Harvesting Methods Research Articles

Study on dynamics and power generation performance coupling of galloping-based triboelectric nanogenerator for harvesting broadband wind energy

In order to innovate the wind energy harvesting method based on galloping and improve galloping-based triboelectric nanogenerator wind energy harvesting performance, a galloping-based square cylinder triboelectric nanogenerator (GSC-TENG) is proposed in this work. The GSC-TENG consists of a square cylinder bluff body, a triboelectrification embedded in the bluff body, a cantilever beam and a base. The response of the aerodynamics and power generation performance of the GSC-TENG with a high mass ratio (m*=526.6) to the system damping ratio (0.0106, 0.0304 and 0.0568) and wind speed (0.6–12.4 m/s) are studied through CFD simulation and wind tunnel test. The critical wind speed, amplitude and power generation performance of systems with different damping ratios are analyzed in detail, and the wind speed range corresponding to the maximum amplitude is determined. By increasing the stiffness and damping ratio of the system, the output performance under high wind speed conditions can be enhanced and stabilized. Compared with the GSC-TENG with damping ratio 0.0106, the output power of the GSC-TENG with damping ratio 0.0568 at the wind speed of 4.0 m/s is enhanced by 141 times, which is up to 62.25 W/m3. To harness a broadband wind energy, a novel galloping-based TENG is introduced. Analyzing the dynamic characteristics of square cylinder bluff body with different damping ratios is of significant meaning to the design and improve of the galloping-based triboelectric wind energy harvester.

A Review of Perception Technologies for Berry Fruit-Picking Robots: Advantages, Disadvantages, Challenges, and Prospects

Berries are nutritious and valuable, but their thin skin, soft flesh, and fragility make harvesting and picking challenging. Manual and traditional mechanical harvesting methods are commonly used, but they are costly in labor and can damage the fruit. To overcome these challenges, it may be worth exploring alternative harvesting methods. Using berry fruit-picking robots with perception technology is a viable option to improve the efficiency of berry harvesting. This review presents an overview of the mechanisms of berry fruit-picking robots, encompassing their underlying principles, the mechanics of picking and grasping, and an examination of their structural design. The importance of perception technology during the picking process is highlighted. Then, several perception techniques commonly used by berry fruit-picking robots are described, including visual perception, tactile perception, distance measurement, and switching sensors. The methods of these four perceptual techniques used by berry-picking robots are described, and their advantages and disadvantages are analyzed. In addition, the technical characteristics of perception technologies in practical applications are analyzed and summarized, and several advanced applications of berry fruit-picking robots are presented. Finally, the challenges that perception technologies need to overcome and the prospects for overcoming these challenges are discussed.

S2CPL: A novel method of the harvest evaluation and subsoil 3D cutting-Point location for selective harvesting of green asparagus

Robotic selective harvesting is an ideal method for bionic manual harvest of green asparagus. However, the harvesting robot encounters difficulties in evaluating the suitable harvest due to the tilt and bending of the long stem, as well as determining the precise location of the subsoil cutting-point to prevent damage from bacteria on the cutting surface. This paper proposed the S2CPL model to address the challenges of the harvest evaluation and 3D localization of subsoil cutting-point for selective harvesting of green asparagus in field conditions. Firstly, an RGB-D sensor was used to acquire images and depth information of green asparaguses. Secondly, the improved YOLOv8 by introduced lightweight convolution and attention mechanisms in the feature fusion module to enhance the segmentation accuracy. Thirdly, a 3D morphology extraction method was proposed to calculate the length and diameter of green asparagus by utilizing the image mask fusion with depth information. Finally, harvest evaluation and subsoil 3D cutting-point location were achieved for robotic selective harvesting. In addition, the RGB-D sensor posture was optimized. The test results showed that the Intersection over Union (IoU) of green asparagus segmentation with S2CPL reaches 98.0 %, which outperforms YOLOv5 + uNet, YOLOv7 + uNet and YOLOv8-tiny by 5.60 %, 4.59 % and 1.34 % respectively. The average detection time per image was only 2.0 ms, and the GFLOPS was improved by 23.90 %, 88.49 % and 7.63 % compared with other models. The relative error of the length and diameter were less than 2.98 % and 2.15 %, respectively. The accuracy of location the subsoil cutting-point is more than 99.0 %, and the horizontal positioning error and depth positioning error of cutting-points were less than 6.0 mm and 7.4 mm. The proposed model is of strong robustness even dealing with partial occlusion and motion blur and is suitable with limited computing power to meet the needs of Robotic selective harvesting.

Analysis of the cultivation of canola hybrids at different sowing dates

Rich in oil and protein, canola is a significantly promising crop and is widely explored as an alternative to grain cultivation in the winter period. Recently, canola oil has been largely consumed due to a variety of health benefits and low production costs. Nonetheless, impasses such as determining the correct sowing date and optimizing harvesting methods make it difficult to expand cultivation. Accordingly, the purpose of the study was to evaluate the performance of two canola hybrids on three sowing dates and distinct harvesting procedures. The study was conducted in Cachoeira do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, on three sowing dates (2019, 2020, and 2021), with two hybrids (Hyola 433 and Hyola 575 CL). The methods of direct harvesting, direct harvesting with the application of adjuvant, cut-row, and cut-row with the application of adjuvant were evaluated. The main yield components were determined, in addition to biochemical parameters, such as oil and protein content and determination of oil quality (acid, peroxide, iodine, extinction, and saponification indices). Appropriately, this study indicated that canola is significantly sensitive to climatic conditions, mainly to temperature and sowing time, reducing grain and biomass yield in late sowing and resulting in serious harvest losses. Oil and grain protein contents were affected by climatic conditions. Nevertheless, the protein content was not affected by late sowing. Canola oil presented significant chemical conditions, with a correlation between the crops with higher oil yield and better oil quality.

Energy harvesting from carbon-based rope driven by capillary flow

Harvesting energy from the natural environment has garnered significant interest due to its eco-friendliness and spontaneity. Here, we present a novel carbon-based rope hydrovoltaic generator, fabricated by a straightforward dip-coating method. Water infiltrates the rope and flows driven by capillary forces, creating a wet/dry interface. An electrical double layer (EDL) forms at the carbon-water interface where wetting occurs, causing protons to accumulate between the wet and dry regions and establishing a substantial potential difference. Under environmental conditions, this setup can induce an open circuit voltage of approximately 0.4 V when a 0.01 mL droplet is applied to the carbon-based rope (with a resistance of 1 MΩ). As a proof of concept, the output performance can be scaled through series and parallel connections, successfully charging a 100 μF capacitor that powers a digital calculator. This simple and flexible hydrovoltaic device provides a new method for clean energy harvesting in practical applications.

A piezoelectric-electromagnetic hybrid energy harvester for rotational motion driven by magnetic repulsion

Harvesting energy from rotational motion is an efficient and widely used technology that provides power support for various electronic devices and systems by converting mechanical kinetic energy into electrical energy. This energy harvesting method shows great potential and advantages in industrial automation, transportation, wind power generation, and smart homes. This study proposes a piezoelectric-electromagnetic hybrid energy harvester (HEH) for rotational motion driven by magnetic repulsion. HEH comprises of two parts: a piezoelectric energy harvester (PEH) and an electromagnetic energy harvester (EMH). HEH utilizes the magnetic drive reciprocating motion to enhance the energy collection efficiency of PEH and EMH. Additionally, by adding the magnetic effect to the ends of bimorph piezoelectric sheets, the spectrum of energy harvesting is expanded. Its parameters are analyzed using theoretical analysis and simulation, and an experimental testbed is established to explore the influence of HEH output performance. The results indicate that the output power reaches its maximum when there are 2 circular magnets on the rotor, the gap distance of magnets is 15 mm, and 2 mass blocks at the end of the bimorph piezoelectric sheet. The PEH and EMH outputs are 173.36 V and 4.81 V, respectively. The maximum output power of HEH is 53.45 mW. The power density can reach 6.818 mW cm−3. Compared with PEH and EMH, the output performance is improved by 46.94% and 174.95%, respectively. When the rotation speed is 500 r min−1, HEH can effortlessly light up 80 LEDs. The experimental results all demonstrate the potential of HEH to power low-power sensors.

Carbon footprint of the predominant mechanized timber harvesting methods in the Northeastern US

Estimating carbon footprint of forest operations is essential to budget the environmental impacts of the industry. The study objectives were to a) assess the carbon footprint of whole-tree (WT), cut-to-length (CTL), and hybrid cut-to-length (Hyb CTL) harvesting methods in the Northeastern US; b) assess global warming potential of various processes involved in timber harvesting for different harvest methods; and c) evaluate variation in the carbon footprint for the summer and winter harvest. SimaPro 9.3.0.3 software and allied databases (USLCI and US-EI 2.2) adhering to ISO 14,040 and 14,044 standards were used for cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) with a functional unit of 1 tonne of green roundwood. Tool for reduction and assessment of chemicals and other environmental impacts (TRACI v 2.1) was used for impact assessment. The input variables were quantity of fuel (liter tonne-1) and lubricants (kg tonne-1) for respective harvesting operations. The results of LCA showed that carbon footprint was highest for WT (11.57 kg CO2 eq), followed by Hyb CTL (11.09 kg CO2 eq) and CTL (9.91 kg CO2 eq) methods. Secondary transportation (trucking) had highest global warming potential among the processes. Winter harvest had a higher carbon footprint than summer by 2 and 3 percent, respectively, for CTL and Hyb CTL methods. The extra time needed to warm up engine resulted in a higher carbon footprint for winter harvest. Higher carbon footprint for WT method can be attributed to greater number of equipment involved for WT resulting in more fuel consumption, compared to other methods. Among the stump-to-landing processes, skidding contributed foremost in WT, whereas felling and processing in CTL, and processing in Hyb CTL, respectively. These results could be used in the upstream process for future LCA of different wood products manufactured in the region.

Novel approach for forest road maintenance using smartphone sensor data and deep learning methods

ABSTRACT High costs primarily pose challenges to forest management in planning and executing the repair of forest roads. With budget limitations and inadequate oversight, it has become critically essential to monitor the state of these roads. Monitoring the condition of forest roads has become imperative, driven by budget constraints and a lack of effective supervision. While smartphones have proven effective in detecting road defects on public roads, their application on forest roads is hindered by the absence of suitable indices and software infrastructure. Addressing this gap, this research focuses on the development of the Forest Road Pavement Condition Index (FRPCI) to facilitate smartphone-based monitoring. We collected and compared data from 4 kilometers of forest roads, employing two traditional harvesting methods alongside smartphone sensor data. Utilizing deep learning methods, including Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM), and CNN-LSTM, we processed the collected data. Signal processing using GPS data, coupled with wavelet transformation, demonstrated promising results with an accuracy and recall exceeding 80%. The proposed system functions as a distributed information system, transitioning data from organizational mode to field mode. It measures damage, assesses forest road conditions, and leverages image processing and GPS technologies. This monitoring system technology offers capabilities for preparing, storing, updating, maintaining, and analyzing diverse information. Importantly, adopting this method can significantly reduce operating costs, making forest road monitoring for maintenance purposes more feasible.

Optimizing Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Regenerative Medicine: Influence of Diabetes, Obesity, Autoimmune, and Inflammatory Conditions on Therapeutic Efficacy: A Review.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a promising tool that may be used in regenerative medicine. Thanks to their ability to differentiate and paracrine signaling, they can be used in the treatment of many diseases. Undifferentiated MSCs can support the regeneration of surrounding tissues through secreted substances and exosomes. This is possible thanks to the production of growth factors. These factors stimulate the growth of neighboring cells, have an anti-apoptotic effect, and support angiogenesis, and MSCs also have an immunomodulatory effect. The level of secreted factors may vary depending on many factors. Apart from the donor's health condition, it is also influenced by the source of MSCs, methods of harvesting, and even the banking of cells. This work is a review of research on how the patient's health condition affects the properties of obtained MSCs. The review discusses the impact of the patient's diabetes, obesity, autoimmune diseases, and inflammation, as well as the impact of the source of MSCs and methods of harvesting and banking cells on the phenotype, differentiation capacity, anti-inflammatory, angiogenic effects, and proliferation potential of MSCs. Knowledge about specific clinical factors allows for better use of the potential of stem cells and more appropriate targeting of procedures for collecting, multiplying, and banking these cells, as well as for their subsequent use. This article aims to review the characteristics, harvesting, banking, and paracrine signaling of MSCs and their role in diabetes, obesity, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, and potential role in regenerative medicine.

A human–wildlife conflict: potential impacts of fatal harvesting approaches on medicinal plants in Free State Province, South Africa

ABSTRACT Human-wildlife conflict has taken center stage in global biodiversity degradation, yet researchers have mainly focused on animals. Medicinal plants are declining globally, partly because of over-harvesting which is considered a form of human-wildlife conflict in this study. Compared with other provinces in South Africa, Free State has limited information on the use of medicinal plants and the impacts of over-harvesting the species. We investigated the potential impacts of over-harvesting the plant species for medicinal purposes and determined the potential conservation implications of the harvesting methods in Free State Province, South Africa. We show that 89 plant species from 43 families were used for traditional medicine. The most-used species were Pachycarpus rigidus (12%; N=211), followed by Dicoma anomala (9%) with the common plant families being Asteraceae (13.5%; N=89), and Fabaceae (7.9%). The perennial herbs were substantially harvested (58.4%; N=89). The wild indigenous plant species were more preferred compared to alien species (79.2%; N=89). The roots and bulbs were mostly utilized for medicinal material (48.3%; N=89), followed by the leaves (20.2%). We found one ‘rare’ species (Schizoglossum montanum), and two ‘nearly threatened’ species (Merwilla plumbea and Eucomis bicolor). We recommend a socio-ecologically orientated policy intervention for the sustainable use of medicinal plants in South Africa.

The Lateral Wall of the Inferior Meatus as a New Graft Source for Rhinoplasty: Radiological Study and Surgical Technique.

Generally, revision rhinoplasty cases require the use of stiff grafts to restore the lost support. However, the majority of patients indicated for revision surgery present with a lack of a bony cartilaginous framework of the septum, especially after previous septoplasty. Thus, surgeons are compelled to harvest costal cartilage. At the same time, rib graft harvesting is associated with additional trauma and a risk of serious complications. Being ENT surgeons, we often resect a part of the lateral wall of the inferior nasal meatus during the extended endoscopic approach to the maxillary sinus. We supposed that this bone plate could be used as a donor site for rhinoplasty graft harvesting. The aim of our study was a radiological assessment of the feasibility and limits of using the inferior meatus lateral wall (IMLW) as a donor site for rhinoplasty bone graft.A retrospective evaluation of 100 CT scans of sinuses was conducted. Further measurements of the IMLW were performed: average length and width (28.06 ± 4.03 mm and 19.73 ± 3.08 mm, respectively), thickness (0.62 ± 0.21 mm), and average deviation from the sagittal plane (17.7 ± 9.53 degrees). According to the obtained measurements, the described donor site is appropriate for harvesting nice straight bony fragments.The IMLW bone graft was used in four revision rhinoplasty cases. There were no postoperative complications. During the long-term follow-up, patients reported significant improvement in aesthetics, function, and social aspects according to Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation. Thus, the described technique is an easy and safe method for bone harvesting for revision rhinoplasty. Our first experience demonstrated the convenience and stability of IMLW grafts for revision rhinoplasty during the follow-up period of up to 2 years.

Transparent metal-oxide photovoltaics for energy harvesting and storage for sustainable platforms

A transparent photovoltaic (TPV) energy harvesting method would provide more degrees of freedom for deployment on windows, buildings, vehicles, and surfaces with less soil dependency. This study designs a TPV-integrated energy storage system (capacitor charger) as a sustainable energy platform. The TPV device comprises a metal-oxide junction with a thin Si layer to enhance light utilization across a broad spectrum. Wide-bandgap metal-oxide-based materials absorb high-energy ultraviolet (UV) photons, while the Si layer captures longer wavelength lights due to the lower bandgap. The TPV structure (FTO/NiO/p+-Si/a-Si/n+-Si/AZO/ITO) exhibits an average visible transparency of 37 % and a power conversion efficiency of 4.97 % under 405 nm UV light illumination. The excellent electrical characteristics with a short-circuit current density of 10.1 mA/cm2 and open-circuit voltage value of 0.79 V allow TPVs to serve as a power source for rapidly charging capacitor banks in the energy storage unit. This PV-linked capacitor energy system can illuminate LED lamps, suggesting an on-site sustainable energy platform. The proposed Si-embedded TPV demonstrates electric power generation across broad wavelengths, enabling the bi-directional PV utilization of sunlight and indoor light sources for energy harvesting both day and night.

Temporal changes in Lycium barbarum fruit separation force and hardness during selective harvesting.

Lycium barbarum, a plant belonging to the Solanaceae family, is widely used in China due to its abundant nutritional value. Although the current mechanized harvesting method of L. barbarum has effectively minimized production expenses, it continues to have the challenge of inconsistent quality of the produced L. barbarum. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the correlation of the separating force and hardness concerning the timing of harvesting, maturity, and variety. Thus, the optimal time for harvesting ripe L. barbarum can be determined to enhance the quality of selectively mechanized harvesting of this fruit. The experiment was conducted in a L. barbarum plantation located in Qinghai Province during the 2023 harvest period. Two occasions were studied focusing on the primary cultivars Ningqi No. 1 and Ningqi No. 7, examining the three ripening stages of L. barbarum harvested at various times throughout the day. The finding of this study showed that the separation force and hardness of L. barbarum fruits were influenced by the harvesting time, the fruit variety, and the level of maturity. The optimal timing for harvesting different types of L. barbarum varies. It was observed that Ningqi No.1 was best to be harvested in the late afternoon and evening (17:00-21:00), whereas Ningqi No.7 was most suitable to be harvested in the morning (7:00-9:00).

Sustainability considerations in bio-hydrogen from bio-algae with the aid of bio-algae cultivation and harvesting: Critical review

Abstract Microalgae present an enticing alternative to conventional fossil fuel-dependent technologies for producing hydrogen, offering an intriguing and sustainable energy source. Numerous strains of microalgae are under investigation for their capacity to generate hydrogen, alongside various techniques and breakthroughs being developed to optimize the process. However, significant hurdles must be addressed for commercial viability, including the high manufacturing costs and the necessity for efficient harvesting and sorting methods. This paper delves into several aspects concerning hydrogen synthesis in algae, encompassing microalgae anatomy and physiology, hydrogen synthesis via photosynthesis and dark fermentation, and the integration of microalgal hydrogen synthesis with other renewable energy sources. The potential for microalgal hydrogen generation is considered pivotal in transitioning toward a future reliant on more renewable and sustainable energy sources. This review aims to serve as a valuable resource for researchers, decision-makers, and anyone interested in the advancement of environmentally conscious energy technology. The primary objective of this research paper is to scrutinize the challenges, opportunities, and potential outcomes associated with eco-friendly bio-hydrogen production through algae. It evaluates the current technological hurdles facing bio-hydrogen synthesis from algae. Graphical abstract Highlights Interest in developing renewable fuels, such as hydrogen from biomass, has surged due to escalating energy demands and the imperative to curtail greenhouse gas emissions. Overview of bio-hydrogen production pathway, reactor designs, and configurations for bio-hydrogen production from bio-algae were explored. Environmental, social sustainability and economic feasibility have been reviewed. Discussion Will bio-hydrogen from bio-algae be a future renewable energy? Which is the best pathway to produce bio-hydrogen from bio-algae? Regarding greenhouse gas emissions, how does the generation of bio-hydrogen from bio-algae compare to conventional hydrogen production techniques? What difficulties lie in increasing the amount of bio-hydrogen produced by bio-algae to satisfy major energy demands?

Monocular Pose Estimation Method for Automatic Citrus Harvesting Using Semantic Segmentation and Rotating Target Detection.

The lack of spatial pose information and the low positioning accuracy of the picking target are the key factors affecting the picking function of citrus-picking robots. In this paper, a new method for automatic citrus fruit harvest is proposed, which uses semantic segmentation and rotating target detection to estimate the pose of a single culture. First, Faster R-CNN is used for grab detection to identify candidate grab frames. At the same time, the semantic segmentation network extracts the contour information of the citrus fruit to be harvested. Then, the capture frame with the highest confidence is selected for each target fruit using the semantic segmentation results, and the rough angle is estimated. The network uses image-processing technology and a camera-imaging model to further segment the mask image of the fruit and its epiphyllous branches and realize the fitting of contour, fruit centroid, and fruit minimum outer rectangular frame and three-dimensional boundary frame. The positional relationship of the citrus fruit to its epiphytic branches was used to estimate the three-dimensional pose of the citrus fruit. The effectiveness of the method was verified through citrus-planting experiments, and then field picking experiments were carried out in the natural environment of orchards. The results showed that the success rate of citrus fruit recognition and positioning was 93.6%, the average attitude estimation angle error was 7.9°, and the success rate of picking was 85.1%. The average picking time is 5.6 s, indicating that the robot can effectively perform intelligent picking operations.

Investigation of in vitro biological activity of young Hordeum vulgare leaf in correlation with its bioactive compounds.

Young shoots of cereals are widely regarded as superfoods with health benefits attributed to their potential antioxidant activity and antioxidant-related effects (e.g. anticancer). The current study aimed to examine the chemical characteristics of Hordeum vulgare methanolic and aqueous extracts and assess their antioxidant activity using the DDPH and ORAC. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of xanthine oxidase was screened. TLC bioautography was employed to determine the polarity of the compounds present in the extracts that exhibited the most potent free radical scavenging activity. Total flavonoid content of the methanolic and aqueous extracts was 0.14mgQE/g and 0.012mgQE/g, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract was found to be more potent, with a value of 0.97 ± 0.13mmolTE/g than the aqueous extract which had no activity. This study presents novel findings on the xanthine inhibitory activity of H. vulgare. The methanolic extract demonstrated moderate inhibition of xanthine oxidase with a value of 23.24%. The results of our study were compared with the phytochemical and pharmacological analysis of Triticum aestivum, and further comparison was made with the data reported in the literature. Inconsistencies were observed in the chemical and pharmacological properties of H. vulgare, which could be a result of using herbal material harvested in different vegetative phases and various methods used for extraction. The findings of our study indicate that the timing of the harvest and extraction method may play crucial role in attaining the optimal phytochemical composition of H. vulgare, hence enhancing its pharmacological activity.

Unveiling the mysteries of Asian herbivores resource partitioning in tropical wet-grassland ecosystem

Ecological niche partitioning is fundamental for the coexistence of sympatric species. However, the relationship between herbivore body size and forage availability on resource segregation and selection remains debatable. This study quantifies the niche differentiation and selectivity of forage species consumed by six Asian large herbivores (SLH), including mega-herbivores like Greater one-horned rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis), Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) and Asiatic wild buffalo (Bubalus arnee), and meso-herbivores like swamp deer (Rucervus duvaucelii), hog deer (Axis porcinus) and sambar (Rusa unicolor) in tropical wet-grasslands of the Brahmaputra floodplains. We hypothesized that body size influences dietary niche breadth and interspecific dietary similarities or dissimilarities, while forage availability influences forage selectivity among Asian herbivores. We used micro-histological technique, harvest method and Jacobs Index to quantify SLH foraging patterns, forage availability and preference, respectively. Results of the study revealed high niche breadth for elephant (0.56>Bs≤0.74) among mega-herbivores and for sambar (0.49>Bs≤0.64) among meso-herbivores. SLH showed a significant positive correlation between body size and niche breadth in wet season. High dietary overlap was recorded between buffalo and hog deer (0.79–0.86) and swamp deer and hog deer (0.75–0.86) among SLH, rhino and buffalo (0.80–0.83) among mega-herbivores, and swamp deer and hog deer (0.75–0.86) among meso-herbivores. High dietary dissimilarity was recorded between elephant and swamp deer (36–37 %), elephant and buffalo (27–33 %), and swamp deer and sambar (27–29 %). Compared to dry season (1354.54 ±641.30 g m˗2), significantly higher biomass was recorded in wet season (3026.93 ±1632.65 g m˗2; p<0.05). From dry to wet season, rhino, buffalo and hog deer shift their preferred forage from dicot to monocot. Dicot was the most preferred forage of elephant among mega-herbivores, and monocot of swamp deer and sambar among meso-herbivores. Mega- and meso-herbivores avoid invasives Merremia umbellata and Mimosa spp., while meso-herbivores avoid Mikania micrantha. Body size explains niche partitioning only for rhino, elephant and swamp deer. Forage availability contributed to niche breadth and forage preference. In conclusion, forage segregation, despite being challenging to interpret at taxonomic level, influences niche partitioning among mega- and meso-herbivores.

Bed-scale rockweed harvest findings are not altered by study critiques, a response to Seeley et al.

Seeley et al., 2024 (Comment: A reexamination of Johnston et al., 2023, bed-scale impact and recovery of a commercially important intertidal seaweed. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 574) describe a number of reasons that they believe our study's experimental design was flawed and our inferential conclusions were incorrect. We believe that these claims are the result of misunderstandings of the objectives behind our sampling design and statistical analyses. Throughout this response to Seeley et al., we reiterate key objectives of our study design: examining rockweed harvest at a whole-bed scale, realistically capturing the effects of current commercial rockweed harvest methods in Maine, and using coastwide site averages to estimate effect sizes of rockweed harvest. The first claim by Seeley et al. that our study design severely undersampled rockweed beds ignores established sampling methodologies in rockweed research. The suggestion that our sampling design resulted in impact sites that were de facto control sites is not supported by our analyses that showed greater declines in mean rockweed height and biomass at impact sites relative to control sites. In response to their second claim that rockweed companies had control of key elements of our study design and execution, we detail our specific approaches to lessen any possibility for such conflicts to bias our findings. In the final section of our response, we present power analyses in support of our Before-After Control-Impact study design and we highlight the statistically significant effects of treatment on rockweed biomass that contradict Seeley et al.'s claim that we drew conclusions about biomass recovery based solely on large p-values.

Scott-Russel Linkage-Based Triboelectric Self-Powered Sensor for Contact Material-Independent Force Sensing and Tactile Recognition.

The rapid growth of Internet of Things (IoT) in recent years has increased demand for various sensors to collect a wide range of data. Among various sensors, the demand for force sensors that can recognize physical phenomena in 3D space has notably increased. Recent research has focused on developing energy harvesting methods for sensors to address their maintenance problems. Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) based force sensors are a promising solution for converting external motion into electrical signals. However, conventional TENG-based force sensors that use the signal peak can negatively affect data accuracy. In this study, a Scott-Russell linkage-inspired TENG (SRI-TENG) is developed. The SRI-TENG has completely separate signal generation and measurement sections, and the number of peaks in the electrical output is measured to prevent disturbing output signals. In addition, the lubricant liquid enhances durability, enabling stable force signal measurements for 270000 cycles. The SRI system demonstrates consistent peak counts and high accuracy across different contacting surfaces, indicating that it can function as a contact material-independent self-powered force sensor. Furthermore, using a deep learning method, it is demonstrated that it can function as a multimodal sensor by realizing the tactile properties of various materials.

Structurally and mechanically tuned macroporous hydrogels for scalable mesenchymal stem cell–extracellular matrix spheroid production

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are essential in regenerative medicine. However, conventional expansion and harvesting methods often fail to maintain the essential extracellular matrix (ECM) components, which are crucial for their functionality and efficacy in therapeutic applications. Here, we introduce a bone marrow-inspired macroporous hydrogel designed for the large-scale production of MSC-ECM spheroids. Through a soft-templating approach leveraging liquid-liquid phase separation, we engineer macroporous hydrogels with customizable features, including pore size, stiffness, bioactive ligand distribution, and enzyme-responsive degradability. These tailored environments are conducive to optimal MSC proliferation and ease of harvesting. We find that soft hydrogels enhance mechanotransduction in MSCs, establishing a standard for hydrogel-based 3D cell culture. Within these hydrogels, MSCs exist as both cohesive spheroids, preserving their innate vitality, and as migrating entities that actively secrete functional ECM proteins. Additionally, we also introduce a gentle, enzymatic harvesting method that breaks down the hydrogels, allowing MSCs and secreted ECM to naturally form MSC-ECM spheroids. These spheroids display heightened stemness and differentiation capacity, mirroring the benefits of a native ECM milieu. Our research underscores the significance of sophisticated materials design in nurturing distinct MSC subpopulations, facilitating the generation of MSC-ECM spheroids with enhanced therapeutic potential.