bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GIS-Based Assessment of Solar Energy Harvesting Sites and Electricity Generation Potential in Zambia
Authors: Mwanza Mabvuto , Ulgen Koray
Published: May 2021

Land and environment are some of limited nature resource for any particular country and requires best use. Therefore, for sustainable energy generation it is often important to maximize land use and avoid or minimize environmental and social impact when selecting the potential locations for solar energy harvesting. This chapter presents an approach for identifying and determining the potential sites and available land areas for solar energy harvesting. Hence, the restricting and enhancing parameters that influence sites selection based on international regulation have been imposed to the Laws of Zambia on environmental protection and pollution control legislative framework. Thus, both international regulations and local environmental protection and pollution control legislative have been used for identifying the potential sites and evaluating solar PV electricity generation potential in these potential sites. The restricting parameters were applied to reduce territory areas to feasible potential sites and available areas that are suitable for solar energy harvesting. The assessment involved two different models: firstly the assessment of potential sites and mapping using GIS, and secondly, evaluation of the available suitable land areas and feasible solar PV electricity generation potential in each provinces using analytical methods. The total available suitable area of the potential sites is estimated at 82,564.601 km2representing 10.97% of Zambia’s total surface area. This potential is equivalent to 10,240.73 TWh annual electricity generation potential with potential to reduce CO2emissions in the nation and achieve SDGs. The identification of potential sites and solar energy will help improve the understanding of the potential solar energy can contribute to achieving sustainable national energy mix in Zambia. Furthermore, it will help the government in setting up tangible energy targets and effective integration of solar PV systems into national energy mix.
Climate Variability on Fishing Activities in Inland Waters: Case of Owena River in Ondo and Osun States, Nigeria
Authors: Adeleke Lydia , Jerry Jacob Victor , Ayal Desalegn , Oluwatobi Akinola Joshua , Sunday Ayodele Idowu , Amos Ajibefun Igbekele
Published: May 2021

This chapter examined the effects of climate variability on fishing activities in inland waters: the case of Owena River in Ondo and Osun States, Nigeria. The particular inland water body (Owena) was selected purposively because the Owena River crosses across the two States (Ondo and Osun States). A total of 100 respondents/fisher folks were selected randomly. Primary data was used to get information from the respondents with the aid of the structured questionnaire. Secondary data was used to get information on the climate variability existing in the locations in order to achieve the set objectives. Specifically, the effects of climatic variables such as temperature, rainfall, and wind were determined on fisher folk, fishing duration, fish catch, fishing techniques, and fishing equipment/gears. Descriptive survey design was used to examine the demographic characteristics of respondents. The result revealed that most of the respondents (96%) were male. This chapter established that climate variability particularly strong wind, rainfall, and temperature has adverse effects on fishing activities such as reduction in fish catch, long duration of fishing, loss of fishing gear, change in fishing techniques, and effect on health; hence, the livelihoods of the residence are adversely affected on the long run. In addition to the adverse effect of poverty and loss of life for the fisher folks. Although, the fisher folks livelihoods depend mainly on fisheries resources and optimum fishing depends on favorable climate/weather conditions. Therefore, proper preventive coping strategies against the adverse effect of climate variables should be paramount in both States (Ondo and Ekiti) to improve livelihoods and food security.
Impacts of Global Warming on West African Monsoon Rainfall
Authors: Gbode Imoleayo E. , Ajayi Vincent O. , Ogunjobi Kehinde O. , Dudhia Jimy , Liu Changhai
Published: May 2021

The impacts of global warming on rainfall in West Africa were examined using a numerical framework for 5 monsoon years (2001, 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2011). Rainfall characteristics over the three climatic zones, Guinea coast, Savannah, and Sahel, were analyzed. The potential changes associated with global warming were assessed by the pseudo-global warming (PGW) downscaling method. Multiple PGW runs were conducted using climate perturbation from the 40-member ensemble of the Community Earth System Model version 1 (CESM1) coupled with Community Atmospheric Model version 5.2 (CAM5.2) component large ensemble project. The model output was compared with Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission and Global Precipitation Climatology Project rainfall alongside surface temperature from the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecast Reanalysis. Results show that the estimated rainfall amount from the future climate in the 2070s increases slightly compared with the current climate. The total rainfall amount simulated for the current climate is 16% and 63% less than that of the PGW runs and observations, respectively. Also found is an increase (decrease) in heavy (light and moderate) rainfall amount in the PGW runs. These results are, however, contingent on the global circulation model (GCM), which provides the boundary conditions of the regional climate model. CESM1.0-CAM5.2, the GCM employed in this study, tends to provide a greater surface temperature change of about 4 °C. This projected temperature change consequently caused the increase in the simulated precipitation in the PGW experiments, thus highlighting the advantage of using the PGW method to estimate the likely difference between the present and future climate with reduced large-scale model differences and computational resources. The findings of this study are, however, useful to inform decision-making in climate-related activities and guide the design of climate change adaptation projects for the West African region.
FinTech Applications
Authors: Chen Chung-Chi , Huang Hen-Hsen , Chen Hsin-Hsi
Published: May 2021

The Financial Stability Board defines financial technology (FinTech) as “technology-enabled innovation in financial services.” At the 2015 World Economic Forum, experts proposed a taxonomy for financial services that can be classified into six major categories: payments, deposits and lending, market provisioning, capital raising, insurance, and investment management. Because financial opinion mining can be applied to many listed services, we survey various cases in this chapter and show that financial opinion mining is useful and crucial in many financial application scenarios.
Topological field theories and symmetry protected topological phases with fusion category symmetries
Authors: Inamura Kansei
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Fusion category symmetries are finite symmetries in 1+1 dimensions described by unitary fusion categories. We classify 1+1d time-reversal invariant bosonic symmetry protected topological (SPT) phases with fusion category symmetry by using topological field theories. We first formulate two-dimensional unoriented topological field theories whose symmetry splits into time-reversal symmetry and fusion category symmetry. We then solve them to show that SPT phases are classified by equivalence classes of quintuples (Z, M, i, s, ϕ) where (Z, M, i) is a fiber functor, s is a sign, and ϕ is the action of orientation- reversing symmetry that is compatible with the fiber functor (Z, M, i). We apply this classification to SPT phases with Kramers-Wannier-like self-duality.
Bounded and almost periodic solvability of nonautonomous quasilinear hyperbolic systems
Authors: Kmit Irina , Recke Lutz , Tkachenko Viktor
Published: May 2021

The paper concerns boundary value problems for general nonautonomous first-order quasilinear hyperbolic systems in a strip. We construct small global classical solutions, assuming that the right-hand sides are small. In the case that all data of the quasilinear problem are almost periodic, we prove that the bounded solution is also almost periodic. For the nonhomogeneous version of a linearized problem, we provide stable dissipativity conditions ensuring a unique bounded continuous solution for any smooth right-hand sides. In the autonomous case, this solution is two times continuously differentiable. In the nonautonomous case, the continuous solution is differentiable under additional dissipativity conditions, which are essential. A crucial ingredient of our approach is a perturbation theorem for general linear hyperbolic systems. One of the technical complications we overcome is the “loss of smoothness” property of hyperbolic PDEs.
Measuring the Head Circumference on MRI in Children: an Interrater Study
Authors: Rau Alexander , Demerath Theo , Kremers Nico , Eckenweiler Matthias , von der Warth Rieka , Urbach Horst
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The head circumference is typically used as a surrogate parameter for the development of the central nervous system and intracranial structures and is an important clinical parameter in neuropediatrics. As magnetic resonance images (MRI) can be freely zoomed, visual analysis of the head size often relies on impressions, such as the craniofacial ratio or a simplified gyral pattern. Aim of this study was to validate an MRI-based method to measure the head circumference.

Methods

Head circumferences of 85 children (41 microcephalies, 22 macrocephalies and 22 normal controls; 47 male, mean age 3.22 ± 2.45 years, range 0.19–10.42 years) were retrospectively measured using sagittal 3D-T1w (MPRAGE) data sets. Three readers independently placed an ovoid region of interest in an axial plane starting from the supraorbital bulge and covering the largest supra-auricular head circumference. Clinical measurements of the head circumference taken within an acceptable period served for comparative purposes. Reliability was assessed by calculating the total error of measurement (TEM) and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

Results

A close correlation was found between MRI-based and clinical measurements. The interrater reliability was excellent (ICC 0.985, 95% confidence interval 0.952–0.993). Absolute TEM ranged from 0.47–0.75, resulting in relative TEM ranging from 1.0–1.6%. Thus, TEMs were classified as acceptable. The mean accuracy of MRI-based measurements was high at 0.94.

Conclusion

The head circumference can be reliably determined with a simple measurement on 3D sequences using multiplanar reformations. This approach may help to diagnose microcephaly and macrocephaly, especially when the head circumference is not reported by the referring physician.
Automation technology as a key component of the Industry 4.0 production development path
Authors: Brecher Christian , Müller Aleksandra , Dassen Yannick , Storms Simon
Published: May 2021

Since 2011, the Industry 4.0 initiative is a key research and development direction towards flexible production systems in Germany. The objective of the initiative is to deal with the challenge of an increased production complexity caused by various factors such as increasing global competition between companies, product variety, and individualization to meet customer needs. For this, Industry 4.0 envisions an overarching connection of information technologies with the production process, enabling smart manufacturing. Bringing current production systems to this objective will be a long transformation process, which requires a coherent migration path. The aim of this paper is to represent an exemplary production development way towards Industry 4.0 using eminent formalization approaches and standardized automation technologies.
Efficacy and safety of magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound for the treatment of painful bone metastases: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Baal Joe D. , Chen William C. , Baal Ulysis , Wagle Sagar , Baal Jed H. , Link Thomas M. , Bucknor Matthew D.
Published: May 2021

Objective

To report the safety and efficacy of magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) in the treatment of painful bone metastases through a systematic review and meta-analysis of pain scores before and after MRgFUS treatment and post-treatment adverse events.

Materials and methods

A comprehensive literature search of PubMed and Embase databases was performed for studies evaluating the efficacy and/or safety of MRgFUS. The mean difference of pain scores (10-point visual analogue scale or numerical rating scale) between baseline and 1-month/3-month pain scores was collected and analyzed in a pooled meta-analysis. Post-treatment adverse events based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) grading were recorded and the pooled prevalence was calculated.

Results

A total of 33 studies published between 2007 and 2019 were collected, resulting in a total sample size of 1082 patients. The majority of the studies were prospective with a reported follow-up period of 3 months. The pooled proportion of patients that achieved pain relief from MRgFUS (complete response or partial response [≥ 2-point improvement of pain score]) was 79% (95% CI 73–83%). The pooled 1-month and 3-month mean difference in pain score were − 3.8 (95% CI − 4.3; − 3.3) and − 4.4 (95% CI − 5.0; − 3.7), respectively. The overall rate of high-grade (CTCAE grade 3 or higher) and low-grade (CTCAE grade 2 or lower) MRgFUS-related adverse events were 0.9% and 5.9%, respectively.

Conclusion

MRgFUS is an effective procedure that is able to provide significant pain palliation for patients with symptomatic bone metastases with a favorable safety profile.
Vorhersage der Fließgewässertemperaturen in österreichischen Einzugsgebieten mittels Machine Learning-Verfahren
Authors: Feigl Moritz , Lebiedzinski Katharina , Herrnegger Mathew , Schulz Karsten
Published: May 2021

Die Fließgewässertemperatur ist ein essenzieller Umweltfaktor, der das Potenzial hat, sowohl ökologische als auch sozio-ökonomische Rahmenbedingungen im Umfeld eines Gewässers zu verändern. Um Fließgewässertemperaturen als Grundlage für effektive Anpassungsstrategien für zukünftige Veränderungen (z. B. durch den Klimawandel) berechnen zu können, sind adäquate Modellierungskonzepte notwendig. Die vorliegende Studie untersucht hierfür 6 Machine Learning-Modelle: Schrittweise Lineare Regression, Random Forest, eXtreme Gradient Boosting, Feedforward Neural Networks und zwei Arten von Recurrent Neural Networks. Die Modelle wurden an 10 österreichischen Einzugsgebieten mit unterschiedlichen physiographischen Eigenschaften und Eingangsdatenkombinationen getestet. Die Hyperparameter der angewandten Modelle wurden mittels Bayes’scher Hyperparameteroptimierung optimiert. Um die Ergebnisse mit anderen Studien vergleichbar zu machen, wurden die Vorhersagen der 6 Machine Learning-Modelle den Ergebnissen der linearen Regression und dem häufig verwendeten und bekannten Wassertemperaturmodell air2stream gegenübergestellt.

Von den 6 getesteten Modellen zeigten die Feedforward Neural Networks und das eXtreme Gradient Boosting die besten Vorhersagen in jeweils 4 von 10 Einzugsgebieten. Mit einem durchschnittlichen RMSE (Wurzel der mittleren Fehlerquadratsumme; root mean squared error) von 0,55 °C konnten die getesteten Modelle die Fließgewässertemperaturen deutlich besser prognostizieren als die lineare Regression (1,55 °C) und air2stream (0,98 °C). Generell zeigten die Ergebnisse der 6 Modelle eine sehr vergleichbare Leistung mit lediglich einer mittleren Abweichung um den Medianwert von 0,08 °C zwischen den einzelnen Modellen. Im größten untersuchten Einzugsgebiet – Donau bei Kienstock – wiesen Recurrent Neural Networks die höchste Modellgüte auf, was darauf hinweist, dass sie sich am besten eignen, wenn im Einzugsgebiet Prozesse mit langfristigen Abhängigkeiten ausschlaggebend sind. Die Wahl der Hyperparameter beeinflusste die Vorhersagefähigkeit der Modelle stark, was die Bedeutung der Hyperparameteroptimierung besonders hervorhebt.

Die Ergebnisse dieser Studie fassen die Bedeutung unterschiedlicher Eingangsdaten, Modelle und Trainingscharakteristiken für die Modellierung von mittleren täglichen Fließgewässertemperaturen zusammen. Gleichzeitig dient diese Studie als Basis für die Entwicklung zukünftiger Modelle für eine regionale Fließgewässertemperaturvorhersage. Die getesteten Modelle stehen im open source R‑Paket wateRtemp allen AnwenderInnen der Forschungsgemeinschaft und der Praxis zur Verfügung.
Präklinische Bluttransfusion bei lebensbedrohlicher Blutung – erweiterte lebensrettende Therapieoptionen durch das Konzept Medical Intervention Car
Authors: Schneider N. R. E. , Weilbacher F. , Maurer T. , Würmell A. M. , Leo A. , Weigand M. A. , Popp E.
Published: May 2021

Das Medical Intervention Car (MIC) der Klinik für Anästhesiologie des Universitätsklinikums Heidelberg (UKHD) stellt ein neuartiges experimentelles Versorgungskonzept dar, welches zusätzliche Expertise und bisher nur innerklinisch etablierte Interventionen in der Präklinik verfügbar macht. Hierzu zählen die Transfusion von Blutprodukten, die Notfallthorakotomie, die „resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta“ (REBOA) sowie die Möglichkeit zur extrakorporalen kardiopulmonalen Reanimation (eCPR). Anhand der Fallvorstellung eines jungen Patienten, der sich mit einer Kettensäge in der Leiste verletzte und einen hämorrhagisch bedingten Kreislaufstillstand erlitt, wird insbesondere die Möglichkeit der lebensrettenden Transfusion diskutiert. In diesem Einsatz führte ein integratives präklinisches Versorgungskonzept, bestehend aus Rettungswagen, Notarzteinsatzfahrzeug und MIC, zur Wiederherstellung des Spontankreislaufs und einer vollständigen zerebralen Erholung des Patienten.
Non-hyperoctahedral Categories of Two-Colored Partitions Part II: All Possible Parameter Values
Authors: Mang Alexander , Weber Moritz
Published: May 2021

This article is part of a series with the aim of classifying all non-hyperoctahedral categories of two-colored partitions. Those constitute by some Tannaka-Krein type result the representation categories of a specific class of quantum groups. In Part I we introduced a class of parameters which gave rise to many new non-hyperoctahedral categories of partitions. In the present article we show that this class actually contains all possible parameter values of all non-hyperoctahedral categories of partitions. This is an important step towards the classification of all non-hyperoctahedral categories.
Cardiac MRI findings to differentiate athlete's heart from hypertrophic (HCM), arrhythmogenic right ventricular (ARVC) and dilated (DCM) cardiomyopathy
Authors: Kübler J. , Burgstahler C. , Brendel J. M. , Gassenmaier S. , Hagen F. , Klingel K. , Olthof S.-C. , Blume K. , Wolfarth B. , Mueller K. A. L. , Greulich S. , Krumm P.
Published: May 2021

To provide clinically relevant criteria for differentiation between the athlete’s heart and similar appearing hypertrophic (HCM), dilated (DCM), and arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) in MRI. 40 top-level athletes were prospectively examined with cardiac MR (CMR) in two university centres and compared to retrospectively recruited patients diagnosed with HCM (n = 14), ARVC (n = 18), and DCM (n = 48). Analysed MR imaging parameters in the whole study cohort included morphology, functional parameters and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). Mean left-ventricular enddiastolic volume index (LVEDVI) was high in athletes (105 ml/m2) but significantly lower compared to DCM (132 ml/m2; p = 0.001). Mean LV ejection fraction (EF) was 61% in athletes, below normal in 7 (18%) athletes vs. EF 29% in DCM, below normal in 46 (96%) patients (p < 0.0001). Mean RV-EF was 54% in athletes vs. 60% in HCM, 46% in ARVC, and 41% in DCM (p < 0.0001). Mean interventricular myocardial thickness was 10 mm in athletes vs. 12 mm in HCM (p = 0.0005), 9 mm in ARVC, and 9 mm in DCM. LGE was present in 1 (5%) athlete, 8 (57%) HCM, 10 (56%) ARVC, and 21 (44%) DCM patients (p < 0.0001). Healthy athletes’ hearts are characterized by both hypertrophy and dilation, low EF of both ventricles at rest, and increased interventricular septal thickness with a low prevalence of LGE. Differentiation of athlete’s heart from other non-ischemic cardiomyopathies in MRI can be challenging due to a significant overlap of characteristics also seen in HCM, ARVC, and DCM.
Toward a theory of ecosystem well-being
Authors: Fleurbaey Marc , Leppanen Christy
Published: May 2021

Can the main methods of social welfare analysis be extended to cover multiple species? Following a non-anthropocentric approach, we examine the pros and cons of various objective and subjective methods of well-being comparisons across species. We argue against normalizing by specific capacities but in favor of taking account of individual preferences and specializations. While many conceptual and practical difficulties remain, it appears possible to develop methods for the assessment of collective well-being of multi-species communities and ecosystems.
N-effects are not-P-effects
Authors: Bossi Madeline
Published: May 2021

This paper analyzes pronominal competition and its pragmatic consequences in Scottish Gaelic (Celtic). In cases of competition cross-linguistically, use of a particular pronoun can trigger pragmatic effects like negative appraisal (N-effects). Although Scottish Gaelic exhibits a superficially similar pattern of competition and negative appraisal, I show that existing accounts based on referential potential (Sichel and Wiltschko 2020) and structure (Patel-Grosz and Grosz 2017) are unable to capture the Scottish Gaelic pattern. Instead, I argue that negative appraisal in Scottish Gaelic stems from the absence of positive appraisal, signaled via use of exempt anaphors. Following Charnavel (2020), I propose that exempt anaphors are anteceded by a nullprologintroduced by a logophoric operator, which requires its complement to be evaluated from the perspective ofprolog’s antecedent. By using an exempt anaphor, a speaker adopts the perspective of the pronoun’s referent, indicating positive appraisal since they are willing to take the referent’s point of view. Yet when a speaker choosesnotto use an exempt anaphor, they refuse to make this perspective shift, which translates as negative appraisal. Apparent N-effects in Scottish Gaelic are, then, better characterized as not-P-effects.
Dirty Hands and Moral Conflict – Lessons from the Philosophy of Evil
Authors: Nick Christina
Published: May 2021

According to one understanding of the problem of dirty hands, every case of dirty hands is an instance of moral conflict, but not every instance of moral conflict is a case of dirty hands. So, what sets the two apart? The dirty hands literature has offered widely different answers to this question but there has been relatively little discussion about their relative merits as well as challenges. In this paper I evaluate these different accounts by making clear which understanding of concept distinctness underlies them and which of them is, ultimately, the most plausible one in the case of dirty hands and ordinary moral conflict. In order to do so, I will borrow from the terminology employed in recent debates in the philosophy of evil which have tackled a similar problem to the one at hand, i.e. defining what sets evil apart from ordinary wrongdoing. Here it has been argued that concepts could be distinct in three ways: they can have a quantitative difference, a strong qualitative or a moderate qualitative difference. I conclude that the most convincing definition of dirty hands draws a moderate qualitative distinction between ordinary moral conflict according to which dirty hands are those moral conflicts that involve a serious violation or betrayal of a core moral value.
Testing the quality of transformative science methods: the example of the Human Scale Development approach
Authors: Spiering Salina , Barrera María del Valle
Published: May 2021

Scholars and funding bodies alike are increasingly calling for transformative research that delivers socially robust and impact-oriented outcomes. This paper argues that the Human Scale Development approach (HSDA) introduced by Max-Neef and colleagues in Latin America during the 1980s can serve as a method for transformative science (TSc). HSDA is both a theory and a participatory methodology and thus contributes toward fulfilling the objectives of TSc, which are scientific, practical and educational. In this paper, we begin by explicating how the fundamental human needs (FHN) approach of the HSDA can support scholars and practitioners alike in addressing complex sustainability challenges. We then refer to the methodological adaptations to the original proposal that we have previously developed to illustrate how Max-Neef's methodological approach might be further extended and to demonstrate how these changes can strengthen HSDA and make it even more useful for generating knowledge needed in sustainability transformations. To inform and support research that builds on the co-production of knowledge, we test HSDA with regard to TSc quality criteria and show how it adds value to the existing canon of TSc methods. To this end, we develop an analytical framework that can be deployed to assess the quality of TSc methods.
Compendium About Multicomponent Interdiffusion in Two Dimensions
Authors: Bożek Bogusław , Sapa Lucjan , Tkacz-Śmiech Katarzyna , Zajusz Marek , Danielewski Marek
Published: May 2021

Interdiffusion between dissimilar solids can change the properties of joined materials. Although much work has been done to study experimentally and theoretically interdiffusion in one-dimensional (1-D) diffusion couples, studying interdiffusion in two-dimensional (2-D) or three-dimensional (3-D) solids remains a challenge. In this article, we report an experiment and develop a model to study interdiffusion in a multicomponent system of 2-D geometry. The results (concentration maps and profiles) are compared with data obtained by modeling and numerical simulations. It is assumed that the system satisfies Vegard’s rule and diffusion coefficients are composition dependent. To model the multidimensional diffusion with a drift, we take benefit of the concept of the drift potential. A nonlinear parabolic-elliptic system of strongly coupled differential equations is formulated and the implicit difference method, preserving Vegard’s rule, is applied in the simulations.
Influence of cutting parameters on mechanisms causing slug pulling
Authors: Kindsmüller Alexander , Schrepfer Agnes , Stahl Jens , Pätzold Isabella , Nürnberger Anian , Golle Roland , Volk Wolfram
Published: May 2021

Shear cutting is one of the most widely used manufacturing processes in the production of sheet metal components. The reasons for this are the high output volume combined with low costs per part. The profitability of this process is significantly influenced by the lifetime of the active elements and the occurrence of unexpected process disturbances. While there are already many publications on the former, there are only few examinations on the wide spread process disturbance of slug pulling, which describes the phenomenon where the cut-out part is pulled upwards again during the punch return stroke. In particular, the different forces on the slug that cause this phenomenon have not yet been measured individually and independently of one another in one single tool. Thus, a shear cutting tool was developed that enables the measurement of the individual forces on the slug depending on various process parameters. Following, single stroke experiments were carried out to determine these forces and establish relationships between the process parameters, the characteristics of the slug and the measured forces. Finally, the interaction of all partial forces depending on selected process parameters is discussed in order to classify the relevance of every single force with regard to the occurrence of slug pulling. This understanding of the process is necessary in order to make a well-founded decision when designing future tools or selecting available remedial measures to avoid slug pulling.
Emotions or attention – what are predictors for the development of childhood psychopathology? A longitudinal study with pre- and elementary school children
Authors: Christiansen Hanna , Hirsch Oliver , Beheshti Ashkan , Chavanon Mira-Lynn
Published: May 2021

Current debate has identified the factors emotion knowledge (EK) and attention as specific trajectories longitudinally influencing psychopathological development in childhood. The “Emotion Knowledge Hypothesis” assumes that children with great emotion skills have high self-regulating abilities that result in lower cognitive load and stronger attention capacities. Attention problems are thus perceived as a consequence of reduced EK. According to the competing “Attention Effect Hypothesis”, attention problems and EK deficits are associated because of impaired learning capacities due to attention problems. According to this hypothesis, attention problems are predictive of impaired EK. If those specific trajectories are disrupted, this might attenuate the development of later behavior problems. The present study tests those competing hypotheses replicating previous studies in this field to shed light on potential psychopathology trajectories. A total of 136 pre- and elementary school children as well as their teachers participated in this study. Children’s symptoms of inattention as well as their emotional competences were assessed 3 times over a 12-month period. We applied multilevel structural equation modelling and cross-lagged panel models for data analysis. Overall, we noted a drop in inattention scores and rise in emotional competences over the one-year course, indicating maturation effects. There was a significant but very small effect for attention scores predicting emotional competences. With respect to the question whether interventions should focus on the “Emotion Knowledge” or “Attention Effect” hypothesis, our findings imply that none of them has superiority over the other. Therefore, both emotion knowledge and attention are crucial for development, and that children with deficits in either domain should receive targeted interventions in order to disrupt potentially harmful developmental pathways.
Pb(II) removal in water via adsorption onto deep eutectic solvent fabricated activated carbon
Authors: Pam Aloysius Akaangee , Hir Zul Adlan Mohd , Abdullah Abdul Halim , Tan Yen Ping
Published: May 2021

In our current work, we have established a novel approach in the synthesis of a new adsorbent by using choline chloride and urea (DES)/orthophosphoric acid (H3PO4) as our activating agent and palm kernel shell (PKS) as our precursor. The resulting activated carbon (DES/H3PO4-6002:3) was used to adsorb Pb(II) from aqueous solution. Characterization of DES-H3PO4-6002:3 by nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) demonstrated good micropores structure and high surface area that makes DES/H3PO4-600 2:3 a suitable alternative for liquid phase adsorption. The fundamental batch experiment of DES/H3PO4-600 2:3 was investigated by different parameters (such as concentration, pH, temperature and absorbent dose). The results obtained indicated that Langmuir model and pseudo-second-order equation best fit the data, indicating that the adsorption was controlled by chemical reaction and monolayer uptake. In addition, the fabrication of DES/H3PO4 AC exhibits good potential for Pb(II) ions uptake, including its high adsorption capacity (97.1 mg/g) and good recyclability. The future potential of this works lies in the identification of alternatives to environmental benign synthesis AC and reuse of Pb(II) ion–laden biosorbent after heavy metal uptake.
Groundwater quality of an hard rock aquifer in the Subledu Basin of Khammam district, India
Authors: Narasaiah Vulloju , Rao Bekkam Venkateswara
Published: May 2021

Hard rock aquifers of Indian peninsula are loaded with excess nitrate due to heavy use of fertilizers during irrigation and excess fluoride due to the geogenic contamination. This study is focused on the groundwater quality in Subledu Basin in view of the large-scale use of groundwater for both irrigation and drinking purposes as no such study was carried out earlier in the basin. The study area is located at Khammam district, Telangana state, India, which is a hard rock terrain mostly covered with granites and gneisses. Twenty-two groundwater samples were collected covering the entire basin in the month of May 2019 from running hand pumps for analyzing the major anions and cations in the groundwater. The samples were analyzed by using standard gravimetric method for evaluation of total dissolved solids; titrimetric methods to analyze carbonates, bicarbonates and chloride; UV spectrometric method for estimation of nitrate; and ion-selective electrode method for fluoride and spectrophotometer for sulfate and phosphate. These chemical constituents are used to calculate parameters, namely total hardness, sodium adsorption ratio, residual sodium carbonate, sodium percentage, Kelley’s ratio and magnesium hazard. The spatial distribution maps of important chemical constituents are prepared by using the contour maps created by utilizing the inverse distance weighted interpolation tool in the Geographical Information System. The excess fluoride values of 2.84 mg/l, 2.76 mg/l and 1.87 mg/l are observed in the villages of Pocharam, Kistapuram and Turakagudem, respectively, as against the maximum permissible concentration of 1.5 mg/l prescribed by World Health Organization. Excess use of fertilizers for agriculture is causing the nitrate pollution of groundwater in more than 50% of the samples with concentrations ranging from a minimum of 2 mg/l to a maximum of 460 mg/l in the villages of Medidapalle and Bachodu. It is identified that the total hardness is ranging between 200 and 820 mg/l which is very high when compared with the Bureau of Indian Standards. Based on sodium adsorption ratio, residual sodium carbonate, Kelley’s ratio, and sodium percentage analyses, two samples were not suitable for irrigation. Similarly, 13 samples are not suitable for drinking water purposes based on the excess presence of fluoride and nitrate. Groundwater quality maps of Subledu Basin depicting the areas suitable or not for the irrigation as well as for drinking purposes were prepared. From these maps, it is found that groundwater from large parts of the basin is not suitable for drinking purposes while for irrigation purposes it is suitable.
Computing Machinery, Surprise and Originality
Authors: Delacroix Sylvie
Published: May 2021

Lady Lovelace’s notes on Babbage’s Analytical Engine (1843) never refer to the concept of surprise. Having some pretension to ‘originate’ something—unlike the Analytical Engine—is neither necessary nor sufficient to being able to surprise someone. Turing nevertheless translates Lovelace’s ‘this machine is incapable of originating something’ in terms of a hypothetical ‘computers cannot take us by surprise’ objection to the idea that machines may be deemed capable of thinking. To understand the contemporary significance of what is missed in Turing’s ‘surprise’ translation of Lovelace’s insight, one needs to distinguish between trivial surprises (which stem from our limited ability to store data and process it) and those events, propositions or encounters that lead us to question our understanding of ourselves or what surrounds us. Only some of these non-trivial surprises are the product of originality endeavours. Not only is it uncommon for surprises to track such endeavours, the type of autonomy that would be required on the part of ‘digital computers’ for originality and surprise to intersect in that way goes far beyond the operational autonomy that can be achieved by ‘learning machines’. This paper argues that a salient translation of Lovelace’s originality insight—for contemporary and future ‘learning machines’—is an upside-down version of Turing’s surprise question: can computers be surprised by us in a non-trivial, ‘co-produced’ way?
Displacement mapping of point clouds: application of retaining structures composed of sheet piles
Authors: Zhao Yang , Seo Hyungjoon , Chen Cheng
Published: May 2021

The measurement of displacement is an important factor to evaluate the stability of a retaining structure. In this paper, a large-scale retaining structure with a width of 70 m and a height of 6 m was monitored using 3-D laser scanning. Displacement mapping was proposed to globally monitor the entire retaining structure. The point cloud obtained immediately after the excavation was converted into the mesh, and the point clouds obtained on the second and seventh days after excavation were compared to the mesh using the Cloud to Mesh (C2M) comparison method. Since the C2M displacement can be underestimated in the inclined section of the sheet pile, after filtering using the azimuth and element angles automatically, only the flat sections of the sheet pile can be segmented from original point clouds collectively and consistently. The displacement mapping results identify not only the local behavior of the sheet pile, such as the bending point and the maximum displacement position, but also the global behavior, such as the expansion of the maximum displacement in the retaining structure. The results of the displacement mapping were confirmed through site investigation as well. In the displacement mapping result, the maximum displacement was found around rows 2 and 3 of the 37th sheet pile, and the analyzed result of the load cell installed on the anchor indicated that the anchor constructed in the 37th sheet pile shows the plastic behavior. It was established that other sheet piles are affected by the damage to the local anchor through the H-beam and the maximum displacement in the displacement mapping is expanded horizontally in a positive parabola shape. Therefore, it was confirmed that displacement mapping using laser scanning can complement existing monitoring techniques and can contribute to evaluating the behavior of a large-scale retaining structure during excavation.
A new mathematical model for determining optimal workforce planning of pilots in an airline company
Authors: Akyurt İbrahim Zeki , Kuvvetli Yusuf , Deveci Muhammet , Garg Harish , Yuzsever Mert
Published: May 2021

This study aims to model a workforce-planning problem of pilot roles which include captain and first officer in an airline company and to make an efficient plan having maximal utilization of minimum workforce requirements. To tackle this problem, a mixed integer programming based a new mathematical model is proposed. The model considers different conditions such as employing pilots with different skill types, resignations, retirements, holidays of pilots, transitions between different skills regarding needs of the demands during the planning horizon. The application of the proposed approach is investigated using a case study with real-world data from an airline company in Turkey. The results show that a company can use transitions instead of new employment and this is a more suitable medium-term production and human resource planning decision.
A Trigonometric Projection Method for Overcoming High Intensity Heart Rate Caused Waveform Deformation in Electrocardiogram Biometrics
Authors: Shen Tsu-Wang , Chang Shan-Chun
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Although electrocardiogram (ECG) has been proven as a biometric for human identification, applying biometric technology remains challenging with diverse heart rate circumstances in which high intensity heart rate caused waveform deformation may not be known in advance when ECG templates are registered.

Methods

A calibration method that calculates the ratio of the length of an unidentified electrocardiogram signal to the length of an electrocardiogram template is proposed in this paper. Next, the R peak is used as an axis anchor point of a trigonometric projection (TP) to attain the displacement value. Finally, the unidentified ECG signal is calibrated according to the generated trigonometric value, which corresponds to the trigonometric projection degree of the ratio and the attained displacement measurement.

Results

The results reveal that the proposed method provides superior overall performance compared with that of the conventional downsampling method, based on the percentage root mean square difference (PRD), correlation coefficients, and mean square error (MSE).

Conclusion

The curve fitting equation directly maps from the heart rate levels to the TP degree without prior registration information. The proposed ECG calibration method offers a more robust system against heart rate interference when conducting ECG identification.
Risk and Protective Factors in Cyberbullying: the Role of Family, Social Support and Emotion Regulation
Authors: Arató N. , Zsidó A. N. , Rivnyák A. , Péley B. , Lábadi B.
Published: May 2021

Family and peer effects, as well as socio-emotional skills, are considered to have an essential role in cyberbullying. Although the dynamics of social factors and socio-emotional processes underlying cyberbullying are still open for research to further understand the direct and indirect relationships among the social factors (e.g., peers and family), socio-emotional skills (e.g. emotion regulation) and cyberbullying engagement. Thus, the aim of our study was to test models of cyberbullying perpetration and cybervictimization based on the role of family dynamics (cohesion, adaptability and communication), social support (from family and friends) and emotion regulation difficulties. One thousand, one hundred and five students (552 males, aged 11–19 years) participated in our research. We used self-report questionnaires to measure cyberbullying perpetration and cybervictimization, family functioning, perceived social support and emotion regulation difficulties. Our main findings support the crucial role of family and peers in cyberbullying engagement during adolescence. Perceived support from friends and family serve as protective factors against cybervictimization. Further, perceived support from friends and balanced family cohesion are protective factors against cyberbullying perpetration. On the other hand, emotion regulation difficulties appear to increase the risk of both cyberbullying perpetration and cybervictimization. Our findings confirm and extend the research on the role of family and peer effects, as well as emotion regulation in cyberbullying engagement. Moreover, our results have important implications for prevention and intervention programs involving family and peer support.
Extension of Marginal Complementary Log–Log Model and Separations of Marginal Homogeneity for Ordinal Categorical Data
Authors: Fujisawa Kengo , Mitomi Kouu , Tahata Kouji
Published: May 2021

The present paper considers a model that indicates the structure of inhomogeneity for marginal distributions for ordinal categorical data. The model is based on the complementary log–log transformation of marginal cumulative probability. A theorem that the marginal homogeneity model holds if and only if the proposed model and the marginal mean and variance equality model holds is given. Also, a model based on the conditional marginal distribution is considered under certain condition.
Sexual Dysfunction Among Women With Breast Cancer in the Northeastern Part of West Malaysia
Authors: Ooi Poh Siang , Draman Nani , Muhamad Rosediani , Yusoff Siti Suhaila Mohd , Noor Norhayati Mohd , Haron Juhara , Hadi Imi Sairi Ab
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a common complication among breast cancer patients following treatment.

Aim

To assess the prevalence and factors associated with FSD among breast cancer patients in Kelantan.

Methods

This cross-sectional study recruited female patients, aged 18–65, who were married and sexually active with their partner, diagnosed with breast cancer, and had undergone breast surgery. Those with underlying psychiatry disorders, previous pelvic surgery, and husbands with sexual problems were excluded. The questionnaire contained demographic and clinical information, together with the Malay Version of the Breast Impact of Treatment Scale and the Malay Version of Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised. Their sexual function was evaluated using the Malay Version of the Female Sexual Function Index-6. The data were analyzed with simple and multiple linear regressions.

Main Outcome Measures

The prevalence and associated factors for FSD in breast cancer patients.

Results

Ninety-four eligible patients were recruited for this study. In total, 73.4% (n = 69) of the patients reported having sexual dysfunction. A family history of breast cancer (P = 0.040), duration of marriage (P = 0.046), and frequency of sexual intercourse (P = 0.002) were significant factors associated with FSD in breast cancer patients after surgery.

Conclusion

The significant associated factors shown to influence the FSD score include family history of breast cancer, duration of marriage, and frequency of sexual intercourse. About 73.4% of patients have risk of developing FSD after receiving breast cancer treatment.
Indirect Speech Acts
Authors: Ruytenbeek Nicolas
Published: May 2021

To achieve successful communication, it is crucial to say clearly what we mean, but, at the same time, we need to pay attention to the form of our utterances, to avoid misunderstandings and the risk of offending our interlocutors. To avoid these pitfalls, we use a special category of utterances called 'indirect speech acts' (ISAs) that enable an optimal balance between clarity and politeness. But how do interpreters identify the meaning of these ISAs? And how does the social context influence the use of ISAs? This book attempts to answer these questions. It deals with the main theoretical and empirical questions surrounding the meaning and usage of ISAs, drawing on the latest research and neuroimaging data. Adopting a truly interdisciplinary perspective, it will appeal to students and scholars from diverse backgrounds, and anyone interested in exploring this phenomenon, which is so pervasive in our daily lives.
A Philosopher Looks at Sport
Authors: Mumford Stephen
Published: May 2021

Why is sport so important among participants and spectators when its goals seem so pointless? Stephen Mumford's book introduces the reader to a host of philosophical topics found in sport, and argues that sports activities reflect diverse human experiences - including important values that we continue to contest. The author explores physicality, competition, how sport is best defined, ethics in sport, and issues of inclusion such as disability sports, the gender divide, and transgender athletes. His book is written for anyone who is thoughtful, a sports enthusiast, or both, and will deepen our understanding of sport and its place in our lives. This new series offers short and personal perspectives by expert thinkers on topics that we all encounter in our everyday lives.
Coming of Age under Martial Law
Authors: Vassileva-Karagyozova Svetlana
Published: May 2021

Examines a selection of post-1989 coming-of-age novels authored by the generation of Polish writers whose transition from adolescence to adulthood coincided with Poland's transition from communism to liberal democracy.