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Injury prevention is essential in running due to the risk of overuse injury development. Tailoring running shoes to individual needs may be a promising strategy to reduce this risk. Novel manufacturing processes allow the production of individualised running shoes that incorporate features that meet individual biomechanical and experiential needs. However, specific ways to individualise footwear to reduce injury risk are poorly understood. Therefore, this scoping review provides an overview of (1) footwear design features that have the potential for individualisation; and (2) the literature on the differential responses to footwear design features between selected groups of individuals. These purposes focus exclusively on reducing the risk of overuse injuries. We included studies in the English language on adults that analysed: (1) potential interaction effects between footwear design features and subgroups of runners or covariates (e.g., age, sex) for running-related biomechanical risk factors or injury incidences; (2) footwear comfort perception for a systematically modified footwear design feature. Most of the included articles (n = 107) analysed male runners. Female runners may be more susceptible to footwear-induced changes and overuse injury development; future research should target more heterogonous sampling. Several footwear design features (e.g., midsole characteristics, upper, outsole profile) show potential for individualisation. However, the literature addressing individualised footwear solutions and the potential to reduce biomechanical risk factors is limited. Future studies should leverage more extensive data collections considering relevant covariates and subgroups while systematically modifying isolated footwear design features to inform footwear individualisation.
With the function RooTri(), we present a simple and robust calculation method for the approximation of the intersection points of a scalar field given as an unstructured point cloud with a plane oriented arbitrarily in space. The point cloud is approximated to a surface consisting of triangles whose edges are used for computing the intersection points. The function contourc() of Matlab is taken as a reference. Our experiments show that the function contourc() produces outliers that deviate significantly from the defined nominal value, while the quality of the results produced by the function RooTri() increases with finer resolution of the examined grid.
Background
To assess the in-field walking mechanics during downhill hiking of patients with total knee arthroplasty five to 14 months after surgery and an age-matched healthy control group and relate them to the knee flexor and extensor muscle strength.
Methods
Participants walked on a predetermined hiking trail at a self-selected, comfortable pace wearing an inertial sensor system for recording the whole-body 3D kinematics. Sagittal plane hip, knee, and ankle joint angles were evaluated over the gait cycle at level walking and two different negative slopes. The concentric and eccentric lower extremity muscle strength of the knee flexors and extensors isokinetically at 50 and 120°/s were measured.
Findings
Less knee flexion angles during stance have been measured in patients in the operated limb compared to healthy controls in all conditions (level walking, moderate downhill, steep downhill). The differences increased with steepness. Muscle strength was lower in patients for both muscle groups and all measured conditions. The functional hamstrings to quadriceps ratio at 120°/sec correlated with knee angle during level and downhill walking at the moderate slope in patients, showing higher ratios with lower peak knee flexion angles.
Interpretation
The study shows that even if rehabilitation has been completed successfully and complication-free, five to 14 months after surgery, the muscular condition was still insufficient to display a normal gait pattern during downhill hiking. The muscle balance between quadriceps and hamstring muscles seems related to the persistence of a stiff knee gait pattern after knee arthroplasty. LoE: III.
Maintaining stability while walking on arbitrary surfaces or dealing with external perturbations is of great interest in humanoid robotics research. Increasing the system’s autonomous robustness to a variety of postural threats during locomotion is the key despite the need to evaluate noisy sensor signals. The equations of motion are the foundation of all published approaches. In contrast, we propose a more adequate evaluation of the equations of motion with respect to an arbitrary moving reference point in a non-inertial reference frame. Conceptual advantages are, e.g., getting independent of global position and velocity vectors estimated by sensor fusions or calculating the imaginary zero-moment point walking on different inclined ground surfaces. Further, we improve the calculation results by reducing noise-amplifying methods in our algorithm and using specific characteristics of physical robots. We use simulation results to compare our algorithm with established approaches and test it with experimental robot data.
Featherweight Generic Go (FGG) is a minimal core calculus modeling the essential features of the programming language Go. It includes support for overloaded methods, interface types, structural subtyping, and generics. The most straightforward semantic description of the dynamic behavior of FGG programs is to resolve method calls based on runtime type information of the receiver. This article shows a different approach by defining a type-directed translation from FGG− to an untyped lambda-calculus. FGG− includes all features of FGG but type assertions. The translation of an FGG− program provides evidence for the availability of methods as additional dictionary parameters, similar to the dictionary-passing approach known from Haskell type classes. Then, method calls can be resolved by a simple lookup of the method definition in the dictionary. Every program in the image of the translation has the same dynamic semantics as its source FGG− program. The proof of this result is based on a syntactic, step-indexed logical relation. The step index ensures a well-founded definition of the relation in the presence of recursive interface types and recursive methods. Although being non-deterministic, the translation is coherent.
In 4D printing, an additively manufactured component is given the ability to change its shape or function in an intended and useful manner over time. The technology of 4D printing is still in an early stage of development. Nevertheless, interesting research and initial applications exist in the literature. In this work, a novel methodical approach is presented that helps transfer existing 4D printing research results and knowledge into solving application tasks systematically. Moreover, two different smart materials are analyzed, used, and combined following the presented methodical approach to solving the given task in the form of recovering an object from a poorly accessible space. This is implemented by self-positioning, grabbing, and extracting the target object. The first smart material used to realize these tasks is a shape-memory polymer, while the second is a polymer-based magnetic composite. In addition to the presentation and detailed implementation of the methodical approach, the potentials and behavior of the two smart materials are further examined and narrowed down as a result of the investigation. The results show that the developed methodical approach contributes to moving 4D printing closer toward a viable alternative to existing technologies due to its problem-oriented nature.
Immunosorbent turnip vein clearing virus (TVCV) particles displaying the IgG-binding domains D and E of Staphylococcus aureus protein A (PA) on every coat protein (CP) subunit (TVCVPA) were purified from plants via optimized and new protocols. The latter used polyethylene glycol (PEG) raw precipitates, from which virions were selectively re-solubilized in reverse PEG concentration gradients. This procedure improved the integrity of both TVCVPA and the wild-type subgroup 3 tobamovirus. TVCVPA could be loaded with more than 500 IgGs per virion, which mediated the immunocapture of fluorescent dyes, GFP, and active enzymes. Bi-enzyme ensembles of cooperating glucose oxidase and horseradish peroxidase were tethered together on the TVCVPA carriers via a single antibody type, with one enzyme conjugated chemically to its Fc region, and the other one bound as a target, yielding synthetic multi-enzyme complexes. In microtiter plates, the TVCVPA-displayed sugar-sensing system possessed a considerably increased reusability upon repeated testing, compared to the IgG-bound enzyme pair in the absence of the virus. A high coverage of the viral adapters was also achieved on Ta2O5 sensor chip surfaces coated with a polyelectrolyte interlayer, as a prerequisite for durable TVCVPA-assisted electrochemical biosensing via modularly IgG-assembled sensor enzymes.
In this paper, the performance of different continuous-time and discrete-time models of the electrical subsystem of induction machines and permanent-magnet synchronous machines as well as methods based on them for decoupling the direct and
quadrature axis components of the stator current are investigated and compared. The focus here is on inverter-fed, pulse width modulated drives when operated with a relatively large product of stator frequency and sampling time, where significant
differences between the models and decoupling methods used come to light. Recommendations for a discrete-time model to be used uniformly in the future are made, as well as statements on whether feedforward or feedback decoupling structures are better suited and whether state controllers improve decoupling measures for very steep speed ramps. Simulation studies and measurement results support the statements made above.
This paper presents a framework for numerical building validation enhancement based on detailed building specifications from in-situ measurements and evidence-based validation assessment undertaken on a detached sustainable lightweight building in a semi-arid climate. The validation process has been undergone in a set of controlled experiments – a free-float period, and steady-state internal temperatures. The validation was conducted for a complete year with a 1-min time step for the hourly indoor temperature and the variable refrigerant flow (VRF) energy consumption. The initial baseline model was improved by three series of validation steps per three different field measurements including thermal transmittance, glazing thermal and optical properties, and airtightness. Then, the accurate and validated model was used for building energy efficiency assessment in 12 regions of Morocco. This study aims to assess the effect of accurate building characteristics values on the numerical model enhancement. The initial CV(RMSE) and NMBE have improved respectively from 14.58 % and −11.23 %–7.85 % and 1.86 % for the indoor temperature. Besides, from 31.17 % to 14.37 %–20.57 % and 9.77 % for energy consumption. The findings demonstrate that the lightweight construction with the use of a variable refrigerant flow system could be energy efficient in the southern regions of Morocco.
Energy efficiency and hygrothermal performance of hemp clay walls for Moroccan residential buildings
(2023)
Hemp-based building envelopes have gained significant popularity in developed countries, and now the trend of constructing houses with hemp-clay blocks is spreading to developing countries like Morocco. Investigating the hygrothermal behavior of such structures under actual climate conditions is essential for advancing and promoting this sustainable practice. This paper presents an in-depth experimental characterization of a commercial hemp-clay brick that has been exposed to the outdoor environment for four years, in addition to field measurements on a building scale demonstration prototype. Additionally, the study simulates 17 representative cities to assess the hygrothermal performance and energy-saving potential in each of Morocco's six existing climate zones, using the EnergyPlus engine. The experimental campaign's findings demonstrate excellent indoor air temperature and relative humidity regulation within the hemp-clay wall building, leading to satisfactory levels of thermal comfort within hemp-clay wall buildings. This is attributed to the material's good thermal conductivity and excellent moisture buffering capacity (found to be 0.31 W/mK and 2.25 g/m2%RH), respectively). The energy simulation findings also point to significant energy savings, with cooling and heating energy reductions ranging from 27.7% to 47.5% and 33.7% to 79.8%, respectively, as compared to traditional Moroccan buildings.
Given the looming threats of climate change and the rapid worldwide urbanization, it is a necessity to prioritize the transition towards a carbon-free built environment. This research study provides a holistic digital methodology for parametric design of urban residential buildings with regard to the Mediterranean semi-arid climate zone of Morocco in the early design phase. The morphological parameters of the urban residential buildings, namely the buildings’ typology, the distance between buildings, the urban grid’s orientation, and the window-towall ratio, are evaluated in order to identify the key combinations of passive and active solar design strategies that determine the high energy performing configurations, based on the introduced Energy Performance Index (EPI), which is the ratio between solar BIPV production to maximum available installed BIPV capacity and the normalized thermal energy needs. Through an automated processing of 2187 iterations via Grasshopper, we simulate daylight autonomy, indoor thermal comfort and solar rooftop photovoltaic and building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) energy potential. Then, we analyze the conflicting objectives of energy efficiency measures, active solar design strategies, and indoor visual comfort in the decision-making process that supports our goal of getting closer to net zero urban residential buildings. The digital workflow showed interesting trends in reaching a balanced equilibrium between performance metrics influenced by the contrasting impact of solar exposure on indoor daylight autonomy and thermal energy demand. Furthermore, the study’s findings indicate that it is possible to achieve an annual load match exceeding 66,56 % while simultaneously ensuring an acceptable visual indoor comfort (sDA higher than 0.4). The findings also highlight the important role of the BIPV system in shifting towards the net zero energy goal, by contributing up to 30 % of the overall solar energy output and covering up to 20 % of the yearly self-consumption. Moreover, the energy balance evaluation on an hourly basis indicates that BIPV system notably enhances the daily load cover factor by up to 5.5 %, particularly in the case of slab SN typology, throughout the different seasons. Graphical representations of the yearly, monthly and hourly load matches and the hourly energy balance of the best performing configurations provide a thorough understanding of the potential evolution of the urban energy system over time as a result of the gradual integration of active solar electricity production.
The aim of this paper is to identify indicators at country level that could prove useful in improving the effectiveness of fraud detection in European Structural and Investment Funds. We analyse data for 454 funds, belonging to the period 2014-2020, from the 28 countries that were members of the European Union in 2014. Explanatory results suggest the convenience of tracking funds, especially in countries with higher GDP and higher transparency levels, and the lesser relevance of the number of irregularities for countries with higher GDP and those receiving larger funds. Fraud and fraud detection rates in individual funds vary significantly across states. Federal states, such as the Federal Republic of Germany, are comparatively successful in detecting fraud in EU funds.
Gamification is increasingly successful in the field of education and health. However, beyond call-centers and applications in human resources, its utilization within companies remains limited. In this paper, we examine the acceptance of gamification in a large company (with over 17,000 employees) across three generations, namely X, Y, and Z. Furthermore, we investigate which gamification elements are suited for business contexts, such as the dissemination of company principles and facts, or the organization of work tasks. To this end, we conducted focus group discussions, developed the prototype of a gamified company app, and performed a large-scale evaluation with 367 company employees. The results reveal statistically significant intergenerational disparities in the acceptance of gamification: younger employees, especially those belonging to Generation Z, enjoy gamification more than older employees and are most likely to engage with a gamified app in the workplace. The results further show a nuanced range of preferences regarding gamification elements: avatars are popular among all generations, badges are predominantly appreciated by Generations Z and Y, while leaderboards are solely liked by Generation Z. Drawing upon these insights, we provide recommendations for future gamification projects within business contexts. We hope that the results of our study regarding the preferences of the gamification elements and understanding generational differences in acceptance and usage of gamification will help to create more engaging and effective apps, especially within the corporate landscape.
Decentralized applications (dApp) have proliferated in recent years, but their long-term viability is a topic of debate. However, for dApps to be sustainable, and suitable for integration into a larger service networks, they need to attract users and promise reliable availability. Therefore, assessing their longevity is crucial. Analyzing the utilization trajectory of a service is, however, challenging due to several factors, such as demand spikes, noise, autocorrelation, and non-stationarity. In this study, we employ robust statistical techniques to identify trends in currently popular dApps. Our findings demonstrate that a significant proportion of dApps, across a range of categories, exhibit statistically significant positive overall trends, indicating that success in decentralized computing can be sustainable and transcends specific fields. However, there is also a substantial number of dApps showing negative trends, with a disproportionately high number from the decentralized finance (DeFi) category. Furthermore, a more detailed inspection of time series segments shows a clearly diminishing proportion of positive trends from mid-2021 to the present. In summary, we conclude that the dApp economy might have lost some momentum, and that there is a strong element of uncertainty regarding its future significance.
International trade requires sufficient, reliable, and affordable sources of financing. Export credit agencies (ECAs) fill trade finance gaps by offering financing, insurance and guarantees to provide liquidity or mitigate risks. They help to create or secure jobs in the domestic economy. However, comprehensive government support is required to create significant impact. This includes ‘full faith and credit’ of the state. In the context of public foreign trade promotion, full faith and credit is defined as an explicit, direct or indirect, irrevocable, legal commitment to accept all liabilities of an ECA as unconditional obligations of the respective government. Our policy recommendations for countries with relatively young ECAs, for example in Ukraine, Armenia, and Malawi, are to establish a full guarantee in addition to an efficient legal set-up, sufficient capital, and sound risk management of the respective agency. Without full faith and credit, policy goals of fostering economic growth through foreign trade fall short.
Lithium-ion battery cells exhibit a complex and nonlinear coupling of thermal, electrochemical,and mechanical behavior. In order to increase insight into these processes, we report the development of a pseudo-three-dimensional (P3D) thermo-electro-mechanical model of a commercial lithium-ion pouch cell with graphite negative electrode and lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide/lithium cobalt oxide blend positive electrode. Nonlinear molar volumes of the active materials as function of lithium stoichiometry are taken from literature and implemented into the open-source software Cantera for convenient coupling to battery simulation codes. The model is parameterized and validated using electrical, thermal and thickness measurements over a wide range of C-rates from 0.05 C to 10 C. The combined experimental and simulated analyses show that thickness change during cycling is dominated by intercalation-induced swelling of graphite, while swelling of the two blend components partially cancel each other. At C-rates above 2 C, electrochemistry-induced temperature increase significantly contributes to cell swelling due to thermal expansion. The thickness changes are nonlinearly distributed over the thickness of the electrode pair due to gradients in the local lithiation, which may accelerate local degradation. Remaining discrepancies between simulation and experiment at high C-rates might be attributed to lithium plating, which is not considered in the model at present.
Public export credits and trade insurance require a global framework of institutions, rules and regulations to avoid subsidies and a race to the bottom. The extensive modernisation of the Arrangement on Officially Supported Export Credits (Arrangement) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development intends to re-level the playing field. This Practitioner Commentary describes the demand for adequate government interventions, considers the need for the reform and discusses key aspects of the new Arrangement. We argue that there is a breakthrough in several important areas such as tenors, repayment terms and green finance. However, we also find that the modernisation falls short in areas such as the interplay between different rulebooks, pre-shipment instruments' regulations and climate action.
A balcony photovoltaic (PV) system, also known as a micro-PV system, is a small PV system consisting of one or two solar modules with an output of 100–600 Wp and a corresponding inverter that uses standard plugs to feed the renewable energy into the house grid. In the present study we demonstrate the integration of a commercial lithium-ion battery into a commercial micro-PV system. We firstly show simulations over one year with one second time resolution which we use to assess the influence of battery and PV size on self-consumption, self-sufficiency and the annual cost savings. We then develop and operate experimental setups using two different architectures for integrating the battery into the micro-PV system. In the passive hybrid architecture, the battery is in parallel electrical connection to the PV module. In the active hybrid architecture, an additional DC-DC converter is used. Both architectures include measures to avoid maximum power point tracking of the battery by the module inverter. Resulting PV/battery/inverter systems with 300 Wp PV and 555 Wh battery were tested in continuous operation over three days under real solar irradiance conditions. Both architectures were able to maintain stable operation and demonstrate the shift of PV energy from the day into the night. System efficiencies were observed comparable to a reference system without battery. This study therefore demonstrates the feasibility of both active and passive coupling architectures.
Electrochemical pressure impedance spectroscopy (EPIS) is an emerging tool for the diagnosis of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). It is based on analyzing the frequency response of the cell voltage with respect to an excitation of the gas-phase pressure. Several experimental studies in the past decade have shown the complexity of EPIS signals, and so far there is no agreement on the interpretation of EPIS features. The present study contributes to shed light into the physicochemical origin of EPIS features, by using a combination of pseudo-two-dimensional modeling and analytical interpretation. Using static simulations, the contributions of cathode equilibrium potential, cathode overpotential, and membrane resistance on the quasi-static EPIS response are quantified. Using model reduction, the EPIS responses of individual dynamic processes are predicted and compared to the response of the full model. We show that the EPIS signal of the PEMFC studied here is dominated by the humidifier. The signal is further analyzed by using transfer functions between various internal cell states and the outlet pressure excitation. We show that the EPIS response of the humidifier is caused by an oscillating oxygen molar fraction due to an oscillating mass flow rate.
In this paper, the J-integral is derived for temperature-dependent elastic–plastic materials described by incremental plasticity. It is implemented using the equivalent domain integral method for assessment of three-dimensional cracks based on results of finite-element calculations. The J-integral considers contributions from inhomogeneous temperature fields and temperature-dependent elastic and plastic material properties as well as from gradients in the plastic strains and the hardening variables. Different energy densities are considered, the Helmholtz free energy and the stress-working density, providing a physical meaning of the J-integral as a fracture criteria for crack growth. Results obtained for a plate with two different crack configurations each loaded by a cool-down thermal shock show domain-independence of the incremental J-integral for different energy densities even for high temperature gradients and significant temperature-dependence of the yield stress and the hardening exponent in the presence of large scale yielding. Hence, the derived J-integral is an appropriate parameter for the assessment of cracks in thermomechanically loaded components.
Subjects utilizing a cochlear implant (CI) in one ear and a hearing aid (HA) on the contralateral ear suffer from mismatches in stimulation timing due to different processing latencies of both devices. This device delay mismatch leads to a temporal mismatch in auditory nerve stimulation. Compensating for this auditory nerve stimulation mismatch by compensating for the device delay mismatch can significantly improve sound source localization accuracy. One CI manufacturer has already implemented the possibility of mismatch compensation in its current fitting software. This study investigated if this fitting parameter can be readily used in clinical settings and determined the effects of familiarization to a compensated device delay mismatch over a period of 3–4 weeks. Sound localization accuracy and speech understanding in noise were measured in eleven bimodal CI/HA users, with and without a compensation of the device delay mismatch. The results showed that sound localization bias improved to 0°, implying that the localization bias towards the CI was eliminated when the device delay mismatch was compensated. The RMS error was improved by 18% with this improvement not reaching statistical significance. The effects were acute and did not further improve after 3 weeks of familiarization. For the speech tests, spatial release from masking did not improve with a compensated mismatch. The results show that this fitting parameter can be readily used by clinicians to improve sound localization ability in bimodal users. Further, our findings suggest that subjects with poor sound localization ability benefit the most from the device delay mismatch compensation.
High performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) is a frequently used separation technique which works well for quantification of caffeine and quinine in beverages. Competing separation techniques, e.g. high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or gas chromatography (GC), are not suitable for sugar-containing samples, because these methods need special pretreatment by the analyst. In HPTLC, however, it is possible to separate ‘dirty’ samples without time-consuming pretreatment, because disposable HPTLC plates are used. A convenient method for quantification of caffeine and quinine in beverages, without sample pretreatment, is presented below. The basic theory of in-situ quantification in HPTLC by use of remitted light is introduced and discussed. Several linearization models are discussed.
A home-made diode-array scanner has been used for quantification; this, for the first time, enables simultaneous measurements at different wavelengths. The new scanner also enables fluorescence evaluation without further equipment. Simultaneous recording at different wavelengths improves the accuracy and reliability of HPTLC analysis. These aspects result in substantial improvement of in-situ quantitative densitometric analysis and enable quantification of compounds in beverages.
A new diode-array scanner in combination with a computer-controlled application system meets all the demands of modern HPTLC measurement. Automatic application, simultaneous measurements at different wavelengths, and different linearization models enable appropriate evaluation of all analytical questions. The theory of error propagation recommends quantification at reflectance values smaller than 0.8; this can be verified only by use of diode-array scanning. The same theory also recommends quantification by use of peak height data, because the theory predicts best precision only for peak height evaluation. Diode-array scanning with reflectance monitoring enables appropriate validation in TLC and HPTLC analysis. All these aspects result in substantial improvement of in-situ quantitative densitometric analysis, and simultaneous recording at different wavelengths opens the way for chemometric evaluation, e.g. peak purity monitoring, which improves the accuracy and reliability of HPTLC analysis.
Fluorescence Enhancement of Pyrene Measured by Thin-Layer Chromatography with Diode-Array Detection
(2003)
In-situ densitometry for qualitative or quantitative purposes is a key step in thin-layer chromatography. It offers a simple way of quantifying by measuring the optical density of the separated spots directly on the plate. A new TLC scanner has been developed which is able to measure TLC plates or HPTLC plates, at different wavelengths simultaneously, without destroying the plate surface. The system enables absorbance and fluorescence measurements in one run. Fluorescence measurements are possible without filters or other adjustments.
The measurement of fluorescence from a TLC plate is a versatile means of making TLC analysis more sensitive. Fluorescence measurements with the new scanner are possible without filters or special lamps. Improvement of the signal-to-noise ratio is achieved by wavelength bundling. During plate scanning the scattered light and the fluorescence are both emitted from the surface of the TLC plate and this emitted light provides the desired spectral information from substances on the TLC plate. The measurement of fluorescence spectra and absorbance spectra directly from a TLC plate is based on differential measurement of light emerging from sample-free and sample-containing zones.
The literature recommends dipping TLC plates in viscous liquids to enhance fluorescence. Measurement of the fluorescence and absorbance spectra of pyrene spots reveals the mechanism of enhancement of plate dipping in viscous liquids—blocked contact of the fluorescent molecules with the stationary phase or other sample molecules is responsible for the enhanced fluorescence at lower concentrations.
In conclusion, dipping in TLC analysis is no miracle. It is based on similar mechanisms observable in liquids. The measured TLC spectra are also very similar to liquid spectra and this makes TLC spec-troscopy an important tool in separation analysis.
A new formula is presented for transforming fluorescence measurements in accordance with Kubelka-Munk theory. The fluorescence signals, the absorption signals, and data from a selected reference are combined in one expression. Only diode-array techniques can measure all the required data simultaneously to linearize fluorescence data correctly. To prove the new theory HPTLC quantification of the analgesic flupirtine was performed over the mass range 300 to 5000 ng per spot. The fluorescence calibration curve was linear over the whole range. The transformation of fluorescence measurements into linear mass-dependent data extends the technique of in-situ fluorescence analysis to the high concentration range. It also extends Kubelka-Munk theory from absorption to fluorescence analysis. The results presented also emphasize the importance of Kubelka-Munk theory for in-situ measurements in scattering media, especially in planar chromatography.
Material flow simulation is a core technology of Industry 4.0. It can analyze and improve large-scale production systems through experimentation with digital simulation models. However, modeling in discrete event simulation is considered as an effortful and time-consuming activity and challenges especially small and medium-sized enterprises. Systematic experiments and what-if-analysis require a large number of models. Modeling and simulation becomes a repetitive activity and the ability to model and simulate instantly becomes crucial for industry, 4.0. However, model generation typically uses specific methods to build models with individual properties for specific physical systems. A general literature review cannot sufficiently describe the current state of model generation. This study aims to provide an analysis of model generation based on the modeling strategy, modeling view, and production system type, as well as model properties and limitations.
Building energy management systems (BEMSs), dedicated to sustainable buildings, may have additional duties, such as hosting efficient energy management systems (EMSs) algorithms. This duty can become crucial when operating renewable energy sources (RES) and eventual electric energy storage systems (ESSs). Sophisticated EMS approaches that aim to manage RES and ESSs in real time may need high computing capabilities that BEMSs typically cannot provide. This article addresses and validates a fuzzy logic-based EMS for the optimal management of photovoltaic (PV) systems with lead-acid ESSs using an edge computing technology. The proposed method is tested on a real smart grid prototype in comparison with a classical rule-based EMS for different weather conditions. The goal is to investigate the efficacy of islanding the building local network as a control command, along with ESS power control. The results show the implementation feasibility and performance of the fuzzy algorithm in the optimal management of ESSs in both operation modes: grid-connected and islanded modes.
Bud type carbon nanohorns (CNHs) are composed of carbon and have a closed conical tip at one end protruding from an aggregate structure. By employing a simple oxidation process in CO2 atmosphere, it is possible to open the CNH tips which increases their specific surface area by four fold. These tip opened CNHs combine the microporous nature of activated carbons and the crystalline mesoporous character of carbon nanotubes. The results for the high pressure CO2 gas adsorption of tip opened CNHs are reported herein for the first time and are found to be superior to traditional CO2 adsorbents like zeolites. The modified CNHs are also found to be promising materials for lithium ion batteries and the performance is found to be on a par with carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers.
In this study the dynamics and stability of thin and electrically conductive aqueous films under the influence of a time-periodic electric field are explored. With the help of analytical linear stability analysis for long wavelength disturbances, the stability threshold of the system as a function of various electrochemical parameters and transport coefficients is presented. The contributions of parameters like surface tension, disjoining pressure, electric double layer (Debye length and interfacial zeta potential), and unsteady Maxwell and viscous stresses are highlighted with the help of appropriate dimensionless groups. The physical mechanisms affecting the stability of thin films are detailed with the above-mentioned forces and parametric dependence of stability trends is discussed.
Authentic corporate social responsibility: antecedents and effects on consumer purchase intention
(2023)
Purpose
The aim of the research is to identify the factors that create an authentic company's corporate social responsibility (CSR) engagement and to investigate whether an authentic CSR engagement influences the purchase intention. In addition, the study attempts to provide insights into the mediation role of attitude toward the company and frequency of purchase on purchase intention.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, a theoretical framework is developed in which major antecedents of authentic CSR are identified. A specific example of a brand and its corporate social responsibility activities was used for the study. An online questionnaire was used to collect the data. To verify the hypothesis, structural equation modeling with the partial least squares method was used. A total of 240 people participated in the study.
Findings
The results of the study confirmed that CSR authenticity positively influences consumer purchase intention. Furthermore, the hypothesized impact of CSR authenticity on attitudes toward the company and frequency of purchase could be verified.
Originality/value
Although there is research on the antecedents influencing the consumer's perceived authenticity of CSR, it has not addressed differences in impact and has not presented a full picture of influencing antecedents. In addition, CSR proof as a new antecedent is investigated in the study. Moreover, research on outcomes of perceived CSR authenticity still lacks depth. The study therefore addresses this research gap by providing an extensive research framework including antecedents influencing CSR authenticity and outcomes of CSR authenticity.
The growing demand for active medical implantable devices requires data and or power links between the implant and the outside world. Every implant has to be encapsulated from the body by a specific housing and one of the most common materials used is titanium or titanium alloy. Titanium thas the necessary properties in terms of mechanical and chemical stability and biocompatibility. However, its electrical conductivity presents a challenge for the electromagnetic transmission of data and power. The proposed paper presents a fast and practical method to determine the necessary transmission parameters for titanium encapsulated implants. Therefore, the basic transformer-transmission-model is used with measured or calculated key values for the inductances. Those are then expanded with correction factors to determine the behavior with the encapsulation. The correction factors are extracted from finite element method simulations. These also enable the analysis of the magnetic field distribution inside of the housing. The simulated transmission properties are very close to the measured values. Additionally, based on lumped elements and magnetic field distribution, the influential parameters are discussed in the paper. The parameter discussion describes how to enhance the transmitted power, data-rate or distance, or to reduce the size of the necessary coils. Finally, an example application demonstrates the usage of the methods.
Electrolyte-gated transistors (EGTs) represent an interesting alternative to conventional dielectric-gating to reduce the required high supply voltage for printed electronic applications. Here, a type of ink-jet printable ion-gel is introduced and optimized to fabricate a chemically crosslinked ion-gel by self-assembled gelation, without additional crosslinking processes, e.g., UV-curing. For the self-assembled gelation, poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(ethylene-alt-maleic anhydride) are used as the polymer backbone and chemical crosslinker, respectively, and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate ([EMIM][OTf]) is utilized as an ionic species to ensure ionic conductivity. The as-synthesized ion-gel exhibits an ionic conductivity of ≈5 mS cm−1 and an effective capacitance of 5.4 µF cm−2 at 1 Hz. The ion-gel is successfully employed in EGTs with an indium oxide (In2O3) channel, which shows on/off-ratios of up to 1.3 × 106 and a subthreshold swing of 80.62 mV dec−1.
Automatic Identification of Travel Locations in Rare Books - Object Oriented Information Management
(2017)
The digital content of the Internet is growing exponentially and mass digitization of printed media opens access to literature, in particular the genre of travel literature from the 18th and 19th century, which consists of diaries or travel books describing routes, observations or inspirations. The identification of described locations in the digital text is a long-standing challenge which requires information technology to supply dynamic links to sources by new forms of interaction and synthesis between humanistic texts and scientific observations.
Using object oriented information technology, a prototype of a software tool is developed which makes it possible to automatically identify geographic locations and travel routes mentioned in rare books. The information objects contain properties such as names and classification codes for populated places, streams, mountains and regions. Together, with the latitudes and longitudes of every single location, it is possible to geo-reference this information in order that all processed and filtered datasets can be displayed by a map application. This method has already been used in the Humboldt Digital Library to present Alexander von Humboldt’s maps and was tested in a case study to prove the correctness and reliability of the automatic identification of locations based on the work of Alexander von Humboldt and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
The results reveal numerous errors due to misspellings, change of location names, equality of terms and location names. But on the other hand it becomes very clear that results of the automatic object detection and recognition can be improved by error-free and comprehensive sources. As a result an increase in quality and usability of the service can be expected, accompanied by more options to detect unknown locations in the descriptions of rare books.
In the 19th century Alexander von Humboldt explored the nature and was conceived a new vision of nature that still influences the way we understand the new world. Humboldt believed in the importance of accurate measurements and precise description of observations. His vision of nature included not only facts but also emotions.
Nowadays smart solutions will be developed by using computer technology, which will influence our relationship to nature, our handling of the complexity and diversity of nature itself and the technological influences on the society. Could we avoid a new form of “Colonialism”, when a network of super computers will create a smarter world?
Enzyme‐assisted HPTLC method for the simultaneous analysis of inositol phosphates and phosphate
(2023)
Background
The analysis of myo‐inositol phosphates (InsPx) released by phytases during phytic acid degradation is challenging and time‐consuming, particularly in terms of sample preparation, isomer separation, and detection. However, a fast and robust analysis method is crucial when screening for phytases during protein engineering approaches, which result in a large number of samples, to ensure reliable identification of promising novel enzymes or target variants with improved characteristics, for example, pH range, thermal stability, and phosphate release kinetics.
Results
The simultaneous analysis of several InsPx (InsP1‐InsP4 and InsP5 + 6) as well as free phosphate was established on cellulose HPTLC plates using a buffered mobile phase. Inositol phosphates were subsequently stained using a novel enzyme‐assisted staining procedure. Immobilized InsPx were hydrolyzed by a phytase solution of Quantum® Blueliquid 5G followed by a molybdate reagent derivatization. Resulting blue zones were captured by DAD scan. The method shows good repeatability (intra‐day and intra‐lab) with maximum deviations of the Rf value of 0.01. The HPTLC method was applied to three commercially available phytases at two pH levels relevant to the gastrointestinal tract of poultry (pH 5.5 and pH 3.6) to observe their phytate degradation pattern and thus visualize their InsPx fingerprint.
Conclusion
This HPTLC method presents a semi‐high‐throughput analysis for the simultaneous analysis of phytic acid and the resulting lower inositol phosphates after its enzymatic hydrolysis and is also an effective tool to visualize the InsPx fingerprints and possible accumulations of inositol phosphates.
Over the last few decades, several grid coupling techniques for hierarchically refined Cartesian grids have been developed to provide the possibility of varying mesh resolution in lattice Boltzmann methods. The proposed schemes can be roughly categorized based on the individual grid transition interface layout they are adapted to, namely cell-vertex or cell-centered approaches, as well as a combination of both. It stands to reason that the specific properties of each of these grid-coupling algorithms influence the stability and accuracy of the numerical scheme. Consequently, this naturally leads to a curiosity regarding the extent to which this is the case. The present study compares three established grid-coupling techniques regarding their stability ranges by conducting a series of numerical experiments for a square duct flow, including various collision models. Furthermore the hybrid-recursive regularized collision model, originally introduced for cell-vertex algorithms with co-located coarse and fine grid nodes, has been adapted to cell-centered and combined methods.
Deep learning approaches are becoming increasingly important for the estimation of the Remaining Useful Life (RUL) of mechanical elements such as bearings. This paper proposes and evaluates a novel transfer learning-based approach for RUL estimations of different bearing types with small datasets and low sampling rates. The approach is based on an intermediate domain that abstracts features of the bearings based on their fault frequencies. The features are processed by convolutional layers. Finally, the RUL estimation is performed using a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network. The transfer learning relies on a fixed-feature extraction. This novel deep learning approach successfully uses data of a low-frequency range, which is a precondition to use low-cost sensors. It is validated against the IEEE PHM 2012 Data Challenge, where it outperforms the winning approach. The results show its suitability for low-frequency sensor data and for efficient and effective transfer learning between different bearing types.
Background:
Ankle braces aim to reduce lateral ankle sprains. Next to protection, factors influencing user compliance, such as sports performance, motion restriction, and users’ perceptions, are relevant for user compliance and thus injury prevention. Novel adaptive protection systems claim to change their mechanical behavior based on the intensity of motion (eg, the inversion velocity), unlike traditional passive concepts of ankle bracing.
Purpose:
To compare the performance of a novel adaptive brace with 2 passive ankle braces while considering protection, sports performance, freedom of motion, and subjective perception.
Study Design:
Controlled laboratory study.
Methods:
The authors analyzed 1 adaptive and 2 passive (one lace-up and one rigid brace) ankle braces, worn in a low-cut, indoor sports shoe, which was also the no-brace reference condition. We performed material testing using an artificial ankle joint system at high and low inversion velocities. Further, 20 male, young, healthy team sports athletes were analyzed using 3-dimensional motion analysis in sports-related movements to address protection, sports performance, and active range of motion dimensions. Participants rated subjective comfort, stability, and restriction experienced when using the products.
Results:
Subjective stability rating was not different between the adaptive and passive systems. The rigid brace was superior in restricting peak inversion during the biomechanical testing compared with the passive braces. However, in the material test, the adaptive brace increased its stiffness by approximately 400% during the fast compared with the slow inversion velocities, demonstrating its adaptive behavior and similar stiffness values to passive braces. We identified minor differences in sports performance tasks. The adaptive brace improved active ankle range of motion and subjective comfort and restriction ratings.
Conclusion:
The adaptive brace offered similar protective effects in high-velocity inversion situations to those of the passive braces while improving range of motion, comfort, and restriction rating during noninjurious motions.
Clinical Relevance:
Protection systems are only effective when used. Compared with traditional passive ankle brace technologies, the novel adaptive brace might increase user compliance by improving comfort and freedom of movement while offering similar protection in injurious situations.
The bandwidth behavior of graded-index multimode fibers (GI-MMFs) for different launching conditions is investigated to understand and characterize the effect of differential mode delay. In order to reduce the launch-power distribution the near field of a single-mode fiber is used to produce a controlled restricted launch. The baseband response is measured by observing the broadening of a narrow input pulse (time-domain measurement). The paper verifies the degradation in bandwidth due to profile distortion by scanning the spot of the single-mode fiber with a transversal offset from the center of the test sample. In addition, the impact of the launch-power distribution tuned by different spot-size diameters is demonstrated. Measurements were taken on ‘older’ 50-μm and 62.5-μm GI-MMFs as well as on laser-performance-optimized fibers more recently developed.
In this paper, the time- and temperature-dependent cyclic ratchetting plasticity of the nickel-based alloy IN100 is experimentally investigated in strain-controlled experiments in the temperature range from 300 °C to 1050 °C. To this end, uniaxial material tests are performed with complex loading histories designed to activate phenomena as strain rate dependency, stress relaxation as well as the Bauschinger effect, cyclic hardening and softening, ratchetting and recovery from hardening. Plasticity models with different levels of complexity are presented that consider these phenomena, and a strategy is derived to determine the multitude of temperature-dependent material properties of the models in a step-by-step procedure based on sub-sets of experimental data of isothermal experiments. The models and the material properties are validated based on the results of non-isothermal experiments. A good description of the time- and temperature-dependent cyclic ratchetting plasticity of IN100 is obtained for isothermal as well as non-isothermal loading with models including ratchetting terms in the kinematic hardening law and the material properties obtained with the proposed strategy.
Relationships between External, Wearable Sensor-Based, and Internal Parameters: A Systematic Review
(2023)
Micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) are used to record training and match play of intermittent team sport athletes. Paired with estimates of internal responses or adaptations to exercise, practitioners gain insight into players’ dose–response relationship which facilitates the prescription of the training stimuli to optimize performance, prevent injuries, and to guide rehabilitation processes. A systematic review on the relationship between external, wearable-based, and internal parameters in team sport athletes, compliant with the PRISMA guidelines, was conducted. The literature research was performed from earliest record to 1 September 2020 using the databases PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and SportDISCUS. A total of 66 full-text articles were reviewed encompassing 1541 athletes. About 109 different relationships between variables have been reviewed. The most investigated relationship across sports was found between (session) rating of perceived exertion ((session-)RPE) and PlayerLoad™ (PL) with, predominantly, moderate to strong associations (r = 0.49–0.84). Relationships between internal parameters and highly dynamic, anaerobic movements were heterogenous. Relationships between average heart rate (HR), Edward’s and Banister’s training impulse (TRIMP) seem to be reflected in parameters of overall activity such as PL and TD for running-intensive team sports. PL may further be suitable to estimate the overall subjective perception. To identify high fine-structured loading—relative to a certain type of sport—more specific measures and devices are needed. Individualization of parameters could be helpful to enhance practicality.
In this paper, a temperature-dependent viscoplasticity model is presented that describes thermal and cyclic softening of the hot work steel X38CrMoV5-3 under thermomechanical fatigue loading. The model describes the softening state of the material by evolution equations, the material properties of which can be determined on the basis of a defined experimental program. A kinetic model is employed to capture the effect of coarsening carbides and a new isotropic cyclic softening model is developed that takes history effects during thermomechanical loadings into account. The temperature-dependent material properties of the viscoplasticity model are determined on the basis of experimental data measured in isothermal and thermomechanical fatigue tests for the material X38CrMoV5-3 in the temperature range between 20 and 650 ∘C. The comparison of the model and an existing model for isotropic softening shows an improved description of the softening behavior under thermomechanical fatigue loading. A good overall description of the experimental data is possible with the presented viscoplasticity model, so that it is suited for the assessment of operating loads of hot forging tools.
BACKGROUND
Various neutral and alkaline peptidases are commercially available for use in protein hydrolysis under neutral to alkaline conditions. However, the hydrolysis of proteins under acidic conditions by applying fungal aspartic peptidases (FAPs) has not been investigated in depth so far. The aim of this study, thus, was to purify a FAP from the commercial enzyme preparation, ROHALASE® BXL, determine its biochemical characteristics, and investigate its application for the hydrolysis of food and animal feed proteins under acidic conditions.
RESULTS
A Trichoderma reesei derived FAP, with an apparent molecular mass of 45.8 kDa (sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; SDS-PAGE) was purified 13.8-fold with a yield of 37% from ROHALASE® BXL. The FAP was identified as an aspartate protease (UniProt ID: G0R8T0) by inhibition and nano-LC-ESI-MS/MS studies. The FAP showed the highest activity at 50°C and pH 4.0. Monovalent cations, organic solvents, and reducing agents were tolerated well by the FAP. The FAP underwent an apparent competitive product inhibition by soy protein hydrolysate and whey protein hydrolysate with apparent Ki-values of 1.75 and 30.2 mg*mL−1, respectively. The FAP showed promising results in food (soy protein isolate and whey protein isolate) and animal feed protein hydrolyses. For the latter, an increase in the soluble protein content of 109% was noted after 30 min.
CONCLUSION
Our results demonstrate the applicability of fungal aspartic endopeptidases in the food and animal feed industry. Efficient protein hydrolysis of industrially relevant substrates such as acidic whey or animal feed proteins could be conducted by applying fungal aspartic peptidases. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
This review provides an overview on the production and analysis techniques of antioxidative peptides from food proteins. Regarding the production of antioxidative peptides, interlinked factors must be considered. Depending on the protein substrate, different peptidases or peptidase systems containing multiple enzymes as well as a specific production process must be chosen. The antioxidative peptides might be produced in a batch process including multiple pre- and post-treatments, besides the hydrolyses with peptidases itself. As an alternative, the potential of continuous production systems is discussed in this review. Furthermore, robust analyses tools are needed to gain control of the process and final product properties. With no standardized methodology available for antioxidative peptide evaluation, pros and cons of various strategies for peptide separation and antioxidative measurement are discussed in this review. Therefore, this review provides a roadmap for antioxidative peptide generation from various sources for research and development as well as for potential industrial use.
Gas Analysis and Optimization of Debinding and Sintering Processes for Metallic Binder-Based AM*
(2022)
Binder-based additive manufacturing processes for metallic
AM components in a wide range of applications usually use
organic binders and process-related additives that must be
thermally removed before sintering. Debinding processes are
typically parameterized empirically and thus far from the optimum.
Since debinding based on thermal decomposition processes
of organic components and the subsequent thermochemical
reactions between process atmosphere and metal
powder materials make uncomplicated parameterization difficult,
in-situ instrumentation was introduced at Fraunhofer
IFAM. This measurement method relies on infrared spectroscopy
and mass spectrometry in various furnace concepts to
understand the gas processes of decomposition of organic
components and the subsequent thermochemical reactions
between the carrier gas atmosphere and the metal part, as well
as their kinetics. This method enables an efficient optimization
of the temperature-time profiles and the required atmosphere
composition to realize dense AM components with low contamination.
In the paper, the optimization strategy is presented,
and the achievable properties are illustrated using a fused
filament fabrication (FFF) component example made of 316L
stainless steel.
In the literature, many studies have described the 3D printing of ceramic-based scaffolds (e.g., printing with calcium phosphate cement) in the form of linear structures with layer rotations of 90°, although no right angles can be found in the human body. Therefore, this work focuses on the adaptation of biological shapes, including a layer rotation of only 1°. Sample shapes were printed with calcium phosphate cement using a 3D Bioplotter from EnvisionTec. Both straight and wavy spokes were printed in a round structure with 12 layers. Depending on the strand diameter (200 and 250 µm needle inner diameter) and strand arrangement, maximum failure loads of 444.86 ± 169.39 N for samples without subsequent setting in PBS up to 1280.88 ± 538.66 N after setting in PBS could be achieved.
Inadequate mechanical compliance of orthopedic implants can result in excessive strain of the bone interface, and ultimately, aseptic loosening. It is hypothesized that a fiber-based biometal with adjustable anisotropic mechanical properties can reduce interface strain, facilitate continuous remodeling, and improve implant survival under complex loads. The biometal is based on strategically layered sintered titanium fibers. Six different topologies are manufactured. Specimens are tested under compression in three orthogonal axes under 3-point bending and torsion until failure. Biocompatibility testing involves murine osteoblasts. Osseointegration is investigated by micro-computed tomography and histomorphometry after implantation in a metaphyseal trepanation model in sheep. The material demonstrates compressive yield strengths of up to 50 MPa and anisotropy correlating closely with fiber layout. Samples with 75% porosity are both stronger and stiffer than those with 85% porosity. The highest bending modulus is found in samples with parallel fiber orientation, while the highest shear modulus is found in cross-ply layouts. Cell metabolism and morphology indicate uncompromised biocompatibility. Implants demonstrate robust circumferential osseointegration in vivo after 8 weeks. The biometal introduced in this study demonstrates anisotropic mechanical properties similar to bone, and excellent osteoconductivity and feasibility as an orthopedic implant material.
Titanium and stainless steel are commonly known as osteosynthesis materials with high strength and good biocompatibility. However, they have the big disadvantage that a second operation for hardware removal is necessary. Although resorbable systems made of polymers or magnesium are increasingly used, they show some severe adverse foreign body reactions or unsatisfying degradation behavior. Therefore, we started to investigate molybdenum as a potential new biodegradable material for osteosynthesis in craniomaxillofacial surgery. To characterize molybdenum as a biocompatible material, we performed in vitro assays in accordance with ISO Norm 10993-5. In four different experimental setups, we showed that pure molybdenum and molybdenum rhenium alloys do not lead to cytotoxicity in human and mouse fibroblasts. We also examined the degradation behavior of molybdenum by carrying out long-term immersion tests (up to 6 months) with molybdenum sheet metal. We showed that molybdenum has sufficient mechanical stability over at least 6 months for implants on the one hand and is subject to very uniform degradation on the other. The results of our experiments are very promising for the development of new resorbable osteosynthesis materials for craniomaxillofacial surgery based on molybdenum.
Blockchain-IIoT integration into industrial processes promises greater security, transparency, and traceability. However, this advancement faces significant storage and scalability issues with existing blockchain technologies. Each peer in the blockchain network maintains a full copy of the ledger which is updated through consensus. This full replication approach places a burden on the storage space of the peers and would quickly outstrip the storage capacity of resource-constrained IIoT devices. Various solutions utilizing compression, summarization or different storage schemes have been proposed in literature. The use of cloud resources for blockchain storage has been extensively studied in recent years. Nonetheless, block selection remains a substantial challenge associated with cloud resources and blockchain integration. This paper proposes a deep reinforcement learning (DRL) approach as an alternative to solving the block selection problem, which involves identifying the blocks to be transferred to the cloud. We propose a DRL approach to solve our problem by converting the multi-objective optimization of block selection into a Markov decision process (MDP). We design a simulated blockchain environment for training and testing our proposed DRL approach. We utilize two DRL algorithms, Advantage Actor-Critic (A2C), and Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) to solve the block selection problem and analyze their performance gains. PPO and A2C achieve 47.8% and 42.9% storage reduction on the blockchain peer compared to the full replication approach of conventional blockchain systems. The slowest DRL algorithm, A2C, achieves a run-time 7.2 times shorter than the benchmark evolutionary algorithms used in earlier works, which validates the gains introduced by the DRL algorithms. The simulation results further show that our DRL algorithms provide an adaptive and dynamic solution to the time-sensitive blockchain-IIoT environment.
Acoustic waves are investigated which are guided at the edge (apex line) of a wedge-shaped elastic body or at the edge of an elastic plate. The edges contain a periodic sequence of modifications, consisting either of indentations or inclusions with a different elastic material which gives rise to high acoustic mismatch. Dispersion relations are computed with the help of the finite element method. They exhibit zero-group velocity points on the dispersion branches of edge-localized acoustic modes. These special points also occur at Bloch-Floquet wavenumbers away from the Brillouin zone boundary. Deep indentations lead to flat branches corresponding to largely non-interacting, Einstein-oscillator like vibrations of the tongues between the grooves of the periodic structure. Due to the nonlinearity of the elastic media, quantified by their third-order elastic constants, an acoustic mode localized at a periodically modified edge generates a second harmonic which partly consists of surface and plate modes propagating into the elastic medium in the direction vertical to the edge. This acoustic radiation at the second-harmonic frequency is investigated for an elastic plate and a truncated sharp-angle wedge with periodic inclusions at their edges. Unlike nonlinear bulk wave generation by surface acoustic waves in an interdigital structure, surface and plate mode radiation by edge-localized modes can be visualized directly in laser-ultrasound experiments.