Acta IMEKO

Comparison of volume and centroid uncertainty of a cylindrical segment by two different methods

2023-07-24T15:39:35+00:00

Some solids are seldom studied analytically, unlike spheres, cylinders, and parallelepipeds. When researchers are interested in them, approximations by discretised meshes and numerical calculations are proposed. One of those is the cylindrical segment, which has applications in novel tilt-based industrial hydrometers. More specifically, the cylindrical segment has two means of being characterized: by measuring the radius, the middle height, and the cutting angle; and by measuring the radius and both the minimum height and the maximum height. In this study, one equation from the literature about the cylindrical segment is corrected, and the two measurement forms are compared, along with their impact on the uncertainty of the volume and barycenter of this solid. Particular results depend on specific input uncertainties, measurements, and objectives. Still, for most cases, it turned out that measuring the minimum and maximum heights generally provides lower uncertainty values for the evaluated calculations, especially the centroids.

Acquisition and integration of differential pressure measurements on sails for boat performances improvement

2023-04-20T22:15:06+00:00

In this paper, we integrated within a specifically developed acquisition system, denoted as Oceanus, the measurements from a differential pressure sensor between the two sides of a sail (windward and leeward sides); experiments have been performed using a light jib sail of a 35 feet cruising-racing yacht. We analyzed the correlation between such a signal and other standard signals usually present on board such as boat speed, intensity and direction of apparent or real wind; moreover, data from Inertial Measurement Units are handled. We also considered the Target Data, which depend on the actual point of sail, and the discrepancy between measured data and the predicted Targets is monitored as an error in terms of the true wind angle and boat velocity. In this way, the trimmer/helmsman can monitor the differential sail pressure together with Target data and decide to reduce the error with a correction in how sails are trimmed, rather than in how the boat is steered to achieve an improvement of boat performances. The resulting telemetry system represents an effective low cost solution, which is affordable even for amateur yachtsmen.

Rapid parameter identification of three diode photovoltaic systems using the Cheetah optimizer

2023-08-13T17:30:59+00:00

This study focuses on accurate parameter identification for solar cells and photovoltaic module simulation using experimental data. To tackle the challenge of modelling these highly nonlinear systems, we propose the novel use of the Cheetah Optimizer (CO) algorithm, inspired by cheetah hunting strategies. The CO algorithm employs mathematical models and randomization parameters to balance exploration and exploitation, avoiding local optima by considering energy limitations. We demonstrate the CO algorithm's effectiveness by applying it to the three-diode model in solar photovoltaic systems, specifically the STP6-120/36 and Photowatt-PWP201 PV modules. Impressively, the CO algorithm achieves remarkably low root mean square error values of 0.0145 A and 0.0019 A, outperforming state-of-the-art methods and ensuring high accuracy. Additionally, it delivers the lowest power errors of 0.16054 W and 0.01484 W for the respective modules, highlighting its exceptional performance. The CO algorithm proves to be a promising tool for precise parameter extraction and optimization, leading to improved modelling and performance of solar photovoltaic systems.

A general Monte-Carlo approach to consider a maximum admissible risk in decision-making procedures based on measurement results

2023-09-01T07:02:14+00:00

According to the standards, decision-making procedures generally consider both a threshold that should not be exceeded and the measurement uncertainty that is associated to the measurement result. However, the general indications given in the Standards, in their examples, refer to the particular case when the measurand distributes according to a normal PDF. But a generalization to other cases is not considered and is not straightforward.

In a previous paper, the Authors proposed a decision-making procedure which not only considers the measurement uncertainty and the threshold, but also considers a Maximum Admissible Risk. The proposed procedure leads to decisions taken with a risk of a wrong decision lower than the given Maximum Admissible Risk. In particular, closed-form formulas were derived under specific assumptions for the distributions of the measured values. Hence, the aim of this paper is to generalize the proposed decision rule and method for setting acceptance and rejection limits, by applying the Monte-Carlo method. In this way, it can be generally applied, even when the distribution associated to the measurement result is not a priori known in closed form.

Traceability ensuring by organizing the Metrological Measurements Network

2023-10-11T07:31:38+00:00

A new scheme for the traceability ensuring, called the Metrological Measurements Network, was proposed. It is not an alternative to the existing scheme but is only another form of implementation of the traceability scheme. It is about the main principle of construction of the Metrological Measurements Network and its advantages over the existing scheme. The main reason is that each laboratory calibrates its own object for measurement using its measurement standard and sends it for calibration to a laboratory-participant and, almost simultaneously, receives a similar object from another laboratory-participant that calibrated it. If each participant, at the same time as the others, makes at least four such calibrations and transfers between laboratories-participants, it will form a common and very precise Metrological Measurement Network in a very short time. It can cover hundreds and even thousands of laboratories in a short period of time. The joint processing of a large number of such measurements will help to define the additive and/or multiplicative biases of each measurement standards. Moreover, the reference conditions are imposed that the sum of additive and, separately, the sum of multiplicative biases for all measurement standards is equal to zero regardless of the number of network participants.

The geological heritage of the historical collections of the University of Messina

2023-02-16T10:01:49+00:00

The geoheritage housed in the historical collections of the University of Messina dates back to the 1880s. These historical collections comprise a thousand specimens of minerals, gemstones, ores, rocks, and macro- to microfossils. Most of them are provided of scientific, didactic, and cultural values and consequently have to be preserved and enhanced for future generations. Their restoration and cataloging are necessary activities to make this geoscientific naturalist heritage accessible to scientists, students, tourists, and citizens worldwide. The present research reports the description of the geological heritage of the main collections housed at the University of Messina, and the results of the activities and methods carried out for the characterization of geological materials of uncertain classification or composition. The optical observations at the stereomicroscope and by Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), in tandem with µ-Raman analyses on geomaterials allowed to ascertain the authenticity of suspect specimens, pointing out that such methodologies provide a useful and fast approach to properly discriminate between real and fake geomaterials.

A numismatic study of Roman coins through X-ray fluorescence and X-ray computed μ-tomography analysis

2023-11-03T09:03:42+00:00

Thirteen of a group of thirty Roman coins, found in the so-called “Grotta delle Ninfe” near Cerchiara di Calabria (Calabria, Italy) and preserved in the Brettii and Enotri Museum showcase in Cosenza (Calabria, Italy) have been under archaeometric investigation. The coins have followed a degradation process due to the sulphurous water source near the discovery site. Due to a thick layer of corrosion products, the inscriptions are entirely unreadable. This paper aims to know the constituent material and find hidden signs or inscriptions on the coins using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray microtomography (μ-CT). Employing the X-ray μ-CT, we made some inscriptions readable, and through a numismatic study, we learned the provenance of the coins and their period of manufacture.

The use of a Heritage Building Information Model as an effective tool for planning restoration and diagnostic activities: the example of the Troia Cathedral rose window

2023-07-15T13:41:53+00:00

The constructive reading of the historical architecture through the study of the published and unpublished sources preserved in the archives, can represent a unique and precious cognitive tool to acquire all fundamental information that constitutes the basis of an aware restoration intervention.
Frequently, in case of ancient buildings, reconstruct the complete history of the building is not possible, as the sources are difficult to find, not published or kept in different territorial institutes that are not always easily accessible.
The aim of this work is to set up an HBIM (Heritage Building Information Model) system to facilitate the planning of diagnostic and restoration activities by bringing all archive information into a unique digital reference platform, accompanied by three-dimensional models that can be consulted, examined and updated.
The creation of the HBIM digital tool for consulting the architectural artefact and related information was only the last phase of this work, which began with: (i) Acquisition of archive sources in order to reconstruct the history of the restoration and renovation work on the monument; (ii) Acquisition of information about the diagnostic analyses and monitoring previously carried out on the monument; (iii) acquisition of data useful for the creation of a digital twin.

Pigments of the Campania region (Italy): a first overview for ancient wall paintings

2023-11-03T09:00:10+00:00

A first overview on the ancient pigments used in Campania region was carried out from some study on ancient wall paintings located both in residential and funerary contexts. The technological skills in the individual use or mixing of pigments from the ancient painters is related to four archaeological contexts of Campania region, dated back from the 6th century BCE to the 1st century CE. The pigments were analysed by means of in–situ spectroscopic techniques and micro–destructive laboratory analyses. The multi–analytical approach revealed the use of pure (natural and synthetic) pigments and some admixtures, created by the ancient painters to obtain assorted colour shades. The same mixtures were found in different chronological contexts and made by a different manufacturer, suggesting an evident transmission of technological knowledge over time.

Optically stimulated luminescence cross-dating from quartz of different grain size

2023-07-26T07:38:04+00:00

Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) signals from quartz can be used to determine when a sample was last exposed to sunlight. The total specific energy (dose) absorbed since the last resetting is measured using OSL, and divided by the rate of storage (dose rate) to give the time elapsed from the last heating or daylight exposure. The general equation used to determine the age in luminescence dating is given by the ratio between the Equivalent Dose (ED) and the Annual Dose rate (AD). The ED, measured using luminescence signals, is the total absorbed dose starting from the last "zero event" while the AD, evaluated by in situ and extra situ radioactivity measurements, represents the rate at which energy is absorbed from natural radioactivity present in the sample and in the environment. Evaluation of the environmental dose rate component becomes a crucial point in dating since particular conditions of the site (heterogeneity, lack of structure...) could make age measurement inaccurate. In this work, the conditions for applicability of subtraction dating are tested on a sediment of known age; it allows an age determination that is independent of knowledge of the environmental dose-rate.

Application of 2D shape analysis to study Epigravettian lithic assemblages: assessing its analytical potential

2023-04-27T10:25:23+00:00

In this paper, we apply a two-dimensional (2D) Geometric morphometric analysis to a sample of Epigravettian lithic artefacts with the aim of assessing the potential of such an approach to study Epigravettian lithic assemblages. The lithic sample comes from layer 9c2 (Evolved Epigravettian, Upper Palaeolithic, about 18,000-19,000 years ago) of Grotta Paglicci (Apulia, southern Italy). After extracting the outline coordinates from high-resolution images using the software DiaOutline, we conduct Elliptic Fourier Analysis, Principal Component Analysis, and Linear Discriminant Analysis in the R package Momocs to investigate the internal variability of the sample. Shape analysis confirms that 1) the production of microbladelets was not linked to a dedicated reduction sequence and 2) the modification of blanks into backed points followed a rather standardised stone tool design. The result opens interesting perspectives for the routine implementation of 2D shape analyses complementary to the classical technological ones.

Analysis of the ivory remains from the Etruscan tumulus of Carmignano (Central Italy) using 3D digital microscopy

2023-07-15T13:08:44+00:00

The Tumulus of Montefortini is an Etruscan tomb located in Carmignano (Central Italy), which is believed to date from the 7th century BC. The tumulus is an oval burial mound 80 metres long and 11 metres high, which houses two tombs. More than 10,000 ivory fragments, that were likely part of a rich grave good, were recovered from this site. The main raw material exploited was probably the proboscidean dentine given the presence of the "Schreger lines" on the surfaces of many specimens. In this work we analyzed a sample of this archaeological assemblage using a 3D digital microscope. This noninvasive procedure allowed to investigate the main micromorphological and micromorphometrical features of the proboscidean dentine in a relatively brief time, preserving the integrity of the archaeological finds. Unexpected results regarding to the Schreger structure were obtained from this analysis. Data collected in the present work will be useful to evaluate, through further analysis of the examined sample, the accuracy and reliability of the 3D digital microscopy in the characterization of the proboscidean taxa exploited in the past.

Machine learning models applied to estimate the water temperature of rivers and reservoirs

2023-08-01T15:01:46+00:00

Water temperature in rivers and reservoirs plays a crucial role in aquatic ecology, as inadequate conditions can promote the overgrowth of harmful algae and bacteria, resulting in the production of harmful toxins for human and animal health, and affecting water quality. To effectively manage water resources, continuous monitoring of these bodies is crucial. However, existing technological devices rarely offer continuous and real-time data collection, necessitating an alternative approach. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of four machine learning models (Linear Regression, Stochastic Model, Extra Tree, and Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network) in estimating water temperature in Pernambuco, Brazil's rivers and reservoirs. Statistical metrics showed that all models achieved a satisfactory capacity, with the Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network demonstrating slightly superior performance in reservoirs and rivers where it obtained the best result with a Mean Squared Error: 0.343, Root Mean Squared Error: 0.585, Mean Absolute Error: 0.445 and Coefficient of Determination: 0.595. Consequently, the MLPNN model was chosen for the development of virtual sensors. In addition to an interface that allows users to access a map and obtain estimated water temperature information for various locations, facilitating informed decision-making and resource management.

Methodological errors due to a non-cylindrical surface in a Jones-type cell with a removable center extension tube

2023-11-10T20:50:18+00:00

The article shows an idealized model of a Jones-type cell with a removable central extension tube. Two main factors leading to the cylindricity distortion of the inner surface of the cell are considered. These are radial displacement and tube diameter inequality. Based on the finite element method (FEM), errors in measuring the resistance of a liquid column caused by the non-uniformity of the current density distribution inside the cell were determined. The methodological error with respect to the idealized model was estimated for each factor separately and in combination. The Authors show that at a radial displacement of 0.6 mm, the error can reach 0.1 %. The same error value occurs when the inequality of the diameters is only 20 μm.

Adaptation of buffalo calves to a new automatic milk feeder

2023-10-22T20:43:26+00:00

Rational heifer management in buffalo rearing is of paramount importance. There are no studies in the literature dealing with automatic feeding in individual boxes for buffalo calves. This study aims to deepen knowledge in this area and to evaluate the ability of buffalo calves to adapt to a mobile automatic feeder through data provided by the system's monitoring software. Data were collected on 3 different groups of 15 buffalo calves in succession with each other. The data on the daily feeding quantity and volume showed that 95.67 % of the calves were fed within the first day of stall in the automatic feeder. During the first 72 h in the calf house, the calves were fed from 2.49 ± 1.21 meals per day with an average feeding rate of 0.24 ± 0.06 L/min. The average daily milk intake was 3.57 ± 0.26 L/d, while the average milk intake during the first 72 h was 10.7 ± 0.77 L. The buffalo calves, therefore, showed themselves to be able to adapt to this type of feeding, making use of its advantages.

The present of Italian Mediterranean buffalo: precision breeding based on multi-omics data

2023-11-07T10:37:09+00:00

Genetic evaluation in the Italian Mediterranean Buffalo (IMB) traditionally relied on the BLUP method (best linear unbiased predictor), a mixed model system incorporating both random and fixed effects simultaneously. However, recent advancements in genome sequencing technologies have opened up the opportunity to incorporate genomic information into genetic evaluations. The ssGBLUP (single-step best linear unbiased predictor) has become the method par excellence. It replaces the traditional relationship matrix with one that combines pedigree and genomic relationships, allowing for the estimation of genetic values for non-genotyped animals. The findings of this study highlight how genomic selection enhances the precision of breeding values, facilitates greater genetic advancement and reduces the generation interval, ultimately enabling a rapid return on investment.

Assessing wild boar presence and activity in a monitoring specific area of Campania region using camera traps

2023-09-10T06:56:59+00:00

We have measured the passage times of a wild boar family group along a known track and in two years we evaluated the frequency of the time slots in which pubescent and adult females meets the adult males to mate. Results show that family group of wild boars stably structured, has frequented the specific point in constant time slots and this fact helps researchers to estimate a dynamic behaviour of local population. This measurements and results have a concrete impact on management of the wild population.

A measurement system for enteric CH4 emissions monitoring from ruminants in livestock farming

2023-09-24T16:19:31+00:00

In this paper, a proposal for an Internet-of-Things (IoT) based measurement system dealing with the enteric methane (CH₄) emission monitoring from ruminants is presented. Herein, a brief overview of the recent advances in sensors technologies and their IoT integration for realizing measurement systems able to monitor the CH₄ emissions in ruminants is also presented. Nowadays, it is confirmed that CH₄ emissions, which are mainly produced during normal fermentation of feeds by the rumen microorganisms, are part of the Green-House Gas (GHG) emissions. Therefore, a classification of the existing measurement methods, sensing technologies and their impact on the animal’s welfare is presented. The proposed measurement system, together with its sensing elements and the developed data acquisition system are also reported in this paper. A preliminary disposal and field trials of the developed system in a farm facility is given.

On the use of 3D camera to accurately measure volume and weight of dairy cow feed

2023-11-07T09:37:32+00:00

The paper discusses the challenges facing the dairy industry due to increased farm sizes and reduced staff-to-animal ratios, which are impacting animal welfare. The development of precision livestock farming (PLF) technologies has gained momentum to address these challenges. PLF technologies can assess animal welfare and health status by monitoring animal behavior and biological changes, and alerting farmers of any issues. However, the applicability of PLF tools in other productive phases of the dairy cattle is still limited. The article focuses on the challenges of managing unweaned dairy calves, particularly the variability in relation to when calves start consuming solid feed, and how PLF technologies can be used to monitor individual calf intake and manage weaning at the individual level. The attention is mainly focused on the advantages of using automated feeders for unweaned dairy calves, including labor savings, greater precision in measurement and control of individual intake of liquid and solid feed, and higher preweaning growth rates. In particular, a method is proposed, involving a 3D depth camera and a proper algorithm to measure the volume and weight of eaten feed. The method is preliminarily assessed in tests conducted in laboratory, which highlight a remarkable concurrence (differences as low as 2 %) with respect to nominal values.

A smart combination of IoT and blockchain enabling technologies to measure and improve workplace safety in dairy farm

2023-08-19T15:58:47+00:00

In 2022, there was a 25.77 % increase in work-related accidents reported in Italy, including 1090 with a fatal outcome. Legislative Decree 81/100 regulates worker safety and requires employers to assess risks and implement necessary interventions. When risks cannot be eliminated, employers must provide appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). However, safety management requires large investments and supervision to ensure proper use of PPE. The current regulatory system, which focuses on punishing noncompliance with safety requirements, has been insufficient in deterring workplace accidents. To address this, the National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL), is introducing incentives and substantial discounts on insurance costs for companies that carry out preventive actions. In this paper, the authors propose an innovative tool that leverages IoT and Blockchain technologies to record safety-related events in an immutable and transparent way, quantifying the level of achieved safety. They suggest setting up a system consisting of PPE with RFID technology and an automated surveillance agent to record operations and issue consents. The number of events recorded in Blockchain can quantify the degree of achieved safety.

Comparative performance analysis between two different generations of an automatic milking system

2023-11-09T09:23:30+00:00

The adoption of Automatic Milking Systems (AMS) in Europe and Italy has been increasing gradually in recent years, driven by the advantages they offer over traditional milking methods. AMS reduces the need for manual labor, increases milk production, standardizes teat cleaning and disinfection, and promotes animal welfare. The adoption of milking robots also allows for continuous monitoring of milk parameters, animal health status, and production performance. In a recent study, the authors analyzed the improvements achieved by a buffalo farm in Southern Italy that switched from an older model (Classic ) to a newer generation model (VMS 300) of milking robot, showing an increase in production quantity and quality.