A Morphologically Structured Model for Mycelial Growth and Secondary Metabolite Formation

A morphologically structured model is proposed to describe the batch fermentation of lovastatin according to the growth kinetics of filamentous microorganisms. Three kinds of hyphae are considered in the model: actively growing hyphae, non-growing hyphae and deactivated hyphae. Furthermore, actively growing hyphae consist of three morphological compartments: apical compartment which gives rise to hyphal tip extension; subapical compartment which is related to hyphal branching; and hyphal compartment which is only responsible for secondary metabolite formation. The kinetics of mycelial growth mechanism is summarized and applied in modeling lovastatin fermentation. A Michaelis-Menten kinetic model with substrate inhibition is proposed for product formation. As expected, the model simulations fit well with experimental data obtained either from a laboratory scale 10L fer-menter or from a pilot-plant scale fermenter.

A Population Morphologically Structured Model for Microscopic Growth of Filamentous Microorganism

The growth of filamentous microorganism is contributed by tip extension and branching. The microscopic growth of filamentous microorganism means the growth process from one or a few spores. In order to describe the microscopic process, a population morphologically structured model is proposed, in which three morphological compartment and their interactions were considered, and the heterogeneity of hyphal growth was included. The model was applied to describe the microscopic growth of Streptomyces tendae and Geotrichum candidum with good agreement. From model prediction, it is concluded that if the number of hyphae is large enough (macroscopic growth), the specific growth rate of filamentous microorganism and the ratio of morphological forms in hyphae will become constant.

Theoretical study on the effective thermal conductivity of silica aerogels based on a cross-aligned and cubic pore model

Aerogel nanoporous materials possess high porosity, high specific surface area, and extremely low density due to their unique nanoscale network structure. Moreover, their effective thermal conductivity is very low, making them a new type of lightweight and highly efficient nanoscale super-insulating material. However, prediction of their effective thermal conductivity is challenging due to their uneven pore size distribution. To investigate the internal heat transfer mechanism of aerogel nanoporous materials, this study constructed a cross-aligned and cubic pore model(CACPM) based on the actual pore arrangement of SiO_(2) aerogel. Based on the established CACPM, the effective thermal conductivity expression for the aerogel was derived by simultaneously considering gas-phase heat conduction, solid-phase heat conduction, and radiative heat transfer. The derived expression was then compared with available experimental data and the Wei structure model. The results indicate that, according to the model established in this study for the derived thermal conductivity formula of silica aerogel, for powdery silica aerogel under the conditions of T = 298 K, a_(2)= 0.85, D_(1)= 90 μm, ρ = 128 kg/m^(3), within the pressure range of 0–10^(5)Pa, the average deviation between the calculated values and experimental values is 10.51%. In the pressure range of 10^(3)–10^(4)Pa, the deviation between calculated values and experimental values is within 4%. Under these conditions, the model has certain reference value in engineering verification. This study also makes a certain contribution to the research of aerogel thermal conductivity heat transfer models and calculation formulae.

Three-dimensional structural models,evolution and petroleum geological significances of transtensional faults in the Ziyang area,central Sichuan Basin,SW China

With drilling and seismic data of Transtensional(strike-slip)Fault System in the Ziyang area of the central Sichuan Basin,SW China plane-section integrated structural interpretation,3-D fault framework model building,fault throw analyzing,and balanced profile restoration,it is pointed out that the transtensional fault system in the Ziyang 3-D seismic survey consists of the northeast-trending F_(I)19 and F_(I)20 fault zones dominated by extensional deformation,as well as 3 sets of northwest-trending en echelon normal faults experienced dextral shear deformation.Among them,the F_(I)19 and F_(I)20 fault zones cut through the Neoproterozoic to Lower Triassic Jialingjiang Formation,presenting a 3-D structure of an“S”-shaped ribbon.And before Permian and during the Early Triassic,the F_(I)19 and F_(I)20 fault zones underwent at least two periods of structural superimposition.Besides,the 3 sets of northwest-trending en echelon normal faults are composed of small normal faults arranged in pairs,with opposite dip directions and partially left-stepped arrangement.And before Permian,they had formed almost,restricting the eastward growth and propagation of the F_(I)19 fault zone.The F_(I)19 and F_(I)20 fault zones communicate multiple sets of source rocks and reservoirs from deep to shallow,and the timing of fault activity matches well with oil and gas generation peaks.If there were favorable Cambrian-Triassic sedimentary facies and reservoirs developing on the local anticlinal belts of both sides of the F_(I)19 and F_(I)20 fault zones,the major reservoirs in this area are expected to achieve breakthroughs in oil and gas exploration.

A practical guideline for univariate meta-analytic structural equation modelling

Background:Meta-analysis is a quantitative approach that systematically integrates results from previous research to draw conclusions.Structural equation modelling is a statistical method that integrates factor analysis and path analysis.Meta-analytic structural equation modeling(MASEM)combines meta-analysis and structural equation modeling.It allows researchers to explain relationships among a group of variables across multiple studies.Methods:We used a simulated dataset to conduct a univariate MASEM analysis,using Comprehensive Meta Analysis 3.3,Analysis of Moment Structures 24.0 software.Results:Despite the lack of concise literature on the methodology,our study provided a practical step-by-step guide on univariate MASEM.Conclusion:Researchers can employ MASEM analysis in applicable fields based on the description,principles,and practices expressed in this study and our previous publications mentioned in this study.

Application of STEEP and Interpretive Structural Modeling in the Design Imagery of Taiwan Public Ceramic Relief Murals

Ceramic relief mural is a contemporary landscape art that is carefully designed based on human nature,culture,and architectural wall space,combined with social customs,visual sensibility,and art.It may also become the main axis of ceramic art in the future.Taiwan public ceramic relief murals(PCRM)are most distinctive with the PCRM pioneered by Pan-Hsiung Chu of Meinong Kiln in 1987.In addition to breaking through the limitations of traditional public ceramic murals,Chu leveraged local culture and sensibility.The theme of art gives PCRM its unique style and innovative value throughout the Taiwan region.This study mainly analyzes and understands the design image of public ceramic murals,taking Taiwan PCRM’s design and creation as the scope,and applies STEEP analysis,that is,the social,technological,economic,ecological,and political-legal environments are analyzed as core factors;eight main important factors in the artistic design image of ceramic murals are evaluated.Then,interpretive structural modeling(ISM)is used to establish five levels,analyze the four main problems in the main core factor area and the four main target results in the affected factor area;and analyze the problem points and target points as well as their causal relationships.It is expected to sort out the relationship between these factors,obtain the hierarchical relationship of each factor,and provide a reference basis and research methods.

Measurement Research Based on Bayesian Structural Equation Cognitive Model

The Bayesian structural equation model integrates the principles of Bayesian statistics, providing a more flexible and comprehensive modeling framework. In exploring complex relationships between variables, handling uncertainty, and dealing with missing data, the Bayesian structural equation model demonstrates unique advantages. Therefore, Bayesian methods are used in this paper to establish a structural equation model of innovative talent cognition, with the measurement of college students’ cognition of innovative talent being studied. An in-depth analysis is conducted on the effects of innovative self-efficacy, social resources, innovative personality traits, and school education, aiming to explore the factors influencing college students’ innovative talent. The results indicate that innovative self-efficacy plays a key role in perception, social resources are significantly positively correlated with the perception of innovative talents, innovative personality tendencies and school education are positively correlated with the perception of innovative talents, but the impact is not significant.

Structured scene modeling using micro stereo vision system with large field of view

This paper presents a method for structured scene modeling using micro stereo vision system with large field of view. The proposed algorithm includes edge detection with Canny detector, line fitting with principle axis based approach, finding corresponding lines using feature based matching method, and 3D line depth computation.

Assessment of Relationship of Some Causal Factors Associated with Productivity of Longwall Mining Using Structured Equation Modeling

Enhancement of productivity optimization is steadily gaining the priority in mining companies especially in the underground coal mining industry which faces a daunting task to balance marginal profit generation with a comparatively high cost of production, volatile market price and rapid grade variation. This paper is aimed to analyze some of the causal factors both technical and site specific which are directly or indirectly impacting the productivity of the longwall coal mining system such as downtime of equipment system in longwall panel, overloading of conveyors and bin, preventive maintenance, gas management practices and injury severity rate. Structured Equation Modelling (SEM) was used to study the causal relationships between the above-mentioned factors and mine productivity. The equipment considered for analysis included shearer, armored face conveyor, crusher, bridge stage loader, chock supports, main gate drive, gate conveyor, hydraulic pumps and crusher. SEM was applied to relate the correlations existing among these causal variables in order to assess their direct or indirect impact on mining productivity. Based on the data extracted over a period of 10 months which included the extraction of 2 longwall panels, the study revealed a significant negative causal relationship between injury severity rate (p < 0.01) and equipment downtime (p = 0.001), with mine productivity. However, preventive maintenance delay time, gas management delay time and conveyor overloading delay time were found to have an insignificant direct influence on mine productivity but indirectly modify it through a significant mediator relationship with equipment downtime. This information would assist mine management to take proper preventive measures.

Personality and Nomophobia: A Moderated Mediation Model of Self-Esteem and Non-Self-Determined Solitude

Background:With the development of information technology,mobile phone has brought much convenience to people’s lives but also caused many negative consequences due to excessive use,such as mobile phone addiction and nomophobia.Previous studies have explored the relationship between the Big Five Personality and proble-matic mobile phone use(PMPU).However,they focus on mobile phone addiction.Although there is a correlation between nomophobia and mobile phone addiction,the psychological structure is different.Therefore,it is neces-sary to explore the relationship between personality and nomophobia and the underlying mechanism.This study aims to examine the relationship between Big Five Personality and nomophobia,then construct a moderated mediation model to explore the mediation effect of solitude between Big Five Personality and nomophobia,as well as the moderation effect of self-esteem.Method:Data from 678 college students(351 females,51.77%)were collected.Participants completed the Big Five Personality Inventory,Solitude Behavior Scale,Nomophobia Scale and Self-esteem Scale.Analyses were conducted via mediation and moderated mediation.Results:Structural equation models revealed that solitude mediated the relationship between neuroticism and nomophobia.The results showed that neuroticism positively predicted solitude,which in turn positively predicted nomophobia.Four types of solitude partially mediated the relationship between neuroticism and nomophobia.We also found that self-esteem moderated the association between neuroticism and non-self-determined solitude.It is note-worthy that high self-esteem cannot protect people from negative factors.However,because of its characteristics,it is easy to receive more social information,and people high in neuroticism are sensitive to negative social infor-mation.It may cause maladaptive behavior.Conclusion:Findings demonstrated a process through which neu-roticism relates to nomophobia and a context under which these relationships may have occurred.

A Model for Predicting the Psychological WellBeing of Older Adults in South Korea

This study examined factors related to the psychological well-being of older adults and built and verified a model for predictingpsychological well-being. The participants were 350 older adults aged over 60 years who lived in South Korea and were active in thelocal community. The model proposed in this study was found to be suitable. Depression, self-efficacy, and social support had adirect effect on the psychological well-being of older adults, while depression, activities of daily living (ADLs), and self-efficacy hadan indirect effect. Self-efficacy and social support mediated the relationship between depression and psychological well-being, andself-efficacy mediated the relationship between ADLs and psychological well-being. It is necessary to develop and implement aprogram that can help alleviate depression and improve self-efficacy and social support among older adults in order toenhance their psychological well-being. Additionally, to establish a model that predicts the psychological well-being of olderadults, a study is needed to verify the model not only in Korea but also in other countries.

Modeling and petrophysical properties of digital rock models with various pore structure types: An improved workflow

Pore structure is a crucial factor affecting the physical properties of porous materials,and understanding the mechanisms and laws of these effects is of great significance in the fields of geosciences and petroleum engineering.However,it remains a challenge to accurately understand and quantify the relationship between pore structures and effective properties.This paper improves a workflow to focus on investigating the effect of pore structure on physical properties.First,a hybrid modeling approach combining process-based and morphology-based methods is proposed to reconstruct 3D models with diverse pore structure types.Then,the characteristics and differences in pore structure in these models are compared.Finally,the varia-tion laws and pore-scale mechanisms of the influence of pore structure on physical properties(permeability and elasticity)are discussed based on the reconstructed models.The relationship models between pore structure parameters and perme-ability/elastic parameters in the grain packing model are established.The effect of pore structure evolution on permeability/elasticity and the microscopic mechanism in three types of morphology-based reconstruction models are explored.The influence degree of pore structure on elastic parameters(bulk modulus,shear modulus,P-wave velocity,and S-wave veloc-ity)is quantified,reaching 29.54%,51.40%,18.94%,and 23.18%,respectively.This work forms a workflow for exploring the relationship between pore structures and petrophysical properties at the microscopic scale,providing more ideas and references for understanding the complex physical properties in porous media.

Mechanisms Influencing Learning Gains Under Information Security: Structural Equation Modeling with Mediating Effect

With the expanding enrollments in higher education,the quality of col-lege education and the learning gains of students have attracted much attention.It is important to study the influencing factors and mechanisms of individual stu-dents’acquisition of learning gains to improve the quality of talent cultivation in colleges.However,in the context of information security,the original data of learning situation surveys in various universities involve the security of educa-tional evaluation data and daily privacy of teachers and students.To protect the original data,data feature mining and correlation analyses were performed at the model level.This study selected 12,181 pieces of data from X University,which participated in the Chinese College Student Survey(CCSS)from 2018 to 2021.A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted and a structural equation modeling was conducted using AMOS 24.0.Through hypothesis testing,this study explored the mechanisms that influence learning gains from the per-spectives of student involvement,teacher involvement,and school support.The results indicated that the quality of student involvement has an important mediat-ing effect on learning gains and that a supportive campus environment has the greatest influence on learning gains.Establishing positive emotional communica-tions between teachers and students is a more direct and effective method than improving the teaching level to improve the quality of student involvement.This study discusses the implications of these results on the research and practice of connotative development in higher education.

A Study on the Factors Influencing Value-Added in the Cruise Ship Value Chain Based on the DEMATEL-ISM Model

Cruise value chain is to take the exchange of cruise products and services as the core in a certain spatial scope,and enterprises with core advantages within or between different industries establish associations in accordance with certain technical and economic conditions,so as to realise the multi-dimensional extension and value appreciation of the cruise value chain in the vertical and horizontal links,and ultimately establish a chain-network type of enterprise strategic alliance.This paper tries to analyse the value-added factors of the cruise industry chain by constructing a multi-level hierarchical structural model with reference to the influencing factor analysis methods of relevant literature-DEMATEL(Decision Making Experiment and Evaluation Experiment)and ISM(Interpretative Structural Model).The study shows that the innovation and scale value-added module in the upstream of the cruise industry chain is the core module of value-added of the whole cruise industry chain,and the value-added mainly originates from the design and manufacturing of cruise ships.The middle reaches of the cruise industry chain are mainly cruise operation enterprises,and the specificity of cruise operation determines that its brand value-added is mainly accomplished through the global layout of multinational corporations,and the cruise brand is able to drive the consumption demand and has value-added ability.The downstream value-added of the cruise industry chain is mainly realised through the increase in profits of cruise tourism service products.

Effects of landscape fragmentation of plantation forests on carbon storage in the Loess Plateau,China

Tree plantation and forest restoration are the major strategies for enhancing terrestrial carbon sequestration and mitigating climate change.The Grain for Green Project in China has positively impacted global carbon sequestration and the trend towards fragmentation of plantation forests.Limited studies have been conducted on changes in plantation biomass and stand structure caused by fragmentation,and the effect of fragmentation on the carbon storage of plantation forests remains unclear.This study evaluated the differences between carbon storage and stand structure in black locust forests in fragmented and continuous landscape in the Ansai District,China and discussed the effects of ecological significance of four landscape indices on carbon storage and tree density.We used structural equation modelling to explore the direct and indirect effects of fragmentation,edge,abiotic factors,and stand structure on above-ground carbon storage.Diameter at breast height(DBH)in fragmented forests was 53.3%thicker,tree density was 40.9%lower,and carbon storage was 49.8%higher than those in continuous forests;for all given DBH>10 cm,the trees in fragmented forests were shorter than those in continuous forests.The patch area had a negative impact on carbon storage,i.e.,the higher the degree of fragmentation,the lower the density of the tree;and fragmentation and distance to edge(DTE)directly increased canopy coverage.However,canopy coverage directly decreased carbon storage,and fragmentation directly increased carbon storage and tree density.In non-commercial forests,fragmentation reduces the carbon storage potential of plantation,and the influence of patch area,edge,and patchy connection on plantation should be considered when follow-up trees are planted and for the plantation management.Thus,expanding the area of plantation patches,repairing the edges of complex-shaped patches,enhancing the connectivity of similar patches,and applying nutrients to plantation forests at regular intervals are recommended in fragmented areas of the Loess Plateau.

Drivers of spatial structure in thinned forests

Background:As is widely known,an increasing number of forest areas were managed to preserve and enhance the health of forest ecosystems.However,previous research on forest management has often overlooked the importance of structure-based.Aims:Our objectives were to define the direction of structure-based forest management.Subsequently,we investigated the relationships between forest structure and the regeneration,growth,and mortality of trees under different thinning treatments.Ultimately,the drivers of forest structural change were explored.Methods:On the basis of 92 sites selected from northeastern China,with different recovery time (from 1 to 15years) and different thinning intensities (0–59.9%) since the last thinning.Principal component analysis (PCA)identified relationships among factors determining forest spatial structure.The structural equation model (SEM)was used to analyze the driving factors behind the changes in forest spatial structure after thinning.Results:Light thinning (0–20%trees removed) promoted forest regeneration,and heavy thinning (over 35% of trees removed) facilitated forest growth.However,only moderate thinning (20%–35%trees removed) created a reasonable spatial structure.While dead trees were clustered,and they were hardly affected by thinning intensity.Additionally,thinning intensity,recovery time,and altitude indirectly improve the spatial structure of the forest by influencing diameter at breast height (DBH) and canopy area.Conclusion:Creating larger DBH and canopy area through thinning will promote the formation of complex forest structures,which cultivates healthy and stable forests.

How Does Urban Shrinkage Affect Land Use Efficiency?A Case Study of Shrinking Cities in Northeast China

The effect of urban shrinkage has gradually become a new topic.Theoretically,urban shrinkage may exert great influence on land use efficiency(LUE)through various urban subsystems,but there is currently limited research examining these pathways.Using the Super-SBM-Undesirable model and the Structural Equation Model(SEM),this study calculates the LUE of shrinking cities in Northeast China and simulates the process of urban shrinkage affecting LUE.To quantify the process of urban shrinkage affecting LUE,three mediation variables,namely the economy,public services,and innovation,are used as latent variables to apply SEM.The results show that urban shrinkage will affect LUE through a direct path and indirect paths.In the direct path,urban shrinkage leads to an improvement in LUE.In the indirect paths,the economy and innovation will transmit the negative effect of urban shrinkage on LUE,while public services will reverse this effect.An important contribution of this study is that it quantifies the paths of urban shrinkage affecting LUE,thereby expanding the understanding of urban shrinkage effect and laying a foundation for the sustainable development of shrinking cities.

Model Reference Variable Structure Autopilot Design for Homing Missile

To design the control system for some homing missile so that the autopilot can transfer guidance command correctly and be robust to disturbances, such as the measurement noises and parameter variation caused by areodynamic floating. The model reference adaptive control was combined with the variable structure control to design a model reference variable structure (MRVS) control system whose control structure is simple and can be realized easily. The simulation results indicate that MRVS can complete the task of transferring guidance command and suppress the distrubances effectively.

Effects of three-dimensional quality assessment nursing intervention on efficacy and disease management of patients undergoing esophageal cancer surgery

BACKGROUND Esophageal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors.The three-dimensional quality structure model is a quality assessment theory that includes three dimensions:Structure,process,and results.AIM To investigate the effects of nursing interventions with three-dimensional quality assessment on the efficacy and disease management ability of patients undergoing esophageal cancer surgery.METHODS In this prospective study,the control group received routine nursing,and the intervention group additionally received a three-dimensional quality assessment intervention based on the above routine care.Self-efficacy and patient disease management abilities were evaluated using the General Self-Efficacy Scale(GSES)and Exercise of Self-Care Agency scale,respectively.IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows,version 17.0,was used for the data processing.RESULTS This study recruited 112 patients who were assigned to the control and experi-mental groups(n=56 per group).Before the intervention,there was no significant difference in GSES scores between the two groups(P>0.05).After the inter-vention,the GSES scores of both groups increased,with the experimental group showing higher values(P<0.05).At the time of discharge and three months after discharge,the scores for positive attitudes,self-stress reduction,and total score of health promotion in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The implementation of a three-dimensional quality structure model for postoperative patients with esophageal cancer can effectively improve their self-management ability and self-efficacy of postoperative patients.

Modeling Rice rgMT as a Plant Metallothionein-Like Protein by the Distance Geometry and Homology Methods

Rice metallothionein-like protein (rgMT) shows characteristics of a three-section pattern composed of two highly conserved cysteine rich (CR) domains in the terminals and a spacer without cysteine (cys) residues in the center of the molecule. In this paper, the two CR domains and the spacer region were modeled by the distance geometry and homology methods separately. For the CR domains, twenty random models were generated for each cys combination based on the constraint conditions of CXC (C represents cys, X represents any amino acid other than cys), and CXXC motifs and a metal-sulfur chelating cluster. Four models for the N-terminal and two for C-terminal CR domain containing metal chelating structures formed by different combinations of cys were selected from 900 possible conformations. The GOR method was used to predict the secondary structure of the spacer region and its model was built by the homology method. After three parts of the protein were modeled, they were connected to form a three-dimensional structure model of rgMT. The whole conformation showed that rgMT could form two independent metal-sulfur chelating structures connected by a spacer peptide, without a structural or energy barrier for them to form two independent metal-chelating clusters just as mammalian metallothionein (MT) proteins. As all plant metallothionein-like (MT-L) proteins have the same primary structural characteristic, two CR domains connected by a spacer region, and many have the same cys arrangement pattern as rgMT, the three-dimensional structure model of rgMT will provide an important reference for the structural study of other plant MT-L proteins.