Lumbar spine localisation method based on feature fusion

To eliminate unnecessary background information, such as soft tissues in original CT images and the adverse impact of the similarity of adjacent spines on lumbar image segmentation and surgical path planning, a two-stage approach for localising lumbar segments is proposed. First, based on the multi-scale feature fusion technology, a non-linear regression method is used to achieve accurate localisation of the overall spatial region of the lumbar spine, effectively eliminating useless background information, such as soft tissues. In the second stage, we directly realised the precise positioning of each segment in the lumbar spine space region based on the non-linear regression method, thus effectively eliminating the interference caused by the adjacent spine. The 3D Intersection over Union (3D_IOU) is used as the main evaluation indicator for the positioning accuracy. On an open dataset, 3D_IOU values of 0.8339 ± 0.0990 and 0.8559 ± 0.0332 in the first and second stages, respectively is achieved. In addition, the average time required for the proposed method in the two stages is 0.3274 and 0.2105 s respectively. Therefore, the proposed method performs very well in terms of both precision and speed and can effectively improve the accuracy of lumbar image segmentation and the effect of surgical path planning

Power Source Converter Based on a Variable-Domain Fuzzy PI Control

The inadequacy of conventional control strategies for multi-phase interleaved parallel circuits in terms of adaptive adjustment makes it difficult to meet the power source design requirements for transient electromagnetic detection systems. This paper introduces a novel approach, the variable-domain fuzzy proportional–integral (PI) adaptive control strategy. This strategy dynamically adjusts the fuzzy domain in real time based on the input error magnitude, ensuring improved control effectiveness. By leveraging the benefits of both the functional scaling factor and the fuzzy reasoning scaling factor, we design scaling factors for the input and output domains to enhance control precision. The focus of this study is on a four-phase interleaved parallel converter, emphasizing the design of the variable-domain fuzzy PI control strategy for the voltage outer loop within the traditional dual closed-loop structure. An experimental prototype with a 220 Vac input, 380 V output, and a power rating of 1000 W is constructed. A comparative analysis between fuzzy control and variable-domain fuzzy PI control is conducted in the voltage outer loop of the dual closed-loop control. Results reveal that dual closed-loop control with variable-domain fuzzy PI control for the voltage outer loop significantly enhances system stability. The startup time to reach the steady state is reduced to 0.632 s, with an overshoot of 28.8 V. Transitioning from 25% load to full load takes only 0.096 s, resulting in a minimal drop of 21.4 V and an overshoot of 13.4 V. Similarly, switching from full load to 25% load in 0.167 s exhibits an overshoot of only 19.6 V. The adaptive regulation capability of the converter is markedly improved, showcasing smaller overshoots and higher-level controlling effectiveness

Experimental Research on the Effect of Fiberglass on the Performance of Epoxy Asphalt Concrete

Fiberglass prepared from broken waste glass can be used in epoxy asphalt mixtures for performance enhancement and a toughening effect. There is no systematic study on the influence mechanism of the size and the amount of glass fiber on the properties of epoxy asphalt mixtures. The effects of fiberglass on the properties of epoxy asphalt concrete were evaluated using a tensile test, three-point bending test, four-point bending fatigue test and an SEM scanning test. The results verify that the tensile strength of epoxy asphalt mastic with a 6 mm length and 2% content increased the most. Compared with the nondoped glass fiber, it increased by 69.2%. Under the influence of the internal composition of the asphalt mixture, the optimal ratio scheme is different from that of epoxy asphalt mastic. A microscopic analysis showed that uniformly dispersed fiberglass in the epoxy asphalt mixture forms a spatial network structure, leading to reinforcement and the restraint of microcrack expansion. The addition of fiberglass with a length of 9 mm and at a concentration of 5% to the epoxy asphalt mixture resulted in the maximum road performance. The Marshall stability increased by 43.5%, and the flexural and tensile strength increased by 33.7%. The fiberglass length is the most important factor limiting the strength and toughening effects of epoxy asphalt mixtures

Experimental Research on the Effect of Fiberglass on the Performance of Epoxy Asphalt Concrete

Fiberglass prepared from broken waste glass can be used in epoxy asphalt mixtures for performance enhancement and a toughening effect. There is no systematic study on the influence mechanism of the size and the amount of glass fiber on the properties of epoxy asphalt mixtures. The effects of fiberglass on the properties of epoxy asphalt concrete were evaluated using a tensile test, three-point bending test, four-point bending fatigue test and an SEM scanning test. The results verify that the tensile strength of epoxy asphalt mastic with a 6 mm length and 2% content increased the most. Compared with the nondoped glass fiber, it increased by 69.2%. Under the influence of the internal composition of the asphalt mixture, the optimal ratio scheme is different from that of epoxy asphalt mastic. A microscopic analysis showed that uniformly dispersed fiberglass in the epoxy asphalt mixture forms a spatial network structure, leading to reinforcement and the restraint of microcrack expansion. The addition of fiberglass with a length of 9 mm and at a concentration of 5% to the epoxy asphalt mixture resulted in the maximum road performance. The Marshall stability increased by 43.5%, and the flexural and tensile strength increased by 33.7%. The fiberglass length is the most important factor limiting the strength and toughening effects of epoxy asphalt mixtures

Study of enzyme-hydrolyzed soybean replacing fish meal and/or chicken meal on the growth of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of enzyme-hydrolyzed soybean (EHSB) to replace fish meal and chicken meal in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) on the growth performance, serum biochemical indices and gastrointestinal structure of channel catfish. The channel catfish (initial weight: 21.25 ± 0.25 g) was fed four isonitrogenous, isolipidic and isophosphorous diets for 60 days. The control diet (CON group) contained 8% fish meal and 5% chicken meal. EHSB was used to replace fish meal (100%, RF group), chicken meal (100%, RC group), and 100% of fish meal and chicken meal (RFC group), respectively. The specific growth rate (SGR) and protein deposition rate (PR) of channel catfish in RF, RC and RFC groups were significantly increased compared to the control group and reached their peaks in RFC group (SGR: 2.92%, PR: 45.64%) (P  0.05). The catalase and alanine aminotransferase activities in serum were significantly decreased in replacement groups compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Besides, the activities of superoxide dismutase and aspartate aminotransferase in serum of channel catfish were remarkably increased in the RFC group (24.22 U/L and 193.00 U/L, respectively) (P < 0.05). The replacement of fish meal and chicken meal by EHSB, either alone or simultaneously, significantly increased the crude protein (51.68% in RC group) and crude lipid (31.27% in RFC group) in whole body of channel catfish (P < 0.05). The crude lipid in muscle of channel catfish was markedly increased in RF (16.31%, dry matter) and RFC groups (16.45%, dry matter) (P < 0.05). Replacement of fish meal and chicken meal by EHSB could significantly increase the intestinal villi length and intestinal wall thickness, thus improving the digestive capacity of channel catfish. The gastric epithelial cells in the RFC group were plumper and more structurally integrated than in the control group. In summary, replacing 100% of fish meal and 100% of chicken meal with EHSB could effectively improve the growth performance, antioxidation and digestive capacities of channel catfish