bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Digital Twin Approach for Contextual Assistance for Surgeons During Surgical Robotics Training
Authors: Hagmann Katharina , Hellings-Kuß Anja , Klodmann Julian , Richter Rebecca , Stulp Freek , Leidner Daniel
Published: September 2021

Minimally invasive robotic surgery copes with some disadvantages for the surgeon of minimally invasive surgery while preserving the advantages for the patient. Most commercially available robotic systems are telemanipulated with haptic input devices. The exploitation of the haptics channel, e.g., by means of Virtual Fixtures, would allow for an individualized enhancement of surgical performance with contextual assistance. However, it remains an open field of research as it is non-trivial to estimate the task context itself during a surgery. In contrast, surgical training allows to abstract away from a real operation and thus makes it possible to model the task accurately. The presented approach exploits this fact to parameterize Virtual Fixtures during surgical training, proposing a Shared Control Parametrization Engine that retrieves procedural context information from a Digital Twin. This approach accelerates a proficient use of the robotic system for novice surgeons by augmenting the surgeon’s performance through haptic assistance. With this our aim is to reduce the required skill level and cognitive load of a surgeon performing minimally invasive robotic surgery. A pilot study is performed on the DLR MiroSurge system to evaluate the presented approach. The participants are tasked with two benchmark scenarios of surgical training. The execution of the benchmark scenarios requires basic skills as pick, place and path following. The evaluation of the pilot study shows the promising trend that novel users profit from the haptic augmentation during training of certain tasks.
The Importance of Citizen Scientists in the Move Towards Sustainable Diets and a Sustainable Food System
Authors: Oakden Libby , Bridge Gemma , Armstrong Beth , Reynolds Christian , Wang Changqiong , Panzone Luca , Rivera Ximena Schmidt , Kause Astrid , Ffoulkes Charles , Krawczyk Coleman , Miller Grant , Serjeant Stephen
Published: September 2021

To enhance sustainability, the food system requires significant shifts in the production, processing and supply of food. Ideally, a sustainable food system should operate, not only to protect the biosphere, but also to provide nutritious, high-quality food, and to support social values, an equitable economy, and human and animal health. It should also be governed responsibly within a supportive policy environment. Implementing these shifts is a task of immense scale; but citizen participation/engagement has the potential to help make sustainability a reality through distributed learning, dynamic sensing, and knowledge generation. Technological advancements in sensing and data processing have enabled new forms of citizen participation in research. When food system research is embedded within society it can help us to understand which changes towards sustainability work and which do not. Indeed, citizen engagement in food systems research has the potential to help bring citizens on side, supporting the growth of a food culture of resilience and of sustainable practises (including dietary change). This commentary provides examples of how existing research and alternative food production systems and agroecological practises may provide possible frameworks for citizen participation in food system studies. We highlight potential future food and citizen science approaches. Widening citizen participation and encouraging the involvement of other food system actors, including those in local, national and international governance, is essential to capture the full potential of citizen science in enabling transition to a sustainable food system. For the research community citizen science offers engagement and empowerment of wider communities with science; collecting and analysing data; and creating viable solutions to food system and diet issues.
Learning for Sustainability in Horticultural Production in Arctic Norway
Authors: Halland Hilde , Lamprinakis Lampros , Kvalvik Ingrid , Bertella Giovanna
Published: September 2021

Sustainability learning is gaining popularity as an important field within sustainability research, where farm sustainability can be understood as a learning process. In this study, we seek to reveal the sustainability learning process of farmers, utilizing a framework distinguishing contextual factors (where? and when?), knowledge (what?), motivation (why?), and process (how?). The article presents a participatory inquiry mixed-methods approach, utilizing results from sustainability assessments on five farms with the SMART-farm tool as a unifying starting point for further discussions on sustainability learning in farmers' interviews and stakeholder workshops. Empirically the study is set in the horticultural production in Arctic Norway, where few studies on sustainability have been undertaken. The study shows how both the complexity of the concept of farm sustainability and contextual factors influence the sustainability learning process, for instance by giving rise to a vast number of conflicting issues while working toward farm sustainability. The sustainability learning process is found to be predominantly a social learning process. The theoretic contribution of the study lies in its novel framework that can be used to reveal important aspects of the sustainability learning process, as well as to contribute to the literature on how to proceed from sustainability assessments to implementation. A key finding from the study is that farmers will require continuous assistance in their processes toward farm sustainability, but for this to be possible, knowledge, sources of knowledge, and learning platforms for holistic sustainability need to be established.
Case Report: Inferior Bilobectomy for Lung Cancer to Allow Weaning From Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Authors: Signore Francesca , Brascia Debora , Schiavone Marcella , De Iaco Giulia , Panza Teodora , De Palma Angela , Murgolo Francesco , Civita Antonio , Di Mussi Rosa , Grasso Salvatore , Marulli Giuseppe
Published: September 2021

In recent years, veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO) has allowed complex lung and airways resections in patients with a compromised perioperative respiratory function. In the following report, we present a case of successful weaning from V-V ECMO in a patient who underwent an inferior bilobectomy for lung cancer.
Virtuális tervezés és volumetrikus kiértékelés egy komplex parodontális defektus regeneratív-rekonstruktív sebészi ellátásában
Authors: Sólyom Eleonóra , Palkovics Dániel , Pintér Csaba , Mangano Francesco Guido , Windisch Péter
Published: September 2021

Célkitűzés: Célunk egy parodontális defektus regeneratív-rekonstruktív sebészi ellátásának és a műtétek digitális tervezésének bemutatása hibrid virtuális modell alapján, továbbá a pre- és postoperatív cone-beam computer tomográf (CBCT) felvételek pontos térbeli illesztésével a változások digitális kiértékelése.Vizsgálati anyag és módszer: Félautomatikus szegmentációs módszer alapján a CBCT-ből előállított, keményszövetimodellt és az intraorális szkennerrel vett digitális mintát identikus anatómiai pontok alapján történő illesztését követőenterveztük a sebészi beavatkozásokat. Első lépésben a 26-os fog eltávolításával egybekötött alveolus prezevációt végeztük el az „extraction site development (XSD)” technika alapján. Majd a 24-es és 25-ös fogakat érintő defektusminimálinvazív regeneratív célzatú ellátását végeztük. A preoperatív és postoperatív CBCT felvételek illesztésével és szubtrakciójával volumetrikusan és lineárisan értékeltük ki a beavatkozások eredményét.Eredmények: Az érintett területen összesen 0,44 cm3 keményszöveti többlet keletkezett. Ezzel együtt megfigyelhető kismértékű marginális csontrezorpció, melynek mértéke összesen 0,11 cm3. Lineáris mérések alapján 24-es és 25-ös fogak körül kialakult cirkumdentális, horizonto-vertikális defektus átlagosan 53,88 ± 36,84%-os keményszöveti telődést mutatott, a kresztális csontszél kismértékű lebomlása és 1,22 ± 0,87 ínyrecesszió kialakulása mellett.Konklúzió: Megállapítható, hogy valósághű hibrid modellek segítségével nagy alapossággal tervezhető meg regeneratív-rekonstruktív sebészeti beavatkozások lépései. Valamint pre- és postoperatív CBCT felvételek szubtrakciójával megismerhettük a defektus gyógyulásának mechanizmusait.
Multisatellite Flyby Inspection Trajectory Optimization Based on Constraint Repairing
Authors: Peng Chenyuan , Zhang Jin , Yan Bing , Luo Yazhong
Published: September 2021

With the rapid development of on-orbit services and space situational awareness, there is an urgent demand for multisatellite flyby inspection (MSFI) that can obtain information about a large number of space targets with little fuel consumption in a short time. There are two kinds of constraints, namely inspection constraints (ICs) at each flyby point and transfer process constraints (TPCs) in the actual mission. Further considering the influence of discrete and continuous variables such as inspection sequence, time, and maneuver scheme, it is complex and difficult to solve MSFI. To optimize it efficiently, the task flow and the problem model are defined firstly. Then, the algorithm framework based on constraint repairing is given, which contains repair methods of the ICs and the TPCs. Finally, the proposed method is compared with the nonrepair optimization method in two numerical examples. The results indicate that when the constraints are hard to meet, it is better and more efficient than the nonrepair method.
Diversification of Legislation Editing Open Software (LEOS) Using Software Agents—Transforming Parliamentary Control of the Hellenic Parliament into Big Open Legal Data
Authors: Leventis Sotiris , Fitsilis Fotios , Anastasiou Vasileios
Published: September 2021

The accessibility and reuse of legal data is paramount for promoting transparency, accountability and, ultimately, trust towards governance institutions. The aggregation of structured and semi-structured legal data inevitably leads to the big data realm and a series of challenges for the generation, handling, and analysis of large datasets. When it comes to data generation, LEOS represents a legal informatics tool that is maturing quickly. Now in its third release, it effectively supports the drafting of legal documents using Akoma Ntoso compatible schemes. However, the tool, originally developed for cooperative legislative drafting, can be repurposed to draft parliamentary control documents. This is achieved through the use of actor-oriented software components, referred to as software agents, which enable system interoperability by interlinking the text editing system with parliamentary control datasets. A validated corpus of written questions from the Hellenic Parliament is used to evaluate the feasibility of the endeavour, and the feasibility of using it as an authoring tool for written parliamentary questions and generation of standardised, open, legislative data. Systemic integration not only proves the tool’s versatility, but also opens up new grounds in interoperability between formerly unrelated legal systems and data sources.
The “Federica” Hand
Authors: Esposito Daniele , Savino Sergio , Andreozzi Emilio , Cosenza Chiara , Niola Vincenzo , Bifulco Paolo
Published: September 2021

Hand prostheses partially restore hand appearance and functionalities. In particular, 3D printers have provided great opportunities by simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs. The “Federica” hand is 3D-printed and equipped with a single servomotor, which synergically actuates its five fingers by inextensible tendons; no springs are used for hand opening. A differential mechanical system simultaneously distributes the motor force on each finger in predefined portions. The proportional control of hand closure/opening is achieved by monitoring muscle contraction by means of a thin force sensor, as an alternative to EMG. The electrical current of the servomotor is monitored to provide sensory feedback of the grip force, through a small vibration motor. A simple Arduino board was adopted as the processing unit. A closed-chain, differential mechanism guarantees efficient transfer of mechanical energy and a secure grasp of any object, regardless of its shape and deformability. The force sensor offers some advantages over the EMG: it does not require any electrical contact or signal processing to monitor muscle contraction intensity. The activation speed (about half a second) is high enough to allow the user to grab objects on the fly. The cost of the device is less then 100 USD. The “Federica” hand has proved to be a lightweight, low-cost and extremely efficient prosthesis. It is now available as an open-source project (CAD files and software can be downloaded from a public repository), thus allowing everyone to use the “Federica” hand and customize or improve it.
Hydrogen Sulfide Inhibits TMPRSS2 in Human Airway Epithelial Cells: Implications for SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Pozzi Giulia , Masselli Elena , Gobbi Giuliana , Mirandola Prisco , Taborda-Barata Luis , Ampollini Luca , Carbognani Paolo , Micheloni Cristina , Corazza Francesco , Galli Daniela , Carubbi Cecilia , Vitale Marco
Published: September 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has now affected around 190 million people worldwide, accounting for more than 4 million confirmed deaths. Besides ongoing global vaccination, finding protective and therapeutic strategies is an urgent clinical need. SARS-CoV-2 mostly infects the host organism via the respiratory system, requiring angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) to enter target cells. Therefore, these surface proteins are considered potential druggable targets. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gasotransmitter produced by several cell types and is also part of natural compounds, such as sulfurous waters that are often inhaled as low-intensity therapy and prevention in different respiratory conditions. H2S is a potent biological mediator, with anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and, as more recently shown, also anti-viral activities. Considering that respiratory epithelial cells can be directly exposed to H2S by inhalation, here we tested the in vitro effects of H2S-donors on TMPRSS2 and ACE2 expression in human upper and lower airway epithelial cells. We showed that H2S significantly reduces the expression of TMPRSS2 without modifying ACE2 expression both in respiratory cell lines and primary human upper and lower airway epithelial cells. Results suggest that inhalational exposure of respiratory epithelial cells to natural H2S sources may hinder SARS-CoV-2 entry into airway epithelial cells and, consequently, potentially prevent the virus from spreading into the lower respiratory tract and the lung.
Significance Support Vector Regression for Image Denoising
Authors: Sun Bing , Liu Xiaofeng
Published: September 2021

As an extension of the support vector machine, support vector regression (SVR) plays a significant role in image denoising. However, due to ignoring the spatial distribution information of noisy pixels, the conventional SVR denoising model faces the bottleneck of overfitting in the case of serious noise interference, which leads to a degradation of the denoising effect. For this problem, this paper proposes a significance measurement framework for evaluating the sample significance with sample spatial density information. Based on the analysis of the penalty factor in SVR, significance SVR (SSVR) is presented by assigning the sample significance factor to each sample. The refined penalty factor enables SSVR to be less susceptible to outliers in the solution process. This overcomes the drawback that the SVR imposes the same penalty factor for all samples, which leads to the objective function paying too much attention to outliers, resulting in poorer regression results. As an example of the proposed framework applied in image denoising, a cutoff distance-based significance factor is instantiated to estimate the samples’ importance in SSVR. Experiments conducted on three image datasets showed that SSVR demonstrates excellent performance compared to the best-in-class image denoising techniques in terms of a commonly used denoising evaluation index and observed visual.
OMEGAlpes, an Open-Source Optimisation Model Generation Tool to Support Energy Stakeholders at District Scale
Authors: Hodencq Sacha , Brugeron Mathieu , Fitó Jaume , Morriet Lou , Delinchant Benoit , Wurtz Frédéric
Published: September 2021

Energy modelling is key in order to face the challenges of energy transition. There is a wide variety of modelling tools, depending on their purpose or study phase. This article summarises their main characteristics and highlights ones that are relevant when it comes to the preliminary design of energy studies at district scale. It introduces OMEGAlpes, a multi-carrier energy modelling tool to support stakeholders in the preliminary design of district-scale energy systems. OMEGAlpes is a Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model generation tool for optimisation. It aims at making energy models accessible and understandable through its open-source development and the integration of energy stakeholders and their areas of responsibility into the models. A library of use cases developed with OMEGAlpes is presented and enables the presentation of past, current, and future development with the tool, opening the way for future developments and collaborations.
Raw Biogas Desulphurization Using the Adsorption-Absorption Technique for a Pilot Production of Agricultural Biogas from Pig Slurry in Poland
Authors: Kapłan Magdalena , Klimek Kamila , Syrotyuk Serhiy , Konieczny Ryszard , Jura Bartłomiej , Smoliński Adam , Szymenderski Jan , Budnik Krzysztof , Anders Dorota , Dybek Barbara , Karwacka Agnieszka , Wałowski Grzegorz
Published: September 2021

The article reviews selected methods and techniques of agricultural biogas desulphurization. Presented is the current state of technological and measurement systems as well as raw biogas purification methods in terms of control and measurement-socio-economic aspects were also pointed out. On the example of a pilot agricultural biogas with the use of pig slurry, the required technical and technological criteria for the production and processing of agricultural biogas were indicated. The article presents the preliminary results of experimental studies on the course of changes in the volumetric composition of biogas on the basis of the average daily production of agricultural biogas.The amount of H2S in raw and purified biogas was analyzed with the proprietary biogas desulphurization method in terms of the process parameters. A novelty is the use of a developed carbon mixture (activated carbon) with turf ore (iron compounds), which allows for 100% desulfurization of raw agricultural biogas under process conditions for mesophilic fermentation. The measurement results show a clear influence of desulphurization using the proprietary adsorption-absorption technique-agricultural biogas.
Piezoelectric Properties of PVDF-Zn2GeO4 Fine Fiber Mats
Authors: Rubaiya Fariha , Mohan Swati , Srivastava Bhupendra B. , Vasquez Horacio , Lozano Karen
Published: September 2021

The current paper presents the development and characterization of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-Zn2GeO4 (ZGO) fine fiber mats. ZGO nanorods (NRs) were synthesized using a hydrothermal method and incorporated in a PVDF solution to produce fine fiber mats. The fiber mats were prepared by varying the concentration of ZGO NRs (1.25–10 wt %) using the Forcespinning® method. The developed mats showed long, continuous, and homogeneous fibers, with average fiber diameters varying from 0.7 to 1 µm, depending on the ZGO concentration. X-ray diffraction spectra depicted a positive correlation among concentration of ZGO NRs and strengthening of the beta phase within the PVDF fibers. The composite system containing 1.25 wt % of ZGO displayed the highest piezoelectric response of 172 V. This fine fiber composite system has promising potential applications for energy harvesting and the powering of wearable and portable electronics.
A WT-LUBE-PSO-CWC Wind Power Probabilistic Forecasting Model for Prediction Interval Construction and Seasonality Analysis
Authors: Bazionis Ioannis , Kousounadis-Knudsen Markos , Konstantinou Theodoros , Georgilakis Pavlos
Published: September 2021

Deterministic forecasting models have been used through the years to provide accurate predictive outputs in order to efficiently integrate wind power into power systems. However, such models do not provide information on the uncertainty of the prediction. Probabilistic models have been developed in order to present a wider image of a predictive outcome. This paper proposes the lower upper bound estimation (LUBE) method to directly construct the lower and upper bound of prediction intervals (PIs) via training an artificial neural network (ANN) with two outputs. To evaluate the PIs, the minimization of a coverage width criterion (CWC) cost function is proposed. A particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm along with a mutation operator is further implemented, in order to optimize the weights and biases of the neurons of the ANN. Furthermore, wavelet transform (WT) is adopted to decompose the input wind power data, in order to simplify the pre-processing of the data and improve the accuracy of the predictive results. The accuracy of the proposed model is researched from a seasonal perspective of the data. The application of the model on the publicly available data of the 2014 Global Energy Forecasting Competition shows that the proposed WT-LUBE-PSO-CWC forecasting technique outperforms the state-of-the-art methodology in important evaluation metrics.
Relay Identification Using Shifting Method for PID Controller Tuning
Authors: Hofreiter Milan
Published: September 2021

The aim of this study was to present a relay shifting method for relay feedback identification of dynamical systems suitable for PID controller tuning. The proposed technique uses a biased relay to determine frequency response points from a single experiment without any assumptions about a model transfer function. The method is applicable for open-loop stable, unstable, and integration processes, even with a delay, and regardless of whether they are oscillating or non-oscillating. The core of this technique was formed by the so-called relay shifting filter. In this study, the method was applied to a parameter estimation of a second-order time-delayed (SOTD) model that can describe, with acceptable accuracy, the dynamics of most processes (even with a transport delay) near the operating point. Simultaneously, a parameter setting for the PID controller was derived based on the model parameters. The applicability of the proposed method was demonstrated on various simulated processes and tested on real laboratory apparatuses.
Influence of Selected Substrate Dosage on the Process of Biogas Installation Start-Up in Real Conditions
Authors: Ignatowicz Katarzyna , Piekarski Jacek , Kogut Paweł
Published: September 2021

This paper presents an analysis of selected parameters of biogas, formed as a result of methane fermentation, during the start-up of a biogas installation, using water, liquid manure, corn silage and inoculated sludge as substrates. Moreover, the dependencies between the type and amount of the supplied substrate and the obtained parameters of biogas and fermentation mass are presented and explained. During 59 days after the start of the biogas plant operation, the methane content increased to a maximum of about 62%. Finally, after about 80 days, the methane content stabilized at a constant level of about 55%. CO2 content increased from about 6% (day 32) to about 46% (day 84), with a clear linear correlation between carbon dioxide and methane content. Oxygen content decreased from about 18% (day 32) to about 0.3% (day 84) as the resulting gases displaced air from the reactor, and there was also a linear correlation between oxygen and methane content. The hydrogen sulfide content decreased from about 76 ppm (day 32) to about 0 ppm (day 47), after which, in a clear power correlation to the methane content, it maximally increased to 890 ppm (day 61). However, for the sake of safe engine operation, the desulfurization plant was started on day 63, which resulted in a H2S concentration below 50 ppm on day 74 of the experiment. The final hydrogen sulfide content was 9 ppm on day 84 of the biogas plant start-up.
Experimental Testing of Combustion Parameters and Emissions of Waste Motor Oil and Its Diesel Mixtures
Authors: Đorđić Dragiša , Milotić Milan , Ćurguz Zoran , Đurić Slavko , Đurić Tihomir
Published: September 2021

The production of hydrocarbon fuel from waste engine oil is an excellent way to produce alternative fuels. The aim of the research in this paper is obtaining fuel with a mixture of waste engine oil (WMO) and diesel fuel that can be used as an alternative fuel for internal combustion engines and low power heat generators. With this goal in mind, tests were conducted to estimate the combustion parameters and emissions at a low heat output of 40 kW. Waste motor oils (WMO) and four of its diesel mixtures were used, varying in weight from 20% WMO to 50% WMO. Test results were analysed and compared with diesel fuel. Higher NO, CO and CO2 emissions were determined for WMO and its mixtures compared to diesel fuel. The flue gas temperature in the kiln was high for all WMO and diesel blends, which indicates the efficiency of the input energy. The absorption of flue gases in the scrubber with distilled water showed higher presence of sulphates, sulphides, nitrates and nitrites compared to allowable values.
The Thermal—Flow Processes and Flow Pattern in a Pulsating Heat Pipe—Numerical Modelling and Experimental Validation
Authors: Błasiak Przemysław , Opalski Marcin , Parmar Parthkumar , Czajkowski Cezary , Pietrowicz Sławomir
Published: September 2021

The aim of the article is to numerically model a two-dimensional multiphase flow based on the volume of fluid method (VOF) in a pulsating heat pipe (PHP). The current state of knowledge regarding the modeling of these devices was studied and summarised. The proposed model is developed within open source software, OpenFOAM, based on the predefined solver called interPhaseChangeFoam. The analyses were carried out in terms of the influence of four different mass transfer models between the phases, proposed by Tanasawa, Lee, Kafeel and Turan, and Xu et al. on the shape and dynamics of the internal flow structures. The numerical models were validated against data obtained from a specially designed experimental setup, consisting of three bends of pulsating heat pipes. The numerical calculations were carried out with ethanol being treated as a working medium and the initial and boundary conditions taken directly from the measurement procedures. The variable input parameter for the model was the heat flux implemented in the evaporation section and a fixed temperature applied to the condensation section. The flow structures obtained from the numerical analyses were compared and discussed with the flow structures gained from experimental studies by employing a high speed camera. In addition, to verify the quantitative results obtained from the numerical analyses with the experimental data, a technique called particle image velocimetry (PIV) was used for the velocity vector field. For the analysed velocity ranges, the relative error obtained was reached at the level of 10%.
Influence of Driving Direction on the Stability of a Group of Headings Located in a Field of High Horizontal Stresses in the Polish Underground Copper Mines
Authors: Adach-Pawelus Karolina , Pawelus Daniel
Published: September 2021

This paper investigates the problem of stability in a group of headings driven in high horizontal stress fields in the copper ore mines of the Legnica-Glogow Copper Belt (LGCB). The headings are protected with the roof bolting system. This problem is of high importance due to special safety regulations which apply in mining workings serving as airways and haulageways. The analysis was performed for a group of four headings driven in the geological and mining conditions of the Polkowice-Sieroszowice mine. The stability of the headings was evaluated with the use of Finite Element Method (FEM). The parameters of the rocks used in the numerical modeling have been determined on the basis of the Hoek–Brown classification, with the use of the RocLab 1.0 software. The parameters of the stress field have been identified on the basis of in situ measurements, which were performed in the Polkowice-Sieroszowice mine in 2012. The measurements were carried out with the use of the overcoring method, which is a stress relief method. A CSIRO HI probe was used as the measuring device. The tests were carried out on three measuring points, on which six successful tests were performed. The measurements confirmed the presence of high horizontal stresses in the rock mass. Numerical modeling was performed using the Phase2 v.8.0 software, in a triaxial stress state and in a plane strain state. The rock mass was described with an elastic-plastic model with softening. Numerical analyses were based on the Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion. It was assumed that the optimal measure of the stability of the group of headings is the range of the formed zone of yielded rock mass in the excavation roof. Numerical simulations have shown that the direction of driving the headings in the field of increased horizontal stresses may be of key importance for the stability of the headings in LGOM mines. The greatest extent of the yielded rock mass zone in the excavation roof occurred when the group of headings was driven in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the maximum horizontal stress component σH. The obtained results served to provide an example of the application of a roof bolting system to protect headings driven in unfavorable conditions in a high horizontal stress field.
Single-Machine Frequency Model and Parameter Identification for Inertial Constraints in Unit Commitment
Authors: Kim Sung-Eun , Chun Yeong-Han
Published: September 2021

In recent years, the need for generation mixes that consider the inertial constraints in unit commitment (UC) has increased because the inertia of these systems has decreased with the increased use of renewable energy. In these circumstances, single-machine models can calculate the minimum frequency and rate of change of frequency (RoCoF) at a high speed in terms of the characteristics of the changes in the generation mix, in order to identify the generation mixes that can satisfy inertial constraints. This study proposed methods to determine the parameters of the reduced frequency response (RFR) model, which is a single-machine model that considers the nonlinearity caused by restrictions on the generator’s output power, in order to apply inertial constraints to UC. The RFR models can include various forms of governor models and consider the nonlinear response characteristics of restrictions on the generator’s output power that change according to the scales of contingencies, system inertia, and changes in load characteristics through these parameters. From the simulations of real systems, it was observed that the parameters determined through the proposed methods achieved considerable accuracy in calculating the minimum frequency and RoCoF with the RFR model.
The Concept of Zero Waste in the Context of Supporting Environmental Protection by Consumers
Authors: Bogusz Małgorzata , Matysik-Pejas Renata , Krasnodębski Andrzej , Dziekański Paweł
Published: September 2021

Zero waste according to the Zero Waste International Alliance is an ethical, economical, effective and forward-thinking concept whereby people can change their lifestyles and habits to one that mimics natural cycles, where all discarded materials are designed to become resources that can benefit others. The aim of the study was to determine the knowledge of the Zero Waste problem (subject of the study) by respondents in selected Central and Eastern European countries, including Poland, Slovakia (EU countries) and Ukraine (EU associated country), as well as to verify whether the Zero Waste rules are known and implemented in sustainable activities of residents in the studied countries. The research was carried out using the CAWI method. The research tool was a structured questionnaire. The analysis of data from the countries covered by the study showed a significant relationship between the basic elements in the daily functioning of households related to the protection of the environment through responsible consumption, reuse and recovery of selected products, packaging and materials and food and the concept of Zero Waste. Research has shown that respondents consciously identify these activities with Zero Waste. According to the authors, the results of the research are the basis for public discussion at the European and global level in the field of creating legal regulations and educational programs in the context of waste management.
The Coupled Volume of Fluid and Brinkman Penalization Methods for Simulation of Incompressible Multiphase Flows
Authors: Sharaborin Evgenii L. , Rogozin Oleg A. , Kasimov Aslan R.
Published: September 2021

In this work, we contribute to the development of numerical algorithms for the direct simulation of three-dimensional incompressible multiphase flows in the presence of multiple fluids and solids. The volume of fluid method is used for interface tracking, and the Brinkman penalization method is used to treat solids; the latter is assumed to be perfectly superhydrophobic or perfectly superhydrophilic, to have an arbitrary shape, and to move with a prescribed velocity. The proposed algorithm is implemented in the open-source software Basilisk and is validated on a number of test cases, such as the Stokes flow between a periodic array of cylinders, vortex decay problem, and multiphase flow around moving solids.
Regularized Stokeslets Lines Suitable for Slender Bodies in Viscous Flow
Authors: Zhao Boan , Koens Lyndon
Published: September 2021

Slender-body approximations have been successfully used to explain many phenomena in low-Reynolds number fluid mechanics. These approximations typically use a line of singularity solutions to represent flow. These singularities can be difficult to implement numerically because they diverge at their origin. Hence, people have regularized these singularities to overcome this issue. This regularization blurs the force over a small blob and thereby removing divergent behaviour. However, it is unclear how best to regularize the singularities to minimize errors. In this paper, we investigate if a line of regularized Stokeslets can describe the flow around a slender body. This is achieved by comparing the asymptotic behaviour of the flow from the line of regularized Stokeslets with the results from slender-body theory. We find that the flow far from the body can be captured if the regularization parameter is proportional to the radius of the slender body. This is consistent with what is assumed in numerical simulations and provides a choice for the proportionality constant. However, more stringent requirements must be placed on the regularization blob to capture the near field flow outside a slender body. This inability to replicate the local behaviour indicates that many regularizations cannot satisfy the no-slip boundary conditions on the body’s surface to leading order, with one of the most commonly used blobs showing an angular dependency of velocity along any cross section. This problem can be overcome with compactly supported blobs, and we construct one such example blob, which can be effectively used to simulate the flow around a slender body.
Deep Learning and YOLOv3 Systems for Automatic Traffic Data Measurement by Moving Car Observer Technique
Authors: Guerrieri Marco , Parla Giuseppe
Published: September 2021

Macroscopic traffic flow variables estimation is of fundamental interest in the planning, designing and controlling of highway facilities. This article presents a novel automatic traffic data acquirement method, called MOM-DL, based on the moving observer method (MOM), deep learning and YOLOv3 algorithm. The proposed method is able to automatically detect vehicles in a traffic stream and estimate the traffic variables flow q, space mean speed vs. and vehicle density k for highways in stationary and homogeneous traffic conditions. The first application of the MOM-DL technique concerns a segment of an Italian highway. In the experiments, a survey vehicle equipped with a camera has been used. Using deep learning and YOLOv3 the vehicles detection and the counting processes have been carried out for the analyzed highway segment. The traffic flow variables have been calculated by the Wardrop relationships. The first results demonstrate that the MOM and MOM-DL methods are in good agreement with each other despite some errors arising with MOM-DL during the vehicle detection step due to a variety of reasons. However, the values of macroscopic traffic variables estimated by means of the Drakes’ traffic flow model together with the proposed method (MOM-DL) are very close to those obtained by the traditional one (MOM), being the maximum percentage variation less than 3%.
Time-Scale Decomposition Techniques Used in the Ship Path-Following Problem with Rudder Roll Stabilization Control
Authors: Ren Ru-Yi , Zou Zao-Jian , Wang Jian-Qin
Published: September 2021

The motion control of a surface ship based on a four degrees of freedom (4-DoF) (surge, sway, roll, and yaw) maneuvering motion model is studied in this paper. A time-scale decomposition method is introduced to solve the path-following problem, implementing Rudder Roll Stabilization (RRS) at the same time. The control objectives are to let the ship to track a predefined curve path under environmental disturbances, and to reduce the roll motion at the same time. A singular perturbation method is used to decouple the whole system into two subsystems of different time scales: the slow path-following subsystem and the fast roll reduction subsystem. The coupling effect of the two subsystems is also considered in this framework of analysis. RRS control is only possible when there is the so-called bandwidth separation characteristic in the ship motion system, which requires a large bandwidth separation gap between the two subsystems. To avoid the slow subsystem being affected by the wave disturbances of high frequency and large system uncertainties, the L1 adaptive control is introduced in the slow subsystem, while a Proportion-Differentiation (PD) control law is adopted in the fast roll reduction subsystem. Simulation results show the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed control strategy.
Magnetic Properties and Initiation of Biogenic Reefs in Xisha Islands, South China Sea, at the Oligo–Miocene Boundary
Authors: Li Yibing , Liu Xinyu , Chen Weiwei , Yi Liang
Published: September 2021

Biogenic reefs and carbonate platforms are valuable natural resources, playing an important role in modulating the global climate and in carbon cycles through biological processes. Biogenic reefs in the Xisha (Paracel) Islands began in the late Oligocene and covaried with the deep-sea basin of the South China Sea and with the aeolian deposit in the Chinese Loess Plateau. Core XK-1 was drilled into the Xisha Islands to their granitic base and well dated by magnetostratigraphy, offering an opportunity to reveal the details of how the Xisha reefs initiated. In this report, the lower section of the biogenic reefs (23.0–24.5 Ma) was sampled for studying magnetic properties. The main results are as follows: (1) magnetic minerals in the XK-1 biogenic reefs are dominated by low-coercivity and relatively coarse-grained magnetite; (2) the variabilities of magnetic parameters can be clustered into two sections around 23.6 Ma, and the differences between the two units are evident both in the amplitudes and the means; and (3) changes in the concentration-dependent magnetic parameters can be well correlated with the records of global deep-sea oxygen and carbon isotopes, and the sea level during the Oligo–Miocene boundary. Based on these results, a close link was inferred between biogenic reef evolution in the Xisha Islands and global climate change. This link likely highlights the covariation or the dominant role of the Asian monsoon in biogenic reefs and involves different responses to global temperature, CO2, and sea-level changes on various timescales. Therefore, we proposed that the origin of biogenic reefs in the Xisha Islands was likely paced by orbital obliquity from a long-term perspective.
Characteristics of Three-Dimensional Sound Propagation in Western North Pacific Fronts
Authors: Liu Jiaqi , Piao Shengchun , Zhang Minghui , Zhang Shizhao , Guo Junyuan , Gong Lijia
Published: September 2021

Oceanic fronts involved by ocean currents led to strong gradients of temperature, density and salinity, which have significant effects on underwater sound propagation. This paper focuses on the impact of the oceanic front on three-dimensional underwater sound propagation. A joint experiment of ocean acoustic and physical oceanography at the western North Pacific fronts is introduced. The measurement data for sound waves passed through the oceanic front is processed. The results are analysed and compared with the numerical simulation. It was found that transmission loss presented some difference when the source was located in the front centre and sound waves propagated towards water mass on opposite sides of the front centre. And when the sound field is excited by the underwater explosion at a depth of 200 m, the effects of the horizontal refraction cannot be neglected. On the other hand, the transmission loss for sound pressure fell sharply and rose rapidly at the side of cold water masses.
Disseminated Geosmithia argillacea Infection in a Patient with Ph-Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Giordano Antonio , Di Landro Francesca , De Carolis Elena , Criscuolo Marianna , Dragonetti Giulia , Fianchi Luana , Pagano Livio
Published: September 2021

Invasive fungal infection (IFI) remains the major complication in patients with either acute leukemia, allogeneic stem cell transplantation setting, or both, especially regarding pulmonary localization. We report an experience of a 74-year-old Caucasian male with a Philadelphia-positive (BCR-ABL p190) Common B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who developed a pulmonary infection due to Geosmithia argillacea. Furthermore, we describe the management of this complication and the results of microbiological tests useful to guide the treatment. All cases reported show failure of voriconazole treatment. In the majority of cases a good susceptibility to posaconazole has been reported, which seems to have a good clinical impact; however, only L-AmB shows a clinical effect to produce quick clinical improvement and so it should be a drug of choice. A literature revision shows that only a few papers have thus far described this infection, at present only one case was reported in a hematological setting like a gastrointestinal graft versus host disease in an allogeneic HSCT recipient. The severity of clinical conditions in hematological malignancy settings requires improving the management of this emerging invasive fungal infection. Indeed, a molecular diagnostic approach with a tight laboratory collaboration and targeted therapy should become the gold standard.
The issue of assessment of efficiency of works on land reclamation fisheries in inland waters of Russia
Authors: Bykov Andrey Dmitrievich , Brazhnik Svetlana Yuryevna
Published: September 2021

The article considers the issue of assessing the long-term results of work on fisheries reclamation in inland waters of fisheries significance in Russia, carried out by the branches of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “Glavrybvod” on the state task in terms of their effectiveness. The relationship between dredging and clearing of watercourse beds and the dynamics of the number of producers of semi-navigable and non-aquatic fish in these rivers during spawning migrations has not been established. With long-term mowing of wetland vegetation in the shallow waters of reservoirs, deltas of large rivers and estuaries, there is no increase in their commercial fish productivity. A number of examples show the opposite effect of this type of work, which leads to a local deterioration of the ecological state of these reservoirs. At the same time, the repeatedly proven method of combating higher aquatic vegetation in the reservoirs of the south of Russia in low water conditions as biomelioration, based on the introduction of fish, consumers of autotrophic products by regional branches of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “Glavrybvod” is practically not used. When installing artificial spawning grounds in the littoral zone of reservoirs, regular ichthyological monitoring of the effectiveness of spawning on them is not carried out. There are no reliable data confirming the significant positive impact of artificial spawning grounds on the population dynamics of commercial fish species of the limnophilic ecological group under conditions of significant spring water level depletion in Russian reservoirs. When catching predatory and low-value fish species in water bodies, legal obstacles arise due to the fact that the volume of seizure of predatory fish includes commercial objects for which the ODE is established annually and their catch is already carried out according to industrial quotas.
Scientists from Zoological Museum and Zoological Institute of RAS — researchers of biological diversity and biological resources of the Caspian Sea
Authors: Smurov Aleksey Olegovich , Plotnikov Igor Svetozarovich\ , Aladin Nikolai Vasil’evic
Published: September 2021

The origins of the study of the Caspian Sea date back to the 18th century, when the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences was founded. The first explorers of the Caspian were academicians P.S. Pallas and S.G. Gmelin. In the 19th century, the study of Caspian fish was continued by K.E. von Baer and O.A. Grimm. Karl von Baer from 1853 to 1857 made four scientific trips to the shores of the Caspian Sea. He pioneered the fundamentals of sustainable fisheries. The main result of the expedition of K.E. von Baer — N.Ya. Danilevsky was the Charter of the Caspian fish and seal fisheries, approved by the government in 1865. According to the results of O.A. Grimm expedition 1874–1876 many new species of worms and crustaceans were discovered and it was found that from 278 species of fish, 150 are found nowhere else. The study of the biodiversity of fish and their parasite fauna in the first half of the last century was continued by scientists of the Zoological Institute N.M. Knipovich, A.N. Svetovidov, A.L. Behning, V.A. Dogel and B.E. Bykhovsky. In 2004, sciemtists of ZIN RAS published the “Catalogue of Agnathans and Fishes of Fresh and Brackish Waters of Russia with comments on nomenclature and taxonomy”, which includes valid names of taxa of agnathans and fish ranging from type to subspecies inhabiting fresh and brackish waters (up to 13 g/l) of the Azov and Caspian Seas and the freshened estuaries of the rivers of the northern and Far Eastern seas (18 orders, 43 families, 175 genera and 486 species). At present, scientists of ZIN RAS continue to study the fish resources of the Caspian Sea.
The main problems and prospects for the development of transportation along the Northern Sea Route
Authors: Pustokhina Irina Valerievna , Bakanova Elena Antonovna , Osokina Dariya Vyacheslavovna
Published: September 2021

The article discusses the main features of the development of the Northern Sea Route. The effect of temperature is analyzed, and three climate predictions are highlighted. The authors highlight the main problems and propose solutions to these problems. The article also discusses the development of the Northern Sea Route and the creation of the Northern Sea Transport Corridor.