bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Breaking Barriers: Engaging Women Farmers in Implementing Participatory Guarantee Systems for Sustainable Crop Production
Authors: Ningrum Vanda , Subroto Athor
Published: December 2023

Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) are community-based certification schemes guaranteeing sustainable and high-quality crop production. These systems can be particularly beneficial for smallholder farmers, including women who need more resources to obtain expensive third-party certifications such as organic or fair-trade. However, research on the implementation of PGS for women smallholder farmers is scarce. This study examines the implementation of Participatory Guarantee Systems in small-scale agriculture conducted by women farmers. The study was conducted using qualitative methods, which included interviews with 16 participants. The women farmer communities in Claket Village, Mojokerto Regency, Indonesia, were used as a case study. The study found that implementing PGS requires the assistance of NGOs to identify stakeholders such as farming communities, consumers, and other interested parties in promoting organic farming. Secondly, the community establishes a set of guidelines and procedures for crop production to facilitate the certification process. Thirdly, regular inspections and evaluations are necessary to ensure the crops meet the established criteria. The critical hurdle to implementing PGS in Indonesia is the limited capacity of small-scale farmers, especially women, to document their activities for certification. Thus, intensive training and capacity building are needed to enhance their production techniques and documentation abilities to meet the established criteria. Finally, implementing PGS is a collective action that is crucial in building trust among stakeholders and ensuring that the certification process is credible and transparent.
Natural Control of Sugarcane Top Borer Scirpophaga excerptalis Walker (Crambidae: Lepidoptera) by Its Egg Parasitoids
Authors: Nurindah  , Sujak  , Yulianti T , Sunarto DA , Hidayah N , Wijayanti KS , Endarto O , Wuryantini S
Published: December 2023

The sugarcane shoot borer (Scirpophaga excerptalis) is an herbivorous insect that primarily infests sugarcane plants, leading to the development of dead heart symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the contribution of egg parasitoids in mitigating the occurrence of dead heart caused by S. excerptalis infestation. The research was conducted in Asembagus and Malang, East Java, Indonesia. The samples collection of shoot borer eggs were done twice in Asembagus, and three times in Malang. The collected eggs were examined to determine the percentage of parasitism, and the emerged parasitoids were identified. The infestation level of shoot borers was evaluated by counting the dead heart symptoms within 5 m2 observation units, comprising 18 and 15 units in Asembagus and Karangploso, respectively. Three species of parasitoids, namely Telenomus sp., Trichogramma chilonis, and Tetrastichus sp., were found to parasitize S. excerptalis eggs. The average parasitism levels by Telenomus sp., T. chilonis, and Tetrastichus sp. were 74% (ranged: 50-100%), 0.6% (ranged: 0-4.4%), and 14.3% (ranged: 0-100%), respectively. Telenomus sp. was the predominant egg parasitoid observed in all observations at both sites. There was an inverse relationship between the mortality of shoot borer eggs by parasitoids and the occurrence of dead heart symptoms. Higher levels of parasitism were associated with reduced dead shoot symptoms. The natural control of S. excerptalis through the complex of egg parasitoids holds a promise for effective management of sugarcane shoot borers and promoting sustainable agriculture.
Diversity of Fruit Flies on Three Varieties of Mango in Kuningan Regency, West Java, Indonesia
Authors: Susanto A , Efendi M A , Rasiska S , Hidayat S , Suganda T , Subakti-Putri S N
Published: December 2023

Fruit flies (Bactrocera spp.) are the major pests on mangoes that constrain the efforts to increase the production and quality of mangoes, causing yield losses of up to 100%. Kuningan Regency is one of the largest mango-producing areas in West Java. However, there is no study about the species of fruit fly in the mango plantation at Kuningan Regency, West Java. This study aimed to fruit fly inventory on Gedong Gincu, Arumanis, and Cengkir mangoes. The research used a survey method and was analyzed using descriptive analysis. Purposive sampling was used to determine mango samples by randomly selecting fruits that were attacked by fruit flies from mango fields owned by farmers, wholesalers, and markets in Sukadana Village, Ciawigebang District, Kuningan Regency, West Java. The samples were taken to the Plant Pest Laboratory at Universitas Padjadjaran for incubation till the appearance of imago. The findings showed that the Bactrocera dorsalis complex consisted of B. dorsalis, B. carambolae, and interspecific crosses. The fruit fly diversity index was considerably low (0.21<H‘<0.53). B. dorsalis was determined to be the predominant species in all mango variety and locations, with a value of 95.12%.
Insect Diversity of Some Hybrid Rice Genotypes in Sleman-Yogyakarta Irrigated Agroecosystem
Authors: Pustika Arlyna Budi , Widyayanti Setyorini , Kobarsih Mahargono , Apri Rumanti Indrastuti , Widyastuti Yuni , Pramono Wibowo Bayu , Yolanda Kiki
Published: December 2023

Diversity of insect at the rice field gives a main impact to the stability of ecosystem. Index of diversity reflects the relationship of species abundance in the community. This research was aimed to determine the diversity of insect at some hybrid rice varieties in irrigated rice agroecosystem. Research was conducted in Sleman, Yogyakarta Indonesia from April to August 2018. The experiment was conducted using purposive random sampling. Insect samples were obtained using swing net and visual observation. Diversity index was analysed using Shanon (H), while diversity and uniformity of insect was examined using Evennes index (E). Result showed pest insects found during vegetative stage of rice consist of more species, while lower numbers were found at generative stage with less species. They were belongs to 6 orders (more than 10 families) such as Diptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Hemiptera and Hymenoptera. The dominant pest was Cicadellidae, followed by Delphacidae and Alydidae. Based on the diversity data analysis (H), pest insects and natural enemies were between moderate and high, with a range between 1.5 to 2.5. It indicates the rice field ecosystem planted with hybrid rice gave good impact and balance species diversity in the agroecosystem of irrigated rice area in Sleman Yogyakarta.
Molecular Identification of Endophytic Fungi from Javanese Ginseng (Talinum paniculatum Gaertn.) and their Potential against Phytopathogens
Authors: Tinta Manik Visi , Nurcahya Intan , Setiaramdani Susi , Yulianto Yanto , Undang
Published: December 2023

Endophytes from medicinal plants have been demonstrated to produce bioactive chemicals with antibacterial capabilities. Previous research found many endophytes in Javanese ginseng roots. Identifying and comprehending the benefits of endophyte microorganisms is critical for boosting plant growth and defense. The aim of this study was to identify endophytic microbes from Javanese ginseng with antifungal activity. In this present study, two isolates the GJ-9 and FN-1, were analyzed using NL1/NL4 and ITS1/4 primers. The amplification and sequencing of the ITS and the D1-D2 LSU rRNA gene were performed. The D1-D2 LSU rRNA sequence analysis results showed that GJ-9 has similarities with Candida Spencermartinsiae with 99.82% percentage identity, while FN-1 has been identified as Aspergillus flavus according to the ITS sequence analysis result with 99.83% percentage identity. Antagonistic assays showed both isolates displayed considerable antagonistic ability against Rhizopus stolonifera, Pythium sp., Botrytis sp., and Fusarium sp, with overall inhibition rate were over 50%. The Aspergillus flavus showed the better ability to inhibit the growth of Phytium sp. (74.90 %) and Rhizopus stolonifera (60 %), while the Candida Spencermartinsiae is better for controlling Botrytis sp. (55.68%) and Fusarium sp. (60.39 %). The result suggests the endophyte from Javanese ginseng can be used as an agent for controlling various plant diseases; furthermore, it could lead to a reduction of agrochemical inputs.
The elusive bio-stimulatory function of Cladophialophora chaetospira SK51 to alleviate Fusarium wilt of strawberry
Authors: Harsonowati W , Triasih U. , Narisawa K
Published: December 2023

The highly virulent Fusarium oxysporum formae speciales (f.sp.) fragaria causes Fusarium wilt and significant losses in the strawberry agroindustry. The effective control strategies for this phytopathogen have yet to be developed. We aimed to evaluate the bioefficacy of root-colonizer dark septate endophytic fungi (DSEs) in controlling Fusarium wilt in simultaneous with biostimulation activities. Three out of nineteen tested isolates were selected because of their superior bioefficacy in regulating disease suppression and growth promotion. Notably, the highest level of disease suppression was marked at 90.48%, followed by 85.71% and 61.90% with the inoculation of these three selected isolates i.e., SK51, SK47, and SK48, respectively. The fungal isolates were identified based on partial SSU, LSU, and ITS as DSE fungus Cladophialophora chaetospira strain SK51, Exophiala sp. strain SK47, and E. pisciphila strain SK48. Our findings showed that C. chaetospira SK51 exhibited significant potential in promoting plant growth and suppressing diseases. It significantly enhanced various plant growth factors, such as the total plant biomass, the content of chlorophyll (SPAD), the formation of flower buds, and the development of fruits compared to both non-inoculated control and the other two DSE-inoculated plants. Our study provides new findings and perspectives on the use of the DSE, particularly C. chaetospira SK51 as a bioprotectant and biostimulant for enhancing the development, flower bud formation, and fruit development in strawberry plants.
Active damage mitigation of the blade leading edge erosion for a wind turbine during rainfall events
Authors: Ripoll Á Ú , Jiang Z , Verma A , Zhou J
Published: December 2023

Leading edge erosion (LEE) of wind turbine blades is a major concern for the wind turbine industry. LEE leads to increased blade surface roughness and incurs significant repair and maintenance costs. To address this issue, the present paper proposes an active LEE mitigation method by operating wind turbines in an erosion-safe mode with reduced rotor speed during precipitation. The proposed method involves first numerically modelling the NREL 5-MW reference wind turbine in openFAST. Then, during a regular operation in the presence of rainfall, the erosion-safe mode is designed, implemented and initiated with a modified blade pitch controller in Matlab-Simulink. To evaluate the effectiveness of this mode, the long-term rainfall distribution of the De Kooy site in the Netherlands is examined. The analysis considers a comparison of power output, erosion lifetime, and levelized cost of energy (LCOE) with and without the proposed safe modes. The study shows that the erosion-safe mode can significantly extend the erosion lifetime at the cost of reduced power generation. The controller settings affect the wind turbine performance, and a reduced rotor speed of 11 revolutions per minute is recommended considering the LCOE (308.64€/MWh). While the proposed mitigation method shows promise, it requires further refinement for real-life implementation in wind turbines.
Life cycle cost analysis of a floating wind farm in the Norwegian Sea
Authors: Bjørni F A , Lien S , Midtgarden T Aa , Santos L C , Jiang Z
Published: December 2023

The offshore wind energy industry has witnessed rapid growth in the past decade. Still, there is a lack of commercial floating wind projects due to the relatively high development costs and other factors. To facilitate the holistic evaluation of floating wind farms in Norway, this article investigates the levelized cost of energy of a floating offshore wind farm and its economic feasibility. The Troll field west of Bergen, Norway, is assumed to be the target offshore site, and a farm size of 50 wind turbines with a lifespan of 25 years are considered. Each floating wind turbine has a 15-megawatt turbine mounted on a semi-submersible floater. Based on detailed analysis, the levelized cost of energy of the wind farm is estimated to be approximately 100.7 $/MWh. The capital expenditure is the most prominent cost and constitutes 63.1% of the total cost, and the operational expenditure constitutes the remaining 36.9%. Further, sensitivity analyses show the influence of the lifespan, capacity factor, and project discount rate on the levelized cost of energy. The present study contributes to techno-economic evaluation of floating wind projects at an early phase.
Two-body dynamic simulations of a combined semi-submersible floating offshore wind turbine and torus wave energy converter
Authors: Lee C F , De Santis Tavares V , Ong M C
Published: December 2023

Dynamic responses of a combined wind and wave energy system which consist of a 5MW semi-submersible floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) and a torus-shaped wave energy converter (WEC) are investigated. In the investigated configuration, the torus WEC is constrained to move only in the heave direction with respect to the FOWT. This results in a two-body dynamic system that allows for the extraction of wave energy through the relative heave motion. A Modelica-based multi-body system (MBS) code is used to perform fully coupled dynamic analyses of the combined system. The wind turbine loads are calculated using the state-of-the-art Blade Element Momentum (BEM) method, while the wave power take-off (PTO) system is modelled as a linear spring and a viscous damper. A case study is presented where the mass of the torus is varied to investigate the impact on the two-body dynamics of the combined system. The system performance is assessed in terms of the maximum wave power absorption and the quality of wind power production.
Calculation and prediction of suspended span caused by erosion of deep water submarine pipelines
Authors: Jia X , Ni K , Li Y , Jia L
Published: December 2023

Submarine pipelines can be divided into three types based on their laying status: pipelines laid flat on the seabed, pipelines without buried, and pipelines buried in shallow trenches. In addition, there is also a suspended span state caused by waves and currents erosion. The four laying states of submarine pipelines indicate that the seabed, as the foundation supporting the pipeline, must provide sufficient support to ensure the stability of the pipeline. This article studies the erosion span data of existing pipelines, evaluates and predicts the pipeline span state through theoretical calculation and analysis, and then uses numerical simulation calculation methods to predict the pipeline span depth, and compares and verifies it with measured data.
Dynamic response of a single point mooring submersible fish cages in waves and current
Authors: Wen X , Cheng H , Ong M C
Published: December 2023

Submersible fish cages are designed for installing in the open sea sites that are subjected to violent sea conditions to reduce the hydrodynamic forces acting on the fish cages. To assess the dynamic responses of a single point mooring submersible fish cage under the rough sea conditions, a numerical model including hydrodynamic and structural methods is proposed. The waves and current are modelled using the airy wave theory. For the floating collars and sinker tube, the Morison model is adopted to calculate the hydrodynamic force and the modal superposition method is proposed to calculate the structural responses. For the aquaculture net, the screen model is adopted to calculate the hydrodynamic force and the extended position-based dynamics (XPBD) method is proposed to obtain the structural deformations. The hydrodynamic dynamic forces and the deformations of the fish cages are compared between the fish cages on water surface and in deep water. Results show that when the fish cage is submerged 20m from the water surface, the average horizontal force is reduced by 30% and the variation of the horizontal force is reduced by 81%. Significant reductions in the deformation of the floating collars are observed. Therefore, using submersible fish cage can help reduce physical stress and avoid structural damage for the fish cage system. In addition, the coupling of XPBD and MS can provide a quick solution for the structural modelling of the fish farm system, which can be utilized at the initial stage of fish farm design.
Dynamic response of a floating dock under corrosion-induced accidents
Authors: Zahi T , Wen X , Ong M C
Published: December 2023

Dynamic responses of a floating dock under corrosion-induced accidents are studied using a numerical method. The numerical model is proposed to calculate the dynamic responses of the floating dock during operations. It includes a six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) model, a hydrostatic force model, a hydrodynamic force model, and a hydraulic model. The effects of the corrosion-induced holes on the stability of the floating dock are investigated and the results show that the maximum pitch and roll angles are 0.18° and 0.69° respectively when there is one hole located at one tank. The maximum pitch and roll angles become 0.42° and 2.04° respectively when there are two holes located at different tanks. The results indicate that situations involving more than one corroded hole result in large roll and pitch angles, which ultimately increase the risk of the vessel capsizing. This analysis not only emphasizes potential hazards but also presents an opportunity for the maritime sector to enhance safety, operational efficiency, and environmental responsibility.
Combining machine learning methods and data augmentation for misaligned journal bearings design
Authors: Arvanitis K , Nikolakopoulos P G
Published: December 2023

Shaft misalignment is one of the most common defects observed in rotating systems and has a substantial effect on dynamic behaviour, stability, and lifetime. Aim of this study is the binary identification of misalignment using five Machine Learning techniques: Logistic Regression, K-Nearest Neighbours, Support Vector Machines, Decision Tree and Random Forest. Nevertheless, the limited quantity of provided data points coupled with the substantial imbalance between the aligned and misaligned cases necessitated the implementation of oversampling and data augmentation methods. The utilization of SMOTE-LOF for oversampling the minority class, alongside the adoption of a Conditional Tabular GAN for the generation of synthetic data points yielded substantial outcomes. The application of SMOTE with the Local Outlier Factor on the original dataset achieves the oversampling of the minority class by using additional synthetic data, while the LOF factor overcome the noise problem. After the SMOTE-LOF implementation, new synthetic samples of the minority class are added to the dataset, eliminating the imbalance, however the ‘cleaned’ dataset’s small number of samples could lead to poor performance of the Machine Learning techniques. Hence, using a Generative Adversarial Network to expand the dataset is requisite, and since the experimental data is tabular, utilizing a Conditional Tabular Generative Adversarial Network is ideal for this case of study. The results of the current study elucidate the dataset that, among the augmented datasets, exhibits the best quality score when contrasted with the original dataset. Furthermore, the dataset that performs the best on the Machine Learning algorithms is determined.
Reuse of decommissioned offshore steel components for new buildings: A case study
Authors: Valen L V , Siriwardane S C , Bjørheim F , Røland S
Published: December 2023

Reuse process of structural steel members, which are extracted from decommissioned offshore platform, for new apartment building is presented in this paper. An index is introduced to assess the technical feasibility of the reuse process of offshore steel components to steel buildings. The applicability and significance of the reuse process is demonstrated by a real case study. Steel columns of a new four-storey apartment building are replaced by selected members from recently decommissioned offshore platform in this case study and hence feasibility, cost benefits and environmental advantages are investigated. Utilization ratios of selected pre-used columns shows that those columns have more than sufficient capacities to withstand the loads. This indicates that considered decommissioned module of offshore topside is applicable for similar size of new buildings. The results indicate significant environmental benefits such as reduction of the CO2 emission, low global worming potentiality, and etc. The reusability index of the considered case study is 51.5%, which shows marginal feasibility of reuse, and this can be increased, if the reuse process is industrialized and streamlined by the offshore decommisioning companies. Three ways are proposed to industrialize and streamline the reuse process in the latter part of this paper.
Transitioning towards renewable energy and sustainable storage solutions at remote communities in the Arctic, Case study of Flatey, Iceland
Authors: Hjallar M R A , Víðisdóttir E D , Gudmestad O T
Published: December 2023

The need for transitioning towards renwable energy and sustainable storage solutions is particularly challenging for remote communities in the Arctic, located far away from the electricity grid. This paper explores the potential for use of renewable energy on the remote island of Flatey, Iceland, which currently relies on two diesel aggregates for power. The primary goal is to assess the feasibility of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, to meet the island’s variable energy demand while reducing its environmental impact. With a year-around population of 5 and with a considerably increased energy consumption during vacation times, due to more population, Flatey’s annual energy consumption is ~ 209.000 kWh, peaking in July at ~ 25.000 kWh. This fluctuation requires an adaptable and resilient energy infrastructure. The paper examines the viability of Flatey as a self-sufficient renewable energy provider. The study considers the island’s energy requirements, consumption patterns, and geographical constraints, while also evaluating technical, economic, and social factors that may influence renewable energy adaption. This paper, thereafter, investigates the feasibility of achieving energy self-sufficiency on the small island of Flatey. Different energy storage options is considered, focusing on battery storage, underground solar power/energy storage, and hydrogen storage.
Assessment of awareness levels towards additive manufacturing best practices in transforming traditional manufacturing: A case study in Ethiopian context
Authors: Lemma T , Lemu H G , Gutema E M
Published: December 2023

The main objective of this study is to assess the awarness levels of acadamic staffs and industry experts towards the best practices of additive manufacturing (AM) in transforming traditional manufacturing (TM) in local context. The study used closed ended questionnaires with 1-5 liker scales to collect secondary data from the respondents. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage) by using SPSS v20 software. The findings of this paper identified ten (10) AM best practice benefit factors (Resource consumption benefit factor, Waste management benefit factor, Pollution control benefit factor Material utilization benefit factors, Design optimization benefit factor, Manufacturing flexibility best practice factors, SC flexibility benefit factors, SC network improvement benefit factor, Cost reduction benefit factors, Ability of changing customer demand benefit factors) in transforming traditional manufacturing in local context. Among the eight AM best practices both academic staffs and industry experts have common awareness level on five factors. In addition, the findings of the study showed that 49% of academic staffs and 37% of industry experts have good awarness levels towards the identified AM best practices in transfornig traditional manufacturing. Based on the findings of this study conceptual framework was developed for future research work to quantitatively investigate the effects of AM best practices on traditional manufacturing performmance.
Additive manufacturing best practices and its impact on supply chain performance through structural equation modelling: A case study in Ethiopian footwear industry
Authors: Lemma T , Gutema E M , Lemu H G
Published: December 2023

The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of additive manufacturing (AM) best practices on supply chain (SC) performance. The study developed conceptual framework with four AM best practice as independent variables and five SC performance measuring factors as dependent variables. To test the developed model and hypothesis, data’s has been collected from 129 respondents from 29 footwear industries in Ethiopia. AMOS v.23 is used to test model fit with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) (χ2/df, RMSEA, CFI, GFI, RMR, Tucker-Lewis index (TLI)). Reliability analysis was carried out to test the reliability and stability of the research questionnaires. Correlation analysis was performed to test the strength and association between dependent and independent variables. And to test the developed hypothesis structural equation modelling (SEM) or paths analysis was used. The findings of the CFA result indicated that data fit the model reasonably well. The finds of correlation analysis indicated that, AM best practices have positive, strong and significant relationship with cost, time and reliability related factors of SC performance. But it has very weak and insignificant relationship with customer related factors. In addition, the findings revelled that AM best practices have negative and insignificant relationship with supplier related factors. On the other hands, the findings of SEM confirmed that the identified four AM best practices positively and significantly improve SC performance. And this study concludes that manufacturing flexibility, material utilization, environmental control and product design optimization of AM plays a vital role in improving SC performance.
Hydrogen safety considerations: Mitigating risks and securing operations in enclosed spaces
Authors: Kleszcz S , Assadi M
Published: December 2023

The increased interest in hydrogen as a versatile and environmentally friendly energy carrier has led to its recognition as a potential solution for addressing environmental concerns and challenges associated with transitioning to alternative energy sources. However, working with hydrogen requires careful consideration of safety measures to ensure the safe handling, storage, and utilization of this highly flammable gas. This article focuses on the important safety considerations related to working with hydrogen in enclosed spaces and emphasizes the steps taken to minimize risks. Essential calculations were conducted to determine the concentration of hydrogen within a container during a leak. The findings revealed that, without proper ventilation and safety precautions, the concentration of hydrogen in the container can quickly reach explosive levels. To ensure safe operation, a secure system has been designed and described, which includes the implementation of various detection devices. Additionally, the article discusses the recommended course of action in the event of an explosion. In summary, this study offers a safety analysis of hydrogen leakage in a container. The suggested security system, incorporating detection devices and a safety valve, guarantees the safe functioning of the hydrogen supply system.
Development of a surrogate model of a trans-critical CO2 heat pump for use in operations optimization using an artificial neural network
Authors: Sazon T A S , Zhang Q , Nikpey H
Published: December 2023

Conventional physics-based models can demand substantial computational resources when employed for operational optimization. To allow faster system simulations that can be employed for operational optimization, a surrogate model of the CO2 heat pump has been developed using an artificial neural network (ANN). The ANN model takes in six (6) inputs: evaporator water-side mass flow, its temperature, gas cooler water-side mass flow, its temperature, set-point output temperature, and high-side heat pump pressure. The model’s outputs comprise the electrical energy needed to run the heat pump, the heat from the gas coolers, the temperature of the heat pump-heated fluid, and the outlet temperature of the heat pump’s evaporator. Data used for training, validating, and testing the ANN model were generated by running a calibrated Modelica model of the CO2 heat pump for various combinations of input parameters obtained from Latin hypercube sampling. The ANN model developed includes an input layer with 6 inputs, 2 hidden dense layers, each with 30 neurons, and an output layer for 4 outputs (6-30-30-3). The ReLU activation function was implemented on each hidden layer and no regularizations were imposed. The Adam optimizer was used with a learning rate of 0.001 specified. Early stopping (patience = 2000) was implemented to ensure that the training data was not overfitted. A maximum of 30000 epochs was specified. The resulting Mean Square Error (MSE) obtained for the training, validation, and testing data sets were 1.38x10−5, 2.05x10−5, and 3.65x10−5, respectively. When tested against one-week operational runs generated by Modelica, the Root Mean Square Errors (RMSEs) for coefficient of performance (COP)s for spring, summer, autumn, and winter operations obtained were 0.232, 0.346, 0.089 and 0.076, respectively. The resulting surrogate ANN model can be integrated into the system model as a functional mock-up unit within Modelica to facilitate faster simulations for operational optimization.
Review of recent advancement in performance, and thermal energy storage studies on indirect solar dryers for agricultural products.
Authors: Shekata G D , Tibba G S , Baheta A T
Published: December 2023

Efficient drying methods and post-harvest processes are crucial to reduce waste in fruits, vegetables, and agricultural products. Factors like moisture-related deterioration, climate change, mishandling, delayed shipping, improper storage, and sales delays contribute to post-harvest losses and quality degradation. Solar dryers, especially indirect-type solar dryers, provide a practical and environmentally friendly way to preserve these goods. In comparison to other types of solar dryers, indirect-type dryers have a number of advantages. This review focuses on evaluating the performance of different configurations of Indirect-type solar dryers in terms of drying time, maximum air temperature, drying efficiency for collectors, and overall dryer efficiency. The influence of various operating conditions on the thermal efficiency of Indirect-type solar dryers is also investigated. The study provides detailed information on the sensible and latent storage units and materials used in Indirect-type solar dryers, including those operating through natural or forced convection. The review also explores the utilization of advanced technologies, such as desiccant systems, recycling processes, the use of Nano fluids and nanoparticles, and thermal energy storage, to enhance the thermal performance of solar dryers. Additionally, the paper examines potential difficulties and suggestions for selecting, using, and testing thermal storage for indirect-type solar dryers. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive examination of indirect-type solar dryers, and their performance. It highlights the potential for improving drying efficiency through the integration of advanced technologies and thermal energy storage.
Mathematical model of the influence of some parameters of solid wood machinability on the roughness of the processed surface Ra during planning
Authors: Hodžić Atif , Bijelić Aldin , Hodžić Damir
Published: December 2023

We consider the machinability of the material as a technological feature that expresses the ability of the material to remove the maximum number of shavings from its machined surface in the minimum time with satisfactory processing quality, with as little cutting force as possible and as little tool wear as possible. The aim of the experimental research in this work is to examine the significance of the influential kinematic parameters of the roughness of the machined surface, i.e. of wood density (ρ), feeding speed (s’) and the number of spiral cutting knices (z) in the process of planning massive wood on the roughness of the newly created processing surface, which will vary in 14 trials, of which 6 are repetitions in the central point of the compositional plan, where the roughness parameter Ra is obtained as an output value, and the analysis of experimental data from the point of view of possible achievement of a better quality of the processed surface. The obtained mathematical model is essentially applicable and can be used to optimize the machinability parameters in the planning process of solid wood, and the experimental results can be used in further research into other parameters of the machinability of solid wood in the planning process.
Optimization of solid wood workability parameters in the planing process
Authors: Rošić Husein , Bjelić Aldin , Hodžić Atif , Merhar Miran
Published: December 2023

It is known from theory and practice that the workability of wood depends on structural parameters that are closely related to the physical, mechanical and chemical properties of the type of wood itself, and disturbance parameters that refer to the technological and geometric parameters determined by the specific processing regime. That machinability, in addition to the mechanical output sizes, is often expressed by the quality, that is, the roughness of the processed surface. By defining a mathematical model in the process of planing solid wood in which the input sizes are processing parameters: wood density (ρ), feed rate (m/min) and number of cutting spirals (z), and the spilled sizes are praamters of roughness of the treated surface (Ra and Rz), and by applying optimization methods, optimal solutions for the process of planing solid wood on planer machines will be determined, so that the obtained Yoptim model will aim to improve the workability of solid wood, specifically its roughness of the processed surface.
Averaging data on the unit hypersphere
Authors: Crnkić Aladin , Kapić Zinaid , Jusić Šejla , Haurdić Melisa
Published: December 2023

Averaging data on the unit sphere S

d
(also called a unit hypersphere) is a common problem in computer vision, robotics and other fields, with applications ranging from motion planning to DNA modelling. In this paper, we introduce a new method for averaging data represented as points on the unit sphere S

d−1 using the d-dimensional generalized Kuramoto model. Our method is verified on a range of benchmark data sets and compared with common data averaging algorithms. Also, we showcase the applicability of this method for solving rotation averaging problem.
Radioactivation effects of titanium caused by clinical proton beam: a simulation study
Authors: Kato Ryohei , Kato Takahiro , Murakami Masao
Published: December 2023

Objective. In proton beam therapy (PBT), metals in the patient body perturb the dose distribution, and their radioactivation may affect the dose distribution around the metal; however, the radioactivation effect has been not clarified with PBT. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the radioactivation effect of metal depending on proton energies and secondary neutrons with a clinical proton beam using a Monte Carlo (MC) simulation. Approach. The radionuclides produced from a titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) and their radioactivity were calculated using a 210-MeV passive scattering proton beam with a 60-mm Spread-out Bragg Peak, and the deposited doses caused by the radioactivation were computed using the MC simulation. The position of metal was changed according to the proton mean energy in water. To assess neutron effects on the radioactivation, we calculated the radioactivation in following three situations: (i) full MC simulation with neutrons, (ii) simulation without secondary neutrons generated from the beamline components, and (iii) simulation without any secondary neutrons. Main results. Immediately after the irradiation, the radionuclide with the largest activity was Sc-45 m (half-life of 318 ms) regardless of the proton energy and the presence of neutrons. Total radioactivity tended to increase according to the proton energy. The accumulated dose for 24 h caused by the metal activation showed an increasing trend with the proton energy, with a maximum increase rate of 0.045% to the prescribed dose. The accumulated dose at a distance of 10 mm from the metal was lower than 1/10 of that at a distance of 1 mm. Significance. The radioactivation effect of the titanium was comprehensively evaluated in the clinical passive scattering proton beam. We expect that radioactivation effects on the clinical dose distribution would be small. We consider that these results will help the clinical handling of high-Z metals in PBT.
A large-scale cold plasma jet: generation mechanism and application effect
Authors: CUI 崔 Weisheng 伟胜 , ZHANG 张 Ruobing 若兵
Published: December 2023

Atmospheric pressure cold plasma jets (APCPJs) typically exhibit a slender, conical structure, which imposes limitations on their application for surface modification due to the restricted treatment area. In this paper, we introduce a novel plasma jet morphology known as the large-scale cold plasma jet (LSCPJ), characterized by the presence of both a central conical plasma jet and a peripheral trumpet-like diffuse plasma jet. The experimental investigations have identified the factors influencing the conical and the trumpet-like diffuse plasma jet, and theoretical simulations have shed light on the role of the flow field and the electric field in shaping the formation of the LSCPJ. It is proved that, under conditions of elevated helium concentration, the distributions of impurity gas particles and the electric field jointly determine the plasma jet’s morphology. High-speed ICCD camera images confirm the dynamic behavior of plasma bullets in LSCPJ, which is consistent with the theoretical analysis. Finally, it is demonstrated that when applied to the surface treatment of silicone rubber, LSCPJ can achieve a treatment area over 28 times larger than that of APCPJ under equivalent conditions. This paper uncovers the crucial role of impurity gases and electric fields in shaping plasma jet morphology and opens up the possibility of efficiently diversifying plasma jet generation effects through external electromagnetic fields. These insights hold the promise of reducing the generation cost of plasma jets and expanding their applications across various industrial sectors.
Experimental determination for optimal position of reflector in solar water heater
Authors: Gaurav Kumar , Verma Suresh Kant
Published: December 2023

An experimental investigation was carried out on novel solar water heater that utilizes a flat reflector positioned underneath the absorber tubes. Experiments were conducted at National Institute of Technology Patna, India, having latitude 25.61°N and longitude 85.14° E and constant insolation of 1000

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The experimental data were collected for different reflector positions i.e. δ = 0 mm, 15 mm, 30 mm, 45 mm, and 60 mm and six mass flow rates of working fluid i.e. 0.0056 kg s−1, 0.0097 kg s−1, 0.0138 kg s−1, 0.0207 kg s−1, 0.0277 kg s−1, and 0.0346 kg−1s. The obtained experimental results exhibited that the location of the reflector relative to the absorber tubes significantly affects the thermal performance of the system. The effect of the mass flow rate on the outlet temperature, thermal performance, and overall performance has also been studied. For the present system under energy and exergy analysis, the optimal position of the reflector was found of δ = 30 mm. The results showed that the solar water heater with an optimally positioned reflector has a 23% increase in thermal efficiency compared to the solar water heater without a reflector. The novelty of using a flat reflector underneath absorber tube is to provide heat to rear side of the absorber tubes after reflecting the insolation falling on the reflector and hence improvement in the thermal performance of the solar water heater. The scope of present system includes providing an eco-friendly and energy-efficient solution for residential and commercial hot water needs. Limitations of the present study are requirement of sufficient roof space and direct sunlight. The use of reflectors has implications for energy savings, more efficient system designs, and enhanced thermal performance.
Neural network field theories: non-Gaussianity, actions, and locality
Authors: Demirtas Mehmet , Halverson James , Maiti Anindita , Schwartz Matthew D , Stoner Keegan
Published: December 2023

Both the path integral measure in field theory (FT) and ensembles of neural networks (NN) describe distributions over functions. When the central limit theorem can be applied in the infinite-width (infinite-N) limit, the ensemble of networks corresponds to a free FT. Although an expansion in1/Ncorresponds to interactions in the FT, others, such as in a small breaking of the statistical independence of network parameters, can also lead to interacting theories. These other expansions can be advantageous over the1/N-expansion, for example by improved behavior with respect to the universal approximation theorem. Given the connected correlators of a FT, one can systematically reconstruct the action order-by-order in the expansion parameter, using a new Feynman diagram prescription whose vertices are the connected correlators. This method is motivated by the Edgeworth expansion and allows one to derive actions for NN FT. Conversely, the correspondence allows one to engineer architectures realizing a given FT by representing action deformations as deformations of NN parameter densities. As an example,φ4theory is realized as an infinite-NNN FT.
Cognitive Foundations of Society: The Concept of Schemata in Cell, Gene, and Tissue Therapies
Authors: Bicudo Edison
Published: December 2023

Interpreting how people accord meaning to life situations is an old challenge in sociology. Emphasis has been given to values shared within social groups; other sociologists have stressed the discursive or communicative dimensions of society. This paper seeks an alternative interpretation by combining sociological inquiry and insights from cognitive linguistics. It explores the concept of schema, which points to the unconscious identification of patterns in human experiences, enabling people to assimilate concepts such as FORCE, CONTAINMENT, and others. This paper focuses on discourses and views around advanced therapies: medicinal products based on genes, cells, or tissues. These therapies are frequently understood via two alternative schemata. The CURE schema foregrounds therapies’ long-term potential to revert disease and tends to underpin metaphoric reasoning; the IMPAIRMENT schema highlights specific limitations brought about by disease, being frequently associated with metonymic reasoning. Schemata underpin broader initiatives and decisions, including those adopted by regulatory and government agencies. As they constitute basic and socialized understandings, their study enables the identification of the cognitive and linguistic foundations of society.
Developing the Aesthetic Postoperative Complication Score (APeCS) for Detecting Major Morbidity in Facial Aesthetic Surgery
Authors: Cataneo Jose L , Mathis Sydney A , Bartelt Kyle , Gelfond Allison , Arias-Serrato Rodrigo , Patel Parit A
Published: December 2023

Background

Facial aesthetic surgery encompasses a variety of procedures with complication rates that are difficult to estimate due to a lack of published data.

Objectives

We sought to estimate major complication rates in patients undergoing facial aesthetic procedures and develop a risk assessment tool to stratify patients.

Methods

We utilized the Tracking Operation and Outcomes for Plastic Surgeons (TOPS) database from 2003-2018. The analytic database included major facial aesthetic procedures. Univariate analysis and a backward stepwise multivariate regression model identified risk factors for major complications. Regression coefficients were utilized to create the score. Performance robustness was measured with area under receiver operating characteristic curves and sensitivity analyses.

Results

A total of 38,569 patients were identified. The major complication rate was 1.2% (460). The regression model identified risk factors including over 3 concomitant surgeries, BMI ≥25, ASA class ≥2, current or former smoker status, and age ≥45 as the variables fit for risk prediction (n = 13,004; area under curve: 0.68, standard error: 0.013, [0.62-0.67]). Each of the 5 variables counted for 1 point, except over 3 concomitant surgeries counting for 2, giving a score range from 0 to 6. Sensitivity analysis showed the cutoff point of ≥3 to best balance sensitivity and specificity, 58% and 66%, respectively. At this cutoff, 65% of cases were correctly classified as having a major complication.

Conclusions

We developed an acceptable risk prediction score with a cutoff value of ≥3 associated with correctly classifying approximately 65% of those at risk for major morbidity when undergoing face and neck aesthetic surgery.

Level of Evidence: 3
Patient Perspectives on Intimate Relationship Outcomes After Labiaplasty: A Preliminary Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Fernando Anne Nileshni , Mehta Yukti , Hamori Christine , Oates Jayson , Sharp Gemma
Published: December 2023

Background

The popularity of labiaplasty has increased over the last decade and patients consistently report high levels of satisfaction with outcomes. Specifically, patients generally experience improved sexual satisfaction, but there is very limited research on the impacts on intimate relationships more broadly, even though these experiences are often crucial to women's lives.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to conduct an in-depth qualitative exploration of the impacts of labiaplasty on intimate relationship quality. Qualitative semistructured telephone interviews were conducted with adult women (n = 15), who had undergone labiaplasty between 1 and 72 months previously (mean [standard deviation], 28.1 [24.3] months). Participants were asked about any perceived changes to their intimate relationships and how labiaplasty may have influenced those changes (if any). Thematic analysis of the transcribed interview data was performed.

Results

The results showed that most women reported greater confidence engaging in new relationships, and partaking in subsequent sexual experiences was also commonly reported. However, other women reported no changes to their intimate relationship quality after labiaplasty. Over half of the women reported concerns that their current or a future partner may perceive their postsurgery genital appearance as not “natural.”

Conclusions

The current study adds some novel depth and nuance to the impacts of labiaplasty on intimate relationship quality. Although most women experience improved sexual confidence in their intimate relationships, a proportion may also experience concerns around their partner's reactions to the surgery.

Level of Evidence: 4