bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forecasting the wind power generation in China by seasonal grey forecasting model based on collaborative optimization
Authors: Sui Aodi , Qian Wuyong
Published: September 2021

Renewable energy represented by wind energy plays an increasingly important role in China’s national energy system. The accurate prediction of wind power generation is of great significance to China’s energy planning and power grid dispatch. However, due to the late development of the wind power industry in China and the lag of power enterprise information, there are little historical data available at present. Therefore, the traditional large sample prediction method is difficult to be applied to the forecasting of wind power generation in China. For this kind of small sample and poor information problem, the grey prediction method can give a good solution. Thus, given the seasonal and long memory characteristics of the seasonal wind power generation, this paper constructs a seasonal discrete grey prediction model based on collaborative optimization. On the one hand, the model is based on moving average filtering algorithm to realize the recognition of seasonal and trend features. On the other hand, based on the optimization of fractional order and initial value, the collaborative optimization of trend and season is realized. To verify the practicability and accuracy of the proposed model, this paper uses the model to predict the quarterly wind power generation of China from 2012Q1 to 2020Q1, and compares the prediction results with the prediction results of the traditional GM(1,1) model, SGM(1,1) model and Holt-Winters model. The results are shown that the proposed model has a strong ability to capture the trend and seasonal fluctuation characteristics of wind power generation. And the long-term forecasts are valid if the existing wind power expansion capacity policy is maintained in the next four years. Based on the forecast of China’s wind power generation from 2021Q2 to 2024Q2 in the future, it is predicted that China’s wind power generation will reach 239.09 TWh in the future, which will be beneficial to the realization of China’s energy-saving and emission reduction targets.
Axiale Spondyloarthritis – ein Fallbeispiel aus ärztlicher Sicht
Authors: Schmitt Verena , Max Regina , Dornacher Ines
Published: September 2021

Eine 38-jährige Patientin stellt sich in der Rheumatologie mit BWS-Schmerzen vor. Die Autorinnen verdeutlichen den komplexen diagnostischen Prozess bei der Patientin, der letztlich zur Diagnose der axialen Spondyloarthritis führt, und stellen therapeutische Optionen vor.
Der myofasziale Triggerpunkt – eine kritische Bestandsaufnahme
Authors: Mense Siegfried
Published: September 2021

Im zweiten und letzten Teil der kritischen Bestandsaufnahme zum Thema „Myofaszialer Triggerpunkt“ (MTrP) werden verschiedene Hypothesen zur Entstehung von MTrPS und gängige Methoden der Therapie dargelegt und kritisch diskutiert.
Axiale Spondyloarthritis – der „rheumatische Rückenschmerz“
Authors: Schmitt Verena , Max Regina , Dornacher Ines
Published: September 2021

Die axiale Spondyloarthritis (SpA) wird definiert als entzündliche Wirbelsäulenerkrankung aus dem rheumatischen Formenkreis. Es ist nicht einfach, unter der Vielzahl der Patient(inn)en mit chronischen Rückenschmerzen diejenigen herauszufiltern, die möglicherweise eine axiale Spondyloarthritis haben. Charakteristisch ist ein nächtlicher Rückenschmerz, der sich unter Bewegung bessert.
Evaluation of Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects of Sumatriptan on Carbon Tetrachloride-induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats
Authors: Dehpour Ahmad Reza , Yousefi-Manesh Hasan , Sheibani Mohammad , Sadeghi Mohammad Amin , Hemmati Sara , Noori Tayebeh , Shirooie Samira
Published: September 2021

The liver detoxifies and metabolizes many drugs and xenobiotics which may cause hepatotoxicity due to some toxic agents. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is metabolized in cytochrome P450 and its reactive radical metabolites cause lipid peroxidation, cellular injury, and apoptosis. Sumatriptan (SUM), 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonist, had anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. In this research the effect of SUM pre-treatment against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity was examined. Adult rats received SUM (0.1, 0.3 and 1 mg/kg; i.p.) for 3 consecutive days before CCl4 (2 ml/kg; i.p. on the 3rd day). The aminotransferases serum levels, tissue levels of anti-oxidant and pro-inflammatory markers and histopathological examination were evaluated. SUM (0.3 mg/kg) prevented significantly the elevation of aminotransferases versus the control group (CCl4 group) (P<0.0001) and also, reversed meaningfully the changes of the MPO, MDA, SOD and CAT, IL-1β and TNF-α levels. Additionally, CCl4-intoxication resulted to the disruption of lobular and cellular structures and inflammation in histopathological evaluation which is prevented by SUM (0.3 mg/kg). These data revealed that SUM (0.3 mg/kg), but no at doses 0.1 and 1 mg/kg, decreases the hepatotoxicity of induced by CCl4 in rats.
Homeopathy in the 21st Century, and Comparisons with Hahnemann
Authors: Kayne Steven
Published: September 2021

Background Homeopathy has survived the test of time over more than 200 years and has been accepted by many consumers and practitioners across the world as being an important constituent of health care. It continues to provide successful outcomes in a wide range of conditions using traditional and newer approaches to practice and is expanding into integrated health care. This article discusses modern developments in homeopathic theory, homeopharmaceutics, homeotherapeutics, and patient access. It also considers how Hahnemann might have responded to these changes.

Commentary Theoretical explanations for homeopathic mechanisms of action are complex and can involve ideas that conflict with established thinking amongst non-homeopaths. The use of different pharmacopoeial standards in the manufacture of remedies and variations in nomenclature continues to cause confusion for practitioners and patients. It also causes problems for manufacturers in providing the documentation required by national regulatory authorities to support licensing applications. Interaction with these bodies and other stakeholders is vital, to ensure the continued availability of a full range of homeopathic medicines. The incorporation of a homeopathic section within the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.), which is used by many countries globally, is a positive development in promoting the standardisation of remedies. With increasing reliance now on evidence-based medicine, scientifically trained colleagues and sceptics have cast doubt on the validity of the observational studies that form much of the homeopathic evidence base.

Recommendations The homeopathy community should engage as fully as possible in robust research to validate homeopathic practices, thus ensuring the viability of homeopathy in the future. There is an ongoing need for homeopathic practitioners to review their procedures regularly and take account of changes in patient demographics and lifestyle, and in modern methods of health care delivery. Colleagues should also be aware of patients' emerging abilities to critically assess treatment options and to judge outcomes. Future opportunities exist for homeopathy in new concepts of integrated health care that includes a range of other therapies, as well as in veterinary and environmental health. There is also the possibility of homeopathy joining social care services to improve accessibility to health care by making it available in a range of different community settings.

Conclusion Hahnemann would likely have been unimpressed by the less positive contemporary influences on homeopathic practice.
Temporary Cross-Clamping of the Infrarenal Abdominal Aorta during Cesarean Hysterectomy to Control Operative Blood Loss
Authors: Hashiguchi Mikio
Published: September 2021

Temporary cross-clamping of the infrarenal abdominal aorta to reduce bleeding during hysterectomy following cesarean section in patients with placenta previa-accreta is a relatively simple procedure; therefore, it can be an option when intravascular balloon catheter placement is impossible or encountered massive bleeding of the unexpected placenta accreta.
Robotic Transanal Surgery for Rectal Cancer
Authors: Marks John H. , Perez Rafael E. , Salem Jean F.
Published: September 2021

Robotic transanal surgery is the culmination of major developments in rectal cancer management and minimally invasive surgery. It is the result of continuous efforts to tackle the challenges inherent to rectal cancer surgery. This latest technology holds great promise and excitement for the care of the rectal cancer patient. In this article, we will describe the evolution of transanal rectal cancer surgery and describe how the convergence of transanal transabdominal, transanal endoscopic microsurgery, transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS), transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME), and the different robotic platforms have culminated in the development of single port robotic transanal minimally invasive surgery (SP rTAMIS) and single port robotic transanal total mesorectal excision (SP rtaTME). We will describe the indications, technical aspects, outcomes, benefits, and limitations of the SP rTAMIS and SP rtaTME.
Complicated Intubations are Associated with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Very Low Birth Weight Infants
Authors: Glenn Tara , Fischer Linnea , Markowski Ashley , Carr Cara Beth , Malay Sindhoosha , Hibbs Anna Maria
Published: September 2021

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the association between desaturation <60% (severe desaturation) during intubation and a total number of intubation attempts in the first week of life in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with adverse long-term outcomes including bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and severe periventricular/intraventricular hemorrhage grade 3 or 4 (PIVH).

Study Design A retrospective chart review was performed on VLBW infants intubated in the neonatal intensive care unit during the first week of life between January 2017 and July 2020. Descriptive tables were generated for two outcomes including BPD and PIVH. Multivariable logistic regression was performed for each outcome including significant predictors that differed between groups with a p-value of <0.2.

Results A total of 146 patients were included. Patients with BPD or PIVH had a lower gestational age, and patients with BPD had a lower BW. Patients with BPD had a greater number of intubation attempts in the first week of life (4 vs. 3, p < 0.001). In multivariable logistic regression controlling for confounding variables, the odds developing BPD were higher for patients with increased cumulative number of intubation attempts in the first week of life (odds ratio [OR]: 1.29, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–1.62, p = 0.029). Post hoc analyses revealed increased odds of developing BPD with increased number of intubation encounters in the first week of life (OR: 2.20, 95% CI: 1.04–4.82, p = 0.043). In this post hoc analysis including intubation encounters in the model; desaturation <60% during intubation in the first week of life was associated with increased odds of developing BPD (OR: 2.35, 95% CI: 1.02–5.63, p = 0.048).

Conclusion The odds of developing BPD for VLBW infants were higher with increased intubation attempts and intubation encounters. In a post hoc analysis, the odds of developing BPD were also higher with desaturation during intubation. Further research is needed to determine mechanisms of the relationship between complicated intubations and the development of BPD.

Key Points
Accurate off-axis magnetic field calculation of axisymmetric cylindrical current distributions
Authors: Karimian S. , Mehrshahi G.
Published: September 2021

This paper proposes an accurate, simple, and versatile approach for calculation of the off-axis magnetic field of any axisymmetric cylindrical current distribution, eliminating the need for complicated elliptical integrals and sophisticated numerical methods, e.g., finite element method. The results obtained from both integral and series forms not only confirm the validity of the proposed method against well-established analytical techniques but also outperform them in terms of accuracy, simplicity, and calculation time. The integral method yields greater convergence (14 decimal places) compared to the ill-posed series method, which depends on the highest order of derivatives; this would yield an error below 1% at the highest order of derivatives (i.e., 14 for axial-H and 11 for radial-H in the range of 0 < ρ < 0.8R). The off-axis solution to the case of a thin shell of finite length with cylindrical current distribution is calculated using the proposed method irrespective of the current density function, though only the most common case of uniform current has been included in the solved special cases. Given that no known formula is available to solve this case, the results of this work have been validated against the results of the well-known software ANSYS Maxwell simulator.
Projectile drag coefficient identification based on extreme learning
Authors: Liang Zhendong , Guan Jun , Xia Youran , Yi Wenjun
Published: September 2021

Aerodynamic parameters play a decisive role in the ballistic characteristics of the projectile. How to accurately obtain the aerodynamic parameters of the projectile is an important task in the development process of the projectile. In order to further improve the identification accuracy of the projectile drag coefficient, this paper generates huge ballistic data through numerical simulation and uses the extreme learning method to identify the ballistic drag coefficient under three kinds of noise conditions. The method avoids the iterative updating process of weights and thresholds by randomly generating the input weights and threshold values of hidden layer neurons and overcomes the problem of long identification time of the traditional back propagation (BP) neural network algorithm. Based on the least squares principle, the Moore–Penrose generalized inverse matrix of the hidden layer output matrix was solved to determine the optimal output weight of the network, and then, the projectile drag coefficient was accurately identified. Comparing the extreme learning method with the traditional BP neural network method, the results show that the proposed method has higher identification accuracy and faster convergence speed and can effectively identify the projectile drag coefficient, which can meet the practical needs of engineering.
A novel method of manufacturing a microchannel with integrating three-dimensional microstructure arrays for mixing experiment
Authors: Wang Junyao , Lang Tianhong , Liu Huan , Sun Gongchen , Chen Xingyu , Li Yunpeng , Wang Rui , Cui Bowen , Yuan Hengyi
Published: September 2021

A method for manufacturing glass channels with a three-dimensional microstructure array via the micromilling technique is proposed. The three-dimensional microstructure array includes microcolumns, microcones, and microspheres. Then, the glass chip with the three-dimensional microstructure array is bonded with a polydimethylsiloxane chip. To obtain the optimum structure, the experiment of the contact angle is implemented. The results demonstrate that among the three different shapes, the contact angle of the microcolumn array is the largest with a value of 74.3° ± 2.4°. Compared with the other two structures, the microcolumn array is more helpful for continuous liquid mixing. Furthermore, with the increase in the array depth, the contact angle becomes small with the minimum contact angle of 37.9° ± 1.4°. Meanwhile, with the increase in the microcolumn diameter and array spacing, the contact angle becomes large with the maximum contact angle of 83.9° ± 1.4°. In addition, a mixing experiment is developed to verify the practicability of the chip. Compared to other processing methods, this method obtains the advantages of high efficiency and flexibility.
Numerical study on instantaneous heat transfer characteristics of AC arc-fault
Authors: Wu Qirong , Yang Kai , Zhang Rencheng , Tu Ran , Zhou Xuejin
Published: September 2021

Studying the heat transfer characteristics of alternating current (AC) arc-fault to electrodes is a key issue in electrical fires. In this paper, an instantaneous heat transfer numerical model of AC arc-fault is developed based on the magneto-hydrodynamic principle. The temperature distribution of the AC arc at the microseconds level and the influence of heat transfer on electrodes at the seconds level when the arc heats are studied. The numerical simulation of the axial temperature of the electrodes is verified by experiments, and the temperature variation in the electrodes at different currents and times is discussed. The results show that the arc temperature varies periodically similar to the current at the microseconds level but it does not go out when the current passes zero. The high-temperature region of electrodes diffuses with the increase in current or time. However, the axial temperature gradient of the electrode decreases with time and increases with current. Furthermore, the range of temperature increase in the electrode position decreases with the increase in current and time, but the electrode position near the arc has a higher initial temperature increase.
Transient liquid phase bonding of ZK60 magnesium alloy using graphene nanoplatelets
Authors: Nadeem Irfan , Aslam Ahmed , Mahmood Sultan , Shahzad Muhammad , Tauqir Anjum , Subhani Tayyab
Published: September 2021

Transient liquid phase bonding of ZK60 magnesium alloy was performed by incorporating aluminium foil as an interlayer, unaided and in combination with graphene nanoplatelets. The solitary incorporation of aluminium foil increased the shear strength of magnesium alloy in comparison to the addition of graphene nanoplatelets with aluminium foil. The fractured surfaces revealed a mixed-mode fracture while the hardness profile across the interface showed the increase in hardness in the bonded region, which was due to the formation of Al12Mg17 intermetallic.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Effect of pulsed electric field on diabetes-induced glycated enzyme, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Rezaeinezhad A , Eslami P , Afrasiabpour Gh , Mirmiranpour H , Ghomi H
Published: September 2021

This study focused on the effect of pulsed electric field (PEF) on the modification of superoxide dismutase (SOD) to recover its activity (in vitro) and thereby reverse oxidative stress in diabetic mice (in vivo). The result of the in vitro assay demonstrated that PEF could modify the glycated SOD structure through a change in the electrostatic environment of the protein. This modification leads to an 83% and 31% increase in the enzymatic activity of in vitro and in vivo assays, respectively. The in vivo assessment results show a decrease in oxidative stress biomarker indices, advanced glycation end products content, and inflammatory cytokines concentrations. However, the change in blood glucose level is not significant. According to the results, PEF would be effective in diabetes therapy and could be employed as a complementary method.
Training of quantized deep neural networks using a magnetic tunnel junction-based synapse
Authors: Greenberg-Toledo Tzofnat , Perach Ben , Hubara Itay , Soudry Daniel , Kvatinsky Shahar
Published: September 2021

Quantized neural networks (QNNs) are being actively researched as a solution for the computational complexity and memory intensity of deep neural networks. This has sparked efforts to develop algorithms that support both inference and training with quantized weight and activation values, without sacrificing accuracy. A recent example is the GXNOR framework for stochastic training of ternary and binary neural networks (TNNs and BNNs, respectively). In this paper, we show how magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) devices can be used to support QNN training. We introduce a novel hardware synapse circuit that uses the MTJ stochastic behaviour to support the quantize update. The proposed circuit enables processing near memory (PNM) of QNN training, which subsequently reduces data movement. We simulated MTJ-based stochastic training of a TNN over the MNIST, SVHN, and CIFAR10 datasets and achieved an accuracy of

98.61
%

,

93.99
%

and

83.02
%

, respectively (less than

1
%

degradation compared to the GXNOR algorithm). We evaluated the synapse array performance potential and showed that the proposed synapse circuit can train TNNs in situ, with

18.3

T
O
P
s

W

for feedforward and

3

T
O
P
s

W

for weight update.
Effect of non-uniform efficiency on higher-order cumulants in heavy-ion collisions *
Authors: Si Fan , Zhang Yifei , Luo Xiaofeng
Published: September 2021

We perform a systematic study on the effect of non-uniform track efficiency correction in higher-order cumulant analysis in heavy-ion collisions. Through analytical derivation, we find that the true values of cumulants can be successfully reproduced by the efficiency correction with an average of the realistic detector efficiency for particles with the same charges within each single phase space. The theoretical conclusions are supported by a toy model simulation by tuning the non-uniformity of the efficiency employed in the track-by-track efficiency correction method. The valid averaged efficiency is found to suppress the statistical uncertainties of the reproduced cumulants dramatically. Thus, usage of the averaged efficiency requires a careful study of phase space dependence. This study is important for carrying out precision measurements of higher-order cumulants in heavy-ion collision experiments at present and in future.
A remotely controlled Marangoni surfer
Authors: Timm Mitchel L. , Jafari Kang Saeed , Rothstein Jonathan P. , Masoud Hassan
Published: September 2021

Inspired by creatures that have naturally mastered locomotion on the air–water interface, we developed and built a self-powered, remotely controlled surfing robot capable of traversing this boundary by harnessing surface tension modification for both propulsion and steering through a controlled release of isopropyl alcohol. In this process, we devised and implemented novel release valve and steering mechanisms culminating in a surfer with distinct capabilities. Our robot measures about 110 mm in length and can travel as fast as 0.8 body length per second. Interestingly, we found that the linear speed of the robot follows a 1/3 power law with the release rate of the propellant. Additional maneuverability tests also revealed that the robot is able to withstand 20 mm s−2 in centripetal acceleration while turning. Here, we thoroughly discuss the design, development, performance, overall capabilities, and ultimate limitations of our robotic surfer.
Cleaner air reveals growing influence of climate on dissolved organic carbon trends in northern headwaters
Authors: de Wit Heleen A , Stoddard John L , Monteith Donald T , Sample James E , Austnes Kari , Couture Suzanne , Fölster Jens , Higgins Scott N , Houle Daniel , Hruška Jakub , Krám Pavel , Kopáček Jiří , Paterson Andrew M , Valinia Salar , Van Dam Herman , Vuorenmaa Jussi , Evans Chris D
Published: September 2021

Surface water browning, the result of increasing concentrations of dissolved organic matter (DOM), has been widespread in northern ecosystems in recent decades. Here, we assess a database of 426 undisturbed headwater lakes and streams in Europe and North America for evidence of trends in DOM between 1990 and 2016. We describe contrasting changes in DOM trends in Europe (decelerating) and North America (accelerating), which are consistent with organic matter solubility responses to declines in sulfate deposition. While earlier trends (1990–2004) were almost entirely related to changes in atmospheric chemistry, climatic and chemical drivers were equally important in explaining recent DOM trends (2002–2016). We estimate that riverine DOM export from northern ecosystems increased by 27% during the study period. Increased summer precipitation strengthened upward dissolved organic carbon trends while warming apparently damped browning. Our results suggest strong but changing influences of air quality and climate on the terrestrial carbon cycle, and on the magnitude of carbon export from land to water.
Updated respiration routines alter spatio-temporal patterns of carbon cycling in a global land surface model
Authors: Butler Ethan E , Wythers Kirk R , Flores-Moreno Habacuc , Chen Ming , Datta Abhirup , Ricciuto Daniel M , Atkin Owen K , Kattge Jens , Thornton Peter E , Banerjee Arindam , Reich Peter B
Published: September 2021

We updated the routines used to estimate leaf maintenance respiration (MR) in the Energy Land Model (ELM) using a comprehensive global respiration data base. The updated algorithm includes a temperature acclimating base rate, an updated instantaneous temperature response, and new plant functional type specific parameters. The updated MR algorithm resulted in a very large increase in global MR of 16.1 Pg (38%), but the signal was not geographically uniform. The increase was concentrated in the tropics and humid warm-temperate forests. The increase in MR led to large but proportionally smaller decreases in global net primary production (19%) and in average global leaf area index (15%). The effect on global gross primary production (GPP) was a more modest 5.7 Pg (4%). A detailed site level analysis also demonstrated a wide range of effects the updated algorithm can have on the seasonal cycle of GPP. Output from the updated and old models did not differ markedly in how closely they matched a suite of benchmarks. Given the substantial impact on the land surface carbon cycle, a neutral influence on model benchmarks, and better alignment with empirical evidence, an MR algorithm similar to the one presented here should be adopted into ELM.
Removal of Hexavalent Chromium using Iron Nanoparticles Prepared using Date Seed Extract
Authors: Habib F , Shanableh A , Bhattacharjee S
Published: September 2021

Removal of hexavalent chromium from contaminated water systems is critical due to their high toxicity to aquatic and human health. Iron based nanoparticles (FeNPs) have emerged as promising materials for chromium removal. However, greener alternatives to the chemical synthesis routes of FeNPs are highly desirable while retaining their remediation ability. In this study we evaluate the removal efficiency of chromium using iron nanoparticles synthesized using aqueous extracts of date tree seeds (ds-FeNPs). Characterization of ds-FeNPs reveal the presence of 20-100 nm spherical nanoparticles containing Fe, C, O and S elements. Batch experiments demonstrated that the removal efficiency increased with increase in nanoparticles dose for a fixed chromium concentration (from 18 to 98% at nanoparticles dose of 166 to 1000 mg/L), whereas an opposite trend was observed for varying chromium concentrations at fixed nanoparticles dose. Removal efficiency was also probed at different initial pH levels and results indicate complete removal of chromium in acidic pH (100% at pH 3) whereas basic pH hindered chromium removal.
Research on the Courtyard Mosque Soundscape- A Case Study in the Huajue Alley Mosque
Authors: Shan H , Liang Y
Published: September 2021

The mosque is one of the representative Islamic buildings. The unique sound of imam calling and Muslim chanting endows the mosque with the unique spirit of place. Soundscape examining the symbiotic relationship between humans and the environment from the perspective of multidisciplinary integration, realize the evaluation of the adaptability, matching and harmony among sound, architecture and environment from the perspective of human experience. In order to realize the characteristic integration of the modern life and the traditional human settlement space in the new era, to protect and inherit the unique role and charm of the sound elements in the environment, this article starts from the perspective of the soundscape, taking the acoustic environment in the national-protecting Mosque in Huajue Alley as the representative of the research object, combining objective measurement and subjective evaluation methods, a meticulous study has been carried out on the current acoustic environment of the Mosque in Huajue Alley and its main influencing factors. The results of the study highlight the importance of sound elements to the courtyard mosque architecture itself and to the daily life of Muslim communities. It also provides meaningful exploration and practice for enriching the construction of the soundscape theory system.
Undesirable Substances Reduction in Solid Fuel Recovered from Municipal Solid Waste of Russia
Authors: Mikhailova N V , Yasinskaya A V
Published: September 2021

There has been substantiated the approach to high quality SRF production from MSW based on the analysis of waste chemical and morphological composition. The method involves analysis of undesirable elements content in MSW morphological components and targeted removal of the components that are predominant carriers of the undesirable elements. The morphological components to be removed has been identified, the physical attributes of their distinction from target fuel components have been chosen, the methods of separation and related equipment have been proposed. The application of the proposed combination of methods to the MSW of Russia has been modelled with a favourable outcome on all relevant heavy metals and chlorine.
Smart-IoT Platform to Monitor Microclimate Conditions in Tropical Regions
Authors: Gonzalez CJ , Espinosa A. , Ponte D. , Gibeaux S.
Published: September 2021

Precision farming has a large scale of applications including wireless sensor networks to monitor the crop yields. For example, Raspberry pi board enables the possibility to integrate the agriculture system with online servers as well as an efficient sensor method for monitoring agricultural parameters. The occidental region of Panama is an agro-based economy; for instance, precision farming can help the farmers use modernization techniques which improve primitive methods, still used in developing countries. However, commercial solutions of sensors are very expensive for farmers, making it impossible for small producers to implement this type of system. The purpose of this research is to present an updated comprehensive systematic literature in the field of IoT smart agriculture, showing a prototype of an IoT device and the monitoring system platform. The developed framework allows the control from a remote location and it can be implemented in grain stores, agricultural fields, and farming households.
Data-driven sustainable ship design using Axiomatic Design and Bayesian Network Model
Authors: Fardelas G , Kim S G
Published: September 2021

Environmental sustainability, as well as social and economic well-being, must be considered in every stage of a product lifecycle, from conceptual design to its retirement. Even though this sustainability-centric approach represents a critical driver for innovation, it also increases the design complexity. Nowadays, the maritime transport accounts for a large share of transport demand, and the importance of sustainable ship design is increasingly growing, not only for ethical and legislative but also for competitive reasons. The design of a sustainable ship considering all those aspects is a complex process in this regard. One way to manage the complexity is to identify and avoid the functional couplings at the early stage of the design process. This paper presents the conceptual design of a merchant ship's conventional propulsion system with a view to the Axiomatic Design framework and known sustainable engineering principles. We also explore the Bayesian machine learning interface to propose a data-driven method for calculating the probability of achieving specific sustainability-related functional requirements. Data-driven Bayesian reasoning can also be used to select the best design parameter among the proposed alternatives as well as to identify hidden design couplings that have not identified by the designers in the conceptual design stage.
Decision support systems in building construction – an Axiomatic Design approach
Authors: Marcher Carmen , Rauch Erwin , Giusti Andrea , Matt Dominik T
Published: September 2021

The introduction of Industry 4.0 leads to new decision-making scenarios in the construction industry. The construction sector still hesitates to adopt emerging technologies and many construction companies require support in the field of digitalisation and automation of processes. One way to support this sector is the use of decision support systems that perform a careful assessment of the feasibility for replacing traditional systems with automated ones. However, the design and the development of decision support systems is a complex and time-consuming task. In this work we apply Axiomatic Design to define design guidelines for the development of decision support systems in construction equipment selection. The needs of the construction industry for decision support in these scenarios are derived from existing literature in the field of construction and the key characteristic of decision-theoretic expert systems. These needs are analysed and translated into functional requirements. Then, through a mapping and decomposition process, the design solutions for the development of a decision support system are deduced. Functional requirements and design solutions are transformed into design guidelines that support the systematic development and implementation of decision support systems for the construction phase of a building.
Identifying Poor Designs with Conflicts in Design Parameters
Authors: Iino Kenji , Nakao Masayuki
Published: September 2021

Mechanical design is an act of defining machines that produce values to people, however, a poor design sometimes causes mechanisms to fail. Such failures can lead to harms to people, the environment, or both and in the worst case, it can even cause people’s death. Axiomatic design is a design tool that helps the designer come up with more stable and robust designs by pointing out troubling elements in a design by identifying interference among parts. Taking a design through axiomatic analysis only at an abstract level, however, can miss finding interferences within. A product, through its lifetime, can also experience disturbances that the designer overlooked at the time of design. This paper discusses a trouble that arose with bicycles with a new safety feature of locking the front wheel when parked. The locking mechanism faced an unexpected part failure that caused the handle to lock while riding. Another topic is an inherent interference that existed from the very beginning of a design that the designers could not identify probably due to the extreme complexity of the system, the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant-1, Unit-1. Analysis for evaluating how well a design will meet its functional requirement without trouble should go into the detail level, especially for all modes of operation, to avoid oversight of hard-to-find interferences and conflicts. This paper also suggests carrying out design analysis after production if phenomena, unexpected or unforeseen at the time of design, arise after a product is placed into service.
Using axiomatic design principles for the development of a device to measure the positioning error of an industrial robot
Authors: Cosmin Răzvan , Stavarache  , Ermolai Vasile , Irimia Alexandru , Etcu Mihaela
Published: September 2021

Robots are part of the integrated production process, being widely used in manufacturing processes, including the positioning of parts. One of the factors that influences the accuracy of the products to be machined is related to the errors of positioning the workpiece at each stage of manufacture. To determine the amplitude and the medium value of the positioning error, we used axiomatic design to develop a device capable of measuring positioning errors. The result was a constructive solution for a device capable of taking the positioning data of the end of the robot arm along three axes of a spatial coordinate system. In this way, data are recorded using dial comparators positioned on existing channels in the three walls corresponding to the corner of a cube-shaped box. Statistical processing of measurement results should provide information on the positioning accuracy of a workpiece by an industrial robot.
Design of Neural Networks
Authors: Mantri Pam , Thomas John
Published: September 2021

Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Deep Learning (DL) are used to solve complex problems including image recognition, speech recognition and have applications in new technologies for autonomous driving, facial recognition, detecting cancers from imaging samples among others. Various design considerations are involved in the design, training, and testing of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). These include the design of the input/output layer, the structure and number of hidden layers, the data/data-structures of variables, the transformative functions embedded in the network, the optimizers being considered, the learning rate and its systematic adjustment, the prudent usage of dropout, the parallelism-related batch-size, the number of epochs, the adaptive logic for systematically changing the network for better fit, etc. While all these methods and techniques are sensible and relevant, there lacks an overarching framework for the needed design. This paper considers the design of an ANN from an Axiomatic Design (AD) perspective that parallels the biological inspiration for ANN’s in the first place, i.e., the brain. The axiomatic design approach is used for explicating and extricating the form, function, and adaptive evolution of the underlying network.
Mobile High Voltage Power Line Thermometer
Authors: Sudermann F S , Kjartansson K M , Jakobsson S Á , Foley J T
Published: September 2021

Modern power grids perform systematically important tasks with immense capital investment behind them. Infrastructure monitoring is an important field in this industry to guarantee safety, prevent damages and optimize transmission. Accurate readings of environmental variables also help power operators design new infrastructure. Operators address this by visual monitoring, and through the use of sensors placed on high voltage lines. Traditionally, these sensors are permanently installed and require lines to be powered down for deployment and removal. The required disruption of service is associated with high costs and therefore undesirable. Axiomatic Design Theory highlighted unnecessary coupling between disruption and measurement as an opportunity. This paper details a design for a thermometer unit that can be deployed to and removed from a live power line. The device can provide temperature measurements to be used in conjunction with visual LiDAR scans to model the behavior of high voltage lines at different load levels to gauge line sag. Mechanisms were designed to safely fasten the thermometer to a live high voltage line via a VTOL drone and for it to detach given a preset time. In case of system failure, the device removes itself through a variety of redundant fail-safe mechanisms inspired by the Information Axiom. The success of key design concepts was confirmed through 3D printed prototype testing on a section of a surrogate conductor line in a controlled environment.
A uniformly accurate numerical method for a class of dissipative systems
Authors: Chartier Philippe , Lemou Mohammed , Trémant Léopold
Published: September 2021

We consider a class of ordinary differential equations mixing slow and fast variations with varying stiffness (from non-stiff to strongly dissipative). Such models appear for instance in population dynamics or propagation phenomena. We develop a multi-scale approach by splitting the equations into a micro part and a macro part, from which the original stiffness has been removed. We then show that both parts can be simulated numerically with uniform order of accuracy using standard explicit numerical schemes. As a result, solving the problem in its micro-macro formulation can be done with a cost and an accuracy independent of the stiffness. This work is also a preliminary step towards the application of such methods to hyperbolic partial differential equations and we will indeed demonstrate that our approach can be successfully applied to two discretized hyperbolic systems (with and without non-linearities), though with some ad-hoc regularization.
Optimal stopping without Snell envelopes
Authors: Pennanen Teemu , Perkkiö Ari-Pekka
Published: September 2021

This paper proves the existence of optimal stopping times via elementary functional analytic arguments. The problem is first relaxed into a convex optimization problem over a closed convex subset of the unit ball of the dual of a Banach space. The existence of optimal solutions then follows from the Banach–Alaoglu compactness theorem and the Krein–Milman theorem on extreme points of convex sets. This approach seems to give the most general existence results known to date. Applying convex duality to the relaxed problem gives a new dual problem and optimality conditions in terms of martingales that dominate the reward process.
Labiaplasty: The Stigma Persists
Authors: Sasson Daniel C , Hamori Christine A , Placik Otto J
Published: September 2021

Background

Heightening interest in labiaplasty has driven potential patients to online fora, permitting the dissemination of material by potentially unqualified or inexperienced individuals. The discourse surrounding this procedure has been injected with strong opinions that are not entirely consistent with medical best-practice or evidence-based knowledge.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to explore the rationale for ongoing public opposition to labiaplasty and to investigate if awareness of the similarities between labiaplasty and breast reduction can alter an individual’s perception.

Methods

Four hundred and forty-eight adult women were surveyed concerning their opinion of a surgical procedure to reduce the size of an unspecified organ related to a woman’s sexuality, breast reduction, and labia reduction.

Results

Reduction of an unspecified organ and breasts was met with significantly greater acceptance than labia reduction (P < 0.0001). Presenting responders with an educational tool comparing each procedure’s indications, risks, and potential benefits did not alter respondent opinions, indicating notions about sexual surgery are relatively fixed. The most common reason respondents persisted in their relative opposition to labia reduction was a perceived deficiency in social acceptance (27.1%), followed by a perceived similarity to female genital mutilation (14.8%).

Conclusions

Attitudes towards labiaplasty seem firmly based on emotion or correlation to other unacceptable practices. Informational resources do not sway these biases; thus, there is a limited role for surgeon-led education in the normalization of labiaplasty because it requires a societal shift in acceptance. Labiaplasty is a procedure whose time for popular acceptance has not yet come.
Comparative analysis of machine learning-based approaches for identifying therapeutic peptides targeting SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Manavalan Balachandran , Basith Shaherin , Lee Gwang
Published: September 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has impacted public health as well as societal and economic well-being. In the last two decades, various prediction algorithms and tools have been developed for predicting antiviral peptides (AVPs). The current COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need to develop more efficient and accurate machine learning (ML)-based prediction algorithms for the rapid identification of therapeutic peptides against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Several peptide-based ML approaches, including anti-coronavirus peptides (ACVPs), IL-6 inducing epitopes and other epitopes targeting SARS-CoV-2, have been implemented in COVID-19 therapeutics. Owing to the growing interest in the COVID-19 field, it is crucial to systematically compare the existing ML algorithms based on their performances. Accordingly, we comprehensively evaluated the state-of-the-art IL-6 and AVP predictors against coronaviruses in terms of core algorithms, feature encoding schemes, performance evaluation metrics and software usability. A comprehensive performance assessment was then conducted to evaluate the robustness and scalability of the existing predictors using well-constructed independent validation datasets. Additionally, we discussed the advantages and disadvantages of the existing methods, providing useful insights into the development of novel computational tools for characterizing and identifying epitopes or ACVPs. The insights gained from this review are anticipated to provide critical guidance to the scientific community in the rapid design and development of accurate and efficient next-generation in silico tools against SARS-CoV-2.
Prying the Doors Open: Women of Color Mentoring in the Field of Communication
Authors: Celeste Manoucheka , Joseph Ralina L
Published: September 2021

For the past few decades mentoring has moved from being a buzzword in a few select programs into a major institutional goal. From large corporations to small universities, leaders recognize the importance of those with more experience guiding junior employees and students. Colleges and universities have taken the lead nationwide in mentoring efforts, with many having exemplary peer mentoring programs for undergraduates, and some institutions deploying mentoring to support faculty and students. The discipline of Communication has also begun to place more emphasis on mentoring. Yet, some populations, specifically women of color and other minoritized people, do not always have access to networks or programs and are left on their own to navigate institutions and processes. That few women of color faculty inhabit academic spaces in Communication departments, as in other departments across campuses, creates additional challenges for students and faculty, who often lack mentors and yet carry the additional burden of mentoring. This introduction to the special forum in CCC brings sets up the critical insights on mentoring our senior and emerging contributors offer.
Circulating Ceramides and Sphingomyelins and Risk of Mortality: The Cardiovascular Health Study
Authors: Fretts Amanda M , Jensen Paul N , Hoofnagle Andrew N , McKnight Barbara , Sitlani Colleen M , Siscovick David S , King Irena B , Psaty Bruce M , Sotoodehnia Nona , Lemaitre Rozenn N
Published: September 2021

Background

Recent studies suggest that associations of ceramides (Cer) and sphingomyelins (SM) with health outcomes differ according to the fatty acid acylated to the sphingoid backbone. The purpose of this study was to assess associations of Cer and SM species with mortality.

Methods

The study population included participants from the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS), a community-based cohort of adults aged ≥65 years who were followed from 1992–2015 (n = 4612). Associations of plasma Cer and SM species carrying long-chain (i.e., 16:0) and very-long-chain (i.e., 20:0, 22:0, 24:0) saturated fatty acids with mortality were assessed using Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

During a median follow-up of 10.2 years, 4099 deaths occurred. High concentrations of Cer and SM carrying fatty acid 16:0 were each associated with an increased risk of mortality. Conversely, high concentrations of several ceramide and sphingomyelin species carrying longer fatty acids were each associated with a decreased risk of mortality. The hazard ratios for total mortality per 2-fold difference in each Cer and SM species were: 1.89 (95% CI), 1.65–2.17 for Cer-16, 0.79 (95% CI, 0.70–0.88) for Cer-22, 0.74 (95% CI, 0.65–0.84) for Cer-24, 2.51 (95% CI, 2.01–3.14) for SM-16, 0.68 (95% CI, 0.58–0.79) for SM-20, 0.57 (95% CI, 0.49–0.67) for SM-22, and 0.66 (0.57–0.75) for SM-24. We found no association of Cer-20 with risk of death.

Conclusions

Associations of Cer and SM with the risk of death differ according to the length of their acylated saturated fatty acid. Future studies are needed to explore mechanisms underlying these relationships.