Search Results (4,753)

This paper presents a case study on intelligent connected vehicle data. Intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs) gather comprehensive road data throughout operation to facilitate vehicle automation and enhance user experiences. However, this technological innovation presents new concerns for data security and privacy. This study employs case study analysis to examine the data protection provisions of the top ten ICV companies in China and the governmental rules pertaining to data utilization. The findings indicate that these organizations do not completely adhere to the legal rights afforded to consumers, resulting in possible data security vulnerabilities. To improve this situation, the Chinese government ought to explicitly specify the regulatory responsibilities of the National Security Council (NSC) and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) via regulations. Furthermore, the government should use media to educate the public about their data rights. These initiatives seek to aid the Chinese government in promptly updating legislation and efficiently controlling data breach threats as ICVs increase. Full article

Population growth, industrialization, excessive energy consumption, and deforestation have led to climate change and affected water resources like dams intended for public drinking water. Meteorological parameters could be used to understand these effects better to anticipate the water quality of the dam. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are favored in hydrology due to their accuracy and robustness. This study modeled climatic effects on the water quality of Doğancı dam using a feed-forward neural network with one input, one hidden, and one output layer. Three models were tested using various combinations of meteorological data as input and Doğancı dam’s water quality data as output. Model success was determined by the mean squared error and correlation coefficient (R) between the observed and predicted data. Resilient back-propagation and Levenberg–Marquardt were tested for each model to find an appropriate training algorithm. The model with the least error (1.12–1.68) and highest R value (0.93–0.99) used three meteorological inputs (air temperature, global solar radiation, and solar intensity), six water quality parameters of Doğancı dam as output (water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, manganese, arsenic, and iron concentrations), and ten hidden nodes. The two training algorithms employed in this study did not differ statistically (p > 0.05). However, the Levenberg–Marquardt training approach demonstrated a slight advantage over the resilient back-propagation algorithm by achieving reduced error and higher correlation in most of the models tested in this study. Also, better convergence and faster training with a lesser gradient value were noted for the LM algorithm. It was concluded that ANNs could predict a dam’s water quality using meteorological data, making it a useful tool for climatological water quality management and contributing to sustainable water resource planning. Full article

Under undrained monotonic static loading, saturated loose granular materials may undergo static liquefaction. Tailings, a kind of granular material, pose particularly serious hazards after static liquefaction. To understand the effects of the initial state and fines content on the static liquefaction of tailings, consolidated undrained triaxial compression tests and one-dimensional compression tests were carried out on tailings with different initial states and fines content. The critical state strength, undrained shear strength, instability line, brittleness index, and compressibility of tailings were investigated, and the tests results were analyzed and discussed using the critical state framework. The results show that tailings with different initial states have the same critical state line, and changes in fines content will cause the position of the critical state line to shift. An increase in the initial void ratio and initial confining pressure will increase the degree of static liquefaction, while the influence of fines content has a threshold value (30%), at which the degree of static liquefaction is the highest. Our analysis shows that compressibility has limitations for evaluating static liquefaction, while the state parameter is an effective indicator for evaluating the static liquefaction of tailings with different initial states and fines contents. The results provide valuable theoretical and practical insights regarding the static liquefaction of tailings and are of great significance for evaluating the stability and preventing the static instability of tailing dams. Full article

Monitoring data outliers comprises isolated mode outliers, cluster mode outliers, and normal points. To identify and distinguish the data hopping problems caused by outliers and environmental mutations in the displacement monitoring data of concrete AMS, this paper proposes a method based on wavelet transform, DBSCAN clustering algorithm combined with isolated forest and reinforcement learning algorithm to identify outliers in concrete dam monitoring data. In this paper, the trend line of measuring point data are extracted by the wavelet transform algorithm, and the residual data are obtained by subtracting it from the original process line. Subsequently, the DBSCAN clustering algorithm divides the residual data according to density. Therewith, the outlier scores of different data clusters are calculated, the iterative Q values are updated, and the threshold values are set. The data exceeding the threshold are finally marked as outliers. Finally, the water level and displacement data were compared by drawing the trend to ensure that the water level change did not cause the final identified concrete dam displacement data outliers. The results of the example analysis show that compared with the other two outlier detection methods (“Wavelet transform combined with DBSCAN clustering” or “W-D method”, “Wavelet transform combined with isolated forest method” or “W-IF method”). The method has the lowest error rate and the highest precision rate, recall rate, and F1 score. The error rate, precision rate, recall rate, and F1 score were 0.0036, 0.870, 1.000, and 0.931, respectively. This method can effectively identify data jumps caused by an environmental mutation in deformation monitoring data, significantly improve the accuracy of outlier identification, reduce the misjudgement rate of outliers, and have the highest detection accuracy. Full article

Vegetation and microbial diversity play an essential role in ecosystem function. Active ecosystem restoration costs millions of dollars to increase biodiversity, yet when and how this restoration is effective when aiming at restoring multiple ecosystem functions (EMF) is still under debate. Here, we investigated the influence of a decade of restoration practices (i.e., active revegetation vs. natural rewilding) on the recovery of the ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) provided by a riparian ecosystem. The experiment was conducted within the region of China’s Three Gorges Dam, and the area was subjected to a gradient of flooding disturbance. We found that active revegetation increased the plant diversity by 13~57% and EMF by ~2.6 times at the extreme flooding zone (~286 flooding days/year) of the riparian ecosystem, when compared with natural rewilding. Moreover, the positive relationship between plant diversity and EMF was weak, and abiotic factors (soil aggregate, pH, soil water content, and heavy metal content) were the dominant predictors for EMF, explaining 52% of the EMF variation. Revegetation impacted EMF both directly and indirectly via altering the soil properties. In addition, we also observed important trade-offs between plant biomass and soil functions (carbon storage and fertility). This study provides critical insights into whether and how a decade of active restoration is effective to recover the EMF supported by riparian ecosystems, and it highlights the importance of active revegetation in conservation and management programs for riparian ecosystems under future extreme flooding conditions. Full article

In peanut cultivation, fertility and seed development are essential for fruit quality and yield, while pod number per plant, seed number per pod, kernel weight, and seed size are indicators of peanut yield. In this study, metabolomic and RNA-seq analyses were conducted on the flowers and aerial pegs (aerpegs) of two peanut cultivars JNH3 (Jinonghei) and SLH (Silihong), respectively. Compared with SLH, JNH3 had 3840 up-regulated flower-specific differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 5890 up-regulated aerpeg-specific DEGs. Compared with the JNH3 aerpegs, there were 4079 up-regulated variety-specific DEGs and 18 up-regulated differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) of JNH3 flowers, while there were 3732 up-regulated variety-specific DEGs and 48 up-regulated DAMs in SLH flowers. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses revealed that the DEGs of JNH3 were associated with pollen germination and phenylalanine metabolism in flower and aerpeg tissues, respectively. In contrast, the DEGs of SLH were associated with protein degradation, amino acid metabolism, and DNA repair. However, there were significant differences in the lipids and lipid-like molecules between JNH3 flowers and SLH flowers. This investigation provides candidate genes and an experimental basis for the further improvement of high-quality and high-yield peanut varieties. Full article

Maternal immune activation (MIA)—infection with an immunogen during pregnancy—is linked to an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) in offspring. Both MIA and NDDs are associated with developmental delays in offsprings’ motor behavior. Therefore, the current study examined the effects of MIA on neonatal reflex development in male and female offspring. Sprague Dawley rats were administered lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 50 μg/mL/kg, i.p.) or saline on embryonic day (E)15 of gestation. The offspring were then tested daily from postnatal day (P)3–P21 to determine their neonatal reflex abilities. The maternal care behaviors of the dam were also quantified on P1–P5, P10, and P15. We found that, regardless of sex, the E15 LPS offspring were able to forelimb grasp, cliff avoid, and right with a correct posture at an earlier postnatal age than the E15 saline offspring did. The E15 LPS offspring also showed better performance of forelimb grasping, hindlimb grasping, righting with correct posture, and walking with correct posture than the E15 saline offspring did. There were no significant differences in maternal licking/grooming, arched-back nursing, non-arched-back nursing, or total nursing across the E15 groups. Overall, these findings suggest that MIA with LPS on E15 accelerates reflex development in offspring without affecting maternal care. This may be explained by the stress acceleration hypothesis, whereby early-life stress accelerates development to promote survival. Full article

Background: Polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) have been recognized as emerging environmental pollutants with potential health impacts, particularly on metabolic disorders. However, the mechanism by which gestational exposure to PSNPs induces obesity in offspring remains unclear. This study, focused on the whitening of brown adipose tissue (BAT), aims to elucidate the fundamental mechanisms by which prenatal exposure to PSNPs promotes obesity development in mouse offspring. Methods and Results: Pregnant dams were subjected to various doses of PSNPs (0 µg/µL, 0.5 µg/µL, and 1 µg/µL), and their offspring were analyzed for alterations in body weight, adipose tissue morphology, thermogenesis, adipogenesis, and lipophagy. The findings revealed a notable reduction in birth weight and an increase in white adipocyte size in adult offspring mice. Notably, adult male mice exhibited BAT whitening, correlated with a negative dose-dependent downregulation of UCP1 expression, indicating thermogenesis dysfunction. Further investigation revealed augmented lipogenesis evidenced by the upregulation of FASN, SREBP-1c, CD36, and DGAT2 expression, coupled with the inhibition of lipophagy, indicated by elevated levels of mTOR, AKT, and p62 proteins and reduced levels of LC3II/LCI and Lamp2 proteins in male offspring. Conclusions: These findings indicate that gestational PSNP exposure plays a role in the development of obesity in offspring through the whitening of brown adipose tissue, which is triggered by lipogenesis and lipophagy inhibition, providing a novel insight into the metabolic risks associated with gestational PSNPs exposure. Full article

Astragalus mongholicus, an important medicinal plant species, exhibits low tolerance to high-salt environments, which restricts its growth in saline–alkaline areas. Understanding its salt-tolerance mechanisms is crucial for overcoming the technical challenges of industrialized cultivation in these regions. However, studies on the salt-tolerance mechanisms of Astragalus mongholicus are limited. This study examines two Astragalus mongholicus germplasms with distinct differences in salt tolerance (LQ: salt-tolerant, DT: salt-sensitive), and investigates their physiological adaptations and molecular mechanisms under salt stress (200 mmol/L NaCl) using an integrated analysis of morphology, physiology, metabolomics, and transcriptomics. Specifically, LQ showed smaller reductions in plant height, root length, root thickness, and fresh weight (29.0%, 5.0%, 2.8%, and 22.3%, respectively), compared to DT, which exhibited larger reductions (42.9%, 44.9%, 46.3%, and 41.4%, respectively). The results indicated that the salt-tolerant germplasm (LQ) enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities in response to salt stress, including SOD, POD, and CAT, and accumulating osmoregulatory substances. In LQ, the activities of SOD, POD, and CAT increased by 22.8%, 10.9%, and 8.8%, respectively, significantly higher than those of DT, which showed increases of 2.9%, 8.5%, and 1.4% in SOD, POD, and CAT activities, respectively. The contents of soluble sugar and protein in LQ increased by 2-fold and 16.9%, respectively, compared to 67.0% and 18.8% increases in DT. Additionally, the levels of MDA, H₂O₂, and OFR in LQ showed smaller increases (14.7%, 41.0%, and 13.6%, respectively), compared to the larger increases observed in DT (58.0%, 51.2%, and 18.6%), indicating a reduced level of oxidative damage in LQ and enhanced tolerance to salt stress. Combined transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that 3510 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 882 differentially expressed metabolites (DAMs) were identified in the leaves of salt-tolerant germplasm LQ under salt stress, whereas the sensitive germplasm DT had 1632 DEGs and 797 DAMs, respectively. Differential genes and metabolites were involved in metabolic pathways such as flavonoid biosynthesis, isoquinoline alkaloid synthesis, and phenylalanine metabolism. In particular, LQ alleviated salt stress damage and enhanced salt tolerance by increasing oxidase activities in its flavonoid and phenylalanine metabolic pathways and regulating the expression of key genes and enzymes. This study provides valuable insights and empirical data to support the selection of appropriate Astragalus mongholicus germplasms for saline regions and the development of improved cultivars. Full article

Affected by discontinuities, the hydraulic properties of rock masses are characterized by significant scale dependency and anisotropy. Sampling a rock mass at any scale smaller than the representative elementary volume (REV) size may result in incorrect characterization and property upscaling. Here, a three-dimensional discrete fracture network (DFN) model was built using the joint data obtained from a dam site in southwest China. A total of 504 two-dimensional sub-models with sizes ranging from 1 m × 1 m to 42 m × 42 m were extracted from the DFN model and then used as geometric models for equivalent permeability tensor calculations. A series of steady-state seepage numerical simulations were conducted for these models using the finite element method. We propose a new method for estimating the REV size of fractured rock masses based on permeability. This method provides a reliable estimate of the REV size by analyzing the tensor characteristic of the directional permeability, as well as its constant characteristic beyond the REV size. We find that the hydraulic REV sizes in different directions vary from 6 to 36 m, with the maximum size aligning with the average orientation of joint sets and the minimum along the angle bisector of intersecting joints. Additionally, the REV size is negatively correlated with the average trace length of the two intersecting joint sets. We find that the geometric REV size, determined by the joint connectivity and density, falls into the range of the hydraulic REV size. The findings could provide guidance for determining the threshold values of numerical rock mass models. Full article

Dental professionals face an increased risk of exposure to biological fluids, aerosols, and droplets due to close patient contact, which heightens the risk of infectious diseases. Rubber dam, commonly used in dentistry, not only isolates treatment areas but also reduces aerosol and droplet dispersion. Accurate orthodontic bracket positioning is crucial for optimal treatment, and isolation techniques like rubber dam and traditional methods are essential for ensuring precise bracket placement and bonding. This study aims to compare the effects of rubber dam and traditional isolation techniques on orthodontic bracket positioning using 3D digital models, while also evaluating the impact of these methods on the patient’s chair time during the procedure. The study group (RDI—Rubber Dam Isolation) included individuals isolated with a rubber dam, while the control group (TI—Traditional Isolation) consisted of those isolated using retractors and cotton rolls. Digital models were taken from these groups before bracketing (BB) and after bracketing (AB). BB models were transferred to the Orthoanalyzer^TM program for virtual bracketing and a virtual bonding model (VB) was created. AB and VB models were superimposed in the GOM Inspect^TM program in order to determine the accuracy of the bracket positions. Linear measurements were taken along the X, Y, and Z axes, while angular measurements were recorded on the XY, XZ, and YZ planes. There was no significant difference in deviation values along the X-axis between the RDI and TI groups. In both groups, the lowest deviation values in linear measurements were found in the Z-axis, while the highest deviation values were found in the Y-axis. In the Y-axis, it was found that the deviation values were higher in the RDI group for tooth numbers 32 and 33, and in the Z-axis, the deviation values were higher in the RDI group for tooth numbers 34 and 44. In angular measurements, it was observed that in the XY plane, the deviation values in tooth number 35 were higher in the TI group. RDI proves to be an effective method for ensuring accurate bracket positioning in orthodontic procedures when compared to traditional isolation techniques. Especially considering infectious diseases, the use of RDI is considered appropriate. Full article

Cisplatin, a frequently used chemotherapeutic for the treatment of cervical cancer, causes adverse effects that limit its use. Treatment with local therapy that limits toxicity remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to develop a local intravaginal cisplatin delivery system of polycaprolactone/polyvinylpyrrolidone sheath/core fibers by coaxial electrospinning. Physicochemical properties, degradation rate, mucoadhesion, release profile, and in vitro biosafety assays were characterized. Microscopy images confirmed the coaxial nature of the fibers and showed continuous morphology and diameters of 3–9 µm. The combination of polymers improved their mechanical properties. The contact angle < 85° indicated a hydrophilic surface, which would allow its dissolution in the vaginal environment. The release profile showed a rapid initial release followed by a slow and sustained release over eight days. The degradation test showed ~50% dissolution of the fibers on day 10. The adhesion of the fibrous device to the vaginal wall lasted for more than 15 days, which was sufficient time to allow the release of cisplatin. The biosafety tests showed great cytocompatibility and no hemolysis. The characteristics of the developed system open the possibility of its application as a localized therapy against cervical cancer, reducing adverse effects and improving the quality of life of patients. Full article

River ecosystem health assessment (REHA) is crucial for sustainable river management and water security. However, existing REHA methodologies still fail to consider the multiple effects of input uncertainty, environmental stochasticity, and the decision-maker’s bounded rationality. Moreover, REHA studies primarily focused on plain areas, leaving the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) understudied despite its ecosystems’ heightened fragility and complexity. To address these gaps, this study combined Pythagorean fuzzy sets with cloud modeling and proposed the Pythagorean fuzzy cloud (PFC) approach. Accordingly, a novel robust model (PFC-TODIM) was created by expanding the conventional TODIM method to the PFC algorithm. We provided an REHA indicator system tailored to the distinctive characteristics in the QTP, leveraging multisource data. River ecosystem health, driving mechanisms, and potential threats were investigated in the Lhasa River (LR) using the PFC-TODIM model. Results showed that the created model effectively took multiple uncertainties into consideration, thereby improving the REHA accuracy and robustness. In the LR, health conditions demonstrated substantial spatial disparities. Sampling sites of 28%, 48%, and 24% were subhealthy, healthy, and excellent, respectively. Findings showed that anthropogenic factors, such as dams, urban development, and fish release adversely affect river health and should be properly managed. Full article

This research was based on the loss relationship diagrams of the linear term, quadratic term, and the cubic term losses in the quality gain–loss function (QGLF) for the larger-the-better characteristic (LBC) and the smaller-the-better characteristic (SBC). Limitations of ignoring the cubic term loss in the QGLF for the LBC and the SBC were analyzed. A QGLF model for LBC and SBC was proposed when considering the cubic term loss, using the threshold set at the ratio of the quadratic term loss to the cubic term loss. The calculation formulas for the coefficients of the linear term loss and the quadratic and cubic term losses in the QGLF for LBC and SBC when considering the cubic term were analyzed. By calculating and comparing the QGLF and the percentage discrepancy value of the continuous curing time of the concrete construction of dams and the temperature of the concrete pouring outlet, it was proved that directly ignoring the cubic term loss led to a discrepancy between the estimated quality loss value and the actual loss. Full article

Background: Point-of-care diagnostic tests are essential for confirming Onchocerca volvulus transmission in remote, resource-limited, onchocerciasis-endemic communities. In Maridi, South Sudan, we field-tested a novel “biplex A” rapid diagnostic test (RDT) developed by Drugs & Diagnostics for Tropical Diseases (DDTD), San Diego, California. Methods: In February 2023, children aged 3–9 years were recruited from study sites at different distances from the Maridi Dam, a known blackfly breeding site. O. volvulus antibodies were detected using the DDTD biplex A RDT, which detects antibodies to Ov16 and OvOC3261 at test line 1 and to Ov33.3 and OvOC10469 at test line 2, along with the commercially available Ov16 SD Bioline RDT. Both tests were performed on whole blood obtained via finger prick. The feasibility and acceptability of the DDTD biplex A RDT were assessed, and its results were compared with those of the Ov16 SD Bioline RDT. Results: A total of 239 children participated in the study. The anti-Ov16 seroprevalence detected by the Ov16 SD Bioline RDT was 30.2% (72/239), with the highest prevalence observed in children living closest to the Maridi Dam (p < 0.001). Testing with the DDTD biplex A RDT was determined to be feasible, acceptable, and easy to use in a field setting. The DDTD biplex A RDT test line 1 (anti-Ov16 and anti-OvOC3261) was positive in 35.1% (84/239) of children, while test line 2 (anti-Ov33.3 and anti-OvOC10469) was positive in 18.4% (44/239). Both lines were simultaneously visible in 15.5% (37/239). Conclusions: The DDTD biplex A RDT prototype was user-friendly and practical for field deployment. However, additional research is needed to evaluate its performance relative to the commercially available Ov16 SD Bioline RDT. The high anti-Ov16 seroprevalence that was observed underscores the ongoing O. volvulus transmission near the Maridi Dam. Strengthening the onchocerciasis elimination program in Maridi should be prioritized as a critical public health intervention. Full article