Design Experiment Research Articles

Perches used as environmental enrichment influence fast-growth broilers’ biomechanics and locomotor morphometry at the age of 42 days

Currently available conventional breeding methods for broilers often result in impaired biomechanics and skeletal growth for the animals. The addition of environmental enrichment is an alternative which can help alleviate these effects. This study examines the effects of environmental enrichment on biomechanics, morphometry, and bone mass of broilers across various age groups. In total, 112 Cobb 500 chicks (50% male and 50% female) were used in a completely randomized design experiment, with 56 broilers per treatment (T1 and T2), carried out in subdivided plots. Each plot was subjected to a different treatment, as follows: all plots were subjected to the treatments (T1 = environmental enrichment and T2 = no environment enrichment) and the sub-plots held the broilers’ age groups (1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days old). Eight broilers were euthanized on a weekly basis for two production cycles in order to perform morphometric (diameter and length) and biomechanical analysis of the response variables. These measurements were performed on the femur and tibia. Birds were subjected to classical linear fixed effects model and compared through Tukey’s mean test. Significant interactions between environmental enrichment and broiler age were noticed, particularly at 42 days, which displayed bone development for all variables under study. Except for the length of the femur of broiler chickens (p = 0.4638). Therefore, simple effects will not be evaluated. Environmental enrichment had a notable impact on tibia length (p = 0.0035), femur weight (p = 0.0014), and tibia weight (p<0.0001) at 42 days, indicating a favorable effect on skeletal growth in broilers. Enrichment resulted in a 1% increase in femur inertia, a 2% rise in tibia inertia, and a 1% enhancement in ultimate bending stress for both bones, displaying improved structural integrity and durability. Beneficial changes in bone morphology and biomechanics were observed at 42 days after enrichment.

Reclamation and Improvement of Saline Soils Using Organo–Mineral–Natural Resources, Treated Saline Water, and Drip Irrigation Technology

Reclamation and management of saline soil in arid regions fundamentally require more consideration to attain sustainable agriculture. Experiments were conducted at Abo-Kalam Farm, South Sinai, Egypt. Split-split-plot design experiments were carried out to study the effect of treatments on saline soil hydrophysical properties, sorghum, and cv. ‘Dorado’ plants during the summer season. Pea cv. ‘Entsar 3’ plants were cultivated during the winter season for the residual effect of treatments. Organo–mineral amendment (rice straw compost + mineral sulfur at different rates) was assigned as the main factor, natural rock or artificial fertilizers were assigned as subfactors, and humic acid at different rates was the sub-subfactor. Results showed that organo–mineral amendments improved the hydrophysical properties of the soil, plant nutrient uptake, crop yield, and crop water productivity; however, it diminished by 10 tons/fed (4200 m2) of compost plus 700 kg/fed of mineral sulfur. Therefore, it is recommended that economically using the combination of applying organic–mineral amendments of 4 tons/fed of compost plus 400 kg/fed of mineral sulfur and 5 kg/fed of humic acid plus natural rock fertilizer is the best safe management for reclamation and improvement of saline soils using partially treated saline irrigation water and natural resources.

Effects of disability employment on guest perceptions and behavioral intentions in the hotel sector

This study investigates the influence of employing persons with disabilities (PWD) in hotels on consumer behavior, with an emphasis on word of mouth and repurchase intention. The research delves into the underlying mechanisms behind these effects and examines potential boundary conditions using hotel characteristics. Utilizing two between-subject design experiments, 1443 responses were analyzed using the propensity score weighting scheme and multigroup analysis. Results reveal that PWD employment in the hotel industry has a positive impact on word of mouth and repurchase intention through the moral decision-making process, specifically progressing from moral judgement to moral obligation, and perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR). These effects remain consistent across different hotel star ratings and whether chain or independent. The findings enhance the literature on equality, diversity and inclusion by identifying the underlying mechanism of how hotel guests respond to PWD employment in the hotel industry, drawing insights from moral psychology and perceived CSR.

The Effect of Interaction between Training Methods and Eye-Hand Coordination on the Accuracy of the Forehand Groundstroke of Court Tennis

This study aims to determine the Effect of Training Methods on the Accuracy of Court Tennis Reviewed from Eye Hand Coordination. This study uses a 2x2 factorial design experiment, which is an experimental design method that combines several independent variables while still considering the potential impact of factorials. Moderator variable on the outcome or independent variable. This research was carried out at the Kentoeng Tennis Academy Sukoharjo Field, Pojok, Mulur, Bendosari District, Sukoharjo Regency. There was no effect of interaction between eye hand treatment and coordination on the improvement of accuracy Groundstroke forehand . This is evidenced by the results of the anova statis tical test with a probability value of 0.841 > 0.05. The test results with 2-way anova statistics were obtained in the interaction test, a calculated f value of 0.042 and a probability of 0.841. Based on the criteria mentioned above, the probability of > 0.05 means that the interaction factor does not affect the improvement of the accuracy of the forehand groundstroke of the court. The interaction factor means that the training method and eye-hand coordination do not work together to improve the accuracy of the forehand groundstroke court tennis. So, Hypothesis 3 which states: there is an interaction between training methods and eye-hand coordination on improving the accuracy of the forehand groundstroke of the tennis court, is rejected.

Opportunities for retrieval and tool augmented large language models in scientific facilities

AbstractUpgrades to advanced scientific user facilities such as next-generation x-ray light sources, nanoscience centers, and neutron facilities are revolutionizing our understanding of materials across the spectrum of the physical sciences, from life sciences to microelectronics. However, these facility and instrument upgrades come with a significant increase in complexity. Driven by more exacting scientific needs, instruments and experiments become more intricate each year. This increased operational complexity makes it ever more challenging for domain scientists to design experiments that effectively leverage the capabilities of and operate on these advanced instruments. Large language models (LLMs) can perform complex information retrieval, assist in knowledge-intensive tasks across applications, and provide guidance on tool usage. Using x-ray light sources, leadership computing, and nanoscience centers as representative examples, we describe preliminary experiments with a Context-Aware Language Model for Science (CALMS) to assist scientists with instrument operations and complex experimentation. With the ability to retrieve relevant information from facility documentation, CALMS can answer simple questions on scientific capabilities and other operational procedures. With the ability to interface with software tools and experimental hardware, CALMS can conversationally operate scientific instruments. By making information more accessible and acting on user needs, LLMs could expand and diversify scientific facilities’ users and accelerate scientific output.

Training transfer validity of virtual reality simulator assessment

This study utilises computer-based simulations to explore the transfer effects of competency training in maritime education, addressing the current lack of research on their transferability to real-world scenarios.The research explores the accuracy of procedural knowledge assessment using virtual reality (VR), positing that head-mounted display (HMD) VR offers stronger concurrent validity through training transfer measures than 3D desktop VR. This is evaluated by regression on a training transfer condition. It also investigates motivation’s influence on training transfer and the regression model of this relationship.Fifteen marine engineering students were divided into two experimental groups using 3D desktop VR and HMD VR systems, with eight experts in the control group. The students had previously received traditional lecture-based instruction and were given practical training using a 2D desktop simulator in the same scenario as in the VR treatment and in the training transfer condition.The ANCOVA design experiment involved two levels of technical immersion before the operation of real-life equipment. Neither technical immersion nor expertise level as independent variables were found to have a significant effect in the relationship of the assessment predicting the training transfer. The direct relationship was significant (R2adj = 0.436) and further analysed with the influence of motivation, resulting in a moderation model with a decent effect size (R2 = 0.740). Based on these findings, we can infer that both types of VR simulations used for assessment demonstrate concurrent validity in predicting real-life performance before we discuss and define the characteristics of the observed transfer according to theory.

Preparation and characterization of UV-Curable phosphate ester-containing acrylate resin adhesive for dental zirconia restorations

Fumed silica was utilized as a filler, methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (MDP) served as a reactive monomer, and acrylate acted as a resin monomer to develop zirconia adhesives for dental acrylate resins containing phosphate esters. A uniform design, orthogonal tests, and single-variable experiments were conducted to vary the composition of each component. The effects of different composition ratios on the mechanical properties, hydrophilicity, flowability, and volumetric shrinkage of dental resin adhesives were studied in detail. The resin matrix composition included 43.6 wt% Bis-GMA, 28.2 wt% triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), and 28.2 wt% hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). The photocurable system composition consisted of 4 % camphorquinone (CQ), 2.4 % ethyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate (EDB), 3.2 % dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA), and 1 % butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). The adhesive monomer was 12 % MDP, and the filler system comprised 2 % R972 and 3 % OX50. The light curing time was set at 60 s. The adhesive exhibited optimal performance with a bonding strength of 35.9 MPa and a volumetric shrinkage of 13.3 %. According to this study, the proposed zirconia adhesive featuring a phosphate-containing acrylic ester group is a potential light-curing dental resin adhesive with a straightforward synthesis procedure, minimal volumetric shrinkage, good bonding strength, and an appropriate photocuring time.

A Theoretical Model-Based Methodology to the Design of Soft Structures: A Case Study of Pneumatic Mesh Actuators

Soft robots offer significant potential in various fields, including healthcare, education, and rescue operations, where actuators are critical components that influence power, precision, and environmental adaptability. However, the nonlinear properties of hyperelastic materials often necessitate reliance on empirical methods and extensive experimentation for actuator design. This study introduces a methodology for designing soft structures, exemplified by pneumatic mesh actuators. Utilizing numerical simulations to investigate deformation patterns and applying the principle of virtual work within a segmented constant curvature framework, a theoretical model was developed to describe the relationships between input air pressure, bending angle of a single airbag, and wall thickness. To validate the model's accuracy and applicability, bending tests were performed on actuators with varying wall thicknesses. A new pneumatic mesh actuator was designed and fabricated using the proposed method, with the experimental results showing a deviation of only 0.27° from the target bending angle under the specified air pressure. This confirms the effectiveness of the proposed design approach. This methodology has potential applications beyond pneumatic mesh actuators, extending to other areas of soft structure design.

Robust super-twisting-based disturbance observer for autonomous underwater vehicles: Design, stability analysis, and real-time experiments

Robust super-twisting-based disturbance observer for autonomous underwater vehicles: Design, stability analysis, and real-time experiments

Comprehensive Design and Preliminary Experiments of Liquid Hydrogen Storage Tank for Trucks

Comprehensive Design and Preliminary Experiments of Liquid Hydrogen Storage Tank for Trucks

“I can be the weird STEM kid who is also gay”: Queer rightful presence in STEM making

ABSTRACT Background STEM participation is often associated with the disenfranchisement of historically marginalized individuals. Disrupting these standing injustices to establish rightful presence with equitable opportunity, access, and cultural standing to shape and pursue STEM endeavors in ways that are inclusive of individuals’ identities is a critical objective. However, research to understand and facilitate STEM experiences of queer youth what are also navigating their own relationships with gender- and heteronormativity is limited. Making—employing STEM to design artifacts in an informal learning environment—can disrupt conventional approaches to STEM activity in ways that support inclusive STEM engagement through crafting and personalized design. Method This social design experiment examines the ways in which the design of maker activities and spaces can support queer rightful presence within STEM spaces. Findings We found that maker communities can frame and collectively engage issues of identity formulation that are both dynamic and fluid in nature as part of bolstering STEM affinity. As participants’ multifaceted identities unfolded through making projects that deliberately invited identity into design, they established rightful presence for intertwined queer and STEM identities. Contribution This study extends the rightful presence framework to engage fluid, queer identities and illustrates making rightful presence practices that deliberately engage multifaceted identities.

Rational development of fingolimod nano-embedded microparticles as nose-to-brain neuroprotective therapy for ischemic stroke.

Ischemic stroke is one of the major diseases causing varying degrees of dysfunction and disability worldwide. The current management of ischemic stroke poses significant challenges due to short therapeutic windows and limited efficacy, highlighting the pressing need for novel neuroprotective treatment strategies. Previous studies have shown that fingolimod (FIN) is a promising neuroprotective drug. Here, we report the rational development of FIN nano-embedded nasal powders using full factorial design experiments, aiming to provide rapid neuroprotection after ischemic stroke. Flash nanoprecipitation was employed to produce FIN nanosuspensions with the aid of polyvinylpyrrolidone and cholesterol as stabilizers. The optimized nanosuspension (particle size = 134.0 ± 0.6nm, PDI = 0.179 ± 0.021, physical stability = 72 ± 0h, and encapsulation efficiency of FIN = 90.67 ± 0.08%) was subsequently spray-dried into a dry powder, which exhibited excellent redispersibility (RdI = 1.09 ± 0.04) and satisfactory drug deposition in the olfactory region using a customized 3D-printed nasal cast (45.4%) and an Alberta Idealized Nasal Inlet model (8.6%) at 15L/min. The safety of the optimized FIN nano-embedded dry powder was confirmed in cytotoxicity studies with nasal (RPMI 2650 and Calu-3 cells) and brain related cells (SH-SY5Y and PC 12 cells), while the neuroprotective effects were demonstrated by observed behavioral improvements and reduced cerebral infarct size in a middle cerebral artery occlusion mouse stroke model. The neuroprotective effect was further evidenced by increased expression of anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2 and decreased expression of pro-apoptotic proteins CC3 and BAX in brain peri-infarct tissues. Our findings highlight the potential of nasal delivery of FIN nano-embedded dry powder as a rapid neuroprotective treatment strategy for acute ischemic stroke.

Practical Teaching Case: Experimental Eye-Tracking Study on Library Virtual Space Design

Eye-tracking experiments can be used to evaluate the popularity of design spaces. In this thesis, eye-tracking experiments are employed in the practical teaching of the “Ergonomics” course to provide feedback on the feasibility of library virtual space design. Firstly, in the course teaching, research subjects were selected and two virtual library spaces were built for eye-tracking experiments, with results showing that applying eye-tracking technology to space design is feasible, and participants prefer conventional library virtual spaces. Meanwhile, it is further confirmed that the use of design experiment feedback in practical teaching reform can improve students' subjective enthusiasm.

Lifecycle DoE—The Companion for a Holistic Development Process

Within process development, numerous experimental studies are undertaken to establish, optimize and characterize individual bioprocess unit operations. These studies pursue diverse objectives such as enhancing titer or minimizing impurities. Consequently, Design of Experiment (DoE) studies are planned and analyzed independently from each other, making it challenging to interlink individual data sets to form a comprehensive overview at the conclusion of the development process. This paper elucidates the methodology for constructing a Life-Cycle-DoE (LDoE), which integrates data-driven process knowledge through design augmentations. It delves into the strategy, highlights the challenges encountered and provides solutions for overcoming them. The LDoE approach facilitates the augmentation of an existing model with new experiments in a unified design. It allows for flexible design adaptations as per the requirements of subject matter experts (SME) during process development, concurrently enhancing model predictions by utilizing all available data. The LDoE boasts a broad application spectrum as it consolidates all data generated within bioprocess development into a single file and model. The study demonstrates that the LDoE approach enables a process characterization study (PCS) to be performed solely with development data. Furthermore, it identifies potentially critical process parameters (pCPPs) early, allowing for timely adaptations in process development to address these challenges.

Digitized Seedbed Soil Quality Assessment from Worn and Edge Hardened Cultivator Sweeps

Tillage tools for seedbed soil management are often subjected to low stress abrasion wear, which could negatively affect seedbed quality and crop productivity. Limited studies exist that quantify the effects of worn tillage tools on seedbed quality and crop yield. This research investigated the influence of tillage tool wear on seedbed preparation by evaluating the effect of cultivator sweep wear on soil tilth utilizing a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor. The framework consists of a seedbed tillage field experiment using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) experiment in six replicates of two-tillage treatments (new and worn cultivator sweeps). After seedbed tillage, loosely tilled soil aggregates were removed to expose the seedbed soil profile, and then seedbed roughness statistical measures were estimated from LiDAR-scanned seedbed soil surface. Three statistical analyses (Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Kolmogorov–Smirnov (KS), and Earth Mover’s Distance (EMD)) were compared to quantitatively evaluate the soil roughness estimated from the LiDAR seedbed surface data. Seedbed prepared by new and worn cultivator sweeps showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in soil roughness variables of standard deviation, coefficient of variation, and kurtosis. Data analysis from the ANOVA and KS methods revealed that LiDAR-extracted soil roughness patterns were statistically influenced by tillage treatment. EMD analysis detected noticeable disparities between the tillage treatments and new versus worn cultivator sweeps. This study concludes that tillage tool wear substantively affects seedbed quality, as evidenced by LiDAR soil profile estimated attributes of soil roughness and three statistical methods (ANOVA, KS, and EMD). Our study supports the adoption of LiDAR technology for seedbed management, highlighting its applicability to evaluate seedbed quality that accounts for the wear life cycle of cultivator sweeps.

Beyond the matrix: Experimental approaches to studying cognitive agents in social-ecological systems

Social-ecological systems, in which agents interact with each other and their environment are important both for sustainability applications and for under- standing how human cognition functions in context. In such systems, the en- vironment shapes the agents' experience and actions, and in turn collective action of agents changes social and physical aspects of the environment. Here we review current investigation approaches, which rely on a lean design, with discrete actions and outcomes and little scope for varying environmental pa- rameters and cognitive demands. We then introduce multiagent reinforcement learning (MARL) approach, which builds on modern artificial intelligence tech- niques, which provides new avenues to model complex social worlds, while pre- serving more of their characteristics, and allowing them to capture a variety of social phenomena. These techniques can be fed back to the laboratory where they make it easier to design experiments in complex social situations without compromising their tractability for computational modeling. We showcase the potential MARL by discussing several recent studies that have used it, detail- ing the way environmental settings and cognitive constraints can lead to the emergence of complex cooperation strategies. This novel approach can help re- searchers bring together insights from human cognition, sustainability, and AI, to tackle real world problems of social-ecological systems.

Wear studies on friction stir processed surface modified AZ61 magnesium alloy with nano titanium oxide

ABSTRACT Surface modification of magnesium alloy enables the improvement of wear characteristics for use in sliding applications and places where surface hardness improvement is essential without affecting the microstructure of the underneath material. In this study, a pin-on disc wear test was used to examine the dry sliding wear behaviour of AZ61 Mg alloy reinforced with nTiO2 by a recursive friction stir processing technique. The trio-behavior of the surface-modified Mg alloy was detailed by the response surface methodology-central composite design matrix with the use of design experiments, considering three levels of reinforcement (%), sliding speed, and axial load parameters. In order to achieve the desired results of minimal wear loss, lower friction coefficient (COF), and lower friction force between surfaces (FF), this present work employed design expert software to develop a generative mathematical model to optimize the process parameters. Wear mechanisms were investigated using images captured by scanning electron microscope.

Optimisation of Lactobacillus fermentation conditions and its application in the fermentation of salt-free sauerkraut.

To identify what are the dominant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) involved in the fermentation of salt-free sauerkraut, and optimize its industrial culture conditions, we isolated and identified a strain of LAB, which is referred to as Lactobacillus sp. DF_001, with the preservation number CCTCC NO: M20232593, from five different regions in Guizhou Province. Industrial culture conditions were optimized using Plackett-Burman and Central Composite design experiments, and the potential role of this LAB in salt-free sauerkraut fermentation was validated. Bioproduction was optimal with a culture time of 66 h, starch/water ratio of 1.7% and inoculum of 0.02%, which gave approximately three-fold higher yield than the basal culture medium DeMan-Rogosa-Sharpe medium (MRS). The LAB was used in small-scale industrial experiments. The Dafang LAB significantly enhanced the sensory score of the salt-free sauerkraut products by about 32% compared to the control group. The total acid content increased by about 32% and the sugar and nitrite contents were reduced by 67.27 and 69.58%, respectively. The total number of bacterial colonies decreased by 37.5%. All other indicators complied with the national standard, providing overall the basis to improve salt-free sauerkraut fermentation.

Assessing the Effect of Specimen Preparation Methods on DSR Test Results of Bitumen Using Factorial Design Analysis.

A two-level three-factor factorial design experiment was conducted to study the influences of three critical specimen preparation parameters on the measurement results of bitumen by a dynamic shear rheometer (DSR). The investigated factors were (1) the pre-heating temperature (HT) for manufacturing the specimen, (2) the bonding temperature (BT) onto the rheometer, and (3) the trimming (Trim) operation for preparing the specimen after bonding. The analysed data were the measured shear modulus |G*|, phase angle δ, and the characteristic temperatures of bitumen's specific stiffness TX with corresponding phase angle δTX according to the European standard EN 14770:2023. Five types of bitumen were tested, including three penetration grades and two modified bitumen specimens (with polymer and wax additives). In addition, a repeatability evaluation of the test results was conducted. We found that the trimming operation for preparing the specimen has a noticeable impact when using smaller plates (PP08) for the DSR measurement. At higher test temperatures when using larger plates (PP25), the trimming operation does not significantly impact the measured parameters, in contrast to the HT and BT. Except for bitumen type 70/100, modified binders are more susceptible to variation in the analysed parameters than unmodified ones. The three-way interaction Trim:BT:HT tends to cause relatively little variation in measured data. Interactions between two factors Trim:BT, Trim:HT, and BT:HT contribute more to the fluctuation in δ value than in TX and |G*|. The variation employed in this study affects the test repeatability of wax-modified bitumen significantly; however, for unmodified binders the repeatability of TX and δTX are within 0.4-2.1 °C and 0.3-3.1°, respectively.

Hydrodynamic cavitation assisted pretreatment of sugarcane bagasse in the presence of yeast cell mass for the production of sugars and their use for biopigments production by Monascus ruber

Hydrodynamic cavitation-assisted pretreatment of sugarcane bagasse tested in the, with the addition of yeast extract. This pretreatment was investigated using a 22 central composite design experiment. A total of 11 experiments were performed. The pretreated biomass was then tested for enzymatic hydrolysis for the sugars production. Various enzymatic loadings (15–20 FPU/g biomass) and concentrations of yeast extract (0.25–1 g/L) were studied during the enzymatic hydrolysis. Optimization of yeast extract insertion was performed to simultaneously facilitate the infusion of cellulolytic enzymes into the pores of the pre-treated bagasse concomitantly inhibiting enzyme absorption caused by residual lignin. The optimized results revealed an 81 % glucan hydrolysis yield and a 78 % xylan hydrolysis yield after the enzymatic hydrolysis under optimized conditions (20 FPU/g and 1 g/L of yeast extract). The hydrolysate rich in sugars derived from carbohydrate polymers and nitrogen sources derived from hydrolysis of yeast cream was assessed for biopigments production by Monascus ruber. The hydrolysate used for M. ruber fermentation showed the production of pigments with 15 AU (absorbance units) for yellow, 15 AU for orange and 20 AU for red after 9 days of fermentation. These results proved the efficiency of using yeast cream as a potential blocking agent of lignin in turn increasing the sugars production and a nitrogen source for the M. ruber for biopigments production from sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate.