bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimizing Residual Networks and VGG for Classification of EEG Signals: Identifying Ideal Channels for Emotion Recognition
Authors: Cheah Kit Hwa , Nisar Humaira , Yap Vooi Voon , Lee Chen-Yi , Sinha G. R.
Published: March 2021

Emotion is a crucial aspect of human health, and emotion recognition systems serve important roles in the development of neurofeedback applications. Most of the emotion recognition methods proposed in previous research take predefined EEG features as input to the classification algorithms. This paper investigates the less studied method of using plain EEG signals as the classifier input, with the residual networks (ResNet) as the classifier of interest. ResNet having excelled in the automated hierarchical feature extraction in raw data domains with vast number of samples (e.g., image processing) is potentially promising in the future as the amount of publicly available EEG databases has been increasing. Architecture of the original ResNet designed for image processing is restructured for optimal performance on EEG signals. The arrangement of convolutional kernel dimension is demonstrated to largely affect the model’s performance on EEG signal processing. The study is conducted on the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Emotion EEG Dataset (SEED), with our proposed ResNet18 architecture achieving 93.42% accuracy on the 3-class emotion classification, compared to the original ResNet18 at 87.06% accuracy. Our proposed ResNet18 architecture has also achieved a model parameter reduction of 52.22% from the original ResNet18. We have also compared the importance of different subsets of EEG channels from a total of 62 channels for emotion recognition. The channels placed near the anterior pole of the temporal lobes appeared to be most emotionally relevant. This agrees with the location of emotion-processing brain structures like the insular cortex and amygdala.
Gingivitis Effectiveness of Emulgel Containing 2% Resveratrol in Orthodontic Patients: An 8-Week Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Golshah Amin , Mirzaeei Shahla , Nikkerdar Nafiseh , Ghorbani Fatemeh
Published: March 2021

Background. Treatment of gingivitis in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment is done through different methods. Anti-inflammatory agents present in toothpaste or mouthwash are applied spontaneously by patients or used as professional treatment protocols. The present study aimed to investigate the gingivitis effectiveness of Emulgel containing 2% resveratrol in orthodontic patients. Methods. The study was conducted in three groups, namely, experimental, placebo, and control. In the experimental group, participants used an Emulgel containing 2% resveratrol. In the placebo group, subjects used an identical Emulgel without the active components in the test formulations. After brushing their teeth, the participants learned how to use 5 ml of Emulgel on the gums and massage every night for 30 s. In the control group, subjects were instructed to massage their gums for 30 s every night without any product. Evaluated criteria included bleeding on probing (BOP), gingival index (GI), hyperplastic index (HI), and probing pocket depth (PPD). Result. During 4 and 8 weeks of the study, the PPD score in the control group did not change significantly but decreased in both groups. Also, there was a decrease in the PPD score in the experimental group compared to the placebo and control groups. Similarly, in the experimental group, continuous use of Emulgel containing 2% resveratrol reduced the HI and GI scores significantly at 4 and 8 weeks after the start of the study. Here, the decrease in GI and HI scores in the experimental group was higher than that of the other groups. Conclusions. The Emulgel containing 2% resveratrol is effective in improving gingival health in orthodontic patients and can lower gingival inflammation over 8 weeks. This trial is registered with the Iranian registry of clinical trials (https://irct.ir/) IRCT20130812014333N91.
An Efficient Procedure for Inserting Buffers to Generate Robust Berth Plans in Container Terminals
Authors: Wu Yangcan , Miao Lixin
Published: March 2021

Uncertainty is an inevitable aspect of seaside operations in container terminals. Operators therefore need to find robust plans that can resist the impact of uncertainties. Instead of solving a stochastic berth allocation problem, this paper proposes an efficient procedure for inserting buffers into baseline berth plans to strengthen the schedule stability. Such a method is highly versatile and compatible with various solutions to berth allocation problem with different objectives. Numerical results obtained by using simulation on a representative set of instances of the problem are reported; these indicate that the proposed procedure not only increases the flexibility of operations with minor loss of resource utilization but also addresses the impact of service priority. Hence, the contribution in this paper will provide a short path that bridges the gap between berth allocation problem in deterministic and stochastic circumstances.
Simple Adaptive Control‐Based Reconfiguration Design of Cabin Pressure Control System
Authors: Zhang Zhao , Yang Zhong , Xiong Si , Chen Shuang , Liu Shuchang , Zhang Xiaokai
Published: March 2021

The Cabin Pressure Control System (CPCS) is an essential part of the aviation environmental control system that ensures aircraft structure and flight crew safety. However, the CPCS usually has potential faults of sensors and actuators. To this end, a Simple Adaptive Control‐ (SAC‐) based reconfiguration method is proposed to compensate for the above adverse effects. Some good pressure control performance of CPCS can be achieved by the basic pressure controller when the system is in normal operation. A parallel feedforward compensator is designed to guarantee the closed‐loop system’s stability and the almost strictly positive realness of the augmented system. Thus, the simple adaptive controller can be utilized for the CPCS. In particular, the reconfiguration system can update the control law online when the fault occurs without the system identification process. The reference model is obtained by mathematical model linearization after considering the mechanical characteristics of the CPCS. Extensive simulations under various typical fault scenarios are carried out throughout the entire flight envelope of the aircraft from take‐off to landing. Simulation results validate the robustness and reconfiguration control capability of the proposed method.
Theoretical Analysis of Mining Induced Overburden Subsidence Boundary with the Horizontal Coal Seam Mining
Authors: Yan Weitao , Chen Junjie , Tan Yi , Zhang Wenzhi , Cai Lailiang
Published: March 2021

The overburden subsidence induced by underground mining has caused great damage to the ecological environmental and seriously threatens the safe use of underground structures. Focusing on the overburden subsidence, this paper uses theoretical analysis method to study the overburden subsidence boundary with a horizontal coal seam mining. In this paper, the viscoelastic theory and the random medium theory are used separately to deduce and analyze the subsidence boundary of bedrock and unconsolidated stratum, which are two media with different lithology. For bedrock, the results show that the subsidence boundary of bedrock is 1/4 of the wavelength of pressure wave from the mining boundary, strata subsidence boundary expands with the increase of vertical distance between calculated strata and coal seam, and the subsidence boundary in bedrock is an upward concave curve. For unconsolidated stratum, the results show that the larger the internal friction angle, the greater the angle between subsidence boundary and horizontal line. From the bottom to the surface of the unconsolidated stratum, the internal friction angle decreases gradually and the angle between subsidence boundary and horizontal line also decreases gradually, so the subsidence boundary curve in the unconsolidated stratum is convex. Combined with the bedrock and unconsolidated stratum, it is concluded that the subsidence boundary of the whole overburden is bowl‐shaped. This study is helpful to reveal the black box of rock subsidence and can provide theoretical support for the establishment of overburden subsidence prediction model and transparent mine in the later stage.
Efficacy and Safety of EUS-Guided Choledochoduodenostomy Using Electrocautery-Enhanced Lumen-Apposing Metal Stents (ECE-LAMS) in the Treatment of Biliary Obstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Peng Zuxiang , Li Shan , Tang Yongliang , Wei Wanjie , Pi Ruxian , Liang Xianchun , Wan Yafeng , Liu Hongming
Published: March 2021

Background. Electrocautery-enhanced lumen-apposing metal stents (ECE-LAMS) have been newly developed to perform EUS-guided choledochoduodenostomy (EUS-CDS), but its benefits and harms remain obscure. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EUS-CDS using ECE-LAMS. Method. In the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), we searched PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases through January 1, 2001, and April 27, 2020. The primary outcomes of the pooled analysis were to determine the technical success, clinical success, and overall adverse events rates. The secondary outcomes were pooled rates of short-term and long-term adverse events. Results. Six studies with 270 patients were finally included in this meta-analysis. The pooled rates of technical, clinical success, and adverse events were 95.1% (95% CI = 90.6–97.5%, I2 = 25%), 93.3% (95% CI = 87.4–96.5%, I2 = 28%), and 15.3% (95% CI = 10.6–21.6%, I2 = 13%), respectively. The pooled rates of short-term and long-term adverse events were 3.6% (95% CI = 1.3–9.6%, I2 = 0%) and 11.3% (95% CI = 7.6–16.5%, I2 = 0%), respectively. Conclusion. EUS-CDS using ECE-LAMS provides favorable outcomes in patients with biliary obstruction. It has been associated with a higher success rate and a lower rate of adverse events when compared with the biliary drainage approaches previously used. Large and randomized controlled observational studies are required to further refine the findings in the present analysis.
Sinus Node Dysfunction due to Occlusion of the Sinus Node Artery during Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Koren Ofir , Antonelli Dante , Khamaise Ranya , Ehrenberg Scott , Rozner Ehud , Turgeman Yoav
Published: March 2021

Background. Sinus node artery occlusion (SNO) is a rare complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We analyze both the short- and long-term consequences of SNO. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed 1379 consecutive PCI’s involving RCA and Cx arteries performed in our heart institute from 2016 to 2019. Median follow-up was 44 ± 5 months. Results. Among the 4844 PCIs performed during the study period, 284 involved the RCA and the circumflex’s proximal segment. Periprocedural SNO was estimated by angiography observed in 15 patients (5.3%), all originated from RCA. The majority of SNO occurred during urgent and primary PCIs following acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Sinus node dysfunction (SND) appeared in 12 (80%) of patients. Four (26.6%) patients had sinus bradycardia, which resolved spontaneously, and 8 (53.3%) patients had sinus arrest with an escaped nodal rhythm, which mostly responded to medical treatment during the first 24 hours. There was no association between PCI technique and outcome. Three patients (20%) required urgent temporary ventricular pacing. One patient had permanent pacemaker implantation. Pacemaker interrogation during follow-up revealed a recovery of the sinus node function after one month. Conclusion. SNO is rare and seen mostly during angioplasty to the proximal segment of the RCA during ACS. The risk of developing sinus node dysfunction following SNO is high. SND usually appears during the first 24 h of PCI. The majority of SND patients responded to medical treatment, and only in rare cases were permanent pacemakers required.
Uniaxial Compression Mechanical Analysis of Cylindrical Rock Specimens Based on Space Axisymmetric Problem
Authors: Li Jianguang , Wang Yanchun , Su Chuanqi
Published: March 2021

The common failure forms in the uniaxial compression test of standard cylindrical rock specimens are symmetric cone failure and splitting failure. In the past, two kinds of failure forms were explained from the plane problems of elasticity theory. However, there was a lack of research based on space problems. In this paper, based on spatial axisymmetric elastic mechanics theory, three‐dimensional stress function is constructed for the cylindrical rock specimen under uniform axial compression by adopting the semi‐inverse method. According to the stress function, the stress components and the principal stress are deduced when considering the end effect. The failure form is speculated, which can well explain the two common types of damage in uniaxial compression. This work may enrich the basic research of rock mechanics.
Reliability Analysis of Gasifier Lock Bucket Valve System Based on DBN Method
Authors: Liu Ming , Ma Jiayue , Duo Yili , Sun Tie
Published: March 2021

In order to solve the problem of zero-failure data and dynamic failure in gasification system, a dynamic Bayesian network (DBN) combined with Monte Carlo simulations is proposed to analyze the reliability of the gasifier lock bucket valve system. On the basis of studying the structure of the gasifier lock bucket valve system, the reliability model of the system is built based on DBN, and the structure learning is realized. The Monte Carlo simulation is used for the timed ending test in Bayesian estimation, which effectively solves the problem of zero-failure data and realizes the parameter learning. Through the Metropolis-Hastings (M-Hs) algorithm, the prior distribution of dynamic node is randomly sampled to obtain the target distribution, which makes the reliability predictive inference for DBN of the gasifier lock bucket valve system faster and more accurate. The obtained reliability prediction is a curve varying with time. The results show that the valve frequent switch node of DBN of the gasifier lock bucket valve system is identified as the weak link by the powerful reverse inference for DBN, which needs to be paid more attention to. This method can effectively improve the maintenance level of the gasifier lock bucket valve system and can effectively reduce the possibility of accidents.
Compliance to a Five-Year Biannual Ivermectin Treatment for Onchocerciasis Elimination and Its Determinants among Adults in the Bench Maji Zone, Southwest Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Kifle Bedilu , Nigatu Mamo
Published: March 2021

Background. Community-directed treatment with ivermectin twice a year is a major action to control onchocerciasis in endemic countries. Even though the community-directed treatment with ivermectin was proven effective in treating the disease, the level of compliance to the treatment and its contributing factors was not well addressed in our study area. Therefore, the current study was aimed at determining the magnitude of compliance with the five-year (2013-2017 years) biannual ivermectin treatment and its associated factors among adults living in the Bench Maji Zone, Ethiopia. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study was done on 572 randomly selected people aged greater than or equal to 15 years. Data were collected by a face-to-face interview. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize descriptive data. Binary logistic regression was done to assess statistical associations. Adjusted odds ratio and its 95% CI were, respectively, used to measure the strength of statistical association and its significance. Result. Five hundred fifty-three (553) people had participated in the study making the response rate 96.7%. The overall magnitude of compliance to the five-year biannual ivermectin treatment was 361 (65.3%). The results of the multivariable logistic regression showed that age, positive attitude towards community drug distributers’ performance, positive attitude towards height measurement for the treatment dose determination, and involvement in community-directed treatment with ivermectin were independently associated with compliance to ivermectin treatment at

P

value < 0.05. Conclusions. Even though the Ethiopian government has set a goal to eliminate onchocerciasis through community-directed treatment with the ivermectin, which is proven effective in treating the disease, the magnitude of compliance with the treatment among adults aged ≥15 years in the Semen Bench District is still unacceptably low. The Bench Maji Zonal Health Department and other stakeholders working on onchocerciasis prevention, control, and elimination should give due emphasis to behavioral change communication through community-based education and other social media to promote community’s awareness on community-directed treatment with ivermectin giving due focus to adults aged 45 years and above.
Co-Infection with COVID-19 and Malaria in a Young Man
Authors: Eid Mustafa Mahmood
Published: March 2021

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by Plasmodium protozoa, which can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated promptly. COVID-19 is a newly emerging disease that can affect different body systems; however, the respiratory system is mainly reported. This case describes a 20-year-old man who presented with fever and joint pain and was found to have P. falciparum malaria in addition to a positive SARS-CoV-2 test. The patient improved after he was treated with antimalarial medications in addition to supportive therapy. A co-infection of malaria and COVID-19 can occur. Thus, more studies need to be conducted on this co-infection. Besides, other diagnoses should be highly suspected in patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially in vulnerable patients.
Pre-Procedural COVID-19 Nasopharyngeal Swab Has Good Concordance with Bronchoalveolar Lavage in Patients at Low Risk for Viral Infection
Authors: Oberg Catherine L. , Ronaghi Reza , Folch Erik E. , Channick Colleen L. , He Tao , Susanto Irawan , Oh Scott S.
Published: March 2021

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has drastically affected hospital and operating room (OR) workflow around the world as well as trainee education. Many institutions have instituted mandatory preoperative SARS-CoV-2 PCR nasopharyngeal swab (NS) testing in patients who are low risk for COVID-19 prior to elective cases. This method, however, is challenging as the sensitivity, specificity, and overall reliability of testing remains unclear. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the concordance of a negative NS in low risk preoperative patients with lower airway bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens obtained from the same patients. Methods: We prospectively sent intraoperative lower airway BAL samples collected within 48 h of a negative mandatory preoperative NS for SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing. All adult patients undergoing a scheduled bronchoscopic procedure for any reason were enrolled, including elective and nonelective cases. Results: One-hundred eighty-nine patients were included. All BAL specimens were negative for SARS-CoV-2 indicative of 100% concordance between testing modalities. Conclusions: These results are promising and suggest that preoperative nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 testing provides adequate screening to rule out active COVID-19 infection prior to OR cases in a population characterized as low risk by negative symptom screening. This information can be used for both pre-procedural screening and when reintroducing trainees into the workforce.
Efficacy of Electroacupuncture Combined with Tropisetron in Treating Carboprost Tromethamine-Induced Nausea and Vomiting during Cesarean Section under Lumbar Anesthesia
Authors: Yu Lili , Yao Zhongyan , Wei Qianjie , Qu Min , Yang Qiang , Chang Yulin
Published: March 2021

Objective: We evaluated the efficacy of electroacupuncture combined with tropisetron in treating carboprost tromethamine-induced nausea and vomiting during cesarean section under lumbar anesthesia. Methods: A total of 264 patients aged 22–40 years were enrolled, who received carboprost tromethamine and suffered nausea and vomiting during cesarean section under lumbar anesthesia. The patients were divided randomly into the control group, electroacupuncture group, tropisetron group, and electroacupuncture + tropisetron group. Results: Compared to the control group, the nausea and vomiting scores decreased at T3 in both the electroacupuncture and electroacupuncture + tropisetron groups, and decreased at T4 in the electroacupuncture group, tropisetron group, and electroacupuncture + tropisetron group; the motilin, gastrin, and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels decreased at T5 in the other 3 groups. Compared to the electroacupuncture + tropisetron group, the nausea and vomiting scores increased at T3 in the control and tropisetron groups, and increased at T4 in the other 3 groups; the motilin, gastrin, and 5-HT levels increased at T5. Conclusions: Our study suggested that electroacupuncture combined with tropisetron could effectively relieve carboprost tromethamine-induced nausea and vomiting during cesarean section under lumbar anesthesia. The effect was better than its single application, and the reduced 5-HT, motilin, and gastrin levels might be involved in the underlying mechanism.
Disease Burden, Risk Factors, and Recent Trends of Liver Cancer: A Global Country-Level Analysis
Authors: Huang Junjie , Lok Veeleah , Ngai Chun Ho , Chu Cedric , Patel Harsh K. , Thoguluva Chandraseka Viveksandeep , Zhang Lin , Chen Ping , Wang Shanjuan , Lao Xiang-Qian , Tse Lap Ah , Xu Wanghong , Zheng Zhi-Jie , Wong Martin C.S.
Published: March 2021

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the updated disease burden, risk factors, and temporal trends of liver cancer based on age, sex, and country. Methods: We estimated the incidence of liver cancer and its attribution to hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in 2018 based on the Global Cancer Observatory and World Health Organization (WHO) Cancer Causes database. We extracted the prevalence of risk factors from the WHO Global Health Observatory to examine the associations by weighted linear regression. The trend analysis used data from the Cancer Incidence in Five Continents and the WHO mortality database from 48 countries. Temporal patterns of incidence and mortality were calculated using average annual percent change (AAPC) by joinpoint regression analysis. Results: The global incidence of liver cancer was (age-standardized rate [ASR]) 9.3 per 100,000 population in 2018, and there was an evident disparity in the incidence related to HBV (ASR 0.2–41.2) and HCV (ASR 0.4–43.5). A higher HCV/HBV-related incidence ratio was associated with a higher level of alcohol consumption (β 0.49), overweight (β 0.51), obesity (β 0.64), elevated cholesterol (β 0.70), gross domestic product (β 0.20), and Human Development Index (HDI; β 0.45). An increasing trend in incidence was identified in many countries, especially for male individuals, population aged ≥50 years, and countries with a higher HCV/HBV-related liver cancer incidence ratio. Countries with the most drastic increase in male incidence were reported in India (AAPC 7.70), Ireland (AAPC 5.60), Sweden (AAPC 5.72), the UK (AAPC 5.59), and Norway (AAPC 4.87). Conclusion: We observed an overall increasing trend of liver cancer, especially among male subjects, older individuals, and countries with a higher prevalence of HCV-related liver cancer. More efforts are needed in enhancing lifestyle modifications and accessibility of antiviral treatment for these populations. Future studies should investigate the reasons behind these epidemiological changes.
Data Mining In A Vibration Analysis Domain By Extracting Symbolic Rules From Rbf Neural Networks
Authors: Rashidifar Mohammad Amin , Rashidifar Ali Amin , Ahmadi Darvish
Published: March 2021

Neural networks are becoming an increasingly popular technique for modelling data with complex and/or non-linear relationships. Diagnostic systems for condition monitoring applications fall particularly into this category, especially those using spectral vibration data. However, neural networks do have some major disadvantages compared with rule based diagnostic systems. The most important criticism is the lack of any explanation system, which would open up the neural networks internal operation for scrutiny. This paper illustrates how the internal parameters of an RBF network can be converted into symbolic rule format. The rule extraction algorithm and is described in detail
Development of Computed Tomography Scanner Application: Prototype Model Approach
Authors: Mohd Yusoff Mohd Soyapi , Sulaiman R. , Shafinah K. , Fatihah R. , Abdullah J.
Published: March 2021

The development of software application for image reconstruction system is essential in the research study of computed tomography (CT). An experimental prototype was the research tool used in developing a series of useful prototype to evaluate the reconstruction methods. A CT scanner software prototype was created using the MATLAB image processing toolbox together with the Graphical User Interface (GUI) and Graphical User Interface Development Environment (GUIDE). The prototype model was selected to guide the development of the prototype application and mainly to provide a platform to update a system from the available knowledge. The prototype model was capable in creating a CT scanner synthetic datasets, display a sinogram image from the synthetic datasets, construct images using back projection technique and displaying cross-section images. Two types of images were acquired from this research, the first type was the unfiltered and blurred image and the second type was the filtered and clear image. This research also focused on two-dimensional parallel-beam and fan-beam geometry configuration; the principle of transforming fan-beam datasets into parallel-beam datasets was carried out using the classical rebinning concept.
Embedded Software Testing to Determine BCM5354 Processor Performance
Authors: Naik Dessai Sanket Suresh , Eswer Varuna
Published: March 2021

Efficiency of a processor is a critical factor for an embedded system. One of the deciding factors for efficiency is the functioning of the L1 cache and Translation Lookaside Buffer (TLB). Certain processors have the L1 cache and TLB managed by the operating system, MIPS32 is one such processor. The performance of the L1 cache and TLB necessitates a detailed study to understand its management during varied load on the processor. This paper presents an implementation of embedded testing procedure to analyse the performance of the MIPS32 processor L1 cache and TLB management by the operating system (OS). The implementation proposed for embedded testing in the paper considers the counting of the respective cache and TLB management instruction execution, which is an event that is measurable with the use of dedicated counters. The lack of hardware counters in the MIPS32 processor results in the usage of software based event counters that are defined in the kernel. This paper implements embedding testbed with a subset of MIPS32 processor performance measurement metrics using software based counters. Techniques were developed to overcome the challenges posed by the kernel source code. To facilitate better understanding of the testbed implementation procedure of the software based processor performance counters; use-case analysis diagram, flow charts, screen shots, and knowledge nuggets are supplemented along with histograms of the cache and TLB events data generated by the proposed implementation. In this testbed twenty-seven metrics have been identified and implemented to provide data related to the events of the L1 cache and TLB on the MIPS32 processor. The generated data can be used in tuning of compiler, OS memory management design, system benchmarking, scalability, analysing architectural issues, address space analysis, understanding bus communication, kernel profiling, and workload characterisation.
A Survey of Model Comparison Strategies and Techniques in Model Driven Engineering
Authors: Rashid Junaid , Mehmood Waqar , Nisar Muhammad Wasif
Published: March 2021

This Survey paper shows the recent state of model comparison as it’s applies to Model Driven engineering. In Model Driven Engineering to calculate the difference between the models is a very important and challenging task. There are number of tasks involved in Model differencing that firstly starts with identifying and matching the elements of the model. In this paper we discuss how model matching is accomplished, the strategies, techniques and the types of the model. In this paper we also discuss the future direction. We find out that many of the latest model comparison strategies are geared near enabling Meta model and similarity based matching. Therefore model versioning is the most dominant application of the model comparison. Recently to work on comparison for versioning has begun to deteriorate, giving way to different applications. Ultimately there is wide change among the tools in the measure of client exertion needed to perform model comparisons, as some require more push to encourage more sweeping statement and expressive force.
Sensing Vehicle Dynamics Using Drivers Smart Phone to Keep away from Physical Damage
Authors: Naren Akash , Kumar D S Manoj
Published: March 2021

This paper utilizes Smartphone sensing of vehicle dynamics to determine driver phone use, which can facilitate many traffic safety applications. Our system uses embedded sensors in smart phones, i.e., accelerometers and gyroscopes, to capture differences in centripetal acceleration due to vehicle dynamics These differences combined with angular speed can determine whether the phone is on the left or right side of the vehicle. Despite noisy sensor readings from Smartphone, our approach can achieve a classification accuracy of over 90 percent with a false positive rate of a few percent. We also find that by combining sensing results in a few turns, we can achieve better accuracy (e.g., 95 percent) with a lower false positive rate.
Specification of Non-Functional Requirements (NFRs) in Request for Proposal (RFP)
Authors: Kaur Harsimran , Sharma Ashish
Published: March 2021

Software Requirement Analysis is one of the most important and critical activity of software development, that affects the development cost and success of end product. This paper proposes to add both formal and informal specifications of NFR to Request for Proposal document. It ought the developers to focus on each NFR right from the beginning of development process. In this paper NFRs are specified informally by extended use case and formally by proposed extension to Formal Reference Model. The paper claims that the proposed add-ons related to NFRs are qualitative one and can be considered as standard add-ons in RFP documents to deal with NFRs. It shall act as important step during early planning system for designing and implementing proposed software. The complete procedure is illustrated using a general case of cafeteria ordering framework.
Overview of CCKS 2020 Task 3: Named Entity Recognition and Event
Extraction in Chinese Electronic Medical Records
Authors: Li Xia , Wen Qinghua , Lin Hu , Jiao Zengtao , Zhang Jiangtao
Published: March 2021

The China Conference on Knowledge Graph and Semantic Computing (CCKS) 2020 Evaluation Task 3 presented clinical named entity recognition and event extraction for the Chinese electronic medical records. Two annotated data sets and some other additional resources for these two subtasks were provided for participators. This evaluation competition attracted 354 teams and 46 of them successfully submitted the valid results. The pre-trained language models are widely applied in this evaluation task. Data argumentation and external resources are also helpful.
Improving Graduation Rates in the Two-to-Four Pathway to Bachelor's Degrees
Authors: Zhu Zhengren
Published: March 2021

In the United States, transferring from a two-year program to a four-year program has become an increasingly important route toward a bachelor's degree. However, the pathway has an extremely high attrition rate. Utilizing two recent institutional reforms in the University System of Georgia, I show that allowing community colleges to offer bachelor's degrees and consolidating institutions increase two-year students’ bachelor's degree attainment by around 3 percentage points, which represents a 20 percent improvement. Both reforms increased two-to-four transfer rates, and institutional consolidations also increased bachelor's degree attainment, conditional on transferring. Moreover, I find evidence that reduced loss of credits during transfer is the driving force of the improvements. In particular, the reforms reduced credits lost during transfer by around 36 percent.
Polemics on Iconoclasm and the Predetermined Terms of Life in the Homiletical and Liturgical Works of Theodore the Studite
Authors: Baranov Vladimir
Published: March 2021

Although Theodore the Studite is primarily known as a monastic leader and champion of icon-veneration, he was also a prolific homilist and hymnographer. This aspect of his literary heritage is discussed from the perspective of the theological debates during the time of Theodore the Studite’s life – not only the Iconoclastic Controversy which repeatedly surfaced in his writings, but also the debate on the predetermination of the terms of human life. A focus will be made on the extent the turbulent events of his life and polemics he was engaged in made an impact on his homiletical and liturgical works.
Cosmological Polemics in Against Eunomius II, 72–76 of Gregory of Nyssa
Authors: Biriukov Dmitry
Published: March 2021

I analyze the polemically charged exposition of classical cosmologies by Gregory of Nyssa in Against Eunomius II, 72–76, and identify probable sources for this passage and the targets of Gregory’s criticism of classical cosmologies, manifested in this passage. In Against Eunomius II, 73–75, Gregory presents the Aristotelian cosmology and polemicizes with it. My analysis shows three avenues of Gregory’s criticism of the Aristotelian cosmology, which are manifested in this passage. As my analysis of Against Eunomius II, 76 shows, in this passage, Gregory summarizes and criticizes the Stoic natural-philosophical and cosmological doctrine that there is the limitless void beyond the limits of the cosmos, in which cosmos moves (probably by expanding and contracting). I identify two points in Gregory’s criticism of this doctrine. Finally, I suggest that the immediate Gregory’s source regarding this Stoic doctrine was a treatise of Cleomedes.
From the Demotic to the Literary
Authors: Sartori Paolo
Published: March 2021

Understanding why Persian ceded ground to the vernacular Turkic in Central Asia in the 18th century is key to detecting major cultural realignments in the Balkans-to-Bengal complex. To date, however, focus has been predominantly on the constraining of Persian’s hegemonic status in Asia, its shaping colonial knowledge, and its stamping an imprint on other literary languages in post-colonial situations. Taking this literature as a point of departure, I change perspective and examine the process whereby a vernacular idiom acquired prominence prior to the onset of Russian colonization. By setting aside the issue of scope of Persian, I turn to an exploration of writing practices in Turkic in the early modern period in Khorezm, a major oasis in Central Asia within the territory of what is today Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. Interpreted in the literature so far as an isolated phenomenon, the ascendance of Chaghatay Turkic in Khorezm has been in fact studied in isolation from similar processes of vernacularization. By reconnecting writing practices in this oasis to patterns of literary consumption in Central Eurasia more generally, I point to an area of shared vernacular sensibilities across Khorezm, the Middle Volga, the Kazakh Steppe and the Tarim Basin. Furthermore, I argue that the promotion of the vernacular among Turkic-speaking Muslims in the Russian empire in the early 20th century was built on earlier processes of elevation of a written culture from the demotic to the literary.
Two new species of the marine isopod genus Cirolana Leach, 1818 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Cirolanidae) from the coast of the western Gulf of Thailand
Authors: RODCHAROEN EKNARIN , BRUCE NIEL L.
Published: March 2021

Cirolana khamensis sp. nov. and C. parawongat sp. nov. are described from specimens collected in the western Gulf of Thailand at depths of 8 metres and 1 metre, respectively. Both species belong to the Cirolana ‘pleonastica-group’ with tubercles on the dorsal surfaces, transverse sutures on the pereonites, pleonite 3 not posteriorly produced and pleonite 4 posterolaeral margin rounded. Cirolana khamensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from other species of Cirolana ‘pleonastica-group’ by lateral margin of uropodal exopod having five robust seatae and a continuous row of plumose marginal setae, pereonites 1–3 each with a single transverse impressed line; antennula peduncle with articles 1 and 2 distinct and articulated peduncle; pleotelson dorsal surface with two sub-median longitudinal carinae, each of which has four prominent tubercles. Cirolana parawongat sp. nov. can be distinguished by pereonites 1–3 without a single transverse impressed line and having nine tubercles on pleonite 4 and 5. A dichotomous key to Cirolana ‘pleonastica-group’ in South-East Asia region is given.
A new small-bodied, polymorphic Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) allied to C. monticola Manamendra-Arachchi, Batuwita & Pethiyagoda, 2007 from the Central Western Ghats of Karnataka, India
Authors: KHANDEKAR AKSHAY , THACKERAY TEJAS , AGARWAL ISHAN
Published: March 2021

We describe a new small-bodied, polymorphic Cnemaspis from near Hongadahalla village, Sakleshpur in the Central Western Ghats of Karnataka, India. Cnemaspis schalleri sp. nov. is allied to C. monticola and can be diagnosed from all other Indian Cnemaspis by its small body size; presence of spine-like tubercles on flank; heterogeneous dorsal pholidosis; presence of both precloacal and femoral pores in males; dorsal pholidosis of tail heterogeneous, composed of small, weakly keeled, flattened, sub-imbricate scales intermixed with enlarged, strongly keeled, distinctly pointed, conical tubercles forming whorls; slightly enlarged median row of sub-caudal scales, smooth at anterior half and strongly keeled posteriorly. The new species differs from C. monticola based on the number of dorsal tubercle rows at mid-body, the number of paravertebral tubercles, the number of precloacal pores and poreless scales between precloacal and femoral pores; besides 8.9–10.7 % uncorrected ND2 sequence divergence. We also provide the first description of topotypic males of C. monticola along with the first data on live colouration and natural history. Cnemaspis schalleri sp. nov. is the second new Cnemaspis described from around Sakleshpur within a span of less than a year with minimal field survey effort. It is almost certain than the dedicated systematic sampling across the Central Western Ghats will result in the discovery of many undescribed Cnemaspis lineages.
Extreme Rainfall Events in the Macrometropolis of São Paulo: Trends and Connection with Climate Oscillations
Authors: Machado Carolyne B. , Campos Thamiris L. O. B. , Abou Rafee Sameh A. , Martins Jorge A. , Grimm Alice M. , de Freitas Edmilson D.
Published: March 2021

In this work, the trend of extreme rainfall indices in the macrometropolis of São Paulo (MMSP) was analyzed and correlated with large-scale climatic oscillations. A cluster analysis divided a set of rain gauge stations into three homogeneous regions within MMSP, according to the annual cycle of rainfall. The entire MMSP presented an increase in the total annual rainfall, from 1940 to 2016, of 3 mm yr−1 on average, according to a Mann–Kendall test. However, there is evidence that the more urbanized areas have a greater increase in the frequency and magnitude of extreme events while coastal and mountainous areas, and regions outside large urban areas, have increasing rainfall in a better-distributed way throughout the year. The evolution of extreme rainfall (95th percentile) is significantly correlated with climatic indices. In the center-north part of the MMSP, the combination of Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) and Antarctic Oscillation (AAO) explains 45% of the P95th increase during the wet season. In turn, in southern MMSP, the temperature of South Atlantic (TSA), the AAO, El Niño–South Oscillation (ENSO), and the multidecadal oscillation of the North Atlantic (AMO) better explain the increase in extreme rainfall (R2 = 0.47). However, the same is not observed during the dry season, in which the P95th variation was only negatively correlated with the AMO, undergoing a decrease from the 1970s until the beginning of this century. The occurrence of rainy anomalous months proved to be more frequent and associated with climatic indices than was the occurrence of dry months.
Was the 2015 North Atlantic subpolar cold anomaly predictable?
Authors: Maroon Elizabeth A. , Yeager Stephen G. , Danabasoglu Gokhan , Rosenbloom Nan
Published: March 2021

The subpolar North Atlantic (SPNA) experienced extreme cold during 2015, an event often called the “cold blob”. The evolution of this event in the Community Earth System Model version 1 Decadal Prediction Large Ensemble (CESM1-DPLE) hindcast initialized in November 2014 is compared to observations. This CESM1-DPLE hindcast failed to predict cold conditions during 2015 despite already cold SPNA initial conditions and despite having high sea surface temperature skill in the SPNA in all other years. The goal of this paper is to understand what led to this prediction failure in order to provide insight for future decadal prediction efforts. Our analysis shows that strongly positive North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) conditions during winter and spring 2015 likely sustained the cold blob but were not simulated in any CESM1-DPLE members. We examine the rarity of the 2015 event using the CESM1-DPLE’s uninitialized counterpart, the CESM1 Large Ensemble (CESM1-LE). Results from the CESM1-LE indicate that the exceptional state of the observed NAO in the winter of 2015 is at least part of the explanation for why this event was not encompassed in the CESM1-DPLE spread. To test another possibility — that deficiencies in the initial conditions degraded the prediction — we performed additional hindcasts using the CESM1-DPLE protocol but different initial conditions. Altering the initial conditions did not improve the simulation of the 2015 cold blob, and in some cases, degraded it. Given the difficulty of predicting this event, this case could be a useful testbed for future prediction system development.
Effect of Precipitation Sampling Error on Flash Flood Monitoring and Prediction: Anticipating Operational Rapid-Update Polarimetric Weather Radars
Authors: Wen Yixin , Schuur Terry , Vergara Humberto , Kuster Charles
Published: March 2021

Quantitative precipitation estimates (QPE) at high spatiotemporal resolution are essential for flash flood forecasting, especially in urban environments and headwater areas. An accurate quantification of precipitation is directly related to the temporal and spatial sampling of the precipitation system. The advent of phased array radar (PAR) technology, a potential next-generation weather radar, can provide updates that are at least 4-5 times faster than the conventional WSR-88D scanning rate. In this study, data collected by the KOUN WSR-88D radar with ~1 minute temporal resolution is used as an approximation of data that a future PAR system could provide to force the Ensemble Framework for Flash Flood Forecasting (EF5) hydrologic model. To assess the effect of errors resulting from temporal and spatial sampling of precipitation on flash flood warnings, KOUN precipitation data (1-km/1-min) is used to generate precipitation products at other spatial/temporal resolutions commonly used in hydrologic models, such as those provided by conventional WSR-88D radar (1-km/5-min), spaced-based observations (10-km/30-min), and hourly rainfall products (1-km/60-min). The effect of precipitation sampling errors on flash flood warnings are then examined and quantified by using discharge simulated from KOUN (1-km/1-min) as truth to assess simulations conducted using other generated coarser spatial/temporal resolutions of other precipitation products. Our results show that: 1) observations with coarse spatial and temporal sampling can cause large errors in quantification of the amount, intensity, and distribution of precipitation, 2) time series of precipitation products show that QPE peak values decrease as the temporal resolution gets coarser, and 3) the effect of precipitation sampling error on flash flood forecasting is large in headwater areas and decrease quickly as drainage area increases.
Calibration and Retrieval of Aerosol Optical Properties Measured with Coherent Doppler Lidar
Authors: Dai Guangyao , Wang Xiaoye , Sun Kangwen , Wu Songhua , Song Xiaoquan , Li Rongzhong , Yin Jiaping , Wang Xitao
Published: March 2021

A practical method for instrumental calibration and aerosol optical properties retrieval based on coherent Doppler lidar (CDL) and sun photometer is presented in this paper. To verify its feasibility and accuracy, this method is applied into three field experiments in 2019 and 2020. In this method, multiwavelength (440, 670, 870, and 1020 nm) aerosol optical depth (AOD) from sun-photometer measurements are used to estimate AOD at 1550 nm and calibrate integrated CDL backscatter signal. Then it is validated by comparing the retrieved calibrated AOD at 1550 nm from CDL signal and that from sun-photometer measurements. Good agreement between them with the correlation of 0.96, the RMSE of 0.0085, and the mean relative error of 22% is found. From the comparison results of these three experiments, sun photometer is verified to be an effective reference instrument for the calibration of CDL return signal and the aerosol optical properties measurement with CDL is feasible. It is expected to promote the study on the aerosol flux and transport mechanism in the planetary boundary layer with the widely deployed CDLs.
On the Origin of Rotation Derived from Super Rapid Scan Satellite Imagery at the Cloud-Tops of Severe Deep Convection
Authors: Apke Jason M. , Mecikalski John R.
Published: March 2021

Severe thunderstorms routinely exhibit adjacent maxima and minima in cloud-top vertical vorticity (CTV) downstream of overshooting tops within flow fields retrieved using sequences of fine-temporal resolution (1-min) geostationary operational environmental satellite (GOES)-R series imagery. Little is known about the origin of this so-called “CTV couplet” signature, and whether the signature is the result of flow field derivational artifacts. Thus, the CTV signature’s relevance to research and operations is currently ambiguous. Within this study, we explore the origin of near-cloud-top rotation using an idealized supercell numerical model simulation. Employing an advanced dense optical flow algorithm, image stereoscopy, and numerical model background wind approximations, the artifacts common with cloud-top flow field derivation are removed from two supercell case studies sampled by GOES-R imagers. It is demonstrated that the CTV couplet originates from tilted and converged horizontal vorticity that is baroclinically generated in the upper levels (above 10 km) immediately downstream of the overshooting top. This baroclinic generation would not be possible without a strong and sustained updraft, implying an indirect relationship to rotationally-maintained supercells. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that CTV couplets derived with optical flow algorithms originate from actual rotation within the storm anvils in the case studies explored here, though supercells with opaque above anvil cirrus plumes and strong anvil-level negative vertical wind shear may produce rotation signals as an artifact without quality control. Artifact identification and quality control is discussed further here for future research and operations use.