bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comprehensive framework identifying barriers to global health R&D innovation and access
Authors: Ong Ming
Published: September 2023

Advancements in research and development (R&D) have the potential to address pressing global health challenges. However, numerous barriers hinder innovation and access, particularly in areas of market failure, and there is an absence of a cohesive consensus on defining these various impediments. This paper presents a framework identifying the barriers that impede global health innovation and hinder equitable access to health technologies.

The framework presents clear typologies of barriers across global health R&D thematic areas. These include the market failures that require R&D incentives to stimulate innovation, how the complexity of product registration hinders access within specific regulatory domains and how health system implementation issues prevent affected populations from accessing the tools they require. Current and historical examples are provided for each end-point, and three case studies explore key barriers and how solutions have or may be applied.

This analysis contributes by adding to the body of knowledge on global health R&D and provides an analysis tool to policy-makers, researchers and stakeholders involved in addressing the barriers and promoting equitable access to healthcare innovations. The framework serves as a practical tool to guide future research, policy development and implementation efforts towards achieving sustainable global health outcomes.
Aetiological agents of adult community-acquired pneumonia in Japan: systematic review and meta-analysis of published data
Authors: Fujikura Yuji , Somekawa Kohei , Manabe Toshie , Horita Nobuyuki , Takahashi Hiroshi , Higa Futoshi , Yatera Kazuhiro , Miyashita Naoyuki , Imamura Yoshifumi , Iwanaga Naoki , Mukae Hiroshi , Kawana Akihiko
Published: September 2023

Objective

Epidemiological information is essential in providing appropriate empiric antimicrobial therapy for pneumonia. This study aimed to clarify the epidemiology of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) by conducting a systematic review of published studies in Japan.

Design

Systematic review.

Data source

PubMed and Ichushi web database (January 1970 to October 2022).

Eligibility criteria

Clinical studies describing pathogenic micro-organisms in CAP written in English or Japanese, excluding studies on pneumonia other than adult CAP, investigations limited to specific pathogens and case reports.

Data extraction and synthesis

Patient setting (inpatient vs outpatient), number of patients, concordance with the CAP guidelines, diagnostic criteria and methods for diagnosing pneumonia pathogens as well as the numbers of each isolate. A meta-analysis of various situations was performed to measure the frequency of each aetiological agent.

Results

Fifty-six studies were included and 17 095 cases of CAP were identified. Pathogens were undetectable in 44.1% (95% CI 39.7% to 48.5%).Streptococcus pneumoniaewas the most common cause of CAP requiring hospitalisation or outpatient care (20.0% (95% CI 17.2% to 22.8%)), followed byHaemophilus influenzae(10.8% (95% CI 7.3% to 14.3%)) andMycoplasma pneumoniae(7.5% (95% CI 4.6% to 10.4%)). However, when limited to CAP requiring hospitalisation,Staphylococcus aureuswas the third most common at 4.9% (95% CI 3.9% to 5.8%).Pseudomonas aeruginosawas more frequent in hospitalised cases, while atypical pathogens were less common. Methicillin-resistantS. aureusaccounted for 40.7% (95% CI 29.0% to 52.4%) ofS. aureuscases. In studies that used PCR testing for pan-respiratory viral pathogens, human enterovirus/human rhinovirus (9.4% (95% CI 0% to 20.5%)) and several other respiratory pathogenic viruses were detected. The epidemiology varied depending on the methodology and situation.

Conclusion

The epidemiology of CAP varies depending on the situation, such as in the hospital versus outpatient setting. Viruses are more frequently detected by exhaustive genetic searches, resulting in a significant variation in epidemiology.
Triage in major incidents: development and external validation of novel machine learning-derived primary and secondary triage tools
Authors: Xu Yuanwei , Malik Nabeela , Chernbumroong Saisakul , Vassallo James , Keene Damian , Foster Mark , Lord Janet , Belli Antonio , Hodgetts Timothy , Bowley Douglas , Gkoutos George
Published: September 2023

Background

Major incidents (MIs) are an important cause of death and disability. Triage tools are crucial to identifying priority 1 (P1) patients—those needing time-critical, life-saving interventions. Existing expert opinion-derived tools have limited evidence supporting their use. This study employs machine learning (ML) to develop and validate models for novel primary and secondary triage tools.

Methods

Adults (16+ years) from the UK Trauma Audit and Research Network (TARN) registry (January 2008–December 2017) served as surrogates for MI victims, with P1 patients identified using predefined criteria. The TARN database was split chronologically into model training and testing (70:30) datasets. Input variables included physiological parameters, age, mechanism and anatomical location of injury. Random forest, extreme gradient boosted tree, logistic regression and decision tree models were trained to predict P1 status, and compared with existing tools (Battlefield Casualty Drills (BCD) Triage Sieve, CareFlight, Modified Physiological Triage Tool, MPTT-24, MSTART, National Ambulance Resilience Unit Triage Sieve and RAMP). Primary and secondary candidate models were selected; the latter was externally validated on patients from the UK military’s Joint Theatre Trauma Registry (JTTR).

Results

Models were internally tested in 57 979 TARN patients. The best existing tool was the BCD Triage Sieve (sensitivity 68.2%, area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) 0.688). Inability to breathe spontaneously, presence of chest injury and mental status were most predictive of P1 status. A decision tree model including these three variables exhibited the best test characteristics (sensitivity 73.0%, AUC 0.782), forming the candidate primary tool. The proposed secondary tool (sensitivity 77.9%, AUC 0.817), applicable via a portable device, includes a fourth variable (injury mechanism). This performed favourably on external validation (sensitivity of 97.6%, AUC 0.778) in 5956 JTTR patients.

Conclusion

Novel triage tools developed using ML outperform existing tools in a nationally representative trauma population. The proposed primary tool requires external validation prior to consideration for practical use. The secondary tool demonstrates good external validity and may be used to support decision-making by healthcare workers responding to MIs.
The effect of chronic exercise training and acute exercise on power spectral analysis of heart rate variability
Authors: Bentley Robert F. , Dorian Paul , Vecchiarelli Emily , Banks Laura , Connelly Kim A. , Yan Andrew T. , Osman Wesseem , Goodman Jack M.
Published: September 2023

Moderate to vigorous physical activity performed regularly is cardioprotective and reduces all-cause mortality, concomitant with increased resting heart rate variability (HRV). However, there are contradictory reports regarding the effects of chronic and acute exercise on nocturnal HRV in those performing exercise well-beyond physical activity guidelines. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the power spectral analysis components of HRV in middle-aged endurance athletes (EA) and recreationally active individuals (REC) and explore acute exercise effects in EA. A total of 119 EA (52, 49–57 years) and 32 REC (56, 52–60 years) were recruited to complete 24 h Holter monitoring (GE SEER 1000) in the absence of exercise. Fifty one EA (52, 49–57 years) then underwent 24 h Holter monitoring following an intense bout of endurance exercise. Power spectral HRV analysis was completed hourly and averaged to quantify morning (1000–1200 h), evening (1900–2100 h), and nocturnal (0200–0400 h) HRV. EA had greater very low frequency (VLF) and low frequency (LF) (both p < 0.001) compared to REC. LF/high frequency (HF) was greater in EA at 0200–0400 h ( p = 0.04). Among all participants, the change in HR and HF from 1000–1200 to 0200–0400 h was negatively correlated ( r = −0.47, p < 0.001). Following acute exercise in EA, only nocturnal HRV was assessed. VLF ( p < 0.001) and HF ( p = 0.008) decreased, while LF/HF increased ( p = 0.02). These results suggest that in EA, both long-term and acute exercises increase nocturnal sympathovagal activity through an increase in LF and decrease in HF, respectively. Further work is required to understand the mechanism underlying reduced nocturnal HRV in middle-aged EA and the long-term health implications.
Experimental manipulation of perceived predation risk alters survival, cause of death, and demographic patterns in juvenile snowshoe hares
Authors: Seguin Jacob L. , Boudreau Melanie R. , Lavergne Sophia , Lamoureux Ryan , Krebs Charles J. , Boonstra Rudy
Published: September 2023

Perceived predation risk alters prey behaviour and physiology, but few studies have examined downstream consequences on prey demography in wild populations. Perceived predation risk could alter adult reproductive performance via reduced investment in offspring quality and post-birth care. We manipulated perceived predation risk in snowshoe hare ( Lepus americanus Erxleben, 1777) by exposing pregnant mothers to chases by a domestic dog ( Canis familiaris Linnaeus, 1758). Litter size was comparable between risk-augmented and control groups, but treated females had more stillbirths and gave birth to leverets of lower body condition. Leverets from risk-augmented females had 88% higher 40-day mortality rate. Maternally preventable causes of death like starvation or predation by red squirrel ( Tamiasciurus hudsonicus (Erxleben, 1777)) caused this difference, particularly during the nursing period. Risk-augmented mothers were always more active than controls, but the difference was greatest during the nursing period. We found that perceived predation risk reduces maternal productivity pre- and post-partum, implying downstream consequences to populations. Because our treatment ended before parturition, we can link offspring performance such as survival and behaviour specifically to maternal life-history trade-offs, which has not been shown in a wild mammal.
Theoretical and observational prescription of warm-inflation in FLRW universe with torsion
Authors: Chakraborty Madhukrishna , Sardar Gopal , Bose Akash , Chakraborty Subenoy
Published: September 2023

The paper deals with Warm Inflationary scenario in FLRW with torsion both from theoretical and observational point of view. In the background of flat FLRW model the Hubble parameter is found to be proportional to the torsion function and warm inflation is examined both in weak and strong dissipation regimes for the power law choice of potential using slow-roll approximation with quasi-stable criteria for radiation. The slow-roll parameters, no.of e-folds, scalar spectral index, and tensor-to-scalar ratio are determined in the present model for mainly three choices of the dissipation coefficient $$\Gamma $$
Γ
using the Planck data set. Finally, we focus on single-field chaotic quartic potential with the above choices of the dissipation coefficient to confront the warm inflation observational predictions directly with the latest observational data set.
Spatial and temporal characteristics of spontaneous parametric down-conversion with varying focal planes of interacting beams
Authors: Bernecker Richard , Baghdasaryan Baghdasar , Fritzsche Stephan
Published: September 2023

Spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) is a widely used process to prepare entangled photon pairs. In SPDC, a second-order nonlinear crystal is pumped by a coherent laser beam to generate photon pairs. The photon pairs are usually detected by single-mode fibers (SMF), where only photons in a Gaussian mode can be collected. The collection modes possess typical Gaussian parameters, namely a beam waist and a focal plane position. The collection efficiency of photons highly depends on the choice of both parameters. The exact focal plane position of the pump beam relative to those of the detection modes is difficult to determine in a real experiment. Usually, theoretical and experimental studies assume that the focal plane positions of the pump and the generated beams are positioned in the center of the crystal. The displacement of beam focal planes can lead to deviations from expected results and the coupling efficiency into SMF can decrease. In this study, we theoretically examine variable positions of focal planes in the Laguerre–Gaussian basis, a popular experimental modal decomposition of the spatial biphoton state. We explore how the choice of focal plane positions affects the spatial and temporal properties and the purity of the photon pairs. We present SPDC setups where precise knowledge of the focal plane position is essential and scenarios where focal plane displacements have negligible impact on experimental outcomes.

Graphical Abstract
Role of Human Capital Accumulation in Reducing Poverty and Land Degradation
Authors: Verma Shilpy
Published: September 2023

This study examines the role of human capital accumulation in order to escape the poverty-land degradation trap. Moreover, we explore whether the human capital accumulation could lead to reduction in land degradation and poverty. To test this, we have used data of 26 Indian states covering time period 1993–2011 and have employed System-GMM method of estimation to account for the joint endogeneity between the dependent and the explanatory variables. Due to the non-availability of state level poverty data, we have restricted our study to year 2011. To measure poverty, we have used head count ratio, total land degradation as percentage of geographical area is used as a proxy for land degradation, and enrolment in primary classes and 6th to 12th classes is used to measure human capital accumulation. The results suggest that land degradation reduces poverty and increase in poverty increases land degradation. This could be due to the fact that increase in income or reduction in poverty of individual requires the intensification of agriculture production, which contributed to land degradation. We also find that higher educational attainment will reduce poverty. The role of human capital accumulation on land degradation remains unclear.
SG-Float: Achieving Memory Access and Computing Power Reduction Using Self-Gating Float in CNNs
Authors: Wu Jun-Shen , Hsu Tsen-Wei , Liu Ren-Shuo
Published: September 2023

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are essential for advancing the field of artificial intelligence. However, since these networks are highly demanding in terms of memory and computation, implementing CNNs can be challenging. To make CNNs more accessible to energy-constrained devices, researchers are exploring new algorithmic techniques and hardware designs that can reduce memory and computation requirements.

In this work, we present self-gating float (SG-Float), algorithm hardware co-design of a novel binary number format, which can significantly reduce memory access and computing power requirements in CNNs. SG-Float is a self-gating format that uses the exponent to self-gate the mantissa to zero, exploiting the characteristic of floating-point that the exponent determines the magnitude of a floating-point value and the error tolerance property of CNNs. SG-Float represents relatively small values using only the exponent, which increases the proportion of ineffective mantissas, corresponding to reducing mantissa multiplications of floating-point numbers. To minimize the accuracy loss caused by the approximation error introduced by SG-Float, we propose a fine-tuning process to determine the exponent thresholds of SG-Float and reclaim the accuracy loss. We also develop a hardware optimization technique, called the SG-Float buffering strategy, to best match SG-Float with CNN accelerators and further reduce memory access. We apply the SG-Float buffering strategy to vector-vector multiplication processing elements (PEs), which NVDLA adopts, in TSMC 40nm technology. Our evaluation results demonstrate that SG-Float can achieve up to 35% reduction in memory access power and up to 54% reduction in computing power compared with AdaptivFloat, a state-of-the-art format, with negligible power and area overhead. Additionally, we show that SG-Float can be combined with neural network pruning methods to further reduce memory access and mantissa multiplications in pruned CNN models. Overall, our work shows that SG-Float is a promising solution to the problem of CNN memory access and computing power.
Poracle: Testing Patches under Preservation Conditions to Combat the Overfitting Problem of Program Repair
Authors: Ismayilzada Elkhan , Rahman Md Mazba Ur , Kim Dongsun , Yi Jooyong
Published: September 2023

To date, the users of test-driven program repair tools suffer from the overfitting problem; a generated patch may pass all available tests without being correct. In the existing work, users are treated as merely passive consumers of the tests. However, what if they are willing to modify the test to better assess the patches obtained from a repair tool? In this work, we propose a novel semi-automatic patch-classification methodology named
Poracle
. Our key contributions are three-fold. First, we design a novel
lightweight
specification method that reuses the existing test. Specifically, the users extend the existing failing test with a
preservation condition
—the condition under which the patched and pre-patched versions should produce the same output. Second, we develop a fuzzer that performs differential fuzzing with a test containing a preservation condition. Once we find an input that satisfies a specified preservation condition but produces different outputs between the patched and pre-patched versions, we classify the patch as incorrect with high confidence. We show that our approach is more effective than the four state-of-the-art patch classification approaches. Last, we show through a user study that the users find our semi-automatic patch assessment method more effective and preferable than the manual assessment.
Generative Image Steganography Based on Guidance Feature Distribution
Authors: Sun Youqiang , Liu Jianyi , Zhang Ru
Published: September 2023

Without modification, generative steganography is more secure than modification-based steganography. However, existing generative steganography methods still have limitations, such as low embedding capacity and poor quality. To solve these issues, a synthesis-based generative steganographic model is proposed in this article. In the image synthesis task, guidance features are utilized to synthesize images with specific styles and attributes. Due to the consistency of the guidance features before and after image synthesis, the features can be used as cover for steganography. The proposed model adopts the mean and standard deviation to quantify the distribution of guidance features, enabling the secret hiding within different trends of the feature distribution. By controlling the statistical dispersion of the embedded guidance features through the mean and standard deviation, the original feature distribution is preserved, and the synthesized image maintains good generation quality. The space of guidance features contains styles and attribute descriptions of various images, offering a large space for information hiding. According to the experimental results, compared with existing steganography, the proposed steganographic model achieves better quality and hidden capacity with strong robustness.
Annotations as Knowledge Practices in Image Archives: Application of Linked Open Usable Data and Machine Learning
Authors: Cornut Murielle , Raemy Julien Antoine , Spiess Florian
Published: September 2023

We reflect on some of the preliminary findings of the Participatory Knowledge Practices in Analogue and Digital Image Archives (PIA) research project around annotations of photographic archives from the Swiss Society for Folklore Studies (SSFS) as knowledge practices, the underlying technological decisions, and their impact. The aim is not only to seek more information but to find new approaches of understanding the way in which people’s memory relate to the collective, public form of archival memory and ultimately how users figure in and shape the digital archive.

We provide a proof-of-concept workflow based on automatically generated annotations comprising 53,481 photos that were subjected to object detection using Faster R-CNN Inception ResNet V2. Of the detected objects, 184,609 have a detection score greater than 0.5, 123,529 have a score greater than 0.75, and 88,442 have a score greater than 0.9. A threshold of 0.75 was set for the dissemination of our annotations, compatible with the W3C Web Annotation Data Model (WADM) and embedded in our IIIF Manifests.

In the near future, the workflow will be upgraded to allow for the co-existence of various, and occasionally conflicting, assertions made by both human and machine users. We believe that Linked Open Usable Data (LOUD) standards should be used to improve the sustainability of such an ecosystem and to foster collaboration between actors in cultural heritage.
Effects of Guarana Aqua Extracts on Fermentation Kinetics and Quality Properties of Set-Type Yogurts
Authors: Kourouniotou Evangelia , Karagianni Nikoleta , Bari Anastasia , Diseri Aikaterini , Hatziioannou Marianthi , Giannouli Persephoni
Published: September 2023

The combination of bioactive phytochemicals with yogurt in the form of plant extracts or essential oils stimulates the scientific community’s interest and consumers’ preferences. Extracts from guarana are considered bioactive agents and have important health protective properties. In this study, concentrations of guarana aqua extracts 0%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4% w/w were added to milk and yogurt fermentation kinetics, acidity, color, water-holding capacity, hardness, and microstructure and were evaluated. The presence of guarana aqua extract reduced the time needed for the completion of yogurt fermentation compared to the control samples. A drop in

L

∗

and an increase in

a

∗

parameters were also observed with increased guarana aqua extract concentrations. The lowest concentration of guarana aqua extract decreased titratable acidity, hardness, and syneresis. While different casein networks were observed in microscopy, yogurt without and yogurt with 3% w/w guarana extract had the same acidity and hardness. Finally, this research indicates the suitability of guarana extracts in the production of functional set-type yogurt and increases the knowledge on the effects of plant extracts on milk fermentation and yogurt quality characteristics.
Molecular Detection of Histoplasma capsulatum in Small Wild Mammals, Dogs, and Cats from Areas of Remaining Forest in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: de Farias Diana Maria , Leite Barros Flávia de Nazaré , Sampaio-Júnior Francisco Dantas , dos Santos Cruz Vieira Juliana , de Sousa Gonçalves Thamirys , da Costa Rodrigues Amanda de Nazaré , de Lima Macedo Renata Cecília , Duarte Cerqueira Valíria , Mendes de Oliveira Ana Cristina , Souza da Paz Giselle , Góes-Cavalcante Gustavo , Scofield Alessandra
Published: September 2023

Histoplasma capsulatum is the etiological agent of histoplasmosis, which can infect birds and different mammal species, including humans. In Brazil, the disease is not notifiable, and little is known about its infection in domestic and wild mammals. This study aimed to perform the molecular detection of H. capsulatum in small wild mammals from peri-urban forest remnants and in dogs and cats peri-domiciled in rural communities adjacent to these fragments in the Pará State, Brazilian Amazon. Samples of lung, liver, and skin were collected from free-living rats and marsupials captured in three peri-urban forest patches, as well as blood and skin from dogs and cats. H. capsulatum DNA was detected by nested PCR amplification, with products sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis. H. capsulatum DNA was detected in 9.5% (12/126) of small wild mammals, with rats having a higher frequency of positive animals (25.6%; 10/39) when compared to marsupials (2.3%; 2/87) (

p
=
0.0001

). The frequencies of positive dogs and cats were 1.6% (2/121) and 5.5% (1/18), respectively. A higher frequency of infection by H. capsulatum was observed among small wild mammals when compared to dogs and cats (

p
=
0.0143

). In conclusion, H. capsulatum infection occurs in rats, marsupials, dogs, and cats in the Brazilian Amazon, with rats being important sentinels of the presence of this fungus in areas of remaining forest.
An Asymmetrical Mixed Higher-Order Discontinuous Galerkin Time Domain Method for Electromagnetic Scattering from the Plasma Sheath around a Hypersonic Vehicle
Authors: Guo Jirong , Han Yiping
Published: September 2023

The plasma sheath during reentry of hypersonic vehicle is an unmagnetized and weakly ionized nonuniform plasma flow, which causes radio frequency blackout and strong plasma attenuation of electromagnetic wave. The physical properties of the nonuniform plasma flow were obtained using computational fluid dynamics software with unstructured grids. In this study, a detailed computational model was reconstructed with the high-order Lagrange grids for the nonuniform plasma flow region and the high-order Serendipity grids for the homogeneous medium region. In order to calculate the numerical flux between the two types of grids in the discontinuous Galerkin time domain (DGTD) algorithm, an asymmetric high-order element is constructed as a transition unit. Finally, the simulation results in the plasma sphere show that the above method improves the computational accuracy and decreases calculation. The amplitude and scattering about electromagnetic wave in nonuniform plasma flow are clarified in detail. It is suggested that the presented method could be an effective tool for investigating interaction between electromagnetic waves and plasma flow.
Impact of Smoke from Wheat, Oat, and Clover Stubble Burning on Cabernet Sauvignon Grapes and Wine
Authors: Shi Tingting , Ristic Renata , Wilkinson Kerry L.
Published: September 2023

Background and Aims. Stubble burning is an agricultural practice employed by some grain growers to prepare farmland for sowing and/or to control weeds and pests. Grapegrowers and winemakers have questioned whether the resulting smoke can contaminate grapes in nearby vineyards. This study therefore sought to determine the potential for smoke from three different stubble burns to taint grapes and wine. Methods and Results. Excised bunches of mature Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were exposed to smoke from prescribed burning of wheat, oat, and Balansa clover stubble windrows. Environmental sensors monitored the concentration of particulate matter as a measure of smoke density, while chemical and sensory analysis established the extent to which grapes and wine were tainted by smoke. Only grapes that were positioned among the burning wheat windrows or downwind, but in close proximity (∼200 m) to the oat stubble burn, were exposed to sufficient quantities of smoke to result in a detectable concentration of volatile phenols (up to 12 µg/kg), as chemical markers of smoke taint. These grapes yielded wines with two to threefold higher volatile phenol concentrations (up to 18 µg/L) than other wines, including the control wine, and low intensity, but perceptible smoke-related sensory attributes, indicative of low-level smoke taint. Conclusions. Chemical and sensory analyses suggest the risk of smoke taint from stubble burning is low, except where vineyards are immediately downwind and/or prolonged or repeated smoke exposure occurs. However, stubble moisture content and prevailing weather conditions affect smoke density and dispersion, and will therefore affect the potential for smoke contamination by grapes. Significance of the Study. This study will assist colocated grain growers and grape and wine producers to undertake commercial operations, without negatively impacting one another.
Dielectric Roasting Induced Physical, Mechanical, and Grinding Characteristics of Black Pepper (Piper nigrum)
Authors: Desai Shivani , Sharanagat Vijay Singh , Nema Prabhat Kumar
Published: September 2023

The present study was focused on microwave (dielectric) roasting (300-600 W, 5-15 min) on the physical, textural, color, and grinding of black pepper. The microwave roasting is a volumetric heating that causes rapid removal of moisture, and internal pressure generated inside the seed tends to change the physiology and physical attributes. An increase in roasting power and time increased the geometric mean diameter (5.216 to 6.283 mm), sphericity (0.883 to 0.927), aspect ratio (0.853 to 0.914), and surface area (85.560 to 124.262 mm2) of black pepper. Whereas the significant (

p
<
0.05

) reduction was observed in 100 grain weight (7.55 to 5.63 g), bulk density (500.97 to 251.38 kg/m3), fracturability (72.99 to 1.78 N), and hardness (63.65 to 1.61 N). Roasting led to browning, and a significant reduction was observed in the color parameters,

L

∗

(22.82 to 17.76),

a

∗

(2.47 to 0.56), and

b

∗

(2.41 to -0.75) with a significant (

p
<
0.05

) increase in total color difference (0.96 to 5.30). Roasting also increased the particle size distribution in grounded power, and the mean particle size increased from 121.72 to 146.14 μm.
Arranging coil winding circuits of synchronous permanent-magnet machines on rotor
Authors: Smirnov Alexander , Dar’enkov Andrey , Kryukov Evgeny
Published: September 2023

Methodology of constructing coil winding electrical circuits for salient-pole stator of electrical permanent-magnet machines on the rotor is proposed, which is based on the required number of pole pairs (synchronous speed) and the number of phases. The methodology algorithm is based on determining the value of the number of stator teeth as the closest to the number of rotor poles number value, multiple of phase number, which provides a sufficient level of pitch coefficient and winding coefficient. The algorithm was tested by several examples of constructing synchronous machines winding circuits, known from electrical engineering theory and practice, including mass-produced ones. In all the examples, if the proposed methodology guidelines were formally and strictly followed, the correct circuit designs came out as a result. For high power motor pilot design, one and the same machine design variants were compared, having thirty six slots on stator, three-phase and nine-phase windings, synthesized according to the proposed algorithm for thirty two-pole rotor. Engine torque calculation with both circuit options performed by finite elements method showed the nine-phase winding developed torque advantage by 20%, due to less discretion of MMF slot distribution.
Comparison between the multi-shaft and the single-shaft combined cycle power plants
Authors: Chaitrak Kanticha , Paoprasert Naraphorn , Anussornnitisarn Pornthep
Published: September 2023

A multi-shaft system has been adopted by power plants in Thailand for decades; however, for newer units, single-shaft systems have become more popular. This paper compared reliability measures—the system means failure rate, system mean repair rate, and system unavailability indices—between multi-shaft and single-shaft combined cycle power plants (CCPPs). The results showed that the long-term system availability of one multi-shaft CCPP was higher than each of the single-shaft units by 40.70%. In addition, the multi-shaft unit had a 42.14% longer mean time to failure (MTTF) than the single-shaft unit. Finally, the multi-shaft CCPP had 34.59% higher expected capacity than that of the single-shaft system.
Impact of load variation on power system stability and performance of power system stabilizers: A case study of Peerdawd gas power station, Iraq
Authors: Hameed Jawad Hamad , Hashim Wassan Adnan , Derbel Nabil
Published: September 2023

Variable load on the station refers to the fluctuating load on a power plant due to erratic consumer demands. It is known to have an effect on the performance of power system stabilizers, particularly in damping inter-area oscillation. This paper examines how two power system stabilizer (PSS) models and various load conditions affect a power system's voltage and power stability. A dynamic model of the power system station, based on the real case study of the Peerdawd gas power station in north Iraq (PPGS), is utilized to investigate the response of both steady-state and transient-state models: the aggregated excitation control system (Ex2100) and the power system stabilizer (PSS2B). The impact of load variation on voltage stability under normal situations and during disturbances is discussed. Furthermore, the effect of reactive power support from the power plant on the input of the two PSS models is analyzed and discussed. The paper employs a MATLABTM/Simulink-based simulation program, and the results contribute to understanding how load variation influences system damping based on PSS.
Modified SPWM technique for single phase variable voltage nine level inverter for PV system
Authors: Venkateswarlu Meesala , Sateesh Goppisetty , Sujatha Peddakotla
Published: September 2023

Multilevel inverters are widely popular because they boost the overall staging of the network with low harmonic distortion, less strain, and simply create highest possible development in industrial and electrical vehicle applications. Here a hybrid multilevel inverter having few switches compare to traditional multi-level inverters has been implemented. It has the capability to operate as a 3-level, 5-level, 7-level and 9-level inverter with different magnitudes of output voltage by varying the modulation index without changing of circuit topology and switching sequences. A new variable amplitude phase opposition disposition sinusoidal pulse width modulation (VAPODPWM) technique is proposed to control the inverter. In this concept unsymmetrical carrier wave form, i.e. A single triangular wave is divided into three triangular waves of different magnitude was chosen. it reduces the volt-sec of output due to that it gives less total harmonic distortion (THD) compare to other conventional space pulse width modulation (SPWM) techniques and conventional space vector pulse width modulation (CSVPWM) control techniques. The ease of conversion capability with less count of switches and operation with less THD shows the effectiveness of the converter. The converter is simulated by using MATLAB/Simulink and results are discussed.
CHB multilevel inverter with sliding mode controller for DSTATCOM applications
Authors: Chenchireddy Kalagotla , Jegathesan Varghese
Published: September 2023

In this article, the robust nonlinear controller for cascaded H-bridge-based distributed static compensator (DSTATCOM) with input-output linearization and sliding mode control scheme using an improved voltage balancing scheme is presented. The feedback linearization method and sliding mode control scheme are used to cancel nonlinearities and deal with invariant stability due to mathematical modeling uncertainties due to DSTATCOM parameter and external load disturbance. The improved voltage balancing is used to balance the voltages of the DC side capacitor of DSTATCOM. The complete simulation studies are out to validate the control scheme based on the improved voltage balance integrated with sliding mode control under disturbances caused by the load changes and DSTATCOM parametric changes. The performance characteristics of the DSTATCOM with sliding mode controller are tested using the MATLAB/Simulink platform.
An experimental investigation design of a bidirectional DC-DC buck-boost converter for PV battery charger system
Authors: Benlahbib Boualam , Dahbi Abedeljalil , Fares Bennaceur , Lakhdari Abelkader , Bouarroudj Noureddine , Mekhilef Saad , Abdelkrim Thameur
Published: September 2023

The aim of this paper is to present a bidirectional DC-DC buck-boost converter design that is specifically intended for use with storage batteries in a PV system. The primary purpose of the batteries is to mitigate the unpredictable and intermittent nature of renewable energy sources. To achieve this, a DC-DC converter is used in buck mode during daylight hours to charge the batteries with power derived from the PV system. If the photovoltaic energy source is unavailable, the batteries can discharge to power the DC load through the converter in boost mode. Therefore, the bi-directional DC/DC converter, which has a high-power capacity, manages the power storage system. To this end, the paper describes the design and implementation of both the power circuit board and drive circuit board of the buck-boost converter, taking into account the rated current, voltage, and power. Finally, the effectiveness and efficiency of the designed converter are verified through experimental tests carried out in both charge and discharge modes, with results demonstrating the validity and efficiency of the converter.
Analysis of harmonics currents in the case of grid connected photovoltaic generator
Authors: Assia Habbati Bellia , Fatima Moulay
Published: September 2023

Nowadays, electrical grid experiences an increase in penetration of single-phase PV generations. Then, it becomes necessary to control this penetration by techniques of synchronization in order to provide electrical energy of good quality to the network. Estimation of the frequency, phase and magnitude of the grid voltage are necessary to correctly synchronizing the PV generator with grid. Connecting a direct current generator to grid via an inverter, requires to fix the performances to improve in the inverter to choose the best-suited topology. This paper describes the control of a non-isolated single-stage single-phase grid-connected inverter fed by a photovoltaic source. In order to define the influence of the three parameters: modulation index, switching frequency and phase shift angle, it is interesting to know the behavior of the system when one of these parameters moves away from its optimal value. Optimal values make it possible to obtain a THD as small as possible to satisfy the international standard. In this work, modulation index and switching frequency are set to their respective optimal values. To study grid current and inverter currents before and after filtering, harmonic analysis is performed for seven shift angles for the same switching frequency (10000 Hz) and modulation index (2.2).
Machine learning based cascaded ANN MPPT controller for erratic PV shading circumstances
Authors: Sreedhar R. , Karunanithi Kandasamy , Ramesh Subramanian
Published: September 2023

Power generation is challenged to meet energy demand during peak hours. As a result of limited non-renewable energy resources, power utilities heavily rely on fossil fuels. Therefore, scientists and researchers are looking for some distributed generators to provide additional power during peak hours. During such period, load demand is solved using solar power. As a consequence, grid-connected solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems are catching the attention owing to their ability to significantly reduce the use of fossil fuels. Under Partial Shading Condition (PSC), this paper utilizes Luo Converter along with Cascaded Artificial Neural Network (ANN), which is a Machine Learning Based Maximum Power Point Tracking (ML-MPPT) approach for tracking optimal power from PV system. The gained DC supply is converted into AC voltage using  VSI attached to the system. In addition, PI controller engaged controls the voltage at grid side and results in effective grid synchronization. Furthermore, MATLAB Simulink analysis is carried out and the outcomes reveal the effectiveness of proposed system with 98% efficiency under different PV circumstances.
Impact of New Cardiovascular Events on Quality of Life and Hospital Costs in People With Cardiovascular Disease in the United Kingdom and United States
Authors: Lui Juliana Nga Man , Williams Claire , Keng Mi Jun , Hopewell Jemma C. , Sammons Emily , Chen Fang , Gray Alastair , Bowman Louise , Landray Sir Martin J. , Mihaylova Borislava ,   the REVEAL Collaborative Group
Published: September 2023

Background

Despite optimized risk factor control, people with prior cardiovascular disease remain at high cardiovascular disease risk. We assess the immediate‐ and longer‐term impacts of new vascular and nonvascular events on quality of life (QoL) and hospital costs among participants in the REVEAL (Randomized Evaluation of the Effects of Anacetrapib Through Lipid Modification) trial in secondary prevention.

Methods and Results

Data on demographic and clinical characteristics, health‐related quality of life (QoL: EuroQoL 5‐Dimension‐5‐Level), adverse events, and hospital admissions during the 4‐year follow‐up of the 21 820 participants recruited in Europe and North America informed assessments of the impacts of new adverse events on QoL and hospital costs from the UK and US health systems' perspectives using generalized linear regression models. Reductions in QoL were estimated in the years of event occurrence for nonhemorrhagic stroke (−0.067 [United Kingdom], −0.069 [US]), heart failure admission (−0.072 [United Kingdom], −0.103 [US]), incident cancer (−0.064 [United Kingdom], −0.068 [US]), and noncoronary revascularization (−0.071 [United Kingdom], −0.061 [US]), as well as in subsequent years following these events. Myocardial infarction and coronary revascularization (CRV) procedures were not found to affect QoL. All adverse events were associated with additional hospital costs in the years of events and in subsequent years, with the highest additional costs in the years of noncoronary revascularization (£5830 [United Kingdom], $14 133 [US Medicare]), of myocardial infarction with urgent CRV procedure (£5614, $24722), and of urgent/nonurgent CRV procedure without myocardial infarction (£4674/£4651 and $15 251/$17 539).

Conclusions

Stroke, heart failure, and noncoronary revascularization procedures substantially reduce QoL, and all cardiovascular disease events increase hospital costs. These estimates are useful in informing cost‐effectiveness of interventions to reduce cardiovascular disease risk in secondary prevention.

Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT01252953;
https://www.Isrctn.com
. Unique identifier: ISRCTN48678192;
https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu
. Unique identifier: 2010‐023467‐18.
A new species of the genus Mongolotettix Rehn, 1928 from Jiangxi, China (Acrididae, Acridoidea, Orthoptera)
Authors: ZHANG DA-PENG , DAI LI , YIN ZHAN
Published: September 2023

The grasshopper genus Mongolotettix Rehn, 1928 obtains 17 species distributed from the Far Eastern Asian countries, including China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, and Russia [Bolívar, 1898; Uvarov, 1914; Caudell, 1921; Chogsomzhav, 1974; Li et Lian, 1994; Wan, Ren et Zhang, 1998; Xie et Li, 2000; Kim et Kim 2005; Shi et al, 2016; Shi et al, 2017; Yin et al, 2017; Zheng et al, 2017; Chen et al, 2018; Zhang et al, 2020; Cigliano et al, 2022, Shen et al, 2022]. In the present paper, we describe a new species of the genus from Jiangxi, China. Type specimens are deposited in the Shanghai Entomological Museum, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China.
Synthetic Observations of the Planetary Boundary Layer from Space: A Retrieval Observing System Simulation Experiment Framework
Authors: Kurowski Marcin J. , Teixeira Joao , Ao Chi , Brown Shannon , Davis Anthony B. , Forster Linda , Wang Kuo-Nung , Lebsock Matthew , Morris Mary , Payne Vivienne , Richardson Mark T. , Roy Richard , Thompson David R. , Wilson Robert C.
Published: September 2023

To address critical gaps identified by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in the current Earth system observation strategy, the 2017–27 Decadal Survey for Earth Science and Applications from Space recommended incubating concepts for future targeted observables including the atmospheric planetary boundary layer (PBL). A subsequent NASA PBL Incubation Study Team Report identified measurement requirements and activities for advancing the maturity of the technologies applicable to the PBL targeted observables and their associated science and applications priorities. While the PBL is the critical layer where humans live and surface energy, moisture, and mass exchanges drive the Earth system, it is also the farthest and most inaccessible layer for spaceborne instruments. Here we document a PBL retrieval observing system simulation experiment (OSSE) framework suitable for assessing existing and new measurement techniques and determining their accuracy and improvements needed for addressing the elevated Decadal Survey requirements. In particular, the benefits of large-eddy simulation (LES) are emphasized as a key source of high-resolution synthetic observations for key PBL regimes: from the tropics, through subtropics and midlatitudes, to subpolar and polar regions. The potential of LES-based PBL retrieval OSSEs is explored using six instrument simulators: Global Navigation Satellite System–Radio Occultation, differential absorption radar, visible to shortwave infrared spectrometer, infrared sounder, Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer, and microwave sounder. The crucial role of LES in PBL retrieval OSSEs and some perspectives for instrument developments are discussed.
Evaluation of the SmartClip™ Nonradioactive Seed, a Novel Wireless Localization Method for the Breast: Initial Clinical Experience and Surgical Outcome
Authors: Hefelfinger Leah , Doherty Alexander , Wahab Rifat , Rosen Lauren , Shaughnessy Elizabeth A. , Lewis Jaime D.
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Wire localization has been the gold standard for breast localization of non-palpable lesions for decades. This technique remains robust but has disadvantages relative to scheduling, complications of vasovagal reactions in placement, wire migration, or transection. With more modern technologies available, several implantable markers have been developed to allow uncoupling of localization by radiology and the surgical procedure on the same day. This study summarizes our experience with the EnVisio Navigation System™ utilizing SmartClip™ as the implantable tissue localization marker.

Methods

An IRB-approved retrospective database of benign and malignant breast disease was used to perform a review of 100 consecutive patients who underwent SmartClip™ localized breast and axillary procedures in 2021. Demographic information, localization accuracy, associated surgical procedure(s) with resultant pathology findings, margin status for malignancies, and re-excision rate were collected.

Results

The localized breast lesion or lymph node was excised and SmartClip™ retrieved in all cases, confirmed by intraoperative specimen radiograph. The distribution of gender and race/ethnicity among the patients who underwent surgery reflects the community population and frequency of breast cancer development among men versus women. 45.1% of the cases involved malignancy, as determined pre-operatively. Positive margins requiring re-excision constituted 18.2% of cases. In twenty-six patients, two or three SmartClips™ were placed per case for either a bracketed lesion, two separate breast lesions, and/or a breast lesion and lymph node.

Conclusion

Although this study is limited in patient number, it demonstrates safety of this technique and its reliability in guiding the surgeon directly to the lesion(s) of concern.