bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Study of Damper Characteristics
Authors: Dickey P. S. , Coplen H. L.
Published: December 2022

But meager information is at present available covering the design of dampers in spite of their universal use in furnace control. Tests made by the authors have shown that the size of the damper for a given application is the most important factor in determining the flow characteristic. A simplified procedure for predicting the flow characteristic of commonly used types of dampers is offered to stimulate interest in this subject among designing engineers. Mechanical features of design are discussed and suggestions for improvement offered. The relative merits of different types of dampers are considered.
An Improved Hand-Fired Furnace for High-Volatile Coals
Authors: Fellows J. R. , Miles J. C.
Published: December 2022

This paper describes a furnace designed to burn high-volatile coal in two distinct phases: (1) Green coal is reduced to coke in the forward part of the furnace called a coking chamber; (2) when refiring is necessary, the resulting coke is pushed forward and down an inclined grate, where it burns as a smokeless fuel. The volatile gases from the coal pass under a baffle wall through which secondary air is admitted. Burning of the volatile gases occurs above the bed of hot coke. Air for coking the green coal and for burning the coke, as well as secondary air, is admitted through separate inlet openings. The furnace was found to produce no smoke and operated well on a variety of fuels. The temperature of the baffle wall was found to be proportional to the amount of air admitted to the coking chamber. The results indicate this method of burning bituminous coal is applicable to all types of hand-fired equipment, such as stoves, furnaces, and water heaters.
Experimental Studies of Automatic Control
Authors: Peters J. C.
Published: December 2022

It is important that new modes of automatic control and newly developed control mechanisms be proved in the laboratory, in so far as is possible. The first part of this paper describes an equipment for this purpose developed by the author’s company during the last 10 years. Sufficient detail is given to be useful to others who may wish to build a similar equipment. The second part of the paper deals with typical results obtained, illustrated with actual test records.
Turbines for Power Generation From Industrial-Process Gases
Authors: Goldsbury John , Henderson J. R.
Published: December 2022

This paper presents a discussion of the fields of application for turbines operated by industrial-process gases and natural gases, examples of the mechanical details of actual turbines which have been built for such applications, a simple method for calculating the energy available in a pure or a compound gas for specific operating conditions, and the properties of various gases for use in such calculations. After a study of the available data on gas properties, the authors have selected for the working curves those which were considered to be most authentic.
The Application of the Girbotol Process to Industry
Authors: Storrs B. D. , Reed R. M.
Published: December 2022

Details of the Girbotol process for the removal and recovery of acid gases, such as hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide, with amine solutions are outlined in this paper, and its many applications to industry are described. These fields include: Purification of natural and refinery gases; removal of carbon dioxide from raw hydrogen and hydrogen-nitrogen mixtures; carbon-dioxide and hydrogen-sulphide recovery; and the production of inert atmospheres.
Instrumentation for Developing and Testing Diesel Engines
Authors: Maxwell C. R. , Brown K. M.
Published: December 2022

This paper gives a comprehensive idea of the range of Diesel-engine measurements essential to the design of efficient and successful types. Such measurements include accurate power determination, fuel consumption, lubricating-oil consumption, record of crankcase blow-by, exhaust-smoke measurement, all of which are items of performance. In addition, such informative items as pressures attained, rate of pressure rise, combustion analysis, flame duration, exhaust-gas analysis, functions of fuel-injection system, temperature measurements, vibration data, are all essential of determination. Descriptive details are given of the instruments and methods employed in one of the leading Diesel-engine testing laboratories of the country for the determination of these and other Diesel-engine design and operating factors.
Heat Conditions in Bearings: An Outline of Problems for Research
Authors: Hersey Mayo D.
Published: December 2022

Offered as part of a symposium on temperature relations in bearings, this paper reviews briefly the older and newer research problems in that field.

Experimental data are needed on the over-all heat-transfer constants governing the relation of power loss to the temperature elevation in oil-film bearings. The effect of oil flow on load capacity should be further investigated. Better methods for measuring or calculating film temperature would be useful. Other problems are suggested in connection with the properties of lubricants and methods of bearing design.

The conclusion is reached that a new epoch in bearing design is approaching in which the assumption of constant viscosity must give place to a study of heat conditions. This situation is intensified by the increasing loads and speeds to be dealt with in meeting national-defense requirements.
High-Performance Fins for Heat Transfer
Authors: Norris R. H. , Spofford W. A.
Published: December 2022

Earlier investigations have determined the forced-convection heat transfer of a single isolated plane or cylinder and of continuous parallel fins. This paper presents test results for groups of small discontinuous fins and pins. These results have been correlated on the basis of Reynolds number in order to show a common quantitative relationship. The heat-transfer coefficients are found to increase in substantially inverse proportion to the square root of the size, or perimeter of the surface element, and can be more than doubled, compared to continuous fins. The relationship between heat transfer and fluid friction is covered quantitatively. Tests of applications show that the data may be rationally applied with satisfactory results.
On Some of the Essentials of Control-Chart Analysis
Authors: Olds E. G.
Published: December 2022

In this paper the author indicates the possibility of a new approach to control-chart technique in connection with manufacturing processes. The advantages of quality control of product are widely recognized, and the principles pioneered by Walter A. Shewhart in 1924 have since that time been the object of intensive investigation. Primarily, the present paper is concerned with control with respect to a given standard. By analyzing hypothetical examples, illustrated graphically, the basis of the control-chart method is clarified. However, in exemplifying the control-chart technique, the author indicates a method of reversing the usual procedure, by creating uncontrolled conditions, and then noting whether the tests made locate the “assignable causes” which have been introduced in the experiments. The investigation is carried out with the aid of H. C. Tippett’s tables of “Random Sampling Numbers.”
Hydraulic-Engineering Problems at Southwark Generating Station
Authors: Kerr S. Logan , Moyer Stanley
Published: December 2022

This paper discusses the hydraulic-engineering features of the Philadelphia Electric Company’s Southwark Station, the latest addition to its chain of generating stations along the Delaware River. Problems in the design and selection of major equipment centered around (a) the location of the intake and discharge passages for condenser circulating water; (b) the prevention of recirculation of warm discharge water from condensers; (c) operating head on pumps under various river-level conditions; (d) size, type, and arrangement of pumps and conduits. A comprehensive model-test program was carried out to solve certain pump, circulating-water-discharge, and condenser problems, the results of which are reported.
Comparative Characteristics of Fixed- and Adjustable-Blade Axial-Flow Pumps
Authors: Scoville J. D.
Published: December 2022

This paper compares the hydraulic characteristics of the fixed- and adjustable-blade type of pump. Certain advantages of the adjustable-blade design are enumerated. In it is described a large unit installed in the Traicao pumping plant of the Sao Paulo Tramway, Light and Power Company. The method used in making model cavitation tests is outlined.
The Flow of a Flashing Mixture of Water and Steam Through Pipes
Authors: Benjamin M. W. , Miller J. G.
Published: December 2022

This paper presents a method of designing piping to carry a Hashing mixture of water and steam. An example of such piping is the cascade drain lines between feedwater heaters. The flow formula is based on a thermodynamic analysis of the problem, and the necessary coefficients of friction have been determined from tests. Calculations indicate the possibility of a critical-pressure condition at the end of a pipe carrying a flashing mixture. Each of the drain lines included in the study exhibited this phenomenon. The paper also includes a discussion of erosion of elbows in pipe lines carrying a flashing mixture, and suggests designs for minimizing or preventing failures from this cause. A criterion for predicting the comparative life of different sizes of pipes for a given line carrying a flashing mixture is set up on the basis of the total force on the elbows due to the momentum of the flowing fluid. An example of the application of the proposed flow formula to an actual design case is given in the Appendix.
A Review of Heat-Transfer Coefficients and Friction Factors for Tubular Heat Exchangers
Authors: Short B. E.
Published: December 2022

This paper presents a summary of experimental and analytical work carried out on heat-transfer rate and pressure drop on the shell side of shell-and-tube exchangers. A comparison is made between the different methods which have been used in correlating the data, with the conclusion that no rational base has been established, except in so far as the fluid properties, fluid velocity, and dimensions of the exchangers are involved. However, an attempt is made to show that the effective velocity as used has a rational foundation.
Heat Transfer, Pressure Drop, and Fouling Rates of Liquids for Continuous and Noncontinuous Longitudinal Fins
Authors: Gunter A. Y. , Shaw W. A.
Published: December 2022

This paper contains test data on continuous and non-continuous fins for liquids in the laminar-flow region. The data indicate that for longitudinal fin-tube “pipe-within-pipe” type heat exchangers, the transition range begins near Rh = 200. Correlation with earlier investigations on air with short longitudinal fins, for Rh > 600, indicates fair agreement with the authors’ results, when length of fin and inlet turbulence are taken into consideration. Noncontinuous fins promote turbulence in the laminar-flow region and increase fin-side heat-transfer coefficients up to 100 per cent, in the range of L = 10 ft. The theoretical aspects of fouling on fin tubes versus bare tubes are graphically illustrated, and actual semi-plant-scale fouling rates are plotted. These data show that fin tubes are affected less by fouling than bare tubes, because the effectiveness of the fin increases when fouling becomes greater.
A Novel Evaluation Index and Optimization Method for Ankle Rehabilitation Robots Based on Ankle-Foot Motion
Authors: Zhang Jianjun , Ma Zhihao , Wei Jun , Yang Shuai , Liu Chenglei , Guo Shijie
Published: December 2022

The ability of ankle rehabilitation robots to accurately mimicking the actual human ankle motion is an important judgment basis for robot-assisted rehabilitation training. This paper proposes an evaluation index and mechanism parameter optimization method based on ankle-foot motion trajectory by exploring the human ankle-foot motion principle. First, the ankle UR equivalent model and a 3-degree-of-freedom (DOF) parallel ankle rehabilitation robot are described. Second, the ankle-foot motion data are measured by the body surface marker method, which proved the coupling of ankle-foot motion. Then, a new evaluation index, the ankle-foot motion comfort zone, is proposed, which is essentially the superimposed ankle-foot motion trajectory measured about 3-5 mm wide. Third, a mechanism parameter optimization method, is proposed in terms of the ankle-foot motion comfort zone as the evaluation index, which is applied to the 3-DOF parallel ankle rehabilitation robot, and the optimization results proved the feasibility of the method. Finally, the optimized rehabilitation robot is fitted with different ankle motions, and a prototype model is designed for kinematics simulation, which verifies the adaptability of the optimization method. This study provides a theoretical basis for the configuration design of ankle rehabilitation robots and provides a new direction for the optimization of the mechanism parameters.
Effects on graphene of electron irradiation at 25 keV and dosages up to 1018 electrons/cm2
Authors: Ojo I. A. , Hathaway E. , Gonzalez R. R. , Adhikari P. R. , Sathish V. , Kunam B. , Khalid Y. , Cui J. , Choi W. , Perez J. M.
Published: December 2022

We report on the properties of defects in exfoliated graphene on SiO2 produced by electron irradiation at 25 keV and dosages from 4.96 × 1015 to 9.56 × 1017 electrons/cm2. With increasing dosage, graphene exhibits the two-stage amorphization trajectory reported for the Ar ion bombardment of graphene. Initially, the ratio of the D-peak height, ID, to the G peak height, IG, increases as new defects are formed. In the second stage, ID/IG decreases as defects cover most of the sample. In the second stage, we find that the full width at half maximum of the Raman 2D, D, and G peaks increases by 3, 3, and 6 cm−1, respectively. These values are less by factors of about 10, 5, and 10, respectively, than those reported for amorphous graphene produced by Ar ion bombardment. We find that ID/IG monotonically decreases in the second stage as the annealing temperature increases from 80 to 220 °C. Assuming that ID/IG is proportional to the defect density, we find an activation energy for defect healing, Ea = 0.48 eV, which is significantly less than Ea = 0.95 eV reported for vacancies and closer to Ea = 0.29 and 0.58 eV reported for hydrogen and hydroxyl group adsorbates, respectively. We propose that, in the second stage, graphene does not become amorphous, and the defects responsible for the D peak are adsorbates.
Colloidal Physics Modeling Reveals How Per-Ribosome Productivity Increases with Growth Rate in Escherichia coli
Authors: Maheshwari Akshay J. , Sunol Alp M. , Gonzalez Emma , Endy Drew , Zia Roseanna N.
Published: December 2022

Ribosomes are the factories in cells that synthesize proteins. When cells grow faster, there are not enough ribosomes to keep up with the demand for faster protein synthesis without individual ribosomes becoming more productive.
Avian Metapneumovirus Subgroup C Phosphoprotein Suppresses Type I Interferon Production by Blocking Interferon Regulatory Factor 3 Nuclear Translocation
Authors: Hou Lei , Shi Yongyan , Guo Jinshuo , Sun Tong , Wang Dedong , Yang Xiaoyu , Liu Changzhe , Cui Yongqiu , Zhu Ning , Tong Xinxin , Pan Yang , Feng Xufei , Zhou Jianwei , Liu Jue
Published: December 2022

The innate immune response is the first defense line of host cells and organisms against viral infections. When RNA viruses infect cells, viral RNA induces activation of retinoic acid-induced gene I and melanoma differentiation gene 5, which initiates downstream molecules and finally produces type I interferon (IFN-I) to regulate antiviral immune responses.
Continuous glucose monitoring during therapeutic hypothermia for hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy: a feasibility study
Authors: Kalogeropoulou Maria-Sofia , Thomson Lynn , Beardsall Kathryn
Published: December 2022

Objectives

Glucose dysregulation is common in infants with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) and is likely to exacerbate cerebral injury. Infrequent measurement of glucose concentrations makes both identification and prevention of this risk challenging. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has the potential to address both these challenges, but has not been explored in these infants. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and potential impact of real-time CGM in term infants with HIE being treated with therapeutic hypothermia (TH).

Design

Feasibility study.

Setting

Tertiary-level neonatal unit, UK.

Patients

Term infants with HIE undergoing TH.

Intervention

A CGM sensor was inserted within 48 hours of birth and kept in situ for the first week of life. Clinical staff were blinded to the CGM recordings and clinical decisions were based on blood glucose assays.

Main outcome measures

(1) Accuracy of CGM values during and post TH, (2) Per cent of time spent outside the clinical range (2.6–10 mmol/L), (3) Episodes of hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia, (4) Adverse effects.

Results

The accuracy of CGM values during TH were comparable to those when infants were normothermic. There was wide variation in per cent time outside the target range (2.6–10 mmol/L) between infants (median 5%, range 0%–34%). CGM identified 44% of infants with ≥1 episode of hypoglycaemia (<2.6 mmol/L) and 50% with ≥1 episode of hyperglycaemia (>10 mmol/L). No adverse events were observed.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that CGM could be a useful adjunct for glucose monitoring in babies undergoing TH who are at risk of both hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia.
Effect of cost-reduction interventions on facility-based deliveries in Burkina Faso: a controlled interrupted time-series study with multiple non-equivalent dependent variables
Authors: Meda Ivlabèhiré Bertrand , Kouanda Seni , Ridde Valéry
Published: December 2022

Background

Evaluating health intervention effectiveness in low-income countries involves many methodological challenges to be addressed. The objective of this study was to estimate the sustained effects of two interventions to improve financial access to facility-based deliveries.

Methods

In an innovative controlled interrupted time-series study with primary data, we used four non-equivalent dependent variables (antenatal care) as control outcomes to estimate the effects of a national subsidy for deliveries (January 2007–December 2013) and a local ‘free delivery’ intervention (June 2007–December 2010) on facility-based deliveries. The statistical analysis used spline linear regressions with random intercepts and slopes.

Results

The analysis involved 20 877 observations for the national subsidy and 8842 for the ‘free delivery’ intervention. The two interventions did not have immediate effects. However, both were associated with positive trend changes varying from 0.21 to 0.52 deliveries per month during the first 12 months and from 0.78 to 2.39 deliveries per month during the first 6 months. The absolute effects, evaluated 84 and 42 months after introduction, ranged from 2.64 (95% CI 0.51 to 4.77) to 10.78 (95% CI 8.52 to 13.03) and from 9.57 (95% CI 5.97 to 13.18) to 14.47 (95% CI 10.47 to 18.47) deliveries per month for the national subsidy and the ‘free delivery’ intervention, respectively, depending on the type of antenatal care used as a control outcome.

Conclusion

The results suggest that both interventions were associated with sustained non-linear increases in facility-based deliveries. The use of multiple control groups strengthens the credibility of the results, making them useful for policy makers seeking solutions for universal health coverage.
Assessing the volume–outcome relationship of carotid artery stenting in nationwide administrative data: a challenge of patient population bias
Authors: Koester Stefan W , Cole Tyler S , Kimata Anna R , Ma Kevin L , Benner Dimitri , Catapano Joshua S , Rumalla Kavelin , Lawton Michael T , Ducruet Andrew F , Albuquerque Felipe C
Published: December 2022

Background

Studies have shown an association between surgical treatment volume and improved quality metrics. This study evaluated nationwide results in carotid artery stenting (CAS) procedural readmission rates, costs, and length of stay based on hospital treatment volume.

Methods

We used the Nationwide Readmissions Database for carotid stenosis from 2010 to 2015. Patients receiving CAS were matched based on demographics, illness severity, and relevant comorbidities. Patients were matched 1:1 between low- and high-volume centers using a non-parametric preprocessing matching program to adjust for parametric causal inferences. Nearest-neighbor propensity score matching was performed using logit distance.

Results

Low- and high-volume centers admitted a mean (SD) of 4.68 (3.79) and 25.10 (16.86) patients undergoing CAS per hospital, respectively. Comorbidities were significantly different and initially could not be adequately matched. Because of significant differences in baseline patient population characteristics after attempted matching between low- and high-volume centers, we used propensity adjustment with multivariate analysis. Using this alternative approach, no significant differences were observed between low- and high-volume centers for the presence of any complication, postoperative stroke, postoperative myocardial infarction, and readmission at 30 days.

Conclusion

In 1:1 nearest-neighbor matching with a high number of patients, our analysis did not result in well-matched cohorts for the effect of case volume on outcomes. Comparing analytical techniques for various outcomes highlights that outcome disparities may not be related to quality differences based on hospital size, but rather variability in patient populations between low- and high-volume institutions.
Spasticity treatment patterns among people with multiple sclerosis: a Swedish cohort study
Authors: Smith Kelsi A , Piehl Fredrik , Olsson Tomas , Alfredsson Lars , Hillert Jan , Kockum Ingrid , Stridh Pernilla , Montgomery Scott
Published: December 2022

Background

Spasticity is common among people with multiple sclerosis (MS), but there are few studies of spasticity treatment patterns. We aim to describe associations with spasticity treatment measured primarily by oral baclofen use.

Methods

This cohort study using Swedish registers included 1826 and 3519 people with incident and prevalent MS (pwIMS, pwPMS) respectively, followed from 2005 to 2014. Cox regression assessed factors associated with new baclofen prescriptions and its discontinuation.

Results

A total of 10% of pwIMS and 19% of pwPMS received baclofen, a drug prescribed specifically for spasticity in Sweden, of which many patients had relapsing-remitting course. Prescriptions occurred soon after MS diagnosis: pwIMS received baclofen typically within 6 months of diagnosis, and pwPMS within 3 years. Younger patients compared with older patients were three times more likely to receive baclofen with similar disability level measured using Expanded Disability Severity Scores (EDSS). Patients aged 18–44 years with EDSS 3.0–5.0 have an HR for baclofen use of 5.62 (95% CI 2.91 to 10.85) and EDSS 6+ have an HR of 15.41 (95% CI 7.07 to 33.58) compared with individuals with EDSS 0–2.5. In comparison, patients aged 45+ years with EDSS 3.0–5.0 have an HR of 2.05 (95% CI 1.10 to 3.82) and EDSS 6+ an HR of 4.26 (95% CI 1.96 to 9.17). Baclofen discontinuation was high: 49% (95% CI 0.42 to 0.57) of pwIMS discontinued within 150 days of dispensation, 90% discontinued within 2 years including patients with progressive course or higher EDSS. Associations among pwPMS and sensitivity analyses including additional treatments were similar.

Conclusions

Younger patients with MS are more likely to receive baclofen compared with older patients with MS. High rates of baclofen discontinuation highlight the need for more tolerable and efficacious spasticity treatments and monitoring of spasticity among people with MS.
Droplet finite-size scaling of the contact process on scale-free networks revisited
Authors: Alencar D. S. M. , Alves T. F. A. , Ferreira R. S. , Alves G. A. , Macedo-Filho A. , Lima F. W. S.
Published: December 2022

We present an alternative finite-size scaling (FSS) of the contact process on scale-free networks compatible with mean-field scaling and test it with extensive Monte Carlo simulations. In our FSS theory, the dependence on the system size enters the external field, which represents spontaneous contamination in the context of an epidemic model. In addition, dependence on the finite size in the scale-free networks also enters the network cutoff. We show that our theory reproduces the results of other mean-field theories on finite lattices already reported in the literature. To simulate the dynamics, we impose quasi-stationary states by reactivation. We insert spontaneously infected individuals, equivalent to a droplet perturbation to the system scaling as [Formula: see text]. The system presents an absorbing phase transition where the critical behavior obeys the mean-field exponents, as we show theoretically and by simulations. However, the quasi-stationary state gives finite-size logarithmic corrections, predicted by our FSS theory, and reproduces equivalent results in the literature in the thermodynamic limit. We also report the critical threshold estimates of basic reproduction number [Formula: see text] of the model as a linear function of the network connectivity inverse [Formula: see text], and the extrapolation of the critical threshold function for [Formula: see text] yields the basic reproduction number [Formula: see text] of the complete graph, as expected. Decreasing the network connectivity increases the critical [Formula: see text] for this model.
Single-Machine Time-Dependent Scheduling with Proportional and Delivery Times
Authors: Miao Cuixia , Song Jiaxin , Zhang Yuzhong
Published: December 2022

We consider the time-dependent scheduling with proportional and delivery times on a single machine. Three models of the processing times are addressed here, they are proportional deterioration, proportional-linear shortening and proportional-linear increasing. The objective is to minimize the time by which all jobs are delivered. For the first model, we prove that the problem is polynomial solvable when jobs have identical release dates. When jobs arrive dynamically, we first give the proof of the NP-hardness and present a two-approximation algorithm. Then we propose a fully polynomial time approximation scheme for the case where the number of distinct release dates is a constant by applying the “rounding-the-input-data” technique. For the second and third models, when jobs have identical release dates, we prove that they are polynomial solvable, when jobs have different release dates, we present two-approximation algorithms for each of them.
A Big Data-Driven Intelligent Knowledge Discovery Method for Epidemic Spreading Paths
Authors: Zhang Yibo , Zhang Jierui
Published: December 2022

The prevention and control of communicable diseases such as COVID-19 has been a worldwide problem, especially in terms of mining towards latent spreading paths. Although some communication models have been proposed from the perspective of spreading mechanism, it remains hard to describe spreading mechanism anytime. Because real-world communication scenarios of disease spreading are always dynamic, which cannot be described by time-invariant model parameters, to remedy such gap, this paper explores the utilization of big data analysis into this area, so as to replace mechanism-driven methods with big data-driven methods. In modern society with high digital level, the increasingly growing amount of data in various fields also provide much convenience for this purpose. Therefore, this paper proposes an intelligent knowledge discovery method for critical spreading paths based on epidemic big data. For the major roadmap, a directional acyclic graph of epidemic spread was constructed with each province and city in mainland China as nodes, all features of the same node are dimension-reduced, and a composite score is evaluated for each city per day by processing the features after principal component analysis. Then, the typical machine learning model named XGBoost carries out processing of feature importance ranking to discriminate latent candidate spreading paths. Finally, the shortest path algorithm is used as the basis to find the critical path of epidemic spreading between two nodes. Besides, some simulative experiments are implemented with use of realistic social network data.
Dynamic Game of the Dual-Channel Supply Chain Under a Carbon Subsidy Policy
Authors: Tian Yi , Zhao Li , Zhu Meihong
Published: December 2022

This study investigates the dynamic game behaviors of dual-channel supply chains involving an oligopoly manufacturer selling low-carbon products to online and offline retailers. The price game models under government subsidy are discussed under three scenarios: (1) simultaneous decision, (2) manufacturer dominates the market, and (3) retailer dominates the market. The equilibrium strategies are compared under the government subsidy policy. Using numerical simulation, complex characteristics of the dual-channel supply chain under the carbon subsidy policy are investigated. The complexity of wholesale price and sales commission of each channel are analyzed by bifurcation, largest Lyapunov exponent and basin of attraction diagrams. Furthermore, parameter adjustment and delayed feedback control methods are proven to be effective approaches to chaos control.
Spiking Neuron Implementation Using a Novel Floating Memcapacitor Emulator
Authors: Zheng Ciyan , Peng Long , Eshraghian Jason K. , Wang Xiaoli , Cen Jian , Iu Herbert Ho-Ching
Published: December 2022

Memcapacitors (MCs) are promising candidates for the future design of low-power integrated neuromorphic computing systems, with particular emphasis on dynamical spiking neuron models that exhibit rich temporal behaviors. We present a novel floating flux-controlled MC that is designed using only three current feedback amplifiers, one analog multiplier, one capacitor and one resistor. Compared with existing floating MC emulators, our proposed design has a simpler structure without the need for DC biasing voltage sources, and can operate at higher working frequencies, and therefore enabling rapid prototyping of applied MC circuits for experimental verification of large-scale MC arrays. The consistency of the theoretical analysis, simulation and experimental results confirms the correctness and practicability of this new memcapacitor emulator. To further demonstrate a potential use of our MC, in this work, we apply the MC as the first parameterizable leaky integrator for spiking neuron through simulation and experiments. The intrinsic tunable capacitance of the MC can bring about novel short-term memory dynamics to neuronal circuits by dynamically modifying the membrane time constant on-the-fly, which ultimately resembles long-term potentiation, and can thus offer longer term memory.

Our results highlight the potential for integrating heterogeneous spiking neural networks with richer temporal dynamics that rely on MC-based circuits to further the capability of neuromorphic computing.
Controlling Bifurcation and Birhythmicity in a Birhythmic Oscillator
Authors: Jin Chen , Sun Zhongkui , Guo Qin , Xu Wei
Published: December 2022

In this paper, the impact of parameters on bifurcation and birhythmicity is studied theoretically and numerically in a fractional-order birhythmic Van der Pol oscillator coupled with delayed feedback and noise. By implementing the multiple-scale expansion approach and stochastic averaging method, deterministic bifurcation and the comprehensive evolution details of stochastic bifurcation are explored respectively. Then, the birhythmicity of the birhythmic oscillator is discussed both under the deterministic and stochastic cases. This investigation may be conducive to understanding the underlying mechanisms which control the biorhythms of the cell cycle in certain biological systems.
Suppressing Homoclinic Chaos for Vibro-Impact Oscillators
Authors: Li Shuangbao , Chen Jinzhuo , Kou Liying
Published: December 2022

In this paper, theoretical framework and numerical verification for suppressing homoclinic chaos of a class of vibro-impact oscillators are discussed by adding parametric excitations in the form of [Formula: see text] as the control item. The analytical Melnikov method for planar vibro-impact systems is employed to obtain the corresponding thresholds of parameters as sufficient conditions for suppressing chaos. Two typical oscillators are presented to show the effectiveness of theoretical analysis for suppressing homoclinic chaos by tuning the amplitudes, frequencies and phases of the parametric excitations.
FABRICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MAGNESIUM-BASED Mg-TITANIA SURFACE COMPOSITE FOR BIOIMPLANTS
Authors: SONIA PANKAJ , JAIN JINESH K , SAXENA KULDEEP KUMAR , LADE JAYAHARI , MALIK VINAYAK , SINGH RAJESH
Published: December 2022

Magnesium and its alloys have become a great sparking topic of research due to their excellent biocompatible and biodegradable behavior. Magnesium and several biocompatible alloying elements were developed long back. The trends are to develop a surface composite of as-cast Mg alloys to control the degradation behavior. In this work, the surface composites of AZ31–TiO2 were developed by friction stir processing (FSP). The influence of spindle speed or tool rotation speed and number of processing passes on mechanical and microstructural performance were analyzed. The tool rotation speeds 720, 1050, 1550 and 2260[Formula: see text]RPM with pass 1, pass 2 and pass 3 were considered. The FSP workpiece was analyzed by microstructure and universal testing machine and the significant improvement in grain refinement and hardness was observed.
INTERFACIAL SYNTHESIS OF MATERIALS WITH SPECIFIED HYDROPHOBICITY BASED ON REE SALTS
Authors: KIZIM N. F. , GOLUBINA E. N.
Published: December 2022

The study shows that the materials of interfacial formations formed at the interface of two immiscible liquids, an aqueous solution of a lanthanide salt and a solution of di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid in a solvent, can have different hydrophobicity depending on the synthesis time. The surface roughness and the contact angle of the substance transferred to different substrates (glass, duralumin, copper) were measured. It was established that external vibration in the interfacial layer of the system during synthesis and self-assembly affects the hydrophobicity of the substance. A dependence between the contact angle and the surface roughness was established.
LaSalle-type stationary oscillation principle for stochastic affine periodic systems
Authors: Jiang Xiaomeng , Li Yong , Yang Xue
Published: December 2022

In this paper, we establish a LaSalle-type stationary oscillation principle to obtain the existence and stability of affine periodic solutions in distribution for stochastic differential equations. As applications, we show the existence and asymptotic stability of stochastic affine periodic solutions in distribution via Lyapunov’s method.
Analysis of a microfluidic chemostat model with random dilution ratios
Authors: Jiang Jifa , Lv Xiang
Published: December 2022

In this paper, we first construct a microfluidic chemostat model for the growth of biofilms and planktonic populations with random dilution ratios and then investigate its dynamical behavior. Using the theory of monotone dynamical systems and the Multiplicative Ergodic Theorem, we show the existence of random attractors and stationary measures, and present Lyapunov exponents for the linearized cocycle with respect to the random model. Further on, if the top Lyapunov exponent is negative, we give the extinction of microbial populations, including the forward and pull-back trajectories.
The Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment: An Alternative for China’s Belt and Road Initiative?
Authors: Zhu Ming
Published: December 2022

In June 2022, the Group of Seven (G-7) leaders unveiled the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) during their Elmau summit in Germany to mobilize $600 billion in funding for the developing world. Based on a theoretical and comparative analysis of the respective progress of overseas infrastructure-building by China and G-7 nations, this paper argues that the implementation of the PGII will be less successful due to its inherent flaws including the limits of the public–private partnership (PPP) model, the under-performance of G-7 construction companies, the political uncertainties of the Ukraine crisis, and the fund-raising paradox. Therefore, it is very likely that the PGII will remain a fancy on paper with few achievements. Also, the PGII could fail to address the actual needs of developing countries especially those low-income ones as it is designed to play a hidden role as a counterbalance to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Transplantation Medicine: An Historical Perspective
Authors: Terry Sharrer G.
Published: December 2022

In the 68 years between the first human solid organ transplant and the present, the number of these transplanted organs has reached one million, tracking at about 40,000 more annually. Looking ahead are the prospects for growing transplantable organs outside the body. The arc of this story extends from Alexis Carrell and Charles Lindbergh’s experiments with tissue culture, to Joseph Murray and Thomas Starzl’s surgical trials, to Jean Dausset and Peter Medawar’s discoveries about immune tolerance and rejection, and pushing into the future of regenerative medicine, to bioengineers Shinya Yamanaka, James Thomson, Anthony Atala, and Toshiro Sato– highlighting a few among many.
The soil trail of Buscagna Valley, an example of the role of soil science in geodiversity and geoheritage analyses
Authors: Masseroli A. , Bollati I. M. , Trombino L. , Pelfini M.
Published: December 2022

Soil is a component of geodiversity and, for its scientific value, can also be a component of geoheritage, playing a role in reconstructing the environmental evolution of an area. This assumption will be examined here with special reference to mountain environments, where the high variability of soil forming-factors is responsible for a great variety of soil types, contributing to soil diversity and to local geodiversity. To promote soil as an element of geoheritage, we propose a strategy for creating a trail about soil topics in the Buscagna small mountain catchment in the Veglia–Devero protected area (Lepontine Alps, Italy). Geopedological research carried out in the study area has allowed the identification of seven soil profiles as sites of potential pedological interest along already existing hiking paths. The selected soil profiles mirror the main soil types of the area and testify to past environmental conditions and geomorphic dynamics. Among these, two soil profiles are also selected as pedosites. Providing hikers and mountaineers with a proper key to read exposed soils along the Buscagna Valley, the trail allows an increase in awareness of geoheritage conservation with a focus on soil in mountain landscapes, where soil characteristics reflect the influence of compound forming-factors.
Actionable Auditing Revisited
Authors: Raji Inioluwa Deborah , Buolamwini Joy
Published: December 2022

Although algorithmic auditing has emerged as a key strategy to expose systematic biases embedded in software platforms, we struggle to understand the real-world impact of these audits and continue to find it difficult to translate such independent assessments into meaningful corporate accountability. To analyze the impact of publicly naming and disclosing performance results of biased AI systems, we investigate the commercial impact of Gender Shades, the first algorithmic audit of gender- and skin-type performance disparities in commercial facial analysis models. This paper (1) outlines the audit design and structured disclosure procedure used in the Gender Shades study, (2) presents new performance metrics from targeted companies such as IBM, Microsoft, and Megvii (Face++) on the Pilot Parliaments Benchmark (PPB) as of August 2018, (3) provides performance results on PPB by non-target companies such as Amazon and Kairos, and (4) explores differences in company responses as shared through corporate communications that contextualize differences in performance on PPB. Within 7 months of the original audit, we find that all three targets released new application program interface (API) versions. All targets reduced accuracy disparities between males and females and darker- and lighter-skinned subgroups, with the most significant update occurring for the darker-skinned female subgroup that underwent a 17.7--30.4% reduction in error between audit periods. Minimizing these disparities led to a 5.72--8.3% reduction in overall error on the Pilot Parliaments Benchmark (PPB) for target corporation APIs. The overall performance of non-targets Amazon and Kairos lags significantly behind that of the targets, with error rates of 8.66% and 6.60% overall, and error rates of 31.37% and 22.50% for the darker female subgroup, respectively. This is an expanded version of an earlier publication of these results, revised for a more general audience, and updated to include commentary on further developments.
Visualizing Topics and Opinions Helps Students Interpret Large Collections of Peer Feedback for Creative Projects
Authors: Crain Patrick , Lee Jaewook , Yen Yu-Chun , Kim Joy , Aiello Alyssa , Bailey Brian
Published: December 2022

We deployed a feedback visualization tool to learn how students used the tool for interpreting feedback from peers and teaching assistants. The tool visualizes the topic and opinion structure in a collection of feedback and provides interaction for reviewing providers’ backgrounds. A total of 18 teams engaged with the tool to interpret feedback for course projects. We surveyed students (N = 69) to learn about their sensemaking goals, use of the tool to accomplish those goals, and perceptions of specific features. We interviewed students (N = 12) and TAs (N = 2) to assess the tool’s impact on students’ review processes and course instruction. Students discovered valuable feedback, assessed project quality, and justified design decisions to teammates by exploring specific icon patterns in the visualization. The interviews revealed that students mimicked strategies implemented in the tool when reviewing new feedback without the tool. Students found the benefits of the visualization outweighed the cost of labeling feedback.
Me, My Health, and My Watch: How Children with ADHD Understand Smartwatch Health Data
Authors: Ankrah Elizabeth A. , Cibrian Franceli L. , Silva Lucas M. , Tavakoulnia Arya , Beltran Jesus A. , Schuck Sabrina E.b. , Lakes Kimberley D. , Hayes Gillian R.
Published: December 2022

Children with ADHD can experience a wide variety of challenges related to self-regulation, which can lead to poor educational, health, and wellness outcomes. Technological interventions, such as mobile and wearable health systems, can support data collection and reflection about health status. However, little is known about how ADHD children interpret such data. We conducted a deployment study with 10 children, aged 10 to 15, for six weeks, during which they used a smartwatch in their homes. Results from observations and interviews during this study indicate that children with ADHD can interpret their own health data, particularly at the moment. However, as ADHD children develop more autonomy, smartwatch systems may require alternatives for data reflection that are interpretable and actionable for them. This work contributes to the scholarly discourse around health data visualization, particularly in considering implications for the design of health technologies for children with ADHD.
Seeing Through Things: Exploring the Design Space of Privacy-aware Data-enabled Objects
Authors: Cheng Yu-Ting , Funk Mathias , Liang Rung-Huei , Chen Lin-Lin
Published: December 2022

Increasing amounts of sensor-augmented research objects have been used in design research. We call these objects Data-Enabled Objects, which can be integrated into daily activities capturing data about people’s detailed whereabouts, behaviours, and routines. These objects provide data perspectives on everyday life for contextual design research. However, data-enabled objects are still computational devices with limited privacy awareness and nuanced data sharing. To better design data-enabled objects, we explore privacy design spaces by inviting 18 teams of undergraduate design students to re-design the same type of sensor-enabled home research camera. We developed the Connected Peekaboo Toolkit (CPT) to support the design teams in designing, building, and directly deploying their prototypes in real home studies. We conducted Thematic Analysis to analyze their outcomes which led us to interpret that privacy is not just an obstacle but can be a driver by unfolding an exploration of possible design spaces for data-enabled objects.
Effect of Context on Smartphone Users’ Typing Performance in the Wild
Authors: Akpinar Elgin , Yeşilada Yeliz , Karagöz Pinar
Published: December 2022

Smartphones play a crucial role in daily activities, however, situationally-induced impairments and disabilities (SIIDs) can easily be experienced depending on the context. Previous studies explored the effect of context but mainly done in controlled environments with limited research done in the wild. In this article, we present an in-situ remote user study with 48 participants’ keyboard interaction on smartphones including the performance and context details. We first propose an automated approach for error detection by combining approaches introduced in the literature and with a follow-up study, show that the accuracy of error detection is improved. We then investigate the effect of context on the typing performance based on five dimensions: environment, mobility, social, multitasking, and distraction, and reveal that the context affects participants’ error rate significantly but with individual differences. Our main contribution is providing empirical evidence with an in-situ study showing the effect of context on error rate.
Hierarchical Dense Pattern Detection in Tensors
Authors: Feng Wenjie , Liu Shenghua , Cheng Xueqi
Published: December 2022

Dense subtensor detection gains remarkable success in spotting anomalies and fraudulent behaviors for multi-aspect data (i.e., tensors), like in social media and event streams. Existing methods detect the densest subtensors flatly and separately, with the underlying assumption that those subtensors are exclusive. However, many real-world tensors usually present hierarchical properties, e.g., the core-periphery structure and dynamic communities in networks. It is also unexplored how to fuse the prior knowledge into dense pattern detection to capture the local behavior.

In this article, we propose
CatchCore
, a novel framework to efficiently find the hierarchical dense subtensors. We first design a unified metric for dense subtensor detection, which can be optimized with gradient-based methods. With the proposed metric,
CatchCore
detects hierarchical dense subtensors through the hierarchy-wise alternative optimization and finds local dense patterns concerning some items in a query manner. Finally, we utilize the minimum description length principle to measure the quality of detection results and select the optimal hierarchical dense subtensors. Extensive experiments on synthetic and real-world datasets demonstrate that
CatchCore
outperforms the top competitors in accuracy for detecting dense subtensors and anomaly patterns, like network attacks. Additionally,
CatchCore
successfully identifies a hierarchical researcher co-authorship group with intense interactions in the DBLP dataset; it can also capture core collaboration and multi-hop relations around some query objects. Meanwhile,
CatchCore
also scales linearly with all aspects of tensors.