bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the Adverse Health Effects of Cell Phone Radiation and Propose Solutions to Minimize Them: A Systematic Review
Authors: Elyasi Hadis , Ghanbari Masoud , Nadri Farshad
Published: April 2024

Today, mobile phones are one of the most common devices emitting electromagnetic radiation and are available to more than seven billion people in different age groups around the world. The effects of electromagnetic radiation on biological systems have been studied for several years. In this systematic review to find relevant articles, international databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Cochrane were used since 2007–2022 by selecting appropriate keywords. The result revealed that exposure to cell phone radiation can lead to disturb in the metabolic activity of the cerebellum by increasing the migration of granulosa cells, decrease the water around the fetus in pregnant women, decrease in the number of blood plates, increasing levels of ALT and AST that they are the key biomarkers of liver damage, decrease of phagocytosis and induced apoptosis of neutrophils, changes at the level of glucose and even at the microscopic level of pancreas this may be a predisposing factor for diabetes, increment in tissue temperature in all depth of the brain tissue, EMF increase the volume, weight, and atresia follicles of the ovaries of the children, also it can cause oxidative stress, DNA fragmentation, etc. Mobile phone radiation is harmful and depends on its intensity, frequency, wave type, and exposure duration. It can cause different biological effects in humans. Due to the uncertainty of the results and mechanism of the effect of these waves, research in this field is still ongoing.
Heredity and Forensic Implications of Lip Prints among Indian Twins and Non-Twin Siblings: A Cheiloscopy Study
Authors: Thete Sanjay G. , Shetiya Nidhi Vaibhav , Gadakh Mahesh Arjun , Shele Sweta Prakash , Ghorpade Rutuja Babanrao , Shah Pakhi Piyush
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT

Objectives:

This study aimed to assess the lip prints of Indian twins and non-twin siblings to evaluate the existence of heredity in the lip prints of these individuals.

Materials and Methods:

The study employed a blind, cross-sectional, quantitative approach with an inductive method and extensive direct observation. The sample consisted of 30 twins and 30 non-twin siblings, divided into three groups based on gender with 10 subjects in each subgroup. All participants were aged between 10 and 30 years and were instructed on the methods and techniques involved in the study.

Results:

The lip prints of participants were recorded using dark-colored lipstick, bond paper, cellophane tape, and a brush, and were examined for lip thickness measurement (in mm), classification of lip commissures, and assessment of groove patterns. The findings were then analyzed to determine the pattern of lip prints among twins and non-twin siblings.

Conclusion:

Cheiloscopy, the forensic investigation technique based on lip trace identification, could benefit from this study’s findings as it explores the existence of heredity in lip prints of Indian twins and non-twin siblings.
An In Vivo Study to Evaluate and Compare Anxiety and Behavior Management of Pediatric Patients Using Distraction Techniques
Authors: Jyoti Divya , Shams Saleh Abuzer , Anand Prerna , Sagar Swati , Raj Nandita , Singh Surbhi
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT

Aim:

To compare the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) glasses and on-screen distraction techniques in managing anxiety and behavior in children receiving dental treatments.

Materials and Methods:

Forty patients aged 4–8 years requiring restoration were divided into two groups: group I with 20 members using audio-visual distraction aid in the form of VR glasses and group II with 20 participants utilizing on-screen distraction techniques. Each child underwent two appointments one week apart; their anxiety and behavior levels were assessed at each visit using the Facial Image Scale and Frankel’s Behavior rating scale.

Result:

The Wilcoxon signed-rank and Chi-squared test were utilized to assess the correlation between two categorical variables, with VR demonstrating a notable divergence from on-screen distraction.

Conclusions:

Both on-screen distraction and VR applications decreased anxiety levels and improved behavior. However, VR was substantially more effective in managing these areas.
Dysfunction of synaptic endocytic trafficking in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Ng Xin Yi , Cao Mian
Published: April 2024

Parkinson’s disease is characterized by the selective degeneration of dopamine neurons in the nigrostriatal pathway and dopamine deficiency in the striatum. The precise reasons behind the specific degeneration of these dopamine neurons remain largely elusive. Genetic investigations have identified over 20 causative PARK genes and 90 genomic risk loci associated with both familial and sporadic Parkinson’s disease. Notably, several of these genes are linked to the synaptic vesicle recycling process, particularly the clathrin-mediated endocytosis pathway. This suggests that impaired synaptic vesicle recycling might represent an early feature of Parkinson’s disease, followed by axonal degeneration and the eventual loss of dopamine cell bodies in the midbrain via a “dying back” mechanism. Recently, several new animal and cellular models with Parkinson’s disease-linked mutations affecting the endocytic pathway have been created and extensively characterized. These models faithfully recapitulate certain Parkinson’s disease-like features at the animal, circuit, and cellular levels, and exhibit defects in synaptic membrane trafficking, further supporting the findings from human genetics and clinical studies. In this review, we will first summarize the cellular and molecular findings from the models of two Parkinson’s disease-linked clathrin uncoating proteins: auxilin (DNAJC6/PARK19) and synaptojanin 1 (SYNJ1/PARK20). The mouse models carrying these two PARK gene mutations phenocopy each other with specific dopamine terminal pathology and display a potent synergistic effect. Subsequently, we will delve into the involvement of several clathrin-mediated endocytosis-related proteins (GAK, endophilin A1, SAC2/INPP5F, synaptotagmin-11), identified as Parkinson’s disease risk factors through genome-wide association studies, in Parkinson’s disease pathogenesis. We will also explore the direct or indirect roles of some common Parkinson’s disease-linked proteins (alpha-synuclein (PARK1/4), Parkin (PARK2), and LRRK2 (PARK8)) in synaptic endocytic trafficking. Additionally, we will discuss the emerging novel functions of these endocytic proteins in downstream membrane traffic pathways, particularly autophagy. Given that synaptic dysfunction is considered as an early event in Parkinson’s disease, a deeper understanding of the cellular mechanisms underlying synaptic vesicle endocytic trafficking may unveil novel targets for early diagnosis and the development of interventional therapies for Parkinson’s disease. Future research should aim to elucidate why generalized synaptic endocytic dysfunction leads to the selective degeneration of nigrostriatal dopamine neurons in Parkinson’s disease.
On the functions of astrocyte-mediated neuronal slow inward currents
Authors: Pál Balázs
Published: April 2024

Slow inward currents are known as neuronal excitatory currents mediated by glutamate release and activation of neuronal extrasynaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors with the contribution of astrocytes. These events are significantly slower than the excitatory postsynaptic currents. Parameters of slow inward currents are determined by several factors including the mechanisms of astrocytic activation and glutamate release, as well as the diffusion pathways from the release site towards the extrasynaptic receptors. Astrocytes are stimulated by neuronal network activity, which in turn excite neurons, forming an astrocyte-neuron feedback loop. Mostly as a consequence of brain edema, astrocytic swelling can also induce slow inward currents under pathological conditions. There is a growing body of evidence on the roles of slow inward currents on a single neuron or local network level. These events often occur in synchrony on neurons located in the same astrocytic domain. Besides synchronization of neuronal excitability, slow inward currents also set synaptic strength via eliciting timing-dependent synaptic plasticity. In addition, slow inward currents are also subject to non-synaptic plasticity triggered by long-lasting stimulation of the excitatory inputs. Of note, there might be important region-specific differences in the roles and actions triggering slow inward currents. In greater networks, the pathophysiological roles of slow inward currents can be better understood than physiological ones. Slow inward currents are identified in the pathophysiological background of autism, as slow inward currents drive early hypersynchrony of the neural networks. Slow inward currents are significant contributors to paroxysmal depolarizational shifts/interictal spikes. These events are related to epilepsy, but also found in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke, leading to the decline of cognitive functions. Events with features overlapping with slow inward currents (excitatory, N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor mediated currents with astrocytic contribution) as ischemic currents and spreading depolarization also have a well-known pathophysiological role in worsening consequences of stroke, traumatic brain injury, or epilepsy. One might assume that slow inward currents occurring with low frequency under physiological conditions might contribute to synaptic plasticity and memory formation. However, to state this, more experimental evidence from greater neuronal networks or the level of the individual is needed. In this review, I aimed to summarize findings on slow inward currents and to speculate on the potential functions of it.
A core scientific problem in the treatment of central nervous system diseases: newborn neurons
Authors: Hao Peng , Yang Zhaoyang , So Kwok-Fai , Li Xiaoguang
Published: April 2024

It has long been asserted that failure to recover from central nervous system diseases is due to the system’s intricate structure and the regenerative incapacity of adult neurons. Yet over recent decades, numerous studies have established that endogenous neurogenesis occurs in the adult central nervous system, including humans’. This has challenged the long-held scientific consensus that the number of adult neurons remains constant, and that new central nervous system neurons cannot be created or renewed. Herein, we present a comprehensive overview of the alterations and regulatory mechanisms of endogenous neurogenesis following central nervous system injury, and describe novel treatment strategies that target endogenous neurogenesis and newborn neurons in the treatment of central nervous system injury. Central nervous system injury frequently results in alterations of endogenous neurogenesis, encompassing the activation, proliferation, ectopic migration, differentiation, and functional integration of endogenous neural stem cells. Because of the unfavorable local microenvironment, most activated neural stem cells differentiate into glial cells rather than neurons. Consequently, the injury-induced endogenous neurogenesis response is inadequate for repairing impaired neural function. Scientists have attempted to enhance endogenous neurogenesis using various strategies, including using neurotrophic factors, bioactive materials, and cell reprogramming techniques. Used alone or in combination, these therapeutic strategies can promote targeted migration of neural stem cells to an injured area, ensure their survival and differentiation into mature functional neurons, and facilitate their integration into the neural circuit. Thus can integration replenish lost neurons after central nervous system injury, by improving the local microenvironment. By regulating each phase of endogenous neurogenesis, endogenous neural stem cells can be harnessed to promote effective regeneration of newborn neurons. This offers a novel approach for treating central nervous system injury.
The prevalence and patterns of common chief complaints among patients at Taif University Dental Hospital, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alqarni Ali , AlHarthi Shaimaa , Felemban Mohammed , Abed Hassan , Shukr Bandar , Al-Johani Khalid , AlShamrani Ammar , Sharka Rayan
Published: April 2024

Background:

The primary reasons for individuals seeking dental care, often referred to as chief complaints (CC), have significant importance in the process of gathering patient histories and devising treatment strategies before commencing treatment.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to assess and describe the prevalence and patterns of CC among a sample of dental patients attending the University Dental Hospital (UDH) at Taif University, Taif City, Saudi Arabia, and also to examine the association between the type of CC and gender and age.

Settings and Design:

This study was a retrospective study.

Materials and Methods:

The process of data extraction and organization included the use of a standardized form. The form primarily consisted of demographic characteristics, including age and sex, as well as CC. The dataset comprises information gathered from a sample of 900 dental patients who sought treatment at the dental clinics of the UDH at Taif University during the period from September 2022 to December 2022.

Statistical Analysis:

All statistical analyses were conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 17 (Chicago Inc.).

Results:

The most primary complaints stated by patients were related to dental pain and the need for restorative procedures, involving 83.7% of the total number of visits. Dental pain was the most common CC (48.4%), followed by teeth restorations (35.3%), a routine checkup (6.6%), tooth cleaning (6.3%), and others (3.3%). There was a significant association between the CCs and the patient’s age and gender (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

The findings of this study highlight the importance of acquiring an accurate CC. Moreover, dental pain and the need for restorative procedures were identified as the key reasons for seeking dental care.
Incidental diagnosis of microfilariae in urine in a case of prostatic carcinoma: A case report with a cytohistological correlation
Authors: Aden Durre , Gupta Prajwala , Chauhan D. S.
Published: April 2024

Filariasis is an endemic parasitic infection commonly found in the tropics and subtropics, such as India. Microfilariae have been reported in various cytological samples, but they are rare to find in urine samples. The presence of microfilariae in urine can be incidental or associated with other malignancies. The cytological examination can help diagnose such cases. Clinically, it may present unusually as achylous hematuria and a urinary bladder mass lesion, mimicking bladder cancer. There have been a few reported cases of microfilariae in urine along with prostatic malignancy, and the present case highlights the same. Here, we report a treated case of metastatic prostatic carcinoma presenting as a bladder mass in a 61-year-old male, who was diagnosed with microfilariasis in urine cytology. This case is presented not only for its dual pathology or rare occurrence but also to emphasize that an incidental finding can help in treating it medically with no surgical intervention.
A retrospective cohort study of myocarditis prevalence and diagnosis in Al‐Baha region, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alghamdi Ruba A. , Alyahyawi Hanan E. , Albanghali Mohammad A. , Almalki Shaia Saleh Rajab
Published: April 2024

Background:

Carditis describes heart inflammation with a variety of symptoms ranging from mild chest pain to cardiac shock or even sudden death. Myocarditis will result in heart failure (HF) in around 12%–17% of adults, with a death rate of approximately 8.4/100,000. The causatives of myocarditis include viral, bacterial, fungal, and protozoan infections.

Aims:

This retrospective cohort study aimed to statistically analyze the prevalence and diagnosis of myocarditis and other cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) among admitted patients to Al-Baha Hospitals in Saudi Arabia.

Setting and Design:

The study involved 384 patients diagnosed with CVDs at Al-Baha Hospital between January 2017 and December 2022.

Statistical Analysis and Results:

Overall, patients’ ages ranged from 25 to 94 years, averaging 59 ± 14. The majority of patients with different CVDs were aged between 41 and 70 years (69% myocardial infarction (MI), 48% HF, and 56% heart block). Most of the patients were male (80%), and 90% of the participants were Saudis. The incidence of CVDs showed a gradual increase between 2017 and 2019 and a dramatic increase in 2020 and 2022 compared to other years. The analysis included the most common laboratory markers aimed for the diagnosis. The result of the study showed an increase in lactate dehydrogenase (91%), creatine kinase (CK) (95%), CK-myocardial band (93%), aspartate aminotransferase (94%), and white blood cells (89%) of the patients who were diagnosed with MI compared to the other CVDs.

Conclusions:

It is important to note that while electrocardiogram, complete blood count, and cardiac profile form the core of the diagnostic protocol, additional diagnostic measures may be considered depending on the specific circumstances.
Outcome of Cancer Patients with an Unplanned Intensive Care Unit Admission: Predictors of Mortality and Long-term Survival
Authors: AlSaied Ghiath , Lababidi Hani , AlHawdar Taher , AlZahrani Saud , AlMotairi Abdullah , AlMaani Mohamad
Published: April 2024

Background:

Understanding the characteristics and outcomes of cancer patients with unplanned ICU admission is imperative for therapeutic decisions and prognostication purposes.

Objective:

To describe the clinical characteristics of patients with hematological and non-hematological malignancies (NHM) who require unplanned ICU admission and to determine the predictors of mortality and long-term survival.

Methods:

This retrospective study included all patients with cancer who had an unplanned ICU admission between 2011 and 2016 at a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia. The following variables were collected: age, gender, ICU length of stay (LOS), APACHE II score, type of malignancy, febrile neutropenia, source and time of admission, and need for mechanical ventilation (MV), renal replacement therapy (RRT), and treatment with vasopressors (VP). Predictors of mortality and survival rates at 28 days and 3, 6, and 12 months were calculated.

Results:

The study included 410 cancer patients with 466 unplanned ICU admissions. Of these, 52% had NHM. The average LOS in the ICU was 9.6 days and the mean APACHE score was 21.9. MV was needed in 73% of the patients, RRT in 15%, and VP in 24%, while febrile neutropenia was present in 24%. There were statistically significant differences between survivors and non-survivors in the APACHE II score (17.7 ± 8.0 vs. 25.6 ± 9.2), MV use (52% vs. 92%), need for RRT (6% vs. 23%), VP use (42% vs. 85%), and presence of febrile neutropenia (18% vs. 30%). The predictors of mortality were need for MV (OR = 4.97), VP (OR = 3.43), RRT (OR = 3.31), and APACHE II score (OR = 1.10). Survival rates at 28 days, 3, 6, and 12 months were 52%, 28%, 22%, and 15%, respectively.

Conclusion:

The survival rate of cancer patients with an unplanned admission to the ICU remains low. Predictors of mortality include need for MV, RRT, and VP and presence of febrile neutropenia. About 85% of cancer patients died within 1 year after ICU admission.
Use of Child Safety Seat and its Determinants in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Al-Wassia Heidi Kamal , Bokhari Omar K. , Aljahdali Mohammed A. , Bawazier Mohammad AN. , Basheikh Mohammad AB. , Alsheekh Mansour A. , Alandunesi Yazeed T. , Hakeem Mohammad N. , Bamehrez Maha Y. , Meisha Dalia E.
Published: April 2024

Background:

A child safety seat protects children from injury during motor vehicle accidents (MVAs). However, there is a lack of enforcement of regulation regarding its use in Saudi Arabia.

Objectives:

This study aimed to determine the use of child safety seat and its determinants and barriers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Materials and Methods:

This cross-sectional study was based on a structured face-to-face interview across Jeddah among families who drove in cars with children aged ≤5 years. The study used stratified multistage random sampling across the population of the governorate of Jeddah.

Results:

A total of 675 parents were included, of which 311 (46.1%) reported having a child safety seat in their vehicle, and only 165 (24.4%) reported its regular use. Awareness levels among parents regarding child safety seat use and its benefits, parents’ level of education, family size, family income, and the belief in the need for laws governing child safety seat were key determinants of child safety seat use. Poor awareness among parents regarding the utility of child safety seat in reducing child injuries, low education levels among parents, larger families with multiple children, poor affordability, low family income, and a clear lack of laws mandating the use of child safety seat were identified as key barriers.

Conclusions:

The regular use of child safety seat for children aged ≤5 years is low in even one of the most urban populations of Saudi Arabia. This indicates the need for large-scale awareness drives and stricter implementation of laws enforcing the use of child safety seat in Saudi Arabia.
Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection Associated with Pulmonary Hemorrhage: A Case Report
Authors: Alali Rudaynah A.
Published: April 2024

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is becoming an important cause of acute coronary syndrome, particularly among young women. Its association with female gender, pregnancy, and postpartum period and emotional stress differentiate it from atherosclerotic heart disease. In recent years, there has been more awareness and improved diagnostic and management capabilities, which in turn has increased the diagnostic yield, although knowledge gaps remain. In the present case, a 36-year-old female, who was at 1-month postpartum period, presented with ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest. The clinical course was associated with pulmonary hemorrhage. The patient had no current atherosclerotic risk factors, only a family history of sudden cardiac arrest in her mother and sister. She underwent a coronary angiogram, which revealed spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) in both the left anterior descending and left circumflex artery. Percutaneous coronary intervention was performed but the clinical course was associated with pulmonary hemorrhage. Bronchopulmonary lavage was performed as a diagnostic and therapeutic intervention, and she was discharged in good health. SCAD is an important differential diagnosis in young females presenting with acute coronary syndrome or cardiac arrest. Early recognition and diagnosis are important to decrease the high mortality rate of this disease.
Integrative Resource Management in Multi Cloud Computing: A DRL Based Approach for multi-objective Optimization
Authors: Kaur Ramanpreet , Anand Divya , Kaur Upinder , Verma Sahil
Published: April 2024

INTRODUCTION: The multi-data canter architecture is being investigated as a significant development in meeting the increasing demands of modern applications and services. The study provides a toolset for creating and managing virtual machines (VMs) and physical hosts (PMs) in a virtualized cloud environment, as well as for simulating various scenarios based on real-world cloud usage trends.
OBJECTIVES: To propose an optimized resource management model using the Enhanced Flower Pollination algorithm in a heterogeneous environment.
METHODS: The combination of Q-learning with flower pollination raises the bar in resource allocation and job scheduling. The combination of these advanced methodologies enables our solution to handle complicated and dynamic scheduling settings quickly, making it suited for a wide range of practical applications. The algorithm finds the most promising option by using Q-values to drive the pollination process, enhancing efficiency and efficacy in discovering optimal solutions. An extensive testing using simulation on various datasets simulating real-world scenarios consistently demonstrates the suggested method's higher performance.
RESULTS: In the end, the implementation is done on AWS clouds; the proposed methodology shows the excellent performance by improving energy efficiency, Co2 Reduction and cost having multi-cloud environment  
CONCLUSION: The comprehensive results and evaluations of the proposed work demonstrate its effectiveness in achieving the desired goals. Through extensive experimentation on diverse datasets representing various real-world scenarios, the proposed work consistently outperforms existing state-of-the-art algorithms.
Study on the Influence of Land Use Change on Carbon Emissions Using System Modeling under the Framework of Dual Carbon Goals
Authors: Zhang Pingli , Yang Zhengyu , Ma Qianqian , Huang Jingjing , Jia Jia , Li Hongchao , Liu Hongfei
Published: April 2024

At the crucial period of addressing climate change, especially to the carbonization of land use change, it is vital that relevant actions are taken to enable two ambitious dual-carbon goals, namely, ensuring that carbon emissions peak before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060. This research investigates the impacts of land use changes on carbon emissions using a novel approach that integrates Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) with Geographic Information System (GIS). This approach is innovative due to its high quality three-dimensional representation to quantified exact carbon stock and forest emissions occurring due to specific land-use change. Therefore, through actual LiDAR, this research helps demarcate the pattern emitting different land-use measures, including deforestation, urban programs, agricultural differences, and forest and land changes, over historical change records and verified carbonization formulas. Similar qualitative levels between LiDAR and GIS analysis help determine the varying degrees of carbonization occurring due to enhanced deforestation, urban additions, and agricultural contributions while reporting the possible procedural carbons acquired during reforestation and other measurements. The results helped clarify that the most distinct level of land utilization shows the least level of carbon sent into the air. Therefore, the implication is that strategic land use measures and better working conditions can curb carbon indications. These signals support land-use policy and preparedness goals in a low carbon level. This study creates valuable records for the land utilization and cartograph, created through the power of LiDAR and GIS analysis.
Magnetically Oriented Core Lamination Manufactured from Non-Oriented Electrical Steel Sheets
Authors: He Youliang , Sebesta Damir , Podlesny Maciej
Published: April 2024

Soft magnetic cores of electric motors and generators are normally manufactured by stamping individual circular laminates from non-oriented electrical steel (NOES) sheets and stacking them layer by layer to reach the required height. The traditional lamination method can only achieve the average performance of the NOES since the magnetization is in all the directions of the sheet plane. Although NOES is ideal to have isotropic magnetic properties in all the directions of the sheet plane, commercially available electrical steel sheets always show apparent anisotropy in the rotating magnetization directions lying in the sheet plane. The anisotropy in magnetic properties not only causes fluctuations in the rotating magnetic field, but also leads to oscillations in electromagnetic torque, and thus needs to be minimized. In this paper, a novel electrical steel lamination technique is developed, which takes the advantage of the inherent magnetic anisotropy of electrical steel sheets to improve the motor performance by aligning the teeth of the laminates to the electrical steel sheet’s easy magnetization direction while significantly reducing the material waste during the lamination process. This technique differs from the slinky or spiral lamination technology in that individual laminates (instead of a continuous, spiral lamination) are stacked which can significantly reduce the eddy current loss by isolating the individual laminates as in the conventional method. The process to manufacture prototype lamination cores from commercial NOES sheets using this new method is demonstrated in this paper. The potential impact of this manufacturing technology on the motor industry is discussed.
Data-Driven Estimation of Coastdown Road Load
Authors: Singh Yuvraj , Jayakumar Adithya , Rizzoni Giorgio
Published: April 2024

Emissions and fuel economy certification testing for vehicles is carried out on a chassis dynamometer using standard test procedures. The vehicle coastdown method (SAE J2263) used to experimentally measure the road load of a vehicle for certification testing is a time-consuming procedure considering the high number of distinct variants of a vehicle family produced by an automaker today. Moreover, test-to-test repeatability is compromised by environmental conditions: wind, pressure, temperature, track surface condition, etc., while vehicle shape, driveline type, transmission type, etc. are some factors that lead to vehicle-to-vehicle variation. Controlled lab tests are employed to determine individual road load components: tire rolling resistance (SAE J2452), aerodynamic drag (wind tunnels), and driveline parasitic loss (dynamometer in a driveline friction measurement lab). These individual components are added to obtain a road load model to be applied on a chassis dynamometer. However, lab-tested quantities may not account for environmental noise factors and qualitative vehicle characteristics leading to a significant residual road load between the track-tested and lab-tested road loads. Regression modeling techniques are explored for estimating this residual road load and the challenges are discussed. Additionally, a technique is developed to choose feature selection metrics using simulation of multivariate non-gaussian continuous and discrete data having similar statistical properties as the data obtained from automotive road tests. Using the selected features, two regularized regression techniques are experimented with. The first technique models the residual road load power, while the second technique models a polynomial relationship between vehicle speed and residual road load.
A Dynamic Model for the Rolling Resistance Considering Thermal States and Conditions
Authors: Lind Jonsson Oskar , Eriksson Lars , Holmbom Robin
Published: April 2024

Planning for charging in transport missions is vital when commercial long-haul vehicles are to be electrified. In this planning, accurate range prediction is essential so the trucks reach their destinations as planned. The rolling resistance significantly influences truck energy consumption, often considered a simple constant or a function of vehicle speed only. This is, however, a gross simplification, especially as the tire temperature has a significant impact. At 80 km/h, a cold tire can have three times higher rolling resistance than a warm tire.

A temperature-dependent rolling resistance model is proposed. The model is based on thermal networks for the temperature at four places around the tire. The model is tuned and validated using rolling resistance, tire shoulder, and tire apex temperature measurements with a truck in a climate wind tunnel with ambient temperatures ranging from -30 to 25 °C at an 80 km/h constant speed. Dynamic tire simulations were conducted using a heat transfer model, considering road, ambient, shoulder, and apex temperatures. The simulation results were compared with measured data for ambient, shoulder, and apex temperatures, and the model captures both time constants and stationary levels. The resulting model can predict the dynamics of the rolling resistance and will, therefore, give a more accurate prediction when tires are cold and warming up. Driving range simulations of a long haulage battery-electric truck have also been conducted demonstrating how the range changes with varying ambient temperatures as well as the influence a snapshot consumption has on range estimation.
Trajectory Planning of Autonomous Vehicles Based on Parameterized Control Optimization for Three-Degree-of-Freedom Vehicle Dynamics Model
Authors: Liu Longxi , Wang Zihao , Zhang Yunqing , Wu Jinglai
Published: April 2024

In contemporary trajectory planning research, it is common to rely on point-mass model for trajectory planning. However, this often leads to the generation of trajectories that do not adhere to the vehicle dynamics, thereby increasing the complexity of trajectory tracking control. This paper proposes a local trajectory planning algorithm that combines sampling and sequential quadratic optimization, considering the vehicle dynamics model. Initially, the vehicle trajectory is characterized by utilizing vehicle dynamic control variables, including the front wheel angle and the longitudinal speed. Next, a cluster of sampling points for the anticipated point corresponding to the current vehicle position is obtained through a sampling algorithm based on the vehicle's current state. Then, the trajectory planning problem between these two points is modeled as a sequential quadratic optimization problem. By employing an offline method, the optimal trajectory set between the present position and the anticipated point cluster is computed. After acquiring clusters of candidate trajectories, each candidate trajectory is evaluated to determine its feasibility and cost, considering factors such as efficiency and comfort. The best trajectory is then chosen as the local trajectory of vehicle. The trajectories generated using the proposed method and the quintic polynomial method are both tracked and controlled using a 3-DOF vehicle dynamic model. The results clearly demonstrate that the trajectories generated by the proposed method exhibit superior tracking performance.
Split Ring Resonator-based Metamaterial with Total Bandgap for Reducing NVH in Electric Vehicles
Authors: Gunreddy Prathik Reddy , Leamy Michael
Published: April 2024

We propose a novel Split Ring Resonator (SRR) metamaterial capable of achieving a total (or complete) bandgap in the material’s band structure, thereby reflecting airborne and structure-borne noise in a targeted frequency range. Electric Vehicles (EVs) experience tonal excitation arising from switching frequencies associated with motors and inverters, which can significantly affect occupant perception of vehicle quality. Recently proposed metamaterial designs reflect airborne noise and structure-borne transverse waves over a band of frequencies, but do not address structure-borne longitudinal waves in the same band. To achieve isolation of acoustic, transverse, and longitudinal elastic waves associated with tonal frequencies, we propose a metamaterial super cell with transverse and longitudinal resonant frequencies falling in a total bandgap. We calculate the resonant frequencies and corresponding mode shapes using finite element (FE) modal analysis. We obtain the unit cell band structure by applying Floquet-Bloch boundary conditions to a single cell and subsequently solve the associated eigenvalue problem. We compute the out-of-plane polarization of the eigenmodes to further distinguish between in-plane and flexural bandgaps. The resonant frequencies depend on the material used and the physical dimensions of the unit cell features. Using aluminum, we design the super cell to exhibit resonant frequencies and a total bandgap near 10 kHz, which is typically observed in the frequency content of inverter noise. Scaling the unit cell size also offers a predictable shift in the resonant frequencies, and thereby bandgap, offering adaptability for regulating various frequency emissions under consideration. Further, we assess the frequency response functions of the structure-borne vibration transmission using FE analysis and evaluate the sound transmission loss (STL) of the metamaterial using simulations accounting for coupled acoustic-structure interactions. Our proposed metamaterial is based on plate-like and shell-like structures commonly employed in automotive design, and thus can serve as a cost-effective and lightweight alternative to traditional sound-deadening materials.
A Study on Combustion and Emission Characteristics of an Ammonia-Biodiesel Dual-Fuel Engine
Authors: Liu Yi , Cai Kaiyuan , Qingchu Chen , Yunliang Qi , Wang Zhi
Published: April 2024

Internal combustion engines, as the dominant power source in the transportation sector and the primary contributor to carbon emissions, face both significant challenges and opportunities in the context of achieving carbon neutral goal. Biofuels, such as biodiesel produced from biomass, and zero-carbon fuel ammonia, can serve as alternative fuels for achieving cleaner combustion in internal combustion engines. The dual-fuel combustion of ammonia-biodiesel not only effectively reduces carbon emissions but also exhibits promising combustion performance, offering a favorable avenue for future applications. However, challenges arise in the form of unburned ammonia (NH3) and N2O emissions. This study, based on a ammonia-biodiesel duel-fuel engine modified from a heavy-duty diesel engine, delves into the impact of adjustments in the two-stage injection strategy on the combustion and emission characteristics. The research findings indicate that as the pre-injection timing advances, the ignition delay increases, and the first-stage heat release is delayed, the indicated thermal efficiency initially increases and then decreases, reaching a maximum of 48.5%, surpassing the indicated thermal efficiency of pure biodiesel combustion. With the advancement of the pre-injection timing, nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions exhibit an overall declining trend, while nitrous oxide (N2O), total hydrocarbons (THC), and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions increase, and there is an optimal pre-injection timing for reducing unburned ammonia emissions. Adjusting the main-injection timing can modulate the phase of ammonia-biodiesel combustion to improve the indiated thermal efficiency. Compared to the pure biodiesel mode, the equivalence CO2 emissions from the ammonia-biodiesel mode are significantly reduced by approximately 40%. Furthermore, this study compares the combustion and emission performance of ammonia-biodiesel and ammonia-diesel combustion modes, revealing that using biodiesel for ammonia ignition results in better performance, with reduced unburned ammonia emissions and higher indicated thermal efficiency. This research offers guidance for optimizing ammonia-biodiesel dual-fuel engine combustion and provides a pathway for further energy efficiency and carbon reduction in internal combustion engines.
Cradle to Grave Comparison on Emission Produced by EV and ICE Powertrains
Authors: Abraham Albert J.
Published: April 2024

Since the popularization of the Electric Vehicle (EV) there has been a large movement of consumers, governments, and the automotive industry due to its environmentally friendly characteristics. Unlike an IC engine, the batteries use multitudes of rare earth minerals and complex manufacturing processes which in some cases have been shown to produce as many emissions as an ICE vehicle over its entire lifespan. Another unnoticed important environmental concern has been the final recycling and disposal of the power train after its use. Unlike an ICE engine, which can be melted down or re-used, recycling batteries are much more difficult. In most cases the recycling process and the byproducts produced can be very harmful to the environment. This paper aims to be a complete cradle-to-grave analysis of all emissions produced in the life of an EV battery. This includes the mining of material required, refining of the material to a form suitable for manufacturing, manufacturing important components such as the cathode, anode and electrolyte, operational emission of the EV from the emissions produced by the powerplants to produce the necessary energy for operation as well as the emission produced to manufacture the fuel for ICE vehicles as well as the emission for recycling process and subtracting the equivalent emission for material recovered. This will then be placed against cradle-to-grave analysis of a conventional ICE engine powertrain to see the difference in emission for a lifetime of usage and infer on the ways to make EV desired solution to the current environmental issues.to make EV desired solution under the current environmental issues.
Efficient Electric School Bus Operations: Simulation-Based Auxiliary Load Analysis
Authors: Nawaz Muneebullah , Alsharif Khaled , Hanif Athar , Ahmed Qadeer
Published: April 2024

The study emphasizes transitioning school buses from diesel to electric to mitigate their environmental impact, addressing challenges like limited driving range through predictive models. This research introduces a comprehensive control-oriented model for estimating auxiliary loads in electric school buses. It begins by developing a transient thermal model capturing cabin behavior, divided into passenger and driver zones. Integrated with a control-oriented HVAC model, it estimates heating and cooling loads for desired cabin temperatures under various conditions. Real-world operational data from school bus specifications enhance the model’s practicality. The models are calibrated using experimental cabin-HVAC data, resulting in a remarkable overall Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 2.35°C and 1.88°C between experimental and simulated cabin temperatures. A lateral powertrain model has been developed that encompasses vehicle dynamics, electric machinery, transmission, and electrical loads, crucial for holistic analysis. The model also estimates the battery pack’s state-of-charge (SOC), vital for e-bus operations. The paper demonstrates the powertrain model with and without thermal load characterization to precisely estimate the battery SOC. This implies a foundational tool for thermal load management by accurately characterizing load peaks and enhancing the drive range through different control-oriented strategies. This research is pivotal for advancing sustainable transportation through optimized e-bus emissions, enhanced vehicle performance, and improved public transit quality.
Investigation on Fuel Economy Benefits by Lubrication System Optimization for a High Performance 2.2 L Diesel Engine
Authors: Kulkarni Shrihari , Dharan R Bharani , Kawatkar Amit , Sasikumar M. , Loganathan S.
Published: April 2024

Lubrication systems play a major role not only in the durability of modern IC engines but also in performance and emissions. The design of the lubrication system influences the brake thermal efficiency of the engine. Also, efficient lubrication reduces the engine's CO2 emissions significantly. Thus, it is critical for an IC engine to have a well-designed lubrication system that performs efficiently at all engine operating conditions. The conventional lubrication system has a fixed-displacement oil pump that can cater to a particular speed range. However, a fully variable displacement oil pump can cater to a wide range of speeds, thereby enhancing the engine fuel efficiency as the oil flow rates can be controlled precisely based on the engine speed and load conditions.

This paper primarily discusses the optimization of a lubrication system with a Variable Displacement Oil Pump (VDOP) and a map-controlled Piston Cooling Jet (PCJ) for a passenger car diesel engine. The drive ratio for the variable oil pump has been optimized with minimum pump capacity to reduce power consumption as well as meet the engine flow rate requirements. Performance of the lubrication system was evaluated with two different drive ratios, considering the multiple application variants that have been presented in the paper. Also, the oil pressure limits were mapped across the engine speed range such that the maximum oil pressure was limited within the durability target oil pressure limits to get the maximum fuel economy benefits. The significant reduction in oil pressure played a key role in reducing oil pump power consumption and enhancing overall engine efficiency as well. PCJ consumes approx. 20% of total oil flow across all engine speeds, irrespective of thermal load acting on the piston. By switching off the PCJ based on thermal load, it can reduce the required oil pressure, which can be regulated by VDOP. With the combined efforts of VDOP Optimization in combination with a map-controlled Piston Cooling Jet, a fuel economy improvement of ~1.5% in standard test conditions was demonstrated in comparison to the conventional fixed displacement oil pump.
Study and Analysis on 3-Dimensional Simulation of the Transient Flow Process of Engine Electronic Control Throttle
Authors: Yang Shuai , Ding Jie , Yan Kai , Liu Haifeng , Chen Yilin
Published: April 2024

Based on the basic structure and operation function of engine throttle, according to the actual structure of a throttle, a 3-dimensional simulation of the transient airflow during the rotation of the throttle from the closed position to the fully open position is realized by using CFD together with the moving mesh technology and the user-defined program. The influence of the throttle movement on the airflow process is studied. The velocity field, pressure field, and flow noise field are analyzed at different angles of throttle rotation. The numerical simulation results show that at the beginning period of the throttle rotation, the vortex appears in the flow field behind the throttle, and the drop of the air pressure between the upstream and downstream position of the throttle is sharp. In addition, the results show that the flow noise field appears near the top dead center and bottom dead center of the throttle, and the maximum value of the acoustic power appears when the throttle opening is near 40 degrees. With the increase of the throttle rotation angle, the vortex gradually weakens, the difference of the air pressure between the two sides of the throttle becomes small, the flow noise first increases and then decreases, and the maximum value of the acoustic power appears all the time at the downstream position of the throttle, and its positions are gradually moved away from the axes of the throttle. When the throttle is fully opened, the velocity field, pressure field and flow noise field gradually tend to stabilize.