bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Light-Weight Practical Framework for Feces Detection and Trait Recognition
Authors: Leng Lu , Yang Ziyuan , Kim Cheonshik , Zhang Yue
Published: May 2020

Fecal trait examinations are critical in the clinical diagnosis of digestive diseases, and they can effectively reveal various aspects regarding the health of the digestive system. An automatic feces detection and trait recognition system based on a visual sensor could greatly alleviate the burden on medical inspectors and overcome many sanitation problems, such as infections. Unfortunately, the lack of digital medical images acquired with camera sensors due to patient privacy has obstructed the development of fecal examinations. In general, the computing power of an automatic fecal diagnosis machine or a mobile computer-aided diagnosis device is not always enough to run a deep network. Thus, a light-weight practical framework is proposed, which consists of three stages: illumination normalization, feces detection, and trait recognition. Illumination normalization effectively suppresses the illumination variances that degrade the recognition accuracy. Neither the shape nor the location is fixed, so shape-based and location-based object detection methods do not work well in this task. Meanwhile, this leads to a difficulty in labeling the images for training convolutional neural networks (CNN) in detection. Our segmentation scheme is free from training and labeling. The feces object is accurately detected with a well-designed threshold-based segmentation scheme on the selected color component to reduce the background disturbance. Finally, the preprocessed images are categorized into five classes with a light-weight shallow CNN, which is suitable for feces trait examinations in real hospital environments. The experiment results from our collected dataset demonstrate that our framework yields a satisfactory accuracy of 98.4%, while requiring low computational complexity and storage.
A Subject-Specific Approach to Detect Fatigue-Related Changes in Spine Motion Using Wearable Sensors
Authors: Chan Victor C.H. , Beaudette Shawn M. , Smale Kenneth B. , Beange Kristen H.E. , Graham Ryan B.
Published: May 2020

An objective method to detect muscle fatigue-related kinematic changes may reduce workplace injuries. However, heterogeneous responses to muscle fatigue suggest that subject-specific analyses are necessary. The objectives of this study were to: (1) determine if wearable inertial measurement units (IMUs) could be used in conjunction with a spine motion composite index (SMCI) to quantify subject-specific changes in spine kinematics during a repetitive spine flexion-extension (FE) task; and (2) determine if the SMCI was correlated with measures of global trunk muscle fatigue. Spine kinematics were measured using wearable IMUs in 10 healthy adults during a baseline set followed by 10 sets of 50 spine FE repetitions. After each set, two fatigue measures were collected: perceived level of fatigue using a visual analogue scale (VAS), and maximal lift strength. SMCIs incorporating 10 kinematic variables from 2 IMUs (pelvis and T8 vertebrae) were calculated and used to quantify subject-specific changes in movement. A main effect of set was observed (F (1.7, 15.32) = 10.42, p = 0.002), where the SMCI became significantly greater than set 1 starting at set 4. Significant correlations were observed between the SMCI and both fatigue VAS and maximal lift strength at the individual and study level. These findings support the use of wearable IMUs to detect subject-specific changes in spine motion associated with muscle fatigue.
Multi-Scale Global Contrast CNN for Salient Object Detection
Authors: Feng Weijia , Li Xiaohui , Gao Guangshuai , Chen Xingyue , Liu Qingjie
Published: May 2020

Salient object detection (SOD) is a fundamental task in computer vision, which attempts to mimic human visual systems that rapidly respond to visual stimuli and locate visually salient objects in various scenes. Perceptual studies have revealed that visual contrast is the most important factor in bottom-up visual attention process. Many of the proposed models predict saliency maps based on the computation of visual contrast between salient regions and backgrounds. In this paper, we design an end-to-end multi-scale global contrast convolutional neural network (CNN) that explicitly learns hierarchical contrast information among global and local features of an image to infer its salient object regions. In contrast to many previous CNN based saliency methods that apply super-pixel segmentation to obtain homogeneous regions and then extract their CNN features before producing saliency maps region-wise, our network is pre-processing free without any additional stages, yet it predicts accurate pixel-wise saliency maps. Extensive experiments demonstrate that the proposed network generates high quality saliency maps that are comparable or even superior to those of state-of-the-art salient object detection architectures.
Zenneck Waves in Decision Agriculture: An Empirical Verification and Application in EM-Based Underground Wireless Power Transfer
Authors: Raza Usman , Salam Abdul
Published: May 2020

In this article, the results of experiments for the observation of Zenneck surface waves in sub GHz frequency range using dipole antennas are presented. Experiments are conducted over three different soils for communications distances of up to 1 m. This empirical analysis confirms the existence of Zenneck waves over the soil surface. Through the power delay profile (PDP) analysis, it has been shown that other subsurface components exhibit rapid decay as compared to the Zenneck waves. A potential application of the Zenneck waves for energy transmission in the area of decision agriculture is explored. Accordingly, a novel wireless through-the-soil power transfer application using Zenneck surface waves in electromagnetic (EM) based wireless underground communications is developed.
Climate-Smart Agriculture in the Northeast of Brazil: An Integrated Assessment of the Aquaponics Technology
Authors: Finizola e Silva Maíra , Van Passel Steven
Published: May 2020

The purpose of this study is to determine if aquaponic systems can reduce food insecurity in the semi-arid regions of Brazil and generate income for the beneficiaries. Aquaponics is a potentially sustainable way to produce food based on gardening, hydroponics and aquaculture. A case study, based on a project called Aquaponova, was developed. The aquaponic systems currently used in the project are non-commercial and designed for households with limited resources. The data based on six existing systems within this project were used to compare the costs and the benefits. The cost–benefit analysis covers four scenarios and three financing options. The results show that aquaponic systems have a large potential and can reduce food insecurity in semi-arid regions while generating income for the beneficiaries. Even if the system only produces 40% of the total estimated production, the system will still be feasible. However, the low opportunity cost of labour is an essential factor for obtaining these positive results. Moreover, the social benefits, such as a community spirit and the health benefits of the system, should not be underestimated.
Investigation on Evaluation Framework of Elementary School Teaching Materials for Sustainable Development
Authors: Liu Zhenwen , Yang Hsi-Chi , Shiau Yan-Chyuan
Published: May 2020

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) forms part of Target 4.7 of Sustainable Development Goal 4 in the 2030 Agenda. This paper presents an effort to propose an evaluation framework of elementary school teaching materials in Taiwan for sustainable development considering three dimensions of sustainability: Environmental, social, and economic. The proposed framework comprises four levels: Lever 1, education for sustainable development; Level 2, teaching scopes; Level 3, learning indicators, and; Level 4, learning topics. This study first, through literature reviews, proposed an initial evaluation framework and then, through in-depth expert interviews, obtained a modified framework. Thereafter, the Delphi questionnaires were conducted to establish the final evaluation framework. The framework includes four teaching scopes, ten learning indicators and twenty-one learning topics. Furthermore, the weights of each scope and its associated indicators were analyzed and compared through AHP questionnaires to obtain the scoring table for sustainability teaching materials implemented in a school. Finally, the scoring table was applied to an existing elementary school to investigate its implementation of the teaching materials on sustainable development. Based on the result from the scoring table, the areas needed for improvement were identified and the improvement strategies were then proposed.
Are Corporate Environmental Responsibility Activities an Efficient Investment or an Agency Cost? Evidence from Korea
Authors: Kang Sang Koo , Byun Hee Sub
Published: May 2020

External conditions such as capital market maturity, investor protection levels, and government control over individual firms vary among countries. We posit that such environmental differences could cause differences in corporate environmental responsibility (CER) activities between countries. However, previous studies have mainly focused on developed countries, while studies conducted in emerging countries are limited. We examine the relationship between CER activities and investment inefficiency in firms listed on the Korea Exchange. Specifically, we analyze the incentive of managers’ ex-ante behavior on CERs and further analyze the relationship between these incentives and external evaluations. Using firm-year panel data, we conducted the pooled ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis and found the following results. First, the relationship between CERs and investment inefficiency is significantly positive, especially those based on managers’ incentives for overinvestments. Second, the positive relationship between CERs and investment inefficiency is prominent in the subsamples with large free cash flows or low asset efficiency. Third, active CERs reduced corporate value in the overinvestment subsample. Unlike existing literature that focuses on developed countries, our results imply that CERs may have negative effects due to agency problems in emerging countries with immature capital markets. From this arises the academic implication that the evaluation of CERs should be changed according to different capital market environments.
Influences of the Transaction Intention of Farmland Transfer under Information Asymmetry: An Empirical Study of 1100 Questionnaires from China
Authors: Li Yingchao , Du Ruyu , Li Linli , Jiang Guanghui , Fan Zhiyuan
Published: May 2020

The original intention of the tripartite rural land entitlement system was to activate farmland management rights and improve the efficiency of land element allocation. However, information asymmetry is prevalent in a market with imperfect competition. We analyzed the key factors affecting farmland transfer transactions with the structural equation model using survey data from farmers in five major grain-producing counties in Henan province, China. The purpose of our study was to investigate how these factors contribute to the avoidance of a “lemon market” emerging in farmland transfer and can promote the market regulation of farmland transfer operations. This study was conducted under the framework of asymmetric theory analysis with the purpose of discussing the fundamental forces driving farmland transfer transactions. The results show that (1) the economic characteristics of farmers play an important role in the formation of farmland transfer transactions, and their impacts on the willingness to transfer farmland in and out were 0.69 and 0.97, respectively; and (2) among the observable variables, the satisfaction degree of agricultural technology training and the proportion of non-agricultural income had a strong ability to explain the choice of farmland transfer behavior, and the factors that strongly impacted farmland transfer out behavior were physical condition and farmland quality. Thus, we recommend establishing a detailed land transfer pricing system based on the background quality of farmland and increasing the agricultural science and technology education, focusing on dredging information transmission channels to fulfill the new requirements of the three-right separation system on the government’s supervision of farmland transfer to promote effective links between small-scale peasant economies and modern agriculture.
Increasing the Yield of Lactuca sativa, L. in Glass Greenhouses through Illumination Spectral Filtering and Development of an Optical Thin Film Filter
Authors: Thomas Jacqualine A , Vasiliev Mikhail , Nur-E-Alam Mohammad , Alameh Kamal
Published: May 2020

With the increase in world population, the continued advances in modern greenhouse agriculture and plant growth practices are expected to help overcome the global problem of future food shortages. The next generation greenhouse design practices will need to address a range of issues, ranging from energy and land use efficiency to providing plant-optimized growth techniques. In this paper, we focus on investigating the optimum irradiation spectra matched to the lettuce species (Lactuca sativa, L.), commonly grown in greenhouse environments, in order to develop low-emissivity glass panes that maximize the biomass productivity of glass greenhouses. This low-emissivity glass passes the solar spectral components needed for crop growth, while rejecting other unwanted radiations. This could potentially lead to significant energy savings and other beneficial effects related to greenhouse climate control, in a range of climates. The experimental results show that substantial biomass productivity improvements in lettuce (up to approximately 14.7%) can be attained by using spectrally optimized illumination, instead of white light illumination. This optimized wavelength is then demonstrated as being used to develop an advanced metal-dielectric thin-film filter that produces the optimized illumination spectrum when exposed to sunlight.
Effect of Oat Hulls Incorporated in the Diet or Fed as Free Choice on Growth Performance, Carcass Yield, Gut Morphology and Digesta Short Chain Fatty Acids of Broiler Chickens
Authors: Adewole Deborah , MacIsaac Janice , Fraser Gillian , Rathgeber Bruce
Published: May 2020

The use of high fiber agricultural byproducts in poultry nutrition can help not only to reduce feed cost but also to promote gastrointestinal functionality and growth performance and enhance environmental sustainability. This study was conducted to examine the effect of oat hulls (OH) incorporated in the diet or fed as free choice on growth performance, intestinal morphology, cecal short chain fatty acids (SCFA) production and carcass yield of broiler chickens. Day old broiler chickens were assigned to 4 dietary treatment groups which consisted of a corn–soybean meal–wheat based diet (Basal), Basal + bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD), Basal + 3% OH (3% OH) and Basal + free choice OH (FCOH). Each group had six replicate pens of 27 chicks and were raised for 39 d. Feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were determined weekly for each pen. One chicken/pen was slaughtered on d 36 to determine organ weights, jejunal morphology, digesta pH and cecal SCFA and two chickens/pen were slaughtered on d 39 to determine carcass weight and yield. Diet had no effect on FI, except on d 28, when the FCOH group had higher FI than the 3% OH groups. During the starter phase, chickens fed 3% OH had the highest BWG and lowest FCR, which were significantly different (p < 0.05) from those fed FCOH. Chickens fed 3% OH had the highest slaughter, hot carcass, and cold carcass weights, which were significantly different (p < 0.05) from those fed FCOH. Diet had no effect on jejunal villus height and crypt depth, ileal and cecal digesta pH, and cecal SCFA. Chickens fed FCOH had a larger (p < 0.0001) gizzard weight and showed a tendency to have a larger (p = 0.09) ceca weight than other treatment groups. In conclusion, the inclusion of 3% OH in an antibiotic-free diet has the potential to enhance growth performance, while free choice OH increases the gizzard weight of broiler chickens.
Can In-Kind Compensation for Expropriated Real Property Promote Spatial Justice? A Case Study Analysis of Resettlement in Kigali City, Rwanda
Authors: Uwayezu Ernest , T. de Vries Walter
Published: May 2020

Kigali city authorities have recently adopted an in-kind compensation option to mitigate some patterns of spatial injustices, reflected in the displacement of expropriated real property owners towards urban outskirts, where they can afford new properties using the in-cash compensation they receive. This study assesses whether this form of compensation promotes a spatially just and inclusive urban (re)development. It applies an evaluative framework comprising a series of indicators connected to three dimensions (rules, processes, and outcomes) of spatial justice and its four forms consisting of procedural, recognitional, redistributive, and intra-generational justice. It relies on data collected through field surveys and a review of literature on expropriation and urban (re)development processes in Kigali city. The findings reveal that the adopted in-kind compensation exhibits some aspects of spatial justice connected with the access to decent houses, basic urban amenities, and increased tenure security. However, these findings unveil deficiencies in procedural, recognitional, redistributive, and intra-generational justice, portrayed in the lack of negotiation on the compensation option, non-participation of expropriated property owners in their resettlement process, overcrowding conditions of the new houses, and loss of the main sources of incomes. Some options for a better implementation of the in-kind compensation are suggested. Two strands of procedural and recognitional justice, namely negotiation and community participation, are central to their successful implementation.
The Silent Killer: Consequences of Climate Change and How to Survive Past the Year 2050
Authors: Huckelba Anna Laura , Van Lange Paul A. M.
Published: May 2020

There is strong scientific consensus that the climate is drastically changing due to increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and that these changes are largely due to human behavior. Scientific estimates posit that by 2050, we will begin to experience some of the most damaging consequences of climate change, which will only worsen as the world becomes more populated and resources become scarcer. Considerable progress has been made to explore technological solutions, yet useful insights from a psychological perspective are still lacking. Understanding whether and how individuals and groups cope with environmental dilemmas is the first step to combatting climate change. The key challenge is how can we reduce a tendency to inaction and to understand the psychological obstacles for behavioral change that reduce climate change. We provide a social dilemma analysis of climate change, emphasizing three important ingredients: people need to recognize their own impact on the climate, there is conflict between self-interest and collective interests, and there is a temporal dilemma involving a conflict between short-term and longer-term interest. Acknowledging these features, we provide a comprehensive overview of psychological mechanisms that support inaction, and close by discussing potential solutions. In particular, we offer recommendations at the level of individuals, communities, and governments.
Evaluation of the Effect of Dolomitic Lime Application on Pastures—Case Study in the Montado Mediterranean Ecosystem
Authors: Serrano João , Shahidian Shakib , Marques da Silva José , Moral Francisco , Carvajal-Ramirez Fernando , Carreira Emanuel , Pereira Alfredo , Carvalho Mário de
Published: May 2020

The Montado ecosystem, predominant in the Mediterranean region, consists of poor soils, a sparse cover of cork and holm with an understory of natural biodiverse pastures, grazed by animals in extensive regime. The recommended procedure for increasing productivity of these pastures is based on the application of phosphate fertilizer. One of the main productivity-limiting factors is, however, associated with soil acidity. The objective of this work was to evaluate the simultaneous effect of the holm oak canopy and the application of dolomitic lime on the productivity and quality of a permanent biodiverse pasture, grazed by sheep, in an acid soil (pH = 5.4 ± 0.3). Pasture was monitored at the end of autumn 2018 and winter and spring 2019. The results show that amendment of soil acidity is a slow and gradual process that improves soil Mg/Mn ratio and has a positive impact on pasture productivity and quality. Pasture crude protein availability (CP, kg·ha−1), which is based on both pasture dry matter yield (kg·ha−1) and quality (CP, %), proved to be a very practical indicator of the contributions of tree canopy and soil acidity correction to the holistic management of the Montado ecosystem.
Assessment of the Current Eco-Socio-Economic Situation of the Baikal Region (Russia) from the Perspective of the Green Economy Development
Authors: Bilgaev Alexey , Dong Suocheng , Li Fujia , Cheng Hao , Sadykova Erzhena , Mikheeva Anna
Published: May 2020

Conducting research aimed at establishing the relationship between economic development and non-violation of the environment and developing optimal ways of their interaction is possible only by studying the features of regional development, which requires a comprehensive assessment of the ecological and socio-economic situation of the territories. The Baikal region includes Irkutsk Oblast, Republic of Buryatia, and Zabaykalsky Krai and occupies an exceptional place in Russia, due to Lake Baikal and unique natural features. The results of the assessment of the state of purity and quality of the environment indicate the emerging negative trends associated with water pollution, atmospheric air, and waste disposal in the Baikal region. Therefore, this article proposes the solutions to the problems in achieving sustainable development based on the implementation of the principles of the green economy, providing recommendations on how to reverse the current ecological and socio-economic situation of the Baikal region in a positive direction. Obtained practical assessments are essential for solving the problems of conservation and creating favorable conditions for the life of the population. Implementation of key government regulatory measures and changing existing approaches to managing the region based on the principles of the green economy will reduce the level of anthropogenic pressure on the environment.
Diversity and Distribution Patterns of Endolichenic Fungi in Jeju Island, South Korea
Authors: Oh Seung-Yoon , Yang Ji Ho , Woo Jung-Jae , Oh Soon-Ok , Hur Jae-Seoun
Published: May 2020

Lichens are symbiotic organisms containing diverse microorganisms. Endolichenic fungi (ELF) are one of the inhabitants living in lichen thalli, and have potential ecological and industrial applications due to their various secondary metabolites. As the function of endophytic fungi on the plant ecology and ecosystem sustainability, ELF may have an influence on the lichen diversity and the ecosystem, functioning similarly to the influence of endophytic fungi on plant ecology and ecosystem sustainability, which suggests the importance of understanding the diversity and community pattern of ELF. In this study, we investigated the diversity and the factors influencing the community structure of ELF in Jeju Island, South Korea by analyzing 619 fungal isolates from 79 lichen samples in Jeju Island. A total of 112 ELF species was identified and the most common species belonged to Xylariales in Sordariomycetes. The richness and community structure of ELF were significantly influenced by the host taxonomy, together with the photobiont types and environmental factors. Our results suggest that various lichen species in more diverse environments need to be analyzed to expand our knowledge of the diversity and ecology of ELF.
Experimental Study on the Effects of a Vertical Jet Impinging on Soft Bottom Sediments
Authors: Fan Wei , Bao Weicheng , Cai Yong , Xiao Canbo , Zhang Zhujun , Pan Yiwen , Chen Ying , Liu Shuo
Published: May 2020

Artificial downwelling, which is an ecological engineering method, potentially alleviates bottom hypoxia by bringing oxygen-rich surface water down below the pycnocline. However, the downward flow is likely to disturb sediments (or induce sediment resuspension) when reaching the bottom and then have unwanted side effects on the local ecosystem. To evaluate this, our paper presents a theoretical model and experimental data for the sediment resuspension caused by artificial downwelling. The theoretical model considers the critical conditions for sediment resuspension and the scour volume with the downwelling flow disturbing sediment. Experiments with altered downwelling flow speeds, discharge positions relative to the bottom, and particle sizes of sediment were conducted in a water tank, and the results were consistent with our theoretical model. The results show that the critical Froude number (hereinafter Fr) for sediment resuspension is 0.5. The prevention of sediment resuspension requires the downwelling flow speed and the discharge position to be adjusted so that Fr < 0.5; otherwise a portion of sediment is released into the water and its volume can be predicted by the derived formulation based on the Shields theory. Furthermore, sediment resuspension has side effects, such as a water turbidity increase and phosphorus release, the magnitudes of which are discussed with respect to engineering parameters. Further study will focus on field experiments of artificial downwelling and its environmental impacts.
Cross-Scale Vulnerability Assessment for Smallholder Farming: A Case Study from the Northeast of Brazil
Authors: Dobkowitz Sophia , Walz Ariane , Baroni Gabriele , Pérez-Marin Aldrin M.
Published: May 2020

Climate change heavily impacts smallholder farming worldwide. Cross-scale vulnerability assessment has a high potential to identify nested measures for reducing vulnerability of smallholder farmers. Despite their high practical value, there are currently only limited examples of cross-scale assessments. The presented study aims at assessing the vulnerability of smallholder farmers in the Northeast of Brazil across three scales: regional, farm and field scale. In doing so, it builds on existing vulnerability indices and compares results between indices at the same scale and across scales. In total, six independent indices are tested, two at each scale. The calculated indices include social, economic and ecological indicators, based on municipal statistics, meteorological data, farm interviews and soil analyses. Subsequently, indices and overlapping indicators are normalized for intra- and cross-scale comparison. The results show considerable differences between indices across and within scales. They indicate different activities to reduce vulnerability of smallholder farmers. Major shortcomings arise from the conceptual differences between the indices. We therefore recommend the development of hierarchical indices, which are adapted to local conditions and contain more overlapping indicators for a better understanding of the nested vulnerabilities of smallholder farmers.
Characteristics of Cadmium and Lead Accumulation and Transfer by Chenopodium Quinoa Will
Authors: Radovanovic Vesna , Djekic Ilija , Zarkovic Branka
Published: May 2020

Potentially toxic elements are persistent in the environment and plants have the ability to absorb and transfer them from soil in edible parts. The objectives of this study were to characterize the distribution of Cd and Pb in quinoa tissues and to investigate their accumulation and transfer from irrigated water in edible parts of quinoa. For the purpose of this study experiment and simulated pollution in the form of different metal concentration in water that was used for irrigation was designed. Distribution of metals in quinoa were determined and analyzed in seed formation and maturation stage. Bioaccumulation and translocation factors were calculated to characterize the efficiency of quinoa to absorb metals. The results of our study indicated that quinoa adopts potentially toxic metals from substrate but does not accumulate them. The potential of such a conclusion is useful for exploring the use of quinoa as lead and cadmium excluders.
Deforming Gibbs Factor Using Tsallis q-Exponential with a Complex Parameter: An Ideal Bose Gas Case
Authors: Rovenchak Andrij
Published: May 2020

The paper presents a study of a non-standard model of fractional statistics. The exponential of the Gibbs factor in the expression for the occupation numbers of ideal bosons is substituted with the Tsallis q-exponential and the parameter q = 1 − α is considered complex. Such an approach predicts quantum critical phenomena, which might be associated with PT -symmetry breaking. Thermodynamic functions are calculated for this system. Analysis is made both numerically and analytically. Singularities in the temperature dependence of fugacity and specific heat are revealed. The critical temperature is defined by non-analyticities in the expressions for the occupation numbers. Due to essentially transcendental nature of the respective equations, only numerical estimations are reported for several values of parameters. In the limit of α → 0 some simplifications are obtained in equations defining the temperature dependence of fugacity and relations defining the critical temperature. Applications of the proposed model are expected in physical problems with energy dissipation and inderdisciplinarily in effective description of complex systems to describe phenomena with non-monotonic dependencies.
Symmetry Restoration and Breaking at Finite Temperature: An Introductory Review
Authors: Senaha Eibun
Published: May 2020

Symmetries at finite temperature are of great importance to understand dynamics of spontaneous symmetry breaking phenomena, especially phase transitions in early Universe. Some symmetries such as the electroweak symmetry can be restored in hot environment. However, it is a nontrivial question that the phase transition occurs via first or second order, or even smooth crossover, which strongly depends on underlying physics. If it is first order, gravitational waves can be generated, providing a detectable signal of this epoch. Moreover, the baryon asymmetry of the Universe can also arise under some conditions. In this article, the electroweak phase transition is reviewed, focusing particularly on the case of the first-order phase transition. Much attention is paid to multi-step phase transitions in which additional symmetry breaking such as a spontaneous Z 2 breaking plays a pivotal role in broadening the possibility of the first-order electroweak phase transition. On the technical side, we review thermal resummation that mitigates a bad infrared behavior related to the symmetry restoration. In addition, gauge and scheme dependences of perturbative calculations are also briefly discussed.
Applying Axial Symmetries to Historical Silk Fabrics: SILKNOW’s Virtual Loom
Authors: Gaitán Mar , Portalés Cristina , Sevilla Javier , Alba Ester
Published: May 2020

Symmetry is part of textile art in patterns and motifs that decorate fabrics, which are made by the interlacement of warp and wefts. Moreover, the 3D representation of fabrics have already been studied by some authors; however, they have not specifically dealt with preserving historical weaving techniques. In this paper, we present the SILKNOW’s Virtual Loom, a tool intended to document, preserve and reproduce silk historical weaving techniques from the 15th to the 19th centuries. We focus on the symmetry function and its contribution to art history, textile conservation, and modern design. We analyzed 2028 records from Garin 1820 datasets—a historical industry that still weaves with these techniques—and we reconstructed some historical designs that presented different types of defects. For those images (including fabrics and drawings) that had a symmetrical axis, we applied the symmetry functionality allowing to reconstruct missing parts. Thanks to these results, we were able to verify the usefulness of the Virtual Loom for conservation, analysis and new interpretative advantages, thanks to symmetry analysis applied to historical fabrics.
A New Integrated Fuzzy Approach to Selecting the Best Solution for Business Balance of Passenger Rail Operator: Fuzzy PIPRECIA-Fuzzy EDAS Model
Authors: Vesković Slavko , Stević Željko , Karabašević Darjan , Rajilić Snježana , Milinković Sanjin , Stojić Gordan
Published: May 2020

The analysis of operations of the passenger traffic operator in the Republic of Srpska (RS) showed that the volume of passenger transport has, for the last fifteen years, been in constant decline. It is of particular importance that the operator has, year after year, recorded a negative balance of business. The way out of the current unfavorable situation in the sector of passenger traffic is based on the application of Public Service Obligation (PSO) based on the Regulation 1370/2007. In order to solve the problems, seven realistically possible variants have been identified. This paper defines the criteria for selecting the best variant, as well as a new integrated fuzzy model for the selection of the best variant that will enable the operator to make a profit. To define the weights of criteria in this paper, we have used the fuzzy PIvot Pairwise RElative Criteria Importance Assessment (F-PIPRECIA) method, while for ranking and selection of the best variant, we have used the Fuzzy Evaluation based on Distance from Average Solution (F-EDAS) method. Results show that the seventh variant: “Increase in revenue from ticket sales and PSO services and reduction in costs“ is the best solution in current conditions. Validation tests are performed with different scenarios and approaches and show that the model is stable. A validity test was created consisting of variations in the significance of model input parameters, testing of reverse rank, applying the fuzzy Measurement Alternatives and Ranking according to the COmpromise Solution (F-MARCOS), fuzzy Simple Additive Weighing (F-SAW) method, and fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (F-TOPSIS). As a part of the validation tests, Spearman’s coefficient of correlation (SCC) in some scenarios is performed and weights of the criteria have been obtained using the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (F-AHP) and Full Consistency Method (FUCOM).
Dynamical Behavior of a Stochastic SIRC Model for Influenza A
Authors: Zhang Tongqian , Ding Tingting , Gao Ning , Song Yi
Published: May 2020

In this paper, a stochastic SIRC epidemic model for Influenza A is proposed and investigated. First, we prove that the system exists a unique global positive solution. Second, the extinction of the disease is explored and the sufficient conditions for extinction of the disease are derived. And then the existence of a unique ergodic stationary distribution of the positive solutions for the system is discussed by constructing stochastic Lyapunov function. Furthermore, numerical simulations are employed to illustrate the theoretical results. Finally, we give some further discussions about the system.
A Double-Density Clustering Method Based on “Nearest to First in” Strategy
Authors: Liu Yaohui , Liu Dong , Yu Fang , Ma Zhengming
Published: May 2020

The existing density clustering algorithms have high error rates on processing data sets with mixed density clusters. For overcoming shortcomings of these algorithms, a double-density clustering method based on Nearest-to-First-in strategy, DDNFC, is proposed, which calculates two densities for each point by using its reverse k nearest neighborhood and local spatial position deviation, respectively. Points whose densities are both greater than respective average densities of all points are core. By searching the strongly connected subgraph in the graph constructed by the core objects, the data set is clustered initially. Then each non-core object is classified to its nearest cluster by using a strategy dubbed as ‘Nearest-to-First-in’: the distance of each unclassified point to its nearest cluster calculated firstly; only the points with the minimum distance are placed to their nearest cluster; this procedure is repeated until all unclassified points are clustered or the minimum distance is infinite. To test the proposed method, experiments on several artificial and real-world data sets are carried out. The results show that DDNFC is superior to the state-of-art methods like DBSCAN, DPC, RNN-DBSCAN, and so on.
The Differential on Graph Operator Q(G)
Authors: Basilio Ludwin , Simon Jair , Leaños Jesús , Cayetano Omar
Published: May 2020

If G = ( V ( G ) , E ( G ) ) is a simple connected graph with the vertex set V ( G ) and the edge set E ( G ) , S is a subset of V ( G ) , and let B ( S ) be the set of neighbors of S in V ( G ) ∖ S . Then, the differential of S ∂ ( S ) is defined as | B ( S ) | − | S | . The differential of G, denoted by ∂ ( G ) , is the maximum value of ∂ ( S ) for all subsets S ⊆ V ( G ) . The graph operator Q ( G ) is defined as the graph that results by subdividing every edge of G once and joining pairs of these new vertices iff their corresponding edges are incident in G. In this paper, we study the relations between ∂ ( G ) and ∂ ( Q ( G ) ) . Besides, we exhibit some results relating the differential ∂ ( G ) and well-known graph invariants, such as the domination number, the independence number, and the vertex-cover number.
Scheduling Randomization Protocol to Improve Schedule Entropy for Multiprocessor Real-Time Systems
Authors: Baek Hyeongboo , Kang Chang Mook
Published: May 2020

Because most tasks on real-time systems are conducted periodically, its execution pattern is highly predictable. While such a property of real-time systems allows developing the strong schedulability analysis tools providing high analytical capability, it also leads that security attackers could analyze the predictable execution patterns of real-time systems and use them as attack surfaces. Among the few approaches to foil such a timing-inference security attack, TaskShuffler as a schedule randomization protocol received considerable attention owing to its simplicity and applicability. However, the existing TaskShuffler is only applicable to uniprocessor platforms, where the task execution pattern is quite simple to analyze when compared to multiprocessor platforms. In this study, we propose a new schedule randomization protocol for real-time systems on symmetry multiprocessor platforms where all processors are composed of the same architecture, which extends the existing TaskShuffler initially designed for uniprocessor platforms.
Fast Convergence Methods for Hyperbolic Systems of Balance Laws with Riemann Conditions
Authors: Al-Khaled Kamel , Rababah Nid’a M.
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we develop an accurate technique via the use of the Adomian decomposition method (ADM) to solve analytically a 2 × 2 systems of partial differential equation that represent balance laws of hyperbolic-elliptic type. We prove that the sequence of iteration obtained by ADM converges strongly to the exact solution by establishing a construction of fixed points. For comparison purposes, we also use the Sinc function methodology to establish a new procedure to solve numerically the same system. It is shown that approximation by Sinc function converges to the exact solution exponentially, also handles changes in type. A numerical example is presented to demonstrate the theoretical results. It is noted that the two methods show the symmetry in the approximate solution. The results obtained by both methods reveal that they are reliable and convenient for solving balance laws where the initial conditions are of the Riemann type.
Research on Improvement of the Combination Method for Conflicting Evidence Based on Historical Data
Authors: Yuan Shuai , Wang Honglei
Published: May 2020

In a multi-sensor system, due to the difference of performance of sensors and the environment in which the sensor collects evidence, evidence collected will be highly conflicting, which leads to the failure of D-S evidence theory. The current research on combination methods of conflicting evidence focuses on eliminating the problem of "Zadeh paradox" brought by conflicting evidence, but do not distinguish the evidence from different sources effectively. In this paper, the credibility of each piece of evidence to be combined is weighted based on historical data, and the modified evidence is obtained by weighted average. Then the final result is obtained by combining the modified evidence using D-S evidence theory, and the improved decision rule is used for the final decision. After the decision, the system updates and stores the historical data based on actual results. The improved decision rule can solve the problem that the system cannot make a decision when there are two or more propositions corresponding to the maximum support in the final combination result. This method satisfies commutative law and associative law, so it has the symmetry that can meet the needs of the combination of time-domain evidence. Numerical examples show that the combination method of conflict evidence based on historical data can not only solve the problem of “Zadeh paradox”, but also obtain more reasonable results.
Symmetric Free Form Building Structures Arranged Regularly on Smooth Surfaces with Polyhedral Nets
Authors: Abramczyk Jacek
Published: May 2020

The article is an original insight into interdisciplinary challenges of shaping innovative unconventional complex free form buildings roofed with multi-segment shell structures arranged with using novel parametric regular networks. The roof structures are made up of nominally plane thin-walled folded steel sheets transformed elastically and rationally into spatial shapes. A method is presented for creating such symmetric structures based on the regular spatial polyhedral networks created as a result of a composition of many complete reference tetrahedrons by their common flat sides and straight side edges arranged regularly and symmetrically in the three-dimensional Euclidean space. The use of the regularity and symmetry in the process of shaping different forms of (a) single tetrahedral meshes and whole consistent polyhedral structures, (b) individual plane walls and complex elevations, (c) single transformed folds, entire corrugated shell roofs, and their structures allow a creative search for attractive rational parametric solutions using a few author’s parametric algorithms and their implementation as built-in commands of the AutoCAD visual editor or applications of the Rhino/Grasshopper program.
New Comparison Theorems for the Even-Order Neutral Delay Differential Equation
Authors: Moaaz Osama , El-Nabulsi Rami Ahmad , Bazighifan Omar , Muhib Ali
Published: May 2020

The aim of this study was to examine the asymptotic properties and oscillation of the even-order neutral differential equations. The results obtained are based on the Riccati transformation and the theory of comparison with first- and second-order delay equations. Our results improve and complement some well-known results. We obtain Hille and Nehari type oscillation criteria to ensure the oscillation of the solutions of the equation. One example is provided to illustrate these results.
Modified Evolutionary Algorithm and Chaotic Search for Bilevel Programming Problems
Authors: Abo-Elnaga Yousria , Nasr Sarah
Published: May 2020

Bi-level programming problem (BLPP) is an optimization problem consists of two interconnected hierarchical optimization problems. Solving BLPP is one of the hardest tasks facing the optimization community. This paper proposes a modified genetic algorithm and a chaotic search to solve BLPP. Firstly, the proposed algorithm solves the upper-level problem using a modified genetic algorithm. The genetic algorithm has modified with a new selection technique. The new selection technique helps the upper-level decision-maker to take an appropriate decision in anticipation of a lower level’s reaction. It distinguishes the proposed algorithm with a very small number of solving the lower-level problem, enhances the algorithm performance and fasts convergence to the solution. Secondly, a local search based on chaos theory has applied around the modified genetic algorithm solution. Chaotic local search enables the algorithm to escape from local solutions and increase convergence to the global solution. The proposed algorithm has evaluated on forty different test problems to show the proposed algorithm effectiveness. The results have analyzed to illustrate the new selection technique effect and the chaotic search effect on the algorithm performance. A comparison between the proposed algorithm results and other state-of-the-art algorithms results has introduced to show the proposed algorithm superiority.
Application of Fractional Derivative Without Singular and Local Kernel to Enhanced Heat Transfer in CNTs Nanofluid Over an Inclined Plate
Authors: Saqib Muhammad , Mohd Kasim Abdul Rahman , Mohammad Nurul Farahain , Chuan Ching Dennis Ling , Shafie Sharidan
Published: May 2020

Nanofluids are a novel class of heat transfer fluid that plays a vital role in industries. In mathematical investigations, these fluids are modeled in terms of traditional integer-order partial differential equations (PDEs). It is recognized that traditional PDEs cannot decode the complex behavior of physical flow parameters and memory effects. Therefore, this article intends to study the mixed convection heat transfer in nanofluid over an inclined vertical plate via fractional derivatives approach. The problem in hand is modeled in connection with Atangana–Baleanu fractional derivatives without singular and local kernel with a strong memory. Human blood is considered as base fluid and carbon nanotube (CNTs) (single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)) are dispersed into it to form blood-CNTs nanofluid. The nanofluid is considered to flow in a saturated porous medium under the influence of an applied magnetic field. The exact analytical expressions for velocity and temperature profiles are acquired using the Laplace transform technique and plotted in various graphs. The empirical results indicate that the memory effect decreases with increasing fractional parameters in the case of both temperature and velocity profiles. Moreover, the temperature profile is higher for blood SWCNTs because of higher thermal conductivity whereas this trend is found opposite in the case of velocity profile due to densities difference.