Integrated System Research Articles

Comparative Evaluation of Novel Intracanal Medicaments on the Sealing Integrity of the Root Canal System: An In Vitro Study

Comparative Evaluation of Novel Intracanal Medicaments on the Sealing Integrity of the Root Canal System: An In Vitro Study

Improving the efficiency of resource allocation in educational content delivery networks using the 1C:ESB integration bus

Learning Management Systems (LMS) play a key role in the educational process by providing students with various educational content and instructors with tools to monitor student knowledge and assess progress. However, as the number of students increases, the load on data transmission channels increases, which can lead to a decrease in the quality of learning. To solve this problem, Content Delivery Networks (CDN) are used to speed up the loading of websites and reduce the load on servers. CDN ensure the availability and security of websites and improve their scalability (resistance to smooth load growth) by distributing content across a network of servers around the world, allowing users to access content faster and more efficiently.Integration data exchange bus (Enterprise Service Bus, ESB) can be an effective tool for optimizing CDN content distribution algorithm. It allows integration of different systems and applications, enabling data exchange between them. This is particularly useful in the context of distance learning, which requires fast and reliable delivery of educational content, feedback, learning analytics, etc. Implementing an integration bus of data exchange with LMS-based distance learning system can be a key factor in ensuring an efficient and quality educational process. The article considers the properties and characteristics of the integration bus and justifies the use of the integration bus to optimize the algorithm of CDN content distribution, in particular in LMS.

A Study of the Mechanisms of Government Embedment and Organizational Environment Related to Supervisory Effectiveness in the Collective Governance of Rural Residential Land

Rural Residential Land is a kind of public pond resource, and the implementation of the collective governance of Rural Residential Land is a response to the dilemma of utilizing the land. This paper takes the attribute of using Rural Residential Land as a public pond resource as an entry point, draws on Autonomous Governance Theory, and utilizes the OLS model and the mediated effect model to explore the influence of Government Embedment on supervisory effectiveness in the collective governance of Rural Residential Land, based on the fieldwork data of 450 farming households in three districts (cities and counties) in Sichuan Province. This study shows that Government Embedment, the Technological Environment and the Cultural Environment can significantly enhance supervisory effectiveness in the collective governance of Rural Residential Land, while the Resource Environment has a negative effect on it. The Resource Environment has a masking effect on the influence of Government Embedment on supervisory effectiveness in the collective governance of Rural Residential Land, while the Technological Environment and the Cultural Environment play a part in the mediating effect. The anonymous whistleblowing mechanism positively moderates the influence of the Technological and Cultural Environments on supervisory effectiveness. Additionally, there is obvious locational heterogeneity in the influence of Government Embedment and the Organizational Environment on supervisory effectiveness. Therefore, a coordinated supervision and sanctioning mechanism should be constructed in towns and villages to promote the integration and complementarity of formal and informal systems; a sound mechanism for anonymous reporting of illegal and irregular use of Rural Residential Land should be established; and the effective implementation of the collective governance of Rural Residential Land should be promoted in accordance with the differences in the location of the villages.

Machine Learning and IoT-Based Solutions in Industrial Applications for Smart Manufacturing: A Critical Review

The Internet of Things (IoT) has radically changed the industrial world, enabling the integration of numerous systems and devices into the industrial ecosystem. There are many areas of the manufacturing industry in which IoT has contributed, including plants’ remote monitoring and control, energy efficiency, more efficient resources management, and cost reduction, paving the way for smart manufacturing in the framework of Industry 4.0. This review article provides an up-to-date overview of IoT systems and machine learning (ML) algorithms applied to smart manufacturing (SM), analyzing four main application fields: security, predictive maintenance, process control, and additive manufacturing. In addition, the paper presents a descriptive and comparative overview of ML algorithms mainly used in smart manufacturing. Furthermore, for each discussed topic, a deep comparative analysis of the recent IoT solutions reported in the scientific literature is introduced, dwelling on the architectural aspects, sensing solutions, implemented data analysis strategies, communication tools, performance, and other characteristic parameters. This comparison highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each discussed solution. Finally, the presented work outlines the features and functionalities of future IoT-based systems for smart industry applications.

Teachers’ Perception Towards Integration of Artificial Intelligence Tutoring-Based System in the School Curriculum: A Survey

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the theory and development of computer systems capable of performing tasks normally requiring human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages. This approach has been adopted by many organizations, including schools, to facilitate the teaching and learning process. This development has raised varying opinions on the future of employment within all sectors, including the educational sector. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the perception of teachers toward the integration of AI tutoring-based systems into the school curriculum. A descriptive analysis of the quantitative design was used, and 320 teachers were purposely sampled from public secondary schools in Southwest, Nigeria. The data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS. The findings of the study revealed that although teachers in public secondary schools in the southwest of Nigeria are aware of the positive impact of AI tutoring, 77% of the participants have a negative disposition towards the integration of an AI tutoring-based system into the school curriculum. The factors responsible for this high level of negative disposition include age, low level of education, fear of replacement and professional specialties of the teachers. Based on these findings, it was therefore recommended that teachers be sensitized on the importance of AI tutoring and that stakeholders should propagate the message of how it would promote the standard of education in the state. The study also recommended that educational policymakers integrate the use of artificial intelligence into the school curriculum by allocating the required resources to schools and organizing staff training on the use of AI without neglecting a befitting remuneration. Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Teachers, Learning, Disposition, Perception

Parametric analysis of a fully coupled USV-type wave energy converter: An approach based on wave-to-grid modelling

The integration of the wave energy converter and the unmanned surface vehicle (USV), which has the power generation capability and the mobile capability, is attracting increasing attention in concept design, control, and parametric study, as the integrated system can play a crucial role in the maritime sectors of commerce, science, and military. Enhancing the power generation of a USV-integrated wave energy converter contributes to prolonged USV operations or grid supply, but the power generation performance of this new-type device is significantly influenced by its various coupled subsystems, which requires a systematic methodology for distinguishing key design parameters. To address that problem, a comprehensive wave-to-grid model that reflects all subsystem coupling, energy losses, and constraints is developed to comprehensively describe system dynamics, and then a Taguchi method is employed to investigate the influence of selected design parameters on electric power generation. Results reveal that the piston area of the hydraulic cylinder and the accumulator pressure are the two most influential parameters affecting the time-averaged electric power of the proposed USV-type wave energy converter. The proposed methodology provides guidelines for technicians on how to design wave energy converters optimally.

Micro-integrated crossed-beam optical dipole trap system with long-term alignment stability for mobile atomic quantum technologies

Quantum technologies extensively use laser light for state preparation, manipulation, and readout. For field applications, these systems must be robust and compact, driving the need for miniaturized and highly stable optical setups and system integration. In this work, we present a micro-integrated crossed-beam optical dipole trap setup, the µXODT, designed for trapping and cooling 87Rb. This fiber-coupled setup operates at 1064 nm wavelength with up to 2.5 W optical power and realizes a free-space crossed beam geometry. The µXODT precisely overlaps two focused beams (w0 ≈ 33 µm) at their waists in a 45° crossing angle, achieving a position difference of ≤3.4 µm and a 0.998 power ratio between both beams with long-term stability. We describe the design and assembly process in detail, along with optical and thermal tests with temperatures of up to 65 °C. The system’s volume of 25 ml represents a reduction of more than two orders of magnitude compared to typically used macroscopic setups while demonstrating exceptional mechanical robustness and thermal stability. The µXODT is integrated with an 87Rb 3D MOT setup, trapping 3 × 105 atoms from a laser-cooled atomic cloud, and has shown no signs of degradation after two years of operation.

DiScO: novel rapid systems mapping to inform digital transformation of health systems

BackgroundGlobal health systems are confronting challenges that intersect climate change with evolving communicable and non-communicable public health risks. Addressing these challenges requires systems integration via citizen big data that exist outside health systems. However, systems integration across jurisdictions is a complex challenge that requires stakeholder input. This study’s purpose was to conduct rapid systems mapping with international health system stakeholders to inform the development and implementation of a global digital citizen science observatory (DiScO), which aims to catalyze digital transformation of health systems across jurisdictions.MethodsA rapid qualitative systems mapping study was conducted during the International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity Annual Global Summit in Uppsala, Sweden, in June 2023. The choice of the venue and approach was informed by three key criteria: (1) Established evidence linking physical activity and nutrition with non-communicable diseases; (2) Concrete existing methods of obtaining citizen big data by physical activity and nutrition researchers; (3) Precedence of physical activity and nutrition researchers conducting citizen science as well behavioral/clinical big data collection. The design of this study was an innovative pre-post systems map development, which consisted of (1) real-time rapid systems mapping (pre/initial map) by engaging with international stakeholders and (2) adjustment of the real-time systems map (post/final map) after analyzing stakeholder discussion data.ResultsRapid systems mapping resulted in a complex network that included key themes to successfully develop and implement DiScO: priorities, opportunities, risks, challenges, partnerships, and resources. Additionally, a new theme emerged organically through stakeholder group discussions – mitigation strategies. The adapted rapid systems map (i.e., after data analyses) depicts 23 key nodes of intervention across the seven key themes.ConclusionRapid systems mapping at international symposia is a novel methodological approach to capture stakeholder input, particularly to understand complexity across international jurisdictions – an approach that can be replicated across disciplines and sectors to inform digital transformation of health systems. The development and implementation of DiScO, a platform for decentralization and democratization of technology, will take into consideration all the key nodes of intervention identified in the rapid systems map to promote digital health for equity across global jurisdictions.

Robot intelligent perception and control

Abstract. In recent years, with the rapid development of robotics, intelligent perception and control has become the core research direction in the field of robotics. This technology plays a key role in many fields such as industrial automation, medical assistance, and autonomous driving, significantly improving production efficiency and service quality, and also promoting the intelligent processes of various industries. On the basis of an in-depth analysis of robot intelligent perception and control technology, this paper systematically reviews the development of visual and non-visual perception technology and discusses the application of multi-modal perception in complex environments. The latest development of motion control and force control technology is analyzed, and its importance in fine operation is expounded. The future development direction of robot intelligent perception and control technology is proposed, and the necessity of enhancing real-time robustness and system integration is emphasized, which provides theoretical support and technical reference for promoting the continuous innovation of robot intelligent perception and control technology.

The Impact of International Classification of Disease-Triggered Prescription Support on Telemedicine: Observational Analysis of Efficiency and Guideline Adherence.

Integrating decision support systems into telemedicine may optimize consultation efficiency and adherence to clinical guidelines; however, the extent of such effects remains underexplored. This study aims to evaluate the use of ICD (International Classification of Disease)-coded prescription decision support systems (PDSSs) and the effects of these systems on consultation duration and guideline adherence during telemedicine encounters. In this retrospective, single-center, observational study conducted from October 2021 to March 2022, adult patients who sought urgent digital care via direct-to-consumer video consultations were included. Physicians had access to current guidelines and could use an ICD-triggered PDSS (which was introduced in January 2022 after a preliminary test in the preceding month) for 26 guideline-based conditions. This study analyzed the impact of implementing automated prescription systems and compared these systems to manual prescription processes in terms of consultation duration and guideline adherence. This study included 10,485 telemedicine encounters involving 9644 patients, with 12,346 prescriptions issued by 290 physicians. Automated prescriptions were used in 5022 (40.67%) of the consultations following system integration. Before introducing decision support, 4497 (36.42%) prescriptions were issued, which increased to 7849 (63.57%) postimplementation. The physician's average consultation time decreased significantly to 9.5 (SD 5.5) minutes from 11.2 (SD 5.9) minutes after PDSS implementation (P<.001). Of the 12,346 prescriptions, 8683 (70.34%) were aligned with disease-specific international guidelines tailored for telemedicine encounters. Primary medication adherence in accordance with existing guidelines was significantly greater in the decision support group than in the manual group (n=4697, 93.53% vs n=1389, 49.14%; P<.001). Most of the physicians adopted the PDSS, and the results demonstrated the use of the ICD-code system in reducing consultation times and increasing guideline adherence. These systems appear to be valuable for enhancing the efficiency and quality of telemedicine consultations by supporting evidence-based clinical decision-making.

Coordination of NPCs in multi-agent systems based on behavior trees

Abstract. This paper addresses the design and coordination challenges of controlling non-player characters' (NPCs) behaviors in multi-agent systems (MAS) using behavior trees (BTs), which are preferred over finite state machines (FSMs) due to their hierarchical structure and ease of maintenance. While BTs effectively resolve the question of "What to do next?" for individual NPCs, their application in MAS, particularly with the integration of a blackboard system for central control, reveals limitations in efficiency, robustness, and heuristic capacity as system complexity increases. To explore solutions to these challenges, this study analyzes various algorithms that enhance the functionality of behavior trees within MAS. The research focuses on three primary areas: the optimization of behavior trees, the development of behavior tree search algorithms, and the improvement of communication algorithms within BTs. Methods involve a comparative analysis of existing and new algorithmic approaches to identify and address inefficiencies in NPC coordination. The findings indicate that advanced behavior tree configurations, when combined with innovative search and communication strategies, significantly improve the coordination, robustness, and operational efficiency of MAS. These enhancements allow for more dynamic and responsive NPC interactions in complex gaming environments.

Moisture dynamics during high‐load fluctuations in transformers: Localised accumulation and interfacial transfer within oil/pressboard insulation

AbstractPower systems grapple with the challenges of high load rates and intermittent new energy sources integration. Transformers, as vital equipment, employ oil/pressboard (oil/PB) insulation. Uneven moisture distribution in this insulation can jeopardise safety thresholds, necessitating precise moisture assessment for grid stability. A novel mathematical model, adsorption–desorption and porous media moisture transfer (ADP‐MoT), is presented. This model incorporates adsorption and desorption processes within the porous pressboard, enabling a description of the dynamic moisture transfer between the oil and pressboard. Using this mathematical model, simulations for moisture dynamics were performed on a 750‐kV transformer across four typical days. The results indicate that temperature fluctuations are the primary driving factor for moisture migration at the oil/PB interface. Convection and diffusion contribute to moisture movement towards cooler regions. Fluid properties and structural characteristics induce a distinctive streamline‐shaped moisture flow within horizontal oil channels, with localised moisture accumulation in specific areas. Moreover, the analysis of 96 transient results uncovers potential free‐state moisture formation during severe conditions, underscoring the importance of monitoring the pressboard at winding bases during high load fluctuations. In conclusion, this study significantly contributes to scientifically identifying and addressing risks tied to new energy sources integration in power systems.

Research and Case Application of Zero-Carbon Buildings Based on Multi-System Integration Function

This study focuses on developing and implementing zero-carbon buildings through the integration of multiple systems to meet China’s carbon neutrality goals. It emphasizes the significant role of the building sector in carbon emissions and highlights the challenge of increasing energy consumption conflicting with China’s “dual carbon” targets. To address this, the research proposes a comprehensive framework that combines multifunctional envelope structure (MES) systems, photovoltaic power generation, energy storage, direct current (DC) systems, flexible energy management (PEDF), and regional energy stations. This framework integrates different technologies such as phase change materials, radiation cooling, and carbon mineralized cement, aiming to reduce carbon emissions throughout the building’s lifecycle. The method has been successfully applied in the Yazhou Bay Zero Carbon Post Station project in Sanya, Hainan, with precise calculations of carbon emission reductions. The carbon emission calculations revealed a reduction of 44.13 tons of CO2 annually, totaling 1103.31 tons over 25 years, primarily due to the rooftop photovoltaic systems. It demonstrates that the multi-system integration can reduce carbon emissions and contribute to China’s broader carbon neutrality goals. This approach, if widely adopted, could accelerate the transition to carbon-neutral buildings in China.

ANALYSIS OF INTERNATIONAL LEGISLATION REGARDING REGULATION OF THE MANIFESTATIONS OF CORRUPTION IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

The article is devoted to the analysis of international legislation on the regulation of manifestations of corruption in public administration. The introductory part states that corruption affects all spheres of social life, contributes to the spread of organized crime, creates social tension, creates uncertainty among the population in the ability of the authorities to implement organizational and practical measures to overcome the systemic crisis and revive Ukraine. Various approaches to the interpretation of the concept of «corruption» have been presented, in particular that it is both a «struggle for obtaining the maximum benefit» and «a social evil that spreads a negative image, or public crimes that usually intensively spread a negative image and practices», or «abuse state powers to create personal benefits» etc. It is noted that developing countries are more susceptible to the influence of corruption for various reasons, including the following: total poverty and low wages in the public sector; the absence of any risk-sharing mechanisms, such as insurance and a developed market; opportunities provided by complex, ill-defined, constantly changing and inadequate rules and regulations; lack of properly established laws and principles. A number of different international acts (conventions) adopted to combat corruption in a strategically planned manner are analyzed. It was emphasized that the introduction of changes in the legislative sphere took place on the basis of global surveys. It was concluded that the process of systematic updating and analysis of the international legal field contributes to the development of capacity, and also establishes benchmarks for the effectiveness of public administration, which can be monitored and measured. In view of global achievements, there is a need to develop and adopt a national system of integrity, which will provide a basis for analyzing both the causes of corruption and the adequacy and effectiveness of anti-corruption reforms.

The communicative and educational aspect in the constructive transformation of the educational activities of the university

Introduction. The article reveals the role of the communicative and organizational aspect for the digital transformation of the educational activities of a university.Purpose setting. Digital transformation is understood as the systemic integration of digital tools, information and communication technologies for the purpose of collecting, processing, transforming and analyzing data to improve the efficiency of human activity. The relevance of the study of the digital transformation of the educational activities of a university is emphasized, since it is universities that are called upon to ensure the necessary increase in personnel with digital competencies for the development of the digital economy.Methodology and methods of the study. As a result of a specially prepared, author's questionnaire and the use of a survey method, we identified the essence of the communicative and educational structure.Results. The article discusses domestic and foreign research in the field of educational processes. A model of a new digital service is described, the use of which increases the efficiency of communication at a university and ensures improved quality of education, in the context of digitalization of its system-forming component.Conclusion. A solution to the problem of low efficiency of communication between subjects of educational activity at a university is proposed through the creation of digital services and a new six-component model of educational activity that supports its digital transformation.

Catalytic Degradation of Bisphenol A in Water by Non-Thermal Plasma Coupled with Persulfate

Bisphenol A (BPA) has become prevalent in the environment due to its extensive use in industrial materials, thus raising significant concerns regarding its potential toxicity and health effects. In this study, an efficient and eco-friendly non-thermal plasma (NTP) was used to catalyze persulfate (PS) for BPA decomposition, and the results showed that the integrated system could effectively degrade BPA. The best performance was attained at a PS to BPA mass ratio of 5:1, with a degradation rate of 91.3% following a 30 min treatment. The degradation rate of BPA increased with increasing input voltage and frequency; conversely, it decreased with an increase in BPA’s initial concentration. Higher BPA degradation rates could be achieved in alkaline environments. Radical quenching experiments revealed that SO4−•, OH•, O2−• and 1O2 were important active substances involved in BPA degradation. Nine intermediate products were identified by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and four degradation pathways were deduced. Additionally, a toxicity analysis of intermediate products was performed. The significant decrease in chemical oxygen demand (COD) during the actual wastewater treatment suggested that the NTP/PS system has good applicability in actual wastewater treatment.

Research on the detection and recognition system of target vehicles based on fusion algorithm

&lt;p&gt;In modern society, the monitoring of vehicles is paramount for upholding traffic safety and order. This paper delves into a Graphical User Interface (GUI)-driven system for vehicle target detection and integration. This system seamlessly integrates three pivotal functionalities: vehicle type recognition, license plate recognition, and driver face recognition. It automates the vehicle inspection assessment process through an intuitive user interface. Specifically, for license plate recognition, the system leverages traditional computer vision techniques, including color and grayscale processing, radon transform, morphological operations, edge detection, character segmentation, and character recognition. The driver face recognition module incorporates methods such as image gray scaling, Gaussian filtering for denoising, face detection, and feature extraction. Meanwhile, vehicle type recognition is achieved by extracting Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG) features and utilizing a Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier. Experimental findings highlight the system’s remarkable recognition accuracy, offering a highly efficient and dependable solution for the automated inspections of vehicles.&lt;/p&gt;

Integration of a dose management system in the public hospitals of Cyprus: Key areas and initial outcomes.

Despite the growing use of dose management systems (DMSs), there is limited guidance on their optimal setup. This study aims to fill this gap by outlining the process followed to integrate "DOSE" (Qaelum NV, Belgium) DMS within the Cypriot public hospitals. DOSE was connected to the available central PACS, followed by a thorough data and functioning validation. A preliminary study was also conducted to assess the DOSE's ability to establish typical dose values in diagnostic radiography. Overall, over 70 x-ray units were configured. For some connections, it was necessary to first adjust the unit's DICOM attributes or to utilise the DICOM coercion technique. The DICOM image header was sometimes preferred over the DICOM RDSR, as the chosen data source. This study underscored the importance of understanding the equipment's technical capabilities for a successful DMS integration, while personnel with expertise in diagnostic radiology and the IT aspects of medical physics proved to have a vital role in the process. The pilot study showed that DOSE is an effective tool for establishing typical dose values and assessing compliance with relevant dose levels.

Range and Nature of Social Services for Children With Disabilities and Their Families: A Descriptive Study.

Children with disabilities and their families continue to face challenges in social inclusion and accessing resources. This study aimed to evaluate the availability and associated challenges of using services for these children and their families. A descriptive study was conducted to analyze social services for children with disabilities. Data were collected from the official websites of both public and private institutions across three regions in South Korea. These data included information on the service contents and the characteristics of the target beneficiaries. A total of 12,841 service units were analyzed and grouped into 10 domains and 35 categories of social services. The most frequently identified service content was "Healthcare," followed by "Child and family care" and "Community services." The most frequently used characteristic of target beneficiaries was "Residential area," followed by "Income level," "Benefit," and "Type of disability." The current services are limited in meeting the needs of children with disabilities, particularly in terms of selection criteria, service content, and the integration of policies and delivery systems, contributing to a lack of social inclusion and lower quality of life. Constructing a national scheme to expand eligibility and support tailored to individual circumstances and needs is necessary.

Research on the dynamic variation law of the discontinuous characteristics of the curvic coupling of aero-engine rotors under working conditions

For the design of advanced aero-engine rotor systems under ultra-high rotational speeds, this paper undertakes a comprehensive investigation into the contact stiffness of curvic couplings, which are the key connection mechanism of modern aero-engine rotors, and explores the dynamic variations in the contact stiffness of curvic couplings under working conditions. Firstly, the impact of dynamic loads of aero-engine rotors under working conditions on the curvic coupling is studied; Then, the contact stiffness analytical model of curvic couplings considering three-dimensional geometric features is proposed with the effects of dynamic loads; Finally, based on the established stiffness model, the dynamic loss laws of contact stiffness of curvic couplings under different dynamic loads are investigated, and the established model is experimentally validated. The results show that the dynamic loss law of contact stiffness varies with different dynamic loads. In comparison to the contact stiffness under the static condition, dynamic loads significantly reduce the contact stiffness of curvic couplings under working conditions, which in turn leads to changes in the dynamic characteristics of the rotor with curvic couplings. For the safe integration of the discontinuous rotor system under ultra-high rotational speeds, it is essential to carefully design and regulate the operating speed, transmission torque, unbalanced mass, and preload.