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Appl. Sci., Volume 13, Issue 9 (May-1 2023) – 603 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): This study addresses potential musculoskeletal disorders resulting from poor work posture during human–robot collaboration. Our proposed method optimizes human posture during human–robot collaboration using the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm. By assigning an appropriate location to the robot's end-effector, we aim to enhance ergonomics by minimizing the distance between the optimized posture of the human and their current posture. Through a user study in a virtual reality environment with 20 participants, our method could improve ergonomics by 66%, measured by the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) score calculated from body joint angles captured by a Kinect camera. Our research contributes to the field by offering a practical solution for addressing musculoskeletal disorders in human–robot collaboration by creating safer and more efficient work environments. View this paper
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21 pages, 5398 KiB  
Article
A Hierarchical Federated Learning Algorithm Based on Time Aggregation in Edge Computing Environment
by Wenbo Zhang, Yuchen Zhao, Fangjing Li and Hongbo Zhu
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5821; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095821 - 8 May 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3253
Abstract
Federated learning is currently a popular distributed machine learning solution that often experiences cumbersome communication processes and challenging model convergence in practical edge deployments due to the training nature of its model information interactions. The paper proposes a hierarchical federated learning algorithm called [...] Read more.
Federated learning is currently a popular distributed machine learning solution that often experiences cumbersome communication processes and challenging model convergence in practical edge deployments due to the training nature of its model information interactions. The paper proposes a hierarchical federated learning algorithm called FedDyn to address these challenges. FedDyn uses dynamic weighting to limit the negative effects of local model parameters with high dispersion and speed-up convergence. Additionally, an efficient aggregation-based hierarchical federated learning algorithm is proposed to improve training efficiency. The waiting time is set at the edge layer, enabling edge aggregation within a specified time, while the central server waits for the arrival of all edge aggregation models before integrating them. Dynamic grouping weighted aggregation is implemented during aggregation based on the average obsolescence of local models in various batches. The proposed algorithm is tested on the MNIST and CIFAR-10 datasets and compared with the FedAVG algorithm. The results show that FedDyn can reduce the negative effects of non-independent and identically distributed (IID) data on the model and shorten the total training time by 30% under the same accuracy rate compared to FedAVG. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT): New Directions, Challenges and Applications)
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15 pages, 1002 KiB  
Review
λ-Factors for the Upper and Lower Bound Analyses of Base-Isolated Structures: Historical Review of Code Provisions for Elastomeric Bearings
by Laura Ragni, Fabio Micozzi, Laura Gioiella, Maria Gabriella Castellano, Samuele Infanti and Andrea Dall’Asta
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5820; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095820 - 8 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1790
Abstract
The seismic response of base-isolated structures is notably influenced by mechanical properties of isolation devices due to their essential role in structural behavior. Consequently, the variability of such properties should be accounted for in the design process. The current seismic codes prescribe a [...] Read more.
The seismic response of base-isolated structures is notably influenced by mechanical properties of isolation devices due to their essential role in structural behavior. Consequently, the variability of such properties should be accounted for in the design process. The current seismic codes prescribe a simplified approach based on structural analyses in two extreme situations resulting from the upper and lower bound design properties of bearings (upper and lower bound analyses). In the case that experimental data are not provided by manufacturers, seismic codes provide the so-called “property modification factors” or “λ-factors”, i.e., modification coefficients to be applied to the nominal dynamic properties of bearings to obtain their upper or lower design properties. The aim of this paper is to provide a historical review of values provided for such factors by the main seismic codes by highlighting the limits, as well as some clerical errors, present in some codes. In particular, the European seismic codes are illustrated in detail, i.e., the Eurocode for bridges (EN 1998-2) and product standard on anti-seismic devices (EN 15129). Both these codes account for different sources of variability, such as the bearings production and the environmental and behavioral effects. For all these effects, the same λ-factor values are provided by the two codes, deriving from the second version of the AASHTO guide specifications for seismic isolation of bridges (AASHTO 1999), which are based on limited and/or old data, especially for high damping rubber bearings (HDRBs), and were never updated in the successive versions. More recent standards are also illustrated, providing different perspectives that deserve attention, even though they require further investigations to be applied in the design practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seismic Resistant Analysis and Design for Civil Structures)
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13 pages, 446 KiB  
Article
A Dual Integral Equation Approach for Evaluating the Shielding of Thick Circular Disks against a Coaxial Loop
by Giampiero Lovat, Paolo Burghignoli, Rodolfo Araneo and Salvatore Celozzi
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5819; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095819 - 8 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1346
Abstract
The electromagnetic interaction between a circular disk with finite conductivity and finite thickness and a coaxial circular loop of constant current is addressed here. The finite conductivity and thickness of the material disk lead to the adoption of suitable generalized boundary conditions, and [...] Read more.
The electromagnetic interaction between a circular disk with finite conductivity and finite thickness and a coaxial circular loop of constant current is addressed here. The finite conductivity and thickness of the material disk lead to the adoption of suitable generalized boundary conditions, and the problem is thereby reduced to the solution of two sets of dual integral equations in the Hankel transform domain. Such equations are then solved by expanding the spectral unknowns in Neumann series of Bessel functions. An alternative formulation that is valid for purely conductive screens with no magnetic properties, which is computationally much faster, is proposed as well. The magnetic shielding effectiveness of the structure is studied in detail, pointing out its dependencies and possible critical situations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenge of Guaranteed Convergence in Applied Electromagnetics: Recent Progress in the Methods of Analytical Regularization)
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17 pages, 1627 KiB  
Article
Channel Emulator Framework for Underwater Acoustic Communications
by Indrakshi Dey and Nicola Marchetti
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5818; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095818 - 8 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1728
Abstract
In this paper, we develop a tractable mathematical model and an emulation framework for communicating information through water using acoustic signals. Water is considered one of the most complex media to model due to its vastness and variety of characteristics, which depend on [...] Read more.
In this paper, we develop a tractable mathematical model and an emulation framework for communicating information through water using acoustic signals. Water is considered one of the most complex media to model due to its vastness and variety of characteristics, which depend on the scenario, the type of water body (lakes, rivers, tanks, sea, etc.), and the geographical location of the water body being considered. Our proposed mathematical model involves the concept of damped harmonic oscillators to represent the medium (water); Milne’s oscillator technique is used to map the interaction between the acoustic signal and water. Wave equations formulated for acoustic pressure and acoustic wave velocity are employed to characterise the travelling acoustic signal. The signal strength, phase shift, and time delay generated from the mathematical model are then inputted into a Simulink-based emulator framework to generate channel samples and channel impulse responses. The emulator utilises the wide sense stationary uncorrelated scattering (WSSUS) assumption and a finite sum-of-sinusoids (SOS) approach with a uniformly distributed phase to generate the channel samples. By utilising this emulator platform, it becomes feasible to generate profiles for amplitude variation, the Doppler shift, and spread experienced by any travelling signal in various underwater communication scenarios. Such a platform can be employed to simulate different communication scenarios, underwater network topologies, and data for training various learning models. Additionally, it can predict the performance of different modulation, multiplexing, error correction, and multi-access techniques for underwater acoustic communication (UWAC) systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Systems Engineering: Theory and Applications)
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13 pages, 4373 KiB  
Article
Effect of Heat Treatment on the Cavitation Erosion Behavior of Nanocrystalline Surface Layer of 304 Stainless Steel
by Nengliang Huang, Ye Tian, Rui Yang, Tonghu Xiao, Hua Li and Xiuyong Chen
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5817; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095817 - 8 May 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1497
Abstract
In this study, a nanocrystalline layer composed primarily of martensite phase was prepared on the surface of 304 stainless steel. Furthermore, the martensite phase content in the nanocrystalline layer was adjusted by heat treatment at 500 °C and 550 °C, respectively, and the [...] Read more.
In this study, a nanocrystalline layer composed primarily of martensite phase was prepared on the surface of 304 stainless steel. Furthermore, the martensite phase content in the nanocrystalline layer was adjusted by heat treatment at 500 °C and 550 °C, respectively, and the cavitation erosion resistance of the nanocrystalline layer before and after heat treatment was investigated. The results showed that the nanocrystalline layer before and after heat treatment exhibited excellent erosion resistance, with cumulative mass loss of approximately 1/7, 1/5, and 1/3 that of the traditional 304 stainless steel, respectively. The nanocrystalline layer could significantly inhibit the growth of cavitation pits due to the high density of grain boundaries. However, due to the decrease in hardness of the nanocrystalline layer after heat treatment, the propagation speed of cavitation cracks was accelerated, and the cavitation erosion performance of the nanocrystalline layer showed a downward trend. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Surface Sciences and Technology)
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16 pages, 7774 KiB  
Article
A Safe Admittance Boundary Algorithm for Rehabilitation Robot Based on Space Classification Model
by Yong Tao, Yuanlong Ji, Dongming Han, He Gao and Tianmiao Wang
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5816; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095816 - 8 May 2023
Viewed by 1415
Abstract
Existing studies on rehabilitation robots are generally devoted to robot-assisted active rehabilitation training, which is conducive to facilitating muscle and nerve regeneration. However, human–robot interaction (HRI) requires imposing a limit on the workspace within which the robot operates, so as to ensure patient [...] Read more.
Existing studies on rehabilitation robots are generally devoted to robot-assisted active rehabilitation training, which is conducive to facilitating muscle and nerve regeneration. However, human–robot interaction (HRI) requires imposing a limit on the workspace within which the robot operates, so as to ensure patient safety. A safe admittance boundary algorithm for a rehabilitation robot is proposed based on the space classification model which works by constructing a virtual boundary for the HRI workspace in the control layer. First, point cloud isodensification is performed for the workspaces within which the human body and the robot operate. Next, the nearest neighbor density is determined for the point cloud, and the space classification model is built on this basis. Finally, the space classification model is integrated with admittance control to derive the safe admittance boundary algorithm, which can be used for safety control. This algorithm is then subjected to space verification experiments and out–of–bounds experiments using a dynamic arm simulator (DAS). As indicated by the experimental results, when the side length of the voxel grid for voxel center filtering is set to 0.06 m, the accuracy of space definition is 98.40%. The average maximum response time for out–of–bounds behaviors is 165.62 ms. The safe admittance boundary algorithm can impose reasonable virtual constraints on the robot workspace, thereby improving HRI safety. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surgical Robotics Design and Clinical Applications)
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23 pages, 2912 KiB  
Review
Prospects for Combined Applications of Nanostructured Catalysts and Biocatalysts for Elimination of Hydrocarbon Pollutants
by Olga Maslova, Olga Senko, Marina A. Gladchenko, Sergey N. Gaydamaka and Elena Efremenko
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5815; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095815 - 8 May 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2126
Abstract
Due to the presence of environmental problems, it is urgent to improve the processes aimed at the processing and purification of hydrocarbon-containing wastes and wastewaters. The review presents the latest achievements in the development of nanostructured catalysts made from different materials that can [...] Read more.
Due to the presence of environmental problems, it is urgent to improve the processes aimed at the processing and purification of hydrocarbon-containing wastes and wastewaters. The review presents the latest achievements in the development of nanostructured catalysts made from different materials that can be used to purify oil-polluted wastewaters (petroleum refinery wastewater, oilfield-produced water, sulfur-containing extracts from pre-oxidized crude oil and oil fractions, etc.) and eliminate components of hydrocarbon pollutants (polyaromatic hydrocarbons, phenols, etc.). The results of the analysis of possible combinations of chemical and biological catalysts for deeper and more effective solutions to the problems are discussed. The possibilities of highly efficient elimination of hydrocarbon pollutants as a result of the hybrid application of nanoparticles (graphene oxide, mesoporous silica, magnetic nanocatalysts, etc.) or catalytic nanocomposites for advanced oxidation processes and biocatalysts (enzymes, cells of bacteria, mycelial fungi, phototrophic microorganisms and natural or artificial microbial consortia) are analyzed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Nanomaterials and Nanostructures)
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14 pages, 9412 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Particle Type and Size on CoCr Surface Properties by Fine-Particle Shot Peening
by Chavarat Jarungvittayakon, Anak Khantachawana and Paphon Sa-ngasoongsong
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5814; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095814 - 8 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1653
Abstract
Cobalt–chromium (CoCr) alloy is widely used for medical implants such as for dental or joint replacements because of its strength and high corrosion resistance. By throwing a spherical media against a material surface, fine-particle shot peening can modify surface properties and, as a [...] Read more.
Cobalt–chromium (CoCr) alloy is widely used for medical implants such as for dental or joint replacements because of its strength and high corrosion resistance. By throwing a spherical media against a material surface, fine-particle shot peening can modify surface properties and, as a result, has been widely used as a low-cost and simple method to increase a metal’s wear resistance. However, no recent literature has reported the effect of particle type and size on the surface properties of CoCr alloys. This study examined two different particle types (ceramic (alumina–zirconia composites) and silica (SiO2)) and three different particle sizes to determine their effects on CoCr’s surface properties after fine-particle shot peening. The surface properties, including morphology, roughness, hardness, residual stress, and cytotoxicity, were tested to evaluate the effect of the process. The larger size and higher hardness of the particle (ceramic) changed the surface microstructure more than particles with smaller sizes and lower hardness (silica). The results of the cytotoxicity test showed that the fine-particle shot peening on the CoCr material did not affect cell viability, an important fact when considering its potential use as a surface material for medical implants. The results showed that fine-particle shot peening on CoCr material can improve several surface properties and that the larger ceramic particle offers the best results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Surface Treatments for Protecting from Fracture and Fatigue Damage II)
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19 pages, 6219 KiB  
Article
Flow-Induced Vibration Hybrid Modeling Method and Dynamic Characteristics of U-Section Rubber Outer Windshield System of High-Speed Trains
by Yizheng Yu, Pengxiang Lv, Xiao Liu and Xiang Liu
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5813; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095813 - 8 May 2023
Viewed by 1770
Abstract
The flow-induced vibration characteristic of the U-section rubber outer windshield structure of high-speed train is the key factor to limit its high-speed movement. Accurate and effective flow-induced vibration analysis of windshield structures is an important topic. In this paper, a hybrid modeling method [...] Read more.
The flow-induced vibration characteristic of the U-section rubber outer windshield structure of high-speed train is the key factor to limit its high-speed movement. Accurate and effective flow-induced vibration analysis of windshield structures is an important topic. In this paper, a hybrid modeling method for the analysis of flow-induced vibration of windshield structure is innovatively proposed for the U-section rubber windshield system of high-speed train. The method uses the external aerodynamic load obtained by aerodynamic simulation as the input condition of the flow-induced vibration model, and maps the aerodynamic load to the structural dynamics model characterized by the modal test data of the windshield structure. The flow-induced vibration model is established by means of modal superposition method and the time-domain response is effectively integrated by Runge Kutta method with variable step size. The results show that this method can effectively simulate the flow induced vibration of the wind baffle structure, and the real-time relationship between the aerodynamic load and the modal characteristics of the structure and the response of displacement and velocity can be obtained. On this basis, the comprehensive dynamic performance of the windshield system of high-speed trains at 400 km/h under external aerodynamic load is studied, that is, the force, displacement and velocity variation rules of the flexible structure are examined. It is determined that the displacement and velocity response curve of the measuring point near the lower side of the U-section rubber outer windshield is significantly higher than that of other parts. Moreover, the contribution of the first mode to the dynamic response of the structure is very obvious. This method provides an efficient calculation method for analyzing the flow-induced vibration characteristics of complex flexible structures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Analysis of Dynamics of Railway Vehicles)
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15 pages, 6933 KiB  
Article
Emergency Evacuation Simulation Study Based on Improved YOLOv5s and Anylogic
by Chuanxi Niu, Weihao Wang, Hebin Guo and Kexin Li
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5812; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095812 - 8 May 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2708
Abstract
With the development of the social economy and the continuous growth of the population, emergencies within field stations are becoming more frequent. To improve the efficiency of emergency evacuation of field stations and further protect people’s lives, this paper proposes a method based [...] Read more.
With the development of the social economy and the continuous growth of the population, emergencies within field stations are becoming more frequent. To improve the efficiency of emergency evacuation of field stations and further protect people’s lives, this paper proposes a method based on improved YOLOv5s target detection and Anylogic emergency evacuation simulation. This method applies the YOLOv5s target detection network to the emergency evacuation problem for the first time, using the stronger detection capability of YOLOv5s to solve the problem of unstable data collection under unexpected conditions. This paper first uses YOLOv5s, which incorporates the SE attention mechanism, to detect pedestrians inside the site. Considering the height of the camera and the inability to capture the whole body of the pedestrian when the site is crowded, this paper adopts the detection of the pedestrian’s head to determine the specific location of the pedestrian inside the site. To ensure that the evacuation task is completed in the shortest possible time, Anylogic adopts the principle of closest distance evacuation, so that each pedestrian can leave through the exit closest to him or her. The experimental results show that the average accuracy of the YOLOv5s target detection model incorporating the SE attention mechanism can reach 94.01%; the constructed Anylogic emergency evacuation model can quickly provide an evacuation plan to guide pedestrians to leave from the nearest exit in an emergency, effectively verifying the feasibility of the method. The method can be extended and applied to research related to the construction of emergency evacuation aid decision-making systems in field stations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition Based on Deep Learning)
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37 pages, 2466 KiB  
Article
Toward a Comprehensive Understanding and Evaluation of the Sustainability of E-Health Solutions
by Azza Alajlan and Malak Baslyman
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5811; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095811 - 8 May 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2040
Abstract
Digital health transformation (DHT) has been deployed rapidly worldwide, and many e-health solutions are being invented and improved on an accelerating basis. Healthcare already faces many challenges in terms of reducing costs and allocating resources optimally, while improving provided services. E-solutions in healthcare [...] Read more.
Digital health transformation (DHT) has been deployed rapidly worldwide, and many e-health solutions are being invented and improved on an accelerating basis. Healthcare already faces many challenges in terms of reducing costs and allocating resources optimally, while improving provided services. E-solutions in healthcare can be a key enabler for improvements while controlling the budget; however, if the sustainability of those solutions is not assessed, many resources directed towards e-solutions and the cost of adoption/implementation will be wasted. Thus, it is important to assess the sustainability of newly proposed or already in-use e-health solutions. In the literature, there is a paucity of empirically driven comprehensive sustainability models and assessment tools to guide practices in real-world cases. Hence, this study proposes a comprehensive sustainability model for e-health solutions to assess the essential sustainability aspects of e-health solutions and anticipate the likelihood of their sustainability. To build the model, a systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to extract the e-health sustainability dimensions and elements. In addition, the SLR analyzes the existing definitions of sustainability in healthcare and sustainability assessment methods. The proposed sustainability model has five dimensions, namely; technology, organization, economic, social, and resources. Each dimension has aspects that provide another level of required detail to assess sustainability. In addition, an assessment method was developed for this model to assess the aspects of each dimension, resulting in the overall prediction of the e-health solution’s sustainability level. The sustainability model and the assessment method were validated by three experts in terms of comprehensiveness and applicability to be used in healthcare. Furthermore, a case study was conducted on a Hospital Information System (HIS) of a hospital in Saudi Arabia to evaluate the sustainability model and its assessment method. The sustainability model and assessment method were illustrated to be effective in evaluating the sustainability of e-solutions and more comprehensive and systematic than the evaluation used in the hospital. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Software Engineering: Computer Science and System)
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25 pages, 2593 KiB  
Review
Comparison of CNN-Based Models for Pothole Detection in Real-World Adverse Conditions: Overview and Evaluation
by Maroš Jakubec, Eva Lieskovská, Boris Bučko and Katarína Zábovská
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5810; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095810 - 8 May 2023
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 6433
Abstract
Potholes pose a significant problem for road safety and infrastructure. They can cause damage to vehicles and present a risk to pedestrians and cyclists. The ability to detect potholes in real time and with a high level of accuracy, especially under different lighting [...] Read more.
Potholes pose a significant problem for road safety and infrastructure. They can cause damage to vehicles and present a risk to pedestrians and cyclists. The ability to detect potholes in real time and with a high level of accuracy, especially under different lighting conditions, is crucial for the safety of road transport participants and the timely repair of these hazards. With the increasing availability of cameras on vehicles and smartphones, there is a growing interest in using computer vision techniques for this task. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have shown great potential for object detection tasks, including pothole detection. This study provides an overview of computer vision algorithms used for pothole detection. Experimental results are then used to evaluate the performance of the latest CNN-based models for pothole detection in different real-world road conditions, including rain, sunset, evening, and night, as well as clean conditions. The models evaluated in this study include both conventional and the newest architectures from the region-based CNN (R-CNN) and You Only Look Once (YOLO) families. The YOLO models demonstrated a faster detection response and higher accuracy in detecting potholes under clear, rain, sunset, and evening conditions. R-CNN models, on the other hand, performed better in the worse-visibility conditions at night. This study provides valuable insights into the performance of different CNN models for pothole detection in real road conditions and may assist in the selection of the most appropriate model for a specific application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Signal and Image Processing Based on Machine/Deep Learning Techniques)
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28 pages, 871 KiB  
Review
Exploring Local Explanation of Practical Industrial AI Applications: A Systematic Literature Review
by Thi-Thu-Huong Le, Aji Teguh Prihatno, Yustus Eko Oktian, Hyoeun Kang and Howon Kim
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5809; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095809 - 8 May 2023
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4214
Abstract
In recent years, numerous explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) use cases have been developed, to solve numerous real problems in industrial applications while maintaining the explainability level of the used artificial intelligence (AI) models to judge their quality and potentially hold the models accountable [...] Read more.
In recent years, numerous explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) use cases have been developed, to solve numerous real problems in industrial applications while maintaining the explainability level of the used artificial intelligence (AI) models to judge their quality and potentially hold the models accountable if they become corrupted. Therefore, understanding the state-of-the-art methods, pointing out recent issues, and deriving future directions are important to drive XAI research efficiently. This paper presents a systematic literature review of local explanation techniques and their practical applications in various industrial sectors. We first establish the need for XAI in response to opaque AI models and survey different local explanation methods for industrial AI applications. The number of studies is then examined with several factors, including industry sectors, AI models, data types, and XAI-based usage and purpose. We also look at the advantages and disadvantages of local explanation methods and how well they work in practical settings. The difficulties of using local explanation techniques are also covered, including computing complexity and the trade-off between precision and interpretability. Our findings demonstrate that local explanation techniques can boost industrial AI models’ transparency and interpretability and give insightful information about them. The efficiency of these procedures must be improved, and ethical concerns about their application must be resolved. This paper contributes to the increasing knowledge of local explanation strategies and offers guidance to academics and industry professionals who want to use these methods in practical settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Explainable AI (XAI) for Information Processing)
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19 pages, 3704 KiB  
Article
A Novel Spatiotemporal Analysis Framework for Air Pollution Episode Association in Puli, Taiwan
by Peng-Yeng Yin
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5808; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095808 - 8 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1359
Abstract
Air pollution has been a global issue that solicits proposals for sustainable development of social economics. Though the sources emitting pollutants are thoroughly investigated, the transportation, dispersion, scattering, and diminishing of pollutants in the spatiotemporal domain are underexplored, and the relationship between these [...] Read more.
Air pollution has been a global issue that solicits proposals for sustainable development of social economics. Though the sources emitting pollutants are thoroughly investigated, the transportation, dispersion, scattering, and diminishing of pollutants in the spatiotemporal domain are underexplored, and the relationship between these activities and atmospheric and anthropogenic conditions is hardly known. This paper proposes machine learning approaches for the spatiotemporal analysis of air pollution episode associations. We deployed an internet of low-cost sensors for acquiring the hourly time series data of PM2.5 concentrations in Puli, Taiwan. The region is resolved into 10 × 10 grids, and each grid has an area size of 400 × 400 m2. We consider the monitored PM2.5 concentration at a grid as its gray intensity, such that a 10 × 10 PM2.5 image is obtained every hour or a PM2.5 video is obtained for a time span. We developed shot boundary detection methods for segmenting the time series into pollution episodes. Each episode corresponds to particular activities, such as pollution concentration, transportation, scattering, and diminishing, in different spatiotemporal ways. By accumulating the concentrations within the episode, we generate a condensed but effective representation for episode clustering. Three clustering approaches are proposed, ranging from histogram-, edge-, and deep-learning-based. The experimental results manifest that the episodes contained in the same cluster have homogeneous patterns but appear at different times in a year. This means that some particular patterns of pollution activities appear many times in this region that may have relations with local weather, terrain, and anthropogenic activities. Our clustering results are helpful in future research for causal analysis of regional pollution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Industry – Promoting Human Performance and Health)
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13 pages, 289 KiB  
Review
Applications and Future Perspective of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields in Foot and Ankle Sport-Related Injuries
by Antonio Mazzotti, Laura Langone, Elena Artioli, Simone Ottavio Zielli, Alberto Arceri, Stefania Setti, Massimiliano Leigheb, Elena Manuela Samaila and Cesare Faldini
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5807; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095807 - 8 May 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2827
Abstract
Foot and ankle injuries are common in many sports. One of the main athletes issues is the time for sport resumption after trauma. Recently, extensive efforts have been made to speed up the athletes’ return-to-sport and to prevent joint degeneration. Among the conservative [...] Read more.
Foot and ankle injuries are common in many sports. One of the main athletes issues is the time for sport resumption after trauma. Recently, extensive efforts have been made to speed up the athletes’ return-to-sport and to prevent joint degeneration. Among the conservative treatment options, biophysical stimulation with pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) is listed. This narrative review aims to outline current applications of PEMFs in main foot and ankle sport-related injuries, in particular in the treatment of bone marrow edema, osteochondral defects, fractures, and nonunions. Despite further high-quality studies on foot and ankle injuries are needed, PEMFs seem to be a valid aid to enhance the endogenous osteogenesis, to resolve the bone marrow edema, to inhibit the joint inflammation, preserving articular cartilage degeneration, and to relieve pain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Related Foot and Ankle Injuries)
25 pages, 13266 KiB  
Article
A New Calculation Method of Force and Displacement of Retaining Wall and Slope
by Yingfa Lu, Wenqing Sun, Hao Yang, Junjie Jiang and Lier Lu
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5806; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095806 - 8 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1653
Abstract
On the basis of the force and safety factor analysis of traditional retaining walls, a new analytical method of force and displacement of the slope is suggested, the numerical theoretical solution of the stress distribution of the sliding body can be obtained under [...] Read more.
On the basis of the force and safety factor analysis of traditional retaining walls, a new analytical method of force and displacement of the slope is suggested, the numerical theoretical solution of the stress distribution of the sliding body can be obtained under the conditions, which the stresses distribution are satisfied with the differential equilibrium equations, the boundary conditions, the compatibility equation and the macroscopic equilibrium equations. The interface stresses between the sliding body and the retaining wall is continuous, and the theoretical solution of retaining wall stress distributions can be obtained, while the stress differential equilibrium equation, the compatibility equation, macroscopic force, and moment balance equations are satisfied. The strain and displacement solutions can be obtained by using Duncan Chang and Hooke constitutive equations for the slope and the retaining wall, respectively. The transfer station of landfill in the Guandukou Town of Badong County is taken as an example, the results of the sliding body and retaining wall analysis show: The stress and strain solutions of a slope and a retaining wall can be obtained by the proposed method. The anti-slip force of the retaining wall calculated by the method in this paper contains the positive pressure and shear force along the contact surface and varies with the deformation of the slope, in addition, the numerical theoretical solution of the retaining wall shows that the retaining wall shape and material can be optimized according to the calculation results. It is feasible for the proposed analysis method of slope with retaining wall design to be run many years. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Civil Engineering)
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15 pages, 2025 KiB  
Article
Risk Assessment of a Coastal Ecosystem from SW Spain Exposed to CO2 Enrichment Conditions
by Marina Cunha Passarelli, Estefanía Bonnail, Augusto Cesar and Inmaculada Riba
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5805; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095805 - 8 May 2023
Viewed by 1540
Abstract
The Weight-of-Evidence (WOE) approach uses multiple lines of evidence to analyze the adverse effects associated with CO2 enrichment in two stations from the Gulf of Cádiz (Spain) with different contamination degrees. Sediment contamination and metal (loid) mobility, toxicity, ecological integrity, and bioaccumulation [...] Read more.
The Weight-of-Evidence (WOE) approach uses multiple lines of evidence to analyze the adverse effects associated with CO2 enrichment in two stations from the Gulf of Cádiz (Spain) with different contamination degrees. Sediment contamination and metal (loid) mobility, toxicity, ecological integrity, and bioaccumulation from the samples exposed to different acidification scenarios (pH gradient from 8.0 to 6.0) were used in the WOE. The experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions using a CO2-bubbling system. Different integration approaches such as multivariate analyses were used to evaluate the results. The results indicated that the adverse biological effects under pH 6.5 were related to the mobility of dissolved elements (As, Fe, Cu, Ni, and Zn). Furthermore, the pH reduction was correlated to the increase of bioaccumulation of As, Cr, Cu, Fe, and Ni in the tissues of mussels at pH 7.0. The noncontaminated sediment showed environmental degradation related to the acidification at pH values of 7.0; whereas the sediment moderately contaminated showed both environmental risks, caused by acidification and the presence and the increase of the bioavailability of contaminants. The WOE approach supposes an effective tool to identify and distinguish the causes of adverse effects related to the enrichment of CO2 in marine environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Editorial Board Members' Collection Series: Pollutants and Climate Change, Runoff, Behaviour and Adverse Effects in Aquatic Ecosystems)
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18 pages, 32768 KiB  
Communication
A Novel Passive Implantable Differential Mechanism to Restore Individuated Finger Flexion during Grasping following Tendon Transfer Surgery: A Pilot Study
by Suraj Chakravarthi Raja, Won Suk You, Kian Jalaleddini, Justin C. Casebier, Nina R. Lightdale-Miric, Vincent R. Hentz, Francisco J. Valero-Cuevas and Ravi Balasubramanian
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5804; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095804 - 8 May 2023
Viewed by 1931
Abstract
Tendon transfer surgery is often used to restore hand grasp function following high median-ulnar nerve palsy. This surgery typically reroutes and sutures the tendon of the extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) muscle to all four flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendons of the hand, [...] Read more.
Tendon transfer surgery is often used to restore hand grasp function following high median-ulnar nerve palsy. This surgery typically reroutes and sutures the tendon of the extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) muscle to all four flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendons of the hand, coupling them together. This makes it difficult to grasp irregularly shaped objects. We propose inserting a novel implantable passive device between the FDP tendons to surgically construct a differential mechanism, enabling the fingers to individually adapt to the irregular contours during grasping. These passive implants with no moving parts are fabricated from biocompatible materials. We tested the implants’ ability to create differential flexion between the index and middle fingers when actuated by a single muscle in two human cadaver hands using a computerized closed-loop control paradigm. In these cadaveric models, the implants enabled significantly more differential flexion between the index and middle fingers for a wide range of donor tendon tensions. The implants also redistributed fingertip forces between fingers. When grasping uneven objects, the difference in contact forces between fingers reduced by nearly 23% compared to the current suture-based surgery. These results suggest that self-adaptive grasp is possible in tendon transfers that drive multiple distal flexor tendons. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hand and Wrist Biomechanics)
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15 pages, 3112 KiB  
Article
Effect of Traditional and Conservative Endodontic Access Cavities on Instrumentation Efficacy of Two Different Ni–Ti Systems: A Micro-CT Study
by Mehrdad Koohnavard, Berkan Celikten, Arda Buyuksungur and Kaan Orhan
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5803; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095803 - 8 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3010
Abstract
This study aims to compare the shaping efficiency of the nickel–titanium instrument systems, One Reci and ProTaper Ultimate, using micro-CT (micro-computed tomography) in traditional and conservative endodontic access cavities. The experimental groups were formed according to the type of access cavity and Ni–Ti [...] Read more.
This study aims to compare the shaping efficiency of the nickel–titanium instrument systems, One Reci and ProTaper Ultimate, using micro-CT (micro-computed tomography) in traditional and conservative endodontic access cavities. The experimental groups were formed according to the type of access cavity and Ni–Ti file system to be used. Sixty mandibular molar teeth were randomly divided into two main groups, the conservative access cavity (CAC) group and the traditional access cavity (TAC) group, and randomly divided into two subgroups according to the file system. The groups were compared with a two-way ANOVA analysis in terms of volume change, surface area, non-instrumented area transportation, and thickness of the dentin in the danger zone area after root canal preparation. The groups showed no statistically significant differences in terms of volume change, surface area, or the thickness of the dentin in the danger zone area after root canal preparation (p > 0.05). However, in the percentage of non-instrumented areas post-instrumentation between groups, the percentage of non-instrumented areas was statistically higher in specimens with CAC compared to TAC (p < 0.05). Canal transportation was higher in CAC at all distances from the apical region (p < 0.05). Within the limitations of this study, CAC can also be used with some precautions as an alternative to TAC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Endodontics and Periodontics)
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19 pages, 1991 KiB  
Article
Improved YOLOv5-Based Lightweight Object Detection Algorithm for People with Visual Impairment to Detect Buses
by Rio Arifando, Shinji Eto and Chikamune Wada
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5802; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095802 - 8 May 2023
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 7811
Abstract
Object detection is crucial for individuals with visual impairment, especially when waiting for a bus. In this study, we propose a lightweight and highly accurate bus detection model based on an improved version of the YOLOv5 model. We propose integrating the GhostConv and [...] Read more.
Object detection is crucial for individuals with visual impairment, especially when waiting for a bus. In this study, we propose a lightweight and highly accurate bus detection model based on an improved version of the YOLOv5 model. We propose integrating the GhostConv and C3Ghost Modules into the YOLOv5 network to reduce the number of parameters and floating-point operations per second (FLOPs), ensuring detection accuracy while reducing the model parameters. Following that, we added the SimSPPF module to replace the SPPF in the YOLOv5 backbone for increased computational efficiency and accurate object detection capabilities. Finally, we developed a Slim scale detection model by modifying the original YOLOv5 structure in order to make the model more efficient and faster, which is critical for real-time object detection applications. According to the experimental results, the Improved-YOLOv5 outperforms the original YOLOv5 in terms of the precision, recall, and [email protected]. Further analysis of the model complexity reveals that the Improved-YOLOv5 is more efficient due to fewer FLOPS, with fewer parameters, less memory usage, and faster inference time capabilities. The proposed model is smaller and more feasible to implement in resource-constrained mobile devices and a promising option for bus detection systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic AI Enhanced Civil Infrastructure Safety)
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22 pages, 5873 KiB  
Article
Lightweight Multiscale CNN Model for Wheat Disease Detection
by Xin Fang, Tong Zhen and Zhihui Li
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5801; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095801 - 8 May 2023
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3461
Abstract
Wheat disease detection is crucial for disease diagnosis, pesticide application optimization, disease control, and wheat yield and quality improvement. However, the detection of wheat diseases is difficult due to their various types. Detecting wheat diseases in complex fields is also challenging. Traditional models [...] Read more.
Wheat disease detection is crucial for disease diagnosis, pesticide application optimization, disease control, and wheat yield and quality improvement. However, the detection of wheat diseases is difficult due to their various types. Detecting wheat diseases in complex fields is also challenging. Traditional models are difficult to apply to mobile devices because they have large parameters, and high computation and resource requirements. To address these issues, this paper combines the residual module and the inception module to construct a lightweight multiscale CNN model, which introduces the CBAM and ECA modules into the residual block, enhances the model’s attention to diseases, and reduces the influence of complex backgrounds on disease recognition. The proposed method has an accuracy rate of 98.7% on the test dataset, which is higher than classic convolutional neural networks such as AlexNet, VGG16, and InceptionresnetV2 and lightweight models such as MobileNetV3 and EfficientNetb0. The proposed model has superior performance and can be applied to mobile terminals to quickly identify wheat diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Applied Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition: 2nd Edition)
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17 pages, 3146 KiB  
Article
Addition of Organic Matter to Pine Plantations on Agricultural Land Positively Alters the Mycobiome of Agricultural Soils
by Tadeusz Malewski, Piotr Borowik, Ireneusz Olejarski, Artur Rutkiewicz, Adam Okorski and Tomasz Oszako
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5800; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095800 - 8 May 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1585
Abstract
Afforestation of former agricultural land poses a real challenge for foresters because soil life is often severely limited by the loss of natural soil fungal diversity. In addition, former agricultural soils have low levels of fungal species typical of forest soils, which have [...] Read more.
Afforestation of former agricultural land poses a real challenge for foresters because soil life is often severely limited by the loss of natural soil fungal diversity. In addition, former agricultural soils have low levels of fungal species typical of forest soils, which have a unique microbiome that plays a protective role (antagonists, plant growth promoters, mycorrhizal fungi, etc.). This study aimed to determine the effect of using organic material in the form of bark compost, wood waste, and sawdust to improve the soil mycobiome of soils that have been damaged by their agricultural use. This study used experimental plots established 20 years ago, and we compared the biodiversity of the treated soils with that of the control soils by analysing soil samples with powerful molecular methods. Next-generation sequencing analysis of DNA extracted from soil samples and subsequent analysis of their species composition and biodiversity showed that the mycobiome of soil fungi has been altered by the addition of various forms of organic material. The proportion of fungi belonging to the Ascomycota decreased in favour of species from the Basidiomycota and Mucoromycota. The dominant fungal groups in the soil of the control area were Sagenomella, Wilcoxina, Oidiodendron, Meliniomyces, and Penicillium. Enrichment with organic matter by adding bark compost under the roots led to an increase in Penicillium, Inocybe, and Amphinema. The application of bark compost on the surface led to an increase in the dominance of Inocybe fungi in the soil. The mycobiome of the plant to which woody debris was applied was characterised by a marked dominance of fungi of the genera Russula, Oidiodendron, and Penicillium. Similar ratios were found in the plant to which sawdust was applied, where the fungi Meliniomyces, Penicillium, Oidiodendron, and Russula dominated. A comparative analysis of fungal diversity with the Shannon diversity index showed that the most diverse fungal communities were found in the sawdust plant (6.56), while the control sample (a soil sample from an agricultural area where no organic material was applied) had an index of 5.71. After the treatments, more potential antagonists against pine pathogens and mycorrhizal fungi were found to form beneficial symbiotic relationships with them. In our opinion, the results of this study show that it is worthwhile to introduce different forms of organic matter to post-agricultural land to improve soil biodiversity and mycorrhizal associations of pine roots with fungi to ensure the sustainability of the first generation of forests created. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Pests and Pathogens Treatment and Biological Control)
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19 pages, 515 KiB  
Article
A Hybrid Approach for Efficient and Secure Point Multiplication on Binary Edwards Curves
by Asher Sajid, Omar S. Sonbul, Muhammad Rashid and Muhammad Yousuf Irfan Zia
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5799; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095799 - 8 May 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1726
Abstract
The focus of this article is to present a novel crypto-accelerator architecture for a resource-constrained embedded system that utilizes elliptic curve cryptography (ECC). The architecture is built around Binary Edwards curves (BEC) to provide resistance against simple power analysis (SPA) attacks. Furthermore, the [...] Read more.
The focus of this article is to present a novel crypto-accelerator architecture for a resource-constrained embedded system that utilizes elliptic curve cryptography (ECC). The architecture is built around Binary Edwards curves (BEC) to provide resistance against simple power analysis (SPA) attacks. Furthermore, the proposed architecture incorporates several optimizations to achieve efficient hardware resource utilization for the point multiplication process over GF(2m). This includes the use of a Montgomery radix-2 multiplier and the projective coordinate hybrid algorithm (combination of Montgomery ladder and double and add algorithm) for scalar multiplication. A two-stage pipelined architecture is employed to enhance throughput. The design is modeled in Verilog HDL and verified using Vivado and ISE design suites from Xilinx. The obtained results demonstrate that the proposed BEC accelerator offers significant performance improvements compared to existing solutions. The obtained throughput over area ratio for GF(2233) on Virtex-4, Virtex-5, Virtex-6, and Virtex-7 Xilinx FPGAs are 9.43, 14.39, 26.14, and 28.79, respectively. The computation time required for a single point multiplication operation on the Virtex-7 device is 19.61 µs. These findings indicate that the proposed architecture has the potential to address the challenges posed by resource-constrained embedded systems that require high throughput and efficient use of available resources. Full article
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10 pages, 2888 KiB  
Communication
A Photon Imaging Detector Model with High Resolution and High Counting Rate
by Zhongzhi Jiang and Qiliang Ni
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5798; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095798 - 8 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1431
Abstract
A cross strip (XS) anode detector is a photon-counting imaging detector with high spatial resolution. However, due to the Poisson distribution characteristics of the photons emitted by the target, photons with a small time interval will cause signal superposition and resolution degradation. This [...] Read more.
A cross strip (XS) anode detector is a photon-counting imaging detector with high spatial resolution. However, due to the Poisson distribution characteristics of the photons emitted by the target, photons with a small time interval will cause signal superposition and resolution degradation. This is particularly significant at a high photon count rate. The key link that restricts the counting rate of the XS detector is the electronic system. In this paper, we propose a new electronic signal processing system scheme using a digital trapezoidal shaping filter instead of a traditional Gaussian shaping filter, which enables the detector to maintain a high resolution at high count rates. In order to verify the feasibility of the scheme, the relationship between shaping errors and shaping parameters is studied. Furthermore, the relationship between spatial resolution and photon-counting rate at different noise levels is revealed by numerical simulation. The results show that the detector can achieve a spatial resolution of <50 μm at a photon count rate of >6 MHz for 1000 e RMS noise. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Optoelectronic Devices)
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16 pages, 5373 KiB  
Article
Evolution Model of Coal Failure Using Energy Dissipation under Cyclic Loading/Unloading
by Chunlai Wang, Chang Zuo and Ze Zhao
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5797; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095797 - 8 May 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1239
Abstract
The damage and fracture of coal is accompanied by a complex energy conversion process, and these different stages of energy evolution are closely related to coal failure. In this paper, an evolution model describing the behavior of coal failure was proposed using the [...] Read more.
The damage and fracture of coal is accompanied by a complex energy conversion process, and these different stages of energy evolution are closely related to coal failure. In this paper, an evolution model describing the behavior of coal failure was proposed using the energy dissipation under cyclic loading/unloading. The energy growth pattern and energy consumption characteristics of the coal fracture were analyzed under cyclic loading/unloading. An evolution model of the energy behavior of coal fracture was established. The damage variables of energy dissipation were defined, and a theoretical model was established. The parameters included the relationship between the energy state, damage state, and strength state according to the uniaxial cyclic loading/unloading test. The results show that there are energy excitation and inhibition effects in the process of coal fracture; that is, the accumulation rate and level of energy are affected by the energy storage state, and the energy storage rate changes in the mode of “low promotion and high inhibition”. The abrupt increase in dissipated energy can be regarded as the precursor of coal fracture. Based on the analysis of the characteristics of the damage and failure state and dissipated energy, the discriminant equation for the stability of the coal energy state was constructed; it is a meaningful discovery for predicting and evaluating coal failure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Rock Mechanics and Backfilling Materials for Underground Mining)
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16 pages, 4102 KiB  
Article
Wear Model of Silicon Nitride Ceramic Balls in Three-Body Coupling Grinding Mode
by Wei Yu, Binghai Lv and Julong Yuan
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5796; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095796 - 8 May 2023
Viewed by 1935
Abstract
Silicon nitride ceramic balls are the key basic components of bearings in major equipment. Their key performance indices are accuracy and batch consistency. A grinding method with the most appropriate comprehensive performance is the basis and guarantee for optimizing these performance indices. In [...] Read more.
Silicon nitride ceramic balls are the key basic components of bearings in major equipment. Their key performance indices are accuracy and batch consistency. A grinding method with the most appropriate comprehensive performance is the basis and guarantee for optimizing these performance indices. In this study, an accurate wear model was established to predict the material removal rates (MRRs) of grinding methods and improve the dynamic grinding control ability of machinery during grinding, thus enabling the mass production of high-grade silicon nitride ceramic balls. A comprehensive analysis of various grinding and polishing methods revealed that the factors affecting sphericity were mainly manifested by the increase in ball sliding and the improvement in MRRs. More over, the three-body coupling grinding mode was considered as the grinding mode that was most applicable to silicon nitride ceramic balls. The upper disk served as an external nonlinear load, and the combination of the rotating speeds of the inner and outer disks of the lower grinding disk could actively control the ball’s angle of rotation. This three-body wear mode can fully envelop the grinding trajectory and ensure uniform grinding. The traditional two-body wear model was unsuitable for three-body coupling grinding. A wear model based on three-body wear was established to predict MRRs and understand the principle of material removal in the grinding of precision spheres. Theoretical analysis and experimental verification revealed that the MRRs of silicon nitride ceramic balls during wear are not only related to the process parameters of external load and speed but also to the physical properties and geometric parameters of balls, abrasives, and processing machinery. The wear model results of silicon nitride ceramic balls in the three-body coupling grinding mode can be obtained stably on the basis of the established wear model by removing adverse effects and adopting optimized processing parameters, thus verifying the correctness of the theoretical and simulation analyses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Modern Technologies and Manufacturing Systems, 2nd Volume)
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21 pages, 1937 KiB  
Article
CDDO–HS: Child Drawing Development Optimization–Harmony Search Algorithm
by Azad A. Ameen, Tarik A. Rashid and Shavan Askar
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5795; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095795 - 8 May 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1904
Abstract
Child drawing development optimization (CDDO) is a recent example of a metaheuristic algorithm. The motive for inventing this method is children’s learning behavior and cognitive development, with the golden ratio being employed to optimize the aesthetic value of their artwork. Unfortunately, CDDO suffers [...] Read more.
Child drawing development optimization (CDDO) is a recent example of a metaheuristic algorithm. The motive for inventing this method is children’s learning behavior and cognitive development, with the golden ratio being employed to optimize the aesthetic value of their artwork. Unfortunately, CDDO suffers from low performance in the exploration phase, and the local best solution stagnates. Harmony search (HS) is a highly competitive algorithm relative to other prevalent metaheuristic algorithms, as its exploration phase performance on unimodal benchmark functions is outstanding. Thus, to avoid these issues, we present CDDO–HS, a hybridization of both standards of CDDO and HS. The hybridized model proposed consists of two phases. Initially, the pattern size (PS) is relocated to the algorithm’s core and the initial pattern size is set to 80% of the total population size. Second, the standard harmony search (HS) is added to the pattern size (PS) for the exploration phase to enhance and update the solution after each iteration. Experiments are evaluated using two distinct standard benchmark functions, known as classical test functions, including 23 common functions and 10 CEC-C06 2019 functions. Additionally, the suggested CDDO–HS is compared to CDDO, the HS, and six others widely used algorithms. Using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, the results indicate that CDDO–HS beats alternative algorithms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Harmony Search Algorithm - Theoretical Background and Practical Applications: Volume 2)
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12 pages, 1981 KiB  
Article
Effects of Naphthalene Application on Soil Fungal Community Structure in a Poplar Plantation in Northern Jiangsu, China
by Xuan Xu, Penghe Cao, Yuchao Wang, Wei Wu, Jiahuan Guo, Jiejie Sun, Xiaoming Zou, Weifeng Wang and Honghua Ruan
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5794; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095794 - 8 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1623
Abstract
The soil food web is essential for the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. The application of naphthalene is a commonly employed experimental treatment for expelling soil fauna to examine faunal effects on litter decomposition processes, for which is it assumed that naphthalene has negligible [...] Read more.
The soil food web is essential for the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. The application of naphthalene is a commonly employed experimental treatment for expelling soil fauna to examine faunal effects on litter decomposition processes, for which is it assumed that naphthalene has negligible effects on soil microbial communities. An experiment was conducted to examine the potential soil-fauna-repellent effect of naphthalene application (100 g/m2/month, TR) on a soil fungal community during litter decomposition. The results showed that TR greatly suppressed the abundance and taxonomic richness of soil fauna by 83.7 ± 14.2% and 48.1 ± 17.2%, respectively, and reduced the rates of poplar leaf litter decomposition compared to the control (CK, without naphthalene treatment). Among the fungal communities, the abundance of Thelephorales in the TR soil was suppressed, while the abundance of Capnodiales was stimulated, although TR did not significantly alter the carbon and nitrogen content in the soil microbial biomass nor the diversity of soil fungal communities and the most abundant fungal phylum. Thus, both the suppressed soil arthropod abundance and altered soil fungal community might contribute to the observed slowdown in litter decomposition. These results suggest that naphthalene, as a soil fauna repellent, can alter the abundance of specific taxa in a soil fungal community, thereby impeding the effort to elucidate the contribution of soil fauna to ecosystem functioning (e.g., with respect to litter decomposition). Full article
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21 pages, 3940 KiB  
Article
RMFNet: Redetection Multimodal Fusion Network for RGBT Tracking
by Yanjie Zhao, Huicheng Lai and Guxue Gao
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5793; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095793 - 8 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1869
Abstract
The development of single-modality target tracking based on visible light has been limited in recent years because visual light images are highly susceptible to environmental and lighting influences. Thermal infrared images can well compensate for this defect, so RGBT tracking has attracted increasing [...] Read more.
The development of single-modality target tracking based on visible light has been limited in recent years because visual light images are highly susceptible to environmental and lighting influences. Thermal infrared images can well compensate for this defect, so RGBT tracking has attracted increasing attention. However, existing studies are limited to the aggregation of multimodal information using feature fusion, ignoring the role of decision-level fusion in tracking, and the original re-detection algorithm in the used baseline model is prone to the accumulation of failures. To deal with these problems, we propose the Redetection Multimodal Fusion Network (RMFNet). The network is divided into three branches, the visible light branch, the thermal infrared branch, and the fusion branch. The three-branch structure can plainly utilize the complementary advantages of multimodal information and the commonalities and specific characteristics of the two modalities. We propose a multimodal feature fusion module (EFM), which can adaptively calculate the reliability of the modality and perform a weighted fusion of the two-modality features features. The existing redetection algorithm is improved, and the re-detection mechanism of global search in the current frame is added to reduce the accumulation of failures. We have conducted extensive comparative validation on two widely used benchmark datasets, GTOT and RGBT234. The outcomes of the experiments suggest that RMFNet outperforms other tracking methods. Full article
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16 pages, 4145 KiB  
Article
Design and Experimentation of a Residual-Input Tube-End Cutting System for Plasma Bags Based on Machine Vision
by Jiawei Ye, Lihong Zhao, Shuang Liu, Peiwei Wu and Jintao Cai
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5792; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095792 - 8 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1459
Abstract
In response to the lack of plasma bag-breaking equipment and time-consuming manual recovery of plasma in China, this study focuses on the distal end cutting of a plasma bag residual-input tube and designs a machine-vision-based plasma bag residual-input tube cutting system. The system [...] Read more.
In response to the lack of plasma bag-breaking equipment and time-consuming manual recovery of plasma in China, this study focuses on the distal end cutting of a plasma bag residual-input tube and designs a machine-vision-based plasma bag residual-input tube cutting system. The system comprises a plasma bag rotation device, a bottom disc, an image acquisition device, a cutting device, and a device control system. The image acquisition device captures images of the rotating plasma bag and calculates the Euclidean distance from the end of the plasma bag input-tube distal end to the outer edge of the bottom support plate and the distance from the input-tube distal end to the centerline of the plasma bag. Two distinct value acquisition algorithms are designed for the two types of input tubes. The screw slide moves accordingly. When the plasma bag is above the cutting part, the cutting part cuts the end of the residual-input tube of the plasma bag. The prototype performance tests reveal that the cutting error is within 10% of the end of the plasma bag input tube distal end, the cutting success rate is 100%, and the processing time for each bag is 2.5 s, which meets the time requirements of the plasma bag breaker. Full article
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