Mobility Power Research Articles

Electric vehicles limit equitable access to essential services during blackouts

Electric vehicles (EVs) link mobility and electric power availability, posing a risk of making transportation unavailable during blackouts. We develop a computational framework to quantify the impact of EVs on mobility and access to services and find that existing access issues are exacerbated by EVs. Our results demonstrate that larger batteries reduce mobility constraints, but their effectiveness is dependent on the geographic distribution of services and households. We explore the trade-offs between mobility and quality-of-life improvements presented by vehicle-to-Grid technologies and the feasibility and trade-offs of public charging infrastructure as a solution to access inequalities. Equitable access to essential services (supermarkets, schools, parks, etc.) is the most important aspect of community resilience, and our results show vehicle electrification can hinder access to essential services unless properly incorporated into policy and city-scale decision-making.

An Energy-Efficient Bio-Inspired Mobility-Aware Cluster p-WOA Algorithm for Intelligent Whale Optimization and Fuzzy-Logic-Based Zonal Clustering Algorithm in FANET

The newest research topic is flight ad hoc network (FANET). The primary obstacles faced by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are their limited flight duration and inefficient routes resulting from their great mobility and low battery power. Compared to MANETs or VANETs, FANETS routing is thought to be more difficult because of these topological restrictions. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based clustering techniques can be applied to resolve intricate routing issues in situations when both static and dynamic routing are ineffective. To overcome these path difficulties, clustering techniques based on evolutionary algorithms, including intelligent, probabilistic, bio-inspired whale optimization algorithms (p-WOAs), we suggest fuzzy-logic-based zonal clustering-based routing algorithms in this study to be used in FANET to build clusters. In addition to requiring fewer cluster heads (CHs) for routing, p-WOA offers good coverage and low energy consumption. The stochastic whale optimization technique, which draws inspiration from nature, is utilized in this paper to build networks and deploy nodes. The next step is to choose cluster heads using a region clustering technique based on fuzzy logic. By selecting the right cluster head, you can decrease routing traffic and increase cluster longevity. Routing overhead is also decreased. The data are then sent to the best path using a reference point group mobility model. The proposed p-WOA was used to test fuzzy integral and fuzzy logic ant optimization, fuzzy integral and neural network interference system, fuzzy integral and whale optimization algorithm (ANFIS-WOA), and fuzzy integral and FL-ALO. An array of indicators, such as cluster count, longevity, cluster configuration time, cluster head consistency, and energy usage, are employed to assess the effectiveness of the suggested methodology. The suggested algorithm works better than the most advanced techniques available today, as demonstrated by the experimental findings presented in this paper.

Adaptation and Promotion of in Vitro Growth by Pseudomonas Aeruginosa GU270941.1 A in the Presence of Cadmium

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most toxic heavy metals. Its high mobility and bioaccumulation power in plant, animal and human tissues differentiate it from the rest of its group and motivate the interest of scientists to know its effects and interaction with plants and the environment. The aim of the present study was to isolate and evaluate the in vitro tolerance of rhizospheric bacteria associated with rice plants in cadmium-contaminated environments and to evaluate them in vitro capacity to tolerate cadmium and the production of compounds related to their ability to remediate and promote plant growth. Rhizospheric bacteria were isolated, tolerance was found up to 500 mg/L CdCl2 and the ability to produce siderophore and solubilize phosphate at this concentration of cadmium was observed in vitro. The morphospecies with the ability to tolerate cadmium up to 500 mg/L found corresponds to Pseudomonas aeruginosa GU270941.1, a species of rhizospheric bacteria that shows an alternative to reduce cadmium uptake by rice plants and promote the growth of these plants for their adaptation and tolerance to this metal.

The Alienation–Insulation Dynamic and the Low-Wage Migrant Work Ethic

Low-wage labour migrants moving from lower- to higher-income countries have been celebrated for their strong work ethic over recent decades. The paper draws on qualitative insights from European horticulture to explore why low-wage migrants work as hard as they do. We centre our analysis on an ‘alienation–insulation’ dynamic. Specifically, we show how migrants are particularly alienated in ways that are different to that of the immobile working class. However, we also argue that migrants’ spatial (their dual frame of reference) and temporal (their liminal) agency insulates them from this alienation to some degree. It is important, in this respect, to differentiate between alienation as ostensibly encountered (an objective phenomenon) and the actual felt experiences of alienation (as a subjective phenomenon). We conclude that the alienation–insulation dynamic is a key, but underexplored, element in understanding the complex relationship between labour mobility and labour power.

Electric vehicles as facilitators of grid stability and flexibility: A multidisciplinary overview

AbstractElectric vehicles (EVs), as facilitators of grid stability and flexibility, provide a critical solution to the energy infrastructure's evolving demands, underscored by the growing integration of renewable energy sources (RES) and the rapid increase in EV adoption worldwide. This trend is particularly evident in Europe which is experiencing dramatic increases in both the adoption of RES and EVs. Vehicle‐to‐grid (V2G) technology allows EVs to operate as a two‐way power flow to both draw and feed electricity into the grid. This multidisciplinary overview examines the role of V2G systems in enhancing grid performance, identifying corporate vehicle fleets as key flexibility providers, and integration with Smart Grid technologies as a key element for successful V2G implementation. In a scoping analysis of recent literature (2005–2024), we identify challenges such as privacy, security, and regulatory compliance as well as a critical gap in establishing economically sustainable models for aggregators, distribution system operators (DSOs), generation companies (GENCOs), and end‐users. Drawing from these insights, we then discuss the necessity for future research to develop models that ensure equitable benefits across stakeholders and the importance of models that can adapt to country‐specific mechanisms. The findings from our overview argue that the integration of EVs, V2G, and RES are essential components for developing future energy systems that are resilient, adaptable, decarbonized, and sustainable.This article is categorized under: Cities and Transportation > Electric Mobility Energy and Power Systems > Energy Infrastructure Energy and Power Systems > Energy Management

An earthquake-triggered avalanche in Nepal in 2015 was exacerbated by climate variability and snowfall anomalies

On 25 April 2015, the Gorkha earthquake triggered a large rock-ice avalanche and an air blast disaster in the Langtang Valley, Nepal. More than 350 people were killed or left missing. Here we reconstruct the evolution of the Langtang avalanche-air blast using field investigations and numerical modeling and examine the influence of two primary climate-related phenomena: snowfall anomalies and warm temperatures. Our findings suggest a deep snow cover fosters the formation of a dispersed avalanche, which increases the mobility and destructive power of the powder cloud air blast. Elevated air temperatures intensify meltwater production and lubricate the flowing mass. Both mechanisms contributed to the Langtang disaster. Our study underscores the essential impact of snow cover and air temperature on the risk assessment of high-altitude rock-ice avalanches, highlighting how seasonal and climatic variations affect avalanche runout and air blast dynamics.

Impact of Male Migration on the Empowerment of Left-behind Muslim Women in Malappuram, Kerala

Migration has been projected as a force capable of developing economies of the labour exporting nations. In the past, religious orthodoxy among the Muslims in Malabar especially in the Malappuram district prevented women from obtaining higher education and finding employment which restricted their freedom and well-being. However, there have been changes in women's perspectives in reaction to changing needs and situations, for which migration and remittances made by migrants abroad have been the important contributing factors. When the male migrates, the left-behind women have to assume increased responsibilities which increases their control over household resources, mobility and decision-making power and the foreign remittances are utilised by the left-behind women to improve their quality of living, education and information. This article explores the effects of male migration and foreign remittances on the left-behind Muslim women in the Malappuram district through the lens of the Capability approach by constructing the Women’s Capability Index based on a sample survey in the Malappuram district using a Stratified Multi-stage random Sampling method. The study identifies a set of capabilities that are appropriate to the context of male migration and the consequent effect on the left behind women’s living arrangement, provides a framework for efficiently evaluating these capabilities, aggregates the capabilities into a single index, and then validates and tests the index. The Ordinal Logistic Regression, used to analyse the role of migration in the capability expansion of left-behind Muslim women shows that the foreign remittances sent by the husbands from abroad have a positive statistically significant effect on the left-behind Muslim women in the study area, implying that with the increase in the foreign remittances received by the left behind women, their capability also increases, whereas the husband's migrant duration does not have a statistically significant effect on the left-behind Muslim women’s capability

The impact of series ([formula omitted]) and shunt resistances ([formula omitted]) on solar cell parameters to enhance the photovoltaic performance of f-PSCs

Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells (f-PSCs) are made on an ITO-coated PET substrate. SnO2 has been used as a transparent inorganic electron transporting layer (ETL), PEDOT: PSS as an organic hole transporting layer (HTL), and C H3 N H3 Pb I3 as a perovskite absorbing layer. Two configurations of the device structure have been formed, one is normal structure ITO/PET/ SnO2/C H3 N H3 Pb I3/PEDOT: PSS/Ag (n-i-p) and the other is inverted structure ITO/PET/PEDOT: PSS/C H3 N H3 Pb I3/ SnO2/Ag (p-i-n). An antisolvent (i.e. ethyl acetate) has been used to control the surface morphology of the perovskite layers during fabrication of f-PSCs. Applying antisolvent in perovskite improves carrier mobility, transport properties, and higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) achieved. This study focuses on the effects of series (Rs) and shunt resistance (Rsh) of f-PSCs on photovoltaic parameters while controlling the surface morphology of perovskite films applied on both structures. The study examines the behaviour of f-PSCs with and without the use of an antisolvent. For normal structure, PCE is found at 11.34 % for f-PSCs with antisolvent and 7.96 % for f-PSCs without antisolvent. On the other hand, inverted structures show PCE 10.36 % and 7.46 % for f-PSCs with and without antisolvent, respectively. PCE has been calculated for the f-PSCs by bending the samples about 3 0o angle and about 20 % decrease in PCE has been found. The oddity of this work is to estimate the series and shunt resistant for f-PSCs and find the cost-effective control of these parameters by controlling interfacial defects.

When flexible labour supply generates indeterminacy: integrated labour control in place-bound platform work

Labour platforms such as UBER, PeoplePerHour and Rappi have become a global phenomenon. Their business model is affecting global labour markets and disrupting service industries such as ride hailing, cognitive work and food delivery. Labour platforms not only rely on a flexible labour supply but are also at the forefront of utilising new technologies such as algorithms to control labour. For this reason, scholarly analyses of labour platforms are increasingly employing an integrated approach that accounts for the different layers of control intersecting at the point of production. Following such an approach, an ethnographic case study in platform food delivery was conducted, aided by semi-structured interviews and digital artifacts. This case study shows that algorithmic control is able to reduce effort indeterminacy but is less equipped to cope with indeterminacy of mobility induced by flexible labour supply. As such, algorithmic control was integrated with two additional control mechanisms: first, core workers were put into a position of controlling peripheral workers; and second, attempts were made to craft a community that offered strategic managerial avenues. Altogether, given the interplay between effort and mobility power, the study contributes to an understanding of technological control internal to social and institutional relations.

Rags to riches: A critical analysis of social mobility discourse, ideology and power in neoliberal Indonesia

The discourse of social mobility has become a central tenet of democratic societies worldwide. Commonly deployed as a panacea for inequality and source of social justice, the discourse can conceal and even perpetuate inequalities. Intertwined with neoliberal ideology, social mobility discourse is contextually contingent, manifesting differently according to local conditions. This paper critically analyses social mobility discourse in the Indonesian context through ‘rags to riches’ stories of female celebrities in media interviews. Applying a contextually sensitive approach to agency within a CDA framework, this paper contributes new knowledge to the study of social mobility discourse in the Global South. The findings illustrate the pervasiveness of neoliberalism and its coalescence with local ideologies of gender, class and place, and how upwardly mobile women deploy ideological resources to create a mobility niche. The discourse strategies they use legitimise their mobility but reproduce unequal relations of power, undermining the objectives of social mobility.

Grid Integration for Electric Vehicles: A Realistic Strategy for Environmentally Friendly Mobility and Renewable Power

The promotion of electric vehicles (EVs) as sustainable energy sources for transportation is advocated due to global considerations such as energy consumption and environmental challenges. The recent incorporation of renewable energy sources into virtual power plants has greatly enhanced the influence of electric vehicles in the transportation industry. Vehicle grid integration offers a practical and economical method to improve energy sustainability, addressing the requirements of consumers on the user side. The effective utilisation of electric vehicles in stationary applications is highlighted by technological breakthroughs in the energy sector. The continuous advancement in science and industry is confirming the growing efficiency of electric vehicles (EVs) as virtual power plants. Nonetheless, a thorough inquiry is imperative to elucidate the principles, integration, and advancement of virtual power plants in conjunction with electric automobiles, specifically targeting academics and researchers in this field. The examination specifically emphasises the energy generation and storage components used in electric vehicles. In addition, it explores several vehicle–grid integration (VGI) configurations, such as single-stage, two-stage, and hybrid-multi-stage systems. This study also considers the various types of grid connections and the factors related to them. This detailed investigation seeks to offer insights into the various facets of incorporating electric vehicles into virtual power plants. It takes into account technology improvements, energy sustainability, and the practical ramifications for users.

The Effects of Plyometric Training on the Running Speed in Soccer

The plyometric method can be referred to as specific neuromuscular training, which may be used to optimize soccer players’ functional status and physical fitness levels. The development of functional strength, which can be repeatedly used under game conditions, is decisive for success in the games themselves. The paper aims to extend knowledge about the effects of plyometric training on running speed among soccer players. Twelve U19 soccer players from the MFK Ružomberok soccer club participated in the experiment. The control group consisted of twelve U19 soccer players from the FC Lokomotíva Košice soccer club. Both groups of soccer players performed 10-m, 30-m, and 50-m running tests and an agility T-test. From the viewpoint of determining the efficiency of the plyometric method, the testing also included tests aimed to assess ankle mobility and jump tests with and without countermovement performed with the use of Optogait. The soccer players from the experimental group participated in a 9-week intervention program that included two 30-minute training sessions per week. As regards the effects of plyometric training on running speed, soccer players improved their running speed levels in both acceleration speed and running speed with changes of direction. The results show that these changes are determined by ankle mobility and lower-body explosive power levels.

Collective mobility power: Grassroots unionism in the Italian meat-processing sector

In the last decade, several sectors of the Italian labour market have witnessed a rise in conflictual union activities carried out mostly by subcontracted migrant workers. Taking two grassroots unions in the North Italian meat processing sector as case studies (SICobas and ADLCobas), this paper investigates why and how migrant workers organise themselves through rank-and-file unions. In particular, the paper aims at understanding whether and how migrant workers' mobility power interplays with and influences their associational power, shedding light on the nexus between labour mobility and its mobilisation. After illustrating how grassroots unions develop in the Italian context, the paper analyses how migrant workers enhance their mobility power through rank-and-file unions and how these unions, in turn, utilise members' mobility as a resource to broaden their organisations. In conclusion, the paper argues that the presence of a highly mobile labour force does not weaken and could even strengthen mobilisations. Consequently, mobility power can be conceptualised not only as an individual strategy but also as a collective resource.

Joint Optimization of Mobility and Reliability-Guaranteed Air-to-Ground Communication for UAVs

Aerial unmanned vehicles (UAVs) play a significant role in improving the connectivity and coverage of terrestrial communication networks. However, UAV-assisted air-to-ground (A2G) data transmissions usually encounter several fundamental challenges, such as terminal mobility, random nature in channel fading and contention, resource constraints, and application-specific transmission requirements. To tackle these challenges, we formulate a bi-level optimization problem that jointly considers the control of the UAV mobility and transmission power and the scheduling of A2G data transmissions. The objective is to optimize energy consumption and maximize A2G transmission reliability. Particularly, we first theoretically characterize the A2G transmission reliability from a probabilistic perspective concerning the effects of channel fading, channel access contention, and application requirements. We then derive a closed-form expression for the optimal expected transmission reliability. Using the closed-form reliability, we transform the bi-level optimization into a mathematically-tractable optimal control problem and propose an efficient iterative algorithm to solve it. Simulation results show that our approach provides a comprehensive improvement in terms of both energy utilization and A2G transmission reliability, in particular, with a reduction of more than 12.1% in energy consumption and an increase of 7.53% in reliability on average, compared to several baselines.

Reflection of Saudi Women’s Participation and Leadership: A Study on the Gender Differences in Leadership and Structural Barriers

This article examines gender disparities and structural barriers in the Saudi Arabian workforce from 2000 to 2022. It proposes measures to promote women’s participation and leadership. Multiple databases, including Emerald, IEEE Explore, Science Direct, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science, were searched using generic terms. Additionally, official Saudi government reports, magazines, newspapers, books, and journals were used as secondary data sources. Torraco’s method analyzed 10 studies on gender gap and gender differences (2011-2023), 16 studies on structural barriers (2000-2012), and 30 studies (2013-2022). The study highlights critical areas of disparities and barriers, including the need for legal and policy reforms, increasing women’s visibility in the economic sector, transforming attitudes towards women’s leadership and participation, addressing time and mobility constraints, reducing wealth and power inequalities, inspiring and supporting women in leadership roles, and providing assistance for the transmission of leadership roles that recognize and promote women’s rights. The findings divulged various implementations and Strategies to overcome the gender gap, gender differences in leadership, and structural barrier to women’s participation by Saudi government. The research emphasizes the importance of policy reform to foster gender equality in the Saudi Arabian workplace. Reforms outlined in the “Saudi Vision 2030” have made significant progress. Policymakers can utilize this study’s findings to promote women’s participation and leadership in the Saudi workforce.

On the Frequency Dependence of the Gate Switching Instability in Silicon Carbide MOSFETs

Silicon carbide power metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) are suitable for more compact and energy efficient electric power conversion, pushing forward numerous key technologies in emission-free mobility and green power generation. These applications require fast gate switching up to hundreds of kilohertz. Typically, to assure a clear turn-off state of the electron channel, a negative turn-off gate bias is used in conjunction with a positive turn-on gate bias. Recently, several reports have revealed a new and so far unknown degradation mechanism that emerges during such operation conditions in apparently all commercial silicon carbide MOSFETs. As this mechanism arises upon gate switching, the terms gate switching instability (GSI) and gate switching stress (GSS) for the mechanism and the associated stress, respectively, have been introduced.Here, we show that this degradation mechanism does not depend on the used frequency up to at least 2 MHz, but that it is actually related to the cumulative number of switching cycles. For this purpose, we performed measurements at various frequencies comprising ultra-fast in-situ measurements of the threshold voltage and pre- and post-stress characterization by impedance analysis. The results are important both for understanding the underlying physics and for developing a correct methodology for industrial device qualification.

주역의 효체와 효위에 대한 新釋

According to the rapid development and convergence of transporta-tion and IT technologies, we are witnessing the unprecedented ubiquity of mobility. In philosophy, the universality of movement and the motility of existence has been one of the main themes for all times and places. In particular, Zhouyi Philosophy in East Asia has long dealt with the ethical issues of human society with the weltanschauung of movement and change. In the Zhouyi texts, Yaoti(爻體) can be deemed the substance of changeability, while Yaowei(爻位) construed as the substance of unchangeability enables the upward and downward mobility of Yaoti. Yaoti initiates mobility by being aware of the place as the concrete space-time of Yaowei. Put differently, Yaoti acquires the placeness of Yaowei by the reflection on the placelessness of Yaowei as well as by the relevant ethical practice. In the same manner that Yaoti comes to recognize the placeness of Yaowei, the moving subjects come to learn the meaning of the place (placeness). Moreover, in the Zhouyi text, the reflective thinking and ethical practice of Yaoti allows the changeability of divining statements, such as good or ill luck. That being the case, the changeability of divining statements is nothing but the effects of the reflective thinking and ethical practice of Yaoti. As long as the equality of mobility power and the relevant participation of citizens are the duties and rights of the communities in the mobility society, the reflective thinking and ethical practice of Yaoti in the Zhouyi Philosophy has the potential to empower the moving subjects to actualize the duties and rights of the communities.

Bio-inspired design of a self-aligning, lightweight, and highly-compliant cable-driven knee exoskeleton.

Powered knee exoskeletons have shown potential for mobility restoration and power augmentation. However, the benefits of exoskeletons are partially offset by some design challenges that still limit their positive effects on people. Among them, joint misalignment is a critical aspect mostly because the human knee joint movement is not a fixed-axis rotation. In addition, remarkable mass and stiffness are also limitations. Aiming to minimize joint misalignment, this paper proposes a bio-inspired knee exoskeleton with a joint design that mimics the human knee joint. Moreover, to accomplish a lightweight and high compliance design, a high stiffness cable-tension amplification mechanism is leveraged. Simulation results indicate our design can reduce 49.3 and 71.9% maximum total misalignment for walking and deep squatting activities, respectively. Experiments indicate that the exoskeleton has high compliance (0.4 and 0.1 Nm backdrive torque under unpowered and zero-torque modes, respectively), high control bandwidth (44 Hz), and high control accuracy (1.1 Nm root mean square tracking error, corresponding to 7.3% of the peak torque). This work demonstrates performance improvement compared with state-of-the-art exoskeletons.

The Significance of Labour Process Theory to the Arab Gulf Countries: Developing A Conceptual Framework for Understanding Consent and Conflict in the Workplace

This paper reviews the literature on the main concepts of labour process theory to highlight its significance for analysing workers-managers struggles in workplaces of the Arab Gulf countries. The paper builds on the core principles of the labour process theory and engages the dimensions of neo-patriarchy and mobility power to build a conceptual framework for the analysis of workplace relations in the Arab Gulf context. Previous research show that the dialectics of control-consent-resistance and the concept of mobility power, are effective tools for analysing how work is organised in commercial organisations. Nevertheless, this paper argues that acknowledging the nature of ‘neo-patriarchal managerial control’, which is an ‘informal mode of management’, is vital for analysing the nature of power relations between the management and labour in workplaces of the Arab Gulf countries. Moreover, since the majority of the labour force in the Arab Gulf countries are migrants, the concept of mobility power has a critical role in explaining struggles between the management and migrant labour.

Mobile jammer enabled secure UAV communication with short packet transmission

This paper studies a mobile jammer enabled secure unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) communication network in the finite packet length scenario, where the external friendly jammer UAV will transmit jamming signal to deteriorate the quality of eavesdropping channel, and help to improve the secure communication performance of the source UAV. Specifically, an average effective secrecy rate (AESR) maximization problem is formulated by jointly designing the trajectories and transmit power of the source/jammer UAV subject to the UAVs’ mobility constraints and power constraints. It is also verified that there exists a unique optimal packet error rate to maximize the AESR. The formulated problem is mathematically intractable, as it is nonconvex and involves coupled optimization variables. Therefore, we first decompose the trajectories and power optimization problem into four non-convex subproblems, and then transform them into standard convex problems by applying first-order Taylor expansion. Then, an efficient alternating optimization algorithm for AESR problem based on Bisection method and successive convex approximation (SCA) technology is presented by addressing the five subproblems iteratively. Simulation results are provided to verify that our proposed scheme can obtain considerable better AESR gain compared to other four benchmark schemes.