bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case Report: Bacterial meningitis due to cerebrospinal fluid leakage following unilateral biportal endoscopic spinal surgery: a cautionary tale
Authors: Wang Haoyu , Wang Yunhui , Jiang Zhensong , Zhang Wen
Published: March 2024

Unilateral biportal endoscopic spinal surgery (UBE) is a rapidly growing surgical method and has attracted much interest recently. The most common complication of this technique is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage due to intraoperative dural tears. There have been no reports of bacterial meningitis due to dural tears in UBE surgery and its treatment and prevention. We reported a 47 year-old man with CSF due to an intraoperative dural tear. A drainage tube was routinely placed and removed on the fourth day after surgery, resulting in fever and headache on the fifith postoperative day. Blood and CSF cultures showed Klebsiella pneumoniae infection, and with lumbar drainage and appropriate antibiotics based on sensitivity tests, the patient's fever and headache were effectively relieved. This case report suggests the importance of prolonged drainage tube placement, adequate drainage, careful intraoperative separation to avoid dural tears, and effective sensitive antibiotic therapy.
Dog and cat exposures to drugs of abuse identified by the California animal health and food safety laboratory system 2013–2023
Authors: Klainbart Sigal , Sykes Chelsea A. , Poppenga Robert H.
Published: March 2024

Introduction

While known animal exposures to human “drugs of abuse” (DA) were previously considered relatively uncommon in veterinary medicine, the trends are changing. Marijuana and amphetamines are among the 20 toxicants most frequently consulted about with the Pet Poison Helpline. When such exposures occur, they are typically considered emergencies.

Methods

This retrospective study describes confirmed cases of DA exposure in pets from the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS), 2013–2023.

Results

Fifty-seven samples tested positive for DA through liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry analysis (qualitative method). In 75% (43/57) of the DA screen tests, the detected drugs included amphetamine-type stimulants and metabolites (methamphetamine, amphetamine, or both). In 47% (27/57) of cases, a combination of more than one drug group was found. Most cases were diagnosed from a urine specimen. In at least 32% (18/57) of cases, the samples were submitted due to suspicions of animal cruelty, and at least 41% (23/57) of the patients were deceased when the samples were submitted.

Discussion

More studies on the prevalence of illicit drugs in small animals, using confirmatory testing, are warranted to fully understand the significance of this emerging toxicological hazard in veterinary medicine.
Electric Vehicle Ordered Charging Planning Based on Improved Dual-Population Genetic Moth–Flame Optimization
Authors: Che Shuang , Chen Yan , Wang Longda , Xu Chuanfang
Published: March 2024

This work discusses the electric vehicle (EV) ordered charging planning (OCP) optimization problem. To address this issue, an improved dual-population genetic moth–flame optimization (IDPGMFO) is proposed. Specifically, to obtain an appreciative solution of EV OCP, the design for a dual-population genetic mechanism integrated into moth–flame optimization is provided. To enhance the global optimization performance, the adaptive nonlinear decreasing strategies with selection, crossover and mutation probability, as well as the weight coefficient, are also designed. Additionally, opposition-based learning (OBL) is also introduced simultaneously. The simulation results show that the proposed improvement strategies can effectively improve the global optimization performance. Obviously, more ideal optimization solution of the EV OCP optimization problem can be obtained by using IDPGMFO.
Business and Market Analysis of Hydrothermal Carbonization Process: Roadmap toward Implementation
Authors: Farru Gianluigi , Scheufele Fabiano Bisinella , Moloeznik Paniagua Daniela , Keller Fritz , Jeong Changyoon , Basso Daniele
Published: March 2024

This study assesses the status of hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) technology and identifies barriers hindering its commercial viability. Conducting a global survey among HTC companies (with a total of 24 surveys sent), the research evaluates the current landscape, challenges, and future prospects of large-scale HTC operations. Furthermore, it presents a detailed global inventory of existing HTC facilities, illustrating geographical distribution and trends in application. Most of the companies are located in Europe, followed by Asia and North America. With substantial participation from HTC companies, exceeding 62% in the survey (15 companies), the study provides a comprehensive overview of diverse companies, their business models, regulatory challenges, and the overall state of HTC technology. The majority of companies in this study, approximately 80%, offer services in the field of waste management. This paper also explores the potential of HTC in transforming waste management practices, carbon sequestration methodologies, and the development of new materials. Employing a thorough SWOT analysis, the paper advocates for a broader adoption of HTC, emphasizing its transformative capacity in fostering sustainable management of urban, industrial, and agricultural residues, promoting circular economy principles, mitigating climate change, and offering a robust foundation for informed decision-making and sustainable development strategies.
Substituting Partial Chemical Fertilizers with Bio-Organic Fertilizers to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Water-Saving Irrigated Rice Fields
Authors: Han Zhengdi , Hou Huijing , Yao Xianzi , Qian Xiang , Zhou Mingyao
Published: March 2024

Conventional water and fertilizer management practices have led to elevated greenhouse gas emissions from rice fields and decreased the efficiency of water and fertilizer utilization in agricultural land. The implementation of water-saving irrigation and the substitution of chemical fertilizers with organic alternatives can influence CH4 and N2O emissions in rice fields. However, it remains unclear how the simultaneous application of both methods will affect the CH4 and N2O emissions in rice fields. Therefore, two irrigation methods (F: flooded irrigation; C: controlled irrigation) and three fertilization modes (A: full chemical fertilizer; B: bio-organic fertilizer replacing 15% chemical nitrogen fertilizer; C: bio-organic fertilizer replacing 30% chemical nitrogen fertilizer) were set up through field experiments to explore the effect of greenhouse gas emission reduction in rice fields by combining controlled irrigation and bio-organic fertilizers. Substituting some chemical fertilizers with bio-organic fertilizers can lower the peak CH4 and N2O fluxes in rice fields, leading to a decrease in the cumulative CH4 and N2O emissions by 11.9~29.7% and 10.8~57.3%, respectively. The reductions led to a considerable decrease in the global warming potential (GWP) and the greenhouse gas emission intensity (GHGI) by 16.1~48.1% and 16.3~48.1%, respectively. Controlled irrigation significantly reduced CH4 emissions by 55.2~69.4% compared with flooded irrigation in rice fields. However, it also increased N2O emissions by 47.5~207.9%, considerably reducing their GWPs by 11.8~45.5%. Neither bio-organic fertilizer substitution nor controlled irrigation significantly affected rice yield. Replacing 15% of chemical nitrogen fertilizers with bio-organic fertilizers in controlled irrigation rice fields can minimize rice GWP and GHGI. The study’s results are of significant importance for enhancing the regulation of greenhouse gases in farmland and achieving sustainable agriculture through cleaner production.
Ethyl Methanesulfonate Mutant Library Construction in Tartary Buckwheat with Agronomic Trait and Flavonoid Screening for Germplasm Innovation
Authors: Guo Huajie , Qin Zhiying , Ren Wei , Feng Hongmei , Chen Wenliang , Liu Longlong , Sun Zhaoxia
Published: March 2024

As a nutrient-rich multigrain crop, buckwheat is a typical “medicinal food homology” crop that is rich in flavonoids, including rutin and various vitamins. It has positive anti-oxidant and anti-tumour properties and lowers blood pressure. However, due to strict self-crossing characteristics, slow progress has been made in Tartary buckwheat (TB) cross-breeding, resulting in the slow breeding of new varieties of new TB varieties, which has limited the improvement of yield and quality. Therefore, mutant breeding is a rapid and effective technique for broadening and innovating TB breeding. In recent years, improving qualities related to yield, lodging resistance, and stability have become key points in TB breeding. Based on the above findings, excellent, potentially valuable TB lines with rich phenotypes were obtained for the TB mutation library via ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), laying a foundation for creating new TB germplasms. In this study, we systematically investigated more than 10 agronomic traits of JQ2 and JQ4 mutants, including plant type, leaf colour, grain type, grain colour, grain number per plant, grain length, grain width, grain weight per plant, and 1000-grain weight. The results show that the maximum number of grains per plant was 1956, the weight was 32.84 g, and the 1000-grain weight was 30.89 g. The maximum number of grains per JQ4 plant was 2308, and the weight was 44.82 g. The maximum 1000-grain weight was 24.7 g. Among the 295 JQ2 mutants and 153 JQ4 mutants, 10 flavonoids (orientin, morin, quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin, naringin, hesperetin, myricetin, hesperidin, and rutin) were detected with near infrared spectroscopy (NIR). The mutants were divided into five groups according to the flavonoid content of the JQ2 mutants, of which the first group included 31 individual lines. and the second to fifth groups included 70, 69, 72, and 53 lines, respectively. The JQ4 mutants were divided into four classes, of which 41, 50, 32, and 30 were individual lines, respectively, with the highest rutin content being 82.06 mg/g. In summary, through systematic analysis and screening of the agronomic traits and flavonoid contents of JQ2 and JQ4 mutant seeds, we obtained three lines with a high 1000-grain weight, including two JQ2 mutant lines (30.89 g) and one JQ4 mutant line, which reached 24.70 g and ten lines with high grain weight per plant. This included 8 JQ2 mutants and 2 JQ4 mutants, as well as 72 high-rutin mutants (including 31 lines from JQ2 and 41 lines from JQ4 mutants). These elite lines provide the material basis for creating TB germplasms with excellent qualities and cultivation characteristics.
Evaluation of the Difference in the Content of Essential and Non-Essential Elements in Wild Boar and Swine Tissues Sampled in the Same Area of Northern Italy
Authors: Draghi Susanna , Spinelli Michele , Fontanarosa Carolina , Curone Giulio , Amoresano Angela , Pignoli Elisabetta , Cagnardi Petra , Vigo Daniele , Arioli Francesco , Materazzi Stefano , Risoluti Roberta , Di Cesare Federica
Published: March 2024

This study aimed to investigate the exposure of wild boars and swine from semi-extensive farms in the same area to essential and non-essential elements, measuring their concentration in liver and muscle. Furthermore, the study explored the influence of factors such as sex, age, and the sampling location on wild boars. Higher liver element concentrations were observed in both wild boars and swine. Geographical comparisons revealed minor differences. Young wild boars showed significantly higher Cu, Se, Cd, and Cr levels, while older subjects exhibited elevated Mn levels, reflecting age-related element absorption variations. No significant sex-based variations were noted. Comparing wild boars to swine, wild boars had more non-essential elements due to their foraging behavior and a larger home range. Conversely, swine exhibited a greater prevalence of essential elements, potentially resulting from dietary supplementation.
The Distribution of Boars Spermatozoa in Morphometrically Distinct Subpopulations after In Vitro Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation at 2500 MHz and Their Motility
Authors: Žaja Ivona Žura , Vince Silvijo , Butković Ivan , Senaši Kim , Milas Nina Poljičak , Malarić Krešimir , Lojkić Martina , Folnožić Ivan , Tur Suzana Milinković , Kreszinger Mario , Samardžija Marko , Čipčić Snježana , Žura Nikolino , Ostović Mario , Vilić Marinko
Published: March 2024

Anthropogenic radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) from wireless technologies has increased dramatically. The boar semen used for artificial insemination is essential in sustaining the pig industry, and additionally it is also exposed to the effects of the RF-EMR of wireless technologies. Furthermore, there are no data on the effects of RF-EMR on semen quality, and this is the first analysis of sperm’s morphometric parameters for assessing the effect of RF-EMR on the spermatozoa subpopulations of boars. This study investigated the effect of RF-EMR on in vitro exposed breeding boar semen spermatozoa motility and the proportions of spermatozoa subpopulations according to their morphometric head and tail parameters. The semen samples of 12 boars were divided into control and experimental groups. The samples in the experimental group were exposed in a gigahertz transverse electromagnetic chamber at a frequency of 2500 MHz (the frequency band used in 5G technology) and an electric field strength of 10 Vm−1 for two hours. After exposure, the spermatozoa motility was evaluated for both groups. A morphometric analysis of the semen smears was performed using SFORM software (Version 1.0; VAMS, Zagreb, Croatia). The progressive spermatozoa motility was significantly reduced in the experimental group (74.7% vs. 85.7%). PC analysis and cluster analysis revealed two spermatozoa subpopulations: S1, spermatozoa with a more regular head shape and a smaller midpiece outline, and S2, spermatozoa with a more elongated head shape and a larger midpiece outline. The experimental semen samples had a greater proportion of the S1 spermatozoa subpopulation (68.2% vs. 64.4%). The effect of RF-EMR at 2500 MHz on the in vitro exposed boar semen resulted in decreased progressive spermatozoa motility and a lower proportion of the spermatozoa subpopulation with a higher fertilizing potential.
Silybin Alleviated Hepatic Injury by Regulating Redox Balance, Inflammatory Response, and Mitochondrial Function in Weaned Piglets under Paraquat-Induced Oxidative Stress
Authors: Cai Long , Ming Dongxu , Chen Wenning , Zhao Ying , Li Yanpin , Sun Wenjuan , Pi Yu , Jiang Xianren , Li Xilong
Published: March 2024

Silybin (Si) is the main element of silymarin isolated from the seeds of Silybum marianum L. Gaernt., which has superior antioxidant properties. However, the protective role of Si in maintaining liver health under oxidative stress remains ambiguous. This study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanism of the beneficial effect of dietary Si against hepatic oxidative injury induced by paraquat (PQ) in weaned piglets. A total of 24 piglets were randomly allocated to four treatments with six replicates per treatment and 1 piglet per replicate: the control group; Si group; PQ group; and Si + PQ group. Piglets in the control group and PQ group were given a basal diet, while piglets in the Si and Si + PQ groups were given a Si-supplemented diet. On the 18th day, the pigs in the PQ treatment group received an intraperitoneal injection of PQ, and the others were intraperitoneally injected with the same volume of saline. All piglets were sacrificed on day 21 for plasma and liver sample collection. The results showed that dietary Si supplementation mitigated PQ-induced liver damage, as proven by the reduction in liver pathological changes and plasma activity of alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase. Si also improved superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities and total antioxidant capacity, as well as decreased malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide concentration in the liver, which were closely related to the activation of the nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 signaling pathway. Meanwhile, Si reduced tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-8 production and their transcript levels as well as abrogated the overactivation of nuclear factor-κB induced by PQ. Importantly, Si improved mitochondrial function by maintaining mitochondrial energetics and mitochondrial dynamics, which was indicated by the elevated activity of mitochondrial complexes I and V and adenosine triphosphate content, decreased expression of dynamin 1 protein, and increased expression of mitofusin 2 protein. Moreover, Si inhibited excessive hepatic apoptosis by regulating the B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)/Bcl-2-associated-X-protein signaling pathway. Taken together, these results indicated that Si potentially mitigated PQ-induced hepatic oxidative insults by improving antioxidant capacity and mitochondrial function and inhibiting inflammation and cell apoptosis in weaned piglets.
Multifaceted Effects of L-Cysteine, L-Ascorbic Acid, and Their Derivatives on the Viability and Melanin Synthesis of B16/F10 Cells under Different Conditions
Authors: Choi Joon Yong , Ha Jae Won , Boo Yong Chool
Published: March 2024

The total melanin synthesis in the skin depends on various melanogenic factors, including the number of viable melanocytes, the level of melanogenic enzymes per cell, and the reaction rate of the enzymes. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of L-cysteine (L-Cys), L-ascorbic acid (L-AA), and their derivatives on the tyrosinase (TYR) activity and autoxidation of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) in vitro and the viability and melanin synthesis of B16/F10 cells under different conditions. L-Cysteinamide (C-NH2), glutathione (GSH), L-Cys, L-AA, and N-acetyl L-cysteine (NAC) inhibited the catalytic activity of TYR in vitro. L-AA, C-NH2, L-ascorbic acid 2-O-glucoside (AAG), and 3-O-ethyl L-ascorbic acid (EAA) inhibited the autoxidation of L-DOPA in vitro. L-DOPA exhibited cytotoxicity at 0.1 mM and higher concentrations, whereas L-tyrosine (L-Tyr) did not affect cell viability up to 3 mM. L-AA, magnesium L-ascorbyl 2-phosphate (MAP), and L-Cys attenuated the cell death induced by L-DOPA. C-NH2 decreased the intracellular melanin level at the basal state, whereas L-AA, MAP, and AAG conversely increased it. C-NH2 reduced the number of darkly pigmented cells via in situ L-DOPA staining, whereas L-AA, MAP, GSH, and AAG increased it. C-NH2 decreased the intracellular melanin level at the alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-stimulated state, while NAC and GSH increased it. L-AA and C-NH2 decreased the intracellular melanin level at the L-Tyr-stimulated state, but NAC and GSH increased it. L-Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate (ATI) showed no or minor effects in most experiments. This study suggests that L-AA can either promote or inhibit the different melanogenic factors, and C-NH2 can inhibit the multiple melanogenic factors consistently. This study highlights the multifaceted properties of L-Cys, L-AA, and their derivatives that can direct their therapeutic applications in hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, or both disorders.
Low-Light Mine Image Enhancement Algorithm Based on Improved Retinex
Authors: Tian Feng , Wang Mengjiao , Liu Xiaopei
Published: March 2024

Aiming at solving the problems of local halo blurring, insufficient edge detail preservation, and serious noise in traditional image enhancement algorithms, an improved Retinex algorithm for low-light mine image enhancement is proposed. Firstly, in HSV color space, the hue component remains unmodified, and the improved multi-scale guided filtering and Retinex algorithm are combined to estimate the illumination and reflection components from the brightness component. Secondly, the illumination component is equalized using the Weber–Fechner law, and the contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization (CLAHE) is fused with the improved guided filtering for the brightness enhancement and denoising of reflection component. Then, the saturation component is adaptively stretched. Finally, it is converted back to RGB space to obtain the enhanced image. By comparing with single-scale Retinex (SSR) algorithm and multi-scale Retinex (MSR) algorithm, the mean, standard deviation, information entropy, average gradient, peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), and structural similarity (SSIM) are improved by an average of 50.55%, 19.32%, 3.08%, 28.34%, 29.10%, and 22.97%. The experimental dates demonstrate that the algorithm improves image brightness, prevents halo artifacts while retaining edge details, reduces the effect of noise, and provides some theoretical references for low-light image enhancement.
Routing Control Optimization for Autonomous Vehicles in Mixed Traffic Flow Based on Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Moon Sungwon , Koo Seolwon , Lim Yujin , Joo Hyunjin
Published: March 2024

With recent technological advancements, the commercialization of autonomous vehicles (AVs) is expected to be realized soon. However, it is anticipated that a mixed traffic of AVs and human-driven vehicles (HVs) will persist for a considerable period until the Market Penetration Rate reaches 100%. During this phase, AVs and HVs will interact and coexist on the roads. Such an environment can cause unpredictable and dynamic traffic conditions due to HVs, which results in traffic problems including traffic congestion. Therefore, the routes of AVs must be controlled in a mixed traffic environment. This study proposes a multi-objective vehicle routing control method using a deep Q-network to control the driving direction at intersections in a mixed traffic environment. The objective is to distribute the traffic flow and control the routes safely and efficiently to their destination. Simulation results showed that the proposed method outperformed existing methods in terms of the driving distance, time, and waiting time of AVs, particularly in more dynamic traffic environments. Consequently, the traffic became smooth as it moved along optimal routes.
A Semantically Aware Multi-View 3D Reconstruction Method for Urban Applications
Authors: Wei Rongke , Pei Haodong , Wu Dongjie , Zeng Changwen , Ai Xin , Duan Huixian
Published: March 2024

The task of 3D reconstruction of urban targets holds pivotal importance for various applications, including autonomous driving, digital twin technology, and urban planning and development. The intricate nature of urban landscapes presents substantial challenges in attaining 3D reconstructions with high precision. In this paper, we propose a semantically aware multi-view 3D reconstruction method for urban applications which incorporates semantic information into the technical 3D reconstruction. Our research primarily focuses on two major components: sparse reconstruction and dense reconstruction. For the sparse reconstruction process, we present a semantic consistency-based error filtering approach for feature matching. To address the challenge of errors introduced by the presence of numerous dynamic objects in an urban scene, which affects the Structure-from-Motion (SfM) process, we propose a computation strategy based on dynamic–static separation to effectively eliminate mismatches. For the dense reconstruction process, we present a semantic-based Semi-Global Matching (sSGM) method. This method leverages semantic consistency to assess depth continuity, thereby enhancing the cost function during depth estimation. The improved sSGM method not only significantly enhances the accuracy of reconstructing the edges of the targets but also yields a dense point cloud containing semantic information. Through validation using architectural datasets, the proposed method was found to increase the reconstruction accuracy by 32.79% compared to the original SGM, and by 63.06% compared to the PatchMatch method. Therefore, the proposed reconstruction method holds significant potential in urban applications.
Design and Lateral Stability Analysis of an Attitude Adjustment Tractor for Moving on Side Slopes
Authors: Jiang Hui , Xu Guoyan , Zeng Wen , Gao Feng , Tang Xiaohu
Published: March 2024

Lateral overturns are the most frequent fatal accidents involving tractors. A tractor being able to travel safely on uneven or sloped terrain is still an open field of investigation. The design concept of a four-wheel-drive tractor that can traverse hilly and mountainous areas is described. The tractor’s locomotion system can actively adjust its roll angle by using the attitude adjustment mechanisms equipped on the rear wheels. With double quadrangle mechanisms, the front axle can cooperate with the rear axle to adjust this tractor’s attitude. This tractor can also level its body, steer, and transmit power. The principles and configurations of the two axles are presented. A mathematics/mechanical model of a tractor on lateral slopes was developed. This model considers the relationships of the ground supporting forces when the tractor adjusts its roll angle. Combining the model of specific attitude adjustment mechanisms and the above mechanics model, the lateral stability analysis associated with the active input of the attitude adjustment mechanism is conducted. The reliability of the proposed model is discussed based on a comparison of slope traversing experiments and numerical simulations. This designed tractor has potential application in the fields of hilly and mountainous terrains. The results show that posture/configuration adjustment is a positive way to enhance tractor lateral overturn stability.
Aspect Sentiment Triplet Extraction Based on Deep Relationship Enhancement Networks
Authors: Peng Jun , Su Baohua
Published: March 2024

The task of aspect-based sentiment analysis (ASBA) is to identify all the sentiment analyses expressed by specific aspect words in the text. How to identify specific objects (i.e., aspect words), describe the modifiers of the specific objects (i.e., opinion words), and judge the sentiment analysis expressed by opinion words (sentimental classification) in one step has become a focus of research in ASBA. ASTE (Aspect Sentiment Triplet Extraction) based on DREN (Deep Relationship Enhancement Networks) has been proposed in this paper. It aims to extract the aspect words and opinion words in the review text in one-step. They can judge the sentiment analysis expressed by the opinion words. Therefore, the study defines ten kinds of word relations; then, the study uses the parts of the speech feature, syntactic feature, relative position feature and tree distance relative feature to enhance the word representation relationship, which enriches the table of information in the relational matrix. Secondly, based on the word representation of BERT and GCN, the structural information of the texts are extracted; then, further extraction of higher-level word semantic information and word relationship information through SWDA (Sliding Window Dilated Attention) occurs, as SWDA can capture the multi-granularity relationship in words. Finally, the experimental results show that the proposed method is effective.
The Effect of a New Approach to Cooling the External Heat Exchange Surfaces of a Car Cooler with Air Nozzles on the Cooling Process
Authors: Lipnický Marek , Brodnianská Zuzana
Published: March 2024

The paper deals with an experimental investigation of a new approach for cooling the external heat exchange surfaces of a cooler using an air pressure nozzle system. The G12+ coolant (50:50 ethylene glycol/water concentrate) is heated to an operating temperature of 80 °C and cooled by a cooler. Three ways of forced cooling of the external heat exchange surfaces of the cooler are experimentally compared—fan, nozzles, and a combination of nozzles and fan. The spacing between the nozzles and the cooler is variable from 60 to 170 mm in inline and staggered nozzle arrangements. Coolant temperatures in the cooler inlet and outlet pipes are recorded by thermistors. The air pressure nozzle system achieved an improvement in the cooling process compared to a conventional fan. At a spacing of 160 mm, the heat exchange surface is completely covered by the air flow, which leads to a reduction in cooling time and an increase in the temperature difference. The maximum temperature difference of 28.84 °C and 16.90 °C for staggered arrangement of nozzles at a spacing of 160 mm are achieved for the combination of nozzles with fan and nozzles, respectively. When comparing 60 mm and 160 mm spacing, there was an increase in thermal performance of 70.3%, 55.99%, 6.20%, and 1.83% for inline nozzles, staggered nozzles, fan with inline nozzles, and fan with staggered nozzles, respectively. The air nozzle system fully replaces the fan in the cooling process and achieves improved heat dissipation, making the cooling process significantly shorter and more efficient. In addition, the air nozzle system can also be used as an additional equipment for intensification of heat dissipation in combination with the fan.
A Data-Driven Model for Predictive Modeling of Vortex-Induced Vibrations of a Long-Span Bridge
Authors: Wang Yafei , Feng Hui , Xu Nan , Zhong Jiwei , Wang Zhengxing , Yao Wenfan , Jiang Yuyin , Laima Shujin
Published: March 2024

Vortex-induced vibration (VIV) of long-span bridges can be of large amplitude, which can influence serviceability. Therefore, it is important to predict the response of vortex-induced vibration to aid the management of long-span bridges. A novel data-driven model is proposed to predict the time history of the dynamic response of VIV events. Specifically, the proposed model consists of gated recurrent unit (GRU) neural networks and the Newmark-beta method. GRU neural networks can perform accurate sequential prediction, and the Newmark-beta method can complement the physical meaning of the middle output of the proposed model. To aid the accurate prediction of the amplitude of VIV events, the proposed model employs weighted mean square error as the loss function, which can put more emphasis on the amplitude. The proposed model is validated on measured VIV events of a long-span suspension bridge. The weighted mean absolute percentage error and Pearson correlation coefficient of the trained model indicate the effectiveness of the proposed model.
Dataset Constrution through Ontology-Based Data Requirements Analysis
Authors: Jiang Liangru , Wang Xi
Published: March 2024

Machine learning (ML) technology is rapidly evolving, and the quality of ML systems is becoming an increasingly focal point of attention. Since the ML system is shaped by the dataset it learns from, its quality largely depends on the quality of the dataset. However, the dataset is often collected in a non-standardized process and few requirements and analysis methods are given to assist in identifying the needed dataset. This leads to no guarantee for the quality of dataset, affecting the generalization ability of model and resulting in low training efficiency. To address these issues, this paper proposes an ontology-based requirement analysis method where ontology integrates domain knowledge into the process of data requirements analysis and the coverage criteria on ontology are given for specifying data requirements which can later be used to guide the high-quality construction of the dataset. We held an experiment on an image recognition system in the field of autonomous driving to validate our approach. The result shows that the ML system trained by the dataset constructed through our data requirements analysis method has a better performance.
Integration of Sensors for Enhanced Condition Monitoring in Polymer Gears: A Comparative Study of Acceleration and Temperature Sensors
Authors: Hasenoehrl Sascha , Peters Julian , Matthiesen Sven
Published: March 2024

As an integral part of a machine, gears are subject to wear, which is influenced by a number of factors. For polymer gears in particular, the uncertainties due to wear are high. These uncertainties outweigh the advantages of polymer gears, such as lower inertia. Improved condition monitoring, for example, with better data acquisition, could reduce these uncertainties and is therefore of great interest. This study addresses the challenges of condition monitoring in polymer gears by investigating the integration of sensors directly onto the gears for improved sensitivity. A compact sensor module mounted on a polymer gear is presented to demonstrate the benefits of integrated sensors. The research compares the effectiveness of integrated acceleration and temperature sensors with state of the art external methods. The results show that the in situ sensor module (ISM) provides reliable measurements for condition monitoring with integrated sensors. A comparative analysis with methods based on the current state of research highlights the increased sensitivity of condition monitoring based on the ISM acceleration sensors compared to traditional bearing block sensors. This increased sensitivity shows a clear advantage of integrated sensors over established methods. The temperature curve of the integrated sensors is sensitive to abrasive wear and gear failure, indicating the wider potential of integrated temperature sensors. In conclusion, this research lays the foundation for advanced condition monitoring using integrated sensors in polymer gears. The knowledge gained contributes to optimising gear applications, promoting cost-effectiveness and aligning with the principles of the Internet of Things and Industry 4.0.
Application of Convolutional Neural Network in Quantifying Reservoir Channel Characteristics
Authors: Wei Jie , Li Shaohua
Published: March 2024

After many years of exploitation in the petroleum field, most of the oil fields are in advanced stages of development, with a strong non-homogeneity of the reservoir, more residual oil, and low recovery efficiency. Therefore, research on various methods has been carried out by scholars to improve the rate of recovery and to understand the distribution pattern of residual oil in reservoirs. Among the whole clastic reservoirs, fluvial reservoirs occupy a large proportion, so fluvial reservoirs will be the priority for future reservoir research in China. The key to the fine characterization of fluvial-phase reservoirs is to able to reproduce the continuous curvature of the channel, and one important parameter is the width of the channel. The width of the channel sand body is one of the key factors in designing well programs, and accurately identifying the channel boundary is the key to identifying a single channel. Traditional research methods cannot accurately characterize the continuous bending and oscillating morphology of underwater diversion channels, and it is not easy to quantitatively characterize the spatial structure. Therefore, in this paper, a deep learning method is applied to quantitatively identify the width of a single channel within an underwater diversion channel at the delta front edge. Based on the sedimentary background of the block and modern depositional studies, we established candidate models for underwater diversion channels with channel widths of 100, 130, 160, 190, 220, and 250 m based on target simulation and human–computer interactions. The results show that when the width of the underwater diversion channel is 160 m, it has the highest matching rate with the conditional data and corresponds to the actual situation. Therefore, it can be determined that it is the common width of underwater diversion channel in the study area. And it is shown that the method can accurately identify the width of underwater diversion channels, and the results provide a basis for reservoir fine characterization studies.
Wireless Strain Gauge for Monitoring Bituminous Pavements
Authors: Gillot Camille , Picoux Benoit , Reynaud Philippe , Cardoso da Silva Debora , Rakotovao-Ravahatra Ndrianary , Feix Noël , Petit Christophe
Published: March 2024

This paper introduces the implementation of a new device for measuring deformations at the surface layers of bituminous pavement. Using wireless technology, rechargeable remotely, low cost, and easily positioned in a layer by coring after pavement construction, this sensor makes it possible to obtain measurements of the deformation when a vehicle passes by. The development of the wireless sensor is presented as well as its advantages and limitations. It was then tested in the laboratory under a hydraulic press and in situ using a full-scale test of the mobile load simulator (MLS10 type). This system allows simple measurement, gives reliable results, and could be a useful device for the structural monitoring of pavement structures.
A Transit Tilt and Offset Errors Calibration Method for Improving Laser Tracker Measurement Accuracy Based on the Telecentric Measurement System
Authors: Wang Shan , Zhang Zili , Dong Dengfeng , Feng Tianci , Qiu Qifan , Meng Fanchang , Wang Guoming , Cui Chengjun , Ji Rongyi , Pan Yingling , Gong Tao , Zhou Weihu
Published: March 2024

Laser trackers are instruments used to measure the three-dimensional coordinates of objects with high precision. It is necessary to study calibration methods to identify geometric errors of laser trackers so as to compensate for errors and improve measurement accuracy. Among the offsets, tilts, and eccentricity errors in the system, the transit tilt and offset errors play important roles and have an essential effect on the measurement accuracy, which need to be calibrated and compensated for. Current methods for detecting geometric errors between the transit and standing axes are complex and time-consuming. In this paper, a fast and novel calibration method is proposed, which can be easily operated with high precision. Two test rods are coaxially mounted on the ends of the transit axis to extend the hidden transit axis. Then, a telecentric measurement system is used to record the projection images of the test rods and identify the position of the transit axis. The transit offset and tilt errors were thus obtained by comparing the central axis positions of the two test rods before and after the standing axis rotated 180 degrees. Moreover, a numerical analysis method was proposed based on the least square circle fitting method to calibrate the installation eccentricity errors of the test rods. Experimental results verify that the measurement accuracy of the laser tracker can be improved after error compensation using the calibrated transit offset and tilt errors. The measurement error of the laser tracker can be reduced from 161 µm to about 73 µm after compensation at a distance of 5 m, while the error can be decreased from 143 µm to about 108 µm at a distance of 10 m.
Laboratory Test and Constitutive Model for Quantifying the Anisotropic Swelling Behavior of Expansive Soils
Authors: Liu Zhengnan , Zhang Rui , Lan Tian , Zhou Yu , Huang Chao
Published: March 2024

Expansive soils exhibit directionally dependent swelling that traditional isotropic models fail to capture. This study investigates the anisotropic swelling characteristics of expansive soil with a medium swelling potential through the use of modified oedometric testing. Vertical swelling strains can reach up to 1.71 times that of the horizontal movements, confirming intrinsic anisotropy. A nonlinear elastic constitutive model incorporates vertical and horizontal elastic moduli with respect to matric suction to characterize anisotropy. Three elastic parameters were determined through the experiments, and predictive equations were developed to estimate the unsaturated moduli. The constitutive model and predictive techniques provide practical tools to better assess expansive soil pressures considering anisotropy, offering guidelines for utilization and design. The outcomes advance understanding of these soils’ directionally dependent behavior and stress–strain–suction response.
Development and Characterization of Pectin-Based Antimicrobial Packaging Films Containing Nanoemulsified Trans-Cinnamaldehyde
Authors: Baghi Fatemeh , Ghnimi Sami , Agusti Géraldine , Dumas Emilie , Gharsallaoui Adem
Published: March 2024

In this study, an antimicrobial plant-based film was developed using pectin which is incorporated by different percentages of nanoemulsified trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC). The nanoemulsion of TC was incorporated into pectin to form films containing TC at concentrations of 5.00%, 3.33%, 2.50% and 2.00% (w/w). The nanoemulsion of TC was formed by using soybean lecithin as an emulsifier and had a zeta potential of −57 mV and an average size of 106 nm. The analysis showed that the addition of emulsified TC enhanced the light barrier properties, but the opacity of films increased due to the increase in light absorption, coalescence, and light-scattering phenomena. Films containing the nanoemulsion of TC exhibited reduced tensile strength and elasticity due to structural discontinuities in the film network caused by the presence of the nanoemulsion of TC, while elongation at break increased for TC concentrations of 2.50% and 2.00%. The films retained their infrared spectra, but their thermal stability decreased slightly. The incorporation of TC nanoemulsion significantly reduced the glass transition temperature, as shown by the differential scanning calorimetry analysis. The active films showed antimicrobial activity against Listeria innocua and Escherichia coli, indicating their potential for various food applications.
A Study on the Effects of Hob Temperature on the Rock-Breaking Characteristics of Sandstone Strata
Authors: Pan Yun-Gui , Chen You-Liang , Du Xi , Tong Hui-Dong , Tang Fei-Yu , Wu Xiao-Jian , Wang Su-Ran , Liao Shao-Ming , Peng Bin
Published: March 2024

To explore the effect of hob temperature on the rock-breaking characteristics of full-section tunnel boring machines (TBMs) in sandstone strata, high-temperature furnace heating experiments of sandstone and physical and mechanical experiments at room temperature and high temperatures were conducted to obtain the mechanical properties of sandstone at different temperatures. The mechanical properties at different temperatures were calibrated using PFC3D to obtain micro-mechanical and thermodynamic parameters and establish a rock-breaking model. The orthogonal experiments were used to establish the simulation experiments of rock breaking under different temperatures, confining pressure conditions, knife tip distances, and penetration degrees. The results show that the hob tip force is gradually increasing with an increase in the confining pressure. When below 600 °C, there is little temperature transfer from particle to particle as the temperature increases. At this time, with the two sides of the rock slag flaking, the hob knife tip force is the first to reduce. After 600 °C, with the expansion of the rock extrusion hob, the temperature rises on both sides; at this time, the hob tip force also increased. The hob tip force is minimal at a tip distance of 70 mm and an S/P of 14. As the surrounding pressure increases, the rock-breaking efficiency of the hobber decreases. The highest rock-breaking efficiency is achieved at 25 °C and 600 °C. The rock-breaking efficiency is highest when the knife tip distance is designed to be 70 mm, and when the S/P is 14. The three-dimensional constitutive analysis of rock-breaking particles showed that the increment caused by the hob temperature is mainly distributed in the normal force direction in the surrounding rock without any confining pressure, and the increment caused by the hob temperature exposed to the confining pressure occurs in all directions.
A Review of the Impacts of Implant Stiffness on Fracture Healing
Authors: Mori Yu , Kamimura Masayuki , Ito Kentaro , Koguchi Masashi , Tanaka Hidetatsu , Kurishima Hiroaki , Koyama Tomoki , Mori Naoko , Masahashi Naoya , Aizawa Toshimi
Published: March 2024

The bone healing process is influenced by various physiological factors. Fracture fixation traditionally relied on rigid metallic implants. However, excessively rigid constructs can lead to complications, necessitating revision surgery. This review focuses on approaches to improve bone healing by introducing adequate interfragmentary movement (IFM) at the fracture site. IFM promotes secondary fracture healing and callus formation. Studies suggest that rigid fixation may impair fracture healing by inhibiting callus formation and causing stress shielding. Titanium alloy locking plates have been shown to be biomechanically superior to stainless steel. Flexible fixation and techniques to regulate implant stiffness are crucial for managing fractures with bridge plating. Materials with a lower Young’s modulus balance biomechanical properties. A novel TiNbSn alloy with a low Young’s modulus has been developed to address stress shielding issues. It is effective in promoting osteosynthesis, bone healing, and superior mechanical properties compared with materials with higher Young’s moduli. The enhanced formation of bone and callus associated with TiNbSn alloy suggests its promise for use in fracture treatment plates. Understanding the biomechanics of fracture healing, optimizing fixation stiffness, and exploring innovative materials like TiNbSn alloys, are crucial for advancing approaches to accelerate and enhance bone healing.
Modulation Transfer between Microwave Beams: Asymptotic Evaluation of Integrals with Pole Singularities near a First-Order Saddle Point
Authors: Cacciari Ilaria , Ranfagni Anedio
Published: March 2024

Experimental results of delay-time measurements in the transfer of modulation between microwave beams, as reported in previous articles, were interpreted on a competition (interference) between two waves, one of which is modulated and the other is a continuous wave (c.w.). The creation of one of these waves was attributed to a saddle-point contribution, while the other was attributed to pole singularities. In this paper, such an assumption is justified by a quantitative field-amplitude analysis in order to make the modeling plausible. In particular, two ways of calculating field amplitudes are considered. These lead to results that are quantitatively markedly different, although qualitatively similar.
The Effects of the S1P Receptor Agonist Fingolimod (FTY720) on Central and Peripheral Myelin in Twitcher Mice
Authors: Béchet Sibylle , Dev Kumlesh K.
Published: March 2024

Krabbe’s disease (KD) is caused by mutations in the lysosomal enzyme galactocerebrosidase and is associated with psychosine toxicity. The sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor (S1PR) agonist fingolimod (FTY720) attenuates psychosine-induced cell death of human astrocytes, demyelination in cerebellar slices, as well as demyelination in the central nervous system of twitcher mice. Psychosine also accumulates in the peripheral nervous system in twitcher mice; however, effects of fingolimod on this peripheral myelin have not been examined. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of fingolimod administration on peripheral and central markers of myelination. Here, we report that fingolimod administration (1 mg/kg/day) from postnatal day 5 (PND) onwards did not alter peripheral demyelination in the sciatic nerve of twitcher mice, despite significantly reducing myelin debris, glial reactivity, and neuronal damage in the cerebellum. We also find fingolimod administration improves twitching and mobility scores in twitcher mice. Importantly, we find that fingolimod significantly increases the lifespan of twitcher mice by approximately 5 days. These findings suggest differential effects of fingolimod on peripheral and central neuropathy in twitcher mice, which may explain its modest efficacy on behavior and lifespan.