Software Design Research Articles

User experience of and satisfaction with computer-aided design software when designing dental prostheses: A multicenter survey study.

The current study aimed to compare the responses and satisfaction reported by users with varying levels of experience when using different types of computer-aided design (CAD) software programs to design crowns. A questionnaire was used to evaluate user responses to five domains (software visibility, 3Dscanned data preparation, crown design and adjustment, finish line registration, and overall experience) of various CAD software programs. The study included 50 undergraduate dental students (inexperienced group) and 50 dentists or dental technicians from two hospitals (experienced group). The participants used four different CAD software programs (Meshmixer, Exocad, BlueSkyPlan, and Dentbird) to design crowns and recorded the features using the questionnaire. Statistical analyses included one-way and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests to compare scores and verify the interaction between user response and experience. User evaluation scores in the domains of software visibility and 3D-scanned data preparation varied between software programs (P < 0.001), with Exocad being favored by the experienced group. When evaluating crown design and finish line registration, Dentbird and Exocad scored significantly higher than the other software in both groups as they offered automation of the process using deep learning (P < 0.001). Two-way ANOVA showed that prior experience of using CAD significantly affected the users' responses to all queries (P < 0.001). User response and satisfaction varied with the type of CAD software used to design dental prostheses, with prior experience of using CAD playing a significant role. Automation of design functions can enhance user satisfaction with the software.

Research on the interactive design of intelligent assisted speech software

Nowadays, people need to make all kinds of speeches and presentations, both at school and at work. With the continuous development of science and technology, there is a lot of software on the market to assist people in making speeches. The aim of this article is to introduce the conception of a new type of presentation aid software and to analyse the development process of such software. Users from different backgrounds have evaluated the existing speech assistance software on the market, and this evaluation information will be based on the user reviews on the official website of the software download. Through the requirement analysis, the main problems and demands faced by the users in the presentation process will be identified. The software will be analysed and researched in terms of its design purpose, interface design, core functions, user experience and other aspects. The research conducted in this thesis provides users with new presentation assistance software that enables them to make more confident and smooth presentations. At the same time, this research provides useful references and discussions for the design and development of intelligent aids.

Machine Learning-Based Methods for Code Smell Detection: A Survey

Code smells are early warning signs of potential issues in software quality. Various techniques are used in code smell detection, including the Bayesian approach, rule-based automatic antipattern detection, antipattern identification utilizing B-splines, Support Vector Machine direct, SMURF (Support Vector Machines for design smell detection using relevant feedback), and immune-based detection strategy. Machine learning (ML) has taken a great stride in this area. This study includes relevant studies applying ML algorithms from 2005 to 2024 in a comprehensive manner for the survey to provide insight regarding code smell, ML algorithms frequently applied, and software metrics. Forty-two pertinent studies allow us to assess the efficacy of ML algorithms on selected datasets. After evaluating various studies based on open-source and project datasets, this study evaluated additional threats and obstacles to code smell detection, such as the lack of standardized code smell definitions, the difficulty of feature selection, and the challenges of handling large-scale datasets. The current studies only considered a few factors in identifying code smells, while in this study, several potential contributing factors to code smells are included. Several ML algorithms are examined, and various approaches, datasets, dataset languages, and software metrics are presented. This study provides the potential of ML algorithms to produce better results and fills a gap in the body of knowledge by providing class-wise distributions of the ML algorithms. Support Vector Machine, J48, Naive Bayes, and Random Forest models are the most common for detecting code smells. Researchers can find this study helpful in better anticipating and taking care of software development design and implementation issues. The findings from this study, which highlight the practical implications of ML algorithms in software quality improvement, will help software engineers fix problems during software design and development to ensure software quality.

Deep learning and explainable artificial intelligence for investigating dental professionals' satisfaction with CAD software performance.

This study aimed to examine the satisfaction of dental professionals, including dental students, dentists, and dental technicians, with computer-aided design (CAD) software performance using deep learning (DL) and explainable artificial intelligence (XAI)-based behavioral analysis concepts. This study involved 436 dental professionals with diverse CAD experiences to assess their satisfaction with various dental CAD software programs. Through exploratory factor analysis, latent factors affecting user satisfaction were extracted from the observed variables. A multilayer perceptron artificial neural network (MLP-ANN) model was developed along with permutation feature importance analysis (PFIA) and the Shapley additive explanation (Shapley) method to gain XAI-based insights into individual factors' significance and contributions. The MLP-ANN model outperformed a standard logistic linear regression model, demonstrating high accuracy (95%), precision (84%), and recall rates (84%) in capturing complex psychological problems related to human attitudes. PFIA revealed that design adjustability was the most important factor impacting dental CAD software users' satisfaction. XAI analysis highlighted the positive impacts of features supporting the finish line and crown design, while the number of design steps and installation time had negative impacts. Notably, finish-line design-related features and the number of design steps emerged as the most significant factors. This study sheds light on the factors influencing dental professionals' decisions in using and selecting CAD software. This approach can serve as a proof-of-concept for applying DL-XAI-based behavioral analysis in dentistry and medicine, facilitating informed software selection and development.

Optimizing methane plasma pyrolysis for instant hydrogen and high-quality carbon production

The European Green Deal has set a target for Europe to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, necessitating a transition to more sustainable energy sources. Hydrogen gas (H2) has emerged as a promising solution, with methane pyrolysis presenting a viable method for its production. This study explores the optimization of methane plasma pyrolysis for hydrogen and high-quality carbon production. Employing a statistical approach by a design of experiment software, critical process parameters are systematically analyzed to predict their impact within a defined range. Additionally, the paper conducts comprehensive characterization of the solid carbon produced during pyrolysis using imaging, spectroscopic and elemental analysis, and gas sorption analysis methods. The experimental investigation was conducted using a thermal plasma reactor with several settings of influential parameters including methane gas (CH4) content in the plasma gas, electric current, and arc length. The DC-transferred plasma arc is formed using a variable gas mixture of argon gas (Ar) and CH4, with a constant flow rate of 5 Nl/min. Thirteen tests were designed, evaluating responses such as power input, process stability, and H2 yield. The H2 yield indicates the hydrogen produced from CH4, with 100% representing total conversion. While the process exhibited inconstancy, attributed to reactor design constraints, a high H2 yield of 67%–100% was achieved. The results indicate that a higher CH4 content in the plasma gas and extended arc lengths disturb the plasma arc, hence reducing the H2 yield. Increased power input, achieved through higher amperage levels, and a wider reaction zone eased by extending the arc length both led to an improved H2 yield. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) revealed microstructural differences, with carbon samples from the filter exhibiting finer textures and carbon samples from the reactor larger sizes and dendritic particles. Raman spectroscopy confirmed crystalline graphitic-like structures with low defect concentrations, a finding supported by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) analysis confirmed high-purity carbon with slight impurities from initial filter contamination. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area calculations based on gas sorption analysis showed significant variations, with filter-collected samples exhibiting 40–170 m2/g and reactor-collected ones showing 7–30 m2/g.

MiMiC: A high-performance framework for multiscale molecular dynamics simulations.

MiMiC is a framework for performing multiscale simulations in which loosely coupled external programs describe individual subsystems at different resolutions and levels of theory. To make it highly efficient and flexible, we adopt an interoperable approach based on a multiple-program multiple-data (MPMD) paradigm, serving as an intermediary responsible for fast data exchange and interactions between the subsystems. The main goal of MiMiC is to avoid interfering with the underlying parallelization of the external programs, including the operability on hybrid architectures (e.g., CPU/GPU), and keep their setup and execution as close as possible to the original. At the moment, MiMiC offers an efficient implementation of electrostatic embedding quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) that has demonstrated unprecedented parallel scaling in simulations of large biomolecules using CPMD and GROMACS as QM and MM engines, respectively. However, as it is designed for high flexibility with general multiscale models in mind, it can be straightforwardly extended beyond QM/MM. In this article, we illustrate the software design and the features of the framework, which make it a compelling choice for multiscale simulations in the upcoming era of exascale high-performance computing.

Determination of vat-photopolymerization parameters for microneedles fabrication and characterization of HPMC/PVP K90 dissolving microneedles utilizing 3D-printed mold

Three-dimensional (3D) printing serves as an alternative method for fabricating microneedle (MN) patches with a high object resolution. In this investigation, four distinct needle shapes: pyramid mounted over a long cube (shape A), cone mounted over a cylinder (shape B), pyramidal shape (shape C), and conical shape (shape D) were designed using computer-aided design (CAD) software with compensated bases of 350, 450 and 550 µm. Polylactic acid (PLA) biophotopolymer resin from eSun and stereolithography (SLA) 3D printer from Anycubic technology were used to print MN patches. The 3D-printed MN patches were employed to construct MN molds, and those molds were used to produce hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) K90 dissolving microneedles (DMNs). Various printing parameters, such as curing time, printing angle, and anti-aliasing (AA), were varied to evaluate suitable printing conditions for each shape. Furthermore, physical appearance, mechanical property, and skin insertion ability of HPMC/PVP K90 DMNs were examined. The results showed that for shape A and C, the suitable curing time and printing angle were 1.5 s and 30° while for shapes B and D, they were 2.0 s and 45°, respectively. All four shapes required AA to eliminate their stair-stepped edges. Additionally, it was demonstrated that all twelve designs of 3D-printed MN patches could be employed for fabricating MN molds. HPMC/PVP K90 DMNs with the needles of shape A and B exhibited better physicochemical properties compared to those of shape C and D. Particularly, both sample 9 and 10 displayed sharp needle without bent tips, coupled with minimal height reduction (< 10%) and a high percentage of blue dots (approximately 100%). As a result, 3D printing can be utilized to custom construct 3D-printed MN patches for producing MN molds, and HPMC/PVP K90 DMNs manufactured by those molds showed excellent physicochemical properties.

Enhancing Software Architecture Adaptability: A Comprehensive Evaluation Method

The field of self-adaptive software is becoming increasingly crucial because software has to adapt its behavior at runtime to keep up with dynamic and constantly evolving environments. The ability of software to modify and adjust itself is known as adaptability, which has been acknowledged as an important quality attribute. As software architecture development represents the initial stage of the design process, architectural design has emerged as a critical development activity. The degree to which the architecture can adapt to changes will be the key factor in determining the adaptability of the software ultimately released to users. Existing metrics for software architectural adaptability typically view adaptability as a positive attribute, meaning that any possibility of change in architectural elements is perceived as an improvement in adaptability. However, the application of adaptability that leads to increased costs or complexity can only be seen as a negative attribute. In other words, the side effects brought about solely for the purpose of achieving adaptability are greatly overlooked; that is, the impacts caused by adaptability exhibit both symmetry and asymmetry for software architectural adaptability. On the other hand, the existing measures of adaptability only define it from the perspective of whether a module will change, without considering changes beyond the topological structure under multiple strategies. In this paper, we propose a comprehensive assessment approach to measure software architecture adaptability. Multiple factors are considered, including the number and types of strategies employed, the cost of completing the adaptation, the extent of changes made to the architectural elements, and the overall impact of the adaptation on the architecture. An extended UML (e-UML) component diagram is presented to model software architectural changes under various types of strategies. Finally, an experiment on the znn.com software is conducted to validate the practical feasibility of our proposed method. Our approach can assist software architects in making informed decisions regarding software architecture design options to improve the adaptability and longevity of their software systems.

Effort-Aware Fault-Proneness Prediction Using Non-API-Based Package-Modularization Metrics

Source code complexity of legacy object-oriented (OO) software has a trickle-down effect over the key activities of software development and maintenance. Package-based OO design is widely believed to be an effective modularization. Recently, theories and methodologies have been proposed to assess the complementary aspects of legacy OO systems through package-modularization metrics. These package-modularization metrics basically address non-API-based object-oriented principles, like encapsulation, commonality-of-goal, changeability, maintainability, and analyzability. Despite their ability to characterize package organization, their application towards cost-effective fault-proneness prediction is yet to be determined. In this paper, we present theoretical illustration and empirical perspective of non-API-based package-modularization metrics towards effort-aware fault-proneness prediction. First, we employ correlation analysis to evaluate the relationship between faults and package-level metrics. Second, we use multivariate logistic regression with effort-aware performance indicators (ranking and classification) to investigate the practical application of proposed metrics. Our experimental analysis over open-source Java software systems provides statistical evidence for fault-proneness prediction and relatively better explanatory power than traditional metrics. Consequently, these results guide developers for reliable and modular package-based software design.

Mass balance and economic study of a treatment chain for rare earths, base metals and precious metals recovery from used smartphones

In the present study, a comprehensive hydrometallurgical process was developed for the recovery of several types of metals from used cell phone printed circuit board assemblies. The overall process is divided into four stages of selective leaching of rare earth elements (REE), copper, nickel, silver and finally gold. After solubilization, the metals were purified using precipitation, solvent extraction, electrodeposition, and cementation techniques. Laboratory pilot-scale tests of the complete smart phone printed circuit board processing line showed REE, copper, nickel, silver, and gold recovery efficiencies of 78.0 %, 98.8 %, 81.8 %, 100 % and 96.1 %, respectively. The purity of the products obtained is evaluated at 94.8 % for rare earth oxides (70.0 % Nd2O3, 18.5 % Pr2O3, 2.8 % Dy2O3 and 2.4 % Sm2O3), 99.8 % for elemental copper, 94.3 % for nickel oxide, 93.8 % for silver and 89.3 % for gold. A scenario involving the installation of a plant processing 1 t/h of waste was evaluated using SuperPro Designer software. For a total investment of $53.22 million and an operating cost of $18.23 million per year, the main revenue is $65.77 million per year, with a return on investment of 91.6 % and a payback period of 1.1 years.

Analyzing the accuracy of a cross-mounting technique utilizing digitized interocclusal records.

To compare the accuracy of a partially digital cross-mounting workflow of direct scans of interocclusal records to a conventional workflow by analyzing the deviations of sequentially cross-mounted casts. A set of reference casts, comprising maxillary and mandibular full-arch prepared casts and interim prostheses, was articulated, mounted, and scanned to generate four reference casts for cross-mounting. In the conventional approach, 15 sets of these four casts were printed. Polyvinylsiloxane (PVS) records were made using the reference casts and utilized for sequential cross-mounting. In the partially digital group, the same PVS interocclusal records were scanned and used for digital cross-mounting via design software. The mean deviations of both groups from the reference cast were analyzed using a 3D inspection software program. Statistical tests, including paired t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA), were conducted to compare the average discrepancies between the two groups and to evaluate discrepancies in the anterior and posterior regions (α=0.05). The range of discrepancies was similar in both the conventional and partially digital groups. The final set of related casts had a mean deviation of 201.58±136.98mm in the conventional workflow and 248.69±164.71mm in the partially digital workflow. No statistically significant difference was found between conventional and partially digital groups (p=0.091). Error propagation was examined by comparing discrepancies at each step within the cross-mounting process. In the conventional group, no significant difference was found (p=0.148), but a significant difference was found among groups in the partially digital group at each step of sequential mounting (p<0.001). A significant difference was observed between anterior and posterior deviations in the partially digital group (p<0.001), but not in the conventional group (p=0.143). The study reveals that there is no statistically significant difference between conventional and partially digital cross-mounting workflows. However, within the partially digital group, a significant difference in deviation emerges across cross-mounting steps, with increased deviation in the anterior region.

Virtual bracket removal: a comparative assessment of different software packages

BackgroundHigh precision intra-oral scans, coupled with advanced software, enable virtual bracket removal (VBR) from digital models. VBR allows the delivery of retainers and clear aligners promptly following debonding, thus reducing the patients' appointments and minimizing the likelihood of tooth movement. The objective of this study was to compare the enamel surface before bonding and after VBR using three different Computer-aided design (CAD) software and to compare their accuracy.MethodsMaxillary scans of 20 participants starting orthodontic treatment were selected for inclusion in the study, who exhibited mild to moderate crowding and required bonding of brackets on the labial surface of permanent maxillary teeth (from the maxillary left first molar to the maxillary right first molar). Two intra-oral scans were conducted on the same day, before bonding and immediately after bonding using CEREC Omnicam (Sirona Dental Systems, Bensheim, Germany). The virtual removal of the brackets from the post-bonding models was performed using OrthoAnalyzer (3Shape, Copenhagen, Denmark), Meshmixer (Autodesk, San Rafael, Calif, USA), and EasyRx (LLC, Atlanta, GA, USA) software. The models that underwent VBR were superimposed on the pre-bonding models by Medit Link App (Medit, Seoul, South Korea) using surface-based registration. The changes in the enamel surface following VBR using the three software packages were quantified using the Medit Link App.ResultsThere was a significant difference among the 3Shape, Meshmixer, and EasyRx software in tooth surface change following VBR. Specifically, EasyRx exhibited lower levels of accuracy compared to the other two VBR software programs (p<.001, p<.001). A significant difference in enamel surface change was observed between tooth segments across all software groups, in both incisors and molars, with VBR of the molars exhibiting the lowest level of accuracy (3Shape p=.002, Meshmixer p<.001, EasyRx p<.001). Regarding the direction of tooth surface changes following VBR, it was observed that all three groups exhibited a significant increase in the percentage of inadequate bracket removal across all teeth segments.Conclusions3Shape and Meshmixer manual VBR software were found to be more accurate than EasyRx automated software, however, the differences were minimal and clinically insignificant.

Virtual bracket removal: a comparative assessment of different software packages

BackgroundHigh precision intra-oral scans, coupled with advanced software, enable virtual bracket removal (VBR) from digital models. VBR allows the delivery of retainers and clear aligners promptly following debonding, thus reducing the patients' appointments and minimizing the likelihood of tooth movement. The objective of this study was to compare the enamel surface before bonding and after VBR using three different Computer-aided design (CAD) software and to compare their accuracy.MethodsMaxillary scans of 20 participants starting orthodontic treatment were selected for inclusion in the study, who exhibited mild to moderate crowding and required bonding of brackets on the labial surface of permanent maxillary teeth (from the maxillary left first molar to the maxillary right first molar). Two intra-oral scans were conducted on the same day, before bonding and immediately after bonding using CEREC Omnicam (Sirona Dental Systems, Bensheim, Germany). The virtual removal of the brackets from the post-bonding models was performed using OrthoAnalyzer (3Shape, Copenhagen, Denmark), Meshmixer (Autodesk, San Rafael, Calif, USA), and EasyRx (LLC, Atlanta, GA, USA) software. The models that underwent VBR were superimposed on the pre-bonding models by Medit Link App (Medit, Seoul, South Korea) using surface-based registration. The changes in the enamel surface following VBR using the three software packages were quantified using the Medit Link App.ResultsThere was a significant difference among the 3Shape, Meshmixer, and EasyRx software in tooth surface change following VBR. Specifically, EasyRx exhibited lower levels of accuracy compared to the other two VBR software programs (p<.001, p<.001). A significant difference in enamel surface change was observed between tooth segments across all software groups, in both incisors and molars, with VBR of the molars exhibiting the lowest level of accuracy (3Shape p=.002, Meshmixer p<.001, EasyRx p<.001). Regarding the direction of tooth surface changes following VBR, it was observed that all three groups exhibited a significant increase in the percentage of inadequate bracket removal across all teeth segments.Conclusions3Shape and Meshmixer manual VBR software were found to be more accurate than EasyRx automated software, however, the differences were minimal and clinically insignificant.

Design, Development, and Testing of Active Valve Piezo-hydraulic Pump

Abstract Valves play a major role in rectifying the fluid flow through piezo-hydraulic pumps, which may be active or passive. Passive valves operate due to changes in the fluid pressure whereas active valves are operated through control signals. This paper presents a novel design of an active valve chamber assembly for a piezo-hydraulic pump. It is a novel design since none of the research publications has addressed the application of a Flexurally amplified piezoelectric actuator (FAPA) for valve actuation in active valve chamber assembly. The piezo-hydraulic pump design is done using Solid Edge design software. FAPA’s are used for pumping and valve actuation. Structural analysis with experimental verification for the valve chamber component is presented. The valve opening and the pumping displacement are mathematically modeled in MATLAB Simulink software. Also, mathematical simulations for pump flow rates at different actuation frequencies and voltage are discussed. The piezo-hydraulic pump components are fabricated and assembled with the actuators. Experimental investigations on the flow rate performance of the active valve piezo-hydraulic pump are carried out with changing frequency and voltage amplitude of actuators. The interpretation of results is done by comparing the experimental and simulation results. During experiments, the pump delivered a maximum flow rate of 4.5mL/min at 140V when actuated at 0.25Hz actuation frequency.

Development of generalized photovoltaic model using ISIS-PROTEUS

Photovoltaic (PV) energy is a form of renewable energy that generates electricity from sunlight. PV systems consist of solar cells, which convert sunlight into electricity using a process known as the photovoltaic effect. Modeling and simulating PV systems involves using mathematical and computational models to predict the behavior and performance of PV systems under various conditions. This can include modeling the electrical characteristics of solar cells, as well as the interactions between multiple cells in a PV module or system. Following this sense, we present in this work a novel implementation of a generalized PV model using ISIS Proteus software. Proteus is layout software for electronic circuit simulation, schematic capture and PCB design. Some studies have indeed taken this context to model the PV modules either by using a Proteus Spice model of the photovoltaic panel without including the effect of climatic conditions variation, or by using pure mathematical relations that describe all physical and environmental parameters which will lead to a static behavior. The developed model in this paper as it is generalized, can be typically used as a PV cell, module even a generator for a complete simulation of a PV system. PV cell, which is the elementary component of PV system, is modeled using the single diode equivalent circuit (SDM) also known as five-parameter model and its behavior is simulated in details. The most advantage in our study is the fact that the PV output can be obtained wherever what solar radiation and ambient temperature where PV module is operating. Our model gives also the possibility to simulate a dynamic behavior under any climatic conditions. The accuracy between obtained results of simulation and the experimental data confirm the reliability and the high performance of the developed model.

Comparative Analysis of Four Different Intraoral Scanners: An In Vitro Study.

(1) Background: Intraoral scanners undergo rapid advancements in hardware and software, prompting frequent updates by manufacturers. (2) Aim: This study aimed to quantitatively assess the precision of full dental arch digital impressions obtained from four different intraoral scanners: Trios 5-3SHAPE, Copenhagen, Denmark, CEREC Primescan- Dentsply Sirona, New York, NY, USA, Planmeca Emerald S-Planmeca Oy, Helsinki, Finland, and Medit i700-Medit Corp, Seoul, Republic of Korea. (3) Methods: A maxillary virtual dental model (digital master model) was created in accordance with ISO standard 20896-1. Subsequently, a 3D-printed model was obtained from the master model's STL file and scanned 15 times consecutively with each scanner. STL files were aligned with the master model's STL using Medit Link-Medit Design software v.3.1.0. The accuracy was evaluated by measuring deviations in micrometers between each scanner's scans and the master model. (4) Results: The study revealed variations in accuracy ranging from 23 to 32 µm across scans of the same dental arch, irrespective of the scanner used and scanning strategy employed. The anterior regions exhibited higher precision (Mean Absolute Deviation of 112 µm) compared to the posterior regions (Mean Absolute Deviation of 127 µm). Trios 5 demonstrated the smallest deviation (average 112 µm), indicating superior accuracy among the scanners tested. Emerald S and Medit i700 exhibited balanced performance (average 117 µm and 114 µm, respectively), while Primescan consistently displayed high deviation (average 127 µm). (5) Conclusions: Based on clinically accepted thresholds for accuracy in intraoral scanning, which are typically 200 µm for full arch scans, Trios 5 surpasses these benchmarks with its average deviation falling within the 200 µm range. Emerald S and Medit i700 also meet these standards, while Primescan, although showing high overall deviation, approaches the upper limit of clinical acceptability. Considering the limitations of an in vitro investigation, the findings demonstrate that each intraoral scanner under evaluation is capable of reliably and consistently capturing a full arch scan for dentate patients.

Formal design, verification and implementation of robotic controller software via RoboChart and RoboTool

Current practice in simulation and implementation of robot controllers is usually undertaken with guidance from high-level design diagrams and pseudocode. Thus, no rigorous connection between the design and the development of a robot controller is established. This paper presents a framework for designing robotic controllers with support for automatic generation of executable code and automatic property checking. A state-machine based notation, RoboChart, and a tool (RoboTool) that implements the automatic generation of code and mathematical models from the designed controllers are presented. We demonstrate the application of RoboChart and its related tool through a case study of a robot performing an exploration task. The automatically generated code is platform independent and is used in both simulation and two different physical robotic platforms. Properties are formally checked against the mathematical models generated by RoboTool, and further validated in the actual simulations and physical experiments. The tool not only provides engineers with a way of designing robotic controllers formally but also paves the way for correct implementation of robotic systems.

Research and development of the neutron-photon coupled transport method in the fast reactor code system MOSASAUR

In the high-fidelity reactor physics design of fast reactors, the influence of photon effect needs to be explicitly simulated with the neutron-photon coupled transport method. The neutron-photon coupled transport-burnup method was researched based on the fast reactor physics design software package MOSASAUR. Photon library, photon cross-section production, photon source and photon power calculation methods were researched and the related calculation modules were developed and verified with the RBEC-M benchmark and the MET-1000 benchmark. Numerical results showed the good accuracy of the newly-developed neutron-photon coupled transport ability with MOSASAUR. The photon effect introduced the 80% difference for the assembly power in the RBEC-M benchmark, which showed the importance of the neutron-photon coupled transport in the fast reactor design.

Practical Sustainable Software Development in Architectural Flexibility for Energy Efficiency Using the Extended Agile Framework

Many regular business operations are transforming into digital services, increasing advanced multi-platforms, rapid operational alignment, flexibility, and environmental impact through energy consumption, hardware waste, and technology investments. Flexible and sustainable system development models emphasizing energy efficiency can help innovate software development as digital servicing applications shift. This research is motivated by the need to improve energy consumption in early software design and development due to rising technological efficiency and sustainability demands. Although effective in iterative development and stakeholder engagement, traditional Agile methodologies often struggle with long-term sustainability and energy efficiency. Extended Agile, combining Agile, layered architecture, and aspect-oriented frameworks (ALAI), promises to improve system modularity, flexibility, maintainability, and sustainability. This study’s findings are not just theoretical, but also practically relevant, as they explore the energy efficiency of ALAI software development methodologies, using graduate admission information system services (GAISS) as an example. GAISS is a complex system that handles the entire process of graduate admissions, from application submission to final decision. The study quantifies the energy usage of a student-list webpage by analyzing Microsoft IIS server logs from February 2022 to May 2024. Directly applicable findings show that the GAISS based on the ALAI framework reduces energy consumption by 10.7914% compared to traditional Agile software developments. ALAI used 892.80 kWh versus Agile’s 1000.80 kWh during operations, saving energy. These findings demonstrate the benefits of integrating aspect-oriented frameworks and layering approaches into Agile methodologies, contributing to sustainable software development discourse. The study emphasizes the importance of energy-efficient frameworks such as ALAI to reduce software systems’ environmental impact and promote software development sustainability. The findings of this study, with their practical relevance, assist software developers and organizations in choosing software design and development methods that maximize operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Optimizing performance efficiency of algal-bacterial-based wastewater treatment system using response surface methodology

Developing wastewater treatment technologies is crucial for enhancing treatment efficiency and promoting the reuse of treated water. In this article, the Algal-Bacterial integrated system (ABIS) is employed to treat municipal wastewater collected from the Zenin wastewater treatment plant in Giza governorate, Egypt. This system relies on the synergy between heterotrophic bacteria and microalgae to form a biofilm capable of absorbing contaminants from the wastewater. The main objective of this study is to optimize the factors influencing the treatment efficiency using response surface methodology derived from the experimental design software of Design Expert 6.0.8. The optimal results revealed that using an absorber amount of 0.18 g/L for a hydraulic retention time of 1.4 d provides removal efficiency of BOD, COD, TSS, and turbidity are 88.57%, 82.7 %, 94.90%, and 95.91%, respectively. These findings were experimentally and statistically verified with an accuracy exceeding a 95% confidence interval and 95% prediction interval. The physicochemical characteristics, algal community structure, as well as the density of total coliform, fecal coliform, and Escherichia coli (E. coli), were determined for the treated wastewater and compared to the Egyptian code of practice for the use of treated municipal wastewater for agricultural purposes to assess its suitability for unrestricted irrigation.