bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Glucose and Methylene Blue in Microbial Fuel Cells Using E. coli
Authors: Montoya-Vallejo Carolina , Gil Posada Jorge Omar , Quintero-Díaz Juan Carlos
Published: December 2023

Microbial fuel cells could be used as an alternative for wastewater treatment and electricity generation. Escherichia coli is a representative bacterium that has been widely studied as a model in laboratory assays despite its limited ability to transfer electrons. Although previous studies have employed glucose and methylene blue in electricity production using E. coli, there remains a lack of understanding on how current generation would impact the production of metabolites and what the most appropriate conditions for current production might be. To shed light on those issues, this manuscript used a 32 factorial design to evaluate the effect of the concentration of organic matter (glucose) and the concentration of the mediator methylene blue (MB) using E. coli DH5α as an anodic microorganism. It was found that as the concentration of glucose was increased, the production of electricity increased and at the same time, its degradation percentage decreased. Similarly, a 17-fold increase in current production was observed with an elevation in methylene blue concentration from 0 to 0.3 mM, though inhibition became apparent at higher concentrations. The maximum power generated by the cell was 204.5 µW m−2, achieving a current density of 1.434 mA m−2 at concentrations of 5 g L−1 of glucose and 0.3 mM of MB. Reductions in the production of ethanol, lactate, and acetate were observed due to the deviation of electrons to the anode.
Stick–Slip Vibration Characteristics Study of the Drill String Based on PID Controller
Authors: Yan Baoyong , Tian Jialin , Meng Xianghui , Zhang Zhe
Published: December 2023

In order to address the issue of drill string stick–slip vibration, which leads to drill bit wear and reduces the drilling velocity, we conducted a study on the characteristics of stick–slip vibration using a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller. By applying the principles of rigid body mechanics, we established a two-degree-of-freedom torsional dynamics equation and derived the first-order differential dynamics equation for the drill string. Subsequently, we designed a PID controller and obtained an equation for the control of stick–slip vibration. The research findings indicate that variations in the difference between the static and dynamic friction coefficients directly impact the nature of the limit cycles in the phase plane. As this difference decreases, the limit cycle narrows and the stick–slip vibrations weaken progressively. When the static and dynamic friction coefficients are equalized, no stick–slip vibrations occur within the drill string. The implementation of PID control effectively manages stick–slip vibrations in the drill string, with greater efficiency observed in controlling the turntable velocity compared to the drill bit velocity. This research provides valuable insights for the development of control strategies aimed at mitigating stick–slip vibrations in drilling engineering applications, thereby facilitating the efficient and safe extraction of oil and gas resources.
Special Issue: “The Future of Nuclear Power for Clean Energy Systems”
Authors: Oettingen Mikołaj , Gajda Paweł , Ceran Bartosz
Published: December 2023

Currently, many countries are considering the construction of nuclear power plants as a result of rapidly changing global political and economic conditions [...]
Geovisualization: A Practical Approach for COVID-19 Spatial Analysis
Authors: Ekel Petr Iakovlevitch , Laudares Sandro , Barros Adriano José de , Vieira Douglas Alexandre Gomes , Martins Carlos Augusto Paiva da Silva , Libório Matheus Pereira
Published: December 2023

Web Geographic Information Systems (WebGISs) were widely used to monitor COVID-19 cases and deaths during the pandemic. Furthermore, geotechnologies were also very useful in education, public management, tourism, and other areas. Although there are WebGISs with a high level of sophistication, most are simple, consisting of geovisualizers of cases, deaths, and vaccinations. This study develops a WebGIS that offers information about age, comorbidities, and tests, which can be analyzed from specific points such as hospitals, main access roads, regions, or neighborhoods. Although it is not a highly sophisticated solution, the WebGIS developed in this study is especially useful for municipal governments in developing countries like Brazil that do not have patient health data in geographic databases. The WebGIS developed in this study offers public managers essential information for developing effective public policies to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and other epidemiological phenomena such as dengue and malaria.
Extreme Value Analysis of Tide Gauge Record at the Port of Busan, South Korea
Authors: Watson Phil J. , Lim Hak-Soo
Published: December 2023

This article conducts an extreme value analysis (EVA) of hourly tide gauge measurements at Busan, South Korea, from 1960 onwards to understand the influence of typhoon-driven surges and predicted tides that super-elevate ocean still water levels (SWLs) at Busan. The impact of the 2003 super-typhoon “Maemi” dominates the records, super-elevating the SWL above mean sea level (MSL) by 1403 mm, equating to a recurrence interval of 98 years, eclipsing the second highest measured extreme in August 1960, with a return level of around 16 years. The sensitivity testing of the random timing of high tides and typhoon storm surges reveals several near misses in recent history, where water levels attained at the Busan tide gauge could have surpassed the records set during the “Maemi” event. This paper explores the omnipresent increasing risk of continuously increasing sea level coupled with oceanic inundation associated with extreme phenomena. By integrating sea level projections (IPCC AR6), the result of the EVA provides important resources for coastal planning and engineering design purposes at Busan.
Unveiling the Hidden Secrets of Bomarzo Cathedral: New Evidence from Last Ground-Penetrating Radar Survey
Authors: Barone Pier Matteo , Lamoratta Giovanni
Published: December 2023

The Bomarzo Cathedral, also known as the Duomo di Bomarzo, is a remarkable historical and architectural masterpiece situated in Bomarzo (VT), Italy. Constructed in the 16th century under the sponsorship of the Orsini family, the cathedral’s design is a harmonious blend of Renaissance and Baroque styles. Despite enduring numerous challenges, including damage from the Italian Wars, extensive restoration efforts were undertaken to preserve its cultural legacy. Driven by a deep appreciation of the cathedral’s historical context, a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) investigation was deployed to gain insights into its foundations and potentially uncover buried remains beneath the floor and altar. The GPR investigation focused on the cathedral’s interior, specifically the central and left naves, altar, and oratory. This revealed the presence of disclosed rectangular chambers beneath the floor and altar, along with unique foundation structures. These findings, coupled with historical insights and architectural understanding, emphasize the cathedral’s cultural importance.
Biopolymers in Drug and Gene Delivery Systems 2.0
Authors: Skorik Yury A.
Published: December 2023

In recent years, significant progress has been made in the design and development of biopolymer-based delivery systems for a wide range of applications, including cancer therapy, gene editing, regenerative medicine, and vaccine delivery [...]
Optimization of Xylooligosaccharides Production by Native and Recombinant Xylanase Hydrolysis of Chicken Feed Substrates
Authors: Dhaver Priyashini , Pletschke Brett , Sithole Bruce , Govinden Roshini
Published: December 2023

Poultry production faces several challenges, with feed efficiency being the main factor that can be influenced through the use of different nutritional strategies. Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) are functional feed additives that are attracting growing commercial interest due to their excellent ability to modulate the composition of the gut microbiota. The aim of the study was to apply crude and purified fungal xylanases, from Trichoderma harzianum, as well as a recombinant glycoside hydrolase family 10 xylanase, derived from Geobacillus stearothermophilus T6, as additives to locally produced chicken feeds. A Box–Behnken Design (BBD) was used to optimize the reducing sugar yield. Response surface methodology (RSM) revealed that reducing sugars were higher (8.05 mg/mL, 2.81 mg/mL and 2.98 mg/mL) for the starter feed treated with each of the three enzymes compared to the treatment with grower feed (3.11 mg/mL, 2.41 mg/mL and 2.62 mg/mL). The hydrolysis products were analysed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis and showed that the enzymes hydrolysed the chicken feeds, producing a range of monosaccharides (arabinose, mannose, glucose, and galactose) and XOS, with xylobiose being the predominant XOS. These results show promising data for future applications as additives to poultry feeds.
Neuron and Brain Maturation 2.0
Authors: Bonfanti Luca , Couillard-Després Sébastien
Published: December 2023

The mammalian central nervous system (CNS) is built up during embryogenesis by neural stem cells located in the periventricular germinal layers which undergo multiple division cycles [...]
Fan Stage Design and Performance Optimization for Low Specific Thrust Turbofans
Authors: Sjögren Oliver , Grönstedt Tomas , Lundbladh Anders , Xisto Carlos
Published: December 2023

In modern turbofan engines, the bypass section of the fan stage alone provides the majority of the total thrust required in cruise, and the size of the fan has a considerable effect on the overall engine weight and nacelle drag. Thrust requirements in different parts of the flight envelope must also be satisfied together with sufficient margins towards stalling. An accurate description of the interdependencies between the relevant performance and design attributes of the fan stage alone—such as efficiency, surge margin, fan-face Mach number, stage loading, flow coefficient, and aspect ratio—are therefore necessary to estimate system-level objectives such as mission fuel burn and the direct operating cost with enough confidence during the conceptual design phase. The contribution of this study is to apply a parametric optimization approach to the conceptual design of fan stages for low specific thrust turbofans based on the streamline curvature method. Trade-offs between fan stage attributes for Pareto-optimal solutions are modeled by training Kriging surrogate models on the results from the parametric optimization. A case study is provided in the end to demonstrate the potential implications of including a higher level of fan-stage parameter interdependency in an engine systems model. Results implied that being able to predict the rotor solidity required to maintain a given average blade loading—in addition to stage efficiency—is of significant importance when it comes to evaluating the trade-off between engine weight and thrust-specific fuel consumption.
The Structural Reliability of the Usumacinta Bridge Using InSAR Time Series of Semi-Static Displacements
Authors: Guzman-Acevedo German Michel , Quintana-Rodriguez Juan A. , Gaxiola-Camacho Jose Ramon , Vazquez-Becerra Guadalupe Esteban , Torres-Moreno Vanessa , Monjardin-Quevedo Jesus Guadalupe
Published: December 2023

In recent years, Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) technology has been able to determine the semi-static behavior of bridges. However, most of the research about the use of InSAR in the monitoring of bridges has been applied only in deterministic assessments of their performance. Therefore, in the current manuscript, the Usumacinta Bridge, located in Mexico, was evaluated based on a probabilistic methodology to define structural reliability using images from Sentinel-1. In addition, a controlled experiment was developed using a corner reflector (CR) to evaluate the capabilities of InSAR for determining vertical displacements. In the trial, the CR was designed, oriented, and implemented, finding discrepancies concerning leveling of less than 2 mm. On the other hand, the case of the alternative probabilistic approach integrates the reliability of structures theory and probability density functions (PDFs) of displacements obtained via InSAR technology. In summary, the proposed study focused on the analysis of two years of vertical displacements and monthly velocities; then, implementing the alternative probabilistic approach, the reliability index (β) and probability of risk (PR) of the bridge were extracted, respectively. Based on the results of the experimental part of the paper, the displacements indicated maximum and minimum values of reliability index of 8.1 and 3.4, respectively. Within this context, the mean and standard deviation obtained were 5.9 and 1.4, respectively. On the other hand, the monthly velocities showed a maximum probability of risk of 2.61%, minimum value of 1.5 × 10−5%, mean of 0.4%, and standard deviation of 0.8%. Hence, the above-documented results indicate that the Usumacinta Bridge did not suffer any damage during its overloading condition period.
“Boot Sign” of Anterior Femoral Condylar Resectional Shape during Total Knee Arthroplasty Is More Frequent in Asian Patients
Authors: Kim Seong Hwan , Park Yong-Beom , Baek Suk Ho , Lee Jeuk , Lee Han-Jun
Published: December 2023

Purpose: There is lack of intraoperative consensus on the distal femur anterior resected surface shape that allows reliable rotational alignment assessment during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We aimed to evaluate the ratio and prevalence of anterior femoral resection surface intraoperatively. Materials and Methods: The study included 234 osteoarthritis patients with varus knees and not valgus knees or deformities. After conventional medial parapatellar approach, measured resection technique based on the mechanical axis of the femur and preoperative TEA-PCA angle on CT with anterior reference was used among all the patients. The anteroposterior (AP) lengths after distal femoral resection were measured as the femoral lateral AP (FLAP) and femoral medial AP (FMAP) lengths. Based on the medial (MD) and lateral condyle (LD) vertical distance ratios of the femur anterior resected surface, the groups were classified into “boot sign”, “grand-piano”, and “butterfly sign” groups. For comparison of the mean values, the data were assessed for normality with the Shapiro–Wilk test. One-way ANOVA with post hoc analysis using Tukey’s honestly significant difference (HSD) test was used to compare the mean values among the groups. The correlations between the MD/LD and variables were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Linear regression analyses were used to find the associated factors to the anterior femoral resection surface shape. Results: Mean intraoperative femoral rotation and distal femoral cutting angles were 4.9° ± 1.2 and valgus 5.0° ± 0.7, respectively. Mean FLAP was 52.9 ± 4.2 mm. Mean MD/LD (0.61 ± 0.13) was lower than that of typical “grand-piano sign”. The morphological shape incidence of the “boot sign” was 62.4%. In the “boot sign” group, the FLAP was found to be smaller than that in the other groups (52.4 ± 4.2 vs. 53.7 ± 4.2 vs. 54.9 ± 2.7; p = 0.02), while the intraoperative femoral rotation angle was found to be larger than in the other groups (5.0 ± 1.2 vs. 4.6 ± 1.1 vs. 4.7 ± 1.2; p = 0.039). The MD/LD-associated factors were FLAP, intraoperative femoral rotation, and distal femoral cutting angles (R2 = 0.268). Conclusion: The femur anterior resection surface shape in TKA was found in the “boot sign” rather than the “grand-piano sign” in Korean ethnics owing to an asymmetric morphology of femoral condyles. Ethnic differences, including distal femoral morphology, should be considered for assessment of the femoral rotation angle using the femur anterior resection surface shape.
An Alternative Technique for Topical Application of Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride (APF) Gel: A Two-Years Double-Blind Randomization Clinical Trial (RCT)
Authors: Sorazabal Ana Laura , Salgado Pablo , Ferrarini Silvana , Lazzati Rocio , Squassi Aldo Fabian , Campus Guglielmo , Klemonskis Graciela
Published: December 2023

Background and Objectives: Dental caries is still a dramatic public health problem. The effectiveness of an alternative technique using acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gel pH 3.5 was evaluated and compared with conventional treatments in reducing dental caries incidence. Materials and Methods: A double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted, involving 180 children aged 4–11 years. Three groups were formed: NaF varnish (NaFV), APF in tray (APFt), and APF in toothbrush (APFtbru). Clinical examinations were performed using standardized criteria and the ICDAS Index was assessed. The Caries Treatment Needs Index (CTNI) was calculated. Dental examinations were conducted at baseline, 12 months, and 24 months. Results: At baseline, 16,719 dental surfaces were included, with 15,434 surfaces being sound. After 24 months, the Kaplan–Meier analysis showed significant differences between the APFtbru group and the other two groups (p = 0.03). Cox regression analysis revealed that the surfaces treated with NaF varnish had the lowest survival rates (HR = 0.51 95%CI = 0.33/0.81). Occlusal surfaces had the lowest cumulative survival, while other tooth surfaces showed similar performance. Conclusions: The alternative technique of APF gel application with a toothbrush resulted in maintaining dental health over 24 months. This technique can be cost-effective and may offer advantages over traditional fluoride varnish application.
Cancer Treatment Closer to the Patient Reduces Travel Burden, Time Toxicity, and Improves Patient Satisfaction, Results of 546 Consecutive Patients in a Northern Italian District
Authors: Cavanna Luigi , Citterio Chiara , Mordenti Patrizia , Proietto Manuela , Bosi Costanza , Vecchia Stefano
Published: December 2023

Background and Objectives: The distance to cancer facilities may cause disparities by creating barriers to oncologic diagnosis and treatment, and travel burden may cause time and financial toxicity. Materials and Methods: To relieve travel burden, a program to deliver oncologic treatment closer to the patient was initiated in the district of Piacenza (Northern Italy) several years ago. The oncologic activities are performed by oncologists and by nurses who travel from the oncologic ward of the city hospital to territorial centres to provide cancer patient management. This model is called Territorial Oncology Care (TOC): patients are managed near their home, in three territorial hospitals and in a health centre, named “Casa della Salute” (CDS). A retrospective study was performed and the records of patients with cancer managed in the TOC program were analysed. The primary endpoints were the km and time saved, the secondary endpoints: reduction of caregiver need for transport and patient satisfaction. Results: 546 cancer patients managed in the TOC program from 2 January 2021 to 30 June 2022 were included in this study. Primary endpoints: median km to reach the city hospital: 26 (range 11–79 km) median time: 44 min (range 32–116); median km to reach the territorial clinicians in the TOC program: 7 (range 1–35 km), median time: 16 minutes (range 6–54), p < 0.001. Secondary endpoints: 64.8% of patients who needed a caregiver for the city hospital could travel alone in the TOC program and 99.63% of patients were satisfied. Conclusions: The results of this retrospective study highlight the possibility of treating cancer patients near their residence, reducing travel burden and saving time.
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for the Evaluation of Retention in a Conometric Connection for Implant and Prosthesis
Authors: Ceddia Mario , Comuzzi Luca , Di Pietro Natalia , Romasco Tea , Specchiulli Alessandro , Piattelli Adriano , Trentadue Bartolomeo
Published: December 2023

Today, dental implantology represents a reliable technique for treating both partial and total edentulism. The fixation of dentures on dental implants can be achieved using various techniques, where the choice of a specific technique depends on the patient’s individual needs, the jawbone’s condition, and the prosthesis design. Currently, the two most common types of prosthetic abutment connections are cemented and screwed, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. This study aimed to analyze a novel Morse cone connection system between the prosthesis and implant using finite element analysis (FEA). The analysis of connection retention was conducted using three different approaches: analytical, in vitro, and FEA. Three-dimensional models were created for systems comprising an abutment, healing cap, and crown under three inclination conditions: 0°, 15°, and 30°. Using Ansys finite element software (R1 2023), the impact of the tilt on the system retention was examined. The FEA showed results comparable with the in vitro studies regarding the retention strength for an abutment cap system with a 4° taper, obtaining 66.6 N compared with the 68 N calculated in our in vitro study. The inclination of the abutment affected the system retention due to the hole made in the abutment’s surface, decreasing the contact area between components. The Morse cone prosthesis–implant connection system was found to be the most stable and efficient compared with threaded or cemented systems. The retention was influenced by factors such as the abutment conicity, insertion strength, and the contact surface between components.
Preliminary Examinations of Phenotypical Changes in Land-Based Long-Term Tumble Culture of Palmaria palmata
Authors: Sebök Stefan , Strittmatter Martina , Gachon Claire M. M. , Hanelt Dieter
Published: December 2023

Within the last decade, the red alga P. palmata gained increasing interest as a food additive in Europe. Traditionally, P. palmata is harvested from wild stocks, but higher biomass demands request a shift towards industrial cultivation of this species. Using a land-based tumble culture approach, we have successfully grown P. palmata via vegetative propagation over a 2-year period. One year after the initial setup, phenotypic changes represented in the formation of randomly shaped, mostly circular galls and homogeneous greenish–white spots with significantly reduced photosynthetic activity were observed on the algal thalli. With progressing time, galls increased into large flat or sunken structures, whereas the tissue in the center of the greenish–white spots weakened. In later stages, the weakened tissue is disrupted, forming holes in the thallus. In this study, we present observations, microscopy analysis, PAM results, and biotechnological approaches to describe a possible infection of P. palmata. Test results showed that light quantity might be the most important factor for the propagation behavior of the infection, whereas the pH level might be secondary, and the nutrient level and biomass density might be of minor relevance. Similarly, changes in light quality could also influence the occurrence of pathological changes in P. palmata.
Fusion of Environmental Sensors for Occupancy Detection in a Real Construction Site
Authors: Tsanousa Athina , Moschou Chrysoula , Bektsis Evangelos , Vrochidis Stefanos , Kompatsiaris Ioannis
Published: December 2023

Internet-of-Things systems are increasingly being installed in buildings to transform them into smart ones and to assist in the transition to a greener future. A common feature of smart buildings, whether commercial or residential, is environmental sensing that provides information about temperature, dust, and the general air quality of indoor spaces, assisting in achieving energy efficiency. Environmental sensors though, especially when combined, can also be used to detect occupancy in a space and to increase security and safety. The most popular methods for the combination of environmental sensor measurements are concatenation and neural networks that can conduct fusion in different levels. This work presents an evaluation of the performance of multiple late fusion methods in detecting occupancy from environmental sensors installed in a building during its construction and provides a comparison of the late fusion approaches with early fusion followed by ensemble classifiers. A novel weighted fusion method, suitable for imbalanced samples, is also tested. The data collected from the environmental sensors are provided as a public dataset.
Exploration–Exploitation Tradeoff in the Adaptive Information Sampling of Unknown Spatial Fields with Mobile Robots
Authors: Munir Aiman , Parasuraman Ramviyas
Published: December 2023

Adaptive information-sampling approaches enable efficient selection of mobile robots’ waypoints through which the accurate sensing and mapping of a physical process, such as the radiation or field intensity, can be obtained. A key parameter in the informative sampling objective function could be optimized balance the need to explore new information where the uncertainty is very high and to exploit the data sampled so far, with which a great deal of the underlying spatial fields can be obtained, such as the source locations or modalities of the physical process. However, works in the literature have either assumed the robot’s energy is unconstrained or used a homogeneous availability of energy capacity among different robots. Therefore, this paper analyzes the impact of the adaptive information-sampling algorithm’s information function used in exploration and exploitation to achieve a tradeoff between balancing the mapping, localization, and energy efficiency objectives. We use Gaussian process regression (GPR) to predict and estimate confidence bounds, thereby determining each point’s informativeness. Through extensive experimental data, we provide a deeper and holistic perspective on the effect of information function parameters on the prediction map’s accuracy (RMSE), confidence bound (variance), energy consumption (distance), and time spent (sample count) in both single- and multi-robot scenarios. The results provide meaningful insights into choosing the appropriate energy-aware information function parameters based on sensing objectives (e.g., source localization or mapping). Based on our analysis, we can conclude that it would be detrimental to give importance only to the uncertainty of the information function (which would explode the energy needs) or to the predictive mean of the information (which would jeopardize the mapping accuracy). By assigning more importance to the information uncertainly with some non-zero importance to the information value (e.g., 75:25 ratio), it is possible to achieve an optimal tradeoff between exploration and exploitation objectives while keeping the energy requirements manageable.
Stability, Mounting, and Measurement Considerations for High-Power GaN MMIC Amplifiers
Authors: González-Posadas Vicente , Jiménez-Martín José Luis , Parra-Cerrada Angel , Espinosa Adams David , Hernandez Wilmar
Published: December 2023

In this paper, the precise design of a high-power amplifier (HPA) is shown, along with the problems associated with the stability of “on-wafer” measurements. Here, techniques to predict possible oscillations are discussed to ensure the stability of a monolithic microwave-integrated circuit (MMIC). In addition, a deep reflection is made on the instabilities that occur when measuring both on wafer and using a mounted chip. Stability techniques are used as tools to characterize measurement results. Both a precise design and instabilities are shown through the design of a three-stage X-band HPA in gallium nitride (GaN) from the WIN Semiconductors Corp. foundry. As a result, satisfactory performance was obtained, achieving a maximum output power equal to 42 dBm and power-added efficiency of 32% at a 20 V drain bias. In addition to identifying critical points in the design or measurement of the HPA, this research shows that the stability of the amplifier can be verified through a simple analysis and that instabilities are often linked to errors in the measurement process or in the characterization of the measurement process.
Occupancy State Prediction by Recurrent Neural Network (LSTM): Multi-Room Context
Authors: Diarra Mahamadou Klanan , Maniar Amine , Masson Jean-Baptiste , Marhic Bruno , Delahoche Laurent
Published: December 2023

The energy consumption of a building is significantly influenced by the habits of its occupants. These habits not only pertain to occupancy states, such as presence or absence, but also extend to more detailed aspects of occupant behavior. To accurately capture this information, it is essential to use tools that can monitor occupant habits without altering them. Invasive methods such as body sensors or cameras could potentially disrupt the natural habits of the occupants. In our study, we primarily focus on occupancy states as a representation of occupant habits. We have created a model based on artificial neural networks (ANNs) to ascertain the occupancy state of a building using environmental data such as CO2 concentration and noise level. These data are collected through non-intrusive sensors. Our approach involves rule-based a priori labeling and the use of a long short-term memory (LSTM) network for predictive purposes. The model is designed to predict four distinct states in a residential building. Although we lack data on actual occupancy states, the model has shown promising results with an overall prediction accuracy ranging between 78% and 92%.
Deep Learning-Based Location Spoofing Attack Detection and Time-of-Arrival Estimation through Power Received in IoT Networks
Authors: Aldosari Waleed
Published: December 2023

In the context of the Internet of Things (IoT), location-based applications have introduced new challenges in terms of location spoofing. With an open and shared wireless medium, a malicious spoofer can impersonate active devices, gain access to the wireless channel, as well as emit or inject signals to mislead IoT nodes and compromise the detection of their location. To address the threat posed by malicious location spoofing attacks, we develop a neural network-based model with single access point (AP) detection capability. In this study, we propose a method for spoofing signal detection and localization by leveraging a feature extraction technique based on a single AP. A neural network model is used to detect the presence of a spoofed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and estimate its time of arrival (ToA). We also introduce a centralized approach to data collection and localization. To evaluate the effectiveness of detection and ToA prediction, multi-layer perceptron (MLP) and long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network models are compared.
Biotinylated Quinone as a Chemiluminescence Sensor for Biotin-Avidin Interaction and Biotin Detection Application
Authors: Kaladari Fatema , El-Maghrabey Mahmoud , Kawazato Megumi , Kishikawa Naoya , Kuroda Naotaka
Published: December 2023

Biotin, or vitamin B7, is essential for metabolic reactions. It must be obtained from external sources such as food and biotin/vitamin supplements because it is not biosynthesized by mammals. Therefore, there is a need to monitor its levels in supplements. However, biotin detection methods, which include chromatographic, immune, enzymatic, and microbial assays, are tedious, time-consuming, and expensive. Thus, we synthesized a product called biotin-naphthoquinone, which produces chemiluminescence upon its redox cycle reaction with dithiothreitol and luminol; then it was used as a chemiluminescence sensor for biotin–avidin interaction. When a quinone biotinylated compound binds avidin, the chemiluminescence decreases noticeably due to the proximity between quinone and avidin, and when free biotin is added in a competitive assay, the chemiluminescence returns. The chemiluminescence is regained as the free biotin displaces biotinylated quinone in its complex with avidin, freeing biotin-naphthoquinone. Many experiments, including the use of a biotin-free quinone, proved the competitive nature of the assay. The competitive assay method used in this study was linear in the range of 1.0–100 µM with a detection limit of 0.58 µM. The competitive chemiluminescence assay could detect biotin in vitamin B7 tablets with good recovery of 91.3 to 110% and respectable precision (RSD < 8.7%).
Analog Convolutional Operator Circuit for Low-Power Mixed-Signal CNN Processing Chip
Authors: Asghar Malik Summair , Arslan Saad , Kim HyungWon
Published: December 2023

In this paper, we propose a compact and low-power mixed-signal approach to implementing convolutional operators that are often responsible for most of the chip area and power consumption of Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) processing chips. The convolutional operators consist of several multiply-and-accumulate (MAC) units. MAC units are the primary components that process convolutional layers and fully connected layers of CNN models. Analog implementation of MAC units opens a new paradigm for realizing low-power CNN processing chips, benefiting from less power and area consumption. The proposed mixed-signal convolutional operator comprises low-power binary-weighted current steering digital-to-analog conversion (DAC) circuits and accumulation capacitors. Compared with a conventional binary-weighted DAC, the proposed circuit benefits from optimum accuracy, smaller area, and lower power consumption due to its symmetric design. The proposed convolutional operator takes as input a set of 9-bit digital input feature data and weight parameters of the convolutional filter. It then calculates the convolutional filter’s result and accumulates the resulting voltage on capacitors. In addition, the convolutional operator employs a novel charge-sharing technique to process negative MAC results. We propose an analog max-pooling circuit that instantly selects the maximum input voltage. To demonstrate the performance of the proposed mixed-signal convolutional operator, we implemented a CNN processing chip consisting of 3 analog convolutional operators, with each operator processing a 3 × 3 kernel. This chip contains 27 MAC circuits, an analog max-pooling, and an analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) circuit. The mixed-signal CNN processing chip is implemented using a CMOS 55 nm process, which occupies a silicon area of 0.0559 mm2 and consumes an average power of 540.6 μW. The proposed mixed-signal CNN processing chip offers an area reduction of 84.21% and an energy reduction of 91.85% compared with a conventional digital CNN processing chip. Moreover, another CNN processing chip is implemented with more analog convolutional operators to demonstrate the operation and structure of an example convolutional layer of a CNN model. Therefore, the proposed analog convolutional operator can be adapted in various CNN models as an alternative to digital counterparts.
Self-Driven Sustainable Oil Separation from Water Surfaces by Biomimetic Adsorbing and Transporting Materials
Authors: Beek Leonie , Barthlott Wilhelm , Mail Matthias , Klopp Kai , Gries Thomas
Published: December 2023

Oil films on water are an increasingly major contamination problem worldwide. In 2020, we published a novel adsorption and transportation technology for oil–water separation based on biological role models like the floating fern Salvinia. This application provides an unexpected ability for the fast and efficient removal of oil films, particularly in ecologically important freshwater biota. A single small Bionic Oil Adsorber (BOA) with 1 m2 functional textile can collect up to 4 L of oil per hour, which equals about 100 m2 of oil film from a water surface into a collecting vessel. This is a safe, fast, and sustainable solution for the ubiquitous contaminations of, e.g., fuel oil in freshwater environments. Here, we present updated, new experimental data, and a review of the literature published since.
Real-Time Recognition and Localization of Apples for Robotic Picking Based on Structural Light and Deep Learning
Authors: Zhang Quan , Su Wen-Hao
Published: December 2023

The apple is a delicious fruit with high nutritional value that is widely grown around the world. Apples are traditionally picked by hand, which is very inefficient. The development of advanced fruit-picking robots has great potential to replace manual labor. A major prerequisite for a robot to successfully pick fruits the accurate identification and positioning of the target fruit. The active laser vision systems based on structured algorithms can achieve higher recognition rates by quickly capturing the three-dimensional information of objects. This study proposes to combine the laser active vision system with the YOLOv5 neural network model to recognize and locate apples on trees. The method obtained accurate two-dimensional pixel coordinates, which, when combined with the active laser vision system, can be converted into three-dimensional world coordinates for apple recognition and positioning. On this basis, we built a picking robot platform equipped with this visual recognition system, and carried out a robot picking experiment. The experimental findings showcase the efficacy of the neural network recognition algorithm proposed in this study, which achieves a precision rate of 94%, an average precision mAP% of 92.86%, and a spatial localization accuracy of approximately 4 mm for the visual system. The implementation of this control method in simulated harvesting operations shows the promise of more precise and successful fruit positioning. In summary, the integration of the YOLOv5 neural network model with an active laser vision system presents a novel and effective approach for the accurate identification and positioning of apples. The achieved precision and spatial accuracy indicate the potential for enhanced fruit-harvesting operations, marking a significant step towards the automation of fruit-picking processes.
Does Group Size of Provision Matter for Children Who Experience Residential Group Care in Scotland?
Authors: Whitelaw Ruby
Published: December 2023

It is widely recognised that trauma-informed care is fundamental to meeting the needs of children who experience residential care. Service design is central to this, and the aim of this article is to illustrate the experiences of 13 young people who have lived within group care settings, to highlight how a service’s capacity can impact on children’s needs being met. Using findings from a PhD thesis engaging 18–29-year-olds in Scotland, the research used a mixed methodological approach of questionnaires and semi-structured interviews to elicit young people’s retrospective care experiences. The findings show that the number of children within a setting can adversely affect the feeling of being emotionally and practically supported, resulting in some children feeling that their needs were not fully met. This will offer insight to practitioners, managers and decision makers who are engaged in the delivery and development of children’s services. Background: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) articles 3, 9 and 20 and Scotland’s Independent Care Review state what children should expect from authorities and services responsible for providing alternative care. The ambition for Scotland’s children is that they “grow up loved, safe, and respected so that (they) realise their full potential”. For those who spend a period of their childhood growing up in residential care, they should experience a relational, trauma-informed and caring approach from staff.
Tendencia genética en bovinos de aptitud cárnica en la hacienda La Victoria, provincia del Guayas
Authors: Larrea-Izurieta Carlos Octavio
Published: December 2023

Se determinó las tendencias genéticas para peso al nacimiento (PN) y peso al destete ajustado a 205 días (PD) en hembras mestizas con base Brahman nacidas entre 2005 y 2021 en la hacienda “La Victoria”, cantón Bucay, provincia del Guayas. Se analizaron 946 animales con 351 registros para PN y 314 para PD  generados entre 2011 y 2021. El modelo estadístico y animal incluyó efecto aleatorio de los padres y como efectos fijos: año de nacimiento y composición racial. Se aplicó el procedimiento del modelo lineal general (GLM) del paquete estadístico SAS para análisis de varianza. Los componentes de la varianza para calcular parámetros genéticos de PN y PD se utilizó el software VCE v.6 y para valores de cría se utilizó el software MTDFRELM, a través del sistema de evaluación del Mejor Predictor Lineal Insesgado. Se encontró promedio para PN de 37,64 ± 2,35 Kg y para PD de 195,09 ± 30,12 Kg. Se halló diferencia altamente significativa (p≤0,01) para los efectos aleatorios y fijos, la heredabilidad para PN fue de 0,137 ± 0,209 y para PD de 0,454 ± 0,177 y correlación genética de -0,181. La tendencia genética anual fue de 0,3055 Kg (R2 = 0,0633) para PN y 0,5879 Kg (R2 = 0,0491) para PD. Se concluye que la baja heredabilidad de PN se encuentra influenciada por factores no genéticos y alta heredabilidad encontrada para PD tiene mayor influencia genética aditiva; aun así, las tendencias genéticas para ambos caracteres fueron cercanas a cero y no muestran progreso genético.
Les principes de la sélection du gros bétail à Rome. Iumenta et victimae, au fil des traités agronomiques
Authors: Raepsaet Georges
Published: December 2023

Les principes de la sélection animale ne sont pas étrangers aux pratiques agronomiques de l’Antiquité. Ils sont déjà bien connus des Grecs, et énoncés avec précision dans les Traités des Agronomes latins, de Varron à Palladius, et dans les Géoponiques. L’objectif de la sélection est la reproduction qualitative et fonctionnelle ou la production d’animaux de sacrifice, animaux d’exception, sans taches. Les critères de choix sont proches de ceux de la zootechnie moderne et se fondent sur une recherche attentive des géniteurs et une connaissance compétente de la morphologie. L’empirisme et le sens de l’observation nourrissent la connaissance théorique et pratique des agronomes. Les principes des traités anciens, recueillis et transmis à travers le Moyen Age et les Temps modernes, sont à la base du renouveau des recherches zootechniques au milieu du XIXe siècle.
La bataille des impôts du Parti ouvrier belge (1936-1938)
Authors: Watteyne Simon
Published: December 2023

Tussen juni 1936 en mei 1938 hebben de socialisten voor het eerst in de Belgische geschiedenis het ministerie van Financiën in handen. Maar het “linkse” fiscaal beleid dat zij in deze twee jaar hoopten te kunnen voeren, stuitte op het harde verzet van de katholieke conservatieven, de liberalen en extreemrechts. De fiscale strijd tussen de verschillende politieke partijen leidde uiteindelijk tot een zware ministeriële crisis, gekoppeld aan een financiële crisis die de stabiliteit van de frank in gevaar had kunnen brengen.
Découverte d’un mandement d’Antoine de Bourgogne, duc de Brabant, relatif à un hommage du chevalier Jean de Renesse (31 mars 1406)
Authors: Schmitz Max
Published: December 2023

A mandate issued in the name of duke Anthony of Burgundy is the starting point for this study. The original act hadn’t been identified up to now. It is signed by the duke’s secretary John of Opstal and is dated March 31st, 1406, an important update to the incomplete 15th century transcription kept in the State Archives in Brussels. The act notifies the schout (scultetus) and justicers of Antwerp about knight John of Renesse’s homage to the duke for his land depending on the seigneury of Antwerp. This knight is most likely John v of Renesse, lord of Rhijnauwen. The texts of the original mandate and its copy, both in Dutch, are published at the end of this contribution. A reproduction of the mandate is attached to the article.
L’évolution des forces politiques en Turquie
Authors: Akgönül Samim
Published: December 2023

L’article propose une analyse dynamique des forces politiques turques et de leur évolution dans un contexte historique. Il donne à voir et à comprendre la spécificité de ces forces et l’impossibilité de leur appliquer des définitions ou caractères préétablis dans d’autres environnements scientifiques ou historiques. L’auteur offre plus particulièrement une vision de certains des grands déterminants de la vie politique turque, qu’il s’agisse du rapport à l’Islam ou à la «division du pays » , réelle ou fantasmée. La contribution permet également de comprendre l’importance de la violence tant symbolique que physique dans la construction du champ politique turc. C’est à partir de ces éléments d’analyse que L’auteur propose une réflexion autour de la situation contemporaine, qualifiée de «troisième république » .
A Munich fragment of the Ilias Latina (Clm 14843)
Authors: Cillleruelo Álvaro Cancela
Published: December 2023

Cet article présente un bifolio inconnu qui transmet les vers 416-496 de l’Ilias latina, conservé comme dernier feuillet de garde du manuscrit Munich, BSB, Clm 14843 ; daté de manière hypothétique de la deuxième moitié du XIe siècle, il était le bifolio interne d’un cahier, vraisemblablement un quaternion. Bien que quelques indices puissent suggérer un lien avec Regensburg, Bischöf. ZentralB., Frag. I. 1.6, le manuscrit était un jumeau stemmatique du manuscrit Erfurt, BU, CA. 12 º 20. Aux arguments textuels on peut ajouter un argument tiré de leur mise en page : le fragment munichois, le témoin d’Erfurt et Leiden, BU, Voss. Lat. O. 89, qui en est très proche dans le stemma codicum, sont les trois seuls manuscrits de la tradition la plus ancienne à avoir vingt vers par page. Ce trait est probablement le résultat de la reproduction de la mise en page des exemplaires utilisés, une pratique bien connue du processus de copie manuscrite médiévale, particulièrement en poésie.
La Géographie de Strabon entre Constantinople et Thessalonique : à propos du Marc. gr. XI.6
Authors: Cohen-Skalli Aude , Pérez Martín Immaculada
Published: December 2023

Our study aims at the identification of the philological and historical context of the MS Venice, Marc. gr. XI. 6, a fundamental witness of Strabo’s Geography. We suggest that the model of this manuscript, called δ by previous editors, was dismembered to facilitate the process of copying, which was made in a haste. Moreover, the main scribe and curator of the copy had access to another manuscript of Strabo (ω′), preserved in Thessaloniki at the time, but subsequently lost. Connecting the textual and historical testimonies on the Marc. gr. XI. 6 with the scholia added by the main scribe (edited in an appendix), we have been able to ensure that this manuscript dated from May 1321 was copied in Thessaloniki. We also propose to identify the main scribe with Georgios Lakapenos, a pupil of Maximos Planudes.
À propos de la contribution des enlumineurs dans la Bible de Petr Zmrzlík de Svojšín
Authors: Brodsky Pavel , Šumová Martina
Published: December 2023

Several masters of different levels participated in the decoration of the three volumes of the Bible of the Mint Master Petr Zmrzlík of Svojšín (1411-1414), the oldest

preserved copy of the full text of the first edition of the Bible translated into Czech -after the disappearance of the Dresden Bible. Previous studies did not sufficiently

consider the different levels of decoration that are similar to the “ Beau Style” (Schöner Stil) and it is to the contribution of Markéta Pražáková that we owe a change of perspective on the quality of the illuminations. If we can agree that the painter, who until now was called Zmrzlík’s Master of the Bible, was the main illuminator (the Master of the Book of Psalms), we can identify several hands under the term workshop of the Master of the Book of Psalms. The article refines certain propositions made by Markéta Pražáková and proposes other identifications-for example, for the miniatures attributed to the Master of the Prophecy of Joel : the Master of the Mandeville Travels can be considered as the

author of three of them, the others were executed by the Master of the Antwerp Bible. Finally, we must rethink the identification of the illuminator called the Master of the Book of Esther. In fact, his style shows that this is, once more, the work of the Master of the Antwerp Bible.