bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental investigation of MRR, RA of 304 stainless steel using WEDM
Authors: Kalyanakumar S , Prabhu L , Saravanan M , Imthiyas A
Published: December 2020

The conventional EDM cannot always produce tight corners or very intricate patterns, wire EDM’s increased precision allows for intricate patterns and cuts. Additionally, wire EDM is able to cut metals as thin as 0.004”. At a certain thickness, wire EDM will simply cause the metal to evaporate, thereby eliminating potential debris. The wire is surrounded by a ring of current, the smallest and most precise cutting path possible is the added diameter of the ring and wire; technicians easily account for this added dimension. Manufacturers continue to produce thinner and thinner wires to allow for smaller kerfs and even finer precision. The most widely used austenite steel is the 304 is also known as 18/8 for its composite, Accompanying the development of materials in manufacturing the 304 steel having high hardness. Nevertheless, such materials are machining by various machine but the difficult is material removal rate relies upon the cutting speed and furthermore the great surface harshness. The impact of the different procedure parameters of WEDM like release flow, wire speed, wire pressure, dielectric stream rate, beat on schedule (TON), beat off time (TOFF) have been researched to uncover their effect on yield parameter i.e., Material Removal Rate(MRR) and Surface Roughness Steel 304 using RSM Design called a face centered Design. The optimal set of process parameters has also been predicted to maximize the MRR and Surface Finish.
Natural aggregates used for Light weight concrete – A Review
Authors: Vijayan D S , Arvindan S. , Parthiban D. , Saravanan B. , Kalpana M
Published: December 2020

Lightweight concrete is comparatively lower weight than conventional concrete which helps to reduce the dead load in structure and act as an insulation against sound and heat however the strength of lightweight concrete is low compared with normal concrete, but it will be highly used for such requirement where the concrete is not expected to bear more loads. This paper provides more information about natural aggregates used for lightweight concrete furthermore it gives an insight of aggregates such as vermiculite, rice husk, volcanic cinder, saw dust, scoria, pumice and diatomite. This article also gives some of the research ideas for future approach in this area.
A Study On Strength Characters of Bacterial Concrete
Authors: Srinivasan G. , Saravanan J.
Published: December 2020

Concrete is unique in all construction material because it is specificallydesigned for civil engineering purpose. It plays a critical role in the construction of the nation’s infrastructure. The cracks in concrete whether major or minor are one of the weakness of concrete. These cracks will be developed over a period of time which adversely affect its strength and durability. Hence an attempt is made here using bacteria belongs to bacillus family used to heal minor cracks in concrete. These types of bacteria were introduced externallyto improve the process of Microbiologically Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) in concrete. It (MICP) is a technique that comes under thestudy of science called bio mineralization. Bacillus subtilis, one of the soil bacterium can induce the Precipitation of calcite. The present work is to study the potential application of bacterial species bacillus subtilis in healing the minor cracks there by improving the strength of cement concrete. Here M20 grade of concrete was used for the study. The concrete mix was prepared as per IS specifications. Testing on specimens for compression was carried out after 28 days of curing using both CTM and NDT equipment’s and results are tabulated. Minor cracks less than one millimeter are induced artificially in concrete and the broth solution having bacterial culture in it are injected along the crack pattern. After healing, compressive strength was tested using NDT equipment and was found a marginal improvement in the strength criteria.
Cost Optimization in Neural Network using Whale Swarm Algorithm with Batched Gradient Descent Optimizer
Authors: Karthikeyan C , Sreedevi E , Kumar Naveen , Vamsidhar E , Rajesh Kumar T , Vijendra Babu D
Published: December 2020

Optimization algorithms are liable for sinking the losses and to give the most precise outcomes conceivable. Optimizers are utilized to modify the properties of neural network, for example, training rate and weights are used to reduce the losses. Optimization means a procedure of obtaining a global optimal solution for a given problem under given conditions. The real-world problems in the scientific fields, such as engineering design and economic planning, mostly are multimodal, high-dimensional, disconnected, and oscillated optimization problems. These complex problems cannot be solved well within reasonable time using traditional method based on gradient. Nature-inspired algorithms are becoming delightful in resolving mathematical optimization problems, like multiprocessor scheduling problem, vehicle routing and classification problems etc. In this manuscript, Whale Swarm Optimization algorithm on optimizing the neural networks, one of the meta-heuristic algorithms is applied to analysis of the cardiovascular disease dataset and compares the performance with Gradient Descent and RMSprop optimization techniques.
Intrusion Detection System Using K-Means Based on Cuckoo Search Optimization
Authors: Deepa M. , Sumitra Dr. P.
Published: December 2020

Recently, data protection is very important with the technological and digital revolution, as a vast amount of data is generated from different networks. It was found that the Intrusion Detection System (IDS) is probably the best option because of its ability to differentiate between threats that occur inside or outside a public internet. Cluster analysis is a common method of data mining and is characterized as the grouping of similar data. One of the clustering algorithms for clustering numerical data is K-Means. The K-Means Algorithm features are simple to implement and large amounts of data can be handled efficiently. Natural optimization algorithms have recently been combined with clustering algorithms in order to reach the best global solution. Algorithm for optimization search in Cuckoo is a recent meta algorithm for heuristic optimization. The intelligent behavior of the cuckoo is based on this algorithm. Cuckoo Search Optimization (CSO) and the K-Means clustering algorithm are combined in this paper to achieve the optimal solution globally. Different data sets are evaluated and results are compared with those of the clustering algorithms based on optimization.
Identification of high grade and low grade tumors in MR Brain Image using Modified Monkey Search Algorithm
Authors: Alagarsamy Saravanan , Abitha T. , Ajitha S. , Sangeetha S. , Govindaraj Vishnuvarthanan
Published: December 2020

Detection of tumors present in the Magnetic Resonance brain image is a challenging task in the research field of medical imaging processing. The tumors with distinguished boundaries are difficult to find in the MR brain images, while performing the manual segmentation process. There is a necessity of an automated segmentation technique for performing better segmentation in terms of tumors with distinguished boundaries. The automated modified monkey search technique is used to find the optimized cluster position, and a random search operation is performed is locate all the pixels present in the image and then finally the location of the tumor region is exactly segmented/predicted by using the suggested monkey search algorithm. The suggested technique will support the radiologist for finding the tumors with distinguishing boundaries and accuracy of prediction of tumors is also improved lot with this approach. Based on the early prediction of tumors, diagnosing procedures will save the lives of many human beings.
Minimum Length Minimum Delay Scheduling Using Artificial Butterfly Optimization (ABO) Algorithm in Manet
Authors: Vijayalakshmi K , Manikandan R
Published: December 2020

Recently, the requirement for various real-time applications over Mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs) has been increasing tremandously. Packet scheduling and routing algorithms are the important factors for improving the Quality of service (QoS) parameters over the MANETs. Still, it is not easy to proficiently aid multimedia broadcast with its stringent delay constraints over MANETs. Moreover, there are several problems in assisting QoS over MANETs owing to interference amid nodes in the network. In this paper, Minimum Length Minimum Delay Scheduling (MLMDS) using Artificial Butterfly Optimization (ABO) algorithm is proposed. A fitness function for ABO is derived in terms of the round trip scheduling delay, the conflict graph and the amount of slots in the data sub-frame. A slot selection algorithm is proposed such that the selected slot is supposed to yield lesser delay and spatial reuse. By simulation results, it has been shown that MLMDS achieves minimum delay with higher throughput.
A Canvass of 5G Network Slicing: Architecture and Security Concern
Authors: Chandini  , Jhanjhi NZ , Verma Sahil , Talib M N , Kavita  , Kaur Gagandeep
Published: December 2020

Multi-services with different configurations are contemplated in the fifth generation abbreviated as 5G and even beyond networks. Network slicing is described as a key infrastructure that facilitates integrated service in associations with 5G networks. Network slice makes the transition to a NaaS from a network-as-infrastructure structure to support several smart 5G networks with different specifications. Via network slicing, service providers could perhaps flexibly and easily deliver their software and services to meet unique demands of a variety of services, including virtual and augmented reality, video gaming, e-health, and several others. Security is one of the main factors that must be taken into account, like all emerging innovations. The protection of 5 G network slicing is illustrated in this paper.
Integer linear programming and genetic algorithm (GA)for the optimum placement of phasor measuring units for smart grid
Authors: Nafeena R. , Ettappan M. , Monica M. , Chandrasekar K. , Rathi M. , Abdul Munaf A.
Published: December 2020

For the optimal replacement of phasor measuring units (PMUs) in the presence of conventional measurements, the integrated linear programming (ILP) and genetic algorithms are proposed. In fact, the power system remains fully measurable for the lines and measuring instruments during all conceivable single contingencies. In doing so, a process of equations entirely utilizes the capability of circuit equations related to standard measurements and PMUs, and the system topology, to attain the minimum possible amount of required PMUs.
Raspberry Pi based Real Time Vehicle Accident Intimation with Alert Message and Image Capture
Authors: Vijendra Babu D , Harish Menta , Azarudeen Mohamed , Reddy Ravi Siva Kasi , Jose Kevin
Published: December 2020

The tremendous development of Technology and opportunities resulted a sophisticated lifestyle for current generation peoples. A major effect of Technology growth yields to more person’s loss of life due to Traffic Hazards and Accidents occurring on routine basis. This paper suggests an ideal solution to this issue. The prototype uses a device which help us to know whether an Accident has occurred or not when the Car met with an Accident. Whenever an Accident occurs, it intimates to concerned people & Authorities by sending message. The present situation of the person will be captured and an Image will be send through e-mail along with its current Location & Temperature transmitted by e-mail and SMS.
Energy Efficient and Interference-aware Spectrum Sensing Technique for Improving the Throughput in Cognitive Radio Networks
Authors: Ramchandran M , Ganesh E N
Published: December 2020

Cognitive Radio network (CRN) depends on opportunistic spectrum access and spectrum sensing for improving the wireless networks’ spectrum efficiency. Since throughput maximization can result in high energy consumption, the spectrum sensing technique should address the energy-throughput trade off. The spectrum sensing time has to be determined by the considering the residual battery energies of each secondary user (SU). The Primary User (PU) interference degrades the throughput of the entire network. Hence the transmit power level should be determined considering the PU interference and SU battery energy. This paper proposes Energy Efficient and Interference-aware Spectrum Sensing (EEISS) technique for improving the throughput in CRN. In this work, the sensing time is dynamically estimated based on the battery energy levels of SUs and the transmit power is determined depending on PU signal and battery energy levels of SUs. A Game theory model is formulated to maximize the throughput based on these constraints. Experimental results show that EEISS attains improved throughput, higher probability of detection and higher residual energy.
Human Identification Using Contrast Enhanced Segmented Palm-Vein Images
Authors: Nandini K , Surendran T. , Sobana S. , Chitra B. K. , Kalaiselvi T.
Published: December 2020

This paper presents new approaches in biometrics is palm vein recognition system. By coding the alignment protective features by having a potential deformation, translational and rotational change. A palm vein authentication done by image analysis technique of vascular image of a person. Here we use four different algorithm to process the Near-Infrared Image of palm vein image. The algorithm are 1)juncture point algorithm 2)hand geometry algorithm 3) pose invariant algorithm 4) rank of the matrix. The output is kept in database as a each person as unique vascular pattern, the authentication is done by comparing Database pattern and plam vein pattern of a person to be authenticated.
A comprehensive review of various data collection approaches, features, and algorithms used for the classification of driving style
Authors: Priyadharshini G. , Femilda Josephin J. S.
Published: December 2020

In the transport sector problems, road safety is a prime concern in emerging nations. Applications about driving assistance are being actively studied to address road safety matters, including humanistic performance defined as one of the principal causes for problems on road safety, which confirms why driving style is currently experiencing extensive research attention. Future driving style prediction will form the basis for eco-driving and energy management strategies. From this aspect, analyzing drivers’ behavior is necessary to improve road safety. The comprehensive survey provides a summary, outline, and structure a large collection of work from various sources and proposes a comparison of the devices used, parameters studied, and classification algorithms used for analyzing driving style. The researches done on the driving style analysis uses a wide variety of devices and several parameters. This analysis shows that a diverse set of parameters that can be used to analyze the style of driving and seeks to understand the various machine learning classification methods and metrics for the classification of driving style.
Highly Secured Blockchain Based Electronic Voting System Using SHA3 and Merkle Root
Authors: Aruna S. , Maheswari M. , Saranya A.
Published: December 2020

Over the course of time, electronic voting has evolved as a substitute for paper ballot voting to decrease redundancies and inconsistencies. Due to the many security and privacy vulnerabilities experienced over time, the past results of e-voting in the last three decades indicate that it has not been very successful. All cryptocurrencies are actually based on block chain. Block chain is based on the principle of distribution and decentralization. It is a continuous and continuously growing ledger that holds, in a secure, chronological and immutable way, a permanent record of all the transactions that have taken place. Value in a block chain can be anything. In the case of cryptocurrencies, it takes the meaning of money or currency. While in a game it takes the form of points or score. The value can take the form of a vote or a ballot while e-voting. The blockchain can be used in this article to pass votes between two parties. In our case, the electorate is one party and the candidate who earns the vote is the other. Without having a controlling central authority body, the block chain can be implemented in a more stable manner in mass electoral voting practise. A voting system that uses a more stable, tamper-proof block chain (immutable to voting modifications either by other voters or by any third party) and is cost-effective.
RETRACTED: A New Finger Vein Verification Method Focused On The Protection Of The Template
Authors: Zidan Khamis A , Jumaa Shereen S
Published: December 2020

This paper examines a collection of finger vein enhancement stages that have not only low computational complexity but also high distinguishing capacity. This proposed series of enhancement stages is based on the equalization of fuzzy histograms. A mixture of Hierarchical Centroid and Gradient Histograms was used to extract features. Both the enhancement stages were evaluated using 6 fold stratified cross validation with K Nearest Neighbor and Support Vector Machine (SVM). Experimental results show that the (KNN) algorithm is a simple, easy-to-implement supervised machine learning algorithm which can be used to solve problems of classification and regression. Calculations of KNN in the test data are highly accurate. Using stratified 6-fold analyzes on all fingers of all hands in the collected database, when selecting the right and middle fingers based on the analysis of the 106 people in the data set. Compared with SVM and related works, the algorithm proposed has optimum performance.
An Overview on Game Theory and Its Application
Authors: Norozpour Sajedeh , Safaei Mehdi
Published: December 2020

This research paper looks into Game Theory while immensely addressing the historical background of this theory. The document also gives an overview and definition of relevant terminologies related to this theory like a game, Nash equilibrium, and dominance which form the basis of the theory concept. It also focuses on mixed strategies, extensive games with both perfect and imperfect information, auction bidding, and their relevant practical application of the concept as applied in the field of economics.
High heel shoes with adjustable height of the heel
Authors: Kumar Naveen , Panda Surya Narayan , Kaushal Rajesh Kumar
Published: December 2020

High heel shoes have been worn by women since a long time especially in western culture. Like clothing, high heel shoes are also categorizing as one of the personality symbol. Therefore, it is a necessary part of every woman’s closet. The main objective of the present invention is to disclose a shoe with an automatic adjustable heel using a quite simple and less complex arrangement for adjusting heel height wherein the same is configured to be operated from mobile application. The present literature suggests that the design of the existing solutions is complex. It has been also found from the literature review that wearing high heel shoes for a long duration have certain side effects. Therefore, high heel shoes are worn occasionally. This paper presents the design of an adjustable height of a high heel shoe by using a mobile application as per requirement of the user. A mini screw-jack arrangement connected with a motor unit is placed within a defined heel area. Thus, the dual functionality of the shoe allows women to wear it on special occasion like parties as well as in casual.
Multiple categories of bricks used for construction – A Review
Authors: Raju K. , Ravindhar Dr. S.
Published: December 2020

Bricks are very essential materials and major contributor in construction industry and it helps to build walls, foundation and road pavements. This paper presents detailed review of various types of bricks used in constructions such as burnt clay bricks, concrete bricks, fly ash clay bricks, sand lime bricks and engineering bricks. This paper also provides valuable information in bricks experimental works such as compressive strength, water absorption, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Future progress and scope in bricks research are also discussed by providing some valuable future recommendation.
Increasing the efficiency of solar panel by solar tracking system
Authors: Imthiyas A , Prakash S. , Vijay N , Alwin Abraham A , Ganesh Kumar B
Published: December 2020

Solar energy is a promising sustainable power source asset. If the solar panels have an opposite profile to the beams of the sun it will create more vitality. The objective of the work is to track the sun, so that the rays of sun will always be in perpendicular with panel. As the cost of manufacturing the solar tracking setup is high, there are alternative less expensive choices that have been proposed. This works aims to design and develop a model of solar tracking system. ATMega328P micro controller is utilized for the manufacture of control circuit. Light Dependent Resistors (LDR) is utilized to recognize daylight which impels the servo motor to turn the solar panel. The solar panel is kept in a region of most extreme exposure to daylight. Greatest torque and speed are achieved by a servo motor. Servo motor is most efficient with the scope of 80-90%. Servo motors are free from vibration issues. Execution and attributes of solar panel are examined tentatively. solar cells made of Silicon produced an maximum efficiency of 20%. Most of the solar panels still operate at level less than 40%. Because of their reduced performance. The initial cost increases due to the purchase of large sized panels, else the number of panels has to be increased. The efficiency and cost of the panel is inversely proportional to each other solar tracking finds a better way of improving the performance without increasing the rate of the panel. The area of exposure to sunlight is increased. Classification is based on the number of trackers single axis trackers are less efficient than Dual trackers A single tracking system is used. It is cheaper, less complex to install and still achieves the required efficiency. The increase in the initial setup cost is negligible when compared to the increase of power output. Maintenance costs are not high.
Design and development of hybrid chassis for two wheeler motorcycle
Authors: Palanivendhan M , Senthilkumar S , Chandradass J , Reddy Vamsi , raju Pranai
Published: December 2020

The primary objective of this work is to design and develop a hybrid chassis for a two-wheeler motorcycle. Perimeter and Trellis are the most commonly used chassis types in motorcycles. Designing a new hybrid chassis of a two-wheeler for better high-speed stability and agility. Trellis frame is meant for good stiffness and rigidity, which is required for track scenarios, trellis frame consists of metal tubes arranged in triangulated reinforcements, these triangulated trusses eliminate additional resonance frequencies. While a Perimeter frame has a bit of flex and are compact in nature which is used for road-going scenarios. However, chassis stiffness is the most fascinating area of chassis design, as it reduces the overall vibrations induced in a frame which helps in having multiple ways to mount the engine depending on the resonance factors. Engineers want the frame and ancillaries to offer excellent longitudinal stiffness, so the bike stays straight and stable while pulling 1.5g during braking, and they also want enough stiffness so the bike reacts to rider steering inputs. By combining both the parameters and characteristics of perimeter and trellis frame, vibrations can be reduced and both stability and agility are achieved.
Various Alternative Sources for Silica Sand, Binders and Additives in Sand Casting and their Properties – A Review
Authors: Prabhushankar N , Balaji N
Published: December 2020

Foundries all over the world consume silica sand, clay binders and additives to some proportion for production of green sand castings. Silica sand apart from being used for mould making and core making, it is also used in many areas such as glass making, and construction etc., Consumption of silica sand in large quantities will lead to the depletion of these resources. If an alternative source is identified, the demand on single source will be avoided and the cost of the sand can be lowered drastically. Apart from conventional binders and additives for sand moulding different organic binders and additives are also available by which the sand mould properties can be improved according to the material cast like cast iron, steel, aluminum, brass etc. The search for different alternative sources in sand moulding can lead to good quality sand casting at reduced production cost.
Automatic Gas fired furnace
Authors: Nithya Priya S , Jones Leander , Ranjith Kumar M
Published: December 2020

The essence of any Foundry is its furnace. The operation of the furnace legally involves the process of melting metal by hand is highly dependent on human performance as well ability. With increasing demand and improved technology, this is a common approach it is quickly replaced by temperature-controlled libraries. Basic the effectiveness of such a control to compare the temperature of the metal with the set melting temperature and send the corresponding output to the heat or heat feature. The type of temperature and the furnace customize the type of controller used. While such a control system exists, other safety and fuel management controls plans are the essentials of a modern day oven. This paper is intended in the construction of such a gas burner control system. Gas exploded Furnace Control System includes an active Burner Management System a large part of the melting process. The Control system is built with emphasis on Flame Feedback method, which was analyzed in detail. The control system is actually a temperature control system which includes sensor inputs including thermocouple and flame rod, and effects such as large gas valve, heat rod and blower fan motor. Thus this system is aimed at proper burner management that facilitates the furnace operation and ensures safety of not only the furnace-burner system but the plant in general.
Design and fabrication of combined Pedal for brake and accelerator
Authors: Senthil Kumar S , Palanivendhan M , Kishore Lalith , Sameer Shaik , Tej Madhu
Published: December 2020

The paper deals with the development and working of Accelerator and Brake worked by one pedal, which might be a strategy for decreasing street mishaps. The fundamental target of this advancement is to wipe out the administrator’s danger of squeezing the wrong pedal at the season of crisis and in addition decrease in the driver’s response time to change from acceleration pedal to brakes or the other way around. This new system is composed such that it can be utilized as a part of a car vehicle. The system utilized for consolidated brake and acceleration is straightforward and can be received helpfully. Right now, vehicles are outfitted with autonomous pedal controls for working the acceleration and brake, these pedals being worked by right foot, and since the two capacities are contradicted and contrary it is important to abandon one pedal free keeping in mind the end goal to work the other. It can in this way be gathered that a few drivers experience issues in expelling their foot from the acceleration pedal also, exchanging it to the brake pedal rapidly in crisis circumstances. To take care of this issue, another brake pedal also, acceleration framework is planned.
Experimental Study of CVT for Improving Belt Life by Analyzing the Thermal properties of Sheave Material
Authors: Yokeshwaran S , Palanivendhan M , Bhalara Nishant , Moradia Vishal , Shrivastava Shivam
Published: December 2020

The CVT or Continuously Variable Transmission is a power transmission device used as a mode of Automatic transmission system with a continuum range of gearing ratios due to its cam-ed sheave design. There are several different design other than conically sloped pulley system, but all of them work on same principle. Previous studies and applications have looked into the problem of heating of the CVT sheaves and belt which has led to reduction of transmission efficiency and reduction of belt life as well as life of sheaves and other parts. Mainly two reasons behind this phenomenon - first, the practical and commercial CVT is far from ideal and has belt slippage in general working environment and then second from this dynamic friction, higher temperatures are observed which in return causes more slippage especially in case of rubber belt which is the most widely used type. After software analysis, choose a thermally best material for the sheaves as a result of the analysis and manufacture a custom CVT and a test rig for it. Thus, finally the testing of such practical apparatus would suggest true results and confirmation to the hypothesis as well as compiling data about the test, equipment working and hurdles in practicality and commercial transformation of the project. In closure, the objective is improvement of CVT belt life by customizing the sheave material of the CVT.
Design and Development of Prototype Model of Advanced Charging System for Energy Efficient Electric Vehicle
Authors: Kiran S , Palanivendhan M , Sharma Vikas , Parihar Rashmita , Singh Anvit Kumar
Published: December 2020

In the present scenario, the Electric Vehicles (EVs) are not much preferred by the customers because they have to search for fast charging stations, wait at long queues for recharging the batteries and also it is difficult to find an appropriate charging port. Hence wireless charging can have remarkable advantages over plug-in charging. The main purpose of introducing electric vehicle was to create a mode of transport which is energy efficient but in coal based countries like India this concept fails. This is because most of the electricity produced in these countries is obtained from coal which indirectly leads electric vehicle to cause equal pollution as the IC Engine vehicle. To ensure that the electric vehicles are energy efficient, charging of electric vehicle by utilizing solar energy is being introduced. The main aim of this paper is to introduce the prototype model of Advance Charging System for energy efficient Electric Vehicle. This paper deals with wireless charging through the concept of Resonant Inductive Power Transfer (RIPT). For Resonant Inductive Power to take place there is need of high frequency and high voltage at the primary coil. To operate the system at high frequency and high voltage, DC-DC Boost Converter along with Class-E Chopper is used. To operate the DC-DC Boost Converter and Class-E Chopper at switching frequency the PIC Microcontroller is used. To give proper pulse width modulation to the MOSFETs of DC-DC Boost converter and Class-E Chopper the gate Driver circuit is designed. The maximum variation in performance is compared with the conventional models and has been found 16% and the maximum output and the working of primary and secondary compensation circuit when charging the battery was calculated and the efficiency was found to be 48 %.
Higher Power Conversion Efficiency on Silicon based Heterojunction Device with FeZnO Dilute Magnetic Semiconductors
Authors: Ravindiran M
Published: December 2020

Improving the power conversion efficiency of the silicon based solar cell is possible by introducing new materials in the existing device structure to form silicon based heterojunction soar cells. The present research work investigates the modelling of heterojunction solar cell made of FeZnO dilute magnetic semiconductor (DMS) sandwiched between the P and N type silicon. Realized results show that the heterojunction device has more than two folds improved efficiency when compared to the solar cell made of single crystalline silicon.
Surface Dosimetry of Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation Using a Colorimetric Technique
Authors: Neu Dylan T , Mead Kenneth R , McClelland Tia L , Lindsley William G , Martin Stephen B , Heil Graeham , See Mitch , Feng H Amy
Published: December 2020

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation uses ultraviolet C (UV-C) energy to disinfect surfaces in clinical settings. Verifying that the doses of UV-C energy received by surfaces are adequate for proper disinfection levels can be difficult and expensive. Our study aimed to test commercially available colorimetric labels, sensitive to UV-C energy, and compare their precision with an accepted radiometric technique. The color-changing labels were found to predictably change color in a dose-dependent manner that would allow them to act as a qualitative alternative to radiometry when determining the minimum UV-C energy dosage received at surfaces. If deployed using careful protective techniques to avoid unintentional exposure to sunlight or other light sources, the use of colorimetric labels could provide inexpensive, easy, and accurate verification of effective UV-C dosing in clinical spaces.
Conditions influencing the appearance of thermal windows and the distribution of surface temperature in hauled-out southern elephant seals
Authors: Guerrero Alicia I , Rogers Tracey L , Sepúlveda Maritza
Published: December 2020

Pinnipeds (true seals, sea lions and walruses) inhabit two thermally different environments, air and water, so need to make continuous adjustments to maintain a balanced body temperature. The thermal isolation properties of thick blubber keep warmth within the body’s core, ideal for mammals while in the water; however, when on land, this thick blubber makes it difficult to lose heat. Some pinnipeds use thermal windows, discrete patches where temperature changes on their body surface, as a mechanism to dissipate excessive heat. We identify the factors that correlate with the appearance of thermal windows and changes in body surface temperature on southern elephant seals, Mirounga leonina, while they are hauled out ashore. Infrared thermography was used to measure surface temperature of the seals. Temperature was lower on the torso than the flippers and head, suggesting that not all body sites have the same role in thermal balance. Air temperature was the main driver of variation in the surface temperature of the seals’ flippers and head; seals cool their superficial tissues when the air temperature is below ~ 2°C. This minimizes heat loss by reducing the thermal gradient between their skin and the ambient air. Wind speed was the main predictor of whether thermal windows appear on a seals’ body surface. When wind speed was minimal, thermal windows occurred more often, which may be associated with either hair and skin drying, or producing thermal conditions for hair and skin regrowth. The type of aggregation (huddled or alone) influenced the surface temperature of the fore flippers; however, we did not find statistical influence of the seal’s sex, state of moult, or the substrate on which they were hauled out (kelp or sand). Understanding how animals maintain their thermal balance is important if we are to predict how they will respond to future climate change.
Patient-Centeredness in Older Adults With Multimorbidity: Results of an Online Expert Delphi Study
Authors: Kivelitz Laura , Schäfer Jonas , Kanat Manuela , Mohr Jil , Glattacker Manuela , Voigt-Radloff Sebastian , Dirmaier Jörg
Published: December 2020

Background and Objectives

Older adults suffering from multimorbidity represent a priority target group for patient-centeredness (PC). We aimed to investigate the transferability of an existing integrated model of PC comprising 15 dimensions on the care of older adults with multimorbidity from an expert perspective.

Research Design and Methods

A total of 242 experts were invited to participate in a 2-round online Delphi study. In round 1, they were asked to (a) individually rate relevance and clarity of the dimensions, (b) add missing dimensions, and (c) prioritize the dimensions. In round 2, experts received results of round 1 and were asked to rerate their ratings.

Results

Forty-eight experts participated in round 1 and 39 in round 2. Ten dimensions were rated as sufficiently relevant and clear, including one new dimension (“prognosis and life expectancy, burden of treatment”). Four dimensions were rated as relevant but insufficiently clear. One dimension failed to reach our validation threshold on both criteria. The 5 dimensions rated as most important were: “patient as a unique person,” “clinician–patient communication,” “patient involvement in care,” “physical, cognitive, and emotional support,” and “involvement of family and friends.”

Discussion and Implications

The experts’ ratings were higher regarding relevance than regarding clarity, which emphasizes the still existing conceptual uncertainty of PC. Our results give further directions regarding the operationalization of PC in older adults with multimorbidity, which is essential for its implementation in routine care. Further refined using focus groups with geriatric patients, our adapted model serves as a basis for a systematic review of assessment instruments.
Shore power vs low sulfur fuel oil: pricing strategies of carriers and port in a transport chain
Authors: Jiao Yan , Wang Chuanxu
Published: December 2020

With the increasingly serious pollution from the ships berthing at port and the emergence of low-carbon policies, shore power (SP) and low sulfur fuel oil (LSFO) have become effective means to reduce the emissions from ships berthing in the ports. In order to analyse two emission mitigation strategies, we establish a non-cooperative game model in a transport chain consisting of a terminal and two carriers who adopt SP or LSFO strategy and obtain the equilibrium results and pricing strategies under different conditions. We observe that, when the carbon price is lower than a threshold, both carriers will choose LSFO; otherwise, both carriers will adopt SP. However, if the two carriers cooperate to maximize their total profits, they will simultaneously choose LSFO when the carbon price is lower than another threshold or choose SP when the carbon price is higher than the threshold, which will maximize the total profits of the transport chain. If the carbon price is less than the threshold, the consumer surplus will be maximized when two carriers adopt LSFO, otherwise the consumer surplus will be maximized when two carriers use SP. If two carriers cooperate to maximize their total profits, this will maximize the entire transport chain’s profits and the consumer surplus. Finally, the validity of model is verified by taking Shenzhen Port as an example.
Environmental Force Majeure: Relief from Fossil Energy Contracts in the Decarbonisation Era
Authors: Boute Anatole
Published: December 2020

This article examines whether the collapse of fossil energy markets and the introduction of decarbonisation regulation can trigger force majeure relief from fossil energy contracts. A critique of force majeure clauses from an environmental perspective will help to clarify how energy contracts lock buyers and suppliers into a carbon-intensive path. By not relieving buyers from their purchase obligations, even after respective market meltdowns and the disappearance of demand, force majeure, as defined in most energy contracts, can incentivise irrational energy use and waste, and is thus incompatible with a low-carbon transition. Climate regulation preventing a party from using fossil fuels can excuse performance of the obligation to purchase fossil energy, but the affected party can be required to challenge these decarbonisation measures and thus oppose the low-carbon transition. To avoid these perverse effects and align energy contracts to the reality of decarbonisation, economic hardship and environmental regulation should be explicitly included in force majeure clauses.
Development of PIV measurement technique in turbulent flow laden with binary-size particle groups
Authors: Chen Wei-Cheng , Chang Keh-Chin
Published: December 2020

Particle image velocimetry (PIV) is an instantaneous whole-field measuring diagnostic that makes it feasible to measure the microscale spatial information of the interphase dynamics for good understanding of two-phase flow. However, application of PIV to the two-phase flow measurement is still a state of the art so far. A double-discriminating process in terms of gray level and size of image patterns together with the median mask technique is developed. The test flow is a turbulent air wake laden with a binary group of particles with the mean size of 2.7 μm (representing the carrier phase) and 55 μm (representing the dispersed phase). It is demonstrated that the velocity measurements of both phases can be successfully performed through the combined PIV/PTV (particle tracking velocimetry) scheme associated with the developed phase discrimination method. It is noted that the discriminating capability of the size ratio between the large- and small-particle groups in the study is around 20 together with the mean size of O(100 μm) for small particles, which is the commonly required size for the seedings used in the PIV measurements of airflows, as compared to the size of O(101  μm) adopted in the current two-phase PIV measurement methods.
Deep machine learning of the spectral power distribution of the LED system with multiple degradation mechanisms
Authors: Yuan Cadmus C A , Fan JiaJie , Fan XueJun
Published: December 2020

The performance and reliability of the light-emitting diode (LED) system significantly depend on the thermal–mechanical loading-enhanced multiple degradation mechanisms and their interactions. The complexity of the LED system restricts the theoretical understanding of the root causes of the luminous fluctuation or the establishment of the direct correlation between the thermal aging loading and the luminous outputs. This paper applies the deep machine learning techniques and develops a gated network with the two-step learning algorithm to build the empirical relationship between the design parameters and the thermal aging loading and the luminous output of LED products. The flexibility of the proposed method will be demonstrated by integrating it with different neural network architectures. The proposed gated network concept has been validated in both multiple LED chip packaging and LED luminaire under thermal aging loading. The validation of the luminous data of multiple LED chip packaging shows that the maximum differences of the correlated color temperature (CCT) and color coordinate are 2.6% and 1.0%, respectively. Moreover, the machine learning results of the LED luminaire exhibit that the differences of lumen depreciation, CCT and color coordinate are 1.6%, 1.9% and 1.1%, after 2160 h of thermal aging.
Considerations for Acute and Emergent Deployed Mental Health Patient Management and Theater Transports: A Scoping Review
Authors: Migliore Laurie , Braun Lisa , Stucky Christopher H , Gardner Cubby , Huffman Sarah , Jumpp Savannah , Bell Emily
Published: December 2020

Background

Although combat stress and psychiatric casualties of war have consistently contributed to the need for deployed patient transport to higher echelons of care, little is known regarding specific evidence-based strategies for providing psychological support and optimal transport interventions for warriors.

Study Objective

The purpose of this scoping review is to map existing literature related to considerations for deployed mental health patient transport. The review’s primary aims are to identify the existing scientific research evidence, determine research and training gaps, and recommend critical areas for future military research.

Methods

We used Arksey and O’Malley’s six-stage scoping review methodological framework (identify the research question, identify relevant studies, select studies, chart data, report results, and consultation). Using a systematic search strategy, we evaluated peer-reviewed literature from five databases (PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Embase) and gray literature from the Defense Technical Information Center. All publications were independently screened for eligibility by two researchers during three review rounds (title, abstract, and full text).

Results

We identified 1,384 publications, 61 of which met our inclusion criteria. Most publications and technical reports were level IV evidence and below, primarily retrospective cohort studies and epidemiologic surveillance reports. Few rigorously designed studies were identified. Eight research themes and a variety of research and critical training gaps were derived from the reviewed literature. Themes included (1) characterizing mental health patients aeromedically evacuated from theater; (2) in-flight sedation medications; (3) need for aeromedical evacuation (AE) in-theater education, training, and guidelines for staff; (4) epidemiological surveillance of AE from theater; (5) mental health management in deployed settings; (6) suicide-related event management; (7) transport issues for mental health patients; and (8) psychological stressors of AE. Research is needed to establish clinical practice guidelines for mental health condition management in theater and throughout the continuum of en route care.
Importance of magnetic fields in highly eccentric discs with applications to tidal disruption events
Authors: Lynch Elliot M , Ogilvie Gordon I
Published: December 2020

Whether tidal disruption events (TDEs) circularize or accrete directly as a highly eccentric disc is the subject of current research and appears to depend sensitively on the disc thermodynamics. In a previous paper, we applied the theory of eccentric discs to TDE discs using an α-prescription for the disc stress, which leads to solutions that exhibit extreme, potentially unphysical, behaviour. In this paper, we further explore the dynamical vertical structure of highly eccentric discs using alternative stress models that are better motivated by the behaviour of magnetic fields in eccentric discs. We find that the presence of a coherent magnetic field has a stabilizing effect on the dynamics and can significantly alter the behaviour of highly eccentric radiation-dominated discs. We conclude that magnetic fields are important for the evolution of TDE discs.
Prolonged benefit to pembrolizumab in anaplastic oligodendroglioma patient with mismatch repair deficiency: a case report
Authors: Padovan Marta , Caccese Mario , Zagonel Vittorina , Lombardi Giuseppe
Published: December 2020

High-grade gliomas, including anaplastic oligodendroglioma, represent the most common malignant neoplasms of the central nervous system in the adult. The standard treatment of anaplastic oligodendroglioma consists of maximum surgical resection, radiotherapy and subsequent chemotherapy. Despite multimodal treatment, theoretically, all cases can relapse. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) as pembrolizumab demonstrated promising results in many types of tumors, particularly in the presence of mismatch repair deficiency (MMRd). However, no ICI benefit was demonstrated in high-grade glioma prospective studies, although no biomarker was analyzed. Here, we describe an interesting case of recurrent anaplastic oligodendroglioma with MMRd, reporting a prolonged disease stability during pembrolizumab treatment.