bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Design and simulation for seeding performance of high-speed inclined corn metering device based on discrete element method (DEM)
Authors: Jun Guo , Yue Yang , Memon Muhammad Sohail , Chuang Tan , Linyu Wang , Pei Tang 
Published: November 2022

AbstractMechanical precision corn seed-metering planter has a compact structure, missed and repeated seeding advantages during high-speed operation. In this regard, the current research study focuses on the development of a corn seed planter that features an inclined seed-metering device. The spatial layout of the seed-metering device is optimized to change the seed-filling mode to meet the needs of high-speed operation. Firstly, the mechanical characteristics and seeds in the metering device chamber were analyzed, and then the seed-filling stress model was established. Secondly, a mechanical model for corn seed particles was developed for virtual simulation tests and numerical analysis using the discrete element method (DEM) and EDEM software. Moreover, a quadratic rotating orthogonal center combination test was implemented by setting the inclination angle of seed-metering device θ(A), machine ground speed v(B), and rotation speed of metering disc n(C) as the influence factors, with the missed seeding rate M and the seed-filling stress S as the evaluation indices. The results indicated that the most significant factors affecting the missed seeding rate, seed-filling stress, S, were the rotation speed of the metering disc (n) > machine ground speed (v) > inclination angle of the metering disc (θ) and inclination angle of the metering device (θ) > rotation speed of the metering disc (n) > machine ground speed (v), respectively. However, the field verification test shows that the optimized corn seed-metering planter achieved mean values of M = 4.33, Q(qualified seeding rate) = 92.83%, and R(repeated seeding rate) = 2.84%, with average relative errors of 1.17% compared to the simulation tests and the accuracy and effectiveness of the DEM simulation model was verified. Therefore, the developed corn seed-metering device meets the industry standards and operation requirements for precise corn sowing, and technical support can be given for future studies of similar precision seeding equipment.
Electron microscopy study on the transport of lead oxide nanoparticles into brain structures following their subchronic intranasal administration in rats
Authors: Sutunkova Marina P. , Minigalieva Ilzira A. , Shelomencev Ivan G. , Privalova Larisa I. , Ryabova Yuliya V. , Tazhigulova Anastasiya V. , Amromin Lev A. , Minigalieva Regina F. , Sutunkova Yuliya M. , Gurvich Vladimir B. , Makoveeva Eugenya V. , Toropova Liubov V. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractWhite outbred female rats were exposed intranasally to 50-µL of suspension of lead oxide nanoparticles (PbO NPs) at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL thrice a week during six weeks. A control group of rats was administered deionized water in similar volumes and conditions. The developed intoxication was manifested by altered biochemical and cytochemical parameters, as well as behavioral reactions of animals. Using electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy techniques, we revealed deposition of PbO NPs in the olfactory bulb, but not in basal ganglia, and an increase in the number of axons with damage to the myelin sheath in the tissues of olfactory bulb and basal ganglia, changes in the ultrastructure of mitochondria of neurons in the tissues of olfactory bulb and basal ganglia of the brain, and differences in the mitochondrial profile of neurons in different regions of the rat brain. Our results collectively suggest that the central nervous system may be a target of low-level toxicity of lead oxide nanoparticles.
Autonomous digitizer calibration of a Monte Carlo detector model through evolutionary simulation
Authors: Herald Matthew , Nicuşan Andrei , Wheldon Tzany Kokalova , Seville Jonathan , Windows-Yule Christopher 
Published: November 2022

AbstractSimulating the response of a radiation detector is a modelling challenge due to the stochastic nature of radiation, often complex geometries, and multi-stage signal processing. While sophisticated tools for Monte Carlo simulation have been developed for radiation transport, emulating signal processing and data loss must be accomplished using a simplified model of the electronics called the digitizer. Due to a large number of free parameters, calibrating a digitizer quickly becomes an optimisation problem. To address this, we propose a novel technique by which evolutionary algorithms calibrate a digitizer autonomously. We demonstrate this by calibrating six free parameters in a digitizer model for the ADAC Forte. The accuracy of solutions is quantified via a cost function measuring the absolute percent difference between simulated and experimental coincidence count rates across a robust characterisation data set, including three detector configurations and a range of source activities. Ultimately, this calibration produces a count rate response with 5.8% mean difference to the experiment, improving from 18.3% difference when manually calibrated. Using evolutionary algorithms for model calibration is a notable advancement because this method is novel, autonomous, fault-tolerant, and achieved through a direct comparison of simulation to reality. The software used in this work has been made freely available through a GitHub repository.
Comparative study on high-pressure physical properties of monoclinic MgCO3 and Mg2CO4
Authors: Liu Zi-Jiang , Li Tian , Sun Xiao-Wei , Zhang Cai-Rong , Ju Jia-Qi 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe physical properties of Mg-carbonate at high temperature and pressure are crucial for understanding the deep carbon cycle. Here, we use first-principles calculations to study the physical properties of MgCO3-C2/m and Mg2CO4-P21/c under high pressure. The research shows that the structure and equation of state of MgCO3-C2/m are in good agreement with the experimental results, and the phase transition pressure of Mg2CO4 from pnma to P21/c structure is 44.66 GPa. By comparing the elastic properties, seismic properties and anisotropy of MgCO3-C2/m and Mg2CO4-P21/c, it is found that the elastic modulus and sound velocity of Mg2CO4-P21/c are smaller than those of MgCO3-C2/m, while the anisotropy is larger than that of MgCO3-C2/m. These results indicate that Mg2CO4-P21/c exists in the deep mantle and may be the main reason why carbonate cannot be detected. The minimum thermal conductivity of MgCO3-C2/m and Mg2CO4-P21/c is the largest in the [010] direction and the smallest in the [001] direction. The thermodynamic properties of MgCO3-C2/m and Mg2CO4-P21/c are predicted using the quasi-harmonic approximation (QHA) method.
The size and behavior of virtual objects have influence on functional exercise and motivation of persons with multiple sclerosis: a randomized study
Authors: Cikajlo Imre , Hukić Alma , Udovčić Pertot Anja 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe consequences of multiple sclerosis are problems with limb movement, coordination, and vision. Heretofore a combination of therapy and additional medications can alter the course of the disease and reduce upper extremity disability. We developed a virtual environment for pick-and-place tasks as a supportive tool to address the problem of challenging task in occupational therapy. The primary objective of the study was to investigate the influence of size and bounce on proximal and fine motor performance and intrinsic motivation. The secondary objective was to examine how the absence of challenge may decrease intrinsic motivation and heart rate. The randomized trial involved 84/107 eligible inpatients with multiple sclerosis. They were divided into 4 groups by computer randomization: Group 1 small and bouncing, Group 2 small and non-bouncing, Group 3 large and bouncing, and Group 4 large and non-bouncing virtual cubes. Each participant completed 50 sessions of up to 2 min each in approximately 14 days. Before commencement of the study the participants completed visuospatial and cognitive tests. Participants' subjective experiences were assessed daily using the intrinsic motivation inventory. Before and after the study, the box and block test and the 9-hole peg test were administered. Kinematic analysis showed significant differences between groups (average manipulation time p = 0.008, inserted cubes p = 0.004). Group 4 was the most successful (inserted cubes > 9) and the fastest (63.4 SD 25.8 s), but had low pressure/tension and heart rate. Group 1 was the slowest (88.9 SD 28.2 s) but had increased interest/enjoyment in the task under higher pressure/tension. There were substantial differences in intrinsic motivation between the 1st and last sessions within groups (Cohen's U3 < 0.3 or > 0.8). The size and behavior of virtual objects may be important for training proximal movements and fine motor skills in people with multiple sclerosis. Furthermore, the demonstrated approach proved to be effective and may reduce upper extremity disability in the long term if intrinsic motivation can be sustained longer with a challenging task.Trial registration The small scale randomized pilot trial has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04266444, 12/02/2020, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04266444.
Longitudinal association between physical activity and the risk of incident metabolic syndrome in middle-aged adults in Germany
Authors: Cleven Laura , Krell-Roesch Janina , Schmidt Steffen C. E. , Dziuba Anna , Bös Klaus , Jekauc Darko , Woll Alexander 
Published: November 2022

AbstractWe examined the longitudinal association between physical activity (PA) and the risk of incident metabolic syndrome (MetS) among middle-aged, community-dwelling adults, including 591 individuals (314 females; mean (SD) age, 43.8 (8.5) years) who were free of MetS at baseline. Habitual and sports-related PA was assessed by a self-reported questionnaire. MetS was defined based on HDL-cholesterols, triglycerides, glucose or HbA1c, blood pressure, and waist circumference. We calculated Cox proportional hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using regression analyses. Over a mean follow-up of 12.5 years, 205 participants developed incident MetS. Four different sports-related PA measures were associated with a decreased risk of incident MetS: (1) Engaging in ≥ 75 min/week (HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.53–0.94), (2) maintaining a continuously high amount from baseline to follow-up of ≥ 75 min/week (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.46–0.94), (3) starting from < 150 min/week at baseline to ≥ 150 min/week at follow-up (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.45–0.94), and (4) increasing from < 16.6 MET-hours/week at baseline to ≥ 16.6 MET-hours/week at follow-up (HR 0.47, 95% CI 0.31–0.71). Thus, maintaining, starting or increasing sports-related PA is associated with a lower risk of incident MetS.
Source apportionment of soil heavy metals with PMF model and Pb isotopes in an intermountain basin of Tianshan Mountains, China
Authors: Zeng Tao , Ma Long , Li Yizhen , Abuduwaili Jilili , Liu Wen , Feng Sen 
Published: November 2022

AbstractA boom in tourism may lead to the enrichment in heavy metals (HMs) in soils. Contamination with HMs poses a significant threat to the security of the soil environment. In this study, topsoil samples were collected from a tourist area of Sayram Lake, and the concentrations of HMs (Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn and Cd) were determined. With contamination and eco-risk assessment models, correlation analysis, Pb isotope ratios, redundancy analysis and positive matrix factorization (PMF) model, the risks and sources of HMs in the soil were studied. The Igeo results suggested that Cd was the primary pollutant in the tourist area of Sayram Lake. The potential ecological risk index (PERI) showed that the study area was at low risk, and the pollution load index (PLI) indicated that the study area had a moderate contamination level. Qualitative and quantitative analyses apportioned three sources of HMs, namely, natural sources (38.5%), traffic sources (27.2%) and mixed sources (tourist waste and atmospheric deposition) (34.3%). Redundancy analysis results showed that the HMs content was related to SiO2, Al2O3, TiO2, P2O5, MnO, K2O, Fe2O3 and SOC, and heavy metals tended to be stored in soil particles of grain sizes < 32 µm. These findings are expected to provide useful insights into the source identification of HMs in the soils of mountain tourism areas and provide a scientific decision-making basis for sustainable tourism development and for the assessment of ecological service values in the Tianshan Mountains.
Photo-responsive liquid crystal network-based material with adaptive modulus for haptic application
Authors: Kurylo Ievgen , van der Tol Joost , Colonnese Nicholas , Broer Dirk J. , Liu Danqing 
Published: November 2022

AbstractArtificially created tactile feedback is in high demand due to fast developments in robotics, remote control in medicine, virtual reality, and smart electronics. Despite significant progress, high-quality haptic feedback devices remain challenging mainly due to the lack of stability and spatiotemporal resolution. In this work, we address these issues by the application of dynamic coatings, based on photo-responsive liquid crystal network (LCN) material. This material adapts upon an external stimulus (UV light with a power intensity of 50–90 mW/cm2) that changes its elastic properties (87% decrease of the modulus for 90 mW/cm2 power intensity of 365 nm UV light). Localized change of adaptive modulus with very high resolution (2 μm) was demonstrated.
Acute effects of FLT3L treatment on T cells in intact mice
Authors: Wolf Gideon , Gerber Allison N. , Fasana Zachary G. , Rosenberg Kenneth , Singh Nevil J. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractPeripheral T cells express a diverse repertoire of antigen-specific receptors, which together protect against the full range of pathogens. In this context, the total repertoire of memory T cells which are maintained by trophic signals, long after pathogen clearance, is critical. Since these trophic factors include cytokines and self-peptide-MHC, both of which are available from endogenous antigen-presenting cells (APC), we hypothesized that enhancing APC numbers in vivo can be a viable strategy to amplify the population of memory T cells. We evaluated this by acutely treating intact mice with FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3l), which promotes expansion of APCs. Here we report that this treatment allowed for, an expansion of effector-memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells as well as an increase in their expression of KLRG1 and CD25. In the lymph nodes and spleen, the expansion was limited to a specific CD8 (CD44-low but CD62L−) subset. Functionally, this subset is distinct from naïve T cells and could produce significant amounts of effector cytokines upon restimulation. Taken together, these data suggest that the administration of Flt3L can impact both APC turnover as well as a corresponding flux of specific subsets of CD8+ T cells in an intact peripheral immune compartment.
Zinc-modified phosphate-based glass micro-filler improves Candida albicans resistance of auto-polymerized acrylic resin without altering mechanical performance
Authors: Lee Myung-Jin , Kim Min-Ji , Mangal Utkarsh , Seo Ji-Young , Kwon Jae-Sung , Choi Sung-Hwan 
Published: November 2022

AbstractColonization of auto-polymerized acrylic resin by pathogenic Candida albicans is a common problem for denture users. In this study, zinc-modified phosphate-based glass was introduced into an auto-polymerized acrylic resin at concentrations of 3, 5, and 7 wt.%. The mechanical or physical properties (flexural strength, elastic modulus, microhardness, and contact angle), surface morphology of the resultant materials, and the antimicrobial effect on C. albicans were investigated. There were no statistical differences in the mechanical properties between the control and the zinc-modified phosphate-based glass samples (p > 0.05); however, the number of C. albicans colony-forming units was significantly lower in the control group (p < 0.05). Scanning electron microscopy revealed that C. albicans tended not to adhere to the zinc-modified-phosphate-based glass samples. Thus, the zinc-modified materials retained the advantageous mechanical properties of unaltered acrylic resins, while simultaneously exhibiting a strong antimicrobial effect in vitro.
Design exploration and comparative analysis of tail shape of tri-wheel-based stair-climbing robotic platform
Authors: Shin JeongPil , Son DongHan , Kim YoungHwan , Seo TaeWon 
Published: November 2022

AbstractStair climbing is one of the most important capabilities of mobile robots. Therefore, stair-climbing mobile robots have become a field of study and diverse stair-climbing mobile robots have been developed. Although tri-wheel-based stair-climbing robotic platforms were developed to overcome the challenges posed by stair climbing, they have shown limitations such as impact during locomotion and damage owing to friction with the nosing of the stairs. In this study, several tail mechanisms were proposed and designed to solve the limitations of tri-wheel-based stair-climbing robots. A comparative analysis of the tail mechanisms was performed through dynamic simulations based on various performance indices. It was observed that the tail mechanism improved the stability and stair-climbing performance of the tri-wheel-based stair-climbing robots. The experimental verification confirmed the reliability of the comparative analysis results based on the simulation. These findings can be used to design mobile stair-climbing robots.
IL-6/IL-10 mRNA expression ratio in tumor tissues predicts prognosis in gastric cancer patients without distant metastasis
Authors: Zhou Li , Tang Chuangang , Li Xiaoxin , Feng Fang 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThere was growing evidence that inflammatory responses played significant roles in malignancies. However, the impact of pro-inflammatory-to-anti-inflammatory factor ratio in tumor tissues has not been investigated in gastric cancer (GC) yet. We collected patient data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. A total of 270 stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) patients without distant metastasis were included in the study. After screening 12 candidate pro-inflammatory-to-anti-inflammatory pairs, only the IL-6/IL-10 mRNA expression ratio in tumor tissues had a significant effect on overall survival (OS) of STAD patients (P = 0.014). X-tile analysis showed that the greatest survival differences were obtained when the cutoff value of IL-6/IL-10 mRNA expression ratio was set at 1.3 and 5.5. With the low-ratio group (IL-6/IL-10 mRNA expression ratio: < 1.3) as reference, OS time for both the medium-ratio group (IL-6/IL-10 mRNA expression ratio: 1.3–5.5) and the high-ratio group (IL-6/IL-10 mRNA expression ratio: > 5.5) was significantly shorter (P < 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analyses indicated that IL-6/IL-10 mRNA expression ratio was an independent prognostic factor for OS and disease-specific survival (DSS). These findings provided a novel and powerful tool for a more rational management of GC patients.
Co-infection of porcine deltacoronavirus and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus induces early TRAF6-mediated NF-κB and IRF7 signaling pathways through TLRs
Authors: Saeng-chuto Kepalee , Madapong Adthakorn , Kaeoket Kampon , Piñeyro Pablo Enrique , Tantituvanont Angkana , Nilubol Dachrit 
Published: November 2022

AbstractPorcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) infect the small intestine and cause swine enteric coronavirus disease. The mucosal innate immune system is the first line of defense against viral infection. The modulatory effect of PDCoV and PEDV coinfection on antiviral signaling cascades of the intestinal mucosa has not been reported. Here, we investigate the gene expression levels of pattern recognition receptors, downstream inflammatory signaling pathway molecules, and associated cytokines on the intestinal mucosa of neonatal piglets either infected with a single- or co-infected with PDCoV and PEDV using real-time PCR. The results demonstrate that single-PEDV regulates the noncanonical NF-κB signaling pathway through RIG-I regulation. In contrast, single-PDCoV and PDCoV/PEDV coinfection regulate proinflammatory and regulatory cytokines through TRAF6-mediated canonical NF-κB and IRF7 signaling pathways through TLRs. Although PDCoV/PEDV coinfection demonstrated an earlier modulatory effect in these signaling pathways, the regulation of proinflammatory and regulatory cytokines was observed simultaneously during single viral infection. These results suggested that PDCoV/PEDV coinfection may have synergistic effects that lead to enhanced viral evasion of the mucosal innate immune response.
Single- and multi-year ENSO events controlled by pantropical climate interactions
Authors: Kim Ji-Won , Yu Jin-Yi 
Published: November 2022

AbstractTo better understand the diverse temporal evolutions of observed El Niño‒Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events, which are characterized as single- or multi-year, this study examines similar events in a 2200-year-long integration of Community Earth System Model, version 1. Results show that selective activation of inter- and intra-basin climate interactions (together, pantropical climate interactions) controls ENSO’s evolution pattern. When ENSO preferentially activates inter-basin interactions with tropical Indian and/or Atlantic Oceans, it introduces negative feedbacks into the ENSO phase, resulting in single-year evolution. When ENSO preferentially activates intra-basin interactions with subtropical North Pacific, it causes positive feedbacks, producing multi-year evolution. Three key factors (developing-season intensity, pre-onset Pacific condition, and maximum zonal location) and their thresholds, which determine whether inter- or intra-basin interactions are activated and whether an event will become a single- or multi-year event, are identified. These findings offer a way to predict ENSO’s evolution pattern by incorporating the controlling role of pantropical climate interactions.
A new Asian/North American teleconnection linking clustered extreme precipitation from Indian to Canada
Authors: Wang Bin , Lee Ming-Ying , Xie Zhiling , Lu Mengqian , Pan Mengxin 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThree consecutive precipitation extremes emerged in November 2021, including India-Sri Lanka flooding, East Asian blizzard, and Canadian floods. Why the catastrophic events occurred successively and whether they will become more frequent as global warming continues are unknown. Here we show they are organized by an intraseasonal Asian/North American (ANA) teleconnection consisting of two cross-Pacific wave trains fortified by dipolar diabatic heating anomalies (“wet India-dry Philippines”). The dipolar heating anomaly is shaped by multi-scale interaction between a quasi-stationary Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) episode and a rapidly developed La Niña over the tropical Asian monsoon region. Numerical experiments suggest that the off-equatorial heating dipole can generate the ANA pattern resembling observations, distinct from the equatorial MJO-induced teleconnection and the La Niña-induced Pacific/North American teleconnection. Philippine cooling stimulates the circum-Pacific wave train, while Indian heating produces the eastward-propagating subtropical wave train. These wave trains persistently steered cross-Pacific atmospheric rivers channeling warm-moisture-laden air to the extratropics. We suggest that the ANA teleconnection could be a new route by which multi-scale interaction between the La Niña and quasi-stationary MJO over the tropical Asian monsoon affects extratropical East Asia and North America. This work provides a unique perspective on understanding the origins of increasing collisions of extremes worldwide within a short time as the global climate warms.