Search Results (492)

Recent advances in wearable devices and physiological signal monitoring technologies have motivated research into non-invasive glucose estimation for diabetes management. However, the existing studies are often limited by sample constraints, in terms of relatively small numbers of subjects, and few address personalized differences. Physiological signals vary considerably for different individuals, affecting the reliability of accuracy measurements, and training data and test data are both used from the same subjects, which makes the test result more affirmative than the truth. This study aims to compare the two scenarios mentioned above, regardless of whether the testing/training involves the same individual, in order to determine whether the proposed training method has better generalization ability. The publicly available MIMIC-III dataset, which contains 700,000 data points for 10,000 subjects, is used to create a more generalized model. The model architecture uses a ResNet CNN + Transformer block, and data quality is graded during preprocessing to select signals with less interference for training to increase data quality. This preprocessing method allows the model to extract useful features without being adversely affected by noise and anomalous data that decreases performance; therefore, the model’s training results and generalization capability are increased. This study creates a model to predict blood glucose values from 70 to 250 for 180 classes, using mean absolute relative difference (MARD) as the evaluation metric and a Clarke error grid (CEG) to determine a reasonable error tolerance. For personalized cases (specific individual data during model training), the MARD is 11.69%, and the optimal Zone A (representing no clinical risk) in the Clarke error grid is 82.7%. Non-personalized cases (test subjects not included in the model training samples) using 60,000 unseen data yields MARD = 15.16%, and the optimal Zone A in the Clarke error grid is 75.4%. Across multiple testing runs, the proportion of predictions falling within Clarke error grid zones A and B consistently approached 100%. The small performance difference suggests that the proposed method has the potential to improve subject-independent estimation; however, further validation in broader populations is required. Therefore, the primary objective of this study is to improve subject-independent, non-personalized PPG-based glucose estimation and reduce the performance gap between personalized and non-personalized measurements. Full article

α-L-Rhamnosidase can specifically hydrolyze plant natural glycosides and holds significant potential for biocatalytic applications in functional foods, healthy products, and pharmaceutical industries. Herein, a novel thermophilic and acidophilic α-L-rhamnosidase TsRha from Thermotoga sp. 2812B belonging to glycoside hydrolase family 78 was identified by genome mining and comprehensively characterized by bioinformatics, computer-aided structural analysis, and biochemical characterization. TsRha possesses a domain architecture comprising one catalytic (α/α)₆-barrel domain and four β-sheet domains. TsRha displayed optimal activity at 90 °C and pH 5.0, remarkable thermostability at 80 °C, and considerable tolerance to organic solvents. TsRha exhibited broad substrate selectivity and might efficiently hydrolyze a series of natural flavonoid glycosides with various glycosidic bonds (α-1, α-1, 2, α-1, 6) from different aglycone subgroups (flavanone, flavone, flavonol, and dihydrochalcone). Moreover, it demonstrated high conversion efficiencies toward a variety of natural flavonoid diglycosides rutin, naringin, naringin dihydrochalcone, hesperidin, and troxerutin, achieving ≥99.1% conversion within 20~100 min. The excellent properties including high activity, thermophilicity, acidophilicity, good thermostability, broad substrate spectrum will make the α-L-rhamnosidase TsRha a promising biocatalyst for the efficient production of rare and high-value flavonoid glucosides with improved bioavailability and bioactivity. Full article

Microalgae are increasingly recognized as promising biostimulants for sustainable agriculture, yet their potential remains underexplored due to the complexity of biostimulant activity and the vast diversity of species. Efficient standardized screening approaches are therefore needed. In this study, a high-throughput screening platform assessed the biostimulant activity of five microalgal species (Limnospira platensis, Chlorella vulgaris, Dunaliella salina, Microchloropsis gaditana, and Isochrysis galbana) in Arabidopsis thaliana. The system enabled full life-cycle assessment of A. thaliana under optimal and drought stress conditions, incorporating three application methods (soil amendment, irrigation, foliar spray) and a wide concentration range of 0.01–0.5 g/L. Biostimulant efficacy depended strongly on concentration and application method. Irrigation-based applications generally enhanced drought tolerance but delayed bolting and flowering. The highest concentration inhibited germination and root elongation, likely due to bioactive compound toxicity rather than salinity or pH. L. platensis exhibited broad activity across environmental conditions, while I. galbana likewise showed wide-ranging effects, including enhanced generative growth. In contrast, D. salina and M. gaditana primarily improved drought tolerance, and C. vulgaris acted mainly under optimal conditions. These findings highlight the value of A. thaliana to accommodate rapid biostimulant screening and identify both novel and established microalgae for further validation in crops. Full article

To meet the requirements of high resolution, compact size, and ultra-lightweight for micro–nano satellite optoelectronic payloads while ensuring high structural stability during launch and in-orbit operation, mirrors were designed with high surface accuracy. The opto-thermo-mechanical system of the space camera was designed and analyzed accordingly. First, an optical system was designed to achieve high resolution and a compact form factor. A coaxial triple-reflector configuration with multiple refractive paths was adopted, which significantly shortened the optical path and laid the foundation for a lightweight, compact structure. This design also defined the accuracy and tolerance requirements for the primary and secondary mirrors. Subsequently, mathematical models for topology optimization and dimensional optimization were established to optimize the design of the main support structure, primary mirror, and secondary mirror. Two design schemes for the main support structure and primary mirror were compared. Steady-state thermal analysis and thermal control design were carried out for both mirrors. Simulations were then performed on the main system (including the primary/secondary mirror assemblies and the main support structure). Under the combined effects of gravity, a 4 °C temperature increase, and an assembly flatness deviation of 0.01 mm, the surface accuracy of both mirrors, the displacement of the secondary mirror relative to the primary mirror reference, and the tilt angle all met the overall specification requirements. The system’s first-order natural frequency was 156.731 Hz. After precision machining, fabrication, and assembly, wavefront aberration testing was conducted on the main system with the optical axis horizontal. Under gravity, the root mean square (RMS) wavefront error at the center of the field of view was 0.073λ, satisfying the specification of ≤1/14λ. The fundamental frequency measured during vibration testing was 153.09 Hz, which aligned closely with the simulated value and well exceeded the requirement of 100 Hz. Additionally, in-orbit imaging verification was conducted. All results satisfied the technical specifications of the satellite’s overall requirements. Full article

Peganum harmala (L.) Schrad., a perennial medicinal plant thriving in arid Moroccan soils, represents a natural reservoir of unexplored bacterial diversity. To uncover its hidden foliar endosphere microbiota, we isolated and characterized two Acinetobacter strains: a novel endophytic bacterium, AGC35, and another strain, AGC59, newly reported from this host. Both are non-halophilic, aerobic, Gram-negative bacteria exhibiting optimal growth at 30–35 °C, pH5, and with 1% NaCl. An integrative genomic, phylogenetic, functional, and phenotypic characterization classified both strains within the genus Acinetobacter (class Gamma-pseudomonadota). However, Average Nucleotide Identity (<96%) and digital DNA-DNA Hybridization (<70%) values distinguished the AGC35 strain as a novel species, for which the name Acinetobacter endophylla sp. nov. is proposed. A comparative genomic and phenotypic analysis with the co-isolated Acinetobacter pittii strain AGC59 revealed extensive genome rearrangements, reflecting distinct evolutionary lineage and ecological strategies. While both genomes share core metabolic pathways, A. endophylla harbors specialized genes for the degradation of plant-derived aromatic compounds (e.g., catechol) but shows reduced capacities in carbohydrate metabolism and osmotic stress tolerance, traits indicative of a metabolic specialist with plant-growth-promotion potential, including phosphorus, potassium, and silicon solubilization and indole-3-acetic acid production. In contrast, A. pittii exhibits a more generalist genome enriched in stress functions. Analysis using the Antibiotics and Secondary Metabolite Analysis Shell revealed multiple biosynthetic gene clusters in both strains, showing ≤26% similarity to known references, suggesting the potential for novel antimicrobial secondary metabolite biosynthesis, including antifungal lipopeptides and thiopeptide antibiotics. Altogether, functional specialization and ecological coherence of these findings support the recognition of A. endophylla sp. nov. as a genomically and functionally distinct species, highlighting niche partitioning and adaptive metabolism within the P. harmala holobiont. These results underscore the plant’s value as a reservoir of untapped microbial diversity with significant ecological and biotechnological relevance. Finally, future work will focus on elucidating the novel metabolites encoded by the biosynthetic gene clusters in both isolates and exploring their applications in crop-improvement strategies and natural-product discovery. Full article

The exacerbation of Aluminum (Al) toxicity is a leading cause of forest degradation. However, the effects of Al on clone bamboo are not well-characterized. This study examined the influence of Al on bamboo growth using one-year-old Phyllostachys edulis seedlings subjected to control Al treatments, which aim to provide theoretical support for improving the soil quality of bamboo forests. The results indicated that the Al content in the seedlings increased by 86.42% to 162.79% compared to the control. However, it remained within a relatively stable range, with the root being the primary site of accumulation. Among the treatments, the 0.3 mM Al group (Al³⁺) exhibited the highest values in biomass indexes (LB, RB and AGB). In contrast, the 2.0 mM Al treatment led to a significantly higher root-to-shoot ratio (RSR) than other groups. Physiological analyses revealed coordinated responses in key antioxidant enzymes (POD, SOD, CAT) and osmotic adjustment substances (Pro, SP, Bet). These findings demonstrate that P. edulis possesses considerable tolerance to Al, with a significant phenotypic inhibitory effect that was not observed with 2.0 mM Al treatment. Bamboo responds to Al stress through controlling Al absorption, optimizing resource reallocation, and enhancing adaptability physiology capacity, illustrating a comprehensive collaboration adaptive mechanism. Full article

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is an important economic crop and a primary source of sugar in northern China, characterized by strong stress tolerance and high nutritional value. Microbial inoculants can promote crop growth by regulating soil enzyme activities, enriching dominant beneficial bacterial genera in rhizosphere soil, and improving the availability of soil nutrients. This study aimed to investigate the role of microbial inoculants in sugar beet production and their potential to replace chemical fertilizers and put forward the scientific hypothesis that microbial inoculants can increase soil nutrients and improve the soil microenvironment. A two-year field experiment was conducted: in 2022, treatments with different application rates of Bacillus subtilis and Trichoderma spp. inoculants were set up to screen the optimal inoculant and its dosage (M1); in 2023, based on this optimal inoculant (M1), treatments with reduced chemical fertilizer input were established to explore the mechanisms underlying the maintenance of sugar beet yield and quality. The results showed that the M1N2 (75 kg/ha fertilizer and 20% less nitrogen fertilizer) treatment significantly increased nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium agronomic use efficiencies by 91.48%, 51.94%, and 53.50%, respectively, compared with the control (CK). Soil urease, catalase, and sucrase activities were significantly enhanced by 14.57%, 66.84%, and 222.46%, respectively. The treatment also significantly increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacterial genera such as JG30-KF-CM45 and KD4-96, while sugar beet yield was significantly increased by 5.53% relative to the CK. This study provides a theoretical basis for the application of microbial inoculants and the reduction in chemical fertilizers in sugar beet production. Full article

This study investigates the issue of fault-tolerant motion control in the distributed chassis system (DCS) subject to degradation in independent steering actuators. First, the dynamic behavior of the independent steering system is analyzed to establish a fault-dynamics model for independent steering. The steering powertrain degradation coefficient is then mapped to the contraction of the feasible tire-force region. Subsequently, the model predictive controller (MPC) is designed to solve for the required generalized forces/torques. Moreover, along the direction of the generalized demand force vector, the boundary values for the current cycle are obtained and used to correct the generalized demand force. Finally, an adaptive weighting scheme for the tire force distribution objective function, which accounts for degradation coefficients, is proposed. Sequential quadratic programming (SQP) is employed to achieve optimal utilization of tire forces. Simulation studies for different steering degradation scenarios and road conditions are conducted using a CarSim 2019 and Simulink 2021B co-simulation platform. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed integrated chassis motion controller maintains excellent motion control performance even under independent steering actuator degradation. Full article

In cold regions, flexible pavements are vulnerable to frost-induced damage, necessitating effective insulation strategies. Foam glass aggregate (FGA) insulation layers, made from recycled glass, offer promising thermal insulation properties but are mechanically fragile and susceptible to permanent deformation under repeated loading. Manufacturers provide technical recommendations, particularly regarding load limits for installation and the dimensions of the thermal protection layer. These are considered insufficient to assist pavement designers in their work. The definition of critical criteria for permissible loads was deemed necessary to design mechanically durable structures using this alternative technology. This study investigates the critical stress conditions that FGA layers can tolerate within flexible pavement systems to ensure long-term structural integrity. Laboratory cyclic triaxial tests and full-scale accelerated pavement testing using a heavy vehicle simulator were conducted to evaluate the resilient modulus and permanent deformation behavior of FGA. The results show that FGA exhibits stress-dependent elastoplastic behavior, with resilient modulus values ranging from 70 to 200 MPa. Most samples exhibited plastic creep or incremental collapse behavior, underscoring the importance of careful stress management. A strain-hardening model was calibrated using both laboratory and full-scale data, incorporating a reliability level of 95%. This study identifies critical deviatoric stress thresholds (15–25 kPa) to maintain stable deformation behavior (Range A) under realistic confining pressures. FGA performs well as a lightweight, insulating, and draining layer, but design criteria remain to be defined for the design of multi-layer road structures adapted to local materials and traffic conditions. Establishing allowable critical stress levels would help designers mechanically validate the geometry, particularly the adequacy of the overlying layers. These findings support the development of mechanistic design criteria for FGA insulation layers, ensuring their durability and optimal performance in cold climate pavements. Full article

The optimal selection of high-arch dam construction schemes involves multi-dimensional indicators. In addition to clear one-way optimization indicators such as construction period and cost, there are also indicators with ambiguous optimization directions. Such indicators are influenced by factors like actual engineering conditions and experience from similar projects, and they have an optimal interval for their value range, which is referred to as “moderate indicators”. However, in most comprehensive evaluation models, the standardization of such indicators is plagued by overly simplistic processing methods and excessive subjective factors. To address the interval optimality of moderate indicators, this paper proposes the concepts of “optimal interval” and “tolerance interval”. By analyzing the distribution characteristics of indicators and combining them with the characteristics of construction simulation calculations, the quartile method and comprehensive weighting method are adopted to determine the subjective and objective interval ranges. Based on the concept of relative membership degree, these intervals are processed as standardized results and incorporated into the comprehensive evaluation system. Accordingly, a multi-attribute decision-making model for high arch dams considering moderate indicators is proposed. This method was verified in the decision-making process for the construction scheme of the TR Double Curved Arch Dam project. Compared with the traditional Ranking Alternatives by Distance from Average Solution (RADAR) method that adopts the vector normalization method, this model enhances the anti-interference ability against the volatility of moderate indicators, improves the accuracy of scheme optimization, and obtains the priority ranking of each alternative scheme. Full article

This paper presents three different approaches for generating points along the interaction diagram corresponding to design load effects—shear, bending moment, and axial force—to achieve optimal shear strength adequacy with the Australian bridge design standard AS 5100.5. The methodology targets the optimal shear condition by matching the design shear $V^{*}$ with the capacity $\varphi V_u$, which represents achieving a load rating factor of unity within the specified tolerance limits. The first typical approach for generating points for two load effects is by increasing the moment–shear ratio ${\eta }_m$ in small increments from zero to a large value (theoretically infinity), and for each increment, to goal-seek the condition. The other approaches investigated are the use of increasing factored moment $M^{*}$ and the use of Monte Carlo simulation. A pretensioned bridge I-girder section reported in the literature was used in the study. The Monte Carlo simulation method was found to be the simplest to program. It allows an interaction surface for the influence of three load effects for optimal shear adequacy to be obtained with minimal program coding and outperforms the goal–seeking approaches for multi-variable interactions. It can create 2-D interaction lines for various levels of shear adequacy for the interaction of $M^{*}$ and $V^{*}$, and 3-D interaction surfaces for $M^{*}$, $V^{*}$, and $N^{*}$. The potential use of interaction diagrams was explored, and the advantages and limitations of using each method are presented. The interaction curves of two typical pretensioned concrete sections of a plank girder, one next to an end support and the other close to mid-span, were created to show the distinguishing features resulting from their reinforcement. Full article

The fiber mode field overlap integral method is employed to analyze the influencing factors of coupling efficiency, as well as the effects of axial and radial alignment errors on coupling efficiency under different relative apertures of coupling lenses. The results indicate that there exists an optimal relative aperture of the coupling lens that maximizes coupling efficiency; however, at this optimal point, coupling efficiency is more susceptible to radial errors. Regarding axial and radial errors, when the relative aperture of the coupling lens is at its optimal value, the tolerance for alignment errors is minimal. Conversely, when the relative aperture exceeds the optimal value, both coupling efficiency and tolerance for alignment decrease. When the relative aperture is less than the optimal value, the requirement for installation accuracy decreases while the tolerance becomes larger. The trend of the simulation results aligns with the experimental data. This study provides instructive significance regarding the trade-off between coupling efficiency requirements and alignment accuracy in the design of actual polarization-maintaining fiber coupling systems. Full article

To improve the mechanized transplanting efficiency for large-scale broccoli production in Ningxia, this study aims to identify key morphological traits of seedlings suitable for mechanized transplanting. A Box–Behnken design was used to set three experimental factors, broccoli variety, seedling age, and plug tray specification, to evaluate their effects on seedling plant type (plant height, stem diameter, canopy diameter, stem inclination angle, and plant type cone angle) and root system characteristics (substrate loss rate). The results showed that plug tray specification was the primary factor affecting substrate loss rate, followed by variety and seedling age. Seedling age was the dominant factor affecting plant height, stem diameter, and canopy diameter, while plug tray specification primarily influenced stem inclination angle. Optimization via response surface methodology (RSM) indicated that the best transplanting performance was achieved with the “Hannai Youxiu” variety (excellent cold tolerance), 30-day-old seedlings, and 72-cell or 98-cell plug trays. Field validation confirmed that under these optimal parameters the mechanized transplanting feeding rate reached 100%, the seedling missing rate was 2.5%, and the transplanting qualification rate was 97.5%, with all RMSE values being less than 7.5%. These findings provide a scientific basis for the mechanized transplanting of broccoli in Ningxia, recommending the “Hannai Youxiu” variety and 98-cell plug trays with 30-day-old seedlings to enhance transplanting quality and production efficiency. Full article

Digital platforms face a fundamental strategic decision between subscription-only, advertising-only, and freemium (hybrid) monetization models. We develop a game-theoretic framework that unifies these strategies, explicitly modeling consumer heterogeneity in both willingness-to-pay and advertising disutility, while incorporating network effects through the platform’s valuation of user-base size. Our analysis yields closed-form solutions identifying optimal strategy thresholds based on advertising market conditions. We show that subscription-only dominates when advertising prices are low, advertising-only prevails when prices are high, and freemium emerges as strictly optimal in the intermediate region. Under freemium, we demonstrate strategic complementarity: both subscription fees and advertising intensity exceed their levels in pure strategies because each instrument’s effectiveness is amplified by the other through user reallocation across tiers. Network effects universally reduce monetization intensity but alter instruments’ relative sensitivities differently across regimes—when advertising prices are moderate, freemium adjusts ad length more aggressively, while the opposite holds at high prices. Critically, freemium’s profitability requires sufficient consumer heterogeneity in ad tolerance. As consumer preferences converge, the screening mechanism fails and freemium collapses to the superior pure strategy. These results provide operational guidance for platform monetization decisions and clarify when hybrid models create value beyond traditional approaches. Full article

Jeju Island, a volcanic island located off the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula, harbors highly specialized microbial communities shaped by its unique geological and climatic diversity. In particular, Baengnokdam Crater Lake at the summit of Mt. Halla represents an extreme, oligotrophic volcanic habitat characterized by intense UV radiation, temperature fluctuations, and limited nutrients. From this environment, a novel bacterial strain, Brevibacillus sp. JNUCC 42, was isolated and subjected to comprehensive taxonomic, genomic, and biochemical analyses. The strain is a Gram-positive, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium that grows optimally at 30 °C and pH 7.0–9.0 with moderate NaCl tolerance (≤3%). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing and genome-scale GBDP confirmed its affiliation to the genus Brevibacillus, forming a distinct lineage closely related to B. laterosporus DSM 25^T. Whole-genome sequencing generated a 4.93 Mb circular chromosome with a GC content of 40.7%. Comparative genomic analyses revealed ANI (87.1%) and dDDH (32.8%) values far below the species threshold, supporting its delineation as a novel species. Chemotaxonomic data further distinguished JNUCC 42 by its predominance of anteiso-C₁₅:₀ (37.24%) and iso-C₁₅:₀ (27.78%) fatty acids and the presence of a unique unidentified aminolipid not detected in the type strain. Genome mining identified 21 biosynthetic gene clusters, including NRPS, PKS, and NRPS–PKS hybrids, suggesting its potential to produce structurally diverse secondary metabolites. One of these metabolites, the cyclic dipeptide maculosin [cyclo(L-Pro-L-Tyr)], was purified from the culture extract and structurally characterized by NMR spectroscopy. Functional assays demonstrated that maculosin significantly inhibited α-MSH-induced melanogenesis and intracellular tyrosinase activity in B16F10 melanoma cells without cytotoxicity up to 100 µM. Collectively, these findings indicate that Brevibacillus sp. JNUCC 42 represents a novel species within the genus Brevibacillus and a promising microbial source of bioactive compounds with potential cosmeceutical applications. Full article