bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Machine Learning and Internet of Things-Based Online Fault Diagnosis Method for Photovoltaic Arrays
Authors: Mellit Adel , Herrak Omar , Rus Casas Catalina , Massi Pavan Alessandro
Published: December 2021

In this paper, a novel fault detection and classification method for photovoltaic (PV) arrays is introduced. The method has been developed using a dataset of voltage and current measurements (I–V curves) which were collected from a small-scale PV system at the RELab, the University of Jijel (Algeria). Two different machine learning-based algorithms have been used in order to detect and classify the faults. An Internet of Things-based application has been used in order to send data to the cloud, while the machine learning codes have been run on a Raspberry Pi 4. A webpage which shows the results and informs the user about the state of the PV array has also been developed. The results show the ability and the feasibility of the developed method, which detects and classifies a number of faults and anomalies (e.g., the accumulation of dust on the PV module surface, permanent shading, the disconnection of a PV module, and the presence of a short-circuited bypass diode in a PV module) with a pretty good accuracy (98% for detection and 96% classification).
Study of Vortex Systems as a Method to Weakening the Urban Heat Islands within the Financial District in Large Cities
Authors: Rodriguez-Lucas Luis , Ning Chen , Fajardo-Pruna Marcelo , Yang Yugui
Published: December 2021

This paper presents a new concept called the urban vortex system (UVS). The UVS couples a vortex generator (V.G.) that produces updraft by artificial vortex and a vortex stability zone (VSZ) consisting of an assembly of four buildings acting as a chimney. Through this system, a stable, upward vortex flow can be generated. The Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulation was carried out to investigate the flow field in the UVS. The Renormalized Group (RNG) k–ε turbulent model was selected to solve the complex turbulent flow. Validation of the numerical results was achieved by making a comparison with the large-size experimental model. The results reported that a steady-state vortex could be formed when a vapor-air mixture at 2 m/s and 450 K enters the vortex generator. This vortex presented a maximum negative central pressure of −6.81 Pa and a maximum velocity of 5.47 (m/s). Finally, the similarity method found four dimensionless parameters, which allowed all the flow characteristics to be transported on a large scale. The proposed large-scale UVS application is predicted to be capable, with have a maximum power of 2 M.W., a specific work of 3 kJ/kg, buildings 200-m high, and the ability to generate winds of 6.1 m/s (20 km/h) at 200 m up to winds of 1.5 m/s (5 km/h) at 400 m. These winds would cause the rupture of the gas capsule of the heat island phenomenon. Therefore, the city would balance its temperature with that of the surrounding rural areas.
A Co-Created Methodological Approach to Address the Relational Dimension of Environmental Challenges: When Critical Legal Analysis Meets Illustrated Storytelling
Authors: Poto Margherita Paola , Porrone Arianna
Published: December 2021

Environmental education research needs to take into account the relational dimension of the ecological challenges of our time. It requires the development of methodological techniques that prioritize community concerns, and generally foster positive relational dynamics of the research and study group. This leads to the construction of a research and educational approach around the collective and cocreated interpretation of stories related to ecological bonds and knowledge, and the adoption of illustrations enabling participation, inclusion, and interaction among the parties. Through the lens of critical legal analysis and participatory research, we explore the beneficial effects of cocreating knowledge with the help of a specific learning toolkit (LT), built around storytelling and designed to stimulate respectful relationships between participants. The LT addresses a wide audience of indigenous and local communities, students, and researchers. Founded on participated storytelling, collective interpretation, and illustration, the toolkit includes (1) the project cover, (2) an illustrated handbook based on an indigenous story, and (3) the illustration and conceptualization of a silent book. Through the interpretation of stories on the ecological bonds between humans and nonhumans, we analyze how the process of looking for common solutions to environmental threats makes participants reflect on their relational connection to the theme and each other. We also observe how the discussion generates a sense of responsibility that comes with bringing a new idea into being. The result is that both education and research become part of the solution to the challenge itself in the shape of a harmonious relational and transformative experience. The solution lies in the recognition of the individual and collective capacity to change systems by changing relationships. Only through a collective effort towards a common sense of relational accountability and trust we can heal the wounds of our planet, and our individual and collective wounds.
Patient Centredness, Values, Equity and Sustainability: Professional, Organizational and Institutional Implications
Authors: Gorli Mara , Barello Serena
Published: December 2021

The concept of “patient centredness”, or “patient-centred care”, has been studied so far as an umbrella term including a variety of declinations, perspectives, and concrete care practices [...]
Multi-Objective Land Use Allocation Optimization in View of Overlapped Influences of Rail Transit Stations
Authors: Feng Xuesong , Tao Zhibin , Niu Xuejun , Ruan Zejing
Published: December 2021

Taking into consideration the overlapped influences of multiple rail transit stations upon land use characteristics, this study newly develops a multi-objective land use allocation optimization model to decide the land use type and intensity of every undeveloped land block of an urban area. The new model is solved by successively utilizing the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm and the technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution to obtain the least biased Pareto-optimal land development scheme. The study area is an urban region around two metro stations in Beijing of China. The influencing scopes of these two stations are overlapped in part, and many of the land blocks in the study area are not yet developed. It is shown that the newly developed land use allocation optimization model is able to rationally achieve multi-objectives in coordination to the most extents for the sustainable urban development in view of the integrated effect of multiple rail transit stations.
Cyclic Shear Performance of Reinforced Concrete Columns Strengthened by External Steel Rods
Authors: Kim Hyeong-Gook , Lee Yong-Jun , Kim Kil-Hee
Published: December 2021

This study presents a strengthening method for reinforced concrete (RC) columns. The proposed method, which consists of a pair of steel rods, two reverse-threaded couplers, and four corner blocks, is feasible and straightforward. A quasi-static cyclic loading test was performed on the columns externally strengthened by the steel rods. It was found that the corner blocks and the external steel rods with a low prestress level effectively confined the concrete on the compression side of plastic hinges, which eventually induced flexural failure with a ductility higher than three in the strengthened columns. In addition, an analytical approach to predict the shear strength and ultimate flexural strength of the externally strengthened columns was applied. The comparison of analytical and experimental results showed that the analytical approach provided highly accurate predictions on the maximum strength and the failure mode of the externally strengthened columns. It is expected that the application of the proposed method will improve the seismic performance of damaged or deteriorated RC structures, thereby increasing their lifespan expectancy and sustainability.
Sustainable Solid Waste Management Strategies for Higher Education Institutions: Diponegoro University, Indonesia Case Study
Authors: Budihardjo Mochamad Arief , Humaira Natasya Ghinna , Putri Soraya Annisa , Ramadan Bimastyaji Surya , Syafrudin Syafrudin , Yohana Eflita
Published: December 2021

Effective solid waste management strategies are recognized as efforts to achieve campus sustainability. The university campus is currently considered the center of various activities involving students, lecturers, staff, and other parties contributing to the consumption pattern of energy, water, and other resources. This study aims to estimate the quantity and compositions of waste generated on the Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) campus, identify the causes of waste generation, evaluate the relationships between variables through statistical analysis, and recommend possible strategies to reduce solid waste generation. The results show that the simultaneous contribution of the student-gender ratio, student awareness level, administrative staff background, and green space amounted to 67.7% of the waste generation at UNDIP. Therefore, these four factors need to be a concern for campus authorities in their efforts to handle campus waste. Student awareness in particular was determined to be the only factor that significantly affects solid waste generation. UNDIP may implement proper environmental education through sustainability courses in each faculty to reduce solid waste in higher education institutions since it has the most significant impact. Outcomes of this study could be used as a reference to develop sustainable campus strategies, recycling plans, and comprehensive waste management in higher education.
Effect of Emitter Modifications on Spray Performance of a Solid Set Canopy Delivery System in a High-Density Apple Orchard
Authors: Ranjan Rakesh , Sinha Rajeev , Khot Lav R. , Hoheisel Gwen-Alyn , Grieshop Matthew J. , Ledebuhr Mark
Published: December 2021

Optimally configured solid set canopy delivery systems (SSCDS) can provide adequate spray performance in high-density apple orchards with a minimized risk of off-target pesticide drift. SSCDS configured in a shower-down emitter arrangement have been reported to be the simplest and most economical system. However, existing off-the-shelf emitters used in shower-down configurations have resulted in minimal deposition in lower canopy zones. Therefore, this study was focused on the modifications of off-the-shelf emitters to obtain a desirable spray pattern for adequate spray deposition in all the canopy zones. The modifications include redesigning the impact plate of two existing micro-emitters. Field tests were conducted to evaluate the spray performance of SSCDS with the non-modified emitters (treatment: SD1 and SD3) and contrast the results with modified emitters (treatment: SD2 and SD4). While the treatments SD1 and SD3 had off-the-shelf emitters with swivel plate and static spreader, respectively, the treatment SD2 and SD4 had similar emitters with modified impactor plates. In each treatment block, the apple canopy was divided into six zones and sprayed with a 500 ppm fluorescent tracer solution. Mylar cards and water-sensitive paper samplers were placed on the adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces in each canopy zone to quantify spray deposition and coverage, respectively. The SSCDS treatments retrofitted with modified emitters, i.e., SD2 and SD4, were observed to have uniform and numerically higher deposition and coverage compared to SD1 and SD3. The SSCDS treatment with modified static spreader (i.e., SD4) resulted in the highest overall spray deposition (1405.7 ± 156.4 ng cm−2 [mean ± standard error]) with improved mid (1121.6 ± 186.9 ng cm−2) and bottom (895.6 ± 149.3 ng cm−2) canopy deposition. Overall, the proposed emitter modification assisted in improved SSCDS spray performances and may be a way forward toward large-scale emplacements of such systems.
Blockchain for Smart Mobility—Literature Review and Future Research Agenda
Authors: Karger Erik , Jagals Marvin , Ahlemann Frederik
Published: December 2021

Today’s cities face numerous challenges due to climate change and urbanization. The concept of a smart city aims to help cities to address these challenges by adapting modern information and communication technology. Smart mobility and transportation form one important aspect of smart cities. Inefficient mobility in cities can lead to problems such as traffic congestion, which results in frustration for residents and a decrease in the quality of life. Against the backdrop of global warming, cities also strive to reduce CO2 emissions, an attempt which requires sustainable and novel mobility concepts. Blockchain is a current technology, said to have huge potential, that is being investigated for application in many facets of smart cities. In the context of smart mobility, blockchain can be used for transactions relating to ridesharing and electric charging, handling of interactions of platoon members, or serving as a foundation for communication between vehicles. Although initial research about this topic exists, it is distributed among different use-cases and applications. This article conducts a systematic literature review to analyze blockchain’s role in mobility and transportation in smart cities, and its potential to increase efficiency in these areas. With this review, we aim to consolidate and summarize the current knowledge about this topic. As a first result, we present the findings from our literature review, which can be divided into five categories of use-cases. We also present a platform for further research about this emerging topic by identifying promising future research avenues. For this purpose, we derive a future research agenda based on our findings.
The Informal Sector Facing COVID-19: The Case of Cameroon
Authors: Ndouna Faustine Kede , Nanfosso Roger Tsafack , Biloa Essimi Jean Aristide , Ambassa Laurent-Fabrice
Published: December 2021

This study aims to analyze the effects of COVID-19 on actors in the informal economy in Cameroon. To analyze the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on actors in the informal economy, we use secondary data from the National Institute of Statistics (NIS). These data come from a survey of 1310 households. We performed data analysis using comparative methods and a labor market participation model that considers changes in people’s behavior towards health risks in order to explore and compare empirical results with earlier studies. From this analysis, it was revealed that job losses are more important in the informal sector (and, in particular, among men). We note that the absence of wearing a mask decreases the chances of having an informal job and of being suspended from one’s job during the crisis. Likewise, time restrictions that are not appreciated by workers will push actors more towards the informal sector. These results lead to recommendations that contribute towards providing support or direct support to informal workers in the sector.
Plant-Based Meat Alternatives: Motivational Adoption Barriers and Solutions
Authors: Jahn Steffen , Furchheim Pia , Strässner Anna-Maria
Published: December 2021

Meat consumption is increasingly being seen as unsustainable. However, plant-based meat alternatives (PBMA) are not widely accepted yet. PBMA aim to imitate the experience of eating meat by mimicking animal meat in its sensory characteristics such as taste, texture, or aesthetic appearance. This narrative review explores the motivational barriers to adopting PBMA while focusing on food neophobia, social norms and rituals, as well as conflicting eating goals that prevent consumers from switching to a plant-based diet. Based on the key characteristics of these motivational barriers, which are informed by research findings in consumer psychology and marketing, solutions are discussed that can help counter the barriers.
Energy-Efficient Building Design for a Tropical Climate: A Field Study on the Caribbean Island Curaçao
Authors: Bulbaai Richenel , Halman Johannes I. M.
Published: December 2021

Based on an extensive literature review on passive building designs for tropical climates, seven energy-efficient building design principles for tropical climate areas were deduced. These are: 1. To orientate a building design in such a direction that it protects from excessive solar radiation; 2. To accommodate for indoor natural ventilation; 3. That it makes maximal use of indirect instead of direct natural light; 4, That it reduces the amount of heat transmission through the roof as much as possible by natural ventilation between roof and ceiling and by lowering the roof surface temperature; 5. By preventing the use of high thermal mass materials; 6. By reducing through the exterior walls as much as possible heat transmission by e.g., preventing direct sunlight on the external walls and applying reflective paints on the external walls and; 7. By creating outdoor and transition spaces such as balconies, terraces atriums and corridors. The insights from the literature review were used as input to conduct a field study to evaluate the practice of applying passive building design principles. To this end, for 626 buildings on the Caribbean island Curaçao, it was investigated to what extent the recommended passive design principles for tropical climates were actually applied. Based on the results of the field study, several recommendations are made to improve the practice of applying passive building principles.
Evaluation of Portable Rhodamine B Analyzer for Monitoring OH Radical Scavenging Demand in Ultraviolet Advanced Oxidation Processes
Authors: Nam Sook-Hyun , Lee Ju-Won , Kim Eun-Ju , Koo Jae-Wuk , Hwang Tae-Mun
Published: December 2021

A portable OH radical scavenging demand analyzer that can be installed and operated on site was developed to measure water quality indicators that influence the generation of OH radicals from UV/hydrogen peroxide reactions to determine the UV dose and the hydrogen peroxide injection concentration. Rhodamine B (RhB) was used as an indicator for the continuous measurement of the OH radical scavenging demand of four samples with different water quality parameters using the rapid, easy, and real-time UV-Vis spectrophotometer method. The results demonstrated that the estimated rate constant for the RhB color decay rate resulting from direct UV photolysis was low enough to verify its suitability as a probe compound. The mean values of the OH radical scavenging demand for target water samples at different organic concentrations were 20,659 s−1 for plant N, 42,346 s−1 for plant C, 32,232 s−1 for plant Y, and 81,669 s−1 for plant B. Variations in the monitoring results for the target water treatment plants suggest that on-site OH radical scavenging demands should be considered to determine the UV dose and the hydrogen peroxide injection concentration for the UV advanced oxidation process.
Understanding Teacher Digital Competence in the Framework of Social Sustainability: A Systematic Review
Authors: De la Calle Ana María , Pacheco-Costa Alejandra , Gómez-Ruiz Miguel Ángel , Guzmán-Simón Fernando
Published: December 2021

Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, ICT has been urgently introduced in education systems in a generalised manner. In this context, it is essential for teachers to master a spectrum of basic digital competencies and manifest digital leadership in the classroom. In addition, it is necessary to consider the relationship between digital competence development and social sustainability, that is, social and cultural heritage, and to what extent they contribute to improving social cohesion and living conditions in a community. This study presents a systematic review of research on teacher digital competence and social sustainability based on the PRISMA model and a review of 22 studies indexed in SCOPUS. The review reveals that most are intended to measure the digital competence level of teachers, usually in compulsory stages of the educational system and through quantitative studies based on virtual questionnaires comprised of closed-ended questions. However, the studies tend to ignore questions related to social sustainability (access to resources, heritage culture, intergenerational transmission, employability, or gender equality). It is therefore urgent to develop research committed to a sustainable society that is oriented towards social justice.
Increased Carbon Dioxide by Occupants Promotes Growth of Leafy Vegetables Grown in Indoor Cultivation System
Authors: Noh Kyungdeok , Jeong Byoung Ryong
Published: December 2021

The development of various types of plant factories is central to improving agriculture. In one form, it is expanding from the existing commercial plant factories to home cultivation systems or cultivators. The plant cultivation system grafted into the living space for people produces differences in the growth of the plant depending on the lifestyle (cooling and heating, residence time, number of residents, etc.) of the resident. In this study, identical home cultivation systems that automatically adjust environmental conditions (temperature, photoperiod, light, and nutrient solution supply) other than the carbon dioxide level were set in an office and warehouse. The study confirmed how plant growth can differ depending on the amount of carbon dioxide generated by humans occupying the space. In addition, it was confirmed whether the growth of plants can be further promoted depending on the external air exchange speed by a ventilation fan even if the indoor carbon dioxide concentration is the same. Due to the nature of the cultivation system that controls the temperature, the type and speed of the fan were set to minimize heat loss in the cultivator. The airspeed from ventilation fans attached to the indoor cultivation systems of an office and warehouse was adjusted to one of three levels (0.7, 1.0, or 1.3 m·s−1). In this study with two species, Ssamchoo and Romaine, it was confirmed that the office space was significantly advantageous for the growth of Ssamchoo, especially in terms of the fresh weight, root activity, and chlorophyll content. Romaine also had a significantly higher fresh weight when grown in the office. Shoot length, leaf length, and leaf width were longer, and there were more leaves. When comparing the relative yield based on an airspeed of 1.0 m·s−1, the yield increased up to 156.9% more in the office than in the warehouse. The fan airspeed had an important influence on Ssamchoo. The higher the fan airspeed, the greater the yield, root activity, and chlorophyll. However, fan airspeed had no consistent effect on the growth tendencies of Romaine. In conclusion, carbon dioxide produced by humans occupying the space is a significant source of carbon dioxide for plants grown in the home cultivation system, although both the speed of the ventilation fan that can promote growth without heat loss and delayed growth caused by the photorespiration in a carbon dioxide-limited situation require additional experiments.
Assessment of Petroleum-Based Plastic and Bioplastics Degradation Using Anaerobic Digestion
Authors: Nachod Benjamin , Keller Emily , Hassanein Amro , Lansing Stephanie
Published: December 2021

Bioplastics have emerged as a viable alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastic (PET). Three of the most common bioplastic polymers are polyhydroxybutyrate-valerate (PHBV), polylactide (PLA), and cellulose-based bioplastic (CBB). This study assessed biodegradation through anaerobic digestion (AD) of these three bioplastics and PET digested with food waste (FW) at mesophilic (35 °C) and thermophilic (55 °C) temperatures. The four plastic types were digested with FW in triplicate batch reactors. Additionally, two blank treatments (inoculum-only) and two PHBV treatments (with FW + inoculum and inoculum-only) were digested at 35 and 55 °C. The PHBV treatment without FW at 35 °C (PHBV-35) produced the most methane (CH4) normalized by the volatile solids (VS) of the bioplastics over the 104-day experimental period (271 mL CH4/g VS). Most bioplastics had more CH4 production than PET when normalized by digester volume or gram substrate added, with the PLA-FW-55 (5.80 m3 CH4/m3), PHBV-FW-55 (2.29 m3 CH4/m3), and PHBV-55 (4.05 m3 CH4/m3) having 848,275 and 561%, respectively, more CH4 production than the PET treatment. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed full degradation of PHBV pellets after AD. The results show that when PHBV is used as bioplastic, it can be degraded with energy production through AD.
Quantifying the Response of an Estuarine Nekton Community to Coastal Wetland Habitat Restoration
Authors: Mahoney Richard D. , Beal Jeffrey L. , Lewis Dakota M. , Cook Geoffrey S.
Published: December 2021

Globally coastal habitats are experiencing degradation and threatening the production of critical ecosystem services such as shoreline stabilization, water filtration, and nursery grounds for marine fauna. To combat the loss of these ecosystem services, resource managers are actively restoring coastal habitats. This study compares samples collected from non-restored sites, sites restored in 2011, and sites that underwent restoration in 2019. Restoration sites are impacted wetlands with high elevation mounds that were leveled to increase the areal extent of intertidal habitats, enabling the recruitment of intertidal flora and fauna. Fyke nets were used to sample nekton within the upper intertidal zone. To quantify restoration success, nekton abundance, biomass, diversity, and indicator species were quantified. Sites restored in 2011 had a greater abundance compared to non-restored sites. Common snook, clown gobies, silversides, juvenile mullet, and Gulf killifishes were indicator species at successfully restored sites, while salinity, site type, and Secchi depth played important roles in predicting abundance and diversity. These findings are consistent with recent studies suggesting it can take years to see quantifiable differences in nekton communities following habitat restoration. Additionally, this work provides new insight regarding the benefits of restoring coastal wetland elevation to maximize intertidal habitat, thereby positively impacting nekton communities.
Refugee Arrival under Conditions of Urban Decline: From Territorial Stigma and Othering to Collective Place-Making in Diverse Shrinking Cities?
Authors: Schemschat Norma
Published: December 2021

Places affected by urban shrinkage are widely depicted as left behind places characterized by decline and decay. Refugees are generally constructed as victims or ‘dangerous other’. Hence, place-making and negotiations of belonging in shrinking cities are accompanied by multiple layers of stigmatization. Despite this contextual factor and even though many questions related to inter-group relations in shrinking cities are still unanswered, refugee-centered revitalization of shrinking cities is being discussed among city officials, planners and in the scientific community. This paper investigates local discourses on urban shrinkage and refugee arrival as contextual factors for negotiations of place and belonging, and connects to previous studies on the stigmatization of declining cities and the othering of refugees. It uses Nayak’s (2019) concept of re-scripting narratives to analyze whether acts of re-writing apply not only to stigmatizations of place, but marginalized groups as well. The paper finds that while dominant discourses on place are contested and at times re-scripted by local actors, discourses which construct refugees as other are reaffirmed. Confirming previous findings according to which stigma was passed on to other marginalized groups, it concludes that there is a need to consider dominant discourses and their negative impact on social cohesion in debates around refugee-centered revitalization.
First Principles Calculation of the Topological Phases of the Photonic Haldane Model
Authors: Prudêncio Filipa R. , Silveirinha Mário G.
Published: December 2021

Photonic topological materials with a broken time-reversal symmetry are characterized by nontrivial topological phases, such that they do not support propagation in the bulk region but forcibly support a nontrivial net number of unidirectional edge-states when enclosed by an opaque-type boundary, e.g., an electric wall. The Haldane model played a central role in the development of topological methods in condensed-matter systems, as it unveiled that a broken time-reversal symmetry is the essential ingredient to have a quantized electronic Hall phase. Recently, it was proved that the magnetic field of the Haldane model can be imitated in photonics with a spatially varying pseudo-Tellegen coupling. Here, we use Green’s function method to determine from “first principles” the band diagram and the topological invariants of the photonic Haldane model, implemented as a Tellegen photonic crystal. Furthermore, the topological phase diagram of the system is found, and it is shown with first principles calculations that the granular structure of the photonic crystal can create nontrivial phase transitions controlled by the amplitude of the pseudo-Tellegen parameter.
Terahertz Metamaterial Modulator Based on Phase Change Material VO2
Authors: Dong Yanfei , Yu Dingwang , Li Gaosheng , Lin Mingtuan , Bian Li-An
Published: December 2021

In this paper, a new type of terahertz (THz) metamaterial (MM) modulator has been presented with bifunctional properties based on vanadium dioxide (VO2). The design consists of a VO2 resonator, polyimide substrate, frequency selective surface (FSS) layer, and VO2 film. Based on the metal-insulator transition (MIT) of VO2, this structure integrated with VO2 material can achieve the dynamic modulation on both transmission and reflection waves at 2.5 THz by varying the electrical conductivity value of VO2. Meanwhile, it also exhibits adjustable absorption performance across the whole band from 0.5–7 THz. At the lower conductivity (σ = 25 S/m), this structure can act as a bandpass FSS, and, at the high conductivity (σ = 2 × 105 S/m), it behaves like a wideband absorber covering 2.52–6.06 THz with absorption A > 0.9, which realizes asymmetric transmission. The surface electric field distributions are illustrated to provide some insight into the physical mechanism of dynamic modulation. From the simulated results, it can be observed that this design has the capability of controlling tunable manipulation on both transmission/reflection responses at a wide frequency band. This proposed design may pave a novel pathway towards thermal imaging, terahertz detection, active modulators, etc.
Standardized Biomechanical Investigation of Posture and Gait in Pisa Syndrome Disease
Authors: Panero Elisa , Dimanico Ugo , Artusi Carlo Alberto , Gastaldi Laura
Published: December 2021

Pisa syndrome is one of the possible postural deformities associated with Parkinson’s disease and it is clinically defined as a sustained lateral bending of the trunk. Some previous studies proposed clinical and biomechanical investigation to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms that occur, mainly focusing on EMG patterns and clinics. The current research deals with the assessment of a standardized biomechanical analysis to investigate the Pisa syndrome postural effects. Eight patients participated in the experimental test. Both static posture and gait trials were performed. An optoelectronic system and two force plates were used for data acquisition, while a custom multi-segments kinematic model of the human spine was used to evaluate the 3D angles. All subjects showed an important flexion of the trunk superior segment with respect to the inferior one, with a strong variability among patients (range values between 4.3° and 41.0°). Kinematics, ground reaction forces and spatio-temporal parameters are influenced by the asymmetrical trunk posture. Moreover, different proprioception, compensation and abilities of correction were depicted among subjects. Considering the forces exchanged by the feet with the floor during standing, results highlighted a significant asymmetry (p-value = 0.02) between the omo and contralateral side in a normal static posture, with greater load distribution on the same side of lateral deviation. When asked to self-correct the posture, all patients demonstrated a reduction of asymmetry, but without stressing any statistical significance. All these aspects might be crucial for the definition of a PS patients’ classification and for the assessment of the efficacy of treatments and rehabilitation.
Research on the Detection Method of Tunnel Surface Flatness Based on Point Cloud Data
Authors: Xiang Liufu , Ding Yifan , Wei Zheng , Zhang Hao , Li Zhenguo
Published: December 2021

The curved surface of the tunnel is symmetrical. The curved surface of the tunnel can be roughly divided into the left and right arch walls along the direction of the central axis of the tunnel. The symmetry of the tunnel needs to be analyzed when the flatness inspection of the tunnel engineering is carried out. The flatness of the initial support of the tunnel project is an important indicator of the quality inspection and acceptance of the tunnel project. The three-dimensional laser scanner (3DLS) can be used to detect its rapidity effectively. According to the points obtained by the scanner, the surface fitting method based on B-spline interpolation and the SG bar initial support value processing method are used to optimize the tunnel surface to obtain the initial degree calculation reference. Based on the method, a calculation system for the initial flatness of the tunnel based on 3DLS technology is established. At the same time, the calculation method of the overall field of view distance and the development of small blocks is proposed. Through its application and comparison with traditional methods, the analysis shows that the three-dimensional laser scanning technology is feasible in the detection of the initial branch of the tunnel, and achieves a high degree of accuracy requirements.
On Strong f-Electron Localization Effect in a Topological Kondo Insulator
Authors: Tyagi Udai Prakash , Bera Kakoli , Goswami Partha
Published: December 2021

We study a strong f-electron localization effect on the surface state of a generic topological Kondo insulator (TKI) system by performing a mean-field theoretic (MFT) calculation within the framework of the periodic Anderson model (PAM) using the slave boson technique. The surface metallicity, together with bulk insulation, requires this type of localization. A key distinction between surface states in a conventional insulator and a topological insulator is that, along a course joining two time-reversal invariant momenta (TRIM) in the same BZ, there will be an intersection of these surface states, an even/odd number of times, with the Fermi energy inside the spectral gap. For an even (odd) number of surface state crossings, the surface states are topologically trivial (non-trivial). The symmetry consideration and the pictorial representation of the surface band structure obtained here show an odd number of crossings, leading to the conclusion that, at least within the PAM framework, the generic system is a strong topological insulator.
Vibro-Acoustic Energy Transmission Analysis of the Acoustic Cavity with Multiple Partial Partitions
Authors: Zhang Yufei , Du Jingtao , Liu Yang
Published: December 2021

The general dynamic characteristics of the acoustic cavity with multiple partial partitions are presented in this thesis. A theoretical model has been developed for predictions, and several configurations are analyzed. To describe the apertures on the interface of subcavities, the virtual air panel assumption is introduced into the improved Fourier series system. The governing equations of the coupling system are derived by using the energy principle. The results obtained with the proposed model are firstly compared with the numerical calculations based on the finite element method (FEM). Subsequently, a configuration made up from a rigid cavity partitioned by a partial steel panel has been specifically built, and the forced responses of the coupling system have been measured for comparison and model validation. The present results are excellent over most of the studied frequency range. Furthermore, the visualizations of the interior sound intensity field of the acoustic cavity with three partial partitions under different frequencies are researched to illustrate the energy transmission paths and vibro-acoustic coupling mechanism of the complicated system. The obtained results are believed to be helpful in the optimal design of the vibro-acoustic coupling system with optimal sound insulation capacity.
Maze Solving by a Quantum Walk with Sinks and Self-Loops: Numerical Analysis
Authors: Matsuoka Leo , Yuki Kenta , Lavička Hynek , Segawa Etsuo
Published: December 2021

Maze-solving by natural phenomena is a symbolic result of the autonomous optimization induced by a natural system. We present a method for finding the shortest path on a maze consisting of a bipartite graph using a discrete-time quantum walk, which is a toy model of many kinds of quantum systems. By evolving the amplitude distribution according to the quantum walk on a kind of network with sinks, which is the exit of the amplitude, the amplitude distribution remains eternally on the paths between two self-loops indicating the start and the goal of the maze. We performed a numerical analysis of some simple cases and found that the shortest paths were detected by the chain of the maximum trapped densities in most cases of bipartite graphs. The counterintuitive dependence of the convergence steps on the size of the structure of the network was observed in some cases, implying that the asymmetry of the network accelerates or decelerates the convergence process. The relation between the amplitude remaining and distance of the path is also discussed briefly.
Analysis and Prediction for Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Czech Republic with Uncertain Logistic Growth Model
Authors: Ding Chunxiao , Liu Wenjian
Published: December 2021

This paper presents an uncertain logistic growth model to analyse and predict the evolution of the cumulative number of COVID-19 infection in Czech Republic. Some fundamental knowledge about the uncertain regression analysis are reviewed firstly. Stochastic regression analysis is invalid to model cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Czech Republic, by considering the disturbance term as random variables, because that the normality test and the identical distribution test of residuals are not passed, and the residual plot does not look like a null plot in the sense of probability theory. In this case, the uncertain logistic growth model is applied by characterizing the disturbance term as uncertain variables. Then parameter estimation, residual analysis, the forecast value and confidence interval are studied. Additionally, the uncertain hypothesis test is proposed to evaluate the appropriateness of the fitted logistic growth model and estimated disturbance term. The analysis and prediction for the cumulative number of COVID-19 infection in Czech Republic can propose theoretical support for the disease control and prevention. Due to the symmetry and similarity of epidemic transmission, other regions of COVID-19 infections, or other diseases can be disposed in a similar theory and method.
Para-Ricci-like Solitons with Vertical Potential on Para-Sasaki-like Riemannian Π-Manifolds
Authors: Manev Hristo
Published: December 2021

The objects of study are para-Ricci-like solitons on para-Sasaki-like, almost paracontact, almost paracomplex Riemannian manifolds, namely, Riemannian Π-manifolds. Different cases when the potential of the soliton is the Reeb vector field or pointwise collinear to it are considered. Some additional geometric properties of the constructed objects are proven. Results for a parallel symmetric second-order covariant tensor on the considered manifolds are obtained. An explicit example of dimension 5 in support of the given assertions is provided.
Fixed Effect Meta-Analytic Structural Equation Modeling (MASEM) Estimation Using Generalized Method of Moments (GMM)
Authors: Standsyah Rahmawati Erma , Otok Bambang Widjanarko , Suharsono Agus
Published: December 2021

The fixed effect meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM) model assumes that the population effect is homogeneous across studies. It was first developed analytically using Generalized Least Squares (GLS) and computationally using Weighted Least Square (WLS) methods. The MASEM fixed effect was not estimated analytically using the estimation method based on moment. One of the classic estimation methods based on moment is the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM), whereas GMM can possibly estimate the data whose studies has parameter uncertainty problems, it also has a high accuracy on data heterogeneity. Therefore, this study estimates the fixed effect MASEM model using GMM. The symmetry of this research is based on the proof goodness of the estimator and the performance that it is analytical and numerical. The estimation results were proven to be the goodness of the estimator, unbiased and consistent. To show the performance of the obtained estimator, a comparison was carried out on the same data as the MASEM using GLS. The results show that the estimation of MASEM using GMM yields the SE value in each coefficient is smaller than the estimation of MASEM using GLS. Interactive GMM for the determination of the optimal weight on GMM in this study gave better results and therefore needs to be developed in order to obtain a Random Model MASEM estimator using GMM that is much more reliable and accurate in performance.
A Novel Approach to Decision Making Based on Interval-Valued Fuzzy Soft Set
Authors: Qin Hongwu , Wang Yanan , Ma Xiuqin , Wang Jin
Published: December 2021

Interval-valued fuzzy soft set theory is a powerful tool that can provide the uncertain data processing capacity in an imprecise environment. The two existing methods for decision making based on this model were proposed. However, when there are some extreme values or outliers on the datasets based on interval-valued fuzzy soft set for making decisions, the existing methods are not reasonable and efficient, which may ignore some excellent candidates. In order to solve this problem, we give a novel approach to decision making based on interval-valued fuzzy soft set by means of the contrast table. Here, the contrast table has symmetry between the objects. Our proposed algorithm makes decisions based on the number of superior parameter values rather than score values, which is a new perspective to make decisions. The comparison results of three methods on two real-life cases show that, the proposed algorithm has superiority to the existing algorithms for the feasibility and efficiency when we face up to the extreme values of the uncertain datasets. Our proposed algorithm can also examine some extreme or unbalanced values for decision making if we regard this method as supplement of the existing algorithms.
Symmetric Mass Generation in Lattice Gauge Theory
Authors: Butt Nouman , Catterall Simon , Toga Goksu
Published: December 2021

We construct a four-dimensional lattice gauge theory in which fermions acquire mass without breaking symmetries as a result of gauge interactions. Our model consists of reduced staggered fermions transforming in the bifundamental representation of an SU(2)×SU(2) gauge symmetry. This fermion representation ensures that single-site bilinear mass terms vanish identically. A symmetric four-fermion operator is however allowed, and we give numerical results that show that a condensate of this operator develops in the vacuum.
Critical Overview of Visual Tracking with Kernel Correlation Filter
Authors: Yadav Srishti , Payandeh Shahram
Published: December 2021

With the development of new methodologies for faster training on datasets, there is a need to provide an in-depth explanation of the workings of such methods. This paper attempts to provide an understanding for one such correlation filter-based tracking technology, Kernelized Correlation Filter (KCF), which uses implicit properties of tracked images (circulant matrices) for training and tracking in real-time. It is unlike deep learning, which is data intensive. KCF uses implicit dynamic properties of the scene and movements of image patches to form an efficient representation based on the circulant structure for further processing, using properties such as diagonalizing in the Fourier domain. The computational efficiency of KCF, which makes it ideal for low-power heterogeneous computational processing technologies, lies in its ability to compute data in high-dimensional feature space without explicitly invoking the computation on this space. Despite its strong practical potential in visual tracking, there is a need for an in-depth critical understanding of the method and its performance, which this paper aims to provide. Here we present a survey of KCF and its method along with an experimental study that highlights its novel approach and some of the future challenges associated with this method through observations on standard performance metrics in an effort to make the algorithm easy to investigate. It further compares the method against the current public benchmarks such as SOTA on OTB-50, VOT-2015, and VOT-2019. We observe that KCF is a simple-to-understand tracking algorithm that does well on popular benchmarks and has potential for further improvement. The paper aims to provide researchers a base for understanding and comparing KCF with other tracking technologies to explore the possibility of an improved KCF tracker.
The Deleterious Effects of Shiga Toxin Type 2 Are Neutralized In Vitro by FabF8:Stx2 Recombinant Monoclonal Antibody
Authors: Luz Daniela , Gómez Fernando D. , Ferreira Raíssa L. , Melo Bruna S. , Guth Beatriz E. C. , Quintilio Wagner , Moro Ana Maria , Presta Agostina , Sacerdoti Flavia , Ibarra Cristina , Chen Gang , Sidhu Sachdev S. , Amaral María Marta , Piazza Roxane M. F.
Published: December 2021

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) associated with Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) infections is the principal cause of acute renal injury in pediatric age groups. Shiga toxin type 2 (Stx2) has in vitro cytotoxic effects on kidney cells, including human glomerular endothelial (HGEC) and Vero cells. Neither a licensed vaccine nor effective therapy for HUS is available for humans. Recombinant antibodies against Stx2, produced in bacteria, appeared as the utmost tool to prevent HUS. Therefore, in this work, a recombinant FabF8:Stx2 was selected from a human Fab antibody library by phage display, characterized, and analyzed for its ability to neutralize the Stx activity from different STEC-Stx2 and Stx1/Stx2 producing strains in a gold standard Vero cell assay, and the Stx2 cytotoxic effects on primary cultures of HGEC. This recombinant Fab showed a dissociation constant of 13.8 nM and a half maximum effective concentration (EC50) of 160 ng/mL to Stx2. Additionally, FabF8:Stx2 neutralized, in different percentages, the cytotoxic effects of Stx2 and Stx1/2 from different STEC strains on Vero cells. Moreover, it significantly prevented the deleterious effects of Stx2 in a dose-dependent manner (up to 83%) in HGEC and protected this cell up to 90% from apoptosis and necrosis. Therefore, this novel and simple anti-Stx2 biomolecule will allow further investigation as a new therapeutic option that could improve STEC and HUS patient outcomes.