bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La0.8Bi0.2FeO3 Perovskite-Type: High-Performance of Photocatalytic Degradation of Ortho-Toluidine Blue Under Visible Light Irradiation
Authors: Ben Ali Ouarda , Mahboub Mohammed Sadok , Zeroual Soria , Bayou Samir , Beggas Azzeddine , Ghougali Mebrouk , Benarfa Adel , Meneceur Souhaila
Published: April 2024

In this study, La1-xBixFeO3 (x=0.0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6) perovskite nanoparticles were synthesized by a modified Pechini method. Rigorous analysis through XRD and SEM/EDX confirmed the absence of secondary phases in both pure and Bi-substituted LaFeO3 samples, indicating the formation of a single-phase perovskite. SEM images revealed the quasi-spherical shape of the particles. The photocatalytic activity of La1-xBixFeO3 (x=0.0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6) was evaluated by the degradation of ortho-Toluidine Blue under visible light irradiation, indicating that La0.8Bi0.2FeO3 exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity. The overall removal rate of o-Toluidine Blue reached 90.09% after visible light irradiation lasting for 60 min. We attribute this heightened photocatalytic activity to the grain size and optical properties of prepared sample. Consequently, the La0.8Bi0.2FeO3 can be considered as a very promising photocatalyst in future industrial application to treat effectively wastewater of dyes.
Nitrogen Adsorption on Double-Walled Carbon Nanotube at Different Temperatures: Mechanistic Insights from Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Uljaev Utkir B. , Muminova Shakhnozaxon A. , Yadgarov Ishmumin D.
Published: April 2024

Nitrogen-adsorbing carbon nanotubes have received considerable attention in the field of materials science due to their unique properties and potential applications. In particular, nitrogen-adsorbed double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWNTs) can exhibit a wide range of tunable electronic and optoelectronic properties. In this study, the effect of different temperatures (i.e., 300, 600, and 900 K) of DWNT on nitrogen adsorption is investigated through molecular dynamics simulations using the ReaxFF potential. The simulation results show a good nitrogen storage capacity of DWNT, particularly at 600 K, reaching a maximum gravimetric density of 12.4 wt%. This study contributes to a better understanding of the mechanisms governing nitrogen adsorption onto DWNTs at different temperatures.
The Influence of a Magnetic Field on the Sorption of Radionuclides by Clinoptilolite and Composite Sorbents Based on Zeolites
Authors: Lonin Oleksii Yu. , Levenets Volodymyr V. , Bovda Oleksandr M.
Published: April 2024

Two methods of using permanent NdFeB magnets and their impact on the sorption of radionuclides (Cs, Sr, Co) by clinoptilolite and composite sorbents based on zeolites are discussed. Sorption processes were considered under dynamic conditions with liquid circulation. No changes in sorption processes were observed when magnetic treatment was applied to solutions containing radionuclide ions. The natural zeolite clinoptilolite and synthetic zeolites NaX and NaA were considered at this stage. In the work, clinoptilolite from the Sokirnitske deposit in the Zakarpattia region of Ukraine was used. Ukraine possesses significant deposits of clinoptilolite. When magnets were applied to the sorbent during the sorption process, an increase in cobalt sorption of 10% was observed for clinoptilolite, and strontium sorption increased by 17%. The influence of a magnet on clinoptilolite is due to the presence of iron ions in the composition of clinoptilolite. The iron content ranges from 0.9% to 2.5%. The composition of the composite sorbent included clinoptilolite and synthetic zeolite NaX. No increase in radionuclide sorption was observed for composite sorbents, likely due to the presence of clinoptilolite in the sorbent composition and the corresponding iron content. The analytical part of the study was carried out using the PIXE (Particle Induced X-ray Emission) method on the analytical nuclear-physics complex "Sokil."  The energy range of the accelerator was 200-2000 keV.  The complex made it possible to carry out all the main methods of analysis using ion beams. The targets were placed in the exit, at the Chamber for PIXE. To excite the atoms of cesium, strontium, and cobalt a proton beam with an energy of Ер≈1400 keV was used.
Phase Formation Process in CdSe Thin Films
Authors: Ibrahimova L.N. , Abdullayev N.M. , Aliyev M.E. , Garashova G.A. , Aliyev Y.I.
Published: April 2024

In this work, thin films of cadmium selenide of difrent thicknesses were obtained by chemical deposition and the processes of phase formation in them were studied. Thin layers with a thickness of d = 150 – 500 nm were obtained. Structural studies were carried out using X-ray diffraction. The spectra obtained at room temperature were analyzed. The presence of structural features of the CdSe compound in thin layers has been established. After a thickness d = 400 nm, the process of phase formation begins. The observed atomic planes and Miller indices during the phase formation process are determined.
Band energy approach and nonlinear optical phenomena in large-sized nanoparticles
Authors: Kityk Ivan V.
Published: April 2024

This report presents principal optical properties of semiconducting large-sized nanocrystalline (LSNC) material with thickness within 10–50 nm range. A quantitative parameter for description of the LSNC state is introduced. Influence of the surrounding polymer matrices on the properties of the LSNC is shown. Role of the surrounding polymer matrix background in the manifestation of material optoelectronic properties is studied. Superposition of long-range ordering with the localized nano-quantized effects is analyzed within a framework of different one-electron band energy approaches. Manifestation of the LSNC nonlinear optical (NLO) properties will be presented separately. It is clearly demonstrated that appropriate choice of LSNC geometry parameters together with proper modification of chemical composition could enhance the key NLO parameters.
Modeling preparation for data mining processes
Authors: Euler Timm
Published: April 2024

Today many different software tools for decision support exist; the same is true for data mining which can be seen as a particularly challenging sub-area of decision support. Choosing the most suitable tool for a particular industrial data mining application is becoming difficult, especially for industrial decision makers whose expertise is in a different field. This paper provides a conceptual analysis of crucial features of current data mining software tools, by establishing an abstract view on typical processes in data mining. Thus a common terminology is given which simplifies the comparison of tools. Based on this analysis, objective decisions for the application of decision supporting software tools in industrial practice can be made.
Fair and efficient network dimensioning with the reference point methodology
Authors: Ogryczak Włodzimierz , Wierzbicki Adam , Milewski Marcin
Published: April 2024

The dimensioning of telecommunication networks that carry elastic traffic requires the fulfillment of two conflicting goals: maximizing the total network throughput and providing fairness to all flows. Fairness in telecommunication network design is usually provided using the so-called max-min fairness (MMF) approach. However, this approach maximizes the performance of the worst (most expensive) flows which may cause a large worsening of the overall throughput of the network. In this paper we show how the concepts of multiple criteria equitable optimization can be effectively used to generate various fair and efficient allocation schemes. We introduce a multiple criteria model equivalent to equitable optimization and we develop a corresponding reference point procedure for fair and efficient network dimensioning for elastic flows. The procedure is tested on a sample network dimensioning problem for elastic traffic and its abilities to model various preferences are demonstrated.
On a practical approach to low-cost ad hoc wireless networking
Authors: Gburzyński Paweł , Olesiński Włodzimierz
Published: April 2024

Although simple wireless communication involving nodes built of microcontrollers and radio devices from the low end of the price spectrum is quite popular these days, one seldom hears about serious wireless networks built from such devices. Most of the commercially available nodes for ad hoc networking (somewhat inappropriately called "motes") are in fact quite serious computers with megabytes of RAM and rather extravagant resource demands. We show how one can build practical ad hoc networks using the smallest and cheapest devices vailable today. In our networks, such devices are capable of sustaining swarm-intelligent sophisticated routing while offering enough processing power to cater to complex applications involving distributed sensing and monitoring.
Multi-threshold signature
Authors: Nakielski Bartosz , Pomykała Jacek , Pomykała Janusz Andrzej
Published: April 2024

The work presents a new signature scheme, called the multi-threshold signature, which generalizes the concept of multisignature and threshold signature. This scheme protects the anonymity of signers in a way the group signature does – in exceptional circumstances the identities of signers may be revealed. Due to the new party – completer, in our scheme the threshold size may vary together with the message to be signed. The presented scheme is based on the RSA signature standard, however other signature standards might be applied to it as well.
A seamless software defined radio development flow for waveform and prototype debugging
Authors: Witte Ernst Martin , Kempf Torsten , Ramakrishnan Venkatesh , Ascheid Gerd , Adrat Marc , Antweiler Markus
Published: April 2024

With the increasing number of wireless communication standards flexibility has gained more and more importance which has lead to the software defined radio (SDR) concept. However, SDR development has to face many challenges, among them are the questions how SDR systems can be designed to achieve flexibility, architectural efficiency, energy efficiency and portability at the same time. These requirements result in very elaborate architectures and a highly increased design complexity. To cope with such complexity, we proposed an SDR development flow. During the development of such SDR, debugging becomes more efficient on a prototype hardware implementation than on a simulation model. However, error analysis on a prototype suffers from strong limitations like a reduced state visibility. In this paper, an extension to the SDR development flow is presented and successfully applied to an example SDR. It allows for an efficient error analysis with the SDR simulation model by the feedback of stimulus data from the prototype.
Evaluation of features for the automatic recognition of OFDM signals in monitoring or cognitive receivers
Authors: Liedtke Ferdinand , Albers Ulrike
Published: April 2024

The automatic recognition of signal types is an important task of monitoring receivers and also cognitive receivers. Several modulation recognition or classification procedures exist for single channel signal types while a simple robust procedure for automatic recognition of OFDM signals is lacking because of its numerous frequency channelslying close together. The task considered in this paper is the discrimination between OFDM (or multi-channel) signals and other signal types. The number of frequency channels of the OFDM signals is assumed to be unknown a priori. So, together with the automatic OFDM detection the estimation of the number of frequency channels is treated. Several discrimination features have been examined and the most promising ones are described: measures of the variation, of the skewness, of the kurtosis, and of the specific picket-fence shape of the spectrum which is typical for many OFDM signals. For a number of real-world OFDM samples, recorded from the high frequency range, results are presented. An automatic discrimination from single channel or noise like signals is achieved and the number of system channels can be estimated.
Automatic multicast IPsec by using a proactive IPsec discovery protocol and a group key management
Authors: Aurisch Thorsten , Ginzler Tobias , Martini Peter , Ogden Roger , Tran Trung , Seifert Hartmut
Published: April 2024

Internet protocol based networking is gaining ground in armed forces, leading to a concept described by the NATO as network centric capabilities (NCC). The goal is to enable state-of-the-art, affordable and powerful electronic information services to the troops. A tighter connection of the forces is expected to further enhance the joined strike capabilities. Providing secure information exchange within groups of armed forces is one aspect of the NCC concept. Such group communication is enabled by the multicast feature of the IP technology. Security requirements are met by using the IP security (IPsec) architecture. IPsec enables secure communication between secure private networks via an unsecured public text network. While secure unicast transmission with IPsec is common, only few achievements have been made to secure multicast transmissions. The protection of multicast data traffic of a group in an automated way is described in this document. We utilize an automatic detection of IPsec devices and an efficient key management protocol to reach our aim.
Subscriber location in radio communication nets
Authors: Gajewski Piotr , Kelner Jan Marcin , Ziółkowski Cezary
Published: April 2024

Our aim is to develop the method of location subscriber to be used in military communication nets. This method is based on frequency offset measurement. Analytic description of the Doppler effect creates one of such possibilities. In this paper, an original location subscriber method is presented. We showed the Maxwell equations solution in the case of a transmitter continually changing location in relation to a receiver. It makes possible to calculate exactly the value of the received signal parameters especially frequency offset. The methodology described in this paper shows that the Doppler frequency offset value can be used for radio signal sources location.
E-resources versus traditional teaching models
Authors: Stasiecka Alina , Stemposz Ewa , Jodłowski Andrzej
Published: April 2024

The paper presents the discussion about the e-resource structure and its influence on the resources’ quality. The thesis we are taking into consideration is as follows: the conformance of e-resource structure with structures suggested by traditional teaching model/models has a strong influence on the quality of this e-resource. To achieve this, the most popular teaching models are analyzed and a proposal of the metamodel useful for e-resources construction is introduced.
On Subjective Trust Management
Authors: Majdan Michał
Published: April 2024

Trust and reputation management is gaining nowadays more attention then ever as online commodity exchange and other open virtual societies became a widespread reality. Most widely used computational models use reputation metrics as global property assigned to each party. More sophisticated models try to use reputation as subjective property. While introducing subjective reputation there arise a need to model preferences of agents. In this paper we propose to use weighted ordered weighted average (WOWA) operator to support the decision maker in assessing available evidence about other’s party behavior. The WOWA aggregation is defined by two weighting vectors: the preferential weights assigned to the ordered quantities and the importance weights assigned to several attributes. It allows one to express both the preference regarding sources of information by the corresponding importance weights and the compensation between attribute values aggregated by the preferential weights.
All-Optical Techniques Enabling Packet Switching with Label Processing and Label Rewriting
Authors: Calabretta Nicola , Jung Hyun-Do , Herrera Llorente Javier , Tangdiongga Eduward , Koonen Ton , Dorren Harm
Published: April 2024

Scalability of packet switched cross-connects that utilize all-optical signal processing is a crucial issue that eventually determines the future role of photonic signal processing in optical networks. After reviewing several labeling techniques, we discuss label stacking and label swapping techniques and their benefits for scalable optical packet switched nodes. All-optical devices for implementing the packet switch based on the labeling techniques will be described. Finally, we present a 1×4 all-optical packet switch based on label swapping technique that utilizes a scalable and asynchronous label processor and label rewriter. Error-free operation indicates a potential utilization of the swapping technique in a multihop packet-switched network.
Control Mechanism for All-Optical Components
Authors: Rejeb Ridha , Leeson Mark S.
Published: April 2024

In this article, we give a brief overview of security and management issues that arise in all-optical networks (AONs). Then we present an outline of the multiple attack localization and identification (MALI) algorithm that can participate in some of the tasks for fault management in AONs. Consequently, we discuss a hardware-based control unit that can be embedded in AON nodes to accelerate the performance of the MALI algorithm. We conclude the article with a discussion concerning the applicability and implementation of this device in AON management systems.
Fault Tolerant Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing Optical Transport Networks
Authors: Kavian Yousef S. , Ren Wei , Naderi Majid , Leeson Mark S. , Hines Evor L.
Published: April 2024

Design of fault tolerant dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) backbones is a major issue for service provision in the presence of failures. The problem is an NP-hard problem. This paper presents a genetic algorithm based approach for designing fault tolerant DWDM optical networks in the presence of a single link failure. The working and spare lightpaths are encoded into variable length chromosomes. Then the best lightpaths are found by use of a fitness function and these are assigned the minimum number of wavelengths according to the problem constraints using first-fit (FF) algorithm. The proposed approach has been evaluated for dedicated path protection architecture. The results, obtained from the ARPA2 test bench network, show that the method is well suited to tackling this complex and multi-constraint problem.
Modulo N Backoff Scheme for Effective QoS Differentiation and Increased Bandwidth Utilization in IEEE 802.11 Networks
Authors: Janczak Tomasz , Konorski Jerzy , Woźniak Józef , Pawlikowski Krzysztof
Published: April 2024

The paper presents a new modulo N channel access scheme for wireless local area networks (WLANs). The novel solution derives from the distributed coordination function (DCF) of the IEEE 802.11 standard, further elaborated as enhanced distribution channel access (EDCA) by the 802.11e draft specification. The main innovation concerns improvement of the binary exponential backoff scheme used for collision avoidance in 802.11 networks. The most appealing feature of the new modulo N backoff scheme is that it outperforms the original 802.11 solution in terms of channel utilization ratio under any traffic conditions. Furthermore, the modulo N proposal can be naturally augmented with QoS differentiation mechanisms like 802.11e extensions. The prioritized modulo N scheme achieves better throughput-delay characteristics for multimedia traffic when compared with the original 802.11e proposal. At the same time, the new solution retains backward compatibility and includes all features which have made IEEE 802.11 networks extremely popular nowadays.
An Experiment on Multi-Video Transmission with Multipoint Tiled Display Wall
Authors: Ebara Yasuo
Published: April 2024

In order to realize realistic remote communication between multipoint remote places via the Internet, displaying the appearance of remote participants by transmission of a video streaming with the large-sized display system is effective. However, the display of video streaming with sufficient quality is difficult because the specification of a commercial projector and large-sized display equipment is low-resolution. In order to these issues, we focus on the tiled display wall technology which configure effective wide-area screen system with two or more LCD panels and tried to display a highresolution video streaming on the large-scale display environment. In this paper, we have constructed remote communication environment with tiled display wall in multipoint sites and have conducted experiment in order to study the possibility of realizing realistic remote communication with multi-video streaming. As these results, these video streaming from each site have been shown to display more high-quality than magnified view of video image by a single small camera. Moreover, we have measured the network throughput performance for each transmitted and received video streaming in this envi- ronment. From measurement results, the steady throughput performance has been gained at the case of each transmitted and received video streaming.
Uplift Modeling in Direct Marketing
Authors: Rzepakowski Piotr , Jaroszewicz Szymon
Published: April 2024

Marketing campaigns directed to randomly selected customers often generate huge costs and a weak response. Moreover, such campaigns tend to unnecessarily annoy customers and make them less likely to answer to future communications. Precise targeting of marketing actions can potentially results in a greater return on investment. Usually, response models are used to select good targets. They aim at achieving high prediction accuracy for the probability of purchase based on a sample of customers, to whom a pilot campaign has been sent. However, to separate the impact of the action from other stimuli and spontaneous purchases we should model not the response probabilities themselves, but instead, the change in those probabilities caused by the action. The problem of predicting this change is known as uplift modeling, differential response analysis, or true lift modeling. In this work, tree-based classifiers designed for uplift modeling are applied to real marketing data and compared with traditional response models, and other uplift modeling techniques described in literature. The experiments show that the proposed approaches outperform existing uplift modeling algorithms and demonstrate significant advantages of uplift modeling over traditional, response based targeting.
BSBI – a Simple Protocol for Remote Verification of Identity
Authors: Pałka Tomasz , Kozakiewicz Adam
Published: April 2024

The paper presents the design and the rationale behind a simple verification protocol for autonomous verification modules, and the architecture enabling use of such modules. The architecture assumes strict separation of all personal metadata and the actual verification data. The paper also describes a prototype implementation of the protocol and its extension enabling the state of the module to be monitored from the main system. The proposed design solves the problem of using advanced verification methods, especially biometric ones, in systems where direct implementation is not possible due to hardware incompatibilities, insufficient resources or other limitations.
Multiple Criteria Evaluation and Ranking of Social Penetration of Information Society Technologies
Authors: Grzegorzek Jan Władyslaw , Wierzbicki Andrzej Piotr
Published: April 2024

The paper presents a comparison of two ways of multiple criteria ranking of social penetration of information society technologies (ICT): the traditional one and the socalled objective ranking, illustrated on the example of Network Readiness Index. It is shown that objective ranking stresses a balanced development more than the traditional one. Another issue presented in this paper is the concept of dynamic ranking, a systematic presentation and prediction of the change of ranking in time. This is illustrated on the example of regions of three European countries: Finland, Italy and Poland.
Wireless at the “Connected Games”: How the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Utilized the Latest Wi-Fi Technology
Authors: Leonhardt Peter
Published: April 2024

The London 2012 Olympic and Paraolympic Games drew together tens of thousands of people in the form of athletes, organisers, media, VIPs, public and many more groups and individuals. With the growth in smart phones and tablets coupled with the ever expanding volume and range of content accessed via Aps and browsers, this huge volume of people expected connectivity from their mobile devices during their time on the Olympic sites. It was BT’s role in the games as the official communications services partner to deliver Wi-Fi connectivity across the venues, covering the range of users from the public, athletes, organisers and ticket scanners. This paper examines this state of the art Wi-Fi solution.
IPv6 Preparation and Deployment in Datacenter Infrastructure – A Practical Approach
Authors: Pal Marco van der
Published: April 2024

This article describes the experiences with the initiative to introduce IPv6 into Capgemini’s datacenter environment, and to be more specific, the part of the project known as Phase 1: the preparation before actually doing so. Phase 1 comprises of training, testing and research of the IPv6 protocol and its features with the purpose to better understand the consequences of the introduction of IPv6 in a datacenter environment. It was a specific choice to not deploy IPv6 in a production environment, and to build a dedicated test environment first (Proof of Concept). This test environment would accommodate most basic features of IPv6 to safely prepare us for the actual deployment. The technical results of the IPv6 experience were documented in a structured way, useable for future reference. Test results were also used as input to develop Capgemini best practices for IPv6 deployment.
The Goals and Benefits of Network Modelling in a Commercial Environment
Authors: Smith Edward
Published: April 2024

Modelling is a technique that can be used in the development and sizing of networks. It involves building a mathematical representation of a physical system and is often computer based, allowing system behaviour to be investigated based on the variation of key parameters. This paper will describe some applicable tools for network modelling and consider a range of applications. Whilst modelling and simulation tools are used extensively to design and size ICT solutions, each tool tends to be targeted at a specific range of applications and a specific user community. It is shown that different tools expect different levels of expertise from their user communities. The benefits of using such tools are described, as are some of their limitations. Modelling and simulation provide a cheaper and faster approach to trying new ideas than building prototypes or test networks. They provide a valuable guide to designing networks and can predict operational outcomes.
Blind Estimation of Linear and Nonlinear Sparse Channels
Authors: Georgoulakis Kristina
Published: April 2024

This paper presents a Clustering Based Blind Channel Estimator for a special case of sparse channels – the zero pad channels. The proposed algorithm uses an unsupervised clustering technique for the estimation of data clusters. Clusters labelling is performed by a Hidden Markov Model of the observation sequence appropriately modified to exploit channel sparsity. The algorithm achieves a substantial complexity reduction compared to the fully evaluated technique. The proposed algorithm is used in conjunction with a Parallel Trellis Viterbi Algorithm for data detection and simulation results show that the overall scheme exhibits the reduced complexity benefits without performance reduction.
Enhancement of Speech Communication Technology Performance Using Adaptive-Control Factor Based Spectral Subtraction Method
Authors: Alimi Isiaka Ajewale , Kolawole Michael O.
Published: April 2024

This paper presents speech enhancement technique based on Spectral Subtraction (SS) method. SS is a renowned noise reduction technique that works on the principle that noise spectrum estimate over the entire speech spectrum can be subtracted from the noisy signal. On the contrary, most of the noise encountered in the real-world conditions is majorly colored. Unlike Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN), colored noise does not affect the speech signal uniformly over the entire spectrum. To mitigate effects of colored noise on the processed signal, we propose a Multi-Band Spectral Subtraction (MBSS) method using novel Adaptive-Control Factor (ACF). The spectrum is divided into frequency sub bands based on a nonlinear multi-band frame and various signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) are considered. The proposed scheme results in better system performance with quality signal and unlike the basic SS method. It mitigates the effects of anomaly known as “musical” tones artifacts in the processed signal that result in residual noise and speech distortion. The computational complexity involved is minimal. Furthermore, simulation results show that the proposed algorithm removes more colored noise without removing the relatively low amplitude speech signal over the entire speech spectrum. Subjective listening tests, with clean speech signals and different noise levels, show discernable performance of our proposed method when compared with the conventional SS approach.
Call and Connections Times in ASON/GMPLS Architecture
Authors: Młynarczuk Magdalena , Zieńko Paweł , Kaczmarek Sylwester
Published: April 2024

It is assumed that demands of information society could be satisfied by architecture ASON/GMPLS comprehended as Automatically Switched Optical Network (ASON) with Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS) protocols. Introduction this solution must be preceded by performance evaluation to guarantee society expectations. Call and connections times are in ASON/GMPLS architecture important for real-time applications. Practical realization is expensive and simulations models are necessary to examine standardized propositions. This paper is devoted to the simulation results of ASON/GMPLS architecture control plane functions in OMNeT++ discrete event simulator. The authors make an effort to explore call/connection set-up times, connection release times in a single domain of ASON/GMPLS architecture.
Preface
Authors: Kołodziej Joanna
Published: April 2024

Preface
The Development of Kalman Filter Learning Technique for Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Krok Agnieszka
Published: April 2024

The paper presents an idea of using the Kalman Filtering (KF) for learning the Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). It is shown that KF can be fully competitive or more beneficial method with comparison standard Artificial Neural Networks learning techniques. The development of the method is presented respecting selective learning of chosen part of ANN. Another issue presented in this paper is the author’s concept of automatic selection of architecture of ANN learned by means of KF based on removing unnecessary connection inside the network. The effectiveness of presented ideas is illustrated on the examples of time series modeling and prediction. Considered data came from the experiments and situ measurements in the field of structural mechanics and materials.
Predictive Modeling in a VoIP System
Authors: Simionovici Ana-Maria , Tantar Alexandru , Bouvry Pascal , Didelot Loic
Published: April 2024

An important problem one needs to deal with in a Voice over IP system is server overload. One way for preventing such problems is to rely on prediction techniques for the incoming traffic, namely as to proactively scale the available resources. Anticipating the computational load induced on processors by incoming requests can be used to optimize load distribution and resource allocation. In this study, the authors look at how the user profiles, peak hours or call patterns are shaped for a real system and, in a second step, at constructing a model that is capable of predicting trends.
Recognition of the Numbers in the Polish Language
Authors: Plichta Anna , Gąciarz Tomasz , Krzywdziński Tomasz
Published: April 2024

Automatic Speech Recognition is one of the hottest research and application problems in today’s ICT technologies. Huge progress in the development of the intelligent mobile systems needs an implementation of the new services, where users can communicate with devices by sending audio commands. Those systems must be additionally integrated with the highly distributed infrastructures such as computational and mobile clouds, Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), and many others. This paper presents the recent research results for the recognition of the separate words and words in short contexts (limited to the numbers) articulated in the Polish language. Compressed Sensing Theory (CST) is applied for the first time as a methodology of speech recognition. The effectiveness of the proposed methodology is justified in numerical tests for both separate words and short sentences.
Evaluation of the Energy Harvestable from an Airless Tire Equipped with Piezoelectric Bimorphs on the Lamellar Spokes
Authors: Suciu Claudiu Valentin , Koyanagi Keisuke
Published: April 2024

In this work, one evaluates the electrical power generated by an airless tire equipped with piezoelectric bimorphs on both lateral surfaces of the radially distributed lamellar spokes. Such sheet-like spokes are hinged both toward the wheel drum at the inner annular band, and toward the wheel tread at the outer annular band. Since the hinged spokes are able to transmit tension forces but unable to transmit compression forces, bending and buckling of the spokes occur in the region of contact between the tire and the road. Models for the rolling friction of the airless tire, for the bending and buckling deformation of the spokes, and for the electrical power generated by the airless tire are suggested. Variation of the curvature radii and bending deformations for the spokes in the region of contact with the road are illustrated for various values of the rolling friction coefficient and spoke length. Then, variation of the generated electrical power versus the length of contact is obtained for various travel speeds of the vehicle. One observes that the generated electrical power increases at augmentation of the rolling friction coefficient, spoke length and travel speed. Although the obtained electrical power for the proposed harvesting system is relatively modest, it is not depending on the road roughness, i.e. harvesting becomes possible even on smooth roads, such as highway surfaces.
Videotoms in Objective and Subjective Quality Tests of Video
Authors: Trzcianowski Łukasz
Published: April 2024

This paper proposes idea of videotoms usage in quality tests of video signals. This concept simplifies parametric model creation for television services such as IPTV (Internet Protocol Television), VoD (Video on Demand) and others. Videotom is simple, well-defined video sequence in the context of video quality tests. Presented idea was used in both objective and subjective tests of influence selected network parameters: jitter of delay, packet loss and packet corrupt on the video quality measured using Mean Square Error ( MSE ) and Mean Opinion Score (MOS) metrics. Results showed that proposed method is useful especially for subjective tests and it can reduce costs and time for them.
A scoping review of road traffic data systems in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Authors: Puvanachandra Prasanthi , Laverty Anthony , Ghaly Maria , Sakr Hala , Abdelhamid Rania , Iaych Kacem , Peden Margaret
Published: April 2024

Background: Road traffic injury is a major global health risk, however, under-reporting of road traffic crashes data and the use of different reporting systems have made it difficult to compare data across countries. Aim: To examine published and grey literature for better understanding of available health and non-health road traffic data systems in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) countries. Methods: We conducted a systematic search of databases to identify studies reporting road traffic data systems in the EMR countries between 2011 and January 2022. We also searched grey literature on the websites of government, WHO, World Bank, UNICEF, regional economic commissions and other relevant institutions. We assembled the data in Microsoft Excel and presented the counts of data sources, data types and data quality. Results: We included 84 of 2238 studies accessed in this review. One-third of the publications was from the Islamic Republic of Iran while 10% was from Pakistan. Police databases were the primary sources of data in most of the studies (79%) while hospital and death registration systems together accounted for one-quarter of the databases. The most common indicators reported in the publications were deaths (61%), crashes (48%) and injuries (35%). Only 40% of the studies disaggregated their analyses by gender and 44% by age. No papers identified permanently linked data sources, although more than a quarter of the papers reviewed used some form of modelling or data mining. Conclusion: This scoping review highlights an over-reliance on police data, poor quality traffic data systems, and multiple stakeholders collecting similar data, leading to redundancy. EMR countries need to establish robust road safety data systems to provide data for relevant policies and interventions
Using social media surveys and interventions to address vaccine hesitancy in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Lim JungKyu Rhys , Moscoe Ellen , Alqunaibet Ada , Hernandez Daniel Alejandro Pinzon , Alruwaily Amaal , Chatila Mohamad , Alfawaz Rasha , Zoratto Laura , Afif Zeina , Vakis Renos , Al-Yasseri Berq J Hadi , Alsukait Reem F , Nguyen Son Nam , Herbst Christopher H , Algwizani Abdullah
Published: April 2024

Background: Countering COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy has been a challenge in Saudi Arabia, one of the countries affected most by the pandemic in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Aims: To identify information needs, perceived benefits, concerns, trusted information sources, social norms, and predictors for COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Saudi Arabia and identify effective messaging strategies to increase vaccination intentions among the unvaccinated. Method: Between March and April 2021, we conducted an online cross-sectional survey (N = 2883), and in part, a randomized experiment for unvaccinated participants (n = 675) in Saudi Arabia using Facebook Ads and Messenger. Unvaccinated participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 message conditions and after message exposure, participants were asked if they planned to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Results: In total, 2883 adults participated in the survey. All message framings worked equally well, with no statistically significant difference between the arms. Approximately 80% of the participants across all message conditions said they intended to vaccinate. However, participants wanted to know more about the vaccines; about 35% wanted to know more about vaccine efficacy, 31.5% about safety, 26.8% about health authority’s recommendation, and 3.7% about where to get the vaccines. Health workers (61.4%) and scientists and epidemiologists (25.7%) were the most trusted sources. Others were family members (7.5%), community leaders (2.2%), religious leaders (1.6%), friends (1.4%), and celebrities and social media influencers (0.2%). Conclusion: Vaccine hesitancy can be overcome by understanding individuals’ decision-making processes and using effective risk communication targeted to their needs.
Case-control study of drinking water quality in Yemen
Authors: Al-Hmani Ahmed , Jamaa Nejib ben , Kharroubi Adel , Agoubi Belgacem , Alwabr Gawad MA
Published: April 2024

Background: Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) activities collapsed in Yemen due to the 2015 war, causing acute safe water shortage, poor sanitation and hygiene, and degraded microbial water quality. The cholera outbreaks in 2016/2017 triggered emergency WASH interventions to improve water quality and reduce cholera and other water-borne disease incidence. Aim: This study aimed to assess the microbial water quality in Sana’a, Yemen, following cessation of the WASH activities. Methods: We collected and analysed water samples in 2022 from 64 out of the 381 mini water purification plants that benefitted from WASH interventions in Sana’a in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Face-to-face interviews with representatives of each mini water purification plant were conducted alongside observatory evaluations. We compared results of the 2022 analyses with those of 2018, 2019 and 2020. We analysed our data using Microsoft Excel 2010 and descriptive statistics and presented the results in tables and charts. Results: By 2022, one year after suspending the WASH interventions, the purification system rating had decreased slightly from 87.4% to 84.1%, and the water safety requirements rating had decreased significantly from 78.1% to 62.1%, compared to the 2018–2020 values. This caused a nearly double value, from 15.1% to 31.3%, for the microbial pollution, confirming an inverse relationship between microbial pollution and both purification system and water safety requirements. Conclusion: The microbial water quality of the plants was degraded due to the cessation of the WASH programme. It is important to consider sustainability issues when designing and implementing WASH programmes to ensure that they achieve their goals. It is also crucial to monitor WASH activities rigorously and invest in raising awareness of WASH benefits among operators and community members so they can become effective partners in preventing contamination and water pollution.
Comments on the book of Tereza Matějčková Gibt es eine Welt in Hegels Phänomenologie des Geistes? / “Is there a world in Hegelʼs Phenomenology of Spirit?”, Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck 2018
Authors: Stekeler-Weithofer Pirmin
Published: April 2024

Tereza Matějčková’s book presents a highly interesting phenomenological reading of Hegel’s early masterpiece. The result is a proposal to take the title seriously – such that we can see the book as the earliest introduction into the methods and topics of philosophical phenomenology, despite the fact that Husserl himself, in contrast to Heidegger, did not seem to see the narrow relation. I especially value Tereza Matějčkováʼs very deep understanding of the dialectical humour and irony of Hegel’s writings. However, I understand the Phenomenology of Spirit in a somehow more radical way as a most general ‘logicֹ’ of self-consciousness. It shows how referring to myself is referring to the world and vice versa, despite the fact that the word ‘world’ does not play a prominent role in Hegelʼs text. Some disagreements result over Hegelʼs wide use of metaphors and analogies in his structural analysis of personal self-relations, for example in his reconstruction and critique of the age-old (in fact Platonic) image of a fight between a thinking soul as master and a system of immediate bodily desires as slave. We cannot get rid of inclinations and appetites, and we cannot retreat, as the Stoics had thought, into pure thinking. In other words, there is no fight ‘for recognition’ between different individuals in Hegelʼs book, but in the end an answer to a classical theodicy saying that the world, as it is, is the best one we have because there is only one world.
Jak je možná svobodná volba v deterministickém světě
Authors: Punčochář Vít
Published: April 2024

V tomto článku předkládám některé důvody proti Dvořákovu nedeterministickému pojetí svobodné vůle, které vyložil ve své nedávno publikované knize Kauzalita činitele. Zejména se zabývám Dvořákovým řešením problému náhody, podle kterého je akt svobodné vůle náhodný do té míry, do jaké se nepodřizuje deterministickým zákonům, a do této míry také nemůže být předmětem morálního hodnocení. Proti Dvořákově koncepci stavím vlastní pojetí svobodné vůle, které je variací na to, co Dvořák označuje jako „standardní teorie“. Z hlediska tohoto pojetí je svobodná vůle možná i v deterministickém světě. Analyzuji, v čem spočívá volba mezi alternativními možnostmi, a argumentuji, že je možné mít kontrolu nad vlastním jednáním, i když nemáme kontrolu nad minulostí, která toto jednání jednoznačně determinuje. Zároveň vysvětluji, proč se v ostrém rozporu s Dvořákovou koncepcí domnívám, že člověk v deterministickém světě může nést odpovědnost za své činy.
Volitelova sebedeterminace v kompatibilistické verzi
Authors: Peroutka David
Published: April 2024

V reakci na knihu Petra Dvořáka Kauzalita činitele. Úvod do analytické diskuse o svobodě vůle hájím určitý typ kompatibilismu. Dvořák upozorňuje, že pokud bylo něčí rozhodnutí predeterminováno od něj odlišnými příčinami, pak onomu jedinci za jeho volbu nepřisuzujeme morální odpovědnost. Mým návrhem je však „asymetrické“ řešení otázky. V oblasti predeterminovaných voleb připouštím nepřítomnost odpovědnosti v případě všech morálně zlých voleb, nikoli však v případě všech voleb hodnocených jako morálně dobré. Existují totiž takové dobrovolné volby, při kterých sice nejsme s to – např. na základě silných morálních důvodů – volit jinak, avšak přesto vnímáme své rozhodnutí jako svobodné. Navíc platí, že i kdybychom se při tom dověděli, či uvěřili, že daná volní nutnost není důsledkem naší minulé „libertariánské“ sebeformace, stěží by nám takové mínění zabránilo cítit se ve své volbě svobodnými. Způsoby, jakými svobodu vůle prožíváme, bychom ovšem měli jakožto filosofové respektovat.
Jak filosofovat o lidské mysli?
Authors: Peregrin Jaroslav
Published: April 2024

Ve své nové knížce Kauzalita činitele Petr Dvořák argumentuje, že svoboda vůle existuje, a tudíž musíme přijmout nějakou formu indeterminismu; a předkládá návrh odpovídajícího pojmového rámce. Já se naproti tomu domnívám, že ač svoboda vůle skutečně existuje, neměli bychom proto opouštět determinismus; hlásím se tedy k určité formě kompatibilismu. Podle mého druhu kompatibilismu tomu ovšem není tak, že by se svoboda vůle dala vtěsnat do deterministického rámce. Domnívám se, že řešení je v přijetí toho, že při výkladu skutečnosti nevystačíme s jediným pojmovým rámcem – konkrétně že na člověka se můžeme dívat jako na organismus (skrze deterministický a fyzikalistický rámec), ale také jako na osobu (skrze rámec, který je „prodchnut normativitou“).
Objektivistická etika Ayn Randové
Authors: Vacura Miroslav
Published: April 2024

Objektivistická filosofie Ayn Randové je i v současnosti myšlenkový směr, k němuž se někteří lidé aktivně hlásí a který zároveň představuje ideovou inspiraci některých směrů politických. Předkládaný text se zabývá kritickým zhodnocením konceptu ctnosti v kontextu objektivistické etiky, tzv. etiky egoismu. Nejprve se věnujeme tomu, jak sama Randová tyto předchozí etické koncepce hodnotí, a jejím vlastním základním východiskům – především principu sebezáchovy a racionálního lidského života. Další část textu se zabývá otázkou mezilidské interakce, ve které Randová odmítá jakékoli obětování a altruismus. Centrální roli hraje v autorčině koncepci produktivní práce, k tvůrčí práci jako ke svému základnímu těžišti se vztahuje také její nauka o ctnostech.  Specifický problém pak představuje koncepce žádosti a racionálního zájmu, která, jak se domníváme, vede k určitým kontraintuitivním důsledkům. Text je uzavřen srovnáním s koncepcí R. Nozicka a stručným závěrem.