bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) to Software System Fault and Remaining Useful Life (RUL) Prediction
Authors: Islam Mohammad Rubyet , Sandborn Peter
Published: November 2021

Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) is an engineering discipline focused on predicting the point at which systems or components will no longer perform as intended. The prediction is often articulated as a Remaining Useful Life (RUL). RUL is an important decision-making tool for contingency mitigation, i.e., the prediction of an RUL (and its associated confidence) enables decisions to be made about how and when to maintain the system. PHM is generally applied to hardware systems in the electronics and non-electronics application domains. The application of PHM (and RUL) concepts has not been explored for application to software.

Today, software (SW) health management is confined to diagnostic assessments that identify problems, whereas prognostic assessment potentially indicates when in the future a problem will become detrimental to the operation of the system. Relevant areas such as SW defect prediction, SW reliability prediction, predictive maintenance of SW, SW degradation, and SW performance prediction, exist, but all represent static models, built upon historical data — none of which can calculate an RUL.

This paper addresses the application of PHM concepts to software systems for fault predictions and RUL estimation. Specifically, we wish to address how PHM can be used to make decisions for SW systems such as version update, module changes, rejuvenation, maintenance scheduling and abandonment.

This paper presents a method to prognostically and continuously predict the RUL of a SW system based on usage parameters (e.g., numbers and categories of releases) and multiple performance parameters (e.g., response time). The model is validated based on actual data (on performance parameters), generated by the test beds versus predicted data, generated by a predictive model. Statistical validation (regression validation) has been carried out as well. The test beds replicate and validate faults, collected from a real application, in a controlled and standard test (staging) environment. A case study based on publicly available data on faults and enhancement requests for the open-source Bugzilla application is presented. This case study demonstrates that PHM concepts can be applied to SW systems and RUL can be calculated to make decisions on software version update or upgrade, module changes, rejuvenation, maintenance schedule and total abandonment.
Optimal Control of a 5-Link Biped Using Quadratic Polynomial Model of Two-Point Boundary Value Problem
Authors: Hernandez-Hinojosa Ernesto , Satici Aykut , Bhounsule Pranav A.
Published: November 2021

To walk over constrained environments, bipedal robots must meet concise control objectives of speed and foot placement. The decisions made at the current step need to factor in their effects over a time horizon. Such step-to-step control is formulated as a two-point boundary value problem (2-BVP). As the dimensionality of the biped increases, it becomes increasingly difficult to solve this 2-BVP in real-time. The common method to use a simple linearized model for real-time planning followed by mapping on the high dimensional model cannot capture the nonlinearities and leads to potentially poor performance for fast walking speeds. In this paper, we present a framework for real-time control based on using partial feedback linearization (PFL) for model reduction, followed by a data-driven approach to find a quadratic polynomial model for the 2-BVP. This simple step-to-step model along with constraints is then used to formulate and solve a quadratically constrained quadratic program to generate real-time control commands. We demonstrate the efficacy of the approach in simulation on a 5-link biped following a reference velocity profile and on a terrain with ditches. A video is here: https://youtu.be/-UL-wkv4XF8.
Developing a Supply Chain Modeling Approach to Facilitate Ecology-Inspired Design for Sustainability and Resilience
Authors: Wilson Tyler , Chatterjee Abheek , Layton Astrid
Published: November 2021

Supply chain policies and design efforts are traditionally focused on efficiency objectives such as reducing operational costs. With the occurrence of the most devastating pandemic in decades and the continually increasing prevalence of natural disasters, this focus has been challenged, and the need to focus on supply chain resilience has become apparent. Achieving long-lasting sustainable development in supply chains requires a balance of efficiency-focused measures that enhance economic and environmental sustainability and resiliency measures. Ecological Network Analysis has revealed a unique balance between pathway efficiency and redundancy in ecosystems’ network architecture. This enables both efficient operations under normal circumstances and resilience to perturbations. This same analysis can be used to evaluate the balance of sustainability and resilience in supply chain networks, providing insights into what kind of supply chain design and policy decisions lead to more ecosystem-like architectures. This study lays the groundwork for such efforts by studying four supply chain topologies (formed by prevalent supply chain strategies) using ENA. Inventory (storage) is not well understood in the typical flow analysis used in ENA but is an essential facet of supply chain design and must be included in a supply chain analysis. This study overcomes this limitation by proposing a method to include inventory in the ENA framework. The analysis conducted revealed two significant insights: (a) the agile supply chain strategy is the most ecologically similar and (b) it is possible that there are optimal inventory levels (given partnership strategies) to utilize bio-inspiration in supply chain design.
Robust Design of Coupled Engineered Systems
Authors: Sharma Gehendra , Allen Janet K. , Mistree Farrokh
Published: November 2021

Coupled Engineered Systems can be characterized by the inherent interactions among design decisions. These interactions define the influence that one design decision exerts over another and require appropriate method to model such interactions. Robust design enables designers to design a product or process that is relatively insensitive to uncertainties. Hence, robust design of coupled engineered systems enables designers to, (i) design engineered systems while accounting for interaction among design decisions and (ii) identifying design decisions that are relatively insensitive to uncertainties.

In this paper, an appropriate method to model interactions and identify robust solution is presented. The interacting decisions are categorized into concurrent and hierarchical decisions and are respectively modeled with horizontal and vertical coupling. Based on the strength of interaction between these decisions, two types of interactions are defined, weak and strong interactions. To enable robust decisions in a coupled engineered systems, robustness metrics are defined and included as goals/constraints. The metrics considered in this work are to explore the solution space and manage uncertainty by considering the design of robust systems. The method has been tested on three design examples, that are, (i) design of a fender, (ii) design of a gearbox and (iii) design of a composite structure.
Learning of a Basketball Free Throw With a Flexible Link Robot
Authors: Timke Jannik , Morlock Merlin , Duecker Daniel A. , Seifried Robert
Published: November 2021

Object throwing is an efficient approach for overcoming the kinematic workspace limitations of robots in placement scenarios. Throwing of objects with rigid link robots has been widely studied in literature. Although using robots with spring-like flexible links can significantly increase the throwing distance, existing contributions are very rare. Therefore, we propose an efficient iterative learning control throwing algorithm and apply it to a flexible link robot. A simple rigid link throwing model is used to generate the motor motion. Errors caused by this simplification are corrected by a flexible link throwing model based on the finite element method. As representative scenario a basketball free throw is selected which requires high throwing accuracy. Here, we demonstrate that the controller can be efficiently pre-learned in simulations to reduce real-world training time. Experiments then validate that our learning control method achieves the required free throw accuracy within very few real-world learning iterations.
Design Human-Robot Collaborative Lifting Task Using Optimization
Authors: Arefeen Asif , Xiang Yujiang
Published: November 2021

In this paper, an optimization-based dynamic modeling method is used for human-robot lifting motion prediction. The three-dimensional (3D) human arm model has 13 degrees of freedom (DOFs) and the 3D robotic arm (Sawyer robotic arm) has 10 DOFs. The human arm and robotic arm are built in Denavit-Hartenberg (DH) representation. In addition, the 3D box is modeled as a floating-base rigid body with 6 global DOFs. The interactions between human arm and box, and robot and box are modeled as a set of grasping forces which are treated as unknowns (design variables) in the optimization formulation. The inverse dynamic optimization is used to simulate the lifting motion where the summation of joint torque squares of human arm is minimized subjected to physical and task constraints. The design variables are control points of cubic B-splines of joint angle profiles of the human arm, robotic arm, and box, and the box grasping forces at each time point. A numerical example is simulated for huma-robot lifting with a 10 Kg box. The human and robotic arms’ joint angle, joint torque, and grasping force profiles are reported. These optimal outputs can be used as references to control the human-robot collaborative lifting task.
Multi-Modal Search for Inspirational Examples in Design
Authors: Kwon Elisa , Huang Forrest , Goucher-Lambert Kosa
Published: November 2021

Inspirational stimuli are known to be effective in supporting ideation during the design process. However, minimal prior work has allowed individuals to search using multiple modes of input simultaneously, which is more representative of real design behavior. In the current work, we developed a multi-modal search platform that retrieves 3D model parts based on text, appearance, and function-based search inputs. This work presents the results of an experimental study (n = 21) in which the search platform was used to find parts identified as potentially useful for inspiring solutions to a design challenge. Participants were asked to engage with three different search modalities: search by keywords, by curated 3D parts, and by user-assembled 3D parts in their workspace. When searching by parts that are curated or in their workspace, additional control over the similarity of appearance and function of results in reference to the input was available to participants. The results of this study demonstrate that the modality used affects search behavior, such as in the frequency of searches, how participants engage with retrieved search results, and how broadly the search space is covered. Specific results link interactions with the interface to search strategies participants may have used during the task. Findings suggest that multi-modal search should enable intentional search for desired goals through direct search inputs (e.g., by keyword) and incremental adjustments to features of visually represented search inputs. Moreover, enabling discovery of inexplicitly searched for examples through related information or more randomly encountered examples may assist exploratory search behavior.
Open Research Questions for Incorporating Multi-Stakeholder Interests in Engineering for Global Development
Authors: Stevenson Phillip D. , Wood Amy E. , Mattson Christopher A. , Salmon John L.
Published: November 2021

There is potential for multi-stakeholder social impact design approaches to help advance design and modeling processes in engineering for global development. Adding multiple stakeholders, however, raises questions about how to choose stakeholders, weight their preferences, and ultimately model the perceived or actual impacts of products on stakeholders. While methods for handling the interests of multiple stakeholders exist in the literature, they are not without problems that are often exacerbated when modeling social impact in an engineering for global development setting. The purpose of this paper is to articulate some of the barriers and open research questions for handling multiple stakeholder interests during the process of designing engineering for global development products. Six challenges and sixteen research questions are presented.
Two-Scale Topology Optimization With Parameterized Cellular Structures
Authors: Rastegarzadeh Sina , Wang Jun , Huang Jida
Published: November 2021

Advances in additive manufacturing enable the fabrication of complex structures with intricate geometric details. It also escalates the potential for high-resolution structure design. However, the increasingly finer design brings computational challenges for structural optimization approaches such as topology optimization (TO) since the number of variables to optimize increases with the resolutions. To address this issue, two-scale TO paves an avenue for high-resolution structural design. The design domain is first discretized to a coarse scale, and the material property distribution is optimized, then using micro-structures to fill each property field. In this paper, instead of finding optimal properties of two scales separately, we reformulate the two-scale TO problem and optimize the design variables concurrently in both scales. By introducing parameterized periodic cellular structures, the minimal surface level-parameter is defined as the material design parameter and is implemented directly in the optimization problem. A numerical homogenization method is employed to calculate the elasticity tensor of the cellular materials. The stiffness matrices of the cellular structures derived as a function of the level parameters, using the homogenization results. An additional constraint on the level parameter is introduced in the structural optimization framework to enhance adjacent cellulars interfaces’ compatibility. Based on the parameterized micro-structure, the optimization problem is solved concurrently with an iterative solver. The reliability of the proposed approach has been validated with different engineering design cases. Numerical results show a noticeable increase in structure stiffness using the level parameter directly in the optimization problem than the state-of-art mapping technique.
Deep Learning-Based Surrogate Modeling via Physics-Informed Artificial Image (PIAI) for Strongly Coupled Multidisciplinary Engineering Systems
Authors: Hwang Sungkun , Choi Seung-Kyum
Published: November 2021

The design of strongly coupled multidisciplinary engineering systems is challenging since it is characterized by the complex interaction of different disciplines. Such complexity cannot be easily captured by explicit analytical solutions, which motivates the development of surrogate modeling. It enables the prediction of the systems’ behavior without analytical formulations. Among existing surrogate modeling techniques, deep learning has gained significant interest because of the flexibility of non-linear formulation and applicability to data-driven analysis. Notably, the convolution neural networks-based deep surrogate model augments the precision of prediction and estimation of system behavior once image-based inputs representing physical experiments and simulation are employed.

Nevertheless, the feasibility of the deep surrogate model is often flawed due to the miserable correlation representation between design parameters and the corresponding responses. Massive training costs also degrade the performance of the predictive model. To address those issues, this research proposes a physics-informed artificial image (PiAI) that incubates geometry-informed CAD, location-clarified filter, and essential simulation conditions, which augments the prediction credibility. Moreover, in lieu of employing multimodalities or multiple image channels, the proposed method employs a unimodal-based single image input to increase computational efficiency. The proposed framework’s efficacy and applicability are addressed in practical engineering design applications: cantilever beam and stretchable strain sensor.
Digital Twin-Based Fractional Order Controller Optimization for Industrial Robot
Authors: Liu Xuan , Chen Pengchong , Luo Ying
Published: November 2021

In this paper, a practical and systematic tuning procedure for fractional order controller using particle swarm algorithm (PSO) based on digital twin (DT) system of industrial robot has been developed. The procedure includes a virtual realization of control system based on digital twin concept. Then a particle swarm algorithm is introduced to optimize the five parameters of the cascade fractional order PI-PIλ controller. The optimization procedure using particle swarm algorithm based on digital twin concept is also presented. Finally, the virtual industrial robot model in digital twin is simulated to verify the applicability of the optimization method. The effectiveness of using the cascaded fractional order PI-PIλ controller compared to the cascaded integer order PI-PI controller is illustrated by the simulation results, where the cascaded fractional order PI-PIλ controller responses faster with smaller tracking error over the integer order one.
Variability in within-category implementation of stop consonant voicing in American English-speaking children
Authors: Jacewicz Ewa , Arzbecker Lian J. , Fox Robert A. , Liu Shuang
Published: November 2021

The development of stop consonant voicing in English-speaking children has been documented as a progressive mastery of phonological contrast, but implementation of voicing within one voicing category has not been systematically examined. This study provides a comprehensive account of structured variability in phonetic realization of /b/ in running speech by 8–12-year-old American children (n = 48) when compared to adults (n = 36). The stop always occurred word-initially, was followed by either a voiced or voiceless coda, and its position varied in a sentence, which created systematic conditions to examine acoustic variability in closure duration (CD) and voicing during the closure (VDC) stemming from phonetic context and prosodic prominence. Children demonstrated command of long-distance anticipatory coarticulation, providing evidence that information about coda voicing is distributed over an entire monosyllabic word and is available in the onset stop. They also manifested covariation of cues to stop voicing and command of prosodic variation, despite greater random variability, greater CD, reduced VDC, and exaggerated execution of sentential focus when compared to adults. Controlling for regional variation, dialect was a significant predictor for adults but not for children, who no longer adhered to the marked local variants in their implementation of stop voicing.
Psilocybin targets a common molecular mechanism for cognitive impairment and increased craving in alcoholism
Authors: Meinhardt Marcus W. , Pfarr Simone , Fouquet Grégory , Rohleder Cathrin , Meinhardt Manuela L. , Barroso-Flores Janet , Hoffmann Rebecca , Jeanblanc Jérôme , Paul Elisabeth , Wagner Konstantin , Hansson Anita C. , Köhr Georg , Meier Nils , von Bohlen und Halbach Oliver , Bell Richard L. , Endepols Heike , Neumaier Bernd , Schönig Kai , Bartsch Dusan , Naassila Mickaël , Spanagel Rainer , Sommer Wolfgang H.
Published: November 2021

Alcohol-induced mGluR2 deficits are restored by psilocybin, resulting in a rescue of pathological behaviors in alcoholism.
Analysis of Cross-Functionality within LanBTC Synthetase Complexes from Different Bacterial Sources with Respect to Production of Fully Modified Lanthipeptides
Authors: Chen Jingqi , Kuipers Oscar P.
Published: November 2021

A multimeric synthetase LanBTC complex has been proposed for the
in vivo
production of class I lanthipeptides. However, it has been demonstrated that LanB, LanC, and LanT can perform their functionality
in vivo
and
in vitro
, independently of other Lan proteins.
Control of Escherichia coli Serotype O157:H7 Motility and Biofilm Formation by Salicylate and Decanoate: MarA/SoxS/Rob and
pchE
Interactions
Authors: Uhlich Gaylen A. , Koppenhöfer Heather S. , Gunther Nereus W. , Ream Amy R.
Published: November 2021

There is a need to develop
E. coli
serotype O157:H7 nonantibiotic interventions that do not precipitate the release and activation of virulence factor-encoded prophage and transferrable genetic elements. One method is to stimulate existing regulatory pathways that repress bacterial persistence and virulence genes. Here we show that certain inducers of MarA and Rob have that ability, working through both
pchE
-dependent and
pschE
-independent pathways.
Ultrastructure of Organohalide-Respiring
Dehalococcoidia
Revealed by Cryo-Electron Tomography
Authors: Sexton Danielle L. , Chen Gao , Kara Murdoch Fadime , Hashimi Ameena , Löffler Frank E. , Tocheva Elitza I.
Published: November 2021

Dehalococcoidia
respire organohalogen compounds and play relevant roles in bioremediation of groundwater, sediments, and soils impacted with toxic chlorinated pollutants. Using advanced imaging tools, we have obtained three-dimensional images at macromolecular resolution of whole
Dehalococcoidia
cells revealing their unique structural components.
Conserved E1B-55K SUMOylation in Different Human Adenovirus Species Is a Potent Regulator of Intracellular Localization
Authors: Kolbe Viktoria , Ip Wing H. , Kieweg-Thompson Lisa , Lang Judith , Gruhne Julia , Meyer Tina , Wilkens Britta , Schie Marcel , Thünauer Roland , Schreiner Sabrina , Bertzbach Luca D. , Rodríguez Estefanía , Dobner Thomas
Published: November 2021

E1B-55K is a multifunctional adenoviral protein and its functions are highly regulated by SUMOylation. Although functional consequences of SUMOylated HAdV-C5 E1B-55K are well studied, we lack information on the effects of SUMOylation on homologous E1B-55K proteins from other HAdV species.
Immunogenicity and Safety of Investigational MenABCWY Vaccine and of 4CMenB and MenACWY Vaccines Administered Concomitantly or Alone: a Phase 2 Randomized Study of Adolescents and Young Adults
Authors: Beran Jiří , Dražan Daniel , Enweonye Igwebuike , Bhusal Chiranjiwi , Toneatto Daniela
Published: November 2021

The bacterial species
Neisseria meningitidis
is a major cause of meningitis, with six meningococcal groups (serogroups) causing most cases. A licensed vaccine, MenACWY (Menveo), targets four of these meningococcal serogroups, and another vaccine, 4CMenB (Bexsero), targets serogroup B.
Influence of Factors Altering Gastric Microbiota on Bariatric Surgery Metabolic Outcomes
Authors: Gutiérrez-Repiso Carolina , Moreno-Indias Isabel , Martín-Núñez Gracia M. , Ho-Plagaro Ailec , Ocaña-Wilhelmi Luis , Fernández García Diego , Gonzalo Marín Montserrat , Moreno-Ruiz Francisco J. , García-Fuentes Eduardo , Tinahones Francisco J.
Published: November 2021

The gut microbiota has been shown to have an impact on host metabolism. In the stomach, factors like proton pump inhibitor treatment and
Helicobacter pylori
haven been suggested to alter gut microbiota; however, the influence of these factors on the metabolic response to bariatric surgery has not been fully studied.
4-Iminooxazolidin-2-One as a Bioisostere of Cyanohydrin Suppresses EV71 Proliferation by Targeting 3C
pro
Authors: Xu Binghong , Liu Meijun , Ma Sen , Ma Yuying , Liu Si , Shang Luqing , Zhu Cheng , Ye Sheng , Wang Yaxin
Published: November 2021

EV71 is one of the most epidemic agents of HFMD. Thus far, there are no antiviral drugs available for clinical usage.
EDTA and Taurolidine Affect Pseudomonas aeruginosa Virulence
In Vitro
—Impairment of Secretory Profile and Biofilm Production onto Peritoneal Dialysis Catheters
Authors: Colombari Bruna , Alfano Gaetano , Gamberini Christian , Cappelli Gianni , Blasi Elisabetta
Published: November 2021

An
in vitro
model allows studies of the mechanisms by which the lock solutions exert their antimicrobial effects on catheter-associated biofilm, thus providing a better understanding of the management of devise-associated infections.
Comparison of sCIM and Other Phenotypic Detection Methods for Carbapenemase-Producing
Enterobacterales
Authors: Hosoda Takuya , Doi Yohei , Suzuki Masahiro
Published: November 2021

Simple identification methods for carbapenemase-producing
Enterobacterales
are required for the clinical laboratory. The simplified carbapenem inactivation method (sCIM) is a carbapenemase detection method that can be performed with less hands-on time than mCIM, but its sensitivity and specificity were suboptimal compared with other phenotypic detection methods when tested against a collection of IMP-producing CPE.
Detrital geochronology and lithologic signatures of Weddell Sea Embayment ice streams, Antarctica—Implications for subglacial geology and ice sheet history
Authors: Agrios Liana M. , Licht Kathy J. , Williams Trevor , Hemming Sidney R. , Welch Lauren , Mickey Jeremiah L.
Published: November 2021

Tills from moraines adjacent to major ice streams of the Weddell Sea Embayment contain distinct detrital zircon (n = 5304) and K-bearing mineral age populations (n = 323) that, when combined with pebble composition data, can be used to better understand Antarctica's subglacial geology and ice sheet history. Till representing the Institute, Foundation, Academy, Recovery and Slessor Ice Streams each have distinct detrital zircon age populations. Detrital Ar-Ar ages are mostly younger than zircon ages, and distinctive populations include 270–300 Ma (Institute), 170–190 Ma (Foundation), and 1200–1400 Ma (Recovery), which are not easily explained by known outcrops. Pebble fractions of the Foundation and Academy tills are most diverse with up to >40% exotic erratics. The southern side of the Recovery Glacier has fossiliferous limestone erratics. Mixing models created using a nonlinear squares curve-fitting approach were developed to evaluate contributors of zircons to Foundation Ice Stream till. These model results and pebble lithology data both indicate that unexposed (subglacial) bedrock is mixed with exposed rocks to produce the observed till. Notably, the model required limited local Patuxent Formation input to the Foundation till's zircon population. Our data suggest that sandstones underlie the Foundation Ice Stream and Recovery Glacier troughs, which has a bearing on basal ice flow conditions and results in geological controls on ice stream location. This geo- and thermo-chronological characterization of the ice streams will enable ice-rafted debris in Weddell Sea marine sediments to be traced back to its sources and interpreted in terms of ice stream dynamics.
Plasma Stability in a Tokamak with Reactor Technologies Taking into Account the Pressure Pedestal
Authors: Medvedev S. Yu. , Martynov A. A. , Konovalov S. V. , Leonov V. M. , Lukash V. E. , Khayrutdinov R. R.
Published: November 2021

Studying stationary regimes with high plasma confinement in a tokamak with reactor technologies (TRT) [1] involves calculating the plasma stability taking into account the influence of the current density profiles and pressure gradient in the pedestal near the boundary. At the same time, the operating limits should be determined by the parameters of the pedestal, which, in particular, are set by the stability limit of the peeling–ballooning modes that trigger the peripheral disruption of edge localized modes (ELM). Using simulation of the quasi-equilibrium evolution of the plasma by the ASTRA and DINA codes, as well as a simulator of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) modes localized at the boundary of the plasma torus based on the KINX code, stability calculations are performed for different plasma scenarios in the TRT with varying plasma density and temperature profiles, as well as the corresponding bootstrap current density in the pedestal region. At the same time, experimental scalings for the width of the pedestal are used. The obtained pressure values are below the limits for an ITER-like plasma due to the lower triangularity and higher aspect ratio of TRT plasma. For the same reason, the reversal of magnetic field shear in the pedestal occurs at a lower current density, which causes the instability of modes with low toroidal wave numbers and reduces the effect of diamagnetic stabilization.
Living donor kidney transplant following nephrectomy for renal artery stenosis with arterial reconstruction and viability assessment using ex vivo normothermic perfusion
Authors: Pearson Robert , Wubetu Jonathan , Jackson Andrew , Kingsmore David
Published: November 2021

Ex vivo normothermic perfusion (EVNP) is increasingly recognised as a viability tool to increase organ utilisation in deceased donor transplantation. We report the use of EVNP to assess graft perfusion quality following indication nephrectomy and back-bench arterial reconstruction in a case of renal artery stenosis, unamenable to endovascular treatment. Once explanted, it was not possible to effectively cold perfuse the graft through the main renal artery or collaterals. An arterial reconstruction was performed with patch angioplasty using the largest collateral creating a single common stem. EVNP was used to assess organ perfusion and, therefore, viability. Excellent global perfusion was evident alongside urine production, demonstrating that the arterial reconstruction was satisfactory. A patient with end-stage renal disease was consented with particular attention to the uncertainty of the underlying donor disease process and long-term outcome of the reconstruction. Primary function was achieved and recipient estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) remains stable at 58 mL/min/1.73 m² at 6 months.
Coded masks for imaging of neutrino events
Authors: Andreotti M. , Bernardini P. , Bersani A. , Bertolucci S. , Biagi S. , Branca A. , Brizzolari C. , Brunetti G. , Cagnoli I. , Calabrese R. , Caminata A. , Campani A. , Carniti P. , Cataldo R. , Cattadori C. , Cherubini S. , Cicero V. , Citterio M. , Copello S. , Cova P. , Cristaldo Morales E. , Davini S. , Delmonte N. , De Matteis G. , Domizio S. Di , Noto L. Di , Distefano C. , Giammaria T. , Guarise M. , Falcone A. , Ferraro F. , Fiorini M. , Gallice N. , Gotti C. , Guerzoni M. , Iliescu M. A. , Ingratta G. , Lazzaroni M. , Lax I. , Laurenti G. , Leaci A. , Luppi E. , Martina L. , Mauri N. , Minotti A. , Moggi N. , Montagna E. , Montanari A. , Montanino D. , Pallavicini M. , Panareo M. , Parozzi E. G. , Pasqualini L. , Patrizii L. , Pessina G. , Poppi F. , Pozzato M. , Pia V. , Riboldi S. , Riccobene G. , Sala P. , Sapienza P. , Schifano F. , Sirri G. , Spanu M. , Stanco L. , Surdo A. , Taibi A. , Tenti M. , Terranova F. , Testera G. , Tomassetti L. , Torti M. , Tosi N. , Travaglini R. , Uboldi L. , Vicenzi M. , Zani A. , Zucchelli S. ,   (NU@FNAL Collaboration)
Published: November 2021

The capture of scintillation light emitted by liquid Argon and Xenon under molecular excitations by charged particles is still a challenging task. Here we present a first attempt to design a device able to have a sufficiently high photon detection efficiency, in order to reconstruct the path of ionizing particles. The study is based on the use of masks to encode the light signal combined with single-photon detectors, showing the capability to detect tracks over focal distances of about tens of centimeters. From numerical simulations it emerges that it is possible to successfully decode and recognize signals, even of rather complex topology, with a relatively limited number of acquisition channels. Thus, the main aim is to elucidate a proof of principle of a technology developed in very different contexts, but which has potential applications in liquid argon detectors that require a fast reading. The findings support us to think that such innovative technique could be very fruitful in a new generation of detectors devoted to neutrino physics.
Development of an Effective and Economic Biosensor for Diabetic Blood Monitoring Based on MWCNTs, Artificial Redox Mediator Ferrocene, Nafion Polymer and a Local Extracted and Purified Glucose Oxidase Enzyme from Penicillium Notatum F-158 Fungus
Authors: El-Desoky Hanaa S. , Koleeb Ashraf I. , Bassuiny Roqaya I. , Mohamed Tarek M.
Published: November 2021

Enhancement of the properties of glucose oxidase (GOx) enzyme is still receiving attention due to its extensive applications. Eight different fungal strains were isolated from soil and orange fruit samples for inexpensive GOx production.Penicillium notatum F-158 (P. notatum) strain produced a remarkable amount of GOx. Its culture condition was optimized for optimum GOx production. GOx was purified and its activity, stability and kinetic parameters were studied. An effective biosensor {GCE/[MWCNTs–Fc–GOx(FAD)–NF]} based on layer by layer immobilization of MWCNTs, aritificial ferrocene (Fc) redox mediator, extractedP. notatumGOx enzyme and nafion polymer (NF) on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface was developed for glucose determination. Fc acts as an electron relay between enzyme and MWCNTs/GCE. The synergy of MWCNTs and Fc enhances the electrocatalytic action of Fc to the enzymatic oxidation of glucose. Low potential (+0.3 V) of Fc applied in amperometric measurements avoids interference of the main electroactive substances present in the real plasma samples. This biosensor showed broad linear ranges {2.80 × 10–4to 14.99 × 10–3M} and low detection limit (8.68 × 10–6M) for glucose determination. The achieved glucose concentrations in six plasma samples are consistent with normal values in human blood indicating that such biosensor could be used clinically.
Visualization of Charge-Transfer Complex for the Detection of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene Using Terahertz Chemical Microscope
Authors: Wang Jin , Nagata Hiroki , Ando Masaki , Yoshida Yuichi , Sakai Kenji , Kiwa Toshihiko
Published: November 2021

This study focuses on the visualization of a charge-transfer complex, namely a Meisenheimer complex, for the detection of uncharged 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) explosives by developing a terahertz chemical microscope (TCM) imaging system. The organic amine 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) was immobilized on an SiO2-film-coated TCM sensing plate, where it interacted with TNT molecules. The surface electrical potential distribution of TNT, APTES, and the charge-transfer complex was mapped. An electrical potential shift occurred due to the formation of a charge-transfer complex between the electron-rich amino-silane APTES and electron-deficient TNT molecules on the surface of the sensing plate. The electrical imaging and detection of TNT explosives by using the TCM imaging system were demonstrated by measuring the amplitude of the terahertz pulse caused by this electrical potential shift. N-(2-Aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane and N1-(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)diethylenetriamine were used for further evaluation and comparison of color changes arising from the amine-TNT interactions. The results have shown that TCM imaging is a promising method for the detection of uncharged TNT explosives at a low (sub-parts-per-million) concentration.
Electrolyte Takeover Strategy for Performance Recovery in Polysulfide-Permanganate Flow Batteries
Authors: Saraidaridis James , Yang Zhiwei
Published: November 2021

The abundance of active material precursors for a polysulfide-permanganate flow battery makes it a compelling chemistry for large-scale, and potentially long-duration (>10 h), grid electricity storage. Precipitation, arising from either reactant crossover or electrolyte side reactions, decrease cell efficiencies during charge/discharge cycling. Regardless of the abundance and low cost of active materials, a system without high cyclability cannot meet grid electricity storage economic targets for applications that cycle regularly. Precipitated species can be removed, and reactor efficiency performance restored, by using an electrolyte takeover process, or ETP. Two ETP methods are investigated. One ETP uses the negative electrolyte, an alkaline polysulfide (pS) solution, as takeover solution, and another uses dilute acidic peroxide (DAP) as the takeover solution. Both ETPs maintain functional cell operation within an acceptable performance range over >1000 h and >200 cycles, a duration over which cells that do not undergo ETPs clog and fail. The DAP ETP proves especially effective and limits irrecoverable voltage efficiency fade below 0.02%/cycle. These ETPs, either individually, or in combination, can enable the requisite cyclability for practical polysulfide-permanganate flow battery systems.
Facile Synthesized Novel Nanocomposites Modified Electrodes in the Trace Detection of Sulfamethoxazole
Authors: Lalmalsawmi Jongte , Tiwari Diwakar
Published: November 2021

Micro-pollutants, especially antibiotics contamination in water bodies, are a serious concern, and their detection at a low level is important for human health and even aquatic life at large. The present investigation aims to obtain the novel nanocomposite material precursor to clay and silane. The nanocomposite material is decorated with Ag or Au nanoparticles as obtained indigenously by a green route using natural phytochemicals. The materials were extensively characterized by advanced analytical methods. The nanocomposite materials (Ag(NP)/TCBN and Au(NP)/TCBN) are employed in the selective and efficient trace measurement of sulfamethoxazole (SMZ) in aqueous solutions using the differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry. The cyclic voltammetric and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic methods showed an increased electroactive surface area as well as faster electron transfer reactions compared to the glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The DPASV measurements at the concentration range of 0.25 mg l−1to 30.0 mg/l showed that the novel nanocomposites provide the LOD of 0.022 and 0.036 mg l−1, respectively, for the Ag(NP)/TCBN/GCE and Au(NP)/TCBN/GCE for sulfamethoxazole. Further, the application of the method for the detection of sulfamethoxazole in real water samples resulted in an acceptable recovery percentage of 93.08 to 103.7.
A Simple g-C3N4/TNTs Heterojunction for Improving the Photoelectrocatalytic Degradation of Methyl Orange
Authors: Zeng Linsheng , He Zichun , Luo Yongping , Xu Jitao , Chen Jiansheng , Wu Li , Huang Ping , Xu Shunjian
Published: November 2021

In this work, highly ordered titanium dioxide nanotube arrays (TNTs) were first prepared by anodic oxidation method. Then, g-C3N4/TNTs heterojunctions were prepared by ultrasonically loading graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) onto the TNTs. The morphology and crystal structure of TNTs and g-C3N4/TNTs were characterized by SEM/TEM and XRD. The photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) degradation of methyl orange (MO) by TNTs and g-C3N4/TNTs was studied in a PEC degradation system. The photocatalytic (PC), electrocatalytic (EC), and PEC degradation properties were compared, and the effect of pollutant concentration on the degradation performance of the catalysts was analyzed. According to the experimental results, the degradation rate of MO with TNTs only reaches 65.1% after 120 min, while the degradation rate of MO with g-C3N4/TNTs reaches 84.6% in the same time. Due to the synergistic effect of light and electricity, the PEC degradation efficiency of the two catalysts is greater than the sum of PC and EC degradation, proving that g-C3N4/TNTs heterojunctions provide excellent PEC performance for the degradation of MO.
Measuring Practical Reversibility of Surface-Bound DNA for Mechanistic Insight into Folding-Based Sensors
Authors: Sykes Kiana S. , White Ryan J.
Published: November 2021

In this paper we characterize the mass-transport-limited response of surface-tethered redox moieties via flexible DNA linkers using measured voltammetric peak current and peak potential splitting. We demonstrate that peak splitting can be used to differentiate between reversible, quasi-reversible, and irreversible electrochemical regimes of the tethered redox molecule. Interestingly, the transition from one regime to another is dependent on the length and structure of the DNA probe. For example, as the probe length increases the transition from reversible to quasi-reversible occurs at lower scan rates. Additionally, we directly compare the dependence of the peak splitting and peak current as a function of scan rate for ssDNA, dsDNA, and other structured nucleic acids such as stem-loop and pseudoknot probes. Lastly, we find that by interrogating our surfaces with cyclic voltammetry we can observe quantitative differences in the peak splitting once the aptamer is in a bound state and correlate this to the extent of conformational change the sequence undergoes. The observations reported herein are consistent with the postulation that signaling in this class of sensor architectures is dictated by changes in nucleic acid structure and flexibility, which controls the mass transfer rate of the redox probe to the surface of the electrode.
Unravelling the Fe Effect on the Corrosion of Chromium Coatings: Chemical Composition and Semiconducting Properties
Authors: León J. , Pletincx S. , Terryn H. , Özkaya B. , García-Lecina E. , Vega J. M.
Published: November 2021

A model trivalent chromium-based electroplating bath doped with different concentrations of Fe was used to obtain different metallic coatings. The impact of the Fe was investigated on both the Cr layer and its native passive film by a detailed characterisation using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Angle Resolved XPS and Auger Electron Spectroscopy. Moreover, the semiconducting properties of their oxide layers were explored by Mott-Schottky and the corrosion performance of the coating by linear polarisation resistance and kinetics of the oxide formation. Results revealed not only a homogeneous Fe distribution in the Cr layer but also the presence of an iron-chromium duplex oxide layer for concentrations ≥ 100 mg l−1Fe in the bath. The Mott-Schottky analysis showed a p-n junction for such coatings due to the presence of an iron oxide layer on top of a chromium oxide one, which increased the total amount of point defects (charge carrier density) and drastically affected to their corrosion resistance (the polarisation resistance decreased by one order of magnitude and their oxide layer showed slower kinetics and a higher passivation current). In contrast, coatings with a single chromium oxide layer showed a p-type semiconducting behaviour as well as the best corrosion performance.
Electrodeposition and Catalytic Performance of Hydrophobic PbO2 Electrode Modified by Surfactant OP-10
Authors: Shen Ying , Li Yudong , Yao Yingwu , Xia Yun , Jiao Mengyao , Han Enshan
Published: November 2021

A hydrophobic PbO2 electrode modified by surfactant OP-10 was prepared by electrodeposition. The electrode has good hydrophobic surface (the hydrophobic angle can reach 123°), high over point oxygen evolution (OEP) (1.60 V vs SCE), and good service life (81 h). The electrode morphology and electrodeposition mechanism study found that the addition of OP-10 can help to build a dense PbO2 electrode surface, reduce the occurrence of side reactions, and promote the positive deposition of PbO2. As much as 30 mg l−1 of methylene blue, as the simulated pollutant, could be degraded in 80 min under conditions of 50 mA cm−2, initial pH = 7, and a concentration of supporting electrolyte of 0.15 mol l−1, which could be easily reached. Moreover, a practical dye wastewater was employed, proving the OP-10 modified PbO2 electrode is suitable for industrial applications, where the COD of dye wastewater can be reduced from 330 to 4 mg l−1 in 120 min.
Rapid and Blind Watermarking Approach of the 3D Objects Using QR Code Images for Securing Copyright
Authors: Al-Saadi Hanan S. , Elhadad Ahmed , Ghareeb A.
Published: November 2021

Watermarking techniques in a wide range of digital media was utilized as a host cover to hide or embed a piece of information message in such a way that it is invisible to a human observer. This study aims to develop an enhanced rapid and blind method for producing a watermarked 3D object using QR code images with high imperceptibility and transparency. The proposed method is based on the spatial domain, and it starts with converting the 3D object triangles from the three‐dimensional Cartesian coordinate system to the two‐dimensional coordinates domain using the corresponding transformation matrix. Then, it applies a direct modification on the third vertex point of each triangle. Each triangle’s coordinates in the 3D object can be used to embed one pixel from the QR code image. In the extraction process, the QR code pixels can be successfully extracted without the need for the original image. The imperceptibly and the transparency performances of the proposed watermarking algorithm were evaluated using Euclidean distance, Manhattan distance, cosine distance, and the correlation distance values. The proposed method was tested under various filtering attacks, such as rotation, scaling, and translation. The proposed watermarking method improved the robustness and visibility of extracting the QR code image. The results reveal that the proposed watermarking method yields watermarked 3D objects with excellent execution time, imperceptibility, and robustness to common filtering attacks.
A Lightweight Authenticated Key Agreement Protocol Using Fog Nodes in Social Internet of Vehicles
Authors: Wu Tsu-Yang , Guo Xinglan , Yang Lei , Meng Qian , Chen Chien-Ming
Published: November 2021

Recently, there has been rapid growth in the Internet of things, the Internet of vehicles, fog computing, and social Internet of vehicles

SIoV

, which can generate large amounts of real-time data. Now, researchers have begun applying fog computing to the

SIoV

to reduce the computing pressure on cloud servers. However, there are still security challenges in

SIoV

. In this paper, we propose a lightweight and authenticated key agreement protocol based on fog nodes in

SIoV

. The protocol completes the mutual authentication between entities and generates the session key for subsequent communication. Through a formal analysis of the Burrows–Abadi–Needham (BAN) logic, real-oracle random (ROR) model, and ProVerif, the security, validity, and correctness of the proposed protocol are demonstrated. In addition, informal security analysis shows that our proposed protocol can resist known security attacks. We also evaluate the performance of the proposed protocol and show that it achieves better performance in terms of computing power and communication cost.
Contribution and Mechanism of Different Levels of Educational Human Capital to the Identification of Regional Green Economic Growth
Authors: Guo Jiapeng
Published: November 2021

With the rapid development of economy and society and the continuous optimization of industrial structure, the demand for high skilled talents is increasing. Education plays an irreplaceable role in China’s economic growth. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the impact of talent supply of vocational education on economic growth from the perspective of human capital and comprehensively consider the spatial interaction of economic growth. Taking intelligent image recognition technology as the main research technology, this paper discusses the contribution of educational human capital to regional green economic growth. This paper expounds the content of intelligent image recognition technology, constructs an image recognition system based on neural network, and studies the relationship between human resource utilization efficiency and regional economy under intelligent image recognition technology based on the empirical analysis of intelligent image recognition technology. Finally, it makes an empirical study on the spatial effect in the image recognition system and expounds the relationship between feature space and economic growth. It verifies the relationship between educational human capital and green economic growth. The results show that the intelligent image recognition technology has a good effect in the research of spatial effect.