bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A sustainable chemiosmotic strategy for driving solute transport in synthetic cells
Authors: Poolman Bert , Ruiz Miyer Patino , Anshari Zaid , Gaastra Bauke , Slotboom Dirk 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Cellular homeostasis requires sustained provision of metabolic energy in the form of ATP and electrochemical ion gradients. Primary and secondary active transporters are prominent consumers of cellular energy, and couple ATP hydrolysis and ion gradient dissipation, respectively, to translocation of molecules across biological membranes. Active transport is essential for the translocation of most charged and/or large hydrophilic molecules, both for nutrient uptake into and waste export from living cells. Endeavours to build synthetic cells crucially depend on simulating real cell behaviour by supplying stable and sustained energy sources and deploying them for membrane transport. Here, we provide synthetic cells with long-lasting metabolic energy supply in the form of an electrochemical proton gradient. Leveraging the L-malate decarboxylation pathway from Lactococcus lactis we generate a stable proton gradient and electrical potential in lipid vesicles by electrogenic L-malate/L-lactate exchange coupled to L-malate decarboxylation. By co-reconstitution of the pathway with the Escherichia coli transporters GltP and LacY, the synthetic cells maintain accumulation of L-glutamate and lactose over periods of hours, mimicking nutrient feeding in living cells. This study underscores the potential of harnessing a proton motive force via a simple metabolic network, involving electrogenic substrate/product exchange and substrate decarboxylation, paving the way for the development of more complex synthetic systems.
Development and assessment of a Manual and Automated PID Controllers for the Optimum Production of Ethylene Glycol in a CSTR
Authors: Wosu Chimene Omeke , Ezeh Ernest Mbsmalu , Elias Ojong Ojong 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Industrially, one of the techniques used to enhance the optimum production of petrochemicals is the configuration of process control units such as gas chromatography (G.C. Analyzer) for concentration and thermocouple for temperature in the production system. This research focused on the application of the principles of mass and energy conservation in the development of dynamic or unsteady state models for predicting the behaviour of the system or process involved in the production of ethylene glycol from a reaction involving oxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide which further undergoes hydrolysis to produce ethylene glycol in a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR). The high mathematical complexities of the mass and energy balance models of the Process as a result of the reaction kinetic scheme of the non-elementary reaction of the process which integrates both linear and non-linear terms into the models were resolved by applying the principles of Taylor’s series expansion, Laplace Transform, partial fraction and matrix appropriately in the development of the dynamic models. Process simulation tool Simulink was utilized in the configuration of closed-loop systems (thermocouple and G. C. Analyzer) at the feed point of the reactor for process variables (temperature and concentration) control during the process using proportional, integral and derivative (PID) as the controller parameters. The results of the process behaviour as shown in the temperature and concentration profiles versus time show that the use of manual tuning of different controller parameters (PID) of (0, 1 and 0), (0, 2 and 3) and (1.5,0.5 and 0) for temperature control and (3,0 and 0), (0,1 and 2) and (4,1 and 2) for concentration. The system experienced a high level of fluctuations and would not attain its stability or steady state even at process time above 16seconds. Whereas, the use of automatic tuning of desired controller gains of (1.361, 1.056 and 0.4109) for KP, KI and KD (PID) for temperature and pressure with tuning of 143.9 times requires a maximum time of 8 seconds for the system to attain stability. Ths study showed that automated tuning of the controller resulted in better performance characteristics for optimum production of ethylene glycol in a non-isotheral continuous stirred tank reactor within the shortest possible time.
Dehydration of tomato products under electrical processing conditions
Authors: Eshpulatov Nodir , Toshmamatov Nurmirza , Samieva Zumrad , Agaliyeva Khabiba , Yusupova Adolat , Khamidov Yusup 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

The study is devoted to studying the influence of electrical treatment on the processes of dehydration of tomato products. Methods for electroplasmolysis of raw materials have been developed and experimentally confirmed to promote the effective release of structured moisture at low temperatures, which significantly reduces heat treatment time and speeds up the process of obtaining tomato paste. It has been revealed that when using electroplasmolysis at elevated temperatures, the efficiency of the process is significantly reduced. It was also found that the concentration of dry substances in raw materials affects the temperature limit of dehydration, which can be a key factor in optimizing production processes. The importance of taking into account the initial proportion of free water in the raw material to achieve a given solids concentration in the final product is also emphasized. These results may be useful for optimizing dehydration processes and production of tomato products.
Fusing Self-Attention and Scene Prior for Text Super-Resolution
Authors: Zhou Ying , Yu Changhui , Yi Yaohua , Peng Jibing , Lin Liyu 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

In urban scenes, street scene text images often contain rich semantic information, which is a key cue for perceiving and understanding the scene. Recovering high-resolution text image from low-resolution text image is a challenging task due to the complex background of street scene text images, irregular text shapes, image blurring, distortion and deformation. Existing approaches mainly use recurrent neural networks to mine text-specific contextual information, which cannot effectively capture long-range correlations in text images and fail to effectively utilize the semantic information of text images. In addition, they tend to have weak generalization when dealing with cross-linguistics. Aiming at the above problems, we propose a text-image super-resolution method that fuses self-attention and scene prior. Firstly, a text recognition network and a semantic segmentation network are used to extract prior features, which are fused with the image visual features through a prior interpreter to realize the effective utilization of text semantic and visual information. Then the recursive information in the text line is extracted by Transformer, and the sequence information is extracted by using the global visibility of multi-head attention to establish the correlation between the front and back characters, to solve the problem of performance degradation when the model is processing long text. Finally, the ability of the model to extract text contour and process deformed text is enhanced by gradient profile loss and text structure-aware loss. The experimental results show that the recognition accuracy of our method in TextZoom's three types of test sets is higher than that of the baseline model TSRN 4%, and the average values of the metrics in PSNR and SSIM reach 21.34 and 78.39, which effectively improves the application effect of the text super-resolution model in real scenes.
From Pixels to Prepositions: Linking Visual Perception with Spatial Prepositions far and near
Authors: R Krishna Raj S , V Srinivasa Chakravarthy , Sahoo Anindita 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Introduction: Human language is influenced by sensory-motor experiences. Sensory experiences gathered in a spatiotemporal world are used as raw material to create more abstract concepts. In language, one way to encode spatial relationships is through spatial prepositions. Spatial prepositions that specify the proximity of objects in space, like far and near or their variants, are found in most languages. The mechanism for determining the proximity of another entity to itself is a useful evolutionary trait. From the taxic behavior in unicellular organisms like bacteria to the tropism in the plant kingdom, this behavior can be found in almost all organisms. In humans, vision plays a critical role in spatial localization and navigation. This computational study analyzes the relationship between vision and spatial prepositions using an artificial neural network.
Methods: For this study, a synthetic image dataset was created, with each image featuring a 2D projection of an object placed in 3D space. The objects can be of various shapes, sizes, and colors. A Convolutional Neural Network is trained to classify the objectin the images as far or near based on a set threshold. The study mainly explores two visual scenarios: objects confined to a plane (grounded) and objects not confined to a plane (ungrounded), while also analyzing the influence of camera placement.
Results: The classification performance is high for the grounded case, demonstrating that the problem of far/near classification is well-defined for grounded objects, given that the camera is at a sufficient height. The network performance showed that depth can be determined in grounded cases only from monocular cues with high accuracy, given the camera is at an adequate height. The difference in the network’s performance between grounded and ungrounded cases can be explained using the physical properties of the retinal imaging system.
Conclusions: The task of determining the distance of an object from individual images in the dataset is challenging as they lack any background cues. Still, the network performance shows the influence of spatial constraints placed on the image generation process in determining depth. The results show that monocular cues significantly contribute to depth perception when all the objects are confined to a single plane. A set of sensory inputs(images) and a specific task (far/near classification) allowed us to obtain the aforementioned results. The visual task, along with reaching and motion, may enable humans to carve the space into various spatial prepositional categories like far and near. The network’s performance and how it learns to classify between far and near provided insights into certain visual illusions that involve size constancy.
Bacillus multifaciens sp. nov., isolated from the baobaoqu fermentation environment for producing Wuliangye baijiu
Authors: Luo Qingchun , Lu Yanping , Liu Duotao , Li Yuzhu , Zhao Dong , Zheng Jia 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

An aerobic, Gram-stain-positive bacterium, designated as WLY-B-L8T, was isolated from the air of Wuliangye baobaoqu production workshop for producing Wuliangye baijiu in Yibin city (Sichuan province, China). The strain was strictly aerobic, Gram-stain-positive with straight or somewhat with rod shape cells 1.2-1.9 μm wide and 1.7-4.8 μm long, arranged singly or in pairs. The isolate was able to grow at temperatures of 20-42°C (optimum growth at 40°C), at pH 5.0-10.0 (optimum growth at pH 8.0) and in the presence of 0-2% (w/v) NaCl (optimum growth with 1% NaCl). Ribose, xylose, arabinose, mannose, glucose and galactose were the major cell-wall sugar. The meso-diaminopimelic acid (meso-DAP) was the diagnostic amino acid. The main polar lipids of WLY-B-L8T included diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), unidentified aminolipids (UAL 1-2), unidentified aminophospholipid (UAPL), unidentified aminoglycolipid (UAGL) and unidentified lipid (UL). MK-7 was predominant menaquinone and iso-C15:0 (23.0%) was the major fatty acid. Comparisons of 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that WLY-B-L8T was most closely related to Bacillus rhizoplanae JJ-63 DSM 12442T (98.71%), Bacillus pseudomycoides DSM 12442T (98.21%) and Bacillus cytotoxicus NVH 391-98T (98.14%). The average nucleotide identity (ANI) values strain WLY-B-L8T and the three type strains mentioned above were 88.24%, 80.57% and 78.70%. Additionally, the digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) value between them is 36.7%, 26.1% and 23.9%. The genomic DNA G+C content was 35.97%. Based on the evidence presented here, WLY-B-L8T (CICC 25210T = JCM 36284T) is proposed as the type strain of a novel species, designated as Bacillus multifaciens sp. nov, that could produce volatile flavor components, such as 2-pipendinone, phenylethyl alcohol, hydrocinnamic acid and acetoin.
Efficient and Robust Power System Contingency Screening
Authors: Lindi Teshome , Shewarega Fekadu 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

The increasing contribution of renewable resources and the electricity market liberalization creates variety of scenarios’ that may lead power systems close to their operation limits. Online dynamic security assessment of the power systems is thus needed, in order to provide operators with a clear insight of the present system state. The online application of dynamic security assessment to a network requires fast and accurate methods to screen contingencies. This paper introduces a fast and robust contingency screening method. Based on the most current system snapshot, a list of credible contingencies are simulated by using Adaptive step-size Differential Transformation method (AsDTM) and severity indices are evaluated as the weighted sum of squares of error from the simulation results of both state variables and complex bus voltages and normalized for each contingency in the list. Based on these severity indices critical contingencies are screened and listed. This novel approach not only reduces the time performances but also improves the accuracy of resulting indices The proposed method is tested on IEEE 9-bus and New England 39-bus test systems. Capered with classical differential transformation and Fourth Order Rangkutta(Rk4) based simulation and contingency screening methods, the proposed method improves the performance speed by 35% − 92.26% for IEEE 9 bus test system and 35.29%- 90.77% for 39bus test system respectively. Therefore, the simulation and analysis results reveal that the proposed method is faster, robust and can be used with an online dynamic security assessment tools. .
A new fourth-order difference scheme with a temporal graded mesh for a nonlinear partial integrodifferential equation with the multi-term weakly singular kernels
Authors: Li Caojie , Zhang Haixiang , Yang Xuehua 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

In this paper, we consider a new fourth-order difference scheme for solving a nonlinear partial integrodifferential equation with the multi-term weakly singular kernels. First, we obtain a temporal semi-discrete scheme by using the Crank-Nicolson (C-N) method, product-integration (P-I) rule and linear interpolation. Then, we employ the reduced order method and two compact operators to discretize the spatial direction, and finally obtain a linearized fully discrete difference scheme on a graded mesh with the convergence of second-order in time and fourth-order in space. The main contribution of this paper is improve the theoretical and numerical results in [1, 2] and only the linear systems are solved. We prove the theoretical properties of our established scheme, where the existence, uniqueness and convergence are obtained. At the end of the paper, two examples are given, where the numerical results are in line with our theoretical expectations.
Correlations between photoreceptor cell and retinal blood flow parameters in low to moderate myopia by adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy
Authors: Zhang Yu , Wang Yingfan , Liu Changgeng , Ming Shuai , Guo Qingge , Lei Bo , Liu Qian 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Purpose: To study the association between photoreceptor cell and blood flow parameters of low to moderate myopia via novel adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO).
Design: A prospective study.
Methods: The 158 subjects were divided into three groups according tospherical equivalent. AOSLO was used to quantify the spatial characteristics of photoreceptor cell, including density, spacing, regularity, and dispersion; to measure fundus vascular blood flow, including vessel wall thickness (VW), lumen diameter (LD), vessel diameter (VD), the wall-to-lumen ratio (WLR), the cross-sectional area of the vascular wall (WCSA), and blood flow velocity; and to evaluate the association between cells and blood flow parameters using ANOVA and Pearson’s correlation coefficients.
Results: With the increase of diopter, the significant difference of photoreceptor cell spacing increased gradually (P<0.001), and was positively correlated with axial length (AL) and LD, it was negatively correlated with spherical equivalent (SE), cell density and WLR. The differences of LD, VD and WCSA increased with the increase of diopter (P=0.007; P=0.008; P=0.038). There was a positive correlation between LD, AL, VW, VD, WCSA, blood flow velocity and velocity standard deviation. LD, VD and WCSA were negatively correlated with SE.
Conclusions: Photoreceptor cell spacing, LD, VD, and WCSA exhibited positive correlations with AL, while displaying negative correlations with SE. Cell spacing demonstrated a negative correlation with cell density. There was significant positive correlation between LD, VD, VW and WCSA, and they were positively correlated with blood flow velocity; whereas VD and WCSA were significantly positively with gender. The findings may help to understand the occurrence and development mechanism of myopia, and have potential value in clinical assessment of pathological changes in myopic retinopathy.
Nonlinear Step Responses and How to Find Them
Authors: Mrazík Lukáš , Mareš Jan , Friess Karel 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

The unit step response is a~standard tool for experimental identification; its shape is equivalent to a solution of an appropriate governing equation. In this study, we investigate two variants of non-linear first-order governing equations, y′ = 1 − yβ and y′ = (1 − yβ)/β. We explore a~continuum of response shapes, ranging from constant zero to constant one, including standard shapes such as 1 − exp(−t) and arctanh(t), but also uncommon shapes such as a part of the logarithmic integral. Two methods for estimating the parameter β are proposed: one based on analyzing the curvature of a~single response and the other based on analyzing initial slopes for multiple responses while varying the amplitude of the step. Our investigation is conducted in the context of gas permeation through a~homogeneous porous medium, where nonlinear response shapes have been observed. This context allows for a~meaningful interpretation of the results, consistent with expectations for specific thermodynamic processes. However, neither methods is constrained by this context, and either might be considered for any first-order system that fails to have amplitude-scale invariance or for which the shapes seem to exhibit an effect of saturation.
Rehabilitating workers aged 55 and over: professionals’ perspectives and solutions
Authors: Durand Marie-José , Coutu Marie-France , Lecours Alexandra , Léonard Guillaume , Lederer Valérie , Nastasia Iuliana , Carrière Junie , Paquette Marie-Andrée 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Work disability affects a growing number of workers aged 55 and over (W55+). While rehabilitation programs have demonstrated efficacy for workers with an average age of 42, they often have not been designed to meet unique needs of aging workers. This study aimed to describe the difficulties encountered by work rehabilitation professionals and explore their solutions for improving services offered to W55+.
Methods
This study used a simple descriptive design with purposive sampling. Occupational therapists, physical therapists, and psychologists were mainly recruited in private clinics. An interview guide based on the Work Disability Paradigm, was pretested and used with the participants. Qualitative interviews were conducted with work rehabilitation professionals and then transcribed. A thematic analysis was performed.
Results
The sample consisted of fourteen (15) participants (average age 38 years) with near equal representation across genders and disciplines. Difficulties were identified in relation to the (1) characteristics of W55+, (2) work environment, (3) compensation system, and (4) communication among stakeholders. Five solutions were proposed to improve the services offered: provide healthcare professionals with access to tools and training, implement communication mechanisms, integrate a return-to-work coordinator, develop a joint action plan for managing W55+, and implement an integrative prevention approach in workplaces.
Conclusions
Our results represent a first step in mapping various stakeholders’ needs to ensure better support for W55 + with work disabilities. These results delineate a roadmap for future research that should expand upon these stakeholders’ perspectives to provide a more comprehensive description of their needs and potential solutions.
A Novel Multi-Level Perceptron-Based Controller Design Used in Wind Turbine Output Power Stability
Authors: Civelek Zafer 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Controllers are very used devices in industry. Basically, they can be divided into two main classes, classical and modern controllers. Classical controllers are controllers created in the Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) basic structure. Modern controllers are controllers that have fuzzy logic, neural network and heuristic optimization methods in their inside. In addition, controllers with a hybrid, which are a mixture of classic and modern controllers, can be considered as a third class. In this study, one of the modern control methods, neural network-based, online-trained multi level perceptron (MLP) controller is proposed. In this study, along with online training as new, the error of the controlled system was used to train the MLP network. The application of the developed controller has been used to limit the energy output of the turbine at wind speeds above the rated wind speed by controlling the blade pitch angles of a wind turbine. The simulations were conducted in the Matlab/Simulink environment. The results show that the new MLP controller can successfully control the outputs of the wind turbine.
RETRACTED: Occupational exposure to heavy metal dust and its hazardous effects on non-ferrous foundry workers' health
Authors: Fahim Yosri A. , Hasani Ibrahim W. , El-Khawaga Ahmed M. , Abdelhakim Heba K. , Sharaf Nevin E. , Lasheen Noha N 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.