In the present paper, we consider the class $\overline{\mathcal{A}}$ of functions $f\left(z\right)$ of the form $f\left(z\right)=z+{\sum }_{k=1}^{\infty }{a}_{1+\frac{k}{3}}{z}^{1+\frac{k}{3}}$ that are analytic in the open unit disc $\mathbb{U}.$ If $a_{1+\frac{k}{3}}=0$ for $k\ne 3n$$(n=1,2,3,\cdots ),$ then $f\left(z\right)$ is given by $f\left(z\right)=z+{\sum }_{k=2}^{\infty }{a}_k{z}^k.$ For such functions $f\left(z\right)\in \overline{\mathcal{A}},$ some interesting properties for subordinations and strongly starlike functions are given. Also, some interesting examples for the results are shown. Full article

Land use practices face significant pressure due to increased demand and conflicting needs. Several factors contribute to this trend, such as the ever-increasing human population, the increased demand for food production, and the expansion of industrial and agricultural areas. This paper, focused on the cultivation patterns and investigating changes in land use of maize and soybean over time (i.e., both genetically modified and non-genetically modified) in two South African provinces. The objective was to determine whether there was a net increase or decrease in land cover age for these two crops between 2006 and 2017 in the selected study areas. Hence, the study utilized ArcGIS (10.8.1) software to quantify and map the land used for the cultivation of maize and soybean from 2006 to 2017 in Free State and North West provinces. The results show both provinces to have minimal expansion or change in cultivation areas for both maize and soybean between 2006 and 2017. We concluded that both maize and soybean cultivation areas in these provinces, did not expand beyond the current agricultural areas (space), and did not encroach onto new land areas. As a result, both maize and soybean do not currently pose a threat to the surrounding landscape (i.e., natural vegetation) and are not in direct competition with other neighboring land use practices. We recommend that data on the annual planting or cultivation area be consistently gathered, analyzed, and mapped to monitor any alterations that could influence the current findings. This will also assist with any land use planning and management practices. Full article

Danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are elevated within the amniotic cavity, and their increases correlate with advancing gestational age, chorioamnionitis, and labor. Although the specific triggers for their release in utero remain unclear, it is thought that they may contribute to the initiation of parturition by influencing cellular stress mechanisms that make the fetal membranes (FMs) more susceptible to rupture. DAMPs induce inflammation in many different tissue types. Indeed, they precipitate the subsequent release of several proinflammatory cytokines that are known to be key for the weakening of FMs. Previously, we have shown that in vitro stretch of human amnion epithelial cells (hAECs) induces a cellular stress response that increases high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) secretion. We have also shown that cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) induces a cytokine response in FM explants that is fetal sex-specific. Therefore, the aim of this work was to further investigate the link between stretch and the DAMPs HMGB1 and cffDNA in the FM. These data show that stretch increases the level of cffDNA released from hAECs. It also confirms the importance of the sex of the fetus by demonstrating that female cffDNA induced more cellular stress than male fetuses. Our data treating hAECs and human amnion mesenchymal cells with HMGB1 show that it has a differential effect on the ability of the cells of the amnion to upregulate the proinflammatory cytokines and propagate a proinflammatory signal through the FM that may weaken it. Finally, our data show that sulforaphane (SFN), a potent activator of Nrf2, is able to mitigate the proinflammatory effects of stretch by decreasing the levels of HMGB1 release and ROS generation after stretch and modulating the increase of key cytokines after cell stress. HMGB1 and cffDNA are two of the few DAMPs that are known to induce cytokine release and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activation in the FMs; thus, these data support the general thesis that they can function as potential central players in the normal mechanisms of FM weakening during the normal distension of this tissue at the end of a normal pregnancy. Full article

MTX-211 is a first-in-class dual inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) signaling pathways with a compelling pharmaceutical profile and could enhance the effectiveness of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor therapy in colorectal tumors with KRAS mutations. However, the specific mechanisms contributing to the acquired resistance to MTX-211 in human cancers remain elusive. Here, we discovered that the overexpression of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) drug transporter ABCG2, a prevalent mechanism associated with multidrug resistance (MDR), could diminish the effectiveness of MTX-211 in human cancer cells. We showed that the drug efflux activity of ABCG2 substantially decreased the intracellular accumulation of MTX-211 in cancer cells. As a result, the cytotoxicity and effectiveness of MTX-211 in suppressing the activation of the EGFR and PI3K pathways were significantly attenuated in cancer cells overexpressing ABCG2. Moreover, the enhancement of the MTX-211-stimulated ATPase activity of ABCG2 and the computational molecular docking analysis illustrating the binding of MTX-211 to the substrate-binding sites of ABCG2 offered a further indication for the interaction between MTX-211 and ABCG2. In summary, our findings indicate that MTX-211 acts as a substrate for ABCG2, underscoring the involvement of ABCG2 in the emergence of resistance to MTX-211. This finding carries clinical implications and merits further exploration. Full article

Assai (Euterpe oleracea Martius) is a superfruit widely consumed in several countries, mainly produced in the Amazon region. The significant growth of the market for this fruit has raised environmental concerns regarding the disposal of production waste, especially the seeds that are not utilized and represent approximately 80% of the fruit. In the present study, strategies were developed for transforming these seed wastes into new products, using green solvents for extraction under conditions conducive to technology transfer and with feasible quality control through simple bench techniques, which represents an ideal approach for establishing a truly sustainable process. A significant interaction between solvent and extraction method was observed, impacting both yields and total phenols. Phenolic compounds are substances known for their health benefits, functioning as antioxidants and consequently aiding in disease prevention. The phenolic content observed in the extractions increased from 22.68% to 44.74% under optimal conditions during extraction via hot maceration (50 °C) in 100% ethanol for 2 h, which also enhanced yield and increased antioxidant capacity. The extracts displayed remarkable free radical scavenging activities (IC₅₀ = 6.54 μg/mL in ABTS and IC₅₀ = 14.71 μg/mL in DPPH), approaching the Trolox and quercetin standards, respectively. The optimized method paved the way for the industrial-scale utilization of the residues of this valuable Amazonian fruit. Full article

Changes in climate and environmental conditions have aggravated the severity and unpredictability of plant survival and growth. Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook. is an economically important timber tree. Exploring its potential distribution and dynamic changes and identifying the leading environmental variables affecting it will help to adjust the planting range reasonably according to the habits and climate change, thus contributing to its survival and growth. Based on the MaxEnt model and ArcGIS tool, climate, soil, terrain, human activities, variable environment layers, and 395 C. lanceolata distribution points were used to simulate and analyze the geographical distribution characteristics of C. lanceolata in the current and future periods (the 2050s and 2070s) under RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0, and RCP8.5. The results showed that C. lanceolata was suitable to grow in a subtropical monsoon climate with warm, humid, abundant rainfall and a relatively gentle topography. Additionally, using percent contribution, permutation importance, and the knife-cutting test, we noted that the annual precipitation (Bio12), human activities (Hfp), minimum temperature of the coldest month (Bio6), mean temperature of the coldest quarter (Bio11), precipitation of coldest quarter (Bio19), annual temperature range (Bio7), and elevation were the leading environmental factors affecting the geographical distribution of C. lanceolata. Among them, it should be noted that the impact of human activities was negatively correlated with suitable habitat areas of C. lanceolata and led to the degeneration of suitable habitats and fragmentized distribution. In addition, predictions have shown that the areas of habitats under other scenarios will be characterized by an increasing and then decreasing trend by the 2050s and 2070s, except for the RCP2.6 scenario, under which the suitable habitats area of C. lanceolata will increase continuously. The core distributional shifts showed that the suitable habitats of C. lanceolata will gradually shift and migrate to high-latitude areas due to global warming. This study focused on the characteristics of suitable habitats of C. lanceolata under different climatic scenarios using more environmental factors and scenarios than before, aiming to provide a theoretical basis and guidance for the management and utilization of forest resources, the planning of suitable planting areas, and germplasm protection. Full article

Background: Metabolic changes in donkey meat during the early postmortem period have not been previously reported. Methods: The LC–MS-based metabolomics technique was conducted to understand the metabolic profiles and identify the key metabolites of donkey meat in the first 48 h postmortem. Results: The pH values showed a decreasing trend followed by an increasing trend. Shear force was the lowest at 4 h and the highest at 24 h (p < 0.05). For the metabolome, some candidate biomarker metabolites were identified, such as adenine, inosine, n-acetylhistidine, citric acid, isocitrate, and malic acid. Predominant metabolic pathways, such as citrate cycle (TCA cycle), alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, and purine metabolism, were affected by aging time. Overabundant n-acetylhistidine was identified in LT, declined at 12 h postmortem aging, and then increased. This may explain the significantly lower pH at 12 h postmortem. Adenine was higher at 4 h postmortem, then declined. Decreased ADP may indicate a fast consumption of ATP and subsequent purine metabolism in donkey meat. Conclusions: The results of this study provided new insights into early postmortem aging of donkey meat quality. Full article

One of the limitations of the dung beetle optimization (DBO) is its susceptibility to local optima and its relatively low search accuracy. Several strategies have been utilized to improve the diversity, search precision, and outcomes of the DBO. However, the equilibrium between exploration and exploitation has not been achieved optimally. This paper presents a novel algorithm called the ODBO, which incorporates cat map and an opposition-based learning strategy, which is based on symmetry theory. In addition, in order to enhance the performance of the dung ball rolling phase, this paper combines the global search strategy of the osprey optimization algorithm with the position update strategy of the DBO. Additionally, we enhance the population’s diversity during the foraging phase of the DBO by incorporating vertical and horizontal crossover of individuals. This introduction of asymmetry in the crossover operation increases the exploration capability of the algorithm, allowing it to effectively escape local optima and facilitate global search. Full article

Objective: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic pain disorder characterized by intraoral burning or dysaesthetic sensation, with the absence of any identifiable lesions. Numerous treatments for BMS have been investigated, though without conclusive results. An analysis was conducted of the efficacy of treatment with a low-level diode laser and clonazepam in patients with BMS, and a study was carried out on the levels of different salivary biomarkers before and after treatment. Material and methods: A randomized, single-blind clinical trial was carried out involving 89 patients divided into the following groups: group 1 (laser, The Helbo^® Theralite Laser 3D Pocket Probe + clonazepam) (n = 20), group 2 (sham laser placebo) (n = 19), group 3 (laser) (n = 21) and group 4 (clonazepam) (n = 18). Symptom intensity was scored based on a visual analogue scale (VAS). Sialometry was performed before and after treatment, and the Xerostomia Inventory, Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) and Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA) questionnaires were administered. The following markers were measured in saliva samples: interleukins (IL2, IL4, IL5, IL6, IL7, IL8, IL1β, IL10, IL12, IL13, IL17, IL21 and IL23), proteins (MIP-3α, MIP-1α and MIP-1β), GM-CSF, interferon gamma (IFNγ), interferon-inducible T-cell alpha chemoattractant (ITAC), fractalkine and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα). Results: A significant decrease in the VAS scores was observed after treatment in group 1 (laser + clonazepam) (p = 0.029) and group 3 (laser) (p = 0.005). In turn, group 3 (laser) showed a decrease in the salivary concentration of fractalkine (p = 0.025); interleukins IL12 (p = 0.048), IL17 (p = 0.020), IL21 (p = 0.008), IL7 (p = 0.001) and IL8 (p = 0.007); proteins MIP1α (p = 0.048) and MIP1β (p = 0.047); and TNFα (p = 0.047) versus baseline. Following treatment, group 1 (laser + clonazepam) showed significant differences in IL21 (p = 0.045) and IL7 (p = 0.009) versus baseline, while group 4 (clonazepam) showed significant differences in IL13 (p = 0.036), IL2 (p = 0.020) and IL4 (p = 0.001). No significant differences were recorded in group 2 (sham laser placebo). Conclusions: The low-level diode laser is a good treatment option in BMS, resulting in a decrease in patient symptoms and in salivary biomarkers. However, standardization of the intervention protocols and laser intensity parameters is needed in order to draw more firm conclusions. Full article

Pinus thunbergii Parl. is an economically and medicinally important plant, as well as a world-renowned horticultural species of the Pinus genus. Pine wilt disease is a dangerous condition that affects P. thunbergii. However, understanding of the genetics underlying resistance to this disease is poor. Our findings reveal that P. thunbergii’s resistance mechanism is based on differential transcriptome responses generated by the early presence of the pathogen Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, also known as the pine wood nematode. A transcriptome analysis (RNA-seq) was performed to examine gene expression in shoot tissues from resistant and susceptible P. thunbergii trees. RNA samples were collected from the shoots of inoculated pines throughout the infection phases by the virulent Bursaphelenchus xylophilus AMA3 strain. The photosynthesis and plant–pathogen interaction pathways were significantly enriched in the first and third days after infection. Flavonoid biosynthesis was induced in response to late infestation (7 and 14 days post-infestation). Calmodulin, RBOH, HLC protein, RPS, PR1, and genes implicated in phytohormone crosstalk (e.g., SGT1, MYC2, PP2C, and ERF1) showed significant alterations between resistant and susceptible trees. Furthermore, salicylic acid was found to aid pine wood nematodes tolerate adverse conditions and boost reproduction, which may be significant for pine wood nematode colonization within pines. These findings provide new insights into how host defenses overcame pine wood nematode infection in the early stage, which could potentially contribute to the development of novel strategies for the control of pine wilt disease. Full article

The current study aims to utilize the homotopy perturbation method (HPM) to solve nonlinear dynamical models, with a particular focus on models related to predicting and controlling pandemics, such as the SIR model. Specifically, we apply this method to solve a six-compartment model for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which includes susceptible, exposed, asymptomatic infected, symptomatic infected, and recovered individuals, and the concentration of COVID-19 in the environment is indicated by $S(t)$, $E(t)$, $A(t)$, $I(t)$, $R(t)$, and $B(t)$, respectively. We present the series solution of this model by varying the controlling parameters and representing them graphically. Additionally, we verify the accuracy of the series solution (up to the $(n-1)th$-degree polynomial) that satisfies both the initial conditions and the model, with all coefficients correct at 18 decimal places. Furthermore, we have compared our results with the Runge–Kutta fourth-order method. Based on our findings, we conclude that the homotopy perturbation method is a promising approach to solve nonlinear dynamical models, particularly those associated with pandemics. This method provides valuable insight into how the control of various parameters can affect the model. We suggest that future studies can expand on our work by exploring additional models and assessing the applicability of other analytical methods. Full article

MXenes, as emerging 2D sensing materials for next-generation electronics, have attracted tremendous attention owing to their extraordinary electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, and flexibility. However, challenges remain due to the weak stability in the oxygen environment and nonnegligible aggregation of layered MXenes, which severely affect the durability and sensing performances of the corresponding MXene-based pressure sensors, respectively. Here, in this work, we propose an easy-to-fabricate self-assembly strategy to prepare multilayered MXene composite films, where the first layer MXene is hydrogen-bond self-assembled on the electrospun thermoplastic urethane (TPU) fibers surface and the anti-oxidized functionalized-MXene (f-MXene) is subsequently adhered on the MXene layer by spontaneous electrostatic attraction. Remarkably, the f-MXene surface is functionalized with silanization reagents to form a hydrophobic protective layer, thus preventing the oxidation of the MXene-based pressure sensor during service. Simultaneously, the electrostatic self-assembled MXene and f-MXene successfully avoid the invalid stacking of MXene, leading to an improved pressure sensitivity. Moreover, the adopted electrospinning method can facilitate cyclic self-assembly and the formation of a hierarchical micro-nano porous structure of the multilayered f-MXene/MXene/TPU (M-fM²T) composite. The gradient pores can generate changes in the conductive pathways within a wide loading range, broadening the pressure detection range of the as-proposed multilayered f-MXene/MXene/TPU piezoresistive sensor (M-fM²TPS). Experimentally, these novel features endow our M-fM²TPS with an outstanding maximum sensitivity of 40.31 kPa⁻¹ and an extensive sensing range of up to 120 kPa. Additionally, our M-fM²TPS exhibits excellent anti-oxidized properties for environmental stability and mechanical reliability for long-term use, which shows only ~0.8% fractional resistance changes after being placed in a natural environment for over 30 days and provides a reproducible loading–unloading pressure measurement for more than 1000 cycles. As a proof of concept, the M-fM²TPS is deployed to monitor human movements and radial artery pulse. Our anti-oxidized self-assembly strategy of multilayered MXene is expected to guide the future investigation of MXene-based advanced sensors with commercial values. Full article

Memristive structures are among the most promising options to be components of neuromorphic devices. However, the formation of HfO₂-based devices in crossbar arrays requires considerable time since electroforming is a single stochastic operation. In this study, we investigate how Ar⁺ plasma immersion ion implantation (PI) affects the Pt/HfO₂ (4 nm)/${\mathrm{HfO}}_X{\mathrm{N}}_Y$ (3 nm)/TaN electroforming voltage. The advantage of PI is the simultaneous and uniform processing of the entire wafer. It is thought that Ar⁺ implantation causes defects to the oxide matrix, with the majority of the oxygen anions being shifted in the direction of the TaN electrode. We demonstrate that it is feasible to reduce the electroforming voltages from 7.1 V to values less than 3 V by carefully selecting the implantation energy. A considerable decrease in the electroforming voltage was achievable at an implantation energy that provided the dispersion of recoils over the whole thickness of the oxide without significantly affecting the ${\mathrm{HfO}}_X{\mathrm{N}}_Y$/TaN interface. At the same time, Ar⁺ PI at higher and lower energies did not produce the same significant decrease in the electroforming voltage. It is also possible to obtain self-compliance of current in the structure during electroforming after PI with energy less than 2 keV. Full article

The influence of bovine serum albumin (BSA) on collapsing poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) chains was studied with turbidimetry and spin probe and spin label electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. An increased ratio of collapsed chains in aqueous solutions in the narrow temperature region near the LCST appeared in the presence of 2.5–10 wt% BSA. The spin probe EPR data indicate that the inner cavities of the BSA dimers are probably responsive to the capture of small hydrophobic or amphiphilic molecules, such as TEMPO nitroxyl radical. The observed features of the structure and dynamics of inhomogeneities of aqueous PNIPAM-BSA solutions, including their mutual influence on the behavior of the polymer and protein below the LCST, should be considered when developing and investigating PNIPAM-based drug delivery systems. Full article

Food waste is considered to be a social, environmental, administrative, and economic problem. Given the large-scale production and distribution of food, food waste in food services has been widely discussed by experts, professors, and scientists in the field. This systematic review aimed to understand which food service has the highest percentage of plate food waste. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted until January 2024 in ten electronic databases: MEDLINE, Embase, IBECS, BINACIS, BDENF, CUMED, BDNPAR, ARGMSAL, Cochrane Library, Sustainable Development Goals, and the gray literature. The protocol was previously registered with PROSPERO under the code CRD42024501971. Studies that have assessed plate food waste in food services were included. There were no restrictions on language, publication location, or date. The risk of bias analysis was carried out using the JBI instrument. A proportion meta-analysis was carried out using R software (version 4.2.1). This systematic review with meta-analysis showed that the type of distribution and the food service are the factors that have the greatest impact on the percentage and per capita of plate food waste. In the face of increased waste, interventions should be targeted by type and distribution system, diners, and meals in order to lessen the impact of these factors. Full article

Background: Various nutritional strategies are increasingly used in sports to reduce oxidative stress and promote recovery. Chokeberry is rich in polyphenols and can reduce oxidative stress. Consequently, chokeberry juices and mixed juices with chokeberry content are increasingly used in sports. However, the data are very limited. Therefore, this study investigates the effects of the short-term supplementation of a red fruit juice drink with chokeberry content or a placebo on muscle damage, oxidative status, and leg strength during a six-day intense endurance protocol. Methods: Eighteen recreational endurance athletes participated in a cross-over high intensity interval training (HIIT) design, receiving either juice or a placebo. Baseline and post-exercise assessments included blood samples, anthropometric data, and leg strength measurements. Results: A significant increase was measured in muscle damage following the endurance protocol in all participants (∆ CK juice: 117.12 ± 191.75 U/L, ∆ CK placebo: 164.35 ± 267.00 U/L; p = 0.001, η² = 0.17). No group effects were detected in exercise-induced muscle damage (p = 0.371, η² = 0.010) and oxidative status (p = 0.632, η² = 0.000). The reduction in strength was stronger in the placebo group, but group effects are missing statistical significance (∆ e1RM juice: 1.34 ± 9.26 kg, ∆ e1RM placebo: −3.33 ± 11.49 kg; p = 0.988, η² = 0.000). Conclusion: Although a reduction in strength can be interpreted for the placebo treatment, no statistically significant influence of chokeberry could be determined. It appears that potential effects may only occur with prolonged application and a higher content of polyphenols, but further research is needed to confirm this. Full article

The reachable set of controlled dynamical systems is the set of all reachable states from an initial condition over a certain time horizon, subject to operational constraints and exogenous disturbances. In astrodynamics, rapid approximation of reachable sets is invaluable for trajectory planning, collision avoidance, and ensuring safe and optimal performance in complex dynamics. Leveraging the connection between minimum-time trajectories and the boundary of reachable sets, we propose a sampling-based method for rapid and efficient approximation of reachable sets for finite- and low-thrust spacecraft. The proposed method combines a minimum-time multi-stage indirect formulation with the celebrated primer vector theory. Reachable sets are generated under two-body and circular restricted three-body (CR3B) dynamics. For the two-body dynamics, reachable sets are generated for (1) the heliocentric phase of a benchmark Earth-to-Mars problem, (2) two scenarios with uncertainties in the initial position and velocity of the spacecraft at the time of departure from Earth, and (3) a scenario with a bounded single impulse at the time of departure from Earth. For the CR3B dynamics, several cislunar applications are considered, including L1 Halo orbit, L2 Halo orbit, and Lunar Gateway 9:2 NRHO. The results indicate that low-thrust spacecraft reachable sets coincide with invariant manifolds existing in multi-body dynamical environments. The proposed method serves as a valuable tool for qualitatively analyzing the evolution of reachable sets under complex dynamics, which would otherwise be either incoherent with existing grid-based reachability approaches or computationally intractable with a complete Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman method. Full article

Inertial signals are the most widely used signals in human activity recognition (HAR) applications, and extensive research has been performed on developing HAR classifiers using accelerometer and gyroscope data. This study aimed to investigate the potential enhancement of HAR models through the fusion of biological signals with inertial signals. The classification of eight common low-, medium-, and high-intensity activities was assessed using machine learning (ML) algorithms, trained on accelerometer (ACC), blood volume pulse (BVP), and electrodermal activity (EDA) data obtained from a wrist-worn sensor. Two types of ML algorithms were employed: a random forest (RF) trained on features; and a pre-trained deep learning (DL) network (ResNet-18) trained on spectrogram images. Evaluation was conducted on both individual activities and more generalized activity groups, based on similar intensity. Results indicated that RF classifiers outperformed corresponding DL classifiers at both individual and grouped levels. However, the fusion of EDA and BVP signals with ACC data improved DL classifier performance compared to a baseline DL model with ACC-only data. The best performance was achieved by a classifier trained on a combination of ACC, EDA, and BVP images, yielding F1-scores of 69 and 87 for individual and grouped activity classifications, respectively. For DL models trained with additional biological signals, almost all individual activity classifications showed improvement (p-value < 0.05). In grouped activity classifications, DL model performance was enhanced for low- and medium-intensity activities. Exploring the classification of two specific activities, ascending/descending stairs and cycling, revealed significantly improved results using a DL model trained on combined ACC, BVP, and EDA spectrogram images (p-value < 0.05). Full article

In this paper, a matching method for altimeter and transponder signals in Sub-optimal Maximum Likelihood Estimate (SMLE) tracking mode is proposed. In the in-orbit calibration of the altimeter in SMLE tracking mode using the reconstructive transponder, it is necessary to separate the forwarding signal from the ground echo signal. At the same time, the fluctuations in the received signal of the altimeter, which are caused by the forwarding signal of the transponder, can be eliminated. The transponder generates a bias when measuring the arrival time of the transmitting signal from the altimeter and embeds this bias in both the transponder-recorded data and the altimeter-recorded data. Therefore, the two sets of data have one-to-one correspondence, and they are superimposed using the sliding sum method. Moreover, the distance between the altimeter and the transponder is a parabolic geometric relationship, and the outliers are eliminated by the fitting error minimization decision, and the transponder signal is separated from the ground echo. The final altimeter transmitting–receiving signal path is obtained. Furthermore, the principles underlying this method can be used for any transponder that can adjust the response signal delay during calibration. Full article

Sketched drawings sometimes include non-solid lines drawn as sets of consecutive strokes. They represent dashed lines, which are useful for various purposes. Recognizing such dashed lines while parsing drawings is reasonably straightforward if they are outlined with a ruler and compass but becomes challenging when they are hand-drawn. The problem is manageable if the strokes are drawn consecutively so we can leverage the entire sequence. However, it becomes more challenging if they are drawn unordered, and/or we do not have access to the sequence (like in batch vectorization). In this paper, we describe a new approach to identify groups of strokes as depicting single hand-drawn dashed lines. The approach does not use sequence information and is tolerant with irregularities and imprecisions of the strokes. Our goal is to identify hidden lines of sketched engineering line-drawings, which would enable the interpretation of line-drawings with hidden edges, which currently cannot be efficiently vectorized. We speculate that other fields like hand-drawn graph interpretation may also benefit from our approach. Full article

Multiport converters (MCs) are widely adopted in many applications, from renewable energy sources and storage integration to automotive applications and distribution systems. They are used in order to interface different energy sources, storage devices and loads with one single, simple converter topology in contrast to the traditional approach, which can require different solutions made by two-port converters. MCs allow for a reduction in the number of components and cascaded conversion stages with respect to an equivalent system of two-port converters, resulting in reduced complexity, dimensions and costs, as well as in improved reliability and enhanced efficiency. Nevertheless, some aspects related to the design of MCs are still worth further discussion when MCs are applied to hybrid AC/DC distribution systems. First, most converters are developed for one specific application and are not modular in structure. Furthermore, many of the proposed solutions are not equally suitable for AC and DC applications and they can introduce significant issues in hybrid distribution systems, with earthing management being particularly critical. Even though most available solutions offer satisfying steady-state and dynamic performances, fault behavior is often not considered and the possibility of maintaining controllability during faults is overlooked. Building on these three aspects, in this paper, a new MC for hybrid distribution systems is presented. An innovative circuit topology integrating three-phase AC ports and three-wire DC ports and characterized by a unique connection between the AC neutral wire and the DC midpoint neutral wire is presented. Its control principles and properties during external faults are highlighted, and extensive numerical simulations support the presented discussion. Full article

This study introduces a novel framework that leverages artificial intelligence (AI), specifically deep learning and reinforcement learning, to enhance energy efficiency in architectural design. The goal is to identify architectural arrangements that maximize energy efficiency. The complexity of these models is acknowledged, and an in-depth analysis of model selection, their inherent complexity, and the hyperparameters that govern their operation is conducted. This study validates the scalability of these models by comparing them with traditional optimization techniques like genetic algorithms and simulated annealing. The proposed system exhibits superior scalability, adaptability, and computational efficiency. This research study also explores the ethical and societal implications of integrating AI with architectural design, including potential impacts on human creativity, public welfare, and personal privacy. This study acknowledges it is in its preliminary stage and identifies its potential limitations, setting the stage for future research to enhance and expand the effectiveness of the proposed methodology. The findings indicate that the model can steer the architectural field towards sustainability, with a demonstrated reduction in energy usage of up to 20%. This study also conducts a thorough analysis of the ethical implications of AI in architecture, emphasizing the balance between technological advancement and human creativity. In summary, this research study presents a groundbreaking approach to energy-efficient architectural design using AI, with promising results and wide-ranging applicability. It also thoughtfully addresses the ethical considerations and potential societal impacts of this technological integration. Full article