bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Injury rates in recreational tennis players do not differ between different playing surfaces
Authors: Pluim Babette M , Clarsen Benjamin , Verhagen Evert
Published: February 2017

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a difference in the prevalence of tennis injuries between the four most common court surfaces in the Netherlands, including hard court, clay, sand-fill artificial grass and red-sand-fill artificial grass. Natural grass was not included in this study.

Methods

This was a repeated cross-sectional study over 6 months, involving members of the Royal Netherlands Lawn Tennis Association (KNLTB). A monthly questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 20 000 KNLTB members, stratified by their club’s playing surface. The questionnaire included questions on court surface, tennis exposure and physical complaints, using the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre questionnaire on health problems.

Results

A total of 3656 (18%) of the 20 000 invited members completed at least one of the monthly questionnaires [mean age 49 years (15)]. A total of 4047 injuries were reported by 1957 respondents. Of these injuries, 3246 (80%) were overuse and 801 (20%) were acute. There were no statistically significant differences in injury prevalence between groups who played primarily on any one of the four court surfaces. However, players who played on multiple surfaces had a higher injury prevalence, particularly of overuse injuries, than those who primarily played on one court surface. Compared with the other court surfaces, there was a higher prevalence of lower limb overuse injuries when playing on hard court.

Conclusion

There is no significant difference in the overall prevalence of injury on clay, hard court, sand-fill artificial grass and red-sand-fill artificial grass.
Access to contraception and sexual and reproductive health information post-abortion: a systematic review of literature from low- and middle-income countries
Authors: Rogers Claire , Dantas Jaya A R
Published: February 2017

Aim

This systematic literature review documented, analysed and critiqued the accessibility of contraception and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information for women living in low- and middle-income countries who have undergone medical or surgical abortion.

Methodology

This review systematically collated relevant and recent empirical evidence regarding women's access to contraception and SRH information post-abortion within low- and middle-income countries. The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) framework Guidelines, Flow Diagram and Checklist were utilised to undertake the review. The Ovid (MEDLINE), ProQuest, Science Direct, Web of Science, PUBMED and CINAHL databases were searched and studies that met edibility criteria were assessed for validity and analysis. A narrative synthesis of characteristics and results of the included studies is presented.

Findings

After detailed assessment of available and relevant literature, nine studies were selected for inclusion in the review. Studies highlighted barriers to contraception and SRH information including supply limitation, lack of comprehensive education and counselling, lack of skilled post-abortion care (PAC) providers and abortion stigma.

Conclusions

The review found that with access to a wide range of contraceptive methods combined with comprehensive SRH information and education, contraception uptake in women post-abortion does increase. The review also highlights the inconsistencies in clinic-reported ‘counselling’ and what this term actually involves within a PAC setting.
Food ingestion in an upright sitting position increases postprandial amino acid availability when compared with food ingestion in a lying down position
Authors: Holwerda Andrew M. , Lenaerts Kaatje , Bierau Jörgen , Wodzig Will K.W.H. , van Loon Luc J.C.
Published: February 2017

Dietary protein digestion and absorption kinetics determine the postprandial increase in muscle protein synthesis. We recently demonstrated that body position during feeding can modulate the postprandial rise in plasma amino acid availability. Here we investigated whether protein ingestion in an upright sitting body position accelerates gastric emptying and improves dietary protein digestion and subsequent amino acid absorption compared with feeding in a supine lying body position. In a crossover design, 8 young males (age, 26 ± 1 years; body mass index, 24.0 ± 0.9 kg·m−2) ingested 20 g intrinsically l-[1-13C]-phenylalanine–labeled milk protein plus 1.5 g paracetamol while sitting in an upright position or lying down in a supine position. Blood samples were collected frequently during a 5-h postprandial period. Gastric emptying rates and dietary protein digestion and absorption were assessed using plasma paracetamol and amino acid concentrations as well as plasma l-[1-13C]-phenylalanine enrichments. Peak plasma leucine concentrations were higher when protein was ingested in an upright sitting versus lying position (213 ± 15 vs 193 ± 12 μmol·L−1, P < 0.05), which was accompanied by a trend for a greater overall leucine response (13 989 ± 720 vs 11 875 ± 1073 AU, respectively; P = 0.05). Peak plasma paracetamol concentrations were higher in the sitting versus lying treatment (11.6 ± 0.5 vs 9.3 ± 0.6 mg·L−1, P < 0.05). Protein ingestion in an upright sitting position accelerates gastric emptying and increases the postprandial rise in plasma amino acid availability by increasing protein digestion and amino acid absorption rates. Therefore, feeding in an upright body position as opposed to a lying position is an important prerequisite to allow proper postprandial muscle protein accretion.
Managing rockfall risk through baseline monitoring of precursors using a terrestrial laser scanner
Authors: Kromer Ryan , Lato Matt , Hutchinson D. Jean , Gauthier Dave , Edwards Tom
Published: February 2017

Rockfalls represent significant risks to safe and efficient use of transportation corridors. In this paper, we address the management of rockfall risk through baseline remote monitoring of susceptible slopes (every 2–4 months) along a transportation corridor along the Fraser River valley in western Canada using a terrestrial laser scanner and supporting remote sensing technologies. This includes identifying potential rockfall source zones based on incipient signs of failure, tracking kinematics in three dimensions to better understand the mechanism of failure, estimating potential failure volumes based on bounding joint structure, and transmitting this information to the railway operator for an assessment of risk. We demonstrate our approach for one case along the line where we identified several potential failures ranging in volume from 48 to 4200 m3. Our projections of the location of failures were successful, in that volume projections were within 10%–55%, and the anticipated kinematics and failure mechanism were consistent with the assessment of post-failure rockfall scar geometries. Accurate volume and kinematics estimates are important for the assessment of hazard and risk as well as the planning of risk mitigation options. In general, this approach can be used to better manage risk from rockfall hazard in communities, transportation corridors, or other infrastructure.
Online Automated Seizure Detection in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Patients Using Single-lead ECG
Authors: De Cooman Thomas , Varon Carolina , Hunyadi Borbála , Van Paesschen Wim , Lagae Lieven , Van Huffel Sabine
Published: February 2017

Automated seizure detection in a home environment has been of increased interest the last couple of decades. The electrocardiogram is one of the signals that is suited for this application. In this paper, a new method is described that classifies different heart rate characteristics in order to detect seizures from temporal lobe epilepsy patients. The used support vector machine classifier is trained on data from other patients, so that the algorithm can be used directly from the start of each new recording. The algorithm was tested on a dataset of more than 918[Formula: see text]h of data coming from 17 patients containing 127 complex partial and generalized partial seizures. The algorithm was able to detect 81.89% of the seizures, with on average 1.97 false alarms per hour. These results show a strong drop in the number of false alarms of more than 50% compared to other heart rate-based patient-independent algorithms from the literature, at the expense of a slightly higher detection delay of 17.8s on average.
Scaling Challenges for Advanced CMOS Devices
Authors: Jacob Ajey P. , Xie Ruilong , Sung Min Gyu , Liebmann Lars , Lee Rinus T. P. , Taylor Bill
Published: February 2017

The economic health of the semiconductor industry requires substantial scaling of chip power, performance, and area with every new technology node that is ramped into manufacturing in two year intervals. With no direct physical link to any particular design dimensions, industry wide the technology node names are chosen to reflect the roughly 70% scaling of linear dimensions necessary to enable the doubling of transistor density predicted by Moore’s law and typically progress as 22nm, 14nm, 10nm, 7nm, 5nm, 3nm etc. At the time of this writing, the most advanced technology node in volume manufacturing is the 14nm node with the 7nm node in advanced development and 5nm in early exploration. The technology challenges to reach thus far have not been trivial. This review addresses the past innovation in response to the device challenges and discusses in-depth the integration challenges associated with the sub-22nm non-planar finFET technologies that are either in advanced technology development or in manufacturing. It discusses the integration challenges in patterning for both the front-end-of-line and back-end-of-line elements in the CMOS transistor. In addition, this article also gives a brief review of integrating an alternate channel material into the finFET technology, as well as next generation device architectures such as nanowire and vertical FETs. Lastly, it also discusses challenges dictated by the need to interconnect the ever-increasing density of transistors.
High-Speed SiGe BiCMOS Technologies and Circuits
Authors: Mai A. , Lopez I. Garcia , Rito P. , Nagulapalli R. , Awny A. , Elkhouly M. , Eissa M. , Ko M. , Malignaggi A. , Kucharski M. , Ng H. J. , Schmalz K. , Kissinger D.
Published: February 2017

This work reports on the development of SiGe-BiCMOS technologies for mm-wave and THz high frequency applications. We present state-of-the-art performances for different SiGe heterojunction bipolar transistor (SiGe-HBT) developments as well as the evolution of complex BiCMOS technologies. With respect to different technology generations of high-speed SiGe-BiCMOS processes at IHP we discuss selected device modifications of the SiGe-HBT to achieve high frequency performances of a complex BiCMOS technology towards the 0.5 THz regime. We show the difference of high-frequency performance difference with respect to maximum achievable transit frequencies fT and oscillation frequencies fmax in comparison to RF-CMOS technologies and depict the required increase of additional process effort for the HBT-module integration for a 0.5 THz SiGe-BiCMOS technology. Moreover different high speed circuits are presented like broadband ICs for optical communication, high frequency circuits for wireless communication at 60 and 240 GHz, mm-wave radar circuits at 60 and 120 GHz as well as THz circuits operating at 245 GHz and 500 GHz for spectroscopic applications. All reviewed circuit examples are based on the discussed 130nm-SiGe-BiCMOS technologies and show their potential for a broad range of high-speed applications.
A facile growth mechanism, structural, optical, dielectric and electrical properties of ZnSe nanosphere via hydrothermal process
Authors: Javed Qurat-Ul-Ain , Baqi Sabah , Abbas Hussain , Bibi Maryam
Published: February 2017

Hydrothermal method was chosen as a convenient method to fabricate zinc selenide (ZnSe) nanoparticle materials. The prepared nanospheres were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), where its different properties were observed using UV–visible spectroscopy and LCR meter. It was found that the pure ZnSe nanoparticles have a Zinc blende structure with crystallite size 10.91 nm and in a spherical form with average diameter of 35 nm (before sonication) and 18 nm (after sonication) with wide band gap of 4.28 eV. It was observed that there is inverse relation of frequency with dielectric constant and dielectric loss while AC conductivity grows up by increasing frequency. Such nanostructures were determined to be effectively used in optoelectronic devices as UV detector and in those devices where high-dielectric constant materials are required.
“Cellular-Cut”-Interactive n-Dimensional Image Segmentation Using Cellular Automata
Authors: Ashraf Muhammad , Sarim Muhammad , Shaikh Abdul Basit
Published: February 2017

Interactive segmentation of images has become an integral part of image processing applications. Several graph based segmentation techniques have been developed, which depend upon global minimization of the energy cost function. An adequate scheme of interactive segmentation still needs a skilled initialization of regions with user-defined seeds pixels distributed over the entire image. We propose an iterative segmentation technique based on Cellular Automaton which focuses to reduce the user efforts required to provide initialization. The existing algorithms based on Cellular Automaton only use local smoothness term in label propagation making them highly sensitive to user-defined seeds pixels. To reduce the sensitivity towards initial user definition of regions, global constraints are introduced along with local information to propagate labels. The results obtained are comparable to the state-of-the-art interactive segmentation techniques on a standard dataset.
Model Parameter Optimization Method Research in Heihe River Open Modeling Environment (HOME)
Authors: Huo Jiuyuan , Zhang Yaonan , Luo Lihui , Long Yinping , He Zhengfang , Liu Li
Published: February 2017

How to make the existing models from different disciplines effectively interoperate and integrate is one of the primary challenges for scientists and decision-makers. Heihe river Open Modeling Environment (HOME) provides a convenient model coupling platform that enables researchers concentrate on the theory and applications of ecological and hydrological watershed models. The model parameter optimization is an important component and key step that links models and simulation of watershed. In this paper, through integration modules of existing models, an improved ABC algorithm (ORABC) based on optimization strategy and reservation strategy of the best individuals was introduced into HOME as a hydrological model parameter optimization module, and coupled with the Xinanjiang hydrological model to complete automatically task of model parameter optimization. The runoff simulation experiments in Heihe river watershed were taken to verify the parameter optimization in HOME, and the simulation results testified the efficiency and effectiveness of the method. It can significantly improve simulation accuracy and efficiency of hydrological and ecological models, and promote the scientific researches for watershed issues.
Time Series Classification with Discrete Wavelet Transformed Data
Authors: Li Daoyuan , Bissyande Tegawende F. , Klein Jacques , Traon Yves Le
Published: February 2017

Time series mining has become essential for extracting knowledge from the abundant data that flows out from many application domains. To overcome storage and processing challenges in time series mining, compression techniques are being used. In this paper, we investigate the loss/gain of performance of time series classification approaches when fed with lossy-compressed data. This extended empirical study is essential for reassuring practitioners, but also for providing more insights on how compression techniques can even be effective in smoothing and reducing noise in time series data. From a knowledge engineering perspective, we show that time series may be compressed by 90% using discrete wavelet transforms and still achieve remarkable classification accuracy, and that residual details left by popular wavelet compression techniques can sometimes even help to achieve higher classification accuracy than the raw time series data, as they better capture essential local features.
Automatically Modeling Developer Programming Ability and Interest Across Software Communities
Authors: Huang Weizhi , Mo Wenkai , Shen Beijun , Yang Yu , Li Ning
Published: February 2017

Developer profile plays an important role in software project planning, developer recommendation, personnel training, and other tasks. Modeling the ability and interest of developers is its key issue. However, most existing approaches require manual assessment, like 360[Formula: see text] performance evaluation. With the emergence of social networking sites such as StackOverflow and Github, a vast amount of developer information is created on a daily basis. Such personal and social context data has huge potential to support automatic and effective developer ability evaluation and interest mining. In this paper, we propose CPDScorer, a novel approach for modeling and scoring the programming ability and interest of developers through mining heterogeneous information from both community question answering (CQA) sites and open-source software (OSS) communities. CPDScorer analyzes the questions and answers posted in CQA sites, and evaluates the projects submitted in OSS communities to assign expertise scores as well as interest scores to developers, considering both the quantitative and qualitative factors. When profiling developer's ability and interest, a programming term extraction algorithm is also designed based on set covering. We have conducted experiments on StackOverflow and Github to measure the effectiveness of CPDScorer. The results show that our approach is feasible and practical in user programming ability and interest modeling. In particular, the precision of our approach reaches 80%.
An Empirical Study of Ranking-Oriented Cross-Project Software Defect Prediction
Authors: You Guoan , Wang Feng , Ma Yutao
Published: February 2017

Cross-project defect prediction (CPDP) has recently become very popular in the field of software defect prediction. It was generally treated as a binary classification problem or a regression problem in most of previous studies. However, these existing CPDP methods may be not suitable for those software projects that have limited manpower and budget. To address the issue of priority estimation for buggy software entities, in this paper CPDP is formulated as a ranking problem. Inspired by the idea of the pointwise approach to learning to rank, we propose a ranking-oriented CPDP approach called ROCPDP. A case study conducted on the datasets collected from AEEEM and PROMISE shows that ROCPDP outperforms the eight baseline methods in two CPDP scenarios, namely one-to-one and many-to-one. Besides, in the many-to-one scenario ROCPDP is, by and large, comparable to the best baseline method performed in a specific within-project defect prediction scenario.
An Improved Regional Traffic Volume Dynamic Feedback Control
Authors: Du Yiman , Wu Jianping , Jia Yuhan , Xu Ming
Published: February 2017

The connection between traffic congestion and regional demand has become a consensus. A reasonable road network inflow control is essential to prevent the occurrence of congestion. With a consideration of deployment of detectors, an improved macroscopic fundamental diagram-based traffic volume dynamic control method via the feedback control is proposed in this study. Based on the origin–destination distribution of trips and connectivity of nodes, a novel method is adopted to identify the key nodes, on which the detectors are laid. An artificial neural network is adopted to predict traffic volume of those sections without detectors. As a case study, the proposed methodology is applied and estimated via simulation study to the regional road network which is located in the downtown area of Nanning, China. Adequate survey and analysis are carried out under the current road traffic conditions. It is proved that the regional traffic volume dynamic control can ensure steady and orderly regional traffic flow, and enhance the mobility during saturated traffic conditions.
Period and toroidal knot mosaics
Authors: Oh Seungsang , Hong Kyungpyo , Lee Ho , Lee Hwa Jeong , Yeon Mi Jeong
Published: February 2017

Knot mosaic theory was introduced by Lomonaco and Kauffman in the paper on ‘Quantum knots and mosaics’ to give a precise and workable definition of quantum knots, intended to represent an actual physical quantum system. A knot [Formula: see text]-mosaic is an [Formula: see text] matrix whose entries are eleven mosaic tiles, representing a knot or a link by adjoining properly. In this paper, we introduce two variants of knot mosaics: period knot mosaics and toroidal knot mosaics, which are common features in physics and mathematics. We present an algorithm producing the exact enumeration of period knot [Formula: see text]-mosaics for any positive integers [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], toroidal knot [Formula: see text]-mosaics for co-prime integers [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], and furthermore toroidal knot [Formula: see text]-mosaics for a prime number [Formula: see text]. We also analyze the asymptotics of the growth rates of their cardinality.
Enumeration on graph mosaics
Authors: Hong Kyungpyo , Oh Seungsang
Published: February 2017

Since the Jones polynomial was discovered, the connection between knot theory and quantum physics has been of great interest. Lomonaco and Kauffman introduced the knot mosaic system to give a definition of the quantum knot system that is intended to represent an actual physical quantum system. Recently the authors developed an algorithm producing the exact enumeration of knot mosaics, which uses a recursion formula of state matrices. As a sequel to this research program, we similarly define the (embedded) graph mosaic system by using 16 graph mosaic tiles, representing graph diagrams with vertices of valence 3 and 4. We extend the algorithm to produce the exact number of all graph mosaics. The magnified state matrix that is an extension of the state matrix is mainly used.
A STUDY OF NANOCOMPOSITE COATINGS ON THE SURFACE OF SHIP EXHAUST PIPE
Authors: SHEN YAN , SAHOO PRASANTA K. , PAN YIPENG
Published: February 2017

In order to improve the high temperature oxidation resistance of exhaust pipes, the nanocomposite coatings are carried out on the surface of exhaust pipe by pulsed current electrodeposition technology, and the microstructure and oxidation behavior of the nanocomposite coatings are investigated experimentally. This paper mainly focuses on the experimental work to determine the structural characteristics and oxidation resistance of nanocomposite coatings in presence of attapulgite and cerium oxide CeO2. The results show that the amount of the attapulgite-CeO2 has significant influence on the structural properties of nanocomposite coatings. The surface of coating becomes more compact and smooth with the increase of the amount of the attapulgite and CeO2. Furthermore, the anti-oxidation performances of the nanocomposite coatings formed with attapulgite and CeO2 were both better than those of the composite coatings formed without attapulgite and CeO2.
PROCESS OPTIMIZATION OF ECO-FRIENDLY FLAME RETARDANT FINISH FOR COTTON FABRIC: A RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY APPROACH
Authors: YASIN SOHAIL , CURTI MASSIMO , BEHARY NEMESHWAREE , PERWUELZ ANNE , GIRAUD STEPHANE , ROVERO GIORGIO , GUAN JINPING , CHEN GUOQIANG
Published: February 2017

The [Formula: see text]-methylol dimethyl phosphono propionamide (MDPA) flame retardant compounds are predominantly used for cotton fabric treatments with trimethylol melamine (TMM) to obtain better crosslinking and enhanced flame retardant properties. Nevertheless, such treatments are associated with a toxic issue of cancer-causing formaldehyde release. An eco-friendly finishing was used to get formaldehyde-free fixation of flame retardant to the cotton fabric. Citric acid as a crosslinking agent along with the sodium hypophosphite as a catalyst in the treatment was utilized. The process parameters of the treatment were enhanced for optimized flame retardant properties, in addition, low mechanical loss to the fabric by response surface methodology using Box–Behnken statistical design experiment methodology was achieved. The effects of concentrations on the fabric’s properties (flame retardancy and mechanical properties) were evaluated. The regression equations for the prediction of concentrations and mechanical properties of the fabric were also obtained for the eco-friendly treatment. The R-squared values of all the responses were above 0.95 for the reagents used, indicating the degree of relationship between the predicted values by the Box–Behnken design and the actual experimental results. It was also found that the concentration parameters (crosslinking reagents and catalysts) in the treatment formulation have a prime role in the overall performance of flame retardant cotton fabrics.
Jordan property and automorphism groups of normal compact Kähler varieties
Authors: Kim Jin Hong
Published: February 2017

It has been recently shown by Meng and Zhang that the full automorphism group [Formula: see text] is a Jordan group for all projective varieties in arbitrary dimensions. The aim of this paper is to show that the full automorphism group [Formula: see text] is, in fact, a Jordan group even for all normal compact Kähler varieties in arbitrary dimensions. The meromorphic structure of the identity component of the automorphism group and its Rosenlicht-type decomposition play crucial roles in the proof.
Large blow-up sets for the prescribed Q-curvature equation in the Euclidean space
Authors: Hyder Ali , Iula Stefano , Martinazzi Luca
Published: February 2017

Let [Formula: see text] be an integer. For any open domain [Formula: see text], non-positive function [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text], and bounded sequence [Formula: see text] we prove the existence of a sequence of functions [Formula: see text] solving the Liouville equation of order [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] and blowing up exactly on the set [Formula: see text], i.e. [Formula: see text] thus showing that a result of Adimurthi, Robert and Struwe is sharp. We extend this result to the boundary of [Formula: see text] and to the case [Formula: see text]. Several related problems remain open.
Real hypersurfaces in the complex hyperbolic quadrics with isometric Reeb flow
Authors: Suh Young Jin
Published: February 2017

We classify real hypersurfaces with isometric Reeb flow in the complex hyperbolic quadrics [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. We show that [Formula: see text] is even, say [Formula: see text], and any such hypersurface becomes an open part of a tube around a [Formula: see text]-dimensional complex hyperbolic space [Formula: see text] which is embedded canonically in [Formula: see text] as a totally geodesic complex submanifold or a horosphere whose center at infinity is [Formula: see text]-isotropic singular. As a consequence of the result, we get the nonexistence of real hypersurfaces with isometric Reeb flow in odd-dimensional complex quadrics [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text].
Existence results of positive solutions for nonlinear cooperative elliptic systems involving fractional Laplacian
Authors: Quaas Alexander , Xia Aliang
Published: February 2017

In this paper, we prove existence results of positive solutions for the following nonlinear elliptic problem with gradient terms: [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] denotes the fractional Laplacian and [Formula: see text] is a smooth bounded domain in [Formula: see text]. It shown that under some assumptions on [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], the problem has at least one positive solution [Formula: see text]. Our proof is based on the classical scaling method of Gidas and Spruck and topological degree theory.
Hyperrings with n-ary composition hyperoperation
Authors: Norouzi Morteza , Cristea Irina
Published: February 2017

Based on the concepts of composition ring and composition hyperring, in this note, we introduce the notion of [Formula: see text]-ary composition hyperring and study the connections with composition hyperrings. Moreover, we show that special strong multiendomorphisms of hyperrings can determine the [Formula: see text]-ary composition structure of a such hyperring and also a subclass of [Formula: see text]-ary composition hyperrings. Finally, the three isomorphism theorems are studied in the framework of [Formula: see text]-ary composition hyperrings.
Hilbert rings and G(oldman)-rings issued from amalgamated algebras
Authors: Izelgue L. , Ouzzaouit O.
Published: February 2017

Let [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] be two rings, [Formula: see text] an ideal of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] be a ring homomorphism. The ring [Formula: see text] is called the amalgamation of [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] along [Formula: see text] with respect to [Formula: see text]. It was proposed by D’anna and Fontana [Amalgamated algebras along an ideal, Commutative Algebra and Applications (W. de Gruyter Publisher, Berlin, 2009), pp. 155–172], as an extension for the Nagata’s idealization, which was originally introduced in [Nagata, Local Rings (Interscience, New York, 1962)]. In this paper, we establish necessary and sufficient conditions under which [Formula: see text], and some related constructions, is either a Hilbert ring, a [Formula: see text]-domain or a [Formula: see text]-ring in the sense of Adams [Rings with a finitely generated total quotient ring, Canad. Math. Bull. 17(1) (1974)]. By the way, we investigate the transfer of the [Formula: see text]-property among pairs of domains sharing an ideal. Our results provide original illustrating examples.
π-Baer rings
Authors: Birkenmeier Gary F. , Kara Yeliz , Tercan Adnan
Published: February 2017

We say a ring [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text]-Baer if the right annihilator of every projection invariant left ideal of [Formula: see text] is generated by an idempotent element of [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we study connections between the [Formula: see text]-Baer condition and related conditions such as the Baer, quasi-Baer and [Formula: see text]-extending conditions. The [Formula: see text]-by-[Formula: see text] generalized triangular and the [Formula: see text]-by-[Formula: see text] triangular [Formula: see text]-Baer matrix rings are characterized. Also, we prove that a [Formula: see text]-by-[Formula: see text] full matrix ring over a [Formula: see text]-Baer ring is a [Formula: see text]-Baer ring. In contrast to the Baer condition, it is shown that the [Formula: see text]-Baer condition transfers from a base ring to many of its polynomial extensions. Examples are provided to illustrate and delimit our results.
Congruence lattices forcing nilpotency
Authors: Aichinger Erhard
Published: February 2017

Given a lattice [Formula: see text] and a class [Formula: see text] of algebraic structures, we say that [Formula: see text] forces nilpotency in [Formula: see text] if every algebra [Formula: see text] whose congruence lattice [Formula: see text] is isomorphic to [Formula: see text] is nilpotent. We describe congruence lattices that force nilpotency, supernilpotency or solvability for some classes of algebras. For this purpose, we investigate which commutator operations can exist on a given congruence lattice.
On the ranks of the semigroup of A-decreasing finite transformations
Authors: Zhao Ping , You Taijie , Hu Huabi
Published: February 2017

For [Formula: see text], let [Formula: see text] be the semigroup of all singular mappings on [Formula: see text]. For each nonempty subset [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text], let [Formula: see text] be the semigroup of all [Formula: see text]-decreasing mappings on [Formula: see text]. In this paper we determine the rank and idempotent rank of the semigroup [Formula: see text].
A Ranking Method Based on the Aggregate Distance Measure Function in the Value Space
Authors: Zielniewicz Piotr
Published: February 2017

The aim of this paper is to introduce a new MCDA method for ranking a finite set of alternatives evaluated on multiple criteria. The proposed method uses the idea of the robust ordinal regression (ROR) approach to establish the ranking scores determined by the distance measure function, however not in the criteria space, but in the value space. The preference model is composed of a set of additive value functions compatible with the preference information provided by the decision maker (DM). From among many forms of an additive preference model, we consider the model having as simple form as possible, i.e., the model that is the “closest to linear”. We define an achievement scalarizing function representing closeness to the ideal solution in the value space. A set of mix-integer linear programming (MILP) problems is then solved to determine the minimum distance scores of each alternative on the set of compatible value functions. Then, the obtained distance scores are used to rank all alternatives. A hypothetical case study is then performed to illustrate the proposed method. Finally, the result of our method is discussed and compared with results obtained by other methods based on the distance measure function (i.e., TOPSIS and VIKOR).
A Unified Framework for Credit Evaluation for Internet Finance Companies: Multi-Criteria Analysis Through AHP and DEA
Authors: Gu Wei , Basu Meheli , Chao Zhang , Wei Lirong
Published: February 2017

Internet finance is China’s newest hot topic in its booming economy. Success story of entrepreneurial ventures such as Alibaba have paved way for numerous entrepreneurs to establish innovative start-ups and enterprises. Presently, number of up and coming small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is above 80% of all new enterprises in China, involving 39 major categories of industrial sectors. Such enterprises are hugely backed by Internet finance companies for funding and easy transactions. It is important to develop efficient methodology and improve existing ones for credit assessment so as to aid Internet finance companies in making effective and symmetric funding decisions. To evaluate the performance of SMEs effectively, we propose an Internet finance credit index system, which includes financial, credit, enterprise development and Internet financial status. We combine the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and data envelopment analysis (DEA) to form a unified evaluation framework, which has the ability to address the subjective (AHP) and the objective (DEA) concerns, respectively. The proposed framework can assist Internet finance organizations to develop a transparent, unbiased and integrated framework for evaluating credit index of SMEs and start-ups. The result of our framework identifies the most important characteristics of SMEs and start-ups which contribute to overall credit rating, provides valuable references for Internet financial organization to make better resource allocation (funding decisions). The framework for credit evaluation also provides start-ups and SMEs an insight into improving their credit rating.
An Aggregated Fuzzy Model for the Selection of a Managed Security Service Provider
Authors: Shahrasbi Alireza , Shamizanjani Mehdi , Alavidoost M. H. , Akhgar Babak
Published: February 2017

In this study, by analyzing the related literature, the companies providing security services and, more importantly, the data provided by a group of experts, a novel set of 39 criteria is extracted which assists the Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) selection process. The set is further categorized into eight general classes. The validity and weights of these criteria are measured by a group of experts in Iran. Due to the large number and often conflicting criteria, and the qualitative nature of the evaluations of the service providers, fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making methods (FMCDM) are adopted. In order to demonstrate the application of the proposed model, a numerical example is included, in which eight service providers are evaluated by four decision makers applying fuzzy TOPSIS, fuzzy VIKOR, fuzzy Group ELECTRE, and fuzzy SAW methods. Owing to the variations of the outputs of the applied MCDM methods, they are further analyzed by an aggregation method to propose a unique service provider. A comparison between the output of the aggregation method and the four applied Fuzzy MCDM methods is also made with the help of Euclidean, Hamming, Manhattan and Chebyshev distances. The comparison shows the minimum diversion between the outputs of the Fuzzy TOPSIS and the aggregation method, which indicates the appropriateness of the fuzzy TOPSIS method in this particular problem.
Integration of optical flow and Multi-Path-Viterbi algorithm for stereo vision
Authors: Xie Qiwei , Long Qian , Mita Seiichi
Published: February 2017

This paper proposes a novel stereo matching algorithm to solve environment sensing problems. It integrates a non-convex optical flow and Viterbi process. The non-convex optical flow employs a new adaptive weighted non-convex Total Generalized Variation (TGV) model, which can obtain sharp disparity maps. Structural similarity, total variation constraint, and a specific merging strategy are combined with the 4 bi-directional Viterbi process to improve the robustness. In the fusion of the optical flow and Viterbi process, a new occlusion processing method is incorporated in order to get more sharp disparity and more robust result. Extensive experiments are conducted to compare this algorithm with other state-of-the-art methods. Experimental results show the superiority of our algorithm.
On singular generalized Berwald spacetimes and the equivalence principle
Authors: Torromé Ricardo Gallego
Published: February 2017

The notion of singular generalized Finsler spacetime and singular generalized Berwald spacetime is introduced and their relevance for the description of classical gravity is discussed. A method to construct examples of such generalized Berwald spacetimes is sketched. The method is applied at two different levels of generality. First, a class of flat, singular generalized Berwald spacetimes is obtained. Then in an attempt of further generalization, a class of non-flat generalized Berwald spacetimes is presented and the associated Einstein field equations are discussed. In this context, an argument in favor of a small value of the cosmological constant is given. The physical significance of the models is briefly discussed in the last section.
Harmonicity of proper almost complex structures on Walker 4-manifolds
Authors: Davidov Johann , Ul-Haq Absar , Mushkarov Oleg
Published: February 2017

Every Walker [Formula: see text]-manifold [Formula: see text], endowed with a canonical neutral metric [Formula: see text], admits a specific almost complex structure called proper. In this paper, we find the conditions under which a proper almost complex structure is a harmonic section or a harmonic map from [Formula: see text] to its hyperbolic twistor space.
Dispersion and Attenuation of Guided Waves in Tubular Section with Multi-Layered Viscoelastic Coating — Part II: Circumferential Wave Propagation
Authors: Kuo Chi-Wei , Suh C. Steve
Published: February 2017

In the second part of the study on guided wave motions in a hollow cylinder with epoxy layers, shear and longitudinal modes propagating in the circumferential direction are investigated. The corresponding dispersion and attenuation characteristic equations are derived by incorporating a complex, frequency-dependent constitutive law for the viscoelastic coating material. Continuous displacement boundary conditions are implemented to model perfect interfacial bonds between the tubular section and applied epoxy coatings. The presence of thin dissipative viscoelastic layers has profound impact on the propagation of both the circumferential shear and longitudinal waves. The number of admissible propagating modes increases with increasing number of viscoelastic layers and higher order modes dissipate significantly less at high frequencies than the lower order modes at low frequencies. Over the frequency range considered, all the circumferential propagating modes are significantly more attenuating than their axial propagating counterparts studied in Part 1 of the paper. Generation of the lowest shear wave mode is suppressed at approximately 0.2 MHz in the coated tubular. However, no such definitive cutoff frequencies are observed for the longitudinal modes regardless of how many viscoelastic layers are considered.
Modal Synthesis with the Isogeometric Kirchhoff–Love Shell Elements
Authors: Lei Zhen , Gillot Frederic , Jezequel Louis
Published: February 2017

The modal synthesis method is frequently used for the analysis of large structures composed of multiple parts concerning dynamic aspects. In this paper, we extended the modal synthesis method under the isogeometric analysis framework. The isogeometric Kirchhoff–Love shell elements are used for the analysis of the substructures, the Craig–Bampton method is used for the modal synthesis and the bending-strip method is used for the substructures coupling. We give examples on the modal analysis and the harmonic response analysis. The results show the effectiveness of the method.
Tribological Behavior of a Flat or Circular Stamp Sliding on Piezoelectric/Piezomagnetic Composites
Authors: Zhou Yue-Ting , Pang Sheng-Jie , Zhong Zheng
Published: February 2017

A frictional sliding contact model is established for the anisotropic piezoelectric/piezomagnetic composites indented by a flat or circular stamp. The characteristic equation related to monoclinic anisotropic piezoelectric/piezomagnetic composites is of tenth-order. The stated problem is reduced to integral equations whose kernels present an unconventional singularity. Parametric studies reveal that both the volume fraction of the composites and the friction coefficient could significantly affect the tribological behaviors. Numerical results show that the surface quantities have a singularity or spike at the stamp edge, and that the magneto-electro coupling in piezoelectric/piezomagnetic composites does not exist in any single phase.
Regularizing Biomechanical Maps for Partially Known Material Properties
Authors: Mei Yue , Tajderi Mahsa , Goenezen Sevan
Published: February 2017

We present the solution of the inverse problem for partially known elastic modulus values, e.g., the elastic modulus is known in some small region on the boundary of the domain from measurements. The inverse problem is posed as a constrained minimization problem and regularized with two different regularization types. In particular, the total variation diminishing (TVD) and the total contrast diminishing (TCD) regularizations are employed. We test both regularization strategies with theoretical diseased tissues, such as a stiff tumor surrounded by healthy background tissue and an atherosclerotic plaque having a soft inclusion surrounded by a stiff cap. In the present study, it is assumed that no traction data is available and the absolute elastic modulus distribution is calibrated from partially known elastic modulus values. We observe that this calibration fails with TVD regularization, while TCD regularization yields well-recovered absolute elastic modulus reconstructions in the presence of high noise levels in the displacement data. Finally, we investigate this problem analytically and provide an explanation for these observations. This work will advance efforts in parameter identification of heterogeneous materials as it provides a methodology to incorporate partially known parameters into the inverse problem formulation that will ultimately drive the inverse solution to an absolute and unique parameter distribution. This has great importance in classifying breast tumors based on their elastic modulus values and in planning surgical interventions of atherosclerotic plaques.
Size-Dependent Vibration of Axially Moving Viscoelastic Micro-Plates Based on Sinusoidal Shear Deformation Theory
Authors: Ghorbanpour Arani Ali , Haghparast Elham
Published: February 2017

In the present research, vibration and instability of axially moving viscoelastic micro-plate is investigated. Sinusoidal shear deformation theory (SSDT) is utilized due to its accuracy of polynomial functions than other plate theories. Based on Kelvin’s model, the viscoelastic structural properties of micro-plate are taken into consideration. The modified couple stress theory (MCST) is employed because of its capability to interpret the size effect. Using Hamilton’s principle, equations of motion are obtained and solved by hybrid analytical–numerical solution at different boundary conditions. Influences of various parameters such as size effect, axially moving speed, viscoelastic structural damping coefficient, thickness and aspect ratio on the vibration characteristics of moving viscoelastic micro-plate are discussed in detail. The results indicated that the critical speed of moving micro-plate is strongly dependent on the aspect ratio, therefore, the low aspect ratio should be considered for optimum design of this kind of moving micro-devices. The results of this investigation can be used in design and manufacturing of axially moving systems at the micro-scale such as micro-magnetic tapes.
Size-Dependent Torsional Buckling of Carbon Nano-Peapods Based on the Modified Couple Stress Theory
Authors: Tadi Beni Yaghoub , Mehralian Fahimeh
Published: February 2017

Using the modified couple stress theory and the shell model, this paper investigates the torsional instability of carbon nano peapods (CNPs), which are the hybrid structures made by inserting C[Formula: see text] fullerenes into CNT. Based on the modified couple stress theory as a higher order elasticity theory and using the first-order shear deformation shell theory, the equilibrium equations are derived through the principle of the minimum potential energy. The critical torsional moment is determined for the (10,10) CNT and the C[Formula: see text]@(10,10) CNP, and compared with that of MD simulations in the literature. Then, the increase in critical torsional moment is represented with the increase in the length scale parameter in both (10,10) CNT and C[Formula: see text]@(10,10) CNP based on the modified couple stress theory. Besides, by comparing the critical torsional moment in the C[Formula: see text]@(10,10) CNP and the (10,10) CNT, 100 percent increase in buckling resistance due to the presence of C[Formula: see text] fullerene is exhibited as well. In addition, the CNP surrounding is modeled as Pasternak foundation, and the effects of Pasternak stiffness are shown on the critical torsional moment.
A Review on Synthesis, Characterization and Applications of Copper Nanoparticles Using Green Method
Authors: Rafique Muhammad , Shaikh Ahson J. , Rasheed Reena , Tahir Muhammad Bilal , Bakhat Hafiz Faiq , Rafique Muhammad Shahid , Rabbani Faiz
Published: February 2017

To address accosts of this modern age, the synthesis of metal nanoparticles is more important than ever. Copper has been recognized as a nontoxic, safe inorganic material, cheaper antibacterial/antifungal agent, and has high potential in a wide range of biological, catalytic and sensors applications more particularly in the form of nanoparticles. This resulted in the development of numerous methods for the synthesis of copper nanoparticles. As conventional methods like chemical and physical methods have several limitations so there is need to an alternate method. Due to nontoxic and eco-friendly nature, it has recently been shifted toward green synthesis of copper nanoparticles over conventional methods. Additionally, characterization of the synthesized nanoparticles is essential for their use in various applications. This review gives an overview of environment friendly synthesis method of copper nanoparticles and their applications on the basis of their potential selectivity and preferences in a number of fields like material sciences and biomedicine.