bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of MHD Turbulence on Ion Kappa Distributions in the Earth's Plasma Sheet as a Function of Plasma β Parameter
Authors: Eyelade A. V. , Espinoza C. M. , Stepanova M. , Antonova E. E. , Ovchinnikov I. L. , Kirpichev I. P.
Published: March 2021

The possible influence of MHD turbulence on the energy distributions of ions in the Earth's plasma sheet was studied using data taken by the THEMIS satellites. Turbulence levels were traced using eddy diffusion coefficients (D), of which we measured one for each Geocentric Solar Magnetospheric (GSM) coordinates every 12 min. Ion fluxes between 1.75 and 210.5 keV during the same time windows that correspond to mainly suprathermal populations were fitted to Kappa distribution functions, which approximate a Maxwellian distribution when theκ-index (κ) is large. We found that the distribution of the eddy diffusion coefficients is bimodal, independently of both the eddy diffusion component and the plasma beta (β) parameter, which is defined as the ratio between plasma and magnetic pressures. The main peak corresponds to turbulent plasma flows withD> 103km2s−1. In such cases, the impact of turbulence on theκindex depends on the value ofβand also on the direction of the turbulent transport. For eddy diffusion perpendicular to the neutral sheet, the values ofκdecrease asDzzincreases forβ< 2; while for higher values ofβ,κincreases withDzz. For the other two directions, the values ofκdecrease asDincreases. This last tendency is stronger forβ~ 1 but almost null forβ~ 10. The secondary peak in the distribution ofDvalues might represent quasi-laminar flows forming part of very large vortices, correct detection and description of which is beyond the scope of this study.
Simulation of Fuel Consumption Based on Engine Load Level of a 95 kW Partial Power-Shift Transmission Tractor
Authors: Siddique Md. Abu Ayub , Baek Seung-Min , Baek Seung-Yun , Kim Wan-Soo , Kim Yeon-Soo , Kim Yong-Joo , Lee Dae-Hyun , Lee Kwan-Ho , Hwang Joon-Yeal
Published: March 2021

This study is focused on the estimation of fuel consumption of the power-shift transmission (PST) tractor based on PTO (power take-off) dynamometer test. The simulation model of PST tractor was developed using the configurations and powertrain of the real PST tractor. The PTO dynamometer was installed to measure the engine load and fuel consumption at various engine load levels (40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90%), and verify the simulation model. The axle load was also predicted using tractor’s specifications as an input parameter of the simulation model. The simulation and measured results were analyzed and compared statistically. It was observed that the engine load, as well as fuel consumption, were directly proportional to the engine load levels. However, it was statistically proved that there was no significant difference between the simulation and measured engine torque and fuel consumption at each load level. The regression equations show that there was an exponential relationship between the fuel consumption and engine load levels. However, the specific fuel consumptions (SFC) for both simulation and measured were linear relationships and had no significant difference between them at each engine load level. The results were statistically proved that the simulation and measured SFCs were similar trends. The plow tillage operation could be performed at the gear stage of 7.65 km/h with higher working efficiency at low fuel consumption. The drawback of this study is to use a constant axle load instead of dynamic load. This study can provide useful information for both researchers and manufacturers related to the automated transmission of an agricultural tractor, especially PST tractor for digital farming solutions. Finally, it could contribute to the manufacturers developing a new agricultural tractor with higher fuel efficiency.
Soil Water Retention and Soil Compaction Assessment in a Regional-Scale Strategy to Improve Climate Change Adaptation of Agriculture in Navarre, Spain
Authors: Antón Rodrigo , Ruiz-Sagaseta Alberto , Orcaray Luis , Arricibita Francisco Javier , Enrique Alberto , Soto Isabel de , Virto Iñigo
Published: March 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the different agricultural management adaptive strategies considered in the framework of a regional climate change adaptation roadmap in Navarre (Spain), from the point of view of soil physical indicators associated to soil compaction and water retention. These indicators were chosen as representative of the potential of these strategies to improve the soil physical condition. That for, the effectiveness of conservation agriculture (CA), crop rotations (ROT), additions of organic matter (ExO), irrigation (IRR) and innovative grassland management (GSS) was assessed by monitoring soil bulk density (BD) and soil available water holding capacity (AWHC) in a network of 159 agricultural fields across homogeneous agro-climatic zones in the region. A sampling protocol designed to compare groups of plots with or without adaptive practices, and with equal soil characteristics within each zone, allowed to determine the effect size of each strategy (measured as response ratios, RR, calculated as the relative value of BD and AWHC in fields with adaptive management vs. without). Both parameters responded to soil and crop management, although the observed effect was highly variable. Only the ExO strategy showed an overall positive effect on BD. ROT, IRR and GSS displayed no effect and, in the case of CA, the effect was negative. In terms of AWHC, although the results within the zones were heterogeneous, the overall effect associated to the strategies ROT, ExO, IRR and GSS was neutral, and only CA resulted in an overall negative effect. The observed variability in terms of the effectiveness of the five strategies tested in this region highlights the need to understand the complexity of interrelationships between management and dynamic soil properties at the regional scale.
Performance of Different Bunch Cover Materials to Improve Quality of Cavendish Banana Cultivated during Winter and Summer in Thailand
Authors: Chaiwong Saowapa , Saengrayap Rattapon , Ogunsua Johnson Makinwa , Kitazawa Hiroaki , Prahsarn Chureerat
Published: March 2021

Performance of different cover materials on improving Cavendish banana quality was examined during winter and summer. The banana bunch was covered with a thin nonwoven innermost layer, followed by cover materials arranged from inner to outer as follows. (1) Control (commercial cover), paper/polystyrene sheet (PS)/non-perforated blue polyethylene (NPPE), (2) nonwoven (NW)/NPPE, (3) waterproof nonwoven (WPNW), (4) aluminum foil (ALF), and (5) WPNW + ALF. For the summer trial, control without PS layer was applied. Material properties including thickness, light transmissivity and heat energy (Qx) were evaluated. Results showed that Qx values transferred through PS sheet, NW, WPNW and ALF were not significantly different. ALF exhibited the lowest light transmissivity, associated with the highest fruit lightness (L*) and lowest fruit weight. For the winter trial, all cover materials exhibited chilling injury on fruit caused by temperatures below 10 °C. For the summer trial, five treatments prevented sunburn defect. Under field air temperature of 47.5 °C, ALF exhibited the lowest temperature (31.6 °C). All cover materials reduced hand and fruit sizes, whereas WPNW resulted in an increase in total soluble solids and prevented fading of the green peel color. Results suggested that WPNW, with reduced layers as environmentally friendly and reusable materials, had potential as a cover material to improve the quality of Cavendish banana.
Data on before and after the Traceability System of Veterinary Antimicrobial Prescriptions in Small Animals at the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Naples
Authors: Chirollo Claudia , Nocera Francesca Paola , Piantedosi Diego , Fatone Gerardo , Della Valle Giovanni , De Martino Luisa , Cortese Laura
Published: March 2021

Over recent decades, antimicrobial resistance has been considered one of the most relevant issues of public health. The aim of our study was to evaluate the differences related to the prescription of antimicrobials at the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, before and after the mandatory use of veterinary electronic prescription (VEP). In particular, the consumption of antimicrobials was examined, especially taking into consideration the recommendations of prudent use. A comparison of data collected before and after the use of electronic prescription highlighted that during the period chosen for the study, the choice of antimicrobial molecules was appropriate, favoring those of “first” and “second line.” However, prescription and the use of some molecules not registered for veterinary medicine were observed in the period before VEP. Broad-spectrum antimicrobials, including penicillins with β-lactamase inhibitors, as well as first-generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones, were the most frequently prescribed compounds. There are few studies conducted in Italy aimed at investigating the use of antimicrobials in companion animals under field conditions and with particular regard to prudent use recommendations. This type of study underlines the importance of electronic medical recording in veterinary practice and, above all, its usefulness in monitoring the use of certain antimicrobial agents classified as of critical importance in human medicine.
Microbial Photoinactivation by Visible Light Results in Limited Loss of Membrane Integrity
Authors: Hoenes Katharina , Bauer Richard , Spellerberg Barbara , Hessling Martin
Published: March 2021

Interest in visible light irradiation as a microbial inactivation method has widely increased due to multiple possible applications. Resistance development is considered unlikely, because of the multi-target mechanism, based on the induction of reactive oxygen species by wavelength specific photosensitizers. However, the affected targets are still not completely identified. We investigated membrane integrity with the fluorescence staining kit LIVE/DEAD® BacLight™ on a Gram positive and a Gram negative bacterial species, irradiating Staphylococcus carnosus and Pseudomonas fluorescens with 405 nm and 450 nm. To exclude the generation of viable but nonculturable (VBNC) bacterial cells, we applied an ATP test, measuring the loss of vitality. Pronounced uptake of propidium iodide was only observed in Pseudomonas fluorescens at 405 nm. Transmission electron micrographs revealed no obvious differences between irradiated samples and controls, especially no indication of an increased bacterial cell lysis could be observed. Based on our results and previous literature, we suggest that visible light photoinactivation does not lead to rapid bacterial cell lysis or disruption. However, functional loss of membrane integrity due to depolarization or inactivation of membrane proteins may occur. Decomposition of the bacterial envelope following cell death might be responsible for observations of intracellular component leakage.
Reduced Susceptibility to Chlorhexidine among Staphylococcus aureus Isolates in Israel: Phenotypic and Genotypic Tolerance
Authors: Azrad Maya , Shmuel Chen , Leshem Tamar , Hamo Zohar , Baum Moti , Rokney Assaf , Agay-Shay Keren , Peretz Avi
Published: March 2021

Antiseptic use for body decolonization is the main activity applied to prevent healthcare-associated infections, including those caused by S. aureus. Consequentially, tolerance to several antiseptics such as chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) has developed. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of CHG tolerance among S. aureus strains in Israel and to evaluate factors that may affect this tolerance. Furthermore, it tested the associations between phenotypic and genotypic CHG tolerance. S. aureus strains (n = 190) were isolated from clinical samples of patients admitted to various medical institutions in Israel. Phenotypic susceptibility to CHG was assessed by determining minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Genotypic tolerance was detected using real-time PCR for detection of qac A/B genes. MIC for the antibiotic mupirocin was determined using the Etest method. Presence of the Panton–Valentine Leucocidin (pvl) toxin, mecA and mecC genes was detected using an eazyplex® MRSAplus kit (AmplexDiagnostics GmbH, Gars, Germany). CHG tolerance was observed in 13.15% of the isolates. An association between phenotypic and genotypic tolerance to CHG was observed. Phenotypic tolerance to CHG was associated with methicillin resistance but not with mupirocin resistance. Additionally, most of the CHG-tolerant strains were isolated from blood cultures. In conclusion, this work shed light on the prevalence of reduced susceptibility to CHG among S. aureus strains in Israel and on the characteristics of tolerant strains. CHG-tolerant strains were more common than methicillin-resistant ones in samples from invasive infections. Further research should be performed to evaluate risk factors for the development of CHG tolerance.
Cyclooxygenase-2 Glycosylation Is Affected by Peroxynitrite in Endothelial Cells: Impact on Enzyme Activity and Degradation
Authors: Eligini Sonia , Colli Susanna , Habib Aida , Aldini Giancarlo , Altomare Alessandra , Banfi Cristina
Published: March 2021

The exposure of human endothelial cells to 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1) induced the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Interestingly, after a prolonged incubation (>8 h) several proteoforms were visualized by Western blot, corresponding to different states of glycosylation of the protein. This effect was specific for SIN-1 that generates peroxynitrite and it was not detected with other nitric oxide-donors. Metabolic labeling experiments using 35S or cycloheximide suggested that the formation of hypoglycosylated COX-2 was dependent on de novo synthesis of the protein rather than the deglycosylation of the native protein. Moreover, SIN-1 reduced the activity of the hexokinase, the enzyme responsible for the first step of glycolysis. The hypoglycosylated COX-2 induced by SIN-1 showed a reduced capacity to generate prostaglandins and the activity was only partially recovered after immunoprecipitation. Finally, hypoglycosylated COX-2 showed a more rapid rate of degradation compared to COX-2 induced by IL-1α and an alteration in the localization with an accumulation mainly detected in the nuclear membrane. Our results have important implication to understand the effect of peroxynitrite on COX-2 expression and activity, and they may help to identify new pharmacological tools direct to increase COX-2 degradation or to inhibit its activity.
Adaptive Pitch Controller of a Large-Scale Wind Turbine Using Multi-Objective Optimization
Authors: Lara Manuel , Garrido Juan , Ruz Mario L. , Vázquez Francisco
Published: March 2021

This paper deals with the control problems of a wind turbine working in its nominal zone. In this region, the wind turbine speed is controlled by means of the pitch angle, which keeps the nominal power constant against wind fluctuations. The non-uniform profile of the wind causes tower displacements that must be reduced to improve the wind turbine lifetime. In this work, an adaptive control structure operating on the pitch angle variable is proposed for a nonlinear model of a wind turbine provided by FAST software. The proposed control structure is composed of a gain scheduling proportional–integral (PI) controller, an adaptive feedforward compensation for the wind speed, and an adaptive gain compensation for the tower damping. The tuning of the controller parameters is formulated as a Pareto optimization problem that minimizes the tower fore-aft displacements and the deviation of the generator speed using multi-objective genetic algorithms. Three multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methods are compared, and a satisfactory solution is selected. The optimal solutions for power generation and for tower fore-aft displacement reduction are also obtained. The performance of these three proposed solutions is evaluated for a set of wind pattern conditions and compared with that achieved by a classical baseline PI controller.
Classifying Upper Arm Gym-Workouts via Convolutional Neural Network by Imputing a Biopotential-Kinematic Relationship
Authors: Yoo Ji-Hyeon , Jung Ho-Jin , Jung Yi-Sue , Kim Yoon-Bee , Lee Chang-Jae , Shin Sung-Tae , Yoon Han-Ul
Published: March 2021

This paper proposes a systemic approach to upper arm gym-workout classification according to spatio-temporal features depicted by biopotential as well as joint kinematics. The key idea of the proposed approach is to impute a biopotential-kinematic relationship by merging the joint kinematic data into a multichannel electromyography signal and visualizing the merged biopotential-kinematic data as an image. Under this approach, the biopotential-kinematic relationship can be imputed by counting on the functionality of a convolutional neural network: an automatic feature extractor followed by a classifier. First, while a professional trainer is demonstrating upper arm gym-workouts, electromyography and joint kinematic data are measured by an armband-type surface electromyography (sEMG) sensor and a RGB-d camera, respectively. Next, the measured data are augmented by adopting the amplitude adjusted Fourier Transform. Then, the augmented electromyography and joint kinematic data are visualized as one image by merging and calculating pixel components in three different ways. Lastly, for each visualized image type, upper arm gym-workout classification is performed via the convolutional neural network. To analyze classification accuracy, two-way rANOVA is performed with two factors: the level of data augmentation and visualized image type. The classification result substantiates that a biopotential-kinematic relationship can be successfully imputed by merging joint kinematic data in-between biceps- and triceps-electromyography channels and visualizing as a time-series heatmap image.
Investigation of an Optical Imaging Platform Integrated with an Ultrasound Application System for In Vitro Verification of Ultrasound-Mediated Drug Delivery
Authors: Choi Jong-ryul , Park Juyoung
Published: March 2021

Techniques that increase the permeability of the cell membrane and transfer drugs or genes to cells have been actively developed as effective therapeutic modalities. Also, in line with the development of these drug delivery techniques, the establishment of tools to verify the techniques at the cellular level is strongly required. In this study, we demonstrated an optical imaging platform integrated with an ultrasound application system to verify the feasibility of safe and efficient drug delivery through the cell membrane using ultrasound-microbubble cavitation. To examine the potential of the platform, fluorescence images of both Fura-2 AM and propidium iodide (PI) to measure calcium flux changes and intracellular PI delivery, respectively, during and after the ultrasound-microbubble cavitation in the cervical cancer cell were acquired. Using the optical imaging platform, we determined that calcium flux increased immediately after the ultrasound-microbubble cavitation and were restored to normal levels, and fluorescence signals from intracellular PI increased gradually after the cavitation. The results acquired by the platform indicated that ultrasound-microbubble cavitation can deliver PI into the cervical cancer cell without irreversible damage of the cell membrane. The application of an additional fluorescent imaging module and high-speed imaging modalities can provide further improvement of the performance of this platform. Also, as additional studies in ultrasound instrumentations to measure real-time cavitation signals progress, we believe that the ultrasound-microbubble cavitation-based sonoporation can be employed for safe and efficient drug and gene delivery to various cancer cells.
In Vitro Model for Lumbar Disc Herniation to Investigate Regenerative Tissue Repair Approaches
Authors: Zengerle Laura , Debout Elisabeth , Kluger Bruno , Zöllner Lena , Wilke Hans-Joachim
Published: March 2021

Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is the most common reason for low back pain in the working society. New regenerative approaches and novel implants are directed towards the restoration of the disc or its biomechanical properties. Aiming to investigate these new therapies under physiological conditions, in this study, a model for LDH was established by developing a new physiological in vitro test method. In 14 human lumbar motion segments, different daily-life and worst-case activities were simulated successfully by applying a physiological range of motion and axial loading in order to create physiological intradiscal pressure. An LDH could be provoked in 11 of the 14 specimens through vertical and round annular defects of different sizes. Interestingly, the defect and the LDH hardly influenced the biomechanical properties of the disc. For the investigation of regenerative approaches in further experiments, the recommendation based on the results of this study is to create an LDH in non-degenerated motion segments by the application of the new physiological in vitro test method after setting the round annular defects to a size of 4 mm in diameter.
A Model for Working Environment Monitoring in Smart Manufacturing
Authors: Dobrilovic Dalibor , Brtka Vladimir , Stojanov Zeljko , Jotanovic Gordana , Perakovic Dragan , Jausevac Goran
Published: March 2021

The growing application of smart manufacturing systems and the expansion of the Industry 4.0 model have created a need for new teaching platforms for education, rapid application development, and testing. This research addresses this need with a proposal for a model of working environment monitoring in smart manufacturing, based on emerging wireless sensor technologies and the message queuing telemetry transport (MQTT) protocol. In accordance with the proposed model, a testing platform was developed. The testing platform was built on open-source hardware and software components. The testing platform was used for the validation of the model within the presented experimental environment. The results showed that the proposed model could be developed by mainly using open-source components, which can then be used to simulate different scenarios, applications, and target systems. Furthermore, the presented stable and functional platform proved to be applicable in the process of rapid prototyping, and software development for the targeted systems, as well as for student teaching as part of the engineering education process.
A Symmetric Three-Layer Plate with Two Coaxial Cracks under Pure Bending
Authors: Delyavskyy Mykhaylo , Opanasovych Viktor , Seliverstov Roman , Bilash Oksana
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of mechanical features and geometrical parameters on the stress–strain state of a cracked layered plate under pure bending (bending moments are uniformly distributed at infinity). The sixth-order bending problem of an infinite, symmetric, three-layer plate with two coaxial through cracks is considered under the assumption of no crack closure. By using complex potentials and methods of the theory of functions of a complex variable, the solution to the problem was obtained in the form of a singular integral equation. It is reduced to the system of linear algebraic equations and solved in a numerical manner by the mechanical quadrature method. The distributions of stresses and bending moments near the crack tips are shown. Numerical results are presented as graphical dependences of the reduced moment intensity factor on various problem parameters. In this particular case, the optimum ratio of layer thicknesses is determined.
Current Ripple Reduction of Predictive Torque-Controlled Induction Motor Drive Using Delta-Star Switchover
Authors: Lipcak Ondrej , Karlovsky Pavel , Kobrle Pavel , Bauer Jan
Published: March 2021

The current and torque ripple of inverter-fed induction motor drives is an inherent problem of control strategies working with switching frequencies in the range of multiple kilohertz, such as direct torque and, more recently, predictive torque control. If the drive operates in a wide-speed and wide-torque range and is equipped with a machine with an accessible terminal block whose winding is nominally connected in delta, then the current and torque ripple can be reduced by utilizing the delta-star winding changeover technique. When the winding configuration is switched from delta to star, the instantaneous motor phase voltage peak is lowered, and its total harmonic distortion is reduced. However, the control strategy must be adjusted according to the actual winding topology, mainly due to the difference in the coordinate transformations of the measured currents and the difference between the phase voltage vectors obtained from the inverter. This paper proposes a predictive torque control of an induction motor drive with a switchable delta-star winding configuration. The paper is supported by theoretical background, and the key idea is verified by simulations in MATLAB/Simulink and experiments conducted on a dSPACE-controlled 5.5-kW laboratory drive. The simulations validated the presented equations and show the effects of not respecting the actual winding topology. The experiments mainly focused on analyzing the total harmonic distortion of the currents and consumed electrical power in multiple operating points.
The Triad Hsp60-miRNAs-Extracellular Vesicles in Brain Tumors: Assessing Its Components for Understanding Tumorigenesis and Monitoring Patients
Authors: Graziano Francesca , Iacopino Domenico Gerardo , Cammarata Giacomo , Scalia Gianluca , Campanella Claudia , Giannone Antonino Giulio , Porcasi Rossana , Florena Ada Maria , Conway de Macario Everly , Macario Alberto J.L. , Nicoletti Giovanni Federico , Caruso Bavisotto Celeste
Published: March 2021

Brain tumors have a poor prognosis and progress must be made for developing efficacious treatments, but for this to occur their biology and interaction with the host must be elucidated beyond current knowledge. What has been learned from other tumors may be applied to study brain tumors, for example, the role of Hsp60, miRNAs, and extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the mechanisms of cell proliferation and dissemination, and resistance to immune attack and anticancer drugs. It has been established that Hsp60 increases in cancer cells, in which it occurs not only in the mitochondria but also in the cytosol and plasma-cell membrane and it is released in EVs into the extracellular space and in circulation. There is evidence suggesting that these EVs interact with cells near and far from their original cell and that this interaction has an impact on the functions of the target cell. It is assumed that this crosstalk between cancer and host cells favors carcinogenesis in various ways. We, therefore, propose to study the triad Hsp60-related miRNAs-EVs in brain tumors and have standardized methods for the purpose. These revealed that EVs with Hsp60 and related miRNAs increase in patients’ blood in a manner that reflects disease status. The means are now available to monitor brain tumor patients by measuring the triad and to dissect its effects on target cells in vitro, and in experimental models in vivo.
A UWB-Driven Self-Actuated Projector Platform for Interactive Augmented Reality Applications
Authors: Elsharkawy Ahmed , Naheem Khawar , Koo Dongwoo , Kim Mun Sang
Published: March 2021

With the rapid development of interactive technology, creating systems that allow users to define their interactive envelope freely and provide multi-interactive modalities is important to build up an intuitive interactive space. We present an indoor interactive system where a human can customize and interact through a projected screen utilizing the surrounding surfaces. An ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless sensor network was used to assist human-centered interaction design and navigate the self-actuated projector platform. We developed a UWB-based calibration algorithm to facilitate the interaction with the customized projected screens, where a hand-held input device was designed to perform mid-air interactive functions. Sixteen participants were recruited to evaluate the system performance. A prototype level implementation was tested inside a simulated museum environment, where a self-actuated projector provides interactive explanatory content for the on-display artifacts under the user’s command. Our results depict the applicability to designate the interactive screen efficiently indoors and interact with the augmented content with reasonable accuracy and relatively low workload. Our findings also provide valuable user experience information regarding the design of mobile and projection-based augmented reality systems, with the ability to overcome the limitations of other conventional techniques.
Development of Robot Patient Lower Limbs to Reproduce the Sit-to-Stand Movement with Correct and Incorrect Applications of Transfer Skills by Nurses
Authors: Lin Chingszu , Ogata Taiki , Zhong Zhihang , Kanai-Pak Masako , Maeda Jukai , Kitajima Yasuko , Nakamura Mitsuhiro , Kuwahara Noriaki , Ota Jun
Published: March 2021

Recently, human patient simulators have been widely developed as substitutes for real patients with the objective of applying them as training tools in nursing education. Such simulated training is perceived as beneficial for imparting the required practical skills to students. Considering the aging world population, this study aimed to develop a robot patient for training nursing students in the sit-to-stand (STS) transfer skill, which is indispensable in caring for elderly people. To assess a student’s skill, the robot patient should be able to access the skill correctness and behave according to whether the skill is correctly or incorrectly implemented. Accordingly, an STS control method was proposed to reproduce the different STS movements during correct and incorrect applications of the skill by the nurses. The lower limbs of a prototype robot were redesigned to provide an active joint with a compliant unit, which enables the measurement of external torque and flexibility of the human joint to be reproduced. An experiment was conducted with four nurse teachers, each of whom was asked to demonstrate both correct and incorrect STS transfer skills. The results of the external torque and joint torque measured in robot’s lower limbs revealed that a significant difference (p < 0.05) between correct and incorrect skills. It also indicates the introduction of the proposed control method for the robot can satisfy the requirement of the assessment of STS skill. Among the various measurements conducted, the external torque of the hip joint exhibited the most significant difference and therefore represented the most robust measure for assessing whether the STS transfer skill was correctly applied.
Biogeochemical Modelling of Uranium Immobilization and Aquifer Remediation Strategies Near NCCP Sludge Storage Facilities
Authors: Safonov Alexey V. , Boguslavsky Anatoly E. , Gaskova Olga L. , Boldyrev Kirill A. , Shvartseva Olga S. , Khvashchevskaya Albina A. , Popova Nadezhda M.
Published: March 2021

Nitrate is a substance which influences the prevailing redox conditions in groundwater, and in turn the behaviour of U. The study of groundwater in an area with low-level radioactive sludge storage facilities has shown their contamination with sulphate and nitrate anions, uranium, and some associated metals. The uranyl ion content in the most contaminated NO3–Cl–SO4–Na borehole is 2000 times higher (1.58 mg/L) than that in the background water. At the same time, assessment of the main physiological groups of microorganisms showed a maximum number of denitrifying and sulphate-reducing bacteria (e.g., Sulfurimonas) in the water from the same borehole. Biogenic factors of radionuclide immobilization on sandy rocks of upper aquifers have been experimentally investigated. Different reduction rates of NO3−, SO42−, Fe(III) and U(VI) with stimulated microbial activity were dependent on the pollution degree. Moreover, 16S rRNA gene analysis of the microbial community after whey addition revealed a significant decrease in microbial diversity and the activation of nonspecific nitrate-reducing bacteria (genera Rhodococcus and Rhodobacter). The second influential factor can be identified as the formation of microbial biofilms on the sandy loam samples, which has a positive effect on U sorption (an increase in Kd value is up to 35%). As PHREEQC physicochemical modelling numerically confirmed, the third most influential factor that drives U mobility is the biogenic-mediated formation of a sulphide redox buffer. This study brings important information, which helps to assess the long-term stability of U in the environment of radioactive sludge storage facilities.
Investigation of the Structural Response of the MRE-Based MDOF Isolated Structure under Historic Near- and Far-Fault Earthquake Loadings
Authors: Tariq Muhammad Ahsan , Usman Muhammad , Farooq Syed Hassan , Ullah Imran , Hanif Asad
Published: March 2021

Fixed base structures subjected to earthquake forces are prone to various issues, such as the attraction of greater forces to structure, amplified accelerations to non-structural components, expensive design for better seismic performance, and so forth. Base isolation applied at the foundation of vulnerable structures is a radical bypass from the conventional approaches utilized by structural engineers. However, the practical implementation of passive base isolation is constrained by factors such as large displacements at isolation level, uplifting forces at isolators, and vulnerability to unpredictable and versatile earthquakes. This study is focused on the evaluation of the smart base isolation system under various harmonic and earthquake loadings. The proposed system employs a magnetorheological elastomer (MRE)—a class of smart materials, based on an adaptive isolation layer under the building structure for its vibration control. The building is idealized as a five-degree-of-freedom (DOF) structure with the mass lumped at each storey. The stiffness of the MRE isolation layer is adjusted using the linear quadratic regulator (LQR) optimal feedback control algorithm. A total of 18 simulations have been performed for the fixed base, passively isolated, and MRE-based isolated structures under a series of earthquake loadings of both a near-fault and far-fault nature for analyzing a total of 306 responses of the structures. The simulation results indicate that MRE-based isolation has significantly reduced all the responses compared to the passively isolated structure for both the near-fault and far-fault earthquake loadings. For harmonic loading, however, the passively isolated structure outperformed the MRE isolated structure in terms of storey drift and acceleration responses.
Process Simulation of Steam Gasification of Torrefied Woodchips in a Bubbling Fluidized Bed Reactor Using Aspen Plus
Authors: Nguyen Nhut M. , Alobaid Falah , Epple Bernd
Published: March 2021

A comprehensive process model is proposed to simulate the steam gasification of biomass in a bubbling fluidized bed reactor using the Aspen Plus simulator. The reactor models are implemented using external FORTRAN codes for hydrodynamic and reaction kinetic calculations. Governing hydrodynamic equations and kinetic reaction rates for char gasification and water-gas shift reactions are obtained from experimental investigations and the literature. Experimental results at different operating conditions from steam gasification of torrefied biomass in a pilot-scale gasifier are used to validate the process model. Gasification temperature and steam-to-biomass ratio promote hydrogen production and improve process efficiencies. The steam-to-biomass ratio is directly proportional to an increase in the content of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, while gas yield and carbon conversion efficiency enhance significantly with increasing temperature. The model predictions are in good agreement with experimental data. The mean error of CO2 shows the highest value of 0.329 for the steam-to-biomass ratio and the lowest deviation is at 0.033 of carbon conversion efficiency, respectively. The validated model is capable of simulating biomass gasification under various operating conditions.
Dynamic Energy Efficient Control of Induction Machines Using Anticipative Flux Templates
Authors: Dominic Antony , Schullerus Gernot , Winter Martin
Published: March 2021

Energy efficiency optimization techniques for steady state operation of induction machines are the state-of-the-art, and many methods have already been developed. However, many real-world industrial and electric vehicle applications cannot be considered to be in steady state operation. The focus of this contribution is on the efficiency optimization of induction machines in dynamic operation. Online dynamic operation is challenging due to the computational complexity and the required low sample times in an inverter. An offline optimization is therefore conducted to gain knowledge. Based on this offline optimal solution, a simple and easy to implement template based solution is developed. This approach aims at replicating the solution found by the offline optimization by resembling the shape and anticipative characteristics of the optimal flux trajectory. The energy efficiency improvement of the template based solution is verified by simulations and measurements on a test bench and using a real-world drive cycle scenario. For comparison, a model predictive numerical online optimization is investigated too.
Variable Stiffness Mechanism for the Reduction of Cutting Forces in Robotic Deburring
Authors: Bottin Matteo , Cocuzza Silvio , Massaro Matteo
Published: March 2021

One of the main issues related to robotic deburring is that the tool can get damaged or stopped when the burr thickness exceeds a certain threshold. The aim of this work is to devise a mechanism that can reduce cutting forces automatically, in the event that the burr is too high, and is able to return to the baseline configuration when the burr thickness is acceptable again. On the one hand, in normal cutting conditions, the mechanism should have high stiffness to ensure high cutting precision. On the other hand, when the burr is too high the mechanism should exploit its compliance to reduce the cutting forces and, as a consequence, a second cutting cycle will be necessary to completely remove the burr. After the conceptual design of the mechanism and the specification of the desired stiffness curve, the main design parameters of the system are derived thanks to an optimization method. The effectiveness of the proposed mechanism is verified by means of dynamic simulations using selected test cases. A reduction up to 60% of the cutting forces is obtained, considering a steel burr up to 6 mm high.
COVID-19 Diagnosis in Chest X-rays Using Deep Learning and Majority Voting
Authors: Ben Jabra Marwa , Koubaa Anis , Benjdira Bilel , Ammar Adel , Hamam Habib
Published: March 2021

The COVID-19 disease has spread all over the world, representing an intriguing challenge for humanity as a whole. The efficient diagnosis of humans infected by COVID-19 still remains an increasing need worldwide. The chest X-ray imagery represents, among others, one attractive means to detect COVID-19 cases efficiently. Many studies have reported the efficiency of using deep learning classifiers in diagnosing COVID-19 from chest X-ray images. They conducted several comparisons among a subset of classifiers to identify the most accurate. In this paper, we investigate the potential of the combination of state-of-the-art classifiers in achieving the highest possible accuracy for the detection of COVID-19 from X-ray. For this purpose, we conducted a comprehensive comparison study among 16 state-of-the-art classifiers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study considering this number of classifiers. This paper’s innovation lies in the methodology that we followed to develop the inference system that allows us to detect COVID-19 with high accuracy. The methodology consists of three steps: (1) comprehensive comparative study between 16 state-of-the-art classifiers; (2) comparison between different ensemble classification techniques, including hard/soft majority, weighted voting, Support Vector Machine, and Random Forest; and (3) finding the combination of deep learning models and ensemble classification techniques that lead to the highest classification confidence on three classes. We found that using the Majority Voting approach is an adequate strategy to adopt in general cases for this task and may achieve an average accuracy up to 99.314%.
Development of Autonomous Robot Osteotomy for Mandibular Ramal Bone Harvest and Evaluation of Its Accuracy: A Phantom Mandible-Based Trial
Authors: Kwon Ik Jae , Kim Soung Min , Hwang Soon Jung
Published: March 2021

An autonomous robot osteotomy using direct coordinate determination for registering was developed, and the accuracy of the designed osteotomy along the preprogrammed plan was evaluated. Furthermore, the accuracy of the robotic and manual osteotomy was compared in regard to cut position, length, angle and depth. A light-weight robot was used in this study, with an electric gripper. Twenty stone models were used to evaluate accuracy of osteotomy and sixteen mandible phantoms were used to simulate the ramal bone harvest osteotomy for comparison between robotic and manual surgery. In the stone model experiment, the absolute mean values for osteotomy errors for position, length, angle, and depth were 0.93 ± 0.45 mm, 0.81 ± 0.34 mm, 1.26 ± 1.35°, and 1.19 ± 0.73 mm, respectively. In the mandible phantom model experiment, the robotic surgery showed lower errors for position, length and angle (0.70 ± 0.34 mm, 0.35 ± 0.19 mm and 1.32 ± 0.96°) and somewhat higher errors for depth (0.59 ± 0.46 mm) than manual surgery (1.83 ± 0.65 mm, 0.62 ± 0.37 mm, 5.96 ± 3.47° and 0.40 ± 0.31 mm). This study may provide a basis for developing clinical application of an autonomous robot osteotomy.
Spondias mombin Seed Oil Compounds Identification by Raman Spectroscopy and NMR
Authors: López-Camacho Perla Yolanda , Martínez-Espinosa Juan Carlos , Basurto-Islas Gustavo , Torres-Zarraga Andrea , Márquez-Villa José Martín , Macías-Alonso Mariana , G. Marrero Joaquin
Published: March 2021

Spondias mombin L. has been used in traditional medicine to treat some cases such as infections and inflammations. Some researchers have reported that its biological components, such as carotenoids, carotenes, and phenols, have been characterized primarily by HPLC analysis. Here, we report on the characterization of Spondias mombin L. seed oil by Raman spectroscopy, and the profile identification of fatty acids by 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. The oil was extracted from different weight volumes of seeds using organic solvent, and each batch was characterized. The analysis of the fatty acid profile by NMR indicated that the seed oil is highly unsaturated (monounsaturated: 29.4% and polyunsaturated: 43.5%). Molecular Raman vibrations at 1006, 1158 and 1523 cm−1 showed the presence of carotenoids, which in turn performed an antioxidant activity. This was demonstrated by a 2,2′-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) method. The cell viability in colon cancer cells was promoted in the presence of the oil. The compounds identified in this study from seed oil could be an interesting proposal for food or pharmaceutical applications.
Determining the Compression-Equivalent Deformation of SBR-Based Rubber Material Measured in Tensile Mode Using the Finite Element Method
Authors: Aloui Sahbi , El Yaagoubi Mohammed
Published: March 2021

A timesaving characterization approach of rubber materials in compression using the finite element method (FEM) is presented. Rubber materials based on styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) are subjected to tensile and compression tests. Using the neo–Hooke, Mooney–Rivlin and Yeoh material models, a compression-equivalent deformation of the SBR samples is derived from the tensile testing. The simulated state is then compared with the experimental results obtained from compression measurement. The deviation in the strain energy density between the measurements and the simulations depends on the quality of the fitting.
Selective Fatty Acid Retention and Turnover in the Freshwater Amphipod Pallaseopsis quadrispinosa
Authors: Taipale Sami J. , Kers Erwin , Peltomaa Elina , Loehr John , Kainz Martin J.
Published: March 2021

Gammarid amphipods are a crucial link connecting primary producers with secondary consumers, but little is known about their nutritional ecology. Here we asked how starvation and subsequent feeding on different nutritional quality algae influences fatty acid retention, compound-specific isotopic carbon fractionation, and biosynthesis of ω-3 and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the relict gammarid amphipod Pallaseopsis quadrispinosa. The fatty acid profiles of P. quadrispinosa closely matched with those of the dietary green algae after only seven days of refeeding, whereas fatty acid patterns of P. quadrispinosa were less consistent with those of the diatom diet. This was mainly due to P. quadrispinosa suffering energy limitation in the diatom treatment which initiated the metabolization of 16:1ω7 and partly 18:1ω9 for energy, but retained high levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) similar to those found in wild-caught organisms. Moreover, α-linolenic acid (ALA) from green algae was mainly stored and not allocated to membranes at high levels nor biosynthesized to EPA. The arachidonic acid (ARA) content in membrane was much lower than EPA and P. quadrispinosa was able to biosynthesize long-chain ω-6 PUFA from linoleic acid (LA). Our experiment revealed that diet quality has a great impact on fatty acid biosynthesis, retention and turnover in this consumer.
Insight into Inhibitory Mechanism of PDE4D by Dietary Polyphenols Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Free Energy Calculations
Authors: Furlan Veronika , Bren Urban
Published: March 2021

Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), mainly present in immune, epithelial, and brain cells, represents a family of key enzymes for the degradation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), which modulates inflammatory response. In recent years, the inhibition of PDE4 has been proven to be an effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of neurological disorders. PDE4D constitutes a high-interest therapeutic target primarily for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, as it is highly involved in neuroinflammation, learning ability, and memory dysfunctions. In the present study, a thorough computational investigation consisting of molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and binding free energy calculations based on the linear response approximation (LRA) method was performed to study dietary polyphenols as potential PDE4D inhibitors. The obtained results revealed that curcumin, 6-gingerol, capsaicin, and resveratrol represent potential PDE4D inhibitors; however, the predicted binding free energies of 6-gingerol, capsaicin, and resveratrol were less negative than in the case of curcumin, which exhibited the highest inhibitory potency in comparison with a positive control rolipram. Our results also revealed that the electrostatic component through hydrogen bonding represents the main driving force for the binding and inhibitory activity of curcumin, 6-gingerol, and resveratrol, while the van der Waals component through shape complementarity plays the most important role in capsaicin’s inhibitory activity. All investigated compounds form hydrophobic interactions with residues Gln376 and Asn602 as well as hydrogen bonds with nearby residues Asp438, Met439, and Ser440. The binding mode of the studied natural compounds is consequently very similar; however, it significantly differs from the binding of known PDE4 inhibitors. The uncovered molecular inhibitory mechanisms of four investigated natural polyphenols, curcumin, 6-gingerol, capsaicin, and resveratrol, form the basis for the design of novel PDE4D inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease with a potentially wider therapeutic window and fewer adverse side effects.