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Appl. Sci., Volume 11, Issue 2 (January-2 2021) – 425 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): Low-frequency modes at terahertz (THz) frequencies have been appointed as critical for protein conformational processes. Modal analysis is applied to the hen egg-white lysozyme structure to obtain the characteristic dynamic features of the protein. All-atom and coarse-grained representations, based on the residues' center of mass, are taken and the results are compared with the experimental B-factors, allowing the assessment of the regional flexibility, conventionally associated with the biological function. Further, we have an in-depth look at the frequency spectrum distribution and the limitations of this technique, especially concerning the cutoff radius. View this paper.
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16 pages, 846 KiB  
Article
The Moderating Role of IT in Process of Shaping Organizational Performance by Dynamic Capabilities of Controlling
by Agnieszka Bieńkowska and Katarzyna Tworek
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 889; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020889 - 19 Jan 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3261
Abstract
IT solutions have a significant role in supporting controlling processes, as well as in shaping the performance of organization as a whole. The aim of this article is to examine the impact of controlling dynamic capabilities on organizational performance through quality of controlling [...] Read more.
IT solutions have a significant role in supporting controlling processes, as well as in shaping the performance of organization as a whole. The aim of this article is to examine the impact of controlling dynamic capabilities on organizational performance through quality of controlling and verify the role of IT support for the obtainment of benefits for the organization as a whole. The empirical verification of hypotheses was done on the sample of 229 organizations functioning in Poland. The presented results of empirical research allowed for the construction of a model demonstrating the impact of dynamic capabilities of controlling on organizational performance through quality of controlling. Next, it was concluded that IT dynamic capabilities as well as IT reliability moderates the influence of dynamic capabilities of controlling on organizational performance. Methods of statistical description and estimation were used for the empirical research (based on the questionnaire as a main tool of data gathering), esp. multiple linear regression analysis with mediator and moderators was performed using SPSS Macro Process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering)
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17 pages, 14513 KiB  
Article
Effect of Dry–Wet Cycle Periods on Properties of Concrete under Sulfate Attack
by Jin-Jun Guo, Peng-Qiang Liu, Cun-Liang Wu and Kun Wang
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 888; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020888 - 19 Jan 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3777
Abstract
Dry–wet cycle conditions have significant effects on the corrosion of concrete under sulfate attack. However, previous studies have only applied them as a method for accelerating sulfate attack and not systematically studied them as an object. In order to explore the impact of [...] Read more.
Dry–wet cycle conditions have significant effects on the corrosion of concrete under sulfate attack. However, previous studies have only applied them as a method for accelerating sulfate attack and not systematically studied them as an object. In order to explore the impact of sulfate attack with different dry–wet cycle periods on concrete, in this study, four dry–wet cycle periods (3, 7, 14, and 21 days) were selected. The flexure strength, relative dynamic modulus, and mass were tested, and the microstructures of the eroded specimens were also analyzed. The intensity and depth of sulfate erosion were influenced by the wet–dry cycle period. The results show that the deterioration of concrete first increased and then decreased with an extension of the dry–wet cycle period. Microstructural analysis indicated that, with an increase in the dry–wet cycle period, the corrosion depth of sulfate attack increased. Moreover, the erosion products such as ettringite and gypsum were greatly increased, in agreement with the macroscopic variations. However, excessively prolonging the dry–wet periods does not significantly further the deterioration of concrete’s performance. Therefore, considering the strength and depth of corrosion caused by sulfate attack, it would be appropriate to employ dry–wet cycle periods of 7–14 days under natural dry conditions in studies on concrete. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Building Materials and Concrete)
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17 pages, 4295 KiB  
Article
An Unbalance Optimization Method for a Multi-Stage Rotor Based on an Assembly Error Propagation Model
by Yue Chen, Jiwen Cui and Xun Sun
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 887; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020887 - 19 Jan 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3171
Abstract
For the assembly of a multi-stage rotor, such as an aero-engine or gas turbine, the parts need to be assembled optimally to avoid excessive unbalance. We propose a method to optimize the unbalance of a multi-stage rotor during assembly. First, we developed an [...] Read more.
For the assembly of a multi-stage rotor, such as an aero-engine or gas turbine, the parts need to be assembled optimally to avoid excessive unbalance. We propose a method to optimize the unbalance of a multi-stage rotor during assembly. First, we developed an assembly error propagation model for a multi-stage rotor. The alignment process and distribution of the screw holes of the adjacent rotors was considered for the first time. Secondly, we propose a new assembly datum for unbalance optimization to ensure consistency with the actual conditions of a dynamic balance test. Finally, the unbalance optimization of a multi-stage rotor was achieved using a genetic algorithm, and the corresponding optimal assembly orientations of rotors at different stages were also identified. The results of the simulations showed that the assembly error propagation model had high accuracy and that the genetic optimization process had good convergence. The effect of unbalance optimization was also proven with experiments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Tolerance Analysis in the Era of Industry 4.0)
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19 pages, 698 KiB  
Article
Static Response of Double-Layered Pipes via a Perturbation Approach
by Daniele Zulli, Arnaldo Casalotti and Angelo Luongo
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 886; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020886 - 19 Jan 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2012
Abstract
A double-layered pipe under the effect of static transverse loads is considered here. The mechanical model, taken from the literature and constituted by a nonlinear beam-like structure, is constituted by an underlying Timoshenko beam, enriched with further kinematic descriptors which account for local [...] Read more.
A double-layered pipe under the effect of static transverse loads is considered here. The mechanical model, taken from the literature and constituted by a nonlinear beam-like structure, is constituted by an underlying Timoshenko beam, enriched with further kinematic descriptors which account for local effects, namely, ovalization of the cross-section, warping and possible relative sliding of the layers under bending. The nonlinear equilibrium equations are addressed via a perturbation method, with the aim of obtaining a closed-form solution. The perturbation scheme, tailored for the specific load conditions, requires different scaling of the variables and proceeds up to the fourth order. For two load cases, namely, distributed and tip forces, the solution is compared to that obtained via a pure numeric approach and the finite element method. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Homogenization Methods in Materials and Structures)
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22 pages, 7636 KiB  
Article
Energy Management Optimization of a Dual Motor Lithium Ion Capacitors-Based Hybrid Super Sport Car
by Alessandro Franceschi, Nicolò Cavina, Riccardo Parenti, Maurizio Reggiani and Enrico Corti
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 885; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020885 - 19 Jan 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3179
Abstract
Nowadays, hybrid electric vehicles represent one of the main solutions for the reduction of greenhouse gases in the automotive sector. Alongside the reduction of CO2, hybrid electric vehicles serve as a strong alternative on drivability and performance to conventional internal combustion [...] Read more.
Nowadays, hybrid electric vehicles represent one of the main solutions for the reduction of greenhouse gases in the automotive sector. Alongside the reduction of CO2, hybrid electric vehicles serve as a strong alternative on drivability and performance to conventional internal combustion engine-based vehicles. Vehicles exist with various missions; super sport cars usually aim to reach peak performance and to guarantee a great driving experience to the driver, but great attention must also be paid to fuel consumption. According to the vehicle mission, hybrid electric vehicles can differ in the powertrain configuration and the choice of the energy storage system. Manufacturers have recently started to work on Lithium-Ion Capacitors (LiC) -based hybrid vehicles. This paper discusses the usage of a control-oriented vehicle and powertrain model to analyze the performance of a dual motor LiC-based hybrid V12 vehicle by Automobili Lamborghini. P3–P4 and P2–P4 parallel hybrid configurations have been selected and compared since they allow to fully exploit the potential of the LiC storage system characterized by high power. The validated model has been used to develop control strategies aimed at fuel economy and CO2 reduction, and in particular, both Rule Based Strategies (RBS) and Equivalent Consumption Minimization Strategies (ECMS) are presented in the paper. A critical comparison between the various powertrain configurations is carried out, keeping into account the peculiarities of the LiC technology and evaluating the performance of the different control approaches. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimal Design and Control of Thermal Hybrid Powertrains)
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10 pages, 602 KiB  
Review
Wheat Germ Agglutinin—From Toxicity to Biomedical Applications
by Gabrielė Balčiūnaitė-Murzienė and Mindaugas Dzikaras
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 884; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020884 - 19 Jan 2021
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 7056
Abstract
Wheat germ agglutinin is a hevein class N-Acetylglucosamine–binding protein with specific toxicity and biomedical potential. It is extractable from wheat germ—a low-value byproduct of the wheat industry—using well–established extraction methods based on salt precipitation and affinity chromatography. Due to its N-Acetylglucosamine [...] Read more.
Wheat germ agglutinin is a hevein class N-Acetylglucosamine–binding protein with specific toxicity and biomedical potential. It is extractable from wheat germ—a low-value byproduct of the wheat industry—using well–established extraction methods based on salt precipitation and affinity chromatography. Due to its N-Acetylglucosamine affinity, wheat germ agglutinin exhibits antifungal properties as well as cytotoxic properties. Its anticancer properties have been demonstrated for various cancer cells, and toxicity mechanisms are well described. Wheat germ agglutinin has been demonstrated as a viable solution for various biomedical and therapeutic applications, such as chemotherapy, targeted drug delivery, antibiotic-resistant bacteria monitoring and elimination. This is performed mostly in conjunction with nanoparticles, liposomes, and other carrier mechanisms via surface functionalization. Combined with abundant wheat byproduct sources, wheat germ agglutinin has the potential to improve the biomedical field considerably. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Food, Bioproducts and Natural Byproducts for a Sustainable Future: From Conventional to Innovative Processes)
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14 pages, 13597 KiB  
Article
Detection of Movement Intention for Operating Methods of Serious Games
by Jung-Hyun Park, Ho-Sang Moon, Hyunggun Kim and Sung-Taek Chung
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 883; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020883 - 19 Jan 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2960
Abstract
In many post-stroke cases, patients show dysfunctions in movement, cognition, sense, and language, depending on the damaged area of the brain. Active and repetitive physical rehabilitation centered on the stroke-affected side is essential for effective and rapid neurological recovery of upper extremity dysfunction [...] Read more.
In many post-stroke cases, patients show dysfunctions in movement, cognition, sense, and language, depending on the damaged area of the brain. Active and repetitive physical rehabilitation centered on the stroke-affected side is essential for effective and rapid neurological recovery of upper extremity dysfunction due to hemiplegia. A symmetric upper extremity trainer is utilized to assist the patient body, depending upon the degree of hemiplegia. In this study, we developed a novel balance handle as a symmetric upper extremity trainer capable of extension, flexion, pronation, and supination of the upper extremity. We collected the surface electromyogram (sEMG) signal data while the subjects were playing a serious game and recorded the electroencephalogram (EEG) signal data while the subjects were performing basic movements with the balance handle, to analyze the effectiveness of the device as an assistive tool for rehabilitation. The triceps brachii were activated during the extension movements, whereas the biceps brachii and deltoid muscles were activated during the flexion movements. With the balance handle, the peak event-related desynchronization (ERD) values were relatively lower while showing higher peak event-related synchronization (ERS) values compared to other types of operating methods, such as hand gripping and gamepad operation. Movement intention of tilting the balance handle for the α and β waves was clearly distinguished from the other tasks. These data demonstrated the potential of various applications using the developed proof-of-concept upper extremity trainer to bring out an excellent rehabilitative effect not only through muscle growth but also via identification of large movement intentions inducing brain activation exercise. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotechnology and Sports Engineering)
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12 pages, 3860 KiB  
Article
Fabrication and Optical Characterization of Polymeric Aspherical Microlens Array Using Hot Embossing Technology
by Yanlong Li, Kangsen Li and Feng Gong
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 882; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020882 - 19 Jan 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4660
Abstract
Hot embossing has been widely used in fabricating microlens arrays because of its low cost, high efficiency, and high quality. The process parameters such as molding temperature, molding pressure, and holding temperature affect the microlens array’s replication quality. This work selected the stainless [...] Read more.
Hot embossing has been widely used in fabricating microlens arrays because of its low cost, high efficiency, and high quality. The process parameters such as molding temperature, molding pressure, and holding temperature affect the microlens array’s replication quality. This work selected the stainless steel S136H tool steel as the mold material to process an aspheric microlens array structure through ultra-precision milling. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microlens arrays with different surface replication were prepared by controlling the molding temperature, molding pressure, and holding temperature. By analyzing the surface quality, contour replication, and optical imaging of hot-embossed samples, the optimal molding temperature of PMMA for optimal replication of aspheric lens arrays was determined as 130 °C. Besides, the internal elastic recovery of PMMA affected the dimensional accuracy and optical performance of the lens. The results showed that, at the molding pressure of 400 N and the holding temperature of 60 °C, the surface defects were eliminated, and the aspheric lens array had perfect replication with a profile deviation of only 4 μm. The aspheric microlens array with good quality was eventually achieved by these optimal process parameters, which provides a foundation for producing aspheric microlens arrays in a low-cost and high-efficiency way. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Optical Design and Engineering)
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14 pages, 3572 KiB  
Article
A Theoretical Method for Designing Thin Wobble Motor Using an Electromagnetic Force and an Electropermanent Magnet for Application in Portable Electric Equipment
by Sang Yong Park, Buchun Song and Yoon Su Baek
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 881; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020881 - 19 Jan 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3028
Abstract
The thin wobble motors that are required to hold rating shafts employ an electropermanent magnet. This turns the holding force on and off by applying a momentary electrical pulse. To design the magnet devices without the need for finite element analyses, a theoretical [...] Read more.
The thin wobble motors that are required to hold rating shafts employ an electropermanent magnet. This turns the holding force on and off by applying a momentary electrical pulse. To design the magnet devices without the need for finite element analyses, a theoretical force model is necessary for predicting the attractive force. In this paper, first, a force model is derived by estimating the permeance around the air gap. A magnetic circuit is constructed, employing a relatively simple method to build the model in clouding leakage flux. Thus, the basic structure and driving principle are also presented. Next, an analytical force model is constructed on the basis of distribution parameter analysis between the stator and the rotating shaft. The design of the electromagnet core and the control method are presented. Finally, a prototype model of the motor that is 30 mm in diameter and 7 mm in thick is fabricated. The two models are verified by comparing the results of FEM with the results of the experiments. They can properly predict the attractive force, so the thin wobble motor with holding force can be applied in portable electric equipment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modelling and Control of Mechatronic and Robotic Systems, Volume II)
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14 pages, 2826 KiB  
Article
Valence and Arousal-Infused Bi-Directional LSTM for Sentiment Analysis of Government Social Media Management
by Yu-Ya Cheng, Yan-Ming Chen, Wen-Chao Yeh and Yung-Chun Chang
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 880; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020880 - 19 Jan 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4345
Abstract
Private entrepreneurs and government organizations widely adopt Facebook fan pages as an online social platform to communicate with the public. Posting on the platform to attract people’s comments and shares is an effective way to increase public engagement. Moreover, the comment functions allow [...] Read more.
Private entrepreneurs and government organizations widely adopt Facebook fan pages as an online social platform to communicate with the public. Posting on the platform to attract people’s comments and shares is an effective way to increase public engagement. Moreover, the comment functions allow users who have read the posts to express their thoughts. Hence, it also enables us to understand the users’ emotional feelings regarding that post by analyzing the comments. The goal of this study is to investigate the public image of organizations by exploring the content on fan pages. In order to efficiently analyze the enormous amount of public opinion data generated from social media, we propose a Bi-directional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM) that can model detailed sentiment information hidden in those words. It first forecasts the sentiment information in terms of Valence and Arousal (VA) values of the smallest unit in a text, and later fuses this into a deep learning model to further analyze the sentiment of the whole text. Experiments show that our model can achieve state-of-the-art performance in terms of predicting the VA values of words. Additionally, combining VA with a BiLSTM model results in a boost of the performance for social media text sentiment analysis. Our method can assist governments or other organizations to improve their effectiveness in social media operations through the understanding of public opinions on related issues. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sentiment Analysis for Social Media Ⅱ)
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15 pages, 4529 KiB  
Article
Reveal of Internal, Early-Load Interfacial Debonding on Cement Textile-Reinforced Sandwich Insulated Panels
by Eleni Tsangouri, Hasan Ismail, Matthias De Munck, Dimitrios G. Aggelis and Tine Tysmans
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 879; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020879 - 19 Jan 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3159
Abstract
Internal interfacial debonding (IID) phenomena on sandwich façade insulated panels are detected and tracked by acoustic emission (AE). The panels are made of a thin and lightweight cementitious composite skin. In the lab, the panels are tested under incremental bending simulating service loads [...] Read more.
Internal interfacial debonding (IID) phenomena on sandwich façade insulated panels are detected and tracked by acoustic emission (AE). The panels are made of a thin and lightweight cementitious composite skin. In the lab, the panels are tested under incremental bending simulating service loads (i.e., wind). Local (up to 150 mm wide) skin-core detachments are reported in the early loading stage (at 5% of ultimate load) and are extensively investigated in this study, since IID can detrimentally affect the long-term durability of the structural element. A sudden rise in the AE hits rate and a shift in the wave features (i.e., absolute energy, amplitude, rise time) trends indicate the debonding onset. AE source localization, validated by digital image correlation (DIC) principal strains and out-of-plane full-field displacement mapping, proves that early debonding occurs instantly and leads to the onset of cracks in the cementitious skin. At higher load levels, cracking is accompanied by local debonding phenomena, as proven by RA value increases and average frequency drops, a result that extends the state-of-the-art in the fracture assessment of concrete structures (Rilem Technical Committee 212-ACD). Point (LVDT) and full-field (AE/DIC) measurements highlight the need for a continuous and full-field monitoring methodology in order to pinpoint the debonded zones, with the DIC technique accurately reporting surface phenomena while AE offers in-volume damage tracking. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advance of Acoustic Emission and Microseismic Monitoring Technologies in Civil Engineering)
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15 pages, 6221 KiB  
Article
Experimental Research on Foil Vibrations in a Gas Foil Bearing Carried Out Using an Ultra-High-Speed Camera
by Łukasz Breńkacz, Paweł Bagiński and Grzegorz Żywica
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 878; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020878 - 19 Jan 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2860
Abstract
The foil bearing consists of parts made of very thin, properly shaped foils. Usually, it is very difficult or even impossible to measure the vibrations of these elements during the bearing operation using traditional sensors. Therefore, the authors of this article have proposed [...] Read more.
The foil bearing consists of parts made of very thin, properly shaped foils. Usually, it is very difficult or even impossible to measure the vibrations of these elements during the bearing operation using traditional sensors. Therefore, the authors of this article have proposed an entirely new approach to this issue. This article discusses the analysis of vibrations of the structural supporting layer of a gas foil bearing at high rotational speeds. Instead of using a traditional method to measure the bearing journal movement, the measurement was performed using an ultra-high-speed digital camera. This type of measurement was used for the first time to analyse foil bearing displacement. It turned out that doing so can give a far more vibrant picture of what is happening in gas foil bearings during their operation. The article includes an analysis of foil vibrations. This phenomenon has already been analysed numerically, and this is the first time it has been analysed experimentally. The registered motion of the foils can be compared with the results obtained from numerical models, thus allowing their further development. One such comparison is shown in this article. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Mechanical Engineering)
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16 pages, 5178 KiB  
Article
Design and Calibration of a Tri-Directional Contact Force Measurement System
by Rizwan Ahmed, Christian Maria Firrone and Stefano Zucca
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 877; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020877 - 19 Jan 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3890
Abstract
In low pressure turbine stages, adjacent blades are coupled to each other at their tip by covers, called shrouds. Three-dimensional periodic contact forces at shrouds strongly affect the blade vibration level as energy is dissipated by friction. To validate contact models developed for [...] Read more.
In low pressure turbine stages, adjacent blades are coupled to each other at their tip by covers, called shrouds. Three-dimensional periodic contact forces at shrouds strongly affect the blade vibration level as energy is dissipated by friction. To validate contact models developed for the prediction of nonlinear forced response of shrouded blades, direct contact force measurement during dynamic tests is mandatory. In case of shrouded blades, the existing unidirectional and bi-directional contact force measurement methods need to be improved and extended to a tri-directional measurement of shroud contact forces for a comprehensive and more reliable validation of the shroud contact models. This demands an accurate and robust measurement solution that is compatible with the nature and orientation of the contact forces at blade shrouds. This study presents a cost effective and adaptable tri-directional force measurement system to measure static and dynamic contact forces simultaneously in three directions at blade shrouds during forced response tests. The system is based on three orthogonal force transducers connected to a reference block that will eventually be put in contact with the blade shroud in the test rig. A calibration process is outlined to define a decoupling matrix and its subsequent validation is demonstrated in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the measurement system to measure the actual contact forces acting on the contact. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental Mechanics, Instrumentation and Metrology)
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10 pages, 883 KiB  
Article
Anthropometric Profiles in Table Tennis Players: Analysis of Sex, Age, and Ranking
by Francisco Pradas, Ana de la Torre, Luis Carrasco, Diego Muñoz, Javier Courel-Ibáñez and José Antonio González-Jurado
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 876; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020876 - 19 Jan 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 5652
Abstract
Table tennis has recently evolved towards a more spectacular sport increasing match-play demands and the intensity and speed of actions by regulations and equipment modification. Since these changes can alter the body composition and performance, this study aimed to analyze the differences in [...] Read more.
Table tennis has recently evolved towards a more spectacular sport increasing match-play demands and the intensity and speed of actions by regulations and equipment modification. Since these changes can alter the body composition and performance, this study aimed to analyze the differences in anthropometric attributes of 495 table tennis players (288 men, 207 women) according to sex, age, and ranking. Players were classified according to sex, age categories (Senior, Under-18, Under-15, Under 13, and Under 11), and ranking position. Anthropometry measurements included eight skinfolds’ thicknesses (biceps brachii, triceps, subscapular, iliac crest, supraspinal, abdominal, thigh, and medial calf), four girths (biceps brachii relaxed and contracted, thigh, and calf), and three breadths (biepicondylar femur, biepicondylar humerus, and bistiloyd wrist) to determine fat mass, lean mass, bone, cross sectional area (CSA) for arm, leg, and thigh, and somatotype. Results revealed that table tennis players presented differences in body mass composition, anthropometry, and somatotype according to sex and age category and ranking. It seems confirmed that regular table tennis practice during the childhood is associated with a healthy body composition status, that appears to be maintained across older ages if keeping the practice. Senior table tennis players showed a fat mass <20% and lean mass ~45% in men and ~37% in women. A new contribution is that higher lean mass in the upper limbs was associated with higher ranking position (i.e., better performance), endomorphic somatotypes were negative related to performance, and ectomorphic profiles seems more effective, which suggest the potential influence of morphologic changes in table tennis competition performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anthropometry and Body Composition for Health, Disease and Sport: Application and Technologies)
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22 pages, 1968 KiB  
Article
Perceived Benefits of Energy Efficiency in the Spanish Residential Market and Their Relation to Sociodemographic and Living Conditions
by Eva Crespo Sánchez, Silvia Spairani Berrio, Belén Onecha Perez and Carlos Marmolejo-Duarte
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 875; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020875 - 19 Jan 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3170
Abstract
Within the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive information symmetry regarding financial and environmental benefits, coming from real estate performance, is a key element in the promotion of efficient buildings. However, the link between energy efficiency and its perceived co-benefits is far from perfect [...] Read more.
Within the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive information symmetry regarding financial and environmental benefits, coming from real estate performance, is a key element in the promotion of efficient buildings. However, the link between energy efficiency and its perceived co-benefits is far from perfect in EU countries with a short trajectory in the promotion of such residential attributes, endangering the efficacy of information-symmetry policies. Using a large survey applied to sellers, buyers, lessors and tenants this paper explores, in Spain, the perceived co-benefits in terms of energy savings and thermal comfort of efficient homes and whether such perception correlates to current living conditions, housing tenure and sociodemographic profile of respondents. Results suggest that in general such co-benefits are present in the mind of the main agents of the housing market. However, their perception is far from being homogeneous, it is clearer in the case of households whose current home is poorly insulated or inadequately serviced in terms of thermal active systems. Sociodemographic conditions also play a role in co-benefits perceptions: Elder, wealthier and landlords, irrespective of whether they act as sellers, buyers or lessors, do perceive to a larger extent the co-benefits of efficient homes. Such findings signal clear paths for the improvement of energy and housing policy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends of Sustainability in Civil Engineering and Architecture Ⅱ)
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23 pages, 3067 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Bioactive and Physicochemical Properties of White and Black Garlic (Allium sativum L.) from Conventional and Organic Cultivation
by Katarzyna Najman, Anna Sadowska and Ewelina Hallmann
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 874; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020874 - 19 Jan 2021
Cited by 26 | Viewed by 5988
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioactive and physicochemical properties of white and black garlic (Allium sativum L.) from conventional and organic cultivation. Both white conventional (G) and organic (EG) garlic were processed during 45 days heat treatment at [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioactive and physicochemical properties of white and black garlic (Allium sativum L.) from conventional and organic cultivation. Both white conventional (G) and organic (EG) garlic were processed during 45 days heat treatment at 70 °C temperature and 80% relative humidity. In black garlic (BG) samples the content of soluble solids, total reducing sugars, total polyphenol as well as antioxidant activity significantly (p < 0.05) increased (by about 33.5%, 60.5%, 118.4%, 125.8%, respectively), while a pH significantly (p < 0.05) decreased (by about 41.1%) as compared to white garlic samples. The study showed significant differences between colour of white and black garlic, both in the L*a*b* and RGB colour space, especially in the case of the L* parameter, indicating that the colour of garlic changed from white to dark brown or black during the thermal processing. All organic garlic samples had improved bioactive ingredients and antioxidant activity compared to conventional garlic for both fresh (unprocessed) and heat-treated black garlic. The production of black garlic, especially organic (EBG), allows one to obtain a product with higher amount of bioactive compounds, which can be widely used in the design of health-promoting functional food. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Organic Food)
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16 pages, 857 KiB  
Article
Effects of Phase Shift Errors in Recurrence Plot for Rotating Machinery Fault Diagnosis
by Ignacio Torres-Contreras, Juan Carlos Jáuregui-Correa, Carlos Santiago López-Cajún and Salvador Echeverría-Villagómez
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 873; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020873 - 19 Jan 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2869
Abstract
For fault diagnosis and predictive maintenance of rotating machinery, the phase errors generated by the integration processing of a vibration signal are an essential investigation subject. Phase errors affect the solution of mechanical systems with multiple vibration sources and also the information transmitted [...] Read more.
For fault diagnosis and predictive maintenance of rotating machinery, the phase errors generated by the integration processing of a vibration signal are an essential investigation subject. Phase errors affect the solution of mechanical systems with multiple vibration sources and also the information transmitted through the vibration that is used for fault diagnosis. This work proposes the use of phase plane, recurrence plot (RP), and cross recurrence plot (CRP) to evaluate phase shift error effects on the solution of multiple asynchronous and simple periodic functions, and on the smoothing of a Gaussian peak with white noise. Noisy peaks were smoothed twice with the triangular method and with a different number of points. The analysis of the asynchronous periodic functions and the smoothing indicated that a small phase shift changes the phase plane and the RP pattern. These changes can affect not only the accuracy of machinery fault diagnosis but also prediction for the application of timely maintenance actions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics)
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11 pages, 1115 KiB  
Article
Retrospective Analysis of the Effect of Three-Dimensional Preformed Titanium Mesh on Peri-Implant Non-Contained Horizontal Defects in 100 Consecutive Cases
by In-Oh Choi, Ji-Su Oh, Sang-Joun Yu, Byung-Ock Kim and Won-Pyo Lee
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 872; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020872 - 19 Jan 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3197
Abstract
This study aimed to clinically and radiographically evaluate the results of guided bone regeneration (GBR) using three-dimensional preformed titanium mesh (3-D-PFTM) for non-contained horizontal defects in 100 consecutive cases. This study involved 100 patients (129 implants) with peri-implant non-contained horizontal defects. The patients [...] Read more.
This study aimed to clinically and radiographically evaluate the results of guided bone regeneration (GBR) using three-dimensional preformed titanium mesh (3-D-PFTM) for non-contained horizontal defects in 100 consecutive cases. This study involved 100 patients (129 implants) with peri-implant non-contained horizontal defects. The patients were divided into three groups: 3-D-PFTM alone (Group 1), 3-D-PFTM plus cross-linked collagen membrane (Group 2), and 3-D-PFTM plus non-cross-linked collagen membrane (Group 3). Each implant was evaluated radiographically using CBCT at baseline and 6 months postoperatively. At the platform level, the mean horizontal hard tissue gain of all the sites was 3.1 ± 1.3 mm at 6 months postoperatively. The mean rate of mesh exposure was 11.8% in Group 1, 4.2% in Group 2, and 5.0% in Group 3. The mean hard tissue gain rate was 71.0 ± 23.0% in group 1, 84.2 ± 21.5% in group 2, and 84.0 ± 22.9% in group 3. Groups 2 and 3 showed significantly higher hard tissue gain rates than group 1. However, there was no significant difference between the rates in groups 2 and 3. Within the limitations of this study, 3-D-PFTM should be considered as a valuable option for GBR for peri-implant non-contained horizontal defects. The use of an additional resorbable collagen membrane provides additional advantages. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Sciences in Dentistry)
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21 pages, 646 KiB  
Review
The Use of Microalgae and Cyanobacteria in the Improvement of Agricultural Practices: A Review on Their Biofertilising, Biostimulating and Biopesticide Roles
by Ana L. Gonçalves
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 871; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020871 - 19 Jan 2021
Cited by 149 | Viewed by 11868
Abstract
The increase in worldwide population observed in the last decades has contributed to an increased demand for food supplies, which can only be attained through an improvement in agricultural productivities. Moreover, agricultural practices should become more sustainable, as the use of chemically-based fertilisers, [...] Read more.
The increase in worldwide population observed in the last decades has contributed to an increased demand for food supplies, which can only be attained through an improvement in agricultural productivities. Moreover, agricultural practices should become more sustainable, as the use of chemically-based fertilisers, pesticides and growth stimulants can pose serious environmental problems and lead to the scarcity of finite resources, such as phosphorus and potassium, thus increasing the fertilisers’ costs. One possible alternative for the development of a more sustainable and highly effective agriculture is the use of biologically-based compounds with known activity in crops’ nutrition, protection and growth stimulation. Among these products, microalgal and cyanobacterial biomass (or their extracts) are gaining particular attention, due to their undeniable potential as a source of essential nutrients and metabolites with different bioactivities, which can significantly improve crops’ yields. This manuscript highlights the potential of microalgae and cyanobacteria in the improvement of agricultural practices, presenting: (i) how these photosynthetic microorganisms interact with higher plants; (ii) the main bioactive compounds that can be isolated from microalgae and cyanobacteria; and (iii) how microalgae and cyanobacteria can influence plants’ growth at different levels (nutrition, protection and growth stimulation). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insight in Microalgae Cultivation and Downstream Processes: Route toward Sustainable and Cost-Effective Production)
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30 pages, 602 KiB  
Article
Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence for Designing Accessible Cultural Heritage
by Galena Pisoni, Natalia Díaz-Rodríguez, Hannie Gijlers and Linda Tonolli
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 870; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020870 - 19 Jan 2021
Cited by 60 | Viewed by 15600
Abstract
This paper reviews the literature concerning technology used for creating and delivering accessible museum and cultural heritage sites experiences. It highlights the importance of the delivery suited for everyone from different areas of expertise, namely interaction design, pedagogical and participatory design, and it [...] Read more.
This paper reviews the literature concerning technology used for creating and delivering accessible museum and cultural heritage sites experiences. It highlights the importance of the delivery suited for everyone from different areas of expertise, namely interaction design, pedagogical and participatory design, and it presents how recent and future artificial intelligence (AI) developments can be used for this aim, i.e.,improving and widening online and in situ accessibility. From the literature review analysis, we articulate a conceptual framework that incorporates key elements that constitute museum and cultural heritage online experiences and how these elements are related to each other. Concrete opportunities for future directions empirical research for accessibility of cultural heritage contents are suggested and further discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue AI and HCI Methods and Techniques for Cultural Heritage Curation, Exploration and Fruition)
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20 pages, 499 KiB  
Article
Towards Improved Classification Accuracy on Highly Imbalanced Text Dataset Using Deep Neural Language Models
by Sarang Shaikh, Sher Muhammad Daudpota, Ali Shariq Imran and Zenun Kastrati
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 869; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020869 - 19 Jan 2021
Cited by 41 | Viewed by 5929
Abstract
Data imbalance is a frequently occurring problem in classification tasks where the number of samples in one category exceeds the amount in others. Quite often, the minority class data is of great importance representing concepts of interest and is often challenging to obtain [...] Read more.
Data imbalance is a frequently occurring problem in classification tasks where the number of samples in one category exceeds the amount in others. Quite often, the minority class data is of great importance representing concepts of interest and is often challenging to obtain in real-life scenarios and applications. Imagine a customers’ dataset for bank loans-majority of the instances belong to non-defaulter class, only a small number of customers would be labeled as defaulters, however, the performance accuracy is more important on defaulters labels than non-defaulter in such highly imbalance datasets. Lack of enough data samples across all the class labels results in data imbalance causing poor classification performance while training the model. Synthetic data generation and oversampling techniques such as SMOTE, AdaSyn can address this issue for statistical data, yet such methods suffer from overfitting and substantial noise. While such techniques have proved useful for synthetic numerical and image data generation using GANs, the effectiveness of approaches proposed for textual data, which can retain grammatical structure, context, and semantic information, has yet to be evaluated. In this paper, we address this issue by assessing text sequence generation algorithms coupled with grammatical validation on domain-specific highly imbalanced datasets for text classification. We exploit recently proposed GPT-2 and LSTM-based text generation models to introduce balance in highly imbalanced text datasets. The experiments presented in this paper on three highly imbalanced datasets from different domains show that the performance of same deep neural network models improve up to 17% when datasets are balanced using generated text. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing)
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17 pages, 5175 KiB  
Article
Multiphysics Modeling, Sensitivity Analysis, and Optical Performance Optimization for Optical Laser Head in Additive Manufacturing
by Jiaping Yang, Xiling Yao, Yuxin Cai and Guijun Bi
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 868; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020868 - 19 Jan 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3075
Abstract
Optical laser head is a key component used to shape the laser beam and to deliver higher power laser irradiation onto workpieces for material processing. A focused laser beam size and optical intensity need to be controlled to avoid decreasing beam quality and [...] Read more.
Optical laser head is a key component used to shape the laser beam and to deliver higher power laser irradiation onto workpieces for material processing. A focused laser beam size and optical intensity need to be controlled to avoid decreasing beam quality and loss of intensity in laser material processing. This paper reports the multiphysics modeling of an in-house developed laser head for laser-aided additive manufacturing (LAAM) applications. The design of computer experiments (DoCE) combined with the response surface model was used as an efficient design approach to optimize the optical performance of a high power LAAM head. A coupled structural-thermal-optical-performance (STOP) model was developed to evaluate the influence of thermal effects on the optical performance. A number of experiments with different laser powers, laser beam focal plane positions, and environmental settings were designed and simulated using the STOP model for sensitivity analysis. The response models of the optical performance were constructed using DoCE and regression analysis. Based on the response models, optimal design settings were predicted and validated with the simulations. The results show that the proposed design approach is effective in obtaining optimal solutions for optical performance of the laser head in LAAM. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Laser Based Additive Manufacturing Technologies)
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19 pages, 14255 KiB  
Article
A Construction Method of Lower Limb Rehabilitation Robot with Remote Control System
by Mingda Miao, Xueshan Gao and Wei Zhu
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 867; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020867 - 19 Jan 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4599
Abstract
In response to the rehabilitation needs of stroke patients who are unable to benefit from conventional rehabilitation due to the COVID-19 epidemic, this paper designs a robot that combines on-site and telerehabilitation. The objective is to assist the patient in walking. We design [...] Read more.
In response to the rehabilitation needs of stroke patients who are unable to benefit from conventional rehabilitation due to the COVID-19 epidemic, this paper designs a robot that combines on-site and telerehabilitation. The objective is to assist the patient in walking. We design the electromechanical system with a gantry mechanism, body-weight support system, information feedback system, and man-machine interactive control system. The proposed rehabilitation robot remote system is based on the client/server (C/S) network framework to realize the remote control of the robot state logic and the transmission of patient training data. Based on the proposed system, doctors can set or adjust the training modes and control the parameters of the robot and guide remote patient rehabilitation training through video communication. The robotic system can further store and manage the rehabilitation data of the patient during training. Experiments show the human-computer interaction system of the lower limb rehabilitation robot has good performance, can accurately recognize the information of human motion posture, and achieve the goal of actively the following motion. Experiments confirm the feasibility of the proposed design, the information management of stroke patients, and the efficiency of rehabilitation training. The proposed system can reduce the workload of the doctors in practical training. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tele-Rehabilitation Robotics)
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11 pages, 2354 KiB  
Article
Self-Evaporation Dynamics of Quantum Droplets in a 41K-87Rb Mixture
by Chiara Fort and Michele Modugno
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 866; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020866 - 19 Jan 2021
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2964
Abstract
We theoretically investigate the self-evaporation dynamics of quantum droplets in a 41K-87Rb mixture, in free-space. The dynamical formation of the droplet and the effects related to the presence of three-body losses are analyzed by means of numerical simulations. We identify [...] Read more.
We theoretically investigate the self-evaporation dynamics of quantum droplets in a 41K-87Rb mixture, in free-space. The dynamical formation of the droplet and the effects related to the presence of three-body losses are analyzed by means of numerical simulations. We identify a regime of parameters allowing for the observation of the droplet self-evaporation in a feasible experimental setup. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantum Degenerate Atomic Mixtures)
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21 pages, 673 KiB  
Article
Integrating Speculation Detection and Deep Learning to Extract Lung Cancer Diagnosis from Clinical Notes
by Oswaldo Solarte Pabón, Maria Torrente, Mariano Provencio, Alejandro Rodríguez-Gonzalez and Ernestina Menasalvas
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 865; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020865 - 19 Jan 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3985
Abstract
Despite efforts to develop models for extracting medical concepts from clinical notes, there are still some challenges in particular to be able to relate concepts to dates. The high number of clinical notes written for each single patient, the use of negation, speculation, [...] Read more.
Despite efforts to develop models for extracting medical concepts from clinical notes, there are still some challenges in particular to be able to relate concepts to dates. The high number of clinical notes written for each single patient, the use of negation, speculation, and different date formats cause ambiguity that has to be solved to reconstruct the patient’s natural history. In this paper, we concentrate on extracting from clinical narratives the cancer diagnosis and relating it to the diagnosis date. To address this challenge, a hybrid approach that combines deep learning-based and rule-based methods is proposed. The approach integrates three steps: (i) lung cancer named entity recognition, (ii) negation and speculation detection, and (iii) relating the cancer diagnosis to a valid date. In particular, we apply the proposed approach to extract the lung cancer diagnosis and its diagnosis date from clinical narratives written in Spanish. Results obtained show an F-score of 90% in the named entity recognition task, and a 89% F-score in the task of relating the cancer diagnosis to the diagnosis date. Our findings suggest that speculation detection is together with negation detection a key component to properly extract cancer diagnosis from clinical notes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integration and Mining of Data from Mobile Devices)
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19 pages, 5011 KiB  
Article
POP-ON: Prediction of Process Using One-Way Language Model Based on NLP Approach
by Junhyung Moon, Gyuyoung Park and Jongpil Jeong
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 864; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020864 - 18 Jan 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4614
Abstract
In business process management, the monitoring service is an important element that can prevent various problems in advance from before they occur in companies and industries. Execution log is created in an information system that is aware of the enterprise process, which helps [...] Read more.
In business process management, the monitoring service is an important element that can prevent various problems in advance from before they occur in companies and industries. Execution log is created in an information system that is aware of the enterprise process, which helps predict the process. The ultimate goal of the proposed method is to predict the process following the running process instance and predict events based on previously completed event log data. Companies can flexibly respond to unwanted deviations in their workflow. When solving the next event prediction problem, we use a fully attention-based transformer, which has performed well in recent natural language processing approaches. After recognizing the name attribute of the event in the natural language and predicting the next event, several necessary elements were applied. It is trained using the proposed deep learning model according to specific pre-processing steps. Experiments using various business process log datasets demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed method. The name of the process prediction model we propose is “POP-ON”. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Software Engineering)
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14 pages, 35846 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Taper and Apical Diameter on the Cyclic Fatigue Resistance of Rotary Endodontic Files Using an Experimental Electronic Device
by Vicente Faus-Llácer, Nirmine Hamoud Kharrat, Celia Ruiz-Sánchez, Ignacio Faus-Matoses, Álvaro Zubizarreta-Macho and Vicente Faus-Matoses
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 863; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020863 - 18 Jan 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4008
Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of the taper and apical diameter of nickel–titanium (NiTi) endodontic rotary files on the dynamic cyclic fatigue resistance. A total of 50 unused conventional NiTi wire alloy endodontic rotary instruments were used in [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of the taper and apical diameter of nickel–titanium (NiTi) endodontic rotary files on the dynamic cyclic fatigue resistance. A total of 50 unused conventional NiTi wire alloy endodontic rotary instruments were used in this study. All NiTi endodontic rotary files were submitted to a custom-made dynamic cyclic fatigue device until fracture occurred. The time to failure, the number of cycles to failure, the number of pecking movements, and the length of the fractured file tip were analyzed using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. In addition, the Weibull characteristic strength and Weibull modulus were also calculated. The paired t-test revealed statistically significant differences between the time to failure, number of cycles to failure, and number of cycles of in-and-out movement of both the apical diameter (p ˂ 0.001) and the taper (p ˂ 0.001) of NiTi endodontic rotary files; however, the results did not show statistically significant differences between the mean length of the fractured files regarding the apical diameter (p = 0.344) and taper study groups (p = 0.344). Increased apical diameter and taper of NiTi endodontic rotary files decreased their dynamic resistance to cyclic fatigue. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advance of the Mechanical Properties of Dental Materials)
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12 pages, 1577 KiB  
Article
The Effects of 3D and 2D Imaging on Brain Wave Activity in Laparoscopic Training
by Hung-Jen Chen, Chiuhsiang Joe Lin, Po-Hung Lin and Zong-Han Guo
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 862; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020862 - 18 Jan 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2315
Abstract
The current study tested the effects of a state-of-the-art stereoscopic three-dimensional (3D) display and a traditional two-dimensional (2D) display on performance and mental workload during simulated laparoscopic tasks with different levels of depth perception over a longer duration than in previous publications. Two [...] Read more.
The current study tested the effects of a state-of-the-art stereoscopic three-dimensional (3D) display and a traditional two-dimensional (2D) display on performance and mental workload during simulated laparoscopic tasks with different levels of depth perception over a longer duration than in previous publications. Two different simulated laparoscopic tasks with depth perception, peg transfer, and circle-tracing were performed by 12 participants using 2D and 3D vision systems. The task performances (mean completion time and mean error frequency) and mental workload measures (gamma and alpha brain wave activity, blink frequency and NASA-TLX ratings) were recorded as dependent variables. The physiological mental workload measures were collected via a MUSE EEG headband. The 3D vision system had advantages in mean movement time and mean error frequency in the depth-perception peg transfer task. The mean completion time of the non-depth perception circle-tracing task was significantly lower for 2D than for 3D. For the peg transfer task, EEG alpha wave activity was significantly higher for 3D than for 2D. The EEG gamma wave activity for 2D was significantly higher than that for 3D in both tasks. A significantly higher blink frequency was found for both the peg transfer task and the 3D system. The overall NASA-TLX score of the 2D system was significantly higher. The findings of this research suggest that a 3D vision system could decrease stress, state of attentiveness, and mental workload compared with those of a 2D system, and it might reduce the completion time and increase the precision of depth-perception laparoscopic operations. Full article
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10 pages, 2877 KiB  
Article
Functional Characterization of Marigold Powder as a Food Ingredient for Lutein-Fortified Fresh Noodles
by Seungkyun Nam, Chan-Yang Lee, Soon-Mi Shim, Dong-Un Lee and Suyong Lee
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 861; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020861 - 18 Jan 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3642
Abstract
Marigold powder was utilized as a food ingredient to produce lutein-fortified fresh noodles for eye health, and its functionalities were characterized in terms of thermo-rheological, structural, and antioxidant properties. The pasting parameters and starch-gelatinization enthalpy values of wheat flour had a tendency to [...] Read more.
Marigold powder was utilized as a food ingredient to produce lutein-fortified fresh noodles for eye health, and its functionalities were characterized in terms of thermo-rheological, structural, and antioxidant properties. The pasting parameters and starch-gelatinization enthalpy values of wheat flour had a tendency to decrease with increasing levels of marigold powder. The use of marigold powder led to decreases in the storage and loss moduli of wheat flour pastes by weakening their cellular microstructure, which was confirmed by the scanning electron microscopic images. When marigold powder was incorporated into the formulation of fresh noodles, the cooking loss and water absorption of the noodles were not negatively affected at a level of 2% (w/w). Also, the noodles with 2% marigold powder were not significantly different from the control for the maximum resistance to extension. The levels of lutein in the noodles prepared with marigold powder (61.2 to 204.9 mg/100 g) were reduced by almost 50% after cooking. However, they seemed to satisfy the recommended daily dose of lutein for visual functions. Moreover, the use of marigold powder provided antioxidant properties for noodles by enhancing the 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical-scavenging activities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Food Science and Technology)
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23 pages, 2445 KiB  
Article
Active Clamp Boost Converter with Blanking Time Tuning Considered
by Yeu-Torng Yau, Kuo-Ing Hwu and Yu-Kun Tai
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 860; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020860 - 18 Jan 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3340
Abstract
An active clamp boost converter with blanking time auto-tuned is presented herein, and this is implemented by an additional auxiliary switch, an additional resonant inductor, and an additional active clamp capacitor as compared with the conventional boost converter. In this structure, both the [...] Read more.
An active clamp boost converter with blanking time auto-tuned is presented herein, and this is implemented by an additional auxiliary switch, an additional resonant inductor, and an additional active clamp capacitor as compared with the conventional boost converter. In this structure, both the main and auxiliary switches have zero voltage switching (ZVS) turn-on as well as the output diode has zero current switching (ZCS) turn-off, causing the overall efficiency of the converter to be upgraded. Moreover, as the active clamp circuit is adopted, the voltage spike on the main switch can be suppressed to some extent whereas, because of this structure, although the input inductor is designed in the continuous conduction mode (CCM), the output diode can operate with ZCS turn-off, leading to the resonant inductor operating in the discontinuous conduction mode (DCM), hence there is no reverse recovery current during the turn-off period of the output diode. Furthermore, unlike the existing soft switching circuits, the auto-tuning technique based on a given look-up table is added to adjust the cut-off time point of the auxiliary switch to reduce the current flowing through the output diode, so that the overall efficiency is upgraded further. In this paper, basic operating principles, mathematic deductions, potential designs, and some experimental results are given. To sum up, the novelty of this paper is ZCS turn-off of the output diode, DCM operation of the resonant inductor, and auto-tuning of cut-off time point of the auxiliary switch. In addition, the efficiency of the proposed converter can be up to 96.9%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Resonant Converter in Power Electronics Technology)
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