bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of Auditory Object-Specific Attention from Single-Trial Electroencephalogram Signals via Entropy Measures and Machine Learning
Authors: Lu Yun , Wang Mingjiang , Zhang Qiquan , Han Yufei
Published: May 2018

Existing research has revealed that auditory attention can be tracked from ongoing electroencephalography (EEG) signals. The aim of this novel study was to investigate the identification of peoples’ attention to a specific auditory object from single-trial EEG signals via entropy measures and machine learning. Approximate entropy (ApEn), sample entropy (SampEn), composite multiscale entropy (CmpMSE) and fuzzy entropy (FuzzyEn) were used to extract the informative features of EEG signals under three kinds of auditory object-specific attention (Rest, Auditory Object1 Attention (AOA1) and Auditory Object2 Attention (AOA2)). The linear discriminant analysis and support vector machine (SVM), were used to construct two auditory attention classifiers. The statistical results of entropy measures indicated that there were significant differences in the values of ApEn, SampEn, CmpMSE and FuzzyEn between Rest, AOA1 and AOA2. For the SVM-based auditory attention classifier, the auditory object-specific attention of Rest, AOA1 and AOA2 could be identified from EEG signals using ApEn, SampEn, CmpMSE and FuzzyEn as features and the identification rates were significantly different from chance level. The optimal identification was achieved by the SVM-based auditory attention classifier using CmpMSE with the scale factor τ = 10. This study demonstrated a novel solution to identify the auditory object-specific attention from single-trial EEG signals without the need to access the auditory stimulus.
Identification of Pulmonary Hypertension Using Entropy Measure Analysis of Heart Sound Signal
Authors: Tang Hong , Jiang Yuanlin , Li Ting , Wang Xinpei
Published: May 2018

This study introduced entropy measures to analyze the heart sound signals of people with and without pulmonary hypertension (PH). The lead II Electrocardiography (ECG) signal and heart sound signal were simultaneously collected from 104 subjects aged between 22 and 89. Fifty of them were PH patients and 54 were healthy. Eleven heart sound features were extracted and three entropy measures, namely sample entropy (SampEn), fuzzy entropy (FuzzyEn) and fuzzy measure entropy (FuzzyMEn) of the feature sequences were calculated. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to study the feature significance between the patient and health group. To reduce the age confounding factor, nine entropy measures were selected based on correlation analysis. Further, the probability density function (pdf) of a single selected entropy measure of both groups was constructed by kernel density estimation, as well as the joint pdf of any two and multiple selected entropy measures. Therefore, a patient or a healthy subject can be classified using his/her entropy measure probability based on Bayes’ decision rule. The results showed that the best identification performance by a single selected measure had sensitivity of 0.720 and specificity of 0.648. The identification performance was improved to 0.680, 0.796 by the joint pdf of two measures and 0.740, 0.870 by the joint pdf of multiple measures. This study showed that entropy measures could be a powerful tool for early screening of PH patients.
Research on the Robustness of the Constant Speed Control of Hydraulic Energy Storage Generation
Authors: Liu Zengguang , Yang Guolai , Wei Liejiang , Yue Daling , Tao Yanhua
Published: May 2018

Energy storage plays a major role in solving the fluctuation and intermittence problem of wind and the effective use of wind power. The application of the hydraulic accumulator is the most efficient and convenient way to store wind energy in hydraulic wind turbines. A hydraulic energy storage generation system (HESGS) can transform hydraulic energy stored in the hydraulic accumulator into stable and constant electrical energy by controlling the variable motor, regardless of wind changes. The aim of the present study is to design a constant speed control method for the variable motor in the HESGS and investigate the influence of the controller’s main parameters on the resistance of the HESGS to external load power disturbances. Mathematical equations of all components in this system are introduced and an entire system simulation model is built. A double closed-loop control method of the variable motor is presented within this paper, which keeps the motor speed constant for the fixed frequency of electrical power generated by the HESGS. Ultimately, a series of simulations with different proportional gains and integral gains under the environment of changeless load power step are conducted. At the same time, comparison analyses of the experiment and simulation under variable load power step are performed. The results verify the correctness and the usability of the simulation model, and also indicate that the proposed control method is robust to the disturbances of changing load power.
Health Disparities Score Composite of Youth and Parent Dyads from an Obesity Prevention Intervention: iCook 4-H
Authors: Olfert Melissa D. , Barr Makenzie L. , Hagedorn Rebecca L. , Franzen-Castle Lisa , Colby Sarah E. , Kattelmann Kendra K. , White Adrienne A.
Published: May 2018

iCook 4-H is a lifestyle intervention to improve diet, physical activity and mealtime behavior. Control and treatment dyads (adult primary meal preparer and a 9–10-year-old youth) completed surveys at baseline and 4, 12, and 24 months. A Health Disparity (HD) score composite was developed utilizing a series of 12 questions (maximum score = 12 with a higher score indicating a more severe health disparity). Questions came from the USDA short form U.S. Household Food Security Survey (5), participation in food assistance programs (1), food behavior (2), level of adult education completed (1), marital status (1), and race (1 adult and 1 child). There were 228 dyads (control n = 77; treatment n = 151) enrolled in the iCook 4-H study. Baseline HD scores were 3.00 ± 2.56 among control dyads and 2.97 ± 2.91 among treatment dyads, p = 0.6632. There was a significant decline in the HD score of the treatment group from baseline to 12 months (p = 0.0047) and baseline to 24 months (p = 0.0354). A treatment by 12-month time interaction was found (baseline mean 2.97 ± 2.91 vs. 12-month mean 1.78 ± 2.31; p = 0.0406). This study shows that behavioral change interventions for youth and adults can help improve factors that impact health equity; although, further research is needed to validate this HD score as a measure of health disparities across time.
Tobacco Smoke Induces and Alters Immune Responses in the Lung Triggering Inflammation, Allergy, Asthma and Other Lung Diseases: A Mechanistic Review
Authors: Strzelak Agnieszka , Ratajczak Aleksandra , Adamiec Aleksander , Feleszko Wojciech
Published: May 2018

Many studies have been undertaken to reveal how tobacco smoke skews immune responses contributing to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other lung diseases. Recently, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) has been linked with asthma and allergic diseases in children. This review presents the most actual knowledge on exact molecular mechanisms responsible for the skewed inflammatory profile that aggravates inflammation, promotes infections, induces tissue damage, and may promote the development of allergy in individuals exposed to ETS. We demonstrate how the imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants resulting from exposure to tobacco smoke leads to oxidative stress, increased mucosal inflammation, and increased expression of inflammatory cytokines (such as interleukin (IL)-8, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor α ([TNF]-α). Direct cellular effects of ETS on epithelial cells results in increased permeability, mucus overproduction, impaired mucociliary clearance, increased release of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, enhanced recruitment of macrophages and neutrophils and disturbed lymphocyte balance towards Th2. The plethora of presented phenomena fully justifies a restrictive policy aiming at limiting the domestic and public exposure to ETS.
Relationship between Job Stress and 5-HT2A Receptor Polymorphisms on Self-Reported Sleep Quality in Physicians in Urumqi (Xinjiang, China): A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Gao Xiaoyan , Ge Hua , Jiang Yu , Lian Yulong , Zhang Chen , Liu Jiwen
Published: May 2018

The serotonin receptor (5-HTR) plays a key role in sleep quality regulation. Job-related stress is an important factor that influences sleep quality. However, few reports on the interaction between 5-HTR2A polymorphisms and job stress, and how they may impact upon sleep quality are available. Therefore this study investigated the effects of job stress, 5-HTR2A polymorphisms, and their interaction on sleep quality, in physicians. Using a two-stage stratified sampling method, 918 participants were initially invited to participate in the study. After screening for study inclusion and exclusion criteria, 504 subjects were eventually included in the study. Job stress and sleep quality were assessed using the Job Stress Survey (JSS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), respectively. The 5-HTR2A receptor gene polymorphisms T102C and -1438G/A of were determined using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Job stress was significantly associated with sleep quality. High levels of job stress were linked to a higher risk of poor sleep quality compared to low or moderate levels [odds ratio (OR) = 2.909, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.697–4.986]. High levels of stress may reduce subjects’ sleep quality, leading to an increase the likelihood of sleep disturbances and subsequent daytime dysfunction. The 5-HTR2A receptor gene polymorphism T102C was not significantly associated with sleep quality in this study, however, the -1438G/A polymorphism was significantly associated with sleep quality. The GG genotype of the -1438G/A polymorphism was linked to poorer sleep quality. When compared with subjects with low job-related stress levels×AG/AA genotype (OR = 2.106, 95% CI: 1.278–3.471), physicians with high job-related stress levels×GG genotype had a higher risk of experiencing poor sleep quality (OR = 13.400, 95% CI: 3.143–57.137). The findings of our study indicate that job stress and 5-HTR2A receptor gene polymorphisms are associated with sleep quality in physicians. Subjects with high job stress level or/and the -1438G/A GG genotype were more likely to report poor sleep quality, and furthermore, their combination effect on sleep quality was higher than their independent effects, so it may be suggested that job-related stress and genes have a cumulative effect on sleep quality; that is, stress can increase the risk of poor sleep quality, but this effect is worse in a group of people with specific gene polymorphisms.
Protective Effects of 2-Amino-5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3-thiazine and Its Derivative against Radiation-Induced Hematopoietic and Intestinal Injury in Mice
Authors: Li Yuanyuan , Kong Shaofan , Yang Fujun , Xu Wenqing
Published: May 2018

Ionizing radiation (IR) acts as an external stimulating factor, when it acts on the body, it will activate NF- κ B and cause the up-regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and induce a large amount of nitric oxide (NO) production. NO and other reactive nitrogen and oxygen species (RNS and ROS) can cause damage to biological molecules and affect their physiological functions. Our study investigated the protective role of 2-amino-5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3-thiazine hydrobromide (2-ADT) and 2-acetylamino-5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3-thiazine hydrobromide (2-AADT), two nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, against radiation-induced hematopoietic and intestinal injury in mice. Pretreatment with 2-ADT and 2-AADT improved the survival of mice exposed to a lethal dose of radiation, especially, the survival rate of the 2-ADT 20 mg/kg group was significantly higher than that of the vehicle group (p < 0.001). Our findings indicated that the radioprotective actions of 2-ADT and 2-AADT are achieved via accelerating hematopoietic system recovery, decreasing oxidative and nitrosative stress by enhancing the antioxidant defense system and reducing NO as well as peroxynitrite (ONOO − ) content, and mitigating the radiation-induced DNA damage evaluated by comet assay. These results suggest that 2-ADT and 2-AADT may have great application potential in ameliorating the damages of radiotherapy.
Impact of Bone Fracture on Ischemic Stroke Recovery
Authors: Wei Meng , Lyu Haiyian , Huo Kang , Su Hua
Published: May 2018

Stroke is one of the most devastating complications of bone fracture, occurring in up to 4% of patients after surgical repair for hip fracture. Bone fracture and ischemic stroke have many common risk factors. The impact of bone fracture on stroke recovery has not drawn much attention in the research field. Bone fracture could occur in stroke patients at different times during the recovery phase, which steepens the trajectory of cognitive decline, greatly affects the quality of life, and causes a heavy burden on healthcare resources. In this paper, we reviewed the growing information on the pathophysiological mechanisms by which bone fracture may affect ischemic stroke recovery process.
DDES of Wetted and Cavitating Marine Propeller for CHA Underwater Noise Assessment
Authors: Viitanen Ville M. , Hynninen Antti , Sipilä Tuomas , Siikonen Timo
Published: May 2018

In this paper we present results of delayed detached eddy simulation (DDES) and computational hydroacoustics (CHA) simulations of a marine propeller operating in a cavitation tunnel. DDES is carried out in both wetted and cavitating conditions, and we perform the investigation at several propeller loadings. CHA analyses are done for one propeller loading both in wetted and cavitating conditions. The simulations are validated against experiments conducted in the cavitation tunnel. Propeller global forces, local flow phenomena, as well as cavitation patterns are compared to the cavitation tunnel tests. Hydroacoustic sources due to the propeller are evaluated from the flow solution, and corresponding acoustic simulations utilizing an acoustic analogy are made. The propeller wake flow structures are investigated for the wetted and cavitating operating conditions, and the acoustic excitation and output of the same cases are discussed.
A Modified Back Propagation Artificial Neural Network Model Based on Genetic Algorithm to Predict the Flow Behavior of 5754 Aluminum Alloy
Authors: Huang Changqing , Jia Xiaodong , Zhang Zhiwu
Published: May 2018

In order to predict flow behavior and find the optimum hot working processing parameters for 5754 aluminum alloy, the experimental flow stress data obtained from the isothermal hot compression tests on a Gleeble-3500 thermo-simulation apparatus, with different strain rates (0.1–10 s–1) and temperatures (300–500 °C), were used to construct the constitutive models of the strain-compensation Arrhenius (SA) and back propagation (BP) artificial neural network (ANN). In addition, an optimized BP–ANN model based on the genetic algorithm (GA) was established. Furthermore, the predictability of the three models was evaluated by the statistical indicators, including the correlation coefficient (R) and average absolute relative error (AARE). The results showed that the R of the SA model, BP–ANN model, and ANN–GA model were 0.9918, 0.9929, and 0.9999, respectively, while the AARE of these models was found to be 3.2499–5.6774%, 0.0567–5.4436% and 0.0232–1.0485%, respectively. The prediction error of the SA model was high at 400 °C. It was more accurate to use the BP–ANN model to determine the flow behavior compared to the SA model. However, the BP–ANN model had more instability at 300 °C and a true strain in the range of 0.4–0.6. When compared with the SA model and BP–ANN model, the ANN–GA model had a more efficient and more accurate prediction ability during the whole deformation process. Furthermore, the dynamic softening characteristic was analyzed by the flow curves. All curves showed that 5754 aluminum alloy showed the typical rheological characteristics. The flow stress rose rapidly with increasing strain until it reached a peak. After this, the flow stress remained constant, which demonstrates a steady flow softening phenomenon. Besides, the flow stress and the required variables to reach the steady state deformation increased with increasing strain rate and decreasing temperature.
Experimental and Numerical Studies on Fiber Deformation and Formability in Thermoforming Process Using a Fast-Cure Carbon Prepreg: Effect of Stacking Sequence and Mold Geometry
Authors: Bae Daeryeong , Kim Shino , Lee Wonoh , Yi Jin , Um Moon , Seong Dong
Published: May 2018

A fast-cure carbon fiber/epoxy prepreg was thermoformed against a replicated automotive roof panel mold (square-cup) to investigate the effect of the stacking sequence of prepreg layers with unidirectional and plane woven fabrics and mold geometry with different drawing angles and depths on the fiber deformation and formability of the prepreg. The optimum forming condition was determined via analysis of the material properties of epoxy resin. The non-linear mechanical properties of prepreg at the deformation modes of inter- and intra-ply shear, tensile and bending were measured to be used as input data for the commercial virtual forming simulation software. The prepreg with a stacking sequence containing the plain-woven carbon prepreg on the outer layer of the laminate was successfully thermoformed against a mold with a depth of 20 mm and a tilting angle of 110°. Experimental results for the shear deformations at each corner of the thermoformed square-cup product were compared with the simulation and a similarity in the overall tendency of the shear angle in the path at each corner was observed. The results are expected to contribute to the optimization of parameters on materials, mold design and processing in the thermoforming mass-production process for manufacturing high quality automotive parts with a square-cup geometry.
An Investigation of Fiber Reinforced Chemically Bonded Phosphate Ceramic Composites at Room Temperature
Authors: Ding Zhu , Li Yu-Yu , Lu Can , Liu Jian
Published: May 2018

In this study, chemically bonded phosphate ceramic (CBPC) fiber reinforced composites were made at indoor temperatures. The mechanical properties and microstructure of the CBPC composites were studied. The CBPC matrix of aluminum phosphate binder, metakaolin, and magnesia with different Si/P ratios was prepared. The results show that when the Si/P ratio was 1.2, and magnesia content in the CBPC was 15%, CBPC reached its maximum flexural strength. The fiber reinforced CBPC composites were prepared by mixing short polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers or unidirectional continuous carbon fiber sheets. Flexural strength and dynamic mechanical properties of the composites were determined, and the microstructures of specimens were analyzed by scanning electron micrography, X-ray diffraction, and micro X-ray computed tomography. The flexural performance of continuous carbon fiber reinforced CBPC composites was better than that of PVA fiber composites. The elastic modulus, loss modulus, and loss factor of the fiber composites were measured through dynamic mechanical analysis. The results showed that fiber reinforced CBPC composites are an inorganic polymer viscoelastic material with excellent damping properties. The reaction of magnesia and phosphate in the matrix of CBPC formed a different mineral, newberyite, which was beneficial to the development of the CBPC.
Effect of Hydrothermal Treatment on Structural and Catalytic Properties of [CTA]-MCM-41 Silica
Authors: Zapelini Iago , Silva Laura , Cardoso Dilson
Published: May 2018

The [CTA]-MCM-41 hybrid silica is a useful and simply prepared heterogeneous basic catalyst for the transesterification reaction. Here, the effect of hydrothermal treatment during catalyst preparation was investigated, with the aim of improving the structural stability of this catalyst during the reaction. It was observed that the hydrothermal step led to the formation of a material with a higher degree of organization and a greater wall thickness, which improved its structural stability. However, the catalyst prepared using this treatment presented lower catalytic activity, due to the presence of fewer active sites.
Electrically Guided DNA Immobilization and Multiplexed DNA Detection with Nanoporous Gold Electrodes
Authors: Veselinovic Jovana , Li Zidong , Daggumati Pallavi , Seker Erkin
Published: May 2018

Molecular diagnostics have significantly advanced the early detection of diseases, where the electrochemical sensing of biomarkers (e.g., DNA, RNA, proteins) using multiple electrode arrays (MEAs) has shown considerable promise. Nanostructuring the electrode surface results in higher surface coverage of capture probes and more favorable orientation, as well as transport phenomena unique to nanoscale, ultimately leading to enhanced sensor performance. The central goal of this study is to investigate the influence of electrode nanostructure on electrically-guided immobilization of DNA probes for nucleic acid detection in a multiplexed format. To that end, we used nanoporous gold (np-Au) electrodes that reduced the limit of detection (LOD) for DNA targets by two orders of magnitude compared to their planar counterparts, where the LOD was further improved by an additional order of magnitude after reducing the electrode diameter. The reduced electrode diameter also made it possible to create a np-Au MEA encapsulated in a microfluidic channel. The electro-grafting reduced the necessary incubation time to immobilize DNA probes into the porous electrodes down to 10 min (25-fold reduction compared to passive immobilization) and allowed for grafting a different DNA probe sequence onto each electrode in the array. The resulting platform was successfully used for the multiplexed detection of three different biomarker genes relevant to breast cancer diagnosis.
Virophages and Their Interactions with Giant Viruses and Host Cells
Authors: Sobhy Haitham
Published: May 2018

Virophages are small dsDNA viruses that were first isolated in association with some giant viruses (GVs), and then found in metagenomics samples. They encode about 20–34 proteins. Some virophages share protein similarity with Maverick/Polinton transposons or are considered as a provirophage, whereas about half of the protein’s repertoire remain of unknown function. In this review, we aim to highlight the current understanding of the biology of virophages, as well as their interactions with giant viruses and host cells. Additionally, the virophage proteomes were analyzed to find the functional domains that distinguish each virophage. This bioinformatics analysis will benefit further experimental investigations to understand the protein-protein interactions between virophages, giant viruses, and host cells.
An Interactive Real-Time Locating System Based on Bluetooth Low-Energy Beacon Network †
Authors: Lin You-Wei , Lin Chi-Yi
Published: May 2018

The ubiquity of Bluetooth-enabled smartphones and peripherals has brought tremendous convenience to our daily life. In recent years, Bluetooth beacons have also been gaining popularity in implementing a variety of innovative location-based services such as self-guided systems in exhibition centers. However, the broadcast-based beacon technology can only provide unidirectional communication. In case smartphone users would like to respond to the beacon messages, they have to rely on their own mobile Internet connections to send the information back to the backend system. Nevertheless, mobile Internet services may not be always available or too costly. In this work, we develop a real-time locating system based only on the Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology to support interactive communications by combining the broadcast and mesh topology options to extend the applicability of beacon solutions. Specifically, we turn the smartphone into a beacon device and augment the beacon devices with the capability of forming a mesh network. The implementation result shows that our beacon devices can detect the presence of specific users at specific locations, and then the presence state can be sent to the application server via the relay of beacon devices. Moreover, the application server can send personalized location-based messages to the users, again via the relay of beacon devices. With the capability of relaying messages between the beacon devices, it would be convenient for developers to implement a variety of interactive applications such as tracking VIP customers at the airport, or tracking an elder with Alzheimer’s disease in the neighborhood.
Analyzing Cyber-Physical Threats on Robotic Platforms
Authors: Ahmad Yousef Khalil , AlMajali Anas , Ghalyon Salah , Dweik Waleed , Mohd Bassam
Published: May 2018

Robots are increasingly involved in our daily lives. Fundamental to robots are the communication link (or stream) and the applications that connect the robots to their clients or users. Such communication link and applications are usually supported through client/server network connection. This networking system is amenable of being attacked and vulnerable to the security threats. Ensuring security and privacy for robotic platforms is thus critical, as failures and attacks could have devastating consequences. In this paper, we examine several cyber-physical security threats that are unique to the robotic platforms; specifically the communication link and the applications. Threats target integrity, availability and confidential security requirements of the robotic platforms, which use MobileEyes/arnlServer client/server applications. A robot attack tool (RAT) was developed to perform specific security attacks. An impact-oriented approach was adopted to analyze the assessment results of the attacks. Tests and experiments of attacks were conducted in simulation environment and physically on the robot. The simulation environment was based on MobileSim; a software tool for simulating, debugging and experimenting on MobileRobots/ActivMedia platforms and their environments. The robot platform PeopleBotTM was used for physical experiments. The analysis and testing results show that certain attacks were successful at breaching the robot security. Integrity attacks modified commands and manipulated the robot behavior. Availability attacks were able to cause Denial-of-Service (DoS) and the robot was not responsive to MobileEyes commands. Integrity and availability attacks caused sensitive information on the robot to be hijacked. To mitigate security threats, we provide possible mitigation techniques and suggestions to raise awareness of threats on the robotic platforms, especially when the robots are involved in critical missions or applications.
A Novel Displacement and Tilt Detection Method Using Passive UHF RFID Technology
Authors: Lai Xiaozheng , Cai Zhirong , Xie Zeming , Zhu Hailong
Published: May 2018

The displacement and tilt angle of an object are useful information for wireless monitoring applications. In this paper, a low-cost detection method based on passive radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is proposed. This method uses a standard ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) RFID reader to measure the phase variation of the tag response and detect the displacement and tilt angle of RFID tags attached to the targeted object. An accurate displacement result can be detected by the RFID system with a linearly polarized (LP) reader antenna. Based on the displacement results, an accurate tilt angle can also be detected by the RFID system with a circularly polarized (CP) reader antenna, which has been proved to have a linear relationship with the phase parameter of the tag’s backscattered wave. As far as accuracy is concerned, the mean absolute error (MAE) of displacement is less than 2 mm and the MAE of the tilt angle is less than 2.5° for an RFID system with 500 mm working range.
Efficient Convex Optimization for Energy-Based Acoustic Sensor Self-Localization and Source Localization in Sensor Networks
Authors: Yan Yongsheng , Wang Haiyan , Shen Xiaohong , Leng Bing , Li Shuangquan
Published: May 2018

The energy reading has been an efficient and attractive measure for collaborative acoustic source localization in practical application due to its cost saving in both energy and computation capability. The maximum likelihood problems by fusing received acoustic energy readings transmitted from local sensors are derived. Aiming to efficiently solve the nonconvex objective of the optimization problem, we present an approximate estimator of the original problem. Then, a direct norm relaxation and semidefinite relaxation, respectively, are utilized to derive the second-order cone programming, semidefinite programming or mixture of them for both cases of sensor self-location and source localization. Furthermore, by taking the colored energy reading noise into account, several minimax optimization problems are formulated, which are also relaxed via the direct norm relaxation and semidefinite relaxation respectively into convex optimization problems. Performance comparison with the existing acoustic energy-based source localization methods is given, where the results show the validity of our proposed methods.
Sensitivity and Resolution Improvement in RGBW Color Filter Array Sensor
Authors: Jee Seunghoon , Song Ki Sun , Kang Moon Gi
Published: May 2018

Recently, several red-green-blue-white (RGBW) color filter arrays (CFAs), which include highly sensitive W pixels, have been proposed. However, RGBW CFA patterns suffer from spatial resolution degradation owing to the sensor composition having more color components than the Bayer CFA pattern. RGBW CFA demosaicing methods reconstruct resolution using the correlation between white (W) pixels and pixels of other colors, which does not improve the red-green-blue (RGB) channel sensitivity to the W channel level. In this paper, we thus propose a demosaiced image post-processing method to improve the RGBW CFA sensitivity and resolution. The proposed method decomposes texture components containing image noise and resolution information. The RGB channel sensitivity and resolution are improved through updating the W channel texture component with those of RGB channels. For this process, a cross multilateral filter (CMF) is proposed. It decomposes the smoothness component from the texture component using color difference information and distinguishes color components through that information. Moreover, it decomposes texture components, luminance noise, color noise, and color aliasing artifacts from the demosaiced images. Finally, by updating the texture of the RGB channels with the W channel texture components, the proposed algorithm improves the sensitivity and resolution. Results show that the proposed method is effective, while maintaining W pixel resolution characteristics and improving sensitivity from the signal-to-noise ratio value by approximately 4.5 dB.
A High Noise Immunity, 28 × 16-Channel Finger Touch Sensing IC Using OFDM and Frequency Translation Technique
Authors: Kim SangYun , Samadpoor Rikan Behnam , Pu YoungGun , Yoo Sang-Sun , Lee Minjae , Hwang Keum Cheol , Yang Youngoo , Lee Kang-Yoon
Published: May 2018

In this paper, a high noise immunity, 28 × 16-channel finger touch sensing IC for an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) touch sensing scheme is presented. In order to increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the OFDM sensing scheme is proposed. The transmitter (TX) transmits the orthogonal signal to each channels of the panel. The receiver (RX) detects the magnitude of the orthogonal frequency to be transmitted from the TX. Due to the orthogonal characteristics, it is robust to narrowband interference and noise. Therefore, the SNR can be improved. In order to reduce the noise effect of low frequencies, a mixer and high-pass filter are proposed as well. After the noise is filtered, the touch SNR attained is 60 dB, from 20 dB before the noise is filtered. The advantage of the proposed OFDM sensing scheme is its ability to detect channels of the panel simultaneously with the use of multiple carriers. To satisfy the linearity of the signal in the OFDM system, a high-linearity mixer and a rail-to-rail amplifier in the TX driver are designed. The proposed design is implemented in 90 nm CMOS process. The SNR is approximately 60 dB. The area is 13.6 mm2, and the power consumption is 62.4 mW.
Life Cycle Cost Analysis of Different Vehicle Technologies in Singapore
Authors: Wong Y.S. , Lu Wen-Feng , Wang Zizi
Published: May 2018

Singapore is a diamond-shaped island with several surrounding smaller islets. It has a flat coastline with a land area of 710 km2 in 2009. With a highly urbanized city and limited land space, Singapore has been faced with problems of road congestion and rapid growth in car population. Electric vehicles (EVs) provide low emission urban transportation. Even taking into account the emissions from power plants needed to fuel EVs, the use of EVs still reduce carbon dioxide emissions significantly. From the energy aspect, EVs are efficient. EVs are promising alternative fuel vehicles that can reduce energy consumptions and carbon dioxide emissions in Singapore. A life cycle cost model was built to calculate life cycle costs of EVs and internal combustion engine cars in Singapore. It was found that EV is the most expensive car under current Green Vehicle Rebate scheme. The EV will be economically viable in Singapore if there is a breakthrough at batteries to cut EV prices.
Scenario Analysis of Taiwan Commercial Fleet Electrification-Case Study: Logistic Fleet
Authors: Lin S.C. , Shiue N.C. , Chao Y.C.
Published: May 2018

Electric vehicles are mostly used in the niche market. Compared to the common consumers, commercial uses are more suitable as target markets for electric vehicles at the initial rollout stage. The main obstacles for promoting electric vehicles are higher production cost (of which battery accounts for a major part) and paucity for public charging stations. It is relatively easy to make a breakthrough in commercial markets than in common consumer market, as far as the operational characteristics for commercial vehicles are concerned. At the present moment, testing operations for all kinds of electric commercial vehicle (BEV) throughout the world remain experimental, small-scaled, in a limited area, or still undergoing evaluation. Actual stable profit-producing examples have not yet materialized so far. This thesis probes into current operational condition of commercial vehicle fleet in Taiwan and evaluates the electrification, so as to propose potential business models in the future.
Foresight Scenario Analysis of Motor System of Electric Vehicle
Authors: Shiue Yih-Chearng , Chen Peng-Jen , Lee Chang-Franw , Yu Chih-Chiang , Chen Chih-Wei
Published: May 2018

In order to describe the trend of motor system development of electric vehicle and to figure out the factors that would affect the external drives and the internal resources, the thesis uses scenario analysis method to be the basic framework, adding modified Delphi method to clarify time transition into five categories: changeless, changeable, disappeared, uncertain states and newborn. More precisely, the five factors is used to construct “Scenario Analysis of Markov Modified Delphi Method”. The thesis focuses on motor system to do the Foresight analysis, using the transition concept of Markov Chain to clarify the key factors of uncertain states into motor system: brushless DC (BLDC) motor, surface permanent magnet synchronous motor and Switched Reluctance In-Wheel Motor. Moreover, the changeless concept of Markov Chain is used to be background, adding the key factors of changeable and uncertain states to clarify seven kinds of scenario portfolio: basic scenario, scenario assumption I, scenario assumption II, future scenario, breakthrough scenario I, breakthrough scenario II and challenge scenario. It could make the government, industries and related departments realize the development trend of key components about electric vehicle by the scenario descriptions. It can increase their willingness to invest in the related researches to achieve future image, also shape the usable engineering technique and integrated system concepts of electric vehicles in 2020 for public.
Energy Consumption Prediction of a Vehicle along a User-Specified Real-World Trip
Authors: Karbowski Dominik , Pagerit Sylvain , Calkins Andrew
Published: May 2018

Standard cycles provide an easy way to evaluate the energy consumption of vehicles, but it is the energy consumption that occurs on real-world trips that really matters to the driver and, to a larger extent, society. This study shows how digital maps and vehicle simulation tools can be used to estimate energy consumption on a real-world trip. The user (1) selects a trip in the mapping service ADAS-RP (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems Research Platform), (2) defines a vehicle model in the vehicle powertrain simulation tool Autonomie, and (3) runs and analyzes the simulation in that same tool. For each section of the trip, ADAS-RP provides various information that can include speed limits, historic data on traffic pattern speeds, the slopes of the routes, and the positions of stop signs and traffic lights. The first stage of processing this information is to schedule the stops and to create an intermediate speed target that takes those stops into account. The final driver demand speed includes transitions – accelerations and decelerations – between sections with different intermediate speed targets, or around stops. The ADAS-RP/Autonomie process is then used to compute the energy consumption of a hybrid electric vehicle and a conventional vehicle on 10 trips defined across the United States and Germany. The hybrid vehicle is more fuel efficient, especially on congested routes and routes with downhill slopes, the effect of which is analyzed in further detail.
Development and Series Application of a Vehicle Drivetrain Observer Used in Hybrid and Electric Vehicles
Authors: Götting Dr. Gunther , Kretschmer Markus
Published: May 2018

This paper introduces the development and calibration process of a vehicle drivetrain observer used in hybrid and electric vehicles for active damping control (ADC) and for the improvement of the electric machine’s rotor angle signal quality. This approach starts with creating an overall vehicle model that includes the electric machine, the transmission, side shafts, the tires and the vehicle body. For control engineering purposes, that multi-order-model is then reduced into a two-mass-oscillator which can be easily described in state-space form. Using this reduced drivetrain model and applying a Luenberger observer approach, not only the signal quality of both the instrumented rotor angle and the speed of the electric machine can be improved considerably but also the oscillation dynamics of this vehicle drivetrain can be estimated. If not compensated during vehicle operation, drivetrain oscillations might lead to increased drivetrain wear, NVH issues and limited ride comfort; therefore, the oscillation speed is very important in computing an active damping torque that is to compensate drivetrain oscillations. Calibration of the vehicle drivetrain observer is done using specific vehicle test data that are fed into a standalone calibration tool identifying the parameters of the vehicle drivetrain as well as the Luenberger feedback vector. Based on these data, a proper active damping control application is set-up and verified in various vehicle tests and to lead to the calibration finally to the application in several hybrid and electric vehicle series projects (e.g. Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4).
Development of an in-series hybrid urban bus model and its correlation with on-board testing results.
Authors: Zamora Daniel , Martínez José , Carrasco Carlos , Vaca Juan
Published: May 2018

New emission standards implemented in EU has resulted in an increasing use of passenger hybrid vehicles as well as hybrid heavy-duty transport vehicles. Manufacturers have been offering a wide range of efficient and lower emission vehicles to fulfil these Regulations. Besides commercial vehicles, it it’s also important to consider the use and implementation of hybrid urban buses because it is a massive way of transportation that is used every day in the bigger cities. The use of hybrid urban buses is significant to achieve the goal for lower emissions and better energy efficiency, due to the city utilization involves several stops and accelerations. This paper considers the comparison between the results obtained from software simulation of a complete in-series hybrid urban bus platform (develop under AVL Cruise® software) and the data obtained from real on-board measurements made in the city of Madrid. The model involves an in-series hybrid electric bus, meaning that the propulsion system is supplied by an electric motor which receives energy from a stored source (battery). The analysis of the results shows a very accuracy approach and lower emission vehicle, with an error below 5% in fuel consumption modelling a real driving cycle up to 8km.
Fuel-electricity mix and efficiency in Dutch plug-in and range-extender vehicles on the road
Authors: Ligterink Norbert E. , Smokers Richard T.M. , Bolech Mark
Published: May 2018

For the Dutch Ministry for Infrastructure and the Environment data of plug-in vehicles was collected. Data concerning fueling and charging of plug-in vehicles is collected from lease companies, a fuel-pass company, and the charging infrastruture organisation. More than 10% of the total Dutch plug-in fleet is covered. The electricity data is insufficient to derive a real-world electricity use, e.g., kWh/100km. However, the amount of electric kilometers are determined and verified to be about 24%. A substantial group of users charge the vehicle once or twice a day. However, among the business users, there seems to be a substantial group who do not use the charging capabilities of the plug-in vehicles. The Dutch report is sent by the minister to the Dutch Parliament in June 2013. [3]
Impact of Current Ripple on Li-ion Battery Ageing
Authors: De Breucker Sven , Engelen Kristof , D’hulst Reinhilde , Driesen Johan
Published: May 2018

The aim of this paper is to investigate the impact of the current ripple, originating from the dc-dc converter of e.g. a PHEV powertrain, on the ageing of Li-ion batteries. Most research concerning batteries focuses on very low (μHz) to low (Hz) frequencies and low current ripples to create very accurate battery models which can determine e.g. the State of Charge of the battery. On the other hand the design of dc-dc converters tries to reduce the current ripple by using multiple phases with interleaving technique and capacitors in parallel with the battery. The interaction between the current ripple of the dc-dc converter and the battery has received little attention so far. A test set-up is build with two identical 304 V , 12 kWh Li-ion batteries and two 100 A dc-dc converters. The dc-dc converter can be connected to an LCL-filter or solely to the primary inductor of this filter, such that the battery current contains a small or large current ripple respectively. The batteries are discharged and charged to simulate the circumstances in which a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is used. After each month, during which the battery either experiences a small or large current ripple, characterization tests are performed to establisch the ageing of the batteries. Based on the test results, the current ripple does not appear to have a measurable impact on the battery resistance and the Discharge and Regen Power. There is an increase of the resistance and a decrease of the Discharge and Regen Power, but this is to be expected as the battery packs are submitted to 3 months of Combined Cycle Life Testing. The temperature of the battery turns out to be far more important for the resistance and attained power levels of the batteries. The absent effect of the current ripple on the ageing of the batteries may be due to the intrinsic double-layer capacitor. This capacitor at the surface of the electrodes carries part of the current ripple and reduces the current ripple as experienced by the actual charge transfer reaction which carries the dc-part of the current.
Development of 2D Thermal Battery Model for Lithium-ion Pouch Cells
Authors: Ahmadou Samba Ahmadou , Omar Noshin , Gualous Hamid , Van den Bossche Peter , Van Mierlo Joeri , Boubekeur Tala
Published: May 2018

This paper represents a simulation model for a 2D-thermal model applied on a Lithium-ion pouch battery. This model is able to describe the transient response of the thermal distribution accurately. The heat generation parameters used in this model have been obtained experimentally from dedicated estimation technique. The experimental and simulation are performed at different charge and discharge current rates. The experimental results are in good agreement with the developed model. The battery thermal distributions using natural and forced convection cooling are studied.
An Approach to an Optimal Design of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machines for Battery Electric Vehicles
Authors: Kreim Alexander , Schäfer Uwe
Published: May 2018

The described design of a permanent magnet synchronous motor for battery electric vehicles is based on a drive cycle. For a given vehicle a set of operating points of the electric machine can be derived from the cycle. The next step in the design of the traction motor is to find a suitable lamination layout. Common motor design procedures take only a few representative operating points into account. This paper describes an approach which includes a large number of operating points at early stages of the motor design process. It is based on a specialized motor model and an optimization strategy which are described in this paper. As an example a traction motor for the VW Golf CityStromer is designed by using the proposed method.
Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Power Electronics Efficiency, Testing and Reliability
Authors: Drobnik Joe , Jain Praveen
Published: May 2018

System efficiency together with the reliability are the most critical factors in the design, characterization and operation of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles. This paper summarizes those aspects from the system level down to the component details and shows practical methods for evaluation and improvement. This paper concentrates on a small to medium size personal vehicles in electric vehicle (EV) and parallel hybrid (HEV) configuration. Even though the main focus of the paper is the traction inverter, other critical high power EV and HEV building blocks such as a DC/DC and AC/DC on board charger are also characterized and discussed to certain depth. Some test methods for evaluation of the individual units and their components including extreme conditions such as heavy overload, short circuit and overvoltage are explored along with examples of experimental results on the prototype units.
Detection of Electric Arcs in Large Batteries
Authors: Cattin V. , Perichon P. , Dahmani J. , Schwartzmann B. , Heiries V.
Published: May 2018

This paper addresses the precocious detection of electric arcs in an electric vehicle battery generated by a connector fault. The detection principle is based on the acoustic emission of the arc. First, the identification of the electric arc acoustic signature as well as disturbances in the environment of detection has been realized. Subsequently, we have been focused on the propagation of acoustic waves emitted by the arc in the confined environment of the battery. We proposed a detection method based on correlation whose performance was evaluated. Finally, a localization system based on signal time-difference-of-arrival estimation and triangulation is described and assessed. A demonstrator has been developed and validates the detection performance.