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16 pages, 5225 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Path Following for an Omnidirectional Robot Using a Non-Linear Model Predictive Controller for Intelligent Warehouses

by Rocco Galati and Giacomo Mantriota

Robotics 2023, 12(3), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/robotics12030078 - 29 May 2023

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2775

This paper presents results coming from a non-linear model predictive controller used to generate optimized trajectories specifically for an omnidirectional robot equipped with a spraying unit to mark on the floor the perimeter of dangerous areas or to move large palletized goods inside warehouses. Results on different trajectories and with moving obstacles are provided along with considerations on the controller performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Robotics and AI for Precision Agriculture)

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12 pages, 2048 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Recognition Mechanism of Dangerous Goods Marks: Evidence from an Event-Related Potential Study

by Qiang Wei, Xinyu Du, Yixin Lin, Guanhua Hou, Siyuan Liu, Hao Fang and Ming Jin

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(6), 5192; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20065192 - 15 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2117

Abstract

Dangerous goods marks are the most effective means of alerting individuals to the potential dangers associated with the transport of dangerous goods. In order to gain a better understanding of how dangerous goods marks convey risk information, the cognitive processing of dangerous goods marks was examined by measuring event-related potentials (ERPs). We recruited 23 participants, and their ERP data were recorded. We discovered that the dangerous goods marks elicited a larger P200 amplitude and a smaller N300 amplitude, indicating that, compared to other marks, the dangerous goods marks exhibited stronger warning information and drew more attention from the subjects. Simultaneously, dangerous goods marks elicited insufficient emotional arousal in individuals. Therefore, these findings suggest that the designs of dangerous goods marks need to be improved, such as improving the graphic consistency. Changes in ERP patterns can be used to measure the risk perception level of dangerous goods marks, which can be used as an accurate indicator of the effectiveness of warning sign design. In addition, this study provides a theoretical foundation for the cognitive understanding mechanism of dangerous goods marks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Occupational Health and Ergonomics of Human-Computer Interaction)

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16 pages, 14193 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Cask Evaluation Model to Assess Safety in Chinese Rural Roads

by Longyu Shi, Nigar Huseynova, Bin Yang, Chunming Li and Lijie Gao

Sustainability 2018, 10(11), 3864; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10113864 - 24 Oct 2018

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3401

Abstract

Suburban roads are an important part of China’s road network and essential infrastructure for rural development. Poorly designed road curves and scarcity of traffic signs have caused an excessively high traffic accident rate in plain topographical areas. In this study, an approach to evaluate and improve rural road traffic safety is introduced. Based on fuzzy and cask theory and weighted analysis, a cask evaluation model is built. It provides a quantitative instant method for analyzing road safety in the absence of traffic accident information or rigorous road space data, by identifying dangerous sections and key impact factors, and ultimately help to put forward traffic safety improvements. Based on the application to a specific section of Xiaodang Central Road in the Fengxian District of Shanghai, the result shows that the pavement conditions of cement-hardened dual-lane rural roads was good, but traffic safety was poor. Missing traffic signs, unreasonable road alignment, and poor roadside conditions were the main problems. Finally, improvements of the short-stave subsystem were proposed: the location of guide signs and roadside conditions should be improved, and the number and efficacy of the rural road traffic signs need to be increased, and markings should be and receive regular maintenance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Transportation)

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38 pages, 4603 KiB

Open AccessReview

Safety Requirements for Transportation of Lithium Batteries

by Haibo Huo, Yinjiao Xing, Michael Pecht, Benno J. Züger, Neeta Khare and Andrea Vezzini

Energies 2017, 10(6), 793; https://doi.org/10.3390/en10060793 - 9 Jun 2017

Cited by 61 | Viewed by 27339

Abstract

The demand for battery-powered products, ranging from consumer goods to electric vehicles, keeps increasing. As a result, batteries are manufactured and shipped globally, and the safe and reliable transport of batteries from production sites to suppliers and consumers, as well as for disposal, must be guaranteed at all times. This is especially true of lithium batteries, which have been identified as dangerous goods when they are transported. This paper reviews the international and key national (U.S., Europe, China, South Korea, and Japan) air, road, rail, and sea transportation requirements for lithium batteries. This review is needed because transportation regulations are not consistent across countries and national regulations are not consistent with international regulations. Comparisons are thus provided to enable proper and cost-effective transportation; to aid in the testing, packaging, marking, labelling, and documentation required for safe and reliable lithium cell/battery transport; and to help in developing national and internal policies. Full article

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16 pages, 14496 KiB

Open AccessArticle

GSPE Inhibits HMGB1 Release, Attenuating Renal IR-Induced Acute Renal Injury and Chronic Renal Fibrosis

by Juan Zhan, Kun Wang, Conghui Zhang, Chunxiu Zhang, Yueqiang Li, Ying Zhang, Xiaoyan Chang, Qiaodan Zhou, Ying Yao, Yanyan Liu and Gang Xu

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(10), 1647; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17101647 - 29 Sep 2016

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 6880

Abstract

Grape seed proanthocyanindin extract (GSPE) is a polyphenolic bioflavonoid derived from grape seeds and has been widely studied for its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities. HMGB1 is a newly discovered danger-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) that has potent proinflammatory effects once released by necrotic cells. However, the effect of GSPE on the HMGB1, and the relationship of those two with acute kidney injury and chronic kidney fibrosis are unknown. This study aimed to investigate the impact of GSPE on acute kidney injury and chronic fibrosis. C57bl/6 mice were subjected to bilateral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and unilateral I/R with or without GSPE administration. After bilateral I/R, mice administered GSPE had a marked improvement in renal function (BUN and Cr), decreased pathological damage and reduced inflammation. In unilateral I/R, mice subjected GSPE showed reduced tubulointerstitial fibrosis and decreased inflammatory reaction. The renoprotection of GSPE on both models was associated with the inhibition of HMGB1 nucleocytoplasmic shuttling and release, which can amplify the inflammation through binding to its downstream receptor TLR4 and facilitated P65 transcription. Thus, we have reason to believe that GSPE could be a good alternative therapy for the prevention and treatment of IR-induced renal injury and fibrosis in clinical practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Anti-Inflammatory Agents)

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