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The Internet of Things (IoT) includes billions of sensors and actuators (which we refer to as IoT devices) that harvest data from the physical world and send it via the Internet to IoT applications to provide smart IoT services and products. Deploying, managing, and maintaining IoT devices for the exclusive use of an individual IoT application is inefficient and involves significant costs and effort that often outweigh the benefits. On the other hand, enabling large numbers of IoT applications to share available third-party IoT devices, which are deployed and maintained independently by a variety of IoT device providers, reduces IoT application development costs, time, and effort. To achieve a positive cost/benefit ratio, there is a need to support the sharing of third-party IoT devices globally by providing effective IoT device discovery, use, and pay between IoT applications and third-party IoT devices. A solution for global IoT device sharing must be the following: (1) scalable to support a vast number of third-party IoT devices, (2) interoperable to deal with the heterogeneity of IoT devices and their data, and (3) IoT-owned, i.e., not owned by a specific individual or organization. This paper surveys existing techniques that support discovering, using, and paying for third-party IoT devices. To ensure that this survey is comprehensive, this paper presents our methodology, which is inspired by Systematic Literature Network Analysis (SLNA), combining the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) methodology with Citation Network Analysis (CNA). Finally, this paper outlines the research gaps and directions for novel research to realize global IoT device sharing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy justice remains relatively under-researched outside of the Western context, especially in Asia. This paper addresses that gap by investigating the process of energy transition in Taiwan through the socio-spatial lens and institutional points of view. The paper underscores the urgency of recognizing and addressing the overlooked social injustices across different territories, advocating an integrated planning approach that incorporates a just energy transition perspective to reduce the uneven negative impacts of deploying renewable energies across communities and regional territories. Drawing on a case study of the Changhua region, the paper identifies conflicts arising from the rapid deployment of renewable energy, such as land use changes that displace farming activities and negatively affect rural stakeholders. The findings suggest the need to urgently address the gap between top–down goals in energy transition and bottom–up considerations to raise awareness and prevent injustices that risk deepening the existing socio-economic inequities. This paper also proposes a new framework for both new research and policy for (just) energy transition, incorporating distributional, procedural, and recognitional concerns together with a critical view on the cross-scale and cross-sectoral integration as part of the spatial planning process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Milkrun-based material supply plays an important role in the automotive industry, as it is a material supply concept where high efficiency can be achieved. When implementing milkrun-based material supply, the milkrun supply of the production plant often has to be integrated with an existing warehouse material handling system, which frequently leads to a less efficient solution. Methods: In this paper, the author investigates the impact of a hub-based milkrun supply, where the collection processes in the component's warehouse and the distribution processes in the assembly plant are connected to a hub, which is responsible for the sequencing of component demands. After a systematic literature review, the paper introduces a novel mathematical model, which makes it possible to describe the conventional milkrun-based solutions, the hub-based milkrun solutions, and to compare them in terms of the length of transportation routes, transportation time, total service time, and virtual emission points of view. Results: The scenario analysis demonstrates that the hub-based solution can lead to an efficiency improvement of about 13% in total service time, 23% savings in transportation time, and 45% savings in transportation time in the component's warehouse. Conclusions: The article's findings suggest that implementing a hub-based milkrun system in automotive material supply can significantly enhance efficiency. The described approach could lead to more streamlined operations in production plants by optimizing the integration of milkrun systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the Polish Jew journal as a pivotal second-tier record for advancing Holocaust studies and Jewish genealogy. Traditionally underutilized in academic research, this periodical provides a unique repository of names and narratives of Holocaust victims, filling crucial gaps in primary record collections. The investigation centers on the journal's potential not only to contribute names to existing databases of Holocaust victims—many of whom are still unrecorded—but also to enhance genealogical methods through the integration of network analysis. By examining Polish Jew, this study illustrates how second-tier records can extend beyond mere supplements to primary data, acting instead as vital tools for reconstructing complex social and familial networks disrupted by the Holocaust. The paper proposes a methodological framework combining traditional genealogical research with modern network analysis techniques to deepen our understanding of Jewish community dynamics during and after World War II. This approach not only aids in identifying individual victims and survivors but also in visualizing the broader interactions within Jewish diaspora communities. This research underscores the significance of Polish Jew in the broader context of Holocaust remembrance. It offers a novel pathway for the future of Jewish genealogical research, advocating for the strategic use of second-tier records in scholarly investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Losses from flood disasters are increasing globally due to climate-driven forces and human factors such as migration and land use changes. The risks of such floods involve multiple factors and stakeholders, and frameworks for integrated approaches have attracted a global community of experts. The paper reviews the knowledge base for integrated flood risk management frameworks, including more than twenty bibliometric reviews of their elements. The knowledge base illustrates how integrated strategies for the reduction of flood risk are required at different scales and involve responses ranging from climate and weather studies to the construction of infrastructure, as well as collective action for community resilience. The Integrated Flood Management framework of the Associated Programme on Flood Management of the World Meteorological Organization was developed more than twenty years ago and is explained in some detail, including how it fits within the Integrated Water Resources Management concept that is managed by the Global Water Partnership. The paper reviews the alignment of the two approaches and how they can be used in tandem to reduce flood losses. Success of both integrated management approaches depends on governance and institutional capacity as well as technological advances. The knowledge base for flood risk management indicates how technologies are advancing, while more attention must be paid to social and environmental concerns, as well as government measures to increase participation, awareness, and preparedness. Ultimately, integrated flood management will involve solutions tailored for individual situations, and implementation may be slow, such that perseverance and political commitment will be needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The industrial heritage of the city of Belgrade is the focus of this research, which highlights the possibilities of preserving industrial heritage from the perspective of a contemporary context and sustainable development. Guided by theoretical principles on the preservation of cultural and industrial heritage, their values, authenticity and spirit of place, as well as the idea of the necessity of integrating industrial heritage into the contemporary context, this paper aims to examine the possibilities for the preservation of industrial heritage following theoretically established principles, with the introduction of new uses and sustainable solutions. The analysis of the case studies of Belgrade's industrial heritage presented in this paper results from research conducted by the teachers, associates and students of the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Architecture. The research focuses on the possibilities of translating the principles of preserving cultural and industrial heritage from their theoretical definition to practical application. The students' conceptual solutions for protection, revitalisation and presentation of the analysed case studies represent the research results. An important aspect of this paper is defining the criteria for valorising students' conceptual solutions, which are aligned with the principles of preserving cultural heritage and establishing sustainable development. The valorisation of students' conceptual solutions through a defined set of criteria indicates real possibilities for the simultaneous preservation of all the values of industrial heritage and its transformation into a social, ecological and economic resource of the contemporary city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we have developed the SEMAR (Smart Environmental Monitoring and Analytics in Real-Time) IoT application server platform for fast deployments of IoT application systems. It provides various integration capabilities for the collection, display, and analysis of sensor data on a single platform. Recently, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become very popular and widely used in various applications including IoT. To support this growth, the integration of AI into SEMAR is essential to enhance its capabilities after identifying the current trends of applicable AI technologies in IoT applications. In this paper, we first provide a comprehensive review of IoT applications using AI techniques in the literature. They cover predictive analytics, image classification, object detection, text spotting, auditory perception, Natural Language Processing (NLP), and collaborative AI. Next, we identify the characteristics of each technique by considering the key parameters, such as software requirements, input/output (I/O) data types, processing methods, and computations. Third, we design the integration of AI techniques into SEMAR based on the findings. Finally, we discuss use cases of SEMAR for IoT applications with AI techniques. The implementation of the proposed design in SEMAR and its use to IoT applications will be in future works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of land is of central importance to manage the impact of mankind upon the environment. The understanding and treatment of land vary greatly across different regions and communities, making the description of land highly specific to each locality. To address the larger global issues, such as world food production or climate change mitigation, one needs to have a common standardized understanding of the biosphere cover and use of land. Different governments and institutions established national systems to describe thematic content of land within their jurisdictions. These systems are all valid and tuned to address various national needs. However, their integration at regional or global levels is lacking. Integrating data from widely divergent sources to create world datasets not only requires standards, but also an approach to integrate national and regional land cover classification systems. The ISO 19144 series, developed through the collaboration between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), offers a meta-language for the integration of disparate land classification systems, enhancing interoperability, data sharing, and national to global data integration and comparison. This paper provides an overview of classification system concepts, different stages for the development of standards in ISO and the status of different standards in the ISO 19144 series. It also explores the critical role of the ISO 19144 series in standardizing land cover and land use classification systems. Drawing on practical case studies, the paper underscores the series' potential to support global sustainable development goals and lays out a path for its future development and application. Using these standards, we gain not only a tool for harmonizing land classification, but also a critical level for advancing sustainable development and environmental stewardship worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Personalized orthopedic devices are increasingly favored for their potential to enhance long-term treatment success. Despite significant advancements across various disciplines, the seamless integration and full automation of personalized orthopedic treatments remain elusive. This paper identifies key interdisciplinary gaps in integrating and automating advanced technologies for personalized orthopedic treatment. It begins by outlining the standard clinical practices in orthopedic treatments and the extent of personalization achievable. The paper then explores recent innovations in artificial intelligence, biomaterials, genomic and proteomic analyses, lab-on-a-chip, medical imaging, image-based biomechanical finite element modeling, biomimicry, 3D printing and bioprinting, and implantable sensors, emphasizing their contributions to personalized treatments. Tentative strategies or solutions are proposed to address the interdisciplinary gaps by utilizing innovative technologies. The key findings highlight the need for the non-invasive quantitative assessment of bone quality, patient-specific biocompatibility, and device designs that address individual biological and mechanical conditions. This comprehensive review underscores the transformative potential of these technologies and the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration to integrate and automate them into a cohesive, intelligent system for personalized orthopedic treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cities were at the center of the COVID-19 pandemic due to the concentration of affected populations and economic activities that needed to be revived to support global recovery. While cities offer strong economic and social benefits due to density, proximity, and global connectivity, the pandemic had a tremendous impact on their vital functions. It resulted in lost lives and livelihoods and deepened economic and social divides. Furthermore, the pandemic exacerbated many existing environmental challenges in cities. This presented an opportunity to tackle these interlinked challenges in an integrated manner. Evidence suggests that many city leaders integrated environmental sustainability as an important element to complement their emergency responses. Drawing from experiences in cities around the world, particularly those participating in the Sustainable Cities Program supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), this paper describes how integrated solutions were applied to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. Consistent with a Healthy Planet Healthy People concept, a framework is proposed for sustainable urban transformation and to build cities that are resilient to shocks and stresses. With global environmental benefits at the core, the framework highlights the importance of integration, inclusion, and innovation as key approaches in steering the future green growth and prosperity of cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dedicated to synchronously acquiring large-area, high-precision, and multi-scale ocean wind and wave information, a novel concept of a spaceborne ocean microwave dual-function integrated sensor is proposed in this paper. It integrates the functions of a scatterometer and SAR by sharing a single phased-array antenna. An overview of the scientific requirements and motivations for the sensor are outlined firstly. In order to fulfill the observation requirements of both the functions, the constraints on the system parameters such as frequency, antenna size, and incidence angle are analyzed. Then, the selection principles of these parameters are discussed within the limitations of antenna area, bandwidth, available time, and cost. Additionally, the constraints on the time sequence of transmitting and receiving pulses are derived to ensure that there is no conflict when the two functions operate simultaneously. Subsequently, a method for jointly designing the pulse repetition frequency (PRF) of both the functions is introduced, along with zebra maps to verify its effectiveness. At the end of the paper, the system and performance parameters of the sensor are given for further insight into it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this paper is to derive closed-form approximation formulas for the spread option value and Greeks by using double integration and investigating the exercise boundary. We have found that the straight-line approximation suggested in previous research does not perform well for curved exercise boundaries. We propose a novel approach: to integrate in a sector and find a closed-form formula expressed in terms of the bivariate normal CDF. We call it the sector formula. Numerical tests show the good accuracy of our sector formula. We demonstrate applications of the formula to the market data of calendar spread options for three major commodities, WTI, Natural Gas, and Corn, listed on the CME site as of May, April, and June 2024. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring the solar ultraviolet index (UVI) is of great significance to protect human health. The monitoring of UVI faces several challenges: the accuracy is difficult to control, the complexity of the filter, the increase in volume and price, the decrease in response sensitivity, and the low accuracy of measurement. Considering the limitations and insufficiencies in the current technology, this paper proposes a miniature gallium nitride (GaN)-based erythema response detector. The detector utilizes a double-diode integrated chip for accurate detection of the erythema response, enabling it to closely match the spectral response of the erythema spectrum curve determined by the World Health Organization. This ensures precise correspondence between the output current and ultraviolet index. The measurement error of each UV detector is determined by analyzing eight sets of UV radiation spectra. The experimental findings demonstrate that the proposed detector exhibits a measurement error below 0.4 for each group of UV index measurements. The experimental results show that the measurement accuracy of the detector on the ultraviolet index is at the advanced level compared to the current mainstream commercial ultraviolet detector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a conceptual framework aimed at exploring the connections between integration within the food supply chain and the three pillars of sustainability: economic, environmental, and social. The analysis combines theoretical insights with empirical research, specifically focusing on the economic aspect of sustainability, measured through efficiency. The study emphasizes the critical role of integrating participants across the food supply chain to achieve sustainability goals. It discusses methodologies for assessing integration levels within the chain, providing a theoretical and analytical basis for modeling integration and efficiency within the supply chain. To empirically validate these relationships, an extended stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) method was applied to selected sectors within the food processing industry. The results demonstrate that enhancing integration with suppliers and buyers can significantly improve efficiency within the food chain. In conclusion, through deductive reasoning, this study asserts that integration plays a pivotal role in advancing economic sustainability objectives within the food sector. This framework contributes to a deeper understanding of how integration influences sustainability outcomes, offering valuable insights for stakeholders aiming to enhance sustainability in food systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventionally, the electromechanical system requires the installation of auxiliary displacement sensors and only the amount on the drive part and motion end, which increases volume, cost, and measurement error in the system. This paper presents an integrated measurement method with a sensing head, which takes the equal division characteristics of mechanical structures as part of the sensor, thus, the so-called self-sensing system. Moreover, the displacement is measured by counting the time pulses. The sensing head is integrated with the entire electromechanical system, including the driving, transmitting, and moving parts. Thus, the integration of the sensing part is greatly improved. Taking the rotary table as a special example, and the sensing head embedded into each part of the system, displacement information is obtained by the common processing system and fused by the adaptive weighted average method. The results of the experiment show that the fusion precision of each component is higher than only the motor position information as the feedback. The proposed method is a practical self-sensing technology with significant volume reduction and intelligent control benefits in the industry, especially suitable for extremely small and narrow spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar has confirmed its dominance among all power generation technologies, and along with the demand for zero-emission buildings, Photovoltaics (PV) is contributing to transforming the building skin. More than 200 products for Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) are commercialized nowadays in the EU market. However, only 1–3% of all PV installations are BIPV due to the weak penetration in the construction sector. At the state of the art, the sector lacks a specific analysis from a construction technology perspective, describing the dynamics and the traits that BIPV innovation articulates on construction and architectural processes. The authors, elaborating a new model from the building technology sector to explore the relationship between PV technology and architectural innovation, aim to identify the main principles, forms, and approaches that describe the structural organization of the "integrability" concept of PV in buildings. This study applies the method to a database of 233 real buildings located in Switzerland, a unique country leading with a 10% BIPV rate on PV installations documented between the years 1997 and 2023. The novel findings of the research suggest the definition of the levels of innovation and the reference traits of the innovative process of BIPV in the Swiss construction sector, which can also be used in other practical applications and contexts. The results of the paper are expected to impact both the scientific academy and the key players from the construction sector, encouraging the adoption of an integrated research and design approach to revolutionize the energy role of building skins with PV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a study on the magnetic and thermal behaviors of a planar toroidal transformer, comprising two planar toroidal coils. In our configuration, the primary coil consists of twenty turns, while the secondary coil consists of ten turns. This design combines the advantages of both toroidal and planar transformers: it employs flat coils, akin to those utilized in planar transformers, while retaining a toroidal shape for its magnetic core. This combination enables leveraging the distinctive characteristics of both transformer types. This study delves into electromagnetic and thermal behaviors. Electromagnetic behavior is elucidated through Maxwell's equations, offering insights into the distribution of magnetic fields, potentials, and electric current densities. Fluid flow is modeled via the Navier–Stokes equations. By coupling these equation sets, a more comprehensive and accurate portrayal of the thermal phenomena surrounding electrical equipment is attained. Such research is invaluable in the design and optimization of electrical systems, empowering engineers to forecast and manage thermal effects more efficiently. Consequently, this aids in enhancing the reliability, durability, and performance optimization of electrical equipment. The mathematical model was solved using the finite element method integrated into the COMSOL Multiphysics software v. 6.0. The COMSOL Multiphysics simulation showed correct behavior of potential, electric field, current density, and uniformly distributed temperature. In addition, this planar toroidal coil transformer model offers many advantages, such as small dimensions, high resonance frequency, and high operating reliability. This study made it possible to identify the range of its optimal functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper summarizes over 60 years of radar system development at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, from early research on satellite tracking and planetary radar to the present ability to perform the centimeter-resolution imaging of resident space objects and future plans to extend this capability to geosynchronous range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engineers need to know properties of shallow marine sediments to build piers, pipelines and even offshore windfarms. We present a method for estimating the density, P velocity and thickness of these sediments. The traveltime inversion of primary and multiple reflections enables their semiquantitative estimation in marine surveys when using a minimal acquisition system such as a monochannel Boomer. Picking errors, ambient noise and interfering events lead to significant errors in the estimates. Similar, albeit milder, instabilities occur when inverting the signal amplitudes to determine the reflectivity of the layer interfaces. In this paper, we introduce a coupling between the separate inversion of amplitudes and traveltimes to obtain a better Earth model. The P velocity shows up in two stable terms provided by the separate inversions: the acoustic impedance of shallow sediments (through the amplitudes) and the transit time across the sediment layer (through the traveltimes). We couple the two inversion engines by imposing a smoothness condition on velocity and density and thickness of the layer while keeping the impedance and traveltime constant. We thus exploit the ambiguity of the solution to introduce geological criteria and reduce the noise contribution. We validated the proposed method with synthetic and real data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than 13.5 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses were delivered between 2021 and 2023 through a mix of delivery platforms, with mass vaccination campaigns being the main approach. In 2022, with the continued circulation of SARS-CoV2 and the need for periodic boosters being most likely, countries were required to plan for more sustainable approaches to provide COVID-19 vaccinations. In this context of uncertainty, a global tool for integrating COVID-19 vaccines into immunization programs and as part of broader health systems was published jointly by the WHO and UNICEF to respond to country needs. This paper summarizes the approach to, and lessons learned during, the development of a global guidance document and describes some examples of its early use in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The guidance leveraged existing health system frameworks, proposed four steps for planning and implementing the COVID-19 vaccination integration journey, and identified investment areas. The development process maximized robust global stakeholder and country engagement, and the timeframe was aligned with donor funding windows to support countries with the integration of COVID-19 vaccination. The rapid dissemination of the guidance document allowed countries to ascertain their readiness for integrating COVID-19 vaccination and inform the development of national plans and funding applications. While progress has been made in specific areas (e.g., optimizing cold chain and logistics leveraging COVID-19 vaccination), in the context of decreasing demand for COVID-19 vaccines, reaching adult COVID-19 vaccine high-priority-use groups and engaging and coordinating with other health programs (beyond immunization) remain challenges, particularly in LMICs. We share the learning that despite the uncertainties of a pandemic, guidance documents can be developed and used within a short timeframe. Working in partnership with stakeholders within and beyond immunization towards a common objective is powerful and can allow progress to be made in terms of integrating health services and better preparing for future pandemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The importance of sanitation in food storage areas is sometimes overlooked. However, sanitation is vitally important to ensure safe storage of food products. Without good sanitation, the stored commodities are more likely to become infested by mold, rodents, birds, and insect pests. This paper reviews the history of sanitation legislation, courses and conferences, and research on the costs, benefits and efficacy of sanitation that have led to current recommendations and regulations. Sanitation is essential for the cost-effective pest management of stored-product insects. The Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1938 led to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tightening regulatory standards, and many local surveys, courses and conferences were organized to prepare the industry for these new regulations. Sanitation removes insects and residual food, which may also provide shelter for insects, with heat treatments and insecticide applications. The number of insects removed by cleaning may be reduced as the number of available hiding places increases. Decreased sanitation negatively affects the efficacy of most other pest management practices, with means of 1.3- to 17-fold decreases in efficacy. The majority of studies quantifying the efficacy of sanitation have been performed on the farm storage of grain, but some studies have been conducted for grain elevators, food processing, and the marketing system. Results ranged from no effect of sanitation alone to very effective alone or with other methods. Sanitation can also reduce insect infestation prior to harvest. Some cost–benefit analyses have been conducted for sanitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to establish basic policies for managing the impacts of climate change on water resources using the integration of machine learning and land cover modeling. We predicted future changes in land cover within the water management and assessed its vulnerability to climate change. After confirming this vulnerability, we considered measures to improve climate resilience and presented future water resource parameters. We reviewed the finances available to promote climate projects, noting the major river management funds. The future project will serve as a stepping stone to promote climate resilience projects addressing water resource challenges exacerbated by future climate change. The study examined the results of analyzing changes in land cover maps due to climate change and assessed vulnerability in water management areas until 2050. According to the analysis results, the regulations for our study areas were set lower than those for other water management zones, resulting in a high rate of urbanization. Therefore, the climate resilience project in the water management area should be implemented first, despite the need for a long-term view in adapting to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrating technological tools in teaching statistics can revolutionize educational methods, making learning more engaging, interactive, and effective. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a math application for Android in enhancing the teaching and learning of statistics for eighth-grade students in Alcalá, Valle del Cauca, Colombia. The project involved coordinating with local mathematics teachers to implement the app in the classroom, focusing on interactive digital content to improve student engagement. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, gathering data from 63 students through surveys that measured user satisfaction, topic relevance, interface usability, and the likelihood of recommending the app. The evaluation revealed a high likelihood of recommendation, with 74.6% of the students indicating they would "Almost always" recommend the app. Positive feedback was also noted in terms of user satisfaction and topic relevance. However, technical performance and content engagement were identified as needing improvement. The study also highlighted limitations, including a small sample size, reliance on self-reported data, and a short-term evaluation period. The Math app shows considerable promise as a tool for teaching statistics, supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs 4 and 9, involving quality education, industry, innovation, and infrastructure. Future work should address the identified limitations and focus on continuous improvement to enhance the app's effectiveness and reach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a 4D trajectory weather (4DT-Wx) prototype system was developed and evaluated for effective weather information integration in trajectory-based operation (TBO) environments. The system has two key distinguishing features: multi-model-based trajectory services and buffer zone information provision. We constructed a distributed processing system using Apache Spark, enabling the efficient processing of large-scale weather data. The performance evaluation demonstrated excellent scalability and efficiency in processing large-scale data. An analysis of the buffer configurations highlighted that buffer zone information is valuable in decision-making processes and has the potential to enhance the system performance. The system's practical applicability is presented through visualizations of the extracted weather information. This system is expected to enhance aviation safety and operational efficiency, providing a foundation for addressing increasingly complex weather conditions and flight scenarios in the future. The approach presented in this study marks a significant step toward effective TBO implementation and the advancement of future air traffic management. The evaluation of the 4DT-Wx system analyzed the accuracy of weather data processing and the performance of distributed processing, finding that the temperature (T) estimation had the highest accuracy, and that the parallel processing using Apache Spark was most effectively modeled by Ahmed et al.'s model. The findings suggest the potential for further optimization in integrating various weather models and developing algorithms to enhance their utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rise of robotics and the Internet of Things (IoT) could potentially represent a significant shift towards a more integrated and automated future, where the physical and digital domains may merge. However, the integration of these technologies presents certain challenges, including compatibility issues with existing systems and the need for greater interoperability between different devices. It would seem that the rigidity of traditional robotic designs may inadvertently make these difficulties worse, which in turn highlights the potential benefits of modular solutions. Furthermore, the mastery of new technologies may introduce additional complexity due to the varying approaches taken by robot manufacturers. In order to address these issues, this research proposes a Robot Operating System (ROS2)-based middleware, called the "ROS2-based gateway", which aims to simplify the integration of robots in different environments. By focusing on the payload layer and enabling external communication, this middleware has the potential to enhance modularity and interoperability, thus accelerating the integration process. It offers users the option of selecting payloads and communication methods via a shell interface, which the middleware then configures, ensuring adaptability. The solution proposed in this article, based on the gateway concept, offers users and programmers the flexibility to specify which payloads they want to activate depending on the task at hand and the high-level protocols they wish to use to interact with the activated payloads. This approach allows for the optimisation of hardware resources (only the necessary payloads are activated), as well as enabling the programmer/user to utilise high-level communication protocols (such as RESTful, Kafka, etc.) to interact with the activated payloads, rather than low-level programming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semiconductor photodetectors can work only in specific material-dependent light wavelength ranges, connected with the bandgaps and absorption capabilities of the utilized semiconductors. This limitation has driven the development of hybrid devices that exceed the capabilities of individual materials. In this study, for the first time, a hybrid heterojunction photodetector based on methylammonium lead bromide (MAPbBr3) polycrystalline film deposited on gallium arsenide (GaAs) was presented, along with comprehensive morphological, structural, optical, and photoelectrical investigations. The MAPbBr3/GaAs heterojunction photodetector exhibited wide spectral responsivity, from 540 to 900 nm. The fabrication steps of the prototype device, including a new preparation recipe for the MAPbBr3 solution and spinning, will be disclosed and discussed. It will be shown that extending the soaking time and refining the precursor solution's stoichiometry may enhance surface coverage, adhesion to the GaAs, and film uniformity, as well as provide a new way to integrate MAPbBr3 on GaAs. Compared to the pristine MAPbBr3, the enhanced structural purity of the perovskite on GaAs was confirmed by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) upon optimization compared to the conventional glass substrate. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed the formation of microcube-like structures on the top of an otherwise continuous MAPbBr3 polycrystalline film, with increased grain size and reduced grain boundary effects pointed by Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and cathodoluminescence (CL). Enhanced absorption was demonstrated in the visible range and broadened photoluminescence (PL) emission at room temperature, with traces of reduction in the orthorhombic tilting revealed by temperature-dependent PL. A reduced average carrier lifetime was reduced to 13.8 ns, revealed by time-resolved PL (TRPL). The dark current was typically around 8.8 × 10−8 A. Broad photoresponsivity between 540 and 875 nm reached a maximum of 3 mA/W and 16 mA/W, corresponding to a detectivity of 6 × 1010 and 1 × 1011 Jones at −1 V and 50 V, respectively. In case of on/off measurements, the rise and fall times were 0.40 s and 0.61 s or 0.62 s and 0.89 s for illumination, with 500 nm or 875 nm photons, respectively. A long-term stability test at room temperature in air confirmed the optical and structural stability of the proposed hybrid structure. This work provides insights into the physical mechanisms of new hybrid junctions for high-performance photodetectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated STEM education is increasingly present in classrooms and in educational research, as it is proposed as a possible strategy to improve the problems of students' lack of interest in scientific–technological disciplines. However, this increased interest in STEM education has been paralleled by a loss of cohesion in the interpretations of its theoretical basis and by an ongoing discussion on integrated STEM education's foundations, making its understanding, translation into real projects, and evaluation difficult to undertake. Published articles defining a STEM theoretical framework have different descriptions, so the aim of this systematic literature review is to analyse these explanations and compare them with each other. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, 27 articles of interest about STEM and STEAM education were obtained and analysed with a focus on the principles and characteristics described in the texts. After organising the information and analysing the similarities and differences in the principles and characteristics, we concluded that there is great consensus on the principles of "integration", "real-world problems", "inquiry", "design", and "teamwork". Nonetheless, this review identifies areas of discussion regarding both the principles and their characteristics that invite further analysis to refine our understanding of what integrated STEM education should entail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines integrating Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems with performance management (PM) practices in the UAE healthcare sector, identifying key factors for successful adoption. It addresses a critical gap by analyzing the interplay between ERP systems and PM to enhance operational efficiency, patient care, and administrative processes. A literature review identified thirty-six critical factors, refined through expert interviews to highlight nine weak integration areas and two new factors. An online survey with 81 experts, who rated the 38 factors on a five-point Likert scale, provided data to calculate the Relative Importance Index (RII). The results reveal that employee involvement in performance metrics and effective organizational measures significantly impact system effectiveness and alignment. Mid-tier factors such as leadership and managerial support are essential for integration momentum, while foundational elements like infrastructure, scalability, security, and compliance are crucial for long-term success. The study recommends a holistic approach to these factors to maximize ERP benefits, offering insights for healthcare administrators and policymakers. Additionally, it highlights the need to address the challenges, opportunities, and ethical considerations associated with using digital health technology in healthcare. Future research should explore ERP integration challenges in public and private healthcare settings, tailoring systems to specific organizational needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Specific aspects and territorial characteristics of migration have been extensively studied, while the primary living conditions of foreigners have been less compared in-depth. Using data from the Labor Force Surveys and EU-Silc for the year 2019, relating to six key aspects of daily life, in this study, foreign-born people living in the five main European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom) and the European Union were compared for the frequency of costs (e.g., for welfare services) and benefits (e.g., for employment) for the host society. Subsequently, the comparison of them, made by juxtaposing natives and non-natives, allowed for a definition of the level of primary integration (distance of immigrants from natives on the same aspects). The results show that the degree of congruence between the frequency of costs and that of benefits in the immigrant population is strongly influenced by the economic situation, favorable for Germany and the United Kingdom in 2019, with a lower recurrence of hardship cases among immigrants, but high wealth did not automatically reduce their differences. Instead, a small gap between immigrants and natives may also be due to the progressive impoverishment of the latter (Italian case). Therefore, especially in periods of economic stagnation, the different impact of it and of welfare measures on the immigrant population compared to natives requires the analysis of their actual living conditions, as the traditionally used economic aggregates (especially GDP) do not reveal the disparities in the distribution of resources between the various social and ethnic groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a methodology for examining the impact of terrain on the level of groundwater in a well with an unconfined table aquifer. For this purpose, data from the groundwater observation and research network of the National Hydrogeological Service; airborne laser scanning technology; an SRTM height raster; orthophoto maps; and a WMTS raster were used and integrated for the specific parcels of Warmia and Mazury County. Groundwater is the largest and most important source of fresh drinking water. Apart from the influence of precipitation amount on groundwater level, the terrain is also important and is often omitted in comprehensive assessments. The research undertaken in this study provides new insights and a new methodology for the interpretation of hydrological data by taking into account the terrain, and it can be expanded with new data and increased research area or resolution. Research has shown that the attractiveness of the parcel in terms of construction development and excavation possibilities is greatly influenced by the groundwater level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-motor servo systems are widely used in industrial control. However, the single-core microprocessor architecture based on the microcontroller unit (MCU) and digital signal processor (DSP) is not well suited for high-performance multi-motor servo systems due to the inherent limitations in computing performance and serial execution of code. The bus-based distributed architecture formed by interconnecting multiple unit controllers increases system communication complexity, reduces system integration, and incurs additional hardware and software costs. Field programmable gate array (FPGA) possesses the characteristics of high real-time performance, parallel processing, and modularity. A single FPGA can integrate multiple motor servo controllers. This research uses MCU + FPGA as the core to realize high-precision multi-axis real-time control, combining the powerful performance of the MCU processor and the high-speed parallelism of FPGA. The MCU serves as the central processor and facilitates data interaction with the host computer through the controller area network (CAN). After data parsing and efficient computation, MCU communicates with the FPGA through flexible static memory controller (FSMC). A motor servo controller intellectual property (IP) core is designed and packaged for easy reuse within the FPGA. A 38-axis micro direct current (DC) motor control system is constructed to test the performance of the IP core and the heterogeneous embedded platforms. The experimental results show that the designed IP core exhibits robust functionality and scalability. The system exhibits high real-time performance and reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teaching computation in science courses can enhance science education, but doing so requires that teachers expand the vision of their discipline beyond the traditional view of science presented in most curricula. This article describes a design-based research (DBR) program that included collaboration among high school teachers and professional development leaders in physics and computer science education. Through three years of professional development and teacher-led development, field testing, and refinement of integrated curricular resources, we have combined instructional modeling practices, physical lab materials, and computer programming activities. One of the outcomes is a co-created framework for the integration of computational modeling into physics that is sensitive to teachers' interests and expressed needs in addition to learning goals. This framework merges two evidence-based approaches to teaching: Bootstrap:Algebra, a web-based computing curriculum that emphasizes using multiple representations of functions and scaffolds that make the programming process explicit, and Modeling Instruction in physics, an approach that emphasizes the use of conceptual models, modeling practices and representational tools. In doing so, we uncover the need to balance teachers' visions for integration opportunities with practical instructional needs and emphasize that frameworks for integration need to reflect teachers' values and goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how children comprehend text by forming links between sentences has been the focus of research for decades. Such research has consistently shown that children use anaphors and resolve ambiguities in a different manner than adults. The present study examined a less-studied anaphoric reference that arises when two numerically quantified expressions (e.g., "three cats... two cats...") are used in the text. Focusing on 249 six- to eight-year-old children and 50 adults for comparison, the study employed a picture selection task across six experiments to assess interpretative preferences in ambiguous and unambiguous discourses containing numerically quantified expressions. The findings indicate a pronounced difference in interpretative strategies: unlike adults, who predominantly adopted an anaphoric subset reading, children showed a consistent preference for the non-anaphoric reading, even in contexts explicitly disambiguated towards this interpretation. This preference persisted across various experimental manipulations, highlighting challenges in text integration and comprehension among children. Contributing to the developmental trajectory of language comprehension, this study underscores the complexity of cognitive development and linguistic interpretation, revealing significant developmental differences in processing numerically quantified expressions and anaphoric references within discourse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article's main provisions are the development and application of a neural network method for helicopter turboshaft engine thermogas-dynamic parameter integrating signals. This allows you to effectively correct sensor data in real time, ensuring high accuracy and reliability of readings. A neural network has been developed that integrates closed loops for the helicopter turboshaft engine parameters, which are regulated based on the filtering method. This made achieving almost 100% (0.995 or 99.5%) accuracy possible and reduced the loss function to 0.005 (0.5%) after 280 training epochs. An algorithm has been developed for neural network training based on the errors in backpropagation for closed loops, integrating the helicopter turboshaft engine parameters regulated based on the filtering method. It combines increasing the validation set accuracy and controlling overfitting, considering error dynamics, which preserves the model generalization ability. The adaptive training rate improves adaptation to the data changes and training conditions, improving performance. It has been mathematically proven that the helicopter turboshaft engine parameters regulating neural network closed-loop integration using the filtering method, in comparison with traditional filters (median-recursive, recursive and median), significantly improve efficiency. Moreover, that enables reduction of the errors of the 1st and 2nd types: 2.11 times compared to the median-recursive filter, 2.89 times compared to the recursive filter, and 4.18 times compared to the median filter. The achieved results significantly increase the helicopter turboshaft engine sensor readings accuracy (up to 99.5%) and reliability, ensuring aircraft efficient and safe operations thanks to improved filtering methods and neural network data integration. These advances open up new prospects for the aviation industry, improving operational efficiency and overall helicopter flight safety through advanced data processing technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the Russian Federation's attack on Ukraine, many women and children were forced to flee their homeland out of fear for lives. Poland, as a country bordering Ukraine, has accepted the most refugees, compared to other EU states. Soon after, Ukrainian school-age children began their education in Polish schools, but the process of their enrolment and adaptation to a new environment, as well as the provision of psychological assistance, became a significant challenge. The aim of the study was to inquire about the actions taken by principals of primary schools in Poland in connection with accepting refugee students from Ukraine to their institutions, as well as determining the possibilities of providing these students with spiritual support. The following survey research conducted in the four voivodeships that accepted the largest number of refugees, in urban and rural environments, allowed the identification of the practical solutions used by school principals in organising the assistance provided to refugee students from Ukraine in learning and integration with peers. As the research has indicated, the most important challenges in working with Ukrainian children affected by war are psycho-emotional experiences, depression and adaptation problems. Therefore, the priority in working with them was to use the strategy of spiritual support and solidarity, focusing on the prioritised human values—humanism, tolerance, faith, love, empathy, kindness, and mutual help. The conclusions drawn from the experience gained by Polish schools, in particular, in terms of the spiritual support for children of war, can be used by educational systems in other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC) represents the central concept that enables the creation of new applications and services that bring the benefits of edge computing to networks and users. By implementing applications and services at the edge, close to users and their devices, it becomes possible to take advantage of extremely low latency, substantial bandwidth, and optimized resource usage. However, enabling this approach requires careful integration between the MEC framework and the open 5G core. This work is dedicated to designing a new service that extends the functionality of the Multi-Access Traffic Steering (MTS) API, acting as a strategic bridge between the realms of MEC and the 5G core. To accomplish this objective, we utilize free5GC (open-source project for 5G core) as our 5G core, deployed on the Kubernetes cluster. The proposed service is validated using this framework, involving scenarios of high user density. To conclude whether the discussed solution is valid, KPIs of 5G MEC applications described in the scientific community were sought to use as a comparison parameter. The results indicate that the service effectively addresses the described issues while demonstrating its feasibility in various use cases such as e-Health, Paramedic Support, Smart Home, and Smart Farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modular construction is gaining worldwide attention. Building services are the systems that make buildings comfortable and efficient. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems provide heating, cooling, lighting, energy distribution, and water services. Modular construction integrates building services into prefabricated modules at the manufacturing site, which are then transported to the construction site. A systematic review (SR) of building services integration within modular construction is thus necessary. Prior to the SR, a quantitative analysis of the retrieved 115 publications from the Scopus database was explored. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guide, 13 relevant publications from the Scopus database and via the Research Rabbit application were profiled. MEP systems integration approaches and research needs were examined. Recent literature emphasizes technology integration and sustainability, while early studies laid the framework for modular approaches. The findings highlight the potential of digital technologies like building information modeling (BIM) and recommend a holistic framework for the entire building's lifetime, from design to operation. Future research directions include performance studies, modular building service adaptation, and industry-wide standards building. Researchers and practitioners seeking to improve modular construction methods and integrate complex building services will gain insights from this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of immigrants in a host society must consider aspects related to the labour field, as well as other factors including their differences. The existence of 97 unemployed Venezuelan migrant women living in Cúcuta, Los Patios and La Parada, border cities of Norte de Santander, Colombia with the state of Táchira, places them at a disadvantage in terms of integration; hence, this study set out to propose strategies to guide governance officials and actors in managing their integration. By means of a multidimensional analysis, three profiles of these unemployed migrant women were obtained for their diversity, generating strategies for each profile in structural, social and cultural contexts; through this, it became evident that the characteristics of those who settle as immigrants can be considered in order to establish integration strategies in line with these characteristics. Thus, the methodology of the study could be useful in other areas of migration for the design of integration strategies that consider the heterogeneity of immigrants to facilitate their contribution to the society and economy of the country that has hosted them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we propose a joint waveform based on universal filtered multicarrier (UFMC) chirp for radar jamming and communication joint systems. Modulation of radar jamming chirp signals and communication signals on different subcarrier groups in the UFMC sub-band is used to achieve the waveform design. The jamming signal in the waveform contains a frequency shift coefficient that depends on the delay time, which can effectively improve the anti-frequency hopping ability and enhance the overall jamming efficiency. Simultaneously jamming signals can provide assistance in channel estimation and equalization of communication, improving the information transmission quality of communication subsystems. We concluded through reasonable trade-off analysis that the combined weight of radar jamming and communication is closely related to the overall performance of the waveform. The simulation results show that the proposed UFMC chirp synthesized waveform has good jamming and communication performance. Software defined radio (SDR) simulation experiments demonstrated the effectiveness of this method in practical environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pakistan hosts over 1.4 million Afghan refugees and is facing extreme challenges in accomplishing the UN's refugee pacts and 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The inflow and longer stay of refugees in the host country may affect the local population's socio-economic conditions. However, not all refugees are a "burden" to the host economy. Some refugees can contribute positively to the local economy given the opportunity. This study investigates the leading hurdles to establishing businesses for refugees to provide a different perspective to policymakers and scholars in achieving refugee integration. Through a thematic analysis of interviews conducted with Afghan entrepreneurial refugees, this study identifies ten hurdles and five opportunities they face while conducting business in Pakistan. Fuzzy Step-wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (FSWARA) prioritizes the central theme, i.e., a lack of policies, among other hurdles, by allocating weights. Hypotheses on hurdles and opportunities are built and tested through multiple regression analysis (MRA). All the hypotheses on hurdles and three on opportunities are accepted. This study highlights the importance of a comprehensive framework for entrepreneurial refugees for their smooth integration into Pakistani society. This study helps policymakers and scholars identify the main barriers for refugee entrepreneurs in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inertial navigation system (INS) and global satellite navigation system (GNSS) are two of the most significant systems for land navigation applications. The inertial measurement unit (IMU) is a kind of INS sensor that measures three-dimensional acceleration and angular velocity measurements. IMUs based on micro-electromechanical systems (MEMSs) are widely employed in vehicular navigation thanks to their low cost and small size, but their magnitude and noisy biases make navigation errors diverge very fast without external constraint. The zero-velocity update (ZVU) function is one of the efficient functions that constrain the divergence of IMUs for a stopped vehicle, and the key of the ZVU is the correct stationary detection for the vehicle. When a land vehicle is stopped, the idling engine produces a very stable vibration, which allows us to perform frequency analysis and a comparison based on the fast Fourier transform (FFT) and IMU measurements. Hence, we propose a stationary detection method based on the FFT for a stopped land vehicle with an idling engine in this study. An urban vehicular navigation experiment was carried out with our GNSS/IMU integration platform. Three stops for 10 to 20 min were set to analyze, generate and evaluate the FFT-based stationary detection method. The FFT spectra showed clearly idling vibrational peaks during the three stop periods. Through the comparison of FFT spectral features with decelerating and accelerating periods, the amplitudes of vibrational peaks were put forward as the key factors of stationary detection. For the consecutive stationary detection in the GNSS/IMU integration process, a three-second sliding window with a one-second updating rate of the FFT was applied to check the amplitudes of peaks. For the assessment of the proposed stationary detection method, GNSS observations were removed to simulate outages during the three stop periods, and the proposed detection method was conducted together with the ZVU. The results showed that the proposed method achieved a 99.7% correct detection rate, and the divergence of the positioning error constrained via the ZVU was within 2 cm for the experimental stop periods, which indicates the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of this Special Issue devoted to research on the Jewish communities in Africa and their diaspora, we focus on the case of South African Jews who emigrated to Israel. First, we analyze the socio-religious and cultural context in which a Jewish diaspora developed and marked the ethno-religious identity of South African Jews both as individuals and as a collective. Second, we examine the role of ethno-religious identification as the main motive for migrating to Israel, and third, we show the role of ethno-religious identity in the integration of South African Jews into Israeli life. This study relies on data from a survey of South Africans and their descendants living in Israel in 2008, and in-depth interviews. The findings provide evidence for a strong Jewish community in South Africa that created a strong sense of belonging to the Jewish people and a strong attachment to Israel. As expected, two of the key reasons for the decision to move to Israel were ideology and religion. The immigrants wanted to live in a place where they could feel part of the majority that was culturally and religiously Jewish. Finally, ethno-religious identities (Jewish and Zionist) influenced not only the decision making of potential immigrants but also their process of integration into Israeli life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of the integration and miniaturization of sensing devices, the concept of self-sensing devices has been proposed. A motion state is self-sensed via the structure or integration of an actuator in the construction of a sensing unit. This device is then used to capture the perception and measurement of states such as position, displacement, and speed. A triboelectric nanogenerator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy through the coupling effect of contact generation and electrostatic induction, which represents one of the reliable ways through which to realize integrated sensing. In this world, the power generation technology of the TENG is applied to a sensing device. The sensing characteristics of a grid-like TENG are designed and analyzed in freestanding triboelectric mode. Firstly, a relation model of displacement, velocity, voltage, and charge is established. The charge-transfer increment and current amounts are linearly related to the velocity. The open-circuit voltage has a positive relationship with the displacement. The maximum open-circuit voltage and the maximum charge transfer are fixed values, and they are only related to the inherent parameters of a triboelectric nanogenerator. Next, the sensor model is constructed using COMSOL Multiphysics 6.0. The simulation results show that the relationships between output voltage and charge transfer, as well as those between the increments of charge transfer, velocity, and displacement, are consistent with the results derived from the formula. Finally, a performance test of the designed sensor is carried out, and the results are consistent with the theoretical deduction and simulation. After analysis and processing of the output electrical signal by the host computer, it can feedback the frequency and speed value of the measured object. In addition, the output signal is stable, and there is no large fluctuation or attenuation during the 521-s vibration test. Because the working unit of the sensor is thin filmed, it is small in size, easy to integrate, and has no external power supply; moreover, it can be integrated into a device to realize the self-sensing of a motion state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]