Search Results (62,388)

Soil compaction is a pivotal factor influencing crop growth and yield, and its accurate assessment is imperative for precision agricultural management. Soil mechanical resistance is the key indicator of soil compaction, with accurate measurement enabling precise assessment. Dynamic soil mechanical resistance measurement outperforms conventional manual fixed-point sampling in data acquisition efficiency. In this paper, a methodology is proposed for the dynamic acquisition of soil mechanical resistance using a flexible thin-film pressure sensor. This study dynamically captures soil mechanical resistance at three depths (5 cm, 10 cm, and 15 cm) under dynamic machinery operating conditions. A device was designed for the detection of soil mechanical resistance, and a prediction model for soil mechanical resistance was developed based on the Kalman filter algorithm. Tests were conducted under steady-state and variable-load conditions, and the predicted values accurately tracked the reference pressure. Soil tank trials showed that at an operating speed of 0.69–0.72 km/h, the average prediction errors for the three soil layers were 2.03%, 1.48%, and 6.27%, with the coefficient of determination (R²) between predicted and measured values reaching 0.96. The system effectively predicts multi-depth soil resistance, providing novel theoretical and technical approaches for dynamic acquisition. Full article

Schmallenberg virus (SBV) is a negative-sense RNA virus transmitted by insect vectors, causing arthrogryposis-hydranencephaly syndrome in newborn ruminants. Since its discovery in Germany and the Netherlands in 2011, SBV has rapidly spread across multiple European countries, resulting in significant economic losses in the livestock industry. With the increasing global animal trade and the expanded range of insect transmission, the risk of SBV introduction into non-endemic regions is also rising. As the gold standard for serological testing, the virus neutralization test (VNT) is crucial for tracking the spread of SBV and evaluating the efficacy of vaccines. However, in non-endemic regions, the lack of local viral strains and the biosafety risks associated with introducing foreign strains pose challenges to the implementation of VNT. In this study, we employed reverse genetics techniques using vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) to substitute the VSV G protein with the envelope glycoproteins of SBV, thereby successfully generating and rescuing the recombinant virus rVSVΔG-eGFP-SBVGPC. The recombinant virus was then thoroughly characterized in terms of SBV Gc protein expression, viral morphology, and growth kinetics. Importantly, rVSVΔG-eGFP-SBVGPC exhibited SBV-specific cell tropism and was capable of reacting with SBV-positive serum, enabling the measurement of neutralizing antibody titers. The results suggest that this recombinant virus can serve as a feasible alternative for SBV neutralization tests, with promising potential for application in serological screening and vaccine evaluation. Full article

Background/Objectives: This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effects of casein-enriched milk (CEM) consumption and its timing (presleep vs. during the day) in the early postoperative period on body composition, muscle strength, physical function, and biochemical parameters in individuals undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Methods: Forty-five adults (60% female, 40% male; mean age 35.1 ± 9.7 years; mean BMI 41.4 ± 4.9 kg/m²) undergoing SG were randomly assigned to three groups: (1) 15 g protein CEM (12 g casein) presleep, (2) the same CEM during the day, or (3) standard-protein diet without supplementation. The primary endpoint was change in fat-free mass (FFM) at 12 weeks; secondary endpoints included handgrip strength, 30 s sit-to-stand test, and serum total protein, albumin, and prealbumin. Assessments were performed preoperatively and at weeks 4, 8, and 12. Results: No significant differences were found between the groups in terms of body composition, muscle strength, or physical performance measurements (p > 0.05). However, a significant increase in handgrip strength was observed over time in Groups 1 and 2 (p < 0.05), which was not observed in Group 3. Prealbumin levels at week 12 were 0.3 ± 0.0 mg/dL in Group 1 and 0.2 ± 0.0 mg/dL in Group 2, both higher than 0.2 ± 0.0 mg/dL in Group 3 (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in albumin and total protein levels (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Early postoperative CEM consumption following SG did not significantly affect body composition or physical performance; however, the higher prealbumin levels indicate that this marker may be more sensitive in detecting early protein response, highlighting its potential clinical relevance in monitoring nutritional status after bariatric surgery. Full article

Background and Objectives: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is now widely acknowledged as belonging to the broader category of metabolic disorders, being closely associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and chronic systemic inflammation. Recent evidence indicates that in MASLD, alterations in the gut–liver axis—particularly increased intestinal permeability may serve as a crucial mechanistic link between metabolic dysfunction and hepatic steatosis. Zonulin, a physiological modulator of intestinal tight junctions, has been suggested as an indicator of compromised barrier integrity; however, its specific role in MASLD remains to be fully elucidated. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study including 52 adult patients diagnosed with MASLD. Hepatic steatosis was evaluated using the SteatoTest (FibroMax panel), while fecal zonulin levels were measured by ELISA at baseline. Clinical, anthropometric, and metabolic parameters were assessed. We used ROC curve analysis to explore zonulin’s predictive value for moderate-to-severe steatosis (≥S2). Results: Elevated fecal zonulin (>107 ng/mL) occurred in 26.9% of participants. In a binary logistic model with SteatoTest ≥ S2 as outcome, zonulin was independently associated with clinically significant steatosis (OR per 1 ng/mL = 1.017; 95% CI 1.002–1.032; p = 0.029). Discrimination for ≥S2 was AUC = 0.680 (95% CI 0.535–0.825; p = 0.015). The Youden-optimal cut-off was 57.0 ng/mL (sensitivity 68.2%, specificity 63.3%) versus 40.9%/83.3% at the manufacturer’s 107 ng/mL threshold. Conclusions: Fecal zonulin shows modest discriminatory ability for steatosis and is best used as an adjunct to non-invasive assessment; cohort-specific calibration (57.0 ng/mL) outperformed the generic 107 ng/mL threshold. Full article

Background: Obesity is multifactorial, shaped by biological, behavioral, and psychosocial factors. Traditional sociodemographic and lifestyle influences are well studied, but psychological well-being, particularly life purpose, remains less explored. This study investigates associations between demographics, health behaviors, and life purpose and obesity prevalence, assessed through four validated adiposity indices in Spanish workers. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 93,077 workers (mean age: 43.8 ± 9.6 years; 54.1% men). Obesity was defined according to four measures: body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WtHR), Clínica Universidad de Navarra Body Adiposity Estimator (CUN-BAE), and Metabolic Score for Visceral Fat (METS-VF). Sociodemographic, lifestyle (Mediterranean diet, physical activity, smoking), and psychological (Purpose in Life Test, PIL-10) variables were assessed. Logistic regression was used to evaluate associations with obesity risk. Results: Low life purpose was significantly associated with increased odds of obesity across all indices, particularly for CUN-BAE (OR = 4.58; 95% CI: 3.99–6.28) and BMI (OR = 5.45; 95% CI: 4.71–6.30). Traditional risk factors such as physical inactivity, poor adherence to the Mediterranean diet, older age, a lower social class, and smoking also demonstrated strong associations with higher adiposity levels. METS-VF showed the greatest sensitivity to male sex and unhealthy behaviors. Conclusions: This study identifies life purpose as an independent psychosocial determinant of obesity. Using multiple adiposity measures strengthens the findings, emphasizing psychological well-being in prevention. Longitudinal research is needed to confirm causality and develop interventions enhancing life purpose to improve cardiometabolic health. Given the cross-sectional design, causal inferences cannot be drawn and the directionality of associations remains uncertain. Full article

With the increasing switching frequencies and power densities in modern power converters, the prediction and mitigation of common-mode (CM) noise are becoming increasingly essential. Even though powerful, simulation methods are hindered by the difficulties in modeling power semiconductors and the long simulation time. As an alternative, the measurement-based substitution model is demonstrated in the paper, which simplifies the non-linear converter with a linear circuit network with multiple independent sources. Transfer functions are then defined and characterized to evaluate the conversion ratio from different sources to the CM noise produced on the attached cables. Good agreements are observed between the predicted and measured CM noise under several test conditions. Additionally, the proposed method facilitates dominant noise source identification and the corresponding noise suppression. The proposed method offers advantages over the existing approach, including simplicity in the characterization of transfer functions and the least disturbance to the test setup. Full article

Steel reinforced grout (SRG) composites are widely used for strengthening existing structures. Galvanized (zinc-coated) ultra-high tensile strength steel cords are more durable than brass-coated and cheaper than stainless-steel ones, making them the most common in practice. While compliant with certification standards, corrosion may occur, potentially affecting tensile strength and bond capacity. The latter has, however, remained largely unexplored, highlighting a need to assess durability under different environmental exposures. This study investigated the durability of galvanized SRGs with four cord types and four mortar matrices (cement- and lime-based). Direct tensile, shear bond, and lap-tensile tests were conducted after immersion in saltwater or alkaline solutions, exposure to freeze–thaw or salt crystallization cycles, and high temperatures. Results highlighted salt exposure as the most critical condition, particularly with lime-based matrices. Zinc coating thickness proved essential for corrosion resistance, while freeze–thaw and salt crystallization led to bond degradation due to concentrated steel corrosion and mortar microcracking. The findings highlight the importance of considering appropriate protective measures and exposure-specific conditions when designing SRG reinforcements. Full article

In this study, an analysis was carried out of the combustion of pellets made from chamomile and English ryegrass biomass, including those with the addition of kaolin and urea, in terms of their physical and chemical properties. During combustion tests with synchronized timing, the concentrations of CO₂, CO, NO, and SO₂ in the flue gases were measured, along with the temperatures of the supplied air and the flue gases. The addition of kaolin improved combustion parameters, reduced CO emissions, and stabilized the combustion process, despite the deterioration of the mechanical durability of the pellets. Combustion in the drop-in burner (type B tests) showed higher energy efficiency (CEI) and lower flue gas toxicity (TI) than in the grate system (type A tests). The SiO₂ content in the chamomile ash explained its higher resistance to slagging, confirmed by characteristic ash temperatures. Comparison with other biofuels (straw, hay, sawdust) showed similarities or advantages in terms of reducing CO, NO, and SO₂ emissions. NO emissions were lower for pellets with urea and kaolin added, although in the case of biomass with high nitrogen content these relationships require further improvement. The research results indicate the potential of herbaceous biomass as a fuel in local heating systems. However, modification of such fuels is also associated with the need for further research on reducing emissions during unstabilized combustion phases, with particular emphasis on the ignition phase. Full article

The highly complex memristive chaotic map provides an excellent alternative for engineering applications. To design a memristive chaotic map with high complexity, this paper proposes a new three-dimensional memristive chaotic map (named MLM) by cascading and coupling a non-locally active memristor with a locally active memristor. The dynamical behaviors of MLM are revealed through phase diagrams, Lyapunov exponent spectra, bifurcation diagrams, and dynamic distribution diagrams. Notably, the internal frequency of MLM exhibits unique LE-controlled behavior and shows an extension of the chaotic parameter range. The high complexity of MLM is validated through the use of Spectral entropy (SE) and C0, and Permutation Entropy (PE) complexity algorithms. Subsequently, a pseudorandom number generator (PRNG) based on MLM is designed. NIST test results validate the high randomness of the PRNG. Finally, the STM32 hardware platform is used to implement MLM, and attractors under different parameters are measured by an oscilloscope, verifying the numerical analysis results. Full article

Mountain glaciers are the most direct and sensitive indicators of climate change. In the context of global warming, monitoring changes in glacier elevation has become a crucial issue in modern cryosphere research. The Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) is a full-waveform laser altimeter with a multi-beam that provides unprecedented measurements of the Earth’s surface. Many studies have investigated its applications in assessing the vertical structure of various forests. However, few studies have assessed GEDI’s performance in detecting variations in glacier elevation in land ice in high-mountain Asia. To address this limitation, we selected the Southeastern Tibetan Plateau (SETP), one of the most sensitive areas to climate change, as a test area to assess the feasibility of using GEDI to monitor glacier elevation changes by comparing it with ICESat-2 ATL06 and the reference TanDEM-X DEM products. Moreover, this study further analyzes the influence of environmental factors (e.g., terrain slope and aspect, and altitude distribution) and glacier attributes (e.g., glacier area and debris cover) on changes in glacier elevation. The results show the following: (1) Compared to ICESat-2, in most cases, GEDI overestimated glacier thinning (i.e., elevation reduction) to some extent from 2019 to 2021, with an average overestimation value of about −0.29 m, while the annual average rate of elevation change was relatively close, at −0.70 ± 0.12 m/yr versus −0.62 ± 0.08 m/yr, respectively. (2) In terms of time, GEDI reflected glacier elevation changes at interannual and seasonal scales, and the trend of change was consistent with that found with ICESat-2. The results indicate that glacier accumulation mainly occurred in spring and winter, while the melting rate accelerated in summer and autumn. (3) GEDI effectively monitored and revealed the characteristics and patterns of glacier elevation changes with different terrain features, glacier area grades, etc.; however, as the slope increased, the accuracy of the reported changes in glacier elevation gradually decreased. Nonetheless, GEDI still provided reasonable estimates for changes in mountain glacier elevation. (4) The spatial distribution of GEDI footprints was uneven, directly affecting the accuracy of the monitoring results. Thus, to improve analyses of changes in glacier elevation, terrain factors should be comprehensively considered in further research. Overall, these promising results have the potential to be used as a basic dataset for further investigations of glacier mass and global climate change research. Full article

Background: Creatine supplementation is widely used to enhance exercise performance, mainly resistance training adaptations, yet its differential effects on upper- and lower-body strength and muscular power remain unclear across populations. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantify the effects of creatine supplementation in studies that included different exercise modalities or no exercise on upper- and lower-body muscular strength and power in adults. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted through 21 September 2024 to identify randomized controlled trials evaluating the effects of creatine supplementation on strength (bench/chest press, leg press, and handgrip) and power (upper and lower body). Weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects modeling. Subgroup analyses examined the influence of age, sex, training status, dose, duration, and training frequency. Results: A total of 69 studies with 1937 participants were included for analysis. Creatine plus resistance training produced small but statistically significant improvements in bench and chest press strength [WMD = 1.43 kg, p = 0.002], squat strength [WMD = 5.64 kg, p = 0.001], vertical jump [WMD = 1.48 cm, p = 0.01], and Wingate peak power [WMD = 47.81 Watts, p = 0.004] when compared to the placebo. Additionally, creatine supplementation combined with exercise training revealed no significant differences in handgrip strength [WMD = 4.26 kg, p = 0.10] and leg press strength [WMD = 3.129 kg, p = 0.11], when compared with the placebo. Furthermore, subgroup analysis based on age revealed significant increases in bench and chest press [WMD = 1.81 kg, p = 0.002], leg press [WMD = 8.30 kg, p = 0.004], and squat strength [WMD = 6.46 kg, p = 0.001] for younger adults but not for older adults. Subgroup analyses by sex revealed significant increases in leg press strength [WMD = 9.79 kg, p = 0.001], squat strength [WMD = 6.43 kg, p = 0.001], vertical jump [WMD = 1.52 cm, p = 0.04], and Wingate peak power [WMD = 55.31 Watts, p = 0.001] in males, but this was not observed in females. Conclusions: This meta-analysis indicates that creatine supplementation, especially when combined with resistance training, significantly improves strength in key compound lifts such as the bench or chest press and squat, as well as muscular power, but effects are not uniform across all measures. Benefits were most consistent in younger adults and males, while older adults and females showed smaller or non-significant changes in several outcomes. No overall improvement was observed for handgrip strength or leg press strength, suggesting that the ergogenic effects may be more pronounced in certain multi-joint compound exercises like the squat and bench press. Although the leg press is also a multi-joint exercise, results for this measure were mixed in our analysis, which may reflect differences in study design, participant characteristics, or variability in testing protocols. The sensitivity of strength tests to detect changes appears to vary, with smaller or more isolated measures showing less responsiveness. More well-powered trials in underrepresented groups, particularly women and older adults, are needed to clarify population-specific responses. Full article

This study explores the effectiveness of 3D Digital Image Correlation (DIC) for measuring displacement and strain of a propeller undergoing angular motion. Traditional methods, such as strain gauges, face limitations including physical interference, technical difficulties in sensor connections, and restricted measurement points, leading to inaccuracies in capturing true conditions. To overcome these challenges, this research utilizes non-contact 3D DIC technology, enabling measurement of surface displacements and deformations without interfering with the tested component. Experiments were conducted using the model aircraft propellers mounted on a custom-built test stand for partial angular motion. The 1 Mpx high-speed cameras captured strain and displacement data across the propeller blades during motion. The DIC strain measurements were then compared to strain gauge data to evaluate their accuracy and reliability. The results demonstrate that 3D DIC enables precise displacement measurements, while strain measurements are subject to certain limitations. Displacement measurements were achieved with a noise level of ±10 μm, while strain measurement noise ranged from 26 to 174 µm/m depending on direction. Strain gauge measurements were also performed for verification of the DIC measurements and calibration of the filtering procedure. Two types of non-metallic materials were used in the study: Nylon LGF60 PA6 for the propeller and 3D-printed PC ABS for the cantilever beam used in strain measurement validation. This study underscores the potential of DIC for monitoring rotating components, with a particular focus on measuring strains that are often overlooked in publications addressing similar topics. Additionally, it focuses on comparing DIC strain measurements with strain gauge data on rotating components, addressing a critical gap in existing literature, as strain measurement in rotating structures remains underexplored in current research. Full article

Aim: This study evaluated the effect of manual and electronic toothbrushes on the color stability (∆E*) and surface roughness (Ra) of four CAD/CAM ceramics after their immersion in coffee for 2 and 4 weeks. Methodology: A total of 160 specimens (Vitablocs Mark II, Ceramill Zolid zirconia, Vita Triluxe Forte, and IPS e.max CAD) were divided into four brushing subgroups (manual, sonic, oscillating–rotating, and ionic). The samples underwent daily coffee staining, thermocycling (5–55 °C), and twice-daily brushing. Color parameters (L, a, and b) were assessed and measured utilizing a spectrophotometer (Vita Easyshade) at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks. ∆E* was calculated using the CIEDE2000 formula, and surface roughness (Ra, µm) was assessed via contact profilometry at the study’s conclusion. Data were analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests (α = 0.05). Results: Among the tested samples, IPS e.max ceramic with manual toothbrushing exhibited the highest ΔE* values after 2 and 4 weeks (∆E* = 4.424 and ∆E* = 4.802) of immersion. Moreover, Ceramill Zolid zirconia demonstrated the highest ΔE* values with ionic brushing (∆E* = 4.883 at 2 weeks; ΔE* = 4.760 at 4 weeks). Significant differences were observed among ceramics and cleaning methods, with manual/ionic brushing causing the greatest changes (p < 0.05). IPS e.max had the highest Ra with manual brushing (0.745–0.789 µm), whereas Ceramill Zolid zirconia with ionic brushing showed the highest Ra values among the electric methods (0.745–0.757 µm). Conclusions: Manual brushing induced clinically unacceptable color changes in IPS e.max CAD, whereas ionic brushing adversely affected Ceramill Zolid zirconia. All brushing methods increased surface roughness beyond acceptable limits. Full article

Accurate and non-destructive assessment of fruit firmness is critical for evaluating quality and ripeness, particularly in postharvest handling and supply chain management. This study presents the development of an image-based vibration analysis system for evaluating the firmness of kiwifruit using computer vision and machine learning. In the proposed setup, 120 kiwifruits were subjected to controlled excitation in the frequency range of 200–300 Hz using a vibration motor. A digital camera captured surface displacement over time (for 20 s), enabling the extraction of key dynamic features, namely, the damping coefficient (damping is a measure of a material’s ability to dissipate energy) and natural frequency (the first peak in the frequency spectrum), through image processing techniques. Results showed that firmer fruits exhibited higher natural frequencies and lower damping, while softer, more ripened fruits showed the opposite trend. These vibration-based features were then used as inputs to a feed-forward backpropagation neural network to predict fruit firmness. The neural network consisted of an input layer with two neurons (damping coefficient and natural frequency), a hidden layer with ten neurons, and an output layer representing firmness. The model demonstrated strong predictive performance, with a correlation coefficient (R²) of 0.9951 and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.0185, confirming its high accuracy. This study confirms the feasibility of using vibration-induced image data combined with machine learning for non-destructive firmness evaluation. The proposed method provides a reliable and efficient alternative to traditional firmness testing techniques and offers potential for real-time implementation in automated grading and quality control systems for kiwi and other fruit types. Full article

The precise measuring and control of fiber tension are critically important for enhancing structural and mechanical properties in spinning processes, as tension directly influences orientation, crystallinity, and mechanical properties. However, current tension measurement methods primarily operate offline and lack real-time measuring capabilities. A non-contact fiber tension detection system is introduced to investigate the effects of draw tension and its uniformity on the structure and mechanical properties of polyester fibers. During experiments conducted at a spinning speed of 1200 m/min across different draw ratios, the non-contact system demonstrated strong agreement with the contact tension detector. The results showed that increasing the tension from 34 cN to 164 cN reduced the monofilament diameter from 39.61 µm to 20.35 µm. Simultaneously, the orientation factor nearly tripled, while crystallinity increased from 55.72% to 77.39%. Mechanical testing revealed a 50.96% improvement in breaking strength, rising from 1.57 to 2.37 cN/dtex, accompanied by a significant decrease in elongation at break from 275.55% to 34.95%. However, tension fluctuations, characterized by an average fluctuation coefficient increase from 4.51% to 18.18%, caused diameter inconsistency. These fluctuations also reduced the orientation factor by 10.78%, lowered crystallinity, and substantially deteriorated mechanical properties. These findings underscore the critical importance of real-time, online tension monitoring for ensuring polyester fiber quality and performance during production. Full article