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The nondestructive spectral analysis of surface waves (SASW) technique determines the shear wave velocities along the wide wavelength range using Rayleigh-type surface waves that propagate along pairs of receivers on the surface. The typical configuration of source-receivers consists of a vertical source and three vertical receivers arranged in a linear array. While this approach allows for effective site characterization, laterally variable sites are often challenging to characterize. In addition, in a traditional SASW test configuration system, where sources are placed in one direction, the data are collected more on one side, which can cause an imbalance in the interpretation of the data. Data interpretation issues can be resolved by moving the source to opposite ends of the original array and relocating receivers to perform a second complete set of tests. Consequently, two different Vs profiles can be provided with only a small amount of additional time at sites where lateral variability exists. Furthermore, the testing procedure can be modified to enhance the site characterization during data collection. The advantages of performing SASW testing in both directions are discussed using a real case study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research emphasizes a meta-heuristic modified ant lion optimizer (MALO) optimization approach for the simultaneous utilization of DSTATCOM devices and distributed photovoltaic (PV) sources with network reconfiguration in a radial power distribution scheme. In a radial power distribution network with network reconfiguration, the majority of the research is based on constant power model analysis. However, it is noticed that load models have a substantial impact on the distributed PV sources and the DSTATCOM device's optimal size and position. The effect of the constant power (CP) and polynomial (ZIP) with load growth load models for the simultaneous insertion of distributed PV sources and DSTATCOM devices with network reconfiguration is examined in this research work for power system planning. The penetration levels of distributed PV sources considered for the investigation are 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. The principal objective of this research is to reduce network total power losses, enhance the voltage magnitude profile at all buses, and reduce the overall operating cost while adhering to equality and inequality constraints. The proposed algorithm is verified on 118-node test systems. The investigation is carried out for planning network upgrading to a high-voltage distribution system (HVDS) on 317 nodes in the rural Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) radial distribution scheme. The simulated results obtained with this method are validated with the BAT algorithm and techniques available in the literature. It is observed that in the IEEE 118-bus system, via the simultaneous placement and sizing of PV sources considering a 25% penetration level and DSTATCOM devices during network reconfiguration, the total power loss reduction is 41.47% and 42.98% for the constant power model and ZIP with the load growth model. For the 317-bus system, the total power loss reduction observed for 11 kV is 49.77% and 59.34% for the constant power model and ZIP model with load growth. Similarly, for the 22 kV system, the power loss reduction observed is 51.69% and 55.75% for the constant power model and ZIP with the load growth model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes a laboratory model of a battery energy storage system (BESS) designed for testing algorithms aimed at reducing peak power consumption in railway traction substations. The system comprises a DC/DC converter and battery energy storage. This article details a laboratory model of a bidirectional buck-boost DC/DC converter, which is used to transfer energy between the battery energy storage and a DC line. It presents an analysis of DC/DC converter systems along with simulation studies. Furthermore, the results of laboratory tests on the DC/DC converter model are also provided. The control algorithm of the system in the traction substation is focused on reducing peak power, offering benefits such as lower charges for the railway operator due to the possibility of reducing contracted power requirements. From the perspective of the power grid, the reduction in power fluctuations and, consequently, voltage sags, is advantageous. This paper includes a description of a hardware simulator for verifying the system's control algorithms. The verification of the control algorithms was performed through experimental tests conducted on a laboratory model (a hardware simulator) of the system for dynamic load reduction in traction substations, on a power scale of 1:1000 (5.5 kW). The experimental tests on the laboratory model (hardware simulator) demonstrated the effectiveness of the algorithm in reducing the peak power drawn from the power source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multimodal detection system with complementary capabilities for efficient detection was developed for impurity detection. The system consisted of a visible light camera, a multispectral camera, image correction and registration algorithms. It can obtain spectral features and color features at the same time and has higher spatial resolution than a single spectral camera. This system was applied to detect impurities in Pu'er tea to verify its high efficiency. The spectral and color features of each pixel in the images of Pu'er tea were obtained by this system and used for pixel classification. The experimental results showed that the accuracy of a support vector machine (SVM) model based on combined features was 93%, which was 7% higher than that based on spectral features only. By applying a median filtering algorithm and a contour detection algorithm to the label matrix extracted from pixel-classified images, except hair, eight impurities were detected successfully. Moreover, taking advantage of the high resolution of a visible light camera, small impurities could be clearly imaged. By comparing the segmented color image with the pixel-classified image, small impurities such as hair could be detected successfully. Finally, it was proved that the system could obtain multiple images to allow a more detailed and comprehensive understanding of the detected items and had an excellent ability to detect small impurities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rosa centifolia L. and Rosa gallica L. (Rosaceae) are grown as raw materials for valuable essential oils and hydrosols. There are scarce data about the biological activities and the genoprotective potential of the hydrosols of these roses. The aim of the study was to provide information on their cytotoxic/genotoxic activity and anti-cytotoxic/anti-genotoxic capacity against mutagenic N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). The evaluation was performed using classical tests for chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei in the higher plant Hordeum vulgare and human lymphocyte test systems. The experimental schemes included combined hydrosol and mutagen treatment. Both hydrosols (6, 14, 20%) had no cytotoxic effect on barley and showed low genotoxicity in both test systems as the injuries were enhanced to a lesser extent compared to the controls. Lymphocytes were more susceptible than H. vulgare. Under the conditions of combined treatment, it was found that the two hydrosols possessed good anti-cytotoxic and anti-genotoxic potential against MNNG. Both rose products exerted genoprotective potential to a similar extent, decreasing the frequencies of aberrations in chromosomes and micronuclei to a significant degree in both types of cells when non-toxic concentrations of hydrosols were applied before MNNG. This was performed both with and without any inter-treatment time. The observed cytoprotective/genoprotective potential suggests that these hydrosols are promising for further application in phytotherapy and medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern vehicles equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) rely heavily on sensor fusion to achieve a comprehensive understanding of their surrounding environment. Traditionally, the Kalman Filter (KF) has been a popular choice for this purpose, necessitating complex data association and track management to ensure accurate results. To address errors introduced by these processes, the application of the Gaussian Mixture Probability Hypothesis Density (GM-PHD) filter is a good choice. This alternative filter implicitly handles the association and appearance/disappearance of tracks. The approach presented here allows for the replacement of KF frameworks in many applications while achieving runtimes below 1 ms on the test system. The key innovations lie in the utilization of sensor-based parameter models to implicitly handle varying Fields of View (FoV) and sensing capabilities. These models represent sensor-specific properties such as detection probability and clutter density across the state space. Additionally, we introduce a method for propagating additional track properties such as classification with the GM-PHD filter, further contributing to its versatility and applicability. The proposed GM-PHD filter approach surpasses a KF approach on the KITTI dataset and another custom dataset. The mean OSPA(2) error could be reduced from 1.56 (KF approach) to 1.40 (GM-PHD approach), showcasing its potential in ADAS perception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, biomedical optics technology has developed rapidly. The current widespread use of biomedical optics was made possible by the invention of optical instruments. The advantages of being non-invasive, portable, effective, low cost, and less susceptible to system noise have led to the rapid development of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) technology for hemodynamics detection, especially in the field of functional brain imaging. At the same time, laboratories and companies have developed various fNIRS-based systems. The safety, stability, and efficacy of fNIRS systems are key performance indicators. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive and systematic evaluation methods for fNIRS instruments. This study uses the fNIRS system developed in our laboratory as the test object. The test method established in this study includes system validation and performance testing to comprehensively assess fNIRS systems' reliability. These methods feature low cost and high practicality. Based on this study, existing or newly developed systems can be comprehensively and easily evaluated in the laboratory or workspace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents an implementation of a Nested Decomposition Algorithm (NDA) applied to co-optimizing generation and transmission capacity expansion planning problems in power systems, including operational flexibility constraints. The proposed methodology has been gaining relevance in recent years, as it can efficiently solve large mixed-integer problems faster than the conventional extensive formulation (mixed-integer linear programming). Three case studies are conducted on two IEEE test power systems to evaluate the algorithm's performance and cut configuration. The first case study compares the performance between the NDA and the extensive formulation. The second case study compares the performance of each cut type, analyzing differences in simulation times and algorithm convergence. The third case study proposes a set of cut patterns based on the prior outcomes, whose performance and convergence are tested. Based on the simulation results, conclusions are drawn about the capability and performance of the NDA applied to the capacity expansion planning problem. The study shows that obtaining results with reasonable convergence in less simulation time is possible using a particular pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Railway communication is undergoing a transitional period worldwide, and 5G for railway (5G-R), which has been adopted by the Railway International Union (UIC) in China and in many other countries, which is a common concern all over the world. The 2100 MHz frequency band, which ranks among the top three mainstream frequency bands for public 5G network deployment globally, has recently been issued by MIIT for a 5G-R trial in China, and the frequency is fairly close to 5G-R frequency band of 1900 MHz in Europe. Propagation study for railway communication, especially for mainline, which is the most common and widely used scenario, is of great importance, because it is closely related to passengers' lives and properties. In this article, based on the 5G-R dedicated network testing environment constructed along the test line of loop railway of National Railway Track Test Center of China, the 2100 MHz 5G-R propagation measurement campaign is conducted, with an in-service SS-RSRP signal-based passive 2100 MHz large-scale channel testing system, as well as a SDR-based 2100 MHz 5G-R channel sounding system, based on which the large-scale as well as small-scale channel characteristics are derived and extensively analyzed. With data derived from the passive testing system, the classical FI, CI as well as TR 38.901 large-scale channel models are properly fitted and compared by calculating RMSE as well as MAE values. Moreover, based on the SDR-based channel sounding system, conclusions on the relationship between the parameters of multi-path component numbers, RMS time spread, received power and distance between the transmitter and the receiver are drawn. The 5G-R system studied in this letter is symmetric FDD communication system, apart from the 2 aspects of channel modeling characteristics, which are large-scale and small-scale complementing each other, the research methodology adopted of the letter also has two aspects, passive measurement, as well as active measurement, and both methods have their own advantages and different focuses, which can also complements each other. Relevant research results of this letter will be helpful for facilitating the R&D, deployment, as well as network optimization of a future mobile communication system under railway mainline scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diffusion bonding technology is widely used in the connection of precision components, yet accurately and reliably detecting contact-type defects on the bond interface still remains a significant problem. Nonlinear ultrasonic methods have been proven to be sensitive to contact-type defects; however, the use of continuous wave or tone burst wave excitation limits its wider application. In this paper, dual-probe nonlinear ultrasonic testing with pulse wave excitation is proposed to detect contact-type defects in diffusion-bonded joints. A titanium alloy diffusion-bonded specimen with artificial defects was fabricated, and the corresponding detection device was designed based on the existing ultrasonic C-scan testing system. A C-scan imaging program based on nonlinear parameters was developed by extracting the fundamental and second harmonic waves of the reflection echo on the bond interface. The results demonstrated that the proposed detection scheme can obtain the nonlinear parameters of diffusion-bonded interfaces, and the nonlinear ultrasonic C-scan image of the bond interface is also obtained. The nonlinear parameter in the contact-type defects areas calculated from the bond interface echo is about 10 times (20 dB) higher than that in macro defects areas, whose gap is about 10 μm. The results indicate that the nonlinear ultrasonic methods seem to be more sensitive to contact-type defects and have a great potential to complement the insufficient detection capability of linear ultrasound for diffusion-bonded joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable energy sources provide an environmentally sustainable solution to meet growing energy demands. Consequently, photovoltaics (PV) is regarded as a promising form of green distributed generation (GDG). The penetration of PV-GDG into distribution networks (DNs) is crucial, presenting a significant opportunity to improve power grid quality and reduce power losses. In this study, a comprehensive investigation was conducted to determine the optimal location, number, and capacity of PV-GDG penetrations with DN to achieve these objectives. Therefore, employing the Newton–Raphson (NR) technique and particle swarm optimization (PSO) approach for case studies, the analysis focused on the IEEE 33 bus test system as a benchmark test and the Iraq–Baghdad DN at 11 kV and 0.416 kV as a real case study. The outcomes revealed that integrating 4 × 1 MW PV-GDG units in a centralized configuration at bus 13 of the 11 kV Rusafa DN in the first scenario significantly reduced power losses and alleviated voltage drops across the network. In contrast, the second scenario entailed the utilization of dispersed PV panels with a capacity of 10 kW installed on rooftops at all 400 consumer load points with a cumulative capacity of 4 MW. This approach exemplified the enhancement of DN performance by significantly maximizing the power loss reduction and minimizing the voltage drops across the buses, exceeding the results achieved in the first scenario. The software applications employed in the practical implementation of this study included the CYMDist 9.0 Rev 04 program, PVsyst 7.2.20 software, and MATLAB R2022b. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accidents between right-turning commercial vehicles and crossing vulnerable road users (VRUs) in urban environments often lead to serious or fatal injuries and therefore play a significant role in forensic accident analysis. To reduce the risk of accidents, blind spot assistance systems have been installed in commercial vehicles for several years, among other things, to detect VRUs and warn the driver in time. However, since such systems cannot reliably prevent all turning accidents, an investigation by experts must clarify how the accident occurred and to what extent the blind spot assistance system influenced the course of the accident. The occurrence of the acoustic warning message can be defined as an objective reaction prompt for the driver, so that the blind spot assistance system can significantly influence the avoidability assessment. In order to be able to integrate the system into forensic accident analysis, a precise knowledge of how the system works and its limitations is required. For this purpose, tests with different systems and accident constellations were conducted and evaluated. It was found that the type of sensor used for the assistance systems has a great influence on the system's performance. The lateral distance between the right side of the commercial vehicle and the VRU, as well as obstacles between them, along with the speed difference can have great influence on the reliability of the assistance system. Depending on the concrete time of the system's warning signal, the accident can be avoided or not by the driver when reacting to this signal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On-farm milk flow meter technology facilitates real-time assessment of individual cow milking observations and could be used to detect milking liner slips during machine milking of dairy cows. Here, we compared the accuracy of on-farm milk flow meters for detecting milking liner slips with that of audible detection and that of a portable vacuum recording system. Compared to audible detection methods, the on-farm milk flow meter facilitated the detection of milking liner slips with moderate accuracy. Using the vacuum recording system as the gold standard, the milk flow meter system failed to detect most of the liner slips, leading to poor agreement between the two devices. We conclude that the on-farm milk flow meter system tested here compared well with audible detection; however, when vacuum recordings were considered, we found significant levels of under-detection. Taken together, dairy operators may use the on-farm milk flow meter system to inform adjustments of the milking machine settings and monitor milking routine performance. However, the system is not suitable for monitoring short-duration vacuum fluctuations. Future research is warranted to optimize the sensor-based detection of milking liner slips. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Testing and reliability assessment are crucial aspects when considering the thermal domain's influence on the overall system. Thermal interactions occur between all subsystems, and their separation can disrupt internal thermal interactions, altering temperature profiles. Evaluating functional system reliability requires accounting for the thermal domain's impact on temperature-dependent performance and thermal damage limits. However, testing faces challenges due to the lack of a suitable thermal coupling system capable of transferring thermal interactions by heat conduction between spatially separated subsystems. To address this issue, this paper introduces a thermal coupling system that focuses on the control system and its validation through experimental studies. Two scenarios were investigated: (I) the original assembly situation with direct heat transfer between two subsystems, and (II) a spatially separated scenario utilizing the thermal coupling system to establish heat transfer between the subsystems. The evaluation variables are the temperature curves and the deviations between the two scenarios. Two different tests with a different amount of heat flows are carried out. The thermal coupling system utilizes thermal actuators, specifically Peltier devices, to ensure a zero temperature difference between the original contact points. The control system employs both closed-loop and open-loop control to regulate the heat flow and achieve energy conservation between the spatially separated subsystems. The results demonstrate that the described thermal coupling system yields only slight deviations in temperature curves, indicating its applicability for early evaluation of functional system reliability. This research contributes to a better understanding of thermal interactions in complex systems and provides a valuable tool for enhancing overall system reliability through thermal testing and validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptographic devices' complexity necessitates fast security simulation environments against fault attacks. SystemC, a promising candidate in Electronic System Levels (ESLs), can achieve higher simulation speeds while maintaining accuracy and reliability, and its modular and hierarchical design allows for efficient modeling of complex cryptographic algorithms and protocols. However, code modification is required for fault injection and detection. Aspect-Oriented Programming (AOP) can test cryptographic models' robustness without modifications, potentially replacing real cryptanalysis schemes and reducing the time and effort required for fault injection and detection. Through the utilization of a fault injection/detection environment, this paper presents a novel approach to simulating the security fault attacks of ASCON cryptographic systems at the ESL. The purpose of this methodology is to evaluate the resistance of ASCON SystemC models against fault attacks. The proposed methodology leverages the advantages of AOP to enhance the fault injection and detection process. By applying AOP techniques, we inject faults into the SystemC models without making any changes to the main codebase. This approach not only improves the efficiency of testing cryptographic systems but also ensures that the main functionality remains intact during the fault injection process. The methodology was validated using three scenarios and SystemC ASCON as a case study. The first simulation involved evaluating fault detection capabilities, the second focused on the impact of AOP on executable file size and simulation time, and the third focused on the ESL impact on the ASCON design process. Simulation results show that this methodology can perfectly evaluate the robustness of the ASCON design against fault injection attacks with no significant impact on simulation time and file executable size. Additionally, the simulation results prove that the ASCON development life cycle at the ESL reduces the amount of time devoted to the design procedure by 83.34%, and the ASCON security attack simulations at the ESL decrease the simulation time by 40% compared to the register transfer level (RTL). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ideas of self-observation and self-representation, and the concomitant idea of self-control, pervade both the cognitive and life sciences, arising in domains as diverse as immunology and robotics. Here, we ask in a very general way whether, and to what extent, these ideas make sense. Using a generic model of physical interactions, we prove a theorem and several corollaries that severely restrict applicable notions of self-observation, self-representation, and self-control. We show, in particular, that adding observational, representational, or control capabilities to a meta-level component of a system cannot, even in principle, lead to a complete meta-level representation of the system as a whole. We conclude that self-representation can at best be heuristic, and that self models cannot, in general, be empirically tested by the systems that implement them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) cause unwanted interference in various hemostasis assays, including lupus anticoagulant (LA) testing, where false positive and false negative identification may occur. DOAC Stop (DS) is an activated charcoal (AC) product used to specifically and effectively adsorb DOACs from test plasma. This process normally requires plasma treatment, centrifugation and plasma separation prior to tests, but inexperienced operators may also inadvertently transfer residual AC particles, thereby potentially adversely affecting clot detection. Methods: We hypothesized that residual DS might not be problematic for mechanical clot detection. We therefore investigated the potential impact of DS and a new DS liquid (DS-L) product on clotting tests using a mechanical clot detection system. Varying concentrations of DS were added to normal and abnormal plasmas with and without DOAC presence. Clotting tests including PT, APTT and dRVVT were performed directly in the analyzer without plasma/DS centrifugation. Results: DS up to double the recommended treatment level had only minor effects on all test results, despite completely obscuring visibility in the plasma/reagent mix. This confirms that the centrifugation step may be able to be omitted when using mechanical detection systems. Conclusions: Should DS carryover into treated plasmas occur, this should not cause issues with testing performed on mechanical clot-sensing devices. Moreover, we hypothesize that DS can be used directly in these systems, without the need for centrifugation, thereby simplifying its many potential applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces a multilayer perceptron (MLP) error compensation method for real-time camera orientation estimation, leveraging a single vanishing point and road lane lines within a steady-state framework. The research emphasizes cameras with a roll angle of 0°, predominant in autonomous vehicle contexts. The methodology estimates pitch and yaw angles using a single image and integrates two Kalman filter models with inputs from image points (u, v) and derived angles (pitch, yaw). Performance metrics, including avgE, minE, maxE, ssE, and Stdev, were utilized, testing the system in both simulator and real-vehicle environments. The outcomes indicate that our method notably enhances the accuracy of camera orientation estimations, consistently outpacing competing techniques across varied scenarios. This potency of the method is evident in its adaptability and precision, holding promise for advanced vehicle systems and real-world applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposed a real-time fault diagnostic method for hydraulic systems using data collected from multiple sensors. The method is based on a proposed multi-sensor convolutional neural network (MS-CNN) that incorporates feature extraction, sensor selection, and fault diagnosis into an end-to-end model. Both the sensor selection process and fault diagnosis process are based on abstract fault-related features learned by a CNN deep learning model. Therefore, compared with the traditional sensor-and-feature selection method, the proposed MS-CNN can find the sensor channels containing higher-level fault-related features, which provides two advantages for diagnosis. First, the sensor selection can reduce the redundant information and improve the diagnostic performance of the model. Secondly, the reduced number of sensors simplifies the model, reducing communication burden and computational complexity. These two advantages make the MS-CNN suitable for real-time hydraulic system fault diagnosis, in which the multi-sensor feature extraction and the computation speed are both significant. The proposed MS-CNN approach is evaluated experimentally on an electric-hydraulic subsea control system test rig and an open-source dataset. The proposed method shows obvious superiority in terms of both diagnosis accuracy and computational speed when compared with traditional CNN models and other state-of-the-art multi-sensor diagnostic methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a methodology for static security assessment of transmission network planning using machine learning (ML). The objective is to accelerate the probabilistic risk assessment of the Hydro-Quebec (HQ) TransÉnergie transmission grid. The model takes the expected power supply and the status of the elements in a N − k contingency scenario as inputs. The output is the reliability metric Expecting Load Shedding Cost ( E L S C ). To train and test the regression model, stochastic data are performed, resulting in a set of N − k and k = 1 , 2 , 3 contingency scenarios used as inputs. Subsequently, the output is computed for each scenario by performing load shedding using an optimal power flow algorithm, with the objective function of minimizing E L S C . Experimental results on the well-known IEEE-39 bus test system and PEGASE-1354 system demonstrate the potential of the proposed methodology in generalizing E L S C during an N − k contingency. For up to k = 3 the coefficient of determination R 2 obtained was close to 98% for both case studies, achieving a speed-up of over four orders of magnitude with the use of a Multilayer Perceptron ( M L P ). This approach and its results have not been addressed in the literature, making this methodology a contribution to the state of the art. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under-frequency load shedding (UFLS) schemes are the latest safety measures applied for safeguarding the integrity of the grid against abrupt frequency imbalances. The overall inertia of electrical power systems is expected to decrease with an increased penetration of renewable energy as well as elements connected through power electronic interfaces. However, voltage source converter-based high voltage direct current (VSC-HVDC) links can provide virtual inertia through a control loop that allows for a reaction to occur at certain frequency fluctuations. This paper evaluates a UFLS scheme that considers the injection of virtual inertia through a VSC-HVDC link. A genetic algorithm (GA) is used to determine the location of the UFLS relays, the activation threshold of each stage, the delay time and the percentage of load shedding at each stage. It was found that the virtual inertia causes the nadir to delay and sometimes reach a greater depth. Furthermore, the implemented GA approximates the frequency response to the limits set with the constraints, reducing the load shedding but achieving a steeper nadir and a lower steady-state frequency level than traditional UFLS. The simulations were performed using the IEEE 39-bus test system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Isothermal Relaxation Current (IRC) method, as a non-destructive condition evaluation method based on insulation dielectric response, has been applied in the maintenance of power cables. However, the relaxation current is usually conducted through the outer shield of the high-voltage wire, which will introduce the extra depolarization current into the test circuit, affecting the accuracy of the test results. Furthermore, most IRC cable measurements are single-phase, which means depolarization currents are measured for each cable separately. In order to improve the measurement accuracy and efficiency of the IRC test, this paper proposes an improved IRC measurement method based on an isolated circuit, which discharges the interference current from the high-voltage insulated wire back to the earth and reduces the measurement error of depolarization current. At the same time, a three-phase IRC simultaneous test system is designed, and the control software is developed. Furthermore, by verifying the accuracy of the test system, the independence of the single-phase circuit and the consistency of the three-phase circuit is achieved. The effect of depolarization time and temperature on the relaxation current is then explored to determine the suitable parameter of the IRC test. Finally, the IRC system is used to evaluate the aging state of 10 kV cables with various aging conditions in the air and water for the longest 12 months. Critical parameters such as aging factor and time constants are compared to investigate the aging characteristics of tested cables with various aging conditions in the air and water. The proposed method and research conclusions can provide helpful references for the non-destructive condition evaluation for high-voltage cable insulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to overcome the difficulty of conducting the horizontal-well cavity leaching test in the field and to investigate the long-term stability of the horizontal-well salt-cavity natural gas storage. The simulation test design is combined with the similarity theory to study the cavity expansion characteristics and the influence law of cavity leaching parameters. Through the design of a rubber hose connection, an integrated closed test system for multi-stage horizontal-well cavity leaching and brine drainage was built. The test system also realises the repeatable backward movement of the injection well during the test. A similarity simulation of the test design was carried out, and the test platform was constructed to carry out multi-stage horizontal-well leaching tests with a nitrogen cushion. In the horizontal-well leaching tests with a nitrogen cushion, the influence laws of the well spacing, flow rate and liquid level position on cavity expansion were investigated. Based on the morphological characteristics of the horizontal-well cavity, a numerical model of the horizontal-well salt cavity was developed, which reflects the real cavity morphology leached in the test. The long-term stability of the horizontal-well salt-cavity natural gas storage under different internal pressures was investigated through numerical simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional generation maintenance scheduling (GMS) is a solution to increase the reliability of power systems and minimize the operation and maintenance costs paid by generation companies (GenCos). Nonetheless, environmental aspects, such as zero carbon emissions, have attracted global attention, leading to emission costs being paid by electricity generators. Therefore, to obtain GMS plans that consider these factors, this paper proposes multi-objective GMS models to minimize operation, maintenance, and emission costs by using lexicographic optimization as a mathematical tool. A demand response program (DRP) is also adapted to decrease emission generation and operational expenditures. The probability that no generation unit (GU) fails unexpectedly and the average net reserve value, comprising the system reliability with and without considering the GU failure rate, are demonstrated. Numerical examples are implemented for the IEEE 24-bus reliability test system. A GMS algorithm presented in a published work is run and compared to verify the robustness of the proposed GMS models. Our results indicate that this paper provides comprehensive approaches to the multi-objective GMS problem focusing on operation, maintenance, carbon, and DRP costs in consideration of technical and environmental aspects. The use of lexicographic optimization allows for the systematic and hierarchical consideration of these objectives, leading to significant benefits for GenCos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The randomness of the power supply side and the load side of comprehensive energy systems is increasingly prominent. It is very difficult to meet demand through traditional planning methods. To solve this problem, this paper explores the coordinated planning of a power system under uncertain characteristics using the multilinear Monte Carlo method. The uncertain characteristic model and probability density function of the system's power supply side and load side are established. Taking the optimal operating cost and the maximum wind power consumption as the system planning objectives, a system coordination planning scheme is established, and it is solved by multilinear Monte Carlo simulation. The superiority of this method is verified by taking the modified IEEE 39-bus test system as an example. This method can provide a reference for system planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To alleviate the hassle of false data injection (FDI) attacks on distributed generators (DGs) in microgrids, a communication encryption-based distributed cooperative control is proposed in this paper. Compared to the conventional distributed control strategies, the proposed control scheme is simpler with much less complex evaluation mechanism by upgrading the secondary control to a second-order control based on the finite-time control theory while combining an encryption strategy. The proposed algorithm provides constant injections to eliminate the impact of FDI attacks based on a robust communication system. The effectiveness and high efficiency of the proposed control scheme is validated in an IEEE 34 Node Test Feeder system with six DGs as a microgrid cyber-physical system (CPS) under different FDI attacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the BESTest to the Persian language and evaluate its intra-rater reliability in Iranian patients with stroke. A forward-backward translation and expert panel review method was followed. Eighteen patients post-stroke (15 men, 3 female) were included which were assessed by a physiotherapist two times with a one-week interval. The mean total score for the test and retest were 83.66 (SD = 11.98) and 82 (SD = 13.23), respectively. There were no floor and ceiling effects. The intra-rater ICC for the total score was 0.88 (95% CI = 0.73–0.95). The ICC for the BESTest sections ranged from 0.55 (95% CI = 0.12–0.80) to 0.89 (95% CI = 0.55–0.96). The standard error of measurement and the smallest detectable change of the BESTest total score were 8.33 and 22.82, respectively. Our findings confirm the intra-rater reliability of the Persian BESTest for balance assessment of patients with chronic stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the development of an automated three-point bending testing system using a robot to increase the efficiency and precision of measurements for PLA/TPU polymer blends as implementation high-throughput measurement methods. The system operates continuously and characterizes the flexural properties of PLA/TPU blends with varying TPU concentrations. This study aimed to determine the effect of TPU concentration on the strength and flexural stiffness, surface properties (WCA), thermal properties (TGA, DSC), and microscopic characterization of the studied blends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tool frame calibration has been widely used in robot-assisted printing, welding, and grinding, but it is not suitable for ultrasonic testing because the robot is submerged in water. The purpose of this paper is to present a tool frame calibration method, which is suitable for improving the precision of ultrasonic testing. In uniform mediums, sound travels along a straight line like ray. A reflector is fixed in water to reflect ultrasound, which makes it possible to measure distances between incidence points on a reflector and tool center point (TCP) on an ultrasound transducer. In addition, the positions and poses of the end flange are recorded through a robot controller. Finally, an optimization method is applied to calculate the position and pose errors of the tool frame relative to the end flange according to such records. The presented method was implemented in an ultrasonic testing system. We selected 100 incidence points on the reflector to calculate the assembly errors of the transducer. The pulse amplitude rose obviously after calibration, which verifies that this is an effective method. Considering that ultrasonic transducers can be used as a measuring tool, this paper proposes a tool frame calibration method for ultrasonic testing robots without introducing other measuring devices, which draws the conclusion that tool frame can be calibrated through ultrasound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a portable wireless transmission system for the multi-channel acquisition of surface electromyography (EMG) signals. Because EMG signals have great application value in psychotherapy and human–computer interaction, this system is designed to acquire reliable, real-time facial-muscle-movement signals. Electrodes placed on the surface of a facial-muscle source can inhibit facial-muscle movement due to weight, size, etc., and we propose to solve this problem by placing the electrodes at the periphery of the face to acquire the signals. The multi-channel approach allows this system to detect muscle activity in 16 regions simultaneously. Wireless transmission (Wi-Fi) technology is employed to increase the flexibility of portable applications. The sampling rate is 1 KHz and the resolution is 24 bit. To verify the reliability and practicality of this system, we carried out a comparison with a commercial device and achieved a correlation coefficient of more than 70% on the comparison metrics. Next, to test the system's utility, we placed 16 electrodes around the face for the recognition of five facial movements. Three classifiers, random forest, support vector machine (SVM) and backpropagation neural network (BPNN), were used for the recognition of the five facial movements, in which random forest proved to be practical by achieving a classification accuracy of 91.79%. It is also demonstrated that electrodes placed around the face can still achieve good recognition of facial movements, making the landing of wearable EMG signal-acquisition devices more feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental and theoretical results about entropy limits for macroscopic and single-particle systems are reviewed. All experiments confirm the minimum system entropy S ⩾ k ln 2 . We clarify in which cases it is possible to speak about a minimum system entropy k ln 2 and in which cases about a quantum of entropy. Conceptual tensions with the third law of thermodynamics, with the additivity of entropy, with statistical calculations, and with entropy production are resolved. Black hole entropy is surveyed. Claims for smaller system entropy values are shown to contradict the requirement of observability, which, as possibly argued for the first time here, also implies the minimum system entropy k ln 2 . The uncertainty relations involving the Boltzmann constant and the possibility of deriving thermodynamics from the existence of minimum system entropy enable one to speak about a general principle that is valid across nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of stable-to-self-condensation Cu(II)-coordinated polyoxyethylene-substituted silicas (ASiP-Cu-0.5) on the synthesis of microporous block copolymers (OBCs) whose structural feature is the existence of coplanar polyisocyanate blocks of acetal nature (O-polyisocyanates) and a flexible-chain component of amphiphilic nature was studied. The use of ASiP-Cu-0.5 increased the yield of O-polyisocyanate blocks and the microphase separation of OBC. The resulting OBCs turned out to be effective sorbents for the analytical reagents PAN and PHENAZO, which, being in the micropore cavity, interacted with copper(II) and magnesium ions. To reduce the thickness of the selective OBC layer ten-fold and simplify the technology for obtaining analytical test systems, polyethylene terephthalate was used as a substrate for applying OBC. It was found that the increased sensitivity of the resulting test systems was due to the fact that in thin reaction layers, the efficiency of the formation of O-polyisocyanate blocks noticeably increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a comprehensive system for testing and verifying shunt active power filter control methods. The aim of this experimental platform is to provide tools to a user to objectively compare the individual control methods. The functionality of the system was verified on a hardware platform using least mean squares and recursive least squares algorithms. In the experiments, an average relative suppression of the total harmonic distortion of 22% was achieved. This article describes the principle of the shunt active power filter, the used experimental platform of the controlled current injection source, its control system based on virtual instrumentation and control software and ends with experimental verification. The discussion of the paper outlines the extension of the experimental platform with the cRIO RTOS control system to reduce the latency of reference current generation and further planned research including motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is one of the most common members of the Orthoflavivirus genus, which comprises the causative agents of severe diseases in humans and animals. Due to the expanding areas of orthoflavivirus infection, its differential diagnosis is highly demanded. Commercial test kits based on inactivated TBEV may not provide reliable differentiation between flaviviruses because of serological crossover in this genus. Application of recombinant domains (sE and dIII) of the TBEV Sukhar-strain protein E as antigens in an ELISA test system allowed us to identify a wide range of antibodies specific to different TBEV strains. We tested 53 sera from human patients with confirmed TBE diagnosis (the efficacy of our test system based on sE protein was 98%) and 56 sera from patients with other orthoflavivirus infections in which no positive ones were detected using our ELISA test system, thus being indicative of its 100% specificity. We also tested mouse and rabbit sera containing antibodies specific to 17 TBEV strains belonging to different subtypes; this assay exhibited high efficacy and differentiation ability in detecting antibodies against TBEV from other orthoflaviviruses such as Omsk hemorrhagic fever, Powassan, yellow fever, dengue, West Nile, Zika, and Japanese encephalitis viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Power system transient stability simulation is of critical importance for utilities to assess dynamic security. Most of the commercially available tools use the traditional numerical integration method to simulate power system transient stability, which is computationally intensive and has low simulation speed. This makes it difficult to identify any insecure contingency before it happens. It is already proven that power system transient stability simulation achieved using the differential transformation method (DTM) requires less computational effort and has improved simulation speed, but it still requires further improvement regarding its accuracy and performance efficiency. This paper introduces a novel power system transient stability simulation method based on the adaptive step-size differential transformation method. Using the proposed method, the step size is varied based on the estimated local solution error at each time step. The accuracy and speed of the proposed simulation approach are investigated in comparison with the classical differential transformation method and the traditional numerical integration method using the IEEE 9 bus and 39 bus test systems. The simulation results reveal that the proposed method increases the simulation speed by 20–44.57% and 83–92% when compared with the classical DTM and traditional numerical-integration-based simulation methods, respectively. It is also proved that compared with the DTM-based simulation, the proposed method provides 45.27% to 58.85% and more than 90% accurate simulation results for IEEE 9 and IEEE 39 test systems, respectively. Therefore the proposed power system transient stability simulation method is faster and relatively more accurate and can be applied for online transient stability monitoring of power system networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study improved homemade apparatus for characterizing the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of carbon-fiber-reinforced polyphenylene sulfide (PPS/CF) composites. The upgraded generation II experimental device includes a newly developed experimental clamp for samples, as well as testing systems. Compared with the initial generation I apparatus and the commercial Toei instrument, the generation II device is easier and more efficient to operate. The average interfacial adhesion values obtained using these devices were consistently approximately 40 MPa, with relatively low data scatter, showing excellent repeatability and applicability during microbond tests. Notably, the generation II experimental device was equipped with an additional high-frequency data-capturing tool to identify the debonding peak force more precisely, which demonstrated a higher interfacial shear strength of 42.81 MPa during testing. Therefore, the new instrument was able to reflect the change in the interfacial stress state during the interface debonding process more accurately and reliably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the development of a digital twin (DT) for hydropower turbines, dynamic modeling of the system (e.g., penstock, turbine, speed control) is crucial, along with all the necessary data interface, virtualization, and dashboard designs. Since the DT must mimic the actual dynamics of the hydropower turbine accurately, adaptive learning is required to train these dynamic models online so that the models in the DT can effectively follow the representation of the actual hydropower turbine dynamics accurately and reliably. This study presents an adaptive learning method for obtaining the hydropower turbine models for DT development of hydropower systems using the recursive least squares algorithm. To simplify the formulation, the hydropower turbine under consideration was assumed to operate near a fixed operating point, where the system dynamics can be well represented by a set of linear differential equations with constant parameters. In this context, the well-known six-coefficient model for the Francis turbine was formulated as the starting point to obtain input and output models for the turbine. Then, an adaptive learning mechanism was developed to learn model parameters using real-time data from a hydropower turbine testing system. This led to semi-physical modeling, in which first principles and data-driven modeling are integrated to produce dynamic models for DT development. Applications to a pilot system at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) were made, and the models learned adaptively using the data collected from the university's pilot system. Desired modeling and validation results were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the growing cyber-infrastructure of smart grids, the threat of cyber-attacks has intensified, posing an increased risk of compromised communication links. Of particular concern is the false data injection (FDI) attack, which has emerged as a highly dangerous cyber-attack targeting smart grids. This paper addresses the limitations of the variable dummy value model proposed in the authors previous work and presents a novel defense methodology called the nonlinear function-based variable dummy value model for the AC power flow network. The proposed model is evaluated using the IEEE 14-bus test system, demonstrating its effectiveness in detecting FDI attacks. It has been shown that previous detection techniques are unable to detect FDI attacks, whereas the proposed method is shown to be successful in the detection of such attacks, guaranteeing the security of the smart grid's measurement infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pursuit of achieving total power network observability in smart grids using Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) carries a significant promise of real-time Wide-Area Monitoring, Protection, and Control (WAMPAC). PMU applications eliminate periodical measurements, thereby increasing accuracy through a high sampling rate of the measured power systems quantities. The high costs of installation of PMUs for total power system observability presents a challenge in the implementation of PMUs. This is due to the expensive costs of PMU devices. This has led to a prominent optimal PMU placement (OPP) problem that researchers tirelessly aim to solve by ensuring a complete power network observability while using the least installed PMU devices possible. In this paper, a novel Binary Firefly Algorithm (BFA) based on the node degree centrality scores of each bus is proposed to minimize PMU installations. The BFA solves the OPP problem in consideration of the effect of Zero Injection Buses (ZIBs) under normal operation and single PMU outage (SPO). The robustness and efficiency of the proposed algorithm is tested on IEEE-approved test systems and visualized with a force-directed technique on an undirected power network graph. The proposed BFA yields the same but better optimal PMU numbers, obtained by existing meta-heuristic optimization techniques found in the literature for each of the IEEE test cases, as well as highlighting the cost–benefit of having a robust system against single PMU loss while considering the ZIB effect for an improved system measurement availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China implemented the China VI emission standard in 2020. The China VI emission standard has added requirements for the RDE (real-world driving emission) test. To evaluate vehicle CO2 emission for different vehicles, 10 conventional gasoline vehicles were tested under the RDE procedure using the PEMS (portable emission testing system) method. All vehicles tested meet the sixth emission regulation with a displacement of 1.4 L~2.0 L. Among the vehicles tested, the highest CO2 emission factor was 281 g/km and the lowest was 189 g/km, while the acceleration of RDE gets a wider distribution, varying from −2.5 m/s2 to 2.5 m/s2. The instantaneous mass emission rate could reach around 16 g/s. The amounts of total CO2 emission in the positive region and the negative region make up 82~89% and 11~18% of the overall CO2 emission during the entire RDE driving period, respectively. The same vehicle has a wide range of CO2 emission factors at different VSP (vehicle specific power) intervals. Different RDE test conditions can lead to large differences in CO2 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally, freight wagon technology has lacked digitalization and advanced monitoring capabilities. This article presents recent advancements in freight wagon digitalization, covering the system's definition, development, and field tests on a commercial line in Sweden. A number of components and systems were installed on board on the freight wagon, leading to the intelligent freight wagon. The digitalization includes the integration of sensors for different functions such as train composition, train integrity, asset monitoring and continuous wagon positioning. Communication capabilities enable data exchange between components, securely stored and transferred to a remote server for access and visualization. Three digitalized freight wagons operated on the Nässjo–Falköping line, equipped with strategically placed monitoring sensors to collect valuable data on wagon performance and railway infrastructure. The field tests showcase the system's potential for detecting faults and anomalies, signifying a significant advancement in freight wagon technology, and contributing to an improvement in freight wagon digitalization and monitoring. The gathered insights demonstrate the system's effectiveness, setting the stage for a comprehensive monitoring solution for railway infrastructures. These advancements promise real-time analysis, anomaly detection, and proactive maintenance, fostering improved efficiency and safety in the domain of freight transportation, while contributing to the enhancement of freight wagon digitalization and supervision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses two aspects of the metrology of spherical, petal polymer reflectors which are part of an effort by the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop actively controlled foldable reflectors, enabling larger apertures on CubeSats and small satellites. The first problem is that of measuring the surface figure error of the spherical reflector alone during the development phase, and to assess the quality before assembling the telescope (large stroke, low accuracy). The SCOTS (Software Configurable Optical Testing System) appears to provide a fast and satisfactory solution to this problem. The second problem is the wavefront error reconstruction when the petal reflector is mounted on the telescope, because parts of the petals are obscured by the secondary mirror, in such a way that the petals appear completely disconnected, making the gradient-based metrology impossible. Using the fact that the petals have common mechanical boundary conditions at the central support ring, the problem is solved by using a set of orthogonal modes satisfying the same boundary conditions. The vibration modes are used for this purpose; the modal amplitudes are reconstructed from slope data outside the obstruction, allowing for wavefront error reconstruction over the entire surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vitro biomechanical experiments utilizing cadaveric specimens are one of the most effective methods for rehearsing surgical procedures, testing implants, and guiding postoperative rehabilitation. Applying dynamic physiological muscle force to the specimens is a challenge to reconstructing the environment of bionic mechanics in vivo, which is often ignored in the in vitro experiment. The current work aims to establish a hardware platform and numerical computation methods to reproduce dynamic muscle forces that can be applied to mechanical testing on in vitro specimens. Dynamic muscle loading is simulated through numerical computation, and the inputs of the platform will be derived. Then, the accuracy and robustness of the platform will be evaluated through actual muscle loading tests in vitro. The tests were run on three muscles (gastrocnemius lateralis, the rectus femoris, and the semitendinosus) around the knee joint and the results showed that the platform can accurately reproduce the magnitude of muscle strength (errors range from −6.2% to 1.81%) and changing pattern (goodness-of-fit range coefficient ranges from 0.00 to 0.06) of target muscle forces. The robustness of the platform is mainly manifested in that the platform can still accurately reproduce muscle force after changing the hardware combination. Additionally, the standard deviation of repeated test results is very small (standard ranges of hardware combination 1: 0.34 N~2.79 N vs. hardware combination 2: 0.68 N~2.93 N). Thus, the platform can stably and accurately reproduce muscle forces in vitro, and it has great potential to be applied in the future musculoskeletal loading system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a depth-based hybrid method to generate safe flight corridors for a memoryless local navigation planner. It is first proposed to use raw depth images as inputs in the learning-based object-detection engine with no requirement for map fusion. We then employ an object-detection network to directly predict the base of polyhedral safe corridors in a new raw depth image. Furthermore, we apply a verification procedure to eliminate any false predictions so that the resulting collision-free corridors are guaranteed. More importantly, the proposed mechanism helps produce separate safe corridors with minimal overlap that are suitable to be used as space boundaries for path planning. The average intersection of union (IoU) of corridors obtained by the proposed algorithm is less than 2%. To evaluate the effectiveness of our method, we incorporated it into a memoryless planner with a straight-line path-planning algorithm. We then tested the entire system in both synthetic and real-world obstacle-dense environments. The obtained results with very high success rates demonstrate that the proposed approach is highly capable of producing safe corridors for memoryless local planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of voltage quality is continuously increasing in electrical networks due to the rising manufacturing costs resulting from system faults and disturbances in utility dynamics. Researchers generally prefer reference-frame transformation-based methods to detect and mitigate these disturbances. However, these methods are adversely affected during unbalanced loading and disturbances due to their direct dependence on system dynamics (currents and voltages). In this study, a new and simple method based on Clarke transformation is proposed to detect disturbances and generate compensation signals for Power Quality Mitigation Devices. The aim is to address the deficiencies of existing approaches. Firstly, the Clarke transformation is introduced through the vector presentation. Then, the mathematical derivation of the proposed method is provided to enhance readers' understanding. The voltage sag detection and compensation signal extraction of its control algorithm for a Dynamic Voltage Restorer is illustrated graphically. Subsequently, a simple power system is created using a simulation program. Balanced and unbalanced voltage disturbances are applied to the test system to demonstrate the validation of the proposed method under distorted system conditions. The results of voltage sag detection and compensation signal extraction for both the proposed and existing methods are compared at the end of the case studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an alternative methodology to obtain the precise amount of shunt reactive power compensation in order to simultaneously reduce the total reactive power losses, improve the voltage profile and increase the loading margin of power systems. The amount of shunt reactive power compensation to be allocated is determined based on the curve of the total reactive power losses versus the voltage magnitude of a chosen bus. The best places for shunt reactive compensation are defined by the load bus participation factors of the critical mode provided by the static modal analysis. Simulation results employing shunt capacitors obtained with the new approach for the IEEE test systems (14, 57 and 300 buses) show that the procedure leads to a reduction in total reactive and active power losses and simultaneously improves the voltage profile and loading margin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The indirect calorimetry method has been widely used for a long time in the study of energy metabolism in animals, and it remains an important tool for investigating energy metabolism and feed values. However, to ensure the quality of research data, it is necessary to standardize the calibration procedure. This paper presents a detailed procedure for calibrating and calculating indirect calorimetry data. Indirect calorimetry (IC) is a widely used method to study animal energy metabolism by measuring gas exchange. The accuracy of IC depends on detecting variations in signals reflecting the metabolic response, which can be challenging due to measurement noise and external factors. This study proposes a methodology to validate IC systems, including an easy-to-use spreadsheet for data computing, to verify accuracy and detect whole-system leaks. We conducted a recovery test using a simulation of CO2 dynamics in MS Excel and injecting a known CO2 concentration into four respirometry chambers. The thought flow rate of CO2 was observed and compared to the expected rate from the simulation. Data filtering and computing, including a detailed calculation of signals calibration, Bartholomew transformation, and noise reduction, was developed to obtain the gas exchange and heat production parameters using an open-circuit IC system. The results from the recovery test in our system show that the proposed methodology is accurate and precise. The proposed methodology and recovery test can be used to standardize the validation of IC systems together with adequate data computing, providing accurate measurements of animal energy metabolism in different environmental conditions and energy utilization from feeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DC electronic current transformer is the data source of the system control and protection device, so its measurement delay has always been concerned. In this paper, the DC current transformer is modelled equivalently and the key factors affecting the delay of shunt and the remote module are analyzed. A field test method for the delay characteristics of the DC electronic current transformer is proposed. Moreover, a complex multi-state large current generator and integrated test system are developed. On the basis of the IEC 60044-8 standard transmission protocol, the accuracy of standard signal acquisition with the shunt is better than 0.2%. The maximum output current of the established testing system is 600 A. Based on the field test in an actual HVDC project, transient step and various frequency signal components are applied for analyzing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochips, a novel technology in the field of biomolecular analysis, offer a promising alternative to conventional testing equipment. These chips integrate multiple functions within a single system, providing a compact and efficient solution for various testing needs. For biochips, a pattern-control micro-electrode-dot-array (MEDA) is a new, universally viable design that can replace microchannels and other micro-components. In a Micro Electrode Dot Array (MEDA), each electrode can be programmatically controlled or dynamically grouped, allowing a single chip to fulfill the diverse requirements of different tests. This capability not only enhances flexibility, but also contributes to cost reduction by eliminating the need for multiple specialized chips. In this paper, we present a visible biochip testing system for tracking the entire testing process in real time, and describe our application of the system to detect SARS-CoV-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The safety of people working at sea is a subject on which many studies have been carried out. One of the current improvements that has been implemented is the possibility of assigning medical support assistance vessels during specific periods of time, whilst undergoing certain activities or peak seasons in the industry such as fishing seasons. This article proposes an aid system that will support decision making when determining the positioning of such vessels at configurable time intervals, thus shortening the emergency response time. Real data from the vessels, such as coordinates, number of crew, type of fishing gear, etc., are used to carry this out. With the scope of testing the system out, real data from the Spanish fishing fleet in the Bay of Biscay and the medical support assistance vessels available to the Spanish State have been used throughout different seasons. The results obtained convey the "standby" positions for these vessels. The following study of this comparative positioning enables us to calculate the differences between the coordinates calculated by the system and the real positions specified throughout the fishing season. The study also reviews the possibility of improving the emergency response time that would be gained, by increasing the number of medical support assistance vessels for the same area, during the same period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]