Original Application Research Articles

An integrated steering approach to improve a phosphate supply chain efficiency

ABSTRACT This paper presents and illustrates an original application of the redesign in the real context of a mining supply chain producing phosphate rock. One of the major challenges is to successfully produce the final products required by the customers, from raw materials whose chemical composition and availability depend on the extraction program and method. Redesign of the mining supply chain consists of considering the impact of extraction, processing, and blending stages in achieving target objectives. The proposed approach, based on a mixed integer linear programming model, allows moving from fixed production flows to dynamic ones by adopting a flexible and reactive management mode that fully satisfies customer requirements at minimum production costs. Numerical results obtained using real data, corresponding to the infrastructure and order books, illustrate (i) the flexibility, quality, and horizontal alignment ensured by our approach and (ii) the impact of the extraction method on the ability of the SC to fulfil the orders book with more efficiency.

An augmented hybrid multibaseline and referenceless MR thermometry motion compensation algorithm for MRgHIFU hyperthermia.

A hybrid principal component analysis and projection onto dipole fields (PCA-PDF) MR thermometry motion compensation algorithm was optimized with atlas image augmentation and validated. Experiments were conducted on a 3T Philips MRI and Profound V1 Sonalleve high intensity focused ultrasound (high intensity focused ultrasound system. An MR-compatible robot was configured to induce motion on custom gelatin phantoms. Trials with periodic and sporadic motion were introduced on phantoms while hyperthermia was administered. The PCA-PDF algorithm was augmented with a predictive atlas to better compensate for larger sporadic motion. During periodic motion, the temperature SD in the thermometry was improved from to C with both the original and augmented PCA-PDF application. For large sporadic motion, the augmented atlas improved the motion compensation from the original PCA-PDF correction from to C. The PCA-PDF algorithm improved temperature accuracy to <1°C during periodic motion, but was not able to adequately address sporadic motion. By augmenting the PCA-PDF algorithm, temperature SD during large sporadic motion was also reduced to <1°C, greatly improving the original PCA-PDF algorithm.

The Tour Guides Support Application Designed for Tour Participants

The tourism market has seen a steady increase in the number of travelers. A significant part of tourist travels are group trips organized by tour operator. The person responsible for implementing the trip on behalf of the tour operator is the tour leader. The article presents the use of a new original application that allows efficient management of a tourist group by a tour guide using a cell phone. It enables real-time communication at a distance between the tour guide and the participants, helps determine the location of the tourists and the tour leader by means of GPS, and allows to keep participants informed of changes during the program of the event.

Exploring Dress, Gender, and Bodily Capital through Pre- and Protohistoric Funerary Contexts: Case Studies from Southwestern Europe

While uneven in their scope and reach, studies of dress and dress complements (fibulae, belt buckles, buttons, etc.) have a significant tradition within the broader study of the pre- and protohistory of Mediterranean Europe. Many of these studies, however, have had a strong focus on the typology of the dress complements and ornaments themselves, either as chronological indicators, ethnic markers, or both. In more recent years, however, a shift in research agendas has ushered in the introduction of new perspectives and new ways of thinking about dress and bodily adornment. This contribution explores one such perspective in particular — namely, the concept of bodily capital and its application to the interpretation of gendered regimes of dress — through selected case studies. Said case studies hail from two areas with strong traditions of research on dress and dress complements — the Iberian and the Italic Peninsulas (Figs. 1 &amp; 2). Regarding the former, examples from the Chalcolithic (see below, section 3.1.1) and the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages of Southern Portugal (section 3.1.2) illustrate the evolution of regional regimes for the accumulation of bodily capital over time and show how these can highlight the gendered dynamics behind the sociopolitical development of communities in this area between the 3rd and the 1st millennia BC. For the latter, the examples of protohistoric Campania, with a focus on Pontecagnano and its surrounding area (section 3.2.1), and the Archaic Period in the Picenum, with a focus on the site of Numana (section 3.2.2), illustrate the role of dress, and especially female dress, in displays of bodily capital. These have far-reaching implications which go beyond the local and regional scale and must be set against the backdrop of the increasing connectivity of Mediterranean communities throughout the 1st millennium BC. As will be seen, all these case studies offer insights and clues on how to approach dress and its relationship to both embodied identities and lived experiences of gender (but also status) from different and innovative angles. Before delving into them, however, it seems useful to start by briefly reviewing the development of theoretical and methodological approaches to dress in archaeological research, and to set out the conceptual framework of this study by briefly discussing the notion of bodily capital, its origin and potential applications for the topic at hand.

On a vector boson model realization of the proxy-SU(3) symmetry

We test the capability of highest-weight (h.w.) irreducible representations (irreps) (λ, µ)hw determined in the model scheme with proxy SU(3) symmetry to describe groundand γ- collective bands and transition rates in heavy even-even nuclei when applied within the vector boson model (VBM) with broken SU(3) symmetry. We find that for nuclei with closely disposed groundand γ-band energy levels the obtained root-mean square (RMS) deviations between theory and experiment exceed those obtained in the original VBM application in which the (λ, µ) free values are freely adjusted to data. In nuclei with a large ground-γ energy distance we find that the quality of the (λ, µ)hw description coincides with that obtained by (λ, µ) free. This preliminary result suggests that the proxy SU(3) symmetry may be realized in terms of the algebraic VBM.

Utilization of time-driven activity-based costing and process simulation in cost management of organization

The deployment of information and communication technologies in organizations is on the rise. Many organizations consider the application of technologies to be a crucial key to improve their processes. However, traditional costing systems are not suitable for cost estimation of business processes due to the use of volume-based cost drivers, which are often not adequate for the structure of today’s organizations. In this research, we present an overview of how the TDABC (time-driven activity-based costing) model can be combined with process mining and business process simulation for cost estimation of such processes. The objective of this paper is to use the cost dimension as a major attribute for the potential implementation of robotic process automation (RPA) in companies. However, information and communication technologies could be considered in general. We demonstrate our approach in a case study that takes advantage of a real-life event log containing transactional data representing the loan application process in an insurance company. The event log is analyzed and processed using process mining techniques. Based on the preprocessing, a simulation model representing the original loan application process is designed. The designed simulation model is then used for simulation of partial and full implementation of RPA through separate scenarios. Then, we add the cost dimension to the simulation by enriching the event log with cost data based on a formalized cost model. We show that even though partial implementation of RPA might not deliver significant increase in efficiency in the process, it might still represent significant cost savings.

Extracellular vesicles for cancer therapy: potential, progress, and clinical challenges.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play an important role in normal life activities and disease treatment. In recent years, there have been abundant relevant studies focusing on EVs for cancer therapy and showing good performance on tumor inhibition. To enhance the effectiveness of EVs, EV analogs have been developed. This review summarizes the classification, origin, production, purification, modification, drug loading and cancer treatment applications of EVs and their analogs. Also, the characteristics of technologies involved are analyzed, which provides the basis for the development and application of biogenic vesicle-based drug delivery platform for cancer therapy. Meanwhile, challenges in translating these vesicles into clinic, such as limited sources, lack of production standards, and insufficient targeting and effectiveness are discussed. With ongoing exploration and clinical studies, EV-based drugs will make great contributions to cancer therapy.

Assessment of genetically modified maize MON 810 for renewal authorisation under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (dossier GMFF-2022-9450).

Following the submission of dossier GMFF-2022-9450 under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 from Bayer Agriculture BV, the Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms of the European Food Safety Authority was asked to deliver a scientific risk assessment on the data submitted in the context of the renewal of authorisation application for the insect protected genetically modified maize MON 810, for food and feed uses (including pollen), excluding cultivation within the European Union. The data received in the context of this renewal application contained post-market environmental monitoring reports, an evaluation of the literature retrieved by a scoping review, additional studies performed by or on behalf of the applicant and updated bioinformatics analyses. The GMO Panel assessed these data for possible new hazards, modified exposure or new scientific uncertainties identified during the authorisation period and not previously assessed in the context of the original application. Under the assumption that the DNA sequence of the event in maize MON 810 considered for renewal is identical to the sequence of the originally assessed event, the GMO Panel concludes that there is no evidence in dossier GMFF-2022-9450 for new hazards, modified exposure or scientific uncertainties that would change the conclusions of the original risk assessment on maize MON 810.

Future Paths in Cryogenic Single-Molecule Fluorescence Spectroscopy.

In the last three decades, cryogenic single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy has provided average-free understanding of the photophysics and of fundamental interactions at molecular scales. Furthermore, they propose original pathways and applications in the treatment and storage of quantum information. The ultranarrow lifetime-limited zero-phonon line acts as an excellent sensor to local perturbations caused either by intrinsic dynamical degrees of freedom, or by external perturbations, such as those caused by electric fields, elastic and acoustic deformations, or light-induced dynamics. Single aromatic hydrocarbon molecules, being sensitive to nanoscale probing at nanometer scales, are potential miniaturized platforms for integrated quantum photonics. In this Perspective, we look back at some of the past advances in cryogenic optical microscopy and propose some perspectives for future development.

Electromagnetism-like mechanism algorithm for hybrid flow-shop scheduling problems

&lt;span&gt;Given the interest and complexity, of the hybrid flow shops (HFS) problem in industry, he has been extensively considered, the HFS, is a complex combinatorial problem supported in many original world applications. We consider a hybrid flow shop FH4(P3, P2)||C&lt;sub&gt;max&lt;/sub&gt; to applied in this paper. In this papers we attempt to optimize the makespan which refers to the last task completion time by an adequate meta-heuristic algorithm based on electromagnetism mechanism (EM). We also present analysis on the performance of the EM-algorithm adapted to HFS scheduling problems. The electromagnetism-like mechanism method gave us efficient and fair results comparing to particle swarm and genetic algorithm.&lt;/span&gt;

Geopolymers: Advanced Materials in Medicine, Energy, Anticorrosion and Environmental Protection

The initial predictions of the importance of geopolymers primarily assumed use mainly in the construction sector. However, as research progresses, it is becoming clear that these versatile materials demonstrate the ability to greatly exceed their original applications, as characterized in detail in this review article. To the best of our knowledge, there is no literature review concerning geopolymer materials that compiles the diverse applications of these versatile materials. This paper focuses on geopolymer applications beyond the construction industry. The surprising application potential of geopolymers in medicine has become a topic of particular interest. Therefore, considerable attention in this paper is devoted to characterizing the utility of these materials in tissue engineering, dentistry and drug delivery systems. Geopolymers not only have exceptional heat resistance and compressive strength, making them durable and resistant to manipulation (over five times less drug released from the geopolymer carrier compared to the commercial formulation), but also provide a robust solution for extended-release drug delivery systems, especially in opioid formulations. Their chemical stability, porous structure and ability to maintain structure after repeated regeneration processes speak to their potential in water treatment. Geopolymers, which excel in the energy industry as refractory materials due to their resistance to high temperatures and refractory properties, also present potential in thermal insulation and energy storage. It was demonstrated that geopolymer-based systems may even be 35% cheaper than conventional ones and show 70% lower thermal conductivity. In terms of protection against microorganisms, the possibility of modifying geopolymers with antimicrobial additives shows their adaptability, maintaining their effectiveness even under high-temperature conditions. Research into their use as anticorrosion materials is targeting corrosion-resistant coatings, with geopolymers containing graphene oxide showing particularly promising results. The multitude of potential applications for geopolymers in a variety of fields reflects their enormous potential. As research progresses, the scope of their possibilities continues to expand, offering innovative solutions to pressing global challenges.

Using longitudinal qualitative research to explore the experience of receiving and using augmentative and alternative communication.

People who have communication difficulties may benefit from using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Understanding and measuring outcomes from the use of AAC is an important part of evaluating the impact of devices and services. Outcome measurement needs to reflect the changing nature of the impact of using AAC on an individual's ability to participate in activities of daily life. There is a limited understanding of the concepts that should inform the evaluation of outcomes from AAC device provision, nor how people's expectations from AAC may change over time. To inform the development of a patient-reported outcome measure for AAC by understanding more about people's expectations from AAC and how these change over time. A longitudinal qualitative research study was designed and carried out with seven participants over a period of 2 years. Participants were recruited from a regional specialist assessment service for AAC in the south-west of the UK. Four semi-structured interviews were carried out: (1) before assessment for AAC, (2) after assessment, (3) directly after provision of an AAC device and (4) between 6 and 12 months after provision. An original analytic method was used in this study that built on the principles of longitudinal interpretative phenomenology analysis, applied with a dialogic theoretical lens. This approach enabled the inclusion of a range of multimodal and embodied data collected to this study and allowed the research team to draw out salient themes across the cohort group while attending to the influence of time and context on experience. The results confirm and extend the three core concepts that were used to guide analysis: changes; contexts; future possibilities. The contextual and temporal influences on outcomes attainable from AAC for this cohort were also identified and illustrated through cross-case comparison. Deeper, analytic, and conceptual engagement with theory, which was then applied to analysis of the data, provided methodological rigour in the study. The results enhance our understanding of people's hopes and expectations from AAC and how these change over time. This qualitative longitudinal research study provides new insights into the journeys of people who experience communication disability, and the shifting nature of their sense of identity as they engage with, and learn from using, AAC. The study is significant as it attends to the dynamic nature of experience and how contextual and experiential factors influence people's hopes and expectations from AAC. The paper presents an original application of longitudinal qualitative research methodology with people who use AAC which can be further applied and tested in the field of communication disability research. What is already known on this subject We did not know the impact that time has on the concepts that have been identified to represent important outcomes from AAC. The existing concepts used to define outcomes from AAC were not adequately conceptualized to develop a patient-reported outcome measure. This study sought to extend our knowledge about outcomes from AAC. What this paper adds to the existing knowledge This study adds to the methodological toolkit available for qualitative inquiry in the field of communication disability research by presenting a longitudinal qualitative research methodology. It adds depth to our understanding of the concepts that underpin outcomes from AAC and highlights the dynamic nature of contexts and how this influences desired outcomes. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? This longitudinal qualitative research study provides a broader perspective on the experience of getting AAC. It will enable clinicians to better navigate the contextual and transitionary factors that influence people's experience of acquiring AAC devices. The enhanced concepts described will also support clinical conversations that consider the wider facets of communication and what AAC can add to existing communicative tool kits beyond getting a message across.

Sb-Doped Cs3 TbCl6 Nanocrystals for Highly Efficient Narrow-Band Green Emission and X-Ray Imaging.

Metal halide nanocrystals (NCs) with high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) are desirable for lighting, display, and X-ray detection. Herein, the novel lanthanide-based halide NCs are committed to designing and optimizing the optical and scintillating properties, so as to unravel the PL origin, exciton dynamics, and optoelectronic applications. Sb-doped zero-dimensional (0D) Cs3 TbCl6 NCs exhibit a green emission with a narrow full width of half maximum of 8.6nm, and the best PLQY of 48.1% is about three times higher than that of undoped NCs. Experiments and theoretical calculations indicate that 0D crystalline and electronic structures make the exciton highly localized on [TbCl6 ]3- octahedron, which boosts the Cl- -Tb3+ charge transfer process, thus resulting in bright Tb3+ emission. More importantly, the introduction of Sb3+ not only facilitates the photon absorption transition, but also builds an effective thermally boosting energy transfer channel assisted by [SbCl6 ]3- -induced self-trapped state, which is responsible for the PL enhancement. The high luminescence efficiency and negligible self-absorption of the Cs3 TbCl6 : Sb nanoscintillator enable a more sensitive X-ray detection response compared with undoped sample. The study opens a new perspective to deeply understand the excited state dynamics of metal halide NCs, which helps to design high-performance luminescent lanthanide-based nanomaterials.

Characterization of the US Food and Drug Administration Post-Marketing Commitments and Requirements for Pregnancy and Lactation.

Enactment of the US Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act (FDAAA) in 2007 and the Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule (PLLR) in 2015 are important milestones giving the FDA the authority to request studies in pregnant and lactating women. Our objective was to characterize trends of pregnancy and lactation-related postmarketing commitments (PMCs) and postmarketing requirements (PMRs) for new molecular entities approved by the FDA between 2000 and 2022. Approval letters of original New Drug Applications (NDAs, N = 488) for new molecular entities were obtained from the FDA website. NDAs with pregnancy and lactation-based PMCs/PMRs were identified, and data extracted. Data included: PMC/PMR timelines and attributes of requested study(ies) (type, design elements, and outcomes) when available. Fifty-nine NDAs included 92 PMCs/PMRs related to pregnancy and lactation. Forty-one NDAs had pregnancy-related PMRs/PMCs, 4 had lactation-related PMRs, and 14 had both. Most PMRs/PMCs were for nervous system medications (N = 33). Forty-seven NDAs specified safety data collection in infants in at least the first year of life. All pregnancy-related PMRs were issued after 2008, most PMCs (N = 8) were issued before 2008. Only one PMC requested a pharmacokinetic study in pregnant women. All lactation-related PMRs (N = 18) requested measurement of drug concentrations in breast milk with one also requiring measurement of maternal blood concentrations. Eighty-nine percent of lactation-related PMRs were requested after 2015. There was a steady increase in pregnancy and lactation-related PMRs following enactment of FDAAA and PLLR. Additions involved information collection pertaining to safety of the medication in pregnant and lactating women and children exposed to medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Testing a frailty prevention program for older men during COVID-19: A 2-year mixed-methods pilot study.

Frailty is a syndrome related to declining functioning attributed to aging. As a reversible, often improved condition, preventive measures for frailty can be effective. This study aimed to evaluate a frailty prevention program for older men comprising face-to-face meetings and an original social mobile application. We also examined the effect of COVID-19-associated social isolation on the implementation of this program. We conducted a mixed-methods pilot study featuring a single group before and after comparison of 11 man participants, ≥65 years, living in Japanese cities with a spouse or relatives. Program outcome measures included frailty, loneliness, grip strength, step count and mental health status. Process evaluation considered the experience of participants through a semi-structured interview. The intervention period included an interval of self-isolation owing to the spread of COVID-19. Among the outcomes, grip strength decreased after intervention. No significant negative changes were observed in other items. Themes emerging from participant experiences with the program included 'Cooperation with researchers and contributing to research', 'Greater awareness of health', 'Interest in and experience of "newness"', 'Hesitation over active engagement', 'Casual ties with members' and 'Relationships that do not breach personal boundaries'. Although the COVID-19 pandemic overlapped with the intervention, participants maintained their mental health. The program was a novel, stimulating experience for older men and demonstrated the usefulness of information and communication technology in supporting their social activities. As a community health nursing initiative for older people, we propose activities that combine group and online support. Frailty prevention programs for older men must contain content that stimulates their interests, such as 'health' and 'newness'.

Connectivity of Urban Spaces Typology and Urban Mobility Topology

In the study, the connectivity of the ontological and epistemological knowledge of the space in intervening in urban transportation and mobility problems is questioned through the sample area. The purpose of the questioning; is to understand whether potential urban mobility analysis and original application principles can be obtained by trying to reflect the epistemological knowledge of the space to the ontological knowledge. Urban mobility studies; it is seen as sustainable and up-to-date approaches that are handled with original preparation, plan, implementation and monitoring processes, that bring together land use regulations, development plans and transportation plans in the solution of urban transportation problems, and combine spatial and other relational dimensions that develop accordingly. As a result of the inquiry, it was determined that the connectivity between epistemological and ontological knowledge of the space effectively solved urban transportation and mobility problems. It has been seen that it is effective in directing planning and design, especially in urban mobility planning, at the lower scale, during plan implementations, or before plan making. The first stage of the study consists of understanding the ontological and epistemological layers of urban space. In the second stage, the connectivities of these layers in intervening in urban transportation and mobility problems are examined. In the study, while producing urban mobility resolutions, improvements were made to the ontological and epistemological layers of the space (topographic, typological, topological, and hodological), and these were tested on the sample area. Thus, it will be understood whether the method to be followed will be valid in other cities.

Android Malware Detection Approach Using Stacked AutoEncoder and Convolutional Neural Networks

In the past decade, Android has become a standard smartphone operating system. The mobile devices running on the Android operating system are particularly interesting to malware developers, as the users often keep personal information on their mobile devices. This paper proposes a deep learning model for mobile malware detection and classification. It is based on SAE for reducing the data dimensionality. Then, a CNN is utilized to detect and classify malware apps in Android devices through binary visualization. Tests were carried out with an original Android application (Drebin-215) dataset consisting of 15,036 applications. The conducted experiments prove that the classification performance achieves high accuracy of about 98.50%. Other performance measures used in the study are precision, recall, and F1-score. Finally, the accuracy and results of these techniques are analyzed by comparing the effectiveness with previous works.

Distinguishing the Dimensions of Learning Spaces: A Systematic Literature Review

Nowadays, public and private organisations appear increasingly committed to fostering the skills necessary to deal with the challenges of the current scenario. From this perspective, public and private organisations are developing new spaces for learning. The notion of learning space draws its origin and main application in educational institutions. However, it constitutes a distinctive concept for all the organisational contexts in which the creation and management of knowledge and learning dynamics are enabling factors that support innovation and growth dynamics. Although several studies have already discussed the features characterising a learning space or a learning environment, the literature is fragmented and does not provide a comprehensive, fresh view of the learning space, its components, or its impact on learning processes and knowledge dynamics. This is particularly true in management literature. The research results synthesise data and knowledge gathered from the systematic literature review, providing researchers and practitioners with an integrative picture of the definitions of "learning space" and "learning environment" in the management literature and producing a descriptive framework that highlights the relevant dimensions that influence learning processes and knowledge dynamics.

Organosilicon-Based Carbon Dots and Their Versatile Applications.

Carbon dots (CDs) are a newly discovered type of fluorescent material that has gained significant attention due to their exceptional optical properties, biocompatibility, and other remarkable characteristics. However, single CDs have some drawbacks such as self-quenching, low quantum yield (QY), and poor stability. To address these issues, researchers have turned to organosilicon, which is known for its green, economical, and abundant properties. Organosilicon is widely used in various fields including optics, electronics, and biology. By utilizing organosilicon as a synthetic precursor, the biocompatibility, QY, and resistance to self-quenching of CDs can be improved. Meanwhile, the combination of organosilicon with CDs enables the functionalization of CDs, which significantly expands their original application scenarios. This paper comprehensively analyzes organosilicon in two main categories: precursors for CD synthesis and matrix materials for compounding with CDs. The role of organosilicon in these categories is thoroughly reviewed. In addition, the paper presents various applications of organosilicon compounded CDs, including detection and sensing, anti-counterfeiting, optoelectronic applications, and biological applications. Finally, the paper briefly discusses current development challenges and future directions in the field.

Extension of an Existing VR Memory Training with Haptic Impressions due to a Haptic Vest

Abstract Cognitive performance is an important aspect of life. Not only does thinking enable us to act, there is also an interaction between cognitive performance and mental health. It is therefore increasingly important to train and practice one’s cognitive abilities and benefit from brain plasticity. According to Vester’s model of learning types visual, auditiv and haptic impression are imporant for learning. An existing memory training application, which transfers the concept of the game Pairs with personal memories into virtual reality (VR), has now been supplemented with a haptic impression. The original application already establishes the visual and auditory perception channels. With new haptic hardware constantly appearing on the market, the Tactsuit X40 haptic vest from bhaptics has now made it possible to include a third perceptual channel with a wide variation of haptic sensations on various parts of the upper body. Each playing card is associated with an individual image, a piece of music and a vibration pattern. All of which are designed to help the user remember the position of the card. Each of these aspects can be freely enabled and disabled. The result of this work is an application which aims to find if and how strongly haptic impressions influence memory performance. By taking more types of learning into account, we hope to achieve a better memory training. A study has been designed to evaluate the specific aspects of the application and is currently being carried out. In addition to the self-generated haptic patterns, it is also possible to generate haptic impulses based on audio sources. These could possibly provide further support in this application.