Interdisciplinary Engineering

In classical mechanics, mass is conventionally treated as a fixed inertial constant whose primary role is to set the natural frequency of an oscillator through the familiar square-root relation 𝜔 = √𝑘/𝑚. This article argues that mass is far more than a passive parameter: it is a potent spectral-geometric control variable capable of steering resonant nonlinear systems through their landscapes of frequency vectors, resonance margins, and the thin-thick chaos divide. Drawing on the unified framework of mass, frequency, resonance, and transport developed in book The Geometry of Resonant Chaos, we demonstrate how small fractional changes in mass produce half-magnitude shifts in frequency, Δ𝜔/𝜔 ≈-1 2 Δ𝑚/𝑚, that differentially reshape the modal spectrum 𝝎. These shifts directly modulate the finite-order resonance margin 𝛿 = min |𝐤|≤𝑁 | 𝐤 ⋅ 𝝎 |, thereby controlling whether low-order coupling terms average away (preserving thin chaos) or accumulate into widening resonant layers, resonance overlap, separatrix leakage, and transport-effective thick chaos in the projected variables that matter for functional coherence.

Wind-PV Hybrid System, Hybrid Energy Storage System (HESS), Adaptive Neural Network (ANN) Control, DC Microgrid, Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs), Mobile Charging Station (MCS) grid-supportive dc machine, offering improved voltage smoothing, inertia response, and ancillary support to weak or heavily loaded grids. Simulation results indicate that the wind-assisted SMPB with adaptive ANN control enhances system stability, reduces transient oscillations, improves renewable energy utilization, and minimizes reliance on the utility grid. This study provides a simulation-based validation of a resilient and efficient solution for future power systems with high AFV integration.

Polymer based composite materials have a great potential for applications in tribology as dry lubricants since the components comprising the composition may be chosen to fit to various tribological requirements. It is however well known that heat transfer and thermal effects are important for such systems. Systematic experimental studies of temperature effects are time consuming and expensive. In this work, we use a numerical homogenization approach in order to study the principal influence of key composite descriptors of fiber and particle reinforced PEEK on the homogenized heat conductivity. It turns out that the sensitivity of this key parameter on the descriptors can be nicely fitted to a regression model and thus allows for interpolation in the sense of a structure-property-relationship.

The present research introduces a proposed, concrete-filled Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) tube Buckling-
Restrained Brace (BRB) as a lightweight and corrosion-resistant alternative to a conventional steel-tube BRB.
This study combined experimental tests and finite element (FE) modeling to investigate the system. Experimental
tests were conducted on two types of BRB specimens: one with a concrete-infilled steel tube and another with a
concrete-infilled Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) tube. The CFRP tube provided global buckling re
straint and exhibited stable, symmetric hysteretic behaviour comparable to that of the steel-tube BRB, though it
failed by CFRP rupture at high compression. A validated FE model was then used to perform a parametric study
of 12 additional specimens with varied modified FRP strip arrangements and materials. The impact of several
factors, including the length of CFRP and Glass Fiber-Reinforced-Polymer (GFRP) strips, the thickness, and the
type of CFRP and GFRP tubes on the hysteretic behavior and BRB performance, was examined. The results
showed that fully FRP wrapping provided the best confinement and delayed concrete cracking (in the FTC2 and
FTG1 specimens). GFRP-tube BRBs had the same hysteretic stability and compressive strength in comparison to
CFRP ones, though this was achieved by the addition of more GFRP layers to counter the reduced elastic
modulus. Altogether, CFRP tube BRB can be experimentally confirmed as an effective alternative to steel-tube
BRBs, and the parametric studies indicate that GFRP-tube BRBs can provide a more cost-effective solution in
case moderate stiffness loss can be tolerated. These results demonstrate the potential of FRP-tube BRBs to reduce
system weight by about 12-16%, enhance corrosion resistance, and support stable structural performance.

In this study, we examine solutions to Optimal Tracking Control (OTC) problems for both Linear Quadratic (LQ) and nonlinear systems. Classical approaches to OTC rely on formulating and solving the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation, which typically requires numerical solutions of the state, co-state, and stationary equations using the forward-backward method. Such methods often involve intricate mathematical analysis and substantial computational effort. To address these challenges, we explored the use of Physics Informed Neural Networks (PINN) as an alternative framework for solving OTC problems. The PINN approach is implemented by constructing a problem-specific loss function that directly incorporates the governing dynamics and control objectives. This method is comparatively simpler and more flexible to implement. The performance of PINNs is evaluated through quantitative error analysis and benchmarked against the classical Runge-Kutta (RK) method. A detailed comparison is presented using tabulated error metrics and time-domain plots of absolute errors. Numerical results demonstrate that PINNs achieve lower approximation errors than Runge-Kutta method for both LQ and nonlinear tracking problems, indicating their effectiveness as a viable alternative solution strategy for OTC problems.

Fault-tolerant monitoring and reliable node identification are essential requirements in modern hierarchical communication systems such as IoT--Fog--Cloud architectures and distributed sensing networks. The fault-tolerant metric dimension provides an effective graph-theoretic framework for resilient localization and monitoring in such systems.

    In this paper, we introduce the \emph{Layered Sequential Join Graph} ($LSJG$), a structured graph construction obtained by joining graph components sequentially so that complete adjacency occurs only between consecutive layers. Unlike classical join constructions, which collapse inter-component distances and destroy hierarchical distance information, the $LSJG$ framework preserves a natural layer-indexed metric structure across the network.

    Using the framework of the \emph{join fault-tolerant metric dimension} (JFTMD), we establish an exact additive decomposition for the fault-tolerant metric dimension of $LSJG$ graphs. Specifically, for $G=\mathcal{L}(G_1,G_2,\dots,G_k),$ where $G_1,G_2,\dots,G_k$ are connected component graphs, we prove that
    \[
    \beta_{FT}(G)=\sum_{i=1}^{k}\beta'_J(G_i),
    \]
    where $\beta'_J(G_i)$ denotes the join fault-tolerant metric dimension of the component graph $G_i$. The obtained decomposition eliminates the correction terms that typically arise in classical join constructions and shows that fault-tolerant monitoring tasks can be performed independently within individual layers.

    Finally, we illustrate the applicability of the proposed framework to hierarchical IoT--Fog--Cloud systems, where scalable and resilient monitor placement can be achieved through independent layer-wise analysis.

Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) has turned out to be a critical organisational strategy for managing environmental sustainability and conforming top employee performance. The purpose of this study is to analyse the relationship between Green HRM practices and employee performance in an emerging economy (Pakistan) while investigating the mediating role of job satisfaction, and the moderating role of industry type. This study has utilised a quantitative research approach to evaluate this interrelationship. The target population of this study includes employees working in different industries that implement GHRM practices. These industries include banking (service industry) and pharmaceutical and FMCG (Manufacturing industry). It ensures diversity in organisation practices and employee roles. The survey was filled by 400 respondents from these diverse industries employees. The data was analysed using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) analysis in SMART PLS. The findings revealed that both green recruitment and green compensation have a positive and significant impact on employee performance, whereas green performance has an insignificant impact on employee performance. Job satisfaction was also indicated to have a significant mediating role in the relationship between green compensation and employee performance and also between green performance and employee performance. Job satisfaction does not mediate the relationship between green recruitment and employee performance. Furthermore, the industry type did not have any moderating impact. The study contributes to understanding GHRM's role in increasing employee performance, elaborating green recruitment and compensation as important drivers. Practically, it helps emerging economies to adopt tailored GHRM strategies, focusing on job satisfaction. Cross-industry findings support policy development for sustainable HR practices regardless of sectors.

A standardized way of comparing the thermal performance of different pipelines in different sizes is needed. Vendor data for vacuum-insulated piping are typically given in heat leak rate per unit length (W/m) for a specific diameter pipeline. An overall k-value for actual field installations (k oafi) is therefore proposed as a more generalized measure for thermal performance comparison and design calculation. The k oafi provides a direct correspondence to the k-values reported for insulation materials and illustrates the large difference between ideal multilayer insulation (MLI) and actual MLI performance. In this experimental research study, a section of insulated piping was tested under cryogenic vacuum conditions, including simulated spacers and bending. Several different insulation systems were tested using a 1-meter-long cylindrical cryostat test apparatus. The simulated spacers tests showed significant degradation in the thermal performance of a given insulation system. An 18-meter-long pipeline test apparatus is now in operation at the Cryogenics Test Laboratory, NASA Kennedy Space Center, for conducting liquid nitrogen thermal performance tests.

We studied the environmental consequences of cereal choice and form of presentation of the diet given to geese reared for foie gras production. A cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment of the production of 1 kg of foie gras was used to examine several feeding strategies for substituting maize by sorghum: during the growingefinishing and/or overfeeding period; in a complete pelleted diet or as whole grains. The data come from in-field management practices on representative French goose farms for the breeding, hatching and slaughtering stages of production, and in vivo experiments for the growingefinishing and overfeeding stages. The impact categories were calculated using the CML2 baseline method. Our data showed that the effects of cereal type on the environmental impact of foie gras were dependent on feed level and stage of inclusion. Birds fed exclusively with sorghum during both the growingefinishing period and the overfeeding period had lower environmental impacts than birds fed with maize, for all the potential impacts calculated (e.g. À17% for global warming potential). A diet presented in a simplified form during the growingefinishing period had no effect on foie gras impacts when the cereal used was maize (difference between groups <7%), but increased them when it was sorghum (from þ16% for water use to þ22% eutrophication and acidification potential), due to higher bird mortality during the overfeeding period. These results suggest that changes in bird feeding practices could contribute to a more environmentally-friendly production system for foie gras if animal performance is note reduced. Hence, substitution of maize by sorghum can lessen the environmental impacts of foie gras production and thus offer a valuable alternative in response to water shortages in southern France, but its use in a simplified form hinges on prior improvement of rearing practices to limit subsequent mortality.

The ongoing energy crisis has triggered a fundamental redefinition of supply routes across the European Union. Subject: This paper analyzes the reshaping of Italy into a Euro-Mediterranean gas hub through the lens of geoeconomic theory. Focus: It investigates the impact of the Italian "Mattei Plan for Africa" on the wider region, with a particular emphasis on the competitive and complementary positioning of the Republic of Croatia and its Krk LNG terminal. Methodology: The research is conducted using a comprehensive review and synthesis of relevant literature, a comparative analysis of infrastructure routes, and a qualitative geoeconomic evaluation.

Distributed generation (DG) sources are becoming more important in electrical networks due to the increase of electrical energy demands. However, DG sources can have a profound effect on network power loss. Hence, optimal placement and size of DGs are extremely important. This study presents an efficient heuristic algorithm based on optimal placement and size of multiple DGs within distribution systems in order to reduce power loss. This algorithm is backtracking search algorithm (BSA). Two main DGs, photovoltaic and synchronous compensator, are integrated in two different radial distribution systems (RDS), IEEE 33-bus system and IEEE 69-bus system. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, the results obtained by BSA are compared with a genetic algorithm (GA) as well as other results in the literature.

Precipitation of magnesium silicate from sodium silicate and MgCl 2 and MgSO 4 solutions was investigated at four different reactant feed rates and two temperatures (25 °C and 50 °C). Sodium silicate solutions were produced from rice hull ash silica. The final product was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis, crystal size distribution, and filtration rate measurements. Physical characteristics of the studied magnesium silicates were determined by the Brauner-Emmett-Teller method and their adsorption capacities were compared to commercial magnesium silicate (Florisil). The adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic. The best fit of the kinetic results was achieved by a pseudo-second-order equation. The equilibrium data were found to be well represented by the Freundlich isotherm equation.

The absorber tubes of solar thermal collectors have enormous influence on the performance of the solar collector systems. In this numerical study, the influence of circumferential uniform and non-uniform solar heat flux distributions on the internal and overall heat transfer coefficients of the absorber tubes of a linear Fresnel solar collector was investigated. A 3D steady-state numerical simulation was implemented based on ANSYS Fluent code version 14. The non-uniform solar heat flux distribution was modelled as a sinusoidal function of the concentrated solar heat flux incident on the circumference of the absorber tube. The k-ε model was employed to simulate the turbulent flow of the heat transfer fluid through the absorber tube. The tube-wall heat conduction and the convective and irradiative heat losses to the surroundings were also considered in the model. The average internal and overall heat transfer coefficients were determined for the sinusoidal circumferential non-uniform heat flux distribution span of 160°, 180°, 200° and 240°, and the 2 360° span of circumferential uniform heat flux for 10 m long absorber tubes of different inner diameters and wall thicknesses with thermal conductivity of 16.27 W/mK between the Reynolds number range of 4 000 and 210 000 based on the inlet temperature. The results showed that the average internal heat transfer coefficients for the 360° span of circumferential uniform heat flux with different concentration ratios on absorber tubes of the same inner diameters, wall thicknesses and thermal conductivity were approximately the same, but the average overall heat transfer coefficient increased with the increase in the concentration ratios of the uniform heat flux incident on the tubes. Also, the average internal heat transfer coefficient for the absorber tube with a 360° span of uniform heat flux was approximately the same as that of the absorber tubes with the sinusoidal circumferential nonuniform heat flux span of 160°, 180°, 200° and 240° for the heat flux of the same concentration ratio, but the average overall heat transfer coefficient for the uniform heat flux case was higher than that of the non-uniform flux distributions. The average axial local internal heat transfer coefficient for the 360° span of uniform heat flux distribution on a 10 m long absorber tube was slightly higher than that of the 160°, 200° and 240° span of nonuniform flux distributions at the Reynolds number of 4 000. The average internal and overall heat transfer coefficients for four absorber tubes of different inner diameters and wall thicknesses and thermal conductivity of 16.27 W/mK with 200° span of circumferential nonuniform flux were found to increase with the decrease in the inner-wall diameter of the absorber tubes. The numerical results showed good agreement with the Nusselt number experimental correlations for fully developed turbulent flow available in the literature.

ABSTRACT Varying diameter ratios associated with smooth concentric tube-in-tube heat exchangers are known to have an effect on their convective heat transfer capabilities. Linear and non-linear regression models exist for determining the heat transfer coefficients, however, these are complex and time consuming, and require much experimental data in order to obtain accurate solutions. A large dataset of experimental measurements on heat exchangers with annular diameter ratios of 0.483, 0.579, 0.593 and 0.712 with respective hydraulic diameters of 17.01 mm, 13.84 mm, 10.88 mm and 7.71 mm was gathered. Mean Nusselt numbers were determined using the modified Wilson plot method, a non-linear regression scheme and the logarithmic mean temperature difference method. These three methods presented disagreements with existing correlations based on local wall temperatures. The local Nusselt numbers were determined using the logarithmic mean temperature difference method. Local wall temperature measurements were made using a novel method which minimized obstructions within the annulus. Friction factors were calculated directly from measured pressure drops across the annuli. Both heated and cooled horizontal annuli in fully turbulent flow with Reynolds numbers based on the hydraulic diameter varying from 10 000 to 45 000 with water as the working medium were investigated.

Microwave detection offers promising solution for remote early-stage breast cancer diagnosis. However, concerns related to the patient's safety and detection accuracy remain as major challenges. This article presents a novel circularly polarized equilateral triangular patch antenna (ETPA) designed for breast cancer detection. Two half-circular structures are integrated symmetrically on the lateral sides of the triangle to shift the resonant frequency of the TM 11 mode closer to the dominant TM 10 mode, enhancing the antenna's fractional bandwidth (FBW). The superposition of the electric fields of these modes produces circularly polarized radiation. An offset feedline method is utilized to broaden the axial ratio bandwidth (ARBW). The proposed antenna, with compact dimensions of 0.71 × 0.71 × 0.03 λ 3 0 at a center frequency (f 0) of 6.0 GHz, demonstrates excellent agreement between the simulation and measurement results. The measured 10-dB FBW, peak gain, and 3-dB axial ratio (AR) are 5.1%, 6.54 dBic, and 4.16%, respectively. The antenna's sensitivity is tested using a modeled symmetrical breast phantom containing tumors of various sizes. Results indicate that the antenna detects tumors as small as 9.0 mm. At a safety distance of 36 mm from the phantom, the specific absorption rate (SAR) is 1.57 W/kg, and the return loss variation (ΔS 11) is 4.8 dB.

This paper presents a novel circularly polarized (CP) slot antenna based on a waveguide cavity resonator for kidney cancer detection applications. The cavity is coupled to the input port via a capacitive iris, ensuring strong coupling and improved impedance matching compared to conventional waveguide slot antennas. An L-shaped radiating slot, formed by two orthogonal linearly polarized (LP) slots, is etched into the broad wall of the cavity to generate CP radiation. The axial ratio bandwidth (ARBW) is enhanced by optimizing the slot dimensions. To validate the predicted results, a 3D-printed prototype was fabricated and tested. The measured 10-dB fractional bandwidth (FBW) is 7.4 % at the center frequency (f 0) f 0 = 10 GHz, while the 3-dB ARBW and peak gain are 7.0 % and 7.5 dBic, respectively. The detection capability of the proposed antenna is evaluated in a modeled measurement system, revealing a calculated sensitivity of 0.175 GHz/RIU at f 0 =10 GHz. Furthermore, the antenna exhibits a resonance frequency shift of 0.21 GHz when tested with renal cancer cells, distinguishing them from normal cells. These findings demonstrate that the proposed antenna effectively distinguishes between normal and cancerous kidney cells, making its potential as a good candidate for kidney cancer detection.

The ESP32 microcontroller and an R307 optical fingerprint sensor were used to create the safe, Internet of Things capable Fingerprint Based Voting System (FBVS). The main drawbacks of conventional voting methods, including voter impersonation, duplicate voting, human counting problems, and a lack of realtime transparency, are addressed by this initiative. A comprehensive end-to-end voting solution with multi-layered security is implemented by the suggested system. Through a two-step fingerprint

Resilience in the light of an energy crisis is the capacity to successfully deal with energy related disruptions while continuing to deliver affordable energy services to society. A resilient energy system can rapidly recover from a shock as it is able to reinvent itself. But what happens if an energy crisis hits us? Which functions and structures will be affected? Shall we protect something in particular? Do we need to consider further aspects concerning the energy system? And how can we address and operationalise these complex considerations? These are the questions to be answered within this paper. By identifying types of energy crises, protective commodities, and framework conditions, a proposal is introduced to systematically deal with this topic. A new approach for assessing the community resilience in case of a fossil energy crisis is originated and presented: the regional energy resilience assessment (RERA).

This paper presents a cross-platform validation methodology for Model Predictive Control (MPC) systems in nuclear applications, using open-source tools. The approach employs a dual framework validation strategy: a commercially validated MATLAB/Simulink implementation serves as the reference benchmark, while an equivalent Python-based implementation is systematically verified. The methodology is demonstrated through a steam generator control case study for a Low Temperature Reactor (LTR), using a simplified lumped parameter model linearized at five operating points. Controller performance was quantitatively compared across 13 transient scenarios using Normalized Root Mean Square Deviation (NRMSD), with all key outputs showing NRMSD < 0.5%. The MPC strategy reduced water level overshoot by 48% and settling time by 62% compared to conventional PID control, while effectively handling constraints and non-minimum phase dynamics. Results confirm that open-source platforms can serve as credible environments for prototyping nuclear grade control algorithms, providing a transparent pathway from design to deployment.

The main purpose of the research described in this paper is to investigate the hydroelastic interactions that take place between oscillating flexible cylinders and fluid forces. The cylinders are subject to currents and shear flow, and the hydrodynamic forces are estimated by a discrete vortex method. The calculations are compared with results obtained using the quasi-steady theory, as proposed by Bearman et al. (Appl. Ocean Res. 6(3) (1984) 166) and employed by Ferrari (Ph.D. Thesis, University of London, UK, 1998). In addition, the calculations are compared with experiments carried out by Fujarra (M.Sc. Thesis, Universidade de S* ao Paulo, 1997) involving a cantilever flexible cylinder immersed in a current. The normalized amplitude curve obtained in the calculations is compared with the experimental results. Visualizations of the wake indicate a hybrid mode of vortex shedding along the span. Employing the terminology suggested by Williamson and Roshko (J. Fluids Struct. 2 (1988) 355), a 2S mode is found in regions of low amplitudes, changing to a 2P mode in regions of larger amplitudes. The position where transition of modes occurs varies with the reduced velocity. A practical case of a vertical marine riser is shown, and the numerical results for various current profiles are discussed.

The main purpose of the research described in this paper is to investigate the hydroelastic interactions that take place between oscillating flexible cylinders and fluid forces. The cylinders are subject to currents and shear flow, and the hydrodynamic forces are estimated by a discrete vortex method. The calculations are compared with results obtained using the quasi-steady theory, as proposed by Bearman et al. (Appl. Ocean Res. 6(3) (1984) 166) and employed by Ferrari (Ph.D. Thesis, University of London, UK, 1998). In addition, the calculations are compared with experiments carried out by Fujarra (M.Sc. Thesis, Universidade de S* ao Paulo, 1997) involving a cantilever flexible cylinder immersed in a current. The normalized amplitude curve obtained in the calculations is compared with the experimental results. Visualizations of the wake indicate a hybrid mode of vortex shedding along the span. Employing the terminology suggested by Williamson and Roshko (J. Fluids Struct. 2 (1988) 355), a 2S mode is found in regions of low amplitudes, changing to a 2P mode in regions of larger amplitudes. The position where transition of modes occurs varies with the reduced velocity. A practical case of a vertical marine riser is shown, and the numerical results for various current profiles are discussed.

In the relatively shielded environments provided by interstellar dense clouds in our Galaxy, infrared astronomical observations have early revealed the presence of low temperature (10-100 K) ice mantles covering tiny grain ''cores" composed of more refractory material. These ices are of specific interest because they constitute an interface between a solid phase under complex evolution triggered by energetic processes and surface reactions, with a rich chemistry taking place in the gas phase. The interstellar ice mantles present in these environments are immersed, in addition to other existing radiations fields, in a flux of cosmic ray particles that can produce new species via radiolysis processes, but first affects their structure, which may change and also induces desorption of molecules and radicals from these grains. Theses cosmic rays are simulated by swift ions in the laboratory for a better understanding of astrophysical processes.

Boiling in microchannels is a very efficient mode of heat transfer since high heat and mass transfer coefficients are achieved. Here, the objective is to provide basic knowledge on the systems of biphasic cooling in mini-and microchannels during hyper-and microgravity. The experimental activities are performed in the frame of the MAP Boiling project founded by ESA. Analysis using inverse methods allows us to estimate local flow boiling heat transfers in the minichannels. To observe the influence of gravity level on the fluid flow and to take data measurements, an experimental setup is designed with two identical channels: one for the visualization and the other one for the data acquisition. These two devices enable us to study the influence of gravity on the temperature and pressure measurements. The two minichannels are modeled as a rectangular rod made up of three materials: a layer of polycarbonate ͑ ϭ 0.2 W m Ϫ1 K Ϫ1 ͒ used as an insulator, a cement rod ͑ ϭ 0.83 W m Ϫ1 K Ϫ1 ͒ instrumented with 21 K-type thermocouples, and in the middle a layer of Inconel® ͑ ϭ 10.8 W m Ϫ1 K Ϫ1 ͒ in which the minichannel is engraved. Pressure and temperature measurements are carried out simultaneously at various levels of the minichannel. Above the channel, we have a set of temperature and pressure gauges and inside the cement rods, five heating wires provide a power of 11 W. The K-type thermocouple sensors enable us to acquire the temperature in various locations (x, y, and z) of the device. With these temperatures and the knowledge of the boundary conditions, we are able to solve the problem using inverse methods and obtain local heat fluxes and local surface temperatures on several locations. The experiments are conducted with HFE-7100 as this fluid has a low boiling temperature at the cabin pressure on Board A300. We applied for each experiment a constant heat flux ͑Qw ϭ 33 kW m Ϫ2 ͒ for the PF52 campaigns (Parabolic Flights). The mass flow rate varies in the range of 1 Ͻ Qm Ͻ 4 g s Ϫ1 and the fluid saturation temperature ͑T sat ͒ is 54°C at P sat ϭ 820 mbars.

Robust and precise finger gesture recognition using surface electromyography (sEMG) is essential for developing intuitive prosthetic control systems. However, sEMG signals are inherently stochastic and non-stationary, posing significant challenges for high-accuracy classification in fine-grained movements. This study proposes an optimized 1D convolutional neural network (1D-CNN) framework for classifying 20 distinct fine-grained finger gestures using raw sEMG data from an 8-channel wearable Myo Armband sensor. Unlike traditional methods that rely on manual feature engineering, the proposed 1D-CNN performs end-to-end learning to automatically extract temporal features. The research specifically investigates the impact of temporal windowing strategies, ranging from 400 to 750 ms, on model performance. Experimental results demonstrate that the optimized 1D-CNN achieves a peak test accuracy of 94.4% with a 550 ms window size, demonstrating the model's robustness across complex gesture classes and significantly outperforming the baseline principal component analysissupport vector machine (PCA-SVM) method which only attained 73.0% accuracy. While the model achieved perfect classification (100%) for index, middle, and little finger movements, a performance drop was observed in thumb recognition (50%) due to muscular crosstalk from deeper anatomical layers. These findings indicate that the integration of optimized windowing and 1D-CNN architectures provides a highly reliable solution for complex large-scale gesture recognition, offering a robust foundation for the next generation of multi-functional prosthetic hands.

Solar cell technology has advanced rapidly in efficiency and material innovation. As a renewable energy source, solar cells help mitigate the global energy crisis. Perovskite-based solar cells have recently achieved efficiencies above 25%, surpassing conventional silicon cells. Among emerging materials, chalcogenide perovskites show great promise due to their superior stability compared to halide perovskites. However, they remain in the exploration stage, making accurate predictions of their electrical properties, especially bandgap, essential for assessing potential in solar cell applications. This study predicts bandgap values using computational methods, emphasizing efficiency and cost reduction compared to experimental approaches. Key features derived from collected data include oxidation state, electronegativity, coordination number, ionic radius, and density. Several machine learning (ML) algorithms: AdaBoost Regressor, gradient boosting regressor, support vector regressor, CatBoost Regressor, and k-neighbor regressor, were implemented using Python. The research process involved data collection, preprocessing (feature scaling, fusion, reduction, and selection), model training and testing with 5-fold cross-validation, and hyperparameter optimization to achieve optimal results. Among the tested models, CatBoost Regressor yielded the best performance, achieving a coefficient of determination (R²) of 69.34%, a mean absolute error (MAE) of 23.1%, and root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 29.49%, demonstrating its effectiveness in predicting chalcogenide perovskite bandgaps.

Abbildung 2-1: Haupteinflussgrößen (HEG) in Pyrolyseprozessen [6] Zu den HEG bei der Pyrolyse in Drehrohrsystemen zählen der Einsatzstoff mit seinen spezifischen physikalischen und chemischen Eigenschaften, das Sauerstoffangebot, die Art der Reaktionsgase, Temperatur-und Druckniveau im Reaktor, die Ausgestaltung des Reaktors (Reaktorverhalten), die Art und Weise der Stoffzufuhr, die Verweilzeiten von Feststoff und Gasen sowie Zusatzstoffe. Einsatzstoffe: Für Drehrohre kommen flüssig-pastöse und stückige Materialien in Frage. Eine wesentliche chemische Eigenschaft aller Einsatzstoffe ist das Vorhandensein kohlenwasserstoffhaltiger Verbindungen (Organik). Diese Verbindungen werden unter Energiezufuhr in niedermolekulare Verbindungen und festen Kohlenstoff aufgespalten. Zu den weiteren chemischen Eigenschaften zählen Spurenkomponenten wie z.B. Chlor, Fluor und Schwermetallverbindungen. In Drehrohrsystemen werden i.d.R. feste und pastöse Einsatzstoffe zugeführt. Für das hier zur Verfügung stehende Pyrolysedrehrohr im Pilotmaßstab werden nur stückige Materialien (Polyethylen, Sand und Brennstoff aus Müll-(BRAM-) Pellets) betrachtet. Die jeweiligen Stoffeigenschaften, die einen Einfluss auf das Verweilzeitverhalten und die Wärmeübertragung haben, wie Partikeldurchmesser, Schüttdichte usw., werden im mathematischen Modell berücksichtigt. Sauerstoffangebot: Die Pyrolyse, im Fachgebiet der thermischen Abfallbehandlung oftmals auch als Thermolyse bezeichnet, findet unter Sauerstoffabschluss statt. Mit dem Einsatzstoff eingebrachter Sauerstoff, z.B. in Form von Feuchte oder in 2 3 4 Länge x [m] 5 Temperatur ϑ [ o C] Standard Solid mit Umsatz, ε Lücke = 0,4 Standard Solid mit Umsatz, ε Lücke = 0,4 Variation Solid mit Umsatz, ε Lücke = 0,8 Variation Solid mit Umsatz, ε Lücke = 0,8 Standard Gas mit Umsatz, ε Lücke = 0,4 Standard Gas mit Umsatz, ε Lücke = 0,4 Variation Gas mit Umsatz, ε Lücke = 0,8 Variation Gas mit Umsatz, ε Lücke = 0,8

This paper concerns the probabilistic modeling of uncertainties in structural dynamics. For real complex structures, the accurate modeling and identification of uncertainties is challenging due to the large number of involved uncertain parameters. In this context, the nonparametric probabilistic approach which consists in modeling globally the uncertainties by replacing the mass, stiffness and damping reduced matrices by random matrices is attractive since it yields a stochastic modeling for which the level of uncertainties is controlled by a small number of dispersion parameters. In its classical version, these random matrices are assumed to be independent. This assumption is valid (and proven) in absence of information concerning the dependence structure of these random matrices. In some situation, such as the presence of geometry uncertainties, this assumption is not valid any more and may yield an overestimation of the output levels of fluctuation. In this context, the present paper presents an extension of the classical nonparametric probabilistic to take into account a dependence between the random mass and stiffness matrices. This new modeling is illustrated on a beam structure for which the diameter presents spatial random fluctuations along the longitudinal direction.

During the latest decade, experiments have been performed at the CERN SPS to investigate the use of high-energy channeled nuclei in bent crystals for extraction, beam splitting and beam bending. An understanding of channeling in a bent crystal with extraction and de¯ection eciencies for dierent energies, crystal types and ions has been developed. Furthermore, the long-standing question of radiation damage has been addressed with encouraging outcome. This makes extrapolations possible for the construction of, e.g., an extraction device for the LHC at CERN, RHIC at Brookhaven or new splitting elements in high-energy beams.We present the main results obtained and discuss existing and future applications of bent crystals in high-energy physics.

A diesel generator was simulated operating with palm oil as fuel and hydrogen doping the inlet air. The objective was to investigate how the addition of hydrogen can accelerate the end of vegetable oil combustion, and consequently improve the electrical efficiency of the generator set up, for the same mass flow rate of fuel. The simulations were performed using AVL BOOST software and validated with experimental data. The generator was simulated operating with 75%, 80% and 100% of the nominal load using palm oil in nature, and hydrogen being injected at the intake manifold in parcels of 5% to a maximum of 20% in energy content by replacing the main fuel. The simulations showed increase in electrical power, reduction in specific fuel consumption, improving the overall efficiency of the generator set with 100% load. Good results were obtained with operation at 75% of the nominal load.

Concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) structures are widely used in practical engineering due to their superior loadbearing capacity. In thin-walled CFST columns, the steel tube walls subjected to axial compression are susceptible to local buckling, which also induces interfacial slipping and debonding between the steel tube and the infilled concrete. In this study, the buckling processes of steel tube walls with varying width-to-thickness ratios (b/t) in CFST specimens under uniaxial in-plane compression were captured using three-dimensional digital image correlation (3D-DIC). Concurrently, internal damage evolution was monitored via acoustic emission (AE) signals. Throughout the buckling process, three damage types were identified: interfacial frictional sliding, steel tube wall deformation, and interfacial tensile debonding. The analysis of wavelet packet decomposition (WPD) was employed for the energy feature extraction from acquired AE signals. Both K-means clustering and K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) algorithms enabled effective classification of AE signal sources associated with these damage types with dominant energy concentrating in frequency band of 20.0-62.5 kHz, 62.5-109.3 kHz, and 93.8-140.6 kHz, respectively. Cumulative AE event curves consistently identify the onset of critical buckling and ultimate load attainment, aligning precisely with the corresponding instability behaviors in the steel tube. This temporal signature can be used as a warning indicator for structural instability in CFSTs by AE monitoring. This work advances understanding of local buckling mechanisms in CFSTs and supports rational determination of their stable strength.

Two smooth surfaces S, S with positive Gaussian curvature and with the same closed hemisphere as spherical image can be mapped onto each other by parallel normals. It is assumed, in addition, that principal directions at every point on S are mapped into principal directions at the image point on 5. Let fci(=l, 2) be the principal curvatures of S, ki the corresponding principal curvatures of 5. Via the spherical image mapping, one may consider the function φ -(kΐ 1 -kϊ 1 )-{k^-kϊ 1 ) as being defined on the unit sphere Σ. We show: If φ does not change sign and appropriate boundary conditions are satisfied, then S differs from S by a translation. Since the spherical image mapping always preserves principal directions, one obtains in particular characterizations of the hemisphere. Further results for ovaloids S, S within this class of mappings: If k x ^ k lf ϊc 2 <z k 2 everywhere, then a translate of S fits inside S; if S and S have the same total mean curvature, then 1 φdω S 0 with equality if and only if S is a translate of S.

The SEIR model is a widely used epidemiological model used to predict the rise in infections. This model has been widely used in different countries to predict the number of Covid-19 cases. But the original SEIR model does not take into account the effect of factors such as lockdowns, vaccines, and re-infections. In India the first wave of Covid started in March 2020 and the second wave in April 2021. In this paper, we modify the SEIR model equations to model the effect of lockdowns and other influencers, and fit the model on data of the daily Covid-19 infections in India using lmfit, a python library for least squares minimization for curve fitting. We modify R0 parameter in the standard SEIR model as a rectangle in order to account for the effect of lockdowns. Our modified SEIR model accurately fits the available data of infections.

Wind turbines exhibit their maximum steady state thrust at rated wind speed, so this is a key region for focusing on improving the loads and energy trade off that are made by the turbine control algorithm design. The standard approach is to use a fine-pitch schedule where the generator torque level is used to determine an appropriate adjustment to the blade pitch angle to reduce the thrust load, at the expense of energy. This paper develops a novel control feature that replaces the fine pitch schedule and makes use of more advanced control techniques. An unscented Kalman filter is employed to estimate the aerodynamic thrust and to determine a pitch angle adjustment. The parameters of the new algorithm are optimized using a surrogate model. The design is verified using a fast model built in python and using the DNV Bladed turbine design tool.

Based on a longitudinal eight-year study (2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014) in a large Italian food co-operative, this paper analysis whether and how the development and the use of sustainability control systems have been able to promote the integration of sustainability within organisational strategy. The cooperative has implemented three main managerial instruments (sustainability reports, sustainability annual plans and participatory social plans), which have been able to promote sustainability integration by inducing technical integration and reinforcing the cognitive enablers. However, strong cognitive (and organisational) barriers have gradually stifled the cognitive enablers and have not enabled sustainability to be fixed into the organisational strategy. As such, the integration process was marginalised, also due to the negative economic performance of the co-operative. The paper shows that sustainability integration remains a fragile concept even in a co-operative, despite the similarities between co-operative values and the principles of corporate social responsibility. Theoretically, the paper offers empirical evidences concerning management control literature for sustainability.

This paper describes the SPOWTT project. The intention of this project was to understand how sailing by crew transfer vessel (CTVs) to offshore wind farms affects the mental and physical wellbeing of individuals on board. The focus was on quantifying this impact, understanding the key drivers, with an aim to ensuring personnel can arrive to the wind turbines in a fit state to work safely and effectively. Impacts looked at subjective state beyond simply vomiting. Key results include the ability now to predict vessel motions from given Metocean conditions and vessel designs. We also discovered that the impact of vessel motions on seasickness is different for different symptoms and is driven not only by vertical z‐axis accelerations but also by certain frequencies of motion in the y‐axis. Frequencies other than 0.16 Hz were found to be impactful, and x‐axis movements appeared to have a longer‐lasting effect on the day&#39;s work. Through the formulation of a new, evidence‐based underst...

Nekarood karst basin (NRKB) is located near the southern coast of the Caspian Sea, in Mazandaranb province, Iran. The recharge potential map of this karst basin was prepared by considering lithology, slope, aspect, density of streams, precipitation, density of fractures, epikarst and karst features using GIS. These factors have been weighted using information obtained from geological maps, satellite images and field investigations. The results show that the values of recharge in NRKB varies from 12
to 45%. Based on this, the total amount of annual recharge in this basin is estimated to be about 243 million cubic meters. To estimate the annual discharge of karst springs in this basin, the hydrograph of all springs has been prepared. Based on the obtained results, the annual discharge of groundwater in the area is estimated about 71 million cubic meters. Due to the fact that there is no important consumer in the NRKB, the discharges of the springs in this basin form the base flow of the river. The evaluation of the annual volume of the base flow of Nekarood River shows that it is in good agreement with the annual discharge of the springs in the area. The water budget studies in NRKB indicate that the recharge volume is significantly higher compared to its discharge. In addition, the investigations show that there are no discharge zones in adjacent areas. Due to the existence of an important fault zone in this karst basin which extends towards the sea, most likely a significant part of the recharge water in this karst basin is discharged into the sea

The Circular Economy (CE) is currently a popular notion within the policy and business advocacy groups. Despite being visionary and provocative in its message, the research on the CE concept is emerging. The two intertwined objectives of the paper are; first to identify, discuss and develop the various definitions provided by the emerging literature. Secondly, to suggest an initial research approach with which research on CE can be conducted. Our analysis shows that the existing CE work is mainly done on the practical and technical levels of the actual physical flows of materials and energy in productionconsumption systems. The focus of the extant literature is on concrete metrics, tools, instruments and computations. Therefore, the basic assumptions concerning the values, societal structures, cultures, underlying world-views and the paradigmatic potential of CE remain largely unexplored. We argue that CE has already become what Gallie (1955) more than six decades ago termed as an "essentially contested concept" (ECC). The paper further suggests a model for CE research that helps in the categorization, classification and organization of research and investigation on CE. The model can help in limiting the observed unbalance and enhance the contribution of the CE approach to a more sustainable global society.

In a recent article of this journal, Robert et al. [Journal of Cleaner Production 10 (2002) 197] define five hierarchical and interdependent levels for a systems approach for strategic sustainable development (SSD) to move toward the desired outcome, the state of sustainability. This paper evaluates the concept of industrial ecology (IE) by considering its application and use in terms of the strategic sustainable development model. The author argues that the applications of the concept of IE can contribute to all five levels in the hierarchical model. However, the paper shows that if IE is used outside the systems model, four risks and difficulties are generated that can lead to suboptimal solutions, problem displacement and problem shifting. Recommendations derived from ecological economics and environmental management are made for ways to proceed with the integration of IE into the broader SSD concepts and approaches.

In this work we analyze the relation between the multiplicative decomposition F = F e F p of the deformation gradient as a product of the elastic and plastic factors ([12, 17, 18, 26]) and the theory of uniform materials ([33, 40, 41]). We prove that postulating such a decomposition is equivalent to having a uniform material model with two configurations -total φ and the inelastic φ 1 . We introduce strain tensors characterizing different types of evolutions of the material and discuss the form of the internal energy and that of the dissipative potential. The evolution equations are obtained for the configurations (φ, φ 1 ) and the material metric g. Finally the dissipative inequality for the materials of this type is presented. It is shown that the conditions of positivity of the internal dissipation terms related to the processes of plastic and metric evolution provide the anisotropic yield criteria.

This research aimed to study the life cycle and duration of each biological stage of the blow fly Calliphora vicina. Adult specimens were collected from various locations in the Erbil province and reared on decaying chicken meat. Each female fly produces between 440 and 620 eggs during her lifetime, laying them in clusters of up to 180 eggs. The larvae feed for three to four days under warm, optimal conditions, with the puparium forming two to three days later. The entire life cycle of this insect is completed in approximately 15 days. Morphologically, the adult fly is robust, dark black-blue in color, about 5-12 mm in length, while the immature stages (1 st , 2 nd , and 3 rd larval instars) are vermiform, creamy-white, and feature a distinct cephaloskeleton and varying body lengths, while the Larva 1: Vermiform, pale yellow, length 1.7-3.4 mm. the slits of posterior spiracles were conducted to gather slightly appeared as one part. Larva 11 Vermiform, Milky white-pale yellow, length 4.7-7.8 mm. and sometimes absent dorsally, the slits of the posterior spiracles were clearly found and separated in to two lines;. Larva III: The mature larva milky white, reaches a length 14-19 mm. Female: resembles the male but differs in that the eyes are holoptic, separated from one another by broad frons. The slits of the posterior spiracles were distinctly observed and divided into three lines. Another part of the study focused on identifying molecular identification by studying the sequences of the CO1 gene nitrogenous bases, which included 425bp, and comparing them with the information available at the National Center for Biotechnology Information. It was identified as Calliphora vicina and registered with strain SM-1 by accession number PP733158.1 in the NCBI database.

first occurred in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Subsequently, the virus spread throughout the world and as of June 2020 the total number of confirmed cases are above 4.7 million with over 315,000 deaths. Machine learning algorithms built on radiography images can be used as a decision support mechanism to aid radiologists to speed up the diagnostic process. The aim of this work is to conduct a critical analysis to investigate the applicability of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for the purpose of COVID-19 detection in chest X-ray images and highlight the issues of using CNN directly on the whole image. To accomplish this task, we use 12-off-the-shelf CNN architectures in transfer learning mode on 3 publicly available chest X-ray databases together with proposing a shallow CNN architecture in which we train it from scratch. Chest X-ray images are fed into CNN models without any preprocessing to replicate researches used chest X-rays in this manner. Then a qualitative investigation performed to inspect the decisions made by CNNs using a technique known as class activation maps (CAM). Using CAMs, one can map the activations contributed to the decision of CNNs back to the original image to visualize the most discriminating region(s) on the input image. We conclude that CNN decisions should not be taken into consideration, despite their high classification accuracy, until clinicians can visually inspect and approve the region(s) of the input image used by CNNs that lead to its prediction.

The Soft X-ray Spectrometer (SXS) is a cryogenic high resolution X-ray spectrometer onboard the X-ray astronomy satellite Astro-H which will be launched in 2014. The detector array is cooled down to 50 mK using an adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (ADR). The cooling chain from the room temperature to the ADR heat-sink is composed of superfluid liquid He, a Joule-Thomson cryocooler, and double-stage Stirling cryocoolers. It is designed to keep 30 of liquid He for more than 5 years in the normal case, and longer than 3 years even if one of the cryocoolers fails. Cryogen-free operation is also possible in the normal case. It is fully redundant from the room temperature to the ADR heat-sink.

The regenerator, typically a microporous structure that is subject to periodic flow of a cryogenic fluid, is the most critical component of Pulse Tube or Stirling cryocoolers, which are widely used for high-demand defense and aerospace applications. Despite the critical impact of hydrodynamic irreversibilities in the regenerator on the overall cycle efficiency, the impact of the parameters that influence these losses are poorly understood. In this investigation, experiments were conducted in which steady and oscillatory flows of helium were imposed on Er 50 Pr 50 rare-earth regenerator filler material and mass flow and pressure drop data were recorded under ambient temperature conditions. A filler material composed of 63-75 lm diameter Er 50 Pr 50 spheres was selected based on current commercially available particle geometries. The flow parameters in the experiments were in the laminar flow range. A computational fluid dynamic (CFD)assisted method was applied for the analysis and interpretation of the experimental data, with sinusoidal time variations of inlet and exit boundary conditions for the periodic flow case. The permeability and inertial coefficients that led to agreement between the experimental data and computational simulations were iteratively obtained. The resulting Darcy permeability and Forchheimer inertial coefficients are reported herein. A constant Darcy permeability value for all steady and periodic flow tests was found to correlate well to experimental data. The Forchheimer inertial coefficients were correlated and found to be functions of the system charge pressure and the pore-based Reynolds number. The results also show that the periodic flow inertial coefficients are different than the steady flow parameters typically used.

Achieving adequate load capacity and ensuring ductile behavior are crucial for reinforced-concrete knee joints to prevent a complete structural collapse if an adjacent member fails. The reinforcement detailing plays a critical role in achieving these factors. In this study, the performance of a knee joint under closing moments was analyzed using innovative truss-shaped reinforcement and simplified mechanical joints, in comparison to traditional reinforcement detailing, through four large-scale specimens. The findings showed that incorporating a truss-shaped reinforcement system with the suggested detailing effectively redistributed stresses in the knee-joint area and decreased stress concentration at the bent-bar zone, thus helping to prevent premature joint failure when compared to conventional specimens. Overall, the proposed system shifted the failure mode towards a highly ductile response. Furthermore, the suggested specimen experienced significant increases in both the yield load and the ultimate load, with the yield-load boost ranging from around 29.5% to 70.5%, and the ultimate-load increase ranging from 20% to 81%. Additionally, the proposed reinforcement system exhibited notably higher displacement capacity, with increases ranging from 88% to 347%. The proposed specimen also showed a considerable enhancement in displacement ductility, with an increase of roughly 160% to 382% relative to traditional specimens. The results matched well with the created analytical models confirming the effectiveness of the proposed load-transfer system.