Search Results (1,160)

Fire hazards during cotton picker operations pose a significant safety concern, primarily caused by cotton blockages and friction-induced heat generation between the picking spindle and seed cotton under high-load conditions. Existing fire monitoring systems typically employ a uniform temperature threshold across multiple sensors. However, this approach overlooks the distinct characteristics of different cotton picker mechanisms and the influence of seed cotton moisture content, resulting in frequent false alarms and missed detections. To address these issues, this study pioneers and tests a dynamic, tiered temperature threshold warning strategy. This approach accounts for key cotton picker components and varying seed cotton moisture content (MC), specifically MC 9–12% and MC 12–15%. Additionally, based on the operational characteristics of the cotton conveying tube, this study proposes monitoring the wall surface temperature of the conveying tube and investigates the threshold for this temperature. Results indicate that during seed cotton open burning, the average temperature is 324 °C for MC < 9%, 261.9 °C for MC 9–12%, and 178.4 °C for MC 12–15%. After transitioning to smoldering, the temperatures were 226.6 °C, 191.5 °C, and 163.5 °C, respectively, with 163.5 °C being the lowest threshold for seed cotton open burning in the cotton bin. For smoldering seed cotton, the temperature thresholds were 240 °C for MC < 9% and MC 9–12%, and 280 °C for MC 12–15%. The temperature threshold for the cotton conveyor pipe wall surface was 49 °C. The friction-induced heat generation temperature threshold at the picking head, determined through combined testing and simulation, is set at 289 °C for MC < 9%, 306 °C for MC 9–12%, and 319 °C for MC 12–15%. The aforementioned tiered early warning strategy, developed through multi-source experiments and simulations, can be directly configured into controllers. It enables dynamic threshold alarms based on harvester location, seed cotton moisture content, and temperature zones, providing quantitative support for cotton harvester fire monitoring and risk management. Full article

During the last two decades, relevant progress has been achieved in silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) technology, such that in an increasing number of radiation detection applications they are proposed as a viable alternative to traditional photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). Applications where the light from tiny scintillating crystals is detected by a single SiPM raise the question of the possible non-linearity of the response due to the saturation of the number of microcells involved. In other cases, where larger scintillators subtend arrays of SiPMs, the same question could hold. This work tries to disentangle such a question with a realistic numerical approach and a few tests showing that the possible saturation effects depend on the interplay between the features of the scintillator and of the SiPM (array). The quantitative results of this analysis can likely be used to better plan future radiation detection systems and to highlight their linearity boundaries. Full article

Background/Objectives: In this proof-of-concept study, the objective was to evaluate the phenotypic CarbaLux combination rapid test in terms of guiding the therapy of infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria with carbapenemase inhibitors and carbapenems, and to compare its results and practicability with standard diagnostic methods. Methods: In the classical CarbaLux test, a fluorescent carbapenem serves as a UV–visible diagnostic surrogate for clinically used carbapenem antibiotics. When exposed to extracted carbapenemases from bacterial colony growth on agar plates, fluorescence rapidly disappears, showing whether monotherapy with carbapenems is possible or must be rejected. It was expected that a specific inhibitor that protects imipenem or meropenem from enzymatic deactivation during antibacterial therapy would perform the same in vitro with fluorescent carbapenem and preserve its fluorescence. The new additional CarbaLux combination test is used if the classic test is positive for carbapenemases: a classic test tube pre-dosed with fluorescent carbapenem is spiked with cloxacillin; with recently launched carbapenemase inhibitors, e.g., avibactam, relebactam, zidebactam, nacubactam, or vaborbactam; or with picolinic acid. Fourteen Enterobacterales and six Acinetobacter baumannii isolates were analyzed. Results: At fixed concentrations, the new inhibitors protected fluorescent carbapenem from bacterial KPC-mediated inactivation and partially from AmpC beta-lactamase-mediated inactivation. In addition, avibactam also effectively inhibited OXA-48-like enzymes. Cloxacillin selectively inhibited AmpC beta-lactamases extracted from Enterobacter complex species. Non-therapeutic picolinic acid was specific for metallo-beta-lactamases and thus identified infections by pathogens that cannot be treated with carbapenems alone or in combination. Conclusions: Inhibitor/fluorescent carbapenem mixtures corresponding to therapeutic inhibitor/carbapenem combinations allow us to visualize the efficacy of carbapenemase inhibitors. The in vitro results are consistent with clinical experience regarding combination therapy. Enzymatic assays provide a rapid yes/no answer for carbapenem mono- or combination therapy and offer several advantages over current carbapenemase testing methods. In contrast to PCR and lateral flow tests, which only target a selection of carbapenemases, enzymatic assays work by employing a reproducible phenotypic mechanism. They are simpler, broader in scope, and more cost-effective; they can also detect antimicrobial heteroresistance or AmpC beta-lactamase hyperproduction, which is normally undetected when performing automated antibiotic susceptibility testing. The new tests are suitable for clinical diagnosis, public health purposes, and infection control. Full article

We investigated the diagnostic efficacy of the universal transport medium™ (UTM^®) as a transport medium for aqueous humor polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing in patients with clinically suspected viral uveitis. This retrospective study included 31 patients (31 eyes) with presumed viral uveitis who underwent anterior chamber sampling and compared the viral detection rates between using UTM^® and conventional test tubes only. The positivity rate for any virus, including cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, and varicella zoster virus, was significantly higher in the UTM^T® group than in the test tube group (64.3% vs. 23.5%, p = 0.033). Logistic regression analysis also revealed that the use of UTM^® significantly increased the PCR positivity rate (odds ratio, 5.850; 95% confidence interval, 1.222–27.994; p = 0.027). Thus, the use of UTM^® was associated with improved detection of causative pathogens in patients with presumed viral uveitis. Full article

Acoustic scattering is a highly effective tool for non-destructive control and structural analysis. In many real-world applications, understanding acoustic scattering is essential for accurately detecting and characterizing defects, assessing material properties, and evaluating structural integrity without causing damage. One of the most critical aspects of characterizing targets—such as plates, cylinders, and tubes immersed in water—is the analysis of the phase and group velocities of antisymmetric circumferential waves (A₁). Phase velocity helps identify and characterize wave modes, while group velocity allows for tracking energy, detecting, and locating anomalies. Together, they are essential for monitoring and diagnosing cylindrical shells. This research employs a Sugeno fuzzy inference system (SFIS) combined with a Fuzzy Subtractive Clustering (FSC) identification technique to predict the velocities of antisymmetric (A₁) circumferential signals propagating around an infinitely long cylindrical shell of different b/a radius ratios, where a is the outer radius, and b is the inner radius. These circumferential waves are generated when the shell is excited perpendicularly to its axis by a plane wave. Phase and group velocities are determined by using resonance eigenmode theory, and these results are used as training and testing data for the fuzzy model. The proposed approach demonstrates high accuracy in modeling and predicting the behavior of these circumferential waves. The fuzzy model’s predictions show excellent agreement with the theoretical results, as confirmed by multiple error metrics, including the Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Standard Error (SE), and Mean Relative Error (MRE). Full article

The integration of machine vision systems with programmable logic controllers (PLCs) is increasingly crucial for automated quality assurance in Industry 4.0 environments. This paper presents an applied case study of vision–PLC integration, focusing on real-time synchronization, deterministic communication, and practical industrial deployment. The proposed platform combines a Cognex In-Sight 2802C smart camera (Cognex Corporation, Natick, MA, USA) with an Allen-Bradley Compact GuardLogix PLC through Ethernet/IP implicit cyclic exchange. Three representative case studies were investigated: 3D-printed prototypes with controlled defects, automotive electrical connectors inspected using Cognex ViDi supervised learning tools, and fiber optic tubes evaluated via a custom fixture-based heuristic method. Across all scenarios, detection accuracy exceeded 95%, while PLC-level triple verification reduced false classifications by 28% compared to camera-only operation. The work highlights the benefits of PLC-driven inspection, including robustness, real-time performance, and dynamic tolerance adjustment via HMI interfaces. At the same time, several limitations were identified, including sensitivity to lighting variations, limited dataset size, and challenges in scaling to full production environments. These findings demonstrate a replicable integration framework that supports intelligent manufacturing. Future research will focus on hybrid AI–PLC architectures, extended validation on industrial production lines, and predictive maintenance enabled by edge computing. Full article

Background/Objectives: Conventional curettage adenoidectomy is widely performed but may leave residual tissue in anatomically hidden nasopharyngeal areas. We evaluated the impact of age and revision status on residual adenoidal tissue after conventional adenoidectomy and assessed outcomes following endoscopic completion. Methods: A prospective cohort study included 178 patients undergoing conventional adenoidectomy followed by intraoperative nasal endoscopy. Residual tissue in the nasopharyngeal roof, Fossa of Rosenmüller, and around the Eustachian tube was resected using a microdebrider. Patients were categorized into four groups based on age (<9 or ≥9 years) and surgical history (primary vs. revision). Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) or STOP-BANG scores were collected pre- and postoperatively. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors of residual tissue. Results: Residual adenoid tissue was detected in 61.8% of patients after conventional adenoidectomy, highest among those ≥9 years undergoing revision (36.4%). Age ≥ 7.5 years and revision status predicted residual tissue (AUC = 0.71). Significant postoperative symptom improvement was observed (PSQ and STOP-BANG, p < 0.001). Complication rates were low (13.5%), with no recurrences reported. Conclusions: Conventional curettage often leaves residual adenoidal tissue in older and revision cases. Endoscopic completion improves outcomes. Primary endoscopic adenoidectomy is recommended for patients aged ≥7.5 years and those undergoing revision procedures. Full article

Accurate differentiation between Coilia brachygnathus and Coilia nasus is imperative for the effective management of fisheries, the conservation of aquatic ecosystems, and the mitigation of commercial fraud. Current morphological identification remains challenging due to their high morphological similarity—particularly for processed samples—while conventional molecular methods often lack the speed or specificity required for field applications or high-throughput screening. In this study, a novel integrated approach was developed and validated, combining TaqMan quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). for precise genotyping of C. brachygnathus and C. nasus with Recombinase Polymerase Amplification coupled with Lateral Flow Dipstick (RPA-LFD) for rapid on-site screening. First, species-specific RPA-LFD assays were designed to target the mitochondrial COI gene sequence. This enabled visual detection within 10 min at 37 °C, with a sensitivity of 10² copies/μL, and required no complex equipment. A dual TaqMan MGB qPCR assay was further developed by validating stable differentiating SNPs (chr21:3798155, C/T) between C. brachygnathus and C. nasus, using FAM/VIC dual-labeled MGB probes. Results showed that this assay could distinguish the two species in a single tube: for C. brachygnathus, Ct values in the FAM channel were significantly earlier than those in the VIC channel (ΔCt ≥ 1), with a FAM detection limit of 125 copies/reaction; for C. nasus, only VIC channel amplification was observed, with a detection limit as low as 12.5 copies/reaction. Validation with 171 known tissue samples demonstrated 100% concordance with expected species identities. This integrated approach effectively combines the high accuracy and quantitative capacity of TaqMan qPCR for confirmatory laboratory genotyping with the speed, simplicity, and portability of RPA-LFD for initial field or point-of-need screening. This reliable, efficient, and user-friendly technique provides a powerful tool for resource management, biodiversity monitoring, and ensuring the authenticity of high-quality C. brachygnathus and C. nasus. Full article

This study investigates the asymmetric effects applying heat transfer as a diagnostic tool in dendritic networks with symmetrical branching, characterized by the geometric property of self-similarity. Using a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model, we analyze five structural isomers of a three-level dichotomous branching network to evaluate the relationship between fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and geometric configuration. The main constraints are geometrical; that is, the volume at each branching level remains constant, and homothetic relationships respect the Hess–Murray law both for diameters and angles between sister tubes. The model considers an incompressible and stationary Newtonian fluid flow with Reynolds numbers ranging from 10 to 2000 and heat transfer in the range 1 to 1000 W/m². Our results show that significant asymmetries in flow distribution and temperature profiles emerge in these symmetric structures, primarily due to the successive alignment of tubes between different branching levels. We found that the isomer with the lowest pressure drop is not the same as the one providing the most uniform flow distribution. Crucially, thermal analysis proves to be more sensitive than fluid dynamic analysis for detecting flow asymmetries, particularly at low Reynolds numbers less than 50 and q″ = 1000 W/m². While heat transfer does not significantly alter the fluid dynamic asymmetry, its application as a diagnostic tool for identifying flow asymmetries is effective and crucial for such purposes. Full article

Typical fertilizer applicators are often restricted in performance due to non-uniformity in distribution, required labor and time intensiveness, high discharge rate, chemical input wastage, and fostering weed proliferation. To address this gap in production agriculture, an automated variable-rate fertilizer applicator was developed for the cotton crop that is based on deep learning-initiated electronic control unit (ECU). The applicator comprises (a) plant recognition unit (PRU) to capture and predict presence (or absence) of cotton plants using the YOLOv7 recognition model deployed on-board Raspberry Pi microprocessor (Wale, UK), and relay decision to a microcontroller; (b) an ECU to control stepper motor of fertilizer metering unit as per received cotton-detection signal from the PRU; and (c) fertilizer metering unit that delivers precisely metered granular fertilizer to the targeted cotton plant when corresponding stepper motor is triggered by the microcontroller. The trials were conducted in the laboratory on a custom testbed using artificial cotton plants, with the camera positioned 0.21 m ahead of the discharge tube and 16 cm above the plants. The system was evaluated at forward speeds ranging from 0.2 to 1.0 km/h under lighting levels of 3000, 5000, and 7000 lux to simulate varying illumination conditions in the field. Precision, recall, F1-score, and mAP of the plant recognition model were determined as 1.00 at 0.669 confidence, 0.97 at 0.000 confidence, 0.87 at 0.151 confidence, and 0.906 at 0.5 confidence, respectively. The mean absolute percent error (MAPE) of 6.15% and 9.1%, and mean absolute deviation (MAD) of 0.81 g/plant and 1.20 g/plant, on application of urea and Diammonium Phosphate (DAP), were observed, respectively. The statistical analysis showed no significant effect of the forward speed of the conveying system on fertilizer application rate (p > 0.05), thereby offering a uniform application throughout, independent of the forward speed. The developed fertilizer applicator enhances precision in site-specific applications, minimizes fertilizer wastage, and reduces labor requirements. Eventually, this fertilizer applicator placed the fertilizer near targeted plants as per the recommended dosage. Full article

Bolivian hemorrhagic fever (BHF) is a zoonotic disease caused by Mammarenavirus machupoense (MACV) featuring severe neurological and hemorrhagic symptoms and a high mortality rate. BHF is usually diagnosed by serological tests or real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); these methods are often inaccessible in endemic regions due to a lack of laboratory infrastructure, creating a demand for sensitive and rapid equipment-free alternatives. Here, we present an isothermal method for MACV nucleic acid detection based on the Cas12a-based DETECTR system combined with recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) in a single tube: the RT-RPA/DETECTR assay. We demonstrate the possibility of using more than one primer set for the simultaneous detection of MACV genetic variants containing multiple point mutations. The method was optimized and tested using specially developed virus-like armored particles containing the target sequence. The multiplex RT-RPA/DETECTR method achieved a limit of detection of approximately 5 × 10⁴ copies/ mL (80 aM) of armored particles. The method was validated using clinical samples spiked with virus-like particles. The assay proved to be selective and reliable in detecting certain nucleotide substitutions simultaneously. Full article

Maintaining the integrity of cryogenically preserved biological materials is critical, as even brief, undetected temperature excursions in storage can compromise sample viability. Existing monitoring systems may miss transient thaw–refreeze events, posing serious quality risks. To address this, we developed and validated frozen indicator tubes that visually signal deviations from the frozen state, serving as a cost-effective backup to electronic monitors. Our first method uses an aqueous dye solution that immobilizes the dye when frozen; any thawing causes the dye to disperse, providing a clear, external visual cue of a partial or complete thaw. For ultra-low-temperature storage (−80 °C), we introduced a second method using an ethanol-based solution calibrated to indicate thaw events. This system detects temperature rises of 10 °C or more sustained for at least fifteen minutes—conditions that may jeopardize sample stability. When paired with standard monitoring systems, these indicator tubes offer an added layer of protection by providing simple, reliable, and immediate visual confirmation of critical temperature breaches. This innovation enhances confidence in cryogenic storage protocols and supports the long-term preservation of sensitive biological materials. Full article

Background/Objectives: Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is a severe manifestation of peripheral arterial disease with limited treatment options. Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy has shown promise, but variability in efficacy suggests that paracrine mechanisms, particularly extracellular vesicle (EV)-associated microRNAs (miRNAs), may play a central role. Methods: We analyzed angiogenesis-related miRNAs in bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) and their EVs. Five angiomiRs (miR-9, miR-105, miR-126, miR-135b, miR-210) were examined; only miR-126, miR-135b, and miR-210 were consistently detected in EVs. Expression variability was assessed across donor age and individuals. Functional evaluation was performed using co-culture of BM-MSCs with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and by transfecting synthetic miRNAs into HUVECs. Tube formation assays quantified angiogenesis, and angiogenesis-related protein expression (VEGF, FGF, Endoglin, uPA) was analyzed. Biological replicates (multiple donors) and technical replicates (duplicate assays) were clearly defined to ensure reproducibility. Results: Co-culture of BM-MSCs and HUVECs significantly enhanced angiogenesis in a dose-dependent manner. EVs selectively packaged angiogenic miRNAs, with expression levels varying according to donor age and inter-individual variability. Transfection of miR-126, miR-135b, and miR-210 individually enhanced tube formation, while the miR-126 + miR-135b combination and triple transfection elicited the strongest effects. Protein analysis confirmed upregulation of VEGF, FGF, and Endoglin. Notably, miR-210 did not further enhance angiogenesis beyond miR-126 + miR-135b but may exert context-dependent effects. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that BM-MSC-derived EV miRNAs promote angiogenesis via combinatorial mechanisms, providing mechanistic support for ongoing CLI therapy. Our findings highlight the translational potential of EV-based nucleic acid therapeutics for ischemic disease. Full article

Efficient control measures for respiratory diseases in humans and farm animals require accurate, specific, and rapid diagnostics. Traditional PCR-based molecular diagnostics are restricted to centralized laboratories, which results in significant, potentially catastrophic delays in test results. A case in point is the recent avian flu outbreak, which has culled more than 280 million poultry birds worldwide (over 157 million in the USA alone) since 2022; has spread to other farm animals, such as cattle; has further heightened the risk of a human pandemic; and threatens food security. To enable molecular diagnosis of bird respiratory diseases at the point of need, we employ loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) in two platforms: (A) portable devices linked to a smartphone and (B) an inexpensive, disposable, electricity-free, instrument-free device with closed-tube, colorimetric detection that can be produced with minimal resources. Smartphone integration offers an unexplored opportunity for spatiotemporal disease mapping, equipping policymakers with critical data for outbreak control. Our assays demonstrated 100% sensitivity and specificity compared to the gold standard, lab-based, quantitative PCR (qPCR). We tested contrived samples of the avian flu H5N1 virus, laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV), and infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) spiked into clinical samples, achieving a detection sensitivity adequate for early infection diagnosis in under 45 min. The test is simple, requires minimal training, and can be performed without refrigeration, making it well-suited for resource-limited settings. Full article

Environmentally assisted cracking (EAC) can be an aggressive degradation mechanism for materials in safety-critical applications across a variety of industries, particularly when combined with cyclic mechanical loading. Corrosion fatigue, a prominent form of EAC, often affects tubular components such as piping, heat exchangers, and boiler tubes in chemical, refining, and power generation industries. This study presents the design and validation of a low-cost, automated test system for evaluating EAC under controlled laboratory conditions. The system integrates electromechanical loading, force measurement, and closed-loop control of temperature and pH. Crack growth is monitored using a compliance-based method calibrated using finite element analysis. Environmental control loops were validated for stability and responsiveness. Performance was demonstrated through tests on carbon steel specimens in acidic chloride solution and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) specimens in xylene solvents. The system demonstrated accurate load control, environmental stability, and sensitivity to crack extension. The test system also enabled detection of crack closure behavior in carbon steel specimens resulting from corrosion product buildup during immersion in acidic chloride solution. Additionally, the system effectively distinguished varying impacts of environmental severity in PMMA testing (100% xylene vs. 50% xylene–50% ethanol), confirming its suitability for comparative studies. This test platform enables efficient, repeatable evaluation of EAC fatigue performance across a range of materials and environments. Full article