Search Results (79)

Additively manufactured (AM) aluminum (Al) alloys are very useful in sectors like automotive, manufacturing, and aerospace because they have unique mechanical properties, such as their light weight, etc. AlSi10Mg made by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is one of the most promising materials because it has a high strength-to-weight ratio, good thermal resistance, and good corrosion resistance. But machining AlSi10Mg parts is still hard because they have unique microstructural properties from the way they were produced. This research investigates the machining efficacy of the AM-AlSi10Mg alloy in distinct cutting conditions (dry, flood, chilled air, and minimal quantity lubrication with castor oil). The study assesses how different cooling conditions affect important performance metrics such as cutting temperature, surface roughness, and tool wear. Due to castor oil’s superior lubricating and film-forming properties, MQL (Minimal Quantity Lubrication) reduces heat generation between 80 °C and 98 °C for the distinct speed–feed combinations. The Multi-Objective Optimization by Ratio Analysis (MOORA) approach is used to determine the ideal cooling and machining conditions (MQL, Vc of 90 m/min, and fr of 0.05 mm/rev). The relative closeness values derived from the MOORA approach were used to predict machining results using machine learning (ML) models (MLP, GPR, and RF). The MLP showed the strongest relationship between the measured and predicted values, with R values of 0.9995 in training and 0.9993 in testing. Full article

The origin of feed ingredients, particularly corn, can influence nutrient composition and availability, thereby affecting broiler growth performance and overall production efficiency. This study evaluated the effects of the dietary inclusion of different corn origins: United States (local) (USA-L), United States (reimported) (USA-R), Argentina (ARG), and Brazil (BRA) on broiler performance, nutrient digestibility, and processing yield from 1 to 35 d of age. A total of 1200 male broiler chicks (YPM × Ross 708) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments, with each diet incorporating corn from a specific origin. Birds were housed in controlled environmental conditions and fed isocaloric, isoproteic diets formulated based on corn nutrient profiles from each origin. Body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were assessed at 10, 21, and 35 d. On d 35, ileal digestibility of nutrients was assessed using titanium dioxide as an indigestible marker, and processing yields were measured on d 36. Results indicated no impact of corn origin on BW or BWG during the grow-out. However, FI was greater in broilers fed with diets containing corn from ARG and BRA compared to corn from USA-L from 1 to 35 d (p = 0.012). Feed intake of birds fed diets with USA-R did not differ from diets with either BRA or USA-L corn. Feed conversion ratio remained unaffected at 10 and 21 d of age, but broilers fed diets with corn from USA-L and USA-R exhibited improved FCR at 35 d compared to those fed corn from BRA (p < 0.001). Processing weights and yields showed no differences among treatments; nonetheless, broilers fed corn from ARG had a higher chilled carcass weight than those fed corn from USA-R (p = 0.032). Nutrient digestibility analysis revealed no differences in crude protein, fat, calcium, and potassium digestibility, while phosphorus digestibility was significantly higher in broilers fed corn from ARG compared to corn from USA-L (p = 0.007). These findings suggest that corn origin minimally affected overall broiler growth performance and carcass characteristics. However, differences in FI, FCR, and nutrient digestibility may exist among different corn sources. Full article

Parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection in healthy individuals is commonly asymptomatic or has non-specific symptoms, such as fever, headache, chills, myalgia, rash, and arthralgia. However, some groups of individuals, such as pregnant women, patients with hemolytic disorders, and immunocompromised individuals, may present severe forms of the infection, which may even lead to a negative outcome. To better understand what leads to this divergence of outcomes in different populational groups, this study sought to analyze the role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of B19V infection. The miRNAs that potentially bind to the B19V transcripts were identified using complete genomic sequences retrieved from Genbank and miRNAs cataloged in miRbase. The results of this alignment between the seed region of the miRNAs with the B19V complete genome identified 1517 miRNAs that showed 100% identity, of which 412 are bound to NS1, VP1, and VP2 transcripts. Based on the number of total binds to the genome, these miRNAs were ranked, and the top five, miR-4799-5p, miR-5690, miR-335-3p, miR-193b-5p, and miR-6771-3p, were selected to evaluate the target genes and signaling pathways in which they act. We identified 214 common genes among the top five miRNAs, and five of these genes bind to at least two of these miRNAs. Based on WikiPathways and KEGG, these 214 genes act on 29 statistically significant pathways, and the three main pathways were selected. Our results revealed some miRNAs that may be involved in regulating B19V replication and that can act as potential biomarkers for the prognosis of infection. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the utilisation of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy combined with chemometric techniques to identify the addition of goat liver to goat minced meat and to monitor the shelf life of the samples up to 8 days of storage. Mix samples were created by adding goat liver to goat meat in different ratios (0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% w/w), and after mincing, the samples were stored under chilled (2–4 °C) conditions for 8 days. The NIR spectra, CIELab parameters, and pH of the mixture samples were collected at the start of the study and after 2, 4, 6, and 8 days of storage. The mince became darker with the increase in days of storage, while the pH value was not affected by days of storage. Partial least squares (PLS) regression was used to develop calibration models for the CIELab parameters to predict the level of liver addition to minced meat and to predict days of storage. The standard error in cross-validation (SECV) and the coefficient of determination in cross-validation (R²_cv) were 0.10 (SECV: 3.3), 0.63 (SECV: 1.5), and 0.60 (SECV: 0.90) for L*, a*, and b*, respectively. The R²_CV and SECV were 0.32 (SECV: 2.4%) and 0.92 (SECV: 0.98 days) to predict the level of liver addition to minced meat and days of storage, respectively. The NIR calibration models developed to predict the CIELab parameters and level of addition of liver to minced meat were inadequate for predicting new samples. On the other hand, the PLS models developed could predict the days of storage, R²_cv 0.92 (SECV: 0.98 days). Compared with traditional methods such as CIELab or pH measurements, NIR spectroscopy can yield results more rapidly. However, the variability in the data set should be increased to allow the development of more reliable models. Full article

Background and Objectives: Ravulizumab, a long-acting C5 complement inhibitor, was approved in the US and Europe in 2022 as an add-on therapy for the standard treatment of AChR-positive generalized MG (gMG). We share our real-world experience with adult patients receiving this therapy in Romania. Materials and Methods: Six AChR-positive gMG patients received ravulizumab through an Early Access Program (January 2023–October 2024). Patient outcomes were assessed at the therapy start and q8w using Quantitative MG (QMG), MG Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL), and MG Quality of Life 15-item revised (MG-QoL15r) scales. Results: Age at disease onset ranged from 15 to 35 years. Four of the six patients were women. Two patients had gMG severity level of IIa, and four patients of IIb according to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) classification. Five patients experienced rapid and sustained improvements in MG symptoms with MG-ADL score reductions ranged from −3 to −5 at 26 weeks post-ravulizumab start (except for those with a low baseline score: three and one). QMG score dropped in three patients (−2 to 12) during the treatment period, increased in two (+2 and +8), and remained stable in one (zero). Three patients showed sustained improvement in MG symptoms after ≥60 weeks. MG-QoL15r significantly dropped (−22 to −10) throughout the treatment period. One patient experienced ravulizumab-associated adverse events (vomiting, diarrhea, chills) that resolved within 24 h following symptomatic management, two to three episodes of myasthenic exacerbations during treatment, and discontinued it. Conclusions: All cases presented here had early-onset AChR antibody-positive, non-thymomatous MG. Despite differences in disease duration and underlying conditions, clinically meaningful and sustained improvements in gMG symptoms, and reduced corticosteroid doses were observed in all patients except one after adding ravulizumab to the treatment plan. Full article

The flowering and fruiting of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) depend on precise synchronization with seasonal events. During harsh autumn and winter conditions, floral buds enter dormancy to protect and prepare for the productive season. Dormancy release occurs after exposure to genotype-specific chilling temperatures, an event in which epigenetic reprogramming triggers further metabolic and gene expression activation. Similarly, several Arabidopsis ecotypes require chilling (vernalization) to transition from vegetative to floral states. At vernalization’s end, the decrease in the repressor complex formed by SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE (SVP) and FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) allows FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) to induce flowering. However, this alone does not fully explain the process. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in gene regulation during plant development and environmental interactions, and miR396’s role during flower development and vernalization has been described in some plant species, although not for sweet cherry dormancy. We used ‘Regina’, a high-chill sweet cherry variety, to identify candidate small RNA molecules throughout dormancy, resulting in the detection of miR396. The transcript expression levels of the putative miRNA target genes were evaluated through quantitative PCR analyses of dormant buds. Additionally, an artificial sweet cherry miR396 was used to transform Arabidopsis Edi-0, a vernalization-requiring ecotype. Ectopic expression of this artificial molecule partially mirrored the effect on target genes observed in dormant buds and, more importantly, led to vernalization-independent flowering. Artificial miR396 expression also resulted in decreased FLC and increased SVP and FT transcript levels. These results could pave the way for future studies on the involvement of miR396 in the regulation of dormancy and flowering, with potential applications in improving crop resilience and productivity. Full article

In this study, a regression model was developed using the thermo-regulated residual refinement regression model (TRRM) analysis method based on three years and four months of in situ data collected from two water-cooled centrifugal chillers installed in A Tower, Seoul, South Korea. The primary objective of this study was to predict the coefficient of performance (COP) of water-cooled chillers under various operating conditions using only the chilled water outlet temperature ($T_2$) and the cooling water inlet temperature ($T_3$). The secondary objective was to estimate the COP under standard temperature conditions, which is essential for the absolute performance evaluation of chillers. The collected dataset was refined through thermodynamic preprocessing, including the removal of missing values and outliers, to ensure high data reliability. Based on this refined dataset, regression analyses were conducted separately for four cases: daytime (09:00–21:00) and nighttime (21:00–09:00) operations of chiller #1 and chiller #2, resulting in the derivation of four final regression equations. The reliability of the final dataset was further validated by applying other regression models, including simple linear (SL), bi-quadratic (BQ), and multivariate polynomial (MP) regression. The performance of each model was evaluated by calculating the coefficient of determination ($R^2$), coefficient of variation of root mean square error (CVRMSE), and the p-values of each coefficient. Additionally, the predicted COP values under the design and standard temperature conditions were compared with the measured COP values to assess the accuracy of the model. Error rates were also analyzed under scenarios where $T_2$ and $T_3$ were each varied by ±1 °C. To ensure robust validation, a final comparison was performed between the predicted and measured COP values. The results demonstrated that the TRRM exhibited high reliability and predictive accuracy, with most regression equations achieving $R^2$ values exceeding 90%, CVRMSE below 5%, and p-values below 0.05. Furthermore, the predicted COP values closely matched the actual measured COP values, further confirming the reliability of the regression model and equations. This study provides a practical method for estimating the COP of water-cooled chillers under standard temperature conditions or other operational conditions using only $T_2$ and $T_3$. This methodology can be utilized for objective performance assessments of chillers at various sites, supporting the development of effective maintenance strategies and performance optimization plans. Full article

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.), renowned for its vibrant color and distinctive flavor, enjoys widespread popularity and is planted in temperate climates. This study investigated four short-chilling requirement cultivars in southeast China, which is known as a subtropical climate region, and determined several key fruit qualities, such as color, size, weight, and nutrient attributes (e.g., vitamin C, soluble sugar, organic acid, protein, gibberellin, and brassinolide) at four maturities due to the climate’s effect on the fruit color and the main color substance: anthocyanin accumulation. Therefore, the color index (a*, b*, and L*) and anthocyanin content were determined, and the anthocyanin-related gene expression was quantitative and analyzed using WGCNA. The results showed that the red variety, ‘Jiangnanhong’, exhibited the highest fruit weight and diameter as well as the greatest concentration of cyanidin-3-rutinoside (C3R). Conversely, the yellow variety, ‘Chaoyang 1’, demonstrated higher L* and b* values along with a greater vitamin C content. The research confirmed that C3R is the predominant anthocyanin present in sweet cherries during ripening. Additionally, three genes—LOC110744862, LOC110749842, and LOC110753376—were identified as playing crucial roles in anthocyanin biosynthesis. Anthocyanins significantly influence both the visual appeal and nutritional quality of the fruit. These results provide a theoretical foundation for understanding the differences among sweet cherry varieties in southeast China. Full article

Strawberry, a profitable crop, adapts well to diverse environments. This study evaluated the stability of fruit quality in different strawberry varieties produced as green plants without chilling during the harvest season in northern Uruguay. The focus was on understanding the impact of harvest date versus agricultural practices (different orchards and growers) on key fruit quality variables such as color, firmness, sugars, and acidity. Results indicated that the INIA Yrupé variety showed greater stability in external coloration and sugar content across harvest dates, suggesting that standardizing fruit coloration is viable under challenging conditions. INIA Guapa consistently met minimum requirements for soluble solids and ratio, with stable acidity and red coloration. Firmness was positively correlated with ratio (r = 0.81) and negatively impacted by rainfall 2–3 days before harvest. The findings suggest that harvest date has a more significant impact on INIA Yrupé fruit quality than growing conditions or practices, with variability observed in firmness and ratio but minimal variation in fruit coloration. These insights highlight the importance of harvest timing for maintaining stable fruit quality traits, which is crucial for breeding programs and ensuring consistent sensory quality and crop profitability. Full article

Outdoor thermal comfort (OTC) is one of the most important issues for people exposed to urban green space (UGS). It is mainly evaluated by assessing equivalent meteorological factors that may combine and result in human responses of perceptions about comfortable vs. uncomfortable environments. The assessment of these responses is challenged by limits in a database that is powerful enough to support big-data analysis and an essential parameter that can evaluate health-related responses to OTC in urban forests. In this study, a meta-analysis was conducted by synthesizing studies of physiological and psychological health responses of green space (GS) visitors to meteorological factors in host cities on a global scale. A total of 15,000 numerical records about the psychological and physiological responses of UGS visitors were obtained from 105 papers across 68 global cities in 21 countries. A novel parameterization was developed to evaluate OTC by normalizing changes in health-related parameters and detecting their regressions against multiple meteorological factors. It was revealed that OTC resulted in more benefits in psychological health parameters than in physiological ones for UGS visitors worldwide. Globally, health-promoting OTC environments were more found in temperate countries than in countries subjected to other climates. People in Asian countries were indicated to live in environments with higher comfort that benefitted health states in cities at low latitudes. Thermal environments tended to be harsher and more challenging, mostly too chilling, in northern cities than in the south globally. A deep learning model using the ResNet algorithm was found to perform to an expected level with R² as high as >70% and errors controlled generally lower than 0.01. Taking mainland China for instance, it was predicted that thermal environments in eastern cities of China highly challenged the psychological health of local UGS visitors across all seasons of the year. Northern cities of China were predicted to have satisfied thermal environments that benefited psychological and psychological health responses in spring. In summer, cities in West China were predicted to have comfortable thermal environments, and in winter, environments in the southwestern cities were more comfortable. Full article

While forced-air convective systems remain the predominant method for heating and cooling worldwide, radiant cooling and heating systems are emerging as a more efficient alternative. Current radiant cooling systems primarily rely on hydronic chilled water systems. This study introduces direct-expansion radiant cooling as a novel technique that could enhance the efficiency of radiant cooling and reduce its environmental impact. Water (R-718) has been tested as a refrigerant due to its favorable thermodynamic properties and environmental advantages; however, to the author’s knowledge, it has yet to be tested in direct-expansion radiant cooling. This research investigated several refrigerants, including water (R-718), ammonia (R-717), R-410a, R-32, R-134a, and R-1234yf, for this application. The findings indicate that water demonstrates efficiency comparable to other non-natural refrigerants, making it a promising candidate, given its favorable thermodynamic properties and substantial environmental benefits. Despite challenges such as a high compression ratio necessitating multi-stage compression, a high compressor discharge temperature exceeding 300 °C and requiring specialized blade materials, and a high suction volume flow rate, direct-expansion radiant cooling operates within a different temperature range. Consequently, the compressor discharge temperature can be reduced to 176 °C, and the compression ratio can be lowered to approximately 3.5, making water a more viable refrigerant option for this application. Full article

Previous studies have shown a negative correlation between chilling accumulation (CA) and heat requirements (HRs) in peaches (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch), consistent with findings in other plants in spring events. However, there is a lack of comparative research on the CA–HR relationship in peach varieties with different chilling requirements (CRs), and the specific impact of CA on HR reduction remains poorly described. To address this, we investigated the effects of CA on the days and HR for flowering in 54 peach varieties of differing CRs. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the effects of CA on the phenology of floral organ development in a selected peach variety. Our results indicate that, in general, peaches exhibit a reduced HR and accelerated flowering as the CA increases, but that the strength and trend of the CA–HR relationship is influenced by the CR and the variety. Low-CR varieties showed less sensitivity to CA increments, requiring higher relative increases in CA to significantly lower the HR, whereas high-CR varieties appeared to be more sensitive, with even modest changes leading to substantial reductions in HR. However, variations from this generality exist, even within varieties displaying the same rCA (the ratio of CA to CR). Additionally, we provide a summary of the relationship between the rCA and drHR in peaches of differing CRs, and identify several varieties exhibiting a strong response in the CA–HR relationship. This study also highlights the impact of CA on flower bud development, revealing slower progression under lower CA levels and accelerated growth with an increased CA. In particular, we identified the critical period of the enlargement and initiation of green scales as indicative of successful pollen grain formation. Finally, we present a schematic of the CA–HR relationship for flowering in peaches. Full article

Roses, a popular ornamental crop, often face various abiotic stresses during growth and development, such as cold, drought, and salinity. Rosa multiflora is a commonly used rootstock and exhibits strong resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses, making it an ideal material for studying mechanisms for resistance. Among the largest plant families, MYB transcription factors play a crucial role in plant abiotic stresses. Our previous research has indicated that RmMYB44 could be involved in the low-temperature response of R. multiflora. This study further investigated RmMYB44, revealing that its expression levels were upregulated in response to chilling, drought, and salt stress. The results suggested its potential role as a key transcription factor in plant resistance to abiotic stresses. Additionally, RmMYB44 encoded a nuclear-localized protein without the self-activating function. The overexpression of RmMYB44 in tobacco plants enhanced the resistance to cold, drought, and salt stresses, as evidenced by the improved growth compared to wild-type (WT) plants under conditions of 4 °C, 30% water-holding capacity, and 200 mM of NaCl, respectively. Moreover, in overexpression tobacco plants, the levels of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly reduced; and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT); as well as the proline content and the expression levels of NtPOD, NtCAT, and NtCBF; were significantly elevated under abiotic stresses. We assumed that the resistance to abiotic stress in plants conferred by RmMYB44 was associated with the regulation of cell membrane integrity. This study aimed to elucidate the role of the RmMYB44 gene in the resistance mechanism of R. multiflora against abiotic stress, thereby providing a candidate gene for the molecular breeding of abiotic stress resistance in roses and related species. Full article

This paper researches the heat transfer equation and thermal balance equation of a shell-and-tube evaporator; constructs an accurate mathematical model for the evaporator; and derives equations including detailed and accurate calculation methods for all heat transfer coefficients, such as the refrigerant side heat transfer coefficient, water side heat transfer coefficient, refrigerant kinematic viscosity, density, and specific enthalpy. Adopting this approach involves fitting the relationships between the density, thermal conductivity, kinematic viscosity, and enthalpy of R134a refrigerants in saturated vapor and liquid states. The relationships between superheated gas enthalpy, density, and temperature were also assessed, and heat transfer coefficients were obtained through calculation methods and microelement heat transfer relationships in both the single-phase and two-phase zones, matching empirical formulas concerning the relationship between superheated enthalpy and temperature. Notably, the research utilizes the Simulink approach without relying on M files and S functions to establish the evaporator’s two-phase and superheated zones, as well as an overall simulation model which provides intuitive internal coupling relationships and the coefficient calculation process in the formulas and uses the function “Algebraic Constraint” instead of “memory” or “1/z” to solve algebraic loops, thereby avoiding computation deviations introduced by delays and iterations. Finally, simulation calculations were conducted, and an experimental platform was designed and built for experimental verification which can validate the derived mathematical models. The simulation results, including the evaporator pressure, and chilled water outlet temperature with variation in chilled water mass flow rate, closely matched the experimental outcomes. The simulation model is concise and intuitive. Modifying parameters such as the thermal conductivity of the model material is straightforward, thereby alleviating the workload for researchers. It also facilitates an understanding of model principles for beginners. Moreover, the database generated from the model allows for fault analysis, diagnosis, and decision evaluation. Full article

Poultry is the primary reservoir of Campylobacter, a leading cause of gastroenteritis in the United States. Currently, the selective plating methodology using selective agars, Campy Cefex and Modified Charcoal Cefoperazone Deoxycholate agar, is preferentially used for the quantification of Campylobacter spp. among poultry products. Due to the specific nature of Campylobacter, this methodology is not sensitive, which can lead to skewed detection and quantification results. Therefore, Campylobacter detection and quantification methods are urgently needed. The objective was to develop a shortened enrichment-based quantification method for Campylobacter (CampyQuant™) in post-chill poultry rinsates using the BAX^® System Real-Time PCR assay for Campylobacter. The specificity and sensitivity for the detection of C. jejuni, C. coli, and C. lari in pure culture were determined. The BAX^® System Real-Time PCR assay consistently detected and identified each species 100% of the time with an enumeration range of 4.00 to 9.00 Log₁₀ CFU/mL. Enrichment time parameters for low-level concentrations (0.00, 1.00, and 2.00 Log₁₀ CFU/mL) of Campylobacter using the BAX^® System Real-Time PCR assay were elucidated. It was determined that an enrichment time of 20 h was needed to detect at least 1.00 Log₁₀ CFU/mL of Campylobacter spp. Using the BAX^® System Real-Time PCR assay for Campylobacter. As a result, time of detection, detection limits, and enrichment parameters were used to develop the CampyQuant™ linear standard curve using the detected samples from the BAX^® System Real-Time PCR assay to quantify the levels in post-chill poultry rinsates. A linear fit equation was generated for each Campylobacter species using the cycle threshold from the BAX^® System Real-Time PCR assay to estimate a pre-enrichment of 1.00 to 4.00 Log₁₀ CFU/mL of rinsates detected. The statistical analyses of each equation yielded an R² of 0.93, 0.76, and 0.94 with a Log₁₀ RMSE of 0.64, 1.09, and 0.81 from C. jejuni, C. coli, and C. lari, respectively. The study suggests that the BAX^® System Real-Time PCR assay for Campylobacter is a more rapid, accurate, and efficient alternative method for Campylobacter enumeration. Full article