bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the Evaluation of Riemann Zeta Functions for Even Integers
Authors: Paul Ribhu
Published: August 2021

A recursive method for obtaining the Zeta function for even integers is obtained starting from the Fourier series expansion of the function f(x) = x. Repeating the method after term by term integration yields the ﬁnal, simpliﬁed closed form that happens to be a recursion relation. Using the obtained recursion relation, one can successively evaluate the values of zeta functions for even integers.
SPEECH RECOGNITION APPLICATION AS AN ANIMATED OBJECT MOVEMENT CONTROLLER SYSTEM
Authors: Saleh Akuwan
Published: August 2021

Technological developments in the world have no boundaries. One of them is Speech Recognition. At first, words spoken by humans cannot be recognized by computers. To be recognizable, the word is processed using a specific method. Linear Predictive Coding Method (LPC) is a method used in this research to extract the characteristics of speech. The result of the LPC method is the LPC coefficient which is the number of LPC orders plus 1. The LPC coefficient is processed using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) 512 to simplify the process of speech recognition. The results are then trained using Backpropagation Neural Network (BPNN) to recognize the spoken word. Speech recognition on the program is implemented as an animated object motion controller on the computer. The end result of this research is animated objects move in accordance with the spoken word. The optimal BPNN structure in this research is to use traingda training function, number of nodes 3, learning rate 0.05, epoch 1000, performance goal 0,00001. This structure can produce the smallest MSE value that is 0,000009957. So, this structure can recognize new words with 100% accuracy for trained data, 80% for the same respondents with trained data and reach 67.5% for new respondents.
Comparison of the fin-tech evergreen fund in China and U.S.A
Authors: Tong Antonia
Published: August 2021

Compared to a Chinese investor, the U.S. investors invest in Fin-Tech evergreen fund is not astrange financial activity. In the fast-developing of different technology nowadays, the US. Fin-Techevergreen investors are always attempting to catch the wave of the opportunity to invest in new financialtechnology companies that will almost like investing in Apple, Microsoft, SpaceX, or Teslar twenty yearsago. This article intends to introduce, compare, and analyst the fin-tech evergreen development in boththe USA and China. Fin-Tech Evergreen financing is a concept used to describe the gradual infusion offunds into a fin-tech company. It is feasible to organize for the receipt of venture capital money inadvance. Nevertheless, with FinTech's evergreen investment, investors provide cash in incrementalpayments throughout the company's or product's development phase. It is a perpetual fund architecturewith no set end date. It frequently provides investors with the ability to exit their commitment and allowsthe fund manager to acquire additional cash. Investors are allowed to reinvest cash generated by realizedreturns, thus the term "evergreen." With a thorough explanation of the two most powerful economicpowers' investment direction of the evergreen fund, the general public will learn more about the evergreenfund's future and destiny.
Analysis of Trends and Correlation in Child Restraint Use and Seating Position of Child Passengers in Motor Vehicles: Application of a Bivariate Probit Model
Authors: Chakraborty Meghna , Mahmud Shakir , Gates Timothy
Published: August 2021

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death and injury for children under 8 years. While different states are showing increases in the proportion of child restraint device use, only around half of the children aged between 4 to 7 years are being properly restrained. This study was undertaken to identify the factors contributing to the proper child restraint use and child passenger’s seating position through the direct observation surveys of more than 10,000 child passengers in 2015 and 2018 in Michigan. A bivariate probit model was developed to simultaneously identify the contributing factors for the proper restraint use and seating position of child passengers. The bivariate framework is able to account for correlation of the two dependent variables in the study. The results show that the two dependent variables are positively correlated, and this correlation is strongly significant. Also, the key factors simultaneously influencing proper child restraint use and appropriate seating position of the child passenger include the age of the child, number of the child passengers in the vehicle, driver belt use, driver gender, age, and race, vehicle type, stratum, weather, and the time of the day and week. However, factors such as county-specific population, income, and education, and the type of location did not have a significant association with either child restraint use or the seating position of the child passenger.
Dingle & Han 2021 The Effect of COVID-19 on Australian University Students' Mental Health
Authors: Dingle Genevieve
Published: August 2021

This is a summary report of survey data from two cohorts of first year university students at a metropolitan university in Australia: 2019 (i.e., pre-COVID-19) and in 2020 (during the first wave of COVID-19). The results show clear detrimental impact of COVID-19 on multiple measures of stress, mental health and wellbeing, loneliness. The only measure that did not worsen was risky drinking. A sense of belonging to the university and the use of coping strategies were associated with better mental health.
”I always ask all the necessary questions anyway“: Swedish police interviewers’ experiences when questioning uncooperative suspects
Authors: Magnusson Mikaela , Ernberg Emelie , Granhag Pär Anders , Nyström Lina , Luke Timothy John
Published: August 2021

Purpose. Research-based interviewing techniques for detecting deceit typically rely upon suspects being, at least partially, responsive and engaged in the conversation. To date, the scientific literature is more limited regarding situations where the suspect remains silent or speaks very little. The present study aimed to examine Swedish police officers’ self-reported strategies when interviewing uncooperative suspects. Methods. A total of 289 police officers responded to a national survey that included questions about handling silence. The participants worked with a wide range of criminal cases, including financial crimes, fraud, violent offences, domestic abuse, volume crime, and traffic violations. We used content analysis to examine their written responses to the open-ended question: “What, if any, strategies do you use when interviewing suspects who speak very little or not at all?”. Results. Four main categories were identified relating to (1) question strategies (e.g., asking the questions anyway, using silence), (2) information strategies (e.g., emphasizing the benefits of cooperating, informing about their legal right to silence), (3) supportive strategies (e.g., being friendly, asking about reasons for silence), and (4) procedural strategies (e.g., changing interviewers, conducting multiple interviews). Practitioners working with violent crimes reported meeting uncooperative suspects more frequently compared to practitioners working with other criminal offences. Conclusions. The results provide an initial exploration into the various strategies used by police interviewers when questioning uncooperative suspects. Gaining a better understanding about the underlying reasons behind silence in different criminal contexts may facilitate the development of effective strategies for overcoming resistance.
Relative Importance of Risks in Hydropower Projects and Project Finance in Nepal
Authors: Nepal Achyut , Khanal Vishnu , Maelah Ruhanita
Published: August 2021

Hydropower is the sole internal source of electricity in Nepal. Since the government policy of private participation in hydropower sector launched, Independent Power Producers (IPPs) have gained significant presence under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model of infrastructure development.  Risk management is crucial in PPP projects as mishandling of any risk threatens sustainability and may result in project failure. This study analyses four major risks including Hydropower Sector Specific Risks, Project Finance Specific Risks, Hydropower Project Financing Risks and Country Specific Political and Legal Risks. Self-administrative survey utilizing questionnaire was conducted among the IPPs and domestic Banking and Financial Institutions (BFIs). Relative Importance Indices have been used to determine the importance of each risk item. Exchange rate changes, currency mismatch between local revenue and foreign loan, cost and time overrun, inflation, political turmoil and highly volatile political environment are few of the most critical risks found. For Project Finance proper allocation of risks among the stakeholders is crucial to make the projects bankable. Findings from this study indicate no risk should be neglected and relative importance of risks is critical in allocating risks among stakeholders. This study highlights assessment and the use of RII in the process of allocation and management of risks in infrastructure projects in general and hydropower in particular.
Toward a transitional care from childhood and adolescence to adulthood in surgical neurooncology? A lesson from the Necker-Enfants Malades and the Sainte-Anne Hospitals collaboration
Authors: Roux Alexandre , Beccaria Kévin , Blauwblomme Thomas , Mahlaoui Nizar , Chretien Fabrice , Varlet Pascale , Puget Stéphanie , Pallud Johan
Published: August 2021

OBJECTIVE

Transitional care in surgical neurooncology is poorly studied. However, this period is pivotal, since it allows the patient to be empowered in his or her disease management. Here, the authors describe the experience of the Necker-Enfants Malades and the Sainte-Anne Hospital collaboration.

METHODS

The mixed transitional consultations started in September 2019 in a dedicated space for transitional care, named the “La Suite” department, located in the Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, Paris, France. The authors organized planned consultations to schedule the clinical and radiological follow-up in the adult neurosurgical department but also emergency consultations to manage tumor recurrence in young adult patients. Transitional care was performed jointly by pediatric and adult neurosurgeons who have developed clinical and research skills in the field of surgical neurooncology. Neuropathological analysis was performed by a neuropathologist who is specialized in pediatric and adult neurooncology.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients benefited from a mixed transitional consultation. All of them accepted to start their management in an adult neurosurgical environment. Eleven patients (78.6%) for whom the disease was controlled benefited from a planned consultation. Three patients (21.4%) required rapid neurosurgical management for a tumor recurrence (n = 2) or for a new primary CNS tumor (n = 1) and benefited from an emergency consultation.

CONCLUSIONS

For adult patients harboring a brain tumor during childhood or adolescence, the authors suggest that neurosurgeons specialized in adult surgical neurooncology with a full knowledge in pediatric neurooncology will combine the required skills to optimize care management for these patients within a dedicated multidisciplinary organization framework.
Prawo w służbie humanizacji życia
Authors: Stasiak Ks. Marian
Published: August 2021

Artykuł zamierza wykazać wpływ prawa na procesy humanizacji życia w wymiarze osobowym i społecznym.

Prawo to powszechne doświadczenie wszystkich ludzi, jest tworzone przez człowieka i dla człowieka: „cum igitur hominum causa omne ius constitutum sit”.

Fundament prawa opiera się na jednakowej i niezbywalnej godności osoby ludzkiej. Człowiek posługuje się prawem w wysiłku realizacji swego człowie­czeństwa i lepszej przyszłości.

Prawo to także kluczowy regulator życia społecznego, prawo konsoliduje więzi społeczne, wzmacnia struktury państwa, tworzy wspólnotę narodów.

Humanizację prawa objawia jego wyzwalająca funkcja. Prawo stanowi opar­cie dla słabszych, człowiek swojej pozycji nie musi bronić siłą, jego miejsce w spo­łeczeństwie gwarantuje mu prawo. Dzięki prawu w sytuacjach konfliktowych został wygaszony dźwięk broni.

Człowiekowi w poszukiwaniu procedur organizacji życia przyświeca idea zawarta w twierdzeniu Anaksymandera z Miletu, iż człowiek pragnie być sobą, człowiek zabiega o kształt swego losu. Prawo dąży do realizacji sprawiedliwości, chce oddać każdemu to, co mu się należy. Prawo nie utożsamia się z moralnością – to jednak nie może uznać za słuszne tego, co jest złem z punktu widzenia moralnego.

Prawo odwołuje się do prawdy, choć prawdy nie dekretuje, to jednak prawo oparte na kłamstwie byłoby destrukcją samego prawa.

W demokratycznym państwie o tym, co jest prawem, stanowi większość oby­wateli. Większość głosów nie orzeka o prawdzie, nie stanowi o tym, co dobre, a co złe etycznie. Decyzja większości stanowi o tym, co jest legalne.

System demokracji opiera się na zasadach wolności i równości wszystkich obywateli. Dzięki tym zasadom respektuje się zarazem zdania tych, którzy są w mniejszości.

Tworzenie prawa jest sztuką „ars legesferendi”. Prawo nie jest fotografią społe­czeństwa, prawo nie mówi, jak jest, lecz jak być powinno; stąd „lex respicit futura”.

Prawo liczy na szansę przemiany człowieka, na budowę świata o bardziej ludzkim wizerunku.

Prawnika można porównać z powołaniem lekarza. Lekarz staje nad chorym, aby go leczyć, a nie zajmować się wypisywaniem recept, choć proces leczenia następuje poprzez wypisywanie recept.

Podobnie prawnik nie może ograniczać swojej uwagi do świata norm, lecz po­przez normy i ich aplikację czynić świat bardziej sprawiedliwym i godnym człowieka.
Członkostwo Polski w Lidze Narodów – aspekty prawne
Authors: Przyborowska-Klimczak Anna
Published: August 2021

Polska należała do pierwotnych członków Ligi Narodów, która rozpoczęła działalność sto lat temu – w 1920 r. Podstawę prawną funkcjonowania organizacji stanowił Pakt Ligi Narodów, włączony do traktatów pokojowych, zawartych po I wojnie światowej. Członkostwo w organizacji miało duże znaczenie dla odro­dzonego państwa polskiego, które kształtowało swoje stosunki w społeczności międzynarodowej. Polska była pierwszym państwem, które ustanowiło przy Lidze swojego stałego delegata. Polscy przedstawiciele uczestniczyli w pracach głównych organów Ligi: Zgromadzeniu i Radzie. Polska starała się o uzyskanie stałego miejsca w Radzie, natomiast była w niej członkiem półstałym. Była też państwem, które często uczestniczyło w postępowaniach przed Stałym Trybuna­łem Sprawiedliwości Międzynarodowej. W latach 30. XX w. w kręgach polskiej dyplomacji wzrastało rozczarowanie działalnością Ligi Narodów spowodowa­ne jej nieskutecznością w zakresie zapobiegania konfliktom międzynarodowym i rozwiązywania sporów międzynarodowych.
The natural human right to security and security as a constitutional human right
Authors: Potrzeszcz Jadwiga
Published: August 2021

In this article it was formulated the thesis on the existence of a natural hu­man right to security, and subsequently the analyse of the issue of the relation­ship between the natural human right to security and security as a constitutional human right. The primary objective of the research was to answer the question whether the natural human right to security influences the existence of security as a human right, guaranteed by positive law, in particular in constitutional law.

The above analysis of the provisions of the Polish Constitution proved that the right to security as a constitutional human right was not expressly stated in any of these provisions. Certainly, the formulation of an explicit constitutional human right to security raises concerns about the scope of the citizen’s ability to enforce this right from the state, e.g. by means of a constitutional complaint.

Regardless of the difficulties raised, it is worth interpreting the constitution­al human right to security from all the regulations of the Polish Constitution as a function of fundamental rights. In justified individual cases of violations, the constitutional human right to security may be derived from art. 30 of the Pol­ish Constitution, which stipulates that the inherent and inalienable dignity of man is the source of his rights and freedoms.
Sketches on the Necess ity of Studying Contemporary/Class ic Themes of the Basis of Criminology
Authors: Kostić Miomira
Published: August 2021

Dealing with criminology, as well as any other social science or scientific disci­pline, implies a clear, precise definition of the object and purpose of theoretical and empirical research as well as application of adequate methodological procedures, in order to arrive at a knowledge of the object under study. On display are some reminders of the development of criminology as an independent science, the basic qualitative and quantitative methodological procedures. As a special segment of the paper, the importance and role in addressing social and human sciences, as well as the differentiation of social and humanistic sciences is emphasized.
A NEW TECHNIQUE FOR DETERMINING REGION OF INTEREST IN SELECTIVE VIDEO PROTECTION APPROACH
Authors: M. Alhasany Rose , M. Jawad Lahieb
Published: August 2021

Today, the use of video communication in real-time applications is rising at a rapid rate and most of these videos require secure transmission like surveillance, video conferencing, video on demand, and medical and military imaging systems. The trade-off between data security and real-time performance is the main challenge in this field. This paper presents a protection approach for H.246 compression standard that provides a balancing between the security level and coding efficiency. A new technique of region selection for the motion information of the video is designed based on canny edge detection scaling which reduces the amount of encrypted data ,and a strong and fast stream encryption is presented using key generation model of chaos method and RC4 algorithm. The experimental results of the performance metrics confirmed the high perceptual and cryptographic security of the proposed approach against attacks and showed that all the requirements of compression efficiency are satisfied.
PERFORMANCE OF NETWORK CODING SCHEMES FOR 5G SYSTEM
Authors: M. Abdulkhudhur Shurooq , A. Kadhim Abdulkareem
Published: August 2021

Huge data rates have been provided by 5G wireless communication systems using millimeter wave (mmWave) band that have frequencies ranging from 30 to 300 GHz.  mmWave provides much wider bandwidth than the existing 4G band.  The 5G network deals with massive number of devices.  This presents many challenges including capacity, end to end delay, data rate, and very large number of connections.  In this paper, the main task is to apply network coding to 5G mmWave communication system to increase the throughput of the communication links.  Simple packet-based network coding schemes using butterfly network topology are simulated.  The two network coding schemes considered here are Physical Layer Network Coding (PLNC) and Network Layer Network Coding (NLNC).   Models of Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) and mmWave indoor fading channels are considered in the work using Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) modulation. The results of the tests showed that the use of both NLNC and PLNC improved throughput in comparison to uncoded system.  Using PLNC increased the Bit Error Rate (BER) and the Packet Error Rate (PER), while NLNC scheme showed almost identical error performance to uncoded system over mmWave fading channel.  The results show that network coding improved throughput when compared.
Social Cognition in Patients with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment and Mild Dementia of the Alzheimer Type
Authors: Schild Ann-Katrin , Volk Jenny , Scharfenberg Daniel , Schuermann Katrin , Meiberth Dix , Onur Oezguer A. , Jessen Frank , Maier Franziska
Published: August 2021

Background: Social cognition (SC) is a core criterion for neurocognitive disorders. However, findings in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) are inconsistent. Objective: We report assessments of emotion recognition (ER), affective and cognitive theory of mind (ToM) in young (YC) and older controls (OC) compared to aMCI and DAT. Methods: 28 aMCI, 30 DAT, 30 YC, and 29 OC received tests of SC and a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. Analysis of covariance was used to determine group differences. Multiple regression models were applied to identify predictors for each SC task. Results: In controls, OC performed worse in ER and both ToM tasks compared to YC except for one subtest. No significant differences were found between OC and patients concerning ER and affective ToM. In cognitive ToM, differences between OC and patients depended on content and cognitive load with significant impairment in DAT compared to OC. A cognitive composite score predicted SC in OC, but not in patients. Associations of SC with single cognitive domains were found in all groups with language and complex attention as best predictors. Not all variance of SC performance was explained by variance in cognitive domains. Conclusion: Lower performance on SC tasks in OC versus YC was confirmed, although not all tasks were equally affected. With progressive cognitive impairment, cognitive ToM is more impaired than ER or affective ToM. SC seems to be at least partly independent of other cognitive domains, justifying its inclusion in batteries for dementia diagnostic.
Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease and Cerebrovascular Lesions and Clinical Progression in Patients with Subjective Cognitive Decline: A Systematic Review
Authors: Scarth Morgan , Rissanen Ina , Scholten Rob J.P.M. , Geerlings Mirjam I.
Published: August 2021

Background: Early identification of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) may be extremely beneficial for delaying disease progression. Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) may be an early indicator of AD pathology. Not all individuals with SCD will eventually develop AD, making it critical to identify biomarkers during the SCD stage which indicate likely clinical progression. Objective: The present review aims to summarize available data on structural MRI and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers and their association with clinical progression to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or AD in people with SCD. Methods: Database searches were conducted using Embase and PubMed until June 2020. Longitudinal studies assessing biomarkers in individuals with SCD and assessing clinical progression to MCI/AD were included. Two assessors performed data extraction and assessed the risk of bias in the included studies. Data were synthesized narratively. Results: An initial search identified 1,065 papers; after screening and review 14 studies were included. Sample size of the included studies ranged from 28–674, mean age was 60.0–68.6 years, and 10.2%–52%of participants converted to MCI/AD. Lower levels of CSF Aβ42 were consistently associated with clinical progression. Combination measures identifying an AD-like profile of Aβ42 and tau levels were strongly associated with clinical progression. Biomarkers identified with structural MRI were less conclusive, as some studies found significant associations while others did not. Conclusion: Biomarkers may be able to predict clinical progression in those with cognitive complaints. Aβ42, or combinations of Aβ42 and tau may be useful biomarkers in identifying individuals with SCD who will progress to MCI/AD.
Visual Impairment, Eye Diseases, and Dementia Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kuźma Elżbieta , Littlejohns Thomas J. , Khawaja Anthony P. , Llewellyn David J. , Ukoumunne Obioha C. , Thiem Ulrich
Published: August 2021

Background: Visual impairment and eye diseases have been associated with dementia, though with mixed findings and often in cross-sectional studies. Objective: To identify prospective studies investigating associations between visual impairment or common eye diseases and risk of all-cause dementia or key dementia subtypes. Methods: We searched Medline, PsycINFO, and Embase from inception to January 2020. We also conducted backward and forward citation searches of included studies and set up alerts to identify studies published after the search date. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to combine adjusted estimates across studies. Results: Thirty studies met our eligibility criteria. For visual impairment, pooled estimates indicated an increased risk of all-cause dementia (37,705 participants, 3,415 cases, risk ratio [RR] = 1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19–1.59, I2 = 28.6%). Pooled estimates also suggested an increased dementia risk associated with cataract (6,659 participants, 1,312 cases, hazard ratio [HR] = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.00–1.38, I2 = 0.0%) and diabetic retinopathy (43,658 participants, 7,060 cases, HR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.11–1.61, I2 = 63.9%), respectively. There was no evidence of an association between glaucoma (175,357 participants, 44,144 cases, HR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.90–1.04, I2 = 51.5%) or age-related macular degeneration (7,800,692 participants, > 2,559 cases, HR = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.88–1.50, I2 = 91.0%) and risk of dementia, respectively. Conclusion: As visual impairment, cataract, and diabetic retinopathy are associated with an increased likelihood of developing dementia, early diagnosis may help identify those at risk of dementia. Given most causes of visual impairment are treatable or preventable, the potential for dementia prevention warrants further investigation.
A Novel Genetic Marker for the C9orf72 Repeat Expansion in the Finnish Population
Authors: Rostalski Hannah , Korhonen Ville , Kuulasmaa Teemu , Solje Eino , Krüger Johanna , Gen Finn , Kaivola Karri , Eide Per Kristian , Lambert Jean-Charles , Julkunen Valtteri , Tienari Pentti J. , Remes Anne M. , Leinonen Ville , Hiltunen Mikko , Haapasalo Annakaisa
Published: August 2021

Background: C9orf72 repeat expansion (C9exp) is the most common genetic cause underlying frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, detection of the C9exp requires elaborative methods. Objective: Identification of C9exp carriers from genotyped cohorts could be facilitated by using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as markers for the C9exp. Methods: We elucidated the potential of the previously described Finnish risk haplotype, defined by the SNP rs3849942, to identify potential C9exp carriers among 218,792 Finns using the FinnGen database. The haplotype approach was first tested in an idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) patient cohort (European Alzheimer’s Disease DNA BioBank) containing C9exp carriers by comparing intermediate (15–30) and full-length (> 60 repeats) C9exp carriers (n = 41) to C9exp negative patients (< 15 repeats, n = 801). Results: In this analysis, rs3849942 was associated with carriership of C9exp (OR 8.44, p < 2×10–15), while the strongest association was found with rs139185008 (OR 39.4, p < 5×10–18). Unbiased analysis of rs139185008 in FinnGen showed the strongest association with FTLD (OR 4.38, 3×10–15) and motor neuron disease ALS (OR 5.19, 3×10–21). rs139185008 was the top SNP in all diseases (iNPH, FTLD, ALS), and further showed a strong association with ALS in the UK Biobank (p = 9.0×10–8). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that rs139185008 is a useful marker to identify potential C9exp carriers in the genotyped cohorts and biobanks originating from Finland.
Fuzzy multi-criteria approach for criticality assessment and optimization of decision making
Authors: Chakhrit Ammar , Chennoufi Mohammed
Published: August 2021

Failure mode, effects, and criticality analysis (FMECA) is a proactive quality tool that allows the identification and prevention of the potential failure modes of a process or product. In a conventional FMECA, for each failure mode, three risk parameters, namely frequency, non-detection, and severity are evaluated and a risk priority number (RPN) is calculated by multiplying these parameters to assess one signal criticality. However, in many cases, it suffers from some shortcomings regarding the decision-making and the situation where the information provided is ambiguous or uncertain. This paper describes a new fuzzy multi-criticality approach for improving the use of FMECA by treating FMECA as a fuzzy multi-criteria optimization model. The new approach bases on replacing the calculation of a single criticality with a fuzzy inference system for improving the criticality evaluations which offers five partial criticalities that efficiently and separately calculate the impact of a failure on the environment, personnel, production, equipment, and management. In addition, an analytical hierarchy method (AHP) is used to calculate the priorities weights for each partial criticality and construct a criticality matrix in order to improve the relevance of decision-making. Furthermore, a real case of LPG storage system for ZCINA Hassi Messaoud in Algeria is provided to illustrate the practical implementation of the suggested approach and extremely shows the pertinence of the suggested fuzzy model as decision-making tools in preventing industrial risks with providing encouraging results regarding the criticality estimation and improve decision-making by prioritizing “preventive –corrective actions” and determine the efficient action for each partial criticality to control the risk effectively.
Optimized execution method for queries with materialized views: Design and implementation
Authors: Raipurkar Abhijeet R. , Chandak Manoj B.
Published: August 2021

A query application for On-Line Analytical Processing (OLAP) examines various kinds of data stored in a Data Warehouse (DW). There have been no systematic studies that look at the impact of query optimizations on performance and energy consumption in relational and NoSQL databases. Indeed, due to a lack of precise power calculation techniques in various databases and queries, the energy activity of several basic database operations is mostly unknown, as are the queries themselves, which are very complicated, extensive, and exploratory. As a result of the rapidly growing size of the DW system, query response times are regularly increasing. To improve decision-making performance, the response time of such queries should be as short as possible. To resolve these issues, multiple materialized views from individual database tables have been collected, and queries have been handled. Similarly, due to overall maintenance and storage expenses, as well as the selection of an optimal view set to increase the data storage facility’s efficacy, materializing all conceivable views is not viable. Thus, to overcome these issues, this paper proposed the method of energy-aware query optimization and processing, on materialized views using enhanced simulated annealing (EAQO-ESA). This work was carried out in four stages. First, a Simulated Annealing (SA) based meta-heuristic approach was used to pre-process the query and optimize the scheduling performance. Second, the optimal sets of views were materialized, resulting in enhanced query response efficiency. Third, the authors assessed the performance of the query execution time and computational complexity with and without optimization. Finally, based on processing time, efficiency, and computing cost, the system’s performance was validated and compared to the traditional technique.
Efficient fuzzy keyword search scheme over encrypted data in cloud computing based on Bed-tree index structure
Authors: Hu Dongping , Yin Aihua
Published: August 2021

In cloud computing, enabling search directly over encrypted data is an important technique to effectively utilize encrypted data. Most of the existing techniques are focusing on fuzzy keyword search as it helps achieve more robust search performance by tolerating misspelling or typos of data users. Existing works always build index without classifying keywords in advance. They suffer from efficiency issue. Furthermore, Euclidean distance or Hamming distance is often chosen to evaluate strings’ similarity, ignoring prefixes matching and the influence of strings’ length on the accuracy. We propose an efficient fuzzy keyword search scheme with lower computation cost and higher accuracy to address the aforementioned problems. We employ the sub-dictionaries technique and the Bed-tree structure to build an index with three layers for achieving better search efficiency. With this index structure, the server could locate the keyword and could narrow the search scope quickly. The Jaro-Winkler distance is introduced to qualify the strings’ similarity by considering the prefixes matching and string length. The secure privacy mechanism is incorporated into the design of our work. Security analysis and performance evaluation demonstrate our scheme is more efficient compared to the existing one while guaranteeing security.
Research on integral separation control of warp tension based on fuzzy parameter optimization
Authors: Xiao Yanjun , Zhang Zhenpeng , Liu Zhenhao , Zhang Zonghua , Zhou Wei , Liu Weiling
Published: August 2021

In textile machines, the stability of warp tension is one of the decisive factors for the reliability, stability and product quality of weaving process. In order to meet the improving requirement for weaving efficiency and fabric quality, it is proposed that a fuzzy optimization integral separation PID warp tension control scheme based on process sampling to improve the warp tension control level of loom. Aiming at the problems of time-varying, nonlinear and variable coupling in the warp tension control system of loom, the forming mechanism of warp tension is modeled and analyzed, and the sampling scheme of warp tension based on process is proposed. Based on the periodic change of warp tension at macro level and continuous fluctuation at micro level, the integral separation control and fuzzy optimization theory are introduced to optimize the control effect of the control system on the basis of classical PID control algorithm. Finally, the simulation and experiment show that the scheme can improve the tension controls performance and effectively reduce the tension error fluctuation.
A new meta-heuristic optimization algorithm based on a paradigm from physics: string theory
Authors: Rodriguez Luis , Castillo Oscar , Garcia Mario , Soria Jose
Published: August 2021

The main goal of this paper is to outline a new optimization algorithm based on String Theory, which is a relative new area of physics. The String Theory Algorithm (STA) is a nature-inspired meta-heuristic, which is based on studies about a theory stating that all the elemental particles that exist in the universe are strings, and the vibrations of these strings create all particles existing today. The newly proposed algorithm uses equations based on the laws of physics that are stated in String Theory. The main contribution in this proposed method is the new techniques that are devised in order to generate potential solutions in optimization problems, and we are presenting a detailed explanation and the equations involved in the new algorithm in order to solve optimization problems. In this case, we evaluate this new proposed meta-heuristic with three cases. The first case is of 13 traditional benchmark mathematical functions and a comparison with three different meta-heuristics is presented. The three algorithms are: Flower Pollination Algorithm (FPA), Firefly Algorithm (FA) and Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO). The second case is the optimization of benchmark functions of the CEC 2015 Competition and we are also presenting a statistical comparison of these results with respect to FA and GWO. In addition, we are presenting a third case, which is the optimization of a fuzzy inference system (FIS), specifically finding the optimal design of a fuzzy controller, where the main goal is to optimize the membership functions of the FIS. It is important to mention that we used these study cases in order to analyze the proposed meta-heuristic with: basic problems, complex problems and control problems. Finally, we present the performance, results and conclusions of the new proposed meta-heuristic.
Reverse guidance butterfly optimization algorithm integrated with information cross-sharing
Authors: Luo Jun , Tian Qin , Xu Meng
Published: August 2021

Aiming at the disadvantages of slow convergence and the premature phenomenon of the butterfly optimization algorithm (BOA), this paper proposes a modified BOA (MBOA) called reverse guidance butterfly optimization algorithm integrated with information cross-sharing. First, the quasi-opposition concept is employed in the global search phase that lacks local exploitation capabilities to broaden the search space. Second, the neighborhood search weight factor is added in the local search stage to balance exploration and exploitation. Finally, the information cross-sharing mechanism is introduced to enhance the ability of the algorithm to jump out of the local optima. The proposed MBOA is tested in fourteen benchmark functions and three constrained engineering problems. The series of experimental results indicate that MBOA shows better performance in terms of convergence speed, convergence accuracy, stability as well as robustness.
Improved neuropathological identification of traumatic brain injury through quantitative neuroimaging and neural network analyses: Some practical approaches for the neurorehabilitation clinician
Authors: Bigler Erin D. , Allder Steven
Published: August 2021

BACKGROUND: Quantitative neuroimaging analyses have the potential to provide additional information about the neuropathology of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that more thoroughly informs the neurorehabilitation clinician. OBJECTIVE: Quantitative neuroimaging is typically not covered in the standard radiological report, but often can be extracted via post-processing of clinical neuroimaging studies, provided that the proper volume acquisition sequences were originally obtained. METHODS: Research and commercially available quantitative neuroimaging methods provide region of interest (ROI) quantification metrics, lesion burden volumetrics and cortical thickness measures, degree of focal encephalomalacia, white matter (WM) abnormalities and residual hemorrhagic pathology. If present, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) provides a variety of techniques that aid in evaluating WM integrity. Using quantitatively identified structural and ROI neuropathological changes are most informative when done from a neural network approach. RESULTS: Viewing quantitatively identifiable damage from a neural network perspective provides the neurorehabilitation clinician with an additional tool for linking brain pathology to understand symptoms, problems and deficits as well as aid neuropsychological test interpretation. All of these analyses can be displayed in graphic form, including3-D image analysis. A case study approach is used to demonstrate the utility of quantitative neuroimaging and network analyses in TBI. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative neuroimaging may provide additional useful information for the neurorehabilitation clinician.
Fault Analysis of Solar Thermal Systems in Bhutan
Authors: Darjay Tshewang , Dorji Cheku , Lhendup Tshewang , Elborg Martin
Published: August 2021

The Royal Government of Bhutan has accorded the highest priority towards diversifying the energy-mix through the promotion of renewable energy technologies. There is a national target to generate 3 MW equivalent of energy from the installation of solar thermal systems alone. However, little investment and priority are given for development of solar thermal applications. Some of the present existing solar water heating (SWH) systems are exhibiting faults which leads to low consumer confidence in SWH technology due to the non-functioning of previous installations which is very detrimental in this introductory stage. This study aims to identify problems of existing SWH systems through field surveys and develop a draft guideline to avoid faults in the future. To analyse the problems with existing SWH systems in Bhutan, the first phase of the study consists of collecting secondary information and opinion from the relevant government sector, local installing companies and end-users. The information on the manufacturer’s products, policy barriers, markets and consumer challenges is also collected. Base on this information, findings on the limitation of existing policy instrument and gap in demand and supply side is described. The second phase of the study comprises field visits to existing SWH system sites. The field surveys of twelve representative existing SWH systems are analyzed. Out of twelve sites, eight SWH systems had critical faults which causes major failure of the system and the other four sites had minor faults. To analyse the faults of existing SWH systems, faults are classified into design faults, plumbing circuit faults, solar collector faults, absorber faults, installation faults and user behavior faults. The major faults which lead to the failure of the existing SWH system are plumbing failure, condensation inside the collector and absorber tube leakage. The causes and solutions of the faults are discussed.
Shading devices applied to sun control in occupied spaces in summer conditions
Authors: Conceição Eusébio , Gomes João , Lúcio Maria Manuela , Awbi Hazim
Published: August 2021

This work presents a study of a numerical building dynamic simulation in the development of a horizontal shading device passive solution applied in a university canteen. The used building dynamic simulation software, that simulates simultaneously a building or groups of buildings with complex topologies, in transient conditions, considers the solar radiation, the HVAC system, glass radiative proprieties, radiative heat exchanges, thermal solutions, thermal comfort of occupants, indoor air quality, among others properties. The development of efficient external horizontal shading devices is made by a numerical model that uses the sun's trajectory and its position in relation to the windows where it falls. The canteen is constituted by three levels and is divided in 37 spaces. In the numerical simulation, 100 transparent surfaces and 773 opaque surfaces are considered. Special attention is given in the students’ main canteen, professors’ main canteen, specialized canteen and university bar. The simulation is made, in summer conditions, considered the selected spaces without and with horizontal shading devices placed above their windows. In the simulation, the occupancy and the implemented ventilation system are considered. Regarding to the obtained results the use of horizontal shading devices can reduce the air temperature range and improve the thermal comfort level that the occupants are subjected in some of the analyzed spaces.
GE Big Boys Appliances: Towards a Multimodal Discourse Analysis of the SNL Fake Commercial
Authors: Clemente-Escobar Karina
Published: August 2021

Nowadays, comedy shows like Saturday Night Live (SNL) have become popular and entertain many people around the world. For this study, a fake commercial for GE Big Boys Appliances, aired on YouTube in 2018 is analyzed to explore how discourse is used to represent gender roles and stereotypes. To conduct this multimodal discourse analysis, some elements of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) proposed by Halliday (1978), some notions of critical discourse analysis, and some features of the Machin’s (2010) visual semiotic framework are employed. The findings portray that the sketch shows a change concerning gender roles through time, but it still promotes the transmission of some classical gender stereotypes. Therefore, it is valuable to study comedy sketches to understand how traditional gender roles and stereotypes are still transmitted in social media.
Dufan (Dunia Fantasi) Ancol di Era Pandemi Covid-19
Authors: Ayu Kusumaningrum Dewi , Hurdawaty Ramon
Published: August 2021

The enactment of government policies to stop the spread of the virus, requires DUFAN to face new habitual adaptation situations by implementing health protocols, devising various strategies to ensure visitors even if limited movement can still have fun safely. This research discusses the adaptation efforts of tourist objects in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is hoped that this research can become input in planning the adaptation of tourist destination. The qualitative research method used purposive sampling, the collection technique used triangulation (combined) and inductive data analysis. The results of the research are operational observation data of DUFAN, the obstacles faced and the perception of visitors in the pandemic era. DUFAN's operational activities conform to the Taman Impian Jaya Ancol policy. DUFAN's operational reopening was accompanied by various regulations; restrictions on visitors, online ticket reservations, check ticket and body temperature. Availability of hand sanitizer facilities and standing banner for health protocol regulations. There is a surveillance section that always goes around the entire DUFAN area and an environmental disinfection section. The implementation of the health protocol in the operation of game rides is carried out well, however, there are several obstacles faced. The main obstacle is the awareness of visitors about the importance of adhering to health protocols anytime anywhere in the DUFAN area smoking carelessly, not wearing a mask during activities in the DUFAN environment, violation of distance restrictions in queues. The perception of DUFAN visitors in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic was quite good as assessed in terms of operational management systems, online ticket purchases, health protocol information, health protocols for visitors and tourist officers, availability of hand washing facilities, and safety of traveling in DUFAN. Visitors expect more tourist officers at DUFAN to patrol to remind visitors to apply health protocols, especially physical distancing.
Dampak Pelayanan Gofood Terhadap Penjualan Unit Usaha Mikro Makanan Lokal Mitra Gofood di Kota Bandung
Authors: Hafidz Salman , Ningsih Caria , Fajri Ilham
Published: August 2021

At this time the digital world has entered all sectors of life, the tourism sector for example with the google maps application to show tourist locations, hotel booking applications, and online transportation applications and food delivery services. Gofood is one of the food delivery services found on the Gojek application. With the presence of Gofood tourists who are in tourist destinations or lodging, especially in the city of Bandung can easily order local specialties or popular culinary in the city of Bandung. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Gofood services on increasing sales from local Gofood partner micro food businesses in the city of Bandung. This study uses quantitative methods using simple linear regression analysis, F-test and t-test. The results showed that the Gofood service variable was positive and significant and had an effect of 42.4% on the sales of Gofood partner local micro food businesses in the city of Bandung, the remaining 57.6% was the influence of variables not examined such as product quality, price, marketing management, mix marketing, etc. Gofood partner capital conditions are relatively increased by accumulation, but for daily capital, especially weekends (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and national holidays) constrained because the disbursement of sales on that day only distributed to partners on Monday and above 12 noon, preferably in accelerate the disbursement because it affects the daily capital turnover.