Local System Research Articles

A novel measurement for evaluating the capture efficiency of local ventilation system using background oriented schlieren

In-situ measurement of the capture efficiency of local ventilation systems (CELV) is a challenge in field of indoor air quality control. This study introduced a novel method for assessing the capture efficiency using background oriented schlieren (BOS). A 1:4 model experimental platform was constructed to investigate the feasibility. The CELV was compared using both the BOS and the tracer gas method, and the optimization of BOS device parameters for better CELV results was investigated. The results showed that the CCD camera-BOS could detect thermal airflows with a temperature difference over 40 K. The best post-processing algorithm for CELV by BOS, which was combined density gradient variation-rate and gray-scale method (CE-DGR&GS), was closely matched the results of the tracer gas method (CE-SF6), with a correlation of 0.97. When the capture efficiency exceeded 90%, the deviation between the two methods was less than 10%. However, when the ventilation system captured poorly, the CELV by CE-DGR&GS was over-estimated. Higher NR of BOS image causes large deviation of the calculated capture efficiency, and CELV by BOS under the same flow can differ by as much as 40 % by various cameras. A high-pixel CCD camera with a long focal length lens (f ≥ 35 mm, ISO≤100, f# = 16) was recommended. The interrogation window size for cross-correlation algorithms could be 33%–66% of the collected image pixel resolution. To achieve sufficient optical sensitivity, the distance ratio Zd/Zb was suggested to be 1:2. This study provides a cost-effective and entrie flow-field measurement for assessing local ventilation capture efficiency.

Forecasting severe respiratory disease hospitalizations using machine learning algorithms

BackgroundForecasting models predicting trends in hospitalization rates have the potential to inform hospital management during seasonal epidemics of respiratory diseases and the associated surges caused by acute hospital admissions. Hospital bed requirements for elective surgery could be better planned if it were possible to foresee upcoming peaks in severe respiratory illness admissions. Forecasting models can also guide the use of intervention strategies to decrease the spread of respiratory pathogens and thus prevent local health system overload. In this study, we explore the capability of forecasting models to predict the number of hospital admissions in Auckland, New Zealand, within a three-week time horizon. Furthermore, we evaluate probabilistic forecasts and the impact on model performance when integrating laboratory data describing the circulation of respiratory viruses.MethodsThe dataset used for this exploration results from active hospital surveillance, in which the World Health Organization Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) case definition was consistently used. This research nurse-led surveillance has been implemented in two public hospitals in Auckland and provides a systematic laboratory testing of SARI patients for nine respiratory viruses, including influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and rhinovirus. The forecasting strategies used comprise automatic machine learning, one of the most recent generative pre-trained transformers, and established artificial neural network algorithms capable of univariate and multivariate forecasting.ResultsWe found that machine learning models compute more accurate forecasts in comparison to naïve seasonal models. Furthermore, we analyzed the impact of reducing the temporal resolution of forecasts, which decreased the model error of point forecasts and made probabilistic forecasting more reliable. An additional analysis that used the laboratory data revealed strong season-to-season variations in the incidence of respiratory viruses and how this correlates with total hospitalization cases. These variations could explain why it was not possible to improve forecasts by integrating this data.ConclusionsActive SARI surveillance and consistent data collection over time enable these data to be used to predict hospital bed utilization. These findings show the potential of machine learning as support for informing systems for proactive hospital management.

The ‘Great Survivor’ lives on? Resilience, austerity and devolution in English local government

ABSTRACT This article explores interpretations of resilience within English local government. Using a historical and multi-scalar framework, it argues that previous accounts of resilience in English local government have neglected the effect of sub-national institutional restructuring and compounding the impact austerity has had on local government capacity to navigate this complex landscape. The article situates resilience in the broader context of decentralisation, illustrating the benefits of adopting a broad spatial perspective to focus on resilience within local government systems. Continuing austerity and inconsistently applied institutional reorganisation are highlighted as potential twin threats to the ‘survivability’ of English local government.

Self-transcendence: Design Criticism in the 1928 Shanghai Exhibition of National Products

Abstract After establishing the Shanghai port in 1843, Western machine-made products inundated the Chinese consumer market, disrupting the local Chinese economic system. To foster the advancement of national industries, the Nanking nationalist government held the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Labour’s Exhibition of National Products in 1928, providing a platform for public discourse on the design of national products. This article analyses the progression of three representative types of early design criticism that emerged from the Exhibition of National Products. These criticisms examined the design’s economic benefits, responsiveness to cultural needs, and influence on shaping social consensus. Their progressive development can be characterized as a form of self-transcendence, indicating a move by critics beyond past limited understandings of the value, sphere of influence, and design’s role in society. Their focus transitioned from the economic interests of minorities to the diverse needs of broader social groups. In the process of self-transcendence, these design criticisms expanded the horizons of designers’ work. They facilitated collaborations between design and various industries, including production, consumption, and education, influencing broader socioeconomic and ideological fronts.

Sustainable Development Challenges in Shanxi's Coal Industry: A case study of Datong Coal Mine Group

The purpose of this study is to investigate the sustainable development challenges faced by coal resource-based areas, focusing specifically on Shanxi Province in China. The study aims to understand the long-term impacts of extensive coal mining on the ecological environment, safety incidents, and the local economic system. It seeks to draw lessons from case studies of coal enterprises to identify innovative measures for companies in transition and development, with the ultimate goal of promoting sustainable practices that address livelihood issues and contribute to the modernization process. The research employs a qualitative case study methodology, using Datong Coal Mine Group in Shanxi Province as a representative example. This approach enables an in-depth analysis of the specific challenges related to coal mining in the region. The findings highlight the significant ecological and safety challenges posed by widespread coal mining practices in Shanxi Province, including environmental degradation, ground subsidence, and recurring safety incidents. The study suggests a need for innovative measures to transition towards more sustainable and diversified economic activities. The research provides valuable insights and recommendations for policymakers, industry leaders, and communities in similar resource-dependent regions to adapt to the demands of modernization and sustainability.

Abelian TQFTS and Schrödinger local systems

In this paper, we construct an action of 3-cobordisms on the finite dimensional Schrödinger representations of the Heisenberg group by Lagrangian correspondences. In addition, we review the construction of the abelian Topological Quantum Field Theory (TQFT) associated with a q -deformation of U(1) for any root of unity q . We prove that, for 3-cobordisms compatible with Lagrangian correspondences, there is a normalization of the associated Schrödinger bimodule action that reproduces the abelian TQFT.The full abelian TQFT provides a projective representation of the mapping class group \mathrm{Mod}(\Sigma) on the Schrödinger representation, which is linearizable at odd root of 1. Motivated by homology of surface configurations with Schrödinger representation as local coefficients, we define another projective action of \mathrm{Mod}(\Sigma) on Schrödinger representations. We show that the latter is not linearizable by identifying the associated 2-cocycle.

Change in the Agikuyu Women’s Local Trade on Indigenous Food Crops in Nyeri County from 1902 to 1980

The purpose of this paper was to analyze the change in the Agikuyu women’s local trade on indigenous food crops in Nyeri County from 1902 to 1980 This study was conducted in three sub-counties: Kieni East, Mathira East, and Nyeri Central. Data was collected from both primary and secondary sources .The research employed a historical research design based on qualitative procedures. The design enabled the researcher to explain, describe and give a historical analysis of the findings. This being a historical study, non-probability sampling procedures were used such as purposive and snowball sampling techniques to gather relevant information. A sample size threshold of 54 respondents was interviewed the main research instruments were the interview guide and focus group discussion. Data for this study was analyzed qualitatively using documentary content analysis, description and narration of the historical events. Data was also corroborated and both context and content analysis were done to ensure reliability and validity of the information. Interpretation was done within the framework of Marxist feminist theory and articulation theory. The study established that the women’s local food crops trade system has not been static the colonial capitalist economic practices brought about profound changes in the economic and social fabric in Nyeri County and significantly undermined the women’s local trade. This resulted to both positive and negative influence to the dimensions of food security in the study area. It was established that the indigenous food crops that women exchanged in the local markets were well adapted to local conditions, sustainably available and provided essential nutrients necessary for the health and well-being of the community. The findings of this study illustrate the pivotal role of Agikuyu women in local trade systems and its substantial contribution to food security in Nyeri County. The study concludes that the ministry of trade should come up with deliberate measures that will integrate women’s local trade into the country’s economic policies and practices and also consider the valuable contribution of women local trade in mitigating food shortage and ensuring eradication of extreme poverty and hunger

The Seasonality of PM and NO2 Concentrations in Slovakia and a Comparison with Chemical-Transport Model

The air quality (AQ) of a given location depends mostly on two factors: emissions and meteorological conditions. For most places on Earth, the meteorology of an area changes seasonally. For central Europe, winters are associated with poor dispersion conditions, which, in combination with high emissions from local heating systems, lead to significantly higher concentrations than during summer. In this study, the seasonality of AQ is analysed using hourly measurements from 44 monitoring stations in Slovakia for the years 2007–2023 for NO2, PM10 and PM2.5. Two factors are used to evaluate the seasonality—the difference and ratio of the winter and summer mean concentrations. It was found that the seasonal difference has been gradually decreasing for all pollutants since 2017. In the case of PM2.5, the seasonal ratio drops from a value of around 2.5 in 2018 to approximately 1.7 in 2023. While in the past, the seasonal ratio was the highest for PM2.5, in the last three years it is the highest for NO2 with values larger than 2. Our results imply that summer sources of PM emissions start to play a more important role for the AQ than in the past. The observed seasonality was compared with two full-year chemical-transport model simulations.

One Health Index applied to countries in South America.

The One Health concept has proposed an integrated and unified approach aiming for health balance and enhancement by recognizing the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health. The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed global One Health initiatives and policy improvement toward preventive measures for future pandemics, particularly of zoonotic origin. Such a scenario may be particularly relevant for South America, which is considered highly vulnerable due to its natural biodiversity superposed to socioeconomic and environmental issues, demanding effective methods and indicators for proper One Health strategies and goals that are aligned with macroregional contexts. Accordingly, the present study aimed to assess the One Health Index (OHI) in South American countries, along with potential interactions with socioeconomic indicators. The results obtained using clustering analysis and permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) have revealed a positive association between the OHI and the Human Development Index (HDI) but not with gross domestic product (GDP). Although South American countries with political stability, robust investment in health, and progressive policies have shown a higher OHI, better environmental health is not associated with better human and animal health. In addition, although the Amazon biome- spanning 9 of the 12 South American countries-has positively impacted environmental health, this benefit contrasts with the rudimentary local human health systems, highlighting the complexity of One Health within the South American context. The lack of stronger indicators for animal health was also considered an important weak point for a true OHI assessment. Nonetheless, countries with more developed livestock have presented better animal health, which may not reflect an overall animal health indicator, as companion and wildlife animal health indicators were not available. Although lower (within-country) scale analysis such as states and metropolitan areas may better shape internal differences, the study herein has clearly shown One Health inequalities and challenges among South American countries. Equally important, forests and other natural areas in developing countries, particularly the Amazon, should receive incentives to promote sustainable economic growth. This approach would help prevent sacrificing environmental health for the benefit of human and livestock animal health.

The Role of Pre-Colonial Agikuyu Women’s Local Trade on Indigenous Food Crops and Food Security in Nyeri County Before 1902

The purpose of this paper was to establish the role of pre-colonial Agikuyu women’s local trade on indigenous food Crops in enhancing food security in Nyeri County before 1902. The research was guided by two theories Marxist feminist theory and articulation theory. This study was conducted in three sub-counties: Kieni East, Mathira East, and Nyeri Central. Data was collected from both primary and secondary sources such as key informants, archival data and document analysis. A sample size threshold of 54 respondents was interviewed. The main research instruments were the interview guide and focus group discussion. Data for this study was analyzed qualitatively using documentary content analysis, description and narration of the historical events. Data was also corroborated and both context and content analysis were done to ensure reliability and validity of the information. The study established that in pre-colonial period women formed the backbone of Nyeri County's food security through their local exchange system leveraging their deep understanding on well-established trade networks of indigenous food crops that helped to mitigate food shortage. The established that the indigenous food crops that women exchanged in the local markets were well adapted to local conditions, sustainably available and provided essential nutrients necessary for the health and well-being of the community. The findings of this study illustrate the pivotal role of Agikuyu women in local trade systems and its substantial contribution to food security in Nyeri County. The study concludes that the ministry of trade should come up with deliberate measures that will integrate women’s local trade into the country’s economic policies and practices and also consider the valuable contribution of women local trade in mitigating food shortage and ensuring eradication of extreme poverty and hunger

Spatial LiDAR odometry and mapping for complex agricultural environments - Spatial FieldLOAM

The challenge of autonomous driving in natural environments, without the use of GNSS devices is addressed. It utilises the readings from a multichannel LiDAR, supported by IMU, and enhances the capabilities of the FieldSLAM algorithm to establish an independent localisation and mapping system. This system is designed for performing specific tasks in predefined agricultural areas, employing incremental LOAM techniques. By comparing the outcomes of the novel Spatial FieldLOAM algorithm with the assistance of a precise Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and using the state-of-the-art RTK-GPS system as the ground truth, it is concluded that the Spatial FieldLOAM achieves an error rate of 5.5%, whereas the Xsens IMU yields an error rate of 5.7%. In terms of Euclidean distances to the final RTK GPS supported localisation on a 68.7 m test run, the error rates are 3.78 m and 3.92 m, respectively, or 0.0038 m per epoch for the Spatial FieldLOAM algorithm during non-vegetation season. The tests were also conducted during the vegetation season in a total length of 210 m, revealing a difference of 3.07 m distance between the final position calculated by the Spatial FieldLOAM and Xsens IMU.

Grad B Drifts of Heavy Ions Solar Energetic Particles at Solar Corona Region

The objective of this research study the Grad B drifts velocity of the heavy ion of the solar wind (C+4, C+5 (at corona region with distance (1 to 15) * 6.69*108m for two varied angles (Ɵ= 90ᵒ, 180ᵒ). It has been studied, that grad B drifts velocity, in the model of Parker spiral. within single particle dynamics model, in a spherical coordinate system (local coordinate system with an axis aligned with the magnetic field). This work result shown that, azimuthal grad B drift velocity, V∇Bφ` takes maximum value at polar zone for (C+4, C+5) for both velocities of solar wind. Also, there is no azimuthal grad B drifts V∇Bφ` at equators zone. And as for colatitude grad B drift velocity, V∇Bθ` takes high value at most of regions and the highest value at polar zone for fast and slow solar winds. And noting that the slow solar winds have higher values than fast solar wind at the equator region.

Process Mapping to Support the Implementation of a Regional Strategy to Address the Opioid Epidemic.

To address the opioid epidemic in Kansas City, Missouri, local health systems sought to implement a referral to peer recovery coaches (PRCs) for clients presenting with opioid use disorder. Client referrals were made primarily through health system emergency departments, where PRCs met clients to facilitate linkages to recovery support for up to twelve months. This study aimed to evaluate and improve program implementation with process mapping at three local health systems. Using a five-phase conceptual framework and three development and implementation domains, providers, administrators, and PRCs were interviewed to identify the process for recognizing clients with opioid use disorders and referring them to PRCs. Serial meetings were held to validate the process maps at three health systems and a distillation of key processes was created to guide future analyses and implementation efforts. A detailed process map for each health system was developed, from which a high-level process map was created to support future implementation efforts. Health system-specific process maps varied, although conceptually coherent elements were identified across each system to diagram a recovery ecosystem to support client referrals to PRCs. By systematically assessing the implementation of the same program across different health systems, critical steps, along with their barriers and facilitators, were identified that can be used to understand the processes of care associated with outcomes and to guide future implementation efforts.

Factors Influencing Informal Credit Access and Utilization among Smallholder Farmers: Insights from Mountainous Regions of Pakistan

Access to credit plays an important role in the adoption of modern agricultural practices, such as better seeds, pesticides, and fertilizers, as well as in the sustainable utilization of land by smallholder farmers. This study explores the dynamics of smallholders’ access to and utilization of informal credit to manage local farming systems. The data were collected from rural households in the Dir Kohistan mountainous region of Pakistan in 2021. A bivariate probit model was employed to analyze the data from 300 randomly selected farming households. Our findings indicate that a significant proportion of respondents (70%) reported having access to informal credit, with 65% actively utilizing credit to bolster the economic viability of their farms. This study reveals various strategies that farmers employ in response to credit constraints. The majority of farmers (69%) prioritize meeting their own farm/household needs. Social networks, particularly friends, emerge as key sources of informal credit (58.1%). The results of the bivariate probit regression analysis identify positive relationships with fellow farmers and neighbors/relatives, along with a lower perceived risk, as the most significant factors influencing access to and utilization of informal credit. Therefore, our study recommends the promotion of relationships and linkages among farmers through facilitated networking events, introducing risk mitigation measures and promoting financial literacy programs to empower smallholder capacities on the credit market. Policymakers are urged to recognize the role of social relationships and consider policies that promote community credit practices for the overall financial well-being of farmers, especially in more isolated mountain areas.

Co-freezing localized CRISPR-Cas12a system enables rapid and sensitive nucleic acid analysis

Rapid and sensitive nucleic acid detection is vital in disease diagnosis and therapeutic assessment. Herein, we propose a co-freezing localized CRISPR-Cas12a (CL-Cas12a) strategy for sensitive nucleic acid detection. The CL-Cas12a was obtained through a 15-minute co-freezing process, allowing the Cas12a/crRNA complex and hairpin reporter confined on the AuNPs surface with high load efficiency, for rapid sensing of nucleic acid with superior performance to other localized Cas12a strategies. This CL-Cas12a based platform could quantitatively detect targets down to 98 aM in 30 min with excellent specificity. Furthermore, the CL-Cas12a successful applied to detect human papillomavirus infection and human lung cancer-associated single-nucleotide mutations. We also achieved powerful signal amplification for imaging Survivin mRNA in living cells. These findings highlight the potential of CL-Cas12a as an effective tool for nucleic acid diagnostics and disease monitoring.Graphical abstract

Towards full electrification of local public transport: A tool to guide strategies for implementing the electric charging network

This paper describes a methodology and a Decision Support Tool (DST) for the assessment of the impacts of future scenarios of public electric mobility on the electric Distribution Network (DN) of a city, aimed to support the implementation strategies of the electric charging network for the Local Public Transport (LPT).The objective of the proposed tool is supporting the decision makers in estimating the effect of the future development of electromobility on the urban electric grid considering the evolution of both electric buses and their charging infrastructure.Some scenarios for the development of electric charging infrastructure for LPT were identified together with the local public transport operator and the energy provider. The results, which are of interest to both the local Public Transport Operator (PTO) and the local Distribution System Operator (DSO), have been quantified for the city of Turin (Italy), but the methodology can be adopted in any urban context: DSOs and PTOs of each city can use the proposed tool as a support to define their public transport electrification strategies.Some results from the case study examined in this paper (Turin, Italy) show that the energy demand related to the electrification of LPT on a typical weekday is about 45 MWh in 2030 (corresponding to 40 % e-bus), and about 90 MWh when the entire bus fleet is electric. It is also shown how more distributed recharging during the day (with intermediate recharging at the terminus) can dampen the energy/power peaks required at the depot compared to overnight recharging alone: a reduction of up to 27 % of energy demand at the depot is observed due to opportunity charging.

Trajectory mapping through channel state information by triangulation method and fine-tuning

Trajectory mapping techniques have widespread applications in diverse fields, including robotics, localization, smart environments, gaming, and tracking systems. However, existing free devices encounter challenges in representing trajectories, thereby limiting the effectiveness of applications such as robotics, localization, and tracking systems. The imprecise mappings generated by these methods lead to suboptimal performance and unreliable results. The proposed approach leverages WiFi sensing through channel state information (CSI), triangulation techniques, and a fine-tuning mechanism to enhance trajectory precision within indoor environment trajectory mapping. The proposed solution employs a domain adapter fine-tuning technique to enable location-independent tracking via CSI, minimizing errors. The use of CSI MIMO signals for trajectory mapping offers enhanced spatial resolution, robust multipath handling, and improved accuracy in tracking movement by leveraging multiple antenna channels and exploiting the rich information embedded in signal reflections and scattering, while triangulation aids in accurately determining the location of objects or targets. Furthermore, incorporating a fine-tuning mechanism refines the generated trajectories. The findings demonstrate substantial enhancements in mapping precision, with an accuracy of 95.5% in tracking 13 paths within the new domain. These results underscore the effectiveness of the proposed approach in overcoming the limitations of existing methods and achieving highly accurate trajectory mapping.

Development and potential of robotisation and automation in Kazakhstan's automobile industry: a bibliographical and analytical review

The engineering sector, which includes automobile production, plays an important role in the national economy and industrial progress. It affects the development of production, scientific and technical progress, labor productivity, national security, quality of life. In order to increase productivity, reduce labor costs and improve product quality, industrial automation and robotization processes have been significantly developed in industrialized countries of the world. The global market for industrial robots is expected to grow 14.3% annually and reach $30.8 billion by 2027. However, Kazakhstan faces special difficulties in adopting these technologies due to the lack of development of automation infrastructure. This study aims to develop priorities and directions of advanced scientific and technological solutions for intelligent joint systems of robotics and automation, especially in the automotive industry of Kazakhstan. In this regard, the purpose of the study is to assess the current state of automation in the automotive industry of Kazakhstan, to identify challenges and opportunities associated with the introduction of robotics, and to provide a strategic basis for the advancement of these technologies. The research corresponds to the state programs of Kazakhstan on science, technology and digitization. The scientific and practical importance of this work is that it is aimed at providing solutions for increasing efficiency by adapting advanced robotic technologies to local production systems. Through the development of domestic innovations and the transfer of global technologies, research contributes to the field of industrial automation and helps Kazakhstan's industries to achieve global competitiveness. It is expected that the practical results of the research will contribute to the improvement of production quality, efficiency and productivity in the automotive sector of Kazakhstan, contributing to sustainable development in accordance with world trends. The value of the work lies in providing individual, technologically advanced solutions to meet the nation's urgent need for robotics automation and integration.

Atypical venous drainage system and distinct vascular characteristics in pediatric intracerebral hemorrhage caused by multiple micro arteriovenous malformations.

Hemorrhagic brain micro-arteriovenous malformations (micro-AVMs) are considered to constitute a relatively significant portion of pediatric AVMs, though they are often associated with a low bleeding rate, as seen in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, which frequently involves multiple micro-AVMs. We present a rare case of a 10-year-old girl with multiple hemorrhagic micro-AVMs. Intraoperative findings during the emergency operation for hematoma evacuation and post-operative superselective angiography highlighted the unique angioarchitecture of three micro-AVMs (two lesions in the superficial areas and one lesion in the deep-seated area) and the atypical bleeding source due to the complex congestive venous drainage system. One micro-AVM was successfully occluded by a transarterial emboliozation, and remaining two micro-AVMs underwent gamma knife irradiation as a salvage therapy. Superselective angiography is crucial for detecting micro-AVMs, offering detailed insights into small, localized abnormal vascular drainage systems, and guiding therapeutic strategy. Additionally, micro-AVM-associated unique vascular hypersensitivity, such as vasospasm, requires careful consideration, as invasive procedures may significantly alter the visibility of the entire micro-AVM network.

Implementation of home OSAHS screening device based on sleep sounds

Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome (OSAHS) is a common chronic sleeping respiratory condition. Screening for OSAHS approaches based on sleep breathing sounds has received much attention since it can provide fully noncontact monitoring at home. Deploying a diagnostic sound-based OSAHS system on a smartphone not only interferes with regular phone use but may also pose privacy problems, as well as suffer from decreasing accuracy owing to device variances. This work describes a local OSAHS monitoring system implementation designed for a dedicated device to estimate the apnea-hypopnea index and screening for OSAHS while doing away with concerns about the abovementioned issue. The OSAHS screening system is deployed on a Kendryte K510 (Canaan Inc.), a low-power RISC-V 64-bit CPU that has 2.5 TFLOPS, to analyze sleep breath sounds in a 9-s window. The design results are relatively low-cost and efficient for screening severe OSAHS. The equipment can be further used as a platform to evaluate the performance of the OSAHS diagnosis model.