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| 2. |
- Rodrigues, Gabriel S., et al.
(författare)
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An architecture for mission coordination of heterogeneous robots
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Systems and Software. - : Elsevier BV. - 0164-1212. ; 191
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context: Robots can potentially collaborate to execute a variety of tasks in the service robots domain. However, developing applications of service robots can be complex due to the high level of uncertainty and required level of autonomy. Objective: We aim at contributing an architecture for the development of applications, capable of coordinating multi-robot missions, and that promotes modifiability and seamless integration of independently developed components. Method: In this work, we introduce MissionControl: an ensemble-based architecture to coordinate missions of heterogeneous robots to autonomously form coalitions. MissionControl comprises a component model and a runtime environment. The component model specifies how the system can be extended for different robot's behaviors and environments. The runtime environment provides the processes required for coordinating the execution of missions at runtime. Results: We evaluated MissionControl in a simulated environment in the healthcare domain. We randomly generated 81 scenarios with uncertainty in the robots’ initial configurations. Then, each scenario was executed 8 times (i.e. 648 runs), where we evaluated the feasibility and efficiency of MissionControl for autonomously forming coalitions against a baseline approach that uses a random robot allocation. Statistical hypotheses testing yielded that MissionControl was able to achieve higher success rates while reducing the required time to conclude a mission, when compared to a baseline approach. We also perform an evaluation of the key quality attributes of the architecture, i.e. modifiability and integrability. Conclusions: MissionControl demonstrated itself able to coordinate multi-robot missions by autonomously assigning missions. Despite the error-prone robotic mission environment and demanding computational resources, MissionControl led to a significant increase in the success rate, while also decreasing the time required to conclude robotic missions when compared to a baseline approach.
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| 3. |
- Shanmugam, Vigneshwaran, et al.
(författare)
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A Review on Combustion and Mechanical Behaviour of Pyrolysis Biochar
- 2022
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Ingår i: Materials Today Communications. - : Elsevier. - 2352-4928. ; 31
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Biochar has unique physical and chemical properties, making it a viable and sustainable future generation material for a variety of applications. The applications include power generation, composite production, construction (as a reinforcement), and soil amendment. The inherent good mechanical and combustion (or fire) resistance properties of biochar are attractive, however, there are limited reports, despite its effects on bulk material properties being well-documented. Comprehending these innate properties of biochar is critical for tailoring the mechanical and fire properties of biochar-based materials and structures. Therefore, an attempt has been made in this article to garner and analyse literatures reported on the mechanical and combustion properties of biochar without being integrated with a material or structural system (e.g. composite). Biochar produced at high pyrolysis temperatures (>500 ℃) showed high fire resistance property, because of the absence of the volatile matters and development of strong C-C covalent bonds. The mechanical and combustion properties of biocharcan be controlled by varying the biochar size, porus nature, and pyrolysis temperature. The information presented in this article is crucial and can be used as a guide to develop biochar-based materials and structures for mechanical and fire resistance applications.
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| 4. |
- Ainsbury, Elizabeth, et al.
(författare)
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Integration of new biological and physical retrospective dosimetry methods into EU emergency response plans - joint RENEB and EURADOS inter-laboratory comparisons
- 2017
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Ingår i: International Journal of Radiation Biology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0955-3002 .- 1362-3095. ; 93:1, s. 99-109
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: RENEB, 'Realising the European Network of Biodosimetry and Physical Retrospective Dosimetry,' is a network for research and emergency response mutual assistance in biodosimetry within the EU. Within this extremely active network, a number of new dosimetry methods have recently been proposed or developed. There is a requirement to test and/or validate these candidate techniques and inter-comparison exercises are a well-established method for such validation. Materials and methods: The authors present details of inter-comparisons of four such new methods: dicentric chromosome analysis including telomere and centromere staining; the gene expression assay carried out in whole blood; Raman spectroscopy on blood lymphocytes, and detection of radiation induced thermoluminescent signals in glass screens taken from mobile phones. Results: In general the results show good agreement between the laboratories and methods within the expected levels of uncertainty, and thus demonstrate that there is a lot of potential for each of the candidate techniques. Conclusions: Further work is required before the new methods can be included within the suite of reliable dosimetry methods for use by RENEB partners and others in routine and emergency response scenarios.
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| 6. |
- Arridge, Christopher S., et al.
(författare)
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Uranus Pathfinder : exploring the origins and evolution of Ice Giant planets
- 2012
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Ingår i: Experimental astronomy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0922-6435 .- 1572-9508. ; 33:2-3, s. 753-791
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The "Ice Giants" Uranus and Neptune are a different class of planet compared to Jupiter and Saturn. Studying these objects is important for furthering our understanding of the formation and evolution of the planets, and unravelling the fundamental physical and chemical processes in the Solar System. The importance of filling these gaps in our knowledge of the Solar System is particularly acute when trying to apply our understanding to the numerous planetary systems that have been discovered around other stars. The Uranus Pathfinder (UP) mission thus represents the quintessential aspects of the objectives of the European planetary community as expressed in ESA's Cosmic Vision 2015-2025. UP was proposed to the European Space Agency's M3 call for medium-class missions in 2010 and proposed to be the first orbiter of an Ice Giant planet. As the most accessible Ice Giant within the M-class mission envelope Uranus was identified as the mission target. Although not selected for this call the UP mission concept provides a baseline framework for the exploration of Uranus with existing low-cost platforms and underlines the need to develop power sources suitable for the outer Solar System. The UP science case is based around exploring the origins, evolution, and processes at work in Ice Giant planetary systems. Three broad themes were identified: (1) Uranus as an Ice Giant, (2) An Ice Giant planetary system, and (3) An asymmetric magnetosphere. Due to the long interplanetary transfer from Earth to Uranus a significant cruise-phase science theme was also developed. The UP mission concept calls for the use of a Mars Express/Rosetta-type platform to launch on a Soyuz-Fregat in 2021 and entering into an eccentric polar orbit around Uranus in the 2036-2037 timeframe. The science payload has a strong heritage in Europe and beyond and requires no significant technology developments.
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| 7. |
- Donahue, Mary, et al.
(författare)
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Wireless optoelectronic devices for vagus nerve stimulation in mice
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Neural Engineering. - : IOP Publishing. - 1741-2560 .- 1741-2552. ; 19:6, s. 066031-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a promising approach for the treatment of a wide variety of debilitating conditions, including autoimmune diseases and intractable epilepsy. Much remains to be learned about the molecular mechanisms involved in vagus nerve regulation of organ function. Despite an abundance of well-characterized rodent models of common chronic diseases, currently available technologies are rarely suitable for the required long-term experiments in freely moving animals, particularly experimental mice. Due to challenging anatomical limitations, many relevant experiments require miniaturized, less invasive, and wireless devices for precise stimulation of the vagus nerve and other peripheral nerves of interest. Our objective is to outline possible solutions to this problem by using nongenetic light-based stimulation. Approach. We describe how to design and benchmark new microstimulation devices that are based on transcutaneous photovoltaic stimulation. The approach is to use wired multielectrode cuffs to test different stimulation patterns, and then build photovoltaic stimulators to generate the most optimal patterns. We validate stimulation through heart rate analysis. Main results. A range of different stimulation geometries are explored with large differences in performance. Two types of photovoltaic devices are fabricated to deliver stimulation: photocapacitors and photovoltaic flags. The former is simple and more compact, but has limited efficiency. The photovoltaic flag approach is more elaborate, but highly efficient. Both can be used for wireless actuation of the vagus nerve using light impulses. Significance. These approaches can enable studies in small animals that were previously challenging, such as long-term in vivo studies for mapping functional vagus nerve innervation. This new knowledge may have potential to support clinical translation of VNS for treatment of select inflammatory and neurologic diseases.
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| 8. |
- Guadagnini, M., et al.
(författare)
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Bond of FRP strengthening systems for concrete structures : A Round Robin Test
- 2012
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Bridge Maintenance, Safety and Management. - Boca Raton : CRC Press. - 9780415621243 - 9780203103388 ; , s. 1179-1186
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Although various test methods to examine the local bond behaviour of FRP strengthening systems to concrete have been proposed thus far, their implementation can lead to a wide range of results and a standard methodology has yet to be generally accepted. With these issues in mind, a Round Robin Testing (RRT) programme was carried out to assess the performance and reliability of small scale testing on various FRP strengthening systems, including both externally bonded laminates and near surface mounted reinforcement. Ten laboratories and eight manufacturers and suppliers participated in this extensive international exercise, which was initiated within the framework of the European funded Marie Curie Research Training Network, EN-CORE, with the support of Task Group 9.3 of the International Federation for Structural Concrete (fib). This paper describes the proposed testing programme and summarized some of the results obtained by the participating laboratories.
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| 9. |
- Sarmiento Nova, Silvia Juliana, et al.
(författare)
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A risk-based robustness evaluation of a prestressed concrete bridge
- 2023
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Ingår i: Bridge Safety, Maintenance, Management, Life-Cycle, Resilience and Sustainability - Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Bridge Maintenance, Safety and Management, IABMAS 2022. - London : CRC Press. - 9781032345314 ; , s. 2045-2052, s. 2045-2052
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Existing bridges were designed to satisfy old specifications, and most of them were based on a member-oriented approach. A bridge superstructure is constituted by a group of elements that together form a system, and depending on how robust the system is, a member-oriented approach losses accuracy. Therefore, in this study a preliminary framework of how to assess concrete bridges' robustness is presented. The framework integrates a metamodel-based reliability analysis, and the risk concepts to evaluate the robustness level for concrete bridges considering failure probabilities and consequences. A case study of a prestressed multi-beam concrete bridge is used to validate and illustrate the methodology. The capacity of the individual elements, as well as of the intact and damaged structural system are calculated using finite element modeling (FEM). It was concluded that the framework proposed can be used to assess structural robustness with low computational cost, for the cases in which FEM is implemented.
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| 10. |
- Das, Oisik, et al.
(författare)
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Flammability and mechanical properties of biochars made in different pyrolysis reactors
- 2021
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Ingår i: Biomass and Bioenergy. - : Elsevier. - 0961-9534 .- 1873-2909. ; 152
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The effect of pyrolysis reactors on the properties of biochars (with a focus on flammability and mechanical characteristics) were investigated by keeping factors such as feedstock, carbonisation temperature, heating rate and residence time constant. The reactors employed were hydrothermal, fixed-bed batch vertical and fixed-bed batch horizontal-tube reactors. The vertical and tube reactors, at the same temperature, produced biochars having comparable elemental carbon content, surface functionalities, thermal degradation pattern and peak heat release rates. The hydrothermal reactor, although, a low-temperature process, produced biochar with high fire resistance because the formed tarry volatiles sealed water inside the pores, which hindered combustion. However, the biochar from hydrothermal reactor had the lowest nanoindentation properties whereas the tube reactor-produced biochar at 300 °C had the highest nanoindentation-hardness (290 Megapascal) and modulus (ca. 4 Gigapascal) amongst the other tested samples. Based on the inherent flammability and mechanical properties of biochars, polymeric composites’ properties can be predicted that can include them as constituents.
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