bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Laser-induced valence electron excitation in acetylene
Authors: Hu Hongtao , Hung Yi , Larimian Seyedreza , Erattupuzha Sonia , Baltuška Andrius , Zeiler Markus , Xie Xinhua
Published: December 2022

Strong-field induced valence electron excitation is a common process in strong field interaction with atoms and molecules. In the case of polyatomic molecules, the effects of ionization from low-lying molecular orbitals and nuclear dynamics during the interaction can play critical roles for electron excitation. In this work, we investigate the involved molecular orbitals in the electron excitation of singly ionized acetylene in a strong laser field using alignment dependence and laser intensity dependence. Additionally, the involved nuclear dynamics during the electron excitation are identified from the difference in the kinetic energy release and the angular distribution of laser-induced dissociation with different pulse durations and intensities. The laser intensity dependence clearly shows the relative strength change of two excitation pathways in the measured momentum and angle-resolved distributions.
Mitochondrial dysfunction in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Zhang Weiwei , Liu Bo , Wang Yazhou , Zhang Hengli , He Lang , Wang Pan , Dong Mingqing
Published: December 2022

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by the increased pulmonary vascular resistance due to pulmonary vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling. PAH has high disability, high mortality and poor prognosis, which is becoming a more common global health issue. There is currently no drug that can permanently cure PAH patients. The pathogenesis of PAH is still not fully elucidated. However, the role of metabolic theory in the pathogenesis of PAH is becoming clearer, especially mitochondrial metabolism. With the deepening of mitochondrial researches in recent years, more and more studies have shown that the occurrence and development of PAH are closely related to mitochondrial dysfunction, including the tricarboxylic acid cycle, redox homeostasis, enhanced glycolysis, and increased reactive oxygen species production, calcium dysregulation, mitophagy, etc. This review will further elucidate the relationship between mitochondrial metabolism and pulmonary vasoconstriction and pulmonary vascular remodeling. It might be possible to explore more comprehensive and specific treatment strategies for PAH by understanding these mitochondrial metabolic mechanisms.
Two vacuolar invertase inhibitors PpINHa and PpINH3 display opposite effects on fruit sugar accumulation in peach
Authors: Mollah Md Dulal Ali , Zhang Xian , Zhao Li , Jiang Xiaohan , Ogutu Collins O. , Peng Qian , Belal Mohammad A. A. , Yang Qiurui , Cai Yaming , Nishawy Elsayed , Cherono Sylvia , Wang Lu , Han Yuepeng
Published: December 2022

Soluble sugars are an important determinant of fruit taste, but their accumulation mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, we report two vacuolar invertase inhibitor genes involved in sugar accumulation in peach, PpINHa and PpINH3. Transient overexpression of PpINH3 in peach fruits resulted in an increase in sugar content, while the opposite trend was detected for PpINHa. Unexpectedly, PpINH3 and PpINHa both had no physical interaction with vacuolar invertase (VIN). Moreover, the PpVIN genes had no or extremely low expression in fruits at the ripening stage. These results suggested that the regulatory role of PpINHa and PpINH3 in sugar accumulation is unlikely due to their interaction with PpVINs. Additionally, overexpression of PpINHa and PpINH3 had an impact on transcription of genes related to fruit sugar metabolism and transport, which is likely responsible for their regulatory role in fruit sugar accumulation. Altogether, these results indicated an important role of PpINHs in fruit accumulation in peach. Our study provides new insights into molecular mechanisms underlying sugar accumulation, which could be useful for genetic improvement of fruit taste in breeding programs of peach and other fruit crops.
Comprehensive analysis of LRR-RLKs and key gene identification in Pinus massoniana resistant to pine wood nematode
Authors: Nie Ziyan , Li Wenhua , Deng Lili , Gao Kai , Liu Qinghua , Zhou Zhichun
Published: December 2022

Pinus massoniana is a pioneer tree widely planted for afforestation on barren hills in southern China where the total planted area is 8.04 million ha. The invasive pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) poses a serious threat to the survival of P. massoniana. Plant resistance genes encoded by leucine-rich repeat-containing transmembrane-receptor proteins play important roles in plant defense. Leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases (LRR-RLKs), the largest subfamily of the RLK protein family, play an important role in sensing stress signals in plants. However, the LRR-RLKs of P. massoniana have not been characterized previously, and their role in resistance to B. xylophilus is unknown. In this study, 185 members of the LRR-RLK subfamily were identified in P. massoniana and were categorized into 14 subgroups. Transcriptomic and quantitative real-time RT-PCR analyses showed that PmRLKs32 was highly expressed in the stem tissue after inoculation with B. xylophilus. The gene exhibited high homology with AtFLS2 of Arabidopsis thaliana. PmRLKs32 was localized to the plasma membrane and was significantly upregulated in nematode-resistant and nematode-susceptible individuals. The transient expression of PmRLKs32 resulted in a burst of reactive oxygen species production in P. massoniana and Nicotiana benthamiana seedlings. These results lay a foundation for further exploration of the regulatory mechanism of LRR-RLKs in response to biotic stress in P. massoniana.
Genetic dissection of quantitative trait loci for flag leaf size in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Chen Liangen , Xu Zhibin , Fan Xiaoli , Zhou Qiang , Yu Qin , Liu Xiaofeng , Liao Simin , Jiang Cheng , Lin Dian , Ma Fang , Feng Bo , Wang Tao
Published: December 2022

Flag leaf size is a crucial trait influencing plant architecture and yield potential in wheat. A recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from the cross of W7268 and Chuanyu 12 was employed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling flag leaf length (FLL), flag leaf width (FLW), and flag leaf area (FLA) in six environments and the best linear unbiased estimator (BLUE) datasets. Using a 55 K SNP-based genetic map, six major and stable QTL were detected with 6.33–53.12% of explained phenotypic variation. Except for QFlw.cib-4B.3, the other five major QTL were co-located within two intervals on chromosomes 2B and 2D, namely QFll/Fla.cib-2B and QFll/Flw/Fla.cib-2D, respectively. Their interactions and effects on the corresponding traits and yield-related traits were also assessed based on flanking markers. QFll/Fla.cib-2B showed pleiotropic effects on spikelet number per spike (SNS). QFlw.cib-4B.3 and QFll/Flw/Fla.cib-2D had effects on grain number per spike (GNS) and thousand-grain weight (TGW). Comparison analysis suggested that QFll/Fla.cib-2B was likely a new locus. Two candidate genes, TraesCS2B03G0222800 and TraesCS2B03G0230000, associated with leaf development within the interval of QFll/Fla.cib-2B were identified based on expression-pattern analysis, gene annotation, ortholog analysis, and sequence variation. The major QTL and markers reported here provide valuable information for understanding the genetic mechanism underlying flag leaf size as well as breeding utilization in wheat.
Use of stability statistics in the selection of Clausena heptaphylla (Roxb.) Wight & Arn for novel anethole rich strain (Jor Lab CH-2)
Authors: Lal Mohan , Munda Sunita , Gogoi Anindita , Begum Twahira , Baruah Joyashree , Chanda Sanjoy K. , Lekhak Himangshu
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Anethole is an industrially important compound which is extensively used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, perfumery, food and confectioneries. Anethole is primarily obtained from fennel, anise, and star anise which is highly expensive. Therefore, a study was performed to identify a cost-effective and natural anethole rich strain of Clausena heptaphylla through selection and confirmed through multilocation trial.

Methods

The study was conducted using 23 accessions collected from North eastern region of India from 2014-2018 (initial evaluation trial) and 2018-2022 (multilocation trial). The initial trial was conducted in the experimental farm of CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat, Assam using Complete Randomized Block Design with three replications. Five agronomical traits (plant height, leaf length, leaf width, number of stem branching, herbage yield per plant per cutting) along with essential oil yield and anethole content were evaluated which led to the identification of anethole rich strain of C. heptaphylla. This identified strain was further evaluated along with the two check genotypes for stability based on three yield parameters viz. herbage yield, essential oil yield and anethole content at four multi-locations (Imphal, Jorhat, Runne and Madang) for four years using the same experimental design.

Results and discussion

The identified superior line (Jor Lab CH-2) showed consistent performance for the studied yield parameters across all the environments maintaining its superiority. The identified strain exhibited average herbage yield of 1.2 Kg/plant/cutting and essential oil yield of 1.22%. The GC-MS analysis of the essential oil depicted trans anethole as the major constituent (93.25%) followed by estragole (4.85%) while benzene, 1,2-dimethoxy-4-(1-propenyl Isoeugenol methyl ether and cis-anethole were the trace components. This is the first novel report of anethole rich variant of C. heptaphylla which has undergone multilocational trial over the years. Jor Lab CH-2 strain will open a new scope for the industries to isolate anethole from a different source in a cost-effective approach.
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeted mutation of the E1 decreases photoperiod sensitivity, alters stem growth habits, and decreases branch number in soybean
Authors: Wan Zhao , Liu Yingxiang , Guo Dandan , Fan Rong , Liu Yang , Xu Kun , Zhu Jinlong , Quan Le , Lu Wentian , Bai Xi , Zhai Hong
Published: December 2022

The distribution of elite soybean (Glycine max) cultivars is limited due to their highly sensitive to photoperiod, which affects the flowering time and plant architecture. The recent emergence of CRISPR/Cas9 technology has uncovered new opportunities for genetic manipulation of soybean. The major maturity gene E1 of soybean plays a critical role in soybean photoperiod response. Here, we performed CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeted mutation of E1 gene in soybean cultivar Tianlong1 carrying the dominant E1 to investigate its precise function in photoperiod regulation, especially in plant architecture regulation. Four types of mutations in the E1 coding region were generated. No off-target effects were observed, and homozygous trans-clean mutants without T-DNA were obtained. The photoperiod sensitivity of e1 mutants decreased relative to the wild type plants; however, e1 mutants still responded to photoperiod. Further analysis revealed that the homologs of E1, E1-La, and E1-Lb, were up-regulated in the e1 mutants, indicating a genetic compensation response of E1 and its homologs. The e1 mutants exhibited significant changes in the architecture, including initiation of terminal flowering, formation of determinate stems, and decreased branch numbers. To identify E1-regulated genes related to plant architecture, transcriptome deep sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to compare the gene expression profiles in the stem tip of the wild-type soybean cultivar and the e1 mutants. The expression of shoot identity gene Dt1 was significantly decreased, while Dt2 was significantly upregulated. Also, a set of MADS-box genes was up-regulated in the stem tip of e1 mutants which might contribute to the determinate stem growth habit.
Genome-wide identification and comprehensive analysis of tubby-like protein gene family in multiple crops
Authors: Zeng Yafei , Wen Jianyu , Fu Jinmei , Geng Han , Dan Zhiwu , Zhao Weibo , Xu Wuwu , Huang Wenchao
Published: December 2022

Introduction

The highly conserved tubby-like proteins (TLPs) play key roles in animal neuronal development and plant growth. The abiotic stress tolerance function of TLPs has been widely explored in plants, however, little is known about comparative studies of TLPs within crops.

Methods

Bioinformatic identification, phylogenetic analysis, Cis-element analysis, expression analysis, Cis-element analysis, expression analysis and so on were explored to analysis the TLP gene family of multiple crops.

Results

In this study, a comprehensive analysis of TLP genes were carried out in seven crops to explore whether similar function of TLPs in rice could be achieved in other crops. We identified 20, 9, 14, 11, 12, 35, 14 and 13 TLP genes in Glycine max, Hordeum vulgare, Sorghum bicolor, Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa Japonica, Triticum aestivum, Setaria italic and Zea mays, respectively. All of them were divided into two groups and ten orthogroups (Ors) based on amino acids. A majority of TLP genes had two domains, tubby-like domain and F-box domain, while members of Or5 only had tubby-like domain. In addition, Or5 had more exons and shorter DNA sequences, showing that characteristics of different Ors reflected the differentiated function and feature of TLP genes in evolutionary process, and Or5 was the most different from the other Ors. Besides, we recognized 25 cis-elements in the promoter of TLP genes and explored multiple new regulation pathway of TLPs including light and hormone response. The bioinformatic and transcriptomic analysis implied the stresses induced expression and possible functional redundancy of TLP genes. We detected the expression level of 6 OsTLP genes at 1 to 6 days after seed germination in rice, and the most obvious changes in these days were appeared in OsTLP10 and OsTLP12.

Discussion

Combined yeast two-hybrid system and pull down assay, we suggested that the TLP genes of Or1 may have similar function during seed germination in different species. In general, the results of comprehensive analysis of TLP gene family in multiple species provide valuable evolutionary and functional information of TLP gene family which are useful for further application and study of TLP genes.
Chitosan treatment reduces softening and chilling injury in cold-stored Hami melon by regulating starch and sucrose metabolism
Authors: Zhang Qin , Tang Fengxian , Cai Wenchao , Peng Bo , Ning Ming , Shan Chunhui , Yang Xinquan
Published: December 2022

Cold-stored Hami melon is susceptible to chilling injury, resulting in quality deterioration and reduced sales. Pre-storage treatment with chitosan reduces fruit softening and chilling injury in melon; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, Gold Queen Hami melons were treated with 1.5% chitosan solution for 10 min before cold storage at 3°C and then the effect of chitosan was examined on fruit firmness, weight loss, chilling injury, soluble solid content (SSC), pectin, and soluble sugar contents of melon fruit. Also, the enzyme activities and gene expressions related to fruit softening and starch and sucrose metabolism were investigated. Chitosan treatment reduced the fruit softening and chilling injury, maintained the high levels of starch and sucrose contents, and regulated the enzyme activities and gene expressions related to starch and sucrose metabolism. Fruit firmness was significantly positively correlated with sucrose and starch contents. Altogether, we uncovered the potential mechanism of chitosan coating mitigating melon softening and chilling injury through the regulation of starch and sucrose metabolism.
A model of extended technology acceptance for behavioral intention toward EVs with gender as a moderator
Authors: Zhang B. S. , Ali Kashif , Kanesan Thavamaran
Published: December 2022

Technology has contributed significantly to the adoption of EVs (EVs) in the era of industry 4. 0. However, consumer intentions for EVs have been elusive, and the pace of adoption has been confined. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the influence of external factors in promoting customer behavioral intention for EVs. The study also investigates the mediating role of perceived ease of use (PEU) and perceived usefulness (PU) between external factors and consumer intentions for EVs. It also examined the moderating role of gender on the study variables. A study approach based on the expanded version of the technology acceptance model (TAM) was utilized to analyse data from 203 customers in China. The model was tested using structural equation model (SEM) and multigroup analysis (MGA) techniques. The results indicated that two external factors have a positive relationship with TAM constructs. The results also indicate that PEU and PU have a serial mediating relationship between external factors and behavioral intention. Finally, the study revealed gender-related differences in TAM for EVs. The study's findings help managers to design successful strategies by knowing the external factors impacting customer EV intentions and gender differences. Finally, this is a ground-breaking research that applies TAM to the automobile sector. As a result, examining both new and current factors and evaluating them in a new setting adds to the body of the literature on the adoption of technology.
“Bringing new life in”: Hope as a know-how of not knowing
Authors: Cuffari Elena , Fourlas George , Whatley Maceo
Published: December 2022

We offer a theoretical and empirical exploration of parental or guardian hope through an enactive, ecological, and reflective lifeworld research framework. We examine hoping as a practice, or know-how, by exploring the shape of interviewees’ lives as they prepare for lives to come. We pursue hoping as a necessarily shared practice–a social agency–rather than an individual emotion. One main argument is that hoping operates as a kind of languaging. An enactive-ecological approach shifts scholarly conversations around hope, in part by including voices of non-scholars and considering lifeworld factors like class privilege. We aim to identify particular impediments to or facilitators of hope, which may be thought of as classes of restrictive and generative thought-shapers, respectively. Results from our qualitative study indicate that uncertainty is deeply salient to hoping, not only because hope as a concept entails epistemic limits, but more vitally because not knowing, when done skillfully and when supported through education and some degree of socio-economic security, leaves room for others to reframe utterances, and so for the family or community to resist linguistic enclosure.
Need strength, perceived need support, stress symptomatology, and performance in the context of oral exams: A typological approach
Authors: Schürmann Linda , Kärner Tobias , Ringeisen Tobias
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Based on self-determination theory, we investigated whether examinees are classifiable into profiles based on basic need strength and perceived need support that differ in stress parameters and achievement in the context of a standardized oral exam.

Methods

92 students reported their basic need strength before and perceived need support provided by the examiner once after the exam. Students indicated their emotions and stress perception at four measurement points and we measured their saliva cortisol concurrently, analyzing stress-related changes over time.

Results

Latent class analyses revealed two higher-quality (low/high, high/high) and two lower-quality (low/low, high/low) need strength/need support classes. Physio-affective stress development was typical of exam situations. Higher-quality classes that met or exceeded the needs displayed more beneficial stress and emotion response patterns than lower-quality classes. Gain-related emotions mediated achievement in the higher-quality classes.

Discussion

Need-supportive examiners can promote student well-being and achievement when they succeed in providing high need satisfaction.
ADHD and reification: Four ways a psychiatric construct is portrayed as a disease
Authors: te Meerman Sanne , Freedman Justin E. , Batstra Laura
Published: December 2022

Introduction

The descriptive classification Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is often mistaken for a disease entity that explains the causes of inattentive and hyperactive behaviors, rather than merely describing the existence of such behaviors. The present study examines discourse on ADHD to analyze how authors passively and actively contribute to reification—a fallacy in which a concept is represented as a thing existing on its own.

Methods

Critical Discourse Analysis and Qualitative Content Analysis of academic textbooks, scientific articles, websites and videos were used to analyze how ADHD is reified.

Results

The analyses reveal four ways in which inattentive and restless behaviors are presented as an entity by means of the ADHD classification: language choice, logical fallacies, genetic reductionism, and textual silence. First, language choice, such as medical jargon and metaphors aid in representing ADHD as a disease entity. Second, several logical fallacies do the same, including the relatively unknown “ecological fallacy” that refers to the erroneous belief that average group findings, such as average brain size of groups of those with an ADHD classification, can be applied on an individual level. Third, genetic reductionism is often achieved by overstating the results of twin studies and being silent about the disappointing molecular genetic research. Such textual silence is the last identified mechanism of reification and includes instances in which societal factors that affect the ADHD construct are often omitted from texts, thereby obscuring the extent to which ADHD is a limited heuristic.

Discussion

It is essential that discourse communities do not repeat these four ways of reifying behavior and social relations into an alleged entity with the acronym ADHD. The errors and habits of writing may be epistemologically violent by influencing how laypeople and professionals see children and ultimately how children may come to see themselves in a negative way. Beyond that, if the institutional world shaped to help children is based on misguided assumptions, it may cause them harm and help perpetuate the misguided narrative. To counter the dominant, reifying and medicalizing view, guidelines such as the recently published “Dutch ADHD Psychoeducation Guidelines” might be helpful.
The ETNA mission concept: Assessing the habitability of an active ocean world
Authors: Deutsch Ariel N. , Panicucci Paolo , Tenelanda-Osorio Laura I. , Da Poian Victoria , Cho Yun H. , Venigalla Chandrakanth , Mathanlal Thasshwin , Castillo Specia Emiliano , González Peytaví Graciela , Guarriello Andrea , Gunasekara Onalli , Jones Lewis , Krasteva Mariya , Pouplin Jennifer , Villanueva Nicole , Zaref Sam
Published: December 2022

Enceladus is an icy world with potentially habitable conditions, as suggested by the coincident presence of a subsurface ocean, an active energy source due to water-rock interactions, and the basic chemical ingredients necessary for terrestrial life. Among all ocean worlds in our Solar System, Enceladus is the only active body that provides direct access to its ocean through the ongoing expulsion of subsurface material from erupting plumes. Here we present the Enceladus Touchdown aNalyzing Astrobiology (ETNA) mission, a concept designed during the 2019 Caltech Space Challenge. ETNA’s goals are to determine whether Enceladus provides habitable conditions and what (pre-) biotic signatures characterize Enceladus. ETNA would sample and analyze expelled plume materials at the South Polar Terrain (SPT) during plume fly-throughs and landed operations. An orbiter includes an ultraviolet imaging spectrometer, an optical camera, and radio science and a landed laboratory includes an ion microscope and mass spectrometer suite, temperature sensors, and an optical camera, plus three seismic geophones deployed during landing. The nominal mission timeline is 2 years in the Saturnian system and ∼1 year in Enceladus orbit with landed operations. The detailed exploration of Enceladus’ plumes and SPT would achieve broad and transformational Solar System science related to the building of habitable worlds and the presence of life elsewhere. The nature of such a mission is particularly timely and relevant given the recently released Origins, Worlds, and Life: A Decadal Strategy for Planetary Science and Astrobiology 2023–2032, which includes a priority recommendation for the dedicated exploration of Enceladus and its habitable potential.
Characteristics and Outcome of Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorders After Solid Organ Transplantation: A Single Center Experience of 196 Patients Over 30 Years
Authors: Vergote Vibeke K. J. , Deroose Christophe M. , Fieuws Steffen , Laleman Wim , Sprangers Ben , Uyttebroeck Anne , Van Cleemput Johan , Verhoef Gregor , Vos Robin , Tousseyn Thomas , Dierickx Daan
Published: December 2022

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a rare but life-threatening complication after transplantation. In this retrospective, monocentric study we aimed to collect real life data regarding PTLD and determine the role of Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) status and year of diagnosis on prognosis. We identified 196 biopsy-proven PTLD after solid organ transplantation (SOT) diagnosed at the University Hospitals Leuven (Belgium) from 1989 to 2019. EBV status was positive in 61% of PTLD. The median overall survival (OS) was 5.7 years (95% CI: 2.99–11.1). Although EBV positivity was not significantly correlated with OS in multivariate analyses (HR: 1.44 (95% CI: 0.93–2.24); p = 0.10), subgroup analysis showed a significantly better median OS for EBV negative post-transplant diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) compared to EBV positive post-transplant DLBCL (8.8 versus 2.5 years respectively; p = 0.0365). There was a significant relation between year of PTLD diagnosis and OS: the more recent the PTLD diagnosis, the lower the risk for death (adjusted HR: 0.962 (95% CI: 0.931–0.933); p = 0.017). In conclusion, the prognosis of PTLD after SOT has improved in the past decades. Our analysis shows a significant relation between EBV status and OS in post-transplant DLBCL.
Disturbance-Observer-Based Dual-Position Feedback Controller for Precision Control of an Industrial Robot Arm
Authors: Kim Namhyun , Oh Daejin , Oh Jun-Young , Lee Wonkyun
Published: December 2022

Recently, the fourth industrial revolution has accelerated the application of multiple degrees-of-freedom (DOF) robot arms in various applications. However, it is difficult to utilize robot arms for precision motion control because of their low stiffness. External loads applied to robot arms induce deflections in the joints and links, which deteriorates the positioning accuracy. To solve this problem, control methods using a disturbance observer (DOB) with an external sensory system have been developed. However, external sensors are expensive and have low reliability because of noise and reliance on the surrounding environment. A disturbance-observer-based dual-position feedback (DOB-DPF) controller is proposed herein to improve the positioning accuracy by compensating for the deflections in real time using only an internal sensor. The DOB was designed to derive the unpredictable disturbance torque applied to each joint using the command voltage generated by the position controller. The angular deflection of each joint was calculated based on the disturbance torque and joint stiffness, which were identified experimentally. The DPF controller was designed to control the joint motor while simultaneously compensating for angular deflection. A five-DOF robot arm testbed with a position controller was constructed to verify the proposed controller. The contouring performance of the DOB-DPF controller was compared with that of a conventional position controller with an external load applied to the end effector. The increases in the root mean square values of the contour errors were 1.71 and 0.12 mm with a conventional position controller and the proposed DOB-DPF controller, respectively, after a 2.2 kg weight was applied to the end effector. The results show that the contour error caused by the external load is effectively compensated for by the DOB-DPF controller without an external sensor.
Assembly Strategy for Modular Components Using a Dual-Arm Space Robot with Flexible Appendages
Authors: Yang Shuji , Zhang Yonglei , Chen Ti , Wen Hao , Jin Dongping
Published: December 2022

Space robotic systems tend to be more flexible and equipped with some appendages, such as solar panels and communication antennas. The inevitable vibration in the flexible appendage will occur during space missions, and it in turn affects the attitude of the rigid base due to coupling dynamics. This study develops an assembly scheme for a dual-arm space robot with flexible appendages to assemble two modular components and to minimize the disturbance force caused by the manipulators to the base and flexible appendages. The assembly strategy consists of two stages, a preassembly stage which transports the two components to desired relative states, and a trajectory tracking stage to achieve the final assembly. In the first stage, based on a relative Jacobian matrix in the base frame, an optimal objective function is formulated in terms of the relative position and attitude errors between the two components. Thereby, more freedom of manipulators is released for minimizing disturbance forces. Notably, two virtual points are created to describe the relative position between the two components. In the second stage, two components are driven to follow a relative trajectory for the final assembly with an unchanged relative attitude. Finally, numerical simulations are conducted to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed assembly strategy.
Effect of Installation Error on Rotary Seal of Aero Engine
Authors: Liu Chunrui , He Lidong , Jia Xingyun , Zhu Haozhe , Chen Tao , Wang Wenhao
Published: December 2022

The rotary seal is a key component of the aero engine. Under actual working conditions, most rotary seals always operate in an eccentric state (caused by installation errors), and when a large eccentricity occurs, it may lead to a large amount of gas leakage, resulting in a decrease in aero engine efficiency, which ultimately affects the reliability and life of the aero engine. Therefore, the effect of installation error on the rotary seal of the aero engine was studied in this research. The flow field numerical models of the honeycomb seal, labyrinth seal, and hybrid labyrinth–honeycomb seal were established, the effects of the honeycomb seal, labyrinth seal, and hybrid labyrinth–honeycomb seal on leakage were numerically analyzed, the sealing mechanisms of three types of seals were revealed, and the effect of radial eccentricity on the leakage of three types of seals was also studied. Additionally, the high-pressure and high-speed rotary seal experiment bench was improved, the effect of eccentricity on the leakage characteristics of the honeycomb seal, labyrinth seal, and hybrid labyrinth–honeycomb seal was studied using the improved experiment bench, and the leakage characteristics of the three types of seals were compared under the same condition. The experimental results are consistent with the numerical simulation results; the honeycomb seal is the least sensitive to eccentricity, and its sealing performance is the best. The research results in this paper reveal the seal mechanisms of the honeycomb seal, labyrinth seal, and hybrid labyrinth–honeycomb seal and demonstrate the effect law of eccentricity regarding the leakage characteristics of these three types of seals. The results of this research can provide theoretical support for aero engine efficiency improvement.
Design and Implementation of a Malfunction Detection System for Livestock Ventilation Devices in Smart Poultry Farms
Authors: Kim Seung Jae , Lee Meong Hun
Published: December 2022

Smart livestock farming aims to improve the productivity of livestock through the provision of optimal housing, and it is developed using various sensors and actuators. Ventilation systems play a crucial role in smart livestock farming, including disease prevention and the processing of pollutants (ammonia and hydrogen sulfide) that are severely detrimental to livestock growth. Malfunctions in animal housing ventilation systems lead to mass mortality events. To address such issues, this study reports the design and implementation for a smart detection system for malfunctions in the ventilation devices installed in animal housing. This system is based on recurrent neural networks (RNNs) and implements the ontology method, considering sensor and controller data as the standard. A semantic sensor network ontology founded on a knowledge base was used to detect malfunctions, and stimulus-sensor-observation patterns were used to determine a sensor network within the smart barn. System activation and RNN model tests were used to test the malfunction detection system, and the error between actual data and predicted values was found to be 0.06889. These findings provide insight into the development of autonomous detection systems for device malfunctions and are essential for the development of smart livestock farming technologies.
Predictors and Outcomes of Healthcare-Associated Infections among Patients with COVID-19 Admitted to Intensive Care Units in Punjab, Pakistan; Findings and Implications
Authors: Mustafa Zia Ul , Tariq Sania , Iftikhar Zobia , Meyer Johanna C. , Salman Muhammad , Mallhi Tauqeer Hussain , Khan Yusra Habib , Godman Brian , Seaton R. Andrew
Published: December 2022

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) have a considerable impact on morbidity, mortality and costs. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an appreciable number of hospitalized patients being admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) globally with a greater risk of HAIs. Consequently, there is a need to evaluate predictors and outcomes of HAIs among COVID-19 patients admitted to ICUs. A retrospective study of patients with COVID-19 admitted to ICUs of three tertiary care hospitals in the Punjab province over a five-month period in 2021 was undertaken to ascertain predictors and outcomes of HAIs. Of the 4534 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, 678 were admitted to ICUs, of which 636 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Overall, 67 HAIs were identified among the admitted patients. Ventilator-associated lower respiratory tract infections and catheter-related urinary tract infections were the most frequent HAIs. A significantly higher number of patients who developed HAIs were on anticoagulants (p = 0.003), antithrombotic agents (p < 0.001), antivirals (p < 0.001) and IL-6 inhibiting agents (p < 0.001). Secondary infections were significantly higher in patients who were on invasive mechanical ventilation (p < 0.001), had central venous access (p = 0.023), and urinary catheters (p < 0.001). The mortality rate was significantly higher in those with secondary infections (25.8% vs. 1.2%, p < 0.001). Our study concluded that COVID-19 patients admitted to ICUs have a high prevalence of HAIs associated with greater mortality. Key factors need to be addressed to reduce HAIs.
Agar Plate Methods for Assessing the Antibacterial Activity of Thyme and Oregano Essential Oils against S. epidermidis and E. coli
Authors: Mollea Chiara , Bosco Francesca , Fissore Davide
Published: December 2022

The resistance to antimicrobials (AMR), especially antibiotics, represents a serious problem and, at the same time, a challenge. In the last decade, a growing interest in the use of essential oils (EOs) as antimicrobial substances was observed. Commercial thyme and oregano EOs are reported to be the main responsible of the oil antimicrobial efficacy against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria. The aim of the present work was to study the efficacy of EOs against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli in long-time treatments. In a preliminary microdilution test, a MIC value was obtained for thyme EO against S. epidermidis and E. coli. After that, disk diffusion and disk volatilization tests were set up to study the influence of main cultural parameters on EO activity in liquid or vapor phase. Both bacteria were inhibited by thyme and oregano EOs when applied pure (100% v/v) or diluted (75% and 50% v/v): a higher inhibition was observed in a disk diffusion test in which the antimicrobial effect was due to both liquid and vapor phase components. Finally, a comparison with literature data was carried out even if it was not so easy because standard methods are usually modified and adapted to specific case study. For this reason, the results have to be interpreted in relation to the analytical method applied.
Antifungal Capacity of Poolish-Type Sourdough Supplemented with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Its Aqueous Extracts In Vitro and Bread
Authors: Hernández-Figueroa Ricardo H. , Mani-López Emma , López-Malo Aurelio
Published: December 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal capacity of the aqueous extracts (AE) of poolish-type sourdoughs fermented with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NRRL B-4496 on broth, agar, and bread. The aqueous extracts were obtained by centrifugation and separating the supernatant from the poolish sourdoughs once the fermentation time had ended. The aqueous extracts inhibited 80% of the growth of Penicillium chrysogenum and Penicillium corylophilum and <20% of Aspergillus niger in broth. The AEs delayed the radial growth rate and increased the lag time for the three molds tested. The addition of poolish-type sourdoughs inhibited fungal growth in bread for ten days. The extracts’ fungistatic capacity was primarily attributed to lactic and acetic acids and probably the antifungal peptides occurring in the AE. The L. plantarum sourdough is an alternative to calcium propionate as an organic antifungal agent.
Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli from Poultry and Wild Birds (Sparrow) in Djelfa (Algeria), with Frequent Detection of CTX-M-14 in Sparrow
Authors: Belmahdi Mohamed , Chenouf Nadia Safia , Ait Belkacem Abdelkrim , Martinez-Alvarez Sandra , Pino-Hurtado Mario Sergio , Benkhechiba Zahra , Lahrech Samiha , Hakem Ahcène , Torres Carmen
Published: December 2022

Antimicrobial resistance is a global threat that is spreading more and more in both human and animal niches. This study investigates the antimicrobial resistance and virulence threats of Escherichia coli isolates recovered from intestinal and fecal samples of 100 chickens, 60 turkeys, and 30 sparrows. Extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing E. coli isolates were recovered in 12 of the animals tested, selecting one isolate per positive animal: sparrow (eight isolates, 26.7%), turkey (three isolates, 5%), and chicken (one isolate, 1%). The E. coli isolates were ascribed to B1 and D phylogenetic groups. The blaCTX-M-14 gene was detected in all ESBL-producing E. coli isolates from sparrow. The blaCTX-M-15 (two isolates) and blaCTX-M-14 genes (one isolate) were detected in the isolates of turkey, and the blaCTX-M-1 gene in one isolate from broiler. Three lineages were revealed among the tested isolates (ST/phylogenetic group/type of ESBL/origin): ST117/D/CTX-M-1/broiler, ST4492 (CC405)/D/CTX-M-15/turkey, and ST602/B1/CTX-M-14/sparrow. All isolates were negative for stx1, sxt2, and eae virulence genes. Our findings provide evidence that the sparrow could be a vector in the dissemination of ESBL-producing E. coli isolates to other environments. This study also reports, to our knowledge, the first detection of blaCTX-M-14 from sparrow at a global level and in turkey in Algeria.
Effect of Different Coffee Brews on Tryptophan Metabolite-Induced Cytotoxicity in HT-29 Human Colon Cancer Cells
Authors: Castaldo Luigi , Toriello Marianna , Izzo Luana , Sessa Raffaele , Lombardi Sonia , Trombetti Silvia , Rodríguez-Carrasco Yelko , Ritieni Alberto , Grosso Michela
Published: December 2022

Coffee consumption positively influences colon health. Conversely, high levels of tryptophan metabolites such as skatole released from intestinal putrefactive fermentation in the presence of excessive dietary animal protein intake, and gut microbiota alterations, may have several adverse effects, including the development of colorectal cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the potential protective effects of coffee in the presence of different skatole levels. The results showed that skatole exposure induced reduced cell viability and oxidative stress in the HT-29 human colon cancer cell line. However, co-treatment of cells with skatole and coffee samples was able to reduce ROS production (up to 45% for espresso) compared to cells not treated with coffee. Real-time PCR analysis highlighted that treating HT-29 cells with skatole increased the levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8, and IL12, whereas exposure to coffee extracts in cells that were pretreated with skatole showed anti-inflammatory effects with decreased levels of these cytokines. These findings demonstrate that coffee may counteract the adverse effects of putrefactive compounds by modulating oxidative stress and exerting anti-inflammatory activity in colonocytes, thus suggesting that coffee intake could improve health conditions in the presence of altered intestinal microbiota metabolism.
Extensible Hierarchical Multi-Agent Reinforcement-Learning Algorithm in Traffic Signal Control
Authors: Zhao Pengqian , Yuan Yuyu , Guo Ting
Published: December 2022

Reinforcement-learning (RL) algorithms have made great achievements in many scenarios. However, in large-scale traffic signal control (TSC) scenarios, RL still falls into local optima when controlling multiple signal lights. To solve this problem, we propose a novel goal-based multi-agent hierarchical model (GMHM). Specifically, we divide the traffic environment into several regions. The region contains a virtual manager and several workers who control the traffic lights. The manager assigns goals to each worker by observing the environment, and the worker makes decisions according to the environment state and the goal. For the worker, we adapted the goal-based multi-agent deep deterministic policy gradient (MADDPG) algorithm combined with hierarchical reinforcement learning. In this way, we simplify tasks and allow agents to cooperate more efficiently. We carried out experiments on both grid traffic scenarios and real-world scenarios in the SUMO simulator. The experimental results show the performance advantages of our algorithm compared with state-of-the-art algorithms.
Comparative Study of Lightweight Deep Semantic Segmentation Models for Concrete Damage Detection
Authors: Tanveer Muhammad , Kim Byunghyun , Hong Jonghwa , Sim Sung-Han , Cho Soojin
Published: December 2022

Innovative concrete structure maintenance now requires automated computer vision inspection. Modern edge computing devices (ECDs), such as smartphones, can serve as sensing and computational platforms and can be integrated with deep learning models to detect on-site damage. Due to the fact that ECDs have limited processing power, model sizes should be reduced to improve efficiency. This study compared and analyzed the performance of five semantic segmentation models that can be used for damage detection. These models are categorized as lightweight (ENet, CGNet, ESNet) and heavyweight (DDRNet-Slim23, DeepLabV3+ (ResNet-50)), based on the number of model parameters. All five models were trained and tested on the concrete structure dataset considering four types of damage: cracks, efflorescence, rebar exposure, and spalling. Overall, based on the performance evaluation and computational cost, CGNet outperformed the other models and was considered effective for the on-site damage detection application of ECDs.
Roughness Evaluation of Burnished Topography with a Precise Definition of the S-L Surface
Authors: Podulka Przemysław
Published: December 2022

Studies of surface topography including processes of measurement and data analysis have an influence on the description of machined parts with their tribological performance. Usually, surface roughness is analysed when a scale-limited (S-L) surface, excluding short (S-) and length (L-) components from the raw measured data, is defined. Errors in the precise definition of the S-L surface can cause the false estimation of detail properties, especially its tribological performance. Errors can arise when the surface contains some burnished details such as oil pockets, dimples, scratches, or, generally, deep or wide features. The validation of proposed methods for S-L surface definition can also affect the accuracy of the ISO 25178 surface topography parameter calculation. It was found that the application of commonly used procedures, available in commercial software (e.g., least-square fitted cylinder element or polynomial planes, regular or robust Gaussian regression, spline, median or fast Fourier transform filters) can be suitable for precise S-L surface definition. However, some additional analyses, based on power spectral densities, autocorrelation function, texture direction graphs, or spectral characterisation, are strongly required. The effect of the definition of the S-L surface on the values of the ISO 25178 parameters was also comprehensively studied. Some proposals of guidance on how to define an appropriate S-L surface with, respectively, an objective evaluation of surface roughness parameters, were also presented.
Quantification of Magnesia Dissolution in Silicate Melts and Diffusivity Determination Using Rotating Finger Test
Authors: Burhanuddin  , Harmuth Harald , Vollmann Sandra
Published: December 2022

Refractories exposed to corrosive melts at high temperatures experience wear due to dissolution. The presented work deals with the dynamic corrosion of magnesia fine ceramics in a CaO–Al2O3–SiO2–MgO silicate slag with a CaO/SiO2 weight ratio of 0.65. Finger tests at 200 rpm at three different temperatures, 1450, 1500, and 1550 °C, were performed. A contemporary rotary finger test (RFT) device with in-situ wear profile measurement using a laser device was used. The precise dimension measurements with high-resolution facilitate the determination of total mass flux densities, which allow for determination of effective binary diffusivities. Thereby, two methods based on Sherwood relations were applied. The comparison shows the benefit to better consider deviations from pure cylinder shape. The use of contemporary RFT devices and magnesia fine ceramics allows reliable determination of the effective binary diffusivity.
Methodology for a Numerical Multidimensional Optimization of a Mixer Coupled to a Compressor for Its Integrationin a Hyperloop Vehicle
Authors: Galindo José , Dolz Vicente , Navarro Roberto , Pallás Borja , Torres Germán
Published: December 2022

The current environmental concern has led both the industry and researchers to look for alternate means of transport. Amongst them, the hyperloop has become a quite promising idea. In order to overcome some of its limitations, including a compressor in its propulsive system has been investigated. In this paper, a strategy to improve the design of the mixer, which will blend the bypass and core streams coming out of the compressor, was addressed. Due to the lack of ad hoc compressors and the impossibility of experimental testing, a multidimensional optimization methodology with CFD tools was developed. A Taguchi DOE was employed for a preliminary 2D optimization from an initial geometry, whereas a numerical adjoint method was explored for the whole 3D mixer. By using this method, an initial decrease in the pressure drop of 16% was obtained with the 2D stage, whereas an additional 10% reduction was achieved in the 3D optimization. With this, the propulsive efficiency of the whole hyperloop system will be improved.