Journal Description
Applied Sciences
Applied Sciences
is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal on all aspects of applied natural sciences published semimonthly online by MDPI.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), Inspec, CAPlus / SciFinder, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Engineering, Multidisciplinary) / CiteScore - Q1 (General Engineering)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 16.9 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.6 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2023).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
- Testimonials: See what our authors say about Applied Sciences.
- Companion journals for Applied Sciences include: Applied Nano, AppliedChem, Applied Biosciences, Virtual Worlds, Spectroscopy Journal and JETA.
Impact Factor:
2.7 (2022);
5-Year Impact Factor:
2.9 (2022)
Latest Articles
Acoustic Pressure Amplification through In-Duct Sonic Black Holes
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4699; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114699 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2024
Abstract
Acoustic detection of machinery defaults from in-duct measurements is of practical importance in many areas, such as the health assessment of turbines in ventilation systems or engine testing in the surface and air transport sectors. This approach is, however, impeded by the low
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Acoustic detection of machinery defaults from in-duct measurements is of practical importance in many areas, such as the health assessment of turbines in ventilation systems or engine testing in the surface and air transport sectors. This approach is, however, impeded by the low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) observed in such environments. In this study, it is proposed to exploit the slow sound effect of Sonic Black Hole (SBH) ducted silencers to enhance the sensing of incident pulse acoustic signals with low SNR. It is found from transfer matrix and finite element modelling that fully opened SBH silencers with perforated skin interfaces are able to substantially enhance an incident pulse amplitude while channeling an air flow. We demonstrate that the graded depths of the SBH cavities provide rainbow spectral decomposition and amplification of the incident pulse frequency components, provided that impedance matching, slow sound, and critically coupled conditions are met. In-duct experiments showed the ability of a 3D printed SBH silencer to simultaneously enhance acoustic sensing and fully trap the pulse spectral components in the SBH cavities in the presence of a low-speed flow. This study opens up new avenues for the development of dual-purpose silencers designed for acoustic monitoring and noise control in duct systems without obstructing the air flow.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Acoustics and Vibrations)
Open AccessReview
Magnetic Negative Stiffness Devices for Vibration Isolation Systems: A State-of-the-Art Review from Theoretical Models to Engineering Applications
by
Qingbo Zhu and Kai Chai
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4698; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114698 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2024
Abstract
This paper presents a comprehensive state-of-the-art review of magnetic negative stiffness (MNS) devices in the realm of vibration isolation systems, spanning from foundational theoretical models to practical engineering applications. The emergence of MNS technology represents a significant advancement in the field of vibration
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This paper presents a comprehensive state-of-the-art review of magnetic negative stiffness (MNS) devices in the realm of vibration isolation systems, spanning from foundational theoretical models to practical engineering applications. The emergence of MNS technology represents a significant advancement in the field of vibration isolation, introducing a method capable of achieving near-zero stiffness to effectively attenuate low-frequency vibration. Through a systematic exploration of the evolution of vibration isolation methodologies—encompassing passive, active, and hybrid techniques—this article elucidates the underlying principles of quasi-zero stiffness (QZS) and investigates various configurations of MNS isolators, such as the linear spring, bending beam, level spring-link, and cam-roller designs. Our comprehensive analysis extends to the optimization and application of these isolators across diverse engineering domains, highlighting their pivotal role in enhancing the isolation efficiency against low-frequency vibrations. By integrating experimental validations with theoretical insights, this study underscores the transformative potential of MNS devices in redefining vibration isolation capabilities, particularly in expanding the isolation frequency band while preserving the load-bearing capacities. As the authors of this review, not only are the current advancements within MNS device research cataloged but also future trajectories are projected, advocating for continued innovation and tailored designs to fully exploit the advantages of MNS technology in specialized vibration isolation scenarios.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Acoustics and Vibrations)
Open AccessArticle
Enhanced Scheduling of AI Applications in Multi-Tenant Cloud Using Genetic Optimizations
by
Seokmin Kwon and Hyokyung Bahn
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4697; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114697 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2024
Abstract
The artificial intelligence (AI) industry is increasingly integrating with diverse sectors such as smart logistics, FinTech, entertainment, and cloud computing. This expansion has led to the coexistence of heterogeneous applications within multi-tenant systems, presenting significant scheduling challenges. This paper addresses these challenges by
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The artificial intelligence (AI) industry is increasingly integrating with diverse sectors such as smart logistics, FinTech, entertainment, and cloud computing. This expansion has led to the coexistence of heterogeneous applications within multi-tenant systems, presenting significant scheduling challenges. This paper addresses these challenges by exploring the scheduling of various machine learning workloads in large-scale, multi-tenant cloud systems that utilize heterogeneous GPUs. Traditional scheduling strategies often struggle to achieve satisfactory results due to low GPU utilization in these complex environments. To address this issue, we propose a novel scheduling approach that employs a genetic optimization technique, implemented within a process-oriented discrete-event simulation framework, to effectively orchestrate various machine learning tasks. We evaluate our approach using workload traces from Alibaba’s MLaaS cluster with over 6000 heterogeneous GPUs. The results show that our scheduling improves GPU utilization by 12.8% compared to Round-Robin scheduling, demonstrating the effectiveness of the solution in optimizing cloud-based GPU scheduling.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Intelligence Applications in Industry)
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Open AccessArticle
Multimodal Attention-Based Instruction-Following Part-Level Affordance Grounding
by
Wen Qu, Lulu Guo, Jian Cui and Xiao Jin
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4696; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114696 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2024
Abstract
The integration of language and vision for object affordance understanding is pivotal for the advancement of embodied agents. Current approaches are often limited by reliance on segregated pre-processing stages for language interpretation and object localization, leading to inefficiencies and error propagation in affordance
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The integration of language and vision for object affordance understanding is pivotal for the advancement of embodied agents. Current approaches are often limited by reliance on segregated pre-processing stages for language interpretation and object localization, leading to inefficiencies and error propagation in affordance segmentation. To overcome these limitations, this study introduces a unique task, part-level affordance grounding, in direct response to natural language instructions. We present the Instruction-based Affordance Grounding Network (IAG-Net), a novel architecture that unifies language–vision interactions through a varied-scale multimodal attention mechanism. Unlike existing models, IAG-Net employs two textual–visual feature fusion strategies, capturing both sentence-level and task-specific textual features alongside multiscale visual features for precise and efficient affordance prediction. Our evaluation on two newly constructed vision–language affordance datasets, ITT-AFF VL and UMD VL, demonstrates a significant leap in performance, with an improvement of 11.78% and 0.42% in mean Intersection over Union (mIoU) over cascaded models, bolstering both accuracy and processing speed. We contribute to the research community by releasing our source code and datasets, fostering further innovation and replication of our findings.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Computing and Artificial Intelligence)
Open AccessArticle
Effectiveness of Erythrocyte Morphology Observation as an Indicator for the Selection and Qualification of Blood in a Mechanically Induced Hemolysis Test
by
Jeonghwa Kim, Taeho Kim, Sekyung Kim, Joonho Eom and Taewon Kim
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4695; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114695 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2024
Abstract
Background: This study was conducted to confirm the reliability of an in vitro mechanically induced hemolysis test (ISO 10993-4:2017), which is essential for ensuring the safety of blood pumps. Methods: For appropriate anticoagulant selection, porcine blood was prepared in anticoagulant citrate dextrose solution
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Background: This study was conducted to confirm the reliability of an in vitro mechanically induced hemolysis test (ISO 10993-4:2017), which is essential for ensuring the safety of blood pumps. Methods: For appropriate anticoagulant selection, porcine blood was prepared in anticoagulant citrate dextrose solution A (ACD-A), heparin, and citrate phosphate dextrose adenine (CPDA-1), respectively, according to the ASTM F1830 standard. Anticoagulant-treated porcine and bovine blood were circulated in a mock circulatory loop (MCL) for 6 h to observe the rate of plasma-free hemoglobin (pfHb) and RBCs with morphological integrity. Results: A morphological loss of red blood cells (RBCs) was observed over time. While there were differences in morphological loss depending on the anticoagulant, no consistent trend could be identified. The pfHb concentration was significantly higher in bovine than in porcine blood. Conversely, the number of RBCs with morphological integrity decreased over time in both, but the ratio of RBCs with morphological integrity was similar across all timepoints. Conclusions: The percentage of RBCs with morphological integrity can be used as a reliable indicator for the interpretation of mechanically induced hemolysis results in different blood types. Furthermore, the reliability of the in vitro mechanically induced hemolysis test (ISO 10993-4:2017) was assessed.
Full article
Open AccessArticle
Numerical and Analytical Estimation of the Wind Speed Causing Overturning of the Fast-Erecting Crane—Part II
by
Marcin Augustyn and Marek Barski
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4694; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114694 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2024
Abstract
The currently presented work is a continuation of the previous one, where the estimation of the forces induced by the wind flow acting on the fast-erecting crane. In that work, the values of the aerodynamic forces were determined experimentally and numerically for the
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The currently presented work is a continuation of the previous one, where the estimation of the forces induced by the wind flow acting on the fast-erecting crane. In that work, the values of the aerodynamic forces were determined experimentally and numerically for the sectional models of the tower and jib. Next, the obtained results were compared with the appropriate standards. Now, the main aim is to determine the critical wind speed causing the overturning of the whole structure. At the very beginning, the numerical analysis of the simplified model of the crane on the real scale is studied. The computations are performed with the use of the ANSYS FLUENT R22. The simulations are performed for three different wind profiles, namely: urban terrain, village terrain, and open terrain. Moreover, the various geometric configurations of the crane in the wind direction are studied. The k-ε model of turbulent flow is exploited. The obtained critical values of the wind speed are confronted with those that are obtained from standards and estimations based on the results obtained from previous investigations performed for sectional models. The influence of the load carried by the crane is also taken into consideration in the overturning of the structure.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structural Wind Engineering, 2nd Edition)
Open AccessArticle
Selenium Content of Goose Breast Meat Depending on the Type of Heat Processing
by
Zuzanna Goluch, Małgorzata Bąkowska, Gabriela Haraf and Bogumiła Pilarczyk
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4693; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114693 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2024
Abstract
Among the foods frequently consumed by consumers is meat. Among other things, it contains selenium, and the content depends on the amount of consumption of this element by animals, which requires monitoring as a metalloid. The purpose of this study was to: examine
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Among the foods frequently consumed by consumers is meat. Among other things, it contains selenium, and the content depends on the amount of consumption of this element by animals, which requires monitoring as a metalloid. The purpose of this study was to: examine the impact of various types of heat processing used by consumers (water bath cooking WBC, oven convection roasting OCR, grilling G, pan frying PF) on the selenium content and its retention in goose breast meat (with and without skin) and estimate the coverage of this element’s daily requirement in adults after consuming 100 g of goose breast meat with skin or without skin. The material used in the study comprised 36 breast muscles cut from carcasses of 17-week-old White Koluda geese. The moisture, ash, and selenium were determined in both raw and thermally processed muscles. It has been concluded that various methods of heat processing significantly impact the cooking loss, moisture, ash and selenium content of meat, but not the selenium retention. The heat processing increased the selenium content of the muscle regardless of the presence of skin, which affects the possibility of covering adults’ Nutrient Reference Values-Requirements (NRV-R) for this element in the range of 33.3–44.8%. Goose breast meat can be a valuable component of a diversified diet. It is also a safe source of selenium. It is unlikely that adult consumers, even those who eat goose regularly, will exceed this element’s upper tolerable intake level. For selenium retention and NRV-R coverage, consumers would benefit most from goose breast meat with or without skin undergoing OCR or G treatment.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Processing on Food Composition, Nutritional Value and Sensory Quality: 2nd Edition)
Open AccessArticle
Study on the Difference in Wavefront Distortion on Beams Caused by Wavelength Differences in the Strong Turbulence Region
by
Meimiao Han, Xizheng Ke and Jingyuan Liang
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4692; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114692 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2024
Abstract
Abstract: In free-space optical communication, the transmission of signal light and beacon light of differing wavelengths through the same atmospheric channel encounters variations in how the atmospheric refractive index absorbs and scatters light. This leads to distinct degrees of wavefront aberrations between the
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Abstract: In free-space optical communication, the transmission of signal light and beacon light of differing wavelengths through the same atmospheric channel encounters variations in how the atmospheric refractive index absorbs and scatters light. This leads to distinct degrees of wavefront aberrations between the signal and beacon lights. In this study, we employed statistical optics to derive wavefront phase structure functions for both signal and beacon lights under conditions of strong turbulence. We explored how wavefront distortion varies among beams of different wavelengths after propagation through such turbulent conditions. Our findings revealed that as the turbulence outer scale escalates, the difference in wavefront distortion between signal and beacon lights stabilizes after an initial increase, assuming constant wavelengths. Furthermore, we observed significant changes in the relative wavefront aberrations when the inner scale of turbulence surpasses the separation between two points on the receiving apertures. As the disparity in wavelength decreases, so does the difference in wavefront aberrations. Finally, we propose a method for correcting wavefront aberrations based on coefficients of Zernike polynomials corresponding to beams with different wavelengths. This approach is validated through simulation and experimentation, demonstrating an 11% enhancement in the signal-to-optical Strehl ratio and a 0.072 increase in spot energy after the addition of correction coefficients compared with before their inclusion. These results solidify the efficacy of our method in improving adaptive optics correction accuracy.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Optics and Lasers)
Open AccessArticle
Pressure Fluctuation and Flow-Induced Noise of the Fin and Rudder in a Water Tunnel
by
Duo Qu, Yanfei Li, Ruibiao Li, Yunhui Chen and Yongou Zhang
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4691; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114691 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2024
Abstract
The flow field and radiated noise resulting from water flowing through a fin and rudder were analyzed in this study. A hydrodynamic experiment was conducted in a water tunnel to measure the pressure fluctuations affecting a fin and rudder, and then the experimental
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The flow field and radiated noise resulting from water flowing through a fin and rudder were analyzed in this study. A hydrodynamic experiment was conducted in a water tunnel to measure the pressure fluctuations affecting a fin and rudder, and then the experimental data and Large Eddy Simulation (LES) results were compared and analyzed. The discussion presented herein focuses on the zero angle of attack and the Reynolds number based on a maximum width of the fin and rudder ranging from 3.6 × 106 to 9.7 × 106. Furthermore, a numerical model was developed using the LES turbulence model and Lighthill’s acoustic analog theory to predict the flow-induced noise generated by the fin and rudder. The test data reveal that the pressure fluctuation decreases as frequency increases, and the average rate of decrease is obtained for frequencies up to 5.0 kHz. Additionally, as flow velocity increases, the overall sound pressure level of flow-induced noise also increases. The relationship between the sound power radiated by the fin and rudder and the flow velocity approximately follows a power law with an exponent of seven, and the noise radiated on both sides is greater than that radiated in the direction of flow. The findings presented in this paper have practical implications for designing quieter rudders and optimizing the noise performance of underwater vehicles and ships, thereby addressing concerns regarding the impact of anthropogenic noise on marine life and ecosystems.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Fluid Science and Technology)
Open AccessArticle
Practical Test on the Operation of the Three-Phase Induction Motor under Single-Phasing Fault
by
Ali Abdo, Jamal Siam, Ahmed Abdou, Hakam Shehadeh and Rashad Mustafa
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4690; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114690 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2024
Abstract
Single-phasing is a common problem in the three-phase electrical grid. Despite the fact that the fault occurs in one phasing, the three-phase load is affected, and therefore the load is typically turned off. The three-phase induction motor is the most commonly used in
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Single-phasing is a common problem in the three-phase electrical grid. Despite the fact that the fault occurs in one phasing, the three-phase load is affected, and therefore the load is typically turned off. The three-phase induction motor is the most commonly used in the industry; therefore, this research investigates the behavior of the three-phase induction motor under a single-phasing fault. The main aim of this paper is to answer the question, should the three-phase induction motor be turned off under a single-phasing fault? The problem is investigated theoretically and compared with practical tests to explore the parameters of the induction motor (current, stator temperature, and vibration) that are affected under healthy and single-phasing fault conditions. A practical test machine is built to test the motor behavior under single-phasing faults, where the practical experiment results are compared to those of the simulations. Despite the common recommendation under single-phasing fault is to turn off the induction motors, the preliminary results of this study show that turning off an induction motor under single-phasing can be avoided under certain operating conditions with a simple protection scheme, which is useful in some practical situations.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fault Diagnosis and Detection of Machinery)
Open AccessArticle
ROI-Binarized Hyperbolic Region Segmentation and Characterization by Using Deep Residual Convolutional Neural Network with Skip Connection for GPR Imaging
by
Hua Zhang, Qianwei Dai, Deshan Feng, Xun Wang and Bin Zhang
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4689; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114689 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2024
Abstract
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a non-destructive geophysical technique utilizing electromagnetic pulses to detect subsurface material properties. The analysis of regions of interest (ROIs) in GPR images often entails the identification of hyperbolic reflection regions of underground targets through accurate segmentation, a crucial
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Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a non-destructive geophysical technique utilizing electromagnetic pulses to detect subsurface material properties. The analysis of regions of interest (ROIs) in GPR images often entails the identification of hyperbolic reflection regions of underground targets through accurate segmentation, a crucial preprocessing step. Currently, this represents a research gap. In the hyperbolic reflection region, manual segmentation not only demands professional expertise but is also time-consuming and error-prone. Automatic segmentation can aid in accurately determining the location and depth of the reflection region, thereby enhancing data interpretation and analysis. This study presents a deep residual Convolutional Neural Network (Res-CNN) that integrates skip connections within an encoder-decoder framework for ROI-binarized hyperbolic segmentation. The proposed framework includes designed downsampling and upsampling modules that facilitate feature computation sharing between these two modules through skip connections within network blocks. In the evaluation of both simple and complex models, our method attained PSNR, SSIM, and FSIM values of 57.1894, 0.9933, and 0.9336, and 58.4759, 0.9958, and 0.9677, respectively. Compared to traditional segmentation methods, the proposed approach demonstrated clearer segmentation results, enabling intelligent and effective identification of the ROI region containing abnormal hyperbolic reflection waves in GPR images.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR): Theory, Methods and Applications)
Open AccessArticle
A Deep Learning Approach to Predict Supply Chain Delivery Delay Risk Based on Macroeconomic Indicators: A Case Study in the Automotive Sector
by
Matteo Gabellini, Lorenzo Civolani, Francesca Calabrese and Marco Bortolini
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4688; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114688 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2024
Abstract
The development of predictive approaches to estimate supplier delivery risks has become vital for companies that rely heavily on outsourcing practices and lean management strategies in the era of the shortage economy. However, the literature that presents studies proposing the development of such
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The development of predictive approaches to estimate supplier delivery risks has become vital for companies that rely heavily on outsourcing practices and lean management strategies in the era of the shortage economy. However, the literature that presents studies proposing the development of such approaches is still in its infancy, and several gaps have been found. In particular, most of the current studies present approaches that can only estimate whether suppliers will be late or not. Moreover, even if autocorrelation in data has been widely considered in demand forecasting, it has been neglected in supplier delivery risk predictions. Finally, current approaches struggle to consider macroeconomic data as input and rely mostly on machine learning models, while deep learning ones have rarely been investigated. The main contribution of this study is thus to propose a new approach that for the first time simultaneously adopts a deep learning model able to capture autocorrelation in data and integrates several macroeconomic indicators as input. Furthermore, as a second contribution, the performance of the proposed approach has been investigated in a real automotive case study and compared with those studies resulting from approaches that adopt traditional statistical models and models that do not consider macroeconomic indicators as additional inputs. The results highlight the capabilities of the proposed approach to provide good forecasts and outperform benchmarks for most of the considered predictions. Furthermore, the results provide evidence of the importance of considering macroeconomic indicators as additional input.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Intelligence and Complex Systems Analysis in Transportation and Maintenance)
Open AccessArticle
Testing the Effectiveness of the Anti-Bending Bar System to Reduce the Vertical Bending Vibrations of the Railway Vehicle Carbody Using an Experimental Scale Demonstrator
by
Traian Mazilu, Mădălina Dumitriu, Ștefan Sorohan, Marius Alin Gheți and Ioana Izabela Apostol
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4687; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114687 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2024
Abstract
In this paper, the vertical vibration behaviour of an experimental scale demonstrator of a railway vehicle carbody fitted with an anti-bending bar system of innovative design is studied to highlight its ability to raise the bending natural frequency of the railway vehicle carbody
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In this paper, the vertical vibration behaviour of an experimental scale demonstrator of a railway vehicle carbody fitted with an anti-bending bar system of innovative design is studied to highlight its ability to raise the bending natural frequency of the railway vehicle carbody and to reduce the intensity of the vibration. The anti-bending bar system has been previously proposed by the second author as a new passive method to improve comfort in passenger coaches with long carbodies that have a natural bending frequency located in the range of maximum sensitivity of human beings to vertical vibration. The experimental scale demonstrator consists of an aluminium plate supported on four rubber supports. The aluminium beam reproduces to a scale of 1:10 the length of a passenger coach carbody, and its thickness is set so that the first bending frequency of the plate is close to the usual value of real carbodies. The anti-bending bar system consists of two steel bars arranged longitudinally in the middle of the aluminium plate, near its side edges. Each anti-bending bar is fixed at the ends to the aluminium plate by joints consisting of a clamping arm welded to a fixing flange. The two anti-bending bars oppose the bending movement of the aluminium plate, thus increasing its bending stiffness. This results in increasing the bending natural frequency of the aluminium plate and reduction its vibration. Testing the effectiveness of the anti-bending bar system consists of experimentally determining the frequency response of the aluminium plate acceleration without/with the anti-bending bar system by the impact hammer method. The experimental results show the first bending natural frequency increases from 9.01 Hz to 13.4 Hz and the acceleration amplitude decreases by more than 50% when the anti-bending bar system is used. To confirm these results, a theoretical model of the experimental scale demonstrator based on the finite element method was developed. The results obtained with this model are in line with those obtained experimentally.
Full article
Open AccessArticle
Research on Seabed Erosion Monitoring Technology of Offshore Structures Based on the Principle of Heat Transfer
by
Jilong Yin, Huaqing Zhang, Mengmeng Liu and Yichu Li
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4686; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114686 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2024
Abstract
The erosion of the seabed around offshore structures has emerged as a critical factor impeding the operational safety of offshore engineering facilities. Prompt and precise identification and monitoring of the water–soil interface hold significant importance in mitigating the seabed erosion challenges facing offshore
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The erosion of the seabed around offshore structures has emerged as a critical factor impeding the operational safety of offshore engineering facilities. Prompt and precise identification and monitoring of the water–soil interface hold significant importance in mitigating the seabed erosion challenges facing offshore structures. To tackle this issue, a monitoring framework for the water–soil interface is proposed, grounded in heat transport theory. This framework exploits the thermodynamic variances between seawater and the seabed soil to examine the temperature changes in linear heat sources in water and soil under a constant power. In this study, a typical metallic material—iron (Fe)—and non-metallic material—polyvinyl chloride (PVC)—are considered the linear heat sources, and their temperature variations are analyzed within this framework. The findings reveal that the temperature of the linear heat sources rapidly stabilizes, with the ultimate temperature exhibiting a logarithmic correlation with the convective heat transfer coefficient. To further test the practicability of the framework, an indoor test is conducted. The errors between the theoretical calculation results and the experimental results are less than 14% in water and 19% in soil. The results of the framework and the indoor test have a high degree of coincidence. This framework has proved that it can be used in practical engineering.
Full article
Open AccessArticle
Research on the Movement of Overlying Strata in Shallow Coal Seams with High Mining Heights and Ultralong Working Faces
by
Yuping Fu, Chuantian Li and Yongliang He
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4685; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114685 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2024
Abstract
To study the roof movement and ground pressure evolution characteristics of an ultralong working face in a shallow coal seam with a high mining height, the Shangwan Coal Mine in the Shendong mining area was used as the research background, and the physical
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To study the roof movement and ground pressure evolution characteristics of an ultralong working face in a shallow coal seam with a high mining height, the Shangwan Coal Mine in the Shendong mining area was used as the research background, and the physical and mechanical parameters of the surrounding rock were determined through rock mechanics experiments. A physical simulation model was built considering the 7 m mining height of the 12301 fully mechanized working face of the Shangwan Coal Mine to simulate and study the evolutions of the movement, fracture and collapse of the coal seam, direct roof, and basic roof and overlying strata during the mining process. The mechanical characteristics of the support, mechanism of roof collapse, and changes in the working resistance of the support were analysed and simulated. The research results indicate that when mining at a height of 7 m, the direct roof and basic roof strata collapse in layers; the basic roof strata collapse backwards, the rock block arrangement is more irregular, and the range of the basic roof that can form structural rock layers extends higher. After the basic roof rock fractures, it cannot form a masonry beam structure and can only form a cantilever beam structure. The periodic fracture of the cantilever beam causes periodic pressure on the working face. These research results are of great significance for planning the further mining of shallow coal seams with high mining heights and ultralong working faces in the Shendong mining area, as well as for improving the control of overlying strata.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Methodology and Analysis in Coal Mine Gas Control)
Open AccessReview
Hematological and Hemorheological Parameters of Blood Platelets as Biomarkers in Diabetes Mellitus Type 2: A Comprehensive Review
by
Elissaveta Zvetkova, Ivan Ivanov, Eugeni Koytchev, Nadia Antonova, Yordanka Gluhcheva, Anika Alexandrova-Watanabe and Georgi Kostov
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4684; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114684 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2024
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) is a hypercoagulable state with enhanced platelet (PLT) activation and increased clotting factor production. Simultaneously, the fibrinolytic cell system is inhibited due to the formation of clots with high fibrinolysis resistance. The stages of PLT “activation” have been
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Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) is a hypercoagulable state with enhanced platelet (PLT) activation and increased clotting factor production. Simultaneously, the fibrinolytic cell system is inhibited due to the formation of clots with high fibrinolysis resistance. The stages of PLT “activation” have been well characterized microscopically, morphometrically, and nanomechanically using a light microscope, transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and atomic force microscope (AFM). Thrombocytes in an “activated” (procoagulant) state play a central role in two main biological processes: hemostasis and vascular vessel repair. Enhanced PLT reactivity in diabetic patients is considered a “pro-thrombotic” state. PLT hematometric indices are higher in retrospective and prospective studies, such as PLTs (count), MPV (mean platelet volume), PDW (platelet distribution width), PCR (platelet crit), and the PLTs/Ly ratio. The platelet indices MPV and PDW are higher in people with diabetes who have chronic vascular complications, and are statistically significant. PLT parameters/indices are useful biomarkers in the early diagnosis and prognosis of DM2. Precise studies of PLT activation state during DM2 may be useful for new diabetes (DM2) treatment strategies and effective therapeutic agents. Researchers have observed an association between MPV and medications such as insulin, metformin, and sulfonylureas using the blood glucose concentration attached to hemoglobin (HbA1c values) as markers of glycemic control in patients with diabetes. Computational modeling of PLT activation in DM2 is also a controlling factor for thrombocyte distribution and margination in blood vessels, both of which are associated with micro- and macrovascular disease in DM2. PLT-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) are novel molecular biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of DM2, insulin resistance, and diabetes complications. Anti-platelet agents and natural plant products may also be effective in the prevention and secondary treatment of micro- and macrovascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus. To determine new ways of diagnosing, treating, predicting, and managing DM2 and its related vascular complications, we propose monitoring a combination of hematological, hemorheological, and hemostatic parameters (indices), which merit future studies.
Full article
Open AccessArticle
User Assessment of a Customized Taekwondo Athlete Performance Cyber–Physical System
by
Pedro Cunha, Paulo Barbosa, Fábio Ferreira, Tânia Silva, Nuno Martins, Filomena Soares and Vítor Carvalho
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4683; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114683 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2024
Abstract
This study outlines the assessment of the cyber–physical system SPERTA, which was designed to evaluate the real-time performance of Taekwondo athletes. The system conducts performance analyses focusing on speed, acceleration, strength, and identifying and quantifying the athlete’s movements. The research involved administering an
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This study outlines the assessment of the cyber–physical system SPERTA, which was designed to evaluate the real-time performance of Taekwondo athletes. The system conducts performance analyses focusing on speed, acceleration, strength, and identifying and quantifying the athlete’s movements. The research involved administering an online questionnaire to athletes and coaches to evaluate the system’s acceptance and usability. The methodology included using a questionnaire with open and closed questions to assess participant satisfaction and system usability. The results showed a positive response to the system, with participants emphasizing its reliability and ease of use. An analysis of the responses revealed a strong internal consistency, as indicated by the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, which enhances the research instrument’s reliability. Additionally, the analysis of open-ended questions was conducted through thematic analysis to gain a deeper understanding of participants’ experiences and perceptions of the system. These results highlight the effectiveness of the SPERTA system as a valuable tool for the real-time performance evaluation of Taekwondo athletes, providing insights for future improvements and the development of more effective training techniques.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sport Science: Athlete Development and Performance)
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Open AccessArticle
Optical Power Limiter for Charged-Coupled Devices Protection Based on Dye-Doped Nematic Liquid Crystals
by
Bartłomiej Wojciech Klus, Michał Kwaśny, Mirosław Andrzej Karpierz and Urszula Anna Laudyn
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4682; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114682 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2024
Abstract
This paper develops an optical power limiter (OPL) utilizing dye-doped nematic liquid crystals (NLCs) in a twisted nematic configuration designed to protect charged-coupled devices from intense light damage. The device harnesses the intrinsic optical properties of NLCs, enhanced by dye doping, to control
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This paper develops an optical power limiter (OPL) utilizing dye-doped nematic liquid crystals (NLCs) in a twisted nematic configuration designed to protect charged-coupled devices from intense light damage. The device harnesses the intrinsic optical properties of NLCs, enhanced by dye doping, to control light transmission without external electric fields. Placed between two crossed polarizers, the NLC cell exploits both reorientational and thermal nonlinearities to reduce the activation thresholds and enhance responsiveness to fluctuating light intensities. The experiments employ a continuous-wave green laser, chosen for its peak interference in the visual field and alignment with CCD camera sensitivities, emphasizing the practical relevance of the OPL in the military and aviation sectors. The results indicate that integrating plastic polarizers and strategically adjusting thermal nonlinearity significantly lowers the operational threshold of the limiter, effectively counteracting high-intensity light exposure while allowing safe light levels. This approach offers effective CCD protection and demonstrates the potential for broad wavelength applications. The developed NLC-based OPL represents a significant advancement in dynamic light management technologies, promising extensive industrial applications.
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(This article belongs to the Section Optics and Lasers)
Open AccessArticle
Branch-Transformer: A Parallel Branch Architecture to Capture Local and Global Features for Language Identification
by
Zeen Li, Shuanghong Liu, Zhihua Fang and Liang He
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4681; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114681 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2024
Abstract
Currently, an increasing number of people are opting to use transformer models or conformer models for language identification, achieving outstanding results. Among them, transformer models based on self-attention can only capture global information, lacking finer local details. There are also approaches that employ
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Currently, an increasing number of people are opting to use transformer models or conformer models for language identification, achieving outstanding results. Among them, transformer models based on self-attention can only capture global information, lacking finer local details. There are also approaches that employ conformer models by concatenating convolutional neural networks and transformers to capture both local and global information. However, this static single-branch architecture is difficult to interpret and modify, and it incurs greater inference difficulty and computational costs compared to dual-branch models. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a novel model called Branch-transformer (B-transformer). In contrast to traditional transformers, it consists of parallel dual-branch structures. One branch utilizes self-attention to capture global information, while the other employs a Convolutional Gated Multi-Layer Perceptron (cgMLP) module to extract local information. We also investigate various fusion methods for integrating global and local information and experimentally validate the effectiveness of our approach on the NIST LRE 2017 dataset.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Deep Learning for Speech, Image and Language Processing)
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Open AccessArticle
MEEMD-Based Ground Vibration Component Extraction and Response Analysis of Long Period Ground Vibration on High-Pier Large-Span Bridges
by
Chunyu Li, Jingwei Jia and Jie Jia
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 4680; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114680 (registering DOI) - 29 May 2024
Abstract
Comparing the empirical modal decomposition (EMD) method and the modified ensemble empirical modal decomposition (MEEMD) method, a response analysis of the long-period components, with the separation and reconstruction of the two methods, and the original long-period ground vibration on high-pier bridges is carried
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Comparing the empirical modal decomposition (EMD) method and the modified ensemble empirical modal decomposition (MEEMD) method, a response analysis of the long-period components, with the separation and reconstruction of the two methods, and the original long-period ground vibration on high-pier bridges is carried out to verify the validity of the extracted long-period components. In addition, the response characteristics of the components extracted based on the MEEMD and the original ground vibration are studied on the bridges at different points. The results show that, through the correlation of the displacement response of the bridge piers, the long-period component of the long-period ground shaking can well reflect the response characteristics of the long-period ground shaking on the long-period structure, and the MEEMD provides better results than the EMD extraction method. The long-period structure resonates during the long-period component of the long-period ground shaking, the short-period structure resonates during the short-period component, and the structural seismic response is similar to the self-resonance of the structure. The seismic response of the structures is closely related to the self-oscillation period and the spectral parameters of the ground shaking.
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(This article belongs to the Section Civil Engineering)
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