Results Of Practical Use Research Articles

The performance of priority rules for the decentralized resource-constrained multi-project scheduling

Decentralized resource-constrained multi-project scheduling (DRCMPSP) is becoming increasingly common in construction, supply chains, and many other industrial disciplines. DRCMPSP faces difficult decisions in resolving resource conflicts to generate a baseline schedule to optimize global objectives. We propose an agent-based approach to address the DRCMPSP based on two global objectives: average project delay and total project delay. A heuristic based on the priority rule (PR) is developed to coordinate the global resource allocation. A comprehensive analysis of 30 PRs was conducted on 16,000 portfolios containing 48,000 projects . We confirmed that using the same PR to allocate global resources on all occasions often results in unnecessarily poor performance. The best PR depends on project and portfolio characteristics such as serial/parallel indicators, global resource distribution, and tightness. Moreover, the best PR differs from various perspectives (e.g., projects and portfolios). We summarized our results in three decision tables and further distilled these results for practical use, which only provide a rough estimate of the project and portfolio characteristics.

Genetic parameters, trends, and inbreeding in a honeybee breeding program for royal jelly production and behavioral traits

An economically sustainable production of royal jelly (RJ) requires the use of genetics specifically improved for this very demanding trait. The French Royal Jelly Association has developed since 2010 a selection plan for that purpose, based on a collective data recording system and the initial seedstock of five French beekeepers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of this collective breeding program, a decade after its concrete start. We considered three different genetic models to describe the phenotypes, hereafter named the Colony, Worker, and Queen Models. We showed that when the size and the structure of the dataset are insufficient to fit a Colony Model, fitting a Queen Model gives more understandable results for practical use of the estimated breeding values than the Worker Model. Regarding genetic parameters, we estimated moderate to high heritability values for all traits, regardless of the genetic model. Under a Queen Model, heritability estimates of RJ production were 0.19 ± 0.09 and 0.35 ± 0.13 for first and second harvests, respectively; the estimates were 0.76 ± 0.08, 0.29 ± 0.09, and 0.22 ± 0.08, respectively, for the calmness, gentleness, and spring development of the colony. We also proved that the breeding program is efficient, increasing the production at second harvest of 3.5% per year on average. Attention must, however, be paid to the evolution of inbreeding in this very small breeding population. Few genetic correlations were significantly different from zero between the traits, due to large standard errors of our estimates. It is, however, worth to note that the trends were generally favorable between all traits, which appears encouraging to improve production and behavioral traits jointly in the breeding program.

Excellence in sport performance. The Russian psychophysiological approach

The article reveals in detail more than 50 years of scientific and practical experience of Russian sports psychologists in the training of elite athletes members of national sports teams. The works of well-known scientists who were employees of the Saint-Petersburg Scientific-Research Institute for Physical Culture describe the sequence of development of the psychophysiological approach. A description of the psychophysiological methods developed at the Institute, their capabilities and results of practical use in the scientific and methodological support of sports training of elite athletes is given. Authors provide a scientific justification for the fact that the use of a psychophysiological approach, bases on I. Pavlov’s ideas, to determine current psychophysiological conditions and innate individual characteristics, including talents and giftedness, is an indispensable tool for a sports psychologist in the practice of training and developing the potential of athletes to achieve excellence in sport performance.

NEUROMARKETING IN THE SYSTEM OF ENTERPRISE MARKETING INNOVATION

The technologies of neuromarketing research and the results of practical use of psychology to study consumer behavior are considered. The directions and problems of neuromarketing use are determined. The expediency of using the results of consumer behavior research with the help of neuromarketing tools is substantiated. The subject of neuromarketing is the study of unconscious sensorimotor, cognitive and emotional reactions of a person to certain external stimuli (combinations of colors, sounds, smells, etc.). For their registration special equipment is used – electroencephalographs, magnetic resonance imaging, pupil monitoring systems, etc. Marketers focus on such spontaneous reactions of the body as heart rate, respiration, pupil movement, sweating. The main methods of neuromarketing research are instrumental and socio-psychological. Instrumental methods such as electroencephalography, magnetoencephalography and others are used to measure changes in the nervous and metabolic activity of consumers brains. The most common socio-psychological methods are the concept of ZMET, as well as the concept of kansei-engineering. Proper use of tools to influence consumers through visual, audio and aroma channels allows companies to increase sales, create and maintain customer loyalty.

Vector Overhauser magnetometer POS-4: experience and prospects of application

The results of practical use of a POS-4 vector magnetometer, developed by the Research Laboratory of Quantum Magnetometry, UrFU (Yekaterinburg) and based on POS Overhauser sensors, are presented. Continuous measurements by POS-4 have been carried out at the Paratunka observatory (IKIR FEB RAS, Kamchatka) since 2015, were done at the Saint Petersburg observatory (GC RAS / IZMIRAN SPb Branch, Leningrad Region) in 2017-2018 and have been performed at the Arti observatory (Institute of Geophysics, UB RAS, Sverdlovsk Region) since 2020. On the new high-latitude observatory White Sea (IAGA code WSE, GC RAS / MSU, Nikolai Pertsov White Sea Biological Station , Karelia), POS-4 is used as a main variometer for magnetic measurements. In April 2019, the magnetometer was successfully used for field measurements on ice during the TRANSARCTIC expedition in the Barents Sea (AARI, Roshydromet). At the beginning of 2021 IZMIRAN started testing two POS-4 magnetometers at the Moskow observatory. According to the results of field and observatory measurements it was possible to identify the advantages and disadvantages of the magnetometer and provide the information for its developers for further modernization in order to improve its efficiency and reliability. Many years of experience in POS-4 application determine the areas where its scientific and applied usage will provide important results, for example, for magnetic measurements in the Arctic regions or for monitoring of active zones around volcanoes.

Имитатор импульсных высоковольтных перенапряжений

The electrical circuit of a simulator of pulse high voltage overvoltages with an amplitude of up to 10 kV DC, which is intended for testing the stability of solid-state power converters to emergency conditions according to item 4.9.3.5 of State Standard GOST 33726-2016, is proposed. By using the developed simulator, a high voltage pulse with the required values of amplitude, duration, and rising and falling rates can be obtained. Analytical expressions are derived that describe, with sufficient accuracy, the transients in the electrical circuits of the proposed pulse high voltage overvoltage simulator, which is confirmed by computer simulation carried out in the MATLAB Simulink environment. Based on the obtained theoretical results, a mockup simulator for testing the stability of a high-voltage power converter to overvoltage of a given shape and amplitude has been developed. The results of practical use of the developed simulator on the example of testing the PSN110 U1 auxiliary converter are given. The article may be of interest to specialists who design equipment for carrying out overvoltage tests of solid-state high-voltage converters for both railway transport and industrial applications.

ОБГРУНТУВАННЯ ПРОПУСКНОЇ СПРОМОЖНОСТІ РЕГІОНАЛЬНИХ ЛАНДШАФТНИХ ПАРКІВ

Development of theoretical and methodological basis for analysis of economic efficiency of regional landscape parks based on determining the level of capacity in terms of taking into account the interests and requests of visitors, seasonality factors and environmental and economic characteristics of the protected area. The proposed scientific and methodological approach to substantiation of the capacity of the regional landscape park is designed to use the theory of statistics, the law of normal distribution of random variables, methods of analysis and synthesis, comparison, general and comparison. It is substantiated that the management of all protected areas has a positive effect on visitor issues, which provide growth sufficient for the financial stability of the economy, economic independence, self-sufficiency of RLP, and do not affect biodiversity in RLP. It is shown that the income of this enterprise is a justification for filling cash flows, which provides expanded reproduction of natural components of RLP in the territory, allows for self-financing measures to restore the natural resource potential of visitors in developing and implementing new services for tourist cars. It is concluded that in the aggregate the justification of the capacity becomes the basis for the development of strategic plans for the development of RLP and the strategy of socio-economic development of the region as a whole. The proposed author's methodology is based on seasonal factors, the level of demand for tourists and visitors in the consumption of services offered by the regional landscape park, the list of economic activities and the capacity of the protected area provide the maximum number of people visiting the park per unit time. Based on the results of practical use of the proposed methodology, the state and territorial economy can develop an effective strategy for socioeconomic development, increase the effectiveness of the current strategy and ensure the objectivity of management tools for planning and regulating economic activities of regional landscapes

Results of Practical Use of Fertilizers from Chicken Manure in Winter Wheat Cultivation

The article considers utilization of organic waste from poultry farming being an urgent problem of agriculture. Leaders of large poultry farms are interested in using low-cost recycling schemes aimed to process waste into safe products in a short time. This paper considers the possibility of using an organic fertilizer “Soil Improver (UP-1)” obtained by processing poultry waste by using a biologically active additive Mefosfon, which is a melamine salt of bis (oxymethyl) phosphinic acid. Field tests were carried out in 2019-2020 on the lands of OAO “Agrofirma “Ak Bars-Pestretsy” being the branch of the Poultry farm of the Pestrechinsky district of the Republic of Tatarstan. The object of the study was the recognized variety of soft winter wheat “Scepter” ES (elite variety). The rate of application of chicken compost and organic product UP-1 in the control and experimental plots was 56 tons per 1 ha. The experimental data show that wheat cultivated with the application of UP-1 compost was distinguished by higher rates of field germination (increased by 13 %); the length of secondary roots was 11.2 % greater compared to control. The grain produced in this variant had higher hardness (control – 62 %, UP-1 – 72 %) and the quality of crud gluten (74.0, 78.0 %, respectively), the yield of winter wheat grain – by 0.06–0.12 t/ha (1.2–2.5 %), which indicates the feasibility of using fertilizer from poultry manure in crops cultivation.

Geotechnical monitoring of mining facilities in the system for assessing and ensuring the quality of geomechanical solutions

Relevance of the research. Effective monitoring of mining facilities is an essential component of the quality assurance system for geomechanical solutions. Modern systems that regulate monitoring of mining facilities are characterized by good elaboration and efficiency, however, the systems do not provide for formalization of monitoring, which excludes the optimization of monitoring in money and kind Purpose of research. The main reason for this situation is the lack of methods to make a reasonable quantitative assessment of the quality of observations, the potential damage from the effects of deformations and to formalize criteria and models for monitoring optimization taking into account the quality of observations, significance and features of the objects. Research methods. Quality of observations - the initial objective assessment of the quality of monitoring as a whole is defined as the product of three probabilities of detecting predetermined threshold levels of the state of a mining facility: functions of accuracy, frequency of observations and the number of control points. Knowing the quality of observations allows us to move on to formalizing monitoring itself based on the relationship of monitoring reliability (probability of detecting a dangerous situation) with information costs, levels of geomechanical risk, and geomechanical significance (potential damage from the effects of deformations). The latter means that the damage assessment should reflect the negative consequences of mining and construction, including hazard levels for working personnel and the population in the area of the monitoring object. A quantitative pre-drilling estimate of the reliability or probability of detecting dangerous deformations is established in the final phase of monitoring the forecasting of specific conclusions based on observations made about the state of mining facilities and their future trends. Three classes of methods are involved in forecasting: extrapolation, modelling, and examination. In addition to the classical extrapolation techniques based on the theory of time series, new procedures have been developed: for groups of control stations, sequential forecasting under conditions of instability of forecast horizons, forecast horizon correction for planned lead periods, nonparametric forecasting with guarantee coefficients. The possibilities of physical modelling in the aspect of forecasting the consequences of mining reserves in the non-working side of an active quarry with a collapsing system are investigated. For mining structures with increased levels of responsibility (tailing dams, developed areas under development, etc.), the possibilities of combining numerical and simulation modelling with extrapolation forecasting are shown, starting from “preventive” monitoring with the transition to the project forecast in phases of latent and active deformations. The domestic expert system of the All-Russian Research Institute of Mining Geomechanics and Survey has been digitalized in combination with simulation modelling, which ensures the reliability of assessments of the status of horizontal and inclined workings and chambers. Results and their application. Methods for quantitative monitoring performance monitoring are implemented in 12 programs and 33 text files. Typical monitoring models are presented that demonstrate the effectiveness of the adopted approach. The correspondence and convergence of the forecasting results with the results of practical use are shown. Conclusions. Criteria and models for monitoring mining structures are formalized taking into account the quality of observations, the significance and characteristics of the observed objects. Formalization of monitoring with access to its optimization is an obligatory component of the system of assessments and ensuring the quality of geomechanical solutions and is of independent importance.

VIDEO DATA QUALITY IMPROVEMENT METHODS AND TOOLS DEVELOPMENT FOR MOBILE VISION SYSTEMS

Subject of study. The article proposes new methods of input and preliminary processing of video data for web- and specialized pi-cameras in monocular and stereo vision systems based on Raspberry Pi microcomputers to improve the quality of work of modern mobile vision systems. This approach is always relevant, since the design of modern vision systems constantly requires new non-trivial hardware, algorithmic and software solutions. Objectives. The goals are to compare quality indicators of the known methods of input and preliminary processing of video data in vision systems and to develop new methods and algorithms providing better speed, the necessary frame resolution and the independence of the frame brightness from changes in scene illumination while reading video data. Methods used. The paper formulates a comprehensive criterion for improving the quality of the Raspberry Pi microcomputer video input and preprocessing video data. Based on the accepted quality indicators (video input speed, resolution, and stability indicators of average brightness of the current frames of the received video stream), video input and preprocessing algorithms that satisfy the specified requirements are synthesized. This allows to find the optimal method for processing video data and to overcome the contradiction of reducing the input speed due to the need of increasing the resolution of video frames for each project. The created universal program for input and preliminary processing of these data allowed to obtain quantitative estimates of the effectiveness of the developed algorithms and formulate recommendations for their further use. All this allows you to significantly increase the efficiency of using Raspberry Pi microcomputers in modern mobile vision systems. The results obtained are the basis for the creation of a universal software product for high-speed input (in real time) and preliminary processing of video data for face detection and recognition systems, as well as stereo vision systems. Conclusions. The conducted experimental studies confirmed the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed methods and algorithms for high-speed input of video data with different values of the resolution of the frame and the ability to adaptively adjust its brightness. Based on the created methods and algorithms, various options for its software implementation are proposed. This allows us to recommend the results for practical use. Prospects for further research include the expansion of the vector of criteria for assessing quality and features for optimizing video data, as well as the creation of new algorithms and various versions of programs based on them.

Shot Blasting Process Schematization for Rollers Using Slip-Line Method

The considered theoretical analysis of the roughness parameters formation of the rolling face of the pinch pass mills, when they are indented with shot, allows to obtain more adequate and convenient theoretical results for use in practice. The formation of a rough layer on the rolling working surface of the pinch pass mill is determined by the impact and penetration of the shots into its surface. When this occurs, the elastic and plastic deformation of the roll materials and shot with the dimple formation and the displacement of a portion of the deformed roll material on the edges of this dimple takes place. The obtained results allow using the mathematical dependencies to control purposefully the process of shot blasting and correct it when texturing the working rolling faces of the pinch pass mills.

Информационная обработка данных динамики уровня речных вод при мониторинге устойчивости геотехнической системы

Introduction. During the operation of urban and rural geotechnical systems, the mechanical indicators of the stability of the soil base are significantly influenced by the regime and dynamics of the physicochemical properties of nearby water bodies, caused by the development of karst-suffusion processes. The results of information analysis of data on the dynamics of the river runoff level and water salinity make it possible to increase the accuracy of predictive estimates of the loss of stability of the geotechnical system due to the development of karst-suffusion processes. Goals and objectives. The aim of the work is to improve the safety of operation of geotechnical systems and increase the efficiency of modeling and forecasting systems for geodynamics by developing an algorithm for assessing changes in the risk of developing suffusion processes based on an analysis of the dynamics of the level of groundwater and surface waters. Methods. The paper analyzes the data on the number of karst sinkholes depending on the dynamics of the river water level, obtained on the basis of statistical sources and reports on regime observations, as well as a result of field research. In the course of data processing, a spline interpolation method was used, an algorithm and a neural network for predicting a failure using the Bayesian regularization method based on a network training function was developed, which updates the weight and bias of the value in accordance with the Levenberg-Marquardt optimization. Results and its discussion. Based on the results of practical use, the effectiveness of the developed algorithm was confirmed in identifying the dynamics of the formation of dips during information processing of data on changes in the water level in the Oka River and data on the appearance of new dips in the period from 2012 to 2019. Conclusion. The results obtained in the work make it possible to judge the presence of the expediency of using the developed algorithm for assessing the occurrence of karst sinkholes when monitoring the stability of geotechnical systems and assessing the safety of their operation in general. Prospects for further work are associated with expanding the set of training data and adapting the structure of the neural network to the individual characteristics of the territories by introducing additional geological, hydrological and climatic parameters into the processing. Key words: geotechnical system, stability, karst sinkhole, bifurcation parameters, information processing of data.

Модель модуля інтерфейсу користувача інформаційної web-системи

The paper considers the architectural template and methods of building a module for organizing the work of the window information web-system for the formation of medical certificates. To solve this problem, modern tools of web programming and software development are used: a module with the im-plementation of JavaScript objects – window manager and a class of window interactive interface, which allow the web application to function in the organization of cloud technologies. The software implementation is considered and the results of practical use of the developed module with objects and classes are given. The proposed architecture template of the module for the implementation of the man-ager and the functionality of the user window interface allowed to create a module of the information system for the organization of business logic when working with medical certificates. The modular ap-proach has had a positive effect on the sensitivity of the user interface and the ability to scale the func-tionality of the system itself in the implementation of cloud technologies. Due to the modular ap-proach, the rendering time of web-forms with the original data in most cases is very small compared to the time required by the browser to parse and display the entire database array, which has a positive ef-fect on the sensitivity of the user interface. The generation of web-forms is of great practical im-portance, because debugging in this software structure is a weak point for many frameworks. The re-sults of use showed that the mechanism of modular creation of the manager and the window interactive interface of web-forms not only organically fits into already existing technologies of construction of web-applications, but also has sufficient potential to become the core of cloud technologies of develop-ment of multiuser information systems and web- services.

New technique for producing items from TiC-(Ni-alloy) cermet for severe application conditions

A new technique for producing complex-shaped items from wear-resistant TiC-(Ni-alloy) cermets is described. Cermets are produced by infiltration of TiC-preforms with Ni-alloy, which combines the advantages of powder metallurgy and casting. A special vacuum induction furnace is designed to effectively implement the new technique, which enhances the production capacity and quality of a cermet item against other known technologies. The structure of new cermets is characterized by a uniform distribution of TiC grains in the Ni matrix. During infiltration, a considerable part of tungsten and some part of molybdenum migrate in TiC grains forming solid solution shells on them. The shell ensures the connection between TiC and Ni-alloy and high physical and mechanical properties of the cermet. The physical and mechanical properties of the TiC-(Ni-alloy) cermet at temperatures up to 1100 °С and the results of practical use of items from cermets in production are presented. The shop tests showed the increase of the durability of a cermet ball valve by more than 6 times as compared with conventional wedge valves.

An innovative co-rotational pointwise equilibrating polynomial element based on Timoshenko beam theory for second-order analysis

The pointwise equilibrating polynomial (PEP) beam-column element has been widely used in engineering applications since 1994 as it can accurately and efficiently account for second-order P-δ effect. However, the PEP element was derived from Euler–Bernoulli beam theory and therefore the transverse shear deformation cannot be considered. In this paper, the original PEP element is rederived based on Timoshenko beam theory. The shape function for lateral displacement field adopts a fifth-order polynomial and therefore the shear strain field along the element length could be theoretically assumed as a consistent, first or second-order polynomial. This paper comprehensively studies the influence of shear strain field in different forms. It is found that the new PEP element with quadric order shear strain field can provide the most accurate results for practical use. To enhance numerical efficiency, an innovative co-rotational algorithm for three-dimensional spatial frames allowing for large load step is also proposed for second-order analysis. Several examples demonstrate the high accuracy and efficiency of the proposed element allowing for shear deformation.

Краткий опыт создания и первые результаты практической съемки поверхности малогабаритной РЛС с синтезированием апертуры антенны с борта мультикоптера.

Краткий опыт создания и первые результаты практической съемки поверхности малогабаритной РЛС с синтезированием апертуры антенны с борта мультикоптера.

Молочнокислые бактерии рода Lactobacillus в формировании вкусоароматического профиля кислых элей

Sour ales have become widely spread in Europe since XVII century. These drinks are still popular in Germany, Belgium, England and other European countries. Interest in sour ales has been growing steadily in Russia. The purpose of this work was to systematize and generalize scientific data and the results of practical use of lactic acid bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus in sour ales production technology and in the formation of the ready beverage flavor profile. The subjects of the research were biochemical and biotechnological properties of lactic acid bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus frequently used in sour ales production, namely, L. delbrueckii, L. brevis, L. buchneri, L. fermentum, L. plantarum. The results of studying sour ales composition by means of gas chromatography, solid phase microextraction, liquid chromatography, and mass spectroscopy show that they have complex compositions. Thus, sour ales of Lambic and Gueuze groups have 64 volatile compounds. Taste and aroma of sour ales are mostly formed by the most important components synthesized during lactic-acid fermentation. They are higher alcohols, complex esters, organic acids, dimethyl sulfide and diacetyl. Concentration of these components is mainly determined by the type of lactic acid bacteria. The article generalizes and systematizes scientific data concerning biochemical and biotechnological properties of different types of lactic acid bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus used for sour ale production. The article reveals concentrations of the main products and by-products synthesized by the given types of lactic acid bacteria during fermentation. The author points out corresponding taste and aroma sensations according to terminology used in European Brewing Convention (EBC).

Capsule network for protein post-translational modification site prediction.

Computational methods for protein post-translational modification (PTM) site prediction provide a useful approach for studying protein functions. The prediction accuracy of the existing methods has significant room for improvement. A recent deep-learning architecture, Capsule Network (CapsNet), which can characterize the internal hierarchical representation of input data, presents a great opportunity to solve this problem, especially using small training data. We proposed a CapsNet for predicting protein PTM sites, including phosphorylation, N-linked glycosylation, N6-acetyllysine, methyl-arginine, S-palmitoyl-cysteine, pyrrolidone-carboxylic-acid and SUMOylation sites. The CapsNet outperformed the baseline convolutional neural network architecture MusiteDeep and other well-known tools in most cases and provided promising results for practical use, especially in learning from small training data. The capsule length also gives an accurate estimate for the confidence of the PTM prediction. We further demonstrated that the internal capsule features could be trained as a motif detector of phosphorylation sites when no kinase-specific phosphorylation labels were provided. In addition, CapsNet generates robust representations that have strong discriminant power in distinguishing kinase substrates from different kinase families. Our study sheds some light on the recognition mechanism of PTMs and applications of CapsNet on other bioinformatic problems. The codes are free to download from https://github.com/duolinwang/CapsNet_PTM. Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Attributes determining consumer preference for organic rice in Bangkok, Thailand

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore key attributes of organic rice that consumers use in the process of choosing organic rice, and to segment organic rice market in Bangkok. Moreover, the study tends to identify the best clustering techniques, between latent class cluster analysis (LCCA) and traditional cluster analysis (CA), for precise segmentation. Design/methodology/approach Best–worst scaling (BWS) method was applied to measure the level of relative importance of organic rice attributes. Then, LCCA and CA techniques were applied to recognize market segmentation. Finally, homogeneity and heterogeneity of the resulting clusters were determined to compare performance of the two clustering techniques. Findings The LCCA technique was identified better than the CA in classification of consumers. According to LCCA solution, the organic rice market in Bangkok (Thailand) consisted of six distinct clusters, which can be grouped into three categories based on consumers’ profile. Organic rice consumer categories were identified as “Art of eating” and “Superior quality seeker” clusters focusing on special features and quality of the organic rice; consumer category “Basic concern” cluster heavily relied on organic certification logo and manufacturing information; and other consumer categories were “Price driven,” “Eyes on price” and “Thorough explorer” clusters. Originality/value This study first applies BWS score to examine consumers’ preference for organic rice attributes and segments market, providing results for practical use for retailers, producers and marketers.

Experimental Assessment of a Methodology for the Indirect in-Cylinder Pressure Evaluation in Four-Stroke Internal Combustion Engines

Recent innovations in engine control and diagnostics are providing room for development of innovative combustion approaches (e.g., low-temperature combustion) able to minimize the creation of pollutants. To ensure the constant fulfillment of the prescribed thermodynamic conditions, however, a fast real-time monitoring of the in-cylinder pressure is needed. To this end, dynamic pressure sensors, flush-mounted on the cylinder head, are commonly used. With this approach, the measurement accuracy is high, but the durability is limited by the harsh working conditions. The installation on the cylinder head is also complex. The development of robust and effective indirect measurement systems could then represent the enabler of a further development of this technology. In the present study, an innovative methodology to measure the in-cylinder pressure has been conceived and extensively tested on a four-stroke single-cylinder engine. The proposed approach is based on the analysis of the mechanical stress on the engine studs by means of a piezoelectric strain washer. This solution allows the user for a rapid and cost-effective sensor installation, described in the paper along with the signal post-processing techniques. Results showed good accuracy and robustness of the methodology, making the results of practical use for engine control.