bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring Multiple Pathways of Product Design Elements Using the fsQCA Method
Authors: Wang Yi , Sang Lijuan , Wang Weiwei , Chen Jian , Yang Xiaoyan , Liu Jun , Wen Zhiqiang , Peng Qizhao
Published: October 2024

To address current product styling design issues, such as ignoring the joint effects of multiple styling elements when constructing perceptual imagery fitting models and thus failing to effectively identify the relationships between styling elements, a product styling design method based on fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) is proposed. This method first uses semantic differential and statistical methods to obtain users’ evaluative vocabulary for the product’s perceptual imagery. Then, morphological analysis and cluster analysis are employed to establish typical product samples and extract styling elements to create a styling feature library. Perceptual imagery ratings of these styling features are obtained through expert evaluation. fsQCA is then used to analyze the different grouping relationships between styling elements and their influence on product styling imagery, aiming to match user intentions through different element combination paths. The results show that this method achieves a consistency value of 0.9 for the most optimal styling configurations, demonstrating that fsQCA can effectively identify the multiple paths of product styling elements that meet users’ needs. The contributions of this study to the related fields are: (1) providing a new perspective on the relationship between user perceptual imagery and predicted product styling elements, and (2) advancing the theoretical basis for studying multiple paths of product styling elements. The research results demonstrate that using the fsQCA-based product styling design method can accurately portray the multiple paths of product styling elements that meet users’ needs, thereby effectively improving design efficiency. Finally, a teapot styling design study is used as an example to further verify the method’s feasibility.
Hydraulic Performance Comparison of Centrifugal Closed Impellers Fabricated by Means of Additive Manufacturing and Classical Machining for Space Active Thermal Control Systems of Satellites
Authors: Popa Ionut-Florian , Dobromirescu Cristian , Vintila Ionut Sebastian , Tinca Iulia , Mihai Dragos , Canache Alexa Miruna , Crunteanu Daniel Eugeniu
Published: October 2024

The current paper addresses the challenges in manufacturing a critical component of a centrifugal pump for space active thermal control systems of satellites, namely, the closed centrifugal impeller. Compared to the classical technologies, there is an obvious advantage of additive manufacturing of closed impellers, due to the possibility of creating complex geometries, which boost the hydraulic performances of the part and, implicitly, of the pump. In this regard, the authors performed a comparative analysis between a closed impeller obtained by classical machining and three manufactured by additive technology (selective laser melting) by means of dimensional inspection, non-destructive testing, and experimental evaluation. The study performed here showed that the additively manufactured closed impellers exhibited similar hydraulic performances to the classical one, without the need for performing post-processing of internal surfaces. Also, in terms of dimensional and geometrical stability, the additively manufactured closed impellers were within the imposed tolerances, demonstrating the feasibility of obtaining such complex parts by using additive manufacturing. Subsequently, the allocated time for manufacturing decreased by 75% for the closed impellers manufactured by additive technologies, and the need for using four technological processes was decreased to only two, printing and post-processing.
Advancements in UAV-Enabled Intelligent Transportation Systems: A Three-Layered Framework and Future Directions
Authors: Afrin Tanzina , Yodo Nita , Dey Arup , Aragon Lucy G.
Published: October 2024

Integrating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into intelligent transportation systems (ITSs) will be pivotal in shaping next-generation smart cities. This paper proposes a novel three-layered framework for integrating UAVs into intelligent transportation systems (ITSs) and reviews the current developments, challenges, and future directions in this emerging field. This framework provides a comprehensive overview of the key components of UAV-integrated ITSs, encompassing UAV specifications and deployment strategies, communication networks, and data utilization for traffic management. The first layer explores UAVs’ technical specifications, deployment strategies, and trajectory optimization, essential for maximizing UAV performance in transportation contexts. The second layer addresses the communication networks between UAVs and vehicles, along with the use of UAVs for responsive traffic monitoring. This includes the development of robust communication protocols and real-time traffic analysis to enhance system efficiency. The third layer focuses on advanced data collection processing techniques and complexities, reviewing the methods for analyzing the traffic data collected by UAVs for decision-making in transportation management. Moreover, the paper presents the current UAV-enabled ITS implementation, highlighting key challenges and future research directions. By providing a comprehensive overview of UAV-enabled ITSs, this study presents a significant portrayal of the current landscape of UAV integration in ITSs and serves as a foundation for future advancements in smart city infrastructure.
The Effect of Pine Wood Thickness on the Freezing and Heating Process in Warm-Air Drying
Authors: Klement Ivan , Vilkovská Tatiana , Vilkovský Peter
Published: October 2024

Wood is subject to various environmental conditions during its processing, with temperatures being one of the most relevant to the material’s behaviour. The heating process during drying is crucial for both the final quality of the dried wood and heat consumption. As the first stage of the drying process, it is essential to achieve adequate overheating in the middle of the thickness without causing damage. The present article focuses on the influence of pine wood thickness on the freezing process and heating during the warm-air drying process. Similarity theory was applied to the theoretical calculation of the time to heat the frozen wood, where Fourier and Biot’s criteria were used. The calculated times were confirmed by experimental measurements. Theoretical calculations of heating time for frozen wood align with measured values for larger thicknesses. For smaller thicknesses (<50 mm), the heating time was shown as unnecessarily long. The results showed that wood thickness significantly affected both freezing and heating processes. Specifically, the thickness of the samples had a notable impact on the heating of frozen samples, only after changing the water gradient in the wood from solid to liquid state. The optimal solution would be if the time and course of heating were regulated according to the actual measured temperature in the centre of the wood.
Improving Water Quality by Combined Sedimentation and Slow Sand Filtration: A Case Study in a Maasai Community, Tanzania
Authors: Bachar Nadav , Lindenstrauss Noga , David Saar , Mirkin Micha , Polani Noam , Gueta Osher , Partush Shaked , Ronen Avner
Published: October 2024

Some Maasai communities in northern Tanzania face severe water quality and scarcity issues, significantly impacting the health and living conditions of the local population. To address the water quality challenges faced by one of the Maasai communities, where thousands of residents consume water with high turbidity and contaminants, a team of volunteers, primarily engineering students from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, conducted a project in 2023. This project aimed to improve water quality through the implementation of combined sedimentation and biofilm-based slow sand filtration systems. These systems utilized mechanical filtration via sand bed percolation and biological filtration through biofilm formation, which effectively reduced turbidity and removed contaminants. The biofilm maturation significantly enhanced filtration efficiency, achieving turbidity reduction from levels exceeding 10,000 to below 5 NTU, meeting WHO standards. Comprehensive water quality assessments revealed contamination in the water sources, with elevated levels of lead (up to 11 mg/L), which pose health risks. In addition, we evaluated locally accessible materials such as chalk and limestone for coagulation and precipitation, enhancing water clarity and removing contaminants. Despite constraints that shortened the mission duration, the results provide a solid foundation for future efforts to improve water quality in the region. This study highlights the potential of low-tech biofilm-based filtration systems for sustainable water purification in resource-limited environments. It demonstrates the effectiveness of small-scale household systems and presents a development protocol optimized for local materials and water contamination characteristics.
Vision Systems for a UR5 Cobot on a Quality Control Robotic Station
Authors: Kohut Piotr , Skop Kamil
Published: October 2024

This paper addresses the development of a vision system for the UR5 cobot and the corresponding operating algorithm of the robotic quality control station. The hardware–software architecture of the developed robotic station consisting of a UR5 cobot equipped with a web camera and a stationary industrial camera with a lighting system is presented. Image processing and analysis algorithms are described, the method of control and communication between the station components is discussed, and operating scenarios are presented as a single robotic station and as a part of the robotic line. Based on the results which were obtained, the level of measurement noise, accuracy, and repeatability of the developed vision system were estimated. A novel complete vision system architecture with hardware–software modules for the UR5 cobot quality control station is shown and discussed. The software part based on Python 3.12 language, OpenCV 4.7.0.68 libraries, and the PolyScope 1.8 environment incorporates modules for system calibration, image acquisition, preprocessing and image analysis (for objects’ location and geometric measurements) and for robotic cell communication and control. The hardware part of the UR5 cobot vision system is based on a PC with two independent and distinct cameras: one permanently affixed and the other mounted to the cobot’s flange. This innovative setup, combined with software architecture, broadens the scope of existing robotic quality control applications.
Evaluating the Conformity to Types of Unified Modeling Language Diagrams with Feature-Based Neural Networks
Authors: Nedelcu Irina-Gabriela , Ionita Anca Daniela
Published: October 2024

This article investigates the application of a deep learning model for evaluating the conformity of model images to types of UML diagrams to be used in self-training and educational settings. Our approach leans on a feature-based dataset that captures a broad range of modeling elements from class, state machine, and sequence diagrams, enhancing the ability to recognize a larger variety of categories selected for this research. The neural network trained with these features representing parts of the UML concrete syntax demonstrates 90% in classification accuracy on average, in respect to our previous research on UML diagrams classification without using a feature-based dataset. This study concludes that a feature-based approach, combined with advanced neural network architectures, can improve the classification of such images, especially in edge cases where diagrams contain similar graphical details but the whole does not represent a UML diagram. For the given research, we obtained a 0.87 F1 score.
Closed Circuit of 3-Dimensional Polymer Powders
Authors: Sadkiewicz Józef , Flizikowski Józef
Published: October 2024

This article describes the most important stages of testing the levels of innovative readiness of a new machine and material construction solutions for closed loops of polymer powders in 3D additive manufacturing. The aim of this study was to indicate the state and directions of development of the technology of geometric recycling of polymer powders in 3D additive manufacturing, the need to control the geometric quality of the powders, and the quality of the design of machines for their processing in a closed circuit. The method was aimed at creating a strategy and verifying the stages of development of a new idea for stabilizing the geometric and dynamic design features of polymer powders for additive manufacturing (3D printing). Connections and relationships of the variable design features of powders, machines and devices with variable postulated states of products and processes allowed for the analysis, knowledge, description and development of variables for stabilizing geometric features of polymer powders in recycling. The results show the possibilities of supporting innovative creativity according to the adopted method, allow for determining the level of compliance of the quality of the products of the technical system, the effectiveness of preparatory processes for recycling and the non-toxicity of the products and processes of the new technology and their closed loop. The goal of developing useful design values, according to an integrated method of analysis, assessment and environmental development, was achieved, including the proposal of design features of razor blade shredders, supported by genetic algorithms, and devices for stabilizing polymer powders in additive manufacturing with recycling.
Theoretical Analysis of Landfill Gas Migration in Capillary Barrier Covers Considering Effects of Waste Temperature
Authors: Wu Tao , Yang Huaning , Cheng Jiankang , Chen Guannian , Xu Haoqing , Zhang Lei
Published: October 2024

The high-temperature and high-humidity conditions arising from the biochemical degradation of landfill waste result in significant temperature gradients within the landfill cover. The effects of waste temperature on landfill gas transport and microbial aerobic methane oxidation are not fully understood. In this study, a fully coupled theoretical model was developed to simulate the interactions of moisture, heat, and gas transport within a capillary barrier cover. A series of parametric studies were carried out to investigate the influence of the combined effects of temperature gradient, initial soil moisture content, and landfill gas generation rate on methane transport, oxidation, and emissions. The simulated results indicated that increasing waste temperature intensified the temperature gradient, leading to higher surface evaporation rates and variations in methane oxidation efficiencies. Additionally, variations in initial soil moisture content and landfill gas generation rates were found to significantly impact gas migration and methane oxidation in the cover. This study demonstrates the critical role of waste temperature in landfill gas migration within landfill cover systems, providing technical methodologies for the optimized design of soil cover systems.
The Influence of the Gap Phenomenon on the Occurrence of Consecutive Discharges in WEDM Through High-Speed Video Camera Observation
Authors: Wang Jun , Sánchez José Antonio , Izquierdo Borja , Ayesta Izaro
Published: October 2024

The Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (WEDM) process is an accurate method for manufacturing high-added-value components for industry. Continuous developments in the process have resulted in specialized machines used in sectors such as aerospace and biomedical engineering. However, some fundamental aspects of the discharge process remain unresolved. This work aims to study the influence of discharge location and bubble expansion on the occurrence of subsequent discharges. A high-speed video camera observation system was constructed to capture images of each discharge. From the acquired images, an algorithm was devised to determine the discharge location based on grayscale analysis. Moreover, the voltage and current waveforms of the discharges and the framing signals of the high-speed video camera were then obtained using an oscilloscope. Synchronizing the observation images and signals allowed for calculating the delay time for each single discharge. The results indicate that most of the discharges occurred near the boundary of the bubble and during bubble expansion. This finding has been observed for a variety of machining conditions and can be explained by the effect of the debris particles concentrated at the bubble boundary. This study provides useful information for better understanding the discharge process in WEDM.
Personalized 3D Printing of Artificial Vertebrae: A Predictive Bone Density Modeling Approach for Robotic Cutting Applications
Authors: Tian Heqiang , Sun Ying , Zhao Jing , Pang Bo
Published: October 2024

Robotic vertebral plate cutting poses significant challenges due to the complex bone structures of the lumbar spine, which consist of varying densities in cortical and cancellous regions. This study addresses these challenges by developing a predictive model for robotic vertebral plate cutting force and bone quality recognition through the fabrication of artificial vertebrae with controlled, consistent bone density. To address the variability in bone density between cortical and cancellous regions, CT data are utilized to predict target bone density, serving as a foundation for determining the optimal 3D printing process parameters. The proposed methodology integrates a Response Surface Methodology (RSM), Back Propagation (BP) neural network, and genetic algorithm (GA) to systematically evaluate the effects of key process parameters, such as the filling density, material flow rate, and layer thickness, on the printed vertebrae’s density. A one-factor experimental approach and RSM-based central composite design are applied to build an initial bone density prediction model, followed by Sobol’s sensitivity analysis to quantify the influence of each parameter. The GA-BP neural network model is then employed to rapidly and accurately identify optimal printing parameters for different bone layer densities. The resulting optimized models are used to fabricate personalized artificial lumbar vertebrae, which are subsequently validated through robotic cutting experiments. This research not only contributes to the advancement in personalized 3D printing technology but also provides a reliable framework for developing patient-specific surgical planning models in robot-assisted orthopedic surgery.
Stochastic Memristor Modeling Framework Based on Physics-Informed Neural Networks
Authors: Kim Kyeongmin , Lee Jonghwan
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we present a framework of modeling memristor noise for circuit simulators using physics-informed neural networks (PINNs). The variability of the memristor that is directly related to the neuromorphic system can be handled with this approach. The memristor noise model is transformed into a Fokker–Planck equation (FPE) from a probabilistic perspective. The translated equations are physically interpreted through the PINN. The weights and biases extracted from the PINN are implemented in Verilog-A through simple operations. The characteristics of the stochastic system under the noise are obtained by integrating the probability density function. This approach allows for the unification of different memristor models and the analysis of the effects of noise.
Improving Geotechnical Properties of Expansive Subgrade Using Sugar Cane Molasses and Cement
Authors: Ahmad Sohail , Peng Tianbo , Ayaz Hassan , Wu Yicheng
Published: October 2024

Soil stabilization using Portland cement is a widely adopted technique. Previous research has demonstrated that molasses, which contains sugars, enhances the reaction between cement and aggregates. This study investigates the impact of adding molasses to soil stabilized with Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) on geotechnical properties. Expansive clay soil samples from Taru Jabba, District Nowshera, Pakistan, were treated with various combinations of molasses and cement. The concentrations of each stabilizer were varied at 0%, 4%, 8%, and 12% by dry weight of the soil. Additionally, the soil was treated with constant molasses contents of 4%, 8%, and 12%, while varying the cement content at 4%, 8%, and 12% by dry weight. Geotechnical tests, including Proctor compaction, Atterberg limits, Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS), California Bearing Ratio (CBR), and swelling potential, were conducted to assess the effects of the stabilizers. The results indicated that the addition of molasses improved soil strength, mitigated shrinkage cracks, and reduced brittleness. Specifically, the CBR value increased from 3.2% in the native soil to 12.3% with 12% molasses and 12% cement. The Plasticity Index (PI) decreased from 14.23% to 8.12%, and the CBR swell value reduced from 9.66% to 3.82%. Furthermore, the UCS of the stabilized soil increased by 64.7% compared to the untreated soil after a 7 day curing period.
Scheduling Cluster Tools with Multi-Space Process Modules and a Multi-Finger-Arm Robot in Wafer Fabrication Subject to Wafer Residency Time Constraints
Authors: Gu Lei , Wu Naiqi , Qiao Yan , Zhang Siwei , Li Tan
Published: October 2024

To increase productivity, more sophisticated cluster tools are developed. To achieve this, one of the ways is to increase the number of spaces in a process module (PM) and the number of fingers on a robot arm as well, leading to a cluster tool with multi-space PMs and a multi-finger-arm robot. This paper discusses the scheduling problem of cluster tools with four-space PMs and a four-finger-arm robot, a typical tool with multi-space PMs and a multi-finger-arm robot adopted in modern fabs. With two arms in such a tool, one is used as a clean one, while the other is used as a dirty one. In this way, wafer quality can be improved. However, scheduling such cluster tools to ensure the residency time constraints is very challenging, and there is no research report on this issue. This article conducts an in-depth analysis of the steady-state scheduling for this type of cluster tools to explore the effect of different scheduling strategies. Based on the properties, four robot task sequences are presented as scheduling strategies. With them, four linear programming models are developed to optimize the cycle time of the system and find feasible schedules. The performance of these strategies is dependent on the activity parameters. Experiments are carried out to test the effect of different parameters on the performance of different strategies. It shows that, given a group of parameters, one can apply all the strategies and choose the best result obtained by one of the strategies.
Kinematic and Workspace Analysis of RRU-3RSS: A Novel 2T2R Parallel Manipulator
Authors: Diego Paul , Macho Erik , Herrero Saioa , Campa Francisco J. , Diez Mikel , Corral Javier , Pinto Charles
Published: October 2024

This paper presents a novel parallel manipulator capable of generating two translations (2T), inside a vertical plane, and two rotations (2R), about horizontal axes, which are required in aerospace, manufacturing and rehabilitation fields. These four degrees of freedom are reached by means of a unique RRU and three RSS kinematic chains connected to a rhomboid-shaped mobile platform. The kinematic analysis of the new manipulator is provided, which includes the resolution of the inverse position problem and the velocity equations relating to input and output variables. Additionally, a methodology is proposed for obtaining the workspace free of singularities, collisions and kinematic joint range limitation. This systematic methodology allows designers to identify the critical factors affecting the workspace and, thus, to rearrange the mechanical design accordingly for optimum path planning. We represent the workspace using its two-dimensional subspaces (i.e., translational and rotational workspace). The results are analyzed for different working modes of the manipulator to see its potential use in applications wherein 2T2R motion is necessary.
Trend Forecasting in Swimming World Records and in the Age of World Record Holders
Authors: Costa Mário J. , Quinta-Nova Luis , Ferreira Sandra , Costa Aldo M. , Santos Catarina C.
Published: October 2024

This study aimed to forecast trends in swimming world records (WRs) and in the age of record holders. A total of 566 individual freestyle WRs (290 for males and 276 for females) were retrieved from open access websites. The frequency of observations in WRs in each decade and event was computed for males and females. The swimmers’ chronological age was converted into decimal age at the time of breaking the world record. ARIMA forecasting models and exponential smoothing techniques were used to examine historical trends and predict future observations. The WRs improved over time, and there was a nuanced pattern in the age of world record holders. While certain events (50 m and 100 m) showed swimmers achieving records at older ages, others (e.g., 200 m, 400 m, 800 m, and 1500 m) displayed variations. Forecasting shows a continuing improvement in WRs in the upcoming years, with the age of male world record holders stabilizing in shorter events and decreasing in longer distance ones, while for females, general stabilization should be expected for the majority of competitive events.
Characterization of the Joint Microenvironment in Osteoarthritic Joints for In Vitro Strategies for MSC-Based Therapies: A Systematic Review
Authors: Silvestrini da Silva Aline , Hertel Fernanda Campos , Valente Fabrício Luciani , Voorwald Fabiana Azevedo , Borges Andrea Pacheco Batista , Sabino Adriano de Paula , Sepulveda Rodrigo Viana , Reis Emily Correna Carlo
Published: October 2024

Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that causes pain, stiffness, and reduced joint function because the protective cushioning inside the joints, called cartilage, gradually wears away. This condition is caused by various factors and complex processes in the joint’s environment, involving different types of cells producing factors that can either maintain the joint health or contribute to osteoarthritis. This study aimed to understand the factors influencing both healthy and diseased joints in DDD strategies for the in vitro preconditioning of MSCs. An electronic search in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was carried out using the terms (cartilage OR chondr*) AND (repair OR regeneration OR healing) AND (niche OR microenvironment)) AND (“growth factor” OR GF OR cytokine). Researchers used various methods, including macroscopic examinations, histology, immunohistochemistry, and microCT. Molecules associated with joint inflammation were identified, like macrophage markers, MMP-13, TNF, apoptotic markers, and interleukins. Chondrogenesis-related factors such as aggrecan GAG, collagen type II, and TGF beta family were also identified. This study suggests that balancing certain molecules and ensuring the survival of joint chondrocytes could be crucial in improving the condition of osteoarthritic joints, emphasizing the importance of chondrocyte survival and activity. Future preconditioning methods for MSC- and EV-based therapies can find suitable strategies in the described microenvironments to explore co-culture systems and soluble or extracellular matrix factors.
Gradual Replacement of Soybean Meal with Brewer’s Yeast in Fingerling Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Diet, Resulting in a Polynomial Growth Pattern, Independent of Whether Reared in a Biofloc or Clear-Water System
Authors: Nhi Nguyen Huu Yen , Lan Trinh Thi , Baruah Kartik , Lundh Torbjörn , Kiessling Anders
Published: October 2024

A 60-day feeding experiment was conducted to examine whether (i) soybean meal (SBM) protein in the diet of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) can be replaced with protein from spent brewer’s yeast (SBY); (ii) co-rearing with biofloc alters fish growth, feed conversion and protein efficiency compared with rearing in clear water; and (iii) accumulated protein quantity and quality in biofloc acts as a possible feed source for the fish in periods of low feed intake. The fish were reared in either a bio-recirculating aquaculture system (Bio-RAS) or a clear-water RAS (Cw-RAS). In Bio-RAS, the mechanical and biological filters used in Cw-RAS were replaced with an open bioreactor that delivered heterotrophic-based biofloc to the rearing tanks and also acted as a sedimentation trap for effluent water before recirculating it back into the rearing unit. The fish were fed four iso-nitrogenous and iso-energetic diets (~28% crude protein, ~19 MJ kg−1 gross energy) in which SBM protein was replaced with increasing levels of SBY, with triplicate tanks per inclusion level. The results revealed that average fish growth was greater in a biofloc environment compared with clear water and also greater at higher inclusion levels of SBY. However, in both rearing environments, fish growth displayed a second-degree polynomial distribution with increasing SBY inclusion level, with a peak between 30% and 60% inclusion. Fish in the biofloc environment showed better feed conversion ratio and protein retention, likely through ingesting both given feed and biofloc. Biofloc contained a significant amount of accumulated protein with a high biological profile, thereby constituting a possible feed reserve for the fish. A conclusion underlined by the apparent improved feed conversion of Bio-RAS reared fish, where that ingestion of biofloc will reduce the need for external feed per unit growth.
Impact of Harvest Method on Development of European Sea Bass Skin Microbiome during Chilled Storage
Authors: Angelakopoulos Rafael , Tsipourlianos Andreas , Fytsili Alexia E. , Giannoulis Themistoklis , Moutou Katerina A.
Published: October 2024

European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) is one of the most significant species farmed in the Mediterranean, yet a very perishable product. Its quality deteriorates rapidly as a result of three mechanisms: microbial activity, chemical oxidation, and enzymatic degradation. Microbial spoilage is the mechanism that contributes most to the quality deterioration of fresh and non-processed fish. To this end, our study aims to identify for the first time the combined effect of aquatic environment and harvest method on the composition and trajectory at storage at 0 °C of the European sea bass skin microbiome. Sampling was performed in two commercial fish farms in Western (WG) and Central Greece (CG) where fish were harvested using different methods: direct immersion in ice water or a mixture of slurry ice; application of electro-stunning prior to immersion in ice water. Samples were collected on harvest day and one week post-harvest. To profile the bacterial communities in the fish skin, 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing was used. The results and the following analyses indicated that the aquatic environment shaped the original composition of the skin microbiome, with 815 ASVs identified in the WG farm as opposed to 362 ASVs in the CG farm. Moreover, Pseudomonas and Pseudoalteromonas dominated the skin microbiome in the WG farm, unlike the CG farm where Shewanella and Psychrobacter were the dominant genera. All these genera contain species such as Shewanella putrefaciens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudoalteromonas spp., and Psychrobacter sp., all of which have been implicated in the deterioration and spoilage of the final product. The different harvest methods drove variations in the microbiome already shaped by the aquatic environment, with electro-stunning favoring more diversity in the skin microbiome. The aquatic environment in combination with the harvest method appeared to determine the skin microbiome trajectory at storage at 0 °C. Although Shewanella had dominated the skin microbiome in all samples one week post-harvest, the diversity and the relative abundance of genera were strongly influenced by the aquatic environment and the harvest method. This study sheds light on the hierarchy of the factors shaping the fish skin microbiome and their importance for controlling post-harvest quality of fresh fish.
Abstract Subjects: Adia Millett, Abstraction, and the Black Aesthetic Tradition
Authors: Murray Derek Conrad
Published: October 2024

The Oakland, California-based artist Adia Millett is among an ever-growing generation of Black artists who have embraced abstraction in their creative production. Her approach is significant, considering that one of the more pernicious dimensions of art history has been its omission of African-American painters from the history of late-modernist American abstraction. In this 2024 interview, scholar Derek Conrad Murray and Millett exchange ideas about the intersection of Blackness and abstraction. Identity and representation have always been a thorny terrain throughout the history of American art, from the nineteenth century to the present—and Black artists’ commitment to reflecting on racial injustice dubiously rendered their work incommensurate with the aesthetic dictates of post-war abstraction. Since the 1990s, there has been an increase in corrective efforts dedicated to recuperating Black artists who have fallen through the cracks of history. As a result, the twenty-first century has seen an acknowledgment of many artists who were overlooked—and a blossoming of formalist abstraction among recent generations of contemporary Black artists. As articulated in this interview, Adia Millett, like many of her peers, has resisted the falsehood that abstraction is beyond her purview—and has embraced abstraction while refusing to abandon the complexities of Blackness.
Research and Analysis in the Cognitive Principles of Vocational Education and Training in Greece at the Beginning of the 21st Century
Authors: Kotsifakos Dimitrios , Kiriakos Dimitrios , Kalovrektis Konstantinos , Psaromiligkos Yannis , Douligeris Christos
Published: October 2024

Today, the Vocational Education and Training (VET) curriculum in Greece is state-regulated, combining school-based and work-based learning, and it is offered at upper-secondary and post-secondary levels. There is a need to prepare a new agenda for VET in Greece that follows the rapid technological developments of today. Our paper aims to enrich, redefine, and expand the current curricula and educational practices while proposing a complete plan for the overall reformation of VET’s learning conditions from the point of view of teaching and learning analytics. Through the evaluation of the existing changing institutional framework, the updated bibliographic references, and the experiential data of the educational reality, we can understand the expected needs of technological educators and decide how to address the priorities that must be determined. We focus on the preparation of the trainers and the overall redefinition of the role of education in preparing graduates. This paper’s main conclusions offer interpretations for the cognitive orientation of the existing curricula, as well as direction for the thinking and teaching skills of teachers, to build confidence in the prospects of technical education in Greece.
A Branched Convolutional Neural Network for Forecasting the Occurrence of Hazes in Paris Using Meteorological Maps with Different Characteristic Spatial Scales
Authors: Wang Chien
Published: October 2024

A convolutional neural network (CNN) has been developed to forecast the occurrence of low-visibility events or hazes in the Paris area. It has been trained and validated using multi-decadal daily regional maps of many meteorological and hydrological variables alongside surface visibility observations. The strategy is to make the machine learn from available historical data to recognize various regional weather and hydrological regimes associated with low-visibility events. To better preserve the characteristic spatial information of input features in training, two branched architectures have recently been developed. These architectures process input features firstly through several branched CNNs with different kernel sizes to better preserve patterns with certain characteristic spatial scales. The outputs from the first part of the network are then processed by the second part, a deep non-branched CNN, to further deliver predictions. The CNNs with new architectures have been trained using data from 1975 to 2019 in a two-class (haze versus non-haze) classification mode as well as a regression mode that directly predicts the value of surface visibility. The predictions of regression have also been used to perform the two-class classification forecast using the same definition in the classification mode. This latter procedure is found to deliver a much better performance in making class-based forecasts than the direct classification machine does, primarily by reducing false alarm predictions. The branched architectures have improved the performance of the networks in the validation and also in an evaluation using the data from 2021 to 2023 that have not been used in the training and validation. Specifically, in the latter evaluation, branched machines captured 70% of the observed low-visibility events during the three-year period at Charles de Gaulle Airport. Among those predicted low-visibility events by the machines, 74% of them are true cases based on observation.
Some Remarks on Existence of a Complex Structure on the Compact Six Sphere
Authors: Guan Daniel , Li Na , Wang Zhonghua
Published: October 2024

The existence or nonexistence of a complex structure on a differential manifold is a central problem in differential geometry. In particular, this problem on S6 was a long-standing unsolved problem, and differential geometry is an important tool. Recently, G. Clemente found a necessary and sufficient condition for almost-complex structures on a general differential manifold to be complex structures by using a covariant exterior derivative in three articles. However, in two of them, G. Clemente used a stronger condition instead of the published one. From there, G. Clemente proved the nonexistence of the complex structure on S6. We study the related differential operators and give some examples of nilmanifolds. And we prove that the earlier condition is too strong for an almost complex structure to be integrable. In another word, we clarify the situation of this problem.
Constrained Bayesian Method for Testing Equi-Correlation Coefficient
Authors: Kachiashvili Kartlos , SenGupta Ashis
Published: October 2024

The problem of testing the equi-correlation coefficient of a standard symmetric multivariate normal distribution is considered. Constrained Bayesian and classical Bayes methods, using the maximum likelihood estimation and Stein’s approach, are examined. For the investigation of the obtained theoretical results and choosing the best among them, different practical examples are analyzed. The simulation results showed that the constrained Bayesian method (CBM) using Stein’s approach has the advantage of making decisions with higher reliability for testing hypotheses concerning the equi-correlation coefficient than the Bayes method. Also, the use of this approach with the probability distribution of linear combinations of chi-square random variables gives better results compared to that of using the integrated probability distributions in terms of providing both the necessary precisions as well as convenience of implementation in practice. Recommendations towards the use of the proposed methods for solving practical problems are given.
An Electrochemical Impedance Spectrum-Based State of Health Differential Indicator with Reduced Sensitivity to Measurement Errors for Lithium–Ion Batteries
Authors: Abu Qahouq Jaber
Published: October 2024

As the use of electrochemical batteries, especially lithium–ion (Li-Ion) batteries, increases due to emerging applications and expanding markets, the accurate and fast estimation of their state of health (SOH) is becoming increasingly important. The accuracy of the SOH estimation is highly dependent on the correlation strength between the used indicator and SOH and the accuracy of the SOH indicator measurement. This paper presents a new differential indicator which has a strong and consistent correlation with the SOH of Li-Ion batteries, based on a new Electrochemical Impedance Spectrum (EIS) Phase–Magnitude relationship. It is shown in this paper that the EIS Phase–Magnitude relationship exhibits a phase-based differential impedance magnitude SOH indicator between a first-phase peak point and a last-phase valley point. Because of the differential nature of this SOH indicator and because the two impedance values are measured at a phase peak point and a valley phase point regardless of the phase absolute values, the effect of impedance measurement shift/offset (error) on SOH estimation is reduced. This supports the future development of more accurate and faster online and offline SOH estimation algorithms and systems that have a higher immunity to impedance measurement shift/offset (error). Furthermore, in this work, the EIS was measured for a lithium–ion battery that was down to a ~15% SOH, which was not only used to support the conclusions of this paper, but also helped in filling a gap in the literature for EIS data under deep/high degradation levels.
Inkjet-Printed Silver Lithiophilic Sites on Copper Current Collectors: Tuning the Interfacial Electrochemistry for Anode-Free Lithium Batteries
Authors: Mirbagheri Seyedalireza , Gibertini Eugenio , Magagnin Luca
Published: October 2024

Anode-free lithium batteries (AFLBs) present an opportunity to eliminate the need for conventional graphite electrodes or excess lithium–metal anodes, thus increasing the cell energy density and streamlining the manufacturing process. However, their attributed poor coulombic efficiency leads to rapid capacity decay, underscoring the importance of achieving stable plating and stripping of Li on the negative electrode for the success of this cell configuration. A promising approach is the utilization of lithiophilic coatings such as silver to mitigate the Li nucleation overpotential on the Cu current collector, thereby improving the process of Li plating/stripping. On the other hand, inkjet printing (IJP) emerges as a promising technique for electrode modification in the manufacturing process of lithium batteries, offering a fast and scalable technology capable of depositing both thin films and patterned structures. In this work, a Fujifilm Dimatix inkjet printer was used to deposit Ag sites on a Cu current collector, aiming to modulate the interfacial electrochemistry of the system. Samples were fabricated with varying areas of coverage and the electrochemical performance of the system was systematically evaluated from bare Cu (non-lithiophilic) to a designed pattern (partially lithiophilic) and the fully coated thin film case (lithiophilic). Increasing lithiophilicity resulted in lower charge transfer resistance, higher exchange current density and reduced Li nucleation overpotential (from 55.75 mV for bare Cu to 13.5 mV for the fully coated case). Enhanced half-cell cyclability and higher coulombic efficiency were also achieved (91.22% CE over 76 cycles for bare Cu, 97.01% CE over 250 cycles for the fully coated case), alongside more uniform lithium deposition and fewer macroscopic irregularities. Moreover, our observations demonstrated that surface patterning through inkjet printing could represent an innovative, easy and scalable strategy to provide preferential Li nucleation sites to guide the subsequent Li deposition.
The Psychological Nature of Female Gait Attractiveness
Authors: Tanabe Hiroko , Yamamoto Kota
Published: October 2024

Walking, a basic physical movement of the human body, is a resource for observers in forming interpersonal impressions. We have previously investigated the expression and perception of the attractiveness of female gaits. In this paper, drawing on our previous research, additional analysis, and reviewing previous studies, we seek to deepen our understanding of the function of gait attractiveness. First, we review previous research on gait as nonverbal information. Then, we show that fashion models’ gaits reflect sociocultural genderlessness, while nonmodels express reproductive-related biological attractiveness. Next, we discuss the functions of gait attractiveness based on statistical models that link gait parameters and attractiveness scores. Finally, we focus on observers’ perception of attractiveness, constructing a model of the visual information processing with respect to gait attractiveness. Overall, our results suggest that there are not only biological but also sociocultural criteria for gait attractiveness, and men and women place greater importance on the former and latter criteria, respectively, when assessing female gait attractiveness. This paper forms a major step forward in neuroaesthetics to understand the beauty of the human body and the generation of biological motions.
Post-Hatching Development of Posture and Behavior in the Barn Owl (Tyto alba): From a General Behavioral Pattern of Vertebrates to the Typical Owl Behavior
Authors: Eilam David , Hagbi Zohar
Published: October 2024

Hatching captive barn owl chicks underwent four developmental phases. In the first 10 days (phase 1), behavior consisted of lateral movements that gradually changed to forward progression and peaked a few days before and after eye-opening. This behavior resembled a general developmental pattern that characterizes other vertebrates. Chicks also underwent a postural change, from head bent underneath the ventrum to resting on the rear end of the trunk with the head lifted in the air. Then, once their eyes were opened, chicks became more stationary and preoccupied with visual exploration, manifested in lateral head movements and peering episodes (phase 2, until day 20). The latter behavior, which is also typical of mature owls when not on the wing, characterized the chicks’ behavior after post-hatching day 20 (phase 3), when their flight and contour feathers grew, along with shedding the down plumage and standing tall. Development culminated in active flight, first observed by days 50–60 (phase 4). Altogether, during post-hatching development, barn owl chicks gradually shifted from egg posture to the adult upright body posture. At the same time, their behavior consisted of speciation from the general developmental pattern to the typical stationary barn owl behavior, and, finally, flight was incorporated.