In-field Application Research Articles

Explainable Artificial Intelligence in communication networks: A use case for failure identification in microwave networks

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has demonstrated superhuman capabilities in solving a significant number of tasks, leading to widespread industrial adoption. For in-field network-management application, AI-based solutions, however, have often risen skepticism among practitioners as their internal reasoning is not exposed and their decisions cannot be easily explained, preventing humans from trusting and even understanding them. To address this shortcoming, a new area in AI, called Explainable AI (XAI), is attracting the attention of both academic and industrial researchers. XAI is concerned with explaining and interpreting the internal reasoning and the outcome of AI-based models to achieve more trustable and practical deployment. In this work, we investigate the application of XAI for network management, focusing on the problem of automated failure-cause identification in microwave networks. We first introduce the concept of XAI, highlighting its advantages in the context of network management, and we discuss in detail the concept behind Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP), the XAI framework considered in our analysis. Then, we propose a framework for a XAI-assisted ML-based automated failure-cause identification in microwave networks, spanning model’s development and deployment phases. For the development phase, we show how to exploit SHAP for feature selection and how to leverage SHAP to inspect misclassified instances during model’s development process, and how to describe model’s global behavior based on SHAP’s global explanations. For the deployment phase, we propose a framework based on predictions uncertainty to detect possibly wrong predictions that will be inspected through XAI.

Lithium promotes Ag-CoOx composite for formaldehyde oxidation at ambient temperature: Chemically adsorbed oxidative oxygen formed by the interaction between AgCoO2 and catalyst parent

Catalytic oxidation at ambient temperature dominates priority in airborne formaldehyde elimination. Herein, the effects of Li+, Na+ and K+ on the catalytic activity of Ag-CoOx composite were comparatively studied. Systematic methods were applied to investigate the factors influencing catalytic activity. Compared with the cases of Na+ and K+, for which the combination with Ag species respectively deteriorated and limitedly increased formaldehyde removal, the incorporation of Li+ greatly boosted formaldehyde degradation. Characterization results certify that the largest amount of chemically adsorbed active oxygen was crucial to the excellent performance of Li-Ag-CoOx, and the advanced oxidizing property can be rationalized by the strong interaction between the exclusively formed AgCoO2 and the catalyst parent. This is the first time to clarify the roles of varied alkaline metals in the complete oxidation of formaldehyde catalyzed by Ag-CoOx materials. Effects of process variables were additionally investigated to uncover the catalyst suitability for in-field application.

Acetylcholinesterase modified inkjet-printed graphene/gold nanoparticle/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) hybrid electrode for ultrasensitive chlorpyrifos detection

This study successfully created a portable acetylcholinesterase sensor on a printed hybrid electrode capable of detecting chlorpyrifos in the field. While a screen-printed electrode was chosen herein to enable a single-use and portable platform for the in-field application, the hybrid material was incorporated to ensure ultrasensitive detection at lower electrode potentials. The hybrid ink of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) decorated on graphene (GP) sheets in poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) was synthesized through a simple completely-green one-pot process. The subsequent characterization was carried out via transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The synergy resulting from the greater surface area and enhanced transfer of electrons combined with high levels of electrocatalytic activity and superb conductivity offered by GP, AuNP, and PEDOT:PSS allows the sensor to exhibit ultrasensitive chlorpyrifos detection at the relatively low detection limit of 0.07 nM. The sensor demonstrated in this study also exhibits good reproducibility, desirable stability, and a successful application for the real sample with satisfactory recovery results of around 106 %, indicating its potential for use as a tool in the analysis of pesticides.

SERS detection of thiram using polyacrylamide hydrogel-enclosed gold nanoparticle aggregates

The development of sensitive and long-term signal-stable plasmonic substrates is vital to the in-field application of the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) technique. The colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) system is commonly used in SERS detection, but it shows less signal stability and reproducibility due to the uncontrollable aggregation of nanoparticles by adding aggregating agents in SERS detection. In this study, we developed a new SERS detection platform based on polyacrylamide hydrogel-enclosed plasmonic gold nanoparticle aggregates (PAH-AuANs). In the system, the formation of PAH can rapidly stabilize the gold nanoparticle aggregates, avoiding the over-aggregation or precipitation of AuNPs. With the PAH concentration in the range of 6–10 % and AuNPs at the concentration of 0.2 nM, the resulting PAH-AuNAs platform exhibited both sensitive SERS activity and excellent SERS signal stability. The relative standard deviation of the 4-MBA probe SERS signal collected from the PAH-AuNAs platform was lower than 3 %. The limit of detection for the pesticide thiram was down to 0.38 μg/L with a handheld Raman spectrometer. Moreover, the procedure for preparing the PAH-AuNAs platform was easy to handle, offering a new strategy for in-field detection of environmental contaminants with a handheld Raman spectrometer in the future.

Evaluation of cut alfalfa moisture content and operative conditions by hyperspectral imaging combined with chemometric tools: In-field application

High quality of hay or silage can be obtained by monitoring the moisture level at mowing or harvest time to reduce the losses of yield and nutrients and preserve feeds in the long term. Mechanical conditioning is one of the most common ways to increase the rate of water loss from forage during drying. Near Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is a good alternative to the classical gravimetric method to timely provide information on forage moisture content. The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential of in-field Vis/NIR hyperspectral imaging combined with chemometric tools to monitor alfalfa parameters after conditioning. Partial LeastSquares Discriminant Analysis (PLSDA) models were developed to discriminate samples according to several operative conditions (level of conditioning, field type, time after conditioning, and time of day) and yielded good discrimination power (mean sensitivity = 87%, mean probability = 89%). Moisture content was estimated by Partial LeastSquares (PLS) models obtaining determination coefficient (R 2 ) = 0.86 and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) = 2.00% (external validation). The number of spectral bands was reduced by using the Variable Importance in Projection (VIP) method, passing from 272 to 74 bands. Further PLS models were built considering the reduced variable numbers and achieved comparable results to those obtained with the full spectra, demonstrating that reduction of the number of variables did not affect the goodness of the models. Finally, the best PLS model was applied to each pixel of the hyperspectral images to obtain false colour images. Pixels having similar colours were characterized by comparable moisture content. The models developed may be useful to determine moisture content of alfalfa remotely and in real-time during mowing or harvest procedures. • Quality of alfalfa after cutting was evaluated. • In-field Vis/NIR hyperspectral imaging was used. • Regression models to predict moisture content were developed. • The samples were discriminated according to several operative parameters. • The models could be used remotely or in real-time during mowing or harvest procedures.

Scalar Damage Modeling of Reinforced Concrete Beam Under Polarized Monotonic Stress Field Using Ultrasonic Pulses

The extensive use of concrete has increased the demand for reliable non-destructive evaluation (NDE) techniques to investigate aging structures thoroughly. Among these NDE techniques, the ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) test stands out because of its versatility in-field application and its relatively low cost. Unfortunately, despite the promising results of UPV and pulse attenuation, its dependency on the nature of the applied stress is continuously overlooked. This research pioneered an approach that focused on developing a scalar damage model that relates the damage variable to the nature and the intensity of the applied stresses, concrete strength, and steel ratio. The results showed that transducers placed at different locations exhibited different deterioration rates of which the higher the applied stress intensity, the higher the scalar damage's inclination angle. Transducers placed in concrete under compression stress deteriorate earlier as compared to concrete under tension. As the steel ratio and concrete strength increase, the inclination angle of the elastic data trend also decreases. It was established in this research that beams with ductile response to the applied load tend to have a larger inclination angle for the elastic data trend while its UPV readings at the data trend's transition are greater than 3000 m/s which is conventionally accepted as concrete within normal to good quality although the beam undergoes critical stress redistribution as it approaches plastic hinging. Ultimately, this study showed that the scalar damage model exhibited superiority in quantitatively monitoring early damage propagation, in contrast to UPV reading and pulse attenuation.

Ultrasensitive Reagent for Ratiometric Detection and Detoxification of iAsIII in Water and Mitochondria.

Toxicity induced by inorganic arsenic as AsO33- (iAsIII) is of global concern. Reliable detection of the maximum allowed contaminant level for arsenic in drinking water and in the cellular system remains a challenge for the water quality management and assessment of toxicity in the cellular milieu, respectively. A new Ir(III)-based phosphorescent molecule (AS-1; λExt = 415 nm and λEms = 600 nm, Φ = 0.3) is synthesized for the selective detection of iAsIII in an aqueous solution with a ratiometric luminescence response even in the presence of iAsV and all other common inorganic cations and anions. The relatively higher affinity of the thioimidazole ligand (HPBT) toward iAsIII led to the formation of a fluorescent molecule iAsV-HPBT (λExt = 415 nm and λEms = 466 nm, Φ = 0.28) for the reaction of iAsIII and AS-1. An improved limit of quantitation (LOQ) down to 0.2 ppb is achieved when AS-1 is used in the CTAB micellar system. Presumably, the cationic surfactants favor the localization of AS-1@CTABMicelle in mitochondria of MCF7 cells, and this is confirmed from the images of the confocal laser fluorescence scanning microscopic studies. Importantly, cell viability assay studies confirm that AS-1@CTABMicelle induces dose-dependent detoxification of iAsIII in live cells. Further, luminescence responses at 466 nm could be utilized for developing a hand-held device for the in-field application. Such a reagent that allows for ratiometric detection of iAsIII with LOQ of 2.6 nM (0.5 ppb) in water, as well as helps in visualizing its distribution in mitochondria with a detoxifying effect, is rather unique in contemporary literature.

A Physical Therapist's Experience as a Point-of-Contact Care Provider in a Wilderness Environment: A Case Series Report

Background Wilderness physical therapists (WPTs) are on-scene primary providers who combine physical therapy, emergency first aid, and wilderness survival skills to manage people with a wide array of injuries and illnesses in remote environments. Case Presentation Patient 1, a 51-year-old female, was unable to bear weight after sustaining a right knee injury from falling into a river while hiking. The WPT immobilized a suspected knee fracture using a SAM® Splint, moved the patient and her group to safer location, and constructed a shelter. Shortly after, patient 2, a 14-year-old male, fell and sustained a forehead laceration. Hemostasis was obtained and the patient was monitored for neurologic abnormalities. Safety was complicated by rainfall, darkness, and the absence of cell service to notify emergency medical services. Outcome and Follow-Up Emergency medical services arrived 4 hours after the initial injury and evacuated both individuals. Plain film radiographs of patient 1's knee were interpreted as normal; however, subsequent magnetic resonance imaging revealed a posterior tibial plateau fracture with ligamentous injury. Following a 20-hour observation period, patient 2 was returned to continue the hike with his group. Discussion This case illustrates the emergency medical, leadership, and situational awareness skills required of a WPT. This case also illustrates the in-field application of the Ottawa knee rules and the importance of careful neurologic assessment in individuals with head trauma. JOSPT Cases 2022;2(3):175–182. Epub: 21 June 2022. doi:10.2519/josptcases.2022.10944

Association of voltage-gated sodium channel mutations with field-evolved pyrethroid resistant phenotypes in soybean aphid and genetic markers for their detection

The frequent use of insecticides to manage soybean aphids, Aphis glycines (Hemiptera: Aphididae), in the United States has contributed to field-evolved resistance. Pyrethroid-resistant aphids have nonsynonymous mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel (vgsc). We identified a leucine to phenylalanine mutation at position 1014 (L1014F) and a methionine to isoleucine mutation (M918I) of the A. glycines vgsc, both suspected of conferring knockdown resistance (kdr) to lambda-cyhalothrin. We developed molecular markers to identify these mutations in insecticide-resistant aphids. We determined that A. glycines which survived exposure to a diagnostic concentration of lambda-cyhalothrin and bifenthrin via glass-vial bioassays had these mutations, and showed significant changes in the resistance allele frequency between samples collected before and after field application of lambda-cyhalothrin. Thus, a strong association was revealed between aphids with L1014F and M918I vgsc mutations and survival following exposure to pyrethroids. Specifically, the highest survival was observed for aphids with the kdr (L1014F) and heterozygote super-kdr (L1014F + M918I) genotypes following laboratory bioassays and in-field application of lambda-cyhalothrin. These genetic markers could be used as a diagnostic tool for detecting insecticide-resistant A. glycines and monitoring the geographic distribution of pyrethroid resistance. We discuss how generating these types of data could improve our efforts to mitigate the effects of pyrethroid resistance on crop production.

Sustainable Innovations: A Qualitative Study on Farmers’ Perceptions Driving the Diffusion of Beneficial Soil Microbes in Germany and the UK

Legislation and consumer preference for more sustainability in the food system require farmers to adopt more stringent sustainably measures without sacrificing business profitability. Scientific and technological innovations, such as beneficial soil microbes for in-field application, may help to achieve this goal, but adoption rates have remained slow thus far. The adopter’s perspective is essential to understanding why. This research investigates factors that drive the perceptions of soil microbe solutions across three groups of (potential) adopters as an input to the design of effective communication strategies to accelerate technology diffusion. Factors included in the analyses are relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, observability and image of applying soil microbes at the farm level. The analysis is based on 28 in-depth qualitative interviews in Germany and the UK, and a focus group discussion in the UK. Data were analysed via content analysis using deductive and inductive processes. Deductive codes were derived from the diffusion of innovations theory. Our results show that soil microbes are still perceived as a challenging product in all three adopter groups, despite the acknowledgement of several advantages and benefits. Predominantly, farmers evaluate the innovation as complex. Furthermore, the observability of the soil microbes was perceived as challenging, which also transfers to the trialability of the innovation. Despite this, in all adopter groups the need for the innovation was recognized.

Handheld and Cost-Effective Fourier Lightfield Microscope.

In this work, the design, building, and testing of the most portable, easy-to-build, robust, handheld, and cost-effective Fourier Lightfield Microscope (FLMic) to date is reported. The FLMic is built by means of a surveillance camera lens and additional off-the-shelf optical elements, resulting in a cost-effective FLMic exhibiting all the regular sought features in lightfield microscopy, such as refocusing and gathering 3D information of samples by means of a single-shot approach. The proposed FLMic features reduced dimensions and light weight, which, combined with its low cost, turn the presented FLMic into a strong candidate for in-field application where 3D imaging capabilities are pursued. The use of cost-effective optical elements has a relatively low impact on the optical performance, regarding the figures dictated by the theory, while its price can be at least 100 times lower than that of a regular FLMic. The system operability is tested in both bright-field and fluorescent modes by imaging a resolution target, a honeybee wing, and a knot of dyed cotton fibers.

Detection of pesticides in food products using paper-based devices by UV-induced fluorescence spectroscopy combined with molecularly imprinted polymers

In this proof-of-concept study, we explore the detection of pesticides in food using a combined power of sensitive UV-induced fingerprint spectroscopy with selective capture by molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) and portable cost-effective paper-based analytical devices (PADs). The specific pesticides used herein as model compounds (both pure substances and their application products for spraying), were: strobilurins (i.e. trifloxystrobin), urea pesticides (rimsulfuron), pyrethroids (cypermethrine) and aryloxyphenoxyproponic acid herbicides (Haloxyfop-methyl). Commercially available spraying formulations containing the selected pesticides were positively identified by MIP-PADs swabs of sprayed apple and tomato. The key properties of MIP layer – imprinting factor (IF) and selectivity factor (α) were characterized using trifloxystrobin (IF-3.5, α-4.4) was demonstrated as a potential option for in-field application. The presented method may provide effective help with in-field testing of food and reveal problems such as false product labelling.

Metabolites Produced by Fungi against Fungal Phytopathogens: Review, Implementation and Perspectives.

Many fungi, especially endophytes, have been found to produce multiple benefits in their plant hosts, with many of these benefits associated with the protection of plants against fungal diseases. This fact could be used in the development of new bio-products that could gradually reduce the need for chemical fungicides, which have been associated with multiple health and environmental problems. However, the utilization of the living organism may present several issues, such as an inconsistency in the results obtained and more complicated management and application, as fungal species are highly influenced by environmental conditions, the type of relationship with the plant host and interaction with other microorganisms. These issues could be addressed by using the bioactive compounds produced by the fungus, in cases where they were responsible for positive effects, instead of the living organism. Multiple bioactive compounds produced by fungal species, especially endophytes, with antifungal properties have been previously reported in the literature. However, despite the large amount of these metabolites and their potential, extensive in-field application on a large scale has not yet been implemented. In the present review, the main aspects explaining this limited implementation are analyzed, and the present and future perspectives for its development are discussed.

Botanical insecticides and mineral oils synergize toxicity of imidacloprid against Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

Management of Bemisia tabaci requires the use of multiple control techniques in addition to pesticides, and plant-derived essential oils and mineral oils are one of the control options. The evaluation of new chemistry synthetic insecticide (imidacloprid) mix with jojoba oil or KZ oil, to enhance its synergistic efficacy against whitefly (B. tabaci) in laboratory trails as well as evaluated in experimental field plots at Menia El-Kameh, El-Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. The influence of these compounds and their mixtures on natural predators and crop yield were simultaneously investigated. Based on laboratory tests, synergistic action was observed in the whitefly by a combination of imidacloprid with jojoba oil or KZ oil approximately 12 and 40 times more respectively than the imidacloprid alone, interestingly, the combination of the insecticide with the mineral oil was more toxic than the essential oil. Similar trend was also recorded for these mixtures at sublethal dose against biological aspects of whitefly, it has significantly reduced development and fecundity. Infield application, all tested compounds, and mixtures caused a significant decrease in the whitefly populations; the mixtures gave more than 75% control over the whitefly, and there were differences in treatment over the abundance of predators as more predators were recorded within the mixtures with significantly higher yields than those compounds alone or the untreated control. Mixtures treatment also resulted in the longest residual effect under field conditions.

Current Knowledge and Future Directions for Improving Subsoiling Quality and Reducing Energy Consumption in Conservation Fields

Subsoiling has been acknowledged worldwide to break compacted hardpan, improve soil permeability and water storage capacity, and promote topsoil deepening and root growth. However, there exist certain factors which limit the wide in-field application of subsoiling machines. Of these factors, the main two are poor subsoiling quality and high energy consumption, especially the undesired tillage depth obtained in the field with cover crops. Based on the analysis of global adoption and benefits of subsoiling technology, and application status of subsoiling machines, this article reviewed the research methods, technical characteristics, and developing trends in five key aspects, including subsoiling shovel design, anti-drag technologies, technologies of tillage depth detection and control, and research on soil mechanical interaction. Combined with the research progress and application requirements of subsoiling machines across the globe, current problems and technical difficulties were analyzed and summarized. Aiming to solve these problems, improve subsoiling quality, and reduce energy consumption, this article proposed future directions for the development of subsoiling machines, including optimizing the soil model in computer simulation, strengthening research on the subsoiling mechanism and comprehensive effect, developing new tillage depth monitoring and control systems, and improving wear-resisting properties of subsoiling shovels.

Entomopathogenic Fungi and Bacteria in a Veterinary Perspective.

Simple SummarySeveral fungal species are well suited to control arthropods, being able to cause epizootic infection among them and most of them infect their host by direct penetration through the arthropod’s tegument. Most of organisms are related to the biological control of crop pests, but, more recently, have been applied to combat some livestock ectoparasites. Among the entomopathogenic bacteria, Bacillus thuringiensis, innocuous for humans, animals, and plants and isolated from different environments, showed the most relevant activity against arthropods. Its entomopathogenic property is related to the production of highly biodegradable proteins. Entomopathogenic fungi and bacteria are usually employed against agricultural pests, and some studies have focused on their use to control animal arthropods. However, risks of infections in animals and humans are possible; thus, further studies about their activity are necessary.The present study aimed to review the papers dealing with the biological activity of fungi and bacteria against some mites and ticks of veterinary interest. In particular, the attention was turned to the research regarding acarid species, Dermanyssus gallinae and Psoroptes sp., which are the cause of severe threat in farm animals and, regarding ticks, also pets. Their impact on animal and human health has been stressed, examining the weaknesses and strengths of conventional treatments. Bacillus thuringiensis, Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae are the most widely employed agents. Their activities have been reviewed, considering the feasibility of an in-field application and the effectiveness of the administration alone or combined with conventional and alternative drugs is reported.

Numerical Investigation on Time-Dependent Deformation in Roadway

The roadway deformation normally relates to time especially for underground coal roadway. The strength of soft coal is low, and therefore the deformation increases gradually under constant stress with time, which is called rheology deformation. In this study, based on a field case, the rock mass properties and deformation data of the roadway were obtained according to the field test. A 3D numerical model was then established, and the rheological deformation including horizontal and vertical deformation of the coal roadway was systematically analyzed. The results showed that the rheological deformation of horizontal sidewall accounts for almost 30% of the whole deformation, and the stable time for such roadway is around 60 days after excavation. The tendency of the roof deformation is similar to the sidewalls, and however, the floor deformation is different. Then the related suggestions for maintaining the stability of such roadway were proposed, which is useful in-field application.

GtL and Hexanol Blends for an In-field Application

GtL and Hexanol Blends for an In-field Application

Photocatalytic Cellulose-Paper: Deepening in the Sustainable and Synergic Combination of Sorption and Photodegradation.

Clean water is one of the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations for 2030. The development of effective but worldwide affordable strategies is essential to guarantee this achievement. Photocatalysis technology fulfills these criteria whenever the photocatalyst is sustainable and nontoxic. In this article, a cellulose-paper modified with a polyamide-titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanocomposite by dip-coating is evaluated to degrade estrogens efficiently under solar light. The study deepens on the synergic combination of the sorptive capacity of the polyamide and the activity of TiO2. The photocatalytic performance was studied under artificial and sunlight in a miniaturized experimental setup (batch of six reactors). Also, the effects of the dispersed/immobilized catalyst, irradiation time, and adsorption evaluation were studied under kinetic conditions. The photocatalyst composition, considering the polyamide (nylon-6) and TiO2 amounts and the dipping cycles, was studied by a response surface methodology, and the reusability of the photocatalytic cellulose-paper was investigated. The LED source provided removal efficiencies of 65, 62, and 52% (for estrone, 17β-estradiol, and estriol, respectively) after 420 min of light exposure. Under sunlight, the efficiency increased up to 99.5% for estrone and 17β-estradiol and 98.5% for estriol after 180 min of irradiation. The sustainable character of the cellulosic substrate, the low toxicity of the nanocomposite ingredients, and its performance under sunlight make the material attractive for in-field application.

Minimum Leading Edge Protection Application Length to Combat Rain-Induced Erosion of Wind Turbine Blades

Leading edge erosion (LEE) repairs of wind turbine blades (WTBs) involve infield application of leading edge protection (LEP) solutions. The industry is currently aiming to use factory based LEP coatings that can applied to the WTBs before they are shipped out for installation. However, one of the main challenges related to these solutions is the choice of a minimum LEP application length to be applied in the spanwise direction of the WTBs. Generally, coating suppliers apply 10–20 m of LEP onto the blades starting from the tip of the blade using the “rule of thumb”, and no studies in the literature exist that stipulate how these LEP lengths can be calculated. In this study, we extend the scope of a recently developed long-term probabilistic framework to determine the minimum LEP application length required for WTBs to combat rain-induced erosion. A parametric study is performed where different wind turbines with varying power ratings of 2.1 MW to 15 MW at different Dutch sites ranging from inland to coastal are considered. The results of the study show that the LEP application length is sensitive to the choice of the site, as well as the turbine attributes. Further, LEP lengths for WTBs are found to be the highest for turbines installed at coastal sites and turbines with higher power ratings. A detailed investigation is further performed to check the sensitivity of the LEP application length with the wind turbine parameters. The results of the study are expected to provide guidelines to the industry for efficient repair strategies for WTBs.