bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Les dîners d’exception dans les palais vénitiens ou la gourmande articulation du patrimoine et de la fête
Authors: Etcheverria Olivier , Petrella Marco
Published: November 2024

Le dîner d’exception dans les palais vénitiens est une pratique touristique de plus en plus désirée, choisie et motivée. En effet, ces demeures transformées en (hôtels)-restaurants sont devenues des lieux singuliers d’incorporation qui articule patrimoine et fête. Le succès de ces dîners d’exception est à mettre en relation avec la diversification de l’offre de tourisme gourmand qui enrichit avantageusement celle des « brasseries » (Quadri et Florian, par exemple) et des bacari (bars à cicchetti). Ainsi, à Venise, la qualité du patrimoine palatial est de plus en plus reliée à celle des nourritures et des cuisines issues de la culture lagunaire tout particulièrement. Associée à la fête (celle du Palais Labia est mémorable), cette double qualité façonne la notoriété gourmande du lieu, constitue un motif du projet mobilitaire recréatif des touristes et autorise la mise en place des conditions nécessaires à la construction d’une destination touristique gourmande. Ainsi, instruire la question des dîners d’exception dans les palais vénitiens permet d’aborder une lecture géographique de l’articulation entre mémoire patrimoniale et éphémérité festive.
Association Between Start-Up Entrepreneurship and Economic Development Across Countries
Authors: Singh Ajay Kumar , Ashraf Shah Nawaz , Gupta Meenakshi
Published: November 2024

This chapter observes the casualty between start-up entrepreneurship and economic development in 157 countries using log-linear regression equations. Cost of business start-up procedures (CSP) and per capita gross domestic product (GDP) are employed as proxy variables for start-up entrepreneurship and economic development, respectively, in regression analysis. It indicates that economic development and its enhancing variables have a negative impact on CSP. Economic development is valuable to reduce CSP. Employment opportunities, access to electricity, science & technology, digitalization and women business and the law index showed a positive impact on economic development. While these variables are found useful to reduce the CSP. Hence, stated variables play a crucial role in increasing start-up entrepreneurship. It provides effective policy suggestions to increase start-up entrepreneurship in global countries. The scope of further research direction is also presented in this chapter.
Reinventing Service Climate in Hotels by the Role of Innovative Environment and Dynamic Capability
Authors: Mahmud Amir , Kankaew Kannapat , Syariati Alim
Published: November 2024

Rebuilding the post–COVID-19 damaged hospitality business has revealed myriad problems in organizational management. The hotel industry is having difficulty re-creating, maintaining, or even strengthening the service climate after the turbulence in the industry workforce caused by the pandemic. In this study, the authors addressed this neglected issue by proposing that external forces will be the best means of reestablishing the service climate in the resilient hotel businesses. An innovation-supporting environment and dynamic capability can be potential mediators of this relationship. Using the experience of Indonesian hotels, the authors explored these relationships by obtaining data from 329 managers from 77 hotels and conducting a path analysis using partial-least-square structural-equation modelling. The findings support all direct and mediating relationships, in addition to the external forces to service climate. Future studies can enhance global understanding of these issues by presenting a cross-country experience in a confirmatory analysis.
Jorge L. Borges' Creative Translations of Chinese Texts
Authors: Sánchez Marcelo
Published: November 2024

Borges' creative translations of philosopher Chuang Tzu's butterfly dream derive from direct translations from the Chinese. We delve into those Borges' translations, reducing them to two – the definitive one being attributed by him to Chuang Tzu and the translator Herbert Giles. Giles' merit was to use the impersonal word “man” instead of repeating the doubting philosopher's name. Retranslations of Borges' versions into major Western languages are literal, although some translators deem his use of “now” near the end – highlighting a drive towards present time – to be redundant. Commentators from a Chinese perspective and Western sinologists have acknowledged Borges' keen sense of universality, while expressing discomfort with the liberties he took in these translations. The debate can be more productive if one understands Borges as a writer who conscientiously explored the limits of knowledge between cultures and who, being skeptical of philosophical systems, was interested in the complex fiction-reality nexus.
Respiratory viruses and SARS-CoV-2 virus circulation in the provinces of Lucca and Massa Carrara during the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 flu seasons
Authors: Cunsolo Veronica , Petrocelli Paola Alessandra , Bianchimani Chiara , Sardone Lorenzo , Brucculeri Veronica , Baglini Deborah , Del Priore Silvia , Lattaro Valentina , Rossi Giulia , Nardone Maria , Rapi Stefano
Published: November 2024

Background and Aims: the study aimed to investigate the circulation of influenza viruses and SARS-CoV-2 in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 influenza seasons in the provinces of Lucca and Massa Carrara in the northwest of the Tuscany region.
Materials and Methods: a retrospective observational study was conducted on adult and pediatric patients who accessed hospital facilities in the considered area during the influenza periods (from September to April) of 2022-23 and 2023-24.
Results: the 2022-23 influenza season was characterized by the circulation of the A/H3N2 influenza virus (84% of the total), with a peak of positive samples from weeks 42 to 52 in 2022. Instead, the influenza A/(H1N1)pdm09 virus was responsible for 94% of influenza infections in the 2023-24 season, with a peak of positive samples between weeks 52 of 2023 and 3 of 2024.
Conclusions: effective virological diagnostics and constant monitoring of circulating viruses are mandatory to correctly address therapy and contain the viral circulation in the different influenza seasons.
Desert cichlids
Authors: Chiozzi Giorgio , Leoni Livio
Published: November 2024

Cichlids were given their name by the French zoologist Charles Lucien Bonaparte (1803-1857), a nephew of Napoleon, who borrowed the term from the Greek κίχλη (kichle), a word that in origin had the broad meaning of “wrasse” (a fish) or “thrush” (a bird). In a sense, the wide connotation of this Greek word is particularly appropriate to define these fish: indeed, although some cichlids display peculiar and highly specialized body shapes (discoid, for example), their typical body morphology is that of a generic fish, one that a schoolchild would draw if asked to depict a fish. In addition, their wide diffusion in the subtropical and tropical fresh waters of three continents (Africa, the Americas and Asia) has led to them being important throughout the world in fishery markets and for human nutrition, myth and culture since the beginning of our history. Thus, cichlids somewhat embody the quintessential fish.
Antonio Stoppani's autograph drawings for the Paléontologie Lombarde
Authors: Pieroni Vittorio
Published: November 2024

Not available
“Constantly justifying my existence”: Lower-income, higher-weight Canadian adults’ stigma coping mechanisms
Authors: Bombak Andrea E. , Turner Lee
Published: November 2024

Individuals who are higher-weight and low-income may disproportionately experience weight and income stigmas in healthcare experiences compared to lower-weight, higher-income individuals. The ways that weight and income stigmas interact in healthcare should be better understood in order to provide better, less stigmatizing care to higher-weight, low-income patients. This study assesses how patients manage stigmatizing experiences in both healthcare and everyday experiences and how that impacts health seeking and stigma management behaviors through semistructured interviews with 11 higher-weight (Body Mass Index ≥30), low-income adults (≥18 years of age) in an Atlantic Canadian province. Participants took part in two interviews that focused on healthcare experiences and both positive and negative places/spaces. The two face-to-face interviews for each participant (total 21 interviews) were audio-recorded and professionally transcribed verbatim. The transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify recurring concepts and patterns within the data. Two major themes emerged from the data, uptake of stigmatizing, neoliberal health messaging and coping with stigma. Coping with stigma included subthemes control over stigmatizing experiences and stoicism in the face of stigma. The findings suggest that individuals understand their health and wellness through a neoliberal lens and that they deploy strategies of control and stoicism to cope with the stigmas they face.
Impact of artificial intelligence and digital technology-based diagnostic tools for communicable and non-communicable diseases in Africa
Authors: Obi Chikwelu L. , Olowoyo Joshua O. , Malevu Thembinkosi D. , Mugivhisa Lizwe L. , Hungwe Taurai , Ogunrombi Modupe O. , Mkolo Nqobile M.
Published: November 2024

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology, as advanced human-created tools, are influencing the healthcare sector.Aim: This review provides a comprehensive and structured exploration of the opportunities presented by AI and digital technology to laboratory diagnostics and management of communicable and non-communicable diseases in Africa.Methods: The study employed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews, Meta-Analyses guidelines and Bibliometric analysis as its methodological approach. Peer-reviewed publications from 2000 to 2024 were retrieved from PubMed®, Web of Science™ and Google Scholar databases.Results: The study incorporated a total of 1563 peer-reviewed scientific documents and, after filtration, 37 were utilised for systematic review. The findings revealed that AI and digital technology play a key role in patient management, quality assurance and laboratory operations, including healthcare decision-making, disease monitoring and prognosis. Metadata reflected the disproportionate research outputs distribution across Africa. In relation to non-communicable diseases, Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco lead in cardiovascular, diabetes and cancer research. Representing communicable diseases research, Algeria, Egypt, and South Africa were prominent in HIV/AIDS research. South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and Egypt lead in malaria and tuberculosis research.Conclusion: Facilitation of widespread adoption of AI and digital technology in laboratory diagnostics across Africa is critical for maximising patient benefits. It is recommended that governments in Africa allocate more funding for infrastructure and research on AI to serve as a catalyst for innovation.What this study adds: This review provides a comprehensive and context-specific analysis of AI’s application in African healthcare.
Exploring the job resources experienced by employees with hearing impairment in South Africa
Authors: Chelius Strauss , Jonker Bouwer E. , Brouwers Marissa
Published: November 2024

Orientation: The United Nations Agenda of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 8, and specifically target 8.5, highlights the employment of people with disabilities (PWD). The current study sheds light on job characteristics that employees with hearing impairments (EwHIs) experience as job resources.Research purpose: This study aimed to explore the aspects that EwHIs might regard as job resources within the South African context.Motivation for the study: The paucity of research in South Africa on disability matters in the workplace, and EwHIs in particular, served as motivation for this study.Research approach/design and method: This study used an exploratory, qualitative research approach and the social constructivism paradigm to explore the job resources of EwHIs in South Africa. In addition, a descriptive phenomenological design was used to deeply understand the participants’ lived experiences. Participants (N = 14) were identified with a purposive sampling technique and data were collected with open-ended, deaf-friendly questionnaires. Inductive qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the data.Main findings: Firstly, EwHIs learn from subordinates and work associates. Secondly, constructive social affiliation, learning and challenges seem to motivate EwHIs. Lastly, task accomplishment is facilitated by adequate communication, orientation and assistance.Practical/managerial implications: The findings of the current study have implications for policy, practice and decision-making. Broadly stated, the learning, motivation and task completion of EwHIs are functions of social integration and effective communication in the workplace.Contribution/value-add: This study is the first of its kind in South Africa and provides insight into job characteristics that EwHIs regard as job resources.
Safe spaces for marginalised young people: Ambivalent pastoral engagement of Pentecostal churches in the slums of Guatemala
Authors: Bär Martina
Published: November 2024

Many marginalised young people in Guatemala City, one of the poorest and most dangerous cities in the world, face a bleak future. Faced with poor prospects, many turn to the Mara youth gangs, where crime and drug abuse are part of everyday life. The Pentecostal churches offer an alternative to the power of the Mara gangs. They offer safe spaces for young people as they are respected by the Maras. In this way, they open up a path to resocialisation and rehabilitation. However, the rehabilitated young people also criticise the Pentecostal churches, especially the neo-Pentecostal churches, which promote the prosperity gospel. On the one hand, the article reflects on the ambivalent role of Pentecostal churches for marginalised young people and, on the other hand, points to the relevance of a politically motivated liberation theology that is committed to a just society in this world. Marginalised young people need solidarity, social justice and liberation from violence. In view of the ‘culture of violence’ in Guatemala, the practical liberation theology D. Aguilar Ramírez proposes a peace-building process based on a non-violent God. This approach could contribute to the comprehensive healing of marginalised young people and their culture.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The article makes it clear that pastoral practice is a critical corrective for Christian doctrine and ecclesiology. Qualitative empirical research should be strengthened as an analytical instrument of practical theology. This requires stronger interdisciplinary cooperation between theology and sociology.
Just housing: Transdisciplinary perspectives from theology and the built environment
Authors: Wabel Thomas , De Beer Stephanus F.
Published: November 2024

In cities worldwide, housing is precarious. Local socio-economic environments can exacerbate existing social differences and exclusions, but can also contribute to alleviate these differences, and to foster high levels of social inclusion. This article introduces a special collection of articles asking how theology should contribute theologically to address the challenges of housing and human settlements. It derives from an assertion that theology and reflection on the built environment should engage each other, made concrete in this collection through exploring issues of housing justice. We explore the question of housing justice with reference to four related questions: (1) How can urban planning interventions enhance affordable, sustainable and aesthetically appealing housing for all? (2) What are the political, economic and legal conditions impacting on housing justice, and how can theologians engage in these spaces? (3) How can exclusionary or precarious conditions be addressed architecturally to contribute to ecological sustainability, aesthetics and affordability? (4) What are the dominant social imaginaries that mediate housing and settlement development, and how can theologians help foster inclusive and just social imaginaries? Examples from different countries, cities and socio-cultural contexts are introduced and reflected upon, seeking to identify conditions that enable affordable, sustainable and aesthetically attractive housing in an unequal and precarious world.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The article points out the relevance of a theological perspective on the housing problem. At the same time, the implications for architecture, urban planning and politics are addressed.
Diagnostic Accuracy of MDCT Coronary Angiography in Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease
Authors: Kumari Arti , Toppo Suresh Kumar , Kumar Prakash , Ranjan Rajeev Kumar , Xalxo Anima R. , Rai Nisha , Kaur Harsha
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

One of the main causes of illness and death in both India and globally is coronary artery disease, or CAD. Previously, the majority of conventional catheter examinations were performed simply for diagnostic purposes. So, a noninvasive and trustworthy method was highly desirable for early CAD detection and coronary artery imaging.

Material and Methods:

Symptomatic patients attending the routine cardiac outpatient department at RIMS, Ranchi, who were advised to undergo coronary CT angiography (CCTA) for further evaluation in the Department of Radiodiagnosis were included.

Results:

A total of 101 symptomatic patients were studied for patency of coronary vessels in both CCTA and conventional coronary angiography. Based on the CCTA of the 101 patients, majority of the patients belong to single vessel disease. CCTA revealed 124 lesions, of which 101 were considered serious with a majority of lesions in the left anterior descending. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the multidetector computed tomography were 98.4, 91.7, 95, and 97.05%.

Conclusion:

CCTA is a good negative predictive value technique for coronary stenosis and is relatively trustworthy.
Comparative Evaluation of Antimicrobial Efficacy of Contemporary and Novel Intracanal Medicaments against Enterococcus Faecalis - An In-vitro Study
Authors: Singh Divya , Jain Gaurav , Misra Pradyumna , Shukla Preeti , Verma Sheetal
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

Background:

Endodontic treatment aims to preserve compromised teeth by eliminating microorganisms from the root canal system. Persistent root canal infections, especially those involving Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), can lead to treatment failure. This study evaluates the antimicrobial efficacy of both traditional and novel intracanal medicaments against E. faecalis.

Materials and Methods:

The study employed an in-vitro design to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of various intracanal medicament combinations against E. faecalis (ATCC 29212). The medicaments tested included 2% Chlorhexidine (CHX) combined with Alexidine, Calcium Hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), Metronidazole, and Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs). Antimicrobial activity was determined using the disc diffusion method, and the zone of inhibition (ZOI) was measured at 24, 48, and 72 hours.

Results:

Group 1 (2% CHX + Alexidine) and Group 5 (2% CHX + Ca(OH)2) showed the highest initial antimicrobial efficacy at 24 hours, with mean ZOIs of 18.16 mm and 18.09 mm, respectively. At 48 and 72 hours, Group 4 (2% CHX + AgNPs) exhibited the highest efficacy with a mean ZOI of 16.17 mm. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between groups at all time intervals (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

The combination of traditional and novel intracanal medicaments, specifically CHX with Alexidine and CHX with AgNPs, significantly enhanced antimicrobial efficacy against E. faecalis. The combination of CHX and Alexidine demonstrated the highest initial activity, while CHX and AgNPs provided sustained antimicrobial effects.
Comparative Study of Periodontal Health in Patients with Fixed Braces Versus Clear Aligners
Authors: Shashikumar G. M. , Malthesh B.S. , Annamalaisamy Selvakumar , Shantharam Sreedhara , Kumar P Kiran
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

Background:

Orthodontic therapy is often used to cure dental malocclusions; however, since orthodontic equipment is difficult to keep clean, it might have an adverse effect on periodontal health. Clear aligners and fixed braces are two common orthodontic treatments.

Materials and Methods:

In this research, 100 patients receiving orthodontic treatment at a dental clinic ranged in age from 18 to 35. Two sets of patients were created: 50 with transparent aligners and 50 with fixed braces. At baseline, three months, and six months, periodontal health was evaluated using the plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), and probing depth (PD). Both groups received advice on oral hygiene. SPSS software was used for data analysis, with a significance level of P < 0.05 for statistical analysis.

Results:

PI, GI, and PD did not vary significantly between the two groups at baseline (P > 0.05). PI (2.3 ± 0.4) and GI (1.8 ± 0.3) in the fixed braces group were significantly higher after three months than in the clear aligners group (PI: 1.5 ± 0.3, GI: 1.2 ± 0.2, P < 0.05). At six months, the group using fixed braces had a substantially higher PD (3.5 ± 0.5 mm) than the group wearing transparent aligners (2.8 ± 0.4 mm, P < 0.05). Throughout the course of the trial, the group using transparent aligners had greater periodontal health.

Conclusion:

In comparison with patients wearing fixed braces, individuals using transparent aligners showed improved periodontal health, as seen by decreased levels of plaque buildup, gingival inflammation, and probing depth. For individuals who are worried about their periodontal health while undergoing orthodontic treatment, clear aligners could be a better choice.
Effect of Toxoplasma gondii Infection on the Level of Luteinizing and Follicle Stimulating Hormones in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Aziz Muna Jalal , Ali Abeer Abbas , Hameed Mohammed Fadhil , Abdullah Basima Ahmed
Published: November 2024

Background:

The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is responsible for the most significant zoonotic illness in the world, Toxoplasmosis. It is possible for T. gondii to be transferred transplacentally from the mother to the fetus if it is contracted during pregnancy and causes abortion or congenital deformity.

Objective:

To investigate the correlation between polycystic ovarian syndrome and toxoplasmosis, as well as to examine certain related sex hormones, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).

Materials and Methods:

The current study was conducted at Kirkuk General Hospital and Gynaecological and Pediatric Hospital in Kirkuk city, Iraq, between November 1, 2022 and March 21, 2023. The study included 200 blood samples collected from women who had abortions. The serum used to measure levels of LH and FSH.

Results:

Out of the 200 aborted women, only 40 (20%) of them were PCO positive (poly cystic ovarian syndrome). The 40 positive PCO subjects were divided into four groups according to the presence of T. gondii antibodies: PCO +ve and Toxo IgM +ve (7.5%), PCO +ve and Toxo IgG +ve (15%), PCO +ve and Toxo IgM ‐ve (42.5%), PCO +ve and Toxo IgG ‐ve (35%).

Conclusion:

There were significant differences in the FSH and LH level in the study groups. The level of LH in four groups the highest mean was in Toxo IgM and PCO +ve (9.190 ± 3.710) with P value 0.046. In the level of FSH in four groups the highest mean was in Toxo IgG +ve and PCO +ve (8.776 ± 2.061) and the lowest mean was in Toxo IgM +ve and PCO +ve (5.790 ± 3.25) with a P value of 0.045.
Exploring the Landscape of Multicriteria Decision Making in Software Project Management: Trends, Challenges, and Future Directions
Authors: Madanchian Mitra , Taherdoost Hamed
Published: November 2024

INTRODUCTION: This critical review investigates the utilization trends of Multicriteria Decision Making (MCDM) in software project management, emphasizing its applications, implementation challenges, and emerging trends.OBJECTIVES: The study explores recent literature published between 2019 and 2024, utilizing a systematic methodology to analyze the effectiveness and limitations of MCDM techniques in software project planning, selection, and execution.METHODS: A Boolean search strategy on Scopus was employed to identify relevant literature. The systematic methodology involved analyzing the identified literature to discern patterns, gaps, and recommendations for integrating MCDM methodologies within software engineering projects.RESULTS: The review identifies key patterns, challenges, and emerging trends in adopting MCDM techniques in software project management, providing insights and recommendations for future research and practice.CONCLUSION: This critical review offers valuable insights into the landscape of MCDM utilization in software project management, highlighting areas for improvement and future exploration.
RECENT INTEGRATION OF 2ND GENERATION THERMAL IMAGING ON ARMORED
VEHICLES
Authors: LaSala Paul V. , Raaum Bryan J.
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

Raytheon is in the final stages of production of three high performance
thermal imaging / fire control systems being integrated on existing USMC and
US Army armored vehicles. A goal in the design of these systems was to
provide integration into the host vehicle that when viewed by the customer
and user provided the enhanced capabilities of today’s latest
thermal imaging and image processing technology as well as operating in
concert with the vehicle as originally designed. This paper will summarize
the technical solutions for each of these programs emphasizing the thermal
imaging, fire control, image processing and vehicle integration
technologies. It will also outline guiding philosophies and lessons learned
used to focus the design team in achieving the successful integration. The
programs to be reviewed are; USMC 2nd Gen Thermal Imaging System, the USMC
LAV-25 Improved Thermal Sight System (ITSS) and the USMC / US Army M1A1 50
Cal Thermal Sight / DayTV System.
INVESTIGATION OF CONTROL ALGORITHMS FOR TRACKED VEHICLE MOBILITY LOAD
EMULATION FOR A COMBAT HYBRID ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEM
Authors: Goodell Jarrett , Smith Wilford , Wong Byron
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

The United States Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering
Center (TARDEC) is actively investigating and researching ways to advance the
state of combat hybrid-electric power system technology for use in military
vehicles including the Future Combat Systems’ family of manned and
unmanned ground vehicles. Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)
is the lead contractor for operating the Power and Energy System Integration
Laboratory (P&E SIL) in Santa Clara, CA. The P&E SIL houses a combat
hybrid electric power system including a diesel engine, generator, high voltage
bus, DC-DC converter, lithium ion battery pack, left and right induction motors,
and left and right dynamometers. The power system is sized for a 20-22 ton
tracked vehicle. The dynamometers are responsible for emulating loads that the
vehicle would see while running over a course.

This paper discusses the control system design for achieving mobility load
emulation. Mobility load emulation is defined as the ability of the measured
left and right sprocket speeds to track the left and right sprocket speeds in
the vehicle model. Simulated and experimental results are presented for various
load emulation strategies. Several algorithms are investigated, and a final
algorithm is chosen based on a standard control systems analysis. The algorithms
developed are designed in a modular fashion such that they can function with
combinations of vehicle models and dynamometers other than the vehicle model and
dynamometers used at the P&E SIL.
Fuel Economy and Mobility of Multi-Wheel Drive Vehicles: Modeling and
Optimization Technology
Authors: Vantsevich Vladimir V. , Gray Jeremy P.
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

A distinctive feature of unmanned and conventional terrain vehicles with four or
more driving wheels consists of the fact that energy/fuel efficiency and
mobility depend markedly not only on the total power applied to all the driving
wheels, but also on the distribution of the total power among the wheels. As
shown, under given terrain conditions, the same vehicle with a constant total
power at all the driving wheels, but with different power distributions among
the driving wheels, will demonstrate different fuel consumption, mobility and
traction; the vehicle will accelerate differently and turn at different turn
radii.

This paper explains the nature of mechanical wheel power losses which depend on
the power distribution among all the driving wheels and provides mathematical
models for evaluating vehicle fuel economy and mobility. The paper also
describes in detail analytical technology and computational results of the
optimization of wheel power distributions among the driving wheels. The
presented math models of a multi-body vehicle with any given number of the
driving wheels and type of suspension are built on a novel inverse vehicle
dynamics approach and include probabilistic terrain characteristics of rolling
resistance and friction, micro- and macro-profiles of surfaces of motion.
Computational results illustrate up to 15%-increase in energy efficiency of an
8x8 vehicle that is guaranteed by the optimal power distribution among the
driving wheels. This technology can be applied for improving energy/fuel
efficiency and mobility of tactical and combat military and unmanned robotic
vehicles with mechanical and mechatronic driveline systems, vehicles with
individually-driven wheels and vehicles with hybrid driveline systems.
SOLID STATE POWER CONTROLLERS PROVIDE IMPROVED PERFORMANCE FOR POWER
DISTRIBUTION
Authors: Glass Mike
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

The design of power distribution systems for modern tanks and fighting vehicles
involves a number of challenges, including demands for increasing amounts of
electrical power. In response to these needs, Solid State Power Controllers
(SSPCs) provide a number of advantages over electromechanical circuit breakers
and relays. These include increased reliability, higher volume and weight power
densities, lower power dissipation, reduced EMI emissions, very rapid short
circuit protection, and precise I2t overload protection. The latter
protects wiring, loads and the SSPCs themselves against overheating, while
reliably avoiding “nuisance trips” when switching into
capacitive or incandescent lamp loads. Further, SSPCs provide capabilities in
the area of real time feedback, enabling system-level diagnostics and
prognostics, and predictive, condition-based maintenance, thereby providing
increased availability and continued mission readiness.
METALLIC COMPOSITE MATERIALS FOR AFFORDABLE & RELIABLE THERMAL
MANAGEMENT OF HIGH POWER DEVICES
Authors: Drake Allen , Schuster David , Skibo Michael
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

Lower cost aluminum silicon carbide (Al-SiC) metal matrix composite (MMC)
produced by stir-casting is emerging as an important material in cost
effectively improving the reliability of high power electronic devices; e.g.
electronic (IGBT) baseplates, thermal spreaders & stiffeners for flip-chip
microelectronics, and heat slugs or MCPCB base layers for high brightness LEDs.
This paper will review the properties and competitive cost of these new Al-SiC
materials as well as the ability to tailor the coefficient of thermal expansion
(CTE) of the Al-SiC to minimize thermal fatigue on solder joints and reduce
component distortion. The impact on the final component cost through the use of
conventional forming techniques such as (a) rolling sheet followed by stamping,
and, (b) die casting, will be described, as will be the opportunity of
eliminating a thermal interface material (TIM) layer by integrating the thermal
spreader with the heat sink for high power microelectronic packages.
Multi-physics Approach in Sub-System Modeling & Simulation
(M&S) For a Gun Turret Drive Weapon System.
Authors: D’Onofrio David , Kuang Zhian
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

For GDLS as an OEM in the defense industry working primarily as a system
integrator, it is mission critical to develop a platform to
weight/gauge/tradeoff requirements of various sub-systems in the final system
product. Knowing sub-system performances in the final system on a physics bases,
enables the system integrator more active roles in product R&D for
requirement tradeoffs and price tag controls, instead of being passively driven
solely by suppliers’ perspectives. Designing a light weight system while
maintaining their mission profile, can lead to the use of more flexible
structures thereby imposing additional dynamics affecting the integration of
weapon systems into the vehicle structure. Added to this, the dynamics of
electromechanical actuators, mechanical tolerances and discrete controllers,
creates an environment, each of which is defined by its characteristic physics.
This paper discusses a multi-physics approach used different brand named solvers
best for different physics to model and simulate a generic gun system mounted in
a turret. The gun platform consists of the gun installed in a cradle,
electro-mechanical actuators and a generic fire control system. The turret and
gun platform was modeled with rigid bodies defining the majority of the
structure using the CAE program ADAMS and flex bodies via FEA models where
applicable (ex. gun tube). Two simultaneous electric drives that actuate gun
motion were composed of a number of parts whose stack up tolerance could impact
gun pointing performance. To handle this contingency, classical joints were
replaced with contact forces creating the necessary boundary conditions allowing
the additional degrees of freedom to be modeled, representing true machine like
behavior. Finally, control systems were modeled in Matlab Simulink and
co-simulated with ADAMS to create a complete virtual environment. This approach
has lead to a more through understanding of this complex system through the
integration of each domain physic’s embodied in the individual
systems.
MULTI-RESOLUTION RAPID PROTOTYPING OF VEHICLE COOLING
SYSTEMS
Authors: Malosse Jean-Jacques , Pindera Maciej Z. , Sun Yuzhi , Vosen Steven R.
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

This paper describes a work in progress on the development of general, Open
Architecture multi-resolution software for rapid prototyping and analysis of
complex systems using a Co-simulation approach. Although the approach can be
used for rapid analysis of a wide class of complex physical systems, the current
focus of this work is on the modeling of the engine cooling system in the Ford
Escape Hybrid SUV vehicle. The paper discusses two aspects of this work:
development of the co-simulation environment, development of models of the
cooling system components with focus on the A/C system using the R134a
refrigerant. The major component models are based on dimensional reduction of
the 3D Navier-Stokes equations. The resulting 1D equations are subsequently
partitioned along the axial direction resulting in systems of 0D non-linear
ordinary differential equations. The equations are then solved using a very
efficient approach using Chebyshev polynomials. We also present preliminary
results on component response to variations in selected system parameters.
INVESTIGATION OF THE DURABILITY TRANSFER CONCEPT FOR VEHICLE
PROGNOSTIC APPLICATIONS
Authors: Halfpenny Andrew , Hussain Shabbir , McDougall Scott , Pompetzki Mark
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

Vehicle prognostics are used to estimate the remaining useful life of components
or subsystems, based on a limited number of measured vehicle parameters.
Ideally, sensors would be available for every component and failure mode of
interest, such that accurate data could be measured and used in prognostic
estimates. However, this is impractical in terms of the number of sensors
required and the costs to install such a system and maintain its integrity. A
better solution is to relate the loading on a specific component to more generic
vehicle behavior. This paper reviews a methodology referred to as the
“Durability Transfer Concept”, which suggests that damage, or
severity of usage, at various points of interest on a vehicle can be predicted
simply from measured accelerations at some nominal location – a wheel
axle, for example. Measured accelerations are double integrated to get
displacements. Those displacements are then filtered using the Rupp or Lalanne
method. A transfer function is devised that relates nominal displacements to
local damage on critical components. The results show good correlation between
measured acceleration on a vehicle and damage at a remote location. However,
correlation does depend on coherence; therefore, it is important to select
representative locations for the accelerometers relative to the critical
components. For best results, the transfer function requires a good range of
usage conditions – i.e., representative terrain roughness, speed profile
and vehicle weight conditions. In conclusion, the Durability Transfer Concept
offers a good solution for predicting severity of usage for structural
components on a vehicle, including chassis, steering and suspension components.
The Rupp filtering method is preferable in this case where damage is
attributable to low frequency terrain induced fatigue.
LARGE FORMAT LI ION REPLACEMENT PACKS FOR LEAD ACID
APPLICATIONS
Authors: Tsukamoto Hisashi , Visco Vincent
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

Quallion has developed the Matrix™ Battery Design, a modular power
system, to support military applications. This design allows for low cost
designs, reliance on commercial vendor sources for cells, advanced safety and
flexible choice of chemistry and battery form factors. Design and power
capability of an 1.86Kwh APU battery pack for HMMWVs and a 1.11 Kwh pack for
aircraft will be presented.
Bridging the Gap - Applying Performance Driven Aviation Technologies in Cost Driven Ground Platforms
Authors: Hensley Marion P.
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

The complexity of ground vehicle mission systems has evolved significantly over
the last few years resulting in over-taxed platforms with federated mission
suites. Department of Defense (DoD) is pursuing platform evolution toward
integrated mission suites. Opportunities exist to apply aspects of previously
developed methodologies from the aviation sector to ground platforms. This paper
describes the parallels of the evolution of aviation platforms with the
similarities to ground platforms. Solutions from the military aviation community
will be discussed that could reduce development risks, schedules and costs and
improve mission capabilities for ground applications. Specific discussion will
be on opportunities and techniques to transition performance driven, high cost,
low volume technologies into mission suitable and affordable high volume
solutions. Discussion of the feedback opportunities into the aviation community
will be addressed. This paper is not intended to be a tutorial on systems
engineering but rather a stimulus for industry and the DoD to discuss
commonality and design reuse opportunities between the ground and aviation
communities resulting in a “system of systems” bridging aviation
and ground solutions.
Quantitative Analysis of a Hybrid Electric HMMWV for Fuel Economy
Improvement
Authors: Nedungadi Ashok , Masrur Abul , Khalil Gus
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

This paper presents a quantitative analysis and comparison of fuel economy and
performance of a series hybrid electric HMMWV (High Mobility Multi-purpose
Wheeled Vehicle) military vehicle with a conventional HMMWV of equivalent size.
Hybrid vehicle powertrains show improved fuel economy gains due to optimized
engine operation and regenerative braking. In this paper, a methodology is
presented by which the fuel economy gains due to optimized engine are isolated
from the fuel economy gains due to regenerative braking. Validated vehicle
models as well as data collected on test tracks are used in the quantitative
analysis. The regenerative braking of the hybrid HMMWV is analyzed in terms of
efficiency from the kinetic energy at the wheels to the portion of regenerative
power which is retrievable by the battery. The engine operation of both the
series hybrid and conventional HMMWV are analyzed using a 2-D bin analysis
methodology. Finally, the vehicle model is used to make recommendations on
improving the fuel economy of the series hybrid as well as the conventional
HMMWV.
APPLICATIONS OF MODEL-BASED SYSTEMS ENGINEERING METHODS TO VEHICLE
AND SUBSYSTEM DESIGN AND OPTIMIZATION
Authors: Michaels Larry , Halbach Shane , Shidore Neeraj , Rousseau Aymeric
Published: November 2024

Summary

This paper discusses the latest techniques in vehicle modeling and simulation to
support ground vehicle performance and fuel economy studies, enable system
design optimization, and facilitate detailed control system design. The
Autonomie software package, developed at Argonne National Laboratory, is
described with emphasis on its capabilities to support Model-in-the-Loop,
Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), Component-in-the-Loop (CIL), and
Hardware-in-the-Loop simulations.

Autonomie supports Model-Based Systems Engineering, which is growing in use as
ground vehicles become more sophisticated and complex, with many more subsystems
interacting within the vehicle and the environmental conditions in which the
vehicles operate becoming more challenging and varied. With the advent of hybrid
powertrains, the additional dimension of vehicle architecture has become one of
the design variables that must be considered. This complexity results in the
need for a simulation tool that is capable of incorporating systems of various
levels of detail and fidelity, as well as handling scalable simulation tasks,
from individual component models up to complete vehicles.

Autonomie automates the process of building system simulations comprising the
models chosen by the user, and then executes those simulations, producing
tabular and graphical results. This capability eliminates the need for many of
the manual steps that are normally encountered when creating and running a
system simulation model.

Specific applications are described to show the applicability of Autonomie to a
wide range of problems. These applications highlight the use of Autonomie for
SIL-based detailed control design using compiled production control software,
ground vehicle performance and fuel economy optimization studies, and CIL
testing at Argonne National Laboratory.
SPRAY & LIQUID LENGTH CHARACTERISTICS OF TETRADECANE AS A
SURROGATE IN COMPARISON TO JP-8
Authors: Johnson Jaclyn E. , Cung Khanh D. , Zhang Anqi , Naber Jeffrey D. , Lee Seong-Young
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

Extensive studies have been completed for diesel engine high pressure injection
on spray and combustion characteristics with diesel fuel. However the US
military’s objective is to use JP-8 as a replacement to diesel fuel,
which has limited spray and combustion information available. The differences
between JP-8 and diesel in terms of fuel properties translate to differing spray
and combustion characteristics. To fulfill the Single-Fuel Concept of the
military and incorporate JP-8 fuels, knowledge of the fuels spray, vaporization,
and combustion behavior is imperative for determining fuel impact on
performance. This work quantifies vaporizing spray characteristics of vapor
penetration and vaporizing liquid length using high speed imaging methods of
combined Mie-scatter and Schlieren in a constant volume combustion vessel.
Studies are undertaken at a constant injection pressure of 700 bar, at
temperatures of 800, 946, and 1150 K at a density of 24.1 kg/m3.
Tetradecane is used as a vaporizing single component surrogate for JP-8, with
results compared to spray characteristics of JP-8 and diesel available in the
literature. Tetradecane is chosen as a surrogate since prior experimental work
using heptamethylonone (HMN) as a surrogate showed HMN does not match JP-8
liquid length trends, especially at low density conditions. Although the boiling
point of HMN (240°C) matches the 90% distillation point of JP-8, a
higher boiling point fuel (tetradecane at 252°C) may provide a better
match to vaporization characteristics of JP-8. Results from this study provide
an understanding of spray and vaporization characteristics of tetradecane as a
surrogate for JP-8.
MULTI-RESOLUTION RAPID PROTOTYPING OF VEHICLE COOLING SYSTEMS: Approach and Test Results
Authors: Pindera Maciej Z. , Malosse Jean-Jacques , Sun Yuzhi , Vosen Steven R. , Goryca Mary
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

This paper describes multi-resolution, distributed design and simulation software
for rapid prototyping and analysis of complex systems using a Co-simulation
approach. The current focus of this work is on the modeling of the engine
cooling system in the Ford Escape Hybrid SUV vehicle. In that particular vehicle
the cooling system consists of three coupled subsystems: a) engine cooling; b)
electronic transaxle cooling; and battery cooling. This paper discusses two
aspects of this work: a) high level description of the developed models and
co-simulation approaches; and b) comparison of co-simulation to test data. Most
of the model predictions deviated from the test data by less than 5%. Results
indicate that distributed multi-resolution simulations can significantly
accelerate the analysis of flow-thermal processes in complex vehicle systems.
Moreover, the approach allows coupling of different codes with different
functionalities to obtain integrated results not possible with any one
individual code.
DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF EPH MATERIAL MODEL FOR ENGINEERED
ROADWAY SOIL
Authors: Hsieh Ching , Sheng Jianping , Ramalingam Jai , Akers Stephen , Korson Chantelle
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

Full-vehicle, End-to-End under-body blast (UBB) simulations with LS-DYNA have
been common practice at the Tank Automotive Research, Development and
Engineering Center (TARDEC) for the last several years to support Program
Managers in the Army Acquisition of military ground vehicles. Soil, which is one
of the four key components (with air, charge, and vehicle structure being the
others), has been represented in these simulations by an Elastic-Plastic
Hydrodynamic (EPH) model. EPH models has been available for the currently used
Double-Sifted (DS) Topsoil since 2012, but not yet developed for a proposed
Engineered Roadway Soil (ERS). This study describes a systematic method where
EPH model fits were developed based on material characterization tests, and then
validated against physical tests with two different types of large flat plates.
The accuracy of this model has been shown in nine different comparisons of plate
velocity (impulse) or deformation to be well within 11.3%. This model is
therefore deemed to be accurate enough and acceptable for usage of UBB
simulations in the Army.
SOFT SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS FOR UNMANNED SYSTEMS
Authors: Mikulski Dariusz
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

This paper discusses various soft security considerations that should be
accounted for in the next generation of advanced military unmanned systems. By
modeling unmanned system teams as mobile ad hoc networks, we underscore the
different types of information-based security vulnerabilities that motivated
adversaries may be able to exploit in unmanned systems. Then we provide an
overview of computational trust and show that it can be used to defend against
these vulnerabilities by finding the most reliable agents to interact with from
a pool of potential agents. Finally, we discuss ongoing work at U.S. Army TARDEC
that is applying computational trust within a vehicle controller for autonomous
convoy operations.