Multidisciplinary Problem Research Articles

Multi-fidelity data mining-based design optimization framework for scramjet-based aircraft

Aircraft design faces complex multidisciplinary problems and often involves numerous design variables, making direct optimization a time-consuming task. With the development of big data and machine learning technologies, using data mining methods to assist optimization has become key to addressing the inefficiency in multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO). To address the high cost of data acquisition in current data mining, this paper proposes an aircraft design optimization framework based on multi-fidelity data mining, using a large amount of inexpensive cursory estimation data to execute the MDO process and form a multidisciplinary optimization database. Then, data mining methods are used to decouple disciplinary relationships, transforming multidisciplinary coupling problems into simpler multi-objective problems. Subsequently, under viscous CFD computation conditions, the EDGE-p-BFFD deformation method is used to fine-tune the obtained configurations, further enhancing multidisciplinary performance. Before both optimizations, data mining methods were used to analyze the impact of design variables on objective functions, forming design knowledge and completing variable selection. In the multidisciplinary optimization practice of airbreathing aircraft, it can be found that the proposed framework effectively achieves disciplinary decoupling and explores the relationship between shape and performance. In the multidisciplinary optimization of the waverider based on cursory estimations, particle swarm optimization increased the aircraft's cruising range by 8.74 %. In the multi-objective optimization of the lifting body based on viscous CFD calculations, data mining was used to transform the problem into several key objectives. The MOEA/D algorithm increased the range by 2.9 %, validating the effectiveness of the data mining-based MDO framework proposed in this paper.

Community engagement enhances undergraduate civil engineering capstone design projects

Abstract Over the past several decades numerous studies have shown the value of community engagement in global water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs. Engaging and collaborating with communities through the design process enables wider community acceptance and ownership of WASH interventions, ensures a more functional and impactful design, and opens the door for co-benefits of these systems. Accounting for a range of dimensions within a community is critical to creating WASH designs that provide the most benefits. Undergraduate engineering curriculums focus on design, but often do not explicitly account for the social, environmental, and economic elements that affect the success, efficacy, and sustainability of a design. There is increasing emphasis on educating engineers on sustainability and systems thinking so they are equipped to solve complex, multidisciplinary problems. To understand how social, environmental, and economic elements fit into engineering design and how to create sustainable WASH interventions, undergraduate engineering students benefit from participating in WASH design projects that engage and collaborate with communities. This perspective highlights the value of community engagement with partners in Uganda in teaching water resources and environmental engineering design to undergraduate civil engineering students.

A view of the issues of etiology and pathogenesis of clinical conditions of burning in the oral cavity: an actual problem of therapeutic dentistry

Background. The issue of burning in the oral cavity without damage against the background of various etiological factors and clinical manifestations is a difficult task for doctors and requires an integrated interdisciplinary approach. Despite the array of developments, the issue of unification of clinical signs and the examination algorithm for use in a doctor’s practice remains relevant. Materials and methods. The research is to analyze literature sources based on Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed databases, the study of which does not exceed 5 years, inclu­ding literature reviews and the results of clinical studies. Results. The work presents an analytical generalization of clinical criteria for the diagnosis of paresthetic conditions of the oral mucosa, which will allow for timely and professional diagnosis of these diseases in the daily dentist’s practice. In the first place during the analysis of etiological factors of burning sensation in the oral cavity, there is a violation of the interaction of psychological factors and neurophysiological components and an imbalance exactly of the autonomic innervation of the oral mucosa. ­Conclusions. Clinical conditions of burning sensations in the oral cavity should be considered as a multidisciplinary problem that requires the integration of physicians of different specialties.

Power of photo-stress analysis in unravelling the mechanics of granular materials and its applications in interdisciplinary research

Granular materials, such as various grains and granulated powders, are essential in numerous industrial applications and natural processes, including the chemical, pharmaceutical, food, and materials processing industries. They also play a significant role in geotechnical phenomena like the shear-driven collapses of embankments and landslides, which can lead to extensive damage and disruptions. Despite a significant surge in research activities and advancements in discrete element modelling (DEM) tools since the late 1970s, understanding the mechanical characteristics of granular materials remains complex. Experimental techniques such as photo stress analysis (PSA), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), and X-ray tomography (XRT) offer valuable insights, yet there is still a lack of detailed information on how granular materials respond mechanically at the microscale under various loading conditions. This knowledge gap affects industrial product quality, equipment safety, production efficiency, operational costs, environmental compliance, and overall safety. In this paper, we initially focus on our scientific contributions to the development of photo stress analysis (PSA) in unravelling the load-transmission characteristics of granular materials of varying sizes and structures (two-dimensional and quasi-three-dimensional) under different mechanical loading environments and applications. Where relevant, discrete element modelling (DEM) complements PSA to enhance our understanding of granular mechanics. We then present the application of PSA to selected key interdisciplinary areas from our recent work, demonstrating the power of PSA. Despite current challenges in applying PSA to three-dimensional granular systems, the results reported here significantly advance our fundamental understanding of the particle-scale and micromechanical characteristics in granular mechanics and particulate engineering. This work highlights the potential of PSA in addressing various inter- and multidisciplinary research problems in the future.

Eyelid dermatitis in patch-tested adult patients: a systematic review with a meta-analysis

Eyelid dermatitis (ED) affects a cosmetically significant area and leads to patients’ distress. Despite ongoing and recent research efforts, ED remains a multidisciplinary problem that needs further characterization. We aimed to evaluate the atopic eyelid dermatitis (AED) frequency in ED patients and to perform their clinical profiling. PubMed databases were searched from 01.01.1980 till 01.02.2024 to PRISMA guidelines using a search strategy: (eyelid OR periorbital OR periocular) AND (dermatitis or eczema). Studies with patch-tested ED patients were included. Proportional meta-analysis was performed using JBI SUMARI software. We included 65 studies across Europe, North America, Asia and Australia, with a total of 21,793 patch-tested ED patients. AED was reported in 27.5% (95% CI 0.177, 0.384) of patch-tested ED patients. Isolated ED was noted in 51.6% (95% CI 0.408, 0.623) of 8453 ED patients with reported lesion distribution, including 430 patients with isolated AED. Our meta-analysis demonstrated that the AED frequency in patch-tested ED patients exceeded the previous estimate of 10%. Isolated AED was noted in adult patients, attending contact allergy clinics. Future studies are needed to elucidate the global prevalence and natural history of isolated AED in adults.

Smoking among children and adolescents as a modern multidisciplinary problem

Smoking among children and adolescents as a modern multidisciplinary problem

Optimization of electric vehicle design problems using improved electric eel foraging optimization algorithm

Abstract This paper introduces a novel approach, the Modified Electric Eel Foraging Optimization (EELFO) algorithm, which integrates artificial neural networks (ANNs) with metaheuristic algorithms for solving multidisciplinary design problems efficiently. Inspired by the foraging behavior of electric eels, the algorithm incorporates four key phases: interactions, resting, hunting, and migrating. Mathematical formulations for each phase are provided, enabling the algorithm to explore and exploit solution spaces effectively. The algorithm’s performance is evaluated on various real-world optimization problems, including weight optimization of engineering components, economic optimization of pressure handling vessels, and cost optimization of welded beams. Comparative analyses demonstrate the superiority of the MEELFO algorithm in achieving optimal solutions with minimal deviations and computational effort compared to existing metaheuristic methods.

Multi-disciplinary optimization of single-stage hybrid rockets for lunar ascent

This study aims to determine the optimal design and ascent trajectory for a single-stage hybrid rocket in the context of a lunar ascent mission, with the objective of reaching a 100 km circular orbit on the Moon equatorial plane. A multi-disciplinary optimization problem is formulated, integrating flight design variables and launch vehicle design variables to achieve the best mission scenario. A zero-dimensional internal ballistics model is employed to estimate key parameters such as thrust, mass flow rate, and gross mass of the hybrid rocket, while a three-degree of freedom dynamical model is utilized to simulate the ascent trajectory. The resulting integrated optimization problem is solved using an in-house heuristic algorithm that combines particle swarm and genetic algorithms. Two propellant combinations, liquid oxygen/paraffin-wax and hydrogen peroxide (90%)/high-density polyethylene, are evaluated, considering both their performance in the integrated system and the feasibility of the proposed mission. After conducting a sensitivity analysis to investigate the influence of particle count in the optimization process, results for both propellant combinations are presented. While paraffin and oxygen provide the highest payload ratio, hydrogen peroxide and polyethylene entail a more feasible and flexible design for a lunar mission.

A systematic review of the explicit knowledge used and evidence base in the process of design and fabrication of orthopedic footwear

BACKGROUND: The design and manufacturing of effective foot orthoses is a complex multidisciplinary problem involving biomedical and gait pattern aspects, technical material and geometric design elements as well as psychological and social contexts. This complexity contributes to the current trial-and-error and experience-based orthopedic footwear practice in which a major part of the expertise is implicit. This hampers knowledge transfer, reproducibility and innovation. OBJECTIVE/METHODS: A systematic review of literature has been performed to find evidence of explicit knowledge, quantitative guidelines and design motivations of pedorthists. RESULTS: 17 studies have been included. No consensus is found on which measurable parameters ensure proper foot and ankle functioning. Parameters suggested are: neutral foot positioning and control of rearfoot motion, maximum arch, but also tibial internal/external rotation as well as a three point force system. Also studies evaluating foot orthoses centering on the diagnosis or orthosis type find no clear guidelines for treatment or for measuring the effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: A gap in the translation from diagnosis to a specific, customized and quantified effective orthosis design is identified. Suggested solutions are both top-down, fitting of patient data in simulations, as well as bottom-up, quantifying current practices of pedorthists in order to develop new practical guidelines and evidence-based procedures.

Functional state of the kidneys in patients with acute coronary syndrome against the background of newly identified disorders of carbohydrate metabolism: a multidisciplinary problem

ABSTRACT Background Determining the relationship between cardiovascular risks, carbohydrate metabolism disorders, and renal dysfunction can help in creating new tools for their management and for better interaction of specialists in a multidisciplinary team. The purpose of this study was to determine the functional state of the kidneys and carbohydrate metabolism in patients with acute coronary syndrome without a history of such disorders. Methods 200 patients of the cardiology department of the City Clinical Hospital No. 7 in Almaty were examined using laboratory diagnostics and subsequent statistical data processing. Results Acute coronary syndrome develops in 63% of cases against the background of previous disorders of carbohydrate metabolism – prediabetes (45.5%) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (17.5%). In this group of patients, in the presence of disorders of carbohydrate metabolism, in all cases, it is accompanied by acute renal damage. It was noted that diabetes mellitus in newly diagnosed patients actually had a certain duration and occurred much earlier than cardiovascular complications – this was evidenced by an increased level of glycated hemoglobin. Conclusions Such results indicate the need for early diagnosis of cardio-reno-metabolic syndrome in patients with cardiovascular complications, as well as timely administration of drugs that simultaneously have antidiabetic, cardio- and nephroprotective effects.

Identifying multidisciplinary problems from scientific publications based on a text generation method

Abstract Purpose A text generation based multidisciplinary problem identification method is proposed, which does not rely on a large amount of data annotation. Design/methodology/approach The proposed method first identifies the research objective types and disciplinary labels of papers using a text classification technique; second, it generates abstractive titles for each paper based on abstract and research objective types using a generative pre-trained language model; third, it extracts problem phrases from generated titles according to regular expression rules; fourth, it creates problem relation networks and identifies the same problems by exploiting a weighted community detection algorithm; finally, it identifies multidisciplinary problems based on the disciplinary labels of papers. Findings Experiments in the “Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality” field show that the proposed method can effectively identify multidisciplinary research problems. The disciplinary distribution of the identified problems is consistent with our understanding of multidisciplinary collaboration in the field. Research limitations It is necessary to use the proposed method in other multidisciplinary fields to validate its effectiveness. Practical implications Multidisciplinary problem identification helps to gather multidisciplinary forces to solve complex real-world problems for the governments, fund valuable multidisciplinary problems for research management authorities, and borrow ideas from other disciplines for researchers. Originality/value This approach proposes a novel multidisciplinary problem identification method based on text generation, which identifies multidisciplinary problems based on generative abstractive titles of papers without data annotation required by standard sequence labeling techniques.

Hydrocephalus: Current State of Diagnostics and Treatment

Hydrocephalus, the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain’s ventricles, has numerous difficulties regarding diagnosis, treatment, and patient care. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the condition, including the areas of current therapeutic options, surgical intervention (implementation of shunts/ third ventriculostomies), and novel therapeutic approaches including inhibition of NKCC1 and modulation of PKC. This paper also discusses noninvasive treatments like gene therapy and “smart shunt” systems. From a global perspective, it is revealed that there are numerous disparities regarding hydrocephalus and its treatment modalities. This very aspect forms the basis for special healthcare programs to cater to these global inequalities. This study bedevils us with the fact of how intricate hydrocephalus management is, a complication that is mostly determined by a specific country’s healthcare infrastructure. The region's funding, health facilities, and cultural issues also are used to showcase hydrocephalus causes and effects. Furthermore, there is a large focus on patient care and also a meticulous presentation of subsequent care strategies and rehabilitation with the family's support to improve the results for those who are afflicted with the disease. This article concludes with a call to go beyond research in this area with the international cooperation that will lead to comprehending this challenge and the multidisciplinary problems and opportunities that come along with it. This research study provides an indispensable contribution to the fields of neurology and healthcare, and this adds value in terms of the care and treatment of hydrocephalus by facilitating its understanding on a scientific basis for students and healthcare professionals around the world.

Visual Renovation of Cultural Heritage Buildings through Advanced Construction Materials - 2D-Printed Protective Cladding on Facade Scaffolds

Industry 4.0 has created models of thinking in education, which focus on developing skills through digital creative learning. This is increasingly being applied to the solution of multidisciplinary problems of great importance to societies. The preservation of Bulgaria's cultural heritage is a task that requires such approach. This paper proposes to combine technical experience with technological advancements and, as a result, to cater for elements of the life cycle of heritage buildings and cultural monuments that are at risk.

The stress state of a thick-walled shell with allowance for contact with a hydrogen-containing medium

Numerical and experimental methods are used to solve a multidisciplinary problem on determining the stress state of a steel shell of revolution under mechanical loading and thermal effect with allowance for its contact with a hydrogen-containing medium. The study uses a well-developed mathematical tool for solving heat conduction problems in order to solve the problem of hydrogen diffusion into metal. The effective stresses and their invariants are determined by solving the nonlinear boundary value problem of thermoplasticity of a thick-walled shell of revolution in a three-dimensional formulation. The study takes into account the experimentally found effect of changes in the mechanical properties of steel affected by hydrogen. The correctness of the proposed method and the performed calculations is quantitatively estimated by comparison with a well-known problem having an analytical solution. The paper shows that it is possible and necessary to take into account the change in mechanical properties when determining the stress state of steel structures operating in contact with a hydrogen-containing medium.

MUSICAL ENVIRONMENT IN THE CONDITIONS OF INDUSTRIAL URBANIZATION OF KAZAKHSTAN

The article is devoted to the processes of urbanization and expansion of the media space in the country, which every year give a significant impact to changing the organization and perception of Art. Culture in the new historical reality, has unlimited access to a variety of styles, genres, interpretations and manipulations with original sounds, which has never before been considered common place. These processes push aside previously available ways of perceiving art, thereby influencing the depth of meaning and perception of modern musical phenomena. The purpose of the study is to draw attention to the social and scientific need for studying types of communication activities in developed and developing countries, determined by the sociocultural situation and improving the standard of living of a person. Every act of contact between a recipient and an object of Art is unique, inimitable and individual. All over the world, the art of music - is no idea of ​​artistic influence and its manifestation in the structure of everyday life. From the point of view of musicology, responding to the relevance, issues of audiovisual distribution are a multidisciplinary problem, properly studied only in Western European and American culture. Summarizing the materials of the article, we can come to the conclusion that the industrial-urban form of life at the present stage of the domestic music industry is associated with a breakthrough in the field of mass communications and digital media, which entails certain changes in the spiritual space of a person.

Surrogate-assisted differential evolution using manifold learning-based sampling for high- dimensional expensive constrained optimization problems

To address the challenges of high-dimensional constrained optimization problems with expensive simulation models, a Surrogate-Assisted Differential Evolution using Manifold Learning-based Sampling (SADE-MLS) is proposed. In SADE-MLS, differential evolution operators are executed to generate numerous high-dimensional candidate points. To alleviate the curse of dimensionality, a Manifold Learning-based Sampling (MLS) mechanism is developed to explore the high-dimensional design space effectively. In MLS, the intrinsic dimensionality of the candidate points is determined by a maximum likelihood estimator. Then, the candidate points are mapped into a low-dimensional space using the dimensionality reduction technique, which can avoid significant information loss during dimensionality reduction. Thus, Kriging surrogates are constructed in the low-dimensional space to predict the responses of the mapped candidate points. The candidate points with high constrained expected improvement values are selected for global exploration. Moreover, the local search process assisted by radial basis function and differential evolution is performed to exploit the design space efficiently. Several numerical benchmarks are tested to compare SADE-MLS with other algorithms. Finally, SADE-MLS is successfully applied to a solid rocket motor multidisciplinary optimization problem and a re-entry vehicle aerodynamic optimization problem, with the total impulse and lift to drag ratio being increased by 32.7% and 35.5%, respectively. The optimization results demonstrate the practicality and effectiveness of the proposed method in real engineering practices.

Acute tumor lysis syndrome — an urgent multidisciplinary problem in pediatric hematology

Acute tumor lysis syndrome — an urgent multidisciplinary problem in pediatric hematology

EXPERIENCE OF THE SEGMENTAL BONE DEFECTS' TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS WITH COMBAT TRAUMA USING THE METHOD OF DISTRACTION OSTEOGENESIS

Upper and lower limb injuries resulting from battlefield trauma is a complex multidisciplinary problem. Efficacy of the treatment of segmental bone defects in patients with combat trauma is a subject of analysis for improving its results. Purpose. An analysis of the modern treatment strategies of the segmental bone defects in patients with battlefield trauma under conditions of distraction osteogenesis (based on data available in the literature and own clinical experience). Methods. Analytical review of scientific works and analysis of treatment results of 39 patients with segmental bone defects associated with battlefield trauma and treated using distraction osteogenesis were conducted. Results. Patients with segmental limbs defects require special attention of a multidisciplinary team of specialists to identify reconstructive opportunities to save the limb. Distraction osteogenesis — is an effective method of treating of segmental fractures and shortening of the limbs, infectious complications that led to bone defect formation. Bone transport with ring external fixator (ExFix) is considered as a classical method. Authors analyzed and illustrated with three clinical cases their own results of application of different distraction osteogenesis technique. Conclusions. Different types of ExFix can be applied independently or in combination with internal fixators. The use of an intramedullar nail along which distraction osteogenesis is carried out allows to provide better control of the axis of the limb and transported fragment, reduce the residence time in the ExFix, and, moreover, external fixation devices with a simpler configuration can be used. Transport along the plate allows to maintain proper axial relationships in the presence of short periarticular fragments and improve the quality of fixation but it also increases the risks of FRI and re-operations.

Low back pain as a multidisciplinary problem

Low back pain as a multidisciplinary problem

Challenges facing traditional ecological knowledge in the Vhembe District Municipality in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Although TEK has been marginalised during colonial and apartheid era, over the past four decades, there has been a proliferation of research on TEK at local, regional and international levels. This is because, among other reasons, TEK provides multiple benefits to the bearers of such knowledge and contributes to the protection of the environment and ecosystem services. Despite this knowledge being important both for human and non-human environments, it faces several challenges among contemporary indigenous societies. Using the concept of power as a lens, this study aimed to investigate the challenges facing TEK using the Vhembe district in Limpopo Province (South Africa) as a case study. The study relied on semi-structured face-to-face interviews with local people. This method was found to be appropriate since it is flexible and allow for wide range of opinions that exceed the limits imposed by interview schedule. Key selected respondents included custodians of sacred sites, traditional leaders, bearers of TEK, educators, scholars dealing with TEK, curriculum experts, local pastors, and Christians. These respondents were selected using stratified purposeful sampling approach. A thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data obtained from the interviews. The study found that the cause of TEK system degradation is a complicated and multidisciplinary problem, including the compounding influences of dominant religions, formal education, new political dispensation, modernisation and advances in science and technology, as well as commercialisation. Recommendations for improving TEK management practices are drawn up based on these results.