Modular Concept Research Articles

Connectome-Based Neurosurgery in Primary Intra-Axial Neoplasms: Beyond the Traditional Modular Conception of Brain Architecture for the Preservation of Major Neurological Domains and Higher-Order Cognitive Functions.

Despite the therapeutical advancements in the surgical treatment of primary intra-axial neoplasms, which determined both a significative improvement in OS and QoL and a reduction in the incidence of surgery-induced major neurological deficits, nowadays patients continue to manifest subtle post-operative neurocognitive impairments, preventing them from a full reintegration back into social life and into the workforce. The birth of connectomics paved the way for a profound reappraisal of the traditional conception of brain architecture, in favour of a model based on large-scale structural and functional interactions of a complex mosaic of cortical areas organized in a fluid network interconnected by subcortical bundles. Thanks to these advancements, neurosurgery is facing a new era of connectome-based resections, in which the core principle is still represented by the achievement of an ideal onco-functional balance, but with a closer eye on whole-brain circuitry, which constitutes the foundations of both major neurological functions, to be intended as motricity; language and visuospatial function; and higher-order cognitive functions such as cognition, conation, emotion and adaptive behaviour. Indeed, the achievement of an ideal balance between the radicality of tumoral resection and the preservation, as far as possible, of the integrity of local and global brain networks stands as a mandatory goal to be fulfilled to allow patients to resume their previous life and to make neurosurgery tailored and gentler to their individual needs.

Optimal Switching Method Using Variable Additional On-Time Control for CRM-Operated Multicell Series-Parallel Converter

Unlike the conventional boost-derived power-factor-correction (PFC) converter, the multi-cell series-parallel (MCSP) converter can step-up/step-down the output voltage. Its modular concept has a flexibility to select the voltage rating of switches depending on the number of cells. Based on its high degree-of-freedom (DOF) in combination of switching states, this paper proposes an optimal switching method that can suppress the amplitudes of switch currents while improving converter efficiency by synthesizing pentagonal inductor current waveform in critical conduction mode (CRM) control. In addition, a total harmonic distortion of input current (iTHD) is improved with variable additional on-time control. Thanks to an inherent capacitor voltage balancing feature of the MCSP converter, it does not require additional balancing control. The feasibility of the proposed control is verified by experiments in the 300 W prototype.

Modular Multi-Rotary Joints SPS Concept —Challenges and Design Considerations

Modular Multi-Rotary Joints SPS Concept —Challenges and Design Considerations

Modular Design of Teaching Cases: Reducing Workload While Maximizing Reusability

Many software development courses rely heavily on a project-based learning component to provide hands-on experience with the majority of the course objectives. Courses such as systems analysis and design, database design, software engineering, and capstone software development courses often incorporate some form of case-based project that is much more extensive and integrated than are focused exercises over individual topics. To be truly educational, case studies can require a significant investment in time and effort on the part of the instructor, an investment that seldom carries over into future academic sessions. This paper presents a modular case study development concept for better managing the development of case studies and achieving project extensibility through reusable case study modules, while at the same time helping to reduce instructor workload and solution reuse by students.

New single‐stage bidirectional three‐phase ac‐dc solid‐state transformer

AbstractHigh‐power applications with low‐voltage (LV) dc loads, for example, fast charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs), are typically supplied from the medium‐voltage (MV) grid. Aiming for low volume, MVac‐LVdc solid‐state transformers (SSTs) that provide galvanic separation with medium‐frequency transformers (MFTs) are thus considered, which are conventionally realized as two‐stage systems that consist of an ac‐dc power‐factor‐correction (PFC) rectifier and an isolated dc‐dc converter. This letter extends a new single‐stage isolated bidirectional PFC rectifier concept to MV levels, resulting in an SST that performs MVac‐LVdc conversion in a single converter stage and, unlike many modular SST concepts, employs only a single MFT. The SST's primary side operates modular‐multilevel‐converter (MMC) bridge legs, whose input voltages contain large ac components, in the quasi‐two‐level mode to minimize the cell capacitors. The secondary side employs a standard LV three‐phase rectifier, and a dual‐active‐bridge‐(DAB)‐like modulation strategy allows power flow regulation and ensures sinusoidal grid currents. The concept is explained and validated using detailed circuit simulations of an exemplary 1‐MW system operating between a 10‐kV three‐phase grid and an 800‐V dc output. The component stresses are evaluated, and an efficiency of 98.1% and a power density of up to 0.6 kW/dm3 are estimated.

Multicomponent syntheses of pyrazoles via (3 + 2)-cyclocondensation and (3 + 2)-cycloaddition key steps.

Pyrazoles are rarely found in nature but are traditionally used in the agrochemical and pharmaceutical industries, while other areas of use are also actively developing. However, they have also found numerous other applications. The search for new and efficient syntheses of these heterocycles is therefore highly relevant. The modular concept of multicomponent reactions (MCR) has paved a broad alley to heteroaromatics. The advantages over traditional methods are the broader scope and increased efficiency of these reactions. In particular, traditional multistep syntheses of pyrazoles have considerably been extended by MCR. Progress has been made in the cyclocondensation of 1,3-dielectrophiles that are generated in situ. Limitations in the regioselectivity of cyclocondensation with 1,3-dicarbonyls were overcome by the addition-cyclocondensation of α,β-unsaturated ketones. Embedding 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions into a one-pot process has additionally been developed for concise syntheses of pyrazoles. The MCR strategy also allows for concatenating classical condensation-based methodology with modern cross-coupling and radical chemistry, as well as providing versatile synthetic approaches to pyrazoles. This overview summarizes the most important MCR syntheses of pyrazoles based on ring-forming sequences in a flashlight fashion.

Automated pixel-level crack detection and quantification using deep convolutional neural networks for structural condition assessment

Crack detection is a crucial task in assessing the condition of concrete structures. Herein, a novel deep learning method based on convolutional neural networks, referred to as R-FPANet, is proposed for crack detection. The R-FPANet performs automatic segmentation and quantification of crack morphology at the pixel level. In this methodology, the modularization concept based on the following three modules is adopted: ResNet-50 is chosen as the backbone to extract features from images, the Feature Pyramid Network with Dense Block is integrated to promote the fusion of both shallow and deep features as well as enhance feature reuse, and self-attention mechanisms such as Channel Attention Module and Position Attention Module are introduced to strengthen the dependency between features. Based on the crack segmentation results, a suitably established framework is developed for quantitative analysis of the major geometric parameters, including crack area, crack length, crack mean width and crack max-width at the pixel level. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, a large-scale concrete crack image dataset was produced and carefully labeled at the pixel level and then utilized to train the model. Finally, our experiments reveal that the proposed approach achieves an Intersection over Union of 83.07%, further indicating that the segmentation performance of the proposed method is better than the state-of-the-art models and also confirming that the crack quantification results are close to reality. Overall, the proposed method performs well, contributing to crack detection and quantification with great potential for practical use.

Design and implementation of intelligent monitoring system for agricultural environment in IoT

In the context of population growth and limited resources, the efficiency and sustainability of agricultural production became particularly important. Smart agricultural technology and Internet of Things (IoT) technology have helped farmers with better management tools to improve crop yield and quality. This research takes the IoT as the core and combines sensor, actuator and cloud platform technologies to build a smart greenhouse control system. Environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, and light are obtained through sensors. And it is uploaded to the cloud platform for storage and analysis. At the same time, light, ventilation, water, and fertilizer inside the greenhouse are controlled automatically by our system to achieve the best crop growth condition. System design adopts a modular design concept. We separately realize the functions of sensor, actuator and cloud platform, where data is transmitted via wireless communication and integrated together. The experimental results show that the cloud control system of smart agricultural greenhouse can effectively monitor the greenhouse environment, optimize efficiency of energy and resource utilization, and help farmers manage greenhouse conveniently and quickly.

Epistemology of synthetic biology: a new theoretical framework based on its potential objects and objectives.

Synthetic biology is a new research field which attempts to understand, modify, and create new biological entities by adopting a modular and systemic conception of the living organisms. The development of synthetic biology has generated a pluralism of different approaches, bringing together a set of heterogeneous practices and conceptualizations from various disciplines, which can lead to confusion within the synthetic biology community as well as with other biological disciplines. I present in this manuscript an epistemological analysis of synthetic biology in order to better define this new discipline in terms of objects of study and specific objectives. First, I present and analyze the principal research projects developed at the foundation of synthetic biology, in order to establish an overview of the practices in this new emerging discipline. Then, I analyze an important scientometric study on synthetic biology to complete this overview. Afterwards, considering this analysis, I suggest a three-level classification of the object of study for synthetic biology (which are different kinds of living entities that can be built in the laboratory), based on three successive criteria: structural hierarchy, structural origin, functional origin. Finally, I propose three successively linked objectives in which synthetic biology can contribute (where the achievement of one objective led to the development of the other): interdisciplinarity collaboration (between natural, artificial, and theoretical sciences), knowledge of natural living entities (past, present, future, and alternative), pragmatic definition of the concept of "living" (that can be used by biologists in different contexts). Considering this new theoretical framework, based on its potential objects and objectives, I take the position that synthetic biology has not only the potential to develop its own new approach (which includes methods, objects, and objectives), distinct from other subdisciplines in biology, but also the ability to develop new knowledge on living entities.

Implementation of an Industry 4.0 Strategy Adapted to Manufacturing SMEs: Simulation and Case Study

Quebec’s small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing field are facing a major challenge: implementing a successful digital transformation in an increasingly competitive world, with a labor shortage and customer demand for highly customized products. Technology is a leading solution for improving competitiveness. However, the tools and subsidies available offer little in terms of results for these companies, which have neither the prerequisites nor the resources to successfully carry out their digital transformation. This research aims to develop an adapted Industry 4.0 strategy for manufacturing SMEs reorienting themselves toward mass customization. It seeks to demonstrate that agility and modular design are prerequisites, and it advocates for individual assessments as success factors. The research presents the development of such a strategy for manufacturing SMEs. A case study in the form of action research, combined with a simulation-based experimental design based on a sample of one Quebec manufacturing SME, serves to validate the implementation of the adapted strategy. This research emphasizes the importance of lean, agility and modular design concepts and of individual assessment for successful Industry 4.0 implementation in SMEs. Future research could systematize modularity management in the Industry 4.0 era to boost SME competitiveness.

An assessment methodology for a modular terminal concept for container barging in seaports

Container transport via inland waterways currently faces several challenges affecting its competitiveness with other modes. These challenges include the high waiting time experienced by container barges and the low priority given to container barges in deepsea ports. To mitigate these challenges, a new concept known as the Modular Mobile Terminal (MMT) is introduced to create a dedicated floating barge handling and consolidation space for containers in deepsea ports.Based on this, the present study proposes an assessment methodology examining the feasibility of the MMT from a logistical and economic perspective. In doing this, a time optimization model was developed to determine the number of MMTs leading to the most time savings for container barges. It also helps target a market by finding the hinterland flows that can be positively linked to the MMTs. Afterward, an economic evaluation is conducted to determine the cost savings for the actors and determine under which conditions the actors would benefit from using the MMT system. The proposed methodology is then applied in a case study for the ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam to derive insights into the efficiency and profitability of the MMTs.Results revealed that the MMTs would be most suitable for vessels transporting small cargo volumes below 60 Twenty Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs). Furthermore, the analysis suggests that two MMTs would be optimal for the port of Antwerp, and four for the port of Rotterdam, to achieve an overall net benefit for all the actors. Thus, it can be concluded that the MMTs are most suitable for handling and consolidating cargoes from container barges with small call sizes.

Development of Photonic Multi-Sensing Systems Based on Molecular Gates Biorecognition and Plasmonic Sensors: The PHOTONGATE Project.

This paper presents the concept of a novel adaptable sensing solution currently being developed under the EU Commission-founded PHOTONGATE project. This concept will allow for the quantification of multiple analytes of the same or different nature (chemicals, metals, bacteria, etc.) in a single test with levels of sensitivity and selectivity at/or over those offered by current solutions. PHOTONGATE relies on two core technologies: a biochemical technology (molecular gates), which will confer the specificity and, therefore, the capability to be adaptable to the analyte of interest, and which, combined with porous substrates, will increase the sensitivity, and a photonic technology based on localized surface plasmonic resonance (LSPR) structures that serve as transducers for light interaction. Both technologies are in the micron range, facilitating the integration of multiple sensors within a small area (mm2). The concept will be developed for its application in health diagnosis and food safety sectors. It is thought of as an easy-to-use modular concept, which will consist of the sensing module, mainly of a microfluidics cartridge that will house the photonic sensor, and a platform for fluidic handling, optical interrogation, and signal processing. The platform will include a new optical concept, which is fully European Union Made, avoiding optical fibers and expensive optical components.

Mean 23-Year Outcomes of Total Hip Arthroplasty Using a Modular Femoral Stem With Metaphyseal Fixation Sleeve

BackgroundAlthough the modular sleeve concept for femoral implants has several advantages, studies reporting on greater than 20-year outcomes are limited. This study aimed to report the mean 23-year results of total hip arthroplasty (THA) using a modular stem with metaphyseal fixation sleeve. MethodsThis study reviewed primary THAs performed using a modular stem between October 1994 and April 1998. Of the 272 hips (221 patients) identified, 220 hips (177 patients) satisfying the minimum 20-year follow-up were included. The Harris Hip Score was used for clinical evaluation. Final hip radiographs were analyzed to evaluate the implant stability and the extent of femoral osteolysis. The mean follow-up duration was 23 years (range, 20 to 28). ResultsThe mean Harris Hip Score improved from 38 points (range, 26 to 67) preoperatively to 90 points (range, 71 to 100) at the final follow-up (P < .001). Femoral osteolysis was observed in 146 hips (67.1%), but 145 were located proximal to the osseo-integrated sleeve. Overall, 4 femoral revisions were performed; 2 for chronic infection, one for aseptic loosening, and one for periprosthetic femoral fracture. Of the 19 (8.6%) periprosthetic femoral fractures, the most common type was Vancouver AG (13 hips). One (0.5%) asymptomatic distal stem fracture occurred, while no complications were identified at the stem-sleeve junction. Implant survivorship free of any femoral revision was 98.3% at 23 years. ConclusionsA THA using a modular stem with metaphyseal fixation sleeve demonstrated 98.3% stem survivorship with excellent clinical outcomes at a mean follow-up of 23 years in non-obese patients.

Suitability of Modular Technology for House Construction in Sri Lanka: A Survey and a Case Study

Prefabricated volumetric modular building construction is an emerging technology in many countries used to develop the construction industry through its value-added benefits. The adoption of these novel technologies in the Sri Lankan construction industry has been relatively slow compared with other developing countries, delaying the development of the construction industry and the attainment of the added benefits of these technologies. Therefore, this study aims to identify the suitability of modular construction for the Sri Lankan construction industry via a survey and case study. A questionnaire survey was developed and distributed to assess and identify the benefits of implementing the concepts and constraints in Sri Lanka. Then, the construction cost of a proposed single-story house delivered through conventional and modular practices was compared. The survey results showed that introducing a modular concept to the industry is suitable and would benefit the Sri Lankan construction industry. Further, survey participants believed that the economic benefits brought in by modular construction are significantly more important than environmental and social benefits when selecting modular construction. The case study on a single-story affordable modular house showed a 32% reduction in total construction costs and a 36% reduction in labour costs compared to conventional house construction. Further, costs for total modular construction and labour were 32% and 36% less than those of conventional construction costs and labour costs. Moreover, a 16% reduction in embodied energy was observed when compared with conventional construction. Therefore, the modular concept could be used to construct affordable houses and will be cost-effective with the correct choice of material.

Review on single‐phase high‐frequency resonant inverters for current sharing in multiple inverter system

SummarySingle‐phase high‐frequency resonant inverters (SPHFRIs) with high power density, fast dynamic response, and high energy conversion efficiency have been widely studied and used in academia and industry. With the development of the modularization concept, the operation of multiple inverter modules is desirable because it can remove the limitations of cost, heat dissipation, and component volume in single inverter operation. However, a critical challenge in multiple inverter systems is that the both the phase and magnitude of the output voltage of each inverter module must be controllable to eliminate circulating currents between inverter modules. Great efforts have been made to solve this problem from three aspects: topology, modulation, and control strategy. In this paper, modulation strategies and topologies of different inverters are presented and reviewed to provide guidance to researchers working in this field. Firstly, multiple inverter system based on the SPHFRI is described and its advantages and disadvantages are analyzed. An important issue in the study of multiple inverter systems is presented, that is, the suppression of circulating current. Secondly, the circulating currents in a multiple inverter system are analyzed and derived from two aspects: (1) magnitude and phase angle and (2) active and reactive currents. Thirdly, the inverters used in the multiple inverter system are introduced, and their operating principles, advantages, and disadvantages are reviewed. A key comparison of several inverters is presented for the benefit of the readers. Fourth, through PI closed‐loop simulation, the performance of different multiple inverter systems for suppressing the circulating current is compared in two situations: (1) with magnitude discrepancy only and (2) with both magnitude and phase discrepancy. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of each inverter are summarized, and the state of the art and future trends are presented.

A real-time auralization framework for scientific experiments

The software Virtual Acoustics (VA) is an open-source auralization framework developed at the Institute for Hearing Technology and Acoustics, RWTH Aachen University, Germany. Using physics-based models for source emission and sound propagation, it allows plausible rendering of virtual scenes based on purely synthetic data. Its modular design provides a variety of rendering modules using different assumptions for the sound propagation. This allows the rendering of various indoor and outdoor scenarios with adjustable degree of complexity. Based on a similarly modular concept, VA allows a flexible way of reproducing the sound via headphones or loudspeaker arrays. For this purpose, the signals can be spatialized using binaural synthesis, higher-order ambisonics or VBAP. The respective scenarios, including source and receiver movement, can be controlled using the C + +, C#, Matlab, Python programming languages. Additionally, there are interfaces for the Unreal and Unity game engines allowing the combination with sophisticated visual cues, e.g., using HMDs. The software’s flexible structure and configuration possibilities enable the controlled application in listening experiments while providing an adequate level of plausibility. This work discusses the options as well as the limitations of the software and presents application examples in scientific experiments.

Analysis of trans‐domain motion process of bullet‐shaped trans‐domain amphibious vehicle

AbstractA fully functional prototype of a bullet‐shaped trans‐domain amphibious vehicle with the ability to perform reciprocating cross‐medium movements has been developed. Once the bullet‐shaped underwater vehicle completes its designated underwater tasks, upon reaching a suitable location for surface observation, it will transform into a bullet‐shaped coaxial counter‐propeller aircraft to carry out cross‐domain out‐of‐water and performing aerial flight missions. The successful transition of the vehicle into amphibious mode is attributed to the design of an innovative energy attitude multiplexing mechanism. Simultaneously, a rational and effective hybrid‐switching strategy has been proposed to enhance the reliability of the vehicle's amphibious mode transition. In view of the complex and changeable cross‐domain environment, we have adopted a modular design concept, breaking down the entire cross‐domain movement process into three key phases: air operation flight, transient cross‐domain, and underwater active sailing. Detailed theoretical analysis, algorithm design, and experimental research have been conducted for each phase. This paper proposes and expounds the key design principles, evaluates the performance indicators of key components, and weighs the matching of body dynamics and propulsion performance to ensure that the vehicle achieves the expected performance. Finally, the success of the test at different phases further proves that the vehicle has the ability to achieve complete cross‐domain operation.

Future nuclear fission reactors – uncertainties, the effect of parameter choice and an application to small modular reactor concepts

Abstract. Today, steep declines in the generation costs of renewable energy systems, particularly solar photovoltaic and wind, combined with a recent spur in storage and flexible technologies mainly driven by batteries and renewable-energy-generated hydrogen are driving a paradigm shift in energy systems across the world, and renewable energy dominates investments in installed electricity generation systems (Ram et al., 2022). In contrast, in 2022 USD 4.8 billion (ca. 21 %) of the total spending in research and development expenditures by countries within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) was still spent on nuclear development alongside the current discussion in recent literature about the role of new nuclear developments in combating the recent energy crisis and climate change (Asuega et al., 2023; Ingersoll et.al., 2020; IEA, 2023). Since predicting future costs of technologies not yet developed is a complex exercise, we start this paper with a comparison of two different approaches from production theory and show that they have a theoretically equal structure (Steigerwald et al., 2023). This we then apply to estimate a range of potential production costs for 15 so-called small modular reactor (SMR) concepts for which sufficient data are available. These include light-water, high-temperature and fast reactors. In a third step, we apply the Monte Carlo method to benchmark the cost projections assumed by the manufacturers by varying production parameters in simulations of the net present value (NPV) and the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). Besides this, we test whether the differences between the manufacturer estimates and ours differ between technology families of SMR concepts and apply a sensitivity analysis. This contributes to an intensifying debate in the literature on the economics and finance of SMR concepts (Steigerwald et al., 2023). In a final step we compared our results with current costs of renewable energy technologies and could conclude that none of the tested concepts is able to compete economically with existing renewable technologies, not even when taking their variability and necessary system integration costs into account. We conclude that any technology foresight has to take the case specifics into account as much as possible, including technological and institutional specifics; this also holds for SMR concepts.

Exploration and evaluation of modular concepts for the design of full-scale pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities.

The design of biopharmaceutical processes is predominantly driven by the domain of experimental process design. This approach can be further improved by combining multiple domain information such as experiments, unit models, and flowsheet models. Approaches consisting of methods and flowsheet models provide the framework for exploring, analyzing, and ultimately evaluating the combinatorial space of all possible designs within the molecule-to-manufacturing value chain. In recent years, modular process designs are of interest in the pharmaceutical industry because of the shift toward multiproduct, mutiprocess processes. Therefore, a systematic approach for how to evaluate the utilization of the modular plug-n-play concept provides metrics that can propel modular design from a viable design alternative to the selected alternative for full-scale manufacturing. The objective of this paper is to present such an in silico approach for the evaluation of modular designs. The approach is presented as a systematic method and then, is exemplified through the manufacture of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). The application of the method shows how to transition from a typical design-for-purpose design alternative to a modular design through the utilization of data, modeling, simulation, and uncertainty/sensitivity analyses for quantification of various selection metrics such as process robustness and flexibility.

A Model-Based Approach for the Methodical Development and Configuration of Modular Product Families

This paper shows how a methodical development and configuration of modular product family concepts and their effects on economic targets can be implemented in SysML. For this purpose, different sources of inconsistency between different methodical tools are highlighted and the need for research is shown. As a solution approach, a methodical framework is presented, which can be used to implement product development methods for the developing of modular product family modeling by means of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) in the modeling language SysML. By applying the framework, it is shown on the one hand how a product family of vacuum cleaner robots as a simple example can be modularized in a methodical, model-based manner. On the other hand, a configuration system and an impact model of modular product families are connected with the system model and applied to a product family of laser systems as an industrial use case. This made it clear that the framework can be used to model various methodical topics of product family modeling in a consistent manner, to enable higher-level analyses with the use of MBSE tools. This can reduce errors, decrease effort and increase traceability across different methodical tools.