bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the Thermal Properties of Electrodes on the Film and Its Heating Behavior Induced by Microwave Irradiation in Mounting Processes
Authors: Kanazawa Kenji , Nakamura Takashi , Nishioka Masateru , Uemura Sei
Published: May 2020

We have developed a novel microwave (MW) soldering system using a cylindrical single-mode TM110 MW cavity that spatially separates the electric fields at the top and bottom of the cavity and the magnetic field at the center of the cavity. This MW reactor system automatically detects the suitable resonance frequency and provides the optimum MW irradiation conditions in the cylindrical cavity via a power feedback loop. Furthermore, we investigated the temperature properties of electrodes by MW heating with the simulation of a magnetic field in the TM110 cavity toward the mounting of electronic components by MW heating. We also developed a short-time melting technology for solder paste on polyimide substrate using MW heating and succeeded in mounting a temperature sensor using the novel MW heating system without damaging the electronic components, electronic circuits, and the substrate.
Efficiency Separation Process of H2/CO2/CH4 Mixtures by a Hollow Fiber Dual Membrane Separator
Authors: Xiao Wu , Gao Pei , Dai Yan , Ruan Xuehua , Jiang Xiaobin , Wu Xuemei , Fang Yuanxin , He Gaohong
Published: May 2020

Hydrogen purification and CO2 capture are of great significance in refineries and pre-combustion power plants. A dual membrane separator offers an alternative approach for improving H2/CO2 separation efficiency. In this work, H2/CO2/CH4 ternary gas mixtures separation can be achieved by a dual membrane separator with an integrated polyimide (PI) membrane and polydimethylsiloxane/polyetherimide (PDMS/PEI) composite membrane. A hollow fiber dual membrane separation equipment is designed and manufactured. Through the self-designed device, the effects of stage cut, operating temperature, operating pressure, and membrane area ratio on separation performance of dual membrane separator have been studied. The results indicate that, at a high stage cut, a dual membrane separator has obvious advantages over a single membrane separator. Operating temperature has a significant impact on gas permeation rates. At 25 °C, a dual membrane separator can obtain the highest purity of H2 and CO2. By increasing operating pressure, the purity and recovery of H2 and CO2 can be improved simultaneously. The effect of the membrane area ratio on the performance of the dual membrane separator was studied. When the permeate flows of two membranes are approximately equal by changing the membrane area ratio, the overall performance of the dual membrane separator is the best. On the basis of its synergy in promoting separation, the dual membrane separator holds great industrial application potential.
Optimization of the Technological Parameters for Obtaining Zn-Ti Based Composites to Increase the Performance of H2S Removal from Syngas
Authors: Dăncilă Annette Madelene , Căprărescu Simona , Bobiricǎ Constantin , Purcar Violeta , Gârleanu Gabriel , Vasile Eugeniu , Modrogan Cristina , Borda Claudia , Dobrotǎ Dan
Published: May 2020

The realization of some composite materials that allow the best removal of H2S from syngas was the main objective of this work. Thus, the optimization of the technological parameters for obtaining composites based on Zn-Ti was achieved. The paper studies the influence of calcination temperature on the characteristics of the binary ZnO-TiO2 system used to synthesize a composite material with suitable properties to be used subsequently for syngas treatment. The mineralogical and structural analyzes showed that starting with the calcination temperature of 700 °C the material synthetized is composed mainly of zinc orthotitanate which possess the corresponding characteristics to be finally used in the treatment of the syngas for its desulfurization. At this calcination temperature the material has a compact structure most likely due to sintering of the formed titanates. These composites have a texture that places them rather in the category of non-porous materials, the pore volume and their surface area obviously decreasing as the calcination temperature increases. A maximum sulfur removal degree of about 97% was obtained by using a composite synthetized at a temperature of 700 °C (ZT-700).
The Effect of Geometrical, Operational, Mixing Methods, and Rheological Parameters on Discharge Coefficients of Internal-Mixing Twin-Fluid Atomizers
Authors: Hammad Farid A. , Sun Kai , Jedelsky Jan , Wang Tianyou
Published: May 2020

Accurate prediction of the discharge coefficient (CD) for internal-mixing twin-fluid (IMTF) atomizers is challenging, the effect of control factors remains inadequately understood, and comparative data on the CD of IMTF atomizers are unavailable. This work presents an experimental study on CD for different IMTF atomizers with a wide range of factors, including the gas-to-liquid ratio (GLR), the inlet-overpressure ratio (∆pmix/pamb), the orifice length-to-diameter ratio (Lo/do), and the liquid viscosity (µL). Five atomizers with different internal-mixing principles were probed on a cold test rig, including the frequently studied outside-in-gas (OIG) and inside-out-gas (IOG) effervescent types, the recently-introduced outside-in-liquid (OIL) and air-core-liquid-ring (ACLR) atomizers, and our new design named the swirling-air-core-liquid-ring (SACLR) atomizer. The results demonstrate that CD is governed mainly by GLR, and reduces if GLR, Lo/do, or µL is increased. An increase in ∆pmix/pamb causes a CD reduction up to ∆pmix/pamb = 0.98, and CD increases for a higher ∆pmix/pamb. Surprisingly, differences in CD amid examined atomizers were found negligible, although the flow visualization inside the orifice showed a significantly different flow character for each one of the atomizers. Finally, a general CD correlation fitting with an R2 ≥0.99 for all the tested nozzles was proposed. The results amend the present knowledge, allow design optimization, and provide flow rate prediction for a variety of IMTF atomizers.
FRED—Flexible Framework for Frontend Electronics Control in ALICE Experiment at CERN
Authors: Tkáčik Milan , Jadlovský Ján , Jadlovská Slávka , Koska Lukáš , Jadlovská Anna , Donadoni Michele
Published: May 2020

A substantial part of Distributed Control Systems are SCADA systems that require connection to low level electronics through standard industrial interfaces and protocols. When implementing Distributed Control Systems for physics experiments, it is often necessary to use custom made electronics that do not have the ability to communicate using standard protocols, but instead use custom communication protocols. This paper describes the new Front End Device (FRED) framework, which provides the possibility of connecting custom electronics to standard SCADA systems, thus filling the gap in the implementation of Distributed Control Systems that deploy custom electronics. The FRED framework also serves as a translation layer, which provides translation of raw values acquired from electronics to real physical quantities and vice versa. At the same time, it is easy to use, since there is no need for additional programming when used in the simple mode, and its entire functionality can be configured in several configuration files. In case of the need to perform more complex operations over electronics, it is possible to use the provided API for the implementation of additional program functionalities. Tests of the FRED framework have shown that it is fast and scalable enough for use within the Distributed Control Systems of large physics experiments. Based on experience with the implementation of the FRED framework in real-world systems of physics experiments, it can be stated that it meets all requirements for data processing throughput.
Effect of Superimposed Vibrations on Droplet Oscillation Modes in Prilling Process
Authors: Pavlenko Ivan , Sklabinskyi Vsevolod , Piteľ Ján , Židek Kamil , Kuric Ivan , Ivanov Vitalii , Skydanenko Maksym , Liaposhchenko Oleksandr
Published: May 2020

This article was aimed to solve an urgent problem of ensuring quality for prilling processes in vibrational prilling equipment. During the research, the need for the application of vibrational prilling to create a controlled impact on the process of jet decay on droplets with the proper characteristics was substantiated. Based on the experimental and theoretical studies of the process of decay of a liquid jet into drops, axisymmetric droplet oscillation modes for the different frequencies were observed. Frequency ranges of transition between modes of decay of a jet into drops were obtained. As a result, the mathematical model of the droplet deformation was refined. The experimental research data substantiated this model, and its implementation allowed determining the analytical dependencies for the components of the droplet deformation velocity. The proposed model explains the existence of different droplet oscillation modes depending on the frequency characteristics of the superimposed vibrational impact. Based on an analytical study of the droplet deformation velocity components, the limit values of the characteristics defining the transition between the different droplet oscillation modes were discovered. Analytical dependencies were also obtained to determine the diameter of the satellites and their total number.
Election Algorithm for Random k Satisfiability in the Hopfield Neural Network
Authors: Sathasivam Saratha , Mansor Mohd. Asyraf , Kasihmuddin Mohd Shareduwan Mohd , Abubakar Hamza
Published: May 2020

Election Algorithm (EA) is a novel variant of the socio-political metaheuristic algorithm, inspired by the presidential election model conducted globally. In this research, we will investigate the effect of Bipolar EA in enhancing the learning processes of a Hopfield Neural Network (HNN) to generate global solutions for Random k Satisfiability (RANkSAT) logical representation. Specifically, this paper utilizes a bipolar EA incorporated with the HNN in optimizing RANkSAT representation. The main goal of the learning processes in our study is to ensure the cost function of RANkSAT converges to zero, indicating the logic function is satisfied. The effective learning phase will affect the final states of RANkSAT and determine whether the final energy is a global minimum or local minimum. The comparison will be made by adopting the same network and logical rule with the conventional learning algorithm, namely, exhaustive search (ES) and genetic algorithm (GA), respectively. Performance evaluation analysis is conducted on our proposed hybrid model and the existing models based on the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Sum of Squared Error (SSE), and Mean Absolute Error (MAPE). The result demonstrates the capability of EA in terms of accuracy and effectiveness as the learning algorithm in HNN for RANkSAT with a different number of neurons compared to ES and GA.
Fractional Synthesis Rates of Individual Proteins in Rat Soleus and Plantaris Muscles
Authors: Stead Connor A. , Hesketh Stuart J. , Bennett Samuel , Sutherland Hazel , Jarvis Jonathan C. , Lisboa Paulo J. , Burniston Jatin G.
Published: May 2020

Differences in the protein composition of fast- and slow-twitch muscle may be maintained by different rates of protein turnover. We investigated protein turnover rates in slow-twitch soleus and fast-twitch plantaris of male Wistar rats (body weight 412 ± 69 g). Animals were assigned to four groups (n = 3, in each), including a control group (0 d) and three groups that received deuterium oxide (D2O) for either 10 days, 20 days or 30 days. D2O administration was initiated by an intraperitoneal injection of 20 μL of 99% D2O-saline per g body weight, and maintained by provision of 4% (v/v) D2O in the drinking water available ad libitum. Soluble proteins from harvested muscles were analysed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and identified against the SwissProt database. The enrichment of D2O and rate constant (k) of protein synthesis was calculated from the abundance of peptide mass isotopomers. The fractional synthesis rate (FSR) of 44 proteins in soleus and 34 proteins in plantaris spanned from 0.58%/day (CO1A1: Collagen alpha-1 chain) to 5.40%/day NDRG2 (N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 protein). Eight out of 18 proteins identified in both muscles had a different FSR in soleus than in plantaris (p < 0.05).
Religious Engagement and the Migration Issue: Towards Reconciling Political and Moral Duty
Authors: Kulska Joanna
Published: May 2020

The increasingly acknowledged post-secular perspective has resulted in the emergence of some new approaches theorizing this phenomenon. One such approach has been the concept of religious engagement, which calls for the redefinition of the perception of religious non-state actors towards including them as important partners in the process of identifying and realizing political goals. According to this view, due to the multidimensional role played by religious communities and non-state religious actors, they need to be recognized as pivotal in creating a new form of knowledge generated through encounter and dialogue of the political decision-makers with these subjects. Among numerous others, the challenge of migration calls for enhanced debate referring to both political and ethical issues. When such a perspective is applied, the question is raised of the duties and limits of nation-states using more or less harsh political measures towards refugees and migrants based on the concept of security, but also short-term political goals. In the face of a state’s lack of will or capacity to deal with the problem of migration, the question of religion serving not only as the service-provider but also as the “trend-setter” with regard to fundamental ethical questions needs to be considered.
An UAV and Satellite Multispectral Data Approach to Monitor Water Quality in Small Reservoirs
Authors: Cillero Castro Carmen , Domínguez Gómez Jose Antonio , Delgado Martín Jordi , Hinojo Sánchez Boris Alejandro , Cereijo Arango Jose Luis , Cheda Tuya Federico Andrés , Díaz-Varela Ramon
Published: May 2020

A multi-sensor and multi-scale monitoring tool for the spatially explicit and periodic monitoring of eutrophication in a small drinking water reservoir is presented. The tool was built with freely available satellite and in situ data combined with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based technology. The goal is to evaluate the performance of a multi-platform approach for the trophic state monitoring with images obtained with MultiSpectral Sensors on board satellites Sentinel 2 (S2A and S2B), Landsat 8 (L8) and UAV. We assessed the performance of three different sensors (MultiSpectral Instrument (MSI), Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Rededge Micasense) for retrieving the pigment chlorophyll-a (chl-a), as a quantitative descriptor of phytoplankton biomass and trophic level. The study was conducted in a waterbody affected by cyanobacterial blooms, one of the most important eutrophication-derived risks for human health. Different empirical models and band indices were evaluated. Spectral band combinations using red and near-infrared (NIR) bands were the most suitable for retrieving chl-a concentration (especially 2 band algorithm (2BDA), the Surface Algal Bloom Index (SABI) and 3 band algorithm (3BDA)) even though blue and green bands were useful to classify UAV images into two chl-a ranges. The results show a moderately good agreement among the three sensors at different spatial resolutions (10 m., 30 m. and 8 cm.), indicating a high potential for the development of a multi-platform and multi-sensor approach for the eutrophication monitoring of small reservoirs.
Canopy Height Estimation Using Sentinel Series Images through Machine Learning Models in a Mangrove Forest
Authors: Ghosh Sujit Madhab , Behera Mukunda Dev , Paramanik Somnath
Published: May 2020

Canopy height serves as a good indicator of forest carbon content. Remote sensing-based direct estimations of canopy height are usually based on Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) or Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) interferometric data. LiDAR data is scarcely available for the Indian tropics, while Interferometric SAR data from commercial satellites are costly. High temporal decorrelation makes freely available Sentinel-1 interferometric data mostly unsuitable for tropical forests. Alternatively, other remote sensing and biophysical parameters have shown good correlation with forest canopy height. The study objective was to establish and validate a methodology by which forest canopy height can be estimated from SAR and optical remote sensing data using machine learning models i.e., Random Forest (RF) and Symbolic Regression (SR). Here, we analysed the potential of Sentinel-1 interferometric coherence and Sentinel-2 biophysical parameters to propose a new method for estimating canopy height in the study site of the Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary, which has mangrove forests. The results showed that interferometric coherence, and biophysical variables (Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Fraction of Vegetation Cover (FVC)) have reasonable correlation with canopy height. The RF model showed a Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of 1.57 m and R2 value of 0.60 between observed and predicted canopy heights; whereas, the SR model through genetic programming demonstrated better RMSE and R2 values of 1.48 and 0.62 m, respectively. The SR also established an interpretable model, which is not possible via any other machine learning algorithms. The FVC was found to be an essential variable for predicting forest canopy height. The canopy height maps correlated with ICESat-2 estimated canopy height, albeit modestly. The study demonstrated the effectiveness of Sentinel series data and the machine learning models in predicting canopy height. Therefore, in the absence of commercial and rare data sources, the methodology demonstrated here offers a plausible alternative for forest canopy height estimation.
Infrared Small Target Detection via Non-Convex Tensor Rank Surrogate Joint Local Contrast Energy
Authors: Guan Xuewei , Zhang Landan , Huang Suqi , Peng Zhenming
Published: May 2020

Small target detection is a crucial technique that restricts the performance of many infrared imaging systems. In this paper, a novel detection model of infrared small target via non-convex tensor rank surrogate joint local contrast energy (NTRS) is proposed. To improve the latest infrared patch-tensor (IPT) model, a non-convex tensor rank surrogate merging tensor nuclear norm (TNN) and the Laplace function, is utilized for low rank background patch-tensor constraint, which has a useful property of adaptively allocating weight for every singular value and can better approximate l 0 -norm. Considering that the local prior map can be equivalent to the saliency map, we introduce a local contrast energy feature into IPT detection framework to weight target tensor, which can efficiently suppress the background and preserve the target simultaneously. Besides, to remove the structured edges more thoroughly, we suggest an additional structured sparse regularization term using the l 1 , 1 , 2 -norm of third-order tensor. To solve the proposed model, a high-efficiency optimization way based on alternating direction method of multipliers with the fast computing of tensor singular value decomposition is designed. Finally, an adaptive threshold is utilized to extract real targets of the reconstructed target image. A series of experimental results show that the proposed method has robust detection performance and outperforms the other advanced methods.
Satellite-Based Observations Reveal Effects of Weather Variation on Rice Phenology
Authors: Wang Hongfei , Ghosh Aniruddha , Linquist Bruce A. , Hijmans Robert J.
Published: May 2020

Obtaining detailed data on the spatio-temporal variation in crop phenology is critical to increasing our understanding of agro-ecosystem function, such as their response to weather variation and climate change. It is challenging to collect such data over large areas through field observations. The use of satellite remote sensing data has made phenology data collection easier, although the quality and the utility of such data to understand agro-ecosystem function have not been widely studied. Here, we evaluated satellite data-based estimates of rice phenological stages in California, USA by comparing them with survey data and with predictions by a temperature-driven phenology model. We then used the satellite data-based estimates to quantify the crop phenological response to changes in weather. We used time-series of MODIS satellite data and PhenoRice, a rule-based rice phenology detection algorithm, to determine annual planting, heading and harvest dates of paddy rice in California between 2002 and 2017. At the state level, our satellite-based estimates of rice phenology were very similar to the official survey data, particularly for planting and harvest dates (RMSE = 3.8–4.0 days). Satellite based observations were also similar to predictions by the DD10 temperature-driven phenology model. We analyzed how the timing of these phenological stages varied with concurrent temperature and precipitation over this 16-year time period. We found that planting was earlier in warm springs (−1.4 days °C−1 for mean temperature between mid-April and mid-May) and later in wet years (5.3 days 100 mm-1 for total precipitation from March to April). Higher mean temperature during the pre-heading period of the growing season advanced heading by 2.9 days °C−1 and shortened duration from planting to heading by 1.9 days °C−1. The entire growing season was reduced by 3.2 days °C−1 because of the increased temperature during the rice season. Our findings confirm that satellite data can be an effective way to estimate variations in rice phenology and can provide critical information that can be used to improve understanding of agricultural responses to weather variation.
Impact of Aerosol Vertical Distribution on Aerosol Optical Depth Retrieval from Passive Satellite Sensors
Authors: Li Chong , Li Jing , Dubovik Oleg , Zeng Zhao-Cheng , Yung Yuk L.
Published: May 2020

When retrieving Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) from passive satellite sensors, the vertical distribution of aerosols usually needs to be assumed, potentially causing uncertainties in the retrievals. In this study, we use the Moderate Resolution Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) sensors as examples to investigate the impact of aerosol vertical distribution on AOD retrievals. A series of sensitivity experiments was conducted using radiative transfer models with different aerosol profiles and surface conditions. Assuming a 0.2 AOD, we found that the AOD retrieval error is the most sensitive to the vertical distribution of absorbing aerosols; a −1 km error in aerosol scale height can lead to a ~30% AOD retrieval error. Moreover, for this aerosol type, ignoring the existence of the boundary layer can further result in a ~10% AOD retrieval error. The differences in the vertical distribution of scattering and absorbing aerosols within the same column may also cause −15% (scattering aerosols above absorbing aerosols) to 15% (scattering aerosols below absorbing aerosols) errors. Surface reflectance also plays an important role in affecting the AOD retrieval error, with higher errors over brighter surfaces in general. The physical mechanism associated with the AOD retrieval errors is also discussed. Finally, by replacing the default exponential profile with the observed aerosol vertical profile by a micro-pulse lidar at the Beijing-PKU site in the VIIRS retrieval algorithm, the retrieved AOD shows a much better agreement with surface observations, with the correlation coefficient increased from 0.63 to 0.83 and bias decreased from 0.15 to 0.03. Our study highlights the importance of aerosol vertical profile assumption in satellite AOD retrievals, and indicates that considering more realistic profiles can help reduce the uncertainties.
Lens-Loaded Coded Aperture with Increased Information Capacity for Computational Microwave Imaging
Authors: Yurduseven Okan , Abbasi Muhammad Ali Babar , Fromenteze Thomas , Fusco Vincent
Published: May 2020

Computational imaging using coded apertures offers all-electronic operation with a substantially reduced hardware complexity for data acquisition. At the core of this technique is the single-pixel coded aperture modality, which produces spatio-temporarily varying, quasi-random bases to encode the back-scattered radar data replacing the conventional pixel-by-pixel raster scanning requirement of conventional imaging techniques. For a frequency-diverse computational imaging radar, the coded aperture is of significant importance, governing key imaging metrics such as the orthogonality of the information encoded from the scene as the frequency is swept, and hence the conditioning of the imaging problem, directly impacting the fidelity of the reconstructed images. In this paper, we present dielectric lens loading of coded apertures as an effective way to increase the information coding capacity of frequency-diverse antennas for computational imaging problems. We show that by lens loading the coded aperture for the presented imaging problem, the number of effective measurement modes can be increased by 32% while the conditioning of the imaging problem is improved by a factor of greater than two times.
Multi-Addressed Fiber Bragg Structures for Microwave-Photonic Sensor Systems
Authors: Morozov Oleg , Sakhabutdinov Airat , Anfinogentov Vladimir , Misbakhov Rinat , Kuznetsov Artem , Agliullin Timur
Published: May 2020

The new theory and technique of Multi-Addressed Fiber Bragg Structure (MAFBS) usage in Microwave Photonics Sensor Systems (MPSS) is presented. This theory is the logical evolution of the theory of Addressed Fiber Bragg Structure (AFBS) usage as sensors in MPSS. The mathematical model of additive response from a single MAFBS is presented. The MAFBS is a special type of Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG), the reflection spectrum of which has three (or more) narrow notches. The frequencies of narrow notches are located in the infrared range of electromagnetic spectrum, while differences between them are located in the microwave frequency range. All cross-differences between optical frequencies of single MAFBS are called the address frequencies set. When the additive optical response from a single MAFBS, passed through an optic filter with an oblique amplitude–frequency characteristic, is received on a photodetector, the complex electrical signal, which consists of all cross-frequency beatings of all optical frequencies, which are included in this optical signal, is taken at its output. This complex electrical signal at the photodetector’s output contains enough information to determine the central frequency shift of the MAFBS. The method of address frequencies analysis with the microwave-photonic measuring conversion method, which allows us to define the central frequency shift of a single MAFBS, is discussed in the work.
Assessing Driving Risk Using Internet of Vehicles Data: An Analysis Based on Generalized Linear Models
Authors: Sun Shuai , Bi Jun , Guillen Montserrat , Pérez-Marín Ana
Published: May 2020

With the major advances made in internet of vehicles (IoV) technology in recent years, usage-based insurance (UBI) products have emerged to meet market needs. Such products, however, critically depend on driving risk identification and driver classification. Here, ordinary least square and binary logistic regressions are used to calculate a driving risk score on short-term IoV data without accidents and claims. Specifically, the regression results reveal a positive relationship between driving speed, braking times, revolutions per minute and the position of the accelerator pedal. Different classes of risk drivers can thus be identified. This study stresses both the importance and feasibility of using sensor data for driving risk analysis and discusses the implications for traffic safety and motor insurance.
Wearable Solutions for Patients with Parkinson’s Disease and Neurocognitive Disorder: A Systematic Review
Authors: Channa Asma , Popescu Nirvana , Ciobanu Vlad
Published: May 2020

Prevalence of neurocognitive diseases in adult patients demands the use of wearable devices to transform the future of mental health. Recent development in wearable technology proclaimed its use in diagnosis, rehabilitation, assessment, and monitoring. This systematic review presents the state of the art of wearables used by Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients or the patients who are going through a neurocognitive disorder. This article is based on PRISMA guidelines, and the literature is searched between January 2009 to January 2020 analyzing four databases: PubMed, IEEE Xplorer, Elsevier, and ISI Web of Science. For further validity of articles, a new PEDro-inspired technique is implemented. In PEDro, five statistical indicators were set to classify relevant articles and later the citations were also considered to make strong assessment of relevant articles. This led to 46 articles that met inclusion criteria. Based on them, this systematic review examines different types of wearable devices, essential in improving early diagnose and monitoring, emphasizing their role in improving the quality of life, differentiating the various fitness and gait wearable-based exercises and their impact on the regression of disease and on the motor diagnosis tests and finally addressing the available wearable insoles and their role in rehabilitation. The research findings proved that sensor based wearable devices, and specially instrumented insoles, help not only in monitoring and diagnosis but also in tracking numerous exercises and their positive impact towards the improvement of quality of life among different Parkinson and neurocognitive patients.
A Bluetooth-Low-Energy-Based Detection and Warning System for Vulnerable Road Users in the Blind Spot of Vehicles
Authors: De Raeve Nick , de Schepper Matthias , Verhaevert Jo , Van Torre Patrick , Rogier Hendrik
Published: May 2020

Blind spot road accidents are a frequently occurring problem. Every year, several deaths are caused by this phenomenon, even though a lot of money is invested in raising awareness and in the development of prevention systems. In this paper, a blind spot detection and warning system is proposed, relying on Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) measurements and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) wireless communication. The received RSSI samples are threshold-filtered, after which a weighted average is computed with a sliding window filter. The technique is validated by simulations and measurements. Finally, the strength of the proposed system is demonstrated with real-life measurements.
Antioxidant Properties of Western Georgia Native Khechechuri Pear
Authors: Gabour Sad Tamara , Djafaridze Indira , Kalandia Aleko , Vanidze Maia , Smilkov Katarina , Jacob Claus
Published: May 2020

An endemic pear species spreads in one region of western Georgia, Adjara, called Khechechuri. Pears are dietary source of bioactive components such as polyphenols and triterpenic acid. In addition to its gastronomic value, the aim of the article was to examine and compare phenolic compounds, flavonoids, catechins, phenolic acids, and antioxidant activities in five species of Khechechuri collected from various regions in Adjara region: Adjaristskali, Merisi, Dandalo, Shuakhevi, and Khulo. Five fruit parts, the skin, edible pulp, the whole pear (skin + pulp), juice and the pomace were analyzed and the results were compared. Our study revealed that the amount of total phenolic content found in the skin of West Georgian pear types was as much as 4650 mg/kg. Also, the pear pomace showed significant amount of total phenolic content in all species of Khechechuri. In addition, in all species of Khechechuri pears, flavonoids were found, except in the fruit juice.
Making Japenese Ukiyo-e Art 3D in Real-Time
Authors: Brown Innes , Arandjelović Ognjen
Published: May 2020

Ukiyo-e is a traditional Japanese painting style most commonly printed using wood blocks. Ukiyo-e prints feature distinct line work, bright colours, and a non-perspective projection. Most previous research on ukiyo-e styled computer graphics has been focused on creation of 2D images. In this paper we propose a framework for rendering interactive 3D scenes with ukiyo-e style. The rendering techniques use standard 3D models as input and require minimal additional information to automatically render scenes in a ukiyo-e style. The described techniques are evaluated based on their ability to emulate ukiyo-e prints, performance, and temporal coherence.
Analysis of Organic Sulphur Compounds in Coal Tar by Using Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography-High Resolution Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Aloisi Ivan , Zoccali Mariosimone , Tranchida Peter Q. , Mondello Luigi
Published: May 2020

Coal tar is a complex mixture of organic compounds obtained from the thermal treatment of coal; it contains several different chemical classes of compounds, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phenols and different heterocyclic compounds including sulphur derivatives. In the present research, a target analysis was carried out for the characterisation of fourteen different classes of organic sulphur compounds in coal tar by using cryogenically-modulated (CM) comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-high resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-HR ToFMS) with the support of target analyte finding, a specific software function. Furthermore, absolute quantification data were obtained by using eight pure standard sulphur compounds, and 1-fluoronaphthalene as internal standard. Several figures-of-merit of the proposed method were measured (linearity, intra-day precision, limits of detection and quantification). Finally, the overall analytical performance of CM GC×GC-HR ToFMS was evaluated, in relation to MS similarities, mass accuracies, second-dimension peak widths, peak capacity and tailing factors. The approach proved itself as being a powerful analytical platform, benefiting from the high sensitivity, selectivity and resolving power, of both the GC and MS sides.
Listening to Preferred Music Improved Running Performance without Changing the Pacing Pattern during a 6 Minute Run Test with Young Male Adults
Authors: Jebabli Nidhal , Granacher Urs , Selmi Mohamed Amin , Al-Haddabi Badriya , Behm David G. , Chaouachi Anis , Haj Sassi Radhouane
Published: May 2020

Several studies have investigated the effects of music on both submaximal and maximal exercise performance at a constant work-rate. However, there is a lack of research that has examined the effects of music on the pacing strategy during self-paced exercise. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of preferred music on performance and pacing during a 6 min run test (6-MSPRT) in young male adults. Twenty healthy male participants volunteered for this study. They performed two randomly assigned trials (with or without music) of a 6-MSPRT three days apart. Mean running speed, the adopted pacing strategy, total distance covered (TDC), peak and mean heart rate (HRpeak, HRmean), blood lactate (3 min after the test), and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured. Listening to preferred music during the 6-MSPRT resulted in significant TDC improvement (Δ10%; p = 0.016; effect size (ES) = 0.80). A significantly faster mean running speed was observed when listening to music compared with no music. The improvement of TDC in the present study is explained by a significant overall increase in speed (main effect for conditions) during the music trial. Music failed to modify pacing patterns as suggested by the similar reversed “J-shaped” profile during the two conditions. Blood-lactate concentrations were significantly reduced by 9% (p = 0.006, ES = 1.09) after the 6-MSPRT with music compared to those in the control condition. No statistically significant differences were found between the test conditions for HRpeak, HRmean, and RPE. Therefore, listening to preferred music can have positive effects on exercise performance during the 6-MSPRT, such as greater TDC, faster running speeds, and reduced blood lactate levels but has no effect on the pacing strategy.
Incorporating Form-Based Codes into the Design-Based Approach to Historic Building Conservation in Phuket, Thailand
Authors: Masuwan Kanokwan , Lertwattanaruk Pusit
Published: May 2020

In Thailand, the concept and measurement of urban planning rely on conventional zoning, which includes land use, building usage, and open space ratio. Conventional zoning focuses on both the growth of buildings in terms of physical dimensions and their usability in lowland areas. The guidelines and measures used in urban planning do not reflect the spatial relationship of the community, as they have a less detailed design and place no emphasis on the identity of the district. Urban planning might not protect the sense of any given place, as it often uses a one-size-fits-all plan that is then applied to whole communities. Form-Based Codes (FBCs) are urban planning tools that are used to maximize land use, benefit the public, focus on creating a specific physical form, and design the development and public spaces in a way that matches the community’s vision. FBCs are the result of the cooperation between stakeholders, architects, urban planners, government agencies, and members of the local community who are willing to create a plan for their public space and to preserve the physical characteristics of the city. In this paper, we aimed to understand the relationship between various historical contexts and the FBCs using the case study of Phuket’s old town, which has a fusion of Sino–Portuguese architecture. Building form standards suitable for Phuket’s old town were created by comparing them to a baseline case that uses existing codes and regulations and using the FBCs’ components. FBCs have the potential to enhance the character and vibrancy of the historic area by improving façade design and preserving the sense of place and community pride. The results support the hypothesis that FBCs are able to supplement conventional zoning in historic districts. Recommendations for a local historic preservation commission and communities that are considering the adoption of FBCs for historic resources and districts are provided.
Does Gender Diversity Influence Business Efficiency? An Analysis from the Social Perspective of CSR
Authors: Gutiérrez-Fernández Milagros , Fernández-Torres Yakira
Published: May 2020

Gender-related corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices are receiving increasing attention from all stakeholders, as the commitment to achieving equal opportunities for women has become a top priority. However, the reality is that women remain under-represented at the most senior corporate level, and there is a lack of knowledge about many of the implications this situation entails. This study aimed to provide the first analysis of the direct effect and the indirect effect (through leverage) of board gender diversity on business efficiency. The stochastic frontier approach was used to estimate efficiency. Possible determinants were studied using a fixed effects model with instrumental variables to correct for endogeneity problems. A sample of 91 Spanish listed companies was selected. Data were gathered for the period 2004 to 2015. This period is of great interest because it spans two different contexts in terms of gender legislation. The key findings are that promoting gender diversity is important to boost efficiency and that it is vital to consider possible indirect effects such as the role of leverage.
Interplay between Diets, Health, and Climate Change
Authors: Pradhan Prajal , Kropp Jürgen P.
Published: May 2020

The world is facing a triple burden of undernourishment, obesity, and environmental impacts from agriculture while nourishing its population. This burden makes sustainable nourishment of the growing population a global challenge. Addressing this challenge requires an understanding of the interplay between diets, health, and associated environmental impacts (e.g., climate change). For this, we identify 11 typical diets that represent dietary habits worldwide for the last five decades. Plant-source foods provide most of all three macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, and fat) in developing countries. In contrast, animal-source foods provide a majority of protein and fat in developed ones. The identified diets deviate from the recommended healthy diet with either too much (e.g., red meat) or too little (e.g., fruits and vegetables) food and nutrition supply. The total calorie supplies are lower than required for two diets. Sugar consumption is higher than recommended for five diets. Three and five diets consist of larger-than-recommended carbohydrate and fat shares, respectively. Four diets with a large share of animal-source foods exceed the recommended value of red meat. Only two diets consist of at least 400 gm/cap/day of fruits and vegetables while accounting for food waste. Prevalence of undernourishment and underweight dominates in the diets with lower calories. In comparison, a higher prevalence of obesity is observed for diets with higher calories with high shares of sugar, fat, and animal-source foods. However, embodied emissions in the diets do not show a clear relation with calorie supplies and compositions. Two high-calorie diets embody more than 1.5 t CO 2 eq/cap/yr, and two low-calorie diets embody around 1 t CO 2 eq/cap/yr. Our analysis highlights that sustainable and healthy diets can serve the purposes of both nourishing the population and, at the same time, reducing the environmental impacts of agriculture.
Spatial Analyses of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families: Its Responsiveness to Labor Market Performance and Policies during the 2008 Recession
Authors: Albert Vicky , Lim Jaewon
Published: May 2020

The major economic downturn of the Great Recession led many families with children to depend on cash assistance from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. In order to capture TANF caseload growth rates relative to their labor market performance, we developed a responsiveness index which revealed that many of the western and midwestern states were quite responsive to the recession. Using Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA) tools, we found the presence of strong spatial clusters in unemployment rate and in TANF maximum aid. Several states in the western region were surrounded by neighboring states with higher growth in unemployment rate changes than the national average based on ‘Rook Contiguity’ weight matrix. The presence of High-High clusters of the level of TANF benefits was found in Northeastern states whereas the presence of Low-Low spatial clusters was found primarily in Southern states. The present study’s findings have confirmed the idea that spatial analyses can be useful for policy research. In the era of evidence-based policy making, the role of spatial analyses is bound to expand.
Contingency and Agency in the Mountain Landscapes of the Western Pyrenees: A Place-Based Approach to the Long Anthropocene
Authors: Gragson Ted L , Coughlan Michael R. , Leigh David S.
Published: May 2020

Regional- and biome-scale paleoecological analyses and archaeological syntheses in the mountain landscapes of the western Pyrenees suggest that the Long Anthropocene began with agropastoral land use at the onset of the Neolithic. Historical and geographic analyses emphasize the marginality of the western Pyrenees and the role of enforced social norms exacted by intense solidarities of kin and neighbors in agropastoral production. Both are satisfying and simple narratives, yet neither offers a realistic framework for understanding complex processes or the contingency and behavioral variability of human agents in transforming a landscape. The Long Anthropocene in the western Pyrenees was a spatially and temporally heterogeneous and asynchronous process, and the evidence frequently departs from conventional narratives about human landscape degradation in this agropastoral situation. A complementary place-based strategy that draws on geoarchaeological, biophysical, and socio-ecological factors is used to examine human causality and environmental resilience and demonstrate their relationship with the sustainability of mountain landscapes of the western Pyrenees over medium to long time intervals.
Natural Resource Rent and Finance: The Moderation Role of Institutions
Authors: Khan Muhammad Atif , Khan Muhammad Asif , Ali Kishwar , Popp József , Oláh Judit
Published: May 2020

This study empirically examines the nexuses between the natural resource rent and financial development in the context of the emerging economy of Pakistan, between 1984 and 2018, by subsuming the important role of institutional quality in this context under symmetric, asymmetric, and threshold settings. The literature to date provides no evidence on the asymmetric relationship between natural resource rent and financial development, and the moderation role of institutional quality in this connection. We show that natural resource rent negatively influences financial development, whereas institutional quality boosts financial development and positively moderates the relationship in the context of Pakistan. Also, we find a single significant threshold value of 3.097 above which the relationship of resource rent-finance turns nonlinear—as up to this threshold the coefficient is 3.228, which declines slightly to 2.804 above the threshold level. This implies that regulators should maintain at least an institutional quality level of up to 3.097 to experience the most desired financial benefits of the natural resource rent in Pakistan. Moreover, the results corroborate the existence of asymmetries in the relationship between the natural resource rent and financial development. This empirical evidence provides fresh insight for stakeholders regarding ambiguous natural resource rents and financial sector development nexuses and recommends that planning organs in Pakistan and other countries in a similar development cadre should use institutional quality as a tool to avoid the resource curse and view natural resources as a blessing rather than a curse.
Government’s Stimulus Program to Boost Consumer Spending: A Case of Discount Shopping Coupon Scheme in Japan
Authors: Kadoya Yoshihiko , Khan Mostafa Saidur Rahim , Yamane Tomomi
Published: May 2020

The unprecedented outbreak of COVID-19 has triggered a worldwide economic recession. Consequently, governments are pursuing different stimulus packages to alleviate the resulting pressures. This study examines one such program intended to enhance consumer spending during an economic downturn. In 2015, the Japanese government implemented a discount shopping coupon scheme, offering a 20% discount on purchases. This study aims to identify the groups of consumers who responded most to the discount shopping coupon scheme. To this end, we examine the demographic and socio-economic factors associated with the purchasers of discount shopping coupons in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. Using IV probit models, we show that middle-aged people, homemakers, household balance of financial assets, and short-term attitude are positively associated with the purchase of the coupons. Financial literacy reflects a negative association with the purchase of the coupons for respondents over the age of 40, whereas household income shows a positive association for middle-aged respondents. Our results imply that programs designed to improve consumer consumption may not be effective as blanket solutions that are applied to everyone indiscriminately, but rather seem to show efficiency when tailored to different people according to their demographic and/or socio-economic characteristics.