bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining the Impact of Virtual Animal Stimuli on College Students’ Affect and Perception of their Academic Advising Experience
Authors: Johnson Elizabeth A. , Survase Sheetal , Gray Peter B.
Published: May 2023

The benefits of animal-assisted interventions (AAI) involving animals in therapy are widely accepted. The presence of animals in therapy can decrease a patient’s reservation about therapy and promote a sense of comfort and rapport during the therapy process. Using survey data from college students (n = 152) attending a large public four-year institution, this study is the first to investigate the benefits of virtual animal stimuli during academic advising appointments. It posits that exposure to virtual animal stimuli can influence positive mental health and well-being in academic advising settings. Specifically, the research questions explored how different types of video content influence students’ affect and how virtual animal stimuli impact students’ perception of their advisor and university. College students were randomly assigned to watch one of four types of virtual stimuli (wild animals, companion animals, nature, and a control) prior to their advising session. Subjective measures were collected at baseline and after the advising session. Results indicated animal stimuli increase positive affect, and companion animal stimuli influence the student’s perception of the advisor. This study supports the notion that companion animal videos positively impact students’ well-being and interactions with their advisors and may have broader implications beyond the academic setting.
Recognizing Zooeyia to Promote Companion Animal Welfare in Urban Bangladesh
Authors: Kamal Abu-Hena Mostofa , Dell Colleen Anne , Kang Timothy
Published: May 2023

The One Health concept of zooeyia refers to the benefits of companion animals in human health and is gaining global research attention. This exploratory study aimed to understand contemporary experiences and perceptions of the social benefits and challenges of living with a companion animal in urban Bangladesh. Thirty-five qualitative interviews were conducted with companion animal owners (20), animal sellers (10), and livestock service department officers (5) from two major cities in Bangladesh, Dhaka and Khulna. Thematic analysis found that historically, animals had a utilitarian purpose, such as livestock for food and dogs for security. The role and perceptions of companion animals began to change for some around the turn of the century. Today, companion animal caretakers report social, psychological and physical health benefits from integrating companion animals into their lives. They also report that companion animal ownership can contribute to social problems due to the prevailing stigma against companion animals. This is rooted in the continued utilitarian role attached to companion animals by the majority of the Bangladesh population as well as religious-based non-acceptance. As a result, the Animal Welfare Act (2019) is not well implemented, posing a key concern for companion animal welfare. To tackle this, we propose various ways in which the emerging concept of zooeyia can help promote the welfare of companion animals by challenging the stigma associated with them in Bangladesh.
Decision Challenges for Managing Acute Paediatric Infections: Implications for Antimicrobial Resistance
Authors: Krockow Eva M. , Patel Sanjay , Roland Damian
Published: May 2023

Overprescribing of antibiotics in paediatrics accounts for a significant proportion of inappropriate antibiotic use in human healthcare, thereby contributing to the global health emergency of antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial stewardship efforts are complicated by the unique social dynamics in paediatric healthcare, with a specific challenge being the prominent role of parents and carers who act as intermediaries between prescribers and paediatric patients. In this Perspective article concentrating on healthcare of the United Kingdom, we describe this complicated interplay of different decision stakeholders (patients, parents and prescribers), outline four dimensions of decision challenges (social, psychological, systemic and specific diagnostic and treatment challenges) and provide a number of theory-based strategies for supporting different stakeholders during the decision process, ultimately with the aim of improving antimicrobial stewardship. Key decision challenges for patients and carers include limited knowledge and experience of managing infections, which were exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic and frequently result in health anxiety and inappropriate health-seeking behaviours. Challenges for medical prescribers span societal pressures from prominent patient litigation cases, cognitive biases, and system pressures to specific diagnostic problems (e.g., age limitations of current clinical scoring systems). Strategies for mitigating decision challenges in paediatric infection management will need to include a range of context- and stakeholder-specific actions, including improvements of integrated care and public health education as well as better clinical decision tools and access to evidence-based guidelines.
Chloramphenicol Derivatization in Its Primary Hydroxyl Group with Basic Amino Acids Leads to New Pharmacophores with High Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Tsirogianni Artemis , Kournoutou Georgia G. , Mpogiatzoglou Maria , Dinos George , Athanassopoulos Constantinos M.
Published: May 2023

In a previous study published by our group, successful modification of the antibiotic chloramphenicol (CHL) was reported, which was achieved by replacing the dichloroacetyl tail with alpha and beta amino acids, resulting in promising new antibacterial pharmacophores. In this study, CHL was further modified by linking the basic amino acids lysine, ornithine, and histidine to the primary hydroxyl group of CHL via triazole, carbamate, or amide bonding. Our results showed that while linking the basic amino acids retained antibacterial activity, it was somewhat reduced compared to CHL. However, in vitro testing demonstrated that all derivatives were comparable in activity to CHL and competed for the same ribosomal binding site with radioactive chloramphenicol. The amino acid–CHL tethering modes were evaluated either with carbamate (7, 8) derivatives, which exhibited higher activity, or with amide- (4–6) or triazole-bridged compounds (1–3), which were equally potent. Our findings suggest that these new pharmacophores have potential as antimicrobial agents, though further optimization is needed.
Antimycobacterial Activity of Hedeoma drummondii against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria
Authors: Molina-Torres Carmen , Pedraza-Rodríguez Carlos , Vera-Cabrera Lucio , Ocampo-Candiani Jorge , Rivas-Morales Catalina , Viveros-Valdez Ezequiel
Published: May 2023

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major health problem worldwide, and the emergence of multi-resistant strains to first-line drugs has become the biggest obstacle to its treatment. On the other hand, the incidence of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in humans has increased remarkably in recent years. The search for new and better treatments against mycobacterial infections is a constant at the global level. Hence, in this study, we propose to investigate the antimycobacterial effect of the extracts and major compounds of Hedeoma drummondii against clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacteria: M. abscessus, M. fortuitum, M. intracellulare, and M. gordonae. To determine the antimycobacterial activity, a microdilution assay was used to establish the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the different strains of Mycobacterium. The methanolic extract presented the best activity against M. tuberculosis, inhibiting ten of the twelve strains analyzed at a concentration < 2500 µg/mL; meanwhile, the hexanic extract presented the best activity against non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) by inhibiting eight of the ten strains studied at ≤625 µg/mL. Moreover, there is a strong positive correlation between the antimycobacterial activity of pulegone and the hexanic extract against non-tuberculous strains, so this compound could serve as a predictability marker against these types of microorganisms.
Non-Adherence in Adult Male Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia: Relative Forgiveness of Amoxicillin versus Respiratory Fluoroquinolones
Authors: Carral Nerea , Lukas John C. , Estradé Oskar , Jauregizar Nerea , Morillas Héctor , Suárez Elena
Published: May 2023

The consequences of non-adherence to treatment (NAT) on antimicrobial efficacy may depend on drug forgiveness—a property that should account for pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) as well as interindividual variability. In this simulation study, relative forgiveness (RF) in NAT, defined as the probability of a successful PK/PD target (PTA) attained under perfect adherence compared to imperfect adherence, was evaluated for amoxicillin (AMOX) (oral 1000 mg/8 h) and two respiratory fluoroquinolones—levofloxacin (LFX) (oral 750 mg/24 h) and moxifloxacin (MOX) (oral 400 mg/24 h)—in virtual outpatients with community-acquired pneumonia for S. pneumoniae. Several NAT scenarios (delay in dose intake and a missed dose) were considered. PK characteristics of virtual patients, including variability in creatinine clearance (70–131 mL/min) and S. pneumoniae susceptibility variability associated with geographical location, were simulated in NAT. In this regard, in regions of low MIC delays from 1 h to 7 h or omission of dose ingestion would not have negative consequences on the efficacy of AMOX because of its good RF associated with the AMOX PK and PD properties; RF of LFX 750 mg or MOX 400 mg/24 h regimen vs. AMOX 1000 mg/8 h is one. However, in regions of elevated MIC for S. pneumoniae AMOX loses its RF, LFX and MOX vs. AMOX, showing higher RF (>1) depending on the CLCR of patients. These results illustrate the importance of considering the RF of antimicrobial drugs in NAT and provide a framework for further studying its implications for clinical success rates.
Apolipoprotein D in Oxidative Stress and Inflammation
Authors: Fyfe-Desmarais Guillaume , Desmarais Fréderik , Rassart Éric , Mounier Catherine
Published: May 2023

Apolipoprotein D (ApoD) is lipocalin able to bind hydrophobic ligands. The APOD gene is upregulated in a number of pathologies, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, and hypothyroidism. Upregulation of ApoD is linked to decreased oxidative stress and inflammation in several models, including humans, mice, Drosophila melanogaster and plants. Studies suggest that the mechanism through which ApoD modulates oxidative stress and regulate inflammation is via its capacity to bind arachidonic acid (ARA). This polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid can be metabolised to generate large variety of pro-inflammatory mediators. ApoD serves as a sequester, blocking and/or altering arachidonic metabolism. In recent studies of diet-induced obesity, ApoD has been shown to modulate lipid mediators derived from ARA, but also from eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in an anti-inflammatory way. High levels of ApoD have also been linked to better metabolic health and inflammatory state in the round ligament of morbidly obese women. Since ApoD expression is upregulated in numerous diseases, it might serve as a therapeutic agent against pathologies aggravated by OS and inflammation such as many obesity comorbidities. This review will present the most recent findings underlying the central role of ApoD in the modulation of both OS and inflammation.
Cocoa Bean Shell: A By-Product with High Potential for Nutritional and Biotechnological Applications
Authors: Sánchez Marta , Laca Amanda , Laca Adriana , Díaz Mario
Published: May 2023

Cocoa bean shell (CBS) is one of the main solid wastes derived from the chocolate industry. This residual biomass could be an interesting source of nutrients and bioactive compounds due to its high content in dietary fibres, polyphenols and methylxanthines. Specifically, CBS can be employed as a raw material for the recovery of, for example, antioxidants, antivirals and/or antimicrobials. Additionally, it can be used as a substrate to obtain biofuels (bioethanol or biomethane), as an additive in food processing, as an adsorbent and, even, as a corrosion-inhibiting agent. Together with the research on obtaining and characterising different compounds of interest from CBS, some works have focused on the employment of novel sustainable extraction methods and others on the possible use of the whole CBS or some derived products. This review provides insight into the different alternatives of CBS valorisation, including the most recent innovations, trends and challenges for the biotechnological application of this interesting and underused by-product.
Role of Platinum Nanozymes in the Oxidative Stress Response of Salmonella Typhimurium
Authors: Belloso Daza Mireya Viviana , Scarsi Anna , Gatto Francesca , Rocchetti Gabriele , Pompa Pier Paolo , Cocconcelli Pier Sandro
Published: May 2023

Platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) are being intensively explored as efficient nanozymes due to their biocompatibility coupled with excellent catalytic activities, which make them potential candidates as antimicrobial agents. Their antibacterial efficacy and the precise mechanism of action are, however, still unclear. In this framework, we investigated the oxidative stress response of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium cells when exposed to 5 nm citrate coated PtNPs. Notably, by performing a systematic investigation that combines the use of a knock-out mutant strain 12023 HpxF- with impaired response to ROS (ΔkatE ΔkatG ΔkatN ΔahpCF ΔtsaA) and its respective wild-type strain, growth experiments in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, and untargeted metabolomic profiling, we were able to disclose the involved antibacterial mechanisms. Interestingly, PtNPs exerted their biocidal effect mainly through their oxidase-like properties, though with limited antibacterial activity on the wild-type strain at high particle concentrations and significantly stronger action on the mutant strain, especially in aerobic conditions. The untargeted metabolomic analyses of oxidative stress markers revealed that 12023 HpxF- was not able to cope with PtNPs-based oxidative stress as efficiently as the parental strain. The observed oxidase-induced effects comprise bacterial membrane damage as well as lipid, glutathione and DNA oxidation. On the other hand, in the presence of exogenous bactericidal agents such as hydrogen peroxide, PtNPs display a protective ROS scavenging action, due to their efficient peroxidase mimicking activity. This mechanistic study can contribute to clarifying the mechanisms of PtNPs and their potential applications as antimicrobial agents.
Stability and Bioaccessibility of Phenolic Compounds in Rosehip Extracts during In Vitro Digestion
Authors: Odriozola-Serrano Isabel , Nogueira Danielle P. , Esparza Irene , Vaz Ana A. , Jiménez-Moreno Nerea , Martín-Belloso Olga , Ancín-Azpilicueta Carmen
Published: May 2023

Rosehips, particularly dog rose fruits (Rosa canina L.), are a great source of antioxidant compounds, mainly phenolics. However, their health benefits directly depend on the bioaccessibility of these compounds affected by gastrointestinal digestion. Thus, the purpose of this research was to study the impact of gastrointestinal and colonic in vitro digestions on the concentration of total and individual bioaccessible phenolic compounds from a hydroalcoholic extract of rosehips (Rosa canina) and also their antioxidant capacity. A total of 34 phenolic compounds were detected in the extracts using UPLC-MS/MS. Ellagic acid, taxifolin, and catechin were the most abundant compounds in the free fraction, while gallic and p-coumaric acids were the main compounds in the bound phenolic fraction. Gastric digestion negatively affected the content of free phenolic compounds and the antioxidant activity measured using the DPPH radical method. However, there was an enhancement of antioxidant properties in terms of phenolic content and antioxidant activity (DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl): 18.01 ± 4.22 mmol Trolox Equivalent (TE)/g; FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power): 7.84 ± 1.83 mmol TE/g) after the intestinal stage. The most bioaccessible phenolic compounds were flavonols (73.3%) and flavan-3-ols (71.4%). However, the bioaccessibility of phenolic acids was 3%, probably indicating that most of the phenolic acids were still bound to other components of the extract. Ellagic acid is an exception since it presented a high bioaccessibility (93%) as it was mainly found in the free fraction of the extract. Total phenolic content decreased after in vitro colonic digestion, probably due to chemical transformations of the phenolic compounds by gut microbiota. These results demonstrated that rosehip extracts have a great potential to be used as a functional ingredient.
Central Facial Nervous System Biomolecules Involved in Peripheral Facial Nerve Injury Responses and Potential Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Lee Jae-Min , Choi You Jung , Yoo Myung Chul , Yeo Seung Geun
Published: May 2023

Peripheral facial nerve injury leads to changes in the expression of various neuroactive substances that affect nerve cell damage, survival, growth, and regeneration. In the case of peripheral facial nerve damage, the injury directly affects the peripheral nerves and induces changes in the central nervous system (CNS) through various factors, but the substances involved in these changes in the CNS are not well understood. The objective of this review is to investigate the biomolecules involved in peripheral facial nerve damage so as to gain insight into the mechanisms and limitations of targeting the CNS after such damage and identify potential facial nerve treatment strategies. To this end, we searched PubMed using keywords and exclusion criteria and selected 29 eligible experimental studies. Our analysis summarizes basic experimental studies on changes in the CNS following peripheral facial nerve damage, focusing on biomolecules that increase or decrease in the CNS and/or those involved in the damage, and reviews various approaches for treating facial nerve injury. By establishing the biomolecules in the CNS that change after peripheral nerve damage, we can expect to identify factors that play an important role in functional recovery from facial nerve damage. Accordingly, this review could represent a significant step toward developing treatment strategies for peripheral facial palsy.
A Numerical Simulation of the Subsidence Reduction Effect of Different Grouting Schemes in Multi-Coal Seam Goafs
Authors: Wang Hai , Qin Yan , Guo Yuxi , Xu Nengxiong
Published: May 2023

Grouting is the most widely used technology for treating coal goafs. In this study, a numerical simulation method was used to establish a model of multi-seam goafs with different spacing conditions to investigate the subsidence reduction effects of various grouting schemes on multi-coal seam goafs. By varying the range and opportunity of grouting treatments, the effects of coal seam spacing, grouting treatment range, and grouting opportunity on subsidence reduction were analyzed. The results showed that: (1) With constant overburden (OB), the subsidence reduction ratio of the subgrade center increases linearly as the interburden (IB) decreases (1 ≤ OB/IB ≤ 2), then increases exponentially (2 < OB/IB), and eventually becomes stable. (2) When treatment is conducted based on the half-width of the subgrade, the width of the subgrade, and the range of the trapezoid, residual surface subsidence tends to adopt an inclined ‘W’-shape in open cutting. The surface residual subsidence exhibits a symmetrical ‘W’-shape when full-range grouting is adopted. (3) For a multi-coal seam goaf with longer mining stoppage time, the subsidence reduction ratio of the subgrade center is lower, and it is exponentially related to the grouting opportunity. As the grouting opportunity is extended and OB/IB decreases, the subsidence reduction ratio of the subgrade center declines exponentially.
Anomaly Detection for Automated Vehicles Integrating Continuous Wavelet Transform and Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Wang Liyuan , Zhang Xiaomei
Published: May 2023

Connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) involving massive advanced sensors and electronic control units (ECUs) bring intelligentization to the transportation system and conveniences to human mobility. Unfortunately, these automated vehicles face security threats due to complexity and connectivity. Especially, the existing in-vehicle network protocols (e.g., controller area network) lack security consideration, which is vulnerable to malicious attacks and puts people at large-scale severe risks. In this paper, we propose a novel anomaly detection model that integrates a continuous wavelet transform (CWT) and convolutional neural network (CNN) for an in-vehicle network. By transforming in-vehicle sensor signals in different segments, we adopt CWT to calculate wavelet coefficients for vehicle state image construction so that the model exploits both the time and frequency domain characteristics of the raw data, which can demonstrate more hidden patterns of vehicle events and improve the accuracy of the follow-up detection process. Our model constructs a two-dimensional continuous wavelet transform scalogram (CWTS) and utilizes it as an input into our optimized CNN. The proposed model is able to provide local transient characteristics of the signals so that it can detect anomaly deviations caused by malicious behaviors, and the model is effective for coping with various vehicle anomalies. The experiments show the superior performance of our proposed model under different anomaly scenarios. Compared with related works, the average accuracy and F1 score are improved by 2.51% and 2.46%.
Assessment of Healing after Diode Laser Gingivectomy Prior to Prosthetic Procedures
Authors: Kazakova Rada , Tomov Georgi , Vlahova Angelina , Zlatev Stefan , Dimitrova Mariya , Kazakov Stoyan , Corsalini Massimo , Forte Marta , Di Venere Daniela , Dell’Olio Fabio , Barile Giuseppe , Capodiferro Saverio
Published: May 2023

The current pilot study investigates the effects following removal of excessive gingival tissue, which is often necessary in fixed prosthodontic cases. The aim of the study is to assess gingival healing after diode laser gingivectomy prior to prosthetic procedures. Materials and methods: The healing process of the gingiva after the diode laser gingivectomy of 41 teeth was assessed. The following parameters were examined: recovery time of the gingiva, possibility to take the impression at the same visit, duration of the manipulation, bleeding during the procedure, tissue adherence to the instrument, postoperative hemorrhage on probing, postoperative pain, and wound healing in regard to tissue color, tissue contour, and appearance of the wound. Results: At the 24th hour, all gingival wounds were covered with fibrinous plaque and an erythematous halo. At the 72nd hour, in two cases (4.9%), this wound’s characteristic had already passed through to the next healing stage—granulated surface and normal pale pink color. A granulated surface in the 1st week was reported in 10 (24.4%) cases, and in all of the other 31 (75.6%) cases, complete healing was reported. In the second week, all wound surfaces had a normal pale pink color. Bleeding was self-limiting in most of the cases and negligible from a clinical point of view. The postoperative pain levels were low or nonexistent. There was lack of postoperative hemorrhage on probing after the first week in all examined cases. Tissue recovery in terms of tissue contour, color, and appearance of the wound was asymptomatic. Conclusion: within the limitations of this pilot study, the outcomes of the wound healing after laser gingivectomy aided the clinicians to perform the prosthetic procedures in the same visit.
Regulation of Calcium Source and Addition Method for MICP in Repairing High-Temperature Concrete Damage
Authors: Wei Hong , Fan Yanan , Du Hongxiu , Liang Renwang , Wang Xiaoyuan
Published: May 2023

After exposure to high temperatures, the mechanical properties and durability of concrete structures are significantly reduced, and effective measures must be taken for reinforcement and repair. High-temperature concrete damage manifests as looseness, spalling, and cracks, which are suitable for microbial-induced carbonate precipitation. When repairing high-temperature concrete damage with microbial-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP), the calcium source is an important influencing factor. The type of calcium source and the method used to add calcium source will directly affect the mineralized products, which in turn affect the quality of the repair. In this study, the mineralized products of Sporosarcina pasteurii were qualitatively analyzed and the appropriate type of calcium source and addition method were determined. The repair effect on high-temperature concrete damage was also verified. The results showed that the mineralized products of Sporosarcina pasteurii were calcium carbonate, with mixed vaterite and calcite crystals. Calcium acetate was found to be the most appropriate calcium source, while the pre-calcium-source addition method was shown to be optimal. At each damage temperature, the compressive strength showed a certain degree of recovery, and the water absorption exhibited a certain degree of reduction. At 600 °C, the compressive strength of the repaired specimens increased up to 202.68% compared with the damaged specimens and the water absorption of the repaired specimens was 34.32% lower than that of the damaged specimens. The higher the damage temperature, the more obvious the repair effect.
Performance of Base-Isolated RC School Building under Blast Loading
Authors: Toplu Elif , Kırtel Osman
Published: May 2023

It is known that bomb-laden vehicles target many buildings as a result of terrorist activities. The effects of such attacks must be reduced and structures must be protected against blast effects. In high seismic hazard regions, buildings are designed to be earthquake resistant. One of the methods used to dampen earthquake effects on structures is base isolation. Base isolation is effective in distributing blast loads to the structure, similar to seismic loading. In this study, the effects of this distribution on the structure will be evaluated. The scope of the study encompasses the numerical estimation of explosive loads at different distances according to the explosive material carrying capacity of various vehicles and their effects on structures. Linear and nonlinear analysis methods were used to compare the dynamic behaviour of school buildings designed with and without base isolators. The Turkish Building Earthquake Code (2018), which includes the maximum seismic loads, was used in the design of the isolators. Numerical analysis was performed using SAP2000 software based on the finite element method. The blast loads were applied to the floors of the building using the direct integration method in the time domain. FEMA standards were used to determine the blast loads and the performance was evaluated in comparison with the numerical analysis results. As a result of the study, it was concluded that structures with base isolators are efficient in reducing the effects of an explosion at certain distances and these distances will affect the design of the shelter walls.
Spectroscopic Study of the Interaction of Reactive Dyes with Polymeric Cationic Modifiers of Cotton Fabrics
Authors: Papapetros Konstantinos , Sygellou Labrini , Anastasopoulos Charalampos , Andrikopoulos Konstantinos S. , Bokias Georgios , Voyiatzis George A.
Published: May 2023

Cotton cationization with low molecular weight or polymeric cationic modifiers allows the effective dyeing of cotton substrates with reactive dyes under salt-free and more environmentally friendly conditions. The current work focuses on the spectroscopic study of the intermolecular interactions, which dictate the physicochemical process associated with fabric dyeing. Water-soluble cationic copolymers of vinyl benzyl chloride (VBC) and vinyl benzyl triethylammonium chloride (VBCTEAM) have been used as cellulose cationic modifiers. Dye uptake was assessed using Remazol Brilliant Blue R and Novacron Ruby S-3B dyes. The study involves ATR-FTIR, UV-Vis, fluorescence, and XPS spectroscopy. The results of binary polymer-rich dye-polymer aqueous solutions or dye-polymer precipitates at stoichiometric charge-ratio revealed that the sulfonate/sulfate anions of the dyes interact with the cationic VBCTEAM units of the polymer via electrostatic interactions. Moreover, the comparative study of dye application on modified and unmodified fabrics suggests that, unlike the latter, where dyes are chemically bound to cellulose, electrostatic forces dominate the interaction of modified fabrics with dye molecules.
Pressure–Relief Gas Cooperative Drainage Technology in a Short-Distance Coal Seam Group
Authors: Ni Lianqin , Yuan Anying , Hu Zuxiang
Published: May 2023

The gas in a coal seam is a clean energy source, but it is also the main cause of gas accidents during the mining of mineral resources. There is a large pressure–relief gas influx in the upper and lower adjacent layers of 1211 working face in the Wanfeng Coal Mine in Jinhui, Shanxi Province, China. Based on the evolution law of overburden fractures, the collaborative pressure–relief gas extraction mode of “directional drilling in the gas-conducting fractured zone + staggered buried-pipe in the goaf” is innovatively proposed. The research results indicate that, under the influence of gas pressure gradient and buoyancy, a gas–concentration enrichment zone is formed at a distance of 10.8–24.1 m from the boundary of the mining layer. After optimizing the arrangement of roof directional-drilling layer and layer position, as well as the staggered distance of buried pipe drainage, the average gas-drainage rate reached 83.2% during the test working face, and the gas volume fraction in the upper corner was maintained below 0.7%. This mode can greatly improve the efficiency of mining mineral resources and gas energy utilization in short-distance coal seam groups, while solving the problem of gas accumulation in the upper corner caused by negative pressure of air flow during the mining process of mineral resources.
The Interplay between Air Quality and Energy Efficiency in Museums, a Review
Authors: Dabanlis Georgios , Loupa Glykeria , Tsalidis Georgios Archimidis , Kostenidou Evangelia , Rapsomanikis Spyridon
Published: May 2023

Energy efficiency in museums and buildings that house works of art or cultural heritage appears to be a difficult achievement if indoor air quality has to be kept at appropriate levels for artefacts’ long-term sustainability. There is a gap in our scientific literature on the relationship between indoor air quality and energy efficiency, meaning that there are no numerical data that examine both of them simultaneously, although this is a theme that is broadly discussed by museum managers, curators, and scientists. It is certain that the two parameters, indoor air quality (IAQ) and energy efficiency (EEF) are conflicting and difficult to reconcile. Furthermore, IAQ is not only the determination of temperature, relative humidity, and CO2, as is usually presented. Using green or renewable energy does not make a building “energy efficient”. Hence, in the manuscript we review the literature on IAQ of museums and exhibition buildings, in conjunction with the consideration of their EEF. Hopefully, reviewing the literature for this problem may lead to carefully designed monitoring experiments. The selection, application, and testing of appropriate technological measures can lead to a new balance between the two conflicting parameters. Not only must solutions be found, but these solutions are necessary in the mitigation battle against climate change.
Unity Power Factor Operation in Microgrid Applications Using Fuzzy Type 2 Nested Controllers
Authors: Awad Hilmy , Ibrahim Amr M. , De Santis Michele , Bayoumi Ehab H. E.
Published: May 2023

The issue of low-power factor operation microgrids was reported for several layouts. Although numerous power factor improvement strategies have been applied and tested, various concerns remain to be addressed such as transient performance, simplicity of implementation, and satisfying the power-quality standards. The presented research aimed to design and implement controllers that can improve the transient response of microgrids due to changes in the load demand and achieve a near-unity power factor at the AC grid side, to which the DC microgrid is connected. Due to the nonlinear nature of microgrids, as they rely on power electronics converters, a Fuzzy type 2 controller was designed, implemented, and tested. The focus was given to improving the power factor of the DC microgrids. The validation of the proposed technique was verified by comparing its performance with Fuzzy type 1 and autotuned conventional PI controllers. To achieve the set aims, two nested control loops were designed with an inner current loop and an outer voltage loop. Besides MATLAB/Simulink simulations, a 10 kHz-sampling dSPACE platform was used to implement the suggested system. Two operational scenarios were tested: (1) a step change in the DC link voltage and (2) a change in the AC load (increase and decrease) at the output of the power inverter, connected to the DC grid. The simulation and experimental results confirmed that the proposed Fuzzy type 2 controller performed better than the other two techniques regarding the dynamic response, steady-state error, and compliance with power quality standards. Conventional approaches develop controllers using a linearized model, which limits the model accuracy and ignores higher-order variability. The method employs the nonlinear model. Fuzzy type 2 can better approximate high-precision problems than Fuzzy type 1.
Simulation of Parameters of Plasma Dynamics of a Magneto Plasma Compressor
Authors: Kuzenov Victor V. , Ryzhkov Sergei V. , Yu. Varaksin Aleksey
Published: May 2023

The main purpose of this article is to study the features of the structure and spectral brightness characteristics of pulsed emitting discharges of the magneto plasma compressor type in dense gases over a wide range of energy–power parameters. A numerical simulation of plasma dynamic magneto plasma compressor discharge in gases is carried out. Different quasi-stationary regimes have been studied and the main characteristics have been estimated.
A Reinforcement Learning Approach for Integrating an Intelligent Home Energy Management System with a Vehicle-to-Home Unit
Authors: Almughram Ohoud , Abdullah ben Slama Sami , Zafar Bassam A.
Published: May 2023

These days, users consume more electricity during peak hours, and electricity prices are typically higher between 3:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. If electric vehicle (EV) charging occurs during the same hours, the impact on residential distribution networks increases. Thus, home energy management systems (HEMS) have been introduced to manage the energy demand among households and EVs in residential distribution networks, such as a smart micro-grid (MG). Moreover, HEMS can efficiently manage renewable energy sources, such as solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, wind turbines, and vehicle energy storage. Until now, no HEMS has intelligently coordinated the uncertainty of smart MG elements. This paper investigated the impact of PV solar power, MG storage, and EVs on the maximum solar radiation hours. Several deep learning (DL) algorithms were utilized to account for the uncertainties. A reinforcement learning home centralized photovoltaic (RL-HCPV) scheduling algorithm was developed to manage the energy demand between the smart MG elements. The RL-HCPV system was modelled according to several constraints to meet household electricity demands in sunny and cloudy weather. Additionally, simulations demonstrated how the proposed RL-HCPV system could incorporate uncertainty, and efficiently handle the demand response and how vehicle-to-home (V2H) can help to level the appliance load profile and reduce power consumption costs with sustainable power production. The results demonstrated the advantages of utilizing RL and V2H technology as potential smart building storage technology.
Adhesion Strength Analysis of Synthetic Polymer Rubberized Gel on Diversely Wetted Concrete Surfaces
Authors: Kim Jae-Kyung , Park Sang-Tae , Lee Jong-Yong , Oh Kyu-Hwan , Jiang Bo , Oh Sang-Keun , Kang Boo-Seong
Published: May 2023

In this study, the relationship between viscosity of synthetic polymer rubberized gel (SPRG) used for waterproofing and adhesive strength on varying degrees of wetted surfaces is examined. First, SPRG specimens of different ratios of viscosity modifiers were prepared (3% to 10%, interval of 1% per specimen type). These specimens were installed onto substrate surfaces of varying degrees of humidity ratio (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 50%, 70% and 100%). Upon following the standard installation procedure of the SPRG specimens, standard pull-off tests were conducted. Results of the test showed that a consistent relationship exists between the viscosity of synthetic polymer rubberized gel (SPRG) and its adhesive strength on different degrees of wetted surfaces. Linear regression analysis and subsequent calculation of the respective coefficient of determination leads to the result that viscosity is a relevant factor for achieving stable adhesion when it comes to the usage of SPRG waterproofing. The findings of this study could have significant implications for the development and application of adhesive gel waterproofing materials in various industries.
Modeling the Area of Interest for a Mobile Sensory System
Authors: Szabó Peter , Galanda Jozef , Muszka Tibor
Published: May 2023

We live in the age of the 4th industrial revolution. The leading technologies of this revolution are Cloud computing, Big Data and the Internet of Things (IoT). The vast majority of IoT technologies are characterized by the fact that we collect data with the help of sensors using the Internet. The project MOVIR also implements such an IoT technology. The main goal of the project was the development of a sensor unit. Such sensor units form a network that protects a specific area. This network forms an autonomous electronic area or space protection system. To create this network, we need to define the place we want to protect and the placement of sensor units within this area. Our work is about the mathematical and digital definition of such an area and the placement of sensor units. One of our articles on air traffic control gave the idea of digital modeling the protected area. Here we define the area of interest using significant points. Points are given using GPS coordinates. With the help of a spatial coordinate system, these significant points and a projection, we define a coordinate system to define and model our protected area and the network of sensor units. Here, a digital raster terrain model where significant points are located is required as input data. The digital model of area is defined using a matrix whose elements indicate the height of points in space. The row and column indices of the matrix determine the details of the area. We can use several height layers to describe different obstacles. The accuracy of this theoretical mathematical terrain model depends on the description and details of the accuracy of the terrain. The mathematical model of the area of interest is a 3D polygon. The network of sensor units model is also a 3D polygon located within the area of interest.
Water Heating and Circulating Heating System with Energy-Saving Optimization Control
Authors: Lin Feng-Chieh , Chen Chin-Sheng , Lin Chia-Jen
Published: May 2023

Over the past few years, due to an aging population and a longer life expectancy, traditional high-oil, high-calorie, and high-temperature culinary concepts have been widely replaced by healthier, low-temperature heating methods. However, while the key device of the Sous-Vide heating system ordinarily operates at full power to achieve the target temperature, pump speed control is not currently considered within the water heating and circulating system framework. This study develops a model for a water heating and circulating system and examines the characteristics of the lowest power point and pump speed. Building upon these results, we present the LPPT control method as a means of optimizing input power for heating. The effectiveness of this method is supported by simulations and experiments, which demonstrate a significant reduction in energy consumption. The control concept calculates the real-time input power based on the input voltage and current, and it can achieve the most efficient input power by perturbing the pump speed. It is demonstrated that applying LPPT to daily pot capacity reduces the Sous-Vide Cooker’s input power by up to 17% and achieves efficiency optimization control by removing the need to calculate the foods and other parameters of the water heating and circulating system environment.
Synthesis of Some Fluorescent Dyes Based on Stilbene Derivatives with Various Substituents and Their Effects on the Absorption Maxima
Authors: Lee Yoon-Gu , Choi Jae-Hong
Published: May 2023

The six stilbene-based dyes containing benzoxazole substituents to improve solubility of dyes as well as the efficiency of fluorescence at blue emission were synthesized. In this work, absorption and fluorescent properties of the synthesized dyes were investigated. For the derivatization of benzoxazolyl stilbene dye, -NO2 and -NH2 groups were introduced in sequence onto benzoxazolyl rings. The emission maxima of the six dyes prepared were observed in the range of 435 nm~471 nm. In addition, the solubility of the dyes in dichloromethane was examined for application to the nonpolar polymer films such as PE, PP, PVC and so on. N-alkyl groups were determined to have a greater solubility of alkylated stilbene-based dyes than analogue containing and unsubstituted group. Furthermore, investigation of the optical effects of tortional strain according to conformation of side group was also performed. For identifying these properties, the geometry, dihedral angle, and other parameters of synthesized dyes were calculated by the density functional theory and time-dependent function using a gaussian 09 program.
Research on Gesture Recognition System Using Multiple Sensors Based on Earth’s Magnetic Field and 1D Convolution Neural Network
Authors: Shi Bo , Chen Xi , He Zhongzheng , Sun Haoyang , Han Ruoyu
Published: May 2023

A commonly used method of gesture recognition is the use of sensor technology. Typically, technology detecting Earth’s magnetic field is used in indoor positioning, and magnetic detection technology serves as a redundant method for gesture recognition devices. In this paper, we propose a novel system that utilizes multiple sensors measuring Earth’s magnetic field to collect data and perform gesture recognition through a one-dimensional convolutional neural network algorithm. By applying the detection of Earth’s magnetic field to gesture recognition, our system significantly improves the accuracy of recognition through a one-dimensional (1D) neural network algorithm. We conducted experiments where we collected and recognized American Sign Language standard letters, and achieved an accuracy rate close to 97%. Our experimental results demonstrate that this gesture recognition system using magnetic field sensors and a one-dimensional neural network algorithm is feasible for practical applications. Furthermore, our approach reduces the complexity of the device compared to the gesture recognition method based on artificial magnetic fields, while maintaining high recognition accuracy and not limiting the user’s hand movements. This technology holds great promise for the field of human–computer interaction.
A New Macroscopic Traffic Flow Characterization Incorporating Traffic Emissions
Authors: Qaiser Tanveer , Altamimi Ahmed B. , Khan Fayaz A. , Alsaffar Mohammad , Alreshidi Abdulrahman , Khattak Khurram S. , Khan Zawar H. , Khan Wilayat
Published: May 2023

Densely populated cities have led to increased traffic congestion and, consequently, increased greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. Thus, it is important to develop traffic models to overcome congestion and increased air pollution. In the literature, traffic model characterizations rely predominantly on traffic dynamics and ignore traffic emissions. In this study, a new macroscopic model targeting traffic emissions and drivers’ presumption based on traffic emissions is proposed to overcome traffic congestion and pollution. The traffic emissions characterization was based on the CO2 data employed in the second traffic system. For the performance analysis, the results of the proposed and Zhang’s traffic models were compared. The results were obtained using the ROE technique to predict traffic evolution. The scheme was implemented in MATLAB. Compared with Zhang’s traffic model, the suggested traffic model based on emissions reflected traffic behavior more realistically.
Dark Current Measurement and Noise Correction Method for LWIR QWIP Detection System Based on Focal-Plane Temperature
Authors: Du Haoting , Gong Zhentao , Li Dandan , Wang Yun , Zhao Yun , Xu Jintong , Sun Dexin
Published: May 2023

The performance of long-wave infrared (LWIR) quantum well (QWIP) detection systems is seriously affected by the dark current of the detectors. Tiny variations in the focal-plane temperature of the devices cause fluctuations in the dark current, which in turn generate temporal noise. It is difficult to measure the dark current accurately after the detector assembly is packaged. To address the above problems, a QWIP dark current measurement method based on focal-plane temperature is proposed, as well as a method to reduce dark current noise. First, the response model of the LWIR QWIP detection system was established, and the dark current model was introduced. Then, the detection system components were introduced, chiller calibration experiments were carried out, and the dark current values of the QWIP at different temperatures were measured by combining the system design and parameters. Next, the dark current noise correction method was proposed, the target data were collected, and experiments were carried out to correct them. Finally, after the calculation, the temporal noise was reduced by 57.69% after the correction, which is proof of a significant effect. This method can obtain the real-time dark current value by collecting the focal-plane temperature data, and reduce the dark current temporal noise (difficult to eliminate using conventional methods), which is beneficial for promoting the application of QWIPs in LWIR remote sensing detection.
Multi-Mode Compound Grasping Robot Finger Driven by Linkage
Authors: Dong Yinkai , Zhang Wenzeng
Published: May 2023

The current underactuated robot hands use a single actuator to drive multiple degrees of freedom, enabling them to perform grasping functions. This paper design a multi-mode compound grasping robot finger driven by linkage, called MCG hand. The MCG hand includes a base, two motors, three phalanx, multiple shafts, two motors, two driving wheels, four linkages, three springs, and two limit blocks. This unique design allows the MCG finger to perform various grasping modes, such as parallel, coupling, middle, and distal phalanx self-adaptive, proximal, and distal gesture-changeable modes, as well as their combinations. The device can independently control the rotation of the proximal phalanx and the distal joint and realize the parallel pinching action of the distal phalanx. It can also realize the coupling function of the proximal and distal phalanx. It has automatic adaptability to objects of different shapes and sizes. Furthermore, the MCG finger provides enveloping grasping with multiple contact points, resulting in a more stable grip. The easy switching between modes through simple control, along with its wide application range and low manufacturing and maintenance costs, make the MCG hand a versatile solution for various applications.