bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent Advances in Localized Immunomodulation Technology: Application of NIR-PIT toward Clinical Control of the Local Immune System
Authors: Yamada Mizuki , Matsuoka Kohei , Sato Mitsuo , Sato Kazuhide
Published: February 2023

Current immunotherapies aim to modulate the balance among different immune cell populations, thereby controlling immune reactions. However, they often cause immune overactivation or over-suppression, which makes them difficult to control. Thus, it would be ideal to manipulate immune cells at a local site without disturbing homeostasis elsewhere in the body. Recent technological developments have enabled the selective targeting of cells and tissues in the body. Photo-targeted specific cell therapy has recently emerged among these. Near-infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) has surfaced as a new modality for cancer treatment, which combines antibodies and a photoabsorber, IR700DX. NIR-PIT is in testing as an international phase III clinical trial for locoregional recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients (LUZERA-301, NCT03769506), with a fast-track designation by the United States Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA). In Japan, NIR-PIT for patients with recurrent head and neck cancer was conditionally approved in 2020. Although NIR-PIT is commonly used for cancer therapy, it could also be exploited to locally eliminate certain immune cells with antibodies for a specific immune cell marker. This strategy can be utilized for anti-allergic therapy. Herein, we discuss the recent technological advances in local immunomodulation technology. We introduce immunomodulation technology with NIR-PIT and demonstrate an example of the knockdown of regulatory T cells (Tregs) to enhance local anti-tumor immune reactions.
Molecular Mechanisms of Inhibitory Effects of Bovine Lactoferrin on Invasion of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Chea Chanbora , Miyauchi Mutsumi , Inubushi Toshihiro , Okamoto Kana , Haing Sivmeng , Takata Takashi
Published: February 2023

Lactoferrin (LF), an iron-binding glycoprotein, has been reported to have anticancer properties. However, the molecular mechanisms behind its anticancer effects on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) have not yet been elucidated. Therefore, we aimed to clarify the effects of LF on invasion of OSCC, and its underlying molecular mechanism. OSCC cell lines, HSC2 and HOC313, were treated with bovine LF (bLF). The effects of bLF on cell invasion were examined by a chamber migration assay, wound healing assay, and Boyden chamber method with a basement-membrane-analogue. Expression levels of MMP-1, MMP-3, and AP-1 were examined using RT-PCR, qRT-PCR, and western blotting. Roles of LRP1, a receptor of bLF, on cell invasion were analyzed using siLRP1 knockdown cells. Furthermore, to clarify the importance of LRP1 in invasion, the effects of bLF on tPA-induced invasion of OSCC cells were examined. The invasion assays showed that bLF suppressed invasion of the OSCC cells. Moreover, bLF down-regulated AP-1, and resulted in reductions of MMP-1 and MMP-3. With SiLRP1 knockdown, OSCC cells failed to induce their invasion, and bLF was not able to exert its effects on invasion. Furthermore, bLF remarkably inhibited tPA-induced cell invasion. These findings suggest the importance of LRP1 in bLF-suppressed invasion of OSCC cells via the reduction of AP-1 and MMP production.
Antitumoral and Antimicrobial Activities of Block Copolymer Micelles Containing Gold Bisdithiolate Complexes
Authors: Sousa Andreia , Santos Joana F. , Silva Francisco , Sousa Sílvia A. , Leitão Jorge H. , Matos António P. , Pinheiro Teresa , Silva Rafaela A. L. , Belo Dulce , Almeida Manuel , Marques Fernanda , Fernandes Célia
Published: February 2023

Gold(III) bisdithiolate complexes have been reported as potential antimicrobial and antitumoral agents. The complex [Au(cdc)2]− (cdc=cyanodithioimido carbonate) displayed antimicrobial and outstanding antitumor activity against the ovarian cancer cells A2780 and A2780cisR, which are sensitive and resistant to cisplatin, respectively. However, poor water solubility may hamper its clinical use. Block copolymer micelles (BCMs) may solubilize hydrophobic drugs, improving their bioavailability and circulation time in blood. Aiming to provide water solubility, prolonged availability, and enhanced therapeutic indexes, BCMs loaded with [Au(cdc)2]− were synthesized and characterized. The BCM-[Au(cdc)2] micelles were prepared with a loading efficiency of 64.6% and a loading content of 35.3 mg [Au(cdc)2]−/gBCM. A hydrodynamic diameter of 77.31 ± 27.00 nm and a low polydispersity index of 0.18 indicated that the micelles were homogenous and good candidates for drug delivery. Cytotoxic activity studies against A2780/A2780cisR cells showed that BCM-[Au(cdc)2] maintained relevant cytotoxic activity comparable to the cytotoxicity observed for the same concentration of gold complexes. The Au uptake in A2780 cells, determined by PIXE, was ca. 17% higher for BCMs-[Au(cdc)2] compared to [Au(cdc)2]−. The BCMs-[Au(cdc)2] presented antimicrobial activity against S. aureus Newman and C. glabrata CBS138. These results evidenced the potential of BCM-[Au(cdc)2] for drug delivery and its promising anticancer and antimicrobial activities.
Advances in Polysaccharide- and Synthetic Polymer-Based Vitreous Substitutes
Authors: Naik Kruti , Du Toit Lisa C. , Ally Naseer , Choonara Yahya E.
Published: February 2023

The vitreous humour is a gel-like structure that composes the majority of each eye. It functions to provide passage of light, be a viscoelastic dampener, and hold the retina in place. Vitreous liquefaction causes retinal detachment and retinal tears requiring pars plana vitrectomy for vitreous substitution. An ideal vitreous substitute should display similar mechanical, chemical, and rheological properties to the natural vitreous. Currently used vitreous substitutes such as silicone oil, perfluorocarbon liquids, and gases cannot be used long-term due to adverse effects such as poor retention time, cytotoxicity, and cataract formation. Long-term, experimental vitreous substitutes composed of natural, modified and synthetic polymers are currently being studied. This review discusses current long- and short-term vitreous substitutes and the disadvantages of these that have highlighted the need for an ideal vitreous substitute. The review subsequently focuses specifically on currently used polysaccharide- and synthetic polymer-based vitreous substitutes, which may be modified or functionalised, or employed as the derivative, and discusses experimental vitreous substitutes in these classes. The advantages and challenges associated with the use of polymeric substitutes are discussed. Innovative approaches to vitreous substitution, namely a novel foldable capsular vitreous body, are presented, as well as future perspectives related to the advancement of this field.
External Evaluation of Population Pharmacokinetic Models of Methotrexate for Model-Informed Precision Dosing in Pediatric Patients with Acute Lymphoid Leukemia
Authors: Wang Shengfeng , Yin Qiufen , Yang Minghua , Cheng Zeneng , Xie Feifan
Published: February 2023

Background: Methotrexate (MTX) is a key immunosuppressant for children with acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL), and it has a narrow therapeutic window and relatively high pharmacokinetic variability. Several population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) models of MTX in ALL children have been reported, but the validity of these models for model-informed precision dosing in clinical practice is unclear. This study set out to evaluate the predictive performance of published pediatric PopPK models of MTX using an independent patient cohort. Methods: A PubMed literature search was performed to identify suitable models for evaluation. Demographics and measurements of the validation dataset were retrospectively collected from the medical records of ALL children who had received intravenous MTX. Predictive performance for each model was assessed by visual comparison of predictions to observations, median and mean predicted error (PE), and relative root mean squared error (RMSE). Results: Six models were identified for external evaluation, carried out on a dataset containing 354 concentrations from 51 pediatrics. Model performance varied considerably from one model to another. Different models had the median PE for population and individual predictions at −33.23% to 442.04% and −25.20% to 6.52%, mean PE for population and individual predictions at −25.51% to 780.87% and 1.33% to 64.44%, and RMSE for population and individual predictions at 62.88% to 1182.24% and 63.39% to 152.25%. All models showed relatively high RMSE. Conclusions: Some of the published models showed reasonably low levels of bias but had some problems with imprecision, and extensive evaluation is needed before model application in clinical practice.
Investigating the Effects of Nitric Acid Treatments on the Properties of Recycled Carbon Fiber
Authors: Kim Gyungha , Lee Hyunkyung , Kim Minsu , Kim Dae Up
Published: February 2023

In this study, the chemical state change of recycled carbon fiber (rCF) surfaces and the mechanism of the oxygen functional groups according to nitric acid treatment at various times and temperatures were investigated to upcycle the carbon fiber recovered from used carbon composite. When treated with nitric acid at 25 °C, the carbon fiber surface demonstrated the same tensile properties as untreated carbon fiber (CF) for up to 5 h, and the oxygen functional group and polar surface energy of C–O (hydroxyl group) and C=O (carbonyl group) increased slightly compared to the untreated CF up to 5 h. On the other hand, at 100 °C, the tensile properties slightly decreased compared to untreated CF up to 5 h, and the amount of C–O and C=O decreased and the amount of O=C–O (lactone group) started to increase until 1 h. After 1 h, the amount of C-O and C=O decreased significantly, and the amount of O=C–O increased rapidly. At 5 h, the amount of oxygen functional groups increased by 92%, and the polar surface energy increased by 200% compared to desized CF. It was determined that the interfacial bonding force increased the most because the oxygen functional group, O=C–O, increased greatly at 100 °C and 5 h.
The Relation between Wavefunction and 3D Space Implies Many Worlds with Local Beables and Probabilities
Authors: Stoica Ovidiu Cristinel
Published: February 2023

We show that the quantum wavefunctional can be seen as a set of classical fields on the 3D space aggregated by a measure. We obtain a complete description of the wavefunctional in terms of classical local beables. With this correspondence, classical explanations of the macro level and of probabilities transfer almost directly to the quantum. A key difference is that, in quantum theory, the classical states coexist in parallel, so the probabilities come from self-location uncertainty. We show that these states are distributed according to the Born rule. The coexistence of classical states implies that there are many worlds, even if we assume the collapse postulate. This leads automatically to a new version of the many-worlds interpretation in which the major objections are addressed naturally. We show that background-free quantum gravity provides additional support for this proposal and suggests why branching happens toward the future.
The Effect of Recycled Citrogypsum as a Supplementary Mineral Additive on the Physical and Mechanical Performance of Granulated Blast Furnace Slag-Based Alkali-Activated Binders
Authors: Kozhukhova Natalia I. , Alfimova Nataliya I. , Kozhukhova Marina I. , Nikulin Ivan S. , Glazkov Roman A. , Kolomytceva Anna I.
Published: February 2023

In the last decades, gypsum-bearing industrial wastes become one of the common globally produced industrial and domestic wastes that are currently recycled and further utilized. In this study, the gypsum-bearing waste citrogypsum was used as a Ca2+-containing component to modify the properties of alkali-activated cement (AAC) based on granulated blast-furnace slag (GBFS). Citrogypsum was used in different AAC mixes activated with three different alkaline components: Na2CO3, NaOH, and Na2SiO3. Laser granulometry was applied to assess the granulometric characteristics of citrogypsum and GBFS. Specific gravity (SG), compressive strength, and water resistance were tested to evaluate the effect of citrogypsum on the physical and strength performance of AAC. Experimental results obtained over 4-day to 28-day time periods for the studied AACs showed that the addition of citrogypsum had a detrimental effect on the properties of AAC mixes, where decreases in compressive strength between 1 and 100%, decreases in specific gravity between 4 and 30%, and decreases in water resistance between 12 and 100% were observed. It was determined that AAC mixes modified with citrogypsum cured in ambient conditions had compressive strength values 61% to 90% lower than those cured in hydrothermal conditions. In terms of strength performance, specific gravity and water resistance, citrogypsum showed the greatest effect on AAC mixes activated with NaOH, and to a lesser extent, on mixes activated with Na2CO3. The highest water resistance value of 0.77 was observed for the AAC mixes activated with Na2CO3 cured in ambient conditions, and when cured in hydrothermal conditions, the highest water resistance reached up to 0.84 for the AAC mixes activated with NaOH. It was observed that the type of alkaline activator and curing conditions are both crucial factors that govern the response of citrogypsum as a supplementary mineral additive in GBFS-based AAC mixes in regard to compressive strength, specific gravity and water resistance.
Rethinking Reform: ʿAbd al-Raḥmān Ṭāhā and the Temporal Reconceptualization of the Authenticity–Modernity Paradigm
Authors: Viersen Harald
Published: February 2023

This article looks to reconceptualize the question of reform in modern Islamic society through the work of the Moroccan thinker ʿAbd al-Raḥmān Ṭāhā by highlighting how he redefines concepts central to contemporary Arab thought using an alternative temporal perspective. Starting from the observation that discussions on the reform of heritage prominent in contemporary Arab thought display a linear-progressive character that sustains its dichotomous character as a seemingly interminable contest between modernizers and traditionalists, we will discuss Ṭāhā’s argument for puncturing the recurring structure of these debates by proposing a conceptualization of time that locates the essence of modernity in an authentic past. Not only does this reconfigure received interpretations of concepts of modernity and authenticity, but it also shows how, given the foundational role that the dominant linear-progressive conception of time plays in structuring Arab-Islamic thought, a reconceptualization of time can open up ways of reconceptualizing this entire debate and the question of reform at the center of it.
Remote Sensing in Irrigated Crop Water Stress Assessment
Authors: Er-Raki Salah , Chehbouni Abdelghani
Published: February 2023

Optimizing water management in agriculture is of crucial importance, especially in arid and semi-arid regions where the existing water shortage is exacerbated by human activities and climate change [...]
Spatial Influence of Multifaceted Environmental States on Habitat Quality: A Case Study of the Three Largest Chinese Urban Agglomerations
Authors: Liu Fei , Murayama Yuji , Masago Yoshifumi
Published: February 2023

Habitat structure and quality in the urban agglomeration (UA) are subject to multiple threats and pressures due to ongoing anthropogenic activities and call for comprehensively effective solutions. Many approaches, including cartographic comparison, correlation analysis, the local entropy model, and GeoDetector, were jointly used to clarify the interplay between habitat quality and multiple environmental issues. In response to the overlapped risks of diverse environmental systems, this study presented an integrated research framework to evaluate the spatial influences of multifaceted environmental situations on habitat quality. We conducted the case study in the three largest Chinese UAs: Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH), Greater Bay Area (GBA), and Yangtze River Delta (YRD). The evaluation results show that the three UAs shared similarities and differences in relationship/impact types and their strengths. In 2015, most of the three UAs’ landscapes delivered low–medium magnitudes of habitat quality (score <0.7) and emerged with unevenly severe consequences over space across different environmental aspects, highlighting the importance of maintaining habitat safety. Overall, habitat quality scores were synergistic with NDVI, but antagonistic to surface heat island intensity (SHII), PM2.5 concentrations, and residential support. However, locally structured relationships exhibited geographical complexity and heterogeneity between habitat quality and environmental systems. Regarding GeoDetector evaluation, PM2.5 concentrations in BTH, SHII in GBA, and NDVI in YRD played a dominant role in single-factor and interaction analysis. More importantly, the synergistic effect of various environmental issues on habitats was manifested as mutually enhanced rather than independent or weakened interactive effects, implying the aggravation of compound effects and the necessity of prioritization schemes. This study could provide beneficial insights into the interconnections between habitats’ sustainability and multifaceted environmental situations in UAs.
A Comprehensive Database of Indonesian Dams and Its Spatial Distribution
Authors: Yuen Kai Wan , Park Edward , Hazrina Melda , Taufik Muh , Santikayasa Putu , Latrubesse Edgardo , Lee Janice Ser Huay
Published: February 2023

Dams are infrastructural projects with multiple uses that include hydropower, irrigation, water storage, flood management, and recreation. Most research on dams in Southeast Asia focuses on the Mekong River Basin and there is limited research on dams in Indonesia. Here, we developed a comprehensive database of dams in Indonesia derived from global and local datasets. We also used Google Earth Pro to locate additional dams and to validate the presence of all the dams. Our database had a total of 1506 dams (from large to mini dams and run-of river dams) in operation or under construction, and this was three times the number of dams reported in Indonesia’s national database for dams. There were another 250 planned dams, of which, only 30 had known locations. Our database also includes information such as the geographical coordinates of each dam, their physical characteristics, and what each dam is used for. Ultimately, we hope that our work will help researchers, non-government organizations, and government agencies with hydrological and socio-ecological research in Indonesia.
MSSF: A Novel Mutual Structure Shift Feature for Removing Incorrect Keypoint Correspondences between Images
Authors: Liu Juan , Sun Kun , Jiang San , Li Kunqian , Tao Wenbing
Published: February 2023

Removing incorrect keypoint correspondences between two images is a fundamental yet challenging task in computer vision. A popular pipeline first computes a feature vector for each correspondence and then trains a binary classifier using these features. In this paper, we propose a novel robust feature to better fulfill the above task. The basic observation is that the relative order of neighboring points around a correct match should be consistent from one view to another, while it may change a lot for an incorrect match. To this end, the feature is designed to measure the bidirectional relative ranking difference for the neighbors of a reference correspondence. To reduce the negative effect of incorrect correspondences in the neighborhood when computing the feature, we propose to combine spatially nearest neighbors with geometrically “good” neighbors. We also design an iterative neighbor weighting strategy, which considers both goodness and correctness of a correspondence, to enhance correct correspondences and suppress incorrect correspondences. As the relative order of neighbors encodes structure information between them, we name the proposed feature the Mutual Structure Shift Feature (MSSF). Finally, we use the proposed features to train a random forest classifier in a supervised manner. Extensive experiments on both raw matching quality and downstream tasks are conducted to verify the performance of the proposed method.
Eye Recognition by YOLO for Inner Canthus Temperature Detection in the Elderly Using a Transfer Learning Approach
Authors: Ghourabi Malak , Mourad-Chehade Farah , Chkeir Aly
Published: February 2023

Early detection of physical frailty and infectious diseases in seniors is important to avoid any fatal drawback and promptly provide them with the necessary healthcare. One of the major symptoms of viral infections is elevated body temperature. In this work, preparation and implementation of multi-age thermal faces dataset is done to train different “You Only Look Once” (YOLO) object detection models (YOLOv5,6 and 7) for eye detection. Eye detection allows scanning for the most accurate temperature in the face, which is the inner canthus temperature. An approach using an elderly thermal dataset is performed in order to produce an eye detection model specifically for elderly people. An application of transfer learning is applied from a multi-age YOLOv7 model to an elderly YOLOv7 model. The comparison of speed, accuracy, and size between the trained models shows that the YOLOv7 model performed the best (Mean average precision at Intersection over Union of 0.5 (mAP@.5) = 0.996 and Frames per Seconds (FPS) = 150). The bounding box of eyes is scanned for the highest temperature, resulting in a normalized error distance of 0.03. This work presents a fast and reliable temperature detection model generated using non-contact infrared camera and a deep learning approach.
Intelligent Emotion and Sensory Remote Prioritisation for Patients with Multiple Chronic Diseases
Authors: Alamoodi A. H. , Albahri O. S. , Zaidan A. A. , Alsattar H. A. , Zaidan B. B. , Albahri A. S. , Ismail Amelia Ritahani , Kou Gang , Alzubaidi Laith , Talal Mohammed
Published: February 2023

An intelligent remote prioritization for patients with high-risk multiple chronic diseases is proposed in this research, based on emotion and sensory measurements and multi-criteria decision making. The methodology comprises two phases: (1) a case study is discussed through the adoption of a multi-criteria decision matrix for high-risk level patients; (2) the technique for reorganizing opinion order to interval levels (TROOIL) is modified by combining it with an extended fuzzy-weighted zero-inconsistency (FWZIC) method over fractional orthotriple fuzzy sets to address objective weighting issues associated with the original TROOIL. In the first hierarchy level, chronic heart disease is identified as the most important criterion, followed by emotion-based criteria in the second. The third hierarchy level shows that Peaks is identified as the most important sensor-based criterion and chest pain as the most important emotion criterion. Low blood pressure disease is identified as the most important criterion for patient prioritization, with the most severe cases being prioritized. The results are evaluated using systematic ranking and sensitivity analysis.
Learning 3D Bipedal Walking with Planned Footsteps and Fourier Series Periodic Gait Planning
Authors: Wang Song , Piao Songhao , Leng Xiaokun , He Zhicheng
Published: February 2023

Reinforcement learning provides a general framework for achieving autonomy and diversity in traditional robot motion control. Robots must walk dynamically to adapt to different ground environments in complex environments. To achieve walking ability similar to that of humans, robots must be able to perceive, understand and interact with the surrounding environment. In 3D environments, walking like humans on rugged terrain is a challenging task because it requires complex world model generation, motion planning and control algorithms and their integration. So, the learning of high-dimensional complex motions is still a hot topic in research. This paper proposes a deep reinforcement learning-based footstep tracking method, which tracks the robot’s footstep position by adding periodic and symmetrical information of bipedal walking to the reward function. The robot can achieve robot obstacle avoidance and omnidirectional walking, turning, standing and climbing stairs in complex environments. Experimental results show that reinforcement learning can be combined with real-time robot footstep planning, avoiding the learning of path-planning information in the model training process, so as to avoid the model learning unnecessary knowledge and thereby accelerate the training process.
Generalized Design, Modeling and Control Methodology for a Snake-like Aerial Robot
Authors: Zhao Moju , Nishio Takuzumi
Published: February 2023

Snake-like robots have been developing in recent decades, and various bio-inspired ideas are deployed in both the mechanical and locomotion aspects. In recent years, several studies have proposed state-of-the-art snake-like aerial robots, which are beyond bio-inspiration. The achievement of snake-like aerial robots benefits both aerial maneuvering and manipulation, thereby having importance in various fields, such as industry surveillance and disaster rescue. In this work, we introduce our development of the modular aerial robot which can be considered a snake-like robot with high maneuverability in flight. To achieve such flight, we first proposed a unique thrust vectoring apparatus equipped with dual rotors to enable three-dimensional thrust force. Then, a generalized modeling method based on dynamics approximation is proposed to allocate the wrench in the center-of-gravity (CoG) frame to thrust forces and vectoring angles. We further developed a generalized control framework that can handle both under-actuated and fully actuated models. Finally, we show the experimental results with two different platforms to evaluate the flight stability of the proposed snake-like aerial robot. We believe that the proposed generalized methods can provide a solid foundation for the snake-like aerial robot and its applications regarding maneuvering and manipulation in midair.
A New Regularization for Deep Learning-Based Segmentation of Images with Fine Structures and Low Contrast
Authors: Zhang Jiasen , Guo Weihong
Published: February 2023

Deep learning methods have achieved outstanding results in many image processing and computer vision tasks, such as image segmentation. However, they usually do not consider spatial dependencies among pixels/voxels in the image. To obtain better results, some methods have been proposed to apply classic spatial regularization, such as total variation, into deep learning models. However, for some challenging images, especially those with fine structures and low contrast, classical regularizations are not suitable. We derived a new regularization to improve the connectivity of segmentation results and make it applicable to deep learning. Our experimental results show that for both deep learning methods and unsupervised methods, the proposed method can improve performance by increasing connectivity and dealing with low contrast and, therefore, enhance segmentation results.
Research on a Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control (CACC) Algorithm Based on Frenet Frame with Lateral and Longitudinal Directions
Authors: Ren Pingli , Jiang Haobin , Xu Xian
Published: February 2023

Research on the cooperative adaptive cruise control (CACC) algorithm is primarily concerned with the longitudinal control of straight scenes. In contrast, the lateral control involved in certain traffic scenes such as lane changing or turning has rarely been studied. In this paper, we propose an adaptive cooperative cruise control (CACC) algorithm that is based on the Frenet frame. The algorithm decouples vehicle motion from complex motion in two dimensions to simple motion in one dimension, which can simplify the controller design and improve solution efficiency. First, the vehicle dynamics model is established based on the Frenet frame. Through a projection transformation of the vehicles in the platoon, the movement state of the vehicles is decomposed into the longitudinal direction along the reference trajectory and the lateral direction away from the reference trajectory. The second is the design of the longitudinal control law and the lateral control law. In the longitudinal control, vehicles are guaranteed to track the front vehicle and leader by satisfying the exponential convergence condition, and the tracking weight is balanced by a sigmoid function. Laterally, the nonlinear group dynamics equation is converted to a standard chain equation, and the Lyapunov method is used in the design of the control algorithm to ensure that the vehicles in the platoon follow the reference trajectory. The proposed control algorithm is finally verified through simulation, and validation results prove the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Contributions to Power Grid System Analysis Based on Clustering Techniques
Authors: Grigoraș Gheorghe , Raboaca Maria Simona , Dumitrescu Catalin , Manea Daniela Lucia , Mihaltan Traian Candin , Niculescu Violeta-Carolina , Neagu Bogdan Constantin
Published: February 2023

The topic addressed in this article is part of the current concerns of modernizing power systems by promoting and implementing the concept of smart grid(s). The concepts of smart metering, a smart home, and an electric car are developing simultaneously with the idea of a smart city by developing high-performance electrical equipment and systems, telecommunications technologies, and computing and infrastructure based on artificial intelligence algorithms. The article presents contributions regarding the modeling of consumer classification and load profiling in electrical power networks and the efficiency of clustering techniques in their profiling as well as the simulation of the load of medium-voltage/low-voltage network distribution transformers to electricity meters.
Performance Analysis of Resonantly Driven Piezoelectric Sensors Operating in Amplitude Mode and Phase Mode
Authors: Durdaut Phillip , Höft Michael
Published: February 2023

Piezoelectric layers coupled to micromechanical resonators serve as the basis for sensors to detect a variety of different physical quantities. In contrast to passive sensors, actively operated sensors exploit a detuning of the resonance frequency caused by the signal to be measured. To detect the time-varying resonance frequency, the piezoelectric resonator is resonantly excited by a voltage, with this signal being modulated in both amplitude and phase by the signal to be measured. At the same time, the sensor signal is impaired by amplitude noise and phase noise caused by sensor-intrinsic noise sources that limit the reachable detectivities. This leads to the question of the optimum excitation frequency and the optimum readout type for such sensors. In this article, based on the fundamental properties of micromechanical resonators, a detailed analysis of the performance of piezoelectric resonators in amplitude mode and phase mode is presented. In particular, the sensitivities, the noise behavior, and the resulting limits of detection (LOD) are considered and analytical expressions are derived. For the first time, not only the influence of a static measurand is analyzed, but also the dynamic operation, i.e., physical quantities to be detected that quickly change over time. Accordingly, frequency-dependent limits of detection can be derived in the form of amplitude spectral densities. It is shown that the low-frequency LOD in phase mode is always about 6 dB better than the LOD in amplitude mode. In addition, the bandwidth, in terms of detectivity, is generally significantly larger in phase mode and never worse compared with the amplitude mode.
A Brief Review of Acoustic and Vibration Signal-Based Fault Detection for Belt Conveyor Idlers Using Machine Learning Models
Authors: Alharbi Fahad , Luo Suhuai , Zhang Hongyu , Shaukat Kamran , Yang Guang , Wheeler Craig A. , Chen Zhiyong
Published: February 2023

Due to increasing demands for ensuring the safety and reliability of a system, fault detection (FD) has received considerable attention in modern industries to monitor their machines. Bulk materials are transported worldwide using belt conveyors as an essential transport system. The majority of conveyor components are monitored continuously to ensure their reliability, but idlers remain a challenge to monitor due to the large number of idlers (rollers) distributed throughout the working environment. These idlers are prone to external noises or disturbances that cause a failure in the underlying system operations. The research community has begun using machine learning (ML) to detect idler’s defects to assist industries in responding to failures on time. Vibration and acoustic measurements are commonly employed to monitor the condition of idlers. However, there has been no comprehensive review of FD for belt conveyor idlers. This paper presents a recent review of acoustic and vibration signal-based fault detection for belt conveyor idlers using ML models. It also discusses major steps in the approaches, such as data collection, signal processing, feature extraction and selection, and ML model construction. Additionally, the paper provides an overview of the main components of belt conveyor systems, sources of defects in idlers, and a brief introduction to ML models. Finally, it highlights critical open challenges and provides future research directions.
Spatiotemporal Winter Wheat Water Status Assessment Improvement Using a Water Deficit Index Derived from an Unmanned Aerial System in the North China Plain
Authors: Antoniuk Vita , Zhang Xiying , Andersen Mathias Neumann , Kørup Kirsten , Manevski Kiril
Published: February 2023

Agricultural droughts cause a great reduction in winter wheat productivity; therefore, timely and precise irrigation recommendations are needed to alleviate the impact. This study aims to assess drought stress in winter wheat with the use of an unmanned aerial system (UAS) with multispectral and thermal sensors. High-resolution Water Deficit Index (WDI) maps were derived to assess crop drought stress and evaluate winter wheat actual evapotranspiration rate (ETa). However, the estimation of WDI needs to be improved by using more appropriate vegetation indices as a proximate of the fraction of vegetation cover. The experiments involved six irrigation levels of winter wheat in the harvest years 2019 and 2020 at Luancheng, North China Plain on seasonal and diurnal timescales. Additionally, WDI derived from several vegetation indices (VIs) were compared: near-infrared-, red edge-, and RGB-based. The WDIs derived from different VIs were highly correlated with each other and had similar performances. The WDI had a consistently high correlation to stomatal conductance during the whole season (R2 between 0.63–0.99) and the correlation was the highest in the middle of the growing season. On the contrary, the correlation between WDI and leaf water potential increased as the season progressed with R2 up to 0.99. Additionally, WDI and ETa had a strong connection to soil water status with R2 up to 0.93 to the fraction of transpirable soil water and 0.94 to the soil water change at 2 m depth at the hourly rate. The results indicated that WDI derived from multispectral and thermal sensors was a reliable factor in assessing the water status of the crop for irrigation scheduling.
An All-Fiber Fabry–Pérot Sensor for Emulsion Concentration Measurements
Authors: Pevec Simon , Kunavar Janez , Budinski Vedran , Njegovec Matej , Donlagic Denis
Published: February 2023

This paper describes a Fabry–Pérot sensor-based measuring system for measuring fluid composition in demanding industrial applications. The design of the sensor is based on a two-parametric sensor, which enables the simultaneous measurement of temperature and refractive index (RI). The system was tested under real industrial conditions, and enables temperature-compensated online measurement of emulsion concentration with a high resolution of 0.03 Brix. The measuring system was equipped with filtering of the emulsion and automatic cleaning of the sensor, which proved to be essential for successful implementation of a fiber optic RI sensor in machining emulsion monitoring applications.
Efficacy of Proprioceptive Training on Plantar Pressure and Jump Performance in Volleyball Players: A Proof-of-Principle Study
Authors: Marotta Nicola , Moggio Lucrezia , Calafiore Dario , Prestifilippo Emanuele , Spanó Riccardo , Tasselli Anna , Drago Ferrante Vera , Invernizzi Marco , de Sire Alessandro , Ammendolia Antonio
Published: February 2023

Volleyball players are often subject to micro-traumatisms of the heel fat pad and ankle injuries. Recently, mat-based proprioceptive training has assumed a key role in recovery from these disorders. Therefore, this proof-of-principle study aimed to assess the efficacy of proprioceptive mat training on plantar pressures and athletic performance in volleyball players. The participants included adult semi-professional volleyball players allocated into two groups: an experimental group, with mat-based proprioceptive and balance training, and a control group, with a sham protocol. For the outcome, we evaluated the barefoot plantar pressure, performing an analysis on a baropodometric resistive platform. The countermovement jump and squat jump were measured using an inertial measurement unit. Nineteen subjects were included in the two groups: the active proprioceptive group (n = 10) or the control group (n = 9). The results show a more uniform redistribution of loads with pressure hindfoot relief in the experimental group compared to the control group (p = 0.021, RBC = 0.67). Moreover, we observed a significant increase in peak landing force and high concentric power development in the experimental group compared to the controls. Focused proprioceptive management provided hindfoot load attenuation by stimulating higher peaks of concentric force in the experimental group compared to the sham group. Even though the study included a small sample, the results obtained in this proof-of-principle study suggest a positive role of proprioceptive stimulation in the inter-seasonal scenario for volleyball players to improve their jump performance and reduce the micro-traumatisms of the heel fat pad and the ankle injury rate. However, further studies performed on larger samples are needed to confirm these preliminary results.
Entropy Model of Dynamic Bus Dispatching Based on the Prediction of Back-Station Time
Authors: Zou Liang , Guo Li , Zhu Lingxiang , Yu Zhitian
Published: February 2023

In the actual operation of a bus, due to the influences of the passenger flow, traffic conditions and other factors, the vehicle back-station time is often delayed, which brings difficulties in commuting according to a timetable that results in the discontinuity of the bus. This is also the main disadvantage of static bus scheduling. Therefore, the “Entropy model of dynamic bus dispatching based on the prediction of back-station time” is proposed, which can be used for decreasing the passive effect of discontinuity by extending the departure interval of an early bus in advance, and to realize fairness in adjustments of the departure interval by using entropy theory. Finally, the model is validated by two examples, and the results show that the model can match the distribution pattern of the bus departure interval before and after an adjustment and as far as possible, it can reduce bus breaks, balance the occupancy rate and improve the stability of bus operations.
Biodiversity and Citizenship in an Argumentative Socioscientific Process
Authors: de Freitas Anne Caroline , do Nascimento Larissa Aine , de Castro Rafael Gil , Motokane Marcelo Tadeu , Reis Pedro
Published: February 2023

Socio-environmental issues become evident in countries with megadiversity. Brazil finds itself in this context, adding to the fact that it has severe socioeconomic inequalities, of which we highlight the lack of environmental justice. The present study has education for citizenship and biodiversity as its principles, considering that this interface empowers the students to emerge from socio-political perspectives to overcome environmental injustices. The objective is, therefore, to identify concepts of biodiversity and citizenship present in arguments developed by high school students in a socioscientific discussion. The research participants were nine students from a rural and public school in Brazil. We designed and implemented a Focus Group on the disappearance of bees and its consequences. The participants’ speeches were structured in arguments and analyzed from categories regarding the dimensions of citizenship and biodiversity. We identified the relationship among all categories in the arguments listed. However, we observed that these students are not full citizens since they identify several obstacles to active participation in social transformation actions. This study aims to contribute to research and science education strategies to promote active citizenship and critical perspectives on biodiversity.
Associations between Environmental Exposure, Urban Environment Parameters and Meteorological Conditions, during Active Travel in Montevideo, Uruguay
Authors: D’Angelo Mauro , Franchi Ignacio , Colistro Valentina , Vera Ana Clara , Aleman Alicia , González Elizabeth
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Active transport is encouraged by the Uruguayan authorities; however, the criteria for expanding the cycling routes are unclear. This article presents a research project aiming to examine statistically significant links between environmental exposure during active travel in Montevideo (Uruguay) and urban environment parameters. Methods: Two monitoring routes were defined by working with cycling groups, and their urban environments were characterized. PM10, PM2.5 and NO2 concentrations and doses, and noise exposure doses, were measured. Simultaneously, meteorological parameters were recorded. The minimum required sample size was defined based on a statistical procedure: 30 samples were needed. Results: 31 environmental exposure measurements were performed on each route. The monitoring showed high temporal and spatial variability of the environmental parameters. The PM and NO2 hot spots were not the same. Moreover, while Route N°1 presented higher PM10 and NO2 potential inhaled doses and higher NO2 concentrations, the noise exposure doses were higher in Route N°2, with more traffic flow and a lower street aspect ratio. Discussion and conclusions: To our best knowledge, this is the first study of this kind in Montevideo. The results were statistically analyzed and discussed regarding the routes’ characteristics. However, the prevailing weather conditions had a strong influence on them. The latter implies a challenge to define public spaces’ design parameters, in order to achieve a more sustainable city. This study accomplishes a first approach for posing recommendations in this direction for Montevideo and a contribution for further research in the matter.
Analysis of Forest Cover Change and Its Drivers in Biodiversity Hotspot Areas of the Semien Mountains National Park, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Debebe Belete , Senbeta Feyera , Teferi Ermias , Diriba Dawit , Teketay Demel
Published: February 2023

Forests provide multiple ecosystem services ranging from local livelihoods and socio-economic benefits to global ecological services. Despite these benefits, human activities have put immense strain on forest resources, resulting in forest degradation, impoverishment of the environment, and loss of livelihoods. Hence, monitoring forest cover change and identifying its drivers are essential for developing sustainable forest management strategies that restore forest resources and ecosystem services. This study examined the trends of forest cover changes and its drivers in and around the Semien Mountains National Park, Northwest Ethiopia, from 1984 to 2020. Data from Landsat satellite images of 1984, 1996, 2008, and 2020 were used for forest cover mapping and quantifying the changes using remote sensing techniques. A household survey and key informant interviews were also used to identify the drivers of forest cover change. Results showed an overall decline in forest cover and grasslands while cultivated lands, bare lands and built-up areas have registered gains in the study area. The percentage area under forests declined by about 31% (33,084 ha) over the past 36 years. This loss translates to an annual average forest loss of about 1.02% (919 ha). Conversely, cultivated land, bare land, and built-up areas have experienced an increase of about 159% (33,387 ha), 220% (10,121 ha), and 366% (6356 ha), respectively, over the last 36 years. Analysis of the 36-year change detection matrix revealed that about 62% of the study area experienced a transition, of which 21% and 41% were attributable to net change and swap change, respectively. The observed reduction in forest cover was driven by agricultural expansion, population growth, growing demand for fuelwood, livestock pressure, and forest fires. Such drastic changes in forest cover have a detrimental impact on the community’s well-being, biodiversity, climate, and the availability of forest ecosystem services. Thus, the study recommends concerted efforts by stakeholders to develop participatory forest management and public awareness that consider the co-existence of nature conservation and sustainable livelihoods.
Older Adults’ Thermal Comfort in Nursing Homes: Exploratory Research in Three Case Studies
Authors: Neira-Zambrano Karina , Trebilcock-Kelly Maureen , Briede-Westermeyer Juan Carlos
Published: February 2023

There are two types of occupants in nursing homes: older adults and caregivers. Because the former has different physiological qualities, they are more sensitive to high and low temperatures, presenting discrepancies with caregivers regarding thermal sensation. The objective of this exploratory research was to determine to what extent the range of thermal comfort differed between older adults and caregivers in three nursing homes in Gran Concepción. Indoor and outdoor temperature and relative humidity were monitored during winter and spring. Simultaneously, a thermal sensation and preference survey was applied while clothing insulation, metabolic rate, and adaptive responses were observed. Neutral temperature was calculated using Griffiths’ method for both groups to determine the comfort ranges and compare them. The older adults presented a higher neutral temperature than the caregivers with a difference of 0.8 °C in winter and 1.74 °C in spring. Regarding the adaptive response, both occupant types performed the same actions to achieve comfort, but older adults had less control over these. It is hoped that this study can lay the groundwork regarding comfort temperatures for older adults in Chile and integrate a discussion regarding their well-being on a local and global scale.