bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advancements in Aluminum-Based Composite Manufacturing: Leveraging La2O3 Reinforcement through Friction Stir Process
Authors: Kareem Hawraa , Raju Hemanth , E Annapoorna , Thethi H. Pal , Tyagi Lalit Kumar , Kumari Vandna
Published: March 2024

This study investigates the advancements in Aluminum-Based Composite Manufacturing through the incorporation of lanthanum oxide (La2O3) reinforcement using the Friction Stir Process (FSP). The pivotal role of precision machining, particularly the vertical milling machine, in executing FSP is emphasized. Specific parameters, including pin diameter, tool tilt angle, and rotational speed, were meticulously selected to ensure optimal performance. The uniform distribution of La2O3 particles within the composite matrix highlights the effectiveness of the fabrication process, indicating proper mixing and dispersion techniques. Experimental findings reveal significant improvements in mechanical properties, with a notable 22.78% enhancement in tensile strength, a significant 35.21% increase in hardness, a noteworthy 24.44% improvement in fatigue strength, and a substantial 28.68% increase in wear resistance observed in aluminum-La2O3 composites produced via FSP. These results underscore the potential of leveraging FSP for aluminum-based composite manufacturing, offering opportunities for the development of high-performance materials with enhanced mechanical properties and durability.
Fingerprint-based biometric smart electronic voting machine using IoT and advanced interdisciplinary approaches
Authors: Srilatha CH , Venigalla Dwaraka Chand , Tuttagunta Sai Kaushik , Akshay Nallagatla , Mundher adnan Myasar , Rajalakshmi B. , Thethi H. Pal , Kumar Ashwani
Published: March 2024

India is a Democratic country with a huge population where voting plays an important role. Every citizen has the right to choose their leaders. This is done by using electronic voting machines (EVMs) at polling booths. But even there may be some malfunctions during elections. Under these circumstances holding elections is a complex task for the Election Commission because there is rigging taking place. Electronic voting systems have come into the picture to prevent rigging up to the maximum extent. For this, we are using the R307 Fingerprint Module which scans the fingerprint and gives input to Arduino Uno. Our developed algorithm stores the particular fingerprint in the storage drive and makes sure that the fingerprint is unique from the previously stored data. Thus, when the same person comes to poll his vote during the elections, he needs to give his fingerprint before polling his vote if his fingerprint is already present in stored data. If both the data are matched. The person can be eligible to pole his vote else the buzzer will give us the alert sound. The advanced technology will improve the “Biometric Voting System” through the fingerprint enrolment process making the authentication easy and enhancing security.
An IoT-based vision alert for blind using interdisciplinary approaches
Authors: Annapurna T. , Mamidoju Sai Siddesh , Parthasaradhi Gurram , Akash Kancherdas , Alabdeli Haider , B Swathi , Jain Alok , Kumar Ashwani
Published: March 2024

IoT-based Vision Alerts for the Blind is an innovative paper that utilizes wearable glasses equipped with cameras and IoT devices to empower the visually impaired. This study uses an interdisciplinary approach and investigates how multidisciplinary research and IoT technology can be used to create vision support systems for the blind. These glasses employ advanced sensors to recognize obstacles and provide real-time navigation assistance, significantly enhancing safety and independence. With an intuitive user interface designed for accessibility, this technology promises to revolutionize the lives of blind individuals by reducing dependence, increasing autonomy, and providing a heightened sense of security while navigating their surroundings. Vision Assistance for the Blind represents a significant step forward in assistive technology, promising to improve mobility and overall quality of life for the blind community.
Revolutionizing Aluminum-Based Composite Manufacturing: Harnessing Fly Ash and Rice Husk Ash Reinforcement through Stir Casting for Sustainability
Authors: Ahmed Raghad , K S Prashanth , Annapurna T. , Jain Alok , Maan Preeti , Khan Irfan
Published: March 2024

The revolution in aluminum-based composite manufacturing is underway, propelled by the innovative integration of fly ash and rice husk ash (RHA) reinforcement through stir casting, heralding a sustainable approach to materials engineering. At the heart of this transformation lies a meticulous process: aluminum alloy melting at 700°C within a muffle furnace, augmented by the gradual introduction of RHA and fly ash particles into the molten alloy, stirred at 500 rpm for 15 minutes. This rigorous stirring method ensures a uniform dispersion of reinforcement particles, optimizing their distribution throughout the alloy matrix.The resultant composite exhibits remarkable enhancements across key mechanical properties. With the addition of 5% fly ash and 2.5% RHA, a notable 13.44% increase in tensile strength is achieved, accompanied by a remarkable 25.68% improvement in hardness. Furthermore, fatigue strength experiences a substantial boost of 20.12%, while wear resistance demonstrates a notable enhancement of 19.90% compared to the base composite.These findings underscore the efficacy of fly ash and RHA reinforcement in aluminum composites, offering a sustainable pathway towards enhanced material performance and resource efficiency in manufacturing practices. This study represents a paradigm shift towards greener and more resilient composite materials, driving sustainability in the realm of aluminum-based manufacturing.
Smart Cultivation with IoT Monitoring and Fertilizer Recommendation System with Climatic Conditions
Authors: Ediga Poornima , Cheemakurthy Hansika , Kaslavada Mokshagna , Hajari Manu , Alabdeli Haider , V Revathi , Gupta Manish , Pratap Bhishm
Published: March 2024

Plants are one of the most crucial survival needs of our life. Apart from providing us with food, they also maintain the carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in air. Most of the plants are dying due to poor maintenance, lack of moisture, improper temperature levels etc. This is where IoT should be introduced to the present gardening system. A smart gardening system can be introduced to the traditional gardening system which senses the requirements of the plant and provides it with water as the soil loses its moisture. Using Soil Moisture sensor, which detects the moisture levels of the soil, one can know whether to turn on the motor (water the plants) or not. Using BMP280, information like temperature, humidity can be sensed. The information about the moisture levels, temperature and humidity is updated to a real-time database in firebase which in turn updates the mobile application. The mobile application can be used for monitoring and controlling which is integrated with the sensors using IoT. The mobile application is built with the help of Kodular, a no-code application development interface. This system is further enhanced to run without human intervention by automating the motor switch. This integration is easy to use, burden free smart monitoring and an efficient way of maintaining a plant’s health.
Buckling Analysis of Vertical Structures: A Comprehensive Finite Element Study
Authors: Saeed Hazim Y. , Khubnani Rashi , Ediga Poornima , Gupta Manish , Kumar Rajeev , Kalra Ravi
Published: March 2024

Buckling analysis of a vertical structures is crucial in structural design for various loads, and simultaneously, reducing the long structures mass is essential for minimizing weight and cost. This study involves the analysis of long structures with rectangular and circular cross-sections under compressive loads, calculating the buckling load multiplier. Additionally, hollow rectangular and hollow circular columns are designed and analyzed under the same load and boundary conditions as the solid counterparts. By varying the hollowness of the rectangular and circular columns, the buckling load and the percentage of mass saved compared to solid columns are determined. At the same volume of material, the rectangular structure exhibits a 3% higher load multiplier than the circular structure. Increasing mass reduction by introducing hollowness also decreases the buckling load multiplier.
Detecting cyberbullying in social media using text analysis and ensemble techniques
Authors: Jeevan Nagendra Kumar Y. , Reddy Vanapatla Rohith , Krishna Pinamoni Vamshi , Kandukuri Jaswanth , Almusawi Muntather , K Aravinda , Kansal Lavish , Kalra Ravi
Published: March 2024

In the dynamic landscape of our hyper-connected digital world, social media platforms play a dual role as facilitators of global interaction and breeding grounds for harmful behaviors. Cyberbullying, an insidious online menace, inflicts emotional distress and psychological trauma on numerous individuals, underscoring the urgent need for advanced tools to detect and prevent such malevolent actions. This innovative project harnesses the power of artificial intelligence and text analysis to illuminate the dark corners of social media where cyberbullying thrives, offering hope to countless victims. At its core, this endeavor utilizes cutting-edge ensemble techniques, a fusion of diverse machine learning algorithms, to analyze textual content across social media platforms. This approach ensures unparalleled accuracy in identifying and flagging cyberbullying instances, enhancing the efficiency of the detection process while minimizing false positives. The project adopts a multifaceted approach to text analysis, examining explicit language, sentiments, context, and behavioral patterns in online interactions. By delving into the intricacies of human communication, the system distinguishes between genuine expressions and malicious intent, providing a nuanced and accurate assessment.
Search domain dimension expansion of robust matched-field source radiated power estimation
Authors: ZHANG Shaodong , SUN Chao
Published: March 2024

Compared with the traditional source radiated power estimation method, the matched-field source radiated power estimation method can obtain more accurate estimation results. However, its performance is greatly influenced by environmental mismatch. This paper defines the impact factor of environmental mismatch to quantify the impact of environmental mismatch on the acoustic transfer function and the matched-field source radiated power estimation method. It determines that the key to improve the robustness of environmental mismatch is to accurately estimate the acoustic transfer function. In the traditional matched-field source radiated power estimation method, the search domain of the acoustic transfer function is a distance-depth two-dimensional plane and does not contain the true acoustic transfer function when the environment is mismatched. Therefore, the estimation results of the acoustic transfer function are bound to deviate from those of the true acoustic transfer function. The paper expands the search domain dimension to a three-dimensional search domain that contains distance, depth and uncertain parameter sets. The true acoustic transfer function is included in the search domain. Thus the optimal alternative acoustic transfer function is equal to the true acoustic transfer function. The objective function for the three-dimensional search domain is constructed. The smaller the absolute value of the objective function, the less the acoustic transfer function estimation deviates from the true acoustic transfer function. The source radiated power is estimated more accurately when the alternative acoustic transfer function estimation corresponding to the minimum absolute value of the objective function. The simulation results verify the theoretical analysis results.
Application of Harmony SE in civil aircraft design
Authors: LIU Wanyi , FENG Yunwen , HOU Jieran , CHEN Junyu , GUO Yingnan
Published: March 2024

With the refinement of civil aircraft technology and the enhancement of product complexity, civil aircraft design has changed from traditional text-based system engineering to model-based system engineering, the expression of the system has also transformed from text-centered to model-centered. To further improve the model quality and correctness of aircraft system modeling, this paper explores the applicability of model-driven and verification-oriented system engineering methods in the field of civil aircraft design, and establishes the system engineering practice framework of civil aircraft design, which can ensure the rapid design and efficient delivery of civil aircraft. Firstly, starting from the Harmony SE modeling method, the workflow and modeling ideas of system are introduced; then the noticeable problems in the practice of civil aircraft system engineering are analyzed, and the system engineering practice of civil aircraft design is established with the support of the applicability of the Harmony SE method; finally, the fuel tank pressurization component is taken as the research object of the practice system in component-level. The results show that the system engineering practice framework of civil aircraft design and method proposed in this paper can correctly and reasonably allocate design requirements and establish a complete system model, which is helpful to improve the efficiency and accuracy of civil aircraft design at this stage.
Adaptive channel reservation multiple access protocol based on differentiated traffic guarantee
Authors: LIU Ze , LI Bo , YANG Mao , YAN Zhongjiang
Published: March 2024

Ad Hoc network is widely used because of its distributed flexibility, in which nodes may generate different types of traffic, and some high-priority traffic requires lower delay and other Quality of service (QoS) requirements. However, as the load of traffic increases, the probability of conflict increases significantly, which makes it difficult to guarantee the requirement of these traffic. It is significant to design the efficient multiple access protocol to ensure the quality of different kinds of traffic. Channel reservation mechanism is an important method to ensure QoS. However, the existing channel reservation mechanism does not fine-adjust reservation parameters according to the QoS when dealing with various traffic differently, and the differentiation mechanism is rough. In addition, it is difficult to ensure the performance of common services when low-latency services are met. Therefore, a differentiated service guarantee adaptive reservation mechanism (DSGARM) to solve the above problems is proposed. The core idea of the protocol is to provide differentiated services in detail according to the delay tolerance requirements of each business. Absolute reservation mechanism is used to guarantee delay-sensitive services, and relative reservation mechanism is used to service relatively delay-insensitive services. In the protocol, a model is established to design an adaptive algorithm to quantitatively calculate reservation parameters that meet the delay requirements. On the premise of prioritized reservation for various services, appropriate reservation parameters can be adjusted according to network conditions to ensure the delay tolerance requirements of each type of service. The present work can be widely applied to scenarios with differentiated business requirements. The simulation results show the advantages of the present protocol and have great practical significance.
Hardware security and reliability verification based on fault propagation model
Authors: ZHANG Xige , ZHU Jiacheng , MA Jun , SHEN Lixiang , ZHOU Jiahui , MU Dejun
Published: March 2024

Large scale integrate circuits is facing serious threat such as design vulnerabilities, side channels, and hardware Trojans. Traditional functional verification method is difficult to ensure high test coverage, and it is also difficult to detect security vulnerabilities such as side channels and stealthy hardware Trojans. Formal verification methods focus on the equivalence and functional correctness of design, and are difficult to meet security and reliability verification needs. The present work proposes a hardware security and reliability verification method from formal model. The present method can develop formal models for describing the security and reliability behaviour of hardware designs. It can detect potential security vulnerabilities in hardware designs. Experimental results show that the verification method is effective in detecting sensitive information leakage and modification caused by side channels and hardware Trojans.
Rocket landing guidance based on second-order Picard-Chebyshev-Newton type algorithm
Authors: TANG Jingyuan , GOU Yongjie , MA Yangyang , PAN Binfeng
Published: March 2024

This paper proposes a rocket substage vertical landing guidance method based on the second-order Picard-Chebyshev-Newton type algorithm. Firstly, the continuous-time dynamic equation is discretized based on the natural second-order Picard iteration formulation and the Chebyshev polynomial. Secondly, the landing problem that considers terminal constraints is transformed into a nonlinear least-squares problem with respect to the terminal constraint function and solved with the Gauss-Newton method. In addition, the projection method is introduced to the iteration process of the Gauss-Newton method to realize the inequality constraints of the thrust. Finally, the closed-loop strategy for rocket substage vertical landing guidance is proposed and the numerical simulations of the rocket vertical landing stage are carried out. The simulation results demonstrate that compared with the sequential convex optimization algorithm, the proposed algorithm has higher computational efficiency.
Research on game strategy of spacecraft chase and escape based on adaptive augmented random search
Authors: JIAO Jie , GOU Yongjie , WU Wenbo , PAN Binfeng
Published: March 2024

To solve the problem of the survival differential policy interception between a spacecraft and a non-cooperative target pursuit game, the pursuit game policy is studied based on reinforcement learning, and the adaptive-augmented random search algorithm is proposed. Firstly, to solve the sparse reward problem of sequential decision making, an exploration method based on the spatial perturbation of parameters of the policy is designed, thus accelerating its convergence speed. Secondly, to avoid the possibility of falling into local optimum prematurely, a novelty degree function is designed to guide the policy update, enhancing the efficiency of data utilization. Finally, the effectiveness and advancement of the exploration method are verified with numerical simulations and compared with those of the augmented random search algorithm, the proximal policy optimization algorithm and the deep deterministic policy gradient algorithm.
Investigation of overall performance of turbofan engine with pulse detonation combustor in bypass duct
Authors: PENG Chenxu , ZHENG Longxi , LU Jie , LUO Zhenkun , ZHANG Jiabo
Published: March 2024

The performance model was established to study the performance of mixed exhaust turbofan engine with pulse detonation combustor (PDC) in the bypass duct. The effects of the total pressure loss of isolator and bypass circulation parameters on the characteristic of PDC and performance of engine were analyzed. Then, the sensitivity analysis of performance parameters was carried out on the influence of the components parameters. The performance of mixed exhaust turbofan engine with PDC in the bypass duct was compared with that of the conventional afterburner turbofan engine at the same design circulation parameters. The results show that to increase the total pressure loss of isolator is beneficial to the improvement of performance because of the improvement of pressure ratio; when fan pressure ratio is constant, with the increasing of bypass ratio, the specific fuel consumption and specific thrust increase; with the increasing of fan pressure ratio, when bypass ratio is 0.2 to 0.4, specific thrust increases first and then decreases. When bypass ratio is 0.4 to 0.5, specific thrust increases first and then remains constant. When bypass ratio is 0.5 to 0.9, specific thrust increases, but the rate of increase reduces. At different bypass ratio, specific fuel consumption decreases with increasing of fan pressure ratio; the performance of engine is more sensitive to the component parameters that directly affect the flow state parameters of the bypass duct; because of supercharging performance of PDC, PDC in the bypass duct only uses part of air flow to organize combustion that can make specific thrust of turbofan engine with PDC in the bypass duct and conventional afterburner turbofan engine are equivalent. Meanwhile, specific fuel consumption can be reduced by 27.7% at design point and 12.8%-26.8% at off-design points.
Children participation in the case management process
Authors: Pivoriene Jolanta , Sungailiene Rūta
Published: March 2024

In 1989 The provision of Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child defined the child’s right to participate - to express his/her opinion and to participate in solving issues related and affecting him/her. In Lithuania, the abundance of legal acts enforces the child’s right to participate, but in practice it is observed that the implementation of the child’s right to participate is not sufficiently ensured. The case management process, as a way of helping the child and/or his/her family, came into force in Lithuania in 2018, but the implementation of the child’s right to participate in the context of the case management process is poorly analyzed in the scientific literature. Scientists from Lithuania and abroad advocate the importance of involving the child in the decision-making process, since this is how their most important skills are formed and their ability to cope with stress increases. The data of the implemented qualitative research revealed twofold approach of case management professionals to the participation of the child and becoming him/her a participant of the case management process. The abundance of professionals’ experience reflects the absence of a common practice that enables the child to participate.
Characterisation of frequency of norovirus infection among hospitalised patients of Children’s clinical university hospital in 2021
Authors: Poševa Dita , Dimiņa Elīna , Isarova Dana
Published: March 2024

Objective. To characterize the frequency of norovirus infection depending on where infection was acquired, age, sex, department profile, presence of other pathogens and socio-demographic factors among hospitalized patients of “Children’s Clinical University Hospital” in 2021. Materials and Methods. Data was taken from the Children’s Clinical University Hospital internal information system Andromeda and the laboratory information system DIALAB about hospitalized patients in 2021 with a diagnosis of acute gastroenteropathy caused by norovirus (A08.1). A total number of included cases in the data analysis were 266 children aged 17 years and younger. For statistical data analysis descriptive statistical methods and single-factor, multi-factor binary logistic regression was used. Results. The incidence of healthcare-associated norovirus infection (NoV-HAI) was 4.14 cases per 1000 hospitalized children per year. There were no statistically significant differences between socio-demographic factors, the presence of other pathogens and place where infection was acquired. The chances of becoming infected with NoV in the hospital’s therapeutic profile departments were 3.99 (CI 2.07-7.69) times higher than in the departments of infectious diseases. Children with chronic illnesses and norovirus (NoV) infection were only in the NoV-HAI group (n = 10). In the NoV group acquired in the society, children were 5.24 times more likely (CI 2.71-10.13) to suffer from dehydration than in the NoV-HAI group. Conclusions. The chances of hospitalized children to obtain NoV-HAI are related to compliance with infection control measures in departments of different profiles, not to the child’s socio-demographic factors.
The response of patient organizations to the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study in Latvia
Authors: Spriņģe Lauma , Stars Inese , Kursīte Mirdza , Putniņa Renāte , Ķīvīte-Urtāne Anda , Villeruša Anita
Published: March 2024

Patient organizations have proven to be crucial stakeholders for patient needs in the health system. However, the global health crisis due to the emergence of COVID-19 has affected the routine of organizations. This qualitative study explores the experience of patient organizations in adapting their services to the situation during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Latvia in Spring-Autumn 2020. Fifteen chairpersons of patient organizations were recruited and interviewed using a semi-structured key informant interview. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed with manual thematic coding. Four main themes were identified: information needs on COVID-19; diversification of communication channels and their adjustment to the COVID-19 situation; continuity of routine management of patient organization; support mechanisms for patient organizations in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Patient organizations experienced a rapidly changing environment as a result of COVID-19 and have had to react immediately to ensure the provision of the service to the patient community they serve.
The negative impact of poor health on civic participation in older adults of the Baltic countries
Authors: Mikulionienė Sarmitė
Published: March 2024

Civic participation as a specific subtype of social participation in later life has received little attention from researchers. How to maintain the well-being and health of older adults through their involvement in the community is crucial to understand the prevalence of civic participation in older age, especially for those in poor health. This study fills the gap in knowledge on the relationship between the civic participation of older adults in the Baltics and their health status. The data come from a quantitative survey of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia’s residents aged 50 years and older (N = 2015) conducted in 2019-2020. Data were analysed based on Serratet et al. [1] concept of civic activity and health status, using descriptive statistics and multinomial regression analysis. The results show that the profile of civic participation people aged 50+ is asymmetrical: 1) individual rather than collective and social rather than political participation is prevalent, and 2) poor health limits the participation of older adults in almost every civic activity (especially those that are more resource-intensive). The research results can be helpful for social policymakers and practitioners (social workers).
Social workers’ experience working with refugees during Covid-19: Case of Austria
Authors: Sadauskas Justinas , Dehghani Pour Sina
Published: March 2024

Global pandemic, Covid-19, started at the end of 2019 and until today we are facing the consequences of it on a daily basis. The Covid-19 virus has made the situation more difficult for both social workers and refugees and the ignorance has been more visible both theoretically and practically. On the other hand, professional activities of social workers were significantly influenced during Covid – 19. It made their job harder and more challenging than before. Research goal – To disclose Austrian social workers ‘experience working with refugees during Covid – 19. Research strategy - qualitative research. The study was conducted in November - December of 2021 among social workers in Austria. Data collection method - semi-structured interview (8 social workers). Data analysis method - content analysis method. Main findings - the restrictions imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated the isolation and vulnerability of refugees and created confusion. During the Covid -19 pandemic, social workers working with refugees faced the following challenges - significant alterations in routine of social workers and struggling to preserve and keep clients.
Tunneled Paranasal Augmentation Using Diced Autologous Costal Cartilage in Asian Rhinoplasty: A Comparative Study
Authors: Lin Guangxian , Yihao Xu , Zhang Xulong , You Jianjun , Wang Huan , Zheng Ruobing , Tian Le , Guo Junsheng , Song Zhen , Fan Fei
Published: March 2024

Due to the prevalence of anterior maxilla dysplasia in Asian population, paranasal concavity is a common accompaniment to low nose, but its impact on facial harmonization is often underestimated. A retrospective comparative study was conducted on patients diagnosed as low nose with paranasal concavity between June 2017 and June 2021, with a total of 56 patients followed up successfully. The control and observation groups were established according to whether the paranasal augmentation was performed. Demographic data were collected. Cosmetic enhancement was quantitatively evaluated by sagittal planimetry, establishing related anatomical landmarks and measuring columella base prominence (CBP) and alar base prominence (ABP). Subjective evaluation concluded the patient-reported satisfaction (FACE-Q-Rhinoplasty Module and Facial Appearance Module) and the third-party physician assessment (Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale, GAIS).

Significant improvements in CBP and ABP were reported both in the control and the observation group (p < 0.01). In postoperative intergroup comparisons, the observation group was superior to the control group regarding ABP values (2.5 ± 0.75 degrees, p < 0.01), FACE-Q-Facial scores (7.49 ± 3.70, p < 0.05), and GAIS scores (p < 0.05). However, no statistical difference was found in CBP values and FACE-Q-Rhinoplasty scores. Paranasal augmentation-related complications included asymmetry of alar bases (6.9%) and facial or intraoral foreign body sensation (34.5%). This study affirmed that paranasal augmentation using diced costal cartilage in rhinoplasty is a safe procedure effective in remedying paranasal concavity and improving facial satisfaction.

Level of Evidence: IV
Spatial proximity matters, predispositions do not: explaining policy preferences for long-term natural disaster mitigation
Authors: Leino Mikko , Ylisalo Juha , Himmelroos Staffan
Published: March 2024

Voter myopia, the inability and unwillingness of citizens to accept policies whose benefits only materialise over a long period, is often considered an almost inevitable feature of representative democracy. Recent studies have subjected this assumption to empirical scrutiny, but the extent to which variation in political future orientation of citizens is associated with support for alternative policies, with differing temporal profiles of benefits and costs, has remained largely uncharted. Utilising survey data from Finland (n = 1049), we study the associations spatial proximity to a regionally relevant problem, flooding and political future orientation have with choices between policy alternatives that distribute benefits differently between generations. We found that, while levels of political future orientation are not a significant determinant of the willingness to invest in the future wellbeing, heightened issue salience linked to geographic proximity to the potential event plays a role in shaping policy preferences.
A creative industrial design framework of the taxonomy for Chinese indigenous materials and relevant crafts
Authors: Duan Jinjuan , Evans Mark , Hurn Karl , Storer Ian , Bai Zhewen
Published: March 2024

Industrial designers have a need to acquire knowledge related to physical materials and undertake activities such as materials selection and materials-driven creative design. Chinese indigenous materials (CIMs) and relevant crafts are identified as a significant but currently untapped resource for designers. Existing research lacks systematic organization and classification for this rich resource making it difficult to develop an online materials database for creative design. To enable industrial designers to develop an understanding of CIMs, obtain design inspiration and stimulate creative design activity, this paper reports on the development of a framework for a taxonomy of CIMs. Through literature review and analysis of existing design tools, the purpose, ending conditions, basic methods and framework of a taxonomy were identified. Taking Xuan Paper as an example, a case study was undertaken to establish methods and processes. When combined with expert interviews and user questionnaires, the usefulness, efficiency and acceptability of the research framework were evaluated, optimized and validated. The findings indicate that a CIM taxonomy can support designers to systematically acquire materials and processing information, facilitate materials-driven creative design, material comparison/selection and provide a framework for the construction of CIM-related databases.
Unraveling sources of emission heterogeneity in Silicon Vacancy color centers with cryo-cathodoluminescence microscopy
Authors: Angell Daniel K. , Li Shuo , Utzat Hendrik , Thurston Matti L. S. , Liu Yin , Dahl Jeremy , Carlson Robert , Shen Zhi-Xun , Melosh Nicholas , Sinclair Robert , Dionne Jennifer A.
Published: March 2024

Diamond color centers have proven to be versatile quantum emitters and exquisite sensors of stress, temperature, electric and magnetic fields, and biochemical processes. Among color centers, the silicon-vacancy (SiV

−

) defect exhibits high brightness, minimal phonon coupling, narrow optical linewidths, and high degrees of photon indistinguishability. Yet the creation of reliable and scalable SiV

−

-based color centers has been hampered by heterogeneous emission, theorized to originate from surface imperfections, crystal lattice strain, defect symmetry, or other lattice impurities. Here, we advance high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy combined with cathodoluminescence spectroscopy and 4D scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) to elucidate the structural sources of heterogeneity in SiV

−

emission from nanodiamond with sub-nanometer-scale resolution. Our diamond nanoparticles are grown directly on TEM membranes from molecular-level seedings, representing the natural formation conditions of color centers in diamond. We show that individual subcrystallites within a single nanodiamond exhibit distinct zero-phonon line (ZPL) energies and differences in brightness that can vary by 0.1 meV in energy and over 70% in brightness. These changes are correlated with the atomic-scale lattice structure. We find that ZPL blue-shifts result from tensile strain, while ZPL red shifts are due to compressive strain. We also find that distinct crystallites host distinct densities of SiV

−

emitters and that grain boundaries impact SiV

−

emission significantly. Finally, we interrogate nanodiamonds as small as 40 nm in diameter and show that these diamonds exhibit no spatial change to their ZPL energy. Our work provides a foundation for atomic-scale structure-emission correlation, e.g., of single atomic defects in a range of quantum and two-dimensional materials.
Femtosecond pulsed laser photodynamic therapy activates melanin and eradicates malignant melanoma
Authors: Pires Layla , Khattak Shireen , Pratavieira Sebastiao , Calcada Carla , Romano Renan , Yucel Yeni , Bagnato Vanderlei S. , Kurachi Cristina , Wilson Brian C.
Published: March 2024

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) relies on a series of photophysical and photochemical reactions leading to cell death. While effective for various cancers, PDT has been less successful in treating pigmented melanoma due to high light absorption by melanin. Here, this limitation is addressed by 2-photon excitation of the photosensitizer (2p-PDT) using ~100 fs pulses of near-infrared laser light. A critical role of melanin in enabling rather than hindering 2p-PDT is elucidated using pigmented and non-pigmented murine melanoma clonal cell lines in vitro. The photocytotoxicities were compared between a clinical photosensitizer (Visudyne) and a porphyrin dimer (Oxdime) with ~600-fold higher σ
2p
value. Unexpectedly, while the 1p-PDT responses are similar in both cell lines, 2p activation is much more effective in killing pigmented than non-pigmented cells, suggesting a dominant role of melanin 2p-PDT. The potential for clinical translational is demonstrated in a conjunctival melanoma model in vivo, where complete eradication of small tumors was achieved. This work elucidates the melanin contribution in multi-photon PDT enabling significant advancement of light-based treatments that have previously been considered unsuitable in pigmented tumors.
Brain mechanism of foraging: Reward-dependent synaptic plasticity versus neural integration of values
Authors: Pereira-Obilinovic Ulises , Hou Han , Svoboda Karel , Wang Xiao-Jing
Published: March 2024

During foraging behavior, action values are persistently encoded in neural activity and updated depending on the history of choice outcomes. What is the neural mechanism for action value maintenance and updating? Here, we explore two contrasting network models: synaptic learning of action value versus neural integration. We show that both models can reproduce extant experimental data, but they yield distinct predictions about the underlying biological neural circuits. In particular, the neural integrator model but not the synaptic model requires that reward signals are mediated by neural pools selective for action alternatives and their projections are aligned with linear attractor axes in the valuation system. We demonstrate experimentally observable neural dynamical signatures and feasible perturbations to differentiate the two contrasting scenarios, suggesting that the synaptic model is a more robust candidate mechanism. Overall, this work provides a modeling framework to guide future experimental research on probabilistic foraging.
Equalizing the battery charges of rechargeable accumulators
Authors: Petrov O I
Published: March 2024

Charge imbalances in high-voltage batteries, including battery cell arrays, such as lithium-ion in hybrid vehicles, tend to develop and increase over time as the batteries are charged and discharged, or even when the battery remains charged but not in use. This reduces the efficiency of the battery charging and discharging modes, and limits battery life and capacity. The article describes a method and device for performing the charge equalization operation when charging a storage battery. The elements of the charger circuit have been selected, the parameters of which are sufficient for charging with equalizing the charge of the Audi Q5 hybrid Quattro car. Calculations of the pulse mode of charging the battery of the specified car, as well as the time spent on charging with equalizing the battery charges are given. The charging time of the considered battery with the elimination of a 15% imbalance of the batteries will last up to 139 minutes (2.31 hours). The results of calculating the operating parameters of the device indicate that the device for equalizing the charge of the batteries is operable, can be implemented on a modern element base at a relatively low cost, and is capable of charging the battery in a time acceptable for the operation of the car.
A Duster Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle with Wireless Charging System
Authors: Marinescu D G , Marinescu A , Nicolae V , Calin L , Parlac S , Vieru I , Stan A
Published: March 2024

The paper presents the GASTER Electricway 4WD concept, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) type, in development within the Automotive Engineering Research Centre of the University of Pitesti, aiming to create a green and versatile version of Romanian Dacia Duster. The car has been built by implementing a hybrid propulsion system with electrified rear axle. This hybrid system is PHEV, parallel type with two shafts, organized in a motorized solution E4WD (Electricway 4WD). It is composed of a thermal power train with a 1.6 litre engine fuelled with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), placed in the front of the vehicle. The electric powertrain, located at the rear side of the vehicle includes an electric motor coupled with a mechanical transmission. The traction battery is Lithium-ion NMC type. The charging of the traction battery can be performed with the on board charger of by cable from a Wallbox or public station, in the Standard version, and Plug-in bidirectional or Wireless from renewable sources in the Premium version.
The design and development of an Integrated Propulsion System – Phase 1: the wheel architecture
Authors: Croitorescu V , Preda D , Giurca L
Published: March 2024

The paper presents the design and development of an integrated powertrain system where the suspension system is also included in the wheel together with the electric machine. Based on a patent of one of the authors, the solution was virtually developed and tested. Different advancements were performed during the development phases for choosing the final architecture. Currently, the integrated propulsion system is manufactured and implemented on a L6E road vehicle to be tested and optimized.
Overview of the use of oxygen sensors in automotive applications
Authors: Tutunea D , Dumitru I , Stănciuc-Oţăt O V
Published: March 2024

In the process of combustion, the air-fuel ratio is important for control strategies to reduce fuel economy and improve engine performance. Oxygen sensors are key elements in electronic fuel injection systems to indicate the oxygen content and send electrical signals to the electronic control unit. Starting with the first generation of oxygen sensors, which had limited applications, all automotive manufacturers now use wideband sensors to detect oxygen concentration with rapid reaction and linear output characteristics. Also, these new sensors provide accurate information for a wide range of air coefficients (λ = 0.65-2.4), improving combustion efficiency. In this paper, several types of narrowband and wideband sensors were analyzed, measuring the activation temperature for each sensor until a reliable signal was obtained.
Dynamic model for an independent suspension
Authors: Popa D , Popa C M , Marcu S
Published: March 2024

The paper presents the dynamic model with 4 degrees of freedom of an independent suspension with MacPherson type coil springs, taking into account the anti-roll bar. Starting from the constructive scheme, a kinematic analysis necessary to obtain the dynamic model is carried out. The differential displacement equations are obtained starting from the expressions of kinetic and potential energy, by applying Lagrange’s equations. Next, the expressions of the inertia, stiffness and damping matrices and, finally, the matrix expression of pitch-roll vibrations are presented. At the end of the paper, in the numerical application carried out with a calculation program in MATLAB, the influence of the values of the damping constants on the dynamic forces at the wheels is studied. The numerical results are presented in the form of diagrams.
Comparative analysis of FEM tire-soft snow interaction and theoretical model based on Bekker’s coefficients
Authors: Surkutwar Y , Vilsan A , Sandu C , Untaroiu C
Published: March 2024

Tire-deformable terrain interaction is a complex phenomenon that has proven difficult to characterize accurately and comprehensively using numerical models. While researchers have attempted to develop various numerical models to estimate tire behavior on deformable terrain, the most accurate models to date rely on empirical data and are only applicable to specific rolling conditions. In this research paper, a comparison between theoretical mechanics and a finite element method (FEM) model of a rigid tire rolling on a layer of soft snow is presented. The goal is to compare the data obtained from the FEM tire-soft snow interaction analysis with the data generated by a theoretical numerical model. The FEM snow model is developed using the Drucker-Prager cap material model while the tire is assumed rigid. The assumption of the rigid tire can provide reasonably accurate results in the case of the soft snow interaction model. The theoretical pressure-sinkage coefficients of the Bekker equation (kc, kϕ
and n) for soft snow are calculated by simulating vertical penetration tests in the FEM snow model. The results of the pressure distribution and rolling resistance due to compaction obtained by the FEM and the theoretical model results are then compared.
An analysis of emissions and carbon footprints for the various types of vehicle propulsion
Authors: Oprica A , Florescu B , Bică M , Dumitru I , Tutunea D , Racila L , Gencărau N D
Published: March 2024

Plans, predictions, and strategies to decrease emissions from vehicles are now being implemented as a direct result of anti-pollution legislation, which is currently in full swing. Countries that have achieved a high level of industrialization have enacted a variety of policies designed to encourage the production of clean (or less polluting) vehicles. These policies include the reduction of taxes as well as the imposition of penalties (such as green surcharges or even a ban on driving) on vehicles that emit high levels of pollutants that are in excess of what is considered to be acceptable levels. The public at large is coming around to the idea that human activity is responsible for the majority of climate change, as well as the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, and this theory has a solid foundation in the scientific community. The paper aims to explore findings in the context of the disproportionately carbon footprint for different means of transportation of goods.
A Schur-Weyl type duality for twisted weak modules over a vertex algebra
Authors: Tanabe Kenichiro
Published: March 2024

Let

V
V

be a vertex algebra of countable dimension,

G
G

a subgroup of

A
u
t
V

AutV

of finite order,

V

G

V^{G}

the fixed point subalgebra of

V
V

under the action of

G
G

, and

S

\mathscr {S}

a finite

G
G

-stable set of inequivalent irreducible twisted weak

V
V

-modules associated with possibly different automorphisms in

G
G

. We show a Schur–Weyl type duality for the actions of

A

α

(
G
,

S

)

\mathscr {A}_{\alpha }(G,\mathscr {S})

and

V
G

V^G

on the direct sum of twisted weak

V
V

-modules in

S

\mathscr {S}

where

A

α

(
G
,

S

)

\mathscr {A}_{\alpha }(G,\mathscr {S})

is a finite dimensional semisimple associative algebra associated with

G
,

S

G,\mathscr {S}

, and a

2
2

-cocycle

α
\alpha

naturally determined by the

G
G

-action on

S

\mathscr {S}

. It follows as a natural consequence of the result that for any

g
∈
G

g\in G

every irreducible

g
g

-twisted weak

V
V

-module is a completely reducible weak

V
G

V^G

-module.
On explicit abstract neutral differential equations with state-dependent delay II
Authors: Hernández Eduardo
Published: March 2024

We study the existence and uniqueness of strict solution for a general class of abstract explicit neutral equations with state-dependent delay. Some examples concerning explicit partial neutral differential equations with state dependent delay are presented.