used in fire or indoor environments, thus rendering them difficult to access outdoors. Therefore, we herein propose an evacuation route guidance system based on a map API that recognizes flood occurrences in forest areas, recreational forests, and parks. It calculates the route based on the map API and delivers the evacuation route to the nearest shelter to the user; and if there is a second problem on the moving evacuation route and it is difficult to proceed, the user’s current location is identified and the route to the next nearest shelter is provided. This will help you to evacuate safely.
Methylparaben Adsorption onto Activated Carbon and Activated Olive Stones: Comparative Analysis of Efficiency, Equilibrium, Kinetics and Effect of Graphene-Based Nanomaterials Addition
Authors: León Gerardo , Hidalgo Asunción María , Martínez Antonio , Guzmán María Amelia , Miguel Beatriz
Published: August 2023

This paper describes a comparative study of the adsorption of methylparaben onto commercial activated carbon and olive stones activated by calcination at 300 °C and treatment with 1 M HCl. The influence of the initial concentration of methylparaben, adsorbent dose, stirring speed and pH on the adsorption capacity of methylparaben on both adsorbents was studied. To find out the isotherm model, the kinetic model and the mechanism that best describe the adsorption process on each adsorbent, the experimental equilibrium data were analyzed using six isotherm models (Langmuir, Freundlich, Elovich, Temkin, Jovanovic and Dubinin–Radushkevich), and the experimental kinetic data were analyzed using four kinetic models (pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, Elovich and Avrami) and two mechanistic models (Weber–Morris and Boyd). For both adsorbents, the Langmuir model best describes the adsorption equilibrium, the kinetics of the process follow a pseudo-first-order model and boundary layer diffusion is the step that mainly controls the adsorption process. The adsorption capacity of methylparaben on activated carbon is about four times higher than that of activated olive stones. The addition of graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide to both adsorbents increases their methylparaben adsorption capacity, to a greater extent in the case of graphene oxide, being that increase more important in activated carbon than in activated olive stones.
A Range-Extension Method for an Indoor Standard Device for Large-Scale Length Measurement
Authors: Hu Chang’an , Xue Liang , Li Jiangang , Lv Fei
Published: August 2023

The Laser interferometer plays an important role in the field of geometrics for large-size measuring applications. Its linear displacement error can be traced from indoor large-scale standard devices. However, the measuring range of the indoor large-scale standard device is too limited to meet the full range measurement of the laser interferometer. So, the lack of accuracy of the results is one of the key issues of laser interferometers. To solve this problem, the corner reflector is used to extend the range of indoor large-scale standard devices, which meet the indication errors in the effective measuring range of the laser interferometer. The range-extension method not only doubles the effective measuring range, but also provides a way to trace the source of other large-size measuring instruments. This work proposes a significant solution to the field of length measurement.
Analysis and Implementation of a Frequency Synthesizer Based on Dual Phase-Locked Loops in Cesium Atomic Clock
Authors: Guo Guangkun , Li Chao , Hou Dong , Liu Ke , Sun Fuyu , Zhang Shougang
Published: August 2023

The frequency synthesizer plays a crucial role in atomic clock technology. In this study, we demonstrate a direct microwave frequency synthesizer for a cesium atomic clock, employing frequency multiplication and a dual-phase-locked loop mode. A mathematical model of the frequency synthesis chain is established to estimate its performance. The phase-settling time and system stability are analyzed and studied in detail, and the obtained results are verified by experiments. An optimized realization of the frequency synthesizer shows that the phase-settling time can be adjusted within the range of 644.5 µs to 1.5 ms. Additionally, we measure the absolute phase noise values to be −63.7 dBc/Hz, −75.7 dBc/Hz, −107.1 dBc/Hz, and −122.5 dBc/Hz at 1 Hz, 10 Hz, 1 kHz, and 10 kHz offset frequencies, respectively.
Object Detection for Brain Cancer Detection and Localization
Authors: Mercaldo Francesco , Brunese Luca , Martinelli Fabio , Santone Antonella , Cesarelli Mario
Published: August 2023

Brain cancer is acknowledged as one of the most aggressive tumors, with a significant impact on patient survival rates. Unfortunately, approximately 70% of patients diagnosed with this malignant cancer do not survive. This paper introduces a method designed to detect and localize brain cancer by proposing an automated approach for the detection and localization of brain cancer. The method utilizes magnetic resonance imaging analysis. By leveraging the information provided by brain medical images, the proposed method aims to enhance the detection and precise localization of brain cancer to improve the prognosis and treatment outcomes for patients. We exploit the YOLO model to automatically detect and localize brain cancer: in the analysis of 300 brain images we obtain a precision of 0.943 and a recall of 0.923 in brain cancer detection while, relating to brain cancer localization, an mAP_0.5 equal to 0.941 is reached, thus showing the effectiveness of the proposed model for brain cancer detection and localization.
Accuracy of Two Variants of 3D-Printed Insertion Guides for Orthodontic Mini-Implants: An Ex Vivo Study in Human Cadavers
Authors: Pliska Annika , Schiavon Lucia , Brunello Giulia , Wilmes Benedict , Schwarz-Herzke Beryl , Drescher Dieter , Becker Kathrin
Published: August 2023

Insertion guides are becoming popular for orthodontic mini-implant positioning. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the accuracy of two different mini-implant insertion guides, with or without pre-drilling, in a human cadaveric model. Maxillary casts of six fresh frozen specimens were digitized to create insertion guides. Sixty mini-implants were randomly inserted with full-arch or skeletonized guides, either with or without predrilling. Pre- and post-treatment CBCTs were superimposed using rigid registration. Transformation matrices of the planned and real positions were obtained, and distances at the mini-implant neck and apex, as well as the angular deviation, were calculated. The Kruskal–Wallis test was performed, followed by a post hoc test when indicated. Out of 60 inserted mini-implants, 46 could be evaluated. Of these, 10 initially assigned to no pre-drilling required this procedure due to very high bone density. Therefore, 32 implants were inserted with pre-drilling (n = 15 full-arch; n = 17 skeletonized) and 14 without (n = 7 full-arch; n = 7 skeletonized). The lowest mean deviation at the neck was 1.22 ± 0.6 mm, registered in the full-arch/pre-drilling group. The skeletonized/no pre-drilling group presented the lowest mean values at the apex, i.e., 1.72 ± 1.22 mm, as well as the lowest mean angular deviation, i.e., 8.23 ± 4.24°. Significant differences among groups were observed only at the neck, with higher mean deviation in the skeletonized/pre-drilling group than in the full-arch/pre-drilling one (p = 0.014). In conclusion, within the limitations of the study, rather high deviations between planned and real mini-implant positions were found. Further studies are needed on how to improve the accuracy within in vivo settings.
Discrete Element Simulation of the Shear Behavior of Binary Mixtures Composed of Spherical and Cubic Particles
Authors: Huang Yun , Sun Weichen , Xie Qiang , You Hongyi , Wu Kai
Published: August 2023

This research paper presents an investigation into the shear behavior of binary mixtures composed of cubic and spherical particles, employing the discrete element method (DEM) through triaxial tests simulations. A range of binary particle samples with varying volume fractions of cubic and spherical particles is generated for analysis. The study primarily focuses on examining the contracting-dilatancy relationship of binary granular material samples by scrutinizing deviatoric stress and volumetric strain curves, while considering the influence of confining pressure, initial porosity, and particle size ratio. Furthermore, the paper sheds light on the evolution of microstructures during the shearing process by presenting coordination numbers and rotational velocity fields for different particle types (overall particles, cubic particles, spherical particles), as well as between cubic-spherical particles. The findings demonstrate the substantial impact of both the volume fraction of cubic particles and the particle size ratio on the shear behavior of binary particles at both macroscopic and microscopic scales. Additionally, a comprehensive investigation reveals the dependence of anisotropy in normal contact forces, tangent contact forces, and contact orientations on the volume fraction of cubic particles.
Mechanical and Fracture Properties of Air-Entrained FRC Containing Zeolitic Tuff
Authors: Blikharskyy Zinoviy , Markiv Taras , Turba Yurii , Hunyak Oleksii , Blikharskyy Yaroslav , Selejdak Jacek
Published: August 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of zeolitic tuff, an air-entraining agent, and different types of fibers on the compressive strength and fracture parameters of concrete with increased strength. Notched beams were tested in three-point bending to determine the fracture parameters of concrete. It was established that the partial replacement of Portland cement (10% by mass) with zeolitic tuff, the addition of an air-entraining agent and different types of fibers resulted in the improvement both of the compressive strength (by 3.7% after 28 days of hardening) and fracture properties of concrete (namely, the fracture energy by 35.1% and characteristic length by 61.5%) compared to the reference concrete. The beneficial effects of the air-entraining agent and the mechanisms through which it enhances the properties of concrete by incorporating zeolitic tuff and various types of fibers were explained. It has been demonstrated that the appropriate selection and optimization of various technological factors enable the production of economically effective, high-quality concrete with a 10% lower cement content. As a result, this leads to reduced CO2 emissions, aligning with a sustainable development strategy.
Multi-Agent Chronological Planning with Model-Agnostic Meta Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Hu Cong , Xu Kai , Zhu Zhengqiu , Qin Long , Yin Quanjun
Published: August 2023

In this study, we propose an innovative approach to address a chronological planning problem involving the multiple agents required to complete tasks under precedence constraints. We model this problem as a stochastic game and solve it with multi-agent reinforcement learning algorithms. However, these algorithms necessitate relearning from scratch when confronted with changes in the chronological order of tasks, resulting in distinct stochastic games and consuming a substantial amount of time. To overcome this challenge, we present a novel framework that incorporates meta-learning into a multi-agent reinforcement learning algorithm. This approach enables the extraction of meta-parameters from past experiences, facilitating rapid adaptation to new tasks with altered chronological orders and circumventing the time-intensive nature of reinforcement learning. Then, the proposed framework is demonstrated through the implementation of a method named Reptile-MADDPG. The performance of the pre-trained model is evaluated using average rewards before and after fine-tuning. Our method, in two testing tasks, improves the average rewards from −44 to −37 through 10,000 steps of fine-tuning in two testing tasks, significantly surpassing the two baseline methods that only attained −51 and −44, respectively. The experimental results demonstrate the superior generalization capabilities of our method across various tasks, thus constituting a significant contribution towards the design of intelligent unmanned systems.