bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On Trade-Off Relationship between Static and Dynamic Lateral Stabilities of Articulated Heavy Vehicles
Authors: Sharma Tarun , He Yuping
Published: October 2024

Articulated heavy vehicles exhibit poor lateral stability, which may lead to unstable motion modes, e.g., trailer-sway and jackknifing, causing severe accidents. Varying relevant vehicle parameters improves the static stability but degrades the dynamic stability. The past studies focused either on the static or dynamic stability alone. However, little attention has been paid to exploring the trade-off between the static and dynamic stabilities. To gain design insights for active safety systems for AHVs, this article studies this trade-off systematically. To this end, a systematic method is proposed to conduct the linear stability and trade-off analysis. To implement and demonstrate the proposed method, a linear three-degrees-of-freedom yaw-plane model is generated to represent a tractor/semi-trailer. A trade-off analysis is conducted considering two tractor rear-axle configurations and three trailer payload arrangements. In each case, simulation is performed in both steady-state and transient testing maneuvers. To validate the linear stability analysis based on the linear yaw-plane model, two nonlinear TruckSim models are introduced, and the corresponding simulation is conducted. Insightful understanding of the trade-off is gained through analyzing the simulation results, and the linear stability analysis will provide valuable guidelines for the design and development of active safety systems for AHVs.
The Prediction of Radiation-Induced Trismus by the Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Values of Masseter Muscles before Chemoradiotherapy in Locally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinomas
Authors: Pehlivan Umur Anil , Somay Efsun , Yalcin Cigdem , Topkan Erkan
Published: October 2024

Purpose: Although the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value from diffusion-weighted imaging can provide insights into various pathological processes, no studies have examined the relationship between the pre-concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) mean ADC (ADCmean) values of the masseter muscles and radiation-induced trismus (RIT) in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC) patients. Therefore, the current research aimed to investigate the significance of pre-CCRT masseter muscle ADCmean values for predicting the RIT rates in LA-NPC patients treated with definitive CCRT. Materials and Methods: The pre-CCRT ADCmean values of the masseter muscles and the post-CCRT RIT rates were evaluated. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was employed to determine the optimal ADCmean cutoff. The primary objective was to examine the relationship between the pre-CCRT masseter muscle ADCmean values and the post-CCRT RIT rates. Results: Seventy-seven patients were included. The optimal ADCmean cutoff value was 1381.30 × 10−6 mm2/s, which divided the patients into two groups: an ADCmean < 1381.30 × 10−6 mm2/s (n = 49) versus an ADCmean > 1381.30 × 10−6 mm2/s (n = 28). A masseter muscle ADCmean > 1381.30 × 10−6 mm2/s was found to be associated with significantly higher RIT rates than an ADCmean < 1381.30 × 10−6 mm2/s (71.42% vs. 6.12%; p < 0.001). The multivariate analysis results confirmed a pre-CCRT masseter muscle ADCmean > 1381.30 × 10−6 mm2/s as an independent predictor of RIT. Conclusions: Our study presents the first evidence establishing a connection between elevated masseter muscle ADCmean values and higher RIT rates in LA-NPC patients following CCRT. If confirmed with further research, these findings may help to categorize the risk of RIT in these patients.
Characterization of Respiratory Viruses in Patients with Acute Respiratory Infection in the City of Barranquilla during the SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Arrieta-Rangel Leonardo , Bello-Lemus Yesit , Luna-Rodriguez Ibeth , Guerra-Simanca Martha , Bermúdez Valmore , Díaz-Olmos Yirys , Navarro Quiroz Elkin , Pacheco-Lugo Lisandro , Acosta-Hoyos Antonio J.
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) is mainly caused by viral pathogens, with a high prevalence in high-risk populations such as infants and older adults. Coinfections by different viruses are frequent and, in some cases, associated with severe disease outcomes. Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to identify respiratory viruses circulating in Barranquilla during the peaks of the COVID-19 pandemic and estimate the prevalence of viral coinfections in samples from individuals with different degrees of respiratory infection. Methods: We received 5083 samples between epidemiological weeks 33–42 of 2021 submitted by the District Health Laboratory of Barranquilla and four local healthcare institutions during COVID-19 surveillance. Among them, we analyzed 101 samples from individuals presenting with influenza-like illness (ILI). Eighteen respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, were evaluated via qRT-PCR using nasal swabs or nasopharyngeal aspirate samples. Results: Of the 101 study individuals, 56 were male and 45 were female (55.5% and 44.5%, respectively); 25.7% of individuals were infected with at least one of the evaluated viruses. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human rhinovirus (HRV) were the two most frequently detected viruses (30.7% and 15.4% of total positives, respectively). Coinfections with two or more respiratory viruses accounted for 42% of the total positive cases. Discussion: Our findings indicate the presence of different respiratory viruses in swab or nasopharyngeal aspirate samples from individuals with ILI, including coinfections. These results reveal the circulation of several respiratory viruses in the city of Barranquilla, confirming their importance as potential causes of SARI in Colombia and the need for their active surveillance.
Diagnostic Performance of Visionix VX120+ Platform for Dry Eye Screening
Authors: Martínez-Plaza Elena , Barberán-Bernardos Laura , Molina-Martín Ainhoa , Piñero David P.
Published: October 2024

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of diagnosing dry eye disease (DED) by using the Visionix VX120+, to establish reference values for tear meniscus height (TMH) and non-invasive break-up time (NIBUT), and to compare the NIBUT measurements with the fluorescein tear break-up time (FBUT), Methods: fifty-eight subjects (34 dry eye and 24 control) were enrolled. The TMH, first NIBUT, and NIBUT50% were evaluated with the Visionix VX120+, and the FBUT was measured with a slit-lamp. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance, and the Bland–Altman method was performed to analyze the agreement. Results: The areas under the curve were 0.62, 0.60, and 0.70 for the TMH, first NIBUT, and NIBUT50%, respectively. The optimal cut-off values (sensitivity, specificity) were 0.29 (0.62, 0.67), 5.05 (0.85, 0.46), and 7.35 (0.65, 0.79) for the TMH, first NIBUT, and NIBUT50%, respectively. The mean differences (lower, upper limits of agreement) were −1.10 (−8.78, 6.58) and 1.55 (−5.68, 8.78) for the first NIBUT vs. FBUT and the NIBUT50% vs. FBUT, respectively. Conclusions: In conclusion, the NIBUT50% can be a useful tool for dry eye screening, with acceptable values of sensitivity and specificity. First, the NIBUT and NIBUT50% should not be used interchangeably with the FBUT.
Intraoperative Facial Nerve Monitoring during Parotidectomy: The Current Practices and Patterns of the Korean Society of Head and Neck Surgery (KSHNS)
Authors: Ahn Dongbin , Kwak Ji Hye , Kim Geun-Jeon , Kim Heejin , Lee Dong Won , Cho Kwang Jae
Published: October 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the current practices and trends of intraoperative facial nerve (FN) monitoring (IOFNM) during parotidectomy. Methods: A questionnaire containing 33 questions collecting information on the usage, indications, settings, techniques, loss of signal (LOS) management, anesthesiologist cooperation, and perception of usefulness of IOFNM was distributed among 348 members of the Korean Society of Head and Neck Surgery (KSHNS) via a dedicated website. Results: The response rate was approximately 25.6%, and 97% of the respondents reported using IOFNM selectively or routinely during parotidectomy. IOFNM usage decreased as the surgeon’s level of experience increased (p = 0.089), from 100% in those with less than 5 years of experience to 75% in those with 20 or more years. Approximately 95% of respondents reported that the initial event threshold for electromyography activity used was 50–149 μV. Moreover, 52.4% of respondents performed neural mapping of the FN before visual identification. Initial management of LOS in visually intact FNs included checking the IOFNM system (75.3%), confirmation of muscle relaxant dosage (75.3%), and facial twitch identification (58.8%). Further management included proceeding with surgery regardless of persistent LOS (81.2%) and steroid administration sometimes or all of the time (72.9%). Overall, 98.8% of respondents found IOFNM beneficial for safe execution of parotidectomy. Conclusions: The majority of KSHNS surgeons used IOFNM during parotidectomy, although the clinical implementation of the procedure and LOS management varied between practitioners. This could be attributed to the lack of standardized protocols for IOFNM, emphasizing the need for the development of evidence-based consensus guidelines for all institutions.
Blind Separation of Skin Chromophores from Multispectral Dermatological Images
Authors: Zokay Mustapha , Saylani Hicham
Published: October 2024

Background/Objectives: Based on Blind Source Separation and the use of multispectral imaging, the new approach we propose in this paper aims to improve the estimation of the concentrations of the main skin chromophores (melanin, oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin), while considering shading as a fully-fledged source. Methods: In this paper, we demonstrate that the use of the Infra-Red spectral band, in addition to the traditional RGB spectral bands of dermatological images, allows us to model the image provided by each spectral band as a mixture of the concentrations of the three chromophores in addition to that of the shading, which are estimated through four steps using Blind Source Separation. Results: We studied the performance of our new method on a database of real multispectral dermatological images of melanoma by proposing a new quantitative performances measurement criterion based on mutual information. We then validated these performances on a database of multispectral dermatological images that we simulated using our own new protocol. Conclusions: All the results obtained demonstrated the effectiveness of our new approach for estimating the concentrations of the skin chromophores from a multispectral dermatological image, compared to traditional approaches that consist of using only the RGB image by neglecting shading.
Administration of Young Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) Juice Ameliorates Memory Impairment in a Menopausal Rat Model
Authors: Sugiyama Saeko , Matsushita Hiroshi , Minami Akira , Nakao Hatsune , Hata Shota , Matsumoto Ayumi , Takeuchi Hideyuki , Wakatsuki Akihiko
Published: October 2024

Background/Objectives: In Southeast Asia, the traditional use of young coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) juice (YCJ) by women to alleviate postmenopausal symptoms suggests potential estrogenic properties. However, few studies explore the impact of YCJ on pathologies associated with estrogen deficiency in postmenopausal animal models. This study examines the impact of YCJ supplementation on memory impairment and depression-like behavior in ovariectomized (Ovx) rats. Methods: Ten-week-old female rats underwent either a sham operation (Sham) or bilateral Ovx. The rats in the Ovx + YCJ group received 5×-concentrated YCJ by gavage at a dose of 15 mL/kg body weight. Twelve weeks later, the Morris water maze and forced swim tests were used to evaluate hippocampus-dependent spatial memory and depression-like behavior, respectively. Results: The Ovx rats displayed significant memory impairment (p < 0.05) and depression-like behaviors (p < 0.05), while the memory performance in the rats in the Ovx + YCJ group resembled that of the Sham rats. However, the administration of YCJ did not result in the improvement of depression-like behavior. Conclusions: These findings suggest that YCJ consumption may help ameliorate memory impairment in postmenopausal women.
Molecular Signaling Pathways and MicroRNAs in Bone Remodeling: A Narrative Review
Authors: Singh Monica , Singh Puneetpal , Singh Baani , Sharma Kirti , Kumar Nitin , Singh Deepinder , Mastana Sarabjit
Published: October 2024

Bone remodeling is an intricate process executed throughout one’s whole life via the cross-talk of several cellular events, progenitor cells and signaling pathways. It is an imperative mechanism for regaining bone loss, recovering damaged tissue and repairing fractures. To achieve this, molecular signaling pathways play a central role in regulating pathological and causal mechanisms in different diseases. Similarly, microRNAs (miRNAs) have shown promising results in disease management by mediating mRNA targeted gene expression and post-transcriptional gene function. However, the role and relevance of these miRNAs in signaling processes, which regulate the delicate balance between bone formation and bone resorption, are unclear. This review aims to summarize current knowledge of bone remodeling from two perspectives: firstly, we outline the modus operandi of five major molecular signaling pathways, i.e.,the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B (RANK)-osteoprotegrin (OPG) and RANK ligand (RANK-OPG-RANKL), macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), Wnt/β-catenin, Jagged/Notch and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathways in regards to bone cell formation and function; and secondly, the miRNAs that participate in these pathways are introduced. Probing the miRNA-mediated regulation of these pathways may help in preparing the foundation for developing targeted strategies in bone remodeling, repair and regeneration.
The Role of Nutrition in the Nursing Management of Pressure Ulcers in Adult Community Settings: A Systematic Review Protocol
Authors: Cangelosi Giovanni , Morales Palomares Sara , Sguanci Marco , Biondini Federico , Sacchini Francesco , Mancin Stefano , Petrelli Fabio
Published: October 2024

Background: The aging population drives a growing demand for care, particularly in Europe. It is estimated that approximately 1.5–2 million individuals have a chronic wound. Among these, pressure ulcers (PUs) are one of the most prevalent complications in vulnerable individuals. Malnutrition is a primary risk factor, yet it can be mitigated through proper nutrition and adequate community support. The community nurse plays a crucial role in managing chronic conditions and nutrition through constant and professional monitoring. Aim: This article presents a comprehensive systematic review (SR) protocol to examine the role of community nursing of nutritional intervention of frail population with wound care. Methods: A SR will be conducted according to international standards and reported following the PRISMA Guidelines for SRs. The search will be conducted in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Embase, and CINAHL, supplemented by grey literature sources. The methodological quality and risk of bias will be assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) framework. The protocol has been registered in the Open Science Framework (OSF). Conclusions: It is anticipated that the findings of this SR will provide new evidence on the relationships between nutritional nursing interventions and wound care management primarily in the community setting.
NTRK Gene Expression Analysis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Mexican Population
Authors: Escoto-Vasquez Lilibeth Stephania , Portilla-Robertson Javier , Ramírez-Jarquín Josué Orlando , Jacinto-Alemán Luis Fernando , Alonso-Moctezuma Alejandro , Ramírez-Martínez Carla Monserrat , Chanes-Cuevas Osmar Alejandro , Salgado-Chavarria Fabiola
Published: October 2024

Oral cancer holds the sixth position in malignancies worldwide; 90% correspond to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Diverse reports suggest that NTRK genes and their receptors are key oncogenesis regulators to tumor progression in human cancers. Objective: To analyze the NTRK and Trk expression and their association with clinicopathological features of OSCC in Mexican patients’ samples. Material and Methods: We analyzed 95 OSCC cases of pan-trk immunoexpression through a software-assisted method. Gene expression was analyzed by RT-qPCR employing the ΔΔCT method. Kruskal–Wallis and Spearman’s correlation tests were performed. Results: Our mean age was 62.4 (±16.9) years. A total of 37 cases were tumors in the lateral border of the tongue. Age was significantly associated with the anatomical site. 42% (40 of 95) cases were pan-trk positive. A total of 21 cases showed intense immunoexpression predominantly in poorly differentiated OSCC, with a significant correlation between immunoexpression and age and gender. Gene expression showed that poorly differentiated cases exhibited higher NTRK2 expression, while well-differentiated cases demonstrated NTRK3 significantly higher expression. Conclusions: Our results suggest that NTRK family expression is present in OSCC, with differential expression related to differentiation degree. Additional information about their activation or mutational status could reinforce their potential as a possible primary or adjuvant treatment target.
Under-Canopy Drone 3D Surveys for Wild Fruit Hotspot Mapping
Authors: Trybała Paweł , Morelli Luca , Remondino Fabio , Farrand Levi , Couceiro Micael S.
Published: October 2024

Advances in mobile robotics and AI have significantly expanded their application across various domains and challenging conditions. In the past, this has been limited to safe, controlled, and highly structured settings, where simplifying assumptions and conditions allowed for the effective resolution of perception-based tasks. Today, however, robotics and AI are moving into the wild, where human–robot collaboration and robust operation are essential. One of the most demanding scenarios involves deploying autonomous drones in GNSS-denied environments, such as dense forests. Despite the challenges, the potential to exploit natural resources in these settings underscores the importance of developing technologies that can operate in such conditions. In this study, we present a methodology that addresses the unique challenges of natural forest environments by integrating positioning methods, leveraging cameras, LiDARs, GNSS, and vision AI with drone technology for under-canopy wild berry mapping. To ensure practical utility for fruit harvesters, we generate intuitive heat maps of berry locations and provide users with a mobile app that supports interactive map visualization, real-time positioning, and path planning assistance. Our approach, tested in a Scandinavian forest, refines the identification of high-yield wild fruit locations using V-SLAM, demonstrating the feasibility and effectiveness of autonomous drones in these demanding applications.
Enhancing the Performance of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Based Estimation of Rape Chlorophyll Content by Reducing the Impact of Crop Coverage
Authors: Niu Yaxiao , Xu Longfei , Zhang Yanni , Xu Lizhang , Zhu Qingzhen , Wang Aichen , Huang Shenjin , Zhang Liyuan
Published: October 2024

Estimating leaf chlorophyll content (LCC) in a timely manner and accurately is of great significance for the precision management of rape. The spectral index derived from UAV images has been adopted as a non-destructive and efficient way to map LCC. However, soil background impairs the performance of UAV-based LCC estimation, limiting the accuracy and applicability of the LCC estimation model, and this issue remains to be addressed. Thus, this research was conducted to study the influence of soil pixels in UAV RGB images on LCC estimation. UAV campaigns were conducted from overwintering to flowering stages to cover the process of soil background being gradually covered by rapeseed plants. Three planting densities of 11.25, 18.75, and 26.26 g/m2 were chosen to further enrich the different soil background percentage levels, namely, the rape fractional vegetation coverage (FVC) levels. The results showed that, compared to the insignificant difference observed for the ground measured LCC at a certain growth stage, a significant difference was found for most of the spectral indices extracted without soil background removal, indicating the influence of soil background. Removing soil background during the extraction of the spectral index enhanced the LCC estimation accuracy, with the coefficient of determination (R2) increasing from 0.58 to 0.68 and the root mean square error (RMSE) decreasing from 5.19 to 4.49. At the same time, the applicability of the LCC estimation model for different plant densities (FVC levels) was also enhanced. The lower the planting density, the greater the enhancement. R2 increased from 0.53 to 0.70, and the RMSE decreased from 5.30 to 4.81 under a low planting density of 11.25 g/m2. These findings indicate that soil background removal significantly enhances the performance of UAV-based rape LCC estimation, particularly under various FVC conditions.
Evaluation of the Implementation of Project-Based-Learning in Engineering Programs: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Ramírez de Dampierre Marta , Gaya-López Maria Cruz , Lara-Bercial Pedro J.
Published: October 2024

Project-Based Learning (PBL), as an experiential methodology, improves learning outcomes and competencies (technical and non-technical) in engineering students. The Conceive–Design–Implement–Operate (CDIO) approach, adopted globally in engineering education, is based on PBL but expands the curriculum framework. Developed by MIT and the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Sweden, CDIO focuses on the entire life cycle of engineering projects to train engineers so that they are capable of applying knowledge in real-life situations. Integrating CDIO and PBL into engineering curricula requires changes in teaching methodologies, teacher training and workspaces. The literature has explored their combination, highlighting shared values and mutual reinforcements. An assessment model is crucial for implementing PBL and evidencing improvement in student and course skills. Only through assessment and the cycle of continuous improvement will the adoption of PBL in engineering programs be advanced. A systematic review of the literature is proposed to identify effective methods in the evaluation of educational programs based on PBL, analyzing related research areas and evaluations according to the CDIO approach.
Fostering Faithful Praxis: Tracing Educators’ Affective Turning Points in an Australian Islamic Teacher Education Program
Authors: Memon Nadeem , Brifkani Isra , Chown Dylan
Published: October 2024

There has been a rise in Islamic schools in Australia, a trend similarly seen in other Western countries, and yet limited opportunities for teacher preparation on what it means to impart an Islamically grounded education. This study utilises qualitative research methods, specifically portraiture to shed light on the experiences of in-service Islamic school educators, with varied backgrounds and religious affiliations in a cohort of the Graduate Certificate in Education (Islamic Education) program in Australia. This faith-based teacher education program aims to foster “faithful praxis”, and recenter the Divine in teaching and learning. The research focused on analysing transformative affective shifts as reflected in the program’s final portfolios. Portraits of four participants reflect a reconceptualisation of education as a holistic process that aims to nurture the whole student: mind, body, and soul. The portraits also highlight awakening experiences that signify the role of reflexivity and self-reflection of the educator so that educational renewal is of the whole collective in the school community. Implications of this study signify the role of spirituality in teaching and learning and the importance of moving beyond conventional and secular models of teacher education programs.
Enhancing Learning Engagement: A Study on Gamification’s Influence on Motivation and Cognitive Load
Authors: Baah Charles , Govender Irene , Subramaniam Prabhakar Rontala
Published: October 2024

Research has demonstrated that engagement in any learning environment improves learning and may even boost performance. Consequently, numerous scholars have examined various approaches to raising student engagement in learning. Gamification is one such approach because it is thought to increase motivation and reduce cognitive load to ultimately improve learning outcomes. However, some studies have called into question its benefits, prompting more research to be conducted to properly understand the phenomenon. Hence, the study examined gamification’s influence on motivation and cognitive load for enhancing learning engagement. The study was underpinned by the integration of the Attention, Relevance, Confidence, and Satisfaction (ARCS) model, self-determination theory (SDT), and cognitive load theory (CLT) in developing a conceptual framework. A sample of 407 university students who participated in five gamified courses were involved in the study. The data collected through a questionnaire were analyzed using SmartPLS structural equation modeling software. According to the study’s findings, both motivation and cognitive load influence engagement in learning, with cognitive load being the stronger influence. The study contributes to our knowledge by elucidating the relationship between gamification and students’ cognitive load and motivation to learn, as well as how these elements ultimately engage students in the learning process.
Electronic Barriers Behavioral Analysis of a Schottky Diode Structure Featuring Two-Dimensional MoS2
Authors: Martínez-Angeles Wendy Liliana , González-Reynoso Orfil , Carbajal-Arizaga Gregorio Guadalupe , García-Ramírez Mario Alberto
Published: October 2024

This research presents a comprehensive study of a Schottky diode fabricated using a gold wafer and a bilayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) film. Through detailed simulations, we investigated the electric field distribution, potential profile, carrier concentration, and current–voltage characteristics of the device. Our findings confirm the successful formation of a Schottky barrier at the Au/MoS2 interface, characterized by a distinct nonlinear I–V relationship. Comparative analysis revealed that the Au/MoS2 diode significantly outperforms a traditional W/Si structure in terms of rectification performance. The Au/MoS2 diode exhibited a current density of 1.84 × 10−9 A/cm2, substantially lower than the 3.62 × 10−5 A/cm2 in the W/Si diode. Furthermore, the simulated I–V curves of the Au/MoS2 diode closely resembled the ideal diode curve, with a Pearson correlation coefficient of approximately 0.9991, indicating an ideality factor near 1. A key factor contributing to the superior rectification performance of the Au/MoS2 diode is its higher Schottky barrier height of 0.9 eV compared to the 0.67 eV of W/Si. This increased barrier height is evident in the band diagram analysis, which further elucidates the underlying physics of Schottky barrier formation in the Au/MoS2 junction. This research provides insights into the electronic properties of Schottky contacts based on two-dimensional MoS2, particularly the relationship between electronic barriers, system dimensions, and current flow. The demonstration of high-ideality-factor Au/MoS2 diodes contributes to the design and optimization of future electronic and optoelectronic devices based on 2D materials. These findings have implications for advancements in semiconductor technology, potentially enabling the development of smaller, more efficient, and flexible devices.
A Versatile Shared-Aperture Antenna for Vehicle Communications
Authors: Li Mingtang , Su Yihong , Zhang Wenxin , Lin Xianqi
Published: October 2024

This communication introduces a versatile, multi-service, shared-aperture antenna system for multiple vehicle applications. The design comprises three antenna elements: a rotatable microstrip antenna for global positioning system (GPS) communication, a cross-dipole circularly polarized antenna for satellite communication in the S-band, and a pattern reconfigurable antenna for V2V (vehicle-to-vehicle) communication. These antennas collectively support GPS, satellite communication (Satcom), and V2V communication in a single, shared-aperture design. This shared-aperture antenna system offers cost savings and occupies less space compared to using separate antennas for each service. The microstrip antenna covers the 1575 MHz frequency band used for GPS communication. The cross-dipole circularly polarized antenna provides continuous wideband coverage for S-band satellite communication. The pattern reconfigurable antenna, tailored for the specific application scenario, covers the 5.9 GHz V2V working frequency band (5.855–5.925 GHz). Practical testing and simulation results confirm the effectiveness of this antenna system for the intended applications. In summary, the microstrip antenna has a bandwidth of 1.565–1.578 GHz and a realized gain of 7 dBi with radiation efficiency of 81%, the cross-dipole antenna has a bandwidth of 2.2–3.8 GHz (53.3%) and a realized gain of 8.3 dBi with radiation efficiency of 90%, and the pattern reconfigurable antenna has a 5.8–6 GHz bandwidth and a realized gain of 3.7 dBi with radiation efficiency of 85%, and the isolation between antennas with different frequencies is 25 dB, 20 dB, and 30 dB in three frequency bands.
Level of Agreement between Emotions Generated by Artificial Intelligence and Human Evaluation: A Methodological Proposal
Authors: Carrasco Miguel , González-Martín César , Navajas-Torrente Sonia , Dastres Raúl
Published: October 2024

Images are capable of conveying emotions, but emotional experience is highly subjective. Advances in artificial intelligence have enabled the generation of images based on emotional descriptions. However, the level of agreement between the generative images and human emotional responses has not yet been evaluated. In order to address this, 20 artistic landscapes were generated using StyleGAN2-ADA. Four variants evoking positive emotions (contentment and amusement) and negative emotions (fear and sadness) were created for each image, resulting in 80 pictures. An online questionnaire was designed using this material, in which 61 observers classified the generated images. Statistical analyses were performed on the collected data to determine the level of agreement among participants between the observers’ responses and the generated emotions by AI. A generally good level of agreement was found, with better results for negative emotions. However, the study confirms the subjectivity inherent in emotional evaluation.
A Robust Controller Based on Extension Sliding Mode Theory for Brushless DC Motor Drives
Authors: Chao Kuei-Hsiang , Hsieh Chin-Tsung , Chen Xiao-Jian
Published: October 2024

This paper presents the design of a robust speed controller for brushless DC motors (BLDCMs) under field-oriented control (FOC). The proposed robust controller integrates extension theory (ET) and sliding mode theory (SMT) to achieve robustness. First, the speed difference between the speed command and the actual speed of the BLDCM, along with the rate of change of the speed difference, are divided into 20 interval categories. Then, the feedback speed difference and the rate of change of the speed difference are calculated for their extension correlation with each of the 20 interval categories. The interval category with the highest correlation is used to determine the appropriate control gain for the sliding mode speed controller. This gain adjustment tunes the parameters of the sliding surface in the SMT, thereby suppressing the overshoot of the motor’s speed. Because a sliding surface reaching law of the sliding mode controller (SMC) adopts the exponential approach law (EAL), the system’s speed response can quickly follow the speed command in any state and exhibit an excellent load regulation response. The simplicity of this robust control method, which requires minimal training data, facilitates its easy implementation. Finally, the speed control of the BLDCM is simulated using Matlab/Simulink software (2023b version), and the results are compared with those of the SMC using the constant-speed approach law (CSAL). The simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the proposed robust controller exhibits superior speed command tracking and load regulation responses compared to the traditional SMC.
Environment Mapping-Based Classification for Reverse Engineering Using Supervised Learning
Authors: Lim Sukhyun
Published: October 2024

With the widespread adoption of 3D scanners, reverse engineering methods for obtaining CAD drawings from physical objects have become increasingly utilized. When converting point data obtained from a 3D scanner into a mesh structure, a smoothing process is typically applied because the point data often contains a lot of noise. However, this can result in the loss of important high-frequency details, or, in cases where significant high-frequency information remains, there are limitations in representing the object with basic geometric shapes. In this paper, a method to address this issue by using environment mapping and supervised learning techniques is proposed. By mapping the object to an environment and then using supervised learning to analyze the data, it can accurately identify the basic geometric shapes. This approach reduces the working time and allows for easier design of complex surfaces that were previously difficult to model.
Zero-Trust Zero-Communication Defence against Hybrid Cyberattacks in Distributed Energy Resources Using Mean Field Reinforcement Leaning
Authors: Zhou Zejian , Duan Dongliang , Xu Hao
Published: October 2024

As the evolution of smart grids accelerates, distributed energy resources (DERs) emerge as key elements in the transformation of global energy systems. However, the integration of these technologies introduces significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities, notably false data injection (FDI) and a direct load-altering attack (DLAA). Traditional load-altering attacks require a huge attack load and, thus, are not practical to implement. In contrast, in modern DER environments where households become “prosumers” with high-power energy generation, the implications of such attacks are substantially amplified. This paper considers a hybrid cyberattack that includes both FDI and a DLAA, and presents a hierarchical, optimal load adjustment framework that addresses these security concerns. A centralized optimizer first calculates the ideal load-shedding strategies for each substation, which are then securely broadcast to households. To address the complexities at the individual household level, we introduce a novel reinforcement learning algorithm termed Mean Field Deep Deterministic Policy Gradients (MF-DDPG). This algorithm employs mean-field game theory to enable decentrally coordinated decision-making among each household, making it particularly effective in zero-trust scenarios. Through this multifaceted approach, we offer a robust countermeasure against load-altering attacks, thereby enhancing the resilience and stability of advanced smart grids.
A Global Perspective on Renewable Energy Implementation: Commitment Requires Action
Authors: Di Foggia Giacomo , Beccarello Massimo , Jammeh Bakary
Published: October 2024

Meeting renewable energy targets is one of the most significant global challenges to achieving SDG 7—Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. This study focuses on the global energy transition to understand the factors that influence success or failure in achieving targets. First, the gap between the stated targets and our predictions was calculated. Next, the roles of economic, political, and environmental variables in determining this gap were analyzed. Data were collected from 63 countries from 2000 to 2022, ensuring the global representativeness and robustness of the results. Many countries may struggle to meet their renewable energy targets. Political stability, regulatory quality, and investment freedom play a remarkable role in helping countries get closer to achieving their targets. More industrialized countries with large populations face greater challenges due to high energy intensity. This paper aims to predict the propensity of countries to meet their energy targets by integrating the forecasting and analysis of the economic, political, and geographical factors that influence a green transition. The results provide new insights into how socioeconomic and geopolitical differences influence the energy transition, offering insights for more effective policies. It is argued that accelerated administrative procedures are needed to reduce investment uncertainty and improve energy systems’ flexibility. In addition, involving local communities in the decision-making process is important to ensure the acceptance of RE projects. Finally, introducing energy markets that reflect the characteristics of renewable sources is recommended to facilitate a more rapid and sustainable transition.
Generating Payloads of Power Monitoring Systems Compliant with Power Network Protocols Using Generative Adversarial Networks
Authors: Zhang Hao , Liang Ye , Zhang Jun , Wang Jing , Zhang Hao , Xu Tong , Wang Qianshi
Published: October 2024

In the network environment of power systems, payload generation is used to construct data packets, which are used to obtain data for the security management of network assets. Payloads generated by existing methods cannot satisfy the specifications of the protocols in power systems, resulting in low efficiency and information errors. In this paper, a payload generation model, LoadGAN, is proposed by using generative adversarial networks (GANs). Firstly, we find segmentation points to cut payloads into different segment sequences using sliding window schema based on Bayesian optimization. Then, we use different payload segments to train several child generators to generate corresponding parts of a whole payload. Segment sequences generated by these generators are assembled to form a whole new payload that is compliant with the specifications of the original network protocol. Experiments on the Mozi botnet dataset show that LoadGAN achieves precise payload segmentation while maintaining a high payload effectiveness of 85.5%, which is a 40% improvement compared to existing methods.
An Experimental Study of an Autonomous Heat Removal System Based on an Organic Rankine Cycle for an Advanced Nuclear Power Plant
Authors: Tauveron Nicolas , Lhermet Guillaume , Payebien Benoît , Caney Nadia , Morin Franck
Published: October 2024

The present study focuses on the recovery of waste heat in an autonomous safety system designed for advanced nuclear reactors. The system primarily relies on passive safety condensers, which are increasingly integrated into the design of advanced Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs). These condensers are typically immersed in large water tanks that serve as heat sinks and are placed at sufficient heights to ensure natural circulation. Such a heat removal system can operate for an extended period, depending on the size of the tank. This research is driven by the potential to recover part of the energy stored in the boiling water volume, using it as a heat source for an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) system via an immersed heat exchanger. The electricity generated by the ORC engine can be used to power the system components, thereby making it self-sufficient. In particular, a pump replenishes the water tank, ensuring core cooling for a duration no longer limited by the water volume in the tank. An experimental test setup, including a boiling water pool and an ORC engine with an electrical output of approximately several hundred watts, along with an immersed evaporator, was constructed at CEA (Grenoble, France). Several test campaigns were conducted on the experimental test bench, exploring different configurations: two distinct ORC working fluids, cold source temperature variation effects, and relative positioning of the submerged evaporator and heat source within the water tank impact. These tests demonstrated the reliability of the system. The results were also used to validate both the ORC condenser and evaporator models. This article presents this innovative system, which has recently been patented. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, the investigated configuration of an ORC that includes an immersed evaporator is original.
Influence of Blending Ratio on Spray Characteristics of Gasoline–Hydrogenated Catalytic Biodiesel Blended Fuel
Authors: Zhou Yufei , Xie Donghe , Fu Jun , Huang Xueliang
Published: October 2024

Blending gasoline with hydrogenated catalytic biodiesel has the potential to improve combustion problems of gasoline direct-injection compression combustion, and the spray characteristics of the blending fuel can directly affect the combustion effect. In order to understand the spray characteristics of a gasoline–hydrocatalyzed catalytic biodiesel mixture, a numerical spray model of constant volume combustion chamber was established, and the accuracy of the model was verified by experimental data in the literature. Based on this model, the spray penetration, sauter mean diameter, spray velocity field and concentration field of gasoline–hydrocatalyzed catalytic biodiesel at different blending ratios were studied. The results show that under the conditions of 850 K ambient temperature, 5 MPa ambient pressure, and 80 MPa injection pressure, as the proportion of hydrogenated catalytic biodiesel in the blending fuel increases, the spray penetration increases, the sauter mean diameter decreases slightly, and the area of high velocity and high concentration at the spray center increases. The results of this study will contribute to the development of blended fuels for superior combustion performance and reduced pollutant emissions at appropriate blending ratios.
Short-Term Optimal Operation Method for Hydro–Wind–Thermal Systems Considering Wind Power Uncertainty
Authors: Lu Jia , Zhao Jiaqi , Zhang Zheng , Liu Yaxin , Xu Yang , Wang Tao , Yang Yuqi
Published: October 2024

Wind curtailment, caused by wind power uncertainty, has become a prominent issue with the large-scale grid connection of wind power. To fully account for the uncertainty of wind power output, a short-term hydro-wind-thermal operation method based on a wind power confidence interval is proposed. By utilizing the flexible start-stop and efficient ramp-up of cascade hydropower plants to smooth fluctuations in wind power output, a multi-objective optimal scheduling model that minimizes the cost of power generation and maximizes the consumption of clean energy is constructed. To reduce the solution’s complexity, we chunk the model according to the energy type using a hierarchical solution. The overall solution framework, which integrates a nonparametric method, a heuristic algorithm, and an improved particle swarm algorithm, is constructed to solve the model rapidly. The simulation results of a regional power grid show that the proposed method can attain an efficient solution in 83.5 seconds. Furthermore, the proposed method achieves an additional 455,600 kWh of hydropower and a reduction of ¥233,300 in the cost of coal consumption. These findings suggest that the proposed method is a good reference for the short-term operation of a hydro-wind-thermal combination in large-scale wind power access areas.
Numerical Study on Heat Transfer Efficiency and Inter-Layer Stress of Microchannel Heat Sinks with Different Geometries
Authors: Liu Fangqi , Jia Lei , Zhang Jiaxin , Yang Zhendong , Wei Yanni , Zhang Nannan , Lu Zhenlin
Published: October 2024

As electronics become more powerful and compact, laminated microchannel heat sinks (MCHSs) are essential for handling high heat flux. This study aims to optimize the MCHS design for improved heat dissipation and structural strength. An orthogonal experiment was established with the average surface temperature of the heat source as the evaluation metric, and the optimal structure was determined through simulation. Finally, cooling uniformity, fluidity, and performance evaluation criterion (PEC) analyses were carried out on the optimal structure. It was determined that the optimal combination was the triangular cavity microchannel (MCTC), with a microchannel width of 0.5 mm, a microchannel distribution density of 60%, and the presence of surface undulation on the microchannels. The result shows that the optimal structure’s peak inter-layer stress is just 34.8% of its longitudinal tensile strength. Compared to the traditional parallel straight microchannel (MCPS), this structure boasts an 8.6 K decrease in the average surface temperature and a temperature variation along specific paths that is only 9.9% of that in traditional designs. Moreover, the optimal design cuts the velocity loss at the microchannel entrance from 75% to 59%. Thus, this research successfully develops an effective optimization strategy for MCHSs.
Analysis and Optimization of a s-CO2 Cycle Coupled to Solar, Biomass, and Geothermal Energy Technologies
Authors: Anaya-Reyes Orlando , Salgado-Transito Iván , Rodríguez-Alejandro David Aarón , Zaleta-Aguilar Alejandro , Martínez-Pérez Carlos Benito , Cano-Andrade Sergio
Published: October 2024

This paper presents an analysis and optimization of a polygeneration power-production system that integrates a concentrating solar tower, a supercritical CO2 Brayton cycle, a double-flash geothermal Rankine cycle, and an internal combustion engine. The concentrating solar tower is analyzed under the weather conditions of the Mexicali Valley, Mexico, optimizing the incident radiation on the receiver and its size, the tower height, and the number of heliostats and their distribution. The integrated polygeneration system is studied by first and second law analyses, and its optimization is also developed. Results show that the optimal parameters for the solar field are a solar flux of 549.2 kW/m2, a height tower of 73.71 m, an external receiver of 1.86 m height with a 6.91 m diameter, and a total of 1116 heliostats of 6 m × 6 m. For the integrated polygeneration system, the optimal values of the variables considered are 1437 kPa and 351.2 kPa for the separation pressures of both flash chambers, 753 °C for the gasification temperature, 741.1 °C for the inlet temperature to the turbine, 2.5 and 1.503 for the turbine pressure ratios, 0.5964 for the air–biomass equivalence ratio, and 0.5881 for the CO2 mass flow splitting fraction. Finally, for the optimal system, the thermal efficiency is 38.8%, and the exergetic efficiency is 30.9%.