Standard bacterial suspensions play a crucial role in microbiological diagnosis.Traditional prepar-ation methods,which rely heavily on manual operations,face challenges such as poor reproducibility,low ef-ficiency,and...Standard bacterial suspensions play a crucial role in microbiological diagnosis.Traditional prepar-ation methods,which rely heavily on manual operations,face challenges such as poor reproducibility,low ef-ficiency,and biosafety concerns.In this study,we propose a high-precision automated colony extraction and separation system that combines large-field imaging and artificial intelligence(AI)to facilitate intelligent screening and localization of colonies.Firstly,a large-field imaging system was developed to capture high-resolution images of 90 mm Petri dishes,achieving a physical resolution of 13.2μm and an imaging speed of 13 frames per second.Subsequently,AI technology was employed for the automatic recognition and localiza-tion of colonies,enabling the selection of target colonies with diameters ranging from 1.9 to 2.3 mm.Next,a three-axis motion control platform was designed,accompanied by a path planning algorithm for the efficient extraction of colonies.An electronic pipette was employed for accurate colony collection.Additionally,a bacterial suspension concentration measurement module was developed,incorporating a 650 nm laser diode as the light source,achieving a measurement accuracy of 0.01 McFarland concentration(MCF).Finally,the system’s performance was validated through the preparation of an Esckerichia coli(E.coli)suspension.After 17 hours of cultivation,E.coli was extracted four times,achieving the target concentration set by the system.This work is expected to enable rapid and accurate microbial sample preparation,significantly reducing de-tection cycles and alleviating the workload of healthcare personnel.展开更多
Objective This study aims to investigate the joint associations of sarcopenia and social isolation with mortality risk.Methods Using data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey(CLHLS)and the UK Biobank...Objective This study aims to investigate the joint associations of sarcopenia and social isolation with mortality risk.Methods Using data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey(CLHLS)and the UK Biobank,sarcopenia was diagnosed according to European and Asian Working Groups for Sarcopenia criteria.Social isolation was assessed using standardized questionnaires,including questions on solitude,frequency of social activities,contact with others,and marital status(for the CLHLS only).Results During the follow-up period,8,249 deaths occurred in the CLHLS and 26,670 deaths in the UK Biobank groups.While no significant interaction was observed between sarcopenia and social isolation in predicting all-cause mortality in the CLHLS cohort,the association between social isolation and mortality was stronger among individuals with sarcopenia in the UK Biobank(P-interaction=0.03,relative risk due to interaction:0.23,95%confidence interval[CI]:0.06–0.41).Further joint analyses showed that participants with sarcopenia and high levels of social isolation had the highest mortality risk(hazard ration[HR]:1.99;95%CI:[1.74–2.28]in the CLHLS and 1.69[1.55–1.85]in the UK Biobank)compared to those without either condition.Conclusion The combination of social isolation and sarcopenia synergistically increases the risk of mortality in middle-aged and older adults across diverse populations.展开更多
Isolation technology can reduce the type of structural damage that earthquakes cause.A new type of composite sliding-rolling friction composite seismic isolation bearing(SRF)with composite sliding friction and rolling...Isolation technology can reduce the type of structural damage that earthquakes cause.A new type of composite sliding-rolling friction composite seismic isolation bearing(SRF)with composite sliding friction and rolling friction is proposed.SRF is capable of realizing a parallel arrangement of sliding friction and rolling friction,and the coefficient of dynamic friction shows variability.The proposed static tests on composite bearings were conducted to investigate the effects of the number of shims,loading speed and vertical pressure on the dynamic friction factor.Test results show that the coefficient of dynamic friction first generally decreases and then increases with an increase in sliding speed,prior to again decreasing with an increase in vertical pressure.The dynamic friction factor increases and then decreases with an increase in the number of shims for a four-roll ball.It decreases and then increases with an increase in the number of shims for a five-roll ball.Based on finite element analysis,modeling and analyzing the effects of the coefficient of friction,the number of balls and the number of shims on the hysteresis performance of the support and derive its skeleton curve.The SRF hysteretic performance,dynamic friction factor and the number of rolling balls and shims show significant correlation.展开更多
Natural hybridization is known to play a vital role in speciation;however,the mechanisms underlying the early stages of natural hybridization remain unclear.Where two plant species come into contact,two driving forces...Natural hybridization is known to play a vital role in speciation;however,the mechanisms underlying the early stages of natural hybridization remain unclear.Where two plant species come into contact,two driving forces may balance the dynamic consequences of hybridization:fusion by hybridization-mediated gene flow,and separation by reproductive isolation(RI)(Ma et al.,2010a,b;Chang et al.,2022).展开更多
Hybrid-sterility-mediated reproductive isolation is pivotal for speciation,yet the underlying molecular mechanisms and environmental responses remain unclear.Here,we report a temperature-sensitive pollen killer-protec...Hybrid-sterility-mediated reproductive isolation is pivotal for speciation,yet the underlying molecular mechanisms and environmental responses remain unclear.Here,we report a temperature-sensitive pollen killer-protector system at a three-gene Sa locus for indica-japonica rice hybrid sterility.Genetic analyses identified SaFL^(+),a strong pollen protector from Sa-i(indica allele),and SaFL^(-),a weak japonica allele from Sa-j,which is exclusively functional under high temperatures.Protein interaction,ubiquitination,and degradation assays showed that SaF^(+)and SaM^(+)from Sa-i form a pollen-killer complex to bind and ubiquitinate the reactive oxygen species scavenger COX11 for degradation in mitochondria,causing male sterility of the Sa-j pollen.Protein affinity and competitive binding assays indicated that in the Sa-i pollen,SaFL^(+)binds SaM^(+)to disrupt the killer complex and restore fertility.However,the weak protector SaFL^(-)can bind SaM^(+)under high temperatures,sparing the Sa-j pollen from sterility.Synteny comparisons and haplotype analyses showed that the Sa locus originated in ancient wild rice and underwent divergence within the Oryza genus during expansion from tropical to temperate environments,which might have driven latitudinal adaptation and reproductive isolation in rice populations.Thus,Sa represents a temperature-sensitive reproductive-isolation system associated with domestication and environmental adaptation in rice.展开更多
According to the Mindlin plate theory and the first-order piston theory,this work obtains accurate closed-form eigensolutions for the flutter problem of three-dimensional(3D)rectangular laminated panels.The governing ...According to the Mindlin plate theory and the first-order piston theory,this work obtains accurate closed-form eigensolutions for the flutter problem of three-dimensional(3D)rectangular laminated panels.The governing differential equations are derived by the Hamilton's variational principle,and then solved by the iterative Separation-of-Variable(i SOV)method,which are applicable to arbitrary combinations of homogeneous Boundary Conditions(BCs).However,only the simply-support,clamped and cantilever panels are considered in this work for the sake of clarity.With the closed-form eigensolutions,the flutter frequency,flutter mode and flutter boundary are presented,and the effect of shear deformation and aerodynamic damping on flutter frequencies is investigated.Besides,the relation between panel energy and the work of aerodynamic load is discussed.The numerical comparisons reveal the following.(A)The flutter eigenvalues obtained by the present method are accurate,validated by the Finite Element Method(FEM)and the Galerkin method.(B)When the span-chord ratio is larger than 3,simplifying a 3D panel to 2D(two-dimensional)panel is reasonable and the relative differences of the flutter points predicted by the two models are less than one percent.(C)The reciprocal relationship between the mechanical energy of the panel and the work done by aerodynamic load is verified by using the present flutter eigenvalues and modes,further indicating the high accuracy of the present solutions.(D)The coupling of shear deformation and aerodynamic damping prevents frequency coalescing.展开更多
Based on the seismic response characteristics of space frame structures,a new type of seismic isolation bearing defined as a three-dimensional seismic isolation bearing（3DSIB） is developed in this paper.The bearing ...Based on the seismic response characteristics of space frame structures,a new type of seismic isolation bearing defined as a three-dimensional seismic isolation bearing（3DSIB） is developed in this paper.The bearing offers excellent properties such as multi-dimensional seismic isolation,reasonable rotation capability,good ability to resist lifting load,uncoupled stiffness in horizontal and vertical directions,etc.In the 3DSIB,the horizontal dimension is designed by combining the Teflon sliding device and helical spring,while the vertical dimension is developed by introducing disk springs or helical springs.The mathematical model of the 3DSIB was established and its performance with the critical parameters was tested on a shaking table.Furthermore,the 3DSIB was applied in a 120 m span hangar structure and simulated using SAP2000 software to evaluate its performance in practical structures.The performance of the structures with and without 3DSIB was compared.It is shown that the hangar structure with 3D bearings achieves a better performance.The axial force and acceleration response of the structures with 3DSIB are effectively reduced,while the displacement response of the bearing is within the predetermined range.展开更多
This paper presents the study of a three-dimensional(3D) isolation system.Firstly,the authors investigated the effects of an innovative 3D isolator,which was composed of a connecting plate,a rubber pad for vibration i...This paper presents the study of a three-dimensional(3D) isolation system.Firstly,the authors investigated the effects of an innovative 3D isolator,which was composed of a connecting plate,a rubber pad for vibration isolation in the vertical direction and a horizontal rubber bearing for seismic isolation in both horizontal directions.Secondly,the authors designed such a vibration isolation system and installed it underneath two specific residential buildings which were built directly over an existing subway communication hub platform in Beijing.These buildings required good performance vibration and seismic isolation system to reduce the impact from the running of nearby subway trains.Finally,in situ tests were conducted for both the isolated and the non-isolated buildings for the purpose of comparison.The test results showed that the maximum acceleration response level of the isolated superstructure is reduced by 10% as compared to that of the platform.The maximum attenuation of vibration reaches up to 25 dB.The 3D system explored in this paper is very effective in control and suppression of building vibration induced by earthquakes or running of trains.展开更多
The cancer stem cells(CSCs)from human osteosarcoma by serum-free three-dimensional culture combined with anticancer drugs were isolated and identified.The primary cells derived from human osteosarcoma were digested by...The cancer stem cells(CSCs)from human osteosarcoma by serum-free three-dimensional culture combined with anticancer drugs were isolated and identified.The primary cells derived from human osteosarcoma were digested by trypsin to prepare a single-cell suspension,and mixed homogeneously into 1.2% alginate gel.Single-cell alginate gel was cultured with serum-free DMEM/F12 medium.Epirubicin(0.8μg/mL)was added to the medium to enrich CSCs.After cultured conventionally for 7 to 10 days,most of cells suspended in ...展开更多
The multi-terminal direct current(DC)grid has extinctive superiorities over the traditional alternating current system in integrating large-scale renewable energy.Both the DC circuit breaker(DCCB)and the current flow ...The multi-terminal direct current(DC)grid has extinctive superiorities over the traditional alternating current system in integrating large-scale renewable energy.Both the DC circuit breaker(DCCB)and the current flow controller(CFC)are demanded to ensure the multiterminal DC grid to operates reliably and flexibly.However,since the CFC and the DCCB are all based on fully controlled semiconductor switches(e.g.,insulated gate bipolar transistor,integrated gate commutated thyristor,etc.),their separation configuration in the multiterminal DC grid will lead to unaffordable implementation costs and conduction power losses.To solve these problems,integrated equipment with both current flow control and fault isolation abilities is proposed,which shares the expensive and duplicated components of CFCs and DCCBs among adjacent lines.In addition,the complicated coordination control of CFCs and DCCBs can be avoided by adopting the integrated equipment in themultiterminal DC grid.In order to examine the current flow control and fault isolation abilities of the integrated equipment,the simulation model of a specific meshed four-terminal DC grid is constructed in the PSCAD/EMTDC software.Finally,the comparison between the integrated equipment and the separate solution is presented a specific result or conclusion needs to be added to the abstract.展开更多
BACKGROUND Lateral facial clefts are atypical with a low incidence in the facial cleft spectrum.With the development of ultrasonography(US)prenatal screening,such facial malformations can be detected and diagnosed pre...BACKGROUND Lateral facial clefts are atypical with a low incidence in the facial cleft spectrum.With the development of ultrasonography(US)prenatal screening,such facial malformations can be detected and diagnosed prenatally rather than at birth.Although three-dimensional US(3DUS)can render the fetus'face via 3D reconstruction,the 3D images are displayed on two-dimensional screens without field depth,which impedes the understanding of untrained individuals.In contrast,a 3D-printed model of the fetus'face helps both parents and doctors develop a more comprehensive understanding of the facial malformation by creating more interactive aspects.Herein,we present an isolated lateral facial cleft case that was diagnosed via US combined with a 3D-printed model.CASE SUMMARY A 31-year-old G2P1 patient presented for routine prenatal screening at the 22nd wk of gestation.The coronal nostril-lip section of two-dimensional US(2DUS)demonstrated that the fetus'bilateral oral commissures were asymmetrical,and left oral commissure was abnormally wide.The left oblique-coronal section showed a cleft at the left oral commissure which extended to the left cheek.The results of 3DUS confirmed the cleft.Furthermore,we created a model of the fetal face using 3D printing technology,which clearly presented facial malformations.The fetus was diagnosed with a left lateral facial cleft,which was categorized as a No.7 facial cleft according to the Tessier facial cleft classification.The parents terminated the pregnancy at the 24th wk of gestation after parental counseling.CONCLUSION In the diagnostic course of the current case,in addition to the traditional application of 2D and 3DUS,we created a 3D-printed model of the fetus,which enhanced diagnostic evidence,benefited the education of junior doctors,improved parental counseling,and had the potential to guide surgical planning.展开更多
To address the problem of multi-missile cooperative interception against maneuvering targets at a prespecified impact time and desired Line-of-Sight(LOS)angles in ThreeDimensional(3D)space,this paper proposes a 3D lea...To address the problem of multi-missile cooperative interception against maneuvering targets at a prespecified impact time and desired Line-of-Sight(LOS)angles in ThreeDimensional(3D)space,this paper proposes a 3D leader-following cooperative interception guidance law.First,in the LOS direction of the leader,an impact time-controlled guidance law is derived based on the fixed-time stability theory,which enables the leader to complete the interception task at a prespecified impact time.Next,in the LOS direction of the followers,by introducing a time consensus tracking error function,a fixed-time consensus tracking guidance law is investigated to guarantee the consensus tracking convergence of the time-to-go.Then,in the direction normal to the LOS,by combining the designed global integral sliding mode surface and the second-order Sliding Mode Control(SMC)theory,an innovative 3D LOS-angle-constrained interception guidance law is developed,which eliminates the reaching phase in the traditional sliding mode guidance laws and effectively saves energy consumption.Moreover,it effectively suppresses the chattering phenomenon while avoiding the singularity issue,and compensates for unknown interference caused by target maneuvering online,making it convenient for practical engineering applications.Finally,theoretical proof analysis and multiple sets of numerical simulation results verify the effectiveness,superiority,and robustness of the investigated guidance law.展开更多
Three-dimensional(3D)urban structures play a critical role in informing climate mitigation strategies aimed at the built environment and facilitating sustainable urban development.Regrettably,there exists a significan...Three-dimensional(3D)urban structures play a critical role in informing climate mitigation strategies aimed at the built environment and facilitating sustainable urban development.Regrettably,there exists a significant gap in detailed and consistent data on 3D building space structures with global coverage due to the challenges inherent in the data collection and model calibration processes.In this study,we constructed a global urban structure(GUS-3D)dataset,including building volume,height,and footprint information,at a 500 m spatial resolution using extensive satellite observation products and numerous reference building samples.Our analysis indicated that the total volume of buildings worldwide in2015 exceeded 1×10^(12)m^(3).Over the 1985 to 2015 period,we observed a slight increase in the magnitude of 3D building volume growth(i.e.,it increased from 166.02 km3 during the 1985–2000 period to 175.08km3 during the 2000–2015 period),while the expansion magnitudes of the two-dimensional(2D)building footprint(22.51×10^(3) vs 13.29×10^(3)km^(2))and urban extent(157×10^(3) vs 133.8×10^(3)km^(2))notably decreased.This trend highlights the significant increase in intensive vertical utilization of urban land.Furthermore,we identified significant heterogeneity in building space provision and inequality across cities worldwide.This inequality is particularly pronounced in many populous Asian cities,which has been overlooked in previous studies on economic inequality.The GUS-3D dataset shows great potential to deepen our understanding of the urban environment and creates new horizons for numerous 3D urban studies.展开更多
BACKGROUND Inguinal hernias are common after surgery.Tension-free repair is widely accepted as the main method for managing inguinal hernias.Adequate exposure,coverage,and repair of the myopectineal orifice(MPO)are ne...BACKGROUND Inguinal hernias are common after surgery.Tension-free repair is widely accepted as the main method for managing inguinal hernias.Adequate exposure,coverage,and repair of the myopectineal orifice(MPO)are necessary.However,due to differences in race and sex,people’s body shapes vary.According to European guidelines,the patch should measure 10 cm×15 cm.If any part of the MPO is dissected,injury to the nerves,vascular network,or organs may occur during surgery,thereby leading to inguinal discomfort,pain,and seroma formation after surgery.Therefore,accurate localization and measurement of the boundary of the MPO are crucial for selecting the optimal patch for inguinal hernia repair.AIM To compare the size of the MPO measured on three-dimensional multislice spiral computed tomography(CT)with that measured via laparoscopy and explore the relevant factors influencing the size of the MPO.METHODS Clinical data from 74 patients who underwent laparoscopic tension-free inguinal hernia repair at the General Surgery Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Science and Technology between September 2022 and July 2024 were collected and analyzed retrospectively.Transabdominal preperitoneal was performed.Sixty-four males and 10 females,with an average age of 58.30±12.32 years,were included.The clinical data of the patients were collected.The boundary of the MPO was measured on three-dimensional CT images before surgery and then again during transabdominal preperitoneal.All the preoperative and intraoperative data were analyzed via paired t-tests.A t-test was used for comparisons of age,body mass index,and sex between the groups.In the comparative analysis,a P value less than 0.05 indicated a significant difference.RESULTS The boundaries of the MPO on 3-dimensional CT images measured 7.05±0.47 cm and 6.27±0.61 cm,and the area of the MPO was 19.54±3.33 cm^(2).The boundaries of the MPO during surgery were 7.18±0.51 cm and 6.17±0.40 cm.The errors were not statistically significant.However,the intraoperative BD(the width of the MPO,P=0.024,P<0.05)and preoperative AC(the length of the MPO,P=0.045,P<0.05)significantly differed according to sex.The AC and BD measurements before and during surgery were not significantly different according to age,body mass index,hernia side or hernia type(P>0.05).CONCLUSION The application of this technology can aid in determining the most appropriate dissection range and patch size.展开更多
Objective Observational studies have shown inconsistent associations of loneliness or social isolation(SI)with ischemic heart disease(IHD),with unknown mediators.Methods Using data from genome-wide association studies...Objective Observational studies have shown inconsistent associations of loneliness or social isolation(SI)with ischemic heart disease(IHD),with unknown mediators.Methods Using data from genome-wide association studies of predominantly European ancestry,we performed a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian Randomization(MR)study to estimate causal effects of loneliness(N=487,647)and SI traits on IHD(N=184,305).SI traits included whether individuals lived alone,participated in various types of social activities,and how often they had contact with friends or family(N=459,830 to 461,369).A network MR study was conducted to evaluate the mediating roles of 20 candidate mediators,including metabolic,behavioral and psychological factors.Results Loneliness increased IHD risk(OR=2.129;95%confidence interval[CI]:1.380 to 3.285),mediated by body fat percentage,waist-hip ratio,total cholesterol,and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.For SI traits,only fewer social activities increased IHD risk(OR=1.815;95%CI:1.189 to 2.772),mediated by hypertension,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,triglycerides,fasting insulin,and smoking cessation.No reverse causality of IHD with loneliness and SI was found.Conclusion These findings suggested more attention should be paid to individuals who feel lonely and have fewer social activities to prevent IHD,with several mediators as prioritized targets for intervention.展开更多
To improve the resilience of railway stations,a typical station was selected as the research object,and an isolation design was introduced.Twenty-four groups of near-fault pulse-like ground motions were selected.The s...To improve the resilience of railway stations,a typical station was selected as the research object,and an isolation design was introduced.Twenty-four groups of near-fault pulse-like ground motions were selected.The seismic resilience of the no-isolation railway stations(NIRS)and the isolation railway stations(IRS)were compared to provide a numerical result of the improvement in resilience.The results show that in the station isolation design,the station's functional requirements and structural characteristics should be considered and the appropriate placement of isolation bearings is under the waiting room.Under the action of a rare earthquake,the repair cost,repair time,rate of harm and death of the IRS were decreased by 8.04 million,18.30 days,6.93×10^(-3)and 1.21×10^(-3),respectively,when compared to the NIRS.The IRS received a seismic resilience grade of three-stars and the NIRS only one-star,indicating that rational isolation design improves the seismic resilience of stations.Thus,for the design of stations close to earthquake faults,it is suggested to utilize appropriate isolation techniques to improve their seismic resilience.展开更多
Strong surface impact will produce strong vibration,which will pose a threat to the safety of nearby buried pipelines and other important lifeline projects.Based on the verified numerical method,a comprehensive numeri...Strong surface impact will produce strong vibration,which will pose a threat to the safety of nearby buried pipelines and other important lifeline projects.Based on the verified numerical method,a comprehensive numerical parameter analysis is conducted on the key influencing factors of the vibration isolation hole(VIH),which include hole diameter,hole net spacing,hole depth,hole number,hole arrangement,and soil parameters.The results indicate that a smaller ratio of net spacing to hole diameter,the deeper the hole,the multi-row hole,the hole adoption of staggered arrangements,and better site soil conditions can enhance the efficiency of the VIH barrier.The average maximum vibration reduction efficiency within the vibration isolation area can reach 42.2%.The vibration safety of adjacent oil pipelines during a dynamic compaction projection was evaluated according to existing standards,and the measurement of the VIH was recommended to reduce excessive vibration.The single-row vibration isolation scheme and three-row staggered arrangement with the same hole parameters are suggested according to different cases.The research findings can serve as a reference for the vibration safety analysis,assessment,and control of adjacent underground facilities under the influence of strong surface impact loads.展开更多
BACKGROUND Frailty has become a significant public health issue.The recent increase in the number of frail older adults has led to increased attention being paid to psycho-logical care services in communities.The soci...BACKGROUND Frailty has become a significant public health issue.The recent increase in the number of frail older adults has led to increased attention being paid to psycho-logical care services in communities.The social isolation of pre-frail older adults can impact their psychological distress.AIM To explore the mediating effect of health literacy between social isolation and psychological distress among communitydwelling older adults with pre-frailty.METHODS This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 254 pre-frail older individuals aged 60 years and over.Social isolation,health literacy,and psycholo-gical distress were comprehensively measured using the Lubben Social Network Scale-6,12-item Short-Form Health Literacy Questionnaire,and the Kessler Psy-chological Distress Scale-10.Data were evaluated using the SPSS 27.0 package program and the PROCESS macro tool.Descriptive statistical analyses,correlation analyses,and bootstrap mediation tests were used to assess associations between the variables.RESULTS The results showed that social isolation had an effect on health literacy among pre-frail older adults(β=0.240,P<0.001),social isolation impact on psycho-logical distress pre-frail older adults(β=-0.415,P<0.001);health literacy was identified effect on psychological distress among pre-frail older persons(β=-0.307,P<0.001).Health literacy partially mediated the relationship between social isolation and psychological distress among community-dwelling older adults with pre-frailty,with a mediation effect of-0.074,accounting for 17.83%of the total effect.展开更多
It is of great importance to obtain precise trace data,as traces are frequently the sole visible and measurable parameter in most outcrops.The manual recognition and detection of traces on high-resolution three-dimens...It is of great importance to obtain precise trace data,as traces are frequently the sole visible and measurable parameter in most outcrops.The manual recognition and detection of traces on high-resolution three-dimensional(3D)models are relatively straightforward but time-consuming.One potential solution to enhance this process is to use machine learning algorithms to detect the 3D traces.In this study,a unique pixel-wise texture mapper algorithm generates a dense point cloud representation of an outcrop with the precise resolution of the original textured 3D model.A virtual digital image rendering was then employed to capture virtual images of selected regions.This technique helps to overcome limitations caused by the surface morphology of the rock mass,such as restricted access,lighting conditions,and shading effects.After AI-powered trace detection on two-dimensional(2D)images,a 3D data structuring technique was applied to the selected trace pixels.In the 3D data structuring,the trace data were structured through 2D thinning,3D reprojection,clustering,segmentation,and segment linking.Finally,the linked segments were exported as 3D polylines,with each polyline in the output corresponding to a trace.The efficacy of the proposed method was assessed using a 3D model of a real-world case study,which was used to compare the results of artificial intelligence(AI)-aided and human intelligence trace detection.Rosette diagrams,which visualize the distribution of trace orientations,confirmed the high similarity between the automatically and manually generated trace maps.In conclusion,the proposed semi-automatic method was easy to use,fast,and accurate in detecting the dominant jointing system of the rock mass.展开更多
文摘Standard bacterial suspensions play a crucial role in microbiological diagnosis.Traditional prepar-ation methods,which rely heavily on manual operations,face challenges such as poor reproducibility,low ef-ficiency,and biosafety concerns.In this study,we propose a high-precision automated colony extraction and separation system that combines large-field imaging and artificial intelligence(AI)to facilitate intelligent screening and localization of colonies.Firstly,a large-field imaging system was developed to capture high-resolution images of 90 mm Petri dishes,achieving a physical resolution of 13.2μm and an imaging speed of 13 frames per second.Subsequently,AI technology was employed for the automatic recognition and localiza-tion of colonies,enabling the selection of target colonies with diameters ranging from 1.9 to 2.3 mm.Next,a three-axis motion control platform was designed,accompanied by a path planning algorithm for the efficient extraction of colonies.An electronic pipette was employed for accurate colony collection.Additionally,a bacterial suspension concentration measurement module was developed,incorporating a 650 nm laser diode as the light source,achieving a measurement accuracy of 0.01 McFarland concentration(MCF).Finally,the system’s performance was validated through the preparation of an Esckerichia coli(E.coli)suspension.After 17 hours of cultivation,E.coli was extracted four times,achieving the target concentration set by the system.This work is expected to enable rapid and accurate microbial sample preparation,significantly reducing de-tection cycles and alleviating the workload of healthcare personnel.
基金supported by grants from the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2023YFC3606300,No.2022YFC3600300)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82325043)the National Key Research and Development Program of Hubei Province(2022BCA036)。
文摘Objective This study aims to investigate the joint associations of sarcopenia and social isolation with mortality risk.Methods Using data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey(CLHLS)and the UK Biobank,sarcopenia was diagnosed according to European and Asian Working Groups for Sarcopenia criteria.Social isolation was assessed using standardized questionnaires,including questions on solitude,frequency of social activities,contact with others,and marital status(for the CLHLS only).Results During the follow-up period,8,249 deaths occurred in the CLHLS and 26,670 deaths in the UK Biobank groups.While no significant interaction was observed between sarcopenia and social isolation in predicting all-cause mortality in the CLHLS cohort,the association between social isolation and mortality was stronger among individuals with sarcopenia in the UK Biobank(P-interaction=0.03,relative risk due to interaction:0.23,95%confidence interval[CI]:0.06–0.41).Further joint analyses showed that participants with sarcopenia and high levels of social isolation had the highest mortality risk(hazard ration[HR]:1.99;95%CI:[1.74–2.28]in the CLHLS and 1.69[1.55–1.85]in the UK Biobank)compared to those without either condition.Conclusion The combination of social isolation and sarcopenia synergistically increases the risk of mortality in middle-aged and older adults across diverse populations.
文摘Isolation technology can reduce the type of structural damage that earthquakes cause.A new type of composite sliding-rolling friction composite seismic isolation bearing(SRF)with composite sliding friction and rolling friction is proposed.SRF is capable of realizing a parallel arrangement of sliding friction and rolling friction,and the coefficient of dynamic friction shows variability.The proposed static tests on composite bearings were conducted to investigate the effects of the number of shims,loading speed and vertical pressure on the dynamic friction factor.Test results show that the coefficient of dynamic friction first generally decreases and then increases with an increase in sliding speed,prior to again decreasing with an increase in vertical pressure.The dynamic friction factor increases and then decreases with an increase in the number of shims for a four-roll ball.It decreases and then increases with an increase in the number of shims for a five-roll ball.Based on finite element analysis,modeling and analyzing the effects of the coefficient of friction,the number of balls and the number of shims on the hysteresis performance of the support and derive its skeleton curve.The SRF hysteretic performance,dynamic friction factor and the number of rolling balls and shims show significant correlation.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U23A20160,32360336)Guizhou Provincial Key Technology R&D Program(Qian KeHe ZhiCheng[2023]YiBan035).
文摘Natural hybridization is known to play a vital role in speciation;however,the mechanisms underlying the early stages of natural hybridization remain unclear.Where two plant species come into contact,two driving forces may balance the dynamic consequences of hybridization:fusion by hybridization-mediated gene flow,and separation by reproductive isolation(RI)(Ma et al.,2010a,b;Chang et al.,2022).
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32030080 to L.C.and 31991222 to Y.-G.L.)the Open Competition Program of the Top Ten Critical Priorities of Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation for the 14th Five-Year Plan of Guangdong Province(2022SDZG05 to L.C.)+1 种基金the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(2022A1515110431 to G.L.and 2019B030302006 to Y.-G.L.)the Invigorate the Seed Industry of Guangdong Province(2024-NPY-00-044 to L.C.).
文摘Hybrid-sterility-mediated reproductive isolation is pivotal for speciation,yet the underlying molecular mechanisms and environmental responses remain unclear.Here,we report a temperature-sensitive pollen killer-protector system at a three-gene Sa locus for indica-japonica rice hybrid sterility.Genetic analyses identified SaFL^(+),a strong pollen protector from Sa-i(indica allele),and SaFL^(-),a weak japonica allele from Sa-j,which is exclusively functional under high temperatures.Protein interaction,ubiquitination,and degradation assays showed that SaF^(+)and SaM^(+)from Sa-i form a pollen-killer complex to bind and ubiquitinate the reactive oxygen species scavenger COX11 for degradation in mitochondria,causing male sterility of the Sa-j pollen.Protein affinity and competitive binding assays indicated that in the Sa-i pollen,SaFL^(+)binds SaM^(+)to disrupt the killer complex and restore fertility.However,the weak protector SaFL^(-)can bind SaM^(+)under high temperatures,sparing the Sa-j pollen from sterility.Synteny comparisons and haplotype analyses showed that the Sa locus originated in ancient wild rice and underwent divergence within the Oryza genus during expansion from tropical to temperate environments,which might have driven latitudinal adaptation and reproductive isolation in rice populations.Thus,Sa represents a temperature-sensitive reproductive-isolation system associated with domestication and environmental adaptation in rice.
基金support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.12172023)。
文摘According to the Mindlin plate theory and the first-order piston theory,this work obtains accurate closed-form eigensolutions for the flutter problem of three-dimensional(3D)rectangular laminated panels.The governing differential equations are derived by the Hamilton's variational principle,and then solved by the iterative Separation-of-Variable(i SOV)method,which are applicable to arbitrary combinations of homogeneous Boundary Conditions(BCs).However,only the simply-support,clamped and cantilever panels are considered in this work for the sake of clarity.With the closed-form eigensolutions,the flutter frequency,flutter mode and flutter boundary are presented,and the effect of shear deformation and aerodynamic damping on flutter frequencies is investigated.Besides,the relation between panel energy and the work of aerodynamic load is discussed.The numerical comparisons reveal the following.(A)The flutter eigenvalues obtained by the present method are accurate,validated by the Finite Element Method(FEM)and the Galerkin method.(B)When the span-chord ratio is larger than 3,simplifying a 3D panel to 2D(two-dimensional)panel is reasonable and the relative differences of the flutter points predicted by the two models are less than one percent.(C)The reciprocal relationship between the mechanical energy of the panel and the work done by aerodynamic load is verified by using the present flutter eigenvalues and modes,further indicating the high accuracy of the present solutions.(D)The coupling of shear deformation and aerodynamic damping prevents frequency coalescing.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No. 50778006,51278008Doctoral Fund of Ministry of Education of China under Grant No.20121103110021+1 种基金Beijing Natural Science Foundation under Grant No.8112005the Funding of the Jurisdiction of Beijing Municipality 2011
文摘Based on the seismic response characteristics of space frame structures,a new type of seismic isolation bearing defined as a three-dimensional seismic isolation bearing（3DSIB） is developed in this paper.The bearing offers excellent properties such as multi-dimensional seismic isolation,reasonable rotation capability,good ability to resist lifting load,uncoupled stiffness in horizontal and vertical directions,etc.In the 3DSIB,the horizontal dimension is designed by combining the Teflon sliding device and helical spring,while the vertical dimension is developed by introducing disk springs or helical springs.The mathematical model of the 3DSIB was established and its performance with the critical parameters was tested on a shaking table.Furthermore,the 3DSIB was applied in a 120 m span hangar structure and simulated using SAP2000 software to evaluate its performance in practical structures.The performance of the structures with and without 3DSIB was compared.It is shown that the hangar structure with 3D bearings achieves a better performance.The axial force and acceleration response of the structures with 3DSIB are effectively reduced,while the displacement response of the bearing is within the predetermined range.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51078098,90915007,90815027 and 50878124)the Key Laboratory of Seismic Control & Structure Safety Open FundInnovation Group Fund of Guangdong Province
文摘This paper presents the study of a three-dimensional(3D) isolation system.Firstly,the authors investigated the effects of an innovative 3D isolator,which was composed of a connecting plate,a rubber pad for vibration isolation in the vertical direction and a horizontal rubber bearing for seismic isolation in both horizontal directions.Secondly,the authors designed such a vibration isolation system and installed it underneath two specific residential buildings which were built directly over an existing subway communication hub platform in Beijing.These buildings required good performance vibration and seismic isolation system to reduce the impact from the running of nearby subway trains.Finally,in situ tests were conducted for both the isolated and the non-isolated buildings for the purpose of comparison.The test results showed that the maximum acceleration response level of the isolated superstructure is reduced by 10% as compared to that of the platform.The maximum attenuation of vibration reaches up to 25 dB.The 3D system explored in this paper is very effective in control and suppression of building vibration induced by earthquakes or running of trains.
文摘The cancer stem cells(CSCs)from human osteosarcoma by serum-free three-dimensional culture combined with anticancer drugs were isolated and identified.The primary cells derived from human osteosarcoma were digested by trypsin to prepare a single-cell suspension,and mixed homogeneously into 1.2% alginate gel.Single-cell alginate gel was cultured with serum-free DMEM/F12 medium.Epirubicin(0.8μg/mL)was added to the medium to enrich CSCs.After cultured conventionally for 7 to 10 days,most of cells suspended in ...
基金supported in part by Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province under Grant BK20230255Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province under Grant ZR2023QE281.
文摘The multi-terminal direct current(DC)grid has extinctive superiorities over the traditional alternating current system in integrating large-scale renewable energy.Both the DC circuit breaker(DCCB)and the current flow controller(CFC)are demanded to ensure the multiterminal DC grid to operates reliably and flexibly.However,since the CFC and the DCCB are all based on fully controlled semiconductor switches(e.g.,insulated gate bipolar transistor,integrated gate commutated thyristor,etc.),their separation configuration in the multiterminal DC grid will lead to unaffordable implementation costs and conduction power losses.To solve these problems,integrated equipment with both current flow control and fault isolation abilities is proposed,which shares the expensive and duplicated components of CFCs and DCCBs among adjacent lines.In addition,the complicated coordination control of CFCs and DCCBs can be avoided by adopting the integrated equipment in themultiterminal DC grid.In order to examine the current flow control and fault isolation abilities of the integrated equipment,the simulation model of a specific meshed four-terminal DC grid is constructed in the PSCAD/EMTDC software.Finally,the comparison between the integrated equipment and the separate solution is presented a specific result or conclusion needs to be added to the abstract.
文摘BACKGROUND Lateral facial clefts are atypical with a low incidence in the facial cleft spectrum.With the development of ultrasonography(US)prenatal screening,such facial malformations can be detected and diagnosed prenatally rather than at birth.Although three-dimensional US(3DUS)can render the fetus'face via 3D reconstruction,the 3D images are displayed on two-dimensional screens without field depth,which impedes the understanding of untrained individuals.In contrast,a 3D-printed model of the fetus'face helps both parents and doctors develop a more comprehensive understanding of the facial malformation by creating more interactive aspects.Herein,we present an isolated lateral facial cleft case that was diagnosed via US combined with a 3D-printed model.CASE SUMMARY A 31-year-old G2P1 patient presented for routine prenatal screening at the 22nd wk of gestation.The coronal nostril-lip section of two-dimensional US(2DUS)demonstrated that the fetus'bilateral oral commissures were asymmetrical,and left oral commissure was abnormally wide.The left oblique-coronal section showed a cleft at the left oral commissure which extended to the left cheek.The results of 3DUS confirmed the cleft.Furthermore,we created a model of the fetal face using 3D printing technology,which clearly presented facial malformations.The fetus was diagnosed with a left lateral facial cleft,which was categorized as a No.7 facial cleft according to the Tessier facial cleft classification.The parents terminated the pregnancy at the 24th wk of gestation after parental counseling.CONCLUSION In the diagnostic course of the current case,in addition to the traditional application of 2D and 3DUS,we created a 3D-printed model of the fetus,which enhanced diagnostic evidence,benefited the education of junior doctors,improved parental counseling,and had the potential to guide surgical planning.
文摘To address the problem of multi-missile cooperative interception against maneuvering targets at a prespecified impact time and desired Line-of-Sight(LOS)angles in ThreeDimensional(3D)space,this paper proposes a 3D leader-following cooperative interception guidance law.First,in the LOS direction of the leader,an impact time-controlled guidance law is derived based on the fixed-time stability theory,which enables the leader to complete the interception task at a prespecified impact time.Next,in the LOS direction of the followers,by introducing a time consensus tracking error function,a fixed-time consensus tracking guidance law is investigated to guarantee the consensus tracking convergence of the time-to-go.Then,in the direction normal to the LOS,by combining the designed global integral sliding mode surface and the second-order Sliding Mode Control(SMC)theory,an innovative 3D LOS-angle-constrained interception guidance law is developed,which eliminates the reaching phase in the traditional sliding mode guidance laws and effectively saves energy consumption.Moreover,it effectively suppresses the chattering phenomenon while avoiding the singularity issue,and compensates for unknown interference caused by target maneuvering online,making it convenient for practical engineering applications.Finally,theoretical proof analysis and multiple sets of numerical simulation results verify the effectiveness,superiority,and robustness of the investigated guidance law.
基金supported by the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars(42225107)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42001326,42371414,42171409,and 42271419)+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province of China(2022A1515012207)the Basic and Applied Basic Research Project of Guangzhou Science and Technology Planning(202201011539)。
文摘Three-dimensional(3D)urban structures play a critical role in informing climate mitigation strategies aimed at the built environment and facilitating sustainable urban development.Regrettably,there exists a significant gap in detailed and consistent data on 3D building space structures with global coverage due to the challenges inherent in the data collection and model calibration processes.In this study,we constructed a global urban structure(GUS-3D)dataset,including building volume,height,and footprint information,at a 500 m spatial resolution using extensive satellite observation products and numerous reference building samples.Our analysis indicated that the total volume of buildings worldwide in2015 exceeded 1×10^(12)m^(3).Over the 1985 to 2015 period,we observed a slight increase in the magnitude of 3D building volume growth(i.e.,it increased from 166.02 km3 during the 1985–2000 period to 175.08km3 during the 2000–2015 period),while the expansion magnitudes of the two-dimensional(2D)building footprint(22.51×10^(3) vs 13.29×10^(3)km^(2))and urban extent(157×10^(3) vs 133.8×10^(3)km^(2))notably decreased.This trend highlights the significant increase in intensive vertical utilization of urban land.Furthermore,we identified significant heterogeneity in building space provision and inequality across cities worldwide.This inequality is particularly pronounced in many populous Asian cities,which has been overlooked in previous studies on economic inequality.The GUS-3D dataset shows great potential to deepen our understanding of the urban environment and creates new horizons for numerous 3D urban studies.
基金Supported by the 2022 Provincial Quality Engineering Project for Higher Education Institutions,No.2022sx031the 2023 Provincial Quality Engineering Project for Higher Education Institutions,No.2023jyxm1071.
文摘BACKGROUND Inguinal hernias are common after surgery.Tension-free repair is widely accepted as the main method for managing inguinal hernias.Adequate exposure,coverage,and repair of the myopectineal orifice(MPO)are necessary.However,due to differences in race and sex,people’s body shapes vary.According to European guidelines,the patch should measure 10 cm×15 cm.If any part of the MPO is dissected,injury to the nerves,vascular network,or organs may occur during surgery,thereby leading to inguinal discomfort,pain,and seroma formation after surgery.Therefore,accurate localization and measurement of the boundary of the MPO are crucial for selecting the optimal patch for inguinal hernia repair.AIM To compare the size of the MPO measured on three-dimensional multislice spiral computed tomography(CT)with that measured via laparoscopy and explore the relevant factors influencing the size of the MPO.METHODS Clinical data from 74 patients who underwent laparoscopic tension-free inguinal hernia repair at the General Surgery Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Science and Technology between September 2022 and July 2024 were collected and analyzed retrospectively.Transabdominal preperitoneal was performed.Sixty-four males and 10 females,with an average age of 58.30±12.32 years,were included.The clinical data of the patients were collected.The boundary of the MPO was measured on three-dimensional CT images before surgery and then again during transabdominal preperitoneal.All the preoperative and intraoperative data were analyzed via paired t-tests.A t-test was used for comparisons of age,body mass index,and sex between the groups.In the comparative analysis,a P value less than 0.05 indicated a significant difference.RESULTS The boundaries of the MPO on 3-dimensional CT images measured 7.05±0.47 cm and 6.27±0.61 cm,and the area of the MPO was 19.54±3.33 cm^(2).The boundaries of the MPO during surgery were 7.18±0.51 cm and 6.17±0.40 cm.The errors were not statistically significant.However,the intraoperative BD(the width of the MPO,P=0.024,P<0.05)and preoperative AC(the length of the MPO,P=0.045,P<0.05)significantly differed according to sex.The AC and BD measurements before and during surgery were not significantly different according to age,body mass index,hernia side or hernia type(P>0.05).CONCLUSION The application of this technology can aid in determining the most appropriate dissection range and patch size.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82322059)the Chinese Academy of Medical·Sciences Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences(2021-I2M-1-010)+1 种基金the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2021YFC2500500)the National High Level Hospital Clinical Research Funding(2023-GSPRC-19).
文摘Objective Observational studies have shown inconsistent associations of loneliness or social isolation(SI)with ischemic heart disease(IHD),with unknown mediators.Methods Using data from genome-wide association studies of predominantly European ancestry,we performed a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian Randomization(MR)study to estimate causal effects of loneliness(N=487,647)and SI traits on IHD(N=184,305).SI traits included whether individuals lived alone,participated in various types of social activities,and how often they had contact with friends or family(N=459,830 to 461,369).A network MR study was conducted to evaluate the mediating roles of 20 candidate mediators,including metabolic,behavioral and psychological factors.Results Loneliness increased IHD risk(OR=2.129;95%confidence interval[CI]:1.380 to 3.285),mediated by body fat percentage,waist-hip ratio,total cholesterol,and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.For SI traits,only fewer social activities increased IHD risk(OR=1.815;95%CI:1.189 to 2.772),mediated by hypertension,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,triglycerides,fasting insulin,and smoking cessation.No reverse causality of IHD with loneliness and SI was found.Conclusion These findings suggested more attention should be paid to individuals who feel lonely and have fewer social activities to prevent IHD,with several mediators as prioritized targets for intervention.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No.52278534Sichuan Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No.2022NSFSC0423。
文摘To improve the resilience of railway stations,a typical station was selected as the research object,and an isolation design was introduced.Twenty-four groups of near-fault pulse-like ground motions were selected.The seismic resilience of the no-isolation railway stations(NIRS)and the isolation railway stations(IRS)were compared to provide a numerical result of the improvement in resilience.The results show that in the station isolation design,the station's functional requirements and structural characteristics should be considered and the appropriate placement of isolation bearings is under the waiting room.Under the action of a rare earthquake,the repair cost,repair time,rate of harm and death of the IRS were decreased by 8.04 million,18.30 days,6.93×10^(-3)and 1.21×10^(-3),respectively,when compared to the NIRS.The IRS received a seismic resilience grade of three-stars and the NIRS only one-star,indicating that rational isolation design improves the seismic resilience of stations.Thus,for the design of stations close to earthquake faults,it is suggested to utilize appropriate isolation techniques to improve their seismic resilience.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos.52078386 and 52308496SINOMACH Youth Science and Technology Fund under Grant No.QNJJ-PY-2022-02+2 种基金Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program under Grant No.BYESS2023432Fund of State Key Laboratory of Precision Blasting and Hubei Key Laboratory of Blasting Engineering,Jianghan University under Grant No.PBSKL2023A9Fund of China Railway Construction Group Co.,Ltd.under Grant No.LX19-04b。
文摘Strong surface impact will produce strong vibration,which will pose a threat to the safety of nearby buried pipelines and other important lifeline projects.Based on the verified numerical method,a comprehensive numerical parameter analysis is conducted on the key influencing factors of the vibration isolation hole(VIH),which include hole diameter,hole net spacing,hole depth,hole number,hole arrangement,and soil parameters.The results indicate that a smaller ratio of net spacing to hole diameter,the deeper the hole,the multi-row hole,the hole adoption of staggered arrangements,and better site soil conditions can enhance the efficiency of the VIH barrier.The average maximum vibration reduction efficiency within the vibration isolation area can reach 42.2%.The vibration safety of adjacent oil pipelines during a dynamic compaction projection was evaluated according to existing standards,and the measurement of the VIH was recommended to reduce excessive vibration.The single-row vibration isolation scheme and three-row staggered arrangement with the same hole parameters are suggested according to different cases.The research findings can serve as a reference for the vibration safety analysis,assessment,and control of adjacent underground facilities under the influence of strong surface impact loads.
基金Supported by the Scientific Research Fund of Zhejiang Provincial Education Department,No.Y202351104and Huzhou Science and Technology Plan Project,No.2023GZ67。
文摘BACKGROUND Frailty has become a significant public health issue.The recent increase in the number of frail older adults has led to increased attention being paid to psycho-logical care services in communities.The social isolation of pre-frail older adults can impact their psychological distress.AIM To explore the mediating effect of health literacy between social isolation and psychological distress among communitydwelling older adults with pre-frailty.METHODS This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 254 pre-frail older individuals aged 60 years and over.Social isolation,health literacy,and psycholo-gical distress were comprehensively measured using the Lubben Social Network Scale-6,12-item Short-Form Health Literacy Questionnaire,and the Kessler Psy-chological Distress Scale-10.Data were evaluated using the SPSS 27.0 package program and the PROCESS macro tool.Descriptive statistical analyses,correlation analyses,and bootstrap mediation tests were used to assess associations between the variables.RESULTS The results showed that social isolation had an effect on health literacy among pre-frail older adults(β=0.240,P<0.001),social isolation impact on psycho-logical distress pre-frail older adults(β=-0.415,P<0.001);health literacy was identified effect on psychological distress among pre-frail older persons(β=-0.307,P<0.001).Health literacy partially mediated the relationship between social isolation and psychological distress among community-dwelling older adults with pre-frailty,with a mediation effect of-0.074,accounting for 17.83%of the total effect.
基金supported by grants from the Human Resources Development program (Grant No.20204010600250)the Training Program of CCUS for the Green Growth (Grant No.20214000000500)by the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP)funded by the Ministry of Trade,Industry,and Energy of the Korean Government (MOTIE).
文摘It is of great importance to obtain precise trace data,as traces are frequently the sole visible and measurable parameter in most outcrops.The manual recognition and detection of traces on high-resolution three-dimensional(3D)models are relatively straightforward but time-consuming.One potential solution to enhance this process is to use machine learning algorithms to detect the 3D traces.In this study,a unique pixel-wise texture mapper algorithm generates a dense point cloud representation of an outcrop with the precise resolution of the original textured 3D model.A virtual digital image rendering was then employed to capture virtual images of selected regions.This technique helps to overcome limitations caused by the surface morphology of the rock mass,such as restricted access,lighting conditions,and shading effects.After AI-powered trace detection on two-dimensional(2D)images,a 3D data structuring technique was applied to the selected trace pixels.In the 3D data structuring,the trace data were structured through 2D thinning,3D reprojection,clustering,segmentation,and segment linking.Finally,the linked segments were exported as 3D polylines,with each polyline in the output corresponding to a trace.The efficacy of the proposed method was assessed using a 3D model of a real-world case study,which was used to compare the results of artificial intelligence(AI)-aided and human intelligence trace detection.Rosette diagrams,which visualize the distribution of trace orientations,confirmed the high similarity between the automatically and manually generated trace maps.In conclusion,the proposed semi-automatic method was easy to use,fast,and accurate in detecting the dominant jointing system of the rock mass.
