bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘In-Situ’ Preparation of Carbonaceous Conductive Composite Materials Based on PEDOT and Biowaste for Flexible Pseudocapacitor Application
Authors: González Francisco J. , Montesinos Andreina , Araujo-Morera Javier , Verdejo Raquel , Hoyos Mario
Published: July 2020

Composite materials of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)/activated carbon (AC) were prepared by ‘in-situ’ polymerization and subsequently deposited by spray-coating onto a flexible electrolyte prepared in our laboratories. Two activated carbons were tested: a commercial activated carbon and a lab-made activated carbon from brewer’s spent grain (BSG). The porous and spongy structure of the composite increased the specific surface area, which helps to enhance the energy storage density. This procedure to develop conductive composite materials using AC prepared from biowaste has the potential to be implemented for the preparation of polymer-based conductive inks for further applications as electrodes in pseudocapacitors.
Old and New Approaches to Animal Cognition: There Is Not “One Cognition”
Authors: Bräuer Juliane , Hanus Daniel , Pika Simone , Gray Russell , Uomini Natalie
Published: July 2020

Using the comparative approach, researchers draw inferences about the evolution of cognition. Psychologists have postulated several hypotheses to explain why certain species are cognitively more flexible than others, and these hypotheses assume that certain cognitive skills are linked together to create a generally “smart” species. However, empirical findings suggest that several animal species are highly specialized, showing exceptional skills in single cognitive domains while performing poorly in others. Although some cognitive skills may indeed overlap, we cannot a priori assume that they do across species. We argue that the term “cognition” has often been used by applying an anthropocentric viewpoint rather than a biocentric one. As a result, researchers tend to overrate cognitive skills that are human-like and assume that certain skills cluster together in other animals as they do in our own species. In this paper, we emphasize that specific physical and social environments create selection pressures that lead to the evolution of certain cognitive adaptations. Skills such as following the pointing gesture, tool-use, perspective-taking, or the ability to cooperate evolve independently from each other as a concrete result of specific selection pressures, and thus have appeared in distantly related species. Thus, there is not “one cognition”. Our argument is founded upon traditional Darwinian thinking, which—although always at the forefront of biology—has sometimes been neglected in animal cognition research. In accordance with the biocentric approach, we advocate a broader empirical perspective as we are convinced that to better understand animal minds, comparative researchers should focus much more on questions and experiments that are ecologically valid. We should investigate nonhuman cognition for its own sake, not only in comparison to the human model.
Selective Adsorption, Reduction, and Separation of Au(III) from Aqueous Solution with Amine-Type Non-Woven Fabric Adsorbents
Authors: Huang Chen , Xu Xiao , Ao Junxuan , Ma Lin , Ye Feng , Wang Ziqiang , Xu Lu , Zhao Xiaoyan , Ma Hongjuan
Published: July 2020

Herein, adsorption, separation, and reduction of Au(III) from its aqueous solution were studied with different amine-type, non-woven fabric (NF) adsorbents fabricated with radiation-induced graft polymerization. The adsorbents exhibited different adsorption capacities of Au(III) over a concentration range of hydrochloric acid (HCl) from 5 mM to 5 M, and the diethylamine (DEA)-type adsorbent performed best under all test conditions. The DEA-type adsorbent was inert toward other metal ions, including Cu(II), Pb(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) and Li(I), within the fixed concentration range of HCl. Flow-through adsorption tests indicated DEA-type adsorbent exhibited a rapid recovery and high adsorption capacity of 3.23 mmol/g. Meanwhile, DEA-type adsorbent also exhibited high selectivity and rapid extraction for Au(III) from its mixed solution with Pt(IV) and Pd(II). After adsorption, the reduction of Au(III) was confirmed by XRD spectra, TEM, and digital micrograph images. The results indicated that nano-sized Au particles were mainly concentrated on the adsorbent in 5 mM HCl solution. In 1 M HCl solution, not only nano-sized Au particles were found, but also micro-size Au plates precipitation occurred. This study provides a novel material for selective and efficient gold uptake from aqueous solution.
The Acoustic Emission Method Implementation Proposition to Confirm the Presence and Assessment of Reinforcement Quality and Strength of Fiber–Cement Composites
Authors: Adamczak-Bugno Anna , Krampikowska Aleksandra
Published: July 2020

This article proposes to use the acoustic emission (AE) method to evaluate the degree of change in the mechanical parameters of fiber–cement boards. The research was undertaken after a literature review, due to the lack of a methodology that would allow nondestructive assessment of the strength of cement–fiber elements. The tests covered the components cut out from a popular type of board available on the construction market. The samples were subjected to environmental (soaking in water, cyclic freezing–thawing) and exceptional (burning with fire and exposure to high temperature) factors, and then to three-point bending strength tests. The adopted conditions correspond to the actual working environment of the boards. When applying the external load, AE signals were generated, which were then grouped into classes, and initially assigned to specific processes occurring in the material. The frequencies occurring over time for the tested samples were also analysed, and microscopic observations were made to confirm the suppositions based on the first part of the tests. Comparing the results obtained from a group of samples subjected to environmental and exceptional actions, significant differences were noted between them, which included the types of recorded signal class, the frequency of events, and the construction of the microstructure. The degradation of the structure, associated with damage to the fibers or their complete destruction, results in the generation under load of AE signals that indicate the uncontrolled development of scratches, and a decrease in the frequency of these events. According to the authors, the methodology used allows the control of cement–fiber boards in use. The registration and analysis of active processes under the effect of payloads makes it possible to distinguish mechanisms occurring inside the structure of the elements, and to formulate a quick response to the situation when the signals indicate a decrease in the strength of the boards.
Biobased Polyethylene Hybrid Composites with Natural Fiber: Mechanical, Thermal Properties, and Micromechanics
Authors: Bazan Patrycja , Nosal Przemysław , Kozub Barbara , Kuciel Stanisław
Published: July 2020

The work assumed the possibility of the introduction natural fibers as a hybrid reinforcement of bio-polyethylene composites. Coconut fibers, basalt fibers and wood flour were used in different combination as a hybrid merger. Mechanical tests were conducted. An increase in the mechanical properties was shown as an effect of the introduction of the fibers info the polymeric matrix. A synergic influence of hybrid reinforcement was also presented. Experimental results were compared with modeling parameters. The hydrothermal and accelerated thermal ageing effects on the mechanical behavior of composites were presented. Scanning electron microscope images were observed in order to analyze structure of examined composites.
Compositional Dependence of Pore Structure, Strengthand Freezing-Thawing Resistance of Metakaolin-Based Geopolymers
Authors: Yan Dongming , Xie Lingjun , Qian Xiaoqian , Ruan Shaoqin , Zeng Qiang
Published: July 2020

The understanding of the composition dependent properties and freezing-thawing (F-T) resistance of geopolymer materials is vital to their applications in cold regions. In this study, metakaolin-based geopolymer (MKG) mortars were fabricated by controlling the Si/Al ratio and the Na/Al ratio. The pore structure and strength were measured by mercury intrusion porosimetry and compression tests, respectively, which both showed obvious correlations with the material composition. Mass loss, strength loss, visual rate, and microscopic observation were adopted to assess the changes of the material properties and microstructure caused by F-T loads. The results showed that the strength-porosity relationship roughly followed a linear plot. Increases of the Si/Al ratio increased the capillary pore volume, but decreased the gel pore volume and the F-T resistance. Increases of the Na/Al ratio decreased the gel pore, but roughly enhanced the F-T resistance. The MKG mortar at the Na/Al ratio of 1.26 showed the lowest total pore volume and the best F-T resistance. The mechanisms of our experimental observations were that the abundantly distributed air voids connected by the capillary pores facilitated the relaxation of hydraulic pressures induced by the freezing of the pore liquid. The findings of this work help better clarify the compositional dependence of the pore structure, strength, and freezing-thawing resistance of MKG materials and provide fundamental bases for their engineering applications in cold regions.
Connections between Weighted Generalized Cumulative Residual Entropy and Variance
Authors: Toomaj Abdolsaeed , Di Crescenzo Antonio
Published: July 2020

A shift-dependent information measure is favorable to handle in some specific applied contexts such as mathematical neurobiology and survival analysis. For this reason, the weighted differential entropy has been introduced in the literature. In accordance with this measure, we propose the weighted generalized cumulative residual entropy as well. Despite existing apparent similarities between these measures, however, there are quite substantial and subtle differences between them because of their different metrics. In this paper, particularly, we show that the proposed measure is equivalent to the generalized cumulative residual entropy of the cumulative weighted random variable. Thus, we first provide expressions for the variance and the new measure in terms of the weighted mean residual life function and then elaborate on some characteristics of such measures, including equivalent expressions, stochastic comparisons, bounds, and connection with the excess wealth transform. Finally, we also illustrate some applications of interest in system reliability with reference to shock models and random minima.
Resource Exploitation in a Stochastic Horizon under Two Parametric Interpretations
Authors: López-Barrientos José Daniel , Gromova Ekaterina Viktorovna , Miroshnichenko Ekaterina Sergeevna
Published: July 2020

This work presents a two-player extraction game where the random terminal times follow (different) heavy-tailed distributions which are not necessarily compactly supported. Besides, we delve into the implications of working with logarithmic utility/terminal payoff functions. To this end, we use standard actuarial results and notation, and state a connection between the so-called actuarial equivalence principle, and the feedback controllers found by means of the Dynamic Programming technique. Our conclusions include a conjecture on the form of the optimal premia for insuring the extraction tasks; and a comparison for the intensities of the extraction for each player under different phases of the lifetimes of their respective machineries.
On a Class of Generalized Nonexpansive Mappings
Authors: Reich Simeon , Zaslavski Alexander J.
Published: July 2020

In our recent work we have introduced and studied a notion of a generalized nonexpansive mapping. In the definition of this notion the norm has been replaced by a general function satisfying certain conditions. For this new class of mappings, we have established the existence of unique fixed points and the convergence of iterates. In the present paper we construct an example of a generalized nonexpansive self-mapping of a bounded, closed and convex set in a Hilbert space, which is not nonexpansive in the classical sense.
Joint-Space Characterization of a Medical Parallel Robot Based on a Dual Quaternion Representation of SE(3)
Authors: Birlescu Iosif , Husty Manfred , Vaida Calin , Gherman Bogdan , Tucan Paul , Pisla Doina
Published: July 2020

The paper proposes a mathematical method for redefining motion parameterizations based on the joint-space representation of parallel robots. The study parameters of SE(3) are used to describe the robot kinematic chains, but, rather than directly analyzing the mobile platform motion, the joint-space of the mechanism is studied by eliminating the Study parameters. From the loop equations of the joint-space characterization, new parameterizations are defined, which enable the placement of a mobile frame on any mechanical element within the parallel robot. A case study is presented for a medical parallel robotic system in which the joint-space characterization is achieved and based on a new defined parameterization, the kinematics for displacement, velocities, and accelerations are studied. A numerical simulation is presented for the derived kinematic models, showing how the medical robot guides the medical tool (ultrasound probe) on an imposed trajectory.
On the Generalized Riesz Derivative
Authors: Li Chenkuan , Beaudin Joshua
Published: July 2020

The goal of this paper is to construct an integral representation for the generalized Riesz derivative R Z D x 2 s u ( x ) for k < s < k + 1 with k = 0 , 1 , ⋯ , which is proved to be a one-to-one and linearly continuous mapping from the normed space W k + 1 ( R ) to the Banach space C ( R ) . In addition, we show that R Z D x 2 s u ( x ) is continuous at the end points and well defined for s = 1 2 + k . Furthermore, we extend the generalized Riesz derivative R Z D x 2 s u ( x ) to the space C k ( R n ) , where k is an n-tuple of nonnegative integers, based on the normalization of distribution and surface integrals over the unit sphere. Finally, several examples are presented to demonstrate computations for obtaining the generalized Riesz derivatives.
Structural and Phase Evolution upon Annealing of Fe76Si9−xB10P5Mox (x = 0, 1, 2 and 3) Alloys
Authors: Perea Darling , Parra Carolina , Ramasamy Parthiban , Stoica Mihai , Eckert Jürgen , Bolívar Francisco , Echeverría Félix
Published: July 2020

Alloying elements play an important role in adjusting the magnetic and thermal properties of Fe-based amorphous alloys. In this work, the effect of Mo addition on the thermal stability, structural evolution, and magnetic properties of Fe76Si9B10P5 metallic glass was studied. The study revealed that the substitution of a small amount of Mo (1 at.%) for Si enhances the glass-forming ability (GFA) but reduces the thermal stability of the alloy, causing a reduction of the supercooled liquid region. Substitution of up to 3 at.% Mo for Si lowers the Curie temperature from 677 to 550 K and the saturation magnetization drops from 160 to 138 Am2/kg. The structural evolution was evaluated by annealing the glassy samples at different temperatures, revealing that the crystallization proceeds in multiple steps, beginning with the formation of different iron borides (FeB, Fe2B, FeB2 and Fe23B6) followed by transformation to a mixture of more stable phases.
Microstructure, Thermal Stability, and Catalytic Activity of Compounds Formed in CaO-SiO2-Cr(NO3)3-H2O System
Authors: Niuniavaite Domante , Baltakys Kestutis , Dambrauskas Tadas , Eisinas Anatolijus , Rubinaite Dovile , Jaskunas Andrius
Published: July 2020

In this work, the thermal stability, microstructure, and catalytic activity in oxidation reactions of calcium silicate hydrates formed in the CaO-SiO2-Cr(NO3)3-H2O system under hydrothermal conditions were examined in detail. Dry primary mixture with a molar ratio of CaO/SiO2 = 1.5 was mixed with Cr(NO3)3 solution (c = 10 g Cr3+/dm3) to reach a solution/solid ratio of the suspension of 10.0:1. Hydrothermal synthesis was carried out in unstirred suspensions at 175 °C for 16 h. It was determined that, after treatment, semicrystalline calcium silicate hydrates C-S-H(I) and/or C-S-H(II) with incorporated Cr3+ ions (100 mg/g) were formed. The results of in situ X-ray diffraction and simultaneous thermal analyses showed that the products were stable until 500 °C, while, at higher temperatures, they recrystallized to calcium chromate (CaCrO4, 550 °C) and wollastonite (800–850 °C). It was determined that both the surface area and the shape of the dominant pore changed during calcination. Propanol oxidation experiments showed that synthetic semicrystalline calcium silicate hydrates with intercalated chromium ions are able to exchange oxygen during the heterogeneous oxidation process. The obtained results were confirmed by XRD, STA, FT-IR, TEM, SEM, and BET methods, and by propanol oxidation experiments.
Soft Actuated Hybrid Hydrogel with Bioinspired Complexity to Control Mechanical Flexure Behavior for Tissue Engineering
Authors: Rial Ramón , Liu Zhen , Ruso Juan M.
Published: July 2020

Hydrogels exhibit excellent properties that enable them as nanostructured scaffolds for soft tissue engineering. However, single-component hydrogels have significant limitations due to the low versatility of the single component. To achieve this goal, we have designed and characterized different multi-component hydrogels composed of gelatin, alginate, hydroxyapatite, and a protein (BSA and fibrinogen). First, we describe the surface morphology of the samples and the main characteristics of the physiological interplay by using fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and confocal Raman microscopy. Then, their degradation and swelling were studied and mechanical properties were determined by rheology measurements. Experimental data were carefully collected and quantitatively analyzed by developing specific approaches and different theoretical models to determining the most important parameters. Finally, we determine how the nanoscale of the system influences its macroscopic properties and characterize the extent to which degree each component maintains its own functionality, demonstrating that with the optimal components, in the right proportion, multifunctional hydrogels can be developed.
Species, Sequence Types and Alleles: Dissecting Genetic Variation in Acanthamoeba
Authors: Fuerst Paul A. , Booton Gregory C.
Published: July 2020

Species designations within Acanthamoeba are problematic because of pleomorphic morphology. Molecular approaches, including DNA sequencing, hinted at a resolution that has yet to be fully achieved. Alternative approaches were required. In 1996, the Byers/Fuerst lab introduced the concept of sequence types. Differences between isolates of Acanthamoeba could be quantitatively assessed by comparing sequences of the nuclear 18S rRNA gene, ultimately producing 22 sequence types, designated T1 through T22. The concept of sequence types helps our understanding of Acanthamoeba evolution. Nevertheless, substantial variation in the 18S rRNA gene differentiates many isolates within each sequence type. Because the majority of isolates with sequences in the international DNA databases have been studied for only a small segment of the gene, designated ASA.S1, genetic variation within this hypervariable region of the 18S rRNA gene has been scrutinized. In 2002, we first categorized variation in this region in a sample of T3 and T4 isolates from Hong Kong, observing ten “alleles” within type T4 and five “alleles” within T3. Subsequently, confusion occurred when different labs applied redundant numerical labels to identify different alleles. A more unified approach was required. We have tabulated alleles occurring in the sequences submitted to the international DNA databases, and determined their frequencies. Over 150 alleles have occurred more than once within 3500+ isolates of sequence type T4. Results from smaller samples of other sequence types (T3, T5, T11 and T15, and supergroup T2/6) have also been obtained. Our results provide new insights into the evolutionary history of Acanthamoeba, further illuminating the degree of genetic separation between significant taxonomic units within the genus, perhaps eventually elucidating what constitutes a species of Acanthamoeba.
Neural Network Pricing of American Put Options
Authors: Gaspar Raquel M. , Lopes Sara D. , Sequeira Bernardo
Published: July 2020

In this study, we use Neural Networks (NNs) to price American put options. We propose two NN models—a simple one and a more complex one—and we discuss the performance of two NN models with the Least-Squares Monte Carlo (LSM) method. This study relies on American put option market prices, for four large U.S. companies—Procter and Gamble Company (PG), Coca-Cola Company (KO), General Motors (GM), and Bank of America Corp (BAC). Our dataset is composed of all options traded within the period December 2018 until March 2019. Although on average, both NN models perform better than LSM, the simpler model (NN Model 1) performs quite close to LSM. Moreover, the second NN model substantially outperforms the other models, having an RMSE ca. 40% lower than the presented by LSM. The lower RMSE is consistent across all companies, strike levels, and maturities. In summary, all methods present a good accuracy; however, after calibration, NNs produce better results in terms of both execution time and Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE).
Reconstruction and Efficient Visualization of Heterogeneous 3D City Models
Authors: Buyukdemircioglu Mehmet , Kocaman Sultan
Published: July 2020

The increasing efforts in developing smart city concepts are often coupled with three-dimensional (3D) modeling of envisioned designs. Such conceptual designs and planning are multi-disciplinary in their nature. Realistic implementations must include existing urban structures for proper planning. The development of a participatory planning and presentation platform has several challenges from scene reconstruction to high-performance visualization, while keeping the fidelity of the designs. This study proposes a framework for the integrated representation of existing urban structures in CityGML LoD2 combined with a future city model in LoD3. The study area is located in Sahinbey Municipality, Gaziantep, Turkey. Existing city parts and the terrain were reconstructed using high-resolution aerial images, and the future city was designed in a CAD (computer-aided design) environment with a high level of detail. The models were integrated through a high-resolution digital terrain model. Various 3D modeling approaches together with model textures and semantic data were implemented and compared. A number of performance tuning methods for efficient representation and visualization were also investigated. The study shows that, although the object diversity and the level of detail in the city models increase, automatic reconstruction, dynamic updating, and high-performance web-based visualization of the models remain challenging.
Real-Time Interference Artifacts Suppression in Array of ToF Sensors
Authors: Volak Jozef , Bajzik Jakub , Janisova Silvia , Koniar Dusan , Hargas Libor
Published: July 2020

Time of Flight (ToF) sensors are the source of various errors, including the multi-camera interference artifact caused by the parallel scanning mode of the sensors. This paper presents the novel Importance Map Based Median filtration algorithm for interference artifacts suppression, as the potential 3D filtration method. The approach is based on the processing of multiple depth frames, using the extraction of the interference region and application of the interpolation. Considering the limitations and good functionalities of proposed algorithm, the combination with some standard methods was suggested. Performance of the algorithm was evaluated on the dataset consisting of the real-world objects with different texture and morphology against popular filtering methods based on neural networks and statistics.
Trends in Compressive Sensing for EEG Signal Processing Applications
Authors: Gurve Dharmendra , Delisle-Rodriguez Denis , Bastos-Filho Teodiano , Krishnan Sridhar
Published: July 2020

The tremendous progress of big data acquisition and processing in the field of neural engineering has enabled a better understanding of the patient’s brain disorders with their neural rehabilitation, restoration, detection, and diagnosis. An integration of compressive sensing (CS) and neural engineering emerges as a new research area, aiming to deal with a large volume of neurological data for fast speed, long-term, and energy-saving purposes. Furthermore, electroencephalography (EEG) signals for brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) have shown to be very promising, with diverse neuroscience applications. In this review, we focused on EEG-based approaches which have benefited from CS in achieving fast and energy-saving solutions. In particular, we examine the current practices, scientific opportunities, and challenges of CS in the growing field of BCIs. We emphasized on summarizing major CS reconstruction algorithms, the sparse basis, and the measurement matrix used in CS to process the EEG signal. This literature review suggests that the selection of a suitable reconstruction algorithm, sparse basis, and measurement matrix can help to improve the performance of current CS-based EEG studies. In this paper, we also aim at providing an overview of the reconstruction free CS approach and the related literature in the field. Finally, we discuss the opportunities and challenges that arise from pushing the integration of the CS framework for BCI applications.
Body Condition Score Estimation Based on Regression Analysis Using a 3D Camera
Authors: Zin Thi Thi , Seint Pann Thinzar , Tin Pyke , Horii Yoichiro , Kobayashi Ikuo
Published: July 2020

The Body Condition Score (BCS) for cows indicates their energy reserves, the scoring for which ranges from very thin to overweight. These measurements are especially useful during calving, as well as early lactation. Achieving a correct BCS helps avoid calving difficulties, losses and other health problems. Although BCS can be rated by experts, it is time-consuming and often inconsistent when performed by different experts. Therefore, the aim of our system is to develop a computerized system to reduce inconsistencies and to provide a time-saving solution. In our proposed system, the automatic body condition scoring system is introduced by using a 3D camera, image processing techniques and regression models. The experimental data were collected on a rotary parlor milking station on a large-scale dairy farm in Japan. The system includes an application platform for automatic image selection as a primary step, which was developed for smart monitoring of individual cows on large-scale farms. Moreover, two analytical models are proposed in two regions of interest (ROI) by extracting 3D surface roughness parameters. By applying the extracted parameters in mathematical equations, the BCS is automatically evaluated based on measurements of model accuracy, with one of the two models achieving a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 3.9%, and a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.13.
Feature Sensing and Robotic Grasping of Objects with Uncertain Information: A Review
Authors: Wang Chao , Zhang Xuehe , Zang Xizhe , Liu Yubin , Ding Guanwen , Yin Wenxin , Zhao Jie
Published: July 2020

As there come to be more applications of intelligent robots, their task object is becoming more varied. However, it is still a challenge for a robot to handle unfamiliar objects. We review the recent work on the feature sensing and robotic grasping of objects with uncertain information. In particular, we focus on how the robot perceives the features of an object, so as to reduce the uncertainty of objects, and how the robot completes object grasping through the learning-based approach when the traditional approach fails. The uncertain information is classified into geometric information and physical information. Based on the type of uncertain information, the object is further classified into three categories, which are geometric-uncertain objects, physical-uncertain objects, and unknown objects. Furthermore, the approaches to the feature sensing and robotic grasping of these objects are presented based on the varied characteristics of each type of object. Finally, we summarize the reviewed approaches for uncertain objects and provide some interesting issues to be more investigated in the future. It is found that the object’s features, such as material and compactness, are difficult to be sensed, and the object grasping approach based on learning networks plays a more important role when the unknown degree of the task object increases.
Detecting Matching Blunders of Multi-Source Remote Sensing Images via Graph Theory
Authors: Deng Cailong , Yuan Xiuxiao , Deng Lixia , Chen Jun
Published: July 2020

Large radiometric and geometric distortion in multi-source images leads to fewer matching points with high matching blunder ratios, and global geometric relationship models between multi-sensor images are inexplicit. Thus, traditional matching blunder detection methods cannot work effectively. To address this problem, we propose two matching blunder detection methods based on graph theory. The proposed methods can build statistically significant clusters in the case of few matching points with high matching blunder ratios, and use local geometric similarity constraints to detect matching blunders when the global geometric relationship is not explicit. The first method (named the complete graph-based method) uses clusters constructed by matched triangles in complete graphs to encode the local geometric similarity of images, and it can detect matching blunders effectively without considering the global geometric relationship. The second method uses the triangular irregular network (TIN) graph to approximate a complete graph to reduce to computational complexity of the first method. We name this the TIN graph-based method. Experiments show that the two graph-based methods outperform the classical random sample consensus (RANSAC)-based method in recognition rate, false rate, number of remaining matching point pairs, dispersion, positional accuracy in simulated and real data (image pairs from Gaofen1, near infrared ray of Gaofen1, Gaofen2, panchromatic Landsat, Ziyuan3, Jilin1and unmanned aerial vehicle). Notably, in most cases, the mean false rates of RANSAC, the complete graph-based method and the TIN graph-based method in simulated data experiments are 0.50, 0.26 and 0.14, respectively. In addition, the mean positional accuracy (RMSE measured in units of pixels) of the three methods is 2.6, 1.4 and 1.5 in real data experiments, respectively. Furthermore, when matching blunder ratio is no higher than 50%, the computation time of the TIN graph-based method is nearly equal to that of the RANSAC-based method, and roughly 2 to 40 times less than that of the complete graph-based method.
Optimal Cluster Head Positioning Algorithm for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Khalifeh Ala’ , Abid Husam , Darabkh Khalid A.
Published: July 2020

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are increasingly gaining popularity, especially with the advent of many artificial intelligence (AI) driven applications and expert systems. Such applications require specific relevant sensors’ data to be stored, processed, analyzed, and input to the expert systems. Obviously, sensor nodes (SNs) have limited energy and computation capabilities and are normally deployed remotely over an area of interest (AoI). Therefore, proposing efficient protocols for sensing and sending data is paramount to WSNs operation. Nodes’ clustering is a widely used technique in WSNs, where the sensor nodes are grouped into clusters. Each cluster has a cluster head (CH) that is used to gather captured data of sensor nodes and forward it to a remote sink node for further processing and decision-making. In this paper, an optimization algorithm for adjusting the CH location with respect to the nodes within the cluster is proposed. This algorithm aims at finding the optimal CH location that minimizes the total sum of the nodes’ path-loss incurred within the intra-cluster communication links between the sensor nodes and the CH. Once the optimal CH is identified, the CH moves to the optimal location. This suggestion of CH re-positioning is frequently repeated for new geometric position. Excitingly, the algorithm is extended to consider the inter-cluster communication between CH nodes belonging to different clusters and distributed over a spiral trajectory. These CH nodes form a multi-hop communication link that convey the captured data of the clusters’ nodes to the sink destination node. The performance of the proposed CH positioning algorithm for the single and multi-clusters has been evaluated and compared with other related studies. The results showed the effectiveness of the proposed CH positioning algorithm.
Convolutional Neural Network and Motor Current Signature Analysis during the Transient State for Detection of Broken Rotor Bars in Induction Motors
Authors: Valtierra-Rodriguez Martin , Rivera-Guillen Jesus R. , Basurto-Hurtado Jesus A. , De-Santiago-Perez J. Jesus , Granados-Lieberman David , Amezquita-Sanchez Juan P.
Published: July 2020

Although induction motors (IMs) are robust and reliable electrical machines, they can suffer different faults due to usual operating conditions such as abrupt changes in the mechanical load, voltage, and current power quality problems, as well as due to extended operating conditions. In the literature, different faults have been investigated; however, the broken rotor bar has become one of the most studied faults since the IM can operate with apparent normality but the consequences can be catastrophic if the fault is not detected in low-severity stages. In this work, a methodology based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for automatic detection of broken rotor bars by considering different severity levels is proposed. To exploit the capabilities of CNNs to carry out automatic image classification, the short-time Fourier transform-based time–frequency plane and the motor current signature analysis (MCSA) approach for current signals in the transient state are first used. In the experimentation, four IM conditions were considered: half-broken rotor bar, one broken rotor bar, two broken rotor bars, and a healthy rotor. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposal, achieving 100% of accuracy in the diagnosis task for all the study cases.
Sociodemographic Determinants of Physical Activity and Sport Participation among Women in the United States
Authors: Pharr Jennifer R. , Lough Nancy L. , Terencio Angela M.
Published: July 2020

Regular physical activity and sport participation have been shown to improve women’s health; however, research has found that better health is associated with sport participation. Little is known about the sociodemographic determinants of physical activity among women, especially among the different subcategories of physical activity (sport, conditioning exercise, recreation, and household tasks). Because of the added health benefits associated with sport participation, the purpose of this study was to examine the sociodemographic determinants among subcategories of physically active women in the United States by analyzing Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data. We used data from the 2017 national BRFSS survey to conduct this secondary data analysis. Participants were asked an extensive set of questions about their physical activity. Seventy-six different activities were identified and categorized as either sport, recreation, conditioning exercise, or household tasks. Weighted descriptive statistics were performed to describe the sociodemographic determinants of the four physical activity subcategories, including age, income, education, employment, and race/ethnicity. There were significant differences in all sociodemographic variables among the four subcategories of physical activity. Women who participated in sport were more likely to be in the younger age groups; however, physical activity declined among all subcategories beyond the age of 64. Women who participated in sports were more diverse, likely to be employed, and college graduates compared to the other subcategories. Women who participated in recreational or household tasks were more likely to meet the criteria to be categorized as highly active; however, they exercised at a lower intensity. The sociodemographic characteristics of physical activity and sport participation can be used to create promotional strategies to increase physical activity and improve fitness and health among women who tend towards participation, and also to change programs to accommodate women from other sociodemographic groups.
Evaluation of Flood Risk Management in Japan through a Recent Case
Authors: Fan Juan , Huang Guangwei
Published: July 2020

Major disasters cause loss of life and serious disturbance to livelihoods. Integrative and innovative risk management is needed to reduce the impacts of such a disturbance. To pursue this, a better understanding of the current level of disaster risk management is indispensible. Following this line of thinking, the present work was intended to evaluate the various aspects of flood risk management in Japan using a recent case of major flooding that occurred last autumn as a result of a major storm. The focus was on the vulnerability assessment for the disaster-stricken area using various kinds of information including topographic features, land use, flood warning system, evacuation behavior, levee structure, insurance system and government support for recovery. Such an integrative assessment shed new light on vulnerability-generating mechanisms. In particular, it found that the disaster-stricken area has a high level of coping capacity related to flood disasters. However, the high level of coping capacity hinders the reduction of susceptibility to the impacts of flooding. Based on this finding, a new, simple but operational vulnerability management framework was proposed, which may help decision-makers prioritize actions for vulnerability reduction.
Mucosal Vaccination with UV-Inactivated Chlamydia suis in Pre-Exposed Outbred Pigs Decreases Pathogen Load and Induces CD4 T-Cell Maturation into IFN-γ+ Effector Memory Cells
Authors: Amaral Amanda F. , Rahman Khondaker S. , Kick Andrew R. , Cortes Lizette M. , Robertson James , Kaltenboeck Bernhard , Gerdts Volker , O’Connell Catherine M. , Poston Taylor B. , Zheng Xiaojing , Liu Chuwen , Omesi Sam Y. , Darville Toni , Käser Tobias
Published: July 2020

Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) infections are the most frequent bacterial sexually transmitted disease, and they can lead to ectopic pregnancy and infertility. Despite these detrimental long-term sequelae, a vaccine is not available. Success in preclinical animal studies is essential for vaccines to move to human clinical trials. Pigs are the natural host to Chlamydia suis (Cs)—a chlamydia species closely related to Ct, and are susceptible to Ct, making them a valuable animal model for Ct vaccine development. Before making it onto market, Ct vaccine candidates must show efficacy in a high-risk human population. The high prevalence of human Ct infection combined with the fact that natural infection does not result in sterilizing immunity, results in people at risk likely having been pre-exposed, and thus having some level of underlying non-protective immunity. Like human Ct, Cs is highly prevalent in outbred pigs. Therefore, the goal of this study was to model a trial in pre-exposed humans, and to determine the immunogenicity and efficacy of intranasal Cs vaccination in pre-exposed outbred pigs. The vaccine candidates consisted of UV-inactivated Cs particles in the presence or absence of an adjuvant (TriAdj). In this study, both groups of vaccinated pigs had a lower Cs burden compared to the non-vaccinated group; especially the TriAdj group induced the differentiation of CD4+ cells into tissue-trafficking CCR7- IFN-γ-producing effector memory T cells. These results indicate that Cs vaccination of pre-exposed pigs effectively boosts a non-protective immune response induced by natural infection; moreover, they suggest that a similar approach could be applied to human vaccine trials.
Intraneural synovial sarcoma of median nerve
Authors: Bhardwaj Sandeep , Kansal Anil , Bansil Rohit , Singh Rakesh , Sharma Akangsha
Published: July 2020

Synovial sarcomas are highly aggressive soft tissue tumour with a poor and dismal prognosis. These tumours have a high propensity for distant metastasis and local recurrence.  Although originally believed to arise from synovium, these tumours have been found to occur anywhere in body [1],[2]. We report here, a case of median nerve sarcoma in a 15-year female. This is a rare tumour, which is diagnosed only after histopathological examination with only a few cases reported in the literature (Table 1). Although preoperatively tumour was thought to be a nerve sheath tumour, on histopathology analysis was found to be synovial sarcoma. Despite aggressive behaviour, wide local excision is recommended even in smaller lesions. So, the diagnosis should always be kept in differentials of nerve sheath tumour, as what may be a synovial sarcoma.
International approaches to solving the water problem in the CIS countries (on the example of the Republic of Azerbaijan)
Authors: Akhmadov E.N. , Vardomsky L.B.
Published: July 2020

In conditions when the water factor is increasingly affecting the economic development of the CIS countries, the adoption and implementation of modern technological and organizational and managerial decisions on the most effective use of water become an urgent, imperative necessity. This is all the more so because, on the one hand, the decarbonization recommended by the UN cannot be considered as the main means of solving the water problem in the economies of the Commonwealth States. On the other hand, reducing the water capacity of these economies can both accelerate their technological renewal, and become a factor in reducing the negative climate changes occurring in the post-Soviet-Eurasian area. Starting from these considerations, the authors of the article use the example of Azerbaijan — a country with limited water resources — to identify ways to modernize the water management system. This management reform is designed to address aspects of the water problem related not only to climate change, water pollution and large losses during delivery to consumers, but also to the water management policies of neighboring States located upstream of the main rivers. According to the author’s final conclusion, the experience of Azerbaijan shows a very significant role of various formats of international cooperation in the creation of effective national integrated water resources management systems in the CIS countries.
Structural changes in the economies of the Visegrad Group’s countries
Authors: Chetverikova A.S.
Published: July 2020

The article analyzes the changes in the economies of the Visegrad group over the past decade. The dynamics of the main indicators, including indicators of the industry structure and employment structure, as well as the world economic (global) competitiveness of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland, are considered. The issue of the innovation sphere of the «four», its features against the background of pan-European trends, is touched upon. The main factors and limitations of development of these countries are highlighted. The main characteristics of the Visegrad model and its impact on the participating countries are identified.
HUKUM LINGKUNGAN EFFEKTIVITAS SANKSI PIDANA DALAM PENEGAKAN HUKUM LINGKUNGAN
Authors: Situmeang Sahat Maruli Tua
Published: July 2020

ABSTRACT

 

Application sanctions for the perpetrators of environmental crime whether committed by individuals and carried out by the corporation can be executed by means of administrative law, civil law or through criminal law. Of some sanctions in its application should be through a thorough and careful assessment in accordance with the characteristics, objectives and benefits of the application of sanctions. In this study, the authors conducted a study on the application of sanctions for perpetrators of environmental crimes, either in the form of administrative sanctions, and sanctions in the form of a court decision which is done through a civil action or criminal sanctions proposed by puitusan court investigator, so they will know particularly the effectiveness of any sanctions to be imposed criminal sanctions against the perpetrators of environmental crimes. The research method used in this research using normative juridical research method, by studying legal norms that exist that can be used as a guide for the implementation of laws that already exist. Through this study, the researcher has an opinion that the sanctions that are considered most effective to be applied to the perpetrators of environmental crime and the enforcement of environmental laws, namely by means of administrative law with the form of sanctions to freeze and / or revoke the business license of each corporation who have committed crimes environment.

 

Keywords: Environmental Crimes, Penalties Law, Environmental Law Enforcement

 

ABSTRAK

 

Penegakan hukum bagi para pelaku kejahatan lingkungan hidup telah diatur dalam bentuk sanksi sebagaimana yang telah dimuat dalam Undang-undang Nomor 32 Tahun 2009 Tentang Perlindungan dan Pengelolaan Lingkungan Hidup.  Penerapakan sanksi bagi para pelaku kejahatan lingkungan hidup  baik yang dilakukan oleh perorangan maupun yang diakukan oleh korporasi dapat dijalankan melalui sarana hukum adminstrasi, hukum perdata maupun melalui hukum pidana. Dari beberapa sanksi yang telah diatur dalam Undang-undang Nomor 32 Tahun 2009 tersebut dalam penerapannya haruslah melalui suatu kajian secara seksama dan cermat sesuai dengan karakteristik, tujuan dan manfaat dari penerapan sanksi tersebut. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui efektifitas dari suatu sanksi, terlebih sanksi pidana yang akan dijatuhkan terhadap para pelaku kejahatan lingkungan hidup melalui metode penelitian yuridis normatif,  yaitu dengan mempelajari norma-norma hukum yang ada yang dapat digunakan sebagai suatu  panduan untuk terlaksananya undang-undang yang telah ada. Melalui penelitian ini, peneliti  memiliki suatu pendapat bahwa penerapan sanksi yang dianggap paling effektif  untuk diterapkan bagi para pelaku kejahatan lingkungan hidup dan dalam rangka penegakan hukum lingkungan yaitu melalui sarana hukum administrasi dengan bentuk sanksi membekukan dan/atau mencabut ijin usaha setiap korporasi yang melakukan kejahatan lingkungan.

Kata kunci : Kejahatan Lingkungan Hidup, Sanksi Hukum, Penegakan Hukum Lingkungan