A Method for Recognizing Fatigue Driving Based on Dempster-Shafer Theory and Fuzzy Neural Network

This study proposes a method based on Dempster-Shafer theory (DST) and fuzzy neural network (FNN) to improve the reliability of recognizing fatigue driving. This method measures driving states using multifeature fusion. First, FNN is introduced to obtain the basic probability assignment (BPA) of each piece of evidence given the lack of a general solution to the definition of BPA function. Second, a modified algorithm that revises conflict evidence is proposed to reduce unreasonable fusion results when unreliable information exists. Finally, the recognition result is given according to the combination of revised evidence based on Dempster’s rule. Experiment results demonstrate that the recognition method proposed in this paper can obtain reasonable results with the combination of information given by multiple features. The proposed method can also effectively and accurately describe driving states

Speed Control Based on ESO for the Pitching Axis of Satellite Cameras

The pitching axis is the main axis of a satellite camera and is used to control the pitch posture of satellite cameras. A control strategy based on extended state observer (ESO) is designed to obtain a fast response speed and highly accurate pitching axis control system and eliminate disturbances during the adjustment of pitch posture. First, a sufficient condition of stabilization for ESO is obtained by analyzing the steady-state error of the system under step input. Parameter tuning and disturbance compensation are performed by ESO. Second, the ESO of speed loop is designed by the speed equation of the pitching axis of satellite cameras. The ESO parameters are obtained by pole assignment. By ESO, the original state variable observes the motor angular speed and the extended state variable observes the load torque. Therefore, the external load disturbances of the control system are estimated in real time. Finally, simulation experiments are performed for the system on the cases of nonload starting, adding external disturbances on the system suddenly, and the load of system changing suddenly. Simulation results show that the control strategy based on ESO has better stability, adaptability, and robustness than the PI control strategy

Characterization of explosion propagation of coal dust deposited by gas explosion convolutions in closed pipelines

To explore the propagation characteristics of gas explosion-induced coal dust detonations in enclosed pipelines, a custom-developed experimental system was employed for gas explosions involving accumulated coal dust. Various aspects were focused such as explosion pressure, flame dynamics, and the interplay between pressure and flame in the context of different gas and coal dust concentrations. Additionally, Fluent Numerical simulation software was utilized for analyzing the dispersion behavior of coal dust. The results reveal that the peak explosion pressure inside the closed pipeline is the highest at a 10% gas concentration, surpassing the maximum pressures observed at 12% and 8% concentrations. At a gas concentration of 10% and coal dust mass concentration of 250 g/m3, the explosion pressure exhibits a unique pattern: initially increasing, then decreasing, and subsequently rising again in the gas phase, followed by a continuous ascent in the coal dust phase. As the coal dust concentration increases, this pattern remains evident, with a persistent upward trend in the coal dust section. Conversely, at 8% and 12% gas concentrations, the maximum explosion pressure consistently rises with increasing coal dust concentrations, but shows a declining trend at 10% gas concentration. Furthermore, the time taken for the flame front to traverse the pipeline is positively correlated with the distance traveled. The flame front reaches various checkpoints more rapidly at a 10% gas concentration than at 12% and 8%. The flame’s propagation speed first increases and then decreases over distance, reaching its fastest at 10% gas concentration. The explosion pressure-time curve during a gas explosion in a closed pipeline showcases two peak values. The initial peak is caused by the shock wave preceding the gas explosion. As the flame advances into the coal dust section, the pressure concurrently begins to rise, reaching its second peak as it synchronizes with the flame’s peak. Following the flame signal’s disappearance, the pressure gradually diminishes until the reaction ceases. In the enclosed pipeline, the precursor shock waves and reflected waves contribute to the dispersion of coal dust, forming a “vortex-like” dust cloud. This formation enhances the interaction between the coal dust and the deflagration wave. When the coal dust concentration is fixed, the degree of dispersion at 10% gas concentration is more effective than at 12% or 8%. Furthermore, at a constant gas concentration, the dispersion degree of coal dust decreases as its mass concentration increases

Characterization of the Metabolic Fate of Datura metel Seed Extract and Its Main Constituents in Rats

Datura metel L. has been frequently used in Chinese traditional medicine. However, little is known on the chemical composition and in vivo metabolism of its seeds. In this study, using the strategy “chemical analysis, metabolism of single representative compounds, and metabolism of extract at clinical dosage” that we propose here, 42 constituents were characterized from D. metel seeds water extract. Furthermore, the metabolic pathways of 13 representative bioactive compounds of D. metel seeds were studied in rats after the oral administration of D. metel seeds water extract at a clinical dosage (0.15 g/kg). These included three withanolides, two withanolide glucosides, four amides, one indole, one triterpenoid, one steroid, and one sesquiterpenoid, and with regard to phase II metabolism, hydroxylation, (de)methylation, and dehydrogenation reactions were dominant. Furthermore, the metabolism of D. metel seeds water extract provided to rats at a clinical dosage was investigated by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry based on the above metabolic pathways. Sixty-one compounds were detected in plasma, 83 in urine, and 76 in fecal samples. Among them, withanolides exhibited higher plasma exposure than the other types. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic study on the chemical profiling and metabolite identification of D. metel seeds, including all compounds instead of single constituents

Serum, spleen metabolomics and gut microbiota reveals effect of catalpol on blood deficiency syndrome caused by cyclophosphamide and acetylphenylhydrazine

Catalpol (CA), extracted from Rehmannia Radix, holds extensive promise as a natural medicinal compound. This study employed 16S rRNA gene sequencing and combined serum and spleen metabolomics to profoundly investigate the therapeutic effects of CA on blood deficiency syndrome (BDS) and the underlying mechanisms. Notably, CA exhibited effectiveness against BDS induced by cyclophosphamide (CP) and acetylphenylhydrazine (APH) in rats-CA substantially elevated levels of crucial indicators such as erythropoietin (EPO), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Additionally, CA could alleviate peripheral blood cytopenia. Furthermore, the analysis of 16S rRNA revealed that CA had the potential to reverse the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio associated with BDS. Through comprehensive serum and spleen metabolomic profiling, we successfully identified 22 significant biomarkers in the serum and 23 in the spleen, respectively. Enrichment analysis underscored Glycerophospholipid metabolism and Sphingolipid metabolism as potential pathways through which CA exerts its therapeutic effects on BDS

Natural Products from Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii (Mast.) Makino: A Review on Their Structural Analysis, Quality Control, Pharmacology, and Pharmacokinetics

The calyxes and fruits of Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii (Mast.) Makino (P. alkekengi), a medicinal and edible plant, are frequently used as heat-clearing and detoxifying agents in thousands of Chinese medicine prescriptions. For thousands of years in China, they have been widely used in clinical practice to treat throat disease, hepatitis, and bacillary dysentery. This systematic review summarizes their structural analysis, quality control, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics. Furthermore, the possible development trends and perspectives for future research studies on this medicinal plant are discussed. Relevant information on the calyxes and fruits of P. alkekengi was collected from electronic databases, Chinese herbal classics, and Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Moreover, information was collected from ancient documents in China. The components isolated and identified in P. alkekengi include steroids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, nucleosides, terpenoids, megastigmane, aliphatic derivatives, organic acids, coumarins, and sucrose esters. Steroids, particularly physalins and flavonoids, are the major characteristic and bioactive ingredients in P. alkekengi. According to the literature, physalins are synthesized by the mevalonate and 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol-4-phosphate pathways, and flavonoids are synthesized by the phenylpropanoid pathway. Since the chemical components and pharmacological effects of P. alkekengi are complex and varied, there are different standards for the evaluation of its quality and efficacy. In most cases, the analysis was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with ultraviolet detection. A pharmacological study showed that the crude extracts and isolated compounds from P. alkekengi had extensive in vitro and in vivo biological activities (e.g., anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, immunosuppressive, antibacterial, anti-leishmanial, anti-asthmatic, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidative, anti-malarial, anti-Alzheimer’s disease, and vasodilatory). Moreover, the relevant anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor mechanisms were elucidated. The reported activities indicate the great pharmacological potential of P. alkekengi. Similarly, studies on the pharmacokinetics of specific compounds will also contribute to the progress of clinical research in this setting

Three New Cycloartenol Triterpenoid Saponins from the Roots of Cimicifuga simplex Wormsk

Three new cycloartenol triterpene saponins, named shengmaxinsides A-C, have been isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of an ethanol extract of Cimicifuga simplex Wormsk roots. Their structures were established by chemical tests and detailed spectroscopic analysis as 25-O-acetyl-7,8-didehydrocimigenol-3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside (1), 7,8-didehydrocimigenol-3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside (2) and 7,8-didehydro-24S-O-acetylhydroshengmanol-3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside (3), respectively

Visual Simulation and Case Inversion of Gas Explosion in Underground Mine

To truly represent the developing changes and spatiotemporal effects of gas explosion in underground mine, this paper discussed the field modeling and visual simulation technology of mine gas explosion. Through analyzing the characteristics of various field parameters, space geometric field models, physical attribute field models, and meteorological parameter field models were established to describe mine engineering, ventilation network, and explosion disaster process, respectively. Based on the generated model class and simulation timing flow of gas explosion disaster field, OpenGL technology was adopted to visualize the model of gas explosion disaster field, which simulated the overpressure propagation process of gas explosion shockwave and dynamic spread process of disaster gas, thereby to reveal the developing changes of gas explosion parameters in time and space. Taking the gas explosion accident that occurred in a certain mine in China as an example, the disaster process was inferred to examine the availability of the mine gas explosion disaster field model. The research achievements in the paper not only embody the great engineering value of visual simulation technology in the field of safety engineering but also provide references for accident impact prediction, assessment, and emergency plan