bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Cascaded Learning Framework for Road Profile Estimation Using Multiple Heterogeneous Vehicles
Authors: Chen Zhu , Hajidavalloo Mohammad R. , Li Zhaojian , Zheng Minghui 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Road profile information can be utilized to enhance vehicle control performance, passenger ride comfort, and route planning and optimization. Existing road-profile estimation algorithms are mainly based on one single vehicle, which are usually susceptible to modeling uncertainties and measurement noises. This technical brief proposes a new cascaded learning framework that utilizes multiple heterogeneous vehicles to achieve enhanced estimation. In this framework, each individual vehicle first performs a local estimation via a standard disturbance observer (DOB) while traversing a considered road segment. Then learning filters are designed to dynamically connect the vehicles, and the preliminary estimates from one vehicle are utilized to generate the learning signal for another. For each vehicle, a heterogeneous learning signal is produced and added to its estimation loop for estimating enhancement, through which the estimations are improved over multiple iterations. Extensive numerical studies are carried out to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method with promising results demonstrated.
Tempering Drying and Energy Consumption
Authors: Ben Mustapha N. , Boumnijel I. , Mihoubi D. 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
The aim of this work is to optimize the drying process through the reduction of energy consumption and the improvement of the dried product quality using tempering or intermittent drying. The effectiveness of intermittent drying was evaluated by the determination of the sensible, latent, and total energies necessary to perform the drying process. The obtained results show that tempering drying is more effective than continuous drying. This effectiveness was evaluated by the energy consumption. A reduction of energy consumption varying from 13% to 67% was achieved. The drying time, energy consumption, and product quality were improved when using temporary drying. The decrease of the gradient of moisture content in the material during the period of no heating is considered as the main factor that increases the rate of moisture removal when the heating is resumed.
Aerodynamics of Sweep in a Tandem-Bladed Subsonic Axial Compressor Rotor
Authors: Kumar Amit , John Jerry T. , Chhugani Hitesh , Kumar Akshay , Pradeep A. M. 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
The present numerical investigation aims to understand the effect of the chordwise sweep on the performance of a tandem rotor. In a tandem compressor rotor, diffusion is achieved through two smaller airfoils, which are positioned in a particular fashion to nullify the effect of the boundary layer separation. The forward and aft rotor blades have different blade setting angles from the hub to the tip. Executing a chordwise sweep turns out to be an invalid tandem configuration due to the intersection of the forward and the aft rotor. To overcome this, a certain amount of lean is provided to the aft rotor. Therefore, the configurations selected for the current investigation are blades with a combination of sweep and lean. Two different forward sweep configurations and one backward sweep configuration are investigated. A significant improvement in the stall margin is observed for the forward-swept rotor configuration. However, the stage loading and efficiency of the unswept rotor are found to be higher than the forward-swept rotor case. Forward sweep reduces the tip loading of the forward rotor, which delays the tip stall. Backward sweep appears to be more detrimental in terms of the operating range of the tandem rotor, causing a substantial drop in the stall margin. The performance of the swept and the unswept rotor is compared at the design mass flow and near the stall mass flow rate. The pay-off derived from the chordwise sweep is elucidated with the help of blade loading, tip leakage vortices, blockage, skin friction lines, and various vortex interactions.
Design and Kinematic Analysis of a Novel Deployable Antenna Mechanism for Synthetic Aperture Radar Satellites
Authors: Cao Wen-ao , Cheng Peng 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
This paper presents a novel deployable antenna mechanism for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites. First, the topological structure of the new deployable mechanism is designed based on the five conditions expected to be satisfied. Then, the kinematic model of the new mechanism is fully established based on vector equations and structural symmetry. Third, the deployed/folded ratio and interference of the new mechanism are analyzed. Finally, a typical numerical example is used to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical analysis, and a physical prototype is developed to show the fabrication feasibility of the new deployable mechanism. Compared with the latest counterpart for SAR satellites in the existing literature, the new deployable mechanism of this paper has a simpler driving system, simpler deployment movement, and no prismatic pairs with cold welding problems. With these characteristics, the presented new mechanism has a good application prospect in SAR satellites.
A New Whole-Body Motion Generator and Adaptive Altitude Control for a Quadruped-On-Wheel Robot
Authors: Du Wenqian , Fnadi Mohamed , Benamar Faïz 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
This paper proposes a new whole-body motion generator for a quadruped-on-wheel robot that can cross various rough terrains, especially with a much-altitude difference. The motion generator combines the kinematics model, the wheel-center motion model, the robot centroidal momentum and dynamics models, and a proposed altitude-control model. Then, the whole-body motion references can be achieved by giving the robot centroidal-motion reference, including the centroidal translational motion in the forward and lateral directions in the inertial frame, and the centroidal-height motion with respect to the base frame. Especially, the relative motion depends only on the robot-self property and is independent of the terrain geometry. The robot is simulated to be driven on various tested rough terrains using our new motion generator and our compliant torque controller.
Accuracy of an Apparatus for Measuring Glenoid Baseplate Micromotion in Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty
Authors: Torkan Lawrence F. , Bryant John T. , Bicknell Ryan T. , Ploeg Heidi-Lynn 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is used to treat patients with cuff tear arthropathy. Loosening remains to be one of the principal modes of implant failure and the main complication leading to revision. Excess micromotion contributes to glenoid loosening. This study sought to determine the predictive accuracy of an experimental system designed to assess factors contributing to RSA glenoid baseplate micromotion. A half-fractional factorial experiment was designed to assess 4 factors: central element type (screw versus peg), central element length (13.5 versus 23.5 mm), anterior-posterior peripheral screw type (locking versus nonlocking) and cancellous bone density (10 versus 25 pounds per cubic foot (pcf)). Four linear variable differential transducers (LVDTs) recorded micromotion from a stainless-steel disk surrounding a modified glenosphere. The displacements were used to interpolate micromotion at each peripheral screw position. The mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) was used to determine the predictive accuracy and error range of the system. The MAPE for each condition ranged from 6.8% to 12.9% for an overall MAPE of (9.5 ± 0.9)%. The system had an error range of 2.7 μm to 20.1 μm, which was lower than those reported by prior studies using optical systems. One of the eight conditions had micromotion that exceeded 150 μm. These findings support the use of displacement transducers, specifically LVDTs, as an accurate system for determining RSA baseplate micromotion in rigid polyurethane foam bone surrogates.
Experimental and Computational Investigation for Accelerated Testing and Characterization of Next-Generation Steam Turbine Rotors
Authors: Ayyadevara Narayana Teja , Subramanian Balaji , Meda Naga Suresh 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
A unique set of test protocols is developed to evaluate new materials for high-temperature and pressure applications (&gt;700 °C and 310 bar) in next-generation thermal power plants. These protocols employ accelerated testing processes to provide a realistic estimate of a component’s life under actual field operating conditions. A state-of-the-art experimental facility to characterize turbine rotors for advanced ultra-supercritical conditions was commissioned at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, India. An alloy rotor mounted inside the test chamber is subjected to cyclic thermal and mechanical stresses at elevated temperatures for a predetermined number of thermal cycles to estimate its creep and fatigue life. Cyclic thermal and mechanical loads are applied by sequentially exposing rotors rotating at high speed to transient heating, steady-state soaking, and transient cooling. These transient heating and cooling processes are carefully designed to achieve specific temperature gradients inside the rotor bulk. The rotor is heated in a vacuum by thermal radiation from heater coils. In contrast, rotor cooling is accomplished by circulating relatively cold nitrogen gas through the chamber. Preliminary findings from accelerated tests are reported here. Two computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models were developed to support the transient heating and cooling experiments. Good agreement is observed between CFD simulations and measurements, validating the approach presented. This facility, established under a clean energy research initiative, plays a vital role in reducing the time and cost involved in finding suitable alloy materials, thus advancing the development of ultra-efficient thermal power plants.
Performance Analysis of a Phase Changing Material Based Thermocycler for Nucleic Acid Amplification
Authors: Indulakshmi B. , Prasad Nikhil , Kumar Ranjith S. 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Modeling, simulation, and thermal performance analysis of a thermocycler for the continuous-flow polymerase chain reaction (CF-PCR), with a phase changing material (PCM)-laden annealing flow path, is presented. The incessant threat of microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi has fostered effective, quick, and miniature detection devices in order to curtail the wide-spreading of infections. Microfluidics-based CF-PCR systems are compact and ideal for faster response. The thermal cycling process involves a sequential exposure of a given liquid sample to various temperature conditions when it is taken through the continuous-flow path. As a result, a prescribed periodic change of temperature suitable for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) amplification is achieved. A rapid temperature reduction and maintenance of isothermal conditions to facilitate the annealing phase of CF-PCR process by a PCM-assisted cooling is envisaged in the present study. Unsteady, two-dimensional, incompressible fluid flow, and internal convection heat transfer in a microchannel annealing path with melting of tetracosane (C24H50) boundary has been simulated using semi-implicit method for pressure linked equations-consistent (SIMPLEC) algorithm based finite volume solver. Solver validation is carried out against the experimental data on internal convection heat transfer in a rectangular microchannel. A detailed numerical study has been performed to assess the spatiotemporal heat transfer characteristics of internal convection in the microfluidic path when the flow triggers the melting of encapsulated PCM. A minimum sample flowrate with PCM encapsulation of less than 600 μm is found to be ideal for achieving desired thermal performance. The present study evidences the swift temperature reduction and management of isothermal conditions congenial for the annealing process in the CF-PCR system for various sample flowrates and PCM masses. The study offers valuable design input for the development of a microfluidic thermocycler for CF-PCR applications.
Vibration of Complex Euler–Bernoulli and Timoshenko–Ehrenfest Beams Through Affine GPSFs
Authors: Messina Arcangelo 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Vibrations of thin and thick beams containing internal complexities are analyzed through generalized bases made of global piecewise-smooth functions (GPSFs). Such functional bases allow us to globally analyze multiple domains as if these latter were only one, such that a unified formulation can be used for different mechanical systems. Such bases were initially introduced to model a specific part of stress and displacement components through the thickness of multi-layered plates; subsequent extensions were introduced in the literature to allow the modeling of thin-walled beams and plates. However, in these latter cases, certain analytical difficulties were experienced when inner boundary conditions needed to be englobed into the GPSFs; in this work, such mentioned difficulties are successfully overcome through certain affine transformations which allow the analyses of vibrating complex beam systems through a straightforward analytical procedure. The complex mechanical components under investigation are Euler and/or Timoshenko models containing inner complexities (stepped beams, concentrated mass or stiffness, internal constraints, etc.). The ability of the models herein analyzed is shown through the comparison of the resulting solutions to exact counterparts, if existing, or to finite elements solutions.
Global trends and age-specific incidence and mortality of cervical cancer from 1990 to 2019: an international comparative study based on the Global Burden of Disease
Authors: Yang Meng , Du Juan , Lu Hui , Xiang Feiyan , Mei Hong , Xiao Han 
Published: July 2022

ObjectiveTo describe the trends of incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in different age groups and regions from 1990 to 2019.DesignAn international comparative study based on the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study estimates.ParticipantsData were publicly available and individuals were not involved.MethodsWe collected detailed information on cervical cancer from the GBD study between 1990 and 2019. Average annual percentage changes (AAPCs) of age-standardised incidence and mortality rate (ASIR and ASMR) in cervical cancer, by age group and region, were calculated to quantify the temporal trends.ResultsGlobally, the absolute numbers of incident cases and deaths were increasing, with the most cervical cancer cases and deaths being reported in China, India and Brazil. Although the ASIR and ASMR have declined overall from 1990 to 2019, an increasing or stable trend was also observed in East Asia and Southern sub-Saharan Africa. Particularly, we found that the age-specific AAPC of incidence showed an increasing trend in the age group of 15–49 years globally, and the high Sociodemographic Index region increased the most.ConclusionsCervical cancer remains a concerning disease that affects women all over the world, although the ASIR and ASMR are decreasing. Efforts to control the younger trend and to reduce the disparity between regions are imminent.
Patient and family engagement in infection prevention in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: defining a consensus framework using the Q methodology – NOSO-COVID study protocol
Authors: Clavel Nathalie Camille , Lavoie-Tremblay Mélanie , Biron Alain , Briand Anaick , Paquette Jesseca , Bernard Laurence , Fancott Carol , Pomey Marie-Pascale , Dumez Vincent 
Published: July 2022

IntroductionHealthcare-associated infections are an important patient safety concern, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Infection prevention and control implemented in healthcare settings are largely focused on the practices of healthcare professionals. Patient and family engagement is also recognised as an important patient safety strategy. The extent to which patients and families can be engaged, their specific roles and the strategies that support their engagement in infection prevention remain unclear. The overarching objective of the proposed study is to explore how patients and families can effectively be engaged in infection prevention by developing a consensus framework with key stakeholders.Design and methodsThe proposed study is based on a cross-sectional exploratory study at one of the largest university hospitals in North America (Montreal, Canada). The targeted population is all healthcare professionals, managers and other non-clinical staff members who work on clinical units, and the in-patients and their families. The study is based on Q methodology that takes advantage of both quantitative and qualitative methods to identify the consensus among the various stakeholders. This exploratory Q research approach will provide a structured way to elicit the stakeholders’ perspectives on patient and family engagement in infection prevention.Ethics and disseminationThe research ethics board approved this study. The research team plans to disseminate the findings through different channels of communication targeting healthcare professionals, managers in healthcare settings, and patients and family caregivers. The findings will also be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals in healthcare management and in quality and safety improvement.
Association of immunoglobulin G N-glycosylation with carotid atherosclerotic plaque phenotypes and actual clinical cardiovascular events: a study protocol for a longitudinal prospective cohort study
Authors: Tian Cuihong , Mahara Gehendra , Zhang Hongxia , Tan Xuerui 
Published: July 2022

IntroductionImmune-inflammatory response plays a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. IgG N-glycosylation is reported to be associated with the 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk score and subclinical atherosclerosis. However, the relationship of IgG glycosylation with actual clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and plaque phenotypes has rarely been investigated. Therefore, this study aims to understand whether IgG glycosylation traits are correlated with actual clinical CVD events and plaque phenotypes.Methods and analysisDesigned to verify the efficacy of IgG glycosylation as a risk for CVD events and screen potential biomarkers of CVD to prevent atherosclerosis occurrence, this longitudinal prospective cohort study will be conducted at the First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, China. In total, 2720 participants routinely examined by carotid ultrasound will be divided into different groups according to plaque phenotype characteristics. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography will be performed to separate and detect IgG N-glycans in serum collected at baseline and at the end of the first, second and third years. The primary outcome is the actual clinical CVD composite events, including non-fatal myocardial infarction, death due to coronary heart disease, and fatal or non-fatal stroke.Ethics and disseminationThe Clinical Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College approved this study (number: B-2021-127). Findings of this study will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberChiCTR2100048740.
Women’s understanding and experiences of menopause in low-income and middle-income countries in the Asia Pacific region: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Cheer Karen , Harrington Relmah Baritama , Esau Dorothy , Foroasi Emmy , Redman-MacLaren Michelle 
Published: July 2022

IntroductionMenopause denotes the end of a woman’s reproductive life. A woman’s experiences of menopause are shaped by her individual circumstances and may vary between social and cultural contexts. Evidence is needed to inform research and programme delivery that supports women’s health and well-being throughout the menopausal transition. This scoping review will map evidence of women’s experiences of menopause in Asia Pacific countries, where limited research exists.Methods and analysisWe will follow the five-stage framework of Arksey and O’Malley, further developed by Levac et al and the Joanna Briggs Institute. MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Scopus databases will be systematically searched between February 2022 and May 2022 using subject headings and keywords. The title–abstract and full text of retrieved studies will be assessed against eligibility criteria. The review will focus on studies with a qualitative research component. Citation searching of selected articles will supplement database searching. Data will be extracted, charted, synthesised and summarised. Findings will be presented in narrative format and implications for research and practice reported.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval is not required for this scoping review of selected studies from peer-reviewed journals. Ethical approval has been granted from relevant ethics committees for community consultation. Findings will be shared in peer-reviewed publications, presented at conferences and disseminated with communities, health workers and researchers.
Longitudinal retinal imaging study of newly diagnosed relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in Scottish population: baseline and 12 months follow-up profile of FutureMS retinal imaging cohort
Authors: Chen Yingdi , Larraz Juan , Wong Michael , Kearns Patrick , Brown Fraser , Martin Sarah-Jane , Connick Peter , MacDougall Niall , Weaver Christine , Dhillon Baljean , Chandran Siddharthan 
Published: July 2022

ObjectiveMultiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory degenerative condition of central nervous system. The disease course and presentation of MS is highly heterogeneous. Advanced retinal imaging techniques such as optic coherence tomography (OCT) can capture abnormalities of anterior visual pathway with high resolution, which may contribute greater insights into the pathophysiology of MS.MethodsPeople with newly diagnosed relapsing-remitting MS were recruited for FutureMS retinal imaging study from two study centres in Scotland. The baseline visit was completed within 6 months of diagnosis with initial follow-up 12 months after the baseline visit. The assessments included in FutureMS retinal imaging study were visual acuity test, self-reported eye questionnaire and OCT scan.ResultsA total of 196 FutureMS participants completed the retinal imaging study of FutureMS with 185 participants at M0 and 155 at M12. A total of 144 participants completed both M0 and M12 visits. At the whole cohort level, the distribution of retinal measures is generally consistent between baseline and follow-up.ConclusionThe FutureMS retinal imaging study aims to demonstrate that patient with MS present with different extent of retinal abnormalities that can be captured by retinal imaging modalities such as OCT soon after diagnosis. These changes may sensitively mirror the brain atrophy or serve as predictors for disease activity. By developing sensitive, quantifiable and objective retinal biomarkers, FutureMS retinal imaging study will provide an opportunity to stratify patient with MS at an early stage and support future therapeutic strategies for a better outcome.