bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimal Scheduling in General Multi-Queue System by Combining Simulation and Neural Network Techniques
Authors: Efrosinin Dmitry , Vishnevsky Vladimir , Stepanova Natalia
Published: June 2023

The problem of optimal scheduling in a system with parallel queues and a single server has been extensively studied in queueing theory. However, such systems have mostly been analysed by assuming homogeneous attributes of arrival and service processes, or Markov queueing models were usually assumed in heterogeneous cases. The calculation of the optimal scheduling policy in such a queueing system with switching costs and arbitrary inter-arrival and service time distributions is not a trivial task. In this paper, we propose to combine simulation and neural network techniques to solve this problem. The scheduling in this system is performed by means of a neural network informing the controller at a service completion epoch on a queue index which has to be serviced next. We adapt the simulated annealing algorithm to optimize the weights and the biases of the multi-layer neural network initially trained on some arbitrary heuristic control policy with the aim to minimize the average cost function which in turn can be calculated only via simulation. To verify the quality of the obtained optimal solutions, the optimal scheduling policy was calculated by solving a Markov decision problem formulated for the corresponding Markovian counterpart. The results of numerical analysis show the effectiveness of this approach to find the optimal deterministic control policy for the routing, scheduling or resource allocation in general queueing systems. Moreover, a comparison of the results obtained for different distributions illustrates statistical insensitivity of the optimal scheduling policy to the shape of inter-arrival and service time distributions for the same first moments.
Analysis of Data Reception in the Communication Layer Applied to an Architecture of Mobile Sensor Networks in Marine Environments
Authors: Pallares-Calvo Abigail Elizabeth , Carvajal-Gámez Blanca Esther , Gutiérrez-Frías Octavio , Mujica-Vargas Dante
Published: June 2023

This paper is focused on the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology operating at 125 kHz in a communication layer for a network of mobile and static nodes in marine environments, with a specific focus on the Underwater Internet of Things (UIoT). The analysis is divided into two main sections: characterizing the penetration depth at different frequencies and evaluating the probabilities of data reception between antennas of static nodes and a terrestrial antenna considering the line of sight (LoS) between antennas. The results indicate that the use of RFID technology at 125 kHz allows for data reception with a penetration depth of 0.6116 dB/m, demonstrating its suitability for data communication in marine environments. In the second part of the analysis, we examine the probabilities of data reception between static-node antennas at different heights and a terrestrial antenna at a specific height. Wave samples recorded in Playa Sisal, Yucatan, Mexico, are used for this analysis. The findings show a maximum reception probability of 94.5% between static nodes with an antenna at a height of 0 m and a 100% data reception probability between a static node and the terrestrial antenna when the static-node antennas are optimally positioned at a height of 1 m above sea level. Overall, this paper provides valuable insights into the application of RFID technology in marine environments for the UIoT, considering the minimization of impacts on marine fauna. The results suggest that by adjusting the characteristics of the RFID system, the proposed architecture can be effectively implemented to expand the monitoring area, considering variables both underwater and on the surface of the marine environment.
Implementation of IMS/NGN Transport Stratum Based on the SDN Concept
Authors: Kaczmarek Sylwester , Sac Maciej , Bachorski Kamil
Published: June 2023

The paper presents the development and verification of software and a testbed aiming to demonstrate the ability of two telecommunication network concepts—Next Generation Network (NGN) and Software-Defined Networking (SDN)—to cooperate. The proposed architecture includes components of the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) in its service stratum and of the SDN (controller and programmable switches) in its transport stratum, providing flexible transport resource control and management via open interfaces. One important feature of the presented solution is the inclusion of ITU-T standards for NGN networks, which are not considered in other related works. The paper includes details regarding the hardware and software architecture of the proposed solution as well as results of the performed functional tests, which confirm its proper operation.
Classification and Analysis of Human Body Movement Characteristics Associated with Acrophobia Induced by Virtual Reality Scenes of Heights
Authors: Cheng Xiankai , Bao Benkun , Cui Weidong , Liu Shuai , Zhong Jun , Cai Liming , Yang Hongbo
Published: June 2023

Acrophobia (fear of heights), a prevalent psychological disorder, elicits profound fear and evokes a range of adverse physiological responses in individuals when exposed to heights, which will lead to a very dangerous state for people in actual heights. In this paper, we explore the behavioral influences in terms of movements in people confronted with virtual reality scenes of extreme heights and develop an acrophobia classification model based on human movement characteristics. To this end, we used wireless miniaturized inertial navigation sensors (WMINS) network to obtain the information of limb movements in the virtual environment. Based on these data, we constructed a series of data feature processing processes, proposed a system model for the classification of acrophobia and non-acrophobia based on human motion feature analysis, and realized the classification recognition of acrophobia and non-acrophobia through the designed integrated learning model. The final accuracy of acrophobia dichotomous classification based on limb motion information reached 94.64%, which has higher accuracy and efficiency compared with other existing research models. Overall, our study demonstrates a strong correlation between people’s mental state during fear of heights and their limb movements at that time.
Leveraging History to Predict Infrequent Abnormal Transfers in Distributed Workflows
Authors: Shao Robin , Sim Alex , Wu Kesheng , Kim Jinoh
Published: June 2023

Scientific computing heavily relies on data shared by the community, especially in distributed data-intensive applications. This research focuses on predicting slow connections that create bottlenecks in distributed workflows. In this study, we analyze network traffic logs collected between January 2021 and August 2022 at the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC). Based on the observed patterns, we define a set of features primarily based on history for identifying low-performing data transfers. Typically, there are far fewer slow connections on well-maintained networks, which creates difficulty in learning to identify these abnormally slow connections from the normal ones. We devise several stratified sampling techniques to address the class-imbalance challenge and study how they affect the machine learning approaches. Our tests show that a relatively simple technique that undersamples the normal cases to balance the number of samples in two classes (normal and slow) is very effective for model training. This model predicts slow connections with an F1 score of 0.926.
An Adaptive Parameterized Domain Mapping Method and Its Application in Wheel–Rail Coupled Fault Diagnosis for Rail Vehicles
Authors: Xu Zihang , Yang Jianwei , Yao Dechen , Wang Jinhai , Wei Minghui
Published: June 2023

The rapid development of cities in recent years has increased the operational pressure of rail vehicles, and due to the characteristics of rail vehicles, including harsh operating environment, frequent starting and braking, resulting in rails and wheels being prone to rail corrugation, polygons, flat scars and other faults. These faults are coupled in actual operation, leading to the deterioration of the wheel–rail contact relationship and causing harm to driving safety. Hence, the accurate detection of wheel–rail coupled faults will improve the safety of rail vehicles’ operation. The dynamic modeling of rail vehicles is carried out to establish the character models of wheel–rail faults including rail corrugation, polygonization and flat scars to explore the coupling relationship and characteristics under variable speed conditions and to obtain the vertical acceleration of the axle box. An APDM time–frequency analysis method is proposed in this paper based on the PDMF adopting Rényi entropy as the evaluation index and employing a WOA to optimize the parameter set. The number of iterations of the WOA adopted in this paper is decreased by 26% and 23%, respectively, compared with PSO and SSA, which means that the WOA performs at faster convergence speed and with a more accurate Rényi entropy value. Additionally, TFR obtained using APDM realizes the localization and extraction of the coupled fault characteristics under rail vehicles’ variable speed working conditions with higher energy concentration and stronger noise resistance corresponding to prominent ability of fault diagnosis. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified using simulation and experimental results that prove the engineering application value of the proposed method.
A Deep Learning Method for Rolling Bearing Fault Diagnosis Based on Attention Mechanism and Graham Angle Field
Authors: Lu Jingyu , Wang Kai , Chen Chen , Ji Weixi
Published: June 2023

Focusing on the low accuracy and timeliness of traditional fault diagnosis methods for rolling bearings which combine massive amounts of data, a fault diagnosis method for rolling bearings based on Gramian angular field (GAF) coding technology and an improved ResNet50 model is proposed. Using the Graham angle field technology to recode the one-dimensional vibration signal into a two-dimensional feature image, using the two-dimensional feature image as the input for the model, combined with the advantages of the ResNet algorithm in image feature extraction and classification recognition, we realized automatic feature extraction and fault diagnosis, and, finally, achieved the classification of different fault types. In order to verify the effectiveness of the method, the rolling bearing data of Casey Reserve University are selected for verification, and compared with other commonly used intelligent algorithms, the results show that the proposed method has a higher classification accuracy and better timeliness than other intelligent algorithms.
DAssd-Net: A Lightweight Steel Surface Defect Detection Model Based on Multi-Branch Dilated Convolution Aggregation and Multi-Domain Perception Detection Head
Authors: Wang Ji , Xu Peiquan , Li Leijun , Zhang Feng
Published: June 2023

During steel production, various defects often appear on the surface of the steel, such as cracks, pores, scars, and inclusions. These defects may seriously decrease steel quality or performance, so how to timely and accurately detect defects has great technical significance. This paper proposes a lightweight model based on multi-branch dilated convolution aggregation and multi-domain perception detection head, DAssd-Net, for steel surface defect detection. First, a multi-branch Dilated Convolution Aggregation Module (DCAM) is proposed as a feature learning structure for the feature augmentation networks. Second, to better capture spatial (location) information and to suppress channel redundancy, we propose a Dilated Convolution and Channel Attention Fusion Module (DCM) and Dilated Convolution and Spatial Attention Fusion Module (DSM) as feature enhancement modules for the regression and classification tasks in the detection head. Third, through experiments and heat map visualization analysis, we have used DAssd-Net to improve the receptive field of the model while paying attention to the target spatial location and redundant channel feature suppression. DAssd-Net is shown to achieve 81.97% mAP accuracy on the NEU-DET dataset, while the model size is only 18.7 MB. Compared with the latest YOLOv8 model, the mAP increased by 4.69%, and the model size was reduced by 23.9 MB, which has the advantage of being lightweight.
Flexible Seven-in-One Microsensor Embedded in High-Pressure Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzer for Real-Time Microscopic Monitoring
Authors: Lee Chi-Yuan , Chen Chia-Hung , Chuang Hsian-Chun , Chen Shan-Yu , Chiang Yu-Chen
Published: June 2023

The voltage, current, temperature, humidity, pressure, flow, and hydrogen in the high-pressure proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEMWE) can influence its performance and life. For example, if the temperature is too low to reach the working temperature of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), the performance of the high-pressure PEMWE cannot be enhanced. However, if the temperature is too high, the MEA may be damaged. In this study, the micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology was used to innovate and develop a high-pressure-resistant flexible seven-in-one (voltage, current, temperature, humidity, pressure, flow, and hydrogen) microsensor. It was embedded in the upstream, midstream, and downstream of the anode and cathode of the high-pressure PEMWE and the MEA for the real-time microscopic monitoring of internal data. The aging or damage of the high-pressure PEMWE was observed through the changes in the voltage, current, humidity, and flow data. The over-etching phenomenon was likely to occur when this research team used wet etching to make microsensors. The back-end circuit integration was unlikely to be normalized. Therefore, this study used lift-off process to further stabilize the quality of the microsensor. In addition, the PEMWE is more prone to aging and damage under high pressure, so its material selection is very important.
Analysis of Building Accessibility Using Inertial and Optical Sensors
Authors: Martínez-Chao Tomás E. , Menéndez-Díaz Agustín , García-Cortés Silverio , D’Agostino Pierpaolo
Published: June 2023

The inclusive use of urban spaces necessitates detailed knowledge of the accessibility of public buildings or places where educational, health or administrative services are provided. Despite the improvements already made in many cities regarding architectural work, further changes to public buildings and other spaces, such as old buildings or areas of historical importance, are still required. To study this problem, we developed a model based on photogrammetric techniques and the use of inertial and optical sensors. The model allowed us to perform a detailed analysis of urban routes in the surroundings of an administrative building, by means of mathematical analysis of pedestrian routes. It was applied to the specific case of people with reduced mobility and included analysis of the building accessibility as well as detection of suitable transit routes, deterioration of the road surfaces and the presence of architectural obstacles on the route.
Self-Sensing of a Magnetically Actuated Prism
Authors: Weber Pascal M. , Wallrabe Ulrike , Wapler Matthias C.
Published: June 2023

We demonstrate a method for self-sensing of a magnetically actuated prism that can be used, e.g., in a feedback-loop without the need of additional sensors. In order to use the impedance of the actuation coils as a measurement parameter, we first obtained the optimal measurement frequency that is well separated from the actuation frequencies and at the same time provides the best compromise between sensitivity to the position and robustness. We then developed a combined actuation and measurement driver, and correlated its output signal to the mechanical state of the prism using a defined calibration sequence. We demonstrate that we can reliably measure the state of each actuator and determine the tilt angle of the prism with an accuracy of ±0.1∘ in the polar angle over a range of ±4∘ and ±20 mrad in the azimuthal angle.
In Situ VIS-NIR Spectroscopy for a Basic and Rapid Soil Investigation
Authors: Debaene Guillaume , Bartmiński Piotr , Siłuch Marcin
Published: June 2023

Visible and near-infrared (VIS-NIR) spectroscopy is extensively used in the field of soil science to predict several soil properties, mostly in laboratory conditions. When measured in situ, contact probes are used, and, very often, time-consuming methods are applied to generate better spectra. Unfortunately, spectra obtained by these methods differ greatly from spectra remotely acquired. This study tried to address this issue by measuring reflectance spectra directly with a fibre optic or a 4° lens on bare untouched soils. C, N content and soil texture (sand, silt, and clay) prediction models were established using partial least-square (PLS) and support vector machine (SVM) regression. With spectral pre-processing, some satisfactory models were obtained, i.e., for C content (R2 = 0.57; RMSE = 0.09%) and for N content (R2 = 0.53; RMSE = 0.02%). Some models were improved when using moisture and temperature as auxiliary data for the modelling. Maps of C, N and clay content generated with laboratory and predicted values were presented. Based on this study, VIS-NIR spectra acquired with bare fibre optic and/or a 4° lens could be used to build prediction models in order to obtain basic preliminary information on soil composition at the field scale. The predicting maps seem suitable for a fast but rough field screening.
Exploring the Applications of Indocyanine Green in Robot-Assisted Urological Surgery: A Comprehensive Review of Fluorescence-Guided Techniques
Authors: Licari Leslie Claire , Bologna Eugenio , Proietti Flavia , Flammia Rocco Simone , Bove Alfredo Maria , D’annunzio Simone , Tuderti Gabriele , Leonardo Costantino
Published: June 2023

This comprehensive review aims to explore the applications of indocyanine green (ICG) in robot-assisted urological surgery through a detailed examination of fluorescence-guided techniques. An extensive literature search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and Scopus, using keywords such as “indocyanine green,” “ICG”, “NIRF”, “Near Infrared Fluorescence”, “robot-assisted”, and “urology”. Additional suitable articles were collected by manually cross-referencing the bibliography of previously selected papers. The integration of the Firefly® technology in the Da Vinci® robotic system has opened new avenues for the advancement and exploration of different urological procedures. ICG is a fluorophore widely used in near-infrared fluorescence-guided techniques. The synergistic combination of intraoperative support, safety profiles and widespread availability comprises an additional asset that empowers ICG-guided robotic surgery. This overview of the current state of the art illustrates the potential advantages and broad applications of combining ICG-fluorescence guidance with robotic-assisted urological surgery.
Calibration and Uncertainty Quantification for Single-Ended Raman-Based Distributed Temperature Sensing: Case Study in a 800 m Deep Coaxial Borehole Heat Exchanger
Authors: Mazzotti Pallard Willem Mazzotti , Lazzarotto Alberto , Acuña José , Palm Björn
Published: June 2023

Raman-based distributed temperature sensing (DTS) is a valuable tool for field testing and validating heat transfer models in borehole heat exchanger (BHE) and ground source heat pump (GSHP) applications. However, temperature uncertainty is rarely reported in the literature. In this paper, a new calibration method was proposed for single-ended DTS configurations, along with a method to remove fictitious temperature drifts due to ambient air variations. The methods were implemented for a distributed thermal response test (DTRT) case study in an 800 m deep coaxial BHE. The results show that the calibration method and temperature drift correction are robust and give adequate results, with a temperature uncertainty increasing non-linearly from about 0.4 K near the surface to about 1.7 K at 800 m. The temperature uncertainty is dominated by the uncertainty in the calibrated parameters for depths larger than 200 m. The paper also offers insights into thermal features observed during the DTRT, including a heat flux inversion along the borehole depth and the slow temperature homogenization under circulation.
Real-Time Gait Event Detection with Adaptive Frequency Oscillators From a Single Head-Mounted IMU
Authors: Tomc Matej , Matjačić Zlatko
Published: June 2023

Accurate real-time gait event detection is the basis for the development of new gait rehabilitation techniques, especially when utilizing robotics or virtual reality (VR). The recent emergence of affordable wearable technologies, especially inertial measurement units (IMUs), has brought forth various new methods and algorithms for gait analysis. In this paper, we highlight some advantages of using adaptive frequency oscillators (AFOs) over traditional gait event detection algorithms, implemented a real-time AFO-based algorithm that estimates the gait phase from a single head-mounted IMU, and validated our method on a group of healthy subjects. Gait event detection was accurate at two different walking speeds. The method was reliable for symmetric, but not asymmetric gait patterns. Our method could prove especially useful in VR applications since a head-mounted IMU is already an integral part of commercial VR products.
APSec1.0: Innovative Security Protocol Design with Formal Security Analysis for the Artificial Pancreas System
Authors: Kim Jiyoon , Oh Jongmin , Son Daehyeon , Kwon Hoseok , Astillo Philip Virgil , You Ilsun
Published: June 2023

The Medical Internet-of-Things (MIoT) has developed revolutionary ways of delivering medical care to patients. An example system, showing increasing demand, is the artificial pancreas system that offers convenience and reliable support care to patients with Type 1 Diabetes. Despite the apparent benefits, the system cannot escape potential cyber threats that may worsen a patient’s condition. The security risks need immediate attention to ensure the privacy of the patient and preserve safe functionality. Motivated by this, we proposed a security protocol for the APS environment wherein support to essential security requirements is guaranteed, the security context negotiation is resource-friendly, and the protocol is resilient to emergencies. Accordingly, the security requirements and correctness of the design protocol were formally verified using BAN logic and AVISPA, and proved its feasibility through the emulation of APS in a controlled environment using commercial off-the-shelf devices. Moreover, the results of our performance analysis indicate that the proposed protocol is more efficient than the other existing works and standards.
Joint Design of a Simultaneous Reflection and Transmission RIS in Mode-Switching Mode to Assist NOMA Systems
Authors: Zhou Xiaoping , Wang Hanqi , Chen Jiajia
Published: June 2023

Simultaneous transmitting and reflecting reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (STAR-RISs) can reflect signals and transmissive signals simultaneously and can extend the coverage of signals. A conventional RIS mainly focuses on the case where the signal source and the target are on the same side. In this paper, a STAR-RIS-assisted non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) downlink communication system is considered to maximize the achievable rate for users by jointly optimizing the power-allocation coefficients, active beamforming, and STAR-RIS beamforming under the mode-switching (MS) protocol. The critical information of the channel is first extracted using the Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP) method. Based on the key extracted channel features, STAR-RIS elements and users are clustered individually using the fuzzy C-mean clustering (FCM) method. The alternating optimization method decomposes the original optimization problem into three sub-optimization problems. Finally, the sub-problems are converted to unconstrained optimization methods using penalty functions for the solution. Simulation results show that when the number of elements of RIS is 60, the achievable rate of the STAR-RIS–NOMA system is about 18% higher than that of the RIS–NOMA system.
How Can Collective Action Support the Agroecological Transition in Geographical Indication Vineyards? Insights from the Loire Valley Wine Area
Authors: Ruggieri Faustine , Coulon-Leroy Cécile , Mazé Armelle
Published: June 2023

Few studies have examined the agroecological transition in viticulture, which involves transformation processes, especially at the territorial scale where collective action plays a key role in the dissemination of transition strategies. Collective action in the agroecological transition must be studied in order to encourage and accelerate changes in practices. In this study, collective action is analyzed to understand how governance structures influence the development of collective agroecological transition strategies. Elinor Ostrom’s Institutional Analysis and Development and Social–Ecological Systems analysis frameworks were applied to the Anjou-Saumur wine area in the Loire Valley, where nearly 80% of wine production is under protected designations of origin. Data were collected through seven semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed qualitatively in order to identify the main actors and collective strategies in the agroecological transition. The study showed that the polycentric structure of governance in the protected designations of the origin system enables institutional actors to collectively coordinate their actions. Moreover, collective action is structured in three focal action situations that overlap at the institutional level due to two key actors in the agroecological transition, but also due to tacit rules of the organizational structure for some actors. Action situations dynamically interact with each other across time and geographical scales, helping the agroecological transition process forward by combining top-down and bottom-up strategies. This study provides a novel way of applying the IAD/SES framework as well as a new look at collective action for the agroecological transition at the institutional scale in French viticultural systems under protected designations of origin. This paves the way for interdisciplinary research for the agroecological transition, and might help to select the best strategies to encourage changes of viticultural practices.
Building a Sustainable Future from Theory to Practice: A Comprehensive PRISMA-Guided Assessment of Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks (CSEB) for Construction Applications
Authors: Raj Aditya , Sharma Tarun , Singh Sandeep , Sharma Umesh , Sharma Prashant , Singh Rajesh , Sharma Shubham , Kaur Jatinder , Kaur Harshpreet , Salah Bashir , Ullah Syed Sajid , Alkhatib Soliman
Published: June 2023

Compressed stabilized earth blocks (CSEBs) offer a cheaper and environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional building materials for construction. In addition to addressing waste disposal difficulties, the inclusion of waste additives may improve the characteristics of compressed earth blocks (CEBs). This article attempts to outline the findings of researchers who have utilized the various manufacturing processes and investigated the influence of binders and fibers on the properties of CEBs. A systematic search of Web of Science and Scopus electronic databases for works on soil blocks published between 2012 and 2022 yielded 445 articles, while reports, case studies, conference papers, and non-English articles were omitted. Keywords such as “Soil blocks”, “Earth bricks”, and others were used to identify eligible studies. This study has been segmented into five sections, including a descriptive examination of articles and authors who have investigated soil blocks, a comparative analysis based on their manufacturing processes, and physical, mechanical, and durability aspects of the CSEBs, which were analyzed to determine the impact of additives. The PRISMA 2020 standards were followed in the evaluation of each record, which resulted in the identification of 61 articles that were pertinent to the study’s objective. The comparative analysis of the articles reveals that the binders were more significant in improving the compressive strength, cyclic wetting-drying and erosion (durability) aspects of the soil blocks, while fibers were effective in enhancing their flexural and thermal performance. The literature review indicates that if the minimum permissible limits are met, waste materials have the potential to partially replace the soil. In addition, this study suggests establishing standardized manufacturing norms and testing protocols to ascertain the quality and safety of CSEBs used in construction. However, this study is constrained by the limited databases used, governed by keywords, electronic resources and timeframe that could be used as research avenues in the future.
Pedestrian Crossings as a Means of Reducing Conflicts between Cyclists and Pedestrians in Shared Spaces
Authors: Mastora Chrysanthi , Paschalidis Evangelos , Nikiforiadis Andreas , Basbas Socrates
Published: June 2023

One significant and simultaneously interesting problem in urban mobility has to do with the study of shared spaces where various categories of users coexist and act together. This paper aims to examine the behavior and preferences of pedestrians and cyclists, who both coexist in a shared space infrastructure along the seafront (which has a length of around 4.0 km) of the city of Thessaloniki, Greece. Furthermore, the problems caused by the coexistence, such as at the locations where there are pedestrian crossings on the bicycle lane, are recorded and evaluated. Traffic calming measures aimed at improving the existing situation in terms of safety and comfort for both pedestrians and cyclists are also explored. Data were collected through a web-based questionnaire survey, which was distributed via email to students and employees of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. A total of 1194 questionnaires were collected in the framework of the survey during the year 2021, including responses from both pedestrians and cyclists. The questionnaires were analyzed through the use of descriptive and inferential statistics; the latter method suggested several significant differences in how each group of users (pedestrians or cyclists) perceived their behavior compared with the other. Latent variable and path models were estimated to investigate the behavior and attitude of users towards the crossings, examined as a function of their perception towards the other group; perception about the benefits of the infrastructure; preference for additional interventions; and overall opinion about the quality of the shared space area. The results suggest that forms of aggressive behavior, preference towards using the crossings, and the perceived safety are affected by the aforementioned factors. The results of this study can inform decision takers and decision makers in the area of land use regarding policy recommendations for facilitating interactions between pedestrians and cyclists in shared spaces.
Potential Use of Water Treatment Sludge as Partial Replacement for Clay in Eco-Friendly Fired Clay Bricks
Authors: Ahmadi Masoud , Hakimi Babak , Mazaheri Ahmadreza , Kioumarsi Mahdi
Published: June 2023

The traditional production process of clay bricks involves the extraction of significant amounts of raw materials and consumes considerable energy, leading to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation. Using environmentally friendly materials in the construction industry has become an attractive alternative for mitigating sustainability issues. One such alternative is incorporating waste materials, such as water treatment sludge (WTS), into clay brick production. This research aims to assess the viability of using WTS as a replacement for conventional clay in fired clay brick production, thereby mitigating environmental pollution. Five distinct mixtures were created, with WTS replacing clay at 0, 20, 40, 60, and 80% ratios. The mechanical properties and durability of the produced bricks were analyzed through various tests, such as Atterberg limits, optimum water content, unconfined compression, apparent porosity, compressive strength, flexural strength, density, water absorption, and efflorescence. The results demonstrated that as WTS content increased, Atterberg limits and apparent porosity increased. The bulk density, compressive strength, and bending capacity of the specimens were found to decrease as the WTS replacement ratio increased. Additionally, moderate efflorescence was observed in samples with higher sludge ratios.
Load Profile and Load Flow Analysis for a Grid System with Electric Vehicles Using a Hybrid Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Ntombela Mlungisi , Musasa Kabeya
Published: June 2023

As they become more widespread, electric vehicles (EVs) will require more electricity to charge. It is expected that a range of grid transportation solutions that complement one another and considerable transmission infrastructure changes will be needed to achieve this goal. Strategic planning and control, including economic models and strategies to engage and reward users, can reduce energy loss on the power network. This would eliminate grid upgrades. Bidirectional charging of EVs can help transmission systems cope with EV allocation. Power loss and voltage instability are the transmission network’s biggest issues. Adding EV units to the transmission network usually solves these problems. Therefore, EVs need the right layout and proportions. This study determined where and how many radial transmission network EVs there should be before and after the adjustment. To discover the best EV position and size before and after the dial network modification, a hybrid genetic algorithm for particle swarm optimization (HGAIPSO) was utilized. Electric vehicles coordinated in an active transmission network reduce power losses, raise voltage profiles, and improve system stability. Electric vehicles are responsible for these benefits. The simulation showed that adding EVs to the testing system reduced power waste. The system’s minimum bus voltage likewise increased. The proposed technology reduced transmission system voltage fluctuations and power losses, according to the comparison analysis. The IEEE-30 bus test system reduced real power loss by 40.70%, 36.24%, and 42.94% for the type A, type B, and type C EV allocations, respectively. The IEEE-30 bus voltage reached 1.01 pu.
The Non-Linear Relationship between Air Pollution, Labor Insurance and Productivity: Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines Approach
Authors: Muzayyanah Syamsiyatul , Hong Cheng-Yih , Adha Rishan , Yang Su-Fen
Published: June 2023

This study explores the non-linear relationship between air pollution, socio-economic factors, labor insurance, and labor productivity in the industrial sector in Taiwan. Using machine learning, specifically multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS), provides an alternative approach to examining the impact of air pollution on labor productivity, apart from the traditional linear relationships and parametric methods employed in previous studies. Examining this topic is imperative for advancing the knowledge on the effects of air pollution on labor productivity and its association with labor insurance, employing a machine learning framework. The results reveal that air pollution, particularly PM10, has a negative impact on labor productivity. Lowering the PM10 level below 36.2 μg/m3 leads to an increase in marginal labor productivity. Additionally, the study identifies labor insurance as a significant factor in improving productivity, with a 9% increase in the total number of labor insurance holders resulting in a substantial 42.9% increase in productivity. Notably, a link between air pollution and insurance is observed, indicating that lower air pollution levels tend to be associated with higher labor insurance coverage. This research holds valuable implications for policymakers, businesses, and industries as it offers insights into improving labor productivity and promoting sustainable economic development.
Enhancing Heat Transfer in Blood Hybrid Nanofluid Flow with Ag–TiO2 Nanoparticles and Electrical Field in a Tilted Cylindrical W-Shape Stenosis Artery: A Finite Difference Approach
Authors: Algehyne Ebrahem A. , Ahammad N. Ameer , Elnair Mohamed E. , Zidan Mohamed , Alhusayni Yasir Y. , El-Bashir Babikir Osman , Saeed Anwar , Alshomrani Ali Saleh , Alzahrani Faris
Published: June 2023

The present research examines the unsteady sensitivity analysis and entropy generation of blood-based silver–titanium dioxide flow in a tilted cylindrical W-shape symmetric stenosis artery. The study considers various factors such as the electric field, joule heating, viscous dissipation, and heat source, while taking into account a two-dimensional pulsatile blood flow and periodic body acceleration. The finite difference method is employed to solve the governing equations due to the highly nonlinear nature of the flow equations, which requires a robust numerical technique. The utilization of the response surface methodology is commonly observed in optimization procedures. Drawing inspiration from drug delivery techniques used in cardiovascular therapies, it has been proposed to infuse blood with a uniform distribution of biocompatible nanoparticles. The figures depict the effects of significant parameters on the flow field, such as the electric field, Hartmann number, nanoparticle volume fraction, body acceleration amplitude, Reynolds number, Grashof number, and thermal radiation, on velocity, temperature (nondimensional), entropy generation, flow rate, resistance to flow, wall shear stress, and Nusselt number. The velocity and temperature profiles improve with higher values of the wall slip parameter. The flow rate profiles increase with an increment in wall velocity but decrease with the Womersley number. Increasing the intensity of radiation and decreasing magnetic fields both result in a decrease in the rate of heat transfer. The blood temperature is higher with the inclusion of hybrid nanoparticles than the unitary nanoparticles. The total entropy generation profiles increase for higher values of the Brickman number and temperature difference parameters. Unitary nanoparticles exhibit a slightly higher total entropy generation than hybrid nanoparticles, particularly when positioned slightly away from the center of the artery. The total entropy production decreases by 17.97% when the thermal radiation is increased from absence to 3. In contrast, increasing the amplitude of body acceleration from 0.5 to 2 results in a significant enhancement of 76.14% in the total entropy production.
Conflicting Bundle Allocation with Preferences in Weighted Directed Acyclic Graphs: Application to Orbit Slot Allocation Problems
Authors: Roussel Stéphanie , Picard Gauthier , Pralet Cédric , Maqrot Sara
Published: June 2023

We introduce resource allocation techniques for problems where (i) the agents express requests for obtaining item bundles as compact edge-weighted directed acyclic graphs (each path in such a graph is a bundle whose valuation is the sum of the weights of the traversed edges), and (ii) the agents do not bid on the exact same items but may bid on conflicting items that cannot be both assigned or that require accessing a specific resource with limited capacity. This setting is motivated by real applications such as Earth observation slot allocation, virtual network functions, or multi-agent path finding. We model several directed path allocation problems (vertex-constrained and resource-constrained), investigate several solution methods (qualified as exact or approximate, and utilitarian or fair), and analyze their performances on an orbit slot ownership problem, for realistic requests and constellation configurations.
The Impacts of Payment Policy on Performance of Human Resource Market System: Agent-Based Modeling and Simulation of Growth-Oriented Firms
Authors: Yang Jian , Dong Jichang , Song Qi , Otmakhova Yulia S. , He Zhou
Published: June 2023

The impact of human resource management (HRM) on corporate growth is a crucial research topic, especially for growth-oriented firms. This paper aims to study how different payment policies (such as recruitment and dismissal strategies and payment plans) affect the human resource market system. Based on the HRM characteristics of growth-oriented firms, we develop an agent-based model to simulate the decision-making and interaction behaviors of firms and workers. The system performance is measured by six indicators: the average profit, the profit Gini coefficient, the average output of firms, the average payment, the payment Gini coefficient, and the employment rate of workers. According to the simulation results and statistical analysis, the recruitment plan is the only key factor that significantly impacts all performance indicators other than the employment rate, and companies should pay extra attention to such plans. This study also finds that the changing worker’s payment gap is influenced by industry growth and their abilities, and that the payment cap policy has a positive impact on the development of growth-oriented firms in the startup stage.
The Effect of Blockchain Technology on Supply Chain Collaboration: A Case Study of Lenovo
Authors: Xia Jianting , Li Haohua , He Zhou
Published: June 2023

Blockchain technology, as a revolutionary technology that has emerged in recent years, holds significant potential for application in supply chain operations. This paper provides a systematic review of blockchain-based supply chain case studies. The existing literature primarily focuses on the food, agriculture, and pharmaceutical sectors, highlighting the advantages of blockchain technology in terms of traceability and transparency. However, there is a limited number of studies addressing the improvement of collaboration efficiency in supply chains, particularly within the realm of information technology enterprises. By conducting semi-structured interviews, we present a case study of Lenovo, a leading enterprise utilizing blockchain technology, to elucidate the advantages of using blockchain technology. Subsequently, it proposes a conceptual model for a blockchain-based information collaboration system and discusses the potential applications of blockchain technology in supply chain collaboration. Our study contributes to the existing work on blockchain applications to enhance supply chain collaboration.
Viral Infections and Schizophrenia: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Kotsiri Ioanna , Resta Panagiota , Spyrantis Alexandros , Panotopoulos Charalampos , Chaniotis Dimitrios , Beloukas Apostolos , Magiorkinis Emmanouil
Published: June 2023

Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder with multiple genetic and environmental factors contributing to its pathogenesis. Viral infections have been suggested to be one of the environmental factors associated with the development of this disorder. We comprehensively review all relevant published literature focusing on the relationship between schizophrenia and various viral infections, such as influenza virus, herpes virus 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), retrovirus, coronavirus, and Borna virus. These viruses may interfere with the normal maturation of the brain directly or through immune-induced mediators, such as cytokines, leading to the onset of schizophrenia. Changes in the expression of critical genes and elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines have been linked to virally-induced infections and relevant immune activities in schizophrenia. Future research is necessary to understand this relationship better and provide insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
Evidence of Rift Valley Fever Virus Circulation in Livestock and Herders in Southern Ghana
Authors: Johnson Sherry Ama Mawuko , Asmah Richard , Awuni Joseph Adongo , Tasiame William , Mensah Gloria Ivy , Paweska Janusz T. , Weyer Jacqueline , Hellferscee Orienka , Thompson Peter N.
Published: June 2023

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a re-emerging zoonotic disease of domestic ruminants and humans. While neighbouring countries have reported outbreaks of RVF, Ghana has not yet identified any cases. The aim of this study was to determine whether RVF virus (RVFV) was circulating in livestock and herders in the southern part of Ghana, to estimate its seroprevalence, and to identify associated risk factors. The study surveyed 165 livestock farms randomly selected from two districts in southern Ghana. Serum samples of 253 goats, 246 sheep, 220 cattle, and 157 herdsmen were tested to detect IgG and IgM antibodies against RVFV. The overall seroprevalence of anti-RVF antibodies in livestock was 13.1% and 30.9% of farms had RVFV seropositive animals. The species-specific prevalence was 24.1% in cattle, 8.5% in sheep, and 7.9% in goats. A RVFV IgG seroprevalence of 17.8% was found among the ruminant herders, with 8.3% of all herders being IgM positive. RVFV was shown, for the first time, to have been circulating in southern Ghana, with evidence of a recent outbreak in Kwahu East; however, it was clinically undetected despite significant recent human exposure. A One Health approach is recommended to better understand RVF epidemiology and socio-economic impact in Ghana.
Novel Approach for Identification of Basic and Effective Reproduction Numbers Illustrated with COVID-19
Authors: Marinov Tchavdar T. , Marinova Rossitza S. , Marinov Radoslav T. , Shelby Nicci
Published: June 2023

This paper presents a novel numerical technique for the identification of effective and basic reproduction numbers, Re and R0, for long-term epidemics, using an inverse problem approach. The method is based on the direct integration of the SIR (Susceptible–Infectious–Removed) system of ordinary differential equations and the least-squares method. Simulations were conducted using official COVID-19 data for the United States and Canada, and for the states of Georgia, Texas, and Louisiana, for a period of two years and ten months. The results demonstrate the applicability of the method in simulating the dynamics of the epidemic and reveal an interesting relationship between the number of currently infectious individuals and the effective reproduction number, which is a useful tool for predicting the epidemic dynamics. For all conducted experiments, the results show that the local maximum (and minimum) values of the time-dependent effective reproduction number occur approximately three weeks before the local maximum (and minimum) values of the number of currently infectious individuals. This work provides a novel and efficient approach for the identification of time-dependent epidemics parameters.
Efficacy of HPV Vaccination Regarding Vulvar and Vaginal Recurrences in Previously Treated Women: The Need for Further Evidence
Authors: Bechini Angela , Moscadelli Andrea , Velpini Beatrice , Bonito Benedetta , Orlando Paolo , Putignano Pasqua , Posi Silvano , Stacchini Lorenzo , Bonanni Paolo , Boccalini Sara
Published: June 2023

Vulvar and vaginal cancers are relatively rare cancers, but their incidence is increasing worldwide. Overall, 78% of vaginal cancers and 25% of vulvar cancers are associated with Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Immunization could be an option for the management of these cases. We researched and assessed the evidence on the efficacy of HPV vaccination administered to women previously treated with surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy with respect to the recurrence of vulvovaginal disease. From 2006 to November 2022, only one study evaluated the efficacy of HPV vaccination with respect to preventing vulvovaginal recurrences in treated women and showed that a quadrivalent HPV vaccine administered after the surgical treatment of vulvar high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) can reduce vulvar recurrence of the disease. Therefore, the efficacy of HPV vaccination with respect to vulvovaginal recurrence is still an unexplored field. Further studies are needed to produce stronger evidence in order to appropriately support interventions to protect women’s health.