bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Catchworks: A Historical Water-Distribution System on Mountain Meadows in Central Slovakia
Authors: Slámová Martina , Hreško Juraj , Petrovič František , Grežo Henrich
Published: January 2021

Water meadows or flooded meadows are known from many European countries. A historical irrigation system—catchworks—was identified in only one locality in Slovakia. This article brings a methodical approach to the identification of catchworks on mountain slopes. The main aim was to delineate catchworks using terrain and land use geospatial data intended to supplement existing data on catchworks from the field survey. The identification of shallow and narrow channels in the field is difficult, and their detection in a digital terrain model (DTM) and orthomosaic photos is also challenging. A detailed DTM elaborated from laser scanning data was not available. Therefore, we employed break lines of a Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN) model created by EUROSENSE Ltd. 2017, Bratislava, Slovakia. to determine microtopographic features on mountain slopes. Orthomosaics with adjusted red (R) green (G) and blue (B) band thresholds (digital numbers) in a time sequence of 16 years (2002–2018) and the Normalized Green-Red Difference Index (NGRDI) (2018) determined vital herbaceous vegetation and higher biomass. In both cases, the vegetation inside wet functional catchworks was differently coloured from the surroundings. In the case of dry catchworks, the identification relied only on microtopography features. The length of catchworks mapped in the field (1939.12 m; 2013) was supplied with potential catchworks detected from geospatial data (2877.18; 2018) and their total length in the study area increased above 59.74% (4816.30 m). Real and potential catchworks predominantly occupied historical grassland (meadows and pastures) (1952–1957) (4430.31; 91.99%). This result corresponds with the findings of foreign studies referring that catchworks on mountain slopes were related to livestock activities. They are important elements of sustainable land use with a water retention function in traditional agricultural landscapes.
Sex Differences in Spatial Activity and Anxiety Levels in the COVID-19 Pandemic from Evolutionary Perspective
Authors: Semenova Olga , Apalkova Julia , Butovskaya Marina
Published: January 2021

Despite the enforced lockdown regime in late March 2020 in Russia, the phenomenon of the continued virus spreading highlighted the importance of studies investigating the range of biosocial attributes and spectrum of individual motivations underlying the permanent presence of the substantial level of spatial activity. For this matter, we conducted a set of surveys between March and June 2020 (N = 492). We found that an individual’s health attitude is the most consistent factor explaining mobility differences. However, our data suggested that wariness largely determines adequate health attitudes; hence, a higher level of wariness indirectly reduced individual mobility. Comparative analysis revealed the critical biosocial differences between the two sexes, potentially rooted in the human evolutionary past. Females were predisposed to express more wariness in the face of new environmental risks; therefore, they minimize their mobility and outdoor contacts. In contrast to them, the general level of spatial activity reported by males was significantly higher. Wariness in the males’ sample was less associated with the novel virus threat, but to a great extent, it was predicted by the potential economic losses variable. These findings correspond to the evolutionary predictions of sexual specialization and the division of family roles.
Thermal and Seismic Capacity Improvements for Masonry Building Heritage: A Unified Retrofitting System
Authors: Longo Fabio , Cascardi Alessio , Lassandro Paola , Aiello Maria Antonietta
Published: January 2021

Today, the attention in the retrofitting of building is quickly growing. In this field, the re-use of waste materials and the innovation in the retrofitting techniques are among the crucial topics. Generally, thermal capacity and seismic resistance are two aspects very felt by the building owners. Commonly, independent approaches are assessed in order to cover the energy and mechanical lacks of a building. In such a way, the intervention may result time- and cost-consuming or, sometimes, poorly effective. The present paper aimed to propose and validate a new retrofitting system based on the partial use of waste materials, such as fly ash and expanded glass (acting as a matrix), and a fiber open grid reinforcement. The proposal is suitable for the plastering of building with the double scope of thermal insulation and seismic strengthening throughout a unique application. An experimental investigation was carried out considering small-scaled masonry panels with double-side retrofitting. The studied parameters were thermal transmittance and shear strength. The results evidenced the effectiveness of the proposed technique, able to significantly improve the un-retrofitted masonry, from both the thermal and mechanical point of view.
Towards a Cooperative Learning Environment in Universities through In-Service Training
Authors: Hebles Melany , Yániz-Álvarez-de-Eulate Concepción , Alonso-Dos-Santos Manuel , Villardón-Gallego Lourdes
Published: January 2021

The goal of this study is to determine the extent to which faculty training in cooperative learning (CL) transfers to university teaching, according to students’ opinions. The design was quasi-experimental, with a control group and an intervention group. During two years, 346 first-year university Business School students and 12 university teachers of four disciplines (Business and Economy, Communication, Mathematics and Knowledge Integration) took part in the study. The results show that, after specific training in CL methodology, teachers showed significant improvement in the application of several CL dimensions: social skills, evaluation, reflection, interdependence, interaction and tutoring. In addition, a multivariate analysis of variance was calculated to examine the possible interaction effect of teacher training and disciplines on CL application. The results indicate that training based on participants’ needs and context fosters transference to university teaching. Teachers from different disciplines respond differently when applying CL to the classroom after training, especially in evaluation, heterogeneity, and tutoring. The results highlight the importance of a quality faculty professional development program.
Bridging the Gap: The Measure of Urban Resilience
Authors: Brunetta Grazia , Faggian Alessandra , Caldarice Ombretta
Published: January 2021

The concept of resilience has arisen as a “new way of thinking” [...]
Urban Development and Population Pressure: The Case of Młynówka Królewska Park in Krakow, Poland
Authors: Dudzic-Gyurkovich Karolina
Published: January 2021

Green areas are necessary components of contemporary cities. They have a positive impact on the climate, ecological balance and resilience of the city structure, and provide numerous benefits to inhabitants. However, progressing urbanisation and a rise in urban population leads to increasing pressure on existing green spaces. Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, but especially over the past decade, the number of new developments in Krakow has been successively increasing. New multi- and single-family housing complexes are built not only in peripheral areas, but also as infilling and development of areas closer to the historical city centre. Simultaneously, the number of urban green spaces has increased only insignificantly. This paper analyses the example of Młynówka Królewska Park, located in the western part of Krakow, Poland. It focuses on city expansion processes and their relationship with public greenery. Furthermore, his study examines spatial and demographic issues that may have an impact on accessibility of the park area. The study was based on statistical data, analyses of recent planning documents, procedures and practices, as well as research performed in situ. The results indicate that the population pressure in the area under analysis changed significantly. According to the results, a correlation can be found between the latest urban development and population dynamics.
Options for Africa’s Child Welfare Systems from Nigeria’s Unsustainable Multicultural Models
Authors: Akintayo Thomas
Published: January 2021

The sustainability of Africa’s existing child welfare systems remains uncertain, potentially owing to the maltreatment of children amid the competing worldviews of the continent’s indigenous and non-indigenous practices and international childcare models. This article focuses on Nigeria’s unsustainable multicultural child welfare system in order to highlight the inherent challenges of child welfare systems in Africa and proffer remedies. Seven discernible trends derived from available indigenous sources of information and scholarly literature on Nigeria are used as mind maps to describe and discuss Nigeria’s multicultural characteristics and childcare practices. From the discussion, the country’s child welfare challenges manifest in the following forms: ethnocultural, or more specifically, ethnoreligious diversity; the infiltration of Nigeria by non-native worldviews; colonial legacies; vacillating post-colonial social policies; conceptual ambiguities in non-indigenous welfare terminologies; and persistent unnecessary professional rivalries, which are also present in other African countries. As remedies, three transformative response options for the sustainability of the Nigerian child welfare system and those of other African countries are recommended: embracing cultural relativity regarding child maltreatment, leveraging the transformative and expanded mandates of the social work profession for the development of effective and sustainable child welfare systems, and using research and systems thinking as a driver for transforming professional rivalries into multidisciplinary approaches.
Research on the Vehicle Emission Characteristics and Its Prevention and Control Strategy in the Central Plains Urban Agglomeration, China
Authors: Song Xiaowei , Hao Yongpei
Published: January 2021

With rapid economic development and urbanization in China, vehicle emissions are increasingly becoming one of the major factors affecting air quality. The Central Plains Urban Agglomeration (CPUA), which has undergone a fast increase in vehicle population and has an advantageous geographical location, was selected as the study area. Vehicle emissions estimated based on the COPERT IV model in this area changed greatly between 1999 and 2015, during which time the emissions of NOx, CO2, and NH3 increased markedly. Passenger cars and light-duty vehicles were the main contributors to pollutants CO and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC) emissions. Heavy-duty trucks and buses were the important contributors to pollutants NOx, PM2.5, and PM10. Passenger cars were the major contributors to CO2, CH4, N2O, NH3, and SO2. The city with the most emissions is Zhengzhou, followed by Luoyang, Shangqiu, and Zhoukou. The spatial distribution of vehicle emissions has formed around or tended to concentrate in urban centers. Then, this study also predicts the vehicle emissions from 2015 to 2025 and designs ten policy scenarios for the prevention and control of emissions to evaluate the emission reduction effect. The radical integrated scenario was most effective for controlling CO, NMVOC, NOx, PM2.5, PM10, CO2, N2O, and NH3 emissions than any one scenario by itself.
Reduced Order Modeling Methods for Aviation Noise Estimation
Authors: Behere Ameya , Rajaram Dushhyanth , Puranik Tejas G. , Kirby Michelle , Mavris Dimitri N.
Published: January 2021

A key enabler for sustainable growth of aviation is the mitigation of adverse environmental effects. One area of concern is community noise exposure at large hub airports serving growing population centers. Traditionally, community noise exposure is computed using noise contours around airports, which requires knowledge of a large dataset pertaining to the air traffic operations at the airport of interest. Due to the underlying variability in real-world aircraft operations, numerous assumptions need to be made which adversely affect the accuracy of the model. Reduced-Order Modeling (ROM) methods provide a new framework for the retention of a large number of these parameters, thus improving model speed and accuracy. In this work, a proper orthogonal decomposition in conjunction with a response surface methodology-based surrogate model is used to create a rapid noise assessment model. Validation is performed against results obtained from the aviation environmental design tool with quantitative error metrics and visual contour comparisons. Obtained results are encouraging and motivate further work in this area with other ROM methods. ROM based models for noise assessment expand the solution space for noise mitigation strategies which can be evaluated, and therefore can lead to novel solutions which cannot be found with traditional modeling methods.
A National Nitrogen Target for Germany
Authors: Geupel Markus , Heldstab Jürg , Schäppi Bettina , Reutimann Judith , Bach Martin , Häußermann Uwe , Knoll Lukas , Klement Laura , Breuer Lutz
Published: January 2021

The anthropogenic nitrogen cycle is characterized by a high complexity. Different reactive nitrogen species (NH3, NH4+, NO, NO2, NO3−, and N2O) are set free by a large variety of anthropogenic activities and cause numerous negative impacts on the environment. The complex nature of the nitrogen cycle hampers public awareness of the nitrogen problem. To overcome this issue and to enhance the sensitivity for policy action, we developed a new, impact-based integrated national target for nitrogen (INTN) for Germany. It is based on six impact indicators, for which we derived the maximum amount of nitrogen losses allowed in each environmental sector to reach related state indicators on a spatial average for Germany. The resulting target sets a limit of nitrogen emissions in Germany of 1053 Gg N yr−1. It could serve as a similar means on the national level as the planetary boundary for reactive nitrogen or the 1.5 °C target of the climate community on the global level. Taking related uncertainties into account, the resulting integrated nitrogen target of 1053 Gg N yr−1 suggests a comprehensible INTN of 1000 Gg N yr−1 for Germany. Compared to the current situation, the overall annual loss of reactive nitrogen in Germany would have to be reduced by approximately one-third.
Sustainable Use of Energy Resources, Regulatory Quality, and Foreign Direct Investment in Controlling GHGs Emissions among Selected Asian Economies
Authors: Abbas Hafiz Syed Mohsin , Xu Xiaodong , Sun Chunxia , Ullah Atta , Nabi Ghulam , Gillani Samreen , Raza Muhammad Ahsan Ali
Published: January 2021

“United in Science” is the recent slogan of the United Nations climate summit in 2020. A collective effort of institutional governance, energy resources utilization, foreign inclusion, and regional collaboration is required for the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) of achieving a clean environment. In reaching this objective, this study investigates the sustainably of Regulatory Quality (RQ), Energy Consumption per capita (ECpc), Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and their interaction in reducing the Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) Emissions. This study considered 27 Asian economies, covering the more extensively undertaken regional investigation, in the time period from 2001 to 2018. The results of the two-step system Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) show that RQ has a strong positive significant impact on GHGs emissions reduction. It further indicates that FDI inflows support the institutions to enhance their institutional capacities. Simultaneously, ECpc has negative impacts on GHGs emissions. Furthermore, RQ interaction with ECpc and FDI also have a strong significant positive impact on GHGs emissions reduction in Asia. The study concludes that the Asia region has been implementing aggressive and prudent policies towards environmental up-gradation to achieve sustainability. However, FDI inflows should be more allocated to environmental quality and energy efficacy to clean the climate and promote regional collaboration.
Knowledge Network for Sustainable Local Development
Authors: Marín-González Freddy , Senior-Naveda Alexa , Castro Mercy Narváez , González Alicia Inciarte , Chacín Ana Judith Paredes
Published: January 2021

This article aims to build a network for the exchange of knowledge between the government and production, community and university sectors for sustainable local development. To achieve this, the authors relied on the concepts of sustainable local development, social capital, the relationship between sectors or intersectorality, networks and interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary knowledge. Regarding the methodology, the abductive method was used. Under a documentary design, the research techniques were a content analysis of theoretical documents and the deductive inference technique. The construction of a knowledge exchange network for sustainable local development stands out as the result. It is concluded that knowledge networks for sustainable local development have positive implications in the establishment of alliances and links between the sectors that make up society.
Perioperative Complications after Parotidectomy Using a Standardized Grading Scale Classification System
Authors: Terlinden Natacha , Hamoir Marc , Van Maanen Aline , Schmitz Sandra
Published: January 2021

Perioperative complications after parotidectomy are poorly studied and have a potential impact on hospitalization stay. The Clavien–Dindo classification of postoperative complications used in visceral surgery allows a recording of all complications, including a grading scale related to the severity of complication. The cohort analyzed for perioperative complications is composed of 436 parotidectomies classified into three types, four groups, and three classes, depending on extent of parotid resection, inclusion of additional procedures, and pathology, respectively. Using the Clavien–Dindo classification, complications were reported in 77% of the interventions. In 438 complications, 430 (98.2%) were classified as minor (332 grade I and 98 grade II), and 8 (1.8%) were classified as major (grade III). Independent variables affecting the risk of perioperative complications were duration of surgery (odds ratio = 1.007, p-value = 0.029) and extent of parotidectomy (odds ratio = 4.043, p-value = 0.007). Total/subtotal parotidectomy was associated with an increased risk of grade II-III complications (odds ratio = 2.866 (95% CI: 1.307–6.283), p-value = 0.009). Median hospital stay increased moderately in patients with complications. Use of Clavien–Dindo classification shows that parotidectomy is followed by a higher rate of perioperative complications than usually reported. Almost all complications are minor and have limited consequence on hospital stay.
Elite Exploitation: A Combination of Mathematical Concept and EMO Approach for Multi-Objective Decision Making
Authors: Li Wenxiao , Geng Yushui , Zhao Jing , Zhang Kang , Liu Jianxin
Published: January 2021

This paper explores the combination of a classic mathematical function named “hyperbolic tangent” with a metaheuristic algorithm, and proposes a novel hybrid genetic algorithm called NSGA-II-BnF for multi-objective decision making. Recently, many metaheuristic evolutionary algorithms have been proposed for tackling multi-objective optimization problems (MOPs). These algorithms demonstrate excellent capabilities and offer available solutions to decision makers. However, their convergence performance may be challenged by some MOPs with elaborate Pareto fronts such as CFs, WFGs, and UFs, primarily due to the neglect of diversity. We solve this problem by proposing an algorithm with elite exploitation strategy, which contains two parts: first, we design a biased elite allocation strategy, which allocates computation resources appropriately to elites of the population by crowding distance-based roulette. Second, we propose a self-guided fast individual exploitation approach, which guides elites to generate neighbors by a symmetry exploitation operator, which is based on mathematical hyperbolic tangent function. Furthermore, we designed a mechanism to emphasize the algorithm’s applicability, which allows decision makers to adjust the exploitation intensity with their preferences. We compare our proposed NSGA-II-BnF with four other improved versions of NSGA-II (NSGA-IIconflict, rNSGA-II, RPDNSGA-II, and NSGA-II-SDR) and four competitive and widely-used algorithms (MOEA/D-DE, dMOPSO, SPEA-II, and SMPSO) on 36 test problems (DTLZ1–DTLZ7, WGF1–WFG9, UF1–UF10, and CF1–CF10), and measured using two widely used indicators—inverted generational distance (IGD) and hypervolume (HV). Experiment results demonstrate that NSGA-II-BnF exhibits superior performance to most of the algorithms on all test problems.
Novel Joint Object Detection Algorithm Using Cascading Parallel Detectors
Authors: Zhou Zihan , Lai Qinghan , Ding Shuai , Liu Song
Published: January 2021

Object detection is an essential computer vision task that aims to detect target objects from an image. The traditional models are insufficient to generate a high-quality anchor box. To solve the problem, we propose a novel joint model called guided anchoring Region proposal networks and Cascading Grid Region Convolutional Neural Networks (RCGrid R-CNN), enhancing the ability of object detection. Our proposed model design is a joint object detection algorithm containing an anchor-based and an anchor-free branch in parallel and symmetry. In the anchor-based, we use nine-point spatial information fusion to obtain better anchor box location and introduce the shape prediction method of Guided Anchoring Region Proposal Networks (GA-RPN) to enhance the accuracy of the predicted anchor box. In the anchor-free branch, we introduce the Feature Selective Anchor-Free module (FSAF) to reduce the overlapping anchor boxes to obtain a more accurate anchor box. Furthermore, inspired by cascading theory, we cascade the new-designed detectors to improve the ability of object detection by setting a gradually increasing Intersection over Union (IoU) threshold. Compared with typical baseline models, we comprehensively evaluated our model by conducting experiments on two open datasets: Pascal VOC2007 and COCO2017. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of RCGrid R-CNN in producing a high-quality anchor box.
On Sombor Index
Authors: Das Kinkar Chandra , Çevik Ahmet Sinan , Cangul Ismail Naci , Shang Yilun
Published: January 2021

The concept of Sombor index (SO) was recently introduced by Gutman in the chemical graph theory. It is a vertex-degree-based topological index and is denoted by Sombor index SO: SO=SO(G)=∑vivj∈E(G)dG(vi)2+dG(vj)2, where dG(vi) is the degree of vertex vi in G. Here, we present novel lower and upper bounds on the Sombor index of graphs by using some graph parameters. Moreover, we obtain several relations on Sombor index with the first and second Zagreb indices of graphs. Finally, we give some conclusions and propose future work.
Comparison of Simulations with a Mean-Field Approach vs. Synthetic Correlated Networks
Authors: Bertotti Maria Letizia , Modanese Giovanni
Published: January 2021

It is well known that dynamical processes on complex networks are influenced by the degree correlations. A common way to take these into account in a mean-field approach is to consider the function knn(k) (average nearest neighbors degree). We re-examine the standard choices of knn for scale-free networks and a new family of functions which is independent from the simple ansatz knn∝kα but still displays a remarkable scale invariance. A rewiring procedure is then used to explicitely construct synthetic networks using the full correlation P(h∣k) from which knn is derived. We consistently find that the knn functions of concrete synthetic networks deviate from ideal assortativity or disassortativity at large k. The consequences of this deviation on a diffusion process (the network Bass diffusion and its peak time) are numerically computed and discussed for some low-dimensional samples. Finally, we check that although the knn functions of the new family have an asymptotic behavior for large networks different from previous estimates, they satisfy the general criterium for the absence of an epidemic threshold.
Innovative Supplier Selection from Collaboration Perspective with a Hybrid MCDM Model: A Case Study Based on NEVs Manufacturer
Authors: Liu Guoxin , Fan Shuqin , Tu Yan , Wang Guangjie
Published: January 2021

In the context of Chinese innovation-driven strategy, the role of suppliers has been attracting much attention. Since not every supplier can contribute to the buyer’s innovation, scientifically selecting an innovative supplier is highly valued by decision-makers from the new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturers. This paper focuses on proposing a novel decision framework in the context of collaborative innovation, which helps NEV manufacturers to select an innovative supplier who can work hand in hand with them to enhance their innovation performance. First, a novel capability-willingness-risk (C-W-R) evaluation indicator system is established, considering supply risk from a multi-proximity perspective which is tightly tied to collaborative innovation performance, only considered from geographical proximity in previous supplier selection research. Then a hybrid fuzzy-symmetrical multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) model is proposed that integrates fuzzy linguistic sets, best–worst method (BWM), prospect theory (PT) and VIKOR. With this approach, a final ranking is obtained for innovative supplier selection by NEV manufacturers in China. Moreover, sensitivity analysis and comparison analysis illustrate the proposed decision framework’s effectiveness and reliability and dig deep into the buyer−supplier collaborative innovation. Finally, some managerial suggestions are given for supplier selection from the standpoint of NEV manufacturers.
Finite Pure Plane Strain Bending of Inhomogeneous Anisotropic Sheets
Authors: Alexandrov Sergei , Lyamina Elena , Hwang Yeong-Maw
Published: January 2021

The present paper concerns the general solution for finite plane strain pure bending of incompressible, orthotropic sheets. In contrast to available solutions, the new solution is valid for inhomogeneous distributions of plastic properties. The solution is semi-analytic. A numerical treatment is only necessary for solving transcendent equations and evaluating ordinary integrals. The solution’s starting point is a transformation between Eulerian and Lagrangian coordinates that is valid for a wide class of constitutive equations. The symmetric distribution relative to the center line of the sheet is separately treated where it is advantageous. It is shown that this type of symmetry simplifies the solution. Hill’s quadratic yield criterion is adopted. Both elastic/plastic and rigid/plastic solutions are derived. Elastic unloading is also considered, and it is shown that reverse plastic yielding occurs at a relatively large inside radius. An illustrative example uses real experimental data. The distribution of plastic properties is symmetric in this example. It is shown that the difference between the elastic/plastic and rigid/plastic solutions is negligible, except at the very beginning of the process. However, the rigid/plastic solution is much simpler and, therefore, can be recommended for practical use at large strains, including calculating the residual stresses.
The Bias toward the Right Side of Others Is Stronger for Hands than for Feet
Authors: Lucafò Chiara , Marzoli Daniele , Zdybek Przemysław , Malatesta Gianluca , Smerilli Federico , Ferrara Cosimo , Tommasi Luca
Published: January 2021

As shown by a series of previous studies, ambiguous human bodies performing unimanual or unipedal actions tend to be perceived more frequently as right-handed or right-footed rather than left-handed or left-footed, which indicates a perceptual and attentional bias toward the right side of others’ body. However, none of such studies assessed whether the relative strength of such a bias differs between the upper and lower limbs. Indeed, given that the prevalence of right-handedness is slightly larger than that of right-footedness, and given that hands provide more information than feet as regards both communicative and aggressive acts, it is plausible that the bias toward the right side of human bodies should be stronger for the hand than for the foot. We performed three experiments in each of which participants had to indicate the rotating direction (revealing the perceived handedness/footedness) of ambiguous human figures with either one limb (arm or leg) or two limbs (one arm and the contralateral leg) extended. The hypothesized advantage of the right hand over the right foot was found in both the second and the third experiment.
Iterated Darboux Transformation for Isothermic Surfaces in Terms of Clifford Numbers
Authors: Cieśliński Jan L. , Hasiewicz Zbigniew
Published: January 2021

Isothermic surfaces are defined as immersions with the curvture lines admitting conformal parameterization. We present and discuss the reconstruction of the iterated Darboux transformation using Clifford numbers instead of matrices. In particulalr, we derive a symmetric formula for the two-fold Darboux transformation, explicitly showing Bianchi’s permutability theorem. In algebraic calculations an important role is played by the main anti-automorphism (reversion) of the Clifford algebra C(4,1) and the spinorial norm in the corresponding Spin group.
On the Recurrence Properties of Narayana’s Cows Sequence
Authors: Lin Xin
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we consider the recurrence properties of two generalized forms of Narayana’s cows sequence. On the one hand, we study Narayana’s cows sequence at negative indices and express it as the linear combination of the sequence at positive indices. On the other hand, we study the convolved Narayana number and obtain a computation formula for it.
Comparison of Body Composition Monitor and InBody 720 Bioimpedance Devices for Body Composition Estimation in Hemodialysis Patients and Healthy Controls
Authors: Pajek Maja , Sember Vedrana , Čuk Ivan , Šimenko Jožef , Pajek Jernej
Published: January 2021

Bioelectric impedance devices have become a standard of care not only for peritoneal dialysis but also for hemodialysis patients. We compared the most important body composition variables (extracellular water, intracellular water, total body water and fat mass) measured with the multifrequency bioelectric impedance device InBody 720 (MF-BIA) and bioimpedance spectroscopy body composition monitor Fresenius (BIS BCM) in hemodialysis patients (n = 51, 175.1 + 7.8 cm, 82.2 + 15.2 kg) and healthy controls (n = 51, 175.1 + 7.6 cm, 82.3 + 15.3 kg). The MF-BIA InBody 720 device compared to the BIS BCM device showed significantly larger total body water and intracellular water estimates and significantly smaller extracellular water and body fat estimates in hemodialysis patients (p < 0.001). These differences (p < 0.001) were similar in the cohort of healthy controls; moreover, we observed high correlations in all variables between the hemodialysis patients and the healthy controls (0.80–0.95, p < 0.001). The mean relative differences in the order of 8% were lower for extracellular water and total body fat, but the limits of agreement were still wide enough to be clinically significant. We conclude that the results of the measurements with InBody 720 and BCM Fresenius cannot be used interchangeably. Physicians and nutritionists involved in the care of hemodialysis patients should be aware of this discrepancy between the two devices and should try to use the same device to track the body in their hemodialysis population in a longitudinal direction.
Dynamics of Cardiovascular Muscle Using a Non-Linear Symmetric Oscillator
Authors: Bhattacharjee Soumyendu , Banerjee Aishwarya , Rakshit Amit , Bhattacharyya Swapan , Chowdhuri Swati , Sarkar Biswajit , Neogi Biswarup
Published: January 2021

In this paper, a complete non-linear symmetric oscillator model using the Hamiltonian approach has been developed and used to describe the cardiovascular conduction process’s dynamics, as the signal generated from the cardiovascular muscle is non-deterministic and random. Electrocardiogram (ECG) signal is a significant factor in the cardiovascular system as most of the medical diagnoses can be well understood by observing the ECG signal’s amplitude. A non-linear cardiovascular muscle model has been proposed in this study, where a modified vanderPol symmetric oscillator-based equation is used. Gone are the days whena non-linear system had been designed using the describing function technique. It is better to design a non-linear model using the Hamiltonian dynamical equation for its high accuracy and flexibility. Varying a non-linear spring constant using this type of approach is more comfortable than the traditional describing function technique. Not only that but different initial conditions can also be taken for experimental purposes. It never affects the overall modeling. The Hamiltonian approach provides the energy of an asymmetric oscillatory system of that cardiovascular conduction system. A non-linear symmetric oscillator was initially depicted by the non-linear mass-spring (two degrees of freedom) model. The motion of an uncertain non-linear cardiovascular system has been solved considering second-order approximation, which also demonstrates the possibility of introducing spatial dimensions. Finally, the model’s natural frequency expression has also been simulated and is composed of the previously published result.
Stability Analysis of an LTI System with Diagonal Norm Bounded Linear Differential Inclusions
Authors: Rehman Mutti-Ur , Iqbal Sohail , Alzabut Jehad , El-Nabulsi Rami Ahmad
Published: January 2021

In this article, we present a stability analysis of linear time-invariant systems in control theory. The linear time-invariant systems under consideration involve the diagonal norm bounded linear differential inclusions. We propose a methodology based on low-rank ordinary differential equations. We construct an equivalent time-invariant system (linear) and use it to acquire an optimization problem whose solutions are given in terms of a system of differential equations. An iterative method is then used to solve the system of differential equations. The stability of linear time-invariant systems with diagonal norm bounded differential inclusion is studied by analyzing the Spectrum of equivalent systems.
A Unified Mathematical Formalism for First to Third Order Dielectric Response of Matter: Application to Surface-Specific Two-Colour Vibrational Optical Spectroscopy
Authors: Humbert Christophe , Noblet Thomas
Published: January 2021

To take advantage of the singular properties of matter, as well as to characterize it, we need to interact with it. The role of optical spectroscopies is to enable us to demonstrate the existence of physical objects by observing their response to light excitation. The ability of spectroscopy to reveal the structure and properties of matter then relies on mathematical functions called optical (or dielectric) response functions. Technically, these are tensor Green’s functions, and not scalar functions. The complexity of this tensor formalism sometimes leads to confusion within some articles and books. Here, we do clarify this formalism by introducing the physical foundations of linear and non-linear spectroscopies as simple and rigorous as possible. We dwell on both the mathematical and experimental aspects, examining extinction, infrared, Raman and sum-frequency generation spectroscopies. In this review, we thus give a personal presentation with the aim of offering the reader a coherent vision of linear and non-linear optics, and to remove the ambiguities that we have encountered in reference books and articles.
Unusual Temperature Evolution of Quasiparticle Band Dispersion in Electron-Doped FeSe Films
Authors: Nakayama Kosuke , Shigekawa Koshin , Sugawara Katsuaki , Takahashi Takashi , Sato Takafumi
Published: January 2021

The discovery of high-temperature (high-Tc) superconductivity in one-monolayer FeSe on SrTiO3 has attracted tremendous attention. Subsequent studies suggested the importance of cooperation between intra-FeSe-layer and interfacial interactions to enhance Tc. However, the nature of intra-FeSe-layer interactions, which would play a primary role in determining the pairing symmetry, remains unclear. Here we have performed high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy of one-monolayer and alkaline-metal-deposited multilayer FeSe films on SrTiO3, and determined the evolution of quasiparticle band dispersion across Tc. We found that the band dispersion in the superconducting state deviates from the Bogoliubov-quasiparticle dispersion expected from the normal-state band dispersion with a constant gap size. This suggests highly anisotropic pairing originating from small momentum transfer and/or mass renormalization due to electron–boson coupling. This band anomaly is interpreted in terms of the electronic interactions within the FeSe layers that may be related to the high-Tc superconductivity in electron-doped FeSe.
Generalized Bessel Functions and Their Use in Bremsstrahlung and Multi-Photon Processes
Authors: Dattoli Giuseppe , Di Palma Emanuele , Licciardi Silvia , Sabia Elio
Published: January 2021

The theory of Generalized Bessel Functions is reviewed and their application to various problems in the study of electro-magnetic processes is presented. We consider the cases of emission of bremsstrahlung radiation by ultra-relativistic electrons in linearly polarized undulators, including also exotic configurations, aimed at enhancing the harmonic content of the emitted radiation. The analysis is eventually extended to the generalization of the FEL pendulum equation to treat Free Electron Laser operating with multi-harmonic undulators. The paper aims at picking out those elements supporting the usefulness of the Generalized Bessel Functions in the elaboration of the theory underlying the study of the spectral properties of the bremsstrahlung radiation emitted by relativistic charges, along with the relevant flexibility in accounting for a large variety of apparently uncorrelated phenomenolgies, like multi-photon processes, including non linear Compton scattering.
Chaotic Discrete Fractional-Order Food Chain Model and Hybrid Image Encryption Scheme Application
Authors: Askar Sameh , Al-khedhairi Abdulrahman , Elsonbaty Amr , Elsadany Abdelalim
Published: January 2021

Using the discrete fractional calculus, a novel discrete fractional-order food chain model for the case of strong pressure on preys map is proposed. Dynamical behaviors of the model involving stability analysis of its equilibrium points, bifurcation diagrams and phase portraits are investigated. It is demonstrated that the model can exhibit a variety of dynamical behaviors including stable steady states, periodic and quasiperiodic dynamics. Then, a hybrid encryption scheme based on chaotic behavior of the model along with elliptic curve key exchange scheme is proposed for colored plain images. The hybrid scheme combines the characteristics of noise-like chaotic dynamics of the map, including high sensitivity to values of parameters, with the advantages of reliable elliptic curves-based encryption systems. Security analysis assures the efficiency of the proposed algorithm and validates its robustness and efficiency against possible types of attacks.
Fault Diagnosis of High-Speed Brushless Permanent-Magnet DC Motor Based on Support Vector Machine Optimized by Modified Grey Wolf Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Li Ling-Ling , Liu Jia-Qi , Zhao Wei-Bing , Dong Lei
Published: January 2021

With the development of reliability theory, people realized that “absolutely reliable” machines could not be made. With its incomparable advantages, the high-speed permanent-magnet brushless DC motor is usually used in the symmetrical structure of high-speed operation working systems, which at present are widely used in aerospace and other fields. The structure of the manufacturing process involves a strict processing, but in the process of work failure could still occur. No matter what field the high-speed permanent magnet brushless DC motor is applied to, it is very important to identify states and run fault diagnosis, which is of great significance to maintain the reliability of the motor and its working system. In this study, the fault diagnosis method of a high-speed permanent-magnet brushless DC motor is studied, and a combination model of modified gray wolf optimization algorithm (MGWO) and support vector machine (SVM) have been proposed for the motor fault diagnosis research. Based on the traditional gray wolf optimization (GWO) algorithm, the optimization performance of the algorithm is improved by initializing the population through a tent map and introducing a sine wave dynamic adaptive factor. Then the modified algorithm is used to optimize the internal parameters of SVM to improve the diagnostic accuracy of the model. Through the signal acquisition test, the current signals under different fault states and faultless states were collected, and the current signal data set required for the experiment is obtained. The experimental result showed that, compared with GWO or sailfish optimization (SFO) optimized SVM models, Extreme learning machine and Back Propagation neural network classical classification models, the fault diagnosis accuracy of the proposed model is the highest, proving the excellent classification performance and good robustness of the MGWO-SVM model.
A Compression Resistant Steganography Based on Differential Manchester Code
Authors: Wang Shuai , Zheng Ning , Xu Ming
Published: January 2021

In the field of image steganography research, more and more attention is paid to the importance of stego image robustness. In order to make steganography accessible from laboratory to practical applications, it becomes critical that the stego images can resist JPEG compression from transmission channel. In this paper, an image steganography algorithm with strong robustness to resist JPEG compression is proposed. First, the robust cover elements are selected using the sign of DCT coefficients which are kept constant before and after JPEG compression. Additionally, a distortion function and a weighted cost adjustment method are designed to assign an appropriate cost to each candidate DCT coefficient. Finally, the message is embedded in the cover image which has minimal embedding distortion by flipping the signs of DCT coefficients, while differential Manchester code is applied to the element positions to obtain the location feature. Compared with the prior art, our algorithm has better undetectability and stronger robustness, and it can resist the attacks from the social network platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and WeChat.
System Modelling and Analysis to Support Economic Assessment of Product-Service Systems
Authors: Medini Khaled , Peillon Sophie , Orellano Martha , Wiesner Stefan , Liu Ang
Published: January 2021

The evolution towards more customer-centric operations within manufacturing and service industries gave rise to novel ways of value creation and delivery such as Product–Service Systems (PSS). PSS integrate tangible and intangible elements to create new values for both customers and providers. Therefore, a close collaboration is required among various actors in a value network to co-create values towards win–win gains. For companies to keep up with this pace, new decision support tools are needed to accompany PSS engineering and to adjust business models. This need is confronted with the scarcity of PSS-oriented economic assessment models and methods. This paper presents a comprehensive framework for the economic assessment of PSS. The framework relies on a novel combination of system modelling and analysis approaches to enable cost and revenue attribution to different actors in a value network. The applicability and relevance of the framework are demonstrated through a case study in the industrial cleaning sector.
Internet of Things Learning and Teaching
Authors: Martin Sergio
Published: January 2021

The Internet of Things (IoT) is widely considered as the next step towards a digital society, where objects and people are interconnected and interact through communication networks [...]
A Survey of Robots in Healthcare
Authors: Kyrarini Maria , Lygerakis Fotios , Rajavenkatanarayanan Akilesh , Sevastopoulos Christos , Nambiappan Harish Ram , Chaitanya Kodur Krishna , Babu Ashwin Ramesh , Mathew Joanne , Makedon Fillia
Published: January 2021

In recent years, with the current advancements in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI), robots have the potential to support the field of healthcare. Robotic systems are often introduced in the care of the elderly, children, and persons with disabilities, in hospitals, in rehabilitation and walking assistance, and other healthcare situations. In this survey paper, the recent advances in robotic technology applied in the healthcare domain are discussed. The paper provides detailed information about state-of-the-art research in care, hospital, assistive, rehabilitation, and walking assisting robots. The paper also discusses the open challenges healthcare robots face to be integrated into our society.
Image-Label Recovery on Fashion Data Using Image Similarity from Triple Siamese Network
Authors: Banerjee Debapriya , Kyrarini Maria , Kim Won Hwa
Published: January 2021

Weakly labeled data are inevitable in various research areas in artificial intelligence (AI) where one has a modicum of knowledge about the complete dataset. One of the reasons for weakly labeled data in AI is insufficient accurately labeled data. Strict privacy control or accidental loss may also cause missing-data problems. However, supervised machine learning (ML) requires accurately labeled data in order to successfully solve a problem. Data labeling is difficult and time-consuming as it requires manual work, perfect results, and sometimes human experts to be involved (e.g., medical labeled data). In contrast, unlabeled data are inexpensive and easily available. Due to there not being enough labeled training data, researchers sometimes only obtain one or few data points per category or label. Training a supervised ML model from the small set of labeled data is a challenging task. The objective of this research is to recover missing labels from the dataset using state-of-the-art ML techniques using a semisupervised ML approach. In this work, a novel convolutional neural network-based framework is trained with a few instances of a class to perform metric learning. The dataset is then converted into a graph signal, which is recovered using a recover algorithm (RA) in graph Fourier transform. The proposed approach was evaluated on a Fashion dataset for accuracy and precision and performed significantly better than graph neural networks and other state-of-the-art methods.