bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A review paper on memory fault models and test algorithms
Authors: Jidin Aiman Zakwan , Hussin Razaidi , Fook Lee Weng , Mispan Mohd Syafiq
Published: December 2021

Testing embedded memories in a chip can be very challenging due to their high-density nature and manufactured using very deep submicron (VDSM) technologies. In this review paper, functional fault models which may exist in the memory are described, in terms of their definition and detection requirement. Several memory testing algorithms that are used in memory built-in self-test (BIST) are discussed, in terms of test operation sequences, fault detection ability, and also test complexity. From the studies, it shows that tests with 22 N of complexity such as March SS and March AB are needed to detect all static unlinked or simple faults within the memory cells. The N in the algorithm complexity refers to Nx*Ny*Nz whereby Nx represents the number of rows, Ny represents the number of columns and Nz represents the number of banks. This paper also looks into optimization and further improvement that can be achieved on existing March test algorithms to increase the fault coverage or to reduce the test complexity.
Design and implementation of internet of things-based electrical monitoring system
Authors: Hassan Jumana A. , Jasim Basil H.
Published: December 2021

Many modern monitoring and controlling projects such as systems in factories, home, and other used the internet of things (IoT). These devices perform self-functions without requiring manual intervention in order to improve convenience and safety. Electrical networks are one of the most important areas in which IoT systems can control, monitor, detect, and alarm for faultier, because detecting faults, monitoring network data, and finding the best solutions in a smaller duration of time to improve the efficiency and reliability of electrical networks. This paper proposes a system on the basis of a wireless sensor network (WSN). This system monitors and controls a variety of electrical and environmental variables, including power consumption, weather temperature, humidity, flame, lighting, and detection cut in the cable in electrical poles. Each sensor is a node and is connected to a microcontroller board separately. The data collected by these sensors is display and monitored on a web page and saved in a local server's database, this site was created with a variety of web programming languages. The system was developed using a free global domain. The website having a database for storing real-time sensor information.
Lifting and stabilizing of two-wheeled wheelchair system using interval type-2 fuzzy logic control based spiral dynamic algorithm
Authors: A. Razali N. A. , Abdul Ghani Nor Maniha , Bari Bifta Sama
Published: December 2021

The current study emphasizes on improving an interval type-2 fuzzy logic control (IT2FLC) system through the use of spiral dynamics algorithm (SDA) optimization in stabilizing a transformational two-wheeled wheelchair. The main contribution of this research is to reduce vibrations while performing the lifting and stabilization of a wheelchair from its standard four-wheeled to two-wheeled transformation. IT2FLC based SDA was used to enhance the system’s stability performance by obtaining the optimized value for input and output controller gains and IT2FLC parameters for IT2FLC. System modeling was done through development within the SimWise 4D software environment, which was then integrated with MATLAB/SIMULINK for control purposes. The proposed algorithm has demonstrated improved tilt angle performance with reduced noise and lower torque when various disturbances were applied, as compared to a system solely controlled by IT2FLC without any optimization. Moreover, the proposed algorithm has also comprehensively outperformed previous controllers in terms of system’s stability, further demonstrated its superiority as a system controller within transformational wheelchairs.
Wheelchair controlled by human brainwave using brain-computer interface system for paralyzed patient
Authors: Sahat Norasyimah , Alias Afishah , Yassin Fouziah Md
Published: December 2021

Integrated wheelchair controlled by human brainwave using a brain-computer interface (BCI) system was designed to help disabled people. The invention aims to improve the development of integrated wheelchair using a BCI system, depending on the ability individual brain attention level. An electroencephalography (EEG) device called mindwave mobile plus (MW+) has been employed to obtain the attention value for wheelchair movement, eye blink to change the mode of the wheelchair to move forward (F), to the right (R), backward (B) and to the left (L). Stop mode (S) is selected when doing eyebrow movement as the signal quality value of 26 or 51 is produced. The development of the wheelchair controlled by human brainwave using a BCI system for helping a paralyzed patient shows the efficiency of the brainwave integrated wheelchair and improved using human attention value, eye blink detection and eyebrow movement. Also, analysis of the human attention value in different gender and age category also have been done to improve the accuracy of the brainwave integrated wheelchair. The threshold value for male children is 60, male teenager (70), male adult (40) while for female children is 50, female teenager (50) and female adult (30).
The development and implementation of an android-based saving and loan cooperative application
Authors: Sarosa Moechammad , Khanthi Dwi Bhakti Devi , Mas'udia Putri Elfa , Azis Yunia Mulyani , Muna Nailul , Putra Ekananda Sulistyo
Published: December 2021

The savings and loans cooperative are a cooperative that has an important purpose in its reach and services, such as the Permata Ngijo Savings and Loans Cooperative. Activities within the cooperative itself include managing member data as well as savings and loan transactions. In systems that are still manual, such as Microsoft Excel, there is a risk of inaccurate data and takes a long time. This manual system is still less effective because the number of members and transactions continues to grow. Therefore, an application is needed as a more effective data processing and information system for members that is easier to access. This study aims to build an android-based savings and loan application using the hypertext preprocessor (PHP) programming language and my structured query language (MySQL) as data storage. Based on the android application that has been made, it shows that the black box functionality of the application runs as planned, the success rate for users reaches 90%.
Trainable generator of educational content
Authors: Rotkin Vladimir
Published: December 2021

As the main problem of the research, the possibility of creating a universal educational platform that combines the possibilities of an online generation of educational content with the interface of the training process itself was considered. The methodology of the educational platform has been developed, in which the mass generation of content is carried out at random, based on simulation models of educational objects. A matrix interface is used, which allows performing custom operations by entering a sequence of typical operators. The system forms a reference base of operators, replenishing it from user solutions, which makes it possible to train and improve the system in order to provide methodological support to student users. An active demo layout of an educational content generator was created and tested, using the example of a specific problem from school mathematics. All methodological options function in the layout. There are three interface options: administrative, training and control. It was concluded that the approach based on the simulation of educational objects makes it possible to create a unified algorithmic platform that combines the functions of content generation with educational training. The system contains a unique option to teach yourself based on its interaction with students.
A multi-input energy harvesting system with independent energy harvesting block and power management block
Authors: Yun Eun Jeong , Kim Hyeon Joong , Yu Chong Gun
Published: December 2021

In the conventional approach widely used for multi-input energy harvesting (MIEH), energy harvesting, energy combining, and power conversion are performed integrally in an inductor sharing block through time multiplexing operations, which is not suitable for hot-pluggable systems. In the MIEH system proposed in this paper, an energy harvesting block (EHB) and a power management block (PMB) are independent of each other to increase the modularity of the system. Therefore, the EHB can be optimized to extract maximum power from energy sources, and the PMB can be focused on combining input energies and converting power effectively. This paper mainly focuses on the design and implementation of the EHB. For light, vibration, and thermal energy, the measured peak power efficiencies of the EHB implemented using a 0.35 μm CMOS process are 95.2%, 92.5%, and 95.5%, respectively. To confirm the functionality and effectiveness of the proposed MIEH system, a PMB composed of simple charge pump circuits and a power management unit has also been implemented and verified with the designed EHB.
Real-time high-speed mobility management
Authors: Abuelgasim Ahmed Abdelsalam , Hassan Mohamed Khalafalla , Khairi Mutaz Hamed , Marsono Muhammad Nadzir , Yusof Kamaludin Mohamad
Published: December 2021

High-speed mobility system has now become a serious concern for mobile operators due to the large frameworks of a heterogeneous network made up of multiple cell types and different frequency bands. Handover (HO) is conducted in a real-life scenario when the user equipment (UE) moves from one network coverage to another by performing proper measurement with high speed. HO breakdown and call loss are observed due to a high speed; thus, high-speed mobility system needs improvement by using the UE speed as one of the key measurement monitoring criteria for the long-term evolution (LTE) network. Vendor consultation has been considered in this paper in addition to real drive test measurement in highways. Results have shown that velocity has a direct impact on the handover quality and overall timing. Results also demonstrate that 120 km/h measurement is better than 140 km/h as UE speed.
Converting cumulative grade point average to an equivalent percentage value based on a fuzzy logic
Authors: Fattoh Ibrahim Eldesouky , Mousa Farid Ali , Safwat Soha
Published: December 2021

The graduates who have finished their study program will be given a merit award and their award certificates will be graded in accordance with the degree of their academic accomplishment. The awards are generally offered using two methods; one is by the cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and the other is by the average percentage of all marks for the students. The problem is when assigning a course final grade; each student's final percentage is translated to a letter, allowing the discrepancy within the same letter grade range in the final ranking. If two students have the same final score, that means equal results. However, this equality can be false if one student hits a percentage of the highest grade, while the second student earns a percentage of the lowest grade of the same letter grade. This paper introduced a new equation that transforms between the awarded cumulative grade point average and the awarded percentage ranking based on fuzzy system. The proposed approach was tested using three actual benchmarks collected from three different colleges in Beni-Suef university. The obtained results reflects the effect of the fuzzy logic in helping converting form CGPA measures to percentage measure in educational systems.
Implementation three-step algorithm based on signed digit number system by using neural network
Authors: Thabit Qabeela Q. , Dawood Alyaa Ibragim , Issa Bayadir A.
Published: December 2021

The need for a simple and effective system that works with high efficiency features such as high processing speed, the ability to solve problems by learning method and accomplish the largest amount of data processing accurately and in little time produces that system, which attracted the efforts of the researcher to employ neural networks in computing away from the complexities that burden traditional computers. We presented a model for the design of the arithmetic circuit for the process of addition the sign digit numbers in a new way to deal with the arithmetic operations, which employment of the use of neural networks, this model includes a theoretical and practical simulation of them. The model relied on the implementation of the addition process based on a three-step algorithm adopted by the signed systems. Which is characterized by the possibility of execution in a parallel way, and therefore it provides the advantage of completion of arithmetic operation regardless of the length of their operands, or in other words, whatever the number of bits in the operands. The simulation of the model is done by entering operands for 6 addition operations (each one has operands are 15-bit length) to be executed simultaneously.
Designing and performance investigation of permanent magnet motor prototype for UTV electric drive train application
Authors: Yuniarto Muhammad Nur , Nugraha Yoga Uta , Negara I Made Yulistya , Asfani Dimas Anton , Sidharta Indra
Published: December 2021

The dynamic design specifications of a vehicle are used to define the required torque and speed of a permanent magnet motor. This is due to providing clear instructions on the intent, performance, and construction of a vehicle. Therefore, this study aims to determine an engineering design and prototyping process of a Permanent Magnet Motor, to be used as an electric powertrain in a Utility Vehicle. Based on being used in severe road condition (steep inclination and off road), the vehicle should be able to handle a 45° inclination with total payload of approximately 250 kg. Using a rear-wheel-drive traction, its weight should also be less than 1000 kg. Furthermore, the motor should be operated at a maximum battery voltage of 100 V. According to the requirements, the electric powertrain should further have the ability to deliver a torque of approximately 1600 Nm on both rear wheels. Using a finite element method to simulate performances, transmission was coupled to the motor in providing the required torque. In addition, the motor prototype was subsequently manufactured and tested using a dynamometer. The results showed that the motor produced 19.6 kW, 5600 RPM, and 75 Nm at 96 V. Therefore, the design and prototyping process of the motor satisfied all the required specification.
A new approach to three-phase asynchronous motor model for electric power system analysis
Authors: Solar Laura Collazo , Costa Montiel Angel A. , Vilaragut Llanes Miriam , Sousa Santos Vladimir
Published: December 2021

In this paper, a new steady-state model of a three-phase asynchronous motor is proposed to be used in the studies of electrical power systems. The model allows for obtaining the response of the demand for active and reactive power as a function of voltage and frequency. The contribution of the model is the integration of the characteristics of the mechanical load that can drive motors, either constant or variable load. The model was evaluated on a 2500 kW and 6000 V motor, for the two types of mechanical load, in a wide range of voltage and frequency, as well as four load factors. As a result of the evaluation, it was possible to verify that, for the nominal frequency and voltage variation, the type of load does not influence the behavior of the powers and that the reactive power is very sensitive to the voltage variation. In the nominal voltage and frequency deviation scenario, it was found that the type of load influences the behavior of the active and reactive power, especially in the variable load. The results demonstrate the importance of considering the model proposed in the simulation software of electrical power systems.
The smart grid concept applied to an industrial electrical system
Authors: Fraga Hurtado Isidro , Gómez Sarduy Julio Rafael , Viego Felipe Percy Rafael , Sousa Santos Vladimir , Quispe Oqueña Enrique Ciro
Published: December 2021

Smart grids can be considered as a concept that integrates electrical, automatic control, information, and communication technologies. This concept constitutes a fundamental complement in the integration of renewable energy sources in electrical power systems. Although its application is fundamentally framed in transmission and distribution networks, it could also be implemented in industrial electrical systems. This article aims to analyze the advantages of implementing solutions based on smart grids in the industrial sector. Likewise, the results of its implementation in the large industry in the province of Cienfuegos, Cuba are presented. Specifically, reactive compensation, voltage, and demand management controls were integrated into a Supervision, Control, and Data Acquisition system forming a smart grid. It is shown that, in industries where infrastructure and equipment conditions exist, it is possible to successfully implement solutions with the functionalities and benefits inherent to smart grids.
Control of grid side converter in wind power based PMSG with PLL method
Authors: Moutchou Rania , Abbou Ahmed
Published: December 2021

Wind power is one of the most promising renewable energy sources. Due to a constantly increasing penetration rate in power grids in order to comply with interconnection requirements. This article targets the impact of a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) which is the subject of most attention due to low cost and maintenance requirements, driven by a wind turbine with the necessary power electronic converters that allow wind turbines to operate at variable speed, and connected to the grid for power generation more efficiently by the phase-locked loop (PLL) method in order to synchronize it. Thus, the proposed control technicals are based on vector control (VC) to achieve maximum power point tracking (MPPT), keep the DC link voltage constant, and control the speed and current at the generator side and grid side in PMSG which provides controllability of the reactive power supplied to the network. Therefore, the response of the PLL is analyzed and the simulation results of the dynamic model of the system is developed in Matlab / Simulink. The study results exhibit the excellent performance with high robustness, by improving the system efficiency to 98.72%.
Fast detection technique for voltage unbalance in three-phase power system
Authors: Al-Naimi Ibrahim I. , Ghaeb Jasim A. , Baniyounis Mohammed J. , Al-Khawaldeh Mustafa
Published: December 2021

In this paper, the problem of voltage unbalance in the three-phase power systems is examined. A fast detection technique (FDT) is proposed to detect the voltage unbalance precisely and speedily. The well-known detection methods require more than one cycle time to detect the unbalanced voltages, whereas the proposed technique detects the unbalanced situations speedily in a discrete manner. Reducing the time duration required to detect the unbalanced voltages will enhance the dynamic response of the control system used to balance these voltages. The FDT acquires the instantaneous values of the three load voltages, calculates the sum and the space vector for these voltages at each sample, and utilizes these parameters to detect the voltage unbalance accurately within a quarter of the cycle time. A proof-of-concept simulation model for a real power system has been built. The parameters of the aqaba-qatrana-south amman (AQSA) Jordanian power system are considered in the simulation model. Also, several test cases have been conducted to test and validate the capabilities of the proposed technique.
New proposed fractional-polynomial functions: new recommendation for overcome the imbalance in three-phase systems
Authors: Vu Q. S. , Minh Bui Vu , Tran Minh , Korovkin N.V.
Published: December 2021

Non-linear loads or load imbalances, etc., are the typical causes of asymmetric operation of three-phase systems. The appearance of inverse (positive) and homopolar (zero) symmetric components cause damage to the systems and electrical equipment and increase the power losses on the transmission lines. Reactive power compensation is one of the solutions that can overcome this asymmetry. The difficulty that exists in many different methods is the optimal calculation of the value of the compensator. In this paper, a new method to overcome these problems is proposed and investigagted. The proposed method is based on the fundamental electrical quantities (voltages and currents) on the controllable values of the static compensation devices and overcoming of the asymmetric operation regime in the three-phase systems.
Simplified cascade multiphase DC-DC buck power converter for low voltage large current applications: part II --- output current controller
Authors: Prameswari Nungky , Ganesen Anand Bannet , Nuraziz Falah Kharisma , Furqani Jihad , Rizqiawan Arwindra , Dahono Pekik Argo
Published: December 2021

This paper proposes a control method for new simplified cascade multiphase direct current-direct current (DC-DC) buck power converters used for low-voltage large-current applications such as cathodic protection. To control the proposed converter, a proportional-integral (PI) controller is used to regulate the output current of the converter. The control scheme analysis is carried out by linearizing the small-signal model of the proposed converter to form the output current transfer functions. This transfer function will be analyzed by using phase and gain margin approach to obtain the control parameters (Kp, Ki, and Ti). Simulation and experiment results are included to show the validity of the proposed concept.
Development of solar photovoltaic model for wide range of operating conditions
Authors: Asim Mohammed , Sarwar Adil , Shahabuddin Mohammad , Manzar Mohammad Saood
Published: December 2021

Assorted climatic conditions such as irradiation, temperature and shading due to clouds, trees, buildings, communication towers etc. has an unavoidable impact on the output of solar photovoltaic (PV) system. This creates a need for the analytical performance study of solar PV system in changing atmospheric condition in order to design and install an optimized solar PV system for both, stand alone and grid connected. The present work shows the developed PV model in MATLAB codes and simulation is done under varying climate conditions showing change in irradiation and temperature using different arrangements of PV system. PV parameters are obtained in different setup and I-V and P-V characteristics of the developed model of the PV modules are analyzed. A comparative study of the parameters obtained is quite beneficial for an optimized design of the PV system under different atmospheric conditions.
Eco-design of portable solar-powered telescopic lamp for off-grid areas in Indonesia
Authors: Sanjaya Kadek Heri , Rajani Ahmad , Saputra Hendri Maja , Subagio Dalmasius Ganjar , Subekti Ridwan Arief , Fudholi Ahmad
Published: December 2021

This study describes the development of eco-design of portable solar-powered telescopic lamp for off-grid area in Indonesia. Several design requirements for the lamp, namely, sustainability, portability, affordability, and reliability, are the objectives of the design process in this study. Sustainability is achieved through renewable energy and the application of eco-design principles. Portability means it is lightweight, compact and can be carried anywhere inside a tube. This solar-powered telescopic lamp was designed with a 3.7 V, 15.6 Ah battery power specification such that the battery power is around 57.72 Wh. The optimal use of the battery is 80% of the total battery power that is 46.176 Wh. With a power of 46,176 Wh, the battery can turn on the LED strip light with a 4.8 W power specification for 9.62 h. The test results showed that the telescopic lamp endurance met the expected specifications. The real consumed power by the LED strips was around 1.9 W. The charging test using solar panels with 12 Wp specifications showed that it will be fully charged in around 3.8 h. However, the performance of the telescopic lamp, especially in the charging process, is affected by the environment condition, such as sunlight intensity, ambient temperature, and humidity.
Modeling of hybrid active power filter using artificial intelligence controller: hardware and software prospective
Authors: P. Sandhya , R. Nagaraj
Published: December 2021

The power factor is a significant concern in power systems. The significant power loss occurred due to electronic and electrical equipment damages affected by the deviation of physical characteristics, including voltage, current, and frequency parameters.The power loss and quality issues were resolved by introducing filtering techniques in electronic and electrical equipment. Many filtering techniques include passive filtering (PF), Active power filter (APF), and many hybrid approaches are already available. Most of these methods use proper compensation controlling approaches and failed to minimize the total harmonic distortion (THD), and harmonic mitigation in power systems has its best. In this article, an efficient Hybrid-APF using Artificial-Neuro Fuzzy interface system (ANFIS) for software and hardware perspective is designed. The proposed approach uses hybrid controlling strategies which include PI with artificial intelligence (ANFIS) controller, to control the power losses for H-APF. Additionally, current compensation is achieved by PQ-theory, followed by Hysteresis-Current- Controller (HCC). The hardware architecture of ANFIS with HCC is designed to improve the chip-area for real-time power applications.The present work analyzed by simulating the voltage and current waveform. The proposed-H-APF using ANFIS controller, both software and hardware approaches, is compared with other control techniques like H-APF with PI and Fuzzy logic controller by concerning THD,Reactive power, and Different Harmonics and loads improvements.
Adjustment mechanism with sliding mode for adaptive PD controller applied to unmanned fixed-wing MAV altitude
Authors: Espinoza Tadeo , S  ́aenz-Esqued A. , C  ́ortes-Mart ́ınez F.
Published: December 2021

This work presents an adjustment mechanism with the sliding modes technique to design a proportional derivative (PD) controller with adaptive gains. The objective and contribution are to design a robust adjustment mechanism in the presence of unknown and not modeled perturbations in the system; this perturbation can be considered wind gusts. The robust adjustment mechanism is designed with the MIT rule and the gradient method with the sliding mode theory. The adaptive PD obtained is applied to regulate unmanned fixed-wing miniature aerial vehicle (MAV’s) altitude.
The taxi function
Authors: Sánchez Alicia C.
Published: December 2021

This paper investigates the lane keeping control and the lateral control of autonomous ground vehicles, robots or the like considering the road agency formation unit (RAFU) functions. A strategy based knowing the real position of several points of the trajectory is proposed to achieve the lateral control purpose and maintain the lane keeping errors within the prescribed performance boundaries. The RAFU functions are applied to achieve these goals. The stability of these functions, their applicability to approach any arbitrary trajectory and the easy control of the possible error made on the approximation are useful advantages in practice.
Bee Representations in Human Art and Culture through the Ages
Authors: Prendergast Kit S. , Garcia Jair E. , Howard Scarlett R. , Ren Zong-Xin , McFarlane Stuart J. , Dyer Adrian G.
Published: December 2021

The field of bioaesthetics seeks to understand how modern humans may have first developed art appreciation and is informed by considering a broad range of fields including painting, sculpture, music and the built environment. In recent times there has been a diverse range of art and communication media representing bees, and such work is often linked to growing concerns about potential bee declines due to a variety of factors including natural habitat fragmentation, climate change, and pesticide use in agriculture. We take a broad view of human art representations of bees to ask if the current interest in artistic representations of bees is evidenced throughout history, and in different regions of the world prior to globalisation. We observe from the earliest records of human representations in cave art over 8,000 years old through to ancient Egyptian carvings of bees and hieroglyphics, that humans have had a long-term relationship with bees especially due to the benefits of honey, wax, and crop pollination. The relationship between humans and bees frequently links to religious and spiritual representations in different parts of the world from Australia to Europe, South America and Asia. Art mediums have frequently included the visual and musical, thus showing evidence of being deeply rooted in how different people around the world perceive and relate to bees in nature through creative practice. In modern times, artistic representations extend to installation arts, mixed-media, and the moving image. Through the examination of the diverse inclusion of bees in human culture and art, we show that there are links between the functional benefits of associating with bees, including sourcing sweet-tasting nutritious food that could have acted, we suggest, to condition positive responses in the brain, leading to the development of an aesthetic appreciation of work representing bees.
A new genus of Neotropical oak gall wasp, Prokius Nieves-Aldrey, Medianero & Nicholls, gen. nov. (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini), with description of two new species from Panama
Authors: MEDIANERO ENRIQUE , NICHOLLS JAMES A. , STONE GRAHAM N. , NIEVES-ALDREY JOSÉ LUIS
Published: December 2021

A new genus, Prokius Nieves Aldrey, Medianero & Nicholls, gen. nov., and two new species of oak gall wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini), Prokius cambrai Medianero & Nieves-Aldrey sp. nov. and Prokius lisethiae Medianero & Nieves-Aldrey sp. nov., are described from adults reared from galls on Quercus bumelioides Liebm (Fagaceae, sect. Quercus, white oaks) collected in Panama. The new genus is phylogenetically and morphologically close to Dros Kinsey and forms part of a large clade that includes species from several other genera that appear to require revision, including Andricus Hartig and Phylloteras Ashmead. Molecular and morphological data, diagnostic characters, gall descriptions, distribution and biological data of the new genus and the new species are given. This new genus represents the fourth recently described genus of Cynipidae endemic to the Neotropical region.
In Search of Stability: Ben Bella’s Algeria Seen from the Italian Point of View
Authors: Roggero Caterina
Published: December 2021

Based on unpublished documents from the recently declassified archives of the Italian Foreign Ministry, this article aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the facts that transpired during the presidency of Ahmed Ben Bella (1962–1965) in Algeria, from the Italian point of view. From the story and the point of view of Italian diplomatic representations in North Africa, three critical moments for the young independent state in the 3 years following the ceasefire of 19 March 1962 are analysed: the crisis of the summer of 1962, the Sands War of October 1963 and the coup d’état of Boumedienne of 19 June 1965. This article argues that Italian diplomats in Algeria were all intent on their mission, seeking with their analyses to understand when a certain stability in the country could be glimpsed, such as to allow the government of Rome to launch important investments and lasting technical and commercial collaboration agreements.
Active and Passive Facilitation Tendencies at Work Towards Sexy and Professional Women: The Role of Stereotypes and Emotions
Authors: Cuadrado Isabel , López-Rodríguez Lucía , Brambilla Marco , Ordóñez-Carrasco Jorge L.
Published: December 2021

Stereotypes have important social consequences, such as promoting female discrimination in the workplace, which depends on how women are categorized. Extending prior work, here we analyze how two important female subgroups, women who are categorized as professional or sexy women, are evaluated on key dimensions of stereotype content (morality, sociability, and competence), positive and negative emotions, and facilitation behavioral tendencies (active and passive). To this end, we adapted a previous scale of facilitation tendencies to the working environment. Furthermore, we aim to explore the mechanism involved in carrying out helping behaviors towards each subgroup of women in the workplace. In order to fulfill these goals, 201 participants ( Mage = 28.88, SD = 12.25; 66.2% women) were randomly assigned to evaluate a woman categorized as either sexy or professional on the mentioned variables. Results show that women categorized as sexy are devalued compared to those categorized as professionals. We also found that competence has a driving role in predicting more active facilitation tendencies towards a woman categorized as professional than a woman categorized as sexy via positive emotions. These findings have implications for the career development of women.
An Empirical Comparison of Four Generalized Trust Scales: Test–Retest Reliability, Measurement Invariance, Predictive Validity, and Replicability
Authors: Robbins Blaine G.
Published: December 2021

The Stranger Face Trust scale (SFT) and Imaginary Stranger Trust scale (IST) are two new self-report measures of generalized trust that assess trust in strangers—both real and imaginary—across four trust domains. Prior research has established the reliability and validity of SFT and IST, but a number of measurement validation tests remain. Across three separate studies, I assess the test–retest reliability, measurement invariance, predictive validity, and replicability of SFT and IST, with the misanthropy scale (MST) and generalized social trust scale (GST) serving as benchmarks. First, tests of internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and longitudinal measurement invariance established that all four generalized trust scales were acceptably reliable, with SFT and IST yielding greater overall reliability than MST and GST. Second, tests of multiple group measurement invariance revealed that SFT and IST were equivalent across gender, race, education, and age groups, while MST and GST were non-equivalent across the same sociodemographic groups. Third, an investment game established the predictive validity of SFT and MST, with IST and GST yielding poor predictive validity. Fourth, tests of factor structure and measurement invariance indicated that all four generalized trust scales replicated across samples. The present findings bolster the validity, reliability, and measurement equivalence of SFT and IST, while illustrating the compromised validity and measurement non-equivalence of MST and GST. Implications for the measurement of generalized trust are discussed.
The effectiveness of functional electrical stimulation of the legs in patients with heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Wang Hsun-Yi , Chen Yu-Hsuan , Kuan Yi-Chun , Huang Shih-Wei , Lin Li-Fong , Chen Hung-Chou
Published: December 2021

Objective

To investigate the effectiveness of functional electrical stimulation of the legs in patients with heart failure.

Methods

Data were obtained from PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases until August 12, 2021. We included randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effects of functional electrical stimulation applied to the legs of patients with heart failure, namely changes in cardiopulmonary function, muscle strength, and quality of life.

Results

In total, 14 randomized controlled trials (consisting of 518 patients) were included in our article. Pooled estimates demonstrated that functional electrical stimulation significantly improved peak oxygen consumption (peak VO2; standardized mean difference = 0.33, 95% confidence interval = 0.07–0.59, eight randomized controlled trials, n = 321), 6-min walking distance (mean difference = 48.03 m, 95% confidence interval = 28.50–67.57 m, 10 randomized controlled trials, n = 380), and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire quality of life score (mean difference =  − 8.23, 95% confidence interval =  − 12.64 to − 3.83, nine randomized controlled trials, n = 383). Muscle strength of lower extremities was not significantly improved in the functional electrical stimulation group compared with that in the control group (standardized mean difference = 0.26, 95% confidence interval =  − 0.18 to 0.71, five randomized controlled trials, n = 218). Furthermore, the subgroup analysis revealed that functional electrical stimulation significantly improved peak VO2, 6-min walking distance, and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire quality of life score in the heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction subgroups.

Conclusion

Functional electrical stimulation can effectively improve the cardiopulmonary function and quality of life in patients with heart failure. However, functional electrical stimulation did not significantly improve muscle strength in the legs.
Post-Marxism with substance: Beilharz circles Marx
Authors: el-Ojeili Chamsy
Published: December 2021

Circling Marx is both a window on to the forces and concerns that have shaped Thesis Eleven over four decades and an intellectual portrait of the singular post-Marxism of one of its leading thinkers. Beilharz emphasises the existence of multiple Marxes but leans towards a Marx who suggests an expanded materialism, a non-Bolshevik Marx, and a Marx of motion, rather than laws. Addressing Marxism and socialism more widely, Beilharz again underscores multiplicity, favouring those thinkers and currents that acknowledged complexity and limits, that staged something of a conversation between Marx and Weber, and that took distance from the teleology, vanguardism, and hubris that has marked parts of the Marxist tradition. Moving into more clearly post-Marxist territory, through important encounters with Heller and Feher, Bauman, Smith, and Castoriadis, Beilharz’s optic prioritises place, cultural traffic, and ambivalence, combining categories of ambitious scope with epistemological and normative circumspection, criticism with world affirmation.
A study of the electrophoretic deposition of polycaprolactone-chitosan-bioglass nanocomposite coating on stainless steel (316L) substrates
Authors: Sadeghinia Zahra , Emadi Rahmatollah , Shamoradi Fatemeh
Published: December 2021

In this research, bioglass nanoparticles were synthesized via sol-gel method and a polycaprolactone-chitosan-bioglass nanocomposite coating was formed on SS316L substrate using electrophoretic deposition method. Then, the effects of voltage and deposition time on morphology, thickness, roughness, and wettability of final coating were investigated. Finally, biocompatibility and toxicity of the coating were evaluated. The results showed that increase of both time and voltage enhanced the thickness, roughness, and wettability of coating. Also, increase of deposition time increased the agglomeration. Therefore, it can be concluded that voltage of 20 V and time of 10 min are suitable for the formation of a uniform agglomerate-free coating. The presence of bioglass nanoparticles also led to the increase of roughness and improvement of polycaprolactone hydrophobicity. The results also showed higher bioactivity in polycaprolactone-chitosan-1% bioglass nanocomposite coating sample. This sample had a roughness ( Ra) of 1.048 ± 0.037 μm and thickness of 2.54 ± 0.14 μm. In summary, the results indicated that coating of polycaprolactone-chitosan-bioglass nanocomposite on SS316L substrate could be a suitable surface treatment to increase its in vivo bioactivity and biocompatibility.
Aerodynamic interaction of turbines in a regulated two-stage turbocharging system
Authors: Yang Mingyang , Pan Lei , Shu Mengying , Deng Kangyao , Ding Zhanming , Tian Yonghai
Published: December 2021

Two-stage turbocharging becomes prevailing in internal combustion engines due to its advantage of flexibility of boosting for the variation of operational conditions. Two turbochargers are closely coupled by engine manifolds in the system especially under the requirement of compactness. This paper studies the influence of the interaction of two turbines in a two-stage turbocharging system on the performance. Results show that the performance of low-pressure turbine is highly sensitive to the stage interaction. Specifically, compared with the cases without interaction, the efficiency of low-pressure turbine increases maximumly by 2.8% when the bypass valve is closed, but reduces drastically by 7.5% when the valve is open. Detailed flow analysis shows that the combined results of swirling flow from the high-pressure turbine and the Dean vortex caused by the manifold elbow result in the alleviation of entropy generation in the turbine rotor. However, when the bypass valve is open, interaction of the swirling flow with the injected bypass flow results in strong secondary flow in the volute and distorted inlet flow condition for the rotor, leading to the enhancement of entropy generation in low-pressure turbine. The study provides valuable insights into turbine performance in a two-stage turbocharging system, which can be used for the modeling and optimization of multi-stage turbocharging systems.
Frequency manipulation of a light-activated shape-memory polymer-laminated cylindrical shell
Authors: He Tao , Zhu Pengpeng , Zhang Xiangmin
Published: December 2021

A light-activated shape-memory polymer is a novel smart material that exhibits a dynamic Young's modulus when exposed to light. The non-contact actuation feature facilitates the lamination of a light-activated shape-memory polymer on host structures for realising frequency control. In this study, we investigated the natural frequency of a simply supported cylindrical shell coupled with light-activated shape-memory polymer patches located arbitrarily on the shell. Initially, we compared the natural frequency of a completely laminated cylindrical shell using two different approaches. Further, we analysed the effect of changes in the length and location of the light-activated shape-memory polymer patch pair on the natural frequency of the cylindrical shell. Based on the experimental results, we propose an optimal scheme, wherein several light-activated shape-memory polymer patch pairs are distributed on the surface of the shell, and the frequency control capability of the proposed scheme is evaluated comprehensively. The results verify that the optimal scheme has an adequate control effect on the natural frequency of the cylindrical shell.
Optimization of equal-cycle maintenance strategy considering imperfect preventive maintenance
Authors: Li Xinlong , Ran Yan , Zhang Genbao
Published: December 2021

Preventive maintenance is an important means to extend equipment life and improve equipment reliability. Traditional preventive maintenance decision-making is often based on components or the entire system, the granularity is too large and the decision-making is not accurate enough. The meta-action unit is more refined than the component or system, so the maintenance decision-making based on the meta-action unit is more accurate. Therefore, this paper takes the meta-action unit as the research carrier, considers the imperfect preventive maintenance, based on the hybrid hazard rate model, established the imperfect preventive maintenance optimization model of the meta-action unit, and the optimization solution algorithm was given for the maintenance strategy. Finally, through numerical analysis, the validity of the model is verified, and the influence of different maintenance costs on the optimal maintenance strategy and optimal maintenance cost rate is analyzed.
The Virulence of Grief in the Pandemic: Bereavement Overload During COVID
Authors: De Leon Corona Antonio Gabriel , Chin Jessica , No Paul , Tom Jennifer
Published: December 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about bereavement overload as a risk factor for complicated grief. Bereavement overload (BO) describes individuals’ reactions to losses transpiring in a quick succession, without the time and opportunity for coping [9]. It can occur during catastrophic events and impact everyone experiencing the loss.

With the high death toll from COVID-19, many people have lost multiple loved ones followed by an abbreviated grieving process due to the nature of the pandemic. This can have psychosocial impact on survivors for years. One of the evolving roles of Palliative Care within and after the pandemic should be to recognize those suffering from BO. Obtaining loss histories may identify those at risk of pathologic grief to provide preventive bereavement care.

We present three cases encountered in our health system during the COVID-19 pandemic amongst a family member, a patient, and a healthcare provider. In each case the Palliative Care Team worked closely with these individuals to identify COVID-associated BO and helped them reconcile their unresolved grief to be able to move forward. These cases reflect only a fraction of those who experienced loss during the pandemic, but they illustrate how grief can be complicated by the pandemic for everyone involved.

Palliative Care will have a crucial role moving forward, in treating the pandemic of complicated grief within the pandemic to adapt to the needs of all survivors, as we realize the effects of COVID will last long after its virulence has waned.