Δημοσιεύσεις | RDC Informatics

Δημοσιεύσεις

Αναγνωρίζοντας το εκθετικά αυξανόμενο εύρος της γνώσης και τις ραγδαίες εξελίξεις που σημειώνονται στον επιστημονικό χώρο, οι ερευνητές μας συνεργάζονται με κορυφαία ακαδημαϊκά στελέχη από όλο τον κόσμο παράγοντας πρωτότυπη γνώση & νέες καινοτόμες ιδέες με δημοσιεύσεις των ερευνητικών αποτελεσμάτων σε διεθνή περιοδικά και συνέδρια με κριτές (peer-reviewed).

"BIOMAC—Decision Support Tool for assessing Value Chains of nano-reinforced bio-polymers"
Thayana Rigo Caser, Dr. Marinella Tsakalova, Maria Voumvoulaki, Dr. Ioanna Deligkiozi, Dionisis Koutsantonis, Konstantinos Koutsantonis
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Abstract: In the biobased industry, where biomass serves as a raw material, there are numerous pathways to achieve polymer end products, and the possibilities expand even more when nanotechnology is incorporated in the production process. In this complex landscape, the challenge is to find the optimal value chain path, considering economic and environmental impacts. The BIOMAC project tackles this challenge with a Decision Support Tool (DST) that strategically evaluates sustainability and feasibility across different value chains, guiding users throughout.

The web-based DST displays a user-friendly interface fostering efficient communication with computational tools in the backend. The backend integrates customized data repositories and optimization models considering various biobased processes with their mass and energy balances along with techno-economic and environmental factors.

This tool allows for key operations. In the "Step-by-Step" mode, users can construct value chains towards biopolymers gradually, understanding the impacts of each process. The "Optimal Path" feature allows a systemic review of the entire value chain tree, enabling the user to adjust variables and perform optimizations subjected to single or multiple criteria.

Case studies explore the utilization of alternative types of biomass (e.g., beechwood sawdust and Miscanthus Giganteus) in producing the project’s five final products (PU-based automotive parts, PLA-based barrier coatings, PU-based bridge modules, and PE-based agriculture applications). The optimization model prioritizes environmental and economic factors, and identifies the most efficient production path through biomass fractionation, nanocomposite production (nanolignin, nanofibrilated cellulose, nanocellulose), downstream processing, and final polymer formulation. Users can assess various options (different biomasses, alternative processes), conduct hypothetical studies (market fluctuations, biomass availability, product demand), and identify the most beneficial paths tailored to their specific requirements.

The DST strives to empower stakeholders to navigate the challenging landscape of nano-enabled biopolymers. Its user-friendly interface allows for easy and accessible studies, without requiring expertise in optimization or data collection, enabling decision-making in this field.
"Micro-algae proteins for food and feed? Yes, but how? A Decision Support framework for the assessment of their sutainable production"
Dr. Marinella Tsakalova, Dionisis Koutsantonis, Thayana Rigo, Dr. Ioanna Deligkiozi
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In: Final ProFuture's Conference on Microalgae Protein Ingredients for the Food and Feed of the Future. September 2023
Abstract: The use of algae presents a remarkable and innovative approach to addressing the global economy's shift towards sustainability and circularity. Simultaneously, the question of whether algae can feasibly serve as substitutes for conventional resources needs to be addressed. Despite the challenges in thoroughly exploring this field, it is astonishing that significant efforts have yielded an extensive compilation of techniques for cultivating, processing, and utilizing various alternative types of algae. Following, valuable aglae-baseed intermediates give rise to a diverse range of final products with applications in markets such as food, feed, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and even energy. In the Profuture project the focus relys on the implementation of innovative, sustainable and cost-effective technologies to produce microalgal-based protein directed towards the food and feed markets. Profuture strives to strengthen the collaboration among various key stakeholders in the microalgae value chain.
"An Innovative Portable Device for Diesel Engines and Transmission Electronic Control Units Diagnosis and Debug"
Mavroukakis Apostolos, Piromalis Dimitrios, Kolovos Dimitrios, Gryparis Vasilios, Katsea-Sarantou Ioli, Drosos Christos, Karavas Christos-Spyridon, Petroulias-Meimetis George, Mourafetis Christos.
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In: Journal of Multidisciplinary Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST). July 2023
Abstract: Heavy-duty construction machinery together with all the diesel engine-based vehicles, as those used for logistics and transportation, are of paramount importance for the economy in both developed and under development societies. Despite the strong interest in e-mobility recently, it is practically very difficult to replace diesel engine-based vehicles by electrical alternatives specifically for application domains associated with logistics and heavy construction works. Traditionally, these vehicles are characterized by high costs of investment and ownership, expensive repair and maintenance services and requirement for high operational availability. This paper presents the design of a portable that allows the diagnosis and debugging of electronic control units of transmission systems as well as diesel engines. Amongst the most advantages of this device are the capability of effective service in-situ and its versatile support of all the existing commercial transmissions and diesel engines. Moreover, the total repair cost and time are significantly decreased.
“Bibliometric Literature Review of Adaptive Learning Systems”
Koutsantonis, Dionisios and Koutsantonis, Konstantinos and Bakas, Nikolaos P and Plevris, Vagelis and Langousis, Andreas and Chatzichristofis, Savvas A
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In: Sustainability / Effectiveness and Sustainable Application on Educational Technology. October 2022
Abstract: In this review paper, we computationally analyze a vast volume of published articles in the field of Adaptive Learning, as obtained by the Scopus Database. Particularly, we use a query with search terms targeting the area of Adaptive Learning Systems by utilizing a combination of specific keywords. Accordingly, we apply a multidimensional scaling algorithm to construct bibliometric maps for keywords, authors, and references. Subsequently, we present the computational results for the studied dataset, reveal significant patterns appearing in the field of adaptive learning and the inter-item associations, and interpret the findings based on the current state-of-the-art literature in the area. Furthermore, we demonstrate the time-series of the evolution of the research terms, their trends over time, as well as their prevalent statistical associations.
“Using AI and ML to develop more accurate design formulae in civil engineering George Markou and Nikolaos P. Bakas”
Prof George Markou and Nikolaos P Bakas
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In: Innovate, University of Pretoria, South Africa. 2022.
Abstract: The landscape of structural design, which aims to develop safe and sustainable structures, has been formed by applying a specific methodology that foresees the use of empirical and semi-empirical knowledge. This methodology studies experimental data and observations in an attempt to develop design formulae.
“Using Machine Learning and Finite Element Modelling to Develop a Formula to Determine the Deflection of Horizontally Curved Steel I-beams. International Conference on Agents and Artificial Intelligence”
Elvis Ababu, George Markou, and Nikolaos Bakas
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In: 14th International Conference on Agents and Artificial Intelligence. February 2022.
Abstract: The use of curved I-beams has been increasing throughout the years as the steel forming industry continues to advance. However, there are often design limitations on such structures due to the lack of recommendations and design code formulae for the estimation of the expected deflection of these structures. This is attributed to the lack of understanding of the behaviour of curved I-beams that exhibit extreme torsion and bending. Thus, currently, there are no formulae readily available for practising engineers to use to estimate the deflection of curved beams. Since the design of light steel structures is often governed by serviceability considerations, this paper aims to analyse the properties of curved steel I-beams and their impact on deflection as well as develop an accurate formula that will be able to predict the expected deflection of these beams. By using a combination of an experimentally validated finite element modelling approach and machine learning. Numerous formulae are developed and tested for the needs of this research work. The final proposed formula, which is the first of its kind, was found to have an average error of 4.11% in estimating the midspan deflection on the test dataset.
“Improved Predictive Fundamental Period Formula for Reinforced Concrete Structures through the Use of Machine Learning Algorithms”
Nathan Carstens, George Markou, and Nikolaos Bakas
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In: 14th International Conference on Agents and Artificial Intelligence. February 2022.
Abstract: With the development of technology and building materials, the world is moving towards creating a better and safer environment. One of the main challenges for reinforced concrete structures is the capability to withstand the seismic loads produced by earthquake excitations, through using the fundamental period of the structure. However, it is well documented that the current design formulae fail to predict the natural frequency of the considered structures due to their inability to incorporate the soil-structure interaction and other features of the structures. This research work extends a dataset containing 475 modal analysis results developed through a previous research work. The extended dataset was then used to develop three predictive fundamental period formulae using a machine learning algorithm that utilizes a higher-order, nonlinear regression modelling framework. The predictive formulae were validated with 60 out-of-sample modal analysis results. The numerical findings concluded that the fundamental period formulae proposed in this study possess superior prediction ability, compared to all other international proposed formulae, for the under-studied types of buildings.
“Inverse Transform Sampling for Bibliometric Literature Analysis”
Nikos Bakas, Dionisis Koutsantonis, Vagelis Plevris, Andreas Langousis, and Savvas Chatzichristofis
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In: The Thirteenth International Conference on Information, Intelligence, Systems and Applications. Ionian University, Corfu, Greece, 18-20 July 2022. IISA2022, 2022
Abstract: Scientific literature is prosperously evolving, exhibiting exponential growth in the last decades. For a wide range of scientific thematic areas, it is hard or even impossible for individual researchers to analyze in detail the available published works. For this purpose, we utilize a robust multidimensional scaling procedure, to construct the bibliometric maps of the literature, for keywords, authors and references. Particularly, we propose a generic machine learning algorithm for multidimensional scaling and describe the algorithmic procedure for the generation of the bibliometric maps.
“Investigation of performance metrics in regression analysis and machine learning-based prediction models”
Vagelis Plevris, German Solorzano, Nikolaos Bakas, and Mohamed El Amine Ben Seghie
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In: The 8th European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering, 5–9 June 2022, Oslo, Norway. ECCOMAS 2022, 2022.
Abstract: Performance metrics (Evaluation metrics or error metrics) are crucial components of regression analysis and machine learning-based prediction models. A performance metric can be defined as a logical and mathematical construct designed to measure how close the predicted outcome is to the actual result. A variety of performance metrics have been described and proposed in the literature. Knowledge about the metrics’ properties needs to be systematized to simplify their design and use. In this work, we examine various regression related metrics (14 in total) for continuous variables, including the most widely used ones, such as the (root) mean squared error, the mean absolute error, the Pearson correlation coefficient, and the coefficient of determination, among many others. We provide their mathematical formulations, as well as a discussion on their use, their characteristics, advantages, disadvantages, and limitations, through theoretical analysis and a detailed numerical example. The 10 unitless metrics are further investigated through a numerical analysis with Monte Carlo Simulation based on (i) random guessing and (ii) the addition of random noise with various noise ratios to the predicted values. Some of the metrics show a poor or inconsistent performance, while others exhibit good performance as evaluation measures of the “goodness of fit”. We highlight the importance of the usage of the right metrics to obtain good predictions in machine learning and regression models in general.
“Development of a New Fundamental Period Formula for Steel Structures Considering the Soil-structure Interaction with the Use of Machine Learning Algorithms”
Ashley Westhuizen, George Markou, and Nikolaos Bakas
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In: 14th International Conference on Agents and Artificial Intelligence. 2022.
Abstract: The fundamental period of buildings is an important parameter when designing seismic resistant structures. The current formulae proposed in design codes for determining the fundamental period of steel structures cannot accurately predict the fundamental period of real structures. In addition, most of the current formulae only consider the height of the structure in their formulation, while soil structure interaction (SSI) and the orientation of the I-columns that influence the fundamental period are usually neglected. This research focuses on the use of machine learning algorithms to obtain a new formula that accounts for different geometrical features of the superstructure, where the SSI effect is also considered. After training and testing a 40-feature formula, an additional 138 out-of-sample numerical results were used to further test the accuracy of the proposed formula’s prediction abilities. The validation resulted in a correlation of 99.71%, which suggests that the proposed formula exhibits high predictive features for the steel structures considered in this study.
“Prediction of the shear capacity of reinforced concrete slender beams without stirrups by applying artificial intelligence algorithms in a big database of beams generated by 3D nonlinear finite element analysis”
George Markou and Nikolaos Bakas
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In: Computers and Concrete. 2021.
Abstract: Calculating the shear capacity of slender reinforced concrete beams without shear reinforcement was the subject of numerous studies, where the eternal problem of developing a single relationship that will be able to predict the expected shear capacity is still present. Using experimental results to extrapolate formulae was so far the main approach for solving this problem, whereas in the last two decades different research studies attempted to use artificial intelligence algorithms and available data sets of experimentally tested beams to develop new models that would demonstrate improved prediction capabilities. Given the limited number of available experimental databases, these studies were numerically restrained, unable to holistically address this problem. In this manuscript, a new approach is proposed where a numerically generated database is used to train machine-learning algorithms and develop an improved model for predicting the shear capacity of slender concrete beams reinforced only with longitudinal rebars. Finally, the proposed predictive model was validated through the use of an available ACI database that was developed by using experimental results on physical reinforced concrete beam specimens without shear and compressive reinforcement. For the first time, a numerically generated database was used to train a model for computing the shear capacity of slender concrete beams without stirrups and was found to have improved predictive abilities compared to the corresponding ACI equations. According to the analysis performed in this research work, it is deemed necessary to further enrich the current numerically generated database with additional data to further improve the dataset used for training and extrapolation. Finally, future research work foresees the study of beams with stirrups and deep beams for the development of improved predictive models.
“Developing design formulae for reinforced concrete structures through AI algorithms and modelling”
George Markou and Nikolaos P. Bakas
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In: Innovate, University of Pretoria, South Africa. 2021.
Abstract: Civil engineers around the world strive to construct a sustainable and safe built environment by engaging numerous design and numerical tools. The design and assessment of structures is performed through the use of national and international design codes that usually suggest the use of semi-empirical design formulae.