Applied Sciences

Despite extensive research, the exact pathomechanisms associated with epileptic seizure formation and propagation have not been elucidated completely. Two-photon imaging (2PI) is a fluorescence-based microscopy technique that, over the years, has been used to evaluate pathomechanisms associated with epileptic seizures and epilepsy. Here, we review previous applications of 2PI in epilepsy. A systematic search was performed in multiple literature databases. We identified 38 publications that applied 2PI in epilepsy research. These studies described models of epileptic seizure propagation; anatomical changes and functional alterations of microglia, astrocytes, and neurites; and neurometabolic effects that accompany seizures. Moreover, various neurovascular alterations that accompany seizure onset and ictal events, such as blood vessel responses, have been visualized using 2PI. Lastly, imaging and quantitative analysis of oxidative stress and the aggregation of lipofuscin in the neurovasculature have been accomplished with 2PI. Cumulatively, these papers and their reported findings demonstrate that 2PI is an especially well-suited imaging technique in the domain of epilepsy research, and these studies have significantly improved our understanding of the disorder. The application of 2PI provides ample possibilities for future research, most interestingly on human brains, while also stretching beyond the field of epilepsy. Full article

To develop measures to reduce the vulnerability of forests to drought, it is necessary to estimate specific water balances in sites and to estimate their development with climate change scenarios. We quantified the water balance of seven forest monitoring sites in northeast Germany for the historical time period 1961–2019, and for climate change projections for the time period 2010–2100. We used the LWF-BROOK90 hydrological model forced with historical data, and bias-adjusted data from two models of the fifth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) downscaled with regional climate models under the representative concentration pathways (RCPs) 2.6 and 8.5. Site-specific monitoring data were used to give a realistic model input and to calibrate and validate the model. The results revealed significant trends (evapotranspiration, dry days (actual/potential transpiration < 0.7)) toward drier conditions within the historical time period and demonstrate the extreme conditions of 2018 and 2019. Under RCP8.5, both models simulate an increase in evapotranspiration and dry days. The response of precipitation to climate change is ambiguous, with increasing precipitation with one model. Under RCP2.6, both models do not reveal an increase in drought in 2071–2100 compared to 1990–2019. The current temperature increase fits RCP8.5 simulations, suggesting that this scenario is more realistic than RCP2.6. Full article

A digital elevation model (DEM) digitally records information about terrain variations and has found many applications in different fields of geosciences. To protect such digital information, encryption is one technique. Numerous encryption algorithms have been developed and can be used for DEM. A good encryption algorithm should change both the compositional and configurational information of a DEM in the encryption process. However, current methods do not fully take into full consideration pixel structures when measuring the complexity of an encrypted DEM (e.g., using Shannon entropy and correlation). Therefore, this study first proposes that configurational entropy capturing both compositional and configurational information can be used to optimize encryption from the perspective of the Second Law of Thermodynamics. Subsequently, an encryption algorithm based on the integration of the chaos system and linear prediction is designed, where the one with the maximum absolute configurational entropy difference compared to the original DEM is selected. Two experimental DEMs are encrypted for 10 times. The experimental results and security analysis show that the proposed algorithm is effective and that configurational entropy can help optimize the encryption and can provide guidelines for evaluating the encrypted DEM. Full article

In recent years, several hospitals have begun using health information systems to maintain electronic health records (EHRs) for each patient. Traditionally, when a patient visits a new hospital for the first time, the hospital’s help desk asks them to fill in relevant personal information on a piece of paper and verifies their identity on the spot. This patient will find that many of her personal electronic records are in many hospital’s health information systems that she visited in the past, and each EHR in these hospital’s information systems cannot be accessed or shared between these hospitals. This is inconvenient because this patient will again have to provide their personal information. This is time-consuming and not practical. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a practical and provable patient EHR fair exchange scheme for each patient. In this scheme, each patient can securely delegate the information system of a current hospital to a hospital certification authority (HCA) to apply migration evidence that can be used to transfer their EHR to another hospital. The delegated system can also establish a session key with other hospital systems for later data transmission, and each patient can protect their anonymity with the help of the HCA. Additionally, we also provide formal security proofs for forward secrecy and functional comparisons with other schemes. Full article

Topology optimization is a powerful digital engineering tool for the development of lightweight products. Nevertheless, the transition of obtained design proposals into manufacturable parts is still a challenging task. In this article, the development of a freeware framework is shown, which uses a hybrid topology optimization algorithm for stiffness and strength combined with manufacturing constraints based on finite spheres and a two-step smoothing algorithm to design manufacturable prototypes with “one click”. The presented workflow is shown in detail on a rocker, which is “one-click”-optimized and manufactured. These parts were experimentally tested using a universal testing machine. The objective of this article was to investigate the performance of “one-click”-optimized parts in comparison with manually redesigned optimized parts and the initial design space. The test results show that the design proposals created while applying the finite-spheres and two-step smoothing are equal to the manual redesigned parts based on the optimization results, proposing that the “one-click”-development can be used for the fast and direct development and fabrication of prototypes. Full article

Ego-network, which can describe relationships between a focus node (i.e., ego) and its neighbor nodes (i.e., alters), often changes over time. Exploring dynamic ego-networks can help users gain insight into how each ego interacts with and is influenced by the outside world. However, most of the existing methods do not fully consider the multilevel analysis of dynamic ego-networks, resulting in some evolution information at different granularities being ignored. In this paper, we present an interactive visualization system called DyEgoVis which allows users to explore the evolutions of dynamic ego-networks at global, local and individual levels. At the global level, DyEgoVis reduces dynamic ego-networks and their snapshots to 2D points to reveal global patterns such as clusters and outliers. At the local level, DyEgoVis projects all snapshots of the selected dynamic ego-networks onto a 2D space to identify similar or abnormal states. At the individual level, DyEgoVis utilizes a novel layout method to visualize the selected dynamic ego-network so that users can track, compare and analyze changes in the relationships between the ego and alters. Through two case studies on real datasets, we demonstrate the usability and effectiveness of DyEgoVis. Full article

Starting from the four component-Dirac equation for free, ballistic electrons with finite mass, driven by a constant d.c. field, we derive a basic model of scalar quantum conductivity, capable of yielding simple analytic forms, also in the presence of magnetic and polarization effects. The classical Drude conductivity is recovered as a limit case. A quantum-mechanical evaluation is provided for parabolic and linear dispersion, as in graphene, recovering currently used expressions as particular cases. Numerical values are compared with the ones from the literature in the case of graphene under d.c. applied field. In particular, the effect of the sample length and field strength on the conductivity are highlighted. Full article

Ever since the worldwide demand for gambling services started to spread, its expansion has continued steadily. To wit, online gambling is a major industry in every European country, generating billions of Euros in revenue for commercial actors and governments alike. Despite such evidently beneficial effects, online gambling is ultimately a vast social experiment with potentially disastrous social and personal consequences that could result in an overall deterioration of social and familial relationships. Despite the relevance of this problem in society, there is a lack of tools for characterizing the behavior of online gamblers based on the data that are collected daily by betting platforms. This paper uses a time series clustering algorithm that can help decision-makers in identifying behaviors associated with potential pathological gamblers. In particular, experimental results obtained by analyzing sports event bets and black jack data demonstrate the suitability of the proposed method in detecting critical (i.e., pathological) players. This algorithm is the first component of a system developed in collaboration with the Portuguese authority for the control of betting activities. Full article

This paper presents a method of utilizing a non-contact position sensor for the tilting and movement control of a rotor in a rotary magnetic levitation motor system. This system has been studied with the aim of having a relatively simple and highly clean alternative application compared to the spin coater used in the photoresist coating process in the semiconductor wafer process. To eliminate system wear and dust problems, a shaft-and-bearing-free magnetic levitation motor system was designed and a minimal non-contact position sensor was placed. An algorithm capable of preventing derailment and precise movement control by applying only control without additional mechanical devices to this magnetic levitation system was proposed. The proposed algorithm was verified through simulations and experiments, and the validity of the algorithm was verified by deriving a precision control result suitable for the movement control command in units of 0.1 mm at 50 rpm rotation drive. Full article

Accurate computational predictions of band gaps are of practical importance to the modeling and development of semiconductor technologies, such as (opto)electronic devices and photoelectrochemical cells. Among available electronic-structure methods, density-functional theory (DFT) with the Hubbard U correction (DFT+U) applied to band edge states is a computationally tractable approach to improve the accuracy of band gap predictions beyond that of DFT calculations based on (semi)local functionals. At variance with DFT approximations, which are not intended to describe optical band gaps and other excited-state properties, DFT+U can be interpreted as an approximate spectral-potential method when U is determined by imposing the piecewise linearity of the total energy with respect to electronic occupations in the Hubbard manifold (thus removing self-interaction errors in this subspace), thereby providing a (heuristic) justification for using DFT+U to predict band gaps. However, it is still frequent in the literature to determine the Hubbard U parameters semiempirically by tuning their values to reproduce experimental band gaps, which ultimately alters the description of other total-energy characteristics. Here, we present an extensive assessment of DFT+U band gaps computed using self-consistent ab initioU parameters obtained from density-functional perturbation theory to impose the aforementioned piecewise linearity of the total energy. The study is carried out on 20 compounds containing transition-metal or p-block (group III-IV) elements, including oxides, nitrides, sulfides, oxynitrides, and oxysulfides. By comparing DFT+U results obtained using nonorthogonalized and orthogonalized atomic orbitals as Hubbard projectors, we find that the predicted band gaps are extremely sensitive to the type of projector functions and that the orthogonalized projectors give the most accurate band gaps, in satisfactory agreement with experimental data. This work demonstrates that DFT+U may serve as a useful method for high-throughput workflows that require reliable band gap predictions at moderate computational cost. Full article

This study investigated the influence of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and reactive and non-reactive mineral additives on the characteristic microstructure and mechanical performance of ultra-high-performance, strain-hardening cementitious composites (UHP–SHCCs). Nine mixes of cementitious composites were considered composed of reactive and non-reactive materials, such as ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), silica fume (SF), cement kiln dust (CKD), and silica flour. Compressive strength and direct tensile tests were performed on the nine mixes cured for 7 d and 28 d. The test result was analyzed based on microstructural inspections, including thermogravimetry and scanning electron microscopy. The test result and analysis showed that the microstructural property of the UHP–SHCC impacted the compressive strength and the tensile behavior and also influenced the fiber-matrix interaction. Although most of the 7 d cured specimens did not exhibit notable strain-hardening behaviors, the specimen containing the CKD exhibited a tensile strength of 11.6 MPa and a very high strain capacity of 7.5%. All the specimens with OPC, silica flour, GGBS, or SF exhibited considerably improved tensile behavior at 28 d. The specimen with only OPC as a binder could achieve the tensile strength of 11.6 MPa and strain capacity of 6.2%. Full article

This review paper reports the prerequisites of a monolithic integrated terahertz (THz) technology capable of meeting the network capacity requirements of beyond-5G wireless communications system (WCS). Keeping in mind that the terahertz signal generation for the beyond-5G networks relies on the technology power loss management, we propose a single computationally efficient software design tool featuring cutting-edge optical devices and high speed III–V electronics for the design of optoelectronic integrated circuits (OEICs) monolithically integrated on a single Indium-Phosphide (InP) die. Through the implementation of accurate and SPICE (Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis)-compatible compact models of uni-traveling carrier photodiodes (UTC-PDs) and InP double heterojunction bipolar transistors (DHBTs), we demonstrated that the next generation of THz technologies for beyond-5G networks requires (i) a multi-physical understanding of their operation described through electrical, photonic and thermal equations, (ii) dedicated test structures for characterization in the frequency range higher than 110 GHz, (iii) a dedicated parameter extraction procedure, along with (iv) a circuit reliability assessment methodology. Developed on the research and development activities achieved in the past two decades, we detailed each part of the multiphysics design optimization approach while ensuring technology power loss management through a holistic procedure compatible with existing software tools and design flow for the timely and cost-effective achievement of THz OEICs. Full article

Obesity is characterized by excessive fat accumulation and it may affect reproductive health by altering the sperm parameters, hormonal profiles, and gonadal functions. Echinacea purpurea is a medicinal herb and is well-known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The purpose of this study was to examine the beneficial effects of E. purpurea ethanol (EPE) extract on the high-fat diet (HFD)-induced reproductive damage. The obese condition in male Sprague–Dawley rats was induced by feeding with a high-fat diet (45%) and later three different doses of EPE (93, 186, 465 mg/kg per day) were tested for 5 weeks. The results showed that the level of antioxidant enzymes was increased, whereas lipid peroxidation, blood glucose level, nitric oxide production, IL-6 level, and TNF-α level were decreased in the presence of EPE extract. In addition to this, the sperm counts, motility, morphology, DNA damage, and mitochondrial membrane potential were also improved. Additionally, the protein expression of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Alpha (PPAR-α), and Phospho-Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase Alpha ½ (AMPKα1/2) phosphorylation in liver tissue and Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein (StAR) and 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase 3 (17β-HSD3) expressions in testes were increased. In conclusion, the administration of EPE extracts beneficially regulated the inflammation and reproductive damage in obese rats. Full article

The effects of using solid barriers on the dispersion of air pollutants emitted from the traffic of vehicles on roads located over flat areas were quantified, aiming to identify the geometry that maximizes the mitigation effect of air pollution near the road at the lowest barrier cost. Toward that end, a near road Computational Fluid Dynamics (NR-CFD) model that simulates the dispersion phenomena occurring in the near-surface atmosphere (<250 m high) in a small computational domain (<1 km long), via Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was used. Results from the NR-CFD model were highly correlated (R² > 0.96) with the sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) concentrations measured by the US-National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (US-NOAA) in 2008 downwind a line source emission, for the case of a 6m near road solid straight barrier and for the case without any barrier. Then, the effects of different geometries, sizes, and locations were considered. Results showed that, under all barrier configurations, the normalized pollutant concentrations downwind the barrier are highly correlated (R² > 0.86) to the concentrations observed without barrier. The best cost-effective configuration was observed with a quarter-ellipse barrier geometry with a height equivalent to 15% of the road width and located at the road edge, where the pollutant concentrations were 76% lower than the ones observed without any barrier. Full article

The transdermal delivery system of nutrients, cosmetics, and drugs is particularly attractive for painless, noninvasive delivery and sustainable release. Recently, atmospheric pressure plasma techniques have been of great interest to improve the drug absorption rate in transdermal delivery. Currently, plasma-mediated changes in the lipid composition of the stratum corneum are considered a possible mechanism to increase transdermal permeability. Nevertheless, its molecular and cellular mechanisms in transdermal delivery have been largely confined and still veiled. Herein, we present the effects of cold plasma on transdermal transmission on porcine skin and the cellular permeability of keratinocytes and further demonstrate the production of nitric oxide from keratinocytes. Consequently, argon plasma irradiation for 60 s resulted in 2.5-fold higher transdermal absorption of aniline blue dye on porcine skin compared to the nontreated control. In addition, the plasma-treated keratinocytes showed an increased transmission of high-molecular-weight molecules (70 and 150 kDa) with the production of nitric oxide. Therefore, these findings suggest a promoting effect of low-temperature plasma on transdermal absorption, even for high-molecular-weight molecules. Moreover, plasma-induced nitric oxide from keratinocytes is likely to regulate transdermal permeability in the epidermal layer. Full article

The rising environmental problems due to fossil fuels’ consumption have pushed researchers and technologists to develop sustainable power systems. Due to properties such as abundance and nontoxicity of the working fluid, the supercritical carbon (${\mathrm{sCO}}_2$) dioxide Brayton cycle is considered one of the most promising technologies among the various sustainable power systems. In the current study, a mathematical model has been developed and coded in Matlab for the recompression of the supercritical carbon dioxide Brayton cycle sCO₂-BC. The real gas properties of supercritical carbon dioxide (${\mathrm{sCO}}_2$) were incorporated into the program by pairing the NIST’s Refporp with Matlab© through a subroutine. The impacts of the various designs of the cycle’s individual components have been investigated on the performance of ${\mathrm{sCO}}_2-\mathrm{BC}$. The impact of various sedative cycle parameters, i.e., compressor’s inlet temperature $\left(T_1\right),$ and pressure ($P_1$), cycle pressure ratio ($Pr$), and split mass fraction ($x$), on the cycle’s performance $({\eta }_{cyc}$) were studied and highlighted. Moreover, an optimization study using the genetic algorithm was carried out to find the abovementioned cycle’s optimized values that maximize the cycle’s per-formance under provided design constraints and boundaries. Full article

In environmental studies, it is important to assess how regulatory standards for air pollutants affect public health. High ozone levels contribute to harmful air pollutants. The EPA regulates ozone levels by setting ozone standards to protect public health. It is thus crucial to assess how various regulatory ozone standards affect non-accidental mortality related to respiratory deaths during the ozone season. The original rollback approach provides an adjusted ozone process under a new regulation scenario in a deterministic fashion. Herein, we consider a statistical rollback approach to allow for uncertainty in the rollback procedure by adopting the quantile matching method so that it provides flexible rollback sets. Hierarchical Bayesian models are used to predict the potential effects of different ozone standards on human health. We apply the method to epidemiologic data. Full article

Forecasting wind speed is one of the most important and challenging problems in the wind power prediction for electricity generation. Long short-term memory was used as a solution to short-term memory to address the problem of the disappearance or explosion of gradient information during the training process experienced by the recurrent neural network (RNN) when used to study time series. In this study, this problem is addressed by proposing a prediction model based on long short-term memory and a deep neural network developed to forecast the wind speed values of multiple time steps in the future. The weather database in Halifax, Canada was used as a source for two series of wind speeds per hour. Two different seasons spring (March 2015) and summer (July 2015) were used for training and testing the forecasting model. The results showed that the use of the proposed model can effectively improve the accuracy of wind speed prediction. Full article

This paper presents a disc-type ultrasonic piezoelectric motor, which is designed for micro flying vehicles. It provides a high output rotation speed under low operating voltage, compared with common piezoelectric devices, by employing a “contact teeth” wave transmission structure. The ultrasonic motor (USM) consists of a trimorph disc stator, with triple internal contact teeth, a shaft and two hemispheric hard-wearing rotors. The operating principle of the USM is based on the superposition of the in-plane B₀₃ vibration mode of the trimorph disc, and the first longitudinal vibration of the contact teeth. An optimization method of the stator structure parameters was proposed and validated by numerical modeling. The diameter and thickness of the stator are 20 mm and 1 mm, respectively. A prototype with the weight of 2 g was made for this experimental test. The optimal frequency of the excitation signal and the preload force are 98.5 kHz and 0.5 N, respectively. The minimum operating voltage was tested under 7.5 V and reached the speed of 225 rpm, and the maximum unloaded rotational speed of the USM reached 5172 rpm when 30 V driving voltage was applied. The maximum lifting force generated by this USM was measured as 46.1 mN, which is 2.35 times bigger than its weight. Full article