bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Indigenous Subsistence Practices of the Sakha Horse Herders under Changing Climate in the Arctic
Authors: Popova Lena
Published: September 2024

This article provides, firstly, an overview of Arctic traditional horse herding as one of the Indigenous subsistence practices of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). It discusses the origins, characteristics, and spiritual and material importance of Sakha horses and horse herding practices to inform the overall understanding of this traditional subsistence activity, which remains largely unexplored. Secondly, by conducting in-depth semi-structured interviews with Indigenous Sakha horse herders, this study explores the ways in which Indigenous subsistence practices are evolving and reacting to the climate and environmental changes. Results show that climate change is altering the local ecosystem and introducing new challenges to communities in Central Yakutia. Local herders describe climate change as a complex interplay of diverse transformations rather than a singular phenomenon. While historical adaptation strategies relied on the flexibility of traditional practices, today, this flexibility is often hindered by non-climatic factors. This article further discusses adaptability of Indigenous practices to climate change and offers recommendations for their development, particularly traditional horse herding. Future research related to climate change and Arctic Indigenous communities should encompass deeper and broader aspects, covering historical, cultural, social, and economic contexts and the worldviews of Indigenous peoples, distinct from Western perspectives.
A Wideband Polarization-Insensitive Bistatic Radar Cross-Section Reduction Design Based on Hybrid Spherical Phase-Chessboard Metasurfaces
Authors: Zhang Shun , Qin Qin , Hua Mengbo
Published: September 2024

A wideband polarization-insensitive bistatic radar cross-section (RCS) reduction design under linear and circular polarization incidence is proposed based on spherical-chessboard metasurfaces. A new metasurface element with wideband characteristics was designed, including a double split-ring structure, single-layer media, and metal board. In the proposed RCS-reduction design, the Pancharatnam–Berry (P-B) phase theory is applied with the designed metasurface element to realize phase distribution mimicking the low-scattering sphere, and thus realizing RCS reduction. In addition, the chessboard configuration is combined with spherical phase distribution to further improve the performance of monostatic and bistatic RCS reduction. Finally, the proposed RCS reduction design can not only realize wideband RCS reduction but also exhibit polarization-insensitive characteristics. It realized 10 dB monostatic and bistatic RCS reduction in a frequency band ranging from 8.5 to 21 GHz (84.8% relative bandwidth) under linear polarization (LP) and circular polarization (CP) incidence. The straightforward and efficient design method of the hybrid spherical chessboard can effectively avoid the complex and time-consuming optimization process in RCS-reduction design.
Research on Process Control of Laser-Based Direct Energy Deposition Based on Real-Time Monitoring of Molten Pool
Authors: Wang Haoda , Hao Jingbin , Ding Mengsen , Zheng Xuanyu , Yang Haifeng , Liu Hao
Published: September 2024

In the process of laser-based direct energy deposition (DED-LB), the quality of the deposited layer will be affected by the process parameters and the external environment, and there are problems such as poor stability and low accuracy. A molten pool monitoring method based on coaxial vision is proposed. Firstly, the molten pool image is captured by a coaxial CCD camera, and the geometric features of the molten pool are accurately extracted by image processing techniques such as grayscale, median filtering noise reduction, and K-means clustering combined with threshold segmentation. The molten pool width is accurately extracted by the Canny operator combined with the minimum boundary rectangle method, and it is used as the feedback of weld pool control. The influence of process parameters on the molten pool was further analyzed. The results show that with an increase in laser power, the width and area of the molten pool increase monotonously, but exceeding the material limit will cause distortion. Increasing the scanning speed will reduce the size of the molten pool. By comparing the molten pool under constant power mode and width control mode, it is found that in width control mode, the melt pool width fluctuates less, and the machining accuracy is improved, validating the effectiveness of the real-time control system.
All-Layer Electrodeposition of a CdTe/Hg0.1Cd0.9Te/CdTe Photodetector for Short- and Mid-Wavelength Infrared Detection
Authors: Candelas-Urrea Vianey A. , Villa-Angulo Carlos , Hernández-Fuentes Iván O. , Morales-Carbajal Ricardo , Villa-Angulo Rafael
Published: September 2024

CdS, CdTe, Hg0.1Cd0.9Te, CdTe, and Ag films were progressively electrodeposited on ITO-coated soda–lime glass to manufacture a short- and mid-wavelength infrared photodetector. A distinctive feature of the applied electrodeposition method is the use of a non-aqueous solution containing ethylene glycol (EG) as the electrolyte in a traditional three-electrode configuration for every film deposition. Using EG as a supplementary electrolyte and using the same deposition conditions with a potential below 0.75 V for all film coatings reduces their environmental incompatibility and offers a low-cost and low-energy route for fabricating the reported photodetector. The produced photodetector has a sensitivity of up to ≈957 nm with a detectivity (D*) of 2.86 × 1012 cm Hz1/2 W−1 and a dark current density (Jdark) of 10−6 mA cm−2. Furthermore, the manufactured photodiode exhibits self-powered performance because Voc and Jsc are self-generated, unlike previously reported photodiodes. The presented all-layer electrodeposition assembly approach can easily be adapted to fabricate sensing devices for different applications.
A Novel Method of Secured Data Distribution Using Sharding Zkp and Zero Trust Architecture in Blockchain Multi Cloud Environment
Authors: Rangappa Komala , Ramaswamy Arun Kumar Banavara , Prasad Mahadeshwara , Kumar Shreyas Arun
Published: September 2024

In the era of cloud computing, guaranteeing the safety and effectiveness of data management is of utmost importance. This investigation presents a novel approach that amalgamates the sharding concept, encryption, zero-knowledge proofs (zkp), and blockchain technology for secure data retrieval and data access control to improve data security, efficiency in cloud storage and migration. Further, we utilize user-specific digital wallets for secure encryption keys in order to encrypt the file before storing into the cloud. As Large files (greater than 50 MB) or Big data files (greater than 1 TB) require greater computational complexity, we leverage the sharding concept to enhance both space and time complexity in cloud storage. Hence, the large files are divided into shards and stored in different database servers. We also employ a blockchain smart contract to enhance secure retrieval of the file and also a secure access method, which ensures the privacy of the user. The zk-snark protocol is utilized to ensure the safe transfer of data between different cloud services. By utilizing this approach, data privacy is preserved, as only the proof of the data’s authenticity is shared with the verifier at the destination cloud, rather than the actual data themselves. The suggested method tackles important concerns related to data protection, privacy, and efficient resource utilization in cloud computing settings by ensuring it meets all the cloud policies required to store data. Since the environment maintains the privacy of the user data and the raw data of the user is not stored anywhere, the entire environment is set up as a Zero trust model.
Influence of the Acetylene Flow Rate and Process Pressure on the Carbon Deposition Behavior by Thermal Chemical Vapor Deposition Process
Authors: Kwon Gi-Hoon , Choi Byoungho , Lee Young-Kook , Moon Kyoungil
Published: September 2024

We used the chemical vapor deposition process to deposit carbon film at a high temperature (900 °C). The carbon films were deposited on AISI 1006 foils using an acetylene gas. We analyzed the carbon film deposited on the surface using Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy to define changes in the bonding structure of the carbon film. The results of Raman spectroscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy revealed that as the acetylene flow rate increased, the shape of the deposited carbon film changed from graphene to graphite. In addition, in order to compare the quality of the carbon film in terms of mechanical and electrical properties, carbon films treated under various conditions were closely analyzed using nano-indenter and a sheet resistance meter. Therefore, the optimal condition (1 Torr-50 sccm) was selected in which graphene was uniformly deposited and had the lowest electrical resistance (500 Ω/sq) and highest hardness (12 GPa).
Phytoseiid Mites: Trees, Ecology and Conservation
Authors: Ozman-Sullivan Sebahat K. , Sullivan Gregory T. , Cakir Seyma , Bas Huseyin , Saglam Damla , Doker Ismail , Tixier Marie-Stephane
Published: September 2024

The highly variable ’leafscapes’ of plants across the world represent billions of square metres of mite habitat. The phytoseiid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae), an extremely species-rich group of mostly generalist predators, are providers of ecosystem services for humanity worth many hundreds of millions of dollars annually by helping suppress phytophagous mites and insects in forests, agro-ecosystems, shade-houses and home gardens. In this study, the phytoseiid mite assemblages on the leaves of four species of common tree species, namely oak (Quercus cerris var. cerris), poplar (Populus deltoides, P. nigra) and walnut (Juglans regia), were compared. The three data sets used were generated in three independent seasonal studies in Samsun Province, Türkiye, between 2018 and 2022. In total, mite species in 18 families, including 15 families on walnut, were recorded. Nineteen phytoseiid species in 13 genera, Amblydromalus, Amblyseius, Euseius, Kampimodromus, Neoseiulella, Neoseiulus, Paraseiulus, Phytoseius, Transeius, Typhlodromina, Typhlodromips, Typhlodromus and Typhloseiulus, were collected. Only Eusieus amissibilis was collected from all three tree genera, whereas 14 species were collected from only one tree genus. Shannon diversity and Jaccard similarity indexes were calculated for mite families and phytoseiid genera and species. Potential reasons for the observed differences in the phytoseiid assemblages on the different host trees are explored in depth. In the ‘big picture’, global biodiversity, likely including many undescribed phytoseiid species, is threatened by widespread habitat degradation and destruction, especially in the tropics, and accelerating climate change, and rapidly stopping them is imperative.
Redox Homeostasis and Non-Invasive Assessment of Significant Liver Fibrosis by Shear Wave Elastography
Authors: Egresi Anna , Blázovics Anna , Lengyel Gabriella , Tóth Adrienn Gréta , Csongrády Barbara , Jakab Zsuzsanna , Hagymási Krisztina
Published: September 2024

Hepatic fibrosis with various origins can be estimated non-invasively by using certain biomarkers and imaging-based measurements. The aim of our study was to examine redox homeostasis biomarkers and liver stiffness measurements for the assessment of significant liver fibrosis in different etiologies of chronic liver diseases. A cohort study consisting of 88 chronic liver disease patients of both sexes (age 49.1 ± 14.7 years) was performed. Cytokine profiles as well as redox homeostasis characteristics were determined. Liver fibrosis stages were assessed with shear wave elastography. The plasma levels of four cytokines showed no significant alteration between the four fibrotic stages; however, higher values were measured in the F2–4 stages. Free sulfhydryl group concentration, the marker of redox homeostasis, was lower in significant fibrosis (F0–F1: 0.36 ± 0.06 vs. F2–4: 0.29 ± 0.08 mmol/L, p < 0.05). Higher chemiluminescence values, as free radical–antioxidant parameters, were detected in advanced fibrosis stages in erythrocytes (F0–F1: 36.00 ± 37.13 vs. F2–4: 51.47 ± 44.34 RLU%). These data suggest that oxidative stress markers can predict significant fibrosis, with the aim of reducing the number of protocol liver biopsies in patients unlikely to have significant disease; however, their role in distinguishing between the certain fibrosis groups needs further studies.
Synthetic Grafts in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Surgery in Professional Female Handball Players—A Viable Option?
Authors: Melinte Răzvan Marian , Zolog Schiopea Dan Nicolae , Oltean-Dan Daniel , Bolcaș Robert , Negruț Matei Florin , Magdaș Tudor-Mihai , Melinte Marian Andrei , Tăbăcar Mircea
Published: September 2024

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACR) rupture is a frequent injury in professional sports players. We conducted a retrospective cohort study, including 41 professional female handball players, undergoing ACR reconstruction surgery, using a Ligament Advanced Reinforcement System (LARS) graft (n = 12) or a Soft Tissue (ST) graft (n = 29). After return-to-play, the patients were asked to take a survey, reporting subjective and objective performance indexes before the injury and after return-to-play. Time from surgery to first practice and to return-to-play were significantly shorter in the LARS group (3.92 ± 1.14 vs. 6.93 ± 2.19 months, p < 0.001 and 4.71 ± 1.2 vs. 8.81 ± 2.9, respectively). While there was no difference between postoperative mean time on court, number of goals/match, number of matches played at 6 months return-to-play and 50 m, 100 m and gate-to-gate sprint times, there was a significantly greater increase in preoperative times in the ST group than in the LARS group (1.45 ± 1.05 s vs. 0.21 ± 0.58 s slower than preoperatively, p < 0.001 for 50 m; 1.09 ± 0.95 s vs. 0.08 ± 1 s, p = 0.01 for 100 m; 1.66 ± 1 s vs. 0.21 ± 0.66 s for gate-to-gate). In conclusion, LARS grafts provide a faster recovery time and better functional outcome, significantly impacting the performance of professional handball players.
Retrocolic Fascia—An Anatomical and Multidetector Computed Tomographic Angiography (MDCTA) Morphometric Analysis in Patients with Right Colon Cancer
Authors: Chemtob Antoine , Ignjatovic Dejan , Stimec Bojan V.
Published: September 2024

Background: This study aims to delineate anatomical landmarks crucial for complete mesocolic excision, focusing on Gerota’s fascia, which guides surgical dissection in right-sided colon cancer, forming the posterior limit. Employing a multimodal approach, the research aims to understand the fascial anatomy and its variations under pathological conditions. Methods: Three methods were applied: a pilot dissection on an embalmed cadaver for clear anatomical presentation of prerenal fascia, Mimics segmentation of the fascia and its relationship with the colon, and a retrospective analysis of MDCTA scans from 196 patients (mean age 65.73 y, 118 F/78 M). Systematic measurements of fascial thickness were taken at key renal levels—upper pole, hilum, lower pole, and infra-renal. Covariates analyzed included Body Mass Index, age, and sex. Results: The pilot dissection revealed the renal fascia of Gerota as the only true retrocolic compact connective tissue and the fusion fascia of Toldt as a mesh of strands of loose connective tissue and fat lobules. MDCTA showed clearer visualization of Gerota’s fascia at the hilum and inferior renal pole, predominantly on the left. There were significant differences in fascial thickness between sides (1.30 mm on the right and 1.34 mm on the left) and a positive correlation with BMI, whereas age and sex showed no significant effects. Conclusion: Gerota’s fascia is a critical anatomical landmark in CME for right colon cancer. This study highlights the fascia’s structural integrity, unaffected by the tumor, underscoring its importance in surgical navigation.
Drone Swarm Robust Cooperative Formation Pursuit through Relative Positioning in a Location Denial Environment
Authors: Gao Huanli , Zhang Aixin , Li Wei , Cai He
Published: September 2024

This paper considers the pursuit problem of a moving target by a swarm of drones through a flexible-configuration formation. The drones are modeled by second-order systems subject to uncertain damping ratios, whereas the moving target follows a polynomial-type trajectory whose coefficient vectors are fully unknown. Due to location denial, drones cannot obtain their absolute positions, but they can obtain their positions relative to other neighboring drones and the target. To achieve a robust formation pursuit, a robust cooperative control protocol is synthesized, which comprises three key components, namely, the pseudo drone position estimator, the pseudo target position estimator, and the local internal model control (IMC) law. The pseudo drone position estimator and the pseudo target position estimator aim to recover for each drone the position of itself and the target, respectively, but are subject to some common unknown constant bias in a distributed manner. By subtracting the pseudo target position from the pseudo drone position, each drone can acquire its position relative to the target, which facilitates the design of a local IMC law to fulfill formation pursuit in the presence of system parametric uncertainties. Both pure numerical simulation and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation are performed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control protocol.
A New Precise Point Positioning with Ambiguity Resolution (PPP-AR) Approach for Ground Control Point Positioning for Photogrammetric Generation with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Authors: Makineci Hasan Bilgehan , Bilgen Burhaneddin , Bulbul Sercan
Published: September 2024

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are now widely preferred systems that are capable of rapid mapping and generating topographic models with relatively high positional accuracy. Since the integrated GNSS receivers of UAVs do not allow for sufficiently accurate outcomes either horizontally or vertically, a conventional method is to use ground control points (GCPs) to perform bundle block adjustment (BBA) of the outcomes. Since the number of GCPs to be installed limits the process in UAV operations, there is an important research question whether the precise point positioning (PPP) method can be an alternative when the real-time kinematic (RTK), network RTK, and post-process kinematic (PPK) techniques cannot be used to measure GCPs. This study introduces a novel approach using precise point positioning with ambiguity resolution (PPP-AR) for ground control point (GCP) positioning in UAV photogrammetry. For this purpose, the results are evaluated by comparing the horizontal and vertical coordinates obtained from the 24 h GNSS sessions of six calibration pillars in the field and the horizontal length differences obtained by electronic distance measurement (EDM). Bartlett’s test is applied to statistically determine the accuracy of the results. The results indicate that the coordinates obtained from a two-hour PPP-AR session show no significant difference from those acquired in a 30 min session, demonstrating PPP-AR to be a viable alternative for GCP positioning. Therefore, the PPP technique can be used for the BBA of GCPs to be established for UAVs in large-scale map generation. However, the number of GCPs to be selected should be four or more, which should be homogeneously distributed over the study area.
Testing the Pauli Exclusion Principle across the Periodic Table with the VIP-3 Experiment
Authors: Manti Simone , Bazzi Massimiliano , Bortolotti Nicola , Capoccia Cesidio , Cargnelli Michael , Clozza Alberto , De Paolis Luca , Fiorini Carlo , Guaraldo Carlo , Iliescu Mihail , Laubenstein Matthias , Marton Johann , Napolitano Fabrizio , Piscicchia Kristian , Porcelli Alessio , Scordo Alessandro , Sgaramella Francesco , Sirghi Diana Laura , Sirghi Florin , Doce Oton Vazquez , Zmeskal Johann , Curceanu Catalina
Published: September 2024

The Pauli exclusion principle (PEP), a cornerstone of quantum mechanics and whole science, states that in a system, two fermions can not simultaneously occupy the same quantum state. Several experimental tests have been performed to place increasingly stringent bounds on the validity of PEP. Among these, the series of VIP experiments, performed at the Gran Sasso Underground National Laboratory of INFN, is searching for PEP-violating atomic X-ray transitions in copper. In this paper, the upgraded VIP-3 setup is described, designed to extend these investigations to higher-Z elements such as zirconium, silver, palladium, and tin. We detail the enhanced design of this setup, including the implementation of cutting-edge, 1 mm thick, silicon drift detectors, which significantly improve the measurement sensitivity at higher energies. Additionally, we present calculations of expected PEP-violating energy shifts in the characteristic lines of these elements, performed using the multi-configurational Dirac–Fock method from first principles. The VIP-3 realization will contribute to ongoing research into PEP violation for different elements, offering new insights and directions for future studies.
Beyond Traditional Classrooms: Comparing Virtual Reality Applications and Their Influence on Students’ Motivation
Authors: Portuguez-Castro May , Santos Garduño Hugo
Published: September 2024

This study examines the impact of virtual reality (VR) on student motivation in education, emphasizing its potential to create immersive learning environments that enhance engagement and learning outcomes. By adopting a quantitative approach, the research investigates the motivational effects of two VR applications among 52 high school students in Mexico, exploring variations in motivation across four dimensions—attention, relevance, satisfaction, and confidence—and assessing gender-based differences. Results indicate improvements in all dimensions, particularly in attention and satisfaction, which are crucial for intrinsic motivation. Female students showed superior results in all dimensions, suggesting gender-specific impacts. The study underscores VR’s role in fostering motivation and offers practical recommendations for integrating VR technology in educational settings to maximize their benefits for student engagement and motivation. Possible limitations that should be considered to optimize its use are also identified. This research aims to provide valuable guidance for educators, researchers, and educational institutions seeking to harness VR technology for improved engagement and motivation in education.
Building Science Teacher Leaders for Indigenous Schools: Lessons from a Science Professional Development Workshop in Nepal
Authors: Upadhyay Bhaskar , Sadykova Saule
Published: September 2024

This is a case study of a science professional development workshop in Nepal with 17 teacher participants from four public schools. These schools mainly served Indigenous students in elementary, middle, and high school (Grades 9 and 10). The workshop focused on educating and building science teacher leaders for culturally relevant teaching and antiracist pedagogy by valuing and integrating Indigenous leadership practices and local knowledge. The teachers participated in a 2-day workshop co-organized by the local district education office and the local high school and led by the high school principal and a U.S.-based university faculty. Data were collected during and after the workshop through field notes, audio/video recordings of some sections of the workshop, and focus group interviews with a select group of participating teachers. The analysis of the data showed (a) struggles and opportunities to prioritize Indigenous science knowledge and Tharu sociocultural connections, (b) teachers seeking affirmation from principals to be science teacher leaders modeled on Indigenous leadership values, and (c) greater willingness for culturally relevant pedagogy among female and Indigenous teachers. The hope is that this paper will contribute to the value of a science teacher leadership professional development program (PD) in building awareness among science teachers about the value of culturally appropriate antiracist pedagogy in science teacher leaders. In addition, the PD also shows that science teacher leaders in Indigenous schools would benefit from the Indigenous relational model of leadership in leading their peers and students in antiracist and culturally relevant science teaching and learning. Finally, the study seems to indicate that a successful science teacher leader always incorporates local Indigenous community values, knowledge, and practices.
Playing towards Motivation: Gamification and University Students in Physical Activity!
Authors: Sotos-Martinez Victor Javier , Baena-Morales Salvador , Sanchez-De Miguel Manuel , Ferriz-Valero Alberto
Published: September 2024

There is currently concern about the decrease in physical activity participation among university students. To address this issue, different pedagogical approaches have been developed to improve participants’ motivation, with gamification standing out among them. Gamification integrates game design elements into learning environments to increase responsibility, motivation, and engagement in physical activities in different educational stages through intrinsic and extrinsic rewards, although evidence is limited and diverse. Therefore, this study investigates how gamification affects the motivational profile of university students in the context of physical activity. The study was conducted with university students of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences (n = 72), using an experimental design that included a gamified group (GG) and a control group (CG) without gamification. A questionnaire was used to measure motivation before and after the intervention. The results showed a significant increase in intrinsic motivation and a decrease in amotivation in the gamified group, while no significant changes were observed in the control group. However, there were increases in extrinsic motivation in both groups. These findings suggest that gamification can be effective in improving intrinsic motivation and reducing amotivation in university students for physical activity as well as enhancing extrinsic motivation considering the rewards used.
Disruption Management Interacts with Positive and Negative Emotions in the Classroom: Results from a Simulation-Based Study
Authors: Kumschick Irina Rosa , Tschopp Cécile , Troesch Larissa Maria , Tettenborn Annette
Published: September 2024

The conduct of teachers, especially in handling disruptions, significantly impacts the comfort of students. This research investigates the correlation between preservice teachers’ effectiveness in terms of managing disruptions and the emotions experienced by both engaged and disruptive students. In an experimental simulation, we crafted a classroom scenario wherein preservice teachers engaged in handling severe disruptions over a 10-min period. During the simulation, other preservice teachers assumed the roles of either engaged or disruptive students, following specific behaviour guidelines. Afterwards, the student role players completed questionnaires to gauge their perceptions of positive and negative emotions, as well as to assess the effectiveness of the teacher’s management of disruptions. Notably, interaction effects were observed between preservice teachers’ disruption management strategies and the students’ roles (either engaged or disruptive) on their emotional responses. When preservice teachers effectively managed the classroom during the simulation, those acting as engaged students reported higher levels of positive emotions and fewer negative emotions. In contrast, when classroom management was ineffective, participants portraying disruptive students experienced more positive emotions and fewer negative emotions. The educational implications of these results are considered and discussed.
CT and MRI Image Fusion via Coupled Feature-Learning GAN
Authors: Mao Qingyu , Zhai Wenzhe , Lei Xiang , Wang Zenghui , Liang Yongsheng
Published: September 2024

The fusion of multimodal medical images, particularly CT and MRI, is driven by the need to enhance the diagnostic process by providing clinicians with a single, comprehensive image that encapsulates all necessary details. Existing fusion methods often exhibit a bias towards features from one of the source images, making it challenging to simultaneously preserve both structural information and textural details. Designing an effective fusion method that can preserve more discriminative information is therefore crucial. In this work, we propose a Coupled Feature-Learning GAN (CFGAN) to fuse the multimodal medical images into a single informative image. The proposed method establishes an adversarial game between the discriminators and a couple of generators. First, the coupled generators are trained to generate two real-like fused images, which are then used to deceive the two coupled discriminators. Subsequently, the two discriminators are devised to minimize the structural distance to ensure the abundant information in the original source images is well-maintained in the fused image. We further empower the generators to be robust under various scales by constructing a discriminative feature extraction (DFE) block with different dilation rates. Moreover, we introduce a cross-dimension interaction attention (CIA) block to refine the feature representations. The qualitative and quantitative experiments on common benchmarks demonstrate the competitive performance of the CFGAN compared to other state-of-the-art methods.
Evaluating ARM and RISC-V Architectures for High-Performance Computing with Docker and Kubernetes
Authors: Dakić Vedran , Mršić Leo , Kunić Zdravko , Đambić Goran
Published: September 2024

This paper thoroughly assesses the ARM and RISC-V architectures in the context of high-performance computing (HPC). It includes an analysis of Docker and Kubernetes integration. Our study aims to evaluate and compare these systems’ performance, scalability, and practicality in a general context and then assess the impact they might have on special use cases, like HPC. ARM-based systems exhibited better performance and seamless integration with Docker and Kubernetes, underscoring their advanced development and effectiveness in managing high-performance computing workloads. On the other hand, despite their open-source architecture, RISC-V platforms presented considerable intricacy and difficulties in working with Kubernetes, which hurt their overall effectiveness and ease of management. The results of our study offer valuable insights into the practical consequences of implementing these architectures for HPC, highlighting ARM’s preparedness and the potential of RISC-V while acknowledging the increased complexity and significant trade-offs involved at this point.
Encouraging the Submission of Information by Reducing Confirming Costs
Authors: Iwanaga Saori , Kubo Masao , Sato Hiroshi
Published: September 2024

When a landslide occurs, the person who discovers it will likely report the disaster; however, a person who receives this report will likely need someone on site to check, since the reporter may have misread the information. This allows third parties to make use of the confirmed information. Facilitating such mechanisms for reporting, confirming, and utilizing disaster information is considered to be necessary for sharing details about one. In this paper, we proposed and analyzed an agent-based model that incorporates disaster behavior into the model of Toriumi et al. The reporting of a disaster refers to submitting articles, the confirmation of the information by another person refers to commenting on the articles, and utilizing the information refers to comments responding to the aforementioned comment using the framework of meta-reward games, based on the prisoner’s dilemma game. We then analyze the costs and rewards to encourage cooperation in several social networks. It is found that reducing the cost of commenting (conforming) encourages the submission of information. The properties of the results do not depend on network structure, which is novel and unexpected, and it is expected that the properties of real social networks will be predictable.
Multivariate Deep Learning Long Short-Term Memory-Based Forecasting for Microgrid Energy Management Systems
Authors: Moazzen Farid , Hossain M. J.
Published: September 2024

In the scope of energy management systems (EMSs) for microgrids, the forecasting module stands out as an essential element, significantly influencing the efficacy of optimal solution policies. Forecasts for consumption, generation, and market prices play a crucial role in both day-ahead and real-time decision-making processes within EMSs. This paper aims to develop a machine learning-based multivariate forecasting methodology to account for the intricate interplay pertaining to these variables from the perspective of day-ahead energy management. Specifically, our approach delves into the dynamic relationship between load demand variations and electricity price fluctuations within the microgrid EMSs. The investigation involves a comparative analysis and evaluation of recurrent neural networks’ performance to recognize the most effective technique for the forecasting module of microgrid EMSs. This study includes approaches based on Long Short-Term Memory Neural Networks (LSTMs), with architectures ranging from Vanilla LSTM, Stacked LSTM, Bi-directional LSTM, and Convolution LSTM to attention-based models. The empirical study involves analyzing real-world time-series data sourced from the Australian Energy Market (AEM), specifically focusing on historical data from the NSW state. The findings indicate that while the Triple-Stacked LSTM demonstrates superior performance for this application, it does not necessarily lead to more optimal operational costs, with forecast inaccuracies potentially causing deviations of up to forty percent from the optimal cost.
A Power Circulating Suppression Method for Parallel Transient Inverters with Instantaneous Phase Angle Compensation
Authors: Ji Shengxian , Xiao Fei , Jie Guisheng , Gao Shan , Ye Jiamin
Published: September 2024

A unidirectional link is typically incorporated into the DC input side of an inverter to ensure the reliability and stability of the microgrid power supply. Due to impedance and control variations among inverters, circulating currents may rapidly arise during the operation of parallel transient inverters. Nonetheless, the unidirectional power circulating in a DC unidirectional link results in energy accumulation on the DC side, causing DC bus voltage pumping and affecting MGs’ operation safety and stability. This paper proposes a non-communication-based circulation suppression strategy to suppress power circulation in parallel transients based on the local information of inverters. First, a parallel transient is modeled, and the power circulation phenomenon and its influencing factors are analyzed. Then, the instantaneous power and absorbed active energy are calculated to adjust the phase of the inverter output voltage and suppress power circulation. Moreover, the output frequency is adjusted to balance the DC-side voltage of each inverter. Then, the stability of the parallel system after adding the circulation suppression control strategy is verified using the Lyapunov function method. Finally, simulation and experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed power circulation suppression strategy.
A Novel VSG with Adaptive Virtual Inertia and Adaptive Damping Coefficient to Improve Transient Frequency Response of Microgrids
Authors: Gurski Erico , Kuiava Roman , Perez Filipe , Benedito Raphael A. S. , Damm Gilney
Published: September 2024

This paper proposes a combined adaptive virtual Inertia and adaptive damping control of a virtual synchronous generator (AID-VSG) to improve the dynamic frequency response of microgrids. In the proposed control scheme, the VSG’s virtual inertia and damping coefficients adapt themselves during the transients to, respectively, reduce frequency deviations and increase the oscillations’ damping. In addition, as an important feature, the proposed AID-VSG is suitable for distributed control scheme applications and is designed to not rely on phase-locked loop (PLL) measurements, which avoids PLL stability issues on weak grids. The control parameters of the proposed AID-VSG are tuned by the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm to minimize the overshoot and settling time of the microgrid’s frequency during an islanding event. The AID-VSG is validated by a comparative analysis with three existing VSG control schemes, also tuned by the stated optimization algorithm. The performance of each compared VSG strategy is evaluated through the simulation of a set of 10,000 initial conditions, using the islanded microgrid’s nonlinear model. The best response among the VSG strategies was achieved by the proposed AID-VSG control for both the optimization problem and the set of initial conditions’ simulations.
Assessing Decarbonization Approaches across Major Economies
Authors: Tick Andrea , Akaev Askar , Devezas Tessaleno Campos , Sarygulov Askar , Petryakov Alexander , Evgenevich Anufriev Igor
Published: September 2024

The global energy transition is an uneven process, fundamentally related to the level of economic development of countries and their access to energy resources (renewable and non-renewable) to a large extent. The global climate is interconnected, and all nations impact it through their products and services. The six countries discussed—China, Brazil, Germany, Japan, Russia, and India—account for 44.8% of global primary energy consumption and 49% of global CO2 emissions. Each of them has its own strategy for achieving carbon neutrality, based on different decarbonization scenarios, which, according to the authors, depend on geopolitical factors, national economy characteristics, and the established pragmatic goals and objectives. However, the “green agenda” itself may not always be among the top priorities when formulating energy strategies. The study objective is to analyze the feasibility of the stated goals in these countries using a combined logistic curve-based forecasting tool for predicting solar and wind production as well as investment volumes. It aims to justify the relation between solar and wind energy production and investment policies using a calculated technological coefficient. Results show similar, but time-shifted fluctuating investment dynamics in solar and wind energy trends in Japan, Germany and China, with Germany and Japan outperforming investment forecasts when considering the technology efficiency coefficient. Furthermore, the findings highlight the overwhelming appreciation of the unevenness of the green transition process, which will consequently make it impossible to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement until 2050. Taking these factors into consideration, exploratory decarbonization scenarios for these six major world economies alongside two dimensions, namely, the pace of green transition versus green technology and versus resources, are presented.
Short-Term Optimal Scheduling of Power Grids Containing Pumped-Storage Power Station Based on Security Quantification
Authors: Li Hua , Qiu Xiangfei , Xi Qiuyi , Wang Ruogu , Zhang Gang , Wang Yanxin , Zhang Bao
Published: September 2024

In order to improve grid security while pursuing a grid operation economy and new energy consumption rates, this paper proposes a short-term optimal scheduling method based on security quantification for the grid containing a pumped-storage power plant. The method first establishes a grid security evaluation model to evaluate grid security from the perspective of grid resilience. Then, a short-term optimal dispatch model of the grid based on security quantification is constructed with the new energy consumption rate and grid loss as the objectives. In addition, an efficient intelligent optimization algorithm, Dung Beetle Optimization, is introduced to solve the scheduling model, dynamically updating the evaluation intervals during the iterative solution process and evaluating the grid security level and selecting the best result after the iterative solution. Finally, the improvement in the term IEEE 30-bus grid connected to a pumped-storage power plant is used as an example to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method and model.
Improving the Economic Feasibility of Small-Scale Biogas-Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Energy Systems through a Local Ugandan Biochar Production Method
Authors: Wasajja Henry , Champatan Vipin , Verhorst Rob , Lindeboom Ralph E. F. , van Lier Jules B. , Aravind Purushothaman V.
Published: September 2024

A small-scale (up to 5 kWe) biogas-solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) energy system is an envisioned system, which can be used to meet both electrical and thermal energy demand of off-grid settlements. SOFC systems are reported to be more efficient than alternatives like internal combustion engines (ICE). In addition to energy recovery, implementation of biogas-SOFC systems can enhance sanitation among these settlements. However, the capital investment costs and the operation and maintenance costs of a biogas-SOFC energy system are currently higher than the existing alternatives. From previous works, H2S removal by biochar was proposed as a potential local cost-effective alternative. This research demonstrates the techno-economic potential of locally produced biochars made from cow manure, jackfruit leaves, and jack fruit branches in rural Uganda for purifying the biogas prior to SOFC use. Results revealed that the use of biochar from cow manure and jack fruit leaves can reduce H2S to below the desired 1 ppm and substitute alternative biogas treatments like activated carbon. These experimental results were then translated to demonstrate how this biochar would improve the economic feasibility for the implementation of biogas-SOFC systems. It is likely that the operation and maintenance cost of a biogas-SOFC energy system can in the long run be reduced by over 80%. Also, the use of internal reforming as opposed to external reforming can greatly reduce the system capital cost by over 25% and hence further increase the chances of system economic feasibility. By applying the proposed cost reduction strategies coupled with subsidies such as tax reduction or exemption, the biogas-SOFC energy system could become economically competitive with the already existing technologies for off-grid electricity generation, like solar photovoltaic systems.
Gel Diffusiophoresis of a Spherical Colloidal Particle
Authors: Ohshima Hiroyuki
Published: September 2024

A theoretical framework is established for the gel diffusiophoresis of a spherical colloidal particle moving through an uncharged dilute porous polymer gel medium when an electrolyte concentration gradient field is applied. The network of cross-linked polymer segments is treated as a porous skeleton containing an electrolyte solution using the Brinkman–Debye–Bueche model. We derive a general expression for the gel-diffusiophoretic mobility of a charged spherical colloidal particle. Based on this general mobility expression, we farther derive a closed-form approximate expression for the gel-diffusiophoretic mobility of a weakly charged spherical particle correct to the second order of the particle’s zeta potential. The obtained mobility expression depends on the Debye–Hückel parameter and the Brinkmann parameter.
Machine Learning for Dynamic Pressure Coefficient Prediction in Vertical Water Jets
Authors: Salemnia Amin , Boldaji Seyedehmaryam Hosseini , Atashi Vida , Fathi-Moghadam Manoochehr
Published: September 2024

Vertical water jets present significant challenges for hydraulic structures due to their potential to cause erosion and structural damage. This study aimed to predict the dimensionless pressure coefficient (Cp) of vertical water jets by examining the relationships between experimental parameters, such as Froude number, slope, and the ratio of waterfall height over the product of the Froude number and diameter, referred to as α, using machine learning models. Two hundred forty controlled experiments were conducted, with pressure data collected. To address the problem’s non-linearity, six machine learning models were tested: linear regression, K-nearest neighbors, decision tree, support vector regression, random forest, and XGBoost. The XGBoost model outperformed others, achieving an R-squared of 0.953 and a Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of 0.191. Residual analysis validated its better performance, demonstrating that it delivered the most accurate predictions with minimal bias. Feature importance analysis revealed the Froude number was the most significant predictor, followed by slope and diameter. This study emphasizes the importance of the Froude number in predicting jet behavior and shows the efficacy of advanced machine learning models in capturing complex fluid dynamics, providing valuable insights for optimizing engineering applications such as water jet cutting and cooling systems.
In Silico Analysis: Molecular Characterization and Evolutionary Study of CLCN Gene Family in Buffalo
Authors: Fu Yiheng , Khan Muhammad Farhan , Wang Yingqi , Parveen Shakeela , Sultana Mehwish , Liu Qingyou , Shafique Laiba
Published: September 2024

Chloride channels (ClCs) have received global interest due to their significant role in the regulation of ion homeostasis, fluid transport, and electrical excitability of tissues and organs in different mammals and contributing to various functions, such as neuronal signaling, muscle contraction, and regulating the electrolytes’ balance in kidneys and other organs. In order to define the chloride voltage-gated channel (CLCN) gene family in buffalo, this study used in silico analyses to examine physicochemical properties, evolutionary patterns, and genome-wide identification. We identified eight CLCN genes in buffalo. The ProtParam tool analysis identified a number of important physicochemical properties of these proteins, including hydrophilicity, thermostability, in vitro instability, and basic nature. Based on their evolutionary relationships, a phylogenetic analysis divided the eight discovered genes into three subfamilies. Furthermore, a gene structure analysis, motif patterns, and conserved domains using TBtool demonstrated the significant conservation of this gene family among selected species over the course of evolution. A comparative amino acid analysis using ClustalW revealed similarities and differences between buffalo and cattle CLCN proteins. Three duplicated gene pairs were identified, all of which were segmental duplications except for CLCN4-CLCN5, which was a tandem duplication in buffalo. For each gene pair, the Ka/Ks test ratio findings showed that none of the ratios was more than one, indicating that these proteins were likely subject to positive selection. A synteny analysis confirmed a conserved pattern of genomic blocks between buffalo and cattle. Transcriptional control in cells relies on the binding of transcription factors to specific sites in the genome. The number of transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) was higher in cattle compared to buffalo. Five main recombination breakpoints were identified at various places in the recombination analysis. The outcomes of our study provide new knowledge about the CLCN gene family in buffalo and open the door for further research on candidate genes in vertebrates through genome-wide studies.