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Novel Insights in Soil Mechanics: Integrating Experimental Investigation with Machine Learning for Unconfined Compression Parameter Prediction of Expansive Soil

Chuangxin Lyu Haidar Hosamo Hosamo Ammar N. Alnmr Mounzer Omran Alzawi Richard P. Ray

Publication Name: Applied Sciences Switzerland

Publication Date: 2024-06-01

Volume: 14

Issue: 11

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

This paper presents a novel application of machine learning models to clarify the intricate behaviors of expansive soils, focusing on the impact of sand content, saturation level, and dry density. Departing from conventional methods, this research utilizes a data-centric approach, employing a suite of sophisticated machine learning models to predict soil properties with remarkable precision. The inclusion of a 30% sand mixture is identified as a critical threshold for optimizing soil strength and stiffness, a finding that underscores the transformative potential of sand amendment in soil engineering. In a significant advancement, the study benchmarks the predictive power of several models including extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), gradient boosting regression (GBR), random forest regression (RFR), decision tree regression (DTR), support vector regression (SVR), symbolic regression (SR), and artificial neural networks (ANNs and proposed ANN-GMDH). Symbolic regression equations have been developed to predict the elasticity modulus and unconfined compressive strength of the investigated expansive soil. Despite the complex behaviors of expansive soil, the trained models allow for optimally predicting the values of unconfined compressive parameters. As a result, this paper provides for the first time a reliable and simply applicable approach for estimating the unconfined compressive parameters of expansive soils. The proposed ANN-GMDH model emerges as the pre-eminent model, demonstrating exceptional accuracy with the best metrics. These results not only highlight the ANN’s superior performance but also mark this study as a groundbreaking endeavor in the application of machine learning to soil behavior prediction, setting a new benchmark in the field.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3390/app14114819

Effect of fermented liquid feeds on production parameters and gut microbiota composition of weaned piglets and growing pigs

Tóth Tamás Alpár Botond László Varga

Publication Name: Magyar Allatorvosok Lapja

Publication Date: 2022-01-01

Volume: 144

Issue: 8

Page Range: 463-472

Description:

In their review, the authors present the results of research evaluating the effect of fermented liquid feed on the performance and digestive health of weaned piglets and fattening pigs. Based on the available literature, it is advisable to carry out controlled fermentation instead of spontaneous fermentation, because by inoculating the feed / raw materials with specific lactic acid bacteria, the fermentation process goes in the right direction, lower pH values can be achieved within the same timeframe, which all help to control the acid-sensitive pathogenic microbes. The fermentation of only certain raw materials, as opposed to a complete diet, has the advantage of better controllability, and the incorporation of these fermented end products into final diets provides farms with increased flexibility. During fermentation, the particle size of the feed / raw materials and the levels of antinutritive substances are reduced, thereby increasing their digestibility. Feeding studies have shown that improvement in nutrient utilization is primarily due to better bioavailability of nutrients, as opposed to increased feed intake. Several works have demon-strated that fermented liquid feeds significantly reduce the pH of gastric juice, Salmonella spp. levels and the chance of developing diarrhoea caused by coliforms in piglets. Fermented feeds support gut health, thus also playing an immunomod-ulatory role. Taking all this into account, the authors believe that fermented liquid feeds in nutrition of pigs may be an effective alternative after the antibiotic reduction provisions come into force in the European Union in 2022.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: DOI not available

Displacement-based failure analysis of metal matrix syntactic foam

Ibolya Zsoldos István Kozma Dóra Harangozó Hajnalka Hargitai

Publication Name: Wit Transactions on Engineering Sciences

Publication Date: 2019-01-01

Volume: 124

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 161-173

Description:

Metal matrix syntactic foams are being used more and more widely thanks to their relative density as well as their perfect energy-absorbing characteristics. Multiple studies concern the economical production of these materials – particularly, how energy absorption as a physical characteristic can be increased. Many studies examined the effects of material choice as well as cell size and wall thickness of reinforcing materials on compressive strength. However, there are only estimated models about descriptions concerning decaying processes of samples from different material composition and geometrical variation. In this study, we introduced an “in situ” examination in order to model the decaying process. We upsetted aluminium-ceramic composite foams cyclically. We reconstructed the geometry of the sample with microcomputed tomography (μCT) technology and digital image processing at certain specified points of the compression test. During the complete decaying process, the process was evaluated with volume change and number of broken hollow particles, as well as elementary particle displacements, orientation and sphericity of the reinforced material.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.2495/MC190161

Biomechanical Investigation of Lower Limbs during Slope Transformation Running with Different Longitudinal Bending Stiffness Shoes

Yaodong Gu Wenjing Quan Hairong Chen Lidong Gao Jialu Huang Jingyi Ye Qian Liu Runhan Lu

Publication Name: Sensors

Publication Date: 2024-06-01

Volume: 24

Issue: 12

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

Background: During city running or marathon races, shifts in level ground and up-and-down slopes are regularly encountered, resulting in changes in lower limb biomechanics. The longitudinal bending stiffness of the running shoe affects the running performance. Purpose: This research aimed to investigate the biomechanical changes in the lower limbs when transitioning from level ground to an uphill slope under different longitudinal bending stiffness (LBS) levels in running shoes. Methods: Fifteen male amateur runners were recruited and tested while wearing three different LBS running shoes. The participants were asked to pass the force platform with their right foot at a speed of 3.3 m/s ± 0.2. Kinematics data and GRFs were collected synchronously. Each participant completed and recorded ten successful experiments per pair of shoes. Results: The range of motion in the sagittal of the knee joint was reduced with the increase in the longitudinal bending stiffness. Positive work was increased in the sagittal plane of the ankle joint and reduced in the keen joint. The negative work of the knee joint increased in the sagittal plane. The positive work of the metatarsophalangeal joint in the sagittal plane increased. Conclusion: Transitioning from running on a level surface to running uphill, while wearing running shoes with high LBS, could lead to improved efficiency in lower limb function. However, the higher LBS of running shoes increases the energy absorption of the knee joint, potentially increasing the risk of knee injuries. Thus, amateurs should choose running shoes with optimal stiffness when running.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3390/s24123902

Out-of-plane behaviour of imperfect beam-column with sinusoidally corrugated web

G. Hajdú Imre Cserpes

Publication Name: Journal of Constructional Steel Research

Publication Date: 2024-05-01

Volume: 216

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

This paper presents an analytical formula for the second-order normal stresses in flanges of the imperfect I beam-columns with sinusoidal web corrugation. To deduce the analytical expression, the beam is separated into three parts. The flanges are modelled as thin-walled beam-columns and the corrugated web is modelled as a thin equivalent orthotropic plate with uniform thickness. The indispensable elastic critical loads are derived from the total potential strain energy of the imperfect beam-column using an energy method. To assess the accuracy of the proposed analytical formula, full shell finite element models were created in Abaqus software. The result of the benchmark example showed that the derived expression is accurate and applicable for geometrically nonlinear analysis of beam-columns with sinusoidal web corrugation. Based on the proposed analytical expression, the Ayrton-Perry type solutions for corrugated web columns and beams are also presented in this paper.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.jcsr.2024.108615

Taxonomic contribution to the knowledge of Galumnidae (Acari, Oribatida, Galumnidae) from Cuba

Sergey G. Ermilov Jenő Kontschán Vasiliy B. Kolesnikov Pavel B. Klimov

Publication Name: Zootaxa

Publication Date: 2023-03-30

Volume: 5258

Issue: 1

Page Range: 465-474

Description:

The present study is based on galumnid mites (Oribatida, Galumnidae) collected from leaf litter of two mixed forests in Cuba; six species from three genera are identified. Three new species - Pergalumna (Pergalumna) cienfuegosensis sp. nov., P. (P.) foveolatostriata sp. nov. and Galumna (G.) gigantea sp. nov. - are described. Allogalumna brevisetosa (Bayartogtokh & Weigmann, 2005) is recorded in the Neotropical region for the first time; P. (P.) obvia (Berlese, 1914) is recorded in Cuba for the first time.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5258.4.7

Buckling assessment of steel members through overall imperfection method

F. Papp

Publication Name: Engineering Structures

Publication Date: 2016-01-01

Volume: 106

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 124-136

Description:

This paper presents a proposal for an overall imperfection method utilizing Linear Buckling Analysis (LBA) and developed equivalent initial imperfection for the assessment of the out-of-plane buckling resistance of steel members. The equivalent initial imperfection for the flexural buckling assessment of columns subjected to compressive force has been specified in the Eurocode 3. In this paper this formula is reorganized in order to establish a suitable computer-aided procedure, and then the equivalent initial imperfection for the fundamental cases of lateral torsional buckling and coupled buckling are defined. (Fundamental case: simply-supported member with uniform cross-section subjected to uniformly distributed forces; the buckling resistance of this reference member has been defined by a standardized design equation based on theoretical and empirical background). The amplitude for the equivalent initial imperfection in the shape of the buckling mode is expressed with second-order normal stresses, on one hand calculated with the equivalent amplitude specified in the relevant standard (e.g. Eurocode 3), and on the other hand calculated with the initial imperfection in the shape of the buckling mode with arbitrary amplitude. The design formula derived for the fundamental case is generalized by the equivalent member concept. The stability assessment is carried out verifying the cross-section resistance of the designed member using second-order elastic analysis with the derived equivalent initial imperfection. The proposed overall imperfection method is adequate for computer-aided design methodology which is based on advanced elastic beam-column finite element method. The accuracy and practicality of the proposed method are illustrated for regular, irregular, single and multi-span members.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2015.10.021

Wireless sensor networks in agriculture: Insights from bibliometric analysis

Suhaiza Zailani Abderahman Rejeb Karim Rejeb Alireza Abdollahi Mohamed M. Mostafa

Publication Name: Sustainability Switzerland

Publication Date: 2021-11-01

Volume: 13

Issue: 21

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

This study investigates how wireless sensor network (WSN) applications in agriculture are discussed in the current academic literature. On the basis of bibliometric techniques, 2444 pub-lications were extracted from the Scopus database and analyzed to identify the temporal distribution of WSN research, the most productive journals, the most cited authors, the most influential studies, and the most relevant keywords. The computer program VOSviewer was used to generate the keyword co-occurrence network and partition the pertinent literature. Findings show the remarkable growth of WSN research in recent years. The most relevant journals, cited countries, and influential studies were also identified. The main results from the keyword co-occurrence clustering and the detailed analysis illustrate that WSN is a key enabler for precision agriculture. WSN research also focuses on the role of other technologies such as the Internet of Things, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and unmanned aerial vehicles in supporting several agriculture activities, in-cluding smart irrigation and soil management. This study illuminates researchers’ and practition-ers’ views of what has been researched and identifies possible opportunities for future studies. To the authors’ best knowledge, this bibliometric study represents the first attempt to map global WSN research using a comprehensive sample of documents published over nearly three decades.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.3390/su132112011

Application of chlorogenic acid in dairy product enrichment/fortification – a review

U. R. Chandimala Zsolt Ajtony

Publication Name: Lwt

Publication Date: 2025-09-15

Volume: 232

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

Chlorogenic acid (CGA), also known as 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, is one of the most abundant phenolic compounds in nature. CGA exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, neuroprotective, cardiovascular, hepatoprotective, and metabolic regulatory properties. Due to the high usage of milk and fermented milk products, dairy becomes an excellent food source for CGA fortification, focusing on exploiting health benefits for consumers. An increasing trend exists in utilizing plant materials rich in CGA in dairy formulations to enhance dairy products' antioxidant profile and health-promoting potential. This review examines 58 recent studies on CGA incorporation into dairy products, focusing on their chemistry, biological activities, processing methods, and potential challenges for fortification. Extraction techniques such as microwave-assisted extraction and ultrasonic-assisted methods are preferred over conventional methods due to their efficiency and the quality of the extracts. In dairy formulations, thermal processing, high-pressure homogenization, controlled fermentation, and encapsulation techniques are critical for maintaining the stability and efficacy of CGA. Encapsulation with materials like β-cyclodextrin and chitosan nanoparticles enhances CGA stability during processing, storage, and digestion. This review emphasizes the significance of understanding CGA-protein interactions in dairy matrices, as these can either protect CGA from degradation or influence its bioavailability. The findings of this study underscore, in heat-treated and fermented dairy systems, that processing-induced CGA-milk protein interactions safeguard CGA from oxidative damage and improve CGA's bioaccessibility. Further research is needed to optimize CGA fortification strategies in dairy products to maximize their functional benefits.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2025.118416